WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for December 25

The Brian Kendrick (w/ Jack Gallagher) vs. Hideo Itami

Result: Hideo Itami defeated The Brian Kendrick via pinfall

Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars

This match was fast, stiff, and bloody. Merry Christmas!

In the pre-match promo, Kendrick and Gallagher – well, just Kendrick, but I guess he was speaking for Gallagher, too – points out that Hideo Itami isn’t the only one who deserves respect. Kendrick is, after all, a former Cruiserweight Champion. The belt may be fairly new, but it’s still a title in WWE.

Personally, I think Itami is letting out a bit of frustration with how his career under the WWE banner has gone thus far. His strikes have always been pretty stiff, but now on the main roster, they’re even more cringe inducing. Kendrick seems up for taking the punishment, but the exposed knee on the GTS caught a little more flush than everyone was expecting.

Surprisingly, the GTS didn’t get too big a reaction from the pro-Punk crowd. Maybe the smarks were out in full force to tell everyone, “Well, actually, KENTA – sorry, Hideo – invented the move, so it’s okay.”

Merry Mizmas

Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel celebrate Mizmas as only they can – serenading fellow superstars with Mizmas carols. “Joy to the World,” but Miz themed? I’m all in for that. And I myself own a half dozen ugly Christmas sweaters, so I’m all for the wardrobe choices. I don’t know why Bayley, Mickie James, and Sasha Banks were so apathetic to the music. Hopefully it was just their upcoming match.