WWE Raw Results, Highlights, And Grades For December 31, 2018

Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Apollo Crews, Intercontinental Championship

Apollo Crews shined brightly by eliminating eight men to win a battle royal for a shot at Dean Ambrose’s Intercontinental Championship tonight. It was an amazing performance that has led to one of Crews’s biggest opportunities in years as an under-utilized member of the roster. He and Ambrose could really tear down the house tonight.

Before the bell even rings, a hungry Apollo Crews hit Ambrose with a vicious dropkick, sending the arrogant Ambrose – and his Intercontinental Championship – flying. Apollo was flying around the ring, rolling up Ambrose for attempts at a quick victory against the more experienced competitor.

Apollo hit a lovely moonsault off the apron, showcasing his athleticism after showing off his strength earlier in the night in the battle royal. And with that, WWE Raw cut to commercial with the fans hoping for Apollo to keep carrying his momentum on the outside.

But, of course, Ambrose took over, stomping away at Apollo before clotheslining him for a two-count. Crews came back and started lighting up Ambrose with a bunch of different kicks, firing himself up for a kip-up and comeback, getting a two-count with a Samoan Drop on Dean.

A standing shooting star press nearly yielded a massive victory for Apollo, and another big move nearly did it, too, but Ambrose barely reached for the bottom rope to stop the pin. Classic heel work from Dean there.

Crews started hitting even more big moves, diving to the outside on Ambrose before bringing him into the ring for a frog splash. However, Ambrose saved his title by rolling out of the way, hitting a Dirty Deeds before barely getting the cover for a three-count.

Grade: A, Watch this match. It was a great showcase of Apollo Crews, and, again, I hope to see more of this from him.