WWE Raw Results, Highlights, and Grades: December 9, 2019

The WWE Raw go-home show to WWE TLC 2019 is set to take place tonight on December 9 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT live on the USA Network. Here are some results, highlights, and grades for the longest running weekly episodic television show in history.

On tonight’s episode of WWE Raw, there is one scheduled match: Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Aj Styles for the United States Championship. AJ Styles lost the United States Championship to Rey Mysterio because of Randy Orton and it will be interesting to see if he wins it back and defends it against Orton or fails to regain the title because of Orton once again.

In terms of segments, Rusev and Lana will officially divorce. Considering their consistent storytelling in recent months, this should be interesting to witness. It’s a huge mystery as to whether this will break kayfabe or not.

According to WWE Now, Becky Lynch will reveal what her one last debt will be, and Kevin Owens will attempt to figure out the secret alliance between Seth Rollins and Authors of Pain. Meanwhile, Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy will continue to brawl with continuous knee strikes.

With WWE TLC 2019 coming up this Sunday, there are many matches to build up to. Hopefully, they won’t all be announced on social media. With that being said, it’s now time to bleed red and plunge into a slew of surprises for WWE Raw, starting with The Divorce Court between Rusev and Lana with Jerry “The King” Lawler as the host.

The Divorce Court: Starring Rusev and Lana

Jerry “The King” Lawler introduces Lana to the ring. Lana’s lawyer has Lawler read that the certain provisions of the restraining order are revoked for the divorce court.

Lawler then introduces Rusev to the ring. Lana then goes on a rant about she was the only one who loved him when everyone hated him. Rusev tries to interrupt, but Lana continues to speak.

Lana feels like Rusev Day chants got to Rusev’s head. She blames Rusev as well as the entire WWE Universe for making her marriage fail. Rusev tries to step forward, but Lana warns her that he should beware of stepping forward because he would violate the restraining order and go to jail for a very long time.

Rusev points out that he is the one who needs protection as he points to the titantron of Bobby  Lashley and Lana getting handcuffed. Lana calls him a selfish monster and claims that Rusev will not find someone like her again. Rusev retorts that he can barely stand her and would not want someone like her.

Rusev says that they should just get to the point and sign the divorce papers. Rusev says he will sign it first. Lana retorts that she will sign it first. Rusev says that theres always a competition in the household. Lana tells the WWE Universe to stop booing and disrespect her. Rusev tells them to boo louder.

Lana says the she always comes first because Rusev is a loser and she should sign first. They then start talking about their dog and Lana calls Rusev a Bulgarian son of a b****. Before Rusev signs the divorce papers, he claims that there’s one more thing to need. Lana interrupts him and ponders if he wants sex. Rusev retorts that he actually wants a match with her hot boyfriend, Bobby Lashley.

Lashley comes out and orates that Rusev keeps making jokes about this dilemma. He then claims that he will marry Lana when this divorce court is over. Rusev tells Lashley to just take her and it’s no problem because it will be a happy Rusev Day.

Crowd chants Rusev Day and Rusev orates that he will fight Lashley on Rusev Day and signs the divorce contract. Before he could fully sign it, Lashley attacks Rusev but runs into a Machka Kick and Belly to Belly Suplex through the table.

Result: Rusev crashes Bobby Lashley through the table

Grade: 2.0/5.0 Stars

Analysis: Pretty pointless segment and did not really progress the storyline any further. However, it seems that Rusev and Lashley will battling inside the ring very soon. The show goes to commercial and comes back to a Kevin Owens backstage interview with Charly Caruso. Caruso asks if Owens knows why Authors of Pain keep attacking him. Owens responds that it’s because Seth Rollins told them to do so since Rollins was upset Owens was the only one who stood up to him at the Town Hall Meeting. Owens meets Mysterio backstage and Mysterio offers help against Authors of Pain. Owens responds that he wants to handle this on his own but Mysterio meant the steel pipe, which he offers to Owens as protection against AOP.

Drew McIntyre vs. Matt Hardy [Grudge Match]

Drew McIntyre cuts a promo about how Matt Hardy had a newborn with his wife recently and should probably stay out of the ring before he won’t be able to reproduce anymore. Matt Hardy delivers a Twist of Fate to McIntyre as soon as McIntyre enters the ring. The show goes to commercial and we’ll have this match as soon as the show comes back.

Back from commercial, McIntyre charges at Hardy but Hardy ducks and clotheslines McIntyre at the corner turnbuckle and outside the ring. He chases after McIntyre outside the ring but McIntyre pushes Hardy into the steel steps and hurls him into the ring. He delivers knife edge chops to Hardy at the corner turnbuckle.

He Irish whips McIntyre to the corner turnbuckle and tosses him to the corner turnbuckle. He charges at Hardy but Hardy dodges the charge and McIntyre goes face first into the steel post. Hardy then capitalizes with a Side Effect for the two-count. He then signals for the Twist of Fate, but McIntyre counters that with the Future Shock DDT and Claymore for the three-count.

Result: Drew McIntyre

Grade: 2.5/5.0 Stars

Analysis: It was inevitable who was winning but it was a solid grudge match. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are then shown backstage as Charlotte says that she does not like Lynch but wants Lynch for help against the Kabuki Warriors. Lynch says that she does not like Charlotte either and will thereby take on the Kabuki Warriors on her own tonight, just like Charlotte did last week. Lynch will probably lose to the Kabuki Warriors as well and realize that she needs Charlotte. The show then comes back from commercial with Kevin Owens looking for AOP backstage. He meets Mojo Rawley backstage asks where AOP went. Rawley messes with him and tells him that AOP went ‘that way’ with both arms crossed in both directions. Owens slaps Rawley in the face and humorously says that Rawley (his face) went ‘that way.’

Viking Raiders (c) vs. Street Profits [Raw Tag Team Championships]

Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford of the Street Profits answer the challenge. Street Profits start out hot with a rapid dropkicks, suicide dives, spine busters, and frog splashes for the two-count on Erik since Ivar broke it up. Street Profits attempts a double team move on Erik, but Erik tags in Ivar who plays the cartwheel game with Montez Ford.

Montez Ford gets heated up for the crowd and runs into a spinning heel kick by Ivar. Montez Ford gets the hot tag to Angelo Dawkins, who hits a picture perfect scoop slam on Ivar for the two-count. He then tags Ford back in, but Ivar counters their double team move with a double back elbow. Ivar tags in Erik who delivers a solid knee strike to Dawkins.

Erik and Ivar then focus on Ford to deliver a Viking Experience for the three-count and the victory. The Viking Raiders are still the Raw Tag Team Champions and they show sportsmanship with the Street Profits after the match.

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Seth Rollins interrupts the moment between Viking Raiders and Street Profits to cut a promo about his unfinished business with AOP. He wants to handle it RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW! Instead, Kevin Owens comes out with his steel pipe and calls out Rollins to get AOP out here since he knows they are not here because they are not that smart enough to hide.

The camera then shifts to the titantron where AOP come out of a vehicle and approach the ring. The show then goes to commercial break.

Result: Viking Raiders Retain

Grade: 3.0/5.0 Stars

Analysis: The Viking Raiders and The Street Profits had an incredible tag team match to steal the show. This goes to show how a tag team revolution is necessary in the WWE because the tag teams definitely deserve more attention inside the squared circle. Seth Rollins interrupting this moment was quite rude and uncharacteristic of a locker room leader. Nonetheless, AOP is coming.

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Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and AOP Segment

Seth Rollins offers to help Owens against Authors of Pain. Owens says that he is not falling for Rollins’ little games because he knows that Rollins would just turn his back on him and attack him with the AOP.

He further orates that he might as well hit Rollins right now before he gets attacked by all three of them. Rollins decides to leave so that he does not get blamed any longer.

AOP then shows up on the titantron to speak in their native language to Owens. Owens jokingly said that all of those points they made was so good.

Sami Zayn from Friday Night SmackDown surprisingly comes out with Mojo Rawley. He has a managerial license to go on either brand and he talks about how he liberates people and Owens is a prisoner in his own mind.

Zayn is apparently managing Rawley now and talks about how Owens was wrong for slapping Rawley backstage. He then requests Owens to apologize to Rawley.

Rawley takes matters into his own hands and speaks in a very disrespectful manner to Owens. Zayn tells Rawley to calm down since Owens has a steel pipe in his hand.

Owens responds that he does not need the steel pipe. He tosses the steel pipe, Rawley catches the steel pipe, and Owens delivers a Stunner to Rawley. Zayn then escapes the ring as Owens whacks Rawley with the steel pipe and the show goes to commerical.

Result: Kevin Owens Delivers a Stunner to Mojo Rawley

Grade: 2.0/5.0 Stars

Analysis: It was nice to see Owens and Zayn in the same ring again. However, it was quite random to see Rawley and Zayn as a unit. It will be interesting to see if they keep this up for the next few weeks. Camera then shifts to Owens continuously looking for AOP backstage.

Aleister Black vs. Akira Tozawa [Grudge Match]

Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy is announced for WWE TLC 2019 this Sunday. The match then begins between Aleister Black and Akira Tozawa.

They perform some ground based offense to start things off as Black pays special attention to Tozawa’s arm. They have a stalemate standoff and the pace remains slow throughout the match. They then speed it up as Black delivers two arm drags. He then attempts a swift Black Mass, but Tozawa ducks and stares at Black in fear and shock.

He then delivers a Hurricanrana to Black and attempts a Suicide Dive but runs into a jumping knee strike by Black outside the ring. Black then tosses Tozawa back in the ring to deliver a Black Mass right on the jaw for the three-count and the victory. Tozawa has officially faded to black.

Result: Aleister Black

Grade: 1.5/5.0 Stars

Analysis: Basic match with an inevitable winner. Nothing special, but it’s nice to see that knee strikes are a theme and pivotal factor in the rivalry between Murphy and Black. Humberto Carillo is then in a backstage interview with Charly Caruso, who shows a promo video of Humberto Carillo. Zelina Vega and Andrade interrupt Carillo to lead to a match tonight. The Liv Morgan Makeover is coming soon.

Andrade (w/Zelina Vega) vs. Humberto Carillo [Grudge Match]

Andrade delivers a quick drop kick to Humberto Carillo and a knife edge chop at the corner turnbuckle. He Irish whips Carillo and delivers a hip toss for the one count. He then locks Carillo in a chin lock.

Carillo fights back and creates a little bit of separation but runs into an elbow strike by Andrade. Andrade then rebounds off the ropes and delivers a running knee strike to Carillo for the one-count.

Carillo rallies back and delivers a flying crossbody and arm drag to Andrade. Andrade rolls outside the ring and Carillo executes a picture perfect moonsault off the steel post to Andrade as the show goes to commercial.

Back from commercial, Carillo delivers an enziguri and standing moonsault to Andrade for the two-count. He then delivers knife edge chops to Andrade at the corner turnbuckle and lifts Andrade onto the top rope. Andrade counters, traps Carillo in a tree of woe, and delivers a double foot stomp to Carillo for the two-count.

Carillo is now stuck at the corner turnbuckle. Andrade charges at Carillo for the double foot stomp but Carillo moves out of the way and delivers a moonsault onto Andrade for the two-count. He attempts another Enziguiri on Andrade but Andrade counters, fakes a knee, and delivers a back elbow to Carillo for the two-count.

Andrade then goes on the top rope for the moonsault. Carillo moves out of the way and Andrade lands on his feet and immediately delivers a double stomp in the corner. He aims for another double stomp in the corner but Carillo counters with a dropkick. Zelina Vega tries to distract Carillo on the apron, but Andrade runs into Vega as Carillo moves out of the way and Carillo rolls up Andrade for the three-count and the victory. Andrade was upset Zelina Vega cost him the match and they argue after the match.

Result: Humberto Carillo

Grade: 3.0/5.0 Stars

Analysis: Great match and shocking victory. This was Andrade’s first loss since coming to Raw. The dissension between Andrade and Zelina Vega is also interesting. Maybe they’re breaking up soon? The camera then shifts to the titantron where United States Champion Rey Mysterio assures that he has no intention of losing his championship to AJ Styles tonight. Back from commercial, Owens is still looking for AOP backstage.

Buddy Murphy vs. Zack Ryder [Grudge Match]

Buddy Murphy and Zack Ryder start the match with some ground based offense. Ryder gains control early on but Murphy slips Ryder off the ropes and locks him in a chin lock. Ryder rallies back and delivers a facebuster and a flying dropkick to Murphy.

He then gets Murphy in the corner and delivers a Broski Boot, which sends Murphy outside the ring. Murphy punches Curt Hawkins in the face outside the ring. Ryder retaliates by dropkicking Murphy. As soon as Ryder tosses Murphy back into the ring, Murphy delivers a knee strike and the Murphy’s Law for the three-count and the victory.

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Result: Buddy Murphy

Grade: 2.0/5.0 Stars

Analysis: Fast paced match with good spots. This whole match was a highlight reel. Camera then shifts to the backstage area where Kevin Owens is seen whacking AOP’s black van with the steel pipe. He looks in the trunk of the car and notices someone sitting there. Before Owens can see him, AOP attacks Owens from behind and slams him into the backstage equipment. They then slam the car door into Owens’ face. Rollins is then revealed to be the guy in the trunk of the car and curb stomps Owens after saying ‘I’m sorry.’ It has finally been revealed that Rollins and AOP are in cahoots with each other after all and Rollins has officially turned heel.

Seth Rollins Promo

Seth Rollins comes out to cut a promo to ask the WWE Universe what they want from him. He conveys how he does not take a night off and fights day in and day out for each and every one of the WWE fans but gets disrespected in return by the WWE Universe. He claims that he did not have anything to do with AOP in the past and that was the truth but the truth was not good enough for the WWE Universe.

He then wonders what is good enough for the WWE Universe in 2019 after dethroning part time Brock Lesnar and bringing back the Universal Title full time back to Raw. He then asserts that it’s time for him to push back and he decided to side with AOP tonight as payback for the disrespect he received from the WWE Universe. This was a self-fulfilling prophecy has turned fiction into fact. Rollins is officially in a faction with AOP.

Result: Seth Rollins and AOP are a faction

Grade: 4.0/5.0 Stars

Analysis: This promo was absolutely flawless. It is nice to see Rollins in this role. When considering the crowd reactions he has received as of late, this heel turn felt very organic and turned out to be the most interesting storyline on Raw thus far. Very excited to see this faction fulfill its duties on Raw. Backstage camera then shows Kevin Owens being taken out on a stretcher.

Becky Lynch vs. Kabuki Warriors [Handicap Match]

Becky Lynch and Asuka perform some ground based offense and Lynch delivers a Suplex to Asuka as Asuka rolls out of the ring. Kairi Sane distracts Lynch on the apron and Asuka capitalizes with swift kicks to Lynch inside the ring and a hip attack in the corner. The show then goes to commercial.

Back from commerical, Lynch focuses on Asuka, but Asuka gets tagged in by Sane. Lynch takes this opportunity to drop kick both Asuka and Sane. She rolls forward and rallies with a Becksploder to Sane and a Russian Leg Sweep DDT combo to the Kabuki Warriors for the two-count.

Sane goes on the top rope for the Insane Elbow. Asuka tags Sane before she takes flight. Sane flies for the Insane Elbow, but Lynch moves out of the way. Asuka then goes on the top ropes and flies with a Missile Dropkick.

Lynch counters that dropkick and delivers a Becksploder and a Flying Leg Drop to Asuka but Asuka counters that leg drop with the Asuka Lock. Lynch does not tap and counters the Asuka Lock into an Asuka lock of her own against Asuka.

Sane breaks it up and drags Asuka out of the ring, but Lynch goes on the apron and delivers a strong forearm to Asuka but gets attacked by Sane outside the ring. Asuka gets back into the ring and Lynch attempts to but Sane holds Lynch’s leg to hinder her from making it back into the ring before the count of ten.

Lynch wiggles out of it and gets back into the ring but runs into a swift kick by Asuka for the two-count. Asuka tags in Kairi Sane and perform a double team move for the two-count. Sane then goes on the top rope for the Insane Elbow but Lynch counters with her knees and attempts the Dis-Arm-Her. Asuka comes in to interrupt but Lynch delivers a powerslam to Asuka.

She then locks in the Dis-Arm-Her on Sane, but Asuka pulls Sane out of the ring. Asuka then whacks Lynch with the steel chair to force a disqualification. Kabuki Warriors then get a table from under the ring. Asuka set up the table outside the ring. Sane goes on the top rope and delivers an incredible Insane Elbow to Lynch through the table.

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Result: Becky Lynch (by DQ)

Grade: 3.5/5.0 Stars

Analysis: Great match despite the inconclusive finish. The table spot after the match was absolutely insane. Absolutely amazing. This is a great way to build up to Kabuki Warriors vs. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair at TLC. It was strange that Charlotte did not come out to help Lynch despite their heated confrontation backstage. Camera then shifts backstage to AJ Styles asserting that he will beat Rey Mysterio to win back his championship and end Orton’s career. Backstage camera then shows Charlotte Flair chatting with Lynch. She respectfully tells Lynch that she had a good match. Charlotte then walks away and gets attacked by Kabuki Warriors.

Erick Rowan vs. Local Talent [Grudge Match]

The local talent sprints out of the ring, grabs the cage, and runs up the stage with the cage. Erick Rowan sprints after the local talent. The local talent dropped the cage on the stage area and dashed back into the ring to get a count out victory.

Rowan gets furious that the local talent wanted to hurt somebody he loved. Rowan then sprints back into the ring before the ten count and chokeslams the local talent three times without pinning him. The ref stops the match since Rowan went too far.

Result: Erick Rowan (by match stoppage)

Grade: 2.5/5.0 Stars

Analysis: This was hilarious. That local talent… whatever his name is…. is an absolute legend. He was not even nosy that like the others in the locker room. He legitimately used the cage as a distraction to win the match. Genius. Camera then shifts backstage to Kabuki Warriors offering to challenge Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair for the Women’s Tag Team Championships at TLC. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair agree to fight Kabuki Warriors in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match. That should be fun. Camera then shifts to the titantron with the Street Profits acting as news panelists or SNL show hosts for the Monday After The Weekend Update. They then provide coverage for and announce the following matches: (1) Kabuki Warriors (c) vs. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair for the Women’s Tag Team Championships, (2) The New Day (c) vs. The Revival for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, (3) Bray Wyatt vs. The Miz, (4) Rusev vs. Lashley in a Tables Match, and (5) King Corbin vs. Roman Reigns. They humorously declare that King Corbin is a big guy but not big where it counts. 🙂

Rey Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles [United States Championship]

AJ Styles and Rey Mysterio start the match with some ground based offense. Mysterio rolls up Styles quickly and they have a standoff. Styles takes early control but Mysterio rallies back and delivers a Headscissors Takedown to Styles outside the ring and Moonsault off the ropes.

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson from the O.C. then approach the ring to distract the Mysterio and Styles takes control as the show goes to commercial. Back from commercial, AJ Styles delivers a mid air dropkick for the two-count.

Mysterio gains back control with an Enziguiri and Sunset Flip Powerbomb outside the ring into the barricade. Styles and Mysterio both get back into the ring before the eight count. Mysterio rallies with a Headscissors Takedown and flying meteora and leg drop for the two-count. He then delivers a torando DDT for the two-count.

Styles charges at Mysterio in the corner but Mysterio counters with his feet and attempts another Sunset Flip Powerbomb, but Styles counters it. Styles attempts to take control, but Mysterio delivers an Enziguiri as Styles falls onto the middle rope. Mysterio dials it up for the 619, but Luke Gallows covers Styles and takes the hit for Styles. Anderson gets drop kicked by Mysterio on the apron. Styles then picks up Mysterio for the Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker and the two-count.

Styles goes to the top rope. Mysterio tries to stop him but Styles catches him for the Styles Clash. He fumbles a bit but proceeds to powerbomb Mysterio and deliver the Styles Clash on Mysterio. Before he could cover Mysterio, Randy Orton runs in to distract Styles and winks at him. Mysterio then rolls up Styles for the three-count and the championship retention.

Result: Rey Mysterio Retains

Grade: 3.5/5.0 Stars

Analysis: Solid Main Event! It was expected that Randy Orton would get involved here and he screwed AJ Styles out of his United States Championship match once again. Great Raw overall. Probably the best Raw of the past six months.