WWE Raw Results, Highlights, and Grades: December 16, 2019
By Mark Justice
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1206744497897512960
Viking Raiders vs. The O.C. [Tag Match]
Erik and Ivar enter the ring, ready for battle. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson come out with mics to talk about how Viking Raiders are very dominant Raw Tag Team Champions but they are the best tag team in the world and the first and only tag team to have pinned the Viking Raiders on the main roster.
The Viking Raiders perform some ground based offense to get the early advantage early on in the match. Erik and Ivar double team Karl Anderson with their spectacular tag team moves with a particular focus on Anderson’s arm and jaw.
https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/1206746588330315776
Erik lifts Anderson up for a vertical suplex to disrupt the blood circulation in Anderson’s head and delivers it for the two-count. Anderson quickly tags in Gallows, who runs into a hard forearm by Erik.
Gallows rolls out of the ring and Erik rebounds off the ropes for a suicide dive, but Gallows retaliates with an Uppercut and a Fallaway Slam into the barricade wall. The show goes to commercial break.
Back from commercial, Anderson locks Erik in a chin lock and delivers a picture perfect Spinebuster for the two-count. He tags in Gallows, who throws some jabs to Erik at the corner turnbuckle and a Big Boot in the center of the ring. He locks Erik in a chin locks as Erik tries to get back in this match and Ivar awaits a hot tag.
Erik delivers some elbows to Gallows’ abdomen but Gallows counters with a Back Suplex to keep Erik down for a two-count. He tags in Anderson, who keeps Erik down with some uppercuts and kicks. He goes for a back suplex, but Erik lands on his feet and tags in Ivar.
Ivar delivers a powerslam to Anderson and clotheslines Gallows outside the ring. He cartwheels and clotheslines Anderson. Anderson crawls to the corner turnbuckle and Ivar delivers a Running Meteora to Anderson at the corner turnbuckle for the two-count. Gallows breaks up the pin.
Anderson capitalizes and delivers a Neckbreaker to Ivar and tags in Gallows for a double team neckbreaker.
Gallows tags Anderson back in to deliver a double clothesline, but Ivar counters with a hand stand double elbow strike, sending Gallows and Anderson outside the ring. Erik and Ivar suicide dive to Gallows and Anderson outside the ring, and the show goes to commercial break.
Back from commercial, Gallows takes control of Ivar in the ring with big boots. He tags in Anderson and lifts up Ivar for a double team fireman’s carry big boot for the two-count.
Anderson looks frustrated but determined to defeat The Viking Raiders, but Ivar counters with a jumping meteora and tags in Erik while Anderson tags in Gallows.
Erik delivers a Gutrench Suplex to Gallows and a knee strike to Anderson. He tags in Ivar and picks up Ivar to toss him into Gallows at the corner turnbuckle for the two-count.
Ivar tags in Erik for another double team move, but Gallows counters and tags in Anderson, who delivers an upper cut to Erik. He attempts a bicycle kick but Erik counters with a powerbomb and tags in Ivar.
Ivar goes to the top rope to deliver a Moonsault, but Gallows takes Anderson out of harm’s way as Ivar falls hard on the mat. Anderson tags in Gallows and delivers a big boot to Erik outside the ring and he and Gallows deliver a Magic Killer to the Raiders for the three-count and the victory.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1206751168589901826
Result: The O.C.
Grade: 3.5/5.0 Stars
Analysis: This tag team match was incredible and a great start to the show. The crowd was pretty dead for this match but these two tag teams do a great job together. It’s difficult to get tired of watching these two tag teams wrestle.
Understandably, their feud should end soon but it’s not boring to watch at all. It’s also very impressive that The O.C. defeated Viking Raiders for the second time. They really proved that they are the best tag team in the world, and this must warrant a Raw Tag Team Championship match for next week’s Raw.
They meet up backstage with AJ Styles, who praises Gallows and Anderson for their big victory and yearns to do the same to Randy Orton tonight on his own without help.