Welcome to Ringside News’ live results, highlights, winners, and reactions for this week’s WWE RAW!

In an unfortunate turn of events, the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre tested positive for COVID-19 today. We initially assumed that would mean we wouldn’t be seeing the Scottish Warrior for a few weeks but actually, he’ll be on RAW tonight! It’s unclear what McIntyre will be saying tonight but WWE has said he will address the Universe. Hopefully this doesn’t throw a spanner in any Royal Rumble plans and the Champ is cleared again soon.

In a rather surprising twist, Triple H will actually be on RAW tonight. WWE announced earlier today that The Game will be opening the show but, once again, we have no idea what the King of Kings has to say. Could this be Royal Rumble related? An early start to a WrestleMania program? Or just another attempt to boost ratings? Let us know what you think below!

Sadly, that’s all WWE has announced ahead of tonight’s show. It seems to be one of those weeks when the creative team is cutting things close to the wire, but we can assume we’ll see more of the Randy Orton/Fiend feud, The Hurt Business, AJ Styles, and more. We want to know what you think tonight’s RAW might entail. So sound off below and enjoy the show!

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RAW

Tonight’s RAW opens with a recap of RAW Legends Night, with a specific focus on Randy Orton’s dastardly ways. We go live to the ThunderDome and Triple H comes out to the King of Kings music!

This marks The Game’s first appearance in the ThunderDome. A Triple H chant starts and he jokes that he’s still got it. HHH welcomes us to the show but before he can go any further he is interrupted by Randy Orton. The Viper comes to the ring with a microphone and says ‘the office’ has shown up tonight because Drew McIntyre can’t. Orton says he was supposed to have a big match tonight and Triple H says he knows that isn’t happening. Orton says he knows but seeing as Triple H is here, all dressed up, he figures he’s here to make an announcement. Orton asks if he’s to announce that Randy will be last in the Royal Rumble, or will he do the right thing and just hand him the WWE Championship.

Orton makes a thinly veiled threat and Triple H asks if that’s where they’re at? Orton making threats and clenching his jaw? Triple H says he’s been impressed by Orton this year. He became the Orton of old and a lot of people thought he’s gone too far but not him. He watched Randy light a match, contemplate it, and drop it on The Fiend in order to eradicate the only thing in his way to the title. And he couldn’t have been more proud because he would have done the exact same thing.

However there’s a few things Randy has done that he doesn’t understand, like attacking legends like Mark Henry, Big Show, Shawn Michaels….Ric Flair? There’s no benefit to Randy. No title shot to earn. That changed his perception of Randy and solidified that he isn’t a legend, he’s a no-good prick. Orton says call him whatever you want, he’s a legend in his time. Just like him. As a matter of fact, Randy wants to know if The Game is still in there? Because he’d happily kill that legend. He asks Triple H for a match….tonight!

Triple H stares Randy down and says there’s no benefit in it to him, so no. HHH turns to leave and Orton stops him, saying is it that there’s no benefit or is it that Stephanie isn’t here and he can’t retrieve his balls from her purse. Triple H comes back in and, without a word, drops Orton with a right hand. Orton rolls out of the ring and kneels on the ground, smiling. Randy says “I guess that means yes.” Is this something you guys want to see?!

We see a replay of what happened last week between Charlotte Flair and her father. Charlotte is asked backstage how she feels about the situation and she says it wasn’t the first time she watched someone hit on her father but they’ve moved past it and tonight she puts Lacey Evans in her place. Charlotte makes her entrance and Lacey Evans is interviewed backstage, saying she didn’t flirt with anyone who didn’t want it. Ric Flair is a man’s man and she dedicates her match to him.

*Commercial Break*

Drew McIntyre cuts a promo using his phone, saying he’s fortunate to have no symptoms but don’t take COVID lightly. He tells everyone to wear a mask, socially distance, and protect yourself and your loved ones.

Lacey Evans Vs. Charlotte Flair

The match gets underway and they lock-up, with Flair forcing Evans to the corner and holding her there before releasing and smiling. Again they lock-up and Charlotte gets a small package for one. Charlotte shoots Evans into the ropes and drops her with a shoulder, then wipes her hands and taunts her. Flair blocks a kick and lands a series of chops, then whips Evans to the corner and hits a running knee for a two.

Charlotte gets a Figure Four around the head of Lacey and slams her face into the mat a few times, then pulls her own foot to apply pressure. Evans tries to escape, so Charlotte does handsprings to slam Lacey in the headlock. Evans backs into the corner and Charlotte targets the left leg. Flair grabs the leg and looks to apply the Figure Eight but Evans kicks her off and rolls out. Ric Flair’s music hits and out comes the dirtiest player in the game.

*Commercial Break*

Back live and Lacey has taken control of the match, beating Charlotte down in the corner. Evans hits an elevated dropkick to Flair in the corner, and Charlotte rolls outside to regroup. Lacey goes out and Irish whips Charlotte into the barricade, then both women roll back into the ring. Evans does Ric’s strut walk and looks to drop the knee but Charlotte moves.

Charlotte looks to fight back but Evans body slams her. Lacey unloads a flurry of right hands, then applies a chinlock. Charlotte fights up and lands a back suplex to get free. Flair shoots Ric a few daggers, then punches Evans and whips her to the corner. Flair misses a knee and Evans rolls her up but Charlotte rolls through and kicks her. Charlotte looks for a big boot but Evans dodges and slams her down by the hair. Charlotte kicks Evans as she rushes her in the corner, then tosses her to the apron.

Flair kicks Evans off the apron near Ric, then goes out and brings her back in. Charlotte goes up top for a moonsault but Lacey pulls her down by the leg. Flair drops Lacey by the ropes and hits Natural Selection and covers, but Ric puts Evans’ foot on the bottom rope! Charlotte is furious and she berates her father, telling him to go home but he says he’s going nowhere. Charlotte then looks for a suplex but Ric swipes her feet and Evans falls onto her and Ric holds her feet to cost the match!

Winner: Lacey Evans

Lacey and Ric celebrate together after the match and Charlotte looks like she might kill someone. Ric shouts “nobody wants you here”.

*Commercial Break*

Zara Schrieber stops Ric Flair and Lacey Evans backstage and asks “what the hell happened out there?” They laugh and Lacey says she’ll change at the hotel.

Kayla Braxton interviews Keith Lee but before he can speak, Sheamus interrupts him. Lee tells Sheamus not to interrupt him but Sheamus says he wants to tell him he put on a hell of a match last week. Sheamus says Lee earned Drew’s respect last week, and anyone that Drew respects then so does he. The Miz and Morrison walk up and make fun of them, saying they are keeping their New Year’s resolution, which is to right the wrongs of 2020. And next on that list is Lee and Sheamus, both of whom are surprised but happy to accept. Miz and John remind them that last time they teamed up Sheamus kicked Lee in the face, then walk off.

Jeff Hardy is in the ring and out coems Elias with Jaxson Ryker. Elias says he unfortunately suffered an injury playing music this past, so he is unable to compete tonight. Forutnately though, Ryker will be taking his place. Ryker says he has something to prove.

JaXSon Ryker W/Elias Vs. Jeff Hardy

The match begins and Ryker beats Jeff into the corner. Jeff hits him back and lands a neckbreaker. Jeff goes to the top rope for a Swanton Bomb but Elias distracts him, allowing Ryker to score a roll-up victory!

Winner: Jaxson Ryker

Ryker and Elias make their way up the ramp but Hardy grabs the microphone and tells Elias to stop BS-ing him and get in the ring. Elias tells Jaxson Ryker he’s going to have a match and that he definitely shouldn’t get involved *wink wink.

*Commercial Break*

Jeff Hardy Vs. Elias W/Jaxson Ryker

We’re back live and Elias is kicking Jeff, then drops him with a back elbow for a two-count. Elias sets-up a knee drop but Hardy rolls away, then rallies and hits an atomic drop. Hardy hits a dropkick and a leg-drop for a two-count, then looks for a Twist of Fate but Elias counters with a Death Valley Driver for a near-fall.

Elias is getting frustrated and so he lifts and slams Jeff into the buckles for repeated shoulders to the gut. Hardy fights back and hits a Whisper in the Wind for a near-fall. Jeff lands a jawbreaker but Elias fires right back with a leaping knee and hits a swinging neckbreaker for a near-fall. Hardy counters a European uppercut and hits a Twist of Fate, then goes up top and lands the Swanton Bomb for the win.

Winner: Jeff Hardy

Jaxson Ryker looked like he intended to get in and break the pin but was too slow. He looks shocked and Elias berates him for not helping.

*Commercial Break*

We see a replay of Randy Orton’s challenge to Triple H from the start of the show. The commentators discuss whether or not they think the match will happen and if Triple H is fit enough. What do you think?

Keith Lee & Sheamus Vs. John Morrison & The Miz

The match gets underway with Sheamus and Morrison and John takes a headlock but Sheamus shoves him off and hits a drop-toehold. Sheamus takes a wristlock and wraps the arm behind Morrison’s back, but JoMo turns it around, only for Sheamus to trip and stomp on him. Lee tags in and hits a release body slam, followed by a knee drop from Sheamus. Lee takes the wrist but Morrison forearms him and tags The Miz. Lee drops Miz, who rolls outside, then lifts Morrison with a military press and tosses him onto Miz.

Sheamus then gets a tag and drops both of them with a flying clothesline on the floor. Sheamus gets Miz back in the ring and hits a rolling fireman’s carry. Lee tags in, as does Morrison, and John targets the leg of Lee, trying to hack him down. Lee fights back and hits Morrison with a running tackle that sends him flying into the corner and the middle turnbuckle breaks! Lee and Sheamus laugh as Miz and the referee check on Morrison.

*Commercial Break*

Back live and Sheamus, with the help of Lee, whip Miz to the corner where the buckle was broken before the break. Sheamus knocks Morrison off the apron, allowing Miz to drop him and unload some right hands. Miz forces Sheamus to the corner and tags Morrison, who comes in with some stiff strikes. Morrison prevents the tag and keeps Sheamus grounded with scrappy submissions. Morrison gator-rolls Sheamus over to his corner and tags Miz again. Miz kicks Sheamus in the face for a near-fall.

Sheamus fights out of a front facelock, and lands an Irish curse backbreaker to create some distance. Tags made to Lee and Morrison, and Keith comes in hot with repeated shoulder tackles and two overhead throws. Lee splashes both men in opposite corners, then just throws Morrison into Miz before hitting a spinning powerslam. Miz breaks the pin attempt but eats Grizzly Magnum for his trouble. Miz is tossed outside and Morrison hits an enziguiri, then attempts a springboard kick but gets swatted in mid-air. Sheamus tags himself in and this a Brogue Kick for the win.

Winners: Sheamus & Keith Lee

Triple H is interviewed backstage and asked about the challenge tonight. Triple H says he didn’t come to the ThunderDome to fight but sometimes things change. It seems Randy can’t get it into his head what respect means, and that people like Ric Flair paved the way for him. And now he’s calling him out, to see if he’s still The Game. To see if he’d drop that match. Well the answer is yes, he would. And he accepts his challenge.

*Commercial Break*

Back live and Sheamus and Keith Lee are shoving each other and they’re about to throw down!

Sheamus Vs. Keith Lee

The bell rings and Sheamus rushes Lee, attacking him in the corner. Lee shoves him back but Sheamus resumes the assault. Lee tosses Sheamus over the ropes to the apron but the Irishman grabs him and starts landing the Beats of the Bodhran. Lee blocks one of the shots and turns around to face Sheamus, who slaps him in the face and tells him to show some respect. Lee drags Sheamus into the ring and ties him up in the ropes, then gives him some of his own medicine and chops him over and over.

Sheamus side-steps Lee and he falls out of the ring, then Sheamus follows-up with a dropkick through the ropes. Sheamus gets on the apron and jumps at Lee but gets caught and tossed over the barricade! Lee gets back inside and Sheamus just barely makes it back before the count of ten. Lee lifts Sheamus and whips him hard to the buckles, then runs but Sheamus dropkicks his knee. Sheamus grabs Lee’s arm and whips it into the ring post over and over. Sheamus then stomps the back and neck of Keith a few times before taking an armlock.

Lee slowly fights up but Sheamus kicks him back and heads to the top rope. Lee headbutts Sheamus on the top rope, then climbs up with him. Sheamus knocks Lee back down and hits a flying clothesline. Sheamus then hits a switch knee for a near-fall. Sheamus goes back to the wristlock but Lee keeps his hands clasped. Sheamus transitions to an armbar but Lee still has the hands gripped. Sheamus clobbers him with thighs to the face to try and break the hands but Lee turns over and deadlifts Sheamus up and slams him. Lee then lifts Sheamus and hits the Spirit Bomb for the win.

Winner: Keith Lee

After the match Sheamus slowly gets to his feet and Lee holds out a fist, but Sheamus shoves it away and hugs him.

We see a replay of the end of last week’s RAW, in which Goldberg challenged Drew McIntyre to a Championship at the Royal Rumble. Drew McIntyre will answer the challenge, next!

*Commercial Break*

A replay of last week’s main event WWE Championship match is shown, along with Goldberg’s return and some extended footage of them butting heads. McIntyre appears via video again and he says having the legends watching him defend his title last week was a dream come true. But before he could thank the legends, he was interrupted by Goldberg. One of his favourite wrestlers of all-time. They say you should never meet your heroes and that’s true, Goldberg let him down.

Goldberg came out and tried to put words in Drew’s mouth but the truth is, Goldberg doesn’t know what it means to be WWE Champion. It’s the one title that’s eluded him his whole life. With all that said, he doesn’t want to fight Goldberg. It doesn’t seem fair. Would Goldberg want to face himself in his prime? Well that was all before Goldberg put his hands on him, and now he only has to say, “Goldberg…you’re next.”

Riddle is backstage, waxing lyrical about eating pizza to Lucha House Party. He says it’s just a metaphor for how good it’s going to feel when he beats Bobby Lashley for the United States Title. They wish him luck and tell him to watch his back, and Riddle says that’s physically impossible.

*Commercial Break*

Xavier Woods Vs. T-Bar W/Retribution

The match gets underway and T-Bar drops Woods right away with a shoulder. Woods grabs a headlock but gets shot off and dropped with another shoulder. Woods starts to fight back but T-Bar almost takes his head off with a lariat. T-Bar takes Woods down and holds him there with a rear chinlock while Ali cheers him on from ringside. Woods hits a jawbreaker to break the hold, then another that stuns T-Bar.

Woods lands a few chops to the chest and a kick, then dodges T-Bar in the corner and hits an enziguiri. Woods goes up top and hits a missile dropkick that sends T-Bar flying backwards and out of the ring! Woods rallies and hits a dropkick through the ropes, then gets him back inside but Retribution causes a distraction, allowing T-Bar to attack Woods’ shoulder. T-Bar wraps Woods arm around the top rope and yanks it a few times, then gets him in the ring for Feast Your Eyes and the pin.

Winner: Dominik Dijakovic

Randy Orton is interviewed backstage and he says he’s known Triple H for so long, sometimes he knew him better than he knew himself. But things are different now. He hates himself but that’s a hate he has learned to control and direct to other people. People like Triple H.

*Commercial Break*

United States Championship

(C) Bobby Lashley W/MVP Vs. Riddle

Following introductions for both men, Lashley attacks Riddle before the bell is rung. Lashley beats Riddle down in the corner and the referee asks if Riddle wants to continue and he says he does. Lashley hits him with a big clothesline, and again the referee asks. Riddle wants to go and the referee calls for the bell. Lashley immediately rushes Riddle in the corner and throws him overhead. Lashley continues the assault and Riddle tries to fight back but gets thrown up and over the ropes.

Lashley goes out after Riddle and tries to run him into the ringpost but Riddle slides off and shoves Lashley into it. Riddle then knocks Lashley off the apron and hits the Floating Bro on the floor. Riddle gets Lashley back inside and looks for the Final Flash but Lashley throws him off. Riddle hits a springboard but gets caught in mid-air and slammed. Lashley lifts Riddle, applies the Hurt Lock, and Riddle taps.

Winner: Bobby Lashley

Lashley and MVP leave up the ramp but Riddle gets on the microphone and says they obviously like to kick people when they’re down. He says he couldn’t beat Lashley tonight, but he thinks he can beat MVP. Shocked and amused, MVP makes his way down to the ring and takes his jacket off.

*Commercial Break*

Riddle Vs. MVP W/Bobby Lashley

We’re back live and MVP is having fun beating on Riddle. He’s taking his time kicking him with his nice shoes, but Riddle drops him with a knee. Riddle goes to the apron and kicks Lashley, then hits MVP with the Broton. Lashley rushes in and clobbers Riddle.

Winner Via Disqualification: Riddle

Lashley continues the assault on Riddle with some ground-and-pound. He lifts Riddle and hits a reverse S.T.O while MVP eggs him on. Lashley lifts Riddle and MVP drops him with a kick to the ribs, then The Hurt Business leaves laughing.

We see highlights of last Friday night’s SmackDown, in which Roman Reigns forced Adam Pearce into a gauntlet match and helped him win. Reigns will face Pearce at the Rumble with the Universal Championship on the line.

Pearce is backstage with AJ Styles, and AJ is telling him he’s going to win the Rumble, and Pearce might win the Universal Championship, so they could end up facing-off at WrestleMania. Drew Gulak approaches and says he is entering himself in the Rumble but Pearce tells him there are only 30 spots and you can’t just enter yourself. Gulak says everybody does, like Styles a few weeks ago. AJ says he gets to be in the Rumble match because he’s a multi-time WWE Champion, the asks who Gulak has ever beat? Drew hands Pearce a USB with his winning performances on it, and Pearce says he has to prove himself by beating AJ Styles…next!

*Commercial Break*

AJ Styles W/Omos Vs. Drew Gulak

The match begins and both men run at each other and jump for dropkicks. AJ takes control early but Gulak chops him and lands a snap suplex for a one-count. Gulak then hits a modified suplex with a bridging pin for another one-count. Gulak quickly follows-up with a Tiger Driver for a two-count. Gulak lifts AJ onto the top rope but they struggle back down and Gulak attempts a series of pinfall attempts to no avail.

Styles connects with a Pele kick and catches his breath. Styles unleashes a flurry of offence and a running forearm to the face. Gulak swings a kick but AJ catches it and tosses him up and over the ropes to the floor. Omos appears beside Gulak on the floor and Drew looks like he’s seen a ghost. AJ attacks Gulak from behind and slams him into the announce desk, then puts him inside and hits the Phenomenal Forearm and that’s all she wrote.

Winner: AJ Styles

After the break we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the career of Goldberg.

*Commercial Break*

We get a lengthy look at the career of Goldberg, with some praise from Eric Bischoff for his meteoric rise in WCW. Goldberg faces Drew McIntyre in a few weeks at the Royal Rumble.

Triple H is backstage, wrapping his fist when Keith Lee approaches him. Lee says he understands what happened tonight, Randy pushed his buttons. Since he’s came to RAW, Triple H has been there for him and tonight he wants to be there for The Game. Lee tells him he doesn’t have to do this and Triple H says he appreciates it, but this is something he has to do. Lee reluctantly acquiesces and hands him his leather jacket.

Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax make their way to the ring. They’ll be facing Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke, next!

*Commercial Break*

Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax Vs. Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose

The match starts with Baszler and Mandy, and they lock-up but Baszler instantly trips Rose and looks to stomp on her arm. Mandy rolls free and tags Brooke, who rushes Baszler and takes a headlock. Jax tags in as Baszler shoots Brooke off, and Nia floors her with a body block. Jax backs Brooke into the corner, then takes her to the mat and applies a submission. Dana slowly fights up and looks to tag in but Baszler prevents it. Eventually Mandy gets the tag and drops Baszler with repeated clotheslines and a flapjack.

Rose lifts Shayna and rushes her to the buckles where she unloads with punches. Rose hits a flying knee and covers but Nia pulls her off and out of the ring for a headbutt. Jax tags herself in and hits a Samoan drop but Brooke prevents the pinfall. Baszler hits Brooke with a swinging backbreaker, then Jax splashes Brooke and Rose in the corner. Jax looks to jump on Rose but Shayna tags herself in and applies the Kirifuda Clutch for the submission win.

Winners: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler

Randy Orton is shown walking towards the ring backstage. He’ll be facing Triple H in our main event!

*Commercial Break*

Triple H is out first for his first RAW match in a long time, and he’s in jeans and t-shirt. Orton comes out but is reluctant to get in the ring.

Triple H Vs. Randy Orton

Our huge RAW main event gets underway as Orton slithers inside but eats a right hand and slides right back out. Orton gets back in and blocks a right hand and drops The Game with one of his own. Triple H fires back but Orton knocks him out of the ring. HHH reverses an Irish whip and sends Orton shoulder-first into the steel steps!

Triple H lifts Orton and tosses him into the barricade by the announce desk, then drags him over to the steps and slams him into them. Orton jams a thumb in The Game’s eye, then rams him into the announce desk. Orton looks to back HHH onto the announce desk, but Triple H turns the tables and drops Randy on it. Triple H puts Orton in the ring and goes underneath to get his faithful sledgehammer!

Triple H slowly gets back in the ring as Orton crawls and climbs to his feet. Before Triple H can hit him however, the lights start going out! Orton gets to his feet and Triple H lifts the sledgehammer but suddenly its on fire! The lights go out and all we see is the burning hammer, then Triple H disappears!

No Contest

Orton is alone and looking all around as a warped, twisted version of the Fun House music plays. Orton turns around and Alexa Bliss is standing in the corner. She puts a hand under her chin and shoots a fireball into Randy’s face! Orton writhes around and cries in pain as the show comes to a close.

That’s it for this week’s RAW! Let us know what you thought of that shocking main event and stay tuned to Ringside News for all your wrestling news! Until next time, stay safe!

Curtis Dillion

Curtis does our weekly live match-by-match coverage of WWE RAW and SmackDown for Ringside News. In addition to SmackDown, Curtis also does WWE & NXT special event coverage as well. He has been helping out at for Ringside News for many years.

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