Tommaso Ciampa is backstage. Kevin Patrick asks him about facing The Dirty Dawgz tonight and if there is any added pressure being an NXT Superstar on Raw. Ciampa says he has some great backup tonight. Finn Bálor walks up. While Raw may be his new home, Bálor will never forget where he came from.

Finn Bálor makes his entrance. He’ll team with Tommaso Ciampa to face the Dirty Dawgz next.

-Commercial Break-

Tag Team Match
Finn Bálor and Tommaso Ciampa vs. The Dirty Dawgz (Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode)
Tommaso Ciampa starts against Robert Roode. Ciampa takes Roode down and applies a side headlock. Roode fights up and powers Ciampa to his corner. Dolph Ziggler tags in and punches Ciampa before raking the eyes. Ziggler talks trash, but Ciampa fights back and connects with a knife-edge chop. Ciampa floors him with a big clothesline. Bálor tags himself in, and Ciampa knees Ziggler out of the ring. Roode is also knocked to ringside. Bálor hits The Dirty Dawgz with a somersault senton.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Ziggler dancing around Ciampa and peppering him with kicks. Ciampa gets to his feet and chops Ziggler. Ziggler quickly kicks him in the knee and tags Roode in. Roode and Ziggler take Ciampa down. Roode digs his boot into Ciampa’s face and tags Ziggler back in. Roode chokes Ciampa on the ropes and backs away. Ziggler applies a front facelock to Ciampa. Ziggler kicks him in the midsection as Ciampa tries to fight up. Ciampa gets out of a neckbreaker and clotheslines Ziggler down.

Bálor and Roode tag in. Bálor hits a back elbow but has a whip reversed. Bálor takes Roode down and hits a double stomp to the midsection. Bálor chops the chest, but Roode comes back with a kick to the midsection. Bálor connects with a falling elbow and covers, but Ziggler breaks it up. Ciampa grabs Ziggler, but Ziggler sends him out of the ring. Bálor clothesline Ziggler out of the ring and turns into a Double-R Spinebuster. Roode covers, but only picks up a near fall. Roode is looking frustrated. Roode goes for a fisherman’s suplex, but Bálor gets out and hits a Sling Blade. Ciampa tags in, but Roode elbows him back. Roode comes off the second rope, but Ciampa knees him in the face. Ciampa goes for the Fairy Tale Ending, but Roode counters with a back body drop. Ciampa follows through and hits a sunset flip for the win.

Winners by Pinfall: Finn Bálor and Tommaso Ciampa

-Later on during Damian Priest vs. Shelton Benjamin-

Finn Bálor’s music hits, and he comes out to the stage. If Priest wants to face a serious athlete, a serious fighter, and a World Champion opponent, then he’s talking about him. Bálor tells Priest to be careful what he wishes for. Bálor will see him next week.

Next week on Raw, it’ll be Damian Priest taking on Finn Balor for the WWE United States Championship.

Footage is shown of Finn Bálor beating Austin Theory last month. Mr. McMahon is watching the match backstage. Austin Theory walks in and thanks him for the rematch. Theory says he beat Bálor and almost ended his career after the match, which is almost like a half-victory. McMahon says Theory better beat Bálor or he’ll beat Theory up. He’ll have Theory dragged back to his office and leave him in a pool of blood, sweat, and snot. Then McMahon will take a selfie with him. Theory looks worried.

Finn Bálor makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Austin Theory next.

-Commercial Break-

Footage is shown of Austin Theory viciously attacking Finn Bálor last month.

Finn Bálor vs. Austin Theory
They lock up, and Bálor blocks a kick from Theory. Bálor applies a side headlock to Theory, but Theory whips him off. Theory wipes him out with a nasty back elbow that knocks Bálor out of the ring. Theory bounces Bálor’s face off the apron and sends him ribs-first into the barricade. Theory shouts for the cameraman to get out of the way, but Bálor reverses a whip into the barricade. Bálor then wipes out Theory with a Sling Blade on the floor.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Bálor taking it to Theory. Bálor chops the chest and hits a falling elbow drop for a two count. Theory tries to fight back, but Bálor flattens him with a Sling Blade. Theory quickly fights back and snaps him off the ropes. Theory tries for an ATL, but Bálor counters into a roll-up for a near fall. Bálor hits a snap kick that takes Theory down. Bálor goes to the top rope and tries for a Coup de Gras, but Theory moves. Theory connects with the ATL for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Austin Theory

Austin Theory takes a selfie with the fallen Finn Bálor after the match.

Footage is shown of Finn Bálor beating T-Bar two weeks ago before being attacked by Austin Theory. Last week, Theory cost Bálor a match against Dolph Ziggler.

Austin Theory is walking backstage when Kevin Patrick asks about him hanging out with Mr. McMahon. Theory says he feels so lucky and thinks McMahon thinks of him as a future WWE Champion. Theory walks off, and Patrick says he better not lose.

Finn Bálor makes his entrance. He’ll face Austin Theory, next.

-Commercial Break-

Finn Bálor vs. Austin Theory

The bell rings, and Bálor immediately attacks Theory. Bálor sends him into the ropes and hits a back elbow that knocks Theory out of the ring. Bálor goes outside to get him, but Theory kicks him and bounces him off the apron. Theory backs him into the apron and puts him back into the ring. Bálor takes him down and punches away at him. Theory escapes and goes to the apron. Theory quickly snaps him off the top rope and tackles him with punches. Theory stomps the midsection for a two count. Theory clubs away at Bálor in the corner and hits a snapmare before applying a chin lock. Theory cinches it in, but Bálor eventually fights up. Theory fights back and goes for a sunset flip, but Bálor rolls through and dropkicks him. Bálor clotheslines him out of the ring and goes for a running kick, but Theory blocks it. Theory sweeps the feet and hangs him off the apron for a neckbreaker.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Theory applying another chin lock. Bálor fights up and hits a jawbreaker. Theory quickly sends him to the corner, but Bálor boots him back. Bálor clotheslines him down and hits a running forearm followed by a double stomp to the chest. Bálor kicks him in the ribs and stomps away at him. Theory fights back and hits a dropkick for a two count. Theory misses an avalanche in the corner, and Bálor snap kicks him down. Bálor goes to the top rope, but Theory sweeps the feet. Theory hits a wild springboard Spanish Fly. Theory grabs his phone and goes for a selfie while pinning him, but Bálor counters into a crucifix pin. Theory kicks out and lifts Bálor, but Bálor counters into a falling elbow. Bálor dropkicks him into the corner and connects with the Coup de Grâce for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Finn Bálor

Backstage, Austin Theory is viciously attacking Finn Bálor. Theory slams him onto a crate and shouts at him.

Mr. McMahon is working backstage when Austin Theory comes into his office. McMahon says he liked Theory beating up Finn Bálor, but he still lost his match. McMahon should fire him. McMahon loves firing people around the holidays. McMahon will give him another chance against Finn Bálor next week. McMahon erases something and blows the shavings onto Theory before doing a Santa laugh.

Finn Bálor makes his way to the ring. He’ll team with Damian Priest to face Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode, next.

-Commercial Break-

WWE 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke is walking around St. Paul with Reginald. R-Truth and Akira Tozawa are dressed up as a snowman and a tree, but Reginald catches them. Tamina catches Brooke, but Brooke and Reginald escape. Tamina tells R-Truth and Tozawa to stay out of her way.

Tag Team Match
Finn Bálor and WWE United States Champion Damian Priest vs. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode
Damian Priest starts against Robert Roode. Roode kicks him in the midsection and punches away at him in the corner. Priest punches him back, but Roode applies a front facelock. Roode knocks Bálor off the apron, so Priest kicks him down. Dolph Ziggler runs in, but Priest flapjacks him. Priest hits running elbows on Roode and Ziggler in the corner before big booting Roode off the apron. Ziggler charges, but Priest gives him a back body drop over the top rope. Priest goes outside the ring and jumps off the steps with a double clothesline on Roode and Ziggler.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Priest and Roode take each other out. Bálor and Ziggler tag in. Bálor hits Ziggler with a back elbow. Ziggler reverses a whip, but Bálor clotheslines him down. Bálor knocks Roode off the apron, takes Ziggler down, and double stomps the chest. Bálor chops the chest and hits a falling elbow drop. Roode breaks up the pin. Priest pulls Roode out of the ring and goes for a chokeslam on the floor. Roode gets out of it and kills Priest with a Double R Spinebuster! Bálor then wipes out Roode and Ziggler with a somersault senton that barely touches them. Bálor hits Ziggler in the ring and hits a Woo Dropkick. Bálor goes to the top rope, but Austin Theory gets on the apron and takes a selfie. Bálor scares him away. Ziggler hits Bálor with the Zig-Zag for the win!

Winners by Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode

Theory takes more photos with a fallen Bálor before running away. Theory is very proud of his work.

Finn Bálor makes his way to the ring. He’ll be in action against T-Bar next.

-Commercial Break-

Finn Bálor vs. T-Bar

They lock up, and T-Bar clubs him in the back of the head. Bálor fights him off and applies a side headlock. T-Bar whips him off, but Bálor ducks a clothesline. T-Bar catches him trying a running cross-body and slings him away for a two count. T-Bar clubs the chest and bounces him in the corner. T-Bar forearms him and chokes him with his boot. T-Bar hits a backbreaker for a two count. T-Bar applies a chin lock. Bálor fights up, but T-Bar knees him in the face. T-Bar sends him to the corner, but Bálor boots him back. T-Bar reverses a whip and grabs him by the throat. Bálor counters into a victory roll for a two count. Bálor hits a double leg takedown and double stomps him. T-Bar gets out of a Sling Blade and big boots him down for a near fall. T-Bar lifts him, but Bálor slides off and hits a Sling Blade. Bálor goes to the top rope, but T-Bar pops up and grabs him by the throat. T-Bar climbs the ropes, but Bálor elbows him in the neck a few times and sends him down to the canvas. Bálor connects with the Coup de Gras for the win!

Winner by Pinfall: Finn Bálor

After the match, Austin Theory blindsides Bálor and hits an ATL. Theory takes a selfie with Bálor and walks off.

Seth Rollins makes his way to the ring. Tonight, we’ll see WWE Champion Big E battle Kevin Owens. We’ll also see RK-Bro defend the Raw Tag Team Titles against the Dirty Dawgz, as well as Damian Priest defending the WWE United States Championship against Apollo Crews. Finally, we’ll see the return of Edge.

Last week on Raw, Seth Rollins attacked Finn Bálor before their match. Rollins says people might expect him to be in a bad mood, but no one can keep him down. There’s a special reason why he’s in a good mood tonight. Rollins has a secret and asks the fans if they want to hear the good news. It’s official, at Day 1 in Atlanta, Georgia, it’ll be Big E vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Championship.

The first day of a new year, the first day of a new era, and the first day in his next championship reign. This reign will define the future of Monday nights and this business. Rollins is a visionary and a revolutionary. He is Seth Freakin’ Rollins.

Finn Bálor’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring. Bálor attacks Rollins and knocks him out of the ring. Bálor tackles him over the barricade and throws him over the commentary table. Bálor puts Rollins in the ring, but Rollins punches him off the apron. Rollins hits a suicide dive and takes off his jacket. Rollins walks around for a moment, and Bálor wipes him out with a Sling Blade. Bálor drives the steel steps into Rollins’ head and puts him in the ring. Bálor tells the referee to start the match.

Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor

Rollins allows the referee to start the match and demands that the bell be rung. Bálor immediately hits a Woo Dropkick and goes to the top rope, but Rollins rolls out of the ring. Bálor wipes him out with a somersault senton.

-Commercial Break-

We come back from the break to see Bálor spike Rollins with a DDT for a two count. Bálor stomps Rollins onto the apron. Rollins snaps him off the top rope and goes for a springboard knee, but Bálor moves. Bálor hits a snap kick and goes to the top rope, but Rollins crotches him up there. Rollins climbs the ropes for a superplex, but Bálor punches him down to the canvas. Rollins quickly scales the ropes and hits a superplex before rolling into a falcon arrow for a near fall.

Rollins pulls himself up to the top rope for a frog splash, but Bálor gets the knees up and cradles him for a near fall. Bálor quickly hits a double leg takedown followed by a double stomp for another two count. Bálor sizes Rollins up for a Sling Blade, but Rollins counters it. Rollins hits a Sling Blade and superkicks him for a near fall. Rollins is furious and punches away at him. Rollins looks psychotic as he goes to the corner and waits for Bálor to stir. Rollins charges, but Bálor hits a Sling Blade followed by a Woo Dropkick. Bálor goes to the top rope for a Coup de Grâce, but Rollins moves. Bálor avoids a stomp and rolls him up for a near fall. They then clunk heads and both go down.

Getting to their feet, they exchange punches. Rollins hits a spinning forearm, so Bálor hits a snap kick. Rollins responds with an enzuigiri. Rollins goes for a Ripcord Knee, but Bálor counters into a falling elbow drop. Bálor goes for Bloody Sunday, but Rollins thumbs him in the eye. Rollins elbows him in the back of the neck and quickly hits the Stomp for the win.

Winner by Pinfall: Seth Rollins