RAW: WWE starts off the new year by looking to the past

After the end of the strangest year in wrestling ever, WWE is kicking off the first Monday RAW of the year with…(checks notes)…Legend’s Night. Oh boy. Maybe Randy Orton will burn it all down. We do know that Drew McIntyre will be defending his WWE title tonight against Keith Lee. And then we will have a lot of shenanigans with guys that Vince keeps dusting off and trotting out trying to desperately get that nostalgia pop. Any way, let’s reluctantly head into the ThunderDome.

The show starts with a Hulk Hogan pitching the H-Phone. You see, the “H” is for Hulk-a-mania.

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Miz TV

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The Miz, with the Money in the Bank contract returned, is in the ring with John Morrison to hype up Legends Night. He doesn’t forget to hype up his partner, either. 2021 is going to be the year of Miz and Morrison and they invite The New Day to the ring.

Kofi and Xavier hijack the show, calling in “New Day Talks”. The Miz and Morrison do not take it well and are interrupted by Teddy Long.

The Hall of Famer has the perfect solution, he books Miz and Morrison in a match with the Undertaker! Adam Pearce runs out, letting Teddy know that Taker really isn’t around. Instead, Teddy books them in a match with the New Day and it starts next.

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The Miz and Morrison vs. The New Day

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Kofi enrages Morrison by twerking in the middle of the ring, but it pays off. Morrison attacks, but Kofi catches him with a drop kick and monkey flips him out of the ring. Miz runs over to help only for Kofi to take out both of them with a plancha.

Back in the ring, Miz distracts the ref, allowing Morrison to kick Kofi in the head with a cheap shot. Kofi gets double teamed in the corner. Kofi blocks a figure four attempt and is able to pull off the SOS. Woods gets the tag, taking the fight to Morrison and tossing Miz to the floor. Woods slides under Morrison and sends him into the ropes with a forearm shot. Kofi takes out Miz on the floor. Morrison blocks a tornado DDT and gets a pin, using the ropes for leverage. Kofi knocks Morrison off the ropes, allowing Woods to kick out. Xavier hits a shining wizard and covers to get the win.

Winners via pinfall: The New Day

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Remember last week when Randy Orton possibly set Alexa Bliss on fire? Charly Caruso remembers and asks Orton what was going through his mind. Orton lets us know that he didn’t set her on fire and showed her compassion and mercy. Now he hates himself for it, but he can mold that hate. He now capable of anything. Orton wants to go for a walk and find some legends to remind them who he is.

R Truth lost the 24/7 championship to Angel Garza on New Years Eve.

Backstage, Garza is totally smitten with Alicia Fox, who totally blows him off. He runs into Sgt. Slaughter, Tatanka and Mickie James. He presents a rose to James, who I guess is a legend now.

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AJ Styles w/Omos vs. Elias w/Jaxson Ryker

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Elias takes Styles up the turnbuckle, but AJ escapes; smashing Elias into the top turnbuckle. Styles lights up Elias with strike, but is stopped cold with a choke slam. Styles goes to the apron, but Elias counters the Phenomenal forearm with a jumping knee strike. AJ counters an electric chair, sending Elias into the turnbuckle. He follows with a brain buster and then the Styles Clash. AJ covers and gets the win.

Winner via pinfall: AJ Styles

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After the match, Ryker tries to attack Styles from behind, but Omos kicks the guitar out of his hand, destroying it.

Earlier today, Charlotte Flair officially threw her name in the ring for the 2021 Royal Rumble match.

Backstage, Riddle asks Big Show if he ever considered being the Big Bro. Riddle heads out, as Randy Orton steps to Show. Orton wants to know how it feels to not be able to compete. Show says he can compete right now, but Show knows what Orton is up to. He wont play along.

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Charlotte Flair w/Ric Flair and Asuka vs. Peyton Royce and Lacey Evans – Non Title Match

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Before the match, Royce and Evans compare the tag team champs to the Serena and Venus Williams. Lacey wants to show the Legends what the future looks like.

Royce makes a blind tag, but Charlotte blasts her with a forearm, but this allows Evans to yank her to the mat. Peyton pounds on Flair and then takes a shot at Asuka on the apron. She misses, but it keeps the ref occupied. Charlotte catches Evans with a back breaker and Asuka tags in, hitting a drop kick. Asuka connects with a hip attack in the corner on Royce. On the floor, Lacey gets friendly with Ric, so Charlotte slaps her. Evans responds with a spear and the two fight as we go to commercial.

After the break, Asuka fights out of the grasp of Royce. She takes out Evans in the corner and is able to make a tag. Flair takes down Evans and boots Royce off the apron. Flair unloads chops on Evans. Peyton tags in and Flair tosses her aside with a fall away slam. Charlotte goes up top as Asuka makes a tag. Charlottes hits a moonsault on both Evans and Royce. Asuka with a shining wizard to Royce, who kicks out. Flair tags back in, as Asuka hits the double knees. Flair with Natural Selection, but Evans breaks the pin.

Evans shuts down a hip attack by Asuka, and then tries to put the moves on Ric. Charlotte kicks her off the apron. Charlotte ducks a kicks from Royce and shoots off the ropes, but Ric trips her up. Peyton rolls her up and gets the pin.

Winners via pinfall: Peyton Royce and Lacey Evans

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After the match, Evans smooches Ric on the cheek. Charlotte tells Ric to stay out of her business.

Backstage, Sheamus wants Drew McIntyre to give Keith Lee and extra kick in the head. The two run into Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart. Hogan wishes him luck and is proud of how he has held the title in these times. McIntyre compares Sheamus to Hart, calling him the Mouth of the South Ireland.

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Bobby Lashley w/MVP vs. Riddle – Non Title Match

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Riddle comes out firing, beating Lashley into the corner before the bell even rings. Riddle unloads strikes at the bell. Lashley is able to power Riddle up, slamming him to the mat. Riddle looks for a triangle choke and the two spill over the top rope. On the floor, Lashley is able to get Riddle up and tosses him into the ring post.

Back in the ring, Riddle is trying to fight out of a head lock. Lashley drops Riddle with a clothesline. Riddle catches Lashley with an overhead kick, but can’t hit the exploder. Riddle with the PK kick and a Bro-ton. Lashley kicks out.

Riddle climbs the turnbuckle. MVP distracts him, allowing Lashley to pick him up and hit the Dominator. Lashley taunts Riddle before putting him in the Hurt Lock. Lashley rag dolls Riddle around the ring. The ref has to duck and misses Riddle tapping out. The ref doesn’t see it, but Lashley breaks the hold thinking he has won. MVP and Lashley argue with the referee, allowing Riddle to roll up Lashley and get the pin.

Winner via pinfall: Riddle

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Backstage, Ricochet chats with Mark Henry. Orton approaches Henry and letting him know that he has entered the 2021 Royal Rumble Match. Orton points out that Henry will never compete in one again. Orton notices that Henry is on a scooter, due to a medical issue. Orton wants to talk about the good old days. Orton tells Henry he owes him. Orton gives him a pass.

Backstage, MVP pleads his case to Charly Caruso that Riddle tapped out. Lashley promises to punish Riddle.

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Mandy Rose vs. Shayna Baszler

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Before the match, Shayna attacks Mandy on the ramp, slamming her into the security barrier. Dana Brooke runs down to check on her partner. Brooke rolls into the ring; wanting a match.

No Contest

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Dana Brooke vs. Shayna Baszler

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Baszler unloads on Brooke with strikes. Dana tosses her out of the ring. She tries to lift Baszler up, but Shayna locks in the Kirifuda Clutch. Dana rolls through and is able to get a pin. The ref makes the count giving Dana the win.

Winner via pinfall: Dana Brooke

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Shayna still has the hold locked in, despite getting pinned. Mandy makes the save with a boot and the two tosses Baszler to the floor.

Randy Orton finds Ric Flair backstage, wanting to know if he wants to walk him down the ring one more time. Orton tells Ric he is only relevant because of Charlotte. Ric is no longer the mat that taught Orton.

Riddle wishes Keith Lee good luck in his match tonight. New year, new champ, bro!

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Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy

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Orton tosses Hardy out of the ring and smashes him into the announce table. Orton then slams Hardy on the table. Orton rolls Hardy back into the ring. Hardy bounces out of the corner with a clothesline. Orton with a head lock in the middle of the ring. Hardy with a neck breaker and goes up top. Orton rolls out of the ring, but Hardy gives chase; taking out Orton with a drop kick on the floor.

After the commercial break, Orton is back in control, tearing away at Hardy’s ear lobes. Orton with the Garvin stomps. Hardy hits a jaw breaker with little effect, but does take Orton down with an inverted atomic drop. Hardy hits the Whisper in the Wind, but can’t get the pin. Orton rolls way from Hardy on the turnbuckle. Hardy leaps down, and Orton is able to drop him with the draping DDT. Hardy tries to counter the RKO with a Twist of Fate, but Orton counters and drops Hardy with an RKO. He covers to get the pin.

Winner via pinfall: Randy Orton

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The Lucha House Party guys run into Melina backstage. She’s a fan.

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The Lucha House Party vs. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin w/MVP – Non-Title Match

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MVP joins the commentary team. Benjamin power bombs Gran Metalik, but Alexander tags himself in. Metalik blocks the Lumbar check and tags in Lince Dorado. Cedric pounds on him, but then eats a springboard stunner. Benjamin tags in to take care of Lince, but Cedric tags himself back in. The two argue of the tags, until Dorado hits Benji in the face. Dorado sends Alexander to the floor. He snaps Shelton over and is able to roll him up to get the pin.

Winner via pinfall: Lucha House Party

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MVP is livid. He tells Benjamin and Alexander need to get on the same page. Cedric walks off.

Angel Garza has a rose for Torrie Wilson, she tells them that several A list celebs are in the house and sends him on his way. He doesn’t find Cardi B; he finds the Boogey Man. Garza bolts, only to get tripped up by R Truth, who pins him to win back the 24/7 championship. Ron Simmons only has one thing to say, and you know what that is.

Winner…and new 24/7 Champion…via pinfall: R Truth

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Drew McIntyre (champion) vs. Keith Lee (challenger) – WWE Championship Match

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The WWE Legends line the stage to watch the match. McIntyre takes control with a head lock, but Lee breaks free. He leap frogs a charging McIntyre. The two trade blows. Lee is chopped down to one knee in the corner. A single forearm smash sends Drew to the apron.

The champ chops away at Lee in the corner. Lee reverses an Irish whip and sends McIntyre over the top rope with a clothesline. On the floor, Lee pounces, sends McIntyre flying over the security barrier.

After the commercial break, Lee makes a cover, but the champ kicks out at one. Lee drops Drew in the corner with shots to the body. McIntyre tries to fire back, but Lee slams him to the mat. McIntyre dodges a charge on the corner, as Lee crashes into the turnbuckle. The champ looks for a belly to belly suplex, but can’t get Lee up. McIntyre floats over, shoves Lee into the turnbuckle and is able to get him up and over for the belly to belly suplex. McIntyre with a neck breaker, but is slowed down by the beating he has taken. Lee side steps a Claymore kick and then slams the champ. Drew kicks out at two. Lee argues with the official on the apron, allowing McIntyre to get underneath him. The champ power bombs Lee through the announce table.

After another commercial break, Drew comes from up top to take down Lee with a clothesline. Lee answers with a chop and then  a clothesline. He covers and Drew powers out. McIntyre counters a clothesline, but can’t get Lee over for the back slide. McIntyre hits the Future Shock DDT, but can’t get the pin. McIntyre climbs to the top turnbuckle and Lee hits a rising head butt. Lee pounds on the champ and goes all the way up. Lee hits a Spanish Fly off the top turnbuckle and McIntyre still kicks out.

Lee wants the Spirit Bomb, but Drew fights out and hits a spine buster. The champ looks for the Claymore kick, but Lee catches it. Lee looks for the Spirit Bomb, but McIntyre powers out again. He shoots off the ropes and connects with a Claymore kick. He covers Lee and gets the three count.

Winner…and still WWE Champion…via pinfall: Drew McIntyre

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Drew helps Lee up and grabs a microphone, but is interrupted by music. It’s Goldberg. Where’s Randy Orton when you need him. Bill calls McIntyre the best guy to represent the WWE title, but he doesn’t have respect. Goldberg steps in to make McIntyre respect the legends. He challenges Drew McIntyre to a match at the Royal Rumble.

The champ says fighting Goldberg would be like fighting his own Dad. Goldberg shoves Drew to the mat and the show cuts out. See you next week in the ThunderDome.