Prove It
Before we dig into the main thing for Raw, this was an odd setup for Netflix. The show wasn’t live so it was only an hour and a half with no commercials, no live intro, and wasn’t even actually available until a bit after 8 pm. They didn’t even advertise this week’s show! So hopefully you found it without any real issues.
Now, back to business. Austin Theory revealed his why this week and it was simple:
He wants to prove himself worthy of The Vision.
Paul E. Heyman wasn’t lying when he said he wasn’t in on this. Austin went into business for himself in hopes of getting an audition. I like that a lot. His character acknowledged his shortcomings and past false starts. He said he put on the mask to show rather than tell while also knowing they wouldn’t give him a chance if he was just an assailant rather than a masked one. All of that logic checks out. I don’t buy “tough guy” Austin Theory but they at least did the work to connect dots.
Then they gave him a nice main event showcase, but not without the added drama that his time might be limited. Paul E. told the incredulous pair of Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker that if Austin doesn’t prove his worth, then they’re free to toss him to the curb like a Christmas Tree on January 1. Paul also made the point that everyone deserves a chance since neither of them were exactly flying high before they all joined forces under Paul’s mind. If there’s one positive that comes from Seth Rollins’ absence it’s this group feeling more like a Dangerous Alliance than a Bloodline pastiche. Paul is clearly pulling the strings and making all the moves.
Will it work for Austin? No clue. He scored the victory for The Vision when they battled Punk & Rey Mysterio in the main event with a Stomp no less. He looked good in the ring but that was never his issue. He failed to connect with the audience and hasn’t yet shown a personality capable of doing that. I’d say if there’s anyone who can elevate him it’s Paul, but I have visions of RybAxel dancing in my head.
B-Sides
- Asuka defeating Rhea Ripley is the right call. She’s a heel, she did heel things for the W, and even held more than a handful of Rhea’s tights. But that’s not entirely why Rhea lost. This was simple, solid storytelling with a setup and payoff. Before the match, Rhea told IYO SKY to stay back because she couldn’t protect her injured friend if she came to the ring. But with Kairi Sane making her presence known multiple times, IYO couldn’t just watch her friend battle two people. IYO hit the ring, Kairi made her pay for that, and out came Rhea’s compassion. She took her eyes off Asuka and tended to her friend. And that was all she wrote. She being Asuka in this case. Rhea’s current character probably won’t take issue with IYO coming to her aide even when she specifically asked her not to. But I do see a world where IYO feels bad for letting down her friend and possibly rushes a recovery.
- Je’Von Evans is a free agent. Or “soon to be” free agent. That’s an interesting development considering he’s got some unfinished business with Ricky Saints in NXT, along with him still wanting the NXT Championship. I’m very curious on how this plays out over the next few weeks. They’re clearly setting up Je’Von to leave Orlando and be a huge star on the main roster. He’s ready for that, without question. Putting him in this week’s match served as a showcase. His battle with Rayo Americano illustrated why Je’Von is a “highly sought after” free agent. Also showed he can get dirty with mat-based wrestling too; he’s not all fast break offense through the air. That’s key for anything Je’Von does going forward because while I love when he gets bouncy, he’s gotta diversify the matches for more storytelling. Now, of course, there’s always a disconnect whenever someone from NXT shows up on Raw or SmackDown. The last time I saw Je’Von, Ricky Saints laid him out and left him damn near coughing up blood. Now he’s on Raw with nothing but smiles. Make NXT matter in your storytelling in 2026. Please? Good win for the kid and the crowd clearly adores him.
- Maxxine Dupri had herself a moment on the mic this week. Nothing crazy but she got in there with Becky Lynch and more than held her own. She had passion, conviction, and emphasized an underdog character ready to take on the world. She wasn’t just happy to be here because she talked trash and told Becky she can get it anytime, anywhere. The time is the Netflix anniversary Raw and the place is Brooklyn. Maxxine even forced Becky to tap in the middle of that ring, which sent the good folks of Grand Rapids, MI home happy after Becky dumped all over their town.
- Speaking of dumping on Grand Rapids, shoutout to Nikki Bella for cutting a nice heel promo. It was more of her establishing her bonafides as a true legend in the division, while also digging the knife in an audience who hates the Philadelphia Eagles (fans of taste, those Michiganders) and Ohio State. What I really dug about it was Nikki taking over the show for a bit to do all of this. She didn’t come out to her music but rather came out of nowhere and stood on top of the announce table with a mic in hand.
- Raw gave its women the spotlight this week, which is always a good call. Continuing that theme brings us to Judgment Day. Roxanne Perez lost to Bayley not just because Lyra Valkyria literally slapped some sense into the Role Model, but also because Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Roxanne aren’t on the same page. Raquel’s logic is faulty here though. Peep game: Liv distracted the ref long enough for Roxanne to remove the turnbuckle padding and then smash Bailey’s face into it. While she’s got Bailey dead to rights with her shoulders on the mat, Raquel leaps onto the ring apron out of nowhere, and gets the ref’s attention. After the match, she said this was her having Roxanne’s back the way Roxy and Liv should’ve had hers last week against Stephanie Vaquer. But, again, Roxanne had the match won. There was no need to do anything she did. Finn and Liv tried settling the beef between everyone backstage but Raquel wasn’t hearing it. She’s focused on her title match next week. Turnabout being what it is, look for Roxy, Liv, or both to “have Raquel’s back” just like she had Roxy’s.
- Bron Breakker cut another strong promo against CM Punk. This one was pre-recorded (like the show!) but still effective. He followed that by leaving the champion lying again with a devastating Spear as the show went off the air. I don’t know how anyone else feels about it but give that man a championship in ‘26.
- And then there’s GUNTHER. Another effective segment featuring the man nobody likes. They’re inviting the boos and leaning hard into him just being an a-hole, while still teasing a match between him and AJ Styles. But not before he slightly bumped heads with Punk and Rey. AJ is clearly the pot of gold at the end of his hateful rainbow.
This was a fine episode. There’s nothing wrong with fine! It was clearly setting up the next two weeks, and taped shows before holidays are usually more subdued anyway. The Vision stuff with Austin Theory is moving forward, Maxxine is ready to defend her championship against Becky Lynch, Stephanie Vaquer has two challengers coming her way next week, and Judgment Day drama is back in full effect. WWE, like everyone, seems like they’re ready to celebrate the holidays.
What say you, Cagesiders? Are you buying Theory’s logic and motivation?
