WWE Raw December 30 Results, Winners, Grades, and Analysis

WWE Raw on December 30 delivered an action-packed episode filled with intense confrontations, dramatic promos, and thrilling matches. The night started with The New Day and ended with a heated exchange between Punk and Rollins. With fierce competition and high drama throughout, this episode of Raw kept fans on the edge of their seats. Catch complete WWE Raw December 30 Results, Winners, Grades, and Analysis.

New Day, Jey Uso, Drew McIntyre, and New Bloodline Open Raw

The WWE Raw December 30 kicked off with intense hype as Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, part of The New Day, made their way to the ring, despite a chorus of boos from the crowd. Kofi, attempting to speak, was drowned out by the negativity, prompting him to demand the crowd’s attention. However, before they could get far into their promo, “Main Event,” Jey Uso interrupted. The tension between Jey and the New Day was palpable, with Jey challenging Drew McIntyre to a showdown. The atmosphere was charged as Jey continued to provoke McIntyre, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation.

Things escalated quickly when Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Jacob Fatu appeared on the Tron, with Solo warning Jey about the dangers of aligning with Roman Reigns. The tension peaked when Drew McIntyre blindsided Jey Uso, laying him out with a headbutt after a failed Claymore attempt. Just as the situation seemed to calm down, Drew turned on the stage, rushing back to the ring to deliver a devastating Claymore kick to Uso, leaving the crowd anticipating what’s next in this heated rivalry.

Grade B+

Analysis

The crowd heat was scorching for The New Day, as they were relentlessly drowned out by boos, with Xavier Woods even prompting the audience to intensify their jeers. It was a masterclass in crowd manipulation by a seasoned performer. Drew McIntyre’s heel turn, brewing since Jey Uso’s arrival to Raw in 2023, was finally reignited after a brief detour involving his feud with CM Punk. It’s great to see Triple H and the creative team revisiting this rivalry, as it adds fresh intensity to McIntyre’s storyline. McIntyre is among the improved wrestlers of 2024 and this segment is an example.

Otis vs Chad Gable

The backstage interview with American Made’s Chad Gable highlighted his frustration with the ongoing narrative that he can’t win a title or defeat luchadors and that he’s been avoiding Otis Dozovic. Gable promised that tonight he would silence his critics and teach Dozer a final lesson in dominance. The match between Chad Gable and Otis began with an intense exchange, with Dozovic using his power to control the early moments. Gable fought back with strategic moves, including a stepover toehold and a diving headbutt, but Otis countered with a massive running cannonball.

The action intensified as Otis and Gable exchanged anklelocks, with both men struggling to gain the upper hand. Otis had a powerful moment when he launched Gable into the Creeds, but Gable quickly regained control, locking in another ankle lock. The tension escalated as Ivy Nile interfered on Gable’s behalf, but Otis was relentless, applying his own ankle lock on Gable. The match reached its peak, with both competitors giving everything they had, and it was clear that this rivalry would continue to evolve, with no clear winner in sight yet.

Winner: Chad Gable

Grade B

Analysis

This is the best that Otis has ever looked!” Barrett exclaimed on commentary, and while that might have been an exaggeration, it was still one of the big man’s strongest performances. Unfortunately, the match’s outcome deflated the crowd, as the fans in Houston were genuinely rooting for Otis to secure the win. Despite the loss, Alpha Academy continues to be a fan-favorite act, proving that they remain a legitimate and crowd-pleasing presence on WWE programming.

Liv vs Ripley Package, Dunne vs R-Truth and More

A video package aired focusing on Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, building anticipation for their upcoming rivalry. Backstage, The Judgment Day B-squad, including Raquel Rodriguez, discussed Liv’s match, with Raquel expressing her desire to talk to her. Finn Balor then interrupted, suggesting he had a plan to deal with the War Raiders, and asked Raquel to pass on his well-wishes to Liv for next Monday. The tension between the factions was evident, hinting at more drama to come.

Meanwhile, backstage, Adam Pearce was seen chatting with CM Punk, setting up potential developments. The Pure Fusion Collective and Damage CTRL were shown separately warming up, further building anticipation for their matches. The scene took a sudden turn when R-Truth made his entrance, only to be blindsided and attacked by Pete Dunne, who made it clear that R-Truth was “nobody’s Butch.” This attack added another layer of intensity to the night, leaving fans eager for what’s next.

Grade B

Analysis

Let’s light this butch up!” R-Truth shouted as he made his entrance, only to quickly fall victim to the wrath of Pete Dunne. While the interaction was amusing, it’s time to move on from this feud and give the heel something more substantial to sink his teeth into.

Dakota Kai vs Zoey Stark Semifinal

Backstage, Damage CTRL discussed their upcoming semifinal matches in the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament. Each member confidently spoke about their intentions to win, setting the stage for an intense showdown, and hinted at the possibility of facing off against one another in the final. Their determination was clear, fueling the anticipation for the tournament’s next rounds.

The tournament match between Dakota Kai and Zoey Stark was a hard-hitting battle filled with near falls and high-flying maneuvers. Early on, Kai delivered a big boot and windmill punches, but Stark quickly fought back with shoulder blocks and a monkey flip. The match was evenly contested, with Stark blocking a German suplex and hitting a superkick, while Kai countered a dive with a well-timed superkick. After a series of near falls and intense exchanges, Dakota Kai sealed the victory with a Detonator kick, securing her spot in the final and advancing to the tournament.

Winner: Dakota Kai

Grade B+

Analysis

On a more positive note, Zoey Stark and Dakota Kai really captured the crowd’s attention in the second half of their match. The two skilled wrestlers put on a stellar performance, showcasing their abilities and earning the audience’s full support. Will Kai win the tournament?

The Judgment Day vs Damien Priest and War Raiders

The match kicked off with the babyfaces taking control early, working over JD McDonagh with quick tags and high-energy offense. The action spilled to the floor, where Finn Balor was sent crashing into the announce desk before we went to a commercial break.

When we returned, Erik fought out of the corner with some strong strikes, but Balor managed to land an inverted headlock elbow drop. The action slowed as Balor grounded Erik with a reverse chin lock, but things picked up when Ivar received the hot tag, delivering a flurry of kicks, though he missed the Bronco Buster. The match broke down as Carlito interfered to help Rey Mysterio land a chop block. JD McDonagh’s Asai moonsault was met by Ivar’s powerful crossbody, and after some fast-paced back-and-forth, Damian Priest delivered a South of Heaven on Dominik Mysterio for the pinfall victory.

After the match, tensions flared as Balor attacked Priest, with Carlito assisting in a brutal assault on Priest’s leg. However, the War Raiders came to Priest’s aid, chasing Balor and Carlito, setting the stage for more intense rivalries to unfold.

Winner: Priest and War Raiders

Grade B

Analysis

The new entrance music for The Judgment Day raises questions about why it wasn’t introduced earlier this summer when Priest and Ripley were briefly absent, as it could have signaled a fresh era for the faction. Meanwhile, as the new World Tag Team Champions, the War Raiders made their entrance, with Barrett fittingly exclaiming, “Raw is WAR!”—a perfect moment for their reign. Backstage, Adam Pearce finally gave Jey Uso what he wanted: a match with Drew McIntyre, set for next week’s highly anticipated debut on Netflix.

Backstage News on WWE Raw December 30 Results

Backstage, Jey Uso had a tense encounter with Adam Pearce, who informed him that he had personally escorted both Solo Sikoa and Drew McIntyre out of the building. Pearce then announced that Jey would get the fight he clearly wanted, booking a match for next week: Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre. The tension between the two wrestlers was palpable, adding to the anticipation for the upcoming showdown.

Meanwhile, CM Punk was seen checking his watch in the locker room, humorously implying that it was always “clobberin’ time.” Seth Rollins, on the other hand, was spotted sporting an eccentric outfit that some might compare to “grandma’s wallpaper,” adding a bit of levity to the backstage atmosphere. The segment then shifted to a new Penta el Zero M promo video, followed by a brief break, keeping the energy high as we awaited more action.

Ludwig Kaiser Called Out Bron Breakker Instead of Got Sheamus

After the commercial break, Ludwig Kaiser grabbed the mic in the ring, demanding gratitude from the crowd for his contributions. He talked himself up before calling out Bron Breakker, but before anything could happen, Sheamus made a surprise entrance, sliding into the ring and immediately taking Kaiser out with a Brogue Kick, sparking a brawl between the two.

Meanwhile, backstage, the Latino World Order and Alpha Academy were seen hanging out together. Rey Mysterio gave Otis a pep talk, encouraging him ahead of his next match with Chad Gable. As Rey left, the New Day confronted him, criticizing his leadership of the locker room. Rey dismissed their complaints and challenged them to a tag match if they were feeling bold. Xavier Woods joked about the “mask guy, hat guy, no hat guy” dynamic, but they accepted the challenge, setting the stage for an exciting upcoming match.

Grade B

Analysis

Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser has been one of the more underrated rivalries in WWE, especially when it comes to in-ring action. With both men chasing the Intercontinental Championship, their continued clashes make sense as part of their ongoing rivalry. However, it feels like they’ve been caught in a loop of matches against each other, perhaps due to a lack of other storyline options for both. Ultimately, the rivalry must come to an end, and the question is when these two will finally have their definitive match to close the chapter.

Iyo Sky vs Lyra Valkyria Semifinal

The match between Lyra Valkyria and IYO SKY was a fast-paced, back-and-forth contest that showcased both competitors’ athleticism and determination. SKY dominated early, lighting Valkyria up with quick strikes, including a whip to the corner followed by a handspring and a victory roll for a near fall. Valkyria responded with a rana pin and an impressive inverted Boston Crab into a rocking horse submission, but SKY hobbled after clutching her knee, creating an opening for Valkyria to continue her attack. The action then took a brief break after Valkyria dragon screwed SKY off the top.

When the match returned, IYO SKY delivered a missile dropkick, but Valkyria quickly regained momentum with a shotgun dropkick and a step-up tornado DDT, followed by a sheer drop brainbuster for a two-count. The two jockeyed for position on the top rope, with SKY hitting a near fall after a victory roll. Despite her hobbled knee, IYO hit a moonsault to the floor and corner knees, but Valkyria evaded a moonsault attempt and transitioned into an O’Connor roll. In the end, Valkyria secured the win with a European Clutch, overcoming SKY in a thrilling contest.

Winner: Lyra Valkyria

Grade A

Analysis

The cutaways to Dakota Kai watching from the suite during the Valkyria vs. Sky match were a bit distracting and took away from the action in the ring. However, there’s no denying that both Valkyria and Sky operate on different levels from most of the divisions. Every time they step into the ring, their chemistry and skill shine through, delivering a level of excellence that sets them apart from their peers. These two are always a highlight whenever they square off. So, Valkyria vs Kai is set as Final of WWE Women’s Intercontinental Match.

CM Punk and Seth Rollins Heated Promo

The intensity between Seth Rollins and CM Punk reached a fever pitch during their heated confrontation. Rollins began by hyping up his match with Punk next week, emphasizing his dedication to always showing up and fighting for the fans. He took a shot at Punk, suggesting that if things didn’t go his way, he’d cry and whine like before, maybe even take another long break from wrestling.

Enter CM Punk, who fired back at Rollins’ jab about “taking his ball and going home,” calling it a tired industry cliché. Punk questioned if Rollins was the only one who didn’t “take their ball and go home,” pointing out others who left the business but returned. Punk then delved deeper into their rivalry, mentioning how Rollins was left to suffer while Punk made his choice to leave with no regrets. He also took shots at Rollins’ physical condition, asking about his neck, knee, and insides after enduring brutal matches.

Punk reveled in his return, vowing to make money next week by turning Rollins into the victim he wants to be. Rollins retorted by pointing out Punk’s past mistakes, calling out his departure, and saying Punk wanted the company to fail while he was gone. Rollins took pride in staying and fighting through the tough times, claiming that’s how revolutions are made. Punk responded with a personal tirade, claiming Rollins stabbed Roman Reigns in the back and now dresses like an idiot.

He defended his departure, explaining he left because he had to and returned because the fans wanted him back. Punk vowed to bring a “fistful of arrows” next week, promising to shove them down Rollins’ throat. Rollins, seething with rage, declared that Punk had become a cancer to the locker room and the business and that next week, he would burn Punk to the ground. The two left the tension high, with their clash next week set to be a brutal, emotional encounter.

Grade A+

Analysis

The audience was enthralled, and the intensity in both men’s faces demonstrated how difficult it is to distinguish fact from fantasy. As long as there is no interference or pointless booking, their match next week is sure to be an unforgettable one and a fitting start to what should be a story full of them. CM Punk is among best WWE Wrestlers of 2024 and Seth is very close to it. It was all from WWE Raw December 30 Results, Winners, Grades, and Analysis.