Raw airs tonight (Dec. 11) with a live show from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the third episode of Raw during the nine week build towards Royal Rumble 2024, which takes place on January 27.
CM Punk’s big reveal is finally here
It was nearly a decade ago when CM Punk walked out of WWE Raw in Cleveland. Now he’s back in that very same city to sign an exclusive deal with either Raw, SmackDown, or NXT. By the end of tonight’s Raw, CM Punk will make his decision.
The NXT option can be dismissed right away, because nobody who is serious about main eventing WrestleMania will choose the developmental brand over Raw or SmackDown. Sorry, HBK.
Punk’s choice between Raw and SmackDown doesn’t seem all that difficult. The “exclusive” nature of Punk’s decision doesn’t actually matter, because WWE is sure to violate that term whenever it suits their whims. Therefore, Punk is most likely to land on the show that features his most immediate rival, World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
It’s clear from their recent promo work that a match between Seth and CM is on the horizon, it’s just a matter of whether it’s happening at Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, or WrestleMania 40. Either way, Punk joining the Raw roster is the best way to really get that story going.
There’s also the fact that Nick Aldis just signed Randy Orton to an exclusive deal with SmackDown. Adam Pearce pretty much has to balance out that move by signing Punk to the red brand.
Then again, this is CM Punk we’re talking about. Just when you think you have all the answers, he changes the question. Maybe he’ll forgo signing with Raw or SmackDown and instead take this whole concept in a completely different direction.
The rest of the title scene
WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest and Finn Balor have a future date for a title defense against the Creed Brothers. Julius and Brutus showed The Judgment Day they are for real by taking out Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh in tag team competition last week. What will the Creeds do tonight to keep that momentum going?
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley has a non-title match tonight against Maxxine Dupri. This is a complete mismatch on paper that should be a quick slaughter. The Creeds believe Ivy Nile is their secret weapon to neutralize Ripley; I suppose Rhea plans to show them otherwise by destroying Maxxine.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Piper Niven and Chelsea Green recently proved to be better than Tegan Nox and Natalya, but now they have Katana Chance and Kayden Carter on their radar.
Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER had a private chat with Raw GM Adam Pearce last week, presumably to discuss how his next challenger will be determined. The Miz wants another crack at the title, but GUNTHER doesn’t think he is worthy of a rematch.
Other stuff to keep an eye on
– After injuring Sami Zayn, Drew McIntyre closed out Raw by hitting Jey Uso with a