Amid the festive season, WWE enthusiasts are eagerly speculating about the upcoming Raw and SmackDown episodes. In a surprising move, WWE disclosed a temporary furlough for its superstars, creative team, and staff, following a pre-recorded episode of SmackDown.
With the Christmas break in effect until December 25, 2023, fans are eager to discover what lies ahead in the next episodes. The final Raw episode of the year won’t be live; instead, WWE has prepared a special titled “Absolute Best of 2023.” Hosted by Jackie Redmond and Peter Rosenberg, the show will feature highlights and top matches from throughout the year, reminiscent of a similar approach taken by the company last year.
Concerning the December 29, 2023, episode of SmackDown, no official announcement has been made. Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that this episode will also not be live. However, fans can expect a treat with the “Best of SmackDown” episode, showcasing the most memorable moments and matches from the blue brand in 2023.
Shifting focus to NXT, while Raw and SmackDown indulge in a retrospective, NXT will continue with its scheduled programming. Pre-taped episodes are set to feature gripping matches, with NXT superstars building excitement for the upcoming special show, New Year’s Evil.
Given WWE’s persistent viewership challenges, the decision to air past content raises questions about audience engagement. The company acknowledges potential losses but remains hopeful that the thrilling matches on NXT will capture viewers’ attention. As the wrestling universe eagerly awaits the holiday episodes, the industry is poised for a unique blend of nostalgia and fresh excitement.
In this week’s WWE Raw episode, Jey Uso, the former member of the Bloodline, marked the end of his prolonged singles match drought. Uso squared off against Ludwig Kaiser in response to an earlier attack on Kofi Kingston by Imperium members Ludwig and Giovanni Vinci.
After coming to Kofi’s aid, Jey Uso engaged in a fierce match against Ludwig Kaiser, with Giovanni Vinci attempting to interfere on Kaiser’s behalf. However, Kofi Kingston intervened, delivering a lesson to Vinci with his signature Trouble in Paradise move.
Ultimately, Jey Uso clinched the victory by executing a spear followed by a top-rope splash, securing his first singles win in 136 days. The last time Jey emerged victorious in a singles match was on the August 4 episode of SmackDown against Solo Sequoia. Furthermore, this recent win on Raw represents Jey’s inaugural singles victory since joining the brand.
Earlier in 2023, Jey Uso made headlines by breaking Roman Reigns’ remarkable streak of not being pinned since 2019. In a significant turn of events, Jey secured a victory for his team by pinning Roman Reigns in the Bloodline Civil War tag team match at Money in the Bank 2023. Despite this accomplishment, Jey faced defeat against Roman Reigns in the undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at SummerSlam 2023, courtesy of interference from his brother Jimmy Uso.
WWE’s R-Truth marked a triumphant return at Survivor Series WarGames 2023, rejoining regular comedy segments on the wrestling scene. Recently featured on Raw, he entered his first match since his comeback, facing off against JD McDonagh of The Judgment Day faction.
Despite boasting an impressive 59-time championship record, R-Truth has been aligning himself with The Judgment Day since his return. In a thrilling Miracle on 34th Street fight on Raw, the stipulation was set that the loser would be ousted from The Judgment Day. At 51 years old, R-Truth showcased his skills in an entertaining match.
The match took an interesting turn, resembling a handicap scenario as Dominic Mysterio consistently aided JD McDonagh from ringside. Undeterred, R-Truth overcame the odds, countering Dominik and McDonough’s attempts, ultimately pinning JD McDonagh with a belly-to-belly suplex through a table.
R-Truth’s return to the main roster marked his first match in almost 14 months. After facing Grayson Waller in NXT in November of the previous year and sustaining an injury, he had been away from in-ring action. Despite the setback, R-Truth made a successful return to the main roster in October 2022, securing a victory against The Miz via pin.
With over 15 years of experience in WWE, R-Truth has shared the ring with numerous wrestling legends and achieved significant milestones, including holding the US and Tag Team Championships in his illustrious career. The enduring veteran appears to be in excellent shape, hinting at more exciting matches in the weeks to come.
WWE fans always find something to talk about when it comes to the charismatic Akira Tozawa. His entertaining character work and consistent TV presence have kept him in the spotlight. Recently, Tozawa shared a special message with his fans, accompanied by a photo from a Raw episode where he tore his T-shirt during a match against Ivar.
In the heartfelt message, Tozawa reflected on the challenges of the past year and expressed gratitude for the support he has received. Despite the difficulties, he considers 2023 a great and memorable year, thanking his fans for their blessings. Tozawa wished everyone a Merry Christmas and encouraged them to enjoy the holidays while staying safe.
In a recent episode of WWE Raw, Tozawa faced Ivar in a match that showcased his resilience and impressive moves. A backstage segment with Adam Pearce revealed Tozawa’s determination to take on the formidable opponent. Despite the odds, Tozawa fought valiantly, attempting comebacks against Ivar’s dominance. Although he faced defeat, Tozawa’s performance demonstrated his ability to compete at a high level, even against larger adversaries like Ivar.
WWE Raw witnessed the emergence of new champions in three highly anticipated championship matches. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven faced Kayden Carter and Katana Chance for the Women’s Tag Team Title, resulting in the latter duo securing the victory and capturing the championship. However, a wrestling veteran has raised questions about their character post-victory.
In a recent episode of Legion of Raw, Vince Russo shared his thoughts on the new Women’s Tag Team Champions. Russo pointed out that Kayden Carter and Katana Chance lack a compelling gimmick, expressing his unfamiliarity with their characters since he does not watch NXT. Russo stated, “Now we have Women’s Tag Team Champions, and we have no idea about their characters. They cut a ‘whoop-whoop’ promo, and I realized I don’t know that. I don’t watch NXT, and I have no interest in NXT. I have no idea who the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions (Katana Chance and Kayden Carter) are.”
Russo’s critique sheds light on WWE’s apparent neglect of developing a distinctive gimmick for Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, indicating that their current characters lack uniqueness.
In addition to the Women’s Tag Team Championship match, WWE Raw featured two other impactful title matches. Gunther defended his Intercontinental Championship against The Miz, securing victory and retaining his title. In the main event, Judgment Day and the Creed Brothers clashed for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, with Judgment Day emerging victorious and successfully retaining their titles. Overall, all three title matches showcased excellent wrestling action.
WWE fans were left stunned as Charlotte Flair suffered a serious injury during her match against Oska on the December 8, 2023, episode of SmackDown. Following the incident, WWE announced that Flair had torn her ACL, MCL, and meniscus, leading to a substantial period of time away from the ring.
In a recent report from PWInsider, it was revealed that Charlotte Flair is scheduled to undergo dental surgery in early January. The expected timeline for her return is approximately 9 months, tentatively placing her comeback around October 2024. However, this is subject to change, and Flair’s recovery progress may allow for an earlier return.
Booker T, a WWE legend, shared his concerns about Charlotte Flair’s injury, especially when she executes high-risk maneuvers. In a statement, Booker T expressed his worries and wished for Flair’s complete recovery, acknowledging her dedication to training and skills. He said, “Whenever Charlotte Flair climbs to the top, I worry. She’s always been great at it. She trains really well. I’ve told her about it before. I think that’s why I felt like he was going to use a suplex or something like that. Things like this happen all the time. I hope Flair is 100% okay, just like Kenny Omega. Want to do.”
Despite the setback, Charlotte Flair recently signed a new deal and is reported to have become the most significant digital signing in the history of women’s wrestling. The WWE universe eagerly awaits her return and hopes for a triumphant comeback from this challenging injury.
