WWE Raw Day 1 Report – The Rock appears and mentions “head of the table”; Rollins defends against McIntyre

Michael Cole and Wade Barrett were in the ring and welcomed everyone to 2024.

Nia Jax defeated Becky Lynch As Lynch tries something off the middle rope, Jakes catches him in the face with a mid-air punch. Jax followed the Annihilator for the win. Becky was bleeding from the mouth.

Cody Rhodes leaves And welcomed us to the first day of Rav. He admits to being stuck on Shinsuke Nakamura. He wanted to give Nakamura a chance to finish this tonight and invited him to the ring.

Nakamura appeared on screen. Nakamura said he didn't think getting inside Rhodes' head would be that easy and that would be the end of his story. Rhodes' story doesn't end tonight, because he wants to spend another week dreaming of the American Nightmare. Nakamura will finish his story next week and put an end to his book.

Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso defeated Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci via referee stoppage when Vinci was legally knocked out by Kofi's kick. The ringside doctor examines Vinci and the camera cuts to Jey and Kofi (away from Vinci).

(Vince is said to be fine with whatever happened.)

Miss TV Judgment Day was introduced but after a delay, only R-Truth entered. JD McDonagh and Dominic Mysterio interfere. Everyone insults each other, which leads to:

The Miz & R-Truth defeated Dominic Mysterio & JD McDonagh After a skull-crushing final at McDonagh.

There was a video of Caden Carter and Katana Chance partying at a nightclub . Chelsea Green and Piper Niven crash the party, but Carter and Chance don't let it ruin them. They threw a drink in Green's face and continued the party. They posed with their belts at the club.

Rhea Ripley defeated Ivy Niles After Rip-Tide to retain the Women's World Championship in a good fight.

Samantha Irwin announced the return of a former WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal's music played. Mahal said they shouldn't be disappointed, and reminded us that there have only been 50 WWE Champions, and he was one of them, and that he was at the top of that list. Mahal mentioned Iron Sheik before talking about social media and misinformation. Mahal spoke in Punjabi and the crowd booed him.

The rock is out The crowd erupts and Rock enters chanting his name.

Rock said Mahal was right about one thing: He's not the Iron Sheik. Rock paid his respects to Shakey before revealing his impression of her. He said that if the Sheikh was there, he would wonder who the worthless son of a bitch Jabroni was.

Rock said people don't like Mahal because he's not funny. If he were one of Rock's go-to films, it'd be Baywatch. Rock said Mahal called America a joke, but it wasn't a joke to him and these people. The Rock did what he did on SmackDown weeks ago where he had each side of the crowd chanting “Day One” and “Do#sebag.” They loudly accepted it. Rock also sang a song about Mahal having no balls.

Rock threatens to kick his ass, so Mahal hits Rock first. Rock defended himself with punches, a spinebuster and a crowd elbow

Before leaving, Rock said he was hungry. He asked the San Diego crowd if he wanted to sit in a booth, at the bar or “at the head of the table” after eating.

oh N. Lord@TheRock A complete mic drop is on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/TKMfwDiHa5

— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024

Zoe Stark and Shayna Baszler defeated Natalya and Tegan Noakes.

In the main event, Seth Rollins retained the World Championship against Drew McIntyre. A terrific fight that ends when Damian Priest comes out with Dominic and hits Rollins in the head with a briefcase without the referee looking. He goes to activate the briefcase, but Drew hits Priest with a Claymore before he's outside.

Back in the ring McIntyre hits a Claymore on Rollins, but his foot is on the ropes. Moments later, after they return to the suburbs, Drew goes to throw him through the table, but Rollins reverses it and hits the Pedigree on it. Shortly after they returned to the ring, Curb stomped him for the win.

In cash?!?#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/SuelnxKn8m

— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024