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WWE holds the Madison Square Garden in a very high regard and how can you not; the MSG is one of the most iconic, if not the most iconic arenas in the world.
So while the superstars on SmackDown continued the build-up for Royal Rumble, the MSG hosted a special Boxing Day Live event featuring all the big names from RAW. You know WWE means business when the card is headlined by Roman Reigns vs John Cena.
That wasn't the only surprise of the night as there was a steel cage title match coupled with 'Woken' Matt Hardy in all its glory. So without further adieu, here are the results and highlights of the stacked show:
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#1 Enzo Amore (c) vs Kalisto (WWE Cruiserweight Champion)
The tried and tested Cruiserweight title match opened the show as Kalisto looked to upstage the Bonafide stud. Kalisto and Amore are not known for their chemistry, which is why this was a dampener of an opener.
However, Enzo's mic skills and Kalisto's outrageous ariel abilities ensured this wasn't a bore-fest. Amore retained in the short and sweet encounter while also garnering some crazy heat.
Result: Enzo Amore def. Kalisto
A short segment between Elias and the Club acted as the filler before the next match.
#2 Rhyno, Heath Slater, Apollo Crews, Titus O'Neil and Goldust vs The Revival, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas and Curt Hawkins
A mammoth 10-man tag team match was up next and it involved the whos' who of RAW's mid-card. Most of these stars aren't even regular fixtures on TV and it's great to see WWE utilize them in some capacity.
The first ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions led the babyfaces to a big win against the heels that also furthered Curt Hawkins' never-ending losing streak. Slater, Ryhno and Goldust were quite over with fans. However, it was a little disheartening to see the Revival in a scattered tag team match rather than being in the tag team titles picture.
A fun match nonetheless.
Result: Rhyno, Slater, Crews, Goldust, and O'Neil def. The Revival, Hawkins, Dallas and Axel.
#3 Dana Brooke & Asuka vs Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss
The women of the red brand took centre stage as the "Empress of Tomorrow" found an unlikely partner in Dana Brooke. The fans at the MSG were mesmerized by Asuka with Brooke playing the able sidekick.
Things did not end well for the longest reigning RAW Women's Champion, Alexa Bliss and her bestie Nia Jax as the duo took the loss by virtue of being heels. Bliss and Asuka were the most over in this match.
Result: Brooke & Asuka def. Jax & Bliss
#4 Braun Strowman vs. Kane
"The Monster" and "The Demon" had a behemothic clash before their date with the "Beast Incarnate" at the Royal Rumble at a venue fitting of such encounters.
The match didn't see a conclusive finish as Kane attacked Strowman, ending the bout via Dq. Strowman, though, got the insane pops and the better of Kane in a post-match beatdown that included the "Big Red Monster" going through a table. "The Monster Among Men" is the real Superstar amongst all.
Result: Strowman def. Kane via Dq
#5 'Woken' Matt Hardy vs Bray Wyatt
The two parallel universes of the WWE finally collided at the house show and it was well and truly wonderful! The fans in attendance completely bought into the Woken persona as Matt Hardy picked up a much-needed win against the Eater of Worlds. The Woken one also delightful debuted his new theme song. Check out the video above
The two eccentric characters meshed really well in a match that focussed more on the story than the moves itself. Delete chants echoed around the arena at the sound of the final bell with Hardy continuing the predictable babyface dominance on the night.
Result: Hardy def. Wyatt
#6 The Absolution vs Bayley, Sasha Banks & Mickie James
Can anyone stop Paige and her predatory gang of NXT pass outs? The answer is a blatant no as of this writing as the Absolution made an example out of the babyface trio of Bayley, Sasha and James in front of raucous crowd at the Garden.
This was a solid match for as long as it lasted and the heels surprisingly came out victorious, which was a smart booking decision considering the magnitude of the live show.
Result: Paige, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville def Banks, James & Bayley
#7 Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan (C) vs The Bar (Steel Cage Match For The RAW Tag Team titles)
The newly crowned RAW Tag Team Champions put their titles for the very first time against just a day after they won it from The Bar on RAW. The added stipulation only made the match a classic in the making and the stars involved didn't disappoint.
Jorda, Rollins, Sheamus and Cesaro put on an exhilarating steel cage showdown. The champions successfully retained their straps at the end of the gruelling contest. Jordan got mixed reactions while Rollins revelled in the cheers and pops.
Result: Rollins & Jordan def. The Bar
#8 Samoa Joe vs Finn Balor
The NXT alumni faced each other in the penultimate bout of the night and it was what you'd expect it to be -- an intense wrestling match. While the quality of the bout was never in doubt, the outcome of it took many by surprise.
The coquina clutch proved to be too hot to handle for the Demon King as The Samoan Submission Machine went over in stunning fashion. WWE seems pretty serious about Joe while the same, sadly, can't be said about Balor.
However, the booking may be inconsistent but Balor is still over and continues to garner positive reactions.
Result: Samoa Joe def. Finn Balor
#9 Roman Reigns (C) vs John Cena (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
The main event of the evening was a marquee No Mercy rematch in which the Big Dog and the Cenation leader went toe-to-toe for the IC title.
This was a better match than their previous outing and the reason could be attributed to the freedom available in live events. Cena may be a 16-time WWE Champion but beating the Bog Dog in a title match at the iconic MSG isn't happening in Vince McMahon's company. Or maybe it will?
WWE did not pull off a Kevin Owens here and booked Reigns to go over Cena clean in a match worthy of being the main event.
Result: Reigns def. Cena to retain
