WWE returned to Madison Square Garden for their yearly WWE Holiday Tour. On this show was the highly anticipated CM Punk return to face off against Dominik Mysterio, a Bull Rope match between Cody Rhodes and Shinskue Nakamura, and our main event for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre.
Becky Lynch vs Zoey Stark: This was a great way to start the card. The crowd was hot for Lynch and was one of the crowd favorites throughout the night. She got the win in a highly competitive match up.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Ludwig Kaiser vs Kofi Kingston: I was expecting Gunther on this show, but seeing Kingston was a treat. He interacted with the crowd a lot and was dancing throughout the match. This match was not the fast paced of a usual Kingston match, but Kaiser had a good showing. Kingston gets the win and celebrates with the crowd after returning to NYC.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance vs Chelsea Green & Piper Niven: This match was quick. Green was playing with the crowd throughout the match, as she is my personal most improved this year. A miscommunication costs the former champs the win as the party continues on for Chance and Carter.
Winner: “And Still” Kayden Carter & Katana Chance
Drew McIntrye Promo: Drew was not happy that he wasn’t on the poster for tonight’s show especially since he was main eventing. He tells the crowd that despite all of this he will defeat Rollins in the main event to become the new world heavyweight champion.
Omos vs R Truth: MVP introduced the crowd to Omos and said that he wanted to put his $15,000 watch on the line if someone was able to step up and defeat Omos. R-Truth came out and said that Judgement Day needs some new furniture in the clubhouse and he also wants to buy his childhood hero John Cena a Christmas present. R-Truth lost in less than 60 seconds, however it was nice to see R-Truth on the show.
Winner: Omos
WWE Women’s World Championship: Shayna Baszler vs Ivy Nile vs Rhea Ripley: Very happy to see Nile get the opportunity in the Garden. Baszler and Nile did most of the work in this match up as Ripley just continued to get thrown to the outside or taunt the fans. Ripley pins Bazler as yells at Ripley after the cover, looks like the story between these two is not over.
Winner: “And Still” Rhea Ripley
WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships: Sami Zayn and Jey Uso vs Damian Priest and Finn Balor: Zayn returned after taking some time off to spend with family and NYC was excited to see him. Uso had the whole crowd light up with “YEET” chants and waving their arms back and forth, Judgement Day not so much. McDonagh hit Zayn with the MITB briefcase to help Judgement Day get the win. After the match was over Zayn was down for a little bit as refs looked concerned. The X sign was not thrown up, so I’m assuming he was just shaken up. Him and Jey hug it out as the crowd cheered them on.
Winners: “And Still” Finn Balor and Damian Priest
🚨The Full CM Punk entrance🚨#WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/DeSnj0AsI7
— The Pop Break (@ThePopBreak) December 27, 2023
CM Punk vs Dominik Mysterio: All 16,000 plus in attendance stood on their feet for the arrival of the voice of the voiceless. Punk hugged the fans that were in the front row and the smile never left his face. After a few punches from Punk the crowd broke out in unison saying “You Still Got It,” guessing they didn’t watch the elite program where he clearly never lost it. This match was nothing special and was just a standard wrestling match, they’ll save his cool stuff for when he first wrestles back on TV. After the match was over Punk said that this was for all of the fans and this is just the beginning. This isn’t just about finishing a story it’s about making things right as he vows to win the Royal Rumble match next month.
Winner: CM Punk
🚨The CM Punk post match promo🚨 #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/xrfOoRFW1C
— The Pop Break (@ThePopBreak) December 27, 2023
Ricochet vs Bronson Reed: This was the first match back from intermission, and the second shortest match on the card. Ricochet won in less than two minutes, to me this match didn’t need to happen, but guess they needed a filler.
Winner: Ricochet
Bull Rope Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs Cody Rhodes: Even though Punk was in the building, Rhodes got the loudest reaction of the night. Nakamura dominated most of this match up and even hit the mist in the eyes of Rhodes, but that didn’t stop him. I was surprised that this match was more on the slow side, I expected more especially with the stipulation. Rhodes gets the win and the crowd is thrilled.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Anything Goes: WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre: I got to cover my favorite wrestler of all time last night, that’s a cool statement to make. McIntyre took the fight to Rollins early as he couldn’t even get his fur coat off. McIntyre brought all the weapons; stairs, chairs, and a table. Halfway through the match the fireflies were in full effect as we had the three-year anniversary of the passing of Brodie Lee last night. This fueled Rollins even more as he slammed McIntyre through the table and curb stomped him to get the win. After the match was ending he said that they were throwing him out of the ring because of the curfew, but he was not leaving until the crowd lit up the fireflies and sang his song, and they did exactly that.
Winner: “And Still” Seth Rollins
Overall: This is always a fun show to go to, and luckily you can attend this show and not be a wrestling fan and still have a good time. Seeing Punks first match back was surreal to see in person and the rest of the show followed along nicely.
Post Match Promo: Seth Rollins wants the Fireflies and for the crowd to sing his song #WWEMSG pic.twitter.com/6mTw3D9AeO
— The Pop Break (@ThePopBreak) December 27, 2023
