United States Championship Match: Damian Priest (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler (If Priest is DQ’d or counted out the title will hands)
Ziggler and Priest end up outside the ring. Ziggler DDTs Priest out on the floor. After the break, Ziggler tries to goad Priest into losing it. Priest fires up and hits a cliffhanger DDT for a near fall. As Priest is on the top rope, Robert Roode appears out of nowhere and pushes him off. The referee doesn’t see it. Ziggler hits a fameasser. Priest kicks out.
Priest goes nuts and goes after Roode. In the confusion, Priest is about to hit Roode with a chair but notices the referee’s count is up to eight. At the last minute Priest rolls back in the ring. Roode hops up on the apron. Ziggler screams for Priest to hit him with the chair. Priest hits Roode and drops Ziggler with the Reckoning for the win.
Winner and STILL United States Champion, Damian Priest!
HIT @HEELZiggler ONE MORE TIME!#WWERaw#USTitle pic.twitter.com/9QJAQwlzbZ
— WWE (@WWE) January 4, 2022
Backstage, Austin Theory burst into Mr. McMahon’s office. Mr. McMahon chastizes Theory for apologizing. Theory says he wanted to ask about his rematch with Finn Bálor. Mr. McMahon praises Theory for attacking Bálor after the match. Mr. McMahon gifts Theory with a spot in the Royal Rumble.
Miz TV
The Miz complains about losing to Edge at Day 1. Miz says he begged his wife to come to save him. Beth Phoenix helped her husband Edge cheat to win. Miz exclaims that Edge hid behind his wife. What kind of man does that? Who would rely on his wife to fight his battles? The crowd yells Miz.
Maryse says Miz would never and if Phoenix was here tonight she would punch her in the face. Phoenix’s music hits and she walks out on the stage. Edge joins her shortly after. Phoenix basically asks Maryse to knuck if she bucks but Maryse begs off. Edge challenges Miz and Maryse to a mixed tag match. Miz accepts. Maryse doesn’t look happy. Phoenix pushes Maryse.
Backstage, Big E says being WWE Champion meant a lot to him and a lot of others. Losing to Lesnar isn’t anything to be ashamed of. He isn’t going to stay down. Tonight he starts his path back to the WWE Championship. He’ll be damned if he lets someone stop him.
