5 botches and outrageous moments from WWE Raw (December 18, 2017)
WWE Raw began a proper surge toward the 2018 Royal Rumble. The triple threat main event was decided and the rumoured Women's Rumble was made official. Those were two big developments. Also notable from this show was a one-night early debut of Hideo Itami, the return of The Revival, and a return by Commissioner Stephanie McMahon. Not all of that is a reason to celebrate, but they were big moments.
As for the botches from the show, there were several. A couple of superstars found themselves splattered with their own blood, Bayley had trouble with one of her wacky tube men, and Brock Lesnar struggled to hit his signature move on The Big Red Machine. Kane must really be the monster he says he is if Brock can't lift him without a struggle.
The main eventers kick off this edition of the Raw botches, even though it's strange to think of Kane in this position on the card heading into 2018.
#5 Baulked on the F5
By the end of the opening segment, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle made it official that Brock Lesnar would defend his Universal Championship against both Kane and Braun Strowmn at the upcoming Royal Rumble. Kurt wasted no time announcing the news when all three Goliath-sized competitors were in the ring fuming. He then exited before the brawl erupted.
The icing on the cake of this hoss battle was an F5 by Brock against Kane. It was noticeable that the champ struggled at first to hoist The Big Red Machine on his shoulders. He was able to finally get him up proper after replanting his footing, but the botch still happened.
Kudos to WWE's quick production team because if you checked this video clip on their YouTube channel immediately after the show was over, you would've seen that this botch was already edited out.