WWE Raw Results
January 23, 2023
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wells Fargo Center)
Commentary: Kevin Patrick and Corey Graves
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
The iconic chords of Rick Derringer’s “Real American” thunder in the arena, and the Philadelphia crowd explodes as 2-time WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan and “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart come out to the stage.
Hogan says he has something to tell the WWE Universe. Hogan starts to speak, but his microphone intermittently cuts out. A stagehand runs out and gives him a new microphone. Hogan puts over Monday Night Raw before asking the immortal question that’s on everybody’s mind: “What’cha gonna do when Hulkamania, 30 years of Monday Night Raw, and the Philadelphia Eagles run wild on you?” The crowd loudly cheers for the Eagles reference.
A video plays highlighting 30 years of Monday Night Raw.
We go back live into the arena to see a big pyrotechnics display.
The Bloodline holds Tribal Court with Sami Zayn
The crowd erupts once again as the music of The Bloodline hits. Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns comes out, along with “The Wise Man” Paul Heyman, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos, Solo Sikoa, and Sami Zayn. As The Bloodline makes their way to the ring, replays are shown of Kevin Owens putting Roman Reigns through a table on SmackDown. Sami Zayn was late to make the save.
In five days, Roman Reigns will defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble. The crowd buzzes and chants after the music stops. Most of the chants are in support of Sami Zayn. Reigns takes the microphone and says, “Philadelphia… acknowledge me!”
Reigns wants to get right down to business. Reigns takes a seat at the head of a table set up in the ring. Sami Zayn sits on one side, and The Usos sit on the other side. Paul Heyman takes the microphone, and an “ECW” chant fires up. Heyman says, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my name is Paul Heyman…” Heyman noticed a few moments ago that they were chanting three letters that are near and dear to him. Another LOUD “ECW” chant picks up. Heyman says to Reigns that ECW is dead, and he wishes the same for Sami Zayn! The crowd boos him. The Usos sneer at Zayn, and Zayn looks very nervous. A “Sami” chant picks up. Heyman speaks in Samoan and says Zayn is a Judas. Zayn is a betrayer of the Island of Relevancy. Zayn has been in a conspiracy with Kevin Owens since day one. Zayn has been leading them on to feel good about themselves and how much he belongs in The Bloodline. Zayn was making them feel like the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles. They’re going to feel like the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles after they get conquered by Brock Purdy of the 49ers! The crowd LOUDLY boos this!
Heyman says this is an open-and-shut case. He has exhibits A, B, C, D, and E. Heyman went all the way down to L, M, N, O, and P. Heyman has all he needs to show that Zayn is guilty as charged. The prosecution hereby presents their evidence.
Exhibit A: August 2022 shows Drew McIntyre attacking The Usos while Sami Zayn runs away in the background.
Exhibit B: August 29, 2022, shows Kevin Owens beating Jey Uso after Sami Zayn failed to act.
Exhibit C: At Survivor Series, Sami Zayn was seeking individual glory after winning WarGames.
Exhibit D: On December 23, 2022, Sami Zayn accidentally bumped Roman Reigns on SmackDown. Heyman calls this assault on The Tribal Chief. That was an assassination attempt. What next? Will he euthanize Reigns’ father or castrate his sons? Heyman begs of The Tribal Chief to find this rat bastard guilty as charged.
Heyman says the prosecution rests its case.
Zayn sadly picks up a microphone and slowly rises to his feet. Zayn chuckles and says he had a whole defense all lined up and laid out in his head. The one thing he didn’t count on was how he would actually feel when he came out here. Watching and listening to Paul Heyman say all that to his face after every time he’s hugged him, that hurt so much. Watching him play that video and carefully crafting it… what does he think he’s doing? Does Heyman actually think he’s conspiring against The Tribal Chief? How can he possibly think that? That hurts. After everything that has gone on, the people see it. They’ve seen it all over the past nine months. The fact that Zayn would be forced to sit here on trial to defend himself hurts. Heyman shouts, “Good!” Zayn says his defense is that he has no defense. Zayn throws the microphone down and takes a seat.
Roman Reigns looks conflicted and grabs a microphone. Reigns wants to get something straight… Zayn has no defense? Zayn has so much ego that he doesn’t care about this? This doesn’t mean anything to him? Reigns gave him opportunity after opportunity and welcomed him into his family. This is how he repays him? Reigns shouts, “Solo!” and throws the microphone down. Sikoa approaches Zayn, who isn’t even trying to defend himself, and goes to hit a Samoan Spike… but Jey Uso stops him! The crowd erupts.
Jey says he put together his own footage last night.
Defense Exhibit A: June 3, 2022, shows The Usos beating RK-Bro for the titles with an assist from Sami Zayn on production.
Defense Exhibit B: August 19, 2022, shows Sami Zayn taking a hit from Drew McIntyre to save Roman Reigns.
Defense Exhibit C: September 9, 2022, shows Sami Zayn saving Solo Sikoa from being hit with a chair.
Defense Exhibit D: December 9, 2022, shows Sami Zayn helping The Usos retain the titles.
Defense Exhibit E: Sami Zayn stops the referee from counting a pin for Kevin Owens over Roman Reigns. Zayn then attacked Owens and laid him out for Jey Uso to pick up the victory at WarGames.
Zayn looks emotional watching the video. Jey says it’s all right there on tape for Reigns and the whole world to see. Zayn has taken so many bullets for him, Reigns, and the whole Bloodline. Zayn is basically bulletproof. Zayn looks really pleased. Jey didn’t trust Zayn at first. Jey actually despised him, but Zayn saw the good in him the whole time and never gave up on him. That’s what families do. That tape demonstrates loyalty and love to this family. Jey says he loves Zayn like a brother. Jey tells the crowd to throw ones to the sky if they want Zayn to stay in The Bloodline. The entire crowd puts one finger (the index one, of course) in the air to support Zayn.
Reigns rises to his feet and looks at Zayn. A “Sami Uso” chant fires up. Reigns says, “As your Tribal Chief and the Head of the Table, I find you, Sami Zayn, not guilty!” Heyman hangs his head in frustration and looks up to the sky. Reigns adds a caveat and says, “…for now.” Reigns tells Zayn to thank Jey Uso because he bought him some time. Reigns tells Zayn to finish out tonight and make The Bloodline proud. Reigns then doesn’t want to see Zayn again until Saturday at the Royal Rumble. Reigns doesn’t want to hear from him. Zayn will deliver his final test at the Royal Rumble. We’ll see if Zayn really is The Bloodline or not. Reigns puts the microphone down. Zayn looks nervously at Reigns. Sikoa sneers at him and leaves the ring. Jey puts his lei on Zayn and hugs him. Zayn also hugs Jimmy Uso.
Coming up tonight, Austin Theory will defend the United States Championship against Bobby Lashley in a No Disqualification Match. Becky Lynch will also battle Bayley in the first Women’s Steel Cage Match in 19 years. We’ll also see more WWE Legends.
Coming up next, The Usos will defend the Raw Tag Team Championship against The Judgment Day.
Raw Tag Team Championship
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) (c’s) w/ Sami Zayn vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio) w/ Finn Bálor and Rhea Ripley
Jimmy Uso will start against Damian Priest. Priest quickly overpowers Jimmy. Priest sends him into the ropes, but Jimmy hangs on and sends him out of the ring. Priest gets on the apron, but Jimmy kicks him in the head. Jimmy goes for a dive, but Priest moves. Jimmy puts the brakes on in time. Jimmy gets out of the ring, and Dominik Mysterio gets in his face. Jimmy knocks Mysterio down. Priest then pounces Jimmy onto the commentary table. Priest gets Jimmy in the ring and tags Mysterio in. Mysterio connects with a slingshot senton. Finn Bálor gets a cheap shot in. Mysterio punches away at Jimmy and tags Priest in. Priest kicks Jimmy in the chest and sends him into the ropes for a jumping back elbow for a one-count. Priest applies a modified surfboard stretch.
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Solo Sikoa are watching this match backstage.
Priest sends Jimmy into the ropes and forearms him in the small of the back. Priest tries again, but Jimmy takes Priest down with a lariat.
Jey Uso and Mysterio tag in. Jey hits a pair of clotheslines before kicking him in the midsection and uppercutting him. Jey hits Mysterio with a Samoan Drop. Rhea Ripley looks nervous. Jey crushes Mysterio with a hip attack to the face for a near fall. Mysterio fights back, but Jey kicks him down. Priest tags in and goes for South of Heaven. Jimmy blind tags in. The Usos hit Priest with a double-team spinebuster for a near fall. Priest fights off The Usos with strikes before avalanching them both in the corner a few times back and forth. Priest hits Jey with a Broken Arrow. Jey rolls out of the ring. Priest sets up for a plancha, but Jimmy superkicks him. Priest answers with a superkick of his own. Priest then CRUSHES The Usos with a somersault senton to the floor! Priest gets Jimmy in the ring and hits a big lariat for a near fall.
Priest hits Jimmy with a diving elbow in the corner. Mysterio tags in. Priest knocks Jey off the apron. The Judgment Day hits Jimmy with a modified Doomsday Device for a near fall. Rhea Ripley is not happy with the referee’s count. Priest tags back in and goes for a Crucifix Powerbomb, but his back gives out. Jey tags in. The Usos hit Mysterio and Priest with stereo superkicks for a near fall. Bálor checks on Priest at ringside. Bálor throws Mysterio into the ring to distract the referee before crotching Jey on the top rope. The referee catches Bálor in the act and ejects him from ringside! Bálor flips out!
In the ring, Jey goes for an Uso Splash, but Priest gets the knees up and covers for a near fall. Jey immediately superkicks Priest and tags Jimmy in. Jimmy hits an Uso Splash… but Priest kicks out! Ripley displays a huge sigh of relief. Jimmy hits Priest with a diving plancha to the floor. Ripley shouts at Kevin Patrick on commentary.
Jimmy’s ankle appears to be hurt. Jey and Sami Zayn check on him. The referee quickly calls for medical personnel to come to ringside. They begin to help Jimmy Uso to the back. WWE Official Adam Pearce runs out to check on the situation. Pearce says if Jimmy cannot continue, they will have to forfeit the match and the titles. Sami Zayn has a solution. One Uso is down. Jimmy Uso is hurt, but Sami Uso is good to go. Zayn wants to defend the titles with Jey. The crowd is buzzing. Pearce says he did it for The Judgment Day, so he’ll do it for Raw XXX. This match will continue with Sami Zayn.
Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Solo Sikoa are closely watching.
Jey and Zayn get in the ring and brawl with Priest and Mysterio. Zayn clears the ring and hits Priest and Mysterio with a big somersault plancha! Zayn’s head hit the commentary table on the landing. Zayn gets Mysterio in the ring. Priest grabs Zayn’s ankle. Mysterio rolls Zayn up and gets his feet on the ropes, but Zayn kicks out! Mysterio mauls Zayn with strikes. Zayn quickly hits Mysterio with an exploder into the corner. Ripley gets on the apron to distract the referee. Priest sneaks in and hits Zayn with South of Heaven. Mysterio covers… but Zayn barely kicks out!
Mysterio knocks Zayn into the ropes and goes for a 619, but Jey superkicks Mysterio and Priest. Ripley runs in, and Jey stops himself from superkicking her. Ripley challenges him. Mysterio dropkicks Jey into the ropes and hits a 619. Mysterio hits Jey with a Frog Splash and covers, but Zayn breaks up the pin! Priest runs in and forearms Zayn in the face. Priest charges, but he hits the ring post shoulder-first when Zayn moves. Mysterio knocks Zayn out of the ring. Jey lifts Mysterio, but Mysterio slides off. Zayn blind tags in. Jey superkicks Mysterio. Jey and Zayn hit the 1D for the victory!
Winners by Pinfall and still Raw Tag Team Champions: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso [Sami Zayn subbed])
Roman Reigns says Zayn pulled it off tonight, but he doesn’t want to see him until Saturday. Jey Uso and Sami Zayn celebrate big time in the ring.
Baron Corbin and JBL are walking backstage when they bump into The Godfather. Godfather embraces JBL and asks who his stooge is. Godfather thinks his name is “Barry Corwin.” Godfather says Corbin isn’t on the list. JBL wants to speak with the owner. Godfather knocks on a doorframe with an “APA” logo on it. Ron Simmons walks out and embraces his old tag team partner, JBL. They slip Simmons and Godfather two stacks of cash. Corbin and JBL enter into the poker game. Other WWE Legends are in the room playing poker with some undercard stars.
Still photos are shown of some historic Raw highlights.
LA Knight is in the ring. Knight says last Friday on SmackDown, Bray Wyatt brought back the Firefly Funhouse. Knight asks if he’s really supposed to be scared of a grown man playing with puppets. Knight is all man. Wyatt is living on past glory. Raw is turning 30 years old tonight. Legends in the back are living on past glory like Wyatt. If any single one of those legends has enough tingle in their loins, he’ll give them a preview of the Pitch Black Match at their expense. No one responds until…
THE BELL TOLLS! THE CROWD ERUPTS!
The Undertaker’s music begins to play until it transitions to the music of The American Badass by Kid Rock! The Undertaker comes out on his motorcycle! Big Evil drives down to the ringside area and circles the ring, in effect circling his prey.
Undertaker gets in the ring and poses until LA Knight shouts to cut the music. A LOUD “Undertaker” chant fires up. Before they take this anywhere, Knight heard what Undertaker said on Joe Rogan about the locker room being soft. Knight agrees and says Wyatt exemplifies that. Knight does not. Knight gets in the ring and asks Undertaker to consider the next headline. LA Knight is going to send The Undertaker to the undertaker. LA Knight then backs away and says he’ll give Undertaker a pass. He’ll let Undertaker live to see retirement, but he wants him to watch the Pitch Black Match. Knight is the new Lord of Darkness.
The lights go out. A spotlight shows on Knight. A figure holding up a lantern appears behind Knight and scares him back. We see that it is Bray Wyatt. Wyatt starts a slow walk to the ring, and Knight backs up in fear. Knight gets in the ring. The Undertaker sneaks up behind him and grabs him by the throat. Undertaker applies the goozle and brings Knight to his knees. Undertaker holds Knight before throwing him to Wyatt. Wyatt hits Knight with Sister Abigail before staring at The Undertaker. Undertaker stares at Wyatt and approaches him before whispering something to him. Undertaker then leaves the ring and rides off on his motorcycle.
Backstage, Chad Gable, Otis, Diamond Dallas Page, Alundra Blayze, and Baron Corbin are playing poker. JBL picks up her discarded WWF Women’s Championship. Gable folds. Blayze has a full house, but DDP beats her with a straight.
The Steel Cage begins descending above the ring. The first Women’s Steel Cage Match in 19 years on Raw is ready to take place.
Bayley makes her way to the ring alongside WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Dakota Kai and IYO SKY.
-Commercial Break-
Steel Cage Match
Bayley vs. Becky Lynch
As Becky Lynch goes to get into the ring, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY run down. Lynch tries to fight them off, but they get the better of her. They launch Lynch into the wall of the cage with a double-team flapjack before hitting her in the midsection with a chain. They get Lynch in the ring. Damage CTRL is in the ring with Lynch. They send her into the cage wall. Kai locks them in the cage with a chain and a padlock.
WWE Official Adam Pearce runs down and tries to regain order, but he cannot get in the ring. Bayley and Kai assist Sky with a moonsault on Lynch. A boltcutter is brought to ringside, and Pearce cuts the chain to get into the ring. Damage CTRL climbs to the top of the cage and poses. It doesn’t look like Lynch can compete.
Later tonight, Austin Theory will defend his United States Championship in a No Disqualification Match against Bobby Lashley.
-Commercial Break-
More photos of some historic moments on Monday Night Raw are shown.
“Are you ready?”
D-Generation X, consisting of Hall of Famers Shawn Michaels, Triple H, “The Road Dogg” Jesse James, and X-Pac comes out to the ring. Kurt Angle is tagging along with them and appears to be an honorary member tonight. Angle participates in the “Suck It” pyro taunt.
The Road Dogg says the more things change, the more they stay the same. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages…” Road Dogg goes through his shpiel. As he goes to say, “The Badd Ass Billy Gunn,” he notices Daddy Ass isn’t there, and in his place is Kurt Angle. Angle says he always wanted to be in DX and reveals he’s wearing a DX shirt. Shawn Michaels says Angle will have to pass a test to get in. Triple H asks if he’s ready. Angle asks if that’s really the test. Triple H prepares to do the “Let’s get ready to ‘suck it,'” which if you really look at the phrasing is an odd thing to want to do collectively, but he’s stopped by Imperium!
Imperium gets in the ring. Ludwig Kaiser says DX is filth and nonsense. WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER says DX is making a mockery of this precious sport. They are going to kick DX out of their ring unless they’re going to do something about it. Triple H gets in his face before saying he’s retired. An “HBK” chant picks up. HBK says he’s too old and can’t do it. X-Pac says he has a bad case of shin splints. Road Dogg steps up before saying he won’t fight him. Triple H calls Road Dogg “Butterbean,” the famous boxer who knocked out Bart Gunn at WrestleMania 15, which also took place in Philadelphia. DX huddles and looks at Kurt Angle. Triple H then puts his arm around Angle and says Angle will fight them. Angle says he won’t. DX says they’re in a bit of a jam. He wishes there was someone that would want to fight them.
“BURN IT DOWN!”
Seth “Freakin” Rollins heads to the ring to a big reception! X-Pac says there’s only one Rollins and three of Imperium. If only there were a team around to help him face Imperium. The Street Profits make their way to the ring. Shawn Michaels says they need someone to make this official. Triple H says this booking decision isn’t easy. If only there were someone that could come out and make sense of this situation.
WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long makes his way to the stage and says, “Hold on a minute, playa!” Long has the perfect idea. Tonight, Imperium will face The Street Profits and Seth “Freakin” Rollins in a 6-Man Tag Team Match, playa. HBK says they’ll need someone to keep this chaos under control. Triple H asks if he means a special referee. Angle says he has an idea, but Triple H says they’ll be with him in a second. Angle takes off the DX shirt and reveals a red, white, and blue referee’s shirt. Triple H makes it official. HBK says if you’re not down with the 6-Man Tag Team Match, they’ve got two words for ya: “SUCK IT!”
-Commercial Break-
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler will be on commentary for the next match.
6-Man Tag Team Match
Imperium (WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci) vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)
Special Guest Referee: Kurt Angle
Seth “Freakin” Rollins starts against Giovanni Vinci. Vinci hooks a side headlock, but Rollins fights out. Rollins kicks and clotheslines him. Jerry “The King” Lawler mentions he’s wearing the same jacket he wore on the first Monday Night Raw. Lawler tells Kevin Patrick the next time he throws out his old clothes, he should stay in them! Montez Ford tags in and takes it to Vinci. Vinci soon takes him down with a stiff clothesline. Ludwig Kaiser tags in and attacks Ford. Kaiser takes it to Ford before Ford fights back with chops. Angelo Dawkins tags in and slams Ford onto Kaiser. Dawkins attacks Kaiser and drops him with a right hand. Jerry Lawler wonders if Kevin Patrick will make it to Raw 31.
Rollins and GUNTHER tag in. Gunther kicks and clubs him. Gunther drops him on the apron. Rollins avoids a strike on the apron and knocks him back. Rollins goes for a springboard clothesline, but Gunther chops him out of midair. Gunther twists the neck and chops Ford off the apron.
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: Kaiser tags in and chokes Rollins on the ropes. Kurt Angle admonishes him. Vinci gets a cheap shot in on Rollins. Kaiser rips at Rollins’ face. Vinci tags in and crushes Rollins with a backbreaker. Rollins tries to fight him off, but Vinci knees him. Kaiser tags in. Imperium has Rollins hanging over the ropes. All three sandwich Rollins with big boots. Imperium poses. Gunther gets Rollins in the ring and stomps him. Kaiser tags back in. Kaiser applies a side headlock. Rollins fights him off, but Kaiser pulls him down by the hair. Kaiser puts the chin lock back on.
Back from the break, Kaiser cinches in the chin lock. A graphic in the corner has The Street Profits spelled as “The Street Proifits.” Rollins fights up and takes Kaiser down. Vinci quickly tags in, but Rollins escapes the attack. Ford tags in and kicks Vinci back. Ford hits a pair of clotheslines followed by some wild chops. Vinci reverses a whip, but Ford clotheslines him down. Vinci avoids an enzuigiri, but Ford flips through a back suplex. Ford takes Vinci down and applies an Ankle Lock. Dawkins applies an Ankle Lock to Kaiser. Angle looks pleased. Vinci desperately tags Gunther in. Gunther attacks Ford and Dawkins before getting in Angle’s face. Angle shoves Gunther.
Rollins knocks Gunther out of the ring. Dawkins hits Kaiser with a somersault plancha! Ford then hits Vinci with a nasty somersault senton! Rollins sets up for a suicide dive, but Gunther runs in and takes him down. Gunther boots him back and hits a Powerbomb for a near fall. Gunther goes for a German Suplex, but Rollins flips through. Rollins hits Gunther with an enzuigiri and a superkick. Rollins connects with an Angle Slam on Gunther! Angle smiles widely. Vinci tags in, as does Ford. Vinci clotheslines Ford. Kaiser sets up for an Imperium Bomb, but Rollins runs up and hits a superplex before twisting Kaiser onto Dawkins’ shoulders. Ford and Dawkins hit a super blockbuster! Gunther runs in, but Rollins hits the WWE Intercontinental Champion with a Pedigree! Vinci runs in, and Dawkins hits a spinebuster. Ford hits Vinci with a HUGE Frog Splash. Rollins then sizes Vinci up and hits a Stomp for the victory!
Winners by Pinfall: Seth “Freakin” Rollins and The Street Profits
We go back to the poker game. Baron Corbin defeats “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase in poker. Irwin R. Schyster walks up. IRS reminds Corbin to pay his taxes. IRS puts all the winnings in his briefcase and gives Corbin a single $100 bill to keep after taxes. DiBiase shouts, “Everyone has a price!” Ron Simmons walks up and surveys this sad situation. Simmons looks around, thinking about the perfect word that can sum up this particular set of circumstances. JBL, who has spent so much time with Simmons, knows where this is going, as does everyone else. Simmons has no choice but to dig down deep into his Hall of Fame soul and deliver the perfect word: “DAMN!”
Coming up next, we’ll see SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
-Commercial Break-
More photos are shown from some of the great moments in Monday Night Raw’s history.
Cathy Kelley is backstage with Bobby Lashley. She asks why the match against Austin Theory became a No Disqualification Match. Lashley says No DQ means there are no excuses for Theory. Theory can’t get himself disqualified, and Lashley can’t be suspended for what he’ll do to him. Lashley says he’d have already defeated Theory if not for Brock Lesnar. Lashley took care of Lesnar and the stupid suspension. Now he’s got Theory.
MVP walks up and says he knows Lashley will stay true to his word. MVP wants to celebrate after he wins. Lashley says he didn’t need MVP or Omos to become #1 Contender. Tonight, he’ll handle his business. Lashley walks off. MVP says, “Handle your business.”
“WOO!”
“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair comes out to the stage in a WILD suit. Flair says we’re celebrating 30 years of Raw. The crowd keeps their lights shining and keeps The Nature Boy stylin’ and profilin’. Diamonds are forever and so is Monday Night Raw. WOO! WWE has given him so much and lets him be successful, but the greatest gift is getting to watch his daughter succeed and surpass his goals. Flair is so honored as a father, wrestler, and fan to be here to introduce the greatest Women’s Champion in the history of WWE, Charlotte Flair!
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair comes out to the stage and embraces her father. Charlotte Flair walks down to the ring, and Ric Flair walks to the back. Corey Graves says there are 30 World Championships between the two of them and counting.
Charlotte Flair gets in the ring. Flair says it was right here on Raw where they began to revolutionize Women’s Wrestling. She evolved from a Diva to a 14-time Women’s Champion. Woo! Flair has faced names like Ronda Rousey, Nikki and Brie Bella, Asuka, and Rhea Ripley. Flair is able to call herself the most decorated women’s athlete of all time. She’s here as the SmackDown Women’s Champion, but Monday Night Raw will always be her home.
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair makes her way to the ring! An “EST” chant picks up. Belair says she respects everything Flair has done for this business, just not here. This is Belair’s show and her home. She does all she can to make sure Raw is the greatest show on television.
Sonya Deville’s music hits, and she comes out to the stage. Flair and Belair look confused. Deville asks if they realize how historic tonight’s show is. Was it really necessary for Charlotte Flair to fly her daddy out to give her an introduction on a show no one wants her on? As for Belair, does she really think people tune in to Raw to see her? Deville says she used to run this show and has been held down. Where is her recognition? Flair says she owes Deville for the cheap shot this past Friday, but this is Belair’s show. Why doesn’t Belair handle Deville? Belair has no problem with that, and she’ll make Deville the center of her attention. Deville thinks about it. We’ll see if this match takes place.
-Commercial Break-
The classic WrestleMania 21 movie commercials are hyped up.
Non-Title Match
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair vs. Sonya Deville
Belair easily handles Deville in the early moments of the match. Belair dropkicks her to the corner and shoulders her. Deville soon gets the advantage and punches away at Belair’s midsection. Deville looks into the camera and says this will be Charlotte Flair. Deville puts Belair in the corner and punches the midsection. Deville hits a snapmare and goes for a sliding knee, but Belair avoids it. Belair rolls her up for a one-count. Belair boots Deville back and goes to the second rope to taunt her. Belair backflips over her and hits a backbreaker. Belair hits a handspring standing moonsault for a two-count. Belair whips Deville to the corner, but Deville boots her back. Belair quickly sends Deville out of the ring. Deville gets on the apron, but Belair dropkicks her to the floor. Belair boots her back from the apron and jumps over her. Deville kicks Belair back.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Belair hit a delayed vertical suplex. Belair goes for a standing moonsault, but Deville gets the knees up. Deville viciously kicks her down and rolls her up for a two-count. Belair soon overwhelms her out of nowhere and hits the KOD for the decisive victory.
Winner by Pinfall: Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair says this is a preview of what she’ll do to Alexa Bliss at the Royal Rumble. Nothing will stop her from leaving as champion. Alexa Bliss appears on the screen and says she is Belair’s only obstacle. If everyone could just leave her alone, Belair would know it. Bliss can rip her face off. She’ll spare Belair’s eyes so she can see her leave with the Raw Women’s Championship. Belair sneers in the ring.
Video: Cody Rhodes will return in the 2023 Royal Rumble Match
The United States Championship match is still to come.
-Commercial Break-
John Cena is the featured wrestler on this year’s cover of WWE 2K23.
The Miz is in the ring, and he does not look happy. On the 30th Anniversary of Monday Night Raw, where is his Miz TV, championship match, or celebration of all his Raw moments? He is the first-ever Grand Slam Champion in the history of this company. The crowd starts buzzing. All of a sudden, Kevin Owens gets in the ring and hits Miz with a Stunner!
Owens grabs the microphone out of the stunned Miz’s hands. Owens says Roman Reigns thinks Sami Zayn isn’t guilty, but Reigns is guilty of holding the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship hostage for two years. At the Royal Rumble, Owens gives everyone his word that he will do everything he can to change that and give everyone a champion they can be proud of. Owens will just keep fighting until he has nothing left. On Saturday, he’s taking that title from Reigns or will die trying.
Miz stumbles to his feet, so Owens hits him with another Stunner that sends him out of the ring. Owens angrily paces around the ring before storming off.
The commentators run down the card for the 2023 Royal Rumble.
United States Champion Austin Theory makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Bobby Lashley in a No Disqualification Match next.
-Commercial Break-
United States Championship – No DQ Match
Austin Theory (c) vs. Bobby Lashley
The bell rings, and they lock up. Lashley powers Theory to the corner and punches him down. Theory pops out of the corner and applies a side headlock. Lashley slams him off and clotheslines him out of the ring. Lashley goes outside and drives Theory’s head into the ring post.
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: Lashley drives Theory into the barricade a few times. Lashley puts him in the ring, but Theory quickly slides out. Theory tries to escape by crawling under the ring, but Lashley grabs him. Lashley whips him to the barricade and poses. Lashley puts Theory in the ring and slowly gets in. Lashley attacks him in the corner and throws him out of the ring again. Lashley lifts up the ring apron and goes for a weapon. Theory attacks him from behind, so Lashley mauls him with elbows to the skull. Lashley drives him into the barricade and hits a neckbreaker. Lashley cheesed out on taking the back bump on the floor. Lashley goes for a weapon, but Theory attacks him. Theory grabs a table, which seemingly delights the crowd. Theory then puts the table back under the ring to upset them. Lashley attacks Theory getting in the ring and whips him to the corner. Lashley charges and connects with a shoulder.
We come back from the break to see Lashley hit a neckbreaker. Lashley goes for a delayed vertical suplex. Theory pokes him in the eye to get out of it and hits a rolling thunder dropkick. Theory hits a fisherman’s neckbreaker to the knee for a near fall. Theory punches away at Lashley before leaving the ring. Theory grabs a steel chair and gets in the ring. Theory smashes the chair on Lashley’s spine before wedging it between the turnbuckles in the corner. Theory approaches Lashley. Lashley grabs him by the head and throws him over the top rope to the apron. Lashley knocks Theory to the floor. Lashley goes to leave the ring, but Theory sweeps the feet.
Theory gets Lashley in the ring and goes under the ring for a table. The crowd cheers in approval as Theory slides the table into the ring. Theory approaches Lashley, but Lashley applies the Hurt Lock! Theory fights it, so Lashley rolls him up for a two-count. Lashley hits a flatliner before sending Theory headfirst into the chair wedged in the corner. Theory’s shoulder also hit the ring post for good measure. Lashley sets up the table in the ring and goes outside to grab Theory. Theory sprays him in the face with a fire extinguisher and sends him headfirst into the ring steps!
-Commercial Break-
Picture-in-Picture Commercial Break: They show replays of what Theory just did to Lashley. Theory puts a second table in the ring and leans it in the corner. Theory grabs the fire extinguisher and sprays Lashley with it again. Theory poses with the fire extinguisher before putting Lashley in the ring. Theory goes to drive Lashley through the table that is leaning in the corner, but Lashley stops him. Lashley tries to put him through the table, but Theory avoids it. Theory then throws Lashley out of the ring and taunts the Philadelphia crowd. Theory goes outside, but Lashley quickly fights him and puts him back in the ring. Theory dropkicks Lashley in the knees. Theory goes to the top rope, but Lashley cuts him off.
We come back from the final break of the evening at 10:57 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. There are only three more minutes set for Raw is XXX. Lashley hits Theory with a superplex. We’re in the final two minutes. Lashley hits Theory with a modified dominator. Lashley sizes Theory up for a Spear through the table, but Theory kicks him. Theory lifts him, but Lashley slides off and applies a Hurt Lock. Theory low blows him. Lashley quickly makes a comeback and hits a spinebuster through the table!
Brock Lesnar’s music hits! The crowd erupts! Lesnar is the one who cost Lashley the title months ago. We’re in the final minute of Raw. Lesnar gets in the ring and hits Lashley with an F5! Lesnar then grabs Theory and gives him an F5 onto Lashley for the victory! The show almost immediately goes off the air after.
Winner by Pinfall and still United States Champion: Austin Theory
Quick Match Results
— The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso [Sami Zayn subbed for Jimmy Uso following an injury]) def. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio) to retain the Raw Tag Team Championship
— Seth “Freakin” Rollins and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) def. Imperium (WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci) (Kurt Angle was the Special Guest Referee)
— Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair def. Sonya Deville (non-title)
— Austin Theory def. Bobby Lashley in a No Disqualification Match to retain the United States Championship
E-Mail – mike@wrestleview.com
Twitter – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!
Be sure to join Mike Tedesco and Roy Nemer for another edition of Post-Raw tonight on YouTube.