This week’s RAW started as the Bloodline was swen trying to take over Monday Night RAW once again. They were breaking everything and beating everyone out on their site. Kevin Owens came out. Sami Zayn clearly said that they were going to take over RAW, and whatever was happening was on Owens.
As Owens was about to enter the ring, Adam Pearce came out along with security guards to stop them. He said that they were not going to do it anymore. He sent the security guards to stop them but Solo Sikoa beat down every single one of them. Kevin Owens then entered the ring and broke into a fight with the Bloodline.
WWE RAW 02.01.2023 Results & Ratings
The wrestlers that were beating down by the Bloodline came out and joined Owens in the fight to beat down the Bloodline. The four wrestlers could not take one so many of them single handedly and they decided to leave the ring. As they were trying to escape through the crowd, Pearce told them that all of them are going to have one on one matches.
Match 1 – WWE RAW Women’s Championship – Bianca Belair defeated Alexa Bliss by DQ
The actual match was booked for about 10 minutes and it was mostly dominated by the champion. Bliss was the heel of this match. Throughout the match it was anyone’s game. The end of the match when the fight was taking place outside of the ring, somebody in the crowd was standing in an Uncle Howdy mask.
It distracted Bliss. As she went back to the ring, the Bray Wyatt logo appeared on the big screen which possessed Bliss once again. At first she attacked the referee which disqualified her from the match. Then she attacked Bianca and beat her down badly. Bianca was bleeding from her mouth.
Match 2 – Solo Sikoa defeated Elias in a Music City Street Fight
This match was booked for 11 minutes and it was a pretty entertaining match. The early part of the match was dominated by Solo, Elias got the control of the match at the later part, but he was no match for Solo. Elias attempted a Super Double Axe Handle which Solo converted into a Samoan Spike. Solo then pinned Elias after hitting a Spinning Solo on top of a piano.
Match 3 – The Bloodline defeated The Street Profits and Kevin Owens
This was a good match, but there were some big faults in this match. When the babyface side was taking control of the match, Solo Sikoa entered the arena and started beating down everyone. The referee was clearly in front of them, and he did not call for the bell. Weak booking we must say. Sami Zayn pinned Montez Ford after the Helluva Kick. After the match, the Bloodline started beating down Owens. Drew McIntyre and famous came out and helped him.
Match 4 – Dexter Lumis defeated Chad Gable
This match was booked for only 4 minutes and it was nothing but a filler. We do not see any future for either of these two men. If WWE had a lower mid card title like the European title from the Attitude Era, we could understand the reason behind making such a huge roster. These wrestlers will never get to do anything apart from jobbing to others. Triple H needs to consider bringing in at least one lower mid card Championship.
The Damage CTRL came out to the arena. Bayley talked about the formation of her faction and reminded everyone how she defeated Becky Lynch two weeks ago. Becky Lynch interrupted them and ultimately challenged Bayley in a rematch. Bayley did not accept the challenge but challenged Becky on behalf of the Women’s Tag Team Champions in a tag team action. Becky Lynch accepted the challenge.
Match 5 – The Damage CTRL defeated Mia Yim and Becky Lynch
This was a non title match and it was booked for 10 minutes. This was not the best match of the night but the good part of the match was the unpredictability. Becky started the match alone against the Damage CTRL. Michin joined the frame later. The babyface side was dominating but Iyo Sky pinned Mia Yim with a sudden Moonsault when Becky was a busy outside with Bayley. This 10 minute long match was pretty fun.
Match 6 – WWE United States Championship – Austin Theory defeated Seth Rollins to retain
The main event of the night was booked for 17 minutes and it was definitely the best match of the night. Theory might not have earned it clean when but definitely a very dominant one. The match was not a domininated by either of the two, but Rollins almost won the match as he hit a Pedigree on Theory.
But the referee was down, and Theory got the time to kick out since the replacement referee arrived. Rollins hurt a knee during the match, Theory took the advantage of that injured knee, and pinned him with the A Town Down. He hit a Low Blow before hitting the A Town Down which the referee did not notice. Theory celebrated with the Championship as the first episode of Monday Night RAW of 2023 went off air.
Overall it was just another average episode of Monday Night RAW. The way the night started it look like that WWE was going to give us another WCW vs nWo vibe, but ultimately, they failed to deliver it. The first episode of 2023 did not have a World championship segment which was a massive downfall.
Everybody knows that Kevin Owens is going to face Roman Reigns for the world title at Royal Rumble. They should have promoted the match on this episode. And where was Judgment Day tonight? No presence at all? How can they promote Finn Balor vs Edge for Royal Rumble like this? No women’s Tag Team Championship feud either. It is just a plain and simple filler episode. We give this week’s RAW 1.5 out of of 5.
Sportzwiki Ratings -1.5/5