This week’s RAW started as the no. 1 contender for the WWE Universal Heavyweight championship Kevin Owens came out to the arena. He was about to talk about his upcoming match against Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble pay per view event but he was interrupted by WWE Hall of Famer JBL.
JBL claimed that if anybody had a chance to beat Roman Reigns for the title that was Baron Corbin. He also reminded everyone that Corbin was the only wrestler in last 3 years to had a pinfall victory over Roman Reigns. Kevin Owens ultimately challenged Baron Corbin in a one on one match which Corbin accepted.
WWE RAW 09.01.2023 Results & Ratings
Match 1 – Kevin Owens defeated Baron Corbin
The first match of the night was book for five and a half minutes and it was an average match. Nobody in particular dominated the match, it was well balanced between both of them. At the end of the match, Kevin Owens stunned Corbin with a sudden Stunner and pinned him.
After the match, Kevin Owens was attacked by the Bloodline. The Usos and Solo Sikoa started to gang up on the former WWE Universal Heavyweight champion. Owens fought back as he grab to chair and beat down all three men. Owens is really getting a good build up before his Universal title match at Royal Rumble.
Alexa Bliss appeared and she was seen standing on the announce table. She reminded everyone what she did to Bianca Belair last week and she said that she was finally feeling good. She also say that she felt she was in charge of Monday Night RAW. To shock everyone, Uncle Howdy appeared and stood on the entrance ramp. Good to see that Alexa Bliss is directly getting involved into the Bray Wyatt storyline.
Match 2 – Bayley defeated Michin
Okay so Mia Yim’s ring name has officially changed to Michin now. It is not her nickname anymore. About the match, it was another average clash and it was booked for less than 5 minutes. Michin dominated the most part of the match. But at the end, Bayley pinned her with a Backslide Roll Up.
WWE United States champion Austin Theory came out to the arena. He reminded everyone how he defeated Seth Rollins last week on Monday night RAW. Rollins interfered him and revealed that his knee was not feeling very well but he would be back by Royal Rumble. Both of them say that they would be winning the Royal Rumble match and win the Universal title at WrestleMania 39.
As Seth Rollins was making his way out of the arena, Bobby Lashley made his return. He bypassed Seth Rollins and directly entered the ring. Theory attempted to attack him but Lashley ducked it and nailed him with a Spear. Lashley inform everyone that his suspension was over and he would be entering the Royal Rumble match as well.
Match 3 – Rhea Ripley defeated Candice LeRae
This match was booked for only four minutes and it was an easy win in for the former WWE Raw Women’s champion. Candice had her offences but they were not enough to take Rhea down. Rhea pinned Candice with Riptide.
Backstage MVP met Bobby Lashley and we got to know that it was MVP who helped Lashley to get rehired. Hr wanted to restart the Hurt Business but Lashley said that he still remembered whatever happened between them in the past. But he was not saying know and they were good for now. MVP also hinted of a potential expansion of Hurt Business. Maybe we get to see Omos being a part of it.
Match 4 – Solo Sikoa defeated Dolph Ziggler
Finally a pretty good match. This match might finally restore faith in some people’s hearts that Vince is not competely destroying WWE as long as he is not selling it. About the match, it was booked for seven and a half minutes and it was a perfectly balanced match. Solo Sikoa pinned Dolph Ziggler with the Samoan Spike.
Next up was the Miz TV with Dominik Mysterio being the special guest along with the Judgment Day being on his side. It was a good segment. They are trying really hard to push the third generation Mysterio. The discussion turned a little heated at the end but they avoided getting physical.
Match 5 – Tag Team Turmoil to determine the no. 1 contenders for the Tag Team titles – The Judgment Day defeated The Street Profits, The Alpha Academy, The Hurt Business and The OC to become the new no. 1 contenders for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team championship
The Judgment Day and The OC started things off as the Judgment Day picked up the first win with Finn Balor pinning Karl Anderson with a roll up. The first contest was booked for nearly seven minutes and it was a good match. The Hurt Business joined the match next and the dominated Judgment Day for the next four minutes but ultimately, Finn Balor pinned Cedric Alexander with the Coup De Grace to keep themselves in the match.
The next team to join the match was the Alpha Academy and the next match went on for 5 minutes. Once again Judgment Day came out stronger as Damian Priest pinned Otis with a Clothesline From Hell. The Street Profits was the last join the match. But Finn Balor got injured during this match, of course it was kayfabe.
Adam Pearce offered them a chance to replace Finn with Dominik or get forfeited. They decided to add Dominik in the match. The Street Profits was the last team to join the Turmoil. The final match was the longest of the Turmoil and it was really fun. The babyface side dominated the most part of the match.
At the end of the match, Montez Ford looked on top of his game as he was dominating both Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest single handedly. He hit a 450 Splash on Dominik and as he was about to pin him, Priest pulled him out. Dominik quickly rolled him up for the victory. The Judgment Day celebrated as this week’s RAW went off air.
Overall it was a below average week of Monday Night RAW. Of course there were some good matches but they are were mostly drawbacks. Firstly there is no concrete World Championship segment, which will always be a huge drawback for Monday night RAW as long as the World titles are not split.
The second one is, they are completely failing to book a strong main event. Since when Tag Team turmoil matches are being main events? And there are so many female wrestlers that remain totally unbooked, still there not making a Women’s tag team title feud.
The Women’s Tag Team Champions are doing completely nothing but working as the side kicks of Bayley. Is quite clear that they just want to sell WWE and they have no interest in improving the promotion. We give this week’s RAW 1.5 out of 5.
Sportzwiki Ratings – 1.5/5