This week’s RAW started as the Bloodline (The Usos and Solo Sikoa) came out to the arena. They reminded everyone of their match against the Judgement Day that will take place next week. And once again they said that the match will be for the “RAW” Tag Team Championship and not for the Undisputed Tag Team titles. So it was not a mistake from James Pearce last week. Finally, it looks like the titles will be split.
The Judgment Day interfered them and they threatened them to take the WWE Raw Tag Team championships away from them. Dominik Mysterio was a quite good on the mic today. The segment turned violent at the end and Mustafa Ali ended of joining the fight as he attacked Solo Sikoa. This duo was scheduled for a match next.
WWE RAW 16.01.2023 Results & Ratings
Match 1 – Solo Sikoa defeated Mustafa Ali
This match was booked for five and a half minutes and it was mostly a domination from the Enforcer the Bloodline. At the closing moments of the match, Kevin Owens interfered and started fighting with the Usos. Mustafa Ali tried to cash the situation but Solo Sikoa pinned him with the Samoan Spike. After the match, Owens attacked Solo and started beating him down. The officials had to come out to stop them.
Match 2 – The Street Profits defeated The Hurt Business
This match was booked for six minutes and it was a good and entertaining match. However, we must say the wrong side won this time. If they are bringing the whole Hurt Business back they have to book them strong. They should not work as jobbers every week. Angelo Dawkins pinned Cedric Alexander with a rollup.
Next up is a segment between Becky Lynch and Bayley along with the Damage CTRL. We must say it was an excellent segment. It was one of the best women’s segments in the recent history of WWE. They shoot about their past, how they developed themselves and all. At the end of the segment, Becky Lynch ended up challenging Bayley in a Steel Cage match next week on RAW which Bayley accepted.
Match 3 – Omos defeated Elias
The Nigerian Giant is finally back on Monday Night RAW. The match was scheduled backstage when Elias mistook MVP for Omos and ended up challenging him. The match however was not a squash. Elias had his offensive but it was not enough. Omos pinned Elias with a Two Handed Chokeslam.
Match 4 – The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio) defeated The Alpha Academy
The match was booked for eight minutes and it was a fun match. It was mostly booked to promote Judgment Day as a worthy opponent for the Usos next week. As long as next week’s tag team match will be a heel vs heel match, this was also a heel vs heel match. Chad Gable locked Dominik with the Ankle Lock, and Damian Priest hit a Sit Out Chokeslam on him while the referee was being distracted by Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley. Dominik quickly pinned him to earn the victory for his side.
Match 5 – Michin defeated Iyo Sky
The match was booked for four and a half minutes and it was an average match. Candice LeRae stood on the side of Michin during the match and helped her throughout preventing the rest of the Damage CTRL. Michin pinned Iyo Sky with her Eat the Feet finisher.
Next up was a segment between Bianca Belair and Alexa Bliss. Bianca offered a RAW Women’s championship match to Alexa at Royal Rumble which Alexa accepted. They went violent at the end and Bianca started beating down Alexa. At the end, Bianca was distracted by Uncle Howdy and Alexa turned the table on Bianca by taking the advantage of the situation.
Match 6 – Bronson Reed defeated Akira Tozawa
This match is booked for a 4 minutes only and it was not a squash as everybody expected it would be. This was a Royal Rumble qualifying match which Tozawa asked for. Bronson Reed pinned Tozawa with the Frog Splash.
Match 7 – six pack elimination challenge to determine the number one contender for the WWE United States Championship – Bobby Lashley defeated Seth Rollins, Baron Corbin, Finn Balor, Dolph Ziggler and The Miz
This match was booked for nearly 20 minutes and without any doubt it was the best match of the night. Such an elimination match is booked after pretty long time in WWE. It was more of a Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley show. The match only focused on these two individuals and not on the other four.
The first three individuals that were eliminated from the match were The Miz, Dolph Ziggler and Finn Balor respectively and all of them were eliminated by Seth Rollins. Omos and MVP joined the frame next to help out Bobby Lashley, and they actually did. Lashley pinned Corbin and Rollins back to back to win the match. Bobby Lashley celebrated as this week’s RAW went off air.
Overall, it was a good show. The final match was really good, the rest of the matches were more of fillers. Now you have to feel bad for Kevin Owens. He is doing his best to promote the upcoming Universal heavyweight championship match at Royal Rumble and honestly, Roman Reigns is doing absolutely nothing apart from relaxing in his home.
For the same reason, Hulk Hogan faced major backlash from WWE Universe during his feud with Shawn Michaels. And everybody knows that in spite of working so hard Kevin Owens will lose the match. Roman Reigns does not have to do anything to promote his matches and still he wins everytime. Sometimes it feels really unfair.
Apart from these stories, there were too many pre taped footages to waste time. And the rest of the matches apart from the main event were really short. Now it feels like Vince McMahon is finally back in charge. The promotion for the reunion and expansion of the Hurt Business was well booked. Still, Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin should not have lost tonight. We give this week’s RAW 2 out of 5.
Sportzwiki Ratings – 2/5