WWE Raw Preview (09/01/23): Bianca Belair-Alexa Bliss; Austin Theory

WWE Raw approaches the 2023 edition of Royal Rumble where the only segment confirmed for this week is the appearance of Alexa Bliss. The former Raw Women’s Champion is to address the volatile actions of herself toward the current champion. Also, the United States Champion is likely to learn what’s next in store for him on the January 9 episode that takes place at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

WWE Raw Preview (09/01/23): Alexa Bliss to explain her brutal actions

Alexa Bliss was unsuccessful in her efforts to capture the WWE Raw Women’s Championship from Bianca Belair on the first episode of 2022. She didn’t suffer a clean pinfall loss but rather the presence of Uncle Howdy resemblance and Bray Wyatt’s moth symbol unleashed the ruthless version of herself to get disqualified as she put her hands on the match official.

It happened after Bliss came across a couple of fans in Uncle Howdy masks after which the Wyatt 6 moth logo repeatedly flashed on the tron. An irate Bliss not only attacked the match referee but also Belair with a Thesz Press followed by a flurry of punches which led to a DQ finish.

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Bliss sent the WWE Raw Women’s Champion hard into the steel steps and followed it up with a DDT on the lower half of the steps. Belair was hurt as she began bleeding from her mouth but Bliss returned to the ringside area to plant Belair with another DDT on the steel steps after which the champion had to be stretchered out.

Now, Little Miss Bliss is being advertised to be on WWE Raw to explain her actions toward the top babyface figure of the women’s division. Belair is also expected to be there as she’s eyeing redemption against her former buddy. The rivalry is far from over the expectation is that these two will be colliding over the title, again at Royal Rumble 2023.

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WWE Raw Preview (09/01/23): What’s next for Austin Theory

In one of the major matches of his career, Austin Theory defeated Seth Rollins on the first WWE Raw episode of 2023 to retain his United States Title. It came after a low blow when the referee wasn’t watching followed by the A-Town Down finisher.

Rollins and Theory, who were once stablemates back in 2020 engaged in a feud in the last quarter of 2020 and they have squared off in singles competition since the end of October on multiple occasions. Last week’s matchup possibly ended the feud as WWE has been advertising that Theory is set to receive a new opponent for his title.

WWE Raw Preview (09/01/23): The Hurt Business to reunite?

A few weeks ago, Bobby Lashley was fired by WWE official Adam Pearce. On December 19, former Hurt Business manager MVP asked Pearce as to Lashley’s current status, but Pearce wouldn’t respond. But that was the first time that a reunion of the beloved factions was teased.

Then on last week’s WWE Raw, another tease for the reunion was shown as the cameras showed MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander having a chatter with Adam Pearce backstage as Damage CTRL was walking to the ring for a promo. That being said, it’s only a matter of time before Lashley finds his way back to the show to possibly join his former partners and complete the reunion.