Another packed episode of WWE Raw will be airing this week to crown the new challengers for the two top titles of the brand. As confirmed last week, two number-one contenders’ matches for Raw Women’s Title and the United States Title will go down on the show. Also, the rivalry between Becky Lynch and DAMAGE CTRL will continue on the show set from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
WWE Raw Preview (12/12/22): Possible main event revealed
As announced on the December 5 episode of WWE Raw, the main event match for this week see two top contenders from the female roster battle it out for the ultimate challenger’s spot. Alexa Bliss and Bayley will battle it out in this match to secure a shot at Raw Women’s Championship held by Bianca Belair.
These two female superstars qualified for the match by winning a pair of triple-threat matches on WWE Raw, last week. Bayley was the one to defeat Rhea Ripley and Asuka in the first bout by pinning Asuka. In the second bout, Bliss prevailed victorious over Becky Lynch and Nikki Cross in the main event as she pinned the latter name after interferences from DAMAGE CTRL.
The next title defense of Bianca Belair for the WWE Raw Women’s Title has been announced for Royal Rumble 2023. This week’s number-one contender’s match between Bayley and Bliss will be Belair’s opponent in the inaugural PPV of next year. Bliss and Bayley’s bout will also be their first singles encounter since the September 19 edition of NXT.
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WWE Raw Preview (12/12/22): Becky Lynch-Bayley beef to continue
These two women superstars have also shared the ring nearly a dozen times in recent months while competing in several multi-woman matches. The latest one of those happened inside the WarGames structure at Survivor Series 2022. It also had Becky Lynch and Bayley in it to continue another existing feud.
Both the triple threat contender’s matches from last week’s WWE Raw had had controversial finishes to drag these feuds. In the first match, a dominant Ripley had the match won until a slight mistake allowed Bayley to pin Asuka with the Rose Plant for the win. Ripley then took out her frustrations on Asuka by hitting her with a Riptide.
Then in the second triple threat, Lynch was pulled out of the ring by Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. She was then delivered a brutal beatdown, which gave Bliss the chance to hit a Twisted Bliss on Cross for the pinfall victory. In the meantime, Lynch was power-bombed through the announce table by the DAMAGE CTRL members.
That being said, it’s safe to assume that Lynch is coming after Bayley and she will likely cost Bayley the match against Bliss on WWE Raw. This, in turn, would set up a potential showdown between the two former Four Horsewomen members. Since Royal Rumble is more than a month away, the singles bout could happen in a weekly red brand episode.
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WWE Raw Preview (12/12/22): New challenger to be revealed for US Title
Tonight, Austin Theory will also find out who his next challenger will be for the United States Championship. Last week on WWE Raw, it was officially announced that Seth “Freakin’” Rollins and Bobby Lashley will compete against each other in a number-one contender’s match for the title match opportunity.
After dropping the US title to Theory, Rollins declared his intention to reclaim the title. Lashley had the same intention and hence he decided to confront Rollins on WWE Raw. The two engaged in a verbal war and then in a physical war. Officials came to separate the duo. Lashley ended the brawl after accidentally spearing WWE producer Petey Williams.
There’s no update on whether Lashley will face any repercussions for hitting a WWE Official. At this point, the number-one contender’s match is still scheduled to happen on WWE Raw. It should be noted that Theory won the US Title by defeating Rollins and Lashley at Survivor Series War Games even after his failed cash-in for the same title, almost a month ago.
