Monday Night RAW
January 16, 2023
Heritage Bank Center
Cincinnati, OH
Welcome to our live coverage of Monday Night RAW taking place at the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, OH. Scheduled for tonight’s event is The Judgment Day vs The Alpha Academy as well as Solo Sikoa vs Mustafa Ali. That and much more tonight on Monday Night RAW!
At the top of the show, it is announced that tonight on RAW, there will be a six-way elimination match between The Miz, Dolph Ziggler, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Baron Corbin, and Fin Balor with the winner to face Austin Theory for the United States Championship at RAW is XXX.
The Usos and Solo Sikoa came down the aisle and into the ring to open the show. The Usos said that at RAW XXX, every generation of The Bloodline will be joining them in an acknowledgment ceremony for Roman Reigns. Also, The Usos will defend the RAW Tag Team Championship against The Judgment Day. This brought out The Judgment Day. They said The Bloodline needs to acknowledge that Judgment Day runs Monday Night RAW. Dominik ran his mouth to Sikoa. Sikoa got in Dominik’s face, but Rhea Ripley got in between them. Dominik got in a cheap shot to Sikoa and a fight broke out. The Judgment Day and The Usos brawled to the outside of the ring leaving Ripley and Sikoa in the ring. Rhipley taunted Sikoa to hit her. When it looked like he was ready to hit her, Mustafa Ali appeared out of nowhere flying off the top turnbuckle on to Sikoa as they went to a commercial break.
Solo Sikoa vs Mustafa Ali
Sikoa was pounding on Ali in the corner. Sikoa threw Ali into the ringpost sending Ali to the canvas. The Usos came down and were ready to get in the ring when Kevin Owens made his way down the aisle to brawl with The Usos. As this was happening, Ali came back and from behind, gave Sikoa a Tornado DDT for a near fall. Ali then went for a 450 but Sikoa moved out of the way and Spiked Ali for the pin. Owens immediately came in and gave Sikoa a Stunner. Owens and Sikoa brawled on the outside of the ring. Owens threw him into the ring steps and set him up on the announcers table. The Usos then jumped Owens and Owens threw chairs at them while officials were trying to restrain him.
Backstage interview: Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley said he is coming for his United States title at RAW XXX
Backstage interview: Elias
Elias said 2022 was a roller coaster but he is going to win the Royal Rumble. MVP came out of Adam Pearce’s office. Pearce told Elias not to bother talking to Pearce as the winner is a done deal. Elias told MVP that he hasn’t been relevant in years let alone in the Royal Rumble. MVP said if he keeps talking like that, he’s going to get him a match with the 2023 Royal Rumble winner tonight. Elias said it’s a done deal.
The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) vs Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander
Back and forth action brought MVP down to ringside. Montez Ford sprung himself over the top rope on Shelton Benjamin. Cedric Alexander flew through the middle rope on Ford. Dawkins then flew over the top rope on Benjamin and Alexander Dawkins threw Alexander back in the ring and threw Alexander into the turnbuckle. Dawkins went for a splash, but MVP pulled Alexander out of the way. Benjamin came in the ring and from behind, picked up Alexander and threw him into Alexander who hit him with a knee. Alexander went for the pin as MVP almost made his way into the ring, but Dawkins reversed it into a slide for the pin. Benjamin and Alexander were arguing with MVP after the match outside the ring.
Backstage interview: Judgment Day
Finn Balor said that he is ready for the six man elimination match later on tonight. The Alpha Academy showed up. They said they are going to get back the win that Judgment Day stole from them last week.
In ring promo: Becky Lynch and Bayley
Becky Lynch said Bayley peaked in 2015. Bayley said 2015 was when she ran NXT and Becky ran off with the other Horsewomen and took her spot. Becky asked Bayley if this is why she found two friends and started a faction to recreate something. Bayley said she is not trying to recreate anything but said Becky took her spot and everything she has should have been hers. Becky said Bayley was kept in NXT because Bayley was the champion, wanted to be the leader, and wanted to help the future. Bayley was supposed to have her own spotlight while Becky was seen as just another body who wasn’t supposed to be The Man. Becky said she worked for this and will continue to work for this while Bayley wines about everything that doesn’t go her way. Lynch challenged Bayley one on one in a Steel Cage match and Bayley accepted.
Backstage: Dolph Ziggler and Mustafa Ali
Mustafa Ali told Ziggler he has received opportunity after opportunity handed to him. He then punched Ziggler and asked if he had his attention now.
In the ring: MVP told Elias that he is not facing him tonight. He is facing the 2023 Royal Rumble winner Omos
Omos vs Elias
Elias tried to charge Omos outside the ring, but MVP stopped him. MVP threatened to hit Elias with his cane. Elias grabbed his guitar and went to hit MVP with it, but Omos stopped him by grabbing the guitar and headbutting him. Omos smashed the guitar on the ground. Elias hit three jumping knees to Elias chin and went to the top rope. Omos grabbed him from off the top rope by the throat and slammed him to the mat. He then pinned him to win the match.
Backstage: Adam Pearce
Pearce was asked what is in store for RAW XXX. He said the winner of the six man elimination match tonight will fight the U.S. Champion. Akira Tozawa interrupted and told Pearce that he wants to be in the Royal Rumble. Pearce said he has to earn it. He said he will give Tozawa a match tonight and if he wins it, he will consider him as an entrant in the Rumble
Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Dominik) vs The Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis)
With all four battling becoming involved in the match, Damian Priest gave Otis a chokeslam off the second rope. Chad Gable gave Priest a suplex. Dominik rolled up Gable for a two count. Gable got the ankle lock on Dominik. Rhea Ripley got up on the apron which distracted the referee. This allowed Priest to give Gable the South of Heaven Chokeslam and Dominik covered Gable for the win.
IYO SKY (with Dakota Kai) vs Michin (with Candice LeRae)
Michim gave SKY a German Suplex. Dakota Kai got on the ring apron. Candice LeRae prevented her from interfering and knocked her off the ring apron. Kai got distracted and Michim gave her the Eat Defeat for the win. Kai entered the ring and started beating down Michim, but LeRae kicked her and gave her a double knee to her chin.
In ring interview: Bianca Belair
Bianca Belair asked if Alexa Bliss has the guts to face her. Bliss came out and told Belair that Belair fears her because Belair doesn’t know what to expect from her. Bliss started to mention the Royal Rumble when Belair stopped her and asked her if she wants to go through 30 women to try to win and face her at WrestleMania or does she want to fight her at Royal Rumble. Bliss said she will fight her at The Rumble. Belair then got out of the ring and a wild brawl ensued between them. Belair set up two chairs and was ready to give Bliss the K.O.D. on the chairs when Uncle Howdy showed up at one of the entrance ways. Belair saw this and put Bliss down. Bliss then gave Belair a DDT on the floor.
Bronson Reed vs Akira Tozua
Bronson Reed came off the ring apron onto Tozua with a huge shoulderblock. He then climbed the top rope and gave Tozua a big splash and pinned him.
Backstage interview: Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins said he will win the six-man elimination match tonight, win back the United States Championship next week, win the Royal Rumble, and go on to main event WrestleMania
Next week at RAW XXX will have Becky Lynch vs Bayley inside a steel cage. There will be The Bloodline acknowledgement ceremony. The Usos will defend the RAW Tag Team Titles against Judgment Day. They also announced the legends will be there including Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Road Dogg, Ron Simmons, X-Pac, Kurt Angle, The Bella twins, Jerry Lawler, and Teddy Long.
Six-way elimination match: Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor vs The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler vs Baron Corbin vs Bobby Lashley
Austin Theory came down to give color commentary. The Miz had Dolph Ziggler in the figure four, but Ziggler reversed it and Seth Rollins curb stomped The Miz and pinned him. Outside the ring, Rollins took a drink of water and spit it in Theory’s face. Rollins hit the pedigree on Ziggler for the pinfall. Lashley was getting ready to apply the Hurt Lock on Fin Balor when Omos and MVP made their way down the aisle. Balor gave Lashley the coup de grace but immediately Rollins gave Balor the curb stomp and pinned him. Omos threw Rollins over the announce desk. Lashley speared Corbin for the pin. While Lashley had his head halfway out of the ring questioning Omos, Theory hit Lashley in the head with the United States belt. Omos then grabbed Theory outside the ring by the throat and tried to chokeslam him, but Rollins curb stomped Omos on the announce desk. Rollins then attacked Theory. MVP jumped on the ring apron, but Rollins superkicked him. Lashley then speared Rollins and pinned him to become the number one contender for the United States Championship.
