‘WWE Raw’ Review (Jan 2nd 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, the FIRST Raw of 2023, right here on Nerdly… Let’s see what went down this week and see how it bodes for the year ahead!
Match #1: Bianca Belair def. Alexa Bliss (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Bianca Belair put her Raw Women’s Championship on the line in a very tough title showdown against Alexa Bliss. When the action moved outside the ring, Bliss spotted two different Uncle Howdy faces in the crowd. Moments later, the TitanTron began to flicker, and Bliss to became unhinged and lost control. After attacking the official in the ring, the incensed Superstar went ballistic on The EST of WWE and delivered two brutal DDTs to her onto the steel ring steps.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Solo Sikoa def. Elias
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After Solo Sikoa recently smashed his adversary with a guitar, Elias demanded to battle The Enforcer in a vicious Music City Street Fight. The dangerous encounter incorporated all manner of musical implements, including a cow bell, guitars, drum kits, symbols, guitar cases, microphones, tambourines, metal drum stands and an electric keyboard. Although Country Music Singer and Songwriter Hardy, who was at ringside and will give a special live musical performance at the Royal Rumble PLE, entered the ring and hit Solo with a guitar, Solo executed a Samoan Spike on Elias as his opponent was leaping at him from the turnbuckle. Sikoa then finished Elias with a Spinning Solo off the apron and onto a piano for the triumph.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Sami Zayn & The Usos def. Kevin Owens & The Street Profits
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Bloodline came to Raw to send a message of dominance. In opposition to that goal, Kevin Owens joined forces with Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford against Sami Zayn & Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Jimmy & Jey Uso. In the final moments, with Superstars down in every direction and Sikoa joining the fight, Zayn hit the Helluva Kick on Ford to pick up the victory in honor of Roman Reigns. Before the dust could clear, The Bloodline launched a post-match attack on Owens until Drew McIntyre & Sheamus suddenly emerged through the audience and helped fight off the nefarious faction. The counter-offensive earned The Celtic Warrior and The Scottish Warrior momentum heading into their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title Match Friday on SmackDown.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Dexter Lumis def. Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The unpredictable Dexter Lumis reigned supreme over Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable when he countered Master Gable’s technical prowess out of nowhere and picked up the quick three-count.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Dakota Kai & IYO SKY def. Becky Lynch & Mia Yim
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
What began as a two-on-one Handicap Match pitting Becky Lynch against IYO SKY and Dakota Kai transformed into a tag team matchup when Mia Yim emerged to partner with Big Time Becks against Damage CTRL. When Bayley interrupted and drew the ire of Lynch, though, Damage CTRL took advantage of the commotion with SKY hitting a moonsault on Michin to score the victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: United States Title Match – Austin Theory def. Seth “Freakin” Rollins
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In an absolute knockdown drag-out brawl for the United States Championship, Austin Theory and Seth “Freakin” Rollins left everything they had on the canvas. With each moment more intense than the last, Rollins injured his knee, which may very well have cost him the contest more than once. Although The Visionary hit the Pedigree, the official had been knocked out. A second referee ran to the ring to replace him, but valuable seconds were already lost. When the second referee was out of position, Theory seized the opportunity and delivered a low blow, followed by a chop block to the injured knee and A Town Down for the win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Not a terrible start to the 2023 year in Raw but not a great one either. I could do without WWE revisiting the Alexa Bliss stuff TBH so the end of that match wasn’t for me. As for the rest of the show… well who cares about a celeb involvement in an Elias (?!) for god’s sake; or the crappy Dexter Lumis squash match for that matter. Thankfully we’ve got a good men’s tag team match and a great main event – both of which saved this show from the doldrums.
