‘WWE Raw’ Review (Jan 16th 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… Let’s see what went down on this week’s show. As usual we’re focussing on the televised PRODUCT not the rumours, news and speculation (which these days is all anyone seems to be talking about!)… Let’s get into it!
Match #1: Solo Sikoa def. Mustafa Ali
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Mustafa Ali came into the night looking for payback, but Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline were ready for a fight when they rolled into Raw. A tornado DDT nearly gave Ali one of the biggest upsets in recent Raw history, but Sikoa kicked out and responded with a brutal Samoan Spike to secure the victory. Kevin Owens rushed the ring and delivered a Stunner that unleashed a brawl with The Bloodline that took over the night on the red brand.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: The Street Profits def. Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Raw tag team division remains wide open, and The Street Profits and Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin came out swinging. The action spilled onto the outside as Alexander went airborne through the ropes, but Angelo Dawkins wiped out everyone with a huge aerial attack. MVP attempted to get involved, but Dawkins reversed the pin attempt, as MVP’s interference backfired.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Omos def. Elias
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Elias came to Raw looking for a fight, but when Omos emerged from the locker room, the strumming Superstar immediately realized he got more than he bargained for. The Nigerian Giant had plenty of pain to dish out in his return to the ring, as he even stopped the songbird Superstar’s guitar smash in its tracks. Omos grabbed Elias out of the air and slammed him to the mat in a thunderous display that announced his dominant return to the red brand ring.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: The Judgment Day def. Alpha Academy
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Judgment Day walked into Raw overflowing with confidence after securing a Raw Tag Team Title opportunity last week, but Alpha Academy was hoping to knock them down a peg. The match nearly put a hole through the ring, as Damian Priest sent Otis smashing into the mat from the top rope, but Chad Gable crashed into the ring for a near-fall. With Rhea Ripley distracting the ref, Priest landed a South of Heaven that opened up Dominik Mysterio for the pin.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Michin def. IYO SKY
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Damage CTRL have wreaked plenty of havoc on Raw, and if you’re going to oppose them, you better be rolling deep. Tonight, Michin had Candice LeRae in her corner, and LeRae paid dividends by neutralizing Dakota Kai from outside the ropes. A beautiful German suplex weakened SKY, and as action on the outside distracted the Superstar, Michin forced her opponent to Eat the Feet in defeat.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Bronson Reed def. Akira Tozawa
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Akira Tozawa was hoping to set himself for a magical Royal Rumble run but instead found himself in the crosshairs of the newly returned Bronson Reed, who had only punishment on his mind. In an attack that was an equal mix of athleticism and brawn, Reed landed a Steamroller and a shoulder tackle on the apron and eventually a Tsunami to put Tozawa’s dreams to rest and send a message to the Raw roster.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Six-Way Elimination Match – Winner: Bobby Lashley
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Austin Theory has proclaimed he’s the Now of Monday Night Raw, but six WWE Superstars went to war looking for the opportunity to move his reign into the past. It was absolute mayhem from the start as action spilled throughout the arena. Seth “Freakin” Rollins took advantage of a leg lock by Dolph Ziggler to Stomp The Miz and eliminate him. The Visionary used a Pedigree to eliminate The Showstopper and followed up with another Stomp of Finn Bálor to remove The Judgment Day member. As only three remained, the power of Bobby Lashley took over as a Spear sent Baron Corbin packing, and MVP invoked Omos to try and tip the scales even further for his former Hurt Business partner. One final Spear to Rollins ended the mayhem and earned The All Mighty a United States Title opportunity on the 30th Anniversary of Monday Night Raw against Austin Theory.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
A decidedly average episode of Raw this week, one that didn’t feel all the exciting or interesting if I’m honest. The main event was the star of the show – a show which, like other wrestling shows this week, was booked against NFL… And it felt like the WWE didn’t even want to try and compete, which is a shame. The only real news of the night was the seeming “burial” of some talent in was were extended squash matches. A sign of things to come? Or just a change in focus? We’ll see.
