WWE Raw Results (01/16) - Six-Way Number One Contender's Elimination Match, Judgment Day Vs. Alpha Academy And More
Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s results of "WWE Raw" on January 16, 2023, coming to you live from the Heritage Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio!
Following his shocking return from suspension last week after interrupting an exchange of words between United States Champion Austin Theory and Seth "Freakin" Rollins, Bobby Lashley will be addressing the WWE Universe. "The All Mighty" was suspended last month after attacking a referee when he failed to defeat Rollins to become the number one contender to Theory's title. Rollins isn't the only person Lashley has unresolved issues with, as tensions between him and Theory have been building over the past few months. Lashley's night doesn't end there however, as he will also be competing in a Six-Way Elimination Match to determine who will be taking on Theory in a title match during "Raw is XXX" next week against Rollins, Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, The Miz and Judgment Day's Finn Balor.
Speaking of Judgment Day, Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio will be squaring off with Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) in tag team action. Judgment Day became the new number one contenders to the "Raw" Tag Team Championship after defeating Alpha Academy, The O.C., Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander, and The Street Profits in a Tag Team Turmoil Match. Which team will come out on top?
Additionally, "Raw" Women's Champion Bianca Belair, "The Man" Becky Lynch, and Damage CTRL's Bayley are all scheduled to appear on tonight's show, as per WWE's event page.
We are live! Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick greet audiences at home as The Usos and Solo Sikoa make their way to the ring.
We Hear From The Bloodline
Jimmy says The Bloodline has been running "Raw" and "SmackDown", but before they can do anything else, they need to address Kevin Owens. Jey says that Roman Reigns will teach him a lesson at "Royal Rumble", then says that every generation of The Bloodline will be at "Raw is XXX" next week. He adds that they will also beat Judgment Day in their "Raw" Tag Team Championship Match.
Judgment Day's music hits and they then head to the ring. Rhea Ripley tells them to stop right there because the only thing The Bloodline needs to acknowledge is the fact that Judgment Day runs "Raw". Balor says that they're coming for The Bloodline next, then thanks Dominik Mysterio for filling in for him last week and winning the Tag Team Turmoil match. Damian Priest tells Balor to take it easy in preparation for his match later, then tells The Usos that the "Raw" Tag Team Championship will be coming back to "Raw" full time. He says they have never stepped to Judgment Day because they're scared. Dominik asks them if they're afraid and Jimmy asks who they should be scared of. Jey says they've knocked down every team that's stepped to them, then says they started their reign after beating Dominik and his father. They welcome them to the Uso Penitentiary.
Dominik tells The Usos they wouldn't have lasted a minute in prison, then calls them wannabes. He says the biggest wannabe is Sikoa. Sikoa doesn't take too kindly to this and stares down Dominik. Ripley inserts herself between the two men, then stares down Sikoa. Dominik hits Sikoa with a forearm, but Sikoa headbutts him. The Usos begin brawling with Balor, Priest, and Dominik. Sikoa and Ripley are left in the middle of the ring, but Mustafa Ali comes in out of nowhere and blindsides them to kick off their match.
Solo Sikoa vs. Mustafa Ali
Back from the break, Ali delivers a pair of chops to Sikoa. Sikoa fires back with a Samoan Drop, then delivers the Stinkface. Ali delivers a pair of dropkicks and a superkick that sends him out of the ring. Ali looks to go flying, but Sikoa catches him with a right hand and a clothesline. He goes for a pin, but Ali kicks out. Sikoa sends Ali into the corner, then charges at him but Ali rolls out of the ring. He hops onto the apron before Sikoa sends him crashing into the ring post.
The Usos head to ringside as the referee begins the ten count to celebrate Sikoa's win. Kevin Owens' music hits and he begging brawling with The Usos. He sends Jey into the barricade, then sends Jimmy into the ring steps. Inside the ring, Ali takes advantage and delivers a Tornado DDT. He goes for a pin, but Sikoa kicks out. Ali ascends to the top and looks for the 450 Splash, but Sikoa rolls out of the way and delivers the Samoan Spike for the win.
Winner: Solo Sikoa
After the match, Owens delivers a Stunner to Sikoa and sends him into the ring steps. He clears the announce desk, then lays Sikoa on top of it. He climbs onto the barricade, but The Usos beat him down. Owens fights them off and starts tossing chairs at them, but officials run down and hold off Owens.
We then head backstage to Bobby Lashley. He says there's only one "All Mighty" and says he will make five Superstars tap to The Hurt Lock. he puts Theory on notice and tells him that he will put him away for good.
Back from the break, we head to a video of Cody Rhodes discussing his pectoral injury and his journey to recovery. He announces that he will be making his return at "Royal Rumble".
We then head backstage to Byron Saxton. He says he's been trying to get a word with Adam Pearce, but hasn't been able to due to various wrestlers pleading their case for the Rumble. He then introduces Elias and says while he's had a hell of a year, his vengeance tour begins now. MVP walks out of Pearce's office and tells Elias not to go talk to Pearce because "the winner is a done deal". Elias challenges that notion and says he hasn't been relevant for years. MVP says if he keeps talking like that, then he will get a match with the 2023 Rumble winner and Elias accepts his challenge.
Back from the break, The Street Profits head to the ring followed by Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander.
Street Profits vs. Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander
Dawkins and Benjamin begin the action. The bell rings and Benjamin goes straight for Ford. He levels him, then takes down Dawkins with an enziguri and a German suplex. Alexander and Ford tag in. Ford ascends to the top and delivers a crossbody. He hits a vicious lariat, then sends him onto the apron. Alexander drags Ford out there to join him, then looks for a German suplex. Ford blocks it and Alexander manages to knock him off the apron as MVP heads to the ring.
Back from the break, Benjamin tags in and whips Ford into the corner. Dawkins tags in and delivers a pair of lariats to Benjamin, followed by a back elbow and a splash in the corner. Ford tags in and ascends to the top. He delivers a Frog Splash, then goes for a pin but Alexander breaks the fall. Ford delivers an enziguri, then tags in Dawkins. Alexander tags in and goes flying on the outside to take down Ford. Dawkins follows suit, and Benjamin tosses Dawkins into a knee from Alexander while MVP distracts the referee. Alexander goes for the pin, but Dawkins reverses the fall for the win.
Winners: Street Profits
After the match, Alexander and Benjamin argue with MVP.
We head backstage to Cathy Kelley and Judgment Day. Kelley asks Finn Balor how he feels heading into his match later and says if anyone is ready for the match, it's him. Alpha Academy walks in and says Judgment Day barely snuck past them. Ripley tells Gable not to make her do something she doesn't regret.
Back from the break, Becky Lynch's music hits and she heads to the ring through the crowd.
Becky Lynch Calls Out Damage CTRL
Lynch calls Bayley to the ring, but Bayley doesn't appear. She asks Bayley what she's doing before Damage CTRL heads to the ring. Bayley rags on Lynch and says she must have forgotten her name because she's Bayley, not Karen. Lynch tells her she's a Karen, not that she forgot her name.
Bayley tells Lynch that was "mature" of her, then says while she's there calling her all these names, it's a reaction to her loss. Lynch then reminds her of their match in 2015 before Bayley accuses her of taking her spot on "Raw", "SmackDown", and "WrestleMania". Lynch says she's missing the fact she was kept in "NXT" because she was the leader of the lockerroom as the "NXT" Women's Champion. She says she was never meant to change the game or be in the first ever main-event of "WrestleMania", but she worked harder than anyone else to get to where she is. She says she knows Bayley loves wrestling too, but she whines and blames everyone but herself.
Bayley says fans know nothing about her and says she only became "The Man" because she was punched by another woman. Lynch says maybe she should punch Bayley now and asks if she's going to keep hiding behind Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. Lynch asks Bayley if she has a problem facing her in a Steel Cage Match at "Raw is XXX". Bayley hesitates and says there's no problem and Lynch says that it's official.
We head backstage Dolph Ziggler. Mustafa Ali walks in and sarcastically congratulates him, then asks if he enjoys having opportunities handed to him. Ziggler says he should know better than anything that nothing is just handed out in WWE. Ali loses his temper and clocks him.
Back from the break, MVP (still in his suit) heads down to the ring as Elias waits inside. He says Elias seems confused and there has been a communication breakdown. He says he won't be facing him but he will be facing the 2023 Royal Rumble winner: Omos.
Omos (w/ MVP) vs. Elias
The bell rings and Elias charges at Omos. Omos tosses him into the corner, then delivers a big boot. Elias rolls to the outside to catch his breath and Omos follows him out. Elias rains down right hand left hands, then jumps Omos. Omos tosses him off his back, then looks to send him into the ring post. Elias moves out of the way and sends Omos colliding into it instead. Elias picks up his guitar, but Omos grabs it and breaks it.
The pair get back in the ring and Elias delivers three jumping knees. He ascends to the top, but Omos catches him and plants him with a chokeslam for the win.
Winner: Omos
We head backstage to Adam Pearce and Byron Saxton. Pearce puts over "Raw is XXX" before Akira Tozawa walks in and requests to be put in the Royal Rumble. He volunteers himself for a match to prove himself and Pearce says he can make that happen.
Back from the break, Judgment Day heads to the ring followed by Alpha Academy.
Judgment Day vs. Alpha Academy
Dominik and Gable begin the action. The bell rings and an intimidated Dominik tags in Priest. Priest sends Gable to the outside, but Gable gets back in. Priest looks for a superkick, but Gable catches it and attempts to reverse it into the Ankle Lock. Gable escapes and sends Priest into the corner. He tags in Otis and Otis beats him down. Dominik and Gable tag in. Dominik low-bridges Gable to the outside.
Back from the break, Dominik sends Gable to the outside and tags in Priest. Priest delivers a vicious rolling elbow and a jumping back elbow, then delivers a suplex. He sits him on the top turnbuckle, then clocks him with a forearm and tags in Dominik. Dominik meets Gable on the top, but Gable knocks him off and goes flying. Priest and Otis tag in. Otis levels Priest with a splash and a lariat, then follows it up with a bodyslam. He goes for a pin, but Priest kicks out. Otis delivers The Caterpillar, then ascends to the top rope. Priest meets him there and hits South Of Heaven. Gable levels him with a German suplex, but Dominik rolls him up. Gable kicks out and transitions into the Ankle Lock. Ripley distracts the referee, allowing Priest to hit South of Heaven and Dominik to pin him for the win.
Winners: Judgment Day
We then head to a video honoring Martin Luther King Jr. for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Back from the break, IYO SKY and Dakota Kai head to the ring followed by Michin and Candice LeRae.
Michin (w/ Candice LeRae) vs. IYO SKY (w/ Dakota Kai)
The bell rings and the two women lock up. Michin delivers a dropkick, then delivers a right hand. SKY ascends to the top and delivers a dropkick, then follows it up with the double knees. Michin delivers a chop, but SKY manages to lock in a modified crossface. Michin reverses the lock into a pin, but SKY kicks out. SKY delivers a double chop, but Michin manages to deliver a neckbreaker. She follows it up with a pair of kicks and a dropkick, then looks for Eat Defat. Kai distracts the referee, allowing SKY to roll up Michin. Michin kicks out as LeRae yells at Kai. SKY levels her with a dropkick, allowing Michin to deliver Eat Defeat for the win.
Winner: Michin
After the match, Kai attacks Michin, but LeRae takes her out.
We then head to a video recapping the feud between Alexa Bliss and Bianca Belair, as well as Uncle Howdy's visit to her.
Back from the break, Bianca Belair heads to the ring.
Bianca Belair Confronts Alexa Bliss
Belair tells fans that she's missed them, then says the job of being a wrestler comes with risks. She says even after what Bliss has done to her, she would still face her again and again and again because with every risk comes the reward of remaining "Raw" Women's Champion. She then calls out Bliss.
Bliss' music hits and she heads to the ring. Bliss says Belair fears her because she's unpredictable, then says the Royal Rumble is right around the corner. Belair cuts her off and asks her if she wants to wait until "WrestleMania". She offers her a match at the Rumble, but Bliss asks her what the catch is. Belair says it's up to her and Bliss accepts. Bliss looks to walk away, but Belair says she'll also be seeing her tonight. She then attacks her and tosses her into the barricade multiple times. She sends her into the ring steps, but Bliss sends her flying over the barricade and into the crowd. Belair recovers and drags her over the barricade, then continues to beat her down. She sets up a pair of chairs, then sets up for the KOD. Before she can hit it, Uncle Howdy appears at one of the entrances into the arena. This allows Bliss to deliver a DDT to Belair on the floor.
Back from the break, Bronson Reed heads to the ring as Akira Tozawa waits inside.
Bronson Reed vs. Akira Tozawa
The bell rings and Reed drags Tozawa to the mat. Tozawa delivers a dropkick before he crashes into Reed. Reed beats down Tozawa and delivers a splash, then delivers a bodyslam and a diving back elbow. Tozawa fires back with a series of kicks, then follows it up with a hurricanrana that sends him to the outside. He delivers a tope suicida, then looks for a cannonball off the apron, but Reed catches him and powerbombs him into the barricade. He delivers a running shoulder tackle off the apron, then tosses him back in the ring and delivers the Tsunami for the win.
Winner: Bronson Reed
We head backstage to Byron Saxton and Seth "Freakin" Rollins. Rollins says that just when he thought he was out of the United States title picture, they pulled him back in. He voices his excitement for the upcoming Six-Way Number One Contender's Elimination Match, then says he will win the Royal Rumble and go on to main-event "WrestleMania".
Back from the break, commentary runs down the card for "Raw is XXX".
Seth "Freakin" Rollins then heads to the ring, followed by The Miz, Baron Corbin, JBL, Dolph Ziggler, Finn Balor and Bobby Lashley. Austin Theory then heads down to watch on from ringside.
Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin in a Six-Way Number One Contender's Elimination Match
The bell rings and the six men go after one another.
Back from the break, Rollins and Balor are exchanging right hands in the middle of the ring as Ziggler sends Miz's head bouncing off the announce desk and Lashley brawls with Corbin. Rollins delivers a kick to Balor before Balor returns the favor. JBL stares down Lashley, but Corbin levels him as Miz sends Ziggler into the timekeeper's area. Ziggler delivers a Tornado DDT off the barricade while Rollins delivers a gutbuster to Balor. He ascends to the top, but Corbin stops him from flying and meets him there. Balor joins him and the two look to hit a double suplex, but Bobby Lashley jumps into the ring and pulls them all down with a powerbomb. He looks to deliver a Spear to Rollins, but Rollins ducks out of the way and Lashley collides with the ringpost. Ziggler then follows it up with Zig Zag and Miz delivers the Skull Crushing Finale. He goes for a pin, but Lashley kicks out and rolls to the outside. Miz delivers a thrust kick, then follows it up with the Yes Kicks. Balor tries to roll up Miz, but Miz kicks out and delivers the Yes Kicks. He then sets his sights back on Ziggler and locks in the Figure Four Lock. Ziggler reverses the lock and Rollins takes advantage. He delivers the Curb Stomp to Miz, then pins him to send him packing.
Eliminated: The Miz
Back from the break, Corbin beats down Rollins in the corner as Balor goes after Ziggler. Balor whips Corbin into Ziggler, then whips him into Rollins. Corbin rolls to the outside and Lashley shoulder tackles him. Corbin and Balor then send him into the ring post. Balor gets him back in the ring and Rollins delivers a series of kicks and lariats. He delivers a jumping knee off the apron to Balor, then takes a sip of Corey Graves' water. He takes a shot at Theory, then gets back in the ring and delivers a kick to Theory's head. Corbin goes after them, but Rollins and Ziggler team up to deliver right hands. The pair then deliver alternating splashes to Ziggler and Balor in the corner before Ziggler rolls up Rollins. Rollins kicks out and delivers a suicide dive to Lashley and Corbin on the outside. Balor then goes flying over the top to take out the three men before Ziggler ascends to the top rope and delivers a Frog Splash.
All five men are down, but Ziggler gets to his feet first and tosses Corbin into the ring. Corbin delivers a kick to his head, then looks for a powerbomb. Ziggler delivers a superkick, then delivers Zig Zag to Lashley and a superkick to Balor. Rollins catches him with a pedigree and pins him for the elimination.
Eliminated: Dolph Ziggler
Back from another break, Corbin sends Balor crashing into Lashley and Rollins. He then hits Balor with Deep Six, then goes for a pin. Balor kicks out and Corbin rains down right hands. Rollins does the same to Corbin, but Corbin ends up sending him crashing to the outside. Lashley and Corbin then begin to brawl in the ring before Lashley delivers a series of shoulders to his midsection. He plants him, then clotheslines him to the outside. Balor tries to take down Lashley, but Lashley gets the better of him. Rollins comes after him, but Lashley catches him and delivers a double DDT. He then plants him and hits Balor with a delayed vertical suplex.
Omos and MVP head to ringside as Lashley questions their presence. Corbin takes advantage and delivers a clothesline before Balor delivers the slingblade and Rollins clotheslines him to the outside. He then dropkicks Lashley into the corner and hits Coup-De-Grace. Rollins comes in out of nowhere and delivers the curbstomp to Balor. He pins him and eliminates him from the contest.
Eliminated: Finn Balor
Corbin charges at Rollins over the ring steps, but Rollins catches him. He gets on the apron, but Omos pulls him down and sends him crashing over the announce desk. Corbin then gets back in the ring, but Lashley catches him with a Spear and sends him to the back.
Eliminated: Baron Corbin
Lashley has a word with Omos and MVP, allowing Theory to take advantage and hit him with the United States Championship. Omos grabs him and looks to chokeslam him through the table, but Theory lands over the table and Rollins curb stomps Omos. He then attacks Theory and gets back in the ring. He superkicks MVP to take him out of the equation, then sets his sights on Lashley. He runs the ropes looking for a curbstomp, but Lashley catches him with a Spear for the win.
Eliminated: Seth "Freakin" Rollins
Winner (and new number one contender): Bobby Lashley
After the match, Theory and Lashley stare one another down as the show goes off the air.