WWE Raw Results (01/30) - Rhea Ripley Chooses Her WrestleMania Opponent, We Hear From Cody Rhodes, Elimination Chamber Qualifier Matches
Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s results of "WWE Raw" on January 30, 2023, coming to you live from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma!
The fallout from "Royal Rumble" kicks off tonight, as the winner of the Men's Royal Rumble Match Cody Rhodes will be kicking off tonight's show. Rhodes made his triumphant return this past Saturday as the final entrant of the match after he was sidelined with a pectoral injury in June. What will he have to say?
Judgment Day member Rhea Ripley entered the Women's Royal Rumble Match as the first entrant, and went on to take home the whole match after staying in it for just over an hour. Tonight, she will be deciding whether she wants to face "Raw" Women's Champion Bianca Belair or "SmackDown" Women's Champion Charlotte Flair at "WrestleMania 39". Who will "The Eradicator" choose?
The first two Elimination Chamber Qualifier Matches will be taking place tonight, as Seth "Freakin" Rollins will be going head-to-head with Alpha Academy's Chad Gable, and former "NXT" Champion Johnny Gargano will be taking on "The Modern Day Wrestling God" Baron Corbin. Rollins and Corbin are the only two men with prior experience in the Chamber, with Rollins competing in the 2018 and 2022 matches, and Corbin in the 2017 and 2021 matches. With the United States Championship set to be on the line, who will join current title holder Austin Theory in the Chamber?
Additionally, Belair, Theory, "The Man" Becky Lynch, Damage CTRL's Bayley, and "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley are set 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 Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.
We Hear From Cody Rhodes
Rhodes jokingly asks fans what they want to talk about, then says he's not the same person he was when he started working for WWE. He recalls pulling up to the OVW training facility for the first time, and recounts thinking that he would be WWE Champion in two years. He says he was ambitious, and thought he would be the next John Cena. He says if he could talk to himself back then, he would tell him that it wouldn't go down that way. He questions if he would tell him about his WWE journey, and talks about all the things he has gone through including winning the 2023 Royal Rumble and securing his spot at "WrestleMania 39". He continues on to say he wouldn't tell him a single thing about his time in WWE because every single moment has been worth it. He says he hears fans singing it, and the first words on the track are his: "Wrestling has more than one royal family." He says it's not only wrestling that has more than one royal family, but WWE does as well, and for that to be true, he has to stand across from another one: Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. He says he respects Reigns, but at "WrestleMania 39", someone else will be the one to eat rather than "The Head of the Table". He warns Reigns that he will not be the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion by the end of the night.
Judgment Day's music hits, and Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and Damian Priest head to the ring. Balor asks Rhodes if he's here to do something original, or just steal his old stuff as per usual. Dominik tells Rhodes he ruined Judgment Day's plans at the Rumble, then says he was supposed to win. Balor taunts Rey Mysterio for being "unable to make it to the ring" on Saturday before Dominik says Rhodes put his hands on him and ruined his moment. Priest says Dominik should be the second-generation Superstar main-eventing "WrestleMania", then calls him a suck-up and puts over Rhea Ripley. He calls Rhodes "the golden boy" and says he was handed the number 30 spot.
Rhodes asks Judgment Day if they're trying to "scare him straight", then tells Dominik he has respect for his family. Dominik cuts him off, then says he has no respect for Rey or anyone else's father, including Dusty Rhodes. Rhodes says he could play it safe until "WrestleMania", or he could be himself and kick any of their asses.
Edge's music hits and he runs out. He blindsides Judgment Day and beats them down, causing officials to head down and separate all the men. Rhodes joins the fight and provides Edge with some back-up.
Back from the break, Seth "Freakin" Rollins heads to the ring, followed by Alpha Academy.
Seth Rollins vs. Chad Gable (w/ Otis) in an Elimination Chamber Qualifier Match
The bell rings and the two lock up. Gable trips Rollins, then looks to lock in the Ankle Lock. Rollins makes it to the bottom rope to prevent him from doing so, and Gable delivers a German suplex. Rollins rolls to the outside, and Gable follows him out there with a cannonball off the apron. He tosses him back in the ring, then ascends to the top rope and delivers a diving headbutt. He goes for a pin, but Rollins kicks out.
Back from the break, Gable is working on Rollins' knee. Rollins delivers a pair of chops, but Gable fires back with a Dragon Screw. Gable ascends to the top and looks for a moonsault, but Rollins rolls him up. Before the referee can finish his three count, Rollins picks him up and delivers the Buckle Bomb. He follows it up with a pair of clotheslines and a kick, then delivers a superkick and a Falcon Arrow. He goes for a pin, but Gable kicks out. Rollins looks for the Pedigree, but Gable reverses it into a pinning predicament. Rollins reverses the fall, and the two continue pinning one another until Gable gets Rollins up on his shoulders and plants him with a Cliffhanger DDT. Rollins delivers a back elbow, then looks for an enziguri. Gable catches Rollins, then locks in the Ankle Lock. Rollins rolls Gable up to escape, but Gable kicks out and locks it in again. Rollins escapes by reversing the hold and kicking Gable off him, then manages to deliver a Pedigree for the win.
Winner: Seth "Freakin" Rollins
Back from the break, Damage CTRL heads to the ring, followed by Candice LeRae and Michin.
Candice LeRae (w/ Michin) vs. IYO SKY (w/ Damage CTRL)
The bell rings and LeRae trips SKY. SKY looks for a dropkick, but LeRae moves out of the way and hits a senton. SKY sends LeRae crashing into the middle rope, then follows it up with a Flapjack and a stomp to her back. She then delivers a bodyslam, but LeRae manages to hit a single leg dropkick. SKY rolls to the outside, and LeRae delivers a dropkick through the middle rope. SKY comes back with a crossbody, then tosses LeRae back in the ring. LeRae keeps SKY from getting back inside, then goes flying and takes her down.
Back from the break, LeRae delivers a dropkick off the top rope. SKY fires back with a backbreaker and the double knees before LeRae delivers a German suplex off the middle rope. The two women go back and forth with forearms before SKY gets LeRae up on her shoulders. LeRae escapes with a Poison Rana, then ascends to the top rope. SKY knocks her down and looks for the Over The Moonsault. LeRae gets her knees up, then goes for ai pin but the referee misses it due to distractions from Bayley and Dakota Kai. Bayley then distracts LeRae, allowing SKY to roll her up for the win.
Winner: IYO SKY
Back from the break, we head to a video recapping the Women's Royal Rumble match.
Back at ringside, Mike Rome introduces Rhea Ripley before she heads to the ring.
Rhea Ripley Decides Who She Wants To Face At WrestleMania 39
Ripley says it's been a while since she's been in the ring without Judgment Day, but she wants the attention to be on her. She says she disrupted the status quo two nights ago by outlasting twenty nine other women to win the Rumble, earning herself the right to choose which Women's Champion she wants to face at "WrestleMania 39". She says her career was just getting started when she won the "NXT" Women's Championship three years ago and she challenged Charlotte Flair at that year's "WrestleMania". She said Flair rightfully put her in her place, then says she keeps getting better every year. She says Flair is always at the top, but calls herself a disruptor and says she doesn't like things that are overplayed. Ripley advises Flair to enjoy everyone bowing down to "The Queen", then says they will soon be bowing down to her. She tells Flair that she chooses her.
We head backstage to Cathy Kelley and Seth "Freakin" Rollins. Rollins says before they discuss Elimination Chamber, they should talk about the crowd in Tulsa and his match against Gable earlier. He says he will take back the United States Championship on February 18, then it's on to "WrestleMania". Kelley then asks Rollins for his thoughts on being eliminated by Logan Paul in the Rumble match, and Rollins walks off with a disappointed look plastered across his face.
Back from the break, Baron Corbin and JBL head to the ring, followed by Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis.
Johnny Gargano (w/ Dexter Lumis) vs. Baron Corbin (w/ JBL) in an Elimination Chamber Qualifier Match
The bell rings and Gargano wastes no time. He goes straight to work on Corbin and beats him down. He delivers a hurricanrana and a dropkick, but Corbin catches him with a big boot and a chop. He whips Gargano into the corner, but Gargano fires back with a kick to his face. Corbin rolls out of the ring, and Gargano delivers a dropkick through the middle rope. He chokeslams him onto the barricade, then sends his head bouncing off the announce desk and whips him into the barricade.
Back from the break, Corbin rains down hammer and anvil elbows on Gargano. Gargano fires back with a slingshot spear, then follows it up with a pair of superkicks. Corbin delivers a back elbow, then follows it up with Deep Six. He goes for a pin, but Gargano kicks out. Corbin fires off several right hands, then gets Gargano up. Gargano sends Corbin into the ring post shoulder first, then delivers a tope suicida. JBL tries interfering, but Lumis pulls out an ax and whacks JBL's cowboy hat with it. Gargano takes advantage of the chaos and rolls up Corbin for the win.
Winner: Johnny Gargano
Back from the break, MVP welcomes fans to "VIP Lounge", then introduces Austin Theory.
MVP Hosts Austin Theory on VIP Lounge
Theory sits on the couch and MVP tells him to make himself comfortable. Theory says he's here to make "VIP Lounge" relevant again, then says it should be renamed to "Austin Theory Live". MVP says hot trends come and go, but classics always stay. He says "Austin Theory Live" has a ring to it, then asks Theory where his head is at going into Elimination Chamber. Fans loudly boo Theory as Theory asks MVP if he just called him "champ". MVP says he did, and Theory mocks him by saying he also calls Bobby Lashley a champ. Theory then recalls being given an F-5 off the top of the Chamber by Brock Lesnar, then calls himself the ruthless aggression of his generation.
MVP says he's been in the same spot as Theory, then says he knows he's scared. He says he's doing a good job of not letting people know that's the case, then says you never know who will be in the Chamber. Theory asks if that's a threat, and MVP says Lashley is more dangerous to him than The Undertaker. Theory says Lashley won't be in the Chamber, then asks to talk about something not in the past. MVP voices his concerns about Theory's health before Theory tells him to worry about his own health and Lashley's. He calls Lashley the meal ticket of MVP.
Lashley's music hits and he heads to the ring. MVP initially prevents him from attacking Theory, but Theory keeps running his mouth. MVP lets him loose, and Lashley beats down Theory. He looks for a spear, but Theory pulls MVP in front of him and MVP absorbs the blow.
We head backstage to Byron Saxton and Judgment Day. Saxton asks Balor about their altercation with Edge earlier tonight, and Balor tells Saxton to let Edge know he works Monday nights. He then addresses Cody Rhodes and says Rhodes has stolen from him for years.
We Hear From The Miz
Back from the break, The Miz is in the ring. He complains about not being prominently featured on "Raw is XXX" and being eliminated first in the Men's Royal Rumble. He puts his hand up, then asks fans if they know what it means. He says when his hand goes up, their mouths go shut. He complains about not having an Elimination Chamber Qualifier Match, then demands to have a match.
Adam Pearce comes to the ring and says he has an opportunity for him. He then says there is someone who has been knocking on his door for an opportunity all day: Rick Boogs!
Boogs' music hits and he parties the night away as he heads to the ring. Miz asks Pearce if this is who he wants him to have a match with Boogs, and Pearce says yes. He says Miz is always telling everyone how awesome he is, then calls for a referee and makes the match official.
The Miz vs. Rick Boogs
The bell rings and Boogs sends Miz into the top turnbuckle face first. Miz delivers a left hand, but this only angers Boogs. He delivers a gutwrench, followed by a Fallaway Slam and a modified Military Slam for the win.
Winner: Rick Boogs
We then head backstage to Alpha Academy. Otis and Chad Gable separate before a nearby Maximum Male Models takes notice of Otis. Maxxine Dupri calls him "perfect".
Back from the break, we head to a video of Sami Zayn betraying The Bloodline and the subsequent attack that followed.
Becky Lynch Gives Bayley An Ultimatum
Back at ringside, Bayley heads down. Bayley gloats about attacking Becky Lynch at "Raw is XXX", then says her, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY dominated the Women's Royal Rumble. She says her favorite moment of the match was eliminating Lynch, then says she's done with her.
Lynch's music hits and she heads to the ring. Lynch tells Bayley to shut up, then says the two of them aren't done until she says they are. She says she has already won the Rumble, but entered the 2023 Rumble match to take out Damage CTRL. Bayley says that sounds like excuses to her, and Lynch says excuses are depriving fans of a Steel Cage match amongst other ones. Bayley denies that she's doing that as fans tell her that's exactly what she's doing. Bayley says she doesn't care that it's Lynch's birthday, then tells her that she thinks she's overrated. She says she isn't good enough to be champion or in the ring with her, then says she's not good enough for her husband, Seth Rollins. Bayley says Rollins only married her because she got pregnant, and Lynch says she thought they were only fighting only wrestling. Lynch says all the animosity between them on "NXT" in Orlando. She challenges Bayley to a Steel Cage match next week in the place it all started.
Bayley declines her challenge, and Lynch says she thought Bayley would say that. She heads to the back and drags Dakota Kai out with a chair around her ankle. She picks it up and asks her what it's going to be. Bayley accepts her challenge to save Kai, and Lynch then tells her to check on IYO SKY in the back.
We head backstage to Adam Pearce and Cathy Kelley. Kelley says Pearce has two huge announcements. He says he's made the Steel Cage match between Becky Lynch and Bayley official for next week, then announces Bianca Belair's "WrestleMania 39" opponent will be decided in an Elimination Chamber. He says the final four women in the Royal Rumble match have already qualified: Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan, Nikki Cross, and Asuka. He then says one of the final two competitors will be determined in a Fatal Four Way Match next week between Candice LeRae, Michin, Piper Niven and a returning Carmella!
Chelsea Green walks in and tells Pearce she wants to talk about the unacceptable conditions and treatment she's received since returning this past Saturday. Pearce escorts her off and says they can discuss.
Bronson Reed vs. Dolph Ziggler in an Elimination Chamber Qualifier Match
The bell rings and Ziggler delivers a dropkick. He follows it up with an elbow, but Reed fires back with a splash. Ziggler delivers a back elbow, then follows it up with a DDT and goes for a pin. Bronson kicks out and delivers a forearm, then looks for a vertical suplex. Ziggler escapes and hits a Zig Zag. He charges at Reed, but Reed catches him and delivers a powerbomb. He ascends to the top and delivers the Tsunami for the win.
Winner: Bronson Reed
We head backstage to Cathy Kelley and Carmella. Carmella says she is back and she will secure herself a spot in the Women's Elimination Chamber match next week. A nicely dressed Asuka walks in, and Carmella gets in her face. Asuka creepily laughs at her, revealing blue stained teeth.
We head backstage to Rick Boogs, Street Profits, and Elias celebrating Boogs' win earlier tonight. Byron Saxton walks in and Boogs expresses his excitement. He then runs off, and Saxton asks Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford how they feel going into the Elimination Chamber Qualifier Matches against Damian Priest and Elias respectively. Dawkins puts himself over and says he will beat Priest before Elias and Ford begin arguing about which one of them will win.
Back from the break, Cody Rhodes heads to the ring, followed by Judgment Day.
Cody Rhodes vs. Finn Balor (w/ Judgment Day)
The bell rings and the two lock up. Rhodes slaps Balor, then delivers gets him up for a delayed vertical supelx but instead sends him crashing down face first.
Back from the break, Balor delivers a series of stomps to Rhodes as Rhea Ripley laughs and taunts him. Balor sends Rhodes into the top turnbuckle face first, then goes to work on his fingers. He hits a chop, then delivers a kick to his chest. Balor delivers some more stomps, then delivers a knee to Rhodes' neck. He looks for a second one, but Rhodes intercepts it and hits a Dragon Screw. He follows it up with the Disaster Kick that sends Balor to the outside, then delivers a tope suicida. Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio try attacking Rhodes, but Rhodes sends them over the announce desk before getting back inside and delivering a powerslam to Balor. He looks for the Cody Cutter, but Balor fires back with an elbow drop.
Back from another break, Rhodes and Balor are teetering on the top rope. Rhodes manages to pull out a superplex before the two men exchange right hands. Rhodes delivers the Cody Cutter, then goes for a pin but Balor kicks out. Balor delivers a sling blade, then charges at Rhodes. Rhodes catches him with a superkick, then looks for a Figure Four Leg Lock. Balor avoids it and sends Rhodes to the outside. Judgment Day encircles Rhodes, but Edge runs in through the crowd and lays out Priest and Dominik. Ripley attacks Edges, but Beth Phoenix runs down and levels her with a spear.
Inside the ring, Balor delivers a double stomp and a dropkick. He ascends to the top and looks for the Coup De Grace, but Edge momentarily distracts him. Balor looks to execute the move, but Rhodes rolls out of the way and delivers three Cross-Rhodes for the win.
Winner: Cody Rhodes