Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 10, 2022

Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar head to the ring to start tonight's show. Backstage, Bobby Lashley and MVP are watching when Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin show up. Lashley says there is no more "us" and that the Hurt Business is done. Shelton and Cedric leave. Back in the ring, Heyman introduces Lesnar, but Lashley and MVP soon show up. MVP introduces Lashley, who says it is in an honor to finally stand in the ring with Lesnar, share the spotlight with him and tell him that for 20 years, he has been ducking and running from him. Lesnar says that with all due respect, it is an honor for him to be in the ring with himself, and says that he has been winning championships in this ring and other rings, and says that it all on him for not climbing the ladder of success like he did. He also says that if they had already met, he would have beaten him and they would not be here right now, then compliments MVP and Lashley on their suits. Lashley says he will beat Lesnar at Royal Rumble before Lesnar starts his career as a stand-up comedian, then Lesnar makes a knock-knock joke that ends with "Bobby who? Exactly." Lesnar then says Lashley cannot beat him when Lashley is "a Brock Lesnar wanna-be," then he and Heyman leave. Afterwards, Lashley is suddenly jumped from behind by Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander, but Lashley quickly turns the tables and lays them out.

Backstage, Matt Riddle is trying to summon his "inner Viper" when Randy Orton shows up. Orton says they lost because Riddle did not tag him in, then reminds him that they have to defend the Raw tag titles against Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) tonight. Orton then writes the words "Tag In Randy" on his hands and tells him to do that in case he gets lost tonight. Riddle then says he is in the mood for cheesesteaks after tonight and asks Orton what kind of cheesesteak guy he is.

Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) beat RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Matt Riddle) to become the WWE Raw Tag Team Champions!

In footage from earlier today, Damian Priest talks about his Royal Rumble match debut from last year and says he will upstage it by winning the match, then declares for the match before stating he will be holding another championship along with the United States title.

Backstage, Damian Priest talks with The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) about their match with Apollo Crews, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. Montez says they have his back, but Angelo wants to know which Damian Priest they will see. Damian Priest says he is down for a Solo cup, and says that while Dolph Ziggler and Damian Priest have frustrated him, he is ready to give them one final beatdown.

Backstage, Bianca Belair talks about her Royal Rumble and WrestleMania win last year before saying that Becky Lynch's fifteen seconds of fame are over and that she will win tonight and become champion at Royal Rumble.

The Dirty Dawgs (Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode) and Apollo Crews beat The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) and Damian Priest.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins heads to the ring. Rollins says he is in a great mood tonight because Royal Rumble match is on the horizon and it is the night where he will become the new Universal Champion. He says it will be him versus Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at Royal Rumble after he took matters into his own hands, and says death, taxes and him beating Roman Reigns are the only certain things in life. Suddenly, Big E shows up and says this is incredible news, then says he has declared himself for the men's Royal Rumble match and that he dreams about beating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania and walking out as champion. Rollins laughs and says Big E can dream, then says he is happy for him before telling him he does not stand a chance against him. Big E then says they should test that theory tonight, but Rollins says he is not ready and wants to wait until next week. Big E then says they can do it right now, and Rollins tells him the match is on.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins beats Big E.

Sarah Schreiber interview Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H. in the ring. Nikki says she and Rhea are challenging Carmella and Queen Zelina for the Women's Tag Team Titles, but Rhea says they are here to talk about the Royal Rumble match. When Rhea says she is not interesting in teaming up anymore, Nikki takes it as Rhea thinking she is better than her, but Rhea says it was never about that or the tag team titles. Rhea almost walks out on the team, but says that this is goodbye for now. Nikki wants Rhea to look her in the eye and say that she still believes in her. Rhea says she always has, and tells her not to stop believing in herself. When Nikki asks if they can still be friends, they hug. When Rhea goes for a fistbump, however, Nikki attacks her. She then says "Almost superheroes don't need any friends."

Backstage, Dana Brooke is met by Reggie, who shows up with cheesesteaks when he has a feeling the 24/7 Championship is in danger. They run only to see R-Truth with a garbage can and a referee, then Akira Tozawa comes out of the garbage can. Dana and Reggie throw their cheesesteaks at R-Truth and Tozawa and end up hitting Tamina, who gets angry. As Dana and Reggie run away, Reggie runs into Omos, who grabs him. Dana tells Omos to let him go, then Omos tells Reggie to watch what he does tonight, for he will do worse next week.

We hear from Doudrop, who says Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair cut in line all last year and wasted opportunities, then says this is a new year and that they will regret overlooking her. She tells Becky Lynch not to get too comfortable with the Raw Women's Championship, because at Royal Rumble, she will get "Doudropped."

Omos beats Nick Sanders. (Nick Sanders is Create A Pro wrestler Leo Sparrow, who had his first match last year.)

It's time for The Cutting Edge. Tonight's guest is "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix. Edge puts Beth on a pedestal and lists their accomplishments together before we see a video package of Beth's career. Beth says she does not know if Edge is trying to butter her up, but flattery will get him everywhere, then says she is here to talk about business and that the video was just a preview of the damage she will do to Maryse. She says that the entitlement from The Miz has to stop, and at Royal Rumble, she and Edge will shut Miz and Maryse up for good. Suddenly, Miz and Maryse show up. Miz says that he stands with Ben Simmons and says he will take $33 million not to play in Philadelphia, then says he had Edge beaten at Day 1 until Beth Phoenix showed up to help him. As Miz asks what kind of man does this, Edge reminds Miz that he used Maryse to avoid a Spear. Miz says this is slander and that Maryse is one of the best wrestlers to ever put on a pair of high heels, then we see a video package of Maryse's career. Miz asks the fans if they know who his wife is and if they have even seen her in action, then says Edge and Beth should be honored to be in the same ring as Maryse. Edge admits Maryse is a former champion, but says Beth can "deadlift a Buick" and crush people, and Beth says it is interesting that Maryse wants to be shy when she had no problem hitting Edge from behind when she wasn't there. Edge admits Maryse is a former champion, but says Beth can "deadlift a Buick" and crush people, and Beth says it is interesting that Maryse wants to be shy when she had no problem hitting Edge from behind when she wasn't there. Beth says that if Maryse is too afraid to show up and if Edge does not get to Miz first, he will have the pleasure of knocking Miz's teeth in.

Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Austin Theory. Austin Theory says he has the chance to impress Vince McMahon, who reminded him that AJ Styles is one of the most decorated champions in WWE and a future Hall of Famer. He says he will beat Styles tonight and Vince will continue to invest in him. When asked if Vince had any more inspirational words for him, Austin Theory simply says "Don't screw this up."

"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles beats Austin Theory by disqualification after he is pulled off the apron and attacked by Grayson Waller. Backstage, Kevin Patrick interviews Grayson Waller, who says he has given AJ Styles a preview of their match tomorrow night and that Styles will be taken over by "the Grayson Waller effect."

We hear from Liv Morgan, who says that she knows what it is like to be so close to victory that she can taste it and that she is not giving up on being champion. She says that this time, she will not come close to the Raw Women's Championship again; this time, she will win it.

We see Alexa Bliss with a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist says Alexa has been through a lot of trauma, but now it is time to heal, and he wants to know where she is right now. After re-witnessing the destruction of Lilly, she says it makes her feel thirsty, then pours water into a glass, destroys the picture and starts destroying things.

Becky Lynch heads to the ring. Becky talks about the Triple Threat Match between Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan and Doudrop that is coming up next, and says that while they have notions of grandeur of beating her, they will lose. She then guests on commentary for the match.

Doudrop beats Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair in a Triple Threat Match to face Becky Lynch for the WWE Raw Women's Championship at Royal Rumble after Becky Lynch breaks up Bianca's pinfall attempt upon hitting Liv with the K.O.D. Bianca chases Becky around the ring, but gets thrown over the commentary table, and Doudrop hits Liv with the Banzai Drop for the win. After the match, Becky offers to shake Doudrop's hand, but slaps her. She then goes for the Manhandle Slam, but Doudrop shoves Becky away.

This week on Raw Talk: Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis)! Nikki A.S.H.! The Miz!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!