Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 30, 2023

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Cody says that he is not the same person he was when he started his journey fifteen years ago, and that he has thought about his first show at Ohio Valley Wrestling when he thought he would be WWE Champion in two years or the next John Cena. He says that if he could go back and talk to his younger self, he actually would not tell him exactly how his career would really go because everything in his career has been "100% worth it." He says that wrestling - and WWE - has more than one royal family, and for that to be true, he has to stand across from another and stand across Roman Reigns, and while he has respect for Roman, he will end his championship reign at WrestleMania. Suddenly, The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio) show up, and Finn Balor asks Cody if he is returning to do something original or knock off his old stuff like he has done before. Dominik says that Cody ruined their plans at Royal Rumble even as Rhea Ripley succeeded at hers. He goes on to say that he should have won the Royal Rumble, then Finn Balor jokingly asks what happened to Rey Mysterio. Dominik says that Cody put his hands on him and ruined his moment, but if Cody did that in prison, he would have "got got." Damian Priest says Dominik should be the only multi-generational talent headling WrestleMania, not some suck-up who is given whatever he wants. After stating that Rhea worked to win her Rumble match, he says that Cody was handed the #30 position in his. Dominik says that Cody owes him for ruining his Royal Rumble moment, but Cody interrupts and asks Dominik if he is trying to scare him straight. As he says he has respect for Rey, Dominik says he has none for him or anyone else's father. The crowd soon chants "Kick his ass!" before Cody contemplates whether to play it safe for the next 62 says to kick anyone in The Judgment Day's ass tonight. Before the commercial break, Edge suddenly runs out and attacks The Judgment Day, and officials and security have to break up the brawl as Cody joins in on the brawl.

It is announced that "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes will face Finn Balor later tonight.

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins beats Chad Gable to qualify for the United States Championship Elimination Chamber Match after reversing the ankle lock into a Pedigree.

Iyo Sky beats Candice LeRae following the distraction from Bayley.

Rhea Ripley heads to the ring. Ripley talks about her Royal Rumble victory, then mentions her choice of champion at WrestleMania. She talks about her WrestleMania loss to Charlotte Flair three years ago and says Charlotte put her in her place. She says that Charlotte is always in the title picture and at the top of her game, but she also gets better every year. Rhea then says that she is "the disruptor," and advises Charlotte Flair to enjoy the fans rising and bowing, as they will soon rise to her. She says she will put Charlotte in her place at WrestleMania, then officially announces that she will face Charlotte.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Seth "Freakin'" Rollins. Rollins says he will go on to Elimination Chamber, beat five other opponents, take the United States title from Austin Theory and head to WrestleMania. On the subject of Logan Paul eliminating him in the Royal Rumble, however, Rollins walks away.

WrestleMania 39 is in 61 days!

Johnny Gargano beats Baron Corbin to qualify for the United States Championship Elimination Chamber Match after Dexter Lumis puts a throwing axe through JBL's hat to discourage him from interfering.

It's time for The VIP Lounge. Tonight's guest is Austin Theory. Theory talks about how he used to watch The VIP Lounge when he was a kid, then says that he himself can make it The VIP Lounge. MVP says trends come and go, but classics never go out of style, then asks Theory where he head is at. Theory reminds MVP that MVP said Bobby Lashley can beat him, then says he was messing with him and mentions that he can survive the Elimination Chamber after what Brock Lesnar did to him. He says that he is the aggressiveness the new generation needs and that no amount of aggression can stop him. MVP says he can see himself in Theory, but reminds Theory there is no telling who will be in the match with him. After a discussion about how dangerous Bobby Lashley is, Theory says that Lashley and MVP should be worried about Lashley's health, not his, as MVP's "meal ticket" is about to be eaten up by Brock Lesnar. Lashley shows up and attacks Theory, but when Lashley goes for a Spear, Theory pulls MVP into harm's way before retreating.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio). Finn Balor says he thought Edge would have had enough, and tells Edge he is not hard to fight. He then says "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes has stolen from him for years, and tonight, he is coming to collect.

The Miz is in the ring. As he talks about how he was disrespected and attacked by Kevin Owens last week, his bad luck at the men's Royal Rumble, and no chance to enter the Elimination Chamber match, WWE official Adam Pearce shows up. Pearce says that someone has been beating down his door for that same opportunity, then introduces Rick Boogs, who is back from injury. As Rick Boogs rocks out, The Miz is offended at the fact that Pearce wants him to have a match with Boogs in a suit, but Pearce says Miz always talks about how awesome he is and that he cannot think of a better way to prove it, then makes the match official.

Rick Boogs quickly beats The Miz.

Backstage, Maximum Male Models (Maxxine Dupri, Mansoor, Mace) notice Otis backstage. Mansoor thinks Otis is grotesque, but Maxxine Dupri says "It's perfect."

Bayley heads to the ring. Bayley brags about how Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky) took Becky Lynch out last week and how dominant they were at Royal Rumble to the point that she eliminated Becky Lynch, then says she is done with Becky Lynch. Becky Lynch shows up and says they are not done until she says they are, as she needed to make sure Damage CTRL did not win the Royal Rumble after costing the fans a steel cage match because Bayley is scared of her. Bayley says she is smart and that Becky has to make everything about herself, then says that Becky is overrated and is not good enough to be famous, to be a champion, to be the ring with her one-on-one, or for her husband Seth Rollins. She also says that Seth married her only because he knocked her up. Becky says she thought they were fighting only over wrestling, but knows this is personal, and demands a steel cage match with her next week. Bayley declines, then Becky heads to the back and drags Dakota Kai - with a chair around her ankle - to the stage. Becky threatens to injure Dakota if she does not get what she wants, and Bayley accepts. Becky tells Bayley she can bring her friends with her, but she might want to check on Iyo Sky first. She then leaves.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews WWE official Adam Pearce, who announces that Bayley vs. Becky Lynch in a steel cage will happen next week and that there will be a women's Elimination Chamber match will decide who faces Bianca Belair at WrestleMania. He says that the final four of the women's Royal Rumble outside of Rhea have qualified, and that there will be qualifying matches to decide the final two participants. Suddenly, Chelsea Green shows up and asks if Adam Pearce is "the manager" before complaining about her Royal Rumble elimination and the lack of special treatment.

Bronson Reed beats Dolph Ziggler to qualify for the United States Championship Elimination Chamber Match.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Carmella, who has not been seen in seven months. Carmella wants a little more exciting and enthusiasm, as she is about to come back on top where she belongs when she qualifies for the women's Elimination Chamber match. Asuka suddenly shows up, and as Carmella says she is not scared of her, Asuka smiles and shows that her teeth are blue. Carmella leaves as blue mist spills out of her mouth.

In the locker room, Byron Saxton interviews Rick Boogs. He says it feels like he is climbing a mountain in a loincloth and he wants to scream at the top of his lungs. He says it is great to be back, and while the road to recovery has been long, he is back. As The Street Profits talk about how Rick can shred on a guitar, Elias says it takes time to be an artist. Byron Saxton then mentions the Elimination Chamber qualifying match between Montez Ford and Elias as well as Dawkins' qualifying match against Damian Priest. Both men say they will win and must become United States Champion, but Angelo Dawkins says he will beat Damian Priest and go on to be champion.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes beats Finn Balor after Edge shows up and attacks Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio while "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix shows up and hits Rhea Ripley with a Spear when Rhea attacks Edge. Edge then distracts Finn Balor as he goes for the Coup de Grace, and that allows Cody to win after hitting Finn with the Cross Rhodes three times.

This week on Raw Talk: Bronson Reed! Austin Theory! Carmella!

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