The PrinceWrestlecress Blog: Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 9, 2023

Kevin Owens heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Owens says that in three weeks, he will challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Suddenly, JBL interrupts him. JBL tells Owens that most of the fans in Birmingham, Alabama are "one generation away from walking on all fours," and while they believe in a lot of things, nobody believes that Owens can beat Roman Reigns. He then introduces the only person who has had a pinfall victory against Roman Reigns in the last three years: Baron Corbin. Corbin shows up, then says there is no chance Owens can beat Reigns, as "Reigns is Georgia and Owens is Alabama." JBL calls the Birmingham fans an embarrassment as Owens facepalms into a top turnbuckle and Corbin brags he will win the Royal Rumble and become Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. JBL then notices that Owens' face is in the turnbuckle and tells him to wake up, as does Corbin, who threatens to put him to sleep. Owens says that the two of them put him in a coma by saying nothing interesting before saying he is dressed for a fight and Corbin will do just fine. A furious JBL tells him he has his match his Corbin.

Kevin Owens beats Baron Corbin. After the match, Jey Uso jumps the barricade, and when Kevin Owens goes after him, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa also show up, and the three of them attack Owens. Owens starts fighting back, but Solo Sikoa hits him with a superkick. Owens then grabs a chair and lays everyone out, forcing them to retreat. Solo tries to run back into the ring, but officials hold him back.

Backstage, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and Solo Sikoa are met by WWE official Adam Pearce, who tells them that there is a Tag Team Turmoil match tonight and that whoever wins it will get a tag team title shot. Also, Solo Sikoa is also put in a match with Dolph Ziggler, and both Kevin Owens and The Usos are out of the building.

It is announced that Bianca Belair has multiple stitches and will be okay, and that Alexa Bliss was fined an undisclosed sum for attacking an official. Alexa Bliss then suddenly shows up and says that Bianca Belair should be afraid of her, because she is the face of evil. Alexa says she does not feel bad about what she did, as she has not felt this good in a long time. She says she has finally taken control and is now the one in charge, and that she is not afraid to scratch and claw Bianca's face to become Raw Women's Champion. We suddenly see footage of a swing set and an image of Uncle Howdy. Uncle Howdy asks Alexa if she is really in charge, then Uncle Howdy shows up and laughs.

Before the next match, Bayley says Becky Lynch is either here because she cannot stand what Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky) has, or she is not here because she cannot that she lost to her. She then gives Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky the night off and lets them head to the back. She then tells Becky Lynch to watch what she does to Mia Yim.

Bayley beats "Michin" Mia Yim with a backslide pin after using the ropes for leverage.

It is announced that Johnny Gargano is out with an AC sprain.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Candice LeRae. Candice LeRae says that Johnny Gargano cannot be in Tag Team Turmoil and is focused on getting better, then says that she wants to be part of the women's Royal Rumble match when Rhea Ripley shows up. Rhea Ripley tells Candice that she has no chance to winning and making it to WrestleMania, but Candice says she has the same chance as her. Rhea Ripley says Candice is more likely to have her pixie wings ripped apart, and Candice challenges her to a match. Rhea says Dominik Mysterio will have a nice homecoming gift in watching her squish Candice like a bug, then says she will see Candice in the ring.

Austin Theory heads to the ring. Theory says that the fans must accept the truth and that "The Now" is forever, then mockingly asks where Seth "Freakin'" Rollins is before saying that Rollins limped away from the ring when his knee could not hold up. He says that Rollins was outclassed, outshined and taken to school, then Rollins shows up on crutches. All of a sudden, Rollins plays air guitar with one of the crutches and reveals that he is not even hurt, then dances around with the crutch on the way to the ring. Theory says everyone might be singing Rollins' song, but Rollins is not at 100% and he beat him last week, then says that if Rollins is the mountaintop, then he is the pinnacle of the industry. He then admits that Rollins is one of the best before saying he has surpassed him and is on to bigger and better things, such as winning the men's Royal Rumble match. Theory also says that when he wins, he will go on to headline WrestleMania and become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Rollins asks Theory if he is done, then says his knee is not 100%, but it will be just in time to win the men's Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania. He then says he came out to hear the fans sing his song before telling Theory he will see him at the Royal Rumble before handing his crutch to Theory. Suddenly, Bobby Lashley shows up. Theory tells Lashley not to get in the ring, because he is the past and this is his ring, then tries to hit him with the crutch before Lashley lays him out with a Spear. Lashley then throws Theory over the top rope and says that it does not matter who is in the men's Royal Rumble match, because he is back, his suspension is over and he is ready to manhandle everyone in the match.

Rhea Ripley beats Candice LeRae.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Bobby Lashley. Suddenly, MVP shows up and asks Saxton to let them talk privately. Lashley says he appreciates MVP getting him reinstated when MVP mentions it, and says he wants to get The Hurt Business (Lashley, Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin) back together and take on The Bloodline. Lashley says he is good, as he has not forgotten what happened between them, but if he wants to get back into business, he knows who to look for.

It is announced that Money In The Bank will be held in London, England, UK this year and will be the first premium live event to be held there in over two decades.

We see a video package on "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes' road to recovery.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Dolph Ziggler, who says that he is focused on being the best, then says The Bloodline went to far and that he wants revenge. Suddenly, Mustafa Ali shows up wanting to know why he declined his offer to be in Tag Team Turmoil with him, having already cost him the United States Championship and now an opportunity at the tag team titles, but Ziggler says that while they could go far, tonight is not about tag team or about Mustafa.

We see a vignette for Bronson Reed.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Bronson Reed. Suddenly, The Miz shows up and says that he and Bronson have each other's back, and that Bronson is not just a bruiser, but a highly ethical man, and anyone who misses with him messes with Bronson. Miz then extends an invitation to Bronson to be on the Miz TV set, but Bronson tells him if that he wants something, he has to pay him.

Solo Sikoa beats Dolph Ziggler after countering the Famouser with the Samoan Spike. After the match, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) show up to celebrate with Solo Sikoa.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky). Bayley says she sent a message tonight that they are dominant against the women's division. Mia Yim shows up and says Bayley is a fraud and a cheat, but Bayley says Mia Yim is a sore loser. She also says she is not afraid to get some help, especially to kick Mia Yim's ass. Damage CTRL gang up on Mia Yim, and Bayley tells Mia Yim not to step up for someone who will not be there for her.

It's time for Miz TV. Tonight's guest is Dominik Mysterio. Dominik Mysterio arrives with the rest of The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley), then says that the one thing he learned in prison is to always roll with your crew. He also says snitches get stitches. He then tells Miz to imagine being locked up with the world's most dangerous people and not knowing where your next meal is and it is "push or be pushed." He says that if he ever had to see Rhea again, he would have to do what he had to do. He also says that when life comes with crazy changes, you have to grab it by the balls. Dominik then talks about a time when he caught his cellmate talking about punching a hole in his face and how he confronted him in his own bunk to put a stop to it. Dominik then says he knows "how Martha Stewart feels." When Miz says that Dominik was locked up in county jail for only a few hours, The Judgment Day confront him for it, then Damian Priest says he and Finn Balor will win Tag Team Turmoil tonight. Before The Judgment Day can confront Miz further, The O.C. (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) show up for the next match.

The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio) beat The O.C. (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson), the team of Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin, Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) in a Tag Team Turmoil Match to face The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) for the undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships. During the match, Finn Balor is hurt and cannot continue after Alpha Academy is eliminated following a Vader Bomb from Otis, and Dominik Mysterio is forced to take Finn Balor's place when Finn Balor is medically disqualified. The Judgment Day beat The Street Profits when Dominik uses the ropes for leverage on a schoolkid pin on Montez Ford. After the match, The Usos and The Judgment Day have a stare-down at the ramp.