Raw Deal - Raw recap for January 22, 2023

Seth "Freakin'" Rollins heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Rollins is seen clearly wearing a knee brace over his pants as he welcomes everyone to the show. He says it has been a long week and appreciates the support, then mentions how he injured his left knee during a moonsault as he defended the World title against Jinder Mahal. After the match, when he went to the back, it set in that he would be gone for a long time, and he felt like a bit of a liar saying that all his successful title defenses only made him stronger. Rollins states that he was afraid that he would miss WrestleMania, causing a "No!" chant in the crowd, and that he has had his knee looked at and that he has a tear in his MCL and a partially torn meniscus, which means he may be gone for three to four months. He says that if it were up to him, he would be stomping people's heads next week, but he does not know what the future holds and he is taking this day by day and week by week. Suddenly, Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci) shows up. Rollins tells Gunther to get things over with when Gunther gets in the ring, but Gunther says Vinci and Kaiser have The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) later and that Rollins should concentrate on him. He says they have avoided each other for some time, then says that Rollins has been in a tough spot and a workhorse champion from the beginning who has fought honestly and has brought respect and honor to a championship. He says that Rollins has become a champion everyone can be proud of just like him, and that it pulls on his heartstrings to see Rollins like this saying he may not be at WrestleMania. Rollins says Imperium should have let him finish, as he says he does not give a damn what the doctors tell him or how hard he has to rehab and push his knee, for he will keep his promise and take the title into WrestleMania. He also says he will do everything in his power to walk out of WrestleMania as World Heavyweight Champion. Gunther says this is great, as he thought everyone would see Rollins fall, but now, he admires and respects him as he would do the same thing in his position. Gunther also says that Rollins reminds him of himself, and says from one great champion to another that he will win the men's Royal Rumble on Sunday and choose Rollins as his opponent for WrestleMania. He also says that he will target his knee, back and everything that is not 100% and become World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins appreciates Gunther's honesty, but tells him to remember who he is coming after. Gunther tells Rollins to remember who is coming after him, then both men shake hands. As Gunther leaves the ring, The New Day jump over the barricade and attack Vinci and Kaiser at ringside.

The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) ends in a double count-out as both teams brawl on the outside. At one point in the brawl, Woods has to stop Kaiser from hitting Kofi with a metal folding chair. The brawl ends with The New Day shoving Imperium off the top of a set of large equipment crates down through a nearby wooden table.

WWE 2K24 is officially announced on-air, complete with all three covers and the game's first trailer.

We see a video package for Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest later tonight.

Backstage, The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh) meet. Rhea Ripley hopes that Drew McIntyre is the least of their worries, but Damian Priest takes offense to Rhea making matches for The Judgment Day and accuses her of having a big head after becoming a cover athlete for WWE 2K24, especially after Rhea tells him that he and Finn Balor will defending the undisputed tag titles against #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) next week. Priest leaves to clear his head, and Rhea tells Finn Balor to accompany Dominik and McDonagh for their match.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri. Maxxine says Valhalla is not ready for Ivy Nile as The Creed Brothers (Julius and Brutus Creed) show up, and Ivy Nile is ready to get in the ring.

Ivy Nile beats Valhalla with a top rope bulldog known as "The Pitbull."

Backstage, The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) are met by "Main Event" Jey Uso, then Jackie Redmond interviews The New Day. Woods say they are tired of people walking into WWE and not taking them seriously, and Kofi says that they can get down when the time is right despite their image. Kofi says that they took out the henchmen and want the big boss, and he wants Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship next week. Meanwhile, Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane) are seen in the background.

Nia Jax heads to the ring. Nia talks about how she squashed Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch for the first time and squashed them, then says that Rhea and Becky do not want to face her. She says that she will kill both of their WrestleMania dreams when Becky shows up. Becky tells Nia to shut up, then says she knows that she has a big target on her chest and that Nia has an even bigger one because the whole locker room does not like her. She says that she does know what she will enjoy more: winning the Royal Rumble for a second time, or watching Nia lose. Suddenly, Bayley shows up. Bayley says Becky and Nia are going to lose, then says she was looking for Rhea Ripley but could not help herself and make it clear that she will win the Royal Rumble before shoving Becky into Nia only for Nia to beat her up. This starts a three-way brawl where Becky hits Bayley with the Manhandle Slam only for Nia to toss Becky out of the ring and hit Bayley with a big leg drop.

We see a video package of Royal Rumble stats, by the numbers.

Backstage, Becky Lynch meets Rhea Ripley, who tells Becky that she should have other plans for WrestleMania.

"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio beats The Miz following JD McDonagh distracting the ref so that Finn Balor can hit Miz with a cheap shot. After the match, Finn Balor attacks The Miz, then #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) show up and clean house so that Miz can hit McDonagh with a Skull Crushing Finale. #DIY go for Meet In The Middle on McDonagh, but Finn Balor makes the save.

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Damian Priest, who congratulates Dominik Mysterio for handling business before R-Truth shows up and hands Priest some money. Priest reminds R-Truth that this is not the right time, and R-Truth leaves before Drew McIntyre, who was one "the man" but cannot beat anyone anymore and wants to make sure he does not become champion. Priest says that he will become champion, and as far as McIntyre goes, he will receive his punishment tonight.

We hear from "Big" Bronson Reed, who says that he is fully aware of "Main Event" Jey Uso wanting to be a singles champion, and that he intends to do so, too. He says their paths will cross, and the sooner, the better, for nothing will stand in his way. He challenges Jey to a match next week so he can make an example out of him.

Ivar beats Chad Gable following the distraction by Valhalla.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Soon after this, CM Punk heads to the ring. CM Punk admits that he and Cody have taken different paths to get here. He says things will change on Saturday and that he hopes they are still friends on Sunday, and tells Cody that they should enjoy this moment. When Cody asks Punk what he wants to talk about, Punk wants to talk about Dusty Rhodes, and mentions how Dusty called him to tell him Cody was heading to Ohio Valley Wrestling to start becoming a wrestler and asked him to keep an eye on Cody. He says that when Dusty asks you for a favor, you say yes, and he stayed out of Cody's way and Cody never got into any trouble their contemporaries did, and Cody grew from a perennial competitor into a main event championship caliber Superstar. Punk says he is proud of Cody, and says he brings this up because on Sunday, he will feel like he is breaking a promise. He says that he will be looking out for him and will throw him over the top rope on Saturday, for he will win the Royal Rumble and go to WrestleMania. Cody tells Punk that he is not alone in that feeling, as he has worked with countless legends, luminaries and dignitaries in the business who cannot help but see his father in him, and that he has done all in his power to be the light in his father's shadow and be his own man. Cody says that he was at Ohio Valley Wrestler as "a nepotism hire," and while Punk could have treated him poorly, they became the best of friends. He then says that there are no friends in the Royal Rumble. Punk then asks about Sunday morning, as he can separate business from personal, and asks if Cody can do the same, as Cody grew up in the business as the son of one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. He also admits that he did not have a famous father in wrestling and say Cody as Cody and knew he had a burden in his last name, and that Cody has gotten to where he is now with flying colors. Punk says that despite their different paths, he and Cody have the same goal. He then says it is ironic that he is more of the American Dream than Cody is due to his own father being a blue-collar electrician. Cody then talks about "The Pipe Bomb," and Punk tosses the microphone cube off his microphone before Cody talks about how he sat on the stage and cut that promo, and says he was inspired by The Pipe Bomb only for Punk to "really leave" WWE. He says that Punk dropped the torch on the way out and that he picked it up and did everything that Punk talked about, which makes him "more CM Punk than [CM Punk]." Punk takes off his jacket and tells Cody that he has carried WWE on his back for two years and has become the WWE 2K24 cover star, and just when he is about to reach the top, he is here to take it away from him. Cody says Punk is looking out for him again, and while Punk talked about The American Dream, he was his best friend and said that "Courage is about being scared to death but saddling up anyway." He says he must go forward - and through Punk - and win the Royal Rumble. As Cody leaves, Punk grabs Cody and pulls him towards himself, leading to an intense staredown between the two men in the middle of the ring. Both men eventually back off and leave the ring from opposite ends before Cody heads to the back.

We see a video package of WWE and Hulk Hogan acknowledging the birth of Hulkamania 40 years ago, with Hulk Hogan saying he may have one more match left in him.

Katana Chance and Kayden Carter watch the next match from ringside.

"The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark beat Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae. After the match, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter have a staredown with Baszler and Zoey in the middle of the ring, but they are attacked from behind by The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane).

Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviews Drew McIntyre. McIntyre says he had everything he had to say to CM Punk and "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, but he has heard what Damian Priest has had to say. He says that things were not all right in the world when he was champion, but he stepped up and brightened everyone's lives up. He says that Damian Priest is not ready to become a world champion, and that he is the only "Chosen One."

Backstage, Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane) is confronted by Natalya and Tegan Nox for their actions. General Manager Adam Pearce shows up and tells them to save it for the Royal Rumble, then tells Bayley he did not invite her here to go into business for herself. Bayley tells Pearce to get used to seeing them when Asuka and Kairi win the tag team titles. Damage CTRL leave, then Pearce runs into Jinder Mahal and Indus Sher (Veer and Sanga), who want to talk business. After this, Pearce says he needs a drink.

We see more Royal Rumble statistics.

Drew McIntyre beats Damian Priest after R-Truth shows up to hand Priest the stack of money from earlier. Priest finally gets fed up with R-Truth and beats him up, and that allows McIntyre to hit the Claymore Kick for the win.

This week on Raw Talk: Gunther! "Main Event" Jey Uso! "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark!

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

Championship Gold - Championship Wrestling presented by CarShield recap for January 21, 2024

Note: this episode is a repeat of the February 12, 2023 episode.

#7 Invictus Khash last eliminates #17 "The Golden Boy" Jordan Clearwater with the Fujiwara Arm Bar to win the 2023 Red Carpet Rumble and earn a shot at the United World Championship at a later date.

During the match, Mega Ran makes a special appearance at #26. He eliminates #18 Guy Cool, but is eliminated by #17 "The Golden Boy" Jordan Clearwater.

"Poppin'" EJ Sparks

Bateman

Mr. Classic

Watson

Jordan Cruz

"King FatBoy" Papo Esco

Invictus Khash

El Primohenio Tribeca

Rob McKnight

Ryan Morals

"The Captain" Shawn Dean

Levi Shapiro

The Navajo Warrior

Flex McCallion

Clark Connors

Jakob Austin Young

"The Golden Boy" Jordan Clearwater

Guy Cool

"Benevolent" Jack Banning

Gino Rivera

Charles "R-Three" Cassus

"Pretty" Peter Avalon

Evan Daniels

Bryce Saturn

Price

"BHK" Kevin Martenson

Mega Ran

Colt Cabana

Willie Mack

"The Bad Boy" Joey Janela

Collision Course - Collision recap for January 20, 2024

Jon Moxley beats Shane Taylor with the Bulldog Choke after Shane Taylor fades out of consciousness during the hold. After the match, Jon Moxley says he is pissed off and hungry beyond belief and that from this moment on, he is not taking crap from anyone or anything in 2024, and if anyone wants to step in the ring with him, all they have to do is "keep the hell up."

Adam Copeland heads to the ring. His Cope Open challenge is answered by Dante Martin.

Adam Copeland beats Dante Martin with The Grindhouse. After the match, Tony Schiavone interviews Adam Copeland in the ring. Copeland admits the Cope Open is getting harder every week, then gives Dante Martin all the credit in the world and says that all of the younger talent is stepping up to face him. Copeland says he wants a five course meal, not a Happy Meal, and wants to face a veteran. Copeland then says that he will work harder just like Christian Cage said he would when he first entered AEW, and take back the TNT Championship and defend it every Saturday.

Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews The Blackpool Combat Club ("The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli). Danielson, no longer wearing an eye patch, says Eddie Kingston beating him in the Continental Classic is the high point of Eddie's career, but it does not mean that Eddie is great, as it will be the best he will ever be. Claudio says he is tired of hearing about Eddie Kingston, then says that he feels sorry for Ortiz for teaming up with him, as it will make him a casualty.

Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews Top Flight (Darius and Dante Martin) and Action Andretti, who are interrupted by Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy), who brag about their tag team win. Action Andretti reminds them that they used the ropes for leverage, but Marq Quen says he lost his balance. Darius Martin proposes that they run it back and have a rematch, and Private Party are open to the idea.

Thunder Rosa beats Queen Aminata.

Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews Eddie Kingston and Ortiz. Ortiz says it has been a while since he and Eddie Kingston have teamed up, but they have cleared things up since then. As Ortiz says that while The Blackpool Combat Club ("The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli) may be well-oiled machines, they are not family, Eddie Kingston is more in a mood to fight more than talk.

Bullet Club Gold ("Switchblade" Jay White, Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn) head to the ring. Jay White says something is missing, then Austin Gunn reaches underneath the ring and pulls out a cardboard standee of "Rock Hard" Juice Robinson. Suddenly, The Acclaimed ("Platinum" Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, "Daddy Ass" Billy Gunn) show up, and "Daddy Ass" Billy Gunn congratulates Bullet Club Gold on becoming Ring of Honor World Six-Man Tag Team Champions and states that the six of them could do so much more. Max Caster says it is one thing to reach the top and another to stay there, then says they could accomplish much more as a group and become unstoppable, and even get some singles gold for Daddy Ass. He also says that the fans want to see them all with tag team gold as well as see Jay Blade as World Champion. Caster says this is not their ceiling, and Bowens says they have been given the run-around before, and that Bullet Club Gold has to answer to them and the fans. As the fans make it clear they want to see both factions as a supergroup, Bowens says that this could be all six of them every week, and proposes the partnership. After some hesitation, Bullet Club Gold scissors with The Acclaimed. "The Bang Bang Scissor Gang" is born.

In backstage footage from Dynamite, "Timeless" Toni Storm says she knows who "The Virtuosa" Deonna Purrazzo is and remembers their time well. She then says she will meet, great, complete, beat and eat Deonna Purrazzo before heading off for a pork dinner with Luther and Mariah May.

"Daddy Magic" Matt Menard guests on commentary for the next match. Before the next match, FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) show up to stand in Daniel Garcia's corner.

Daniel Garcia beats Buddy Matthews after countering a powerbomb attempt with a jackknife pin. After the match, FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) and The House of Black (Malakai Black and Brody King) brawl in the ring as Buddy Matthews attacks Daniel Garcia. Referees and security try to break up the brawl, but it takes the entire locker room to hold both sides back.

Backstage, Lexy Nair interviews Daniel Garcia and FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler). Dax Harwood says this has gone on for too long and that this will end between them and The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, Buddy Matthews) next week in a six-man elimination tag match in a steel cage.

Roderick Strong beats Matt Sydal.

The Blackpool Combat Club ("The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli) beat Eddie Kingston and Ortiz after Claudio subdues Eddie long enough to stop him from stopping Danielson from getting the win. After the match, Danielson spits in Eddie's face after he tells him he will not be champion for long.

Memphis Thing - Memphis Wrestling recap for January 20, 2024

Ray Ray Sanders beats "Main Event" Brad Skimahorn. J. Webb and Waldo are seen watching the match from the crowd.

Backstage, Big Dan gets with security and tells them to band together and show strength in numbers, as the attack on King Cobra was uncalled for. One member of security asks who will protect them, and Big Dan says that he will have security's back and that they will not be attacked anymore.

Dustin Starr interviews Michael at the announce desk. Michael confirms that he has gotten a new job as King Cobra's assistant, then reads an update from the desk of King Cobra which announces that The Posse has been suspended indefinitely without pay following the attack on King Cobra. He also announces that they are not allowed in or around the WrestleCenter, and that further action can be levied under King Cobra's discretion. Michael states that King Cobra is okay and also says that he is making sure matchmaking is still taking place, and that today's main event is Austin Mulitalo vs. K-Toomer. He also states that he is in the next match.

Michael beats Denzel Rollins with a second Gator Feet followed by an inside cradle.

Before the next match, Barnabas the Leader brings out Maurice the Strong and brags about Maurice eliminating ten competitors in the Grind City Rumble including The L.A. Hustlers (Notorius Bradley and Ruffshot Lamont), whom he considers ungrateful. The L.A. Hustlers show up and confront Barnabas and Maurice, and Lamont tells Barnabas not to run his mouth and that he has a big man in Bradley. He then says that they were a good tag team until Barnabas brought them down, then Barnabas calls The L.A. Hustlers bums who could have been on top if they simply listened to him. This leads to a match after Notorious Bradley and Maurice the Strong have an intense staredown.

Maurice the Strong beats Notorious Bradley after getting Bradley to inadvertently hit Ruffshot Lamont. After the match, Ruffshot Lamont gets on the top rope, but Maurice catches him on the way down and throws him into Bradley on the outside.

Big John Dalton vs. Brother Bruce ends with "Reverend" Ash Taylor's three druids attacking Big John Dalton. Big John is able to fend them off, but he is hit from behind with the collection plate by Brother Bruce.

Backstage, we hear from Justin Case and "The Problem Child" Aaron Roberts. Roberts says that today is "The GunShow" Brett Michaels' last day and is a winged soldier ready to fall while he is ready for the future. Justin Case promises that Roberts will have championship gold soon. Aaron Roberts says that he is the future of Memphis Wrestling.

Backstage, "The Astonishing One" Austin Mulitalo has no idea what to do concerning K-Toomer as "Casanova" Colton Cage is not here as Michael shows up and tells Mulitalo that "Big Swole" Justin Cole is looking for him.

We hear from K-Toomer, who says that a man who does not work is a man who does not eat, and that a man consumed by his frustration is a man who does not win. He says that moving forward, he is standing on business and he will be the best while everyone gets knocked out.

K-Toomer beats "The Astonishing One" Austin Mulitalo by referee stoppage after knocking him out with a Shining Wizard.

Backstage, Dustin Starr interviews "The GunShow" Brett Michaels - who has now been Heritage Champion for one whole year - at the announce desk. It is noted his right arm is in a sling. Brett Michaels says he is down, but not out, and he will back in the ring in two weeks. He agrees with the fans that Krule wants none of him, then the broadcast is interrupted by footage of Krule and Brooklynn, the latter of whom demands more gold in the form of Brett Michaels' title. After the interruption, Brett Michaels tells Krule that this is house and that he will be champion for a long time. Suddenly, Brett Michaels is attacked from behind by Krule, who rips off the sling and throws him into the ring. Krule slams Brett Michaels' bad arm into the ring post, then gets in the ring. Brett Michaels goes for the GunShow Lariat, but he uses the bad arm. It has no effect, and Krule attacks Brett after blocking the move and hits him with a choke slam. Krule leaves, but comes back with two metal folding chairs. He wraps one chair around Brett's bad arm, then goes for a Con-Chair-To with the other and hits it as security and referees try in vain to restore order. After two shots, Krule hits a third Con-Chair-To, then takes the Heritage Championship and raises it up, then walks off with it.

They're On A Rampage - Rampage recap for January 19, 2024

Don Callis guests on commentary for the next match.

Chris Jericho beats Matt Sydal. After the match, Don Callis leaves the commentary table, but comes back when Jericho is attacked from behind on the stage by "The Alpha" Konosuke Takeshita. When "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels helps referees and security break up the brawl, Takeshita takes him out with a big boot.

"Daddy Magic" Matt Menard replaces Don Callis on commentary for the rest of the show.

Penta el Zero Miedo beats Anthony Henry.

Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews The Outcasts (Saraya and Ruby Soho). When Harley Cameron shows up, Ruby Soho grabs her by the neck and asks why she did what she did last week. Harley says Anna Jay told her to do it. Saraya tells Ruby to go after Anna Jay, and tells Harley to help Ruby.

Stokely Hathaway accompanies Kris Statlander to the ring for the next match.

Kris Statlander beats Queen Aminata.

Backstage, we hear from Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal and Satnam Singh. Lethal says he wants to get back to great in-ring action and he cannot do this with Jeff and Karen Jarrett in the group. Sonjay considers kicking out Karen, but Satnam considers they kick Jeff out instead. Lethal stops them, saying he wants to win gold and that it may be singles gold he is after he admits he cannot take much more of what is going on.

Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway. Suddenly, Willow Nightingale shows up late because someone cancelled her flight. This causes Stokely and Willow to yell at each other while Statlander is caught in the middle.

Darby Allin beats Jef Hardy afte countering the Twist of Fate with a jackknife pin. After the match, Darby Allin goes for a fist bump with Jeff Hardy, but Jeff rolls out of the ring.

Friday Night's Main Event - Main Event recap for January 19, 2024

Dante Chen beats Tavion Heights.

Julius Creed beats Apollo Crews after sitting down on a Sunset Flip counter.

THE NXT LVL - NXT LVL UP recap for January 19, 2024

Scrypts beats Brooks Jensen after Lucien Price distracts the referee so that Jaida Parker can hit Jensen in the knee from the outside after Scrypts targets the knee throughout the match.

Backstage, Sarash Schreiber interviews Hank Walker and Tank Ledger. Hank says that life is about playing the hand one is dealt and that tonight is no different, and that he and Tank have scouted their opponents and found their similarities between each others. Tank says it all about leverage and making it so that "the lower man wins."

Jacy Jayne beats Carlee Bright.

No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey and Damon Kemp) beat Hank Walker and Tank Ledger after Tank beats up Drew Gulak and Myles Borne on the ring apron.