In-Ring Segment: Austin Theory
Theory grabs a mic and screams, “The Champ is HERE!” Theory says the future is now. He wants to know where our guy Seth “Freakin” Rollins is. Rollins was supposed to be putting Theory in his place. The crowd chants that they want Rollins. Theory says Rollins little knee couldn’t hold up against him. Last week Rollins was outclassed and outshined. He was taken to school by Austin “Freakin” Theory. Rollins music hits, and Rollins comes out on the stage, but he’s on crutches. When “Burn it down!” hits in his entrance theme, Rollins starts dancing with the crutches.
Rollins is seemingly not injured, or it isn’t as bad as we were told. Theory claims Rollins isn’t 100%, and no matter how much the crowd sings his song, it doesn’t change the fact that Rollins lost last week. Theory says Rollins truly is one of the best, but he’s surpassed him. He’s on to bigger and better things. Theory is going to win the Royal Rumble. He’s walking out of WrestleMania with all the gold. Rollins asks Theory if he’s done. Rollins says the truth is his not 100%, but it will be just in time for him to win the Royal Rumble.
Check out last week’s coverage: WWE Raw Results (1/2/23)
It will definitely be 100% in time for him to main event WrestleMania. Rollins says he’ll see Theory at the Rumble… Kid. Rollins give Theory his crutch and rolls out of the ring. As Rollins is walking up the ramp, Bobby Lashley’s music hits. Lashley walks to the ring as Rollins looks on. Theory yells that Lashley better not get in the ring. Lashley Spears Theory. Lashley grabs a mic and says it doesn’t matter who is in the ring because he is going to win the Royal Rumble.
The All Mighty is baaaaaaaack!@fightbobby #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/gkI1UJtRzG
— WWE (@WWE) January 10, 2023
Rhea Ripley vs. Candice LeRae
Ripley badmouths LeRae. LeRae goes off and lands a flurry of strikes. Ripley pushes LeRae away. Ripley misses a boot. LeRae tries a tornado DDT, but Ripley puts on the brakes. Ripley sends LeRae into the turnbuckle. Ripley works over LeRae. LeRae slips out of Ripley’s corner punches, and German suplexes her off the second rope. Ripley rolls out of the ring. LeRae tries a springboard, but Ripley plucks her out of the air. Ripley tosses LeRae into the barricade. LeRae is out of it. Ripley brings LeRae back into the ring and hits Riptide for the win.
Winner- Rhea Ripley
"The work begins NOW." – @CodyRhodes #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/5sLwFf3mu7
— WWE (@WWE) January 10, 2023
Backstage, Byron Saxton walks into Lashley’s locker room. Saxton tries to ask Lashley about the Royal Rumble, but MVP walks in and tells him to hit the bricks. MVP asks Lashley to thank him for getting him reinstated. MVP asks if they are good. Lashley notes he hasn’t punched MVP in the face yet. MVP wants to get everyone back together. He wants to mend fences. He’s already done so with Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander. Lashley tells MVP they are good but now isn’t the time. MVP tells Lashley he respects that and he should handle his business… but if Lashley ever wants to expand that BUSINESS, his number is the same.
Check out last week’s coverage: WWE Raw Results (1/2/23)
Backstage, Mustafa Ali confronts Dolph Ziggler for accepting a match with Sikoa instead of being his partner in the tag team turmoil match. Ziggler says tonight isn’t about Ali, it’s about Ziggler getting his revenge.
Backstage, The Miz tries to act like he is friends with Bronson Reed. Reed tells Miz they aren’t friends. If Miz wants something, he needs to pay Reed. Reed walks off.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Solo Sikoa
Ziggler attacks Sikoa as soon as the bell rings. Sikoa runs over Ziggler. Ziggler stuns Sikoa on the top rope. Ziggler traps Sikoa in a sleeper hold. Sikoa tosses Ziggler over the top rope as a counter to Ziggler’s leaping DDT. After the break, Ziggler fires up and hits his leaping DDT. Sikoa headbutts Ziggler and lifts him in the air for a Samoan drop. Ziggler reverses that into the ZigZag. Sikoa kicks out. Ziggler tries a Superkick. Sikoa avoids it. Ziggler tries the famouser, but Sikoa lifts Ziggler into the powerbomb position. Sikoa tosses Ziggler in the air and hits the Samoan Spike for the win.
Winner- Solo Sikoa
After the match, The Usos hop the barricade and celebrate with their brother.
