As the wrestling world says goodbye to 2022, the first WWE Raw of the new year emanates from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN and will feature a United States Championship bout as Austin Theory and Seth Rollins go head to head once more.
Theory became a two-time United States Champion when he defeated both Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley at WWE Survivor Series. The three men have been involved in the US Title scene for months, with Theory’s first reign ending at the hands of Bobby Lashley at Money in the Bank.
Lashley held the title until Brock Lesnar made his surprise return to WWE Raw on its October 10th season premiere, attacking Lashley with multiple F5’s before locking in the Kimura. The damage to Lashley’s arm was so severe that he was unable to apply the Hurt Lock in his title match with Seth Rollins shortly thereafter, and Rollins was able to unseat Lashley as champion following multiple Stomps.
While Austin Theory’s attempt to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase against Rollins was unsuccessful due to an attack from Lashley, he was able to steal a victory at Survivor Series, and the January 2nd episode of WWE Raw will determine whether he continues 2023 as champion.
Meanwhile, after defeating Bayley in a number one contendership match in December, Alexa Bliss will go one on one with Bianca Belair in an attempt to once again become WWE Raw Women’s Champion. Bliss has been teasing a character change for a number of weeks, with Bray Wyatt‘s moth logo appearing behind her on multiple occasions. Not only that, after defeating Bayley, she nearly delivered Sister Abigail to Bianca Belair, but came to her senses at the last moment and appeared shaken by the turn of events.
The next week on WWE Raw, Bianca Belair and Alexa Bliss sat down for an interview with Byron Saxton, and Bliss launched a surprise attack on Belair at the end of the interview, hitting her over the head with a vase. The two will face off on WWE Raw, and fans will see whether this change in attitude is enough for Bliss to capture WWE gold once more.
Full WWE Raw Results For January 2nd In Nashville, TN
- The Bloodline announced they were taking over WWE Raw, attacking ringside staff and taking commentary’s headsets before being confronted by Kevin Owens
- Adam Pearce demanded security remove The Bloodline, but security got beat up, so the locker room emptied out for a huge brawl
- Bianca Belair spoke to Byron Saxton backstage
- Adam Pearce spoke to the locker room backstage and Elias demanded a match with Solo Sikoa
- Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss ended in a DQ when Alexa attacked the referee after cryptic Bray Wyatt teases; Bliss also attacked Belair after the match
- Austin Theory spoke to Cathy Kelley backstage
- Solo Sikoa defeated Elias in a Music City Street Fight despite interference from musical guest Hardy
- The Bloodline defeated Kevin Owens and The Street Profits
- Drew McIntyre and Sheamus made the save for Kevin Owens following the match
- Dexter Lumis defeated Chad Gable
- Damage CTRL addressed the crowd and were interrupted by Becky Lynch
- Dakota Kai and IYO SKY defeated Becky Lynch and Mia Yim
- Seth Rollins spoke to Cathy Kelley backstage
- Byron Saxton spoke to Alexa Bliss backstage
- Austin Theory defeated Seth Rollins