Raw

RAW: Jan. 21st, 2023

WRESTLEMANIA BACKLASH IS 3 WEEKS AWAY

#Raw

🔴 Bobby Lashley's US title Open Challenge:

Raw opens with the Almighty Bobby Lashley & MVP, Lashley calls Strowman's attack from last week a cowardly assault, then goes on to say that Strowman could have just asked for a title match & the 'generous' Lashley would have given him that opportunity, Lashley even goes on to say that even when the odds were stacked against him last week, he still walked out with his championship. MVP says to prove what Lashley said, there will be an open challenge to anyone backstage. Ricochet comes out.

🔴 Ricochet vs. Bobby Lashley (c) - US Championship Match:

In a David vs. Goliath encounter, The United States Champion could hardly counter Ricochet's aerial strikes. If that only wasn't enough to put away the Almighty, Braun Strowman comes out & demands a match stoppage, saying he should have walked out first to accept the open challenge (while watching from the ramp).

Bobby Lashley defeats Ricochet to retain the US title.

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Bayley & Asuka interrupt Bianca Belair's interview.

While Bianca Belair talks about her upcoming match with Sasha Banks, Bayley & Asuka tell her that she may not even make it to Backlash & leave. Are Bayley & Asuka back on the same page?

🔴 Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode:

One-half of the RAW tag team champions, Rey Mysterio faces Dolph Ziggler on Raw, as DZ looks to even the Win-Lose record from 2 weeks ago.

Dolph Ziggler defeats Rey Mysterio with the assist of Roode.

[Robert Roode & Ziggler vs. The Mysterios - RAW Tag Team Championship Match at BACKLASH.]

🔴 Apollo Crews says he will explain his actions from last week with more actions:

Apollo Crews shocked many by his transformation & his attack on Murphy, but he has no intention of explaining why any time soon. One thing we know for sure is that he will be in action NEXT.

🔴 Apollo Crews vs. Humberto Carrillo:

Apollo Crews stands his ground against Humberto Carrillo.

Apollo Crews defeats Humberto Carrillo.

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Randy Orton & Sheamus vow to go to war TONIGHT.

🔴 Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair interrupted:

In a cold exchange of words, Sasha Banks promises to end Bianca Belair's beautiful breakout story, and that she will always stay the BOSS. Bayley & Asuka are indeed back together when they launch an attack on Banks & Belair. TAG TEAM MATCH PLAYA.

🔴 Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair vs. Asuka & Bayley:

ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE, Bayley & Asuka's fragile link implodes, Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks enter a dispute!

The match ends in a no-contest when everyone attacks everyone.

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Bobby Lashley & MVP confront Benjamin & Alexander.

Bobby Lashley promises to teach them a lesson after he's done with Braun Strowman.

🔴 A Firefly FunHouse Episode: The Fiend & Alexa Bliss play The Family Trivia with the funhouse buddies.

Bray Wyatt & friends portray Roman Reigns' bloodline ( Reigns, Jey Uso) as Mercy The buzzard plays 'The Head of the Table', Sister Abigail plays Roman Reigns' mom, and Rambling Rabbit plays The Rock. Bray Wyatt is the host & Alexa Bliss portrays Jey Uso in a great piece of theater.

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Jeff Hardy sets his focus on the United States title.

Looks like everyone is coming after the Almighty Bobby Lashley.

🔴 Sheamus vs. Randy Orton:

Sheamus defeats Randy Orton as a reminder to himself that he once was Universal Champion last year.

🔴 Drew McIntyre & Edge's sit-down Interview with Corey Graves:

Drew McIntyre goes straight to the point and tells Edge that he stripped him from a piece of his body when he took the WWE title at WrestleMania. Edge tells him that he has lived for a long time without any peace of mind, thinking he would never return for this title. The two left the interview more heated than they walked in. Also, the match at WrestleMania Backlash is now a Last Man Standing Match.

🔻 BACKSTAGE: Sheamus Challenges Edge to a match next week following his big win on Orton.

Full of joy and excitement, The Celtic Warrior challenges The WWE Champion to a non-title action NEXT WEEK!

⭕ MAIN EVENT: Bayley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Asuka vs. Sasha Banks:

To end Raw, the four titans of the Raw women's division compete in a back-and-forth instant classic. The four women have no love lost for one another, Bianca Belair dominates one-third of the match, but Asuka's feisty side and readiness help her get the better of all four superstars.

Asuka pins Bayley to win the match convincingly.