WWE RAW
January 2nd, 2023
Bud Walton Arena
Fayetteville, AR
NEW OWNER DEBUTS AND ADDRESS THE WWE FANS
The brand new owner of WWE, Jerromy Moore, comes out to the ring to a standing ovation from the crowd. He grabs a mic and then gets into the ring with the crowd still in an uproar of cheers for him. The crowd finally calms down and he starts to address them. He talks about how it's a new beginning in WWE and that a lot of things are going to go down. He said today will still be the first official day of Road to Wrestlemania, but stated that things are changing. He called out the entire WWE roster to come out onto the stage, including the NXT roster with all champions standing up front. He told them as of today, ALL CHAMPIONSHIPS have been vacated and to hand the belts to the officials that are coming up the ramp to them. All of them relinquished them except for Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman then grabbed a microphone and told Mr. Moore how he has no authority to do what he is doing. He stated that Roman Reigns will NOT be relinquishing his championships and that he would have a lawsuit coming his way. Jerromy fired back stating that with the purchase of WWE he also OWNS the contracts to all of the talent and was given the option to void any contracts he so well pleases within the next 14 days without any legal consequences, so it would be wise for Roman to give up the championships or be without a job as well as Mr. Heyman. With that Roman gives the belts to the officials and leaves to the backstage area. Jerromy then drops a bombshell announcement. The WWE Women's Championships and WWE Championships are now ONE championship instead of two seperate championships per brand. He also stated that these championships will be on the line this year at the ROYAL RUMBLE. He then stated that he has signed several new talents that will be making their appearances through out the next couple of weeks on ALL brands of WWE. With that he dismissed the entire roster and told everyone to enjoy the rest of the show!
---COMMERCIAL BREAK---
CATHY KELLEY CATCHES UP TO ROMAN REIGNS & PAUL HEYMAN
Cathy Kelley is backstage and catches Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman attempting to leave the arena for the night. Heyman cuts her off before she can speak and tells her that The Tribal Chief is taking the night off and that he is in a very bad mood after being forced to give up the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. Heyman goes on to say that we may never see Roman again until WWE is given to someone who knows how to run a business. Cathy then finally informs them that Mr. Moore informed the entire roster anyone who leaves tonight will never be eligible to be a champion again. Roman stops in his tracks and snaps his head towards Paul who has the most petrified look on his face. Roman then gets in Paul's face and tells him he is going to take care of business and get that Championship back. He plans on making a statement tonight by beating whoever wants to come out and face him tonight and then he will go to the Rumble and win back his championship. Roman then shoves Paul aside and makes a straight march back towards his locker room.
AUSTIN THEORY |VS| JOHNNY GARGANO
The first official match of the Jerromy Moore era. This match was set up in request of Jerromy to Triple H to see what these two can do seeing how they know each other very well. Once part of "The Way" these two will go one on one here tonight. Theory got the advantage early, but Gargano has that fight in him. At one point the two end up ringside where Theory clears off the commentary table as if he was planning on putting Gargano through it. It backfired as it was Gargano who put Theory through the table and immediately threw him back into the ring for the pin where Theory kicked out at the last second. Theory found a second wind and Gargano lost all energy. A pumped up Theory hits two A-Town Downs for the victory.
WINNER by pinfall: Austin Theory (8:12)
MATT RIDDLE TRIES TO ATTACK AUSTIN THEORY POST MATCH
Austin Theory was celebrating his victory over Gargano when suddenly Riddle comes flying down the ramp and attempts to sneak attack Theory. He gets the upper hand for a moment but Theory lands a superkick on Riddle taking him down. Theory slides out of the ring and grabs a chair and goes back in the ring and launches a brutal attack on Riddle using the chair. Theory then leaves the ring and continues to celebrate.
--COMMERCIAL BREAK--
PROMO TURNED INTO ATTACK
Byron Saxton is backstage with the now Former WWE RAW Women's Champion, Bianca Belair. He asks Bianca how she feels about everything that went down at the beginning of the show. She said she never backed away from a challenge and that she is ready to fight with or without a championship. She said championships doesn't define her, her ability to win matches does. Suddenly out of nowhere Alexa Bliss attacks Bianca from behind. She then throws Bianca face first into the television that was sitting near the interview area. Alexa then crouched down next to a fallen Bianca and said to prove her definition out in the ring, is that match next?
ALEXA BLISS |VS| BIANCA BELAIR
Alexa came out first after launching a brutal attack on Bianca. She wasn't done there though, as Bianca was making her entrance, Alexa blindsided her at ringside and continued the assault. Both women finally ended up in the ring and the match officially began. Alexa continued the domination on Bianca and eventually hit a nasty DDT in the middle of the ring where Bianca would kick out. A frustrated Alexa rushed to the top rope and hit Twisted Bliss but once again Bianca would kick out. Alexa would let her emotions get the best of her and Bianca would get the upperhand. Bianca went for the KOD but Alexa reversed it and was able to nail the Twisted Bliss for a second time only for Bianca to kick out one more time. Alexa throws a fit in the middle of the ring but doesnt see Bianca standing behind her. Bianca nails her with a superkick and goes for the KOD again but Alexa gets out of it once again. Alexa hits her with a superkick of her own and for a third time hits Twisted Bliss and Bianca was unable to kick out of it this time around as Alexa picks up the win.
WINNER by pinfall: Alexa Bliss (6:10)
YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME?
A video package plays. It shows Edge walking through the middle of a graveyard. He approaches gravestones with the names of members from Judgement Day on them. He looks up at the camera and says "You Think You Know Me?". He then spits a bloody mist at the camera as the video package ends.
--COMMERCIAL BREAK--
THE OWNER AND THE GAME
We cut to backstage in an office that appears to be set up for the NEW owner of WWE. We see Jerromy Moore sitting on a leather couch apparently enjoying the show so far. We hear a knock on the door and in walks Triple H. Jerromy shoots up and shakes Triple H's hand and asks him how he's doing. Triple H informs him that there have been several un happy talent expressing their fears of what could happen to them going forward. Jerromy ensures Triple H that everyone has a place on the roster whether it is on RAW or Smackdown or if they need to go to NXT. Nobody is losing their job unless they decide they don't want it anymore then I'll have no problems telling them to take a hike. Triple H also brings up what Roman said earlier in the night about going out tonight and beating anyone they send his way tonight. Jerromy said he already has it planned out to see how serious Roman is tonight. Just then we hear a knock on the door and someone enters. We never see the person enter the camera view, but we see Jerromy and Triple H smiling and then you can hear Triple H say "Game On"
BACKSTAGE COMMOTION
We then cut to another area of backstage where there is a huge commotion going on. The cameraman rushes up to see and it's Matt Riddle and Austin Theory going at it. Austin Theory appeared to be leaving the arena for the night when Riddle jumped him in the parking lot. Theory trying to fight off a crazy determined Riddle when Riddle strikes Theory with a chair. The camera catches a shot of Riddle's face which is bloody from the earlier attack by Theory. Riddle then strikes Theory again who then falls down and leans up against a car. Riddle then screams at Theory "I'm taking everything from you like you did me!" Riddle then rushes at Theory and hits a knee strike on Theory's head up against the car instantly knocking him out. Several WWE officials and security guards subdue Riddle and drag him away from Theory who we see laid out as the medical team is seen rushing to his aid.
OMOS |VS| R-TRUTH
R-Truth comes out doing his rap when Omos comes marching out behind him and attacks him. Omos beats R-Truth down as they make their way to the ring. Omos throws Truth into the ring and goes in after him officially starting the match. R-Truth stumbles up and runs straight into a massive chokeslam by Omos who then covers Truth for the victory in a total squash match.
WINNER by pinfall: Omos (0:41)
--COMMERCIAL BREAK--
THE BLOODLINE CHAPTER 1
Sami Zayn is seen walking backstage enjoying the atmosphere when he approaches the locker room of the Bloodline. Paul Heyman opens the door and welcomes Sami into the room with the rest of the Bloodline. Roman hugs Sami and tells him to sit with his brothers. Roman tells Sami & The Usos that they have to make a statement tonight and for Sami to continue to prove his loyalty to the Bloodline. Tonight they will take on Kevin Owens and The New Day. He wants Sami to ensure that Kevin doesn't make it out of the ring tonight so that is one less person he has to worry about in the Royal Rumble.
THE BLOODLINE (SAMI ZAYN & THE USOS) |VS| KEVIN OWENS & THE NEW DAY (KOFI KINGSTON & XAVIER WOODS)
Sami & Kofi would start the match and Sami would isolate Kofi immediately in the corner. At one point Sami distracted the ref and the Usos gave Kofi a double superkick while his head was against the ring post. This led to Xavier and Kevin running over and attacking the Usos. While they scrum was going on Sami Zayn launched himself over the top rop and onto the brawling group. Sami then ran back into the ring and almost got laid out with a Trouble in Paradise from Kofi. The battle continued until Kofi was able to get the hot tag on Owens whom Sami ran from and tagged in Jey Uso. The Usos looked at Sami in disbelief and went after Owens. Several tags was made between the two until finally Sami wanted back in the match whenever Owens got tagged back into the match and the brawl was on. Sami and Kevin went at it like two brawling gang members as The Usos went after The New Day at ringside. Then at one point Sami fell in the corner and faked an injury to distract the ref as Roman Reigns came running into the ring and speared the life out of Owens and then vanished from ringside. Sami then got up all fine and set Owens up in the corner and hit a helluva kick and scored the victory for the Bloodline.
WINNERS by pinfall: The Bloodline (Sami Zayn & The Usos) (15:21)
SOLO SIKOA ATTACKS
While the Bloodline was celebrating, Solo Sikoa came running down ringside with a chair in hand and continued a beat down on a fallen Kevin Owens. Solo would eventually draw blood on Owens as Sami looked on in horror. Sami then grabbed the chair and stopped Solo and yelled at him "That's enough, it's done, he ain't making it to the Rumble. We're done here" Solo stares down Sami with a look of intent to attack. The Usos then start giving the same look. Sami looks at them and tells them the job is done, we aren't supposed to end his career. Then Roman's music hits and the Tribal chief makes his way to the ring with a smile on his face. Roman gets in the ring and grabs a mic and gets in Sami's face. He tells Sami to drop the chair and step aside. Sami reluctantly does so and Roman approaches a bloody fallen Kevin Owens. Roman tells Owens he's a broken man with no friends at all. He tells him to stay home and enjoy life and his family because if he shows up to the Royal Rumble, he will put him in the hospital for a permanent stay. The Bloodline & Sami Zayn leave the ring with Kevin Owens laid out unconscious.
--COMMERCIAL BREAK--
CODY RHODES UPDATE
Cody Rhodes joins us via his home in Atlanta, Georgia. He informs us and the fans on how his recovery is going. He tells us he is in great shape and has been medically cleared to come back and plans on making his return at the Royal Rumble. Cody goes to state he plans on entering the Rumble match officially confirming himself as the first official participant of the WWE Championship match.
MORE CORPORATE DECISIONS
We cut back to Jerromy Moore's office where Triple H is talking on the phone. It sounds like he's talking to medical staff on the conditions of Austin Theory and Kevin Owens. Jerromy walks in and Triple H gets off the phone and they discuss what has happened so far. Triple H says that Austin Theory will be okay and that he has requested a No Holds Barred match against Matt Riddle. Jerromy tells Triple H that it sounds like a good idea, but make them wait until the Royal Rumble and put them under a no contact order. If either of them break the order, they don't get to participate in the WWE Championship Royal Rumble Match. As for Kevin Owens, he has been hospitalized with several injuries and will be out for weeks. Triple H thinks Owens will have no choice but to miss out on the Royal Rumble. Jerromy says it's a shame, but Roman still has to worry about tonight. Triple H smirks and nods.
BECKY LYNCH |VS| ASUKA
Asuka is out first with a different attitude and look about her. She doesn't appear to be her high energy out going self as she makes her way to the ring. Becky Lynch is out next to a huge ovation from the crowd. The two women have a very hard hitting back and forth match and it appeared as if Asuka was going to win the match with the Asuka Lock but Beth Phoenix rushes into the ring and attacks Asuka causing the match to end.
WINNER by DQ: Asuka (10:18)
POST MATCH GLAMSLAM
Beth Phoenix continues her assault on Asuka until she notices Becky Lynch getting to her feet. Beth then turns her attention to Lynch and almost takes her head off with a lariat. Beth picks up Becky and delivers a Glamslam to Becky, then does the same to Asuka. Beth demands a mic and addresses the crowd. She is here to declare herself a participant in the WWE Women's Championship Royal Rumble match. This leads to Rhea Ripley rushing out to try and sneak attack Beth who dodges her attack and spears Rhea for her troubles. Beth then leaves the ring leaving all three women laid out.
--COMMERCIAL BREAK--
MAIN EVENT: ROMAN REIGNS |VS| ???
Roman Reigns makes his entrance to the ring by himself, no Paul Heyman or any member of the Bloodline with him. Reigns gets into the ring and smirks and grabs a mic. He starts talking about how no matter who they decide to send out he is going to dominate and then set his sights on the Royal Rumble match and win his Championship back like he never lost it and demand the WWE to make it where his championship reign was never interrupted like it was. Triple H comes out and tells Roman that he's foolish to think it's that easy to get into the Rumble match. He tells Roman he has to win tonight or he is OUT of the Rumble match. Roman then tells Triple H to send them out here. So Triple H motions for someone and then Brock Lesnar's music hits.
MAIN EVENT: ROMAN REIGNS |VS| BROCK LESNAR
Cowboy Brock Lesnar comes out with a huge smile on his face. Roman looks as if he has seen a ghost. Last time we saw Lesnar was at Summerslam when Roman Reigns beat him in a Last Man Standing match. Brock walks down the ramp a little bit and motions to Roman to hang on a second. Brock then points back to the screen where it shows a shot of the backstage area and the door to the Bloodline locker room. The cameraman opens the door and enters to reveal that all members of the Bloodline (Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn) & Paul Heyman laid out. Heyman is a bloody mess and Brock is laughing. Roman looks angry and leaves the ring and charges at Lesnar who sees him coming and clotheslines him to the ground. Lesnar gets Roman into the ring and the match begins. Brock Lesnar dominates the entire match and takes Roman on a 18 Suplex Trip to Suplex City. Lesnar would finally be done playing games and deliver and F5 to Roman only for Roman to kick out at the very last possible second which causes Lesnar to laugh. Lesnar picks Roman up to his feet and tells him "Game Over Bitch" and delivers another massive F5 which puts Roman away for the win.
WINNER by pinfall: Brock Lesnar (7:40)
END OF SHOW EVENTS
Brock Lesnar celebrates his win and grabs a mic. He tells the whole world that since he has won this match that he is officially in the Royal Rumble and has been awarded the very last spot of the match. He will come out as the #30 Entrant to the Rumble. He then notices Roman stirring a bit, smirks and picks up Roman and gives him one more F5 to end the show.
WWE UPCOMING PLE---------------
WWE Royal Rumble
January 28th, 2023
Alamodome
San Antonio, TX
*CARD SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
NO HOLDS BARRED
Matt Riddle vs. Austin Theory
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP - 30 MAN ROYAL RUMBLE
Cody Rhodes
Brock Lesnar
WWE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - 30 WOMAN ROYAL RUMBLE
Beth Phoenix
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