Alexa Bliss was unmasked tonight on Fox’s The Masked Singer.
Bliss ended up being eliminated on the show, revealing herself to have been under the Axolotl mask. In her post elimination interview, she explained that she felt proud of herself for doing the show as it helped her confront her stage fright in terms of singing in public.
“It was me behind the #AxolotlMask!,” Bliss wrote on Twitter after the reveal. “What an amazing experience! Thank you to @Wwe & @MaskedSingerFOX! The Masked Singer will return next week on @FOXTV! #TheMaskedSinger
Last appearing in the ring back at the Royal Rumble in January, Bliss last wrestled Bianca Belair, losing a match that had been for the Raw Women’s Championship. It had been reported that Bliss had been on hiatus from WWE, something that she later denied on social media.
WWE’s Alexa Bliss is “all clear” after undergoing a procedure to remove skin cancer.
In a post on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Bliss had a bandage on the side of her face after having the procedure done. She wrote: “Dear younger me, You should have stayed out of tanning beds. All clear now though! Thank you @americanskininstitute for taking great care of me!”
Bliss posted a pair of tweets responding to fans on Tuesday and Wednesday. Bliss noted that she had a biopsy done to check a spot on her face that had gotten worse. After the spot was found to be basal cell carcinoma, Bliss underwent a “quick and easy” procedure to treat it.
Thank you! Don’t worry, short healing time. Always get your skin checked! Esp if you are in the sun or use tanning beds! Lol
There was a spot on my face yes- that had gotten worse. So went to get biopsy. Was basal cell carcinoma. During my procedure doc also found other squamous cells. Was a quick and easy procedure. Glad I always get my skin checked
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer.
Bliss hasn’t appear on WWE programming since unsuccessfully challenging Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at the Royal Rumble this January. Earlier this month, Bliss responded to reports that she’s on a hiatus from WWE: “Tired of seeing these tweets. I am not on a hiatus. They know where to find me. also need to remember – you only see what parts of life I want you to see.”
The Raw Women’s Championship will be on the line at the Royal Rumble event on Saturday, January 28.
In a bout announced during Monday’s Raw, Bianca Belair will defend the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss at the Rumble. Belair offered Bliss a title rematch in a promo segment on Raw, and Bliss accepted.
Belair’s last title defense also came against Bliss at the January 2 Raw in Nashville, where she retained the title via DQ.
Belair has held the Raw Women’s title since night one of WrestleMania 38 on April 2, 2022.
The updated Royal Rumble lineup:
WWE Royal Rumble, Saturday, January 28, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Alexa Bliss
Mountain Dew Pitch Black match: Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight
Date: January 9, 2023 Location: Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL
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Show Recap —
Kevin Owens entered to a big a reaction. He was about to talk about his upcoming match against Roman Reigns but JBL interrupted.
JBL insulted the people of Alabama and claimed that they believed in Bigfoot and chupacabra — but even they did not believe Owens could beat Reigns. JBL introduced a man who could, Baron Corbin.
Corbin said Reigns was Georgia while Owens was Alabama — a loser. Owens buried his head in the turnbuckle out of boredom as Corbin spoke. Corbin said he would win the Royal Rumble and beat Reigns in the main event at WrestleMania.
JBL screamed at Owens for taking a nap. Owens said he was in a coma because JBL and Corbin have been talking for three minutes. Owens was ready for a fight because he figured the Bloodline would be there but he offered to fight Corbin instead. JBL used a lot of words to accept.
Kevin Owens defeated Baron Corbin (w/JBL) (8:30)
Owens was mid-comeback following a break and hit a senton bomb for two. Corbin blocked a stunner and powerbomb before hitting a DDT for two and a Deep Six for two. Corbin came off the ropes but Owens popped up and hit a stunner for the pinfall win.
— After the match, Owens immediately went to ringside and attacked Jimmy Uso (who entered through the crowd) before he could get jumped by the Bloodline. He also fought off Jey Uso momentarily but was overwhelmed once Solo Sikoa joined in.
Owens fought them off with a steel chair (and Mike Rome’s shoe) until the Bloodline bailed. Sikoa wanted to go after Owens but the Usos, Adam Pearce, and officials stopped him.
(Owens looked strong here and the crowd was into him.)
After a break, the Bloodline were leaving the arena but Adam Pearce had some news for them first. He informed them that there would be a tag team turmoil match tonight to determine their next challengers and it would be filled with teams they’ve taken out. He also told Sikoa to stick around because he would have to face Dolph Ziggler. The Usos suddenly wanted to stay but Pearce had them escorted out.
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Alexa Bliss segment
They played a replay of Alexa Bliss’ attack on Bianca Belair last week. The announcers said Belair wound up with stitches while Belair was fined an undisclosed amount.
Bliss suddenly appeared by walking onto the announce table. She said Belair didn’t fear Bray Wyatt or Uncle Howdy, it was Bliss she was afraid of. “Because I am the face of evil.”
Bliss spoke (unconvincingly) about how she would take the title from Belair when a spooky Wyatt/Howdy/whoever video played on the screen.
Uncle Howdy appeared on the stage and the segment ended.
(The crowd seemed quiet for Bliss’ promo.)
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Before the match, Bayley bragged about beating Becky Lynch. She told Dakota Kai and IYO SKY that they deserved a night off so she sent them to the back so they could enjoy kicking back and watching her beat Lynch’s “friend” Michin.
Bayley defeated Michin (8:07)
Michin knocked Bayley down with a PK but Bayley was randomly in control following a break. Bayley hit a vertical suplex off the apron onto the floor for two. Michin came back with a suicide dive, strikes and a German suplex. Michin tried to spike Bayley with a leg scissors takedown but it looked like nothing and she made a cover for two.
They traded counters until Bayley used a jackknife cover with her fight on the rope for the pinfall win.
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Candice LeRae told Cathy Kelley that Johnny Gargano was at home recovering from an injury and was bummed about not being in the tag team turmoil match.
Kelley asked LeRae what was next for her. LeRae spoke about the Rumble match before Rhea Ripley interrupted. Ripley said LeRae was delusional if she thought she could win the Rumble and LeRae proved her right by saying she had enough of a chance as Ripley. Ripley threatened to pluck her pixie wings apart at the Rumble so LeRae challenged her to a match tonight and she accepted.
(Nikki Cross could be seen briefly in the background staring a hole through LeRae.)
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[SECOND HOUR]
Austin Theory/Seth Rollins segment
Theory entered. He said we need to accept that he was the now and the now was forever. Theory wondered where Seth Rollins was and the crowd chanted “we want Rollins.” Theory said Rollins limped out on his old knee last week because he was outclassed by Austin freakin’ Theory.
Rollins’ music hit and he entered on crutches. He took a few slow steps with the crutches before chucking one aside and prancing to the ring with the other. (Rollins still used one crutch to stand upright once he was in the ring.)
Theory called himself the pinnacle of the industry and informed Rollins, “I passed your ass.” Theory was on to bigger and better things which meant winning the Rumble and walking out of WrestleMania as both the US and Universal Champion.
Rollins informed us that his knee was not 100% but it would be in time for him to win the Rumble and main event WrestleMania. Rollins only came out here because he wanted to hear Birmingham sing his song. They did. “I’ll see you at the Rumble, kid.” Rollins left without his crutch.
It seemed like the segment was over but Bobby Lashley entered. Lashley entered the ring as Rollins left.
Theory was in a panic and tried to attack Lashley with the crutch but Lashley ducked and hit a spear. The crowd chanted for Bobby. Lashley chucked Theory over the top rope and said, “it doesn’t matter who is in the Royal Rumble — because I’m back!” Lashley was ready to manhandle everyone in the Rumble.
********
Rhea Ripley defeated Candice LeRae (4:19)
Ripley was in control until LeRae brought her down off the middle rope with a German suplex. LeRae tried a dive but Ripley caught her and drove her into the barricade. Ripley applied a standing cloverleaf before swinging her into the barricade again. Ripley then hit Riptide in the ring for the pinfall win. This was a decisive win for Ripley.
********
Byron Saxton tried interviewing Lashley but MVP asked him to leave because they had business to discuss. MVP offered Lashley a handshake but Lashley didn’t accept. MVP thought Lashley would show some gratitude after getting his suspension lifted. Lashley appreciated it but thought MVP should appreciate that he didn’t punch him in the face.
MVP was trying to get them on the same page and spoke about Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander getting ready to put a “hurt” on the other tag teams later. Lashley said he wouldn’t forget everything they’d been through. MVP understood but asked him to consider expanding his “business.”
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The announcers spoke about the “big news” from a few days ago: Money in the Bank will be held at The O2 in London.
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There was a new Cody Rhodes video package with interview footage focusing on his pectoral injury and working through it at Hell in a Cell. Rhodes mentioned that he hit a springboard cutter in the match and he thought he would vomit.
“You don’t want to see it but you can’t look away. I was the car wreck.”
Cody said he has not watched the HIAC match. He appreciated that it resonated with people but he doesn’t think he can watch it. Brandi Rhodes mentioned that Cody had some nerves going into surgery because he’s never gone through that before. Cody’s doctor said the surgery went better than expected but now he needs to heal.
Rhodes wondered if he could return to the level he was at before. “The work begins now.”
This was really good.
********
Kelley interviewed Ziggler about his match against Sikoa. Ziggler was focused on being the best, as always. The Bloodline went too far a few weeks ago and he was out for payback.
Mustafa Ali interrupted. Ali just heard that Pearce offered him and Ziggler a chance to be in the tag team turmoil match but Ziggler declined because he wanted Sikoa alone. Ali mentioned that Ziggler cost him the US title a few weeks ago and now he was costing him a chance at the tag titles.
Ziggler admitted that he cost Ali the US title but he owned up to that already. Tonight wasn’t about the tag titles or about Ali, it was about something more.
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Saxton interviewed Bronson Reed. He asked Reed why he helped the Miz. Miz jumped in and explained that Reed was an ethical man and they had each other’s backs. Miz called him a friend and invited him to watch Miz TV. Reed said they weren’t friends and if he wanted something, “pay me.” Reed left and Miz tried laughing it off.
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Solo Sikoa defeated Dolph Ziggler (10:54)
Sikoa was dominating (through a break) until Ziggler fired back and hit a DDT for two and a Zig-Zag for two. Ziggler kicked his leg out of his leg and went for a fameasser but Sikoa caught him, hoisted him up and hit a mid-air Samoan Spike for the pinfall win.
The Usos, who were kicked out earlier, joined Sikoa in celebrating.
********
They replayed clips of Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley crashing the Mysterio family holiday parties, as well as the prison Dom clip from last week. Judgment Day walked with Dom through the back and his face was covered by shades and a bandana.
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Kelley interviewed Bayley who said she sent a message to Lynch after beating both her and Michin. Michin cut her off and called her a liar and a cheat. Bayley said, unlike Becky, she wasn’t above asking for help, just like she wasn’t above asking for help in kicking her ass. Damage CTRL attacked Michin and laid her out. Bayley told her not to trust someone who wouldn’t be there for her.
[THIRD HOUR]
Miz TV with Dominik Mysterio & Judgment Day
Miz introduced Dominik and he entered with the entire Judgment Day. Miz said he only had enough chairs for him and Ripley because he didn’t realize they’d all be out there. Dom responded, “the one thing I learned in prison: you always roll with your crew.”
Miz asked what it was like on the inside but Dom said, “snitches get stitches.” Finn Bálor told Dom it was okay, he was out of prison now so he could share his experience. Miz wanted to hear it.
Dom said he was in a room with the world’s most dangerous people and he didn’t know when his next meal would be. If he ever wanted to see Mami again, he had to do what he had to do. He realized he had to grab life by the balls, just like Maryse did to Miz.
Damian Priest told Dom to tell the story. Dom overheard his cellmate say that he wanted to punch a hole through his face so Dom confronted him and the guy backed down. “And now I truly know how Martha Stewart feels.”
Miz said he learned that Dom was only in holding for a few hours. Judgment Day all got to their feet and Priest confronted Miz. Miz said that maybe he was misinformed.
Priest moved on and warned the Usos that they were coming for the tag titles. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson interrupted.
********
They called this the main event so this could be going close to an hour. The match started at 10:10pm.
Tag Team Turmoil
Finn Bálor & Damian Priest (w/Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio) vs. Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows (10:16)
They wrestled for five minutes and went to a break after Bálor distracted the referee so that Priest could chuck Anderson into the steel steps. A few moments following the break, Dom tripped Anderson with a distraction and Bálor applied a schoolboy for the pinfall elimination.
Finn Bálor & Damian Priest (w/Ripley & Dominik) defeated Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander (4:46)
Benjamin got to show off by handing out multiple German suplexes to both opponents. In fact, Benjamin and Alexandar got most of the offence but Priest chokeslammed Alexander before Bálor hit Coup de Grace for the pinfall elimination.
Finn Bálor & Damian Priest (w/Ripley & Dominik) defeated Alpha Academy (approx. 4:42)
Like last week, the crowd chanted “we want Otis” as he stood on the apron. This was fortunate since it was two heel teams and they worked over Chad Gable until he did make the hot tag to Otis. Otis ran over Priest and hit a rolling elbow before slamming Bálor. He crushed both men in the corner with a charge.
Priest fell and Otis did the caterpillar to the delight of the crowd. He gave Bálor the world’s strongest slam but Bálor grabbed Gable and held him as Otis hit a Vader Bomb (crushing Gable in the process). Otis was distracted by his fallen teammate so Priest hit him with a boot and a running clothesline for the pinfall elimination.
— Bálor’s ribs were injured so medical staff determined that he couldn’t continue. Pearce said Judgment Day would be disqualified but Priest wanted to continue even if that meant doing it alone.
Pearce suggested using Dom as a replacement and nobody — neither Dom nor Priest — seemed interested in doing that. Pearce even asked Bálor again if he could go. However, Pearce made it official: Dom was Priest’s new partner.
Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio (w/Rhea Ripley & Finn Bálor) defeated The Street Profits (16:17)
(Bálor remained at ringside, watching in pain on a leather chair.)
Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford put the boots to Dom and chucked his Konnan-inspired flannel aside and they continued to beat the crap out of him until Priest tagged in.
Priest and Ford went back and forth until Dom distracted Ford. Ford confronted Dom at ringside but Priest knocked him over the announce table. Dawkins then wiped out both Priest and Dom with a flip dive — landing on his feet in the process. (Dawkins continues to improve and they make sure to get him big spots in every match.)
Despite what we just saw, Judgment Day controlled Dawkins after the break. (Bálor continued to play cheerleader while holding an ice pack to his ribs). Dom went for a 619 but Dawkins hit him with a spinning elbow.
The crowd chanted for the Street Profits as Ford made a hot tag and hit a high cross to both opponents. Ford connected with a series of kicks on Dom before hitting a standing moonsault for two. The Street Profits gave Dom an elevated suplex for two. Priest tagged in and hit Ford with a flatliner before clotheslining Dawkins for two.
Ford tagged in while Dom also made a blind tag. I think Ford saw it because he made sure to knock Dom off the top rope. Priest knocked Dawkins over the barricade so Ford did an insane dive — leaping over the ring post to wipe out Priest. Ford hit Dom with a 450 splash, seemingly for the win, but Ripley pulled him out of the ring to break up the cover.
Ford leaped onto the apron to avoid a charge by Priest who went into the steel steps. Dom yanked Ford from the apron into a schoolboy with his feet on the middle rope for the pinfall win.
Judgment Day are the new challengers for the Usos.
(Bálor was great at ringside. He tossed his ice pack aside in celebration but quickly picked it back up because he was in too much pain.)
— The Usos entered to face off with Judgment Day as the show ended.
The last portion with the Street Profits was great.
According to a report from PW Insider, Bray Wyatt’s younger brother is backstage at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama ahead of tonight’s show.
Our own Bryan Alvarez reported in October that the 32-year-old was headed back to the company.
Dallas has been rumored to be the one portraying Uncle Howdy but that is not confirmed. His being in Birmingham could be related to a segment for Raw involving Alexa Bliss. She is scheduled to “explain her actions” from last week.
from WWE.com:
In the wake of a shocking and brutal attack on the Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss will explains her brutal actions from this past week on the red brand. Don’t miss Raw, tonight at 8/7 C on USA.
Dallas was released from WWE on April 15, 2020, after having been with the company since 2008. He said during a Q&A at the For the Love of Wrestling convention last April that he was planning to return to the ring.
Dallas said:
“I’m the furthest from done with wrestling that you could possibly be. I spent the past year diving into a bunch of different ventures outside of wrestling, but wrestling has never left my heart — not for one second. And I just wanted to get a couple things done before I dive back into something that I really cared about.
After snapping on Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss is set to address her actions.
WWE has announced that Bliss will appear on Monday’s episode of Raw. Bliss will “explain her brutal actions from this past week,” which left Belair needing to be helped to the back after taking two DDTs onto the steel steps.
Bliss challenged for Belair’s Raw Women’s Championship this past Monday, but the match ended in a disqualification when Bliss snapped. Bliss became distracted when she saw two people in the crowd wearing Uncle Howdy masks. When Bray Wyatt’s moth logo then flashed on the video screen, Bliss freaked out and attacked the referee before going after Belair.
Belair was helped to the back by her husband Montez Ford after Bliss’ attack.
Bliss’ ongoing storyline has seen her display increasingly bizarre behavior in recent weeks. She smashed a vase over Belair’s head on Raw last month.
Also on this Monday’s Raw, we’ll find out what’s next for Austin Theory. Theory retained his United States Championship against Seth Rollins last Monday.
Raw started off 2023 with two title matches taking place last night.
The Raw Women’s Championship and United States Championship were both up for grabs on the first Raw of the new year. Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss ended in a disqualification, while Austin Theory retained the United States title against Seth Rollins in the main event.
The DQ in the Raw Women’s Championship match happened after Bliss snapped. During the match, Bliss was distracted by seeing two people in Uncle Howdy masks in the crowd. Bray Wyatt’s moth logo then flashed on the video screen twice. That caused Bliss to freak out and attack the referee. Bliss then went after Belair, giving her two DDTs onto the steel steps. Belair, who had blood on her chin after being sent into the steps, was helped to the back by her husband Montez Ford.
Theory defeated Rollins after giving him a low blow, taking out Rollins’ hurt knee, and then hitting A-Town Down. Rollins had given Theory a Pedigree near the end of the match, but there was a ref bump that delayed the pin. Rollins was also slow to make the cover because of his knee.
Date: January 2, 2023 Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN
Show Recap —
The Raw intro video was abruptly interrupted as they cut to a live shot of the Bloodline (minus Roman Reigns) causing havoc around ringside. They tossed aside security guards and flipped over the announce table.
Kevin Owens entered with a microphone but before he could say anything, Sami Zayn told him tonight was a hostile takeover by the Bloodline and he wanted everyone to know it was Owens’ fault.
Owens forgot what he wanted to say because he just wanted to punch Zayn in the face. Owens went down the aisle but was cut off by Adam Pearce and six security guards.
Pearce said he has let the Bloodline, Roman Reigns included, run roughshod for too long but that would end tonight. Pearce sent a few guards into the ring to escort Bloodline from the building but Solo Sikoa disposed of them.
Owens ran into the ring but Bloodline put the boots to him before various locker room members (Street Profits, Luke Gallows, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Elias and Mustafa Ali) ran down to clear Bloodline from the ring.
As Bloodline were leaving through the crowd, Pearce told them he was putting them to work because they’d all have matches tonight.
********
Backstage, Bianca Belair told Byron Saxton that her relationship with Alexa Bliss was beyond repair and she would show Bliss why she was the champion.
After a break, everyone who ran out earlier was yelling at Pearce because they wanted to fight the Bloodline. Montez Ford spoke up first but Elias convinced Pearce to give him a match against Sikoa because of what Sikoa did to him a few weeks ago. Pearce agreed and made it a street fight. He put the rest of Bloodline in a six-man tag match against Owens and the Street Profits.
(Dolph Ziggler was with the group but I don’t think he ran out earlier so he’s just taking credit for everyone else’s work.)
Musician HARDY was shown at ringside.
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Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair defeated Alexa Bliss via disqualification (17:05)
Short recap: Bliss lost her mind, attacked the referee, and laid out Belair.
Belair controlled before and after an early commercial break until Bliss dodged a charge and Belair went shoulder-first into the ring post. Bliss had control until Belair showed off her strength and hit an impressive vertical suplex.
Belair hit three consecutive body slams (and had to yell at Bliss to “get up” in the middle of the sequence) and hit a moonsault (after having to adjust because Bliss was out of position). Bliss hit a senton off the apron which led to another break. (Bliss had a bloody nose, perhaps from going too hard into the turnbuckle.)
Bliss held a chinlock but Belair fought out and hit a backbreaker. Belair punched Bliss in the corner but Bliss yanked her out of the ring by her braid.
Bliss became distracted by a “fan” wearing an Uncle Howdy mask in the front row. She slid Belair back in the ring and went to the top but stopped upon seeing another fan in the same mask.
The screen flashed the Bray Wyatt logo and the crowd buzzed. Bliss suddenly freaked out, tackled the referee and hammered away at him. She also went to town on Belair and chucked her into the steel steps. Bliss gave Belair two DDTs onto the steel steps before walking off. (I’m not sure if it was real or not but Belair also had blood on her chin.)
A trainer checked on Belair as they brought out a stretcher ahead of a break.
During the break, Belair refused the stretcher and was instead helped out by Montez Ford.
(Because the referee was attacked, the bell never rang to officially stop the match. Corey Graves said the match ended via DQ.)
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Cathy Kelley interviewed Austin Theory. He said 2023 would be his year and Seth Rollins was the past. Theory said he’s outplayed Rollins every step of the way and his US title reign was just beginning.
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Elias wanted to play a song but Sikoa’s entrance cut him off.
Music City Street Fight: Solo Sikoa defeated Elias (14:26)
They hit each other with various musical instruments until Sikoa gave Elias a Samoan drop for two. Elias hit Sikoa with an electric keyboard for two before Sikoa hit a Spinning Solo. Sikoa missed a Stinger splash so Elias hit him with a tambourine, consecutive Stinger splashes and a spinebuster.
[SECOND HOUR]
HARDY (the musician) handed Elias a guitar but Sikoa superkicked him before he could use it. HARDY hopped the barricade and hit Sikoa over the back with the guitar. The guitar exploded but Sikoa no-sold it. HARDY begged off and left the ring as Sikoa stared him down.
Elias hit a running knee strike and went to the top but Sikoa hit him with a mid-air Samoan Spike. Sikoa gave Elias a Uranage off the apron on top of a piano and pinned him for the win.
(This match went way too long but Sikoa no-selling the guitar shot was awesome and the piano finish was cool.)
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Six-man tag match: Sami Zayn & Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated The Street Profits & Kevin Owens (11:47)
They tried telling a story that Montez Ford was distracted because he was concerned about Bianca Belair. Owens tried tagging Ford in at one point but he didn’t notice or care enough to tag in so the Bloodline took over.
Jimmy Uso superkicked Dawkins off the apron before Owens superkicked Jimmy. Ford was still in his own world as Owens went for a tag so Owens slapped him to tag him in. Ford fired up and hit Zayn and Jimmy with a flying crossbody before giving Zayn a standing moonsault for two. Ford gave Zayn a frog splash but Jey Uso broke up the cover.
Dawkins tackled Jey while Ford wiped out Jimmy and Sami with a flip dive. Sikoa marched out through the crowd and knocked out Dawkins. Owens went after Sikoa but Jey saved him by superkicking Owens.
Ford knocked Jimmy off the apron but the distraction allowed Zayn to hit a Helluva Kick for the pinfall win.
— Bloodline were about to continue the assault after the match but Sheamus and Drew McIntyre ran in through the crowd and laid them out.
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They plugged the Royal Rumble and announced the Pitch Black match between Bray Wyatt and LA Knight.
They also announced AJ Styles’ ankle injury and wished him well.
Dexter Lumis defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (4:10)
Otis tried to attack Lumis outside the ring he ducked and Otis hit the ring post. Gable tried a cradle when Lumis re-entered the ring but Lumis countered into a cradle of his own for the pinfall win.
(Gable looked good in the match. The crowd was completely silent for it.)
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They will be airing a series of video packages hyping Cody Rhodes’ return. The first video highlighted his return at WrestleMania last year.
Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY were shown walking through the back. (MVP, Benjamin and Alexander could be seen in the background talking to Pearce.)
Damage CTRL/Becky Lynch segment
Damage CTRL entered and Bayley bragged about beating Becky Lynch until Lynch interrupted.
Lynch said Bayley talks like she reinvented the wheel but she’s really been on a hamster wheel saying the same things over and over. Lynch called Bayley a Karen who always needed somebody else’s help. Lynch said Kai and SKY were Bayley’s lackeys but she realized it was the other way around and it was just a matter of time before they turned on her.
Lynch losing to Bayley wasn’t going to make her complain it was going to make her better. Lynch challenged Bayley to a match. Bayley laughed and instead suggested a tag match with Kai and SKY against Lynch and a partner. Lynch didn’t have her phone to call anyone but didn’t care and offered to fight them alone.
[THIRD HOUR]
Non-title match: Tag Team Champions Dakota Kai & IYO SKY (w/Bayley) defeated Becky Lynch & Michin (13:45)
The match started with Lynch on her own but they never officially called it a handicap match. About six minutes into it, as the champs worked over Lynch, “Michin” (Mia Yim) ran out and jumped on the apron. Lynch tagged her in and she ran wild.
They repeatedly referred to Yim as “Michin” so it appears they have made that name change.
Yim hit a dive but Damage CTRL were working her over following a break. Lynch tagged in and beat the absolute crap out of Kai before chucking SKY into the barricade. Lynch hit Kai with a missile dropkick for two. Lynch and Michin gave Kai a double superplex but SKY broke up the cover.
Yim spiked Kai with leg scissors takedown but Bayley put Kai’s foot on the rope to break up the cover. Lynch went after Bayley as Michin gave Kai an Eat Defeat. However, as Michin was down, SKY hit a moonsault for the pinfall win.
— Lynch chased SKY from the ring and was stunned by the loss. (Probably because she had a fresh partner who ran out halfway through the match and still got pinned.)
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Musician Jimmie Allen was shown at ringside.
Saxton caught up with Alexa Bliss and asked her about losing control earlier. Bliss said: “I lost control? No. I gained control over Bianca’s headspace. And now she knows the only threat is really me, and that Raw Women’s championship actually belongs with me.”
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They showed the video of Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley crashing Rey’s Christmas Eve party with Dom getting arrested.
This was followed by a funny Dom promo where he talked about how he served hard time and prison changed him. This was great.
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There was a Bronson Reed video package.
Austin Theory defeated Seth Rollins to retain the United States Championship (23:36)
This went through two breaks with Rollins controlling through the first one and Theory controlling through the second. Rollins made a comeback following the second break, hitting a suicide dive. Theory countered a Pedigree but Rollins hit a backbreaker for two.
Rollins hit a superplex and went to transition into a falcon arrow but Theory beat him to it and hit a neckbreaker for two. They traded strikes until both men went down. They got up and traded strikes again until Rollins hit consecutive rolling elbow strikes. Rollins went for the curb stomp but his knee gave out and he couldn’t hit the move.
Theory left the ring, grabbed his belt and was about to leave but Rollins went after him. Theory tried to hit him with the title belt but Rollins hit a superkick and frog splash for a close nearfall.
Theory shoved Rollins into the referee by mistake and the ref went down. Rollins hit a Pedigree and a second ref ran down to count the fall but Theory kicked out.
Theory almost shoved Rollins into the new ref but the ref shielded himself. As the ref was looking away, Theory gave Rollins a low blow. Theory followed with a chop-block and A-Town Down for the pinfall win.
This wound up being a strong match, particularly the last ten minutes. The crowd was quiet pretty much all night but they liked Rollins and really wanted to see him win the title.
Alexa Bliss is the new number one contender to the WWE Raw Women’s Championship.
Bliss defeated Bayley in a number one contender’s bout on Monday’s Raw to become the top contender to Bianca Belair’s title.
After the match, Belair offered Bliss a handshake. Bliss offered a hug instead, then used the hug to tease hitting Belair with Sister Abigail, as an alignment between Bliss and Bray Wyatt continues to be hinted at on WWE television.
In addition, Wyatt’s logo flashed on the arena video wall as Bliss celebrated in the ring following her victory.
Bliss and Bayley won triple threat matches on last week’s Raw show to set up the number one contender’s match this week.
The new number one contender to Austin Theory’s United States Championship is also to be decided on Raw, as Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley square off in a top contender’s bout.
No date has been announced for Belair vs. Bliss for the Raw Women’s title to this point.
Date: December 12, 2022 Location: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI
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Show Recap —
As Bayley entered with Damage CTRL for the opening match, Becky Lynch jumped Dakota Kai and IYO SKY and cleared them from ringside leaving Bayley on her own.
Women’s Champion Bianca Belair entered to watch from ringside.
Women’s Title Number One Contender’s Match: Alexa Bliss defeated Bayley (13:22)
Bayley took control ahead of a break by shoving Bliss into the ring post. Bliss came back with a hurricanrana off the ropes (she landed awkwardly and seemed out of sorts for a moment) but Bayley quickly cut her off. Bliss gathered herself and hit a senton off the apron for a two count followed by a DDT for two.
Bayley flung Bliss into the turnbuckle before hitting a sunset flip powerbomb into the middle turnbuckle for two. Bayley also hit a Bayley-to-belly for two.
Bayley removed the middle buckle pad but got into an argument with Belair who showed the referee what she did. Bliss knocked down Bayley and hit Twisted Bliss for the pinfall win. This was not good.
— After the match, it seemed like Bliss and Belair would have a friendly face-off. However, Bray Wyatt’s logo flashed on the screen and Bliss grabbed Belair as if she would do Sister Abigail. However, Bliss came to and didn’t do it. Bliss acted like she didn’t know what just happened and she left.
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Byron Saxton interviewed Alpha Academy earlier today about what happened with Kurt Angle on Smackdown. Chad Gable wasn’t impressed with Angle’s cheap parlour tricks.
AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Mia Yim walked by and they were laughing at something. In fact, they just so happened to be laughing at the clip of Angle dousing Alpha Academy with milk — sent to them by Karl Anderson who was taking care of business in Japan. Gable said Styles was a fossil just like Angle so Styles challenged him to a match.
(They made jokes about Otis still smelling like milk and Corey Graves continued the comedy by saying Otis doesn’t fit in hotel showers so those long car rides must be unpleasant.)
AJ Styles (w/Mia Yim & Luke Gallows) defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (9:07)
Bayley Gable took control ahead of a break by shoving Bliss Styles into the ring post steel steps. Styles was in control after the break but Gable came back with three straight German suplexes. Styles blocked the fourth attempt but Gable caught him again and hit a release German.
Gable applied an ankle lock but Styles countered into a calf crusher until Gable countered into the ankle lock again. Styles slipped out of it but Gable immediately followed with a Northern Lights suplex for two.
They traded a couple of counters until Styles hit Styles Clash for the pinfall win.
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Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis were devising a plan on a whiteboard of what to do with all their money. (One idea was building fully functioning Iron Man suits for each of them.)
Candice LeRae showed up and said they were having trouble deciding what to do with the money because they already had everything they needed. She reminded them that it was the season of giving. Gargano said he had a plan.
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Cathy Kelley interviewed the Street Profits and Akira Tozawa. She asked the Profits why they helped Tozawa last week. Montez Ford said they helped Akira Tozawa because he was Akira Tozawa. Angelo Dawkins said Tozawa was, “my ninja.” Tozawa yelled, “we want the smoke” and drank whatever was in his red solo cup. They screamed at each other before heading to the ring.
Six-man tag team match: Judgment Day (w/Rhea Ripley) defeated Akira Tozawa & The Street Profits (14:38)
Like the first two matches, the heel side took control ahead of a break a few minutes into the match.
[SECOND HOUR]
They had the heat on Tozawa until he made a hot tag to Ford but he was tackled over the announce table by Damian Priest for the heat again. Ford made a tag to Dawkins but the ref didn’t see it thanks to Priest so they kept the heat on Ford.
Dawkins finally did get the hot tag and hit Finn Bálor with a running back elbow, enziguri and Silencer but Dominik Mysterio broke up the cover. Tozawa tagged in and hammered away on Dom. Everyone traded moves until Priest chokeslammed Ford and chucked Dawkins from the ring. Tozawa knocked Priest from the ring and hit a cool suicide dive on Dom.
Tozawa handed out DDTs to both Bálor and Dom. The ref was distracted again as Tozawa went to the top so Priest gave him a Razor’s Edge and Dom made the cover for the pinfall win.
(Priest was presented as the biggest threat in the match. The crowd got into Tozawa with the more he did to Dom.)
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Johnny Gargano/Dexter Lumis/Miz segment
Gargano and Lumis bought all the merchandise from a merch table using a few wads of cash. Gargano decided to carry everything to the ring to give out to the live crowd (instead of handing it to the nearby fans). Lumis gave a teddy bear to a young fan who was very grateful.
After a break, Gargano and Lumis walked down the aisle and chucked merch into the crowd.
This went on for a while until Miz shoved Lumis from behind, knocking Gargano down in the process. Miz grabbed the bag of money and tried to run away with it but he was cut off at the stage by Adam Pearce.
Pearce followed Miz into the ring and told him to give the money back to Lumis. Miz pleaded with them and said he was willing to earn the money back in a rematch. (Miz was annoyed because Gargano kept calling him “Mike.”)
Gargano said Lumis was willing to have a rematch next week in a ladder match with both bags of money hanging above the ring. Miz was completely fine with this but wondered what he meant by “both” bags.
Gargano said Miz would have to add a second bag of money and they’d make it “double or nothing, winner take all, baby!” Miz again claimed he didn’t have cash and that Maryse controlled their money.
They bickered for a while until Gargano convinced Pearce that Miz should help them give out the rest of the merch dressed as Santa’s elf. Miz begrudgingly whipped t-shirts into the crowd.
(This segment was about as long as the Styles/Gable match.)
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Tag Team Champion IYO SKY (w/Bayley & Dakota Kai) defeated Candice LeRae (10:21)
LeRae went to the top rope two minutes into the match but they went to break and we never found out what happened. SKY hit a Codebreaker off the ropes during the break but LeRae fought back and hit a Poison Rana outside the ring which led to a two count. SKY followed with a German suplex into a pin for two.
The finish felt a bit abrupt because SKY followed the German suplex by simply dragging LeRae to the corner and hitting a moonsault for the clean pinfall win. The crowd was quiet for this.
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They showed a replay of Matt Riddle being taken out by Solo Sikoa last week. The announcers said Riddle would be out for six weeks.
Kelley tried interviewing Kevin Owens about what happened but Elias interrupted. Owens’ mouth was agape at the appearance of Elias. Elias asked Owens to be in his corner tonight.
Owens said he hasn’t forgotten about the months of torment by him earlier this year. Elias said that was his brother Ezekiel. Owens freaked out and said even if that were true, Elias hit him in the head with a guitar the last time they were in the ring together.
Elias asked Owens again to be in his corner because he needed him. Owens was speechless.
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Elias was in the ring and performed a tribute concert for Riddle (there was a large picture of Riddle behind him).
Elias had something in his pocket from Riddle. He pulled out a large rolled-up paper which was meant to look like a joint but he revealed they were lyrics written by Riddle to be performed by him. Elias claimed they were written by Riddle, anyway. The song was all about how great Elias was. Sikoa interrupted.
Solo Sikoa (w/Sami Zayn) defeated Elias (8:11)
Fifth match of the night and they’ve all gone to break 2-3 minutes in.
[THIRD HOUR]
Elias hit Sikoa with strikes, consecutive Stinger splashes and a spinebuster for two, followed by a lifting knee strike and neckbreaker for two. Elias got distracted by Zayn despite Zayn not doing anything (which Zayn even pointed out) so Sikoa dropped Elias on the top rope before hitting a superkick and Spinning Solo for the pinfall win.
(The crowd did their usual chants at Zayn as this started but was quiet for the match itself.)
— Sikoa attacked Elias after the match and hit him with the Samoan Spike (with Zayn’s assistance).
Sikoa put Elias’ head through a chair and was going to kill him with a running hip attack but Owens ran out and gave Sikoa a stunner. Zayn left with Sikoa who recovered very quickly from the stunner. (Sikoa wanted to go after Owens but Zayn stopped him.)
Elias tried to embrace Owens so Owens gave him a stunner.
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There was a video package narrated by John Cena highlighting the history of Tribute to the Troops. The crowd cheered and chanted “USA.”
They showed a few pictures of an annoyed Miz, dressed as an elf, giving merch to fans.
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Asuka didn’t wear face paint and was way more serious than usual during her entrance.
Asuka drove Ripley into the post and hit a Codebreaker on the apron leading to break three minutes into the match. (Make that six matches in a row.) With no explanation, Ripley was in control following the break.
Asuka fired back with strikes and knocked Ripley down with a roundhouse kick for two. Ripley dared Asuka to hit her again so she did with a sliding kick for two. Dom checked on Ripley after Asuka knocked her off the apron.
Asuka told Dom to get out of the way. She feigned kicking him and he fell on his ass. The distraction allowed Ripley to shove Asuka into the side of the ring.
Ripley tried Riptide but Asuka countered into an Asuka Lock. Dom pulled Ripley closer to the ropes so she could get a rope break.
Asuka misted Dom but Ripley shoved Asuka into Dom (knocking him off the apron) and hit Riptide for the pinfall win.
(Asuka looked good. The crowd was quiet again.)
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A trainer tended to Dom who frantically complained that his eyes were burning. Priest told him it could be worse — something else could be burning. Ripley smacked him and told the trainer to do something.
Elsewhere, Dolph Ziggler put over the importance of the US Title which is why two of the best, Bobby Lashley and Seth Rollins, were gunning for it. Ziggler said Austin Theory was technically holding the title but was not the deserving champion. He warned Theory to watch his back.
(There were video packages throughout the evening for Theory, Rollins, and Lashley.)
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US Title Number One Contender’s Match: Seth Rollins defeated Bobby Lashley (12:54)
Lashley dumped Rollins over the barricade and they went to break less than three minutes into the match. (That’s all seven matches that have gone to break 2-3 minutes in.)
Rollins fought back with a high cross, dives, a superkick, and a falcon arrow for two. Lashley drove him into the ring post but Rollins avoided a spear and hit a superkick for two, followed by a frog splash for two.
Lashley blocked a stomp and hit a powerslam. Rollins slipped out of a Hurt Lock as the referee fell out of the ring (while trying to avoid a collision). Lashley hit a spear but the ref took a few seconds to get back in the ring and Rollins kicked out.
Lashley argued with the ref before setting up for another spear. Rollins countered that spear into a Pedigree for the pinfall win. Rollins is the number one contender.
— Lashley popped right up from the Pedigree to argue with the ref before shoving him down. Adam Pearce sprinted out and told Lashley that he warned him about this already. Lashley shoved Pearce into the barricade. (They tried to make it sound like Pearce called him a motherf**ker but he didn’t really.)
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including storytelling in pro-wrestling particularly as it pertains to Keith Lee and Swerve on Rampage, the Rampage and Smackdown ratings, RAW from Monday night and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Either Alexa Bliss or Bayley will be the next challenger for Bianca Belair’s Raw Women’s Championship.
Two triple threat matches were held on Raw last night to decide who will compete in a Raw Women’s Championship number one contender’s match next Monday. Bayley defeated Asuka and Rhea Ripley in the first triple threat bout, while Bliss defeated Nikki Cross and Becky Lynch in the main event.
Bayley and Lynch had an interaction earlier in the episode discussing their recent history. It appeared that Lynch was going to win her triple threat match and advance to face Bayley next week, but Damage CTRL’s Dakota Kai and IYO SKY interfered and attacked Lynch. They laid out Lynch with a powerbomb through the announce table.
With Lynch out of the picture, Bliss hit Twisted Bliss on Cross and pinned her to get the victory.
WWE has revealed how the next challenger for Bianca Belair’s Raw Women’s Championship will be decided.
It was announced this afternoon that two triple threat matches will take place on tonight’s episode of Raw. The winners of those matches will advance to face each other next week, with the winner of that match getting a future shot at Belair’s title.
Bayley vs. Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley and Nikki Cross vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Becky Lynch are the two triple threat bouts set for tonight.
All six competitors in the triple threats were involved in the women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series. Belair, Lynch, Asuka, Bliss & Mia Yim defeated Bayley, Dakota Kai, IYO SKY, Cross & Ripley in WarGames.
Belair has been Raw Women’s Champion since winning the title from Lynch at WrestleMania 38 this April. She recently retained against Bayley at both Extreme Rules and Crown Jewel.
The Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. is hosting tonight’s Raw. Here’s what’s been announced for the show:
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Matt Riddle & Elias
Just five days after winning the titles, Alexa Bliss & Asuka’s Women’s Tag Team Championship reign has come to an end.
Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) regained the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles by defeating Bliss & Asuka at Saturday’s Crown Jewel pay-per-view. Damage CTRL were able to get the victory after interference by Nikki Cross.
Bliss was about to hit Twisted Bliss on Kai near the end of the match, but Cross attacked Bliss and laid her out with a swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker. The referee was distracted by Asuka and SKY fighting in the ring and didn’t see Cross interfere. Kai then pinned Bliss to get the victory.
Bliss & Asuka had defeated Kai & SKY in the main event of Raw this past Monday to win the Women’s Tag Team titles.
This is Kai & SKY’s second reign as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Nikki Cross reemerged on Raw last month, ditching her “Almost A Superhero” character for a return to her more chaotic and unhinged persona.
A WWE Women’s Tag Team title rematch will take place at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia this Saturday.
WWE has announced that Alexa Bliss & Asuka will make their first Women’s Tag Team title defense as they face Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) at Crown Jewel. Bliss & Asuka dethroned Kai & SKY as Women’s Tag Team Champions on last night’s episode of Raw.
After being laid out by Damage CTRL four weeks ago, Bliss & Asuka made their return to WWE television by saving Bianca Belair from a Damage CTRL beatdown on last night’s Raw. That led to Bliss & Asuka facing off with Kai & SKY in the main event.
Damage CTRL’s Bayley is challenging Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship in a Last Woman Standing match at Crown Jewel.
Belair and Bayley were at ringside for the Women’s Tag Team title match on last night’s Raw. Bayley ended up giving Belair a Bayley-to-Belly off the barricade and through a pair of tables.
The Crown Jewel main card streams live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at noon Eastern time this Saturday (November 5). Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Logan Paul
Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley
Last Woman Standing match: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Bayley
Steel cage match: Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross
Braun Strowman vs. Omos
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Ridge Holland & Butch
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Asuka defend against Dakota Kai & IYO SKY
The OC (AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) vs. The Judgement Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio)
