WWE legend Brock Lesnar returns on Raw XXX in January 2023
Brock Lesnar made an emphatic return to WWE to end Raw XXX in an explosive way as he cost Bobby Lashley a shot at the United States Championship.
The Beast Incarnate hadn’t been seen since beating the All Mighty at Crown Jewel in November 2022 and suffering a post-match attack, and he got a measure of revenge as the show’s 30th anniversary celebrations came to an end.
Lashley had come close to beating US Champion Austin Theory several times during the hard hitting No Disqualification main event, but the wily star had his number.
Towards the end, Theory almost avoided being sent through a table after he caught Lashley with a low blow but a spinebuster saw him in a pile of rubble.
The former champion couldn’t capitalise though, as Lesnar’s music hit and he charged to the ring, first hitting Lashley with an F-5 and then Theory with a second with actually meant he was pinning the challenger.
A three-count later and Theory retained, and Lesnar will surely be in Lashley’s sights heading into the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania season.
Sami Zayn found not guilty, The Undertaker returns
After a brief introduction from Hulk Hogan, the show properly got started with the trial of Sami Zayn with Paul Heyman leading the way as prosecution for The Bloodline.
Roman Reigns appeared convinced by his evidence and ordered Solo Sikoa on the attack after Sami couldn’t mount his own defence, but Jey Uso put a stop to that and spoke out in favour of the Honorary Uce.
He did enough to convince the Tribal Chief, who declared Sami ‘not guilty’ but said after Raw, he didn’t want to see him again until the Royal Rumble this weekend – a night which will act as his final test.
Sami Zayn had a rollercoaster show (Picture: WWE)
Sami was at ringside for the opening match as Jey and Jimmy Uso defending the Raw Tag Team Titles against Judgment Day duo Dominik Mysterio and Damian Priest in a match loaded with storytelling, high drama and excitement.
Jimmy appeared injured from a suicide dive and ended up replaced by Sami, who wrestled the last few minutes alongside Jey as they eventually hit the 1-D for the win to the delight of an electric Philly crowd.
A backstage segment between The Godfather, Baron Corbin, JBL and Farooq led to the obligatory poker tournament as a way to get current stars and legends of the past sharing the screen.
LA Knight ranted about Bray Wyatt and showed his lack of fear, calling out any legend so he could make an example of them before The Undertaker returned in his American Badass guise, and while Knight tried to make a hilarious exit he was met by Bray himself on the ramp.
He looked set for a Chokeslam but the Dead Man shoved him into a Sister Abigail from Bray and even whispered something to his former rival in what appeared to be a long overdue passing of the torch moment.
The Steel Cage match between Bayley and Becky Lynch never happened as Damage CTRL went on the attack, locking themselves in the cage and decimating her.
D-Generation X came out for a reunion with Kurt Angle auditioning for the role as Billy Gunn (who works for rival promotion AEW) in a funny twist.
They were eventually interrupted by Imperium with the trio insisting D-X are an embarrassment, threatening them as none of the group wanted anything to do with the formidable faction.
Seth Rollins and Street Profits came down for backup before Teddy Long made the tag match official with Kurt Angle as special guest referee, and it was as fantastic as you’d expect en route to a big win for the babyfaces.
After an emotional moment with dad Ric Flair, Charlotte Flair talked about the women’s revolution and her own growth as she insisted this will always be her home, which brought out Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair.
Sonya Deville came out and ended up in a match with the EST, which Belair quite rightly won after some fun back and forth action and promised it was a preview of what she’ll do to Alexa Bliss this weekend.
She appeared on the screen in a spooky promo asking people to leave her alone, insisting she doesn’t need Uncle Howdy or Bray Wyatt to destroy her at the Rumble.
Kevin Owens interrupted The Miz with a Stunner out of nowhere, vowing to end Roman’s run holding the title hostage before hitting another Stunner.
WWE Raw airs Monday nights at 1am on BT Sport 1.
WWE Raw results and grade – January 23, 2023
Seth Rollins and The Street Profits beat Imperium (A-)
Bianca Belair pinned Sonya Deville (B)
United States Title: Austin Theory (c) beat Bobby Lashley (B+)
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What a celebration!
