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Dominik Mysterio Says Prison Changed Him, Austin Theory Pins Seth Rollins | Raw Fight Size

Wrestling
Colin Tessier Jan 2, 2023 11:39PM

Here is your post-Monday Night Raw fight size update for January 2, 2023:

- In a promo, Dominik Mysterio cut a promo about his time in prison. Dominik made it clear that prison changed him. He said that, after he did hard time for attacking his father, he's just getting started.

Michin: Winning WWE Women's US Title Is A Need, Not A Want

- Austin Theory defended the WWE United States Championship against Seth Rollins. The two stars threw everything they had at each other. In the end, Theory dodged a Stomp and tried to walk out of the match, but Rollins stopped him. Theory went to hit Rollins with the title, but Rollins dropped him with a kick and hit a frog splash for a two count. Theory then shoved Rollins into the referee, and Rollins hit a Pedigree. A second referee ran to the ring and counted the pin, but Theory kicked out. The champion ultimately hit Rollins below the belt and pinned him with th A-Town Down to retain the gold.

- In an interview, Bianca Belair said her relationship with Alexa Bliss was beyond repair. She then defended the Raw Women's Championship against Bliss. Belair took the fight to the challenger early on and controlled the beginning of the bout. Bliss rallied and gained momentum, but Belair continued to overpower her. The champion showcased her impressive strength throughout the bout, but Belair used her experience advantage to counter. Right when Bliss gained an advantage, two people in the crowd wearing Uncle Howdy masks distracted Belair. Another had a sign that read, "He's coming for you." Bray Wyatt's logo appeared on the video screen, and Bliss seemingly snapped, as she attacked the referee. She then brutally took out Belair with two DDTs on the steel steps. A stretcher was then brought to the ring for Belair.

- In an apparent tease of a Hurt Business reunion, MVP was seen talking to Cedric Alexander and Sheltin Benjamin backstage.

- A video package highlighted Cody Rhodes' road to recovery. He discussed how winning the WWE Championship was his first dream, and now he wants to win it for his father and his family. He then looked back on competing in a Hel in a Cell Match with a torn pectoral.

- The show opened with The Bloodline (The Usos, Sami Zayn, and Solo Sikoa) attacking crew members. Jimmy Uso declared that they were taking over. Kevin Owens came out and told Zayn he wanted to punch him. Adam Pearce stopped the fight from happening, but Solo Sikoa attacked security guards, so Owens got the green light. He brawled with The Bloodline, and the locker room emptied out to get involved. Pearce then told The Bloodline that each one of them would have a match on the show.

- Elias told Adam Pearce he wanted a shot at Solo Sikoa, and Adam Pearce booked a Music City Street Fight between them. Once it was time for the match, Elias tried to play a pre-fight song for himself, but Solo Sikoa's entrance promptly cut him off. Sikoa and Elias brawled, and The Bloodline's enforcer showed that he didn't need any weapons to inflict punishment on Elias. Elias then hit him with a cowbell, but Sikoa ducked a guitar shot. The former 24/7 Champion threw Sikoa into a drum set and bashed him with a cymbal. The two foes brawled throughout this arena. Elias smashed a keyboard over Sikoa's back. Sikoa took control, and even when Hardy entered the ring and smashed him with a guitar, Sikoa continued to dominate. He slammed Elias through a table for the win.

- Kevin Owens and the Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) battled The Bloodline (The Usos & Sami Zayn). Ford was clearly shaken up after his wife, Bianca Belair, was attacked by Alexa Bliss earlier in the show. Eventually, Ford focused and tipped the scales in his team's favor. Solo Sikoa arrived, determined to help lead The Bloodline to victory. He brawled with Kevin Owens, and the distraction helped Zayn clinch the win with the Helluva Kick to Ford. When The Bloodline tried to take Owens out with a post-match assault, Drew McIntyre and Sheamus made the save.

- Dexter Lumis faced Chad Gable, who aimed to use his agility and technical advantage to counter Lumis' strength. Otis' presence at ringside also loomed large, but Lumis evaded hs interference. He then picked up a win with a sneaky pin.

- Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY & Dakota Kai) came to the ring. Bayley brought up her victory over Becky Lynch and said she did it all by herself, but Lynch came out and called Bayley a fraud who couldn't do anything on her own. She then noted that Bayley was standing behind Kai and SKY, who did all the hard work. Lynch then challenged Bayley to end their feud then and there, but Bayley turned her down. She threw down the gauntlet for a match where Lynch would face Kai and SKY in a tag team match, but Lynch agreed to face the duo by herself.

- Lynch took on Dakota Kai and IYO SKY in a handicap match. Eventually, the WWE Women's Tag Tea, Champions gained the upper hand, but Michin (Mia Yim) came running to the ring, as she was apparently Lynch's partner. Her involvement lit a spark in Lynch, as the duo rallied. Lynch then took the fight to Bayley and ringside, and SKY capitalized by pinning Michin with a moonsault.

- Nikki Cross continued to keep an eye on Candice LeRae.

- Backstage, Byron Saxton tried to interview Alexa Bliss, who said she gained control over Bianca Belair's headspace with her actions. She said the RAW Women's Championship belongs with her.

- A video package hyped up Bronson Reed, who responded and warned that dangerous times are ahead.

- Per PWInsider, Summer Rae was backstage at the show. She now lives in the Nashville area, so she was likely just visiting.

- In a WWE Digital Exclusive, HARDY discussed getting involved on Monday night and said he "just had" to help Elias.

- On Raw Talk, Sami Zayn learned that not everyone can be ucey.

- In a WWE Digital Exclusive, Austin Theory discussed his win over Seth Rollins and stated that his time is now.

Catch up on our coverage of WWE Raw here. For a full review, check our post-show podcast on our YouTube channel.

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