WWE Monday Night Raw Review February 13, 2023
Kicking off this week’s Raw with Becky Lynch heads down to the ring with Adam Pearce is already waiting inside.
Lynch says The Man has come around to Brooklyn then welcomes the WWE Universe to Raw. She says she will address Pearce’s presence but before she does, she has to admit that it felt good to defeat Bayley in a Steel Cage Match last week especially with the help of Lita. She says in the days following the match she realized her path to WrestleMania was unclear and she lost her focus on the Raw Women’s Title. She says that brings her to Pearce then proposes she fights her way into the Raw Women’s Title #1 Contenders Elimination Chamber Match tonight.
Bayley’s music hits and she heads to the ring. She tells Lynch if she thinks she’s getting into the Elimination Chamber then she’s a bigger idiot than the fans. She says she didn’t finish anything last week because Lita helped her then says she’s here to talk to Pearce. She says he should scrap what happened last week then says she should be the one to get a shot at entering the Elimination Chamber. She brags about being a Grand Slam Champion but Lynch one ups her and says she is a WrestleMania main eventer.
They begin arguing and Pearce cuts them off but before he can finish his thought then Raw Women’s Champion Bianca BelAir’s music hits and she heads to the ring. BelAir says she’s hearing lots of talk about the Raw Women’s Title but no one thought to come to talk to her. She says that if someone were to ask her then she would’ve said that she likes where things are going. She says there are already 6 women in the Elimination Chamber but if they want to get to her at WrestleMania then they should have to go through her. Pearce says he likes the way BelAir thinks, then proposes that tonight’s main event should be a Triple Threat Match between Lynch,BelAir & Bayley. He says if Lynch or Bayley wins then they will be added to the Chamber and the Elimination Chamber begins as a Triple Threat but if BelAir wins, then they won’t be added. They agree and Pearce makes things official.
We then head backstage to Byron Saxton is with Judgment Day. Saxton asks them about their matches at Elimination Chamber and Damian Priest says the 5 other men in the United States Title Elimination Chamber Match stand no chance of beating Priest. Mysterio says he knows a thing or two about being locked up and expresses his confidence in Priest winning the Chamber before Balor says tonight, their focus is on beating Street Profits.
Tag Team Match
Judgement Day vs. Street Profits
Damian Priest & Montez Ford lock up to kick this match off then Priest shoves Ford into the corner then delivers a series of knees and a right hand. He hits a shoulder tackle then tags Fin Balor in. Balor delivers a stomp and a right hand then looks for a boot. Ford catches it and delivers an enziguri then tags in Angelo Dawkins. Dawkins delivers a dropkick then clotheslines him to the outside with the assistance of Ford that takes us to a break.
Back from the break Ford & Priest teeter on the top rope. Priest looks to plant Ford but Ford counters it into a crossbody and tags in Dawkins. Balor tags in and Dawkins delivers a flying back elbow and a Silencer then looks for a splash. Ford makes the blind tag and hits a modified assisted German suplex then tags Dawkins back in.
Ford ascends to the top as Dawkins gets Balor in an electric chair position and they deliver an electric chair diving corkscrew stunner combo. Mysterio tries to interfere but Dawkins drags him into the ring and levels him. Balor takes advantage and delivers a Slingblade followed by a dropkick. He then hits the Coup De Grace for the win.
Winners: Judgement Day
After the match Judgment Day beats down Street Profits but Edge’s music hits and he runs down to make the save. He goes after Balor as Beth Phoenix appears and takes down Mysterio. Rhea Ripley then appears out of nowhere & surprising Phoenix and hits her with Riptide.
We are back from the break a table has been set up in the ring and Adam Pearce is waiting inside. Brock Lesnar heads down.
Pearce says Lesnar has already signed the contract, but one signature does not make a match. He looks to introduce Lashley, but Lesnar cuts him off and tells Lashley to get his ass to the ring.
Lashley’s music hits and security heads out. They line up on the ramp before backstage personnel bring out a table and a chair to the stage. Lashley then appears and sits at said table.
Pearce says he doesn’t know what this is and tells him he can come in the ring. Lashley says this isn’t The Brock Lesnar Show but yet Pearce has rolled out the carpet for Lesnar to have a fancy contract signing. Lashley says when they have come face 2 face, he has either pinned Lesnar, left him unconscious or eliminated from the Royal Rumble. He says he’s in the driver’s seat and things will be done on his terms. Lashley says he had his agents, manager and representative look at his contract. Pearce tells him to come sign it and Lashley says he doesn’t know if he will.
Lesnar tells him to get in the ring and sign the contract then says he’s scared. He says if he doesn’t sign the contract then he will come over there and force him to sign it. Lesnar leaves the ring and heads to where he is fighting off Lashley’s security on the way. Lashley catches him with a back body drop and a Spear then grabs the contract and signs it leaving it on his chest when he’s done.
Piper Niven vs. Michin
Michin charges at Niven. Niven catches her with a shoulder tackle, then fires off several forearms. She hits a crossbody, and looks to plant Michin. Michin counters it into a DDT, then fires off several chops. Niven plants Michin then delivers a senton and goes for a pin.
Michin kicks out and Niven delivers a right hand to the back of her head before hitting a kick to her spine and delivering a series of stomps. She delivers a few right hands then gets Michin up on her shoulders.
Michin escapes and looks for Eat Defeat but Niven prevents her from doing so and plants her with Lochness Slam for the win.
Winner: Piper Niven
We then head to a video recapping the events before and during the Smackdown Tag Team Titles match last Friday between The Usos & Braun Strowman & Ricochet.
After the break we head backstage to Cathy Kelley is with Baron Corbin. Kelley asks Corbin how he feels after JBL ended their relationship last week but before he can answer we head to the ring for a new development.
A person in a hoodie stands in the ring and they take off their hood revealing themselves to be Sami Zayn.
Zayn says he’s not here to hold up the show but he does want to talk to Cody Rhodes before he faces Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at Elimination Chamber.
Rhodes’ music hits and he heads down to the ring. Rhodes welcomes Zayn to Raw then asks what he wants to talk about. Zayn says he set the world on fire following his confrontation with Paul Heyman last week and during the encounter, Rhodes said something that he couldn’t get out of his mind it’s looking more and more like it will be Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39.
He asks Rhodes if that’s just lip service or he actually believes he can defeat Reigns. Rhodes says he meant it when he said he could beat Reigns and be his new opponent at WrestleMania but respectfully, he doesn’t think what this is really about. He says what matters is what Zayn believes. He asks Zayn if he thinks he can really beat Reigns and Zayn says if he’s being honest he doesn’t know.
He says he has been in the trenches with The Bloodline and has seen how they think then says they always find a way. He says Reigns is as good as he says he is and is operating on a level higher than ever before. He says guys bigger and stronger than him have lost to Reigns then says he somehow has to believe he will take down Reigns after 900 days as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
He says he believes he’s capable of beating Reigns becoming Universal Champion and main eventing WrestleMania, but he doesn’t know if he will walk out of Montreal as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The crowd encourages Zayn as Rhodes asks if Zayn is really telling him he doesn’t know if he can win. Rhodes says it seems like everyone in the arena and Montreal knows he can do it then says he’s kept his eye on him this whole time. He says there is dissension in The Bloodline for the 1st time ever because of him and says the possibility of Zayn beating Reigns is because of him and not anyone else. Rhodes says Reigns is only a man, and Zayn can crack him open to find out for himself. He says he intends to finish his own story and Zayn needs to finish his. He says he doesn’t want to see Zayn on Raw next Monday because he would rather see him at WrestleMania.
We go backstage and see Carmella preparing for her 6 Woman Tag Team match. Cross walks in and Carmella asks where she’s been. Cross says she’s been playing hide and seek with her friend. Carmella asks where Asuka is and Asuka sneaks up behind her. Cross and Asuka stare at one another and creepily smile before Candice LeRae walks in and asks Cross why she’s been following her. Cross laughs at her then walks off.
After the break we head back to Cathy Kelley is with Baron Corbin. Corbin says everyone saw what happened last week, and says he’s better off on his own. He calls JBL a has been then says it’s time to remind everyone who he is. He says he’s tired of being disrespected then cites being interrupted by Zayn earlier as an example. He says Zayn is a walking deadman then says he has no chance at beating Reigns. He reminds everyone he was the last person to beat The Tribal Chief then rags on Cody Rhodes for disappearing for eight months to heal an injury.
Rhodes appears behind him as Corbin says he thinks Rhodes’ family is a joke. Rhodes loses his temper and attacks Corbin through the Gorilla position, then calls for a referee. They spill to ringside where Rhodes attacks Corbin all the way down the ramp. They get in the ring, and the bell sounds.
2023 Royal Rumble Winner Cody Rhodes vs. Baron Corbin
Rhodes sends Corbin back to the outside then delivers a suicide dive. Corbin gets Rhodes on his shoulder but Rhodes escapes and sends him crashing into the ring post and the ring steps. He tosses him back into the ring then delivers the Cody Cutter then Cross Rhodes for the win.
Winner: 2023 Royal Rumble Winner Cody Rhodes
We go backstage to Raquel Rodriguez, Liv Morgan & Natalya standing & warming up at the Gorilla Position. Natalya complains about the fact that Becky Lynch & Bayley are trying to weasel their way into the Women’s Elimination Chamber but Morgan says it sounds like she’s just scared. Natalya asks if she sees her as a threat and they begin to argue. Rodriguez tells them to save it for Saturday.
6 Woman Tag Team Match
Team Raw (Asuka,Nikki Cross & Carmella) vs. Team Smackdown (Raquel Rodriguez,Liv Morgan & Natalya)
Nikki Cross jumps on Raquel Rodriguez’s back. Rodriguez dumps her off her back then hits a fallaway slam. Carmella & Natalya tag in & Natalya locks in the Sharpshooter but Cross breaks the hold. Both teams begin to brawl with one another before Team Smackdown dumps Team Raw to the outside that takes us to a break.
We come back from the break Carmella has Natalya tied up in a hold. Natalya fights her way out and tags in Morgan. Cross tags in and Morgan delivers a series of knees, then ascends to the top and delivers a dropkick.
Asuka tags in and delivers a series of kicks and spinning back fists. She goes for a pin but Natalya breaks the fall. Asuka sends her into the turnbuckle then attacks Carmella & Nikki Cross before she locks in a shoulder submission on Morgan for the win.
Winners By Submission: Team Raw
We go backstage to Alpha Academy. Otis is eating a hot dog and Chad Gable says he has rewritten the Alpha Academy handbook. Gable grabs the hot dog from Otis and says it’s bad for him, then tosses it to the side. He accidentally hits Mån.sôör with it. Maxxine Dupri then introduces herself as Ma.çé helps Mån.sôör then asks Otis if he’s ever modeled as they are looking for new models for their latest campaign. Gable thinking she was talking to him says he hasn’t really thought about it before Dupri clarifies she was talking to Otis. Otis seems intrigued by the idea.
Bronson Reed vs. Mustafa Ali
Mustafa Ali looks to deliver a chop but Bronson Reed stays on his feet then pushes Ali across the ring. He follows it up with a splash but Ali fires back with a dropkick. Reed sends Ali to the outside then delivers a shoulder tackle off the apron and tosses him back in the ring.
Ali delivers a kick that sends Reed to the outside, then looks to go flying but Reed catches him and tosses him into the timekeeper’s area. He drags him back into the ring then looks for a powerbomb.
Ali escapes and delivers a Tornado DDT. Reed delivers a clothesline that turns Ali inside out then delivers the Tsunami for the win.
Winner: Bronson Reed
We head backstage to Cathy Kelley is with Edge & Beth Phoenix & Kelley asks them if they have any comments about the attack launched by Judgment Day earlier tonight and Edge says he’s tired of fighting with Judgment Day. He says while they may have gotten one up on them tonight it won’t matter because they will beat them at Elimination Chamber.
After the break The Miz welcomes fans to MizTV then complains about not being in the United States Title Elimination Chamber Match. He then introduces Seth Rollins.
The Miz says the Chamber needs Rollins’ undivided focus, but he thinks his focus has been split between that and Logan Paul. Rollins cuts him off and says no one wants to hear about that dumpster fire of a human being because they want to sing his song instead. Miz says he wants to talk about Paul and says he called Rollins a clown then makes fun of Rollins’ boot.
Rollins says his mom taught him that if you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it. Miz asks why Rollins will talk about Paul on social media and talk shows but not in the ring. Rollins tells Miz to shut up then says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He points to the WrestleMania sign and says he has dreamt of headlining The Showcase of the Immortals.
He says Paul doesn’t give a damn about that dream then calls him selfish and soulless. He says Paul just wants money and fame, and says he doesn’t want to say Paul’s name in the ring because he doesn’t deserve it. He says Paul needs to have his teeth kicked in.
The Miz says he thinks Rollins is jealous and Rollins says that everyone knows how stupid he is but he can’t be that stupid. Miz says he isn’t stupid before Rollins asks Brooklyn if Miz is stupid. Brooklyn says that he is, and Miz maintains that he is not stupid. He says they are the only 2x Grand Slam Champions in WWE but he’s the only one of them to headline WrestleMania.
Rollins takes off his jacket then hits The Miz with a right hand and the director’s chair. He sets up for the Curb Stomp but United States Champion Austin Theory appears out of nowhere and pulls him out of the ring. Rollins looks to hits Theory with the Curb Stomp but The Miz takes advantage and sends him into the announce desk. He gets him back in the ring and looks for the Skull Crushing Finale but Rollins escapes and hits him with the Curb Stomp. Theory sneaks in the ring before delivering A Town Down to Rollins.
We head backstage to Rick Boogs warming up for his match. Elias walks in and says that if he loses to Miz tonight, he shouldn’t let that get him down. Boogs thanks him and Elias says to Boogs that if he impresses him then maybe they could do a collaboration.
Rick Boogs vs. The Miz
Boogs delivers a suplex. He does some bicep curls with The Miz then tosses him across the ring and gets him up over his head before planting him for the win.
Winner: Rick Boogs
We then go backstage to Adam Pearce & Chelsea Green. Green is complaining to Pearce about her recent losing streak then says she deserves a spot in the Raw Women’s Title #1 Contenders Elimination Chamber. She asks to be added to the Triple Threat and Pearce declines to do so.
Corey Graves & Kevin Patrick then run down the card for Elimination Chamber before throwing it to a video hyping up the match.
Non Title Triple Threat Match
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca BelAir vs. Becky Lynch vs. Bayley
If Lynch or Bayley wins they get added to the Raw Women’s Title #1 Contenders Elimination Chamber Match.
Becky Lynch teeters on the top rope but Bianca BelAir pulls her down and tosses her onto Bayley. Lynch pins Bayley but BelAir pulls her off and pins her herself. Lynch breaks the fall then ascends to the middle rope and goes flying but BelAir catches her. Bayley sends both women crashing into the corner then delivers a chop block to BelAir and sends Lynch out of the ring.
She then delivers a sliding lariat to the back of BelAir’s head then sends her into the ring post shoulder first. She meets Lynch on the outside and tosses her into the barricade then gets back in the ring and pins BelAir. BelAir kicks out and Bayley sends her into the corner.
She delivers a running elbow but Belair fires off several right and left hands. Bayley fires back with a belly 2 back suplex then goes for a pin but Lynch breaks the fall. Bayley sends Lynch’s head bouncing off the middle rope then locks in a modified knee bar.
Lynch breaks the hold with a leg drop off the top and goes for a pin but BelAir breaks things up. Bayley & Lynch go back & forth with right hands before Lynch delivers a kick. She then delivers a double DDT to BelAir & Bayley that sends us to a break.
Back from another break BelAir sends Bayley into the top turnbuckle face first as we see that Women’s Tag Team Champions Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai have appeared at ringside. BelAir looks to do the same to Lynch but Lynch escapes. Damage CTRL checks on Bayley as BelAir meets Lynch on the middle rope. Bayley slides back in the ring and pulls both women down.
She climbs to the top and delivers an elbow drop to Lynch before BelAir catches her with a pair of shoulder tackles and a dropkick. She rains down right hands on Lynch in the corner then levels Bayley with a delayed vertical suplex. She looks for a springboard moonsault but Bayley gets her knees up and goes for a pin with her feet on the ropes.
Lynch knocks her feet off the rope then delivers the Manhandle Slam. She goes for a pin but Sky pulls her out of the ring and throws her into the ring post. BelAir gets Bayley up for the KOD but Kai helps Bayley escape. BelAir looks to pull Kai in the ring but Sky delivers a kick to her head before she can do so. Bayley then rolls her up but BelAir kicks out.
Asuka, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez & Natalya then run down to ringside and go after Kai & Sky. BelAir grabs Sky and tosses her on top of everyone to take them down. Lynch takes advantage and delivers a series of forearms to both women then delivers a kick to BelAir’s midsection and looks to toss BelAir into Bayley.
BelAir reverses the momentum but Lynch stops herself before she crashes into Bayley. She hits Bayley with the Manhandle Slam before Belair gets her up and hits her with the KOD onto Bayley to score the win.
Winner: Raw Women’s Champion Bianca BelAir (Since Lynch & Bayley lost they don’t get added)
