By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Raw on the USA Network
Aired live on January 13, 2020 from Lexington, Kentucky at Rupp Arena
[Hour One] The Raw opening kicked off the show… Pyro shot off on the stage… The broadcast team was Vic Joseph and Jerry Lawler…
Randy Orton made his entrance and was introduced by ring announcer Mike Rome. The broadcast team ran through the previously advertised matches and hyped Brock Lesnar’s latest appearance. They also announced that Becky Lynch and Asuka will take part in a contract signing for their Raw Women’s Championship match at the Royal Rumble.
Orton went to the ropes and struck his pose again, then looked at his wrist as if he was checking a watch. Orton said he was asked to excitedly invite the fans to Raw, but excitedly isn’t really his style. “AJ Styles, get your ass out here,” Orton said. He added that he would show Styles why he’s a favorite to win the Royal Rumble and hit him with the RKO.
Styles made his entrance without his sidekicks and joined Orton in the ring. Styles wondered if Orton called him out to brag or to pretend he had another knee injury. Styles admitted that Orton got him last week. He said he believed Orton was really hurt and he was repaid with an RKO. Styles mocked the idea of Orton thinking of himself as the favorite to win the Rumble.
Styles boasted that he hit the sweetest RKO anyone has ever seen to win his match. Styles claimed many people said it was the best RKO they’d ever seen and others called it phenomenal. Styles said it was so good that maybe the move is all he needs to win the Rumble match.
Drew McIntyre made his entrance and said he’s looking for bigger and better opponents than the Conga Line from last week. McIntyre said Styles and Orton were having an RKO measuring contest. “My Claymore is bigger,” McIntyre said. Orton tossed his mic aside in reaction to the line. McIntyre asked the fans if they wanted to see them talk all night or see them have a Triple Threat match on the spot…
1. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. Drew McIntyre in a Triple Threat. Orton set up for an early draping DDT on Styles, but Luke Gallows ran out and pulled Styles to ringside. Meanwhile, Orton hit an RKO on Karl Anderson, then McIntyre took out Gallows with a Claymore Kick at ringside heading into a commercial break. [C]
Gallows and Anderson were not at ringside coming out of the break. All three wrestlers ended up at ringside. Orton grabbed the top part of the ring steps and slammed is into the head of McIntyre. Styles returned to the ring and called for Orton, who set the steps down and tried to return to the ring, but Styles kicked him as he was going through the ropes and then gave him a draping DDT.
Styles struck the Viper’s Pose and went for an RKO, but Orton stuffed it. Styles caught Orton with a Pele Kick. Orton stuffed another RKO attempt. Orton kicked Styles and then performed the Styles Clash on Styles for a near fall. An RKO chant broke out. Orton struck the Viper’s Pose and went for the RKO, but Styles blocked it. Orton came right back and hit the RKO on the second try, but McIntyre returned and took out Orton with a Claymore Kick and then pinned Styles… [C]
Drew McIntyre defeated AJ Styles and Randy Orton in 11:00 in a Triple Threat.
Powell’s POV: Things are finally looking up for Orton. I’ve grumbled a lot about McIntyre spinning his wheels throughout his main roster run, but it seems like creative is finally getting behind him to the point that I do see him as one of the Rumble match favorites. I’d love to see McIntyre challenge Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Meanwhile, the dynamic between Orton and Styles is fun with Orton joining in on the fun of performing his rival’s signature spots.
Imagery of the University of Kentucky and Rupp Arena were shown… A video package recapped last week’s main event with Big Show returning to team with Kevin Owens to face Seth Rollins and AOP. Joseph hyped the fistfight and said there are no disqualifications or count-outs and the only way to win the match is if a referee rules that a member of one team is unable to continue…
Rollins entered the AOP locker room and told Akam and Rezar that he hopes they are as excited about the fistfight as he is. Rollins said it will be a demonstration. He said he has sacrificed everything and more than anyone will ever understand to ensure that destiny remains intact. Rollins said they must impose their will and show the world what happens when you do not embrace the vision of the Monday Night Messiah…
Ricochet made his entrance for a match going into a break… [C]
Powell’s POV: The Monday Night Messiah act is off to an excellent start. I love the way Rollins delivered his promo with his back to Akam and Rezar. He’s playing this as a guy who deeply believes his own bullshit as opposed to being a heel who is manipulating his followers.
2. Ricochet vs. Mojo Rawley. A portion of Rawley’s entrance was televised. Ricochet dumped Rawley over the top rope to ringside while Joseph reminded viewers that if this had been the Rumble match then Ricochet would have eliminated Rawley. Ricochet performed a flip dive onto Rawley. Back inside the ring, Rawley caught Ricochet with a shoulder block.
Joseph said it would be an upset if Rawley won the match, but Lawler quickly disagreed. Rawley caught Ricochet going for a springboard move, but Ricochet quickly regrouped with his Recoil move. Ricochet went up top and hit the 630 Splash and scored the clean pin…
Ricochet defeated Mojo Rawley in 3:35.
Powell’s POV: This was fine for what it was, but it does feel like Ricochet is spinning his wheels and is in need of an actual program. On the bright side, they seem to have pulled back on the talk of Ricochet wanting to be a real life superhero.
Backstage, The Street Profits did their schtick. Montez Ford said Ricochet was making the impossible possible. He also hyped the fistfight main event. Meanwhile, Angelo Dawkins was reading over some paperwork. Ford told him to pay attention. Dawkins said he hoped the fistfight didn’t end without someone being knocked out and someone else yelling WorldStar. He said he was filling out his Oscar ballot. Ford commended Dawkins for making a pop culture reference (funny). They also said Lynch and Asuka would put pen to paper…
Charlotte Flair made her entrance for a match… [C] An ad for NXT TV hyped the battle royal for a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship, and the continuation of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament…
3. Charlotte Flair vs. Sarah Logan. Logan’s entrance was fully televised. She hopped off the stage and crouched down between the stage and the barricade for a moment while a recap aired of last week’s brawl between the two women. Flair caught Logan with a big boot to start. Logan rolled to ringside. Flair joined her and they fought briefly. Back inside the ring, Flair locked Logan in a Figure 8 and got the submission win.
Charlotte Flair beat Sarah Logan in 1:35.
After the match, Flair put her robe on and then tossed Logan to ringside. Flair had the referee hold the ropes open for her and then exited the ring…
Joseph hyped previously advertised segments and touted Brock Lesnar as appearing after the break… [C] Roman Reigns vs. Robert Roode in a tables match was advertised for Friday’s Smackdown…
Powell’s POV: I was hoping that they were going to follow up last week’s brawl with a more competitive match between Flair and Logan. Instead, this was a squash style win for Flair with no real offensive from Logan. They can’t seem to find anything for Flair to do when she’s not involved in a storyline with Lynch and yet they don’t even try to build up anyone as a potential rival.
Samoa Joe was shown telling Kevin Owens not to worry about the rules of the fistfight. Big Show joined them and told Owens not to stress because it’s a fistfight and he has a size 7X fist that he intends to reintroduce to Rollins…
WWE Champion Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman made their entrance. Once in the ring, the fans booed while Lesnar and Heyman looked at them. Heyman used a Southern accent while saying they need to show appreciation for the champion. “Ladies, gentlemen, things that live in Kentucky,” Heyman started his introduction. He stopped and mocked the fans for being made fun of and still saying his name along with him.
[Hour Two] The fans chanted “you suck.” Lesnar and Heyman left the ring and teased leaving. They stopped at the bottom of the entrance ramp and Lesnar said something to Heyman off-mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, my client does not suck,” Heyman said. Lesnar and Heyman returned to the ring where Lesnar showed off his WWE Championship belt.
Lesnar spoke to Heyman again. Heyman said they were going to start over and then did a 3-2-1 countdown. The fans booed loudly. Heyman introduced himself and Lesnar while the boos continued. Heyman recalled announcing last week that Lesnar is entering the Royal Rumble as the first entrant.
Heyman recalled saying that it was not a prediction, it was a spoiler. Heyman said there’s a streak going on in WWE, perhaps the greatest of all-time. Heyman said there was another streak, but it was conquered by Lesnar at WrestleMania 30. Heyman said his spoilers are the new streak and they all come to light. Heyman said Lesnar will dominate, eviscerate, and conquer in the Rumble match. He said that 29 other men will understand that his spoilers shall set you free.
R-Truth made his entrance with the WWE 24/7 Championship and entered the ring. “I’m glad you called me out here, Paul,” Truth said. “I’m about to set it off.” He said Lesnar might be the favorite to win the Rumble, but “my childhood hero John Cena” taught him to never give up. Truth said that for the first time ever, the 24/7 Champion is “officially declaring the Royal Rumble.” Lesnar stood by and smirked.
“You may be a big, big, big man, but I know you will go flying over that top rope, Paul Heyman,” Truth said. Lesnar started laughing. “Look here, bong hit,” Heyman said. Heyman explained to Truth that he was not entering the Rumble match and that Truth would have to go face to with Lesnar. “Okay, my bad,” Truth said. He said he was officially “un-declaring” for the Rumble match. Lesnar continued to laugh.
Truth said he wasn’t listening to Heyman because he talks a lot and he gives away all the spoilers. Truth said he doesn’t like spoilers. Truth said he doesn’t want to enter the Rumble and he doesn’t want Lesnar to take him to “Sioux Falls City.” Heyman corrected him and said nobody likes Truth. Lesnar got in Truth’s face.
Truth said he had one question for him. “What’s up?” Truth danced and then his music played. Lesnar continued to laugh, then turned into a clothesline. Lesnar gave Truth an F5. Lesnar picked up the WWE 24/7 Title belt, laughed, and tossed it onto Truth. Lesnar took the mic. “That’s what’s up,” Lesnar said before leaving the ring…
Powell’s POV: This was a good segment beyond just the Truth comedy. Heyman and Lesnar got good heat and had a lot of fun with it even before Truth came out. Truth was his usual entertaining self and I enjoyed the way Lesnar laughed at him while Heyman got worked up before Brock eventually did what Brock does.
The broadcast team narrated highlights of Lesnar destroying R-Truth, who was then shown being helped up the stage by referees and a trainer. Mojo Rawley ran out and kicked Truth with a boot to the head and then pinned him to win the WWE 24/7 Championship. Rawley said he wasn’t running from anyone and challenged anyone to come get it…
Powell’s POV: I was actually hoping that Lesnar was going to destroy the WWE 24/7 Title belt and put an end to the silliness when he picked it up earlier.
Footage aired from “earlier tonight” of Charly Caruso interviewing Bobby Lashley and Lana as they arrived at the building. They complained about their wedding being ruined and ran through all the interruptions while highlights were shown. Lana said she and Lashley made two New Year’s resolutions. They accept that everyone is envious and jealous of their success and love, and they are going to crush Rusev…
Bobby Lashley and Lana made their entrance heading into a break while Joseph hyped Lashley vs. Rusev for after the break… [C] Joseph hyped The Usos as the guests on Tuesday’s WWE Backstage… Rusev made his entrance…
4. Bobby Lashley (w/Lana) vs. Rusev. Rusev caught Lashley with a spinning heel kick during the opening minute. Later, Lashley caught Rusev with a spear at ringside heading into a break. [C]
Late in the match, Lashley suplexed Rusev, who popped right up and threw a kick at Lashley. Rusev stomped the back of Lashley and was about to set up for an Accolade when he was distracted by Lana, who climbed onto the apron. Lashley hit Rusev from behind.
Liv Morgan walked to ringside without music and approached Lana. Lana took a drink from a fan and threw it at Morgan, then ran her into the ringside barricade. In the ring, a distracted Rusev was speared and pinned by Lashley… [C]
Bobby Lashley defeated Rusev in 14:20.
Powell’s POV: The feud still isn’t doing much for me, but the live crowd seemed to have fun with the match. I assume this is leading to a mixed tag match at some point.
Backstage, Caruso stood on the interview set and said she had breaking news. She was interrupted by Lashley and Lana. They said they had a bigger problem than Rusev. Lana said Morgan is obsessed with her. She said she can’t blame her. Lana challenged Rusev and Morgan to face them in a mixed tag match. Lashley asked what the hell she was doing. Lana said she won’t be intimidated by anyone…
Powell’s POV: I guess it didn’t take them long to get to the mixed tag match.
Raw Tag Champions “The Viking Raiders” Erik and Ivar made their entrance to a flat reaction. Erik said it was a new week and the same story in that anyone who challenges them gets put down. He said they have proven their dominance through the entire Raw tag team division. Ivar said they dared any team to try to stop them. “Let the raid begin,” they said simultaneously.
The Singh Brothers made their entrance. The duo danced at ringside until the Viking Raiders roughed them up and threw them into the ring…
5. Raw Tag Champions “The Viking Raiders” Erik and Ivar vs. Samir Singh and Sunil Singh in a non-title match. Joseph said Rusev and Morgan were standing by and would respond to the mixed tag match challenge after the match. The Viking Raiders hit the Viking Experience and scored the pin…
The Viking Raiders beat The Singh Brothers in a non-title match in 0:35.
Powell’s POV: The live crowd has been pretty solid tonight, but they either ran out of gas or they don’t care about the Viking Raiders. It could only help if Erik and Ivar dropped their un-relatable promo style.
Backstage, Rusev called Lashley and Lana a waste of his breath. Rusev said he would face them next week. “You come in my face, I’m going to fight you,” Rusev said. Morgan said she is the living embodiment of Lana’s karma, and karma is an honest to god bitch… [C]
Powell’s POV: If we’ve learned anything tonight it’s that you should never come in Rusev’s face.
Jerry Lawler stood in the ring in front of the contract signing table and introduced Becky Lynch as the first participant. Lawler asked if she had anything to say before he introduced Asuka. Lynch declined and then Asuka was introduced and was accompanied by Kairi Sane.
[Hour Three] Asuka took the mic and yelled in Japanese at Lynch while Sane laughed. Lynch jumped up when she spotted Sane walked on her side of the table. Sane went to ringside. Lynch went to sign the contract, but Asuka grabbed it and signed it first. Lynch signed the contract.
“May the best woman win,” Lynch said. Asuka responded by spraying mist at her face. Lynch sold and was censored. Asuka and Sane headed to the back while Lynch continued to sell and the trainers flushed her eyes out with water.
Lynch took the mic and said that when they gave you awards, money, and acclaim it is poison for someone who fights for a living. Lynch said Asuka is hungry and angry. She said Asuka is the most dangerous woman she’ ever faced. She said she will go down swinging at the Rumble and will take Asuka with her… [C]
Powell’s POV: Lynch did a really nice job of believably selling the mist by sounding like she was in real pain before she picked up the mic for her promo. Lynch’s promos have done more to put over Asuka as a badass than the booking has done since Asuka’s streak ended at WrestleMania.
Joseph narrated highlights of last week’s storyline developments involving Andrade and Rey Mysterio. Joseph announced Andrade vs. Mysterio in a ladder match for the U.S. Championship on next week’s Raw…
Sarah Schreiber interviewed Andrade and Zelina Vega backstage. Vega said Schreiber isn’t qualified to speak to Andrade. Vega said they had no choice but to file a criminal report against Mysterio for his attack last week. Andrade yelled in Spanish about what he would do to Mysterio…
On the interview set, Caruso asked Mysterio for his reaction. He said he’s being accused of being a criminal and not being worthy of representing the Latino people. Mysterio recalled Andrade trying to injure Humberto Carrillo. Mysterio said he loves the idea of a ladder match and is willing to sacrifice. He said he accepts the consequences. Mysterio said he will take back the U.S. Title…
The hosts set up a video package on the Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy feud… Aleister Black made his entrance… [C]
Powell’s POV: No spoilers, but the college football championship game went to halftime just in time for promos, a video package, an entrance, and a commercial break.
Buddy Murphy made his entrance while they showed the updated men’s Royal Rumble match entrants list: Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, DrewMcIntyre, AJ Styles, Erick Rowan, Roman Reigns, King Corbin, Otis, Tucker, Aleister Black, Bobby Lashley, Buddy Murphy, Rusev, Elias, and Dolph Ziggler…
6. Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy. Joseph asked Lawler if he ever had an opponent who had his number. Lawler mentioned Nick Bockwinkel and Randy Savage, then added Bret Hart as the guy who had his number in WWE. The wrestlers fought to ringside. Murphy had Black down and climbed onto the barricade, but Black tripped him up by sweeping his legs with a kick. Back inside the ring, Murphy dropkicked Black as he was caught up between the ropes. Murphy suplexed Black from ringside onto the floor. [C]
Powell’s POV: Dot Net staffer Anish V provided the following loose translation of Asuka’s promo from earlier. “You really think you can beat me, then come on let’s do it, let’s go, Idiot, idiot, idiot. Shut up, Jerry.” Asuka signed the contract and then sprayed mist. “You really don’t get it, no one understands, I will beat you, I will, I will, I will.”
Black performed a springboard moonsault onto a standing Murphy that resulted in a near fall. Black lifted Murphy’s head with his foot, but Murphy held onto the foot and then rolled Black into a pin and held the tights, but the referee spotted it and stopped his count. Murphy ran into a knee from Black, who covered him for a two count.
A short time later, Murphy was on the ropes when Black ran over and delivered a kick that sent Murphy to ringside. Black and Murphy both returned to the ring and traded strikes. Black caught Murphy with a kick, then followed up with a springboard attempt, but Murphy caught him with a kick and ended up getting a good near fall that was broken up because Black got his foot on the ropes. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
Black acted like he was out. Murphy lifted Black’s head with his foot and went for a kick, but Black ducked it and hit a Black Mass kick for a good near fall. Black got Murphy to his knees and blasted him with another Black Mass and scored the pin…
Aleister Black defeated Buddy Murphy in 14:15.
Joseph hyped the fistfight for after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: Another good match and another Black win. Joseph did a nice job of selling the match over as something special even though it wasn’t as hot as some of their previous encounters. It appears WWE managed to get the full match in just before the second half kickoff of the college football championship game if my online scoring page is accurate. I’m not sure if this match took place at halftime by design, but it worked out nicely either way.
The broadcast team hyped Brock Lesnar appearing live again next week, plus the Rusev and Morgan vs. Lashley and Lana mixed tag, and the Andrade vs. Mysterio ladder match for the U.S. Championship…
Erick Rowan made his entrance carrying his pet cage. A dejected Buddy Murphy was shown leaning against the barricade. Caruso crouched down and asked if she could talk with him. She said she only had one question. “Please, Charly, not now,” Murphy said…
7. Erick Rowan vs. a local wrestler. Rowan took the local to ringside and said he wanted to show him what was inside the cage. Rowan reached his hand inside the cage and acted like he was bit by whatever is inside. Rowan returned to the ring and destroyed the local wrestler with his Iron Claw slam…
Erick Rowan defeated a local wrestler in 1:15.
Seth Rollins and AOP were shown walking backstage… [C]
Powell’s POV: We can only wonder what type of number Raw could have popped if they had promised to unveil what’s inside Rowan’s pet cage at halftime of the football game. I’m not getting my hopes up for the reveal, so it’s probably a good thing they didn’t go there. By the way, the fistfight may not last long. My onscreen guide usually lists when the show is running over, but tonight the show is listed as ending right at the top of the hour this week.
Big Show made his entrance and was attacked by Seth Rollins and AOP at ringside. Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe ran out with kendo sticks and worked over the heels. Once Rollins and Show were in the ring, the referee called for the bell to start the match…
8. Seth Rollins and “AOP” Akam and Rezar vs. Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, and Big Show in a fistfight. Show worked over Rollins with a kendo stick and then broke it over his thigh. Joe and Owens slid a table into the ring and then ending up fighting with the AOP duo on the stage. Owens leapt off the stage and performed a cannonball dive onto AOP, who were on the area behind the broadcast table. Joe performed a senton off the stage and drove one of the AOP members through a table.
At ringside, Rollins spotted Buddy Murphy, who was still selling his frustration over losing to Aleister Black. “Help us,” Rollins begged. Show got Rollins back in the ring and chokeslammed him. Murphy low-blowed Show. Rollins and Murphy ran Show through the table that was set up in the corner. The brawl between AOP, Owens, and Joe continued on the stage. AOP had Joe on the table, then slammed Owens onto him so that the broadcast table broke.
In the ring, Rollins went for a Stomp on Show, who avoided it and then tossed Murphy to ringside. AOP made it to the ring and teamed up to powerbomb Big Show. Murphy smiled as Show got to his knees. Rollins performed a Stomp on Show and the referee called for the bell, which drew some boos…
Seth Rollins and AOP defeated Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, and Big Show in 6:00.
After the match, Rollins hugged the AOP duo. Rollins approached Murphy and opened his arms. Murphy approached Rollins and they hugged. “It looks like the Messiah has a new disciple,” Lawler said. Rollins, AOP, and Murphy raised their arms in the middle of the ring and then highlights of the match were shown.
The broadcast team hyped Rusev and Morgan vs. Lashley and Lana, and the Andrade vs. Mysterio ladder match for the U.S. Title. Another shot aired of the heels posing in the ring to close the show…
Powell’s POV: The match was fun while it lasted and yet it was a bit underwhelming because it wasn’t given much time. For that matter, the match ending with Rollins performing a single Stomp on Big Show felt weak given the stipulation. Putting that aside, I love the idea of Murphy joining the Rollins and AOP faction. Hey, maybe the Monday Night Messiah can rename Buddy Murphy and give him a less generic name? Either way, I really do like the addition of Murphy and the way it played out. This was a good show overall and Raw continues to show real improvement. I will be back shortly with my weekly audio review for Dot Net Members. Let me know what you thought of the show by assigning it a letter grade in our post show poll available on the main page.
Is it legal to hit your opponent with steel steps while outside the ring? The ref actually watched Orton hit McIntyre. Shouldn’t Orton have been disqualified?
No DQs in a Triple Threat. It’s a dumb rule, but they’ve established it many times over the years.
K, thanks.
There are no disqualifications in triple threat matches
Hmmm…. Brock with the 24/7 title could be interesting.
“destroy the WWE 24/7 Title belt and put an end to the silliness when he picked it up earlier.”
Nope the 24/7 title is the most interesting thing on RAW. long live 24/7 Title. CHEERS!!
I thought that Liv Morgan was going to be in the corner of Rusev. I thought that’s what they advertised. Btw, I think Rowan bled from the hand when whatever that was in the cage bit him.
“I was hoping that they were going to follow up last week’s brawl with a more competitive match between Flair and Logan. Instead, this was a squash style win for Flair with no real offensive from Logan. They can’t seem to find anything for Flair to do when she’s not involved in a storyline with Lynch and yet they don’t even try to build up anyone as a potential rival.”
Why were you hoping for this? Last weeks brawl didn’t even end on a positive note for Logan as Charlotte ultimately came back and won the brawl so Logan lost whatever heat/momentum she had going during the brief amount of time she was on the offensive. If Logan couldn’t even get one over on Charlotte in a beat down segment to get heat why would anyone believe she’d actually have a chance to win a match against “The Queen”?
Because I’m bored by no one other than Becky Lynch having a chance against Flair. Charlotte has nothing to do. She just wins throwaway matches because they don’t build up anyone aside from Lynch’s monthly challenger.
Finally!…Drew McIntyre in a match that means something! He’s the closest thing to an Attitude Era anti-hero that the main roster has right now, and could be the biggest face in the company if booked properly!