The John Report: The WWE Raw Deal 01/24/22 Review

This week’s WWE Monday Night Raw was the last episode before Saturday’s Royal Rumble event on January 29.

It’s the first Monday since all the way back on Labor Day in September without NFL (or college football) competition, so it means I’m going to be doing live Raw reviews again most of the time until the fall season gets here. For the past four or five months I was usually writing about half of the Raw Deal, then focusing on the NFL game and then finishing Raw until 1am or 2am. Going back to live is good because I get it done right at 11pm ET, so here we are for the go-home Rumble edition of Raw. Also, I’m in a good mood after my big LA Rams win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday (go retire, old man Tom Brady) and I’m looking forward to this Sunday when my Rams host the heel San Francisco 49ers for the right to go to the Super Bowl, which is also in LA. Anyway, so if you think I’m too nice about things on Raw, blame it on a good mood!

This is the Raw Deal for episode #1496 of Monday Night Raw. It’s taking place at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Let’s get to it.

Raw began with a shot of the crowd in Toledo. Raw commentator Corey Graves was in the ring with WWE Official Adam Pearce for the WWE Championship match weigh-in segment.

WWE Championship Match Weigh-In: Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley

The challenger known as the “All Mighty” Bobby Lashley made his entrance with Montel Vontavious Porter by his side. The ring had a big scale in it while a WWE referee was in the ring as well. They also had the red carpet in the ring.

Paul Heyman did the introduction for the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar since Paul is Brock’s advocate. Heyman did his traditional introduction of Lesnar with the fans chanting along with it and Lesnar emerged with the WWE Championship along with a cowboy hat and flannel shirt. Graves wondered if that was appropriate attire for a weigh-in. Lesnar asked if he should get naked, everybody laughed and Lesnar said we should carry on with it.

Lashley went on the scales first with wrestling tights on and no shirt. Lashley’s weight was 273 pounds. MVP said that it is 273 pounds of All Mighty killing machine that is a specimen like no other and closer to a God than a man. MVP said that this is the match that we’ve all been waiting for and it’s going to happen. MVP said that Lashley knew that this match was inevitable. MVP said that after the Rumble, Lashley will gain weight – the weight of that WWE Championship.

Lesnar only took off his hat, but he went on the scale wearing his flannel sweater, boots and jeans. Lesnar weighed in at 286 pounds.

Lashley said that Lesnar is acting like a fool because he knows that Lashley will beat him for the championship this Saturday. Lashley told Lesnar this will be the shortest title run of his entire career – that’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler.

Lesnar said on Sunday morning, hot off the press, Bobby Lashley beats Brock Lesnar in the Hurt Lock. Heyman was shocked by that. Lesnar said that we would have a new, reigning, defending WWE Champion Heavyweight Champion of the World…Bobby Who? Lesnar left with a smile on his face and Heyman by his side. Lashley just stared at Lesnar.

Analysis: It was uneventful for a non-wrestling segment. I was hoping for maybe a few strikes from Lesnar and Lashley before it gets broken up, but there was none of that. I also thought we’d see a bit of a promo battle between Paul Heyman and MVP. We didn’t get that either although MVP did get to hat while Heyman only did the introduction of Lesnar. Lashley showed a lot of confidence while Lesnar didn’t take Lashley seriously. I’m looking forward to the match at Royal Rumble since they are great wrestlers and believable power guys. It should be fun to watch.

The commentary team of Jimmy Smith and Byron Saxton were shown at ringside welcoming us to the show with Corey Graves joining them. They showed a clip of Bianca Belair winning last year’s Royal Rumble and then winning the Smackdown Women’s Title at WrestleMania.

Bianca Belair made her entrance for a match.

(Commercial)

Queen Zelina Vega, who is one half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions, entered for the match and did a pre-tape promo about winning the Royal Rumble.

Bianca Belair vs. Queen Zelina Vega

Belair got a waistlock takeover to take down Vega followed by a dropkick. Belair tried going for a delayed vertical suplex, but Vega countered it with a jawbreaker. Vega with a running kick. Belair with a running attack, Vega moved and Belair hit the turnbuckle. Vega to the middle rope, Belair picked Vega up over Belair’s head, but Vega slipped out of that with a choke hold. Belair countered a hurricanrana by landing on her feet and hit a dropkick. Belair with two suplexes in a row, but a moonsault was blocked by Vega getting her knees up. Vega went for the Code Rode, Belair blocked and Belair got the KOD slam for the pinfall win after three minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Bianca Belair

Analysis: * An easy win for Belair to give her momentum going into the Royal Rumble match. No surprise about a Belair win or that it was a short match.

They showed Kevin Owens beating Damian Priest last week in a non-title match. That earned KO a US Title shot this week.

Kevin Owens was interviewed by Kevin Patrick in the locker room. Patrick mentioned that Owens faked an injury last week during the match, then Owens said he doesn’t know anything about this and Owens claimed he was fighting through the pain. Owens mentioned his “Just Keep Fighting” shirt saying he’ll do that until he’s the United States Champion.

Damian Priest entered as the United States Champion for his title defense.

(Commercial)

Kevin Owens made his entrance as the heel challenger. Owens and Priest are both in the Men’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday. Ring announcer Mike Rome did the championship introductions with Owens booed while Priest was cheered.

United States Championship: Damian Priest vs. Kevin Owens

Owens worked over Priest with forearms, then Priest came back with punches and Priest ran the ropes leading to Owens hitting a back elbow. Owens with a senton splash for two. Owens stomped on Priest in the corner, Priest got back up and Priest kicked Owens out of the ring. Priest went for a move to the floor, Priest went after Owens, Priest blocked a kick and whipped Owens into the barricade. Priest to the apron, but Owens kicked him off the apron to the floor. Owens went for a senton splash, Priest got the knees up and Priest gave Owens a Chokeslam onto the edge of the ring apron. That led to a break.

(Commercial)

Priest hit a corner splash and then a headlock driver that sent KO’s head to the mat for a two count. Owens to the turnbuckle, he hit some headbutts and a Tornado DDT out of the corner. Owens went up top, jumped off and hit a Frog Splash for two. The crowd bought that as a nearfall even though Owens usually doesn’t win with that move. Owens with a kick to the head, then a whip into the ropes, Priest with a kick, a lifting slam into the mat and a spin kick by Priest got a two count. Owens was sitting down making it look like he was hurt just like he faked last week, but Priest didn’t believe it and punched him. Priest with a kick to the arm. Owens was back in with a rollup for two. Priest hit a huge clothesline with Owens doing a flip bump. Priest went after Owens in the corner with punches, the referee tried to get Priest to move back, then Priest went back and the referee had trouble containing Priest. That led to Priest getting disqualified. The fans booed.

Winner by disqualification: Damian Priest

Analysis: **3/4 They were on their way to a really good match when the awful booking took over. It was the same finish they booked for Natalya to lose to Aliyah on Smackdown last week where a wrestler doesn’t let up in the corner and the referee counts past to five leading to the DQ. Do that kind of finish once every three months maybe. Not on back-to-back shows. Lame booking. They did work well together and the crowd was buying some of the nearfalls, so that’s good at least. It should mean Owens gets another title shot.

They showed Royal Rumble promos for Rhea Ripley, 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke and Liv Morgan with Liv saying “watch me” at the end. Typical “I’m going to win the Royal Rumble” promos.

Rhea Ripley entered for a match.

(Commercial)

This was a tag team match with Ripley joined by the smiling 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke with the announcers trying to say she was on a roll even though she barely has actual matches. Liv Morgan was the other partner.

Damian Priest was shown backstage with Sonya Deville that he had to control himself because he had to listen to the referee. Sonya said Priest could be fined and suspended.

The heel side was next with Carmella with Graves saying there was a standing ovation for her but Saxton pointed out it was only from Graves. Tamina and Nikki A.S.H. were the heels. The heel trio also got pre-tape “I’m going to win the Royal Rumble” promos like the faces got.

Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan & Dana Brooke vs. Tamina, Carmella and Nikki A.S.H.

Tamina worked over Brooke with a weak chinlock, Ripley tagged in with a dropkick on Tamina and Ripley went after the others on the apron. Ripley with a clothesline, then a headbutt and a dropkick. Ripley hit a Northern Lights Suplex. Carmella with a save, so then Morgan, Nikki and Brooke got involved with Tamina tagging in Carmella. When Carmella tried to do some trash talk, Ripley countered with a submission move hooking the legs while holding Carmella upside down. Carmella tapped out to give Ripley’s team the win after only two minutes.

Winners by submission: Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan & Dana Brooke

Analysis: * A quick match to put over the faces. Ripley looked dominant. Morgan did nothing.

Post match, Nikki A.S.H. hit Ripley with a cheap forearm to the back. Nikki ran away.

Analysis: I assume that means Ripley tosses Nikki from the Rumble match.

A video aired showing highlights of the issues between Alpha Academy and RK-Bro leading to their segment this week.

The Alpha Academy duo of Chad Gable and Otis entered as the Raw Tag Team Champions hosting a Spelling Bee. That was the end of hour one.

Analysis: Two women’s matches in the first hour totaling about six minutes. That’s not good.

(Commercial)

Spelling Bee Challenge: Alpha Academy and RK-Bro

Chad Gable and Otis were in their ring gear as the Raw Tag Team Champions. Raw announcer Kevin Patrick was behind a podium to be part of this segment. Gable let us know that tonight is a triad of events over the next few weeks, so Chad clarified that means three events in the coming weeks. Gable reminded us he’s got a Master’s Degree with a 4.0 GPA. Gable said that they will show that Otis has a brain the size of a tree trunk when they beat RK-Bro. Gable officially announced that both of them are in the Royal Rumble match with Gable saying one of them will win and Alpha Academy will headline WrestleMania.

The RK-Bro duo of Randy Orton and Riddle made their entrance. Tonight’s winners get to choose next week’s challenge. They had four chairs in the ring for the competition.

Otis was up first and he got his word right: Emmental.

Riddle was up next and he asked him to put that into letters, but then he was told he had to spell it. Riddle said like when he calibrates his scale so all the stoners cheered. Riddle got it: Calibration.

Chad Gable was next. The word was “Disillusion” with Gable getting it wrong. Gable spelled “Dissolution” instead, so they argued about it.

Randy Orton told Chad to take a freakin’ seat. Orton was next: Dumbbell. Orton got it right, so RK-Bro won 2 to 1.

Orton suggested that he shuts Gable’s mouth in a match right here, right now. The fans liked that. Orton spelled out how he’s going to beat Gable with the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment with the fans chanting along: R-K-O.

Analysis: It was fine, but nothing special or worth going out of your way to see. The faces winning was what I figured would happen. Riddle getting cheered for the marijuana reference was funny when he got the “calibration” word. I liked some of the lines from Gable and the way he says “shush” to silence the crowd when they boo him. Anyway, at least doing a match right after made sense in terms of why they were in their wrestling gear.

(Commercial)

Randy Orton (w/Riddle) vs. Chad Gable (w/Otis)

Gable had an armbar on Orton, then Orton ran the ropes and hit a shoulder tackle. Orton with another shoulder tackle leading to Gable coming back with two armdrags leading to an armbar. Orton broke free, blocked an armdrag attempt and Gable bailed to the floor to avoid an RKO attempt. Back in the ring, Gable went for a trip to lead into a submission, but Orton went to the floor to regroup. Gable worked over Orton with forearms, Orton came back with uppercut shots and a back elbow that knocked Gable out of the ring. Orton gave Gable the belly to back slam onto the hood of the commentary table. Orton sent Gable into the ring, Otis on the apron, so Orton knocked him down and Gable came back with a chop block to the left knee. Gable with a double forearm to the face. Gable up top and he jumped off with a moonsault for two.

(Commercial)

Gable was in control as he wrenched on Orton’s left leg against the middle rope. I missed a bit as Orton got some offense going with the patented DDT off the ropes. Otis tried to get involved, Riddle charged at him and Otis gave Riddle a belly to belly suplex on the floor. Gable got a two count after that leading to Orton following up with a snap powerslam. Orton went for the Punt that was obviously never going to hit, then Gable moved and Gable went for an Ankle Lock on the left foot. Orton fought it off as Riddle hit Otis with the scooter to the back. Orton with a forward roll that sent Gable into the turnbuckle, Gable bounced off that and Orton hit the RKO for the pinfall win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Randy Orton

Analysis: ***1/4 A good match that was competitive the whole way as Gable worked on Orton’s left leg/ankle throughout the match. Orton getting the win was the obvious result here. I thought they set up the finish well with Orton rolling forward to send Gable into the turnbuckle and then Orton finished him off. Having Riddle take out Otis on the floor popped the crowd right before the finish too, so the whole thing was timed well.

Post match, Riddle announced next week’s challenge saying it was going to be an old-fashioned Scooter Race. The fans cheered. Graves questioned if they can even find a scooter that’s big enough for Otis.

Analysis: I’m not a big fan of the competition segments, but it’s a way to get some personalities over, so I can tolerate it.

A graphic was shown about Bad Bunny’s summer tour. Since Bad Bunny was a part of last year’s WrestleMania, they felt like pugging his shows. That’s nice of WWE to do that.

There’s an Alexa Bliss segment up next.

(Commercial)

Alexa Bliss was shown with her unnamed male therapist for the third straight week. Bliss was asked about the first time she met Lilly with Bliss saying Lilly has been her friend since she was six years old. Bliss said there were some mean girls that shoved her off monkey bars, Bliss was unconscious and Lilly said that those girls would never come back. Bliss kept on the rambling, so the scene cut away.

Analysis: Boring segment again.

Austin Theory’s win over Finn Balor was shown and then Theory beat him up after the match.

Vince McMahon was shown in his office with Austin Theory, who said it felt great destroying Finn Balor on Saturday. Theory said he’s going to win the Royal Rumble and go on to the main event of WrestleMania. Theory asked Vince to give him a good number in the Rumble like 26, 27 or 29. Vince claimed he didn’t have any influence over that. Vince told Theory that he’s against AJ Styles, so Theory mentioned all of AJ’s titles and he’s a future Hall of Famer. Theory left, he forgot his phone and Vince told Theory to bring back an impressive selfie.

AJ Styles made his entrance for singles action. Styles is in face mode after a few years as a heel. Splitting with Omos is what turned Styles, but they could have done a better job of making the turn mean something.

(Commercial)

A quick video aired letting us know Veer Mahaan is coming. Those videos have aired for three months now even though Veer was on Raw prior to the draft in October. Maybe Mahaan is going to be in the Rumble match. I can’t say I care that much.

AJ Styles vs. Austin Theory

Styles got a quick rollup for two followed by a sunset flip for two. Styles jumped onto Theory leading to another rollup and Styles hit a dropkick that knocked Theory out of the ring. Styles did a slingshot dive over the top with a forearm to the head. Theory with a punch, Styles with a kick and Theory sent Styles face first into the middle turnbuckle. Theory with a stomp to the chest followed by a suplex. Styles worked over Theory with chops to the chest leading to a knee drop for two and a snap suplex for two. Theory lifted up Styles to send Styles throat-first into the top rope. Theory with a hard whip into the turnbuckle with Styles shouting in pain to sell it. Styles with a forearm, Theory countered a suplex with a front suplex and they battled on the top rope. Theory did a roll through into a dropkick that sent Styles off the top rope to the floor. Impressive leave by Theory to hit that dropkick while Styles was on the top.

(Commercial)

Styles and Theory exchanged strikes with Styles hitting a kick to the head. Theory came back with a backbreaker followed by a spinning backbreaker for two. Styles came back with strikes, then AJ was sent into the ropes and Theory hit a huge back body drop. Theory said that he was phenomenal. Theory with a snapmare takeover leading to a stomp, but then Theory missed an elbow when Styles moved. Styled with a back elbow followed by a backflip off the ropes leading to a reverse DDT. Styles with a back first to the head along with a clothesline. Styles with a suplex to the neckbreaker leading to a sliding forearm for two. Theory with an elbow to the face followed by a belly to back suplex for two. Styles with a jawbreaker, Theory got a boot up for a kick and Theory did a roll-through into a Blockbuster neckbreaker. Theory set up Styles on the top rope, Styles slipped out and sent Theory into the top turnbuckle. Theory with another elbow to the face, but Styles came back with a Pele Kick to knock Theory down. Styles countered a Theory move leading to AJ’s Calf Crusher, but then Theory got to the bottom rope. Theory with a forearm to the head, Styles tried to get a forearm of his own, but Theory tripped him up and Theory tried a pin on the ropes until the referee stopped it. Styles with an elbow to the head and Styles went up top on the apron leading to the Phenomenal Forearm for the pinfall win after 17 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: AJ Styles

Analysis: ***1/2 A very good match here with a clean finish. It’s obvious that WWE has high hopes for Theory, so putting him in a lengthy Raw match with Styles is a way for Theory to show how good he is. I think some more nearfalls and near submissions would have helped. They did go for pinfalls, but it was more about the big moves they were doing. I’m glad that Styles got a meaningful win too.

Becky Lynch and Doudrop were shown getting ready for a split-screen interview.

They showed a trailer video for WWE 2K22 video game hyping up the new game that comes out in March. I’m not much of a gamer anymore, but the graphics looks impressive.

(Commercial)

Interview: Becky Lynch and Doudrop

There was a split-screen interview between Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Doudrop. Lynch cut off Jimmy Smith trying to ask Doudrop the first question. Lynch claimed that Doudrop idolized Becky and wanted to face her. Lynch says she is confident in how good she is and how generous she is to grant Doudrop a title match. Doudrop said that Lynch is desperate while scrambling to hold onto that championship. Doudrop talked about how she was going to win. Becky wanted a thank you from Doudrop for paving the way and giving her a match at one of the biggest events of the year like Rumble. They kept on arguing with Doudrop saying she’ll show gratitude when Lynch showed respect. Doudrop said that she’s going to be the Raw Women’s Champion. Lynch told her to know her place. Doudrop tossed her microphone down while Lynch bragged about her title reign. Doudrop went up to Lynch and they got into a brawl. Some officials showed up to break it up.

Analysis: It was decent. Lynch is good as the cocky heel character. Doudrop does come across as sympathetic a bit, but not that much. It’s a heel vs. heel match with Lynch as the likely winner for the Rumble match.

Rey and Dominik Mysterio were interviewed by Sarah Schreiber, who congratulated Rey for being on the 2K22 game cover. Rey said it’s such an honor to represent his family on the cover. Rey said that being on the cover is so great especially because the game is so fire. Rey wants to see his son Dominik on the cover in the future. Dominik said that he had to build his future starting at the Royal Rumble and Dominik joked that after Rey tossed him over the top last week on Raw, Dominik will toss him over the top at the Rumble. Rey wondered if Dom was serious, Dom didn’t say anything and left.

The Street Profits duo of Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins entered for a tag team match.

(Commercial)

The Mysterios entered as the opponents. All four of these guys are in the Royal Rumble.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio

Dominik with a headscissors on Dawkins to start the match, then Dominik with an armdrag takedown and Dawkins came back by hitting a jumping back elbow. Dominik used his legs to send Dominik out of the ring. Rey opened up the ropes, so Dominik hit a suicide dive. Ford tried to attack, Rey jumped onto him and then Ford sent Rey onto Dominik. Ford hit an impressive somersault dive over the top onto both Mysterios on the floor. Great leap there.

(Commercial)

Dawkins had Dominik grounded in the ring with a chinlock, Dominik avoided a corner attack and Dominik hit a tornado DDT out of the corner. Rey tagged in against Ford, Rey with a headscissors takeover, then a senton splash off the top onto a standing Ford and Ford launched Rey into the air with Ray hitting the mat hard. Ford hit a running splash. Dominik back in, Rey with a headscissors into the ropes and Dawkins pulled Dominik out of the ring. Rey wanted a 619, Ford caught him and then Rey jumped on Ford’s shoulders leading to Rey tying up the legs with Rey sitting on top for the pinfall win after about nine minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Rey & Dominik Mysterio

Analysis: **3/4 A solid tag team match between two babyface teams. That dive by Ford before the break was the most impressive spot in the match. Rey’s counter to win looked like it was done perfectly and Ford sold it well.

After the match, Dominik tried to throw Rey out over the top, but Rey countered it to eliminate Dominik. Ford tossed Rey over the top to the floor and then Dawkins eliminated Ford. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode showed up to throw out Dawkins. The four faces worked together to toss Roode and Ziggler.

Analysis: A simple Royal Rumble preview right there. Pretty basic.

An interview with Seth Freakin Rollins was next.

(Commercial)

There was a Smackdown Breakdown video with highlights of last week’s show. The main event saw Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens beat The Usos by DQ thanks to a Roman Reigns attack. Based on a pre-match stipulation, it means that Roman’s cousins The Usos are banned from ringside during the Reigns-Rollins WWE Title match at Royal Rumble.

Seth Freakin Rollins was interviewed by Kevin Patrick with Seth saying that it’s about Roman and Seth with Seth saying that he’s the only one that can put Roman in his place. Seth said he’ll take a trip to Smackdown this Friday with Seth saying he likes to deliver his messages in person.

The commentary team did a rundown of the Royal Rumble card. We will have a Royal Rumble preview on TJRWrestling on Friday morning and then I’ll write a live review on Saturday night. My women’s Royal Rumble winner? Ronda Rousey. Just a hunch.

The Miz made his entrance for Maryse’s Birthday Celebration, which is the main event of Raw. The ring was full of photos, presents, a cake and more for Maryse. That segment is next.

(Commercial)

This week on Raw Talk on Peacock/WWE Network, the guest is Shawn Michaels.

Maryse’s Birthday Extravaganza

The Miz was in the ring with about ten minutes left in the show. Miz started his promo with the fans reacting to him with boos. Maryse made her entrance looking great in a low cut top and a short skirt. Did I mention I like Maryse more than The Miz? I do. Plus, she’s Canadian like me. Maryse turned 39 years old on January 21, so it was her birthday a few days ago. I should note there were also security guys at ringside.

Miz told Maryse to open her first gift, so she pulled off the cover to reveal a photo of Miz and Maryse with them. Maryse talked about how it made her feel special like when she gave birth to the kids and he bought her a car. Miz claimed there will be no Edge or Beth since he had security there. Maryse opened another gift, which was a shiny purse. There was a big present in there, but Miz claimed he didn’t know why it was there. Miz wondered what was in that gift, so Miz made a security guy open the gift. The gift was the brick that Maryse hit Beth in the head with. They showed a clip from last week.

The Miz wanted everybody to stand and sing “Happy Birthday” to Maryse. The fans were booing. Miz told them to hit it, but then there were a lot of boos from the crowd while Miz tried to sing. That was when Edge’s music hit.

Edge made his entrance with his badass wife Beth Phoenix. Edge said that they are pissed off, so they will show why that’s not a good thing for Miz. Edge and Beth with clotheslines on security guys and Beth bodyslammed a guy. Edge and Beth used weapons on others. Beth hit a Spear in the ring and then Edge hit a Spear in the ring. Edge and Beth did a Hart Attack double team clothesline and a 3D as well. Edge slammed a security guy through a table that was in the ring. Edge and Beth stared from inside the ring while Miz/Maryse were on the floor. They had a staredown. That was it.

Analysis: I think everybody knew what was coming here with Miz and Maryse’s party being interrupted much to the delight of the crowd. It was cool to see Edge and Beth hitting some tag team finishers there. The tag team match has been built up well with segments every week over the last month.

Three Stars of the Show

1. AJ Styles
2. Randy Orton
3. Chad Gable/Austin Theory

The Scoreboard

6 out of 10

Last week: 6.25

Final Thoughts

It felt like an average Raw again. There were some good matches with AJ Styles beating Austin Theory in a competitive, longer match and then the Orton win over Gable was fun to watch too. I wish the Priest/Owens match had a better finish. The two women’s matches on the show went about six minutes combined, so that’s not good for the Raw ladies.

I expected more out of the Lesnar/Lashley segment. What they did was okay in terms of delivering some trash talk from each side, but I expected there to be more. I’m still looking forward to their Rumble match.

In terms of promoting Rumble matches, they did okay with the guys although they barely did much to excite us about the women’s Rumble PPV. With that said, I still like the Rumble card so it’s fine that this show wasn’t some great episode worth checking out.

The next WWE pay-per-view (or Premium Live Event) is the Royal Rumble on Saturday, January 29 in St. Louis. Here’s what we know so far:

30-Man Royal Rumble Match – Big E, AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Riddle, Omos, Chad Gable, Otis, Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Damian Priest, Johnny Knoxville, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Kofi Kingston, Happy Corbin, Madcap Moss, Sheamus, Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Austin Theory and more.

WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Bobby Lashley

WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins

30-Woman Royal Rumble Match – Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Naomi, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Carmella, Queen Zelina, Lita, Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly, Dana Brooke, Natalya, Mickie James, Tamina, Shayna Baszler, Summer Rae, Aliyah and Shotzi.

Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Doudrop

Edge & Beth Phoenix vs. The Miz & Maryse

You can watch WWE Royal Rumble streaming LIVE on Saturday, January 29 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on WWE Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.

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Thanks for reading.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport