This week's Monday night Raw featured a singles match between the two top challengers for the company's biggest prizes. Bobby Lashley met up with Seth Rollins in a one-on-one match, but the non-finish was meant to ensure both competitors were protected. The ending of the show sold the current conflicting issues each challenger faced that had nothing to do with the other. In other action, Nikki A.S.H. met up with former partner Rhea Ripley, Kevin Owens picked up a big win to get a shot at the United States Championship and Austin Theory got a huge victory over the more experienced Finn Balor. Here are your winners and losers for Monday Night Raw, January 17, 2022:

Winner/Loser: Doudrop and Lynch vs. Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan

The opening match of the night was fine, all the way up until the end when an awkward finish nearly ruined the contest. Doudrop made a save on a pin attempt, then dragged Becky Lynch over to the corner, only to forget to tag herself into the match. She went for a pin that didn't count, had to go back and do it again, then hit another splash which Morgan had to wait for just to lose.

As for an opening contest, this was fine. All of the women in the match got some television time before the Royal Rumble, but it's hard to argue that any of the time they did get really sold their respective matches.

Winner: Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens picked up a big win over Damian Priest on Monday, guaranteeing him a future shot at the U.S. Championship. Not only is this big for Owens -- and WWE certainly teased the idea of him becoming the U.S. Champ -- but it might be best to remove the title from around Priest's waist and really focus in on his character without the belt being a distraction.

As for the match, it was alright. It picked up the pace as things got going and had they been given more time, it really could have been a strong singles contest. The fact Owens simply outsmarted Priest is interesting. It was cheap, but effective.

Winner/Loser: Austin Theory

Fans won't love Finn Balor losing here, but a win for Theory in this situation is big. Vince McMahon threatened Theory before his match and Theory came through as if to suggest he was able to rise up to the challenge and beat someone that he might not be in the same league with.

As for Balor, it's not clear where this leaves him. He returned to WWE and lost. He can't be considered a main event talent at this point, can he? The worst part about all of this is Vince threatening Theory physically, as if to suggest Theory would actually be worried about a 76-year-old man causing him harm.

Winner: Nikki A.S.H.

WWE is definitely not shying away from making Nikki a heel. She attacked Rhea Ripley from behind, forcing the official to call of the match and this is the right way to go. The Almost Superhero gimmick is one WWE is going to try to completely flip upside down and while it might not work, if WWE is going this route, go all the way. She later tweeted, "I am the hero they all deserve, whether they like it or not."

Loser: Omos vs. Reggie

WWE has realized they're going to have a hard time hiding the fact Omos isn't ready to carry a match. This segment with Reggie is just an example of what some of Omos' bouts are going to look like going forward. The big man looked dominant, but it was hidden amongst the chaos of the 24/7 Championship. If WWE has to include misdirection as part of Omos' push, that's not a good sign.

Winner: Rey and Dominik Storyline

The tag match that featured The Street Profits and Rey and Dominik Mysterio taking on Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez was fine. The takeaway from the bout was the end where Rey threw Dominik over the top rope, teasing that there could be an issue between father and son at the Royal Rumble.

WWE smartly shaped this as Rey teaching his son a valuable life lesson, but this could be the start of underlying issues.

Winner: Usos Take Out Rollins, While The Hurt Business Attack Lashley

Rollins vs. Rollins was a big main event for Monday's Raw. It was a good match too with WWE electing to protect both stars via a disqualification finish. This match worked to ensure that neither man takes a pin before their respective singles bouts at the Royal Rumble and it further's each man's side issues, making the situation a bit more complicated.

Let's hope this match between Lashley and Rollins wasn't a one-off. There was a lot here to like and if they get a chance to go another round, it would be great to see these two fight to an actual finish.

Monday Night Raw Match Results:

* Doudrop and Becky Lynch defeat Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair in a tag match. Doudrop got the pin on Morgan with a splash off the ropes.

* Kevin Owens picked up a victory over Damian Priest after faking a leg injury to land a Stunner for the pin. With the win, he earns a future U.S. title shot.

* Austin Theory avoided the Coup de Grace from Finn Balor and hit a rolling dropkick and the ATL for the win.

* Omos defeated Reggie with a chokeslam in a matter of seconds.

* The Street Profits, Rey Mysterio and Dominik defeated The Dirty Dawgs, Apollo Crews and Azeez. Montez Ford got the pin and the babyfaces celebrated in the ring afterwards, going with a spot where no one could be trusted not to throw the others over the top rope during the Rumble.

* Seth Rollins vs. Lashley ended in a disqualification when Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin pulled Lashley out of the ring. While Lashley was fighting back, The Usos came down and nailed a double superkick on Rollins to end the show.