This week marked the 30th anniversary of Monday Night Raw, and what a great celebration it was. It was one of the better special episodes of Raw in recent years, with appearances from legends, top-notch segments, nostalgia, and good in-ring action. It brought forth an amazing mix of emotions.It was a very entertaining episode from start to finish, from Hulk Hogan opening the show, to the main event between Austin Theory and Bobby Lashley. Another memorable segment from The Bloodline was featured, The Undertaker showed up, Imperium confronted DX, there was a massive return, and much more. This is what fans need to know about this week's episode of WWE Raw.
9 Another Memorable Segment From The Bloodline & Sami Zayn
This Monday there was a trial in which Paul Heyman accused Sami Zayn. Heyman said that Zayn has been conspiring with Kevin Owens and even prepared a video with some evidence, which frankly said little to nothing. Sami couldn't believe it and was heartbroken. Sami decided not to defend himself, which made Roman Reigns furious.
Then the Tribal Chief ordered Solo Sikoa to finish Sami off, but Jey stopped him. Believe it or not, Jey defended Sami with a video proving Sami's loyalty. In the end, Reigns didn't find Zayn guilty, but said that at Royal Rumble 2023 will be his last test. This was a fantastic segment.
8 Sami Zayn & Jey Uso Retained The Raw Tag Team Titles
Right after that amazing segment, The Usos defended the Raw Tag Team Titles against The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio). The match was going pretty good, with nice in-ring action, but Jimmy Uso got hurt and couldn't continue.
Adam Pearce showed up and said they would lose the Tag Titles by forfeit, but Sami Zayn asked to enter the match and Pearce allowed it. Sami stole the show and was able to retain the titles, and the crowd loved it.
7 The Undertaker Met LA Knight
LA Knight came to RAW and called out some of the legends to give a preview of what will be his match against Bray Wyatt at the Royal Rumble. The Undertaker showed up in his American Badass version.
Obviously, LA Knight wasn't expecting to see one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, so he avoided the conflict by saying he was "going to let him pass", so he can enjoy his retirement. Then Bray Wyatt showed up. The Undertaker served LA Knight on a silver platter to Wyatt, and the latter hit a Sister Abigail. Then Taker said something in Wyatt's ear and left.
6 Damage CTRL Punished Becky Lynch
Becky Lynch challenged Bayley to a Steel Cage to get rid of Dakota Kai and IYO SKY, but things didn't go The Man's way. Damage CTRL attacked Becky mercilessly, both inside and outside the cage, leaving her unable to compete. Beyond developing the storyline, this was clearly a booking decision to buy time.
5 DX Meets Imperium
Degeneration-X came to the ring to bring us nostalgia and memories, but Kurt Angle also joined them. Angle said he always wanted to be part of DX. Imperium showed up to demand respect for the sport and to stop the stupid things DX was doing.
Triple H, Shawn Michaels and the rest hinted that they were going to wrestle, but claimed they were retired and old, which was funny. Then they wished there was someone to wrestle in their place, so Seth Rollins and then The Street Profits answered the call. As if that wasn't enough, then Teddy Long showed up to make the match official.
4 Seth Rollins & The Street Profits Defeated Imperium
Kurt Angle was the special referee for this six-man tag team match. It was a fun contest to watch, with some good sequences and a couple of standout spots. Every man involved did a solid job, including Angle. Maybe this match wasn't important, but it was pretty good and the fans enjoyed it. Seth Rollins was the one who covered Giovanni Vinci for the win.
3 Bianca Belair Defeated Sonya Deville
Ric Flair appeared to introduce his daughter Charlotte Flair. The Queen was talking about some of her accomplishments on RAW, when Bianca Belair appeared. That's right, we had the SmackDown Women's Champion and the Raw Women's Champion in the same ring. The EST told Charlotte that she ruled RAW, and then Sonya Deville showed up. Sonya said that she actually used to run Monday Night Raw and that no one gave her credit. Charlotte then asked Bianca to take on Sonya, and Belair agreed.
Bianca Belair defeated Sonya Deville in an average match, nothing memorable, but this win gives Belair momentum ahead of her match against Alexa Bliss. By the way, Alexa warned Belair after the match what is going to happen at the Royal Rumble.
2 Kevin Owens Promises to Defeat Roman Reigns
The Miz was complaining, as usual, because he didn't have a championship match or a celebration. However, Kevin Owens showed up to shut him up with a Stunner. KO then took the mic and promised the fans that he is going to do everything he can to defeat Roman Reigns and become a champion that "everyone is proud of." Owens said he was going to defeat Reigns, or he was going to die trying.
1 Brock Lesnar Cost Bobby Lashley His Match Against Austin Theory
The main event of this sensational episode of Monday Night Raw was a No Disqualification match between United States Champion Austin Theory and Bobby Lashley. It was a hard-hitting bout, with both wrestlers showing no mercy. It was a great match overall, with a couple of brutal spots. As the match was coming to the climax, Brock Lesnar returned and hit an F-5 on Bobby Lashley, and then hit an F-5 on Theory onto Bobby, to make him cover Lashley and defeat him.