WWE January 2023: Full Show Highlights & Analysis

Hey wrestling fans! January 2023 was a wild month for WWE, and if you missed any of the action, or just want a refresher, you've come to the right place. We're diving deep into the highlights, key moments, and overall analysis of the major WWE shows from January 2023. Get ready for a detailed recap that will get you hyped!

Royal Rumble 2023: Setting the Stage for WrestleMania

The Royal Rumble is always a highlight of the WWE calendar, and January 2023's edition was no exception. The Royal Rumble 2023 took place on January 28, 2023, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It was the 36th annual Royal Rumble event. The event was headlined by the Royal Rumble matches, which featured 30 men and 30 women competing for a chance to challenge for a world championship at WrestleMania 39. Cody Rhodes won the men's Royal Rumble match, while Rhea Ripley won the women's Royal Rumble match.

Men's Royal Rumble Match: Cody Rhodes' Triumphant Return

The men's Royal Rumble match in January 2023 was a real rollercoaster. We saw some incredible performances and surprising eliminations. But the real story was the return of Cody Rhodes. After being out with a torn pectoral muscle since June 2022, Cody returned as the #30 entrant and secured his victory after eliminating Gunther. His emotional win was a huge moment, solidifying his place as a top contender heading into WrestleMania. The match featured several other notable moments, including: Gunther entering at number one and lasting over an hour before being eliminated by Cody Rhodes. Logan Paul eliminating Seth Rollins after Rollins had attacked him previously. Edge and Finn Balor continued their feud during the match. Overall, the match was well-received by fans, with many praising the performances of Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Logan Paul.

Women's Royal Rumble Match: Rhea Ripley Dominates

The women's Royal Rumble match was equally captivating, with Rhea Ripley putting on a dominant performance. Entering at #1, Ripley lasted the entire match, eliminating several competitors, including Liv Morgan last to win. Her victory established her as a force to be reckoned with in the women's division and set the stage for a potential title match at WrestleMania. The match also included a few surprise entrants and returns, adding to the excitement. Some other highlights include: Michelle McCool making a surprise appearance in the match. Nia Jax returning to WWE for the first time since being released in 2021. Asuka making her return after being out with an injury. The match was praised for its pacing and the strong performances of Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, and Asuka.

Other Matches at Royal Rumble

Besides the Royal Rumble matches, the card also featured some championship defenses and heated rivalries coming to a head. Roman Reigns defended his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens in a hard-fought battle. Reigns ultimately retained his title, continuing his dominant reign. Bianca Belair defended the Raw Women's Championship against Alexa Bliss. Belair won the match to retain her title, continuing her reign as champion. Bray Wyatt defeated LA Knight in a Mountain Dew Pitch Black match. The match was a cinematic spectacle, featuring special effects and stunts. Overall, the Royal Rumble event was a success, with the Royal Rumble matches being the highlight of the show. The event set the stage for WrestleMania 39, which took place in April 2023.

Raw and SmackDown: The Road to Royal Rumble

Throughout January 2023, both Raw and SmackDown built towards the Royal Rumble with compelling storylines and intense matches. Let's take a look at some of the key developments on each show:

Monday Night Raw Highlights

On Monday Night Raw, the build-up to the Royal Rumble saw several wrestlers staking their claim for a spot in the Royal Rumble match. Feuds intensified, and new rivalries began to emerge. Some notable moments included: Seth Rollins continuing his rivalry with Austin Theory over the United States Championship. Rollins defeated Theory by disqualification on the January 2, 2023 episode of Raw, but Theory retained the title. Becky Lynch and Bayley continued their feud, with both women trading victories in singles matches. Bobby Lashley set his sights on Brock Lesnar, vowing to get revenge for Lesnar costing him the United States Championship at Crown Jewel. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio, and Rhea Ripley) continued to dominate the Raw roster, targeting several wrestlers, including The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson). Overall, Raw provided a solid build-up to the Royal Rumble, with several wrestlers establishing themselves as contenders for the Royal Rumble match.

Friday Night SmackDown Highlights

Friday Night SmackDown also delivered some memorable moments in January 2023. The Bloodline continued to exert their dominance over the blue brand, with Roman Reigns at the helm. Key storylines included: Roman Reigns continuing his reign as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, defeating Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble. The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman, and Sami Zayn) continued to dominate SmackDown, targeting several wrestlers, including Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. Sami Zayn continued to try and prove his loyalty to The Bloodline. Charlotte Flair returned to WWE on the December 30, 2022 episode of SmackDown, defeating Ronda Rousey to win the SmackDown Women's Championship. Gunther continued his reign as Intercontinental Champion, defeating several challengers. Overall, SmackDown provided a compelling build-up to the Royal Rumble, with The Bloodline continuing to be the dominant force on the show.

NXT: New Year's Evil and the Rise of New Stars

NXT kicked off the year with its annual New Year's Evil event, showcasing the brand's up-and-coming talent. The show featured some thrilling matches and surprising moments, setting the stage for the year ahead. Bron Breakker defeated Grayson Waller to retain the NXT Championship. Roxanne Perez defeated Wendy Choo to retain the NXT Women's Championship. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) defeated The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) to win the NXT Tag Team Championship. Dijak defeated Tony D'Angelo in a Steel Cage match. Charlie Dempsey defeated Hank Walker. Overall, NXT New Year's Evil was a success, with several wrestlers showcasing their talent and potential. The event set the stage for the year ahead, with several storylines and rivalries expected to continue.

Overall Analysis of WWE in January 2023

January 2023 was a strong month for WWE, with the Royal Rumble serving as a major highlight. The company delivered some memorable moments and set the stage for an exciting Road to WrestleMania. The return of Cody Rhodes was a feel-good moment that energized the fanbase, while Rhea Ripley's dominance in the women's division established her as a top star. The storylines on Raw and SmackDown continued to develop, with The Bloodline remaining a central focus on SmackDown and several wrestlers staking their claim on Raw. NXT also started the year strong with New Year's Evil, showcasing the brand's up-and-coming talent.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it – a complete recap of WWE in January 2023! From the Royal Rumble to the weekly shows, it was a month filled with action, drama, and excitement. What were your favorite moments from January 2023? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to stay tuned for more WWE news and analysis. Peace out, wrestling fans!