This was one of the most exciting tag team matches I've ever seen and "technical wrestling" had nothing to do with it. That was all storyline-driven and I loved it. The lights go low and the bells toll for WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker. The music then transitions into his American Badass theme. A Harley Davidson revs up as Taker rides to the ring as Knight looks on. Taker hits the ring and plays to the crowd for a big pop. Knight says that’s enough, cut the music. Fans chant for Taker now. Austin Theory wins by pinfall by being used as a projectile, retaining the WWE United States Championship. The Raw 30th anniversary show should be one of those “pull out all the stops” editions. Not only is it a significant anniversary for WWE’s flagship brand, it will take place on the Monday of Royal Rumble week, in front of what should be a hot crowd in the the pro wrestling hotbed of Philadelphia.

Paul Heyman immediately launchd into the role of prosecutor, delivering scathing opening remarks that begun with “ECW is dead...and I wish the same to Sami Zayn!” In a nice touch and not-so-subtle ECW Easter Egg, Paul Heyman deemed Sami Zayn “guilty as charged.” for now. He should appreciate Jey giving him a chance, because he’s got tonight to make the Bloodline proud and then he doesn’t want to see or hear from him until the Royal Rumble on Saturday, and that’s where he’s gonna take his final test and we’ll see if Sami Zayn really is part of the Bloodline or not. She gets on the mic and talks about Raw being the home of the women’s revolution, where she evolved from being a diva to a 14-time women’s champion, and naming some of her greatest opponents. She says Raw will always be her home— The Usos (c) vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio) – WWE Raw Tag Team Championship match Hogan didn’t really get booed by this crowd, but if a bunch of hardcore Eagles fans booed somebody for making racist remarks, they would be recreating the Spiderman clone meme. Sami Zayn Spared in Tribal CourtKeller, Wade (January 2, 2023). "1/2 WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW RESULTS: Keller's report on Seth Rollins vs. Austin Theory, Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023 . Retrieved January 3, 2023. a b c d Brookhouse, Brent (January 16, 2023). "WWE Raw results, recap, highlights: Two massive matches added to next Monday's Raw XXX". CBSSports. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023 . Retrieved January 17, 2023. Bianca Belair against Sonya Deville was a waste of time. It could easily have not happened or been a squash as it did not mean anything and this made it all the more pointless. How easy would it have been just to add Charlotte and have it be a tag between match between Belair/Flair and Deville/Bliss? WWE RAW 30th Anniversary". Wells Fargo Center. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023 . Retrieved January 12, 2023.

After winning the explosive Six-Man Elimination Match, Bobby Lashley will finally get the opportunity to settle his unfinished business when he challenges United States Champion Austin Theory. Is Raw 30 destined to turn into an All Mighty celebration? Renner, Ethan (January 16, 2023). "Two title bouts, steel cage match announced for WWE Raw is XXX". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023 . Retrieved January 18, 2023.

Sami Zayn earns redemption with The Bloodline

Currier, Joseph (January 24, 2023). "WWE Raw 30th anniversary draws highest domestic gate in show history". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023 . Retrieved January 25, 2023.

Once the match had no DQ rules, it was fairly transparent how the match would play out. Lesnar and Lashley were destined for another match and this was the way to get them there. That said, everything at the end of the show felt a bit rushed. That, along with the women's cage match getting scrapped after a lot of promotion, made for two of the most heavily-promoted segments for the show not completely delivering. Grade: C What else happened on WWE Raw? Though it seemed IMPERIUM was doomed, Shawn Michaels and Triple H really sold how terrifying GUNTHER is. After the match, Theory is announced the winner as Lesnar looks on and heads to exit the ring. The RAW 30th Anniversary special abruptly goes off the air as we’re at 11pm and the Barmageddon season finale is airing.

Sean “X-Pac” Waltman and Kane will both be on hand. Waltman was on Raw not that long ago for the DX reunion last October. He was also on the show during the summer of 2022 for Raw’s 1000th episode, so he makes all the important anniversary dates.