WWE Raw Predictions For January 9, 2023: Goldberg Will Replace Kevin Owens

WWE Raw is on the road to WWE Royal Rumble 2023. In this week’s episode of WWE Raw, there are no scheduled matches.

However, WWE did tease the next steps for U.S. Champion Austin Theory after he retained the title in the main event of Raw last week against Seth Rollins, who apparently suffered a knee injury during the match. WWE also teased the anticipatory aftermath of Alexa Bliss’ vicious attack on Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair and the referee during their Raw Women’s Title match at the start of last week’s show.

In terms of the upcoming PPV, Roman Reigns (c) vs. Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship is scheduled. Could Goldberg return to replace Kevin Owens in this recently announced world title match at the Royal Rumble? It also has been rumored that Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley as well as Edge vs. Finn Balor inside Hell in a Cell will be added to this card to put an end to their respective personal rivalries from 2022.

The following will provide some rapid-fire predictions for what should be an exciting episode of WWE Raw.

WWE Raw is scheduled to take place on January 9, 2023, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live on the USA Network. Here are some predictions for this week’s show.

What is Next for Alexa Bliss? [Raw Women’s Championship]

On WWE Raw last week, Bianca Belair defeated Alexa Bliss to retain the Raw Women’s Title via disqualification because Alexa Bliss attacked the referee and incapacitated Belair on the steel steps to the point that she had to be escorted to the medics in the back.

The attack was so vicious that it was demoralizing for Montez Ford to witness what happened to his wife. He was dazed in his six-man tag match against the Bloodline last week because he could not fathom what Bliss did to Belair, which was a great way to sell the attack.

It seems that there is unfinished business between Belair and Bliss as they purportedly build towards a title match at Royal Rumble 2023. Both are benefitting from this feud because Bliss is solidifying her spooky gimmick whilst Belair is gaining momentum as champion before WrestleMania.

Prediction: Royal Rumble Title Shot Against Bianca Belair

Who is Next For Austin Theory? [U.S. Championship]

On WWE Raw last week, U.S. Champion Austin Theory retained the title in the main event against Seth Rollins, who apparently had a knee injury during the match. That knee injury could be a work and lead to his big return in the Royal Rumble match in two weeks.

While Seth Rollins is a favorite to win the Rumble and challenge Reigns for the world title in a match that should have happened at WrestleMania 32 but didn’t due to that same MCL injury, Theory will be busy retaining his title against Dolph Ziggler and/or Mustafa Ali, due to unfinished business.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler or Mustafa Ali

Who will Return to Raw Tonight? [Undisputed WWE Universal Title]

Since it has been rumored that Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley and Edge vs. Finn Balor inside Hell in a Cell will be added to the Royal Rumble card to put an end to their personal rivalries from 2022, it won’t be surprising to see them return to Raw soon.

However, there is one superstar many are neglecting: Goldberg. Now that Vince McMahon is back, Goldberg will return to screw Kevin Owens, as he did in 2017, and battle Roman Reigns one more time for the world title at the Royal Rumble, as he has publicly stated that he still wants his rematch.

Prediction: Goldberg.

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