Title Matches Set For First WWE Raw Of 2023

WWE will begin the year with two title matches on the January 2, 2023 edition of Monday Night Raw from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Bianca Belair will put the Raw Women's Championship on the line against Alexa Bliss, while Austin Theory will defend the United States Title against Seth Rollins.

Bliss became the number one contender last week following a win over Bayley. The former champion then teased decking Belair with Sister Abigail after the match and Bliss and Belair were involved in a sit-down interview on the December 19 edition of Raw. Bliss continued to tease a reunion with Bray Wyatt and after the Raw Women's Champion looked to walk out of the interview, the screen behind them flickered and Bliss smashed Belair in the back of the head with a vase.

Seth Rollins became the number one contender after defeating Bobby Lashley on last week's show. Rollins had been United States Champion but Austin Theory won a Triple Threat at Survivor Series also featuring Lashley to capture the gold.