5 things RAW got right on this week’s episode (January 13, 2020)

RAW continued to deliver good episodes by giving fans another show filled with some great surprises and action.

The night started with two of RAW’s most accomplished Superstars, who were joined a little later by the fastest rising force in the industry.

RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch did not compete in the ring once again but was part of the contract signing (along with Asuka) for the Championship match at Royal Rumble.

Stars like Rowan and Ricochet also got a chance to go over on this week’s broadcast, while Charlotte Flair was once again featured in a match to remain relevant.

With so much going on just before the Royal Rumble, the creatives managed to pull off some great swerves to keep the fans interested.

In this article, we will look at the 5 things that RAW got right on this week's episode.

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#5 Ricochet’s appearance

One of the matches on this week's episode was between Ricochet and Mojo Rawley. While Rawley isn’t a constant on our television screens, The One and Only is also fading away fast.

Rawley tried to impress the audience with an above-average performance, while Ricochet performed to his expected superlative standards.

Although his opponent had the size and strength advantage, that did not stop the former United States Champion from using his speed and agility from downing him and delivering the 630 Splash to pick up the victory.

While the match did not do too much for both the Superstars, it was good to see Rawley back on television after his match against Kevin Owens where he did fairly well.

It also helped establish Ricochet as a possible winning candidate for the Royal Rumble, though, in all fairness, chances of him winning the match look slim.

The momentum might help get back in some good feud on his way to WrestleMania, where he can make a big impact.

#4 Return of the Mixed Match Challenge

Both women will get a chance to return to the ring

Bobby Lashley and Lana came out to right the wrongs from two weeks ago in the match against Lana’s ex-husband, Rusev.

The match saw The Bulgarian Brute dominate early on as Lana seemed concerned for her new husband.

However, The All Mighty was able to mount a comeback and took down Rusev. As the two kept on competing, Liv Morgan arrived and came face-to-face with Lana, who was trying to distract her ex-husband.

Morgan’s appearance ended up distracting Rusev, and Lashley capitalized by spearing him and picking up another victory over the Bulgarian Superstar.

While the match itself wasn’t too great, Lana issued a challenge to Rusev and Morgan for a Mixed Tag Team match on next week's episode. The match could give fans something to look forward to in this rivalry and will help both the ladies to return to the ring.

This will end up being great for the fans as they have usually liked Mixed Tag Team Matches, and could even lead to the revival of the Mixed Tag Team Challenge later on.

#3 The Scottish Psychopath's rise

McIntyre isn't afraid of challenges

This week’s broadcast of RAW started off like any other week as a top Superstar took to the ring with a microphone in hand. Randy Orton kicked off the show and addressed AJ Styles, claiming that he will win the Royal Rumble for the third time. This brought out The Phenomenal One, who made tall claims of his own.

The back and forth was surprisingly interrupted by Drew McIntyre. who drew the crowd in on a prospective Triple Threat match. The fans were excited and the match got underway between two multiple-time World Champions and one man searching for a chance to become a World Champion.

While all three men got their spotlight, it was McIntyre who delivered the Claymore to pick up a huge victory.

This was arguably the biggest victory of the Scottish Superstar's entire career and helps him push ahead as a legit threat to the two top Champions of the company.

The win also helps his case in the upcoming Royal Rumble match and the subsequent chance to compete at WrestleMania for a Championship.

#2 Black Mass 3 - Murphy’s Law 0

Black seems to have wiped out Murphy for good

The top match of the night was between two spectacular performers, Aleister Black and Buddy Murphy.

While both men have showcased why they are two of the most underrated competitors in the locker room time and again, it’s been Black who’s managed to come out on top twice over Murphy.

Black not only wanted to take revenge from Murphy for last week’s sneak attack but also wanted to make one final statement in this rivalry. The two men had an amazing match once again, which saw the action being traded back and forth.

The Best Kept Secret finally managed to hit Black with Murphy’s Law in a match, but his opponent managed to get his foot on the rope. This didn’t work well with Murphy, who taunted his competitor, which cost him big time as Black delivered two Black Masses to pick up the victory.

This helped both Superstars go over once again, with Black clearly emerging as the superior Superstar out of the rivalry.

The feud has allowed RAW to build two phenomenal new stars who worked off each other to get to where they are now, and also gave Black an outside chance to become a favorite to win the Royal Rumble.

#1 Buddy Murphy pledges allegiance

Murphy has a new law now

After his match with Aleister Black was over, we saw a dejected Murphy sitting up against the guardrail as the action continued in the ring.

The main event saw Seth Rollins and AOP come out for their Fist Fight against Big Show, Kevin Owens, and Samoa Joe, and the three men jumped Show before his partners could enter the arena.

The action was all over the place in this one as the six men fought everywhere including onto the stage, where KO ran and wiped out Akam and Rezar.

As Rollins found himself at the mercy of the World’s Largest Athlete, he begged Murphy to come in and help him out.

As Show decided to send the Monday Night Messiah for a ride through the table, Murphy hit him with a low blow and helped Rollins put the big guy through the table instead.

His actions helped the heelish trio pick up the victory over Show, KO, and Joe. Murphy was embraced by Rollins which now shows that he has joined the heels.

Paul Heyman and his team did an excellent job by allowing Aleister Black to go over Murphy thrice and then allowing Murphy to join RAW’s biggest faction to instantly get over.