Cody Rhodes Is Winning the Royal Rumble, WWE Raw Off to Slow 2023, More Takes

Monday wasn't the most exciting night for WWE Raw, but the main event delivered in a big way and helped set up a great show for next week's 30th anniversary.

Bobby Lashley picked up an impressive win in a six-way elimination match, ousting Seth Rollins to seal victory. This earned him a United States title shot next week against Austin Theory, while MVP helped continuing the resurrection of The Hurt Business.

Becky Lynch and Bayley cut each other down with fiery promos that set the stage for a steel cage match next week. Bianca Belair and Alexa Bliss continued their story, but it does not have the same spark yet.

Cody Rhodes completed his series of vignettes by announcing his entrance into the men's Royal Rumble match on January 28. He is a likely favorite and the perfect man to win.

The stage has been set for some of WWE's biggest shows yet, though more work needs to be done to elevate Raw beyond a few strong segments.

Raw Off to Sluggish Start in 2023

Raw has so much talent, but the show is leaving much to be desired. The in-ring performances are solid, especially from those WWE relies upon.

However, Seth Rollins can only carry an hour at most in the three-hour show. Alpha Academy can put on a good match each week, but there is no story behind Chad Gable and Otis losing each week.

The Royal Rumble is fast approaching, but the build to the pay-per-view has been limited. This is the time when stakes should be getting higher and big names step up.

Instead, it's business as usual for most. Solo Sikoa and Omos beat someone each week, and Damage CTRL get a match and a promo segment.

Raw XXX should be a bigger show, but there is no reason WWE had to wait until that show to deliver on the hype for the Rumble and beyond. This year should be the time for the creative team to step up.

Becky Lynch and Bayley Overshadowing Raw Women's Champion

Becky Lynch and Bayley are telling the best story on Monday nights, and it's great to see two of the best women in WWE getting the spotlight they deserve.

However, with the work the two are doing to elevate a simple feud, it is showing the weaknesses of other stories on Raw.

Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss should be a better feud than it is, but the focus on Uncle Howdy's appearances is taking away from the two women in the rivalry.

The EST of WWE has lost her sense of character in this story, seemingly out of her depth with the supernatural weirdness. And Bliss needs to better define her role rather than simply letting Uncle Howdy's appearance discredit anything she says.

The difference is that the smoke-and-mirrors act is distracting from the talent, while Lynch and Bayley can sell their story with strong promos alone.

Something needs to change before fans will begin calling for The Man or The Role Model to win the Raw Women's Championship.

Cody Rhodes Must Win Men's Rumble Match

Cody Rhodes has set his return date. He will compete in the men's Royal Rumble match, hoping to finally get his shot at the WWE Championship.

It is a shame that The American Nightmare's return was not kept a surprise, but WWE may have a bigger shock moment in mind. No matter who appears in the match, though, Rhodes is the right man to win.

The 37-year-old is the rare protected star in the modern era of WWE and is returning after one of the gutsiest performances the fans have seen.

WWE fans will be clamoring to see him again, and he should get the biggest pop of anyone in the men's Rumble. If he is ready and healthy, bring him in within the first five spots and let him go all the way.

Fans will be behind Rhodes in a way WWE cannot say of any other babyface right now. It's easy money, and no special surprise will trump the impact of him going after the world title for his family legacy.

Bobby Lashley, Hurt Business Set for Major Role on Road to WrestleMania

Bobby Lashley has earned another shot at the United States Championship, but he has mostly moved beyond the title. What was more important on Monday was that he earned another big win in a WWE main event.

Every time The All Mighty wins with a spotlight, the stage is further set for him to be a major player at WrestleMania 39. It's likely his next clash with Brock Lesnar will happen then, and it seems certain he will win the rubber match.

What will help that is the return of The Hurt Business. MVP got involved on Monday to aid Lashley for the first time in months. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin are also regularly competing on the red brand again.

The stage is set for WWE to bring back a great stable that was lost too soon. The full potential of The Hurt Business wasn't reached last time, but 2023 can be their year. Lashley, Alexander and Benjamin have a chance to be major players on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

While The All Mighty builds himself up to become world champion again, Alexander and Benjamin need to start winning matches so they can go after tag team gold once more.

The set-up is complete. Now, it's just down to when Lashley will accept MVP's aid again.