Bianca Belair Defeats Alexa Bliss, Retains Raw Women's Title at WWE Royal Rumble 2023

Bianca Belair beat Alexa Bliss at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view on Saturday to retain the Raw Women's Championship.

The EST of WWE pinned Bliss with the KOD to extend her championship reign.

Belair and Bliss were allies during the summer and fall thanks to having a common enemy in Damage CTRL, but the dynamic between them has changed significantly over the past several weeks.

Bliss was one of several Superstars given a chance to become No. 1 contender for the Raw women's title, and she made good on the opportunity by winning a pair of huge matches.

She initially beat Becky Lynch and Nikki Cross in a Triple Threat to move on to a No. 1 Contender's match against Bayley the following week. Bliss got past The Role Model as well, cementing her title shot.

Belair attempted to congratulate Bliss afterward, but The Goddess seemed to enter a trance and set The EST up for Sister Abigail before letting go.

Bliss' transformation continued during a sit-down interview ahead of her title match against Belair, as she hit the champion from behind with a vase.

Belair and Bliss did battle with the Raw Women's Championship hanging in the balance on the Jan. 2 episode of Raw, but it ended in disqualification when the challenger snapped after seeing Bray Wyatt's symbol and people in Uncle Howdy masks.

Bliss attacked the referee and then took the fight to Belair, hitting her with a DDT on the steel stairs and leaving her bloodied.

Given the unsatisfying ending to their first championship encounter, the two were in agreement on a rematch at the Royal Rumble, putting their rivalry on an even bigger stage.

Saturday's match was huge since it seemed likely to determine who would be Raw women's champion entering WrestleMania 39, and with Belair retaining, she is apparently on track to defend a title at The Show of Shows for the first time in her career.

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