Raw XXX Uses Nostalgia To Elevate Roster, Sami Zayn for World Champ, More WWE Takes

Raw XXX was set up as a night of style over substance, but thanks to a few smart segments using returning talent, it became a good combination of celebration and Royal Rumble hype.

Sami Zayn proved himself once more to The Bloodline in an action-packed opening to Raw. After Jey Uso stated the case for The Honorary Uce, he helped Jey retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships.

D-Generation X and The Undertaker made their presence felt on Monday, but this did leave some forgotten. Becky Lynch vs. Bayley was even cut from the card after Damage CTRL attacked The Man in the steel cage before the bell.

Brock Lesnar returned to attack Bobby Lashley and cost him the United States title against Austin Theory. But this battle is far from over and should continue at the Royal Rumble on Saturday night.

This show made the right kind of impression, even with a few missteps, and set the stage for the Royal Rumble 2023 to be a night to remember.

Raw XXX Proves WWE Nostalgia can Enhance Current Roster

Nostalgia is a powerful sensation that WWE has often relied upon to tell stories. Raw XXX was hyped with the same feeling, including the return of D-Generation X, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan.

Luckily, this week's Raw was not focused purely on the past. Instead, WWE let the current talent shine while working off the legends.

Undertaker and Bray Wyatt had a great exchange in which The Deadman handed off LA Knight to him. This seemed to be as close to a passing-of-the-torch moment as we will get with these two supernatural performers.

D-Generation X got some shine, but the focus turned to Imperium, The Street Profits and Seth "Freakin" Rollins.

It was a good sign that WWE will not repeat the mistakes of the past that led to frustrating segments such as at Raw 25 when The Revival were buried by legends of the past.

Sami Zayn Must Be World Champion in 2023

Sami Zayn is the best act in WWE, and he is getting ever more popular. Regardless of what plans WWE had before The Honorary Uce joined The Bloodline, he has changed them.

It is likely Zayn will be in the men's Rumble at the weekend and the crowd favorite, but he may not win. No matter the outcome, though, WWE cannot afford to go through 2023 without Zayn as world champion.

The 38-year-old has earned it and will continue to outshine most everything else on the card. Organic angles like this make WWE better, and the talent who make the most of them deserve serious recognition.

Roman Reigns vs. Zayn would be a perfect match for Elimination Chamber on February 18 in Montreal, the home city of The Honorary Uce.

Perhaps this would be the time to split up the world titles and run with Zayn as the champion on Raw while Reigns remains the face of SmackDown. The red brand would be more than grateful for his talent.

WWE Women's Roster is the Big Loser of Raw XXX

Becky Lynch vs. Bayley was supposed to be the best match at Raw XXX. Instead, the WWE Universe did not get to see their steel cage match at all, and it's unclear when we will get the rearranged match between these women.

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, The Bloodline segment ran long, leading to the entire contest getting scrapped.

While circumstances may have gotten in the way, the women's division needed that spotlight. Nothing else could replace it.

Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair had a brief interaction, and The EST of WWE fought Sonya Deville in a competitive contest. This was all that was left for the stacked women's roster.

Raw XXX was a time to celebrate the past and present, but the women of Raw's past were nowhere to be seen, except a brief cameo from Alundra Blayze.

Hopefully, fans will get to see legends of the past working with stars of the present in the women's Rumble match at the Alamodome in San Antonio. It's just a shame that so few were seen or highlighted on Monday's big show.

Save Brock Lesnar-Bobby Lashley For After Royal Rumble

Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley may have been the last focus of Raw XXX, but WWE is playing a dangerous game with these two men colliding around the time of the pay-per-view.

Much like in the past two years, Lesnar is certain to dominate the men's Rumble match if he is involved. But Lashley could try to one-up him throughout the contest.

These two could quickly take over the entire match and take away the spotlight from anyone else. That is a mistake WWE cannot afford to make this year.

It would be best to keep Lashley and Lesnar separate. Have the two focus on winning on their own and then get back to this feud after the Royal Rumble.

This rivalry should end at WrestleMania 39. Putting too much into building the story now could cause that match to lose its luster, especially if it comes at the expense of talent stars thrown out without thought.