WWE Raw preview (Dec. 5, 2022): Something is wrong with Alexa Bliss

Raw airs tonight (Dec. 5) with a live show from the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.. This is the second episode of Raw during the nine week build towards Royal Rumble, which takes place on Jan. 28.

Something is wrong with Alexa Bliss

Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair needs a new challenger after finishing off Damage CTRL for good at War Games.

Last week’s Raw featured a quick interview where the EST of WWE indicated it’s time to leave Damage CTRL in the past and look forward to what’s next. Belair’s partners at War Games, Asuka and Alexa Bliss, were by her side for this interview. Asuka enthusiastically supported her War Games ally during this segment, but something was clearly wrong with Alexa Bliss. Alexa appeared to be distracted or zoned out, and she only offered a half-assed gesture of support after the interviewer directly pressed her on it.

We’ve seen some hints that Bray Wyatt’s return to WWE is once again corrupting mind of Bliss, so that could be related to what’s going on here. But even if Wyatt and Bliss do not cross paths again, it’s apparent that Bliss is not content playing second fiddle to Belair.

Alexa doesn’t really have a reason to stick by Belair’s side now that War Games is over, especially since Bianca is carrying around the top prize on Monday nights. Bliss used to be synonymous with championship gold in WWE, and she recently mentioned that her goal is to reach that level of success once again. It seems clear that Belair should watch her back the next time she’s around Alexa Bliss.

Will the mind and motivations of of Alexa be on full display for everyone to analyze even further tonight? We’ll have to tune in to Raw to see where her story with Belair is headed next.

The rest of the title scene

WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos are scheduled to defend their belts tonight against the new team of Elias and Matt Riddle. Riddle couldn’t beat the Usos for the titles when Randy Orton was his partner, so it’s doubtful the outcome will change with a downgraded partner. There’s also the fact that the Usos already have their next challengers lined up in the form of Drew McIntyre & Sheamus on SmackDown.

New United States Champion Austin Theory thinks everyone is jealous of him after his lucky win at Survivor Series. Former champ Seth Rollins is not ready to move on just yet, and a singles match for the belt is likely coming up soon.

WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns isn’t advertised for tonight’s show. Kevin Owens should be in the house, however, and after last week’s win over Jey Uso, he’ll likely come calling for the Tribal Chief.

Damage CTRL is coming off a tough week, but they can at least brag about IYO SKY and Dakota Kai still holding the WWE women’s tag team titles. Candice LeRae is back on Raw and defeated Kai in a match last week. LeRae wants to take out each member of Damage CTRL, so SKY might be next up on her hit list.

Other stuff to keep an eye on

- JBL is hosting a high stakes poker competition tonight. What exactly are the stakes and who will be participating? I have no idea, but it will presumably involve more than just Akira Tozawa embarrassing Baron Corbin again.

- Bobby Lashley wasn’t on last week’s Raw, so it’s not clear what his post-Survivor Series direction is quite yet. Does he still intend to hurt people until he gets back the United States title? Brock Lesnar should return to WWE for next month’s Royal Rumble event, and his presence could very well disrupt whatever Bob is planning to do.

- Speaking of Bob, last week’s Raw saw Becky Lynch take her promo right to the people in the live audience and defend a fan named Bob from Bayley’s insults. Becky then managed to hold her own just fine in a three-on-one brawl with Damage CTRL at a merchandise table. Does Bayley really think it’s a good idea to pick another fight with The Man?

- Dexter Lumis proved to be indestructible in last week’s Anything Goes match, where he earned a WWE contract with a victory over The Miz. Is Dexter ready to scare the shit out of someone else now, or are the fun and creepy stalking games with The Miz just getting started?

- AJ Styles defeated Finn Balor at Survivor Series, but The Judgment Day recovered to beat The O.C. in an 8 person tag team match on last week’s Raw. I don’t think that’s how their faction warfare is going to end.

- Will Edge & Beth Phoenix return to WWE television at some point on the road to Royal Rumble? They clearly have unfinished business with The Judgment Day.

- Montez Ford is back from injury and the Street Profits shined in a victory over Alpha Academy. How long will it be until Ford and Angelo Dawkins come knocking on The Usos’ door again for a tag team title match?

What will you be looking for on Raw?