New #1 Contender For WWE United States Championship Is...
Austin Theory will defend his US title on next week's episode of Monday Night Raw.
Bobby Lashley will challenge Austin Theory for the United States Championship next week after winning a six-man elimination match on Raw Monday night.
The All Mighty outlasted Seth Rollins, Baron Corbin, Finn Balor, Dolph Ziggler and the Miz to earn a title shot against Theory in an energetic, solid main event. Lashley eliminated Rollins last, spearing him after Seth got caught up attacking Omos and Theory at ringside.
Six former United States Champions clash in this wild Elimination Match to determine who will challenge #USChampion @_Theory1 next Monday on #WWERaw!
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— WWE (@WWE) January 17, 2023
As fun as this six-man match was, it doesn't feel like the title match is some marquee bout that will have a lot of mystery to it. Lashley is still more likely to be involved in a feud with Brock Lesnar heading into WrestleMania so we get the third match between the two at the Showcase of the Immortals. If that's true, he doesn't need the US title.
For Theory, losing the United States Championship now would be a blow to his renewed push and leave him without a clear direction. So it seems more likely that he escapes with his title than Lashley leaving with it.