Welcome everyone to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The Royal Rumble event is this Saturday with the Raw Women’s Championship Match between Bianca Belair and Alexa Bliss due to happen. Along with the all-important 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match for a WrestleMania title opportunity. Will we see some new developments ahead of one of the biggest Premium Live Events of the year? Or will things be overshadowed by this being the 30th Anniversary edition of Raw? Let’s get into it, and find out…
RHEA RIPLEY accompanied The Judgement Day as they failed to win the Raw Tag Team Championships against The Usos, despite repeated interference and distractions by Ripley.
Various female Superstars like DANA BROOKE and CANDICE LERAE were a part of a backstage APA poker tournament with other Superstars and Legends like ALUNDRA BLAYZE.
Steel Cage Match
BAYLEY w/h DAKOTA KAI & IYO SKY Vs BECKY LYNCH never officially happened
Damage CTRL came out with their leader but when to the back after coming out to the stage. Bayley’s lengthy entrance was shown in-picture so the adverts that couldn’t be shown during the first hour could play. Before Lynch could enter the cage, Damage CTRL came back out to fight against Lynch, who once again fended off the numbers game. Until Bayley managed to kick the door, sending it swinging into Lynch.
Lynch got worked over, sent into the barricade by Kai before Lynch was whipped into a Flapjack of sorts into the cage wall by Sky. Kai used the lock chain to land a punch to the gut of Lynch. Lynch was sent back into the cage as Damage CTRL continued the assault after Kai locked the cage from the inside. Officials only able to watch on and yell for bolt cutters as Lynch took a beating including Kai and Baylay aiding Sky to hit an Over the Moonsault from the middle of the top rope.
Adam Pearce finally got bolt cutters while Damage CTRL hit a triple team of a double team Electric Chair Drop by Kai and Sky while Bayley hit a Neckbreaker. The door was finally opened but the damage was done as Damage CTRL climbed up the cage to sit up top and gloat while Lynch was down and in pain.
CATHY KELLEY handled interview duties.
Smackdown Women’s Champion CHARLOTTE FLAIR was brought out by her father Ric Flair. Cutting a promo which just sounded like a standard heel Flair promo despite her being a ‘face’ these days. BIANCA BELAIR eventually came out and took exception to the other brand’s champ being here. Another Smackdown Superstar in SONYA DEVILLE interrupted to continue her feud with Flair, mocking her for bringing her Dad in for a big speech. Deville complained about having worked so hard but never getting the spotlight. Flair however ducked a match and goaded Belair to instead face Deville instead. Because, sure, that makes sense.
Non-Title Women’s Match
Raw Women’s Champion BIANCA BELAIR defeated SONYA DEVILLE
Flair wasn’t even ringside for the match. Deville was controlled early with a waistlock takedown then a shoulder knockdown. A Single Leg Dropkick and a kip up followed before a charging Shoulder Thrust into the corner by Belair. Deville escaped from a Body Slam attempt, using the braid for a hair pull mat slam. Belair getting worked over in a couple corners with body shots and stomps.
Deville missed a sliding move before Belair got a two count off a Roll-up. Moments later, Belair did her corner taunt and flip out before hitting a Backbreaker that barely delivered knee to the back properly. The Handspring Moonsault got Belair a two count. Moments later, a Single Leg Dropkick knocked Belair off the apron but Belair followed up with a Leap of Faith off the apron, leading to getting kicked into the barricade.
After a commercial break, Belair hit a Delayed Suplex before kipping up but another attempt at a Handspring Moonsault just ate knees. Deville following up with a Front Kick for a near fall. Deville seemed to go for a Figure Four Leglock but was kicked away. Belair then easily scooping Deville up to hit the KOD and get the win.
After the match Belair got a mic, and said she hadn’t forgotten about Alexa Bliss and dared her to bring whoever she needed, including Uncle Howdy, to try and take the title. ALEXA BLISS herself appeared on the tron, claiming she was the one still in control. Saying she didn’t need anyone else’s help “to tear your face open with my bare hands”. Vowing to leave as the new champion.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
What an utter disappointment. Deville buried in a pointless throwaway match that only served to give Belair yet another win that she doesn’t need. And the Cage Match that had the potential to be a show stealer was just turned into a quick beatdown segment. It’s believed that because of the ‘Tribal Court’ segment earlier in the show time was cut to force the Cage Match to be cancelled. That just proves that even after all the improvements and the so-called Women’s Evolution it’s still the same old WWE putting the women at the bottom of the ladder when it’s needed. Just as bad there was once again no real hype about the Women’s Royal Rumble Match which looks to be just as much of an afterthought to the WWE outside of its Women’s singles Champions. A total mess. The WWE has a lot to do to repair this night of damage.
That’s your lot for this week! Be sure to stop by in seven days’ time for the post-Royal Rumble edition of the RAW RECAP! See you then!