Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Although it doesn’t feel like it, this is WrestleMania week with the big two-night show just days away. Before then however, the two women who will fight over the Raw Women’s Championship at the event must team up. Asuka having to deal with title challenger Rhea Ripley as a tag partner against the current Tag Team Champions of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. Can these two get along? And will get a rush announcement about what fate the tag titles will have at Mania, if any? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Non-Title Women’s Tag Team Match
Women’s Tag Team Champions NIA JAX & SHAYNA BASZLER w/h Regenald defeated Raw Women’s Champion ASUKA & RHEA RIPLEY
Before the match we got an earlier today interview by SARAH SCHREIBER to Ripley, as Ripley claimed she knew exactly what she was doing last week. Telling Asuka to wait until Sunday before getting revenge. Ripley appeared to be playing mind games, refusing to give Asuka eye contact as they waited for their opponents. As the champs made their entrance it was announced that an interpromotional Women’s Tag Team Turmoil Match would be held on night one to decide who faces the champs on Sunday – Lana & Naomi Vs Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose Vs The Riott Squad Vs Natalya & Tamina.
Asuka and Baszler started off, with Asuka and Ripley clearly not on the same page. Asuka controlled with a Headlock but her shoulder check didn’t send Baszler down the first time, but after some misdirection Asuka got it. Teasing going for an Arm Stomp but instead just bringing Baszler up by the arm, taking Baszler close to the corner but Ripley refused to tag in. Only after Asuka got clobbered and sent back to the corner did Ripley in clearly heel fashion tag herself in. The former NXT rivals went at it briefly as Ripley tossed Baszler.
Jax was tagged in as Ripley unleashed strikes but almost paid for going for a Bodyslam attempt as Jax clubbed her down, but avoided more harm by slipping out of a Slam attempt from Jax. Ripley rudely tagged out by smacking Asuka on the top of her head, much to Asuka’s rage. Asuka avoided the Samoan Drop, and locked on the Octopus Stretch, but soon after Jax clubbed Asuka down with a body check for a near fall. Asuka took a Corner Splash, but a second just hit the corner as Asuka hit the Double Knee Facebuster.
Asuka surprised Ripley by tagging out, forcing Ripley in when she didn’t want to as she took Baszler (who had gotten a tag) down with a Big Boot. Regenald did another distraction flip, but Ripley grabbed his hair, leaving her open for a Baszler Chop Block. On the outside Jax shoved Ripley into the apron. After a commerical break Baszler was in control of Ripley hitting an ankle stomp then a kick for a one count. Jax was tagged in, hitting a Body Slam then an Elbow for a two count. Baszler was tagged in, hitting a PK to the back for another near fall then locking in a Heel Hook.
Jax was tagged in, bending Ripley’s leg with a hold before Jax hit a Legdrop onto the limb. But then Jax applied a Cobra Clutch instead of a leg hold for a brief rest hold. Ripley managed to escape and caught Jax with a Dropkick. Asuka taunted Ripley but took the tag as Baszler got one too, and Baszler ate a Running Dropkick. Jax took a Head Kick before both Tag Champs took Hip Attacks in opposite corners. Baszler took the combo of a Head Kick, the German Suplex then the Sliding Kick for a two count.
Asuka went up top but Ripley shoved her tag partner to the floor! Sending a message to her WrestleMania opponent as she hit a Slam from a Back Suplex position very similar to KiLynn King’s Kingdom Falls on the outside. Rolling Asuka in as Baszler hit a Knee Strike to steal the win. After the match Ripley was gloating about what she did.
Backstage Schreiber interviewed the Women’s Tag Team Champions who said they were ready for any challenge. LANA and NAOMI then DANA BROOKE and MANDY ROSE showed up top stake their claims. Even Smackdown’s NATALYA and TAMINA, then LIV MORGAN and RUBY RIOTT showed up. Oh, and so did BILLIE KAY who claimed Carmella was still reviewing her resume. The Tag Champs leaving their potential challengers to bicker ahead of Mania.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
One match, one backstage segment but both got the job done. An effectively done turn with Ripley that makes sense, and built a nice bit of heat before Mania while protecting Asuka with a cheap loss. No complaints there. We didn’t see too much of Ripley in the match but that will certainly change at Mania. As for the Tag Team Turmoil match there’s speculation about more team(s) being added… Is it so wrong that I hope Billie Kay finds a different tag team partner other than Carmella? Perhaps a certain IIconic partner?
That’s your lot for this week! Next time it will be the always anticipated Raw After Mania show, so be sure to stop by in seven days time for the next edition of the RAW RECAP! See you then!