Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! We’re heading towards the Hell in a Cell event, and we will see Rhea Ripley defending the Raw Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a one-on-one match. So what’s next for the rivals? And what madness will go down when Nia Jax’s squeeze Reginald has to face Shayna Baszler in a match? Let’s get into it, and find out…
CHARLOTTE FLAIR and Raw Women’s Champion RHEA RIPLEY were on Miz TV. The expected insults hurling was done and a recap of the time limit match between Ripley and Cross last week. NIKKI CROSS herself came out to try and sneak into the title hunt as Cross challenged Flair to face her, claiming she’d then challenge the winner of Hell in a Cell’s match. But Flair got caught up in her ego and claimed she could beat Cross in a single minute, and got slapped for her trouble which provoked Flair to accept.
Beat The Clock Match
NIKKI CROSS defeated CHARLOTTE FLAIR by making the two minute time limit.
Despite Flair saying one minute, it was just a two minute clock on the screen as Cross slid out of the ring early to waste time. Luring Flair out but then rolling back in to frustrate Cross. More time wasting was done as Flair went after Cross, but got distracted by Ripley on the outside. Flair finally caught Cross with a Knee Strike then a Clothesline. Flair put Cross up top, but Cross hit clubbing blows then a Tornado DDT. Cross caught a glancing blow with a Dropkick, and the clock expired as Flair went fruitlessly for the Figure Four. Cross celebrated and Ripley was laughing it up as Flair was fuming.
Intergender Singles Match
Reginald defeated SHAYNA BASZLER
Before the match Reginald encouraged NIA JAX to watch from backstage. Reggie started off with fancy flips to avoid kicks and charges, but a shoulder check sent him down. He avoided a kick and barely got a two count off a Roll-up. Baszler controlled the arm but had a Whip reversed, but pulled Reginald off the mat when he tried a drop down. Reginald kipped up from another knockdown and actually hit a Body Slam of all things but said sorry right after.
Baszler soon caught a leg for a Leg DDT, going after the limb with Elbow Drops then a leg hold. Doing an Ankle Stomp similar to her Arm Stomp spot before another leg submission. Countering another flip, Baszler locked on an Ankle Lock but Reginald did the roll through counter to send Baszler into the corner. Reginald hit a rough Spinning Crossbody then went up top for a high Moonsault, but Baszler rolled away so when Reginald landed on his feet he did more damage to the hurt leg. Baszler applied the Clutch, but fire shot out of the ring posts like the past couple of weeks thanks to Alexa Bliss and Lily. Distracting Baszler enough to be rolled up with a double leg pinhold for the upset loss. Baszler was left furious as Reginald staggered backstage to be hugged by Jax.
ALEXA BLISS in her playground bragged about Reginald’s win, inviting him onto her ‘show’ to celebrate the win.
EVA MARIE had another video and this time actually showing her doing some (staged) in ring drills.
Women’s Tag Team Match
DANA BROOKE & MANDY ROSE defeated LANA & NAOMI
NATALYA and TAMINA the Women’s Tag Champs were on guest commentary. Lana and Brooke started off doing fancy roll throughs and counters. A blind tag by Naomi, even missed by the referee, led to Lana holding Brooke in a pin hold so Naomi could hit a Legdrop for a near fall. Naomi hit a Bulldog to send Brooke into the middle turnbuckle, and Lana tagged in to hit a Running Facebuster for a near fall. Naomi tagged back in but paid for going for the Bulldog again as Brooke countered, then countered the attempted Wheelbarrow into just slamming Naomi down.
Rose was tagged in as the blondes hit a Douple Team Flapjack for a two count. Rose showed off some power with Olympic-style waistlock slams. Naomi fought out of the corner then hit Rose with a unique over the shoulders into a dropdown Chinbreaker. Tamina was called out for chuckling on commentary over the spot and Tamina nicely covered by saying she was just enjoying the action. Naomi made the tag and Ravishing Glow tried for their Double Team X-Factor but Brooke came in to block, getting tossed out by Naomi who then hit a Spinning Crossbody to wipe out Brooke on the floor.
Rose took Naomi off the apron with the Pump Knee, and Lana used a couple pin holds for near falls. The numbers caught up with Lana as the Sexy Muscle Friends hit a nice combo double team of a Samoan Drop by Rose with a Blockbuster off the ropes by Brooke to put away Lana. The tag champs mouthing off and taunting with their titles as the victors yelled back from the ring.
Reginald had his knee taped up, as Nia Jax tried to advise him not to accept Bliss’ offer. In Bliss’ playground Bliss cut him off with her creepy antics, claiming that Lily wanted to know about his circus show past. Baszler then showed up and beat up Reginald and invited herself to a seat. Bliss stated that Lily doesn’t like her, and Baszler called out Bliss for ‘being a problem’ refering to the pyro distractions. Baszler vowed to see Bliss next to settle this, but perhaps made the big mistake of calling Lily ‘just a stupid doll’.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Cross storyline is an unusual way to build towards the Flair/Ripley match but perhaps the line about Cross challenging the winner finally makes sense for where things head after the Pay Per View. Brooke and Rose are long overdue for a fair shot at the tag titles but considering the long road that Natalya and Tamina took to get the straps themselves perhaps there’s no sure thing that Rose and Brooke would win. Elsewhere, the expected feud of Baszler and Bliss is finally cemented. We’ll see if Jax is still included in the mix.
That’s your lot for this week! Be sure to stop by in seven days time for the next edition of the RAW RECAP! See you then!