Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The Raw Women’s Championship match has been set for the Royal Rumble, as Becky Lynch interfered in the Triple Threat contender’s match. Leading to Doudrop stealing the win as Lynch ensured Bianca Belair didn’t become the next challenger. But will that plan backfire on Lynch now she’s facing a powerhouse opponent? And how will Rhea Ripley respond after Nikki A.S.H. turned on her with a sneak attack? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Raw Women’s Champion BECKY LYNCH kicked off the show, as she bragged about being the reason why the division is so hot, and taunting about how the WWE is bringing back Legends for the Rumble. She also took credit for gifting Doudrop the win last week and making a star out of her. Running her mouth eventually brought DOUDROP out as she mocked Lynch’s remarks. BIANCA BELAIR interrupted as she called out Lynch for costing her last week’s match, and then declared herself as entering the Royal Rumble. Belair stumbled over her promo saying “If I have to throw over… Every 29… Other Woman in that Royal Rumble” (her speeches have been getting noticeably worse week by week.) LIV MORGAN joined the party, also declaring for the Rumble and instantly installed ‘CaN tHeY cOeXiSt?!?’ by saying she’d outlast Belair at the Rumble. Doudrop, having heard enough, yelled for the faces to shut up and called for a ref as Lynch hilariously shoved both rivals, then hid behind Doudrop as Belair and Morgan mouthed off.
Women’s Tag Team Match
Raw Women’s Champion BECKY LYNCH & DOUDROP defeated BIANCA BELAIR & LIV MORGAN
Belair and Doudrop started off. Belair did her usual flips and athletic counters, only to be shut down by a Shoulder Knockdown from Doudrop. Lynch tagged herself in and spent to long mouthing off at Doudrop as Belair hit a Single Leg Dropkick. Morgan tagged in to hit Doudrop off the apron before hitting a wild Shotgun Dropkick to Lynch. Following up with a Corner Back Elbow, a roll out then a High Knee Strike to the corner. The Double Jump Springboard Dropkick set up for the Springboard Side Codebreaker but Doudrop barely broke up the pin.
Belair couldn’t get Doudrop up for the KOD, and ended up taking a Splash in the corner from Doudrop. Morgan used the low bridge on the middle rope to send Doudrop out, and Lynch tried to steal the win with her feet on the ropes with a Roll-up but Morgan kicked out. Moments later, Lynch hit the Man-Handle Slam on Morgan but this time Doudrop broke up her own partner’s pin attempt! Having to drag Lynch over to tag herself in, then hitting a Splash version of her Running Low Crossbody onto Morgan to claim the win for herself. Doudrop then hit the ‘Big Drop’ Banzai Drop onto Lynch to send a further statement.
24/7 Champion DANA BROOKE and Reggie tried to get advice from BETH PHOENIX and Edge backstage before Reggie’s match with Omas. Matters not helped when later TAMINA and the 24/7 mob ate popcorn as Brooke tried to give Reggie a pep talk.
SARAH SCHREIBER interviewed NIKKI A.S.H. as she gave a more out of her mind interview, showing off her new egotistical side claiming her actions were just what other people couldn’t understand. Schreiber also interviewed RHEA RIPLEY who called out Ash on her nonsense and vowed to remind her of who she was.
Before Ripley and Ash could lock up, the Women’s Tag Team Champions CARMELLA and QUEEN ZELINA came out. Mocking their former title rivals and claiming Ripley that should be thanking them. It all provided a distraction as Ash did a sneak attack again. Ash sending Ripley into the ring steps before leaving, with the match never even starting.
MARYSE went to the ring trying to cancel the mixed tag match for the Rumble, asking for Beth Phoenix to come out alone. But not buying it as Edge came out with her, and her begging failed to change things. Phoenix said she wasn’t going to miss out on what might be the only chance to team up with her husband Edge. While the sneak attack by The Miz was anticipated, Maryse used her loaded purse (with a brick!) to hit Phoenix from behind to leave her laid out. Later, The Miz promised that a birthday celebration would happen next week for Maryse.
ALEXA BLISS had another therapy session.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A short but fine enough tag match that did its job, and certainly confirmed that Liv Morgan’s title hopes are well and truly dead as she took the loss. Doudrop and Lynch will have a fine match hopefully even with the predictable outcome. Meanwhile, Belair surely has to win the Rumble or at the very least be eliminated by Lynch in the match to set up the Mania feud. Elsewhere the Ash and Ripley feud isn’t quite clicking yet even with their history, but at least Ash’s new delirious, Injustice-like heroine character is working for now. The taunting for the Tag Champs felt just like an excuse to get them on the show to remind everyone that they exist. Since, you know, there are literally no other tag teams on the main roster to challenge them.
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!