Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! WrestleMania Backlash is fast approaching and there’s been a new twist in the Raw Women’s Championship picture. Charlotte Flair was reinstated thanks to a new ally, the clearly biased WWE Official Sonya Deville. With now the backing of an authority figure, will Flair be on a clear path to becoming Champion once again? And what’s next for Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler as Jax continues to suffer from slips and trips alongside distractions? Let’s get into it, and find out…
SONYA DEVILLE was seen with CHARLOTTE FLAIR about taking something under advisement, but seeing Flair leave fellow Official Adam Pierce warned Deville she was overstepping her boundries.
A video announced that former WWE Diva and Total Divas star EVA MARIE was returning. But the video seemed more about Marie posing and looking good than her lacking in-ring ability.
Smackdown’s KAYLA BRAXTON handled interview duties.
Women’s Singles Match
CHARLOTTE FLAIR defeated DANA BROOKE w/h MANDY ROSE
Flair pie faced Brooke a couple times, saying that Brooke was “still my bitch!” referencing storylines from years ago. Brooke came back with strikes then a Whirlybird Headscissors. Brooke got a Dropkick but Flair caught Brooke running in with the Backbreaker into a Flatliner into the ropes combo. A few stomps led to a near fall. Flair hit a Boot along the apron to Brooke on the ropes, but taking her time for the pin got a near fall. Brooke came back with a Hotshot then an Enzigiri but a Clothesline shut her down.
Later, Brooke tried for a Sunset Flip counter to a Powerbomb but Flair stomped free. A missed Queen’s Boot in the corner allowed Brooke to hit strikes then two Handspring Elbows. Brooke hit her Swanton Bomb for a near fall. Going for another Handspring Elbow led to Brooke’s doom as Flair hit a Chop Block to Brooke in mid-air. The Figure Eight following for the win. Flair didn’t release the hold so Rose kicked Flair out of it, and Rose hit a Pump Knee to send Flair out.
Instantly Sonya Deville came down to the ring but after a commercial Brooke and Rose were gone as she and Flair stood in the ring. Flair complained that she was being left out of a title opportunity and bragged about past wins over Asuka and Rhea Ripley. Flair continued a truly awful rant that just wasted TV time until Deville finally announced it would be a Triple Threat at WrestleMania Backlash for the Raw Women’s Championship. RHEA RIPLEY finally came out and said she was confident at beating Asuka, and started to imply that Flair being added to a title match was part of Deville’s plan. ASUKA came out and called this all “crap” and called Flair a crybaby, but said it doesn’t matter if it’s Triple Threat as she could beat them both. Flair ranted some more before Ripley got into Deville’s face yelling that she was doing a plan against her. Flair saved her meal ticket by decking Ripley, before Asuka cleared Flair from the ring to end the segment.
ALEXA BLISS had another creepy segment.
Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
Women’s Tag Team Champions NIA JAX & SHAYNA BASZLER w/h Reginald defeated LANA & NAOMI
The Tag Champs didn’t even get a full entrance for their title defence. Jax and Naomi started off as Jax showed power by tossing Naomi up, but her follow up Legdrop missed. Leaving Baszler, who blind tagged in, to grab Naomi but Naomi hit an inside style Enzigri to break free and tag out. Lana hitting a Crossbody off the top for a two count. Lana’s Russian Legsweep got a two count, then she and Naomi did quick double teams as Lana hit Double Knees to the back, setting up a Naomi Splits Stunner for Lana to then hit a Head Kick. Naomi only got a two count from a Roll-Up pin out of all of that.
Naomi hit Jax with a Dropkick to keep her out of the ring. Lana and Naomi hitting the Double Team X-Factor on Baszler but Jax hauled Naomi out of the ring. Reginald distracted the ref, so when the official finally made the count Baszler was able to kick out. Lana managed to escape the Clutch once but Baszler countered a Wheelbarrow to apply it again to get the win.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Oh boy. The Eva Marie rumours have been doing the rounds for a few months now, and I can’t say I’m excited. Eva Marie wasn’t anything good in the ring during her first run, and after years off to try and be an actress? I’m setting my expectations so low they’re buried in the ground. Meanwhile, the WWE reverts to type by forcing Flair into another championship match. At the very least Deville’s involvement adds something slightly fresh to the mix but not by much. Flair was especially awful during her promo was well. Lastly, it appears that (short length of the match aside) that Naomi and Lana may have had their final run at the tag titles. Most likely Tamina and Natalya over on Smackdown will get the Pay Per View title shot.
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!