Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Last week saw the previously unthinkable, as WWE Hall of Famer Lita came out of retirement to win the Women’s Tag Team Championships alongside Becky Lynch. But the win came after the direct assistance from another legend in Trish Stratus who took out Bayley to ensure Damage CTRL lost the gold. What will the fallout be from the title change? And will things remain sweet and respectful between ‘Mania title challengers Bianca Belair and Asuka? Let’s get into it, and find out…
CARMELLA was interviewed but spent more time insulting WWE Official Adam Pearce than anything else. Much to the applauding delight of CHELSEA GREEN as the two had another mutual appreciation society meeting, leading to Carmella get Green to be in her corner for the match tonight.
Non-Title Singles Match
Raw Women’s Champion BIANCA BELAIR defeated CARMELLA w/h CHELSEA GREEN
The women traded Headlocks before Belair got cute with a flip, moments later being sent to the floor by a low bridge trick. Belair tried to haul Carmella out but got kicked off, and sent into the announce table. Moments later Carmella used a Hot Shot to get the edge before hauling Belair down to the canvas by the braid. Soon after Belair did more flips, including the corner one to hit a Dropkick then kipping up. Carmella got rolled out of a corner for a Roll up before Belair used the momentum of the kick-out to jump back to the corner on the ropes, just to take a kick and get yanked off by the leg.
The match went into in-picture ads. When they finally came back Carmella had a Chin Lock applied. Belair powering up and trying for a Slam but Carmella escaped and used the braid again to send Belair down to the mat. Trying for a leap of faith Crossbody but Belair rolled through to clutch her opponent. Carmella escaped but trying for a Headscissors was once again held up by Belair’s strength, turning it into a Backbreaker. Belair hit the Handspring Moonsault but Green got in the ring to distract the ref. Belair then hauled Green back in when she bailed, leaving her open for a Low Superkick from Carmella but only getting a two count.
Belair came back with Shoulder Thrusts to the corner then 10 Count punches. Flipping out from the corner and then tossing Green out of the ring when she rushed back in. Even going to the floor to chase down Green and toss her over the barricade into the Timekeeper’s area. Belair got rolled up through the ropes to be brought back in, and Carmella tried to steal the win with feet on the ropes but Belair still kicked out at two. The KOD soon followed for Belair to win the match.
After the match Green decked Balir from behind as the Heels went after Belair. ASUKA stormed out and used the Poison Mist to blind Green, sending the heels packing. The ‘Mania title challengers having a stare down as Belair seemed quite unsure about what to make of the intimidating Asuka.
MAXXINE DUPRI and her Maximum Male Models appeared to be fawning over Otis, but Baron Corbin misunderstood and thought compliments were about him. Dupri showed her manipulative side by convincing Corbin to deal with Chad Gable in order for her to consider making him a client. Later in the show Dupri and her Models would watch that match from backstage.
RHEA RIPLEY along with The Judgement Day accompanied Finn Balor for a match against Johnny Gargano with Dexter Lumis. But sneaky tactics by Edge allowed a distraction and attack, making Balor lose. Ripley also got a hype video package about her recent dominance.
Singles Match
PIPER NIVEN defeated NIKKI CROSS
The announcers claimed Candice LeRae had suffered a shoulder injury after a backstage attack by Niven (shown in a WWE online video later in the evening from last week). Cross jumped her former friend before the bell rang, smothering her at the apron and then with a Back Sleeper in the ring. Cross more fell off than being hauled, before Niven demanded the bell be rung to start the match. Cross hitting a Top Rope Crossbody to take Niven down, forcing Niven to bail out to the floor to get a break.
Niven hit a Headbutt as Cross tried to get her at the apron, but took a Dropkick to the knee when she got back in. Cross hit strikes but an Irish Whip attempt was countered, Niven hitting a less-than-perfect Loch Ness Slam for the quick win.
CATHY KELLEY handled interview duties.
New Women’s Tag Team Champions BECKY LYNCH and LITA went to the ring. Lita half-heartedly saying that Damage CTRL didn’t make it easy for them, but made it worth it. The fans doing the generic “You deserve it” chant and they clearly didn’t watch Lita’s performance last week. Eventually bringing out TRISH STRATUS who got in the ring as well. trying to make a reference to a live event in Canda months ago in reference to Bayley before DAMAGE CTRL interrupted.
Bayley ranting that the Legends only showed up to add something to their trophy cases as she, Sky and Kai entered the ring. Bayley using a nice line saying that while Lita and Stratus were the reasons all the women were in this ring, Damage CTRL would be the reason why they the legends never get back into the ring. Stratus however said she could easily come out of retirement and challenged Bayley to a three-on-three match at WrestleMania. Bayley accepted the match without questioning it, and that once again outraged Kai and Sky. Sky and kai tried to jump the Legends, just getting tossed out. That left Bayley to take a punch each from the faces before the rest of Damage CTRL hauled her to safety.
It was announced that Chelsea Green would go one-on-one with Bianca Belair next week on Raw.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Well, it might answer the question about some WrestleMania plans, and certainly, a Six-Woman Tag Team Match would make sure the workload is off of the Hall of Famers. ‘Mania is a two-night event of course so there’s still a chance that a Women’s Tag Team Championship Match could be on the card somehow. Barring them making the trios match to have the titles on the line. We’ll wait and see but there’s still a sour taste about it all, especially if the match ends up further burying Damage CTRL at the expense of gues star Hall of Famers (again!).
Elsewhere Piper Niven gets momentum back with a win, even if the finish was messy. While Bianca Belair and Asuka remain respectful for the moment, but will that change if Belair feels disrespected by Asuka’s antics?
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!