Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Last week saw one of the most awkward matches in recent memory as a bout between Nia Jax and Charlotte Flair broke down with some unprofessional antics during the match-up. Ultimately, Jax picked up a surprise non-title win which has quickly turned into a Raw Championship opportunity this week. So will Jax turn her career around in quick order? And what will come from Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley getting a non-title opportunity against the current Women’s Tag Team Champions? Let’s get into it, and find out…
SONYA DEVILLE handled duties as a WWE official.
Non-Title Women’s Tag Team Match
NIKKI A.S.H. & RHEA RIPLEY defeated WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions NATALYA & TAMINA
Before the match, SARAH SCHREIBER interviewed the unlikely team, with ASH wearing an armband in tribute to sadly departed Daffney. The two were clearly not completely on the same page as Ripley wasn’t thrilled by the idea of calling their team ‘Super Brutality’. The commentators also seemed to be downplaying the recent wins Shotzi and Nox had gotten over the tag champs on Smackdown.
ASH and Tamina started off, as Tamina easily overpowered her opponent. Blocking a Monkey Flip attempt and setting ASH on the top rope, eventually pulling her off for a Samoan Drop attempt. ASH escaped, trying for a Sunset Flip but having to roll away when Tamina dropped down. ASH hit a Whoopie Cushion then a Basement Dropkick before tagging out. Rhea picking up ASH and tossing her into Tamina’s arms in order to distract and then kick Tamina down so ASH hit a Crossbody of sorts.
Ripley and Tamina exchanged punches until Tamina got the better of it, then tagging out as Natalya controlled with a Headlock Takeover. Ripley broke free and there was an awkward break as it seemed the ladies might have forgotten or got confused with a spot as ASH tagged in. Ripley picking her up to swing ASH’s feet into Natalya, but Natalya came rack back with a corner charge and punches. ASH fought back, but a distraction by Tamina allowed Natalya to club her from behind, following up with a Snapmare and a Basement Dropkick. On the outside Tamina hauled Ripley down, hitting a Superkick that sent Ripley into the steel steps.
Back from a commercial break Tamina was in control of ASH but missed a Hip Attack to the corner. Natalya tagged in but couldn’t stop the tag as Ripley went House on Fire with the Short-Arm Clotheslines then Ripcord Headbutt. A Snapmare followed before Ripley knocked Tamina off the apron before hitting a Basement Dropkick to Natalya. A Side Kick led to the Alicia Fox Suplex for a two count. Ripley directed traffic, tagging in ASH and telling her to up top as she held Natalya to take a Crossbody off the top rope, but Tamina barely broke up the pin.
Ripley wiped out Tamina with a wicked Running Dropkick, only to be taken out herself by a German Suplex from Natalya. ASH tried for a Tornado DDT but Natalya blocked and then hit her Discus Clothesline. ASH was able to sneak a tag to Ripley who dropped down, so Natalya didn’t see as she went for The Sharpshooter. Leaving Natalya open to be hit by The Riptide for a win over the tag champs!
Raw Women’s Championship Match
Raw Women’s Champion CHARLOTTE FLAIR defeated NIA JAX w/h SHAYNA BASZLER to retain.
Both Flair and Jax were interviewed earlier on the show, both being heel and declaring victory. However just as the bell rang Baszler grabbed a mic, mocking her tag partner and questioning if Jax would choke. That allowed Flair to jumpstart proceedings as the two women had some worked, scrappy punches and shoving about (compared to the mess from last week). Flair seemed ready to bail out and walk away with her title but Baszler, contrasting her remarks from moments ago, blocked Flair’s path. That allowed Jax to reach out and pull Flair up to the apron, and despite a Hot Shot from Flair Jax came back with a Clothesline to deck Flair in the ring.
Flair flipped out from a Back Suplex attempt and hit a Chop Block, but missed the Knee Drop in the corner spot as Jax squashed her into the turnbuckle. Jax set Flair up top, going for a Superplex but Flair slipped out, tossing Jax down with a Powerbomb for a two count. Flair stomped the knee but when she tried for the Figure Four Jax tossed her back with a snap Roll-Up that probably intended to send Flair into the bottom turnbuckle but the women were too far away so she just hit the canvas. After a commercial break Flair hit the Top Rope Moonsault to the floor to Jax. Baszler tried to clobber Flair but Flair ducked, and Baszler almost struck her partner leading to an awkward face-off.
Back inside Jax went for the One-Arm Powerbomb but Flair slipped out the back, trying for a Sunset Flip but Jax hauled her back up for a Headbutt. Setting up for a corner Splash before putting Flair up top. However, Baszler got to the apron, deliberately distracting her tag partner as Flair hit a Super Natural Selection to steal a win and retain. Baszler clearly smirking at her plan and coster her so-called friend the title.
After the match, ALEXA BLISS and Lilly appeared on the titantron. Bliss invited Flair to the Playground, but Flair claimed she wasn’t playing mind games. After taking a cheap shot at Flair’s father, Bliss said she’d bring the Playground to her. The lights went out, and Bliss then appeared in the ring. Flair demanded to know what Bliss wanted, and Bliss just pointed at the Raw Women’s Championship. Flair accepted the challenge but claimed that this wasn’t Bliss’ Playground, but hers.
In a backstage interview, DOUDROP bragged about last week’s beatdown and challenged Eva Marie to a rematch for next week.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A far better match this week between Flair and Jax, but one has to wonder why give Jax a win one week just to have her lose the next? Was this all just to build up a feud between Baszler and Jax? Surely there could have been better ways to get to that instead of the mess of a match last week. At least things are back on track with a Bliss versus Flair feud which should be interesting. Meanwhile, you have to feel bad for Smackdown’s Shozti and Nox. They spend weeks getting non-title match wins over the tag champs only for Raw to cobble together a new team and hand them a win to jump into contendership. WWE does like its awkward tag teams, so the move shouldn’t be too surprising.
That’s your lot for this week! Be sure to stop by in seven day’s time for the next edition of the RAW RECAP! See you then!