Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Hell in a Cell is fast approaching with Charlotte Flair getting her one on one match for the Raw Women’s Championship against Rhea Ripley. But Nikki Cross’ recent time limit ‘victories’ over both Flair and Ripley might throw a spanner into the works. What will be next for the singles division? And what’s next for Shayna Baszler now that the wrath of Alexa Bliss and Lily is headed her way? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Backstage CHARLOTTE FLAIR tried to complain to SONYA DEVILLE and Adam Pierce about last week’s loss to Nikki Cross but neither official bought her excuses. RHEA RIPLEY showed up and taunted Flair saying she’d take a rematch against Cross to prove herself. The officials pounced on it, and then forced the title rivals to team up against Cross and a partner of her choosing.
EVA MARIE had another more of the same promo video, saying she’d return next week.
Women’s Tag Team Match
ASUKA & NIKKI CROSS defeated Raw Women’s Champion RHEA RIPLEY & CHARLOTTE FLAIR
Flair and Cross kicked things off with Cross overpowered quickly. Flair baited Ripley in to tag herself in and gave a similar shove down to Cross who got barely a one count off a Roll-up before tagging out to Asuka. The two dodging moves as it seemed Asuka and Cross were happy to taunt and play mind games. Asuka went for a kick but was caught and took a Headbutt, but Asuka came back with the Octopus Hold briefly. After a couple more counters Flair blind tagged in as Ripley knocked Asuka down much to Ripley’s displeasure as Flair fired off a chop. But soon Cross blind tagged in as she hit Flair with a Headscissors-like lucha drag, setting up Asuka to hit a Dropkick for a one count.
Asuka was tagged to focus on the arm briefly but Flair countered with a Sleeper, backing up enough for Ripley to tag herself in but Asuka broke free and ended up hitting a Hip Attack to Ripley as she tried coming in when Flair was her intended target. Flair badmouthed Ripley on the outside and then hauled her rival down from the apron to deck her with a Forearm. Back from commerical Cross had a Headlock on Ripley to control the powerhouse. Soon after being sent to the apron but getting in strikes through the ropes to set up a vault through Cradle for a one count. A Headbutt by Ripley shutting down the momentum as Ripley sent her to a corner to stomp away.
Ripley pushed Cross into the Electric Chair position, but walking around Flair reached in to tag herself in as Ripley had to just dump Cross face down to the mat and the delay of mouthing off at Flair got only Flair a two count. Flair was making no friends as she mouthed off at everyone, doing her backflip into a stomp as well. Flair made a ‘tag’ to Ripley of just chopping Ripley and gloated about it. A delayed Suplex to Cross allowing Ripley to taunt Flair back, and then returned the favour of a mocking tag by giving Flair headpats.
Flair took too long to hit a Splash to the corner, then taking a Jawbreaker from Cross but an Enzigiri missed. Flair tried to knock Asuka off but she dropped down, but Flair prevented a tag anyway by lifting Cross up and muscling her so far back to her corner that Cross’ feet hit Ripley to knock her down. Cross escaping to get a Sunset Flip for a two count at last. Ripley tagged in, but couldn’t stop Cross as she countered the Kingdom Falls into a Bulldog and then tagged Asuka in. The Sliding Kick getting a two count before she hit a Hip Attack to Flair on the apron, then swinging Ripley’s leg into the rope for the Double Knee Attack. Flair distracting by grabbing a leg, and that allowed Ripley to deliver an Alicia Fox-like Northern Lights Suplex for a two count.
Asuka came back with the German Suplex then a Hip Attack for a near fall. Cross tagged in and hit the top rope Crossbody but Flair broke the pin up before tossing Cross out. Flair and Ripley then just trading blows as they imploded. Ripley trying for the Riptide but Flair escaped and raked the eyes before Flair hit Natural Selection on Ripley. That allowed Cross to steal the win over the Raw Women’s Champion!
ALEXA BLISS in her playground recaped Baszler’s invasion last week, and warned Baszler about what would happen later on.
NIA JAX spoke with SHAYNA BASZLER backstage, trying to ease things out and offer help but Baszler dismissed the advice.
Alexa’s Playground was held out in the ring as Bliss rambled before Baszler interrupted and stormed out, before Baszler shoved over a rocking horse and took a seat on the swing. Bliss however offered friendship, and all Baszler had to do was say sorry to Lily. Baszler dismissed it, calling out Bliss for being the reason why she’s no longer a tag champion. Baszler snatched the doll, and sarcastically said sorry before calling Bliss a stupid doll. The brawl starting as Bliss struck first but got tossed out. Baszler then making the mistake of stomping on Lily, which made the LED screens freak out before a bunch of pyro flames went off.
The scene going cinematic style as Baszler went backstage and narrowly avoided being crushed by suddenly falling equipment. Baszler fleeing to a locker room and locking a door and piling stuff at the door. But the lights flickering as Baszler looked at a mirror to see Lily in the reflection but of course when she turned around Lily wasn’t there. Baszler smashed the mirror in anger and the show ended with a literal cut to black as Baszler yelled.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The expected supernatural silliness with Bliss and Baszler won’t be for everyone but I got a kick out of it, and if it leads to an actual match with Bliss getting back in the ring then I’m all for it. Or will it be another cinematic, Firefly Funhouse Match style encounter? Meanwhile, Cross gets yet another win in the mix of Ripley and Flair being at one another’s throats. Will this end up putting Cross into the match at Hell in a Cell, or is Cross destined to be the next challenger after the show? That’s a big wait and see right there. This was also the first Raw in a long while the Women’s Tag Team Champions were not seen at all on the show. But considering recent releases have broken up two of the few tag teams on the main roster, perhaps that’s not too surprising at all.
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!