Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! While WrestleMania Backlash featured no women’s matches on the Raw side, one red brand Superstar made a big impact as Rhea Ripley aligned herself with Edge’s The Judgement Day faction. Helping Edge steal a win over AJ Styles as she revealed herself as the group’s newest member. So what’s next for Ripley, and the other women of Raw? Let’s get into it, and find out…
RHEA RIPLEY accompanied Edge and Damien Priest as part of The Judgement Day as Edge cut an in-ring promo. Ripley said joining the group was the easiest decision of her life, saying she saw how Edge and Priest had ‘improved themselves’ and she wanted in on that. Using the old, tired excuse of being bored of her airport autographs being sold on eBay and said she was done being used by the fans. Then stating she had unfinished business with Liv Morgan but would settle that by giving her ‘a reason to cry’ tonight. Edge even piled on the insults, claiming he’d pulled Riplay aside a few weeks back to tell her Morgan was holding her back. LIV MORGAN eventually heard enough as she interrupted to head down for her match.
Women’s Singles Match
RHEA RIPLEY w/h The Judgement Day defeated LIV MORGAN
After trading blows, Ripley took control with a Headbutt then tossing Morgan across the ring, hitting a Running Shoulder Thrust to the corner then another toss. Ripley controlled with more Shoulder Thrusts but after being set up on top, Morgan fought back and hit a Lucha-style Headscissors off a springboard. Hitting a Shotgun Dropkick but trying for ObLIVion Ripley just ran out and hit a Big Boot for a two count.
Morgan was roughed up with mounted strikes and being choked on the ropes before a Bodyscissors. Morgan bridged back for a pin attempt, but Ripley escaped and shut Morgan down with a Clothesline. An arrogant boot on chest pin getting a two count. Morgan managed to escape a Riptide attempt, peppering with strikes and getting her hat trick of kicks finished with the Step-Up Enzigiri. A Float-Over DDT followed before the Springboard Side-Codebreaker to give Morgan a near fall.
Ripley caught Morgan with her Rising Kick off the mat, before moments later swatting away the Double Springboard Dropkick. Ripley locked on her Elevated Reverse Cloverleaf to force the submission and beat her former tag partner. Ripley had new theme music it seemed before she followed Edge’s ordered and locked the Cloverleaf onto Morgan again after the match.
Ripley stayed ringside with Edge as Damien Priest faced Finn Balor w/h AJ Styles. After the match ended in DQ Ripley provided a distraction as Styles hesitated to not strike her, allowing Styles to be jumped from behind.
Women’s Singles Match
ALEXA BLISS defeated SONYA DEVILLE
Before the match Adam Pearce informed Deville that her contract as an official was terminated, leaving her just as a Superstar. Bliss came out to a remixed version of her old Goddess theme and had a Lily doll. Bliss got a ‘Welcome Back’ chant before she hit Deville with a Goddess DDT, before hitting Twisted Bliss to win a quick squash for her return. The loss of her job and the match left Deville screaming and distraught.
In a backstage segment, ASUKA and BECKY LYNCH had a shouting match.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
Women’s Tag Team Champions NAOMI & SASHA BANKS defeated DOUDROP & NIKKI A.S.H.
Despite the pep-talk last week A.S.H. was still in her full superhero costume. Naomi’s arm was taped up as she started against Doudrop. Naomi hit a corner Leaping Forearm but soon took a Headbutt from Doudrop. Naomi taunted after a slide counter, but soon got squashed by Doudrop sitting down to counter a Sunset Flip for a near fall. Naomi got roughed up for a while and took a corner Avalanche.
Naomi got a break with a Leaping Enzigiri, then hitting the corner Bulldog so Banks could tag in. The two hitting Doublke team Eat Defeated at the corner, but when Banks went for a Crossbody off the top Doudrop caught her and slammed her down. Ash tagged in but Doudrop didn’t seem to appreciate the blind tag. A Perfect-Mare got Ash a two count. Doudrop demanded a tag but Ash claimed she had it. Her Swinging Neckbreaker countered and leading to the champs tagging as Banks knocked Dordrop down before they hit Rent’s Due on Ash for the win. Doudrop berated Ash after the match for not having her head in the game.
For some reason Smackdown Superstar LACEY EVANS had her recent history videos shown in a sliced together package.
Backstage DANA BROOKE and TAMINA served divorce papers to their ‘husbands’ via R-Truth but Akira ran off to refuse.
Championship Contendership Match
Raw Women’s Champion BIANCA BELAIR Vs ASUKA ended in no-contest.
Becky Lynch joined commentary. The women traded Wristlocks and did mat work and rope running. Eventually, Asuka got control with a Head Kick counter, followed by a Sliding Kick for a near fall. Asuka had counters for Belair’s moved, escaping a roll through Suplex attempt and countering the Glam Slam to lock on an Arm Bar. Transitioning it to a Triangle but Beliar powered up and out with a Powermbomb.
Lynch then got involved, dragging Belair out and sending her into the ring steps. Then beating up Asuka with a boot to the face then a Leg Drop and an Elbow Drop. Hitting the Man-Handle Slam to Asuka before leaving the ring.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Four women’s matches on the one show! What a treat, and it’s a nice make-up for the fact we had no Raw women’s matches on the Blacklash event. Ripley got a big spotlight as a lead in the Judgemt Day faction, then a dominant win to settle the feud with Morgan. We got story and build between A.S.H. and Doudrop. Although the announcement of Deville being stripped of power was way too sudden and rushed, it was great to see Alexa Bliss finally baCK. And the main event spot that put plenty of interest onto the Raw Women’s Championship with the potential of two challengers for Belair. Even the 24/7 title nonsense was featured. What’s not to love? It’s just a big shame the WWE can’t be this kind to use with the women every week!
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!