Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The Money in the Bank event is fast approaching, and the lineup for the Women’s Ladder Match builds with both Bayley and Iyo Sky now joining the bout. There’s one spot left in the match so will bag a chance to get a career-altering win? And after Asuka was appointed as the new WWE Women’s Champion for Smackdown, will we see Rhea Ripley awarded a new title to finally end the confusion about the blue brand’s champ being on Raw? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Smackdown Women’s Champion RHEA RIPLEY kicked off the show. Getting a title ceremony hosted by WWE Official Adam Pearce. Ripley being awarded the new Women’s World Champion as ‘her new status’ to discontinue the Smackdown title. But the spotlight was more than ripped from the announcement because of Dominick Mysterio and then Cody Rhodes, turning things into a segment to set up their feud match at Money in the Bank.
BECKY LYNCH walked backstage, looking bemused at seeing MAXXINE DUPRI being trained by Alpha Academy.
Lynch cut a promo before the match, claiming that winning MITB was the one thing that’s eluded her all her career. Lynch making a curious, somewhat heel-leaning speech about wanting power and saying no one had power like the MITB holder. Shades of her old unhinged heel era pre-SummerSlam. But eventually talking about her rival Trish Stratus, claiming she was scared and had to get an insurance policy in Zoey Stark.
That brought out ZOEY STARK to interrupt, mocking Lynch by saying she could add failing to beat her at MITB to his list of accomplishments. Lynch mocking Stark for not having a personality, which didn’t help matters as to counter Stark yelled her comeback. Using the tired line of Lynch only becoming relevant after getting her face broken. Lynch dared Stark to fight her, only for CHELSEA GREEN and SONYA DEVILLE to interrupt things as they objected to last week’s events, but twisted reality as Green claimed she had been attacked ‘unprovoked’ and Deville said she only lost because of distraction. Lynch heard enough and demanded Green get in to fight and told Stark to watch and see why Lynch is famous.
Singles Match
BECKY LYNCH defeated CHELSEA GREEN w/h SONYA DEVILLE
Lynch hit the Flying Forearm right from the bell, trying for Dis-Arm-Her but getting shoved off, using the momentum from the ropes to hit the Wheel Kick. Moments later Green got shoved from the corner over the top and to the floor as the show went to a commercial break. After it, Green was in control with a rest hold Chin Lock while Zoey Stark watched the match from the entrance stage, sitting on top of a ladder.
Lynch hit some strikes but trying for the Bang Kick Green caught the leg and swept it away. Green hit the corner Curb Stomp. Moments later, Lynch blocked a Superplex attempt with a Headbutt to send Green down, setting up for a Missile Dropkick. A Baseball Slide by Lynch hitting Green, before Lynch hit the Forearm after the apron jump. Then tossing Green into the crown barrier three times just like last week. Back inside, Green hit an Enzigiri but the attempt at I’m Prettier was blocked. Green managed to counter the Man-Handle Slam into a Roll-up, only for Lynch to turn it into the Dis-Arm-Her for the submission win.
CATHY KELLEY handled interview duties.
NATALYA was interviewed briefly, lamenting that she wasn’t sure who she was anymore.
Singles Match
Women’s Tag Team Champion SHAYNA BASZLER w/h RONDA ROUSEY defeated RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ
There was a recap of the events from Smackdown to set up the Tag Title unification match to merge the NXT tag gold with the main roster belts. Baszler couldn’t out-power Rodriguez so tried going for the arm only for Rodriguez to counter into a Fallaway Slam. A corner Splash led to a second Fallaway Slam. Moments later, Rodriguez missed a Big Boot, leaving her stuck on the ropes as Baszler hit a leg kick, targeting the limb with an ankle version so to speak of her Arm Stomp.
Rodriguez managed to shove away Baszler’s takedown attempts, then hitting the Rewind Clothesline, before returning the favour with multiple kicks to the hamstring. Rodriguez hit the Twisting Vader Bomb Senton but got distracted by Rousey going on the apron. Baszler used that to roll Rodriguez up and Rousey used her foot through the ropes to help apply pressure to the pin as Baszler stole the win.
Maxxine Durpi showed off what she’s ‘learned’ from Alpha Academy as she used an Arm Drag to counter VALHALLA trying to attack her during the match between Erik and Chad Gable.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Well, at least we finally got the issue of having one brand’s champion on the other show dealt with. I don’t have a problem with the title being similar to the men’s World title in terms of design. It’s now up to WWE to make this title matter. Considering how the title segment was hijacked by male Superstars, and that it doesn’t seem like we’re getting this Women’s World Championship defended at MITB? There’s work to be done there. Elsewhere Lynch got a showcase win (even if the match seemed less than fluid at points on Green’s part) while her feud with Stratus and Stark continued, and the feud with Dupri and Valhalla is actually rather entertaining but we’ll see if Durpi is actually ready to compete or not. Rodriguez losing a match because of the numbers game – was this just a throwaway match or will this set up Rodriguez getting yet another new tag partner?
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!