Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! This week will see a Number One Contender for the Raw Women’s Championship crowned as Bayley faces Alexa Bliss? But what events will unfold after the other Damage CTRL members cost Becky Lynch a match last week, and Bliss seems to have ghosts of her ‘Fiendish’ past still haunting her? And will anything come from Asuka’s recent social media posts, showing off her old ‘insane clown’ Kana persona? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Women’s Singles Match – Number One Contendership for the Raw Women’s Championship
ALEXA BLISS defeated BAYLEY w/h DAKOTA KAI & IYO SKY
Before the match had even started, BECKY LYNCH attacked the other Damage CTRL members as she hauled Sky off the apron, then sent Kai into the ring post. Once again easily fending off the odds, particularly as she used a steel chair to chase Sky and Kai through the crowd to take them out of potentially interfering. BIANCA BELAIR also came out before the bell rang, but the WWE wisely didn’t have her do guest commentary as she just sat at ringside to watch.
Bayley got a hair pull slam early then the Sliding Clothesline but only getting a count of one. Moments later, Bliss hit Code Bliss out of the corner for a two count, forcing Bayley to bail to the floor. Bayley lured Bliss to lean through the ropes to get at her, allowing Bayley to snap off the rope-aided Stunner. There were mixed chants for and against Bayley as the Role Model hit a Suplex for a near fall. Bliss made a comeback with a Chinbuster then a couple of Shoulder Knockdowns followed by two Lou Thesz Presses with wild punches.
Bliss hit a rather weak version of her STO followed up by the Insult to Injury combo to get a near fall. Moments later a Bliss Crossbody got a two count. Bliss went up top, but Bayley rolled to the floor and Bayley managed to grab her when she hopped down to the apron, sending Bliss into the ring post as the show went to commercial. Moments after the action returned, Bliss used an off-timed hair-pull slam before she missed a Double Knee Drop and that set up Bayley hitting a Northern Sliding Clothesline for a near fall.
The mistiming continued as Bliss hit a Headscissors off the middle rope that more spiked Bayley into the mat than anything else. Things getting scrappy when Bliss used a Small Package for a two count before Bayley had to body block whatever Bliss planned next, maybe buying herself time to recover with a Roll-up for a two count. Bayley hit a Clothesline and then hit a nice spin-out Side Slam from off of carrying Bliss on the shoulders. (I know I’ve seen that move before but I can’t remember who uses it!). Bayley tried for the more traditional rope-aided Stunner but Bliss shoved her away, before Bliss one of her own as Bayley lunged to try and get her.
Moments later Bliss hit the Con Hilo off the apron to Bayley on the floor, rolling her back in for a near fall. The Goddess DDT got a two count. Bliss tried for a second Code Bliss, but Bayley held the ropes and then used a Waterwheel counter to send Bliss back into the corner! Bliss sent into the turnbuckle again off a Sunset Flip toss to get a near fall. The Bayley-to-Belly getting a two count. In desperation, Bayley removed a middle turnbuckle pad as the ref was busy checking on Bliss. Belair was still at ringside of course, so she held up the removed pad but the referee couldn’t do anything about that.
Bayley and Belair mouthed off a bit in between the actual competitors exchanging strikes and counters. Back in the ring Bliss hit her trio of strikes, and the Low Dropkick sent Bayley back into the corner and presumable the spot was meant to have Bayley hit the turnbuckle she exposed but Bayley just hit the lower pad more. Bliss then hit Twisted Bliss (but almost slipped when going up top) to get the win.
After the match Belaire entered the ring looking to shake hands, but Bliss instead motioned for a hug. The Uncle Howdy/Bray Wyatt logo flashed on the video screens as Bliss turned the hug into the set-up for Sister Abigail but never hit the move. Releasing the clutch and apologising to a confused and then furious Belair. Bliss leaving the scene and looking conflicted while Belair was more pissed off at almost getting attacked.
MIA YIM was alongside the O.C. in a backstage skit poking fun at Alpha Academy. Then accompanying Styles to the ring as he beat Chad Gable.
CANDICE LERAE was briefly seen in a skit with her husband Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis.
RHEA RIPLEY accompanied The Judgement Day as they defeated Akira Tazowa and The Street Profits. CATHY KELLEY interviewed The Street Profits and Tazowa before the match.
Women’s Singles Match
Women’s Tag Team Champion IYO SKY w/h BAYLEY & DAKOTA KAI defeated CANDICE LERAE
Sky showed up LeRae with some flips before LeRae used a Lucha Cradle to get a one count. LeRae hitting the step off the back Senton for a near fall. Bayley sat at commentary but didn’t have a headset so she just relayed a message to tell Kevin Patrick to shut up. Sky flipped out of of a Headscissors attempt, just to take an Enzigiri. Sky took back control with a Flapjack as the match was distracted with Corey Greaves fiddling with spare headstes, claiming the sound team weren’t helping them.
Bayley eventually sotormed off from commentary so the match could actually be focused on as Lerae avoided a Shoulder Thrust through the ropes before hitting a Knee Strike. LeRae hitting a version of a Neckbreaker through the ropes to Sky. After a commercial break Sky was in control with a Japanese Stranglehold. LeRae soon blocking a Double Underhook by Sky and countering with a Back Body Drop. Later, LeRae made a comeback with a Clothesline, a corner Bacdk Elbow then a Tornado DDT for a two count.
Sky came back with a great spinrboard to hit a Dropkick to sent Lerae off from perched up top all the way to the floor. Sky tried for a Ticking Time Sunset Flip Bomb but LeRae blocked. Sky tried for an Electric Chair drop but LeRae countered with a rough looking Poision Rana but it only got a two count back in the ring. Sky coming back with a Shotei then a Deadlight German Suplex for a two count. Sky went up top but LeRae swprt the legs, and tried for her Super Swinging Neckbreaker but Sky held onto the ropes to block. Leaving LeRae down on the mat as Sky hit the Over The Moonsault to pin LeRae clean.
Women’s Singles Match
RHEA RIPLEY w/h Dominick Mysterio defeated ASUKA
Asuka didn’t have her usual green face paint and eye make-up and seemed to be in a lot more serious of a mood. Asuka got in strikes early and tried going for leg take downs then the arm but Ripley’s strength kept Asuka at bay. Ripley even able to block a Flying Armbar attempt to just toss Asuka down. Asuka got roughed up a bit and tossed by the head across the ring. When Ripley went for a second toss Asuka countered and got the Armbar locked in. Ripley used her power to try and escape with the Powerbomb counter but Asuka rolled through to keep the hold applied, forcing Ripley to get to the ropes.
The two Superstars fought on the apron as Asuka avoided being Suplexed before draping Ripley’s leg on the middle rope to leave her open to take Forearms to back her along the apron. A hip Attack by Asuka sending Ripley back-first into the ring post, before Asuka hit a Codebreaker to send Ripley tumbling to the floor. After a commercial break, Ripley missed her Low Running Dropkick, allowing Asuka to fire off a couple kicks but Ripley ducked the third and decked Asuka with a wild boot.
After a couple rest holds, Asuka escaped from a Suplex attempt with a Small Package counter for a near fall. A strike exchange followed with Asuka able to fire off a head kick, but falling victim to Ripley’s kick from the canvas counter to deck her. Asuka hit her flurry of strikes with the multiple Backfists. Ripley ducked the third but she seemed to take a head kick that she perhaps meant to duck, but sold it regardless and Asuka went with it going for a cover for a near fall. After getting a slap, Ripley dared Asuka to bring it which lead to a Buzzsaw Kick then the Sliding Kick to give Asuka a two count.
Asuka used a Hip Attack to knock Ripley off the apron. Dominick Mysterio provided a distraction as he cowered away when Asuka threatened a kick in his direction. Allowing Ripley to charge and drive Asuka into the apron for a cheap shot. Back in the ring Ripley went for Riptide but Asuka escaped, locking on the Asuka Lock and dragging Ripley down to the canvas. Mysterio reached in as the ref was busy looking for the tap out, putting Ripley’s foot on the rope and getting on the apron to get the official to break the hold.
Mysterio mouthed off, and Asuka spat a blue version of the poison mist into his face. Ripley hit Asuka from behind, sending her into Mysterio to knock him off the apron and with the rebound, Ripley hit the Riptide to pin Asuka. Ripley quickly tending to Mysterio after the match as he screamed that he was blinded, and Ripley had to help Mysterio to the back while Asuka seemed to be questioning herself.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The expected result with Bliss winning and that leaves Bayley free to feud with Becky Lynch. I do worry that any title match between Belair and Bliss will be hijacked by all the Bray Wyatt stuff. We had enough of the spooky stuff during the ThunderDome era so we really don’t need a full revert back to those days. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, this all leads to for Asuka after another loss. It would be a major surprise if she’s allowed to go full Kana mode as she’s been teasing on social media but she’s more than earned the right to switch up her act after so long.
Elsewhere, Iyo Sky pinning Lerae clean might be ending her hot streak. I was very critical of LeRae’s performance a couple weeks ago but she was a lot better here, aside from the big botch of the Poison Rana. There just needs to be a legit team or two made up to actually test Damage CTRL and I’m not so sure that LeRae factors into being such a threat.
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!