Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The title picture on Raw is forming after Charlotte Flair accepted the title challenge from the ever creepy Alexa Bliss. The title match set to take place at Extreme Rules. Meanwhile, the unlikely team of Rhea Ripley and Nikki A.S.H. have been getting wins over the Women’s Tag Team Champions of Natalya and Tamina, jumping their way over Smackdown’s Shotzi and Nox into title contention. So what’s next for the women of Raw? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Champions Contenders Match
Raw Women’s Champion CHARLOTTE FLAIR defeated SHAYNA BASZLER
Before the match we got a recap of last week’s events before Flair was interviewed by SARAH SCHREIBER as Flair dismissed Baszler being a threat and claimed Baszler wouldn’t be a success being held down by ‘dead weight’. There was also a video with NIA JAX confronting Baszler backstage as Baszler bragged about how she just did to her what she’d do back.
Flair got a Knee Strike early, but after doing her vault over the corner spot she was caught by a Baszler Knee Strike through the ropes. A Baseball Slide missed and Flair followed up with a Plancha of all things to floor as the show went to commercial. Flair was in control as she hit the Overhead Exploder, but Baszler hauled her off from the ropes and hit a Head Kick for a two count. Baszler hit the corner with a planned Knee Strike, and FLair rolled her up for a near fall. Baszler went for the Clutch but Flair countered with Elbows then a Back Suplex.
The Queen’s Boot missed and Flair then took a nasty German Suplex that set up the kneeling Knee Strike for a near fall. Baszler peppered with kicks but Flair came back with a Clothesline then Chops. Another Queen’s Boot missed but Flair used the Andrade Flash Elbow for a near fall. Baszler escaped from another overhead throw attempt, but Flair soon caught her for the Backbreaker into corner Flatliner combo. Baszler went to the floor but Flair went up top to hit the Moonsault to the floor.
Nia Jax came out and provided a distraction as Baszler sent Flair into the ring steps. Back from another commercial Flair hit a round of strikes before Baszler came back with a German Suplex. Flair hit a Chop Block then applied a Leglock to the targetted limb on the ropes. Flair missed the corner Knee Drop and at a Knee Strike from Baszler. Jax then got on the apron, deliberately distracting her so-called tag partner and Flair scored a swift Queen’s Boot to steal another win.
After the match ALEXA BLISS came out with Lilly and a present, with Bliss claiming the gift was to thank her for accepting the title match. Flair tried to dismiss it saying she collected titles not dolls. After some back and forth No and Yes, Flair relented but the gift turned out to be a Flair-style Lilly doll called ‘Charly’ complete with robe and mini-title. Bliss saying the doll was for Flair to enjoy after she takes the title. Flair called Bliss crazy for thinking she was going to take her title. When Flair tossed the doll at her rival it led to a short fight as Bliss levelled Flair with a Code Bliss before posing tall with the title.
Backstage NIKKI A.S.H. and RHEA RIPLEY were chatting as ASH tried to hype up her new friend. NATALYA and TAMINA showed up to taunt as a brawl started before SONYA DEVILLE and a single ref broke it up and Deville booked Tamina and ASH for an immediate match.
Women’s Singles Match
NIKKI A.S.H. w/h RHEA RIPLEY defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion TAMINA w/h NATALYA
Tamina easily overpowered ASH with throws by the hair and stomps and body shots. ASH came back with a Low Dropkick to the knee but was soon shut down with a Clothesline. After more muscling a Snapmare got a two count before a Chinlock followered. ASH fought up but was slapped down. A Bodyslam hit but Tamina missed an Elbow Drop. ASH eventually came back with a corner splash after Tamina missed a charge, then hitting her Tilt-a-whirl Headscissors that Tamina awkwardly rolled from for a sell.
ASH did the classic babyface 10 count punches in the corner. Soon after ASH eventually (Tamina seemed to be staggered and not remembering the spot to do) caught Tamina with a Tornado DDT. Tamina kicked out but the referee hit the canvas and called three for an awkward finish as even Tamina’s music played instead of ASH’s. Tamina then attacked ASH after the match and dragged her to the floor by the hair. Natalya decked Ripley from behind when she came to confront Tamina, before Tamina swung ASH into the crowd barrier.
Women’s Singles Match
RHEA RIPLEY defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion NATALYA w/h TAMINA
Match was joined in progress as Natalya countered a Roll-Up into an Armbar before Ripley countered out into a Headlock. Holds being traded as Natalya got a Headscissors then a Headlock before Ripley countered that. Some great rope running and counter work was done as Natalya blocked a Hiptoss into a Cradle pin but Ripley turned that into a Crucifix pin for a near fall. Natalya did an impressive upward roll up Ripley as Ripley held her for a Powerbomb, but after punches Natalya got a Headscissors.
Natalya controlled with Knees to the corner but taunting the crowd allowed Ripley to come back with strikes. Natalya tried for a Tilt-a-whirl into a Side Russian Legsweep but Ripley blocked, hitting Albows then a Big Boot to send Natalya to the floor. Ripley went out, charging but took out Tamina instead of her planned target, leaving her open for Natalya to hit the Discus Clothesline. Natalya tried for The Sharpshooter but Ripley slapped her opponent, but Ripley was then sent to the floor as Natalya hit a Snap Suplex to the outside.
Back from commercial Ripley hit the Short-Arm Clotheslines into the Ripcord Headbutt before a Snapmare set up the Basement Dropkick. Ripley missed a charge to the corner as Natalya hit the familiar combo of the toss Atomic Drop, then the stomp run over before hitting the Low Dropkick for a near fall. Ripley kicked down another Discus attempt then planted Natalya with the Alicia Fox Suplex. Ripley applied her Inverted Cloverleaf hold as Natalya tried to counter but got pressed down for a near fall pin. Natalya tried again for the Sharpshooter, only to be rolled up for a near fall
Tamina got on the apron to distract when Ripley went for the Riptide, and Nikki ASH ran back out to trip up Natalya as the referee was distracted too. Ripley wiped out Tamina with a Slide through the ropes when she went after ASH. Natalya tried to steal the win with feet on the ropes but ASH shoved the feet off. Ripley applied her Cloverleaf again and Natalya was forced to tap.
Backstage, a furious Charlotte Flair tossed her new Charly doll into the trash.
Women’s Singles Match
DOUDROP defeated EVA MARIE
Marie hit strikes and applied a Headlock but got knocked down. Doudrop missed a Senton and a cover just got a cone count. Doudrop missed a corner charge as Marie hit a round of head slams to the corner. Doudrop camera back with a corner Splash. Marie escaped a Driver attempt, but couldn’t budge the larger woman with a Roll-Up attempt. Doudrop then hit the Senton then a Running Low Cross Body for a quick and painless win.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Another week, and another win for Charlotte Flair even if it was a cheap one thanks to distraction. The Charlotte doll bit was simple and fun, but we’ll see if anything else comes from it next week. ASH and Ripley continue to get wins over the tag champs, and it’s got to suck majorly for Shotzi and Nox of Smackdown who never even got their shot at the gold despite countless wins. Elsewhere the Doudrop-Marie feud appears done, but one has to wonder if the WWE will keep any faith in Doidrop with how much skill she has, or if the WWE will revert to type and keep pushing the less talented but more Diva-like Marie at the forefront.
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!