Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Survivor Series is on the horizon where we will see Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defend her title against Zoey Stark who has impressed in big match spots as of late. What’s next for those two, and what’s going to happen next with the tag team title picture along with the issues between Becky Lynch and Xia Li? Let’s get into it, and find out…
RHEA RIPLEY would lead a Judgement Day attack during a match with rivals Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn against Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh. The resulting chaos with the teams for the men’s WarGames match would lead to the men not in the main event being banned from ringside.
An irate Rhea Ripley would rant at General Manager Adam Pearce, who was about to ban Ripley as well before ZOEY STARK came out to interrupt. Stark mocked Ripley for being too focused on too many things and claimed she was inside Ripley’s head. Pointing out how she went through the rest of the Women’s Division last week for a title shot. Ripley claimed she’s been watching Stark since her NXT and noted that Stark had sent Trish Stratus ‘packing’. Ripley said the only way Stark would be champion would be if she was on the other brand. The whole segment however was cheapened because Adam Pearce, serving no purpose being out there, stood in the background to give over-the-top reactions to distract from the promo.
After Stark vowed to take the title at Survivor Series, Ripley tried for a cheap shot but Stark avoided with a low-bridge pull of the ropes. Before she went up top for a dive but Ripley backed away (and Stark nearly lost balance being up top).
MAXXINE DUPRI and Alpha Academy accompanied Otis as he lost to Shinsuke Nakamura.
Singles Match
TEGAN NOX w/h NATALYA defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion PIPER NIVEN w/h CHELSEA GREEN
Nox got a hype video before the match. Right after the bell Nox hit a Shotgun Dropkick to stagger Niven, then a European Uppercut to back Niven to a corner for a Mid Kick that dropped Niven for the high Cannonball. Nox only got a count of one, and moments later got sent to the apron and took a Headbutt from Niven. Niven used a Suplex to bring Nox back inside and then hit a Senton for a near fall.
Niven worked over Nox’s arm including with a Splash to the arm. A Short-Arm Clothesline got Niven a two count. Not long after Niven countered a Crossbody attempt to turn it into a Shoulderbreaker for another near fall. Niven tried for a Glam Slam but Nox countered into a Samson Clutch of sorts for a near fall. A Low Knee Strike got a two count.
Green got on the apron to distract, and that allowed Niven to deck Nox with a Clothesline. Natalya would get on the apron to shove Green down, and got knocked off by a Niven Vertical Splash for her troubles. Niven missed the Basement Crossbody, and got hit with the World’s Shinest Wizard but Niven was able to get a leg over the bottom rope to prevent a pin. Niven tried for perhaps a Code Red but Niven countered with a Back Body Drop attempt that Nox turned into a Sunset Flip attempt. Nox avoided being squashed with a sit down attempt and scooped Niven with a Crucifix pin to get the three count.
JACKIE REDMOND handled interview duties. That included when VALHALLA and Ivar interrupted an interview with The Miz. Later in the show Valhalla would accompany Ivar as he lost to The Miz.
Rhea Ripley would try and rally the troops of The Judgement Day, and stated that JD McDonagh had earned his place to be a full member of The Judgement Day.
Singles Match
XIA LI defeated INDI HARTWELL w/h CANDICE LERAE
Hartwell nailed a Big Boot right from the bell for a count of one, but it made Li bail to the apron. Only to be pulled through the ropes, hit with a European Uppercut to stun her and then Hartwell hit another boot to the head that sent Li down to the floor. Li got a break with a shove into the steel steps, and then sent Hartwell back to stomp away in a corner, finished with a Springboard Stomp at the corner. A mount position led to Martial Arts Chop to the head, then a Suplex but Hartwell kicked out at one.
Li would hit a Running Knee Strike to Hartwell in one corner, but going for one in the opposite turnbuckle missed. Hartwell came back with strikes, a couple of Clotheslines then a Spinebuster for a near fall. Li hit a Throat Cross Chop and then rattled Hartwell with Sudden Impact. A similar sell to the match with LeRae a few weeks back as Hartwell staggered a bit then collapsed. Selling like she had a concussion and the referee called the match off saying Hartwell couldn’t continue to award the win to Li.
BECKY LYNCH then stormed out to confront her rival. Saying she wasn’t going to wait to do it on Li’s time anymore and came for a fight. Lynch avoided a shot from Li and went for the Man-Handle Slam, but Li shoved her away and fled the ring. Leaving Lynch to yell for a fight but Li backed away. Lynch had the mic again and said Li would only run for seven more days as they’d face off next week.
Backstage SHAYNA BASZLER offered half-hearted praise to Zoey Stark for the win last week. RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ would do the same but NIA JAX showed up just to level insults. Rodriguez stepped up to Jax, saying she could beat her but Jax just backed off.
In a backstage skit, while their teams bickered Maxxine Dupri and IVY NILE bonded a bit to walk off as Dupri asked if Nile had ever considered modelling.
At the end of Raw, Rhea Ripley would walk out and shake hands with Drew McIntyre to reveal a deal of some sort that explained why McIntyre screwed Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso the Tag Team Titles and help The Judgement Day retain.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
There wasn’t really too much crowd reaction for Nox and Niven’s match. A sign that the WWE’s sympathy attempts to get Nox over haven’t worked perhaps but the tag title feud is getting TV time and putting focus on the women. Meanwhile, Li and Hartwell was a plain affair but did the job to get Li and her finisher over. Whether that momentum lasts against Lynch next week is another story considering how Lynch didn’t do the NXT Women’s Division too many favours while being their champ. The brief exchange between Stark and Ripley did its job as well to build a little hype but it could have done without Adam Pearce hogging the spotlight behind them.
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!