Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Survivor Series is fast approaching and the Women’s War Games is starting to take shape. Damage CTRL has recruited Nikki Cross for their side, while Bianca Belair’s team will have Alexa Bliss and Asuka. But who else will fill out the ranks for the five-against-five match? And what’s next for Reha Ripley and her new rival in the returning Mia Yim? Let’s get into it, and find out…
CATHY KELLEY interviewed MIA YIM and The O.C. but nothing too much of value was said aside from Yim having her return match tonight.
Women’s Singles Match
MIA YIM defeated TAMINA
Tamina was already in the ring and didn’t get a TV entrance, while during Yim’s we cut to in-picture for a replay of Yim’s return last week. At the tail end of which, RHEA RIPLEY, backed up by her pet Dominik Mysterio, headed down to ringside. Ripley’s appearance providing the distraction so Tamina could deck Yim from behind right after the bell, clubbing in the corner to set up a Running Hip Attack. Tamina hit a Bodyslam and went right for the top rope Splash but hit nothing but canvas.
Yim hit a flurry of strikes and chops then a Headscissors. Yim hit a super safe Yakuza Kick in the corner before things got a little sloppy with Tamina staggering a bit as Yim more guided than whipped Tamina into the opposite corner. Backstage DAMAGE CTRL were seen watching on. Back in the ring, Yim hit Eat Defeat for the win. After the match Yim dared Ripley to get some, but Ripley just faked going into the ring (much to the pro-Rhea crowd’s dismay) but backed away instead.
A little later on, Damage CTRL confronted Mia Yim backstage, with Dakota Kai trying to butter up Yim saying they had a lot in common about being forgotten about and cast aside. Bayley said Yim needed to remind the world of who she was, but Yim tried to turn down the offer. Bayley warned Yim to think carefully about the offer, and Sky added not to think too long.
Rhea Ripley along with Damien Priest would accompany Dominik Mysterio to the ring as he beat Shelton Benjamin. Ripley providing a distraction at one point so Priest could pull Mysterio to the ropes to break a hold.
Women’s Singles Match
Women’s Tag Team Champion IYO SKY (w/h BAYLEY, DAKOTA KAI & NIKKI CROSS) defeated DANA BROOKE
Cross (without the 24/7 after it had been trashed and officially retired last week) more wandered out than strictly accompanied Damage CTRL. Brooke’s entrance (yes, she got one) cut to in-picture for an earlier today promo as she vented about what cross and Damage CTRL did to her. Brooke got the edge early with strikes and a Roll-up for a two count. Soon Sky used her vault through the ropes counter to drive Brooke into the bottom rope, setting up for the Drive-By Kick. Sky then hitting the Springboard Dropkick before kipping up.
Moments later, Sky hit the corner vault Meteora. Then later, both women traded Forearms while trying for wrist control, leading to Brooke trying for a Headscissors but Sky flipped out of it. Sky hitting a Flapjack and trying for a Lionsault but Brooke rolled away, and as Sky landed on her feet she caught a kick then a DDT for Brooke. Brooke tried for the Handspring Elbow but Sky countered with a waistlock then into a Release German Suplex. A Running Meteora to Brooke down in the corner followed, and then the Over the Moonsault got Sky the win.
After the match Mia Yim came out, and said that she’d picked a side. That brought out BIANCA BELAIR, ALEXA BLISS and ASUKA to show that she was now on Belair’s team.
Later in the show as Damage CTRL were regrouping (and Nikki Cross was just climbing up some equipment case in the background) Rhea Ripley approached them and bluntly said that if Yim was on the opposite side, she was on theirs. There were no complaints from Damage CTRL, remarking ‘Jackpot!’ as they were up 4-5 on the War Games teams.
Cathy Kelley would interview Team Belair, as Belair admitted that Ripley was ‘a problem’ to face but claimed that if their team were this good with four then they’d be even better when they found a fifth. Kelley telling the Superstars that next week would see a one-on-one match with a member of each team facing off to decide which team go the ‘number’s advantage’ for War Games. Belair refused to say who would represent her side for the match, claiming every member was hungry to get a piece of Damage CTRL.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
While Yim got the expected return win, Tamina continues to show that she’s not got it anymore as she looked clearly rough with her movements in the match. In contrast, Dana Brooke put on a fine performance in defeat to Sky that shows how much Brooke had been wasted in the 24/7 stuff. It’s only a couple of weeks before Survivor Series so the build has been quick but fine. There’s no indication yet about who the last member for Belair’s team will be but perhaps Dana Brooke might be a curve ball unless someone either returns or someone gets called up from NXT. It’s another case of wait-and-see but the Women’s War Games already looks stacked and should be a great one!
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!