Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Things are still unclear about what the plans will hold for the Raw Women’s Division at WrestleMania. But Asuka will return from injury this week as she looks for payback against the woman who put her on the shelf for the past couple of weeks in Shayna Baszler. Who will get the upper hand? And will anyone step up to The Empress with Fastline just days away? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Women’s Tag Team Match
DANA BROOKE & MANDY ROSE defeated LANA & NAOMI
Before the match there was a pointless backstage skit with the competing women and R-Truth. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions NIA JAX & SHAYNA BASZLER were on commentary. Brooke and Rose didn’t even get a proper TV entrance.
Brooke and Naomi started off as Brooke knocked Naomi down with a shoulder block. Naomi soon came back with kicks, fending off Brooke as Rose blind tagged in, and caught a Naomi Running Cross Body to do an impressive Fallaway Slam. The Champs on commentary bragged about being on all brands as Brooke was tagged in to hit her Handspring Elbow to Naomi in the corner. Rose then tagging in to hit her Running Knee to a seated Naomi for a near fall. Another tag led to Rose hitting a Body Slam to set up a Brooke Cartwheel Moonsault for a two count.
Naomi got her break with her Spinning Splits Jawbreaker, as she tagged out to Lana and Rose was tagged in. Lana went into House on Fire mode, hitting a Tilt-a-whirl into a Russian Leg Sweep on Rose, then knocking Brooke from the apron before hitting a couple of odd flying hairpull slams. Lana did her corner counter leg to the head spot, setting up a Running Facebuster. A Neckbreaker after a Double Knees to the back spot on the ropes got Lana a near fall as Brooke broke up the pin. Naomi tried to clear Brooke out but the Sexy Muscle Friends hit a Double Team Flapjack on Naomi. Brooke took a Head Kick from Lana, before Rose hit a Suplex onto Lana.
ASUKA‘s music hit as she made her entrance, causing Baszler to bail from commentary to try and get a piece of her. Asuka took Baszler down with a Roundhouse Kick and then pummeled Baszler before officials pulled her off. Back in the ring Rose used a Roll Up for a two count. Pushing Rose into the ropes Brooke blind tagged in, but Lana didn’t know as she blocked Rose’s Facebuster attempt to hit a X-Factor. Leaving Lana wide open for Brooke to hit a Spinning Neckbreaker to get the win much to Jax’s disgust as Brooke taunted her from the ring.
SARAH SCHREIBER handled interview duties.
RHEA RIPLEY got yet another hype video.
ALEXA BLISS in her playground made an insane challenge to Randy Orton to face her at Fastlane. A match that was made official (no, seriously!) later in the show.
Non-Title Singles Match
Raw Women’s Champion ASUKA defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion SHAYNA BASZLER w/h Women’s Tag Team Champion NIA JAX
Before Baszler’s entrance there was a recap of MOLLY HOLLY being annouced as the first inductee into the 2021 Hall of Fame class was shown. Baszler had a cut-in promo saying she was gonna enjoy kicking Asuka’s teeth again.
Asuka jump started the match, and hit Jax with her Double Knee Facecrusher then took out Baszler and Jax with Head Kicks. The match officially started as Asuka hit a Hip Attack then a Suplex. Taking Jax off the apron with a Hip Attack. Baszler finally got a shot in dodging a Hip Attack and hitting a Pump Knee. The wome traded mount punches before Asuka tried for the Arm Bar. Jax distracted but got taken out as a kick to the back sent Jax into the ring post.
The women traded applying their submission holds as Asuka countered the Clutch into a pin hold for the win, but Baszler didn’t let go. Baszler went for a kick but Asuka countered and hit her ankle-hold German Suplex. Asuka busted out some Kawada Kicks finished with a Buzzsaw kick. Asuka hit a Curb Stomp onto the bottom corner pad, before she removed the pad. Looking for a Tooth for a Tooth as she pulled Baszler’s mouth guard out and drove Baszler’s mouth into the exposed bolt. She tried for another Curb Stomp but the referee put his body in the way to save Baszler.
RECKONING was backstage as Mustafa Ali read a riot act to Retribution, and then ringside as Ali failed to capture the US Title from Riddle.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Asuka match was short, simple and effective with a badass return. If only the WWE booked her as well for this one night as they should have done all these past months that she’s been champion. But we’ll see if that lasts as we head towards WrestleMania. I fully expect Bliss versus Orton to be either some sort of silly gimmick match with teleporting and the like, or just The Fiend showing up finally so the men can actually feud. Meanwhile, I’m all for Brooke and Rose finally getting legit tag team time and Lana’s team being pushed to the back. Rose and Brooke have put the work in for months and we can only hope they finally get a just reward.
That’s your lot for this week! Be sure to stop by again in seven days time for the next edition of the RAW RECAP! See you then!