Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The Clash of Champions event is just over a week away and it seems Women’s titles matches will be on the horizon. With Natalya stepping up to the plate against Rhea Ripley, who still has the Smackdown title despite being a Raw Superstar. So what new twists will arrive this week, including potential challengers for the Women’s tag titles at the show? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Smackdown Women’s Champion RHEA RIPLEY accompanied the rest of The Judgement Day as they confronted Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Ripley as usual being a human shield to allow her boys to jump Zayn before Ripley decked Owens.
CHELSEA GREEN, SONYA DEVILLE and RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ were bickering in Adam Pearce’s office backstage as Pearce claimed Liv Morgan was injured during the match on Smackdown last week so couldn’t compete. Cancelling the advertised Women’s tag title match for tonight. It eventually led to Rodriguez challenging Green to a singles match.
MAXXINE DUPRI was ringside as Otis competed in the IC title contendership battle royal. VALHALLA did the same for her men the Viking Raiders.
BECKY LYNCH went to the ring for a promo. Starting off more vulnerable where she admitted she’d been fooled by Trish Stratus and let her judgement be clouded by needing some back-up. But soon got back to her usual self, mocking her rival by saying “Thank you Trish” but the thanks for unlocking her own self, taking exception to Stratus insulting her daughter. Vowing to get her revenge at Night of Champions.
Curiously, Rhea Ripley was seen backstage watching Lynch leave after the promo. CATHY KELLEY tried to interview Ripley about last week’s events but NATALYA interrupted, objecting to Ripley’s actions last week and about Ripley not showing respect. Ripley calling Natalya out not for caring about others, but wanting the spotlight for herself. Threatening to end Natalya’s career if she messed with her again.
Ripley would accompany Dominick Mysterio to the ring for his rematch against Xavier Woods. At one point once again being a human shield to protect Mysterio, then later hitting a cheap shot to Woods on the outside that led to a cheap win for Mysterio.
Backstage ZOEY STARK was taunting and bragging to NIKKI CROSS (who was away in her own zoned out world) about last week’s win. CANDICE LERAE stormed in to defend Cross and objected to Stark mocking her ‘weirdo family’. Setting up a match for next week.
Singles Match
Women’s Tag Team Champion RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ defeated CHELSEA GREEN w/h SONYA DEVILLE
Rodriguez easily booted Green after she made the mistake of getting some advice from Deville right at the bell. Driving Green’s head into a couple of turnbuckles and going for Snake Eyes but Devillie got on the apron to distract. Allowing Green to hit a Backstabber then a Curb Stomp into the middle turnbuckle. Green then hitting a series of strikes in another corner, then a Chop Block after Rodriguez got out of the corner to set up a delayed Sliding Complete Shot for just a count of one.
After a rest hold Rodriguez hit Snake Eyes but soon got sent into the middle rope then a Low Dropkick for a near fall. Green went for I’m Prettier but Rodriguez impressively countered, turning a Vertibreaker position into a Waterwheel Slam into the top rope! Rodriguez hit her trio of Clotheslines and moments later countered a Running Crossbody by Green into a Fallaway Slam. Hitting two more before landing the Twisting Vader Bomb Senton then the One-Armed Powerbomb for the win.
After the match as Rodriguez posed on the ramp she was jumped by RONDA ROUSEY and SHAYNA BASZLER as Rousey hit a wild kick from the side, bragging on a mic as Baszler laid in shots. Threatening to keep beating down Rodriguez until she and Baszler got a tag title shot. Leaving Rodriguez laid out with a Baszler Knee Strike.
Ripley yet again was out with Dominick Mysterio as reinforcements for The Judgement Day facing Owens and Zayn, but both were thrown out when the ref caught Mysterio interfering.
A contract signing between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus for their Night of Champions match was announced for next week on Raw.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A whole lot of Rhea Ripley on this show but no wrestling, and only a brief backstage moment with Natalya that didn’t even set up a proper match. This wasn’t even a case of too much of a good thing, but a bit too much of Ripley without much of value being done. Aside perhaps from the moment of watching Becky Lynch to perhaps foreshadow a future big PLE match. And still nothing has been explained about why Ripley can be Smackdown Women’s Champion but on the opposite brand which is an unneeded distraction. Elsewhere the long-expected move to have Rousey and long-time friend Baszler go after the Women’s tag titles has finally arrived, and I can’t say I’m thrilled for it. Rousey nearly fell over pulling off that wild side kick and if that’s how things go, then we might see more of the unsafe same that Rousey has been known to do over on Smackdown. Becky Lynch cut a fine promo to set up the rumoured Night of Champions clash with Stratus as they rush the feud through after the various delays over the months.
That’s your lot for this week! Be sure to stop by in seven days’ time for the pre-Night of Champions edition of the RAW RECAP! See you then!