Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Last week saw major developments and not all of them good, as the WWE for some reason decided to rehire the controversial (and not just in terms of workrate) Nia Jax back to the WWE. In addition, despite already being a top star in the WWE, the NXT Women’s Championship is now in the hands of Becky Lynch after she defeated top rising star Tiffany Stratton. A move that does the NXT Women’s Division a lot more harm than good. So what’s next for the women of Raw this week as the Fastlane event approaches? Let’s get in to it and find out…
Rhea Ripley was not on Raw this week with the announcers claiming Ripley had suffered ‘bruised ribs’ while Raquel Rodriquez had ‘whiplash’. Footage on social media caught Ripley and her real-life fiance at a sports game elsewhere on Monday.
VALHALLA accompanied Ivar as lost to Kofi Kingston.
JACKIE REDMOND handled interview duties.
The Women’s Tag Team Champions CHELSEA GREEN and PIPER NIVEN were interviewed backstage but clearly not on the same page. Green didn’t know what country Niven was from and claimed it was ‘Florida’.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
SHAYNA BASZLER & ZOEY STARK Vs Women’s Tag Team Champions CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN went to a no-contest.
Stark and Green kicked things off. Green got in a kick and some clubbing blows before Stark fired off strikes then sent Green into a corner for a quick Back Elbow then a roll out for an European Uppercut to the corner. A Snapmare by Stark set up a Low Running Clothesline which in turn led to the Tumbling Senton for a near fall.
Baszler and Stark appeared to be reluctant at least more on Stark’s side as Baszler tagged in to hit a Reverse DDT-style Backbreaker. After taking a slap, Bazsler roughly drove Green down by the arm with a high Top Wristlock. Baszler hit a Pentalty Kick but again her and Stark were at odd as Stark mocked the shot being ‘cute’ before taking a tag.
Niven pulled Green out of a neutral corner to avoid a Stinger Splash by Start, but Green went up top instead of going for a tag. A Missile Dropkick hit to get a near fall. Niven finally got a tag as she hit Stark with a Splash at her team’s corner. A Shoulderbreaker got Niven a near fall. Green was tagged back in as her and Stark traded a open hand Chop each before seconds later Green hit a Step-up Enzigiri. Stark answered back with a Superkick, and fell into a cover but Niven pulled Stark off to break it up.
Baszler stormed across the ring and hit a Knee Strike to Niven as she was climbing out through the ropes to send her to the floor. Baszler went out after her, but Niven hit a Headbutt then a Bodyslam to the floor. NIA JAX appeared out of nowhere and sent Niven into the ringpost to have the match be thrown out before she sent Niven into the ring steps. In the ring Jax hit a Samoan Drop to Stark then a bad-looking Senton. She tossed Green then hit a Hip Attack to Green in a corner, before a Corner Splash to Baszler then the dangerous-looking Banzai Drop, which the WWE says is now called The Annihilator.
MAXXINE DUPRI and Otis accompanied Chad Gable as he lost to Bronson Reed.
New NXT Women’s Champion BECKY LYNCH went to the ring for a bragging promo. Claiming she didn’t want to just put the title on her mantle and wanted to defend the title of a brand that represented ‘hope’ and ‘hunger’. She made an open challenge for her title.
That challenge was answered by NATALYA who objected to anyone working their ass off more than her. Lynch pointed out, a bit awkwardly, that her challenge had been meant more for new talent than someone who has been around for 15 years. That triggered Natalya who pointed out, quite rightly in fact, that Lynch went to NX and stepped over all the women down there who had been waiting for a chance. Natalya called Lynch a ‘hypocritical ginger witch’ and gave Lynch a shove to provoke her as Lynch accepted the challenge.
NXT Women’s Championship Match
NXT Women’s Champion BECKY LYNCH defeated NATALYA
Natalya hit Lynch with a punch once she’d taken off her entrance jacket and new ‘N-BEX-T’ merch T-shirt, then sent Lynch into the ring post. The show went right to a commercial break, and back to live action Lynch hit her Leaping Forearm in the ring. Lynch hit a Running Forearm to a corner then the Bex-Ploder Suplex for a near fall. Lynch went for the Man-Handle Slam but Natalya countered to hit a Release German Suplex.
Lynch countered a Sharpshooter attempt into a Small Package for a near fall. Soon after Lynch was sent to the apron but avoided a Natalya Shoulder Thrust to hit a kick then one over the ropes to Natalya’s head. The announcers were laying it on thick to refer to each woman’s former singles reigns (Raw and Smackdown) as ‘Former World Champion’ reigns. Lynch went up top but Natalya caught her with punches before she hit a Superplex.
Natalya again tried for the Sharpshooter but Lynch struggled free to kick Natalya away and use a Roll-up grip to send Natalya over and the back of her head into a corner. Lynch hit a Missile Dropkick then a Baseball Slide when Natalya had rolled to the floor. Lynch had sent Natalya back into the ring and went up top but had to roll through when Natalya rolled out of the way. Just for Lynch to get decked by the Discus Clothesline for a two count.
Lynch countered The Sharpshooter with the Dis-Arm-Her but Natalya countered that with a Roll-Up for a near fall. Moments later the two traded O’Conner Rolls before Lynch got, of all things, a plain Roll-Up and got the victory.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The WWE really glossed over Natalya’s very valid point about Lynch having stepped over the women’s roster in NXT. The match was solid but lacked a certain spark so it didn’t do anyone any favours. This match was likely a ‘reward’ for Natalya having done double duty for the live event in India that Lynch wasn’t able to travel to. Meanwhile, Jax once again showed some sloppy moves and how she still takes liberties with opponents. It’s not a good sign if she’s going to be in the title picture and can’t safely work a match as had been the case in her past run. Next week might see some progress with what the next title bouts are either for Ripley’s World title or the tag belts.
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!