Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! We are fast approaching WrestleMania and the major showdowns between Team Becky and Damage CTRL, and the title clash between Asuka and Bianca Belair. But now there’s been a new announcement of a Women’s ‘WrestleMania Showcase’ Fatal Four-Way Tag Team Match. Which duos from raw will qualify for this potential tag title contenders match? Let’s get into it, and find out…
CHELSEA GREEN once again harassed Adam Pearce, announcing that Piper Niven would be replacing Carmella tonight. Ranting that she should be a part of the Mania Showcase Women’s Match.
RHEA RIPLEY went to the ring alone for a lengthy promo. Ignoring the fans’ chant of “Mami” before mocking her WrestleMania opponent Charlotte Flair. Accusing Flair of living in the past and not accepting the future. Pointing out how Flair doesn’t respect anyone and claiming just hearing Ripley’s name made anyone bring out their insecurities. Seemingly taking a shot at Flair taking extended time off last year by saying that without the WWE, Flair is nothing.
The trio of DAMAGE CTRL made a surprising interruption, Bayley claiming she and her girls respected Ripley, but Bayley acting offended she wasn’t asked for advice about how to beat Flair. Ripley not approving of the invitation, and Bayley said Damage CTRL needed to remind Ripley about who runs the show after her weeks of bragging about being the dominating force on the show. Ripley dared one of them to come and fight her, and since Bayley said she was the only one in her ring gear, she accepted the challenge.
Singles Match
RHEA RIPLEY defeated BAYLEY w/h DAKOTA KAI & IYO SKY
Ripley’s power was shown early to shove away Bayley’s attempts at targeting a limb. Leading to some shoving before Ripley backed Bayley into a corner and hit body shots. A rare misstep as Bayley didn’t seem ready for a vault spot, so Ripley had to whip Bayley again to a corner to charge and get sent up and over to the apron. Leading to the through-the-ropes Stunner and then a Running Dropkick to send Ripley off the apron. Bayley breaking out the old corner slide Dropkick spot but Ripley shoved her back, before Bayley hauled and arm to pull Ripley into the ringpost.
Kai and Sky tried to act like a wall to block, but Ripley just did a Con Hilo off the apron over them to just about catch Bayley. A near fall in the ring for Ripley. Moments later holding Bayley up, and swinging her in a Side Slam hold into the turnbuckle. Showing more unfamiliar moves with a version of a Kota Ibushi Kamigoye for another nearfall. Bayley coming back with chops but trying for a Corner Back Elbow she was caught, then planted with a version of Kingdom Falls.
Ripley went for Riptide, but as Sky distracted the ref Kai got on the apron and raked Ripley’s eyes. trying to steal the win with not just feet on the ropes but Kai holding the feet, but Ripley still managed to kick out. A Back Suplex getting a nearfall for Bayley.
At that point BECKY LYNCH, LITA and TRISH STRATUS came out with Lynch having a huge bag of popcorn. A commercial break happening before Bayley hit the Bayley-to-Belly but Ripley powered out of the pin at one. Hitting a second and going for a third, but Ripley countered into Kingdom Falls. Ripley missing her Low Dropkick, setting up for Bayley to hit a Running Knee. Moments later, Baykley got the Back Elbow in the corner but hesitated going for the Sunset Flip to the corner spot. Ripley powering out of it and soon dropping Bayley with two feet to the face to counter a charge.
Ripley applied the Inverted Cloverleaf, now calling it the Prysm Lock instead of Trap, but Bayley made it to the ropes. Damage CTRL pulled their leader out, and trying to get Kai it left Ripley open to get slammed into the ring post. Stratus and Lita went around the ring, easily dispatching Kai and Sky before Lynch chased Bayley back into the ring. Where Ripley nailed a Heabutt and planted Bayley with Riptide to get the somewhat tainted win. Ripley even making an ‘I’ve got my eyes on you’ motion at the babyface trio for getting involved in her business.
MAXXINE DURPI continued to try to drive a wedge between Alpha Academy, trying to convince Otis to go with her for some ‘hand modelling’ opportunity but Otis for once went with his coach Chad Gable to be in his corner for a match against Richochet. However, Dupri would come out during that match and lure Otis to the back, providing the distraction that led to Gable losing.
Tag Team Match
ASUKA & Raw Women’s Champion BIANCA BELAIR defeated CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN
Clear issues between the faces right at the bell as Beliar motioned for Asuka to leave, allowing Green to pounce from behind but couldn’t take advantage. Belair mocking Asuka, but hitting the Handspring Moonsault Asuka tagged herself in much to Belair’s anger. The two bickering but managing to avoid Clotheslines from the heels before dispatching them. Having a stare-down as the show went to a commercial break.
Back from it, Green had a Chinlock on Asuka. Soon escaping and able to hit a Codebreaker on Green. Niven got tagged, and hit a Headbutt but Asuka escaped a Driver attempt. Soon after Belair tagged herself in, hitting strikes then a Dropkick, before cutting off Green with a Suplex. A Shoulder Thrust then some mount punches to Niven. Trying for a Suplex but going nowhere, but moments later hitting a Crossbody from the middle rope before Green broke up the pin.
Asuka hit a Buzzsaw Kick to Green then sent her out. Unintentional miscommunication between the faces as Asuka went for a Back elbow, but Niven dodged and it left Belair holding Asuka before setting her down. But Belair shoved Asuka away so both avoided a charge from Niven, and using the asset of the corner Belair eventually muscled up Niven to march out and hit a KOD to win the match.
Asuka wasn’t pleased with being shoved it seem. Attacking Belair after the bell and hitting a Head Kick, then taking her time before landing the Sliding Kick. Posing and being proud of herself as Belair was down in pain.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Ripley needed a showcase win on Raw, and Bayley could take a loss with the outside brawl and distraction. So I’ve got no issues there with this. A fine match even with the overbooked ending. Meanwhile, we finally saw the breakdown and true colours between Belair and Asuka. A little bit of edge in the remaining build-up before Mania and it worked out fine. But no announcements about this women’s Fatal Four-Way Tag Team Match for the raw side. Does that make it worse or better than the usual Mania battle royales?
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!