Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! With the Day One event approaching, a Raw Women’s Championship rematch is on the cards with Becky Lynch agreeing to defend again against Liv Morgan. The challenge only accepted after Morgan’s arm was injured by a Lynch attack. And speaking of rematches, this week sees a runback of two matches from last week with Bianca Belair going against rival Doudrop, while Rhea Ripley looks for payback against Queen Zelina. Who will come out on top? Let’s get into it, and find out…
SONYA DEVILLE handled duties as a WWE official. While SARAH SCHREIBER handled interview duties.
Women’s Singles Match
BIANCA BELAIR defeated DOUDROP
Belair buried Doudrop in a pre-match promo and repeated her EST catchphrase a little too often during it, and the announcers seemed to be burying Doudrop as well. Belair went for the KOD early but couldn’t even lift Doudrop an inch, before Doudrop bailed out. Doudrop caught Belair with a Hot Shot, and soon after won a strength battle by knocking Belair down. Belair got clubbed in the corner then took a Splash, before Belair came back with a Single Leg Dropkick and some corner Shoulder Thrusts. Belair went up top but a Crossbody was caught, then dropped with a World’s Strongest Slam for a near fall.
Doudrop missed a Senton, but brought the knees up tocounter a Handsprind Moonsault to make Belair roll out. Belair managed to plant Doudrop with a Spinebuster on the floor. Back from a commercial break in shades of last week Belair tried for a Sunset Flip Powerbomb as a counter but Doudrop, learning from thew last match, punched Belair down. A Vader Bomb missed, but Doudrop rolled out of a Crucifix Pin attempt and soon caught Belair with another corner Splash, setting up the Cannonball for a near fall.
Belair was tossed about a couple times but rallied back with strikes, reverting back to the earlier seen combo of Dropkick and corner Shoulder Thrusts. An Irish Whip across the ring was messy before Belair escaped from a Powerslam attempt. Belair hit a Crossbody off the second ropes then the Handspring Moonsault for a near fall. Moments after, Belair paid for going for the 10 Count Punches as Doudrop planted her with a Sit-out Powerbomb. Doudrop missed again with a Vader Bomb and right after Belair impressively muscled up Doudrop for the KOD, marching to the middle of the ring to hit it and end the feud with the clear win.
DANA BROOKE avoided another attempt by TAMINA to win the 24/7 Championship at an indoor Santa’s Grotto.
MARYSE was a guest on Edge’s Cutting Edge segment, and despite Edge knowing it was a set-up he was still attacked from behind by The Miz.
Women’s Singles Match
RHEA RIPLEY defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion QUEEN ZELINA
The announcers casually announced that Nikki A.S.H. and Carmella were banned from ringside, something that wasn’t hyped up loudly beforehand. Zelina did another promo where she snapped out of her fake accent to rant at the booing fans. Zelina tried to use her quickness advantage with kicks and trying for a Tornado DDT but Ripley blocked it, but Zelina tuned a Suplex attempt into a Stunner for a counter.
NIKKI A.S.H. was shown watching from backstage. Ripley blocked a Knee Strike attempt and soon after levelled Zelina with a Big Boot. Zelina kicked her legs to prevent a Delayed Superplex, and craftily hauled Ripley’s arm down to send Ripley’s head into the ring post. A Knee Strike got Zelina a two count. Ripley came back with a Hook Kick and then planted Zelina with a delayed style Riptide for the win.
LIV MORGAN went to the ring, selling an arm injury with a cast of sorts on her arm. Morgan claiming that she knew she’d get some payback on Lynch after the attack last week, and showed the video (already seen on the WWE YouTube channel) of the cinematic segment of Lynch and Morgan brawling at Lynch’s ‘private gym’. BECKY LYNCH eventually came out and claimed that she wasn’t fazed by Morgan’s attacks. Morgan dismissed Lynch’s insults and then tossed the Kendo Stick for Lynch to use on her but Lynch refused to take the bait as she stormed off.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Liv Morgan’s delivery on her promo was slightly robotic, perhaps due to having to try and sound proud of a plan that didn’t go the way she planned but the segment worked enough with Lynch cowardly walking away from a free fight. Meanwhile Ripley and Belair got clean wins with Ripley’s being long overdue, and putting an end to the Doudrop feud for Belair. The Ripley/Zelina match was solid for the short time they had, while Belair and Doudrop actually had a better match last week but this one was good in its own right. One has to think both Ripley and Belair will be favourites to win the Women’s Rumble but we’ll see if the momentum continues after Day 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, and enjoy a happy holiday season from everyone here at The RevELLEution!