Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! SummerSlam is in the history books and once again the WWE has given Charlotte Flair another title reign, seemingly cutting the Nikki A.S.H. experiement short as Flair gained another reign as Raw Women’s Champion. So what’s next for the women’s division? And how will Eva Marie and Doudrop’s relationship continue after the Scot ditched Marie after her loss to Alexa Bliss? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Backstage SARAH SCHREIBER interviewed DOUDROP about how she regretted associating herself with Eva Marie. However EVA MARIE used an equipment case of all things to sneak attack her, then driving Doudrops head into the top of it a couple times.
CHARLOTTE FLAIR went to the ring for a usual bragging promo about once again becoming champion. However just as she’d finished, she was unsettled when ALEXA BLISS and Lilly came out. “Me and Lilly just wanted to say – Hi!” Bliss said, as it was clear that Flair had a new sinister threat to her new title reign.
Women’s Tag Team Match
NIKKI A.S.H. & RHEA RIPLEY defeated NIA JAX & SHAYNA BASZLER
Earlier in the show we had an ‘Earlier Today’ video where ASH convinced Ripley to team up again to lift their spirits. Meanwhile Baszler and Jax didn’t exactly get on good terms again in a seperate video. The old NXT rivals Baszler and Ripley started off as Baszler went for the Arm Stomp early but Ripley caught the foot and stood up, sweeping the same leg out before stomping Baszler in the back. ASH was tagged in as Ripley decided to use her as a weapon, performing Kingdom Falls to send ASH slamming down into Baszler for a two count.
ASH busted out the familiar moves with the Wheelbarrow Roll-up for a two count then the Tilt-a-whirl Headscissors. ASH was sent to the apron, but caught Baszler with a shoulder to set up the vault-in Cradle but escaping at two Baszler held the wrist to turn it into being able to Knee Drop the arm. Baszler tagged out, and casually hit a short Arm Stomp before Jax easily held ASH up, letting Baszler tag in but she faked running the ropes, instead sliding out to yank Ripley down off the apron while Jax dumped ASH down in the ring, setting up the kneeling Knee Strike by Baszler.
Back from commerical ASH was being controlled as Baszler hit a Running Knee while Jax held her in a Side Slam position. ASH kicked out at two before Baszler unloaded mounted strikes. ASH was sent to the corner and took it with a sliding sell to hit the middle buckle. Jax was tagged and once again did the unusual not-PG Stinkface after doing a Hip Attack, but trying again in the opposite corner just got two feet to the but before ASH used a Roll-Up to send Jax into the bottom turnbuckle. Jax managed to get up first, and tried to swipe at Ripley to knock her off but Ripley dropped down, having almost the same effect. Jax picked up ASH to stop the tag, but took her too close to her own team’s corner so ASH ended up kicking Baszler off the apron. Jax then paid for taking too much time going for a Vader Bomb as ASH kicked a leg away. Leaving Jax hanging as ASH got the tag.
Baszler tagged back in but ate Short-arm Clotheslines then a Ripcord Headbutt from Ripley, who then cut off Jax from coming back in before nailing a Basement Dropkick to Baszler. The Alicia Fox Northern Lights got a two count. Moments later, she hit a Missile Dropkick and when Jax tried to break up the pin Ripley rolled away, so Jax ended up Splashing her partner. Ripley took out Jax with a Side Kick and barked encouragement as ASH hit a Crossbody off the top to the floor to wipe out Jax as both ASH and Ripley were fired up. A Headbutt then the Riptide on Baszler got Ripley the win. After the bell ASH jumped onto Ripley for a hug, which left Ripley far from thrilled.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Flair versus Bliss isn’t really a rivalry I can recall we’ve even seen properly before, but certainly never with this version of Bliss. Mind games versus Flair’s ego will be an interesting mix and could be a feud that goes either way. Meanwhile, a team between ASH and Ripley gives them something to do I suppose, but it’s bad news for Shotzi and Nox on Smackdown if there’s already a new team lined up that could steal the tag titles before they get a shot at them at last. After all, remember how hyped Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke were to be tag champs, and how did that pan out?
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!