Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! It’s been a mixed bag for the women of Raw with the return of Nia Jax and Becky Lynch becoming NXT Women’s Champion at the expense of the up-and-coming roster of talent in NXT. With the Fastlane event approaching will we get some positive direction and storylines? Let’s get into it, and find out…
MAXXINE DUPRI accompanied Otis as he lost to Bronson Reed. Durpi did not appear happy by the loss but it wasn’t clear if she was just displeased that her guy lost or in anger of the losing streak Alpha Academy has been on.
BECKY LYNCH was backstage shining up her NXT Women’s Championship before rarely seen Superstar TEGAN NOX appeared. Lynch making a sly reference to the fact Nox ‘wasn’t in the ring last week’ (a reference to reports Nox was pulled from being in the open challenge last week). Lynch claimed she’d seen Nox ready to come out but Nox gave a rather lame excuse that she ‘let’ the veteran Natalya take the shot instead. Lynch tried to fire Nox up and said she wanted Nox to be next in line to get a shot at her title (after she retains at NXT No Mercy).
That would lead later in the show to Nox going to Adam Pearce’s office to try and get a shot at Lynch next week. NATALYA interrupted and mocked Nox for finally standing up for herself and said she should be asking Pearce to give Natalya a rematch instead. Implying that Lynch was just getting into Nox’s head to distract a potential challenger. Nox pointed out that Natalya had her shot and lost. It lead to a shouting match before Pearce made a match between the two to decide the next challenger.
Singles Match – Winner Gets a Future NXT Women’s Championship Match
TEGAN NOX defeated NATALYA
Becky Lynch joined commentary for the match and dismissed Natalya’s remarks earlier, claiming she wanted everyone hungry so she could get better. Natalya got a Headlock Takedown before Nox used the Headscissors counter to force Natalya to escape. More mat wrestling followed (and surprisingly there was a split crowd chant for both women despite Nox being unseen on Raw for so long) with trades of Hammerlocks. While Lynch on commentary tried to defend herself claiming she wanted to face rookies because she’s ‘already beaten’ the top stars.
The chain wrestling ended when Natalya used a simple Back Elbow but commentary sold like it was a gun shot. It led to some shoving before Nox ducked a Discus Clothesline and tackled Natalya down to hit some strikes. A Spinning Back Elbow set up a low Kick, followed by a Gordbuster then Nox’s high Cannonball for a near-fall. Nox went for another kick but Natalya countered with a Roll-up for a two count. Then Natalya hit a nice Sit-Out Powerbomb for a near fall.
Natalya tried for The Sharpshooter but Nox pulled her over and sent Natalya throat-first into the middle rope. That set up the World’s Shiniest Wizard to get Nox an upset win. Nox and Lynch shared a stare-down as Nox motioned she wanted the title.
JACKIE REDMOND handled interview duties.
NIA JAX got interviewed in the ring. Nothing of value was said and Jax was roundly boo’d. Eventually, ZOEY STARK came out and dared Jax to attack her to her face, leading to a brief brawl in the ring that, of course, Jax no sold.
Singles Match
NIA JAX defeated ZOEY STARK
Stark was shoved down then tossed from Jax’s back when she the Sleeper Hold spot. Stark hit two Dropkicks that were barely sold and when Stark went from a Springboard Crossbody Jax was so out of position Stark just hit the canvas and Jax’s arms barely touched. Jax hit an Elbow Drop for a one count. Two rounds of a hair toss and corner Splashes followed before a choke on the ropes. Jax missed a corner charge to hit the ring post, then barely sold a trio of kick shots to the head.
Jax refused to bump as she took a Missile Dropkick but only to stagger to the ropes. Stark managed to lift Jax up but did the collapse spot for Jax did a splash to Stark’s back. Jax did the Legrop to Stark across the bottom rope. The unsafe-looking Annihilator followed to give Jax a bland squash match victory with the commentator noting how it looked ‘nasty’ for a sly remark.
Backstage Maxxine Durpi was applying ice to Otis’ shoulder as Chad Gable tried to give a pep talk, only for Ludwig Kaiser to step in and taunt the group for their run of losses. She once again dismissed Kaiser’s advances.
VALHALLA and Ivar attacked Xavier Woods as he was ringside for Kofi Kingston’s match against Drew McIntyre, and the distraction led to Kingston losing.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Jax’s style of ‘completing’ certainly hasn’t changed since her last run. Barely selling, sloppy throws and dangerous moves to take liberties with opponents. Good luck to anyone, even Rhea Ripley, getting any sort of a good match out of her. There was no sight of Ripley or Rodriguez this week again so perhaps they’ll be back next week. Meanwhile, Tegan Nox gets a surprise win that likely plays off the internet buzz she got last week after being removed from the open challenge in favour of Natalya. I can’t see the momentum lasting with how huge of a star Becky Lynch is so we’ll see how next week’s match plays 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!