Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Survivor Series is in the history books and it saw Rhea Ripley emerge victorious and still the Women’s World Champion, while Becky Lynch was part of the victorious team in the Women’s WarGames match. But now the fun and games of that event is over, and there’s a while to go before the Royal Rumble and the Road to WrestleMania, what’s next for the women of the red brand? And who will be the Women’s Tag Team Champions after the title clash this week between Natalya and Tegan Nox against defending champs Chelsea Green and Piper Niven? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Women’s World Champion RHEA RIPLEY interrupted Randy Orton’s return promo that kicked off the show. Mocking the fact Orton’s return at Survivor Series was upstaged by CM Punk, and claiming that Orton had made new enemies out of The Judgement Day. Orton was unfazed but the attempt of a sneak attack by The Judgement Day backfired as Orton stood tall.
MAXXINE DUPRI and IVY NILE were part of a backstage skit to hype up the men’s Tag Team Turmoil match. They would accompany their respective tag teams for the bout that The Creed Brothers won.
Rhea Ripley would have to smooth out issues within The Judgement Day following Damien Priest’s paranoia over losing for his team at WarGames.
VALHALLA accompanied Ivar as he faced Bronson Reed, but Valhalla ended up thrown out from ringside when she tried to interfere.
In an ‘earlier today’ video ZOEY STARK lamented to SHAYNA BASZLER that she almost won at Survivor Series. But NIA JAX showed up to mock the loss, and that led to Stark challenging for a match.
Singles Match
NIA JAX defeats ZOEY STARK
Stark tried to use quickness and kicks, but Jax caught her with a rough-looking toss from a double choke. Moments later Stark hit a Lucha Kick from the apron but Jax stopped a springboard attempt with a Forearm shot. Stark managed to land on her feet and flip out of being tossed in from the apron, just for a Crossbody attempt to be caught and turned into a drop Slam. Stark got tossed and then ate a corner Splash, but Stark managed to avoid a charge and sent Jax through the ropes to the floor. Stark rushed up the ropes and nearly slipped as she hit a messy dive of a Crossbody of sorts to Jax on the outside.
After a commercial break, Jax was in control with an Argentine Backbreaker. Stark escaped and hit a Jawbreaker just to be shut down with a Back Elbow. Jax went for a Powerbomb, Stark tried to counter with a ‘Rana, but Jax turned it into an admittedly safe swing to sent Stark head-first into the middle corner pad. Stark escaped a Powerslam attempt, hit two Superkicks that Jax barely sold only to then no sell to club Stark down when she ran the ropes. Jax missed a corner charge that set things up for the Corkscrew Senton by Stark. A Basement Kick got a near fall for Stark.
Nax hit a corner Splash then a Hip Attack to a downed Stark. Jax went for the Annihilator but Stark got up and kicked Jax’s leg out to leave her hung and open for another kick for a near fall. A Missle Dropkick by Stark got a two count. Stark went up again but Jax hit the ropes to knock Stark off balance, before Jax grabbed her to hit a Samoan Drop then a lazy Senton. The Annihilator to Stark’s stomach followed for the win for Jax.
Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
Women’s Tag Team Champions CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN defeated NATALYA & TEGAN NOX
The referee forgot to do their job and ring the bell so Natalya and Green who started off had to break off their planned lock-up so the official could remember to call for the bell to start. Natalya took Green down but Green went after the arm to back Natalya to the ropes. An exchange of counters to the Irish Whip followed and counter work before Natalya nailed a Back Elbow then the Discus Clothesline.
Green kicked away a Sharpshooter attempt and quickly tagged out. Niven hit a Headbutt but missed a corner charge. Nox was tagged in and hit a Wheelbarrow Stunner that set up a PK. Natalya was tagged in and hit a top rope Crossbody of all things! The match went into in-picture for a LOT of adverts.
Back to live action (eventually) and Green was legal against Natalya, as Natalya got decked with a Short-arm Clothesline from Niven. Natalya fought out of the corner and hit a Sit-Out Powerbomb for a near fall. Nox was tagged in and went into House on Fire mode with strikes then Clotheslines to Green followed by a wild European Uppercut. Green slapped Nox, and got a Headbutt for her troubles. A Front Suplex followed and moments later Nox hit a Molly-Go-Round but Niven broke up the pin.
Niven pulled Green to their corner to force a tag, and right after Green hit a Codebreaker and held Nox in place over the knees for a Niven Senton. Natalya broke up the pin. Moments later, Niven got a blind tag after Nox countered an I’m Prettier, and the action spilled to the floor as Nox and Natalya hit a Double Team Suplex to send Green into the Timekeeper’s barricade. Niven hit a Cannonball off the apron to both challengers, and then sent Nox back into the ring to hit the Basement Crossbody for the victory.
JACKIE REDMOND interviewed BECKY LYNCH who made a vague remark about how she had battles on the horizon ‘one more pressing than the other’ but didn’t elaborate.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The WWE has an odd obsession with trying to get female Superstars over by having them lose important matches. It’s not working and being beaten by No-Sell Nia didn’t help her cause. The women’s tag title match was a solid one and finally gave Niven and Green a title defence. Nox and Natalya just didn’t have the right momentum or crowd support to get the gold and that in itself is another point of evidence for the WWE failing to get new talents over though losses like this. It’s an awkward time for WWE and it’s not a good sign ahead of the Royal Rumble.
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!