Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The Payback event is just days away with both a Steel Cage showdown between rivals Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch, and the clash for the Women’s World Championship as Rhea Ripley defends against Raquel Rodriguez. Before all of that, Lynch will take on Stratus’ henchwoman in Zoey Stark but not just in any match, but a Falls Count Anywhere Match! So who will have the last laugh before Payback? Let’s get into it, and find out…
There was a hype video for the feud between Rodriguez and Ripley.
VALHALLA accompanied The Viking Raiders as they defeated The New Day. Providing a brief distraction at one point during the match.
RHEA RIPLEY read a riot act to the rest of The Judgement Day, warning the guys that unless all of Judgement Day left Payback with gold there would be ‘changes’ made.
MAXXINE DUPRI accompanied Alpha Academy as Chad Gable faced Ludwig Kasier. At points in the match Dupri seemed to be reluctantly impressed with Kasier’s in-ring skill.
JACKIE REDMOND interviewed BECKY LYNCH but nothing much of value was said.
Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley went to the ring for a promo, accompanied by Dominik Mysterio. NXT Women’s Champion TIFFANY STRATTON was shown being front row taking in the show. Ripley mocked Rodriguez for needing to fake an injury to get one over on her and said it would be the last time she’d get one over on her. Saying the title around her waist proved everything that she’s accomplished, then implying all Rodriguez had going for her was being a bit tall and strong.
This of course led to RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ coming out for another right. Yet again Rodriguez got the upper hand, hitting a Corner Splash and then a Fallaway Slam that sent Ripley out of the ring. Mysterio provided a distraction, allowing Ripley to hit a Headbutt but Rodriguez countered a Riptide attempt with an Arm Drag. A Rewind Clothesline sending Ripley out of the ring again to force Ripley to back away as the two rivals mouthed off.
TRISH STRATUS and ZOEY STARK responded to Lynch’s interview, with Stratus dropping a Lemoney Snicket reference.
Falls Count Anywhere Match
BECKY LYNCH defeated ZOEY STARK w/h TRISH STRATUS
Stark came down to the ring with a Kendo Stick, so Lynch grabbed one of her own. Lynch getting the first shot in to disarm Stark before hitting more shots, leading to a Side Russian Legsweep with the Stick for a count of one. Lynch used the Stick to apply a version of a Crossface, forcing Stark to get to the ropes but as there are no DQ and rope breaks Stark had to pull herself out of the ring to break free. Stark got hit with a Dropkick through the ropes before the fight went to the floor.
Taking full advantage of the no DQ rules, Stratus used a Kendo Stick to nail, Lynch in the back a couple of times. Stark tried for a Powerbomb but Lynch used the ropes to pull herself to the apron and escape. Kicking Stark away and then climbing a corner, punching down Stratus when she tried to stop her. Lynch hitting a Crossbody onto both women to get a near fall on Stark on the ringside floor. Stark used the Stick to hit Lynch as she looked for plunder, and got a two count after a shot into the ring steps.
Back in the ring, Lynch tried to set up Stark through the ropes with a trio of strikes but Stark grabbed the Bang Kick attempt, sweeping the leg to drop Lynch. Stark hitting the Springboard Dropkick for a near fall. Stratus began throwing chairs into the ring but hilariously in an unplanned spot the first tossed chair ended up hitting Stark. The two quickly ad-libbing to play off of it as Stark kept cool. The chairs were piled up as Stark went for a Suplerplex bought Lynch fought off both rivals before moments later hitting the Legdrop spot onto Stark draped over the ropes for a two count.
Stark escaped the Dis-Arm-Her with a leg trip, sending Lynch into a chair. Lynch then countered Z-360, hitting Stark with the Man-Handle Slam but Stratus broke up the pin. Lynch went after Stratus, and blocked a Kendo Stick shot to use it to level Stratus. Hitting around ringside and all the way to the entrance stage. Stark was able to use a chair to nail Lynch at the staging, before a Superkick got Stark a near fall.
After a commercial break, Stark and Lynch were fighting at the crown barrier in the crowd, with Lynch sending Stark over so she could use the barricade for the Jumping Forearm. A Bex-Ploder Suplex into the barricade getting Lynch a two count. Lynch tried to pull out a table but Stark cut her off with a Dropkick through the ropes. Stark used a steel chair to pummel Lynch, then putting one on top of Lynch as Stark hit the Tumbling Senton for a near fall. Stark tried for another move as she went up top, but Lynch tossed a chair into Stark’s head before hitting a Superplex onto the scattered chairs for a near fall.
Lynch cleared the announce table and tried for a Man-Handle Slam through it but Stark blocked with elbow shots before Stratus reappeared to sweep Lynch’s leg. A Sliding Knee on the announce table giving Stark a near fall. Lynch tried to fight off the numbers, climbing up to a podium position by the timekeeper’s area but Stratus nailed her from behind. Hitting a Stratusfaction off the platform to drive Lynch through a table on the floor! Stark had to be dragged over for a pin but the delay allowed Lynch to kick out.
The heels forced Lynch over to a different crowd area to another raised platform as Lynch managed to shove Stark off. A Chick Kick missing as Lynch hit strikes, and tried to hit a Man-Handle Slam on Stratus. Stark broke that up, but ended up decking her mentor with a Forearm shot that sent Stratus flying through a table! Lynch finally able to hit a Man-Handle Slam to put Stark through another table to get the win. Stratus was left hurting on the floor, glaring in pain while Lynch had a moment of breaking character, holding up the tribute armband to the late, great Bray Wyatt and looking emotional.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A great brawling match that made perfect sense with the repeated double teaming with it being no DQ. Both women looked good so despite it being another loss Stark looked strong in defeat. It also leaves things open so it won’t be too clear who wins at Payback. Meanwhile, Ripley and Rodriguez had another simple brawl with the challenger getting the edge. Something that’s been long missing from Ripley’s reign as Champion to have someone who looks like a threat to her. There was also no sign this week of the Women’s Tag Team Champions. Will that change after Payback when different teams could emerge for a shot at the gold?
That’s your lot for this week! Be sure to stop by in seven days’ time for the post-Payback edition of the RAW RECAP! See you then!