Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The Royal Rumble event is in the books and former Raw Womens’ Champion and UFC fighter Ronda Rousey made a return to the WWE to shockingly win the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. Meanwhile, Becky Lynch retained the Women’s Championship over Doudrop. So which Champion, and former rival, will Rousey pick to face at WrestleMania? Will we find out tonight? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Women’s Singles Match
RHEA RIPLEY defeats NIKKI A.S.H.
Ripley easily overpowered Ash with shoves, before Ash escaped out of a Slam attempt to hit a Low Dropkick to the knee. Ripley instantly came back, catching a Running Crossbody attempt to turn it into a Delayed Suplex. Ash managed to frustrate Ripley by playing cat and mouse, sliding in and out of the ring to avoid Ripley. Ash caught Ripley with an old Nikki Cross-era trick, pulling the ring skirting to trap Ripley against the apron before clubbing away and then stomping when Ripley was down.
Back from commercial Ash controlled with a Top Wristlock, then Shoulder Thrusts and stomps in the corner. Trying for a Tornado DDT just got shoved off, before Ripley caught Ash’s arm and hit a couple of Short-Arm Clotheslines, then a Headbutt before hitting the Snapmare followed by Running Low Dropkick combo. Ripley missed a charge, but caught Ash with a Superkick before hitting a Deadlift-style Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall. Ash was set up on top but hit a Double Chop to the face to stun Ripley, leaving her open for the Tornado DDT to get Ash a two count.
Ash rolled through a Leap of Faith, and tried for the Swinging Neckbreaker but took too much time posing as Ripley easily countered right into the Riptide for the clean win.
ALEXA BLISS had another therapy session, being handed a replica Lily doll.
DANA BROOKE and TAMINA briefly brawled before the extremely important (yep, that’s sarcasm) scooter race between Riddle and Chad Gable broke things up.
Women’s Singles Match
BIANCA BELAIR defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion CARMELLA
Carmella stalled before the bell to put on her horror mask. Belair easily tossed around Carmella with a couple of waistlocks before they wasted time with shoves and Belair faking out using her braid. Carmella slapped Belair then ran around the ring from her, before Carmella caught Belair sliding back in with some stomps. Things got scrappy when Belair hit a wild charge of a Shoulder Tackle to put Carmella into the corner, which Carmella shoved her back to get out of. They seemed to pause as Belair went to pull Carmella out, probably discussing the spot to do before Carmella pulled Belair back to send her face first into the middle turnbuckle pad.
Things continued to look awkward and scrappy as Carmella hit a series of Back Elbows to Belair in the corner, and roughing her up a bit but it all just got a one count from a power out kick-out. A rest hold of a Chin Lock was eventually powered out but Carmella escaped a Slam attempt to do a hair pull for another one count. Going back to the Chin Lock that eventually Belair escaped from to hit a rough looking Back Breaker. Belair (no selling the entire match) then hit a Suplex, kipped up, clubbed into Carmella’s back a few times, then hit a Forearm to the chest before hitting the KOD for the win. Marking straight weeks of beating both the Women’s Tag Team Champions in singles matches.
RONDA ROUSEY returned to Raw, stating that she had unfinished with both Charlotte Flair and “Rebecca” in Becky Lynch. Rousey came off clearly hellish and still not over the issues that made her quit WWE in the first place, while the WWE audio pipped in cheers for Rousey’s insults. Trying to bury Lynch’s title reign claiming Lynch’s ‘stagnant’ title reign wasn’t her problem. Rousey didn’t even confirm which title she’d challenge for.
This all brought out BECKY LYNCH herself who mocked Rousey for being a little weirdo and for using her ‘government’ name, saying that Rousey hadn’t changed. Pointing out that Lynch is the only woman so far who has directly beaten Rousey in any match in WWE. Trying to provoke Rousey to challenge her with more insults, only for Rousey to flip Lynch over with a Judo Throw. Faking for the Arm Bar before Rousey stated she’d make her announcement on Smackdown this week before Rousey left the ring.
As Lynch hurled insults after Rousey had left, WWE Hall of Famer LITA made a shocking appearance. Lita lured Lynch in with compliments, before suckering Lynch in as Lita challenged Lynch to a match at the Elimination Chamber event. Lynch tried to backtrack but a simple insult calling Lynch scared accomplished the mission as Lynch accepted.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
All rumours seem to indicate that Rousey will face Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania, but we’ll find out for sure on Smackdown. Belair gets a momentum win in a rough, bowling shoe ugly as they say match. While Ripley beat Ash clean in what should be a feud ender but considering that there isn’t anything clear for either woman to do next, what else could they get into now? Meanwhile, while a Lita versus Lynch match should be a dream bout, you can’t help but think that this is just ticking a box for a Legend to appear on the Saudi show to appease those funding the event. It leaves a bitter aftertaste when it should be a sweet fight.
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!