Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! SummerSlam is just days away but on the Raw side of things there’s only the clash between rivals Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus so far confirmed for the biggest show of the Summer. Will that change with a title match announcement this week? And who will get the last piece of momentum before the PLE? Let’s get into it, and find out…
JACKIE REDMOND handled interview duties.
Singles Match
MAXXINE DUPRI w/h Alpha Academy Vs VALHALLA w/h The Viking Raiders
Off the bell Valhalla hit a Shotgun Dropkick then some clubbing blows. Dupri came back with her Side-style Arm Drags but a series of Irish Whip counters saw Dupri awkwardly send sliding down into the canvas by the ropes. A Running Knee got Valhalla a two count before she locked on a Cobra Clutch. Durpi escaped with a toss of sorts, then another Arm Drag before hitting a Head Kick. Dupri hit a Fisherwoman’s Suplex then a Corner Splash. Dupri performed her version of Otis’ Cattlerpiller Elbow Drop.
Dupri went up top for a Crossbody, but Erik entered the ring to prevent the referee’s count. Leading to the men brawling on the outside and the distraction allowed Valhalla to club Dupri from behind then charge her into a corner. Putting Durpi up top and thinking for a Superplex but took too long as Dupri slipped out. Hoisting Valhall on her shoulders to walk and hit, of all damn things, a Japanese Ocean Cyclone Suplex to get the win!
RHEA RIPLEY and The Judgement Day had an in-ring promo as Ripley bragged about dominating Raw. Telling any opponents to take a page out of Raquel Rodriguez’s book and “run and hide”. That led to RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ coming out as she and Ripley went at it for a brawl. Rodriguez getting the better of it, Clotheslining Ripley to the outside then driving her into the ringpost. But, of course, thanks to a distraction by Mysterio Ripley was able to hit a Chop Block to Rodriguez’s hurt knee to get the edge before backing off as Rodriguez was down in pain.
There were effective hype videos with RONDA ROUSEY and SHAYNA BASZLER discussing their past to hype up their match for SummerSlam. Which is now being billed as an ‘MMA Rules’ Match.
BECKY LYNCH went to the ring for a promo, demanding her match with Stratus tonight. TRISH STRATUS came out with ZOEY STARK but Stratus claimed no-one told her when she fought. WWE Official Adam Pearce came out and ordered the match to happen right now.
Singles Match
BECKY LYNCH defeated TRISH STRATUS w/h ZOEY STARK by disqualification.
Lynch only managed to hit her Flying Forearm before Stark hit the ring and attacked Lynch to cause the DQ in mere seconds. Lynch would manage to fight the numbers in and out of the ring but eventually Stratus used a chair to the gut to deck Lynch as she and Stark backed away.
Moments later Pearce complained about the actions. Making a rematch for Raw in two weeks with Stark banned from ringside, much to the heels’ outrage.
Rhea Ripley would accompany The Judgement Day for their main event match against Seth Rollins and Sami Sayn but even her distraction attempts couldn’t stop her guys from losing the match.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
So that all means the only match involving the women of Raw will be the Baszler/Rousey match. That’s despite the Women’s World title and the Tag Titles being on the brand, or the big feud between Lynch and Stratus that’s now been pushed to an episode of Raw between PLEs. Very odd booking decisions here to go for ratings with a match people would pay to see again with Lynch and Stratus. If Ripley and Rodriguez had been given proper time before now they might have been able to book the match for SummerSlam but I guess we’ll have to wait for that clash. Meanwhile, Dupri is still green but shows promise in the ring. I never expected to see the Cyclone Suplex in the WWE but good for Dupri and here’s hoping for great things out of her.
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!