Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The Money in the Bank Ladder match is starting to take shape with the Women’s match already having LWO member Zelina Vega as a qualifier. But who else will join her after this week’s duo of matches on Raw? And will we finally get any explanation as to why the Smackdown Women’s Championship is still on Raw? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Singles Match – Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
BECKY LYNCH defeats SONYA DEVILLE w/h CHELSEA GREEN
The Heels had a cut-in interview but nothing of importance was said. Green tried to distract right from the bell, but Lynch avoided a sneak attack by Deville. Going for the Man-Handle Slam early but Deville blocked. Moments later Green’s second distraction finally worked as Deville hauled Lynch back by the hair. Leading to driving Lynch’s head into the turnbuckle a trio of times, a round of kicks in the corner then moments later a Snapmare into a Chinlock.
After a couple counter strikes, Lynch went into House on Fire mode with Clotheslines and a Back Kick. Setting up a Running Corner Forearm then the Springboard Kick before hitting the Bex-Ploder. A little later hitting a Springboard Crossbody out of the corner. TRISH STRATUS made her entrance with ZOEY STARK, trying to distract but Lynch avoided being grabbed from behind to hit a Reverse DDT on Deville.
After a commercial break, Deville hit a Superplex to Lynch. Later, Lynch got the better of a strike exchange and hit a quick jump Flying Forearm, before hitting a Baseball Slide to Deville on the floor. But after rolling Deville back into the ring, the referee was distracted as Green hit a Pump Kick before sending Lynch back in. Devillie hitting the low Knee Strike but only getting a two count. Moments later Lynch hitting a counter Enzigiri before being sent to the apron. Finally decking Green after another distraction then hitting a shot after an apron jump, before tossing Green a hat trick of times into the crowd barrier and then doing the same to Deville.
Back in the ring Deville countered a Man-Handle into a Roll-up but Lynch tried for the Dis-Arm-Her. Deville managed to shove Lynch into the ropes and trying g to steal the win with feet on the ropes and Green holding the foot but Lynch still kicked out. Moments later a leap of faith off the middle rope led to (eventually) the Man-Handle Slam and the Lynch victory. Much to Stratus and Stark’s annoyance.
CATHY KELLEY handled interviewing duties.
The new Women’s Tag Team Champions RONDA ROUSEY and SHAYNA BASZLER were interviewed backstage. Baszler claimed this was destiny that started way back in the Octagon days. Rousey chipping in that they were finally going to make the titles no longer be an afterthought and dared any team to step up. Que KAYDEN CARTER and KATANA CHANCE (their first appearances on Raw since being drafted weeks ago) who described themselves as the life of the party much to the champ’s disgust. The champs mocked their opponents’ height first then called them ignorant, threatening to snap their ligaments.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
Women’s Tag Team Champions RONDA ROUSEY & SHAYNA BASZLER defeated KATANA CHANCE & KAYDEN CARTER
Baszler and Carter started off, and traded doing a leg sweep spot in the corner before Carter was pushed off a Roll-up, using the bottom rope for a Springboard Kick. Chance got the tag, using a sliding trip to set up a Carter Low Dropkick, before Chance hit a vault Senton for just a count of one. Rousey was tagged but for some reason wanted to face both faces at once. The advantage shifting for a while before Rousey knocked Carter from the apron and hit a Corner Knee Strike to Chance before locking on the Armbar over the ropes. But doing so left her head open for a Superkick from Carter.
An assist from Chance allowed Carter to hit a Crossbody off the top rope to wipe out Baszler on the floor. Chance barely hitting Rousey with a Corkscrew Plancha. Back in the ring, the ref didn’t see Baszler snapping Chance’s arm over the top rope. Baszler tagged as Rousey flipped Chance over to set up for a rough looking Knee shot from Baszler for a near fall. Baszler hit the Arm Stomp. Moments later Chance escaped from the Champ’s corner and got the tag.
Carter using strikes to rattle Baszler, rolling through a clutch to hit a Low Kick. Hitting a Running Boot to Baszler on the ropes then a rope-aided Pedigree style Facebuster for a near fall. Rousey got a tag and hit her wild Side Kick. Rolling through to lift Carter on her shoulders but that allowed Chance to make a blind tag, before Rousey did her wild charge and sent herself into the ring post as Carter moved. The faces hitting the Afterparty combo of a Carter Neckbreaker and a Chance 450 Splash but Baszler hauled Chance off the pin.
Carter decked Baszler with a Dropkick off the apron. A Chance Crossbody off the top got a near fall. Rousey locked on an Ankle Lock but Chance escaped, able to hit a Codebreaker but it sent Rousey into her team’s corner so Baszler could tag in. Carter got a blind tag that Baszler missed as she hit Chance with the low Knee Strike. A Roll-up by Carter getting a two count before she got rocked with a Head Kick then a Back Suplex before the Clutch got the submission win.
Backstage MAXXINE DUPRI and her new friends in Alpha Academy were seen, as Dupri claimed her eyes had been opened. But she’d been freaked out when Valhalla ran at her last week. Otis arranged things so that Chad Gable would train Durpi to take on Valhalla, and Durpi said she had a training outfit ready.
Smackdown Women’s Champion RHEA RIPLEY and Dominick Mysterio invaded Miz TV with Cody Rhodes. After being insulted, Mysterio hit a cheap slot slap and hid behind Ripley.
Singles Match – Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match
ZOEY STARK w/h TRISH STRATUS defeated NATALYA
Stark roughed up Natalya with rounds of stomps in a corner before being rolled up for a count of one as Natalya held on to an arm even after a Snapmare. Getting technical with a Firewoman’s Carry into an arm hold, forcing Stark to escape with a grounded Headscissors but Natalya soon escaped that. Natalya seemed to jolt her knee landing off a vault back, leaving her open for a Stark Superkick.
Under Stratus’ direction, Stark focused on the knee with kicks and a Knee-DT. Eventually, Natalya fought back with counter strikes and a Release German Suplex. A Jackknife pin soon turned into the Sharpshooter but Stark got to the ropes. Moments later, Natalya sent Stark back into the ring but behind the ref’s back Stratus kicked Natalya’s bad knee. Setting up for Z-360 for a cheap win.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A little surprising to see both rivals in Lynch and Stark advancing when you’d think they’d be in some sort of singles match, but maybe there’s a way their feud can continue at MITB, probably costing one another the briefcase. Fine matches for both but Stark isn’t quite getting reactions just yet but it’s early days. Meanwhile, I’d dare say the best Ronda Rousey match yet in WWE came thanks to Carter and Chance who had a great debut, putting in a lot of spots and getting a chance to shine. However, a loss is a loss so how can they bounce back after failing to beat the champs?
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!