Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Last week saw a major upset and shift in the Women’s World Championship picture as Iyo Sky became the NEW Women’s World Champion, pinning Rhea Ripley. However, the outcome was due to a distraction and shoving match with Bianca Belair so issues with Ripley in the title mix might now be over yet. What’s next in store for the women of the Red Brand as we head closer to WrestleMania? Let’s get into it, and find out…
This week’s ‘Arrived Earlier Today’ videos featured Damage CTRL of DAKOTA KAI and new Women’s World Champion IYO SKY, and BIANCA BELAIR.
MAXXINE DUPRI was with Alpha Academy as they checked on Jey Uso backstage.
LIV MORGAN and RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ were with The Judgement Day in the clubhouse as Morgan said Rodriguez would face Bayley later to get a shot at Lyra Valkyria.
Once again backstage, while BAYLEY headed through, Maxxine Dupri was talking with NATALYA who didn’t seem interested (something that would be reinforced with a WWE-dot-com video after Raw).
JACKIE REDMOND interviewed Intercontinental Champion LYRA VALKYRIA who said that while her recent opponent Ivy Nile was a ‘horrible person’ she begrudgingly admitted that Nile was good in the ring. Valkyria then said that while she’d love to face Bayley again to get back a win over her, she’d defend her title against either her or Rodriguez.
Singles Match
Women’s Tag Team Champion RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ w/h LIV MORGAN & Dominik Mysterio defeated BAYLEY
Rodriguez easily won a lock-up battle to start the match, and moments after used a hairpull to stop Bayley rolling through to counter a Wristlock. Bayley would try for the Stunner through the ropes but got shoved off the apron to the floor, and was stomped away trying to yank Rodriguez from the apron. A Rodriguez Shoulder Check sent Bayley down, but Rodriguez missed a corner Splash, only to keep control with a couple of Short-Arm Shoulder Checks.
Bayley hit a Lucha-style Arm Drag then a Corner Elbow, but Rodriguez’s power blocked a charge into the corner and turned it into the Giant Swing Choke. Rodriguez hit the Fallaway Slam but going for the Vader Bomb Elbow, Bayley yanked her from the ropes. Bayley hit a round of strikes and then of all things a single Bronco Buster shot. Rodriguez was draped across the ropes, getting encouragement from Morgan but it allowed Bayley to run up the ring steps and nail an Elbow Drop off the apron to Rodriguez’s back. It got Bayley a two count in the ring.
Rodriguez dodged a Crossbody attempt and then hit the Vader Bomb Elbow for a near fall. Rodriguez roughed up Bayley and then locked on a Top Wristlock rest hold. The Rewind Clothesline got Rodriguez a two count, and Rodriguez pulled Bayley from the ropes for the short Powerbomb counter before she hit a trio of Elbow Drops. Rodriguez went for a Suplex but Bayley countered with a Small Package for a near fall, just to be decked with a Clothesline. Bayley hit a round of Shoulder Thrusts, but an attempt at a Sunset Flip Bomb was countered and Rodriguez soon hit another Clothesline.
A Rodriguez Legdrop on the apron got dodged, before Bayley hit the Stunner through the ropes, a Running Knee Strike and then a Leaping Stunner through the ropes before the Sliding Clothesline got Bayley a near fall. Rodriguez tossed Bayley across the ring, but got rolled up for a near fall. Bayley hit a Knee Strike and then the Top Rope Elbow Drop but only got a two count. Bayley would escape a Snake Eyes attempt and soon after ducked a Rewind Clothesline to hit a Back Suplex for a near fall. Both women countered one another’s finisher attempt before things went to the floor and Bayley escaped from the shoulders to send Rodriguez into the ring post.
Mysterio distracted the referee and Morgan tried to trip up Bayley, only to get knocked off the apron as did Mysterio next but it was all distraction enough that when Bayley went for a Suicide Dive, Rodriguez caught her and hit a Belly-to-Belly Suplex to drive Bayley into the announce table. Bayley just beat the count at nine but ran right into a Big Boot. The Tijana Bomb followed to give Rodriguez a tainted win.
CATHY KELLEY handled interview duties.
Iyo Sky was interviewed in the ring. Sky rightfully boasted about being champ and said she made the impossible, possible and she was ‘over the moon’ to head to WrestleMania. BIANCA BELAIR was brought out and she claimed she was excited for the WrestleMania match. Michael Cole brought the truth up that it was because of Belair that Sky was the champ, and Belair sidestepped the accusation and claimed she was only focused on ‘Mania.
RHEA RIPLEY interrupted and stormed out in a fury, barking at Belair demanding why Belair was out there if she didn’t want to interfere. Accusing Belair of making sure Sky won so she wouldn’t face Ripley at ‘Mania, and mocked Belair for her issues with Jade Cargill and Naomi. Belair taunted back and said she was defensive for not beating Sky. Both women disrespected Sky with shoves when she tried to break up the yelling match, but Sky fired back with literal slaps to both women much to the delight of the fans. Sky stormed off, yelling at the disrespect while the other Superstars were left furious.
Next week it was advertised that Dakota Kai would face Ivy Nile on Raw.
Both the NXT Women’s North American Champion STEPHANIE VAQUER and NXT Women’s Champion GIULIA were front row ahead of their Winner Takes All match at NXT Roadblock.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Bayley took another loss but protected with the dirty tactics. Again, a tag champ going for a singles title isn’t a good sign for the women’s tag team division but there’s still a few weeks to go so we’ll what plans, if any, there will be for the tag belts and Women’s IC title at ‘Mania. Meanwhile, it looks almost certain that we’ll get a Triple Threat for the Women’s World Championship after the segment on Raw. That should make for a great watch but is Sky only now a champion so she can take the fall instead of Ripley or Belair?
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!