Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION!
The Backlash Premium Live Event is only days away, and for the Women’s Division the only scheduled match so far is the rivalry clash between Asuka and Iyo Sky. What final twists will this feud bring us on the last stop before the PLE? Will we see any new matches made for Backlash tonight? And what will happen when Sol Ruca officially signs her Raw contract? Let’s get into it, and find out…
This week’s Arrived Earlier Today videos featured SOL RUCA.
In the Clubhouse of The Judgement Day, World Women’s Champion LIV MORGAN bragged to RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ and ROXANNE PEREZ about her rival Stephanie Vaquer being injured. Morgan turned furious however, demanding to know what was going on with Perez and former member Finn Balor. Morgan didn’t buy Perez calling Balor delusional, and objected to having to watch back the show to find out what happened. Perez again stated her loyalty to the group, but Morgan pressed her in a clear bullying threat to say out loud that she wouldn’t keep any secrets from the group, which Perez then did. Perez didn’t seem fully happy with all of it when Morgan left with the guys, and got a rather patronising pat on the head from Rodriguez.
The women of The Judgement Day would play a part in the singles match between Finn Balor and JD McDonagh. Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio would accompany McDonagh and be in his corner for the match. Perez would go to the ring midway through the contest, seemingly confusing her allies by her appearance. Late in the contest, Morgan and Rodriguez would come out too, clearly making sure Perez stayed in line as they went over to be with Mysterio and left Perez alone.
Later in the match, Rodriguez distracted the ref to allow Mysterio to yank the ropes, knocking Balor from the top but the ref caught Mysterio dropping down, ejecting him from ringside. The women were left, and Morgan would then get on the apron, complaining to the referee. Morgan, unseen by the ref, tossed the Timekeeper’s bell hammer to Perez. With the official still distracted, Perez would hit Balor with the hammer when he went to climb through the ropes, allowing McDonagh to steal the win with a Headbutt. This all left Morgan and the others all smiles, but Perez appeared more stoic about the situation.
JACKIE REDMOND handled interview duties.
Once again, in the background as Sol Ruca walked backstage, MAXXINE DUPRI was seen talking to Austin Theory of The Vision.
General Manager Adam Pearce hosted the in-ring contract signing with Sol Ruca. Playing a promo video before Ruca herself came to the ring. Ruca only got to say it was going to feel good to sign, before (unsurprisingly) BECKY LYNCH interrupted. Lynch completely ignored Ruca and ranted at Pearce, complaining about not getting a ‘celebration’ segment and about last week’s title match she was put into. Ruca eventually interrupted and told Lynch that everything isn’t about her. Ruca mocked Lynch about being a ‘rude, big-headed bitch’ and while Lynch was complaining to Pearce about being insulted, Ruca signed the contract. Ruca vowed to snatch Lynch’s ‘soul’ (the play on her Sol name) if she disrespected her again.
Lynch went for a cheap shot, but Ruca weaved out of the way and the blow hit Pearce (who barely sold it) and it led to a shouting match. Ruca unfortunately botched the Sol Snatcher to Lynch, slipping on the ropes first before hitting it the move but not getting all of it, and the fans’ weak reaction smattered with boos let her know it.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond interviewed The Judgement Day as Liv Morgan bragged about what they did to Vaquer last week and Balor tonight. Stating the group’s goal was to get all the gold. Rodriquez called out the Women’s Tag Team Champions, stating that their nostalgia trip was over and dared them to come to Raw. BAYLEY and LYRA VALKYRIA appeared as Bayley called out the group for not being able to get the job done on their own. Bayley challenged the women to take her and Valkyria on again, but Morgan mocked the idea, stating that family helps each other win and dismissed the faces as she led her group away.
Maxxine Dupri would be seen again, accompanying The Alpha Academy as Otis lost to Oba Femi.
An ‘earlier today’ video broadcast a sit-down face off between ASUKA and IYO SKY, hosted by heat-stealer Adam Pearce. With subtitles when they spoke in Japanese, Sky said she still respected Asuka even after everything that’s happened. Saying that Asuka had changed and she now had to fight her former mentor. Asuka claimed the Sky she taught was no longer in front of her, and vowed to cut Iyo out of her life for good at Backlash. After Sky had said she was ready for Asuka, Asuka would lean in and spit the Poison Mist into Sky’s face, ending the segment by prancing off as Sky howled in pain.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
There were no matches this week from the women’s division which is always a major dissapointment. We got story stuff, sure, but the video of the Asuka-Sky face-off was weak and it’s all stuff we’ve heard before from video packages in the past. The release of Kairi Sane has hurt the storyline massively and it shows. We can only hope the Superstars left can make up for it with a great match. Elsewhere, The Judgement Day drama might be carrying on if Perez’s conflicted look is a sign of things to come. We’ll see what’s next for the Women’s Tag Team titles and it would make sense for a heel team to take on Brie Bella and Paige next, but you never know with the WWE. Lastly, Becky Lynch and Sol Ruca being the next IC title feud was completely expected with the complete lack of depth in the singles division and AJ Lee now being gone. It was a shame that the Sol Snatcher, usually hit perfectly, was botched this one night where it mattered a lot. No doubt Ruca and Lynch can bounce back with time to build a story for the next PLE after Backlash.
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!
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