Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION!
2025 is almost all wrapped up with Royal Rumble season ahead. Before that, the Tag Team Division is all fired up with multiple teams gunning for the gold, including the renewed Judgement Day with Liv Morgan at the head. Who will step up to stake a claim at the gold? And what’s next for the singles Champions of the red brand? Let’s get into it, and find out…
This week’s Arrived Earlier Today videos included BAYLEY and LYRA VALKYRIA, Women’s World Champion STEPHANIE VAQUER, IYO SKY and RHEA RIPLEY.
Singles Match
IYO SKY w/h RHEA RIPLEY defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion KAIRI SANE w/h ASUKA
Sane took advantage with a hair pull in the opening lock-up to back Sky to the ropes, but her attempt of a cheap shot Cutlass was ducked, forcing Sane to use the ropes to force a break. Moments later, Sky countered a Headscissors out of a corner from the middle ropes with a flip to her feet. An exchange of pin holds happened soon after before Sky countered a Sliding D with a Crucifix hold for another near fall, as did a La Magistral. Moments after, Sane would do a leaping nothing but on her feet, she taunted Sky with a mocking version of her ‘It’s Me!’ taunt much to the crowd’s fury. Luring in Sky enough to hit the vault-back Headscissors.
Sky would use misdirection to then do her flips, a Leg Trip then a Basement Dropkick. When Sky went to run the ropes for a dive, Asuka got on the apron to distract as the ref was busy counting out Sane. Asuka lured Sky in to bring her to the floor with a Low Bridge, but Asuka was backed off by Ripley. Sane took advantage by hitting a Flying Forearm to Sky off the apron. Sane would hit chops to Sane around ringside and got a two count in the ring. Sky tried to fight back but was shut down with a hairpull Slam before Sane clubbed away and locked in a Single Leg Crab into a version of the Anchor. Asuka got in a cheap shot as Sane distracted the ref before Sane locked in a full Boston Crab. Sane arched too far back and it allowed Sky to counter with a pin for a near fall.
Sky countered Walk the Plank with a boot and then went House on Fire with Shotei strikes then a Flapjack. Soon after came the Springboard Missile Dropkick, the kip-up flips before she DID THE THING and the Bullet Train Attack hit for a two count. Sky went up top but Sane swept the legs, putting Sky in a Tree of Woe and then elevated for the Double Stomp spot for a near fall. The two ducked shots before Sky hit a Buzzsaw Kick, and tried for a Double Underhook move but Sane landed on her feet for a short-range Sliding D.
On the apron, Sky flipped out to counter a Sane Backdrop-like move and then landed a Bridging German Suplex on the apron to Sane! Sky landed a Springboard Moonsault to the floor. Moments later, Sane distracted the ref to allow Asuka to interfere and sweep Sky’s leg when she went up top, leaving Sky in a Tree of Woe again. Ripley took out Asuka with a Superkick then tossing Asuka into the Timekeeper’s area. Back inside, Sky countered Sane trying for another Double Stomp with a boot, then hitting a version of Stratusphere from the Woe position. Sky then landed Over the Moonsault to win clean.
Lyra Valkyria and Bayley were interviewed. Bayley said it didn’t matter to them who they faced, they wanted in on the tag title picture. Valkyria claimed Liv Morgan went after her because she took the tag titles from her at WrestleMania.
JACKIE REDMOND was in the ring to introduce Stephanie Vaquer for an interview. Vaquer said she wanted to face everyone and let her actions do the talking. She put over the current locker room but NIKKI BELLA soon interrupted. Bella mocked the fans and said she wasn’t done with Vaquer, demanding a rematch. However, RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ sneak attacked Bella, driving her into the ringpost with a Lawn Dart. Rodriguez vowed to take Vaquer’s title any time, any place and the two shared a stare down before Rodrgiuez left the scene.
IVY NILE with American Made was interviewed as it was announced that Nile would get the Women’s IC title match against Maxxine Dupri next week. Nile dismissed the former friendship between her and Nile and was disgusted by Dupri treating the title as an accessory for social posts. Nile mocked Dupri’s obsession with training and said she’d drop the ball like the local sports team for some cheap heat.
There was tension between The Judgement Day in their clubhouse between LIV MORGAN and Rodriguez as Liv didn’t know about Rodriguez’s plan (that she justified as Bella having ‘ruined’ a previous title shot). Rodriguez passive-aggressively stated that she didn’t know she needed to run everything through Morgan, which made Morgan back peddle and say she supported Rodriguez but Morgan seemed to cast a glare at her ally when she left. Morgan switched up and told ROXANNE PEREZ that she’d now be in Perez’s corner and they would team up now to go after the tag titles now that Rodriguez was gunning for the singles belt.
Singles Match
ROXANNE PEREZ w/h LIV MORGAN defeated LYRA VALKYRIA w/h BAYLEY
NXT’s SOL RUCA was front row ringside ahead of her showcase match against Bayley at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event. Perez tried being cute with a roll to avoid a first lock up, but Valkyria countered the second when she grabbed a foot. Soon after Valkyria chanelled Molly Holly with a Double Wristlock Suplex for a near fall. Leading to a double arm hold into a unique pin for a two count. Perez would get a cheap shot in but soon took Valkyria’s Leg Sweep then a Basement Dropkick. A Northern Lights Suplex got a near fall.
Valkyria tried for her Dropkick through the ropes but Perez blocked by grabbing the legs, and soon after rammed Valkyria shoulder-first into the steel steps with a Hammerlock throw. Targeting the arm by yanking Valkyria into the steps three times. The attack continued in the ring with a pull on the ropes and a drop down shot. Later, Perez tried for an Arm Stomp but Valkyria swept the leg away to counter. Perez would soon after hit a Hammerlock Northern Lights and got a near fall.
Valkyria stomped her way free from an arm hold and right after hit a Crossbody, getting a two count as Perez tried to arch her body out of the pin, only to be scooped into a Crucifix pin for a near fall. Valkyria impressively turned a Jackknife Pin attempt by Perez into a roll over, muscled up into the Sit-Out Doctor Bomb but couldn’t go for a pin with the bad arm. Valkyria rallied with Clotheslines from the good arm then the strike combo but Perez ducked the Enzigiri attempt, before her Satomura Special missed and Valkyria hit the Enzigiri. It sent Perez out into position for the Dropkick through the ropes. A top rope Crossbody got a near fall.
Perez blocked a Suplex attempt, trying to apply a Kimura Lock but Valkyria prevented it, only for Perez to escape the Suplex by landing over the ropes to the apron and hitting a Hot Shot on the bad arm. Perez hit a La Mistica before she nailed the Satomura Special for a near fall. Perez locked in an Arm Bar but allowed Valkyria to counter when she tried to manipulate fingers in the hold. Back on their feet, Valkyria blocked a Bang Kick and used the grip for a Leg-trap Release German Suplex.
As Valkyria went for Nightwing, Morgan got on the apron to distract the ref, allowing Perez to rake Valkyria’s eyes. Bayley swept Morgan’s leg to drive her on to the apron but took a Dropkick through the ropes from Perez. Valkyria got a near fall from a Small Package and when Perez escaped another Nightwing attempt, it led to a push off from a O’Connor Roll right into Morgan at the apron who sneakily hit a kick to the raked eyes. Perez hit Pop Rox to steal the win.
There was another intense training video with MAXXINE DUPRI and NATALYA with Dupri screaming ‘ANOTHER ONE’ a lot.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The angle to have Rodriguez to into business for herself to go for the singles title after Morgan had staked her claim the week before is an interesting way to continue the Judgement Day drama. We’ll see if Morgan and Perez will click as a duo or if the tension and true colours will bubble up. I will say I’m far more interested in seeing Rodriguez against Vaquer again than another Bella title match, that’s sure. Elsewhere, Sky and Sane delivered a fine match as only expected from not just two of the best but former Stardom fighters. It’s a crowded scene in the tag division and it’s long overdue so let’s hope the momentum keeps up.
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!