Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION!
As we head on the long road to WrestleMania, tonight sees a dream rematch as AJ Lee defends the Women’s IC title against Bayley, a rematch from a Divas Championship Match on NXT years ago. Alongside that, with their World Women’s title match now in place, the feud between Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan continues as, far from the first time even this year, Vaquer will face Raquel Rodriguez. Throw in another clash between Maxxine Dupri and Nattie, and we’ve got a Raw loaded with women’s matches. Who will come out on top? And will we get the hints of any new matches ahead of ‘Mania? Let’s get into it, and find out…
This week’s ‘Arrived Earlier Today’ videos featured Women’s IC Champion AJ LEE with CM Punk, MAXXINE DUPRI with Alpha Academy, LIV MORGAN and RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ in the Judgement Day Clubhouse with JD McDonagh, and Women’s World Champion STEPHANIE VAQUER.
Liv Morgan had a promo video, bragging that it had been her plan all along to kick Finn Balor out of The Judgement Day. Claiming it made her sick to lie and call him family every week, and said the group was onto bigger things. Vowing to become the new Women’s World Champion at ‘Mania.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ LEE defeated BAYLEY to retain.
Neither woman got the edge from a lock up, but Bayley won the second and went for an Irish Whip, leading to Lee getting a leg-clutch pinhold for a two count, then another from a Samson Clutch off a Wheelbarrow. A third near fall for Lee came from a Crucifix into a Sunset Flip, but Bayley had to intentionally pause and wait for Lee to get up for next spot as Lee countered a Slam attempt. Bayley controlled an arm, grounding Lee for a La Magistral for a two count. Lee would use a sliding leg trip, setting up for a Crossbody off the top then a Dropkick that sent Bayley to the floor.
When Bayley got in, Lee pounched with a Clutch pin for a near fall, staying on the attack with a short-range Roundhouse Kick rolled into a Bridging Hammerlock. Bayley rolled through but remained trapped in a regular Hammerlock until a big Back Elbow got the escape. Bayley hit the Stunner through the ropes for a near fall as the show went to ‘commercial’ and soon after, Bayley applied an arm hold rest hold. Lee escaped with an Arm Drag, then hit a second flowed into an arm hold but Bayley got up and hit a Knee Strike. A Suplex by Bayley got a near fall, and she stayed in control with a hard Whip to a corner, followed up by some stomps to get another two count.
Lee would rally with a Clothesline as the show returned to ‘live action’, and Lee countered a Suplex attempt into a Crossbody for a near fall. Another great counter came when Lee turned a Bayley-to-Belly into a Stratus-like Bulldog. Lee went House on Fire with a Clothesline, a Back Elbow then a Roundhouse Kick for a two count. A standing Sliced Bread #2 got Lee a near fall. Lee went for a Shining Wizard but Bayley countered with a roll through into a Single Leg Crab. Lee would kick Bayley away but off the bounce from the ropes, Bayley hit a Running Knee Strike for a near fall.
Lee countered a Rose Plant attempt with a Roll-up for a two count. Lee would avoid a second Bayley-to-Belly but moments later Bayley pulled Lee off the ropes and landed the move but only got a near fall. The women exchanged slaps, face slams to the mat and then slugged it out. A Bang Kick by Lee set up the Shining Wizard, but going for the tilt-a-whirl into the Black Widow Bayley countered with a Side Slam.
Bayley missed the Top Rope Elbow Drop, and Lee right after locked in Black Widow to force the tapout and retain the IC title.
During a commercial break, Bayley and Lee exchanged a hug before Bayley raised Lee’s hand in victory. However, just as the break ended after Lee had gone around ringside celebrating with fans, BECKY LYNCH attacked Lee from behind at the top of the aisle. Driving Lee into the video wall and roughing up Lee then with shots to the crowd barricades multiple times then stomps before referees and officials finally hauled Lynch away. Lynch would use the IC title belt as a weapon, slamming it into Lee’s head before posing with the gold over a fallen Lee.
Singles Match
NATTIE defeated MAXXINE DUPRI
Nattie went for a Headlock and takedown right away but Dupri rolled through, and a scrappy mount position by Nattie led to nothing. Nattie got a sort of snap Waterwheel Slam then roughed up Dupri on the ropes before hitting a Guillotine. Dupri was put in a Tree of Woe so Nattie could stretch Dupri’s body back while standing on the outside. Nattie got a Rear Naked Choke in but Dupri soon escaped and got an Ankle Lock. Nattie would escape, leading to an exchange of O’Connor Rolls before Nattie tried for the Choke again, but Dupri got a near fall from the counter pin.
Durpi blocked a kick to the gut and hit Nattie with a Roundhouse one. Dupri went House on Fire with Clotheslines, a club to the back then a Running Pump Knee Strike to the head. Dupri hit a corner Splash, a Release Fisherwoman’s Suplex then kipped up. A Step-up Famouser got Dupri a near-fall. Dupri missed a Big Boot to the corner, getting hung up as Nattie nailed a Chop Block. Nattie put Dupri up in Electric Chair position, but Dupri rolled forward with it and then into an Ankle Lock. Nattie would kick Dupri away and moments later, Nattie dodged a Top Rope Crossbody attempt before decking Dupri with the Discus Clothesline.
Nattie locked on The Sharpshooter for the submission win.
Non-title Singles Match
Women’s World Champion STEPHANIE VAQUER defeated RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ w/h LIV MORGAN
Rodriguez easily won the lock-up that started the match, then got a round of Shoulder Thrusts in a corner. Vaquer managed to dodge a charge to the opposite corner but was decked with a Shoulder Knockdown. Vaquer dodged a Big Boot and used misdirection to get her 120% Roll-up for a near fall. Rodriguez hit the Rewind Clothesline then locked on a rest hold Cobra Clutch. Rodriguez missed an Elbow Drop, leading to a Legdrop from Vaquer for a two count. Rodriguez’s strength blocked a Flying Headscissors attempt, but Vaquer would escape from a Powerbomb grip and sent Rodriguez out of the ring with a Single Leg Dropkick.
Vaquer hit a Knee Drop across Rodriguez’s chest against the apron, but she was distracted by staring down Morgan at ringside so Rodriguez was able to haul her down and use a Lawn Dart into the ring post. During a ‘commercial’, Rodriguez slammed Vaquer into the announce table a couple of times then stomped away at Vaquer in the ring. Vaquer would escape a Delayed Suplex but took a Shoulder Knockdown to give Rodriguez a near fall before a hat trick of Elbow Drops got her the same. Vaquer hit a Chinbuster then some strikes, but got shut down with a Clothesline as Rodriguez got a two count.
Rodriguez applied another rest hold of a Cobra Clutch variation as the show returned to ‘live action’ and Vaquer escaped to lock on a Back Sleeper. Rodriguez backed her into the corner and then nailed the Diesel Elbows. Vaquer would get a Hot Shot on the ropes and kicked the middle corner pad into Rodriguez’s face, leading to a Top Rope Crossbody by Vaquer. Vaquer got a round of strikes in, and dodged a Big Boot attempt at a corner by Rodriguez, setting up for the Dragon Screw out of it. Vaquer hit a Running Corner Meteora and went for Devil’s Kiss but Rodriguez’s strength blocked it as she tossed Vaquer over.
Vaquer’s attempt at a Tornado DDT was blocked into an off-looking Delayed Suplex that left Vaquer hitting her front like a Big Ending. Rodriguez missed the Vader Bomb Elbow and that allowed Vaquer to hit a round of 11 of Devil’s Kiss. Morgan got on the apron to distract, allowing Rodriguez to nail a big boot.
IYO SKY then ran out, presumably because of Rodriguez costing her an IC title shot last week, but Sky ended up taking a Pounce from Rodriguez that sent her over the announce desk when Sky went after Morgan. Vaquer took advantage to hit a Crossbody off the apron to Rodriguez, then hitting a Superkick on Morgan before tossing her into the Timekeeper’s area.
Back inside, Rodriguez caught a Crossbody off the top attempt and turned it into a Spinning Powerslam. Rodriguez went for a Tijana Bombo but Vaquer escaped, got a 120% Roll-up and got the victory.
Backstage, LYRA VALKYRIA and Bayley were yelling about the night’s events while in the background it appeared that Austin Theory was consoling a depressed Maxxine Dupri briefly. Valkyria stopped Bayley’s yelling with shouts of her own, saying she’d help get Bayley to ‘Mania this year. ASUKA and KAIRI SANE showed up as Asuka complained that because of Valkyria and Bayley, she missed out on a title shot. Asuka warned them to stay away, and Sane weakly did the same before the ‘KAIRI’ yell made her follow after Asuka. Bayley remarked that the Warriors said they were aiming for the tag titles, to which Valkyria encouraged that they should both go talk to Adam Pearce.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Three great matches on Raw this week. Vaquer and Rodriguez was another good clash, even with how much we’ve seen that bout this year, with the expected outcome to finally give Vaquer not just a win, but momentum after weeks of beat downs. The inclusion of Iyo Sky was curious since rumours had it she might be in a match against Asuka at ‘Mania but perhaps she plays a role in this World title match instead. Bayley and Lee delivered on the ‘dream match’ with a great contest, and again with an expected winner. Just as obvious was the post-match attack by Lynch, no doubt setting up the rematch between her and Lee at ‘Mania. Finally, while Nattie and Dupri was a good match, it was still lose-lose with the outcome as the crowd was dead flat for Nattie winning. It will be hard for Dupri to recover from this feud, which make the backstage moment of her being talked to by The Vision quite interesting. We’ll see if anything comes from it.
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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