Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! Last week saw more chaos with the Women’s World Championship as Rhea Ripley put her name on the already signed match contract between Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky. What new twists will come this week? And who will emerge on top when Lyra Valkyria defends the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Women’s Tag Team Champion Raquel Rodriguez? Let’s get into it, and find out…
This week’s ‘Arrived Earlier Today’ videos featured Women’s Tag Team Champions LIV MORGAN and RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ, and the Women’s Intercontinental Champion LYRA VALKYRIA.
In the clubhouse of The Judgement Day, Morgan hyped up Rodriguez ahead of her title match tonight and did the same with Dominik Mysterio about his plans to try and bring a new member into the group.
BAYLEY was seen talking with Lyra Valkyria backstage before Valkyria headed towards the ring.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
Women’s Intercontinental Champion LYRA VALKYRIA defeated Women’s Tag Team Champion RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ w/h LIV MORGAN
Valkyria tried for a go-behind but was easily tossed away. A single-leg takedown was easily blocked before Rodriguez used her power for a front-style Big Swing, and soon after a toss with a double-face grip into a corner. Valkyria avoided a corner change and applied a Headlock. Moments later, Valkyria blocked a Snake Eyes attempt and escaped to hit a Low Dropkick to the knee, but the follow-up Gutwrench was blocked. Valkyria again escaped being on the shoulders with a Sunset Flip attempt but had to roll away to avoid a stomp.
Valkyria used a Wheelbarrow for momentum to send Rodriguez through the ropes, and while the Dropkick through the ropes was blocked Valkyria countered the Powerbomb attempt with a Headscissors that sent the challenger into the announce table. Back in the ring a Leap of Faith by Valkyria ate a Big Boot that wiped her out. Rodriguez worked over the Champion with Back Elbows then the Rewind Clothesline. A Corner Splash followed then a Bear Hug by Rodriguez, but Valkyria escaped to hit a round of kicks, finished with an Enzigiri. Valkyria couldn’t lift up Rodriguez for Nightwing and soon after took a Shoulder Tackle.
Rodriguez used a nice move of a Rope-bounce Jackhammer to get a near fall. Rodriguez took too much time taunting the fans so the Vader Bomb Elbow only hit the canvas, before Valkyria hit the Pump Legdrop off the top across Rodriguez’s back for a two count. Valkyria tried for Nightwing again but Rodriguez escaped and shoved the Champion into a corner to hit a Northern Clothesline. Followed by the Vader Bomb Corkscrew Elbow for a near fall. Moments later, Valkyria went for a Crossbody off the middle rope and while Rodriguez caught the move to block it, Valkyria countered the Suplex attempt from it with a rough DDT. Going for the pin, Liv Morgan without the ref seeing it put Rodriguez’s foot on the rope to break the pin.
Rodriguez escaped from a third Nightwing attempt, but Valkyria would duck a Big Boot and instead take out Morgan with the Dropkick through the ropes. Rodriguez tried to pounce on the distraction when she muscled the Champion off the ropes looking for the Tijana Bomb. Valkyria countered with a Samson Clutch to get the three count and retain.
After the match, the Tag Champs beat down Valkyria until Bayley ran out to make the save, hitting Morgan with the Stunner through the ropes. Rodriguez tried to hit Bayley with the Tijana Bomb but Valkyria pulled Bayley down and the two tossed Rodriguez over the ropes. Bayley did pick up the Women’s IC title, but handed it to Valkyria and raised her arm to end the segment.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announced that Rhea Ripley’s actions to sign her name on the WrestleMania World Championship contract was not legally binding and she was not in the match. IYO SKY would interrupt and said she would take on Belair and Ripley. BIANCA BELAIR however came out and objected to that idea, speaking rather heel-like about Ripley woman being added to her title match. That, of course, then brought out RHEA RIPLEY who claimed she didn’t care about WrestleMania but wanted a rematch. Again Belair talked like a heel and said Ripley could wait until after Mania.
Adam Pearce crashed out and said Ripley would get a World title rematch next week against Iyo Sky, something that Sky wasn’t happy with. A brawl kicked off as Sky hit a DDT on Ripley, and then escaped a KOD attempt with an Arm Drag-like toss that sent Belair into a Ripley Big Boot. Ripley took a Shotei strike and moments later Belair Clotheslined Ripley over the ropes. Sky hit a Headscissors off the apron to Ripley, but back in the ring Belair would use a KOD grip to toss Sky over the ropes to also wipe out Ripley. Belair posed with the Women’s World Championship but there were notable boos for her being on the attack during the segment.
IVY NILE got a hype video. She would also appear alongside Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers as Gable faked illness.
Bianca Belair confronted Adam Pearce in his office but once again he crashed out, ranting and making Belair the Special Guest Referee for the Women’s Championship Match next week.
CATHY KELLEY and JACKIE REDMOND handled interview duties.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
A solid enough match between Valkyria and Rodriguez but there was never any chance Rodriguez was going to leave as a double champion. Bayley against Valkyria would be a good WrestleMania clash and a nice way to elevate the Women’s IC title that’s languished since it was introduced. There’s still no clear direction for what, if any, Women’s Tag Title Match might go down at Mania so hopefully that’s resolved soon. Meanwhile, they’re dragging the Women’s World Title story out with a match that will no doubt have shenanigans next week with Belair as the ref. No matter the outcome, we’ll hopefully get the Triple Threat Match confirmation next week.
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!