Welcome one and all to the RAW RECAP presented by THE REVELLEUTION! The ever creepy Alexa Bliss has her sights set on Charlotte Flair and the Raw Women’s Championship, so how will The Queen respond this week? And what will come from the unlikely partnership between Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley? Let’s get into it, and find out…
Women’s Singles Match
RHEA RIPLEY w/h NIKKI A.S.H. defeated SHAYNA BASZLER w/h NIA JAX
Before the match even started Jax mouthed off at everyone, much to the anger of her on/off partner Baszler. Ripley took advantage of the distraction to jump start the match. Baszler went after an arm for a lengthy period, even holding on after Ripley tried rolling through before she set Ripley up for the Arm Stomp. In shades of last week, Ripley caught the foot to counter but Baszler learned her lesson by using the hold to hit a low Enzigiri. Ripley tried for Kingdom Falls but Baszler punched out, then nailed the Kneeling Knee Strike to Ripley.
Baszler tried for the arm again but Ripley countered into a Small Package for a two count, only to be shut down with a Clothesline. Baszler tucked Ripley’s hand under the ring skirting along the apron, and then stomped on the trapped hand for a unique spot. Baszler was in control after a commercial as ASH rallied the fans. Ripley taunted Baszler to keep kicking her, and the trick worked as she caught the led and then mounted a comeback with Short-Arm Clotheslines into the Ripcord Headbutt. Baszler countered a Snapmare by clutching onto the targetted arm but Ripley shoved her down to hit the Basement Dropkick.
A Northern Lights Suplex got Ripley a two count. Baszler came back with an Armbar to take Ripley down but used her strength to avoid being stretched before she got to the ropes. ASH yelled encouragement as Baszler went for the Clutch but on the outside Jax bulldozed over ASH, then hitting a Samoan Drop on the floor. Baszler tried to steal it with a clutch from behind, but Ripley countered into a Small Package to get the win.
Instantly, Jax attacked Ripley from behind then hit a Samoan Drop to pick the bones after Baszler, who looked less than thrilled, had been doing all the hard work.
The planned EVA MARIE versus DOUDROP match didn’t officially happen as Doudrop attacked Marie before the bell rang, laying Marie out easily with a Bodyslam, the Back Senton then the low Running Crossbody before symbolically counting the pin herself.
Non-Title Women’s Match
NIA JAX defeated Raw Women’s Champion CHARLOTTE FLAIR
Jax tried to rush Flair early but Flair bailed out, and did it again when she reentered. Flair was easily overpowered in a lock-up, but forced it to break when she grabbed Jax’s hair. A Shoulder Check by Flair had no effect, but she smartly faked out a second attempt to kick Jax in the knee before unwisely trying for a Suplex. Taking a Headbutt for her troubles. Jax went for a Samoan Drop but Flair slipped out the back, only to be squashed against the ropes before Flair took one in the corner.
Jax took too much time taunting so a Running Hip Attack only ate turnbuckle as Flair stomped away at her. Flair applied a Headlock of all things before eventually being shoved off as a Jax Shoulder Check sent Flair down. Later on, Flair vaulted over the corner to the apron, then caught Jax with a Dragon Sleeper over the ropes followed by a Neck Snap against the middle cable. Flair came back in for a Sleeper attempt but was easily hauled off, and Jax followed up with a sloppy looking Spinebuster that was move off a shove up then down. Flair oddly squirmed out of the attempted cover before a one count was even done as she rolled to the floor. Moments after Flair hit a Plancha to Jax on the floor.
Back from commerical and Jax hit a toss of a sloppy Back Suplex that could have been dangerous. Flair would avoid a corner charge as Jax hit the turnbuckle, but a Moonsault attempt only hit a barely raised knee by Jax. Jax hit a Samoan Drop but totally missed the Leg Drop that followed. The match then completely broke down as Jax no sold a kick to the head, and the two women slapped each other with pie-faces in what appeared to be genuine issues. Eventually Flair muscled off from Jax’s shoulders to turn a half Dragon Sleeper into a Russian Legsweep of sorts for a two count.
Flair hit a Chop Block then attacked the leg. Flair tried for the Figure Four but was kicked into the corner. Jax followed up with the One Arm Powerbomb to score the clean win over the current Women’s Champion.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
No follow up to last week’s angle with Bliss and Flair, and it looks like from just one night Nia Jax is being pushed to be a title challenger. Which might work, expect that both Flair and Jax are heels and Flair’s attempts at being a face in the past haven’t gone well. That aside, the match between Flair and Jax started off average then degraded into an ugly mess and they both were at fault for that. There’s speculation the match may have been an attempt at a ‘worked shoot’ match. If that’s the case, then the women need to stick to regular matches because that contest flat out was awful. A clear contender for worst match of the year that made Eva Marie look like Trish Stratus.
That’s your lot for this week! Be sure to stop by in seven day’s time for the next edition of the RAW RECAP! See you then!