Why hello there everybody and welcome to this week’s Raw Redux, presenting the first Divas action on Raw of 2013. Cryssi is ill this week, which is probably because of the nauseating amount of 3MB on the show last night, but nevertheless, we wish you well Khaleesi! I’m Jack and I’ll be handling proceedings today and I have a question for you. What is a really good way to kick off 2013? A Divas Championship match of course!
Last night’s action saw the villainous and vivacious Eve Torres defend her pink and silver butterfly belt against the bold and beautiful Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn has pinned Eve twice in the run up to this encounter and also beat her via DQ, so can she finally win the championship? Or will Eve make it fourth time lucky and pull out a win? The fact I’m making up idioms to try and big up Eve shows that she’s walking on thin ice so let’s find out to see if that ice was cracked!
Skip to 27:00 in the first video to see Eve’s entrance and the start of the match!
“SHE LOOKS GOOD TO ME” explodes through my ears and that can only mean one thing, creepy comments from Jerry Lawler, Eve Torres is in the house! The champ is acting like nothing can phase her as she struts her stuff down the ramp, but really I think we all know she’s quaking in her corset. After the commercial break, Kaitlyn is already in the ring (not necessarily a bad thing, Team Rhodes Scholars were in the ring like this and won their match earlier!) and I can hear a verse of Spin the Bottle I’ve never heard before. I wonder if Kaitlyn genuinely likes the game and is always suggesting it at social events. If so, send an invite my way please, Kaitlyn!
Anyway, a referee who to me looks like PSY of Gangnam Style fame raises the belt in the air and the bell sounds. The girls lock up and Eve gets the better of the exchange and manages to apply a headlock takeover. The champion gets a one-count before Kaitlyn reverses the submission hold and locks in one of her own – a headscissors. The record setting three-time Divas Champion then wriggles free and wraps herself around Kaitlyn’s leg to perform a heel-hook style maneuver. Eve then gets to a vertical base and tightens her grip on her challenger’s heel. Kaitlyn then impressively executes a headstand and uses her leg strength to flip Eve over – really nice and innovative!
The NXT Season 3 winner then clubs Eve in the corner before the referee tells Kaitlyn that she needs to stop and tie her lace. The Hybrid Diva isn’t interested but the official demands she stop and sort her boots out, such drama! Kaitlyn bends down to fasten her shoe but WALLOP! Eve rocks Kaitlyn’s face with a stiff kick. Eve declares that it’s not her fault that Kaitlyn had dodgy footwear and she goes to work on her foe with a hair-grab takeover. The Divas Champ then stomps a proverbial mudhole in Kaitlyn’s chest before sitting atop the turnbuckle and choking the life out of Kaitlyn.
Eve waves to her loyal BeliEVErs before clocking Kaitlyn with a kick to the shoulder. Our Divas Champion then drags Kaitlyn by her head and applies a hangman’s style headlock, and this is yet another pretty submission in her arsenal. Eve finishes the hold and strikes Kaitlyn with a forearm before running off the ropes. As Eve charges towards Kaitlyn, the latter picks up the former and hits a side-slam. Momentum shift, anyone?
Kaitlyn can only manage a two count but that’s not bothering the Number One Contender! Kaitlyn ricochets off the ropes and brutalizes Eve with a shoulder tackle. Michael Cole references Tamina‘s win on SmackDown (Kaitlyn’s next challenger if she wins perhaps?) and wait a minute, Kaitlyn hits the Scorpion Deathdrop! Whilst I make the only Sting reference that will ever feature in the Raw Redux, Kaitlyn surprisingly only manages a two-count. Kaitlyn European uppercuts the champ before whipping her across the ring. Eve reverses the momentum but Kaitlyn kicks Eve in the torso before picking her up for the gutbuster.
Ms Torres worms her way out of it and jolts from the ring. Kaitlyn throws her back in but she retreats once more. Eve collects her thoughts before grabbing her Divas Title… and running away! Kaitlyn is in hot pursuit but Eve escapes into the crowd. Eve has lost her bottle and the match, yet is still the Champion.
If you would like to see the other notable Diva appearance of the night, watch the start of the first video where AJ Lee can be seen describing John Cena’s manhood – oh, I say!
Thoughts: Well, WWE definitely swerved me there! With fan speculation running rampant about Kaitlyn winning the title in her hometown next week, I should have seen Eve keeping the title coming, but I didn’t! Once Kaitlyn had Eve hoisted up for that gutbuster, I thought it was over for sure but no, WWE actually did something unexpected for a change and has nicely prolonged this feud. Good job!
In terms of the match, I really liked it. It started off a little slow with all the submissions but it started to grab my attention after Kaitlyn’s handstand reversal. Eve’s hangman-style submission was also really nice and she sold the hell out of Kaitlyn’s shoulder tackle. Another nice touch was for Kaitlyn to hit her reverse DDT. Kaitlyn has managed to win quite a few matches with that move so it definitely made the match more unpredictable by having Eve kick out of it.
The finish of the bout was incredibly wise. Eve has been pinned by Kaitlyn in both singles and tag competition so it would be logical that Eve is very worried, hence the count-out finish tonight and the DQ finish a few weeks back. I love how Kaitlyn was really bothered as well and didn’t just shrug it off and then smile and wave. Kaitlyn has proved lately that she’s not just a cookie baked from the same tray like a lot of other faces past and present, and I really like that.
So, where do we go from here? With AJ as a heel now and no other faces standing out after Kaitlyn, I definitely see the Hybrid Diva capturing the title. Eve is out of new ideas now, so with that in mind, will we see a stipulation added to the next title match that means Eve can’t run away or be disqualified? I would LOVE to see a no disqualification bout for the Divas. It would channel the backstage brawls Kaitlyn has had with Eve and AJ in recent times and it definitely would reflect the aggressive nature shown by both girls. Let’s hope my idea comes to fruition next week or perhaps at the Royal Rumble.
Well with that sensational “No DQ” idea (even if I do say so myself) firmly installed into our brains for the next week, I’m sure we’re all going to have sweet dreams. Cryssi will return next week as will Dr. Shelby (WOOHOO) but stay tuned, Jack will be back!
59 Comments
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Eve is actually the only diva who is not underrated…
puppies Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
As in, she’s overrated? How so?
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It was something different and unexpected. I never in my wildest dreams would have pegged Kaitlyn a future Champion, but here we are. I was saying the same thing about Kelly once upon a time. For some reason, I have no problem if the NXT Diva takes the title. She’s improved and although she still has ways to go, I can buy her as the underdog Champ. Something similiar to Stratus in her first reign. Next week looks to culminate to a Championship victory. Perhaps they’ll involve a guest referee?
redsandman99 Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
If they go the guest ref route, I could see them pulling out one of the past divas. It would be a nice way for them to do something with the current girls but not take away their much needed attention.
Crazy_J Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
A guest appearing ref would be great.. completely agree!
JillianHallTNA Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
Maybe they will bright back Tiffany (Taryn Terrell) to be a special ref. for the match! Lol
NY Pollard Reply:
January 9th, 2013 at
@Redsandman – That is what I was hoping for. Or atleast a past diva to be an enforcer. I just didn’t want to throw it out there. I didn’t want to risk getting shut down and told how stupid my ideas were my certain trolls. Awesome idea though. Perfect way to involve a past diva without taking away from a title match. It would add the special factor to it I think. Something different from before.
at
I can see a stipulation match coming for next week or the Rumble. Next week would be bette I think since it is in Kaitlyn’s home town. Whether it be Eve loses her title if she gets disqualified or counted out again, no DQ at all, lumberjill, falls count anywhere, steel cage….last two aren’t too likely but something should be put in place. Now more than ever, the logical conclusion point of this story is Eve running out of tricks and Kaitlyn getting the title.
Johnyfaction3 Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
Lol that’s true Eve needs more tricks. Maybe the Shield or Brad Maddox can help her. She should get a body guard.
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I feel like I am the only one that wants and sees Eve retaining haha. And if she loses the title I wouldn’t mind seeing her in storylines with the guys. I don’t think that the match will be next week it will probably be at Royal Rumble. WWE likes to play around with the hometown superstars and they lose sometimes. (Unless you are Cena) I do want to see Eve and AJ fued so bad. I have a feeling that her and dolph won’t last long. Fued wise AJ vs Kailtyn has a back story. But quality wise I think AJ and Eve will deliver better.
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I wouldn’t put the actual title change at the Rumble because it’ll get overshadowed by everything else.
I also don’t think they’ll be a lot of special appearances because they just brought a lot of people in for Raw 1000 a few months ago- but they might want to do a title switch, and the Divas title based on how everything is currently running is the easiest to do (then you can have the rematch at the Rumble and it would work better).
The easiest thing would probably be a lumberjill match- which I hope won’t be the case, as they don’t tend to go well. I’d go with a Street Fight- No DQ, No Countout, Falls count anywhere. That way if they want to give the beginnings of AJ gunning for the title at Mania, have her take Eve out to help Kaitlyn win the belt- her reasoning being she wants to hurt her former best friend by being the one to take the title from her…
LadyGoDiva Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
There not enough divas to have a lumberjill match Tamina,Natayla,Aksana,Rosa,AJ,Cameron,Naomi,Alicia,Layla. Plus I want to see something else besides a lumberjill match.
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I almost cry when I remember their first match on Smackdown, it was really bad for me!
But now its completely different, their marches are being awesome, and Kaitlyn is really stepping her game!
That kick that Eve hit on Kaitlyn´s head was really WOW!
I really want Kaitlyn to win the title next week, and hopefully it will be a Falls Count Anywhere Match!
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honestly i don’t know why but i am over this storyline. awkwardly natalya and rosa mendes’ storyline is actually interesting me more than this. which is a shocker because i have been #teameve from the time she was introduced to wwe in the diva’s search.
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Personally I would rather see a rematch at Royal Rumble.
But if that happens they should have a stipulation in this match like a cage match or something but if I learned anything from the Michelle McCool interview about her match with Melina.NOC 09 is that WWE doesn’t like it when their Divas have better matches then the guys.
WWE should cut their divas a break because this Eve/Kaitlyn feud needs more hype.
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Contrary to many people who are sick of this rivalry, I actually am really enjoying their encounters. And each time they’ve been keeping it fresh with different endings or segments. With it being the 20th Anniversary I either see a Lumberjill match with divas past and present, a special guest referee or what many fans along with myself are hoping for a No DQ or Falls Count Anywhere.
I also enjoyed Michael Cole’s plug in about how it’s been a 4 month rivalry in the making, it makes Kaytlin’s possible title seem more long awaited.
puppies Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
I’m really liking the feud too.
wwesvrrocks101 Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
Nice idea! That probably will be it! ANd if we were lucky enough, Kharma would be involved.
Crazy_J Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
When Cole said.. this 4 month feud.. I was thinking, okay Kaitlyn is winning the belt tonight lol
Ed Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
I’ve been enjoying it too. It hasn’t been planned out that well, but it’s nice to see an actual Divas feud play out over several months. And there’s at least been some development there, starting with Kaitlyn being the underdog and Eve beating her easily, to Kaitlyn gradually becoming a bigger threat, to the point now where Eve is running scared because she knows Kaitlyn can beat her. There’s not much to it, but that’s the most the writers have given any Divas feud in ages. I’ll take what I can get.
FOREVER FLAWLESS! Reply:
January 9th, 2013 at
If someone, who calls themselves a diva fan, has not been enjoying the past 4 months (and much more than that for the development of this feud…let’s not forget, this started as Eve vs. Layla) of the Divas Championship, for the vast majority of the past 4 months, being featured CONSISTENTLY on RAW…..I think they should just stop watching WWE now because sadly, this might be as good as it gets. The girls will never outshine the guys, but at least if this is the max potential that the WWE Writers are looking to put into a feud, I’m more than happy with it. This thing evolved from Eve vs. Layla to getting Aksana involved and right before our eyes we saw a girl who started out as the #1 underdog of NXT transform into this top face diva who we’re all ready to have her shining moment and outdo the evil Queen, Eve. I love the feud. *shrugs*
Raekon Reply:
January 10th, 2013 at
Fully agree @Forever Flawless!
People tend to get very fast bored with everything that comes their way nowadays forgetting that like a year ago we still had the 30 seconds matches, constant rollups and no feuds or any meanings towards the title.
Now we are getting a actual progression with a good feud and a well developed storyline behind it and people still don’t like it.
It’s obvious that no matter how talented and skilled the divas are, they will never be allowed to outshine the superstars (even the worst ones).
Due to this I’m personally very happy that we have such a long and well developed feud for once cause we didn’t had something like that for years.
Both girls are also giving it their all and trying to work the best they can with what they are given, by adding diversity in their matches.
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There’s no video
Jack Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
There is now! Not sure why they are disappearing before the upload, sorry about that!
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I think that it should be in a steel cage. That way there is no escape. But that will never happen.
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I love this feud.And Kaitlyn is actually getting a reaction from the crowd…not very big,but it’s something. Eve definitely got heat with the way she sneaked out of the match. I’m really hoping we’ll see Kaitlyn as champ.Let’s be honest Kaitlyn is doing better than any of the past contenders from 2012.She’s liked by the fans,she is not a typical diva…she needs the title.
Now onto something else…I hate how AJ is stuck in a managing role…I think she’s doing great,but now that she’s a heel she can play around with the divas.I really hope Dolph has some interaction with Khali (cant believe I just said that) and AJ gets to lay her hands on Nattie…they have history it’ll be fun + divas need more storylines not just one,because people forget who they are.
JamieKym Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
Because she was pushed to. And she’s actually getting a reaction because of how long the Fued has been. She’s only had one other contender.
charovnica Reply:
January 9th, 2013 at
Well,she’s pushed because she’s actually interesting,so props to her.
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I love the little shift Kaitlyn made to her reverse ddt. It made it seem way more effective then the normal drop.
at
There needs to be some sort of stipulation for their next match but knowing WWE it will probably be a lumberjill match. I was impressed by Kaitlyn’s headstand perhaps she has been taking lessons from Dolph Ziggler.
at
No DQ, No Count-out at RAW 20th perhaps?? or some kind of stipulation that means Eve can’t disqualify or count herself out. Lumberjill?? Falls Ciunt Anywhere?? even another Extreme Makeover match?
Personally, although most matches involving this stipulation were not that good, I wouldn’t mind a lumberjill match. Alundra Blayze as special guest ref and past/present Divas on the outside
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Nothing to do with this but the last Dlc for WWE 13 is out now! Time to kick ass with Layla! They updated her entrance and she can do the facelift now too! You can also do the pin up strong submission now! :)
Crazy_J Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
I know I need to go download it.. I really want to add Layla to my division of diva’s.. and I’m also looking forward to the sexy Cesaro.
Eveyy Reply:
January 9th, 2013 at
just downloaded her, :)
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At first I thought Kaitlyn was going to win this match. I’m not really a fan of this Eve/Kaitlyn feud but hey.. it’s what we got! Hopefully they are going to give us some kind of stipulation match next week.. which FINALLY.. I’ve complained about it enough along with others on here that matches need something different!
I really want a falls count anywhere match! I won’t complain if there is any kind of stipulation really. I don’t care much for lumber-jill matches, but if it involves past diva’s ringside then sure! :)
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I love Eve as champion and if she loses her title I’m happy because I know she is not gonna be a jobber after being champion. As for Kaitlyn, i think she will be divas champion next week, I also thought on ma match with stipulations. Something like No DQ, No Count out…but I also thought in an special guest referee…maybe Lita?.
But, all in all, i prefer to see Kaitlyn as champion at the Royal Rumble, but instead of divas championship matches every week, they should have mic time so maybe we can see a build up promo before the big match in one big WWE PPV. Just sayin’…
lucky1now Reply:
January 9th, 2013 at
So true having a title match every week makes a title shot seem less
You earn a shot if you fail you have to earn another one
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I really don’t want eve to lose her title to kaitlyn I want her to get passed this challenger and start someone new with storylines that work and a long standing champ the title can become something again and I’m ok with eve being that someone to start it off
Acrant Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at
Its kinda too late for that. The other faces are booked like jokes.
And someone else beating Eve after all this makes no sense.
lucky1now Reply:
January 9th, 2013 at
Which makes perfect sense to debut a new diva form a fued and then make a new champ I’m sure everyone will agree with paige getting that spot
Acrant Reply:
January 9th, 2013 at
And a diva isn’t debuting in a title feud either. Whens the last time that happened?
Challengers need build. Paige will need a few months before she’s ready whenever she gets called up. People complain all the time about Layla or Nikki getting random title wins with no build, yet when someone actually gets months of build, you just want them to randomly move on to the next challenger, which is the problem.
Its not perfect, but they’ve put in time with Kaitlyn/Eve, and it kinda had to resolve itself logically. Or else we’re back to random crappy booking.
at
Really nice night for the Divas. We’ve seen brawls between Kaitlyn and Eve so it’s nice to see them just wrestle for a change. I’m guessing Madusa could be involved in an angle with Eve next week thus building to a title match at the Royal Rumble
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By the way Jack nice write up :-).
Also – I’m with others who are enjoying this rivalry, I like it. I love rivalries that expand for more than a couple of months because it gives the women opportunities to further develop their characters and get more experience together in the ring, which then leads to better quality of matches. That is one thing I think is special about the women and why I think I like watching them more than the guys at times. This Kaitlyn and Eve feud reminds me of Trish when she started of slow, then with her months long rivalries with Victoria, Molly, and Jazz – she turned into a brilliant wrestler. She made it work where you can appreciate her flawless beauty, but at the same time appreciate her wrestling skills. Kaitlyn and Eve are evolvijng and more specifically Kaitlyn is transforming rapidly before our eyes. I enjoy seeing that and watching her grow. Hopefully she sticks with it and doesn’t get injured. I’m starting to see she can be the one breakout diva this year. I’m behind her. Eve is also doing a marvelous job. She’s upped her game and I hope she continues to do so. Women like Maryse and Melina, both different levels ofcourse, became complacent – it led to their downfall, but I think Ev e is very smart so I’m counting on her to keep evolving as Stratus and Lita did.
Jack Reply:
January 9th, 2013 at
Thanks for the kind words!
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I loved that Grumpy Cat sign.
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I will give yesterday’s Divas time a B. I love what they did. THIS is what’s needed in order for fans to get in tuned and care about the Divas again. Eve was a little bit more slow in the match, but Kaitlyn was able to actually get the crowd into it with her comeback moves. The ending was very good too, having Eve go into the crowd gives them more dimensions like the men have. I hope this is leading up to a stipulation match either next week or at the RR.
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I will admit I was iffy about this feud in the beginning but I’m so glad it has paned out for this long, it’s just going to make it ever so sweet when Kaitlyn wins the title. Heel Eve has grown on me so much I kind of don’t want her to be a Face again lol.
The next best thing to do after Kaitlyn wins is to have a Fatal 4 Way with Eve, Naomi & Tamina….. I think I would pretty much die if that happened.
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Good match. Its wasnt good as the Knockouts but the fact that the Divas have a real feud going unlike the Knockouts, I prefer the Divas. Also this is random but who else wants to see a NXT 3 Fatal 4 way?