The record heading into the Dec. 22 episode between Rhea Ripley and Asuka in singles matches was 7-0….in favor of Ripley. Asuka finally broke the curse and picked up a win against the Eradicator.
Before heading out to the ring for the opening match, Ripley let her tag team partner IYO SKY know she wanted to go at it alone and for her to stay in the back. This of course didn’t seem like a smartest decision as Kairi Sane was at ringside for Asuka.
With the referee’s back turned and tending to Asuka, Ripley climbed up top. However, Sane was there to knock her off. Despite SKY having a bad back and not being medically cleared to compete, she still came out to try and help Ripley.
SKY landed an uppercut on Sane before hopping on the ring apron. While arguing with the ref, Sane swept the legs of SKY, causing her to land back first on the apron. As Ripley went to go help her friend and tag team partner, Asuka took advantage. She rolled up Ripley, with a handful of tights, to get the win. The two teams meet in Jan. 5 with the tag titles on the line.
Elsewhere on Raw, another pairing who are no strangers to one another met in singles action. Bayley took on Roxanne Perez. Lyra Valkyria was at ringside for Bayley while Liv Morgan accompanied Perez.
This match was so chaotic, but in the best way. We had not only Morgan and Valkyria on the outside, but Raquel Rodriguez joined in on the fun, and her “help” actually cost the match for Perez. With Perez getting the pin on Bayley, Rodriguez jumped on the ring apron and distracted the referee. And it was actually Morgan who pulled her down. As the two got into it, Valkyria landed a cross body from the commentator’s desk and took them both out. A slap to Bayley by Valkyria knocked the intensity in her to finish the match in her own crazy way.
Bayley hit an elbow from the top rope to pick up the win.
Becky Lynch returned to Raw for the first time since before WarGames and losing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to Maxxine Dupri. Lynch did what she does best recently which is taunt the crowd, make excuses, and proclaim that she is the greatest of all time.
Before too long, Dupri made her way out to the ring, as this was supposed to be her time to talk, not Becky’s.
Dupri agreed. She says, Sports Illustrated does say that Lynch is the GOAT. But…Dupri beat her, as a rookie. And she didn’t just beat her once, she beat her three times. She says she will beat her again.
“I will train until my blood, sweat and tears are on this mat, because now, not only am I their Intercontinental Champion, I am YOUR Intercontinental Champion!”
Dupri would also add that perhaps Lynch’s best years are behind her. This was before Lynch went on the attack…but it would be Dupri getting the last laugh as she locked in the ankle lock and caused Becky to tap out. The two meet on Jan. 5 with the title on the line.
The Women’s World Title will be defended next week in a Triple Threat as Stephanie Vaquer defends against both Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez. More on that can be read here.
Raw – Dec. 29
- Women’s World Title – Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Raw – Jan. 5
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles – The Kabuki Warriors (c) vs. RhIYO
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Title – Maxxine Dupri (c) vs. Becky Lynch