Stephanie Vauqer took on both women she has had troubles with since winning the gold back in September. Those two women are Raquel Rodriguez and Nikki Bella. Vaquer defeated both women in this Triple Threat on the last Raw of 2025 in order to retain.
Prior to the match, Raquel was backstage with her Judgment Day compadre, Liv Morgan. Morgan stated she believes Raquel can win the title and bring gold back to the faction because she is a Champion. And with JD McDonagh and now Dominik Mysterio out of action, she needs Raquel on the same page. Morgan was trying to say that Roxanne Perez seemed to have a plan, but Raquel said she can handle things on her own. As Roxanne approached the women, the subject changed quickly away from what Liv was going to say about Roxanne. Roxanne said recent events are water under the bridge and wished Raquel luck in her title match. Raquel says she doesn’t need luck and would become champion.
The match came next. Vaquer wasn’t getting a lot of offense on the front half of the match, however, this kicked in during the highlight of the match. Nikki locked in the Fearless Lock on Rodriguez as the crowd chanted “Thank you Cena” as the Fearless Lock is essentially Cena’s STF submission. Nikki responded to the crowd by saying, “Thank me.” Raquel was able to counter out of it and lock in a leg lock submission of her own. This was only in time for Vaquer to join the party and deliver the Devil’s Kiss to Raquel while Raquel still had Nikki in the submission.
The final moments of the match had Vaquer going for a small package pin off of a counter to Rodriguez attempting to get her up in a vertical suplex. Vaquer got a near three count but did not put Rodriguez away. Rodriguez recovered and attempted a corkscrew in the corner but Vaquer got pulled out of the ring by Nikki. Nikki tried to get a three count on Rodriguez with a crucifix pin, but Rodriguez kicked out.
Rodriguez then had both women up on her shoulder in a huge show of strength before Vaquer wiggled her way off. Nikki suffered the Tejana Bomb to the mat. Stephanie rolled up Raquel, but Raquel went flying through the ropes to the outside. The champion took advantage of a fallen Nikki and pinned her for the win and to retain the title.
Next for the women was the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, The Kabuki Warriors made their way to the ring. Commentary reviewed what happened last week which was when Asuka defeated Rhea Ripley. The Kabuki Warriors are set to defend against Rhea and IYO SKY next week on the first Raw of 2026.
The champions took to the mic to say that RhIYO paid for their disrespect last week. Kairi tried talking, but Asuka took the mic from her and declared that nobody is ready for the Kabuki Warriors. RhIYO emerged and the two teams brawled. SKY was dumped over the time keepers area but was able to get up to save Ripley who was set up for the Insane Elbow. The challengers for the tag titles stood tall by the end of the segment, while the champions retreated.
A vignette aired a bit later in the show with RhIYO. Ripley stated that Asuka is delusional and that it was Asuka that betrayed IYO. She continues to say that Asuka hides behind Kairi at all times and it is Asuka that is the one that has been disrespectful to them. SKY adds that Kairi is lost and she has chosen the wrong path to be with Asuka. She says Asuka was her Senpai but now the student has become the master. SKY declares that her and Ripley will become tag team champions next week.
Another match that is heating up for next week is for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Maxxine Dupri will be defending against the woman she won the belt from, Becky Lynch. In an in-ring promo, Dupri came out to address the crowd first. Lynch came out to respond with the crowd chanting “you tapped out.” Lynch taunted the crowd saying the only thing she tapped out to was living in Orlando and if they ever become rich and famous they can leave too.
Before Lynch was able to full enter the ring, Dupri let’s her know to choose her next move wisely. Because, if Dupri gets a hold of Lynch’s ankle she can either break it, or make her submit – again. Lynch says she wasn’t out to start a fight, although she does finish them. She says she came out to give Dupri credit and say that she was the worst ever, but now is a tiny bit better albeit she stole the championship. Dupri responds saying that the only thing she stole from Lynch is the spotlight. She adds that she will beat her again next week and even Sports Illustrated may say it…that Dupri IS the Intercontinental Champion. Lynch ends the segment by crashing out stating all of her accolades and says that Dupri’s four week training at the Dungeon does not mean she has stolen Lynch’s spotlight.
Lastly, we get a backstage segment with Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. They are upset because Adam Pearce said they would be in consideration for the tag team titles. Valkyria says they want next. When Pearce brought up Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez, Bayley went off saying she beat Roxanne last week and that Pearce is an idiot and bald. Valkyria thanked Pearce for the consideration trying to smooth things over.
Jan. 5 Raw –
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship – Maxxine Dupri (c) vs. Becky Lynch
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – The Kabuki Warriros (c) vs. RhIYO
What did you think of the last Raw of 2025?