Monday Night Raw featured the qualifying rounds for the Queen of the Ring tournament matches and what a night! Let’s dive right in!
Natalya vs. IYO SKY kicks off the Queen of the Ring tournament! As soon as the bell rang, both women wasted absolutely no time! If I detailed the play by play of this match this recap would be pages because the wrestling and reversals performed had me engaged the entire match! Nattie looks great in the first half of the bout, showing off her cardio and endurance but Iyo has a slight upper hand!
Back from the break, Nattie and Iyo are exchanging blows in the middle of the ring showing no signs of exhaustion, despite the hard hitting match!!
TOP ROPE SUPERPLEX BY NATALYA!! Only a two though for the Queen of Hearts!! This match is great!!
Iyo locks in a cross face and more action ensues that I can only urge you to watch for yourself bc I am not doing this match justice. Nattie hits a nearfall after a sit out powerbomb but Iyo is ultimately victorious with the moonsault, being the first woman to advance in the Quarter Finals of The Queen of the Ring Tournament.
Winner: Iyo Sky
Dakota Kai and Kairi join Iyo in the ring and Kai informs the audience she will be taking Asuka’s place in the next round against the debuting Lyra Valkyria and asserts Damage Control will be getting back their Tag Team titles and taking over Raw.
Zoey Stark, who get’s the jobber entrance (boo!). Ivy Nile is out next (unfortunately without the Creed Brothers) for their qualifying match.
Zoey takes control right out the gate and asserts her power over the smaller competitor. Nile proves she’s not to be underestimated and hits a standing vertical suplex for what felt like 10 seconds, impressive strength and control!
Stark has a really cool spot where she hits a direct shot missile dropkick onto Nile from across the ring. On the top rope, both competitors are positioned for a back superlex spot but Ivy reverses it into a diving bulldog and goes for the pin! Only a two count though as Stark powers out, both performers are frustrated.
The first round match comes to a close after Zoey slips through Nile’s second superplex attempt on the top rope, hits a reverse fall slam and then finishes off Ivy with the Z360 to advance to the next round!
Winner: Zoey Stark
Becky Lynch has an in ring segment with Michael Cole next! Major adulation for The Man starting out. We cut to the tron to show off Becky’s outfit from the Kentucky Derby this past Saturday (love that we’re getting this). We change topics onto the queen of the ring tournament and the new Raw draftees! Becky praises Alba Fyre (noting her 600+ NXT UK Women’s Champion reign), Isla Dawn, Kiana James and Lyra Valkyria; the latter she puts over as someone Becky can trust.
Liv Morgan interrupts to come out and unleash some rage on the champion!! Liv touts off not only her accomplishments but new found purpose. Morgan only continues to improve week after week!
Damage Control interrupts next! Kai runs down Becky and backs up her point from earlier in the night and then Damage Control surrounds the ring to take out The World Women’s Champion and seemingly the #1 Contender but Liv bounces last second abandoning Lynch for the 3 on 1 attack!
Lyra makes the save, scoffing at Liv on her way to the ring and we’re onto the final Queen of the Ring qualifying match of the night!
Lyra immediately takes control in the opening parts of the match, there’s a cut to a Planet of the Ape’s spot which is annoying. It’s happening to the women for the second week in a row, back to the match Lyra is still in control, hits a Northern Lights Suplex for 2! Kai outsmarts Lyra and then a scissor kick to the head going into commercial.
Back from the break Lyra is showing out, flying all over the ring, good pairing with the cagey Dakota who is made of steel. Kai continues to kick Lyra in the back of the head but Lyra takes control after some brief “Let’s Go Lyra” chants!
Shortlived though as Dakota hits another blow to the head in the corner but only for 2! Another really cool Scorpion Kick from Kai but Lyra finally has enough and hits the Nightwing to advance to the next round!
Winner: Lyra Valkyra
Quarter Final Matches for the Raw Bracket
Iyo vs. Shayna/Zelina
Lyra vs. Zoey
Author’s Note
This Raw was packed with women’s action across the show. The format of the King/Queen of the Ring made this feel like a PLE in a way because all of the matches were competitive and given time.
The opening bout of Natalya vs. Iyo was great, seriously go watch!! Set the bar high for the rest of the tournament and despite being on the losing end, for the second week in a row Nattie reminds everyone why she still has her spot.
Damage Control has once again taken a different structure with the unfortunate news of Asuka’s injury. While Dakota narrated herself as the new leader of the stable, it was Iyo who advanced to the semifinals and was imo the biggest winner of the night.
A great night for the Raw Women’s Division with the exception of pushing Shayna vs. Zelina onto a live event card. I’m of two minds about it because on one hand, I’d rather the qualifying matches receive the time they did last night but nothing says I’m not winning this tournament more than being pushed off tv. Curious to see how they handle timing on Smackdown this upcoming Friday.
