A Champion vs. Champion match which ended in a count-out, Billie Kay picking up a very important win, and Nia Jax getting into the head of Asuka is how this week’s RAW panned out. Three matches were had so let’s start with what occurred first which was a continuous build for the Women’s Tag Titles.
It is clear that the tag titles will most likely be defended at the upcoming Backlash pay-per-view. In build for that, the tag champions of Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss have been busy on both RAW and their home brand of SmackDown.
They have an upcoming title match against Sasha Banks and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley on Friday, but they also have The IIconics on RAW to worry about. Billie Kay faced Nikki Cross to show that she and Peyton Royce are still ready to regain the gold.
After a scuffle between the four women in the backstage area, they headed out for this match. Kay would shine throughout the match, easily having the most offense. Cross felt like she had it possibly won after a hit in the corner followed up with a bulldog. She would then go up top for the crossbody, but Kay moved. She hit a sit down uranage to get the pin on Cross. Her and Royce would celebrate the victory on the ramp afterward.
The second match of the night was already previously reported on the likely outcome and that was Nia Jax vs. Kairi Sane. During this match, Sane showed a slight glimpse of offense from a sleeper hold and axe kicks. It was certain thought that Jax wasn’t going to lose before her match against Asuka at Backlash. The match was heavily edited at the end because Sane’s head was busted open when she was thrown into the steel steps. The edit showed Jax getting Sane quickly back into the ring and delivering a leg drop to pin her for the win.
Asuka would appear after the match and get in the face of Jax. Jax would leave the ring without confrontation.
The last match of the night was the advertised one of a Champions vs. Champions with Charlotte Flair battling Asuka. The bout didn’t get nearly the same amount of time that Bayley vs. Flair received just a couple of weeks ago. However, this was probably cut short due to the fact of the outcome of the match.
It was a very good exchange between the two which normally happens when they step in the ring together. Obviously both competitors would highlight on their strengths and focus on trying to cause a submission victory. After breaking a Figure Four/Eight attempt from Flair, Asuka was able to gather herself on the ring apron. Flair would then deliver a massive kick to The Empress, knocking her to the ringside floor. Asuka’s music would then hit.
Nia Jax would appear to Asuka’s music and be wearing a mask with her face made up as Asuka does. The referee counted Asuka out, giving Flair the victory by count-out. Jax would deliver a clothesline to end the segment as she stands at the top of the ramp.
We also saw Lana throughout the show as she continues to have issues with MVP and where she stands with her husband Bobby Lashley. She had a backstage interview where she was convinced that perhaps it is MVP that doesn’t want Lana at ringside during Lashley’s matches. Originally it was said that Lashley didn’t want Lana at ringside because her beauty is too distracting.
Lana explains that she was never told she couldn’t go down for MVP’s matches. So she joined Lashley at ringside for MVP’s match against WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. Lana’s presence at this time did not do anything of merit. She would smile as Lashley would attack McIntyre after his win against MVP.
Let’s go over the Winners & Losers of the week.
WINNER: Billie Kay
It is always great when they actually allow The IIconics to show how good they really are in the ring. Since their return, it has been nice to see the more aggressive side of both of them. It was good to see Kay pick up a singles win as there aren’t many opportunities to do so in a tag team.
Looking forward to hopefully having at the very least The IIconics vs. Alexa & Nikki at Backlash. At the very most, a triple threat with Sasha & Bayley. It is clear that Bayley will not be defending her title unless they throw together a random match, which could also always happen.
LOSER: Kairi Sane
Unfortunately, the booking for Kairi just isn’t right. Not only did she get injured, but her facing Nia literally means nothing. How many times is Nia just going to beat her? I get that she is involved in the storyline with Asuka, but Nia vs. Kairi doesn’t need to happen for that to be the case. She could certainly still be a part of the Kabuki Warriors and have a side feud with literally anyone not being used (Ruby, Liv, Nattie, etc.).
As for Nia, they could really just have one of the women in the audience from the performance center or NXT to do what they are making Kairi do.
LOSER: Nikki Cross
It doesn’t look too good for the Tag Team Champions. Alexa lost to Sasha on SmackDown and now Nikki on RAW to Billie. It may just be a matter of time before they lose their titles. I would hope this would all pan out at Backlash which makes the most sense but hasn’t been officially announced. It most likely will be after they retain on Friday.
What did you think of this week’s RAW? Who were your Winners & Losers? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
