There is a lot to unpack from this fallout episode of RAW from Backlash. The championships are still intact with Asuka as the RAW Women’s Champion and Bayley and Sasha Banks are still the Women’s Tag Team Champions. A rematch was made as a result of Asuka retaining her title from a double count-out result between herself and Nia Jax. The other match of the night saw the pair of Liv Morgan and Natalya team up against The IIconics.
There was also a lot going in the life of Zelina Vega who had her hands full as Andrade and Garza don’t seem to be on the same page.
Lets get to the action.
Zelina Vega accompanies Angel Garza to the ring for his match with Kevin Owens. During the match, Andrade and Garza start arguing, and Vega storms off. Garza would lose the match and he and Andrade would get into once more. Zelina storms out and scolds both. Both back down as an angry Zelina is not something either want to mess with.
MVP and Bobby Lashley were in the ring to talk about Lashley’s loss to McIntyre the previous night. During the match, Lana came down to offer support to Lashley but distracted him instead causing him to lose the match. MVP but the blame for the loss squarely onto Lana. This doesn’t sit well with her and she storms to the ring. This backfires drastically as MVP calls her THOT and Lashley says he wants a divorce. Damn.
The first women’s of the night came in the form of Natalya and Liv Morgan vs The IIconics.
Royce and Morgan kicked things off but Natalya tags herself in and instantly takes a big forearm smash to the face. Kay enters the fray and keeps up the offence on Nattie. Morgan tags in and takes out both Kay and Royce. A distraction from Royce causes the referee to miss Morgan pinning Kay. The IIconics take advantage, their finisher and Royce pins Morgan for the victory. The two cocky Aussies then call out Bayley and Sasha Banks for the title match next week on RAW.
This was a really quick match, which made The IIconics look good, and Liv Morgan look like a chump. The post-match callout was good as Kay and Royce continued their more focused and serious streak, but with Banks and Bayley scheduled for a title match on NXT this Wednesday, have WWE given the result away already? Probably.
Backstage we get Nattie giving Morgan the riot act. Morgan walks off much to Nattie’s despair. Lana appears and the two air their problems and agree on their frustrations. Could we be seeing a new partnership? A Nattie and Lana team-up with a student/teacher dynamic could be a really good turning point for both of them.
Not long after this Sasha Banks and Bayley come to the ring to celebrate Bayley’s birthday. Guess what happens? The IIconics interrupt of course. The four throw verbal barbs at each other until Royce slaps the taste out of Sasha Banks’ mouth and Bayley accepts their challenge.
Later on in the night, we got the RAW Women’s Championship rematch between Asuka and Nia Jax. Their match at Backlash was decent but the double count-out ending wasn’t so we got the same match two nights in a row.
Asuka catches Nia in an armbar after Nia goes for one clothesline to many. The two go back and forth with Asuka using speed and skill and Nia using brute force. Nia gains control with a huge powerbomb as we go to a break.
We return with Nia still in control. Asuka escapes and attacks with a flurry of kicks and a double stomp for the two-count. Nia recovers and drops Asuka with a Samoan Drop and goes for the pin but Asuka’s foot is under the rope and the ref stops his count. Nia gets mads and in his face. Nia shoves him and Asuka rolls her up and the referee does a fast count for the victory.
The match was another physical affair with Asuka using her skill and technical prowess to deflect Nia’s power and strength. The result may have been definitive but the quick count leaves this feud open and I could see it going on until Extreme Rules next month.
Winner: Asuka
Two strong performances in two nights for the RAW Women’s Champion definitely make her a winner. Against an opponent like Nia Jax, there is only so much she can do but Asuka just does it so well. Asuka proves time and time again that she is the most entertaining and highly skilled wrestler in the company.
Loser: Liv Morgan
Liv was jobbed out in the match and then chewed out by Nattie backstage. This another strange decision in a long line of strange decisions ever since she returned. Morgan has so much potential but WWE seems determined to halt it any and every chance they get. Hopefully, this will lead somewhere for her but don’t hold your breath.
Loser: Lana
Getting called a THOT live on television is pretty bad. But add that to your husband wanting a divorce, and you’ve lost. However, the interaction with Natalya could be interesting and a potential team-up would be very good. It seems as though the Lana/Lashley relationship may finally be over and both (and us) can move on to much bigger and better things.
What did you make of the show? Let us know in the comments below and as always stay tuned to Diva Dirt for all of your WWE news, reviews and updates.
