RAW this week was definitely one that had heavy moves in both the RAW Women’s & Women’s Tag Team Title pictures. And for one team, many hearts were broken.
Two main matches were had other than RAW Underground and they were:
Mickie James vs. Lana
The Riott Squad vs The IIconics – Winner becomes number one contenders for Women’s Tag Titles; Loser needs to disband
The match between Mickie and Lana came to fruition when Asuka was in the ring. She was wondering who her next opponent would be. She rattled off the list of women she had already defeated.
The RAW Women’s Champion says it doesn’t matter who is ready for Asuka anymore because she is ready for anything. Mickie’s music then hits and she heads to the ring. She says that as a six-time woman’s champion she can agree that Asuka is ONE of the best women’s champions of all time.
With that said out of respect, she says she is coming for the RAW Women’s Title. Natalya‘s music then hits and she and Lana make their way to the ring. Nattie feels like it is selfish of Mickie to just think she can jump in line for a title, especially since she has had one 6 different times.
Lana says that Nattie is the leader of this division and her best friend. If Mickie wants to get to her then she has to go through Lana first. Asuka says she is willing and ready to face all three women.
This brings us to a match between Lana and Mickie. This is Lana’s first match back in the ring since February where she lost to Liv Morgan.
Both Lana and Mickie had something to prove in this match, but it would be Mickie who came out with a win. Asuka was on commentary to see the win and welcomes Mickie to take a shot at her next. Mickie won the match with a Mick Kick.
Could we really get Mickie vs Asuka for the RAW Women’s Title? We would love to see it.
The second match was between The Riott Squad and The IIconics. In a division that is a skeleton crew at best, we are now down the most authentic one of the few. The IIconics are no longer a team as they lost to The Riott Squad. The stipulation of the match was whoever won would become the next contenders for the Women’s Tag Titles, the losers would break up.
Ruby Riott would secure the win for her team after she stacked up Billie Kay for the pin. The newly re-formed Riott Squad will now have a future shot at the Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.
Where could this break-up lead for Billie and Peyton? They found themselves at RAW Underground later on in the night. With Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke already taking out both Avery Taylor and Jayme Jameson, the team formerly known as The IIconics were now being hunted. Peyton would throw Billie in to the wolves as she was quickly taken down by Shafir & Duke.
Other than the two matches above plus the appearances in the RAW Underground, we did get a backstage interview with Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax and Zelina Vega was taken out by Retribution.
Let’s get into the Winners & Losers of the week.
WINNER: Mickie James
Mickie, Mickie, Mickie!! This is what she needs and what the fans need. My only fear is if Mickie does face Asuka next, they may have her lose since Asuka just got the title back. Seeing as she took out Lana this week, I would assume she will take out Natalya next before a title match for Clash of Champions is announced.
We need a seven-time women’s champion.
WINNERS: The Riott Squad
If they do intend on making Nia and Shayna transitional champions then The Riott Squad would be perfect to take the titles from them. With Clash of Champions as the next pay-per-view it makes sense why they didn’t keep all the titles on Bayley and Sasha. That and I expect Bayley vs Sasha for the SmackDown Women’s Title, but I won’t get my hopes up just yet.
Although I know that Ruby and Liv could beat Shayna and Nia, I just feel like WWE has put the belts on such a strong team that it has to be very believable.
LOSERS: The IIconics
Well, this one hurts. I love them as a team and seeing as they were the most authentic one left it leaves me scratching my head. However, if this does lead to prosperous singles run for BOTH of them then it may be worth it. I just don’t see it being the case for Billie, at least right away. I have a feeling they will bury her.
If the indication of Peyton throwing Billie into RAW Underground is a sign they might feud against each other first, I may be down for that.
What were your thoughts on this week’s RAW? Who were your Winners & Losers? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
