Tonight on Monday Night Raw (Jan 15th), the WWE announced that WWE Superstar Paige will not be to compete in first-ever 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match.
During the first hour of tonight’s show, it was announced that the Bella Twins would be joined by WWE female legends Jacqueline, Terri Runnels, Torrie Wilson, Maria Kanellis, Michelle McCool and Kelly Kelly at Raw 25 special next week.
Tonight’s Raw also a one-on-one match up between Asuka and Nia Jax.
Asuka started things off by targeting Jax’s legs with kicking strikes but Jax tossed her away. Switching gears, Asuka attempted an arm bar but Jax was able to shrug Asuka’s grasp off.
Asuka landed forearms to Jax but the lattter managed to create some separation by shoving Asuka to the ring ropes. Asuka used this as an opportunity to lock in a deep octopus hold. Jax endured the submission but was kicked in the midsection when Asuka got to her feet.
Asuka ran the ropes once more but Jax caught her to counter with a back breaker. Asuka began fighting back with elbow strikes and tried to whip Jax to the corner but Jax overpowered her with a lariat.
As Jax went to grab Asuka, the Empress of Tomorrow trapped Jax into an arm bar, which Jax was able to counter from by power bombing Asuka to a corner.
When we return from a break, Jax is in control over Asuka via Bear Hug submission. Asuka escaped with an attempted sunset flip and avoided a sit-down splash from Jax. She followed up by taking Jax down with a sliding kick.
When both Superstars got back to their feet, Asuka began to strike Jax with spinning back fists and kicks to the chest. Jax was able to avoid one to counter with a powerbomb for a two count.
Jax scooped Asuka up but Asuka reversed and brought Jax down with a knee bar submission. Jax escaped the hold by crawling to the ring ropes. Thing spilled to the outside, where Jax launched Asuka’s back to the ring apron.
Jax grabbed a handful of Asuka’s hair and was making her way to the ring when Asuka kicked Jax’s leg, causing her to take a nasty fall off the steps. When Jax re-entered the ring, her leg gave out causing the referee to call off the match and award Asuka the win. Post match, Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss came to check on her friend.
Backstage, Enzo Amore also checked in on Jax.
Later in the night Sasha Banks (accompanied by Mickie James and Bayley) took on Sonya Deville (accompanied by Paige and Mandy Rose). It was during Absolution’s entrance that Tom Phillips on commentary mentioned that Paige would be sitting out of the Women’s Royal Rumble “due to a neck injury”.
Deville started the match off by slipping behind Banks and matting her with a waist lock takedown. Banks went for the Bank Statement early on but Deville rolled out of it.
A brief distraction from Rose at ringside allows for Deville to drive Banks to a corner and land multiple knee strikes. Deville followed up by locking a body scissors on Banks, while adding a cross face.
Banks was able to get to her feet and fight Deville off by taking her to a corner. Banks followed up by landing forearms, a hurricanrana, a dropkick and double knees to the corner on Deville.
Banks climbed the corner and launched off but she gets kicked in the ribs by Deville, which proved to be enough for Deville to get the three count and win.
During WWE’s Raw Fallout, Dana Brooke announced her entrant to the Women’s Royal RUmble
What did you think of this week’s Raw? Are you excited to see returning names for Raw 25? What do you think will happen next week? Let us know in the comments below!
