Raw: Iyo Sky dethrones Ripley

Thomas Starr

Raw: Iyo Sky dethrones Ripley

WWE Raw continues to be the best wrestling show despite what smart mark fans will tell you. There were no bad moments on the show and the in-ring action continued to improve week over week. There were two moments that I would recommend checking out if you are pressed for time, but the whole show was solid.

Must-see moments:

CM Punk’s promo and brawl with Seth

One of the most exciting openings in Raw history. Punk was spewing venom and then he and Rollins took it up another notch with a brawl that destroyed equipment at ringside and spilled into the crowd to the point the crowd was ducking out of the way.

Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky

On a show with some good in-ring action this still stood out. Rhea is one of their biggest stars and Iyo is a talented veteran, so it was no surprise that this was so good. Plus, they had a surprise title change. I did not see that one coming.

Quick Results:

  1. Gunther defeated Otis
  2. Lyra Valkyria defeated Ivy Nile
  3. The War Raiders defeated American Made
  4. Iyo Sky defeated Rhea Ripley

Chronological recap:

WWE opened with highlights from Elimination Chamber. Typical well-produced package.

An angry CM Punk stormed to the ring. He snatched a mic and threw the top of the announce table to the ringside area. He called the Rock a “bald fraud.” Then he called the Rock “Mr. Midlife Crisis” and mocked him hitting his arm to show his goosebumps. Punk pointed out Cena’s bald spot as well. He was seething.

Seth Rollins interrupt Punk’s diatribe and they had a pull-apart brawl. This was wild and stiff.

They switched from that intensity to Alpha Academy doing their tired comedy.

Another week, another segment with The Judgement Day bickering. Finn pouted because they had won new belts, and he has lost at life.

Otis vs. Gunther

Gunther insulted Otis’s size before the match and then took a cheap shot at him before the bell. Gunther dominated the match, but gave Otis just enough to keep the crowd’s hopes alive. Otis’s comebacks were fantastic, and the crowd was popping every time he got the advantage on Gunther. Eventually, Gunther won with a powerbomb.

Winner: Gunther

Gunther beat up Tozawa after the match until Jey Uso wandered out. Jey cleared the ring, but he was attacked by A-town Down Under. Gunther surprised Jey from behind and slapped the sleeper on him.

Jackie Redmond interviewed Bayley in the audience. She said her path to WrestleMania was unclear. Bayley hinted at a plan to get there, but did not elaborate.

AJ Styles was backstage with Cathy Kelley. They asked him about Cena’s turn. This is very reminiscent of Hogan’s turn. He was not on the first episode of Nitro after he turned, but everyone talked about it.

Karrion Kross interrupted Styles with whatever he is trying to do.

Lyra Valkyria vs. Ivy Nile – Intercontinental Title

They kept it extremely basic early on. Lyra is levels above Ivy in her ringwork and charisma. Ivy did a dragon screw on Lyra, which looked fantastic. It was good enough that I wondered if Lyra was really injured. Nile continued working over the leg.

Lyra won with Night Wing. The crowd was eerily quiet for the match, but it was a good match. WWE has not done enough with Lyra or Ivy to get the crowd involved.

Winner: Lyra Valkyria

Redmond tried to interview Seth, but Punk jumped him instead.

Cathy Kelley caught up with Dakota Kai. Kai said she still had her sights on the Intercontinental Title.

Ludwig Kaiser came out for an in-ring promo. This is a big spot for him. These in-ring promos are usually reserved for main events or people they are building towards bigger things.

Adam Pearce told Rollins he would face Punk next week in a cage.

Back in the ring, Ludwig said he took back all the intention from Penta. Kaiser compared what he is going to do to Penta to what Cena did to Cody. So, another star mentioning that event. Michael Cole has called it one of the most shocking moments in WWE history. They made it a huge deal.

Penta came out and walked the dog on Kaiser. The crowd was really into this.

Bianca Belair was backstage with Cathy Kelley. She said she was confused and did not want to comment on the Jade-Naomi beatdown at the Chamber. She was serious here, which is an improvement from when she no sold Jade being thrown through the roof of a car.

Jackie Redmond interviewed A-town Down Under. Waller offered his soul to The Rock and then insulted Josh Allen, which got the biggest reaction of the night.

WWE aired a vignette of Chad Gable wandering around Mexico looking for a guy to teach him lucha libre. He met some old man in a back alley who gave him a box. They did not show us what was in the box, but I am assuming it is a mask.

The War Raiders vs. American Made – Tag Team Titles

Cole said it was Ivar’s birthday, and he wanted to eat the Creed Brothers. Uh, okay. Pat McAfee mentioned how much he loves America. He told everyone to sue him if they had a problem with it.

Julius Creed dropkicked Ivar off the top turnbuckle, and he took a brutal bump. The match was herky-jerky. The Creeds were called up too early. They do not know how to do any basic heel tactics. Brutus is especially lost. At one point, Brutus swung his arms around like Donkey Kong hitting his opponent on the sides of his shoulders. You cannot just throw a punch?

The War Raiders got the crowd into late in the match. Their big man moves got over.

Brutus did a 450 splash to mild indifference. It was impressive, but the crowd did not care. Julius hit a Shooting Star Press and finally woke the crowd up. I could be wrong, but it sounded like Pat called the Creeds “excited whites.” Uh, okay. The War Raiders won.

Winner: The War Raiders

An LWO promo package aired. Each member spoke, which was new. Dragon Lee has spoken before, but I do not remember any promo time for the other two. Rey Mysterio announced they would face The New Day next week in Tornado Match. Good promo.

Jackie Redmond interviewed Bron Breakker in the audience. She asked how concerned he was about the numbers game when The Judgement Day is involved. Bron called Dominik’s moustache a “Dirty Sanchez.” Then he did a rhyme that was not that funny, but he tried. He mentioned Finn and on cue, Balor came out.

Breakker pointed out that he embarrassed The Judgement Day last week. Finn said he eats rookies like Bron for breakfast. At least Balor is getting enough protein.

Bron confronted Balor in the ring. He fended off Dom and Carlito before getting his hands on Finn. Dominik had to save Finn from the spear.

They aired a full highlight package on Cena’s turn. Previously, they showed up to the point where he kicked Cody. WWE has put over this turn in the biggest way possible.

Cathy Kelley interviewed Jey backstage. She asked if what happened tonight threw Jey off his game. Jey said yes and promised to pick himself up. He was intense and serious. Good promo.

Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky – Women’s Title

This match was incredible. Bianca Belair is sitting at ringside. Rhea attempts a suplex but Iyo lands on her feet stunning Rhea. Iyo hits sunset flip for a two. Rhea blocks Sky’s head scissors but Iyo reverses her powerbomb with a victory roll for another two. On the floor, Rhea swing Iyo into the ring apron, suplexes her.

Iyo jumps off the top rope stomping on Rhea’s arm, wrist. Rhea favours it for the rest of the match. A missile drop kick from Iyo almost pins Rhea. Rhea catapults Sky into the announce table. Belair cheers Sky on. Sky barely beats the count back in. An angry Rhea leaves the ring to confront Belair. Rhea accused Belair of not wanting to face her at WrestleMania. Rhea shoves Belair. Belair hits Rhea from behind. They start shoving and arguing. The official has to step in.

Rhea gets back in the ring setting up Sky for an Eradicator from the second rope. Iyo reverses than into a Frankensteiner and lands her moonsault to pin Rhea. As Sky celebrates in the ring by herself Rhea throttles herself on the floor calling herself stupid.

Winner: Iyo

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