Another night, another statement made on the road to WrestleMania. The Elimination Chamber is this Saturday and with Rhea Ripley back from her honeymoon, title contenders sharpening their focus, and Judgment Day drama bubbling under the surface, Raw kept the energy high and the stakes even higher. Lets dive into the action.
From the upper deck of the arena, Jackie Redmond caught up with Womens World Champion Rhea Ripley, fresh off her honeymoon in Australia and ready to refocus on the business at hand. Ripley acknowledged the elephant in the roomshe has never beaten Iyo Sky. But that was nearly five years ago, and since then, shes evolved into the most dominant force in the womens division. With wins over Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Liv Morgan in her rearview, Ripley confidently stated that after next week, Iyo Skys name would be added to that list.
Not one to back down, Sky arrived to remind Ripley that history has a way of repeating itself. Confidently declaring that she would defeat Ripley once again and walk into WrestleMania as Womens World Champion, Sky made it clear that she isnt just showing upshes showing out.
Backstage, Judgment Day was doing what they do beststirring up plans and plotting their next move. Dominik Mysterio floated the idea of bringing in a new member, but Finn Blor shut it down before the conversation could gain any traction. Before they could move on, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez entered the scene, all confidence and bravado. Liv made it known that they were coming for the Womens Tag Team Championships, prompting a smirk from Blor, who threw the Jade Cargill situation back at her. Morgan quickly denied any involvement, and instead called attention to the main event match tonight.
Womens Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Dakota Kai
Lyra Valkyria put her Womens Intercontinental Championship on the line against Dakota Kai, and both competitors wasted no time setting a relentless pace.
Right out of the gate, Kai charged, only for Lyra to counter with a slam. The challenger rolled outside for a breather, but Lyra wasnt giving her an inch. She followed with a kick attempt, but Kai blocked it and turned the tide, dragging Lyra onto the apron before sweeping her legs out. With the champion down, Kai nailed a cannonball off the apron to the floor, but a camera cable trip nearly took her outa rough break that she quickly shook off.
Back from the commercial, Kai had control, stringing together an arm drag and a sharp dropkick. But Lyra wasnt about to let her run the show. She reversed momentum with a crisp Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall and briefly locked in a surfboard stretch before Kai countered with a release German Suplex that sent the champ flying across the ring.
Kai climbed the ropes, looking to press her advantage, but Lyra caught her mid-motion. They scrapped on the turnbuckle before Lyra hit a superplex that had the crowd chanting Holy s***. Fighting through the impact, Kai dodged a kick and delivered one of her own, setting off a series of rapid near falls. The two exchanged pin attempts, with Kai nearly stealing the win via backslide before Lyra muscled her up for a powerbombanother close call.
Kai looked to end things with a vicious running kick, but Lyra sidestepped at the last second. One quick turnbuckle trip later, Lyra hoisted Kai onto her shoulders and planted her with the Nightwing for the decisive three-count after an intense battle.
Winner by pinfall: Lyra Valkyria (Still Womens Intercontinental Champion)
After the match, Dakota Kai hugged Lyra Valkyria as a sign of respect. Just as Kai left the ring, Ivy Nile blindsided her, driving her into the barricade. Nile then slid into the ring and delivered a thunderous German Suplex to Lyra, followed by a spinning sidewalk slam. With Lyra down and out, Nile stood tall, posing with the Womens Intercontinental Championship as the crowd rained down boos.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley caught up with Ivy Nile and The Creed Brothers. Nile made it clearThe Creeds were coming for the World Tag Team Titles next week, and she had no intention of letting up on her attacks against Lyra Valkyria.
Cathy Kelley caught up with Bayley for a mid-show interview, but before she could say much, Roxanne Perez inserted herself into the conversation. Perez rattled off her list of recent achievements and declared that nobody was on her level. Bayley, unfazed, reminded Perez that shes won an Elimination Chamber, the Royal Rumble, and walked out of WrestleMania victorious. While she respects Perezs potential, she made it clearthis just isnt her year. A passing moment or the start of something bigger? Time will tell.
Backstage, Alpha Academy huddled around Akira Tozawa, who was getting checked on after an undisclosed incident. Natalya was there too!
Nick already covered the main event, and trust meyou need to watch it. It had the energy of an NXT Black & Gold TakeOver main event, the kind of match that reminds you why we love professional wrestling. Every performer involved deserves props for delivering a show-stealing bout. If you missed it live, do yourself a favor and watch!
Raw didnt just set the table for next weekit flipped it over. With Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky officially set for their Womens World Title match and fallout from the Elimination Chamber, after next Monday, we should know the main championship matches Wrestlemania.
The drama isnt slowing down, and with WrestleMania looming, expect everything to escalate. See you tonight for NXT!
