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Stephanie McMahon riled up the Team Raw Women's team. Steph did a good job putting over each team member. Actually, a great job. It was the most anyone has done to try and get over Bayley since the night she debuted.
Time for the Women's Elimination Tag Match. I have great fondness for these bouts since I first got cable just two days before the first Survivor Series and I still remember how awesome that feeling was to be able to watch a "big show" live as it happened. Boy, have things changed. Natalya came out all full of confidence despite having just lost her championship. Jax had her hair braided like a UFC fighter ready to go. Asuka got the final entrance on Team Raw, which pretty much shows you how much they intend to invest in her.
The teams faced off before the bell. As long as you throw out the silliness of heels and babyfaces who usually don't get along all being united and acting like best friends, the entire scene is awesome.
We start out with a battle of the captains, Fox and Lynch. Becky went for the Disarmher on Fox, who got to the ropes. Bayley blind tagged herself and rolled up Lynch from behind, scoring the pin. The crowd was stunned Lynch was done and there was so booing. Really disappointing to see Lynch out so early when her work is impeccable but we will see how it factors into the story they have laid out. Tamina tagged in and worked over Bayley as the crowd chanted they wanted Asuka. Asuka tagged in and began beating down Tamina before quickly tagging out again.
Team Raw began tagging in and out as they wore down Tamina. Tamina drilled Bayley into the Smackdown corner where now she was being overtaken. Bayley fought her way out and the story was that she was really taking the fight to everyone after Stephanie told her the time for Hugging was over and that she needed to show the world how much she wanted it. It didn't last long as Bayley was wiped out with the Superfly Splash and pinned.
It's down to four to four as we get a "dream match" of the most powerful women in the company in Tamina and Nia Jax with the idea that they are family. They take it to each other and Jax rips off her Raw shirt as she goes all Hulk Smash and drilled her relative with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Lana got on the apron when Nia went for another and got knocked off the apron. Tamina nailed a hell of a superkick to Nia, who ended up on the apron. Naomi nailed a pescado to take her down on the floor. They teased a countout as Tamina hit a bodypress off the stairs to the floor and sure enough, Nia was counted out. Smart way to protect her.
The announcers played it up as if Raw had lost their most ferocious asset. The eliminations started coming hot and heavy as Naomi pinned Fox only to be tapped out immediately by Sasha with the Bank Statement. Carmella attacked Banks. Banks fought back and tagged in Asuka. This won't end well for Carmella. It doesn't as she's getting wiped out with kicks and strikes. Asuka finally unloads and drilled her with a KO kick for the pin.
It's down to Natalya and Tamina vs. Asuka and Sasha.
Banks really lays it in with stiff shots on Natalya. Ouch. I respect the women for working as hard as they have been here. Banks had Natalya on the run and nailed the double knee strike off the ropes and locked her in the Banks Statement. Tamina broke up the attempt. Banks was snapped hard into the buckles. Natalya executed the Sharp Shooter. Tamina wiped out Asuka, knocking her off the apron. Banks tapped.
Asuka is the sole remaining member. WWE looks to be setting this up for her to save the day and come from behind to really showcase her. If that's the way they are going, I like it.
The crowd was really behind Asuka as she and Natalya went at it. Tamina tagged in and Team Smackdown was in full control. Asuka rolled out of the way of the Superfly Splash and locked in a cross armbar. Tamina tapped. Its Natalya vs. Asuka to close out what's been an entertaining bout. Nattie went for the Sharpshooter but Asuka grabbed a kneebar. Nattie kicked her way out but was taken down and caught in the Asuka Lock.
Asuka is the sole survivor!
This was old school WWE in how they built Asuka up as something special here. A lot of good storytelling across the board bell to bell. The in-ring depended on who was in the ring and how limited they were in the ring but it felt like something important and the overall story was very entertaining.
Raw 2, Smackdown 0They aired a promo thanking everyone for watching the WWE Network. It sure beats the hell out of the days I was spenting well over $100 a month on PPV!
Stephanie McMahon and Daniel Bryan went back and forth about who was going to win tonight. This wasn't anywhere near as good as Steph's promo with the women. She accused Bryan of using nepotism toget John Cena on Team Smackdown. She warned Bryan that if Shane lost, it would take him out and put Bryan in charge and walked off. Hell, if I was Bryan, I'd want that because then he could put himself back in the ring, right?
It's time for the United States champ against the Intercontinental champ. I am very curious to see who the crowd gets behind here. The Miztourage is with Miz and Maryse is sitting in the crowd. We will see soon enough if she figures into the finish, but I can see a spot where she slaps Corbin.
Corbin trash talked Maryse at the bell so Miz nailed him with a right hand, then went to the floor to stall. Corbin went to the floor and worked over Miz. He told Maryse that was what a real man looked like. I bet Rick Rude would have taken issue with that! Miz attacked him and worked him over on the floor with right hands. Corbin sent Miz to the floor, knocking him off the apron with a big knee. Curtis distracted the ref, allowing Dallas to nail Corbin's bad knee, allowing Miz to open up a lot of offense and lock in a figure four leglock.
Corbin made it to the ropes. Miz argued with the referee and charged but was caught with a Black Hole Slam for a two count. This has been OK so far but hasn't really gotten out of first gear. Corbin wiped out Axel on the floor and nailed End of Days on Dallas after dragging him into the ring. He went for the move on Miz but it was turned into a DDT for a two count. They are picking up the pace. Corbin finally scored the pin with End of Days.
Raw 2, Smackdown 1
This was OK. The pyschology was weird in that they are both villains but Miz was trying at times to be the guy defending his wife and at other times, was the one trying to cheat.
Corbin cut a short but good promo after saying he just shut Miz's mouth and everyone's mouth at home.
The blog continues on Page 3!
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