WWE Raw Grades: Ricochet and Rhea Ripley are on the rise

Charlotte Flair Gets A Challenge

Result: Rhea Ripley Challenges Charlotte Flair for WrestleMania 36

Grade: 3.0/5.0 Stars

Charlotte Flair asserted that she has been Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion 10 times and had already beaten Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley. Rhea Ripley from NXT made a surprise entrance to Raw, declared that Charlotte never defeated her, and challenged Charlotte Flair to an NXT Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 36. Charlotte Flair walked away with no reply but shouted ‘Woo’ to close the segment.

Analysis: Does ‘Woo’ mean ‘Yes’ in Charlotte Flair language? Does ‘Woo’ mean ‘I accept your challenge’? Interesting. Charlotte continues to keep everything as vague as can be but it looks like the WWE Universe is already sold on Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair for WrestleMania 36. Solid, suspenseful segment. Next up: Natalya vs. Asuka!

Natalya vs. Asuka (w/Kairi Sane) [Grudge Match]

Result: Asuka wins via submission

Grade: 3.5/5.0 Stars

Natalya gained control early on in this match with some solid ground-based offense. Asuka gains back control with a plenitude of submission holds and strikes. After a hard fought match, Asuka made Natalya tap out with the Asuka Lock. Asuka cut a promo after the match, requesting a rematch for the Raw Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch.

Becky Lynch came out with savage shades on to say that it was fun beating Asuka once, and it’ll be fun to beat Asuka twice. She accepted the challenge and declared that beating Asuka once gave her superpowers, which helped her foresee Kairi Sane’s attack from behind.

Analysis: It was nice to see Natalya wear an arm band to tribute Kobe Bryant. As for the match, it’s always a pleasure watching two submission specialists showcase why submissions and rest holds are meaningful in a match. These holds exhaust the superstars, making it more difficult to remain durable throughout the match.

There was clearly no need for nearfalls. Asuka and Natalya utilized this strategy to their advantage and the match resulted in a well booked submission hold by Asuka. The promo between Asuka and Lynch after the match was surprising. It was expected that this rivalry was over but it seems that they will battling one more time to end the trilogy before WrestleMania 36 commences. The fake kick by Lynch to Kairi Sane at the end of segment was quite humorous.