[man] Today on WWE Raw Classics…
The strong-est. The fast-est. The badd-est. The tough-est.
Witness the best of The EST of WWE,
Bianca Belair!
Right here on Raw Classics.
[intense music playing]
Ohh, welcome, WWE Universe,
to Raw Classics.
I'm your host, Big E,
and today it's all about The EST.
Bianca Belair is a once in a lifetime athlete.
The three-time Women's Champion fought hard
to make her mark and prove her worthiness
as one of the best superstars in all of WWE.
Our first selection took place in 2021
and was the maiden match between Bianca and her longtime rival,
fourteen-time Women's World Champion, Charlotte Flair.
-[crowd clamoring] -[bell dinging]
[Corey Graves] I would like to officially welcome you to Monday Night Raw again.
-Welcome back, Becky Lynch. -Thank you! Thank you!
Raw just became big.
[Jimmy Smith] We got a big match in the ring now.
Charlotte Flair, as always, taking her time getting ready.
Nobody rushes The Queen.
By the way, you're welcome. You're welcome for this Main Event.
I'm the one who instigated it.
[Byron Saxton] Becky, you planted the seeds for this.
[Becky] Yes.
[Corey] Let's be honest.
Becky, is there anything that you can't accomplish?
-You're a Renaissance woman of sorts. -[Becky] I am a Renaissance woman.
Now that you say it, I am a Renaissance woman.
I don't know that there's anything that I can't accomplish.
Maybe… I can't wink too well with my right eye.
-[Jimmy] Oh! -[Corey] How are your poetry skills?
[Becky] Oh, they're quite good, actually. I wrote one for Sasha Banks.
Um… Oh! You'll like this because it references you too.
I beat Sasha Banks in a cell
I beat her if you put me on after the bell
I will beat her at Crown Jewel And it will be swell
And all will be well
[Corey] Wow!
[Byron] I hate to interrupt but we do have an incredible match-up here
between Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair.
-[Becky] Yeah, yeah. -[Jimmy] …controlling Bianca Belair. Oh!
To the cover!
Not even close. Quick kick-out from The EST.
To her back… Another kick-out.
[Corey] Becky Lynch referenced her Triple Threat match come Crown Jewel.
Bianca Belair is one of the two challengers
for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Becky, is it safe to say you're out here doing a little reconnaissance?
A little research?
Yeah, a little research but, to be fair…
Bianca is somebody that I've beaten in 26 seconds.
-[commentators] Whoa! -[Becky] Twenty-six seconds.
-And so-- Okay, all right. -[Jimmy] Whoa!
[Jimmy] You gotta respect some of the athleticism.
[Becky] I respect it! I never didn't respect it.
Look, here's the thing.
I might not be the most flippy.
I might not be the most lifty.
But I outsmart all of my opponents.
That is how I became the first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania.
By outsmarting. Not outlifting, not outrunning…
-[Corey] Not outflipping? -[Becky] Not outflipping.
Outsmarting and outlasting.
[Byron] With all due respect, Becky, we also heard you on SmackDown
and you weren't too happy
about the predicament that you were gonna be in at Crown Jewel.
Some people say that you're fearful
that you might lose your SmackDown Women's title.
[Becky scoffing]
Fearful?! Fearful?! Did you not hear the poem I just recited?
I've beaten Sasha Banks. I've beaten her in one of the most--
[commentators] Whoa!
[Jimmy] Little gamesmanship here from Bianca Belair.
You do not mock The Queen easily but she just did!
Oh! Dropkicked her too.
[Corey] Becky, we know you're not the flippiest,
but how do you prepare for somebody as athletic as Bianca Belair?
Maybe if she was doing more kicking and less flipping,
she would have had a chance to beat me.
[Jimmy] A rollup.
[Becky] She didn't beat me at Extreme Rules.
She didn't beat me at SummerSlam.
She wasn't even prepared for me at SummerSlam
because I am a genius.
I outsmarted her.
And I would have beaten her at Extreme Rules too.
But I will beat her at Crown Jewel.
[Byron] Might be presumptuous, Becky.
You're dealing with two different opponents at Crown Jewel.
It's not a one-on-one match… Oh!
You are at a significant disadvantage.
[Corey] Becky, I'd like to apologize for Byron.
He's been on his fanboy crap all night tonight.
Let's talk about what you want to talk about, "The Man."
Let's talk about the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Let's talk about what you're gonna do at Crown Jewel.
[Becky] At Crown Jewel, I will defend the SmackDown Women's Championship
against two people because, Byron Saxton,
I am a genius. I know what a Triple Threat is.
I beat Charlotte and Ronda Rousey in a Triple Threat
to win the Main Event of WrestleMania and I have been champion ever since!
[Byron] So you're well aware that
you don't have to be pinned or submitted to lose your championship.
[Becky enunciating] I know this! I'm saying I'm prepared.
[Jimmy] Bianca Belair trying to get the suplex in.
Charlotte Flair grabbing the hair, using it well.
[Becky] Nobody talks about how I've been the champion since 35.
[Corey] That is true. You never lost the Raw Women's Championship
which is currently held by Charlotte Flair
who will, as of October 22, be a member of the SmackDown roster.
[grunting]
[all exclaiming]
[Jimmy] Bianca Belair over the barricade!
Right now The Queen reigning supreme.
EST! EST.
[Jimmy] Tournaments decide who the best is.
We have two of the best in there right now.
Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.
[Corey] And we also happen to have one of the best
at ringside with us at the commentary table.
The reigning SmackDown Women's Champion, Becky Lynch!
[Jimmy] I was gonna get into that.
-[Corey] Was that sufficient? -[Becky] I loved that. Thank you.
[Jimmy] A very interested observer at our commentary table, Becky Lynch.
What do you think of the match so far, Becky?
[Becky] Look, they are two incredible athletes.
They're two WrestleMania main-eventers.
-Only one of them has won. -[Byron] This is incredible!
[Jimmy] Look at the strength of Bianca Belair!
Holding up that suplex for an eternity… Cover!
One, two…
[Jimmy] Oh, not quite over yet.
That could be you, Becky Lynch. It could be you.
Kicking out?
That could be me kicking out.
Like I have before, Byron Saxton!
[Byron] Just bringing up possibilities.
[Becky] Well, I'm just telling you how it's gonna go.
[Jimmy] If she goes after you, Byron, I'm not helping you.
-Throwing that out there. -[Byron] Thanks.
-[Becky] All I'm saying is, look… -[commentators] Oh!
Beat her, Main Event, WrestleMania. Beat her in 26 seconds.
[Jimmy] Charlotte Flair, both knees up, had to crush the ribs of Bianca Belair.
[Byron] Bianca Belair knew she was gonna be in a fight of her life.
First time ever, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair,
taking each other to the limit.
[Corey] Becky, I've gotta ask you. We know your feelings about Bianca Belair,
how about your other opponent come Crown Jewel, Sasha Banks?
Another woman you're incredibly familiar with.
Look, I… I… I have been in the ring with Sasha Banks--
[Jimmy] Oh, rollup!
One, two… Oh, look at that!
[Byron] Incredible power displayed by The Queen.
[Jimmy] Oh, incredible strength. This might be it!
Not quite three.
[Becky] I know how good she is
but the last time we faced each other, I won.
I won. And I won for the title.
I won in the most brutal match you can have, in Hell in a Cell.
[Byron] Becky, nobody's taking anything away from the past.
Your past accomplishments. But the reality is--
[Becky] Oh, oh, oh! What are you trying to say?
Because I went away? Because I had a baby?
You think I don't still got it? I came back better than ever.
[Byron] No one says you don't still have it.
[Jimmy and Corey] Oh! Natural Selection!
[Jimmy] No! She pulled her head back just in time.
[Becky] Lest…
[Corey] Great escape.
[Jimmy] Another suplex and out goes The Queen.
[Becky] You try having a baby and coming back as quick as I did.
-As a champion. -[Jimmy] Is this it?
Will we see it?
-[Byron] Oh, no, no. Charlotte-- -[Jimmy] Great escape by Charlotte Flair.
Spear! Straight to the chest.
This is gonna be over. Hooking the leg.
-[Byron] Oh, no! Oh, no! -[Jimmy] Kick out!
[Byron] Still some fight left in The EST.
[Jimmy] And Charlotte Flair cannot believe it.
I-- Even with the replay, I can't believe it.
[Corey] Watch it again. The Queen got Belair with all of the spear.
Nearly cut The EST in half.
But Bianca survives and fights on,
much to the chagrin of Charlotte Flair.
[Jimmy] You talk about the athleticism, you talk about the versatility,
but the heart!
Oh, definitely on display right now from Bianca Belair.
She tries-- No! Oh, no, no.
Heart might be enough-- Oh!
Wouldn't be enough to survive that, but she gets out just in time.
[Corey] Oh, my God! Nasty.
-Cover, stacked up high. -[Jimmy] One, two… Oh!
Last minute escape for Charlotte Flair.
[Corey] Just goes to show you the type of raw power possessed by Bianca Belair.
Just muscling up Charlotte Flair. Driving her down.
Unable to end the match, but this may do it.
Becky, what's going through your mind right now?
[Becky] Look, look, look, look. I… I… I…
I've scouted her. I've studied her.
-While I was not-- -[commentators] Oh!
[Becky] While I wasn't in the ring, I was studying.
I was seeing what everyone was doing,
so that I knew where their weaknesses were.
I knew that Bianca was naive.
I knew I would be able to outsmart her.
I knew that she was a fan.
She was a fan of The Man
and you can be a fan or you can be The Man.
And I am The Man.
[Corey] The Queen perched up top.
[Jimmy] Charlotte Flair about to go airborne! Oh!
Look at that! Miss once, don't miss twice.
-[Byron] Is that enough? -[all] Oh!
[Jimmy] I don't believe it.
[Corey] What a battle from both of these women.
Flair wants the figure-four.
-[Byron] Oh, no, no! It's a cradle. -[Jimmy] Cradle!
[spectators] One, two…
[Byron] Not enough to put The Queen away.
This battle will rage on.
[Corey] Bianca looking for KOD once again.
[Jimmy] Second time might be the charm… There it is!
-[Byron, Corey] Cover! -[Jimmy] For the cover.
-One, two… -[Byron] What the--
[spectators booing]
[Corey] And Becky Lynch!
-[Jimmy] Oh! The Man on the attack! -[bell dinging]
[Byron] Give me a break!
[Corey] This is the SmackDown Women's Champion on the attack.
[Byron] Interrupt a perfectly good match.
[Corey] Beck-Sploder into the barricade for Belair.
[Byron] Becky Lynch wanted all the attention for herself.
That's the reality of what we're seeing here.
[Corey] Well, Becky wants the attention and guess what? She's taking it.
-Oh! -[spectators clamoring]
-Becky Lynch-- -[Byron] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
-The Boss! -[Jimmy] Sasha Banks is now in the ring!
And not just that. She is absolutely cleaning house.
[Byron] We're getting a Crown Jewel preview right now.
[Corey] Banks, one of two challengers for Lynch's SmackDown Women's Championship
come Crown Jewel.
[Byron] And now one for Belair.
-[Jimmy] Plenty of knees to go around. -I'm the champion, Bianca!
[Byron] Sasha Banks… Becky Lynch now and Sasha.
[Corey] Backstabber!
[Jimmy] Backstabber to the spine.
[hip-hop music playing]
Statement made by Sasha Banks!
Are you kidding me? Before Crown Jewel.
[Byron] A bold statement made by The Boss.
Will it be Sasha Banks at Crown Jewel
who regains the SmackDown Women's Championship?
Another first between two competitors
at the top of the women's division came in 2022.
This time between Bianca and The Eradicator, Rhea Ripley.
A gauntlet match on Raw would determine
who would enter the Women's Elimination Chamber last.
A huge advantage when it comes to competing in Satan's Structure.
After outlasting three competitors,
Rhea would step in the ring with The EST.
[Jimmy] Do not worry at home. We're not billing your credit card.
This is on free TV-- Shoulders down!
But Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley, first time ever.
This could be the main event of a premium live event, gentlemen.
[Byron] Think about what Rhea Ripley has gone through.
Rhea Ripley's been in this gauntlet match for just over 32 minutes.
[Corey] Bianca likes to refer to herself as The EST.
Well, in this instance
she is certainly the fresh-est competitor in this gauntlet match.
Essentially, Bianca is trying to recapture this advantage come Sunday.
-[Jimmy] Oh, rollup! -One, two…
[Jimmy] Kick out by Rhea Ripley. Still has some energy left.
I don't know how.
-[Corey] If you had-- -[Jimmy] Shoulders down again!
[Corey] If you weren't sure
why these women are putting themselves through this hell
for the advantage inside the Elimination Chamber,
this is exactly why.
Bianca Belair, completely fresh. Close to 100%.
Rhea Ripley… Over 32 minutes you said, Byron?
[Byron] Over 32 minutes.
[Corey] It's incredible, the toughness that Ripley has displayed,
but Bianca, on another level right now.
[Jimmy] And she is enjoying her energy advantage.
A beautiful suplex.
[Byron] Belair tends to show out when the spotlight is the brightest.
-I can only imagine-- -[Corey] Nice block by Ripley.
-[Byron] Rhea looking-- -[fan] Come on, Bianca!
[Corey] Now Bianca blocks Rhea's attempt at the suplex.
-[Jimmy] Battling suplexes here. -[Byron] You get the advantage here…
[Jimmy] Rhea, right now, just not having the gas to get it done.
[Byron] And that, you're right, Jimmy, that's what it is.
[Corey] High-stepping into the suplex. Cover by Belair.
-[Jimmy] Might be it! -One, two…
[Jimmy groans]
[Jimmy] Rhea Ripley just barely getting that right shoulder up
and Bianca Belair having fun in there right now.
[Corey] Bianca can afford to have fun in this gauntlet match
because Bianca hasn't been fighting for 33-plus minutes
as Rhea Ripley has at this point.
This is exactly why it's so important to have the final entry
into the Elimination Chamber. You can sit in your pod,
you can watch all of your other opponents destroy one another,
and you can step in and pick the bones.
[Jimmy] Abdominal stretch, taking all the energy out of Rhea Ripley.
Twister position, use it in jiu jitsu.
You cannot take a full breath.
[Byron] You said take the energy out, Jimmy,
what's left of the energy of Rhea Ripley at this juncture?
[Corey] As if Rhea's lungs aren't burning already.
As if the muscles in her legs aren't burning
like she's running through quicksand,
this deep into a match-up.
And Bianca Belair able to just take her own sweet time.
[Jimmy] All Rhea Ripley has right now is will.
Wants to succeed. How long will it last
against the athleticism and technique of Bianca Belair?
[Byron] Not enough strength to deliver that hiptoss.
[commentators] Oh!
[Corey] But Rhea had the quickness to deliver a drop toe-hold.
Bianca with a face full of turnbuckle.
[Byron] But what can Ripley do with the opening?
[Jimmy] Trying desperately to come back.
[Corey] Big knees to the face of Belair.
Snapmare'd over by the Australian superstar.
Here comes Ripley.
[Jimmy] Can she get her offense going? Oh!
[Byron] Nobody home.
[Jimmy] A little too slow on that dropkick.
[Byron] Wheels are turning for Bianca Belair.
[Jimmy groans]
-[Corey] Picture perfect. -[Jimmy] Shoulders down.
[Bianca groans]
[Jimmy] Can't believe it and neither can Bianca Belair,
that Rhea Ripley had enough energy to kick out there.
[Corey] Well, Rhea is running on instinct and instinct alone,
as we take a look back at the athleticism of The EST.
Moonsault right on target.
But Rhea not ready to stay down just yet.
[Byron] Back to Ripley's… Oh! …she is eyeing the finish line.
[spectators chanting] Rhea! Rhea! Rhea!
[Byron] Understanding, "I just gotta give just a little bit more."
"Find a little bit more in my gas tank to try to put The EST away."
[Corey] Two boots right to the face of Bianca Belair.
Ripley looking for the big boot, nobody in-- Uh-oh!
[Jimmy] Oh! Both of these superstars face down.
Rhea Ripley trying to recover.
[Corey] Rhea… I actually agree with this decision by Rhea Ripley
to catch her breath on the outside as we look back
at the impact of both superstars
with the same exact idea, same effect.
[Jimmy] Except one has been fighting for an extra half-hour.
-[Corey] You're right about that. -[Jimmy] Oh!
[Corey] That evened the playing field.
[Jimmy] Just laid out Bianca Belair outside the ring.
[Corey] Ripley is exhausted.
[Jimmy] What you are looking at
is the embodiment of too-tough-for-her-own-good
Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair. A gauntlet match.
Rhea Ripley has already defeated three superstars
and she is hanging on against Bianca Belair.
But it's been a beating so far.
[Corey] All these women battling to be the last entry
into the Elimination Chamber match this Saturday.
-Streaming live on Peacock. -[Jimmy] Oh!
[Corey] Face first goes Ripley.
[Jimmy] That's gotta be it. Shoulders down, hooking the leg…
No! Not yet.
[Corey] It is nothing short of miraculous
that Rhea Ripley was able to survive that maneuver from Bianca Belair.
At this point, we are over 41 minutes of competition for Rhea Ripley.
[Jimmy] Oh, kick over the top right to the ear of Bianca Belair.
[Corey] It's amazing that Rhea's even upright.
[Byron] Oh! And she's thinking Riptide.
[Corey] Bianca out the back door, looking for the KOD!
This may end it. Loaded…
[Byron] If Bianca Belair can hit this…
[Corey] Rhea able to escape.
[Jimmy] Trying for that boot but a little too slow with it.
[Corey] Ripley now on the outside, precarious position.
[Byron] Able to catch herself…
[Corey] Reversal. Bianca, face-first into the corner.
Now Ripley making the long climb.
Will it pay off for The Nightmare?
[Jimmy] If she could pull this off, how amazing would it be!
[Corey] Open hand strikes.
Still some vitriol between both of these women.
[Byron] Oh, we are getting gritty here.
Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, who will be the final entrant
at the Women's Elimination Chamber match?
-[Corey] Look at this! -[Byron laughs]
[Corey] Ripley screaming, "Bring it!" Back and forth.
[Byron] They're bringing it all right!
[Jimmy] It's about guts, heart, endurance. How bad do you want it?
[Corey] How bad do you want the opportunity,
the advantage of being the final entry
this Saturday, into the Elimination Chamber match-up?
[Jimmy] It's like Bianca Belair can smell that WrestleMania glory.
She's had it before. Oh!
[Corey] Big slam by Belair.
Ripley is down.
Can Bianca capitalize?
[Byron] Bianca looking to close this thing out against Ripley!
Knees up!
[Jimmy] Oh! A miracle just in time.
She had one more up her sleeve.
[Corey] How can you not be impressed by Rhea Ripley tonight?
Truly leaving everything in the ring.
Great counter by Ripley at the last second.
Bianca Belair was successful earlier in the match-up.
Not the case this time.
[Byron] Everyone's got to be impressed
with the display of endurance, the will, the guts we are seeing from Rhea Ripley.
But will she have something to show for it?
The only way to do that
is to find a way to overcome Bianca Belair right here, right now.
[Corey] It's the old saying…
Rhea Ripley didn't come this far just to come this far.
Ripley needs to win the thing to earn the right to be the final entrant.
And Rhea Ripley perched on the top rope.
The Nightmare about to strike!
[Jimmy] A dropkick right to the chin of Bianca Belair!
-To the cover! -[Byron] Is that enough?
One, two…
[commentators] Oh!
[Corey] My goodness!
[Jimmy] Heart cuts both ways, gentlemen. Valentine's Day.
[Corey] Take a look at this.
Rhea Ripley, right on point.
Dropkick right to Belair's face.
But Bianca survives.
[Byron] This is smart right here. Wasting no time is Rhea Ripley.
[Jimmy] Got to make it to the ropes.
Trying to roll her way out. She does!
[Byron] Bianca responds. Spinebuster!
[Corey] Bianca wants the KOD!
[Jimmy] She's got it! On her shoulders…
Can she hit it this time? Yes!
An exhausted Rhea Ripley shoulders down!
[spectators] One, two, three!
-[Jimmy] Belair wins it! -[bell dings]
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[announcer] Here's you winner, Bianca Belair!
[Corey] Well, congratulations to Bianca Belair
who will enter the Elimination Chamber last.
But you have got to respect and tip your cap
to Rhea Ripley.
The official time for Ripley in this match-up,
forty-four minutes, four seconds.
but ultimately coming up short.
If that doesn't illustrate to you
the importance of what Bianca Belair just earned,
nothing will.
["Watch Me Shine" continues playing]
[spectators cheering loudly]
Mutual respect aside,
when those two superstars stepped into the ring,
winning was the only objective.
But in 2022, any form of respect was off the table,
when The Man, Becky Lynch,
vowed to chop off Bianca's signature ponytail.
Not the wis-est move.
You? You attacked me.
And you deliberately tried to end my career,
but that didn't work.
You tried to break my throat
and break my spirit,
but that didn't work.
So what else you got, huh?
You showed me all your tricks in a book, so what else you got, Becky?
I'll tell you.
Absolutely nothing.
Because there is nothing that you can do
that can stop me from coming for that title.
So, Becky, come Saturday at WrestleMania,
oh, I'm coming for you.
And I'm gonna take your title
and I'm gonna walk out as the new Raw Women's Champion,
and there ain't a damn thing that can do--
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[spectators cheering]
[Byron] Things just got a whole lot more interesting
with the entrance of the Raw Women's--
-[Corey] Wait a second! -[Michael Cole] Whoa! Becky…
[Corey] Becky came from under the ring again.
[Jimmy] Again out of nowhere.
[Byron] This time Bianca Belair was ready for Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Got a scrap here in Pittsburgh.
Bianca putting it on the Raw Women's Champion right now.
[Jimmy] EST fighting back, remembering the assault of last week.
[Cole] Look at Bianca go! Hellacious attack on Lynch.
[Byron] Belair understands this is the aggression
you're gonna need against Becky Lynch.
[Corey] And the crafty champion once again reminding Bianca
why Becky is champion and Bianca is not.
[groans]
There are no lengths
to which Becky Lynch will not go,
no depth to which she will not stoop,
to remain Raw Women's Champion.
[Cole] No, no, no, no.
[Bianca groaning]
-[Byron] Come on, Becky. -[Cole] Oh, my God.
[Bianca shrieking]
-[Cole] Trying to cut-- -[Jimmy] She's gonna cut it off!
[Corey] Lynch is going to cut off Bianca Belair's--
[Jimmy] Whoa! Right into the KOD!
Face down goes Becky Lynch!
-She's thinking about it. -[Corey] This is completely unnecessary.
[Cole] Oh! Unnecessary? Becky brought the scissors in.
-[Corey] Becky didn't do it! -[Cole] Turnabout is fair play.
[Corey] Becky wasn't really gonna do it. She was playing mind games.
[Byron] Bianca is gonna finish what Becky Lynch tried to start!
[Corey] No, no, no. Please!
[Jimmy] Bianca is not playing!
[commentators and spectators clamoring]
[Jimmy] She did it!
[Cole] Bianca Belair cutting the hair of Becky!
[Jimmy] Going after all of it!
[officials shouting indistinctly]
-[Corey] Stop this! -[Byron] Becky's--
She's getting a complete makeover.
[Jimmy] Officials coming in to try to prevent it.
More hair is flying!
[Corey] This is like defacing… defacing a work of art!
-[Byron] Can't believe what I'm seeing. -[Jimmy] She's not slowing down.
[Corey] Belair is defacing The Man, GOAT of WWE.
[Jimmy] She is humiliating Becky Lynch.
[official] Stop! Bianca!
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[screaming]
[Cole] Becky Lynch is livid. She's irate.
Bianca is all smiles.
And Bianca Belair…
[screaming]
…may have sent Becky off the deep end.
Not exactly a vogue look for Becky.
But I'm sure Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake was proud.
At WrestleMania 38,
Bianca reclaimed the Raw Women's Championship
from Becky Lynch,
who had taken it from her the previous year,
after blindsiding her at SummerSlam 2021.
This only further fuelled their rivalry
and a few months later, The Man would be ringside
as Bianca took on The Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka,
in this Raw Classic encounter.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
-[Jimmy] Welcome back to Monday Night Raw. -[bell dings]
All three of the competitors
who will face off this Sunday at Hell in a Cell
for the Raw Women's Championship are here.
Two of them in the ring.
That is, Asuka and Bianca Belair, the champ.
And joining us at commentary, Becky Lynch herself.
[Becky clicks tongue] Hello.
[Corey] Jimmy, I think that was a lackluster introduction.
How about the once and, potentially, future Raw Women's Champion,
Becky Lynch,
who has graced us with her presence and expertise at ringside.
[Becky] No "potential" about it.
Will be the next Raw Women's Champion.
[Byron] Well, Becky, respectfully, I don't think you can make that guarantee.
Again, you have to deal with both, Bianca Belair and Asuka,
at the same time in the match.
[Becky] Yeah, but they're not gonna be teaming up against me like they just did.
[Byron] How do you know?
You admit it yourself, you made a lot of enemies
and you got two of them inside the ring.
[Becky] Well, it's every woman for themselves.
What's it-- It's gotta come down to two women at some stage.
[Corey] Becky, you've--
[Becky] And then I am crafty. I am so crafty, Byron.
[Corey] She is crafty.
She is clever, she is talented and she is focused.
Becky, let me ask you this.
Last week, you defeated Asuka right here on Monday Night Raw.
[Becky chuckling] I did.
[Corey] Is that the confidence boost you needed?
[Becky] It is. All I--
-[commentators] Oh! -[Jimmy] What a kick.
Vicious shot from Asuka to Bianca Belair.
[Becky] All I needed was a shift in momentum.
That's all I needed to put me on the right track.
Now I'm on the right track
and I just gotta keep that momentum train going. [mimics train]
[Byron] All right, now we're seeing a bit of momentum and confidence
for the Raw Women's Champion, Bianca Belair.
[Jimmy] Becky, what do you think of the athleticism we see
from Bianca Belair, the champ?
How is that to deal with in the ring?
[Becky] I've… I've… I've been in the ring with Bianca.
I've beaten Bianca many times.
I've beaten Bianca in a Triple Threat before.
All right? Let's not forget that.
I am the queen of Triple Threats.
[Byron] I must ask, Becky.
Obviously, you losing to Bianca on the grand stage at WrestleMania,
we saw what that did to you emotionally.
[Becky] I explained why that happened. I explained I was thrown off my game
because she came with an army and I was a solo act.
She had a whole army.
There was at least 100 people on that stage.
[Corey] While we're bringing up history,
Becky, I seem to recall a WrestleMania moment,
perhaps a Triple Threat, that you succeeded on a grandiose scale?
[Becky] Oh, I'm so happy you brought that up!
That was the first time a woman had ever won the main event at WrestleMania
and it was I who was victorious.
Not with one title, but with two titles. Two belts!
[Corey] Any more history you wanna bring up, Saxton?
[Byron] That was in the past, Becky.
But lately? Let's call a spade a spade. You've been in a funk.
You've been in a bad post-WrestleMania funk.
Who won last week? Huh?
Who won? I won last week.
I won last week. That's all I need.
[Byron] Here's my question. If you don't win this Sunday,
how are gonna handle that again?
I mean, it doesn't seem like you handle a title-less life very well.
[Jimmy] Beautiful suplex from Bianca Belair.
Loading up for… looks like another one.
[Becky] Sounds like you're a glass half-empty guy, Byron.
I'm a glass half-full.
[Jimmy] Asuka looking to crank the ankle of Bianca Belair!
[Corey] Champion in trouble.
Asuka with a great deal of pressure on the ankle of the champion.
[Jimmy] Still hanging on is Asuka. Now in the center of the ring.
[Corey] Now, Becky, I would never ever ask you to reveal any trade secrets,
but what are you here looking for tonight?
What are you focusing on watching in your opponents
to prepare for this Sunday?
[Becky] I've been in the ring with both of them.
I've beaten both of them.
So my… My…
What I'm looking for is to see how they interact with each other.
How they interact with each other is going to let me know--
[Jimmy] Oh, a kneebar now.
[Becky] …how I need to interact with them.
[Jimmy] Beautiful job transitioning leglock to leglock.
-[Byron] My goodness. -[Jimmy exclaims]
[Corey] Don't think Asuka was ready for this sort of power.
[Becky] I ain't gonna let you know the real reason.
[Jimmy] So hard to power your way out of that kind of position
but Bianca Belair able to pull it off.
Now going guillotine is Asuka.
[Becky] Clearly she didn't do a cross-fit workout today.
I did. Murph, hello.
[Byron] Hold on a second. We thought Belair was fading for a second there.
Now Belair…
trying to maneuver Asuka--
[Jimmy] Oh! Suplex!
[Corey] That is superhuman power by the Raw Women's Champion.
[Byron] That's the kind of superhuman power
you have to deal with this Sunday, Becky.
[Jimmy] The athleticism! Look at that, to the cover.
[spectators] One, two…
[Jimmy] Kick out from Asuka.
[Becky] You just don't know about it, Byron.
I'm a wizard.
[Byron] We've seen you use your wizardry
in terms of trying to cut corners and skirt the rule book.
As we take a look at the athleticism of Bianca Belair.
[Jimmy] Oh!
[Byron] We've also seen those attempts to blatantly cheat
kind of blow up in your face.
-[Becky] Well, you know I'm a-- -[Jimmy] Armlock!
[Becky] I'm a magician.
At SummerSlam I made her title disappear in 26 seconds. How about that?
[Jimmy] Trying to keep that elbow straight transitioning to the triangle.
[Corey] And again, the power of Belair.
Too much! Overwhelming Asuka.
Uh-oh! Uh-oh!
[Jimmy] And they both go over the top!
Can Bianca Belair and Asuka recover?
Becky Lynch looking on.
[Byron] Easy, Becky.
Well, that looked painful.
[Jimmy] Welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
Bianca Belair vs. Asuka.
It will be a Triple Threat this Sunday at Hell in a Cell.
Right now, it is one-on-one.
Neither competitor getting much of an advantage.
It's one-on-one in the ring, Bianca Belair vs. Asuka.
But we are being graced at ringside by Becky Lynch herself.
Becky, what have you noticed thus far in this match-up?
What have you taken away so far?
[Jimmy] Oh!
[Becky] They're beating the hell out of each other.
I like it.
I like it because they're weakening each other.
So all I need to do is pick up the scraps on Sunday
and I'm a champion!
-[Jimmy] Cover by Asuka! -One, two…
[Jimmy] Kick-out just in time for Bianca Belair.
[Corey] Take a look at the tremendous impact.
The running hip attack from Asuka
nearly turned out Belair's lights.
Becky, as you watch this
knowing that this Sunday, in Chicago, Triple Threat match
for the Raw Women's Championship,
there are no count-outs,
there are no disqualifications.
Do you feel that that benefits you
because of your extremely expert-level craftiness?
[Becky] Of course it does!
Oh! Maybe if you paid attention to what was going on in the ring, Asuka!
[Byron] Asuka needs--
[Becky] Look. She's already easily distracted.
[Jimmy] Oh, eyes off the target a little too long.
[Becky] I told you. I told you I'm crafty.
This is gonna be a cakewalk.
I hope they keep beating each other up.
Let them go on for another hour.
Then I'll really just pick up the scraps. Idiots!
[Byron] Now Bianca Belair looking for a superplex.
Asuka trying to thwart those plans.
[Jimmy] Slugging away at the ribs of Bianca Belair.
Look at that backflip.
[Corey] Outrageous athleticism--
[Jimmy] Oh!
[Corey] …and a dropkick on the money by Asuka!
[Jimmy] That might be it, if she can get the cover. She is!
One, two… Oh!
[Corey] Take a look at this. Such precision.
Asuka soaring through the sky
right in the jaw of the Raw Women's Champion.
And now Belair out of the way just in time.
[Byron] Belair on the apron-- Oh!
Sending Asuka face-first into the top turnbuckle.
Seeing an uptick in the aggression now from The EST.
[Jimmy] Think she's remembering that…
Bianca Belair is remembering that kick from last week.
Thinking about payback.
[Corey] Asuka trying desperately to fight her way out.
Asuka succeeded but nasty landing.
[Becky] Oh, that looks like she tweaked her knee.
[Corey] Becky, this is what you were watching for.
This was your prediction
that, perhaps, one of these two competitors
might come out a little worse for wear.
-[Becky] Oh, no! -[Byron] Hate to see a serious injury--
Too bad she's hurt. That's terrible. Oh, my gosh!
Oh, no! Whatever will she do on Sunday?
-[Byron] Right here. Oh! -[Becky] Oh, who's the crybaby now?
[Becky fakes crying]
[Becky] Oh, sorry about that, Asuka.
[Asuka groaning]
That's gonna be tough come Sunday.
[Corey] This is a smart decision by Bianca Belair,
trying to take advantage of a weakened opponent.
I'm the champion!
-[Becky] Oh, you are for now! -[spectators cheering]
Your days are numbered, Bianca.
Pay attention.
[Jimmy] Also, perhaps, looking to make--
-[commentators] Oh! -[Jimmy] A knee to the chin!
One, two…
[Jimmy groans]
[Corey] Wow!
What a blow to the champion's psyche that would have been.
Being defeated by one of her contenders
this close to the championship match Sunday.
[Becky] I think that's gonna weaken her knee even more though.
I don't know if that was smart on Asuka's-- Yeah.
[Jimmy] Both of these contenders… Both of these superstars
have been distracted tonight and they have both paid…
[Corey] Asuka wants the Asuka Lock.
Belair fighting with everything in her power.
[Byron] Belair understands it's desperation time now.
Trying to wiggle free somehow.
[Becky] Can't be distracted in a Triple Threat.
That's why I'm gonna be the winner.
[Jimmy] Asuka trying to get that right hook in
and really get pressure on it.
[Byron] Look at the will and determination of the Raw Women's Champion!
[Corey] At this juncture, Becky,
you've got to be expecting to just pick the bones this Sunday.
[Becky] I sure am. I sure am. I just hope they keep going.
Let's go! We got three hours of Monday Night Raw.
I wanna see these fight all night long.
[Jimmy] Great transition to the back.
Face-first goes Asuka!
[Byron] Here comes Belair…
-[Corey] Asuka out of the way! -[Jimmy] Just in time.
[Corey] La Magistral cradle… Attempt blocked by Belair!
One, two…
-[Jimmy] Reversal! And that's three! -[bell dings]
-[Corey] And-- Wait a minute! -["Watch Me Shine" starts and stops]
[Jimmy] Becky Lynch in the ring!
[Byron] Becky Lynch wasting no time inserting herself
the moment this match ends.
[Corey] Becky admitted she was here for a reason.
-This must be it! -[Byron] Exactly. Soften 'em up some more.
Soften up Asuka. Soften up Bianca.
[Jimmy] This is-- Manhandle Slam!
[Corey] This is brilliant. This is a perfect illustration
of how clever, of how crafty Becky Lynch truly is.
-Great match. Thanks for entertaining me. -[spectators booing]
[Big E] A champion is never safe.
And Bianca soon became the target of Damage CTRL.
Before Bayley was set to have a match with Belair at Extreme Rules,
her stablemate, Iyo Sky, wanted a shot of her own.
So Bianca stepped in the ring
with her former NXT rival, The Genius of the Sky.
[Jimmy] The EST, Bianca Belair, could not wait to get at Damage CTRL,
calling out Iyo Sky, who answered the call without hesitation.
[Byron] Iyo Sky understanding this is a momentum-builder
for Damage CTRL.
We know Bayley and Bianca Belair set for Extreme Rules right now.
It's a chance for Belair to send a message to the entire Damage CTRL.
[Jimmy] Oh, the strength of Bianca Belair!
Just found out that Bayley wants a ladder match.
Apparently, accepted by Bianca Belair.
-[Byron] No hesitation from Belair. -[Jimmy] None.
Usually, Bianca, she's been the one…
the emotional leader against Damage CTRL.
That's been the role. She's embraced it.
[Corey] In the eyes of Bayley… You heard Bayley refer to Bianca
as not much more than a "placeholder" while Bayley was out injured.
Bianca, understandably, took offense and exception to those comments.
[Byron] That just gave Bianca Belair more inspiration,
more bulletin-board material to come out here and show out.
With Bayley basically downplaying
everything that Bianca has accomplished up to this point.
[Jimmy] This is what Bayley,
and every other challenger, has to deal with,
the one-on-one strength of Bianca Belair.
Look at that athleticism, gentlemen.
[Corey] Great counter by Iyo.
[Byron] Bianca Belair says, "No. Not that easy."
[Jimmy] Iyo Sky was the first one to answer the challenge…
of Bianca Belair on behalf of Damage CTRL, August 1--
Oh, my God!
Now getting her spine folded the wrong way…
To the cover! Kick-out from Iyo Sky.
[Corey] Let's take a look at moments ago… Watch the impact.
Boom! The EST nearly cutting Iyo Sky clean in half
with a ring-shaking shoulder block in the corner.
[Jimmy] What she's showing tonight, there's a huge difference.
Bayley has talked about,
"I pin your shoulders, one, two, three," at Clash at the Castle.
That was a six-woman tag team match.
One-on-one is a totally different animal. We've seen that tonight.
[Corey] …by Iyo Sky
who is now teeing off in the corner on The EST.
The Raw Women's Champion in trouble.
[Byron] Uptick in aggression here from Iyo Sky.
[Jimmy] Former NXT Women's Champion.
Watch this!
[Corey] I'm watching. I'm watching.
[commentators groan]
[Corey] Double knees right on the chin of the champion.
[Jimmy] To the cover! Hooking the leg…
Quick kick-out from Bianca Belair.
[Byron] You do have to ask the question.
What would a victory for Iyo Sky do to the normally unshakable confidence…
Boom! As we take another look.
…the normally unshakable confidence of Bianca Belair.
[Corey] It would shake Bianca to her core, Byron.
[Jimmy] Look at the technique, the flexibility.
Trying to isolate the right arm of Bianca Belair.
[Corey] Bianca a little too strong.
Not allowing Iyo to complete this octopus hold.
Iyo needs to pry Bianca's arm straight--
[Jimmy] Into the sunset flip, shoulders down…
[spectators booing]
Seen that creative offense of Iyo Sky.
She's one of the biggest risk-takers in all of WWE.
She'll attack from everywhere.
[Byron] Bet you can say that about Bianca Belair as well--
[Jimmy] Oh!
[Byron] …personal offensive repertoire.
[spectators] One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine…
[Byron] Iyo able to escape at the last second.
[Jimmy] But power always the equalizer of The EST.
[Byron] The incredible agility of The EST-- Oh!
What a shot!
[Jimmy] Forearm right to the neck. To the cover!
Near fall but not quite enough from the Raw Women's Champion.
[Corey] Take a look one more time at the right hand.
The EST just uncorked
right under the chin of Iyo Sky.
Bianca, once again firmly in control of this match-up.
[Byron] You see every few seconds, Bianca taking a glance over at Bayley,
as she tries to hoist up Iyo Sky!
[Jimmy] Thinking KOD but Iyo Sky…
a bit ahead with the counter, elbowing her way out.
[Byron] These ladies trying to jockey for position here.
[groaning]
[Damage CTRL] Just as strong. You're just as strong as Bianca!
[Byron] Iyo desperately trying to fight out of that waistlock.
[Jimmy] Oh, great move to the outside from Iyo Sky.
And she's in a friendly corner right now.
-[commentators groaning] -[Byron] Oh, man!
[Jimmy] Absolutely levelling The EST.
Can she get back in this match?
[Damage CTRL cheering]
[Jimmy] Welcome back
to Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair versus Iyo Sky of Damage CTRL.
It's been advantage and counter throughout this match,
throughout the break.
If Bianca Belair thought she was gonna have an easy match,
very much mistaken.
[Corey] Watch this. Before the break,
Iyo Sky showing her vicious side.
Kicking Bianca skull-first into the ringpost
and it has been all Iyo Sky in the moment since.
[Byron] Jimmy, you mentioned that Iyo's first match here on Raw
was against Bianca Belair two months ago.
So it seems that Iyo's learned a lot from that initial encounter.
Hence, why this has been such a back and forth fight
between these two ladies.
[Jimmy] Corey, you talked about the coaching of Bayley
and how she has instructed and guided Damage CTRL.
It's paying dividends tonight.
Iyo Sky better, much better,
than the first time she squared off with Bianca Belair.
[Corey] Look no further than the gold around the waist of Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
just like Bayley said they were going to do.
Just like Bayley is going to dethrone The EST
at Extreme Rules.
[Byron] That is Bayley's opinion, obviously.
[Jimmy] Bianca Belair looking for momentum heading into Extreme Rules.
[Byron] Bianca tapping into that second gear now,
showing her incredible strength.
Making it look easy.
[Jimmy] I think, for her, it is easy. Shoulders down.
One, two…
[Jimmy] Kick-out. Late one, just in time for Iyo Sky!
[Byron] Bayley's starting to sweat bullets outside the ring.
[Jimmy] The intensity of Bayley…
It's been an asset for Iyo Sky since she has come back to Raw.
Bayley really been an incredible force in Damage CTRL.
Great leader. We've seen it every single week.
[Corey] Bianca with a double chicken wing applied.
Iyo wisely getting to the ropes, gonna force a break.
[Jimmy] Smart move to a reversal, now roll-up!
One, two…
-[Byron] Belair able to-- Uh-oh. -[Corey] This is smart.
This is smart and perfectly legal.
Bianca's braid is considered totally legal within the confines of the ring
and Iyo wasted no time exploiting it.
[Byron] Belair was able to escape out of that predicament…
[Jimmy] The athletic offense but Iyo, this time ready for it.
[Byron] Iyo Sky showing her agility.
Belair looking to try this one more time.
[Jimmy] This time it lands! To the cover.
Just before three, Iyo Sky…
Enough to get that right shoulder up.
[Corey] Listen, Bianca looks like she's on the verge of tears right now.
I can promise you that when Extreme Rules arrives,
Bayley is gonna be even tougher of an opponent
than Iyo has been to this point.
Not to mention, if there's ladders involved
Bayley is gonna throw something at Bianca
that Bianca herself has never experienced.
And if Iyo's frustrating The EST tonight,
just imagine what Bayley's capable of at Extreme Rules.
[Jimmy] Now thinking KOD,
has Iyo Sky loaded up.
Great job getting to the ropes.
[Byron] A shot there from Sky. Oh!
That drops Bianca Belair. Now Iyo Sky heading up top.
Her comfort zone.
[Jimmy] The highest flyer in the Women's Division!
Beautiful, cross-bodied…
[Byron and Jimmy] Whoa! Oh!
[spectators cheering]
[Byron] Belair will not be denied.
[Jimmy] Over the top, power on display.
[Byron] Fallaway slam delivered by the Raw Women's Champion.
-[Jimmy] Looking for the finish! -One, two…
[Jimmy groans] Almost did.
[Corey] The longer this match goes,
the more psychologically detrimental it is
to the Raw Women's Champion.
If Bianca arrives in Philly second-guessing herself…
As we look at the power once again, possessed by The EST.
If Bianca's head, if she is not mentally 100% and then some,
we're gonna have a new champion in Philly.
[Jimmy] Oh, quick reaction from Iyo Sky.
[Byron] Despite the hiccups from Bianca Belair,
she keeps willing herself on,
keeps attempting to refocus herself in this match.
[Jimmy] The ring IQ of Iyo Sky has gone up dramatically
since her Raw debut.
[Byron] Oh… Oh, oh, oh.
But the plans of Iyo Sky are about to change dramatically,
courtesy of The EST.
[Jimmy] Tried again for the hurricanrana and not happening.
[Byron] Bianca all alone now, headed up to the top floor.
-And Iyo right there to meet her! -[Jimmy] Oh, my God!
Armdrag off the top rope.
[Iyo screaming]
[Jimmy] And Iyo Sky fired up to put this one away for Damage CTRL.
[Byron] Belair could be in serious trouble right now.
Yeah!
[Jimmy] Oh!
[Corey] Now is not the time to showboat, Iyo.
Here we go, from the top!
[Byron] Belair…
having the wherewithal-- Oh!
[Jimmy] Sending Iyo Sky right into the rest of Damage CTRL.
[Byron] Belair sending herself…
[Jimmy] …over the top!
Down go Bayley and Dakota Kai.
[spectators cheering]
[Corey] Bianca needs to worry about one person and one person only right now…
[commentators] Oh!
[Corey] …that being Iyo Sky
with the palm strikes under the jaw of the champ.
[Byron] Good grief.
[Jimmy] Eye off the ball at exactly the wrong time.
Iyo Sky taking advantage.
[Byron] Iyo Sky looking to strike again… No!
[Jimmy] And up on the shoulders of The EST!
KOD!
To the cover.
[spectators] One, two, three!
-[Jimmy] Huge win for The EST! -[bell dings]
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner, the Raw Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair!
[Jimmy] In the match she wanted, she called out Iyo Sky,
but Iyo Sky took her to the absolute limit.
[Byron] Listen, it looked dicey at times for The EST
but Bianca Belair continued to will herself through
and willed herself to victory.
Almost wiping out Dakota Kai and Bayley.
And then the second attempt would be the charm.
KOD delivered
and Bianca Belair successfully fending off the threat of Iyo Sky.
[bell dings]
[Jimmy] Asuka and Alexa Bliss absolutely loving it
as the Raw Women's Champion stands tall in the ring.
[Byron] Maybe this is the kind of test that Belair needs
ahead of Extreme Rules.
The damage was certainly controlled
as The EST reminded everyone
why she was the reigning champ.
Leading up to a stacked Elimination Chamber,
a Triple Threat match was made between Becky, Bayley and Bianca.
And if Bianca didn't win,
the chamber match would be expanded to add Becky and Bayley.
[Kevin Patrick] And now to our main event,
here on Monday Night Raw.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest is a Triple Threat match.
Introducing first, from Knoxville, Tennessee,
she is the Raw Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair!
[Kevin] The motivation for the Raw Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair, is clear.
Win this Triple Threat match against Bayley and Becky Lynch
and keep them away from her championship picture.
[Corey] Essentially, Bianca Belair is looking to mitigate the threat
to her Raw Women's Championship.
I respect this decision.
Bianca promised to be a fighting champion when she won the title
and Belair has lived up to that promise, week after week since.
But is The EST truly ready
for two of the biggest threats at the same time?
["Role Model" playing]
[announcer] And her opponents… First, representing Damage CTRL,
Bayley!
[Kevin] Bayley is a Grand Slam Champion in WWE.
She seized the opportunity earlier on
when Becky Lynch was looking for her path back to WrestleMania.
[Corey] Bayley is benefitting from Becky's…
[inaudible]
…idea to kick the night off.
If Bayley or Becky Lynch win this match-up,
they will be added to the Women's Elimination Chamber match
this Saturday night.
And rather than two competitors beginning the match,
it will begin as a Triple Threat,
much like we are about to see in moments here on Raw.
…you're gonna love it. This is my year!
[Kevin] Imagine that field.
Three superstars kicking it off and four in the pods?
And now it's time for The Man of the people…
["Celtic Invasion" playing]
[announcer] Making her way to the ring, from Dublin, Ireland,
The Man,
Becky Lynch!
[Kevin] Becky Lynch telling the WWE Universe earlier on tonight
she lost sight of what's important to her,
and that is the Raw Women's Championship.
You see a motivated Becky here tonight.
[Corey] Becky's been motivated in the past, but even in the past,
Becky has been unable to topple the dominance of The EST.
The same has to be said for Bayley,
who spent several months trying to dethrone Bianca Belair
to no avail.
This match-up is out of necessity to Lynch and Bayley.
[Kevin] This is a WrestleMania Main Event-caliber match
coming your way
here from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Becky Lynch, Bayley and Bianca Belair.
It's a Triple Threat with WrestleMania implications,
next on Raw.
["Celtic Invasion" continues playing]
[spectators cheering]
[Kevin] You're very welcome back to Monday Night Raw.
Our Main Event tonight, as we see Bianca Belair lofting Becky Lynch…
[Corey] Look at the power of the Raw Women's Champion.
Into the cover!
[Kevin] Becky Lynch now dragged away by Bianca,
who hooks the leg herself, looking for the victory.
Dragged away by Becky.
[Corey] Now remember, the onus is on Bianca Belair to win this match-up
to prevent Lynch and Bayley from entering
the Elimination Chamber match this Saturday night.
If Lynch of Bayley-- Shoulders down!
One, two…
[Kevin] Bayley to intervene now.
Looks for the opportunity to win it.
Becky kicking there.
[Corey] If Lynch or Bayley are able to emerge victorious
from this Triple Threat,
they will be added to the Elimination Chamber,
Saturday night in Montreal,
streaming live on Peacock.
Lynch from the second rope!
Caught, rolled through.
[spectators exclaiming]
And The EST reminding The Man
just who is the strong-est.
[Kevin] Taking care of Bayley as well.
If you're Bianca Belair, why would you want to inject yourself,
be part of this match here tonight?
[Corey] Because Bianca needs to mitigate the threat
to her Raw Women's Championship.
She's already got six women
hungry and vying for the opportunity to challenge her at WrestleMania.
Add a seventh,
particularly someone of the caliber of a Bayley or a Becky Lynch,
you might as well kiss that title goodbye.
[Kevin] Cover now, Bayley,
looking to advance to the Elimination Chamber,
and a kick-out by Bianca.
That's the stakes here tonight.
Bayley, looking to advance with the win,
as would Becky Lynch,
adding an extra superstar to the Elimination Chamber match.
[Corey] And think about what this opportunity means to Bayley.
She's the only of these three women who has not headlined a WrestleMania.
Bayley has competed on the Showcase of the Immortals,
but it's never been about her.
Bayley!
The self-proclaimed "Ultra Star" here on Monday Night Raw,
would love to add that to her already impressive resume.
[Kevin] Bayley, on the outside now,
looking to take care of Becky Lynch.
[Corey] The Man nearly chucked into the front row.
The veteran Bayley realizing she has a window.
-Cover here. -[Kevin] Hooks the leg, Bayley.
Kick-out by Bianca once more.
Bayley's rolling here early in this Triple Threat.
[Corey] She absolutely is
but if we've learned nothing about Bianca Belair,
it's that Belair is a survivor.
When the chips are down,
when the deck is stacked against The EST,
somehow, some way,
Bianca figures out a way to endure and survive.
[Kevin] Bianca Belair, proud and fighting.
Raw Women's Champion since WrestleMania of last year.
-[groaning] -She defeated Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Bayley utilizing the no-disqualification rules
of this match-up.
A Triple Threat gotta be settled by-- Cover here!
[Kevin] Hooks the leg.
[Corey] …pinfall or submission.
There's not going to be any count-out, not gonna be any disqualification,
and that may benefit a superstar, a veteran like Bayley,
who's not afraid to bend the rules,
or at least, manipulate them to her own advantage.
That's something that Bianca Belair rarely, if ever, does.
Belair is a straightforward, smash mouth, in-your-face athlete,
who relies on her skills
as Bayley is being reminded firsthand right now!
[Kevin] Bayley looking to turn it around.
Bianca pacing to the turnbuckle.
[Corey] Uh-oh. Uh-oh!
Belly to back suplex takes down the champion.
Cover by Bayley!
[Kevin] Bayley quickly across, grabs the leg looking for the win here…
Becky Lynch in to intervene.
Bianca kicking out as well.
Who is gonna grab the victory here tonight?
Can Becky or Bayley
advance to the Elimination Chamber match Saturday night?
[Corey] Lynch on the outside, Bayley hangs Lynch across the middle rope.
[Kevin] Bayley has been so dominant in this match so far.
Can she see it through?
[Corey] Bayley looking for another modification of a kneebar.
There we go. It's…
-She's got a… -[Bianca groaning]
[Corey] Can't quite tell if the hold is complete--
[Kevin] Uh-oh. Watch out. Watch out!
The legdrop there and Becky Lynch may capitalize.
-Hooks the leg! -[Corey] Cover.
One, two…
[Kevin] Bianca Belair intervenes.
What a crowd we have here at the Barclays Center tonight,
enjoying our main event, a Triple Threat match.
[Corey] And the winner of which will be either Bianca Belair,
who has one less problem to worry about this Saturday in the Elimination Chamber,
or, if it's Lynch or Bayley,
one more problem for The EST to worry about.
This Saturday night in Montreal, streaming live on Peacock,
we will find out who challenges Bianca Belair
on the grandest stage of them all.
[Kevin] Look at Becky Lynch go right now.
[grunts]
Becky's finding her form.
Bianca, though, finding Becky.
Becky Lynch quick to point out,
the first woman to win the Main Event of WrestleMania.
[Corey] Doubled up with a DDT.
-Cover by The Man. -[Kevin] Lynch.
To advance to the Elimination Chamber match.
Who is gonna take this one?
[screaming]
[Kevin] We're witnessing one hellacious battle here,
a Triple Threat with enormous WrestleMania implications.
Bianca Belair hooks the leg now, looking to end it.
The fate of Bayley-- Becky Lynch is in the way.
[Corey] During the break, we saw the arrival of Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai.
Damage CTRL, Bayley's cohorts.
But now The EST has The Man up high.
Great counter by Lynch.
Face first goes the champion.
-Shoulders down! -One, two…
[Kevin] Is it Becky Lynch's time to advance to the Elimination Chamber?
Bianca kicks out.
[Corey] The goal is simple for Lynch tonight,
advance to the Elimination Chamber.
Bayley shares the same motivation.
For the champion, for The EST,
it is to prevent both women from becoming additional threats
to her Raw Women's Championship.
Now Belair has Lynch.
Precarious position for both women.
-[Kevin] Bayley back inside now. Oh, no! -[spectators exclaiming]
What are we about to see?
-Oh, my God! -[Corey] That's got to do it.
-Cover by Bayley! -One, two…
[Kevin] Is Bayley going to the Elimination Chamber?!
Bianca Belair is still alive.
Bayley, though, quick to pounce on Becky Lynch.
And Becky kicks out.
[Corey] Bayley making the most of the opportunity
but not able to put this one away just yet.
Bayley driving the champion and Becky Lynch down
in one simultaneous thud.
Two pinfall attempts later, this match rolls on.
But the game changer has been the arrival of Damage CTRL on the outside.
Bayley utilizing
the no-disqualification caveat in this type of match,
to full advantage.
And now The Role Model, The Ultra Star,
making her climb to the top rope.
Bayley can taste the Elimination Chamber.
-[groans] -[spectators exclaiming]
[Kevin] Bianca out of the way!
Bayley connects with Becky and is she going to win it?
Bianca Belair there…
to keep this match alive.
[Corey] Dakota and Iyo looking on
with a bit of concern washing over their faces.
Bayley connected, not with both targets,
but at least 50%.
Belair keeps this match-up alive
and now The EST turning on the gas.
The fast-est, the tough-est. Bianca is ready to go!
[spectators cheering]
[spectators] Yeah!
One, two, three, four…
[Corey] Barclays Center counting along
with the Raw Women's Champion who is wearing out The Man.
[Kevin] Oh-ho!
[Corey] Next level athleticism by Belair.
[Kevin] The strength, the balance, the power.
Can Bianca finish off Bayley though?
And keep Bayley and Becky Lynch away from the Elimination Chamber?
[Corey] Moonsault but Bayley got the knees up.
[both groaning]
Can Belair capitalize
and prevent one more threat
from being added to the equation Saturday night.
Bayley stacks her up!
[Kevin] Feet are on the ropes and Becky Lynch spotted it.
[Corey] And Lynch, who is familiar, in her own way,
with bending, if not breaking, the rules when need be…
stopping Bayley from punching her ticket.
Belair flattens Bayley. Lynch now, from the top rope.
Becky looking to make something big happen.
[groaning]
Diamond Dust on top of Bayley!
[Kevin] And the knees were raised.
[Corey] And Lynch landed hard on Bayley's right knee.
-Manhandle Slam! -[Kevin] Becky now!
Becky with the stack! Come on!
She's gonna get it. Rolled away by Iyo.
[Corey] And Damage CTRL again paying dividends.
Much to the surprise of… literally no one.
Belair and Bayley alone in the ring.
This is a beneficial scenario for both women.
The Man has been eliminated for the moment.
The EST hoisting up The Role Model.
Here comes Dakota Kai…
[Kevin] …to help out Bayley.
But look at Bianca Belair making use of the ropes.
[Corey] Ah, Bianca losing focus.
-[Kevin] Oh! -[Corey] Iyo connects with a kick.
-Bayley rolls up the champion! -One, two…
[Kevin] Is Bayley set to advance?
Kick-out by Bianca.
Come on!
[Kevin] So close to advancing to the Elimination Chamber match.
-And look at this! -[Corey] Oh dear!
It's getting crowded out here.
Four of the other women who will vie for the opportunity
to head to WrestleMania.
Here comes Nikki, here comes Mella.
All six women who've already earned their right in the chamber.
KP, help me out. I'm gonna have a damn aneurysm.
[Kevin] And you can be sure that they do not want
Becky Lynch or Bayley qualifying for the Elimination Chamber match.
[Corey] A golden opportunity awaits
Saturday night, north of the border, Montreal.
Will it become seven?
Will Bayley or Lynch earn their chance?
-Not if the champ can capitalize. -[Kevin] Bianca now.
Bayley still alive.
Mayhem outside the ring.
No disqualification.
Chaos ensues outside the ring.
Back in, it's Bayley on the deck.
Bianca Belair has yet to get to her feet.
[Corey] Iyo Sky making the climb up high.
The EST uncorks a right
trying to protect her odds
of leaving WrestleMania as Raw Women's Champion.
The strong-est
showing the world why she is who she says--
-[Kevin] My God! -[Corey] …she is.
[spectators] Oh!
[Corey] Iyo chucked to the outside,
flattening the field.
[Kevin] Flattening each and every one of them
that will be headed to the Elimination Chamber match.
What power from Bianca Belair.
But can she see it through
and see off Becky Lynch and Bayley?
Here comes Bayley from behind.
Becky Lynch now back inside the ring.
[Corey] Lynch flattens Bayley.
Neither of these three women has been able to sustain an advantage.
It's been a see-saw battle,
back and forth, and forth and back and back again.
All three women trading their best shots.
Two for the chance to compete Saturday night.
One for the chance
to protect her title at WrestleMania.
[Kevin] Becky and Bayley will see this as their opportunity
to, once and for all, head back to WrestleMania and take on EST.
[Corey] Manhandle Slam into the KOD.
[Kevin] Look at this.
[Corey] The Man is down!
The Role Model is down!
[Kevin] Bianca rolls across, hooks the leg!
-Bianca Belair! -[bell dings]
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
the Raw Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair!
[Corey] Well, Bianca Belair has one less threat to worry about,
but the road to WrestleMania
has not gotten any easier.
[Kevin] Talk about courage
from the Raw Women's Champion,
accepting this match here tonight
to take on Bayley and Becky Lynch
and keeping them on the outside Saturday night at the Elimination Chamber.
[Corey] It wasn't easy.
The EST able to endure,
despite taking on all of the best shots from her opponents.
A Manhandle Slam by Lynch stacked Bayley,
but Damage CTRL again
changing the complexion of, not only the match,
but the Women's Division.
[Kevin] And this is where Bayley nearly seized the opportunity,
nearly got the victory, stacking up Belair
who just about kicks out at two.
And Bayley couldn't believe it!
[Corey] The power of The EST unmatched,
launching Iyo to the awaiting field,
who will all still compete Saturday night
for the chance to earn a WrestleMania moment.
Tonight was not the night for Lynch or Bayley.
[Kevin] And Bianca quick to get across to hook that leg
and say to Bayley and Becky Lynch, "Stay out of my way."
["Watch Me Shine" continues playing]
Absolute must-see TV
as Belair's raw power and pure athleticism was just too much
for the former champions to overcome.
Only a few years into her stellar career,
Bianca has entered into an elite class.
And you get the feeling she's just getting started.
And to you, the classi-est fans in the world,
thank you for joining us.
I'm Big E
and I'll see you next time for more Raw Classics.
[funk music playing] time for more Raw Classics.