7 Ups & 8 Downs From WWE Raw: In Your Face (Sep 14)

7. Vulgar Display Of Power

Ruby Riott Lanan
WWE.com

This week's build towards The Riott Squad vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler consisted of Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott bashing Lana and Natalya up in a two-minute squash match, then engaging in a tame staredown with the Women's Tag Team Champions after they flattened the felled wrestlers.

There was nothing to this. Baszler and Jax said little of note as guest commentators and beating up a couple of goons who had already lost doid little to present them as a united threat, which was clearly the goal here. The Riott Squad's chemistry vs. the heels' bickering is the story. Sure, Nia put Lana through a table with a Samoan Drop and stood tall with the 'Queen of Spades' at the end, but what does this prove, particularly with The Riott Squad watching on, not even thinking about intervening?

Nothing.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.