October 31st 2022. Halloween. American Airlines Center. Dallas, Texas. Monday Night RAW. The last time Dakota Kai was in this building, she had recently won her battle against the demons of the mind. Nikki Cross recently got back in touch with her own. In 2018, Cross and Kai were allies of a sort against then NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler. Nikki encouraged Dakota to face her fears and challenge Shayna for the title. Kai lost the match but would serve as the referee in a "match" to "crown" Nikki the NXT Women's Champion.

Nikki and Dakota had a chaotic reuniting last week when Cross attacked her amongst others during the match between Bayley and RAW Women's Champion Bianca Belair. The interference of Cross would lead to Bayley pinning Belair to earn herself a Last Woman Standing Match for the RAW Women's Title at WWE Crown Jewel on November 5th. But Cross proved no ally of Damage CTRL, beating down Bayley as RAW went off the air. With experience in dealing with madness of her own, maybe Our Captain can advise Bayley on how to deal with Nikki?

Speaking of Nikki, she would fittingly open Halloween RAW in a non-title match versus Bianca. The Ladies decided to come down and get a closer look at the action. The referee was distracted by the magnificence that is Dakota and IYO. Bayley always pays her debts so decided to assist Nikki by introducing Bianca to the ring post. That ungrateful Nikki attacked Bayley. Dakota and IYO were next. Nikki would fall to the KOD upon reentering the ring giving Bianca a victory.

After the match, The Ladies intended to make a statement against Bianca ahead of Crown Jewel. Unfortunately, Asuka and Alexa Bliss were healed up and came to Bianca's aid. Bliss and Asuka buttered Bianca up for future favor, vowing to be in her corner at Crown Jewel. But that wasn't all. Asuka and Alexa challenged Dakota and IYO to a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match. The match would not only be made, it would be the Main Event of RAW.

Prior to their title defense, Dakota and IYO accompanied Bayley who engaged in a conversation with Nikki. There were no microphones but what was clear was that Cross seemed to like what she was hearing. Kai and SKY were understandably concerned but Bayley seemed to think all was good. A bit later, Dakota expressed concern that IYO and her weren't prepared. And honestly pointed out that Alexa and Asuka hadn't even earned this title opportunity.. But Our Captain made it clear: They'll still get it because IYO and her don't back down from challenges.

Dakota fired up a bit, questioning if Alexa and Asuka were ready for IYO and her after all the damage they've inflicted upon them. There was still some concern though, so Bayley proved to be a true role model reassuring them. IYO was told she's done too much in her career to be overlooked anymore and Dakota has been left behind too often to let others think they can walk over her. Bayley finished stating this time next week not only will Kai and SKY still be tag champions, she'll be the new RAW Women's Champion. They'll be the Last Women Standing!

I admire the courage of Dakota and IYO to not back down from a challenge therefore gifting Alexa and Asuka this title match. No one can ever call The Ladies cowards. But it was Halloween and Bliss was once aligned with you know who. There was a weird aura in the air. On this one night I would not have blamed The Ladies for not wanting the challenge.

Dakota and IYO delivered wonderful teamwork in the early going. SKY whipped Bliss to Kai who pump kicked her into a trip from IYO. Dakota smashed Bliss with a scissors kick followed by a basement dropkick from SKY. Kai nearly took Bliss's face off with a running facewash in the corner. IYO was tagged in and delivered springboard double knees. Kai tagged back in and gave Bliss some of that ole corner boot choke. Bliss caught Kai and teased Sister Abigail but instead tossed her to the canvas hard, following that with a flipping knees and senton combo.

Bliss picked Dakota up only to find herself driven into the corner. Dakota charged into an elbow and was taken to the canvas by a flying headscissors. Asuka was tagged in. Kai and Asuka evaded each other's kicks but The Empress caught Dakota with a series of back hands followed by a German suplex. Asuka went to tag Bliss but Kai forcefully put a stop to that. IYO was tagged in and engaged in a brutal battle of strikes with Asuka. The Empress robbed us of more of that awaited showdown, tagging Alexa back in for the Bliss punch and Asuka bulldog combo.

The challengers did not let up with Alexa tagging Asuka in to deliver another double team. This time Bliss whipped IYO to Asuka who connected with a missile dropkick off the ropes. IYO rolled to the floor to regroup. Dakota stood in front of her to act as a shield but Asuka knocked her to the floor with a hip attack. Bliss and Asuka went for baseball slide dropkicks. Asuka struck IYO but Kai evaded Bliss, rebounding with her dope shotgun dropkick that sent Alexa crashing into the barrier.

Asuka unleashed a barrage of kicks on IYO knocking her into the ring post. She tried to behead her with a roundhouse kick but Kai pulled SKY away, causing Asuka's foot to smash into the ring post. SKY lifted Asuka up only to send her back to the floor with a dragon screw leg whip. The Empress could have been counted out but Dakota wanted a decisive finish so rolled her back into the ring. IYO tagged in and soon after struck Asuka with a Shotei. Asuka fought back, sending IYO to the floor. Bayley and Kai assisted IYO back into the ring so Kai could tag in.

Dakota and Asuka traded pin attempts until The Empress sent Kai to the floor. IYO came in to prevent Asuka from making a tag but The Empress tossed her to the floor. Bliss was tagged in and worked over Kai with offense. Kai tried to mount a comeback charging Bliss in the corner but Alexa caught her with a sunset flip powerbomb for a two. Asuka was tagged in and the challengers would double team with Asuka delivering a Russian legsweep after Bliss hit a dropkick.

Asuka went for an armbar but IYO broke it up. Bliss came at IYO who sent her reeling to the floor with a double underhook backbreaker. Dakota snapped Asuka's leg and tagged IYO in. SKY smashed Asuka with double knees followed by a springboard missile dropkick from the apron. IYO went for a cover but Asuka kicked out at two. SKY went to the top rope and flew off for offense only for Asuka to cut her off with a codebreaker.

The Empress applied an armbar but IYO countered it into a pin for two. Asuka applied the Asuka Lock and Bayley's emotions overcame her, luring her onto the apron to shout support for her girl. IYO tried to build some momentum tapping her hand on Asuka's arm. The referee was too busy yelling at Bayley otherwise he might have confused it with tapping. Dakota ensured he wouldn't make such an error when he turned around, nailing Asuka with a basement dropkick. That was some wonderful teamwork from The Ladies. You know it, don't you dare deny it.

Bianca Belair who was at ringside with the challengers took offense and forcefully sent Bayley over the rail into the crowd. Back in the ring, Dakota smashed Alexa's DDT attempt off with a headbutt. Dakota tried to roundhouse kick Asuka who ducked and rebounded with one of her own. Our Captain simply devoured it and fired back, stinging Asuka to the canvas with the Scorpion Kick. All four competitors were down. In the crowd, a tug of war over Bianca's braid ended with Bayley crashing The EST into a table with a Bayley-to-Belly suplex.

Dakota and IYO got to their feet and whipped Asuka to the rope. But Asuka reversed, sending Kai against the ropes and superkicking IYO. Kai evaded Asuka's charging hip attack and struck her with a big boot. Alexa pulled Dakota to the floor and tossed her into the ring steps knocking her out. IYO slipped to the apron and caught Bliss with a kick after Bliss ducked her kick. SKY went to the top and flew off with Over the Moonsault. Asuka evaded but IYO caught herself from crashing to the canvas. IYO charged Asuka who caught her with a kick to the skull.

Alexa tagged in and crashed down on IYO with Twisted Bliss. The challenger covered SKY and scored the pinfall victory for her team. Asuka and Alexa Bliss are the new Women's Tag Team Champions. What the hell? Now, some will insist that the better team won. The match was a banger so no arguments about it being a good fight by both teams. But like I said earlier: There was a weird aura in the air. It was not a Happy Halloween for Damage CTRL.

The Ladies fought their hearts out. Bliss and Asuka -- even putting up a pretty good fight themselves -- I'd argue still barely got that win. Fear not though because The Ladies will not be without gold for long. At Crown Jewel, Bianca's reign will come to an end at the hands of Bayley while Kai and SKY win back the Women's Tag Team Titles. What does not end them only makes them stronger. Those who oppose them shall feel their wrath even worse than before. Free Life Lesson: When you fuck with The Ladies, you will get fucked over ten fold.

Additional Information | Alexa Bliss & Asuka defeated WWE Women's Tag Team Champions IYO SKY & Dakota Kai (16:25) to win the titles on WWE Monday Night RAW at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on October 31st 2022.