RAW In A Nutshell: Any Blowback From Backlash?

It’s another RAW in a Nutshell, and this week we ask: is there any blowback from Backlash?

As in, you know, fallout from the PPV we witnessed on Sunday night-the badly named WrestleMania Backlash.

We get to wonder-and hopefully find out-who is next for Bobby Lashley. Hell In A Cell is just over a month away, so there’s time…but will WWE set that match up now?

Or will there be some blowback from Backlash that influences Lashley’s next challenger?

We can expect more out of the very twisted Alexa Bliss, too. Will she finally get back into the ring?

Honestly, given we’ve got a slightly longer turnaround to the next PPV, RAW may purely focus on blowback from Backlash.

There isn’t likely to be the sense of urgency to put a card together for Hell In A Cell, especially with WWE’s ever-presence creative issues.

So, without any more delays, let’s hit the main event-so to speak. It’s time for…

RAW In A Nutshell: Any Blowback From Backlash?

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!

Best Match of the night:

Two main choices here, and you can flip a coin.

Sheamus and Ricochet was very good.

So was Damien Priest and John Morrison.

Worst match of the night:

Honestly…not sure I could pick one. Sure, a few matches had their flaws…but most did seem to serve a purpose.

Like, Garza and Gulak? It may not have been great, but it’s building up Garza.

The Women’s Tag Team Championship match? It was OK, and it’s pushing Alexa Bliss forward.

Closest I got was that opening match…coming in, heel versus heel? But I guess maybe WWE wants Styles and Omos cheered as faces now…but a very bland open.

So…I’ll take a pass tonight.

Star of the Night

Tough call…several nice ones.

Ricochet, even in the loss.

Good night for Kofi Kingston, with a heavy assist from Drew McIntyre too.

Spot of the Night:

Not a wrestling spot, but we had a Kane-esque pyro shot take out Reggie and cost the former champions a shot to regain the Women’s Tag Team Championships.

Turns out it was Alexa Bliss, channeling her inner Fiend.

I grew tired of The Fiend. Not sure I have patience to see where this goes…but here we are.

Wrestling wise, we got a few nice moves from Priest during that match, and I liked some of the action out of Kofi in the main event.

No signature spots, but I will take the good action.

Jobber of the Night:

Reggie, for the above mentioned pyro shot that never really connected.

Drew Gulak, once again being dismantled by Angel Garza.

Upset of the Night:

Kofi Kingston got a win over the WWE Champion. Yes, sure, he had help from some distractions and a certain former champion too…but a win is a win.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

We had a return of R-Truth and the 24/7 Championship!

Like, maybe it’s me, but I cannot remember the last time we saw him or the belt.

Of course, he lost the title to Tozawa, but he has to…how else will he hit 100 title reigns?

And oh hey look…Nikki Cross was back too!

LOL Moment of the night:

I have been coughing up rose stamens for the last hour. Thanks for your concern. #WWERaw

— Drew Gulak (@DrewGulak) May 18, 2021

Noteworthy Moment:

Sure, he didn’t win, but honestly a nice match from Ricochet. Nice to see him back on RAW.

It might have been more about a good match for Sheamus…but it was still a strong showing for the former NXT big shot.

Could WWE be warming up to him again?

Also, another week of building up Angel Garza. I don’t dislike it, in spite of the use of roses.

Overall lowlights:

This felt like a bit of a pallet cleanse. Like, WWE has creative issues (again) and a five week gap between PPVs.

Not only that, but knowing Hell In A Cell is next on the calendar now? That event should be easier to book, given the cage is the draw.

So, it felt sort of like treading water for the most part.

I was disappointed that, out of an open challenge in the main event slot, WWE opted to give us Kofi Kingston. Things worked out OK, but I was hoping for perhaps a surprise return or just someone fresh (Big E coming over from SmackDown, a returning Keith Lee…).

Even Dijack…and it was teased…

Overall highlights:

In spite of that neutral feeling, I did have some high spots. It was not a completely bad RAW in a Nutshell, after all.

For one, it’s great to see Ricochet back on RAW. He even got in a great match, even if he did lose.

Nikki Cross can be removed from any milk cartons now too. She was back on RAW, taking part in the lumberjack match.

Speaking of returns, R-Truth was also back. He quickly lost the 24/7 Championship.

The end of the show gave fans a nice, feel-good send off. Likely sets up, or tries to set up, Drew and Lashley in the Cell.

Not great, not terrible. Just average, but average is OK.

Yep, it was an OK RAW in a Nutshell. I’ll take it.