It’s another RAW in a Nutshell, and once the show is over, we get to say…and now the draft is over, too…
Why? Well, RAW wraps up the 2 night 2021 WWE Draft.
If you somehow were not paying attention, the made for TV “spectacle” kicked off on SmackDown.
It concludes on RAW, and thus, with our RAW In A Nutshell.
The first night saw a good bit of…well…expected moves, really. While we didn’t get much in the way of leaks, I’d say there were no true shockers either.
So, considering how Friday was rather predictably predictable, I am going to guess that by the time the draft is over…RAW’s rounds will have been too.
Beyond the draft, is there anything big to expect this week?
Well, last week gave us Goldberg, in a remote and recorded segment, promising to kill Lashley.
The Hall of Famer should be present in Nashville for this week’s RAW to effectively set things up for their expected Crown Jewel match in a couple weeks.
Other than that…it’s draft night, so let’s get to it.
RAW In A Nutshell: And Now, The Draft Is Over…
source: custom, wwe twitter screenshot
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see who lands where…
Best Match of the night:
I suppose by default I can say the main event, Belair versus Flair.
And even that one was cut short, and used to set up what is to come at Crown Jewel and beyond.
However, when the matches to compete with are limited in length and number, it’s a low bar.
Worst match of the night:
Honestly…most? I mean, there was a three hour show (minus commercials).
However it felt like we had like, two matches? I am sure there were maybe more…
Many matches were teased, just to be set up for Crown Jewel.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Charlotte sucks
source: custom, wwe twitter screenshot
Jobber of the Night:
I believe that Akira Tozawa really wanted to earn a spot in our Nutshell.
Probably not this one, but when you interrupt Kevin Owens, you are asking for a stunner.
Then again, Cedric and Shelton want a shot at the honor too…
Nice try, guys.@Goldberg#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/vwslVRUQza
— WWE (@WWE) October 5, 2021
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Two to start, and both involve Jeff Hardy.
source: custom, wwe twitter screenshot
Reflecting on being close to beating Damien Priest for the US title, Hardy thanked the fans ahead of his blue brand move.
He teased perhaps bringing back a former persona (maybe one fans have been waiting to see for a while?).
Then, Austin Theory showed up, took a selfie, attacked Hardy and took another selfie.
First night on #WWERaw! I got a selfie with @JEFFHARDYBRAND !!!! pic.twitter.com/J7eLWI0aEh
— Austin White (@austintheory1) October 5, 2021
I mean…that is one way to try and get Austin Theory some heel heat.
Interesting move having Doudrop stand up to Shayna Baszler.
Risky move, @QoSBaszler…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/zKQtDlNzEP
— WWE (@WWE) October 5, 2021
Mostly because as soon as Baszler had opposition…she was drafted to the blue brand.
Botch of the night:
Not an actual botch…but am I the only one that figured WWE would have made people sweat out whether The Usos would be drafted to RAW or SmackDown?
I mean…there was no anticipation, no waiting. They were selected like five minutes into the show and that was it.
Noteworthy Moment:
Maybe I shouldn’t be shocked, but the pre-Draft buzz about NXT Superstars on the move did not make me think about Xia Lee.
Also, based on some rumblings following her “breakdown”, I half expected Alexa Bliss to not be drafted. There is an expectation that Bliss is being kept off TV for a while.
For all the talk of contracts expiring, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were both part of the second night of the draft.
I suppose, however, if they were left off, it would be a red flag, so this may not mean a whole lot.
Overall lowlights:
I do not like a lot about Lashley versus Goldberg. Specifically, and I will say it again as I said it after SummerSlam…
source: custom, wwe twitter screenshot
Gage Goldberg is a MINOR. He’s like…15.
He might be a high school athlete…but he is not a professional wrestler. He shouldn’t have been involved in the SummerSlam angle, and he should not be involved during Crown Jewel either.
If the two can’t make things heated without involving the kid…then maybe don’t bother? I don’t know, this one never felt right to me, and it isn’t going to change.
Like, Dominik? That’s a bit different.
He was of legal age, had been trained in the ring, and is capable. None of those apply to Gage.
If WWE wants to reform the Hurt Business, let Goldberg grab two guys (or a tag team) to have some Crown Jewel backup.
Overall highlights:
I feel like there weren’t many?
Like, since the draft does not officially kick in until October 22…I honestly feel like we are in limbo.
The RAW Women’s Champion is on SmackDown, and vice versa…so a swap or an adjustment is inevitable.
If anyone doubted WWE’s plans for the young man, Gable Steveson saw himself drafted to RAW…before ever wrestling a pro match.
After the final bell:
Especially after the opening day of the draft, this one was largely predictable.
Anyone who did not think Becky Lynch or Seth Rollins was landing on RAW? I don’t know what to tell you.
Heck, even Finn Balor…WWE neutered The Demon on SmackDown, so might as well switch brands and see.
One thing that is a bit of a disappointment happened again, as we’ve seen in drafts past.
Feuds that existed on one brand…instead of using the draft to split rivals up and change things up…feuds just get drafted.
A year ago, it was the Mysterios and Seth Rollins. Now, Rollins and Edge.
Plus, some moves, or non-moves, still leave you wondering. Like, the barely-returned-from-injury Ridge Holland goes from NXT to SmackDown.
Meanwhile, the established NXT vet, Pete Dunne? Skipped over, unless they draft him following the show.
So, not counting whatever happens in the RAW post-draft show…the draft is now over.
As is this RAW In A Nutshell…
