It’s time for another RAW In A Nutshell, and after last week we ask: what’s next for Rhodes, Rollins and the rest of the roster as we head toward Hell In A Cell.
Why am I asking what’s next for Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins? Well, after last week saw Rhodes get stomped on the announce table…we can expect a follow up.
And…you know…Hell In A Cell is up next…
This is pretty easy to guess, no? I mean, the shock would be if WWE didn’t book Rhodes and Rollins for Hell In A Cell.
And the rest of the roster? Well, again, Hell In A Cell is right around the corner…so there’s plenty to think about.
Plus, even before the Cell…we’ve got a rather notable SmackDown on Friday.
That one is relevant because we will see RK-Bro and The Usos wrestle to unify the tag titles. In theory, anyways.
Speaking of Theory, we’ve got the latest between our United States Champion and Mustafa Ali, if I had to guess.
So, there is a lot to get into, and it’s all about what’s next…for a lot of the roster.
And it’s time for…
RAW In A Nutshell: What’s Next For Rhodes, Rollins And The Rest…
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see what’s next!
Best Match of the night:
For my money, give me Riddle against either Uso.
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Sure, it was effectively a handicap match at times, but they can all go.
My prediction for Friday’s unification bout remains one of two scenarios.
Option one: Reigns takes out Riddle, a receipt for last Friday. Thus ensuring his cousins secure a victory.
Or, Option two, Reigns takes out Riddle, but causes a DQ.
In either case, due to extenuating circumstances, WWE makes the rematch inside the Cell, for the unified titles.
I can dream….
Also, what this guy said…
Becky Lynch and Asuka had to throw together a main event match backstage WHILE RAW was already live on the air, and they managed to put on a clinic.
Give them the credit they deserve for being ring generals. #WWERAW pic.twitter.com/soowfMPXxz
— Andrew (@bigtimeEST) May 17, 2022
Worst match of the night:
Honestly, no complaints tonight.
Star of the Night
Riddle and Jimmy Uso, for one.
Becky Lynch and Asuka, for another.
Both good matches, one in particular put on as a main event in some crazy circumstances.
Spot of the Night:
.@TheGiantOmos JUST THREW @fightbobby THROUGH THE STEEL CAGE! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/QOsBanrKpA
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2022
Not the first time we’ve seen this, but it’s still cool
Jobber of the Night:
Mustafa Ali was as close as we got to it…but barely.
He lost to Veer, but got saved by a returning Rey and Dom Mysterio.
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Very much together, at this point.
Upset of the Night:
Becky Lynch probably. Green mist will do that…
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Leaving this one right here…it’s worth watching.
WWE’s statement on Sasha Banks and Naomi pic.twitter.com/DrNS84QfxX
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) May 17, 2022
Now, there’s a lot to unpack here, and I am sure in the coming days, we (and everyone else) will.
Sasha Banks is no stranger to storming out and disappearing. I don’t recall Naomi doing that…but maybe.
On one hand, I get it-tag champs deserve to defend the belts, and work less as singles competitors. Not sure if they felt disrespected about not defending the belts, but working in a singles match?
But if so, it’s weird for a couple reasons.
One, they were wrestling in a match to determine the challenger for Bianca Belair. Scripted or not, that doesn’t scream disrespect to my uninformed view.
Two? On the same card, and not in the main event, one half of each of the RAW and SmackDown tag champs were wrestling.
And they did wrestle. No belts tossed down, no storming out.
The curve here, I think? It was very much out there, and referenced later on in the show. I feel if it was that shocking and concerning, talent would have been tip toeing around it.
Stay tuned.
Botch of the night:
I hate really saying this is a botch…(the botches were mostly on commentary, as one said that SmackDown was on Saturday) or from Veer…who had issues with getting the clutch on Ali.
But…I question this call, and here’s where I drop it.
Lacey Evans being presented as a wife, mother and veteran, with a seemingly wholesome image…and then coming out like this:
.@LaceyEvansWWE wants to prove to everyone that if you work hard, you can do anything. #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/li1zla45ix
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2022
I am not trying to judge. Merely, pointing out that the words don’t necessarily align with the imagery.
That, and she seems to be channeling her inner Lita.
LOL Moment of the night:
Yes, the whole program is laughable…but how they keep doing things keeps it the right kind of funny and entertaining.
This being the latest…
Happy now, @FightOwensFight???#WWERaw @IAmNotEliasWWE pic.twitter.com/IF65LLybTu
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2022
Noteworthy Moment:
I feel like this is going to age poorly…but I might be in the minority.
TONIGHT! #WWERaw @CodyRhodes pic.twitter.com/eZz85uW0cz
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2022
Happy Rhodes is back, but having a Countdown to Cody?
At least they are sticking to the promise of pushing him to the moon…
Also, it’s the second or third week it seems, where Cody comes out at or around 10pm EST.
Overall lowlights:
All things considered…it was a good show.
I don’t want to say this is a lowlight…but I have a feeling time will not be kind to how WWE handled the situation with Naomi and Sasha.
The official release, as shown above, pins things all on the two Superstars.
What we will eventually find out is…how do they feel they were disrespected, and then fans can figure things out.
While we’ve seen others take their balls and go home (including recent ones like Jeff Hardy and Toni Storm), this one feels different.
Overall highlights:
Riddle and Uso. I trust Friday is going to be a super match, and not the last time those teams fight for tag supremacy.
The Elias/Ezekiel program continues to entertain.
Will Carmella be the key to R-Truth getting his baby back?
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
Becky and Asuka in the main event. On the surface, without any context, it was a good match.
When you have that context, however…it is even better.
What’s next for Rhodes and Rollins? Oh, just this…
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot
After the final bell:
Well…that might be one of the more interesting RAW shows in a long time.
Not for the best reasons in some cases, but still…interesting RAW.
My expectation going in was confirmed-Cody and Seth, round three, Hell In A Cell.
As good as that was…it wasn’t even the major story following RAW.
Yes, we started out wondering what was next for Rhodes and Rollins. We ended wondering…what next for Naomi and Sasha Banks.
