RAW In A Nutshell: Red Brand Rolls Into Oklahoma

It’s time for another RAW In A Nutshell. After the season premiere last week, the red brand rolls into Oklahoma this week.

And while (no offense) Oklahoma is a bit of a smaller market than New York, we know Brock Lesnar is due to appear.

After all, he has been challenged by one ticked off former United States Champion.

Speaking of United States Champions, the current one will defend against Matt Riddle as, like we said, the red brand rolls into Oklahoma.

We know there won’t be any Bray Wyatt, outside of any updates, as that man works Fridays.

And, if you had forgotten…how about the return of Elias tonight? That works for me.

So, it should be a good night for the red brand in Oklahoma, but it’s time to find out.

So, let’s get into…

RAW In A Nutshell: Red Brand Rolls Into Oklahoma

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!

Best Match of the night:

Rollins and Riddle was really good.

Of course, we got the tainted finish, lots going on.

Elias got involved, and the Ali got involved too.

It would seem that Riddle will find something else to do for a bit, and Ali might finally be getting a big program to sink his teeth into.

Ending RAW with Ali standing tall? I am totally fine with that.

Worst match of the night:

One of the matches I was looking forward to, we did not get. I just hate that we didn’t get it…

Lumis and Miz did not happen, as Miz attacked Lumis on his way to the ring.

Now, this has legs of course. Johnny Gargano confronted Miz before the match, telling him that it could all go away if Miz just “admitted the truth”.

Sounds like Johnny knows…

Crowd Chants of the Night:

The man who started it is not there now, but fans still gave him a Bum Ass Corbin chant.

Star of the Night

Biggest showings for me?

In no particular order…

Ali

Cameron Grimes

Dom, but with help.

I know WWE wants JBL and Corbin here…but I feel like JBL was the wrong kind of heel, and he way overshadowed Corbin.

Spot of the Night:

That opening sequence…barrier gone, table gone…that was a lot of destruction early on.

Jobber of the Night:

I almost feel like we could go Lumis or Elias.

Lumis didn’t get his match, and Elias didn’t get to sing.

In other words…somewhere, someone ran too long or something.

Upset of the Night:

Dom over AJ, has to be the upset here. Was not clean, but was an upset.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

How about a hot start to the show, with Lesnar and Lashley destroying the ringside area and the announce table.

Hot start, and that is one way to lock in their match for Crown Jewel…while also giving them both a short night’s work.

Botch of the night:

Had to be JBL’s suit, right?

That, and Corbin’s “repackaging” was underwhelming, I think.

Commentary of the night:

Not purely commentary, but man oh man, JBL could not wait to rip on Rey, could he?

Part of me thinks this will lead to something down the road, because why not.

LOL Moment of the night:

Seth Rollins and those heels.

Baron Corbin and that new ring gear.

And, JBL and his suit. Was it just me, or was that way too baggy for him?

This JBL fit is scandalous #WWERAW pic.twitter.com/dejGl86idF

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) October 18, 2022

See…not just me!

Unless he’s planning on getting physically involved, so he went big to avoid a wardrobe malfunction?

Nice move having Cameron Grimes come to RAW to get the Good Brothers to partner with him in NXT tomorrow.

TO THE MOON! @CGrimesWWE found a couple of good brothers on #WWERaw to be his tag team partners against The Schism! https://t.co/bLtFINu3xZ

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 18, 2022

Funny, as Gallows and Anderson were like “another payday for us”, which had to be a rebuttal for people giving them flak for returning.

Specifically, those giving Anderson flak, as he said he would never…

Noteworthy Moment:

JBL, after showing up 6 weeks ago to retrieve Corbin, has brought him back to RAW and introduced his newest version. As JBL called him, he is the “modern day wrestling god”.

Considering the damage done to Corbin’s stock the last few years, this will be quite the rehab effort. The former Lone Wolf is a very, very long way way from holding the Money In The Bank briefcase.

I’d bet more fans remember disheveled Corbin a lot more than the failed cash-in. Can he be rehabbed?

Absolutely…but it will not be easy. Also, I figure having him squash someone-even Ziggler-would have been a better way to start it off.

Bayley alluded to Indi Hartwell during the tag match. We want to see her…is this a hint she’s incoming?

Overall lowlights:

JBL constantly calling Kevin Patrick “shamrock”.

It wasn’t once or twice, it was often, and followed by a threat of knocking him out and taking his job away.

There’s being a heel, and there’s that. JBL already had allegedly bullied one commentator out of WWE…so no matter the intent, I found it in poor taste.

Disappointed we didn’t get Lumis in action, but there seems to be a bigger payoff.

That Gargano is now involved…and there is no Ciampa? Yes…very curious indeed.

Overall highlights:

Loving a new push for Mustafa Ali. I think if it’s done right, Rollins and Ali can have some really great matches, leading to a new face being elevated.

The Lumis-Miz story continues, now involving Gargano and who knows what else. And I am here for it.

After the final bell:

Things are getting interesting. We have a couple more matches for Crown Jewel, plus a big women’s match announced for RAW.

We might have to wait a bit for some payoffs, but I have a feeling all will be worth it. Like…I can see Judgement Day and The O.C. having a good match at Crown Jewel…but leading to War Games.

Things are heating up as we hit the last couple months of 2022. Buckle up!