For this RAW In A Nutshell, the question is simple : Will Cleveland rock this week?
And for the answer? Well, keep reading.
But there’s definitely reasons for optimism.
For starters, newly minted World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins has issued an open challenge. That’s just one night before he takes on Bron Breakker in NXT!
Then, as if that wasn’t enough? How about the return of Logan Paul!
There is another return that’s been rumored, so perhaps we get a former NXT Champion back this week too?
If that wasn’t enough (and it probably should be), we have less than two weeks before Money In The Bank. It’s time for final hype!
So, we ask once more…
Will Cleveland Rock This Week? : RAW In A Nutshell
It’s time to crack open this Nutshell and find out!
Best Match of the night:
Hot action all over the card, but the best one was that six man tag.
Six of the hottest acts on RAW got to showcase things and it was fun. How cool was it when you thought, maybe just maybe, Sami was going to hit Rhea?
Worst match of the night:
If you were hoping to see someone answer Seth Rollins‘ open challenge, then RAW was a disappointment.
Rhea Ripley versus Natalya didn’t even happen, just a squash before the bell even rang.
Star of the Night
We do have a few.
Bron Breakker didn’t really NEED to be there for this, but he delivered a nice promo. Won’t be long before he’s always on RAW or SmackDown.
Finn Balor absolutely made himself look like threat.
LA Knight is….him.
And can I just give a nod to everyone in the main event? Honestly half expected Rollins to run in so we had a tainted finish to protect folks…but this worked.
Spot of the Night:
Personally I liked Pete Dunne drilling Logan Paul to kick off the MITB hype brawl.
But this works too.
Jobber of the Night:
Natalya, basically.
We were being told after she got destroyed that she was going to bounce back…but Ripley destroyed her again on RAW.
Upset of the Night:
Raquel Rodriguez is livid because Becky Lynch just cost her a spot in Money In The Bank.
Now, THIS is a case where I could make for WWE to add Raquel, because getting in via DQ like that is just…meh.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
LA Knight savaged Logan Paul (and a few others) during that MITB hype segment.
But my favorite was Butch, who you knew as he was coming down to the ring he wasn’t going to talk, he was simply going to throw down.
And he went right for Paul.
Botch of the night:
Blame Zoey Stark or Raquel Rodriguez, but that spot on the apron where Stark was sweeping the leg looked so bad.
Commentary of the night:
As much as I can’t stand Kevin Patrick…I enjoyed him loving that Ciampa shared with him why he was attacking The Miz.
But…even this fan has a suggestion…
LOL Moment of the night:
That whole segment of Chelsea Green being a Karen.
And could you imagine KO and Sami in therapy for KO’s anger issues? Dr. Shelby…?
Or this…
Noteworthy Moment:
Ciampa is back, and not working with The Miz anymore.
Then there was this, which likely trumps the other…
And then, we had no open challenge. Given that we know Seth has Breakker tomorrow (maybe?) and Balor in London, it seemed obvious that he would have retained.
This way…Balor gets more heat, looks like more of a threat, and it all worked.
Overall lowlights:
I am quite certain I hated it last year, so this one should not be a surprise.
But I hate someone just showing up, saying they pulled strings or had strings pulled for them, and are magically in Money In The Bank.
Yes, Logan Paul has acquitted himself quite nicely in some massive matches. But do we really need or want him that close to a title shot when he wants it?
It was bad enough that one of his first handful of WWE matches was a title shot against Roman Reigns.
Will Paul deliver a signature spot or three during the match? Probably.
I just wish it wasn’t “gifted”, when everyone else worked for it…and I say if LA Knight doesn’t win, we riot.
Overall highlights:
Ciampa is back, that was fun. But…no Johnny?
I mean…he did say he’d be back this week, didn’t he?
Judgement Day was presented strong, from bell to bell.
Lots of strong MITB hype. While this was not the go-home show, if it had been, it would have worked.
After the final bell:
Things continue to be interesting, don’t they?
I don’t love Logan Paul jumping into MITB, but I get the decision and he’s going to have some massive spot for sure.
Both MITB matches are set. Seth Rollins heads to NXT to be tested by Bron Breakker.
Plenty of things moving and shaking, and lots to enjoy.
