This week’s RAW In A Nutshell mostly has a simple theme: Who wants some Payback.
Because, ready or not, Payback happens this coming Saturday.
That being said, it is a somber Monday.
Since last we convened for a RAW Nutshell, the WWE Universe has lost two Hall of Famers and one current Superstar.
Terry Funk passed after a long run of health issues. Bray Wyatt stunningly died from a reported heart attack, and most recently, Bob Barker passed as well.
Friday’s show was truly sad, with Wyatt’s death in particular so fresh.
Now, everyone has had the benefit of some time to collect themselves, but surely some are still numb from it all.
And yet, there is business to be conducted. Saturday gives us the latest PLE. Ready or not, that show requires final hype.
So, with a heavy heart, let’s find out the answer to the question…
Who Wants Some Payback : RAW In A Nutshell
Lets crack open this Nutshell and find out!
Best Match of the night:
I give a big nod to the tributes. Well done, for one more show.
But this one goes to Becky and Zoey as our main event.
If you thought Zoey Stark-with or without Trish Stratus-would be in a RAW Main event in 2023, then you win.
Worst match of the night:
Not bad, but I feel like the Raiders/New Day/Riddle and Drew thing is sort of stuck in neutral.
Perhaps we do get a big pay day somewhere down the line, but it’s taking too long.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Lots of love for the deceased talents.
Star of the Night
Going to re-do what I did on Friday, but my 3 stars?
Bray Wyatt, Terry Funk, and the latest addition, Bob Barker.
Honestly forgot how awesome Barker was as a guest host.
I mean, sure we had good Superstar performances…but those three are at the top of my list for this one.
Spot of the Night:
How about this shot. I didn’t catch it live, but…you love to see it.
Jobber of the Night:
This could have gone in the spots, too, but this one covers both.
JD McDonagh is doing what he can to be on RAW…including jobbing and taking stunners like a champ.
Upset of the Night:
From a match perspective, nothing.
Plenty of fans and Superstars still emotionally upset after last week’s news. With services for Bray coming this week, it won’t get much better.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Too bad this didn’t make it to television (or if it did, I missed it)
Botch of the night:
I mean, it was surely planned like this, so it was a planned oops…but fun times indeed as Zoey nails Trish.
Commentary of the night:
Nothing of note for this spot this week
LOL Moment of the night:
Miz was so bad at LA Knight it was funny, I guess.
Could have also been in a spot of the night, but this was funny (same idea as Trish hitting Zoey)
Noteworthy Moment:
One more night of tributes. As with Friday, these were well done (and we added Bob Barker).
Maybe I am crazy, but the way Nakamura is being presented, I am really buying into him being a legit threat to Rollins on Saturday.
And, I would love to see him win, to be honest. Give us some new championship blood.
Overall lowlights:
Some feuds, as good as they may be, need to advance or conclude. They may very well at Payback, or soon after.
Drew, if they are turning him heel, that needs to happen soon. Something isn’t clicking with that program currently.
Judgement Day versus Sami and KO? If that faction is supposed to run RAW, they sure are struggling to win tag gold.
Not that I want to see them with more…just saying.
Overall highlights:
Tributes, both the packages and the subtle things like Seth saying yowwie wowwie and the side plates
Memphis crowd was a fun one.
Really liked the main event, and if what we saw somehow leads to Stark versus Stratus, that would be huge for the recent NXT call-up.
Having Tiffany Stratton on air in the crowd yet again? Could be just showing her off…but WWE doesn’t do anything by accident.
After the final bell:
The company and talent are doing their best to try and get back to normal, and it was tough, but the show was a fun ride from start to finish for the most part.
Much of the last few days has sucked, and with funeral services approaching, it’s only going to remain that way.
With Payback looming, they are all doing what they can to keep it business as usual, but I appreciate how hard it is for some to do just that.
RIP Terry…RIP Windham…and RIP Bob.
