It’s a big RAW In A Nutshell, with one very simple question : Can GUNTHER make history?
The Intercontinental Champion is on the verge of becoming the longest-reigning IC title holder.
So, of course, he has a big match, on RAW, against the great underdog Chad Gable.
Does Gable have a chance? Maybe.
After all, he was the first Superstar to defeat GUNTHER in any way, shape or form since he landed on the main roster.
So, no pressure, right?
Beyond that, we’ve got all sorts of Payback fallout to dive into.
Seth Rollins retained. Sami and KO did not.
And, RAW gained a new WWE Superstar, whom we will see more of tonight.
So, without any further delay…
Can GUNTHER Make History? : RAW In A Nutshell
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!
Best Match of the night:
GUNTHER and Gable, without question.
The only issue to be had here? Too many commercials.
All the talk about not having this match on Payback so that the PLE didn’t run long? And that this match could get featured on RAW?
Feels a bit disappointing, seeing this really good match cut off by commercials.
Worst match of the night:
No worst match for me, just griping about the commercials during the main event.
But, that’s something I’ve knocked before too. Scripted show should be able to largely have commercials in between matches…or go picture in picture when absolutely needed.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
I give this crowd credit, they ate up the whole MizTV segment, including a “Holy Sh!@” chant.
Like, some crowds, if they weren’t into that segment, could have made that segment die.
Star of the Night
The camera man for making us believe Cena was there…and following invisible Cena.
Miz, for doing that segment as he did.
Spot of the Night:
I don’t care what else happens on this show…
But this…OMG this boot…
Jobber of the Night:
Chelsea Green. I mean, she was fed to Raquel Rodriguez.
Upset of the Night:
JD McDonagh, with a wee bit of help, upset Sami Zayn.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
OK, this one might seem weird, but…
Baszler and her Kirafuda Clutch has been money. Like, no one gets out, no one outlasts it.
Except, Zoey Stark hung tough, nearly breaking out several times before the referee finally called for the stoppage.
And, because she hung so tough, she earned a measure of respect from Baszler.
I liked this a lot for a few reasons, especially since neither has been a clear and obvious babyface…but this could go a long way.
Could we see….Jey in the Judgement Day?!
Botch of the night:
Jey Uso had a couple little hiccups, which I honestly have to chalk up to nerves.
For as seasoned as he is, as many big moments as he’s enjoyed, it came off like he was truly overwhelmed by the opportunity and the reception.
So, I can’t really knock him for that.
But I can ding Michael Cole, as he was calling the Baszler versus Stark match…his line?
“Rousey, who ousted Ronda Rousey at SummerSlam”. Or something to that effect.
Oops.
Commentary of the night:
I kind of feel like there’s going to be more of these kinds of barbs.
LOL Moment of the night:
I mean…I guess this qualifies?
Noteworthy Moment:
Wait…Piper Niven is now not medically cleared? I said this in our writer’s group Slack after Deville’s injury…but OMG these titles are cursed.
Ditch the main roster belts, revive the NXT ones and see what happens? I don’t know.
But if I were a female Superstar, desperate for a break, and someone just told me they wanted me to be in a tag team and win those belts?
I’d think long and hard before going for it.
Update…per Fightful, Piper is not missing much time. Sounds like she was more under the weather than injured.
Surprised it took them this long to give Priest a custom briefcase…
Anyone placing bets on Rhodes?
Wonder if Ciampa was asking about an old friend?
Overall lowlights:
The commercials during the main event…can we please work around those…finally?
Some missing Superstars in the IC video montages. I get why some were left out, but I think if we are honoring history, sometimes you have to just suck it up.
Overall highlights:
Dug the montages run throughout the show highlighting all the past Intercontinental Champions. It’s something WWE does exceptionally well.
Main event, in spite of my gripes, delivered.
Had GUNTHER already broken the record, I’d bet Gable gets that win. Maybe.
He certainly belonged there.
After the final bell:
Jey is going to fit right in, so while he left drama on SmackDown…he gets his own on RAW.
Judgement Day is running things now, or making their own case for it.
Cody is back next week, but for how long?
Raquel and Rhea should be the main event next RAW, but we shall see.
