It’s a big RAW In A Nutshell, because the next stop is WarGames in the Windy City.
Or, really, near the Windy City, but you know what I mean.
Saturday’s Survivor Series is surely the focal point.
As of last week, we are safe to assume that Drew McIntyre has turned, and in doing so, has joined the Judgement Day’s team for WarGames.
Which means that the face team needs a fifth. We’ve got a few options…some would surely love a CM Punk appearance, but Sheamus or Randy Orton seem much more likely.
The women’s WarGames match was locked in on SmackDown, but there’s some RAW love with Becky Lynch joining the fun….so it seems likely we will see something about that tonight too.
Beyond that, the card could always use some filling out, which is why we have this go-home show.
With that said it is time for…
Next Stop Is WarGames : RAW In A Nutshell
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see what goes down!
Best Match of the night:
The easy answer is the main event, Jey versus Drew, but everyone was more focused on who would be revealed as the fifth man for the babyface team, if I am being honest.
Except…sure…he was announced…but no music and no reveal.
Though, Drew won and the heels got the advantage…
But…Chad Gable and Shinsuke Nakamura had an exceptionally good match as well.
Worst match of the night:
That women’s fatal four way for the #1 contenders to the tag titles? I was not feeling it.
I feel like we get those rather than building up specific teams.
Like, we had one legit, established team in the match, alongside some thrown together pairings.
And…other established teams (Alba and Isla) just not even considered.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Good crowd for a go-home show, I will leave it at that.
Star of the Night
I have to give a lot of love to Gable and Nakamura.
Plus a nod to Drew, securing the advantage.
Cody was good revealing Orton as the fifth…but fans were bummed he didn’t make it to television.
Spot of the Night:
Why not…
And…holy cow, Gable busted out the old Benoit headbutt? I thought that one was banned…
Jobber of the Night:
Cannot believe that Raquel got squashed by Nia Jax.
OK, maybe not a squash match, but the ending got her squashed.
Upset of the Night:
Drew was upset to start the show.
There might be some issues within Imperium, too…
In a fatal fourway, anything can happen.
That said, I think Tegan and Natalya were just about as unlikely a duo winning it as I could think of.
I don’t hate them getting a shot. But, I do hate them getting a shot over Kayden and Katana…or another bona fide women’s tag team.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
I kind of didn’t expect them to make the faces announce their 5th tonight…but indeed they did.
And, I have to admit, GUNTHER and The Miz cooked tonight. Liked their back and forth, and I think Saturday should be a fun one.
Botch of the night:
Adam Pearce had some issues getting his lines out. Maybe a bit too excited.
Happens, but it’s all I had for botches.
LOL Moment of the night:
Sometimes it’s funny to see the heel plan get blown up real quick.
But if you prefer true comedy…
Noteworthy Moment:
I am surprised (and bummed) WWE didn’t keep the surprise for Saturday. Those matches where one member was a surprise during the show were fun.
And…here’s my thought.
Pearce said they had to reveal the fifth, and they did. But…if you aren’t going to just let the music hit and have Randy Orton come out…why not hold the reveal until Saturday?
Also surprised that they didn’t opt to add a 5th to each women’s side. I suppose they still could?
Overall lowlights:
I like Survivor Series partner reveal surprises…at the PLE.
This one was like a meh surprise. For one, it was basically a foregone conclusion…but for another…we got him named, but no appearance.
I’ve said enough about the women’s tag title picture, I think.
Overall highlights:
Start to finish, this one mostly hit all the right notes.
Pearce was excited from the start, and he was just channeling the many fans excited for the end of show reveal of just which old friend Cody called.
After the final bell:
Not much left to do at this point. NXT on Tuesday could do something, I suppose…but it will all be down to Friday’s SmackDown.
After which…it’s time for WarGames.
