Another Monday, another RAW In A Nutshell, with the red brand running through Albany this week.
Yep, the Superstars are taking over the capital of New York and it’s the idle time between Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble.
And that Rumble is the better part of two months away still.
We did get a bit of an unexpected early entrant last week in Cody Rhodes.
Not that I didn’t expect the American Nightmare in the match-I did.
It’s that I didn’t expect any announcements about the Rumble so fast.
Not sure that we will see any more this week, but who knows.
While CM Punk made a big return to WWE and then to RAW last week, we have been told not to expect him in the tri-city region on Monday.
But, all is not lost. We have Sami Zayn taking on Drew McIntyre, for starters.
Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax could be interesting.
And then, in the expected main event? Seth Rollins defends the title against Jey Uso.
The big question there? Not if Rollins retains, but will one of Drew or the Judgement Day interject?
And if they do…will we see a cash in tonight?
It’s time to find out…which means it is time for…
RAW In A Nutshell : Red Brand Running Through Albany
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see how things go!
Best Match of the night:
The DIY/Imperium tag was good.
Creeds against Dom and JD was better.
Jey and Seth? The best.
Worst match of the night:
I want to dig Shayna Baszler…or Nia Jax…but them working a match against each other just didn’t work.
Maybe some crowds would be into them, but the Albany crowd was not.
I think WWE needs to rethink how they are packaged. But I could be wrong.
Wasn’t a ton of energy behind the women’s tag either, but I did like seeing Kayden and Katana getting a rare win.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Was an OK crowd, but nothing special.
Of course, definitely some CM Punk chants.
Star of the Night
They deserve a nod…
Spot of the Night:
Before the main event closed, I didn’t have much.
Then Drew delivered a Claymore to Jey and destroyed Seth too.
Honestly, surprised they didn’t tease a cash-in there. Champ was spent and then attacked…we’ve seen that kind of move before.
Jobber of the Night:
Not sure I have one tonight.
Upset of the Night:
Can I even call the Creeds (#1 contenders) over Dom and JD an upset?
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
For anyone saying that Drew hadn’t gone full heel (and he was really slowing that turn down), tonight’s backstage beating of Sami should do wonders.
Botch of the night:
Commentary of the night:
Nada
LOL Moment of the night:
A few, all with Truth involved.
Truth trying to be part of Judgement Day is fun stuff.
His old school “LCD” flat screen TV…
While in the Judgement Day’s clubhouse.
Or, sitting ringside during the tag match, with a WWE Buffalo Bills belt over his shoulder.
As a former resident of that area, unless things changed with Brady’s retirement, you’d find just as many Patriot fans (or Giants or Jets) as Bills.
So, WWE did what they did…but it made me laugh.
Noteworthy Moment:
The Creed Brothers got a shot at the Judgement Day…just not that pair from the Judgement Day.
As #1 contenders, I am sure Finn and Priest wanted the brothers softened up in a tough match.
They didn’t get beaten up…and they won. And when Priest asked Dom and JD about it…JD tried to blame R-Truth, but Dirty Dom called them the real deal.
Interesting…
Not sure what to make of WWE stringing out Punk as a free agent, much like Orton was.
Of course, Orton wasn’t one for long, and I expect Punk to stick with RAW for now at least.
Overall lowlights:
Maybe I am getting spoiled, but this wasn’t the best show.
Not bad, don’t get me wrong. I can call it a CM Punk/Randy Orton hangover show.
Someone in WWE Creative needs a better plan for Nia Jax. Even Shayna Baszler.
One could be an imposing force, one could be a true mat tactician, but they both feel stuck in neutral.
Overall highlights:
I am cautiously optimistic for Nakamura and Cody. Like, it wasn’t a feud on my radar, and it’s sort of…intriguing.
Could Drew be the trigger to Priest cashing in? It’s beginning to feel that way, especially with the comments of “Mami says no one touches Drew”.
That, or Drew helps destroy Judgement Day or turn Priest or something.
After the final bell:
Was it the best show? No, they can’t all be a 10 out of 10.
But this show got sneaky good, and the end I think pushed it up a few notches.
Rollins is going to want revenge against Drew, but with CM Punk back on RAW next week…he’s probably about to get busier.
