It’s another big RAW In A Nutshell, and you cannot help but notice that WrestleMania 40 is getting closer and closer.
Like, we are under 3 weeks away.
There are just two more episodes of RAW between us and Philadelphia.
Many matches have been made, but some are still yet to come.
For example, we have a couple tag team ladder match qualifying matches on tap, as we work to find out who will take on the Judgement Day.
Not everything is about WrestleMania getting closer, however. For our presumed main event, Becky Lynch and Nia Jax meet in a Last Woman Standing tilt.
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There is a pesky Intercontinental Championship match to address. Sami Zayn won last week, but there are plenty who wanted Chad Gable. Whatever is happening, the contract signing is tonight and we know how those go.
It is time for us to check this one out…
RAW In A Nutshell: WrestleMania Is Getting Closer
Lets get this one going!
Best Match of the night:
I mean, I am writing this just as the first match concludes…but my God what an opener between DIY and the Creed Brothers.
Then we had Becky and Nia close the show with a banger
Worst match of the night:
Awesome Truth against Indus Sher. Mostly because…Indus Sher just isn’t clicking for me.
Big, scary, easily hateable guys…they just…they aren’t good. Or they aren’t working. And Jinder hasn’t done anything of note since The Rock on New Year’s Eve…they need better.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
The crowd was hot. Leaving it at that.
Star of the Night
Cody on the mic.
source: @wwe, x, screenshot
Whomever in WWE that did that Bray package hyping his documentary, which debuts April 1. Honestly, I was beginning to think we were getting a Bo return vignette. Wishful thinking.
Seriously, since Kevin Dunn bounced, WWE production quality has changed a lot for the better. Sure, the talent walking in clips resembles say, an NFL broadcast…but it is not a bad thing.
Spot of the Night:
Julius and Brutus…tossed Gargano and Ciampa…into each other.
This was crazy too…
Jobber of the Night:
Kayden and Katana, I think.
Or Indus Sher.
Upset of the Night:
I mean, I love seeing it, but I never expected DIY to head to WrestleMania. Figured with all of the hype and them backing it up, the Creeds were a team of destiny. Would love to see a last chance qualifier where the brothers sneak in, though.
source: @wwe, x, screenshot
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
OK, it’s minor, and it isn’t like, deleted history.
But I never expected RAW to open with Michael Cole talking about Owen and Bret.
Obviously linked to the Jimmy versus Jey, brother versus brother match at WrestleMania 40. But considering how much love Martha Hart doesn’t have for WWE, I kind of expected them to just not touch that one.
Cody broke the kayfabe wall, and then he disregarded those language rules that some where complaining about. That whole double standard thing. And then he went further and brought up more about Rock and the TKO Board. I loved this promo more than Rock’s song. And oh yes…he mentioned Ric Flair, which was surprising, considering last I checked, he is under AEW contract.
Also got #littledicksyndrome trending, and had some serious mic drop moments. I loved this promo.
Botch of the night:
Michael Cole called them D-Y-I. Oops.
LOL Moment of the night:
Cody threatened to go all Homelander and rip Heyman’s throat out. Interesting…
R-Truth is gold. He’s also helped Awesome Truth qualify for the tag ladder match.
Noteworthy Moment:
If you pay attention to fans on social media and other pundits, the idea of Jey crossing Cody in Philly and reuniting with the Bloodline has been floated. Not sure if it could happen or should happen…but Jey telling Jimmy he misses him before he swung at him? It makes me believe that anything could happen come WrestleMania 40.
source: @wwe, x, screenshot
Interesting tease of Andrade in Judgement Day (though I suspect somehow his match next week is Dom).
source: @wwe, x, screenshot
I was not a huge fan of the Rock’s song last week, but one fan floated out something interesting. Upon hearing it again tonight…I am believing. When Rock sang “you’re welcome”, his line from Moana…he’s saying that Cody’s mom will want to thank him when it’s all over, right? Like that’s how it literally comes out…so…Rock screws Roman and Cody wins? Maybe?
One thing is for certain. If that is how things go down, and if The Rock can work more matches between now and WrestleMania 41…there’s a big match.
Cody and Roman, face to face on Friday, all alone no one else but Heyman? Well, Heyman said no Bloodline…something tells me Reigns won’t be alone.
Overall lowlights:
I want to see what they do with this Gable-Zayn dynamic. It was a tease tonight…but that is my only gripe I think.
source: @wwe, x, screenshot
Overall highlights:
Could we see Sami join Alpha Academy? On one hand I figured Gable would push for a spot, but now it seems as though maybe Gable will push Sami Zayn to be better. Or he will turn on him.
Cody was great. For all those who loved Rock’s song Friday (which honestly wasn’t great, not even in his top 20), Cody was straight fire.
Creeds deserve a shot in Philly, but DIY amazed.
Rock’s Road to WrestleMania, to the shock of no one, takes him to Brooklyn on April 1. We also get the return of CM Punk next week in Chicago, and we know he will be in Philly, and I can’t help but wonder…
After the final bell:
2 more RAWs left until things likely change after WrestleMania. And thus, in three weeks? It’s that oh so exciting RAW after WrestleMania, and I cannot help but wonder how that will go.
For now, it was just another show hitting on all cylinders. Love that closing shot too. WrestleMania is getting closer, and things are getting really good.
