It’s time for another RAW In A Nutshell, and here is our theme: Elimination Chambers done, WrestleMania is next!
Simple and straight forward, right?
Yes, but succinct works here. Elimination Chamber is done, that wrapped up on Saturday.
WrestleMania is indeed next, as in it is our next PLE on the calendar.
Of course, we aren’t yet out of February, and WrestleMania isn’t until the first weekend of April.
Translation: we do have a bit of runway between now and then.
Now that the Chamber is done, we know a few WrestleMania matches.
Which means…we don’t know some, too.
Surely we will see plenty of action between now and April, so let’s get things moving, shall we?
It’s time for…
RAW In A Nutshell: Chambers Done, WrestleMania Next!
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!
Best Match of the night:
This gets a two-part answer.
Segment-wise, hands down the opening spot.
Sami Zayn got to enjoy more homeland cheers. He called Kevin Owens out to clear the air.
Owens came out, heard Zayn say thanks and apologize, then want to team with KO to vanquish the Bloodline.
KO said thanks but no thanks, and go ask Jey.
We all know eventually this will change, but it did not need to happen fast. If it had, it would have been wasted.
Kevin Owens told Sami for months that he’d get screwed. He endured beatings at the hands of his buddy’s new family, while Zayn watched.
Forgiveness will come…but it will not, should not be quick.
From a match? Edge and Theory, of course.
Even if I wasn’t a fan of the ending…knowing it’s likely setting up a big WrestleMania clash.
Worst match of the night:
Miz and Rollins, because everyone in the building knew that Miz had no shot.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Not going to repeat them, but the crowd was all over The Miz
Star of the Night
Tough call here.
Edge and Theory were fine.
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were really good too.
Spot of the Night:
Not every spot has to be like, some super-duper, flippy floppy acrobatic move (sorry, Braun).
This one is not. It’s just a wow move, total power and trust here.
Yeah, @WWEGable really just did that! Insane!#WWERAW pic.twitter.com/3WzqRaL1W9
— WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) February 21, 2023
Jobber of the Night:
For me, it was Ziggler.
Upset of the Night:
Mustafa Ali over Dolph Ziggler.
Probably not the most massive upset, but beating a former world champ in two minutes is a big deal.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
I did not see Omos challenging Brock Lesnar.
If indeed Lesnar accepts, I never thought I would say it…but Lesnar has to lose that match.
Otherwise…what future does Omos have?
So does that mean we will see Lashley and Bray Wyatt?
Ding Dong Hello was pretty interesting too. Buzz before RAW was that Trish Stratus was in the building…no mention of Lita, however.
Trish Stratus was listed internally for tonight’s Ding Dong Hello segment, but that clearly isn’t what happened!
I’ll find out why that was the case!
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) February 21, 2023
Becky shows up to challenge the Women’s Tag Team Champions, and as her partner? Lita.
That match is next week, so, buckle up.
Also, there was this update during the show…
Trish Stratus was backstage at #WWERaw, plans changed due to ‘creative change’ https://t.co/ER7nN3Xsco #WWE pic.twitter.com/dXPZxhgSWX
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) February 21, 2023
My guess on the creative change? The belts aren’t changing hands next week, but we will see a setup for a 6 woman tag for WrestleMania.
Botch of the night:
As much as I think a Lita/Becky team should be fun to see next week…their challenge felt a bit clunky.
Becky was not super crisp once or twice. I think.
In the grand scheme, minor nits to pick.
LOL Moment of the night:
Otis seriously thinking about going the Maximum Male Models route.
seê you sōon… ót.ïs pic.twitter.com/5ncNOIyIQW
— mån.sôör (@KSAMANNY) February 21, 2023
Topping that? Chelsea Green was said to be in Ottawa, Illinois, when she called Pearce to complain.
Her Karen role is going quite nicely.
Noteworthy Moment:
All that stalking of Candace by Nikki Cross? Just because all of Nikki’s friends are gone?
Did not see that coming.
I’ve said this before, while Reed was in NXT…but tell me, can we not see these two as the second coming of the Natural Disasters?
Overall lowlights:
This week’s Heyman-Rhodes promo did not hit as good as their last effort.
Not saying they all will top previous efforts, but it was not the best.
Heyman being elsewhere, and no Reigns? Did them no favors.
Overall highlights:
All told, a solid show.
Dragging out the KO-Sami love-fest is the right move, it will make the eventual reunion that much sweeter.
I am not against the Lita/Becky team going for the titles. In fact, it will be nice to see the women’s belts defended for a change…
Theory and Edge had a nice TV main event, but it was used as a vehicle to lay the groundwork for another Edge/Balor clash.
That one feels like Hell In A Cell goes Hollywood, if I had to guess.
After the final bell:
Lots to like. Plenty of big stuff, and more than enough mid and lower card work being done too.
Some bigger names not present this week, but we didn’t really miss them, did we?
And just like that, the Chambers done, and WrestleMania is indeed next…are you excited?
