It’s time for another RAW In A Nutshell, and the focus for tonight? It’s a battle to fight Austin Theory.
Meaning that Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley-two recent former US Champs-will battle to fight Theory in the near future.
On top of that, we have a battle between Alexa Bliss and Bayley. The winner of that bout becomes the #1 contender for the RAW Women’s Championship.
While we are getting closer and closer to a time of year where people party and take time off…RAW is keeping the pedal to the metal.
If the battle to fight Austin Theory wasn’t enough-and it should be-what else could there be?
More Damage Control, more Judgement Day…more of Gargano and Lumis spending what used to be Miz’s money.
I mean, that seems like a fun time, right?
Will we see another return this week, or are we finally at a point where the returns are going to be kept until January?
It is time for us to find out, so let us get into…
RAW In A Nutshell: It’s A Battle To Fight Austin Theory
Let’s crack this one open and find out!
Best Match of the night:
Well, I have I think three really good options.
First, the opening bout. Alexa Bliss defeating Bayley, becoming #1 contender.
Second, Candace and Iyo Sky. It was sneaky good, and if you missed it…you missed a good one.
Third, Rollins and Lashley. Actually surprised we went with Rollins as the winner.
Worst match of the night:
The six man with the Profits and Tozawa against Judgement Day just was missing something.
To be far, “worst” here does not mean what worst used to mean.
Star of the Night
Choices should be a theme here.
Kevin Owens was brilliant. Did not wrestle, but brilliant.
Seth Rollins, for becoming the #1 contender for the United States Championship.
Alexa Bliss, for becoming the #1 contender for the RAW Women’s Championship.
Spot of the Night:
I have choices. Choices are always greatly appreciated.
At first, I thought I was going to go with Priest’s Razor’s Edge off the apron. Though to be fair, I also thought he was going to drop Tozawa to the floor.
Simple though it was, there was something about Kevin Owens’ stunner on Elias.
Jobber of the Night:
The way things went, I would say two things.
We didn’t have the traditional squash of a jobber.
But I’d also be inclined to say that the trio of the Street Profits and Tozawa kind of felt like they had a job to do tonight.
Could say similarly for Elias.
Maybe not jobbers. Probably (hopefully?) going somewhere.
Upset of the Night:
None to speak of. Though, Dom was pretty upset about blue mist.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Belair offered congrats. Bliss wanted a hug.
The hug rapidly turned into a teased Sister Abigail.
… What was that?#WWERaw @AlexaBliss_WWE @BiancaBelairWWE pic.twitter.com/p2XdO8cjgc
— WWE (@WWE) December 13, 2022
Elias had the nerve to ask Kevin Owens to have his back during his match with Solo Sikoa.
If KO could have said that phrase, he would have. His words and mannerisms were pure gold.
And we did close with one too…you could see it coming how the match ended, but Lashley “laid out an official” as well as Adam Pearce.
Pearce, incensed, “fired” Lashley to close the show. This one will be going somewhere, though where…remains to be seen.
Botch of the night:
Either they were just playing it up, or Alexa Bliss really did take too much of a shot during her match with Bayley.
There were a few times she looked a bit out of sorts, not the least of which was during her climb for Twisted Bliss, or the ensuing cover.
Was she knocked for a loop? Or was this all part of the disconnected way of things as she really, really slowly turns back to Wyatt’s stable?
Commentary of the night:
Graves is clearly the heel announcer, and I am no huge fan of soccer.
That said…I think while it’s timely, it’s also not the smartest to even discuss Dom being a bigger star than Neymar et al.
Yes, I get the notion of heels doing heel things…but sometimes there’s a bridge too far.
LOL Moment of the night:
Totally funny start to the segment, Elias serenading the “injured” Matt Riddle.
Almost as funny as Elias being saved by Owens…and then stunned by Owens.
Noteworthy Moment:
Here’s something fun…
Nikki Cross with another SAnitY tease.
The new drawings have 10-12-16 which was SAnitY’s debut, and 11-21-18 was when she had a match with Candice in NXT. #WWERAW pic.twitter.com/oh0erjEYbR
— (@WrestlingCovers) December 13, 2022
We know that Eric Young was heading back. Could WWE go for a few more members and have another faction?
After all, as compelling as Sanity was in NXT…they were completely wasted outside of it.
Asuka is different without the makeup. I don’t hate it…
Overall lowlights:
I don’t hate Alexa Bliss going over, because she’s overdue…but man does it seem like Bayley is on one heck of a losing streak?
Not sure I am loving the “firing” of Bobby Lashley. This all depends on where it goes and how we get there, but how we ended RAW just was…not crisp.
Overall highlights:
No shock, but the opening match and closing match lead the way.
In the battle to fight Austin Theory, Seth Rollins wins the day.
But a big hat tip to the women too, as they opened with a banger and gave us a couple good ones on RAW.
Lumis and Johnny had fun tonight, and it’s got to be just a matter of time before we get some semblance of a reboot of The Way.
After the final bell:
Not much to say here but…this was a pretty good show.
With nothing immediately to build up for (the Rumble is still over a month away), WWE is doing a pretty good job filling the gaps and not feeling like a waste.
