It’s a big RAW in a Nutshell, and we are finally on the Rhodes to WrestleMania.
Ah, yes, you see what I did there, didn’t you?
Yes, we are on the Rhodes to WrestleMania. Or, is it RheaMania?
Perhaps both? After all, Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley are your 2023 Rumble winners.
Congrats to both for doing what needed to be done. Rhodes got the luck of a 30 spot but still had to deal with GUNTHER.
Ripley, on the other hand, lasted over an hour, in first and last woman standing.
But, that isn’t all, of course.
We saw the beginning of the end of The Bloodline, and based on how things went, I’d bet we don’t see Sami or KO for a bit.
That being said, we’ve got Elimination Chamber heading to Montreal in a few weeks, and not far off, WrestleMania.
So, it is time for…
RAW In A Nutshell: On The Rhodes To WrestleMania
Let’s crack open this Nutshell and get on the road!
Best Match of the night:
No debate, the main event.
Finn and Cody…for free? Yes, please.
Of course, it wasn’t without outside involvement.
Edge came in to help neutralize Judgement Day, and he was eventually joined by Beth Phoenix.
Good match, and it would seem to set up a mixed tag in Montreal. Will it be Dom and Mami against Edge and Beth?
Worst match of the night:
I mean, I did love it, but Boogs over an unprepared Miz in a suit?
Not the best match.
Crowd Chants of the Night:
Happy birthday
you deserve it
this is awesome
Star of the Night
For me, this was Cody.
He got the opening segment, he got to enjoy his moment, and then he got to go one on one against Balor in the main event.
Spot of the Night:
How about Lashley, spearing MVP.
Not on purpose, of course. That was all Austin Theory’s fault.
More teases for a Hurt Business 2.0, however. Can’t help but think that group fills the void after The Bloodline completely implodes.
Jobber of the Night:
The Miz. Just was not winning his impromptu match while wearing his “$10,000 suit”.
Upset of the Night:
I would have to say Gargano over Baron Corbin was a surprise.
Loved it, but a surprise.
Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:
Well, Lumis does like the ax…but damn.
Just…damn…Asuka and her creepy side is…just what she needed.
And…we have ourselves a WWE Karen.
Botch of the night:
Well, I thought I was going crazy, but I was not alone…
We were told she was coming up…but no.
Wait what happened to this? #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/R7xyqjDboe
— itzextr4 (@anthony_brasiel) January 31, 2023
Also, Dom is just so bad on the mic. So, so bad.
LOL Moment of the night:
Wait…Otis…a Maximum Male Model?
What are @KSAMANNY, @MACEtheWRESTLER & @maxxinedupri doing on #WWERaw and why do they have their sights set on @otiswwe?! pic.twitter.com/wB46TrdGXN
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2023
Noteworthy Moment:
Rhea Ripley had her choice, Bianca or Charlotte. She didn’t make us wait too long for her decision.
BREAKING: 2023 #RoyalRumble Match winner @RheaRipley_WWE has chosen to challenge #SmackDown Women’s Champion @MsCharlotteWWE at #WrestleMania!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/lcdInCK0Fk
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2023
After most of a year on the shelf, Rick Boogs is BACK!
I feel like perhaps there was a ball dropped not having him back with Shinsuke, because the pop seemed muted?
And what’s up with his entrance? Not as fun if he’s not jamming out to Nakamura’s…
Plus, we finally get Becky versus Bayley, in the steel cage, in Orlando next week.
Bianca Belair’s opponent will be determined at the Elimination Chamber. The final four in the Rumble are in, and the others will be determined next week.
One possibility? Carmella, who AP said is back next week.
Of course, she was in person this week. Unfortunately, from her time off, she didn’t retire her fake Staten Island gimmick.
Overall lowlights:
Probably the big one would be hearing we’d see Bianca Belair…and then not seeing her.
Overall highlights:
Outside of the Belair spot being cut (and maybe they went with Adam Pearce talking about how we’d find out her challenger instead?), it was a good show.
Edge was there, as you might have expected. Rick Boogs came back, as had been anticipated.
Carmella is back, too.
Cody stole the show, but Becky and Bayley were not far off.
After the final bell:
Well, we are absolutely on the Rhodes to WrestleMania.
Cody can and will carry the promotion of the headlining clash, assuming things don’t change between now and then.
But…when he and Reigns do get to face off in the ring to cut promos? Sign me up…I can’t wait for that.