RAW In A Nutshell: Let The Qualifiers Begin!

It’s another RAW In A Nutshell, and after a bit of a wait…let the qualifiers begin!

And why would we want to let the qualifiers begin? Well, because SmackDown already kicked off that process.

Money In The Bank is but a few weeks away. We need to know who we get to see battle for the briefcases.

So yes, let the qualifiers begin. We need to know who from RAW is going to be heading to Las Vegas, right?

Of course, there’s more to see than just the qualifiers.

Like, will anyone be ready to take on Seth Rollins, now that Cody is gone?

What kind of mood will Riddle be in ahead of his shot at Roman Reigns?

Will The Judgement Day actually add a fourth member this week…or just enjoy life without Edge?

So, without any further delay…it is time for…

RAW In A Nutshell: Let The Qualifiers Begin!

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and see how things go!

Best Match of the night:

AJ Styles versus Seth Rollins has my vote.

Really good match, crowd was into it.

Ford versus Uso would get a nod too, but I hold it against them that we got a singles match between top tag teams.

Worst match of the night:

The 24/7 title match that wasn’t.

Or the pose-down.

Perhaps Cedric versus MVP gets a nod too.

Crowd Chants of the Night:

The crowd was small, but loud enough.

Not calling out specific chants, just giving the crowd a nice nod.

Star of the Night

Tough call tonight.

Could go Seth Rollins, with his win.

Or, perhaps Theory, for getting the last laugh over Bobby Lashley.

Spot of the Night:

Not a signature spot tonight.

Jobber of the Night:

Flip a coin…it’s either Dana Brooke or Cedric Alexander.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

Ezekiel said it…but how will WWE put it off?

Next week, on RAW…Elias!

Botch of the night:

The move prior to the cervical clutch by Veer.

I mean, Corey said it landed on Rey’s sternum…or chin.

That is a big difference.

LOL Moment of the night:

Miz, of all people, while on commentary, saying that Riddle should get his own moves.

I mean, I am sure the boss had him say that on purpose…but…

Noteworthy Moment:

Curious stipulation for the Riddle-Reigns tilt.

If Reigns wins, Riddle can’t challenge for the belt again.

Now, this is one of those…why? moments. 

Like, is WWE telegraphing a briefcase or Rumble win?

Is it just me…or did it seem like a lot of The Judgement Day mission statement seemed a lot like that of Retribution?

Maybe not that much, but when I heard Damien Priest talk…it sounded very similiar.

Overall lowlights:

Kansas ticket sales were underwhelming. Very thin crowd.

Use of the 24/7 title. Dana Brooke was basically a pawn.

Show just seemed kind of…off? I can’t put my finger on it, but we had a couple interesting interview segments.

They are good, but it’s talking not wrestling.

Also, the main event? Pass.

Weigh-ins, contract signings and the like, especially in a main event slot, you know it’s just a means to an end.

Overall highlights:

Riddle continues to do his best work. Worried that WWE painted him into a corner on Friday…but I fully expect he wins via a count out or DQ or something similar.

At which point…he did win, so he wouldn’t be precluded from challenging again.

I am trying to not get my long-term hopes up…but having a big time solo title reign for Riddle makes me smile.

AJ Styles and Rollins was a nice pivot with Cody out.

And, maybe it was a coincidence with the former Bullet Club member connection…but I refuse to believe it was simply a coincidence.

After the final bell:

Well, that RAW was interesting. 

At least we know that WWE has fully let the qualifying begin.

RAW has given us a few participants for the men’s and women’s MITB ladder matches, so in a week or so that should be in much more focus.

Would the men’s winner be the one to end Reigns’ historic run at the top?

Lots to think about as we rapidly approach July and Money In The Bank.