the show before christmas
source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

It’s another RAW In A Nutshell, and ’twas the show before Christmas, and things are going to be chaos.

Not a prediction, a spoiler.

I mean, in fairness, I am typing this nearly two hours into the show. Trust me, it’s a chaotic show, in a good way.

So, ’twas the show before Christmas, and we’ve got folks landing on the naughty list.

Maybe some on the nice list, too, but it’s anything goes on the show before Christmas.

Basically, it’s the last main roster televised show until after Christmas, as SmackDown was already taped.

That said, what do we get to look forward to?

Lumis and The Miz in a ladder match. Bayley and Becky Lynch for the first time in forever.

Fallout from Bobby Lashley being…um…fired…at the end of last week’s show.

What’s going on with Alexa Bliss and the Wyatt teasers?

And, who knows…we are due to have the Bloodline in the house, and it is the Christmas season.

Might Santa H have some new surprises for us?

It’s time to find out, thanks to…

RAW In A Nutshell: ‘Twas The Show Before Christmas…

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!

Best Match of the night:

There were a couple, but I am going with the main event.

Just on paper, KO and Seth Rollins against The Usos sounds fun.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Then remember that KO is gunning for Roman Reigns.

But then, Rollins pokes at Reigns too (before the match is booked).

After? We have Rollins and Owens reminiscing about just this past ‘Mania, vying for the same spot.

Could that repeat again…hmm.

Worst match of the night:

No thanks, keep Tozawa and Rhea Ripley apart moving forward.

Star of the Night

Kevin Owens stood tallest of them all, didn’t he?

But…Rollins and Theory worked nicely, too.

the show before christmas

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Spot of the Night:

Lumis with the ladder leap through the table…but he came up empty.

Followed by Bronson Reed with just, you know, a “regular” splash.

Jobber of the Night:

Plenty tonight.

Tozawa…pretty obvious there.

the show before christmas

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Ali. Andre Chase…Dolph…and so on.

Basically, anyone that The Bloodline got to beat up on in the back…and it was a long list.

Upset of the Night:

Nothing.

LOL of the Night:

Seth and Austin lined up to head off Jimmy and Jey.

And then Theory bailed.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

We had a few of them tonight.

The Bloodline was channeling their inner nWo tonight, putting anyone down that they wanted to.

Bronson Reed is back, now on the main roster, and helped The Miz take out Dexter Lumis.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

Alexa Bliss sounded every bit the victim, recounting her time with Bray…then as Bianca walked off, she smashed her with a vase.

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

I feel like when the two battle for the title-the first RAW of 2023-that could finally be when we see the payoff of all the Wyatt symbolism.

Botch of the night:

Not going to pick on one, because there were a few from Tozawa and Rhea. Mostly Tozawa, I think.

Noteworthy Moment:

As I mentioned, Bronson Reed is back. I wonder if this clears the path for a DIY reunion, once Ciampa is cleared?

We can dream.

Overall lowlights:

Really, Tozawa was in a no-win situation. Mixed gender matches just…I don’t know, not my thing…plus I think Ripley is more jacked than he is…and he’s in great shape.

Honestly, that might be my only complaint this week.

Overall highlights:

This was a busy show, for sure, and not in a bad way.

I pointed out before, as others did too, that this show had some 90’s nWo vibes, with how The Bloodline was just running all over the locker room.

Whether that was a one night thing just to cross-promote the final SmackDown of 2022…or something else, we shall see.

Big return from Bronson Reed.

Becky and Bayley had a good one, but you knew that was not ending clean.

Hard to miss the teases of a possible Hurt Business reunion. MVP and Lashley might have some fences to mend…but…

source: @wwe, twitter, screenshot

After the final bell:

I dug the show, and outside of NXT on Tuesday, it’s our last live show before Christmas.

If you celebrate it, I hope you and yours have a happy and safe holiday.

For now though, we’ve got some new names for the naughty list, and a couple big matches in the next few weeks to look forward to.

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