For RAW in a Nutshell this week, the theme is simple, as the red brand is moving on to Money In The Bank.

Yes, that is the next WWE premium live event. It may have changed to a smaller venue, but it’s still a big show…we hope.

Speaking of big shows, Sunday gave us Hell In A Cell. While I went in with low expectations, a couple matches truly provided redemption.

Not the least of which involved Cody Rhodes, fighting through a serious injury and tremendous pain to deliver one of the gutsiest matches ever.

No, not hyperbole. Consider that the man tore his pec completely off his bone-with the hideous bruising to prove it-and STILL entered into Hell In A Cell.

And won.

We know Rhodes is slated for surgery later in the week, so his plans for 2022 now shift to recovery.

But…for the rest of the RAW roster, they are moving on to Money In The Bank. That tells me we can expect some qualifying matches soon, if not this show.

So, with that said, let’s get into it. It is time for…

RAW In A Nutshell: Moving On To Money In The Bank

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

Best Match of the night:

The women’s #1 contender match takes this one for me.

Street Profits and The Usos wasn’t bad either…

moving on to money

Worst match of the night:

Maybe not worst, but certainly most bizarre.

Tozawa came down to the ring just as a match between Dana Brooke and Becky Lynch was starting.

He entered the ring to avoid challengers, and lost the title back to Brooke.

Becky flipped out, and then challenged Brooke for the title.

And lost, thanks to Asuka.

Worst? No…but bizarre.

Otherwise, worst? I’d go Veer and Dom.

This feud just makes little sense. Veer should, by size and strength, dominate both Mysterios.

Crowd Chants of the Night:

Cody

Tiny Balls

Bobby

Star of the Night

Finn Balor? Cody?

Rhea?

Seth?

Lots of pretty good choices, I think.

Spot of the Night:

This spot…and the shot…work for me.

Tell me Montez shouldn’t be in, and win, a MITB match sooner than later?

Jobber of the Night:

Cedric Alexander got squashed by Omos.

Upset of the Night:

MVP and Omos were quite upset at The Dirty Dogs for interrupting his victory.

That’s an odd move…are we seeing Dolph and Robert as babyfaces now? I can’t imagine we’d see that for Omos or MVP…

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

Rhodes, with the whole world knowing how bad his injury is…and knowing he is getting operated on this week…leaving the door open for entering Money In The Bank.

Are you freakin’ kidding me?!

Cena came back extremely quick from effectively the same injury, but he did so not in a ladder match, but in a Rumble where he was the last man in and not asked to do much.

And he still took three months to do that.

Rhodes would have what, a month? I know medicine is improving all the time, but that would just be…insane.

As if that weren’t shocking enough, we had bipolar Seth on full display. Came out, gave Cody serious respect…and then as Rhodes walked to the back, Rollins got his heat back.

moving on to money

One minute he’s welcoming Balor to his faction. The next, he’s been kicked out.

Priest, Balor and Ripley have booted Edge from The Judgement Day. Interesting move…if I had to guess, we see Edge gone until a SummerSlam program.

But, after turning him heel not that long ago…it seems odd to have him turn face so soon.

I will be curious to see who, if anyone, aligns with Edge when he does return. Gangrel is probably available…

Botch of the night:

Not truly a botch, but I feel like they are really telegraphing those attacks on the ramp as a Superstar walks to the back.

It happens often, and as soon as Rhodes did the slow walk, back to the entrance, you knew it was coming.

And for a real botch? Damien Priest had trouble getting some words out…

LOL Moment of the night:

Riddle is funny.

But tonight, Maryse one-upped him, talking about Miz’s balls on RAW.

moving on to money

I kid you not.

Noteworthy Moment:

Cena. Back on RAW.

June 27.

Interesting that it isn’t in a major city, and a few weeks away…but Cena will be back. And, it is the exact 20 year mark, so it makes sense…

Wonder if they tossed some money to get him into a SummerSlam program?

Speaking of programs…before dealing with Miz and his tiny balls, Riddle did issue a challenge to Roman Reigns for the title.

In spite of some whispers that Riddle was no longer in the picture…it seems like he is.

I’d bet we see it go Riddle then Lashley then McIntyre, if indeed Orton is that banged up.

Latest member of The Judgement Day is….no surprise.

Finn Balor. As had been rumored before.

In fact, I think many expected Balor to turn during Hell In A Cell.

Overall lowlights:

I get needing to give Veer a good opening program. Just seems that the feud with the Mysterios isn’t worth continuing.

Overall highlights:

Cody at the opening segment. And for a brief moment, I thought maybe a glimmer of a Rollins face turn…but nope.

Rollins left RAW with more heat than ever. Maybe more than he’s ever had, or at least since he destroyed The Shield.

But, in a night of dastardly deeds…not only did Judgement Day add a member (Finn Balor), they subtracted one too (Edge).

Hated both things…but that’s the point.

Injected even more heat into top heel Rollins (more a top heel because less Roman). And gave a new wrinkle to Judgement Day…and if WWE wants Edge back as a part-time babyface…mission accomplished.

After the final bell:

Said it after Hell In A Cell, will say it again now: Cody Rhodes pushed his star that much higher with his career-defining performance.

Fans during the opening segment were loving him. And, Rollins got love…and then a whole lot more heat.

Not a bad first show as we start moving on to Money In The Bank.

No qualifiers yet, but we know the #1 contender for the RAW Women’s Championship.

Amazed Cody even hinted he would do his best to be in MITB. Perhaps that was before the Rollins attack, giving some storyline write-off too.

But, after Hell In A Cell, if anyone could get back that fast…

No matter what though, the red brand is moving on to Money In The Bank, and I’d say this was a solid start for sure.

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