RAW In A Nutshell: Will Edge Enjoy His Homecoming?

It’s another RAW in a Nutshell, and as we are in the Great White North, there is but one big question: will Edge enjoy his homecoming?

Of course, we ask if Edge will enjoy his homecoming for two reasons.

One, obviously, Edge is from the Toronto area.

Two, because he is facing Damien Priest in the show’s expected main event.

As has been mentioned, Edge has not worked in a ring, on RAW, in Toronto, in quite some time.

Just a bit of a big deal, right?

Now, whether Edge will enjoy his homecoming or not, there’s still a whole lot more RAW to enjoy.

The women’s tag team tournament will continue, for one.

And, as has become our thing, we wonder who-if anyone-will return this week.

Like, what’s up with Dexter Lumis?

Oh, and we’ve already been told Trish Stratus, another local favorite, will be in the house.

So, it’s a packed show, which means it’s time for…

RAW In A Nutshell: Will Edge Enjoy His Homecoming?

Let’s crack open this Nutshell and find out!

Best Match of the night:

Flip a coin, honestly.

Kevin Owens and Chad Gable was really good. Motivated Kevin Owens is great for business.

Edge and Damien Priest, as a main event, delivered as well. Clearly there will be follow up, as a mixed tag was set up at the end.

Only question being…if it’s a six man mixed…who might team with Edge and Beth? Dolph seems obvious now…but who knows.

Worst match of the night:

I can’t complain about a one tonight.

Crowd Chants of the Night:

Johnny Wrestling

Baby Wrestling

One more match

Star of the Night

In the non-wrestling category…Johnny Gargano.

Really, could be Triple H, because no way Johnny is there now if Triple H is not.

Otherwise, as good as Dolph or KO were-and they were….the night belonged to Edge…and Beth.

Spot of the Night:

Theory begged Gargano to hit him. He meant the high five…

Instead, he got laid out with a nice super kick.

NO WAY, @_Theory1!@JohnnyGargano just made his choice on #WWERaw. pic.twitter.com/gg1LlhU3Q4

— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2022

Jobber of the Night:

Well, after Dexter kidnapped Miz, Ciampa was left to take the abuse and the loss.

So, that counts a bit?

Or Aliyah? I mean, it was Bayley’s return match…there was no chance she was losing.

Holy Sh** Moment of the Night:

JOHNNY WRESTLING IS BACK!!

JOHNNY GARGANO IS BACK!!!!!!!!!@JohnnyGargano has arrived on #WWERaw. pic.twitter.com/KmPs8c3OTG

— WWE (@WWE) August 23, 2022

Nope, no mistake with the caps.

Gargano came back, returning after plenty of speculation and hope.

And, funny enough, he returned right after a match featuring his former partner, Ciampa.

Also, a segment involving his former faction-mate Dexter Lumis.

And, he deflated any AEW hopes of having him join up with them.

Botch of the night:

Asuka and Dakota threw some punches. They only hit air, and they were not being dodged.

Commentary of the night:

No lines per se, but you can feel the announcers are more edgy.

Like, Saxton and Graves were throwing jabs at each other, and it got kind of intense.

LOL Moment of the night:

Nothing from RAW.

But this tweet…I feel like, maybe…just maybe…some in AEW wish they could turn back time.

“I’ve made a huge mistake”#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/STYnZqYWGv

— Gareth ??????? (@WWEGareth) August 23, 2022

Maybe.

Noteworthy Moment:

Lumis succeeded in his attempt to get at someone, that someone being The Miz. One question though…who was his diversion that grabbed AJ Styles?

Gargano is back, leaving us to wonder a few things. Like, when do we see Indi join Dexter, or when can we see DIY reform and go after tag gold?

Not that it is similar, but…still cool to hear we will have Kurt Angle back next week in Pittsburgh.

Overall lowlights:

I didn’t hate the opening, but it felt a bit off. Like, if you read the dirt sheets, you knew Trish had interacted with Bayley and friends over the weekend.

Most people don’t read those, and outside of some major title changes or injuries, house shows are often not mentioned.

They were tonight.

It seemed like Trish was building to a return, certainly teased it, but things went in a different direction.

Nice to see her back, but it felt a bit…disjointed? Maybe it was just me.

Now, if it does lead to something, then no biggie.

Overall highlights:

I am and have been a huge fan of the golden age of NXT.

And, we are seeing it come alive on RAW and SmackDown, and I am loving it. Based on crowd reactions, so are they.

When Dexter took off his helmet? Big pop.

But when Rebel Heart hit, and the screen confirmed Gargano….HUGE pop.

After the final bell:

Every week, more changes, and more importantly, more good changes.

The intro for RAW changed, as best I recall, last week. Nice change.

Kevin Owens has for a couple shows indicated a return to his Prize Fighter persona. Now, his good old entrance video and attire is back, and maybe we have a new #1 contender option.

Trish is back, and maybe she’s back for more than a cup of coffee.

Dexter Lumis did more this week than in the last couple, and there’s plenty to unpack still. Like, does he have help or a motive yet?

Johnny Gargano is back, laid out his goals, and then laid out his former Way stable mate. Is it just me, or could Gargano be a less injury prone Daniel Bryan?

I thought the show started kind of awkwardly…but when it hit it’s stride…it really hit.

Triple H and team are making it so, from bell to bell, you cannot and do not want to miss something. As it should be.