Brothers of Discussion – Weekday Match of the Year
By Matthew Klink (@klinkmatt)
December 28, 2018
The Brothers of Discussion are awarding a few different “Match of the Year Awards.”
We’re awarding a Multi-Person Match of the Year award, which takes into consideration Royal Rumbles, Money in the Bank, Elimination Chamber, Triple Threats, Fatal Four-Ways. Mostly, it’s an opportunity to acknowledge all of these great matches that will (honestly) never measure up to the beauty of a one-on-one contest.
We are also awarding a Weekday Match of the Year. This is an award that can’t be won on a Pay-Per-View or a TakeOver event. These are usually a surprise when they happen, but we do get quite a few contenders with 52 weeks of programming.
We’ll also be awarding an NXT Match of the Year. This is important because there is a unique atmosphere and distinct vibe at NXT shows that RAW, SmackDown Live and Pay-Per-View will never be able to live up to.
Main Roster Match of the Year is also an important distinction, due to the differences in direction and programming. This includes every match on the main roster. There are no qualifiers. If you did it on RAW, SmackDown Live, 205 Live, or a Pay-Per-View then you can win this award.
With that, let’s get down to it!
Weekday Match of the Year
I recognize that there were a lot of moving pieces in this match with superstars coming in and out. Quite honestly, this is 6 matches opposed to just the ‘one.’ But…oh well, WWE decided it was going to be called ‘a’ match, so that’s how I’ll analyze it.
So, the 2018 Weekday Match of the Year is the Monday Night RAW Gauntlet Match from February 19th’s episode of RAW.
Gauntlet Match
This match was more than just the wrestling, and that’s why it was so impressive to me. Each time the bell was rung a new plot was created. The majesty of it was in the carefully crafted decisions that ensured the right people were put on a pedestal and the others fell off of one.
The match intertwined the individual storylines of each superstar with the potential for greatness of this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber.
I have spoken previously, both here on the website and the podcast, that this would be the most significant collection of superstars going into an elimination chamber. I’m not sure if that was the WWE’s goal with the gauntlet…I just know I believe that idea even more after having watched this match.
So Roman lost first. This was more about getting Roman out of the way and for guys like Rollins, Elias, Balor, and the Miz to shine. We knew that Roman was winning the Elimination Chamber. But this match made me question whether or not a prediction that I was sure of…A YEAR AGO…would come to fruition.
And this one match…this match to kick-off a Monday Night Raw…was choreographed and written in such a perfect way…that I began to question my very existence…
Okay, I jest! But this was a fun moment to watch and analyze.
Seth Rollins Shines
With Roman gone, Seth Rollins assumed the role as the man to watch. I went into this gauntlet match (and the elimination chamber) thinking Rollins was an afterthought. He needed something to do at the Chamber, and his tag partner wasn’t healthy enough to make a storyline worthwhile.
To me, his involvement in the match was a way to give Rollins an activity for the next few weeks and simultaneously bolster the lineup for the Chamber. The performance Rollins had in this match changed any and all thoughts I had about his position in the 7-man feud as well as his chances at being the Universal Champion soon.
I would say this was the match that started Rollins push as the Top Performer on RAW.
So what exactly did Seth do? He only knocked off two of the biggest names in Pro Wrestling the last 10 years (Reigns and John Cena) in a matter of an hour, in consecutive matches, without a break, and knowing that he had 4 more competitors to face after that.
To say it was the most athletic performance is getting away from what made this truly special. This is one of the most he telling and dominant performances since Cena knocked out Shawn Michaels at a 2007 Monday Night Raw in London.
His hour and five minutes in the ring boosted Seth to an echelon and rarified air that very few have ever tasted. Giving Rollins the chance to defeat these two Mega Stars in the fashion the “bookers” allowed it, makes Seth an easy favorite for a title after Mania. As my brother would put it, Rollins has officially been pushed to the moon.
Elias Gets a Turn
Now, the fantastic booking didn’t end after Rollins beat Cena and Roman. Elias being the next entrant ran down to the ring to take out Rollins and capitalize on the dilapidated and battered wrestler. This was a great way to sell Elias, as he continues to build his character to fit the heel mold, but the Rollins vs. Elias encounter still turned into a shining moment for Rollins.
Elias would get over on Rollins, but just like a “home-town-pitcher” who had pitched a gem for the home-town team, the crowd stood, recognized, cheered, and applauded Rollins’ performance. Rollins was knocked out of the Gauntlet match, but had earned so much more.
He already had our respect, but this performance left me in awe. It was and is unforgettable. The demonstration of stamina, strength, and perseverance is now second to none in my book (from the perspective of what the efforts did to propel a character in the eyes of the fans).
And still…this match was not done!
Elias winning was perfect. He had to look like he could capitalize on an overwhelmed superstar. The performance from Rollins should have left him beaten and struggling to get to his feet. Regardless of his result with Elias, he had proven to us he deserves a chance at being the top face of Raw. That left Elias’ victory as the final piece to the Rollins’ puzzle. How would Elias’ story continue? With demon, Finn Balor.
Finn Balor Gets A Much Needed Victory
The highlight of Balor’s fight with Elias was captured as he passed Rollins on his way to the ring. Balor stopped and applauded Rollins, as one should, and then made his way to the ring. I would’ve been proud of Balor if that was the end of his night, but thankfully the ‘bookers’ knew Elias and Balor’s fight could do more for both of these characters.
Just like Elias’ victory, this had to be won by Balor. Elias had to fight hard to put down Rollins, but Balor’s character still needed to be elevated somewhat. And bless the writers, they took this as another opportunity to build Elias before he was eliminated. The match gave Elias a chance to show off some resilience and toughness before being ousted. Again, as Elias did to Rollins, Balor defeated Elias and awaited his next opponent.
The Miz Gives a Classic Performance
The way each individual match was booked thus far had been so perfect. The Miz’ entrance to the game was all about timing. With a sneaky come-from-behind attack, the Miz started his match with Balor with the upper hand. As the bout continued, it was the Miztourage that would help spell out the genius of why the Miz was the number 6 entrant to the Gauntlet.
The Miz absolutely NEVER needs to look sharp in the ring. I love him, but his victories come from cunning, heel tactics, and having good friends. While the goals of the Miztourage are prioritized with “Miz winning,” the Miztourage was also acting as a safety device for Balor. Getting Balor knocked out of the Gauntlet because of the Miztourage means Balor probably would have beat the Miz (maybe), and now we didn’t have to watch Braun Strowman come to the ring and manhandle a crowd favorite.
Balor is another guy we'd love to hold the title for a lengthy period, but I don’t think the fans are ready for a “David and Goliath” with Balor just yet. And that wasn’t the point of this Gauntlet match. The goal was to make every superstar look like they belong in the Chamber match, one way or another. And I’d say, that was accomplished.
Braun Strowman Shows Off
At this point in the timeline of the match, there was only one superstar left to enter, and the crowd couldn’t wait! And the Miz, god bless him…put on one of the best acting performances I’ve seen from a superstar. The joy of victory slowly faded from his face as he realized that the seven-foot brute, Braun Strowman, would be headed down to the ring next.
The Miz made the fear he had for his own life look so real. If I weren’t laughing so hard, I would’ve called the local police, emergency lines and morgue to prepare for this onslaught.
So that’s it. No real surprises after Strowman stomped into the ring. He defeats the Miz…as a ‘Strowman’ should…and the WWE accomplishes one of the best, most creative ‘pre-Pay-Per-View battles’ I have ever seen. If anyone felt this wasn’t a great idea, don’t take my word for it, ask the ratings.
Word got around of the fantastic performance that Rollins had put forth and social media did its job. In one of the best “2nd Hour Ratings” in years, the WWE was able to bring more eyes to the USA network through great wrestling, compelling storylines, and purposeful bookings.
As the WWE moved forward from this monumental Raw, they needed to realize that this did great because of the care and thought that went into booking this match. Not that it was a Gauntlet match. Or the fact that a face was able to build their character. Or that “Top -guys” walked away from the ring as losers. This was pure, good ol’, creative wrasslin’! More of that! Please!!
We’ve seen in recent weeks, low ratings, apologies, and attempts to freshen up the programming. I don’t need to be told that change is coming. BRING…ON…THE…CHANGE…NOW!
And that…my friends…is why The Gauntlet Match is the 2018 Weekday Match of the Year!
