By: Matthew Klink (@klinkmatt on Twitter)

2/23/2018

This week’s selection might be a little obvious, but as opposed to weeks in the past and possibly some in the future, I couldn’t be obscure with my choice. The clear answer for this week’s Greatest Match of All Time was: THE GAUNTLET MATCH!

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 here we go.

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 could be the greatest 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 loses first. This was more about getting Roman out of the way and for guys like Rollins, Elias, Balor, and the Miz to shine. I know…wait…I KNOW that Roman is winning the Elimination Chamber. But this match made me question whether or not a prediction that I was sure of…A YEAR AGO…was true. A prediction that was made seemingly unavoidable as every match, outcome and Pay-Per-View inched us closer to and hinted at the Roman vs Brock WrestleMania main event. We are but a few days away from knowing if my prediction will become fact! And this one match…this match to kick-off a Monday Night Raw…was choreographed and written in such a perfect way…that I may begin to question my very existence…

Okay, I jest! But this was a fun moment to watch and analyze.

With Roman gone, 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 in the near future.

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 telling and triumphant 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.

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 as a face of Raw. That left Elias’ victory as the final piece to the Rollins’ puzzle. How would Elias’ story continue? With demon, Finn Balor.

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 way each individual match was booked thus far had been so perfect. The Miz’ entrance to the match was all about timing. With a sneaky come-from-behind attack, the Miz started his match with Balor with the upper hand. As the match 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 strong 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”, unknowingly, 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 I’d love to see carry the title for a lengthy period of time, 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.

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 wasn’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 enters. Strowman 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 amazing 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 moves forward from this monumental Raw they need 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 certain guys walked away from the ring as losers. This was pure, good ol’, creative wrasslin’! More of that! Please!!

And that…my friends…is why The Gauntlet Match was the Greatest Match of all Time…This Week!

Matthew Klink (@klinkmatt on Twitter)

@BODPodcast for Twitter and Facebook