Gauntlet Match, Winner Becomes Number One Contender for Raw Women’s Championship
Bayley vs. Nia Jax
Result: Nia Jax defeated Bayley via pinfall
Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars
One would think that Bayley and Nia would be two of the favorites in this six woman gauntlet match. If that’s true, one of them would have to go the distance.
The RESILIENCE of @itsBayleyWWE is on display early in this #GauntletMatch! #RAW @NiaJaxWWE pic.twitter.com/L9zo09LSNb
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2017
Early on, Nia established her dominance over Bayley. I don’t know what the end game is for Bayley right now, since she’s been an afterthought at best since WrestleMania. But despite a flurry of offense – including a pretty good looking elbow drop to the back of Nia’s head – a big Samoan drop spelled the end for Bayley.
The #SamoanDrop of @NiaJaxWWE means it's OVER for @itsBayleyWWE, but @MickieJames will keep this #GauntletMatch rolling NEXT! #RAW pic.twitter.com/ip5J1K7Aim
— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2017
Nia Jax vs. Mickie James
Result: Nia Jax defeated Mickie James via pinfall
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Drawing number three was Mickie James. Part of the problem with a gauntlet match on regular television is the time constraint. Throw in commercial breaks, and none of the pairings ever seem to get enough time to get things going.
Look at the FIGHT being shown by @MickieJames! Can she find a way to defeat @NiaJaxWWE in this #GauntletMatch?! #RAW pic.twitter.com/h5oVQI3eND
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2017
Despite half of this matchup taking place during the commercial break, it seemed to have more of a flow than the Bayley portion. It was a little sloppier, but it had a better coherence. Nia worked over Mickie’s back with the bear hug, using her raw power to take command.
Utilizing a different finish than how she eliminated Bayley, Nia just literally ran Mickie over to pick up her second victory of the night.
Thanks for comin', @DanaBrookeWWE...
— WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2017
That's three up and THREE DOWN for @NiaJaxWWE! #RAW #GauntletMatch pic.twitter.com/3mrhgA9LpD
Nia Jax vs. Dana Brooke
Result: Nia Jax defeated Dana Brooke via pinfall
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
As Dana came out, my first thought was “With these two rookies in the ring together, bad things may happen.” Someone in the back must have had the same idea because the match lasted about 12 seconds before Dana was eliminated.
A HUGE opportunity for @EmmaWWE here! Can she be the one to eliminate @NiaJaxWWE from this #GauntletMatch?! #RAW pic.twitter.com/Wh6COFn4KC
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 27, 2017
Nia Jax vs. Emma
Result: Nia Jax defeated Emma via pinfall
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Sadly, Emma didn’t last too much longer than Dana Brooke. Double sadly, Nia recycled the finish from the first fall over Bayley, with the Samoan drop. After three straight unique finishes, I was hoping for a clean sweep of opponents with different finishes for each fall. Oh, well.