Straight Shooters, thank you for rocking with us for this Sunday night Week in Review drop. We are officially in that final stretch where WWE stops trying to peak and starts trying to position, and you can feel it across every brand right now. The chess pieces are moving, the villains are stacking momentum, and everything is being shaped around one looming reality: Cena’s send-off is coming, and the road there is getting meaner by the week.

On RAW in Kansas City, the mission was clear. Set the table, raise the stakes, and make the bad guys feel inevitable. Gunther did exactly that, cutting a final boss promo that turned Cena’s last match from a tribute into a threat. The Vision tightened their grip on the show, the masked attacker angle kept spreading like an infection, and the closing stretch made LA Knight feel like a man getting erased in real time. Not a classic episode, but a purposeful one that pushed the right stories forward.

On NXT, the energy stayed high coming out of Deadline. Oba Femi carried himself like a franchise champion, Je’Von Evans continued to scream “face of the brand” with every appearance, and the show leaned into transition without feeling like an epilogue. The future is not coming, it is already here, and NXT is making sure you do not miss it.

On SmackDown, the in-ring work hit, especially with Dragunov vs Ciampa delivering elite championship television. But there were also visible creative cracks, particularly in how certain women’s stories are being framed. Still, the youth elevation stayed strong, Oba Femi looked more and more main-event ready, and the SNME hype kept building even without Cena on the blue brand.

And do not skip the main event of this newsletter: Darrion’s dissection for Best of the Week. That segment ties the whole week together, calls the real winners, and tells you what actually mattered when the smoke cleared.

One more thing before you scroll.

Tomorrow is going to be massive.

We are dropping a special ALL IN: JOHN CENA newsletter before RAW, and you cannot miss it. MrTeshk is bringing the full SNME review and Two Sense, Darrion is coming through with a fresh Drop, and yes, we are unloading the full meme vault from what turned into a wild weekend. If you want the cleanest rundown of where WWE goes next after Cena’s final match, tomorrow’s edition is the one.

Appreciate you all for being here with us tonight. Sunday Week in Review, Straight Shoot style. Let us finish this road to Cena the right way.

P.S. Want to listen instead? Hit Listen Online at the top right of your email.

Gunther Spoke, The Vision Struck, And Raw Felt Like A Setup Show …

Venue: Kansas City, Missouri
Overall Show Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (7.5 out of 10)

🔥 Opening Thoughts

Raw #1698 landed right in that end of year pocket where shows are not meant to peak. They are meant to position. And that is exactly what this episode did. This was a setup show through and through. Cena’s final match hype took shape, The Vision tightened its grip on the brand, and Raw made one thing very clear. The villains are running the show right now.

Gunther sounded like a final boss. The women’s division stayed hot without overdoing it. The tag division quietly remained one of WWE’s most reliable pillars. And the main event stretch made LA Knight feel like a man slowly being erased in real time.

This was not a classic. But it was intentional.

🗣️ Gunther Opens Raw – Cena’s Final Match Gets a Real Villain
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gunther walked out to heavy boos and immediately got swallowed by Cena chants. He did not fight it. He weaponized it.

His framing was perfect. Cena is the greatest sports entertainer ever. Gunther is the greatest professional wrestler ever. And more importantly, Gunther promised he would not just beat Cena. He would bully him. Break him. And force him to do the one thing Cena claims he never will. Quit.

No legend respect. No dream match energy. Just a predator circling an icon on his last run. This is exactly how Cena’s final match should be sold, and Gunther nailed it.

🌙 Iyo Sky vs Kairi Sane – A Clean Reminder This Division Can Cook
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

Smooth. Fast. Effortless.

Iyo and Kairi wrestled like two elite performers who have shared the ring a hundred times. In the best way. Asuka tried to create openings, Ripley shut that down, and Iyo finished things clean with Over The Moonsault.

This also quietly advanced the bigger story. Tag champions losing singles matches is WWE’s classic signal that a tag title collision is coming. The work delivered, the finish protected everyone, and the women’s tag picture kept moving without needing chaos for the sake of chaos.

🧠 The Vision Backstage – Logan Paul Gets Weaponized
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The Vision continues to feel like Raw’s final boss factory.

Breakker. Reed. Logan Paul. Heyman. They all carry themselves like they own the building. Heyman literally handing Logan brass knuckles is one of those small WWE details that tells you everything you need to know. Logan is not a guest. He is a weapon.

Logan being around weekly matters. He feels far more dangerous as a constant parasite than as a pop in attraction.

🎭 Rey Mysterio Gets Jumped – The Masked Attacker Mystery Deepens
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Rey did not even get a real match. Logan Paul jumped him. The masked attacker struck again with the superkick and stomp combo. Logan finished the job with the knucks.

LA Knight made the save and the crowd erupted, because Knight is still one of the most naturally over babyfaces in the company. But the real story is not just Logan being a snake. It is the masked attacker becoming a recurring infection on the show. WWE is clearly slow cooking this reveal.

🏆 AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs War Raiders – Tag Division Stays Hot
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

Another strong title defense for Styles and Dragon Lee.

The War Raiders did not have much story going in, but they are built to deliver physical matches with anyone. Styles and Lee continue to feel like real champions. Confident. Crisp. In sync.

Not flawless, with a couple awkward beats, but still a strong defense that keeps the belts feeling important.

🔥 The Usos Declare War – Tag Team Wrestling Gets Serious Again
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The Usos officially planted their flag back in the tag division, and the timing could not be better.

Jimmy flat out admitted the slide. Too many losses. Too much spiraling. No more excuses. Jey’s singles run gave him credibility, but keeping him in limbo helps no one. Reuniting The Usos heading into WrestleMania season instantly injects star power into a division that already has Styles and Lee, New Day, Waller floating around, and the War Raiders back in the mix.

This was simple and smart.

🥊 Stephanie Vaquer Segment – The Real Challenger Steps Forward
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Vaquer continues to improve on the mic, but her real strength remains the same. She does not talk much. She fights.

Nikki Bella tried to step up and demand a rematch. She got tossed aside when Raquel Rodriguez blasted her and locked eyes with Vaquer.

That is the real direction. Vaquer versus Raquel. Nikki was just the stepping stone.

🧬 Lyra Valkyria vs Roxanne Perez – Liv Morgan Makes Her Alliance Clear
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐¼

Lyra and Roxanne have that familiar NXT chemistry where everything looks sharp and intentional. Roxanne worked the arm. Lyra fought through it. The finish came via interference, with Liv Morgan helping Roxanne steal the win.

The important part is the visual after. Liv celebrating with Roxanne. This is not Liv just hanging around. She is actively shaping outcomes, and Roxanne is benefiting from it.

⚔️ LA Knight vs Logan Paul – The Vision Wins Again
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

This was solid work. Knight carried the match. Logan played the smug villain perfectly. The Vision hovered like sharks.

Breakker and Reed got involved and were ejected, and it still ended the same way. The masked attacker stomped Knight on the desk. Logan hit the Frog Splash. Another numbers game loss.

If you are a Knight fan, the finish fatigue is real. But the intent is obvious. WWE is stacking heat on Logan and positioning Knight as the guy who keeps getting screwed.

🎤 Heyman and Breakker Promo – Bron Crossed a Line
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was the moment.

Heyman framed January 5 like a coronation. Breakker mocked Punk, called him a fraud, and then went nuclear. If the old Punk does not show up, Bron promised he would destroy him. And then he crossed the line by dragging Punk’s wife into it.

That is not throwaway heat. That is WWE deliberately lighting a fuse. This promo immediately elevated the feud and demanded a venomous response from Punk.

💥 The Closing Beatdown – LA Knight Gets Erased
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

The Vision did not just win. They sent a message.

Knight was wrecked backstage. Powerbombed through a table. Tossed onto a car. Then Bronson Reed hit a Tsunami off stacked cases onto Knight on the car.

This was overkill by design. They were not trying to beat LA Knight. They were trying to erase him.

📊 Overall Thoughts – A Setup Show With Strong Villain Momentum
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

This was not a must watch Raw. But it was a functional, story driven episode that accomplished three key goals.

Gunther made Cena’s final match feel dangerous.
The Vision tightened their grip on Raw.
Bron Breakker versus Punk became deeply personal.

The downside is the heavy reliance on interference and mystery attackers. That only works if the payoff lands hard and soon.

Still, as a positioning show, this episode did its job.

🏅 Top 5 Most Impressive

⭐ Gunther – Made Cena’s final match feel like a threat, not a tribute
⭐ Bron Breakker – Delivered the most explosive momentum heading toward January 5
⭐ AJ Styles and Dragon Lee – Still the most consistent champions on the brand
⭐ Iyo Sky – Big singles win that keeps her momentum rolling
⭐ The Vision – Overwhelming presence that shaped the entire show

❌ The 3 Misses

❌ Masked attacker story still lacks clarity
❌ Interference heavy structure across multiple segments
❌ Raw felt light on true jaw dropping moments outside the closing angle

🌟 Three Stars of the Show

🌟 Gunther
🌟 Bron Breakker
🌟 AJ Styles and Dragon Lee

Deadline Fallout Delivers, and the Future Is Already Here …

Venue: WWE Performance Center, Orlando
Overall Show Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8 out of 10)

🔥 Opening Thoughts

Coming off what may end up being remembered as one of NXT’s best Premium Live Events of the year, this episode had a difficult task. Follow greatness without feeling like an epilogue.

Instead, NXT leaned directly into momentum.

Deadline fallout reshaped the title picture, pushed Je’Von Evans even deeper into “face of the brand” territory, quietly teased a Ricky Saints heel turn, and introduced a rookie who may have far more upside than first expected.

This was a show about transition. One era handing the keys to the next. And NXT handled it with confidence.

👑 Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, and Je’Von Evans Open the Show – Power Meets Urgency
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Oba Femi opened with championship authority, speaking like a man who believes the universe corrects itself when he holds gold. His confidence did not feel forced. It felt earned. Framing his Deadline win as destiny instead of redemption was exactly the right tone for a dominant champion.

Ricky Saints interrupted with vulnerability, something we rarely see from him. Admitting doubt while still demanding a rematch added real emotional texture to the story.

Then Je’Von Evans entered, and the energy shifted. Evans did not sound like the future. He sounded like someone who believes the moment already belongs to him.

Three philosophies. One championship. Setting the title match for later in the night felt bold and completely justified.

💪 Jordynne Grace vs Kelani Jordan – Momentum Over Power
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐¼

This was a strong clash of styles.

Grace brought brute strength and intensity. Jordan wrestled smart, targeted weaknesses, and fought like someone trying to prove she belongs in the conversation.

Jordan’s win did not feel fluky. It felt calculated. The barricade spot, the knee work, and the 450 Splash finish told a clean story. Grace lost nothing here. Jordan gained momentum and credibility as a thinking heel on the rise.

🚨 Blake Monroe’s Open Challenge Ends in Chaos
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐

The idea worked. The execution did not fully land.

Thea Hail snapping on Blake Monroe without a referee present made sense from a character standpoint, but the segment felt rushed and unclear. This was more about planting seeds than competition, and while that is fine, it needed more structure.

The direction is right. The presentation needs tightening.

🆕 Shiloh Hill Debuts – There Is Something Here
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Shiloh Hill’s debut was smart because it did not overstay its welcome.

In just a few minutes, Hill showed presence, confidence, and physicality that immediately separated him from the pack. The mouthguard spot was unusual, but memorable. More importantly, he did not look overwhelmed or hesitant.

This was not a breakout yet. But it was a strong first impression, and NXT clearly sees upside here.

🎤 Ethan Page Interrupted by Tony D’Angelo – The Past Is Hunting the Present
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

Ethan Page delivered what he always does. A smug, layered promo that blurs arrogance with uncomfortable truth. His comments about Cena, legacy, and ego landed because he believes every word.

Tony D’Angelo’s sudden attack continued the Deadline trend. Targeting top tier talent without explanation. The new look, the silence, the violence. It all suggests reinvention, and it is working.

NXT is smart not to rush answers here.

🌊 Sol Ruca vs Wren Sinclair – Reset Win With Eyes Elsewhere
Match Rating: ⭐⭐½

This match did its job.

Sol Ruca needed a bounce-back win after Deadline, and she got it decisively. Wren Sinclair remains likable, but she is clearly not positioned for a push right now.

The real story was Zaria watching from a distance. That relationship continues to feel fragile, and the slow burn is obvious.

🔥 Fatal Influence and Kendal Grey – Confidence vs Belief
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

Jacy Jayne was excellent here. Confident. Dismissive. Sharp. She sounded like a champion who believes the division belongs to her.

Kendal Grey countered with sincerity and underdog fire, and the contrast worked perfectly. Jayne is experience and ego. Grey is belief and momentum.

The post-segment beatdown reinforced the story. Grey needs backup. Fatal Influence remains a serious threat.

🏆 Oba Femi vs Je’Von Evans – NXT Championship Main Event
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was outstanding television wrestling.

Femi and Evans have natural chemistry. Evans never looked out of place against the champion, and the near-falls were paced beautifully. When Evans hit the top-rope cutter, the building believed.

Ricky Saints pulling the referee changed everything. Femi retaining was the correct call, but Saints’ actions spoke louder than words. This felt like the quiet beginning of a heel turn.

NXT is better for it.

📊 Overall Thoughts – Deadline Was Not the Peak, It Was the Launchpad
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This episode worked because it did not try to outdo Deadline. It built from it.

Oba Femi feels like a franchise champion.
Je’Von Evans feels inevitable.
Ricky Saints feels dangerous.
Kelani Jordan gained momentum.
Shiloh Hill showed real upside.

Not everything hit perfectly, but the direction is clear and confident.

🌟 Three Stars of the Show

🌟 Oba Femi
🌟 Je’Von Evans
🌟 Kelani Jordan

🔥 Final Thoughts

NXT feels young, hungry, and self-aware right now.

Deadline was not just one of the best PLEs of the year. It set the tone for what comes next.

And if this episode is any indication, the next wave is not coming.
It is already here.

Darrion would also like to add: Thunder Keck Shiloh Hill has been a presence on social media for many moons (I’ve been following him for a long time). He is charismatic, wildly intelligent, athletic, and brings with him a massive social media following that positions him as a future star in this ever evolving business. Keep an eye on his journey, and we highly recommend diving into his “Beast Series” across his platforms. Once Darrion heard that Shiloh had been identified as a future WWE signed wrestler, he knew the sky could be the limit. Shiloh has that new age “wow” factor, and we are excited to watch the journey unfold over here at Straight Shoot.

Hello, my child.

Strong Wrestling, Shaky Priorities

Venue: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Overall Show Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (7 out of 10)

🔥 Opening Thoughts

WWE rolled into Wilkes-Barre with Saturday Night’s Main Event looming and John Cena’s final WWE match dominating the conversation, even without Cena physically present. This SmackDown leaned heavily into promotion, future-building, and high-level in-ring work, but it also exposed growing cracks in how certain stars, especially in the women’s division, are being positioned.

There was excellent wrestling, strong youth elevation, and one genuinely outstanding TV match. At the same time, questionable creative decisions involving Jade Cargill and Alexa Bliss continued to raise red flags.

With SNME days away, this felt less like a destination episode and more like a staging ground. Effective in parts. Frustrating in others.

🎤 Cody Rhodes Opens SmackDown – Focused, Fired Up, and Looking Past Danger
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

Cody Rhodes opened the show in full confrontation mode, laser-focused on Drew McIntyre and openly mocking Drew’s claim of an “unsafe working environment.” Cody’s intensity felt real, his frustration believable, and his promo carried the weight of someone who feels personally violated rather than professionally challenged.

The issue was not Cody. It was the tunnel vision.

Oba Femi’s interruption was necessary and smart. By stepping in, Oba reminded Cody, and the audience, that Saturday Night’s Main Event is not just about settling grudges. It is about the NXT Champion knocking on the door of the WWE Champion’s house.

Femi’s promo was confident, measured, and noticeably improved. The staredown framed SNME as a generational crossroads rather than a formality.

🇺🇸 United States Championship – Ilja Dragunov vs Tommaso Ciampa
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

This was elite television wrestling.

Ilja Dragunov and Tommaso Ciampa delivered one of the best SmackDown matches of the year. Violent, emotional, and driven entirely by storytelling rather than spectacle. Ciampa’s relentless focus on Dragunov’s injured knee contrasted perfectly with Ilja’s refusal to stay down.

Dragunov’s selling was masterclass-level. Every movement mattered. Every strike had consequence. Ciampa played the ruthless opportunist to perfection.

The finish protected both men, and the post-match chaos, capped by Carmelo Hayes making the save, advanced multiple stories without muddying the result.

This is how championship wrestling should look on weekly TV.

👁️ The Wyatt Sicks vs Solo Sikoa’s Family Tree – Words Before War
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐½

The confrontation between The Wyatt Sicks and Solo Sikoa’s faction was serviceable but lacked urgency. Uncle Howdy’s promo was conceptually sound, but emotionally flat, failing to generate the reaction a feud of this size should command.

Solo’s backstage response was stronger, reinforcing his obsession with control and dominance. Still, the feud feels like it is circling rather than accelerating.

The ingredients are there. What is missing is momentum.

💥 Alexa Bliss vs Lash Legend – A Misstep in Presentation
Match Rating: ⭐⭐

Lash Legend defeating Alexa Bliss should have felt like a statement.

Instead, it came across rushed, awkwardly framed, and damaging to Bliss’s positioning.

Alexa Bliss is a multiple-time champion and one of the most established women on the roster. Putting her in a short, power-dominant loss, especially when Lash is still finding her footing, helped neither woman. Lash won, but Alexa lost credibility, and that imbalance matters.

This was not about Lash being elevated. It was about Bliss being misplaced.

🚀 Je’Von Evans vs The Miz – The Future Beats the Past
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½

This match did exactly what it needed to do.

Je’Von Evans continues to look like a natural on the main roster, blending athletic explosiveness with growing confidence. The Miz played the perfect gatekeeper, dismissive, annoying, and ultimately outpaced.

Evans winning clean sends a clear message. WWE is not slow-playing him.

At 21, he does not feel rushed. He feels inevitable.

🏋️ Jade Cargill’s Dominance Continues – And It’s Wearing Thin
Segment Rating: ⭐⭐

Another week. Another Jade segment. Another short burst of dominance.

And it is officially getting old.

Jade Cargill remains physically impressive, but the formula has stalled. Brief confrontation. Power spot. Abrupt ending. No progression. No vulnerability. No escalation.

Even Michin’s fiery interruption could not inject life into a segment that felt overly familiar. Dominance without evolution eventually becomes noise, and Jade’s presentation is stuck on repeat.

SmackDown needs to give her something new, fast.

⚔️ Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley vs Aleister Black and Zelina Vega
Match Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The mixed-tag main event was solid but predictable.

Priest and Ripley remain a natural pairing, and Ripley’s presence elevates every segment she touches. Aleister Black showed flashes, but the match leaned too heavily into Ripley’s dominance to create real suspense.

A few timing issues slowed the flow, but everyone recovered professionally. Effective. Not must-see.

📊 Overall Thoughts – Strong Wrestling, Shaky Priorities
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

SmackDown delivered quality in-ring work, standout youth performances, and one genuinely excellent championship match.

What worked:

• Dragunov vs Ciampa was outstanding
• Je’Von Evans continues to rise
• Oba Femi feels main-event ready
• Saturday Night’s Main Event promotion was clear

What did not:

• Jade Cargill’s repetitive booking
• Alexa Bliss placed in a damaging role
• Wyatt Sicks feud lacking urgency

SmackDown is not bad. But it is not hot.

With Royal Rumble season approaching, WWE needs sharper direction, especially in the women’s division. The talent is there. The execution needs to catch up.

⭐ Top 5 Most Impressive

⭐ Ilja Dragunov
⭐ Tommaso Ciampa
⭐ Je’Von Evans
⭐ Oba Femi
⭐ Carmelo Hayes

🌟 Three Stars of the Show

🌟 Ilja Dragunov
🌟 Tommaso Ciampa
🌟 Je’Von Evans

This week was about one thing: positioning power. RAW set the board, NXT pushed the future to the front, and SmackDown delivered one of its best title matches of the year while exposing a few creative cracks that WWE needs to fix fast. The wrestling was strong. The villains felt heavier. The direction is clear.

👑 Men’s Wrestler of the Week: Ilja Dragunov
Weekly excellence, violent credibility, champion aura.
Dragunov owned the week across brands, but SmackDown sealed it. Ilja vs Ciampa was elite television wrestling with masterclass selling, real stakes, and a finish that protected both men. If you want proof that weekly TV can feel like a fight, this was it.

💎 Women’s Wrestler of the Week: Iyo Sky
Clean win, clean momentum, division still cooking.
Iyo vs Kairi Sane was smooth and fast, and Iyo finishing clean kept her aura intact while the tag title collision continues to simmer. The women’s division stayed hot without forcing chaos.

🎬 Show of the Week: NXT
The next wave is not coming. It is already here.
NXT followed Deadline fallout with confidence and purpose. Oba Femi feels like a franchise champion. Je’Von Evans feels inevitable. Ricky Saints feels dangerous. Not everything hit perfectly, but the direction is sharp and the brand feels alive.

🏆 Match of the Week: Ilja Dragunov vs Tommaso Ciampa, SmackDown
One of the best SmackDown matches of the year.
Violent, emotional, story-driven. Ciampa’s knee targeting met Ilja’s refusal to stay down, and every strike had consequence. The post-match chaos advanced stories without muddying the result. This is how a weekly title match should feel.

🧨 Angle of the Week: The Vision Erases LA Knight, RAW Closing Beatdown
Overkill by design. Message received.
This was not a win, it was a deletion. Knight got wrecked backstage, powerbombed through a table, tossed onto a car, then Reed hit the Tsunami off stacked cases onto the car. RAW made it clear: The Vision is not a faction, it is a machine.

🎤 Promo of the Week: Gunther Sets the Tone for Cena’s Final Match
No tribute, no respect, just a predator circling an icon.
Gunther framed it perfectly: Cena is the greatest sports entertainer ever. Gunther is the greatest professional wrestler ever. Then he promised to bully Cena and force him to do what he claims he never will. Quit. That is how you sell a final match.

🚀 Rising Star Watch: Je’Von Evans
The future beat the past, and it looked natural.
Evans beating The Miz clean sent the message loud. At 21, he does not feel rushed. He feels inevitable. NXT and SmackDown are both treating him like a real piece of the future.

🧠 Story Progression of the Week: Bron Breakker Crosses the Line
This feud just got personal, and WWE knows it.
Heyman framed January 5 like a coronation, then Breakker went nuclear and dragged Punk’s wife into it. That is not cheap heat. That is a fuse being lit on purpose.

☀️ Straight Shoot Summary
Best In Ring: Ilja Dragunov vs Tommaso Ciampa
Most Dangerous Aura: The Vision
Most Important Promo: Gunther selling Cena’s final match as a threat
Brand With The Most Momentum: NXT
Overall Mood: Strong wrestling, villain momentum, and a clear board being set for the next stretch

Final Word: RAW positioned the war, NXT positioned the future, and SmackDown proved it can still deliver elite championship wrestling when it chooses to. WWE is not peaking yet. It is building the peak.

Be Good People🤘
mr.teshk

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