5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE Raw (24 Aug - Results & Review)

DOWNS…

4. Gable Contradicts Himself

This is a minor gripe, but it’s one that should be registered.

Chad Gable was seen backstage chatting with Raw GM Adam Pearce about wanting to define his Intercontinental Championship reign by defending the title against the best, and essentially being a fighting champion.

Enter Ethan Page, who blathered on about Gable wanting to pad out his reign by fighting washed-up legends rather than All Ego. After finally cutting him off, Gable informed Page that he had just talked himself out of a title match.

If we’re to believe that Gable wants to be a fighting champion, he should want to face Ethan even more after he ran his mouth, to prove him wrong and to show that he is a champ who doesn’t back down from anyone. Instead, he came across as a guy who used a wrestler’s arrogance as an “out” to avoid facing him.

Obviously, these two will square off soon enough, but Gable should not be seen as avoiding or delaying a challenge – even if it’s coming from an obnoxious heel like Page.