6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE Raw (15 Jun - Results & Review)

4. Gable Takes Next Step

Chad Gable finally made his return to a WWE ring (sans mask) on Raw Monday night, defeating Rusev in a match that was less about the quality of the action (which was perfectly fine) and was more about the crowd’s investment.

Thankfully, fans in Baltimore were firmly behind Gable throughout the match, chanting for him and rooting for him to grab the anklelock to put the Bulgarian away. Rusev did his part as the heel, snuffing out rallies and taunting Chad. Ethan Page provided a couple of distractions, including one that fed into a Rusev Machka Kick for a two-count that several bought as the finish.

But Gable escaped an Accolade, landed an Angle Slam and got the tap-out via anklelock. Page and Rusev would attack, but Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee ran down for the save – and to endorse Gable.

If this was a test to see if fans would rally behind Gable as a babyface, then everyone passed with flying colors. The only potential negative is that Gable could be being positioned in the Intercontinental Championship scene, and WWE had a rare opportunity to elevate Gable past the mid-card due to the acclaim he received for his AAA mask-versus-mask match. That window will close soon, and then Gable will be stuck back in the mid-card.

Clock’s ticking, WWE.