5 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE Monday Night Raw (24 November - Results & Review)

2. Gunther, Hayes Sucker Fans In

In reality, Gunther versus Carmelo Hayes was a foregone conclusion before the bell even rang. Gunther is the frontrunner to close out John Cena’s career, and Hayes only advanced in The Last Time Is Now Tournament via an assisted count-out win against Bronson Reed. But the two of them managed to pull off a pretty good piece of business on Monday night that got fans to bite on a major upset.

Hayes played the spunky babyface role, attacking an overconfident Gunther who kept turning his back on his opponent. It didn’t seem to matter – the Ring General remained in control for much of the match, despite eating a series of strikes, chops and a couple of DDTs. Melo managed a First 48 before they both spilled to the floor. There, Hayes hit a tornado DDT off the barricade at the referee’s seven count.

Carmelo beat the count, teasing a second tournament count-out win, but Gunther barely beat the count. He evaded a Nothing But Net and hit a clothesline and powerbomb… for two. The Ring General then locked in a sleeper and put Hayes down with another powerbomb to advance.

Again, the result was never in doubt, but kudos to both men for delivering an entertaining little match.