Welcome back! Previously on GBU, the Women's Intercontinental Championship became official, Shinsuke pursued LA Knight, and Jericho and Ishii slapped the mess out of each other for several uncomfortable minutes straight. Since then, "WWE Survivor Series: WarGames" came and went and Jericho found a fresh challenger who he can hopefully do more with than defense-free slap-boxing.

Without further ado, let’s put this week’s happenings under a microscope to analyze, scrutinize, and start dialogues about the tons of good, the crumbs of bad, and the straight-up ugly of professional wrestling.

The Good

Pat McAfee returning full-time to “WWE Raw”

Obviously announcer opinions differ among wrestling fans, so some may see this as more of a good thing than others. But personally, I find McAfee’s enthusiasm infectious and his presence on the broadcast enhances my viewing experience. I’m going to say something that’s potentially controversial, but I need you to know I mean it — if McAfee is around a bunch for the next decade, I could see him cracking my WWE commentary Mount Rushmore, which currently consists of (in no particular order but also probably this order) Jim Ross, Bobby Heenan, Michael Cole and Gorilla Monsoon.

Who’s on your WWE announcer Mount Rushmore? I genuinely want to know. Oh, wait, yours would include Jerry Lawler? How unique and interesting. Anyway, my honorable mention goes to one of the most underappreciated commentators of all time (and the popularizer of the phrase, “Here comes the pain,”) Taz.

Shelton Benjamin’s super/thrust–kick

That kick is so gnarly it looks like it should be a DQ. It probably helps that Benjamin’s landing it on smaller guys who really sell it well in that compilation above, but make no mistake, this kick makes it look like his opponents got hit by a small vehicle. It should be called a sedankick.

A happy 20-year anniversary to this incredible hurricanrana from Elix Skipper

One of the all-time iconic moves we’ve ever seen anyone land deserves a shout-out on its birthday. This is one of those clips that I watch every single time I come across it, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Bron Breakker’s remarkable shoulderblock

When you see a great shoulderblock, it’s your civic duty to share it. I'm just doing my part to spread beautiful sholderblock awareness.

Big E’s Players’ Tribune article

Everybody loves Big E (aside from Woods and Kofi if we're keeping up kayfabe). You’ll love the piece, you’ll appreciate the piece, and in all likelihood, you’ll find something in the piece that really resonates.

Drew is back

Pure good.

The … Good???

Matt Cardona confronted Chris Jericho. The crowd was sort of into it and the ROH title will be on the line so I think it's a good thing, but if there’s anything the Learning Tree has taught me, it’s don’t trust the Learning Tree.

The Good For Her

Sonya Deville is upset she’s not included in Intercontinental things

Pro wrestling is a field that allows its superstars the luxury of publicly trashing their company's decisions in a way that blurs lines and makes it unclear whether they’re ranting in character or openly talking s*** about their employer. I believe we’re seeing a variety pack here, with Deville airing grievances she might believe in real life. Fully authentic or not, respect to Deville for advocating on her own behalf. May it result in a push upward rather than a two-handed shove out the door and a “future endeavors” tweet.

The Bad

Roman said there’s no way in heck the gosh darn program is getting any friggin’ grittier

I don’t actually think this is bad, but I know a lot of wrestling fans believed a WWE move to Netflix might mean more adult themes. But guess what? The OTC says expect PG. Or, at least, anticipate more of what we’ve been getting without any extra edge — and by that I mean cuss words, not Adam Copeland, though he probably won’t be around either.

Fans are fatigued on Rhea Ripley chasing around Liv Morgan

As someone who finds a song I like and then plays it over and over again until I’m fully sick of it, you’d think I’d be enjoying this feud. But it’s no longer benefiting either of ‘em.

Not only is it getting to a point where Rhea is seeming obsessive and, dare I say, more like an antagonist than a victim, but LIV IS SUPPOSED TO BE FEUDING WITH IYO SKY RIGHT NOW. We should be fully focused on that, without Rhea popping up to intervene every week, especially when she’s getting the better of the exchanges with Liv (the current Women’s champion, by the way) in 90 percent of their clashes. It’d be great to see Rhea used elsewhere and to give Morgan a chance to continue shining in this title reign without landing no offense, being chased out of the ring, and even being pinned.

The Ugly

Bronson Reed top-of-the-cage tsunami

Another table has been brutally murdered because Reed is insistent on doing 2000s Hardy Boyz type activities. I’m glad nobody was seriously harmed in this spot and I don’t just mean Roman Reigns, who was moved out of the way at the last second — I’m talking about Reed himself, who appeared to land feet and ankles first but fortunately seems to have escaped without significant injury.

Night falls on the New Day with Heel Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods dumping Big E

Raise your hand if didn’t see that one coming. Sometimes you think WWE is going to zig and they zag, but other times you think they’re going to zig and they HAVE KOFI KINGSTON BEING A JERK ON LIVE TV. Never thought I’d see the day. It was a shocking, captivating segment with high potential, but I’m telling you right now, if Kingston and Woods don’t immediately go on a run of some sort that involves winning matches and possibly even Tag Team Championships, it’ll all cool off and be a waste.

Maven basically said Bill Goldberg’s dominance was fraudulent (I’m paraphrasing, OK?)

Recalling the infamous backstage brawl between Chris Jericho and Bill Goldberg, Maven recalls how pre-Learning Tree Jericho managed to get the better of Bill Goldberg. The two were momentarily separated before breaking free again for a second kerfuffle, and guess what? Maven says Jericho got "the dominant position" both times. Jericho went Khabib not once but twice on Bill Goldberg, proving that it wasn’t a fluke and the spear-spamming beast’s unbeatable aura didn’t translate outside of the ring.

From the sound of Maven’s retellings, Bill Goldberg couldn’t defend a takedown and multiple people would have turned him to a Swiffer mop wiping the backstage floors with him if he’d crossed them.

The Ugly Now But Cool in 2005

MJF’s pink polo…

I don’t want bold fashion choices to fully distract you from the fact that he cut a quick, classic MJF promo, but a bright pink polo WITH A POPPED COLLAR in 2024 is a wild choice.

And know that it’s not being labeled “ugly” in a derogatory way, because dressing like a douchey bro would’ve dressed 20 years ago is actually just evidence that MJF’s heel work transcends time.

Until next week.