tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30189228095879094962024-03-13T16:49:56.360+00:00That Wrestling BlogOpinions, suggestions, thoughts and reviews on, for and about the wrestling business.
Incessant plugs are available on Twitter @ThatDaveGuy.
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ThatWrestlingBlogDavehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.comBlogger1168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-77722740798963163212016-01-23T18:08:00.001+00:002016-01-23T18:08:23.051+00:00WWE Royal Rumble 2016 preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdUzBuhez_hWDSWNeqSlq2fFSWulBDdi8uNXC42Ly4xGpET6m-PW7uxiaUsBjplTwSlGFGjgFQDubf4Rdfd-g48LRb6Pkf6Yo9qLPrJ3fdcB4MVKaszJEU40Qq-VWc2rMfbqfqZhK-Gs/s1600/Royal+Rumble+2016.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdUzBuhez_hWDSWNeqSlq2fFSWulBDdi8uNXC42Ly4xGpET6m-PW7uxiaUsBjplTwSlGFGjgFQDubf4Rdfd-g48LRb6Pkf6Yo9qLPrJ3fdcB4MVKaszJEU40Qq-VWc2rMfbqfqZhK-Gs/s320/Royal+Rumble+2016.jpeg" width="215" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At this point it's pretty much a tradition that the Royal
Rumble "poster" feature a bunch of guys from the entire roster, most
of whom have no hope of winning the match and headlining WrestleMania. It's a
simple way of reminding everyone of the titular match's basic premise in a way
that harkens back to the old "anything can happen" slogan. On a
simpler level it gives the posters a bit of variety by featuring guys who'd
otherwise never make it onto them. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year that tradition has been sidestepped. Instead of
twenty- or thirty-odd names we have Roman Reigns, WWE world title belt slung
over his shoulder and a smouldering pout playing on his lips. This vision keeps
Reigns strong, always a priority for WWE these days, but it also makes it tough
to predict anyone but him winning the Rumble. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it's at this point that I acknowledge that, yes,
Reigns is the champ. Yes, the champ doesn't usually fight in the Rumble, what
with the winner of the Rumble being awarded a world title shot at WrestleMania
and all. This year that's been changed. The match is no longer for the right to
challenge for the title, it's for the title. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In reality I imagine this has been done to keep the
product lovely and interesting. If that's the case it's a move that's failed.
WWE has become so dry and tiresome to watch that it's going to take a concerted
long term plan and a great deal of effort to bring about the changes needed.
Quick hits like altering the purpose of the Rumble or booking a Brock Lesnar
appearance aren't enough. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In kayfabe the change was made by Vince McMahon as part
of his feud with Roman Reigns. Because Roman won't conform to The Authority's
idea of what a champion should be they're determined to get the title off him
by stacking the deck against him. Sound familiar? It should. This is the format
WWE's been using to establish main event faces since it worked with Steve
Austin. The problem with it is obvious: Roman Reigns is not Austin. I don't
mean this in terms of promo skills, ring work or personality (although it
applies to all of them), I mean it in terms of character. The entire point of
Austin was that he hated how he'd been held down by the business in general and
the Mr McMahon character was the perfect foil for that. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman doesn't really have much of a character to speak
of. There's nothing for him to be bitter or frustrated about. He has very
obviously and openly been fast-tracked to the top of the company. He hasn't
overcome any major setbacks and he hasn't had the real life fight to get his
spot that Austin had. Which means presenting him as an underdog against
malicious ol' Vinnie Mac won't get anyone anywhere: people can't accept Roman
as the underdog we're told he is. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because it's the established formula Roman seems like the
only possible winner. As the babyface champion who the heel authority figures
are out to screw over he is, ironically, the favourite to win. Because WWE's
top lads always overcome the odds. Got to let the kids know they can believe in
their heroes, right?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In fairness it's worth mentioning that had Reigns not
been added to the Rumble the match it would have been decidedly light on star
power (because he and someone else would have had a separate singles match).
Rollins, Cena and Orton are injured. Not many people would have wanted to see
the latter two win but they would have been credible contenders. That's what
you want with a match with thirty participants. In addition to them Cesaro is
injured. He wasn't going to win but he was popular enough to merit a lengthy
stay in the match. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have other predictions for the Rumble match that don't
pertain to the winner. I expect the Wyatt clan will be responsible for Lesnar
being eliminated, possibly after he's mown through all or most of them (if it's
most then Bray will be the guy to survive). Kofi Kingston's annual "OMG
did you see how he survived elimination?!" spot will likely involve his
New Day tag partners. Maybe he'll stand on their shoulders or run across their
backs or Big E will catch him or something. AJ Styles will debut to a good
reaction because the Rumble is big enough to attract the sort of crowd that
will know who he is and care. I can see him lasting long enough to get all his
big moves in (though probs not the neck-breaking Styles Clash) before being
eliminated, something the crowd will loudly boo even though 'The Phenomenal
One' clearly isn't going to win the WWE world title on his first night in the
company. I'm also confident not enough will be done with the comedic potential
of Curtis Axel being in the Rumble. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rest of the card is made up exclusively of title
matches, which seems somehow appropriate for what has become the second most
important card on the WWE calendar. Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose will continue
their run of PPV singles outings with a Last Man Standing match. It's rare for
a stip like this to be busted out for the IC title these days. It's nice to see
here. It can only help restore some of the lustre that's been lost over the
years. It should also play to the brawl-heavy strengths of KO and 'The Lunatic
Fringe'. It could end up being the best entry in their feud. Either could win
because it feels like this is a rivalry of equals where either guy could win on
any night, but I'll pick Ambrose to retain because he's not had the title too
long. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Becky Lynch will challenge out-and-heel Charlotte 'Don't
Mention Her Surname' Flair. Everything here is set up for the two women to
succeed. Charlotte is playing the arrogant, snarky heel she's far better suited
to at this point in her career and Lynch is established in a plucky underdog
role, almost the main roster version of Bayley. They're more familiar with one
another than a lot of other combinations the women's division could throw up,
handy for the still-relatively-inexperienced 'Nature Girl'. And the setup of
the Rumble card means that they should get plenty of time to have a good match.
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Lynch victory isn't out of the question but I think
Charley retaining is far likelier. If WWE want her to be one of the key players
for the Divas scene for years to come she needs to be established as someone
who wins a lot. A lengthy first title reign wouldn't hurt there. She's
currently at three months and while that's not insignificant it's not anything
special either. A run until WrestleMania or beyond is what Charlotte needs to
set her up as a somebody. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last two matches are Kalisto challenging Alberto Del
Rio for the United States championship and the Usos challenging New Day for the
tag championship. Kalisto had a one day reign a few weeks ago (three in TV
time) when he won the belt from ADR before losing it back ok SmackDown. Why he
lost it back so soon (or at all) is a bit of a mystery. Perhaps it was to make
things unpredictable. Whatever the reason I think Kalisto will get the belt
again here and keep it this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Match quality between Kalisto and 'The Essence of
Excellence' will be questionable. They've not clicked in previous meetings.
They'll need to switch things up to make a good impression here. The tag title
match, meanwhile, should be very good. New Day are always on form and the Usos
have become one of WWE's most reliable tandems. I don't want to see a title
switch but I think we might. New Day have had the belts since SummerSlam and I
suspect management will be itching to changes things for change's sake. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No matter how well the undercard matches do it's the
Rumble that will determine whether this show is remembered well or not. With it
looking about as predictable as the last two years' have (and let's pause for a
second and note that Roman Reigns has been involved in fan backlash in the
closing moments of the Rumble in both of those matches) I won't be getting my
hopes up on Sunday night.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Predictions
summary:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns to win the Royal Rumble and retain the WWE
championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dean Ambrose to defeat Kevin Owens to retain the
Intercontinental championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlotte to defeat Becky Lynch to retain the Divas
championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Usos to defeat New Day to win the tag team
championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kalisto to defeat Alberto Del Rio for the United States
championship</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-17888471110232439032015-12-20T12:24:00.003+00:002015-12-20T12:24:59.780+00:00NXT Takeover: London review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZboOE4mvB_LmfYJI_I2KPHfBuYZeY-zqXe36I6FwV5Nw0A5frikIqkQzBg6-QslfSIopUs9Z6tAB0MdJli0jT8iiC0-5hUtPyKhLplcoTWx_510kV5hKzMWoPD-BtnxgXNvv06Gn-IU/s1600/Takeover+London+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZboOE4mvB_LmfYJI_I2KPHfBuYZeY-zqXe36I6FwV5Nw0A5frikIqkQzBg6-QslfSIopUs9Z6tAB0MdJli0jT8iiC0-5hUtPyKhLplcoTWx_510kV5hKzMWoPD-BtnxgXNvv06Gn-IU/s320/Takeover+London+poster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Three days after WWE had presented a decidedly mediocre
show in TLC its developmental crew were dispatched to London for a show of
their own. Imaginatively titled Takeover: London the show was the culmination
of NXT's first tour outside of the United States and its biggest show to date
that hasn't piggybacked off the success of a major WWE card. Held in front of
10,079 at a sold out Wembley Arena this was the latest piece of evidence that
the NXT name is a force to be reckoned with.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">NXT shows, Takeovers in particular, tend to get better as
they go feature the better matches in the semi-main r main event slots. Takeover:
London uncharacteristically saw the first two matches be the best of the
evening. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRd07yBxOWHFStyh5Xo8FXW5tDxqGF4GD6bCdztudnjUS8vKfduD_DQlrb2UJbPWOplMR4Sjll4iqejQVvHJDuJNU1upvSq3e3At92QaODdD7a393ZFxFff3adRZ9qNP8uWu1iQcpDFs/s1600/Asuka+v+Emma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRd07yBxOWHFStyh5Xo8FXW5tDxqGF4GD6bCdztudnjUS8vKfduD_DQlrb2UJbPWOplMR4Sjll4iqejQVvHJDuJNU1upvSq3e3At92QaODdD7a393ZFxFff3adRZ9qNP8uWu1iQcpDFs/s320/Asuka+v+Emma.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Asuka and Brock Lesnar are neighbours.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first was the grudge match between Asuka and Emma.
They kept things even for the majority of the match. Which was smart: Emma is the
longest tenured women in NXT at this point, has been used on the main roster, and
world make a credible challenger to Bayley or a future women's champion. Having
her look competitive against Asuka was absolutely the right thing to do because
in NXT terms she was the newcomer's toughest opposition to date.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Naturally Asuka won. She was always going to. After Dana
Brooke interfered and got sent backstage by the ref Emma tried to sneak in a
cheap win by smacking Asuka with... something (it looked like a knee brace).
Asuka ducked that and floored Emma with a roundhouse kick. A few minor miscues
and wobbles aside this was an ideal opener.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second was the tag team championship match, champions
Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder defending against Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Bumped
from the traditional second-from-the-top slot it's possible these lads felt
they had something to prove being so low down the card (although there were
only five matches on the show and every one of them had been built to very
nicely). They had the match of the night, not something you'd expect to be said
of a Realest Guys match usually but they worked their socks off here.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The match featured the usual Enzo and Cass routine of
Enzo being worked over and working towards a hot tag to Cass. Dash and Dawson
were perfect opponents for this approach as they're entire act is about them
being a precise team who know how to isolate an opponent and target a body
part. What was different here was that when Cass tagged in he found himself
getting worked over. Dash and Dawson being so in tune with one another that
they can break down a big man like Cass gave their credibility a healthy boost.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W44ZNh0BVhyphenhyphenSCrWfrUuMv3wINaPxUmo_WcbZ2l-RvdYGLDyvGLPnCgnBSfTcBPD_W_zqZQeAZvu7PThOeZNAmk3clNvUyR1loiihLuU_Z14oWVEfs-StP-oSBG2M1zq_1Db0shfgMvE/s1600/Realest+Guys+v+Scott+Dawson+and+Dash+Wilder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W44ZNh0BVhyphenhyphenSCrWfrUuMv3wINaPxUmo_WcbZ2l-RvdYGLDyvGLPnCgnBSfTcBPD_W_zqZQeAZvu7PThOeZNAmk3clNvUyR1loiihLuU_Z14oWVEfs-StP-oSBG2M1zq_1Db0shfgMvE/s320/Realest+Guys+v+Scott+Dawson+and+Dash+Wilder.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">This would not get the Realest Lads the belts.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The match was built around Enzo and Cass constantly
working towards tags and getting and escaping from near falls. The finishing
sequence was tremendous. Cass got a desperation rollup on Wilder who got kicked
out and then walloped back down by a Cass boot. Enzo was tagged in and hit his
assisted top rope splash for what the audience <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knew</i> would be the three count. And it would have been had Dawson
not pulled Enzo from the ring. After trying to use Carmella as a human shield
(in a nice touch Carmella showed she didn't need her lads to save her by
elbowing Dawson in the face herself) Dawson threw Cass into the ring post and
the champions hit Enzo with a Shatter Machine from the second rope to
successfully retain their belts.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The build to and pre-match video for this bout made it
seem as though we'd be getting a title change. That Dash and Dawson managed to
retain through craftiness makes them a legitimate threat and gets the right
kind of heat on them. It also keeps Enzo and Cass in the chasing babyfaces role
they seem best suited to right now, and keeps long term NXT fans hungry for
their eventual title win. At this point Dash and Dawson's team name should be
The Dream Killers.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking of the right kind of heat (yes, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> just mention it, check back a few
paragraphs) Baron Corbin was on fine form on this show. He isn't a man looking
to be the cool anti-hero or the edgy bad guy. He wants people to dislike him
because he's a heel and heels are supposed to be disliked. More wrestlers
should take that approach. He has some of the most real heat in WWE today.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What made him so good here was his ridiculous attempts at
trash-talking. He did everything from claiming Crews was in "his
house" to shouting at Apollo that he should have "stayed in Ring of
Honor." Crews has never worked there (the closest he came was a string of
PCW shows co-promoted with ROH) and this was the kind of crowd that was going
to know that. He was unintentionally hilarious, which only helped to up the
already strong jeers from the crowd.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAC6_zanQzEhuz8CX1aKCkxHS8e1y_OBWNn00VqwYV8ptd0Td-ZAov1mcKr8Bf85fvvow3HYnmh4OSuzgZHWml1X-wWlftzPCmffv3s2fCb3pSjnAHLXze4A-o9P7C-d3NHbu-4UWS2w/s1600/Baron+Corbin+Takeover+London.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAC6_zanQzEhuz8CX1aKCkxHS8e1y_OBWNn00VqwYV8ptd0Td-ZAov1mcKr8Bf85fvvow3HYnmh4OSuzgZHWml1X-wWlftzPCmffv3s2fCb3pSjnAHLXze4A-o9P7C-d3NHbu-4UWS2w/s200/Baron+Corbin+Takeover+London.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Big Match Barry Corbin.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The match itself, while nothing special, was good. They
set a brisk pace and worked competently, avoiding any major slip ups, and did
some ringside brawling (surely the style Corbin will become most known for). They
were never going to have a workrate spectacular but they had the best match they
were going to. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Corbin won, clean as a sheet, with End of Days. It was
the right win. Corbin has been built up as a guy who loses rarely. It's part of
what makes him so effective as a heel. This was a logical first loss for Crews
to take. And it positions Corbin for a title shot soon, also a logical move.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayley versus Nia Jax was preceded by the crowd singing
to Bayley. There were lots of examples of fun and amusing chants from this
crowd but this song for Bayley was my personal highlight. It was clever and fit
perfectly with Bayley's popularity-based character.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c-i3xKUMOMFJRdglW0iFd6Bb3F2iSd0ZlGe54Ml7geufXCuirhfYstxxIKwYI6IE3DigA6X6qILkOOGu1bLSHgJ1nGk7eIS1X5aSOdNHfwb4Dh0gSkmhOkmvSgMIil3xsP8ZHtVT85A/s1600/Bayley+v+Nia+Jax.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7c-i3xKUMOMFJRdglW0iFd6Bb3F2iSd0ZlGe54Ml7geufXCuirhfYstxxIKwYI6IE3DigA6X6qILkOOGu1bLSHgJ1nGk7eIS1X5aSOdNHfwb4Dh0gSkmhOkmvSgMIil3xsP8ZHtVT85A/s200/Bayley+v+Nia+Jax.png" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Jax dominated the bulk of the match</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">but it wouldn't get her the title.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The match itself was not the sort of exchange we've
become accustomed to from the women's divisions. It was not Sasha Banks versus
Charlotte but the pair played to their strengths. After an opening flurry in
which the more experienced champion tried to put her challenger away quickly
and decisively Jax took control and unleashed a terrifying onslaught of offence
against 'The Hugster'. The story they told was all about Jax doing everything
in her power to destroy Bayley as she has every jobber she's run up against so
far and Bayley weathering the storm with her usual resilience and determination.
The finish played into this, Jax making one mistake, putting herself into a
foolish position because of inexperience, and Bayley capitalising on that to
lock in a front face lock and body scissors for the submission win.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This match was easily the best work we've seen from Jax
to date. It was also more confirmation that Bayley doesn't need the other three
of the Four Horsewomen to have gripping matches. Which is important if she's to
earn herself the larger main roster role she clearly deserves. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTAxmmx6ImbxMpXt30RidIBMeoFOTqStyxnUIuMMhRz0EN92_VHkhEMFcSAHBU7yfsuwmW8XZW3ZbZ2-HGkn6INi2nRNPbCpBKSJo6Gs3vU03QRQMm8XnCVpI0HQlLTkZd_liKYgCe8g/s1600/Finn+Balor+v+Samoa+Joe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTAxmmx6ImbxMpXt30RidIBMeoFOTqStyxnUIuMMhRz0EN92_VHkhEMFcSAHBU7yfsuwmW8XZW3ZbZ2-HGkn6INi2nRNPbCpBKSJo6Gs3vU03QRQMm8XnCVpI0HQlLTkZd_liKYgCe8g/s320/Finn+Balor+v+Samoa+Joe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">#dives</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The show closed with Samoa Joe versus Finn Bálor for the
latter's NXT championship. Of course this match was good. It wasn't going to be
anything less with two very experienced lads involved. They did everything we'd
expect: all their usual spots, kick outs from big moves, topes, ringside
brawling, and reversals of finishers. But it never seemed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">quite</i> hit the heights it could have.
Perhaps this is a side effect NXT being such a good product, it's more
noticeable when a main event doesn't live up to the standards of a strong
undercard. If so I know it's an unfair complaint. But the fact remains that
Finn and Joe weren't in the best match of the evening and Enzo Amore was.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Takeover: London was a fine show. It was not the best
Taleover card we've had but I think we've reached a point now where that's not
just understandable but it's too be expected. The roster could not keep on
topping exceptional shows. This was good, just not the best we've had. It was
markedly better than the main roster though, and for a team branded "
developmental" that should always be the goal, because if they can better
the main crew the NXT regulars know that sooner or later they'll get moved up
to join them.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Results summary:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Asuka defeated Emma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder defeated Enzo Amore and Big
Cass to retain the tag team championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baron Corbin defeated Apollo Crews</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayley defeated Nia Jax to retain the women's
championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finn Bálor defeated Samoa Joe to retain the NXT
championship</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-25122920609667670812015-12-19T16:11:00.004+00:002015-12-19T16:11:47.976+00:00That RAW Recap 14.12.15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In hindsight TLC was a setup show for the following
evening's RAW. It's never really made sense to me to use pay-per-views, which
people pay to watch (clue's in the name), to set up free TV shows. It goes
against what makes the PPV model work. But at least it's less of a problem now
than it used to be, what with PPVs being less about being a money spinner for
WWE and more a selling point of the Network. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not that this is a big deal or anything. It's simply
interesting to note how the "uses" of pay-per-views has changed over
the years. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh441hJeQBZHPt9SO1ABnb9Vi43ClFYtt-CnnigownDiGb3a64vKYs5EZHVmcTZEnGZn5RmT-g8PiQVGRpr_SMYOCUUbtxrBZZOrdNcXuNEmEBTqrtOSH74F6l7R1KQY7VbK5I-3HOcK6I/s1600/Roman+Reigns+WWE+champion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh441hJeQBZHPt9SO1ABnb9Vi43ClFYtt-CnnigownDiGb3a64vKYs5EZHVmcTZEnGZn5RmT-g8PiQVGRpr_SMYOCUUbtxrBZZOrdNcXuNEmEBTqrtOSH74F6l7R1KQY7VbK5I-3HOcK6I/s200/Roman+Reigns+WWE+champion.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Roman wins the big one.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This RAW will go down in history as The One Where Roman
Reigns Won The Big One. He'd claimed his first world title at Survivor Series a
month earlier of course, but that first run had been cut short at five minutes
and fifteen seconds by Sheamus (hence the T-shirt). His second win feels like
it's the beginning of something far more significant. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With Roman pegged as the next leading man for WWE the
start of his first title reign of significance, not to mention the culmination
of the lengthy storyline in which he's been held down and kept from winning the
strap, this RAW is obviously more significant than most. It's the show on which
WWE finally pulled the trigger on Roman becoming The Guy, something they've
been building towards since Royal Rumble in January and preparing for for even
longer. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The show as a whole wasn't bad but really nothing but the
stuff involving Reigns and the championship mattered. Thankfully everything
involving Reigns and the championship was on point. The evening kicked off with
a promo Stephanie McMahon in which she teased firing Roman Reigns before
calling him a coward, a failure and a disgrac. When Roman responded by telling
her her family was a disgrace she slapped him half a dozen times and revealed
that Vinnie Mac was on his way to the building. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The scene played out as yet another tedious Authority
scene. Steph and Roman were both fine but they didn't do anything we've not
seen them do before. But in conjunction with the second segment of the evening in
which Reigns was in the ring with a McMahon an interesting story was told.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-awnRhOi0vSh1oM7LZoJTFF6Gr9avRE0QgaADmaSuFeVYL0CjJcBQrS-hlW5ZEaEfa3m4eMWVtgHQApZzljyKH0cjLYtNH1o3PqC1B2s-zhX6ggV01yVEjZK_TIZzd_hDakjP5NuiC_M/s1600/Roman+Reigns+and+Vince+McMahon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-awnRhOi0vSh1oM7LZoJTFF6Gr9avRE0QgaADmaSuFeVYL0CjJcBQrS-hlW5ZEaEfa3m4eMWVtgHQApZzljyKH0cjLYtNH1o3PqC1B2s-zhX6ggV01yVEjZK_TIZzd_hDakjP5NuiC_M/s320/Roman+Reigns+and+Vince+McMahon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Roman versus Vince in his prime would probably have been really good.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Vince rocked up at the arena he told Roman to
apologise. Roman refused. He also refused to apologise on his hands and knees,
and he smirked when Vince threatened to beat an apology from him. As the boss
readied himself for a fight Sheamus came out and challenged Roman to a match,
stating that he was so confident he could beat him he'd put the title on the
line. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vince said there was no chance in hell that match would
happen. Roman snatched the microphone from Vince's hands and called him an old
man and insulted his legendary "grapefruits"<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></sup>. Vince
responded as he was always going to: rising to the bait and making the match,
though he added a stipulation that Roman had to win or he'd be fired. He then
kicked the challenger in the privates and strode up the ramp to pose with
Shaymo.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story told across these two segments was Reigns playing
the McMahon family. He no-sold Steph's slapped and insulted Vince's manhood. The
approach made perfect sense. They've been regulars on TV for over fifteen
years. Every wrestler on the roster should know how to push their kayfabe
buttons but nobody ever gets to because the McMahons are too well protected
(obviously because they're the ones writing the show). Roman got to because
someone involved in the scripting process was savvy enough to realise how
satisfying it would be to see the McMahons get outplayed and that it would help
solidify Roman's standing.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The show was rounded off with a world title match. It
wasn't as great as their encounter under tables, ladders and chairs rules the
night before but it was still very enjoyable. They had Vince (along with Rusev
and Alberto Del Rio) on interference duty and Roman got to bleed, so it was a
memorable match in its own right. After very convincing false finishes from a
White Noise and the Brogue kick Reigns finally managed to drop Sheamus with a
spear to win the WWE world title, for keeps, with a spear.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael Cole brought up a very good point as Reigns
hugged the title belt to him: they were in the same arena in which Reigns had
won the Royal Rumble in January. He was booed out of the building on that
night, despite an endorsement from the ever-popular Rock. Eleven months later
he heard nothing but cheers. That's both an endorsement for the WWE writing
team and Reigns himself. The hardcore who were against him for so long were
firmly won over. Now Reigns can get down to the serious business of preparing
to take over from Cena.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></sup> New to WWE? That's not an exaggeration. There
was a time where we'd got twenty promos from Vince about his sexual prowess. </span></div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-11106681091007654332015-12-15T21:43:00.001+00:002015-12-15T21:43:58.347+00:00WWE TLC 2015 review
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">TLC is a funny show. It's always held at a time when WWE
is in some sort of holding pattern between whatever their big summer angles
were and the beginning of 'Mania Season at the Royal Rumble. Sometimes this can
result in desperation plots that catch on and become great. Other times it can
result in an uninspired show that can't be taken as anything other than the
filler it is. Sadly, this year's show fell firmly into the latter camp. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHXpp5abYPkuXOlTCg7ynABtrpWAhpyTZ29GI0A4SakruDGO9vF9tR_QMfxrGhIJfQgNScZQ1Z2x1sLGUIyhbGUUNA5_X-6gW-BSH7E6vJl9zI2gG8xHMO0p86YwoocWG3IgglPjo-zQ/s1600/New+Day+TLC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHXpp5abYPkuXOlTCg7ynABtrpWAhpyTZ29GI0A4SakruDGO9vF9tR_QMfxrGhIJfQgNScZQ1Z2x1sLGUIyhbGUUNA5_X-6gW-BSH7E6vJl9zI2gG8xHMO0p86YwoocWG3IgglPjo-zQ/s200/New+Day+TLC.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The lads.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It started well though. The three-way tag title ladder
match was exactly the kind of opener a WWE pay-per-view needs. New Day headed
out first, talking about the Lucha Booties and "Uso" sounding like a
disease and their desire to become the faces of the division. They also
reminded everyone they were heels by having Xavier say he hadn't done anything
special with his hair because he wouldn't waste the effort on Boston. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being a tag ladder match there was no shortage of
memorable spots. They included: stereo moonsaults to the outside by the dragons
on New Day; stereo topes onto a ladder by the Usos on everyone; a
belly-to-belly suplex onto a ladder from Big E to an Uso;a hilariously
unspectacular belly flop from the top rope onto Kofi by Sin Cara, followed
seconds later by a tope into a Swanton bomb on ladder-covered Usos; Big E bench
pressing a ladder off himself with both Dragons still on top, Kalisto leaping
off with a cross body block on Jimmy and Jey; the Usos smacking Kofi with a
ladder as he was trapped in a tree of woe; Sin Cara monkey flipping Kalisto
onto a ladder atop an Uso; Xavier Woods talking about stamina bars on
commentary; Kalisto headscissoring Kofi into a ladder; Soledo del Sol from the
top of one ladder onto another; and a Jimmy Uso splash off the top rope onto
Big E, who was under a ladder (obvs). New Day retained after Woods threw his
trombone at Kalisto, stunning him and allowing Kofi to pull him off the ladder
and climb up to retrieve the belts. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Knowing they couldn't top that match WWE wisely decided
to follow up with Ryback versus Rusev. If there was an official big lads
championship in WWE it would have been on the line here. These are two of the
company's premier hosses and it showed in a match that should have satisfied
anyone who likes this kind of thing. A Lana distraction eventually led to a Rusev
victory via Accolade. While dull, it did at least work as a way of
re-establishing Rusev and Lana. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqchZ1k7wQOBYEhMgTnVBrLjAK81LXGglnfAAk4boiUfak2Q5v5ETirKsrONQbtToPGRMeyBmdj6zVXy9YJ-Y4KYv-gW23CI-2HyLneWfT0OFvOq0MukXBkFXxbqOM9xKKdIVma-bBfDs/s1600/Jack+Swagger+v+Alberto+Del+Rio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqchZ1k7wQOBYEhMgTnVBrLjAK81LXGglnfAAk4boiUfak2Q5v5ETirKsrONQbtToPGRMeyBmdj6zVXy9YJ-Y4KYv-gW23CI-2HyLneWfT0OFvOq0MukXBkFXxbqOM9xKKdIVma-bBfDs/s320/Jack+Swagger+v+Alberto+Del+Rio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Chairs matches are bad. This was no exception.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a stilted, unnatural conversation between Roman
Reigns and Dean Ambrose (Reigns really, really shouldn't speak) we got match
three. That was a chairs match for the United States championship, Alberto Del
Rio defending against Jack Swagger. They kicked off with a duelling chairs spot
and then had a basic encounter featuring basic weapons spots. I imagine I'd
have been more interested in this bout if I weren't bored by ADR. But I am so I
didn't. 'The Essence of Excellence' won with a double stomp onto a pile of
chairs. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was followed by the Wyatt Family v the Dudley Boyz,
Tommy Dreamer and Rhyno in a tables match. Trash cans (dustbins) and kendo stocks
were brought in immediately, seemingly so Strowman could no-sell them and look
powerful. He was briefly teamed up on by Team ECW but was saved by Erick Rowan.
He was put through a table, eliminated, for his trouble. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harper and Wyatt took over after that. At one point
Harper hit a Michinoku driver and Michael Cole called it correctly. That was
surprising. Rhyno was their first victim, getting booted through a table by
Harper. The Dudleys slipped back in to hit Harper with a Doomsday Device. Bubba
got distracted targeting Strowman (possibly a shoot considering his
reputation), leaving Devon to set up a table. He was immediately thrown through
it by Wyatt. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiipPCVngMIJ2BKe_BQafzoFe28HeqWF7gpEOAilqOdxfrxtAswd9gODP-6Ak3MQUkM09pGbAkz_MeRVPLgaHn6mOR6hbpI3Z5eeS8tomGY8h3Y2WtFza1_SjOZhlUFON7O0vBblnXT_M/s1600/Team+ECW+TLC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiipPCVngMIJ2BKe_BQafzoFe28HeqWF7gpEOAilqOdxfrxtAswd9gODP-6Ak3MQUkM09pGbAkz_MeRVPLgaHn6mOR6hbpI3Z5eeS8tomGY8h3Y2WtFza1_SjOZhlUFON7O0vBblnXT_M/s320/Team+ECW+TLC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">E-C-dub, E-C- ahhh, I can't be bothered.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That left Tommy Dreamer and Bubby Ray against the three
remaining Wyatts. Which was a really odd call. Dreamer didn't last long though:
he got eliminated after a tope through a table by Harper. Bubba responded to
being left alone by dousing a table in lighter fluid. Because that clearly
wouldn't have been PG it came to nothing. Strowman wandered in and choke
slammed Bubba through the table to get the win for his team. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The match was better than I'd expected but was by no
means good. That the Wyatts weren't permitted a clean sweep was the biggest
weakness. It really would have helped their standing as a faction had they not
lost anyone. Maybe something will come of Rowan being eliminated. I hope not,
frankly. He already has one failed singles push to his name. We don't need
another. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Intercontinental championship match was preceded by a
promo from Kevin Owens. He laid into Bostonians living vicariously through
their (presumably) successful sports teams before turning his attention to Dean
Ambrose. Naturally enough he said Ambrose and the Boston fans had plenty in
common. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOXdeTq02C02v5mttYRFtIcRlgSdHSeOYfLb20fdgnJOCL7PrGpTbewCwAQseLXOQ1qN2wZ4Lh8aoWvCMdK3yos4lOTTFl-IHLv-M6Wno1bW2VP5iOODb2rFikMo37AbjCiY8QS-c7iw/s1600/Dean+Ambrose+v+Kevin+Owens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOXdeTq02C02v5mttYRFtIcRlgSdHSeOYfLb20fdgnJOCL7PrGpTbewCwAQseLXOQ1qN2wZ4Lh8aoWvCMdK3yos4lOTTFl-IHLv-M6Wno1bW2VP5iOODb2rFikMo37AbjCiY8QS-c7iw/s320/Dean+Ambrose+v+Kevin+Owens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">A disinterested referee watches Ambrose risk his neck.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They had one of the night's better bouts, an indy-styled
altercation built around familiar spots and near falls. This is the sort of
thing that both men (though Owens in particular) excel at. It was nice to see
them given the chance to do their thing here after an ever-so-slightly
disappointing meeting at Survivor Series, although they still didn't get <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> long. 'The Lunatic Fringe' got the
surprise win, playing into the false finish theme by reversing a pop-up power
bomb that felt like a definite match-ender and getting the pin and the title.
It's a bit of a shame that Owens' reign is over so soon but at least he lost to
someone with some name value. I'm interested to see whether WWE get it right
with Deano now.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Divas title match between Charlotte and Paige took
the semi-main event slot. That's been the traditional slot for female wrestlers
over the last decade. One aspect of that tradition has been giving the matches
little time and less reason to happen. That's something that has, pleasantly,
been dropped from the women's division since the Divas Revolution over the
summer. The story itself largely failed at everything except introducing new
names to the roster but it's nice that's it's had a more positive long term
effect.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The story going into the match was that Charlotte had
become increasingly like her father, bragging about her abilities and cheating
to win. This included her sneaking an unfair victory out of supposed friend
Becky Lynch. It doesn't matter that aping her massively charismatic father
doesn't play to her strengths, this has been a step in the right direction for
Charley. She's a more natural heel than face at this point in her career and
this is good for her.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXSSNWNFeY1YW6u69_72dRMjsUuc3XaS6dUNdMCHx7D3_OUa9gGNSlbAJFATWbmDb6ytXwvPMxw5FI2gWjGeSmhp4AuUUjtu9TKNUbNjwF_AuGBt_JU2yBxlBZjKZfYU9-_kOIKEkmbo/s1600/Charlotte+and+Ric+Flair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXSSNWNFeY1YW6u69_72dRMjsUuc3XaS6dUNdMCHx7D3_OUa9gGNSlbAJFATWbmDb6ytXwvPMxw5FI2gWjGeSmhp4AuUUjtu9TKNUbNjwF_AuGBt_JU2yBxlBZjKZfYU9-_kOIKEkmbo/s320/Charlotte+and+Ric+Flair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Time for a new title belt, I reckon.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That said it did make the match peculiar. Charlotte has
clearly been cast as a heel and Paige has spent months in that role too. The
crowd decided 'The Nature Girl' was the default heel and threw their lot in
with 'The Anti-Diva'. The action was most notable for Charlotte honing her Ric
Flair tribute act, although she did get a (ropey) cross body from the top and a
big boot that he'd never have hit. She retained after slinging Paige face first
into an exposed turnbuckle, which she'd set up as her dad distracted Paige and
the referee.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Which left only the main event: Roman Reigns challenging
Sheamus for the WWE championship. They set the tone from the opening seconds of
the match when Reigns raced across the ring and lamped Sheamus square in the
mouth with a right hand. It was a "snug" encounter ful of the
prerequisite ladder and tables bumps, neither man putting a foot wrong. Both wrestled
like they had something to prove. Let's face it, they did. Reigns needed to
prove he warranted his position as the anointed one and John Cena's heir. Sheamus
needed to show people he's worth more than an interim run as world champion and
that he should have had this spot on his own merit.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3kMar45wne7zB2xJjtefvQilQsPP_bvHt9UH8IaLScXGzVpTjES0GCtaVTq59dVyml5EidI-r16zYh-zmKacD2q46RBY5qrzFG7GtbIgVK5MxKAG47P7nvNEiKVlByOPMEFaKPEKjdU/s1600/Roman+Reigns+v+Sheamus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3kMar45wne7zB2xJjtefvQilQsPP_bvHt9UH8IaLScXGzVpTjES0GCtaVTq59dVyml5EidI-r16zYh-zmKacD2q46RBY5qrzFG7GtbIgVK5MxKAG47P7nvNEiKVlByOPMEFaKPEKjdU/s320/Roman+Reigns+v+Sheamus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">"Bah gawd, look at the physicality! Look at the <em>carnage!</em>"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What this was was a fitting main event that saved the
pay-per-view from utter mediocrity. What this was not was Roman Reigns' night. After
Superman punching 'The Celtic Warrior' off the top of a ladder just as he laid
his hand on the title belt Reigns seemed to have the match won. He steamed up
the ladder as Michael Cole screeched that this was his chance. But it wasn't.
Rusev and 'Dirty' Berty Del Rio, Shaymo's League of Nations stablemates, hit
the ring and assaulted Reigns.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They teased Reigns overcoming the odds as long as they
could. ADR helped Sheamus recover as Rusev trapped Reigns in the Accolade. Reigns
broke free, clobbered the interference runners, and yanked Sheamus off the
ladder. That earned him a Brogue kick which sent him sailing out of the ring. Obvious
Sheamus victory right? Well, yes, but not before Reigns had puled himself back
into the ring and over to the base of the ladder, prompting a look of stunned
disbelief from Sheamus and a hurried unbuckling of the title belt.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the match Reigns destroyed everyone. He speared Del
Rio and Rusev as they hoisted Sheamus up on their shoulders. Then he hit all
three with a chair. A lot. Triple H and Stephanie showed up at ringside. Reigns
continued his assault, sporting the expression of a man who'd had enough of having
obstacles thrown and had finally snapped. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxan61ZdPD5Wu7hbg3bf4ocFvGps6P_3YhZnzZZFbkH3gj8AUGdgGdml4GBfgBihIAbF3XBYCeOnFBX1mtV0mmLGc9IJwegJYeODuZAqlrgy8sre_QuOJC1Hr45wwl6rQQ21bo2-46q8U/s1600/Roman+Reigns+goes+crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxan61ZdPD5Wu7hbg3bf4ocFvGps6P_3YhZnzZZFbkH3gj8AUGdgGdml4GBfgBihIAbF3XBYCeOnFBX1mtV0mmLGc9IJwegJYeODuZAqlrgy8sre_QuOJC1Hr45wwl6rQQ21bo2-46q8U/s320/Roman+Reigns+goes+crazy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Roman Reigns losing his mind there.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">'The Game' got into the ring to help Sheamus and ended up
taking a beating too. Reigns gave him a Superman punch and seven chair shots
before power bombing him onto the Spanish announce table. I say onto because it
didn't break. Not to be denied a memorable visual Reigns leapt off the English
announce table and hit the COO with an elbow drop. Then, just for good measure,
Reigns speared Trips as he was being helped to hobble backstage. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This sequence ensured the show ended on a strong note. It
was Reigns snapping, taking his frustrations out on the people who have held
him down in storyline and bored viewers in real life. It was the perfect way to
win the crowd over and get them firmly on Reigns' side. The show went off the
air with the fans going crazy for the chosen one. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it set the stage for a heck of a RAW...</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Results summary:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Day defeated the Usos and the Lucha Dragons to retain
the tag team championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rusev defeated Ryback</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alberto Del Rio defeated Jack Swagger to retain the
United States championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Wyatt Family defeated the Dudley Boyz, Rhyno and
Tommy Dreamer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dean Ambrose defeated Kevin Owens to win the
Intercontinental championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlotte defeated Paige to retain the Divas championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sheamus defeated Roman Reigns to retain the WWE championship
</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-91380519999620450912015-12-13T12:12:00.001+00:002015-12-13T12:12:26.539+00:00The Women's Division's Hulk Hogan
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since the last Takeover show a pattern has emerged with
the booking of NXT women's champion Bayley. She's presented in a way not
dissimilar to Hulk Hogan. No, she doesn't scream and shout her way through
manic promos or mention prayers, vitamins and milk but she does get confronted
a fair bit. That's very much in the 80's Hogan mould. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdLkN1EKqkE-yw4e-pbPGOW3l11-y6RoRK8BKT-cVnPab6N4h-urr8pR2ZtYkFGM-GQUu_mXs04KAzIWR47e2iBJVpJleleL9HBBSCW5v5m3LoaL1ee9vh4wrVd8UIW1lnG715QoATfE/s1600/Bayley+NXT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdLkN1EKqkE-yw4e-pbPGOW3l11-y6RoRK8BKT-cVnPab6N4h-urr8pR2ZtYkFGM-GQUu_mXs04KAzIWR47e2iBJVpJleleL9HBBSCW5v5m3LoaL1ee9vh4wrVd8UIW1lnG715QoATfE/s320/Bayley+NXT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">A woman under constant threat... <em>from other women</em>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The episode following Takeover: Respect, a show Bayley
headlined with Sasha Banks in an iron woman match, successfully defeating the
former champ three falls to two, Bayley was confronted by Alexa Bliss. The BAMF
leader put over Bayley as the rightful centrepiece of the women's division
before cruelly snatching her championship belt away and switching tones, saying
that she, not Bayley, would lead the division into the future. It was a clear
setup for a match, just not one that was held off for two months for the next
Takeover event.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bliss was a natural adversary for 'The Hugster'. Her mean
girl act is a perfect foil for the socially awkward underdog Bayley portrays. Their
feud could easily have been stretched out to Takeover: London in December but
instead it was resolved with a singles match on the November 18 episode. Bayley
won clean.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">She was then confronted by Eva Marie. 'The Red Queen', to
astonishingly loud heat (seriously, what has the woman done to offend the Full
Sail regulars this much?), informed Bayley they'd wrestle the following week.
Eva was presented by the commentary team as a tougher foe than Bliss had been.
Which was fair. Eva Marie has wrestled more matches than Bliss recently and has
won them all. If you want to go on wins and losses Marie is a more credible
challenger.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC53jdOSZv6OtStSyuDqi6w5XtQ4W5Jh-26y7lzlcl_ZhyphenhyphenX7MYihOxKLLNvwJXZTCXxeFsSTa-UK8wrX7Q1eXg34lTXmK9Lv2RNOK5-zN0ccLnAY0k1FKZMUErHCckwcSntJuTHHXIj6Y/s1600/Nia+Jax+and+Eva+Marie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC53jdOSZv6OtStSyuDqi6w5XtQ4W5Jh-26y7lzlcl_ZhyphenhyphenX7MYihOxKLLNvwJXZTCXxeFsSTa-UK8wrX7Q1eXg34lTXmK9Lv2RNOK5-zN0ccLnAY0k1FKZMUErHCckwcSntJuTHHXIj6Y/s200/Nia+Jax+and+Eva+Marie.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Nia Jax and the new Bobby Heenan.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayley again won, this time overcoming the odds in a
match that had a distinctly Vince Russo vibe to it thanks to a crooked
official, ref bumps, and outside interference from Nia Jax. Following the match
Jax attacked Bayley, making her intention to be the next big challenger clear. There
was a repeat performance in a backstage segment, in which the champ was thrown
through a prop door, just to emphasise that Jax really does mean business.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That match hasn't been rushed into. Instead Jax will be
Bayley's challenger at Takeover: London. In a nice touch her partnership with
Eva Marie seems to have been retained. I we want to stick with the Hogan
analogy I started that possibly makes Eva the NXT women's division's answer to
Bobby Heenan. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I like this approach. It worked for Hogan because he
needed a constant stream of dudes to beat to show that he was the best. It's
just as good for Bayley, although the reason why is different Instead of
needing challengers to crush every other week Bayley needs to be shown to be a
target, helping to maintain her underdog act. This approach is another example
of what makes NXT work: things are kept simple there.</span></div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-77959292676727589832015-12-13T11:54:00.002+00:002015-12-13T11:54:17.428+00:00NXTweet 09.12.15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One week until Takeover: London. This was all about final
bits of build for the key matches. And reminding North American Network
subscribers that it's not the end of the world that they can't watch a show
live in the evening for once.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 1: It's NXTime.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 2: These emotionally manipulative ads for JEWELLERY
on the Network though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 3: "Bull Dempsey deserves to be in the opening
credits," said nobody ever.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Corey Hollis and
John Skyler v Enzo Amore and Big Cass<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 4: Little Enzo and Colin Nash have engaged Serious
Mode.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 5: Corey Hollis and John Skyler are rocking the ECW
jobbers look. Good for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 6: Cass been hitting the spray tan, hasn't he?
Probs part of his knee rehab.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 7: Liking Carmella's hair this week FTR.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mrc_d9B_0qKrVYlawMWUbw72qlnhj1wUyAZvj0UAlC-jLrgXBKUbnKG_zt6har92_sI-6eJEz8mWaAH6uZwCSWkCQO6Q5yNRroxMnvHvAwKgGCXZO_btB20GS0uSsmsE45i-WkI7ty8/s1600/Enzo+Amore+drop+kick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mrc_d9B_0qKrVYlawMWUbw72qlnhj1wUyAZvj0UAlC-jLrgXBKUbnKG_zt6har92_sI-6eJEz8mWaAH6uZwCSWkCQO6Q5yNRroxMnvHvAwKgGCXZO_btB20GS0uSsmsE45i-WkI7ty8/s200/Enzo+Amore+drop+kick.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Fresh knee pads on Li'l 'zo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 8: Cena-esque drop kick from Enzo there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 9: Story of this match is Cass and Enzo have beaten
this jobber team far easier than the tag champs did. Commentary have missed
that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 10: Food on tables promo here from Enzo. Great
stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 11: Such a fan of Cass waiting awkwardly to hit his
catchphrase once Enzo decides he's done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 12: "We WILL walk out the NXT tag team
champions" - Big Cass, who's probably wrong</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dana Brooke and
Emma talk to Tom Philips<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 13: Dana Brooke in a white top? #twothumbsup</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 14: NXT > Japan, says Emma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 15: I could believe Emma is a heavy smoker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 16: "Scrunch down" - Dana Brooke, with
another line I'd be a fan of hearing IRL</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deonna Purrazzo v
Asuka<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 17: The Asuka versus Dana and Emma feud isn't the
best thing ever but I do like their issue being independent of the women's
title.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 18: I don't like Deonna's chances for this match...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 19: Not least because she's wearing massive knee
pads.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTSGOVyMK_vFksPsdY29I45huKsgTM_8DC86CQb5Jx6J9HR_u9RIs7OQmVZMDTE0ZJddD_Xp4QHVTw4meUV6JtHGU4pE9uZq_yySSgFXNkmYpmCkVWfi4mh-Dp9MXEZfntZYzEgwfv6Y/s1600/Asuka+armbar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTSGOVyMK_vFksPsdY29I45huKsgTM_8DC86CQb5Jx6J9HR_u9RIs7OQmVZMDTE0ZJddD_Xp4QHVTw4meUV6JtHGU4pE9uZq_yySSgFXNkmYpmCkVWfi4mh-Dp9MXEZfntZYzEgwfv6Y/s320/Asuka+armbar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Ask her!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 20: Going to make the bold prediction that Asuka
will debut new ring gear at Takeover: London.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 21: Oh no! Dana and Emma are standing on the ramp
and Asuka is distrac- oh, wait, everything's fine. She just KOed that job girl.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hype Bros promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 22: Imagine Mojo thinking 90s references will get
him over with Vince McMahon.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 23: Things would be very different for them if
Russo was still around.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">BAMF promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 24: 'Fashionplate' Wesley Blake.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS1mpNB1OunE2qt0cXC7NxxRr0d4e8tY9GKQDNbJwRoLkmYnvH170gcxxfsKYOg4Sne8kakfJ7vAHXKi7p0BB8AGic_TYuob-_iA5qjJuL6VDA20JqBJeo4LawXbe1YTmTiwF1UGrua8/s1600/Fashionplate+Wesley+Blake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS1mpNB1OunE2qt0cXC7NxxRr0d4e8tY9GKQDNbJwRoLkmYnvH170gcxxfsKYOg4Sne8kakfJ7vAHXKi7p0BB8AGic_TYuob-_iA5qjJuL6VDA20JqBJeo4LawXbe1YTmTiwF1UGrua8/s320/Fashionplate+Wesley+Blake.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 25: That's a singles run waiting to happen. Give it
time...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 26: Anyone done any fanfic about Alexa's Goa'uld
hand thing yet? Asking for a friend.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hype Bros v BAMF<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 27: Mojo and Ryder are a good fit as partners but
you still have to feel for Ryder. Got himself over and this is his reward.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 28: Liking the Dennis the Menace colour scheme on
BAMF.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT0BTR-n3pob5_B6HoXg4ETCb1zuc-4qMabC2T3jftNxxPLf_mvwiZh7_is5FsjeVKvNekClaybhvuQB3L8RDzkFCB4IhwTlvjBtkppPCi5VREnbLKaLn4kITtiVYntiWQpH-O97GrD4/s1600/Mojo+Rawley+FFS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLT0BTR-n3pob5_B6HoXg4ETCb1zuc-4qMabC2T3jftNxxPLf_mvwiZh7_is5FsjeVKvNekClaybhvuQB3L8RDzkFCB4IhwTlvjBtkppPCi5VREnbLKaLn4kITtiVYntiWQpH-O97GrD4/s320/Mojo+Rawley+FFS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">FFS.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 29: The physiques on Mojo and Blake though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 30: Really enjoying the heel shenanigans of BAMF.
Shocking display as Alexa gets lifted up by Blake to kick Ryder in the head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs3CbpoIX8iDcpekHSdDX8q5kiY3rZ-S7gf_vh5ec2yf8-_tKNwbcAryoycAOCfr7kmy44sUtN5d1tum8mEJFc721g72gplLIYcO_gS0FGfVljWEZxHLx1ykekXKAgWLfjHFTl5q6W9k/s1600/Alexa+Bliss+interference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs3CbpoIX8iDcpekHSdDX8q5kiY3rZ-S7gf_vh5ec2yf8-_tKNwbcAryoycAOCfr7kmy44sUtN5d1tum8mEJFc721g72gplLIYcO_gS0FGfVljWEZxHLx1ykekXKAgWLfjHFTl5q6W9k/s320/Alexa+Bliss+interference.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">At least Zack's safe from her rough moonsault.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 31: Mojo Rawley is a sweaty lad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 32: Hoping Blake and Murphy win this. Feel like the
Hype Bros will though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 33: They won immediately after I pressed send FFS.
I get it. Heel tag champs need fave challengers. Still, BAMF deserve better.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Samoa Joe and
Baron Corbin promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 34: Joe and Barry having a chat here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 35: "I don't like where you come from and I
don't like what you represent" - Barry Corbin on Apollo Crews</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 36: Barry's gimmick of calling indy guys rookies:
tremendous.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Peyton Royce v
Bayley<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 37: Peyton Royce getting a featured intro here. Has
she won a TV match yet?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 38: I retract that question as it no longer matters
when she's doing Billy Gunn's draped-in-the-ropes pose. Hilarious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 39: Billy did it better though. More erotic, for
starters...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 40: Going by boot colours Bayley is the heel and
Peyton is the face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 41: Bayley doing the Jericho style bulldog always
makes me sad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sIzaCsbE6cLZvqKZbwGlCa1DsO_Z1TfjoC-eCVOr1EHCfuk79v1SuRNXNNR5g2nmhiJRm4mtbp77Gvy5NKej6DtVoz_VUm1ReFYwXsgtal-WEei5Yf_hW6KAOpZ5RlwHM3cGLPpvgdw/s1600/Bayley+v+Peyton+Royce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sIzaCsbE6cLZvqKZbwGlCa1DsO_Z1TfjoC-eCVOr1EHCfuk79v1SuRNXNNR5g2nmhiJRm4mtbp77Gvy5NKej6DtVoz_VUm1ReFYwXsgtal-WEei5Yf_hW6KAOpZ5RlwHM3cGLPpvgdw/s320/Bayley+v+Peyton+Royce.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Peyton loses. Again.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 42: This Nia Jax and Eva Marie pairing being a
lasting thing is a great decision. This heat is manager heat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 43: Standing at ringside to get booed. That's how
to book Eva Marie.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apollo Crews and
Finn Bálor chat backstage<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 44: Casual chat between Apollo and Finn in front of
a camera here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 45: #unfinishedbusiness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 46: I want Finn Bálor to be booked as an
increasingly paranoid champion, like Austin in 2001. Doing backstage skits
where he sings and that.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baron Corbin and
Samoa Joe v Finn Bálor and Apollo Crews<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 47: Barry and Joe tagging out against their rivals
and it being framed as tremendous use of mind games is hilarious.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 48: Crews v Joe will be a good thing for NXT when
it rolls around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 49: Barry, you're not even taping your wrists,
mate. What have you become?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 50: If this match ends with Joe choking out Finn
then Finn retains next Wednesday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 51: Could see Apollo or Barry taking the pin though
TBH.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 52: Barry Corbin should get a new gimmick where he
makes reference to being a werewolf every so often.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 53: Bálor falls to the Coquina clutch. So he'll
retain the title. Because that's how WWE works. And NXT, despite what it gets
right, is WWE.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMslKvgRjcXWfMUW_OQVI7tqvbw2PlP07zYXETnFz_VBvQxnh0pK8PqCsvVCZWPw15o5nQJUTteuEuqFM9AH9Zubx90p_netObwLRcHk5W8wBw62Ac_FkIdv_-hV2AXYtpsTDX2ecXc8/s1600/Samoa+Joe+boot+pose+Finn+Balor.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMslKvgRjcXWfMUW_OQVI7tqvbw2PlP07zYXETnFz_VBvQxnh0pK8PqCsvVCZWPw15o5nQJUTteuEuqFM9AH9Zubx90p_netObwLRcHk5W8wBw62Ac_FkIdv_-hV2AXYtpsTDX2ecXc8/s200/Samoa+Joe+boot+pose+Finn+Balor.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The hossiest hoss.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 54: Joe posing with another man's belt to close the
show. #heel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 55: Good show. Good hustle. Strong stuff.</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-22617719664342486872015-12-11T20:59:00.002+00:002015-12-11T20:59:30.875+00:00WWE TLC 2015 preview<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FtW0Qbv7vxAwB7Pd7q6Abt8FbcdUCaEV7reI7pIssuZbmstYiC0YOvY5NW-awNBXshmtIW-tjRZGwheKAv2a2cqxb4IoGYq4tjjcM8pkuk16_nZBWeBN_K3XmHhBZhZwBr9r_e-OhqE/s1600/TLC+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FtW0Qbv7vxAwB7Pd7q6Abt8FbcdUCaEV7reI7pIssuZbmstYiC0YOvY5NW-awNBXshmtIW-tjRZGwheKAv2a2cqxb4IoGYq4tjjcM8pkuk16_nZBWeBN_K3XmHhBZhZwBr9r_e-OhqE/s320/TLC+2015.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are two things I want to more at the start of this
preview. The first is that the show is sponsored by Toys 'R' Us. This is an
example of why WWE went PG. They never would have got such a sponsor (and say
what you want about Toys 'R' Us but they're a big retailer who pop the kids)
without that rating on their product. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second is that the show is to be held in Boston,
Massachusetts. That's (pretty much) John Cena's hometown. That he's currently
on a sabbatical filming a reality fitness show or getting married or finding
himself or something was already a problem for the injury-heavy roster. Big
Match John missing a PPV in Boston is doubling disappointing. There's always
the potential to do something memorable with him there. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But let's not focus on what's missing. Let's focus on
what we have. The hot new feud in WWE since November's Survivor Series? Roman
Reigns versus Sheamus. No, it's not the most exciting-sounding programme WWE
could have put together but it has avoided being actively bad. Shaymo comes as
close to having genuine heat as anyone in WWE these days and works fine as a
generic heel for the valiant Reigns to chase. It would be nice if we were
getting something different to the tried and tested cowardly-paper-champion
routine, especially as Sheamus could convincingly portray a bruising bully, but
it's better than nothing. Marginally. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reigns and 'Great White' have decent enough chemistry
too. And while I'm not the biggest fan of Sheamus he does at least bring some
variety to pay-per-view main events. It's nice to get a break from the
seemingly never ending cycle of established headline names exchanging
victories. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pleasingly, it's found a use for Bad News Barrett and
'Don't Call Me Alexander' Rusev, teaming them up with world champ Sheamus as
the League of Nations. The stable has a whiff of the mid-card about it but
considering it's comprised of mud-carders that's both understandable and okay.
I'm all for guys being given things to do. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The specifics of this feud are largely uninteresting. The
only part that matters is that Sheamus is the man who "robbed" Reigns
of his first WWE title and has been bragging about it since, even going so far
as to slap a slogan on a T-shirt (the audacity!). Of course, Sheamus didn't rob
Reigns. He used a contract that he'd won fairly in the manner in which it was
intended. But this is WWE so they have to frame Reigns as the wronged party. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The match will benefit from a strong layout. We know that
because keeping Reigns strong is still the company's priority. I'll be amazed
if Barrett and Rusev don't interfere to give Reigns some fodder to blast
through. That seems to be the sole reason the League of Nations was formed.
Sheamus will almost certainly escape with the belt via shady tactics, setting
up a rematch at Royal Rumble where Reigns can finally get a lengthy run as
champ on the go. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The undercard is mostly comprised of decent-sounding but
unspectacular matches. Dolph Ziggler and Tyler Breeze was rumoured and would
have made sense but has been omitted from the card. Because WWE loves it's
"everything remains even" booking, part of the reason so many members
of the roster find it hard to build any momentum and generate a connection with
the crowd, the likelihood would have been a win for 'The Show Off' because
'Prince Pretty' went over in their first PPV encounter. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But that match isn't happening so I'll note that the
"evening out" logic also applies to Kevin Owens v Dean Ambrose. 'The
Lunatic Fringe' pinned KO at Survivor Series. Owens' title wasn't up for grabs
there, instead it was a spot in the finals of a world championship tourney. The
standard practice of feuding wrestlers swapping PPV victories indicates a win
for Owens, as does the fact that he's only had the title three months. It feels
like he's die a long run as the IC champion, partly because he's got so much
star potential and partly because I suspect that factions backstage want to
rehabilitate that belt. Ambrose could win it here but I think he's more likely
to get it in a rematch. Or possibly not at all, at least not from Owens. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The logic will probably not apply to Charlotte versus
Paige. The reason for that is that 'The Nature Girl' is in the process of
turning heel (following in the footsteps of Paige, who herself turned only a
couple of months back). She's had an unspectacular face run and the chances are
high that she's going to keep hold of the belt to see if she can improve her
standing when she switches to the dark side fully. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think she will. Charlotte got over in NXT largely
because of strong booking and benefiting from working with superior wrestlers.
She's got neither on the main roster and has found it tougher to connect
because of it. Going bad will mean her slightly stand-offish nature is a
strength and not a hindrance. It will also help her character make sense:
boasts of genetic superiority do not a babyface make.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paige v Charlotte could be good fun if they're given long
enough and there's some interesting booking thrown in to play up Charlotte's
new attitude. Paige is easily a good enough wrestler to get a good match out of
Ms Flair.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alberto Del Rio v Jack Swagger is mostly interesting
because of the mess of a storyline it represents. ADR returned in October and
was paired with J-Swag's former manager, light-hearted racist Zeb Colter. The
two spent two months telling people they're all about MexAmerica (whatever
that's meant to be) with Swagger popping up every so often to try to convince
Colter to go back to his fun-lovin' racist ways. The really confusing part
isn't that this got aired (this is WWE, far weirder stuff than this has been
okayed over the years) but that Swagger was presented as the good guy despite
being, essentially, pro-racism. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Either guy could win the match. I'll be bored to tears
whoever goes over because Del Rio does <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nothing</i>
for me. I'll pick 'The All American American' to win because that'll free the reportedly
highly paid Del Rio up for bigger and better things. Winning after interference
from Uncle Zeb would help: ADR wouldn't suffer the indignity of a clean loss
that way.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a similar vein the Wyatt Family versus ECW Originals
match is one that's hard to care about. Despite being one of the strongest
characters in the company Wyatt is routinely placed into dreary programmes (not
that this is big news or anything). His two feuds with The Undertaker this year
have both been badly and this has been little better. 'The Eater of Worlds' has
taken a dislike to the Dudleys for whatever reason and they've called in Tommy
Dreamer and Rhyno for assistance. Which, for anyone familiar with the history
of Dreamer and the Duds in ECW is jarring. For that matter Rhyno had little to
do with either of his three teammates here. They're being held together by the
love of a promotion that went out of business <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fourteen</i> years ago.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is a match that has powerful train wreck potential.
In a perverse way I'll enjoy it the worse it is, because it's not something we
can expect to be good by any reasonable criteria. The right result would be the
Wyatt clan going over because they have more to offer the company in the future
and Bray still has the glimmer of main event potential to him, but who the hell
knows if we'll get that. They lost to 'Taker and Kane last month, and they have
a combined age of 98.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The highlight of the line-up is the tag team championship
match, New Day defending against the Usos and the Lucha Dragons. Iffy
psychology aside (faces shouldn't outnumber heels in a triple threat unless
under exceptional circumstances) this match should be fun. New Day are great,
Kalisto is an ultra talented dude that deserves better than being half of a bit
part tag team, and the Usos have now been around long enough to be acceptable
as the veteran doubles squad that are a constant threat to whoever has the
belts. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It feels like a change is due in the tag scene. Brief Prime
Time Players reign aside New Day have had the gold since SummerSlam in August.
There would be nothing wrong with them retaining but it feels like a good time
for a switch up, if only for a while. While the Usos winning would prove them
to be the constant threats I've said I feel they can be I think a win for the
Lucha Dragons would be a better move. Getting a title onto Kalisto should be a
priority. Having him as a former tag champ would make any eventual singles push
that bit more meaningful of done right. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ryback versus Rusev will also happen. If there's a less
appealing bout WWE could add t this pay-per-view I'd love to hear it.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Predictions
summary: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sheamus to defeat Roman Reigns to retain the WWE
championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin Owens to defeat Dean Ambrose to retain the
Intercontinental championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucha Dragons to defeat New Day and the Usos to win the
tag team championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Wyatt Family to defeat the Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer
and Rhyno</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlotte to defeat Paige to retain the Divas
championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jack Swagger to defeat Alberto Del Rio to win the United
States championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rusev to defeat Ryback</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-69831000733838229872015-12-05T12:36:00.002+00:002015-12-05T12:36:59.950+00:00NXTweet 02.12.15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week's episode of NXT was all about solidifying the
spots of the main players ahead of Takeover: London. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nia Jax got to win a squash match and calmly confront
Bayley backstage. 'The Hugster' got to show she was intimidated by her new
challenger (always important for a fightin' babyface) and officially accept the
unspoken challenge. Then she was thrown through a door, which got over Nia's
power and made her ruthlessness clear while putting Bayley at an even larger
disadvantage than she was before. Because she's now not just facing a larger
opponent, she's doing so after being thrown through some specially constructed
collapsible furniture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The tag title competitors didn't get as much air time but
chances are they'll get spotlighted next week. Here we were shown champs Dash
Wilder and Scott Dawson bragging about having already injured Big Cass's leg, a
nice change of pace from the kind of heels presented on the main WWE roster.
It's a basic thing but not something anyone on the more high profile WWE shows
would get to do. What's more, Dash and Dawson are good at it. It plays to their
strengths.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The more interesting news from the tag division came
after the Vaudevillains versus Jason Jordan and Chad Gable match. English and
Gotch lost and were offered a handshake. Despite having shaken backstage
beforehand they refused. The bad sportsmen shtick signals a heel turn for the
pair which, while not exactly needed because they're so popular, is still
welcome because the pair were in danger of becoming stale, having faced most
teams available to them and having been champs. It'll be interesting to see how
bad guy hipsters are portrayed in NXT.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While NXT champion Finn Bálor remained unseen his next
opponent, Samoa Joe, got to headline the show. He had a stiff (or, as Steve
Austin would likely say, snug) match with Tommaso Ciampa. It was wonderfully
hossy and a credit to both men. Joe won with the Coquina clutch, a move that's
been built up as inescapable and a sure-fire match-ender for months. Were he
heading into a match with John Cena we'd obviously get a spot where Cena powers
out of the hold. In NXT against Bálor that's not going to happen, but the champion
could escape the hold. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As things stand now I'm expecting a Joe victory at
Takeover: London. A Bálor promotion to the main roster seems like it could
happen on any given Monday night. There's no more obvious candidate to replace
him than Samoa Joe. He could work with Apollo Crews before turning face and
doing something with Baron Corbin, should he be in NXT for long enough. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There's also the Sami Zayn return to factor in. He could
come back and challenge Bálor. They'd have very good matches but it doesn't
quite feel like the direction in which NXT would go. What seems far likelier
(to me at least) is a Joe win over Bálor at Takeover, only to be confronted by
a returning Zayn as the show closes. For now, that's what I think we're going
to get.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 1: It's NXTime. I've done that one before and I
don't care.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 2: James Storm shown in the still for this episode.
It's already quite the show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 3: To be clear, I do not rate Jim Storm. Can't even
enjoy him ironically.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baron Corbin v Tye
Dillinger<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 4: But someone I CAN enjoy ironically is 'The Big
Wolf' Barry Corbin.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 5: Had Barry been around in the early 90s he
definitely would have gotten work in Smoky Mountain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 6: I want a pre-match promo from Barry in which he
claims to eat tens for breakfast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 7: Wish Jim Ross was still alive to gush about
Barry's football background and stud-like appearance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 8: Sadly Jim Ross of NXT 1610 died in a
company-wide crossover event.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 9: If Dillinger had a finisher to hit he probably
could have won that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7TZTAlyqRG7TG1P_GwJWnG5li6Ns0xCqrOKsF6mwDqnWVUZ1h_Tco35XLXFTmDtFNW-rcgEeAtjl7k8ZOl8CdkuMfklEszq7rzrNW8czQr6K18zv3Md9h2Uk4r4KDRjLWnba_8tvm4g/s1600/Tye+Dillinger+v+Baron+Corbin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7TZTAlyqRG7TG1P_GwJWnG5li6Ns0xCqrOKsF6mwDqnWVUZ1h_Tco35XLXFTmDtFNW-rcgEeAtjl7k8ZOl8CdkuMfklEszq7rzrNW8czQr6K18zv3Md9h2Uk4r4KDRjLWnba_8tvm4g/s320/Tye+Dillinger+v+Baron+Corbin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The state of this move.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 10: Still think the End of Days is a daft-looking
move. Good name though.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apollo Crews
interviewed backstage<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 11: Apollo Crews is concerned for Barry Corbin's
safety. He's even laughing about how concerned he is.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tommaso Ciampa
interviewed backstage<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 12: Tommaso Ciampa looking decidedly like a hipster
here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 13: Ciampa is convinced he's winning. His loss will
trigger a breakdown which leads to the return of the Tommy Penmanship
character.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nia Jax v Blue
Pants<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 14: Surprising lack of heat for Nia Jax considering
she attacked Top Girl Bayley last week.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 15: Book Nia like 911 and use her to destroy
jobbers making their last appearance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOA3PMRtUDLrv8fmHfHaumPYx87381bFU_MckYdKAi2tZuxnG4tvlgCfotfoZ0-FS3Gmd7pF3l5kXwkcSRuyl_Cx5tGvb-Q7gvINJ5B7EKi6Od81WAj-NZxgNsEzJNS3BKEw_hyXIHMt8/s1600/Blue+Pants+v+Nia+Jax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOA3PMRtUDLrv8fmHfHaumPYx87381bFU_MckYdKAi2tZuxnG4tvlgCfotfoZ0-FS3Gmd7pF3l5kXwkcSRuyl_Cx5tGvb-Q7gvINJ5B7EKi6Od81WAj-NZxgNsEzJNS3BKEw_hyXIHMt8/s320/Blue+Pants+v+Nia+Jax.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Blue Pants: the natural first opponent for a new heel in NXT.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 16: Nia working "snug" here...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 17: Nia should switch to Gangrel style elbow drops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 18: Big fan of Nia almost going for her usual style
of pin before remembering she'd been told to do the cocky foot on the chest
routine.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott Dawson and
Dash Wilder talk to Tom Philips backstage<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 19: Dash and Dawson sitdown interview. Tears.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 20: They're really good to be fair. Getting
themselves over as a couple of lads who don't care about hurting people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 21: "... carry-on item Enzo Amore..." -
Scott Dawson</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adam Rose v James
Storm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 22: Adam Rose entering wearing glasses with no
music? Yes.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 23: Why does Rose have to be sacrificed to 'Big'
Jim Storm?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0kg6rFevuI7GeCRHB5VXAAD2KQ03ySUPy261ZnVLYtGuVKzVKhgVooLlXvZwbE-fG1-KIBMD4xTFZeeFiFbQfNEB3Zks3256gXwDMZev6MsTKWdF48YcNv-dv3kmHAFiJ75LHOCLoI8/s1600/James+Storm+v+Adam+Rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0kg6rFevuI7GeCRHB5VXAAD2KQ03ySUPy261ZnVLYtGuVKzVKhgVooLlXvZwbE-fG1-KIBMD4xTFZeeFiFbQfNEB3Zks3256gXwDMZev6MsTKWdF48YcNv-dv3kmHAFiJ75LHOCLoI8/s200/James+Storm+v+Adam+Rose.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Former TNA champ there...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 24: These striped shin guards on Rose though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 25: Heel Adam Rose is worthy of so much more
attention from Creative™.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 26: Honestly no idea what people see in Storm. Only
thing he had going for him in TNA was that he could be presented as "their"
guy.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Vaudevillains interviewed
backstage, featuring Jason Jordan and Chad Gable<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 27: #Vaudevillainspop</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 28: "Tonight we will win" - Simon Gotch,
who's probably wrong</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sami Zayn vignette<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 29: Reminder of Adrian Neville being a smug prick
in his rivalry with Samuel Zayn Esq. here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 30: I remember this R: Evolution main. It was good,
weren't it?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jason Jordan and
Chad Gable v The Vaudevillains<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 31: Hyped for this match.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 32: Looking forward to Kurt Angle suggesting he
return as Gable and Jordan's manager, cementing himself as the new Ric Flair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 33: That's if he hasn't already.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiXEn27FNs9JpYggcqlY9EP-0vpF-ETgxD1JHxlMhf24btUZBiypMOlkmF6IS78q-LIM4sMOJWhrtLXX95UlKIHIjUZ6g3E80ThrL1O8KWh_OBy5u0f9xHjZicSCWjEBr-XFD9rMKW4w/s1600/Jason+Jordan+and+Chad+Gable+v+The+Vaudevillains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiXEn27FNs9JpYggcqlY9EP-0vpF-ETgxD1JHxlMhf24btUZBiypMOlkmF6IS78q-LIM4sMOJWhrtLXX95UlKIHIjUZ6g3E80ThrL1O8KWh_OBy5u0f9xHjZicSCWjEBr-XFD9rMKW4w/s320/Jason+Jordan+and+Chad+Gable+v+The+Vaudevillains.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Dlicious drop kick from Jordan there.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 34: The Vaudevillains would probably benefit from
being given a regular second that isn't Blue Pants. Someone new who fits their
gimmick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 35: Solid match that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 36: The 'villains splitting without shaking hands
and Gable loling about it is world class stuff.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emma v Liv Morgan<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 37: The point of that Emma and Dana segment? No
idea beyond extending their thing with Asuka.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 38: Emma wears glove because of all those flips and
springboards she does.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 39: It will eventually be revealed that Liv
Morgan's origin story is that she's an Alexa Bliss clone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 40: NXT: Clone Wars, coming summer 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 41: Culminates with a clean shaven Reigns clone
being introduced to feud with the original Reigns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0JvVAiQUl_DADNFUUcE7NCA9B7AMIw45sRQ6TtbglUaEbxffvPAPiJdSOfoRCfJ9IXBBFxLGCgN-VLACH1LhfGp7PIV24D-KrVXcybLW4qR9656CiR_MPXP4XoY6Uo1lc06vAGQY_kU/s1600/Emma+v+Live+Morgan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0JvVAiQUl_DADNFUUcE7NCA9B7AMIw45sRQ6TtbglUaEbxffvPAPiJdSOfoRCfJ9IXBBFxLGCgN-VLACH1LhfGp7PIV24D-KrVXcybLW4qR9656CiR_MPXP4XoY6Uo1lc06vAGQY_kU/s320/Emma+v+Live+Morgan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">No, that's <em>not </em>Alexa Bliss.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 42: On the women's division: either Dana and Emma
or Asuka are Bayley's feud after Nia Jax.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 43: Either would be good. I'd prefer Emma and Dana.
They've been around NXT longer and deserve the spot more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 44: Then again maybe Nia will beat Bayley and then
be challenged by Asuka.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 45: This is why NXT's so good. Mostly logically
booked but very few things are obvious when it counts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 46: That said Emma was always going to beat Jersey
Alexa.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayley interviewed
backstage, featuring Nia Jax<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 47: Bayley doing great work as a top babyface champ
here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 48: Crying at Nia throwing Bayley through a stunt
door.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tommaso Ciampa v
Samoa Joe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 49: Thomas the Champ Engine versus 'Mr TNA' Samoa
Joe. This'll be "snug"...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 50: "Samoa Joe introduced Tomasso Ciampa to
his eventual wife." I need details on this...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 51: Joe punching Ciampa into the ropes. Great
stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 52: That slap exchange.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 53: "Submission specialist" - This means
he knows a submission hold in WWE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 54: Really enjoying this match. Hoss levels are off
the charts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2QddvdqB5GRtZoorhjyukwAWMmkfJg3bM00ef_G2tsZMi_xMwsnmZ-TxRmip-3ZYiJygUgaonrAJianIFkA0HttpFF8HHPUFY9Q7V5LczXQ_t4QCJGwZuHnxKDuR8KYsj-ehCzH0kWc/s1600/Samoa+Joe+Coquina+clutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2QddvdqB5GRtZoorhjyukwAWMmkfJg3bM00ef_G2tsZMi_xMwsnmZ-TxRmip-3ZYiJygUgaonrAJianIFkA0HttpFF8HHPUFY9Q7V5LczXQ_t4QCJGwZuHnxKDuR8KYsj-ehCzH0kWc/s320/Samoa+Joe+Coquina+clutch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Nice teeth.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 55: Yeah, that was great fun. Proof predictable
outcomes don't ruin wrestling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 56: "Báloooooor!" - Samoa Joe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 57: Great episode. Great hustle, loyalty, respect.</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-15947740211448494842015-12-01T19:57:00.003+00:002015-12-01T19:57:56.159+00:00Sheamus 5:15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We've all come across Austin 3:16, haven't we? That's the
phrase that got Austin to click with audiences, which in turn helped him crack
the WWF main event and become a monstrous success. It sold him a bunch of
T-shirts and various other lines of merch. Many of those have been parodied and
used as inspiration by other wrestling promotions. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14SRkA03XvxtsgKEWmdrUZJ__Mvffdtfq0LNrio1127OEy3mzosobhc5tICqgOealDNUJ-Dfhy4RDCkgeJ_6UhepyCsM_jOrPzxW3UQ1IGnbFAnf008A5SOvaLKGiWWCo6gbCRYy1hzU/s1600/Sheamus+5.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14SRkA03XvxtsgKEWmdrUZJ__Mvffdtfq0LNrio1127OEy3mzosobhc5tICqgOealDNUJ-Dfhy4RDCkgeJ_6UhepyCsM_jOrPzxW3UQ1IGnbFAnf008A5SOvaLKGiWWCo6gbCRYy1hzU/s320/Sheamus+5.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Sheamus 5:15 says "Match times, fella!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Surprisingly, given how good they are at finding ways to
both make money and drill any given idea or co Celt into the ground, WWE have
never really used the 3:16 thing as inspiration. That changed on Monday's RAW.
On that show three time WWE champion Sheamus bragged about how, because of his
Money in the Bank cash-in, Roman Reigns' first ever title win resulted in a
reign (the repetition of reign here is why "Roman Reigns" is not the
best ring name Leati Anoa'i could have chosen) that lasted just five minutes,
fifteen seconds. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's a nice idea. It was used to set up an interesting
scenario on RAW, Reigns getting a title shot but having to win in 5:15 or less,
but it feels somewhat like WWE have missed the point. Austin's line worked not
because it was numbers but because it was an off-the-cuff remark that fit with
the promo he was giving at the time. It was a shot at Jake Roberts but it could
be used without his inconvenient because it was, in essence, a quote from the
fictitious Book of Austin. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sheamus's version is a putdown related to Reigns and
Reigns alone. It will make little sense outside of a programme with Reigns. Its
success, measured in crowd heat, is largely dependent on people caring enough
about Reigns to boo Shaymo's dastardly bragging. Some people will do that. Some
people won't. Most won't care either way because Reigns is largely
uninteresting and hard to sympathise with and Sheamus's biggest source of heat
is a daft haircut. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This isn't a bad effort by any means. It's actually
rather inspired. But this being the best WWE can come up with for the new
champion and, presumably, top active heel demonstrates how creatively shallow
things are right now. </span></div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-11906790165970297872015-11-27T20:19:00.003+00:002015-11-27T20:19:46.828+00:00NXTweet 25.11.15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A rarity on NXT this week: a match that was built around
outside interference and ref bumps. Honestly, that change was welcome. When
used sparingly it's a fun approach that can effectively get heat and build up
new acts.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 1: Watching the NXTs innit.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 2: Feels like the intro video changes every week. I
remember when I first watched RAW and the video was the same for about a year.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Samoa Joe and Finn
Bálor contract signing, hosted by Michael Cole<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 3: AHAHAHA, MAGGLE COLE IS IN CHARGE, MAGGLE!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 4: "Email from Corporate" is such a
Michael Cole thing to say.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 5: Suit and a gimmick T-shirt. The hell you
thinking, Finn?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 6: *Bálor gets in the ring, gives Cole Bloody
Sunday*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 7: Finn Bálor here, declaring war on trust and
friendship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 8: Enjoying the communist Russia vibe from Joe's
entrance lighting and video.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 9: Arrive. Sign contract. Leave. Get that on a
T-shirt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 10: Only one man is walking out of this contract
signing... and his name is MAGGLE COLE.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRmPoAa9vBUWuzpYSm2RjmyDMmX-JyVhwxERgEFo5UcbTRR47qi-kvHEIyD8VEX8zqJys1LfVKChOYUgAu6v9QenA_SoIh-b-qoxcR4IC02bbylLCtD8aPCMGzEKuvsqyDmAOgpY4hmk/s1600/Samoa+Joe+clutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRmPoAa9vBUWuzpYSm2RjmyDMmX-JyVhwxERgEFo5UcbTRR47qi-kvHEIyD8VEX8zqJys1LfVKChOYUgAu6v9QenA_SoIh-b-qoxcR4IC02bbylLCtD8aPCMGzEKuvsqyDmAOgpY4hmk/s320/Samoa+Joe+clutch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">"Are you there, Finn? It's me. Joe."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 11: Building up Joe's clutch here. I assume that
means Bálor will survive or counter it at Takeover.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 12: Genuinely hyped for Bayley versus Eva Marie.
Has potential to be either fun or a ridiculous mess. Either way I'd be happy.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NXT tag team
championship: The Vaudevillains v Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder (c)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 13: #Vaudevilainspop</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 14: Really enjoying The Ring Jacket Express lately.
Good lads. I'm a fan of them just being a pair of rasslers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 15: Excellent facial hair all round in this match.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 16: Throwing about the falsies here, aren't they?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNSICOEUq2_8Q6TsTZgIFMOFpJLjw27Bb5LZIuA6IWHMjtXBwNhWOL6YKVQEVcPxeuDxAaHqe7aOxYgPCYBhjRHhMFErh2vA73mNU1ibSDDOalvCJL44wRhvIlDT55aDxHs-faEJWe0I/s1600/Scott+Dawson+and+Dash+Wilder+Shatter+Machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNSICOEUq2_8Q6TsTZgIFMOFpJLjw27Bb5LZIuA6IWHMjtXBwNhWOL6YKVQEVcPxeuDxAaHqe7aOxYgPCYBhjRHhMFErh2vA73mNU1ibSDDOalvCJL44wRhvIlDT55aDxHs-faEJWe0I/s320/Scott+Dawson+and+Dash+Wilder+Shatter+Machine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Such a fan of this move.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 17: Dawson and Wilder win, because they were always
going to. One day we'll get a feud where titles switch back and forth a bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 18: Is it not being called the Shatter Machine
anymore? That name was, and is, great.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 19: Enzo and Cass v The Super Shatter Bros has potential.
It'll definitely get the crowd hot.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eva Marie talks to
Tom Philips<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 20: Eva Marie with some slick mic skills here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 21: "I'm the hottest literally prospect in a
long time" - Eva Marie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 22: Wut?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 23: Nia and Eva coming together to form the New
Mega Powers and dominate the women's division (which sadly has no tag belts).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elias Samson
vignette<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 24: Loving how daft Elias Samson's 'Drifter' shtick
is.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 25: Give him Bull's push.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Asuka v Dana
Brooke... doesn't happen because of an attack by Emma<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 26: Asuka versus Dana Brooke is the definition of
Something for the Dads™.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 27: Dana 'Panto Villain' Brooke there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0jQg1BXUzZrRE97OIPatBVfkQg6sfszxFqvR725ppFqekcfmRACRKTGwwHItzXNGCgHybuyksuJWgVDEhYq4EU9OmmsWG3QQv7NEXx-P4bnq5rrkJbDXN1BCu57EGi-P_cPAzFzBw4U/s1600/Emma+Lock+on+Asuke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0jQg1BXUzZrRE97OIPatBVfkQg6sfszxFqvR725ppFqekcfmRACRKTGwwHItzXNGCgHybuyksuJWgVDEhYq4EU9OmmsWG3QQv7NEXx-P4bnq5rrkJbDXN1BCu57EGi-P_cPAzFzBw4U/s320/Emma+Lock+on+Asuke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Maybe Emma could be revealed as Sister Abigail. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Got the hoodie and she can go upside down like Bray.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 28: Emma's borrowed Luke Harper's hoodie from
Battleground.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 29: Dana's taunting needs work.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayley talks to
Tom Philips<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 30: "To some people Eva Marie is the perfect
champion" - Bayley</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 31: Bayley is the latest person to mention WWE
Corporate. Is that a thing now? Is this what Regal will be crediting for heel
decisions?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 32: WWE Corporate, feat. Jack Tunney.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sami Zayn vignette<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 33: Sami Zayn is coming back. But more importantly
they included a shot of El Local in his return video.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 34: Samuel Zayn Esq. presumably returning at the
post-Takeover tapings.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apollo Crews v
Jesse Sorensen<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 35: Can't wait until Apollo Crews debuts a move and
Rich Brennan informs us it's called Crews Control.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 36: Making out that Jesse Sorensen is a big deal is
a step too far. Dilutes the Big Name Free Agent card they've been (over)playing
lately.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz4u3Y4CtQbOS3zWOVsBvWmfQhT_pzitaQ0tJRudP5dIQt7UlGu_4hg-RkJmQIawo81jRURxZBdGI5F3pwwVLJt9UpMa3qL2r35LArNsqx5R-kU2_g1I2jyRrmONLPxkl4HxnXplfmCk/s1600/Apollo+Crews+power+bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz4u3Y4CtQbOS3zWOVsBvWmfQhT_pzitaQ0tJRudP5dIQt7UlGu_4hg-RkJmQIawo81jRURxZBdGI5F3pwwVLJt9UpMa3qL2r35LArNsqx5R-kU2_g1I2jyRrmONLPxkl4HxnXplfmCk/s320/Apollo+Crews+power+bomb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Apollo's new finish. Save that combo for special occasions, yeah?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 37: You know who I'd REALLY like to see in NXT?
Akira Tozawa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 38:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
made the right call keeping that short and not having Sorensen do much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 39: "Baron Corbin..." *boos*</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baron Corbin promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 40: Barry Corbin with a wildly passionate promo
here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 41: Sad we didn't get his sign off from last week.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NXT women's
championship: Eva Marie v Bayley (c)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 42: Li'l 'Naitch' pop.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 43: Corporate have flown Charles Robinson in to
"ensure a clean finish." They should have brought in Earl Hebner for
this spot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg3iy-Gr-ik2Qbx1lkWme3VpmKqk6XqGAB8skrxQaLOl-rS3cya7H-1tGMdG82tIdtbzgenwG0EQ5mhDiTgzrF1GotVxM6e7Vo02P38gzE_iaqUkEAIzWrNfLTthxe4DymkYmNUMFO1M/s1600/Bayley+v+Eva+Marie+match.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg3iy-Gr-ik2Qbx1lkWme3VpmKqk6XqGAB8skrxQaLOl-rS3cya7H-1tGMdG82tIdtbzgenwG0EQ5mhDiTgzrF1GotVxM6e7Vo02P38gzE_iaqUkEAIzWrNfLTthxe4DymkYmNUMFO1M/s320/Bayley+v+Eva+Marie+match.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Old lion Charles Robinson watches on.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 44: This heat on Eva though. It's because she's
wearing gold gear despite her "all red everything" gimmick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 45: Nia Jax is wearing more red than Eva.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 46: Charles Robinson subtly concealing an erection
there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 47: Potential for Attitude Era level shenanigans
here. I'm already a fan of this one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 48: To clarify: I hate constant interference. When
it's used sparingly and on special occasions it can work wonders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 49: Eva being talked about as undeserving. Why,
exactly? She's won more matches than Bliss has lately, and Bliss got a title
shot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 50: Textbook lockup. Who says Eva can't work?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 51: Eva taking some air guitar from the Tanahashi
playbook there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 52: Shot of Charles Robinson nodding sagely.
Tremendous.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 53: Loling at the nonsense of this Nia
interference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 54: Brad should have gotten to do this refereeing.
One last hurrah.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 55: Sliced Red getting such a hot response. Tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 56: Ref bump. Nobody does it better than Charles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 57: Good booking. That was a fun bit of nonsense.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV5jcLEeTZQV6w-CWpDh86Qrvowna53yNOuj1paFWH1VURYhQcfGgnhXMLBnBivZTvi8XauJRVxLxF1P8FZyRihholE869OKVxKwsYkpx27C17SI5_OXBCcNQla0NxtJB1wXf3d4wnYg/s1600/Nia+Jax+attacks+Bayley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUV5jcLEeTZQV6w-CWpDh86Qrvowna53yNOuj1paFWH1VURYhQcfGgnhXMLBnBivZTvi8XauJRVxLxF1P8FZyRihholE869OKVxKwsYkpx27C17SI5_OXBCcNQla0NxtJB1wXf3d4wnYg/s320/Nia+Jax+attacks+Bayley.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The next, and perhaps ultimate, obstacle for Bayley to overcome.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 58: Nia Jax attacking Bayley because next
challenger and why not?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 59: The Hogan pattern continues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 60: Good show that. It was a laugh.</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-78490671714546128412015-11-23T22:00:00.000+00:002015-11-23T22:04:17.076+00:00Survivor Series 2015 review<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Let's start off with some honesty. Survivor Series was
not a great show. When the longest match of the evening takes place on the
pre-show you know you're in for a rough night. It's too early to attempt a
redemptive reading of this card (not that redemptive readings of pay-per-views
should even be a thing because it's massively pretentious but whatevs) but even
if it weren't I don't think much could be done. There were good matches but not
where it counted. And the ending of the show, a bigger deal here than normal
because a new world champion was to be crowned, was a spectacular misfire.
There's not really a way for a wrestling show constructed so heavily around its
main event to come back from that. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLX2ugM7A4k1P3z-9AvOkl2s3TG-sEKdh45hIDEVeXvPmlgo42v2LP3heDtpT7DqnDHxkyLvO259KytdxwZjn-QdGNl2bwpLpfBTpZnhxrDEyuvpc6UFSlhrbORfMUUQiBLpr4nQpEP6E/s1600/Roman+Reigns+v+Alberto+Del+Rio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLX2ugM7A4k1P3z-9AvOkl2s3TG-sEKdh45hIDEVeXvPmlgo42v2LP3heDtpT7DqnDHxkyLvO259KytdxwZjn-QdGNl2bwpLpfBTpZnhxrDEyuvpc6UFSlhrbORfMUUQiBLpr4nQpEP6E/s320/Roman+Reigns+v+Alberto+Del+Rio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Reigns figuratively Superman punching rebelling fans in the face.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The official opener saw tourney favourite Roman Reigns
take on Alberto Del Rio. The reasoning of making this match was sound enough,
it was intended to keep the crowd on side on stop them revealing against Roman.
It achieved its goal because ADR is massively boring and has a confusing
gimmick to boot (he's pro-multiculturalism but we're meant to dislike him for
an unspecified reason). But having your show begin with a man who's main method
of getting heat is being tedious to watch is a bad idea for very obvious
reasons. Reigns went over clean and will show no interest in the United States
title in the foreseeable future. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Things improved with the other semi-final match. That saw
Dean Ambrose defeat IC kingpin Kevin Owens in exactly the kind of gripping affair
everyone expected from them. Even though an Ambrose win seemed likely they
managed to cast doubt on the outcome until it rolled around, in which Ambrose
reversed the pop-up power bomb into a hurricanrana and then hit Dirty Deeds for
the pin. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">That was followed by a traditional Survivor Series
elimination match, the only one on the show (although that pre-show bout I
mentioned was one). Rybsck, the Usos and the Lucha Dragons took on King Wade
Bad News Barrett I, Sheamus and New Day. There was fun to be found because New
Day are the best act in WWE. They hit the right mix of fun and threatening
which is exactly right with them portraying heels. Also, Xavier Woods had a new
haircut!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unfortunately the match wasn't good. There were moments
of delight to be had but there were too many bodies in the ring to avoid blown
spots and sloppiness. The wrong team survived too. This was the perfect chance
for New Day to be established as unstoppable when they're at full strength (it
would have given us another heel victory on the show, which could have been a
help). Instead they were treated as generic heels and, bafflingly, walked out
on the match together after Big E was eliminated. It's not that that went
against character, it's that it was a stupid idea that did nothing to put them
over as an effective trio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgkduZfZ4aGFkcdsFm0y28CU9GbG5ngnnOj_ss0txF_CEgeUbMfAzvhsiwJR9aBSkZD_BTdismIUyhPae9h3MJD0Ra2RAzr01FJ-AWyqzb6sWsA0QuJgsNKEfRGucSwyeW3g56CYF_8s/s1600/Ryback%252C+Jey+Uso+and+Kalisto+for+some+reason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgkduZfZ4aGFkcdsFm0y28CU9GbG5ngnnOj_ss0txF_CEgeUbMfAzvhsiwJR9aBSkZD_BTdismIUyhPae9h3MJD0Ra2RAzr01FJ-AWyqzb6sWsA0QuJgsNKEfRGucSwyeW3g56CYF_8s/s320/Ryback%252C+Jey+Uso+and+Kalisto+for+some+reason.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">This weird team though...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The tag team champions, the King of the Ring (remember
when that tournament was treated like it meant something?), and the man who
would leave end the night as WWE world champ were outlasted by Ryback, Kalisto
and Jey Uso. Yes, Jey Uso. It's worth noting that Ryback got the pin on Shaymo.
That's a potential world title feud. Harrowing to think about, I know.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Paige's challenge for Charlotte's Divas championship followed
that. This card being relatively light on matches ensured that they got plenty
of time, a shade under fifteen minutes. The match wasn't bad but they weren't
lively enough to hold attention for that amount of time. Too many rest holds
made this somewhat of a chore to sit through. The by-the-numbers ringside
excursion did nothing. Charlotte won with the figure eight.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tyler Breeze and Dolph Ziggler were only given enough
time to have a match slightly better than what they'd have had on RAW. They
made up for it by having two of the best outfits of the evening. 'Prince
Pretty' looked good, as he should have done in his PPV debut, but the match was
nothing special. He got the win too, again as he should have done.
Interestingly he did so with the move Christian once called the Unprettier.
Apt.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMXzNgGA6SQJZTYQDQgV5870nh6-0bxQOAHC_kh5ZIN51SD1JFcRHy0FfpSEGXtSFnrAXkLpkxcWh2-bBTbMOlIzlsVstvuX9bxp-VsCTmDFb03Iz9Sf425dDoDLLZfobrQugOwgLKpI/s1600/Undertaker+and+Kane+v+Wyatt+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMXzNgGA6SQJZTYQDQgV5870nh6-0bxQOAHC_kh5ZIN51SD1JFcRHy0FfpSEGXtSFnrAXkLpkxcWh2-bBTbMOlIzlsVstvuX9bxp-VsCTmDFb03Iz9Sf425dDoDLLZfobrQugOwgLKpI/s320/Undertaker+and+Kane+v+Wyatt+Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Expert selling from Harper there.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Undertaker's twenty-fifth anniversary match took the
semi-main event spot. As I wrote in the preview this was a wasted opportunity.
'Taker tagging with Kane against Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt just didn't feel
like a big enough deal for such a significant milestone in the man's career and
the character's history. More should ahve been done in advance to build towards
this. I understand that WWE has been hit by an unfortunate spate of injuries
but nothing across the last month or two of television indicates that anything
of any greater worth was originally planned for 'The Dead Man' at Survivor
Series. The company knew this anniversary was coming up and could have made it
a far bigger deal had they wished. We're left to assume that they didn't want
to, which begs the question of why they made even this token attempt.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The match itself was okay. Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper
were wisely picked as the representatives of their Family and got to look
reasonably competitive against the Brothers of Destruction before they took the
loss. That said they were also shown to rely heavily on interference and still
couldn't win, even against a 'Phenom' who was very visibly off his game, quite
possibly feeling the pressure of the moment. Or maybe he was feeling his age.
Harper was pinned by Undi' following a Tombstone. No other pinning combo was an
option: 'Taker had to get the win and Bray couldn't take a loss.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Which left only the main event (although in actuality it
didn't). Notable omission of a handshake at the start aside, odd because of the
brother versus brother narrative WWE was going with and their well-established
on-screen friendship, the two had an entirely believable and completely natural
face versus face match. Neither was too aggressive, both got in an abundance of
their signature moves and high spots. They packed in plenty of near falls too,
although it's possible too many of them relied on finishers. With only ten
minutes to play with it did feel a very busy match at points.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM1U9bUTQnFEyy8wozdckVDBUav1-M-huJkWZvilDITCco3PLaJCKfHsVMIuplqOaqpSdlTynRRHd3SXd4ROQ5769wIihm5iycEM5cWvoAYo51hUwqPT-kcMvLYSFMSqXjdvJ6MHWFOo/s1600/Roman+Reigns+defeats+Dean+Ambrose+and+gets+a+hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM1U9bUTQnFEyy8wozdckVDBUav1-M-huJkWZvilDITCco3PLaJCKfHsVMIuplqOaqpSdlTynRRHd3SXd4ROQ5769wIihm5iycEM5cWvoAYo51hUwqPT-kcMvLYSFMSqXjdvJ6MHWFOo/s320/Roman+Reigns+defeats+Dean+Ambrose+and+gets+a+hug.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">No heel turn here.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Then Reigns hit a spear and just like that it was over.
Reigns got his moment to celebrate as JBL, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler gushed
about his achievement and the legacy he comes from. He and Ambrose shared a hug
before the loser gracefully exited the ring and Reigns was flooded by confetti.
This was, of course, designed to make Reigns' subsequent fall all the harsher. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Triple H hit the ring. He applauded Reigns and raised his
hand before offering a handshake. Reigns responded with a weak spear. Sheamus
then showed up, Brogue kicked Reigns, and officially cashed in his Money in the
Bank contract. Even when losing to a surprise cash-in Reigns was kept strong,
kicking out of the move (which not let forget has been well protected over the
years) before falling to a second.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSAmvQvktT4W-AftUfZopDvYIR255fGIbOtM9umqt-NRuHNNj0TmuWGTGbNOLVVHpTZZWbJ-WnbHlbgKd9c2zOjMaSrekikbgXBfct7lOFZe-evAym2GjnT69BU6_V6m6Yp3GSYJWBmc/s1600/Sheamus+new+champion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSAmvQvktT4W-AftUfZopDvYIR255fGIbOtM9umqt-NRuHNNj0TmuWGTGbNOLVVHpTZZWbJ-WnbHlbgKd9c2zOjMaSrekikbgXBfct7lOFZe-evAym2GjnT69BU6_V6m6Yp3GSYJWBmc/s200/Sheamus+new+champion.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">There's more to Ireland... <em>dan dis!</em></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And here's why this show was a failure. The main event,
despite being pretty good in and of itself did nothing to play up to the
situation. There was no corrupt boss, no Survivor Series '97 callback, no
swerve heel turn. None of these things were necessary but with the
circumstances as they were it was reasonable to expect some of these aspects to
come into play. The decision not to use them was a bold one and something that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> have worked had the writing team
had the courage of their convictions and given the main event the time to be
the classic encounter they intended it to be.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Instead we got yet another sneaky heel champion aligned
with The Authority and Michael Cole bleating about history being stolen. This
is not the stuff that memorable pay-per-views are made of.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Results summary:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Roman Reigns defeated Alberto Del Rio</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dean Ambrose defeated Kevin Owens</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ryback, the Usos and the Lucha Dragons defeated Bad News
Barrett, Sheamus and New Day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Charlotte defeated Paige to retain the Divas championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tyler Breeze defeated Dolph Ziggler</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Undertaker and Kane defeated Bray Wyatt and Luke
Harper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Roman Reigns defeated Dean Ambrose to win the WWE
championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sheamus defeated Roman Reigns to win the WWE championship</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-52926111703990132832015-11-21T21:48:00.000+00:002015-11-21T21:48:47.102+00:00NXTweet 18.11.15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another week, another episode of NXT that blends squashes
and lengthier competitive matches. Both the Jordan and Gable versus The
Ascension tag match and the women's title main event are top stuff. Plus we got
the reveal that Bayley is basically being afforded the 80s Hulk Hogan booking
pattern. It's hard <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> to enjoy that.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 1: N. X. Tweet.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 2: I like the shot of Sheamus in his jaunty cap in
the signature. Never mentioned that before.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carmella v Nia Jax<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 3: Big fan of Carmella's moonwalk basically being
her walking backwards.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 4: "Hottest chick in the ring!" -
Carmella, who was the only chick in the ring</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 5: Carmella versus Awesome Jax.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0SRqgcHsNS_B2XuVsu_761KFY_5Qas5j2mBjeqVZKEjmyC26Ls8uIBppJZmu09VS0VT0Hy5Q46WlQpebfJYtoPmMpvK6nWZwLmpANiBLbK5NFmVQxax6-1PuS3miHA2LmwKVjtYHeR8/s1600/Nia+Jax+Styles+Clash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0SRqgcHsNS_B2XuVsu_761KFY_5Qas5j2mBjeqVZKEjmyC26Ls8uIBppJZmu09VS0VT0Hy5Q46WlQpebfJYtoPmMpvK6nWZwLmpANiBLbK5NFmVQxax6-1PuS3miHA2LmwKVjtYHeR8/s320/Nia+Jax+Styles+Clash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Jax unwittingly teasing a Styles Clash there.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 6: Kind of surprised Triple H hasn't re-signed Kong
for NXT. This feels like where she'd thrive in WWE.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 7: Devastating hip attack from Nia Jax there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 8: This is not a good match.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 9: Jax should be given Michael Elgin's move set.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alexa Bliss promo,
featuring 'Fashionplate' Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 10: Alexa Bliss wearing that Goa'uld mind control
device again. What? No, YOU'RE a pervert.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 11: I liked Blake's subtle transformation into
Chris Hero in that scene.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 12: Let him go singles and give him a hip hop
loving elbow thrower gimmick.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Ascension v
Jason Jordan and Chad Gable<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 13: Absolutely insane pop for The Ascension here.
Disappointed Stardust can't cross over to the NXT timestream.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 14: Fancy new gear on the NCAA lads here. Got their
initials on them and everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 15: I'm hyped for this match. Always nice to see
Konnor and Viktor treated like a big deal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 16: That northern lights suplex. That toe point.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 17: I wouldn't be against The Ascension winning
after a spotlight with a big star on it distracts Jordan and Gable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWtQ2QI4YgsjVwyE1oOtT0CAvyZFZumfTmsO63DGJt-u9IFAdyxhRewaPIYZTlZKYkRjo8HUC-nky6Vz7ZzH1UXu3z_aCvJDjViM472ojAqnc1GZo18p6RPSz3a3JnLTkK2drOoCweXo/s1600/Jordan+and+Gable+Grand+Amplitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWtQ2QI4YgsjVwyE1oOtT0CAvyZFZumfTmsO63DGJt-u9IFAdyxhRewaPIYZTlZKYkRjo8HUC-nky6Vz7ZzH1UXu3z_aCvJDjViM472ojAqnc1GZo18p6RPSz3a3JnLTkK2drOoCweXo/s200/Jordan+and+Gable+Grand+Amplitude.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Solid tag finisher this.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 18: Konnor and Viktor should get Road Warriors
style interlocking haircuts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 19: That was a strong match. Jordan and Gable
deserve to be built up for a title win at WrestleMania weekend.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Philips
interviews Bayley<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 20: Bayley not even looking at Tom Philips as she
speaks here. Good. That's the level of respect he warrants.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 21: Good call having Bayley say the other three
Horsewomen left and she stayed because she's the champ.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 22: Makes it clear it's her choice. Rather than
that she's been left behind or that she's not good enough.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emma v Mary Kate<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 23: This old lad perving on Evil Emma from the
front row though.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 24: PREMIER ATHLETE BRAND SIGHTING.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 25: "Mary Kate's" being a little tryhard
here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 26: Mary Kate though. Srsly?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDrM1ySfI6lB9MqXC-MYBI2yD4KuAF9aKVBz2coyXNy5RWii5PivBJuJg3DxtyUcKNaPSD9-VGwREKopSfP0s2zj_HYbshk5xVTUdKERjVa6x0a188MYYd5rKWcDw0YxbtX2UeGj8l0Y/s1600/Emma+v+Mary+Kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDrM1ySfI6lB9MqXC-MYBI2yD4KuAF9aKVBz2coyXNy5RWii5PivBJuJg3DxtyUcKNaPSD9-VGwREKopSfP0s2zj_HYbshk5xVTUdKERjVa6x0a188MYYd5rKWcDw0YxbtX2UeGj8l0Y/s320/Emma+v+Mary+Kate.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Emma's feud with the Premier Athlete Brand starts <em>here</em>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 27: I like Emma's uncoordinated heel shtick.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baron Corbin promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 28: Loving this reminder that Barry Corbin is the
most hated man in NXT and it's largely because he's booked as himself.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 29: Corbin promo. Comically bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 30: "... courtesy of 'The Lone Wolf'" -
Barry Corbin, who needs more mic time so that he can drop that hot sign-off
more often</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scott Dawson and
Dash Wilder v Corey Hollis and John Skyler<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 31: These job lads though...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 32: Really wish Dash 'n' Dawson had a better team
name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 33:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little
reference to the new champs changing the landscape of the tag division there. I
like that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 34: Good way of keeping the division fresh. I like
booking that changes everything up when a title change happens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 35: Gives everyone on the show something new to
play off. Which is obviously good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGs6C6JmytleOfoPU0-2khfbBXWkxo8Jv7hp9vMosSJmMWfRVepNRkLBbivbvzhQiiIMLRjRjDnDtNjjnCMSSKqT33havmDHP1YqgApYkWW6ZrHXElikCpFwSvYgbEbjOZESxwjayxck/s1600/Dash+and+Dawson+Shatter+Machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGs6C6JmytleOfoPU0-2khfbBXWkxo8Jv7hp9vMosSJmMWfRVepNRkLBbivbvzhQiiIMLRjRjDnDtNjjnCMSSKqT33havmDHP1YqgApYkWW6ZrHXElikCpFwSvYgbEbjOZESxwjayxck/s320/Dash+and+Dawson+Shatter+Machine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Another very good tag finisher here.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 36: Gimmick idea: have Dawson refer to his non-existent
sculpted abs in promos.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 37: That was decent. Big fan of Dash 'B' Dawson
just being brawl-lovin' lads.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Philips
interviews Asuka, Dana Brooke shows up<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 38: Asuka in this mask. Tears.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 39: "NXT TV."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 40: "It's time for you to go" - Dana
Brooke</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 41: #feelings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 42: Oh look. Dana and Emma have a plan. Who would
have guessed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Samoa Joe cuts 90s
Taz style promo from the car park<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 43: Samoa Joe there with his top button done up.
What happened to you, Joe?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 44: Hyping a contract signing FFS.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NXT women's
championship: Bayley (c) v Alexa Bliss<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 45: Speaking of #feelings... Alexa Bliss.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 46: I like women who turn heel in NXT getting
remixed entrance themes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 47: Imagine a Dark Bayley theme. It'd be the sound
of gunfire and children screaming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 48: Third week in a row we're getting the dropped
lights for ring intros. Strong stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 49: These people really like Bayley, eh?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 50: This match is slick so far.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 51: Bayley doing the corner knee. She should start
doing the crotch chop and deliberate stride before she hits it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzU4VQos0Sk-WBSChwr_NxISU2ypi6sBO2DIVik4gkG4d8SGyxKsWc-7mPC8gGEMCsYW5ZNzhu66StprfRJFiD-Nia9FFulFP466WLk1QYkBbLIvE82L_KtdNAPhlgEvpxApxRDJ_fKs/s1600/Bayley+bulldog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzU4VQos0Sk-WBSChwr_NxISU2ypi6sBO2DIVik4gkG4d8SGyxKsWc-7mPC8gGEMCsYW5ZNzhu66StprfRJFiD-Nia9FFulFP466WLk1QYkBbLIvE82L_KtdNAPhlgEvpxApxRDJ_fKs/s320/Bayley+bulldog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Getting a big Jericho vibe form this picture. That's never a good sign.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 52: Alexa is definitely not ratchet. These people
need to pipe down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 53: Bayley solidifying her spot as the female John
Cena by loudly and obviously calling spots there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 54: Alexa's botch moonsault having become a move
though...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 55: Imagine if Bayley just randomly adopted the
look and mannerisms of Davey Boy Smith, SummerSlam '92 roid monster edition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 56: That match was shorter than I expected. There
are five minutes left. Still really strong though. Bayley and Bliss are both great.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 57: Eva Marie here, once again shamelessly straying
from her all red theme.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 58: Let's take a moment to appreciate that Bayley
is being booked like Hogan. Beat someone, be faced with a bigger challenge,
beat them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDelmkJz2RslzWjAtSM4Ne89ES3JXhVWUGMz_Sgp68_LjNoHRLjyuW-65eQpNXTNG6llAHfMvf1cTIQRok5w280tOQleQaBwd6e97h1Fk49RI0Lnjv7KgchsIGB-Mcg0gWI_FHy59TYn4/s1600/Bayley+and+Eva+Marie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDelmkJz2RslzWjAtSM4Ne89ES3JXhVWUGMz_Sgp68_LjNoHRLjyuW-65eQpNXTNG6llAHfMvf1cTIQRok5w280tOQleQaBwd6e97h1Fk49RI0Lnjv7KgchsIGB-Mcg0gWI_FHy59TYn4/s320/Bayley+and+Eva+Marie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">You can actually see the pity in Bayley's eyes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 59: "Okay, now be quiet, you little
dorks" - Heat magnet Eva Marie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 60: If Eva told me to be quiet I would be.
#justsaying</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 61: Eva is a better promo than Barry Corbin. She
just had to contend with a nuclear crowd.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 62: Strong NXT episode that. Nice work.</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-8083445469035351102015-11-18T19:54:00.003+00:002015-11-18T19:54:30.785+00:00Survivor Series 2015 preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi7LEbswe7_6P79A_BPV5cbaXV4SgEYF2JMjXfJOtU-Z6sGNMkVmcN12kLwROssQrADRJoB3idc6KzK4jm_ftpBOadykhTabU_X8CKPrq3UbwXaxmpxgcpGTj-D2UvAfxG2k-BR6gf_Y/s1600/Survivor+Series+2015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihi7LEbswe7_6P79A_BPV5cbaXV4SgEYF2JMjXfJOtU-Z6sGNMkVmcN12kLwROssQrADRJoB3idc6KzK4jm_ftpBOadykhTabU_X8CKPrq3UbwXaxmpxgcpGTj-D2UvAfxG2k-BR6gf_Y/s320/Survivor+Series+2015.jpeg" width="215" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back in late 1998 I started watching wrestling. The first
major pay-per-view that came up was Survivor Series. I didn't watch it at the
time, I didn't realise it was available on Sky Sports, for free (remember those
days?). Instead I bought it on VHS months later. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I knew what happened at the show though, thanks to recaps
and whatnot. A tournament was held to crown a new world champion, the title
having been vacated two months earlier after Undertaker and Kane had pinned
reigning champ Steve Austin at the same time. It was a long, convoluted series
of matches that should have been cut down and had some opening round matches
moved to RAW but that was never going to happen under Vince 'More is More'
Russo. The show ended with 'People's Champion' The Rock aligning himself with
Vince McMahon to form The Corporation.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seventeen years later history has, somewhat, repeated
itself. A real life injury to Seth Rollins has forced a vacation of the WWE
championship. A tournament has been held across two weeks of TV shows and will
culminate with the semi-finals and final matches at the PPV. The man most
people expect to make the finals is Roman Reigns, who was originally going to
challenge 'The Future' for the gold before the injury occurred.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reigns is The Rock's cousin. That, the fact that Survivor
Series is playing host to a tournament final, and the fact that the show will
forever be synonymous with The Montreal Screwjob, mean we are almost guaranteed
a swerve finish to the evening's final match. And that it will feature Roman
Reigns.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of the two semis one seems painfully obvious while the
other is a closer call. The obvious one is Roman Reigns versus United States
champion Alberto Del Rio. I'll be amazed if we see ADR in the final. It seems
safe to say he's made it this far to give Reigns a safe match where the crowd
dong revolt against him. That's the same reason his quarter final victory over
Cesaro was tucked away on RAW. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other semi is Dean Ambrose versus Kevin Owens.
Ambrose winning and having a showdown with his best bud and former Shield
teammate seems like the obvious thing to do, and WWE isn't a company that likes
to shy away from the obvious. The only wrinkle is that KO has been doing
sterling work lately and his advancement to the final would surprise without
seeming innocuous. Were this tournament taking place this time next year or had
Owens debuted a year earlier I'd argue in favour of him getting the win over
Ambrose and facing Reigns in the final. As it is he's not been around long
enough to be a truly convincing finalist against a Chosen One like Reigns. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Which leaves me predicting a Reigns v Ambrose final. With
the talent WWE had available for the tournament this is probably the most
natural final they could have gone with. Yeah, it would be nice to see Cesaro
there but it would have been too much to ask. A slow build is what's required
for Cesaro at this point, he's not been built up as credible enough for a
pay-per-view main event in which he may win the world title.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The prediction I'm happiest making is that we'll see some
sort of shmoz finish, very likely playing on Survivor Series '98 or the
Montreal Screwjob. Or both. An Ambrose heel turn, victory and alignment with
The Authority isn't impossible but a Reigns victory seems likelier. I'm convinced
one will turn on the other (a huge waste of a previously wonderfully solid
wrestling friendship) but I don't know which. Which makes me think WWE has
slightly mishandled this tournament because I should be getting excited about
seeing who makes it to the final to crow a new champion. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'll settle on Reigns winning and Ambrose going heel
because of jealousy. Because Reigns is the clear favourite and Ambrose is so
over that it would be stupid to try and turn him. Which means WWE will. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Outside of the tournament Survivor Series is looking
unspectacular. The Paige v Charlotte Divas title match has been overshadowed by
Paige's (entirely scripted yet still) controversial comments about Reid Flair,
Charlotte's dead brother, being a quitter. 'The Nature Girl' will almost
certainly overcome these terrible, terrible (entirely scripted) comments and
retain her championship. Because she needs another strong defence if she is to
be the star the company wants her to be. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dolph Ziggler and Tyler Breeze will finally have a match
after around a month of teasing. I can't imagine either guy having a bad match
so it should be good. The trouble is that it's been left to simmer too long and
their issue (basically summed up as "Summer Rae") and it feels like
they're just killing time here. Which is a shame. 'Prince Pretty' being the new
boy who's only beaten R-Truth so far means he should win. Plenty of time for
'The Show Off' to get wins later in the feud. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The final match (other than a traditional Series match
with no wrestlers confirmed for it) is The Undertaker and Kane versus two
members of the Wyatt Family. Which doesn't seem particularly interesting
considering the event marks 'Taker's twenty-fifth anniversary in WWE. I
understand this match has probably been rejigged because of injuries and the
necessary tournament but it's pretty rough that this was the best WWE could
come up with to begin with. Could 'The Dead Man' not have had one last solid
non-'Mania singles outing against someone like Cesaro or Ambrose or Owens or Ziggler?
A storyline for that would have been easy enough t come up with: a face like
Cesaro or whoever wants the honour of facing Undertaker on his anniversary, a
heel like Owens wants to embarrass and humiliate him on it by defeating him. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A singles match letting someone underutilised shine would
have been better than pairing him with Kane against unadvertised opponents.
Speaking of which my view is that if the Wyatts are represented by anyone other
than Luke Harper and 'The Eater of Worlds' someone somewhere in the company
doesn't have their priorities straight. Wyatt is the star of his act and Harper
has tonnes of potential should a decent mid-card ever happen. They are the best
two wrestlers of the faction too. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm usually all for younger wrestlers beating older
wrestlers because WWE needs to get new stars established. I'm not going to
argue in favour of that here. After twenty-five years in the company Undertaker
winning <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> match (by which I mean
the one WWE have booked him in) is the right call. That said a Wyatts win would
be fairly unexpected and could actually give Bray the credibility shot he
needs.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All in all Survivor Series will be memorable because of
the tournament finals. But there's little else on offer outside of that right
now. New stars are needed. And soon.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Predictions
summary: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns to defeat Dean Ambrose to win the WWE
championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns to defeat Alberto Del Rio</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dean Ambrose to defeat Kevin Owens </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Undertaker and Kane to defeat the Wyatt Family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlotte to defeat Paige to retain the Divas
championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tyler Breeze to defeat Dolph Ziggler</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-17243763141850355612015-11-14T22:30:00.002+00:002015-11-18T23:47:19.494+00:00NXTweet 11.11.15<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Why did Samoa Joe turn on his bestest friend Finn Bálor?
Find out here!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 1: Anyway, NXT now.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 2: Last week: Rich Brennan and Corey Graves talked
about Apollo Crews and Finn Bálor. Byron Saxton was also present.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 3: Then Barry Corbin rocked up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 4: Then Samoa Joe turned heel.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tye Dillinger v
Baron Corbin<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 5: Tye Dillinger here, experiencing the height of
his career by saying "Ten!" a lot.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 6: Rare Barry Corbin versus featured performer
match here. My prediction is that Barry will win via motorbikes and wolf magic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 7: Apollo Crews breaking up what I'm sure would
have been a classic of a match.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 8: Barry's run off. Heading backstage to wet his
hair and stare longingly at bikes.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bayley and the
Hype Bros v BAMF<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 9: Hype Bros still getting a smattering of boos. I
approve.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 10: "Stack Ryder" - Eden Stiles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 11: The state of these lime green boots on Mojo
though. This is the sort of thing that will reflect poorly on Bayley.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 12: Heel Alexa Bliss. Good lord.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8jzBrNdyl9f5rNxzmy1ENFVfwaJdeIPHSAh5ULkV4wm9uk10ROOBoTlzf8bQ3oHQZK_ehfRR60DLS-onRif0zBUZ_iSREQFivulVN7-8U1pp7sbTI1BIhaLjkXKZTv3RiJmIn_Ftezc/s1600/Alexa+Bliss+Zack+Ryder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8jzBrNdyl9f5rNxzmy1ENFVfwaJdeIPHSAh5ULkV4wm9uk10ROOBoTlzf8bQ3oHQZK_ehfRR60DLS-onRif0zBUZ_iSREQFivulVN7-8U1pp7sbTI1BIhaLjkXKZTv3RiJmIn_Ftezc/s320/Alexa+Bliss+Zack+Ryder.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Alexa. Yes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 13: Mojo needs to tighten up that physique if he
wants to impress Vinnie Mac.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 14: Looking forward to Mojo's release and
subsequent shoot promo flavoured debut in a TNA that's still somehow clinging
to life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 15: 'Wild' Wesley Blake has grown on me. He knows
how ridiculous he is and he plays to it. Top lad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 16: Why aren't commentary talking about how
impressive it is that BAMF are controlling the match against grizzled vet Stack
Ryder? Oh yeah...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6x3tndd0VnZ_NeCWHE9ElpgWn8g7tosbTBJwdAh4jZVJBRv9eU-ecweffKX-9F8l_URQ3Mz8aiiMStw7YrkklzXkb_phgCQQr4SLJeN0_0hWaD8K2XZUjpGKdhcoW9kkE1nUIA_vbjw/s1600/Wesley+Blake+v+Zack+Ryder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6x3tndd0VnZ_NeCWHE9ElpgWn8g7tosbTBJwdAh4jZVJBRv9eU-ecweffKX-9F8l_URQ3Mz8aiiMStw7YrkklzXkb_phgCQQr4SLJeN0_0hWaD8K2XZUjpGKdhcoW9kkE1nUIA_vbjw/s320/Wesley+Blake+v+Zack+Ryder.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">'Fashionplate' Wesley Blake.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 17: Mojo looks like he's cosplaying as a member of
the CHIKARA roster.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 18: Based on the little bits we've seen here so far
I think Bayley v Bliss could be very good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 19: Tears at Bayley giving Murphy a
belly-to-Bayley.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 20: Murphy took that like a pro. I'm a fan of the
BAMF boys now. They're loveable idiots.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Ascension cut
a promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 21: "Challenge accepteeeeeeeeed!" -
Konnor</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 22: That promo. Those contact lenses. Only way that
could have been more entertaining would have been getting Stardust involved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 23: That wasn't going to happen. In the NXT
timeline he remains Cody Rhodes, proud son of Dusty Rhodes.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Eva Marie and Nia
Jax go into a locker room, presumably to talk<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 24:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nia Jax
and Eva Marie pairing being teased here. That's interesting (it isn't).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Apollo Crews talks
about Baron Corbin <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 25: Apollo Crews is too happy a man to convince me
he's angry at Barry. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 26: No way I'm not assuming they're great mates who
enjoy sipping protein shakes and sharing diet tips.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nia Jax v Deonna<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 27: Byron Saxton had never seen a woman as strong
as Nia Jax.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 28: In unrelated news I remain unimpressed by
Byron's insipid commentary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 29: Deonna is a good looking girl though. Shame
she's going to have to play the waiting game for a spot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO1JukUt507VAe0LH8zjo0cjWHoVj3NnzrxbnkhRzCNbqkYpEeVkC5ZeA3oY37EoupYN_c-hOAOp0khrLS9CnBdLP22aNT31iMGg4W5r0jkib6bDjN2Df8xUFFd0sJALQS6KcXSvZAFk/s1600/Nia+Jax+wins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjO1JukUt507VAe0LH8zjo0cjWHoVj3NnzrxbnkhRzCNbqkYpEeVkC5ZeA3oY37EoupYN_c-hOAOp0khrLS9CnBdLP22aNT31iMGg4W5r0jkib6bDjN2Df8xUFFd0sJALQS6KcXSvZAFk/s320/Nia+Jax+wins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Smiles when she wins because Triple H tells her to.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 30: Nia wins with a leg drop. I'm taking that as a
shot at 'The Hulkster'.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bayley chases
Alexa Bliss backstage, Nia Jax gets involved<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 31: Disappointed that Bayley, Alexa and Nia
sequence didn't lead to a story where a title belt is constantly being stolen.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 32: Would've been the perfect in for R-Truth.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">NXT tag team
championship: The Vaudevillains (c) v Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 33: #Vaudevillainspop</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 34: Dimmed lighting again. Still a fan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 35: Dawson's comedy selling of Vaudevillains'
punches is an early contender for moment of the match.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-ixDjpdLxzMvK9CmK4nZGw6SDdoDiIVuTwfngImGn5UQfe6qPCx_Y3bvyvUNT6Ir_u05m6DTiqpmBnCRgtEfrBz8uOzjNyAT9gKKnArN_cUitM2BtgWAkflEHeVMf4KH2C6NC7Mzisg/s1600/Vaudevillains+v+Scott+Dawson+and+Dash+Wilder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-ixDjpdLxzMvK9CmK4nZGw6SDdoDiIVuTwfngImGn5UQfe6qPCx_Y3bvyvUNT6Ir_u05m6DTiqpmBnCRgtEfrBz8uOzjNyAT9gKKnArN_cUitM2BtgWAkflEHeVMf4KH2C6NC7Mzisg/s320/Vaudevillains+v+Scott+Dawson+and+Dash+Wilder.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Arn and Tully 2.0.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 36: Disgusted by Aiden English, a man who shouts
"Manly!" all the time, entering the ring between the bottom and
middle ropes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 37: Waiting for Scotty Dawson to bust out a
rotating spinebuster here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 38: Corey name dropping Arn and Ole Anderson. No
love for CW?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 39: Scott Dawson should grow in his chest hair.
#justsaying </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 40: Harrowing scenes as the New Brainbusters leg
lock Pillmanise Aiden English.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1f85KT2PhUXwtg69S3b-_H4oIfxCArU5RTF_vsbGV1BuQjOVEdsJdkC5k3NsUxR0QIfCTsd5_HSO0kojEX7I2twIqo2YGAThkFaHfi7oxuY6yn9ArSXULRroN8t5fpz4lP9FjBKrFqU/s1600/New+Brainbusters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1f85KT2PhUXwtg69S3b-_H4oIfxCArU5RTF_vsbGV1BuQjOVEdsJdkC5k3NsUxR0QIfCTsd5_HSO0kojEX7I2twIqo2YGAThkFaHfi7oxuY6yn9ArSXULRroN8t5fpz4lP9FjBKrFqU/s320/New+Brainbusters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Big fan of the NXT tag titles getting slung on random teams every so often.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 41: I liked that finish. Different kind of story
for WWE. Keeps the 'villains strong and builds up Dash 'n' Dawson.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 42: Samoa Joe's up next. That tag title match
should have been the main event.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Samoa Joe promo
(Samoa Joemo)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 43: I said this last week but I'll repeat it here
for clarity...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 44: Joe turned on Bálor because Bálor had refused
to sign with TNA and help Joe turn things around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 45: Joe here, going full on mad heel, doing
revisionist history and channelling Hulk Hogan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 46: So Joe turned because Billy Regal booked him in
a battle royal. Thibk you're better than Andre do you, mate?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 47: "I'm Samoa Joe" - Samoa Joe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 48: Three guys holding back Bálor, two holding back
Joe. No comment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBztorAtGznjCZVA5mvsIr36mePIjId9Ea_Hyphx567pVAnxyUcUTHxCwXL6Piubig7jSKE9IFNa18WFfAgtCZJkr0cD31hFjYAE9e1zuyxFrUsbwClspe_7n66BqNP_DM-etOmgDQps/s1600/Samoa+Joemo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBztorAtGznjCZVA5mvsIr36mePIjId9Ea_Hyphx567pVAnxyUcUTHxCwXL6Piubig7jSKE9IFNa18WFfAgtCZJkr0cD31hFjYAE9e1zuyxFrUsbwClspe_7n66BqNP_DM-etOmgDQps/s320/Samoa+Joemo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: xx-small;">Boo this man. For reasons.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 49: You know that ending was real because the commentary
shut up. #eyeroll</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tweet 50: Good show that. Good hustle.</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-50100272729233686532015-11-09T13:39:00.000+00:002015-11-09T13:39:34.880+00:00Fantasy Booker: Survivor Series 2015
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On November 4 WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins
tore ligaments and a meniscus in his knee during a house show match with Kane.
You've probably heard this, because Rollins is a pretty important figure in the
world's biggest wrestling company. You've also probably heard that WWE vacated
the title on November 5 (remember that date) and announced that a new champion
would be crowned at Survivor Series.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Naturally this made many people, me included, recall the
Deadly Game tournament. That was a fourteen man tournament held at the 1998
Survivor Series (Undertaker and Kane got a bye to the second round), also held
to crown a new champion, which famously ended with an homage to the Montreal
Screwjob™, then only a year in the past. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've got a soft spot for Survivor Series '98. It was the
first major show to take place after I started watching wrestling and it had a
catchy theme tune. It was also the pinnacle of the Russo booking approach,
allowing him to utilise all of his strengths and disguise his many, many (many)
weaknesses (you can read more on that <a href="http://blowbyblowwrestling.blogspot.com/2015/07/vince-russos-greatest-triumph.html" target="_blank">here</a>). All of which means that this
fantasy booking piece (and let's not kid ourselves, I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> going to do a fantasy booking piece on this) has some
similarities to the Deadly Game tournament.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let's start with the November 9 RAW. I'd like to acknowledge
the fact that the show would be taking place exactly eighteen years after the
Montreal Screwjob took place. But I wouldn't because that would be too on the
nose. Instead I'd simply have The Authority announce four
qualifying-slash-first round matches for the show and another four for the
November 12 SmackDown. The men chosen would be hyped up as amongst the best
wrestlers in the company, nay the world (true for some, not others).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The reason I'd be booking qualifying matches is to fill
TV time. Without the originally planned Rollins and Reigns programme there'd be
little to build to at the pay-per-view beyond the Wyatts eight man tag against
Undertaker and Kane. With no main event to promote the sensible thing would be
to focus on the tournament, and the best way of doing that would be to include
more matches and spread them out on TV. It also has the benefit of making it
seem like the guys who make it to the final have achieved more, going through
one more round. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0coQ5ypz6DVjaNXYiXELlTC0VNilh92Fk664J32xRQbaYphxRV71X4nkx7eWAEBcaY5g1T__fuZrJ_JnGFsF3Ty_phtnhHowDYDW-7GsjgFROXxHVmWf8-_NH5jPEfRkpYzoe9dJlJUk/s1600/Dolph+Ziggler+v+Tyler+Breeze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0coQ5ypz6DVjaNXYiXELlTC0VNilh92Fk664J32xRQbaYphxRV71X4nkx7eWAEBcaY5g1T__fuZrJ_JnGFsF3Ty_phtnhHowDYDW-7GsjgFROXxHVmWf8-_NH5jPEfRkpYzoe9dJlJUk/s320/Dolph+Ziggler+v+Tyler+Breeze.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">This match feels overdue.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The four RAW matches would be Dolph Ziggler v Tyler
Breeze, Dean Ambrose v Kevin Owens, Bray Wyatt v Ryback, and Roman Reigns v
Sheamus. Ziggler and Breeze's first match seems overdue and it couldn't hurt
'Prince Pretty' to debut in a world title tournament. They'd have the longest
match of the four, allowing Breeze to look competitive in defeat. Owens and
Ambrose feels like another suitably big first round match and one that people
couldn't be absolutely certain of a winner for. It would also tie into their
burgeoning rivalry and be a natural main event for RAW. KO would go over via some
sort of shady tactics leading to a pop-up power bomb. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wyatt and Ryback would be kept short because I don't
think they'd work particularly well together and they'd have a storyline finish
to protect 'The Eater of Worlds'. Some crazy lighting effects would distract
him and allow Ryback to get a Shellshock for the victory. These lighting
effects would obviously be attributed to 'Taker and 'The Big Red Machine' and
their magical powers, keeping that rivalry relevant and adding another reason
for their Survivors match.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reigns versus Sheamus would be the shortest of the bunch.
Sheamus would wrestle for a bit before grabbing his Money in the Bank briefcase
and walloping Reigns with it. The commentary team would hypothesise that 'The
Celtic Warrior' was deliberately disqualified to hurt Reigns, the favourite,
and because he has his guaranteed title match thanks to the 'case, making his
participation in the tourney redundant. Shaymo would gloat about exactly this
in an interview later in the evening.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The four SmackDown bouts would be Big E v Mark Henry,
Adrian Neville v Kalisto, Alberto Del Rio v The Miz, and Cesaro v Stardust.
These guys all feel like SmackDown regulars, meaning it's not an unrealistic
batch of guys to book in these matches. Big E v Henry would be a standard short
match. E would win with interference from Woods and Kingston. Neville v Kalisto
would be the second longest of the evening and be designed to showcase the
skills of both lads. Kalisto would get the win. This would be intended as a
surprise although I don't know if it would be that big a deal. It's not like
Nev has been built up since his main roster debut.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Del Rio and Miz would be an awkward heel versus heel
match but those are okay occasionally. And, for the record, there's no real
reason ADR should be considered a heel right now. All he's done is come back,
beat Cena, and show pride in being Mexican. What's bad any f that? So he could
play face in this match before switching back to his aggressive heel ways for
the pay-per-view matches. Cesaro v Stardust would be the SmackDown main event.
Cesaro could pummel Konnor and Viktor on his way to a decisive win, playing off
whatever the Cosmic Wasteland watching Cesaro from the crowd over the last few
weeks was meant to lead to.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The November 16 RAW would feature the predictable
Survivor Series elimination match featuring the eight quarter finalists:
Ziggler, Cesaro, Reigns and Kalisto v Owens, Del Rio, Ryback and Big E. Ryback
aside this would be heels versus faces, and I'd want to position 'The Big Guy'
as a subtle heel for the PPV itself (more on that below). Reigns and Cesaro
would be the sole survivors for their teams and the commentary lads would hype
up that the brackets are laid out in such a way that Cesaro v Reigns could be
the final match. Also on this episode of RAW Ambrose would have a backstage
segment discussing Owens and Sheamus, the purpose of which would be to keep
that issue alive and tease Ambrose interfering at in Owens' tourney matches and
watching out for a Sheamus cash-in after he attacked Ambrose great buddy Roman.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'd want the Survivor Series show to reuse the old Deadly
Game theme. I doubt that's possible because WWE probably signs deals that
prevent using anything except the generic theme songs that are the norm now,
but I'd like it to happen. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL-lqLkDD8u6O-PSFWItPFey37c7XNr9C0XxMPPIb8hULNqoSlZAE5oyL9utXt5inRcTo3uVSOqvnvb_Y9rxSujRm2_uHw9y5oV7MSiRlwOu97QaxfQSkjIlk9vNhQp-zTXR5E9mvhyphenhyphen4/s1600/Cesaro+fantasy+booking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL-lqLkDD8u6O-PSFWItPFey37c7XNr9C0XxMPPIb8hULNqoSlZAE5oyL9utXt5inRcTo3uVSOqvnvb_Y9rxSujRm2_uHw9y5oV7MSiRlwOu97QaxfQSkjIlk9vNhQp-zTXR5E9mvhyphenhyphen4/s320/Cesaro+fantasy+booking.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Push this man.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The show would open with Ziggler falling to Owens in five
or six minutes. It wouldn't be overly long because 'Mr Wrestling' would need to
look dominant for the night ahead. Match two would see Del Rio defeat Kalisto.
Their match would be all about Kalisto constantly trying to get flash wins and
ADR trying to slow him down and create some distance. He'd win with the cross
armbreaker. Losing to such an established move shouldn't hurt li'l Kally. That
would be followed by Cesaro pinning Big E. He could again be booked to look
like a beast by overcoming a pair of seconds at ringside, this time Kofi and
Xavier. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Match four would be Reigns v Ryback. The idea with making
this match would be to put Reigns against one of the few guys his detractors likely
want to see as world champion even less than him. Having Ryback leave his face
mannerisms in the dressing room for the evening would help with that. It's not
a guarantee that the crowd would side with Reigns but I think there's a strong
chance they would. Reigns would get worked over for a bit before making a
comeback and winning with the spear and Superman punch (because this layout seems
to have worked well for Reigns this year).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That would cue up the first non-tournament match. Not
that it's important to the pupose of wat I'm writing about here but I'd have
that be the Charlotte v Paige Divas championship match. I like the idea of
having a tag team tables match between New Day and the Dudley Boyz too but that
would probably go on the pre-show. The Duds would finally get their big win
over New Day. That's overdue. The feud needs to end.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first semi-final match would be Kevin Owens v Cesaro.
The idea here would be to enhance the standing of both men by having them
progress this far. They'd add to that with an even match. Owens would win, the
idea being to encourage people to boo him because he'd have eliminated a
genuine fave in 'The Swiss Superman'. Meanwhile the logic behind going with
Reigns v Del Rio would be to have Reigns beat another guy that people wouldn't
actually want to see win. The crowd and viewers would be encouraged to back
Reigns because he'd be knocking off "boring" tournament entrants.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Those matches would be followed by the Wyatt Family v
Kane and Undertaker match (no idea who'd be partnering with the Brothers of
Destruction, it wouldn't really be a priority). 'Taker would really have to be
the sole survivor for his team, wouldn't he? Because it's his twenty-fifth
anniversary in the company and he's a face. But I'd overlook that and have the
match come down to 'The Dead Man' and Wyatt then have Wyatt win. Because Wyatt is
more important to the future of WWE than 'The Phenom'. Plus Wyatt winning and
spoiling the anniversary should get him some solid heat.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Which just leaves the main event. There's a lot I'd want
to include in this and I'm aware it will probably read as overbooking (it
probably <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">would be</i> overbooking if it
happened). But I think that's okay occasionally. It certainly sounds more appealing
than yet another main event in which Seth Rollins wins by being flukey. So
here's what I'd do...</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUXMpoqFU9hS2f0hCmy2L9kkxpSzC-_p5GZ_Eqz404Ijmshabh2Cw6TK7WSfUFxua0rjTwqfaKhcotcv8P5C_3kTbdZtz7-JTsAbjwSLlgXY9bvwrfLGR5uGb3hxVdDiTzMxrBdUA66o/s1600/Roman+Reigns+v+Kevin+Owens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUXMpoqFU9hS2f0hCmy2L9kkxpSzC-_p5GZ_Eqz404Ijmshabh2Cw6TK7WSfUFxua0rjTwqfaKhcotcv8P5C_3kTbdZtz7-JTsAbjwSLlgXY9bvwrfLGR5uGb3hxVdDiTzMxrBdUA66o/s320/Roman+Reigns+v+Kevin+Owens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Reigns v Owens feels like a good tournament final to me.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The match would be announced as a no DQ affair with the
declaration that "there must be a winner." Triple H and Stephanie
would walk to ringside before the start of the match, prompting Michael Cole to
rattle off Survivor Series Screwjob info, reminding us that 'The Cerebral
Assassin' was in on the original Montreal happenings. I'd want to have at least
fifteen minutes for the match itself when the bell rang at the beginning of
Owens v Reigns. They'd have a straight match for ten minutes, trading the
advantage and trying to keep people guessing on who'd win.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Owens would go for the Sharpshooter at around the ten
minute mark, which <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">should</i> be a
reliable reaction-getter considering the circmstances. Reigns would counter
that into a roll-up for a two count. At which point Sheamus would stride to the
ring. We'd get a reaction shot of The Authority looking concerned and Sheamus
would get into the ring and Brogue kick Reigns. 'Great White' would then hand
in his briefcase, making the match a three-way in a call back to the
WrestleMania main event. He'd turn around into a pummelling from a recently
arrived Ambrose. Owens would recover and save Sheamus from 'The Lunatic
Fringe'. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The heels would give Ambrose a kicking. By this point
Triple H would be up on the apron shouting and trying to get some order over
the situation. Reigns would return to his feet from the Brogue kick and drop
Reigns with a spear. Owens would hit Reigns with a pop-up power bomb. Reigns
would kick out. Owens would sell disbelief and stagger towards the ropes, where
Helmsley would clamber into the ring and give him a Pedigree. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reigns would then return to his feet and, after a stare
off with 'The Game', apply the Sharpshooter. Trips would immediately signal for
the bell to be rung and hand the title belt to Reigns. Steph would join them in
the ring. Shaymo would walk up the aisle looking angry at having wasted his
magical briefcase. Owens would lay on the mat selling. Ambrose would confront
Roman and be dropped with a Superman punch. The show would go off the air with
Reigns, Triple H and Stephanie recreating the famous shot of The Rock (Roman's
cousin remember) celebrating with Vince and Shane at Survivor Series 1998.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, it's convoluted and a bit messy. It would hopefully
get tidied up a bit before the night. But this would be the gist of what I'd go
for because it makes use of all the things people would expect the finals to
play on: the corrupt bosses at ringside, a Money in the Bank cash-in, Ambrose interference
(his mere presence would get people suspicious that he'd cost Reigns the match),
a WrestleMania 31 reference, and, of course, the Sharpshooter finish. It would
set up Sheamus, Owens and Ambrose as challengers for Reigns and position Owens
for a babyface run, something I think he's well suited for right now. The
tournament as a whole would also have helped raise the profile of Cesaro and
Kalisto, two guys who WWE could and should be doing more with.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most importantly in turning Reigns heel fans would be
encouraged to vent any frustration they may have over him and his largely failed
babyface run(s). When he turned babyface again the animosity should be gone and
he should be more actively embraced. People need to see him in a new role and
be given reason to back him. There's no light Reigns is better role right now
that big, mean asskicker. Giving Reigns time as the top, corrupt heel,
especially if he were booked to trounce everyone who challenged him, would
actually get him over in the long term as a face. That's the character he
should play and this is the way to introduce it.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First round RAW
matches:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dolph Ziggler defeats Tyler Breeze</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns defeats Sheamus via disqualification</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ryback defeats Bray Wyatt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin Owens defeats Dean Ambrose</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First round
SmackDown matches:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Big E defeats Mark Henry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alberto Del Rio defeats The Miz</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kalisto defeats Adrian Neville</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cesaro defeats Stardust</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second round
matches:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin Owens defeats Dolph Ziggler</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alberto Del Rio defeats Kalisto</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns defeats Ryback</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cesaro defeats Big E</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Semi-final
matches:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns defeats Alberto Del Rio</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin Owens defeats Cesaro</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Final match:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns defeats Kevin Owens and Sheamus</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-31317366975085511442015-11-08T11:42:00.002+00:002015-11-08T11:42:48.674+00:00WWE BFFs
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last week of WWE TV made it fairly clear that Dean
Ambrose is being shunted in the direction of Kevin Owens. They were presumably <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pencilled in to wrestle for KO's
Intercontinental gold at Survivor Series before Seth Rollins got injured and a
tournament was announced They still may face off but it's less clear now that
WWE has an emergency booking solution to conjure up. If Owens v Ambrose does
happen I'm sure they'll do something fun. But that's not what I'm interested in
here. What I'm interested in is what WWE originally seemed to be setting up for
Survivor Series. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That's a Dean Ambrose heel turn. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The night after Hell in a Cell Ambrose told Reigns that
he was almost within reach of achieving his dream of becoming WWE world
champion. This was the same night Roman defeated Kofi Kingston to qualify for a
number one contenders match in which he beat Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio and
big Kev Owens. The message of those matches was clear: Reigns was earning a
world title match by winning, and winning good matches to boot. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The timing of Ambrose's words of inspiration and
affirmation would have raised eyebrows with anyone familiar with the standard
tropes of WWE's interpretation of wrestling (sports entertainment). 'The
Lunatic Fringe' was suppressing jealousy over Reigns' spot. Reigns, the
trusting good guy, couldn't bring himself to see this. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KqOn725Lz43UcDPfTkRPDztapyK9ZvZI_0Bjm-ksqDqMDWzx49tyXo48nzIsIMPz5VNq1ALES7_tcefdJXwayOEU0wxRgiMr_yUcniwovePe8dLvRRqKUQehLBRcmHZOtgw_9lV9jjo/s1600/Roman+Reigns+and+Dean+Ambrose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KqOn725Lz43UcDPfTkRPDztapyK9ZvZI_0Bjm-ksqDqMDWzx49tyXo48nzIsIMPz5VNq1ALES7_tcefdJXwayOEU0wxRgiMr_yUcniwovePe8dLvRRqKUQehLBRcmHZOtgw_9lV9jjo/s320/Roman+Reigns+and+Dean+Ambrose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The lads.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's a story that WWE viewers have seen before and
although it seems to have been dropped for now it's one we we'll almost
certainly see Reigns and Ambrose go through a split at some point. And that
will be both a shame and one of the best takes on the plot ever. Because not
only do Reigns and Ambrose have years of on-screen friendship to play off but
they've also done a stellar job of making it far more genuine and affectionate
than the vast majority of on-screen friendships ever seen in wrestling. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The standard play, especially in WWE, is to present guys
aligned on the same sides of the heel-face divide as mates no matter what.
Which is problematic because it leads to situations where guys are tagging with
people they've had intense feuds with months earlier or who have beaten the for
championships (y'know, those things we're supposed to believe every wrestler
wants to win and keep hold of?). When this is how it's presented the concept of
friendship really doesn't mean much, which limits possibilities when it comes
to storytelling and lessens any "friend turns on friend" spots we're
meant to care about. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Ambrose and Reigns relationship is different. It's
easy to believe they're mates, quite possibly because they really are. We've
had jokes about how Dean knows what beer Roman likes. We've had Roman
supporting Dean in his quest to take the world title from Rollins earlier this
year. We've seen Dean come to Roman's aid in his battle with the Wyatt Family.
Perhaps best of all, dating all the way back to their time in The Shield, we've
seen Dean consistently display the ability to make Roman break character and
laugh during promos. Those genuine moments not only helped to humanise an all
too wooden Reigns, they showed that the pair do genuinely get on and have a rapport.
</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They will come to blows at some point. Friendships in
wrestling sadly only tend to exist either in tag team divisions or to set up
rivalries. It would be nice if the Reigns and Ambrose friendship could be
exempt from this and be a wrestling relationship that transcends the trope. But
it won't be. At least we can take solace in the fact that, because they're so
believable together, the inevitable Ambrose versus Reigns feud should be near
impossible to mess up.</span></div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-69661037746278449142015-11-07T21:55:00.004+00:002015-11-07T21:55:43.125+00:00NXTweet 04.11.15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This show was all about the main event championship match
between Finn Bálor and Apollo Crews. But there were action from Samoa Joe that
were Truly Shocking (assuming you avoid spoilers).</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 1: I am watching the NXT.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 2: What this show needs to get to the next level is
Kane in a prominent role.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 3: Tonight: Apollo Crews versus Finn Bálor. It'll
be good. But think how it could be improved turned into a three-way featuring
Kane.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 4: Big fan of people going along dressed as their
fave wrestlers then looking awkward when the cameras go for closeups.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Asuka v Cameron<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 5: Asuka. She's great and all but she's no Glenn
'Kane' Jacobs.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 6: So much laughter for this bizarre appearance
from Cameron.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 7: Why wasn't Cameron billed from Planet Funk? In
fact why isn't she still doing the Funkadactyl gimmick?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j0dR2VtMPnonM9ir7F8gdr_5IaAlye2E6YoDDpbp5Z_ZDHX-ln0NkhxACbaJrk8DoiiXVEtA6A6acUZ-3E77-3iUoL88WWWS1qW6xGJjy1VUUSnoMB-EpFlDqiObeTBdtTlrmaexSAM/s1600/Asuka+v+Cameron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-j0dR2VtMPnonM9ir7F8gdr_5IaAlye2E6YoDDpbp5Z_ZDHX-ln0NkhxACbaJrk8DoiiXVEtA6A6acUZ-3E77-3iUoL88WWWS1qW6xGJjy1VUUSnoMB-EpFlDqiObeTBdtTlrmaexSAM/s320/Asuka+v+Cameron.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Cameron doing a Ribena gimmick here. That'll get over.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 8: Let me tell you, this "Girl bye!"
thing is on the cusp of taking off (it isn't).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 9: Why is this match still going? Why hasn't Asuka
won already? I like her spamming the Rear Views though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 10: Imagine booking Cameron the Funkadactyl to look
even vaguely competitive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 11: I'd be interested in knowing what Vince thinks
of Asuka. She wrestles, which he's not interested in, but she loves a pose,
which he is.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Philips
interviews Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 12: Recap of The Not-Mechanics trying to
"cripple" Big Cass.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 13: Live to our medical correspondent Carmella for
an update on Cass and Enzo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 14: Dash Wilder having 'Powder Keg' on his ring
jacket. Superb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 15: You know what I like? I like every tag team on
this roster wanting the titles. Because you would, wouldn't you?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jason Jordan and
Chad Gable challenge The Ascension<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 16: They are not the World's Greatest Tag Team™.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 17: Jordan and Gable will give The Ascension their
best match since they returned for the Dusty Classic.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bull Dempsey v Angelo
Dawkins<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 18: I'm a fan of Dawkins and Fulton and their
experimental act. Fulton looking like Rick Steiner doesn't hurt.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 19: You know what would really get Bull Dempsey
over? Facing and beating Kane.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFUIY71aDbodhmgf7JdxqPSbeTRqFiUHLsGaDC5jEcVPS3_Z8dZk9EtzbUleiKhOYTNKC78sR22Dua9WFNtsJHsJ3AotxHU-umi1vbXwWuKvUzfyaO0gIs11a8E5qXRvyAKpNJuKEorg/s1600/Bull+Dempsey+v+Angelo+Dawkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFUIY71aDbodhmgf7JdxqPSbeTRqFiUHLsGaDC5jEcVPS3_Z8dZk9EtzbUleiKhOYTNKC78sR22Dua9WFNtsJHsJ3AotxHU-umi1vbXwWuKvUzfyaO0gIs11a8E5qXRvyAKpNJuKEorg/s320/Bull+Dempsey+v+Angelo+Dawkins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">You should never have taken the rucksack off, mate.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 20: I've gone right off Bull since he became the
new Simon Dean. He had potential as a lardy Tazz.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 21: Saddened to see Sawyer Fulton shouting at
little Ange. I liked that team.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Philip
interviews The Vaudevillains<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 22: Tom Philips playing go-between with The
Vaudevillains here. What a mug.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 23: Why don't Dash and Dawson just take The
Roughnecks as a name? It fits and it's a name. Could do worse.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apollo Crews sits
in a locker room<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 24: Apollo having a stare at the NXT title hanging
in the locker room there.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 25: Why are he and Finn sharing a dressing room
when they're facing each other? Surely one would rather dress alone. For
concentration, like.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bayley introduces
the Hype Bros as her partners to face BAMF<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 26: Recasting Mojo Rawley as a 90s throwback is a
stroke of genius.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 27: Disgusting that we have to put up with him
dragging Bayley down to his level though.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eva Marie v Marley<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 28: Lol at Eva Marie having "RED" written
on her WHITE ring gear. Slow clapping this.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 29: They should do a storyline where Eva's
desperate to get a front cover shoot with Zoo. Relatable innit. For someone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAaExBu1jbA_niZm7OPMFji7BHFZK-cgDCGtuxOfffmQE17WLZYYjvT9UuioLQlUSebh0OV6KuQqijhk5J0h5SEOknOyQtBtXLCdIv5n0iwOOjo5-KksJKxiOJujQOfQALcrUgaO3u0c/s1600/Eva+Marie+v+Marley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAaExBu1jbA_niZm7OPMFji7BHFZK-cgDCGtuxOfffmQE17WLZYYjvT9UuioLQlUSebh0OV6KuQqijhk5J0h5SEOknOyQtBtXLCdIv5n0iwOOjo5-KksJKxiOJujQOfQALcrUgaO3u0c/s200/Eva+Marie+v+Marley.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">All red everything. Except for the white.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 30:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
girl Eva's wrestling. Is she The Kendrick's sister? Because there's a
similarity there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 31: These "Eva's ratchet!" chants though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 32: A rare off night for Eva Marie there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 33: Don't know about you all but I'm hyped for the
inevitable Eva Marie title reign.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Philips interviews
Dana Brooke and Emma<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 34: Dana and Emma with their sensational Mean Girls
shtick here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 35: Emma v Asuka could be great. That's what should
have gone on at Takeover: Respect. I get that they wanted to give Dana the rub
though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 36: Eight of Spades is the theme song of Takeover:
London. #fingeronthepulse</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">NXT championship:
Finn Bálor (c) v Apollo Crews<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 37: Eighteen minutes left on this show. Settling in
for a hot little title match.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 38: I like that we're getting big matches for Bálor
where he doesn't do his face paint. Makes it mean more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQQzsR1au3vl5HCG2Ftsh_PtxADnapW4Mt67Tmq2CNbhEaka2a10Z7uG7gq3KJIxY_03ryUH9t0Uke12Sx2YcRvOOBHTXQTfGV6rsyYl8gJTxqoIk75ZqMWrYmNBotkZ4dBGMKD3NzX4/s1600/Finn+Balor+v+Apollo+Crews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQQzsR1au3vl5HCG2Ftsh_PtxADnapW4Mt67Tmq2CNbhEaka2a10Z7uG7gq3KJIxY_03ryUH9t0Uke12Sx2YcRvOOBHTXQTfGV6rsyYl8gJTxqoIk75ZqMWrYmNBotkZ4dBGMKD3NzX4/s320/Finn+Balor+v+Apollo+Crews.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Cut the lights!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 39: I'm into this lighting change for the ring
intros.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 40: I'm less into a break about a minute into the
match.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 41: "Moose"-esque shouts of
"Crews!" there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 42: An idea: have that punt kick become a regular
thing from Bálor and call it the Hooligan kick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 43: Finn Bálor and Davey Richards have the same
haircut.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 44: Randy Orton and Eric Roberts. Condemned 2 looks
like a powerhouse of acting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 45: Such a fan of the Vaudevillains v Not-Mechanics
getting an ad dedicated to it. Makes it seem like a big deal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 46: Ads are entirely pointless during NXT though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8K1_plP1EVjN3cBGxKSO-N0TdOlf076OWTWzTC8VdubPEDoRqapGnltjaZjMEu4RtQk5_F8ZmJj6EJOj5qBu0vVuGyUj6KfptM1dLqF9xr0YGosG0JT490e_WkCfgBFNibTv3Y1fxoo/s1600/Apollo+Crews+v+Finn+Balor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8K1_plP1EVjN3cBGxKSO-N0TdOlf076OWTWzTC8VdubPEDoRqapGnltjaZjMEu4RtQk5_F8ZmJj6EJOj5qBu0vVuGyUj6KfptM1dLqF9xr0YGosG0JT490e_WkCfgBFNibTv3Y1fxoo/s320/Apollo+Crews+v+Finn+Balor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Referee with a W for a head there.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 47: Crews v Bálor is, as expected, really good
stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 48: That Bloody Sunday move really encapsulates the
frustration of a Sunday. #deliberatePartridge</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 49: That exchange that followed. My word that was
good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 50: Oh look, it's wolf and motorbike enthusiast
Barry Corbin attacking champ and challenger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 51: Corey Graves describing Corbin's actions as a
mugging. Hope he takes a wallet from Finn's tights before he... oh, Joe's here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 52: Joe finally doing his heel turn here. I'm
obliged to ask why, Joe, why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXibGcChWRow7XmA5G8qmuB79ugfgwsJmXGj5MhjNV4p3QydQwYdHYIeGxzyI3H_6sPVtA7Ogjjxo-UUOmlAJICRIkbLdquQGiTvLtdmV6gi3ofsq_2UvQD0tjjtRwmPzL2zpm_aANCzY/s1600/Samoa+Joe+turns+on+Finn+Balor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXibGcChWRow7XmA5G8qmuB79ugfgwsJmXGj5MhjNV4p3QydQwYdHYIeGxzyI3H_6sPVtA7Ogjjxo-UUOmlAJICRIkbLdquQGiTvLtdmV6gi3ofsq_2UvQD0tjjtRwmPzL2zpm_aANCzY/s320/Samoa+Joe+turns+on+Finn+Balor.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Why, Joe, why?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 53: Lol at the crowd actually chanting that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 54: I want Joe to explain that he turned because
Bálor refused to sign with TNA. "We could have turned it around, Finn! We
could have saved it!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 55: Good show. Good hustle.</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-35921251601086715152015-11-07T12:31:00.003+00:002015-11-07T12:31:55.848+00:00Making NXT Phenomenal <span style="font-family: Calibri;">AJ Styles. In terms of talent WWE could sign right now
he's pretty much the pinnacle. Not because he'd be a nice addition to the main
roster (not to say he wouldn't be) but because of what he could do for NXT. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">'The Phenomenal One' appeals to people who like their
wrestlers to wrestle. That's not always something that gets factored in with
WWE fans. They like Hulk Hogan because of nostalgia (or maybe racism, who
knows?), Steve Austin because he was an outspoken asskicker, Rock because he
was a great promo, John Cena because of Reasons™. Styles is light on
intangibles but can put together a red hot match given enough time and a
semi-decent opponent. That's just not necessarily something that would help him
connect with the average WWE viewer who had no knowledge of his former life in
ROH, New Japan, and other respected groups. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVgOfSZ1LKEc7OMoz2V1c8VIgjeskkia-lZD-we6KRlJiyu0IfCYYLNqP4ByQVSg03rpo7wKmI4B16fjPVp_Wb4lKg7m7mNQmWEPlClxVewBZ2kpR-B7Mog9U2I_m0pXl8HSnEKL661k/s1600/AJ+Styles+champion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVgOfSZ1LKEc7OMoz2V1c8VIgjeskkia-lZD-we6KRlJiyu0IfCYYLNqP4ByQVSg03rpo7wKmI4B16fjPVp_Wb4lKg7m7mNQmWEPlClxVewBZ2kpR-B7Mog9U2I_m0pXl8HSnEKL661k/s320/AJ+Styles+champion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Would Styles want to give up this spot for Monday nights wrestling R-Truth?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Styles would not get to do what he's best at on the main
WWE roster. At least not until he'd earned his way to the top of the card with
years of paying dues to The WWE System. Which, understandably, probably
wouldn't appeal to him because he's getting paid main event money to headline
in NJPW now. He'd have no reason to relocate other than money, and WWE are
unlikely to pay him big bucks to work his way up through the mid-card. While
Styles has stated many times money is his chief motivation for wrestling I
can't see him trading his current career for the weekly grind of WWE's mid-card
and the whiff of one of Vince's brass rings unless a frankly unrealistic sum of
money was involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you're considering that WWE would race AJ to the top
don't bother. That would break decades of routine and this is a company that
takes routine very seriously. No, he'd have to earn his way there like everyone
else. Because Vince is certain that the batch of guys who have come along since
2000 or so are all lazy millennials who just want to coast. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But Vince doesn't run NXT. Triple H does, and he's been
shown to break routine for his league. Wrestlers who have made names for
themselves outside of WWE have been signed and immediately pushed, helping it
to become a show with its own style and narrative quirks and a far more
satisfying watch than the average RAW. Immediately pushing guys like Finn
Bálor, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and Apollo Crews has trained fans to expect the
best in terms of booking for debuting stars. It is, as has been noted before,
WWE's take on the indies. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">AJ Styles is a star to any wrestling fan who follows any
promotion that's not WWE. He emphatically would not be in Vince McMahon's eyes
because he will only truly consider someone a star once they've been built up
in his territory. But Styles could come into NXT and instantly be accepted by
its fans and that's what NXT needs. A steady stream of fan-friendly signings to
keep the momentum going as the men and women deemed prospects get bumped up to
the main roster. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the "brand" still being expanded and
money-losing kinks being worked out (or at least minimised) signing someone who
could help draw crowds on the scale the company wants NXT to operate on would
clearly hold appeal. Like Joe, Styles doesn't look like a guy who'd be a sure
fire success booked by Vinnie Mac. But booked by people who'd play to his
strengths (wrestling) and disguise his weaknesses (talking, although he's miles
better than he used to be) he could be an asset to the planned global
expansion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Could this signing happen? Absolutely. Would this signing
happen? Well, WWE could outbid New Japan with ease and attitudes to indy
standouts have changed significantly over the last several years. Samoa Joe
keeping his name shows Styles could keep his, handily explaining why he has a
massive AJ tattooed on his side. He'd be of use to an area of the company that
seems to be a priority. That had to count for something. It's by no means a
definite thing but Styles in NXT could happen. And with Finn Bálor likely not
far off a promotion the timing could be getting pretty good pretty soon because
that rarely appearing top babyface spot is perfect for Styles.</span></div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-38033742508800447812015-11-05T20:27:00.003+00:002015-11-05T20:27:36.603+00:00MexAmerica
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something that passes for character development in WWE
these days is a guy formerly known for being a massive pro-America racist and
xenophobe ceasing to be a massive pro-America racist and xenophobe. We have to accept
that we were given no reason for the change and just be pleased that it
happened. Because, y'know, a company that chases a PG rating not featuring
racism-based angles is probably a good thing.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm talking, by the way, not about Michael 'PS' Hayes but
Zeb Colter. Of course I am.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CgVYioVaMxxYFAJAnasPjnkSjTCezyKWbJwAKBtQXPOfVSve_mC7w9XcWeNBhbIdQvZdu4BlrtHfmNlcsmZgujyzumxZscsqTPxym8g55yiCDIy7C0yvdArkKRI81jHaE7WPMIcfCL4/s1600/Alberto+Del+Rio+and+Zeb+Colter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CgVYioVaMxxYFAJAnasPjnkSjTCezyKWbJwAKBtQXPOfVSve_mC7w9XcWeNBhbIdQvZdu4BlrtHfmNlcsmZgujyzumxZscsqTPxym8g55yiCDIy7C0yvdArkKRI81jHaE7WPMIcfCL4/s320/Alberto+Del+Rio+and+Zeb+Colter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">What even is this?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The change is obviously welcome but it did come as
something of a surprise. Prior to Hell in a Cell Zeb had last been seen getting
his leg broken by Rusev in December 2014 (something which was apparently
necessary to set up <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">another</i> match
between Ru Ru and Jack Swagger (Swagger lost)). Hell in a Cell revealed that he
and Alberto Del Rio, once sworn enemies because they're from different
countries and cultures and those are things that can't simply be overlooked,
had buried the hatchet and Zeb had agreed to become ADR's manager. Because why
not, I guess?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's an odd move that makes no sense on any level.
Storyline-wise it's ridiculous that the two men would pair up. Colter's entire
character before this contradicts the pairing, making it seem possible (though
admittedly not likely) that WWE intend to regale us with a tale of Del Rio
seducing, nay brainwashing, sweet, innocent Zeb into becoming a more accepting
person as well as his manager. Which is fine and all but it raises questions of
morality and free will that I doubt WWE would handle satisfyingly. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From a talent perspective it's confusing. Although he's a
laugh I don't think anyone was crying out for a Zeb return. ADR is a perfectly
capable promo and doesn't need a mouthpiece. He's worked well with a second
before but a mobility scooter-bound mad sexagenarian is very different from a
smarmy personal announcer who can make you either want to see him get a smack
or feel incredibly sympathetic for him. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But the biggest question is this: was this really,
honestly, the best WWE's vast creative department could come up with for the
returning Del Rio? He's an international multilingual second generation star
who can turn out good matches, works nicely as a conceited heel, and was being
courted by numerous other promotions. Defeating Cena for the suddenly quite
meaningful United States championship is good and all, there's nothing wrong
there. But the Colter alliance and promos about a title reign representing
"MexAmerica" are confusing. Short of Del Rio introducing Homicide,
Hernandez and Salinas for an obscure invasion angle or going full Lance Storm
and renaming the belt there's nowhere interesting for the gimmick to go. So far the best it's done is give us an amusing backstage scene where Jack Swagger basically said "C'mon, Zeb, I know you're still a racist <em>really</em>!" It's just not clear what the gimmick is meant to <em>be</em> or how we're supposed to react to it.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bet Del Rio's happy to be back regardless of the
nonsense he's been lumbered with though. No more dealing with indy promoters
who refuse to put up with his prima donna attitude!</span></div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-63834559784649000422015-10-31T19:52:00.000+00:002015-10-31T19:52:36.748+00:00NXTweet 28.10.15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An episode of NXT which saw Hallowe'en (note the
apostrophe) mentioned a few times. Sadly there was nothing as monumental as
John Cena debuting a rapper gimmick and saving his career. There was some nifty
rasslin' though. Swings and roundabouts...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 1: Watching NXT... NOW.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 2: Didn't we get Dash and Dawson v Enzo and Cass
last week? Maybe I'm misremembering...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emma v Shazza<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 3: Emma. #heelsweargloves</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 4: Shazza bears a resemblance to Alexa Bliss when
she debuted and was buffer than she is now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 5: Feel kind of sad for Emma. She was in the
women's division when it was first getting good then got called up and paired
with Santino.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 6: When she got dropped back to NXT a bunch of
other women had grabbed the top spots. She has really bad timing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyvtv0hMiDXFk1k82adOZDZnNHCDKleARWEYz6XPhhBTVnmcomv_ULetvkE4WdvmVGthRzUUvMFfwSZ9RtDxecVjhonkIBjkcUGOAHaSBt8U83-wuG8yYONepfdAZ7MIoMlXgXMq8P8g/s1600/Emma+Lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyvtv0hMiDXFk1k82adOZDZnNHCDKleARWEYz6XPhhBTVnmcomv_ULetvkE4WdvmVGthRzUUvMFfwSZ9RtDxecVjhonkIBjkcUGOAHaSBt8U83-wuG8yYONepfdAZ7MIoMlXgXMq8P8g/s320/Emma+Lock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Alexa Bliss 2.0 tapped.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 7: Emma > Mutoh</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Phillips
interviews James Storm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 8: Recapping James Storm's debut as a big deal.
Good lord.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 9: Backstage interview for James Storm here. NXT
suddenly has the stink of Impact to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 10: I enjoyed Tom Phillips acting like a giddy mark
for Storm there.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jason Jordan and
Chad Gable v Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 11: Jordan. Gable. #toplads</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 12: Tommaso Ciampa should make use of his initials
and start referring to himself as 'Topcat'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 13: Astounded by Gable's ability. Deserves those
Angle-esque chants. The lad's a natural.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 14: I can see elements of Angle, Bret Hart and
Shawn Michaels in Gable. No idea if anyone would agree. Don't really care
either tbh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWNJyBDoGVirz3ZmdEeYecygrIzPVVIuszIyAIEoxQ3Bvcd14I2TEruen6TtmxS-xq8o_Dyw1ODb6rrKM7qGmk2c83xM_tdmWis2lNVPJLwj4DjVV4F8IiZpop0kJ-ewXhB2LSK73l3s/s1600/Chad+Gable+v+Tommaso+Ciampa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWNJyBDoGVirz3ZmdEeYecygrIzPVVIuszIyAIEoxQ3Bvcd14I2TEruen6TtmxS-xq8o_Dyw1ODb6rrKM7qGmk2c83xM_tdmWis2lNVPJLwj4DjVV4F8IiZpop0kJ-ewXhB2LSK73l3s/s320/Chad+Gable+v+Tommaso+Ciampa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Big fan of Gable. Indifferent to Ciampa. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 15: Johnny Gargano's spear still needs to be
dropped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 16: Jason Jordan's one weakness is that he wrestles
in sneakers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 17: He throws a way better spear than Gargano
though. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 18: When Gargano signs a full contract he'll change
his name to Gary Garygano.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 19: "Man they are fun to watch!" - Corey
Graves, stealing one from the JBL playbook</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Devin Taylor
interviews Bayley<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 20: "Bayley, what's your opinion of Alexa
Bliss hating you?"</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 21: Bayley here, branding herself an inspiration.
The heel turn is on the horizon.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eva Marie live from
Paris<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 22: EMNN update: she's still on holiday in Paris.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nia Jax v Kay Lee
Ray<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 23: Nia Kong with her second TV match here. Probably
won't last long.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 24: At one minute this has already lasted longer
than I expected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVne9Ea3ZbUv0sQ65l6yOY8p6aD3neNWYwsEZlTmJjcV0VkzLysLrUzf41q7Gs37RjKT25xm-c7X0XmnlfCwyxt3PUz6KR1m5L51FWS2cx0-KyzBhQEdvCLEgHDv2yUwJycdPhh1gBx5A/s1600/Nia+Jax+backbreaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVne9Ea3ZbUv0sQ65l6yOY8p6aD3neNWYwsEZlTmJjcV0VkzLysLrUzf41q7Gs37RjKT25xm-c7X0XmnlfCwyxt3PUz6KR1m5L51FWS2cx0-KyzBhQEdvCLEgHDv2yUwJycdPhh1gBx5A/s320/Nia+Jax+backbreaker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Power, apparently.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 25: Nia Jax no-selling drop kicks. That works
against NXT enhancement but she couldn't pull a stunt like that against The
Nikki Bella.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Big Cass and Enzo
Amore v Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 26: Last week: Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder gave
Enzo and Cass a kicking.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 27: Surprised Enzo's shtick being interrupted
didn't get more heat tbh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDS2_TC7AdLDmeDYBLGSfTZny5fPW-t0JWBgOEUpOkh4AH7HIoN1LuhVi0M-Q1gBPCR4ybRxSSNXjTsB8DgeoVJWYA1zJbQ3qBhe-e1NnOwkoz3Fir7Yh9xMhWSWWIhd8wdPBfTateFYI/s1600/Enzo+Amore+and+Big+Cass+v+Mechanics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDS2_TC7AdLDmeDYBLGSfTZny5fPW-t0JWBgOEUpOkh4AH7HIoN1LuhVi0M-Q1gBPCR4ybRxSSNXjTsB8DgeoVJWYA1zJbQ3qBhe-e1NnOwkoz3Fir7Yh9xMhWSWWIhd8wdPBfTateFYI/s320/Enzo+Amore+and+Big+Cass+v+Mechanics.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The Brainbusters v Kevin Nash and Road Dogg: the feud we thought we'd never see!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 28: Big Cass Nash selling like a champ here. His
dad Kev would be appalled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 29: I'm a fan of Scott Dawson's jelly baby
physique.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tom Phillips
interviews Alexa Bliss, featuring Blake and Murphy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 30: I'd pay good money to be called a human mic
stand by Alexa Bliss. #justsaying</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 31: 'The Hollywood Fashion Plate' Wesley Blake.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Samoa Joe v Tyler
Breeze<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 32: Oh, hey. It's Tyler.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 33: Remember when Tyler Breeze hooked up with Summer
Rae and appeared on SmackDown? Rich Brennan sure does!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 34: Samoa Joseph doing the flies there. That's how
you know this is a main event.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 35: Lol at Breeze doing a lungblower type move and
the commentary lads putting over his strength. He's just falling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 36: A few women in the audience with a "Breeze
is gorgeous!" chant there. Going to assume it's a hen party.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 37: Do they even have "hen parties" in
the colonies?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wxS5C8JrJRUHvvthPvfo6OpDpDsUQMUyNdmOfl4NbFa9TSFeWXroU0SgzFSilr1defiqhJxVfwePJJoPT7iawb33sSRLbW08xI6V6AIu-V4rK3U3NbSNFjrXjGEFxZFJfn3N0pC_8Fc/s1600/Samoa+Joe+v+Tyler+Breeze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wxS5C8JrJRUHvvthPvfo6OpDpDsUQMUyNdmOfl4NbFa9TSFeWXroU0SgzFSilr1defiqhJxVfwePJJoPT7iawb33sSRLbW08xI6V6AIu-V4rK3U3NbSNFjrXjGEFxZFJfn3N0pC_8Fc/s320/Samoa+Joe+v+Tyler+Breeze.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Not even tassels can overcome the power of big Joe.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 38: If Joe stays in NXT forever and never makes the
main roster, as seems entirely possible, will he make it into the Hall of Fame?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 39: Sad that Joe choked out Breeze but it was a fun
match and a not at all surprising outcome.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 40: At least Breeze is getting to work with
Ziggler. Those should be good matches.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 41: Still hoping for Breeze v Doug Williams at
Takeover: London.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finn Bálor promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 42: Another backstage finish here. Weird.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 43: Big Match Finn putting over Apollo Crews. Good
lad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 44: Good show that. Good hustle.</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-11371057385757978452015-10-26T13:42:00.001+00:002015-10-26T13:42:35.879+00:00WWE Hell in a Cell 2015 review
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hell in a Cell was always going to struggle to be a fully
satisfying show. The reliance on rematches made it seem a very familiar card.
And if there's one thing that hinders a wrestling card more than anything else
it's bouts feeling overly familiar. The main event was actually something first
seen thirteen years ago, for example. There was no way to disguise it and so
WWE didn't bother, they simply didn't acknowledge it. Which was the smartest
thing they could do in the circumstances but longer term it may be nice if they
could maybe plan ahead and change things up a little to avoid something like
this happening again.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The opening segment saw John Cena stride out and issue
his Open Challenge. He didn't spend too much time getting to it and it was
accepted by... Zeb Colter. Yes, really. Zeb Colter in John Laurinaitis's
scooter. He cut a promo about people with differing views and from different
countries coming together before introducing his new client: reigning AAA mega
champion Alberto Del Rio. Guess they came to terms after ADR realised he was
burning through bridges too quickly outside of WWE.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1UIxcZQMmPYC1HxsUw6z4gl_hSDPsn4mFjgtqS_veICacRQvV6hAfaXvL3emDvhO7mSmlmARpBs9FEK8zjURVks6t3u4zXvqyIBV7WFAJJYLwVhoZlMeHujZPr0ZtSLJOUL0gZAvCx0/s1600/Alberto+Del+Rio+United+States+champion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1UIxcZQMmPYC1HxsUw6z4gl_hSDPsn4mFjgtqS_veICacRQvV6hAfaXvL3emDvhO7mSmlmARpBs9FEK8zjURVks6t3u4zXvqyIBV7WFAJJYLwVhoZlMeHujZPr0ZtSLJOUL0gZAvCx0/s320/Alberto+Del+Rio+United+States+champion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Another former world champion taking a backwards step in terms of titles.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>'Mexico's Greatest
Export' was given a hero's welcome by the LA crowd, getting chants of
"Si!" and "Welcome back!" as Michael Cole hyped him up to
remind viewers why they should care about him being Cena's challenger. Sadly
the crowd died down early in the eight minute match and didn't seem interested
in waking back up, despite some good work from Cena and Del Rio, before the
finish. That saw ADR slip out of an AA to hit Cena with a backstabber and a
super kick, pinning Cena clean.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pairing of ADR and Zeb Colter is peculiar but there's
time for it to be fleshed out and given context. Del Rio doesn't do a huge
amount for me as a wrestler but it's nice to see someone being added to the
roster who can freshen things up a bit. WWE's improved considerably over the
last year but additions are always welcome in a company so keen on recycling.
He was introduced in a strong fashion too: not just anybody gets to pin Cena
clean. Notably not even WWE champ Seth Rollins has been permitted that honour.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were then treated (and I use that term loosely) to a
backstage segment with The Authority. Rollins hyped himself up and Triple H and
Steph mentioned his match with Kane. The Director of Operations then showed up,
showed us his marvellous take on a multiple personality gimmick, and was
dismissed by Trips. It was boring.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The long-running rivalry between Roman Reigns and Bray
Wyatt was settled after that in the night's first Hell in a Cell match. Don't
let the fact that they've only had two singles matches on pay-per-view fool
you, these two have been at odds for a while. Specifically since June when 'The
Eater of Worlds' returned from a TV absence and cost Reigns the briefcase.
After a few weeks of awkward but well-produced segments revolving around
Reigns' daughter (awkward mostly because of how clearly uncomfortable Reigns
was with the situation) the pair settled into a more natural take n the family
feud, specifically the revival of their Shield versus Wyatt Family dynamic.
Wyatt brought Luke Harper back into the fold and debuted Braun Strowman while
Reigns called on his bessie mate Dean Ambrose and a string of ragtag helpers to
wage his war. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa6ZRWxOOr7V75bVuUQevCXcechlg7xDghQRrxaT2k0yuJbVK7lbarPnH61gPBbFpZMUzsM5_mASrEGxcpLX7oyZ2Fd_MM6QgusCc6XdFJ3FjJcDwVIVhTXRD_EBElTf20pE7lZjZrO8/s1600/Roman+Reigns+v+Bray+Wyatt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQa6ZRWxOOr7V75bVuUQevCXcechlg7xDghQRrxaT2k0yuJbVK7lbarPnH61gPBbFpZMUzsM5_mASrEGxcpLX7oyZ2Fd_MM6QgusCc6XdFJ3FjJcDwVIVhTXRD_EBElTf20pE7lZjZrO8/s320/Roman+Reigns+v+Bray+Wyatt.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The long-running Wyatt v Reigns spat is finally over. Breathe a sigh of relief.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Basically this HIAC match had to pay off a fair bit of
story, the vast majority of which had been underwhelming, in addition to the
standard requirement of keeping Roman looking strong and giving him a hot
match. Pleasingly, it accomplished both. This was all down to the keenness of both
men to make the match good. This wasn't the best Cell match ever, nor did it
break the years-long trend of these matches being a bit pointless, but it was
engaging and accomplished everything it needed to. They used chairs, tables and
kendo sticks to make an impact en route to Reigns going over with a spear.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The awkward post-Cell lull spot was handed to the Dudley
Boyz and New Day. Big E and Kofi cut a typically entertaining pre-match promo
about Xavier Woods being injured. They also danced. Then the Dudleys came out
and we were subjected to another subpar match between the two teams (the
highlight of which was a spectacular inverted Rocker Dropper botch by the
Duds). New Day won after E hit Bubba with a broken trombone and Kofi hit
Trouble in Paradise.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I like both of these teams but this feud has been
uninventive after an initially good week or two and we've yet to see any good
matches come out of it. It may be time to accept they don't have especially
good chemistry, switch the belts in a tables match, and do something new.
Continuing like this will achieve nothing.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nikki bella got her Divas title rematch against Charlotte
after that. All seconds were banned from ringside to ensure a fair match. The
storyline reason was that this created a fair playing field. I suspect the real
life reason may have been some sort of test to see how Charlotte did in a
singles pay-per-view match with just her, an opponent and a referee. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2aqmtzvfSebPb54z7JSpEWRy4Oz8yV3uOmSDLwEKFTDqor0N01SxUTi23To2glQnXWMIhQOXHaJTI7zh5HNtRnflcJIkB_GdM3NdhKKCBK5BNDU2ZhbMjeWx08qLi9ybVzbyWqHtIbk/s1600/Charlotte+v+Nikki+Bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2aqmtzvfSebPb54z7JSpEWRy4Oz8yV3uOmSDLwEKFTDqor0N01SxUTi23To2glQnXWMIhQOXHaJTI7zh5HNtRnflcJIkB_GdM3NdhKKCBK5BNDU2ZhbMjeWx08qLi9ybVzbyWqHtIbk/s320/Charlotte+v+Nikki+Bella.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Nikki telling a story there. Great stuff.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> a
test she did fine, but Nikki handled the bulk of the work. She was on offence
for the majority of the match, with Charlotte only firing up and hitting
certain moves at select points. Anyone doubting Niki's ability to lead and
construct a good match should really just pay attention to this. She was very,
very good and told a different story to their previous matches. I'd like to see
what she could do in a pay-per-view match with someone more talented than 'The
Nature Girl', like Sasha Banks for example. Charlotte overcame Nikki's
targeting of her back and managed to apply the figure eight long enough to get
the submission victory.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was followed by a scene in which Dean Ambrose
congratulated Roman Reigns on his Hell in a Cell victory. They said they'd
celebrate and also referred to knowing where they had to go next. They said that
would be discussed on RAW. It seemed like the weirdest teaser WWE's done for TV
in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>while.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kane challenging Seth Rollins for the WWE world
championship came next. Kane dominated at the opening before Seth slowly turned
things around, starting with an opportunistic attack as 'The Big Red Machine'
lumbered onto the top rope. They did the standard issue ringside brawling,
including a table spot, before Rollins went over with two top rope knees, two
super kicks, a frog splash and a Pedigree (because Kane must be kept strong for
whatever reason). It was the best Kane match I can remember seeing in ages but
Rollins is capable of, deserves and needs, if he is to be the valuale asset he
so clearly can be, so much better.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The semi-main event spot went to Ryback and Kevin Owens. They had a fun enough match but it was too short to amount to much more. KO went over with a pop-up power bomb on 'The Big Guy'.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzELq1jZ_X-qypsEb_sbtkC3Y24RfGdhWjLgmuYK7ZuKnFEAiYmLjuzLH8uuCiSHwDWkFFHS6JwsFoAfXMIU-1Iv5nIgGDSDVK0eNp-loS41pPGbRNoPiTf3RtCg0dcreBhQDSAQkFX0/s1600/Undertaker+v+Brock+Lesnar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzELq1jZ_X-qypsEb_sbtkC3Y24RfGdhWjLgmuYK7ZuKnFEAiYmLjuzLH8uuCiSHwDWkFFHS6JwsFoAfXMIU-1Iv5nIgGDSDVK0eNp-loS41pPGbRNoPiTf3RtCg0dcreBhQDSAQkFX0/s320/Undertaker+v+Brock+Lesnar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">One last time.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally we had the evening's main event: the Final Ever
Confrontation™ between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar. Within minutes Lesnar
had found a suplex attempt blocked and been busted open. A foray to the outside
of the ring was controlled by 'Taker, with 'The Beast' taking over with a chair
back in the ring. 'Taker regained control and used the chair himself, placing
it against Lesnar's throat and sending him down into the mat.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lesnar sold for maybe a minute before bouncing out of a
corner and nailing a German suplex. Then he hit another. And another. Then an
F5. 'Taker kicked out. Another F5. Another kick out. Lesnar used ring steps to
Undie's head. He kicked out again. Lesnar tried caving his foe's head.
Undertaker moved. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Undertaker kicked up at Lesnar, sending him falling
backwards with the steps landing on top of him. A desperation Hell's Gate was
applied. Lesnar forced his way out and clubbed away at 'The Last Outlaw' with
left and right hands. With his foe subdued Lesnar ripped up the mat covering
only for 'Taker to sit up and choke slam him onto bare wooden boards. Brock
kicked out so 'Taker hit him with a Tombstone. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lesnar kicked out. Undertaker sold utter disbelief and
struggled back to his feet. He signalled for another Tombstone but Lesnar low
blowed him, paying Undertaker back for SummerSlam. Following up with an F5
Lesnar got the pin, winning his feud and, in Michael Cole's words, cemented his
legacy as 'The Conqueror'. It was a slow starter but once they started breaking
into the finishers this was a good match. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the match Lesnar walked up the aisle and 'Taker
gave him a knowing look before lying back in the ring and accepting his defeat.
After a few attempts 'The Dead Man' did his bolt upright sit up spot. He just
looked like a knackered old bloke but I think we were meant to see it as his
magic failing him. The crowd played along and chanted "Thank you,
Taker!" as he staggered up to his feet. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB1WALqcbZT8z55EylOXG32aDNWZFKrpSrhdM38XVtFV3efUaVJA0AMgDrJwVc2-y3_mgVZU4DRjfx_Ml35aA2S-jsubqchlW7K-S0RjqijzFQzvqJJa-CP7Cv6uzdP-RNbxUXLTQoCc/s1600/Undertaker+joins+the+Wyatt+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAB1WALqcbZT8z55EylOXG32aDNWZFKrpSrhdM38XVtFV3efUaVJA0AMgDrJwVc2-y3_mgVZU4DRjfx_Ml35aA2S-jsubqchlW7K-S0RjqijzFQzvqJJa-CP7Cv6uzdP-RNbxUXLTQoCc/s320/Undertaker+joins+the+Wyatt+Family.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Newest recruit or next opponent? Next opponent, <em>obvs</em>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sinking down to his knee, UT went for his signature pose.
But he was interrupted by the Wyatt Family. Harper, Rowan and Strowman swarmed
him and took him down to the mat. Then they held him up for Wyatt to give him a
few punches and carried him out of the arena. Going completely overboard JBL
bellowed about honour and Undertaker being a warrior as the show went off the
air. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite the number of rematches I thought Hell in a Cell
was a worthwhile watch. It's not something that will make any show of the year
polls but it had some memorable moments and only one out-and-out dud bout (the
tag title match). It was a basic PPV offering form the Fed, but sometimes
that's okay. It helps you appreciate the better stuff that little bit more.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Results summary:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alberto Del Rio defeated John Cena to win the United
States championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns defeated Bray Wyatt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Day defeated the Dudley Boyz to retain the tag team
championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charotte defeated Nikki Bella to retain the Divas
championship </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seth Rollins defeated Kane to retain the WWE championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin Owens defeated Ryback to retain the
Intercontinental championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker </span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-32572203251447596522015-10-25T11:52:00.000+00:002015-10-25T11:52:11.916+00:00The Cosmic Rivalry<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So the current hot gossip is that John Cena is about to
take time off to film some sort of fitness reality show. This puts his fifth
and current reign as United States champion in jeopardy. Because time off while
still being champ would go against established characteristics and, more to the
point, the last several months of enjoyable Open Challenges.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwQkF76SDKgR2vGR4whejIcFk2Ex-ha2TsZHni0KjKVddQAmZTvchBMn-tVPs-2Mt2j8TaML7r8oB1KkT23XDsSYNXeqkuDDaChCE7IsrY60Cp0-Z_3kXlgIBq2i84FEl0HmqY0B5jC8/s1600/John+Cena+US+champion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwQkF76SDKgR2vGR4whejIcFk2Ex-ha2TsZHni0KjKVddQAmZTvchBMn-tVPs-2Mt2j8TaML7r8oB1KkT23XDsSYNXeqkuDDaChCE7IsrY60Cp0-Z_3kXlgIBq2i84FEl0HmqY0B5jC8/s320/John+Cena+US+champion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Say goodbye (for now) to that belt, John.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I've no idea how WWE will write Cena out of storylines.
It seems likely that we'll find out at Hell in a Cell this evening or on
tomorrow's edition of RAW. The typical WWE approach would be for a heel to
defeat Cena via shenanigans and then go on a tear while he's away before
dropping the belt back to him upon his return.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think Cena's departure could be better than that. It's
a chance to give someone a boost and use the Open Challenge for what it was
always designed for: giving someone lower down the card a rub. My pick would be
Stardust.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Stardust WWE has an incredible villain. Not only is he
different to everyone other heel on the roster but he works in part because of
the PG environment. His panto villain-slash-Adam West Batman adversary shtick is
perfect for WWE's current product and in casting himself as a mad, scheming supervillain
Stardust is the perfect foil for the archetypal true blue WWE babyface. And
they don't come any truer or bluer than Cena.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That he has henchmen is a help. And henchmen is the ideal
term for Konnor and Viktor because it invokes the 60s Batman vibe that Stardust
plays to. Outnumbering Cena is a big deal as it provides an easy way for
Stardust to get the win and the championship without Cena being made to look
weak (Cena, like Roman Reigns, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i>
be kept strong). And the group is something that can be fleshed out. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV0euKeF4Z8q2SqgRCRqaI0ai4AS46BvRGk0GKpCiSgXHibvYqS3ad_aphCScJnqwHF8gnvb6HxBPfIW-py-4FaPydlfxyrN9tvSbZUSdbuVzzQ68A4_EenBvYKL10zgGZ_rEmsJFO44/s1600/Stardust+and+Bad+News+Barrett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioV0euKeF4Z8q2SqgRCRqaI0ai4AS46BvRGk0GKpCiSgXHibvYqS3ad_aphCScJnqwHF8gnvb6HxBPfIW-py-4FaPydlfxyrN9tvSbZUSdbuVzzQ68A4_EenBvYKL10zgGZ_rEmsJFO44/s320/Stardust+and+Bad+News+Barrett.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Stardust and his money-loving lead henchman.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bad News King Wade Barrett I, despite having had a
falling out with 'The Prince of Dark Matter', would make an excellent lead
goon. Yeah, he's probably talented enough to warrant an upper mid-card spot on
his own merits but nobody in WWE seems interested in giving it to him. He and
Stardust (under different monikers) used to have good chemistry as a double act
on The JBL and Cole Show. It would be nice to see that revived for the main
roster. I think Barrett would work well as a guy who's agreed to be Stardust's
lackey just for money, deadpanning his way through backstage skits in which The
Ascension clearly believe in Stardust's mental outer space chat. 'The Cosmic Centurion' has a nice ring to it.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also think Paige would be a good addition to The Cosmic
Wasteland. Yeah she's busy with the confusing disintegration of PCB and
developing personal beef with Natalya right now but that won't last forever.
Her character could do with a tweak or two to refresh it. Being put with The
Cosmic Wasteland would fit with her recent slightly unhinged nature and also
allow for an interesting switch-up. Less punk chick and more space valkyrie
maybe.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">These are additions
that could be made while Cena was off doing his filming. Four people being
stationed at ringside for rematches would help the feud stretch for a while,
giving Cena something to do against a character well-suited to being his foe,
boosting Stardust's standing, helping Paige stay fresh, and giving The
Ascension and Barrett larger roles than they're likely to get doing anything
else. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is what I'd do. Let's see what WWE does.</span></div>
Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-68420726642856584142015-10-23T22:09:00.002+01:002015-10-23T22:09:45.337+01:00NXTweet 21.10.15
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The most memorable thing about this week's episode of
NXT? The debut of James Storm. No, that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">doesn't</i>
sound promising but it turned out okay thanks to strong performances from
Asuka, Alexa Bliss and promos from Tyler Breeze and Samoa Joe. The less said
about the flat main event the better...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intro<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 1: Going to watch NXT. Immediately excited by this
recap of a generic battle royal from last week.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 2: Remember when Breeze heelishly eliminated Samoa
Joe even though he was already out of the match and the crowd cheered him for
it? #goodtimes</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Asuka v Billie Kay<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 3: So bored of this company-name-as-chant trope.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 4: Not bored of Asuka though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 5: Billie Kay isn't smiling or waving and is
bragging about having long legs. In WWE that passes for heel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 6: Big fan of a lone child in the audience chanting
for Asuka.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQiXBLxtdsQ0AjLj46bpoGeTroAuTY2PTvKovxF-qaM2LjH4fUt0p-cxQoZUpigLBrmXF8gXsjobplwAuM_SjdIKScEerJXa49nP2Ea1SfxirfXfPXi5IWk9hr0hMxLSNr_quxwF9-ek/s1600/Asuka+v+Billie+Kay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQiXBLxtdsQ0AjLj46bpoGeTroAuTY2PTvKovxF-qaM2LjH4fUt0p-cxQoZUpigLBrmXF8gXsjobplwAuM_SjdIKScEerJXa49nP2Ea1SfxirfXfPXi5IWk9hr0hMxLSNr_quxwF9-ek/s320/Asuka+v+Billie+Kay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">I'm a fan of Asuka.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 7: "Submission specialist" - Rich Brennan
on an armbar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 8: Asuka wins via Bob Backlund tribute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 9: Bob Backlund being Asuka's manager would be the
greatest thing to ever hit the NXT's women's division.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baron Corbin
vignette<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 10: "Let's take a very special look at Baron
Corbin!" Alright, Corey mate.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 11: And it's written and pronounced Barry.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tyler Breeze promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 12: Tyler Breeze here, giving us a hilariously
peculiar promo.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 13: Talking about slicing bacon. What the hell,
Tyler?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enzo Amore and Big
Cass v Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 14: How many people look at Big Cass and Enzo at an
airport? Probably quite a few. That's how Cass's dad Kevin Nash measures
success.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 15: Halloween promo. Big Match John's route to the
top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 16: Hope Dawson uses his devastating chop block as
a finish from now on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 17: Enzo and Cass winning is surprising. Doing it
via a cheap rollup by 'zo is excellent though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSH8SzT88xUt5ypUokRYR0fbovD3wsWEwBveKBn8Vzva-BdSqkuqrkl3QafCtmH34ULybyI0BNg0ePNagNp80n74ndmU6XTTzt3E4VhNFifdm_t1lus50RklA4mIap0LmZN-n5-YUklU/s1600/Realest+Guys+v+Dash+and+Dawson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSH8SzT88xUt5ypUokRYR0fbovD3wsWEwBveKBn8Vzva-BdSqkuqrkl3QafCtmH34ULybyI0BNg0ePNagNp80n74ndmU6XTTzt3E4VhNFifdm_t1lus50RklA4mIap0LmZN-n5-YUklU/s320/Realest+Guys+v+Dash+and+Dawson.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">#beatdown</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 18: Anyone else feel this interaction between Cass
and Dawson be Triple H's way of paying homage to Arn Anderson and Sid?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eva Marie live in
Paris<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 19: EMNN update.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 20: I'd accept Eva Marie as a present. I wonder if
that was a genuine offer she just extended to me through a laptop screen.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">James Storm v Danny
Burch<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 21: Danny Burch is from Kent. Not London.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyx4ZlDB_px4hoChG0UTeVKxRPkq_yD9Y8Jt09mYtsbn6KRqjL3PTfMjAgKWSKDQDumJL3CLnKT4gIlHrNLZO-XWaBNF9UxBwiL9AjeE6uSgzfETibVlmqeGKvZRzMDWlV2W1NjVpAXko/s1600/James+Storm+NXT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyx4ZlDB_px4hoChG0UTeVKxRPkq_yD9Y8Jt09mYtsbn6KRqjL3PTfMjAgKWSKDQDumJL3CLnKT4gIlHrNLZO-XWaBNF9UxBwiL9AjeE6uSgzfETibVlmqeGKvZRzMDWlV2W1NjVpAXko/s320/James+Storm+NXT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The state of this.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 22: Disgusted by these people marking out for TNA
veteran James Storm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 23: Interesting to note the commentary lads have
referred to him being signed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 24: I'd be interested in a rebranded Beer Money in
NXT. Storm solo? No thanks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 25: Which TNA megastar will turn up next? Rockstar
Spud? Abyss? Gunner?!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alexa Bliss v
Peyton Royce<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 26: Oh? Heel Alexa Bliss? Pffffft... That's fine.
Whatevs. I'll sit through this I GUESS.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 27: Don't understand why exactly Bliss is a heel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Lu_Mku32Su1R_DqldihdHqhMyyyeWWF7W51vRv49FiX0uLKW122sYF2S7gzNttYBRHXXDhohLAvhSahHD3g9J8wGilVDF9PwjBk4vE5bnspi5E2PqLxLDMeekUeeT0ILTU_6KCPmsWc/s1600/BAMF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Lu_Mku32Su1R_DqldihdHqhMyyyeWWF7W51vRv49FiX0uLKW122sYF2S7gzNttYBRHXXDhohLAvhSahHD3g9J8wGilVDF9PwjBk4vE5bnspi5E2PqLxLDMeekUeeT0ILTU_6KCPmsWc/s320/BAMF.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Alexa Bliss: red hot heel.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 28: Peyton Royce walked out with a flower in her
hair. It's gone now and I didn't see her take it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 29: I like Buddy 'The Boy' Murphy selling more than
Alexa on every mode she takes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 30: Devastating sparkle splash there. You're not
seeing alleged super worker Big Match Hiroshi doing that are you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 31: Earrings on Blake though. Worthy of Batista.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baron Corbin v
Rhyno<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 32: Wolf versus rhino here. If this happened in the
wild the wolf wouldn't stand a chance.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 33: Barry's obviously going to win this so I hope
they take us on a #journey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 34: "Like a monster truck colliding with a
bulldozer" - Corey Graves on Rhyno v Barry Corbin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 35: Crowd doesn't seem bothered by this. Surprised
considering how over Rhyno usually is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 36: Let's not forget that Barry Corbin has a tattoo
of a phone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qW3z6OL0FOYPRjHmnH72RrUmikz43Lu5iHGq9VReXW32HJXxMDl8Kz_NNc5U7kPBWqPQh3IeVtsRb8E-KGlR2ej2CiFHsKYHls4F7Pw9eSbGF1VvtNeEr2NyQraCX8l6ylZ3daCTexk/s1600/Rhyno+v+Baron+Corbin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qW3z6OL0FOYPRjHmnH72RrUmikz43Lu5iHGq9VReXW32HJXxMDl8Kz_NNc5U7kPBWqPQh3IeVtsRb8E-KGlR2ej2CiFHsKYHls4F7Pw9eSbGF1VvtNeEr2NyQraCX8l6ylZ3daCTexk/s320/Rhyno+v+Baron+Corbin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">The best picture on offer for this match. No idea who's doing what.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 37: Guy in the crowd checking his phone there. Sums
up this reaction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 38: Graves comparing Barry Corbin to Mike Tyson
there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 39: Spinebuster. Textbook big lad move.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 40: Corbin kicks out of the Gore and in doing so
guarantees that he will one day ascend to main event status.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 41: Gore into the End of Days, while shakily done,
was a good finish.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Samoa Joe promo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 42: Backstage Samoa Joe's going to pontificate us
off air. Maaaaaate...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 43: Is it audacious of Breeze to call out 'Mr TNA'
Samoa Joe? I don't think so. It's wrestling, Joe. Toughen up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 44: I liked him channeling Chris Jericho at the end
there though. Hilariously naff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tweet 45: Good show. Good hustle. Goodnight, everybody!</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-73995992506698524682015-10-22T21:30:00.001+01:002015-10-22T21:31:46.244+01:00WWE Hell in a Cell 2015 preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpavfbgekzM3zgg07pIaaseMxkGIQDx-pqYC7we6eHuRPBAGsQ3iw4Rz2ef-iOqRQbfi5qC8-l8TgbtKv4sxe8xLH40JJfpwInLSwf05XTpfcTQFREP9mRpLJyV2j14pjegwLZdzphW-s/s1600/Hell+in+a+Cell+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpavfbgekzM3zgg07pIaaseMxkGIQDx-pqYC7we6eHuRPBAGsQ3iw4Rz2ef-iOqRQbfi5qC8-l8TgbtKv4sxe8xLH40JJfpwInLSwf05XTpfcTQFREP9mRpLJyV2j14pjegwLZdzphW-s/s320/Hell+in+a+Cell+2015.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last month's WWE pay-per-view was called Night of
Champions. Judging by the card we have here this month's could easily be
marketed as Night of Rematches (holds for laughter, gets silence). All but one
of these matches is something we've seen before in one form or another. While
rematches are a part of wrestling and some shows are going to be heavier on
them than others this seems a particularly bad instance of RematchMania.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ryback v Kevin Owens and Charlotte v Nikki Bella are both
straight-up rematches from Night of Champions. On that show Owens and Charlotte
defeated their foes for the Intercontinental and Divas championships
respectively. Both matches should be good but I can't see any reason we should
expect a title change. The new champions would only be weakened by dropping the
gold so soon after winning it. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Despite these fun little conspiracy theories floating
around about there being a cabal of influential people within WWE desperate to
bring about Owens' downfall (hey, there's a Reality Era storyline waiting to
happen) I don't think it will manifest itself (not that I think it's true) in a
loss for him here. Meanwhile Charlotte seems to be the chosen one for the new
look Divas division. She'll hold onto the strap to work that defence that's so
clearly been set up against Paige. In fact I wouldn't be at all surprised if
something happened to further that programme here.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An even more chronic rematch example is New Day versus
the Dudley Boyz. The two teams didn't just face off at Night of Champions, they
also clashed at the MSG special. Annoyingly it was the same combo of New Day
wrestlers each time (Kofi Kingston and Big E). Had they been permitted to
switch in Xavier Woods we would have one fresh combination to run through here
before the inevitable table match stip gets wheeled out. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I expect New Day to win here. They won't lose the titles
until that tables match happens. That is the natural time for Bubba and Devon
to get their much ballyhooed tenth (WWE) tag title win. Hopefully we get an
altered finish here though. I don't want to sit through the NOC and MSG bout
for a third time.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reigns versus Wyatt is yet another rematch although it
does have the fact that we've never seen the pair in a Hell in a Cell match
going in its favour. Last month I incorrectly predicted a win for Roman in his
tag match because I assumed that would be the end of the feud. I foolishly
didn't think to consult my WWE PPV calendar before writing that. Had I done I'd
have remembered HIAC was coming and would have known that Wyatt v Reigns was
the obvious match to go with.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I expect this match to be good. Reigns hasn't had a bad
pay-per-view match this year. He's had a couple with dull portions though and
while one of those came against 'The Eater of Worlds' (at Battleground, Wyatt
won) I think the cage gimmick here, not to mention interference from the Family
(they're fenced out but that won' sop 'em), will be enough for them to keep
viewers engrossed for the duration. I'm interested in the layout of this match
because Reigns matches have been getting a tonne of attention from creative
since 'Mania and it's his first Cell match, a big deal in WWE. Plus, y'know,
make look strong and all that.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There's the US Open Challenge tarring John Cena too.
While we don't know who'll answer that the chances are that it will be someone
who we've seen face Cena before, because Cena's worked with everyone. Ziggler
is a contender for the spot given his recent determination to answer the call
and defeat Cena. The member of Ne Day that doesn't wrestle the tag match is a
possibility too as they all recently took a crack at the challenge. Dean
Ambrose and Wyatt's henchmen are all candidates too what with their matches
being cancelled due to a Randy Orton injury.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hard to say who'll win without knowing who the challenger
is. But I'll go with Cena retaining and losing the belt on RAW. There's so much
talk of him taking time off that it seems impossible he'll be the champ this
time next week. But I think he'll drop the gold on Monday rather than on PPV.
Which would make sense as that's been the home of his Open Challenge since it
started. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The only other match that's not a PPV rerun is WWE world
champion Seth Rollins versus... Demon Kane. Yes, Demon Kane. Because that's how
we're referring to him now. That character's mad and fragmented nature has
finally reached the point where WWE have embraced it and decided to run with a
multiple personality storyline for him. I personally think they should go
further with it and retcon Isaac Yankem, the Christmas Creature and Fake Diesel
to be more of Kane's personalities. It'd be a laugh if nothing else.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have to feel bad for Seth, really. Since winning the
title he's gotten to work with Ambrose, Reigns, Orton, Lesnar and Cena on
pay-per-view and a bunch of talented lads on TV, and now he's come up against the
problem that seemingly every world champion in WWE faces sooner or later:
proving themselves against Glenn Jacobs. As a character in a wrestling environment
Kane is tremendous. There are very few things that can't be done with him at
this point because he has such a ridiculous history, backstory and gimmick. But
that doesn't mean he should be wrestling for the WWE title in 2015 at the age
of 48. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rollins will win. He'll be booked to show far too much
weakness for 'The Devil's Favourite Demon'. The best way this match could be
handled now that it's been announced is Rollins making short work of Kane,
pinning him clean with a Pedigree before sauntering backstage and cutting a
promo to Renee Young about how he's the best champion ever and he's retired
Kane. Which, for the record, is a thing in this match: if Kane loses he's
kayfabe fired as the kayfabe Director of Kayfabe Operations. It's entirely
possible this will be his last match with the company. Though it probably won't
be.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last but not least there's the evening's second Hell in a
Cell match between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker. The pair have met in this
match before. Okay it was thirteen years ago but it still happened. And on top
of this exact bout having happened before (I believe the only time ever that
two guys have had a one-on-one Cell match more than once) 'Taker and 'The
Beast' headlined SummerSlam two months ago. These two facts taken together make
this match seem very familiar despite the part-time schedules of the men
involved. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'd originally assumed this programme would stretch until
WrestleMania 32. I'm pleased that it isn't. By the time that show rolls around
it will have been two years since Lesnar ended The Streak. While there's a
natural story to tell between the two on the 'Mania platform it's not
necessarily one worth telling. Even if 'The Last Outlaw' avenged his loss at
WrestleMania XXX he'd still be without his Streak. There are better uses for Lesnar
both at WM32 and leading up to that show. Doing a couple of rematches with
'Taker makes sense but keeping it running for that long would have been dull.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm leaning towards a victory for 'The Pain'. Both lads
were protected by the "controversial" (read "massively
unsatisfying") ending to their SummerSlam bout, telling the crowd that
they're each as good as each other and either can take a win here. This
shouldn't be the case. Lesnar should win. He has the longer future in the
company and is worth more to them at this point. As he no longer has The Streak
there's nothing to be gained from having 'The Phenom' get his win back. He
retains his veteran allure and character mystique no matter what. Lesnar losing
tarnishes the monster reputation that's been built up over the last several
years. Lesnar losing is absolutely not what's best for business.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">***</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Predictions
summary:</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brock Lesnar to defeat The Undertaker </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Reigns to defeat Bray Wyatt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seth Rollins to defeat Kane to retain the WWE
championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Dudley Boyz to defeat New Day by
disqualification<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlotte to defeat Nikki Bella to retain the Divas
championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin Owens to defeat Ryback to retain the
Intercontinental championship</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">John Cena to retain the United States championship</span>Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3018922809587909496.post-63565474398158210632015-10-21T21:09:00.001+01:002015-10-21T21:10:03.639+01:00That RAW Recap 19.10.15<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week's RAW featured a few key moments. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You just had to know where to look for them. Here's a
hint: they weren't in the Nikki Bella and Alicia Fox v Naomi and Sasha Banks
match, or the throwaway Bad News Barrett, Sheamus and Rusev versus Dolph
Ziggler, Cesaro and Adrian Neville six man. Nor were they in Kevin Owens versus
ark Henry. Although, for the record all three good for what they were. Nikki
over as the serious title contender she should be considering her tenure and
status as longest reigning Divas champ ever. The six man was a fun match which
got some over lads on the show and gave them time to do their thing. And Owens
v Henry featured Owens hitting his pop-up power bomb on 'The World's Strongest
Man', establishing that he's strong enough to hit Ryback (his HIAC opponent)
with it should the opportunity arise.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, as I say, these things weren't anything noteworthy.
The big segments from this week's RAW were the Undertaker and Lesnar
confrontation, a dressing down of WWE champ Seth Rollins by Shawn Michaels, and
an impromptu Shield reunion and match opposite their old foes the Wyatt Family.
</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGISTZmIHqXh4ORf7PcsKqXuF3FQgXP3inI9VShuXx8Za6Z-IcLLqeAK7w_4zDjlIpo6hsiPjebyS6s6ycwp6YRlnhZB1bc-YcJSo_f1gPIF-07fOb2Oq83wJYoP7bnz4yjFXjZ2fPL0/s1600/The+Shield+v+The+Wyatt+Family+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGISTZmIHqXh4ORf7PcsKqXuF3FQgXP3inI9VShuXx8Za6Z-IcLLqeAK7w_4zDjlIpo6hsiPjebyS6s6ycwp6YRlnhZB1bc-YcJSo_f1gPIF-07fOb2Oq83wJYoP7bnz4yjFXjZ2fPL0/s320/The+Shield+v+The+Wyatt+Family+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">This was fun to see but what an unbelievable waste.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Shield reunion wasn't. It was Rollins agreeing to
team up with Ambrose and Reigns to demonstrate to Shawn Michaels that he could
"stop the show" then turning on them at the end of the match. Because
the whole point of Rollins' character is that he's a dick who deserves a slap.
In theory this worked but in practice it was incredibly wasteful. The first
teaming of 'The Hounds of Justice' since their split in the summer of last year
should have been a huge deal. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Instead it was a transparent attempt to increase ratings
and it didn't even get that right. The least WWE should have done if this was
their plan was to announce the match a week in advance and plug it non-stop to
get people watching next week. Okay, that may have made some people think it
was a full-time reunion but the answer to that would have been simple: have
Rollins give a promo about not needing Ambrose and Reigns and Ambrose and
Reigns say they don't trust Rollins but need him for this one match. It would
have made time for word to spread and people to get excited about the match,
increasing the chance of a larger viewing figure. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it was more than that. The Shield shouldn't be
something tossed out as a ratings grab. It will devalue their inevitable
full-time (until the equally inevitable second split at least) reunion whenever
it comes. The three men, though particularly Rollins and Reigns, are all
clearly going to be big parts of the WWE landscape for years. They should be
protected. And that means planning things like a reunion far in advance,
working towards it and getting it right when it happens, not giving it away on
free TV with only an hour's build-up. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On top of that things just felt off. Erick Rowan
returning to the fold is fine. It actually helps get across Wyatt's cult leader
deal because he slotted in with new lad Braun Strowman beautifuly. But Luke
Harper not being involved was wrong. He and Wyatt are more over than Rowan and
Strowman by a significant margin. He clearly should have been in the match yet
he wasn't even at ringside. Rowan and 'The Black Sheep' are both very good in
their roles but they can't hold a candle to Harper's ring skills and compelling
weirdness. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ydJhyR4nun3P5uBfi7OQJ46hT6fd0rzZzYEOPfLGttc6vdysIKYQIfGm1oERRjXhF0PLUR1ZWsCb2o3AXxysWbd8z2Fr6gfpqOBqyv8CTCr94g5DZlZLWEucigkQULJXmwAPp-DS1BY/s1600/Shawn+Michaels+and+Seth+Rollins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ydJhyR4nun3P5uBfi7OQJ46hT6fd0rzZzYEOPfLGttc6vdysIKYQIfGm1oERRjXhF0PLUR1ZWsCb2o3AXxysWbd8z2Fr6gfpqOBqyv8CTCr94g5DZlZLWEucigkQULJXmwAPp-DS1BY/s320/Shawn+Michaels+and+Seth+Rollins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">Strong mic work from HBShizzle here.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HBK dressing down Rollins worked. The gist of Michaels'
argument was that 'The Future' is content with the accolade of being the new
Shawn Michaels when he should be concentrating on making his own name mean more
and creating a legacy for himself. Which is hard to argue against (although
it's worth noting that comparisons between Rollins and Michaels haven't been as
frequent as this segment would suggest). Not to say that Rollins' doesn't have
name value of his own, he clearly does, but he seems content to accept mediocre
booking in exchange for getting to be world champ. Stories of 'The Heartbreak
Kid' from the 90s make it hard to imagine him standing for this sort of
booking. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course WWE now is different to the WWF then. And,
perhaps more importantly, Vince McMahon has some bizarre attitudes towards the
"millennials" that make up the bulk of his roster. That he was about
as close to a Michaels mark as he could be in the 90s is a factor here too.
Vince was less inclined to knock 'The Heartbreak Kid' than he is his current
stars. But these political undertones, Michaels acting as Vince's mouthpiece,
just added another layer of enjoyment to the situation. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It worked on the intended level of a respected veteran
returning and condemning the current champion and as an insight into the
backstage manoeuvrings of the promotion. Michaels and Rollins were both
excellent. Particularly 'The Showstopper'. The only bad thing about it is that
it made people (by which I mean me) want a Rollins v Michaels match that will
never happen. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The showdown between Undertaker and Brock Lesnar was good
because of how everything was slotted together. Despite having basically become
a guy obsessed with avenging the loss of his WrestleMania Streak and being
willing to make cheap shots to do it 'The Dead Man' was presented as the face
here. The reason for that is that he was introduced by 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin
(hey, he was there anyway, I've been saying since the podcast specials started
that I think it makes sense to put him on RAW) and they were in Texas. Despite
being announced from Death Valley he's a Texan and this audience was not going
to boo him. </span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnRSRSKF3x4Cl-ZKtAOz1bIFmxL-v8Bl_c0_wYoCYbx7vkWnLs_KxIx28u4KTBPOYX12lj-EArOpPM9P84-hhIvYUMmkRM2ChPXrUBVnxqMg6v_xJAGI9SoNPUxBBxsLsSYTBsJyKx6U/s1600/Brock+Lesnar+Undertaker+mind+games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnRSRSKF3x4Cl-ZKtAOz1bIFmxL-v8Bl_c0_wYoCYbx7vkWnLs_KxIx28u4KTBPOYX12lj-EArOpPM9P84-hhIvYUMmkRM2ChPXrUBVnxqMg6v_xJAGI9SoNPUxBBxsLsSYTBsJyKx6U/s320/Brock+Lesnar+Undertaker+mind+games.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: xx-small;">In Your House: Mind Games.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">'Taker was basically there to remind anyone who's
forgotten what is motivation is and to react to Brock Lesnar's advocate Paul
Heyman. He gave 'The Last Outlaw' plenty to react to, explaining the story of
the rivalry one final time, making clear what both men stand to gain from a
win, and, of course, hammering home that his client, Brock Lesnar, conquered
The Streak. 'Taker tried goading Lesnar into leaving the ramp and getting into
the ring to fight. Hothead Lesnar was ready to accept this challenge before
being convinced to hold off by Heyman. This framed 'The Beast' as a coward to
the live crowd but the wider point was that Heyman knew 'Taker was trying to
get inside Lesnar's head to gain an advantage going into their match, another
cheap move by 'The Phenom' (although not one out of character, to be fair). The
segment worked as a hype job for the Hell in a Cell main event and left the two
men ready to take their correct roles: Lesnar the monster face and 'Taker the
subtle heel desired desperate to win at any cost. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It wasn't the most exciting episode of RAW ever. But it
was memorable and significant because of and for these segments. With such a clear
unwillingness from WWE to formulate a long term creative plan, alter the way
they present their performers, or do something different to what they've been
doing for the last fifteen years, that's the most that we can realistically
hope for on a Monday night.</span></div>
<img height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnRSRSKF3x4Cl-ZKtAOz1bIFmxL-v8Bl_c0_wYoCYbx7vkWnLs_KxIx28u4KTBPOYX12lj-EArOpPM9P84-hhIvYUMmkRM2ChPXrUBVnxqMg6v_xJAGI9SoNPUxBBxsLsSYTBsJyKx6U/s320/Brock+Lesnar+Undertaker+mind+games.jpg" style="left: 565px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1667px;" width="96" />Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13879783732371115178noreply@blogger.com0