#sami 'im here for one person only' zayn

[samijey]

Friday Night SmackDown - 22/11/2024

[otsukare-katsukare]

Hiii since you said you were interested in what others think about the whole Sami/Bron/MITB situation.... I have thoughts and it's a bit much to write in the comments so, Here goes... (this isn't even all the thoughts BTW 😂

@thesmallworldofsamizayn I got to agree a bit there, with your statement of Bron being unstoppable and Sami being the underdog, as well as getting sick of the comments being made about Sami being the Champ. Usually I don't really give into or pay much attention to all the talk, and if I do, it only makes me want to fight harder, but I'll be honest; this time round, Sami doesn't NEED the belt...

He's good enough on his own and he's proven it time and time again. It was a nice icing on the cake type situation (having the belt), but, the point is that there is and was plenty of delicious cake already there! (if that makes any sense) So bottom line, he'll survive without it, he can survive without it. If anything, it'll probably light a bigger fire under him, reigniting that fiery passion of his. The one that keeps drawing us to him and into his world.

Honestly, this is going to sound so bad, but I won't be overly upset if/when Sami drops the belt (note I too am an avid Sami fan and I'd be a bit sad, but not devastated). To me (personally), before he won the IC championship, and even though he had more loses than wins, he was more intriguing to watch. Idk why, and may be it's just me atm, after that long drawn out (weeksss of) Alpha Academy saga - may be that's what's got me feeling this way fn...

A few weeks ago I would have said that they are building up to Chad winning it, but now that Bron and Sheamus are involved who knows the hands the title will eventually fall into. Also, it's going to be hard to get Sami to drop the belt this quick (even though it's been what? A couple of months now already?) when it clearly (you can SEE it) means so much to him... It'll be hard but they'll eventually have to do it. So may be MITB will be it.

Also got to agree a bit here with @shanie too, I would love to see Sami get involved in the BL saga and if there's anyone who believes in redemption, always seeing the good in people, fighting for the greater good, and what's good and right AND against all odds, it's Sami Zayn. He's got the innate need to rescue people out of toxic situations and to fix said situation. So he would definitely fit the narrative if they decide to insert him into it.

BUT the big issue is with the fans. Again. There's quite certainly going to be a LOT of hate if this happens. I'm already hearing rumblings of people unhappy with just the mere thought of it. Saying he's not family so why is he involving himself in it, as much as that's true, have they completely forgotten that he in fact was a THE 'honorary Uce'? The closest an 'outsider' has ever gotten to the family or being 'family'? Heck he almost became 'Sami Uso'.

So in the end people can and will make up their own minds and there nothing anyone can do about it. And also in the end each to their own I guess... (BTW people need to chill out and remember this is fiction NOT real life 😭)

Anywayy just a few of my thoughts....sorry about the long winded answer 😂😅

(no pressure to to respond to this BTW 😊

🐨

hello! thank you very much for these detailed thoughts. youve actually articulated a lot of what i was feeling. first, the fact that a) i dont like seeing fans bitch about sami and b) i especially dont like it when they're kind of right. it is someone else's turn, and maybe yeah that person should have been chad. i was more than ready for it to be chad at catc personally. im not too mad that it's gone in a different direction cause it does actually look like they have other storyline ideas for chad now, but as far as sami's concerned, yeah the belt isn't doing anything more for him now than it has till this point. it's weird to think he hasn't held a title as a face since the nxt championship 10 years ago. but thinking back on that, and everything since, everything he's been so good at - yeah, im not sure that long term champion is the right look on him! he won it in 2014 and lost it devastatingly to kevin 2 months later, and i would not have wanted that to happen any other way.

thing is, i will be sad if sami loses to bron at mitb. especially if he loses clean, not unlike he did to kevin all those years ago, futilely continuing to kick out long after he should have quit until he's physically incapable of doing so. what's maybe harder to explain as a wrestling fan is that i want to be sad about sami zayn. i like those heavy emotions, i like feeling like my favourite character can't catch a break. that's the entire essence of the underdog appeal. further to that, this is kind of the state im most used to and therefore most comfortable in when it comes to characters im invested in. in the words of mitski, i bet on losing dogs. and sami winning was an incredible feeling and so deserved, but i really don't mind him losing! he's both more compelling overall and gets more interesting stories, and just inspires so much sympathy in that position. (look i also like seeing him in pain i'll say it. he clearly likes acting being in pain just as much so everyone's happy i think)

then there's the bloodline and yeah, i'd sit up to watch sami back with those guys especially roman. im apparently one of the few people who really doesn't want roman to come back as a face no matter how much the fans cheer him, but if he is going to have a face turn, it's got to involve sami god damn it. i was just talking with @milk-crater about this, how it makes more sense with sami being a bit more removed, because that makes him a better person to forgive roman, and to be his moral guide. also it's sami, if anyone in all pro wrestling would reach out a hand to a genuienly remorseful roman reigns it's him. all that and the two just have such great chemistry, and it was the baseline for everything that made the honorary uce arc so fantastic and beloved, and it'd be nice to come back to some of that. maybe show these smarks what they've forgotten about why sami is the absolute best again.

thanks again for hopping in my inbox and never worry about being long winded. anyone who's ever been in a conversation with me knows im the last person to take issue with that!

[the-kipsabian]

top five wrassle stables ~

imma do this for tag teams and stables combined cause i dont think theres enough just stables in the current time to fill this part lol. and like usually, in no particular order ~

you knew this was coming when you asked this, right? i mean, im a simple person, i see something i like and im attached to it through thick and thin lol. but honestly tho, the artist collective as a whole is just. this team is SO good. no matter the variation, if its just nakamura and zayn or if its all three or just nakamura and cesaro, its always so. SO very good. they are all talented individuals on their own, and seriously just look at what they can achieve together - sami got his first singles title in the main roster, and nakamura and cesaro are tag champs now, and previously nakamura was the ic champ for a while cause of sami and im just jasndkjanskjdbahs. they are all amazing and this stable is just so good and i just. above all i adore the name ‘artist collective’ cause they are all artists in their own way and im crying brb

this might be the odd choice on my list but. i honestly adore the usos. these boys are entertaining as hell, they are both ridiculously talented and they just have that attitude that many other teams lack rn to like. keep me interested and be entertaining. and they just look like they are having so much fun while doing all that, its amazing and i love them

this one has been a favorite of mine for a very. VERY long time honestly cause like. miz and morrison originate from like 2007 i believe? and reunited last year (or was it at the beginning of this year im not sure time is a really weird concept rn) and im just ooooooof. very good, always entertaining bois, you will never catch me complaining about john going without a shirt (im gonna admit this one, but i am. extremely thirsty for his abs LOL) and they are just absolutely hilarious, always have been and hopefully always will be. they just show up being how they are and are hilarious and they clearly have fun with everything they do and i just. love it so much

..do i have to explain anything apart from this gif? cause really im not gonna just know that i love the new day LOL also they are an important team to me cause they are the first ones my wife also fell in love with so yeah ~

you think im gonna pass up on mentioning the bois that make me the most fucking emotional out of everything in pro wrestling right now? nah bro ofc im gonna put breezango here. these bois give me emotions every single time they are together no matter what they do, they are hilarious and amazing and im just. the only police i trust is the fashion police tbh. their gear is ridiculous, their entrances are ridiculous, the mashup of their songs is ridiculous, dangos dancing is ridiculous, how tyler approves of all of this is ridiculous. its all ridiculous and i absolutely adore it. and im not kidding when i say that they make me cry on a regular basis like. look at this. look at this pure ass friendship right here. im so here for it and its making me emotional jfc

(good old honorable mentions go for the undisputed era, the street profits, technically seth and his disciples [as its. technically not a team, tho there is also technically five members in that group but also????], the iiconics and uuuuuh. i really wanna say the kabuki warriors but kairi isnt with wwe anymore so hhhhh)

ask me my top 5 anything ~

[andymull]

WWE Wrestlemania 36 - Preview & Predictions

Heeeeeyyyyy heeeeeeeyyyyyy its Wrestlemania....fighting to survive....

............. Coronavirus, social distancing, injuries, sickness, poor booking, late booking changes, trying to get people to pay $60 on PPV instead of free on the Network, etc etc etc

Brock Lesnar (c) vs Drew McIntyre: WWE Championship Match

I really really feel for Drew here, probably the most out of anyone on the show with the lack of an audience as well as the lack of crowds being able to watch in Scotland in bars at the Hooked On Wrestling events, as they would have been SUPERB for both atmosphere and something they would show constantly on tv after the win.

But no, sadly instead of holding this off till later in the year we still have to proceed and deal with it, gutted.

I feel this match could go 25 minutes long and be one of Brock’s longest matches for awhile, in them asking Brock to make Drew look THE STAR in beating him and beating him well. Plus, they cant have both this AND the Goldberg match go less than 5 minutes.....can they?

Wish they would have gone OTT with this and had it filmed at Lesnar’s ranch and be falls count anywhere, Drew turns up saying nothing will stop him from winning the title so he’s there to claim his prize on Brock’s turf. Then gone made fighting around the farm, oh well there’s other matches on this show that will seemingly be booked to shit.

Drew wins, they need to make sure he then moves into feuds with big names and wins clean each time to really invest it all into Drew and see what happens - MCINTYRE

Goldberg (c) vs Braun Strowman: WWE Universal Championship Match

What is there to be said here, Roman had to drop out because they stupidly had him around sick people with his health past, they decide to replace him with Braun who last month lost his title to Sami Zayn, not to mention they didnt even announce it till Smackdown last night without even mentioning Reigns by name after having HHH announce earlier in the week it would be done in an interesting way.............

This should go short with ideally Braun going over, have Bill take the lead hitting all his offense, big spear then as he goes to lift him for the Jackhammer he cant lift him and Strowman bursts out of it hits his finish and pins him clean while in monster mode.

Braun starts the big push from nowhere while at the same time this leaves it open for Goldberg to potentially come back for a rematch, as he didnt have anytime to prepare for Strowman and his game-plan for the bout. Not that I want Bill always around the title scene when he turns up but if they can get Braun going over him clean twice it really helps out a current full time guy under contract WHAT A CLEVER IDEA THAT WOULD BE!!! lol - STROWMAN

The Undertaker vs AJ Styles

I really have no desire to see Taker in a big singles match at Wrestlemania or any other big show ever again, let alone it being in a match with AJ who could have an awesome match with most others on the card. This match should really have turned into the OC vs Taker/Aleister Black if they HAD to go with these guys together, the rub that would have given Black would have been MASSIVE!! Imagine the innovative entrance they could have come up with for both guys together, truly letting Taker pass his aura across to someone new....just goosebumps thinking of how they would look....but nope.

Instead we end up with a feud built around shoot promos about Takers wife doing AJ’s Styles Clash finisher.....

The worst part is that I see Taker going over, not sure if it was confirmed but it was mentioned he’d have 2 others with him who most likely will turn the tide of the match, dont get your hopes up for Black here instead, im guessing its Kane and Big Show....seriously....please be wrong - UNDERTAKER

John Cena vs The Fiend Bray Wyatt

I really wish if they are going to bring back guys who haven't been on the road full time then PLEASE bring them back with a solid storyline that makes sense and that’s been built up for awhile to make sense.....not this. Truthfully they need to build these matches with the sole purpose of having the other guys who could/should have been the spot to be able to turn around and say, ‘you know what, this makes alot of sense and will be great so I cant hold it against them and moan’. Honestly that’s all it needs.

And secondly they really are lucky there wont be a live audience there for the match, the cheers the Fiend would have received over Cena would have drove them wild in editing after trying to build Bray as the crazy heel.

After dropping the title Bray NEEDS the big win here to keep his aura something they can use well, the more they have him lose the quicker that appeal will drop, and for me with Wyatt that doesn't mean he can take loses as long as he isnt pinned like others can ANY loss hurts someone who can teleport (?!?!) - WYATT

Edge vs Randy Orton: Last Man Standing

Edge is the guy in second place behind Drew for me feeling gutted there wont be an audience around for this, imagine coming back after years away and the thought you could never wrestle again through fear of dying then finding you CAN wrestle again.........only to be risking it all in an empty building.....FUCKS SAKE!

This should be great and given the time to have the emotional side of it pour out strong, we should be getting Edge taking a beating to the point that Beth will come out to support him then have her feelings develop to the point she will want him to stay down and stop the pain. Yeah this will be great - EDGE

Becky Lynch (c) vs Shayna Baszler: Raw Women’s Championship Match

I dont think the result should be in question here, Shayna HAS to win and go on a dominant run with the belt, ideally booking Becky to come back in contention for SummerSlam to rematch.......sadly everything's in the air with the world.

For me, and remember those words, Becky’s reign has been abit of a meh fest in-ring, apart from the Sasha bouts, and the extra focus on her has highlighted her ring work which really isnt the strongest part of her game (Not saying she’s terrible at all, but could she please drop the awkward leg drop from the ropes lol). At the same time alot of that is down to how she’s booked as management seem to go on a few months run of wanting the women to be the main focus, then quickly changing their mind and dropping it back massively. Also, the lack of depth with the women’s division's is a problem with them being split over the shows, same with the men to a degree and is the reason we see feuds get dragged and dragged for months, with less women it means we hardly get anything that feels fresh which needs to be key - BASZLER

Lacey Evans vs Sasha Banks vs Bayley (c) vs Tamina vs Naomi - Smackdown Women’s Championship Fatal 5 Way Match

What a mess this is, I have no desire to see Banks/Bayley again for at least another 5 years...........but id much prefer that to having Tamina suddenly dragged on tv and put into the title picture. I get that the roster like her and she’s probably a really nice person to be around and supports the other women massively when needed, but for a viewer she brings NOTHING and hasn't for YEARS, all she’s doing is taking up a roster spot that someone way more deserving could be in from NXT for example. And yes, ive seen the random accounts on Twitter hoping she wins the title............jeez

Wouldn't have a problem with any of the other women taking the win here, sucks that Dana had to pull out as she has really shown improvements the past few months and deserved her place here easily - BANKS 

Rhea Ripley (c) vs Charlotte: NXT Women’s Championship Match

So we definitely are back to saying ‘women’s’ champion again are we? They dropped it the other month but seem to have quickly gone back to it.

Big match for NXT here getting a Mania slot, I really hope that Charlotte doesn't get the win and belt but her winning opens up more fresh options for the future on the women’s division on the show. As long as Charlotte doesn't keep doing her thing of wearing massive heels in-ring to show how much bigger she is to everyone else, for some random reason it annoys me and doesn't need to even be done.

I feel if Charlotte does win the title they will very quickly move another NXT star over to Raw/Smackdown to replace her or hype a new debut upto the draft which MAY be soon - CHARLOTTE

Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins

The problem with having so many matches at Wrestlemania is that one like this goes so far under the radar its criminal, both guys are great and can pull out something special for the big show....not sure they get the time they will want even with a two night show. This feud will most likely continue so dont worry about who goes over - ROLLINS

Sami Zayn (c) vs Daniel Bryan: Intercontinental Championship Match

Exactly the same as the match before and even more so, a quality match that probably wont get the most time but will be a really fun ride to be on - ZAYN

Jimmy Uso vs John Morrison vs Kofi Kingston: Smackdown Tag Team Title Ladder Match

Yeah dont ask, they had to remove the Miz as he had Coronavirus symptoms but still wanted to do the ladder stipulation...

Honestly the tag division has to be up there for the most stale division in the company, similar to what I said about the women having the Uso’s and The New Day in a match in any combination is just soooooo over done.

Last month I predicted Morrison and Miz to retain and drop the titles tonight but now I hope they keep them, then drop them to Heavy Machinery as soon as they can - MORRISON

The Street Profits (c) vs Austin Theory & Angel Garza: Raw Tag Team Championship Match

Love the SP’s but this really isnt needed in the slightest, I guess the next few matches will be exactly the same. - STREET PROFITS 

Elias vs The Baron King

Exactly - Elias

Aleister Black vs Bobby Lashley

Please have Black go over quick - BLACK

Otis vs Dolph Ziggler

At last a match that deserves its spot on the card, a long term story that’s been developed well and is building to more with the stakes changed down the road. Easily an Otis win with Mandy ending up in his arms for the big smooch - OTIS

The Kabuki Warriors (c) vs Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match

Lets throw the titles we’ve forgotten about on the show too!! Feel for all the women that have been around the title scene here since the belts came into existence, so much promise over multiple brands that went NOWHERE! - CROSS/BLISS

Kick Off Matches

Drew Gulak vs Cesaro

I think Gulak sneaks the win out with his TECHNIQUE!!! - GULAK

Natalya vs Liv Morgan

I hope Liv picks up the win and they give her more tv time and focus, Nattie winning doesnt really do much for anyone apart from her - MORGAN 

2 nights, lots of matches, lots of things not needed get ready to be mildly hyped!!!

Enjoy

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE Money In The Bank - Preview & Predictions

Becky Lynch (c) vs Charlotte Flair: WWE Smackdown Live Women’s Championship Match

One of the champions two defenses on this show after being crowned the champ champ at Wrestlemania, I know previously we weren't sure if they would have the two belts be combined and just have the champ rule over both shows, but this makes it definite that there are still two titles and they will be separate to each show once one person doesn't own them both.

I would imagine the main event of this show will be between this bout and the men’s Money In The Bank (MITB) match, I imagine the men’s bout takes it in a late decision with them deciding that based on Becky probably coming into this second title defense with a ‘knock’ and having to work from the bottom against Charlotte so they’ll want the fresher wrestlers main eventing the show (yeah I know that doesn't make much sense but if Beckys selling alot it will be Vince foremost thought).

I did have Becky winning this and continuing on as a double champion for a while yet, but, I actually see it different today after thinking about an injury being something they add to this bout following on from her first match. Make it Becky getting a slight twisted knee in the first match against Evans and still winning, but against Charlotte she zero’s in on the knee building to her finisher and title win. That way they can have Lynch drop the title and blame it one having to wrestle twice in one night and Charlotte taking advantage of a bad knee, lets Becky stay on Raw as champion and also adds another layer to Becky/Charlotte for when they feud again in the future. But at the same time I wouldn't be surprised for Lynch to retain against both women and carry the champ champ gimmick for longer, if its a ratings success in her segments and shes still moving big numbers of merchandise that is....  - CHARLOTTE 

Seth Rollins (c) vs AJ Styles - WWE Universal Title Match

I get the feeling this match will be given good time in the middle of the show but will get overlooked due to the placement on the card sadly. Two great wrestlers here and the match should be quality, the hype videos have been superb showing both guys alot younger and their progressions to get to this point from wrestling each other pre WWE.

Im not keen on the slight heel actions of Styles in the build up here, but sometimes they have issues when having title matches be face vs face and have to go back and have one of them play the slight heel. I imagine once this feuds wrapped up that Styles goes back to being 100% face and quickly going into another feud.

In terms of a winner here we cant look past Rollins retaining his belt, he isnt dropping it this quickly and nor should he. For me his reign hasn't felt anything special just yet, so hopefully this can be the springboard in having a great match and that leading to him being THE focus of Raw for the next few weeks - ROLLINS

Kofi Kingston (c) vs Kevin Owens - WWE Championship Match

Is it just me that isnt feeling the Kofi title win? In a different way to Rollins in that Kofi doesn't seem a champion to me at all yet, him wearing the world title looks weird and most weeks has been in matches featuring guys better than him and all I can see is other wrestlers that should be holding that belt, not sure that’s the way I should be thinking lol

In my head I feel they may think about swapping the belt early, may just be me though, I feel Owens as a heel champion has more legs to it than Kofi as champion does - OWENS 

Roman Reigns vs Elias

Im glad that Elias is getting a big feud here against Roman after moving to Smackdown Live, and hopefully they get some decent time here for Elias to show some fire and talent and not just revert to rest holds like they have him do usually on tv.

But lets not get mistaken here, there’s no chance Elias is winning unless multiple people run in to cost Reigns the win - REIGNS

The Miz vs Shane McMahon - Cage Match

We all know this company, Shane won at Wrestlemania so Miz wins here to make it 50/50. Shane goes for a big stunt from the top, Miz attempts to look a tough guy fighting in the cage while Shane runs away - MIZ

Becky Lynch (c) vs Lacey Evans - WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match

The second title match on the PPV for Becky against the newest threat for her belt in Lacey Evans, sorry The Sassy Southern Belle Lacey Evans. 

Im glad they have had Evans hold her ground in brawls with Lynch, she really needs to and also needs them to build her as a past Marine in having her be as tough as anyone and be able to gain a deadly focus in the ring due to it, give her a deadly touch as well as her being a ‘lady’.

I see Becky retaining this belt as the safest bet in her two matches, while at the same time I see this being the feud they carry on with after the show with Becky remaining on Raw. So, they will have to be careful in how they have Lacey beaten and not done so in too much of a dominate fashion. In my preview of the Charlotte match I mentioned her gaining a slight injury in this match, so, lets go with her getting a slight knee injury and beats Evans with a lucky roll-up. That leaves them open to carry on the feud as its a lucky finish and the heel can gain the rematch on Raw no problem - LYNCH

Ember Moon vs Mandy Rose vs Dana Brooke vs Nikki Cross vs Bayley vs Nattie vs Naomi vs Carmella - Women’s MITB Ladder Match

It seems that yet again the women get pulled from house shows the weekend before a big match to prepare it all out, I bet the guys wish they had that option sometimes....

Firstly, im really glad that Dana is getting the big opportunity here, she’s been doing her best in every chance she gets in the ring and has gotten some good reactions from the crowds, especially the Wrestlemania crowd.

Secondly, Alexa Bliss has been dropped from this bout and replaced with Cross, the company really need to be analysing Bliss in the same ways they do Bryan with his head issues. She really shouldn't have been brought back for the Rumble and the odd other match she’s had since as she doesn't seem ready to get back in the ring, with reports she has been throwing up backstage after a match which as a sign of concussions. She really needs to be wrapped in cotton wool for awhile longer and given access to the best doctors to double check everything rather than just using the companies own doctors.

Now onto the match, in terms of potential winners I have it down to Bayley, Moon, Rose and Carmella. I think all of them if given the briefcase will need alot of work in building them up ready to be a threat, but, I see them all more than capable of getting back into the title scene and ready to take the title in afew months or rebuilding. Rose probably needs the least build as she’s been ok, but the others either due to injury or not being the focus of a push and taking a number of defeats or being treated as a comedy act need that change to make them looked at more seriously again.

Out of those girls Ill go with Bayley, she’s been treated like a joke since Wrestlemania and bring traded to Smackdown in not getting a win. This should give them the imperative to focus back on her to build her back up, its so needed with Bayley that its a joke they have missed so much with how they've treated her since her call up from NXT its unbelievable - BAYLEY

Andrade vs Ricochet vs Drew McIntyre vs Finn Balor vs Sami Zayn vs The Baron vs Ali vs Randy Orton - Men’s MITB Ladder Match

I really like 90% of this match (get lost The Baron) and it should lead to some fun spots throughout, I also see them having re-watched the ladder match for the NXT North American title from last year and taking some of the spots from with how well that match did being a 5 star rated bout.

Personally I only see Drew winning this match and being a constant threat on nearly every Raw standing over the champion or watching him menacingly, then decimating him for the title and making himself the new main eventer in the company.

When looking at the others I guess I could see other winners in Andrade, Ricochet, Balor or Ali. Ali and Andrade would need some very solid pushes and focus but would lead to some very fresh threats around the world title scene, and that’s something they are desperate for lately so may be a factor in deciding the potential winner tonight. Ricochet and Balor are guys I would have zero problem in pushing them big time through the summer for the world title, as both guys will fit in there no problem, I just dont see it yet sadly - MCINTYRE

Samoa Joe (c) vs Rey Mysterio

A rematch following their very short Mania match due to Rey having an injury that he is now fully recovered from, this will definitely get more time than that.

I do still think this feud will continue on longer and will potentially feature more appearances from Dominic, I even have a slight feeling that he turns heel on his dad at some point, dont ask why I just do lol

I dont see a title change occurring here, and continue to say what ive mentioned previously in that id be building Joe monthly as a killer with the plan of having him ready for the world title come the end of the year - JOE

Tony Nese (c) vs Ariya Daivari - WWE Cruiserweight Title Match

Sorry but ive stopped caring about this title after Murphy dropped the belt and moved to Smackdown to not be used much, 205 Live NEED more/new talent on their roster quickly to keep peoples interests, please - NESE

Rowan & Daniel Bryan (c) vs The Uso’s - Non Title Match - Kickoff Show

Gutted for these guys in being demoted to the kick of show, get ready to be interrupted by ads in the middle of your match with no-one watching.

Its a non title match so they usually result in the challengers gaining the win setting them up for a title match next, and with the lack of depth in the Smackdown tag ranks they really shouldn't have the Uso’s lose...................................................As long as the wildcards can win the titles on the show they are visiting that is - USOS

Hopefully everyone enjoys the show, and we potentially could have some decent surprises with the winners in the MITB matches, leading to us all having our imaginations run wild in the potential cash ins and how they could occur

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE Superstar Shakeup Shakedown – The Hot Tag Review

And just like last year I knew not to do this review last week as there’s no way they know what they are doing…..then came more moves this week.

To begin the review we’ll start with the Raw roster in this piece and analyse the moves that have been felt on the red brand, how they will affect the wrestlers in question as well as the potential the moves could bring.

AJ Styles

The man that carried Smackdown Live the last few years makes the move to Raw, really this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone. He’s dominated with the WWE championship for a long time and turned back most competitors on that brand, once he lost the title this will have been planned to get him somewhere fresh with new wrestlers to go against.

The Seth Rollins factor will be an important one for Styles, if they really persevere with Seth as champion for a long time it could see Styles go heel if he can’t crack the number one face position, which isn’t a bad thing in the slightest.

Cedric Alexander

Im really happy for him to be moved up to the main show from 205 Live as similar to AJ he had faced most of the roster there multiple times and the freshness had long gone, the big difference here is that they will feel the need to re-introduce Cedric to the audience. I see them fearing most of their audience at home has never watched 205 Live, and lets be serious most haven’t, so Alexanders push on Raw may take alittle time to come to fruition, not that he wont be used he will but it will mostly be in defeat with him putting forward a great effort to gain support from the crowds to ready himself for the future options that come his way.

I see him gradually becoming a big threat for the US title with his pace and explosiveness, if it were me personally id be building towards a Ricochet/Alexander feud for the later part of the year over the title. A series of matches between those two would be awesome to see and will get great time on three hour shows.

Cesaro

One of the moves they decided to do after the shakeup had finished in splitting up The Bar for some reason, hopefully Sheamus’ neck/back issues haven’t returned. I know its all down to their ability to push a face but it should be easy to make Cesaro a serious threat on Raw, with the likes of Rollins, Styles, Ricochet, McIntyre, Mysterio, Joe and Zayn around he will fit in perfectly.

The big issue here is their reluctance in the past to give him the actual big push as the people in charge seem reluctant to follow through with it. Expect some bumps in the road for Cesaro’s climb up the card but hopefully his talent level will shine through throughout and see him comfortably rise to where he should be on the card.

EC3

He needs to be listed here as the other NXT talent brought up earlier in the year/the end of last year have seemingly been given their definitive brand, the next massive step for EC3 is to be noticed by the people in charge and given an actual program on tv that can give him the opportunity to impress as so far he has to be wishing he hadn’t bothered getting called up apart from the bump in pay.

Lets start by breaking it down for EC3 and where they need to start from, is he a face or a heel? Lets make him heel, lets give him Spud as a manager as their charisma together is awesome. Lets give him some squash matches on Raw to get over his character and move set, then we pick him a great first feud to make an impact in, lets pick Mysterio. It shouldn’t take longer than two months to give him some solid attention and love to see if he clicks with the Raw crowds, but he does have that IT factor they look for. But please, just don’t carry on with what we have currently for him as it isn’t doing ANYONE and favours.

Eric Young

A bit of a random move here in breaking up Sanity, a team they did zilch with that had some potential in the tag team ranks, but here Young is back as a singles competitor it seems. And I say it seems as I see some of the talent moving around getting put into teams to help the tag division, with EY being a main contender for that kind of role. And really that’s because it’s the role he was hired for in the first place in NXT, brought in as a team to help develop the younger guys he was with was his aim.

A lot was being made online about the amount of former TNA talent that have found their way to the Raw roster at this current time, and how they potentially could form a stable to give a number of wrestler’s purpose who maybe aren’t receiving much of an aim currently. While that would be a smart thing to do I don’t think its their first objective of something to try, though a mid-card stable would be fairly fresh.

Viking Raiders

Forget the name changes, forget the team name changes it wont help and will only annoy you lol

Great team that will be a big focus on Raw with the Usos and The Revival, give them a strong 15-minute match on the next PPV and the new fans that haven’t seen them much yet will be in love.

The Usos

Similar to Styles, have beaten all the teams on Smackdown and need a new scenery to look upon and work with, nuff said

Lacey Evans

The ‘Sassy Southern Belle’ has made Raw her home and is hopefully ready for the big push she’s about to receive. I love the solid background she has with the Seals as well as the lady gimmick she is currently using, I just hope they realise the best way to use it as it currently isn’t working as well as it can. For me you have her be the Belle outside of the ring but as soon as she steps into the ring the Seal comes out and is totally dominant and focused on beating her opponent, personally id be building from the get-go as a serious threat to Ronda Rousey. Don’t have her do anything that wouldn’t work opposite Ronda, no matter who it is you have her constantly be ready as it’s the best to get her over as a threat instead of someone just walking up and down the ramp posing.

Naomi

An interesting/strange decision to move her to Raw, if, you ignore the fact she’s probably been moved over solely because her husband has been as well. She had formed a team on SD Live but truthfully hadn’t been doing anything that mattered in a long long time apart from bitch on social media about not getting the big opportunity, but honestly when the company is focusing around Ronda and the main event of Wrestlemania you really aren’t going to be getting that shot by being snarky or driving the wrong way down one way streets in front of the police, and yeah it wasn’t her fault but still its not the look you need.

The women’s roster on Raw isn’t full of my favourites too much so she does have the opportunity at a fresh start over, hopefully she changes up her gimmick a little as it doesn’t click for me personally.

Rey Mysterio

Another strange move, one that feels like it was just done to generate some buzz for the next week or so then they realise they didn’t really have much planned for his future on Raw. Hopefully he gets some solid ring time on Raw and gets to work guys he wants before retiring, and that really is the main goal for him at this stage of his career. There isn’t long left with him at his level and his aim is to get his son into the business, let him develop and be able to team with him for awhile before retiring.

Sami Zayn

Ill put Sami on the list as he was a SD guy before the injury and returned around the Shakeup so…. Great talent who may need afew more week of matches to really lose the ring rust and get to grips with his new gimmick, then get him going in a feud.

One of the things I will say/point out is that Zayn and afew others will have a harder time of things now on the roster in looking a solid aerial threat or showing their speed in the ring as the company now has Ricochet, and Ricochet outclasses pretty much everyone on the roster in those areas. Its not a big thing for 90% of the viewers but for me some guys look a lot slower and more normal when in the ring with the likes of Ricochet.

Samoa Joe

Sadly he couldn’t make his Raw debut on the Shakeup show due to him being ill and didn’t get to make the impact by coming out to destroy Braun Strowman, now I’m not sure if he’s getting that feud just yet or if they’ve changed their minds as Braun wasn’t doing anything on Raw this week.

I had said recently about Joe on Smackdown Live that they needed to book him as a solid killer with the US Title to ready him to be the next big heel world champion, and that really should carry over here too. Id be looking to have him make the big move up at the end of the year and all my booking of Joe would be preparing everyone for that

The Miz

Personally I’m not a big fan of Miz and find it hard to see him as a solid threat to anything, decent wrestler but cant take that next step for me as I don’t see him as a tough guy, even defending the honour of his wife or standing up for his father he doesn’t come across as legit in the slightest.

And all of that is just solidified for me when they had him lose to Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania, and even after that in their interactions Shane still gets a solid amount of offence in on Miz as if Shane is a full time wrestler at the top of the card. They really need to have Miz fight Shane one more time for me to have Miz win resoundingly, finish with Gregg Hamilton announcing Miz as the new ‘Best In The World’ and have Miz finally move away from Shane completely.

 Some decent moves for Raw overall but they also needed them with Raw losing Reigns, and lets be honest with the WWE this list could still change over the next few weeks if Vince changes his mind. As well as that id expect some new tag teams to be formed with the new and existing talent, so that side of things could take a little longer to get past an awkward stage in the tag ranks.

We should give them all afew months then potentially come back to look at how each of the names listed have progressed and developed in the meantime, as usually this time period following Wrestlemania is one that’s a little slow with newer feuds being tried and newer talent getting opportunity so it should be full of experiments on tv.

Andy

(Credit to wwe.com for the pictures)

[andymull]

WWE Backlash 2017 Predictions & Thoughts

1st of all im loving the logo’s being used for this show as well as afew of the fan created ones

Anyway on with the show.........

Randy Orton (c) vs Jinder Mahal: For The WWE Championship

First things first and has to be mentioned, we all know Jinder isnt ready for this spot (and most likely will never be ready) and its been slightly rushed and done for the WWE’s growth into India, but, its worth a shot. We have gone for years in wanting new people booked, and yes this isnt one of them but still we should give the guy a chance on a main show, hell with their PPV’s on the Network now it’s not as much of a risk as it used to be anyway. Let’s all give the guy another month or two before making a final judgement on him, give him another member or two to his group, call them the Mahal Cabal (im claiming it as well by the way) and see if he progresses with a big push, if not dont worry.

The second point here is that Orton’s title run is mediocre to say at the least, saddled in a feud with Bray Wyatt leading to a House Of Horrors match which no-one came out of well. Does this mean he needs to drop the title and they can move on to get away from it or have him retain the title and feud longer with Jinder which doesn't seem to be a plus for Orton again either.

Truthfully following on from that last point I could see them going either way here, im leaning towards a Jinder victory by DQ or count-out to carry on this feud upto Money In The Bank. Throw the other top names in the MITB match and let the new title feud start from there, kind of hoping for Jinder to take the title there only for a newly face Rusev to return and win the world title and receive a monster pop!!!

Or Orton wins clean and destroys Mahal moving onto a feud with a top wrestler who can provide him with great matches as well as a great feud, not risking my own money on that though - MAHAL

The Uso’s (c) vs Breezango: For The Smackdown Tag Team Titles

Again another instance of new talent being put into a position to show what they can do, expect more of this after the Superstar Shakeup as the rosters are still in a period of stabilizing. 

I love Fandango not so much Breeze lately but Dango I enjoy and have been saying he needs to be used more for years now, they won the beat the clock challenge and have been getting wins on Smackdown Live as well as receiving backstage packages, The Fashion Files, which have been real good.

The Uso’s meanwhile have been fairly absent since Mania overall apart from the odd appearance and promo’s in the build to here, sadly the company missed having them face American Alpha at Mania and it has REALLY affected both teams since with AA fading into obscurity nearly.

This match will be really fun, hopefully the crowd stay strong behind Breezango once their music finishes as the Uso’s are going to lead them to something good here. Dont see a title change tonight and again the possibility that this carries on for awhile longer (as im not sure how soon The New Day will be back), so ill go for an Uso’s win by using the tights on a roll up as they get to the desperate stage after Breezango bring their best to the show - USO’S

Kevin Owens (c) vs AJ Styles: For The United States Championship

This should be all kinds of fun and really is the real main event of the show, the actual feud hasn't been that strong with it being setup while Owens was still finishing up with the Jericho feud, but really it doesn't need the big story yet. 

In terms of a winner it needs to be Owens leaving with the title, after they stupidly had him lose to Jericho just so that Y2J could end up on Smackdown and then leave to tour with Fozzy, he cant lose it straight away again.....can he?

I dont think Styles needs the title at all, his crowd reactions are through the roof with his gradual face turn and that wont alter with a lose here, if this is going to develop into a long term feud then its different down the road and he may need to win the belt to have things develop well, but at the moment this should be fairly easy to predict - OWENS

Shinsuke Nakamura vs Dolph Ziggler

At last we have Nakamura’s debut match and it should be good with Ziggler bumping for him like mad, the build up on Dolph’s side has been shite though (mind my language). The whole saying he hasn't seen Shin wrestle before is just a stupid thing to have him say, even for a heel, it really should have seen Ziggler talk about stepping his game up to fight the best in the world making him come out of it looking better than he went in even with a defeat.

The outcome here is in no doubt, Nakamura will take it clean, this is all about building him up and making him look like a STAR, which is needed in the company for newer guy’s. Expect the violin guy to return too - NAKAMURA

Becky Lynch, Charlotte, Naomi vs The Welcoming Committee 

Its strange how down ive gone on the Smackdown women’s division since losing Bliss and Mickie James, as I dont like the over-push of Charlotte and Tamina brings zero to the table, literally zero. Also The Welcoming Committee is a dreadful name, will they have to change it soon once everyone been on the brand for a month or two??

It’s a multi person match with slight issues between Naomi and Charlotte, letting the heels pick up the win after the face team mess up will mean alot for the likes of Carmella and it wont affect the faces as the real meat there will be down the road between Naomi and Charlotte - WELCOMING COMMITTEE

Sami Zayn vs Baron Corbin

Poor Sami has been treated like crap over the past 3 to 4 months hasn't he, annoyed/irritated someone important backstage and is feeling someones wrath ever since. Corbin is a pet project to be built gradually into a main eventer by the end of the year, just a shame he doesn't have that level of ability.

Corbin will take it and the fans will let out a deep sigh for Zayn - CORBIN

Tye Dillinger vs Aiden English: Kick Off Match

Not much to say here but gives both guys vital time in the ring to get over new characters and help introduce Tye to more of the audience. Easy match to predict, not sure how long English survives on the roster he cant last forever just because he is technically the last member of the Guerrero family in the company? - DILLINGER

Luke Harper vs Erick Rowan

Just a match/feud where they seem to want to get the wrong guy over in Rowan, Harper is a million times better and was getting good crowd reactions recently too and should really steam through Rowan and onto a solid feud for him after with someone new to let him sink his teeth into and develop from.

Saying that Rowan is getting the win on Smackdown as well as a segment on Talking Smack to get over his strange character (if he really has one apart from wearing masks) - HARPER

Not sure on how this show will turn out especially after the great show that NXT put one, all talent in the show wont want to be outclassed by NXT but sadly I doubt they can do much about it apart from Owens/Styles and Nakamura/Ziggler (if they have a good competitive match and not a one sided debut).

Enjoy the show

Bye for now

Andy