AuthorSharing my thoughts, opinion, and historical facts on everything WWE both past and present Archives
February 2024
Categories |
Back to Blog
Cody Rhodes Is Back4/4/2022 Thus far the biggest story of 2022 has by far been the departure of one of AEW's founders leaving the company. Cody Rhodes departed AEW earlier this year for unclear reasons, but what we do know is that soon after Cody left AEW he resigned with WWE. Before leaving the promotion in 2016 the WWE was home Cody for the better part of ten years. I think everyone knew that at some point someone would jump ship from AEW back to WWE and nobody expected that the first person to jump would be Cody. Back in 2019, Cody was at the forefront of the announcement of All Elite Wrestling alongside the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega.
In my opinion, the best thing that WWE could do is allow Cody to do a few weeks of sit down interviews with either Michael Cole or Jimmy Smith to explain why he came back to WWE and where he's been for the last few years. Cody could start his return in WWE by having a similar run to CM Punk's in AEW where Cody competes against those stars who either weren't in WWE when he last was with the company. It would be fair to compare the return of Cody Rhodes to the return of Drew McIntyre who departed the company only to return a few years later with his name value a lot higher then was when he left. I still think it will be a few weeks before fans will allow the reality to set in that Cody is actually back in WWE. Especially if WWE persists to present Cody in the exact way he was presented in AEW that will be just as surprising, because in a way it would be admitting that they did something right. If Night one was any indication then the future is bright, but it is still way to early to pass judgement or push expectations forward for what we will see from Cody in WWE. For now we will just have to wait and see what happens as right now we are at a bit of a Cross Rhodes.
0 Comments
Read More
Back to Blog
Thank You Triple H3/30/2022 Late last year, Triple H had a health scare after a cardiac episode which led to him taking an extended vacation from WWE. The end of his tenure aside Triple H had been a member of the company since 1995 and became one of the longest tenured members of the roster. At the start of his run it wasn't expected that Hunter Hearst Helmsley would become a legend or have the career that he was fortunate to have. For twenty seven years, he called WWE home before he made the move to the company in Connecticut he would spend around a year in WCW before being let go due to roster cuts.
A reign of terror and nearly catching Ric Flair's record being a member of two legendary factions just reads as a few of the accomplishments that Triple H has on career achievement list. A friendship with Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall helped propel Triple H up the card to start with and D-Generation X made that happen. To be fair I don't need to retrace the career history of Triple H as most fans are aware of the career history of Triple H. Triple H brought NXT to the forefront of the wrestling world and really put his wrestling mind on display and how exactly he would run the show when Vince did retire. Triple H gave the fans of WWE something completely different with NXT. Though NXT isn't what Triple H built anymore the legacy of what he built always lives on, because for years it gave fans something we never thought we'd see from WWE. It is odd seeing people I grew up watching retire, but thank you Triple H for the legacy you created and memories you leave behind. Triple H will unquestionably go down as a legend and a future Hall of Famer. Thank you for the Memories!!
Back to Blog
Wrestlemania In My Mind: Part Four3/15/2022 The final part of what has been an interesting series for me is laying out Wrestlemania this year in my mind. I've done Wrestlemania Night one so far and part of night two with this being the second half of night two. One part of this series was keeping together some of the previously announced matches for the show. However, the one thing I would change is having the focus of night two around Rousey vs Becky Lynch instead of Rousey vs Charlotte. Wrestlemania 38 Night Two:
AJ Styles vs Edge is a dream match that has been talked about since Edge returned two years ago and now with time running out it's a now or never situation. Edge is already in the Hall of Fame and before long Styles will be welcomed into the hallowed halls of the WWE Hall of Fame. However, this is a match we never thought we'd see and are now being treated to another dream match at Wrestlemania. Styles should grab the victory. Sami Zayn is by far one of the most entertaining parts of WWE television and has been for years at this point. With the questions around his contract last year the company has raised his stock trusting him in a featured match on the biggest event of the year. I'd take things in a different route. Cameron Grimes is still one of the most well liked stars in NXT and could take trip to the main roster for a match with Sami. Think about Grimes eliminating Sami at Royal Rumble and going from there with feud between a top NXT star and someone who deserves a chance to rise up the card without winning a title. Sami of course wins One match I would be interested to see and believe that these women deserve to be featured on there own is Bianca Belair vs Asuka. The latter has missed a number of months with a shoulder injury and may or may not be factored into Wrestlemania. In my case she is as she deserves to be and could have a fresh feud with one of the top women in the promotion as she begins to rehab her momentum after being gone for so long. Asuka returning as heel would be a nice change and help the division especially winning against Belair at Wrestlemania. In my opinion, not much needs to be said about the history between Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey except I believe there is more history between these women then there is between Rousey and Charlotte. Becky is still the only women in the company to defeat Ronda Rousey and that has never been contested a rematch never announced. Until now Rousey was a good choice to win the Rumble as it was a surprise to see her back. Rousey will likely have another run much like her last trip within the company. Rousey will become the new women's champion.
Back to Blog
Cesaro Sensation2/28/2022 After the last ten years one of the most stable pieces of the WWE roster has decided it was time to walk away from the promotion. Yes! It was a contract dispute where both parties couldn't agree on a contract between the parties. In his early forties and still one of the most gifted performers in the world of wrestling it is a question of what happens next. Cesaro now joins the ever growing line of free agents to have left the company in the last year.
Over the last ten years there have been many occasions where fans have thought that Cesaro could've hit the top of the ladder and put the entire package together. Cesaro hasn't lost a step and was trusted to be in the ring with any talent that WWE wanted to make sure the talent they wanted to look good would look good. During his tenure with the promotion he won the United States championship and had his greatest success as Sheamus's partner collectively known as The Bar. In my opinion, after ten years under the WWE banner it would be best if Cesaro didn't jump after the first contract and instead dipped his toe into various pools. I think it would be best for Cesaro to work as a freelancer for a time to keep himself fresh and avoid becoming just another name on an ever growing list of extremely talented performers that have become free. I for one was surprised when I found out that Cesaro and WWE couldn't come to terms on a new contract especially considering the fact that Cesaro could've been a perfect name to head down to NXT to help establish the new crop of talent in Florida. I would like to wish the best of luck to Cesaro and I know that he will be fine. After ten years of being in the public eye Cesaro may want to step back from the public for a bit to allow a break for everyone involved. Cesaro or Claudio much like Bray Wyatt could use a break to allow fans some space and a chance to wonder what happens next. For me I would like to see Cesaro appear in various companies and go for one last run through the indies giving us dream matches we never thought we'd see.
Back to Blog
Wrestlemania In my Mind: Part Three2/23/2022 Our story continues as I draw how Wrestlemania would come together if I was the one behind putting together the biggest event of the calendar year. We have put together Night one and now we move to Night two. Wrestlemania 38: Night Two
Women's Battle royal does seem to fall in importance like most battle royals as it just seems like it's there to get talent on the show instead of having a reason to invest in the match. No need for another trophy, but there is no reason they can't use the match to build for the future. This time around I would give the battle royal win to the returning Bayley, Shayna Baszler, or Liv Morgan. Next match would be a gauntlet match for the Raw World Tag Team Championships the match would include Street Profits, Dirty Dogs, Mysterio's, Alpha Academy, RK-Bro, and Miz/Logan Paul. I didn't realize how many teams were on Raw and I didn't just want to pick two and call let's get everyone in and plan ahead. Miz and Logan would be included as rumors are swirling recently that Logan Paul will be back this year for Wrestlemania and I thought the gauntlet match would be perfect. Either Alpha Academy or The Mysterio's belong as champions after Wrestlemania. I would rework this next match which was initially suppose to include Lashley defending the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens. But with his injury taking him out of action in real life I will keep parts of the real narrative. However, instead of having win the gold at Royal Rumble I would have had the original plan for Day One still happen which was Seth Rollins winning the WWE Championship again. Over the proceeding few months tension would rise between Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins not leading to a break up but more leading to friendly competition. Kevin Owens would regain the championship for the first time in a few years as a thank you!
Back to Blog
Wrestlemania in my Mind: Part Two2/11/2022 Wrestlemania Night One Continued:
United States Championship Damien Priest defends his title against Finn Balor, Austin Theory, and Apollo Crews. Some matches need to be multi-man matches to allow as many wrestlers as possible. Much like Nakamura, the US champion hasn't done much with the title and it is time for someone else to hold the championship. Opening the door for Apollo Crews to regain some momentum and set up what I think would be an interesting feud between Crews and Balor. Theory could either be in this match or take Bron Breaker's spot in winning the Andre Battle Royal. Now we hit our first grudge match between Drew McIntyre and Big E as both men deserve to be in featured positions at Wrestlemania this year. Big E gave the company someone new at the top of the card which is something they very much need. Big E needs some investment as a top guy and giving him Drew McIntyre and a victory would be the best way to do that, setting up Big E to be Roman's next challenger after Brock Lesnar. Drew doesn't believe that E belongs in the picture and thinks he's just comedic relief. Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar isn't a match that I need to spend too much time talking about as everyone knows the history between these two men. Things took an interesting turn at the Royal Rumble and even though fans could see this from a mile away it still appears WWE is dead set on the match happening this year. Reigns needs the win and Brock doesn't need to be WWE Champion in the match, it could just be one on one for the WWE Universal Title which is how it should be in my mind.
Back to Blog
Wrestlemania IN My Mind: Part One2/8/2022 Wrestlemania 38 Night One:
First match to take notice of is for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles including Happy Corbin/Madcap Moss vs New Day vs The Uso's. The tag team division in WWE has never been that strong and was even weaker now after all the releases from the promotion. Allowing Corbin and Moss a spot in the tag team division would give a new tag team the chance to show off. Moving these two in the division would take them away from McIntyre and give someone other then the Uso's or New Day the chance to run the division. Moving forward to the Andre The Giant Battle Royal this where they should focus on bringing a new talent or two to the forefront. I would place current NXT Champion Bron Breaker in the Battle Royal giving him the victory and his first established win on the main roster giving him even more momentum in NXT. (c) Shinsuke Nakamura vs Cesaro would be my choice for Wrestlemania revisiting the old tag team and giving two gifted competitors the opportunity to set the world on fire upon the biggest stage they can. Nakamura hasn't done much as Intercontinental Champion and this would give him someone he has a history with to fight on the biggest stage of them all. Cesaro deserves the chance to do more then feuding with Sheamus and Ridge Holland. Charlotte vs Sasha Banks would've been my choice for the Smackdown Women's Championship match due to the fact that they want to get more people talking. Sasha deserves a chance to steal the show at Mania again first of all. Second of all Ronda has more history with Becky then Charlotte so Becky is logical choice. Sasha deserves the spotlight and Charlotte deserves a break from the spotlight. Note: There is more to come as I decided to split this series into four parts two for each night of Wrestlemania.
Back to Blog
Wrestlemania In My Mind2/4/2022 At one point Vince McMahon would plan a year ahead for Wrestlemania always thinking about the biggest match possible to do for the event. I've heard stories that right after Wrestlemania 3 in 1987, he was already thinking about Wrestlemania IV the following year. That logic and long term booking has long sailed away and has been replaced with short term, band aid booking that I've called lazy on multiple occasions. WWE isn't the creative juggernaut it once was and it isn't a failure, but it is lacking from where it use to be. I know I will never work for the promotion in any compacity, but let me have a go and see if I can put together a better Wrestlemania with foresight and based around long term planning with even a little bit for the future sprinkled in here and there. One thing I know is that every match doesn't need to be the one that sells the tickets some can just be there and only some need to sell the tickets. Below is the card I would have for the event and over the next two months join me as I break down each match and how we get to Wrestlemania in "My Mind." Wrestlemania Night One Smackdown Tag Team Championship: Happy Corbin & Madcap Moss vs New Day vs The Uso's Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal Smackdown Women's Championship: (c) Charlotte vs Sasha Banks WWE Intercontinental Championship: (c) Shinsuke Nakamura vs Cesaro WWE United States Championship: (c) Damien Priest vs Finn Balor vs Austin Theory vs Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez Grudge Match: Drew McIntyre vs Big E WWE Universal Championship: (c) Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman vs Brock Lesnar Wrestlemania Night Two:
Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal Raw Tag Team Championship: Gauntlet Match for the Championships WWE Championship Match: (c) Bobby Lashley w/ MVP vs Seth Rollins vs Kevin Owens Dream Match: AJ Styles vs Edge Grudge Match: Sami Zayn vs Cameron Grimes Grudge Match: Bianca Belair vs Asuka WWE Women's Championship: (c) Becky Lynch vs Ronda Rousey
Back to Blog
Just a Theory1/27/2022 At just age 24, Austin Theory has a ton of potential, the type of potential we don't always see in WWE as they lean on more established stars. Since Survivor Series we have seen Austin featured in segments with Vince McMahon which does show how highly the owner of the company views the youngster. Austin Theory was cannon fodder for the protector of Johnny Gargano in The Way and would split from the group when he moved to the main roster. It is clear that Austin Theory has potential and will be a star in WWE, a much needed one at that, because they need a new star.
Starting with the Royal Rumble, take the simple route: have Austin Theory put in the workhorse showing in the event and then lead the way for a United States championship match against Damien Priest. I would allow Theory to capture the US gold from Damien prior to Wrestlemania. Allowing Priest to move up the card with a win in the Andre Memorial Battle Royal and Theory to be spotlighted in a title defense. Following Wrestlemania this would give some roster switches Damien would move into the main event level against Seth Rollins to try and move Damien into a new spot and gain new main event talent. As for Austin Theory, veterans would be who I would lean on for his title reign siding with R-Truth, The Mysterio's and Finn Balor to help establish his title reign. Near the end of his reign a feud would kick off with AJ Styles as I value AJ's opinion more than most other stars and if Theory can keep up with AJ Styles then he will have what it takes to make the next step forward. Styles would win the feud and allow for Austin Theory to slowly to again make his move up the card, and fast forward to this time next year I would again allow for Theory to have another solid performance in the Royal Rumble. Shifting gears though I would either give Lashley or Orton the chance to make Austin Theory a star and move him another step forward as we continue to find his potential. Money in the Bank would be the final focus of the puzzle or this theory of elevating Austin. At Money in the Bank 2023, Theory would make off with the case and eventually take the WWE Championship, closing out the following year with a World Title. I firmly believe that Austin Theory will unquestionably be the WWE Champion within two years.
Back to Blog
Monday Nights Need Help1/25/2022 Ratings are down, attendance is even lower and the question is appearing on the doorstep of the wrestling world what is wrong with WWE. I've addressed this more than once and will address it over again that WWE needs help and they need to step back and rethink perception and problems. With talent cycling out the door like they were expired coupons. Now we step back and try to think of the best way to step forward against the current perception of the promotion.
The biggest question on Monday Nights right now is who will Brock Lesnar drop the WWE Championship to and will it happen at Wrestlemania. In nine days the "Road to Wrestlemania" will kick off with the Royal Rumble. In my opinion, the company needs to go the shock and awe route with the winner of the Royal Rumble. Kevin Owens, Riddle, Kofi Kingston or The Miz would be perfect shocking victors for the Rumble match this year bringing forward a crop of fresh matches. The one focus I would have is on Riddle who is just coming off his recent run with Randy Orton as a member of RK-Bro and I'm not saying they should break up the team, but capitalizing on momentum wouldn't be the worst idea. It would also drive an interesting wedge between Orton and Riddle if they do intend on eventually breaking up the tag team. Giving AJ Styles a Rumble win would be both shocking and deserving for a veteran winding down his career still in need of this one achievement. Giving someone on Raw the title victory and sending them on a collision course with Brock Lesnar will not be the answer to all the problems, but it will help change the perception. It isn't helping having the two World Champion feuding and that's why it's a good thing that according to latest reports it doesn't seem like Brock and Roman will collide at Mania. However, seeing Brock against AJ Styles, Riddle, or Kevin Owens getting the chance at the WWE Championship as it would be something new for programming. The plan needs to be long term to fix the staple of Monday Nights and this could just start things in the right direction. |