This definitely was a news worthy week in pro wrestling. That is nothing surprising for a New Year, most companies try to pull out some big surprises for the New Year. These stories where a little more than surprising though.
THE DEBUT OF TNA ON POP TV
Technically the return of TNA to first run TV. But that is not the big surprise, everyone knew TNA was debuting. I will cover my thoughts on TNA IMPACT below. For now, what few was expecting was two returns.James Storm ran out of the crowd to save Bobby Roode from a beat down at the hands of Bram and Eric Young. This lead to:
BEER MONEY IS BACK!!!
Beer Money was to face Bram and Young at the One Night Only PPV this past Friday, but that may have been pre-taped a while back, even before Storm left TNA.
This is a big moment for TNA. A major talent is back. The best Tag Tea of this century is back. They lured James Storm away from the WWE.
This could have a major impact on how WWE handles their date-by-date contracts.
AJ STYLES, DOC GALLOWS, KARL ANDERSON, NAKUMARA
When news first broke Tuesday morning, I called bull on AJ Styles signing. Dave texted me early that morning, asking me if I had heard anything. I called bull because the blog he directed me to used interviews and clips out of context and from years ago to prove AJ signed.Then the news broke that Styles, Gallows, Anderson and Nakumara, The Bullet Club, had signed. Now it is a little bit fan boyish to believe the Bullet Club is coming to the WWE, as the Club still exists in NJPW. Would these guys make great additions to the WWE?
Of course.
Gallows has been there. AJ Styles should be there. Anderson is a guy who can go with Joe, Oewns and Lesnar. And Nakumara . . .
Just wait for the WWE only fans to see this guy.
So far, only Nakumara has confirmed he has signed.
I would love to see all these guys in the WWE.
Weird things is, I found the timing of this to be suspect. First I thought TNA. IMPACT was returning LIVE that night on POP TV. They were nowhere to be seen.
Then all this because more suspect . . .
JOHN CENA OUT
Wednesday evening Cena announced he needed shoulder surgery. According to rumors it may be a rotator cuff tear, which could keep him out most of 2016.Looking at this timing, it makes me wonder if the WWE new about this injury for a while and if this was the impetus to pull the trigger and making offers and ‘possibly’ signing Styles and the others.
With all the guys out, Cena going down hurts. These signings could ease the pain. Plus, the WWE needs fresh blood.
WRESTLEMENTARY SCHEDULE
I promised last week, that I would post about the Wrestlementary Schedule this weekend. Here it goes.ACE MASTERS’ Schedule.
For the time being my schedule is going to go weekly. A Wrestlementary Weekly WrapUp. Every Sunday I will posts my thought on the RAW, SMACKDOWN and IMPACT, and other newsworthy events.
DAVE’S BATTLE AX
The plan at the moment is for this to remain a monthly feature.
NXT COVERAGE and DIVA DISH
The new schedule for these features have not been worked out yet, but should be soon.
These schedules could change at any time and as things do, we will let all know.
Also, either I, Dave or Chris will write review of local to Phoenix, AZ wrestling events that we attend.
Okay, onto the good stuff RAW, SMACKDOWN AND IMPACT. I’ll make my thoughts brief.
WWE
RAW
Like Vince said, it’s a new year and a clean slate. RAW started off the New Year with one of the best broadcasts since Summer Slam and a very newsworthy night.
Everyone delivered on this show, matches were good, promo were lean and everything seemed to build toward the Rumble and WrestleMania by default.
We had Owens Versus Neville, New Day versus Calisto and Dudleys, Becky versus Charlotte, and Roman Reigns with another uphill battle.
Charlotte finally turned full heel and it looks like we are heading toward a Lynch/Flair show down at Rumble for the Divas Title.
Ryback and Big Show became fodder for the Wyatt Family, as Bray and family put all on notice that they are in the Rumble.
Heath Slater! Yes, Heath was on the show! And Adam Rose, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel.
In fact Heath beat Dolph Ziggler, with the help of his new faction, the Social Outcasts (Heath Slater, Adam Rose, Curt Axel and Bo Dallas). This was the best part of the night, and the best thing to happen to these guys in a while. Don’t screw this WWE.
What’s better than New Day? What about Chris Jericho returning and schooling the New Day on the mic. Well it happened and Chris is in the Rumble!
We once again had Reigns forced to defend the title against Sheamus, with Vince as the special ref. This was really a nothing main event, as it has all been seen and done before. Vince fast counts for Sheamus, slow counts for Reigns. Reigns takes out Vince, finally wins when a third ref comes down and counts out Sheamus.
After the match was the real story: Reigns will defend his title in the Royal Rumble match itself.
This is big. Depending on which was they go, this could be good, or could be disastrous.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
One of the best in a while. Charlotte turned heel, Jericho is back, Wyatt’s all in the Rumble, title on the line in the Rumble and The Social Outcast!
LOW POINT OF THE NIGHT: Another been there, done that main event
IMPACT OF THE NIGHT: Formation of the Social Outcasts (Heath Slater, Adam Rose, Curt Axel and Bo Dallas). Maybe creative can do something good with these guys. This is a good first step. Slater especially has a big upside.
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Becky Lynch versus Charlotte.
WRESTLER OF THE NIGHT: Heath Slater (HE WON A MATCH!)
RATING: 7
SMACKDOWN
The Debut on USA Network! Usually, if your big news coming out of a show is the debut of Mauro Ranallo, a new commentator, that isn’t a good thing. This night, coupled with two titles match and a good card, it was a good thing.
SMACKDOWN followed on the heels of RAW and put on a very good show. Mauro helped a lot putting everything over, and making every moment feel big and new. WE saw SMACKDOWN thru new eyes. It was refreshing and different, but by no means great. He needs a little time to settle in, and we’ll see how he does when the newness has worn off.
Having Jerry be edgier is nice, I like more of a heelish Lawler.
The WWE is high on Calisto and with good reason. The started the show off hot with Calisto, Cena and Alberto, leading into a match where Calisto beat Alberto. Massive moment on SMACKDOWN.
Is Calisto the new Mysterio?
Somehow MIZ TV broke down into an eight man tag match. Neville, Goldust, Truth and Ziggler versus Miz and New Days. How this happened was . . . well, they are all idiots. The MIZ TV segment and match was fun.
Both the Diva’s Title match and the IC Title match delivered big time. It was nice seeing Ric up to his old tricks. I think we need more old school shenanigans like this a little more.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Not as newsworthy as RAW, but match wise maybe better. Best SMACKDOWN in months.
LOW POINT OF THE NIGHT: Too much recap.
IMPACT OF THE NIGHT: Calisto beating Alberto Del Rio
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: DIVA’S Title Match – Charlotte versus Becky Lynch.
WRESTLER OF THE NIGHT: Becky Lynch
RATING: 7
TNA IMPACT
I’ll be brief on this. I’ve been up and down on IMPACT. For a long while I wrote that TNA was better than the WWE. For the last year, they have been a distant third, not even second.They really hyped up this show, including The Miracle, but I don’t think they quite delivered. Did the World Title Series Matches deliver? To a degree, yeah.
Unfortunately that is tempered by the fact that these were not the original outcomes. Originally Bobby Lashley beat Hardy in the finals, in pre-taped matches, according to online reports. With that being the case, it softens the impact of EC3 winning the Series and the Title.
James Storm is back! BEER MONEY is back! Yeah. I wrote about this above.
The Miracle turned out to be the debut of Mike Bennet. Of course, I think most people believe the Miracle is truly Maria. Bennet is damn good, and a good piece to add, but is he that good? Let’s see how he does flying solo without the kingdom.
The main event match between EC3 and Matt Hardy is the best match TNA has had in a year. EC3 was the rightful winner. This whole World Title Series was a joke in the first place.
FINAL THOUGHT:
For All The hype, it just didn’t feel special.
LOW POINT OF THE NIGHT: IMPACT not delivering on the hype.
IMPACT OF THE NIGHT: The Return of James Storm and BEER MONEY!
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: World Title Series Final: EC3 versus Matt Hardy.
WRESTLER OF THE NIGHT: EC3
RATING: 5
FINAL WEEKLY THOUGHTS
Overall a good week for wrestling fans. Very newsworthy, with hopefully more signings to be confirmed. RAW and SMACKDOWN were really strong. IMPACT didn’t quite deliver, but at least it is back on first run TV, with a new network and hopefully a new lease on life.
LOW POINT OF THE WEEK: IMPACT falling flat.
IMPACT OF THE WEEK: Nakumara confirmed signing with the WWE.
MATCH OF THE WEEK: SMACKDOWN DIVA’S Title Match – Charlotte versus Becky Lynch.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK: EC3
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