Transitioning Wrestling Style - Part 1

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Here we go . . .

Transitioning Wrestling Style

PART I – SIGNS, WHEN, WHERE

If you haven’t been able to tell, the Professional Wrestling Industry as a whole has been in a Transition period for quiet some time, perhaps this entire decade of 2010’s. A number of factors back this up.

Even WWE only fans have to see this, as the WWE itself is in a Transition Period, seemingly unable to keep talent happy, keep talent, or right their sinking ship. This isn’t a recent event either. The fact that guys like Neville and Austin Ares walked out and Dean Ambrose refused to resign, plus the tanking ratings, prove that.

It’s not just the WWE, as I stated above, it’s the entire industry that’s in a Transitioning Period. Just look at what is going on around the world of Pro Wrestling:

• Lucha Underground has stuck around for the last five years.
• New Japan has a presence on American TV on AXS TV (albeit not National or on all cable Providers).
• Dragon Gate did shows on American Soil for 6 years as Dragon Gate USA.
• Major League Wrestling is fast become a big time viable promotion.
• Many Small Promotion are going strong (United Wrestling Network, Future Stars of Wrestling, Evolve).
• NXT Exist and the WWE has working deals with Indie Promotions in the US and UK – which includes Evolve.
• The WWE Saudi shows.
• AJ Styles as WWE Champion???
• AJ Styles and Samoa Joe feuding in WWE?
• The Return to Prominence of the NWA?
• All-In
• FITE TV
• The Rise of AEW

Ask yourself these two questions:

Was any of this possible around 10 years ago?

Would any of this had been possible if WCW was still around?

Answer to both: NO.

Also, notice two big things missing from my list above: Ring of Honor and IMPACT Wrestling (TNA).

The reasons for their exclusion are simple. I do not believe this current transition period had any bearing on the formation or creation of either Ring of Honor or IMPACT. Furthermore IMPACT seems incapable of doing anything right or growing their audience even under new management and with great talent like Brian Cage. IMPACT was once a distant #2 to the WWE, and was at a time on the verge of rising up – but since that moment has only dwindled.

Ring of Honor on the other hand seems unwilling to try and spread its wings even after a successful MSG Event and being involved in All-In.

No, everything I listed above is a direct result of the Transition Period.

So, when did this current Transition Period start? Was it the end of the Monday Night Wars?

Nope. That was a Transition Period, but only a brief one. The WWE came out strong and burst out of the gate the winner. The wrestling world lost for a while, but righted itself thanks to a strong indie scene and the rise of the internet (YouTube, Internet PPV). And, yes, the formation of TNA and Ring of Honor.

This period is a little more recent then 2001, and has the opportunity to be a true Game Changer if handled right.

There are really three questions that come with this Transition Period, none of which have any definitive answer:

1) When did this period start?

2) Did it begin with the WWE, or is it affecting the WWE?

3) Will it be a boon, a bust, or end with the Status Quo intact?


1) It is hard to pinpoint when this transition period started. But I believe a possible point could be the original version of NXT. Remember that? The version that took over the WWE Version of ECW’s timeslot on Syfy? Best Forgotten, right?

I don’t disagree with that, but hear me out. This is the show were they had Pros (like the MIz) mentoring Rookies (Like Daniel Bryan). This show lead to the prominence of The Nexus – a faction made up of Indie Wrestlers.

It also lead to the Rise of DANIEL BRYAN. As The American Dragon Bryan Danielson, he was already a World-Wide (Indie) Super Star.

The reason I cite this as a possible point is that it was the first time in a long time – perhaps since their working deals with USWA and ECW – that the WWE directly acknowledge that Indie Wrestling Existed.

Consider this: How many TNA and ROH guys are in the WWE (NXT and Main).

One could consider OVW or FCW as possible causes when they were part of WWE Developmental, but I don’t simple because they didn’t have a direct impact on the WWE like NXT did. Most people didn’t know at the time that WWE had a development system.

Another possible point is a little hard to pin down, but still could be a launching pad for this Transition Period – even if many fans don’t consider this thing.

It’s this: The fact that many wrestlers can make a living doing this without the WWE even to the point of walking away.

Chris Jericho is a perfect example of this – though his name was sky rocketed by WCW and the WWE. But what about Austin Ares – a good damn MEGA-STAR who doesn’t need the WWE and left because he didn’t like how he was being used.

Neville?

Jon Moxley anyone?

Or how about the perfect example: Kenny Omega.

It’s also possible the damn PG Era and bad WWE Booking and shows caused all this.

Of course I have to mention the WWE Network and the minor success it has been, but has it backfired? Is showcasing WCW, ECW, WCCW, AWA, WWF and other promotions no matter how old caused many younger fans to seek out something similar. With the WWE product what it is right now, has this caused fans to turn to the Indies?

Either way this leads directly into . . .

2) Did it begin with the WWE, or is it affecting the WWE?

Following on many of the things I wrote above there is an argument to be made that it started with the WWE, and if it did than of course it is affecting the WWE.

Even if it didn’t it is obviously affecting the WWE.

Just look at where the WWE is: Bad Creative, Talent publically wanting out (ones that aren’t a work); Talent leaving; The WWE Network’s lack of grow and the tanking ratings hitting all time low points. Even if the Industry wasn’t in a Transition Period, the WWE itself damn-well-is.

And it seems to have no idea what to do, or even that they need to do something.

For the WWE the Transition Period is only going to extend – good or bad – once SD Live jumps to FOX.

But where it started, how it started – The WWE or not – is really a moot point. It’s across the whole industry. For here what really matters is what happens and where we go . . .

PART II – BOON, BUST or STATUS QUO

Next Monday, July 8th

 - Ace

BLOG RETURN ANNOUNCEMENT – JULY 1ST

The Blogs Are Back!

Starting Monday, July 1st with WrestleMentary!

When I originally announced this current Blog Hiatus, I said ALL my Blogs would return starting July 1st with WrestleMentary. Then, a few weeks later I mentioned pushing that return back to my Birthday, July 27th. Well, I’m changing that again and going back to the original plan: July 1st

As of Monday, July 1st the Blogs will return from Hiatus starting with Wrestlementary.

From there all the Blogs (except Wrestlementary) will return on the originally planned 2019 Monthly Schedule.

• Wednesday, 7/3 – THE BURNING MIND
• Thursday, 7/11 – THIS IS A TRUE STORY
• Friday, 7/19 – WHAT I WATCH I REVIEW
• Sunday, 7/28 – RAW FLESH
• Wednesday, 7/31 – STATE OF THE MASTER

There is no set posting schedule for Wrestlementary as their will be more than one monthly post. So the schedule will be more random. There will however be regular WWE Coverage focused around the time of PPVs or the dreaded “Super Shows.”

As for the rest of the year, the Blogs should follow the following schedule. Though, there may be times I post a little more often.

POSTING SCHEDULE – REMAINDER OF 2019

• 1ST Wednesday of each Month – THE BURNING MIND
• 2ND Thursday of each Month – THIS IS A TRUE STORY
• 3RD Friday of each Month – WHAT I WATCH I REVIEW
• 4TH Sunday of each Month – RAW FLESH
• Last Day of each Month – STATE OF THE MASTER
• WrestleMentary: Random Posts

See you July 1st,

 - Ace

The State of the Blogs May 2019

Okay, this State Of is going out across all my Blogs. It’s a companion piece to my State of the Master.

I am far behind on all my Blogs because of my shoulder, and at times – I must admit – myself allowing my shoulder issues to stop me.

I started this year with great plans, but didn’t . . .

As I wrote in my State of the Master Blog, effective immediately I’m in going into Focus Mode and Catch Up Mode. I have to do this.

Originally, the plan was to officially suspend until July 1st. But that has changed due to an emergency.
My dog, Zoie, had to undergo emergency surgery to be spade (which was never done) and remove a breast growth. She is recovering now, and we have found out the tumor was a low-grade cancer, but it has all been removed.

This was very stressful on her, me and Mom. So I put everything to the side to take care of the little girl. She is doing fine right now and gets her cone and stitches removed Monday, May 13th. I could do no less for Zoie as she is the one who got my mom the day I collapse in the back yard from the Aneurysm, if not for her I may have died. 

That said, I am now suspending the Blogs until their return on my Birthday: Sunday, July 27th. The day the Blogs will return with RAW FLESH . . . and move forward from there.

As originally stated I will try and post on the original 2019 schedule from that point on AND post on a Catch Up Schedule, posting all the stuff from this year that hasn’t been posted.

Yes, I will be writing, editing and prepping all the Blog Posts I have missed up to that point.

I’ll also be getting caught up on projects this year that I have gotten behind on.

This is the LAST Time I will be doing this and suspending the Blogs. It’s something I have to do, for myself and to move forward.

Later,

Ace Masters.

WrestleMania 35 Predictions

My Predictions

Well, all my plans got changes because of my work schedule and shoulder issues. I didn’t finished writing my Road to WrestleMania pieces and decided to let that go and just do my Prediction for the show.

To be honest I am not overly thrilled with this show and don’t expect much. I hope it may be on par with last year’s show, which is really asking all that much. I don’t seeing it being as good as Wrestlemania 33 (one of the best in years).

It feels put together on the fly, with no real idea of what to do going into the show, so we have to weight on sell.

With 16 matches on the card (Kick Off and Main Card combined), it already feels like overkill and dragged like, like last year’s card. Factor in rumors of a Rock appearance and a ‘surprise’ John Cena appearance and match, and it will drag on even more.

It’ like they are trying to put two show into one.

The matches I am looking forward to our: Orton v Styles, Batista V Triple H, Bryan v Kofi. The rest is iffy at best.

Ok, my predictions:

Kick Off Show
WWE Cruiserweight Title Match: Buddy Murphy (c) vs Tony Neese
My Prediction: Buddy Murphy Retains

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
My Prediction: Ron Gronkawski
Women’s Battle Royal
My Prediction: Mandy Rose

MAIN CARD
Kurt Angle vs Baron Corbin
My Prediction: Kurt Angle

Shane McMahon vs The Miz
My Prediction: The Miz

Randy Orton vs AJ Styles
My Prediction: AJ Styles

Batista vs Triple H
My Prediction: Batista

Roman Reigns vs Drew McIntyre
My Prediction: Roman Reigns

Raw Tag Team Title Match: The Revival vs Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins
My Prediction: The Revival

Women’s Tag Team Title Match: Sasha Banks and Bayley vs Nia Jax and Tamina vs Beth Phoenix and Natalya vs The IIconics
My Prediction: The IIconics


SD Live Tag title Match: The Usos vs The Bar vs Ricochet and Aleister Black vs Nakamura and Rusev
My Prediction: The Usos

US Title Match: Samoa Joe vs Rey Mysterio
My Prediction: Samoa Joe

Intercontinental Title Match: Bobby Lashley vs Finn Balor
My Prediction: Finn Balor

WWE Title Match: Daniel Bryan vs Kofi Kingston
My Prediction: Daniel Bryan

Women’s Title(s) Match Main Event: Rhonda Rousey vs Charlotte Flair vs Beck Lynch
My Prediction: Beck Lynch

That it. Just straight prediction, none of my usually breakdown or reasons. These don’t always reflect who I want to will, but who I think the WWE will put over.

I know Gronkowski isn’t schedule for the show, I just have a feeling.

Ace.

THE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA 35 PART 1 BAD, BAD WITH A PINCH OF GOOD

THE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA 35

PART 1

BAD, BAD WITH A PINCH OF GOOD

The raw and SMACKDOWN LIVE Paths to the Grand Stage.

Oh what a Rocky road it has been. I mean seriously, they were still announcing matches as of this past Smackdown Live? Sounds like they never had a plan in place, as this is way too late in the game.

Anyway, as I mentioned in my Wrestlementary Note (2nd Version), here starts my thoughts on the Road to WRESTLEMANIA! This was original post Monday on Facebook, it had been modified a little, with thoughts add on the Go-Home Suck

MONDAY NIGHT raw

The Path to WRESTLEMANIA

Thoughts and Comments on WWE’s Flagship show through the first quarter of 2019 and the Road to WRESTLEMANIA.

No, I have not misspelled raw above. When it deserved to be called RAW again, I will write it as RAW, but until then it is be known as raw here at Wrestlementary.

I am not going to bury the lead here, and I am going to get right down to it. Leading into the Royal Rumble I told friends, and posted online that I thought raw had turned the corner and was good. I thought it was finally out of its rut and back on track.

Then the Rumble hit, then came the crash. Usually this time of the year (WRESTLEMANIA Season), is when the WWE steps up its game and puts forth all the good stuff – an entire year’s worth of good stuff.

Someone seems to have forgotten to tell Vince and crew that WRESTLEMANIA is only days away, which was very evident with the Go Home raw.

Really Average Wrestling might be a step up at this point.

I mean, let’s get serious. Each week for months now we have been getting the some old routines, and they’ve even brought in older routines.

In writing formula and structure are king – but the WWE has forgone trying to structure RAW and has kept slogging forward with the same tired formula.

The proof is there for everyone to see. Attendance is down, that is plain to see. Just look at the empty seats on raw and SD LIVE on TV, or pay close attention to what camera angles they DON’T show. Then there are the ratings – soon to be so low they’ll bust through the bottom of the tank.

How many times can they keep screwing with the Revival and making them look like a joke?

How many times can we do the same segment with Elias?! Let him get in a performance, then maybe we can get him gone.

Why is Baron Corbin still dressing, acting and talking like he’s in Charge?

Angle?

Brock Lesnar being a No Show Champ and Heyman cutting the same damn promo every time desperately trying to keep Brock relevant?

In the middle of the so-called Women’s Evolution, why are we still getting meaningless matches? We had better, bigger and more impactful matches BEFORE the Evolution PPV then we have had since. Yes we have the Tag Titles, but what is really being done with them.

The same feud that was going on before the titles came to life at the Elimination Chamber is the same feud still happening now.

I now I am spewing a lot of Heel talk here, but it is all true. Think about it . . .

Think about the reactions Rhonda Rousey is getting. Not her reactions, the crowd’s reactions to her. Their Booing. In her own home town none-the-less. It’s obvious that the WWE Universe doesn’t want her there, and more obvious she’s partly being pushed because of that.

Batista. Batista is back, doing a piss poor segment where he supposedly beat up Flair and calls out Hunter. Since then simply demanding “Gimmie what I want!”

Hunter and Batista at WRESTLEMANIA? I like the match, not the build, but we should have something fresh for WRESTLEMANIA.

See older routine.

Let’s not forget the debacle of Becky Lynch versus Rhonda Rousey at WRESTLEMANIA . . . I mean Charlotte Flair versus Rhonda Rousey . . . or is it Flair Versus Lynch . . . or Lynch versus Flair versus Rousey . . . has Rousey won yet? Isn’t Lynch suspended? Or is it injured?

I forget, correct me if I am wrong . . . didn’t Lynch win the Rumble?

Over booked, overdone, badly written and buried into the ground. If not for Lynch, would anyone care? Do they now?

The McMahon promise. Wasn’t there a promise that things were going to change? Didn’t they scrap the General Manager idea for something better? (Them in control) Didn’t they promise new talent?

Has any of that happened? Isn’t the change just the McMahon’s back to pushing their weight around blatantly, rather than through a lackey? Isn’t what we have now, the same thing we’ve always had?

As for new talents: I like the idea of calling up talent from NXT – but let’s face it NXT is the WWE. How about some actual new talent: HAMMERSTONE anyone? Chris Evans? Funnybone? Tyler Bateman?

Except for Ricochet and Allister Black, why would anyone want to come up? Sanity anyone?

If it’s not bad enough that creative and booking has failed, so have talent. Match quality has been failing, and I don’t mean short TV Time matches. I mean a lot of matches have not been good. Some have looked very amateurish, like talent just going through the motions.

In some cases they come off like poorly done, bush league indie never-been-trained put on by friends for laughs, type bad.

I went there. I mean it. Move on.

Okay, so now it’s Face time.

Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins is generally the good part of Monday Night, on the mic and in matches. He’s the one consistent there is right now, and rightfully so who raw should be built around.

Finn Balor is also part of the ‘pinch of good’ WWE has, but how he is used is terrible. Talent, mic skills, looks, popularity and merchandize sales are all there. The question I have is this: is his height really what is keeping him back?

Probably, which sucks. Height is one thing no one can do anything about, it also has no bearing on how good, tough, strong or athletic an athlete is. Look no further than Gymnasts, or featherweight boxes or MMF Fighters for proof of that.

Ok, let’s go straight into the NXT Call ups of Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Ricochet and Allister Black! Whether they are ‘New’ faces or not, they are a much needed positive injection into Monday Night raw.

Unfortunately, raw has stopped using Gargano since Ciampa is injured, which I don’t understand. Are you going to actually tell me that raw couldn’t benefit by Johnny Wrestling’s presence?

How odd is it that Allister Black is one of the shinning lights on raw? He and Ricochet have set raw and Smackdown Live on fire. Who would have thought that these two would become the Tag Team of the Hour? They are dynamic and have a chemistry rarely seen.

JEFF JARRETT! J E DOUBLE F J A DOUBLE R E DOUBLE T

Jeff Jarrett, with Road Dog, has been the Highlight of raw so far this year. YES, this may come under the ‘Older Routine,’ but it was done right, keep short and didn’t really take up to much time or anyone’s spot. In fact it was used to help build up Elias and ‘pass-the-torch.’

JEFF JARRETT! J E DOUBLE F J A DOUBLE R E DOUBLE T

BETH PHOENIX!

Does anything else in the Women’s Division matter? The Glamazon is back! Even if it is just one WRESTLEMANIA match, the Glamazon is back!

Older routine? Yeah. Am I being a hypocrite? Does it matter? BETH PHOENIX!!

GO HOME raw

Terrible show for a Go Home PPV. For any PPV. It should have lead straight into WRESTLEMANIA, but it really didn’t, it just slugged along like normal. I barely remember what the Main Event was. Corbin versus Mysterio I think? How does Mysterio’s involvement help build to the Angle/Corbin match? Shouldn’t the use Mysterio to build to HIS match at WRESTLEMANIA?

Can anything help build the Angle/Corbin match?

There were really only three good things on raw that lead into WRESTLEMANIA.

1. The Opening Segment with Heyman, Brock and Seth, which saw Seth finally get the upper hand – and probably foreshadows his loss at WRESTLEMANIA. Hopefully it won’t be typical WWE booking.

2. Batista’s Promo. BEST. BATISTA. PROMO. EVER. “Kiss my ass, Hunter.”

3. Flair, Lynch, Rousey brawl, cops hits, everyone cuffed and hailed off to Jail. YES, they finally did something interesting other than a screw job swerve.

Oh, and we also learned that the Revival is the greatest tag team in the world who can’t win a match.

Sad.

For the quarter:
Male Wrestler of the Quarter: Far and Away Seth Rollins.
Runner Up: Finn Balor

Female Wrestler of the Quarter: I almost want to say there isn’t one. No one has really stepped up in ring on raw. Becky and Charlotte haven’t wrestled enough on raw to really be considered. Just by default I have to go Rhonda Rousey, and not because she is (which she could be), but because the WWE is pushing her as that.

Match of the Quarter: Finn Balor’s Gauntlet run to win his Universal Title shot at the Royal Rumble.

Highlight of the Quarter: Jeff Jarrett.
Runner Up: Beth Phoenix’s return.

Final thoughts: We know the WWE can do better, and it has.

I could go on, and on, and on, but I am not going to. As I wrote in my Note, this is not an attempt to get caught up, but is a general overview of what we have been presented this year.

There is far more – good and bad – then I want to touch on here, and I’m sure most of it would be repetitive. The sad fact is, none of this is hate. I love pro-wrestling. I love the WWE. I want it to be better and good. I want REAL AWESOME WRESTLING . . . But . . . this is all true.

SAD.

WWE

PAST PRESENT HOPEFULLY FUTURE

AND NOW!!

THE SMACKDOWN LIVE

PATH TO WRESTLEMANIA

Unlike raw, SMACKDOWN LIVE still gets to be called SMACKDOWN LIVE.

It is still the better show, the A show, raw’s the C at best show.

As it has been for the last five years or so, SMACKDOWN LIVE is still the better show of the two, even if some of the criticism toward raw can be leveled at SD Live as well.

SD Live is the better show because it has a:

World Champion in Daniel Bryan that actually shows up and does his job, even if he does it in the most annoying way possible.

It has a far superior Tag Team Division. (Seriously, why does RAW have Tag Team Champions?)

I would give the Smackdown Woman’s Division the edge, because it is arguably better utilized.

I think SD male roster may be deeper and better utilized, look no further than the Elimination Chamber match for that. Notice there was no raw Chamber match. And when Ali unfortunately went down, Kofi was slid it with any loss of talent or ability.

Can raw do that so seamlessly?

Maybe, but not likely.

On SD Live, creative has been better, the angles have been better, and talent has been booked and used better. Well, for the most part – unless you’re Sanity, or The Good Brothers . . . or Primo . . . maybe Shelton . . .

Smackdown is often the mirror image of raw, where raw is structure-less, with a failed formula, Smackdown Live is vibrant with good structure and a solid formula. It seem like on Smackdown they know what they are doing.

Here’s a point that I believe backs me up: Vince is on Smackdown heading into WRESTLEMANIA, not raw.

The best thing about Smackdown though is: The Matches. Far and away better – usually.

However, it’s not all bright and cherry, Smackdown is failing on some front as well.

The Bar Anyone? How do these guys go from Champions to Jobbers? Oh, wait, Nicholas and Shane McMahon. Right. These guys are better than this, and now that can’t beat anyone.

The Good Brothers, Sanity, Primo and other top great talent are never used. Ever. Gallows and Anderson are awesome and have never been used right. Eric Young is to notch and should go on a heel rampage. His title run in TNA/Impact was the best in years – reproduce that on Smackdown Live and you’ll have a winner.

But no, what do we get? Shane McMahon teaming with the Miz. I love the Miz, but I hate this. I truly hate this. Shane has no business in the ring, yet we have Sheamus and Caesaro jobbing to him. And he’s performing at WRESTLEMANIA again! Wasn’t he the one who was all about opportunity, new talent and new matches?

Is this any of that? No.

Is it good for the Miz? No. Terrible. Yes, he’s on WRESTLEMANIA when others aren’t, but he shouldn’t be doing something more meaningful, like going for a title.

And let’s not forget the bull crap of throwing Asuka under the bus to push the Lynch, Charlotte, Rousey main event. Way to take Asuka down, again.

GO HOME SHOW

Once again, SD Live shines where raw – you suck, you suck. The show mostly revolved around setting up WRESTLEMANIA.

Shane/Miz, Orton/Styles, Kofi/Bryan were all set up with segments, while we saw a very weird 18 person intergender match that was a preview of both Battle Royals. There was even a new match announced: Usos defending the Tag Titles in a fatal four-way.

Hey, raw, this is how you do a Go Home Show.

Overall, Smackdown Live is still the stronger show, but it has dropped as well, and ratings are showing that.

For the quarter:
Male Wrestler of the Quarter: TIE – Mustafa Ali and Kofi Kingston

Female Wrestler of the Quarter: As with raw, I have to by default say Asuka – even if they jobbed her out to Charlotte, again.

Match of the Quarter: The Pre-Elimination Chamber Match gauntlet match.

Highlight of the Quarter: The rise of Kofi.

Final thoughts: My final thoughts on raw, I wrote they can do better. Here is where they do better, but they can still step it up.

WWE

PAST PRESENT HOPEFULLY FUTURE

NEXT

THE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA 35

PART 2

THE PPV HIGHWAY

Wrestlementary Note

Well, my plans for Wrestlementary (and other blogs/projects) have been derailed again this year. I won’t detail why here, that will be in another upcoming post.

Also, this Note was meant to go up this past Sunday, but once again my plans were derailed. Why? Because I was locked of my blog account! I only regained access early Thursday morning. I don’t believe it was hacked, I just couldn’t get it.

Because of that, the original version of this Note and of my RAW 1st Quarter Thoughts were posted on Facebook Sunday and Monday. My original plan was to post something every day this week, with my Preview of Mania Predictions this Saturday. 

Obviously that has changed. 

With WrestleMania 35 looming over the horizon (just over three short days), I am going to write about the road to WrestleMania and get what I can up. If possible, I would have my RAW and Smackdown thoughts up tonight (Thursday), Royal Rumble, the Elimination Chamber and Fastlane thoughts up Friday and Mania thoughts up Saturday. If not, I will get what time allows. 😋

This is not an attempt to get caught up, but will be my comments, thoughts and general overview of what we have been presented this year – bad and bad, with a pinch of good.

I am going to leave this piece with this thought: I skipped watching three weeks of RAW and Smackdown after the Rumble (for a number of reasons). I am only caught up as of this past Friday (March 29).

I found that life went on, and I didn’t miss it.

Ace.

Royal Rumble 2019 Preview and and Predictions

Preview and and Predictions

As I posted on Twitter and Facebook yesterday, there is no monthly recap this week as planned because of time restraints on me this week.

But, HERE are my Previews and Predictions for the Royal Rumble, right here in my home town. The whole Wrestlementary Crew will be in attendance, and I will be doing a write up from first hand experience during this week.


















So, here we go:

THE CARD

KICK OFF SHOW

Cruiserweight Championship Fatal 4-Way Match: Buddy Murphy (c) versus Akira Tozawa versus Kalisto versus Hideo Itami

I am behind on 205 Live, so I am not sure of any current storylines or feuds, but I know these four men very well. My favorite performer of these four is Akira Tozawa, with my least being Kalisto. Buddy Murphy has really step it up and proved he is the real deal since last summer. Hideo, he doesn’t seem to be able to get anything really going.

All four guys are high athletic and very good, so I am expecting an exciting, fast paced match. Buddy Murphy’s penchant for power moves adds a different dynamic here, it gives him a slight edge in the match.

• Who Should Win: Hideo Itami – He needs the win NOW, otherwise his WWE career is a total loss.

• Who Will Win: Buddy Murphy – I think he’s put the work in, is in even better shape than he was and has stepped up on all fronts. I think the WWE will move forward with him.

United States Championship Match: Rusev (c) versus Shinsuke Nakamura

I am very interested in this match because of the Lana angle. Nakamura didn’t do anything on purpose to hurt Lana. We know that. Neither did Rusev. We know that. It was an accident. Though both blame each other.

I expect a great match that could steal the show (for Non-Rumble Matches). In the past on Smackdown they have had great matches.

I want Rusev Day, but I think Lana will be the tipping point, will she stay with her Husband, or will she turn?

• Who Should Win: Rusev Day should continue to light the way.

• Who Will Win: Rusev.

MAIN CARD

Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: The Bar (c) versus The Miz and Shane McMahon

NO. NO. NO! This match should not be happening! Smackdown Live has spent too much time building to this match. It’s embarrassing for the Miz, and Shane shouldn’t be in the ring. Period.

I’m scared the WWE might pull the trigger and put the titles on Miz and Shane – going against the whole ‘New McMahon Era’ promise. Remember WrestleMania last year? Strowman and Nicklaus.

• Who Should Win: The BAR – No Explanation Needed

• Who Will Win: The BAR (PLEASE!)

Smackdown Women’s Championship Match: Asuka (c) versus Becky Lynch

Becky! Becky! Becky!

SD Live has spent great expense and the proper time building this match. This is the MUST SEEE match from the Blue Brand. Hell, they kicked off SD LIVE two weeks in a row and started it off on Fire.

I don’t think Asuka would be champion if Becky hadn’t been injured. And she didn’t beat Becky one-on-one. In fact, I don’t think they have ever had a match (?). Both ladies are super talented, both sport dangerous finishers and both can have great matches.

I am expecting one here.

Asuka is the better striker, and perhaps has a deeper arsenal. Becky is better on the mat and has added more MMA to her move set. Becky’s advantage may be that she is the better brawler and can flip the switch to violence a little easier.

• Who Should Win: Becky Lynch

• Who Will Win: Becky Lynch – She’s too on Fire to Deny.

Raw Women’s Championship Match: Ronda Rusey (c) versus Sasha Banks

So far, A Moment Of Bliss have delivered on the scandal and controversy and as a stage for setting up feuds and matches. Nowhere is this more evident than Ronda calling out Banks on the first BLISS.

I know this is a match a lot of fans want to see and am expecting a great match. Me not so much, I like Ronda and as a Pro Wrestler she is so much better than she was last year – which is no surprise. Sasha, I personally think Sasha is average at best, who can have good matches with talent of equal or better skills. She is a damn good personality and good on the mic though.

I can see the WWE putting Sasha over Ronda for her first loss, I’m just not sure if Sasha is the right person. If it goes that way, I believe a Sasha pin fall victory would be better than Tap Out.

• Who Should Win: Ronda Rousey

• Who Will Win: Ronda Rousey

WWE Championship Match: Daniel Bryan (c) versus AJ Styles

Oh Man – Here it is for the fourth time The Indie Dream Match for the WWE Championship.

The first match was won by AJ Styles during the Crown Jewel controversy.

The second started The NEW Daniel Bryan movement and his hot run. But will the real AJ Styles step up?

This might be the most even match up on the card – and just like the Brock/Balor title match, Vince himself is smack dab in the middle, given the match an extra feel to it.

Daniel Bryan has truly gone total heel as he champ. AJ is showing his passion again chasing for the title. Who will win? But does it matter? Both guys have shown they can carry SD LIVE and do what needs to be done.

• Who Should Win: Daniel Bryan – to continue a hot heel run.
• AJ Styles – perhaps to keep him in the WWE?

• Who Will Win: AJ Styles.

Universal Championship Match: Brock Lesnar (c) versus Finn Balor

What an upgrade here. Finn Balor against Brock Lesnar is more compelling and has more avenues to what can be done with it, than Braun versus Brock, again. Brock’s brawn versus Finn’s speed. Brock’s skill versus Finn’s finesses. The Beast versus All Heart.

If they are allowed to go, then this could be an epic contest – which Finn is used to putting on and Brock badly needs.

The WWE and RAW need a change of guard badly – will this be it?

• Who Should Win: Finn Balor – Balor is the best chance, best choice and best hope for the WWE moving forward. He will bring in more ratings and give them more versatility in the ring and better creative concepts.
• Most importantly, he WILL BE THERE.

• Who Will Win: Finn Balor

I pose this question, after being laid out to start RAW, will Brock Lesnar be facing Finn Balor or The Demon King . . . Or, if WWE truly wants to make a massive statement and prove they are going to adapt and change: PRINCE DEVITT.


Woman’s Royal Rumble Match

I am not going to list all the competitors in this match. I don’t think the participants are fully rounded out and there are always replacements and surprises.

I do wish the WWE had built this match up better. Shockingly I think RAW has done a better job of building the Women’s Rumble then Smackdown has. Smackdown has seemed more content to build Asuka/Becky and just showcase Charlotte as the Defacto winner of the Royal Rumble.

That’s the one problem with this match, this year: It feels like it is set in stone that Charlotte is going to win. I don’t think anyone else has even been built up as a potential winner. Of course, Asuka or Beck and Sasha or Ronda could show up in the Rumble depending on the outcome of their matches and position on the card.

SMACKDOWN TOP FIVE TO WIN RAW TOP FIVE TO WIN
Charlotte Bailey
Naomi Nia Jax
Auska or Becky (if one enters) Ruby Riot
Carmella Natalya
Mandy Rose Ronda or Sasha (if one enters)

The most compelling in-ring confrontation for the Rumble coming out of RAW is still Natty and the Riot Squad. For SD LIVE is it Naomi and Mandy Rose. This storyline is the only reason I have Mandy as a possible pick.

• Who Should Win: Bailey – Bailey is floundering, she would benefit the most from winning. There are also greater creative possibilities with her. Is Sasha wins, would Bailey choose to face her Best Friend at Mania, or go the Smackdown Route?
• Or, imagine this: Bailey versus Ronda at Mania? The Hugger versus the Baddest Bitch On The Planet. Could Ronda bring out the edge in Bailey? Maybe a heel turn.

• Who Will Win: Charlotte Flair – We are talking WrestleMania here. I don’t think the WWE is going to pull the trigger and go with a shocker here. I think Flair versus Ronda is still the Mania.

Men’s Royal Rumble Match

As I wrote for the Women’s match, I am not going to list the participants.

Unlike the Women’s Rumble, I think the WWE has done a good job building this match – even if SD LIVE has lacked a little.

You can build up the Royal Rumble by having people announce that are in the Rumble, dueling back in forth on the mic claiming they will win the Rumble, and – best of all – tease confrontations in the Rumble itself.

So far, at least half a dozen guys have announced they will WIN the Rumble.

As for confrontations, the WWE has built up the possibility of many: there could be a moment where Rollins and Ambrose are in the ring alone. We could see the AOP dominate then face off against Heavy Machinery.

Of course there are storylines that seem to have no implications for the Rumble that could pay off. Think of this: After the RAW Go Home Show Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins could team up in the Rumble to make an impact and move on forward reteamed and gunning for the Revival.

That is how you build the Rumble.

Of course, RAW seems to be building the Rumble around the possibility of Drew McIntyre humiliating everyone.

SMACKDOWN TOP FIVE TO WIN RAW TOP FIVE TO WIN
Samoa Joe Drew McIntyre
Andrade Dean Ambrose
Rusev Seth Rollins
Nakamura Apollo Crews
Byan or AJ Styles (if one enters) Brock Lesnar or Finn Balor (if one enters)

How Awesome would it be if Apollo Crews won? But again, I don’t think they’ll pull that trigger.

Samoa Joe, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre are the best picks – but I’m not sure how the WWE views Joe since he has lost all his title matches.

• Who Should Win: Samoa Joe – Have Joe win, go on a tear to prove himself, and take the title from Lesnar at Mania (if he still has it).
• Seth Rollins – He’s too hot not to give it to him, and he’s turned it up. Imagine if Finn wins, we could get Rollins/Finn at Mania.
• Drew McIntyre – It’s time for the Chosen One to not be the Future, but become the Present.

• Who Will Win: Drew McIntyre

FINAL COMMENTS:

Across the board this is a stacked card and any of these matches could steal the show. It would be nice if for once in the last few years of the ENITRE PPV stole the show.

Expect to see my commentary on the Rumble (and perhaps the month of January) by next weekend.

Later

Ace Masters.

NXT TAKE OVER - PHOENIX

NXT Takeover – Phoenix

When: Saturday, January 26, 2019

Where: Phoenix, Arizona

Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena

This is NXT Takeover, right here in Phoenix and I (along with Wrestlementary Crew Member Dave Parrish) will be in attendance.




Honestly, I cannot give a full breakdown or Preview of TakeOver because I am so far behind on NXT and only watched the last two Episodes to gear up for being at the show – which will be the fourth NXT show held in Phoenix, and the fourth I have attended.

I can, however, list the card and give my predictions.

THE CARD

As of January 24, 2019

Matt Riddle versus Kassius Ohno
Chris Hero has always been good. Kassius Ohno seems stuck in a rut and never able to break out.

Matt Riddle is legit, nuff’ said.

• Who should Win: Matt Riddle – At this point he is the better bet, with the brighter future.
• Who Will WIN: Matt Riddle.

NXT North American Championship Match: Ricochet (c) versus Johnny Gargano
At one point Ricochet was considered the best in the world not signed to the WWE. And since signing, he has stepped it up even more.

Gargano has found his grove in NXT – becoming better than he ever was before.

This match should be the Highlight of the night.

• Who Should Win: Either Guy.
• Who Will Win: Ricochet

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: The Undisputed Ear (c) versus The War Raiders
Wow, the Ring of Honor lineage is thick in this match. Who would have ever thought we’d see this in WWE and NOT in ROH.

• Who Should Win: The Undisputed Era – it may be too soon for War Raiders.
• Who Will Win: To the winners goes the spoils of war – The War Raiders.

NXT Women’s Championship Match: Shayna Baszler (c) versus Bianca Belair
I am not sure about this, she’s good, but is Belair ready for Baszler?

• Who Should Win: Shayna Baszler
• Who Will Win: Shayna Baszler

NXT Championship Match: Tommaso Ciampa (c) versus Aleister Black
I just recently watched their first match, and I am stoked for this. This is one of those matches where I don’t care who wins.

• Who Should Win: Ciampa – because it’s time for Aleister Black to rock the Main Roster.
• Who Will Win: Vengeance will not be denied – Aleister Black

There we go, those are my thoughts on NXT TakeOver Phoenix. Brief, to the point because I’m not totally up to speed on NXT, but I will be.

That’s it.

Later,

Ace