RAW 300 - 8/8/2016 Broadcast

300

8/8/2016 Broadcast

WOW.

We are three weeks into the WWE New Era. This is the first edition of the newly rebranded and renamed RAW 300 here on the Wrestlementary Blog. I’m not just sure this broadcast of RAW is worth writing about.

Once again we started the show with almost an hour of Enzo. Even Jericho AND KO couldn’t save this. I know Enzo and Cass have their fans, I just don’t know why. Stupidity is not entertaining. The best thing I can say about the opening hour is that it was mind-numbing.

The show never recovered. It was back stage, promo and comedy heavy, with actual matches being an after-thought.

The only real highlights of the night were Seth Rollins’ promo and the Sheamus versus Cesaro rematch.

Everything else fell flat, and seemed like nothing more than worthless filler. I mean, seriously, Anderson and Gallows are now a comedy duo? What a waste.

We have Summerslam coming up in two weeks, and except for Rollins’ promo, a couple of video packages, a piss-poor Rusev/Reigns angle, Sasha’s win over Dana and a Tag Tile Match announcement little was done to build to the show.

The main event segment saw Foley and DB pander and bicker, and Foley abuse his power by making a US Title Match between Rusev and Cesaro after both interrupted the pandering.

I wrote in my State of the WWE this past Sunday that the more things change, the more they stay the same. This broadcast was exhibit A proof of that.

This was the same kind of lame, talk heavy, poorly booked RAW we were receiving for most of this year BEFORE the Brand Split and the New Era.

This Broadcast was what I call FFW; Fast-Forward Worthy.

State of the WWE - 8/6/2016

My initial statement on the State of the WWE would be:

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.

From Shane McMahon’s return to the Draft and the New Era – what has really changed? Not Much, honestly.

The Brand Draft and New Era may have given us the best RAW and SMACKDOWN of the year the week after the Draft, but the next week – well, right back to the same old.

Shane McMahon’s return was an epic moment. I loved it. I was glad to see him. It wasn’t just WWE epic either, the mainstream world went ape as well. The prodigal son had return, hope had come with him.
Many believed Shane’s return was the beginning of the WWE turning the corner and getting back on the path to glory. Indeed many hailed his return as the return to glory.

Shane was back to secure the McMahon legacy for his children – the next generation. A legacy he believed Stephanie and HHH were destroying. He wanted control of RAW.

Shane literally took a leap of faith to gain that control, and failed. Even though he lost to the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, he was still given what he wanted, RAW – for a time at least.

This is a major problem with the WWE – stipulations never adhered too. Even if it was a popular decision, it was a decision that showcased one of the many problems – piss-poor writing, and something worst: Acting like the fans would never noticed, and that they don’t remember what happens week-to-week.

Truth be told, Shane in control was no different than Stephanie in control. Only this time Shane was the face, flaunting and abusing his powers to benefits the face wrestlers. He was the Authority going for Cheers, not jeers. Just how any times did he screw over KO and his ‘contractually obligated’ IC Title rematch?

It amazed me how many people thought a McMahon family feud would be new, groundbreaking and invigorating. Yeah, this was never done before.

Shane’s return and the loose feud between him and Stephanie lead us directly into the announcement of the Brand Split and the Draft – and the claimed “New Era.” Am I the only one who remembers they did this 15 years ago after the buyout of WCW? And that at that time it was done to create competition between RAW and SMACKDOWN – and handle a larger than normal roster? Am I also the only one who remembers that it really never worked?

For weeks they teased the draft – with claims that nothing would ever be the same, tag teams would be split up, we would never see certain matches. In particular they pushed on both RAW and SMACKDOWN, and at BATTLEGROUND that we would never see Sami Zayn versus Kevin Owens again.

Did any of that happened? Hardly. Zayn and Owens are on the same brand, and are sure to cross paths again. The week before the draft they announced that tag teams would be drafted together. Yes, the Wyatts were split up, but Bray and Rowan are on Smackdown. Expect Harper to return on SMACKDOWN and the original Wyatt Family to be reformed.

What they claimed would happened, really didn’t. Fin Balor and American Alpha drafted? GREAT.
Nai Jax, Mojo Rawley, Carmella, Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie? Draft fail.

How can the NXT portion of the draft be called a success when Asuka, Aries, Bayley, Joe, Nakamura and Roode are still in NXT? It can’t be.

Yes, Apollo Crews and Fin Balor are getting titles shots at Summerslam, but is that enough?

We are also getting Styles v Cena . . . a match we were told we would never see again. Plus, Brock v Orton, a match from over a decade ago.

The RAW and SMACKDOWN after the draft were excellent, both the best shows of the year for their Brand. The week after, back to the same old routine.

Nothing has changed. Hell, Bray made his own match on SMACKDOWN – inmates still run the asylum.
All that has been done is a rotating of the players, and making them exclusive to one show. The people making the decisions, those writing the show, are still the same.

Think of it this way: You have a problem with your car. The axel is broken, and the steering is misaligned.

You take it into the shop right? Of Course. Their fix: Rotate the tires!

That fixes everything, right? Yep. Drive off the lot, tires rotated, feeling good, until the car veers off the road into a ditch. Steering still isn’t work and the axel is still broken.

The Draft didn’t fix the issues, it just rotated the pieces. Those pieces aren’t even the problem. In truth the WWE doesn’t even need an overhaul, everything it needs is there.

The first post-Draft RAW and SMACKDOWN proved this. When creative wants, and talent is on the same page, they can put out great shows.

The truly sad thing is, the WWE can put out good shows with what they have in place right now – even with what seems at times to be a poor creative team.

They just don’t.

STATE OF THE WWE: MEDICORE AT BEST.

State of Wrestlementary 8/1/2016

Wrestlementary is back as of this posting. I won’t recap here why the blog was quiet, you can read the good reasons (for me) on my July State of the Master Blog (http://thestateofthemaster.blogspot.com/2016/07/state-of-master-732016.html).

While I still have a lot of other things to do, I can now dive into Wrestlementary again.

Wrestlementary will be undergoing some changes as it pertains to my (Ace Masters) writing schedule. This is a schedule that should allow me to write on a regular basis. This schedule is different than the one mentioned in my linked State of the Master.


Weekly:

Tuesday: The RAW 300 – where I will give my thoughts on RAW in 300 words

Wednesday: The Smackdown 200 – Smackdown thoughts in 200 words.

Thursday: The NXT Brief and CWC Flash

Friday: The TNA 200 – TNA Impact thoughts in 200 words.


Monthly:

Even though I plan the above weekly schedule, my main focus will be on monthly pieces. The weekly pieces will be shorter and more concise where the monthly pieces will be more comprehensive, as follows.

WWE: As it stand now, I will post my monthly WWE piece on the Friday after each monthly PPV. That way I can cover the PPV and the fall out. If the rumor is true and the WWE goes to bi-weekly events, I may change this accordingly. But for now, once a month on the Friday after each PPV.

NXT: I will post my monthly NXT piece on the last Saturday of each month.

TNA: I will post my TNA commentary on the last Sunday of each month.


I plan on keeping to this schedule as much as I can, if need be, I may switch to the monthly only schedule.

Lucha Underground is not on this schedule because the season is over. Once season three begins, it will be added. ROH is not here because I do not get it in my area, but I may – when I can – join ROH’s website. If I do, it will be added.

This Schedule begins next Tuesday, August 9th.

For this week expect a State of the WWE (Friday), State of NXT (Saturday) and State of TNA (Sunday), plus my thoughts on this past weekend’s Arizona Wrestling Federation’s epic Summer Explosion event.

Also, be prepared for the return of the Diva Dish! And hopeful for the return of Dave’s Battle Axe!

One last thing, a quick word on what Wrestlementary is.

This is not a review blog. You will not see a blow-by-blow 3000-words recap of RAW, Smackdown or any event. There are plenty of those out there. This is also not a news only blog, there are plenty of those that present the same news over and over. Although there will be reviews and news posts

This is a site were we focus on presenting commentary, opinions, thoughts and editorials.

And if you don’t like that . . . well . . . I have one word for you:
SO?

Ace Masters

Road to WrestleMania Part 9 - The Predictions

I have spent the week previewing WrestleMania and broke down each match. I am not going to repeat that here. Now, it is time for just the straight forward predictions.

I do need to make an update here. When I started writing these pieces the Andre Battle Royal was listed for the Pre-Show, now it is listed on the Main Card where it should be.

Pre-Show:

US Title: Kalisto (c) versus Ryback
My Pick: Ryback

Total Divas versus B.A.D. and Blonde
My Pick: Total Divas

The Usos versus the Dudley
My Pick: The Usos

WrestleMania

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
        My Pick: Social Outcasts

The New Day versus The League of Nations
        My Pick: The League of Nations

AJ Styles versus Chris Jericho
        My Pick: The WWE Universe – AJ Styles

IC Title Ladder Match: Kevin Owens (c) versus Sami Zayn versus Dolph Ziggler versus Zack Ryder versus Sin Cara versus The Miz versus Stardust
        My Pick: KO

Divas Title: Charlotte (c) versus Becky Lynch versus Sasha Banks
My Pick: Sasha Banks

No Holds Barred Street Fight: Dean Ambrose versus Brock Lesnar
My Pick: Dean Ambrose

Hell In A Cell: Shane McMahon versus The Undertaker
My Pick: The Undertaker

World Heavyweight Title: Hunter (c) versus Roman Reigns
My Pick: Hunter

* * CHECK OUT THE NEW WRESTLEMENTARY LOGO COURTESY OF WES KOZALLA* * 

The Diva Dish - by Wes Kozalla - THE MANIA EDITION

Yes, this edition of the Dish is late, but given the staggering implications of WrestleMania, Stephanie McMahon's comments on ESPN, and the spectacle we got in NXT Takeover Dallas, I had to hold off until now. We'll talk about the implications of Asuka's championship win, what Stephanie McMahon's comments mean for the future of women's wrestling and how what will probably happen with the looming triple threat at the Show of Shows may not be the best thing for business. Finally, you'll get the rest of my WrestleMania predictions.

(The new women's champ strikes a pose with another of Takeover: Dallas' big winners Shinsuke Nakamura. Source: @WWEAsuka twitter)

Stephanie McMahon appeared on ESPN this past Tuesday and talked about where women's wrestling in WWE's world of sports entertainment was headed.

“Our audience started a hashtag called #givedivasachance and it trended worldwide for three days on Twitter, because our fans want to see our female athletes positioned the same as the men. They want to see them in incredible storylines, they want to see the character development, and they want to see the incredible action that they are so capable of… So we started the Divas Revolution. It was a movement that was in sports anyway . . . Women’s sports in general is on the rise and it was time for WWE to get onboard.”

Smarks across the dirt sheets proclaimed failure when hasty booking injected Becky Lynch, Charlotte and Sasha Banks into the main roster's Diva's Division, but it all really started in NXT with Bayley's title win over Banks at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn. That could be the most important women's match in the history of WWE and may prove to be that in the history of women's pro wrestling in the United States. The next milestone, fittingly involved Bayley passing the torch to the most electrifying, theatrical and savage woman to ever set foot in WWE: Asuka.

The contest had a tough act to follow on the Takeover card, coming up after my personal current match of the year, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Sami Zayn, but they still managed to excite the crowd. Riveting chain wrestling, tough strikes and submissions kept the tempo up and interest going. While this didn't have the story behind it that Bayley's rivalry with Sasha had, this will hold up among Bayley's best matches in addition to being the international breakout moment for Japan's greatest active female pro wrestler.

Now that Asuka walked up the ramp champion--NXT's force of nature that made good on her implied promise to dominate all before her--what does the future hold for her and the NXT women's division?

(In addition to her strong connection with kids, great in-ring storytelling and never-say-die attitude, she also stomped a mud hole in Eva Marie, which will always get someone love. Source: eva-marie.com)

The most obvious issue with the women's roster, since Bayley's loss is a clear signal she's moving to the main roster sooner rather than later, is that there are no baby faces who look ready to step up to the plate beyond Asuka. Carmella comes to mind, but she may find herself joining Enzo and Big Cass on the main roster. Many of the current up and comers in the women's division are currently heels, such as Billie Kay and Peyton Royce. Both have shown in their careers before NXT they can certainly go in the ring, but after just beginning to find their personas shifting gears may be needed.

(Deonna Purazzo as fodder for Asuka. She's been getting some love in recent weeks from Full Sail crowds, but is it just the Blue Pants Effect?)

Deonna Purazzo has gotten a long look recently on NXT and the budding indie star even got some TV time before her match with Emma on the 3/23 edition of NXT. The problem is, she's currently in the "loved jobber" niche and it is unclear if WWE wants to commit to her beyond this role. On the heel side, The Empress of Tomorrow has plenty of opponents to feud with throughout 2016. Nia Jax, Emma, maybe Dana Brooke, should her improvement continue, and the emerging star power of Alexa Bliss promise some great championship matches in the months to come. Also, once WWE accepted Eva Marie is awful in the ring, they used general fan hatred of her to make her a great heel, look for her to piss everybody off going for that gold as well.

Now that a new champion has been crowned in NXT we finally get a WrestleMania match that treats the main roster Diva's Title as the most important prize the women of WWE can aspire to. While buildup through March has been pedestrian, with the usual "watch my enemy wrestle at ringside then kick her head in" set up on both Raw and Smackdown, there is no denying this match will be special. Anyone who has seen Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and the champ Charlotte wrestle each other in the past know that they will do everything they can to steal the show. This leads into my first prediction for the WrestleMania card and why WWE looks like they're going to let the Underdog win a little too early.

(Becky arm drags Charlotte to the mat on the March 28 edition of Raw. Source: WWE.com)

Becky has emerged since her loss to the Nature Girl at the Royal Rumble as the division's only true baby face. Even while her persona is still evolving beyond the chick in goggles, crowds are buying into her winning smile, never-say-die attitude, integrity and mad wrestling skills. The heel Sasha Banks earned crowd love by being underutilized and is still a tweener, really. WWE love to get their faces to the top of the mountain fairly quickly in the PG era unless your name is Daniel Bryan. Second, is note how the last two matches Charlotte appeared in were booked. Each of the champ's opponents got a one-on-one bout with her before WrestleMania. The Boss got a surprise pin victory over the champ as Charlotte was fixated on Becky at ringside. The Lasskicker was defeated. If history shows anything, it’s that whoever gets the short end of the stick on one of the go-home shows usually (and yes, smarks, that means most of the time not all the time) gets over on the PPV stage. I think Banks should win, since her star is hotter and she can be the great heel that Becky can chase for that elusive gold to Summerslam or perhaps beyond. That said, my prediction:

Divas Title Match - Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks: Becky Lynch. WWE doesn't get the art of the chase like it used to.

Now the rest of my WrestleMania picks. Despite the rash of injuries and haphazard booking, I'll have fun for my $9.99 this Sunday.

United States Title - Kalisto vs. Ryback. The Large Person Who Uses Lots of "Supplements" Who Vince Loves will win.

Ten Woman Tag Match - The Total Divas vs. Team B.A.D. and Blonde. In Brie Bella's final WrestleMania, look for the Total Divas to win out and for management to still not understand why Eva Marie gets booed out of the building.

Intercontinental Title Ladder Match - Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Sin Cara, Stardust and Zack Ryder: Zayn wins. Dirt sheets malign this bout and while I agree it is overkill I think this will be a lot of fun.

Tag Team Championship - The New Day vs. League of Nations: Sheamus and Barrett will emerge over the recently face-turned New Day, but look for Francesca II to give everyone a tune.

Andre The Giant Battle Royal - I honestly have no idea. It'll be nice to see some of the underappreciated at least show up on the card though.

McMahon Corporate Drama Hell In A Cell Match - Shane McMahon vs. the Undertaker: Shane McMahon. It doesn't make sense but it does, you know? Rest in Peace and thanks for memories, Dead Man.

Brock Lesnar vs. Dean Ambrose, No Holds Barred: Dean Ambrose. The stipulation almost gives it away. Since Lesnar has no need of momentum as he did in years past, Ambrose will get the victory no doubt making the most of the abundant lack of rules. This is the match I'm most looking forward to on the card.

AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho: AJ Styles will be the victor in my second most anticipated match of the evening. This could be another show stealer.

WWE Championship - Triple H vs. Roman Reigns: Reigns. Everyone will hate him, the stadium will implode. There needs to be some big swerve of some kind to save this one, although the match itself should be very solid.

Okay, again sorry the Dish is late. I hope it was worth it. And look for The Diva Dish again in a couple weeks (give or take) when I examine the fallout from Wrestle/mania and the implications for the women of WWE and NXT.

Mark out for Mania, I know I will . . . Eventually.

Road to WrestleMania Part 8 - WrestleMania Preview and Card Breakdown Part 6 - Roman for a Main Event people care about

I am in agreement with the massive amount of people who want nothing to do with this match. This is easily the most least looked forward to match in Mania history. On paper it is also the weakest Main Event in Mania history.

Roman is supposed to be the face yet he is constantly booed. His last beat down of Hunter went over badly with the universe. Fan just don’t like the guy.

Roman, has the look and is a good athlete. His spear is weak, and I’m still waiting to see his great power. His best move is the Superman Punch.

Hunter has cut heel promo and done everything he can to be the heel, yet in this feud the fans cheer him. And it has little to really do with Hunter.

Case in point: Hunter bets down Roman he gets cheered. Hunter wrestles Ambrose at Roadblock and is booed like a heel. This also has to do with Ambrose’s popularity – the fans want him there.

Head to Head, Hunter is the better wrestler and perform. Their size is almost even, with youth and speed given to Roman. Hunter is far better in ring then Roman, and can be the saving grace in this match, as the ring general.

Hunter doesn’t need a Mania moment, he’s had a number of these. A win doesn’t hurt or lose Hunter.
A win or lost doesn’t hurt Roman. At this point, with the fan reaction, nothing can really hurt roman. It’s not like the fans can booed him anymore.

More so then anyone on this card, Roman needs a Mania moment.

They have one chance to salvage Roman Reigns – that chance is Hunter. Roman and Hunter needs to put on a 5-Star match, showcase what Roman can do and how he can overcome the odds.

If not, than the best move if for Hunter to win and for another challenger to step up. It would not be good to have your FACE being booed at Mania because he won the match.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
It is WrestleMania, and the name WrestleMania itself may be enough to carry this card. It may be the only thing to carry this card.

Styles v AJ and Lesnar V Ambrose are the best match ups on this card, everything else feels like a Network Special or B-Level PPV.

I hope I am wrong and that everyone can step up and making this into a worthy WrestleMania.

Road to WrestleMania Part 7 WrestleMania Preview and Card Breakdown Part 5 Destruction of a Failure or Failure to Destroy

Shane McMahon returns has sent shockwaves through the WWE. Are those shockwaves enough to beat the Dead Man at Mania?

Will Shane be the 2 in 22 and 2?

And why is the Undertaker fighting for Vince? Because Vince says so? Maybe. But maybe there is another reason. Maybe Taker is just pissed at being used in a family feud. Maybe Taker is pissed that Shane seems to think he CAN and WILL beat Taker.

If Shane wins, he gets control of RAW and Taker can no longer perform at Mania. Basically putting Taker to rest, out to pasture and into retirement.

If Taker wins, he wins that is it.

Shane was never an actual pro-wrestler. He was the boss son who thought he was a bad ass and would risk his life to go after a guy. No knock on Shane. He has done some spectacular stuff in the matches he did have, and proved he was a good athlete.

But this Taker. The closet Talent the WWE ever nurtured that can come close to being the WWE’s Ric Flair. No one in WWE history is held in such esteem. He is also a massive enigma, always reinvent himself, adding new moves, learning more mat wrestling.

The Undertaker in 2006 is not the Undertaker from 1990. He is better – but not health wise.

Shane hasn’t had a match in almost a decade. Undertaker hasn’t wrestled a full schedule in almost a decade.

The real question is which outcome is best: If Shane wins, he get control of RAW, the Family Feud continues and rumor are we will have a brand division (stupid idea), and Undertaker if off Mania permanently.

If Taker wins, he wins and things stay the same. End of Story.

The other question is this: Is this how you send off the Undertaker?