WWE FASTLANE THOUGHTS and PREDICTIONS

Thoughts

Has RAW done a good job of building up FastLane? I really don’t think so. A good indicator of no is that I (and most people I know) had no idea of the card line coming out of RAW.

Yes, we know Roman versus Strowman, Neville versus Gallagher and KO versus Goldberg. But was anyone really aware of the Woman’s and Tag Title Match? How about Sasha’s match?

Not really.

Does anyone even know there is a cruiserweight tag team match? ???

The WWE’s focus this time of year isn’t on a ‘secondary,’ now RAW exclusive, PPV. It’s on Wrestlemania. It would probably be better for them to skip this PPV completely and just focus on building up to Mania.

Their Main Focus for this PPV seems to be Braun Strowman and really building him up. The second focus has been the Universal Title with KO carrying the load for a mostly absentee Goldberg (ala Lesnar).

Yes, they have built up to Bayley v Charlotte, but in the worst way. This should be a Mania Moment, not lost on the fast lane to Mania.

Thing is, this has the potential to be a good card, perhaps the best RAW Exclusive PPV in a long while.

I’m looking forward to it now that I remembered about it. WWE/RAW did such a good job, I almost forgot it was happening.

Predictions.

The Card:

Pre-Show:

Rich Swan and Akira Tozawa versus The Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar
Prediction: The Brian Kendrick and Noam Dar

FastLane

Sasha Banks versus Nia Jax
Prediction: Sasha Needs the Win, but I am going with Nia Jax.

Sami Zayn vs Samoa Joe
Prediction: Sorry Sami, Joe all the way.

Cruiserweight Championship: Neville (c) versus Jack Gallagher
Prediction: I’m sticking with the King

RAW Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (c) versus Enzo and Big Cass
Prediction: Gallows and Anderson (Dear Gods Please)

RAW Woman’s Championship Bayley (c) versus Charlotte
Prediction: The Queen Reigns.

Roman Reigns versus Braun Strowman
Prediction: Strowman – he is proving to be the better of the two.

Universal Title Match: Kevin Owens (c) versus Goldberg
Prediction: Goldberg. KO should, he is the better choice and long term. But the WWE want to Milk Goldberg versus Lesnar, if Goldberg loses here, that feud is over. Unless Lesnar interferes.

Ace

WRESTLEMENTARY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: WE'RE BACK & MANIA MARCH

How cool is this: back in January Wes and I talked about a special Glitter and Slam piece focusing on Beth Phoenix in the Royal Rumble. He wrote the piece. Then . . .

BAM!!! A month later Beth Phoenix is announced for the 2017 Hall of Fame! Awesome.

Effective today – March 2, 2017 – WrestleMentary is back to as full of a schedule as possible.

I mentioned him above, and right now I want to give a HUGE THANKS to WrestleMentary Crew member Wes for keeping the commentary going while I took some time away. That time is now over!

We are on track for WrestleMania! If you are a pro wrestling (or sports entertainment) fan, then you know this is OUR time of the year. The time when everyone in the world turns their eyes and ears to our beloved industry with the biggest event there is WrestleMania!

That is what we here at WrestleMentary are doing for the Month of March – it shall be Mania March at WrestleMentary.

Our focus will be targeted on the WWE for March as we march to Mania. In April, we will start commentary on other promotions again. The sole planned exception to this is an upcoming piece I am writing on the Arizona Wrestling Federation (AWF), or two.

For March expect to see 2016 Awards from each of the Crew members: Dave Parrish and his Battle Axe Awards, The Glitter and Slam Awards, and Ace’s Answer Awards.

Also expect Wes’s regular monthly piece, and maybe a special or two, along with a brand new Battle Axe from Dave.

As for me, Ace, don’t expect the following: I will not be doing weekly reviews of RAW and SD LIVE for March.

DO EXPECT to see a number of STATE OF pieces discussing the WWE, such as STATE OF RAW and SD LIVE, and WRESTLEMANIA, a personal non-WWE piece on AWF and other assorted pieces throughout March.

It is also planned for each of us to do our own pieces on WrestleMania!

I am also hoping that Mania March will see the return of WrestleMentary Crew member Chris Rose and his CJ’s Sight column! If so, he will provide us with his commentary on WrestleMania and NXT as once before.

And of course – as the fateful day looms, expect our preview and WrestleMania predictions.

We leave you now to deal with the Madness that is the Road to WrestleMania.

Ace.

GLITTER & SLAM: AFTERGLOW

In this edition of Glitter and Slam we examine the power of social media and other factors in Naomi's championship win and how the women of Smackdown are firing on all cylinders as RAW narrows its focus on one blockbuster feud.

GLOWING FOR GOLD

(Once part of the crowd, Naomi is now front and center. Source: DivaDeluxeX Tumblr)

Naomi surprised many by emerging victorious in her title match with the blue brand's resident bitch goddess Alexa Bliss. The new champ turned face as the brand split became reality and even without a storyline, she turned heads and compelled fans to pay attention. Her high energy, athletic move set and neon-infused entrance made that a certainty. Smackdown Live women were all booked for maximum exposure in whatever time was allotted to a given superstar. She last fought for the title at Backlash in the six-pack elimination challenge that crowned Becky Lynch, but garnered much fan love in the process. She wasn't as flashy on the mic as some of her peers and occasionally it looked like her timing was a little behind her athletic ability on some high spots, fans on Twitter and other social media steadily rallied for more of the Glow. They embraced her drive, genuineness and making the most of her opportunities.

(One look at her Twitter feed showed fan appreciation usually reserved for female talents with major pushes already in place. Source: @NaomiWWE Twitter)

Indications after Naomi's return to television demonstrated this was the first push WWE accelerated for the women’s' division based mainly social media adoration. While this an intriguing glimpse into using feedback beyond television ratings or current merchandise sales, other factors come into obvious play in Naomi's coronation.

She is from Orlando, the site of this year's WrestleMania and a hometown talent coming down the ramp living out the American dream with championship gold or in pursuit of it has always been too good to pass up for WWE and has been a common practice in pro wrestling for decades. Also, February is Black History Month and that is another obvious opportunity to showcase a woman of color as a world champion. The cynical side of this alignment of events is that her reign could end up brushed aside in the too-near future as a result of tokenism and a quick cash-in on timing.

WWE has not had a very good track record in its treatment of African-American talent over the years. The Rock's Hawaiian/Samoan heritage has been celebrated while overshadowing that he is the son of Rocky Johnson, one of the most popular black wrestlers of the 1980's. Both big pushes Rusev has received started with him essentially beating down every black talent on the roster before moving to his US championship reigns. These are just two examples. On the bright side, WWE has made huge strides in its treatment of female wrestlers across the board, and since Daniel Bryan's ascent in 2014, the company has shown genuine willingness to think outside its own box on everything from size to look or gender.

Also race did not appear to be an issue on Raw with Sasha Banks with roster injuries and other more pragmatic concerns emerging during her rivalry with Charlotte Flair. Guarded optimism is the order of the day with Naomi as she has the best chance at a fair shake to make good on her coronation.

(Little Miss Bliss gave her dastardly all before Naomi eventually claimed victory. Source: WWE.com)

Beyond the entertainment end, Naomi had her best match since the brand split in her victory. Prior to Elimination Chamber, she tended to mistime some high spots using the ropes, most notably in the inaugural Smackdown title match at Backlash. This time, fans were treated to her usual high energy impact style, but non-springboard moves from the ropes were less frequent. She was able to play to her strengths and show why fans are behind her while minimizing situations that show what she needs to work on in the ring. Alexa Bliss deserves credit as well for showing why she earned the nickname Five Feet of Fury. She is still the top heel and best mic worker among the women as she gradually continues to elevate her ring game. Whatever the future brings Naomi/Bliss is another exciting booking option in a robust division where everyone has something to do.

MAD SKILLS, STIFF HITS AND BATTLES FOR RESPECT

(Take notes in the back. Mickie James helps Becky Lynch painfully meet the canvas as past and present demand respect from each other. Source: WWE.com)

The brand's resident ring general Becky Lynch is out of the title picture for now, showcased in a great rivalry with the veteran talent Mickie James. In an era where some jaded fans can't care about a feud that doesn't involve gold, this pair is making two women demanding respect from each other a stage showcasing great wrestling. So far they have put on two wrestling clinics for the ladies in the back – first in a Lynch victory at Elimination Chamber, then keeping the ball rolling as James used her guile to score the "W" the following Tuesday on Smackdown Live. As this grudge continues to unfold, the women have a third feud that's bringing stiff hits and compelling hostility between Nikki Bella and Natalya.

(Whether on the ground or in the air, backstage or in the squared circle, Nikki and Nattie simply want to beat the hell out of each other. Source: WWE.com)

Nikki Bella was once symbolic of everything wrong with WWE's booking of women. Natalya was wasted for years in bad angles ranging from stupid to outright insulting. Recently, however, Nikki has found relevance in this new era and Natalya has been a prominent part of every episode of Smackdown. Sure, we all saw it coming when Natalya was the culprit in the "Who Bonked Nikki on the Head before Survivor Series" mystery and sometimes the Queen of Black Hearts had to overshadow some really corny stuff with her trademark skill in the ring, but its culminating in a fun blood feud right now. It's amazingly simple. Nattie hates Nikki for taking a spotlight she feels she deserves and from the personal to the pugilistic, it’s all about two women who want to beat the hell out of each other. The stage is set for an interesting Falls Count Anywhere match this coming Tuesday night.

The only woman not embroiled in a war on the canvas is Carmella, who keeps finding ways to stay on TV beyond her occasional matches with enhancement talents. The Princess of Staten Island has been showcased jerking James Ellsworth's chain, taking great delight in watching him bend over backwards for affections that only the audience and Carmella know will never come. In hours with a stacked roster including the likes of AJ Styles, John Cena and more, WWE can find something for everyone in the women's division to do in two hours. The booking of the 3-hour Raw is a different story.

IT'S (MOSTLY) ABOUT BAYLEY

(Star power and compelling in-ring storytelling has covered up the gaping holes in a thin women's roster for Team Red. Source: WWE.com)

As expected, Charlotte retained her title at the Royal Rumble as she and Bayley had a trademark solid match. They would follow that up with a rematch on the most recent Raw. No particular reason was ever given as to why Bayley would get another shot so soon – other than the obvious lack of depth in the back.

Sasha Banks is in the middle of her gradual heel turn, Alicia Fox has been relegated to arm candy for Noam Dar and Paige is still out recovering from a neck injury. Emma finally returned, then promptly left as 17 weeks of Emmalina buildup ended in less than five minutes with her leaving as simply Emma once again.

This one is a head scratcher as dirt sheets reports indicate a belief – whether by the company, Emma, or both--that Emmalina simply was not going to work. How creative could bungle her return on this scale is astounding. She was a solid heel upon her return from NXT and subtle shift in her grittier persona could have made her an excellent baby face if needed upon her comeback. The creative team simply dropped the ball. Moreover, the major players among RAW's women are all shoehorned into the same feud.

Sasha Banks demonstrated her outstanding professionalism and selling in getting Nia Jax over and one big step closer to becoming the rampaging beast she was meant to be. After two sound thumpings of a kayfabe injured Boss, she was nowhere to be found during the big title fracas that main evented Raw. If WWE really wants the Bossbreaker to become a major player, she needs to be more than a rampaging plot device.

(It's a weapon! It's a metaphor! It's both! After knocking out Dana Brooke, Sasha Banks puts the screws to her biggest rival and gets her best friend championship gold.)

Fortunately, the match was awesome. Bayley's best work on the main roster to date culminated in her first title win, punctuated by third party violence outside the ring. Charlotte once again proved that she will do whatever it takes to win. If her lawyer can't do it, she'll shamelessly cheat. If that doesn't work, she'll try to cripple her opponent. She chose the second option in Dana Brooke to return to her side and do whatever it took to make sure Bayley didn't beat the Queen. A rake to the eyes behind an unseeing referee appeared to cap off a diabolical plan, but The Boss was there to level the playing field. After dispatching Brooke, she used her crutch (which is apparently now the equivalent of Triple H's trademark sledgehammer as she wasn't using it to walk) to pop Charlotte in the chest and revel in her archrival's defeat.

(Huggles and warm fuzzies . . . for now. Source: WWE.com)

The story was certainly compelling, especially with Banks telling Charlotte prior to the match she would eventually reclaim the championship, but Banks could have gotten some measure of revenge against Jax with said crutch, instead of being a crutch. Nia Jax coming down the ramp for some jobber brutality, being cut down by a sneak attack strike against the back of her legs and some extra beating for good measure would not only keep Jax visible but also showcase Banks and her slow burn with a renewed fondness for brutality. All signs lead to the Boss stabbing her best friend in the back at Fastlane, but WWE simply cannot bank (get it?!) on the star power of half their women's division to keep things fresh beyond WrestleMania.

GEORGE "THE ANIMAL" STEELE (1937-2017)

On a final, more personal note, George "The Animal" Steele passed away this week at the age of 79. He was one of the favorite stars of my youth, eating turnbuckles and wagging his green tongue at his fearful opponents.

In 1996, at a convention in New Jersey, I was working with a friend selling collectibles at our table in one of the dealer rooms. Steele was signing autographs at meeting fans at his space across from us. As my friend took a break for lunch during the slow early afternoon, I was fortunate enough to spend time with George and talk with him for that hour plus pretty much one on one. He was a warm, friendly man, who was proud yet humble to those who enjoyed what he did in the ring for so many years. I felt blessed he treated the 20-something smark across the aisle as if he'd known him for years. I thanked him then, but I must thank him now too for the great memories.

Rest in peace, Mr. Steele

Next time in Glitter and Slam we will continue to examine the distaff division on both shows. Will Emma will ever come back? How long can RAW coast on three women? And can Smackdown Live keep up the solid booking in a two hour window?

Follow me on Twitter: @weskozalla

Follow Wrestlementary: @WrestlementaryTheTwitter

GLITTER & SLAM : THE RAGE INSIDE

In this edition of Glitter and Slam we examine the psychological aspects of Sasha Banks' current angle. We'll also take a look at what's happening in Asuka City and the Royal Rumble fallout for the women of Raw and Smackdown.

PRIDE OVER PAIN

Sasha Banks is on track for a heel turn leading into WrestleMania. The arc officially kicked off on January 31 edition of Raw as the Boss, ignoring any notion of common sense or strategy, refused to accept her defeat at the hands of Nia Jax on the previous night's Royal Rumble Kickoff show.

(Despite Bayley's friendly advice, Banks refused to let her reinjured knee slow her down, but what's going on within the mind of the Boss? Source: WWE Youtube)

From a creative standpoint, turning Sasha heel at some point can write itself. The Boss lives to be champion. Should Bayley win the title from Charlotte at WrestleMania, the quest for greatness could easily override friendship – a proven trope in professional wrestling. WWE creative is taking a different route, focusing on the internal.

(Banks gave everything she got, until she reinjured the knee against Jax on the Royal Rumble Kickoff. Source: WWE.com)

Ever since Banks lost the Raw Women's Title at Roadblock, her ego took a serious hit. Not only did the largest, angriest woman on the roster pull her punk card while on crutches, the former champion is a top level athlete who cannot rely on her body to do what she needs it to. She is hardwired to never back down and her pride was the fuel that demanded a rematch the next night on Raw, intriguingly, in light of an obvious injury that would slow her down.

Bayley pleaded with her to hold off until her knee healed, but a pensive Banks simply told her "I have everything to prove. Unlike some people, I am not okay with coming up short." After that verbal jab about Bayley's loss at the rumble to Charlotte, we next saw her later in the show heading to the ring. A dour Boss walked down the ramp with grim determination, indicating something darker at play within her mind as she awaited Nia Jax.

(Banks fought through the pain to once again give everything she had in a losing effort. Source: WWE.com)

Jax took every opportunity to work the injured knee as Banks refused to back down or submit even when any possibility of victory was gone. Bayley had to come to the ring to intervene as the giant continued her mission to cripple Sasha Banks even after the bell had rung. Banks never submitted before the timekeeper called for the bell. She laid in a heap semi-conscious from the pain but never tapped. This is where the angle gets interesting.

(The Boss defied reason and injury to combat the woman who wants to end her career. Source: WWE.com)

Banks only tapped out twice to Charlotte during their epic rivalry – both times during their Ironman Match at Roadblock. She tapped near the end of regulation and finally, to save her knee and live to fight another day, submitted in sudden death overtime, losing 3-2 and ending her third title reign. In Sasha Banks' mind, she was still in the ring at Roadblock, her face a mask of blood as she pounded the canvas in submission. She did not tap against Jax on Monday night. In a match that was strictly personal so soon after the Boss' fall from the top, this is the important part.

(Banks never tapped. Source: WWE.com)

The audience watched her bitterly walk into what amounted to an athletic suicide mission. Why? The apparent answer is that she had to bury any weakness she saw in herself for losing her title via submission – and not being able to give her latest challenger her just desserts the night before.

Another take, along with aforementioned blow to her pride, is that she doubted if her body could do it anymore, so she decided to plunge headlong into a fight she couldn't win, and if her knee blew out, she knew she went down a warrior in her last match.

(After getting Jax to unhand her best friend, Bayley helps a hobbled Boss to the training room. Source: WWE.com)

In other words, she would rather destroy her knee than live as a diminished wrestler who could no longer compete at the highest level. This is heavy stuff for scripting pro wrestling, but if you look back from this to Banks telling the world she did not "feel like a boss" any longer prior to Jax setting the feud off this makes sense. In her mind if she is not elite, she is nothing.

Now we just have to see how long before she turns her inner rage outward toward Bayley, who will most likely face Charlotte again for the title at WrestleMania. The only question left is when creative pulls the trigger: Will it be soon, or only after Bayley raises the championship in victory?

NAOMI MAKES HER STATEMENT

(Naomi gets some trademark hang time before putting away the champ. Source: WWE.com)

The women of Smackdown in the six-man tag match on the Royal Rumble Kickoff all got a chance to shine once again – especially Naomi.

Naomi returned to TV on Team Blue's go-home show for the Rumble stating she wanted Alexa Bliss' gold. Ever since the brand split, she has made great strides in her presentation and move set to carve a distinctive path and get noticed, even without a meaningful storyline going into 2017. Social media had noticed and she has a vocal contingent of fans who can't get enough. One visit to twitter on a Tuesday night makes that evident. WWE is noticing too.

(The return of Mickey James opens up yet more match-up possibilities for the women of Smackdown Live. Source: WWE.com)

After Becky Lynch lost her women's title rematch with Alexa Bliss thanks to Mickey James, the Lasskicker has been focused on the crafty veteran and making her pay. In some ways, it's a downer to see her excellent rivalry with Bliss on hold this soon, but seeing SD Live's distaff ring general in a dream match with an all-time great is too good not to book. Naomi's emerging popularity makes a title shot against Little Miss Bliss a great moment, as well as a challenge for both.

(While the match ended with the baby faces victorious, many more possibilities emerge for all the women of Smackdown Live. Source: WWE.com)

Bliss' improvement in the ring is a direct result of her feud over the title with Lynch, but she has yet to have an epic match in her WWE career. Naomi is in the same position, but her timing is much improved on her high spots since Survivor Series and her athleticism provides a good contrast with the champion's conniving heel style. After showcasing Lynch, Naomi, James and Bliss with Nikki Bella and Natalya, Smackdown one-ups Raw in overall women's booking again.

Raw is just now getting a second feud outside the title picture going, while Smackdown Live boasts not only a fresh title feud, but also good personal conflicts between Lynch and James in addition to Nikki and Natalya. The only woman not entrenched in these feuds is Carmella, and she is finding a way to always get on TV with James Ellsworth as her valet helping her cheat to win. As the Smackdown creative team has stepped up to give their wrestlers avenues to showcase themselves, the in-ring talent has met the challenge in NXT.

STRANGE TIMES IN ASUKA CITY

(It's still Asuka City, suplexes and all. Source: WWE.com)

Months ago, I cited the need for the women of NXT to step up and show they were a worthy stable to compete with their champion, the best female wrestler in the world, Asuka. Athletic and creative efforts in this direction bore their initial fruits at NXT Takeover: San Antonio. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay cemented their status as the top female heels in the brand. Their ring skills while solid, are still developing compared to the elites on the main roster, but both have made immense creative strides. If they continue to build on the match they had in Texas there will be some great television in store. The opponent that truly made this match her breakout, however, was Nikki Cross.

(Cross is the only woman to date that has been hardnosed enough to shut Asuka down. Source: WWE.com)

Cross built a solid technical resume wrestling as Nikki Storm in the UK and Europe prior to coming to NXT. In her first televised appearance as a high-energy baby face, she demonstrated her strength and skill, but was pretty much just a smiling grappler. Once she joined Sanity as the feral kid sister archetype of Eric Young and company, the gimmick fit her like one Lego to another. Early on we could see that she had the intensity to be the next plausible challenger for the Empress of Tomorrow beyond Ember Moon.

As good as the Fatal Fourway match was at Takeover, she at times overshadowed Royce and Kay, until the pair suplexed her through a table. Prior to that Cross showed us a character who may not have the skill of Asuka, but who could match the champion's intensity.

(Now that her compatriots are growing into a solid women's division, the possibility of Asuka moving to the main roster sometime in 2017 could be a tantalizing reality. Source: WWE.com)

Fearless and angry, she established herself as a top woman under WWE's brand umbrella. With the Asuka/Moon feud teased at the end of Takeover, look for Cross to get even more opportunities to showcase her gritty brand of athleticism with Moon, Royce, Kay, Liv Morgan, Mandy Rose and the rest as 2017 unfolds. Now the biggest question isn't who will step among the NXT women, but rather when will WWE bring Asuka to the big show? The personalities of the women's division are responding to the pressure.

Next time in Glitter and Slam we'll look at the Elimination Chamber card as well as keep an ongoing eye on the matches and creative direction for the women of WWE programming.

Follow me on Twitter: @weskozalla Follow Wrestlementary too:

Royal Rumble 2017 - The Road Begins

The Road Begins – Royal Rumble thoughts and prediction, and comments on RAW and SD Live for 2017.

I want to begin by saying that the Royal Rumble has always been my favorite match, even if the PPV overall have been lacking. Survivor Series has always been my favorite PPV when it was the Survivor format.

Ever since the winner of the Royal Rumble headlines WrestleMania, the Rumble has taken on an over-important meaning. It has also taking on a lesser surprising role. Usually an established main event star wins to set up a marque match.

Rarely does a mid-card or rising star win the match in any real surprise. Rarely is it used to build a new star. One could argue Roman Reigns, but he was already being groomed for that big spot.

This year is being promoted as the biggest star-studded Rumble in history, and it just may be. That could also lead to it being a massive let down. They are already setting the stage for what seems to be moments that will see long periods of two guys facing off. That has happened in the past, and rarely serves the Rumble well.

The good news is we may also see some surprised entrants, such as Samoa Joe and other NXT stars. Despite many rumors, it would be surprised to see Kenny Omega debut, but there is always a chance we may someone new to the WWE (and not an NXT star) debut. Maybe even a legend or two.

That is part of the beauty.

RAW AND SD LIVE
RAW and SD LIVE have both done really good jobs at building up to the Royal Rumble. Not just the rumble match itself, but the overall card.

RAW has put on its best shows since the Brand Split and have been fairly consistent. Still, the show has a long way to go to reach its once glorious past. The Road to Mania my help.

SD Live has been its usual good show leading into the Rumble, even if it is coasting right now.
Despite the good build, there is still one big drawback, the big stories going into the Rumble are essentially the same ones we had going into Survivor Series.

Jericho and Owens against, Reigns and Rollins. Rollins beef with Steph and HHH. AJ Style and Cena. Brock and Goldberg. Lynch and Bliss. This should be the place to END these feuds and build new ones toward Mania.

I wrote over about the Rumble being over-important. That is true. Is it more than just the Road to WrestleMania. The Rumble, its events and its fallout, set the stage for the entire year.


The Royal Rumble Predictions

The card looks solid, even without the IC Title or US Title defended on the show. The three matches on the Kick Off Show are all Main Card Worthy and are head scratchers as to why they are on the Kick Off.
There are only four non-Rumble matches on the Main Card, meaning that a lot of time will be devoted to the Rumble. It may also lead to longer matches, or a shorter show. It also leads me to think there may be some backstage segments and maybe an unannounced match or two.

Kick Off Show
Becky Lynch, Nikki Bella & Naomi vs Alexa Bliss, Mickey James & Natty
Winners: Bliss, James & Natty

RAW Tag Team Championship: Cesaro & Sheamus (c) vs Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Winners, NEW CHAMPS: Gallows & Anderson

Sasha Banks vs Nia Jax
Winner: NO Contest because Banks can’t continue.

Main Card
WWE Cruiserweight Championship: Rich Sawn (c) vs Neville
Winner: Swan by DQ

RAW Women’s Championship: Charlotte (c) vs Bayley
Winner Charlotte

WWE Universal Championship, No DQ: KO (c) vs Roman Reigns (Jericho in a shark cage)
Winner: KO

WWE World Title Match: AJ Styles vs John Cena
Winner AJ styles

Royal Rumble:
Seth Rollins – yes he will somehow worm his way into the match and win.
It not, Dolph Ziggler.

Yeah, I know, Dolph is a long shot, but people would love it. Personally, it would be the best way to go.

Ace.

Glitter & Slam Special: The Night Beth Phoenix Rumbled!

As with the rest of WrestleMentary, Glitter and Slam is gearing up for the Road to WrestleMania after the 2017 Royal Rumble. Until then, we'll take a quick look at a memorable moment in Royal Rumble history for Beth Phoenix – at a time when the women's division didn't matter that much in WWE.

Phoenix's appearance sometimes gets lost in accounts of the Rumble's history. Chyna was the first woman to enter a Royal Rumble, and the most recent female entrant was Karma (best known outside WWE as Awesome Kong) in 2012. Phoenix's entry may be the equivalent of a middle child, but she made a memorable moment out of her one minute and change.

CM Punk, in his Straight Edge Society phase, was staring down the Great Khali, hoping some evangelism to his cause could save him some pain. The Indian behemoth wasn't buying it and knocked Punk flat with a slow but powerful palm strike with a platter-sized hand. As he squeezed his opponent's head between said giant hands, an unexpected surprise charged down the ramp.

(Pucker up, Buttercup. Source: WWE.com)

Nobody saw it coming when the Glamazon's music hit, but she charged down the ramp all business and once she slid through the ropes, Phoenix stared down the giant Punjabi Playboy. Khali, being a gentleman, sort of, scooped her up in his arms to gently toss her out of the ring. As she went over the top rope, Phoenix wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard on the lips, using her weight as leverage to drag him over and down to ringside, eliminating him. By then Punk had recovered.

(Beth Phoenix usually paid the bills smashing other women into oblivion rather than using feminine charms on the opposite sex, but both worked. Source: Cauliflower Alley Club)

Phoenix didn't miss a beat and immediately charged Punk, decking him with one of the most vicious clotheslines I've ever seen a woman give anyone, let alone a man. She hoisted him upon her shoulders for more, but the Straight Edge Superstar found his opening when Zack Ryder joined the fray and hit her with the GTS before eliminating her. Sure, she wasn't there long, but in that brief window she ran the gamut from using feminine guile to her trademark brutal power to make people remember she was there. The lip lock stunt with Khali was a rare thing for her. Her persona celebrated her femininity simultaneously with her strength and skill as an athlete, but mostly she stayed out of the usual storylines that involved feminine wiles as an element.

Looking back, I wish she could be in WWE now, especially in the injury-riddled women's division on Raw. Picture her as the one out to put Sasha Banks in her place, or the first to come down the ramp and challenge Bayley's claim to the #1 contender's spot.

She may be the female Superstar Billy Graham of her era. She was epitome of what WWE wants in female talent now, but she emerged a little too soon, at a time when women who could wrestle were despotic heels, we were supposed to cheer for bikini models who couldn't and the Divas were lucky to get more than five minutes to tell a story in the ring.

Next time, we will look at how the Fallout from women's action in this year's Royal Rumble will bring the Road to WrestleMania into focus.

Follow me on twitter! @weskozalla #glitterandslam #wrestlementary

2017 State of WrestleMentary Part 1

2017 State of WrestleMentary Part 1

This is the State of WrestleMentary for the New Year of 2017!

For those who pay attention you will have noticed that WrestleMentary has been quite for the last month. This was by design (by me, Ace) and an unannounced break. We need it and the New Year was the best time for it.

You will also have noticed there were no year-end pieces from any member of the Crew. This was because we all decided – separately originally – that it would be redundant. Especially for the WWE. All we would have done is repeat what we have said for the last six month.

Here is a Brief WWE Year-End Piece: Brand Shit Failed. RAW Sucks. SD LIVE Rules.

The Crew and I have decided that we are going to try and turn WrestleMania Season into WrestleMentary Season and step up our commentary on Wrestling, not just on WWE but Pro Wresting in General, which means TNA, ROH, etc.

There are going to be format changes and some new ideas coming. My coverage of RAW and Smackdown is once again undergoing a change, we are planning on doing wrestler profiles and more.

What these changes are, our commentary schedule and other things I will elaborate on in 2017 State of WrestleMentary Part 2, next Wednesday.

Our unofficially, official return starts tomorrow (Thursday, 1/26) with Wes Kozalla’s special piece on Beth Phoenix. Saturday will see my own review of this month’s RAWS and SD LIVES and preview of the Royal Rumble on Sunday.

That it is for now.

Ace and Crew.