WWE MAIN ROSTER MANIA WEEK TWO

As I wrote yesterday (WrestleMentary, The State of GETTING CAUGHT UP for 2018), I am now in catch up mode – both in watching and writing about the WWE Main Roster shows.

For MAIN ROSTER MANIA (MRM) WEEK ONE I broke my commentary down by matches and angels/promos for both shows. I’m going to try a different format this week going forward and just write my straight forward thought on the shows, especially since I am in catch up mode.

As we go deeper into the year, I will see what format works and feels the best. It will probably always be an evolving beast.

Ok, here we go: MAIN ROSTER MANIA WEEK TWO

MONDAY NIGHT RAW – JANUARY 8TH

What’s up with Jason Jordan and his push? I don’t get it. The idiot seems to think he’s a member of the Shield and constantly acts like he’s the guy (Hey, Roman!), and keeps screwing things up. He’s that friend in real life you don’t want around. You know, the one that keeps speaking for you? That’s Jason Jordon. It’s not entertaining. It’s annoying and anytime he is out there is become borderline Fast Forward Worthy.

This time, to open RAW with another overlong boring promo, Jordan’s mouth gets him, Roman and Seth into a main event match with Balor Club. A Main Event that would see the Balor Club victorious.

The Balor Club was given a good build up. Cedric received a nice rub from Goldust and a count out win over Enzo in a title match that was supposed to lead into a Cruiserweight Title Match at the Rumble (before Enzo’s issues).

The Bray Wyatt and Woken Matt Hardy feud was furthered with the weirdest in-ring confrontation I can remember and . . .

THE MIZ RETURNED . . . This alone makes it the best broadcast since The Miz left.

There were three big moments on the show that overshadowed even the Miz’s return:

Titus World Wide defeating The Bar!
This was a damn good match with an upset no one saw coming! I think most people felt like I did, The Bar would destroy Titus and Apollo. Nope, didn’t happen. Maybe they will start using these two right.

Brock Lesnar arrived to RAW to respond to the events of last week only to have Strowman drop a scaffolding on him and Kane in the back. Yes, Braun pulled a scaffolding down on top of Brock and Kane. Brock was carted off on an ambulance. Kane walked off gingerly into the abyss.

The Final moment was The Miz and Mizterouge laying out Roman Reigns to end the show! Yes, in the end, only The Miz can top The Miz.

However, my favorite part of the night was Alexa Bliss spending the evening trying to convince Nia to do her dirty work against Asuka.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Overall I liked this RAW – there were some good matches, nice promos and everything seemed to have a point with the show laid out nicely. If RAW put out more broadcasts like this, there wouldn’t be so many legit complaints.

Better than the first RAW of the year. Best RAW of January over all leading into the Rumble.

RATING: 7

###

SMACKDOWN LIVE – JANUARY 9TH

The show opened with a Phenomenal Segment, Rene Young Interviewing AJ Styles, where he admits that he is also Phenomenal at putting foot in mouth with sarcastic comments and questioned where Daniel Bryan stands.

Cue the Kevin and Sami Show, cue Shane-o-Mac and we have our main event set for the night: A preview of the Royal Rumble Handicap match, only this time it is AJ Styles, Nakamura and Randy Orton versus The Kevin and Sami Show.

Becky Lynch, with Charlotte and Naomi as back up, would gain a measure of vengeance by making Ruby Riott tap out! This was a really good match, it put Ruby over as a threat, but still shows Lynch as one to beat.

Can the Ascension go away please? They’ve sucked and been buried ever since their poorly thought out discretion of Road Warrior Hawk. This week they were destroyed by Harper and Rowan (thank you), with no Breezango in sight for the save. Good.

The US title Tournament Continued. Mojo Rawley finally showed up for a match and did something as he walked through Zack Ryder on his way to face Bobby Roode in the next round.

Xavier Woods, with The New Day in tow, barreled his way into his semi-final match against Jinder Mahal. Sadly, nothing Xavier did could get him on track and he fell to the Maharaja. This was basically set up to show Jinder as being dominate going into his finals match.

In ring Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin did a very awkward and hard to watch segment with Daniel Bryan. The problem is that this segment was way over produced, went on too long, and was to rehearsed and scripted.

Bryan seemed comfortable, but Shelton (never a great talker) and Chad seemed like actors trying desperately to remember and deliver their lines. And I like these guys.

They get what they want though: another title match against The Usos at the Rumble, 2 out of 3 falls.

The What Just Happened moment of the night occurred when Breezango beat Rusev Day! Very good match, nice surprise of an ending. Rusev went nuts after being pinned, while Aiden tried to calm him down. Classic.

In Our Main Event we finally see Shane get over on Kevin and Sami, twice coming out to make rulings. Once he prevented Kevin and Sami from leaving ringside and made it a No DQ match. Later, his appearance lead to AJ Styles chasing Kevin Owens into the back, leaving Sami alone to get destroyed by Nakamura and Orton.

Who won? Styles, Nakamura and Orton? Or Shane McMahon?

Good Broadcast furthering all the feuds heading into the Rumble.

RATING: 7

###

At this point, in MRM WEEK ONE I broke down the shows and did comparison of Match of the Night, Wrestlers and so on. For now, until caught up, I will be skipping that for time sake.

 - Ace Masters

THE BEST WRESTLERS YOU (MAY) NEVER HAVE HEARD OF . . . ALEXANDER HAMMERSTONE

Glowing, flowing, blonde locks? CHECK

Muscles Galore? DOUBLE CHECK

Hammer? TRIPLE CHECK

Chris Hemsworth may play Thor in the movies, but he has nothing on Alexander Hammerstone. Hammerstone may just be the closest thing in the real world to a living, breathing version of THOR.

There are three words to describe Alexander Hammerstone:

DETERMINED, INTENSE, WARRIOR

I have followed the career of Hammerstone for nearly four years now. He was on the first AWF card I attended in 2014 – and has been on many since. I’ve also been ring side for many of his matches at RockStar Wrestling Alliance, PHX Wrestling and others.

He also wrestled prominently for Paragon Wrestling and one can find many of his matches on the Fite APP.

How good is he? Well, the WWE has called him in twice for try outs. (Hey, Sheamus was called in three times).

I have literally seen dozens of Hammerstone matches from ring side and have witness the evolution of the Thunder God.

When I first saw him in 2014 I was struck by his look, build, long blonde hair and even then doing a Viking gimmick, hailing from “Valhalla.”

That Hammerstone was raw, green and not the smoothest operator in the ring. Hard hitting, powerful and fast were his major attributes, with a John Cena like drop kick to the abdomen. He was more intense than he was good.

By Odin was he popular though! There were a few hundred people in the event center and all were on their feet for this bezerker.


Over the next four years, Hammerstone evolved. He became a member of two tag teams: Murder by Muscle (with Alexander Chamberlain) and Gods of War (with Joe Graves), and played up the Thor angle carrying a giant hammer to the ring.

As his gimmick evolved, he bounced between Face and Heel – with this greatest strides in this part of his game seen as an intense and downright scary Heel. He feels like a Viking horde ready to pillage everything in sight, all rolled into one person.

His skills have seen the greatest evolution – gone is the raw and green Hammerstone, replaced by a warrior whose skillset has increased greatly. He now has a sweet drop kick that can smack some poor opponent right in the chin.

His wrestling game has improved greatly, his strength unmatched and he knows how to go and tell a story in the ring.

Hammerstone is the all-around package.

Hey Vince, don’t call this guy for another try-out – just call him up. NOW.











 - Ace Masters

Oh, and if you don't know HAMMERSTONE . . . 

WHY THE HELL NOT!?!?

WrestleMentary, The State of GETTING CAUGHT UP for 2018

WrestleMentary, The State of GETTING CAUGHT UP for 2018

Well, my big plans for WrestleMentary this year started off very well . . . then derailed quickly.

But this time for good reasons – for me – almost. 

What did I get done? Well, I posted one Main Roster Mania, one Impact Stress Test, and my first two ‘Best Wrestlers You (MAY) Never Have Heard Of (to great success I add).

Then January got away from me (and this year to start with). I haven’t posted any WWE Main Roster Mania Commentary past week one, and I am a month behind on RAW, SD LIVE and the PPVs.

As I wrote above – the reasons are good (mostly) – and have to do with my writing career. Leading to the first time in my life I have voluntary skipped RAW and Smackdown. (And other Wrestling shows.)

So, what are the reasons? Let’s get the not-so-good out of the way first: I was fairly sick for about ten days or so. I really wasn’t feel good, and with not feeling good I really didn’t do anything. With being sick, I didn’t feel like doing much.

Fortunately I didn’t have this bad strain of the Flu going around, just a cold. But, sometimes I wimp out when I’m sick.

Now, the good reason (s): Requested Re-Writes for short stories!

Yes, over the last year or so I have had great success is getting shorts picked up for publication (some not to see print for up to three years). Over the last few weeks I have had 6 requests for re-writes. I decided to focus on these re-writes and get them done ASAP, rather than wait on the deadlines (one didn’t need to be done until June or July). It looks better to get them done immediately, rather than last-moment.

This didn’t just put me behind on WrestleMentary, but all projects. It was the right move.

Now though, I am back to WrestleMentary and it is time to get caught up. Between today (Wednesday 3/14) and WrestleMania 34 (Sunday 4/8), I will get WrestleMentary’s WWE Commentary completely caught up with Commentary an ALL RAW’S, SD LIVE’S, ROYAL RUMBLE, ELMINATION CHAMBER and FASTLANE.

For now I am going to focus on WWE only through WrestleMania. After that I will get caught up on Impact, CWA, and AWF, while keeping current with the WWE.

Getting caught up starts today, as I will post the first missed BEST WRESTLERS YOU (MAY) NEVER HAVE HEARD OFF . . . tonight.

That’s it for now. Now it is time for me to speed down the Road to getting Caught Up in time for WrestleMania.

ACE MASTERS

MAIN ROSTER MANIA WEEK ONE

So, how did the WWE do in their first Broadcast of the New Year?

Did RAW Fail . . . again?

Did SD LIVE Thrive . . . again?

Let’s find out, right now . . . in the first ever edition of:

MAIN ROSTER MANIA!

MONDAY NIGHT RAW

January 1st, 2018 – New Year’s Day.

I’ll give it up for, to start of the New Year, they did go all out. They even delivered a near ‘guy cry’ moment, a moment we can only hope wasn’t a one off.

THE ANGLES:

ANGLE #1
Once again, we started RAW off with an overlong filler promo that seems designed to just waste time. Once again, Angle is out to say something, gets interrupted and ONCE AGAIN Jason Jordan sticks his nose where he doesn’t belong and beats his chest.

This time it is The Bar interrupting Angle demanding a rematch for their titles, out comes Jason acting like he is ready to take both Cesaro and Sheamus on. Cue, Seth Rollins, not out to back up his new tag team champion partner, but to scold Jason for not being a team player.

All this resulted in a sudden match that saw Cesaro job out to Jordan.

Really? I’m sick of this Jason Jordan angle. I’m sick of him saying he is the only guy who can beat someone when he rarely wins. I was hoping it would end soon, but with Jordan replacing the injured Ambrose that doesn’t seem likely.

We all know how this story will eventually end: either Angle and Jordan turn heel, or Jordan turns heel and reveals Angle isn’t his father – leading to a match.

Right now, Jordan is taking up to much time on RAW and it isn’t adding to the show. RAW is become the Jason Jordan Show. Which, any time he is on the air, is becoming a great moment to get a snack.

It wouldn’t be such a bad thing if Jordan wasn’t a CRY BABY.

ANGLE #2
Alexa Bliss is scheduled for a Non-Title match against Asuka – much to her chagrin. She doesn’t want in. She spends her time on RAW leading up to the match first trying to get Angel to cancel it, then unsuccessfully trying to get Nia Jax to be ring side. Sorry Alexa. Good luck.

ANGLE #3
Leading into Roman Reigns’ match with Samoa Joe, he and Seth talk about Joe. Cue Jason Jordan again butting it. Yikes.

ANGLE #4
In the back, Kane approaches Strowman with an idea: They team up at the Rumble to take out Brock. Good Idea. Problem: Strowman says NO.

ANGLE #5
The Show closed out with Brock in ring and Heyman mouthing off as usually – with the claim that Brock is the devil’s favorite, not Kane. Kane didn’t like this, and made Brock pay with a chokeslam. Brock would sit up, and clothesline Kane of the ring.

Then the locker room emptied to separate the two. Credits rolled with Kane being forced to the back, and Brock bouncing around ring side.

A nice segment to end the show and set up the match. Braun Strowman NOT involved made it even better, selling that he doesn’t care about either one.

It was a little odd though, as it seemed to me the boys from the back came out a little too early.

THE MATCHES

MATCH #1
Cesaro versus Jason Jordan

This come out of the opening Promo Segment. It was an average match at best, both guys showcased what they can do. Cesaro showed his ring savvy and experience far outmatched anything Jordan could do physically. In the end though, Jordan gain the upset victory.

MATCH #2
Bray Wyatt versus Apollo Crews

Why? Why? Apollo Crews is far better than what they are doing with him. In this throw away match, Bray dominated and beat Crews rather easily, even with Titus World Wide at Ring Side.
Then Hardy appeared on the Titan Tron, seemingly freaking out Bray. (Can I wake up now?)

MATCH #3
Alexa Bliss versus Asuka (Non-Title)

For the majority of this match, Bliss stayed in avoidance mode, or was getting completely dominated. When Bliss tried to fight, we saw glimpses of what could be a good match. In the end though, Bliss wasn’t just ‘Not Ready For Asuka’ she didn’t want any part of Asuka.

Asuka wins via tap out.

MATCH #5
Strowman versus Rhyno, then Slater

Wow. In Rhyno’s attempt to toughing up Slater all he achieved was both of them getting squashed by Strowman. And a bloodthirsty crowd calling for Strowman to do it ‘on more time.’

MATCH #6
Intercontinental Championship Match: Roman Reigns versus Samoa Joe

I have only two things to say about this match: Match of the Night; Wrestlers of the Night.

If you want, you can skip the rest of the show and just watch this match. I am not even a Roman fan, and I will admit he was great here. He might finally be getting better.

MATCH #7
Drew Gulak and Divari versus Cedric Alexander and . . .

Drew Gulak started out by read a statement from Enzo – who can’t defend the title due to the flu. Best part of this, Drew correcting Enzo bad grammar.

Instead we get a tag match. Cedric’s partner: GOLDUST!!!

Cedric and Goldust go on to win a short but entertaining match.

Elias, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel in a six-man tag match against . . . The (Bullet) CLUB. Yes, you read that right.

Elias, Dallas, Axel versus Fin Balor, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. Forget about the squash match, it was awesome seeming these three together.

Cole even mention their time in Japan together, but not by name.

The Highlights:

• Goldust
• Intercontinental Championship Match
• The Club! This is the near Guy Cry moment. Please WWE let this guy stay a group, give us something to really go for.

Final Thoughts:
I’ve written for almost two years now: RW BAD, SD LIVE GOOD. Maybe not tonight.

Tonight I felt RAW delivered an above average show which I enjoyed. I loved seeing The Club together, Alexa being the cowardly heel was nice, Enzo not on the show was great and the IC Title match Rocked.

Lowlight of the Night: No Cruiserweight title match

Highlight of the Night: The ‘Club’ Reunion

Match of the Night: Intercontinental Championship Match: Roman Reigns defends against Samoa Joe

Wrestlers of the Night: Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe.

Rating: 6.5

SMACKDOWN LIVE

January 2ND, 2018

THE ANGELS:

ANGEL #1
I wish I could say we started out hot, instead PROMO Time.

Styles hits the ring, talking about Owens, Zayn and the thought that Bryan is showing them favoritism. Styles calls Bryan out to let him know if Owens will be ringside for the Styles/Zayn main event.

Bryan makes his way down to YES, YES, YES chants, followed directly by Shane McMahon. Shane steals the segment, never lets Bryan talk and again accuses him of favoritism to Owens/Zayn. He announces that if Owens will be ring side, so will he.

Bryan then speaks, saying that if Owens will be ring side, Shane will be ring side, then he will be ring side. This sets up a stacked Main Event: Styles and Zayn in ring, McMahon, Bryan and Owens ring side.

In truth the Shane versus Owens/Zayn angle has run thin, adding Bryan and Styles (and by default the World Title to the mix) spices things up. Still, this is going into overkill fast.

Why it hasn’t reached overkill just yet and still works is for two reasons: The building tension between Bryan and Shane – where is this going to go?; The great dynamic and personalities of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.

ANGEL #2
In the back The New Day is celebrating the New Year in a way odd even for them. Then comes RUSEV DAY to save everything – complete with Aiden singing, and Rusev calling them children. This is all a promo leading up to the English versus Woods US Title Tournament Match.

I love everyone involved. Nice bit.

THE MATCHES:

MATCH #1
Smackdown Tag Team Title Match: The Usos versus Gable and Benjamin

This was a fantastic tag team match that saw NEW Tag Team Champions for about the length of a commercial break. Jimmy complains that he was legal, but Jay was pinned by Gable. Another ref hit the ring and it turns out: Jay was illegal, Gable was illegal – Match Restarted!

Usos win and retain. Fantastic match and a great twist and call. The right call.

I wish moment like this would happen more often. Instant Replay please!!

MATCH #2
Breezango versus the Bludgeon Brothers

Uh, why? Maybe it’s because I love seeing Breezango get tortured like this – and I am a big fan.

There is something I have to write – which I never thought I ever would, or would want to: Let The Bludgeoning Begin. Which, yeah, is what this match was. Double time. The Ascension hit the ring early this time, or for a Bludgeoning themselves.

MATCH #3
US Title Tournament Match: Aiden English versus Xavier Woods

We start the match with Rusev signing! Please put Aiden back on the mic. NOW!

The match between Aiden and Xavier was really good. Aiden showed his mat skills and ‘manly’ style, while Woods’ agility always amazes. This was a good, hard fought match that Woods eventually won and moved on in the Tournament.

Woods will next face Jinder Mahal.

MATCH #4
The Welcoming Committee is back! Natalya, Carmella and Tamina versus the Riott Squad.

This was a decent woman’s match more designed to promote the Royal Rumble, then be a match. Sara Logan was the star here.

Afterwards, Ruby cut a promo renaming the Royal Rumble the Royal Riott, until she was interrupted by Charlotte and Naomi . . . and a PISSED BECKY LYNCH. Yes, the Lass Kicker is back!

MATCH #5
Main Event Time!

AJ Styles versus Sami Zayn – with Kevin Owens, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan Ring Side.

This match was a Match, an Angle and a lead in to the Royal Rumble all in one. All the main players in SD Live’s top angel where here, and it further this story.

It showcased AJ’s frustration with the Kevin and Sami Show. It pushed Shane vendetta against the Kevin and Sami Show.

However, the biggest moment in all this was Daniel Bryan throwing Shane McMahon out of the arena, after McMahon had Owens thrown out. That was followed by Bryan announcing that AJ Style ill defend the World Title against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a handicap match at the Rumble!

Is this favoritism from Daniel Bryan?

Lost in all this was a damn good match that saw Zayn pin the champ.

The Highlights:

• The Kevin and Sami Show
• Rusev calling The New Day Children
• The Tag Team Title Match.

Final Thoughts:
Smackdown didn’t try to go all out like RAW did. They did what they seem to focus on – putting on the best show they can. And they did just that, with good promos and solid matches around. Over all a good, entertaining show. Even if the main angel is starting to wear thin.

Lowlight of the Night: N/A
Highlight of the Night: Rusev calling The New Day Children
Match of the Night: Smackdown Tag Team Title Match: The Usos versus Gable and Benjamin
Wrestler of the Night: Xavier Woods
Rating: 7

COMPARISION

MONDAY NIGHT RAW VERSUS SMACKDOWN LIVE

THE ANGELS:
MONDAY NIGHT RAW – Top Angel: The Jason Jordan show.
SMACKDOWN LIVE – Top Angel: The Kevin and Sami Show.

Both Angels are start to wear thin and drag on, but Kevin and Sami have such great dynamic they make it work. Sami seems to be having a lot of fun.

ADVANTAGE: SMACKDOWN LIVE

THE HIGHLIGHTS:
MONDAY NIGHT RAW – Top Highlight: The Club Reunion.
SMACKDOWN LIVE – Top Angel: Rusev calling the New Day children.

There is no comparison: The Club.

ADVANTAGE: MONDAY NIGHT RAW.

THE MATCHES OF THE NIGHT:
MONDAY NIGHT RAW – Intercontinental Championship Match: Roman Reigns versus Samoa Joe
SMACKDOWN LIVE – Smackdown Tag Team Title Match: The Usos versus Gable and Benjamin

ADVANTAGE: TIE

THE WRESTLER OF THE NIGHT:
MONDAY NIGHT RAW – Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe
SMACKDOWN LIVE – Xavier Woods

Woods and Aiden put on a good show, but the IC Title match saw Roman up his game big time.

ADVANATGE: MONDAY NIGHT RAW

FINAL THOUGHTS:
When it comes to comparing my big points: Angel, Highlight, Match and Wrestler, RAW barely comes out ahead. However I rated RAW 6.5 overall, with SD Live gaining a 7.

What pushes SD Live to a 7 l is three good matches and the Kevin and Sami Show.

So even though I give RAW the advantage in Match, Highlight and Wrestler, SD Live still comes out ahead, but just barely this time.

WINNER: SMACKDOWN LIVE!

Glitter & Slam: Chained Heat

In this edition of Glitter and Slam we'll talk about the first women's Elimination Chamber and the aftermath.

Overall, the match was solid, even though it was sold on a lack of buildup or tension between the combatants beyond wanting the Raw women's title. Everyone stuck to what they did best and the veterans, mostly, carried the lion's share of the action.

(Mandy Rose got a chance to showcase some of her power before wisely booked out as the first elimination. Source: WWE.com)

Mandy Rose was utilized correctly, making the most of her willingness to take tough bumps and abilities as a striker. With the exception of a flapjack on Sasha Banks, her story was kept simple en route to her first elimination. I still question Rose getting in this match over the more technically reliable Alicia Fox, but Paige's career-ending injury necessitated someone getting in the cage who wasn't ready.

(A newly toughened Bayley gets some hang time on Sonya Deville. Source: WWE.com)

Deville fared better, although violent settings like the chamber don't give one a chance to show her grappling skills. Not surprisingly, she was eliminated next by Mickie James, whose time was far too short in the cage. James leaped from a pod getting some outstanding hang time and a big pop.

 I was surprised James made such a rapid exit after giving fans the most memorable high spots of the match. The best WWE creative could do with her was a flimsy ad hoc alliance with the champion, which was irrelevant as Bliss never entered the chamber until her seeming cohort was gone.

(James had the most memorable spots of the match before her elimination. Source: WWE.com)

In the end Sasha Banks and Bayley, working together in the short term, carried the load to the end with Bliss finally emerging from her pod, only to try to lock herself in it. The champ was every bit the sneaky, cowardly, but ultimately conniving opportunist.  In the end Bliss's major highlight was the best promo of her career once the match ended. Before the final bell, she was able to hang back and watch the ad hoc partnership between Bayley and the Boss abruptly end with a nasty little smile as Banks kicked Bayley in the face, knocking her off the pod as they followed Bliss upward onto the structure.

(Mere minutes before stabbing her bff in the back, Banks and Bayley close in on the champ. Source: WWE.com)

En route to a hit-or-miss style conclusion, in which Bliss made Banks pay for her high-risk style with a snap DDT off the top turnbuckle, this match served as some character rehab for Bayley. 

(With friends like this... Source: WWE Network)

(Source: WWE Network)

Hugger #1 carried herself as far tougher than the woman who couldn't even pick up a kendo stick en route to a character burial last summer. She took what she gave in the chains and steel, bowing out to Bliss in a surprise rollup after getting some payback on Banks with an avalanche Bayley-to-Belly off the top rope. This is one of the best matches of Bayley's turbulent main roster career.

(Bliss seizes the opportunity with a snap DDT off the top rope. Source: WWE Network)

Banks showed she's come a long way since the exciting but uneven Hell In A Cell match she had with Charlotte Flair in 2016. She was crisp, did her best to make the new jacks Rose and Deville look good before their eliminations.  Her abilities as a sports entertainer in this match were even more important. With the lame buildup to this spectacle, the audience needed hooked in at the opening bell and she proved again that with a smile or a tear, a kick to the face is so much more than a kick to the face. 

(What price glory? Source: WWE Network)

It's worth noting that the camera trained on her several times during Bliss' post-match promo, as if Alexa's smarmy admonishment of the crowd was indirectly aimed at Banks. The Boss hung her head, again bitterly wrestling with defeat after a compelling match. It sold Bliss's best mic spot of her career and brought great heat for Five Feet of Fury and opens up story possibilities for the title feud going into WrestleMania.

(Bliss comes under critical fire at times for being pushed as a 100% homegrown Performance Center talent, but her value is undeniable. Source: WWE.com)

So far WWE creative seems content with letting this play out on Twitter and relegating the women to huge ensemble tag matches. While tweens and some millennials readily embrace Twitter and Facebook as part of their WWE entertainment, the women will not continue to evolve if we're left with vague one-liners and one-off tag snubs. After this solidly entertaining match, that was not what any of the Team Red women needed on the post-chamber Raw.

(Bayley about to blow off the Boss. Source: WWE.com)

Fans hate to love Alexa Bliss as one of the top heels in WWE and we have great potential for a secondary feud to explode between Banks and best friend Bayley, but no real groundwork is laid, and even the most social media savvy aren't going to feel like they're getting the entertainment they want--in or out of the ring-- on Twitter.

(Be despised for fun and profit! Source: WWE.com)

This is certainly better than 2010, but WWE is leaving money and another potential surge of growth for women at the top level on the table. As of this writing the trending video at WWE.com about the whole Bayley/Banks thing asks "is trouble brewing?"  This should have degraded into a brawl and burned bridges to light the way to WrestleMania, but we're going to pretend there is a mystery. That's akin to saying The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a who-dun-it.

(Her victory was clear, but Asuka's direction for WrestleMania is not. Source: WWE.com)

In light of reigniting a slow burn for Raw's besties from last year, Asuka's story remains unclear. There is no clear contender beyond Fastlane for a Mania bout for the Smackdown championship, and Asuka vs. Charlotte has that match of the year feel. In light of Carmella's perpetual holding of the Money In The Bank case and the potential of Asuka vs. Rousey in the future, this is one decision that could be a real surprise either way. Beyond the story in the ring, however, WWE has lost their way in getting more good storylines for their main roster women, and that is not the position they should be in this close to the Show of Shows.

In the next Glitter and Slam, I will analyze the Mixed Match Challenge as indicated in my last column. There was simply too much going on with the Elimination Chamber and the post-ppv Raw to get it in this time.

Follow me on Twitter: @weskozalla #glitterandslam

Follow Ace and Wrestlementary: @WrestlementaryT

Glitter & Slam: Five Feet of Caged Fury

In this edition of Glitter and Slam, we'll look at the groundbreaking women's Elimination Chamber match, the buildup and the challenges each entrant faces, plus Asuka's match with Nia Jax.

Shortly before the first women's Royal Rumble, Stephanie McMahon announced another first for WWE's women: the RAW title would be defended in the Elimination Chamber. This milestone pits champion Alexa Bliss against three top names in veteran Mickie James, former champion Bayley and 4-time title holder Sasha Banks. Beyond that, an odd decision was made to plant both Absolution newcomers Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose in the remaining two slots.

(Either Deville or Rose took a spot vacated by Paige after their leader's in-ring career ended last month. Source: WWE.com)

Paige's wrestling career ended in January due to another injury to her recently healed neck, making her the Absolution stable's manager--and suddenly putting a spot in the chamber match up for grabs. Unlike the men's division, however, no one had to earn her championship opportunity in any matches on RAW leading up to this event.

How can fans believe the chamber match – for the women's title no less – is a major deal if no one has to show they are worthy of the match. A good opportunity to break out of the booking malaise that has plagued the women of RAW ever since last year’s WrestleMania was squandered.

(Had top stars like Banks fought to win a spot in the Chamber match, anticipation would build more easily. Source: WWE.com)

Fans get pumped up for fighting by seeing more fighting. There is more to a setup than that, but one has to start there. Had Deville won a convincing victory over Dana Brooke, for example, or Rose secured a win over Alicia Fox that would have solidified the newcomers for two slots that weren't as obvious to fill.

On top of that, having Jax, Sasha Banks, Mickie James and Bayley slug it out for their coveted opportunities would give a solid rub to the victors going into the most violent of WWE's structure matches.

Not doing so was inexplicable, considering the creative team has overused multi-threat bouts, six-woman tag matches, etc. to introduce the women en masse week after week to casual fans. A couple hot singles matches a night on RAW, in virtually any combination leading up to the final contest this Sunday would have done the job.

Compounding the creative issues in the buildup, we have to wonder if the best hands are on board for Showtime when the company's lone superheavyweight in Nia Jax and the breakout star of this new year, Asuka, are not even in the match.

(For the strongest and largest woman on the roster, Nia Jax sure can easily sneak up on the Empress of Tomorrow a lot. Source: WWE.com)

WWE chose to remedy this by simply announcing a match between Asuka and Jax at the Elimination Chamber PPV. Another opportunity was squandered to build up Jax for this challenge. Fans of NXT know that Jax has always been hard to bring down in previous matches with Asuka, but they insisted on just having her sneak up on the Empress occasionally and slam her off the canvas with a few power moves.

If Jax had lost her opportunity fair and square in a match and tried to take it out on Asuka and maybe even on the entire women's locker room, one could see Asuka demanding a one on one challenge-- and the stipulation could be a slot for Nia in the title match at WrestleMania, or Asuka could put her title shot at Mania on the line.

The opportunity for a great build was once again squandered. All they had to do was play to the personas and strengths of both women. The streak probably will not end, but Asuka brazenly holding her title shot up for grabs against a powerhouse who has grown more experienced and even meaner since their head-to-head matches in NXT makes it a tantalizing possibility. If this is indeed just a plot device to get Jax to Mania without being in the chamber, look for a count out or some kind of disqualification victory that leaves Asuka still unpinned and strong.

Hindsight shows us booking could have been better, but the card is set and there is enough talent in the chamber pods to make for an entertaining event. All the stars inside have challenges to work through, including my predicted winner, which I will save for last.

(Five Feet of Fury meets four fists of pain. Source: WWE.com)

We have already discussed the booking hurdles that weren't addressed in putting both members of Absolution into the match. Technically Deville has shown to be the more versatile and technically refined of the two. Rose, to her credit, has no problem working stiff and is a decent striker who manages to show flashes of her power and athletic ability. Beyond that her greenness was put out front in the go-home tag match on the most recent Raw. She flubbed a corner spot with Bayley and her timing was off during the most up-tempo moments of the contest. Her aforementioned striking ability and toughness should be enough as long as she's kept out of too many high spot scenarios and lets the experienced hands in the ring take over. I think she is the one who got in on the heels of Paige's in-ring retirement.

Neither will take the championship to WrestleMania.

(Source: WWE.com)

Bayley should have become the biggest female star in WWE in 2017. Instead she is in this booking limbo, mainly because she has to act like a big kid who gives hugs instead of being a grown up pro who burns for championship gold and also happens to love her connection with children.

She is just over enough along with her wrestling ability to make her slot a foregone conclusion. Aside from the new jacks in Absolution, she would have benefitted the most from having to earn her spot in a tough match.

Her title reign was too easy because she simply didn't face enough challenges. Giving her that challenge just to get inside pro wrestling's most violent structure would have been a major step toward rehabbing her persona-- way more than the social media suggestion she turn heel. In all likelihood she will not win the chamber match.

(Source: WWE.com)

Alexa Bliss is peaking at just the right time. She is the best mic worker among all the main roster women. Her theatrical skills and selling are among those of her best peers and she had the two best matches of her career against Mickie James and Charlotte Flair on the PPV stage within the last four months.

The easy prediction is that she plays her sneaky opportunist card and escapes the Chamber with a slimy victory. This is the safe bet, but with Mania on the horizon I don't predict a win here. If Nia Jax gets some kind of screwy victory over Asuka, however, I think she'll go down the ramp to Mania as champion. 

Look for her to get directly involved to secure a Jax triumph. Cracking her #teamrude best friend across the back with a chair is a great passive-aggressive and evil way to try and stack the card in her favor. If that comes to pass look for her to try and get Jax to throw the match or at least be Bliss' meat shield at WrestleMania.

(Source: WWE.com)

Mickie James will not win in the chamber. She has been woefully underutilized when her skills and crowd pleasing charisma benefit the women's division the most. One upside was her feud with Alexa Bliss where the champ showed some much needed technical growth. Thanks in part to James, the champ's footing is solidified.

Unfortunately for the smark world, the multiple time champion is sort of like the Dolph Ziggler of her niche. You know the match will be even better with her in it, but it is unclear how much she will directly benefit from turning in a consistently memorable performance.

(Source: WWE.com)

The only thing Sasha Banks did not get in 2017 was a noteworthy title reign. She's a house show workhorse, the crowds still love her and her image is used across nearly all WWE promotional campaigns. She's arguably a better wrestler now than during her groundbreaking feud with Charlotte Flair.

When she is immersed in her character and the stakes are high her matches are electric, even when flubs like Summerslam 2016 or vs. Asuka on Raw emerge. She still does not have the polish on her high energy style that James or Asuka do, but she can set the world on fire when the big match comes.

It is a long shot, but I'm rolling with it. Sasha Banks will win her fifth title to set up the full course meal equivalent in a mind blowing match with Asuka at WrestleMania. Maybe give her a clean title defense over Little Miss Bliss in the weeks leading up to the Show of Shows to help her shed that "no title defense" stigma before Mania.

That's of course... if Asuka even goes for the RAW title.

Overall, the build was clunky, but we do have the potential for a possible match of the year inside the unforgiving chamber. If anything WWE's women have all done the most to maximize their opportunities to entertain, and this match should be no different. Here are predictions for the rest of the card.

(Source: WWE.com)

Asuka vs. Nia Jax: I don't see Jax not getting a spot at Mania, but there will be better ways to end Asuka's streak. WINNER: Asuka, although a screwy finish without a pin or submission could get Jax a victory with intervention, setting the stage for a triple threat match.

John Cena vs. Braun Strowman vs. Elias vs. Roman Reigns vs. The Miz vs. Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins: The buildup for this was far better with a good mix of veterans, the stars of now and emerging talents. Still, I say Vince will have his superman. WINNER: Reigns

Raw Tag Team Championship: The Bar (C) vs. Titus Worldwide. Technically speaking I look forward to seeing Apollo (who now has no last name) in the ring with Cesaro. Two tough strong and athletic guys with mobility getting after it is too good to scoff at, even if we can see the end of this coming. WINNERS: The Bar

Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt: It's always fun to get the most unhinged guys in the ring together. If you're tired of watching Bray put people over, your respite won't happen now. WINNER: Matt Hardy

Anderson and Gallows vs. The Revival (kickoff show): With Scott Dawson continuing his comeback from injury, look for a shady win for the wild-eyed southern boys who ended the Ice Cream Dream. WINNERS: The Revival

In the next edition of Glitter and Slam we'll look at the interactive Mixed Match Challenge and who is benefitting and who isn't from the antics of WWE's most recent social media gimmick.

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GLITTER & SLAM - AFTERSHOCK

In this edition of Glitter and Slam we'll examine some notable moments from the first women's Royal Rumble match and how quiet tears set the tone on the first steps toward Wrestlemania.

THE RUMBLE & RAW

 (In case it wasn't apparent, Rowdy Ronda pointed to the Wrestlemania sign several more times so fans wouldn't mistakenly think she was asking Stephanie McMahon to validate her parking. Or something.) (Source: ringsideintel.com)

A mix of the current stable, some NXT notables and many stars of the past did the job. As interest beyond hardcore fans begins to gain momentum, the Rumble introduced casual and new fans to the stars of now, some NXT stars of the future and brought in a heaping helping of female stars of the past. It was as fun to watch as many men's Rumble matches, even with some of the odd things that were the equivalent of biting into an unpopped kernel when enjoying theater popcorn.

(Lita got respect for her battle scars in the form of low-impact bumps, but she made the most of this trip down memory lane. Source: WWE.com)

For some reason Sasha Banks continuously went after opponents as they were eliminating other wrestlers. Sarah Logan, especially got pummeled as she first tried to eliminate Becky Lynch. The Riott Squad's muscle could have eliminated several women had Banks shown more strategic thinking. Corey Graves spotted this immediately and echoed fan sentiments that the Boss needed to get a clue. Banks wowed fans however with plenty to cheer about, as she lasted 54 minutes, Wonder Woman tights and all – including fan service in the form of a staredown with the 30th entrant, Trish Stratus.

Out of all the alumni and active stars that gave us tantalizing dream match moments, one former women's champ made the boldest physical statement. Molly Holly showed WWE that the women's revolution should have happened far sooner and unlike many of her peers of yesterday, she could still go. Quickness, stiff kicks and a hefty dose of chutzpah proved it.

(Molly's jog down the ramp warmed up the hammies for several kicks to opposing faces. Source: WWE.com)

Asuka's win was almost a foregone conclusion weeks ago, after Paige's in-ring career ended with a nasty stinger aggravating her recently healed neck, but the Empress did it in grand style at number 25, and showed at the end how much American crowds have embraced her. After an uneven 2017, her build is one thing being done correctly.

A complete breakdown in this column is superfluous and doesn't beat simply viewing the women's Rumble yourself. It was great fun, even with some of the headscratching moments. The wrap-up with Ronda Rousey's debut was questionable, though. Having the former UFC champ come out at the same time as Asuka reveled in her victory watered down both moments a bit and her crashing WWE's big party could have been reserved for Elimination Chamber to spread the big PR moments out. Oh, and she needed to chill on the sign-pointing after the second time.

(Source: WWE.com)

Asuka would, however get her chance on the following Raw to do her part in getting the train to the Show of Shows rolling with the Boss.

(Banks was at her eyecatching best as she donned her war camo. Source: WWE.com)

Sure, there were question marks about her physical narrative in the Rumble, but Sasha Banks was prominently featured and kept fans on edge during her near-hour in the fight, and she rode that momentum into Raw.

Immediately she got in Asuka's face as Stephanie opened the show to congratulate the Rumble winner. The Boss is at her best when she has a giant chip on her shoulder. It shines through in the ring as well as in her mic work.

Many fans across social media still wish for the snuffed-out heel turn from a year ago because Banks is at her absolute best when she is fueled by anger. She's so good that the slightest pursing of the lips, the random hip pop and even a single visible tear can blow the doors off. In these moments, she's so good botches can be forgotten, every move counts, and her matches radiate an intense energy.

(Only in pro wrestling can you do someone a favor by kicking them in the face. Asuka saves the botch. Source: WWE.com)

Asuka and Banks could have been a great Pay-Per-View event, and both women approached it like Mania was already here. It was a solid, fun and stiff match that compelled fans like nothing seen from Sasha Banks since her feud with Charlotte Flair in 2016.

It was a good thing Banks was on point mostly, otherwise her botched suicide dive would have killed the energy. Had she not rebounded to continue to the Asuka lock conclusion, even the Empress's master stroke to pass of the miscue as a result of a crisp kick to the face would not have been enough.

(Source: WWE.com)

The sublime ending, which was almost too good for the rest of the match, would not have been without Banks letting some of the real emotion creep to the surface. After finally tapping out to the Asuka lock – the first time she submitted since losing the title to Charlotte in the 2016 Ironman match at Roadblock: End of the Line – Banks lay flat on her back in the middle of the ring, eyes shut with the unmistakable shine of tears rolling down her temple as she bit her lip.

(After all the violence a single trail of tears sets the tone for what comes next. Source: WWE.com)

WWE creative may be wanting to revive the heel turn that was nixed a year ago in light of Bayley's failure to be the champion they hoped for. Except for championship gold, Banks has had the exposure, screentime and apparent treatment on television as someone integral to the big picture in the womens division and to a degree beyond.

If the sting of angry tears translates into fuel for more compelling storylines and moments going into Elimination Chamber and beyond, few will not be eclipsed by Sasha Banks. Of course, the emphasis should be on "if."