NEWS

The Taz Show Recap – Smackdown Analysis, Mahal’s Celebration, Ed Nordholm Goes Rogue, More!

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Block 1:

Taz opens today’s show speaking about last night’s episode of Smackdown Live.

He says that he liked last night’s show, but he has a few criticisms as well. He says that Nakamura should have came out to the ring first in the opening segment of the night. Having Nakamura do his full entrance while all the other performers were standing in the ring felt incredibly long and awkward to Taz.

He understands that WWE wanted Nakamura to come out last because they’re building him as the biggest star. However, having him come out last put heels like Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler in a bad situation, because Taz expected those guys to just attack Nakamura while he was finishing his entrance in the middle of the ring.

Taz also points out that it was strange for Shane McMahon (a babyface authority figure) to give Kevin Owens (a heel) his way, after Owens complained about not being an entrant in the Money in the Bank ladder match. If Shane was a heel authority figure that would have made sense, but heels are supposed to complain, and it’s strange when babyfaces succumb to heel demands.

Taz says A.J. Styles should win the Money in the Bank ladder match in his opinion, because Styles is a top babyface who can surprise the Champion at any moment and have a terrific match. Styles is also good on the mic and can back up his briefcase win with believable promos.

Jinder Mahal to Have a Lengthy Run as WWE Champion

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As seen at Sunday’s WWE Backlash event, Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton to capture the WWE Title for the first time ever. Going into the event, the plan has always for Mahal to defeat Orton for the title, however the original idea pitched was for him to drop the title the following week on SmackDown Live after Backlash. Obviously, plans changed and the company has other plans in place for Mahal’s championship run.

We noted earlier this week that the Mahal is inline for a Lengthy run with the title. Bryan Alvarez speculated on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Live that Mahal could very well hold onto the title until September. That is when WWE heads overseas to tour India. The whole idea on putting the title on Mahal was to create a Superstar to cater to the fans in India.

Alvarez also indicated that there is a possibility that if things go well in the India market, Mahal could even hold onto the title as late as WrestleMania 34 next year.

Who Almost Became a Member of D-Generation X?

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While speaking to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Sean “X-Pac” Walman revealed that Val Venis almost became one of the members of D-Generation X if former WWE creative writer Vince Russo had his way. Waltman revealed that the members of the group were totally against the idea, so it never happened.

“Russo wanted to put Val Venis in DX, but we said no. We stuck to our guns because he wasn’t right for DX.

Also during the interview, Waltman compared The Bullet Club, which is led by Kenny Omega, and how it operates very similar to how the Wolpac did in WCW.

“We all had our role, we were all very happy in that role, and no one wanted the other’s role,” said Waltman. “They’re the same way. Why tinker with the recipe when it is just right?”

You can check out the full interview here.

Vince Russo’s The Brand Recap w/ Shawn Hernandez – Dixie Carter’s Crush, Legal Issues, Russo Sucking up to WWE? More!

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Russo welcomes Shawn Hernandez to the show.

Russo says he doesn’t understand what happened with Hernandez during his most recent run with TNA, but there’s no denying that LAX is not the same without Hernandez. Hernandez informs that there was a contract situation between Lucha Underground and TNA that has left him in a world of trouble and legal problems. Unfortunately, he’s not at liberty to discuss any of the details at this moment.

Russo says that there’s no doubt in his mind that Dixie Carter had a crush on Hernandez during their time working together in TNA. Hernandez says that in 2007 and 2008 Carter started to communicate and converse with him more regularly, but in 2009 after he broke his neck things got really strange.

Carter flew him to Nashville and had $2000 worth of clothes laid out for him to try on. She told Hernandez that they were going to do a photoshoot and the photos would be utilized for an upcoming push when he returned from injury. Hernandez tried on all the different clothes and took the pictures, but those shots were never used on TNA programming. Russo laughs and says there’s no doubt Carter had an obsession with Hernandez.

Footage of CM Punk’s Heated Argument on The Challenge

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Here is footage of Tuesday’s episode of MTV’s The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros in which CM Punk got into a heated argument with cast member Johnny Bananas.

In the footage, Bananas takes a shot at Punk’s UFC debut loss, which prompted Punk to respond, “I was going to either win gloriously or die a glorious death, and that’s something that someone like you is never going to understand because they wouldn’t let you in because no one would pay a dime to see your ass.”

Future Plans Revealed for Sasha Banks

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Coming out of Monday’s episode of RAW, Dave Meltzer mentioned on Wrestling Observer Radio that the company is setting up a mix tag match that feature Alicia Fox and Noam Dar vs. Sasha Banks and a male partner.

Meltzer indicated that Banks’ partner will probably be Cedric Alexander, as Alexander has history with Noam Dar and Alicia Fox prior to his injury. With Alexander scheduled to return from injury on this week’s episode of 205 Live, it’s very possible that they set up the match as early as tonight.

In regards to the RAW Women’s Championship, Banks isn’t expected to be put back in the title picture anytime soon. Right now they are doing a program between Alexa Bliss and Bayley.

Superstars Who Could Benefit From A Heel Turn

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There is currently a strange heel/face dynamic in WWE. The ‘faces’ often receive boo’s from the crowd while the heels receive cheers. This is a notion that a mere 25 years ago would have been unimaginable. It has mostly become a slow inclining trend since the nWo formed.

Just look at Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman as perfect examples. Reigns is the company man, the superhero, the do-good ass kicker who fights for us getting booed out of arenas. While Strowman, the monster who wants to cause havoc and inflict pain while ruining lives and bullying the roster, receives love, support and praise from fans.

Despite these blurred lines however, a well executed heel turn in WWE can be fantastic. For example, Seth Rollins turning on The Shield will stand the test of time for its flawless timing and execution. As well as creating excellent moments, a good heel turn can lead to a career resurgence. Look at The New Day, their heel turn gave way to one of WWE’s most entertaining stables of all time.

Simply put, heel turns can make and also define careers. With so many stars in WWE needing a kickstart for their careers, a heel turn may be the answer. With that being said, this list looks at 4 WWE stars who could benefit from a heel turn in the upcoming months.

WWE Title Match & Participants Announced for Money in the Bank

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Shane McMahon opened up tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live announcing that Randy Orton will get his rematch for the WWE Title against Jinder Mahal at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event.

Shane also announced AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, Nakamura and Kevin OWens as participants for the Money in the Bank Ladder match.

Money in the Bank will take place on June 18, 2017 at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. As always, we will be providing live play-by-play coverage of the event.

Match Announced for SmackDown Live Next Week

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Shane McMahon announced on tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live that Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Natalya, Carmella and Tamina will compete in a Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match. The winner of the match will face Naomi for the SmackDown Women’s Championship title at the upcoming WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view event.

No other matches or segment’s have been announced for the show.