WWE

X-Pac 1, 2, 360 Recap – Backlash Analysis, Dunne & Bate Steal Takeover, Nakamura’s In-ring Debut, More!

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X-Pac discusses his comments from this past week, when he informed that Val Venis almost became a member of DX at one point. He also informs that Test was very close to becoming a member of the group as well, but that didn’t happen either.

He says that when you have a successful group such as nWo, DX or the Bullet Club, you have to be very careful as to who you add to the group so as to not interfere with the chemistry of the other members. However, if the creative team suggests a new member and the other members don’t agree, they have to be able to articulate a good reason as to why the other talent shouldn’t be brought into the group.

X-Pac comments on the ongoing issues between The Hardys and IMPACT wrestling. He says that WWE might be interested in the ‘Broken Universe’, but there’s no reason for them to get involved legally if The Hardys are already pursuing legal action against IMPACT. X-Pac admits that if Vince McMahon really wants to use that gimmick, he might just get fed up and pay IMPACT for it, especially if it’s cheap.

Jinder Mahal Claims He’s Been Tested Multiple Times & Never Had an Issue

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While speaking to The Times of India, Jinder Mahal made the following remarks about fans being critical of his recent physique transformation.

“I don’t know what kind of criticism that was. I worked hard in the gym a lot. All the WWE talents are drug tested by a third-party agency and I have been tested multiple times and never had an issue, so you know my transformation is all diet, all hard work. I am a tested athlete like every other WWE wrestler. I have no special privilege; nothing like that. I look like an athlete, I perform like an athlete, I carry myself like an athlete and WWE was not hesitant to put me in a WWE title match.”

Click here for the full interview.

Asuka Surpasses Goldberg’s Undefeated Streak

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Asuka has surpassed Goldberg’s WCW undefeated streak of 173 wins. She made the following remarks about the accomplishment on Twitter:

Goldberg responded with the following:

Adam Cole’s WWE Status

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While Adam Cole may possibly be joining WWE, he is currently a free agent and hasn’t signed a deal yet with the company. The feeling is that he will eventually end up in NXT as one of the top stars for the brand unless something changes.

It’s also worth noting that Impact Wrestling is also interested in trying to sign Cole. We will keep you updated on his status when we find more information out.

Lita Returning to WWE?

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As previously noted, Jim Ross will be one of the announcers for the upcoming women’s tournament that will be taped on July 13 and 14th. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Lita is being considered to join J.R. on the commentating booth.

While the show is being taped in July, there is no official announcement yet on when WWE plans to air the shows on the WWE Network. We will keep you updated.

Vince Russo’s The Brand Recap – Smackdown Analysis, Mahal’s Celebration, Where’s Randy Orton? More!

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Russo is joined on today’s show by his co-host Jeff Lane.

Russo says that he switched brands this week, and he’s going to review Smackdown Live instead of RAW. He points out that it’s probably a good thing that he didn’t watch RAW this week because it hit a new low rating. Unfortunately, after watching Smackdown Live, he assumes that Smackdown Live’s rating this week is going to be poor as well.

If Russo was writing this week’s episode of Smackdown Live, it would have been Jinder Mahal’s show. From the beginning to the end, this entire show would have been based around the new WWE Champion. He feels that WWE dropped the ball in this area.

In the opening segment of the show we saw a prime example of WWE’s lack of roster depth. This comes as a result of the brand split, and WWE has no other choice but to use the same 5 or 6 performers for every big match such as Money in the Bank. Dolph Ziggler, A.J. Styles and Baron Corbin all lost at Backlash, but now they’re rewarded with an opportunity for some reason.

Reason for the High Amount of Multi-Person Matches on WWE Programming

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As seen on WWE programming lately, WWE has been doing a lot of multi-person matches. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that “booking is slow” and that’s the reason the viewers are being stuck with these types of matches.

While WWE has things planned out for the upcoming SummerSlam pay-per-view event, the company doesn’t have many creative ideas for storylines until then. These multi-person matches are essentially being done as a way to fill up time.

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.