Tag: world

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Can Anything Help The Raw Product Right Now?

No matter how hard (or not hard) they may try, Raw fails to produce a good show throughout the entire three hours. This past Raw was no different.

The beginning half of the show was solid. You had a six man tag match featuring Dean Ambrose and The Hardy Boys taking on The Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro. A little bit later on and you had the triple-threat match between Bray Wyatt, Samoa Joe, and Finn Balor. Both were great, fun matches.

Then comes Alexa Bliss and her “This Is Your Life” skit on Bayley. While WWE thought they were doing something good here, it was quite the opposite. Let me be blunt, it was horrible. Possibly the worst segment I have seen of 2017.

Every episode of Raw has something that just brings the crowd out of it. It may be skits like these or just boring matches that kill the crowd so bad that the main event match cannot revive them. Maybe some of the hate is just unfair, but a lot of it happens for a reason. So what in the world can Raw do to bring the fans back in?

One thing WWE could do is a shocking turn. Remember in 2014 when Seth Rollins betrayed Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns or NXT Takeover Chicago when Tomasso Ciampa turned on Johnny Gargano?

These were turns that left the crowd stunned with their mouths dragging the floor. Is there any turn today on Raw that could drop jaws like that?

Rumors are circulating that Cass is set to turn on Enzo, but that won’t get people talking nonstop. However, there is one tag team in the division that would send noise through the crowd if they broke up violently. That team would be The Hardy Boys.

Now I understand they just returned to the WWE, but think about how shocking it would be based off of that one reason?

Let’s say that at Extreme Rules, Sheamus and Cesaro defeat The Hardy Boys to become the new Raw Tag Team Champions. While this infuriates both brothers, Jeff takes it worse. This leads to him attacking Matt (bet you didn’t see that coming) and laying him in a pool of his own blood (metaphorically speaking).

It would take the air out of the arena simply because no one would be expecting it. Fans would expect Matt to turn on Jeff before Jeff turns on Matt. It would keep the fans wondering what is going to happen next which means more eyes will be tuning in to Monday Night Raw.

Featured NEWS Other ROH TNA WWE

Where Does Rusev Go From Here?

For those of you who may not know, Rusev was set for a big match at the Money In The Bank pay-per-view. After being traded to Smackdown Live in the Superstar Shakeup, Rusev declined to show up on the brand unless he received a WWE Championship match. It looked like this was the direction WWE was going in. It would have been perfect too. Randy Orton vs. Rusev.

Orton could win in his hometown and Rusev becomes a member of Smackdown Live. However, plans changed and Jinder Mahal is the current WWE Champion. Orton gets his rematch for the belt at Money In The Bank, which leaves Rusev as the odd man out.

So where does he go from here?

There’s the obvious choice of coming out during the championship match and costing Orton the match. This would in turn set up a feud between Rusev and Orton. Rusev would look strong if he came out of this feud on top, but WWE would probably not have Orton lose two feuds in a row.

The next option would be interfering in the Money In The Bank ladder match, costing a superstar their chance at winning. It could work, but I have a better idea. Rusev should attack AJ Styles before the match, take his place in the ladder match, and capture the briefcase.

You may be questioning yourself, wondering how on earth is this a good idea? Well, let me explain. Styles is the one guy in this ladder match (besides Nakamura possibly) who really doesn’t need to be in this match. They can get a shot at the gold any day. They are both pretty expendable at this point. Styles will more than likely get a shot within the upcoming year, so having him miss out on this opportunity won’t hurt him.

If Smackdown Live wants to capitalize on the return of Rusev, then he needs to return in a big way. Keep him off of television until the night of Money in the Bank. Rusev shows up and destroys Styles, making him unable to compete in the ladder match. Shane McMahon declares Rusev as the replacement since he is the one that caused all this mess. Rusev goes on to shock the world and win the Money in the Bank contract. It’s an outcome few, if any, would expect to happen going into the event. Seeing as how Smackdown Live has been booking on the shock value as of late, this would be right up their alley.

Not only would we see Rusev return in grand force, but we would also see him thrown into a rivalry with the hottest guy in the WWE. It’s a win-win for Rusev, who hasn’t been utilized the way he should’ve been throughout his short career. Rusev has all the tools to be a mega heel, and him going against Styles would only add to it.

Featured NEWS Other ROH TNA WWE

Name Announced for Upcoming Women’s Tournament

Mae Young Classic will be the name of the upcoming women’s tournament, according to Triple H. Tickets go on-sale this Friday at 10AM EST.

Featured NEWS Other ROH TNA WWE

Conversation with the Big Guy Recap – CM Punk Gets A Crazy Offer, Lack of Selling in Today’s Product, Booking Inquiry Takes A Strange Turn, More!

Ryback is joined on today’s show by his co-host Jeff Buck.

Ryback informs that he had had a brutal week. His Instagram account was locked for four days for some reason that he’s still unsure of, but it was really disappointing given how often he uses that account to promote his business ventures. In a similar vein, Ryback estimates that he has lost roughly $20,000 in sales in the United States alone from the ‘Amazon debacle’ over the last little while.

Ryback discusses the recent report that an indie promoter has offered CM Punk $1,000,000 to come wrestle for his promotion. Ryback says that he knows this promoter and let’s just say he’s not the straightest shooter in the World. Ryback assumes that if Punk accepted this deal he’d somehow find himself locked in a 7-year contract working thousands of shows a year.

The promoter also reportedly said that he’d consider it a victory if Punk even hears about this offer. Ryback says that’s a ‘mark’ comment if he has ever heard one.

Featured NEWS Other ROH TNA WWE

Earl Hebner Says He’ll Probably Never Go Into the WWE Hall of Fame

Earl Hebner recently appeared on Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling, here are the highlights from his appearance:

Did he think after that night in Montreal, the wrestling business would still be talking about the Screwjob 20 years later: “Not at all. Not at all. But it is just one of those things that it is like Hogan and Andre it was shocking to the world and believe me the people in Canada still hate me. I have talked to Bret and we are great friends and we’ve had a couple personal appearances together and hugged me and he hugged my brother (Dave) and we all know the deal. I really don’t want to go into all that because we all know the deal.”

Doing the “You Damn Right I Did” act at shows and who did “screw Bret”: “Whenever I’m around Bret I don’t bring them and truthfully Vince screwed Bret. Earl didn’t screw Bret, Vince screwed Bret. Earl did what he had to do. It was his (Vince’s) command and that is what happened but I think most Americans understand but I don’t think any Canadians will ever forgive me but I hope that they do. If you look at my track record, I’ve been put in a lot of tough spots in my career. Where other referees would not volunteer, Vince knew what I would do and whatever his demands were is what I did. So you can’t put the blame on me, you’ve got to put it on him.”

Will he ever be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and being inducted into the IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Fame: “It an honor and since I’ll probably never go into the WWE Hall of Fame because we still have problems down the road and it doesn’t really matter to me whether I do or I don’t, anybody that knows me will know who I am. If Vince doesn’t ever want to induct me into it that is fine. I really think I should be but the problems that we still have, it is what it is. If I never get in there that is fine and it is no problem to me but people know who I am and I’ll let it be my legend of being a Hebner and I’ll just base it on that.”

Being the “evil twin” referee in Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant’s Main Event title match his first night in the WWE: “I was nervous. They invented this whole program over about I’d say a good three weeks in Connecticut. Bu it was great for me that I was the evil twin (and I’m still evil) and if you look at my past record you can tell I’m evil (laughing), I’m actually not I am a nice guy but it worked great for me that they put me on the goal line of working for somebody and I’m not knocking the NWA but to make a life in this business and to make money. It was so quiet or if you want to say it was kayfabed so long and nobody knew anything until it happened. It was so great. It is the way the business should be but today it isn’t like it was when I first started. What a great opportunity for me and it made me who I am today and is one of the main angles that made me who I am today.”

The injury sustained after Hulk Hogan launched Earl over his intended target of Ted Dibiase, Virgil and Andre: “When he started running and I was in his arms, I was saying to myself that is not the plan. He was supposed to walk to the ropes and throw me in their arms. When he shot me I missed everybody including Andre and when I hit the floor I destroyed my rotator cuff in my right arm. When I hit that floor it just exploded my whole right arm and rotator cuff and I was out for about eight weeks or nine weeks getting it repaired. When I got to the back I was thinking that this is sure a good way to get into the front door because when I hit that concrete floor and it exploded, brother it was horrible.”

Featured NEWS Other ROH TNA WWE

Why Titus O’Neil Is One of the Best Parts of RAW Right Now

The Titus Brand bandwagon (Brandwagon?) is coming this way, and I am here to say that I will be climbing aboard. The man used to be a reason to reach for the fast-forward button. Now he’s one of the more entertaining members of the roster. It took a while, but Titus O’Neil has found his niche on the roster. But why is the Titus Brand now a big deal? Allow me to explain.

Titus O’Neil Has Always Been Capable on the Mic

After Titus cut that dreadful promo on Raw after Summerslam (you know the one I’m talking about), everyone said he was hot garbage on the microphone. That’s simply not true. When he would work commentary, many praised him for his wit and good speaking ability. He sounded very natural. Barring the return of the Dudleys where he spent a good amount of time yelling incoherently, he was good.

Batista himself has said Titus would make a very good public speaker. I do think Titus is a good speaker. However, he’s better off staying away from those dead-serious promos. The reason the “I want Darren” promo sucked is because you could tell Titus was out of his element. When you watch him trying to earn a spot in the New Day or pushing his Titus Brand, he’s clearly more comfortable and more natural sounding. You have to play to a superstar’s strengths. You wouldn’t make Stone Cold cut a John Cena promo. Roman Reigns should avoid talking like Santino Marella. Bayley should avoid talking at all (I jest).

Now that Titus is having his strengths played to, he’s clearly better off. You can tell that he’s having fun. Dancing with the New Day, stealing Enzo Amore’s intro for himself, and all that jazz.

The Titus Brand Is Hilarious

Of course, humor is subjective, but many people, myself included, enjoy Titus’ segments on Raw. Ever since he moved away from Darren Young and began holding press conferences with Tom Phillips, he’s been a good bit of harmless fun. The “Tussle in Texas” was a particularly entertaining bout. It was hyped up as a legit fight, complete with a tale of the tape. 1 minute later, Titus is pinned after eating a World’s Strongest Slam from Mark Henry.

The addition of Apollo Crews to the Titus Brand will make for an even more interesting dynamic. Clearly Crews isn’t 100 percent on-board with the Brand. Still, he goes along with whatever wacky adventure Titus drags him to. Although O’Neil is very clearly a heel (a heel who just called the state of New Jersey “poor ass”), Crews is not entirely bad just yet. Titus receives all the heat, all while allowing Crews to slowly develop a character.

People have compared the two to LaVar and Lonzo Ball. To those who don’t know, Lonzo Ball is a Drake lookalike who many expect will be drafted in the next NBA Draft. LaVar is his loudmouth father who gets into all sorts of trouble. The comparison is there, and it works. Lonzo just wants to chill and play basketball, but LaVar keeps running his mouth and hyping him up as the Second Coming of Jesus. Same with O’Neil and Crews. Apollo just wants to wrestle and have fun, while Titus spews a whole lot of nonsense.

Featured NEWS Other ROH TNA WWE

John Cena Reveals Why He Proposed to Nikki Bella at WrestleMania

While speaking to Fox Sports, John Cena was asked why he decided to propose to Nikki Bella at WrestleMania this year.

“It was a very public manner but the WWE is my home and I consider the WWE universe my family and that was a big, big moment in my life and I guess I just wanted to share it with my family.”

Cena was revealed that it was the most nervous he had ever been his entire life.

“That was the most nervous I have ever been in my entire life and not only was I worried about her response but I was worried about the reaction of the 75,000 people of the Camping World Stadium. I didn’t know that they would react in such a positive way, and I’m forever indebted to our fans for being able to allow me to celebrate the greatest moment of my life.”

Cena was also asked about if they have a wedding date in mind but didn’t reveal any details.

“Yes, they’re very ground floor right now but as it gets more and more refined it’s going to be more and more fun.”

You can check out the full interview here.