WWE Suspends Eva Marie, Paige, Del Rio!

A few days before SummerSlam, a day after Paige’s birthday, the WWE has suspended 3 of it’s top superstars. Eva Marie and real-life couple Paige and Alberto Del Rio. Eva Marie was supposed to be involved in a 6-women tag match this Sunday. And now because of a violation of the WWE’s wellnes policy, all 3 wrestlers will be out for 30-days. We haven’t seen Paige on television for a long time, with Del Rio only getting sprinkled in on SmackDown so far. Eva Marie has debuted 3 times now and we still haven’t seen her wrestle. Not sure why all of this is occurring but WWE always has a reason.

The Eva Marie suspension seems to be a little bit scripted especially after the latest shenanigans they have written for her debuts. Roman Reigns was also suspended recently, which also seemed fake to a lot of people. I actually wanted to see Eva Marie in the ring because I know she is going to be better than people expect. WWE has suspended people for the dumbest actions, for example, Titus O’neil. Wellness policy can be anything from drinking, smoking or popping some pain medications, so it is unclear when this happens, what exactly was the reason?

Alberto Del Rio and Paige have had a history of being very vocal when they are frustrated with their roles with the company, so it was only a matter of time before they got some sort of punishment. Del Rio was rumored to have heat with backstage creativeness and Paige was at first injured, then fighting Charlotte, back to being injured and now she is suspended? As wrestling fans we love to speculate and read every rumor as if it is true. But something is a little fishy when the WWE suspends 3 major talents days before one of their biggest pay per views. Whatever they did, did they caught doing it together? Jonathan Coyle (Eva Marie’s husband) has vowed recently to fight for Eva’s side, to prove she should not have been suspended.

WWE has been sub-par lately and not very exciting since the WWE Draft. The shows seem unorganized and lacking any substance in storylines. Not to mention the forgetting lines in promos or botches every night on basic moves. It hasn’t looked good, especially, when as of today Vince McMahon sold a decent chunk of his WWE stocks? WWE has been entertaining me for years and usually I don’t like to complain about them, so let’s step it up McMahon Family!

Smackdown Live Results August 9, 2016

We start the show with a backstage interview for Randy Orton, interrupted by Alberto Del Rio because they will be fighting tonight.

Bray Wyatt comes out with Erick Rowan to a sea of fireflies. Bray talks about last week’s match with Dolph Ziggler. He states that even in defeat, he is a GOD. In a very good promo saying it is now Bray Wyatt against the whole world. Dean Ambrose music hits and cuts off Bray. Telling him he is now a big baby trying to play the victim. Dolph Ziggler walks out to interrupt both of them and flies into the ring attacking Rowan. Dean jumps into the ring as well helping out Dolph. All 4 men go at it for a little bit, culminating with Ziggler trying to superkick Bray and instead Bray shoves Dean in the way! Bray hits Ziggler with a sister abigail to end the opening segment. Once again Bray saves the opening segment with his wittiness this time.

When we get back from commercial they show Dean and Dolph backstage arguing about the confusion. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan stop them from fighting and introduce to the audience tonight’s tag match, Dolph and Dean against Bray and Erick Rowan.

American Alpha vs Two Local Jobbers

American Alpha comes out to fight against two local jobbers. The Ascension, Hype Bros, and Vaudevillains all come out to the ring to watch the match. The match is very quick with Jason Jordan and Chad Gable hitting their normal moves. After the match all tag teams get in the ring fighting, American Alpha cleans house eventually hitting suplexes standing in the ring alone. Another quick match from American Alpha. Not a big enough sample size yet but they will get their spot sooner or later.
Winners – American Alpha

Apollo Crews highlight video plays hyping up his match with The Miz ,who is backstage with Renee Young. All he does is talk about Maryse, laying on a table with her. This segment was weird and just showcased Miz and Maryse’s love.

Eva Marie debut

Eva Marie has a wardrobe malfunction, which definitely looks fake. Becky Lynch gets interviewed in the ring and explains her frustration. Becky calls out any women who will fight her to come out now! Alexa Bliss answers the call! Commercial. Alexa is in control after the  break. Alexa pins Becky multiple times getting 1 counts. Becky fights back, a series of clotheslines. Eva Marie’s music hits distracting Becky, Alexa takes full advantage hitting a sparkle splash off the top rope. 1….2….3!! Alexa Bliss wins her debut!!! Eva Marie is interviewed at the entrance of the aisle. Eva says she tried to fix her wardrobe as fast as she could and she will be back next week debuting. I am concerned that they are doing absolutely nothing to change the crowd reaction to Eva Marie. Her entrance is unnecessary  and I hope she is getting better in the ring but doesn’t look like we will see anytime soon! Alexa Bliss has the move of the night with a 180 sparkle splash.
Winner – Alexa Bliss

Randy Orton vs Alberto Del Rio

They lock up several times. Del Rio gets the advantage to start, then Randy hits multiple uppercuts whipping him into the corner. Followed by a big clothesline knocking down Del Rio. Randy then hits a catapult on Alberto to a near fall. Del Rio hits Randy with some punches. Del Rio tries to attack Randy and ends up on the outside apron, getting pulled back off the ropes onto the outside. Commercial.  Randy stomping out all limbs of Del Rio to a 2count. A scramble leads Del Rio to hit a backstabber throwing Randy shoulder first into the corner. They end up outside with Alberto working on his left arm. Jumping off the top rope hitting a right hand knocking Randy down, 1….2…kickout! Randy comes back with a standing dropkick, setting up Alberto on the top rope. Out of nowhere Del Rio hits his arm submission hanging off the ropes! Back to the top rope randy slips Del Rio’s foot off hitting him in the baby maker! A big duplex off the second rope. Both wrestlers trade fists and kicks. Randy hits his patented double clothesline into a body slam off the ropes. Countering each other’s moves ending up with a ddt. off the apron ropes! Randy looking for the RKO but Del Rio slips out of the ring. Randy clotheslines him over the barricade and takes the announce table apart! Del Rio grabs a chair and smacks Randy in the back! Mike Chioda rings the bell as a disqualification! Del Rio talks trash to the crowd and rolls Randy into the ring…….RKO Outta Nowhere!!!! A longer match then I wanted it to be, another match just to warm up Randy Orton. No exciting moves or spots in this one.
Winner – Randy Orton

Backstage segment showing Heath Slater and Rhyno. Heath tries to get Rhyno to throw the match but he refuses.

Heath Slater vs Rhyno

Rhyno muscling Slater to open the match. Slater fights back with a series of moves getting a 2 count. Rhyno eventually hits a gore! 1…2…3! This match was bland as hell and a waste of a segment. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were about to give a contract to Heath but he interrupted them before they could offer it to him. He explodes and leaves telling them they don’t deserve him. A quick match that I was hoping Heath actually won. I think he is a good character and decent wrestler but he gets more television time then he needs.
Winner – Rhyno

Carmella vs Natalya

Carmella is aggressive coming out and Natalya puts a stop to it with back to back suplexes. Stomping her out in the corner. Mattie holds her with an arm stretch, talking to the ref gets schoolboy by Carmella to a near fall. A well executed abdominal stretch leading into a discus clothesline from Natalya to a near fall. Natalya goes for a sharpshooter but it is stopped by Carmella. Carmella and Natalya end up on the ground and Carmella applies a choke with her legs cranking it tighter…..and Natalya to much surprise taps out!! Carmella had zero offense in this match and her character is sinking fast in my view.
Winner – Carmella

They hype the John Cena, AJ Styles match. Baron Corbin beats up Kalisto backstage and yells at him that he cost him the intercontinental championship.

Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose vs Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan

Bray and Rowan immediately attack their opponents. Dean starts off against Bray, Ziggler tags himself in quickly. Bray a violent thrusting throat punch to Ziggler. Ziggler fights Bray off and gets clotheslined by Rowan illegally. Commercial. Back from the break Dolph and Bray trade punches, a missing back sexton leads to both men on the ground and a hot tag to Dean. Dean clotheslines and does his running bulldog. Dean clocks Rowan on the apron, leaping over into him. Bray takes control of Dean and tags in Rowan. Rowan aggressively hits Dean with big moves and a slap. Tag to Bray, a big bookend onto Deans back! Bray and Dean bounce off the ropes with Dean hitting a swinging neck breaker. Dean and Bray both makes tags. Ziegler takes control hitting big clotheslines followed by a few near falls. Ziegler is full of enegy again hitting a ddt. Rowan catches a superkick and reverses it with a nice spin kick clocking Rowan.Near fall Ziggler hits a zig zag..1……2..Bray Wyatt breaks it up and all 4 men go at it! Bray ends up outside the ring and a botched ugly suicide dive by Dean. Superkick by Ziggler on Rowan! 1…..2….3! Right after the match Dean Ambrose hits Dolph Ziggler with a dirty deeds!!
Winners – Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler

Another bad week of wrestling for RAW and Smackdown. This new era is not doing much to gain viewership. SummerSlam better be a great show otherwise I am going to complain online! Not too much to report on in the wrestling world. There were no big moves or impressive matches to entertain us with. Short segments, no storytelling. The writers for WWE seem to be on vacation.

Smackdown Live Results/Recap August 2nd, 2016

In the second week of the “new era” in wrestling, Monday Night Raw failed. Smackdown does not have to do much to top them this week. Shane McMahon has a lob pitch right down the middle, all he needs to do is make contact. Let’s see how the night goes……

The show starts with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan reliving Randy Orton’s RKO from last night with a huge group of security guards waiting. The Miz interrupts them, followed by Dean Ambrose. Daniel Bryan announces there will be a triple threat match for the new number 1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship featuring Baron Corbin, Kalisto, and Apollo Creed. Yes he said Apollo Creed. Dean Ambrose music hits and now the show starts from Nashville, Tennessee. Dean Ambrose says he is not a one hit wonder and is going to be the champ for a long time. He invites his opponent Dolph Ziggler to the ring for a friendly confrontation. Dolph Ziggler is way better than Dean in this promo, talking about how he started as a male cheerleader. Pretty boring trash talk back and forth with Dean ending it with “your not as a good as you say you are.” Dean bumps Ziggler and leaves the ring. The screen goes black with Bray Wyatt’s vignette, appearing in the ring hitting Ziggler with sister abigail! The crowd goes nuts as Bray challenges Dolph to a match tonight, winner taking the number 1 contender spot at SummerSlam!! The crowd erupts with a YES! Chant!!! (Bray Wyatt saved the start of the show)

Number 1 Contender Intercontinental Championship

Baron Corbin vs Kalisto vs Apollo Crews

The Miz is on commentary. YAWN* Corbin is in control early being the bigger man. Kalisto and Crews double team him knocking him to the outside. Kalisto hits a dive to the outside followed by a commercial. We return with Corbin standing and both men on the ground in the ring. Kalisto jumps off Apollo’s back and hits Corbin with a hurricanrana. Crews samoan drops Kalisto for a near fall. Corbin catches Kalisto off the top rope and gets drop kicked by Apollo to the outside. Schoolboy by Crews 1…..2…..3..! Apollo Crews is your new Number 1 contender!! All 3 men fight after the match with Miz interfering hitting his Skull Crushing Finale!! But Baron Corbin destroys all 3 men and leaves them on the floor as he stands above them.

Winner – Apollo Crews

Becky Lynch vs Eva Marie

Eva Marie enters second to a barrage of boos. Her entrance is so weird with that voiceover. Eva Marie appears to have a leg injury and the match is cancelled? Very sketchy situation? Can’t tell if it is real or fake? Cut to Carmella being interviewed by Renee Young, interrupted by Natalya arguing about absolutely nothing. Waste of a segment.

Vaudevillains vs American Alpha

The debut of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable! I am excited for this tag team match. Gable against Simon Gotch to start. All technical wrestling to start off with Gable impressively trading reversals. Tag to Jordan who hits a dropkick. Multiple tags to each member as Gable flies off the top rope hitting a double clothesline. The Vaudevillains take advantage of a window with double team moves. Gable fights back tagging Jordan with a hot tag. Jordan hits a variety of suplexes on both member. Spearing Aiden English into the corner, tagging Gable back in, hitting their finisher for the win! Decent match, unfortunately very quick following the Eva Marie episode.

Winner – American Alpha

AJ Styles comes out and wants John Cena. Cena’s music hits. Styles says he has a message for Cena, with the crowd barely chanting “Soccer Mom Hair.” AJ says he wants John Cena out of the WWE. AJ Styles makes fun of Tennessee. Then goes onto to hate on Cena’s fans starting with “idiot , delusional kids.” Then he makes fun of the parents who raise Cena fans. John responds saying the fans make up their own minds. “Let’s Go Cena, Cena Sucks!” chants begin. AJ asks John why he is still here? They trade disses, and Cena finally answers the question with I’m here out of love. He defends the kids and their parents with how he is in love with the WWE Universe. Cena pours his heart out in a long-winded segment defending his love for the company. AJ Styles challenges him to a match at SummerSlam. I feel like John Cena says the same thing in every promo about his hustle, loyalty and respect. Same exact in-ring promo segment from Cena we have always seen.

Fandango vs Randy Orton

Security is surrounding the ring in case Brock Lesnar retaliates. Randy is in control with the crowd chanting RKO! A dropkick by Fandango into a headlock while Tyler Breeze looks on. A series of clotheslines , a bodyslam and a second rope ddt knocks out Fandango. Brock Lesnar is shown by the barricade, he hops over the railing and F5’s Randy Orton. Suplex City chants erupt with Shane McMahon racing down the aisle telling Brock to leave. Security escorts him out of the arena. Very quick spot, felt like they could have definitely milked it a little more.

Heath Slater is shown in Daniel Bryan’s office begging for a contract. Daniel says he can have a match next week. His opponent is……Slater gets gored by Rhyno. Rhyno will be his opponent next week in a contract match.

Carmella enters rhyming on the microphone walking down the aisle. Natalya comes down the ramp and clotheslines Carmella. Putting her into the sharpshooter outside the apron. Carmella screams tapping out.

Bray Wyatt vs Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler starts face with a dropkick and a fame-asser to a two count. Bray rolls out and clotheslines a chasing Dolph. Back into the ring they go. Ziggler tries a schoolboy and lands on Bray’s ankle. He is definitely hurt, as they cut to commercial break. Come back from commercial and we see a superplex by Bray Wyatt. Spider walk into a 2 count near fall. Headlock for a couple of minutes by Bray. Ziggler finally fights back with a pair of clotheslines, followed by a stinger splash neckbreaker to a 2 count. Super kick caught into a suplex toss followed by a back senton by the new face of fear. Wyatt unties the turnbuckle wasting time, backing up right into a zig zag by Dolph. 1…….2…..kickout! Ziggler finishes the turnbuckle off and exposes it, sister abigail teased, Ziggler fights it off, Bray Wyatt bookends Dolph to a very close 2 count. Forearms and right hands by Bray knocking Ziggler down. Tossing him into the exposed turnbuckle missing it by an inch. Bray goes for the corner and gets tossed into the steel by Dolph! SuperKick!! 1….2…..3…!! Dolph Ziggler is still your number 1 contender going into SummerSlam. Dolph taunts Dean as Erick Rowan interferes and slams Ziggler down. Dean tries to help but gets tossed out by Rowan. Bray gets up and hits a long sister abigail!

Winner – Dolph Ziggler

On the second week, of the new era, WWE has lacked performance on both shows. RAW wasn’t entertaining at all with matches, nobody really cared about it except Seth Rollins vs Sami Zayn. Smackdown was extremely weird and unorganized. Daniel Bryan stuttered and messed up a whole bunch. The Eva Marie injury kind of seemed like a work but we will find out more during the week I guess. The segments were very quick and the matches didn’t perform well until the Main Event. Brock interfering was cool, but again it was over in the blink of an eye. As a fan who waits all week sometimes to watch wrestling, this week felt like they winged it on the spot for both shows. Overall the storytelling wasn’t there and I was not impressed at all with the shows this week. Sorry WWE!

Top 5 Feuds For Sasha Banks

In a new era, we have a new Women’s Champion and her name is Sasha Banks! Sasha has been through a lot facing injury after injury, finally making it to the top and achieving gold. At SummerSlam she will defend her title one more time against her rival Charlotte. Anything can happen as we have seen from the WWE, but this seems to be the match that will put their feud to a rest for a while. Charlotte has recently been rumored, to have asked for some time off after breaking Nikki Bella’s longest reign as Women’s Champion. Charlotte and Sasha’s matches in NXT were absolutely amazing, but it seems their more recent feud on RAW the past couple of months has been sub par. I still think WWE is holding them back from letting loose and giving matches everybody deserves. I’m not saying Sasha is guaranteed to win at SummerSlam, but it would be very odd if Charlotte does win it back, based on the recent push with Sasha. So on that note, below are some feuds I believe would be great for Sasha right off the bat after SummerSlam.

Eva Marie

Yes I said it, everybody relax. I know she is with Smackdown but unless they have another women’s title this could definitely be entertaining. Bare with me here and just listen. Eva Marie has been getting better in the ring and she can be exactly who they want her to be, but the way they keep presenting her is killing her off. She interfered on Monday Night RAW a couple of months ago and the other girls in the ring wanted nothing to do with her. To an idle viewer, they are going to go with whatever is the trending theme for a wrestler, and when you see all the other women’s wrestlers being stand offish to her, of course they are going to feel the same way. Even on the show Total Divas, they all talk smack about her and it is not helping. Then her entrance the other night on RAW was just weird as hell. There is a voiceover claiming all these accolades for Eva, when she hasn’t done much, yet. Again she gets booed for no reason. Feuding with Sasha could change the audiences whole view of her. They have a couple good matches with them shaking hands at the end and the whole landscape changes. Sasha would be a huge baby face with Eva being the obvious heel, and you have your classic good girl versus bad girl for the audience. I think we need to give Eva a little bit more of a chance because as we have seen before, there will be a day when Eva is a fan favorite, I just hope she doesn’t have to do a backflip through a table to get the crowd on her side. Right away it will create a storyline where Eva can get her feet wet, and they can always come back to even if it isn’t for the title. Why do we not like Eva Marie?

Nikki Bella

I am not sure as to when she will be back, but Nikki should definitely be put into the title picture right away. In the past 2 years there has been only 2 title holders really, Nikki and Charlotte. I am a fan of the long title reigns because it creates legitimacy and eventually every 2 count has you holding your breath as to who will beat the champ. Nikki was solidified as the best female wrestler in the company. If it wasn’t for her neck injury who knows how long she could have been the champ. Her move repertoire has greatly increased and she will always be cheered for regardless, of where the writers put her. Nikki against Sasha feuding would be like old school against new school in a way. The veteran against the new era would be as exciting as ever. Nikki maybe brings back her sister to help her along the way forcing Sasha to find some backup again. WWE needs to get back to building characters and more in-depth storylines. A feud that would have the WWE Universe split and wanting more and more of the BOSS versus the Total Diva.

Paige

Where the hell has Paige been? Stirring up instagram controversy with her boyfriend Alberto Del Rio is all I can think of. Paige clearly is a fantastic well-rounded wrestler who has been doing it all her life. We haven’t seen Paige at the top of the ladder which makes me scratch my head. She was supposed to be at the start of the women’s revolution and then all the groups they formed turned on each other? (good job writers) Paige was the first NXT Women’s Champion and had a very good start to her career, beating AJ Lee her first night on RAW for the Divas Championship. In the storylines she has been a part of, they spend a lot of time building it up, followed by the rug being pulled out from under her. Paige attacking Sasha after the match at SummerSlam would once again split the WWE Universe making for great television. Paige can take the route of “I was here first” and Sasha saying she is the future, not Paige. An opportunity to finally introduce some stipulation to women’s matches, maybe doing a 2 out of 3 falls match. Also a falls count anywhere match, where they could use every inch of the arena. (doesn’t need to be hardcore) I want Paige to come back real soon, she is too talented and entertaining to be kept out of the main picture.

Nia Jax

Yes. I am a big fan of Nia Jax because clearly there has not been a women of her uniqueness in the WWE, almost ever. Nia Jax has been dominating women left and right and should be right behind Charlotte to fight for the belt after SummerSlam or shortly down the road. If you have gone to any house shows or NXT events, Nia Jax is pretty hilarious in-between takes and matches interacting with the crowd. Nia fought Bayley for the NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver London. The only thing I remember Bayley doing, was giving Nia sleeper holds and chokes, eventually leading to a tap out. Yes Nia is bigger than the other women but she is athletic and does not need to be restricted to, looking like Yokozuna from back in the day. If her and Sasha cross paths, it could easily lead to Nia destroying her for the belt and Sasha climbing back to the top as an underdog once again. Big against small always works people. The newcomer who has demolished no name jobbers her first two matches on RAW and that will continue for some more weeks to come. Nia Jax becoming champ would do wonders for the company and women around the world everywhere. I am a fan, and always will be of hers, now it’s time for her to show the world who Nia Jax really is!

Bayley

Oh My God! Yes, I want to see this. If we learned anything for their matches at NXT, this will blow the roof off of any building! I wanted Bayley to turn on Sasha after their tag match at BattleGround but, we will have to wait for that I guess. Bayley and Sasha clearly are best buddies which has that Triple H, Shawn Michaels feel to it. Shawn and Hunter have said in multiple interviews, when it’s your friend you have a match with, you tend to hit a little harder and move a little faster. It was a nice moment seeing them tag together, all good things must come to an end. Since Bayley was not drafted, this feud will probably be far down the road, having WWE keep Bayley in NXT for the next wave of women to join the main rosters. Bayley and Sasha would showcase that sometimes you don’t need a storyline, it’s all about good wrestling. Match of the Year winners, and Match of The Year runner-up in the same category. That’s how impressive they have been together. Could you imagine their entrances if this were to go down at WrestleMania!? Not much else needs to be said other than we will have to be very patient for this one, and it will be well worth the wait! Hug Life against Boss Life!

These are all my personal opinions and the routes I would go for your entertainment pleasure. Sasha holds the torch now and we will just have to wait and see where her next rivalry comes from!  Agree or Disagree let me know in a comment or on twitter @MAK10GATOR !!

WWE Smackdown Live! Results July 26, 2016

Smackdown has a huge task ahead of them because, Monday Night RAW was actually pretty good! You can see for yourself Clicking Here! Just like RAW, Smackdown Live has a  new set, which once again isn’t that different or creative. Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon introduce the night with a camera following them from backstage to the live crowd in Buffalo, NY. All Smackdown superstars stand on the apron of the ring, while Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan announce their will be a Number 1 contender for Dean Ambrose’s WWE Championship. Bryan says their will be a six-pack challenge match to determine the winner  First entrant is John Cena, followed by, Bray Wyatt! (my favorite wrestler) Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, and the phenomenal AJ Styles! The sixth spot is open to….. the winner of a battle royal starting right now! In my eyes just as good of a start to Smackdown as it was to RAW! I am excited for the second night in a row which is very rare given the recent WWE PPV’s. The commentating team consists of Mauro Ranallo, JBL, and David Otunga! (when is the last time you heard that name?)

Battle Royal

All wrestlers constantly try to eliminate each other to gain the upper hand. I can estimate about 16 wrestlers in this match. Elimination after elimination as the crowd watches in suspense. Whose it going to be? Breezango is working well together with a classic commercial interruption. A little fast considering we are only 16 minutes in and have had 2 breaks already! After the break we see the battle royal consisting of only 8 guys now. Alberto Del Rio takes control of the match but is quickly eliminated. After a few eliminations, we are down to the final four! Kane, Apollo Crews, Kalisto and Zack Ryder! I hope Crews wins! Crowd chanting Woo! Woo! Woo! for Zack Ryder. Exciting close drama with Zack Ryder botching a top rope move, slipping off the ropes! Kane eliminates Kalisto! Double broski boot on Kane and Apollo Crews. Giving Kane a chance to stand up and eliminate Zack Ryder by throat! Kane runs after Crews as he pulls the rope down and eliminates the big red machine! Apollo Crews is your 6th man in the number 1 contender match! Typical battle royal match, followed by an interview right near the apron by Renee Young with Apollo! A good way to start off the night let’s see how it continues.

In-between matches a vignette shows Shelton Benjamin returning to Smackdown! Which I reported first in this article HERE!

Natalya vs Becky Lynch
A rematch from Battleground which was not a bad match. A good technical exchange between the women with both female wrestlers taunting towards the crowd. Natalya behind the heel, Becky being face. Crowd chants Becky! Becky! The crowd cheers on energizing Becky Lynch. A few near falls, followed by another taunt by Natalya, and a commercial break. We continue with a series of aggressive forearms by Becky taking control of the match. She climbs to the top rope ascending with a flying leg drop across the throat of Natalya! 1….2….kickout! Sharpshooter attempt blocked with a german suplex on Becky. More submission attempts ending with a discus clothesline by Natalya to a close 2 count! A brief window opens as Becky Lynch locks in the disarmer for a tap out victory!! A Renee Young post interview is interrupted by Alexa Bliss and then Naomi! Carmella interrupts them introducing herself. And now Eva Marie’s music hits to a sea of boos! (I actually like Eva Marie) A strange entrance with a voiceover describing Eva Marie? Very unusual and weird honestly. A good match between Natalya and Becky Lynch, overshadowed by the introduction of the new era women which led to nothing unfortunately.

MizTv SegmOOOOHH! Maryse gets pissed and accepts the match on her husband’s behalf!

Randy Orton vs The Miz
This match seems to be a warmup match to get Randy back in the ballgame. Mis right away exits the ring. Miz tosses Randy out of the ring aggravating his right shoulder injury. He continues to stomp on it all over the ring. Throwing him into steel steps and rolling him back in the ring….RKO outta nowhere! Orton does not cover Miz, favoring his shoulder. Orton pumps the crowd up going into viper mode, hitting another RKO seconds later and now covering him for the 1….2….3! Randy Orton used 1 move twice in the match, which sends a message to Brock Lesnar, showing it only takes 1 RKO to send him to Viper Ville! A double segment between these guys not really showcasing a “new era” in Smackdown.

Heath Slater shows up and knocks out a random wrestler currently in the ring! He spews out frustration why he should have been drafted. Heath wants to be in the main event tonight! Heath starts the chant #SignHeathSlater , to the crowd’s approval, echoing on his side. Shane interrupts him asking for his resume.’ Heath Slater spits out his resume, while to much surprise………..Rhyno slips into the ring and GORES! Heath Slater! The crowd goes nuts as the hottest free agent Rhyno is signed to Smackdown!

Six Pack Challenge
Bray Wyatt vs John Cena vs Apollo Crews vs Dolph Ziggler vs AJ Styles vs Baron Corbin
Bray Wyatt enters first with his vintage…..”Buffalo“……..”I’m here,” to a good crowd ovation. Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, AJ Styles, and John Cena follow in that order. The match starts and 2 seconds later they go to commercial! Another awful break, by the geniuses at WWE and USA! We return with Styles and Wyatt working as a team clearing the ring. Ziggler slides back into the ring gaining a near fall on Bray. With Bray still down AJ hits a 450 splash to another near fall on Bray. Chaos ensues as AJ knocks out Cena, then gets tossed by Apollo Crews. Corbin showcases his skills against Apollo with a great amount of intensity. Baron and Apollo fight for a while. All other wrestlers are still on the outside of the ring. Again with a commercial break! We return to a double Tower of Doom Pyramid knocking all 6 guys to the floor! Once more we see only Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin alone in the ring with everyone else outside. A close fall by Crews after a powerbomb, with Wyatt pulling the referee out! Bray spider walks, hitting apollo with a sister abigail, followed by Ziggler hitting him with the Zig-Zag! Cena AA to Ziggler! Cena AA to Styles!! 1…..2…..kickout!! Cena AA’s everyone to a bunch of boos! AJ Styles hits a phenomenal Elbow off the top rope! Ziggler superkicks AJ Styles!! 1…..2……3…!! I am in shock that Dolph Ziggler won this match! I honestly would have rather have Cena win who I hate but I guess Dolph Ziggler does deserve his shot in the new era! Ziegler celebrates as Dean Ambrose’s music hits to a great big cheer, coming down to the ring. Taunting Ziggler with the belt in hand! Decent show put on by Smackdown but I think they lose the first matchup between RAW and Smackdown.

On one show Finn Balor is the winner, and the other Dolph Ziggler? Ziggler should have got his shot a long time ago, but I guess they are making up for lost time. Dean Ambrose against Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam only on the WWE Network! In my eyes Stephanie McMahon 1 Shane McMahon 0. How did you feel about this week’s show let me know in a comment below or tweet me @MAK10GATOR !!

WWE BATTLEGROUND Preview:

Tonight is the long-awaited WWE PPV Battleground 8pm Eastern on the WWE Network. Taking place live from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. I am super excited for this match card based on the fact it is going to determine the future of the WWE. The brand split has raised many questions with the recent WWE Draft. Personally I see many good and bad things that come out of this but we will only know by the end of the tonight. Let’s preview the matches that will change the WWE Universe!!

Kickoff Show
Usos vs Breezango
This is going to be a warmup match for the crowd piling in, in what usually is a good energetic scene in the Verizon Center. Breezango to me has a huge upside in the long run. We haven’t seen much of the Usos on Raw and Smackdown lately so it’ll be interesting if this is just another match or they will actually make them competitive again in the tag team division. Not a bad match from my view but in today’s society nobody has the patience to appreciate the work in a good match on paper.

Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho Featuring Randy Orton
I am a little confused as to why this is even on the PPV. Maybe we will see Brock Lesnar interference or Randy Orton possibly putting Chris Jericho through a table just to get the crowd on his side. I am not too interested in this segment even though Randy Orton is one of the better wrestlers in the company today. A waste of time to fill space is what comes to mind.

New Day vs Wyatt Family
Unfortunately this feud could have been so epic but again WWE had to kill it with the recent WWE Draft. After having a great segment at the Wyatt Family compound, New Day will be staying together with the Wyatts breaking up after this match. I am a huge Bray Wyatt fan and you just wish he would get the push he deserves already. Maybe Bray turns against his family and destroys everyone after the match? That is the only way this would be interesting. Another match where the outcome won’t matter at all unless they doing something dramatic.

Becky Lynch vs Natalya
Becky Lynch and Natalya are two of the most talented and well equipped female wrestlers today. Not giving Natalya any love and Becky switching partners every month pushes them to the bottom of the barrel which they do not deserve. This clash should have been written better with a more dramatic storyline then another partner who turned on Becky. Natalya and Becky Lynch will put on a better match than expected as long as the WWE gives them a decent amount of time for their segment.

Charlotte & Dana Brooke vs Sasha Banks & Mystery Partner
The big question since this match was announced is who is going to be Sasha’s partner? Obviously everyone in the world wants it to be Bayley, but WWE does have a tendency to go against the people just to prove whose in control. I have heard names like Eva Marie, Carmella, and even Nikki Bella. With the crowd expecting Bayley anybody who comes out will get booed out of the gym unless it is Bayley. The only other name I can think of to get some sort of recognition is Asuka. Asuka injured Dana Brooke in NXT so there is some history there and is arguably the best female wrestler in the company. I’ll be biting my nails like everyone else until we have the answer to, who is Sasha Banks’ mystery partner?

Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn
I can write 100 pages on why this match is going to be amazing. With the move sets and history these best friends have on the indy scene, this will be your match of the night. A rivalry that we all wished would last forever. Crowds have ironically chanted “fight forever” when these two square off. Kevin Owens is a genius in terms of mic skills and in-ring psychology. Sami Zayn is your perfect underdog to get behind and root for considering all the injuries he has been through.I am a huge fan of Sami and I will be on the edge of my seat this whole match, unless of course WWE lets somebody win by DQ or interference which would cause a riot at the Verizon Center.

Cena, Enzo & Big Cass vs The Club
Enzo and Big Cass shockingly joined John Cena in the fight versus AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Enzo and Cass have a great gimmick going and to pit them with John Cena shows that the people backstage are clearly high on them. Another segment which should be entertaining and might even be a good idea to start the show with given the mic skills from almost every wrestler in this match. Is it going to be #BeatUpJohnCena day or The Club turning SAWFT after the match concludes? The future is foggy for The Club after being split up by the WWE Draft. Another match I believe will be fun and exciting for the fans.

United States Championship
Rusev vs Zack Ryder
Rusev and Zack Ryder have been forced to compete against each other in the weirdest way. I can’t even remember how this feud started to be honest. I am a fan of Zack Ryder and was happy for him with his big IC win at WrestleMania. Nobody wants to see Rusev, they all want to see Lana, which we have had a small taste of with her in-ring abilities. So we don’t really know how good she is. This match will be a low point for me with Rusev most likely retaining the United States Championship with his infamous “Rusev Crush.” A good time to take a bathroom break or even play Pokemon Go!

Intercontinental Championship
The Miz vs Darren Young
A rush of energy ran through my body when Darren Young signaled for the CrossFace Chicken Wing last week! Bob Backlund and Darren Young are entertaining whether your an old school fan or not. The Miz has been the same gimmick for years and Maryse is a nice addition. It would be funny if Maryse and Bob somehow got into it distracting Miz and Darren Young coming away with the victory! Once again WWE won’t give the fans what they want unless their investors agree. So another match which could have the potential to be really good but a Miz win with a distraction by Maryse seems to be the consensus like we have seen 1000 times.

WWE Championship
Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns
Whether you like it or not this is the match everyone has wanted since The Shield broke up. “The Man” against “The Guy” against “The Dude.” Personally I think it was a little to premature to do it this earlier but everyone will be looking forward to this. Former Shield buddies with injuries plaguing almost every member up until this point. A match which should have been saved for a WrestleMania opportunity and a little bit better of a build up. Who is going to be the victor? Was the Roman Reigns suspension for Adderall a work? (Find out HERE with an article written by Mr. Skatronixxx himself) Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose work magic segments together and will always come through entertaining in my opinion. Another possibility in this match is we can see some type of tag teaming back and forth between the 3 former Shield members. A match everyone will be glued to the television for in hopes of something spectacular happening. I can’t see this match failing in any way, but if it does I will be extremely disappointed and it will kind of be a turn-off with the let down of the recent WWE Draft. Come on WWE, don’t fail your beloved WWE UNIVERSE Tonight!

The NXT Review – 27th April 2016

Whats up Wrestling Peeps! So I’m going to skip over my annoyance of Finn Balor’s NXT Championship loss occurring off-screen, at the so-called dubbed ‘Mayhem in Massachusetts’. And instead revel in the prevailing rumour that this now means that Balor will be heading onto the Main Roster soon … as in, Payback soon.

Yes this would please me muchly, given that this would almost certainly mean a Bullet Club reunion and my much-anticipated Heel turn for Balor – or at the very less an Anti-Hero status – because c’mon. You ever gonna boo the Bullet Club? I mean, real-time hatred boos. Nah, I didn’t think so.

But the WWE (or Vince McMahon to be more precise) has a proven track record of not giving fans what they want. Throw in the rumour of a Steel Cage pay-off for Samoa Joe and Balor’s long-fought feud at the next TakeOver event. And it adds much anticipation going into this Sunday’s Payback.

Does Balor have double-duty in his future? Its your move Vince.

But back to tonight and someone who will be staying on at NXT for a while, your new NXT Women’s Champion Asuka.

As many of you know I have been down on the Asuka win at TakeOver Dallas. I won’t rehash why exactly in much detail, other than I didn’t like the pass-out ending. But I will say that Asuka will make a fantastic Champion, especially if NXT keep Bayley chasing after the title. I have no information telling me that they won’t do that – other than those pesky rumours that Bayley’s call-up will come soon – but an underdog chasing after the Championship they lost, seems fitting for the perpetual easy-to-root for Bayley.

But lets turn Asuka Heel already. A feat made impossible when you have her against the easy-to-Boo Eva Marie.

God bless Eva. No matter how much she improves her in-ring skills, crowds love to boo the All Red Everything. And I can’t hate on it because hey, its fun to do. But as a watcher of Total Divas (I apologise for nothing), Eva seems like a scripted-sweetheart making it hard to hate her.

Reality TV aside though, her limited skill-set and her ability to slow matches down significantly means that a larger push won’t be on the horizon anytime soon. Which I’m okay with, keep Eva as a  hanger-on to the superior Nia Jax, because that is a future NXT Women’s Championship match I’d like to see.

Queen Nia FTW!

Welcome back Blake & Murphy. I’ll let you guys off for the lack of Alexa Bliss (sad emoji’s all round) but it’s good to see my favourite Tag Team in the ring. But lets take a moment and commiserate Zack Ryder, poor guy. Not only does he lose the Intercontinental Title the night after he wins it at WrestleMania but he is once again sent back to wrestle with the man-ape Mojo Rawley.

Okay I’ve got to stop the hate because I like The Rawley-Monster but the dude is annoying as hell. Straight up!

Truth talk time though. Why is Ryder not a permanent fixture on the Main Roster? Like his bestie Dolph Ziggler, the Broski is so over its mind-boggling that this wouldn’t put him in any title hunt what-so-ever. Even more so when considered that his wrestling skills put some Superstars to shame.

Yes you Roman Reigns. #ShotsFired.

Speaking of shots fired. I would normally skip over Elias Samson matches because I’m just not a fan. But when Shinsuke Nakamura is this D’Bags opponent. NXT kinda forced my hand.

Nakamura seems at home in WWE. The Flamboyant King of Strong-Style has sauntered and face-smacked his way through the competition thus far but I can’t help but think that Nakamura’s greatest match won’t present itself on the yellow brand.

I could be wrong, after all that TakeOver match with Sami Zayn has Match of the Year written all over it . But with fellow Wrestle Kingdom 10 Main Eventer AJ Styles on the Main Roster. Nakemura’s future has Monday Night RAW (and WrestleMania Main Event) waiting for him against arguable more cashable stars than Elias Samson.

NXT … enjoy Nakamura while you’ve got him. It won’t be for long.

*Insert Sad-Face Here*

For all your NXT News & Review, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

 

The NXT Review – 16th March 2016

Whats up Wrestling Peeps! After last weeks two-man domination of NXT, it was back to your regular scheduled programming and one helluva Tag Team Match. And thats saying something after that NXT Tag Team match at Roadblock just Saturday past.

But lets not skip-to-the-best-bit because we actually got some Big build up for TakeOver Dallas, with the co-mish William Regal awarding Sami Zayn a headlining match against the newly-signed Shinsuke Nakamura. Like the crowd can attest, truly a “Holy Sh#t!” moment, but it does raise the question as the build-up we will be getting to this face-off.

Now Hey, I don’t need Nakamura to debut before TakeOver arrives. Surely NXT holding off on the New Japan Wrestling star’s debut until the big night in Dallas will ensure butts in seats and fans fapping all-over the WWE Network (imagine the mess!) But in saying that I wouldn’t mind it either, especially given that word-on-the-street (via Dirt Sheets galore) that NXT is meanly a pit stop for the King-of-strong-style before hitting the bright lights of Monday Night RAW. It would be nice to see him get some decent NXT matches under his belt before he gets lost in the Main-Event-shuffle.

I mean, Its not as if WWE has an abundance of Wasted Talent already right?

Okay I’ve sunken my Hater-Aide early this week, so lets move onto the positives and Deonna Purrazzo actually getting a win … Oh wait! She lost again. Seriously? I’m really trying to be positive here guys. Well … I guess she looked good while losing. After all, Emma does have a knack of getting a good match out of the of greenest of wrestlers, so theres that I guess.

Better luck next time Deonna.

But singles completion aside, it really was the Tag Teams that dominated the night with Bayely & Asuka teaming up against the impressive team of Nia Jax & Eva Marie. Great match that set little up other than the fact that Asuka is out for the gold, a match that was quickly established by the co-mish for TakeOver Dallas. Almost like it was planned or something.
But lets not overlook that inadvertent leg drop on Eva by  Nia, her own Tag partner no less. Thing of beauty and painful as hell. Gif it internet … keepsake for life.

Main Event time and American Alpha brought it well and truly. The Vaudevillians however weren’t going to make it easy for them. After their return, the throwback duo seem to have reverted to their namesakes. With a ruthless style and killjoy agenda, they looked to put a stop to the wave of enthusiasm that has built for American Alpha since NXT’s tour of the UK.

The Vaudevillians tyranny was in vain however. After some high spots like Jordan’s Spear to the corner and that roll-through-German-Suplex from Gable, the brightest Tag Team in the division at the moment won the match and a chance at the titles.

So normally I would say that the chase is often better than the win but these guys are better served by holding the NXT Tag Team titles. Unlike Enzo & Cass’ plucky underdog story, American Alpha are just too good at the moment to not hold the titles and be left on the back-burner come Dallas.

Picture it. American Alpha as the Tag Champs Vs Team SAWFT at TakeOver Dallas.

I think I just Wrestle-Gasmed … make is so NXT!

For all you Fantasy-Booked-WWE & NXT News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

The NXT Review – Feb 24th

Whats up Wrestling Peeps!, how you doin’, and how about that Fastlane huh? Yeah well, least said about that the better. But something I do want to talk about is NXT and of course Mr William Regals decision to place Sami Zayn and Samoa Joe in a 2-out-of-3-fall Match next week to definitively find the #1 contender.

Okay two things. I’m down with this, I love this style of match because almost-always it comes down to the wire or one man decides to take a chair to the skull (or back, PG Era and all) as Alberto Del Rio did this Sunday past. Oops … I mention Fastlane, my bad. No actually, your bad WWE. What a me’h PPV.

But secondly, can you imagine how pissed Joe must be by now. Like Kevin Owens, this man is a Prize Fighter whose time in TNA can be best described as wasted (sorry Joe), underused (again, sorry Joe) and worst yet, overlooked (eek!). So this is his chance to show NXT (and the larger WWE audience) that he is finally in a company that perhaps will utilise his talents.

Talking of talent, we got a balls-out-amaze-balls match with American Alpha showing that the young-studs can not only put on a show but have fun doing it. Have to say, I’m so bias when it comes to these two teams. The Alphas have quickly become my favourite Tag Team on the yellow brand but my black-heart has a soft spot for Blake & Murphy. And Heels in general to be honest, I mean Damn!, they just have more fun no? Well perhaps not as much as Chad Gable who was trolling Blake & Murphy every chance he got, much to the dismay of Alexa Bliss.

Oh Alexa Bliss *Heart Sign* Why are you not on my Tv more often?

Sorry, got distracted there. So American Alpha won, of course, which puts them on track to face Dash & Dawson but given that we were shown footage of the NXT Tag Team Champs beating on Enzo & Cass outside the performance centre. The young-guns will have to bide there time for now as Team SAWFT will get a crack at the titles first.

Talking of Tag, our main event was the ladies, picking up where they left off when Eva Marie and Nia Jax decided to be totes-emosh-killers and layeth the Heel-slam on Bayley and Carmella after their NXT Women’s Title Match.

Early on the besties got the upper hand but Eva and Nia soon stuck two fingers up to the audience to steal a win … and I couldn’t be happier. Okay … don’t be haters but theses are the sort of wins that Eva needs to be picking up because despite what the crowd say. All-Red-Everything has improved in the ring.

That being said. I go back to what I mentioned two weeks previous, Eva Marie isn’t ready for Bayley. No way, now how. But put her in feud with someone on her level like Carmella and both women will be able to shine. We all know that Nia is there as a crux for Miss Total Divas but I don’t think she needs it. Given the chance, she may surprise us all.

Lastly but not leastly (is that a word?), we see Regal informing NXT Champion Finn Balor that he will face Adrian Neville next week. Sorry what was that? Its just Neville now! Oh okay … can’t it be like a Superman thing. When he is on the Main roster pretending to be superhero he is ‘Neville’ yet on NXT he is allowed to be a legit badass. WWE saids no?

F@*K it! Adrian Neville makes his return to NXT next week.

For all your NXT-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

The NXT Review – Feb 10

 

Whats up Wrestling-Peeps, welcome back to The NXT Review and DAMN what a week for WWE. Not really much else to talk about on the main roster front besides Daniel Bryan’s (lets face it) inevitable retirement announcement after being on the bench for a majority of 2015. But still, its sad-sad news. I’m holding back the obvious reaction to the announcement (arms at the ready) but we’ll see how far I get.

Bryan really dominated the main roster but NXT still brought it this week, and on the road no less. Did they mention this because I love live event tapings out of Full Sail, which of late has felt kinda small given how popular NXT is fast becoming. I would never say that the Full Sailers are getting lazy, I mean the regular faces are there week-in week-out so mad props. But the capacity that the studio sits doesn’t seem conducive to a lively crowd.

But Orlando laid it out. So much so that a boring Baron Corbin match was less-so than normal, so above average which is good for Corbin. Nah I’m just funning ya, Corbin (although controversial to admit) I actually like. Not to rehash but its probably true that the passion isn’t there. But Breaking Ground highlights this mans attitude to the biz, being that he is bigger than NXT. And I have to agree.

This is a hot-take that could blow up in my face but Corbin needs to move up. The skills, he has them. He is a big-guy who punches people and power bombs them until the cows come home, nothing else. And thats okay. He isn’t going to be that indie darling that his opponent Johnny Gargano is. He isn’t a high-flying or even a techincally sound wrestler but he can be that turd-of-a-heel that crowds love to boo and will fight for that top spot on RAW harder than most. In his own mind, NXT just isn’t big enough for him.

Now does he deserve that shot just yet, maybe not but I aint gonna tell him that, are you?

Finally Alexa Bliss back in singles competition, yes it was against Cameron (seriously Girl, take your own advice and wave Bye) who okay has improved but meh still pretty choppy in the ring. Any who, the match was solid if not a tad slow but that would be Cameron’s choppy-ness as mentioned but Bliss shines as a Heel and you can tell she loves taking the heat and running with it. Please no-more of these two but YES! to more single matches with Bliss. I held it in as long as I could.

Onto the main event and what has become norm for NXT, the women stole the show.

In a surprisingly competitive match Carmella showed that what Bayley can serve she is just as capable of dishing out. Got to be honest, found the ending kinda sloppy but Bayley resorting to a reverse roll-up to get Carmella’s shoulders to stay on the match. Gives credence to Carmella as serious competitor.

And that stare down at the end between Bayley and Auska. Every NXT fans wet dream right there.

The more confusing aspect, because Bayley Vs Auska just makes all the sense in the world … it just does. Is how Nia Jax and the ever-popular Eva Marie fit into the equation? After the beat down they gave Bayley and Carmella it would make all the more sense to have a few Tag Team feuds for awhile but how about we throw caution out the window and have a one-on-one feud with Carmella and Eva?

All Red Everything needs to stand on her own two-feet sooner or later and Carmella showed tonight that she can take the lead in the ring. Something that Eva has show little sign of doing just yet.

I’m just saying with Eva out the way it leaves Nia Jax to enter a Triple Threat feud with and NXT Women’s Champion Bayley. I think I just fan-fict’d something special there, make it happen WWE!

I’m sure my check is in the post.

For all your NXT-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx