New Era Train Derailed? Finn Bàlor Relinquished WWE Universal Title On RAW

 

By Daniel Finney

Nature  Boy  Buddy  Rogers,  first WWF World Champion, Pat Patterson   first  WWF  Intercontinental Champion, and now Finn Bàlor.The Demon King ushered in the New Era becoming first WWE Universal Champion. The event was the 29th annual SummerSlam at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, NY, this past Sunday.  His opponent fellow WWE Superstar, former 2 times WWE World Champion Seth Rollins.

The bar had been set high for Bàlor, when signing to NXT. Living up to that standard, Bàlor became the longest reigning champion there. After losing the NXT Title to Samoa Joe, everyone including Finn Bàlor wondered what was next. His next and final opponent at NXT was none other than Shinsuke Nakamura. After a valiant but losing effort, Bàlor was then drafted 5th overall at the WWE Draft this past July. Being called up to the big show, the brass ring was Bàlor’s for the grasping.

That next week on Raw, Bàlor was trusted into two fatal four way matches to determine a number one contender to face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam.

Bàlor, victorious over Roman Reigns was now headed to SummerSlam to face Rollins for the new WWE Univeral Championship. Fast forwarding this past Sunday, Rollins superiorly confident in his abilities and accomplishments thought Bàlor was just another wrestler. Underestimating Bàlor’s alter ego The Demon King, a deep, dark place Finn goes to take his skill to that next level.

In a grueling back and forth match it was difficult for people to determine who would be victorious. Sequence after sequence of maneuvers it truly came down to a battle of attrition. In the middle of the match, both competitors were outside the ring. In a desperate attempt to finish Bàlor, Rollins relied on one of his signature moves power bombs Bàlor into the barricade. Unbeknownst to the WWE Universe, Bàlor separated his shoulder. With a warrior’s mentality, Bàlor lived up to this warrior’s  code putting it back in place. Enduring on in the match, Bàlor turned perseverance into triumph. After a series of front dropkicks, Bàlor, ascended to the top rope and landing his finisher Coup de Grâce.

Bàlor accomplished the impossible, defeating Stephane McMahons chosen one Seth Rollins. Overcoming all adversity, and silencing the nay- sayers. Finn Bàlor was leading the helm of the WWE. Beginning with an appearance on Good Morning America accompanied with also newly crowned 2x WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte.

The sky was the limit for Bàlor, but unfortunately fate had other plans. Turns out that that shoulder was damaged more than everyone expected. What was thought to be a separated shoulder, MRI showed it to be a torn labrum of the shoulder. With the severity of the injury, Bàlor is required to have surgery to repair the injury. This results in Balor being out of action until early 2017. Devastated, Finn was forced to relinquish the title on this past Monday episode of Raw.  With grace in the middle of the ring Bàlor thanked GM Mick Foley, Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, the WWE Universe, and even Seth Rollins for pushing him to reach his full potential that night.

Handing over the title to Foley then making his exit to the back. In the middle of his walk, Rollin’s theme music comes on. Out comes the cocky self-proclaimed winner of SummerSlam.  Rollins walked into the ring hugging Stephany expecting to be handed the belt. The WWE had other plans, thrusting Rollins into a series of matches ending in a fatal four way next week episode of Raw. The finalist along with Rollins, are Kevin Owens, Big Cass, and Roman Reigns all members of the New Era as well. It’s up in the air will come out victorious, whispers are that Reigns will be “The Guy”. That victory could reopen the feud with Reigns and Rollins for Clash of Champions, Raw’s first PPV.

Or go in a different direction, and Kevin Owens seizing the victory. His feud with Sami Zayn has become legendary in a short time, and the WWE Universe seems enjoy their grudge. There’s the open possibility of a jealousy angle with WWE veteran Chris Jericho, and Owens.  The potentials seem to be high only time will tell. It begins next week on Raw. A new champion will eventually  be crowned.

Is the New Era train derailed, or can the WWE find an alternate route leading them back on track on a destination course to the future with Bàlor conducting the way. For now all we can do is wish him a full speedy recovery.

 

‘Daniel Bryan’ Thinks ‘Finn Balor’ Should Have Made his RAW Debut “a year and a half ago”

In a sit-down interview with Michael Cole, Former WWE World Champion and current SmackDown!Live GM Daniel Bryan, layeth some home truths with regards to oft-forgotten but beloved brand, NXT.

In response to the former NXT, and mega-over, superstar Finn Balor’s recent sidelining injury. Bryan, no stranger to harsh bumps himself, had some interesting commentary on indie-darlings honing their craft down in NXT:

“Finn Balor should have been up here a year and a half ago. Right? And I understand that NXT is a very important part of our programming. A Very important part of the Network. But he was a superstar when we signed him and some people have to adjust to the WWE style [-] but that takes no more than six months.”

Although the respected Wrestler makes it clear that NXT is important to the WWE Business model and building new up-and-coming stars. Bryan goes on to comment that “Samoa Joe should already be here, Shinsuke Nakamura should already be here; those are guys in their primes and they’re down in NXT right now and they should be here on SmackDown Live or RAW.”

It’s hard to argue with Daniel’s points when it comes to known indie wrestlers biding their time in NXT while still facing the possibility of career ending injuries every-time they step into a WWE ring. Before Balor even made it onto Monday Night RAW, the first Universal Champion had already recovered from a serious Knee injury that kept him out of action for just under two months. It does however seem as if the GM underestimates how integral the small brand is when it comes to introducing smaller Pro-wrestling stars to the larger WWE universe .

Stars like Balor, Joe and Nakamura may have already made their name in other corners of Pro-Wrestling. But for better-or-for-worst WWE is the pinnacle of Sports Entertainment, which means sometimes for fans it is the first port of call for their wrestling fix. Not everyone is scouring the internet to watch AJ Styles Vs Shinsuke Nakamura’s Wrestle Kingdom 10 match or even still watching TNA. So how over would an off-camera name changed Prince Devitt be with a largely ignorant crowd or little kids that are only at live events because their parents took them.

It’s not to say that someone as talented as Finn wouldn’t have made a splash debuting on RAW straight away, he probably would have. But his stint in NXT shouldn’t be overlooked or seen as a waste of time when Triple H’s baby is without question honing stars to take the reigns from the current faces of the WWE.

At the moment former TNA star Bobby Roode is honing his ‘Glorious‘ Gimmick in front of the Full Sail audience. Whose to say if Roode will use it when he makes it onto the Main Stage but where is the harm in testing it out with an NXT crowd first?

The interview (which you can watch above), concludes with Cole drumming up heat for E!’s Total Bellas which stars Daniel Bryan alongside his wife Brie Bella, Nikki Bella and SmackDown! star John Cena. A prospect that causes Bryan to visible cringe, highlighting perhaps how the wrestler really feels about the Total Divas‘ spin-off show:

“It was a really tough part of my life and for people who are entertained by that, you can see it. I don’t necessarily want to relive it but yeah, it’ll go there.”

For all your SmackDown! Live News & Reviews, Follow @mitchrated and all of the #SkatronixxxWrestling team only on Skatronixxx.com

Raw Just Became A Hugger! Bayley Debuts!!

 

 

Ain’t no stopping her now, Bayley has been called up to Raw. On August 22nd 2015 at NXT TakeOver:Brooklyn, Bayley won the NXT Women’s  Championship from Sasha Banks. Bayley held the title for 223 days losing it to Asuka at NXT TakeOver:Dallas in April.

Four months later on the one year anniverery of Bayley first winning the title in Brooklyn, Bayley finally gets the call up to “The Show”. Where else, but in Brooklyn. What a difference a year makes.

During a Raw segment, the newly crowned two time WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte was giving her acceptance speech in the ring. In the middle of belittling her fallen at SummerSlam, Sasha  Banks. The champ was interrupted by Raw GM Mick Foley. It was at that time Foley dropped the bomb of signing the hottest free agent in the WWE New Era Women’s Division.

After a stunned Charlotte watched Bayley and Foley seal the deal with a hug, Bayley turned her attention to the champ. Unphased, Charlotte expressed to Foley, and to her former 4 Horse Woman member how the New Era Women’s Divison revolution had left Bayley behind. Being that Bayley was called up last after Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch.

Bayley having the upmost respect for her former friend, simply replied with a  challenge for the champs title. Charlotte being a savvy champion declined the title shot to Bayley. Instead the champ offered Bayley her protégé Dana Brooks.

Bayley gladly acceted the challenge, and the match was immediately uderway. Despite Bayley losing her NXT title rematch at TakeOver:Brooklyn 2, also finally being on the big stage. Bayley showed Charlotte why the WWE saved the best for last, defeating Dana Brooks with the Bayley to belly suplex.

I’m interested to see how Charlotte responds to Bayley’s victory. I’m sure the whole WWE Universe is as well. To find out, just tune in to Raw every Monday night.

WWE Legend Bret Hart Takes Aim At Seth Rollins….Again!

I want to say that Bret “The Hitman” Hart is my favorite wrestler of all-time, so if this comes off a little biased, I apologize. As someone with the mantra “Best There Is, Best There Was, Best There Ever Will Be,” you’re going to have a few opinions on what you do for a living. Seth Rollins recently was in a match for the WWE Universal Championship with Finn Balor at SummerSlam. In the match Finn Balor was injured and had to relinquish his Universal Championship due to an arm injury. This has brought out once again a firm belief from Bret Hart, that Seth Rollins is unsafe and dangerous in the ring! This is the third wrestler Seth Rollins has injured significantly in a match. He broke John Cena’s nose, injured Sting forcing him to retire and most recently Finn Balor at SummerSlam.

Now, no wrestler will intentionally go out and hurt someone on purpose, that is not what the intention is in a match. Bret Hart has been very upfront on how he wrestled for years, never seriously injuring someone. Seth Rollins has injured 3 major wrestling icons in a matter of two years. Seth is by far, one of the best wrestlers in the world right now and will be at the top for a very long time. But Bret may have a point here. With the same turnbuckle powerbomb move, he significantly injured Sting and Finn Balor. Which raises the question about the move being banned for a while from WWE. Samoa Joe retired Tyson Kidd with a Muscle Buster move in NXT and continues to use it as his finisher, which Bret doesn’t like either. In today’s wrestling it does seem to be strange that a big number of the top wrestlers seem to be on the shelf for months and months following injuries. Is it todays wrestling style or the wrestlers being unsafe?

On Bret Hart’s Sharpshooter Podcast he claims, that he is a huge fan of Seth Rollins and just wants him to wrestle cleaner and a little bit safer. Something or someone is always to blame when a wrong turn is taken. Bret has placed this on Seth following the history of Rollins in a WWE ring. WWE has ironically stayed mute on the situation and has not acknowledged anytime a wrestler is hurt upon a move. I wish Tyson Kidd and Sting were still wrestling but freak accidents can also occur, so it is somewhat unfair to flat-out put the blame all on Seth Rollins.

There are many factors that go into a match and dangerous spots do take place for the sake of entertainment. Bret has made a valid point, but as someone who was at the front of the business for a long time, he doesn’t seem to be considering all angles. It is a different era, and a way different vision for the WWE these days so it’ll be interesting to see what comes out of this whole debacle of a situation. The train might move to fast for some WWE legends to understand that change is good for the business. From my view I know Seth Rollins has injured 3 favorite wrestlers and Tyson Kidd can no longer compete. But once again, no athlete is purposely trying to destroy somebody’s career and take them out of the game. Unless of course you’re in the main event at SummerSlam, Cough*Cough*, Brock Lesnar. I assume nothing will come of this and will just end up being another wrestler’s opinion going unnoticed. WWE needs to improve on their writing and all wrestlers should be extremely safe in the ring! The first priority should be protecting each other, which any wrestling fan can agree with.

ICYMI – Last Week in Skatronixxx!

Here at Skatronixxx we have awesome writers who are working towards WORLD DOMINATION in the pop culture news site industry. Potential Advertisers, take a look at what we have accomplished in the past year, and imagine where we can be in the next year with your help. Big Guys take note! We’re coming for ya! We even have a shop! Yep, we do. It has Tees, Tanks, Hoodies, and Sweatshirts for now; stay tuned for MUGS!

I have changed up the format of ICYMI to include an article from every one of our writers, because they all deserve mention! There is crossover in about every category but I have put each writer in only one category for this article. We pretty much ALL do the TV section.

Here’s a taste of the articles we published for the week of August 13th to August 20th for our incredible and loyal readers and followers, and our occasional readers whom we would love to be followers. All of you are AWESOME! Just so you know! On to the articles!

ANIME:

In Anime this week @MCPomarRossello talks about Tonari no Totoro, an Anime movie fondly remembered from childhood, about childhood; growing up in a new environment, learning, adapting, playing and working through the emotions of having a sick Mother. @darrick_scott takes us all back to the days of Saturday Morning cartoons (loved those!), with the 1984 classic Transformers.

BOOKS:

This week’s Weekly Bookette by @darthaybak features indie books. The reviewed books include both light and dark material, from the lightness of “Let’s Dance On Our Wedding Day” to the far darker “The Hat That Danced in the Wind” trilogy. Even though The Little Librarian tied the knot this summer, @alyjoshaver managed to read a LOAD of books. Check out her June & July Haul and Wrap Up of Doom!

COMICS:

Read why @concreteshawzee made a recommendation for the Alterna Comics 10th AnniverSERIES Anthology. Don’t forget, we LOVE Indie! Indie games, indie comics, indie shorts… For a change of pace, and a return to the campy 60’s, @dammitrooster waxes nostalgic about the return of Adam West and Burt Ward in an animated adventure, Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.

GAMES:

In our Games section this week, @auburn_geek is excited for the release of NVIDIA’s Indie Spotlight Program which will help good indie games get to where they should be. Check out what @dellarscott wrote in his No Man’s Sky “Idiot’s Log”. Meanwhile, @gaming8811 happily reviewed an Indie game called Never Alone. Find out what he thought about it, and have I mentioned? We LOVE Indie!

MOVIES:

Last week @franpan was all about Spider-Man: Homecoming, and @starkwyvrngamer brought us BIG news about the Mary Poppins Sequel. And on the sequel front, Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is not really going to be a sequel, says @sohodoll, but she’s excited about it, and would love to hear your thoughts.

MUSIC:

Our music writers are very busy people! @presh81 did reviews on American Horror Story, the Top 50 Weekly Singles Chart, The Weekend Box Office Movie Chart, and Fresh Friday as well as other articles! @Deadpool_1984 not only does the UFC, he also picked Massachusetts Punk band The Unseen and their track Scream Out for his Track of the Week, and also talked about The Punisher.

VLOGS:

In our vlog section, @alyjoshaver went to the St. Louis Zoo to catch Pokemon, and dance to kpop. Girls just wanna have fun! Join her, @meaganprecourt and @chellybean4894 for the Uglies readalong. @heyankitverma took a well deserved break last week, but you can catch his earlier video review of Suicide Squad.

TELEVISION:

Last week in Television, @DalekBuster523 tried to decide which high profile Marvel character would make a cameo in the coming season of Agents of Shield. The Walking Dead will open its new season with a major death. Read @Netta_Bear13 speculations about who it might be. Writer @este_guy reviewed the season finale of Scream. @luvnidleness introduced us to Peaky Blinder, the best show you’ve never watched, @langlangbrenda wondered about the possible return of those ghastly Weeping Angels, and @awesomect98 teases with the Scream Queens season 2 trailer. Writer @devenbhagwandin catches up on The Expanse. Meanwhile, @MaliaYourTita of LoyalBloodline.clothing, hangs out with Ballers, @reille78 has discovered that Joss Whedon may be involved with an upcoming favorite show, and @b2daitch continues her Summer Binge Watch with Charmed. @fondofjesus marvels  at the DC Extended Universe take worldwide. The Doctor Who Fan Film Web Series caught @alexthed’s eye, and The Fast8 trailer news caught @chellybean4894’s.

UFC:

@Deadpool_1984 brought some surprising news on a meeting of the minds between rival fighters McGregor and Diaz. Stay tuned for his upcoming review of the UFC 202 in Vegas.

WRESTLING:

The week of August 13th to 20th saw @alexthed sharing his thoughts on WrestleMania’s Brock Lesnar – Dean Ambrose wingding. @mak10gator discovered some shocking news about superstar suspensions just days before SummerSlam. WWE Raw fan-atic @therealdills was first excited, then got to flinching over the over use of the term “Demon King” by the end of the show. @mitch_rated brought us his review of NXT – August 17th. @oliverwoodster talks Smack…. Down Live after a brief hiatus.

INTERVIEWS:

Cosplayer interviewer, @skatronixxx did interviews with the Maid of Might and MCubed, both very talented cosplayers. And what did I do, you ask? Well, I did an interview of Satinder Kassoana and a writeup for his Indie Drama production – Don’t Walk Among the Dead. Told you we love Indie!

Well folks, that was it for last week. Let me know what you think about the format of this week’s ICYMI… too long, too much, too short, not enough?
Until next time! Luv from me, @AlexMi6!

Smackdown Live 24/8/2016

Hey guys I’m back! Y’know me…. Parzy? Ok its been a long month and a lot has changed so I’ll forgive you. This is where I’d say that Smackdown is hot off of Summerslam but to be honest, are we? I mean what did Smackdown do during Summerslam? A subpar WWE title match with no title change, a forgettable Intercontinental match, an alright women’s match, Randy Orton’s bleeding all over the ring. There’s nothing reall- JOHN CENA LOST CLEAN! God that match was so damn good, AJ Styles kicking out of that Super AA nearly gave me a heart attack.God I love AJ Styles.

We open in the locker room, superstars are chatting, including Corbin and a masked Rowan, until someone enters. The new face that runs this place, AJ Styles, he gloats as he puts Cena’s armband on his head (Cena’s biceps are so fucking big) before noticing Dolph Ziggler sulking. AJ tells him that he hates losers before Dolph erupts and attacks him, the two are quickly seperated before the opening credits role.

The Tag team and Women’s division line the ring with some new belts in the center, both of which looking better than the Universal title. The titles are great but there are really so little people to contend for the titles, I mean six women for the title sort of diminishes its importance. The Tag Team division is looking more full though, with any team being possible champs, though some more than others (American Alpha man). Shane and Daniel are interupted by top free agent HEATH SLATER. He announces that he wants a title of some kind. When told that he isnt equipped to get the Women’s title, he announces that he’ll find a tag team partner and win the Tag Team title at Backlash. As he runs backstage to get a partner, AJ Styles comes out infuriated. As he lambasts the Tag Team division, the women’s title and the g- Dolph Ziggler! Obviously the locker room comments were too much for Dolph to handle, as he attacks AJ, starting another feud that he’s sure to lose. We go to adverts as they’re held apart.

Becky Lynch vs Alexa Bliss

Our first match of the night sees Lynch fighting Bliss as Naomi and Natalya commentate. Naomi has been so over since her rebrand, it’s unreal. It’s great too, the women’s division didn’t hhave time for a character who’s entire gimmick was ‘She has a big ass’. I wonder if Tamina will get similar treatment when she comes back. Natalya doesnt really do much. Lynch and Bliss put on a good match to open the night, with Bliss tapping out to Lynch after a short bout.

Winner by Submission: Becky Lynch

Next we get our first Slater backstage promo which had me laughing. Slater is surprised by a shockingly happy Miz as he agrees with Slater’s  proposal, saying that it’ll launch his career to new heights. Then he takes off his hood and reveals his bluetooth headset, he was accepting a job offer from Spielberg to be the new Indianna Jones. I’d prefer a movie of his chicken character from Summerslam but beggers can’t be choosers. Slater’s quest goes on.

Tag Team Tournemant Round 1: The Uso’s vs The Ascension

We start the tournemant with a battle of the jobbers, while The Usos are less jobberly, I hope The Ascension at least get to the second round of this tournemant. They desperately need a push of some kind. It pleases me that the crowd is so alive for this match though, chanting in response to Jey’s ‘OOOS’ yells and gasping where appropriate, maybe these teams are back on the up and up, at least to this crowd. The match ends with the Usos’ getting a win after an impressive finisher gets the pin for them. As The Usos advance and stand next to the titles (They look so good compared to my expectations) We find out that Randy Orton will be back to explain Summerslam’s ending tonight.

Winner By Pinfall: The Usos

AJ Styles, clad with Cena’s sweatband on his arm walks out to the ring and pulls out a mic. He gloats about his victory over Cena and allows Cena fans to look to him as their new idol. Felt like when when Harry Potter died and Voldemort invited people to look to him as a role model. God I love AJ’s heel work so much. As AJ yells at the crowd, Dolph Ziggler once again comes out, before being stopped by security. Daniel Bryan announces that they’ll fight tonight, if AJ wins, he faces Dean for the WWE Title at Backlash, if Dolph wins, so does he. I honestly don’t know what I want.

Carmella comes out, the crowd is almost silent. Why doesn’t the crowd like Carmella? she deserves so much more. At this rate she won’t get a pop until she shares a promo with Enzo and Cass. Nikki Bella comes out and completely crushes her pop, as she starts an interview with Renee Young, Carmella attacks. Maybe a heel run will get her the attention she requires. Oh shit it does. The Bella Buster she performs on Nikki actually gets her a cheer. This could be a good rivalry. Face Nikki vs Heel Carmella is what they both need right now, especially since being face did nothing for Carmella.

Randy Orton comes out to thunderous applause as he sports 1o staples in his noggin. Randy is annoyed, that Shane intervened in his match, believing that he could have went on, but he’s confident that they’ll have a rematch one day. He can’t say anymore as he is interupted by Bray Wyatt. God I love Bray Wyatt. His accent just puts me behind his promos instantly. ‘How’s your head randy?’ He compliments Randy’s fortitude, but chalks his loss up to his limits as a man. While Bray himself is a god. Bray begins to remove his jacket before he disapears, leaving the rocking chair empty.

We go backstage as Shane Mcmahon is interviewed, accusing Stephanie of not taking the incident with Brock seriously enough. He says that a $500 fine is a miserable punishment, and that he isn’t finished with Brock. Oh god, Team Shane vs Team Brock at Survivor Series please.

Heath Slater’s quest  for a partner continues, as he asks his final potential partner, Arn Anderson. Anderson declines, but tries to set him up with something before Slater lets slip that he was his last hope. Anderson leaves and Slater is crushed, until a new partner enters the picture. Rhyno!

‘I bet a Tag Team Title could pay for an above ground pool’

‘Did we just become Tag Team Partners?!’

This could be good.

Tag Team Championship Tournemant Round 1: American Alpha vs Breezango

Both of these teams should have went through to the next round over the Usos and The Ascension, instead  we’re probably losng Breezango so AA may live. American Alpha dominate, completely pumping the crowd up to give out USA chants. even though they’re sure to lose, Breezango put on their best performances, with breeze selling like a champ to the armbar. After the adverts the match gets elecric, with both teams stepping up their game, with huge moves and tonnes of exchanged near falls. Breezango have come a long way from their sunburnt match with The Golden Truth. However, an Alphaplex to a  Grand Amplitude puts Breeze in the ground, allowing Alpha to get the pin.

Winner by Pinfall: American Alpha

Dean Ambrose comes down from the casino to make an appearance as he’s interviewed about what he thinks of the #1 contenders match at the end of the show, he seems wholly unconcerned with it, although he will provide commentary.

Dolph Ziggler vs AJ Styles

Loving these new ringposts, the new look just makes the show feel more fresh, I was hoping they’d stay after Summerslam and I’m glad they did, definitely a good addition. The same goes for the grey mats. Oh yeah also the main event is on. Ambrose compliments Ziggler as the match goes on, bringing up his new aggressiveness and power since they started their feud. It shows as he dominates the early match, could this be the start of a new heel turn for Ziggler? Then again, the aggressive nature is making this match sloppy as hell, just like it did on Sunday. Hopefully if he goes heel he’ll at least put some more finesse into it. Ambrose completely outshines Otunga and JBL on colour commentary, showing them up at their own game. Those two have been terrible tonight and Ambrose’s success with limited experience shows that off really well.

The ending of the match is ridiculously close, with multiple near calls and masterful last second kickouts, the closest being Dolph’s pin after superkicking Styles. This completely  picks up the drama and draws ‘this is Awesome’ chants from the crowd. This main event is probably better than the title match on Sunday. In the end though, Styles is too much for Ziggler.I feel so bad for Dolph though, this may have been his last push for a title and it ended at this match. I hope he gets something after this.

Winner by Pinfall: AJ Styles

Overall, that was a great Smackdown, setting up interesting storylines and introducing great looking titles (although a bit too similar to the Raw ones). While, I won’t make a habit of this, I have to bring attention to the destruction of Daniel Bryan on Talking Smack.

That has to have been the best promo of The Miz’s career and it wasnt even on the main show. I originally saw Talking Smack as a cash in on the Talking Bad/Talking Dead formula but if it blurs the lines between shoot and work like this so often, I need to watch it some more and so should you. Other highlights of Talking Smack included The Usos being allowed personality and more expansion on the Bella/Carmella feud. Great Smackdown, great Talking Smack, watch the clip again.

Have a good one, and find me on Twitter @Oliverwoodster

‘SmackDown Live’ Introduces Two New Titles

In a move that has been much-anticipated since SmackDown Live GM Daniel Bryan announced it prior to  last Sunday’s SummerSlam. The Blue brand has finally given their Women and Tag Team Superstars their own Gold to fight for.

Following in the footsteps of UFC, uniformity seems to be on the minds of the WWE top brass with both of SmackDown’s newest titles mirroring their Monday Night RAW counterparts. The SmackDown Women’s Title retains the white strap with a Blue faceplate while the new SmackDown Tag Team Title looks dramatically different. Gone has the Bronze-plating that fans have derived for so long and replaced with a Silver face plate and side shields that compliments the new dark Blue strap.

Fan reaction overall has been more positive to the new belts, certainly more with regards to RAW’s Universal Title, that was audible booed during the SummerSlam broadcast on Sunday. But maybe the Red brand can still get it right when their bring the Cruiserweight division to Monday Nights on September 19.

Both belts will be awarded during SmackDown Live’s first Exclusive PPV BackLash on September 11. When the finalists of the Tag Team Tournament (that is currently underway) will face-off while the SmackDown Women’s Division will compete in a Six-Pack Challenge.

So Wrestling Peeps, your thoughts on the New Belts? As always you can hit-us-up on the comments below or find us on Twitter.

For all your Wrestling News & Reviews, stick with @mitchrated only on Skatronixxx

Summerslam 2016 Review

Summerslam is second only to Wrestlemania as the biggest event of the year. This year, Summerslam had to follow a fairly underwhelming Wrestlemania and an unsurprisingly good Takeover: Brooklyn 2. So how does the biggest party of the summer hold up?

Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho vs. Enzo and Big Cass

This was a solid opener. Owens and Jericho make surprising sense as a team since they are two of the best at trash-talking in the ring. There were some exciting spots such as Cass powerbombing Enzo out of the ring, Owens pulling a cannonball into the ring barrier as well as a splash. Jeri-KO – as they call themselves – ended the match with a nifty new move – a pop-up Codebreaker. Owens tosses the opponent backwards and Jericho performs the Codebreaker. The match loses points for a few slow moments and the crowd wasn’t entirely into things yet, but overall this was a good way to kick off Summerslam.

Overall rating: 3.5 stars (Out of 5).

Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte – Women’s championship

These two used to tear the house down during their days in NXT so it should be no surprise that these two had a great match… which may be hard to watch in hindsight. First the good stuff – There were some insane spots such as Sasha countering a top rope razor’s edge into a frankensteiner, an outside dive and the several attempts at the Banks Statement (Just gloss over a noticeable botch where Charlotte puts her own arm into the move). The match ended when Charlotte cleverly countered the Banks statement into a pin.

If Banks losing the Women’s Championship so soon sounds odd, I must discuss why this match may be hard to watch. According to reports, Sasha lost the title because of an injury. One early spot featured Charlotte straight up drop Sasha from the top – I’d be unsurprised to learn this caused the injury. I also thought for sure Sasha landing on her outside dive was hard to watch.

Overall rating: 4 Stars (would have been higher without injuries/botches)

Apollo Crews vs. the Miz – Intercontinental Championship

There’s very little to say about this match. Both Crews and Miz did a good job keeping the flow of the match going, but they had little to work with. This was kind of a filler match, but for filler, it got the job done.

Overall rating: 3 stars

AJ Styles vs. John Cena

When these two clashed at Money in the Bank, I thought they had a good match, but could have done better. Given the right circumstances, these two could have a truly epic match. This was that match. Just about everything that be done right these two did. They pulled out just about every trick in their collective bags. AJ even pulled an AA on Cena. Submission moves can slow a match down, but even when these guys used them, there was STILL a ton of suspense. Styles and Cena used moves like the Calf-crusher and STF that have ended matches. Cena even pulled the top rope Attitude Adjustment which was enough to finish off Styles in their 6-man tag match last month. But Styles still kicked out, performed the Styles Clash AND Phenomenal Forearm for the V. Regardless of one’s opinions on these guys, this match was outstanding.

Overall rating: 5 STARS

The Club vs. The New Day – Tag Team Championship

I pitied whatever fools had to follow that stone classic, but I guess they had to put something on, especially to give fans a bathroom/food break. It’s also funny to think that the Club, this team who already has the gimmick of being tough guys, has slowly re-invented themselves as these goofball doctors. Hey, if the shoe fits, wear it.

The match itself? Yeah, this was one of the weaker matches. Most of the match was serviceable. Then Jon Stewart interfered and did… whatever. Say what you will about Stewart’s oft-maligned interference in last year’s Cena/Rollins match, at least he did SOMETHING. Big E made a return after being injured by the Club (though I suspect they were disguising him falling on his head at Money in the Bank… please retire that spear, Big E). I seriously expected better from these two teams.

Overall rating: 2 stars

Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler – WWE Championship

This match was… good, but the crowd was practically dead during the entire ordeal. Part of the problem is that putting Dolph Ziggler in this match is akin to when WCW replaced Ric Flair with Barry Whindam in 1991 – You have someone who is super talented and a former World Champion but has been away from the main event for so long (or in Ziggler’s case, wrestling ON the Main Event) that fans just can’t buy him as a credible threat to the throne. Also, this kind of booking just hurts Ambrose. Last month, he was treated like a hero for retaining the championship, but a match like this just made the Kingpin seem unimportant. Oh well, looking at the glass as half full, the match was still solid: The two broke no new ground, but they are solid workers and put on a good match – good but not great.

Overall rating: 3.75 stars

Becky Lynch, Carmella and Naomi vs. Natalya, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Bella

I’d say the way the company covered Eva’s suspension was brilliant, but I suspect that was the plan all along. I have to say “mean fans” is kind of a funny excuse not to show up. For a filler match – with a Bella no less – this was passable. Although I dismissed them as pretty faces, Naomi and Carmella both proved their worth with some impressive athletics in this bout. It irks me that once again Becky Lynch – one of the few people I can think beloved by both the IWC and the casual fans (for reasons I consider obvious) did the job in a big match. But for the low bar set for a match like this, it passed.

Overall rating: 2.5 stars

Finn Balor vs. Seth Rollins – Inaugural Universal Championship

There’s been a lot of hype about the new Universal Championship, including the design. And… It’s just the World Championship painted red. Wait a minute… Isn’t that the Women’s Championship? Well, at least creating the thing in create-a-belt mode will be easy. This match was solid, but not the epic bout I expected. To be fair, Rollins and Balor are both talented enough that they can bring their B-game and still have a good match.

The match started out promising enough with Rollins trying to roll out of the ring but being caught by Balor both over the top rope and on top of the barricade. After that, the match was fairly solid, with both men diving into their usual bag of tricks. The crowd was a little more into this match than they were the World Championship Match. Even if they did little new, they did everything right. Finn won, but the match placement hurt this one. Instead of a big celebration over a new champion crowned, the after match vibe was “Yeah, we got two more matches. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Overall rating: 4.25 stars

Rusev vs. Roman Reigns – US Championship

Wondering why this match was given away a few days before on Raw? Maybe it has something to do with this barely being a match. Rusev was so angry with the way Reigns crashed his ceremony that he beat the stuffing out of Reigns, not even letting the match start. Reigns quickly retaliated and continued whaling on Rusev even after refs pulled him away. This worked as being a tough guy who beats people up is an attitude that works for Reigns. Some might criticize Reigns for this, but I say replace Roman with Austin or Orton and see if it still upsets you. Seriously, Reigns gets criticized for being a white-meat babyface AND for being grey anti-hero – make up your minds, people! (Though I did notice a change in the crowd’s attitude towards Reigns – they booed him on his entrance but cheered him as he pummeled Rusev).

No Match, no star rating

Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton

Okay, this it. This is the main event – this is the match that headlined the show over not one, but TWO World Title matches. This is the match that has been advertised since before Battleground, the only match to get coverage on both Raw and Smackdown, two of the biggest names in the business finally butting heads.

The match started out promising enough. Lesnar did Suplex City. Orton RKO’d Lesnar on the table. Then the gloves literally came off for Lesnar to pummel Orton to a bloody pulp and… the match…. just ended. Lesnar was declared the winner by TKO. Shane tried to come to the rescue but was rewarded with an F-5 for his efforts. This is was kind of anticlimactic. Lesnar winning this way was a good idea as it re-established him as a monster. But it happened too soon. The match ended seemingly as it was just as it was getting started. Orton was mauled in a match that felt so much like a squash, it made me wonder if Randy rubbed someone the wrong way. This was not the way to end a show like this. The little action we got was okay, but this will do little to curb the criticisms of Lesnar being lazy.

Overall rating: 2.75 stars

Summerslam was a mixed bag. On one hand, most matches were serviceable at least and we got a bonafide match of the year contender. On the other hand, big matches underperformed and the ending was a huge downer. Pitting Reigns vs. Rusev and Lesnar vs. Orton back-to-back was a HUGE mistake as it featured two matches in a row without real endings. Despite being a solid show, these mistakes may leave a sour taste in the mouth of viewers.

AJ Styles: ‘Conor McGregor Belongs In WWE Women’s Division’

In a recent radio interview with Ebro and Peter Rosenberg on HOT97, AJ Styles was asked about the “Notorious” Conor McGregor. AJ said Conor is a great promoter but is a “little-bitty” guy. Continuing on to say “We’ll Put Him In The Women’s Division.” UFC 202 and SummerSlam, of course, are on the same weekend which means both companies will do anything for money. Or in this case say anything for money.

Conor McGregor has trashed WWE lately, saying he’d smack the heads off of anybody on the WWE roster. Including calling John Cena a fat Mr.Olympia failure (I laughed).  Wrestling fans and UFC fans, have been in an internet war for the past week and it will all come to a head this weekend based on how both shows respond. Conor McGregor fights Nate Diaz in a rematch Saturday at UFC 202. WWE has one of it’s biggest pay per views on Sunday in SummerSlam. Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, and Roman Reigns all attacked McGregor on twitter after the comments posted by TMZ of him calling the superstars soft and fake. AJ Styles seems to be agreeing with his fellow bandmates when he take shots at McGregor being a featherweight in this interview on HOT97.

Whatever side your on, as a fan of both, I hope both shows kick-ass this weekend and bring a lot of excitement back to the companies! I am rooting for Nate Diaz and Finn Balor, how about you? Let me know in the comments below or on twitter @MAK10GATOR !

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!