RAW VS SMACKDOWN LIVE

I can't really think of how I would draft the rosters for RAW and Smackdown Live. That's the great thing about sports entertainment/professional wrestling, all of the different styles and how they create unique matches. Contrary to popular belief, John Cena can wrestle. He has taken too many moves to say he can't. Pro-wrestling is both offense and the ability to take someones moves without making it look horrible or getting hurt. Cena does that. Regardless, it is the variation across the roster that makes it exciting. One of the major draws for the original UFC was seeing different fighting styles go head to head. Now we know that some are just not that good, and even the best fighters today require at least a general knowledge of everything beyond there offensive strong suit.

So, while everyone is holding their own mock drafts, I am going to focus on simply how I would like it set-up. We found out on RAW that the Cruiserweight Division is returning exclusively to Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley's brand. This is good and bad imo. As long as they don't pigeon hole anyone in the division it is good. Simply have the weight class for entry and nothing more. Shawn Michaels was 195 lbs. through his career I believe, so if HBK was still in the game he could take part. And there was no way he would've allowed anyone to hold him down, and that was before and after finding God. But, does that also mean we have an idea of who will be drafted to RAW now? Need superstars 205 lbs. and under to fill that roster now for the division. Are there plans to bring in other stars that simply aren't named in the drafting list? Tag teams are drafted as a pair unless only one star is wanted, will this be Vince's way of splitting up Enzo and Cass?
Many will disagree, but I think that it is the only way to make things even. WWE World Heavyweight Championship is split into the RAW World Title and the Smackdown World Title. They may have the champ bounce around at first, but will likely split them into two. And putting the WWE title on Smackdown Live is what they did in the initial brand extension before it became obvious that the "top" title was whichever one was on RAW. Obviously ended up being the WWE title, with the World title as the B show strap. This way it is even steven, or at least would appear that way.
Since another mens division (although women could compete) is part of RAW, I would make the Women's Division an exclusive to Smackdown Live. Or I would split the title in the same manner as the mens. It is now just starting to happen via Natalya and Becky Lynch, but the division needs to grow beyond the title and title holder. Although I am sure it will be a situation of the champ feuding on one show, while one other story takes place on the opposing show, and then switching. Still leaving a large portion of the female superstars on the sidelines.
If both shows were 3 hours it would be easy to see everything fitting in and being even. But everything mentioned above and there is still the IC and US title pictures and of course the tag team division. If all these stars are able to appear on both shows, it doesn't really make things "unique" either.

Guess it is all a wait and see, as is everything in entertainment and sports. The General Manager picks were good, but lacked any shock power like before. I am assuming the stories will initially be conflict between Foley and Steph, and Daniel Bryan adjusting to a corporate position. Not bad, but was just hoping for more.


For more Wrestling, Nerd Fit, Comic Book, Movie, TV Show, and Video Game stuff! Head on over to Non-Geeky Nerd and check things out! Stay Nerdy!

WWE BRAND EXTENSION 2.0

I enjoyed the early days of the initial brand extension. RAW was good, but Smackdown! was a bit better initially for me. Undertaker was the cornerstone, Rey Mysterio was exclusive, and many levels of stardom being reached by many performers. Top names like John Cena, Brock Lesner, Edge and Eddie Guerrero. But, also guys like Jamie Noble and even Matt Hardy's star shined a little brighter (I was a MFer back then haha). It really held its own, and really didn't feel like a taped show most times.
But, that was the early portion of the split. It slowly and simply outright obvious that RAW was their A-Show, and Smackdown! the B. If someone was really doing well on SD!, they were heading over to RAW at some point whether via the draft, a trade, or something. It made for some great moments and stories, like when Benoit won the Rumble and opted to go after the WWE World Championship on RAW at Wrestlemania XX. But, it general it only made Smackdown! fall further.
Even after the brand extension was dissolved, Smackdown! was almost viewed by the fans, as top WCW names looked at Thunder, a joke. It was pretty much a guarantee every episode of Smackdown! would consist of highlights from RAW, a minimum of four men in the ring as to inspire Teddy Long to make a tag-team match in some fashion. Sure, it was nice to see all the talent get on the show, as television is still television, but product wise it was just stagnant.

Here we are now in 2016 and about to enter another brand extension. This time around, both shows will be live every week. Evening the playing field. And they keep pushing that each show will have its own unique set of superstars. Which is making me wonder if we will see all the indy guys Triple H has brought in on one show, and Vince's "usual" on the other. Or if perhaps Smackdown! is possible another test for Triple H after the success of everything he has accomplished with both NXT and the performance center. Smackdown! going live just has me curious. After all this time, and clamoring about the cost to run a live show I am left wondering "why?".
Regardless of the why's, I am really looking forward to this. Other questions that come up are more about the products. The thriving Women's Division needs more room to showcase the superstars beyond the WWE Womens Championship and its holder. Will we see all the female talent on one show with more room, or will they be spread over both with the Champion bouncing back and forth. Title picture on one, while a separate story takes place on the other? If they stick to the current format of one story, it hasn't really changed beyond the title name. Too much talent sitting on the sidelines, and some ready to come up from NXT. Speaking of titles, it is safe to say that the WWE Intercontinental and WWE United States Championships will be separate. But, what of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and WWE Tag Team Championships? Will there be two separate titles like the initial brand extension? If they were to split them like before, this time however I wouldn't go WWE and World titles. I would perhaps go RAW World Champion and Smackdown! World Champion.
Splitting all of the titles would help avoid there appearing to be an A or B show, if perhaps more people on RAW are "over" than on Smackdown! or if it is almost blatantly obvious who will be winning the title match. But, this also opens the door to perhaps have John Cena on one, and Roman Reigns on the other and it is simply two live squash shows.
Another thing that was great in the early days of the initial brand extension was the General Managers. The days of Stephanie McMahon, Eric Bischoff, and Paul Heyman were entertaining and added to each shows quality. It became lame and clear that the Smackdown! GM was always the runner-up given they were running the B-Show. Will we see McMahon V McMahon? Shane V Stephanie? Or will we see someone new or someone like Bischoff return to the roll? Hoping it isn't something lame like the Anonymous or majority of the Celebrity Guest General Managers (some were good when you knew they were legit fans too).

And what of NXT? Rumors are simply rumors, but at times they turn out to be true. Rumor has NXT being split as well. This is something I am hoping won't happen. Having NXT be one show that is the "farm system" for both RAW and Smackdown! adds to the "surprise" when call-ups happen. Even if we know someone is being called up to the main rosters, we won't know which one for sure until it happens.

Guess we will find out most things come July 19th on the now live Smackdown!. Being Canadian I need to make sure that Smackdown! will be aired live every Tuesday, and not on Wednesday or something. In a perfect world RAW and Smackdown! would air on the WWE Network, but Vince makes way too much money from the shows to be doing that anytime soon, if ever.

For more Wrestling, Comic Book, Movie, TV Show, and Video Game stuff! Head on over to Non-Geeky Nerd and check things out! Stay Nerdy!

WWE PAYBACK MATCHES & PREDICTIONS-UPDATED

Some things have been added to the card like the United States Championship match on the pre-show, and Baron Corbin against Dolph Ziggler. On RAW, Stephanie McMahon stated that Vince McMahon would be announcing who would be running Monday Night RAW. Although this is Sports Entertainment, can't see any reason to not have Shane be in charge, and perhaps this could spawn RAW and Smackdown! splitting. Anyways, back  to Payback and predictions...

WWE United States Championship
Ryback V Kalisto (C)
Prediction: Ryback new US Champ.

-Perhaps a Sin Cara heel turn. Ryback doesn't have much else going for him at the moment so why not? To be honest, this guy needs a manager or valet. Not Heyman, but someone else to do his talking and help him go full heel. This is why Vince shouldn't have let the art form die out.

Baron Corbin V Dolph Ziggler
Prediction: Corbin pins The Showoff 1-2-3.

-Dolph seems to be the guy who tests the new guys whom are of the heel nature after their run of squash matches are over. This will be Corbin's first real main roster feud, and Ziggler knows he can still look amazing taking a loss to a rookie. I must add I like the new red in Baron's entrance. They never got the camera angles right on the main shows with the blinding white light, so the red adds to the auro of his persona.

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDERS MATCH

The Vaudevillains V Enzo & Cass

Prediction: The Vaudevillains win.

-I am huge on Enzo & Cass, as are many others, so they are too obvious as well as being an over face team, which is an issue with The New Day being over as well. I can see The Vaudevillains possibly getting stale (unless the gimmick evolves over time), but would be a good opposition to The New Day given the difference in gimmicks. And, I see the Dudley Boyz getting involved and beginning a war with Enzo & Cass. Possibly taking the new team to yet another level.

Kevin Owens V Sami Zayn

Prediction: Sami Zayn with the win.

-Sami has been on the receiving end too many time for this not to culminate with a victory over his long time friend and antagonist, Kevin Owens. Regardless to who wins this or the main event, good chance the next Number 1 contender comes from this bout. Why? Both are over, and this is going to possibly be Savage/Steamboat at Mania 3 good.

Chris Jericho V Dean Ambrose

Prediction: Dean Ambrose defeats Y2J

-No offense to Jericho, who is a future first ballot Hall Of Famer, but after the beating Dean took at Wrestlemania 32 at the hands of Brock Lesner he deserves a win here. Jericho can make him look even better in the process like he does. Why not pass the torch of "talk shows" while they're at it too, Dean's Ambrose Asylum has been pretty decent in its infancy.

WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS

 The Vaudevillains V The New Day (C)

Prediction: The Vaudevillains are new Tag Team Champions.

-Hard to pick given the height The New Day has reached in terms of being over, and The Vaudevillains are rookies with no real exposure on the main roster beyond their matches. So the shock value plays in here, and also shows a start of the supposed change happening.

WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Miz (C) V Cesaro

Prediction: Cesaro as new IC Champion.

-The title doesn't make the superstar, the star makes the title. Time to see the Swiss Superman begin his ascension into the main event picture, starting by having a good run with the Intercontinental Championship. Plus, I am already bored with Maryse's return. I hate them mostly, but time for a battle with another couple. I am pretty sure the Cesaro Section agrees.

WWE WOMENS CHAMPIONSHIP

Charlotte (C) w/Ric Flair V Natalya w/Bret Hart

Prediction: Natalya takes the title.

-Slightly bias being Canadian, but also although we're not looking for a direct Ric Flair clone, it would be interesting to see how Charlotte handles a loss. Naitch is a sixteen time World Champ, but that means he lost it that many times as well. Plus, Flair Country is on Hart Land haha

WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

AJ Styles V Roman Reigns (C)

Prediction: Roman retains.

-If you read my other posts, then you know this is a very hard one to predict fully. Even though I want AJ Styles to win, I don't see the Roman Empire's reign ending so quickly. Again. I have this gut feeling Anderson and Gallows are going to screw over AJ, add rumors of Finn Balor making his debut soon adds to that. The actions on RAW in London simply added to that feeling. Or maybe they try to help and the Usos get involved and start a war...adding Balor and Samoa Joe (not "Dynasty" but Samoan regardless, and respect has got to be there). Or does The Balor Club join or work for The Authority? Will Roman join Triple H and Stephanie now? Make for a good set-up for Rollins return, who is likely going to be turned face by fans upon his return. Was Champ and top guy in The Authority, coming back to Roman in his spot would make sense.

It is really hard to call as of late, and like DDP of old would say, that's a good thing. With Wrestlemania 32 I went perfect on the pre-show, and then got only the one I wanted to be wrong on correct. The new additions and proposed "change" has things highly unpredictable right now. It feels much better making guesses based more on likes and dislikes, instead of predictability in recent years.

 For more Wrestling, Comic Book, Movie, Television, and Video Game stuff! Head on over to Non-Geeky Nerd and check things out! Stay Nerdy!

WRESTLING WHAT IF's VOL.I

"What If...?" was a favorite Marvel Comics title in my youth, and watching the WWE Network non-stop has forced me to apply this to the world of wrestling and sports entertainment. From outcomes, signings, to behind the scenes, backstage stuff there are almost endless possibilities in regards to what could have been or might have been if something was done different. Large to very small, the decisions and occurrences throughout the years have made impact.

What If...Vince McMahon Had Picked Turner Over USA Network?
Immediately you think of the Monday Night Wars. Rightfully so. There might not have been a war if Vince and Ted had continued to work together. Of course things could have soured later on and the two parted ways, but would there still have been a war? What would it have been like? And what would have become of Jim Crockett Promotions if this hadn't of happened? Someone else could have bought the company, then again, who's to say that something else wouldn't have happened that made for better business for Crockett? Would Eric Bischoff have been involved in this at all? The Butterfly Effect on this one decision (that was forced by Ted Turner) is pretty massive to say the least.


What If...Triple H Hadn't Married Stephanie?
This one is almost cliche. It doesn't mean things wouldn't have been effected. Triple H would have still been the icon he is. Zero argument here. The questions that arise are would Trips be in the position he is in now? Would Vince have seen the drive, knowledge, and work ethic Paul Levesque brings to the table? It is possible. It is also just as unlikely. So, how would the WWE look at the top of corporate? A simple answer would be that Stephanie simply took on more of the work load and filled her fathers shoes alone. She is a McMahon, and constantly referred to being just like her dad. The other options raise some questions though as well. Would Shane be involved in some fashion? It is his families company, and if Steph needed help he is likely the first name to pop into your head. Linda would be next possibly. Would she have left the company and pursued her political goals? Or would she have possibly stayed on to help with the transition (not that Vinnie Mac is going anywhere right now).


What If...Jeff Hadn't "Stolen" Karen From Kurt?
Almost as cliche as Triple H and Stephanie's  addition to all of this, but given the current state of things it belongs here. Why? First, would we have witnessed the great matches between Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle? Would they have been as good it they still happened? Possibly, but also possibly not. There is a good chance the real life situation is what made the matches that much more. Then of course there was the "repercussions" from the real life aspect of all of this. It was the true downfall of Jarrett in TNA. Most importantly, behind the scenes. There were almost legal ramifications from all of this. Sure, they are now married and even Kurt has moved on, but it did effect business. Would Dixie have been "more involved" if Jarrett wasn't in good with management, or was that inevitable? The "WWE" talent that TNA aquired during the time Double J was making most if not all the calls was done properly. Christian (Christian Cage) had a really good run in TNA, The Dudleys (Team 3D), Gail Kim, and Tara Vachon. Can't believe Dixie is allowing Jarrett back in, although only a "talent", in full GFW promotion mode. Even a "crossover" or "invasion" seems only to be smart on Jarrett's side. Dixie's not so much.


What If...Hulk Hogan Versus Ric Flair Happened At Wrestlemania?
An off the wall "what if...?", but curious as to what could have been with this one. There is always speculation as to why. Most likely of them being that the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on who should be put over. Regardless, what would have happened if they did? Would it have drawn massive numbers? If it did, then it would be safe to wonder this would have changed McMahon's outlook on how he approached the "youth movement. Which seems to be the reason Flair returned to WCW, and Hogan (amongst others) eventually followed suit. Would we have seen more of a mix of old and new? Instead of Macho Man Randy Savage behind the announce table, or Hogan being allowed out of his contract. Would we have possibly seen some epic showdowns between Savage and HBK? Come to think of it, the Butterfly Effect is pretty big here. Would this have meant WCW alum turned WWE legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Chris Jericho, amongst others, not have come over? More room to grow without Hogan and others atop the glass ceiling. What if it had bombed? Would WCW have acquired Hogan later on, or would they have possibly seen Hogan with less drawing power?

The list is truly endless, and we hadn't even touched anything that happened "during" the Monday Night Wars and the Attitude Era. Or even if a wrestlers life hadn't ended so early. Those will eventually make their way into the mix, but best to leave the deaths for when drawing a blank much later on.

For more Wrestling, Comic Book, Movie, TV Show, Video Game stuff! Head on over to Non-Geeky Nerd and check things out! Stay Nerdy!