NGN'S WWE FASTLANE PREDICTIONS

Sunday night WWE's pay per view Fastlane will take place, and although there some things to look forward to, it may be a weak pre-Wrestlemania event. Here at Non-Geeky Nerd there are two sets of predictions for Fastlane. One will be the likely outcomes, and the other the preferred route. What makes guessing the outcomes of predetermined matches? Wrestling is a steady flow of predictability and shocking moments. Here's hoping that continues, as there is a sense of predictability all over this one...

LIKELY:
Goldust Vs Stardust
Likely Winner: Stardust
-There has to a false start of swerve to this one. It is a match that belongs at Wrestlemaina. But, it is WWE so Stardust with the win.
Wishful Winner: Nobody
-Again, this belongs on the card at Wrestlemania. Stardust immedietly gets disqualified, and it builds exactly that. A match at Mania.

Dolph Ziggler, Eric Rowan, and Ryback Vs Seth Rollins, Kane, and Big Show
Likely Winners: Dolph Ziggler, Eric Rowan, and Ryback
-Why is this still going on? If not to start Kane Vs Big Show? Teased it before, and both seem to have nothing to do at Wrestlemania. So, why not? Then again, Randy Orton could return and take out Rollins, beginning their feud.
Wishful Winners: Seth Rollins, Kane, and Big Show
-Kane and Big Show are too predictable. So, Dolph Ziggler shocks everyone and joins The Authority. Who recognizes his talent, and we see the push Ziggler deserves. Rollins doesn't agree.

Tyson Kidd and Cesaro Vs The Usos
WWE Tag Team Championship
Likely Winners: The Usos
-There seems to be a small resurgence in the tag team division, so it is hard to say where they are taking things. Cesaro and Kidd are still pretty new, so wouldn't make sense for the Usos to lose.
Wishful Winners: The Usos
-Again, wouldn't make sense for titles to change hands. And a legitimate tag team is needed to carry the belts as the division begins to take-off...again.

Paige Vs Nikki Bella
WWE Divas Championship
Likely Winner: Nikki Bella
-The Divas are hardest to determine, because well, we don't even know if they will really get a Wrestlemania match, and if they do, it might be a typical battle royal type deal. In that case, Nikki retains until Mania.
Wishful Winner: Paige
-Sure, they have improved. But, it is time to move the Bella's down the card. Paige is over with fans, and it is time. It would add to Total Divas if anything. *sigh*

Dean Ambrose Vs Bad News Barret
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Likely Winner: Bad News Barret
-Ambrose could end up winning this one, but WWE could have bigger plans for him.
Wishful Winner: Dean Ambrose
-They may have bigger plans for Dean, but having the IC title involved will make it much more grand.

John Cena Vs Rusev
WWE US Championship
Likely Winner:John Cena via DQ
-Something seems like this should be at Wrestlemania 31, and with us being so close, hard not to see it happening. Either Cena wins via DQ and they square off at Mania, or Cena wins match and title, with Rusev winning it back at Mania.
Wishful Winner: John Cena
-It is almost makes it a throwback, to when Cena was over with everyone...of all ages. Given the recent "aggression", perhaps that's the route they are taking. Plus, the US spinner belt, was much more appealing than the WWE Championship was.

Daniel Bryan Vs Roman Reigns
Winner Main Events Wrestlemania 31
Likely Winner: Roman Reigns
-Sheamus makes his return. Interferes. Setting up Bryan Vs Sheamus at Wrestlemania 31. Because WWE thinks people want to see that again.
Wishful Winner: Daniel Bryan
-Sheamus comes out and costs Reigns the match, and we get a more fresh match up. Daniel Bryan goes on to where he belongs, the main event of Wrestlemania 31. And makes Brock tap out.


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WRESTLING FAMILIES

It is "Family Day" here in Canada. So keeping with the spirit of the day here is a small list of families within pro-wrestling. There have been many of them over the years, from all over the globe. Here are a select few...

The McMahon Family

Love or hate them, no wrestling family list is complete with out the "power family" of wrestling.

The Henning Family

Three generations represented. Near perfection in the opinions of some despite lack of pushes from WWE.

The Anoa'i/Maivia Family

Possibly the largest family in wrestling, and loaded with greatness. The Rock, Rikishi, Roman Reigns. That's a sliver of the list.

The Rhodes Family

If you buy into the McMahon/Rhodes debacle, you can't help but give each props for making things work. Despite polka-dots, and what not.

The Flair Family

Ric Flair is considered by most to be the greatest of all-time. His oldest David fell short (mainly from being in WCW), Reid tragically lost his life at a young age. It is in his daughter, Charlotte, that we see the rebirth of Ric.

The Hart Family

It's a Canadian holiday today, and Canada's First Family (of Wrestling) is must have in this list. Second possibly only to the Anoa'i family in size with even the non-wrestling members marrying wrestlers.


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NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

It could be nothing, things could go as all would expect. However, the situation involving Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan could turn into a mess for some fans. Again, it could be nothing but it seems like they could be trying to turn Daniel Bryan heel. Far fetched, yes. Not as far as you'd think though. Flashback to last year, WWE left Daniel Bryan out of the Royal Rumble, and fans lost their minds, taking over episodes of Raw with chants. This of course forced WWE to change their plans, and fit Daniel into the Wrestlemania main event. And then injuries caused him to step away during his title run. Although not his fault, WWE was likely displeased, and showed us that in how they chose to bring him back.

They brought Daniel Bryan back not in the title picture, but instead at a near mid-card level. Fans have reacted to that, even going as far as booing Roman Reigns after he won the Royal Rumble. Now we have the two squaring off for the right to face WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesner. Although it somewhat seems as though they are about to turn Roman, the fact that Vince McMahon was/is writing and handling Reigns promos, says he likely wants the next generation superstar to continue as a baby face. So, it is possible we could get the old swerve, and they will try to turn Daniel Bryan heel instead.

If that is really the case, then hopefully Daniel Bryan will show that he is this generations Stone Cold (was a star before WWE, white hot with fans, injuries, etc). More so, the fans will show that. Remember when WWE tried to turn the rattlesnake back in the "Invasion" days? Fans didn't buy in, and cheered Stone Cold Steve Austin no matter who he stomped a mud hole in. Good ol'J.R., Lita, anyone.

Or this isn't the case and something else will happen. If they aren't going to give the better match-up of Daniel Bryan Vs Brock Lesner, then a decent replacement would be Daniel Bryan Vs Seth Rollins for the Money In The Bank briefcase. Which for this nerd, would see Daniel Bryan win, and then successfully cash in later on at the end of the main event.


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WRESTLING COUPLES

Kayfabe, real-life, and a mixture of the two. Some are entertaining, some are surprising (to the average fan), and so on, and so on. Keeping with the occasion of Valentine's Day, here are some of the Non-Geeky Nerd's favorite Wrestling Couples...

"Mach Man" Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth

If you followed wrestling in the 1980's, this was THE couple of wrestling. Real life married couple (even before SummerSlam 1991), but unfortunately ended up divorcing. But even so, for most they will always be the first couple of wrestling.

Matt Hardy and Lita

They were everyone's (mostly) favorite couple during the Attitude Era. Then they were everyone's favorite Jerry Springer couple when Edge was added to the mix. It made for a great worked shoot each week for a period at least.

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley

They are this generations Vince and Linda McMahon. And to think how they started is quite hilarious in hind sight. Triple H definitely upgraded as we all know. Chyna be crazy.

Jeff Jarrett and Karen Jarrett (formerly Angle)

This was Matt and Lita on a higher level so to speak. The real life story behind it all, made Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle's matches that much more intense.  Guess we can thank Karen for that?

CM Punk and AJ Lee

Sure, Punk has jumped over to MMA via the UFC. But, this was more prefered than Cena and Nikki Bella or Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella. Right?


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SECOND COMING OF THE ATTITUDE ERA?

Perhaps this is simply continuing to beat a dead horse, but it is hard not to see some similarities between the WWE's Digital Era and their Attitude Era. At least, on the casting side of things. We may never see anything like the Attiude Era, and not just because WWE and their looking to grow as a company (sponsers, etc). But because there isn't any real competition out there to force Vince McMahon's hand in some situations.
Who and what is meant when referencing casting? The wrestlers and their situations. In some cases it mirrors almost perfectly with who and what came before. Almost. Some are likely based on a small bit of hope that the good days will return. And when saying the good days, it is meant with just how hot wrestling was, transcending even the boom in the 80's.

Stone Cold Steve Austin/Daniel Bryan
Not that Vince ever tried to hold Austin down, but that Ringmaster gimmick  didn't help at the time. When Daniel Bryan first appeared in WWE, they didn't really know what to do with him. He was over with the crowd, but didn't have a "character" per say. And when they began the whole "YES!" and "NO!" gimmick, who would have thought it would stop being kind of childish, and become almost an anthem that has even crossed over into other sport markets. So, Austin and Bryan had rough starts in WWE, having established themselves outside of the company as top performers. Both not only got over with fans, they are on their own level, which was proved with both being out with injuries for long periods of time and returning just as hot as they were when they left. It is almost mirrored careers in a sense. And to think everyone thought CM Punk would be the second coming (in a sense), and wanted a match between Austin and himself. Daniel Bryan would make a better opponent perhaps.

The Rock/Roman Reigns
It's not even because they are family, but because their situations are somewhat playing out the same now. Both are third generation superstars. And yes, Reigns was more accepted as when he came in where The Rock was booed from the get go, but he was also a heel and look at things now. Roman was over until he was expected to main event over Daniel Bryan. Fans are starting to boo more. He doesn't have to start coming up with catch phrases, but perhaps a heel turn similar to The Rock will enable Roman Reigns to find his path to the top. Rock Vs Reigns would make for a nice match as well.

Triple H/Damian Mizdow
It has been mentioned here before how their paths seem to be similar. Although nothing has really been reported as to what Damian Sandow/Mizdow did to get stuck with the "Santino Role" (comedic). It was similar to Triple H earlier in his WWE career when he lost his spot in King Of The Ring (to Steve Austin luckily for us) and fell below midcard status. But we knew that the MSG Sendoff was the reason for that (Nash, Hall, HBK, HHH hug in the ring breaking kayfabe for those unaware). The similarities here are also in the fact that they both made things work. We've clearly seen what Triple H did with his career, but Damian made all his lame characters work and even has gotten over with fans with his Mizdow gimmick. Sandow could be a "Heart Break" away from leading an army of "Degeneratives" if things get even more similar.

Undertaker/Man-Kind/Bray Wyatt
All three of these guys are truly unique, but fall into the same genre of characters if you will. There is a strong rumor that if he is able, Undertaker is going to return to face Bray Wyatt at Wrestlemania 31. If was still able to compete, Mick Foley as Man-Kind would make for another great match-up both in the ring and on the mic.

Of course there is some other things like The Authority mirroring The Corporation, and although not what anyone expected, New Day being a new style of The Nation Of Domination (perhaps Roman Reigns could add some much needed grit to this group). And ROH with rumored financial troubles, it makes them seem even more like ECW. Now here's hoping Jeff Jarrett's new company becomes WCW (sorry, TNA).


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WHAT NOW WWE?

Two months. That is the time frame in which WWE has to get Roman Reigns ready for the main event at Wrestlemania 31. Both in character development, and to get over (again) with the fans. Who have somewhat faded since his injury and return to the ring. Unlike Daniel Bryan. He hasn't seemed to lost anything in the ring, nor with the audience. Two also signifies how many consecutive years in which WWE and the Royal Rumble wasn't as well received as they had hoped. Last year, after Daniel Bryan not even being in the match, fans reacted. They reacted in a way we haven't seen in a long time if ever, and more surprisingly, WWE sought to correct the situation. And did just that. Daniel Bryan pulled double duty at Wrestlemania 30, ended up in the main event, and won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. In hind sight, they didn't really have a choice. Fans had "taken over" episodes of Raw and Smackdown!, and would have likely continued if Bryan didn't win. Add to the fact that Undertaker's streak ended. Again, not really a choice.

What about this year? True, one could easily say that the Rumble took place in Philly, one of the most vocal wrestling towns, and that once they change cities fans will be on board with Roman Reigns winning, and going on to main event at Wrestlemania 31. They might not. Reigns is part of the future. No doubt. Take away the injury and he may be ready right now, but it doesn't feel like he is. Weak promos (which apparently were written by Vince), and really no build up to where he is about to go. To make things worse, it is hard to argue those who felt Daniel Bryan should have won the Royal Rumble match. Despite being out of action for so long due to a near career ending injury, Daniel Bryan is just as over with fans as he was before. One could also point out that he did so with out staying on TV, which they did with Stone Cold Steve Austin when he first injured his neck. And if he had won the event, wouldn't have needed someone to come out to try and change fan reaction (was Rock planned or was it a save attempt?). Although we are approaching 31. Wrestlemania 30 is still fresh in peoples brains, and would have made for a pretty sweet cherry on top of a year long sundae to to speak. Extremely hard to argue is that Daniel Bryan would also make for a much better match with Brock Lesner. Match quality, and a legit (and not overused like with Rey) underdog storyline. Roman Reigns versus Brock Lesner has the possibility to look more like Goldberg Vs Lesner a la Wrestlemania 20.

With this massive storm coming in, Raw is coming live from WWE Headquarters, so we may not really see how WWE reacts to the situation until next week. Could it all depend on how the fans react post-Rumble? Will the fans react? Will we see them take over Raw and Smackdown! again? Guess we will see.

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NGN's ROYAL RUMBLE 2015 PREDICTIONS

"The Road To Wrestlemania" begins tonight at the 2015 Royal Rumble. A night that will begin to set the stage for Wrestlemania 31, with the winner of the Royal Rumble match earns a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Wrestlemania. A night in which, like Wrestlemania, anything can happen. Surprises, shockers, triumph, and heartbreak. Anything.

Of course, everyone has a chosen favorite or the person they know are likely to win the Royal Rumble match (as well as the others on the card), and we here at Non-Geeky Nerd are no different. Growing up it was a lot easier, pick Hogan, HBK, or Stone Cold to win, and chances are you'd be right.This year, based on crowd reactions, it is as hard as ever to really pick one. Rumor mills aren't helping the case either. Even the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match is a bit hard to determine. Yes, Brock is likely to be defending at Wrestlemania, but doesn't mean he wins the triple threat at the Rumble. Regardless, here are NGN's Royal Rumble 2015 predictions...

New Age Outlaws Vs The Acsension
Winners: The Acension
After the Legends beat down, it wouldn't really make sense to have them lose a match. Too bad things weren't different, having a run of legendary tag teams to run through with Legion Of Doom putting them over. Hey, perhaps we could see Animal mange these guys.

Bella Twins Vs Paige & Natalya Neidhart
Winners: Bella Twins
Won't lie, not really sure what the story line is here. Perhaps a feud between Paige and Natty will stem from this, giving fans a decent Divas match at Wrestlemania. What? Think they wouldn't do it to take a shot at CM Punk and AJ Lee? Perhaps not.

WWE Tag Team Championship Match
The Miz & Damian Mizdow Vs The Usos
Winners: The Usos
Losing the match, combined with a Rumble match mishap or swerve, and we got The Miz Vs Damian Mizdow before fans begin to grow tired of this. Plus, it is time to reward Damian Sandow/Mizdow for making everything thrown at him work. And he's been thrown some garbage since losing his MITB cash-in match against John Cena.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Seth Rollins Vs John Cena Vs Brock Lesner
Winner: Brock Lesner
Obvious answer. But, here is where it gets unlikely, next PPV is Cena Vs Rollins for the MITB briefcase. Cena cashes in on the winner of the Royal Rumble after they beat Lesner at Wrestlemania 31. Jonn's next reign ties him with Ric Flair. That alone will garner heat from the purists. And sets the stage for the heel turn that is over due.

2015 Royal Rumble Match
Surprise Entrants: Dudley Boys, JBL, Rob Van Dam (does he count as a surprise?)
Winner: Daniel Bryan
Roman Reigns isn't quite there yet. He is good, but not main event Wrestlemania good. With only a short period, they need someone who is proven, over with the fans, and able to steal the show. And up until his injury, Daniel Bryan was showing that was him. Also, makes for a better opponent to face Brock. Vince and the WWE would likely take the "David Vs Goliath" or "Underdog" route, but it would make sense in this situation (and not be overused like it was before and after Rey won gold). My Cena prediction is far fetched, but this opens the door for Daniel Bryan to face Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler (heel) for the gold.