Rambles about the wonderful world of wrestling.
Money in the Bank always manages to be one of the better WWE events. The Money in the Bank matches tend to deliver and in the past we’ve had iconic moments, like CM Punk walking out with the WWE title. However, this year we came into the event just two weeks after Elimination Chamber and such a short build meant that outside of a select few feuds, mainly Cena and Owens, a lot of the build was lacking and felt rushed. However, WWE was still able to scrape a decent show out of it.
We all like to moan about wrestling. I myself do it on a regular basis. We particularly like to bash the WWE. If you were to go by forums and Twitter, you would believe that they were at an all time low. However, that’s not actually true. In fact, I would argue that WWE is actually in the middle of a golden period.
It’s hardly revolutionary to claim that WWE need to cut back on the number of PPVs they do (although with the Network they can’t really be called PPVs now), however Payback was one of those shows that reinforced that point. The post Wrestlemania season is always a bit flat in WWE, as they take the foot off the gas after the ‘Showcase of the Immortals’ and you can’t help but feel that the long-term implications of Payback are, well nothing.
Extreme Rules felt like a show from a jaded company that was stuck in a slump. Something which is almost impressive, considering it comes just a month after one of the best Wrestlemania’s of all time. Overflowing with unneeded gimmick matches and the kind of juvenile humour which only Vince could laugh at, it once again came down to a few of the WWE’s great roster, to save the show.
Watching Wrestlemania as a UK fan is a strange experience. While our American cousins have a normal evening in front of the TV or for a lucky few thousand in the stadium, we have to stay up to four in the morning on a Sunday evening combating sleep. Some years that feels like a huge mistake. As time trickles by and WWE piss you off with their ridiculous decision-making, you can’t help but think of a night in bed rather than on the sofa. Yet, every now and then the stars come together and WWE knock it out the park, last night was one of those occasions.
So Wrestlemania has again crept up on us and this Sunday the Showcase of the Immortals will once again beam around the world. Sadly, the build up has been patchy at best. While at other times it has been R-Truth stealing the Intercontinental Championship (seriously, how insane would you have thought I was if I had suggested R Truth was going to be part of the ‘Mania card six months ago?). Despite this, I can’t help but be excited by the WWE’s Super Bowl. Despite creative consistently shooting its performers in the foot. I reckon the WWE will pull this off. Why? Well let me tell you.
Once again WWE has entered Wrestlemania season with a big thorn in their foot. One, Mr. Daniel Bryan. Now, as thorns go, he is a pretty good one to have. One of the best technical wrestlers in the world, who also happens to be one of the most over with the fans, really not too shabby. However, due to a series of booking mistakes, Bryan once again finds himself in a bit of ‘Mania purgatory. One second he is set to face Sheamus, the next it’s Dolph Ziggler and at the moment some people are suggesting he might end up in the main event. All this shifting of plans isn’t helping anyone, least of all the man himself.
Continue reading “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Daniel Bryan?”
Last year the WWE had Batista win the Royal Rumble and we saw a crowd turn on the WWE. A year on and nearly everyone, myself included, thought WWE could not make the same mistake again. Sometimes, the most obvious story is the best one and last night the most obvious, and best, storyline, was to have Daniel Bryan win the Royal Rumble. Yet, once again, WWE went with their idea of the perfect superstar and a crowd turned on the product.
The Royal Rumble is most wrestling fans favourite PPV of the year. Screw ‘Mania, although we tend to love that too, the Rumble is where it is at. While we have had disappointing Rumbles over the years, it is fair to say it very rarely fails to deliver at least couple of fun moments and it also sets us on the ‘Road to Wrestlemania’. We get to know who will be competing for the big one on the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’. I can’t think of anymore WWE buzzwords to throw in now, so lets just get onto some of my predictions.
Just days after putting on one of the best wrestling’s shows of the year, WWE followed up with TLC, one of the many gimmick PPVs in their calender. It was another card which looked strong on paper, even if it did include a ‘Stairs Match’, which is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.
Ramblings About Wrestling 