The impossible has become the possible and Daniel Bryan has been cleared to return to in-ring action. I’ve shared this already with most people who will read this, but here’s my booking ideas: I think we can be fairly certain he’s going to team with Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at Wrestlemania. But what about after? There’s going to be a post-wrestlemania superstar shakeup. The Miz, after retaining at the big show, comes out and gloats incessantly about beating all odds, all challengers, being the greatest IC champ ever, there’s no one left to beat. Cue Flight of the Valkyries. The match is made right then and there, and Bryan is the new champ.

But where to go from there? Do they put him back in the main event picture eventually? Will he stay in the mid-card? We don’t even know if he’ll be a full-time wrestler. Maybe he’ll stay as Smackdown GM, but I doubt it. If he is no longer GM, who takes over? Please just no Teddy Long. There’s a world of possibilities for where this goes. How would you book him? Let me know in the comments.

 

I enjoy streaks. I imagine most fans do. Except the ones who can’t wait to crap all over everything and chant “Goldberg”, but let’s ignore them. I also imagine that streaks are a burden for promoters and creative, trying to figure out new and creative ways to keep them going, and the biggest issue, when and how to end them. Did they even mean to start them to begin with? Do they all of a sudden realize hey this person hasn’t lost yet. Well let’s run with it, we can’t have them lose now. Is it a plan from the beginning that this wrestler is gonna win a set number of matches? Do they just keep going and going until someone says ok it’s time to end this? It’s probably a mixture of these things. To my point: when and how should they end Asuka’s streak, and who should end it? Now, nobody needs to tell me that Asuka is not Goldberg or the Undertaker. It’s not going to rock the wrestling world if her streak ends right now. And it’s not like she’s never lost before, she’s just never lost in WWE or NXT. To be fair, Goldberg had lost on house shows before his TV debut, so that’s a moot point. But still, her streak is one of the bigger storylines in WWE, and the biggest thing in the women’s division along with Ronda Rousey. There’s a few ways they could go with this, and obviously all of these hinge on the near-certain assumption that she will beat Charlotte at Wrestlemania:

1. Continue the streak forever. I couldn’t see this happening. I think it would hold down the rest of the division if she holds the title for however long she stays in WWE. I’m putting this in the “highly unlikely” category.

2. Have her lose on any show other than a Wrestlemania. More likely than the first possibility, but I don’t think they would do it. Even Summerslam or Survivor Series seems like too small of a stage for this to happen, but I don’t put it past them to do it. Unlikely.

3. Stay unbeaten until next Wrestlemania, and lose to Ronda Rousey (or whoever is the bigbest deal at the time, I’m assuming it’ll still be Ronda). This seems like a logical thing to do. Build Ronda up for a year. Turn Asuka into the cocky heel she was in NXT. Make people want to see her lose. Give Ronda the huge rub on the grandest stage of them all. We’ll call this “likely”.

4. Have Carmella cash in immediately after Asuka’s win at mania. This hinges on how highly WWE things of Carmella. Only Seth Rollins has ever cashed in at Wrestlemania. Carmella would not only do that, she would end The Streak. It would be a daring move, and you’d be taking a huge gamble that Carmella works out as champ. This was originally my favorite idea, but I really don’t think Carmella would have a successful title run, meaning this would be a huge moment wasted on someone who doesn’t do much with it. It would garner her a ton of heat and a ton of publicity and be a huge push, but thinking about it now, I think it might be a better idea to try a cash in and lose, either at mania or sometime after. I still think this might be something they’d do. Call it “somewhat likely”.

Which do you think will happen? How would you end the streak? Are there other options I’m missing? Let’s hear it.

Leilani Kai.
Alundra Blayze.
Wendi Richter.
Lita.
Beth Phoenix.
Ivory.
Jacqueline.
Trish Stratus.
Bull Nakano.

See? There are numerous legends that a female battle royal could be named after that didn’t die of drug overdoses or were PIMPS AND ABUSERS. What the hell could WWE be thinking? How do they think this is going to go over with the fans, especially the crowd at the big show? There’s not enough editing that can be done to drown out that much booing. This is not a minor thing, and I don’t know how these wrestlers in the promos can sing her praises the way they do. God dammit, please change this.

Update (3/15): You guys did it. Thanks to everyone who made it a priority to express your feelings to WWE. This was very distressing and made me have serious thoughts about how I could continue to support and follow the company. Thankfully they made the right decision.

I love watching Rusev work. He really seems to understand ring psychology and the intricacies of working the crowd and the match. When I was watching him last night constantly roll in and out of the ring, and the crowd booing more each time, I was so impressed that even though “Rusev Day” is so over with the crowd, he can still get the reaction he wants from them. As for how he wrestles, he seems to be able to work with anybody. He can slow it down to set up a raging comeback by the face, or he can have an explosive offense and keep up with almost anyone. I could easily see him working in any era of wrestling. When I think about top guys of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, I think he could put on a really good match with any of them. He can adapt to any style and can cut a better promo than most “foreign heels” of the past. I could see him getting a WWE/Universal Championship run eventually. I think it would have to be as a heel, because I can’t see him as a main event face. Run with Rusev Day as long as it’s hot, and hopefully big things are on the horizon for one of WWE’s most talented performers.

Starting with the kickoff show, Breezango and Tye Dillinger vs. Rawley, Gable, and Benjamin
Ignoring how well all of these guys can wrestle, it was a great match to get the crowd hot. Breezango is over, and everybody loves Tye, while Rawley and Gable especially are great heat magnets right now. Gable seems to get the intricacies of heel work while Mojo knows how much he can piss people off. Really good choice for an opening match.

Shinsuke vs. Rusev
I’ll be writing a Rusev post later about the type of performer he is because I think it merits a lot more discussion. Shinsuke seems to have been made to tone down his style for WWE and I think it stops him from having the great matches people know he can have. Still, this was a good match with a lot of good ring psychology, and the crowd was totally invested in this one. He sold that Machka Kick like a champ, that looked brutal. Thankfully this did not seem to have the effect that I worried about, which was the crowd turning on Shinsuke. Everybody loves the KINSHASAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Orton takes the US Title from Roode
This match was a lot better than I thought it would be. I wasn’t really invested in this one and thought it would be a bore, but their styles seem to really gel in the ring. Neither guy is a high-flying or fast-paced worker, so they played to their strengths. A really good crowd helped out. I think Orton got the rub so he could be a grand slam champ and be promoted as such, but it really didn’t matter who won it, because obviously there will be a triple threat with Jinder at mania. Tonight’s match got me a little more interested in that one, which is to say a little more than no interest. Still, it’s a logical feud, and I’m not going to crap on them trying to entertain us. Here’s hoping they deliver at the big show.

Naomi and Becky vs. Natalya and Carmella
Sorely disappointed in this one. I had high hopes but everyone seemed to be out of sorts here. I expect they’ll still throw something together with a couple of them and the Riott Squad for mania, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they worked themselves off the show.

Usos vs. New Day
My man Chris nailed it with the Bludgeon Brothers. That was a great match and an absolutely brutal beatdown afterwards. The powerbomb to Woods was horrendous looking. I loved them selling it with the EMTs and how long it took them to get out of there. Is there going to be some kind of tag team turmoil match at mania? A triple threat tornado tag? A gauntlet match? I’m excited for this and I hope they put the belts on Harper and Rowan. I would love for that to set up the debut of the Authors of Pain and maybe a match at Summerslam for the titles.

Charlotte vs. Ruby Riott
Great match. I wish these two went for 10 more minutes I was enjoying the match so much, and I’m sure they could have and made it awesome. But obviously the big story is Asuka. This is the match everyone wanted, and they’re delivering. Great swerve with everyone thinking it was going to be Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss at mania. I can’t wait for this one. I think they’re are going to get a lot of time at mania and put on a hell of a performance before Asuka goes over.

Six Pack Challenge
Everything I hoped it would be. The guys who weren’t going to win went out and just wreaked as much havoc as they could. Baron and Dolph destroying the arena was awesome. AJ’s hang time on the Cena AA through the table was… wait for it… phenomenal. The biggest question coming out of this unfortunately shouldn’t be the biggest question coming out of a championship match this close to mania: where does Shane fit into this and what happens going forward? The biggest question should be what happens with Cena, but Shane’s involvement overshadowed that. They even had Shane on Talking Smack after to talk about what happened, but nobody said a word about Cena. Will it be a triple threat with Shane, Owens, and Zayn? I’m not sure, but I do want this to end. It was intriguing to me in the beginning but now I’d like to know what the resolution is going to be. Does Cena get Undertaker? There’s rumors Mysterio would return to wrestle him, but he also just tore his bicep, so that might not even be an option anymore. Cena says he wouldn’t put it past Vince to leave him off the show because that would be an even bigger story that who he might wrestle, but that could obviously be a swerve there. I’m glad we’re talking about it, I’m glad I don’t know who he’s wrestling yet. It’s fun to speculate on what might happen without knowing through spoilers.

Overall I was entertained by this show, but nothing terribly special.

Becky Lynch & Naomi vs. Natalya & Carmella
Four good workers, hopefully they kill it and make this a really gun match. Picking Becky and Naomi here. Why does Carmella look like Donatella Versace all of a sudden?

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Rusev
Nakamura will win, but I’m not sure if this will make the crowd happy. Rusev Day is so over with the fans. I could see English costing Rusev the win tonight and getting a beat down to turn Rusev full face.

Charlotte vs. Ruby Riott
Charlotte will carry a hopefully great match. Ruby is really good but as usual it’s up to Charlotte to make her look terrific. My first instinct was to say Charlotte retains, of course, but then I thought about it, and I can’t rule out the Riott Squad costing her the title. They have been on a roll and the women’s title would certainly give them even more credibility and power. I still think Charlotte retains.

Usos vs. New Day
Usos retain in heel fashion. I’m feeling a Dusty finish here. Maybe a “twin magic” moment.

Bobby Roode vs. Randy Orton.
Roode retains. I’m not very hyped up for this match. Roode doesn’t really do it for me and Orton is just kinda there. Jinder will obviously inject himself into the match somehow. Could it become triple threat? Maybe, but I’m guessing they do that at Wrestlemania.

Six Pack Challenge
A.J. retains. I just hope it’s pandemonium. Really looking forward to this match and hopefully these guys all let loose and just do what they do.

Disagree with these? Let’s hear it.

Hot start with the women’s chamber match. Looks like I was off with my prediction that Rousey would be added. The match went as I expected. I’m wondering if we’ll get a full heel turn from Sasha. I thought she should have won to set up Bayley vs. Sasha at Wrestlemania. That would be money. That pot has been simmering for a while now and their iron woman match was an instant classic. I wonder if there’s any chance Bliss drops the title before the big show. Solid match. Great action from those three especially.

The Bar vs. Titus Worldwide
I thought this match sucked. No action, no chemistry.

Nia vs. Asuka
I really liked this one. Nia has gotten much better in the ring and this really showcased her brutal offense. Asuka will make anyone look good. The final pinfall sequence didn’t look great but that’s just nitpicking. Overall a solid, logical match. Who does Asuka challenge? The money match is with Charlotte. Nia smashing Asuka through the barricade after the match was awesome.

Woken Matt vs. Bray
Probably a better match than it came off because of the asshole crowd. This is why I won’t go to tv/ppv events anymore. I’m sticking with house shows because douche bags actually pay money to go to try and ruin shows. There’s no reasoning with that level of dickheadedness. You don’t like the match, go get a pretzel and let the people who are enjoying it do so in peace. As for the match itself, solid B. Good finish.

Ronda Rousey was a little too giggly and fangirlish for my liking, but she turned badass in an instant. Same issues with the crowd here. Just shut the hell up. Why was Angle acting like a doofus and letting HHH usher him off like that? If you’re gonna air their dirty laundry, be defiant about it and get up in their faces. That part didn’t make sense to me. The slam through the table was awesome. I would have liked a quicker reaction to Steph’s slap. She gave Steph a lot of time to stand over her then escape after that. The end of the segment made it great.

Smart using Elias to get the crowd hot. The man knows how to get the reaction he wants. Excellent work. The one thing I would have changed about the chamber match is to have Braun get impatient and bust through his pod. But it was almost as good to have him stand motionless and just stare down the other competitors, letting them contemplate their mortality and make peace with their god before turning in the most dominating chamber performance of all-time. He and Roman killed it at the end, finally using the chamber itself as a weapon. Roman finally gets his one on one with Lesnar, and we’ll finally get the universal title back from Saskatchewan.

The Bar successfully defends vs. Titus Worldwide
I like that Titus is wrestling again and I dig their gimmick, but I don’t think they’d put the belts on them yet.

Asuka beats Nia Jax
Asuka won’t lose, but I wonder if they’d have her win clean.

Matt Hardy beats Bray Wyatt
They’re getting behind Woken Matt and souring on Bray. I just hope this match gets weird.

I think part of Rousey’s contract signing involves her being announced as the seventh entrant in the women’s chamber match, since currently the men’s match has seven and the women’s match has six. I’m having trouble picking her, Alexa, or Sasha as the winner of this match. So I’ll cover two bases here: if I’m right about Ronda being in the match, she wins. If not, Alexa retains.

Roman wins the men’s match. No explanation needed, we know it’s him vs. Lesnar at mania.

Share your own predictions, and enjoy the show

So Johnny Gargano has to leave NXT. It makes sense for the story, but I just feel like the NXT fans were robbed of the moment of him winning the title. Then again, given the crowd reaction last night, it wasn’t as pro-Johnny and didn’t seem as behind him as I thought they would be. Maybe I overestimated his popularity and connection with the crowd. Either way, I expect to see him on 205 Live and/or Raw or Smackdown very soon, with Ciampa following not long after. Do they get a Wrestlemania match? I don’t think there’s enough time to introduce them and the backstory of their feud to the main roster crowd who doesn’t watch NXT. Summerslam might be a better timeline for that. Maybe Johnny gets some momentum on the main roster and Ciampa shows up to attack him. I’m really interested to see where he ends up and ultimately how/when he gets revenge on his former best friend. Maybe Johnny debuts in the Andre the Giant memorial battle royal. Will Candace follow him or stay at NXT? Lots of questions to be answered with his future, but I’m sure they’ve had something planned out well in advance. If not Ciampa right away, who do you want to see him feud with?

I feel like since they limited their mic time and only let Ruby cut promos, they’ve gotten past their rocky start and can be something big. Especially Sarah Logan. I’m not sure what it is about her that’s clicking with me, but she’s quickly become one of my favorites in the division. I think WWE sees it too because it seems like she’s spending the most time in the ring during the tag matches. Graves built up her power and striking a lot this week. They took away the mic which made her seem like a comic idiot farm girl character and just let her be a badass. I can’t stand Liv and she needs to play up being an obnoxious stuck out bitch from Jersey who you just want to see get her lights punched out. Again, I hate her, but that’s the point. She’s a heel. Ruby has gotten much better on the mic, and thank god, because they need SOMEONE in that faction who can talk, and it’s painfully obvious the other two can’t, at least not at this point. I can’t see Ruby winning at Fastlane simply because Charlotte NEEDS to have a big title match at Wrestlemania. That’s where the money is. As much as I dig her, nobody wants to see Ruby vs. Charlotte at the biggest show of the year. Who does Charlotte wrestle at mania? That’s for another post.