Good Day fellow wrestling fan’s. I’ve been away a while and I apologize for that. It’s been a busy couple of weeks here in the Canadian nation capital of Ottawa. I’ve been away, but I’ve been watching, and I figure, why not vent some of my thoughts over the past couple of weeks of WWE TV. I obviously can’t cover everything, however, here is what sticks out the most. Let’s get to it.
A little over a year ago, while writing for another publisher, I wrote an article about the Miz after he turned face discussing how bad of an idea it was, and how he would never get over. I don’t want to say I told you so, but I told you so. As heel, the Miz was United States Champion, and mutli-time Tag Team Champion, an Intercontinental Champion and most impressively of all, WWE Champion with a WrestleMania main event appearance. Always smug, cocky, and dressed like a million bucks. He was made and groomed to be despised. As a hero, Miz was still smug, cocky and stylish, a “good guy”. It was odd, and very out of place. He was relegated to opening card matches, and of course Miz TV, which I treat similar to commercials (channel surfing-beverage filling-bathroom time). As for PPV, he was lucky to be in the You Tube pre-show let alone the main card. Final result, a complete failed experiment. Some wrestlers a simply made to be good or bad. That’s just the way it is. The Miz is far and beyond a heel. Just like Rey Mysterio, would never be viewed as a bad guy. He’s great with the kids, and over with fans. So whats next for Miz? I don’t imagine that much will come out of the current matches with Kofi Kingston. I believe something bigger will be in store for Miz. Not on a WWE, or World Heavyweight championship scene, but perhaps within the Intercontinental, or US Championship picture.
Intercontinental Championship
The Intercontinental Championship is currently around Big E Langston. He defeated Curtis Axel on November 18th. This is a change of pace not only from Axel, but from the typical Kofi Kingston, Miz, Wade Barrett championship runs. It’s new and refreshing. Seeing as Axel has already lost his rematch, who’s next? Ryback and Axel keep getting billed as ex-Paul Heyman guys, so seems they’ll eventually be put into another angle with Heyman and maybe even Brock Lesnar sometime soon. That being said, Langston needs a new challenger. Seeing as he is a newly shaped fan favorite character, I can’t imagine seeing Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, or any face for that matter challenging for it. I could see Miz, Bray Wyatt (that would be interesting), or a returning Wade Barrett challenging.
United States Championship
Currently the US Champion is Dean Ambrose, and it has been for a while. I can’t actually remember the last time it was defended. There is a belief that his championship reign is coming to an end, as there is a lot of rumor around that the Shield has run their course, and moving out in separate directions. Therefore someone is going to have to eventually take the belt from him. Unless Ambrose has a face turn, I don’t imagine they’ll do a heel vs. heel feud. I am more inclined to believe that if the Shield implodes prior to Ambrose losing the belt, then it will either be Seth Rollins, or Roman Reigns battling for this championship. Classic face turn angle for somebody. Maybe Big Show will even join the scene taking on the shield once again, seeing as John Cena is moving in on Randy Orton.
Tag Team Division
Currently the Rhodes brothers are the tag team champions. I’m actually really enjoying it. Cody is looking rejuvenated, and Goldust at the age of 44 has never looked better in the ring. The matches are entertaining, they are definitely over with the crowd. I do believe their championship run will last a while, however, its no secret that these 2nd generation wrestling brothers have been lobbying for a Wrestlemania match with each other for years. This could be the making of it. Look for one of them to turn heel in the new year. Seeing as Cody spent years as a heel, I could see the cards getting shuffled and Goldust turning on his brother prior to the biggest show of the year. That being said, with tag teams such as the Uso’s, Real American’s (Cesaro is such a mistake in this role), PTP, the Shield (for much longer?), and now R-Truth/Xavior Woods, we are still waiting for this division to truly take off similar to when the Hardyz, Edge and Christian, New Age Outlaws, and Dudleys dominated during the attitude area. Many sources say ROH’s American Wolves Davey Richard’s and Eddie Edwards are WWE bound. If this is true, it will certainly be step in the right direction. Also, watch SmackDown this Friday, for the start of a possible much needed heel turn for a certain funk loving tag team. Providing this occurs, it will be a breath of fresh air for their current anything but entertaining characters.
Unified Championship
In my opinion this is a bad idea. I really enjoy the separate WHC/WWE Championship picture, as it gives us another main event (when booked properly), aside from anything John Cena related. Its no secret, that although I respect everything Cena’s does in terms of work ethic, as well as his relationships with the fans (particularly Make a Wish), I’m completely tired of his character and matches. Having two seperate major titles gave us a different perspective to watch. It distinguished the SmackDown brand from the Raw brand. It was an opportunity to see other top performers compete for something great.
Also, the WHC is a classic piece of history, held by wrestling greats such as Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair. Its obviously rebranded, however this is what I see when I see this belt. The WWE championship is prestigious, don’t get me wrong, being held by Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan and the greatest of all time Bruno Sammartino. However, although changes were made over the years, the classic traditional look, is essentially gone, since the John Cena spinner belt inception, following to the current style. I’m not a fan, and for any newer type of fan, the sense of history imagined isn’t visible with the belt. The unification idea just gives me shiver’s thinking they’ll just create another ugly looking belt walking further away from the history and prestige of the business.
All in all, these are just my opinions to what is going on as of late. First and foremost I am a wrestling fan. I figure if I watch, I’m entitled to opinion. Therefore I’ll make it. Ladies and Gentleman, we are only scraping the tip of the iceberg.
— Steve