Just a few hours ago, the WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view went off the air and as I write this, there's a tremendous buzz on social media toward the main event of an otherwise lackluster show. Too often in the modern era, the global machine of the WWE churns out countless hours of content to satisfy its TV contract (it will see record numbers toward the end of this year) and serve the stock price. To keep that revenue machine moving forward, a strictly regimented formula is usually followed. Without any credible competition for the sports entertainment dollar since the WCW shutdown, a level of unintended complacency surfaces within the WWE product.
If the general public wants to watch pro wrestling then they watch WWE, and instead of demand, corporate agenda dictated the direction of the product. Truth be told, even a month and a half away from Wrestlemania, the biggest show of the year, there wasn't anything particularly buzz worthy around the product. Sure, Seth Rollins won the Rumble this year and will get a match with Brock Lesnar, but the 50/50 booking aspect of the current landscape created a certain level of mediocrity in terms of star power. Granted, Rollins is a bigger star than Mojo Rawley, but as far as the ability to sell tickets, would more tickets be sold if Finn Balor was in that spot instead of Rollins? It appears that the WWE model puts the brand over ahead of any particular star. The advantage of that is when a competitor gets injured or leaves the company, there isn't usually a noticeable dip in numbers. On the other hand, when the talent become more or less interchangeable, there's no always a way to boost business either, which leads to an eventual plateau of the company.
Again, Balor and Rollins are stars within the WWE stage, but will they be noticed by the general public? They certainly have the talent, but the presentation of a talent has much to do with the perception of the main stream audience. In fact, how many currently on the roster are legitimate money-drawing competitors? Brock Lesnar's run was stale two years ago an a lot of his shine has worn off at this point so even his ability to draw is contained to the fan base that already follows the product. Maybe it's because his involvement the past few years was designed to get Roman Reigns over and it didn't work, but the whole Brock experiment has a "been there, done that" atmosphere to it.
Perhaps the reason for that is that management determined the agenda they wanted to push and continued to try to tell the audience what they should want to watch, which is essentially the basis of the Charlotte/Becky Lynch angle right now. The problem is, Becky is supposed to be the rebel, but last week on Raw, she apologized to the authority figures, which is totally illogical for her character. Thankfully, the crutch-swinging Lynch redeemed some of that credibility at the pay-per-view, but it appears that WWE brass has the plan to include Charlotte even if it would be more effective to give Becky the spotlight. Charlotte is very talented, but why shoehorn her into this spot? Becky spontaneously and organically got over so why not make the most of that to make her the biggest star possible, which will make her a bigger asset for the company?
The organic aspect can be a key to how a star is made, and the best example of it is probably the Austin 3:16 promo that put Stone Cold on the path to become the biggest star in the history of the business. Kofi Kingston, who signed a developmental deal in 2006, debuted on the infamous ECW brand in 2008. Always a tremendous athlete, Kofi was regularly featured during his initial years on WWE TV, but didn't seem to have the promo skills to get further up the card than the IC title. In some ways, he was almost typecast as a "good hand" and that would've doomed him to the mid-card for the rest of his WWE career.
When the New Day was assembled in 2014, it spontaneously got over with the crowd, and three individuals that floundered became one of the most popular acts in the company. Nearly five years later, The New Day maintains that popularity and it works so well that they should remain a stable for their entire run, which is a credit to their ability to portray their characters.
When Mustafi Ali, who was elevated recently using the simple formula of being booked competitively against bigger stars, was replaced in the WWE title Elimination Chamber match because of an injury, Kofi was added to the match. The story that Kofi and Daniel Bryan told in that match is one of the things that makes pro wrestling such a great sport. Kofi performed to a main event level and the match was structured to showcase him on that level. Kofi always puts in the effort and has dedicated more than a decade to his WWE career. The organic scenario saw the fans rally behind Kingston, hoping to see him get the surprise win. Keep in mind, this wasn't a long term plan the writing team crafted, but rather a recent replacement because for an injury. Kingston's performance had the audience cheering for him to be rewarded after a decade of work toward the title.
It was the first time in probably five years that there was a legitimate emotional investment toward the result of a WWE main event. Too often, the feedback of WWE shows are based on what the audience doesn't want to see and management discards it. This time, the audience was genuinely thrilled that Kofi got a chance to prove himself. Make no mistake about it, Kofi Kingston made himself a main event star at the Elimination Chamber. Honestly, the best part of this scenario is that the defeat did nothing to take away from the moment, this pay-per-view will not only be known as Kofi's night, and the WWE title match should be set for Wrestlemania. This allows for a build up to the moment that Kofi finally claims the title at the biggest show of the year.
In my opinion, the biggest takeaway from this entire scenario should be that it doesn't take a room of 24 TV writers to make a main event star. It doesn't take 50/50 booking or lame segments either. An over baby face and an over heel that are given the chance to present a compelling story can be enough to get an audience emotionally invested in a match. That emotional investment is what ultimately draws major money in sports entertainment. Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston delivered one of the most compelling performances in the WWE in the past few years and it should be booked as the WWE title match at Wrestlemania this year.
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Saturday, February 16, 2019
The potential of AEW
A few days ago, headlines were made on social media that The Undertaker was announced for Starrcast, the convention in association with All Elite Wrestling's Double or Nothing event in May. The last time the legendary grappler was seen on WWE programming was the sloppy tag match at the Saudi Arabia event last November. As of this writing, there's no indication that he will be involved in Wrestlemania, which is usually the event that showcases him each year. In some ways, it might've been a better farewell for him to retire with the emotional conclusion at Wrestlemania 32 than the possibility of the lackluster tag match in Saudi Arabia as his final bout. I have to say, I'm very surprised that Undertaker took appearances outside of the WWE umbrella, simply because he's so closely associated with the company and sacrificed a lot for it, but his current contract doesn't restrict him from outside ventures. Reportedly, his price is $25,000 per hour for an autograph/photo session. Don't get me wrong, if The Undertaker can make that type of cash just for signing his name then there's no reason for him to leave money on the table. Still, it makes me wonder, did he want to work another WM match, but management didn't have plans for him?
This could simply be a business deal that gives him the opportunity to make easy money, but given the convention's association with AEW, it adds another aspect to the story. The announcement of his appearance seems to have two possibilities in terms of what it could translates to for the Double or Nothing weekend. This signing could strictly be for the money, and the Undertaker is willing to schedule an appearance with anyone that can pay his fee or it could be used as a way to spotlight All Elite. Obviously, the 53-year-old legend won't be wrestling for AEW, and probably shouldn't compete again, but if he makes an appearance at the Double or Nothing event, even out of character, it can be used as a major endorsement for the AEW brand. A simple camera shot of Undertaker watching the event in the front row brings a certain credibility to the company because of the level of respect he has among fans.
Last week at the Double or Nothing ticket rally, a few more names were confirmed for the event that takes place in May, and fans were able to sign up for ticket codes in advance of the presale for the event. Within minutes of those codes being available, the AEW website crashed because of the amount of web traffic. Eventually, everyone that requested a code was able to secure it, but just a few days later, the amount of allotted presale tickets sold out in under thirty minutes. It took just four minutes for tickets to sell out for the general public sale a few days after that. So, the pay-per-view broadcast at the MGM arena will have an entire building of diehard fans, which will create a great atmosphere for the show.
However, as is usually the case with professional wrestling on social media, some fans are overestimating what this sell out actually means for the new promotion. Yes, it's an incredible accomplishment that Cody, The Young Bucks, Omega, and others created such a buzz for themselves without main stream television exposure in the United States. They are tremendously talented, and regardless of what happens with AEW, they have certainly made history in the industry. At the same time, the success of All In and Double or Nothing must be put into perspective. All In had several selling points, considering that it was the first event put together by the Elite stable and it booked talent from different organizations to promote dream matches. Double or Nothing has a special event draw to it because it's the kick off of the company that has the potential to change the landscape of the industry. But, much of that scenario is a novelty, which is fine because it garnered a sellout, but the totality of this situation is AEW drew a sell out for its first show. How do they follow up and will it lead to diminishing returns are much more important questions in the grand scheme of things. Keep in mind, the greater goal, if not being direct competition to WWE, is to be in the same conversation. For that to be accomplished, there are many steps in the process and if it happens remains to be seen.
Perhaps the biggest aspect of this equation is, how does the AEW roster translate to the general public? Remember, The Bucks, Cody, and others are very popular with the diehard fan base, but the point of major TV exposure is to allow the AEW roster to be perceived as stars to the causal fan. How the AEW product translates to a main stream audience could be the most important key to success for the company. That's why it was such an important piece of the puzzle for AEW to sign Chris Jericho, because he can still go in the ring, and he's a recognizable star that can get viewers to the show to sample the product. Make no mistake about it, if All Elite is going to make an impact on the level they're hoping for, they definitely need to get WWE fans to notice their show. Does that mean fans won't watch Raw? No, but some of the audience will have to add All Elite to their wrestling line-up if AEW is truly going to get off the ground. As Jericho detailed on his podcast, he signed a three-year deal for great money so there's no doubt that the goal of AEW is to at least be in the conversation of sports entertainment on a main stream level.
Considering that WWE has such a strangle hold on the market, and a brand name that was built for decades, head-to-head competition probably shouldn't be the goal for AEW. It's very possible All Elite becomes a compliment to WWE as opposed to directly competition and there's nothing wrong with that. From a business prospective, success is measured by revenue and profitability so if AEW becomes profitable then "competition" with WWE is a moot point. More importantly, if All Elite is profitable, it gives wrestlers and fans more options, which is what the industry has lacked since WCW shut down. Granted,there were successful independent groups, but that's a different scale than a national promotion.
AEW's ability to offer comparative wages could really be a game changer because it allows to top-tier talent to have leverage and options. Specifically, the past few years, the WWE has signed almost everyone they wanted because it was the best money offer in the industry. Competitive money makes the decision for underutilized talent to leave WWE to rejuvenate their career much easier if another organization can offer financial security. If All Elite gets off the ground, the paradigm of the industry could shift and that would create new opportunities for the entire sport. But again, much of that depends of how AEW translates to the general public, which isn't going to be done through one event, but rather how their television builds angles, and markets the product. Among the talent announced was Kenny Omega, Pentagon, and Fenix. Omega is one of the best in-ring performers of his generation and someone that AEW could build around in the future. Pentagon can go in the squared circle and he has a tremendous gimmick so given the right exposure, he could be a major star. Fenix is also another solid addition to the roster.
Don't get me wrong, I hope AEW is successful and eventually can become competition for the WWE, especially because the McMahon empire often reaches a level of complacency from the lack of any legitimate competition. That said, All Elite must be kept in the proper perspective, it's a sell out of one show, and at this point, there's no way to gauge the level of drawing power the company will have among the general public. Aside from that, the entire AEW scenario is probably the most intriguing situation for the industry since WCW closed and it will be very interesting to see what network signs AEW to a TV deal this year.
This could simply be a business deal that gives him the opportunity to make easy money, but given the convention's association with AEW, it adds another aspect to the story. The announcement of his appearance seems to have two possibilities in terms of what it could translates to for the Double or Nothing weekend. This signing could strictly be for the money, and the Undertaker is willing to schedule an appearance with anyone that can pay his fee or it could be used as a way to spotlight All Elite. Obviously, the 53-year-old legend won't be wrestling for AEW, and probably shouldn't compete again, but if he makes an appearance at the Double or Nothing event, even out of character, it can be used as a major endorsement for the AEW brand. A simple camera shot of Undertaker watching the event in the front row brings a certain credibility to the company because of the level of respect he has among fans.
Last week at the Double or Nothing ticket rally, a few more names were confirmed for the event that takes place in May, and fans were able to sign up for ticket codes in advance of the presale for the event. Within minutes of those codes being available, the AEW website crashed because of the amount of web traffic. Eventually, everyone that requested a code was able to secure it, but just a few days later, the amount of allotted presale tickets sold out in under thirty minutes. It took just four minutes for tickets to sell out for the general public sale a few days after that. So, the pay-per-view broadcast at the MGM arena will have an entire building of diehard fans, which will create a great atmosphere for the show.
However, as is usually the case with professional wrestling on social media, some fans are overestimating what this sell out actually means for the new promotion. Yes, it's an incredible accomplishment that Cody, The Young Bucks, Omega, and others created such a buzz for themselves without main stream television exposure in the United States. They are tremendously talented, and regardless of what happens with AEW, they have certainly made history in the industry. At the same time, the success of All In and Double or Nothing must be put into perspective. All In had several selling points, considering that it was the first event put together by the Elite stable and it booked talent from different organizations to promote dream matches. Double or Nothing has a special event draw to it because it's the kick off of the company that has the potential to change the landscape of the industry. But, much of that scenario is a novelty, which is fine because it garnered a sellout, but the totality of this situation is AEW drew a sell out for its first show. How do they follow up and will it lead to diminishing returns are much more important questions in the grand scheme of things. Keep in mind, the greater goal, if not being direct competition to WWE, is to be in the same conversation. For that to be accomplished, there are many steps in the process and if it happens remains to be seen.
Perhaps the biggest aspect of this equation is, how does the AEW roster translate to the general public? Remember, The Bucks, Cody, and others are very popular with the diehard fan base, but the point of major TV exposure is to allow the AEW roster to be perceived as stars to the causal fan. How the AEW product translates to a main stream audience could be the most important key to success for the company. That's why it was such an important piece of the puzzle for AEW to sign Chris Jericho, because he can still go in the ring, and he's a recognizable star that can get viewers to the show to sample the product. Make no mistake about it, if All Elite is going to make an impact on the level they're hoping for, they definitely need to get WWE fans to notice their show. Does that mean fans won't watch Raw? No, but some of the audience will have to add All Elite to their wrestling line-up if AEW is truly going to get off the ground. As Jericho detailed on his podcast, he signed a three-year deal for great money so there's no doubt that the goal of AEW is to at least be in the conversation of sports entertainment on a main stream level.
Considering that WWE has such a strangle hold on the market, and a brand name that was built for decades, head-to-head competition probably shouldn't be the goal for AEW. It's very possible All Elite becomes a compliment to WWE as opposed to directly competition and there's nothing wrong with that. From a business prospective, success is measured by revenue and profitability so if AEW becomes profitable then "competition" with WWE is a moot point. More importantly, if All Elite is profitable, it gives wrestlers and fans more options, which is what the industry has lacked since WCW shut down. Granted,there were successful independent groups, but that's a different scale than a national promotion.
AEW's ability to offer comparative wages could really be a game changer because it allows to top-tier talent to have leverage and options. Specifically, the past few years, the WWE has signed almost everyone they wanted because it was the best money offer in the industry. Competitive money makes the decision for underutilized talent to leave WWE to rejuvenate their career much easier if another organization can offer financial security. If All Elite gets off the ground, the paradigm of the industry could shift and that would create new opportunities for the entire sport. But again, much of that depends of how AEW translates to the general public, which isn't going to be done through one event, but rather how their television builds angles, and markets the product. Among the talent announced was Kenny Omega, Pentagon, and Fenix. Omega is one of the best in-ring performers of his generation and someone that AEW could build around in the future. Pentagon can go in the squared circle and he has a tremendous gimmick so given the right exposure, he could be a major star. Fenix is also another solid addition to the roster.
Don't get me wrong, I hope AEW is successful and eventually can become competition for the WWE, especially because the McMahon empire often reaches a level of complacency from the lack of any legitimate competition. That said, All Elite must be kept in the proper perspective, it's a sell out of one show, and at this point, there's no way to gauge the level of drawing power the company will have among the general public. Aside from that, the entire AEW scenario is probably the most intriguing situation for the industry since WCW closed and it will be very interesting to see what network signs AEW to a TV deal this year.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Will there be a Silva vs. Diaz rematch?
Last weekend's UFC 234 event saw injuries continue to plague the company when Middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker was forced off the card when he suffered a hernia the day before his scheduled bout against Kelvin Gastelum in front of a hometown crowd. This main event was scrapped just a month after the entire UFC 233 presentation was cancelled as a result of several factors, including a shoulder injury that put former bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz on the shelf. Whittaker, who currently has a nine-fight win streak, required emergency surgery and there's no timetable for his return to the octagon. The 28-year-old Australian had a rather difficult road to the championship, considering that despite a well-rounded skill set and the previously mentioned win streak, he more or less continues to be under the radar in terms of star power among many fans. This was mostly because of Georges St. Pierre's decision to vacate the 185 LBS belt without ever defending it and thus Whittaker was uneventfully promoted from interim champion to the undisputed middleweight champion. Basically, Whittaker never had the chance to have the platform to truly elevate his status as a star within the organization. Perhaps, the main event could've been a stage for him, but injuries derailed that possibility.
The card was shuffled and the original co-main event of highly-touted prospect, Israel Adesanya vs. the legendary Anderson Silva was moved to the main event of the card.
The result was somewhat predictable, the dynamic younger athlete that has drawn comparisons to his opponent won via unanimous decision. The 43-year-old Silva showed his age, as his once lightening speed declined somewhat, but his tactful mind kept the fight more competitive than most would've guessed prior to the bout. However, there were some very interesting statements made about the potential for a pair of super fights after Anderson discussed his future plans at the post-fight press conference.
The former middleweight kingpin mentioned that he wants a rematch against Nick Diaz at UFC 237 in his home country of Brazil. The pair fought previously in 2015, a contest that Silva initially won via decision, but was overturned to a no contest when he tested positive for PEDs after the fight. Diaz also failed the post-fight test when marijuana was found in his system. Silva was suspended for a year, while Diaz hasn't returned to the octagon, prompting speculation that his career might be finished. Including Silva's pair of losses to Chris Weidman in 2013, Silva garnered a record of 1-6-1 since he lost the MW championship. The only win in that span of time was a very controversial decision over Derek Brunson in February 2017. Clearly, he's toward the latter part of his career, and the Brazilian might consider his native country the place for a proper retirement. Unfortunately, it appears that the horrendous leg injury that he suffered in the second Weidman fight changed the path of his career, as he hasn't really returned to top form since the injury. Still, he had an incredible career and deserves a featured stage before he hangs up the gloves.
It would be quite the retirement fight for Anderson, who was arguably the most dominate fighter in the history of the sport at the peak of his career. That said, I'd guess that it's doubtful at best that Nick Diaz agrees to fight again, considering that it was reported that he was actually scheduled to fight at UFC's pay-per-view card next month, but he didn't agree to the bout. Maybe another Silva fight for big money will be enough to get Diaz to sign a contract, but again, the odds are that Diaz simply doesn't compete in the UFC again. However, Anderson claimed at the press conference that he spoke to Diaz about the potential rematch a few months ago, and it was tentatively agreed to if the UFC was willing to sign it so it will be interesting to see if contracts get inked for it.
After Silva made headlines for the possibility of getting one of the Diaz brothers to return to the cage, former UFC Lightweight champion, Conor McGregor tweeted that if the fight happens, he would fight Nick Diaz for a trilogy bout, which continues to be in demand since McGregor avenged a defeat over two years ago. Similar to Nate, the younger Diaz hasn't fought in an extended period of time and his career might have concluded as well. The controversial brothers are very popular and maintain a cult following despite the lack of main stream exposure with the extended hiatuses in competition. Both Diaz brothers made major cash in their respective bouts the last time they fought in the cage and are known for a rather simplistic lifestyle. It's very possible that the Diaz siblings are content to continue to teach jiu-jitsu in their hometown of Stockton, CA.
For the UFC, they could definitely use this pair of bouts on the pay-per-view schedule, as outside of the McGregor/Khabib fight, last year saw the numbers down across the board for the UFC on PPV. I will still say that the Fox deal spread the star power too thin, especially with several retirements the past several years. The new ESPN contract gives the organization more coverage and more flexibility so maybe there will be a boost in numbers, but star power is what ultimately does numbers among the general public, which is exactly what this ESPN deal markets towards in terms of the target audience. That said, I'd be very surprised if either of this super fights get signed, especially because Diaz doesn't appear to be motivated by another major money fight so there's not a lot of leverage for the company.
The card was shuffled and the original co-main event of highly-touted prospect, Israel Adesanya vs. the legendary Anderson Silva was moved to the main event of the card.
The result was somewhat predictable, the dynamic younger athlete that has drawn comparisons to his opponent won via unanimous decision. The 43-year-old Silva showed his age, as his once lightening speed declined somewhat, but his tactful mind kept the fight more competitive than most would've guessed prior to the bout. However, there were some very interesting statements made about the potential for a pair of super fights after Anderson discussed his future plans at the post-fight press conference.
The former middleweight kingpin mentioned that he wants a rematch against Nick Diaz at UFC 237 in his home country of Brazil. The pair fought previously in 2015, a contest that Silva initially won via decision, but was overturned to a no contest when he tested positive for PEDs after the fight. Diaz also failed the post-fight test when marijuana was found in his system. Silva was suspended for a year, while Diaz hasn't returned to the octagon, prompting speculation that his career might be finished. Including Silva's pair of losses to Chris Weidman in 2013, Silva garnered a record of 1-6-1 since he lost the MW championship. The only win in that span of time was a very controversial decision over Derek Brunson in February 2017. Clearly, he's toward the latter part of his career, and the Brazilian might consider his native country the place for a proper retirement. Unfortunately, it appears that the horrendous leg injury that he suffered in the second Weidman fight changed the path of his career, as he hasn't really returned to top form since the injury. Still, he had an incredible career and deserves a featured stage before he hangs up the gloves.
It would be quite the retirement fight for Anderson, who was arguably the most dominate fighter in the history of the sport at the peak of his career. That said, I'd guess that it's doubtful at best that Nick Diaz agrees to fight again, considering that it was reported that he was actually scheduled to fight at UFC's pay-per-view card next month, but he didn't agree to the bout. Maybe another Silva fight for big money will be enough to get Diaz to sign a contract, but again, the odds are that Diaz simply doesn't compete in the UFC again. However, Anderson claimed at the press conference that he spoke to Diaz about the potential rematch a few months ago, and it was tentatively agreed to if the UFC was willing to sign it so it will be interesting to see if contracts get inked for it.
After Silva made headlines for the possibility of getting one of the Diaz brothers to return to the cage, former UFC Lightweight champion, Conor McGregor tweeted that if the fight happens, he would fight Nick Diaz for a trilogy bout, which continues to be in demand since McGregor avenged a defeat over two years ago. Similar to Nate, the younger Diaz hasn't fought in an extended period of time and his career might have concluded as well. The controversial brothers are very popular and maintain a cult following despite the lack of main stream exposure with the extended hiatuses in competition. Both Diaz brothers made major cash in their respective bouts the last time they fought in the cage and are known for a rather simplistic lifestyle. It's very possible that the Diaz siblings are content to continue to teach jiu-jitsu in their hometown of Stockton, CA.
For the UFC, they could definitely use this pair of bouts on the pay-per-view schedule, as outside of the McGregor/Khabib fight, last year saw the numbers down across the board for the UFC on PPV. I will still say that the Fox deal spread the star power too thin, especially with several retirements the past several years. The new ESPN contract gives the organization more coverage and more flexibility so maybe there will be a boost in numbers, but star power is what ultimately does numbers among the general public, which is exactly what this ESPN deal markets towards in terms of the target audience. That said, I'd be very surprised if either of this super fights get signed, especially because Diaz doesn't appear to be motivated by another major money fight so there's not a lot of leverage for the company.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
The career of Jerry Lynn
Just weeks after his second hip replacement surgery, a procedure brought on by more than two decades of top rope leg drops and pile drivers as a signature moves, Jerry Lynn had the opportunity to reflect upon his accomplished 25-year career. The former ECW champion made the transition from a walker to a cane last week to aid in his recovery during physical therapy as he heals with another titanium replacement only 18 months after his initial hip repair. The grappler who often made his way to the ring to a chorus of heavy metal music quietly thumbed through paperwork during the healing process as he and his family plan to move into a new home on an acre lot in Nashville, TN.
However, the nearly half a dozen surgeries the veteran of the ring had weren't a surprise, but rather a reminder of the words of his trainer, the Greco-Roman Olympian Brad Rhenigans nearly three decades ago. Rhenigans, a two-time Olympic amateur, and a Pan American gold medalist before his own notable career in the pro ranks, told a group of hopefuls that any significant time spent in the professional wrestling industry would require surgery at some point.
"I always trained hard, but even that doesn't matter, really. It's just the luck of the draw. How soon you need surgery or how soon you get hurt is the luck of the draw. You can get hurt hitting the ropes wrong, there are all kinds of risk when you step into that ring," Lynn commented.
For Jerry Lynn, the Minnesota native discovered the sport like many others, through Saturday morning television as a youth when in-ring mayhem was complimented with episodes of roller derby each weekend. A natural athlete, he won a state and national amateur tournament his senior year of high school despite only one year of experience. A separated shoulder during his time at a community college ended his amateur run. But, attending an AWA event at a small ballroom in Minneapolis gave him some thought to another route to compete on the mat. Eventually, as he worked a job installing telephone cables, a friend told Jerry about Brad Rhenigans' training center so the pair joined the class.
By 1988, a 25-year-old Lynn laced up his boots for his start inside the square circle of the AWA, the same group he watched on television on those roller derby weekends years earlier. Like most in their formative years, he honed his skills on smaller independent cards and an occasional TV appearance as an enhancement talent. A well-conditioned, but smaller athlete by the standards of the late-80s, Jerry found success through the fast-paced style often seen in Japan, and within a few years, he and fellow Minnesotan Sean Waltman led the way to introduce a new type of bout in the United States. Known as The Lighting Kid, Waltman and Lynn paired to bring a combination of several styles to deliver thrilling aerial bouts that were featured on the Global Wrestling Federation's ESPN program and as far away as Japan, as crowds literally around the world witnessed the innovate contests in the early 90s.
"We'd watch tapes of anything we could get our hands on. Japanese, Mexican, and try to implement all the styles together in our matches. We didn't really think about we're going to revolutionize wrestling or change the way things are done or anything. I think we were just trying to make it fun for us, and a little more exciting for the fans," Lynn explained.
The stellar series got both competitors noticed and opportunities for a bigger platform went their way. Waltman, who was one of the few lightweight athletes featured on the WWF roster at the time, had memorable moments on early episodes of Monday Night Raw to propel his career. On the flip side, Jerry landed his first major stage as the masked Mr. JL on the early editions of Nitro in 1995. Despite dozens of solid cruiser weight matches during his nearly two years on WCW TV, Lynn's masked persona was never given a meaningful direction and was often relegated to secondary television shows as an enhancement talent.
"They didn't have plans for me. It didn't matter how well I wrestled, I was just time filler. I was just a small fish. They had the big guns, the NWO going on," Lynn said of his run in the Ted Turner organization.
When his WCW contract wasn't renewed, it took just a few months for Jerry to get started in Paul Heyman's Extreme Championship Wrestling in late-1997. The renegade promotion went on to revolutionize the presentation of the genre in America, but when Jerry arrived, the extreme group only had two pay-per-view broadcasts at that point so for the first time in his career, Lynn had the chance to be featured in a major spot of a company that was building a buzz. Heyman's brilliant mind was always able to find underutilized talent and give them their rightful platform, which was certainly the case for Jerry as his profile was elevated significantly during his run in ECW, but even Lynn had to find himself as a performer there.
"It was timing, it was more freedom to do what I wanted in the ring. When I got to ECW, it was hard at first because I'd try to be creative to come up with table spots and stuff so it didn't look like a rearrange the furniture match, and I'd always get shot down. Finally, at the ECW Arena against Justin Incredible, we were having a two out of three falls match and I told him before the show we're not going to ask permission for anything. We're just going to go out there and do what we do, and that's the night things changed."
That night at ECW's A Matter of Respect event in mid-1998 at the dingy bingo hall in south Philadelphia where so many memorable moments happened, Lynn and Justin Credible saw the culmination of their rivalry, a series of matches that began around the time both began their ECW careers nearly eight months earlier. Jerry's status was elevated, and his ability to deliver consistently solid performances moved him further up the card. As was the case throughout his career, Lynn could have great matches with anyone, and the potential the WCW completely overlooked was given the spotlight in the hardcore promotion. The diehard fan base praised stellar bouts against the underrated Lance Storm, Guido, and others. However, it was Lynn's innovative and influential series of contests against Rob Van Dam that remain some of the most talked about matches in the promotion's history. In fact, the RVD/Lynn bouts in 1999 were often considered the best in-ring action in the industry during a time when the business had surged in popularity. As great of those moments were and in some ways helped define the career Jerry had, he also paid a price for the physical toll those hard-hitting matches took on his body.
"In ECW was actually when I realized the business was going to change and if you wanted to survive, you have to be willing to change along with it. I realized I was going to get hit in the head with that cane 100 times or use a table, but I didn't take a chair shot to the head. Even though there weren't concussion studies back then, I had rang my bell a few times just from hitting the mat if you don't get to tuck your chin," he said.
Rob Van Dam was in the midst of a record-setting TV title reign, and Jerry Lynn was presented as the competitor that could take "Mr. Monday Night" to the limit each time they stepped into the ring. Lynn was one of the few that could keep pace with "The Whole F'N Show," a moniker that the confident champion gave himself. As a result of their close contests, the fans gave Jerry the moniker of "The New F'N Show" as a sign of respect for his efforts in the TV title picture.
"The fans are what made ECW, they were a part of the show and they were there to have a good time," Jerry said.
After a very successful 1999 for Jerry Lynn, the well-documented pressure of the competition in the industry, including the infamous TNN deal, put the future of the company in jeopardy. In October of 2000, in his home state of Minnesota, he defeated Justin Credible to win the ECW Heavyweight championship at the Anarchy Rulz pay-per-view. After 12 years of being one of the most well-rounded wrestlers in the sport, an often-overlooked Jerry Lynn finally got the recognition he deserved as his in-ring ability definitely was at a main event level. Unfortunately, ECW collapsed just three months later, but the company is still fondly remembered by both wrestlers and fans.
"That's why a lot of us stayed there when the checks were bouncing because we were having fun. It wasn't like a job where you wake up everyday and say that you don't want to go to work today. It was fun so we invested a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the company to get going, hoping something would break so we weren't going to give up"
Still fresh from his notoriety in ECW, Lynn was offered a WWF contract and had a six-month stint there, winning the Light Heavyweight belt. A knee injury put him on the shelf while Vince McMahon's acquisition of WCW flooded the roster with several names so he got lost in the shuffle before his departure. When his knee healed, aside from working the independent scene, Jerry was a part of several of the early NWA-TNA events, working a six man tag that was the first official match in the company's history. As the X-Division got TNA noticed, Lynn played an important role as his matches with AJ Styles, Low Ki, and others were one of the reasons the X-Division was popularized. Similar to his bouts with RVD, Lynn's work in the X-Division also had an impact on the athletes in the years that followed.
Despite a few solid years under the TNA banner, Lynn felt he was typecast in a secondary role there and opted for the flexibility of the independent scene, but made an occasional TNA return over the years. Along with dozens of independent groups, Jerry had a run in Ring Of Honor, winning their championship for a brief time in 2009. Finally, after 25 years as an in-ring competitor, Jerry decided to hang up his boots when he competed for his retirement match in his hometown in 2013.
"It was hard, I went through a depression. Over 24 years of doing something you love, it was hard at first, but once you get over it, it was fine," he explained.
Today, Jerry works an office job at a medical supply company and enjoys spending time with his family. While his oldest daughter is 25 and still lives in Minnesota, the man that once put Rob Van Dam through a table on pay-per-view looks forward to taking his 12-year-old daughter, Annabelle to band activities for school. Still retired, Lynn did return to the ring as a referee for the All-in event that Cody and The Young Bucks put together last year, which he cited as the only time he wished he still wrestled. Regardless of being done in the ring, Jerry still follows the industry, and his podcast "Front Row Material" with another ECW alumni, Mikey Whipwreck can be found on the MLW podcast network.
Perhaps, Jerry Lynn didn't truly get the credit that he deserved for his tremendous ability over the span of two and a half decades, but his resume highlights his skills, as he's one of the few wrestlers that worked for every major company in the United States in the modern era. More specifically, you simply won't find a subpar Jerry Lynn match, which puts him in a category with underrated legends such as Lance Storm, Bobby Eaton, and Chris Hamrick. Undoubtedly, Jerry Lynn earned the respect of fans and his peers during an unquestionably legendary career.
However, the nearly half a dozen surgeries the veteran of the ring had weren't a surprise, but rather a reminder of the words of his trainer, the Greco-Roman Olympian Brad Rhenigans nearly three decades ago. Rhenigans, a two-time Olympic amateur, and a Pan American gold medalist before his own notable career in the pro ranks, told a group of hopefuls that any significant time spent in the professional wrestling industry would require surgery at some point.
"I always trained hard, but even that doesn't matter, really. It's just the luck of the draw. How soon you need surgery or how soon you get hurt is the luck of the draw. You can get hurt hitting the ropes wrong, there are all kinds of risk when you step into that ring," Lynn commented.
For Jerry Lynn, the Minnesota native discovered the sport like many others, through Saturday morning television as a youth when in-ring mayhem was complimented with episodes of roller derby each weekend. A natural athlete, he won a state and national amateur tournament his senior year of high school despite only one year of experience. A separated shoulder during his time at a community college ended his amateur run. But, attending an AWA event at a small ballroom in Minneapolis gave him some thought to another route to compete on the mat. Eventually, as he worked a job installing telephone cables, a friend told Jerry about Brad Rhenigans' training center so the pair joined the class.
By 1988, a 25-year-old Lynn laced up his boots for his start inside the square circle of the AWA, the same group he watched on television on those roller derby weekends years earlier. Like most in their formative years, he honed his skills on smaller independent cards and an occasional TV appearance as an enhancement talent. A well-conditioned, but smaller athlete by the standards of the late-80s, Jerry found success through the fast-paced style often seen in Japan, and within a few years, he and fellow Minnesotan Sean Waltman led the way to introduce a new type of bout in the United States. Known as The Lighting Kid, Waltman and Lynn paired to bring a combination of several styles to deliver thrilling aerial bouts that were featured on the Global Wrestling Federation's ESPN program and as far away as Japan, as crowds literally around the world witnessed the innovate contests in the early 90s.
"We'd watch tapes of anything we could get our hands on. Japanese, Mexican, and try to implement all the styles together in our matches. We didn't really think about we're going to revolutionize wrestling or change the way things are done or anything. I think we were just trying to make it fun for us, and a little more exciting for the fans," Lynn explained.
The stellar series got both competitors noticed and opportunities for a bigger platform went their way. Waltman, who was one of the few lightweight athletes featured on the WWF roster at the time, had memorable moments on early episodes of Monday Night Raw to propel his career. On the flip side, Jerry landed his first major stage as the masked Mr. JL on the early editions of Nitro in 1995. Despite dozens of solid cruiser weight matches during his nearly two years on WCW TV, Lynn's masked persona was never given a meaningful direction and was often relegated to secondary television shows as an enhancement talent.
"They didn't have plans for me. It didn't matter how well I wrestled, I was just time filler. I was just a small fish. They had the big guns, the NWO going on," Lynn said of his run in the Ted Turner organization.
When his WCW contract wasn't renewed, it took just a few months for Jerry to get started in Paul Heyman's Extreme Championship Wrestling in late-1997. The renegade promotion went on to revolutionize the presentation of the genre in America, but when Jerry arrived, the extreme group only had two pay-per-view broadcasts at that point so for the first time in his career, Lynn had the chance to be featured in a major spot of a company that was building a buzz. Heyman's brilliant mind was always able to find underutilized talent and give them their rightful platform, which was certainly the case for Jerry as his profile was elevated significantly during his run in ECW, but even Lynn had to find himself as a performer there.
"It was timing, it was more freedom to do what I wanted in the ring. When I got to ECW, it was hard at first because I'd try to be creative to come up with table spots and stuff so it didn't look like a rearrange the furniture match, and I'd always get shot down. Finally, at the ECW Arena against Justin Incredible, we were having a two out of three falls match and I told him before the show we're not going to ask permission for anything. We're just going to go out there and do what we do, and that's the night things changed."
That night at ECW's A Matter of Respect event in mid-1998 at the dingy bingo hall in south Philadelphia where so many memorable moments happened, Lynn and Justin Credible saw the culmination of their rivalry, a series of matches that began around the time both began their ECW careers nearly eight months earlier. Jerry's status was elevated, and his ability to deliver consistently solid performances moved him further up the card. As was the case throughout his career, Lynn could have great matches with anyone, and the potential the WCW completely overlooked was given the spotlight in the hardcore promotion. The diehard fan base praised stellar bouts against the underrated Lance Storm, Guido, and others. However, it was Lynn's innovative and influential series of contests against Rob Van Dam that remain some of the most talked about matches in the promotion's history. In fact, the RVD/Lynn bouts in 1999 were often considered the best in-ring action in the industry during a time when the business had surged in popularity. As great of those moments were and in some ways helped define the career Jerry had, he also paid a price for the physical toll those hard-hitting matches took on his body.
"In ECW was actually when I realized the business was going to change and if you wanted to survive, you have to be willing to change along with it. I realized I was going to get hit in the head with that cane 100 times or use a table, but I didn't take a chair shot to the head. Even though there weren't concussion studies back then, I had rang my bell a few times just from hitting the mat if you don't get to tuck your chin," he said.
Rob Van Dam was in the midst of a record-setting TV title reign, and Jerry Lynn was presented as the competitor that could take "Mr. Monday Night" to the limit each time they stepped into the ring. Lynn was one of the few that could keep pace with "The Whole F'N Show," a moniker that the confident champion gave himself. As a result of their close contests, the fans gave Jerry the moniker of "The New F'N Show" as a sign of respect for his efforts in the TV title picture.
"The fans are what made ECW, they were a part of the show and they were there to have a good time," Jerry said.
After a very successful 1999 for Jerry Lynn, the well-documented pressure of the competition in the industry, including the infamous TNN deal, put the future of the company in jeopardy. In October of 2000, in his home state of Minnesota, he defeated Justin Credible to win the ECW Heavyweight championship at the Anarchy Rulz pay-per-view. After 12 years of being one of the most well-rounded wrestlers in the sport, an often-overlooked Jerry Lynn finally got the recognition he deserved as his in-ring ability definitely was at a main event level. Unfortunately, ECW collapsed just three months later, but the company is still fondly remembered by both wrestlers and fans.
"That's why a lot of us stayed there when the checks were bouncing because we were having fun. It wasn't like a job where you wake up everyday and say that you don't want to go to work today. It was fun so we invested a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the company to get going, hoping something would break so we weren't going to give up"
Still fresh from his notoriety in ECW, Lynn was offered a WWF contract and had a six-month stint there, winning the Light Heavyweight belt. A knee injury put him on the shelf while Vince McMahon's acquisition of WCW flooded the roster with several names so he got lost in the shuffle before his departure. When his knee healed, aside from working the independent scene, Jerry was a part of several of the early NWA-TNA events, working a six man tag that was the first official match in the company's history. As the X-Division got TNA noticed, Lynn played an important role as his matches with AJ Styles, Low Ki, and others were one of the reasons the X-Division was popularized. Similar to his bouts with RVD, Lynn's work in the X-Division also had an impact on the athletes in the years that followed.
Despite a few solid years under the TNA banner, Lynn felt he was typecast in a secondary role there and opted for the flexibility of the independent scene, but made an occasional TNA return over the years. Along with dozens of independent groups, Jerry had a run in Ring Of Honor, winning their championship for a brief time in 2009. Finally, after 25 years as an in-ring competitor, Jerry decided to hang up his boots when he competed for his retirement match in his hometown in 2013.
"It was hard, I went through a depression. Over 24 years of doing something you love, it was hard at first, but once you get over it, it was fine," he explained.
Today, Jerry works an office job at a medical supply company and enjoys spending time with his family. While his oldest daughter is 25 and still lives in Minnesota, the man that once put Rob Van Dam through a table on pay-per-view looks forward to taking his 12-year-old daughter, Annabelle to band activities for school. Still retired, Lynn did return to the ring as a referee for the All-in event that Cody and The Young Bucks put together last year, which he cited as the only time he wished he still wrestled. Regardless of being done in the ring, Jerry still follows the industry, and his podcast "Front Row Material" with another ECW alumni, Mikey Whipwreck can be found on the MLW podcast network.
Perhaps, Jerry Lynn didn't truly get the credit that he deserved for his tremendous ability over the span of two and a half decades, but his resume highlights his skills, as he's one of the few wrestlers that worked for every major company in the United States in the modern era. More specifically, you simply won't find a subpar Jerry Lynn match, which puts him in a category with underrated legends such as Lance Storm, Bobby Eaton, and Chris Hamrick. Undoubtedly, Jerry Lynn earned the respect of fans and his peers during an unquestionably legendary career.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Dean Ambrose exits WWE
Earlier this week, rumors swirled online that former WWE champion, Dean Ambrose opted not to renew his contract when it expires in April. Surprisingly, WWE confirmed the news so Ambrose is definitely going to exit the company in just a few months. PWInsider reported that Ambrose turned down a long term seven-figure deal. His run as Jon Moxley on the independent circuit is well-documented and considering all the talent he brings to the table, after eight years in the WWE system, his run there is almost underwhelming, which isn't a jab against him.
Perhaps, the most intriguing part of this story is that Ambrose turned down millions of dollars not to continue to work for the WWE.
Unfortunately, similar to many others, Ambrose seemed to get lost in the shuffle of the Roman Reigns super push and there was a glass ceiling for his progress within the organization. Even when Dean had more of a featured role, management never truly gave him the chance to run with it, and recycled angles, including a pair of Shield reunions to help get Reigns a better reaction from the audience last year, more or less put Ambrose in the same spot throughout his career.
After the Shield's debut in late-2012, Ambrose was the US champion, but rarely defended the belt and the title was more of a prop for him to take to the ring than anything that was emphasized as important. By the time the trio split in 2014, Ambrose moved to the IC title picture, a championship that could've been used to solidify his status as a competitor that moved up the card, but ultimately became a consolation prize when the writing team kept him in the mid-card.
In some ways, Dean was always kept at the status quo type position because even when it appeared he was given something of importance, he would eventually find himself back down the ladder, which made him a name, but again, he never got a full-fledged run as a top guy. For example, when he was booked for a match at WM with an unmotivated Brock Lesnar in 2016, the bout was known as the contest that Lesnar mailed in because he wanted something more important to do on the show. The match with Brock on the biggest stage of the year wasn't designed to do anything to showcase the skills of Dean Ambrose. The following year at WM, he worked a preshow bout against Baron Corbin, which got completely lost in the shuffle of the six-hour event. The point being, when has Ambrose truly been showcased as a top-tier star at a marquee event? Sure, Ambrose had a brief, but forgettable run with the WWE title in 2016 through a MITB cash-in, but again, that eventually landed him on the preshow of WM in 2017 so what progress did that title win accomplish for Ambrose?
A triceps injury in late-2017 put him on the sidelines for most of the year, but his return a few months ago found him in another Shield reunion. As unfortunate as the injury was, it was a chance for Dean to return with a fresh start and the opportunity to rejuvenate his career. However, when Roman finally won the title, the Shield was reformed again so that he got a decent crowd reaction. Granted, Reigns was more of a priority for management, considering the amount of TV time they've invested in him, but for Ambrose's individual career, it put him in the recurring role of a secondary member of a stable.
Ambrose's heel turn that used Roman's illness to attempt to get heat was a questionable decision, as those type of angles can sometimes get "change the channel" heat if it's simply something the audience doesn't want to watch. Aside from that, the Ambrose/Rollins feud was basically a retread of the original Shield split with the roles reversed so it was another angle that didn't really progress his career. Now, despite another run with the IC title, Dean is still in the mid-card, which is essentially the same spot he was before the injury.
Aside from the repetitive booking, what hindered Ambrose's WWE career?
Ultimately, WWE management didn't know how to use Dean Ambrose to his full potential, and the sum total of his run probably makes him one of the most underutilized talents of the modern era. Former WCW announcer, Mark Madden phrased it right when he said that WWE books Dean Ambrose to be "sitcom crazy," and that presentation took the edge away from him. Prior to his arrival in the company, Ambrose was compared to the legendary Brian Pillman for his ability to appear legitimately unstable. That persona was never given an opportunity on WWE TV. In fact, Ambrose has tremendous mic skills, but he was rarely given the chance to truly showcase it. The bottom line is, Dean has solid technical skills and great promos, which is a combination that should've allowed him to become a much bigger star than he was the past few years. Instead of believable promos that presented him as dangerous, the writing team put Ambrose in segments with slime and a talk show with Mitch the plant. More than anything, the career of Dean Ambrose was mismanaged for the majority of his run on the roster.
One of the key aspects of Ambrose's exit is that it makes quite a statement about the organization when a talent turns down such a major contract because of the structure of the product. Quite simply, Dean Ambrose is too talented to flounder in the sports entertainment shuffle and he's already made good money there. That being said, I don't think Ambrose jumps to All Elite when it launches or wrestles for another group for at least several months after his contract expires in April. Ambrose is known as someone that lives a rather simple lifestyle so it's a possibility that he decides to retire early. Hopefully, the exit of Ambrose and then Kenta, who asked for his release this week, will be something gives management the initiative fully utilize the roster.
Perhaps, the most intriguing part of this story is that Ambrose turned down millions of dollars not to continue to work for the WWE.
Unfortunately, similar to many others, Ambrose seemed to get lost in the shuffle of the Roman Reigns super push and there was a glass ceiling for his progress within the organization. Even when Dean had more of a featured role, management never truly gave him the chance to run with it, and recycled angles, including a pair of Shield reunions to help get Reigns a better reaction from the audience last year, more or less put Ambrose in the same spot throughout his career.
After the Shield's debut in late-2012, Ambrose was the US champion, but rarely defended the belt and the title was more of a prop for him to take to the ring than anything that was emphasized as important. By the time the trio split in 2014, Ambrose moved to the IC title picture, a championship that could've been used to solidify his status as a competitor that moved up the card, but ultimately became a consolation prize when the writing team kept him in the mid-card.
In some ways, Dean was always kept at the status quo type position because even when it appeared he was given something of importance, he would eventually find himself back down the ladder, which made him a name, but again, he never got a full-fledged run as a top guy. For example, when he was booked for a match at WM with an unmotivated Brock Lesnar in 2016, the bout was known as the contest that Lesnar mailed in because he wanted something more important to do on the show. The match with Brock on the biggest stage of the year wasn't designed to do anything to showcase the skills of Dean Ambrose. The following year at WM, he worked a preshow bout against Baron Corbin, which got completely lost in the shuffle of the six-hour event. The point being, when has Ambrose truly been showcased as a top-tier star at a marquee event? Sure, Ambrose had a brief, but forgettable run with the WWE title in 2016 through a MITB cash-in, but again, that eventually landed him on the preshow of WM in 2017 so what progress did that title win accomplish for Ambrose?
A triceps injury in late-2017 put him on the sidelines for most of the year, but his return a few months ago found him in another Shield reunion. As unfortunate as the injury was, it was a chance for Dean to return with a fresh start and the opportunity to rejuvenate his career. However, when Roman finally won the title, the Shield was reformed again so that he got a decent crowd reaction. Granted, Reigns was more of a priority for management, considering the amount of TV time they've invested in him, but for Ambrose's individual career, it put him in the recurring role of a secondary member of a stable.
Ambrose's heel turn that used Roman's illness to attempt to get heat was a questionable decision, as those type of angles can sometimes get "change the channel" heat if it's simply something the audience doesn't want to watch. Aside from that, the Ambrose/Rollins feud was basically a retread of the original Shield split with the roles reversed so it was another angle that didn't really progress his career. Now, despite another run with the IC title, Dean is still in the mid-card, which is essentially the same spot he was before the injury.
Aside from the repetitive booking, what hindered Ambrose's WWE career?
Ultimately, WWE management didn't know how to use Dean Ambrose to his full potential, and the sum total of his run probably makes him one of the most underutilized talents of the modern era. Former WCW announcer, Mark Madden phrased it right when he said that WWE books Dean Ambrose to be "sitcom crazy," and that presentation took the edge away from him. Prior to his arrival in the company, Ambrose was compared to the legendary Brian Pillman for his ability to appear legitimately unstable. That persona was never given an opportunity on WWE TV. In fact, Ambrose has tremendous mic skills, but he was rarely given the chance to truly showcase it. The bottom line is, Dean has solid technical skills and great promos, which is a combination that should've allowed him to become a much bigger star than he was the past few years. Instead of believable promos that presented him as dangerous, the writing team put Ambrose in segments with slime and a talk show with Mitch the plant. More than anything, the career of Dean Ambrose was mismanaged for the majority of his run on the roster.
One of the key aspects of Ambrose's exit is that it makes quite a statement about the organization when a talent turns down such a major contract because of the structure of the product. Quite simply, Dean Ambrose is too talented to flounder in the sports entertainment shuffle and he's already made good money there. That being said, I don't think Ambrose jumps to All Elite when it launches or wrestles for another group for at least several months after his contract expires in April. Ambrose is known as someone that lives a rather simple lifestyle so it's a possibility that he decides to retire early. Hopefully, the exit of Ambrose and then Kenta, who asked for his release this week, will be something gives management the initiative fully utilize the roster.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Abyss signs WWE deal
Just days away from The Royal Rumble, an event that will shape the card for Wrestlemania, there was quite the shuffle in the industry recently, making the addition of All Elite Wrestling to the sports entertainment landscape that much more interesting later this year.
Last week, Dolph Ziggler posted a message on Twitter that implied his run in the WWE is going to end. This was after a report from PWInsider that his contract expires at the end of the month and it appears that he didn't renew his deal. The former two-time world champion had a rather complicated run with the company. Signing a contract in 2004, Dolph began as a caddie for Chavo's brief run as Kerwin White and then played a role in the Spirit Squad, a stable that ruined almost as many careers as Vince Russo's booking. After he changed his name, Dolph found a persona, but one that seemed to morph a little too often over the years and sometimes it seemed like he often tried to play the role of Shawn Michaels instead of solidifying the Ziggler character. However, he was a true workhorse and always put in the effort to deliver quality performances in the ring. Unfortunately, during his initial run as champion in 2013, a concussion cut that title reign short, and another concussion the following year halted much of his momentum for consideration in the main event picture.
At times, it looked as though management was going to run with Ziggler, including when Sting debuted for a historic moment and assisted Dolph with a win at Survivor Series in 2014. But, Ziggler didn't get further up the card than IC status, and more often than not was put in the role of making others look good in the ring than a presentation that would progress his career. Again, it's a complicated scenario because on one hand, Dolph hasn't been given the opportunities that are on par with his skill level, but on the flip side, he has a history of concussions so it's a risk for WWE to invest a major amount of TV time in him. It's a harsh reality, but Ziggler could've been one concussion away from the end of his career, and that affects the role the writing team will choose for him. Don't get me wrong, Dolph Ziggler is one of the most talented of his generation and deserved better, but from a business stand point, WWE brass wasn't willing to bet on him long term because of the injuries. That said, it makes sense for him to exit, as he's too talented to continue to flounder in mediocrity, and after 15 years in the promotion, he's more or less been typecast in a mid-card role. So, Dolph can continue his ventures into stand up comedy or perhaps he will be another addition to AEW when the group launches a full-time schedule?
Another WWE departure was rumored last week when The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer reported that The Revival requested their release from the organization, but it wasn't granted. The duo worked a match on Raw this past week so it looks as though they will continue as scheduled for now. It's puzzling that despite the expanded roster and enough teams to theoretically present a credible tag division, there are still teams that get lost in the shuffle of the abundance of WWE programming. In fact, The Revival are one of the best teams of the modern era and a duo that the division could be built around, but since their debut on the main roster, they haven't done much. Granted, an injury for Dawson in mid-2017 sidelined their progress at the time, but they spent almost the entire year of 2018 without anything notable on television. Similar to Ziggler, The Revival are simply too talented to be regulated to less than meaningless roles within the company. Both Wilder and Dawson are still young enough to get a fresh start elsewhere so it might be best for their careers if they were granted the release. Another aspect could be that Wilder and Dawson are another example of performers that could departure from the organization to eventually return with a fresh start later. Keep in mind, Drew McIntyre played a plastic guitar before he left to rejuvenate his career and now looks to have a main event push post-WM.
Outside of WWE, Impact Wrestling had its share of changes, not within the active roster, but rather behind the scenes. Abyss, who had one of the longest runs with the company, spanning back to its early days in Nashville, left the company to take a role as a producer with NXT. Along with Abyss. Sonjay Dutt, another longtime worker for Impact, will also work within the NXT brand. Reportedly, Abyss worked in the office while Dutt was a member of the creative team for Impact. More than what they brought to the table for the Anthem-owned group in their respective roles, the exit of Abyss and Dutt might speak volumes to the state of Impact. I penned an article last month that explained the major drop in TV clearance as Impact's TV show wasn't renewed for Pop TV and moved to The Pursuit Channel, a network under the Anthem umbrella. The switch translated to a 40% drop in availability and many viewers simply didn't have access to the new time slot at 10 PM on Fridays so it was announced that the program would also stream on the Impact Twitch channel.
Recent editions of the show peaked around 10,000 viewers on Twitch, and the Pursuit channel didn't garner enough viewers for the ratings to be listed. Abyss is one of the hardest working performers in the history of the industry and it's somewhat disappoint that he didn't get a big run on the WWE stage for him to get the recognition he deserved. But, more than anything, Abyss was always considered a "TNA guy," opting to stay with the organization despite a WWE offer in 2006. For Abyss to leave Impact Wrestling, it might be an indication that the future of the promotion isn't too bright. In some ways, Abyss' exit from Impact Wrestling is similar to when AJ Styles left TNA, it doesn't speak well of the state of the organization. Don't get me wrong, there's no benefit for Impact to close, but as I wrote previously, with the crowded wrestling market this year, there might not be a place for the company.
With the departure of Abyss and Dutt, PWInsider reported that Konnan and Tommy Dreamer will be replacements for the creative team. Both veterans, specifically Dreamer, bring a lot of knowledge to the table, but again, given the limitations of the availability of the product, the efforts of the writing team might be moot. How exactly does anyone even with a great plan for the product make stars or generate a buzz when the general audience can't find the show? As I said previously, Anthem might've decided to use Impact as more of a television commodity for The Fight Network than a group that attempts to be competitive in the industry, which is fine, but it also limits the progress of the organization.
Last week, Dolph Ziggler posted a message on Twitter that implied his run in the WWE is going to end. This was after a report from PWInsider that his contract expires at the end of the month and it appears that he didn't renew his deal. The former two-time world champion had a rather complicated run with the company. Signing a contract in 2004, Dolph began as a caddie for Chavo's brief run as Kerwin White and then played a role in the Spirit Squad, a stable that ruined almost as many careers as Vince Russo's booking. After he changed his name, Dolph found a persona, but one that seemed to morph a little too often over the years and sometimes it seemed like he often tried to play the role of Shawn Michaels instead of solidifying the Ziggler character. However, he was a true workhorse and always put in the effort to deliver quality performances in the ring. Unfortunately, during his initial run as champion in 2013, a concussion cut that title reign short, and another concussion the following year halted much of his momentum for consideration in the main event picture.
At times, it looked as though management was going to run with Ziggler, including when Sting debuted for a historic moment and assisted Dolph with a win at Survivor Series in 2014. But, Ziggler didn't get further up the card than IC status, and more often than not was put in the role of making others look good in the ring than a presentation that would progress his career. Again, it's a complicated scenario because on one hand, Dolph hasn't been given the opportunities that are on par with his skill level, but on the flip side, he has a history of concussions so it's a risk for WWE to invest a major amount of TV time in him. It's a harsh reality, but Ziggler could've been one concussion away from the end of his career, and that affects the role the writing team will choose for him. Don't get me wrong, Dolph Ziggler is one of the most talented of his generation and deserved better, but from a business stand point, WWE brass wasn't willing to bet on him long term because of the injuries. That said, it makes sense for him to exit, as he's too talented to continue to flounder in mediocrity, and after 15 years in the promotion, he's more or less been typecast in a mid-card role. So, Dolph can continue his ventures into stand up comedy or perhaps he will be another addition to AEW when the group launches a full-time schedule?
Another WWE departure was rumored last week when The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer reported that The Revival requested their release from the organization, but it wasn't granted. The duo worked a match on Raw this past week so it looks as though they will continue as scheduled for now. It's puzzling that despite the expanded roster and enough teams to theoretically present a credible tag division, there are still teams that get lost in the shuffle of the abundance of WWE programming. In fact, The Revival are one of the best teams of the modern era and a duo that the division could be built around, but since their debut on the main roster, they haven't done much. Granted, an injury for Dawson in mid-2017 sidelined their progress at the time, but they spent almost the entire year of 2018 without anything notable on television. Similar to Ziggler, The Revival are simply too talented to be regulated to less than meaningless roles within the company. Both Wilder and Dawson are still young enough to get a fresh start elsewhere so it might be best for their careers if they were granted the release. Another aspect could be that Wilder and Dawson are another example of performers that could departure from the organization to eventually return with a fresh start later. Keep in mind, Drew McIntyre played a plastic guitar before he left to rejuvenate his career and now looks to have a main event push post-WM.
Outside of WWE, Impact Wrestling had its share of changes, not within the active roster, but rather behind the scenes. Abyss, who had one of the longest runs with the company, spanning back to its early days in Nashville, left the company to take a role as a producer with NXT. Along with Abyss. Sonjay Dutt, another longtime worker for Impact, will also work within the NXT brand. Reportedly, Abyss worked in the office while Dutt was a member of the creative team for Impact. More than what they brought to the table for the Anthem-owned group in their respective roles, the exit of Abyss and Dutt might speak volumes to the state of Impact. I penned an article last month that explained the major drop in TV clearance as Impact's TV show wasn't renewed for Pop TV and moved to The Pursuit Channel, a network under the Anthem umbrella. The switch translated to a 40% drop in availability and many viewers simply didn't have access to the new time slot at 10 PM on Fridays so it was announced that the program would also stream on the Impact Twitch channel.
Recent editions of the show peaked around 10,000 viewers on Twitch, and the Pursuit channel didn't garner enough viewers for the ratings to be listed. Abyss is one of the hardest working performers in the history of the industry and it's somewhat disappoint that he didn't get a big run on the WWE stage for him to get the recognition he deserved. But, more than anything, Abyss was always considered a "TNA guy," opting to stay with the organization despite a WWE offer in 2006. For Abyss to leave Impact Wrestling, it might be an indication that the future of the promotion isn't too bright. In some ways, Abyss' exit from Impact Wrestling is similar to when AJ Styles left TNA, it doesn't speak well of the state of the organization. Don't get me wrong, there's no benefit for Impact to close, but as I wrote previously, with the crowded wrestling market this year, there might not be a place for the company.
With the departure of Abyss and Dutt, PWInsider reported that Konnan and Tommy Dreamer will be replacements for the creative team. Both veterans, specifically Dreamer, bring a lot of knowledge to the table, but again, given the limitations of the availability of the product, the efforts of the writing team might be moot. How exactly does anyone even with a great plan for the product make stars or generate a buzz when the general audience can't find the show? As I said previously, Anthem might've decided to use Impact as more of a television commodity for The Fight Network than a group that attempts to be competitive in the industry, which is fine, but it also limits the progress of the organization.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor
In less than two weeks, the road to Wrestlemania kicks off with the
Royal Rumble, theoretically the start of the build up to the biggest
show of the year, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. The stadium lists
48,000 seats, but with the stage set up, there will be roughly 45,000
tickets available for the pay-per-view. On the surface, the Rumble, one
of the historic events on the year, might be a stadium-level show, but
the scenarios currently within the WWE landscape might not be a draw of
that magnitude. Granted, WWE brass still have next week's show to
attempt to generate some buzz, but there's a noticeable lack of hype
ahead of this event, mostly because of some key decisions that were made
previously.
Obviously, the traditional Royal Rumble matches are the main draw, but with Roman Reigns on the sidelines, and Brock Lesnar more or less in the witness protection program with the title, there isn't anything in particular that's a draw for an anticipated match that could be set up by the Rumble. This past week on Raw, the Universal title match was randomly switched because Braun Strowman, the promoted challenger still isn't medically cleared from an elbow injury that required surgery a few months ago. I wrote about it several times prior to this, but Roman's failed super push came with an opportunity cost. Everyone else on the roster, no matter how over they were with the audience for the past 4-5 years, was booked secondary to the "big dawg" to ensure he was presented as the top star. That was management's agenda and as long as they maintained revenue, which they did, they could book their chosen champion. However, without Roman on the roster, the writing team is forced to sell the concept that some of those that were stuck in the mid-card should suddenly be perceived as main event level stars.
Make no mistake about it, Finn Balor is one of the most talented athletes on the roster, but for the past several months, the perception of his persona on television is a mid-carder that lost matches to Baron Corbin. Now, he's supposed to be considered a legitimate threat to Brock Lesnar's reign as champion? Don't get me wrong, Finn Balor SHOULD be a main event star and undoubtedly has the skills to be successful in that role, but for the general audience, it's about perception and presentation. Has Balor been presented as a potential main event competitor since his return from the shoulder injury a few years ago? How exactly will Lesnar's title defense be built as something important with just two weeks until the event? The whole scenario is so thrown together that the Universal championship match, and thus Finn's spotlight almost become an afterthought. "Balor will lose so who wins the Rumble to challenge Brock at Wrestlemania?" will be the narrative ahead of the pay-per-view.
It's possible that Braun ends up as a later entrant and doesn't have to do much to win the match to set up for WM, but at this point, especially considering the injuries, would Strowman be the right choice to win it? In my opinion, even if Braun will be healthy enough to compete by WM, the demand for him to win the title has already peaked and he isn't nearly as over as he was this time last year. Most of the booking decisions minimized his star power, including the random heel turn before Roman's exit because of illness. The elbow injury halted nearly all of the momentum he had, and the harsh reality is that WWE brass might've missed the boat on Braun Strowman. Again, it can't be understated how important it is for management to capitalize when a competitor's popularity peaks to get the most from a specific storyline. For example, if Vince McMahon decided that Steve Austin didn't defeat Shawn Michaels at WM 14 or that Brock didn't pin The Rock at Summer Slam 2002, the launching point of their major runs wouldn't have been as strong if the plan was delayed six months. Part of the ability to make stars is to know when it let a talent run with it, and at this stage, management might've fumbled the chance to get the most out of Braun Strowman's popularity.
Speaking of declining popularity, I wrote detailed reasoning behind it several times so I'm not going to fully discuss it again, but I'm honestly not sure what the logic is for another WM based around "who can defeat Brock Lesnar?" I penned an article over a year and a half ago that explained the diminishing return of the Brock Lesnar experiment, but the former UFC heavyweight champion is still at the top of the card. Keep in mind, the entire Brock run last year was intended to get Reigns over, but it didn't. If that's simply because nothing at that point would've gotten Roman over or if Lesnar was too stale that a win wouldn't have got him over is a moot point. The bottom line is, the investment into Brock is mostly a flop. You can't blame Lesnar for that either, he took the money on the table for a very limited schedule, and continued to use the UFC as leverage to negotiate with WWE.
Perhaps, the sluggish ratings for Raw are because it's difficult to generate viewers for a product when the audience knows the championship, which is promoted as an important accomplishment, isn't a part of the show. The whole "rare appearances make the champion special" became more of a defense for the show that lacked direction than an effective marketing strategy
Aside from the lackluster build up to the Universal title match, it almost transfers over to the men's traditional Royal Rumble match because title match is usually linked with the Rumble since it creates speculation for the matches at Wrestlemania. I'd say Smackdown is a factor, but in truth, SD has more or less been a continuously better show in recent months so there's no reason to shift direction from the AJ/Bryan feud. Plus, with Raw as the flagship show and the program with lower ratings than usual, the Rumble winner will probably be featured on Raw as a way to boost numbers. But, without hype around the champion, there's indirectly not much hype around a potential Rumble winner. Again, this is another result of some on the roster being kept at the mid-card during the Reigns push. Who is really a WM main event talent right now? Rollins is great, but he was stuck in Intercontinental incognito when Brock was ice fishing instead of working pay-per-views. At some point, Rollins could become typecast of "the IC guy"that works just underneath the main event. Again, you can have a stacked roster, but if almost everyone is presented in a 50/50 manner, how many legitimate money-drawing main event stars are there?
This is just my two cents, but I think they should book John Cena to win the Rumble and challenge Brock for the title with the angle for WM being the chase toward setting the record for the most world title wins. Yes, it's a retread, but it gives the WWE something to promote that books a credible main event star at WM and a way for them to distance themselves from the Lesnar experiment. Another potential benefit is that it sets up for a "passing of the torch" when Cena eventually drops the belt. Most importantly, it buys time until Roman Reigns returns and will be one of the most legitimately inspirational stories in sports. Cena/Lesnar for a record-setting championship and Ronda Rousey/Becky Lynch could be important bouts on the card that draws a sell out the stadium at WM, but it will be extremely interesting to see if the Rumble will sell out with the scheduled card.
Obviously, the traditional Royal Rumble matches are the main draw, but with Roman Reigns on the sidelines, and Brock Lesnar more or less in the witness protection program with the title, there isn't anything in particular that's a draw for an anticipated match that could be set up by the Rumble. This past week on Raw, the Universal title match was randomly switched because Braun Strowman, the promoted challenger still isn't medically cleared from an elbow injury that required surgery a few months ago. I wrote about it several times prior to this, but Roman's failed super push came with an opportunity cost. Everyone else on the roster, no matter how over they were with the audience for the past 4-5 years, was booked secondary to the "big dawg" to ensure he was presented as the top star. That was management's agenda and as long as they maintained revenue, which they did, they could book their chosen champion. However, without Roman on the roster, the writing team is forced to sell the concept that some of those that were stuck in the mid-card should suddenly be perceived as main event level stars.
Make no mistake about it, Finn Balor is one of the most talented athletes on the roster, but for the past several months, the perception of his persona on television is a mid-carder that lost matches to Baron Corbin. Now, he's supposed to be considered a legitimate threat to Brock Lesnar's reign as champion? Don't get me wrong, Finn Balor SHOULD be a main event star and undoubtedly has the skills to be successful in that role, but for the general audience, it's about perception and presentation. Has Balor been presented as a potential main event competitor since his return from the shoulder injury a few years ago? How exactly will Lesnar's title defense be built as something important with just two weeks until the event? The whole scenario is so thrown together that the Universal championship match, and thus Finn's spotlight almost become an afterthought. "Balor will lose so who wins the Rumble to challenge Brock at Wrestlemania?" will be the narrative ahead of the pay-per-view.
It's possible that Braun ends up as a later entrant and doesn't have to do much to win the match to set up for WM, but at this point, especially considering the injuries, would Strowman be the right choice to win it? In my opinion, even if Braun will be healthy enough to compete by WM, the demand for him to win the title has already peaked and he isn't nearly as over as he was this time last year. Most of the booking decisions minimized his star power, including the random heel turn before Roman's exit because of illness. The elbow injury halted nearly all of the momentum he had, and the harsh reality is that WWE brass might've missed the boat on Braun Strowman. Again, it can't be understated how important it is for management to capitalize when a competitor's popularity peaks to get the most from a specific storyline. For example, if Vince McMahon decided that Steve Austin didn't defeat Shawn Michaels at WM 14 or that Brock didn't pin The Rock at Summer Slam 2002, the launching point of their major runs wouldn't have been as strong if the plan was delayed six months. Part of the ability to make stars is to know when it let a talent run with it, and at this stage, management might've fumbled the chance to get the most out of Braun Strowman's popularity.
Speaking of declining popularity, I wrote detailed reasoning behind it several times so I'm not going to fully discuss it again, but I'm honestly not sure what the logic is for another WM based around "who can defeat Brock Lesnar?" I penned an article over a year and a half ago that explained the diminishing return of the Brock Lesnar experiment, but the former UFC heavyweight champion is still at the top of the card. Keep in mind, the entire Brock run last year was intended to get Reigns over, but it didn't. If that's simply because nothing at that point would've gotten Roman over or if Lesnar was too stale that a win wouldn't have got him over is a moot point. The bottom line is, the investment into Brock is mostly a flop. You can't blame Lesnar for that either, he took the money on the table for a very limited schedule, and continued to use the UFC as leverage to negotiate with WWE.
Perhaps, the sluggish ratings for Raw are because it's difficult to generate viewers for a product when the audience knows the championship, which is promoted as an important accomplishment, isn't a part of the show. The whole "rare appearances make the champion special" became more of a defense for the show that lacked direction than an effective marketing strategy
Aside from the lackluster build up to the Universal title match, it almost transfers over to the men's traditional Royal Rumble match because title match is usually linked with the Rumble since it creates speculation for the matches at Wrestlemania. I'd say Smackdown is a factor, but in truth, SD has more or less been a continuously better show in recent months so there's no reason to shift direction from the AJ/Bryan feud. Plus, with Raw as the flagship show and the program with lower ratings than usual, the Rumble winner will probably be featured on Raw as a way to boost numbers. But, without hype around the champion, there's indirectly not much hype around a potential Rumble winner. Again, this is another result of some on the roster being kept at the mid-card during the Reigns push. Who is really a WM main event talent right now? Rollins is great, but he was stuck in Intercontinental incognito when Brock was ice fishing instead of working pay-per-views. At some point, Rollins could become typecast of "the IC guy"that works just underneath the main event. Again, you can have a stacked roster, but if almost everyone is presented in a 50/50 manner, how many legitimate money-drawing main event stars are there?
This is just my two cents, but I think they should book John Cena to win the Rumble and challenge Brock for the title with the angle for WM being the chase toward setting the record for the most world title wins. Yes, it's a retread, but it gives the WWE something to promote that books a credible main event star at WM and a way for them to distance themselves from the Lesnar experiment. Another potential benefit is that it sets up for a "passing of the torch" when Cena eventually drops the belt. Most importantly, it buys time until Roman Reigns returns and will be one of the most legitimately inspirational stories in sports. Cena/Lesnar for a record-setting championship and Ronda Rousey/Becky Lynch could be important bouts on the card that draws a sell out the stadium at WM, but it will be extremely interesting to see if the Rumble will sell out with the scheduled card.
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