Week in Wrestling - Monday, July 5, 2021
WWE News
Rest in Peace The Patriot
Sad news this past week as Del Wilkes, who portrayed the Patriot, passed away after suffering a major heart attack at the age of 59. Though it was a brief, far too brief time in 1997, The Patriot was over and could have been a huge star, but he fell right in that period where Bret, HBK, and Taker were battling on top and Austin was rising to the top. He had a short but memorable program with Bret Hart during the days of Bret's heel in America, baby face in Canada period, and of course the Patriot was the perfect opponent. Not just because of the gimmick, but because Del Wilkes carried himself like a star. He felt like a superhero out of the 80's and his promo's matched but for some reason it just worked.
Unfortunately he had drug problem straight out of the 80's too, which ended his career that same year. I know he had a great run in Japan, but I was only privy to watching him in 97, and he left a lasting impression. In the end, injuries and addiction undid what could have been. May he rest in peace.
Unfortunately he had drug problem straight out of the 80's too, which ended his career that same year. I know he had a great run in Japan, but I was only privy to watching him in 97, and he left a lasting impression. In the end, injuries and addiction undid what could have been. May he rest in peace.
WWE RAW/ SMACKDOWN
Riddle shines on Raw
For the first time in awhile, a baby face on RAW has been given some room to show his comedic chops in a storyline that is actually pretty damn funny. Matt Riddle has been doing some really good work in his tag team program with Randy Orton, and last week was his shining moment, as Randy wasn't present and he carried the load alone. Starting the show with the crayon written letter that he claimed was from Orton, asking that Riddle wrestle in his place in the last chance Battle Royal.
The comedic value was great and didn't stop there. Riddle went on to "transform" into Randy Orton for the rest of the show. Mimicking his move set, mannerisms, poses, and attitude during promos. But of course the funny part is Riddle kept going in and out of character. Plus we saw Riddle have a great showing in the Battle Royal, which he won and the main event triple threat.
The comedic value was great and didn't stop there. Riddle went on to "transform" into Randy Orton for the rest of the show. Mimicking his move set, mannerisms, poses, and attitude during promos. But of course the funny part is Riddle kept going in and out of character. Plus we saw Riddle have a great showing in the Battle Royal, which he won and the main event triple threat.
Drew Qualifies for MITB
Drew McIntyre won the last chance triple threat match on last Monday night's RAW and it really left me wondering what do they have planned for this guy? He is a great talent, and it sucks that his run on top was in front of no crowd, but the show must go on. I liked the fact that they pushed Bobby Lashley really hard for over a year and have given him a great run on top for the first time in his career. But was that at the expense of Drew? I don't think so, as I think that with the right program he could be rejuvenated, especially in front of live crowds. I just really think he shouldn't win the Money in the Bank contract. That should be reserved for either a new guy you want to elevate or a heel you think could benefit from the surprise sneak attack on the champion. I think we saw enough of the latter with the Miz cash in last year, that it doesn't need to be done again. So I would choose to go with someone like Riddle or Ricochet. Drew could get in a program with Roman or Brock and be just fine.
Are they being Punished?
I'm fully convinced at this point that Shayna and Nia are being punished & buried for hurting all the people they have. I am on record believing that Alexa Bliss is the worst thing to ever happen to the "women's revolution" and this was long before she was doing magic tricks. She was the shits when she was embarrassing and defeating Bayley in her home town, she was the shits when she was defeating Sasha Banks every time you turned around, she was the shits when we had to make believe that she had any business being in the ring with a woman the size of Nia Jax and bullying her, she was the shits when Ronda Rousey of all people had to do a program with her and sell for her, and now she is the ultimate shits playing hocus pocus and making Shayna Baszler, possibly the most dominant champion in NXT history (could argue Asuka), look like a scared amateur. I fucking hate this shit and I hate Alexa Bliss. But I have noticed that ever since Shayna was hurting people recklessly, and that list is long now, she has been getting beat left and right. And we know Nia's history with hurting people as well. Maybe the potato gang is being taught a lesson. Smh.
KO finishes Sammy... finally
Remember when we really were hoping that KO and Sammy would get a chance to wrestle each other at Mania a few years ago. Well, they seem to wrestle each other all the time now. But I can't complain, because these guys always have great matches and last week's Last man Standing on Smackdown was no exception. KO is a manic for taking that bump from the ring through two tables. And Sammy, good grief. Two Table power bombs and and power bomb on the apron. If KO would've done that to Roman at the Rumble, he'd be world champion.
The question now is, what do you do with Kevin Owens. He clearly isn't the guy they see who should dethrone Roman. But he's too good not to featured in top matches. He could beat Crews for the IC title, but is he too big for that belt at this point? If you move him AGAIN back to RAW, who is he feuding with? I think this is where you bring some new people up from NXT to feud with Owens. he needs a new matchup and a new quest, if he's not in the cards for another title win.
The question now is, what do you do with Kevin Owens. He clearly isn't the guy they see who should dethrone Roman. But he's too good not to featured in top matches. He could beat Crews for the IC title, but is he too big for that belt at this point? If you move him AGAIN back to RAW, who is he feuding with? I think this is where you bring some new people up from NXT to feud with Owens. he needs a new matchup and a new quest, if he's not in the cards for another title win.
Why is Jimmy Uso a bitch now?
They really could have done something with the whole Jay and Jimmy Uso story, but I have no clue what the hell happened. It looks like Jimmy is now playing the role of Jay! And Jay is just gone! What the hell is going on. When Jimmy came back, he was defiant, he was not bowing down and being Roman's bitch and there was some real momentum there if they wanted to break him out as a singles, and they even could've gotten a good match between he and Roman. Something had to have happened behind the scenes.
The story was building to Roman and Jimmy, possibly at Hell in a Cell, and this would have made since, considering that at the last Hell in a Cell, Roman defeated Jay, when he choked out the injured Jimmy, causing Jay to declare Roman was the tribal Chief. This whole story could've come full circle and it looked like that's where things were going. Then suddenly, the Uso's lose the to the Mysterio's, Jay dips, Jimmy starts working with Roman, and Rey gets the Cell match, on Smackdown? And now Jimmy is just Roman's bitch, like Jay was! What the hell is going on! This has to be a case of, they had a story, and Vince decided, I'm doing something different. And the different is, the same, just with the wrong twin! So stupid. And let's not even get into why Edge has been rushed back on to TV.
The story was building to Roman and Jimmy, possibly at Hell in a Cell, and this would have made since, considering that at the last Hell in a Cell, Roman defeated Jay, when he choked out the injured Jimmy, causing Jay to declare Roman was the tribal Chief. This whole story could've come full circle and it looked like that's where things were going. Then suddenly, the Uso's lose the to the Mysterio's, Jay dips, Jimmy starts working with Roman, and Rey gets the Cell match, on Smackdown? And now Jimmy is just Roman's bitch, like Jay was! What the hell is going on! This has to be a case of, they had a story, and Vince decided, I'm doing something different. And the different is, the same, just with the wrong twin! So stupid. And let's not even get into why Edge has been rushed back on to TV.
Are there any other women available?
Like seriously. I think Bayley is great. I have no problem with a nice little feud that lasts a few months. But my good Lord, can we mix in a few different opponents for Bianca to have on TV here and there? I feel bad for how little variety she has had as challengers, and its normally what happens post Wrestlemania when they have no foresight nor creativity. Outside of these two, here are the women of Smackdown: Sash Banks who is on vacation or something, Carmella, Liv Morgan, the tag champions Natty and Tamina and now Zelina Vega. So are you telling me that they look at this thin roster and don't think they should make some call ups from NXT? They have 50 women in developmental, many who are faaaarrrrr better than these women, who could elevate the division immediately! This is pathetic and a disservice to Bianca. And that's no knock on Bayley, but its not fair to her either that she's being beaten time and time again and not given a program where she can win too.
Welcome back, you lose...
Speaking of Zelina Vega. She made her return this week out of the blue and was put into the Money in the Bank Ladder match. Then went on to lose to Liv Morgan, for no damn good reason. Way to heat her up Vince. Just idiotic. If you are doing something with Morgan, which you should be, don't put her in a match with Vega on her first night back, and have her beat her you dummies. This was so stupid. There is no reason Morgan shouldn't already be in the match from a logic standpoint, as she wins every week, but the people she beats get put in, Carmella and now Vega. Its just stupid and makes me the viewer not take anything you do seriously. Hated this.
NXT
I love Hit Row!
The main event of this week's NXT show saw Swerve Scott capture the NXT North American title. I absolutely love this group and in a perfect world they would be on my TV every Monday or Friday night and allowed to flourish like they have been in NXT. But unfortunately, the world is largely shit. Lol. I can't get enough of Top Dolla, and that bump he took through the Plexiglas was epic! Apparently Bronson Reed is moving up because he's a big guy, so him losing the strap due to interference was a good way to have him save some face. I just want these guy to flourish. I love when black performers are given material they can sink their teeth into and clearly they are loving this role, because it's an extension of them. I follow all of them on social media and they have really put everything into their gear, their presentation and their promos. Great potential here.
It's time to move these guys Up
I know I sound like a broken record, but now that Undisputed Era is done, I really think its time to move them on from NXT. These guys, especially Cole and O'Reilly should be moved up to the main roster. Why are they still here at this point? I know, on the whole the track record fro Vince booking call ups is bad, but I'm sorry, you have to try. This matchup has outworn its welcome in developmental and we need new blood on the main roster. They are moving the NXT champion Karion Cross up and he's barely been there a little over a year. But these guys, Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa and Thatcher wouldn't be a perfect infusion of new blood? Come on.
ALL ELITE WRESTLING
New #1 Contenders
Eddie Kingston and Penta defeated The Young Bucks in a pretty damn good tag match last week, which earns them a tag team title match this coming Wednesday night. I thought the action was pretty great, much like many Young Bucks matches, but I may be in minority hating the campy Young Bucks heel gimmick. It's just not for me and comes off super cheesy and annoying more than anything. Like really fake cheesy. Makes it hard for me to take anything seriously. I absolutely hated the spot where Brandon Cutler spayed the hair spray for an extra long period of time in Matt Jackson' face. And once again, there was just entirely too much interference. Right team won but its setting up a street fight for next week where you know there will even more endless interference. Another thing about this which would have made it better would've been if this win by the baby faces closed the show. It seems like more often that not the Bucks open the show far too often.
Omega vs. Paige Build begins
We got the first hint on TV that they seem to be building to an Omega vs. Adam Paige title match, possibly for the main event of All Out. I have to be honest, I don't see the appeal. The way Paige has been used, given his association with the Dark Order, has weakened him greatly in my opinion. I understand that there is a story there between Paige and Omega and if developed properly over the next few months, it could possibly be huge match that I would enjoy. But I just don't feel the time is right. Omega beat Paige clean as a sheet, earning the title shot where he won the title. Paige hasn't had any interaction with him in months. Back when Paige was drinking beers and saying "Cowboy Shit" he was ready for the push in my opinion. But I just don't feel it. Maybe when fans are back, the momentum will get behind him and they will get this back on track. I just think there are some other guys who have been booked stronger, who capitalize on the top main event program right now.
Sammy vs. MJF was great, But....
Match of the week was definitely Sammy G vs. MJF, and these guys put on a hell of a match. Great action, and some excellent spots by Sammy made this very memorable. But I need to know what the goal here is. If MJF is defeating Jericho and moving on to challenge for the AEW title in the Fall, this finish makes sense. But if MJF is losing to Jericho, this was stupid and Sammy should've won. Which speaks to a bigger issue I have with a few of the guys on the roster who are being pushed, but not really pushed to their full potential.
So what do you do with Jungle Boy?
Which brings me to Jungle Boy. Much like MJF, Sammy G., Darby Allin, and even Brian Pillman Jr., Jungle Boy is another one of these guys that people rave about as being "the future". What does that even mean? Who is the present? Omega, Moxley, Jericho, Cody, Christian, and Matt Hardy? No, guys like Jungle Boy and Sammy G should be being pushed and winning championships now. This is a new promotion that was built off of guys who weren't in the WWE like Omega and the Bucks. So why not do something different and have a young guy win the world title from Omega? I don't think Paige is the right person anymore. I honestly would've had Jungle Boy win the title on that Saturday night, then at All Out, I would've had MJF capture the championship. Omega doesn't need the belt to be great, much like Jericho, Cody, and Moxley. Let the young guys run. That's the problem with the tag team division. None of the young tag teams win anything. Wasted talent.
So what's going on with the women?
I just don't understand. Another company not knowing how to follow-up on a woman capturing the championship. Why would you match up your top heel champion, who you want to be over as a heel, against a monster heel and her heel manager. This is a stupid program that helps nobody. If Britt Baker is supposed to a baby face, this is still bad booking, because she has a lackey. If she's a heel, why the hell would I be rooting for Vickie? This whole thing is a mess. AEW has other baby face women who would have worked well in a program with Baker but this is dumb. Where is Red Velvet? Why not give Anna Jay a shot. Maybe they are turning her face for a match with Jade? Remember her? She never wrestles. The real match to make is Britt vs. Serena Deeb.
So, Andrade.....
If you had nothing for the guy, why even debut him? Wouldn't it have made much more sense to save his debut for the first night on the road, attacking a big time player to start a program? He's just, there. The guy has superstar talent and a superstar presentation if presented correctly. So far, this has been super flat. Hope it heats up soon because I always have liked Andrade and he should be a great addition to the roster ultimately.
New Japan Pro Wrestling
ROH Best in the World in Baltimore
This Sunday I will be attending ROH Best in the World here Baltimore and I'm just looking forward to attending a live wrestling show for the first time in what feels like forever. Even if all the stories don't hit, Ring of Honor still always puts on a pretty entertaining show live and I will have a full report next week.