Report: Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns Scheduled to Close out WrestleMania

One thing that you got to love about WrestleMania weekend is the rumor mill regarding the event. Earlier in the week, the WWE Universal Championship between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar was expected to close out the show on Sunday.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer is in Orlando for all of the festivities going on around town. According to the famed reporter, the probable match to close out WrestleMania will be Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns.

My first reaction is what about Randy Orton? You know, the winner of the Royal Rumble? Then I calmed down and remembered that the Rumble winner hasn’t really been guaranteed the main event spot for several years now. Besides, the Orton/Wyatt feud has cooled down considerably.

WWE is notorious for changing their plans at the drop of a hat, however, Taker vs. Reigns getting the nod means that confidence is low in Goldberg vs. Lesnar being anything special. Goldberg probably can’t go more than ten minutes, and doing a squash match in Lesnar’s favor to get his heat back, is not a suitable scenario for the main event of WrestleMania. Continue reading “Report: Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns Scheduled to Close out WrestleMania” →

Smackdown Women’s Title Match Back on WrestleMania Main Card

The card for WrestleMania 33 is always changing. Due to popular demand, WWE has shifted the SmackDown Women’s Championship match from the kickoff show to the main card. Alexa Bliss defends the title against Becky Lynch, Natalya, Mickie James, Naomi, and Carmella in a Six Pack Challenge.

Upset over the match’s placement on the show, fans started using the hashtag #GiveSDWomenAChance on social media to campaign for the change. The WrestleMania lineup on WWE.com no longer has the match listed on the kickoff show. Becky Lynch took to Twitter and confirmed the change. Continue reading “Smackdown Women’s Title Match Back on WrestleMania Main Card” →

Favorite Matches #7: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage

Today marks the 30^th anniversary of what many have called the greatest wrestling match of all time. Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat put on a performance that stole the most important show in WWE history that was sold by the biggest match of all time in Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant.

While there is some controversy about the preplanned nature of the match by industry elitists, 78,000 fans inside the Silverdome were in awe over the Intercontinental Title match at WrestleMania III. Lots of preparation was made for a classic that we’re still talking about today. Continue reading “Favorite Matches #7: Ricky Steamboat vs. Randy Savage” →

Industry Moves: Will WWE Buy ROH?

The wrestling world is buzzing after Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet broke the news that WWE has been in secret talks with Sinclair Broadcast Group since January about the potential acquisition of Ring of Honor. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer elaborated on the report stating that WWE made their initial inquiry about purchasing ROH back in August.

While there is no deal on the table as of yet, WWE’s plan of acquisition seems to include the tape library, talent contracts and closing down the company. This move indicates that WWE is attempting to completely monopolize the professional wrestling market in the United States.

WWE purchased WCW and acquired ECW’s assets in 2001 because all three companies were competing for the same audience. In 2017, groups such as ROH and Impact Wrestling are competing with WWE for talent due to sub-genres in wrestling being more pronounced and defined. Continue reading “Industry Moves: Will WWE Buy ROH?” →

Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin is on for WrestleMania

The Intercontinental Championship has officially found its seat on The Ultimate Thrill Ride, WrestleMania 33. Dean Ambrose will defend the title against Baron Corbin as the match was made when Ambrose accepted Corbin’s challenge on SmackDown.

“The Lone Wolf” versus “The Lunatic Fringe” will mark the first WrestleMania singles match for the IC title since The Big Show pinned Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 28, five years ago. This is now the twelfth match added to the six-hour event. Continue reading “Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin is on for WrestleMania” →

Southpaw Regional Wrestling is Awesome

I have given WWE much flak for their lame attempts at comedy. Well, I’m eating my words today as they released on YouTube a four-part mockumentary of 80’s southern territorial wrestling called Southpaw Regional Wrestling.

Those who watched regional wrestling will enjoy seeing various WWE stars in a creatively comedic light. Some aspects are aggregated while others are hilariously accurate. The VCR filter, events at the county fairgrounds and autographs from the wrestlers at the local KFC augments the old school aesthetic. Continue reading “Southpaw Regional Wrestling is Awesome” →

Styles vs. Orton: A Wrestling Lesson

I apologize for being late to the party with one, but I watched a really, really good wrestling match last week. It won’t go down as an instant classic or awarded five stars among journalists, however, the wrestlers took their time telling a fun and engaging story.

Whatever do I mean? Well…

Wrestling is an art form like any other creative and entertaining means of expression. Sometimes, in a particular space, certain nuances fall by the wayside, looking to be picked up again. In wrestling matches, it’s the little things that can make all the difference.

Over the last few years in WWE, punches, kicks, submission holds, and selling has been devoid of any real intensity and effort. Also, the action in the ring is too fast and does not leave enough time for anything to properly marinate with the audience.

Instead, back-and-forth matches, where the wrestlers take turns delivering big moves, appear to be a substitute for an arbitrary application of the smaller moves that support the assembly of a match.

Now, I know I sound like that older guy that emphatically claims it was better in my day, but stay with me. Continue reading “Styles vs. Orton: A Wrestling Lesson” →

Impact Wrestling: New Era – Same Old #&%^#

Impact Wrestling has undergone a litany of changes behind the scenes over the last twelve months. Lawsuits, wrestlers and staff members are not getting paid, a dwindling audience and a severe lack of leadership finally took its toll. Just when it looked like TNA’s nine lives were about to expire, the Toronto-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment group came out of nowhere and purchased the company.

Dixie Carter, John Gaburick and the rest of the management team were evicted, and in a weird twist of fate, company co-founder Jeff Jarrett was hired to run the day-to-day operations along with Dutch Mantell and Bruce Pritchard. The new administration’s appointment prompted the resignation of several wrestlers and the signing of new talent, all to usher in the new era of Impact Wrestling that was utter garbage. Continue reading “Impact Wrestling: New Era – Same Old #&%^#” →

Remembering “Outlaw” Ron Bass

Ronald Heard, a.k.a. “Outlaw”, Ron Bass passed away on Tuesday at the age of 68. Heard reportedly suffered complications from a ruptured appendix, which he wasn’t aware of and went to the hospital after his issue was discovered, but it was unfortunately too late to treat his condition by that point. Bass worked in every major territory and ended his career with a three-year run (1987-1989) in WWE. Continue reading “Remembering “Outlaw” Ron Bass” →

WrestleMania Officially takes Shape

Raw and SmackDown this week began to bring about some clarity to WrestleMania 33, which emanates from Orlando, Florida on Sunday, April 2nd. While several of the key matches, including the main event, were officially announced, there were no shocking revelations considering that the card was leaked online a month ago.

Vince McMahon deserves credit for sticking to his guns this time around where in years past he would change booking plans if he got the slightest whiff of a leak. So far, the storylines leading up to the matches have been good, thus making the journey as important as the destination. Continue reading “WrestleMania Officially takes Shape” →