Poll question: Who uses more spray tan? A WWE wrestler or Donald Trump? (Question does not appear in mailbag.)
Dolph Ziggler’s character has seemingly turned a corner. Hell in a Cell has started to take shape. And a jobber gets a world title shot. We’re still watching and they’re still surprisingly us. Let’s dive in.
1) Smackdown’s No Mercy was this past Sunday. What are your thoughts?
Corey: I was extremely thrown off, which I’m sure everyone else watching was too with the opening match being AJ Styles vs John Cena vs Dean Ambrose, but the more I think about it the more it makes sense. WWE didn’t want their main title match for the Smackdown brand to have to compete with the debate on Sunday. With that being said that match was AMAZING. Normally there’s a formula for triple threats with two people always going at it while the third person tends to stay down on the outside longer than usual but not this time. These three men worked extremely well together and at no point did anyone seem out of place. I feel that the right man won, AJ Styles, and the right man took the pinfall, John Cena. Heath Slater and Rhyno held off the Usos surprisingly, but I don’t see those two holding the tag titles for too long. But the match of the night for me was The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler. I had my doubts about whether people would still care about this match, but the build up for it was great with both men delivering great promos as well as the story that was told in the ring being great as well. Congratulations go to Dolph Ziggler.
Josh: It was definitely a very odd night. The card started really strong and I like shuffling the order and leading with WWE World title first. The problem came in the back half of the card. Ziggler and Miz put on the match of the night in what was a surprisingly emotional story. It was one of those moments where knowing the outside interests of a wrestler actually helped build suspense because I genuinely thought it could be Ziggler’s last match. But it should have gone on last. I think if you flip the Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton match you have a much more compelling card and story to tell. The return of Luke Harper is great and I’m glad to have him back in the ring because he’s a great talent, but it all fell a little flat to close out the PPV.
2) So far for Raw’s upcoming Hell in a Cell pay per view there are 5 matches that have been declared. Which match are you most excited about?
Corey: I’m going to go with Sasha Banks vs Charlotte for the Women’s title simply because this is the first ever women’s Hell in a Cell match. I’m so glad that the women are now getting more gimmick matches as well and I can’t wait to see what these ladies do on October 30th. The match I’m second most excited about is the Hell in a Cell match between Roman Reigns and Rusev. I’m expecting a flat out brawl between these two and if Roman’s cell match last year is any indication on how good this one will be then they might end up having match of the night.
Josh: Definitely the Sasha Banks vs Charlotte match. First of its kind, two amazing female talents, and both crazy enough to do something that’s going to pull us out of our seats. I’m not sure what will be the best match of the night, but I have a really good feeling that Sasha and Charlotte are going to put on a hell of a match.
3) The New Day will be facing Cesaro and Sheamus for the WWE Tag Team titles at Hell in a Cell. What do you think the outcome will be?
Corey: I don’t have a set out come because they have booked themselves into a great space where Cesaro and Sheamus can lose the match and then as a team implode after the loss which could lead to a match at Survivor Series in a Last Man Standing match since their last match ended in a draw or they could actually win the titles and be the team to dethrone The New Day, and then keep the titles on them while they stay the reluctant champions.
Josh: The New Day wins but with underhanded tactics. This causes Sheamus and Cesaro to come to an understanding that ignites a passion and drive to dethrone the The New Day at the Raw PPV following Survivor Series, since both teams will most likely be in that insanity of a Tag Team Traditional Survivor Series match. I really think WWE is going to let The New Day hold the titles until they break Demolition’s record. That’s really what it comes down to.
4) The Cruiserweight division just hasn’t seemed to get off the ground quite yet. If you were WWE what would you do to improve the division?
Corey: The first thing I would do is start letting more of them have time to talk. The crowd has no idea who to really cheer for because only two of them, TJ Perkins and Brian Kendrick, have actually had any real time in front of a mic. Once they can show some personality then that will give the audience something to latch onto and care about. The second, I would have less tag matches with them. Let there be more one on one matches because since 99% of the division is new to the audience these guys need the chance to truly shine in the ring rather than all try to stand out in a tag match all at once. Thirdly let there be more than just one storyline regarding their division. Outside of the Perkins/Kendrick feud the rest of these guys are just being thrown into matches randomly which isn’t helping them get over with the crowd.
Josh: Corey makes a ton of great points and things I’ve advocated for weeks. I’d also like to add that I think they should ditch the formal raising of the winner’s hand while waiting for the loser to stand up. I get it’s supposed to feel more like MMA or just like legitimate competition, but we ran into a moment this week where Ariya Daivari was selling TJ Perkins knee-bar at the end of the match and had to stand for the hand raising. Stuff that takes away from their natural inclinations as wrestlers needs to be dropped. And seriously just pick like five dudes right now and get them over. Let the rest gestate in NXT or get them some exposure once you’ve established some guys already.
5) What are your thoughts on a “jobber” getting a world title shot on Smackdown?
Corey: For those that don’t know a “jobber” is someone who is not only meant to lose, but also mean to make the other person in the ring look as good and strong as possible. Now that it has been established I’ll say that I already don’t like this storyline. Unless they have something really unique, I think this storyline is going to be a dud.
Josh: This is the best thing ever! It’ll probably be a total squash and that’s completely fine. This is the sort of weird comedy that I’m ok with in WWE. It’s a farce and because we all know it’s a farce we don’t have to approach it with grand expectations. Also – James Ellsworth should totally be included in an update for WWE 2k17.
Additional Comments
Corey:
– I’ve noticed that Darren Young has been noticeably absent. I like Titus O’Neil but lately I’d prefer to see Darren.
– The Miz and Dolph Ziggler should have main evented No Mercy. Period. And now that it’s over and seeing the dud of a match Orton and Bray had I think WWE might wish Miz and Dolph had main evented as well.
– Carmella had a decent showing at No Mercy but she’s still missing something but I’m still not sure what it is yet.
Josh:
– The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic continues to provide some crazy moments. Excellent debut from Sanity. I think there’s something special with Eric Young heading up a stable.
– Tough to see Hideo Itami go down with an injury again. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
– Roderick Strong has completed his first round of NXT tapings. He’s the next big thing to watch out for. If you haven’t yet go check out some of his work in ROH.
Corey Stewart
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