RAW Knows What's Going On...

A Merry Memorial Day to You, Enthusiasts!

May you pay your respects in peace.  So, we all know what the hot topic is today, Jon Moxley a.k.a. Dean Ambrose made his debut with AEW and now things just got interesting.  Personally, I thought it was interesting when I heard they signed CM Punk but getting Moxley does bring intrigue, especially since it looks like this was the plan all along.   I’m not familiar with this incarnation and have nothing against it.  I feel that the only ones who really have to shake in their boots is Impact/TNA.  This will pretty much take their spot as #2, television-wise if they secure their TV deal.   I can’t imagine people would opt for it with AEW to choose from.  The WWE should be mature in their monitoring of the situation.  Ideally, I would think they would want to build an inter-brand relationship given how it has so many former employees.  This may be shunned to begin with but given these inclusive times, to construct a brazen rivalry may not have the effect it once did.  Generally speaking, we should all be more “civilized” so, such competition could be viewed as “petty” and “immature”.   Not words one wants associated with a brand one may want to gain good press for.  So, they may want to learn from the past and play Heel to this upstart by making it clear they’re “not their enemy”.  Play that card right and Survivor Series may just evolve to play out across companies.   Farfetched I know, but it’s something that could make sense in a few years, depending on whether AEW can become financially solvent. 

That tends to be the kicker with these attempts.  Lucha Underground was a fair contender but coming up with the scratch was the big problem.  If AEW can establish themselves, I think this can only be good for the WWE.  It will force them to up their game because they have a viable competitor.  Yet, the caveat here is that they have to work avidly to not lose the point.  Competition can bring out the less savory side of one’s character.   They don’t want to get ruthless here.  Again, “Civility” is commended right now.  It can’t get cutthroat, meaning no blocking talent from signing up and the like.  If someone feels they can do better over at AEW, then the WWE has to consider the difference.  One of the obvious things this could prompt is the offering of Healthcare for instance.  Now, naturally, this brings up the feeling of staying true to oneself versus “selling out” by aligning with the WWE but that only becomes the dichotomy if the WWE does that.  If they do this as a “grass roots” sort of operation, the suspicion of ulterior motives could be lessened.  I don’t doubt people will have reservations because that’s the position the WWE is in.  Why wouldn’t they be catty and adversarial in this matter?  Well, if they want to present the image of being “open” and “constructive”, they’ll start representing themselves as a more sympathetic corporate entity.  Let’s look at the matter objectively.  Jon Moxley made a “hostile” debut on AEW, basically putting everyone on blast, right?   Now, there was a time that was “cool” and to some it still is.  What the WWE contends with is the general social sentiment.  There’s a push to “play by the rules”.  AEW may represent a looser, more liberal environment to wrestle in, and that’s fine.  If the WWE is to remain the Mainstream, “cult” option, one makes one’s concessions for the safety of the product.  One becomes conservative, if you will, for the product.  If one prefers it more rough and tumble, then AEW may be more for you.   Like most, I’ll probably partake of both short of PPV’s.  Not willing or able to drop the $50 so, I’ll be waiting for the TV Deal to see for myself but I’m happy for them.  It means the genre as a whole may survive and that’s what I’m more concerned about and in all honesty, the WWE should play the wise sage and feel that way too.  What’s important is that people are still interested.  What does it matter what company?  Money can still be made.  If the WWE is smart, they’ll support AEW and welcome its inception.   They must remember, it’s AEW who has to prove themselves.  Yes, I won’t lie and say that the WWE has been consistently stellar but it is the prominent forerunner.  It should welcome competition in all its form.  If it is wise, it looks to evolve and improve.

In any case, we have Brock Lesnar to look forward to for tonight’s RAW  announcing when he’s gonna ruin someone’s day along with whatever pushes there are for the Saudi Arabia show next week.  Yet, the primary goal has to be having a solid show.  AEW is on the map now and good for them, but the WWE has always been and potentially shall always be.  If they are wise, they won’t flinch but demonstrate why that is.   If the AEW has clout, it will hold just the same.  The WWE should always be waiting to see if this is true.  That is if they want to seem well-versed in these matters.  In the meantime, funny tweets will get retweeted and as for Likes/Favorites well, seeing how this is an interesting time let us not lie and be too nice but we shouldn’t be stingy either.  A new upstart has to prove themselves, as well.  Don’t go too easy.  Let the WWE demonstrate why they will be the Past, Present and Future.

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)