Second to Last Stop to WrestleMania!...

A Happy Easter Monday to You, Enthusiasts.

 

Since we gather weekly, we sometimes bear witness to the sub holidays. Might as well embrace it. So, let’s see what’s going on in the wrestling world today.

 

I suppose what has the most general buzz is the anticipation of NXT moving to Tuesdays. I’ve also heard that Ring of Honor was trying to secure something for Thursday and you have New Japan providing offerings on that day through Roku too so, it looks like there may soon be wrestling on TV every weekday night. I would think that’s an achievement for the Industry. A potential fan can now sample the basic offerings and make a decision. We’ll see if one of these promotions gives WWE a run for its money.

 

As for the NXT move specifically, I think it makes sense. It subconsciously aligns itself with RAW and quiets the talk of the “Wednesday Night” wars. If anything, I think this move makes collaboration all the more possible. They probably won’t start that until everyone’s vaccinated but if you ask me, this is a precursor to the future.

 

Some other news going around is fallout over The Hurt Business getting disbanded. This is not uncommon in the WWE Universe, but I thought the move was kinda premature. They were just getting started. What’s going around is that Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley spoke against the move but they were overruled by management. This is where I wonder how true this all is. Mainly because this is very much WWE’s MO. Yet, if there is some kernel of truth, wrestlers have to brush up on how to make a strong argument. As employers, WWE cannot set up its wrestlers to fail. So, if the disbanding was arbitrary, The Hurt Business has grounds to dispute the change. WWE would have to have a game plan that at least appears potentially successful. WWE’s questionable track record is enough to make anyone want to push back on rash moves. If they really want to give themselves a chance, they have to have a game plan for themselves. If it’s better than what’s offered, they have a shot at governing their own fate to an extent. Wrestlers can’t just say, we don’t wanna. They have to say we don’t wanna ‘cause when is the last time that worked? We wanted to head in this direction instead, here are our long term ideas…. It’s just professionalism. A strong argument is hard to beat. There’s a good chance no one has any better ideas.

 

All right, there’s more going on but that was what was interesting to me. Now, let’s focus on tonight’s RAW. It’s WrestleMania week and tonight is RAW’s go-home show. There are a few matches advertised. We’ll see what actually makes it on to the show. Bobby Lashley is set to box his frenemy in Cedric Alexander. AJ Styles and Xavier Woods are going to limber up and have a spar. Drew McIntyre will show us how much he doesn’t like Baron Corbin and the Ladies will try to ramp up some more interest in the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Well, after last Friday, I would have to say the bulk of the ladies are behind this WrestleMania season. That could be viewed as complacency. They’re going to have to get passionate about their Division if they want to be taken more seriously. It looks like there’s no real vision for them. That’s typical for WWE but with times a’changing, that sort of thing is going to have to change. It reads and that gives fans less incentive to watch. Nia Jax definitely didn’t seem enthused last Friday and she’s in a good spot because she and Baszler have been getting all sorts of airtime. Everyone will have to be proactive if they really want to see changes. A part of WWE is fine with just slapping things together. The places where that isn’t happening in storylines are stories where the wrestlers are engaged and involved. The Ladies shouldn’t expect someone to solve it all for them. They need to sort it out for themselves. We’ll see if Rhea Ripley’s presence makes a different. She and Asuka will pair up to take on the Tag Team Champs. Maybe we’ll get some info on whether they’ll have a WrestleMania match as well. They should have one but the way they’ve been procrastinating, they’ll probably get Kick-off duty on one or both nights. They’re going to have to think about what they can do better if they don’t like it. As with most of the roster, the talent is there but there’s no Vision. They got to start thinking about their legacy and how to develop it.

 

It just so happens that I got an article out that elaborates on the Women’s Tag Team Champs. Let’s hope they find a way to make better use of their time. Until then, let’s see what RAW’s got.

 

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)