The Revolution Takes Pause in No Man's Land. SmackDown Sets the Tone...

 A Good Black Friday to You, Enthusiasts!

May you be pleasantly stuffed with leftovers. So, even with the Holiday it has been an eventful week. Though, many of us don't even remember RAW there is some wrestling that resonates. Chatter is starting to churn up with ideas of inter-promotional trading, as I foretold. It may not get to the status that it is in MLB or the NFL but people are beginning to consider who from AEW should go to WWE. Now, what people must understand is that it's clear that this wouldn't be considered a "promotion" or "graduation". This may merely be a mark of better placement. WWE could one one day be the pinnacle it may have once represented but I think many of us can admit, it may never had been that great a place. The outrageous "pops" and personalities definitely lent to a good time when all the right pieces were in place but most of it wouldn't fly now. Match quality is too subjective to call. What sold before, simply doesn't sell as much now or prompts people to question the decency of it all. This "overhaul" has larger implications. This is the time WWE modernizes & formalizes. 

So, how is that different from what's in place? Well, it's clear that the focus is on the business and not the quality of the content. As people catch wise, there is a shift in interest but it's not necessarily a lack. Do your own research and see for yourself. WWE will probably always be popular if they don't shoot themselves in the foot. Nevertheless, they're not looking for the most involved fans. As we all know, the prime directive for the WWE is the lowest common denominator. So, they don't care if you just tune in weekly or catch the highlights online, as long as you're doing that, they're fine. Social Media wise, their popularity has certainly faltered but they don't want fans that care to post about it. They want fans who watch. Think shows like The Simpsons or NCIS. I'm sure people do tweet about them but those are what you would call "super fans". Most would be content to merely watch. That may be more due to their existence before Social Media but that may not be a bad thing. Don't be surprised if WWE stays focused on ratings and not so much Social Media presence. Not to say they'll deny it but they will be less focused on it. They should remain focused on the real-time, visceral experience. Let the fans post the awesome moments. It would be a testament to their legacy and a blatant note to the truth. 

I would not be surprised that in time AEW becomes the place you go "nerd out" over wrestling, WWE becomes the place you go and have a good time. Though the definition of "cool" may change, there will always be distinction between what's "Hot" and "What's Not". I think AEW can be considered "Hot" right now because it is relatively new. Let's face it. WWE is generally thought of as your Dad's/Mom's wrestling show. No doubt that's how many of you got into it. I am of the sort who found it. Given I'm just barely a millennial, I did witness the Attitude Era live and yes, it was amazing but it was also racist, sexist and indirectly homophobic by today's standards. I say "indirectly" because over the 7 or so years I've been watching, I think they give their discreet nods to the gay community. Now, it's no issue but you could see how it never really was but the taboo was respected. That all being said, they existed before the need to "trend" but they always knew how to be "popular". I think they should stay in their lane in this respect. They should never try to worry about their Social Media presence. They should give it some attention because it's current but they want to be on people's lips, registering on YouTube views. If WWE is smart, it will aim to forever be the "guilty pleasure". As any good Heel company should (^_~) 

AEW can be the Face and that's fine. Something needed to happen on this front 'cause things were stale as fuck. You could see WWE bouncing tennis balls off the walls, scrounging for ideas. Now, follow with me here, we have last week's 20 minute promo on AEW. The officiator of the "Pipe Bomb" takes it to a new level with MJF to counter. All that can beat that is a showdown with Jon Moxley after he's cleared from rehab. That shit would take up half the show. So, it's clear. If anyone is to go to WWE, it's MJF. On top of that, and here's where I get all "foil hat" is how I said early how CM Punk is a plant. To be honest, I was joking but shit like this makes me think he's scouting. We all know the draw CM Punk is. Though I don't get him, I'm intrigued by him. He's interesting and by default, entertaining. No one can take that from him. He's right to leverage his talents. So, I'm not calling him out or anything. I just see him. But that uniqueness is at odds with the Corporation/WWE. Oftentimes they want control over ingenuity. And Punk can be...unpredictable. This may be a fair in-between? 

Anyway, speaking of the possibilities, word is that Stephanie McMahon's and Triple H's eldest daughter is starting to learn the trade. Now, that has all sorts of possibilities. For now, I hope they keep her pure and let her choose to be Heel and work with her if she'd rather be Face. That decision could have far reaching repercussions for her. I hope the they allow her to choose wisely. 

So, that brings us to tonight's SmackDown. Well, the next PPV isn't until January 1st, 2022 so a lot of what we see will be experimental / trial & error. Don't knock it, though. This time around, there should be an endgame for the information that comes out of it. So, take some solace in that. Let's give them a chance, one way or another. In the meantime, we get an in-ring look at Ridge Holland. So far, I like the look of him. I'll give him that. Drew McIntyre will partner with Jeff Hardy, let's see if that helps him any and we'll see who's up next for Roman Reigns. They got a month to fill. Let's see if they make it. Funny tweets and Likes get retweeted. Don't worry about it this week, just enjoy the Holiday. If you find yourself inspired, give it a shot.

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)