Clash at the Castle Has Its RAW Fallout...

Happy Labor Day, Enthusiasts!

 

Whether you’re in the United States or elsewhere, please enjoy this Monday. So, there are quite few things to talk about in the wrestling world. Let’s not waste any time and get right into it.

 

To start, Clash at the Castle was had and it was solid fun. Could be considered a bit predictable but not too annoyingly so. To look at it, I would say Triple H was just playing it safe. He’s establishing an attainable precedent to build upon and I would have to say that he has accomplished that. There was nothing really to be ashamed of last Saturday night. Yes, the end was a little corny with Tyson Fury and Drew McIntyre singing but I guess WWE was just trying to ease the pain of McIntyre taking the loss.

 

As I said last post, Reigns’ story is just more interesting. I don’t think H can do much about the nature of the WWE Universe. It will always be 14^th grade more or less. Though the crowd may be generally older, it doesn’t venture too far away from a high school mentality. We prefer to focus on the “Homecoming King”. Since home operations are in the US and McIntyre might as well play soccer, we focus on the “football star athlete”. I’m not saying it’s right, it’s just how it goes over here. It will always be a popularity contest in the end. If McIntyre’s cousin were Steve Austin, he might have a chance but no. He’s got to sell us on his charm and prowess.

 

Most say that Sheamus vs. Gunther was match of the night and to be honest, it does deserve mention. It was hard hitting and no-nonsense from start to finish. I would have preferred Sheamus to take it since McIntyre took the L. I think that would have been fair but I get trying to put Gunther at the top of the heap. He’s got to challenge for the Universal Title at some point.

 

The only thing I would suggest is that all the other players went for it more in their matches. Like Shayna Baszler and Liv Morgan for instance. I wasn’t surprised that they took the safe route there but I would expect Baszler to make it a more competitive match. Maybe even play more into the idea of an upset. Morgan is popular but it’s hard to believe she’d beat Baszler if it wasn’t predetermined. Baszler should have beat Morgan up more. Force Morgan to use some wits to keep the title. That way we could have given a little credit to Morgan while keeping Baszler formidable. Again, we simply see it for what it is. Morgan is the favorite.

 

Also, I’m not sure about Dominik’s Heel Turn. I know he was properly set up for it, but Dominik hasn’t really developed into a performer yet. I find the move a little premature. They may be thinking that pushing him into the pool may trigger him to swim but I get the feeling he just doggie paddles in the shallow end, which would be around the 5ft mark for Dom. He’s a tall kid. Guess we shall see.

 

Moreover, WWE wasn’t the only promotion to have a show this weekend. NXT had Worlds Collide on Sunday and unified all their titles while up the street in Chicago, AEW had their World Championship Title match with Jon Moxley and CM Punk. The match was better than their last one, but it had blood which I didn’t find necessary. CM Punk was the one busted open this time since everyone is sick of Moxley bleeding all over the place. You know my feelings. It just reads as unsanitary to me, so I don’t see the point unless it actually happens. I understand a person gets scrapes and bruises but the “crimson mask” always seems staged to me. Just beat each other up. Nevertheless, AEW caters to hometown rules so Punk got to win the title and promptly launched into his next beef with Hangman Page and Colt Cabana? So, is Mox gonna take time off? No big deal if he does. He’s earned a rest.

 

As for Punk’s statements at the following Media Scrum, I don’t know what’s going on there. Either, he has some unresolved issues with Cabana or it’s all being played up to provide fodder for the future. That lawsuit was real so there could be real beef still simmering but I don’t know what that has to do with anything unless they plan to actually fight. Bringing it up in a press conference seems random if there are not plans for something. So, if there are no future plans for a showdown, Punk may need to see somebody. All that unloading kinda came out of nowhere. We’ll see where this goes.

 

However, with Punk reaffirmed in AEW, guess my notion of him being a WWE plant is harder to prove. Yet, we did get the return of MJF. Using a “voice message” from Tony Khan to explain his return, MJF also made it clear he wants a piece of the action. I feel this is kind of anti-climatic given all the “press” generated by this elaborate work but I suppose it sets the stage for dramatics in the future. With all the changes over at WWE, people can make their departures more exciting with faux drama which isn’t bad thing.

 

It sounds like Malakai/Aleister Black may be next but rumors are saying that an AEW departure may be more due to personal issues. I hope that’s not the case ‘cause I would love to see him return to WWE. It doesn’t have to be immediately so, if there’s some business that needs attending to, by all means, take care of it now. Let’s do this course correction.

 

To head back over to the WWE Universe, there is some word that Bray Wyatt may swerve left as Freddie Prinze Jr. may have aspirations for his own wrestling promotion. An offer is supposedly on the table. We’ll see if Wyatt takes it or stays steady on the WWE return.

 

All right, so that brings us to tonight’s RAW. Bobby Lashley must feel a little left out of the conversation so he’ll reinsert himself with a Cage Match with The Miz. As much as that may seem counter-intuitive, Miz is clearly working on his in-ring work. He’s actually trying to become a wrestler out there and I commend the effort. We’ll see if these 2 entertain. This is the Fallout show so, we’ll see how Dominik plays being “mean”. We have to stay on the lookout for a Braun Strowman return. Seth Rollins will probably strut through and gloat and we’re sure to have a couple rematches. Such is life in the WWE Universe. Funny tweets and Likes get retweeted. Enjoy your day off if you got it.

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)