SmackDown Fallout - FastLane 2023

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

Everything all right? Can’t say that I have much to complain about. There are few things but…they should get resolved shortly. In the meantime, we have a few things to chat about. Let’s get into it.

So, for what it’s worth, WWE considered taking CM Punk back and then passed on it, according to recent reports which I find a little surprising. So much so, that I wouldn’t be surprised if this was some disinformation. 

I say this because the best way to get the most out of Punk returning to the WWE fray is that it’s a surprise. At this rate, everyone would know before it happened. You saw how Edge going over to AEW worked. No one was surprised. Everyone was saying it was gonna happen ‘cause WWE didn’t have much for him. So, might as well jump ship.

When it comes to Punk, making this a “big deal” is what’s key so, if they don’t bring him back for Survivor Series, they may keep him in wait for WrestleMania, maybe the Royal Rumble but I think they want us to move on a bit before they surprise us with the reacquisition. 

Remember, as much as we see reports and whatnot and though much of the time, they do ring true to a certain degree, we have to always remember we can’t trust this industry. We will never know the true goings-on and what we’re told is just that. This is an ideal space to live by, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” 

And so, I’ll accept what has been reported as just that but I doubt Punk goes to Impact or NJPW so, WWE is his only real option and they both know they could have fun with it and make it work. Like I said, as long as the drama stays on TV, I’m all for it. We shall see if it ever comes to pass.

Usually I start off with AEW fare because I end in the WWE Universe but we’ll switch it up a little today because as you’ve probably heard, the issue this time around is Tony Khan. Khan is showing his naivete as he appears to take all this wrestling business a bit too personally on social media. This is interesting in a way because this is kind of a new era when it comes to wrestling marketing.

About 20-25 years ago, we didn’t really have the medium to utilize so, Khan being relatively young, is at the forefront of this new era in communication. It doesn’t seem like he has a PR Team spitting out tweets. It seems to be him firing away from whatever device of choice which can be viewed as refreshing in a way. He’s engaging as any other fan would which I don’t think is entirely a bad thing.

What we have to hope is that he perhaps sits down with a PR Team and hashes out some guidelines to follow when posting. He wants to grow his brand, not get himself labeled a silly brat who doesn’t know when to shut-up. If he does this with some forethought and insight, he could spearhead a new notion of engaged 1%-ers. He’s young yet, considering. If he’s still missing the point in 2-3 years then someone can ban him from tweeting/posting, just my humble opinion.

Okay, now we’ll swing back around to the WWE Universe for tonight’s SmackDown. We’ll see what Roman Reigns has been up to all this time away. Hard to say what kind of mood he’ll be in as matters are far from “perfect” within the Bloodline. Hopefully, he'll suggest Paul Heyman go on vacay while he gets his house in order 😉 

While that gets sorted, John Cena is scheduled to be in attendance as will Triple H. We got a couple Tag Team matches slated for the evening as well with Pretty Deadly returning to take back up their feud with the Brawling Brutes. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso have decided to be fighting champions so they’re going to honor an open challenge against Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. For everything else, we’ll have to tune in and see. 

I'm on West Coast time but in another city and here, they don't care for wrestling the same. So, I'll be catching up after the fact during the 10 o'clock hour. So, if you got other stuff to do or are otherwise unable to watch along with everyone else, you can catch up with me too. Sometimes, you just gotta make do.

See You Soon,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)