RAW Makes Everyone Get Ready for BackLash...

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

 

Welcome to Monday. Well, the IWC has had plenty to talk about this weekend. You’ll find I don’t have as much to say but it’s newsworthy enough for me to say something. I’ll get to it in a bit but let’s start as we do and then end with it. How’s that? Here we go.

 

In the Realm of AEW, matters were kept perfunctory with Will Ospreay abroad honoring some New Japan commitments. The Riders of Death just maintained face with some help from the The Dogs and won their 10-Man Tag. That’s all fine and good for now. AEW has their own internal speculations to concern themselves with. I don’t blame ‘em for sticking to business.

 

In the WWE Universe, some more releases changed the landscape but these were less shocking. The biggest being the New Day, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, opting to take their business elsewhere. Word is they were asked to renegotiate their deals and what was on the table was less than ideal so they decided to see what else is going on. Most wouldn’t be surprised if Kingston considers retirement.

 

Personally, if they remain a duo of sorts, I wouldn’t be surprised if they resurface with TNA. Many feel AEW is the next stop but I’m not sure they fit there. I’m sure they’d have them, but I see them going the way of Dolph Ziggler. Still affiliated but perhaps with more of the top card action. Maybe even the occasional on-loan cameo? We’ll see what they do but as you can see, I’m not particularly surprised or encouraged to engineer their return.

 

I think they’ve done what they’re going to do as far as WWE is concerned and as much as I could have enjoyed watching them to the end of their wrestling days, I’m not going to protest. If they want to see what else is out there, by all means. We know they’re solid performers.

 

They’re not the only ones pursuing future endeavors. JC Mateo/Jeff Cobb and Tonga Loa were released from their contracts as well. I was kinda surprised Cobb made the move to WWE but I guess it’s on most wrestlers’ To-Do List. Might as well take your shot at the big time. I appreciate a mobile big man but I don’t think he was big enough to gain the WWE Universe’s interest. We need a spectacle. He came off a bit lowkey but that wasn’t exactly his fault.

 

Loa I wasn’t very familiar with and am not at all surprised he’s also out the door. It does thin out Solo Sikoa’s MFTs but they may open up the criteria to be one given all these changes. It’d be no shock if Sikoa holds “auditions” for new members in the weeks to come just to give others on the roster something to do. All he needs is “soldiers” essentially.

 

In other WWE news, with all these releases and departures everyone jumped all over word of Roman Reigns being pulled from June advertising. The reasoning coming through is simple, though. Apparently, he’s not going to be doing the Saudi Night of Champions show scheduled for June. As of now, that show is still scheduled but I would say it’s safe to say it’s “tentative” with the conflict in Iran still on-going. I can understand performers not wanting to make the trip for that one as well so, we’ll see if we see Plan B.

 

In the meantime, we have RAW’s Go Home Show for BackLash. Yup, they’re already back at it. For tonight, we can expect Finn Bálor to pick up where he left off with JD McDonagh. Asuka will take the loss of Kairi Sane out on Iyo Sky. Sol Ruca becomes main roster official and signs her RAW Contract. We’ll get some Tag Team action as Je’Von Evans partners with Penta (Lucha-Mitsu) to see if Ethan Page and Rusev have any chemistry. Oba Femi will devour someone who probably shouldn’t try for the WWE Championship. And we’ll see if we can have a civil contract signing as Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns make their match official.

 

I should have just a couple more early showings and then it’s back to 8pm PDT for RAW too so continue to get it early while you can. It does suit the 9am – 5pm schedule a lot better, I’ll give you that.

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)