RAW Maintains the Agenda - Night of Champions (KOTR/QOTR)

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

 

Welcome back to the grind. So…there are a couple things we can talk about in the Wrestling World. You actually may not appreciate my practical take but when you look at this stuff regularly, you just can’t fool yourself anymore in certain regards. You’ll see what I mean shortly. Shall we get to it? Here we go.

 

In the Realm of AEW, they pulled some double duty cranking out a Dynamite and Collision in Cincinnati, OH. Jon Moxley didn’t let his hometown down by working both shows. On Collision it was all “business” however as he had to have the Cincinnati Street Fight with Shane Taylor Promotions (STP). Mox basically had to finish what Taylor started on Dynamite.

 

It was a fun display. Perhaps a bit long but I appreciated the “realness” they tried to capture. STP met the Riders of Death outside and meant to leave them in “stitches”. I liked the smart thinking on STP’s part to take Claudio Castagnoli out early and they weren’t afraid to bust out “weaponry”. It didn’t help in the end but it did make it clear that STP means business.

 

I think PAC was the only one who didn’t wear red on this evening and the “unsanitary” display works well for the Future as there Mox is, being a “threat to himself and others” again. Not only that, but he’s encouraging this behavior in others. The potential “liability” should be clear. It could have been bloodier to be honest so I commend them for showing some restraint.

 

Marina Shafir also proved she’s made of stern stuff as STP rendered her barefoot and stood her upon “broken glass and tacks”. She not only took it but stomped on it herself to demonstrate she would never be broken by the likes of them. Castagnoli also proved his worth once he was able to “get himself free”. They stacked those metal barricade sections on top of him to keep him out of the way.

 

The street fight did support my idea of STP allegiance if/when the time calls for it, however. They speak Mox’s language and with foes like the Don Callis Family plotting, that may prove useful as the Future develops. We shall see where they go with it. The Future Remains Bright.

Over on the outskirts of the WWE Universe, there’s some interesting information that fans of Roman Reigns have to digest. However, I may be able to provide some acid reflux relief. As many of you know, this past Sunday was the UFC USA 250 Event at the White House. From what I’ve seen, it was the gaudy, tasteless spectacle you would think that also fell on Donald Trump’s birthday.

 

There was already talk of some WWE talent scheduled to appear but like that MAGA concert they tried to put on, most advertised wouldn’t confirm or commit. Given the TKO affiliation along with the presidential one, WWE couldn’t disappoint so it seems they enlisted Reigns to appear. I wouldn’t really give it more credit than that. As I believe I’ve said before, if this MAGA support turns your stomach, this is a time you can separate the man from the character. Who Roman Reigns supports isn’t necessarily who Joseph Anoa’i supports.

 

In that regard, it should be no surprise that Reigns was there. I think the best way to understand Reigns’ character is a Heel who doesn’t think he’s a Heel. Reigns does what he does thinking it’s for “the greater good” and is what’s “best for the family”. You can also call him a “Company Man” so if WWE wants him to attend something, he’ll probably be there regardless of whether it’s in poor taste or not. And with him skipping the Saudi Night of Champions, this is probably a way of making up for that on the backend. That’s as much as I would give it. Save having the cow for something more overtly atrocious.

 

Nevertheless, with that news circulating, I also find it interesting that some of Punk’s old anti-Trump rhetoric is also making the rounds. This just supports my previous post’s points of WWE not caring about talents’ political affiliations as long as they aren’t disruptive. It’s also true to Punk’s form and can certainly be used as some story fodder when Punk returns if he needs some barbs to toss Reigns’ way. If WWE is smart, there’s always lemonade to be made 😉

 

And so that brings us to tonight’s RAW. They’re back stateside in Baltimore, MD and we can expect to see Charlotte Flair do some in-ring mentoring of Roxanne Perez. Chad Gable will see if he can take a bite out of Rusev. Iyo Sky will see if she can get around Raquel Rodriguez to advance in the Queen of the Ring Tournament. While we witness what tomfoolery Dominik Mysterio comes up with to avoid getting tied up like a pretzel by Oba Femi as they vie for the King of the Ring distinction. And at some point, we’ll hear what Reigns has to say about whatever.

 

It looks like they’ll be 1 more early start after this one so, take advantage if it matters. You may have noticed that my schedule is often plagued by delays. It’s just because these “bigger plans” I have to wait to drop, not necessarily initiate so I’ll be subject to changes often but it’s not so bad. It allows me to practice being present and fluid, typically good traits to have. So, swing by if you’ve got some time to spare on a Monday evening.

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)