SmackDown Does Its Duty. Onwards to Night of Champions!

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

 

Welcome to the weekend! Well, there’s some rumblings going on in the Wrestling World but I wouldn’t say it’s anything too exciting but there are some talking points that have definitely gained my interest. This shouldn’t take too long but I’m not going to restrict myself so, we’ll see where we end up. Shall we?

 

In the Realm of AEW the Future appears to be in its infancy. This week’s Dynamite definitely had some encouraging signs. The most promising of which being Don Callis and MJF. So far, they're exactly where they should be. No notes. They understand the assignment and are on it. As you were, gentlemen. I knew I had MJF pegged right. When this gets going, it should be a lot of fun.

 

As for Our Man Moxley, he had himself an Ohio Showdown with Shane Taylor, frontman for what I now see is Shane Taylor Promotions (STP). I guess they’ll be dropping some diss tracks soon 😉 In the meantime, he had to serve up an ass-whooping to Mox. I don’t know much about Taylor and to look at him, you’d figure all Mox would have to do is run around the ring until Taylor got exhausted but he held his ground respectfully and put some of his foot up Mox’s ass. It was engagingly dicey a few times. Yet, Mox got himself into position for a nice chokehold and Taylor just needs to breathe. Mox got the win but he also got a beatdown after for his trouble.

 

Since both men have crews they run with, they were banned from ringside but once the match was over, the Promotions came out and made sure Mox was “dead”. Not before Taylor choked Mox out “for real” with a belt. Gave him some lashings too. With Wheeler Yuta out “recovering” and PAC with a match to follow, only Daniel Garcia and Marina Shafir were on hand as back-up. Not sure where Claudio Castagnoli was but they could have used him. So, that led to a “Cincinnati Street Fight” for Saturday’s Collision. Sounds like they filmed that one after so, I’ll check that out on the replay.

 

However, seeing how Taylor and Mox put on a better match than I expected, I wouldn’t be surprised if STP serves as one of the “twists” down the line. Right now, they can’t stand each other but I can see them coming to respect each other. Perhaps an Enemy of My Enemy = My Friend moment occurs and the Riders of Death team up with STP to face the Callis Family at some point. I wouldn’t hate it. We’ll see and there’s plenty of time so let us let them flesh it out. The Future Remains Bright.

 

Elsewhere in the realm, there’s a clip circulating of Will Ospreay showing some depth. He cuts an honest promo backstage about being stoked for the Owen Hart Classic in London and all that but what gives it a 3^rd dimension is the entrance of his heartbroken lady love, Alex Windsor. She was in tears given her loss to Mercedes Moné. I guess there goes the hope of being co-Champions. Ospreay was the caring husband. I get the feeling he’s trying to prove he’s not a wanker. I’ll give it to him. Personally, I’m kind of A League of Their Own when it comes to wrestling. There should be no “crying” in wrestling but that’s just me. I’m also in favor of character development and that was a demonstration of some from both Ospreay and Windsor so I commend them for stretching their range.

 

On the outskirts of the WWE Universe, there’s been some chatter about some comments that Teddy Long made recently. He’s fully in favor of reinstating the leadership of Vince McMahon and naturally, the comments have been in the vein of “What the hell are you thinking?!!” and STFU. It’s no surprise to me that Long prefers the Old Guard. He’s all Old School. But when it comes to the commenters, I feel it’s a little naïve to think that McMahon has no influence. He’s got a phone and the Brass have his number. He may not officially be in charge but I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised if he has a say. No one would ever say so, let’s just take this as a display of Long’s unbridled loyalty. He bent the knee long time ago.

 

In other WWE news, there’s been a lot of speculation about CM Punk. A lot of AEW hopefuls are tossing around the idea of a Punk return. They’re figuring with the current US political landscape, WWE Creative lacking again, Brass letting people go and cutting pay, he might as well give AEW another shot…that is if they’d have him. In my opinion, Punk doesn’t have to do this. Punk’s character has always been anti-establishment and WWE being affiliated with the current administration only supports his stance. That coupled with the concept that WWE is a Heel Company, it’s only natural that Punk stay and be a “thorn in the side”.

 

However, that is in terms of kayfabery. I don’t think WWE Brass really cares if anyone likes this administration or not. Remember, in being a Heel Company, they’re generally “Fuck You” about anything that they don’t want to do or doesn’t go their way and that has always been no matter who has been in power so, I think it’s kind of a moot issue. Their prime directive is Profit. If a performer makes money, then that’s what matters. Punk makes money so I doubt there’s any real issue. Besides, word is that Punk will probably be involved in the lead up to SummerSlam so everyone should hold their horses.

 

On top of that, the structure of AEW just doesn’t suit a personality like Punk’s. The problem from the start is that he’s bigger than the promotion and older than the boss. They need him more than he needs them and that’s always been what makes the dynamic in WWE interesting. WWE doesn’t necessarily need him but, if he’s not a headache, they’ll have him. He’ll never be bigger than this promotion and that, more or less, is what really keeps him in line. Not to mention, with a “Rage Against the Machine” type gimmick, where’s the internalized conflict with the AEW Brass? There can be disagreements but it’s not a Heel Company. There’s nothing really to fight against. Also, with AEW he doesn’t have to give a fuck and that could always be an underlying source of contention.

 

If it happens, it would be due to some falling out with WWE. That’s certainly not impossible but with all the other variables currently in play, not likely at present. But you never know. I suppose we’ll see.

 

And so, that brings us to tonight’s SmackDown. If things stay relatively quiet, it looks like the Saudi Night of Champions is still a go. Regardless, King and Queen of the Ring are the main focuses. This evening we can anticipate Brie Bella & Paige seeing what Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence have got. Finn Bálor, Royce Keys, LA Knight and Jey Uso will have a Fatal-4-Way to see who advances for KOTR while Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria decide who advances for the women. I’m seeing that Cargill has a “hair malfunction” at one point. We’ll also see how GUNTHER will structure his match with Cody Rhodes and whether Rhodes will accept.

 

I don’t have to cook today but I have to prep for cooking tomorrow so, it may be a little while before I’m settled but with SmackDown still being 3 hours, I shouldn’t have anything to worry about. We’ll get started at 8pm PDT per usual. Drop by if your schedule is clear.

 

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)