RAW Maintains the Narrative...

How’s It Going, Enthusiasts?

 

Well, some stuff went down over the weekend, didn’t it. Guess something had to with it being so quiet. We won’t jump right into it but what I’m gonna talk about may have some correlation. Let’s take a little time and unpack.

 

So, we’ll start with the curmudgeonly ravings of Jim Cornette who had nothing good to say about WWE or AEW recently. WWE is too manufactured and AEW is full of wannabe jokers no one wants to emulate. What’s a person to do who wants some good old fashioned wrasslin’? Well, that is a good question. Probably stay in the past with the old footage available for consumption.

 

Most commenters pretty much hit it on the head that Cornette is coming off like the old man that he is here. The good old days have their charm but that was then and this is now. Like I’ve said before, I treat my wrestling just like Parkour. Always move forward. I may refer back to something just to comment but once it’s done, it’s done and it’s on to the next. This train moves too fast to lament what was.

 

Personally, I like the polished execution WWE offers. It differentiates wheat from chaff. That’s one of the problems I have with AEW programming generally. It’s such a mess sometimes. It makes you think that all you have to do is suit up and get out there, especially with acts like the Young Bucks super-kicking around. It’s clear you have to at least train to have a shot in WWE and I respect that.

 

The choice AEW performers do demonstrate they’re a step above the average but the bulk of them have WWE to thank for that. And as for those you don’t idolize, well there’s not much you can do about that. You either got it, or you don’t in that regard. You could say those are the big superficial hurdles Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay face.

 

They’re great in their own right but neither are particularly intimidating or overtly attractive so you have to be about the craft to put them up on your wall. As you can see with WWE, that’s not a prerequisite if you have at least 1 of the first 2.  What are you gonna do?

 

I’ll just close the matter by saying that I’m not sure there’s a space for Grandpa’s style of wrestling. The general populous is too informed. We know it’s scripted so it’s all about putting on a good, believable show. I don’t think this is a bad thing but it does change how it is presented and that alone will initiate an evolution that the Old School may not appreciate because it’s too reflective of modern times. That is how it goes so, I’ll make my peace with the way of things. You know I’ll say something if it sucks and as of late…I’ve been more intrigued with both promotions as opposed to off-put so, I’m fine with it but we are all entitled to our opinions.

 

In the WWE Universe, we’re generally reeling from news of Sheamus’ release. This is unfortunate if legitimate. Due to the rapid execution, there was probably some sort of falling out and Sheamus felt he had no choice but to call it a day.

 

I really hope it’s a work, though. The general consensus is that many commenters/posters understand the mentality of leaning out the roster from time to time but the manner in which it appears to be done seems to lack tact. These performers are offended. There has to be a more diplomatic way of allowing the sun to set on the seasoned performers.

 

In Sheamus’ case, I feel he needs to get “his flowers” before the send off so I’m hoping against hope this is some ploy for a final run. I didn’t know he was pushing 50 but he has been injury laden of late. I think if performers don’t look it and are generally holding up, they should be allowed to at least make it to that tipping point if they so please. Yet, at around 45, the pitches for the final run should probably start. That way, a seasoned performer can start to respectably craft their exit. Allow a little grace. The way things are going, it’s like they get sat down, told the cold truth and then given and either or on how they want to get on with their lives. And don’t be surprised if that talk would start around 35 for the ladies. It’s always downhill when a lady starts to look old 🙄

 

Regardless, I get that Sheamus wasn’t the biggest draw but he was solid and a dependable worker who got the assignment and probably could have done a lot more. And in his case, I’m not sure if he continues to wrestle. Many fans would love to see him in AEW but I don’t know if he fits there. True, he could reteam with Claudio Castagnoli/Cesaro but that challenges riding death so, I don’t know about that.

 

And so, if this is goodbye, I wish the man well. I hope he finds health and happiness in whatever he chooses to do. Hopefully, TKO/WWE Brass reconsider and give him a respectable close to his long and storied career. If not, may he find some acting gigs and have a little fun. He’ll be greatly missed but not forgotten. Who knows, maybe he could commentate like Wade Barrett. If he stays fit, he can get in and scrap from time to time, maybe even have a match to “settle a matter”. I’d be down but what matters is that Sheamus finds a path that makes him happy. Godspeed.

 

And so, that brings us to tonight’s RAW. I believe the next steps are a Saturday Night: Main Event in a couple weeks and SummerSlam after that. To start that off we can expect The Street Profits defending the Tag Team Championships against The “New Vision” in Bron Breakker and Austin Theory. Sol Ruca will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Raquel Rodriguez. Oba Femi will have some thoughts on facing Brock Lesnar in a steel cage. Seth Rollins will open the festivities and I would think to close we can prepare for Cody Rhodes to try to retrieve the Undisputed Championship from Sami Zayn. Many fear this is the end of the short run but given recent news, if it’s real, don’t be surprised if Zayn manages some gutsiness and holds on.

 

We’ll be starting early again this week and the next but that should be it. Things are finally solidifying so there’ll be less back and forth and things should become more definitive. Start time will be 6:30pm in the meantime.

  

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)