Hello Smarks and Marks alike. I'm especially excited for the next Pay Per View, but mainly because I actually get to watch it live! (I'm exploding like a Backstreet Boys-obsessed fangirl right now)
So in preparation for this event, like I've done the last couple of events, I'm going to do a quick review of the matches from the last PPV, and preview the one upcoming Sunday.
So for those who haven't watched in awhile, here's a quick recap of last month's ppv, Money in the Bank.
Match 1 (Pre-Show) Golden Truth defeat Breezango
Dumb storyline with Truth and Goldust locking Tyler Breeze and Fandango in a tanning booth. Therefore they were sunburned throughout the match and Golden Truth get their first official victory as a team.
3 out of 10.
Match 2: Lucha Dragons defeat the Dudley Boyz.
Knowing what we know now about the draft, this became an even more pointless match. The Dragons had a chance at one point for the tag team championships, but now they've been split. At least the Dudleyz have stayed together, but the match was underwhelming.
3.5 out of 10.
Main Show
The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston)w/Xavier Woods defeat The Club (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows), The Vaudevillians (Aiden English and Simon Gotch), and Enzo Amore and Big Cass. (Kingston pinned English)
I was hoping for a title change, but it seems as if they want to give the New Day the length record now, so it was somewhat understandable. Whoever takes the title from them will have instant credibility. (I hope)
7 out of 10
Baron Corbin defeated Dolph Ziggler
Corbin ends the feud finally with a definitive win over Ziggler.
6 out of 10 (because the feud shouldn't have lasted 3 ppvs. )
Charlotte and Dana Brooke defeat Natalya and Becky Lynch
The rating isn't so much for the match itself, but rather the aftermath. Dana Brooke pushed Becky into Natalya. Charlotte hit Natural Selection (Bow Down to the Queen) and the heels win the match. Post-Match, Natalya assaulted Becky and left the ring.
3 out of 10 for the Match, 6 out of 10 overall because of the heel turn.
Apollo Crews defeated Sheamus
This was a solid match, but there wasn't a lot of anything special. Crews rolled up Sheamus for the win.
4.5 out of 10
AJ Styles defeated John Cena
A FANTASTIC match that was slightly marred by a predictable cop out finish. Cena could have and Should have lost clean as he did last year against Kevin Owens in the first match. Styles didn't necessarily NEED Gallows and Anderson to hit the Magic Killer, but it made sense to do that in retrospect to the character that Styles needed to have. I will say it did put over the Magic Killer as a move that can beat Cena in one shot (For this occasion) so I was happy about that.
7.75 out of 10.
Dean Ambrose won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, defeated Alberto Del Rio, Chris Jericho, Cesaro, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens
Alberto Del Rio SHINED in this match. He was absolutely fantastic, which leads to the question...What is the deal with WWE not doing anything more important with Del Rio?
Jericho was good and had some false win spots. Did his role well.
Cesaro took the most damage and had my favorite spot in the match. Leap off the ladder to the rope for a springboard roaring uppercut.
Zayn was good for his role and had a hope spot here and there, but it was difficult for him to stand out.
Owens was in the Bad News Barrett Role. The guy who would make most sense LONG term to win the title because of the way his character works. Zayn and Owens were in the same category.
Ambrose didn't stand out but was the most logical short term choice, mainly due to the main event.
7 out of 10 but could have been so much more.
Rusev successfully defended the US Championship over Titus O'Neil
As a heel showcase, this was Rusev's second fantastic performance in a row. After essentially breaking Kalisto in half, he not only dominated Titus, but embarrassed him in front of his family and then gloated in front of his family for good measure. Tremendous heel work especially with this match being in the death spot.
6 out of 10, 5 of the points for Rusev's performance alone.
Seth Rollins Defeated Roman Reigns to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
THEN
Dean Ambrose Cashed in and defeated Seth Rollins to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
The Rollins/Reigns match was Match of the Night. Back and forth action, with Reigns fully embracing the boos and Rollins tactfully hitting spot after spot, culminating with a counter from the Spear straight into the Pedigree. If you were to end it there, the feel good story is already there.
THEN Ambrose cashes in and wins his 1st official World Championship in WWE, in front of his residential area of Las Vegas. The culmination of a 2 year Journey from getting screwed by Rollins for the Money in the Bank Briefcase in 2014, then just barely losing the championship in a ladder match in 2015 to Rollins, to having everything come full circle and give the WWE Universe a Champion they were actually willing to cheer was a tremendous ending.
9 out of 10 for the match.
9.5 out of 10 for the aftermath, cash-in, and sudden title change.
Overall the PPV was a 7 out of 10. The bad was crap but the good was Great.
Since that PPV, WWE had a Draft that split up the WWE Main Roster into Smackdown and Raw Rosters. Therefore, not only do you have the original storylines leading into the PPV, but also the build-in intrigue of where titles will be located after the PPV is over. With that being said, here's the preview and my predictions for WWE Battleground!
Battleground Card
Pre-Show/Non Wrestling segments
1)Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) vs. The Uso (Jimmy and Jey)
The Opening Contest will be a showcase of the current Smackdown Tag Team Division, giving an experienced team with the bad stigma of Roman Reigns on them (The Usos) vs. a Heel Jobber Tag Team that has gained a bit of a cult following in the Gorgeous One and the Lord of the Dance. If life was fair, the vain duo would obtain the upset via Beauty Shot or the Last Dance. But....The Usos will win with either an excessive amounts of heavy looking Superkicks or A Superfly Splash.
Main Card
2))Sasha Banks and ? vs. Charlotte and Dana Brooke
After Money in the Bank, Sasha Banks returned and staked her claim for the WWE Women's Championship. However, Charlotte didn't grant her a Title match, but rather a Tag team Match with her associate Dana Brooke and herself. Sasha has to find a partner, and it will stay a mystery until the match. Best pick would be Bayley, but it has been said on social media that isn't (guaranteed to be) her. I wouldn't be surprised if it's either Paige or Nia Jax (but that wouldn't be too exciting). It would be awesome if it was either Emma or Asuka. But I have a gut feeling it could be Nikki Bella. With her coming back from injury (and potentially being cleared), it would make sense that it could be someone who could target Charlotte. So I think it will be one of 4 people: Emma if she returns from injury, Nikki Bella to get a pop from the casuals and give Total Divas a return storyline, Asuka because of her past history with Dana, or Bayley due to her history with all three.
Sasha and her partner will win to give momentum for Sasha at Summerslam.
3)Natalya vs. Becky Lynch
You can look at the MITB Charlotte match to see what the catalyst of this match was. Natalya attacked Becky after the match, and since then the two have traded sneak attacks throughout the month of July. These two were the top women drafted to Smackdown so most likely this is the first of possibly many matches between the two technicians. If this feud lasts longer than Battleground, I expect Natalya to win the first leg so Becky gets revenge at Summerslam. Otherwise I'll take Becky if this is a one-off PPV match.
4)The New Day vs. The Wyatt Family
This is an interesting match considering that after Sunday, The Wyatt Family will be down a big hulking mountain in Braun Strowman. The New Day have officially broken the record as the longest reigning tag team champions in the modern era and were drafted to Raw on Monday night. While Braun will be there as well to cause havoc, Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan were drafted to Smackdown. Before the split, I expected this to be a momentum builder for the Wyatt Family to gain the WWE Tag Team Championships, but since the Wyatts are to be suppressed one member, I would expect the New Day to win the match, because at this point it's not a bad thing for them to drop the titles at Summerslam, the very same place where they regained the titles from the Prime Time Players last year.
5)Rusev vs. Zack Ryder for the United States Championship
Zack Ryder has been on a roller coaster for the 2016 calendar year. One moment he's teaming with Mojo Rawley in NxT, the next he's winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Wrestlemania, only to lose it to The Miz the next night. Rusev, after leaving the League of Nations, has been on a complete tear. He regained the US Title by breaking Kalisto in half, then proceeded to embarrass Titus O'Neil on two separate holidays (Father's Day and Independence Day). The added intriguing factors in this match include the following:
1)Lana is at Ringside
2)Rusev was drafted to Raw and Zack Ryder was drafted to Smackdown
3)Ryder's NxT Tag Partner Mojo Rawley was drafted to Smackdown
4)Current tally marks for Championship locations are as follows
a)Raw currently holds the US, Women's, and Tag Team Championships, and will be adding the Cruiserweight Championship
b)Smackdown currently holds the WWE Championship and the Intercontinental Championship
c)The Women's and Tag Team Championships will not be defended at Battleground
I would expect Rusev to retain the United States Championship, keeping it on Raw. Ryder has an out already with Mojo Rawley, so he can focus on developing the Hype Bros tag team on Smackdown (plus he can always go after the Miz). Speaking of....
6)The Miz vs. Darren Young
The crowd has been going nuts for Darren Young since being paired away from Titus O'Neil and the Prime Time Players and going with Bob Backlund. He's fluked into a Battle Royal win and a victory over Alberto Del Rio, then submitted the Miz on draft night. The Miz has held the title since the night after WrestleMania, and had given the title a lot of momentum, defending it against Cesaro, Sami Zayn, and Kevin Owens. He would have had more....if he didn't shoot the Marine 5. The one way to piss off the entire Smackdown fanbase is to have the Miz retain, so he has a way to further gloat about how great he is, by stating that he is the only Title Holder (if Ambrose can't bring the WWE Championship back to Smackdown).
7)Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens
The next (and obviously not last) chapter of this feud comes after screwing each other over on many occasions: Wrestlemania: Zayn Suplexes Owens on ladder. Payback:Owens beats Zayn. Extreme Rules: Owens prevents Zayn from pinning Cesaro, leaving Miz to win. Money in the Bank: Owens Powerbombs Zayn on ladder. To follow this rivalry would take a good weekend just to get the last 6 years from WWE, NxT, and the tail end of Ring of Honor and PWG. Zayn was also picked 1 round ahead of Owens in the draft by Raw, and both ended up on Raw. Therefore, I expect Zayn to finally pull one out on a PPV.
8)The Club vs. John Cena and the Realest Guys in the Room
AJ Styles defeated John Cena at Money in the Bank with the help of Gallows and Anderson via the Magic Killer. Also, the Club has targeted Cena, to the point of even creating a stupid awesome tag line: #BeatUpJohnCena. Heck, when I get done with this preview, I'm going to watch some New Japan Wrestling, have dinner, then BEAT UP JOHN CENA! WOO HOO! (yeah, that would be great lol) Cena has enlisted the help of popular tag team Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Cena and Styles were drafted to Smackdown, whereas the remaining four participants were all drafted to Raw. I would expect the Club to win to set up a final battle with Cena and Styles since Styles would supposedly "not be able to win without the club" but if Cena, Amore, and Cass were to win, I wouldn't be too surprised. The biggest X factor is newly drafted Finn Balor. Balor was associated with Gallows and Anderson in Japan, but was also close to Amore and Cass in NxT. So if Balor interferes in any way, expect the match to sway in that direction.
Main Event)Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
The Main event pits the three former stablemates of the Shield against each other for the WWE Championship. At first glance, it's easy to pick Roman Reigns....however he's coming off of a drug suspension so you wouldn't want that as the face of your company. Ambrose just defeated Rollins clean on Draft night, so if WWE Booking serves true, then Ambrose will probably be pinned for the title. Rollins could win the title, but then you throw the biggest swerve in the situation. Rollins and Reigns are both on Raw, while Ambrose is on Smackdown. The winner of this match determines the location of the top Championship, as well as the balance of titles. Assuming the others retain, it would leave Smackdown with just the Intercontinental Championship if Ambrose loses. I expect a screwy finish to set up either A) a penultimate showdown at Summerslam, or a B)Title Split so both brands can have a World Champion.
When in Doubt, WATCH WRESTLING DAMMIT!
Sunday, July 24, 2016
WWE Draft Review and Analysis.
Hello Marks and Smarks Alike!
Before I get started, just giving you a heads up...this will be a LONG one so if you don't want to spend all your time reading, just find the round the Superstar you're looking for was drafted and read, OR skip to the end of the post where the overall reactions of the final rosters are.
So on Tuesday night, the WWE Roster has now been officially split into Raw and Smackdown!
So just a quick recap of what the rules were going into the draft.
Raw gets the first overall pick
For every 2 Smackdown Picks, there will be 3 Raw Picks
Tag Teams are considered 1 pick unless a GM/Commissioner only wanted a specific member of the unit.
6 overall picks were going to be chosen from NxT
Now here's a round by round snapshot of the Draft.
A+=98, A=95, A-=92, B+=88, B=85, B-=82, C+=78, C=75, C-=72, D+=68, D=65, D-=62, F=59.
ROUND 1
1)Seth Rollins (Raw 1) (A+)
2)Dean Ambrose (Smackdown 1) (A+)
3)Charlotte (Raw 2) (A)
4)AJ Styles (Smackdown 2) (A+)
5)Finn Balor (Raw 3)(A+)
Raw:A+, Smackdown (A+)
The first two picks were shoo-ins, with Raw taking one of the top 3 overall performers no. 1 overall in Rollins, while Smackdown took the top Babyface that actually gets a generally positive reaction from the the die hards and the casuals in Ambrose. Splitting them up is great so if they meet up again it will feel even more special. The added intrigue that not only was Smackdown's Main Event, but Sunday's Battleground PPV has WWE Championship location implications only enhances the title's prestige. Charlotte going as the 3rd overall pick is bold and shocking, but quite logical. Raw instantly takes the top heel in the Women's Division and also keeps the Women's Championship to go along with the Cruiserweight Championship specifically to Raw. AJ Styles as Smackdown's 2nd pick isn't a huge shock, but considering everyone else on the board, it was slightly surprising. Since turning on John Cena last month, he has been part of the top heel stable and one of the most entertaining acts in the company. Plus in his twilight years, he's been churning out great matches with everyone from Jericho to Reigns to Cena. Great Pickup there. The biggest shocker in Round 1 (and it's definitely due to incidents) is Finn Balor as the 5th overall pick. Balor was expected to be picked high, but not Round 1. Raw's picks represent where the future needs to be, whereas Smackdown gets instant credibility with their initial picks.
ROUND 2
6. Roman Reigns (Raw 4) (A-)
7. John Cena (Smackdown 3)(A+)
8. Brock Lesnar (Raw 5)(A)
9. Randy Orton (Smackdown 4)(A)
10. The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) (Raw 6)(A)
Raw:A(A+), Smackdown:A+(A+)
Good Lord, if the draft was after WrestleMania 32,(with the exception of Orton and replaced with AJ most likely), these would have been the top 5 picks without a doubt. Reigns and Lesnar, while technically steals since they were considered Top 5 picks, drop down a round due to drug related red flags. Reigns is set to return Sunday at Battleground, but the reception could be even worse than when he was last seen at Money in the Bank. Lesnar's pick could be a bust waiting to happen due to potentially not being able to compete at SummerSlam due to his UFC drug tests. Cena and Orton further solidify the Main Event scene on Smackdown, but definitely do not point towards "a new era."
Personally I was disappointed with the New Day staying together, but the pick keeps the Tag Team Championships on Raw as well, to join the Women's and Cruiserweight Championships. Plus, inside the New Day are a potential main eventer in Big E, and two guys that can strengthen the mid card or lead the tag team scene in Woods and Kingston.
Round 3
11. Sami Zayn (Raw 7)(A-)
12. Bray Wyatt (Smackdown 5)(A+)
13. Sasha Banks (Raw 8)(A)
14. Becky Lynch (Smackdown 6)(A)
15. Chris Jericho (Raw 9)(B-)
Raw:A-(A), Smackdown: A+(A+)
To further my suspicion from Round 2, Raw taking Zayn and Banks indicates the "New Era" may actually be on Raw. Taking Zayn here is a talking point: if you're a diehard, this is either exactly where he should be picked or even a steal, but a casual fan probably would say this is too high of a draft pick considering who else is around and his Wins versus Losses. When Zayn has been put in a high pressure situation, he has been part of the Best Match of the card on multiple occasions. Hell, you could say he was the MVP of Wrestlemania weekend with his performances in the Ladder Match and against Shinsuke Nakamura. Wyatt going to Smackdown gives him an opportunity to thrive against familiar foes, and finally get his run going. Banks on Raw gives her a direct shot at the WWE Women's Championship. She could be the face of Raw's Womens division in the upcoming months. Having Becky Lynch on Smackdown finally gives her a true chance to prove her mettle without the other Four Horsewomen around. If there is a separate championship, expect her to finally get her first title in WWE very soon. My only gripe is that you could have snagged her at least in round 5 or 6 and not lost talent. Jericho being taken by Raw in round 3 was, in my opinion, the first real mistake of the night. You don't know how long Jericho (or hell, even Lesnar in Round 2) is going to stay around and with other talent like Kevin Owens, Cesaro, or even Alberto Del Rio still on the board, this was not an ideal pick.
Round 4
16. Rusev(w/Lana) (Raw 10)(A)
17. The Miz (w/Maryse) (Smackdown 7)(A-)
18. Kevin Owens (Raw 11)(A+)
19. Baron Corbin (Smackdown 8)(B)
20. Enzo Amore and Big Cass(Raw 12)(A+)
Raw:A+(A), Smackdown: B+ (A)
Raw was able to make Smackdown sacrifice some better possible picks by selecting Rusev and thus bringing a third championship to the brand right away. Rusev has been great lately so him going in the fourth round was good in most cases. The Miz being picked here is actually kind of low to begin with. Being the Intercontinental Champion would have had a greater resounding amount of prestige....if he hadn't taken the month off to shoot another stupid Marine Movie. So in reality, moving Miz to Smackdown puts the IC title there and gives the Blue Brand at least 2 belts going into Sunday. Owens dipping below Round 2 was a surprise to being with. Michael Cole had said he would have had Owens at No.1 overall, so this is a definite steal. (Note, extra motivation with his match on Sunday vs. Sami Zayn since Zayn can gloat that he was picked 1 round and seven wrestlers ahead). Corbin going to Smackdown basically ended my suspicions and confirmed that Smackdown was going for the casual audience. It's not a bad thing, but Corbin was a reach considering who was still on the board. Enzo and Cass staying together is a three pronged success. Cass can still be built as a Main Eventer, Enzo can go for the Cruiserweight Championship when Cass is on a singles run, and the two of them together are still 1 of the major contenders for the Tag Team Championships. A great pick from Raw here.
Round 5
21. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (Raw 13)(A-)
22. American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan) (Smackdown 9)(A+)
23. Big Show (Raw 14)(F)
24. Dolph Ziggler (Smackdown 10)(C-)
25. Nia Jax(Raw 15)(B+)
Raw:B-(A-), Smackdown:B (A-)
Raw Splitting the Club at first instinct was semi-infuriating at first, until you realized that The Club was on the same brand as Finn Balor. The original Bullet Club dudes' potential for a reunion makes this pick sweeter and even more of a steal. Smackdown had a brilliant counter pick with American Alpha. Gable and Jordan have stolen shows lately on NxT (regardless of the results) and can really make an impact whether they have a separate tag team championship or are able to obtain the ones held by New Day. Big Show being chosen ahead of Cesaro, Apollo Crews, even Sheamus.....BIG Mistake by Raw. You could have gotten him later in the supplemental draft. Dolph Ziggler at 24 would be a steal in past years, but honestly that was a BAD mistake by Smackdown. The way Shane led the description, you would have banked on Cesaro. Horrible choice at this juncture. I understand that people wanted Bayley drafted, but she still has 1 more Asuka program to develop in NxT, similar to Nakamura and Joe both having a program to work as well. Nia Jax is main roster ready due to the change in physique from the normal women's wrestler. Having a monster heel/potential backup bodyguard female is a great pick for Raw.
Round 6 (FINAL Televised Round)
26. Neville (Raw 16)(A+)
27. Natalya (Smackdown 11)(B+)
28. Cesaro (Raw 17)(A+)
29. Alberto Del Rio (Smackdown 12)(A)
30. Sheamus(Raw 18)(B+)
Raw:A (A-), Smackdown: A- (A-)
Raw stole this round definetely. At least on TV, even though Smackdown had the better picks in their situations, Raw really came around on this one. Neville going to Raw with the Cruiserweight Division being there is a Fantastic pick. Natalya being a female cornerstone for Smackdown was a good choice, but there was still value from other places leftover. Cesaro FINALLY being drafted is both great and a slight. To get him in Round 6 is thievery at its finest. Also, it definitely showed that Daniel Bryan didn't have any say in the picks. His closest friends are all competed against him. (Cesaro, Sheamus, Zayn, and Rollins probably would have gone to Smackdown if it was truly DB's choice.) That being said, picking up Del Rio here is a great pick. Del Rio's best runs were on Smackdown, so if the trend continues, expect a WWE renaissance from Del Rio. Sheamus being the final pick is disappointing kayfabe, but a smart pick in storyline. Plus, he fits Raw well as a heel.
Here are the Supplemental Draft Results. There will be grades separate from the TV grades.
A+=98, A=95, A-=92, B+=88, B=85, B-=82, C+=78, C=75, C-=72, D+=68, D=65, D-=62, F=59.
Round 7
31. Golden Truth (R-Truth and Goldust)(C) (Raw 19)
32. The Usos(Jimmy and Jey)(C) (Smackdown 13)
33. Titus O'Neil(B+) (Raw 20)
34. Kane(C+) (Smackdown 14)
35. Paige(A) (Raw 21)
Raw: B (A-), Smackdown: C (A-)
The Supplemental Draft starts with Raw taking the better portion of these picks. Biggest Steal is getting Paige so late. Golden Truth ahead of some of the talent still on the board is a bit surprising, but there is still potential there. Plus, the Tag titles are there, so there's at least some logic. The Usos on Smackdown is a smart move. Keeping them away from Roman Reigns can give them a chance to regain some of their lost momentum and popularity. (Still picked higher than expected). Titus O'Neil was good in storyline. Kane being picked here isn't as bad as Big Show being picked on TV. Plus, Kane still can go a lot better than Show and is a more versatile performer.
Round 8
36. Darren Young w/Bob Backlund (A) (Raw 22)
37. Kalisto(C)(Smackdown 15)
38. Sin Cara(C) (Raw 23)
39. Naomi(A+)(Smackdown 16)
40. Jack Swagger(B) (Raw 24)
41. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)(B)(Smackdown 17)
Raw: B (A-), Smackdown: B (A-)
Good Comeback from Smackdown in this round, taking a steal very late in Naomi. There's more opportunity for her with a less crowded place. Kalisto not being drafted to Raw is a huge mistake. Sin Cara was the right brand...but too early. Darren Young is in a great spot and can be a GREAT steal if he can win against the Miz on Sunday. Swagger and the Ascension have a good chance to make/remake a proper impact and can do some damage. Also...MILLIONS OF DOLLARS! The constant tendency to relapse into barbarianism.
Round 9
42. Dudley Boyz (A)(Raw 25)
43. Zack Ryder (B+)(Smackdown 18)
44. Summer Rae (B+)(Raw 26)
45. Apollo Crews (A+) (Smackdown 19)
46. Mark Henry (B) (Raw 27)
47. Alexa Bliss (A+) (Smackdown 20)
Raw: B+ (A-), Smackdown A (A-)
My goodness (considering the talent leftover of course) these picks were fantastic. Smackdown especially took a great round here. Ryder has a US title shot going in, plus he can shine on the smaller roster. Crews is the biggest steal in this round, considering he could have been taken on TV. Bliss is a great pick, with her character finally rounded out and moveset refined. Raw gets the most experienced team in the draft in the Dudleyz, a women who can reignite her singles career in Summer Rae, and a veteran in Mark Henry. Henry is in the same class as Kane and Big Show, but he was picked with the correct area. Not too soon, but not a last round pick.
Round 10
48. Braun Strowman(B+)(Raw 28)
49. Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango)(A+)(Smackdown 21)
50. Bo Dallas(C)(Raw 29)
51. Eva Marie (C)(Smackdown 22)
52. The Shining Stars (B+)(Raw 30)
53. The Vaudevillians (A)(Smackdown 23)
Raw:B (A-), Smackdown: B+ (A-)
Final Round (Round 11)
54.Alicia Fox (A)(Raw 31)
55.Erick Rowan (B)(Smackdown 24)
56. Dana Brooke (B+) (Raw 32)
57.Mojo Rawley (Smackdown 25) (B-)
58.Curtis Axel (Raw 33) (B+)
59.Carmella (Smackdown 26) (A)
Raw:A-(A-), Smackdown:B+ (A-)
Final Round has Raw winning. Foxy and Dana Brooke being drafted late is great depth for the Women's Division, and getting Curtis Axel is due for a renaissance. Smackdown got Rowan, which leads to interactions for Wyatt, Rawley gets a higher grade due to the fact that his tag team partner Zack Ryder is up there, so he has a storyline. Drafting Carmella is a great pick! However, both brands missed out on someone who just tends to be overlooked....and it's......
60.Heath Slater (Free Agent Not Drafted and forgotten....GO UNDERDOG STORY!)
Who's left over besides Heath Slater?
Tyson Kidd(Neck Injury), The Undertaker(Part Time), Triple H(Part Time), Ryback(Contract Disputes and Sabbatical), The Rock(Selfish Part Timer), Luke Harper(Torn Ligaments), Emma(Back), Nikki Bella(Neck), Rosa Mendes(Pregnant), Tamina(Surgery)
Final Grades will be show as such. Grade 1 is the ending average after Round 11. Grade 2 is the average of all superstars drafted. Finally, Grade 3 is the average of each Round, without the previous averages.
Raw:Grade 1=A-, Grade 2=89.67 (B+), Grade 3=90.73 or A-, Four Rounds Won, 3 Tied
Smackdown: Grade 1=A-, Grade 2=89.88 (B+) Grade 3=90 or A-, Four Rounds Won, 3 Tied
Well, at the end of the draft, if you go by the Rounds, Raw wins, but in terms of the talent drafted and the worth when they were drafted, there is a slight advantage towards Smackdown. The rosters are more even then people realize. I see the Raw roster being the better one in the initial months, but time will tell if the Smackdown Roster will rise higher, or if the Raw talents can keep that advantage.
Therefore, now the Rosters look like this. (Also, I will list the expected PPV Schedule from Now until the end of the Calendar year.)
Battleground, Summerslam, and Survivor Series will be Joint PPVs, meaning that representatives from both Raw and Smackdown will be on the same show.
Raw
July: Battleground (Joint)
August: Summerslam (Joint)
September: Clash of the Champions
October: Hell in a Cell
November: Survivor Series (Joint)
December: Roadblock
Smackdown:
July: Battleground (Joint)
August: Summerslam (Joint)
September: Backlash
October: No Mercy
November: Survivor Series (Joint)
December :Tables Ladders and Chairs
So final Rosters look like this:
Remaining Free Agents
Tyson Kidd, The Undertaker, Triple H, Ryback, The Rock, Luke Harper, Heath Slater.
Half of the remaining free agents are part timers, the others are injured or in unfortunate circumstances. Tyson Kidd is not expected to return. The fact he was able to withstand his injury without paralysis is a miracle. Best wishes to him. Undertaker only comes when truly necessary, so if there's a time to see him, it will be WrestleMania. Triple H was the original consensus pick to be the General Manager of Raw, but that didn't happen. He'll be coming in to special circumstances as well (and well deserved). Ryback has not wrestled since the Payback Pre-Show and has had contract disputes as well as publicized grievances, so by the time his contract expires between August and October, expect the Big Guy to be gone.
(For attitude era fans, don't take this one personally) Screw the Rock. He can stay in movies and go run for President. Unless he comes back and actually helps an upcoming talent by losing to them, it's not worth seeing any more talent be shown up by that glory hog. It's been difficult to convince people to watch the current product without a talent from a previous era constantly returning to make the current roster look like crap.
Luke Harper is currently nursing an ACL injury, but hopefully he returns to Smackdown either as a solo superstar, or to refurbish the original Wyatt Family.
Finally, the most intriguing situation is Heath Slater. I'm going to speculate that it's either A)For us fans to just assume he's on Raw because based off of the rules, Raw gets the final pick and he was the only one left or B)He was left out on purpose in order to create a storyline where Heath actually has to earn his way onto one of the rosters and possibly create an underdog story that (while has been done countless amount of times) will make fans believe he can be more than just the various punchlines of jokes and storylines.
Now as for the Women who weren't drafted:
Emma, Nikki Bella, Rosa Mendes, Tamina
The four women listed are considered rostered talents, but were not drafted due to medical reasons. Tamina is currently out with torn ligaments, but expect her to rejoin cousins and family members Naomi and Nia Jax for a revamped version of team Beautiful And Dangerous (BAD). Rosa Mendes is currently on maternity leave, but (as cruel as this sounds) don't be surprised if A)She's released, B)She's relegated to a non-wrestling role, or C) She becomes a valet again for the Shining Stars (Primo and Epico) on Raw. Because for option C, that was the last time she was both relevant and useful on tv. Nikki Bella has been nursing spinal and neck injuries suffered due to her former finisher, the Rack attack (kneeling Argentine Backbreaker Drop). When she returns, expect her back on Raw to attempt to contend for the WWE Women's Championship. Emma is out with a bad back injury and her return is questionable period. If she were to come back, I'd actually expect her more on Smackdown. She has more history with the majority of the heels there and in a crowded lineup on Raw, she'd be lost in the shuffle.
Raw:
Commissioner:Stephanie McMahon
General Manager:Mick Foley
Play by Play: Michael Cole
Color Commentators:Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Pre-Show:Scott Stanford
Superstars Commentators:Tom Philips, Corey Graves
Interviewers: Renee Young
Champions: US Champ)Rusev(H), Women's Champ)Charlotte(H), Tag Team Champs)The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods)(F)
Male Roster:
(F)Big Cass and Enzo Amore, Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Titus O'Neill, Darren Young, Neville, Big Show, Goldust and R-Truth, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry, Sin Cara
(H)Seth Rollins, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Sheamus, Braun Strowman, The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), The Shining Stars (Primo and Epico) Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel
(AT)Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns
Female Roster:
(F)Sasha Banks, Paige, Alicia Fox
(H)Nia Jax, Dana Brooke, Summer Rae
On Air Talent:Paul Heyman (AT, Brock Lesnar), Lana(H, Rusev), Bob Backlund(F, Darren Young)
Final Analysis of Raw:With 3 hours to work with and the 3:2 rule in effect, it was bound to happen that Raw would get a good amount of the talent. Rusev is a strong US champion and has plenty of chasers (Zayn, Cesaro, O'Neil, Young, Neville, even Kevin Owens). Rollins and Reigns are the backbone of the roster when Lesnar isn't around, and the New Day have plenty of competition, in Enzo/Cass and Anderson/Gallows amongst the teams. Along with this roster, the Cruiserweight Division is supposed to come to this brand, so there could be NxT guys like Johnny Gargano and Rich Swann, as well as Cruiserweight Classic Competitors Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik, and Cedric Alexander who could potentially come to Raw as well. Since Reigns could potentially still be in hot water, expect Owens, Zayn, Rusev, Jericho, Cesaro, and O'Neil to step up and potentially have title reign opportunities, whether it's the WWE Championship or a new World Championship created for the brand. Or, if they're really smart, they'll elevate the US Championship like it's the golden prize. Charlotte has two very strong adversaries in Sasha Banks and Paige, along with a possible second ally in Nia Jax. I have a feeling thought that due to the smaller rosters of the Women's division, we could see the champion travel to both brands, because I'm not entirely sure if you can have a carousel of face and heel turns with less than 10 on both rosters. Otherwise, there are many good possibilities and a good balance of credibility and enhancement.
The other nice thing about Raw so far is that Michael Cole's inconsistency with moves names can potentially be cancelled out by Corey Graves. Byron needs to step up since he's had some time on the Raw commentary table. The key for the announce team is simple:If you're going to run down someone, have some logic behind it. That goes for both heel and face.
Smackdown:
Commissioner:Shane McMahon
General Manager: Daniel Bryan
Play By Play: Mauro Ranallo
Color Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
Main Event Commentators:Tom Phillips, David Otunga
Interviewers: Greg Hamilton
Champions: WWE Champ)Dean Ambrose, Intercontinental)The Miz
Male Talent
(F)Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Apollo Crews, Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, Zack Ryder, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey), Kalisto, Mojo Rawley
(H)AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Alberto Del Rio, Baron Corbin, Erick Rowan, Breezango(Tyler Breeze and Fandango), The Vaudevillians (Aiden English and Simon Gotch), The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
(AT) John Cena
Female Talent
(F)Becky Lynch, Carmella
(H)Natalya, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie
On Air Talent: Maryse (H, The Miz)
Final Analysis: For a brand that claims the new era is here, there's a lot of familiarity. I think Smackdown was drafted the way it was to get more casual eyes on the product. Many of the guys drafted are either names (Cena, Orton), visuals (Crews, Kalisto, Corbin), or fodder. For every Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles you have, there's a Del Rio and Ziggler there. It's going to be interesting how they book the male roster. There are good tag team matchups for development and honestly, if they added a tag team championship on this brand, it would be well contested. Having Apollo Crews or Baron Corbin go after The Miz or Zack Ryder (if they can keep their titles for Smackdown) would be definitely entertaining to watch.
The main event scene is at least well stocked. Dean, AJ, Cena, Randy, and Bray is a great building base if they were to introduce a second world championship or if Dean can retain the championship on Sunday.
The best part of this roster is the Women's division. You have great talent in Becky Lynch and Naomi, fantastic experience with Natalya, and an influx of good talent with a built in rivalry with Alexa and Carmella. The only gripe I have is Eva Marie, but I understand the reasoning behind it. WWE has invested a crapload in the Total Divas-made Eva Marie, so putting her in a Women's division where she can truly develop into a solid worker. As much as I hate to admit this, Eva elicits the biggest reaction (entirely negative but as long as she stays heel and confident then this is a good thing), so if she can become half the worker Nattie or Becky currently is, then this women's division will be the more balanced of the two and probably the more exciting of the two.
As for the commentary, Mauro Ranallo is the BEST commentator in WWE. He's able to keep storylines relevant and actually call the damn match. When motivated and not being too ignorant (for a heel), JBL can make magic on commentary. Best example was his call on Alberto Del Rio's World Championship victory against Big Show in Last Man Standing. If that JBL shows up, it will be the perfect compliment for Mauro. Otunga now receives a legitimate opportunity to not only show up Jerry Lawler, but Byron Saxton as well. He's a smooth talker that just needs to find his commentary voice and the announce team for Smackdown should be fantastic.
NxT:
General Manager:William Regal
Play-By-Play:Tom Phillips
Color Commentator: Corey Graves
NxT Champion: Samoa Joe
NxT Tag Team Champions: The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder)
NxT Women's Champion: Asuka
Male:Bobby Roode, Tye Dillinger, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, The Authors of Pain (Sunny Dhinsa and Gzim Selmani) w/Paul Alluring, Shinsuke Nakamura, TM-61 (Shayne Thorn and Nick Miller), Sawyer Fulton, Rhyno, Oney Lorcan, No Way Jose, Hideo Itami, Elias Sampson, Buddy Murphy, Wesley Blake, Austin Aries, Angelo Dawkins, Andrade Almas
Female:(F)Bayley
(H)Aliyah, Billie Kay, Mandy Rose, Peyton Royce
First thing that stands out is the Women's division. With Asuka and Bayley as the only major players, the division is in need of an influx of talent and stat. Luckily with Mandy Rose, Aliyah, Nikki Glencross, and Athena all waiting in the wings (not to mention WWE's relationship with Evolve leading to access of its sister company Shine), the division should be ready for it's next phase with Bayley guiding them in the process until it's time for her rightful call up. Asuka might stay back for a little while as well in order to develop the new girls as well as improve the non-wrestling aspect (promos).
If there's a place where NxT is actually in good hands, it's definitely the tag scene. Having three diverse teams in Gargano and Ciampa, the Authors of Pain, and TM-61 currently chasing the Revival is going to result in some fun matches coming up. Plus, as much as NxT wants to experiment with these two as singles competitors, Blake and Murphy need to return as a team and start gaining wins. They have more upside together, especially since they don't have Alexa overshadowing them now.
Finally, you have a fantastic singles division. Top tier guys like Shinsuke Nakamura and Samoa Joe that can be called up already have players waiting in the wings, like Bobby Roode, Eric Young, Hideo Itami, and Austin Aries. Along with the top tier guys, you also have workhorses like Tye Dillinger and the aforementioned Blake and Murphy, projects like Oney Lorcan, No Way Jose, and Andrade Almas, and a potential influx of talent from the Cruiserweight Classic that might not be ready for the main roster just yet, like Da Mack, Ho Ho Lun, Kenneth Johnson, Ariya Daivari. Plus, recently signed Tommy End from the Netherlands is going to be ready and waiting once his indy dates are finished.
So even with Balor and American Alpha leaving the ranks, along with Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, and Carmella, (And I guess Mojo too), NxT is going to be fruitful with talent. It's just a matter of them connecting with the crowd and the writing to remain spot on like it has been the last 2-3 years.
Cruiserweight Classic Ring Announcer:Mike Rome
CWC Play By Play: Mauro Ranallo
CWC Color Commentary: Daniel Bryan
Eliminated/Alternates Competitors (as of July 20th's episode of the CWC) that could sign: Sean Maluta (American Samoa), Clement Petiot(France), Ariya Daivari(Iran), Alejandro Saez (Chile), Jesus Yernet (Puerto Rico), Vandal Octagon (Turkey), Aaron Solow-Jessy Sorensen-Kai Katana-Kenneth Johnson-(USA), Mustafa Ali (Pakistan), Damien Slater (Australia),Da Mack (Germany).
Competitors still alive (as of CWC 7/20): Zack Sabre Jr- Jack Gallagher (England), Noam Dar (Scotland), Tyson Dux (Canada), Tajiri-Akira Tozawa-Kota Ibushi (Japan), Raul Mendoza-Gran Metalik (Mexico), TJ Perkins (Philippines), Lince Dorado(Puerto Rico), Jason Lee-Ho Ho Lun (Hong Kong, China), Harv and Gurv Sihra (India), Fabian Aichner (Italy), Anthony Bennett-Brian Kendrick-Cedric Alexander-Drew Gulak-Johnny Gargano-Rich Swann-Tomasso Ciampa-Tony Nese (USA)
Anyone who ends up signing to WWE after the Cruiserweight Classic (Like Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik, and Sean Maluta) will probably be headed to Raw as a part of the Cruiserweight Division. Other than the NxT guys (Ciampa, Gargano, Swann), and the previously aforementioned trio in parenthesis, the other names I expect to see include Daivari, Petiot, Tajiri, and Kendrick if I had to make conservative realistic guesses. Since a few of the members of the tournament have dates already booked for other tournaments (Gallagher, Sabre, and Gulak are part of the Battle of Los Angeles for PWG, and the team of Gulak/Gargano/Alexander are representing the CWC at CHIKARA's King of Trios Tournament), I'm not holding my breath just yet for any other spectacular signings.
Note: For the Wrestlers Only, (F)=Babyface as of the draft, (H)=Heel as of the Draft, (AT)Ambiguous or Tweener(meaning they are either neither or both).
Before I get started, just giving you a heads up...this will be a LONG one so if you don't want to spend all your time reading, just find the round the Superstar you're looking for was drafted and read, OR skip to the end of the post where the overall reactions of the final rosters are.
So on Tuesday night, the WWE Roster has now been officially split into Raw and Smackdown!
So just a quick recap of what the rules were going into the draft.
Raw gets the first overall pick
For every 2 Smackdown Picks, there will be 3 Raw Picks
Tag Teams are considered 1 pick unless a GM/Commissioner only wanted a specific member of the unit.
6 overall picks were going to be chosen from NxT
Now here's a round by round snapshot of the Draft.
A+=98, A=95, A-=92, B+=88, B=85, B-=82, C+=78, C=75, C-=72, D+=68, D=65, D-=62, F=59.
ROUND 1
1)Seth Rollins (Raw 1) (A+)
2)Dean Ambrose (Smackdown 1) (A+)
3)Charlotte (Raw 2) (A)
4)AJ Styles (Smackdown 2) (A+)
5)Finn Balor (Raw 3)(A+)
Raw:A+, Smackdown (A+)
The first two picks were shoo-ins, with Raw taking one of the top 3 overall performers no. 1 overall in Rollins, while Smackdown took the top Babyface that actually gets a generally positive reaction from the the die hards and the casuals in Ambrose. Splitting them up is great so if they meet up again it will feel even more special. The added intrigue that not only was Smackdown's Main Event, but Sunday's Battleground PPV has WWE Championship location implications only enhances the title's prestige. Charlotte going as the 3rd overall pick is bold and shocking, but quite logical. Raw instantly takes the top heel in the Women's Division and also keeps the Women's Championship to go along with the Cruiserweight Championship specifically to Raw. AJ Styles as Smackdown's 2nd pick isn't a huge shock, but considering everyone else on the board, it was slightly surprising. Since turning on John Cena last month, he has been part of the top heel stable and one of the most entertaining acts in the company. Plus in his twilight years, he's been churning out great matches with everyone from Jericho to Reigns to Cena. Great Pickup there. The biggest shocker in Round 1 (and it's definitely due to incidents) is Finn Balor as the 5th overall pick. Balor was expected to be picked high, but not Round 1. Raw's picks represent where the future needs to be, whereas Smackdown gets instant credibility with their initial picks.
ROUND 2
6. Roman Reigns (Raw 4) (A-)
7. John Cena (Smackdown 3)(A+)
8. Brock Lesnar (Raw 5)(A)
9. Randy Orton (Smackdown 4)(A)
10. The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods) (Raw 6)(A)
Raw:A(A+), Smackdown:A+(A+)
Good Lord, if the draft was after WrestleMania 32,(with the exception of Orton and replaced with AJ most likely), these would have been the top 5 picks without a doubt. Reigns and Lesnar, while technically steals since they were considered Top 5 picks, drop down a round due to drug related red flags. Reigns is set to return Sunday at Battleground, but the reception could be even worse than when he was last seen at Money in the Bank. Lesnar's pick could be a bust waiting to happen due to potentially not being able to compete at SummerSlam due to his UFC drug tests. Cena and Orton further solidify the Main Event scene on Smackdown, but definitely do not point towards "a new era."
Personally I was disappointed with the New Day staying together, but the pick keeps the Tag Team Championships on Raw as well, to join the Women's and Cruiserweight Championships. Plus, inside the New Day are a potential main eventer in Big E, and two guys that can strengthen the mid card or lead the tag team scene in Woods and Kingston.
Round 3
11. Sami Zayn (Raw 7)(A-)
12. Bray Wyatt (Smackdown 5)(A+)
13. Sasha Banks (Raw 8)(A)
14. Becky Lynch (Smackdown 6)(A)
15. Chris Jericho (Raw 9)(B-)
Raw:A-(A), Smackdown: A+(A+)
To further my suspicion from Round 2, Raw taking Zayn and Banks indicates the "New Era" may actually be on Raw. Taking Zayn here is a talking point: if you're a diehard, this is either exactly where he should be picked or even a steal, but a casual fan probably would say this is too high of a draft pick considering who else is around and his Wins versus Losses. When Zayn has been put in a high pressure situation, he has been part of the Best Match of the card on multiple occasions. Hell, you could say he was the MVP of Wrestlemania weekend with his performances in the Ladder Match and against Shinsuke Nakamura. Wyatt going to Smackdown gives him an opportunity to thrive against familiar foes, and finally get his run going. Banks on Raw gives her a direct shot at the WWE Women's Championship. She could be the face of Raw's Womens division in the upcoming months. Having Becky Lynch on Smackdown finally gives her a true chance to prove her mettle without the other Four Horsewomen around. If there is a separate championship, expect her to finally get her first title in WWE very soon. My only gripe is that you could have snagged her at least in round 5 or 6 and not lost talent. Jericho being taken by Raw in round 3 was, in my opinion, the first real mistake of the night. You don't know how long Jericho (or hell, even Lesnar in Round 2) is going to stay around and with other talent like Kevin Owens, Cesaro, or even Alberto Del Rio still on the board, this was not an ideal pick.
Round 4
16. Rusev(w/Lana) (Raw 10)(A)
17. The Miz (w/Maryse) (Smackdown 7)(A-)
18. Kevin Owens (Raw 11)(A+)
19. Baron Corbin (Smackdown 8)(B)
20. Enzo Amore and Big Cass(Raw 12)(A+)
Raw:A+(A), Smackdown: B+ (A)
Raw was able to make Smackdown sacrifice some better possible picks by selecting Rusev and thus bringing a third championship to the brand right away. Rusev has been great lately so him going in the fourth round was good in most cases. The Miz being picked here is actually kind of low to begin with. Being the Intercontinental Champion would have had a greater resounding amount of prestige....if he hadn't taken the month off to shoot another stupid Marine Movie. So in reality, moving Miz to Smackdown puts the IC title there and gives the Blue Brand at least 2 belts going into Sunday. Owens dipping below Round 2 was a surprise to being with. Michael Cole had said he would have had Owens at No.1 overall, so this is a definite steal. (Note, extra motivation with his match on Sunday vs. Sami Zayn since Zayn can gloat that he was picked 1 round and seven wrestlers ahead). Corbin going to Smackdown basically ended my suspicions and confirmed that Smackdown was going for the casual audience. It's not a bad thing, but Corbin was a reach considering who was still on the board. Enzo and Cass staying together is a three pronged success. Cass can still be built as a Main Eventer, Enzo can go for the Cruiserweight Championship when Cass is on a singles run, and the two of them together are still 1 of the major contenders for the Tag Team Championships. A great pick from Raw here.
Round 5
21. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (Raw 13)(A-)
22. American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan) (Smackdown 9)(A+)
23. Big Show (Raw 14)(F)
24. Dolph Ziggler (Smackdown 10)(C-)
25. Nia Jax(Raw 15)(B+)
Raw:B-(A-), Smackdown:B (A-)
Raw Splitting the Club at first instinct was semi-infuriating at first, until you realized that The Club was on the same brand as Finn Balor. The original Bullet Club dudes' potential for a reunion makes this pick sweeter and even more of a steal. Smackdown had a brilliant counter pick with American Alpha. Gable and Jordan have stolen shows lately on NxT (regardless of the results) and can really make an impact whether they have a separate tag team championship or are able to obtain the ones held by New Day. Big Show being chosen ahead of Cesaro, Apollo Crews, even Sheamus.....BIG Mistake by Raw. You could have gotten him later in the supplemental draft. Dolph Ziggler at 24 would be a steal in past years, but honestly that was a BAD mistake by Smackdown. The way Shane led the description, you would have banked on Cesaro. Horrible choice at this juncture. I understand that people wanted Bayley drafted, but she still has 1 more Asuka program to develop in NxT, similar to Nakamura and Joe both having a program to work as well. Nia Jax is main roster ready due to the change in physique from the normal women's wrestler. Having a monster heel/potential backup bodyguard female is a great pick for Raw.
Round 6 (FINAL Televised Round)
26. Neville (Raw 16)(A+)
27. Natalya (Smackdown 11)(B+)
28. Cesaro (Raw 17)(A+)
29. Alberto Del Rio (Smackdown 12)(A)
30. Sheamus(Raw 18)(B+)
Raw:A (A-), Smackdown: A- (A-)
Raw stole this round definetely. At least on TV, even though Smackdown had the better picks in their situations, Raw really came around on this one. Neville going to Raw with the Cruiserweight Division being there is a Fantastic pick. Natalya being a female cornerstone for Smackdown was a good choice, but there was still value from other places leftover. Cesaro FINALLY being drafted is both great and a slight. To get him in Round 6 is thievery at its finest. Also, it definitely showed that Daniel Bryan didn't have any say in the picks. His closest friends are all competed against him. (Cesaro, Sheamus, Zayn, and Rollins probably would have gone to Smackdown if it was truly DB's choice.) That being said, picking up Del Rio here is a great pick. Del Rio's best runs were on Smackdown, so if the trend continues, expect a WWE renaissance from Del Rio. Sheamus being the final pick is disappointing kayfabe, but a smart pick in storyline. Plus, he fits Raw well as a heel.
Here are the Supplemental Draft Results. There will be grades separate from the TV grades.
A+=98, A=95, A-=92, B+=88, B=85, B-=82, C+=78, C=75, C-=72, D+=68, D=65, D-=62, F=59.
Round 7
31. Golden Truth (R-Truth and Goldust)(C) (Raw 19)
32. The Usos(Jimmy and Jey)(C) (Smackdown 13)
33. Titus O'Neil(B+) (Raw 20)
34. Kane(C+) (Smackdown 14)
35. Paige(A) (Raw 21)
Raw: B (A-), Smackdown: C (A-)
The Supplemental Draft starts with Raw taking the better portion of these picks. Biggest Steal is getting Paige so late. Golden Truth ahead of some of the talent still on the board is a bit surprising, but there is still potential there. Plus, the Tag titles are there, so there's at least some logic. The Usos on Smackdown is a smart move. Keeping them away from Roman Reigns can give them a chance to regain some of their lost momentum and popularity. (Still picked higher than expected). Titus O'Neil was good in storyline. Kane being picked here isn't as bad as Big Show being picked on TV. Plus, Kane still can go a lot better than Show and is a more versatile performer.
Round 8
36. Darren Young w/Bob Backlund (A) (Raw 22)
37. Kalisto(C)(Smackdown 15)
38. Sin Cara(C) (Raw 23)
39. Naomi(A+)(Smackdown 16)
40. Jack Swagger(B) (Raw 24)
41. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)(B)(Smackdown 17)
Raw: B (A-), Smackdown: B (A-)
Good Comeback from Smackdown in this round, taking a steal very late in Naomi. There's more opportunity for her with a less crowded place. Kalisto not being drafted to Raw is a huge mistake. Sin Cara was the right brand...but too early. Darren Young is in a great spot and can be a GREAT steal if he can win against the Miz on Sunday. Swagger and the Ascension have a good chance to make/remake a proper impact and can do some damage. Also...MILLIONS OF DOLLARS! The constant tendency to relapse into barbarianism.
Round 9
42. Dudley Boyz (A)(Raw 25)
43. Zack Ryder (B+)(Smackdown 18)
44. Summer Rae (B+)(Raw 26)
45. Apollo Crews (A+) (Smackdown 19)
46. Mark Henry (B) (Raw 27)
47. Alexa Bliss (A+) (Smackdown 20)
Raw: B+ (A-), Smackdown A (A-)
My goodness (considering the talent leftover of course) these picks were fantastic. Smackdown especially took a great round here. Ryder has a US title shot going in, plus he can shine on the smaller roster. Crews is the biggest steal in this round, considering he could have been taken on TV. Bliss is a great pick, with her character finally rounded out and moveset refined. Raw gets the most experienced team in the draft in the Dudleyz, a women who can reignite her singles career in Summer Rae, and a veteran in Mark Henry. Henry is in the same class as Kane and Big Show, but he was picked with the correct area. Not too soon, but not a last round pick.
Round 10
48. Braun Strowman(B+)(Raw 28)
49. Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango)(A+)(Smackdown 21)
50. Bo Dallas(C)(Raw 29)
51. Eva Marie (C)(Smackdown 22)
52. The Shining Stars (B+)(Raw 30)
53. The Vaudevillians (A)(Smackdown 23)
Raw:B (A-), Smackdown: B+ (A-)
Final Round (Round 11)
54.Alicia Fox (A)(Raw 31)
55.Erick Rowan (B)(Smackdown 24)
56. Dana Brooke (B+) (Raw 32)
57.Mojo Rawley (Smackdown 25) (B-)
58.Curtis Axel (Raw 33) (B+)
59.Carmella (Smackdown 26) (A)
Raw:A-(A-), Smackdown:B+ (A-)
Final Round has Raw winning. Foxy and Dana Brooke being drafted late is great depth for the Women's Division, and getting Curtis Axel is due for a renaissance. Smackdown got Rowan, which leads to interactions for Wyatt, Rawley gets a higher grade due to the fact that his tag team partner Zack Ryder is up there, so he has a storyline. Drafting Carmella is a great pick! However, both brands missed out on someone who just tends to be overlooked....and it's......
60.Heath Slater (Free Agent Not Drafted and forgotten....GO UNDERDOG STORY!)
Who's left over besides Heath Slater?
Tyson Kidd(Neck Injury), The Undertaker(Part Time), Triple H(Part Time), Ryback(Contract Disputes and Sabbatical), The Rock(Selfish Part Timer), Luke Harper(Torn Ligaments), Emma(Back), Nikki Bella(Neck), Rosa Mendes(Pregnant), Tamina(Surgery)
Final Grades will be show as such. Grade 1 is the ending average after Round 11. Grade 2 is the average of all superstars drafted. Finally, Grade 3 is the average of each Round, without the previous averages.
Raw:Grade 1=A-, Grade 2=89.67 (B+), Grade 3=90.73 or A-, Four Rounds Won, 3 Tied
Smackdown: Grade 1=A-, Grade 2=89.88 (B+) Grade 3=90 or A-, Four Rounds Won, 3 Tied
Well, at the end of the draft, if you go by the Rounds, Raw wins, but in terms of the talent drafted and the worth when they were drafted, there is a slight advantage towards Smackdown. The rosters are more even then people realize. I see the Raw roster being the better one in the initial months, but time will tell if the Smackdown Roster will rise higher, or if the Raw talents can keep that advantage.
Therefore, now the Rosters look like this. (Also, I will list the expected PPV Schedule from Now until the end of the Calendar year.)
Battleground, Summerslam, and Survivor Series will be Joint PPVs, meaning that representatives from both Raw and Smackdown will be on the same show.
Raw
July: Battleground (Joint)
August: Summerslam (Joint)
September: Clash of the Champions
October: Hell in a Cell
November: Survivor Series (Joint)
December: Roadblock
Smackdown:
July: Battleground (Joint)
August: Summerslam (Joint)
September: Backlash
October: No Mercy
November: Survivor Series (Joint)
December :Tables Ladders and Chairs
So final Rosters look like this:
Remaining Free Agents
Tyson Kidd, The Undertaker, Triple H, Ryback, The Rock, Luke Harper, Heath Slater.
Half of the remaining free agents are part timers, the others are injured or in unfortunate circumstances. Tyson Kidd is not expected to return. The fact he was able to withstand his injury without paralysis is a miracle. Best wishes to him. Undertaker only comes when truly necessary, so if there's a time to see him, it will be WrestleMania. Triple H was the original consensus pick to be the General Manager of Raw, but that didn't happen. He'll be coming in to special circumstances as well (and well deserved). Ryback has not wrestled since the Payback Pre-Show and has had contract disputes as well as publicized grievances, so by the time his contract expires between August and October, expect the Big Guy to be gone.
(For attitude era fans, don't take this one personally) Screw the Rock. He can stay in movies and go run for President. Unless he comes back and actually helps an upcoming talent by losing to them, it's not worth seeing any more talent be shown up by that glory hog. It's been difficult to convince people to watch the current product without a talent from a previous era constantly returning to make the current roster look like crap.
Luke Harper is currently nursing an ACL injury, but hopefully he returns to Smackdown either as a solo superstar, or to refurbish the original Wyatt Family.
Finally, the most intriguing situation is Heath Slater. I'm going to speculate that it's either A)For us fans to just assume he's on Raw because based off of the rules, Raw gets the final pick and he was the only one left or B)He was left out on purpose in order to create a storyline where Heath actually has to earn his way onto one of the rosters and possibly create an underdog story that (while has been done countless amount of times) will make fans believe he can be more than just the various punchlines of jokes and storylines.
Now as for the Women who weren't drafted:
Emma, Nikki Bella, Rosa Mendes, Tamina
The four women listed are considered rostered talents, but were not drafted due to medical reasons. Tamina is currently out with torn ligaments, but expect her to rejoin cousins and family members Naomi and Nia Jax for a revamped version of team Beautiful And Dangerous (BAD). Rosa Mendes is currently on maternity leave, but (as cruel as this sounds) don't be surprised if A)She's released, B)She's relegated to a non-wrestling role, or C) She becomes a valet again for the Shining Stars (Primo and Epico) on Raw. Because for option C, that was the last time she was both relevant and useful on tv. Nikki Bella has been nursing spinal and neck injuries suffered due to her former finisher, the Rack attack (kneeling Argentine Backbreaker Drop). When she returns, expect her back on Raw to attempt to contend for the WWE Women's Championship. Emma is out with a bad back injury and her return is questionable period. If she were to come back, I'd actually expect her more on Smackdown. She has more history with the majority of the heels there and in a crowded lineup on Raw, she'd be lost in the shuffle.
Raw:
Commissioner:Stephanie McMahon
General Manager:Mick Foley
Play by Play: Michael Cole
Color Commentators:Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
Pre-Show:Scott Stanford
Superstars Commentators:Tom Philips, Corey Graves
Interviewers: Renee Young
Champions: US Champ)Rusev(H), Women's Champ)Charlotte(H), Tag Team Champs)The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, Xavier Woods)(F)
Male Roster:
(F)Big Cass and Enzo Amore, Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Titus O'Neill, Darren Young, Neville, Big Show, Goldust and R-Truth, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry, Sin Cara
(H)Seth Rollins, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Sheamus, Braun Strowman, The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von), The Shining Stars (Primo and Epico) Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel
(AT)Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns
Female Roster:
(F)Sasha Banks, Paige, Alicia Fox
(H)Nia Jax, Dana Brooke, Summer Rae
On Air Talent:Paul Heyman (AT, Brock Lesnar), Lana(H, Rusev), Bob Backlund(F, Darren Young)
Final Analysis of Raw:With 3 hours to work with and the 3:2 rule in effect, it was bound to happen that Raw would get a good amount of the talent. Rusev is a strong US champion and has plenty of chasers (Zayn, Cesaro, O'Neil, Young, Neville, even Kevin Owens). Rollins and Reigns are the backbone of the roster when Lesnar isn't around, and the New Day have plenty of competition, in Enzo/Cass and Anderson/Gallows amongst the teams. Along with this roster, the Cruiserweight Division is supposed to come to this brand, so there could be NxT guys like Johnny Gargano and Rich Swann, as well as Cruiserweight Classic Competitors Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik, and Cedric Alexander who could potentially come to Raw as well. Since Reigns could potentially still be in hot water, expect Owens, Zayn, Rusev, Jericho, Cesaro, and O'Neil to step up and potentially have title reign opportunities, whether it's the WWE Championship or a new World Championship created for the brand. Or, if they're really smart, they'll elevate the US Championship like it's the golden prize. Charlotte has two very strong adversaries in Sasha Banks and Paige, along with a possible second ally in Nia Jax. I have a feeling thought that due to the smaller rosters of the Women's division, we could see the champion travel to both brands, because I'm not entirely sure if you can have a carousel of face and heel turns with less than 10 on both rosters. Otherwise, there are many good possibilities and a good balance of credibility and enhancement.
The other nice thing about Raw so far is that Michael Cole's inconsistency with moves names can potentially be cancelled out by Corey Graves. Byron needs to step up since he's had some time on the Raw commentary table. The key for the announce team is simple:If you're going to run down someone, have some logic behind it. That goes for both heel and face.
Commissioner:Shane McMahon
General Manager: Daniel Bryan
Play By Play: Mauro Ranallo
Color Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, David Otunga
Main Event Commentators:Tom Phillips, David Otunga
Interviewers: Greg Hamilton
Champions: WWE Champ)Dean Ambrose, Intercontinental)The Miz
Male Talent
(F)Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Apollo Crews, Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, Zack Ryder, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey), Kalisto, Mojo Rawley
(H)AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Alberto Del Rio, Baron Corbin, Erick Rowan, Breezango(Tyler Breeze and Fandango), The Vaudevillians (Aiden English and Simon Gotch), The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
(AT) John Cena
Female Talent
(F)Becky Lynch, Carmella
(H)Natalya, Naomi, Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie
On Air Talent: Maryse (H, The Miz)
Final Analysis: For a brand that claims the new era is here, there's a lot of familiarity. I think Smackdown was drafted the way it was to get more casual eyes on the product. Many of the guys drafted are either names (Cena, Orton), visuals (Crews, Kalisto, Corbin), or fodder. For every Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles you have, there's a Del Rio and Ziggler there. It's going to be interesting how they book the male roster. There are good tag team matchups for development and honestly, if they added a tag team championship on this brand, it would be well contested. Having Apollo Crews or Baron Corbin go after The Miz or Zack Ryder (if they can keep their titles for Smackdown) would be definitely entertaining to watch.
The main event scene is at least well stocked. Dean, AJ, Cena, Randy, and Bray is a great building base if they were to introduce a second world championship or if Dean can retain the championship on Sunday.
The best part of this roster is the Women's division. You have great talent in Becky Lynch and Naomi, fantastic experience with Natalya, and an influx of good talent with a built in rivalry with Alexa and Carmella. The only gripe I have is Eva Marie, but I understand the reasoning behind it. WWE has invested a crapload in the Total Divas-made Eva Marie, so putting her in a Women's division where she can truly develop into a solid worker. As much as I hate to admit this, Eva elicits the biggest reaction (entirely negative but as long as she stays heel and confident then this is a good thing), so if she can become half the worker Nattie or Becky currently is, then this women's division will be the more balanced of the two and probably the more exciting of the two.
As for the commentary, Mauro Ranallo is the BEST commentator in WWE. He's able to keep storylines relevant and actually call the damn match. When motivated and not being too ignorant (for a heel), JBL can make magic on commentary. Best example was his call on Alberto Del Rio's World Championship victory against Big Show in Last Man Standing. If that JBL shows up, it will be the perfect compliment for Mauro. Otunga now receives a legitimate opportunity to not only show up Jerry Lawler, but Byron Saxton as well. He's a smooth talker that just needs to find his commentary voice and the announce team for Smackdown should be fantastic.
NxT:
General Manager:William Regal
Play-By-Play:Tom Phillips
Color Commentator: Corey Graves
NxT Champion: Samoa Joe
NxT Tag Team Champions: The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder)
NxT Women's Champion: Asuka
Male:Bobby Roode, Tye Dillinger, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano, The Authors of Pain (Sunny Dhinsa and Gzim Selmani) w/Paul Alluring, Shinsuke Nakamura, TM-61 (Shayne Thorn and Nick Miller), Sawyer Fulton, Rhyno, Oney Lorcan, No Way Jose, Hideo Itami, Elias Sampson, Buddy Murphy, Wesley Blake, Austin Aries, Angelo Dawkins, Andrade Almas
Female:(F)Bayley
(H)Aliyah, Billie Kay, Mandy Rose, Peyton Royce
First thing that stands out is the Women's division. With Asuka and Bayley as the only major players, the division is in need of an influx of talent and stat. Luckily with Mandy Rose, Aliyah, Nikki Glencross, and Athena all waiting in the wings (not to mention WWE's relationship with Evolve leading to access of its sister company Shine), the division should be ready for it's next phase with Bayley guiding them in the process until it's time for her rightful call up. Asuka might stay back for a little while as well in order to develop the new girls as well as improve the non-wrestling aspect (promos).
If there's a place where NxT is actually in good hands, it's definitely the tag scene. Having three diverse teams in Gargano and Ciampa, the Authors of Pain, and TM-61 currently chasing the Revival is going to result in some fun matches coming up. Plus, as much as NxT wants to experiment with these two as singles competitors, Blake and Murphy need to return as a team and start gaining wins. They have more upside together, especially since they don't have Alexa overshadowing them now.
Finally, you have a fantastic singles division. Top tier guys like Shinsuke Nakamura and Samoa Joe that can be called up already have players waiting in the wings, like Bobby Roode, Eric Young, Hideo Itami, and Austin Aries. Along with the top tier guys, you also have workhorses like Tye Dillinger and the aforementioned Blake and Murphy, projects like Oney Lorcan, No Way Jose, and Andrade Almas, and a potential influx of talent from the Cruiserweight Classic that might not be ready for the main roster just yet, like Da Mack, Ho Ho Lun, Kenneth Johnson, Ariya Daivari. Plus, recently signed Tommy End from the Netherlands is going to be ready and waiting once his indy dates are finished.
So even with Balor and American Alpha leaving the ranks, along with Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, and Carmella, (And I guess Mojo too), NxT is going to be fruitful with talent. It's just a matter of them connecting with the crowd and the writing to remain spot on like it has been the last 2-3 years.
Cruiserweight Classic Ring Announcer:Mike Rome
CWC Play By Play: Mauro Ranallo
CWC Color Commentary: Daniel Bryan
Eliminated/Alternates Competitors (as of July 20th's episode of the CWC) that could sign: Sean Maluta (American Samoa), Clement Petiot(France), Ariya Daivari(Iran), Alejandro Saez (Chile), Jesus Yernet (Puerto Rico), Vandal Octagon (Turkey), Aaron Solow-Jessy Sorensen-Kai Katana-Kenneth Johnson-(USA), Mustafa Ali (Pakistan), Damien Slater (Australia),Da Mack (Germany).
Competitors still alive (as of CWC 7/20): Zack Sabre Jr- Jack Gallagher (England), Noam Dar (Scotland), Tyson Dux (Canada), Tajiri-Akira Tozawa-Kota Ibushi (Japan), Raul Mendoza-Gran Metalik (Mexico), TJ Perkins (Philippines), Lince Dorado(Puerto Rico), Jason Lee-Ho Ho Lun (Hong Kong, China), Harv and Gurv Sihra (India), Fabian Aichner (Italy), Anthony Bennett-Brian Kendrick-Cedric Alexander-Drew Gulak-Johnny Gargano-Rich Swann-Tomasso Ciampa-Tony Nese (USA)
Anyone who ends up signing to WWE after the Cruiserweight Classic (Like Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik, and Sean Maluta) will probably be headed to Raw as a part of the Cruiserweight Division. Other than the NxT guys (Ciampa, Gargano, Swann), and the previously aforementioned trio in parenthesis, the other names I expect to see include Daivari, Petiot, Tajiri, and Kendrick if I had to make conservative realistic guesses. Since a few of the members of the tournament have dates already booked for other tournaments (Gallagher, Sabre, and Gulak are part of the Battle of Los Angeles for PWG, and the team of Gulak/Gargano/Alexander are representing the CWC at CHIKARA's King of Trios Tournament), I'm not holding my breath just yet for any other spectacular signings.
Note: For the Wrestlers Only, (F)=Babyface as of the draft, (H)=Heel as of the Draft, (AT)Ambiguous or Tweener(meaning they are either neither or both).
Saturday, July 23, 2016
June International Indy.
There were a few holes in the last roundup I had, and it was because this post was never published. So let's see how much this covers.
Jack Gallagher and Zack Sabre Jr. are representing Progress in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic
In the Men’s division,
International Wrestling ‘Round the World.
Hello there! With school finally over for the year I was able to finish this one out! Similar to back in May, we have a quick highlighted roundup of all non WWE, New Japan and Ring of Honor through the end of June!
Hello there! With school finally over for the year I was able to finish this one out! Similar to back in May, we have a quick highlighted roundup of all non WWE, New Japan and Ring of Honor through the end of June!
First: England
Insane Championship Wrestling:
ICW Fight Club
Insane Championship Wrestling:
ICW Fight Club
For the ICW Championship
TNA’s Grado vs. potential WWE bound candidate and current ICW Champ Big Damo
TNA’s Grado vs. potential WWE bound candidate and current ICW Champ Big Damo
Also, one of the final matches of Tommy End before he goes
to WWE as well.
Revolution Pro Wrestling:
Zack Sabre Jr vs. Katsuyori Shibata on July 10th and also a match between Sabre Jr. and Kurt Angle recently happened.
Zack Sabre Jr vs. Katsuyori Shibata on July 10th and also a match between Sabre Jr. and Kurt Angle recently happened.
Also, Noam Dar is representing RPW in the WWE Cruiserweight
Classic
Progress Wrestling
Super Strong Style 16 Tournament Winner: Tommy End def. Mark
Andrews in the Finals.
Ch. 31 (6/19)
Marty Scurll vs. Chris Hero
Ch 32. (6/26)
Johnny Gargano defends SMASH wrestling championship vs. TBA
Ch 32. (6/26)
Johnny Gargano defends SMASH wrestling championship vs. TBA
Jack Gallagher and Zack Sabre Jr. are representing Progress in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic
Second: Mexico
CMLL: Gran Metalik/Mascara Dorada is representing
CMLL/Mexico in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic
AAA: El Texano Jr def. El Mesias for AAA Mega Championship
Pentagon Jr. is the Rey de Reyes Winner.
Lucha Libre World Cup Results:
Team Mexico (Faby, Mari, and Lady Apache) win the Women’s World Cup.
Team Mexico (Faby, Mari, and Lady Apache) win the Women’s World Cup.
2nd place: Team Japan (Aja Kong, Yuki Miyazaki,
and Sumire Natsu)
3rd Place: Team Canada(Taya Valkyrie,(Lucha
Underground) Cherry Bomb(Allie from TNA), and KC Spinelli)
4th place: Team USA (Santana Garrett, Allysin
Kay(Sienna in TNA), Cheerleader Melissa(Mariposa from Lucha Underground))
In the Men’s division,
8th place: Team Resto del Mundo (Mil Muertes,
Apolo, and Rockstar Spud), winners of the Victoria Cup
7th place: Team TNA(Ethan Carter III (EC3), Eli
Drake, and Tyrus)
6h place: Team Odo and Zero1: (Masato Tanaka, Akebono, Ikuto
Hidaka)
5th place:Team Mexico Leyendas(legends): (Canek,
La Parka, Blue Demon Jr.)
4th place: Team Pro Wrestling NoAH: (Taiji Ishimori,
Naomichi Marufuji, Maybach Taniguchi)
3rd place: Team Mexico International: (Rey
Mysterio Jr.. Dr. Wagner Jr, Dragon Azteca Jr.)
Runner Up:Team AAA: (Pentagon Jr, El Texano Jr, Psycho
Clown)
WINNERS:Team Lucha Underground: Chavo Guerrero Jr, Johnny
Mundo, Brian Cage
In Japan:
Pro Wrestling NoAH:
Pro Wrestling NoAH:
Go Shiozaki is the new GHC Heavyweight Champion, defeating
Takeshi Suigiura
Naomichi Marufuji and Toru Yano def. the Killer Elite Squad (Davey Boy Smith
Jr. and Lance Archer)for Both the Global Tag League and GHC Tag Team
Championship
Atsushi Kotoge and Daisuke Harada are currently the GHC Jr.
Tag Team Championship
I don’t have news from the other countries currently. Main
focuses include semi-mainstream Mexico, Japan, and England, along with the
majority of US indies and a few Canadian updates.
Canada: Speedball Mike Bailey was caught going over boarder without passport….so he won’t be wrestling outside of Canada anytime soon.
Canada: Speedball Mike Bailey was caught going over boarder without passport….so he won’t be wrestling outside of Canada anytime soon.
Oh, and in Germany:
Zack Sabre Jr. is the latest winner of the 16 Carat Gold Tournament, defeating Axel Dieter Jr. in the finals.
Zack Sabre Jr. is the latest winner of the 16 Carat Gold Tournament, defeating Axel Dieter Jr. in the finals.
Now, in the US
indies:
Global Force Wrestling:
Current Champions are Global Champion Nick Aldis, NEX*GEN Champion Sonjay Dutt, Woman’s Champion Christina Von Eerie, and Tag Team Champions (And WWE Cruiserweight Classic competitors) The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv and Harv Sihra)
Current Champions are Global Champion Nick Aldis, NEX*GEN Champion Sonjay Dutt, Woman’s Champion Christina Von Eerie, and Tag Team Champions (And WWE Cruiserweight Classic competitors) The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv and Harv Sihra)
Partnering with AAA, Impact pro from New Zealand, NJPW,
OMEGA, Rev Pro, TNA, Westside Xtreme Wrestling in Germany, and Maryland
Championship Wrestling.
Maryland Championship Wrestling:
Damien Sandow made his first appearance post WWE ,teaming with Colt Cabana in a main event there.
Damien Sandow made his first appearance post WWE ,teaming with Colt Cabana in a main event there.
Shimmer/Shine Update
The female equivalents for Evolve and Full Impact Pro, they’re having a stacked lineup headlined by a triple title match.
The female equivalents for Evolve and Full Impact Pro, they’re having a stacked lineup headlined by a triple title match.
Rachel Ellering def. Tessa Blanchard
Su Yung def. Kay Lee Ray
Ivelisse def Kellie Skater, Mia Yim (TNA’s Jade), Nicole
Matthews, and Santana Garrett for Money in the Bank
MartI Belle and Jayme Jameson def. Evie and Shazza McKenzie
for the Shine Tag team Championships
And finally TNA Knockouts Champion Allysin Kay (Sienna) vs.
Shine Champion Taylor Made vs. Shimmer Champion Madision Eagles. Whomever is
pinned loses their title to the victor of the match.
Ivelisse cashed in her MITB opportunity and pinned Taylor
Made to become the NEW Shine Champion
Full Impact Pro
WWE Cruiserweight prospect Fred Yehi Defeated Caleb Conley
to win the FIP World Championship.
Combat Zone Wrestling
Rickey Shane Page defeats CZW World Champion Matt Tremont to
win the Tournament of Death 2016
CHIKARA Pro
Hallowicked
wins the first Infinite Gauntlet then goes on to win the CHIKARA Grand
Championship at the end of May over Princess Kimberlee
Director of Fun Mike Quackenbush and Johnny Kidd go to a 1-1
draw in their final matches
JIGSAW RETURNS!
Finally, Mark Angelosetti finishes the rivalry with Juan
Francisco de Coronado in a No Disqualification match.
Finally, the Major US Indies and promotions (that aren’t
ROH)
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla
All Star Weekend Night 1
Chuck Taylor def Trevor Lee
Chuck Taylor def Trevor Lee
Trent def. Drew Galloway
Roderick Strong Def. Mark Andrews
Kyle O’Reilly def Marty Scurll (Great match!)
Zack Sabre Jr . Def Adam Cole (Another one)
Young Bucks(Matt and Nick Jackson) def Matt Sydal and
Ricochet (Match of the Night)
ASW Night 2
Taylor def. Scurll
Lee def. Galloway
Sydal/Ricochet def. Death By Elbow (Chris Hero and JT Dunn)
Trent Def. Adam Cole
Young Bucks Def. ReDRagon (Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish)
AND
Zack Sabre JR. def Roderick Strong to win the PWG World
Championship
PRINCE
Cole def. Dalton Castle
Cole def. Dalton Castle
Michael Elgin def. Kamaitachi
Scurll def. Mark Andrews
Lee def. Andrew Everett
Hero def. Jeff Cobb (Matanza Cueto)
Galloway def. Elgin
Strong Def. Sami Callihan
(Brian Cage and Sabre weren’t able to make it due to family
issues and Injury)
Upcoming event:PWG Thirteen
Best Friends collide: Chuck Taylor vs. Trent
Cobb vs. Lee
Scurll vs. Callihan
Cole vs. Tommy End
Strong vs. Timothy Thatcher
The Young Bucks vs. Death By Elbow for the PWG Tag Team
Championships
Sabre Jr. vs O’Reilly for the PWG World Championship
EVOLVE: Evolve 60 to now
E60
Matt Riddle def. Anthony Nese
Johnny Gargano def. Marty Scurll
Drew Galloway def. Ethan Page
Drew Gulak and Tracy Williams def. Fred Yehi and TJ Perkins
for Evolve Tag Team Championships
Chris Hero def. Zack Sabre Jr.
E61
TJ P and Drew Gulak qualify for the WWE Cruiserweight
Classic
Marty Scrull def. Zack Sabre Jr.
Johnny Gargano def. Drew Galloway, but Ethan Carter III
comes in and cuts a wicked shoot promo against the WWE machine, in lieu of the
WWE Cruiserweight Classic and WWE as a Wrestling/Sports Entertainment Company
E 62
Fred Yehi def. Anthony Nese
Ethan Page def. Darby Allen
Matt Riddle def. Cedric Alexander
Gulak and Williams def. The Bravado Brothers (Harlem and
Lancelot)
Timothy Thatcher def. Chris Hero to retain the Evolve
Championship
Drew Galloway and EC3 def. Johnny Gargano and TJP in an
unsanctioned Street Fight. (Chris Hero attacked Drew Gulak, as well as Gargano
and TJP to help Galloway and EC3) Galloway also states that recently released
Cody Rhodes is also on their side.
E63
Matt Riddle def. Trevor Lee….but Trevor Lee wishboned
Riddle’s Toes….GYAH
Timothy Thatcher starts his road to redemption by Winning
his Title match against the first member of Catch Point, Hot Sauce Tracy
Williams
TJP is next, followed by Matt Riddle, (And Marty Scurll has
a title shot waiting in the wings as well)
In the Cruiserweight Classic Flashpoint elimination match,
Anthony Nese earned a spot in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic by outlasting TJP,
Drew Gulak, Lince Dorado, and Johnny Gargano
After Drew Galloway defeated Ethan Page, EC3 had an open
challenge.
EC3 vs. Johnny Gargano in an unsanctioned Last Man Standing Match.
EC3 vs. Johnny Gargano in an unsanctioned Last Man Standing Match.
Absolute Chaos include Galloway, Gulak, TJP, and even
referee Brandon Tolle
Gargano wins a crazy match to give Evolve a much needed win
over the invaders.
TNA
Current Champions are Lashley (World Heavyweight Champion),
Eli Drake (King of the Mountain), Eddie Edwards (X Division), the Decay (Crazzy
Steve and Abyss), and Sienna (Knockouts)
At TNA Slammiversary, EC3 and Jeff Hardy won their
respective matches, beating Mike Bennett and Matt Hardy, and 3 of the titles changed hands
(Sienna defeating Gail Kim and Jade, Eddie Edwards defeating Andrew Everett and
DJZ and Trevor Lee, and Lashley defeating Drew Galloway)
LUCHA Underground
Team Lucha Underground were the winners of AAA’s Lucha Libre
World Cup (Chavo Guerrero, Johnny Mundo, and Brian Cage(
Up to this point, The Lucha Underground Championship is
currently Matanza Cueto’s, last turning back Brian Cage’s Gift of the Gods
opportunity. Cueto has had the
title since Aztec Warfare II (3/23)
The Trios Championships have moved around a bit. Starting
from the Trios Tournament, Son of Havoc/Ivelisse/Angelico lost the title when
they were eliminated 2nd in the finals. The winning team at the time
was Dragon Azteca Jr/Prince Puma/Rey Mysterio Jr. About a month later, they
lost the titles to Johnny Mundo, PJ Black, and Jack Evans.
The no. 1 contender for Cueto’s title was determined in a 6
to survive elimination match.
Pentagon JR defeated Fenix, Ivelisse, Johnny Mundo, King Cuerno, and Taya Valkyrie to earn his shot at Ultima Lucha.
Pentagon JR defeated Fenix, Ivelisse, Johnny Mundo, King Cuerno, and Taya Valkyrie to earn his shot at Ultima Lucha.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Wrestling Update: JULY. Major US Promotions
Wrestling Updates for July: ROH, Lucha Underground, TNA, Evolve
ROH
Global Wars
Bobby Fish became ROH TV Champion
Jay Lethal and Colt Cabana attacked by the Young Bucks and Adam Cole
Women of Honor
Taller Hendrix over Mary Dobson
Veda Scott over Jenny Rose
Gallows, Purrazzo and Brink over Jackson, Darling, and Sakai
Leon over Hania in a best 2 out of 3 falls
Klein over LeRae
Aftershock Tour 2016
Jay White over Lio Rush
All Night Express over Cheeseburger and Will Ferrara
Bobby Fish over Kamaitachi
Mark Briscoe over Chris Sabin, Donovan Dijak, and Frankie Kazarian
Christopher Daniels over Moose
Silas Young over ACH
Colt Cabana, Jay Briscoe, and Jay Lethal over Adam Cole, Adam Page, and Nick Jackson
Roderick Strong finished up with ROH with a match against Dalton Castle.
TV-Tapings
White over Ferrara
Lethal over Cabana to retain the ROH World Title
Rush over Dijak
Briscoe and White go to a Time Limit Draw
Lee and Taylor over War Machine
Adam Page over Jonathan Gresham
Coleman and The ANX over Dalton Castle and the Boys
The Addiction retain the ROH Tag Titles over the Young Bucks
Death Before Dishonor XIV
TNA
Slammiversary
Eddie Edwards is X Division Champion
Sienna wins Knockout's Title
Drake and Decay retain their titles
Lashley wins World Title
Later on
James Storm wins King of the Mountain Championship over Eli Drake
The Final Deletion:
I didn't have much of a reaction. I found it ridiculous and hilarious due to the over the top shenanigans of the entire scene. Drones, Xylophones, Fireworks, and more in a glorified backyard wrestling match. Best part was Señor Benjamin. Matt Hardy wins and owns the Hardy brand....and well WWE tried to copy something off of it.....and failed.
First time in awhile, point for TNA.
Bound for Glory Playoff
Matt Hardy over James Storm
EC3 over Eli Drake
Drew Galloway Over Bram
Mike Bennett over Jeff Hardy
Semi Final: EC3 over Matt Hardy
Mike Bennett Over Drew Galloway
Lashley defeats Eddie Edwards to win TNA X Division Championship and Retains TNA World heavyweight Championship.
Moose signed with TNA.
LUCHA Underground
Ultima Lucha Dos Results
The Mack over Cage (Street Fight)
Son of Havoc over Texano (Bar Room Brawl)
Son of Havoc over The Mack (Street Fight)
Dr. Wagner Jr over Son of Havoc (Winner gets Golden Opportunity)
Gift of the Gods Championship
Sexy Star defeated Marty Martinez, Mariposa, Killshot, Night Claw, Daga, and El Sinestro de la Muerte
Mil Muertes defeated King Cuerno in a Death Match
Aerostar, Drago, and Fenix (Team AAA and current CHIKARA King of Trios Champions) defeated Jack Evans, PJ Black and Johnny Mundo for the LU Trios Championships
Dragon Azteca Jr. def. Black Lotus via disqualification when Pentagon Jr. attacked Dragon Azteca Jr.
Taya def. Ivelisse with help from Catrina
LU Championship
Matanza Cueto (c) defeated Pentagon Jr
Main Event:Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Prince Puma
Pentagon Jr became Pentagon Dark and attacked Vampiro and left him a bloody mess (again). Dario Cueto was arrested.
EVOLVE
Finally ,we have the flagship indy for WWE, EVOLVE.
Evolve has offered a contract to Will Ospreay (to which he accepted for US dates only), and has signed Cody Rhodes and Roderick Strong to compete in future matchups.
Drew Gulak, Lince Dorado, Tony Nese, and TJ Perkins qualified for the Cruiserweight Classic.
Results from 62-65, as well as the cards for 66 and 67.
62
Fred Yehi over Tony Nese
Ethan Page over Darby Allin
Matt Riddle over Cedric Alexander
Gulak and Williams retain over The Bravado Brothers( TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS)
Tim Thatcher Retains over Chris Hero (EVOLVE CHAMPIONSHIP)
Drew Galloway and EC3 defeat Johnny Gargano and TJP in a tag team street fight
63
Alexander over Yehi
Bravados over Allin and Jason Cade
Riddle over Trevor Lee
Thatcher over Williams to retain Evolve Championship (Thatcher vs. Catchpoint)
Nese over Gulak, Gargano, TJP, and Lince Dorado
Galloway over Page
Gargano over EC3
64
Gargano defeats Alexander (Galloway attacks Gargano, Gulak attacks Galloway, only for Dustin (CHUCK TAYLOR) to return and attack Gulak)
Nese over Chris Dickinson, Allin, and Yehi
Page over YUTA
Zack Sabre Jr. over Jigsaw
Riddle over Roderick Strong
Thatcher over Marty Scurll (Retains Evolve Championship)
Galloway and Dustin defeat Gulak and Tracy Williams to obtain the Evolve Tag Team Championships.
65
Alexander over Tommaso Ciampa
Page over Gordon
Riddle over Scurll
Catchpoint (Gulak, Yehi, and Williams) w/ TJP over Dickinson, Allin, and Jonathan Gresham
Thatcher retains Evolve Championship over TJP
Sabre Jr. over Tony Nese
Galloway defeats Gargano
Card For Evolve 66 in Joppa MD
WWE CWC Spotlight: TJ perkins vs. Cedric Alexander
WWE CWC Spotlight: Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese
Cody Rhodes vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Tim Thatcher vs. Matt Riddle in a No Holds Barred match for the Evolve Championship
Card for Evolve 67 in Brooklyn NY
WWE CWC Spotlight: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Cedric Alexander
Tommy End vs. Matt Riddle
Cody Rhodes vs. Chris Hero
Tim Thatcher vs. Drew Gulak (If Thatcher is Champion, this is a Championship Match).
ROH
Global Wars
Bobby Fish became ROH TV Champion
Jay Lethal and Colt Cabana attacked by the Young Bucks and Adam Cole
Women of Honor
Taller Hendrix over Mary Dobson
Veda Scott over Jenny Rose
Gallows, Purrazzo and Brink over Jackson, Darling, and Sakai
Leon over Hania in a best 2 out of 3 falls
Klein over LeRae
Aftershock Tour 2016
Jay White over Lio Rush
All Night Express over Cheeseburger and Will Ferrara
Bobby Fish over Kamaitachi
Mark Briscoe over Chris Sabin, Donovan Dijak, and Frankie Kazarian
Christopher Daniels over Moose
Silas Young over ACH
Colt Cabana, Jay Briscoe, and Jay Lethal over Adam Cole, Adam Page, and Nick Jackson
Roderick Strong finished up with ROH with a match against Dalton Castle.
TV-Tapings
White over Ferrara
Lethal over Cabana to retain the ROH World Title
Rush over Dijak
Briscoe and White go to a Time Limit Draw
Lee and Taylor over War Machine
Adam Page over Jonathan Gresham
Coleman and The ANX over Dalton Castle and the Boys
The Addiction retain the ROH Tag Titles over the Young Bucks
Death Before Dishonor XIV
TNA
Slammiversary
Eddie Edwards is X Division Champion
Sienna wins Knockout's Title
Drake and Decay retain their titles
Lashley wins World Title
Later on
James Storm wins King of the Mountain Championship over Eli Drake
The Final Deletion:
I didn't have much of a reaction. I found it ridiculous and hilarious due to the over the top shenanigans of the entire scene. Drones, Xylophones, Fireworks, and more in a glorified backyard wrestling match. Best part was Señor Benjamin. Matt Hardy wins and owns the Hardy brand....and well WWE tried to copy something off of it.....and failed.
First time in awhile, point for TNA.
Bound for Glory Playoff
Matt Hardy over James Storm
EC3 over Eli Drake
Drew Galloway Over Bram
Mike Bennett over Jeff Hardy
Semi Final: EC3 over Matt Hardy
Mike Bennett Over Drew Galloway
Lashley defeats Eddie Edwards to win TNA X Division Championship and Retains TNA World heavyweight Championship.
Moose signed with TNA.
LUCHA Underground
Ultima Lucha Dos Results
The Mack over Cage (Street Fight)
Son of Havoc over Texano (Bar Room Brawl)
Son of Havoc over The Mack (Street Fight)
Dr. Wagner Jr over Son of Havoc (Winner gets Golden Opportunity)
Gift of the Gods Championship
Sexy Star defeated Marty Martinez, Mariposa, Killshot, Night Claw, Daga, and El Sinestro de la Muerte
Mil Muertes defeated King Cuerno in a Death Match
Aerostar, Drago, and Fenix (Team AAA and current CHIKARA King of Trios Champions) defeated Jack Evans, PJ Black and Johnny Mundo for the LU Trios Championships
Dragon Azteca Jr. def. Black Lotus via disqualification when Pentagon Jr. attacked Dragon Azteca Jr.
Taya def. Ivelisse with help from Catrina
LU Championship
Matanza Cueto (c) defeated Pentagon Jr
Main Event:Rey Mysterio Jr. defeated Prince Puma
Pentagon Jr became Pentagon Dark and attacked Vampiro and left him a bloody mess (again). Dario Cueto was arrested.
EVOLVE
Finally ,we have the flagship indy for WWE, EVOLVE.
Evolve has offered a contract to Will Ospreay (to which he accepted for US dates only), and has signed Cody Rhodes and Roderick Strong to compete in future matchups.
Drew Gulak, Lince Dorado, Tony Nese, and TJ Perkins qualified for the Cruiserweight Classic.
Results from 62-65, as well as the cards for 66 and 67.
62
Fred Yehi over Tony Nese
Ethan Page over Darby Allin
Matt Riddle over Cedric Alexander
Gulak and Williams retain over The Bravado Brothers( TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS)
Tim Thatcher Retains over Chris Hero (EVOLVE CHAMPIONSHIP)
Drew Galloway and EC3 defeat Johnny Gargano and TJP in a tag team street fight
63
Alexander over Yehi
Bravados over Allin and Jason Cade
Riddle over Trevor Lee
Thatcher over Williams to retain Evolve Championship (Thatcher vs. Catchpoint)
Nese over Gulak, Gargano, TJP, and Lince Dorado
Galloway over Page
Gargano over EC3
64
Gargano defeats Alexander (Galloway attacks Gargano, Gulak attacks Galloway, only for Dustin (CHUCK TAYLOR) to return and attack Gulak)
Nese over Chris Dickinson, Allin, and Yehi
Page over YUTA
Zack Sabre Jr. over Jigsaw
Riddle over Roderick Strong
Thatcher over Marty Scurll (Retains Evolve Championship)
Galloway and Dustin defeat Gulak and Tracy Williams to obtain the Evolve Tag Team Championships.
65
Alexander over Tommaso Ciampa
Page over Gordon
Riddle over Scurll
Catchpoint (Gulak, Yehi, and Williams) w/ TJP over Dickinson, Allin, and Jonathan Gresham
Thatcher retains Evolve Championship over TJP
Sabre Jr. over Tony Nese
Galloway defeats Gargano
Card For Evolve 66 in Joppa MD
WWE CWC Spotlight: TJ perkins vs. Cedric Alexander
WWE CWC Spotlight: Drew Gulak vs. Tony Nese
Cody Rhodes vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Tim Thatcher vs. Matt Riddle in a No Holds Barred match for the Evolve Championship
Card for Evolve 67 in Brooklyn NY
WWE CWC Spotlight: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Cedric Alexander
Tommy End vs. Matt Riddle
Cody Rhodes vs. Chris Hero
Tim Thatcher vs. Drew Gulak (If Thatcher is Champion, this is a Championship Match).
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Wrestling Roundup: JULY Japanese Independents, US independents, and Major UK and Mexico promotions.
Update Roundup around the various major wrestling promotions that are not WWE/ROH/NJPW
NWA:
Jax Dane is NWA World Heavyweight Champion
World Tag Team Champion: Rob Conway and Matt Riviera
NWA Woman's Champion: Amber Gallows
Full Impact Pro:
Fred Yehi of Catchpoint currently Holds the FIP World Heavyweight Championship
Heritage Championship is Martin Stone
CZW
Prelude to Violence 2016
Donuts over Silver
Dan Maff and Monsta Mack over BLK JEEZ and Pepper Parks to win the CZW Tag Titles
New Heights 2016
Lio Rush over AR Fox (Wired Title)
Tremont over Page (CZW World Heavyweight Championship)
First JAPAN
All Japan Pro Wrestling:
The WCW of Japan, the promotion is struggling under the guidance of Japanese great Jun Akiyama.
That being said, there's still some great talent there, namely current champion Kento Miyahara and Champion's Carnival winner Daisuke Sekimoto. They also have a representative in New Japan's Super J Cup, in Yuma Aoyagi.
Wrestle-1
Keiji Mutoh's promotion is in a similar situation to AJPW, struggling to keep talent as well. Notably, they lost Yoshihiro Tajiri and Minoru Tanaka. Kaz Hayashi therefore would have to give up the trios championships over there since his partners have left.
Osaka Pro
Similar to AJPW, the performers are pay per appearance nowadays, so there's many freelancers that populate the company. Amongst the remaining members of the roster include Chikara alumnus Ultimate Spider Jr. and former Chikara Young Lions Cup winner and current OPW champion Tadasuke.
Big Japan
Freelancers have populated, but the core roster of people is still there. This is due to the fact that Big Japan is a Deathmatch company, similar to the IWA of the 80s and 90s and CZW currently. BJW's notable alumni include NJPW's Tomoaki Homna, AJPW's Daisuke Sekimoto, and current roster member Ryuji Ito.
Dragon Gate
Eita is representing Dragon Gate in the Super J Cup currently. Current Roster members include: BxB Hulk(CHIKARA, Dragon Gate USA), CIMA(PWG, DGUSA, Chikara, ROH), Dragon Kid(ROH), Genki Horiguchi, Masaaki Mochizuki(Toryumon), Naruki Doi(TNA), Ryo "Jimmy" Saito, Super Shisa,(CHIKARA) and YAMATO(DGUSA). Notable Alumni include Ricochet(LU/NJPW), Rich Swann(WWE), and Apollo Crews(WWE).
Current Champions:
Open the Owarai Gate(Comedy Championship lol) "Hollywood" Stalker Ichikawa
Open the Twin Gate (Tag Team):Susumu and Kagetora(CHIKARA)
Open the Brave Gate (Jr. Heavyweight):Yosuke Sant Maria
Open the Triangle Gate(Trios):Monster Express. Akira Tozawa (WWE/PWG), Masato Yoshino (TNA/DGUSA/PWG), and T-Hawk
Open the Dream Gate:SHINGO Takagi (PWG/ROH/DGUSA/CHIKARA)
Pro Wrestling NoAH:
On the bad side, NoAH lost Takeshi Morishima (ROH) to retirement, and popular tag team The Mighty Don't Kneel (Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste) to WWE.
Plus side, they resigned longtime NoAH stalwart GO Shiozaki and freelancer Katsuhiko Nakajima.
NJPW wrestler Jado is currently the booker and the roster is currently in a war between the NoAH faithful and the always dangerous Suzuki Gun.
Global Tag league Winners were Naomichi Marufuji and Toru Yano.
Current Roster includes Akitoshi Saito, Nakajima, Masato Tanaka, Yoshihiro Takayama, Kenoh, Super Crazy, Taiji Ishimori, and Yoshinari Ogawa
Suzuki Gun:Minoru Suzuki, Davey Boy Smith JR, Lance Archer, Minoru Suzuki (Leader), Shelton X Benjamin, Takashi Iizuka, Takashi Sugiura, El Desperado, Taichi, Taka Michinoku
Current Champions
GHC Jr. Tag Champions: Atsushi Kotoge and Daisuke Harada
GHC Tag Champions: Marufuji and Yano
GHC Jr. Heavyweight Champion:Yoshinobu Kanemaru
GHC Heavyweight Champion: Go Shiozaki
Also, Daisuke Harada, Kenoh, and Taiji Ishimori are representing NoAH in the Super-J Cup for Noah, while Taichi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru represent Suzuki Gun.
MEXICO
AAA
Current Champions/Tournament Winners
Rey de Reyes: Pentagon Jr. (LU)
Trios Champions: Dark Cuervo, Dark Scoria, and El Zorro
Reina de Reinas: Taya (LU)
World Cruiserweight:El Hijo Del Fantasma
Tag Team:Los Gueros del Cielo (Angelico and Jack Evans) (LU)
Latin American:Pentagon Jr. (LU)
Mega Campeonato: El Texano Jr. (LU)
Lucha Libre World Cup: Men Team Lucha Underground (Brian Cage, Johnny Mundo, Chavo Guerrero JR.) Women Team Mexico (Faby, Mari, and Lady Apache)
CMLL:Even though their rival company AAA is the bigger, more mainstream company, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre recently struck a deal with New Japan to have syndicated shows streamed on New Japan World.
Lucha Libre Elite, a bronce of CMLL recently held a tournament highlighted by a final between CMLL mainstay Volador Jr. and eventual winner, NJPW/ROH star Michael Elgin.
United Kingdom
Insane Championship Wrestling:
Current Champion: Big Damo is currently champion, last successfully defending the title against Grado.
What Culture Pro Wrestling: Yup, the popular wrestling opinionated website actually has their own promotion, and it's been good so far, highlighted by ICW Champion Big Damo and Rampage competing for the Heavyweight Championship, ROH World Champion Jay Lethal defending his title (with ROH consent) against UK standouts El Ligero and WWE Cruiserweight Classic Competitor Noam Dar. Also coming up before the end of the month, Doug Williams (Former TNA X/Global/Tag team Champion) will face off against Damien Sandow.
Revolution Pro
The last two RPW events have been spectacular:
1)Angle vs. Sabre Jr.
Marty Scurll over Noam Dar
Pete Dunne over Martin Stone
Big Damo over Big Daddy Walter
Ospreay over Mike Bailey
Josh Bodom over Chris Hero
Kurt Angle over Zack Sabre Jr.
2)Summer Sizzler
Tomohiro Ishii over Josh Bodom
Will Ospreay wins the British Cruiserweight Championship over Pete Dunne
Marty Scurll over Mike Bailey
Matt Sydal over Big Damo
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Katsuyori Shibata to retain the British Heavyweight Championship.
Upcoming events:
1)Live at the Cockpit
Big Damo vs. Josh Bodom
Jay White vs. Marty Scurll
Zack Sabre Jr. vs Trent Seven for the British Heavyweight Championship
2)Uprising 2016
Jay White (NJPW) vs. Josh Bodom
Big Damo(ICW) vs. Sha Samuels
Chris Hero(EVOLVE/PWG) vs. Marty Scurll(Progress/Evolve/PWG) (Progress Rematch)
Pete Dunne(Progress) vs. Ricochet(LU/NJPW)
Jeff Cobb(LU) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.(WWE)
Big Van Vader(WWE/WCW) vs. Will Ospreay(NJPW) (MAIN EVENT)
Progress Wrestling
Super Strong Style 16: Tommy End
Mark Haskins defeats Johnny Gargano to win the SMASH Wrestling Championship
Pastor William Eaver defeats Marty Scrull who had defeated Tommy end to with the Progress World Championship
Upcoming:
Chapter 33
Damian and Pete Dunn vs. Trent Seven and Tyler Bate
The London Riots (Davis and Lynch) vs. War Machine (Hanson and Rowe)
El Ligero vs. Mark Andrews
Mark Haskins vs. Will Ospreay (#1 Contendership for the Progress World Championship)
William Eaver vs. Marty Scurll (Progresss World Championship)
Progress ATLAS Championship (being determined via round robin tournament)
USA
Shimmer/Shine
Shimmer Champion:Mercedes Martinez
Heart of Shimmer Champion:Nicole Savoy
Tag Team:Evie and Heidi Lovelace
Shine Champion:Ivellise
Tag Team:
MCW:
Brittany Blake is the Current Women's Champion
The Ecktourage are Tag Team Champions again, after defeated the Punk Rock All Stars
Ken Dixon defeated Billy Gunn to win the MCW Rage Championship
Ryan McBride is still the MCW Heavyweight Champion
CHIKARA:
Hallowicked regained the Grand Championship in the UK at Aniversario: The Lost World over Princess Kimberlee
Estonian Thunderfrog is still Young Lion's Cup Champion
N.R.G (Race Jaxon and Hype Rockwell) are still Campeones De Parejas
Upcoming Main events:
When Nature Calls
Drew Gulak vs. Dasher Hatfield (third point on the line)
Back in the Saddle
The Colony (Silver and Worker) vs. The Batiri (Obaryion and Kodama)Wr
The Big Deal (Formerly Hornswoggle) vs. Juan Francisco de Coronado
Hallowicked vs. Fire Ant for Grand Championship
No One's First and You're Next
Eddie Kingston Vs. Jakob Hammermeier
Current Point Totals:
Grand Championship
3 Points or a Golden Opportunity:Fire Ant, Icarus, Jervis Cottonbelly
2 Points: Blind Rage, TAFKA Chuck Taylor/Dustin/every other convoluted name, Dasher Hatfield, Drew Gulak, Heidi Lovelace, Kobald, Max Smashmaster, Silver Ant
1 Point: Amasis, Arik Cannon, Chuck Taylor Tm (Stokely Hathaway), The Estonian Thunderfrog, Hermit Crab, Jaka, Jakob Hammermeir, Jigsaw, Lucas Calhoun, Mark Angelosetti, Officer Warren Barksdale, Prakash Sabar, Race Jaxon, Shynron, Soldier Ant, Wani
Campeonatos De Parejas
Golden Opportunity/3 Points: Los Ice Creams, The Devastation Corporation(Blaster McMassive and Flex Rumblecrunch)(, The BDK (Nokken and Pinkie Sanchez)
Two Points
The Osirian Portal (Amasis and Ophidian)
One point:Battleborn (Kevin Condron and Lucas Calhoun), Kevin Condron/Snowflake and Missle Assault Man), The Colony (Silver and Fire Ant), The Gentleman's Club (Chuck Taylor and Drew Gulak), Icarus and Frightmare, Juan Francisco de Coronado and Wani, Nightmare Warriors (Frightmare and Blind Rage), Old Fashioned (Jervis Cottonbelly and Marion Fontaine), Princesss Kimberlee and Eddie Kingston, Princess Kimberlee and Oleg the Usurper, Team Sea Stars (ashley Vox and Delmi Exo), The Snake Pit (Ophidian and Shynron), Sonny de Farge and Cornelius Crummels
Finally, 8 of the 16 trios have been announced for September's King of trios:
Sendai Girls: Meiko Satomura, DASH Chisako, Cassandra Miyagi
SHIMMER:Madison Eagles, Candice LeRae, Crazy Mary Dobson
Original Divas Revolution: Victoria/Tara, Mickie James, Jazz
JWP:Hanako Nakamori, Manami Katsu, Command Bolshoi
CHIKARA 1:Heidi Lovelace and N.R.G. (Hype Rockwell and Race Jaxon)
Colony: Silver Ant, Soldier Ant, Fire Ant (never lost as this particular trio after KOT 2011)
CHIKARA Royalty: Oleg The Usurper, Princess Kimberlee, Estonian Thunderfrog
WWE Cruiserweight Classic: Drew Gulak, Cedric Alexander, Johnny Gargano! (GARGANO RETURNS TO CHIKARA!)
2)Summer Sizzler
Tomohiro Ishii over Josh Bodom
Will Ospreay wins the British Cruiserweight Championship over Pete Dunne
Marty Scurll over Mike Bailey
Matt Sydal over Big Damo
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Katsuyori Shibata to retain the British Heavyweight Championship.
Upcoming events:
1)Live at the Cockpit
Big Damo vs. Josh Bodom
Jay White vs. Marty Scurll
Zack Sabre Jr. vs Trent Seven for the British Heavyweight Championship
2)Uprising 2016
Jay White (NJPW) vs. Josh Bodom
Big Damo(ICW) vs. Sha Samuels
Chris Hero(EVOLVE/PWG) vs. Marty Scurll(Progress/Evolve/PWG) (Progress Rematch)
Pete Dunne(Progress) vs. Ricochet(LU/NJPW)
Jeff Cobb(LU) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.(WWE)
Big Van Vader(WWE/WCW) vs. Will Ospreay(NJPW) (MAIN EVENT)
Progress Wrestling
Super Strong Style 16: Tommy End
Mark Haskins defeats Johnny Gargano to win the SMASH Wrestling Championship
Pastor William Eaver defeats Marty Scrull who had defeated Tommy end to with the Progress World Championship
Upcoming:
Chapter 33
Damian and Pete Dunn vs. Trent Seven and Tyler Bate
The London Riots (Davis and Lynch) vs. War Machine (Hanson and Rowe)
El Ligero vs. Mark Andrews
Mark Haskins vs. Will Ospreay (#1 Contendership for the Progress World Championship)
William Eaver vs. Marty Scurll (Progresss World Championship)
Progress ATLAS Championship (being determined via round robin tournament)
USA
Shimmer/Shine
Shimmer Champion:Mercedes Martinez
Heart of Shimmer Champion:Nicole Savoy
Tag Team:Evie and Heidi Lovelace
Shine Champion:Ivellise
Tag Team:
MCW:
Brittany Blake is the Current Women's Champion
The Ecktourage are Tag Team Champions again, after defeated the Punk Rock All Stars
Ken Dixon defeated Billy Gunn to win the MCW Rage Championship
Ryan McBride is still the MCW Heavyweight Champion
CHIKARA:
Hallowicked regained the Grand Championship in the UK at Aniversario: The Lost World over Princess Kimberlee
Estonian Thunderfrog is still Young Lion's Cup Champion
N.R.G (Race Jaxon and Hype Rockwell) are still Campeones De Parejas
Upcoming Main events:
When Nature Calls
Drew Gulak vs. Dasher Hatfield (third point on the line)
Back in the Saddle
The Colony (Silver and Worker) vs. The Batiri (Obaryion and Kodama)Wr
The Big Deal (Formerly Hornswoggle) vs. Juan Francisco de Coronado
Hallowicked vs. Fire Ant for Grand Championship
No One's First and You're Next
Eddie Kingston Vs. Jakob Hammermeier
Current Point Totals:
Grand Championship
3 Points or a Golden Opportunity:Fire Ant, Icarus, Jervis Cottonbelly
2 Points: Blind Rage, TAFKA Chuck Taylor/Dustin/every other convoluted name, Dasher Hatfield, Drew Gulak, Heidi Lovelace, Kobald, Max Smashmaster, Silver Ant
1 Point: Amasis, Arik Cannon, Chuck Taylor Tm (Stokely Hathaway), The Estonian Thunderfrog, Hermit Crab, Jaka, Jakob Hammermeir, Jigsaw, Lucas Calhoun, Mark Angelosetti, Officer Warren Barksdale, Prakash Sabar, Race Jaxon, Shynron, Soldier Ant, Wani
Campeonatos De Parejas
Golden Opportunity/3 Points: Los Ice Creams, The Devastation Corporation(Blaster McMassive and Flex Rumblecrunch)(, The BDK (Nokken and Pinkie Sanchez)
Two Points
The Osirian Portal (Amasis and Ophidian)
One point:Battleborn (Kevin Condron and Lucas Calhoun), Kevin Condron/Snowflake and Missle Assault Man), The Colony (Silver and Fire Ant), The Gentleman's Club (Chuck Taylor and Drew Gulak), Icarus and Frightmare, Juan Francisco de Coronado and Wani, Nightmare Warriors (Frightmare and Blind Rage), Old Fashioned (Jervis Cottonbelly and Marion Fontaine), Princesss Kimberlee and Eddie Kingston, Princess Kimberlee and Oleg the Usurper, Team Sea Stars (ashley Vox and Delmi Exo), The Snake Pit (Ophidian and Shynron), Sonny de Farge and Cornelius Crummels
Finally, 8 of the 16 trios have been announced for September's King of trios:
Sendai Girls: Meiko Satomura, DASH Chisako, Cassandra Miyagi
SHIMMER:Madison Eagles, Candice LeRae, Crazy Mary Dobson
Original Divas Revolution: Victoria/Tara, Mickie James, Jazz
JWP:Hanako Nakamori, Manami Katsu, Command Bolshoi
CHIKARA 1:Heidi Lovelace and N.R.G. (Hype Rockwell and Race Jaxon)
Colony: Silver Ant, Soldier Ant, Fire Ant (never lost as this particular trio after KOT 2011)
CHIKARA Royalty: Oleg The Usurper, Princess Kimberlee, Estonian Thunderfrog
WWE Cruiserweight Classic: Drew Gulak, Cedric Alexander, Johnny Gargano! (GARGANO RETURNS TO CHIKARA!)
NWA:
Jax Dane is NWA World Heavyweight Champion
World Tag Team Champion: Rob Conway and Matt Riviera
NWA Woman's Champion: Amber Gallows
Full Impact Pro:
Fred Yehi of Catchpoint currently Holds the FIP World Heavyweight Championship
Heritage Championship is Martin Stone
CZW
Prelude to Violence 2016
Donuts over Silver
Dan Maff and Monsta Mack over BLK JEEZ and Pepper Parks to win the CZW Tag Titles
New Heights 2016
Lio Rush over AR Fox (Wired Title)
Tremont over Page (CZW World Heavyweight Championship)
Monday, July 18, 2016
Super J Cup preview and post Analysis
What is up Smarks and all?
This one is going to be one of my favorite events to cover, alongside the Cruiserweight Classic in WWE.
Seven years after Naomichi Marufuji (Pro Wrestling NoAH) defeated Prince Devitt (Finn Balor in WWE) for the last Super J Cup, the history making tournament returns on August 21st. Now whether this tournament will be spread out or if it will be a nightly tournament has not been determined, but it should be a fantastic tournament considering the potential participants that could be considered.
The Super J Cup is a single elimination tournament that will feature some of the best wrestlers from the world that aren't participating in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. So, minus TNA, it's the best of the rest of the world . (And personally, whomever wins the Classic should totally have a match against the person who wins the Super J Cup. It would be one heck of a dream match regardless of the winning participants).
The Following Companies will be represented
New Japan Pro Wrestling (The Host): 4 (Jyushin Lyger, Ryusuke Taguchi, and KUSHIDA for NJPW, and Will Ospreay for CHAOS)
All Japan Pro Wrestling: 1 (Yuma Ayoyagi)
Pro Wrestling NoAH: 3 (Taiji Ishimori, Kenoh, Daisuke Harada)
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre(CMLL): 1(Titan)
Dragon Gate: 1(Eita)
Kaientai Dojo: 1(Kaji Tomato)
Ring of Honor: 1(Matt Sydal)
Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling: 1(Gurukun Mask)
Suzuki-Gun:2 (Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
One surprise Entrant:1(BUSHI of Los Ingovernables de Japon)
Originally, Shinya Hashimoto's Pro Wrestling Zero1 was going to have a representative, but was then replaced by former wrestling juggernaut All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Here's some more information about the participants.
Gurukun Mask (Ryukyu Dragon)
Eita Kobayashi...or Eita (Dragon Gate)
Kaji Tomato (K-Dojo)
Yuma Ayoyagi (All Japan Pro Wrestling)
Taichi (Suzuki Gun/Pro Wrestling NoAH/New Japan Pro Wrestling)
Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Suzuki Gun/Pro Wrestling NoAH)
Finally, based off of the revealed brackets, here are my predictions:
ROUND 1
Lyger (NJPW) vs. EITA (Dragon Gate)
Aoyagi (AJPW) vs Taichi (Suzuki Gun)
KUSHIDA(NJPW) vs. Ishimori(NoAH)
Gurukun(Ryukyu) vs. Kenoh (NoAH)
Taguchi (NJPW) vs. Harada (NoAH)
BUSHI (LIJ) vs. Kanemaru (Suzuki Gun)
Titan (CMLL) vs. Ospreay (CHAOS)
Sydal (ROH) vs. Tomato (Kaientai)
This is Lyger's swan song, so he isn't losing in round 1. Taichi is as bad of a villain as can be for Suzuki Gun. With NJPW hosting, it's highly doubtful that their Ace will be gone in round 1, especially at the hands of the ace of their top rival company. At least one surprise needs to go through, and the Ingovernables won't be silenced. Finally, as much as I like Titan and anything that has to do with Kaientai....the foreigner English speakers will show up here.
Result from Round 1.
Lyger over Eita
Taichi over Aoyagi
KUSHIDA over Ishimori
Keno over Gurukun
Taguchi over Harada
Kanemaru over Bushi
Ospreay over Titan
Sydal over Tomato
ROUND 2
My Original Predictions
Taichi over Lyger
KUSHIDA over Gurukun
BUSHI over Harada
Ospreay Over Sydal
What better way to be more of a bad guy than to eliminate the legend?
The Ace won't go down in round 2 either.
Harada is amazing, but there's storyline to keep track of as well. Expect interference here.
Ospreay is the golden child of the top Face stable in NJPW. Plus he just came off of a victory in the BOTSJ.
Actual Upcoming Matchups:
Jyushin Lyger vs. Taichi (Got that one right!)
KUSHIDA vs. Kenoh(I got KUSHIDA correct!)
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru(Failed that one)
Will Ospreay vs. Matt Sydal (Got that one Right!)
Originally I thought that there would only be 1 Suzuki Gun member...and I didn't do my proper research on Kanemaru. Therefore, I expect Lyger over Taichi, then KUSHIDA will beat Kenoh and set up a rematch of Lyger vs. KUSHIDA for the Semi Finals. Kanemaru should wipe the floor with Taguchi, not because Taguchi is bad but because Kanemaru is the current GHC Jr. heavyweight Champion. That would be a tough case to go against. Ospreay is the golden child of Japanese and Indy wrestling right now, so I don't expect Sydal to go over.
Semi-Final
Initial Prediction 1
KUSHIDA over Taichi
Ospreay over BUSHI
Having the two evil stables vanquished sets up another chapter of the budding rivalry between KUSHIDA and Ospreay.
Prediction 2 based off of first round and Quarter final predictions
KUSHIDA over Lyger
Ospreay over Kanemaru
Kushida over Lyger is mainly because KUSHIDA has been on a tear as of late. Same with Ospreay, but I wouldn't be surprised if the finals are KUSHIDA vs. Ospreay OR if it's IWGP vs. GHC with KUSHIDA vs. Kanemaru.
Final
OSPREAY OVER KUSHIDA
Ospreay has to win one over KUSHIDA sooner or later. If it's not going to be for the title, it should at least be for the Super J Cup. Otherwise, it's a one sided affair that does nothing for the division.
This one is going to be one of my favorite events to cover, alongside the Cruiserweight Classic in WWE.
Seven years after Naomichi Marufuji (Pro Wrestling NoAH) defeated Prince Devitt (Finn Balor in WWE) for the last Super J Cup, the history making tournament returns on August 21st. Now whether this tournament will be spread out or if it will be a nightly tournament has not been determined, but it should be a fantastic tournament considering the potential participants that could be considered.
The Super J Cup is a single elimination tournament that will feature some of the best wrestlers from the world that aren't participating in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. So, minus TNA, it's the best of the rest of the world . (And personally, whomever wins the Classic should totally have a match against the person who wins the Super J Cup. It would be one heck of a dream match regardless of the winning participants).
The Following Companies will be represented
New Japan Pro Wrestling (The Host): 4 (Jyushin Lyger, Ryusuke Taguchi, and KUSHIDA for NJPW, and Will Ospreay for CHAOS)
All Japan Pro Wrestling: 1 (Yuma Ayoyagi)
Pro Wrestling NoAH: 3 (Taiji Ishimori, Kenoh, Daisuke Harada)
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre(CMLL): 1(Titan)
Dragon Gate: 1(Eita)
Kaientai Dojo: 1(Kaji Tomato)
Ring of Honor: 1(Matt Sydal)
Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling: 1(Gurukun Mask)
Suzuki-Gun:2 (Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
One surprise Entrant:1(BUSHI of Los Ingovernables de Japon)
Originally, Shinya Hashimoto's Pro Wrestling Zero1 was going to have a representative, but was then replaced by former wrestling juggernaut All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Here's some more information about the participants.
Gurukun Mask (Ryukyu Dragon)
Eita Kobayashi...or Eita (Dragon Gate)
Kaji Tomato (K-Dojo)
Yuma Ayoyagi (All Japan Pro Wrestling)
Taichi (Suzuki Gun/Pro Wrestling NoAH/New Japan Pro Wrestling)
Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Suzuki Gun/Pro Wrestling NoAH)
Finally, based off of the revealed brackets, here are my predictions:
ROUND 1
Lyger (NJPW) vs. EITA (Dragon Gate)
Aoyagi (AJPW) vs Taichi (Suzuki Gun)
KUSHIDA(NJPW) vs. Ishimori(NoAH)
Gurukun(Ryukyu) vs. Kenoh (NoAH)
Taguchi (NJPW) vs. Harada (NoAH)
BUSHI (LIJ) vs. Kanemaru (Suzuki Gun)
Titan (CMLL) vs. Ospreay (CHAOS)
Sydal (ROH) vs. Tomato (Kaientai)
This is Lyger's swan song, so he isn't losing in round 1. Taichi is as bad of a villain as can be for Suzuki Gun. With NJPW hosting, it's highly doubtful that their Ace will be gone in round 1, especially at the hands of the ace of their top rival company. At least one surprise needs to go through, and the Ingovernables won't be silenced. Finally, as much as I like Titan and anything that has to do with Kaientai....the foreigner English speakers will show up here.
Result from Round 1.
Lyger over Eita
Taichi over Aoyagi
KUSHIDA over Ishimori
Keno over Gurukun
Taguchi over Harada
Kanemaru over Bushi
Ospreay over Titan
Sydal over Tomato
ROUND 2
My Original Predictions
Taichi over Lyger
KUSHIDA over Gurukun
BUSHI over Harada
Ospreay Over Sydal
What better way to be more of a bad guy than to eliminate the legend?
The Ace won't go down in round 2 either.
Harada is amazing, but there's storyline to keep track of as well. Expect interference here.
Ospreay is the golden child of the top Face stable in NJPW. Plus he just came off of a victory in the BOTSJ.
Actual Upcoming Matchups:
Jyushin Lyger vs. Taichi (Got that one right!)
KUSHIDA vs. Kenoh(I got KUSHIDA correct!)
Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru(Failed that one)
Will Ospreay vs. Matt Sydal (Got that one Right!)
Originally I thought that there would only be 1 Suzuki Gun member...and I didn't do my proper research on Kanemaru. Therefore, I expect Lyger over Taichi, then KUSHIDA will beat Kenoh and set up a rematch of Lyger vs. KUSHIDA for the Semi Finals. Kanemaru should wipe the floor with Taguchi, not because Taguchi is bad but because Kanemaru is the current GHC Jr. heavyweight Champion. That would be a tough case to go against. Ospreay is the golden child of Japanese and Indy wrestling right now, so I don't expect Sydal to go over.
Semi-Final
Initial Prediction 1
KUSHIDA over Taichi
Ospreay over BUSHI
Having the two evil stables vanquished sets up another chapter of the budding rivalry between KUSHIDA and Ospreay.
Prediction 2 based off of first round and Quarter final predictions
KUSHIDA over Lyger
Ospreay over Kanemaru
Kushida over Lyger is mainly because KUSHIDA has been on a tear as of late. Same with Ospreay, but I wouldn't be surprised if the finals are KUSHIDA vs. Ospreay OR if it's IWGP vs. GHC with KUSHIDA vs. Kanemaru.
Final
OSPREAY OVER KUSHIDA
Ospreay has to win one over KUSHIDA sooner or later. If it's not going to be for the title, it should at least be for the Super J Cup. Otherwise, it's a one sided affair that does nothing for the division.
Friday, July 15, 2016
WWE Draft Preview
Hello once against Smarks and Marks and Fans alike.
On July 19th, the WWE will split once again between Raw and Smackdown, when the WWE Draft returns. In this particular article, I'll make predictions on who lands on what roster.....and probably the first 10 picks for each side.
Who's available? Everyone on the main roster and a few from NxT and Free Agency (the indies but not including ROH, New Japan, Lucha Underground, or TNA).
So far what is known is this:
Raw Commissioner: Stephanie McMahon
Raw General Manager:Mick Foley
Smackdown Commissioner: Shane McMahon
Along with this the following has been established:
Along with the Raw and Smackdown rosters, 6 members of the NxT Roster Will be Drafted.
Raw has Overall pick number 1.
Raw gets three picks for every 2 picks Smackdown gets.
Raw gets the Cruiserweight Division!
Tag Teams are considered one pick unless a Commissioner/GM wants a separate member of the team.
Eligible Male Wrestlers: AJ Styles, Alberto Del Rio, Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt, Brock Lesnar, Cesaro, Chris Jericho, Darren Young (w/Bob Backlund), Dean Ambrose (WWE Champion going into Monday Night Raw), Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Kalisto, Kevin Owens, Mark Henry, Neville, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Rusev (w/Lana) (US Champion), Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Sin Cara, The Miz(Intercontinental Champion), Titus O'Neil, Zack Ryder
Eligible Female Wrestlers:Alicia Fox, Becky Lynch, Charlotte (WWE Women's Champion), Dana Brooke, Eva Marie, Naomi, Natalya, Paige, Sasha Banks, Summer Rae
Tag Teams eligible:
Breezango (Fandango and Tyler Breeze)
The Realest Guys in Da Room (Enzo Amore and Big Cass)
The Club (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows)
Golden Truth (R-Truth and Goldust)
Shining Stars (Epico and Primo)
Social Outcasts (Bo Dallas, Heath Slater, Curtis Axel)
The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)
The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)
The Vaudevillians (Aiden English)
Eligible Announcers (well...hopefully)
Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, David Otunga, Corey Graves, Jerry Lawler, Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, Renee Young,
Injured/Inactive:Luke Harper, Nikki Bella, Ryback, Triple H, The Undertaker, Emma, Naomi, Rosa Mendes, Tamina
NxT Eligible: Bobby Roode, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Bayley, Billie Kay, Carmella, Liv Morgan, Mandy Rose, Nia Jax, Peyton Royce, Tye Dillinger, The Authors of Pain (Sunny Dhinsa, Gzim Selmani), Shinsuke Nakamura, TM-61 (Shane Thorne, Nick Miller), The Revival (Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder), Sawyer Fulton, Samoa Joe, Rhyno, Oney Locan, No Way Jose, Mojo Rawley, American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable), Hideo Itami, Finn Balor, Elias Sampson, Buddy Murphy, Wesley Blake, Austin Aries, Angelo Dawkins, Andrade Almas
Cruiserweight Classic (Possibly?): Rich Swann, Johnny Gargano, Tomasso Ciampa, Gran Metalik, Kota Ibushi
On-Air Personnel: Daniel Bryan, Paul Ellering, Paul Heyman, Wiliam Regal.
I had original predictions before the draft rules came out and honestly, I don't know what to predict so therefore, enjoy and I'll analyze the draft along with the preview for WWE BattleGround!
So far what is known is this:
Raw Commissioner: Stephanie McMahon
Raw General Manager:Mick Foley
Smackdown Commissioner: Shane McMahon
Along with this the following has been established:
Along with the Raw and Smackdown rosters, 6 members of the NxT Roster Will be Drafted.
Raw has Overall pick number 1.
Raw gets three picks for every 2 picks Smackdown gets.
Raw gets the Cruiserweight Division!
Tag Teams are considered one pick unless a Commissioner/GM wants a separate member of the team.
Eligible Male Wrestlers: AJ Styles, Alberto Del Rio, Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt, Brock Lesnar, Cesaro, Chris Jericho, Darren Young (w/Bob Backlund), Dean Ambrose (WWE Champion going into Monday Night Raw), Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Kalisto, Kevin Owens, Mark Henry, Neville, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Rusev (w/Lana) (US Champion), Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Sin Cara, The Miz(Intercontinental Champion), Titus O'Neil, Zack Ryder
Eligible Female Wrestlers:Alicia Fox, Becky Lynch, Charlotte (WWE Women's Champion), Dana Brooke, Eva Marie, Naomi, Natalya, Paige, Sasha Banks, Summer Rae
Tag Teams eligible:
Breezango (Fandango and Tyler Breeze)
The Realest Guys in Da Room (Enzo Amore and Big Cass)
The Club (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows)
Golden Truth (R-Truth and Goldust)
Shining Stars (Epico and Primo)
Social Outcasts (Bo Dallas, Heath Slater, Curtis Axel)
The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)
The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods)
The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)
The Vaudevillians (Aiden English)
Eligible Announcers (well...hopefully)
Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, David Otunga, Corey Graves, Jerry Lawler, Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield, Renee Young,
Injured/Inactive:Luke Harper, Nikki Bella, Ryback, Triple H, The Undertaker, Emma, Naomi, Rosa Mendes, Tamina
NxT Eligible: Bobby Roode, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Bayley, Billie Kay, Carmella, Liv Morgan, Mandy Rose, Nia Jax, Peyton Royce, Tye Dillinger, The Authors of Pain (Sunny Dhinsa, Gzim Selmani), Shinsuke Nakamura, TM-61 (Shane Thorne, Nick Miller), The Revival (Scott Dawson, Dash Wilder), Sawyer Fulton, Samoa Joe, Rhyno, Oney Locan, No Way Jose, Mojo Rawley, American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable), Hideo Itami, Finn Balor, Elias Sampson, Buddy Murphy, Wesley Blake, Austin Aries, Angelo Dawkins, Andrade Almas
Cruiserweight Classic (Possibly?): Rich Swann, Johnny Gargano, Tomasso Ciampa, Gran Metalik, Kota Ibushi
On-Air Personnel: Daniel Bryan, Paul Ellering, Paul Heyman, Wiliam Regal.
I had original predictions before the draft rules came out and honestly, I don't know what to predict so therefore, enjoy and I'll analyze the draft along with the preview for WWE BattleGround!
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Cruiserweight Classic Preview
Hello to the marks, Smarks, fans, and unconverted wrestling fans alike,
this is The SMark Shooter's (and definitely accurate) preview for WWE'S Cruiserweight Classic.
So around last year and early this year, it was announced that WWE was going to scour the world (that didn't include TNA, ROH, AAA, CMLL (sort of) and New Japan) for the world's best wrestlers under the Cruiserweight limit.
Similar to another tournament happening over in New Japan, the WWE Cruiserweight Classic is a 32-Man single elimination tournament pitting some of the best known and unknown talent that hasn't been under a WWE Main Roster banner to determine the best wrestler under 205 pounds in the world. (yes normally, Cruiserweight/Light Heavyweight in the WWE and WCW was 225 but it was lowered in order to thread out some highly touted matchups).
Commentating on the tournament will be WWE's best quality play by play man, Smackdown's Mauro Ranallo, and he'll be joined at color commentary by one of my personal favorite Wrestlers (and someone who honestly could have been in the tournament if it hadn't have been for injury), Daniel Bryan.
The winner will be receiving a trophy, according to Ranallo during the introduction parade (that is on YouTube and Facebook).
Here are the 32 Wrestlers who are going to be featured in the tournament. (the colors determine how much of a chance I believe they are going to have in this tournament.) Note: Some of the information was taken from WWE's website, whereas the wrestlers that I was familiar with will have more of a personal touch with the descriptions.
First: A Quick (unfortunate) reference to one of the former competitors of the Tournament, Brazil's Zumbi. I'm not sure how well he could have advanced, however he was eliminated and replaced in the tournament before it started because he could not meet the 205 pound weight limit. Also, he ended up competing in a tournament for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and had committed to that first. Apologies to that guy, but at least he can enjoy the Olympics now if they're not cancelled or screwed over by the Zika Virus.
Category 1: The ones who were lucky enough to be invited and allowed to stay around...but aren't in the tournament because they're ALTERNATES!
(Can come in via injury, or if one of the 32 do not make weight limit. I'm not sure if they get first dibs after the first round, or if the loser of round 1 gets the opportunity first. I'll report on that later on.
37. Kai Katana
Japan or United States
Tech/High Flyer
Moonsault
The first of the 5 alternates, he isn't entirely unknown, being from Maryland Championship Wrestling, but with such a strong Japanese contingent, it would have been difficult to add another Japanese participant. Also, half the field are Americans and (with the exception a dude with Shutter Shades) probably would have outranked him anyway.
36. Vandal Octagon
Turkey
Tech/High Flyer
Uh....not found yet.
I feel bad that I haven't had much of an opportunity to find this dude. Under the name Jonny Vandel, he's wrestling for one of Evolve's sibling companies, Full Impact Pro. Trained by Montel Vontavious Porter, it would have been cool to have a Turkish participant, especially with a Pakistani already in the tournament, but it is what it is. I look forward to seeing what happens if he gets an opportunity.
Category 2:The ones who are LUCKY to be in the tournament outright.
35. Aaron Solow
Philippines or United States
High Flying
Don't entirely know.....
I admittedly only know like 1 or 2 things about this competitor. 1)Dude's a pretty good wrestler considering he's wrestled for Evolve and on NxT in the past. 2) The LUCKIEST competitor, alternate or in the tournament in terms of his current relationship status. He's with Bayley.
34. Jesus Yurnet
Puerto Rico
High Flyer/Lucha Libre
450 Splash
A popular competitor from Puerto Rico, Yurnet is best known as Mr. 450. Also competed in NxT, as well as TNA in the past, Yurnet is most likely the one to replace Lince Dorado in case he is injured. That's just my guess. Most recently, he was the Universal Heavyweight Champion in Puerto Rico's flagship promotion, the World Wrestling Council, run by WWE Hall of Famer Carlos Colon.
33. Jessy Sorensen
United States
High Flyer/Techincal
Shooting Star Press
The Texan is probably the most televised of the alternates here. Formerly a TNA superstar with a bright future before suffering a devastating neck injury, the mere fact that he has any opportunity to get onto a WWE-related stage at all is a downright miracle. Sorensen is one of the best pure athletes in the tournament (alternate or current competitor) and if given a chance, could score the upset at any moment. Personally, I would like to see him go against Anthony Nese, considering both of them were in the X-Division qualifying tournament back in 2012 when Austin Aries (who is now a WWE NxT Star) ended victorious.
Category 2: The ones who are lucky enough to be in the tournament at all.
32. Mustafa Ali
Pakistan
Technical/High Flying
Inverted 450 splash
He's been wrestling for a little while with some indy buzz from the midwest. That being said, (and I hate saying something like this because it fuels the IWC stereotype I tend to radiate), the main reason he's in the tournament is because the wrestler from Brazil, Zumbi, couldn't make the weight limit. It will be interesting to see if he makes the most of his opportunity but unless he's facing any of the guys in this category, I highly doubt he goes past the first round.
31.Damien Slater
Australia
Technical Striker
Inverted Michinoku Driver
Slater has been listed on the Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 for a few issues, so he's not entirely unfamiliar. Apparently, he's got a cool variation of the famed Michinoku Driver.
Prediction: Eliminated in Round. Unless he gets to pull out that Driver, I highly doubt he lasts. Hopefully he has a good showing though, because his peers like TM-61 (Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) and Buddy Murphy have paved a path for an Aussie Invasion in the future.
30)Anthony Bennett
USA
High Flyer
Sliced Bread No. 2
I would love to say something nice about this competitor....but the last time someone tried that look in wrestling, it resulted in Darren Young getting rid of it because it made him look like a cabbage patch kid. The dude probably can wrestle circles around me, but someone that wears 2 Pairs of Shutter shades and one of them is for his hair? Bye Felicia.
29 and 28) Gurv and Hurv Sihra
India and India
High Flyers and Technicians
Bollywood Drop(I don't know what this entails) and Top Rope Elbow Drop
The Bollywood Brothers are in this grouping not because of lack of a name or recognition, but just due to the stigma of that they're tag team specialists first. Currently the Global Force Wrestling Tag Team Champions, don't expect much out of these guys if they're separated. It's like the Spanish speaking twins from Teen Titans. If there are any extra matchups during the tournament, expect both of them to shine there.
26)Kenneth Johnson
USA
High Flyer
Done Deal (Will find out about this)
I don't remember his appearances in Ring of Honor...nor do I know what the Done Deal is...but he was trained by Funaki! So he can't be all enigmatic right? "INDEED"
25. Da Mack
Germany
Technical/High Flyer
Mack Magic(Don't know what this is)
A staple of WXW, Da Mack is the German representative for the WWE CWC. I personally look forward to this wrestler, mostly because he was trained by Cesaro (and probably Chris Hero in some form as well). I hope he does well, whether he records and upset or bows out. Does anyone know what Mack Magic is?
24)Fabien Aichner
Italy
Tech/Power/High Flyer
Frog Splash
Reading his story on WWE's website, Aichner could truly be a diamond in the rough amongst the first few in this category I've grouped him in. I'm hoping for a great showing, mostly because I'm curious of what happens when you have an actual Italian rather than a Canadian being an Italian (I'm LOOKING AT YOU SANTINO lol)
23. Ariya Daivari.
Minnesota, but representing Iran
Punjabi Wrestling
The younger brother of Shawn (Khosrow) Daivari, Ariya has been working in the midwest territories for quite some time now. It would be interesting if he hits his finisher with an actual carpet, but I highly doubt it.
Magic Carpet Ride (Flying Splash)
Prediction: Eliminated in Round 1. He's a good wrestler, but I can't see him getting out of round 1 unless he goes against someone even less known.
22. Jason Lee
Hong Kong, China
Chinese Martial Arts, Striker
I know absolutely nothing about this guy, and since he wasn't highly touted...I look forward to seeing what he's got.
Prediction: Eliminated in Round 1. You see...he would be someone that Daivari would defeat. That should say enough about my confidence in him.
21)Sean Maluta
American Samoa
High Flying Striker
Savate Kick(Side Kick....could be a Super Kick depending on how it's done)
He's a Samoan. He's related to the Rock. He gives me enough reasons to root against him with those two statements right away. That being said, he looks pretty cool and he uses a variation of the Super Kick as a finisher. I'll just say I hope he doesn't get squashed....too bad.
20)Raul Mendoza
Mexico
Lucha Libre
Suplex Backbreaker
Starting off my top 20 is Mendoza. Dude has a great resume considering he is the lesser known of the two Mexican Representatives. As Jinzo (Like the Yu Gi Oh Card), he wrestled for AAA in Mexico, Los Perros del Mal (I think he was part of the stable at some point), and Pro Wrestling NoAH, he's have a greater chance in the tournament...if it wasn't for his counterparts in the tournament. Hopefully his finisher is similar to Roderick Strong's End of Heartache.
19)Alejandro Saez
Chile
Lucha Libre/High Flying
Spiral Tap(Corkscrew Senton Bomb)
Saez probably had the hardest road to travel. Normally there aren't many hotbeds for wrestling in Chile....or even South America for that matter. Plus the dude lost 30+ pounds to get into the tournament right at the 205 pound cutoff. To be known as the first Chilean representing WWE is a victory in itself. However, if I get to see him hit the Spiral Tap, I'll gladly accept any upset he can possibly obtain.
Category 3: They have a name that is recognizable, but it's the wrong place at the wrong time. \
18. Tyson Dux
Canada
Technical/Power
Northern Lariat (Lariat/Clothesline to the back of the head)
Duo's name has floated around the North American indy scene for quite some time now. A former member of Teams International and Canada in TNA, Dux is a guy who's had opportunities here and there, but they never really unfolded into something more. Sadly, I believe it will be more of the same. The only way he gets out of Round 1 is if he's paired of against any of the first 14 up there. Otherwise he will lose....and he will be spanked because the talent above him is head, shoulders and knees ahead.
17. Tomasso Ciampa
USA
Technical/Striking
Project Ciampa(Powerbomb into Backbreaker)/Rings of Ciampa(Rings of Saturn)
The Sicilian Psychopath could technically be considered the 2nd member of the tournament from Italy if you use his former billed town rather than Milwaukee. Out of the bottom tier, he's tied or at that # 16 seed. The one who gets the home match because he just barely beat out the next person for that spot but would be a road team otherwise. His moveset is great, but he won't be anyone above this classification.
16. Lince Dorado
Puerto Rico
High Flyer/Lucha Libre
Shooting Star Press
Now, we're getting into guys that I'm familiar. Before Tye Dillinger, there was the Perfect Ten and the Golden Lynx, Lince Dorado. Trained by a multitude of great talent(Cesaro, Chris Hero, Skayde, Mike Quackenbush, etc.) the feline was a staple of CHIKARA from 2008-2010 (even clinching the King of Trios in 2008 for Mexico), Dorado is smooth with his flying and has gotten much more consistent since wrestling for Full Impact Pro and Evolve Wrestling.
If he faces any of the 1st 14, he's in. It would be a tougher sell from there.
15. Jack Gallagher
England/United Kingdom
Technical/Catch as Catch
Running Dropkick/Achilles Lock
Oh:He uses a dance version of a song from Bizet's Carmen.
The Extraordinary Gentleman's name has been gaining steam ever since Progress Wrestling started heating up as a British Hotbed. He gained entry into the tournament by defeating fellow countryman and Attack Pro Wrestling Staple, Bruiserweight Pete Dunne. The only thing stopping him from going further? He's got two countrymen amongst other more accomplished names that truly make him look like a dark horse.
14. Tony Nese
USA
Power/High Flyer
450 Splash
Tony Nese is considered and labeled "The Premier Athlete." Training alongside Zack Ryder, the jacked up individual is way too muscular to do fosbury flops and moonsaults....and yet he does them better than the majority of the field while still keeping up his strength. Starting a career renaissance after taking a back seat to former partner Caleb Konley in the Premier Athlete Brand, Nese could surprise a few people. I personally don't think he gets out of the Round of 16 but I can always be wrong.
13. The Brian Kendrick
USA
High Flyer/Technical
Sliced Bread No. 2/The Kendrick
Theme:Man with a Plan/Hey You (one of the themes for Six Flags at one time)
I loved Brian Kendrick when he was Tag Team Champions with Paul London. I thought he was outmatched when he went solo with Ezekiel Jackson. Then he won the TNA X-Division Championship in a wonderful David vs. Goliath match. Kendrick will always impress the new guys and the casual fans....and odds are he's about as high as a normal day for Rob Van Dam. One of the pioneers of Indy Wrestling alongside the CWC's Color Commentator, Daniel Bryan, Kendrick is a WWE and Indy veteran here to give the tournament some notoriety and credibility. He'll get out of the first round most definitely, could even get out of round 2. Quarterfinal loss or Round of 16 loss is a good expectation.
Category 4:The Dark Horses
12)Cedric Alexander
USA
All Around
Lumbar Check(Lifting Backdrop into Lungblower)
Cedric Alexander has been impressing people for the last 5 years or so in PWG, PWX, and ROH. He cut 20 pounds to participate in the tournament shortly after restarting with Evolve. He's an agile dude for his size and a crowd favorite to boot. The only knock on him is that he tends to be the bridesmaid of tournaments and big matches. If he can get a few upsets under his belt, he's truly a huge threat.
He can go as far as the Semi Finals if we went by potential. I expect him to at least make the quarterfinals. But he isn't escaping further.
11)TJ Perkins
Philippines
All Around
450 Splash/Detonation Kick/Figure Four Deathlock/Flying Kneebar
TJ Perkins out of all the wrestlers in the tournament is the most rounded and the most traveled. Perkins defeated fellow Catch Point teammate Fred Yehi to qualify. In terms of his travels, There are very few companies that Haven't used Perkins at one point or another. TNA, New Japan, AAA, Britain, this 30 year old is considered the youngest veteran in the business. From poverty to this spot here as a member of CatchPoint, he's poised to make a big splash. Only Zack Sabre Jr. can match TJ's smoothness in the ring. Expect him to go far, even to the Semi Finals if you're ambitious.
10) Ho Ho Lun
Hong Kong/China
High Flyer
German Suplex
Cracking the Top 10 is someone who can be considered the father of the Hong Kong/Chinese Wrestling Scene. Lun has wrestled around Asia and is the founder of the most successful (and Only) major Wrestling promotion in HK/China. It was tough to figure out whether he should be in or out of the top 10, but considering he was announced as one of the first entrants into the tournament he takes the spot here. I've seen a few vids and the guy is good. The trailblazer should have a great showing. Worst case scenarios is that his fellow HK dude Jason Lee outshines him, best case is a surprise Semi Final Showing. Compared the rest of the top 10 however, he's similar to Chile's Saez. He got his country noticed in WWE. And that's a victory in itself.
9)Yoshihiro Tajiri
Japan
Striker
Buzzsaw Kick/Green Mist/The Tarantula
The oldest member of this tournament and probably the most experienced, Tajiri has been wrestling for 20+ years, enjoying runs in ECW and in WWE/WCW. The most cunning of his Japanese brethren, don't be surprised if there are a few green faces after competitors face him. The kicks and the swiftness of the strikes are straight up lethal. Similar to Kendrick, he's here to bring notoriety and experience. But, he's a more dangerous threat due to his unpredictability. Getting 2 wins at least.
8)Drew Gulak
USA
Catch Wrestling
Flying Dragon Sleeper
Gulak is as old school as they get. He defeated his fellow Tag Team Championship Partner and Catch Point Stablemate Tracy Williams to qualify. You won't see a lot (I didn't say any) high flying, just many opportunities to see souls have bones break left and right. A grounded style complete with an Ankle Lock that makes this Ken Shamrock fan smile from ear to ear, and a Dragon Sleeper that Ultimo Dragon and Tatsumi Fujinami would approve of, The Legal Eagle is as dangerous of a competitor as anyone in this tournament.
7)Rich Swann
USA
High Flyer
Standing 450 Splash/2nd Rope Phoenix Splash(corkscrew 450 splash)/Frog Splash
This is a sense of state pride here. The Baltimore native's story is one of triumph and tribulation as well as a presentation of how awesome entertainment can be when the road there is rough. Gangs and a tough upbringing led the entertaining wrestler into the business. Wrestling in Japan as a part of Dragon Gate, and a mainstay in PWG and Evolve, Swann is known not only for his acrobatics, but his infectious charisma as well. The lone member of the tournament that trains exclusively at the WWE Performance Center, he is one of the 2 remaining members of the Dragon Gate USA stable Ronin who stands a chance. And if he hits the right notes, he'll have the crowd in the palm of his hand...."All Night Long."
Category 5: The Contenders
6)Johnny Gargano
USA
All Around
Hurts Donut(Full Nelson Facebuster)/Gargano Escape(Arm Trapped Shoulder Crossface)
Johnny Wrestling is a proud Clevelander who is (in this writer's opinion) the top American (North or South) prospect in the tournament. Already competing in WWE's NxT brand alongside fellow competitor Tomasso Ciampa, Gargano has an aura that comes with being a great wrestler and a cult favorite who seems to have the crowd in the palm of his hand. Innovative offense makes him different from the rest of the competition, and realistically can make a lot of noise in this tournament. Don't be surprised if he finds himself in the final four.
5)Akira Tozawa
Japan
Technical Entertainer
Snap or Stalling German Suplex
Tozawa is a BEAST. The second member of the Japanese contingent in the tournament, he's been a mainstay and anchor for Dragon Gate for many years now. He's also a cult favorite among the US indy fans, with tremendous matches and appearances in DGUSA, PWG, and CHIKARA. Similar to Gargano, Tozawa radiates a likable charisma that accompanies a frantic wrestling style with big suplexes and fast paced action. Don't be surprised if Tozawa finds his way into the finals.
4)Noam Dar
Israel and Scotland
Entertainer via British Technical wrestling
Kneebar
The first Israeli to compete in WWE, Dar is a spark plug in the indy scene today. He defeated Josh Bodom at Revolution Pro to qualify for the tournament. The second of the UK contingent, Dar has competed against many of the best wrestlers in the world, notably AJ Styles and Zack Sabre Jr. He's competed in TNA's British Boot Camp, almost winning it. I firmly believe that Dar can make the finals if the lineups go in his favor. He could honestly win the whole thing if he can obtain an upset or two.
Category 6:THE FAVORITES
3)Gran Metalik
Mexico
Lucha Libre
Fireman's Carry Fisherman Driver/Corkscrew Somersault Senton Bomb
The former Mascara Dorada is probably not as recognizable with the name change. But the man behind the Golden Mask is one of the most accomplished men in the tournament. A mainstay of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and a constant visitor of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Metalik is capable of defeating anyone and everyone with his crazy moveset of insane flips and smooth pace. He has the notoriety, the skill and the ability to win the tournament (without anyone thinking it would be an upset). Be wary of Metalik. He's one of the few people to have held the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, the same one once held by Shinsuke Nakamura.
2)Zack Sabre Jr.
England/United Kingdom
British catch Wrestling
Ode to Breaks.
Where do I begin with my favorite wrestler in the field? The first time I found out about Sabre was when he competed in the 2011 Chikara Rey de Voladores tournament (won by Sami Zayn's mentor El Generico (NUMERO UNO!)). He had a funny wit about him when he talked about how he would defeated everyone with armbars. And Armbars. Since then he's made a niche for himself as the BEST technical wrestler in the WORLD. The man who basically took over the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Bryan Danielson award for best technical wrestler, Sabre will not only wrestling rings and circles around you, but will make you look like an absolute fool doing it as well. Defeating Flash Morgan Webster to qualify for the tournament, Sabre's been on an absolute tear on the indy scene, winning two of the biggest singles tournaments around the world: The 2016 WXW 16-Carat and the 2015 PWG Battle of Los Angeles. If you wonder why I drift towards the escapology style of wrestling, watch what the British sensation does in the tournament. It would be a surprise if he doesn't at least make the semi-finals.
1)Kota Ibushi
Japan
High Flying Striker
Last Ride Lyger Bomb/Phoenix Splash (Corkscrew 450 Splash)
The official favorite to win the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, Kota Ibushi has wowed audiences in every promotion in many ways. Having a legitimately drama filled match with a blow up doll (Yoshihiko) and tag teaming with Bullet Club/Elite Leader Kenny Omega, to absolutely stealing the show in an instant five star classic with Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestle Kingdom 9 for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Along with such, he's also the 2009 Rey de Voladores, defeating the likes of Austin Aries, El Generico, and The Young Bucks. Ibushi is a karate specialist with a flair for the acrobatics. No one in the world makes a top rope moonsault to the outside look any more effortless. Highlighted at NxT Takeover Dallas when spotlighted in the crowd, Ibushi is the most expected wrestler to win the classic.
With this finally finished I can just enjoy the tournament and you should to.
When in DOUBT, WATCH PRO WRESTLING!
Draft preview will be up next!
this is The SMark Shooter's (and definitely accurate) preview for WWE'S Cruiserweight Classic.
So around last year and early this year, it was announced that WWE was going to scour the world (that didn't include TNA, ROH, AAA, CMLL (sort of) and New Japan) for the world's best wrestlers under the Cruiserweight limit.
Similar to another tournament happening over in New Japan, the WWE Cruiserweight Classic is a 32-Man single elimination tournament pitting some of the best known and unknown talent that hasn't been under a WWE Main Roster banner to determine the best wrestler under 205 pounds in the world. (yes normally, Cruiserweight/Light Heavyweight in the WWE and WCW was 225 but it was lowered in order to thread out some highly touted matchups).
Commentating on the tournament will be WWE's best quality play by play man, Smackdown's Mauro Ranallo, and he'll be joined at color commentary by one of my personal favorite Wrestlers (and someone who honestly could have been in the tournament if it hadn't have been for injury), Daniel Bryan.
The winner will be receiving a trophy, according to Ranallo during the introduction parade (that is on YouTube and Facebook).
Here are the 32 Wrestlers who are going to be featured in the tournament. (the colors determine how much of a chance I believe they are going to have in this tournament.) Note: Some of the information was taken from WWE's website, whereas the wrestlers that I was familiar with will have more of a personal touch with the descriptions.
First: A Quick (unfortunate) reference to one of the former competitors of the Tournament, Brazil's Zumbi. I'm not sure how well he could have advanced, however he was eliminated and replaced in the tournament before it started because he could not meet the 205 pound weight limit. Also, he ended up competing in a tournament for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and had committed to that first. Apologies to that guy, but at least he can enjoy the Olympics now if they're not cancelled or screwed over by the Zika Virus.
Category 1: The ones who were lucky enough to be invited and allowed to stay around...but aren't in the tournament because they're ALTERNATES!
(Can come in via injury, or if one of the 32 do not make weight limit. I'm not sure if they get first dibs after the first round, or if the loser of round 1 gets the opportunity first. I'll report on that later on.
37. Kai Katana
Japan or United States
Tech/High Flyer
Moonsault
The first of the 5 alternates, he isn't entirely unknown, being from Maryland Championship Wrestling, but with such a strong Japanese contingent, it would have been difficult to add another Japanese participant. Also, half the field are Americans and (with the exception a dude with Shutter Shades) probably would have outranked him anyway.
36. Vandal Octagon
Turkey
Tech/High Flyer
Uh....not found yet.
I feel bad that I haven't had much of an opportunity to find this dude. Under the name Jonny Vandel, he's wrestling for one of Evolve's sibling companies, Full Impact Pro. Trained by Montel Vontavious Porter, it would have been cool to have a Turkish participant, especially with a Pakistani already in the tournament, but it is what it is. I look forward to seeing what happens if he gets an opportunity.
Category 2:The ones who are LUCKY to be in the tournament outright.
35. Aaron Solow
Philippines or United States
High Flying
Don't entirely know.....
I admittedly only know like 1 or 2 things about this competitor. 1)Dude's a pretty good wrestler considering he's wrestled for Evolve and on NxT in the past. 2) The LUCKIEST competitor, alternate or in the tournament in terms of his current relationship status. He's with Bayley.
34. Jesus Yurnet
Puerto Rico
High Flyer/Lucha Libre
450 Splash
A popular competitor from Puerto Rico, Yurnet is best known as Mr. 450. Also competed in NxT, as well as TNA in the past, Yurnet is most likely the one to replace Lince Dorado in case he is injured. That's just my guess. Most recently, he was the Universal Heavyweight Champion in Puerto Rico's flagship promotion, the World Wrestling Council, run by WWE Hall of Famer Carlos Colon.
33. Jessy Sorensen
United States
High Flyer/Techincal
Shooting Star Press
The Texan is probably the most televised of the alternates here. Formerly a TNA superstar with a bright future before suffering a devastating neck injury, the mere fact that he has any opportunity to get onto a WWE-related stage at all is a downright miracle. Sorensen is one of the best pure athletes in the tournament (alternate or current competitor) and if given a chance, could score the upset at any moment. Personally, I would like to see him go against Anthony Nese, considering both of them were in the X-Division qualifying tournament back in 2012 when Austin Aries (who is now a WWE NxT Star) ended victorious.
Category 2: The ones who are lucky enough to be in the tournament at all.
32. Mustafa Ali
Pakistan
Technical/High Flying
Inverted 450 splash
He's been wrestling for a little while with some indy buzz from the midwest. That being said, (and I hate saying something like this because it fuels the IWC stereotype I tend to radiate), the main reason he's in the tournament is because the wrestler from Brazil, Zumbi, couldn't make the weight limit. It will be interesting to see if he makes the most of his opportunity but unless he's facing any of the guys in this category, I highly doubt he goes past the first round.
31.Damien Slater
Australia
Technical Striker
Inverted Michinoku Driver
Slater has been listed on the Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 for a few issues, so he's not entirely unfamiliar. Apparently, he's got a cool variation of the famed Michinoku Driver.
Prediction: Eliminated in Round. Unless he gets to pull out that Driver, I highly doubt he lasts. Hopefully he has a good showing though, because his peers like TM-61 (Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls) and Buddy Murphy have paved a path for an Aussie Invasion in the future.
30)Anthony Bennett
USA
High Flyer
Sliced Bread No. 2
I would love to say something nice about this competitor....but the last time someone tried that look in wrestling, it resulted in Darren Young getting rid of it because it made him look like a cabbage patch kid. The dude probably can wrestle circles around me, but someone that wears 2 Pairs of Shutter shades and one of them is for his hair? Bye Felicia.
29 and 28) Gurv and Hurv Sihra
India and India
High Flyers and Technicians
Bollywood Drop(I don't know what this entails) and Top Rope Elbow Drop
The Bollywood Brothers are in this grouping not because of lack of a name or recognition, but just due to the stigma of that they're tag team specialists first. Currently the Global Force Wrestling Tag Team Champions, don't expect much out of these guys if they're separated. It's like the Spanish speaking twins from Teen Titans. If there are any extra matchups during the tournament, expect both of them to shine there.
27)Clement Petiot
France
Technical
Coup d'état(Will find out this)
France's representative and a trainee of Lance Storm and Joey Ryan, he seems to be a heelish type of wrestling the way Mauro Ranallo described him during the CWC introductions. I am guessing that his finisher is a type of throw or suplex, if my greatly inadequate French translation is correct. It would be cool if he were to get past round 1, but I highly doubt that one.
France
Technical
Coup d'état(Will find out this)
France's representative and a trainee of Lance Storm and Joey Ryan, he seems to be a heelish type of wrestling the way Mauro Ranallo described him during the CWC introductions. I am guessing that his finisher is a type of throw or suplex, if my greatly inadequate French translation is correct. It would be cool if he were to get past round 1, but I highly doubt that one.
26)Kenneth Johnson
USA
High Flyer
Done Deal (Will find out about this)
I don't remember his appearances in Ring of Honor...nor do I know what the Done Deal is...but he was trained by Funaki! So he can't be all enigmatic right? "INDEED"
25. Da Mack
Germany
Technical/High Flyer
Mack Magic(Don't know what this is)
A staple of WXW, Da Mack is the German representative for the WWE CWC. I personally look forward to this wrestler, mostly because he was trained by Cesaro (and probably Chris Hero in some form as well). I hope he does well, whether he records and upset or bows out. Does anyone know what Mack Magic is?
24)Fabien Aichner
Italy
Tech/Power/High Flyer
Frog Splash
Reading his story on WWE's website, Aichner could truly be a diamond in the rough amongst the first few in this category I've grouped him in. I'm hoping for a great showing, mostly because I'm curious of what happens when you have an actual Italian rather than a Canadian being an Italian (I'm LOOKING AT YOU SANTINO lol)
23. Ariya Daivari.
Minnesota, but representing Iran
Punjabi Wrestling
The younger brother of Shawn (Khosrow) Daivari, Ariya has been working in the midwest territories for quite some time now. It would be interesting if he hits his finisher with an actual carpet, but I highly doubt it.
Magic Carpet Ride (Flying Splash)
Prediction: Eliminated in Round 1. He's a good wrestler, but I can't see him getting out of round 1 unless he goes against someone even less known.
22. Jason Lee
Hong Kong, China
Chinese Martial Arts, Striker
I know absolutely nothing about this guy, and since he wasn't highly touted...I look forward to seeing what he's got.
Prediction: Eliminated in Round 1. You see...he would be someone that Daivari would defeat. That should say enough about my confidence in him.
21)Sean Maluta
American Samoa
High Flying Striker
Savate Kick(Side Kick....could be a Super Kick depending on how it's done)
He's a Samoan. He's related to the Rock. He gives me enough reasons to root against him with those two statements right away. That being said, he looks pretty cool and he uses a variation of the Super Kick as a finisher. I'll just say I hope he doesn't get squashed....too bad.
20)Raul Mendoza
Mexico
Lucha Libre
Suplex Backbreaker
Starting off my top 20 is Mendoza. Dude has a great resume considering he is the lesser known of the two Mexican Representatives. As Jinzo (Like the Yu Gi Oh Card), he wrestled for AAA in Mexico, Los Perros del Mal (I think he was part of the stable at some point), and Pro Wrestling NoAH, he's have a greater chance in the tournament...if it wasn't for his counterparts in the tournament. Hopefully his finisher is similar to Roderick Strong's End of Heartache.
19)Alejandro Saez
Chile
Lucha Libre/High Flying
Spiral Tap(Corkscrew Senton Bomb)
Saez probably had the hardest road to travel. Normally there aren't many hotbeds for wrestling in Chile....or even South America for that matter. Plus the dude lost 30+ pounds to get into the tournament right at the 205 pound cutoff. To be known as the first Chilean representing WWE is a victory in itself. However, if I get to see him hit the Spiral Tap, I'll gladly accept any upset he can possibly obtain.
Category 3: They have a name that is recognizable, but it's the wrong place at the wrong time. \
18. Tyson Dux
Canada
Technical/Power
Northern Lariat (Lariat/Clothesline to the back of the head)
Duo's name has floated around the North American indy scene for quite some time now. A former member of Teams International and Canada in TNA, Dux is a guy who's had opportunities here and there, but they never really unfolded into something more. Sadly, I believe it will be more of the same. The only way he gets out of Round 1 is if he's paired of against any of the first 14 up there. Otherwise he will lose....and he will be spanked because the talent above him is head, shoulders and knees ahead.
17. Tomasso Ciampa
USA
Technical/Striking
Project Ciampa(Powerbomb into Backbreaker)/Rings of Ciampa(Rings of Saturn)
The Sicilian Psychopath could technically be considered the 2nd member of the tournament from Italy if you use his former billed town rather than Milwaukee. Out of the bottom tier, he's tied or at that # 16 seed. The one who gets the home match because he just barely beat out the next person for that spot but would be a road team otherwise. His moveset is great, but he won't be anyone above this classification.
16. Lince Dorado
Puerto Rico
High Flyer/Lucha Libre
Shooting Star Press
Now, we're getting into guys that I'm familiar. Before Tye Dillinger, there was the Perfect Ten and the Golden Lynx, Lince Dorado. Trained by a multitude of great talent(Cesaro, Chris Hero, Skayde, Mike Quackenbush, etc.) the feline was a staple of CHIKARA from 2008-2010 (even clinching the King of Trios in 2008 for Mexico), Dorado is smooth with his flying and has gotten much more consistent since wrestling for Full Impact Pro and Evolve Wrestling.
If he faces any of the 1st 14, he's in. It would be a tougher sell from there.
15. Jack Gallagher
England/United Kingdom
Technical/Catch as Catch
Running Dropkick/Achilles Lock
Oh:He uses a dance version of a song from Bizet's Carmen.
The Extraordinary Gentleman's name has been gaining steam ever since Progress Wrestling started heating up as a British Hotbed. He gained entry into the tournament by defeating fellow countryman and Attack Pro Wrestling Staple, Bruiserweight Pete Dunne. The only thing stopping him from going further? He's got two countrymen amongst other more accomplished names that truly make him look like a dark horse.
14. Tony Nese
USA
Power/High Flyer
450 Splash
Tony Nese is considered and labeled "The Premier Athlete." Training alongside Zack Ryder, the jacked up individual is way too muscular to do fosbury flops and moonsaults....and yet he does them better than the majority of the field while still keeping up his strength. Starting a career renaissance after taking a back seat to former partner Caleb Konley in the Premier Athlete Brand, Nese could surprise a few people. I personally don't think he gets out of the Round of 16 but I can always be wrong.
13. The Brian Kendrick
USA
High Flyer/Technical
Sliced Bread No. 2/The Kendrick
Theme:Man with a Plan/Hey You (one of the themes for Six Flags at one time)
I loved Brian Kendrick when he was Tag Team Champions with Paul London. I thought he was outmatched when he went solo with Ezekiel Jackson. Then he won the TNA X-Division Championship in a wonderful David vs. Goliath match. Kendrick will always impress the new guys and the casual fans....and odds are he's about as high as a normal day for Rob Van Dam. One of the pioneers of Indy Wrestling alongside the CWC's Color Commentator, Daniel Bryan, Kendrick is a WWE and Indy veteran here to give the tournament some notoriety and credibility. He'll get out of the first round most definitely, could even get out of round 2. Quarterfinal loss or Round of 16 loss is a good expectation.
Category 4:The Dark Horses
12)Cedric Alexander
USA
All Around
Lumbar Check(Lifting Backdrop into Lungblower)
Cedric Alexander has been impressing people for the last 5 years or so in PWG, PWX, and ROH. He cut 20 pounds to participate in the tournament shortly after restarting with Evolve. He's an agile dude for his size and a crowd favorite to boot. The only knock on him is that he tends to be the bridesmaid of tournaments and big matches. If he can get a few upsets under his belt, he's truly a huge threat.
He can go as far as the Semi Finals if we went by potential. I expect him to at least make the quarterfinals. But he isn't escaping further.
11)TJ Perkins
Philippines
All Around
450 Splash/Detonation Kick/Figure Four Deathlock/Flying Kneebar
TJ Perkins out of all the wrestlers in the tournament is the most rounded and the most traveled. Perkins defeated fellow Catch Point teammate Fred Yehi to qualify. In terms of his travels, There are very few companies that Haven't used Perkins at one point or another. TNA, New Japan, AAA, Britain, this 30 year old is considered the youngest veteran in the business. From poverty to this spot here as a member of CatchPoint, he's poised to make a big splash. Only Zack Sabre Jr. can match TJ's smoothness in the ring. Expect him to go far, even to the Semi Finals if you're ambitious.
10) Ho Ho Lun
Hong Kong/China
High Flyer
German Suplex
Cracking the Top 10 is someone who can be considered the father of the Hong Kong/Chinese Wrestling Scene. Lun has wrestled around Asia and is the founder of the most successful (and Only) major Wrestling promotion in HK/China. It was tough to figure out whether he should be in or out of the top 10, but considering he was announced as one of the first entrants into the tournament he takes the spot here. I've seen a few vids and the guy is good. The trailblazer should have a great showing. Worst case scenarios is that his fellow HK dude Jason Lee outshines him, best case is a surprise Semi Final Showing. Compared the rest of the top 10 however, he's similar to Chile's Saez. He got his country noticed in WWE. And that's a victory in itself.
9)Yoshihiro Tajiri
Japan
Striker
Buzzsaw Kick/Green Mist/The Tarantula
The oldest member of this tournament and probably the most experienced, Tajiri has been wrestling for 20+ years, enjoying runs in ECW and in WWE/WCW. The most cunning of his Japanese brethren, don't be surprised if there are a few green faces after competitors face him. The kicks and the swiftness of the strikes are straight up lethal. Similar to Kendrick, he's here to bring notoriety and experience. But, he's a more dangerous threat due to his unpredictability. Getting 2 wins at least.
8)Drew Gulak
USA
Catch Wrestling
Flying Dragon Sleeper
Gulak is as old school as they get. He defeated his fellow Tag Team Championship Partner and Catch Point Stablemate Tracy Williams to qualify. You won't see a lot (I didn't say any) high flying, just many opportunities to see souls have bones break left and right. A grounded style complete with an Ankle Lock that makes this Ken Shamrock fan smile from ear to ear, and a Dragon Sleeper that Ultimo Dragon and Tatsumi Fujinami would approve of, The Legal Eagle is as dangerous of a competitor as anyone in this tournament.
7)Rich Swann
USA
High Flyer
Standing 450 Splash/2nd Rope Phoenix Splash(corkscrew 450 splash)/Frog Splash
This is a sense of state pride here. The Baltimore native's story is one of triumph and tribulation as well as a presentation of how awesome entertainment can be when the road there is rough. Gangs and a tough upbringing led the entertaining wrestler into the business. Wrestling in Japan as a part of Dragon Gate, and a mainstay in PWG and Evolve, Swann is known not only for his acrobatics, but his infectious charisma as well. The lone member of the tournament that trains exclusively at the WWE Performance Center, he is one of the 2 remaining members of the Dragon Gate USA stable Ronin who stands a chance. And if he hits the right notes, he'll have the crowd in the palm of his hand...."All Night Long."
Category 5: The Contenders
6)Johnny Gargano
USA
All Around
Hurts Donut(Full Nelson Facebuster)/Gargano Escape(Arm Trapped Shoulder Crossface)
Johnny Wrestling is a proud Clevelander who is (in this writer's opinion) the top American (North or South) prospect in the tournament. Already competing in WWE's NxT brand alongside fellow competitor Tomasso Ciampa, Gargano has an aura that comes with being a great wrestler and a cult favorite who seems to have the crowd in the palm of his hand. Innovative offense makes him different from the rest of the competition, and realistically can make a lot of noise in this tournament. Don't be surprised if he finds himself in the final four.
5)Akira Tozawa
Japan
Technical Entertainer
Snap or Stalling German Suplex
Tozawa is a BEAST. The second member of the Japanese contingent in the tournament, he's been a mainstay and anchor for Dragon Gate for many years now. He's also a cult favorite among the US indy fans, with tremendous matches and appearances in DGUSA, PWG, and CHIKARA. Similar to Gargano, Tozawa radiates a likable charisma that accompanies a frantic wrestling style with big suplexes and fast paced action. Don't be surprised if Tozawa finds his way into the finals.
4)Noam Dar
Israel and Scotland
Entertainer via British Technical wrestling
Kneebar
The first Israeli to compete in WWE, Dar is a spark plug in the indy scene today. He defeated Josh Bodom at Revolution Pro to qualify for the tournament. The second of the UK contingent, Dar has competed against many of the best wrestlers in the world, notably AJ Styles and Zack Sabre Jr. He's competed in TNA's British Boot Camp, almost winning it. I firmly believe that Dar can make the finals if the lineups go in his favor. He could honestly win the whole thing if he can obtain an upset or two.
Category 6:THE FAVORITES
3)Gran Metalik
Mexico
Lucha Libre
Fireman's Carry Fisherman Driver/Corkscrew Somersault Senton Bomb
The former Mascara Dorada is probably not as recognizable with the name change. But the man behind the Golden Mask is one of the most accomplished men in the tournament. A mainstay of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and a constant visitor of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Metalik is capable of defeating anyone and everyone with his crazy moveset of insane flips and smooth pace. He has the notoriety, the skill and the ability to win the tournament (without anyone thinking it would be an upset). Be wary of Metalik. He's one of the few people to have held the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, the same one once held by Shinsuke Nakamura.
2)Zack Sabre Jr.
England/United Kingdom
British catch Wrestling
Ode to Breaks.
Where do I begin with my favorite wrestler in the field? The first time I found out about Sabre was when he competed in the 2011 Chikara Rey de Voladores tournament (won by Sami Zayn's mentor El Generico (NUMERO UNO!)). He had a funny wit about him when he talked about how he would defeated everyone with armbars. And Armbars. Since then he's made a niche for himself as the BEST technical wrestler in the WORLD. The man who basically took over the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Bryan Danielson award for best technical wrestler, Sabre will not only wrestling rings and circles around you, but will make you look like an absolute fool doing it as well. Defeating Flash Morgan Webster to qualify for the tournament, Sabre's been on an absolute tear on the indy scene, winning two of the biggest singles tournaments around the world: The 2016 WXW 16-Carat and the 2015 PWG Battle of Los Angeles. If you wonder why I drift towards the escapology style of wrestling, watch what the British sensation does in the tournament. It would be a surprise if he doesn't at least make the semi-finals.
1)Kota Ibushi
Japan
High Flying Striker
Last Ride Lyger Bomb/Phoenix Splash (Corkscrew 450 Splash)
The official favorite to win the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, Kota Ibushi has wowed audiences in every promotion in many ways. Having a legitimately drama filled match with a blow up doll (Yoshihiko) and tag teaming with Bullet Club/Elite Leader Kenny Omega, to absolutely stealing the show in an instant five star classic with Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestle Kingdom 9 for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Along with such, he's also the 2009 Rey de Voladores, defeating the likes of Austin Aries, El Generico, and The Young Bucks. Ibushi is a karate specialist with a flair for the acrobatics. No one in the world makes a top rope moonsault to the outside look any more effortless. Highlighted at NxT Takeover Dallas when spotlighted in the crowd, Ibushi is the most expected wrestler to win the classic.
With this finally finished I can just enjoy the tournament and you should to.
When in DOUBT, WATCH PRO WRESTLING!
Draft preview will be up next!
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