andymull

[andymull]

The G1 Climax 33 Finals Are Set

In a shock outcome its Naito that reaches the final to face Okada to see who takes home the trophy and the January 4th title shot.

Some big upsets along the way, but, as is the case with good booking they can now build to rematches over the next few months and get alot from them.

Some beautiful artwork and graphics as is the norm being produced from NJPW and the fans across social media.

Andy

[andymull]

NJPW G1 Climax 33 Preview

Its that special time of the year....no not the return of The Hot Tag, but this years NJPW G1 Climax 33 is nearly upon us. This years tournament is the biggest ever with 4 groups in action showcasing 32 competitors from not only NJPW but also other companies talent too thankfully.

Lets dive into the groups separately and give a quick over view of what to expect and lay some predictions out there

A BLOCK

SANADA

Chase Owens

Hikuleo

Ren Narita

Shota Umino

Yota Tsuji

Gabe Kidd

Kaito Kiyomiya

What's being look at as the young boy group with Sanada and Owens, with Sanada being the obvious favourite as reigning IWGP World Heavyweight champion. Its rare the world champion goes undefeated throughout the tournament and usually drops a match or two to setup future title matches before the January 4th Dome show. Id expect the key names looking to get that role will be the likes of Kiyomiya, Tsuji and maybe even Narita.

Kiyomiya should be one of the breakouts of this years G1, the current Pro Wrestling NOAH star has had some exposure in NJPW after feuding with Okada and will hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow NOAH star Katsuhiko Nakajima in the 2016 G1 Climax, who had some superb matches that year.

Also in this group is the newly announced group of the Reiwa Three Musketeers, in Umino, Tsuji and Narita. The Three Musketeers stable name has been used previously in the company with the last trio being that of Shinsuke Nakamura, Katsuyori Shibata and Hiroshi Tanahashi, its a very valuable name for the promotion to hand out and is a sign of how talented they see the current trio both the current scene as well as the future of NJPW. Will be VERY interesting in seeing their bouts against each other which I imagine will start out harmless and competitive, but will quickly descend into something heated when they realise the pecking order could be set here for how each guy is seen by the NJPW audiences for a long time. Alot of depth story wise here as well as potential for great matches, will be a big talking point for the Japanese media during and after the tournament as well.

Have to go for a Sanada win, with im guessing Tsuji coming in second place only slight infront of Kiyomiya.

B BLOCK

Kazuchika Okada

YOSHI-HASHI

Taichi

KENTA

Great-O-Khan

Will Ospreay

Tanga Loa

El Phantasmo

I really hope this group turns into a sprint between Okada and Ospreay, pretty sure they have 2 matches each following their one on one match on July 27th. Imagine they go the time limit versus each other and the raised importance of those final matches will be immense. Tanga Loa and El Phantasmo for Ospreay and KENTA then Tanga Loa for Okada, not the hardest bouts but the atmosphere for near falls will be superb.

I like O-Khan but he isnt in the league of the main two guys and their booking is vital for NJPW's future shows. Okada over Ospreay in the standings.

C BLOCK

David Finlay

Tomohiro Ishii

EVIL

Tama Tonga

Shingo Takagi

Aaron Henare

Eddie Kingston

Mikey Nicholls

Even though this group features one of my all-time favourites in Shingo, I really cant get into the feel of it overall. It feels nasty to say its alot of nearly but not quite guys if that makes sense, hopefully they can change that in the future but so far its been alot of promise and the start of something then it all slowed down (Tonga, EVIL) .

Its really nice to see Eddie getting his chance in his dream environment, he must be so happy every morning he opens his eyes in Japan then at the same time falls asleep wondering 'what if' the likes of Tenzan/Kojima/Honma/Nagata were still in the running so he could bang with them nightly.

Has to be between Finlay and Shingo for the leadership, with the need for the Bullet Club leader to look strong winning out, Ishii, EVIL and Tama all running close.

D BLOCK

Hiroshi Tanahashi

Tetsuya Naito

Hirooki Goto

Zack Sabre Jr.

Toru Yano

Jeff Cobb

Shane Haste

Alex Coughlin

Another strange feeling group and ive no idea why, well I do alittle but more on that latter.

The Ace continues on and wont be stopped by age or his knees looking like they explode most nights lol Every year I feel its a year too far for him he goes deep in the running to prove me wrong, and I love him for it even more than normal. I see him getting the wins this year but dropping the key matches to who I think will be the key three in this group.

Those three being Naito, ZSJ and Cobb, Jeff may surprise people with the pick but I see them building him up for the United Empire so that Ospreay can be in the position to go back for the world title and Cobb can be the next era for the US belt. Naito and ZSJ are the constants over the past few years, be it in the G1 or the New Japan cup, consistency and the big scalps and I dont see that altering anytime soon.

In terms of a winner Id lean on ZSJ for the upset over Naito, who also really needs the win after the Sanada turn. Some big booking needed by NJPW in making guys as well as not cooling the others down too far, it really is the toughest booking gig of the year.

Quarter Finals - August 10th

Sanada vs Shingo

Okada vs Naito

Finlay vs Ospreay

ZSJ vs Tsuji

Semi Finals - August 12th

Sanada vs Okada

Ospreay vs Tsuji

Finals - August 13th

Okada vs Ospreay

Winner of the G1 Climax 33 - Will Ospreay

What better way to build the tournament than by having the two guys sprinting through their group, who go to a draw on the way, have to finally settle that score in the final with the guy who finished second taking the crown overall.

The knockouts should be awesome setting up multiple future bouts such as Okada getting a title match after beating Sanada in the semis, can he win the title before the actual winner gets his shot against Sanada his-self setting up another match between Okada/Ospreay at the Dome on January 4th?

To conclude I think as normal this tournament will be great and will have tons of superb matches and moments, the bigger issue for me is that bigger numbers dont always mean better tournaments. Some of the groups feel like they have too much filler with ALOT of younger guys getting the nod and entrance. Its great for them to gain the experience this provides but for me im a sucker for the 2 group concept 20 guys maximum. This needs to be treated as the most superior tournament wrestling has to offer, the younger wrestlers need to prove theirselves more before gaining access.

Why not develop a young lions tournament for guys under a certain age with the winner taking a spot in the tournament wit the others missing out, letting them stew and develop to be better for next year where they could win the thing or even become so much better they are offered a spot on merit instead?

That aside im pumped as normal for this and will always be ready to see who Yano can tie up in duct tape up the aisle and beat :) Always a gut punch knowing we arent getting Yano/Omega again

Enjoy folks

Bye for now

Andy

(Credit to NJPW for the graphics)

[andymull]

Return Of The King

No, not him in the jump suit, or Aragorn, but me Andy. Its been awhile but the urge to write has taken me again, and hopefully this site doesn't start messing up when posting like previously.

Hopefully everyone's ok fine and healthy and still loving wrestling, where the more things change the more they stay the same. New shows, some new stars, alot of the older crew still hanging around in key spots, some returns we've dreamed of as well as dream matches getting the chance to happen and thrive.

I imagine alot's changed in your viewing habits as well as mine since I last posted for Mania 2020, currently im mainly watching AEW weekly, WWE PPV's, NJPW. Then on the side im working through Mid Atlantic Wrestling, from midway through 1981 im just starting 1983, a real fun change of pace seeing guys in their youth that we know from years later like Piper/Slaughter/Steamboat and others. Ive fallen behind on MLW and would prefer to go back and watch old episodes of Superstars and Thunder, hey...im a completionist lol

In a bit of a random happening it seems someone on Twitter started up their own media channel and named it The Hot Tag too, not really too bothered but the least they could have done is a proper Internet search and saw ive been using it first.

Ill be back with some preview pieces as well as columns on key topics in the wrestling industry today, maybe even some retro shows too, well see.

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE Wrestlemania 36 - Preview & Predictions

Heeeeeyyyyy heeeeeeeyyyyyy its Wrestlemania....fighting to survive....

............. Coronavirus, social distancing, injuries, sickness, poor booking, late booking changes, trying to get people to pay $60 on PPV instead of free on the Network, etc etc etc

Brock Lesnar (c) vs Drew McIntyre: WWE Championship Match

I really really feel for Drew here, probably the most out of anyone on the show with the lack of an audience as well as the lack of crowds being able to watch in Scotland in bars at the Hooked On Wrestling events, as they would have been SUPERB for both atmosphere and something they would show constantly on tv after the win.

But no, sadly instead of holding this off till later in the year we still have to proceed and deal with it, gutted.

I feel this match could go 25 minutes long and be one of Brock’s longest matches for awhile, in them asking Brock to make Drew look THE STAR in beating him and beating him well. Plus, they cant have both this AND the Goldberg match go less than 5 minutes.....can they?

Wish they would have gone OTT with this and had it filmed at Lesnar’s ranch and be falls count anywhere, Drew turns up saying nothing will stop him from winning the title so he’s there to claim his prize on Brock’s turf. Then gone made fighting around the farm, oh well there’s other matches on this show that will seemingly be booked to shit.

Drew wins, they need to make sure he then moves into feuds with big names and wins clean each time to really invest it all into Drew and see what happens - MCINTYRE

Goldberg (c) vs Braun Strowman: WWE Universal Championship Match

What is there to be said here, Roman had to drop out because they stupidly had him around sick people with his health past, they decide to replace him with Braun who last month lost his title to Sami Zayn, not to mention they didnt even announce it till Smackdown last night without even mentioning Reigns by name after having HHH announce earlier in the week it would be done in an interesting way.............

This should go short with ideally Braun going over, have Bill take the lead hitting all his offense, big spear then as he goes to lift him for the Jackhammer he cant lift him and Strowman bursts out of it hits his finish and pins him clean while in monster mode.

Braun starts the big push from nowhere while at the same time this leaves it open for Goldberg to potentially come back for a rematch, as he didnt have anytime to prepare for Strowman and his game-plan for the bout. Not that I want Bill always around the title scene when he turns up but if they can get Braun going over him clean twice it really helps out a current full time guy under contract WHAT A CLEVER IDEA THAT WOULD BE!!! lol - STROWMAN

The Undertaker vs AJ Styles

I really have no desire to see Taker in a big singles match at Wrestlemania or any other big show ever again, let alone it being in a match with AJ who could have an awesome match with most others on the card. This match should really have turned into the OC vs Taker/Aleister Black if they HAD to go with these guys together, the rub that would have given Black would have been MASSIVE!! Imagine the innovative entrance they could have come up with for both guys together, truly letting Taker pass his aura across to someone new....just goosebumps thinking of how they would look....but nope.

Instead we end up with a feud built around shoot promos about Takers wife doing AJ’s Styles Clash finisher.....

The worst part is that I see Taker going over, not sure if it was confirmed but it was mentioned he’d have 2 others with him who most likely will turn the tide of the match, dont get your hopes up for Black here instead, im guessing its Kane and Big Show....seriously....please be wrong - UNDERTAKER

John Cena vs The Fiend Bray Wyatt

I really wish if they are going to bring back guys who haven't been on the road full time then PLEASE bring them back with a solid storyline that makes sense and that’s been built up for awhile to make sense.....not this. Truthfully they need to build these matches with the sole purpose of having the other guys who could/should have been the spot to be able to turn around and say, ‘you know what, this makes alot of sense and will be great so I cant hold it against them and moan’. Honestly that’s all it needs.

And secondly they really are lucky there wont be a live audience there for the match, the cheers the Fiend would have received over Cena would have drove them wild in editing after trying to build Bray as the crazy heel.

After dropping the title Bray NEEDS the big win here to keep his aura something they can use well, the more they have him lose the quicker that appeal will drop, and for me with Wyatt that doesn't mean he can take loses as long as he isnt pinned like others can ANY loss hurts someone who can teleport (?!?!) - WYATT

Edge vs Randy Orton: Last Man Standing

Edge is the guy in second place behind Drew for me feeling gutted there wont be an audience around for this, imagine coming back after years away and the thought you could never wrestle again through fear of dying then finding you CAN wrestle again.........only to be risking it all in an empty building.....FUCKS SAKE!

This should be great and given the time to have the emotional side of it pour out strong, we should be getting Edge taking a beating to the point that Beth will come out to support him then have her feelings develop to the point she will want him to stay down and stop the pain. Yeah this will be great - EDGE

Becky Lynch (c) vs Shayna Baszler: Raw Women’s Championship Match

I dont think the result should be in question here, Shayna HAS to win and go on a dominant run with the belt, ideally booking Becky to come back in contention for SummerSlam to rematch.......sadly everything's in the air with the world.

For me, and remember those words, Becky’s reign has been abit of a meh fest in-ring, apart from the Sasha bouts, and the extra focus on her has highlighted her ring work which really isnt the strongest part of her game (Not saying she’s terrible at all, but could she please drop the awkward leg drop from the ropes lol). At the same time alot of that is down to how she’s booked as management seem to go on a few months run of wanting the women to be the main focus, then quickly changing their mind and dropping it back massively. Also, the lack of depth with the women’s division's is a problem with them being split over the shows, same with the men to a degree and is the reason we see feuds get dragged and dragged for months, with less women it means we hardly get anything that feels fresh which needs to be key - BASZLER

Lacey Evans vs Sasha Banks vs Bayley (c) vs Tamina vs Naomi - Smackdown Women’s Championship Fatal 5 Way Match

What a mess this is, I have no desire to see Banks/Bayley again for at least another 5 years...........but id much prefer that to having Tamina suddenly dragged on tv and put into the title picture. I get that the roster like her and she’s probably a really nice person to be around and supports the other women massively when needed, but for a viewer she brings NOTHING and hasn't for YEARS, all she’s doing is taking up a roster spot that someone way more deserving could be in from NXT for example. And yes, ive seen the random accounts on Twitter hoping she wins the title............jeez

Wouldn't have a problem with any of the other women taking the win here, sucks that Dana had to pull out as she has really shown improvements the past few months and deserved her place here easily - BANKS 

Rhea Ripley (c) vs Charlotte: NXT Women’s Championship Match

So we definitely are back to saying ‘women’s’ champion again are we? They dropped it the other month but seem to have quickly gone back to it.

Big match for NXT here getting a Mania slot, I really hope that Charlotte doesn't get the win and belt but her winning opens up more fresh options for the future on the women’s division on the show. As long as Charlotte doesn't keep doing her thing of wearing massive heels in-ring to show how much bigger she is to everyone else, for some random reason it annoys me and doesn't need to even be done.

I feel if Charlotte does win the title they will very quickly move another NXT star over to Raw/Smackdown to replace her or hype a new debut upto the draft which MAY be soon - CHARLOTTE

Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins

The problem with having so many matches at Wrestlemania is that one like this goes so far under the radar its criminal, both guys are great and can pull out something special for the big show....not sure they get the time they will want even with a two night show. This feud will most likely continue so dont worry about who goes over - ROLLINS

Sami Zayn (c) vs Daniel Bryan: Intercontinental Championship Match

Exactly the same as the match before and even more so, a quality match that probably wont get the most time but will be a really fun ride to be on - ZAYN

Jimmy Uso vs John Morrison vs Kofi Kingston: Smackdown Tag Team Title Ladder Match

Yeah dont ask, they had to remove the Miz as he had Coronavirus symptoms but still wanted to do the ladder stipulation...

Honestly the tag division has to be up there for the most stale division in the company, similar to what I said about the women having the Uso’s and The New Day in a match in any combination is just soooooo over done.

Last month I predicted Morrison and Miz to retain and drop the titles tonight but now I hope they keep them, then drop them to Heavy Machinery as soon as they can - MORRISON

The Street Profits (c) vs Austin Theory & Angel Garza: Raw Tag Team Championship Match

Love the SP’s but this really isnt needed in the slightest, I guess the next few matches will be exactly the same. - STREET PROFITS 

Elias vs The Baron King

Exactly - Elias

Aleister Black vs Bobby Lashley

Please have Black go over quick - BLACK

Otis vs Dolph Ziggler

At last a match that deserves its spot on the card, a long term story that’s been developed well and is building to more with the stakes changed down the road. Easily an Otis win with Mandy ending up in his arms for the big smooch - OTIS

The Kabuki Warriors (c) vs Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match

Lets throw the titles we’ve forgotten about on the show too!! Feel for all the women that have been around the title scene here since the belts came into existence, so much promise over multiple brands that went NOWHERE! - CROSS/BLISS

Kick Off Matches

Drew Gulak vs Cesaro

I think Gulak sneaks the win out with his TECHNIQUE!!! - GULAK

Natalya vs Liv Morgan

I hope Liv picks up the win and they give her more tv time and focus, Nattie winning doesnt really do much for anyone apart from her - MORGAN 

2 nights, lots of matches, lots of things not needed get ready to be mildly hyped!!!

Enjoy

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE Elimination Chamber 2020 - Preview & Predictions

Nattie vs Liv Morgan vs Shayna Baszler vs Asuka vs Ruby Riott vs Sarah Morgan - Elimination Chamber Match - Winner Faces Becky Lynch At Wrestlemania

This is the main event?? Really? No offense to the girls but there’s only one winner in the match, the others haven't had feuds for months/ arent anywhere near a world title match at Mania quality/ have only recently returned from injury and isnt ready for the title feud just yet/ or should be in the middle of the build for a women’s tag title feud for Mania. This is bleak

They really have ONLY included Sarah Logan in the match just to solely have the Riott Squad former members face off for one spot, that’s it..... to even suggest she deserves this spot instead of Kairi is laughable. And that’s not even mentioning the fact that the IIconics haven't been on tv for what? 110 days is it now?

This is all Shayna build for the Becky match, any other winner results in a less heated match at Mania and isnt required. I still say that Shayna should have won the Rumble to really get her push started, and that Charlotte going to NXT didnt need her to win the Rumble to cause a big impact. Baszler dominates here for me, eliminates at least 4 of the others on way to victory with Becky Lynch stood cage side with a face of confidence slightly slipping after seeing the dominance - BASZLER

Unless Ronda takes out Nattie and enters the Chamber.......

Braun Strowman (c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura, Cesaro and Sami Zayn - 3 on 1 Handicap Match

Four guys I like in a match I couldn't care less about sadly.

Will Braun go over clean and destroy any of the oppositions chances of getting another title match anytime soon, or will others come to his aid to support him?

Will any of this matter tomorrow?

Will they just have a multi man match on this weeks Smackdown regardless to find the challenger for Braun at Mania? I guess so - STROWMAN 

Bobby Roode + Dolph Ziggler vs Heavy Machinery vs Lucha House Party vs The Uso’s vs John Morrison + The Miz (c) vs The New Day - Smackdown Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Match 

I imagine the guys involved here will have a number of spots planned for this to make the match memorable, as really the biggest spot of the match wont be the winners it will be Otis getting his hands on Ziggler............and the biggest cheer at Mania will be for Otis kissing Mandy as well.

So for this match I think we can obviously rule out the Lucha House Party, late substitutions for The Revival, as well as Roode/Ziggler and H Machinery as I see them fighting without the belts at Mania. So we are down to the front row of the image, for me I see the champs retain and we move to a three way for the belts at Mania between those teams - MORRISON/MIZ

Aleister Black vs AJ Styles - No DQ Match

I really wish this was on to put over Black as a massive threat and one of the next challengers for the title on Raw, sadly I think this ends with them building the Styles/Undertaker feud with Taker costing Styles the match and Black winning like an after thought.

I hope that puts Black in a position to go against Andrade down the road to take the title and elevate higher than its at currently (if he keeps the title that is)

But yeah this is all about the final moments of the match, the bout will see some great action but none of it will matter here as other things are more important for them.............unless they plan on Black/Taker vs The Club at Mania - BLACK

The Street Profits (c) vs Seth Rollins & Murphy - Raw Tag Team Championship Match 

So happy for the Profits to win the titles and hope they can retain tonight and keep them awhile longer facing great wrestlers to impress more.

The challengers dont need the titles, well Seth doesn't but Murphy could do with a belt to elevate his-self more but there are other options for that down the road - STREET PROFITS 

Andrade (c) vs Humberto Carrillo - United States Championship Match

These two always bring a great match when facing each other, id love for Andrade to keep the belt and move up to bigger challengers but it does feel like its time for Humberto to win the belt - CARRILLO

Daniel Bryan vs Drew Gulak

Im so happy that Bryan is getting to work with the guys he wants and help out others in getting better footing in the company.

Does he decide to try and put over Gulak to make him a serious threat, or just have a super competitive bout but ultimately take the win?

Whoever wins I hope Bryan carries this on and helps out others - BRYAN 

War Raiders vs The Boy Toyz

A late addition to the show on the kick off segment before the PPV, an easy one sided squash - RAIDERS 

-----------------

What a weird, strange looking card this is. Neither Lesnar or Goldberg are booked in a match, usually one of them has to defend in the chamber to make a massive men’s match but none of that’s happening tonight. So many great names are off this card with no sniff at being involved in the Mania build even slightly, straight to the battle royal for most I guess.

Hopefully afew of the matches should be great quality wise to enjoy and take in, and hell if not spend alittle money and join The Lapsed Fan’s Patreon and listen to their takes on the show and cry in laughter 

Everyone have fun and get your sleep in as the Wrestlemania card will probably start in afew days with how many matches they’ll have

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

AEW Revolution 2020 - Preview & Predictions

Jon Moxley vs Chris Jericho (c) - AEW Championship Match

Will the first ever AEW champions reign finally end tonight? Or will Le Champion retain?

A feud that’s developed really well over time as they've been waiting for this PPV to really hit it big, from the group to the eye patch nearly everything has hit it out the park.

For me I see a new champion crowned in Mox, but what follows for Jericho? Im not sure if we really know the answer yet to that question, in that I dont think he’ll want to be around weekly and would rather leave for afew months do some gigs then return later. Maybe stay around for a big rematch but then look to take a break, but then what becomes of the Inner Circle without its charismatic leader? It really could slow their progress without their leader around.

As for Moxley as champion who steps up as his first challenger? Do they get around Cody not being able to go for the title after his MJF feud? Maybe Lance Archer goes instantly into the title scene with his debut and carries on the brawls he had with Moxley in NJPW? After that it looks alittle bleak to be honest, Omega is in his tag team with Page, Pac has been beaten this week by Kenny and one win over Orange Cassidy tonight may not be enough to propel him into the slot. And the other person in the top rankings is MJF who will HAVE to beat Cody to take that spot, I thought that match was fairly dead on as to Cody winning but maybe that’s more open, more on that later....

Mox takes the win and the title - MOXLEY

Cody vs MJF

The blood feud reaches its peak tonight after all of the steps required were crossed by Cody, but can he get that vital win over MJF or will a further step find itself in Cody’s way (its Arn!).

This has been the best feud that AEW has put on so far, Cody has positioned his-self so well in staying away from the title scene immediately to see how that settles down before getting involved and instead focused on making this feud the best it can be without needed a belt be the focus.

Initially I saw this a clear win for Cody while making MJF a deadly threat at the same time, I then switched to being in the mindset of someone turning on Cody to help MJF win (Arn its you!), then ive gone back to Cody winning again lately in his heroes journey. Its just that the prospect of Arn turning on Cody would be great, Arn has convinced Cody to go through all of the requirements MJF made no matter how tough or degrading but now imagine if Arn screws Cody tonight and it was all for nothing!! All done to embarrass Cody, to show MJF as the mastermind paying off Arn, to move MJF to the world title scene knowing Cody cant follow him.

Honestly lets flip a coin and stick with it.............Cody.......there we have it! Cody wins and moves to a respectful feud with Moxley for the title, while MJF retains his heat by feuding and beating Darby Allin - CODY

The Young Bucks vs Kenny Omega & Adam Page (c) - AEW Tag Team Championship Match

Should be a really fun match with guys comfortable with each other, I expect this to develop differently to how its being built in that I see Kenny getting no joy to begin by being friends with the Bucks then will take Pages approach to really not caring who they are just wanting to beat them.

We really need Omega in the world title scene and to be honest this tag team story is just going to hold him away for longer, we’ll have the tag reign then then titles loss then him and age feuding when they split, that’s going to be afew months still. Dont get me wrong it will provide some great moments and matches, and the most important thing here being them getting Page built to a much higher level.

The Bucks really need the titles soon I just feel they want to get Jericho’s long reign finished first before doing another one, give it another month and I feel they pull the trigger on the title change just not tonight - OMEGA/PAGE

Dustin Rhodes vs Jake Hager

Finally we get to Hager being able to have a match, his MMA contract has seemingly been pretty restrictive for him with them not fancying him losing weekly on tv and become a weaker fighter for them to use on MMA shows.

This has been ok so far, worked the injury angle with Dustin and afew brawls, I really dont think this should go too long and should be fairly easy to predict in Dustin getting a great reaction but ultimately losing to Hager - HAGER

Darby Allin vs Sammy Guevara 

Another well built feud here doing better than the previous match and needing to do so as well, with both guys being less known by the general public its been tough to have them work together and both get over. The inclusion of Sammy into the Inner Circle was vital as without that I dont think this would work just yet. The development of Darby has been good both in getting over his style as well as his character which does still need work but is definitely going in the right direction.

In terms of the winner I think it has to be Sammy, and I feel that due to my thinking that Jericho may take alittle time off and see Sammy as being a winner tonight and trying to step up and take the Jericho spot if he’s away - GUEVARA

Kris Statlander vs Nyla Rose (c) - AEW Women’s Championship Match

The recently crowned champion in Rose defends her title in a match that was delayed recently against Kris, this should develop into more of a bruising match than the title has seen in recent months with Riho as champion. 

I really dont see the need to change this title anytime soon so expect them to have Kris get some good highlights in with her moves and character but ultimately Nyla will retain her crown - ROSE

Pac vs Orange Cassidy

And we have Orange’s first singles match in the company and his big opportunity, and it really is big as he has gotten over the gimmick so far and has the fans behind him but the next big step is carry that over into actual matches and not just spots.

Pac meanwhile just needs the win, nothing else, just the win.

Will be interesting and eye opening - PAC

SCU vs The Dark Order - Pre Show Match

Match wise we’ve probably seen this already once or twice, with the big news being how they move along the angle of Chris Daniels and the Dark Order leadership.

I doubt we get a final answer tonight with this only being on the pre show so I imagine everyone's thinking up ideas of a clever way to tease something but finally not get there just yet. I guess at the Dark Order getting the win with failed help from Daniels leading to SCU thinking he failed to help on purpose - DARK ORDER

Should be a fun show, hopefully the matches dont go too long like they did pre Dynamite, but will provide some great action.

Hopefully over the next few months we get the likes of Lance Archer, Luke Harper and maybe Matt Hardy added to the show, then the challenge will be to get them into the mix in a vital way to improve the brand further.

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

The New Japan Cup Brackets 2020

Legit this could be the BEST tournament ever, and that’s saying something for NJPW when they put on superb ones every year.

Lets break it down and look into the potential Cup winners, and remember this isnt always won by the biggest name in the tournament and is mainly used to build a new star and give them legitimacy which more companies could take something big from.

Okada, Suzuki, Ibushi, ZSJ, Sanada, Ospreay. For me its out of those names, and surprisingly id rank Okada as the least likely. I see them saving Okada’s return to the gold/chase for the gold until the G1, or maybe even slightly different timing with the G1 being moved around this year. 

Minoru Suzuki could really be the dark horse winner of this whole thing, I see his in-ring career slowly coming to a close and predict one big run left in his tank, what better way to do so than to have him win here and have him built for his final year or two as the established main eventer ALWAYS waiting around the champion to strike and finish his career on top.

Ibushi seems the prime candidate to take the win with most people but again the timing of the G1 could alter plans, I dont think they want potential G1 winners winning this so close together meaning they have to lose to the champion before the G1 and enter the biggest tournament on a downward turn. The prospect of Kota going through ZSJ, Tanahashi, Ospreay/Sanada or Shingo and then the finals just screams awesome matches all round, hell the top right part of the brackets is what has me so excited for this whole thing.

Zack Sabre Jr, the former NJ Cup winner is included by me here as he’s someone they decide to push massively every so often and is someone always ready for it, I dont think the timing will work for him this year but can never rule him out especially as his previous win was under slightly similar situations.

Sanada, one of my personal favorites to watch develop in NJPW and has long been ready to unleash for me on the title scene, the interesting tidbit here is that with the win comes the championship match against fellow LIJ member Naito. Im leaning to Sanada winning to have Naito’s first few challengers to his crown be fellow team mates, not to tease dissension in the faction but to have them all go close to their leader and come out of it looking better in the long run. Personally id be looking to have them all challenge and fail only for Sanada to gain another shot later in the year at the G1 and beat Naito, you would have to be careful to not have it follow the same as how they've built Sanada/Okada over the years though and at some point have Sanada take the title from Naito.

Ospreay, IF he can beat Shingo that will fire him into the heart of this tournament head first with everyone being VERY concerned at coming up against him.....that Shingo match is going to be superb I still go back and watch their bout from last year and am amazed every time, well done boys. The Ospreay heavyweight push will continue and develop more during the tournament, this is a long term build being done by NJPW to transition him from the Jr’s ranks upwards with him wanting to do both but ultimately this is where the future lies. His move to Japan has done wonders in them being able to put more focus on him and not worry about him missing big flights or getting his head turned by others, allowing them time to sufficiently build and get him ready for his eventual IWGP challenge....and it will come.

I really feel this could come down to either Suzuki or Sanada, and I doubt that many others go this way, but both would be VERY good winners for different reasons that the company could develop really well.

If we also look back at the chasing pack we cannot finish without mentioning the others who pose an outside threat to the victory, in those we look to Tanahashi, Ishii, KENTA, White, Shingo and EVIL. These wrestlers are all great but, for me, dont need the win, have other feuds waiting or are just in the right place wrong time situation. Tana doesn't need the win, though a title match with Naito would be interesting, Ishii seems to have other plans as does KENTA and White, and Shingo and EVIL both COULD have been in my proposed Sanada position but are behind him I feel in getting there just yet.

To round up this will be great, the top left of the brackets does look alittle ropey but that’s usually where New Japan thrives in pulling out something great that you dont expect. But this will be all kinds of greatness to the point this year where it MAY overshadow the G1.

Enjoy

Bye for now 

Andy

[andymull]

WWE NXT Takeover: Portland 2020 – Preview & Predictions

Adam Cole (c) vs Tommaso Ciampa: NXT Championship Match

Finally, Ciampa gets the chance to take back Goldie after never being pinned for it due to injury previously, just that standing in his way is Adam Cole who has been on such a great run as a champion since winning the title.

I swear every time Ciampa is in-ring doing something he always seems to get a knock, he was limping the other week I just hope nothings lingering for him and has to keep working through knocks again which could build up.

Cole has been great both in matches as well as bringing the aura of a proper champion to his reign, not a knock on others but him interacting with the Raw and Smackdown rosters around Survivor Series made him seem an equal and not someone on the newer third brand.

Not sure about the outcome here to be honest, my biggest instinct is that Cole wins and goes to feud with Gargano if he beats Balor. The story of Ciampa’s return from injury is a big one that they may go with for the raw emotion of him getting the gold back, but I feel they stay with Cole as champion clinging to his reign as the other members of Undisputed Era drop their belts – COLE

 Rhea Ripley (c) vs Bianca Belair: NXT Championship Match

Bianca gets another chance at the title after winning a battle royal, to begin with this came across as a massive stop gap for whatever plans they had for Rhea and the title at Wrestlemania but thankfully they’ve developed the feud to incorporate Charlotte and add some layers to this whole situation.

The build to a potential Rhea/Charlotte match began WAAAAYYYYYY too early and really didn’t need to, especially as the Smackdown crew haven’t really started their Mania feuds properly building yet I get the need to with Charlotte having won the Rumble but still be creative to wait till next week maybe?

At first I was 100% sure that Ripley would retain and move on but now after they’ve been given mic time and focus im starting to possibly see a Belair title win and this all evolve to a Wrestlemania three way match with Charlotte (I don’t need her in another one, but as long as it helps the other girls than im all for it). If Rhea keeps the belt tonight then forget it as Bianca wont have the smoke needed to be injected into it, plus I think it’s the big surprise they may need for tonight's show with it featuring two women’s matches and both wanting to impress more than the other (more on that later).

Im going to go with Belair to get her first title win in the company, one of my favourite people to see on tv will be ecstatic to get the victory, THEN we can push on with Charlotte coming down to the ring to square off with the new champion while Rhea gets included as her rematch – BELAIR

 The Undisputed Era (c) vs Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne, The BROserweights: NXT Tag Team Championship Match

The winners of this years Dusty Classic take their trophy as well as their championship opportunity tonight and what a fun match this will be.

The current champions have held their titles since August and continue to have great matches with whoever they are in the ring with and this will surely be another classic, but the big question will be can the new team conquer the established duo? For me the comedy segments Dunne and Riddle have done since winning the classic have been great and a welcome change to some of NXT’s usual broadcast, a real fresh feel to them with Riddle’s laid back character and Dunne’s shrugs the perfect combination to get more out of Pete’s character while giving Matt the chance to shine. While the UE have remained a constant highlight with Kyle wayyyy up there for one of my favourites in the whole company (If only him and Strong were a foot or two taller they’d be main eventing PPVs sigh).

For me I think we are about to see a down swing in the UE’s momentum and that sadly entails them dropping the titles to give their group more room to develop which ultimately will be great for them. I don’t think Riddle and Dunne are a long term team but will have tons of fun in whatever length of time they are kept together. But remember, they WILL split when Riddle leaps into the ring one night and accidently kicks his sliders into the back of Dunne’s head on accident, only for Dunne to turn and destroy Riddle for doing so setting up some very tough brawls down the road – RIDDLE/DUNNE

Keith Lee (c) vs Dominik Dijakovic:  NXT North American Championship Match

The rivalry continues!!!

There really isn’t much to say here, we’ve seen them fight in epic battles before and this time on a Takeover they HAVE to raise the bar further, good luck boys – LEE

Tegan Nox vs Dakota Kai: Street Fight

A street fight between two former best friends is what brings us our second women’s match of the evening, and the stipulation is what was required after their brawl recently on NXT tv.

These two are going to go as far as they can with this stipulation and then go a step or two further, expect some worried looking referees around them as well as possible Regal appearing to calm them down after being around Dakota’s turn. Both of the women here know how important this match is not just for this feud but that its both of their times to shine in probably their biggest matches in the company so far, and hopefully they’ve been working each other for years as friends just ready for this occasion.

Predictions wise I can only see Dakota winning after Tegan got the win on tv with Candice’s help, ill predict that Candice appears again but this time Nox declines her help only for someone else to interfere and get Dakota the victory. The word going around is that Raquel Gonzalez is ready for tv and her push after a slight name change so her debuting as Kai’s muscle would be the perfect starting point for her run as well as continuing this feud further – KAI

 Johnny Gargano vs Finn Balor

This is really the most interesting match on the card for me in terms on who gets the win, both massive in terms of development for this brand over the years but as I mentioned earlier I give the slight advantage to Gargano with the idea of him moving to the title scene after.

Now, saying that I don’t think this feud is near from being over and is one that will be placed on the side and hopefully show Balors clever side over the next few weeks. If he loses allow him to maybe even help Gargano win the title eventually from Cole then instantly destroy Johnny again to move into the title picture his-self. Even in defeat Finn knows the game too well and uses others to gain the steps he needs to get back to where he knows. – GARGANO

 As is the norm with Takeovers this will be awesome with great matches and some intriguing angles I predict to keep the tv killing it too.

There may also be another match or two added to the show but possibly just on the kick off show.

Also, I’m VERY happy to see that Jorge Bolly got his NXT debut this weekend on the loop, I cant wait to see how much fun he has rising through the NXT ranks and beyond, trust me

Credit to WWE.com for the images and sadly I dont know who put together the group shot picture but I loved it so thank you.

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE TLC 2019 – Preview & Predictions

The Fiend (c) vs The Miz – Universal Title Match

Wait they are billing this as the main event?? It really is either this or Reigns/Corbin isn’t it, thatsssss not good.

But anyway, here’s a feud we weren’t expecting a month or two back. Looks like Daniel Bryan wasn’t too keen on having more matches with The Fiend, so Miz was moved from a bit part player in the feud to be the focus instead. I can’t remember the last time I was interested in a Miz match, and that isn’t changing anytime soon, his interview segments are poor, and the package filmed at his house was the only decent thing they’ve done so far.

There’s zero chance of Miz taking the title here, zero, the problem we seem to have is the lack of contenders ready for the next Fiend feud. Its basically between Roman and Braun (if he’s actually ready to return soon after his surgery) maybe even Sheamus when he returns, the problem is that Roman would have to beat him and isn’t yet I think they want Reigns in the Rumble so the title match there wont be him. Both Braun and Sheamus can’t afford to lose their next feud either, Strowman has had an awful time since before Crown Jewel in not winning the big matches and Sheamus cant come in to lose after his return. So does this mean we will be getting another Miz title shot after losing tonight? Doesn’t sound very successful does it, especially as it will need to be dragged to the Rumble.

Sadly have no faith in this getting a positive reaction from the fans, its been tough for fans with the red light during the match already…..and that’s with Rollins/Bryan in the match to support, Miz is a good step or two behind them in terms on fan support. If this main events with the red light there could be a interesting reaction throughout - FIEND

Roman Reigns vs The Baron King – TLC Match

The Baron King annoys me greatly, and not because he’s a good heel, he’s awful for me. And really this match has been built up to be a Dog Collar match surely?!? Having the TLC stipulation is one of their usually forcing a PPV name onto feuds even when it doesn’t fit.

I think this match quickly gets into interference with the lack of a DQ stip in a TLC match, Ziggler probably pops up A LOT but it will ultimately be someone else who costs Reigns the match, the person who was under the ring when Reigns was covered in dog food who helped tie his feet in place THAT NO-ONE MENTIONED!!!! And that’s Drake Maverick – THE BARON KING

The New Day (c) vs The Revival – Smackdown Tag Team Championship Ladder Match

Another match with an added stipulation that doesn’t really fit the feud or add to the match, there’s only really one of the four guys that can run up a ladder in Kofi, the others are more grounded wrestlers so some of this may be awkward.

I feel for Dash, after falling over the stage on SmackDown I have no idea how he won’t do his-self harm involving a ladder in the match.

In terms of who wins, it really doesn’t matter, there doesn’t seem to be much in store for the winners as there aren’t multiple other top contenders for the titles which means this may drag on again. This really feels a constant problem with the company in not having the next guy lined up, we then will wait till next weeks tv then they decide on who to push and start from there. Instead, they should be building up multiple guys at the same time as the current title feud so that its more visible and believable when the next contender steps up, and that really isn’t happening much with the current product – NEW DAY

Rusev vs Bobby Lashley – Tables Match

Such an awful feud, this match is going to be 60% Lana screaming at ringside isn’t it?

Another match where the winner doesn’t matter, they should add that the winner gets a title shot against AJ Styles just to give this more purpose - RUSEV

The Kabuki Warriors (c) vs Becky Lynch & Charlotte – Women’s Tag Team Title TLC Match

This has been built poorly/weirdly with the changing of Nattie to Charlotte and no-one, even the wrestlers, having no idea why. This has been built to have the challengers go over strong once they work as a team but I don’t think people want new champions doing the same old same old gimmick of not liking each other. I would really prefer them to have the champions go over instead and make it clear they need a challenging team that really work well together, then over the Christmas period id have multiple teams do videos showing their teamwork or new teams coming together with the shared goal of winning the titles. I do think they go the arguing champions route though sadly, it’s the easy decision for them, then they drop the belts at the Rumble after arguing mid match – LYNCH/CHARLOTTE

Aleister Black vs Buddy Murphy

This should easily be the match of the night, fingers crossed they get a good 12-15 minutes and both guys are able to get all their moves in. I don’t see anything else than a Black win with the main aim being them putting on an awesome match to get both over - BLACK

The Viking Raiders Open Challenge

This looks to be a match with The OC, ignore the website coding leading people to believe it would be Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster as Andrews wrestled last night for Progress and they aren’t allowed to wrestle within a week or two of WWE shows if they are going to appear.

Should be a fun little match, hopefully the Raiders don’t drop their titles just yet but open challenges usually signify a title change is upcoming and really the more they run through the other teams on Raw the more problems arise in building credible challengers – VIKING RAIDERS

 This really doesn’t seem to fill me with joy about the show and will definitely be something I skip through and hardly watch many of the matches in full, seems to be common occurrence lately with their big shows as well as weekly tv. With the rosters they have its truly criminal that Raw and Smackdown can be so boring most weeks, you have a lot of the best wrestlers in the world under contract so why do we have to have Corbin and The Miz anywhere near the main event of a show.

The list of big names missing for this show just backs that up too. Rollins/Strowman/Styles/Ricochet/Nakamura/Cesaro/Bryan/Andrade/Lesnar/McIntyre/Owens/Orton/Mysterio etc etc. Now I expect them to throw together another match or two for the pre-show when the show begins but come on that’s criminal!

EDIT: Looks like another Andrade/Carrillo match is on the kick off show too

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE Survivor Series 2019 – Preview & Predictions

Brock Lesnar (c) vs Rey Mysterio – No Holds Bared, No DQ Match For The WWE Championship

I really don’t see this going too long unless the no DQ aspect of the match drags it into something else, as really this should be a spirited attempt by Rey with possibly Dom getting involved by Brock ultimately taking the win then having to face down Cain again for when he returns from surgery.

With a fair few matches on this card I see this going under 10 minutes, Lesnar starts strong with wrestling, Rey turns the tide with weapons then finally Brock gets the weapon and dominates then finishes him – LESNAR

The Fiend (c) vs Daniel Bryan – WWE Universal Title Match

This really feels like its missing another 2 or 3 weeks of build before getting to an actual match, way too early for it to be in the ring yet but oh well we have to have it. Fiend will retain with this match being used as more of a tool in moving along Bryans own character development, still prefer him vs Nakamura over this title match – FIEND

Becky Lynch (c) vs Shayna Baszler (c) vs Bayley (c) – Non Title Triple Threat Match

This would be so much better as a one on one match without Bayley….

I expect Becky to win and stand tall pushing back her competition then eventually Shayna will get moved to Raw and continue their feud, once she drops the title and moves on from NXT (not soon) I see this being her first feud saying about how her full focus here is the title but without it shes even more of a threat to take Becky’s belt later – LYNCH

The Viking Raiders (c) vs The Undisputed Era (c) vs The New Day (c) – Triple Threat Non Title Math

Again, sadly it would have been better without the New Day, not a knock on them but triple threats are tough to get something great from all match, the home stretch is fine when everyone’s taking each other’s moves leading to a hot finish but the rest of the match will be the usual ‘throw one guy out the ring, fight the for 3 minutes then repeat’.

I think the win here will do much more for the Undisputed Era than the other teams, this whole event should be about putting as many NXT talents over as serious threats as possible – UE

Women’s Survivor Series Elimination Match

Get ready for the quick eliminations!!!! Dana and Sarah could go in record time tonight sadly.

Look for as many women to get some shine as they can, expect Io and Candice to eliminate each other to continue their feud. And finally look for this to come down to team captains being the last people standing, and sadly they had Rhea go over this week so this win doesn’t seem to be for her, ill go for a win for Sasha – SMACKDOWN

Men’s Survivor Series Elimination Match

Same with the quick eliminations here, just that Smackdown could have Gable/Ali/Corbin all go early as I see their team being the one to explode.

We still don’t know the NXT team with the big question hanging over the match being is Owens still going to be on team Raw and work well there after turning up at Takeover?? Also, is there a slim chance that Triple H decides to put his working boots back on again......

I also think we may end up with each of the shows winning similar amounts of matches just to be even, hopefully with NXT still leading the way, but with that I would guess an NXT victory here to really showcase the likes of Riddle and Keith Lee…….PLEASE – NXT

AJ Styles (c) vs Roderick Strong (c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura (c) – Triple Threat Non Title Match

This should be so much fun, and Roddy is going to make a great impact during the match on fans that haven’t seen much of his work. I think we get a Raw victory here with Styles just winning, then he can brag about being the best of the brands while Gallows and Anderson are the best team in the world – STYLES

Adam Cole (BAYBAY) (c) vs Pete Dunne – NXT World Title Match

After winning the triple threat match last night Pete gets the chance to win gold tonight, just two years after beating Tyler Bate in the same building to win the NXT UK World Title.

Adam Cole has been on such a run the past month or two with the company getting FULLY behind him as the star of the brand and has been made to look a star, the problem being he’s been in tons of matches this week alone with a bad wrist injury that he’s working through. No doubt he’ll perform great, but could this be a reason for Dunne taking the title?

Personally, I don’t think he drops the belt and his reign continues, after all the hard work they’ve put in over all the shows in the build to this event this really isn’t the time to move the focus away from him. This will be excellent and will steal the show – COLE

 I fully expect another match or two to be added to the pre show, but overall this should be a fun card. The eliminations factor is always a worry for me on these shows but as long as most of my favourites get time and the story’s around the matches are strong then great.

Maybe look for a surprise or two, maybe even someone turning on their own brands team……..

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

NXT Takeover WarGames 2019 : Preview & Predictions

Team Ripley vs Team Baszler – WarGames Match

I really wish some of the teams tonight and tomorrow got to pick their own team names rather than these samey names.

I love that they’ve really switched up the teams here with people that haven’t been pushed solid for months in the main event, and instead have gone with other talented women that cover both this NXT and also NXT UK. Still gutted that Dakota Kai isn’t involved as she’s been SOOOOOO impressive since returning from injury and seems to want to be on tv in good matches EVERY week.

These team matches are what WarGames and Survivor Series should be all about, teams at war with participants facing each other that hardly ever touch but you want to see. Plus, these team matches allow the company to skip a month of booking title feuds and allow their selves more time to plan and let feuds flow better, truthfully these events should be an easy out for them for an easier night booking wise………though with this company we’ll still have them produce their own problems in trying to protect people that have to be eliminated (Survivor Series).

We really should be seeing Team Ripley win the bout to continue the steam towards her title match, I also do see Io doing the BIG move from the top of the cage onto everyone below – TEAM RIPLEY

Team Ciampa vs The Undisputed Era – WarGames Match

With the injury to Johnny Gargano the face team has been moved around with Riddle facing Balor instead, so the big question now becomes who takes the final team spot? Do they rush back Gargano (no) then have him do an angle before making the cage so he doesn’t take part and the heels gain a bigger advantage than just having won the right to enter first. Outside of him I think we’re looking at Dunne, Dream or Kushida, with the problem being the last two are still injured but Im not sure of return dates. Ive gone with Dunne as I think he’ll win the triple threat match on the card and perhaps will enter this match too to gain some punishment on Cole before fighting him for the title tomorrow. None of them truthfully stand out as clear options so maybe we go the big surprise route and its Triple H? I still think that options on the table for the NXT team tomorrow so probably not tonight. Outside of those it really will be surprising, I doubt they debut Fantasma yet and especially not as a face, please be soon, and I love that its not that clear just don’t be disappointing. Is there still a chance its Johnny Mundo/Nitro/Impact?

TUE rule, that’s all. Adam Cole and the group have been pushed massively this past month or two so it really could do a lot for the face team to topple them here. Then it leads to more developments for tv weekly where all the team decide they should be the one to get a title shot after winning the match – TEAM CIAMPA

Matt Riddle vs Finn Balor

This should be a great match and a really important bout for Finn Balor on his return, with him needing/wanting to really show he can still go after having more ‘WWE’ matches on the main roster for Raw and Smackdown. I see him having to win this even though it would be a great win for Riddle too, as long as they have a great match it hopefully will do a lot for both guys.

I still see Balor having another big impact on this weekends shows too - BALOR

Damian Priest vs Pete Dunne vs Killian Dain – Winner VS Adam Cole At Survivor Series

Sadly, the match im least looking forward to on the show sadly, not that anyone’s awful in it but im not digging the feud so far between all three. I think Dunne should be higher up the card but can definitely see the project he has here in helping develop Priest for his future. Dain ALWAYS impresses me for the spots he puts together in big matches, not really clicking for me as a singles guy though just yet. Out of the three I only see one winner to face Adam Cole tomorrow and that’s Dunne, it would be very weird for them put either of the other heels against Cole when they will NEED a big match to deliver on the bigger show to impress what NXT can do - DUNNE

Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott vs Angel Garza – Pre-Show Match

Two guys I adore to watch and two guys that have really impressed management in the short time they’ve been on the show, the match will be great no doubt and both guys NEED the win after taking recent losses – SWERVE

 Should be a great show as normal for Takeovers, I think we may get an extra match or two on the pre-show or maybe an extra main card bout. Also look for them to have CM Punk in the crowd maybe??

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

AEW Full Gear 2019 – Preview & Predictions

Cody vs Chris Jericho (c) – AEW World Championship Match

This match also now has the added stipulation that if Cody loses he can never go for the world title again………..smells like a screwy finish to me, more later.

Such a well built and enjoyable feud between these guys, Cody played a clever stroke when AEW started putting on shows by letting Omega go for the title first then Hangman Page. Knowing that Jericho was going to be a dominant champion for awhile he instead wrestled just out of sight of the title knocking up win after win, and when this company is trying to be known as one that runs with its records it made a lot of sense for him to do so. Not being cynical or having a crazy theory but both Omega and Page have had to take backwards steps slightly because of that whereas Cody has been able to stride forward once the tv deal began and now finds his-self in the spot of spots.

Jericho has again been able to re-invent his-self again in his career as le champion and the leader of the Inner Circle (still not sure about that tbh), he’s worked well to get over a new finisher with the Judas Elbow too.

With the added stipulation I see this coming down to Cody having the match won after the Inner Circle and The Elite try to interfere and end up causing a big riot at ringside, this results in Cody having Jericho ready to hit his finisher when Hangman Page turns on Cody letting Jericho retain. They have been playing it up on Being The Elite for awhile now with Page feeling left adrift slightly from the rest of the group, with Cody and others trying to bring him back into the fold but I see this being his hook to turn holding it over all of the Elite. The popular option of who to turn would be MJF, but truthfully ITS TOO OBVIOUS!!!! They have to see that already and realise they need to hold it off for as long as possible, then twist it and either have Cody catch him mid turn OR even have Cody turn on him first…..but that’s for later – CODY

Jon Moxley vs Kenny Omega – Lights Out Match

Another lights out match? Ok

Still not sure if I like these guys together, they’ve had some fun angles but clicking in-ring for me is still to be seen. They’ve tried to hold off with Mox as much as possible so as to not burn out certain matches which is clever, but at the same time it feels like there should have been more to this feud before the big match.

They’ve ran the story of Kenny losing the title match but now has finally started to get his mojo back, but I don’t feel he’s winning tonight sadly and its going to hurt again as people were/are expecting him to be the main guy in the company from the get go having the best matches weekly. Its just not plausible though is it? You cant run everything from the beginning of your tv deal, some ideas have to be held back and paced out, and the main one is Kenny being the best in the world. The time will come, no doubts about that, and it will be great but it will be a bumpy road ahead for alittle while yet…………….then we’ll be talking about is it possible to reach the heights of the last few years in New Japan against Okada with the talent they have in AEW? Definite thing to write about in the future.

Im going to be going with Mox taking the win tonight and setting his-self up for the next title feud against Jericho, hopefully they book it well so that the crowd don’t turn too much on Omega not winning – MOXLEY

Riho (c) vs Emi Sakura – AEW Women’s World Championship

The teacher vs the student, just a shame the company haven’t been drilling this match and story the past few weeks and instead it felt like a rushed match for the PPV.

Should be a fun match with two women who know each other inside out and should have a PPV caliber match in mind for this perfectly – RIHO

Proud -N- Powerful vs The Young Bucks

This should be an excellent match between two great teams, I don’t think this will be the last of their bouts while the two groups feud but hopefully the Bucks allow themselves to take the victory tonight – YOUNG BUCKS

Hangman Page vs Pac

The rubber match between the two finally takes place, just a shame that the feud has died slightly from where it was before the Pac situation of not coming in previously to lose while champion in Dragon Gate. Currently Pac has gone from strength to strength on tv with his win record while Page has stumbled in his attempt to be the young rising star that AEW will create from the go.

As I mentioned previously I see Page turning in the main event and to add another added level to his turning will be him losing here, it then allows him to say that no-one came to help him in this match whereas The Elite will end up ringside in the title match to help Cody.

Pac will take the victory, not sure where he goes next, potentially Omega? – PAC

The Lucha Bros vs SCU (c) vs Private Party

Three fun teams should make for a really fun match, probably EXTREMELY spotty but who cares.

No chance the titles change hands already so SCU retain, ill take them to pin one of Private Party to win and hopefully not the Lucha Bros as they’ve lost enough – SCU

Shawn Spears vs Joey Janela

Really not looking forward to this, Spears has looked very average since coming in having competitive matches recently with guys he should have run through to build him up. While Janela’s record isn’t that good and is more of a hardcore guy not a guy able to go higher than 3 stars in a solid wrestling match (though is trying very hard to improve, see the Omega 2nd match).

Have to imagine that Spears goes over and most likely sets up a series with MJF once he’s fully fit for action, but man he’s dropped since debuting against his friend Cody and clocked him with that chair, they said it wasn’t his fault it was the chair but the lack of a push didn’t seem that way….who knows – SPEARS

Britt Baker vs Bea Priestley – Buy In Match

Poor Britt has really taken a beating on social media with how much she’s been pushed since debuting (did you know she’s a Dentist?) and Bea hasn’t been around weekly I don’t think to be able to really push this feud. After Bea had alittle brawl with Sadie Gibbs backstage then followed that up with being super stiff and awkward in her match after im still to be convinced they really want to push her fully yet. And truthfully this being put on the Buy In show kinda shows their ideas for both girls sadly/currently. Britt needs alittle time off of Dynamite to have afew wins on AEW Dark then return back up later (Did I mention she’s a qualified Dentist?) - BAKER

Have to imagine they have another big match or two on the Buy In show as well to get guys a pay day.

Should be a real fun show, hopefully it doesn't go on too long on PPV but as long as the big names get time then great

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE Hell In A Cell 2019 – Preview & Predictions

Seth Rollins (c) vs ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt – Universal Championship Hell In A Cell Match

Our main event of the PPV is between Seth and Bray and will HOPEFULLY not be as awful as some of their segments in building this match, Rollins screaming and cowering away in the corner of the ring while the Fiend was over him was bad…..even worse that he could have easily rolled out the ring but instead looked terrible.

This feels like another WWE match on a PPV where they booked it all way the through and when they get to this stage they realise they don’t really want either guy losing, using the structure itself should easily mean the loser doesn’t come off too bad tonight especially if it’s a finish with weapons or a big bump from the Cell.

This isn’t the time for Seth to drop the title I don’t feel, even though I bet they are contemplating the title switch to get the Fiend on more advertising to see what non fans’ reactions are to him and if it may help bring them in possibly?

Wyatt losing in this gimmick match is fine, you have him promo about how he just wanted Seth to feel the darkness of the Fiend or something like that and then remind him that he isn’t finished yet, simple, then he can always come back after the Saudi show if needed in the title feud – ROLLINS

Becky Lynch (c) vs Sasha Banks – Raw Women’s Championship Hell In A Cell Match

A better feud so far here than the men’s main event with Banks being so much more valuable to the company as a heel, just please can the fans not cheer her as its blatantly coming soon enough.

I called a title change last time the fought and will continue to do so here again, a clean hard fought victory will do great especially with how much Becky’s profile has risen since Banks took her ball and went home after Mania. The problem is that when Becky does drop the title its going to be hard for them to have her out of the title picture for long with how much she is being used in the media, id maybe consider doing a short injury angle at the end of the match to keep her out of the top women’s feud but not injured enough for her to have stop doing the PR circuit for them – BANKS

Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan vs Erick Rowan & Luke Harper

Since when did Rowan get his first name back?!?

Id love Bryan back as a face but come on this blatantly just a big angle on Roman isn’t it? – ROWAN/HARPER

Bayley (c) vs Charlotte – Smackdown Women’s Championship Match

A simple feud with the challenger beating the champion in tag action, Charlottes another wrestler that could do with time away from the title picture if she isn’t becoming champion as she overshadows most of the women on the roster and this version of Bayley is no different.

Truthfully though this match wont mean anything and is really just a tide over match before the draft and they shake up the rosters, as either woman could find theirselves traded to Raw this week and not see each other again for awhile – BAYLEY

 And, well, that’s it for matches……really that’s all they’ve announced so far, expect afew more before the kick off show but really that’s embarrassing. I understand following on from my last point in the Bayley/Charlotte preview that they don’t want to go heavy with matches that don’t mean anything before the draft as its weak to use that to build a big show, I mean its going to become a standard Raw with matches thrown together isn’t it? Its tough with the way the draft works and the timing as this could somehow have been the chance to have big blow-offs to feuds with guys potentially moving to other shows, with them begging for the chance for one big match incase they don’t get the chance to finish what they started and get drafted, of the PPV was the week after the draft then maybe they could have considered that but oh well.

I hope they decide to put on some really fun matches with great wrestlers to at least give the fans something really entertaining, maybe have a battle royal on the pre-show with the winner getting a title shot against Styles and something else for the other belts?

Anyway that’s all for now, hopefully we’ll be back here for the next big show with a lot of fresh matches and feuds to rave about

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE Clash Of Champions 2019 – Preview & Predictions

Seth Rollins (c) vs Braun Strowman – Universal Title Match

While this should be ok it really feels a lazy main event and just something thrown together before Rollins starts a new feud. A title change seems highly unlikely but another big defeat to Strowman isn’t what they need to be doing, so sadly look forward to a screwy finish to let Rollins retain and not have Braun seem a loser. Id go with Drew McIntyre to re-introduce his-self and return for his title feud with Seth that he was planned to have just after Mania but needed some slight surgery but hopefully is back now – ROLLINS

Becky Lynch (c) vs Sasha Banks – Raw Women’s Title Match

This pretty much has to be a title change doesn’t it, Banks making her return as well as losing in the tag match on Raw. Hopefully these two don’t botch much or have Sasha take dangerous bumps like usual with it being a PPV match - BANKS

Kofi Kingston (c) vs Randy Orton – World Championship Match

Talk about not caring for a title match, I have zero interest in seeing this match sadly and overall Kofi’s title reign hasn’t done anything for me in both his matches and me wanting to see him stay around the main event scene - KINGSTON

Roman Reigns vs Erick Rowan – No DQ Match

Not really sure why this match is on the show, a show that was meant to feature all/only title fights, hopefully its kept short with Bryan interfering so that Rowan can get a win – ROWAN

Bayley (c) vs Charlotte – Smackdown Women’s Title Match

Another Charlotte title opportunity……theres something fresh….. I feel they will have Bayley and Banks win their matches and have them as the two women power trip across both shows, just I don’t think they realise how much Bayley’s title reign is going to be in the shadows behind Banks, it already is behind Becky’s reign and that wont help with Banks getting a title too - BAYLEY

Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman (c) vs Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode – Raw Tag Team Title Match

Does anyone really care who wins? Its blatantly going to end with Braun or Seth accidently costing their team mate the match leading to some anger for the title match after so that its not just face vs face. Leaving the belts on the champs doesn’t really do anything and putting the titles on Ziggler/Roode isn’t making anyone get more interested in the tag scene is it – ZIGGLER/ROODE

Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (c) vs Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville – Women’s Tag Team Title Match

Would like to see a title change here so that Mandy can get more ring time on both shows to improve, not sure they would be treated well if they do win maybe slightly better than they booked the IIconics. Bliss and Cross don’t click for me but I see them retaining the belts and moving onto a new team to challenge – BLISS & CROSS

The New Day (c) vs The Revival – Smackdown Tag Team Title Match

I could see a title change here but at the same time the belts flop around and don’t mean much anyway for the winners - REVIVAL

Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs The Miz – Intercontinental Title Match

I know they’ve had Miz pushing about the number of times he’s held the belt and another win would equal him with Chris Jericho, which to them is perfect so that he wont be by his-self in their record books, but really Nakamura has just been put with Sami Zayn and doesn’t need to drop the belt yet even if they think their act works best in chasing the title - NAKAMURA

AJ Styles (c) vs Cedric Alexander – US Title Match

Glad to see Cedric getting the big opportunity tonight with AJ, he still needs some personality for me but hopefully that comes with potential 6 man tags on the next few tvs I guess - STYLES

Drew Gulak (c) vs Humberto Carrillo vs Lince Dorado – Cruiserweight Title Triple Threat Match

A nice fresh title match for 205 Live for a change and I feel they may go with Carrillo with the win too, the kids got some real potential but does need more rounding out in the WWE style. Personally I see him longer term getting put into a team with Garza then breaking out from there eventually but a title run here wont help but will need a close eye on to make sure he swims and doesn’t sink with the reign - CARRILLO

 Man I feel really down on this show mainly as it feels like a massive filler show just thrown together on the whole, infact Watch Along may be more exciting that the actual PPV for the second month in a row which is depressing.

Sucks that Chad Gable/ The Baron had their King Of The Ring finals match moved from the PPV to Raw tomorrow, especially when the Reigns/Rowan match is on the card and isn’t involving a title, should get them some more time than they would have gotten on a PPV though which is good and lets them take their time crowning the winner.

Hope everyone enjoys the show as well as the countless mentions that the NXT move is going to get during the show

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE SummerSlam 2019 - Preview & Predictions

Brock Lesnar (c) vs Seth Rollins – Universal Championship Match

Again, yeah. If its not Lesnar/Reigns then its this and it will continue to be this as they thinks it’s the best way to put Rollins over but don’t realise its their actual booking that’s the main problem.

Seth gives Brock the opportunity to have a really fun match with a guy that can go who will sell great for him too, but, the storyline we’ve been given here is that Rollins took a hell of a beating the other week and isn’t 100% going into the match so he’s going to be badly selling for a lot of this match then ignoring the injury to hit all his moves.

It will still be an ok match but could be more, as I imagine this to be more of a storyline match rather than a full on normal match if you get what I mean. In terms of the winner I was pretty set on Lesnar keeping the title but with Seth giving that weirdly poor promo on Raw had him pretty much guarantee the win, so who knows. My ultimate dream here is Rollins being too injured to fight and Riddle debuts to brawl with Lesnar after being backstage for Watch Along, its Riddle’s hope to retire Lesnar at some point and I need that to happen as it will be such a hard hitting bout with tons of technical moves along the way - ROLLINS

Becky Lynch (c) vs Natalya – Raw Women’s Championship Submission Match

With the Toronto crowd I expect to see an Austin level reaction in Canada from them towards Becky which she will love, it’s a shame she’s facing Nattie here as I feel she isn’t at the tip top level anymore but can still go and should be fine here.

I see the finish to the match being Becky working over the arm of Nattie but Nattie gaining the advantage, she goes for the sharpshooter but cant apply it properly as her arm hurts and as she is pausing Becky reverses it into a dis-armer for the submission victory - LYNCH

Kofi Kingston (c) vs Randy Orton – WWE Championship Match

A match next where the title change should have happened what 11 years ago? Now though this match really doesn’t do much for me at all. Orton majorly feels in cruise control the past few years and truthfully would do wonders leaving the company for alittle while for something new and fresh if he still has the desire. But remember, he hasn’t been around properly for weeks for this, a title feud, as he’s been on holiday so……

Still not feeling the Kofi title run sadly, and its gone from me thinking they may change the belt quickly to then have him chase it back to gain some momentum back to him being someone’s pet project backstage and they will keep on trying to make him seem/feel a top guy until the fans really get bored of it – KINGSTON

Bayley (c) vs Ember Moon – Smackdown Women’s Championship Match

Another women’s match with no real excitement behind it, which sucks as Ember getting her first big singles match on the main roster should be a lot more important. But the way she’s been handled since debuting has made it so hard for fans to take her serious as a deadly threat, she should be handled the same as an Undertaker or Aleister Black in making her seem mysterious and special, not having her backstage joking with others, maybe when she’s accepted as one of the main women in the company but definitely not before that.

Honestly outside of like the top 5 women on the main roster a lot of the others haven’t been made to feel special at all, then when they get an opportunity the crowd isn’t fully with them and management lose faith in the woman when really it’s the overall presentation of the character that’s sorely missing. And the reason I say this is because Bayley’s title reign has mostly been against women of this level to keep her away from the Charlotte feud to run that later in the year, so its really harming Bayley as well as the others looking to get their chance. I know most people were in favour of the women getting their own tag team belts but honestly when there isn’t much depth in the singles division this NEEDS to be the focus, just having Asuka and Kairi Sane as singles competitors booked as a threat would make the whole scene feel better but instead they are a bit of a joke team around to give Paige something to do. Lets get Asuka/Moon running again on Smackdown and really show some competition in going for Bayley and her belt to make her feel more important too – BAYLEY

Kevin Owens vs Shane McMahon

If Owens loses he will be forced to quit……..I hate these match stipulations I really do, I fully imagine they may go the route earlier in the show of having pressure put on Shane to put his role on the line too. Otherwise whats to stop someone like Elias coming in and punching Shane for Shane to then win instantly by DQ and have Owens fired? That’s why these match stips are awful lol

The talk of Shane going for the title have thankfully died down as of late so hopefully someone important has reconsidered that idea, don’t be surprised if it returns though……

Owens should be doing something a lot better than this, no offense to Shane but his deal was a fairly big one and they feel the need to use him a lot to make the most out of their money - OWENS

Trish Stratus vs Charlotte

Now this could be a very interesting match, the last it seems of Trish’s career and also the way they came up with to not have Charlotte miss out on the show and payoff. Not that im cycnical here or anything but this feels like something Charlotte asked for knowing she wasn’t in the title picture but knowing this match would feel a lot more important than the actual title matches on this show…..

Hopefully there wasn’t anything to it on Raw with Trish being in the tag match and never tagging in, felt alittle suspicious at the time but also could just be their way of putting it off till the actual show (no idea why they felt the need to have in the tag match though?).

I imagine the finish here being really hot with the Canadian crowd but with Charlotte taking the victory then having Trish either shake her hand or raise her hand, to point out who the real star of the women’s division is in managements eyes….. - CHARLOTTE

Goldberg vs Dolph Ziggler

The booking of this has been weird and full of strange decisions, but ultimately to me this is a favour to Goldberg after his awful match with Undertaker the company has quickly given both guys the chance to get back out there and show that isn’t the condition they currently are in and can do a lot better still. Taker teamed with Reigns to pick his spots and Bill here fights Ziggler to steamroll through and hit all of his spots without being knocked funny beforehand.

Expect Ziggler to go straight back to the Miz feud on Raw and never mention Goldberg again after this weeks tv, honestly, I fully expect this to have been forgotten VERY SOON - GOLDBERG

AJ Styles (c) vs Ricochet

At last we reach what should be the match of the show, interference aside, both guys will be looking to make a big impact to be seen as the best and also help get Ricochet over huge. Ricochet seems to be one the projects that Heyman is taking on in his new role on Raw, getting big wins and good angles as well as being on screen around the likes of Lesnar so that it doesn’t feel weird when he finally earns the chance to step in there for a title match down the road.

Its an interesting time for AJ and the OC, Gallows and Anderson are finally getting the tv time and attention they deserve after signing new deals but Styles needs to be around the world title picture and feels alittle stagnant around the secondary title scene. Hopefully they continue to get good spots and move up the card, ideally for me we see Balor join them after his break and come back as a heel to see a four man group just destroy people on both shows to really get the club noticed big time. Then after a year you can go the route of Styles and Balor arguing over the leader role and who sides with whom which should be great – RICOCHET

Finn Balor vs ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt

So, no demon means no win for Balor, The Fiend makes his debut and has to win simple right?

From what we hear Finn is taking some time out after the show so a win really is vital tonight, Wyatt taking the win is vital and also lets them set up a rematch down the road with Balor back as the demon - FIEND

Drew Gulak (c) vs Oney Lorcan – Cruiserweight Championship Match

And finally, the cruiserweight title match, featuring Oney after winning a six pack challenge match on 205 Live. Should be a fun, fast paced match with Lorcan looking to push the pacing while Drew tries his best to slow it down to his pace and submission style. Would be fun for Lorcan to get the title but doesn’t feel time yet as he still is more of a tag guy on NXT than a singles guy on 205 Live for me – GULAK

 Just added to the pre show:

Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs The IIconics

Apollo Crews vs Buddy Murphy

Both matches should be fun, l love Billie :), and that second match should be real fast paced and great to get both guys a showcase of what they can do.

Should be a good show and hopefully not too many more matches/angles get added as these PPV’s really are too long lately, to the point that a number of matches in the middle of shows are facing quiet crowds who are dead. It used to be that match before the main event was the tough spot to be in as everyone was there to see what happens when your match ends, but now its exhaustion from 5 hour shows upto 7 hours sometimes with pre-shows.

The main thing I expect is something added for Reigns, there are so many other guys in this company that dont have a match its dreadful when you think about it

Im not sure we will see many surprise tonight, both from the matches or from debuts or run-ins, as this feels like it may close out afew feuds with the build to Survivor Series starting over this weeks tv. Hopefully im wrong as everyone loves a good surprise or two on a big show to get everyone talking and speculating.

Enjoy the show

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE NXT Takeover Toronto 2019 – Preview & Predictions

Adam Cole (c) vs Johnny Gargano – NXT Championship 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match

The third big match of their rivalry takes place tonight, and truthfully mostly everything has already been said about both guys. The extra touches to this feud recently have been some great video packages put together by the NXT team, the Cole celebration tour video visiting Gargano’s father as well as his gym, and this weeks hype video were both awesome in adding the extra touches to make this feel different to the other matches.

Now the added difference here with the 2 out of 3 falls stipulation is both guys getting to select their own stip to one of the falls, and NXT GM William Regal adding one for the 3rd fall if needed. A straight one on one match as well as a street fight have already been chosen by the competitors, but come on this is blatantly going 3 falls so all comes down to Regals choice. The smirk/grin that Regal gave during this weeks show when talking about it had got me thinking one of two things, either we go completely comedic to confuse everyone and Regal names the 3rd fall as musical chairs. Or, they go 1-1 and both guys are yelling at Regal to make a bigger stip like a first blood match for example, Regal must beat it and announces, ‘loser leaves NXT’. The crowd will pop in confusement and shock and both wrestlers will love the chance to vanquish the other, then we can have them regret the decision very quickly after allowing some interesting promos after by Regal in regretting the decision but HAVING to go big. Maybe just a cage match with weapons....

I don’t see the result here going any other way than Cole walking out as champion as I need Gargano to be out of the title picture as he has bored me a fair bit lately, out of NXT or not I just need him doing something fresh for awhile – COLE

Shayna Baszler (c) vs Mia Yim – NXT Women’s Championship Match

Ive been saying it for months but is this actually the time to take the title away from Shayna and close out her second title reign? The women’s division does need a change as she’s mowed threw most of the women she’s faced, but, I don’t really rate Yim that highly.

After Mia came in I said to friends that I don’t rate her but gave her time to show me more in her NXT run, but she really hasn’t done too much to impress me sadly. The story is there for her, the video package was great, but her in-ring isn’t my favourite (not saying she’s awful in the slightest) and calling herself the HBIC is dreadful. If you’re outside of the WWE and a heel then great the Head Bitch In Charge is a decent gimmick to sell shirts from, but in the WWE the Head Baddie In Charge (or Blasian) just sounds stupid especially as she’s a face lol

But as I mentioned I still think they have her take the strap, more on Shayna later, then we move to Io moving into the title scene and quickly taking the belt herself – YIM

Pete Dunne vs The Velveteen Dream (c) vs Roderick Strong – NXT North American Triple Threat Match

This match should be great, all talented guys that will be around for years growing and growing, and for this match I see Roddy being the guy to shine. He’s been such a monster in the ring for quite awhile now and goes so far under the radar its unbelievable, if the guy was a foot taller he’d be in main events on Raw or Smackdown destroying people.

I did originally want a longer Dream title reign but to be honest he’s a character that really doesn’t always need a title to defined him and his character, so its not a big loss if he does indeed lose. And we don’t really know about Dunne and if he’s over in NXT for awhile or just a one off, I lean to him being around for longer and being the next challenger for this title but really he should be on Smackdown making an impact right now for me – STRONG

The Street Profits (c) vs The Undisputed Era – NXT Tag Team Championship Match

Another match I sadly see as being pretty easy to predict, with the Profits being on Raw weekly they really are just counting down the days with NXT until the move is a full one, and the final chapter they need to close is that of having the tag titles. But the main thing here is that they NEED to have a top notch quality match tonight to see them make the move more smoothly, if they stink up the joint they may see their NXT stay extended (they wont, don’t worry).

Will be nice to see them make the jump to Raw but really are a team that needs more seasoning for another year as the top guys in the division, as they really haven’t had a long run on tv compared to others as they seem to have been slightly streaky in their appearances for awhile. Plus, I think the company is missing a trick by not having them both make the jump with Bianca Belair at their side, all three as equals making an impact all motivating each other to success, would be a super positive stable.

Sadly the Undisputed Era don’t seem to be close to getting called so while in NXT I need them all in main events as much as possible, I don’t think they fully know what they have with the group until they don’t have them. These guys are vital in getting newer wrestlers tv ready as well as giving them vital in-ring experience working with great wrestlers. Plus the key thing for me is that if you hadn’t noticed this show will finish with ALL of the Undisputed Era holding gold to close the show…… - UE

Candice LaRea vs Io Shirai

A second women’s match on a Takeover, at last, this match should be really fast paced and passionate with both women being great. Io’s new heel character is undoubtedly awesome and if your more than just a WWE viewer you’ve most likely seen her before and know the damage she can produce. And isn’t it nice that Candice finally is getting the chance and a bigger spotlight to shine her-self, as she really hasn’t had the focus she deserves since joining the company (Hi Keith!)

A one-sided match this should become but that doesn’t mean it wont be fun along the way, Io takes the win and moves higher up the card. Man, how much better and more passionate though would this have been if Kairi hadn’t have been called up and Io had turned on her? – SHIRAI

 This should, as usual, be a really fun NXT Takeover, albeit a heel heavy winners side.

I have a feeling there may be afew callups in the near future and some of the results tonight may make it clearer as to who will be gone soon or who will be wound down slightly over the next month before leaving. Dream/Profits/Shayna are the main people im thinking about and the ones to keep an eye on, I expect the Profits to take a round of applause after their bout similar to Ricochet and Black did previously.

As well as the matches announced I think they may still do something with Riddle/Dain after them not having their match on this weeks tv, maybe a quick match or another big angle to setup something for tv perhaps?

The depth they have currently is massive when you cant guarantee a Matt Riddle match, let alone having Keith Lee under contract and not really doing anything solid with him in a year, or Kushida who hasn’t been a focus the past few weeks after being focused on pretty heavy since his debut.

And to lead on from that Im not sure we really need more guys coming BACK to NXT from the main roster, Breeze/Dango/Crews and potentially more. While it does give them the chance to alter their gimmicks and regain some confidence from how they’ve been handled the past few years on the main roster, they really just are taking tv time from others that need it more. The problem we have is that the company aren’t releasing people anymore with AEW as competition so many guys are just backstage during Raw watching the show or eating in catering, at least the guys mentioned are guys that have requested to move down to help theirselves better what they do, but at the same time they’ve had the opportunity and haven’t been able to cling to it while others are desperate for that same opportunity. But hey, this is a topic we could talk on A LOT more another time.

Enjoy the show folks and keep your eyes peeled, I smell a breakout guys invasion with Stokely looking for someone to manage.

Bye for now

Andy

[andymull]

WWE Extreme Rules: Preview & Predictions

The Undertaker & Roman Reigns vs Shane McMahon & Drew McIntyre: No Holds Barred Match

What an interesting, yet completely pointless way to use the Undertaker, all because he wants to show the match he had with Goldberg was a one off and he isn’t really that bad…….fingers crossed Drew lets Shane take all of Takers offense.

People are going to be upset I think by the ending here, I see Shane getting protected and not taking the fall instead leaving Drew get beat as there’s still a thought that Shanes getting a title feud. When really Drew should have been getting this focus since Mania as the menacing giant heel, fingers crossed at some point they realise and transfer some of the focus from Shane to him instead – TAKER/REIGNS

Becky Lynch (c) & Seth Rollins (c) vs The Baron & Lacey Evans: Winners Take All Mixed Tag Team Extreme Rules Match

Lets just make something clear from the get go here, I hate WWE mixed tag matches, im not saying I want intergender matches but I hate them having the women be able to slap/punch the men and the men cant do a thing in return. The Baron looked so stupid on Raw, he took out Rollins on the top of the ramp and had to just stand with his arms up as Becky got to hit him multiple times and couldn’t do anything just waiting for Lacey to finally get there to take her out. They need to either go all the way with it and let the men do something back or stop the men and women touching as it looks so weird how it currently is done.

Come on, do people really think they are giving the world title to The Baron? – LYNCH/ROLLINS

Kofi Kingston (c) vs Samoa Joe: WWE Championship Match

I like this matchup but fear the guys will be lost in the middle of the card and may just go with the cheap finish to setup a rematch for a future Smackdown or in hope they get a higher spot on the next PPV – KOFI

Bayley (c) vs Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross: Smackdown Women’s Championship 2 On 1 Handicap Match

What a poor build this has been, with Alexa missing afew tv appearances and Nikki beating Bayley then them finally deciding to add her to the match when they originally weren’t going to…..jeez.

No idea what’s going with Bliss again but she’s blonde so automatically will be considered for the title if she’s ok to go, adds more to tv if Nikki wins the match and gives the title to Bliss to add something new to their relationship and build to other angles with them – CROSS/BLISS

The New Day vs Daniel Bryan & Rowan (c) vs Heavy Machinery: Smackdown Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match

Really not sure what’s happening here as the tag division really isn’t the brightest on Smackdown as it feels they are dragging out these feuds so as not to have to go down to worse teams having to be in the spotlight. I don’t see The New Day winning the belts again so its really between the other teams, I can actually see them having Heavy Machinery take the titles by pinning one of the New Day letting them go straight into a 2 on 2 feud with Bryan and Rowan as they wouldn’t have actually been pinned to drop the belts – HEAVY MACHINERY

Ricochet (c) vs AJ Styles: WWE US Title Match

This is going to be GREAT, they’ll get more time than they’ve had on tv and wont have to have stupid angles added mid match as a reason to take an ad break.

I see Styles using this as a way to put Ricochet over massively in a really competitive match, look for Ricochet to kick out of a Styles Clash and forearm before winning. Maybe leading to him having to look for help in 6 man tags against The Club, sounds a perfect spot for the Street Profits to make their in ring debuts to me – RICOCHET

Bobby Lashley vs Braun Strowman: Last Man Standing Match

So Braun speared Lashley through the tron but Lashley is already fine and Brauns the one hurt?

With Heyman booking this I feel this is ending in a draw with both guys wiping each other out again, making each guy look tougher in the long run with Bobby especially needing all the help he can get – DRAW

The Revival (c) vs The Usos: Raw Tag Team Championship Match

I feel like we’ve already seen this match tons and don’t think they’ve been given a good amount of time to really have that classic….yet….and don’t think they’re going to here unless they open the show where they may  -REVIVAL

Aleister Black vs Cesaro

Not much to go on here really, so it was Cesaro knocking on the door? Big whoop!

Match should be great and Black not being in ring for awhile has been a big miss for Smackdown since he got traded over – BLACK

Kevin Owens vs Dolph Ziggler

Anything other than an Owens win here will be stupid, id hope its quick too as Ziggler is just stale as hell whilst Owens cut a great promo last week and is being tried out in the tweener Stone Cold role and needs the win to keep his momentum rolling and growing – OWENS

Finn Balor (c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura: IC Title Match – Kick-Off Show

On the kick-off show? Get lost, give them time on the main card and ill give it more focus, if there were a title change it would mark the end of a poor title reign for someone who's been on holiday for most of it lol – BALOR

Drew Gulak (c) vs Tony Nese: WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match – Kick-Off Show

Not the time for a title change anytime soon, just a rematch for Nese after dropping the title allowing for Drew to gain another win and cement his-self as the champion – GULAK

Sadly I dont have much hope of this show producing too much greatness outside of the US title match, and will be a show moving along feuds for the future.

Hopefully there are some fun surprises 

Bye for now

Andy