Mike McMahon Jan 2, 2020
Aew's much-maligned group has taken on some serious Nwo undertones the last two weeks ...
The Dark Order has been a maligned group in Aew. From their debut over the summer to the ill-timed push the group has been receiving since Aew Dynamite debuted on TNT this past fall, every step for the Dark Order has been met with heavy criticism.
Not enough was done to build the characters. Formerly the Super Smash Brothers, no explanation was given to longtime wrestling fans on why the team had new personas. At the same time, to new Aew fans who maybe didn't see the Super Smash Brothers in Roh or the indie scene, little was done to introduce them or tell the audience their backstory.
They were this group of evil, who had followers in masks, and they existed merely to exist. One of Aew's biggest missteps since the launch...
Aew's much-maligned group has taken on some serious Nwo undertones the last two weeks ...
The Dark Order has been a maligned group in Aew. From their debut over the summer to the ill-timed push the group has been receiving since Aew Dynamite debuted on TNT this past fall, every step for the Dark Order has been met with heavy criticism.
Not enough was done to build the characters. Formerly the Super Smash Brothers, no explanation was given to longtime wrestling fans on why the team had new personas. At the same time, to new Aew fans who maybe didn't see the Super Smash Brothers in Roh or the indie scene, little was done to introduce them or tell the audience their backstory.
They were this group of evil, who had followers in masks, and they existed merely to exist. One of Aew's biggest missteps since the launch...
- 1/2/2020
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Nov 2, 2019
Most of WWE's top stars were stuck after Thursday's Crown Jewel ...
WWE was faced with a tough task on Friday night.
SmackDown was slated to take place from Buffalo, N.Y. However, much of the WWE roster was stuck in Saudi Arabia following the Crown Jewel event held on Thursday afternoon.
There were rumors of flight delays due to plane issues, but other media outlets said the issues had nothing to do with mechanics. Essentially, no one knows why most of WWE's wrestlers and production crew were stuck in the Kingdom for an extra day, with hopes to return to the United States this weekend.
WWE had to call an audible. Wrestlers from Nxt were flown to Buffalo from Florida in order to appear on the show. Tomasso Ciampa beat The Miz, Rhea Ripley and Tegan Nox picked up a win and Adam Cole beat Daniel...
Most of WWE's top stars were stuck after Thursday's Crown Jewel ...
WWE was faced with a tough task on Friday night.
SmackDown was slated to take place from Buffalo, N.Y. However, much of the WWE roster was stuck in Saudi Arabia following the Crown Jewel event held on Thursday afternoon.
There were rumors of flight delays due to plane issues, but other media outlets said the issues had nothing to do with mechanics. Essentially, no one knows why most of WWE's wrestlers and production crew were stuck in the Kingdom for an extra day, with hopes to return to the United States this weekend.
WWE had to call an audible. Wrestlers from Nxt were flown to Buffalo from Florida in order to appear on the show. Tomasso Ciampa beat The Miz, Rhea Ripley and Tegan Nox picked up a win and Adam Cole beat Daniel...
- 11/2/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Oct 29, 2019
At least Paul Heyman is pushing younger stars elsewhere on the show ...
There's been a lot to like about WWE Raw since the Draft happened earlier this month, and it appears that Paul Heyman's influence is getting deeper engrained into the product.
First, younger stars are being pushed on television, even if it's in losing efforts. Last night's show featured Kairi Sane losing a highly-competitive match against Becky Lynch, arguably the top woman's star in the company.
Buddy Murphy picked up an easy win over R-Truth. Ricochet and Drew McIntyre wrestled a fun 17-minute match that ended in a Dq (to help preserve both men). The Viking Raiders and Andrade both picked up victories and Erick Rowan, of all people, looked believable in a falls count anywhere match against WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins that went over 15 minutes. The main-event match on the show was newcomer Humberto...
At least Paul Heyman is pushing younger stars elsewhere on the show ...
There's been a lot to like about WWE Raw since the Draft happened earlier this month, and it appears that Paul Heyman's influence is getting deeper engrained into the product.
First, younger stars are being pushed on television, even if it's in losing efforts. Last night's show featured Kairi Sane losing a highly-competitive match against Becky Lynch, arguably the top woman's star in the company.
Buddy Murphy picked up an easy win over R-Truth. Ricochet and Drew McIntyre wrestled a fun 17-minute match that ended in a Dq (to help preserve both men). The Viking Raiders and Andrade both picked up victories and Erick Rowan, of all people, looked believable in a falls count anywhere match against WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins that went over 15 minutes. The main-event match on the show was newcomer Humberto...
- 10/29/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Oct 15, 2019
WWE split up its rosters with Fox and USA "executives" making the picks ...
WWE held its Draft on Friday and Monday, splitting up rosters between SmackDown on Fox and Raw on USA Network. Different than in prior years, WWE ran a storyline where executives from each network were picking the wrestlers they wanted on their show. It was a nice real-world touch, despite the cheesy acting every time they went to the "war rooms" of each network.
Let's run down the results.
Raw will be headlined by Universal Championship Seth Rollins, with the main-event talent also including Aj Styles, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton. The next level includes Ricochet, Bobby Lashley, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and Andrade. The mid-card portion of the roster will have Rusev, Aleister Black, Rey Mysteiro and R-Truth while the bottom of the card features Cedric Alexander, Sin Cara, Carillo, Erick Rowan, Buddy Murphy,...
WWE split up its rosters with Fox and USA "executives" making the picks ...
WWE held its Draft on Friday and Monday, splitting up rosters between SmackDown on Fox and Raw on USA Network. Different than in prior years, WWE ran a storyline where executives from each network were picking the wrestlers they wanted on their show. It was a nice real-world touch, despite the cheesy acting every time they went to the "war rooms" of each network.
Let's run down the results.
Raw will be headlined by Universal Championship Seth Rollins, with the main-event talent also including Aj Styles, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton. The next level includes Ricochet, Bobby Lashley, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and Andrade. The mid-card portion of the roster will have Rusev, Aleister Black, Rey Mysteiro and R-Truth while the bottom of the card features Cedric Alexander, Sin Cara, Carillo, Erick Rowan, Buddy Murphy,...
- 10/15/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Oct 7, 2019
Bray Wyatt and Seth Rollins' Hell in a Cell match ended in a Dq ...
Well, at least WWE's Hell in a Cell PPV is being talked about.
Unfortunately, it's being talked about for all the wrong reasons.
The show as a whole wasn't terrible. It was a typical WWE pay-per-view show until the main event — Bray Wyatt's new Fiend character against Seth Rollins — hit the ring in a Hell in a Cell match.
The show fell apart as soon as that match hit the ring.
First, the lighting. Wyatt makes his entrance while red lights blanket the arena in a red glow. Those lights never went away. Instead of the match taking place under the normal TV lights, WWE kept on the red lights as an effect of Wyatt's apparent mystical powers. It resulted in the match barely being seen on television, and apparently, the live crowd didn't fare any better.
Bray Wyatt and Seth Rollins' Hell in a Cell match ended in a Dq ...
Well, at least WWE's Hell in a Cell PPV is being talked about.
Unfortunately, it's being talked about for all the wrong reasons.
The show as a whole wasn't terrible. It was a typical WWE pay-per-view show until the main event — Bray Wyatt's new Fiend character against Seth Rollins — hit the ring in a Hell in a Cell match.
The show fell apart as soon as that match hit the ring.
First, the lighting. Wyatt makes his entrance while red lights blanket the arena in a red glow. Those lights never went away. Instead of the match taking place under the normal TV lights, WWE kept on the red lights as an effect of Wyatt's apparent mystical powers. It resulted in the match barely being seen on television, and apparently, the live crowd didn't fare any better.
- 10/7/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Aug 22, 2019
If you believe the story, Murphy's big push is the result of a backstage gaffe
Buddy Murphy is a budding star on WWE's SmackDown brand.
Last week Murphy wrestled a highly-competitive one-on-one match against Roman Reigns, where he lost but looked like he belonged up against WWE's top star.
Then this week on SmackDown, the former 205 Live wrestler and former Cruiserweight Champion beat Daniel Bryan. That's right ... he Beat Daniel Bryan.
All of this stems from Murphy's seemingly innocuous involvement in the "who keeps attacking Roman Reigns" storyline. In recent weeks, Reigns has had backstage equipment toppled onto him during a backstage interview and was then run down by a car in the parking lot during a SmackDown taping.
The storyline began with Samoa Joe as the main suspect, but that shifted in the weeks that followed and Erick Rowan, Bryan's muscle, was revealed as the...
If you believe the story, Murphy's big push is the result of a backstage gaffe
Buddy Murphy is a budding star on WWE's SmackDown brand.
Last week Murphy wrestled a highly-competitive one-on-one match against Roman Reigns, where he lost but looked like he belonged up against WWE's top star.
Then this week on SmackDown, the former 205 Live wrestler and former Cruiserweight Champion beat Daniel Bryan. That's right ... he Beat Daniel Bryan.
All of this stems from Murphy's seemingly innocuous involvement in the "who keeps attacking Roman Reigns" storyline. In recent weeks, Reigns has had backstage equipment toppled onto him during a backstage interview and was then run down by a car in the parking lot during a SmackDown taping.
The storyline began with Samoa Joe as the main suspect, but that shifted in the weeks that followed and Erick Rowan, Bryan's muscle, was revealed as the...
- 8/22/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Aug 20, 2019
WWE's Nxt is headed to the USA Network and will go up against Aew's new wrestling show on TNT ...
We officially have a wrestling war again.
As has been rumored since the end of last week, WWE is moving its Nxt property to USA Network on Wednesday nights beginning on Sept. 18. The show will go up against All Elite Wrestling's new show on TNT, which begins on Oct. 2 in Washington, D.C.
“The move to USA Network provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with NBC Universal and further build the Nxt brand,” WWE CEO Vince McMahon said in a press release. “Over the long term, our goal is to develop a following that can be monetized to the same level as our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown.”
According to the release, Nxt will air live every Wednesday night but the show will still originate from Full Sail University in Florida,...
WWE's Nxt is headed to the USA Network and will go up against Aew's new wrestling show on TNT ...
We officially have a wrestling war again.
As has been rumored since the end of last week, WWE is moving its Nxt property to USA Network on Wednesday nights beginning on Sept. 18. The show will go up against All Elite Wrestling's new show on TNT, which begins on Oct. 2 in Washington, D.C.
“The move to USA Network provides an opportunity to deepen our relationship with NBC Universal and further build the Nxt brand,” WWE CEO Vince McMahon said in a press release. “Over the long term, our goal is to develop a following that can be monetized to the same level as our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown.”
According to the release, Nxt will air live every Wednesday night but the show will still originate from Full Sail University in Florida,...
- 8/20/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Aug 18, 2019
The entire structure of Nxt could change if WWE moves the show to USA Network against Aew ...
WWE's Nxt brand, at its core, works with hardcore wrestling fans because it's inherently different from WWE's big brands of Raw and SmackDown. The show tapes from Full Sail University, a smaller and much more intimate setting compared to WWE's large arena productions for its "main roster" shows.
Nxt airs on WWE Network and is one-hour long. Oftentimes, the biggest stars on the brand don't even appear on the show weekly. If they do, they rarely wrestle. Nxt is a throwback to when pro wrestling was booked at a much slower pace, and it was built around the big shows.
All of that is about to change.
According to multiple reports, including from Dave Meltzer at The Wrestling Observer, WWE is considering taking its Nxt show off of the WWE Network,...
The entire structure of Nxt could change if WWE moves the show to USA Network against Aew ...
WWE's Nxt brand, at its core, works with hardcore wrestling fans because it's inherently different from WWE's big brands of Raw and SmackDown. The show tapes from Full Sail University, a smaller and much more intimate setting compared to WWE's large arena productions for its "main roster" shows.
Nxt airs on WWE Network and is one-hour long. Oftentimes, the biggest stars on the brand don't even appear on the show weekly. If they do, they rarely wrestle. Nxt is a throwback to when pro wrestling was booked at a much slower pace, and it was built around the big shows.
All of that is about to change.
According to multiple reports, including from Dave Meltzer at The Wrestling Observer, WWE is considering taking its Nxt show off of the WWE Network,...
- 8/18/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Aug 16, 2019
Roman Reigns has inked a multi-year extension with WWE ...
WWE has been on a signing spree of late, locking up talent ahead of Aew’s main launch on TNT this October. Earlier this week, the company announced that it has re-signed its face, confirming a multi-year contract extension with Roman Reigns. Reigns, 34, has been the centerpiece of WWE television since John Cena became a part-time wrestler in order to pursue a movie career. Terms of the deal, including the length, were not disclosed but multiple media outlets have reported that it’s a multi-year extension for Reigns. In recent months, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Jinder Mahal, Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson have all reportedly signing new contracts.
After battling leukemia at the end of last year, Reigns returned to WWE in February and had a short-lived reunion with The Shield and then feuded with Drew McIntyre through WrestleMania.
Roman Reigns has inked a multi-year extension with WWE ...
WWE has been on a signing spree of late, locking up talent ahead of Aew’s main launch on TNT this October. Earlier this week, the company announced that it has re-signed its face, confirming a multi-year contract extension with Roman Reigns. Reigns, 34, has been the centerpiece of WWE television since John Cena became a part-time wrestler in order to pursue a movie career. Terms of the deal, including the length, were not disclosed but multiple media outlets have reported that it’s a multi-year extension for Reigns. In recent months, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Jinder Mahal, Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson have all reportedly signing new contracts.
After battling leukemia at the end of last year, Reigns returned to WWE in February and had a short-lived reunion with The Shield and then feuded with Drew McIntyre through WrestleMania.
- 8/16/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Aug 12, 2019
Seth Rollins won the Universal Championship from Brock Lesnar ...
WWE ran its annual SummerSlam pay-per-view last night from Toronto, and the biggest headline of the evening may have been that the show ended before 11 p.m. eastern!
WWE has extended the time of its PPV shows over the last two years, including WrestleMania this year lasting more than six hours, if you included the pre-show.
SummerSlam began its pre-show at 5:30 p.m. and many expected the 10-match card to last well past 11 p.m., but the show was off the air by 10:30.
(1) Becky Lynch beat Natalya in a submission match to retain the Raw Women's Championship
WWE made a solid choice putting this match on first, with Lynch extremely over with the crowd and Natalya a hometown favorite from Canada. The crowd didn't boo Becky out of the building, which goes to show how over she is as a babyface,...
Seth Rollins won the Universal Championship from Brock Lesnar ...
WWE ran its annual SummerSlam pay-per-view last night from Toronto, and the biggest headline of the evening may have been that the show ended before 11 p.m. eastern!
WWE has extended the time of its PPV shows over the last two years, including WrestleMania this year lasting more than six hours, if you included the pre-show.
SummerSlam began its pre-show at 5:30 p.m. and many expected the 10-match card to last well past 11 p.m., but the show was off the air by 10:30.
(1) Becky Lynch beat Natalya in a submission match to retain the Raw Women's Championship
WWE made a solid choice putting this match on first, with Lynch extremely over with the crowd and Natalya a hometown favorite from Canada. The crowd didn't boo Becky out of the building, which goes to show how over she is as a babyface,...
- 8/12/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Jun 27, 2019
Heyman is the new executive director of Raw while Bischoff joins the company as the head of SmackDown Live ...
They say two thousand zero zero party over, oops, out of time. So, starting next week, we're going to watch wrestling like it's 1999.
Maybe Prince was onto something ...
WWE announced on Thursday that it had hired Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff in executive roles, tabbing Heyman as the executive director of Raw and Bischoff as the executive director of SmackDown.
According to PWInsider, which is one of many outlets reporting on this story, Heyman and Bischoff will oversee every aspect of their television series and will report directly to Vince McMahon.
"They are the top of the pyramid," PWInsider's Mike Johnson wrote.
For wrestling fans over 30 years old, this will bring back memories of the Monday Night Wars, when McMahon ran WWE, Bischoff ran WCW and Heyman ran...
Heyman is the new executive director of Raw while Bischoff joins the company as the head of SmackDown Live ...
They say two thousand zero zero party over, oops, out of time. So, starting next week, we're going to watch wrestling like it's 1999.
Maybe Prince was onto something ...
WWE announced on Thursday that it had hired Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff in executive roles, tabbing Heyman as the executive director of Raw and Bischoff as the executive director of SmackDown.
According to PWInsider, which is one of many outlets reporting on this story, Heyman and Bischoff will oversee every aspect of their television series and will report directly to Vince McMahon.
"They are the top of the pyramid," PWInsider's Mike Johnson wrote.
For wrestling fans over 30 years old, this will bring back memories of the Monday Night Wars, when McMahon ran WWE, Bischoff ran WCW and Heyman ran...
- 6/27/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Jun 24, 2019
Only about 6,000 people were in an 18,000 arena and free tickets were handed out at a local mall ...
According to The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, in Sunday's edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE's Stomping Grounds PPV on Sunday night drew just 4,500 paid fans at the Tacoma Dome in Washington.
This, for an arena that can hold up to 18,000 people after the staging and ring is set up in the arena.
This shouldn't come as a big shock to close followers of WWE, who have followed along as ratings and television viewership numbers have plummeted in recent months. Fan interest for this show, just two weeks after a huge card was built for Saudi Arabia, was dim at best.
Matt Farmer of Defy Wrestling, which operates out of the Seattle area, tweeted on Sunday night that there were about 6,000 fans total in the building, with a lot of comps and 2-for-1 deals.
Only about 6,000 people were in an 18,000 arena and free tickets were handed out at a local mall ...
According to The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, in Sunday's edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE's Stomping Grounds PPV on Sunday night drew just 4,500 paid fans at the Tacoma Dome in Washington.
This, for an arena that can hold up to 18,000 people after the staging and ring is set up in the arena.
This shouldn't come as a big shock to close followers of WWE, who have followed along as ratings and television viewership numbers have plummeted in recent months. Fan interest for this show, just two weeks after a huge card was built for Saudi Arabia, was dim at best.
Matt Farmer of Defy Wrestling, which operates out of the Seattle area, tweeted on Sunday night that there were about 6,000 fans total in the building, with a lot of comps and 2-for-1 deals.
- 6/24/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 17, 2019
Reigns will anchor SmackDown Live ahead of its launch on Fox in the fall ...
The annual WWE Superstar Shakeup took place this week on both Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live as WWE executed its post-WrestleMania roster shuffle.
The biggest news stemming from the shakeup is that Roman Reigns has been moved over to SmackDown Live. That's big news, but not a total surprise. Reigns will be anchoring a show that's headed to the Fox network in October and will air live on Friday nights. WWE needed its biggest name — which despite his detractors, is Reigns — on SmackDown heading into the network launch.
WWE did something similar with John Cena, when SmackDown moved to SyFy and then again with Cena when SmackDown debuted on USA Network.
Reigns has been receiving somewhat muted reactions since his return to leukemia treatment a few weeks before WrestleMania. That's usually a bad thing,...
Reigns will anchor SmackDown Live ahead of its launch on Fox in the fall ...
The annual WWE Superstar Shakeup took place this week on both Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live as WWE executed its post-WrestleMania roster shuffle.
The biggest news stemming from the shakeup is that Roman Reigns has been moved over to SmackDown Live. That's big news, but not a total surprise. Reigns will be anchoring a show that's headed to the Fox network in October and will air live on Friday nights. WWE needed its biggest name — which despite his detractors, is Reigns — on SmackDown heading into the network launch.
WWE did something similar with John Cena, when SmackDown moved to SyFy and then again with Cena when SmackDown debuted on USA Network.
Reigns has been receiving somewhat muted reactions since his return to leukemia treatment a few weeks before WrestleMania. That's usually a bad thing,...
- 4/17/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 9, 2019
330-pound monster Lars Sullivan attacked Kurt Angle during his retirement speech on Raw.
Lars Sullivan was set to make his WWE debut months ago, around the Royal Rumble, but it never happened. He even reportedly went missing for a few days before being found. The details behind Sullivan's sudden non-debut are still sketchy. The 330-pounder from Colorado, at one point, was penciled in to face John Cena at WrestleMania 35, which took place Sunday night in New Jersey. That match didn't happen, and Sullivan wasn't on the show while Cena did a segment with Elias.
On Monday Night Raw this week from Brooklyn, the night after WrestleMania, Sullivan finally made his debut.
Kurt Angle was in the ring and was delivering what amounted to a retirement speech after his final match against Baron Corbin the night before. Sullivan hit the ring and aggressively chokeslammed Angle before hitting him with a diving headbutt.
330-pound monster Lars Sullivan attacked Kurt Angle during his retirement speech on Raw.
Lars Sullivan was set to make his WWE debut months ago, around the Royal Rumble, but it never happened. He even reportedly went missing for a few days before being found. The details behind Sullivan's sudden non-debut are still sketchy. The 330-pounder from Colorado, at one point, was penciled in to face John Cena at WrestleMania 35, which took place Sunday night in New Jersey. That match didn't happen, and Sullivan wasn't on the show while Cena did a segment with Elias.
On Monday Night Raw this week from Brooklyn, the night after WrestleMania, Sullivan finally made his debut.
Kurt Angle was in the ring and was delivering what amounted to a retirement speech after his final match against Baron Corbin the night before. Sullivan hit the ring and aggressively chokeslammed Angle before hitting him with a diving headbutt.
- 4/9/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 8, 2019
Batista fell to Triple H at WrestleMania 35 and announced it was his last match on Twitter ...
Dave Bautista announced his retirement from pro wrestling on social media Sunday night following his WrestleMania 35 match against Triple H, where he lost in a brawl that took about 30 minutes.
To all the @wwe fans across the world that gave me the opportunity to suspend your disbelief, thank you. From the biggest part of my heart thank you for letting me entertain you. Tonight… https://t.co/CIzkd3t2IW
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) April 8, 2019
Batista returned to WWE in the build-up to WrestleMania, attacking Ric Flair and challenging Triple H to a match at WrestleMania. At 50 years old (and Triple H is 49), the two brawled around the ringside area in a No Disqualification match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Early in the match, Triple H took out a toolbox and...
Batista fell to Triple H at WrestleMania 35 and announced it was his last match on Twitter ...
Dave Bautista announced his retirement from pro wrestling on social media Sunday night following his WrestleMania 35 match against Triple H, where he lost in a brawl that took about 30 minutes.
To all the @wwe fans across the world that gave me the opportunity to suspend your disbelief, thank you. From the biggest part of my heart thank you for letting me entertain you. Tonight… https://t.co/CIzkd3t2IW
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) April 8, 2019
Batista returned to WWE in the build-up to WrestleMania, attacking Ric Flair and challenging Triple H to a match at WrestleMania. At 50 years old (and Triple H is 49), the two brawled around the ringside area in a No Disqualification match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Early in the match, Triple H took out a toolbox and...
- 4/8/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 8, 2019
Becky Lynch captured the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships at WrestleMania 35.
Becky Lynch pinned Ronda Rousey in the main event of WrestleMania 35 on Sunday night to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships.
WrestleMania 35 marked the first time in history that a women's match was the main event of the show.
Lynch's win capped off a WrestleMania in which many of the fan-favorites were victorious. Seth Rollins beat Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship to open the show and Kofi Kingston beat Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship earlier in the show.
Lynch's win seemingly came out of nowhere, and it was questioned — by commentators on the show — whether or not Rousey's shoulders were actually pinned to the mat. That's a story that will likely play out on Raw and SmackDown over the coming weeks.
For what it's worth, it definitely didn't feel like the culmination of this storyline.
Becky Lynch captured the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships at WrestleMania 35.
Becky Lynch pinned Ronda Rousey in the main event of WrestleMania 35 on Sunday night to win both the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships.
WrestleMania 35 marked the first time in history that a women's match was the main event of the show.
Lynch's win capped off a WrestleMania in which many of the fan-favorites were victorious. Seth Rollins beat Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship to open the show and Kofi Kingston beat Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship earlier in the show.
Lynch's win seemingly came out of nowhere, and it was questioned — by commentators on the show — whether or not Rousey's shoulders were actually pinned to the mat. That's a story that will likely play out on Raw and SmackDown over the coming weeks.
For what it's worth, it definitely didn't feel like the culmination of this storyline.
- 4/8/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 8, 2019
Kofi Kingston won his first WWE Title over Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35.
Kofi Kingston is the new WWE Champion!
Kingston defeated Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35 to win his first WWE Championship after 12 years in the company. After the victory, Kingston celebrated in the ring with his New Day teammates — Big E and Xavier Woods — as well as two sons.
For Kingston, the win was a crowning moment in his WWE career. It's crazy the ride Kofi has been on over the last two months, considering he wasn't even supposed to be in this match.
If you believe the reports, Kevin Owens was scheduled to face Bryan at WrestleMania 35 this year, but those plans changed quickly when Kingston was a last-minute replacement at Elimination Chamber and received a groundswell of crowd support in the building and on social media.
Credit to WWE for listening to the audience and adjusting.
Kofi Kingston won his first WWE Title over Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35.
Kofi Kingston is the new WWE Champion!
Kingston defeated Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35 to win his first WWE Championship after 12 years in the company. After the victory, Kingston celebrated in the ring with his New Day teammates — Big E and Xavier Woods — as well as two sons.
For Kingston, the win was a crowning moment in his WWE career. It's crazy the ride Kofi has been on over the last two months, considering he wasn't even supposed to be in this match.
If you believe the reports, Kevin Owens was scheduled to face Bryan at WrestleMania 35 this year, but those plans changed quickly when Kingston was a last-minute replacement at Elimination Chamber and received a groundswell of crowd support in the building and on social media.
Credit to WWE for listening to the audience and adjusting.
- 4/8/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 7, 2019
Rollins defeated Lesnar in the opening match of WrestleMania 35...
"The Beast Slayer" Seth Rollins did just what he said he would do, slaying Brock Lesnar and winning the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35 on Sunday night in New York.
During the opening of the show, Hulk Hogan and Alexa Bliss were welcoming the crowd to the show when Heyman's manager, Paul Heyman, walked briskly past them and headed to the ring. Heyman grabbed a microphone and said that his client, Brock Lesnar, was not happy about not being in the main event tonight (Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte will main event the show). Heyman said that Lesnar planned on beating Seth Rollins and then he would to Las Vegas where his client would be "ultimately" appreciated, teasing Lesnar's potential return to the Ufc.
Lesnar then made his ring entrance, followed by Rollins.
Rollins was beaten...
Rollins defeated Lesnar in the opening match of WrestleMania 35...
"The Beast Slayer" Seth Rollins did just what he said he would do, slaying Brock Lesnar and winning the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 35 on Sunday night in New York.
During the opening of the show, Hulk Hogan and Alexa Bliss were welcoming the crowd to the show when Heyman's manager, Paul Heyman, walked briskly past them and headed to the ring. Heyman grabbed a microphone and said that his client, Brock Lesnar, was not happy about not being in the main event tonight (Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte will main event the show). Heyman said that Lesnar planned on beating Seth Rollins and then he would to Las Vegas where his client would be "ultimately" appreciated, teasing Lesnar's potential return to the Ufc.
Lesnar then made his ring entrance, followed by Rollins.
Rollins was beaten...
- 4/7/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 7, 2019
Hart was delivering his speech along with his niece, Natalya ...
Bret Hart, who broke into the WWE as a member of the Hart Foundation tag team alongside his brother-in-law, Jim Neidhart, was delivering his acceptance speech as the team was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday night when a fan ran into the ring and attacked Hart, grabbing him from behind and wrestling him to the ground.
Security was slow to respond to the incident, as WWE wrestlers who were seated near the ring — which was serving as a stage for the event — attacked the perpetrator and pulled him off Hart. Among those who hit the ring was Raw Tag Team Champion Dash Wilder as well as Travis Browne, a Ufc fighter who is married to Ronda Rousey. Shane McMahon and Braun Strowman were also among those who hit the ring; Wilder delivered a...
Hart was delivering his speech along with his niece, Natalya ...
Bret Hart, who broke into the WWE as a member of the Hart Foundation tag team alongside his brother-in-law, Jim Neidhart, was delivering his acceptance speech as the team was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday night when a fan ran into the ring and attacked Hart, grabbing him from behind and wrestling him to the ground.
Security was slow to respond to the incident, as WWE wrestlers who were seated near the ring — which was serving as a stage for the event — attacked the perpetrator and pulled him off Hart. Among those who hit the ring was Raw Tag Team Champion Dash Wilder as well as Travis Browne, a Ufc fighter who is married to Ronda Rousey. Shane McMahon and Braun Strowman were also among those who hit the ring; Wilder delivered a...
- 4/7/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 3, 2019
Ross' WWE contract expired recently ...
Aew announced on Wednesday that it has signed Jim Ross to a three-year contract. In a press release, Aew called the deal "the most lucrative deal in pro wrestling commentary history," and noted that in addition to working as an announcer, Ross will serve as a senior advisor.
Ross' first appearance for Aew will be at Double or Nothing on May 25 from Las Vegas.
“I’m moving on in a very positive way to this timely opportunity to be on the ground floor of one of the most exciting moments in the history of pro wrestling,” J.R. said. “I’ve known Tony, Cody, The Young Bucks and Kenny for a long time, and I know they’re going to change the world of pro wrestling. Their roster is already packed with top-level talent and up-and-comers. They’ve got a huge show coming up in May.
Ross' WWE contract expired recently ...
Aew announced on Wednesday that it has signed Jim Ross to a three-year contract. In a press release, Aew called the deal "the most lucrative deal in pro wrestling commentary history," and noted that in addition to working as an announcer, Ross will serve as a senior advisor.
Ross' first appearance for Aew will be at Double or Nothing on May 25 from Las Vegas.
“I’m moving on in a very positive way to this timely opportunity to be on the ground floor of one of the most exciting moments in the history of pro wrestling,” J.R. said. “I’ve known Tony, Cody, The Young Bucks and Kenny for a long time, and I know they’re going to change the world of pro wrestling. Their roster is already packed with top-level talent and up-and-comers. They’ve got a huge show coming up in May.
- 4/3/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Apr 2, 2019
Despite hopes being higher from fans, Angle physically can't give us a classic match ...
There's been a lot of complaining about Baron Corbin being Kurt Angle's final opponent at WrestleMania 35 this Sunday. At first, I was one of them.
Baron Corbin is the best WWE could come up with? Meanwhile on Raw and SmackDown in recent weeks, Angle has wrestled Aj Styles and Samoa Joe. Some even wanted to see a full-circle moment with John Cena facing Angle at WrestleMania.
But if this Angle farewell tour has shown us anything, it's that Angle simply can't do it. His born is battered and torn to pieces. The man can barely — if at all — move his neck from side to side. He's not the Angle from 2004. Heck, he's not the Angle from 2015. His body has betrayed him and he's too hurt and has had too many surgeries to...
Despite hopes being higher from fans, Angle physically can't give us a classic match ...
There's been a lot of complaining about Baron Corbin being Kurt Angle's final opponent at WrestleMania 35 this Sunday. At first, I was one of them.
Baron Corbin is the best WWE could come up with? Meanwhile on Raw and SmackDown in recent weeks, Angle has wrestled Aj Styles and Samoa Joe. Some even wanted to see a full-circle moment with John Cena facing Angle at WrestleMania.
But if this Angle farewell tour has shown us anything, it's that Angle simply can't do it. His born is battered and torn to pieces. The man can barely — if at all — move his neck from side to side. He's not the Angle from 2004. Heck, he's not the Angle from 2015. His body has betrayed him and he's too hurt and has had too many surgeries to...
- 4/2/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Mar 20, 2019
Kurt Angle's retirement match at WrestleMania should be against someone with more history than Corbin ...
When Kurt Angle announced last week that he would wrestle his final match at WrestleMania 35, speculation ran wild on the internet with who Angle might face in his retirement match.
Shelton Benjamin, his old teammate on Team Angle, tweeted at Angle that he wanted to face the former Olympian. There are also plenty of wrestlers on the WWE roster that would make sense. Angle had great matches with Aj Styles in Tna, for example. Angle launched the career of John Cena, so he could have been a potential opponent. Angle and Lashley both have Mma and amateur backgrounds, and they wrestled in Tna. Angle vs. Samoa Joe was an important match for the careers of both men back in 2008.
There were plenty of natural choices.
But instead, WWE went with ... Baron Corbin.
Kurt Angle's retirement match at WrestleMania should be against someone with more history than Corbin ...
When Kurt Angle announced last week that he would wrestle his final match at WrestleMania 35, speculation ran wild on the internet with who Angle might face in his retirement match.
Shelton Benjamin, his old teammate on Team Angle, tweeted at Angle that he wanted to face the former Olympian. There are also plenty of wrestlers on the WWE roster that would make sense. Angle had great matches with Aj Styles in Tna, for example. Angle launched the career of John Cena, so he could have been a potential opponent. Angle and Lashley both have Mma and amateur backgrounds, and they wrestled in Tna. Angle vs. Samoa Joe was an important match for the careers of both men back in 2008.
There were plenty of natural choices.
But instead, WWE went with ... Baron Corbin.
- 3/20/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Feb 20, 2019
Todd Phillips will direct a Hulk Hogan biopic for Netflix, and Chris Hemsworth will star.
What'cha gonna do, when Chris Hemsworth, runs wild, on you!
That's right, the Thor actor is set to play WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan in an upcoming biopic that will be delivered to exclusively to Netflix. Todd Phillips will direct the film and Scott Silver, who worked with Phillips on the upcoming Joker movie for DC and Warner Bros. is set to write the script. Hogan's longtime friend and the former head of WCW, Eric Bischoff, is slated to be one of the producers on the film, alongside Hemsworth, Phillips and Bradley Cooper.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will not encompass Hogan's entire life, and will instead focus on his rise to stardom and the start of Hulkamania. In superhero terms, the film is going to tell Hogan's origin story.
Todd Phillips will direct a Hulk Hogan biopic for Netflix, and Chris Hemsworth will star.
What'cha gonna do, when Chris Hemsworth, runs wild, on you!
That's right, the Thor actor is set to play WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan in an upcoming biopic that will be delivered to exclusively to Netflix. Todd Phillips will direct the film and Scott Silver, who worked with Phillips on the upcoming Joker movie for DC and Warner Bros. is set to write the script. Hogan's longtime friend and the former head of WCW, Eric Bischoff, is slated to be one of the producers on the film, alongside Hemsworth, Phillips and Bradley Cooper.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film will not encompass Hogan's entire life, and will instead focus on his rise to stardom and the start of Hulkamania. In superhero terms, the film is going to tell Hogan's origin story.
- 2/20/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Jan 10, 2019
There could be several top choices for John Cena to wrestle at WWE WrestleMania 35.
John Cena will wrestle in the Royal Rumble match on Jan. 27, as announced on Raw this past Monday night. But, what's on the docket for Cena at WrestleMania 35 in New York?
In the past, there have been obvious choices. But with Cena's appearances becoming more and more sporadic, it's important that WWE utilizes his appearances as best they can.
Here are the top-five choices for John Cena's opponent at WrestleMania 35:
1) Samoa Joe
Joe and Cena have a history together. They broke in at almost the same time in Southern California, yet their paths in the wrestling business when in totally opposite directions until recently. While Cena signed with WWE early and began the company's face, Joe went the route of Ring of Honor and then spent years in Tna before making it to WWE.
There could be several top choices for John Cena to wrestle at WWE WrestleMania 35.
John Cena will wrestle in the Royal Rumble match on Jan. 27, as announced on Raw this past Monday night. But, what's on the docket for Cena at WrestleMania 35 in New York?
In the past, there have been obvious choices. But with Cena's appearances becoming more and more sporadic, it's important that WWE utilizes his appearances as best they can.
Here are the top-five choices for John Cena's opponent at WrestleMania 35:
1) Samoa Joe
Joe and Cena have a history together. They broke in at almost the same time in Southern California, yet their paths in the wrestling business when in totally opposite directions until recently. While Cena signed with WWE early and began the company's face, Joe went the route of Ring of Honor and then spent years in Tna before making it to WWE.
- 1/10/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Jan 8, 2019
Chris Jericho is among the Aew signings ...
All Elite Wrestling held its launch rally today in Jacksonville, Fla., at the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. Aew is the brainchild of Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks, and financing from the Khan family, which owns the Jaguars and has a net worth of a reported $7 billion, made the company a reality.
Aew will run its second show — they're counting All In as their first show — on May 25 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The company is jumping in with both feet. The MGM Grand used to host WCW pay-per-views in the late-90s and it's been the home of some of the biggest moments in professional boxing and Mma.
read more - Everything You Need to Know About WWE Royal Rumble 2019
During the event, which was hosted by wrestling podcasting guru Conrad Thompson,...
Chris Jericho is among the Aew signings ...
All Elite Wrestling held its launch rally today in Jacksonville, Fla., at the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL. Aew is the brainchild of Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks, and financing from the Khan family, which owns the Jaguars and has a net worth of a reported $7 billion, made the company a reality.
Aew will run its second show — they're counting All In as their first show — on May 25 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The company is jumping in with both feet. The MGM Grand used to host WCW pay-per-views in the late-90s and it's been the home of some of the biggest moments in professional boxing and Mma.
read more - Everything You Need to Know About WWE Royal Rumble 2019
During the event, which was hosted by wrestling podcasting guru Conrad Thompson,...
- 1/9/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Jan 7, 2019
Impact Wrestling returned to pay-per-view and the Asylum on Sunday night ...
Impact Wrestling presented its Homecoming pay-per-view on Sunday night, returning home to the original stomping grounds of Tna Wrestling, the Asylum at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
Two new champions were crowned on the show, including another confusing main event where Johnny Impact defeated Brian Cage, but the live crowd didn't seem too thrilled with the result.
(1) Rich Swann def. Jake Crist, Ethan Page, Trey Miguel to win the X-Division Championship
Of course, they opened the show with the flippy spotfest match! That's Impact's M.O. and has been for a number of years, going all the way back to the Tna days, so it's appropriate to open with the X Division on a "homecoming" themed show.
The match was a solid opener, and I do like the booking idea of Swann winning the title, but this...
Impact Wrestling returned to pay-per-view and the Asylum on Sunday night ...
Impact Wrestling presented its Homecoming pay-per-view on Sunday night, returning home to the original stomping grounds of Tna Wrestling, the Asylum at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.
Two new champions were crowned on the show, including another confusing main event where Johnny Impact defeated Brian Cage, but the live crowd didn't seem too thrilled with the result.
(1) Rich Swann def. Jake Crist, Ethan Page, Trey Miguel to win the X-Division Championship
Of course, they opened the show with the flippy spotfest match! That's Impact's M.O. and has been for a number of years, going all the way back to the Tna days, so it's appropriate to open with the X Division on a "homecoming" themed show.
The match was a solid opener, and I do like the booking idea of Swann winning the title, but this...
- 1/7/2019
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Nov 13, 2018
Bryan turned heel on Aj Styles, kicking him with a low blow to win the championship ...
Daniel Bryan is the WWE Champion.
Daniel Bryan is the WWE Champion?
Daniel Bryan is the WWE Champion!
But wait ... don't get too excited. At least not yet. Bryan captured the WWE Championship on a momentous edition of SmackDown Live, just five days before the Survivor Series this Sunday on WWE Network. But Bryan captured the title, beating Aj Styles, with a low-blow kick. The announcers played up that Bryan looked "demonic" as he admired the title he won.
Daniel Bryan is a heel!
I'm sure people will react negatively to Bryan's heel turn. There's no denying that WWE dropped the ball with Bryan's return. He was quickly relegated to midcard matches and feuds and felt like an afterthought rather than a centerpiece on SmackDown.
In fact, that's why Bryan's heel turn is positive.
Bryan turned heel on Aj Styles, kicking him with a low blow to win the championship ...
Daniel Bryan is the WWE Champion.
Daniel Bryan is the WWE Champion?
Daniel Bryan is the WWE Champion!
But wait ... don't get too excited. At least not yet. Bryan captured the WWE Championship on a momentous edition of SmackDown Live, just five days before the Survivor Series this Sunday on WWE Network. But Bryan captured the title, beating Aj Styles, with a low-blow kick. The announcers played up that Bryan looked "demonic" as he admired the title he won.
Daniel Bryan is a heel!
I'm sure people will react negatively to Bryan's heel turn. There's no denying that WWE dropped the ball with Bryan's return. He was quickly relegated to midcard matches and feuds and felt like an afterthought rather than a centerpiece on SmackDown.
In fact, that's why Bryan's heel turn is positive.
- 11/14/2018
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Nov 7, 2018
After becoming "best in the world" Shane is in a weird state of flux ...
Newsflash! WWE is, once again, tone deaf!
Shane McMahon inserted himself into the WWE World Cup tournament at Crown Jewel this past Friday in Saudi Arabia.
The Miz came up injured before the final match against Dolph Ziggler, so Shane McMahon saved the day and entered the finals, beating Ziggler to claim the trophy. Shane then annoyingly danced around ringside and up the ramp, raising the trophy as if he were actually some deserving champion.
Ziggler, meanwhile, beat Kurt Angle earlier in the show in a win that really could have catapulted him a bit. But an hour later, he loses to the almost 50-year-old son of the owner, who has never been a full-time wrestler. Thanks for playing, Dolph.
Shane continued the embarrassing charade on SmackDown Live this week. It appeared on...
After becoming "best in the world" Shane is in a weird state of flux ...
Newsflash! WWE is, once again, tone deaf!
Shane McMahon inserted himself into the WWE World Cup tournament at Crown Jewel this past Friday in Saudi Arabia.
The Miz came up injured before the final match against Dolph Ziggler, so Shane McMahon saved the day and entered the finals, beating Ziggler to claim the trophy. Shane then annoyingly danced around ringside and up the ramp, raising the trophy as if he were actually some deserving champion.
Ziggler, meanwhile, beat Kurt Angle earlier in the show in a win that really could have catapulted him a bit. But an hour later, he loses to the almost 50-year-old son of the owner, who has never been a full-time wrestler. Thanks for playing, Dolph.
Shane continued the embarrassing charade on SmackDown Live this week. It appeared on...
- 11/7/2018
- Den of Geek
Back in October, the fifth issue in the comiXology Originals series Elephantmen 2261: The Death of Shorty was released online, and it marked the 50th Elephantmen cover by artist Boo Cook. To celebrate the milestone, Daily Dead was recently provided with a Q&A with Cook for our readers to enjoy. In his wide-spanning reflection on his work, Cook discusses the creative approach to his artwork, collaborating with writer Richard Starkings, and he selects his five favorite covers that he's done for the Elephantmen series.
"Boo, you've been the cover artist on Elephantmen for 50 issues now. What's that mean to you, having such consistency with a series?
Boo Cook: In all honesty, I was quite surprised to discover I’d notched up 50 covers for Elephantmen! Life as a freelancer is kind of a blur plunging from one job to the next, radically changing tack with each new cover or strip,...
"Boo, you've been the cover artist on Elephantmen for 50 issues now. What's that mean to you, having such consistency with a series?
Boo Cook: In all honesty, I was quite surprised to discover I’d notched up 50 covers for Elephantmen! Life as a freelancer is kind of a blur plunging from one job to the next, radically changing tack with each new cover or strip,...
- 11/6/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Mike McMahon Oct 31, 2018
Bryan was written off the show on SmackDown, losing in his title shot against Aj Styles ...
Daniel Bryan is off of Crown Jewel ... but Hulk Hogan is in, brother.
WWE wrote Bryan off of Crown Jewel on last night's episode of SmackDown Live, accelerating his WWE Title match against Aj Styles (he lost in the show's opener). Samoa Joe attacked Bryan and Styles after the match, and it was later revealed that Styles will now defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe in Saudi Arabia this Friday.
This development comes on the heels of Bryan reportedly telling WWE that he would refuse to take part in the Saudi show. John Cena took a similar stand and was written out of the show on Monday's episode of Raw.
Oh, but it gets better.
WWE began advertising Hulk Hogan for Crown Jewel on Wednesday. If Hogan makes an appearance on camera,...
Bryan was written off the show on SmackDown, losing in his title shot against Aj Styles ...
Daniel Bryan is off of Crown Jewel ... but Hulk Hogan is in, brother.
WWE wrote Bryan off of Crown Jewel on last night's episode of SmackDown Live, accelerating his WWE Title match against Aj Styles (he lost in the show's opener). Samoa Joe attacked Bryan and Styles after the match, and it was later revealed that Styles will now defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe in Saudi Arabia this Friday.
This development comes on the heels of Bryan reportedly telling WWE that he would refuse to take part in the Saudi show. John Cena took a similar stand and was written out of the show on Monday's episode of Raw.
Oh, but it gets better.
WWE began advertising Hulk Hogan for Crown Jewel on Wednesday. If Hogan makes an appearance on camera,...
- 10/31/2018
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Oct 30, 2018
Cena was written out of the Saudi show on Monday Night Raw ...
WWE might be heading to Saudi Arabia this Friday, but John Cena won't join them.
Cena had reportedly been uncomfortable with taking part in Crown Jewel after the Saudi government was implicated in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoogi. Reports began to surface early last week that Cena told WWE management he wouldn't take part Crown Jewel if the show was still going to be held in Saudi Arabia. Last Thursday, WWE announced its intentions to run the show as scheduled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Cena was scheduled to take part in the WWE World Cup tournament, but on last night's episode of Monday Night Raw, Baron Corbin was "so impressed with Bobby Lashley" that he gave Lashley Cena's spot in the tournament, effectively writing Cena out of the show.
It will be interesting to...
Cena was written out of the Saudi show on Monday Night Raw ...
WWE might be heading to Saudi Arabia this Friday, but John Cena won't join them.
Cena had reportedly been uncomfortable with taking part in Crown Jewel after the Saudi government was implicated in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoogi. Reports began to surface early last week that Cena told WWE management he wouldn't take part Crown Jewel if the show was still going to be held in Saudi Arabia. Last Thursday, WWE announced its intentions to run the show as scheduled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Cena was scheduled to take part in the WWE World Cup tournament, but on last night's episode of Monday Night Raw, Baron Corbin was "so impressed with Bobby Lashley" that he gave Lashley Cena's spot in the tournament, effectively writing Cena out of the show.
It will be interesting to...
- 10/30/2018
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Oct 29, 2018
Lynch retained her SmackDown Women's Title in a Last Woman Standing Match ...
The build to WWE Evolution was horrid. WWE treated its first all-women's pay-per-view like an afterthought on television last week, especially on SmackDown, where instead of closing the go-home show with a Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte angle, they ran a lackluster Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton match.
If you watched SmackDown, you would have barely known there was a big historic event taking place on WWE Network Sunday night.
But the event itself lived up to expectations, even if WWE dropped the ball on the hype.
Ronda Rousey beat Nikka Bella to retain the Raw Women's Title and there were fun cameos from Trish Stratus, Alundra Blayze, Lita and Ivory. WWE crowned its new Mae Young Classic winner (Toni Story) and Sasha Banks, Natalya and Bayley picked up a feel-good win over the Riott Squad.
Lynch retained her SmackDown Women's Title in a Last Woman Standing Match ...
The build to WWE Evolution was horrid. WWE treated its first all-women's pay-per-view like an afterthought on television last week, especially on SmackDown, where instead of closing the go-home show with a Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte angle, they ran a lackluster Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton match.
If you watched SmackDown, you would have barely known there was a big historic event taking place on WWE Network Sunday night.
But the event itself lived up to expectations, even if WWE dropped the ball on the hype.
Ronda Rousey beat Nikka Bella to retain the Raw Women's Title and there were fun cameos from Trish Stratus, Alundra Blayze, Lita and Ivory. WWE crowned its new Mae Young Classic winner (Toni Story) and Sasha Banks, Natalya and Bayley picked up a feel-good win over the Riott Squad.
- 10/29/2018
- Den of Geek
Mike McMahon Sep 26, 2018
Lynch's shortcomings have more to do with Charlotte's lack of strength ...
It might be time for a mea culpa in regards to Becky Lynch.
Back at SummerSlam, I wrote that Lynch's heel turn was ill-advised, and it wasn't going to work. Lynch was too over as a babyface to get over as a heel ... or so I thought.
Now about five weeks after SummerSlam, Lynch finds herself in a very weird spot. She's doing fantastic work as a heel, yet her reaction from the live crowds — mostly a babyface reaction — is due more to the fact that Charlotte feels forced as a babyface.
Charlotte has become the female version of Roman Reigns, in many ways. And Lynch is getting cheered, much like Brock Lesnar, because the fans are rejecting Charlotte as the women's division top babyface on the SmackDown side of the roster.
Lynch had a really good SmackDown this week,...
Lynch's shortcomings have more to do with Charlotte's lack of strength ...
It might be time for a mea culpa in regards to Becky Lynch.
Back at SummerSlam, I wrote that Lynch's heel turn was ill-advised, and it wasn't going to work. Lynch was too over as a babyface to get over as a heel ... or so I thought.
Now about five weeks after SummerSlam, Lynch finds herself in a very weird spot. She's doing fantastic work as a heel, yet her reaction from the live crowds — mostly a babyface reaction — is due more to the fact that Charlotte feels forced as a babyface.
Charlotte has become the female version of Roman Reigns, in many ways. And Lynch is getting cheered, much like Brock Lesnar, because the fans are rejecting Charlotte as the women's division top babyface on the SmackDown side of the roster.
Lynch had a really good SmackDown this week,...
- 9/27/2018
- Den of Geek
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