Maybe I shouldn't write this blog when I'm this agitated but I've got something on my mind that can, and should, be corrected. We all remember when CM Punk was the media darling the WWE had right in the palms of their hands after the Money In The Bank (on my birthday no less, July 17th, 2011). It only took 8 days for the WWE to fumble the football to take that special feeling away when Wrestling was cool again. With just 12 days away from one of the signature events of the entire year, WWE Survivor Series, from Madison Square Garden,they still need to convince the consumer on why they should buy this PPV.
What is the appeal?
The tagline to this event was seeing The Rock back in a WWE ring for an actual match for the first time in 7 years teaming with John Cena. Last match he (The Rock) had ironically enough was in Madison Square Garden at WrestleMania 20 with Mick Foley against Evolution in a 3 on 2 handicap match featuring Randy Orton, Ric Flair, and Batista.
For the WWE's point, they've aligned The Rock with John Cena (A guy he can't stand) for the kind of cartoon John Cena has displayed time and time again with the Rainbow colored t-shirts and his appeal to small children. At the last WrestleMania, The Rock helped The Miz retain the WWE Title against John Cena in Atlanta. The next night, Cena and Rock agreed to have a match at WrestleMania 28 in Miami, Rock's hometown and where he will most likely be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as well (Ala Ric Flair around WrestleMania 24).
The Rock can't stand John Cena and John Cena doesn't understand The Rock. It's been rumored that the WWE would even use The Rock on multiple ppv's throughout 2012 dating back to August when the WWE released their 2nd quarter financial reports and involved with Survivor Series in September.
Now that it's down to November and what has the WWE done to make Survivor Series stand out?
Since the WWE finished the 35 days of Hell (3 PPV's in 5 weeks), Mark Henry has been booked to be a monster albeit take disqualifications and match stoppages to maintain his strong push on SmackDown. John Cena, Del Rio, and CM Punk have changed the WWE Title around to make it almost meaningless. Del Rio though has been able to retain the last two times over John Cena because of the interference of Miz & R-Truth. You're off now getting a lineup that looks like this.
Mark Henry vs. Big Show for the World Heavyweight Title
CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Title
Team Orton (Randy Orton, Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, Sin Cara, & Mason Ryan) vs. Team Barrett (Wade Barrett, Jack Swagger, Christian, Hunico, & Cody Rhodes)
John Cena & The Rock vs. Two Scared Broomsticks
We've seen The Miz and R-Truth both have their moments to shine in the early part of 2011 with Miz headlining WrestleMania 27 and R-Truth standing out at Capitol Punishment and introducing the Water Bottle of Doom! Sadly, they've been reduced down to comedic fodder and barely a challenge to John Cena on his own. Getting fluke wins won't cut it. To be seen as a viable threat, they need to do something dastardly to get the attention of The Great One.
The WWE still has their one last chance to build interest in that match but there feels like there should have been more done to generate this match seeming to be a big deal. We've had the Muppets and a taped Raw from England delaying that opportunity leaving the WWE little time to make a chance but they can still get that one last push out with the WWE returning home to Boston on Monday for a 3 hour edition of Raw where The Rock will be there live and in person. The Rock needs to make it clear to those watching why we should buy this PPV. What kind of a challenge does the Miz and R-Truth exactly show? because they could be replaced with how forgettable they've been over the last few weeks.
Other matches that could be predicted for Survivor Series with the recent TV storylines include the following below...
Survivor Series Elimination Match: Natalya, Beth Phoenix, Tamina, The Bella Twins (Brie & Nikki) vs. Kelly Kelly, A. Fox, Eve, A.J. & Kaitlyn.
Team Ryder (Zack Ryder, John Morrison, Daniel Bryan, Ezekiel Jackson, & Ted Dibiase) vs. Team Ziggler (Dolph Ziggler, Brodus Clay, Heath Slater, Tyler Reks, Drew McIntyre)
Team NXT vs. Team Superstars
With The WWE on the track they were going on TNA, after Bound For Glory (Sorry for not posting Part 2 on BFG but there was just so much stuff going on even the show after BFG that there was no need to post it), TNA had come off of a very unsatisfying finish for their main event, making the entire Bound For Glory series seem worthless. At this point now, the TNA World Title has changed twice in 3 weeks. James Storm won it on the Impact Wrestling after BFG and Robert Roode won it back 2 weeks later. Problem is that the way they've switched the title here makes the BFG 2012 Main Event seem worthless.
TNA hasn't spent enough time making James Storm or Robert Roode to be main event players yet. Fighting over the TNA World Title is between 2 Tag Team wrestlers. Beer Money will always be one of the greatest Tag Teams that company has ever put together to make both Roode and Storm both stars. It's taken TNA long enough to give the real talent a spotlight to give them a push since both were there when the company originated in 2002.
Problem with TNA was the older veterans taking up the time on Impact Wrestling and the facade in that company was still constructed. There are still kinks in the road but TNA has been smart over the last few weeks to section off Bischoff, Hogan, and Garrett Bischoff into their own section of TV time. If you've come from the WWE or WCW, then TNA would have gladly given that talent the time and day to get TV time that would make no new stars.
The stars TNA should be focusing on and devoting a majority of the TV time to includes the following: AJ Styles, Robert Roode, Kazarian, James Storm, Austin Aries, Alex Shelly, Chris Sabin, Abyss, D'Angel Dinero, Ken Anderson, Christopher Daniels, & Bully Ray. If TNA can focus on that nucleus of guys then they will be on the path to success.
To speak up for the little guys, maybe the best promotion nobody talks about is Chikara. They will be holding their first IPPV event this Sunday, November 13th from Philadelphia, PA at the mecca of independent wrestling, The Asslyum, Ace, ECW, Arena. For those that have ever been to that venue or seen this promotion knows that this event, HIGH NOON, will be a can't miss event. Chikara will be crowning it's first ever Grand Champion in a bout between NY's own, Eddie Kingston against "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush.
There will be a full preview of this event and the WWE, TNA, and DG USA this Thursday on a can't miss show of Over The Ropes with Nick Malone & my partner, Chis Maffei. Also we will be introducing the award categories for the OTR Year End award show special that will air on December 29th, 2011. It's bound to be a fun show.
Till next time,
I'm Nick Malone.
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