NGN FAVORITES: PRO WRESTLING V: TAG TEAMS

They say that two is better than one, and tag team wrestling has shown that many times over the years.

As A Kid...

• Steiner Brothers
• Legion Of Doom
• Hart Foundation
• The Rockers
• Demolition

-The hardest list really. 1980's and 90's were loaded with tag-teams, and they were all pretty good, well as a kid. Steiners for the amateur wrestling moves, and the Frankensteiner being the first hurricanrana I had seen added greatly to this. LOD is likely on everyone's list, understandably. I'm Canadian so of course Jim and Bret are on here, plus I always preferred them over the British Bulldogs. The break-up on the Parlor Shop meant more to me because I actually liked The Rockers. Things turned out pretty good though via HBK (sorry, Marty). I was mostly a WWE guy, so Demolition were my Road Warriors...until they were squashed by the Legion Of Doom.

As A Teen...

• New Age Outlaws
• Hardy Boyz
• Edge & Christian
• Rock 'n' Sock Connection
• Dudley Boyz

-It is a pretty standard list, but could I really leave the teams from the TLC matches off it? Mankind and The Rock were the perfect odd couple team at that time. And I still do the New Age Outlaws entrance to this day, so obviously. Others would have been the Brothers Of Destruction, The Outsiders, Holly Cousins, APA, Two-Man Power Trip (Austin and Triple H), Harlem Heat, Too Cool, and others.

As Young Adult...

• Dudley Boyz
• Los Guerreros
• 3-Minute Warning
• Chuck & Billy
• The Worlds Greatest Tag-Team

-In the WWE, I didn't like the splitting of the Dudleyz at all, was stoked to see the reunion at Survivor Series in 2002 (weird to say but it was done better in TNA). Other than his title runs, Los Guerreros was my favorite Eddie stuff, thinking it was the beginning of the Lie, Cheat, and Steal schtick (can't remember for sure). 3-Minute Warning was somewhat of a trio with Ricco, but loved the tag team of Rosey and Jamal. They were a new age Head Shrinkers and Wild Samoans. Ricco once again in the mix, but loved the Billy & Chuck teaming. The wedding was a bit much, entertaining but killed the gimmick. The Worlds Greatest Tag-Team was the precursor to American Alpha in a way. Shelton Benjamin was a whole different athlete than the other 3 in this discussion.

Now...

• Enzo And Cass
• Harper And Rowan
• Dudley Boyz
• Usos
• 
  

-Like many I am a big fan of Enzo Amore and Big Colin Cassidy. The entrance, the difference in characters yet are similar. Its all good. And you can't teach that. I can also see them as singles stars if and when the time calls for it, with Enzo being a good mic worker and scrappy as hell, and Cass of course being that rare 7 footer who can move. I don't like them as much in singles, but together Harper and Rowan are money. Dudleyz of course. Usos have become a bit stale for me, but would love a heel turn. A new age 3-Minute Warning look wise, it would also be a homage to their late uncle, Umaga. I left the last spot open because I am only just under halfway through my 30's, and not sure who to pick between The Revival, American Alpha, and The Vaudevillains. Have to see how Revival and Alpha do on the main roster, and not sure if the Vaudevillains will be as interesting a few years from now.

You would think that perhaps that the Dudley Boyz were my all-time favorite tag-team, given they are listed in each era of my life. However, they are not. They are Top 5 for sure, but they happened to be great in a variety of times in WWE history. I can't pinpoint an absolute favorite team. I liked too many for different reasons, and at different times in my life.

NGN FAVORITES: PRO WRESTLING I-SUPERSTARS
NGN FAVORITES: PRO WRESTLING II-FINISHING & SIGNATURE MOVES
NGN FAVORITES: PRO WRESTLING III-ENTRANCES
NGN FAVORITES: PRO WRESTLING IV-WWE RETURNS & DEBUTS 

NGN FAVORITES: PRO WRESTLING III-ENTRANCES

Now I must admit that you won't find any of The Undertaker's string of Wrestlemania entrances. It isn't that they don't belong on here, it is because they would take up most if not all of the list. So, that will be saved for a future installment haha

Finn Balor (The Demon)

Th music for starters is one of the rare songs without lyrics that I like haha Combined with the body motions in sync with the music makes it good "normal" or "demonized". But, with the paint, the lights, and the anticipation to what Finn will show us next. So far my fav was the various Demons coming and going individually from the smoke, then having just Balor in Demon garb. Visually epic. I cannot wait to see this on a Wrestlemania stage. It is clear Taker has given him some pointers.

Kane/The Brood

I put them together because I love both, but always felt that the whole rising in a ring of fire should have been part of Kane's entrance. At Wrestlemania in the least. Kane is the music, lighting and pyro. The Brood was the ring of fire and blood ritual thing by Gangrel.

Undertaker

I said his Wrestlemania entrances wouldn't be on here haha It all starts with the lights cutting out and that bell tolling, followed by his music. Which has also evolved during the years, personal favorite was his Ministry Of Darkness days music wise. The trademark lights on routine is still a must have classic. The lights and visuals have gotten better over time. The titan tron and it's evolution has added to all of this.

Triple H

Another Mania entrance guy, but I like the basics of it all. It did look better when he had the long hair, but still works with the corporate buzzcut. Lights, Motorhead (The Game or King Of Kings), occasional laser lighting, and a bottle of water. Yes, a bottle of water. And the simplicity of it perhaps adds to it all. But, the water spews (initial and follow-up) just looks amazing in that light haha

Baron Corbin

It is kind of different on the RAW stage, but on NXT it looks amazing. Again with simplicity. Darkness, then a massive flash of blinding light, and as your eyes adjust Corbin fades into your view. The added footstep spotlights cutout thing is great too, but loses it again on a RAW stage. At Mania it would look great, but only in a closed arena or at night. Pitch black night, not the "evening" haha

The Wyatt Family

This started off very cool all in itself. You got the "new age Undertaker" vibe in the sense of the darkness from it. The crowds have added to the effect with the "fireflies". Which looks better and better with growing supporters and bigger arenas. This would still be cool in the pre cell phone era with thousands of lighters lighting up the pitch black arena.

As like most things I list, it is ever evolving. New superstars, evolution of established stars. As technology gets better, I can't wait to enjoy things to come. Until then, Stay Nerdy!

NGN FAVORITES: PRO WRESTLING I-SUPERSTARS
NGN FAVORITES: PRO WRESTLING II-FINISHING & SIGNATURE MOVES

INJURY BUG BITES WWE YET AGAIN

Seth Rollins, John Cena, Randy Orton, Neville, Luke Harper, and now Bray Wyatt. Cesaro was on there, but came back the night after RAW. I may have even forgotten some, but that is a pretty big number. Nothing beyond confirmation that there is an injury has been released yet, but the acknowledgment indicates it is bad. The level of bad is the question. Can he still walk on it, but can't compete? Bray of course could still work the mic while Rowan and Strowman unleash hell. Or is it bad enough that there is yet another void to fill?

To make things worse, this was a freak accident with Bray slipping and falling while walking backwards from the corner. The opponent was Roman Reigns, who did absolutely nothing to cause this.Regardless of the how, if Bray Wyatt is out of action for a period of time, how does this effect...everything? On television we were witnessing The Wyatt Family turning baby face, with Bray even teaming with Reigns in a tag match against the League Of Nations. A part of me senses this was maybe part of a bigger story involving Wyatt and Reigns, how does this effect that?
And lets not forget about The Wyatt Family as a whole? It has been cut in half, leaving the two who aren't as strong on a mic as the fallen members. Bray is the leader of course, where do Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan go from here? Remain as a tag team? Split up and go the singles route? The latter would benefit Strowman more, given reports of being a fav of Vince McMahon's. I am still wondering why the white sheep left and returned to the flock, so not sure what they would do with him. Sheamus' cousin? haha
If Bray is out for awhile, will we see another NXT call-up? The Balor Club (Bullet Club) members signed by WWE are a Finn away from completion. And of course there is Samoa Joe, interesting to see what Vince does with him when it happens. Or will a different NXT star make their way onto the main roster?

I guess we will find everything out as it happens. We still don't know anything beyond that there is an injury, and it is the right calf. It is ironic that there are so many questions surrounding this, for me at least, being so fitting of a character like Bray.

IS IT TIME TO DO IT RAW AGAIN?

How about that title, eh? haha Yes, I am also Canadian. What I am talking about is how Vince McMahon has described the initial RAW days, and how things looked and felt raw. I like how things have evolved since then, the production quality, the Titan Tron, deafening arenas (when packed), etc. but with focus being on ratings and whatnot, perhaps a roll back could help rejuvenate things.

Smaller Arenas

Instead of thousands of people in a large arena, have hundreds of people in a smaller venue. 1k max. This could help in a few ways, one being the attraction. People want what they can't have more than anything. The ticket price would of course get a bump, but it could still add to things. Look at countries outside of the US, they're more into things because of the rarity of being able to go. The crowd reactions would feel just as big within a smaller arena. Which would add to the television experience, which having "harder to get in" shows could increase viewers for the stupid ratings.

Two Hours

Don't get me wrong, I can't get enough wrestling. It is just that the only difference between RAW and a Special Event (other than Mania and Summerslam) falls only in length. I get that there is a much bigger roster and all of that, but maybe put the matches or even some talent not really "important" to RAW or Smackdown! (random match with no real story to it, etc) on Superstars and Main Event. Not that NXT needs it, but if desperate dump some of RAW into there (if biz is about to close desperate).

Shock Value

I am not asking for grotesque, risque, Vince Russo type stuff. Even the stuff that worked is done now. However, everything feels scripted in a way that it is noticeable. Social media and all that has hindered surprises, but even then it doesn't feel anything has happened that would garner reaction sans internet. Not including Shane's return of course, or anything that happens at a Wrestlemania obviously. Given the talent signed and AJ Styles becoming the Number One Contender, it feels like they could go back to surprising finishes, title runs, debuts, and returns. Love Styles, but him being WWE World Heavyweight Champion would shock the hell out of me. And then say having me see him defend against guys like Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, etc. would have me tripping through walls like my name is The Shockmaster.

Competition

Even the beginning of RAW had WCW competing, not yet on a head-to-head Monday Night War, but opposing company none the less. Fans of the products would argue TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground and others are WWE's competition now. Yes, and no. They are opposing companies, but they aren't what WCW was for WWE. Not talking talent, just production and all of that stuff. If talking talent though, WWE kind of went old school and swooped up a bunch of people "made" elsewhere like it was the early 80's haha So, since nobody can go toe-to-toe with Vince and company, it is time to create competition within. Beating the dead horse that is RAW V Smackdown!, but it did make for a steady flow of things in the early post-WCW 2000's.


If not a throwback, then there needs to be more separation of the product. I know Main Event and Superstars are taped before RAW and Smackdown!, it financially makes sense. The problem is that everything looks the same. Graphics are really the only thing that is different, besides the two main shows are red (RAW) and blue (Smackdown!). They need to differentiate that shows, give at least RAW and Smackdown! different looks visually, and of course product wise. Look at the success of NXT, it is more than the people performing. Smaller crowd, different look than the main roster, and other things are factors in the massive following. It all starts with RAW as it is the flagship, and its success would carryover into other areas, but again perhaps separating it from everything else would as well in some fashion.

NXT MAIN ROSTER CALL-UPS

The choices are all deserving, I just can't help but wonder the "why" behind it. Again, deserving, so is that the simple reason? The obvious of reasons would be the significant number of WWE Superstars on the shelf at the moment. Cesaro just returned on RAW. There is still John Cena (close to returning), Seth Rollins, Neville, Randy Orton. The question that arises from this scenario is, what happens when everyone returns? Will we see some future endeavored? Sent back to NXT?

Or, are we seeing the beginning of a main roster expansion to...split up between RAW and Smackdown!? Vince McMahon did give Shane McMahon RAW to run. Obviously, Shane can't "fire" Triple H and Stephanie in this scenario. Well, kind of obvious as this is sports entertainment. The Power Couple isn't going to be up for being "under" Shane on RAW either I would assume. Bringing us once again to a RAW V Smackdown! Not so much "head-to-head" as that only lasts so long, and RAW will most likely always come out on top at the end.
With fan awaiting the other members of The Bullet Club now known as The Balor Club (for obvious public relation reasons) to join Finn Balor. Who must be next in line to leave NXT for the main roster, regardless, that brings even more people into the mix. And there is an endless of former WWE talent who could find themselves back with the company. Carlito's name has been popping up as of late, and if you have seen the direction the (former) Los Matadors are heading, it makes a great entry.
This might not be the case though. During the Monday Night Wars, WWE was in a similar situation and needed new stars, so the roster was slightly beefed up and divided into numerous factions and groups. Nation Of Domination, Los Buricuas, D.O.A., Degeneration X, etc. From there the obvious top picks came in the form of The Rock and Triple H, but at that time it also helped other members (ie Road Dogg was uber over, and if not for demons, been a top guy). Now, I am not saying the there isn't any stars on the WWE roster right now, I just think that they don't really know who to  really get behind. If everyone (or majority) are in factions or groups, then it provides a chance to see who the best of the best. And again, it could help out other stars find/re-find their way to the top (or close).

It could be a slight combination of everything. The main roster is now getting a shot of youth, which it needs for the long haul. But, a large roster means less space both in ring and on camera without groupings or splitting. If they do split the brands, I just hope that now with the WWE Network, that each show will have a special event (PPV for those still paying for that) each month. I do remember RAW tended to get top billing, and the 2 month build ups when a brand would get a solo event weren't always great. Guess we will find out as things progress. Until then, Stay Nerdy!

TOTAL DIVAS, OR TOTAL AIRHEADS?

Right off the bat, let me say that I am aware that the show is a "worked" reality show. Just like practically every other reality show. However with Total Divas, it is almost a hindrance to the now thriving Divas (womens) division. And as things go on, it appears to get worse. Aren't they supposed to show the world smart, strong, and athletic females? There are moments, in which that message comes across, but other things overshadow that mainly.

Nikki Bella
-Nikki comes across as a bimbo airhead, who is far from smart, or even street smarts. Total Divas makes Nikki appear to be that cliche star. Tea parties, fine. Telling people to pretend, and being offended when they point out how fake it is. Drinking? Fine. If not for IG and Twitter, I would almost assume she has a drinking problem.

Brie Bella
-Brie has been portrayed in both a positive and a negative light. She appears to be the smarter of the Bella twins, but a lot of that appears to come from being with Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) at times.

Natalya
-When John Cena had mentioned he didn't want kids while he was in the business because he has seen those raised in that world, I couldn't help but wonder if Natty was one of those people. She appears to be a princess who has no concept of how real life works. Natalya is portrayed in a way that makes everyone feel bad for Tyson Kidd.

Eva Marie
-Fake. On all levels. Husband too. Hoping this is just Total Divas, otherwise, the women's wrestling movement is in trouble if this is who Vince wants at the top.

Alicia Fox
-Maybe Fox is crazy like Naomi Campbell. Maybe it is just part of the show. Her inring skills have improved, but is still "behind" the rest, but perhaps it is time to replace her. As how she is portrayed
on Total Divas, she is the new Melina.

Rosa Mendes
-I'll immediately gives props for overcoming her demons, and getting clean. As a person though, Total Divas presents Rosa as a love hungry, bimbo. Given extreme limited inring ability, hard to see why she is still around, outside of a valet/manager role.

Naomi
-Total Divas has actually garnered my respect in this case. She is married to a wrestler as well, but doesn't appear to be a female clone of her male counterpart. Not the same really for say the Bellas. She also seems to be the voice of reason, or the only one pointing out when the Divas are in the wrong.

Now again, this isn't a knock on the ladies involved. It is a shot on how they are appearing on Total Divas. Nikki, Paige, and company are simply playing roles on the show, but I felt compelled to point out how the lines of reality and fiction are becoming blurry....at the wrong time to make it worse.

TRUE RAW V SMACKDOWN!

We are not in the early 2000's anymore. Back then, I don't know about anyone else but I like to think the majority of us 80's kids were  on our own at that time and although we may have been able to afford the internet, a computer was a different story. Nowadays, almost everyone has access to the internet. Whether it be through their phones, tablets, at home hacking the neighbors wifi, where ever. My point? Having a pre-taped Smackdown! doesn't bode as well against a live RAW.

Now, I know that the cost of a live production is pretty high, but wouldn't the possible payoff be worth it? The basic reason we enjoy a live show is the unpredictability. Mishaps, surprises, it all adds to the show. With Smackdown!, we all have had access to spoilers for years. Nowadays here in Canada, we have Smackdown! aired on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays.
If WWE is to truly have a brand split, it would almost make sense for it to be with both RAW and Smackdown! being live shows. Completely separate from each other too. Saving the "crossovers" for unicorn-esque rarity. Even if say a person is fired from RAW, they aren't always guaranteed to show up on Smackdown!, sometimes the person is legitimately future endeavored. Not all performers would be willing, but having a small bit where the fired RAW wrestler shows up at Smackdown! looking for a job, only to be denied.
Now, another part could be nobody wanting to work every Thursday night (similar to Triple H back in the day apparently). To make the brand even more appealing, perhaps add a bonus of sorts for being apart of Smackdown! They need to not repeat the mistake of making Smackdown! the "feeder" brand for RAW. Undertaker was really the only mainstay way back when, everyone else it was a matter of time before they switched once they were over with the crowds and Vince.
Personally, I would break it all down as such; Initial draft. 2 World titles, 2 Womens titles, US on one and IC on the other, 2 tag titles. Not bringing back the cruiserweight championship. Everyone is a contender for the titles. Bringing back the Cruiserweight division almost allows Vince to pigeon hole people. Then, once a year there would be a trade deadline similar to that of the NHL and other sports. Not another draft to shake things up again, but trades between brands, and sign "free agents" from those coming up from NXT and returning stars.
That is the other reason I am hoping WWE makes Smackdown! a viable alternative for RAW, NXT. If and when Vince is finished with a RAW v Smackdown! storyline, I am hoping he leaves NXT alone, and doesn't try to add them to the "war" or make them the follow-up opposition. Simply make Smackdown! great again in todays world, RAW will be possibly infused with attention as well, and then use NXT for what it is meant for, and that is a farming system. True, they are a brand. But, they're still the starting point for many performers.

As always, I don't know the ins and outs of this type of stuff. I just think that this is a way to reboost the business. Create your own competition using your own product. TNA and others aren't keeping up, and wrestling seemingly has only ever been great when there has been some form of even level competition. Crockett and WWF (WWE) were the 80's, things got stale as Crockett became Turner's WCW in early 90's, then as WCW got better as did WWE. Now I am not saying direct competition, WCW focused too much on WWE at times and well we all know the reasons and what happened.

MOMENTS IN WRESTLING I LIKED, OTHERS HATED

I'm not normal, but not one to always have to go against the grain either. There are moments I am with the general opinion, and there are times I am against it. In terms of bad moments in wrestling or sports entertainment, here are my opposing opinions...

End Of The Streak

Either one. Goldberg's and Undertaker's. Both finishes worked for me, and made sense. First with Goldberg, was there really any other way to end the streak? They went with a run-in and a taser/cattle prod. The problem was that they had no idea how to use Goldberg after that. Ending showed it took 2 men and a weapon that takes down cattle to beat him.

With Taker, it is a "if they're gonna do it, this is how" type deal for me. Didn't want The Undertaker's Wrestlemania Undefeated Streak to end, but if it was then I am glad it was Brock Lesner. Reasons being, Lesner is a legit badass, freak of nature, however you want to put it. Who else could handle the heat that would come with being the 1 in 21-1? Brock gives zero sh!ts about what we think, especially in the real world. Then there is the "what if...?" aspect of if someone else did it. What if their careers are cut short due to injury or personal problems? It would end up being a waste.

Katie Vick

I'm joking, I'm joking haha Although they could have simply referenced it, and it might have worked...probably not but jeezbus haha

Finger Poke Of Doom

Hold on a minute, I enjoyed the initial moment of it. I thought it was part of a bigger storyline. Not just reuniting of the nWo. Perhaps if someone came out and said that things weren't happening that way, and brought out say Goldberg and face both Hogan and Nash for the title. He destroys them, and turns tables on Scott Hall going to the well too many times. I don't know, again the initial moment made me go, "Ohhh, sh!t." and then it turned into, "this is sh!t".

Chris Benoit Tribute

It was the last moment Chris Benoit was cast in a positive light or really even mentioned again. Now, I am absolutely no way condoning what happened. Even with the chance that it was purely brain damage related (which is hard to fully press judgment, as we are all capable of that with a damaged brain), I am not saying we need to honor Chris Benoit, I am just picking a moment in time where a great wrestler was remembered or honored for a final time. Benoit the wrestler? Legendary. The person? Will never know for sure.

The Invasion

When it first appeared to be guys like Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak at Wrestlemania X-7, I was like "crap." I liked seeing Chavo and Lance Storm, but it didn't seem like much. But, then pieces began to reveal themselves, and I was actually pleased with the "final roster" of WCW and ECW's Alliance. Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Kris Kanyon, RVD, Lance Storm, Sean O'Haire, etc. were the guys that were actually working on WCW every week up until the end. The big stars minus Steiner, were come and go mostly, and not at all near the end.

There are others, I simply cannot think of them at the moment, so perhaps for a future entry. Till then...

WWE NETWORK SLOWLY BECOMING WHAT IT CAN BE

I don't expect a 24 hour run of new content by any means. I don't even expect to see a live edition of Raw or Smackdown! take place on the WWE Network. And that is understandable from a business point of view. The WWE Network is a specialty channel of sorts, so not everyone has access to it. Unlike a regular television network, no chance of picking up new viewers who randomly came across an edition of Raw or Smackdown!

What WWE does need to do is have more original content mixed in with the massive collection they hold at their disposal. They sort of do this, they just don't seem to do enough just yet. Shows like The Edge & Christian Show, Legends House, and others have been good but all seem to be in a "shoot some shows, and play the crap out of them, and then repeat" mode. Perhaps they should "stock pile" some shows and launch them all within a 12 hour a day, 7 days a week format. Easy for me to say I am sure, and I admit I don't know anything about how things are done. But, being a part of the IWC (I guess), I'll tell how I would regardless haha But, on a serious note, it does suck not having the On Demand (damn deal between WWE and Rogers) and makes the repeats even worse. Something needs to change for people like me, and actually to attract companies to want to purchase commercial time and all that.

MONDAY:
-This Week In WWE
-The Monday Night War
-Old RAW
-Old Nitro
-RAW Pre-Show
-3 hours worth of repeats from last week
-RAW Post Show
-Stone Cold Podcast

TUESDAY:
-This Week In WWE
-Superstar Ink w/ Corey Graves
-WWE Unfiltered w/ Renee Young
-WWE Countdown
-WWE Rivalries
-Total Divas
-Old Tuesday Night Titans

WEDNESDAY:
-This Week In WWE
-The WWE List
-Tough Enough (Old)
-Tough Enough (Old)
-Breaking Ground
-NXT
-WWE 24
-WWE Beyond The Ring

THURSDAY:
-This Week In WWE
-Old Smackdown!
-Old Thunder
-Smackdown! Pre-Show
-2 hours of repeats from last week
-Smackdown! Post Show
-Ric Flair Podcast/Legends w/ JBL

FRIDAY:
-This Week In WWE
-Culture Shock w/ Corey Graves
-Table For 3
-Table For 3
-WWE Ride Along
-WWE Ride Along
-Edge & Christian's Show...
-Edge & Christian's Show...
-WWE Movie

SATURDAY:
-This Week In WWE
-Rock 'n' Wrestling
-WWE Slam City
-Camp WWE
-WWE Legends' House
-Old WWE Superstars
-WWE Superstars
-Swerved
-Old Saturday Night Main Event
-First Look
-Superstar DVD (main footage)
-Superstar DVD (main footage)

SUNDAY (Special Event Night)
-This Week In WWE
-Classic Wrestling
-Classic Wrestling
-Classic Wrestling
-Wrestlemania Rewind
-Special Event Pre-Show
-Special Event
-Special Event Post Show

SUNDAY (No Special Event)
-This Week In WWE
-Classic Wrestling
-Classic Wrestling
-Classic Wrestling
-Wrestlemania Rewind
-Old WWE Special Event
-Old WCW Special Event

Obviously, that isn't enough to fill the 12 hour run time, but you get the general idea. New shows, other things from the library, but the only reruns are during RAW and Smackdown! and shows like This Week In WWE or RAW Flashback can repeat. No more playing the crap out of things, then getting something new and playing the crap out that and repeating the process. Time for better structure to look more like a television channel.
Ric Flair's Podcast would join the ranks with Austin. His shows would focus on Legends and rotate with "Legends w/ JBL"Which could perhaps add to the Smackdown! hype that may or may not (but should be) coming. Podcasts are a new one a month, rerunning in that time slot the other weeks. Friday nights would become a "movie night". Why not air some of the WWE movies like "The Marine" or "The Condemned" series. Or buy/lease the rights to movies that featured WWE stars like "The Scorpion King" or one of the many films Rowdy Roddy Piper starred in (he was a pretty good actor). Take what they have and then simply formulate a schedule where they play one per week and then repeat the cycle. Annnnd, let's see some old editions of Smackdown! and Thunder. They were just as much as part of the war as RAW and Nitro were. Not the focal points, but they were part of the storylines, and had some great moments themselves too.

FUTURE ENDEAVOR WORTHY?

I don't know the contract situations and all that goes into it, just simply "analyzing" the WWE roster and giving my opinion on who should perhaps hope for a brand split between Raw and Smackdown! Add the success of NXT and the number of stars it is creating, then some main roster guys become extra "expendable".

Sin Cara...
What began as the best thing, quickly became the worst thing for Sin Cara (current version). And that was being joined with Kalisto. Love or hate him, Rey Mysterio made WWE a lot of money (and he got his from them). Sin Cara, regardless of who's been under the mask hasn't really gotten over with the crowds. Kalisto, the opposite, and with the right marketing could be the WWE's next Rey Mysterio. And if there isn't a split, then there really isn't a "need" for a second Lucha past their feud after splitting.

Zack Ryder...
I know he has been down in NXT with Mojo Rawley.as The Hype Bros, but do we really see that team going beyond NXT? Personally, I don't. If Ryder has any chance of regaining what he briefly had (before creative crushed that), it comes from a brand split where he doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Sooner than later too, as NXT is got some people who've been ready for awhile now, leaving limited spots even on two separate shows.

Ryback...
The Big Guy needs a show that has mostly "smaller guys", to really be The Big Guy. As it is now, he ins't really that big compared to others like Sheamus or Alberto Del Rio. Don't get me wrong, Ryback is jacked. It just doesn't come across as well with everyone. He needs a show where he is the monster. Good workers who are simply smaller than Ryback. Dolph Ziggler, AJ Styles, and others like that. He would gain heat for simply not being like the other fan favorites, being more the classic "Vince's type". In my head it makes sense. Because if not, I am already bored with him and he just went heel again.

Fandango...
He has moments where he is over with crowds. Perhaps he is out with injury right now, but if that isn't the case, where has he been? His character was a new-age throw back to the gimmick days, but there wasn't really any character depth. It was still the boring guy from....Tough Enough? NXT? I forget. Regardless, time to get back on television and develop the gimmick, or find a new one.The #SocialOutcasts are getting more airtime. Join them, or develop yourself, or best of luck in all your future endeavors? Brand split or not.

There are others, and this isn't a knock on anyone. Just feel that the way things are going, if the WWE looks to "save money", then some people should worry. Again, just based on what is known, like television time, etc.

WWE. WHAT HAS IMPROVED OVER THE YEARS

Majority of the IWC tend to have more negative things to say than positive. Which is okay. Negativity tends to attract more attention. However, this time around we'll try to focus on the good. Why not? WWE does do a pretty good job of things if you think about it. Once again there is an "injury bug" floating around, taking out all levels of performers. And although we may not always agree or "approve", they keep things going despite the depleted roster.

The Bellas

Yes, one could say they are where they are because of who they are with. Hard not to given each Bella has adopted some of their significant others style into their own. But, regardless of where it has come from, Nikki and Brie have become legendary compared to The Bella Twins of yesteryear. May be late giving the props, with Nikki rehabbing after neck surgery and Brie likely to follow Daniel into retirement and start their family, but still giving props. Some may scoff at this, but easy to compare them to WWE HOF Trish Stratus. Who also began as purely eye candy, and developed quite the formidable in-ring game.

The Women's/Divas Division

Regardless of what you prefer to call it, WWE has begun to truly bring female performers to the forefront. Not just that, it has zero to do with appearance. Beauty is always a matter of opinion, but viewers are left with no option but to judge these women based on in-ring ability. Sure, one can argue that we can thank people like Ronda Rousey for all of this, but honestly all the thanks falls on the females in WWE and NXT for showing they are just as good as, and in some cases better, than the men.

Concussions

Daniel Bryan retiring sucked. But, as most would agree it was for the best. And we may see this happen more and more often in the future. Hopefully independent companies will deny performers who are "outted" as being "unfit" for in-ring performances. We now have a higher chance of meeting and seeing our favorites after they are retired. Comic-Cons, Signings....Hall Of Fame Inductions. We may never know what truly happened with Chris Benoit, but a lot of things suggest it was from concussions and the damage they do to the brain. We will likely never (and real fans know just how rare it is to use that word in this business) see Benoit inducted. We've lost too many to the addictions, time to praise WWE for trying to eliminate losing any to concussions.

Bleeding

This one may get some flack. Understandably. Blood added some realism to the product. However, during and for awhile after the Attitude Era, there was blood everywhere. The independents were just ridiculous in some cases. Promotions that truly didn't understand ECW's product, instead only imitating and escalating the violence. No story, just blood. With WWE "eliminating" blood actually helps the product.  Have we seen "color"? Yes. And after they stopped pausing the matches, it made bleeding more meaningful. Like in the golden years of the 1980's and early 90's, where "color" was usually reserved for the main event (with exceptions). Flair and Hogan almost always had those rights reserved.

NXT And WWE Performance Center

Triple H gets the credit for this, but it is amazing in many ways and good for the business as well as WWE. The territory days are dead, and other promotions are...good and bad for ones career. Sorry TNA fans, but Jarrett has a new promotion, and AJ n Joe are in WWE. Now, independent stars and undiscovered talent have a place to learn, improve, and prove they are WWE worthy. Even the developed talent have a place to shake off the ring rust after injury or make improvement on their characters before returning to the main roster. Sure, there will still be "cuts", but now there is at least a chance the hopefuls have opportunity to improve before being future endeavored.

You may have noticed that the "product" itself wasn't really mentioned. That is because it is also something that is a matter of opinion. Again with the injury bug, WWE is doing pretty good quality wise. FAstlane jjust happened last night, and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship wasn't up for grabs and things were pretty good. Even the obvious "let's try The New Day out as baby faces for a second".