AJ STYLES: THE LONG SHOT

It is kind of weird to think of AJ Styles being the "underdog", as he truly is phenomenal. He's transitioned perfectly into the WWE Universe, you would think that he is a WWE Veteran, and not just an overall Vet. But, in the WWE he is a rookie none the less. AJ is also not the "traditional" WWE Superstar in regards to being THE man. We've seen others break that invisible glass ceiling, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, etc. Difference being that they had to acan still lmost "earn" their way to the top through the WWE Universe. AJ Styles is still a WWE rookie, having only been in the WWE since being a surprise entrant in the 2016 Royal Rumble.

Those are the basics. AJ Styles is also not Roman Reigns. WWE has been building to all of this for almost 2 years now. Money In The Bank cash in, The Authority, etc are a thing of the past. Unless things have changed, The Roman Empire is on a run as being the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The new don't care attitude says that they are going to keep trying to win fans over. So again, unless things have changed, AJ isn't walking out with the title after Payback.
Are they at least turning Roman heel or going with the new evolved "good" and "bad" guy routine? Which is where it isn't face versus heel, as it is fan fav against person fans like less. I say evolved because of people like Kevin Owens, who are fan favorite in regards to ring ability but can garner cheers as a face and boos as a heel. If people booed Owens as champ, it would be because his character at that time called for it. If Reigns doesn't turn, fans will be booing because he wins and not because they simply prefer Styles. It isn't because Roman is a bad guy, it isn't because Roman is a good guy, it is because fans just don't want him as THE guy in this manner. Just like with John Cena, who I've mentioned could "turn" without doing anything but acknowledging he is a heel. Same stuff, just justifying the chorus of boos. It is also hard to see past a traditional "someone runs in and screws AJ over, he feuds with them, Reigns on to the next challenger" scenario as well.

Things aren't horrible with a Reigns win though, well, if they played it out as such it wouldn't. I've said before how The Usos are going through a similar situation as their cousin Roman. Beyond their entrance, fans don't seem to be behind the tag team. So, why not have them join The Roman Empire and have all turn heel? Usos run in costing AJ the title, Karl Anderson and Doc/Luke Gallows follow-up clearing the ring and starting The Bullet Club now The Balor Club with AJ? Then feuding of course. Joe isn't part of the Samoan Dynasty, but he could be included in the Roman Empire, with Finn Balor in the Balor Club to make this that much better.

Guess we shall see soon. Again, I am big fan of AJ Styles and have been wanting a WWE jump for years. I would just be shocked if he walked away from Payback as the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. A very welcomed shock, but a shock none the less. Guaranteed positive is that I'll be watching via the WWE Network. Couldn't handle disappointment at PPV pricing.

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.

DYNASTY SIZE HEEL TURN

It isn't that they aren't talented. It isn't that the problem is even with them. Fans have fallen off the bandwagons of both Roman Reigns and The Usos. There have been a few occurrences, but Wrestlemania 32 and the following night on RAW solidified things. I've said before that I don't think it is so much that Vince is behind Roman, but more how he is presenting the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H is one the legends who can go full baby face or full heel, and get anyone over on the opposing side. Wrestlemania 32, it didn't happen. Chris Jericho, also overly capable of getting someone over as a baby face or heel. April 4th's RAW, it didn't happen. The same thing with The Usos on both nights against the Dudley Boyz. A tag-team as capable as Triple H and Y2J.

So, not only because it makes sense in regards to character development (remember how The Rock started), but also because of the current landscape of the WWE. Factions of 3 or more are everywhere. The Wyatt Family, The New Day, League Of Nations, #SocialOutcasts, etc. Now that I think about it, this is VERY similar to when we saw Rocky Maivia turn into The Rock. Degeneration X, Nation Of Domination, Job Squad, and more. Heck, even Legion Of Doom was somewhat functioning as a three man unit.
If we are going to make this a WWE total domination type group, then I am adding Samoa Joe to the mix. Not a member of the Samoan Dynasty, but Samoan none the less. Highly capable one to boot. Roman as WWE Champ, Joe with either US or IC titles, and Usos with the tag straps. I am also going with them all in suits and shades. Might be kind of over-done nowadays, but for them it further cements them as new day Samoan wrestlers. Not the large, wild warriors of the past, but the fit, calculating assassins of today. Sorry, tried to sell that a bit haha If we get the Balor Club (formerly Bullet Club) on the main roster, that would make for a great feud in many ways.
Not sure what else they can do to get Roman over with the crowds the way that they (WWE) want. It didn't help that his push began while Daniel Bryan was still in the picture and nobody having a clue that Vince was looking out for D Bryan and not "holding him back". Fans may have to hate him before they can love him. I know that it isn't good to try and replicate the past, but this is almost becoming not an option with Reigns needing to follow The Rock. Not directly, not a carbon copy, but same destination of being so over as a heel that they love you.

It does seem to be going that direction though. Roman taking a "don't give a______" type stance on things. I will admit that the line, "I'm not a bad guy. I'm not a good guy. I'm THE guy!" is really good. But, really good for a heel. Believe that.

DREAM MATCHES

The obvious would be something like Big Show V Andre The Giant, or  Stone Cold V Goldberg, but attempting to take the least obvious route. Some will be ridiculous to some, while others may have made for a decent match at a certain point of time.

Brock Lesner V Scott Steiner

Not sure if this happened or not in WWE during the early 2000's, but even if it had it likely wasn't really a match with a story behind it. This match would put a lot of things to the test. Most notably, professionalism. Both are legit amateur wrestlers. Both are freaks of nature. Both have egos. Whether "on the same page" or not, this would make for a true slobber knocker. You know, like how Lesner V Goldberg was supposed to be.

Bret Hart V Kurt Angle

Two reasons. I'm Canadian, and love "Canada V USA" stuff in wrestling (especially with Bret). Also, have you seen Chris Benoit V Kurt Angle matches? If not, go take a look. Sure, Bret has a different style with not so much explosiveness, but technically gifted beyond most. Put that against someone at par if not further ahead in technical ability and we have gold. No, not what is around Angle's neck.

Samoa Joe V Taz

It was a rare "TNA did something right" moment when they paired Taz with Joe in a mentor type role. The styles were similar. Looks....kinda, kinda not. Regardless, this would have made for an amazing match if Taz were still able to safely go in the ring. Although the "Muscle Buster" would make me cringe now if on someone with neck issues. But again, most of the moves.throws performed in this match, and how they are performed might keep my stomach on the edge of its own seat let alone me on mine....trying not to yak.

Undertaker V Andre The Giant

The Deadman seems to be able to have a decent to great match with anyone (ie Giant Gonzalez). What could he have done with Andre before or even after his prime. It would be safe to say that Andre would have "accepted" 'Taker, given the locker room status he has. If not, likely would be Andre trying to be alpha. Even then, The Phenom would have a good match with The 8th Wonder Of The World.

Kurt Angle V Ken Shamrock

Most probably thought I would go with Lesner in place of Angle. Understandably. However, this has been in my mind since the moment Kurt Angle began using the Ankle Lock as his Finishing Submission move. I immediately thought of Shamrock. Given the knowledge now of MMA, I don't worry too much about Kurt getting messed with, or provoking anything given what he pulled of with Jeff Jarrett and their circumstances.

There are others, just simply can't think of the ones that aren't your typical dream match.