NXT meets RAW

So on last nights episode (the season premiere, whatever that means) of Monday night Raw we saw, for the first time ever, 4 members of NXT in a match. Sami Zayn (formerly El Generico), Adrian Neville (formally PAC), Tyler Breeze (formally Mike Dalton) and Tyson Kidd (formally.... Tyson Kidd)

This match was a tag match of Zayn and Neville vs Kidd and Breeze, lasting roughly 5-10 minutes long. The highlight of this match was entirely Adrian Neville, who used an incredibly fast pace and athleticism to show off. Zayn mostly used arm drags, while Neville used an incredibly quick series of kicks, followed by a standing moonsault, a few feet to hand flips before knocking breeze to the mat and hitting his signature Corkscrew shooting star press to end the match (to much applause).

Zayn showed his core wrestling ability, with arm drags, grappling and a front flip plancha to Tyson Kidd.
Breeze and Kidd didn't really use the time given to them to show off, which presented a problem and didn't leave a lasting impression.

However, this all leads to my main point: would it be wise to showcase NXT talent on RAW?

I believe the answer is yes, in small portions, and here is why:

It gives the NXT roster some experience of performing in front of 8,000+ people compared to 200 on NXT
It allows the WWE to see what gimmicks are acceptable to the main roster. Some gimmicks will transition to a larger arena (like the original Ascension gimmick) while others may not (Mojo Rawley could be an example)
It introduces fans, gradually, to the next generation of superstars, meaning when they are fully brought up they will already be recognized.
It promotes NXT itself as a show. by having 1 match a week on RAW you could give the crowd and audience at home a taste of what NXT has to offer.

All in all i believe that using RAW to push NXT stars would be phenomenal, for a simple 1 match a week (since they have 3 hours to fill).

Fantasy Booking: The Hound of Justice return

Ok, so for those of you who don't know, i take part in a weekly show called Lowdown so go check it out (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jla0ZTULNMM)

Towards the end of this show, we discussed a possible scenario that would see Lesnar Vs Rock at Wrestlemania 31. If this is the way that this was to be built, it could easily be turned into a Shield reunion. This is entirely fantasy booking, don't take it too seriously.

With Rock Vs Lesnar you would have a high anticipated match between 2 big draws, an ideal main event for Wrestlemania. At the end of the match, The Rock stands victorious with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Enter The Authority. In a swift move, Kane tackles Rock to the ground (possibly a chokeslam / powerbomb) and Orton flies in with a punt. Triple H stands over Rock and says "Sorry Dwayne.... you aren't what's best for business". Seth Rollins walks down to the ring, with Triple H shouting at Kane and Orton to get Rock on his feet. They hold Rock with one of their legs holding Rock's in place, pulling his arm back and his head down, while Rollins comes off the top rope with a super-curb stomp, laying out The Rock and allowing for Seth Rollins to cash in, ending Wrestlemania with Rollins as champion.

The following night on Raw it is announced that Seth Rollins will be inducted into Evolution as the WWE Champion as the final segment.

With Triple H and Orton (possibly Batista, though I'd prefer to have Kane there) to support Rollins. Triple H (after a promo) says something like "Welcome to Evolution". At this point Rollins speaks and says "Thank you Hunter, really it means a lot to me..... but..... i have my own boys"

Ambrose and Reigns run out with Reigns, Ambrose and Reigns teaming with Rollins. Rollins and Ambrose clear the ring, leaving Reigns and Triple H to brawl. Ambrose and Rollins get back in the ring with Reigns hitting the Superman Punch and setting up a spear.

Reigns stops and looks at Rollins and Ambrose, shaking his head before signalling to get Triple H up while Reigns roars, leading to Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins hitting The Shields signature triple powerbomb. The Shield end the show with the signature pose over an unconscious Triple H, each with a hand holding the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

This booking could lead to character development, with Ambrose later turning heel, paranoid that Rollins will turn on him again, with Rollins playing an innocent babyface.

Please let me know what you think of this - like i said it wasn't too serious but I'd love to know what you guys think!

Written in the Star(dust)s

Ok, one character that made a Debut in the WWE over the past year was Stardust (previously known as Cody Rhodes)

Now upon the night of his debut, it was called a horrible gimmick by a large number of people who preferred Cody Rhodes original gimmick(s).

However i would like to point out and ask:

How does that face not simply scream 'Heel'?
Everything from the smile to the eyes just shouts "Hey guys, I'm gonna F**k with you like nobody has before!"

In all seriousness, i believe this to be a fantastic gimmick, especially with the apparent 'Heel Turn' from Monday Night Raw last week (i say apparent because lets be honest, it wasn't the best heel turn in history)

Stardust reminds me of Bray Wyatt in some sense. Wyatt is a dark, malevolent force in the WWE that plays mind games with people and preaching before them like the pastor of a twisted cult.
Stardust however i could see as being a much lighter side of twisted. "John.... why won't you smile? Everyone should smile!".

Levels of Wrestling (@LevellerLow on twitter) has said to me "I can see him as the joker" (batman reference - go watch 'the dark knight') and I very much agree. If Heath Ledger was still alive and decided to do wrestling, Stardust would be a perfect character for him.

Cody has the opportunity to create a truly iconic character in the form of stardust, someone that plays games and is very much a Villain / Anti-hero but still a true crowd favorite. This should be a creepy without being dark character, but that can still get violent and serious when the time comes.

Don't get me wrong, this kind of character will probably never be in the main event. However, it would be an absolutely solid upper mid card character in the way that Jericho often was. Give stardust the IC title and have him refer to himself as the "Intergalactic Champion", its a gimmick that could work incredibly well, but still be a favorite like Ziggler. Possibly throw him in to the Main Event every now and then, but nothing too serious (much like Christian)

That, ladies and gentlemen is my opinion on stardust. He should be a solid upper mid card character, occasionally playing with main event guys like Cena to keep him relevant.

Feel free to leave a comment below, etc.!

Reigns path to the Main Event

So a lot of people are talking about Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, who is currently expected to dethrone the beast incarnate as WWEWHC at wrestlemania 31.

However, there are a number of issues with this that i'd like to discuss.

Roman Reigns first made his debut at Survivor Series 2012, when The Shield ran interference in the CM Punk - Ryback match. Since then. he has had multiple tag matches (beginning with TLC 2012 vs John Cena, Sheamus and Ryback), and seeing some tremendous matches such as Shield Vs Wyatts at the elimination chamber.

Reign's career is built upon the backs of Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose. In every interview and promo, Ambrose did most of the talking. In matches, Reigns was very rarely in the ring for more than 3-5 minutes before tagging out. It wasn't until recently that Roman Reigns began his singles run and since then multiple people have pointed out "Reigns isn't ready". While i do not disagree with this, i do not fully agree either.

Reigns cannot talk well on the mic. His moveset is limited and many people already hate him (although not the crowds he performs in front of). IF it is true he was chosen, it will mostly be because of his image, which admittedly is perfect for the face of the company. 

Now if it is true that Reigns will dethrone Lesnar at Wrestlemania, it leaves a total of 7 months for Reigns to improve.

I feel that in this time it is IMPERATIVE that WWE stops looking for someone to make Reigns look strong, and try to find someone to make him look GOOD. 

I say this because Reigns dominates most of his matches but shows how green he is in the ring. They need to find someone that can change that, someone that Reigns has chemistry with in the ring. 

If CM Punk was around, he'd be my first suggestion, as he is able to bring out the best in most opponents.

My second choice would be Daniel Bryan, who can similarly draw out potential.

My third would actually be an NXT talent called Sami Zayn, who i feel pulled the best out of Cesaro in the almost legendary two out of three falls match on NXT (which if you haven't watched, you definitely should).

This leaves my 4th option, who i feel could POSSIBLY help Reigns draw out the best in him.

Dean Ambrose.

Dean is a man that clearly understands ring psychology, pacing and has charisma in the ring. It's not a feud that would be hard to book, and could leave both Reigns and Ambrose coming out looking like legitimate main event stars. This feud should be booked as the number 2 feud (behind lesnar and his opponent of course). It could even feature Seth Rollins as a Triple Threat match at TLC (the 2 year anniversary of their in ring debut on the main roster) which could add some additional flavor. Make this a TLC Triple Threat by pinfall or submission match, similar to the one in which these men debuted.

Reigns should of course win the match with a spear to Rollins, possibly with Ambrose holding Rollins in a full nelson or another hold at the time of impact (anyone who has seen dragon ball z knows exactly what im thinking) 

Going into the Royal Rumble, Reigns should come across as he did with Vicki Gurerro - Charming, Cunning, with a little bit of Rock-esque character to liven him up, getting more serious on the Go home show. The Rumble match should have reigns fighting the odds as an underdog, being a face and primarily eliminating heels.

Whether or not he wins the rumble, Reigns should enter the main event of Wrestlemania 31, with him going through John Cena at the Elimination Chamber. This would act as a 'Passing of the Torch' moment, with Cena giving Reigns the blessing to fight Lesnar.

By this time it could be hoped that Reigns has improved dramatically, taking advice from people backstage and in the performance center. At Wrestlemania 31, a match between Brock Lesnar and Reigns should be physical, intense and should look brutal. It should not look like Cena-Lesnar at summerslam, it should be balanced with more wrestling and less time filler (and hopefully a mock superman punch from Lesnar). A good match (with Heymans reaction at the end) would leave Reigns exiting Wrestlemania 31 as the first next-generation main event star.

This of course is my opinion, i'd love to hear what you all think you all think in the comments, ill be updating my blog once to twice a week! Thank you for reading!