At an NXT live event this weekend in Florida:
- Mojo Rawley beat Alex Riley. No Zack Ryder on this show. I'm not so sure Mojo would do better as a singles star. Ryder taking Mojo under his wing has been beneficial.
- Tye Dillinger won a singles match, so he's back from his injury.
- Australian bodybuilder turned NXT wrestler Chris Atkins cut a promo, so he's likely headed to the ring soon. If top names like Balor and Joe move up alongside Zayn, more "spots" will open up on live events and tapings. Of course, Aries and Nakamura are likely to be featured in prominent roles in their absence.
As for WWE in Montreal:
- Brock Lesnar laid waste to Luke Harper in what was officially a handicap match involving Bray. Wyatt wasn't even tagged in.
- Brock Lesnar laid waste to Luke Harper in what was officially a handicap match involving Bray. Wyatt wasn't even tagged in.
- Pat Patterson was introduced to the crowd before the main event of Owens vs. Ambrose vs. Zayn. It's amazing those three names headlined a WWE live event, considering none of them fit the "WWE mold" a few years ago.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
- GFW rescheduled an event in Tennessee for April 8. That show will feature James Storm, Gunner, Crimson, Crazzy Steve, and Rebel. I'd like to see Crimson and Gunner get regular televized work, or a shot in NXT.
TNA is looking to bring new talents in for their upcoming TV/PPV tapings, especially on the Knockout side. Chelsea Green and Deonna Purazzo worked for them in Birmingham, so they could be on the short list to join the roster. Shynron worked for them early this year, too, and there's UK talents Big Damo and Jimmy Havoc to consider. We could see any, all, or none of those names come in, but they've all worked with TNA in the last three months.
Abyss talked about The Decay:
- Corgan's musical connections have definitely helped out TNA.
- The tag team division has improved to a degree lately. Beer Money's back together, the Decay is a thing, EY's working with Bram, and there's Drake/Godderz, as well as Shera/Grado.
- I hope we do see more from Steve and Rosemary. TNA needs to build for the future.
TNA is looking to bring back their Spin Cycle show. If that gets more people watching TNA's performers, I think it's a good move.
Recent ROH name Lio Rush will be debuting in EVOLVE on May 6. He's becoming a name in high demand. It will be interesting to see where he ends up making a more permanent home.
Seth Rollins continues to work out as he makes progress toward an eventual in-ring return. While I don't really like the idea of Roman turning heel, Heel Roman losing the title to Face Seth could be really big.
Mike Bennett and Maria vs. Drew Galloway and Gail Kim has been added to Tuesday's Impact Wrestling. This will be Maria's first match for TNA. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes Knockouts Champion soon. Gail needs a new top antagonist with Kong and Taryn gone.
At WWE's live event in New Jersey opposite Roadblock:
- The Lucha Dragons each worked singles matches. I hope the team isn't split. They work together quite well.
- Neville teamed with Damien Sandow in Sandow's latest random tag team. I don't really expect him to get a permanent teammate anytime soon.
At ROH's live event in Philadelphia:
- The Blue Meanie, CZW's DJ Hyde, and some workers from The Monster Factory visited. Could some of those trainees end up working ROH?
- Dalton Castle teamed with his Boys in a loss to ANX.
- ROH will have a TV taping in Philly on July 16. That's the perfect market for them.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. I definitely don't think HHH is in position to headline Wrestlemania just because of his connections. He's been a big part of TV for years now, so it's not like he's suddenly popping up to get a big match. The show needs star power, and he's a top star. I think he would have been a few matches down (likely vs. Rollins) if it wasn't for the big injuries happening.
1. I definitely don't think HHH is in position to headline Wrestlemania just because of his connections. He's been a big part of TV for years now, so it's not like he's suddenly popping up to get a big match. The show needs star power, and he's a top star. I think he would have been a few matches down (likely vs. Rollins) if it wasn't for the big injuries happening.
2. While I do think WWE has struggles with long-term building, most of this has to do with having to shuffle the deck after top names were injured. Also, AJ Styles came in and they had to change plans for Y2J at the show. As for Roman vs. HHH , they've built that since AT LEAST Survivor Series. Longer if you consider the wars The Shield and Evolution had after The Shield split from The Authority. Ambrose vs. Lesnar has been built since the road to Fastlane, so no real complaints there either. Anytime you compare the real-world situations to a perfect world where everyone can plan things out months and months in advance, real life is going to come up short.
3. I think ROH in general needs a shakeup. I definitely think the show would be even more bland and stale without the NJPW names being involved. While adding more interesting performers would be a good start, they've got to mostly work with what they have. A big change in how a lot of wrestlers are presented and promoted would do a lot more than just adding some more "indie" names.
4. Since they're not headed for a top feud at Wrestlemania, WWE can only do so much with them. I would have liked the Wyatts vs. LoN that night, but there's not much to do with them beyond that. I definitely don't want to see them beat New Day for the titles.
5. Lawler has a very special deal with WWE in order to allow that. He'll keep wrestling as long as he can; that was his passion before commentary.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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