Written by: Kevin Berge (All Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Is anyone excited yet about WrestleMania? Anyone?
I'm seriously starting to get worried about this show. The card is getting ridiculously large, and half the contests on the card barely matter with no real story behind them.
The Grandest Stage of Them All has just become the one time of the year where WWE will throw everyone on the card to make sure they are satisfied with a few matches that have real excitement behind them.
This week wasn't much help, and I'm sure next week will change everything, right? Right? Please just be good soon, WWE. It's all I ask.
I'm seriously starting to get worried about this show. The card is getting ridiculously large, and half the contests on the card barely matter with no real story behind them.
The Grandest Stage of Them All has just become the one time of the year where WWE will throw everyone on the card to make sure they are satisfied with a few matches that have real excitement behind them.
This week wasn't much help, and I'm sure next week will change everything, right? Right? Please just be good soon, WWE. It's all I ask.
Remember when Brock Lesnar was too cool to wear his own WWE Shop merch? Now he doesn't care so much that he'll just wear whatever they throw at him to keep making more money.
Monday Night Raw March 18, 2019
Why is Brock Lesnar Still in WWE?
Overview: Brock Lesnar returned to Monday Night Raw and taunted the crowd with the Universal Championship. After Paul Heyman talked down Seth Rollins, The Architect took out Drew McIntyre with a steel chair and ran off The Beast Incarnate. In the main event, Lesnar distracted Rollins for a Claymore, giving McIntyre the win.
Analysis: The Beast just looked bored this week, going through the motions. It's so deflating to see him still carrying around the title no one even remembers. I hope that 'Mania is his last match in WWE for a long while because I need Raw to get back to normal with an active champion.
Right now, I really don't care about Lesnar vs. Rollins. I'm far more interested in what Roman Reigns can do with The Scottish Psychopath.
Baron Corbin May Be the Worst Possible Challenger to Kurt Angle
Overview: Kurt Angle announced he wanted to make his last match special by taking out the man who made the last year of his life terrible, challenging Baron Corbin for WrestleMania. He ended up making Chad Gable tap out to an ankle lock before The Lone Wolf came out to mock Angle.
Analysis: Angle was never going to have a great last match. He's worn down at this point. Gable was struggling to carry him through the match this week. However, Corbin as Angle's last opponent just feels wrong. It won't work as a match, and it won't work as an extended segment.
Corbin has enough heat as it is, and he doesn't need the rub while he's likely going to make the match go way too long to have a spotlight even if he loses.
Conclusion
I have already forgotten most of what happened this week on Raw. The best part was Ronda Rousey destroying Dana Brooke and WWE's security. The rest was pretty mundane though Rollins and McIntyre did a good job making their latest overused match feel relevant.
Overview: Brock Lesnar returned to Monday Night Raw and taunted the crowd with the Universal Championship. After Paul Heyman talked down Seth Rollins, The Architect took out Drew McIntyre with a steel chair and ran off The Beast Incarnate. In the main event, Lesnar distracted Rollins for a Claymore, giving McIntyre the win.
Analysis: The Beast just looked bored this week, going through the motions. It's so deflating to see him still carrying around the title no one even remembers. I hope that 'Mania is his last match in WWE for a long while because I need Raw to get back to normal with an active champion.
Right now, I really don't care about Lesnar vs. Rollins. I'm far more interested in what Roman Reigns can do with The Scottish Psychopath.
Baron Corbin May Be the Worst Possible Challenger to Kurt Angle
Overview: Kurt Angle announced he wanted to make his last match special by taking out the man who made the last year of his life terrible, challenging Baron Corbin for WrestleMania. He ended up making Chad Gable tap out to an ankle lock before The Lone Wolf came out to mock Angle.
Analysis: Angle was never going to have a great last match. He's worn down at this point. Gable was struggling to carry him through the match this week. However, Corbin as Angle's last opponent just feels wrong. It won't work as a match, and it won't work as an extended segment.
Corbin has enough heat as it is, and he doesn't need the rub while he's likely going to make the match go way too long to have a spotlight even if he loses.
Conclusion
I have already forgotten most of what happened this week on Raw. The best part was Ronda Rousey destroying Dana Brooke and WWE's security. The rest was pretty mundane though Rollins and McIntyre did a good job making their latest overused match feel relevant.
Grade: C
Who would have expected WWE would choose to protect Rowan over Samoa Joe or Randy Orton? What a time we live in.
SmackDown Live March 19, 2019
WWE Needs to Stop Overcomplicating Easy Stories
Overview: Kofi Kingston ran the gauntlet successfully. He defeated Sheamus and Cesaro back to back then Rowan got himself intentionally disqualified to deal more damage. Samoa Joe almost had Kofi but got rolled up then the same happened to Randy Orton.
However, as The New Day celebrated, Vince McMahon announced Kofi had to defeat one more man: Daniel Bryan. Bryan ran over an exhausted Kofi with ease, hitting the running knee for the win.
Analysis: It's all just getting to be too much. WWE had the perfect poetic story going as the veteran would overcome incredible odds to earn his shot and Vince would be forced to acknowledge Kofi's work. Instead, they just threw a curveball to extend this tale one more week.
While I am fairly certain next week will be a huge moment as the roster rallies around Kofi and forces him to get a title shot, there was no reason to prolong this. WrestleMania's card is filling up, and fans should be allowed to start getting excited about Bryan vs. Kofi.
The Women's Tag Team Division is a Mess But At Least The IIconics are Getting a Chance
Overview: Sasha Banks and Bayley promised to appear on SmackDown Live this week before they were interrupted by Natalya and Beth Phoenix who wanted a shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania.
A brawl broke out that led to Natalya vs. Banks before Tamina took out everyone with Nia Jax distracting the teams. On SmackDown, The IIconics got their shot and managed to defeat the tag team champions with some illegal teamwork.
Analysis: It's hard to get excited right about the women's tag team division because it's a mess to follow. Many of the best established teams are not getting a shot. Meanwhile, Jax and Tamina lose in their match but get to stay in contention anyway. It doesn't help that the return of The Glamazon doesn't feel as important as it should.
However, one team that hopefully is going to ride the wave to success is The IIconics. While Billie Kay is not a great performer, she and Peyton Royce are consistently entertaining and are just about the best established female team in the company right now.
Conclusion
Kofi's gauntlet run this time around was not the outstanding effort of the first time around. While still impressive, the veteran was a bit sloppier, and it all felt a bit too predictable. Still, that match dominated a show that was better for having that clear focus driving the show.
Overview: Kofi Kingston ran the gauntlet successfully. He defeated Sheamus and Cesaro back to back then Rowan got himself intentionally disqualified to deal more damage. Samoa Joe almost had Kofi but got rolled up then the same happened to Randy Orton.
However, as The New Day celebrated, Vince McMahon announced Kofi had to defeat one more man: Daniel Bryan. Bryan ran over an exhausted Kofi with ease, hitting the running knee for the win.
Analysis: It's all just getting to be too much. WWE had the perfect poetic story going as the veteran would overcome incredible odds to earn his shot and Vince would be forced to acknowledge Kofi's work. Instead, they just threw a curveball to extend this tale one more week.
While I am fairly certain next week will be a huge moment as the roster rallies around Kofi and forces him to get a title shot, there was no reason to prolong this. WrestleMania's card is filling up, and fans should be allowed to start getting excited about Bryan vs. Kofi.
The Women's Tag Team Division is a Mess But At Least The IIconics are Getting a Chance
Overview: Sasha Banks and Bayley promised to appear on SmackDown Live this week before they were interrupted by Natalya and Beth Phoenix who wanted a shot at the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania.
A brawl broke out that led to Natalya vs. Banks before Tamina took out everyone with Nia Jax distracting the teams. On SmackDown, The IIconics got their shot and managed to defeat the tag team champions with some illegal teamwork.
Analysis: It's hard to get excited right about the women's tag team division because it's a mess to follow. Many of the best established teams are not getting a shot. Meanwhile, Jax and Tamina lose in their match but get to stay in contention anyway. It doesn't help that the return of The Glamazon doesn't feel as important as it should.
However, one team that hopefully is going to ride the wave to success is The IIconics. While Billie Kay is not a great performer, she and Peyton Royce are consistently entertaining and are just about the best established female team in the company right now.
Conclusion
Kofi's gauntlet run this time around was not the outstanding effort of the first time around. While still impressive, the veteran was a bit sloppier, and it all felt a bit too predictable. Still, that match dominated a show that was better for having that clear focus driving the show.
Grade: B
205 Live March 19, 2019
Mike Kanellis May Just Not Be Right for WWE
Overview: Mike Kanellis got his latest chance to turn around his losing streak, and this time it paid off in a big way. The frustrated competitor managed to calm his emotions with the help of Maria and used a distraction from his wife to catch Akira Tozawa with his knees and hit his finisher for the victory.
Analysis: 205 Live has one big thing going for it. The level of in-ring competition is consistently stellar. Kanellis does not live up to that expectation. He's a good mic worker with a solid character focus, but that doesn't work in this secondary brand. Fans are not going to be interested.
I just get the feeling he's never going to catch on. He would be better working the main two brands if he was taken seriously, but he never will be. He might as well just leave as he would easily find success outside this system.
Overview: Mike Kanellis got his latest chance to turn around his losing streak, and this time it paid off in a big way. The frustrated competitor managed to calm his emotions with the help of Maria and used a distraction from his wife to catch Akira Tozawa with his knees and hit his finisher for the victory.
Analysis: 205 Live has one big thing going for it. The level of in-ring competition is consistently stellar. Kanellis does not live up to that expectation. He's a good mic worker with a solid character focus, but that doesn't work in this secondary brand. Fans are not going to be interested.
I just get the feeling he's never going to catch on. He would be better working the main two brands if he was taken seriously, but he never will be. He might as well just leave as he would easily find success outside this system.
Ricochet though moving up to the main roster would be the best thing for his career, but he didn't realize Triple H would take offense and force him to take the pinfall for Adam Cole of all people.
NXT and NXT UK March 20, 2019
Johnny Gargano vs. Adam Cole for the NXT Title Shows NXT's Lack of Top Depth on the Roster
Overview: Triple H announced that Tommaso Ciampa was forced to vacate the NXT Championship with the new NXT TakeOver: New York main event to be determined tonight as Aleister Black, Ricochet, The Velveteen Dream, Adam Cole, and Matt Riddle would fight for a shot to compete against Johnny Gargano for the title.
While every man in the match got close to the victory, Cole snuck in and caught The One and Only with The Last Shot to take the victory.
Analysis: I've never been that big a fan of Cole in NXT. He feels generic in a way most others with the brand don't especially given his major role. However, I don't mind him being the one to replace Ciampa to fight Gargano for the vacant title. It feels like he's just the only real competitive option.
The match should be great, but I cannot help but think that there should have been more options. The six wrestlers in this fight are the entirety of the men's singles division that stand out as viable title contenders. Where's the depth this supposed third brand should have? It's time to take chances on fresh talent again.
Pete Dunne vs. Walter Might Be TakeOver's Best Match By a Wide Margin
Overview: Johnny Saint and Sid Scala opened the show to announce who Pete Dunne would face at NXT TakeOver: New York, but the NXT UK champion interrupted with a clear challenger in mind, demanding a shot at Walter. At the end of the night, the match was confirmed.
Analysis: I am still waiting to see exactly what Walter can do, but TakeOver: New York should be host to a classic if any of the talk is true. The Austrian big man has a striking game that should match well with Dunne and set up a real showdown of NXT UK's best.
Some of my hope is that they elevate a card that is not shaping to be all that interesting otherwise, but that doesn't necessarily mean the show will not surprise. TakeOver rarely disappoints.
Overview: Triple H announced that Tommaso Ciampa was forced to vacate the NXT Championship with the new NXT TakeOver: New York main event to be determined tonight as Aleister Black, Ricochet, The Velveteen Dream, Adam Cole, and Matt Riddle would fight for a shot to compete against Johnny Gargano for the title.
While every man in the match got close to the victory, Cole snuck in and caught The One and Only with The Last Shot to take the victory.
Analysis: I've never been that big a fan of Cole in NXT. He feels generic in a way most others with the brand don't especially given his major role. However, I don't mind him being the one to replace Ciampa to fight Gargano for the vacant title. It feels like he's just the only real competitive option.
The match should be great, but I cannot help but think that there should have been more options. The six wrestlers in this fight are the entirety of the men's singles division that stand out as viable title contenders. Where's the depth this supposed third brand should have? It's time to take chances on fresh talent again.
Pete Dunne vs. Walter Might Be TakeOver's Best Match By a Wide Margin
Overview: Johnny Saint and Sid Scala opened the show to announce who Pete Dunne would face at NXT TakeOver: New York, but the NXT UK champion interrupted with a clear challenger in mind, demanding a shot at Walter. At the end of the night, the match was confirmed.
Analysis: I am still waiting to see exactly what Walter can do, but TakeOver: New York should be host to a classic if any of the talk is true. The Austrian big man has a striking game that should match well with Dunne and set up a real showdown of NXT UK's best.
Some of my hope is that they elevate a card that is not shaping to be all that interesting otherwise, but that doesn't necessarily mean the show will not surprise. TakeOver rarely disappoints.
Match of the Week
Tony Nese vs. Cedric Alexander, 205 Live March 19 (Rating: 9/10)
Almost no pairing in 205 Live has better chemistry than Cedric Alexander and Tony Nese. The two are always great together and know perfectly well how to pace their contests to maximize the great time they usually get together.
While it was a bit slow especially for a crowd that took a while to get interested, no sequence in the past few weeks was more enthralling than the home stretch of this match from the time they two fell off the top rope to the floor to the finish.
You could feel how much it meant to both of these men to be in this position. While being at WrestleMania for the cruiserweights is not quite as special as it should be as they'll be thrown on the Kickoff, it's still a chance for Nese to finally take the next step.
Honorable Mention: Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black vs. Ricochet vs. The Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle, NXT March 20 (Rating: 9/10)
While the result was never really in doubt due to the other four already being more or less set for matches at TakeOver already, this was a ton of fun with constant action throughout even if it meant wrestlers were often spending time sleeping on the outside to avoid too many competitors at once in the ring.
This match doesn't even really have a home stretch because of its pacing. It feels like everyone is getting close to the win at all points here, and honestly Cole was probably the only wrestler who did not stand out though his Last Shot is awesome.
Almost no pairing in 205 Live has better chemistry than Cedric Alexander and Tony Nese. The two are always great together and know perfectly well how to pace their contests to maximize the great time they usually get together.
While it was a bit slow especially for a crowd that took a while to get interested, no sequence in the past few weeks was more enthralling than the home stretch of this match from the time they two fell off the top rope to the floor to the finish.
You could feel how much it meant to both of these men to be in this position. While being at WrestleMania for the cruiserweights is not quite as special as it should be as they'll be thrown on the Kickoff, it's still a chance for Nese to finally take the next step.
Honorable Mention: Adam Cole vs. Aleister Black vs. Ricochet vs. The Velveteen Dream vs. Matt Riddle, NXT March 20 (Rating: 9/10)
While the result was never really in doubt due to the other four already being more or less set for matches at TakeOver already, this was a ton of fun with constant action throughout even if it meant wrestlers were often spending time sleeping on the outside to avoid too many competitors at once in the ring.
This match doesn't even really have a home stretch because of its pacing. It feels like everyone is getting close to the win at all points here, and honestly Cole was probably the only wrestler who did not stand out though his Last Shot is awesome.
