Written by: Kevin Berge (Image Courtesy of: WWE.com)
WWE is going through an existential crisis right now backstage that is playing out on disjointed weekly television. Ratings issues are getting overblown to the point that the company is hastily retconning and rehashing to save face.
Despite all this, there aren't a lot of real risks WWE is taking. In fact, it's playing it safer than it did perhaps any time last year. The same guys are working both brands now. The women are getting sidelined beyond Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.
I sometimes forget who the tag team champions are or that there are three distinct tag team championships. I even have started forgetting just how much untapped potential is on this roster. It's all a jumble.
As a free piece of advice to WWE that will never be read, just try something different. Embrace the idea of getting people talking. You have nothing to lose at this point because you're already losing badly.
Despite all this, there aren't a lot of real risks WWE is taking. In fact, it's playing it safer than it did perhaps any time last year. The same guys are working both brands now. The women are getting sidelined beyond Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair.
I sometimes forget who the tag team champions are or that there are three distinct tag team championships. I even have started forgetting just how much untapped potential is on this roster. It's all a jumble.
As a free piece of advice to WWE that will never be read, just try something different. Embrace the idea of getting people talking. You have nothing to lose at this point because you're already losing badly.
Drew McIntyre has set up more people to win matches than he has actually won his own matches. Can't wait for him to help Baron Corbin win the Universal Championship.
Monday Night Raw May 13, 2019
Sami Zayn Taking Braun Strowman's Spot at MITB Was the Right Move
Overview: Sami Zayn convince Shane McMahon to give him a chance to take Braun Strowman's spot at Money in the Bank after last week, getting a Falls Count Anywhere match against The Monster Among Men. With heavy support from Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin, Zayn pulled out the win.
As a reward, he got thrown through the announce table by Strowman.
Analysis: This was the right move by WWE. Strowman just won Money in the Bank last year. He was not going to win again. Now, Zayn is set up as a legitimate winner, and Strowman can still get involved as there are three heels in this match he wants to make sure do not win.
While I still think Zayn and Strowman need to stay far away from each other with their match proving that even more, I do like this side of booking that rivalry.
I Haven't Been This Interested in What Bray Wyatt Was Doing in Years, and I Know I'm Going to Be Disappointed
Overview: Bray Wyatt revealed a secret on the latest Firefly Fun House. He showed off how he had finally learned to harness his dark side, showing a monstrous mask with a snide "Yowie Wowie".
Analysis: This was a fantastic addition to Wyatt's new story, showing how he can make this gimmick work in the ring. He is a man of two faces, and his dark half looks far more lethal than Wyatt has before. I can't help but get excited about what is coming next for a genuinely talented star built on smart ideas.
However, WWE isn't smart about stories long term. That was proven with Wyatt years ago. I hope this all pans out, but I don't expect anything good. In fact, I expect to be disappointed by the end of month one of his in-ring return.
Conclusion
This was a surprisingly entertaining show. I was so thrown off by how much I liked this week's Raw that I didn't notice the three hours go by. It was over in a flash with quality wrestling and strong storytelling that built toward Money in the Bank. While certainly an outlier, I will take what I can get.
Overview: Sami Zayn convince Shane McMahon to give him a chance to take Braun Strowman's spot at Money in the Bank after last week, getting a Falls Count Anywhere match against The Monster Among Men. With heavy support from Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin, Zayn pulled out the win.
As a reward, he got thrown through the announce table by Strowman.
Analysis: This was the right move by WWE. Strowman just won Money in the Bank last year. He was not going to win again. Now, Zayn is set up as a legitimate winner, and Strowman can still get involved as there are three heels in this match he wants to make sure do not win.
While I still think Zayn and Strowman need to stay far away from each other with their match proving that even more, I do like this side of booking that rivalry.
I Haven't Been This Interested in What Bray Wyatt Was Doing in Years, and I Know I'm Going to Be Disappointed
Overview: Bray Wyatt revealed a secret on the latest Firefly Fun House. He showed off how he had finally learned to harness his dark side, showing a monstrous mask with a snide "Yowie Wowie".
Analysis: This was a fantastic addition to Wyatt's new story, showing how he can make this gimmick work in the ring. He is a man of two faces, and his dark half looks far more lethal than Wyatt has before. I can't help but get excited about what is coming next for a genuinely talented star built on smart ideas.
However, WWE isn't smart about stories long term. That was proven with Wyatt years ago. I hope this all pans out, but I don't expect anything good. In fact, I expect to be disappointed by the end of month one of his in-ring return.
Conclusion
This was a surprisingly entertaining show. I was so thrown off by how much I liked this week's Raw that I didn't notice the three hours go by. It was over in a flash with quality wrestling and strong storytelling that built toward Money in the Bank. While certainly an outlier, I will take what I can get.
Grade: B+
Rowan will soon make sure that every single heel in WWE looks really good for 10 minutes then gets embarrassed in the last 3 minutes.
SmackDown Live May 14, 2019
The Wild Card Rule Should Be Renamed Roman Reigns and Friends Rule
Overview: Roman Reigns appeared on Raw on Miz TV, and the two fought Bobby Lashley and Elias before Shane McMahon got involved to cause a disqualification.
When Reigns and Miz showed up on SmackDown, Shane forced The Big Dog to fight in a handicap match with The Usos against Shane, Elias, Daniel Bryan and Rowan with The A-Lister banned from ringside. The heels won, but Miz made the save after the match was over.
Analysis: Reigns has appeared on both Raw and SmackDown the last two weeks, and it doesn't feel like there's a question that he's working both brands. While he's not the only one repeating his visit with an almost identical line-up of Raw stars on SmackDown this week, this whole concept feels like it is just to keep Reigns on both brands.
I like The Big Dog and appreciate what he went through to get back to WWE. However, he's not getting anywhere as a top babyface like this. It's hamfisted booking that limits everyone else.
Time to Commit to Andrade
Overview: Andrade overcame the odds in a Fatal 4-Way to take down Finn Balor to build momentum for Sunday. Afterward, he took a ladder and went to pull down the briefcase, but Ricochet arrived and stole the case.
Analysis: El Idolo has been through a rocky few months in WWE, scraping the edge of relevancies while putting on some of his best work to date. It finally feels like people are paying attention though, and I truly hope it means he's getting the push he needs. The blue brands needs it just as much.
Either give him the case or let him feud for real with Balor for several months and capture the championship along the way.
Conclusion
This show revealed all of WWE's worse tendencies are invading SmackDown, and it's frustrating. From an overreliance on Reigns to the sad poor use of quality talent, this was the first blue brand show in a while that had me scared for this show's future.
Overview: Roman Reigns appeared on Raw on Miz TV, and the two fought Bobby Lashley and Elias before Shane McMahon got involved to cause a disqualification.
When Reigns and Miz showed up on SmackDown, Shane forced The Big Dog to fight in a handicap match with The Usos against Shane, Elias, Daniel Bryan and Rowan with The A-Lister banned from ringside. The heels won, but Miz made the save after the match was over.
Analysis: Reigns has appeared on both Raw and SmackDown the last two weeks, and it doesn't feel like there's a question that he's working both brands. While he's not the only one repeating his visit with an almost identical line-up of Raw stars on SmackDown this week, this whole concept feels like it is just to keep Reigns on both brands.
I like The Big Dog and appreciate what he went through to get back to WWE. However, he's not getting anywhere as a top babyface like this. It's hamfisted booking that limits everyone else.
Time to Commit to Andrade
Overview: Andrade overcame the odds in a Fatal 4-Way to take down Finn Balor to build momentum for Sunday. Afterward, he took a ladder and went to pull down the briefcase, but Ricochet arrived and stole the case.
Analysis: El Idolo has been through a rocky few months in WWE, scraping the edge of relevancies while putting on some of his best work to date. It finally feels like people are paying attention though, and I truly hope it means he's getting the push he needs. The blue brands needs it just as much.
Either give him the case or let him feud for real with Balor for several months and capture the championship along the way.
Conclusion
This show revealed all of WWE's worse tendencies are invading SmackDown, and it's frustrating. From an overreliance on Reigns to the sad poor use of quality talent, this was the first blue brand show in a while that had me scared for this show's future.
Grade: D+
205 Live May 14, 2019
A Regular Talent Swap Between 205 Live and 205 Live Would Be Smart
Overview: Humberto Carrillo won a Fatal 4-Way match over Jack Gallagher, Mark Andrews and James Drake. In the main event, Tony Nese took down El Ligero in a surprisingly strong match.
Analysis: This was a breath of fresh air after months of stagnant 205 Live episodes. The influx of NXT UK stars for this week over in the UK really made the difference. For once, it didn't feel like everyone was stuck in a box fighting the same five people over and over.
This used to be a diamond in the rough show, but I'm grow more disinterested with the entire brand by the week. Please take some chances and use the bevy of talent you're hiding on a brand often going unseen on a slightly more often watched product.
Overview: Humberto Carrillo won a Fatal 4-Way match over Jack Gallagher, Mark Andrews and James Drake. In the main event, Tony Nese took down El Ligero in a surprisingly strong match.
Analysis: This was a breath of fresh air after months of stagnant 205 Live episodes. The influx of NXT UK stars for this week over in the UK really made the difference. For once, it didn't feel like everyone was stuck in a box fighting the same five people over and over.
This used to be a diamond in the rough show, but I'm grow more disinterested with the entire brand by the week. Please take some chances and use the bevy of talent you're hiding on a brand often going unseen on a slightly more often watched product.
Selling for a British guy trying to play himself off a luchador bull has to be humiliating.
NXT and NXT UK May 15, 2019
The End of The Viking Raiders' Run in NXT Was a Complete Waste
Overview: The Viking Raiders came out and offered to relinquish their championships as they are now working on Monday Night Raw. The Street Profits arrived and asked for one more shot at the champions. The Forgotten Sons interfered to cause a disqualification, but the champions still relinquished the titles.
Analysis: When WWE brought up The War Raiders, they made multiple mistakes with the duo. They changed their name and had to change it again. They also ruined their momentum in NXT as the top tag team in the division, leaving the division scrambling for attention.
This was the nail in the coffin. After all this work, they just leave without losing the titles. This is not an Asuka situation where WWE is trying to protect an undefeated streak. There just was no one seen as worthy of that spot, and it's a shame because they could have given The Street Profits the rub here.
Ilja Dragunov Should Be What NXT UK Desperately Needs
Overview: Ilja Dragunov made his debut in NXT UK by dominantly taking out his opponent Jack Starz, connecting with The Torpedo Moscow for the win.
Analysis: The biggest problem with NXT UK is a lack of legitimate recognizable talent. Most of the guys who have been established feel above the division, and the rest feel superfluous. Ilja, much like WALTER, brings a credibility to the brand that it sorely needs and sets up for exciting contests to come.
Overview: The Viking Raiders came out and offered to relinquish their championships as they are now working on Monday Night Raw. The Street Profits arrived and asked for one more shot at the champions. The Forgotten Sons interfered to cause a disqualification, but the champions still relinquished the titles.
Analysis: When WWE brought up The War Raiders, they made multiple mistakes with the duo. They changed their name and had to change it again. They also ruined their momentum in NXT as the top tag team in the division, leaving the division scrambling for attention.
This was the nail in the coffin. After all this work, they just leave without losing the titles. This is not an Asuka situation where WWE is trying to protect an undefeated streak. There just was no one seen as worthy of that spot, and it's a shame because they could have given The Street Profits the rub here.
Ilja Dragunov Should Be What NXT UK Desperately Needs
Overview: Ilja Dragunov made his debut in NXT UK by dominantly taking out his opponent Jack Starz, connecting with The Torpedo Moscow for the win.
Analysis: The biggest problem with NXT UK is a lack of legitimate recognizable talent. Most of the guys who have been established feel above the division, and the rest feel superfluous. Ilja, much like WALTER, brings a credibility to the brand that it sorely needs and sets up for exciting contests to come.
Match of the Week
Rey Mysterio vs. Cesaro, Monday Night Raw May 13 (Rating: 8.75/10)
This was an excellent sprint. Two of the smoothest performers in the company with clear respect between them went all out for 10 minutes, and it went by an emphatic exciting blur. This was as much fun as I have had watching a match on Raw in months.
It would have been nice for the two to tell more of a story, but that may be for another time. This was just non-stop action, and the chemistry between the performers is impressive.
While Cesaro has some annoyingly rabid fans, there's no doubt that he's great when it matters in the ring. Meanwhile, Mysterio continues to look like he's still 25 in the ring. I hope this is only the first time these two wrestle, not the last.
Honorable Mention: Tony Nese vs. El Ligero, 205 Live May 14 (Rating: 8.25/10)
This match should have been better than it was, but I appreciated getting to see two talented high fliers go at it. In particular, the nearfalls in the closing stretch really stuck with me here and made Ligero feel like a bigger star than he has in NXT UK despite largely winning to date.
I don't have much more to say because there wasn't story here beyond Nese being a fighting champion and rising to the occasion.
This was an excellent sprint. Two of the smoothest performers in the company with clear respect between them went all out for 10 minutes, and it went by an emphatic exciting blur. This was as much fun as I have had watching a match on Raw in months.
It would have been nice for the two to tell more of a story, but that may be for another time. This was just non-stop action, and the chemistry between the performers is impressive.
While Cesaro has some annoyingly rabid fans, there's no doubt that he's great when it matters in the ring. Meanwhile, Mysterio continues to look like he's still 25 in the ring. I hope this is only the first time these two wrestle, not the last.
Honorable Mention: Tony Nese vs. El Ligero, 205 Live May 14 (Rating: 8.25/10)
This match should have been better than it was, but I appreciated getting to see two talented high fliers go at it. In particular, the nearfalls in the closing stretch really stuck with me here and made Ligero feel like a bigger star than he has in NXT UK despite largely winning to date.
I don't have much more to say because there wasn't story here beyond Nese being a fighting champion and rising to the occasion.
