November Random Rants

Here we are folks the fourth quarter of the year. Hard to believe how time really flows, hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving as we head into the season of joy.

Starting off on the business side, WWE pulled a major power play when it was announced the CW network acquired the rights for NXT next year. Its a 5 year deal that gained major coverage from media outlets. The deal allows the WWE to still have a product on broadcast TV, before Smackdown leaves Fox next fall.

Before the NXT deal, it was rumored NWA was nearing a deal to air on the CW. CW supposedly backed off after a segment on NWA ppv featuring Sinister Minister snorting which was assumed to be a line of powder. However, NWA is now available in the CW app..so who knows what is true? but it should be a interesting as the story continues to unfold.

Randy Orton's return after a year and a half away at Survivor Series was overshadowed by CM Punk's return, but The Viper looked jacked and ready to go. His time in the ring was limited, likely to hide ring rust and still protect him as he gets back into a groove. Man he looked like he can go another 10 years and I'm looking forward to seeing where he fits in the current landscape.

Word is Being The Elite has ended as The Young Bucks step away from AEW in preparation to return as major heels.  It's honestly time, The Young Bucks used the YouTube show to bolster their popularity and made an insane of amount due to how beloved the show was. It had a 7 or 8 year run, which as a YouTube show is amazing but good things come to an end. This will only allow them to bolster their creativity in a new way. 

Major props to MLW and Hammerstone on their recent storyline twist. Fooling fans and the media with reports Hammerstone requested his release.

I just love Christian and his warped mind "father" role. He really is a despicable heel that knows how to get under your skin and just says whatever to make you hate him even more. A true "get off my lawn" individual complete with the turtlenecks that make you hate him even more. Currently his act is #1 in AEW followed by Toni Storm. 

Speaking of one Christian Cage. Every time I see the trio of Christian, Luchasaurus, and Nick Wayne I get fond flashbacks of The Christian Coalition in TNA. I loved that faction and that was some of Christian's best work in his entire career. If you weren't watching TNA at the time, please look on YouTube for some clips you will not be disappointed. 

I almost must shout out Julia Hart. I didn't initially see much in her when she joined House of Black. Her in-ring skills and character development have greatly improved.

Will Ospreay has signed with AEW and while I'm personally disappointed it's not with Impact. AEW is the next best option in my opinion since he wanted to come stateside full time. Even under a new regime I just don't think the WWE would appreciate his style.

WWE did the right thing and finally turned Santos Escobar heel, even going as far as having him leave Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro behind. During the pandemic his heel run in NXT was one of my favorite acts at the time, and I'm looking forward to where he'll go as a heel on Smackdown. 

I like the slow burn of Lashley's and The Street Profits angle. Unless I'm misreading the angle, it is hard for the Profits to break old habits and it will take some time for Lashley to make them really turn on the killer instinct, and boy when they do. Watch out Smackdown.

I like adding B-Fab to Lashley's unit, but I personally hope Ashante Thee Adonis isn't kicked to the curb. He has potential, he has charisma and is skilled in the ring. Everything just hasn't clicked all the way, he may benefit from a return to NXT on work developing a persona fans will gravitate to.

We saw at Smackdown and Survivor Series, WWE utilized a different set to sell more tickets. Whispers in the wind says they will do the same for Smackdown, The Hall Of Fame, NXT and Raw Mania Weekend. 

I for one believe that they are slowly preparing fans to get use to these smaller sets for Weekly TV and PLE's. To be honest it's probably time to do away with the gigantic sets we have become accustomed to seeing on Raw and Smackdown. Especially now since the set is just a big screen and not as unique or detailed as during the Attitude or Ruthless Aggression era.

WWE announced that Backlash will be held in France next year. Along with Elimination Chamber in Australia and Bash In Berlin next August. WWE is really beginning to lean into the "world" portion of World Wrestling Entertainment. When the WWE network debuted almost 10 years ago and they had the Best In The East event, I hoped for more of those type of events.

My only concern is in plans of having more events overseas,  I hope WWE doesn't neglect U.S. cities that one may consider a secondary market when it comes to granting PLE events to those cities. Baltimore is still owed a PLE after the pandemic cancelled Money In The Bank in 2020 which was to be hosted here. 

That's all from me folks. Check in next month and enjoy all your holiday festivities.