January Random Rants

 Hey folks, we are back for another round of monthly random rants. Just like that we are already one month down in 2024, like people always say time waits for no man. ALOT went down this month so let's get into it.

Nic Nemeth in TNA is a huge deal. I made an appearance on Drop The Mike Podcast before Hard To Kill. I mentioned Nemeth has enough of a following that people will give TNA a chance because he's on the roster. I sincerely hope that is the case and TNA continues to progress forward. I wonder if he will finally embrace the rock star gimmick I suggested three years ago.

Mustafa Ali's save us gimmick and promos are GOLD. Definitely a missed opportunity by the ''E when he pitched it to them. I am very excited to see him in TNA I don't believe he is signed to an exclusive contract with them, but he is another talent that will show the WWE what they missed out on....and he has the potential to be a TNA World Champion in my book.

Speaking of untapped potential, I don't think Ash By Elegance (Dana Brooke) will ever be in the conversation of women's wrestlers such as Madusa, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Asuka, Nattie, or Gail Kim. However she has athletic ability and with some fine tuning from the likes of Lance Storm and one Gail Kim, she has a chance to improve her skills and produce a good comeback story. By the way, I know Ash by Elegance produced comparisons to Timeless Toni Storm right away, but is it me or there are elements of Emmalina sprinkled in her act. 

It's enviable and I think it probably will occur at Double Or Nothing. Mannnn when Swerve finally becomes AEW World Champion, I can only imagine Prince NaNa's celebration and how crazy the crowd will be. I hope Tony does not hold onto that moment for too long and let the wave fizzle out.

Sting and Darby Allin vs . Young Buck's at Revolution. I don't love it, but I don't necessarily hate it. I think most people expected a one on one match against someone that made sense. At Sting's age even though he's leaped off things in recent years, not having a full one on one match is probably for the best.

Speaking of The Young Bucks, I'm still on the fence about their new act. While I can commend the idea to not insult fan's intelligence and acknowledge they are Executive VP's in the company. I'm not sure I'm entirely on board with the wink wink nod nod promos. Some fan's love it, others could care less about what goes on in AEW outside of their TV time.

Tony Khan had another twitter (refuse to call it X) meltdown earlier this month. How childish is Tony Khan at times? Geez, I wish someone would pull this man child to the side and remind him he is the owner of a company he should act like one.

 

I know it was that way due to logistics of how Daily's Place is configured. I loved the mini HD screen with the slight opening. Previous times they've visited Daily's Place they had the tunnel entrance, but this was simple but really cool to me. Much as we clamor for the over the top intricate sets, I think it's time for a more low key approach for sets for weekly television.

Speaking of sets, I enjoyed WWE's one week Raw set on the January 15th edition. It was set up that way out of necessity, but was downsized a bit but still extravagant. I also hope WWE eventually replaces the bland LED mega screen and adds a low key approach to their sets.

It's about time The New Day act is switched up. I like the new aggression they are showing against Imperium, right now Imperium has a 3 to 2 advantage and who knows maybe the third member of New Day will return soon with an edge to even the odds. This year will mark ten years of the group and  they have been stuck in neutral for a while now. Maybe this new aggressive approach will breath new life into the act.

Kayden Carter and Katana Chance have really come into their own as a tag team. I'm wondering is it too late to give them a official tag team name?  And I completely understand why they probably don't do it for logistical and security reasons. However to tie in with their party persona maybe even if it's just one occasion on a PLE, they can celebrate and "party" in the crowd for a quick minute after a win.

Speaking of which, they're partying rave gimmick may compliment a certain glow gimmick that just returned to the WWE, for a new faction for women wrestlers. I'm happy to see what Naomi does coming off her TNA run, but I wouldn't mind her gaining Kayden and Katana as on-screen allies.

Jade Cargill made her WWE debut at The Royal Rumble and man there is no doubt she has star power written all over her. Her impending feuds with Nia Jax and Bianca Belair will be interesting to witness when it happens.

Shouts out to WWE and TNA for allowing Jordynne Grace to appear in the rumble and have a good showing. Knowing Triple H he definitely will be keeping his eyes open for when she becomes a free agent again.

R.Truth is a national treasure and he needs to be treated as such. He put's his all into whatever is thrown his way and always makes me laugh.

I must give credit to WWE with some of new production elements they are trying out. Such as airing when talent is arriving to the building, to give events that "big fight" feel. Honestly when AEW said they would be more "sports focused" when they launched, this small detail is something they should have tried out and ran with.

WWE and Netflix agreed to a 10 year, $5 Billion deal beginning in January 2025. Netflix has the option to opt out at 5 years. This is obviously a huge get for Netflix and a big deal for WWE moving in the world of streaming with their flagship show. The recent 1-2 punch in Hollywood with the writers and actors strike, probably helped WWE in negotiations and convinced Netflix to have that guaranteed programming that wont be affected by any future strikes on their platform.

With this deal the loser in all this in my opinion is Comcast and Peacock. USA network will begin broadcasting Smackdown in the fall of this year, which was probably a fair deal made between both parties due to their long-standing relationship. Man what will USA air on Monday's night? more 9-1-1, NCIS, or Law & Order SVU? reruns? In Raw's 31 year history it has been on the USA network for 26 of those years. It will take some getting use to watching it Netflix as opposed to USA.

The Peacock/WWE deal ends in 2026, and who's to say Netflix won't sweeten their deal and overpay for WWE to move all archived content and PLE's to Netflix. Peacock is bottom of the barrel within the world of streaming apps, along with Paramount Plus. The interface is wonky, and most of their programming offerings are things seen a million times or have no interest in watching. They have a few hidden gems, but WWE is probably what keeps most people maintaining their subscription with them.

They have some sports deals, but I think the survival of Peacock will rest on the WWE deal and depending on the landscape at the time. Comcast may just overpay to keep the library, should be an interesting next couple of years.

Until next time folks, stay healthy, be well, and enjoy pro wrestling.