Kayfabe Critics: 2021 WWE SummerSlam Preview
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On this Episode: The Kayfabe Critics crew preview WWE SummerSlam being held August 21st, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Will John Cena defeat the Head of the Table, Roman Reigns to claim his 17th-World Title? Will the Almighty Bobby Lashey fall to the Iconic Goldberg? Will The Boss, Sasha Banks reclaim her Smackdown Woman's Championship from the EST of WWE, Bianca Belair? Will RK-Bro defeat AJ Styles and Omos to claim their first WWE Tag Team Championship? We'll break down the Entire card snd give our predictions!
We'll also discuss the latest rumors around professional wrestling, including CM Punk possibly making his AEW debut.
Hosts: Michael Marcangelo, Rayshawn Buchanan, Craig D'Alessandro
Producer: Craig D'Alessandro
Tweet your questions to @MTPshow with hashtag #askMTP, email us at Craig@MTPshow.com, or leave us a voicemail on our website to be featured on the show!
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On this episode of missing the point, we discussed an exciting week of professional wrestling as we preview WWE SummerSlam. We'll give our predictions for the biggest party of the summer will john cena at the beat the head of the table Roman Reigns and become a 17 time world champion. Well, 56 year old Goldberg defeat the almighty Bobby lashley. And will one of the marquee matchups between Bianca Bel Air and Sasha Banks even take place? We'll give our predictions and discuss what could be one of the greatest weekend's of professional wrestling in recent memory that is missing.
Michael Marcangelo:Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages you were about to listen to the most entertaining and informative wrestling podcast out there. That is not a prediction. It is a spoiler. And this is Kayfabe critics. Well welcome everybody to kayfabe critics formerly cheapy Shout out to Rosenberg. I am your host, Michael marcangela joined alongside by the Hollywood while a rayshawn Buchanan and he Craig D'Alessandro and we are talking today about SummerSlam and then all the big news in pro wrestling boys. How are you? Doing
Rayshawn Buchanan:good, man, you know, it's always good. You know, we know it's a bit tight preview whenever we get together during the show. So we this last one in April for us amania. You know, so you can go back and listen to that even though it is outdated, but it's still a great show. But yeah, again, it's
Michael Marcangelo:where can you find that right?
Rayshawn Buchanan:Oh, you can find it in the show notes.
Michael Marcangelo:And Craig, how you feeling about SummerSlam
Craig D'Alessandro:that's one of the big four. I was excited for the Big Four, you know, WrestleMania SummerSlam Royal Rumble Survivor Series. I'm looking forward to this one, you know, it's been a long road are finally front of crowds again, so I'm excited. Yeah, for sure.
Rayshawn Buchanan:That's no, that's the best part. Honestly, obviously.
Michael Marcangelo:I think the site of a jam packed Legion Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday is gonna be everything that we needed to be for for a professional wrestling event. And I want to talk a little bit about the card but as we go through the card, I want to get your reaction so before we go through the card, I'm just looking at it right now. Ray Are you overwhelmed? Or are you underwhelmed about the presentation of SummerSlam this Saturday?
Rayshawn Buchanan:A little underwhelmed, like I feel like it hasn't been really pushed away that it hasn't pushed the years past especially what they'd being at such a big stadium just this major stadium assumes I don't know how many holds I want to say a hotel is at 85,000 so but I'm sure they'll get to 90 because of how they'll fix the seating so I feel like obviously the scene is young Raiders raise matches are getting pushed obviously because they both have to have the bigger jobs that the biggest roles in the business Raul has an edge and he pushed us as much because I think that's going to be a firestorm mashing my steel on sale the show so it's been a while I know we'll get into that. So yeah, so I'll definitely answer your question definitely underwhelmed with how it's being pushed but nevertheless as a true kayfabe critic and as your wrestling fan. I'm excited to see the car unfolding on Saturday night.
Michael Marcangelo:And Craig I guess you just your first thoughts is overwhelmed or underwhelmed.
Craig D'Alessandro:I feel like this is an appropriately length card for a big four pay per view especially one in front of a crowd again, I summon matches obviously we're gonna get into kind of disappointing but you know, it is what it is right now. They're going they're going up against a very very tough wrestling weekend tough combat sports weekend. So I feel like this is probably given the circumstances that are currently surrounding you. WWE is probably the best card they can put out at this time.
Michael Marcangelo:Yeah, exactly. And so I think you know the number one match on this card from a promotion standpoint is the universal Championship match between Roman Reigns the head of the table the tribal chief against the 16 time you can't see me leader the C-nation john cena How do you all feel about this match? And before you before you give your predictions of the winners and losers and the winners and loser How do you feel like they have done AI in terms of promoting this match as the marquee matchup right you can go first
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, I mean this is the mean the head of the table you know you know vercus C-Nation like I'm this is hype and we've talked about this on things that we've been doing all these type of shows last year Roman Reigns has been on the bench run of his career I don't really see him losing anytime soon and he shouldn't have moves anytime soon you know stack them you know snatch them stack pat him you know leave walk out Universal champion right so this blood line our storyline is amazing. Finally they're getting something right when it comes to writing so I don't know who's better. Yeah, he was so good, good better but I mean, I'm just very I'm pleased with how I've seen them kind of build this heal character arrays as opposed to just really just forced feeding them as they do actually were felt in years past but I'm excited to see what John Cena does. I think obviously now we're almost at a point where he'll have to carry Cena hunter as well even having him do dark matches at the SmackDown and raw to kind of get the ring rust away that that is definitely real. I think at the end of the day, no reigns comes out victorious. I do think it will kind of lead to a thing where we'll see Orton and Cena go for a 17th in the rain at some point without hope that would be great too. They've had a great robbery in the past. I'm so happy so it leads him so that's why I'm hoping it goes but I got rained on Saturday night.
Michael Marcangelo:I got to just the whole notion that Reigns is going to carry Cena. I don't know if I believe that I think Cena from WrestleMania 31 on proved to all this naysayers that he can carry a match and he's a great and he's actually a great wrestler, in terms of the psychology that he brings into each match Now, obviously like his five moves of doom, yeah, great. We understand that like the poor man's People's Elbow. Yeah, the five knuckle shuffle. It doesn't make any sense. But he can hold his own. And so so Craig, what's, what are your thoughts on the promotion this match and who do you think's gonna win?
Craig D'Alessandro:The promotion of this match has pretty much been exactly as I expected at this point with Roman Reigns, it's been, Oh, goodness, probably a year at this point. We've done the head of the table gimmick right? maybe longer than that. And it's gone pretty much the way you would want it to go is a guy that you're obviously you're pushing Roman Reigns is top guy in this company, obviously, and they have gone through the last year, maybe longer year and a half as Roman Reigns is unstoppable and no one else can talk to them. There's nobody that you could put in WWE right now in front of Roman Reigns and credibly say, I think they could beat Roman Reigns, unless you bring somebody else in, you know, the only people credible right now that can be Roman Reigns or the rock, or john cena and they, you know, they're, you know, Vince is going to break out his wallet in order to put as much money back into the can and this is going to be an absolute WrestleMania quality match between Roman Reigns and john cena because as far as the building goes, so when exactly as I thought it would be well actually, that's not true. They did have that little bit in there with Finn Balor but that's some we'll get into later I guess. But as far as it goes, you know, it was retro john Cena after the last paper you come out and did exactly what he did. He talks smack like he does. And then Roman Reigns does when he does spin when he does what he's been doing best during this entire, you know, feud or career, whatever this chapter of his career is. And he's just dominating him in he knows that he can beat anybody. And I fully expect that to be but I expect this to be a WrestleMania quality match between these two.
Michael Marcangelo:Who Wins?
Craig D'Alessandro:Roman Reigns if john cena wins this batch I will be shocked.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, not now. And it was no get to 70 for someone but it won't be here on Saturday night. The only thing that I wish that they would have changed so obviously that missionary line was gold. One of the best lines I've heard of a promo regardless doesn't matter. Whatever. Like That was beautiful. It was beautifully said the pilot The crowd was ending he had everyone pulled in at that moment even after the watch has right yeah, wait thing I wish that hadn't been would have been saying I know this is not the Rufus wish era or the as whatever. I just wish that he said as soon as I said, also I'm missionary. Okay, well you know Roman, you must be doggy style because you're apparently bending over for this man. That would have been our own that'd be cool to be said that but unfortunately, you know when different era he knows, you know, she's had to go home happy and you know, stuff like that. But I man that would have been that line would have went viral. I mean, the missionary I'm about this that dogs I want to run by our team. So you know, we definitely have are quote already, you know, 10 minutes into the show. So this this is great.
Michael Marcangelo:What do you think about the promo this on last last week's episode of SmackDown
Rayshawn Buchanan:and definitely that was missing. That's I'm saying like yeah, it was a great
Michael Marcangelo:Cena I said, All I had to do is stay in there with you and beat you 123 that I'm going to take that title. I'm going to jump the guard rail. I'm going to run through and I may even blow you a kiss. Like I think that was perfect. That is the perfect way to grab people especially with everything and we'll talk about this later that's going on and professional wrestling right now. That shows you that Sina knows what's gone he understands how to it's still a stay relevant how to make this storyline relevant. And I do like that they're self aware what's going on though they're not playing stupid like they have in the past facts. They might be but he isn't. I have to think for that for this feud between Roman and Sina Vince escaped and complete creative control just say go out do whatever you want to do.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Just make me money. But there's a few matches on this Keralites, razor's edge and that Wayne says Raul's edge shouldn't be in that same category, you know, and I also love the fact that he's, he's, uh, you almost ruined that for all and so you ran in and Rosada Yeah, a slight one. I wonder how Rene whenever Nate found that she wants to know if you're still watching, so she might, she might get a good chuckle out of that
Michael Marcangelo:one. Maybe I think this is the first time in years that I will be upset if Cena wins, but Roman Roman should not lose.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, not the night of the sun. Not yet.
Michael Marcangelo:Moving on. The next match on the card as it's currently advertised. is for the raw Women's Championship. It is Nikki A.S.H. versus Charlotte flair versus Rhea Ripley I want to say right now I love Nikki's character. I think it's good that she came up with it herself. I think it's great that Vince rewarded her. I'm a Rhea Ripley guy. Rhea Ripley needs that belt for as long as possible because of the fact that we all we all know that Vince has these preconceived notions that if you have an accent, you can't be a number one star in terms of a promo, but she is she's got everything. She has the look, she looks like a badass, she can wrestle. So I hope Rhea Ripley wins, I expect Charlotte to win. But Craig, who do you think's gonna win this match?
Craig D'Alessandro:When Nikki, Nikki cross a debut this new gimmick? What was it two, three months ago at this point, I just assumed that. I just assumed that this is going to be mighty Molly all over again. And she's just gonna meddle in the mid car for the rest of her life. And then I saw her get added to the money in the bank match. And I figured Oh, well, they're just adding her like they added Jinder Mahal that money in the bank bath a couple of years ago. Yeah. And lo and behold, she ends up winning and cashing it in the next night and winning the Women's Championship. I didn't expect that Nikki cross is probably one of the greatest personalities backstage and obviously Vince's reward her rewarded her of this. I'm not sure about the gimmick because she keeps losing these matches and, but I think that she's going to find a way to win this.beat these beat these two, I think this is a lease to hold for her for a while. \ Ray? What do you think?
Rayshawn Buchanan:I don't I don't like it. I just this week, we talked a little bit about this off there about what not just are we looking forward to and looking forward to. I'm not looking for it just like I'm sick. I'm looking at Charlotte every I'm sick of a light. It looks again, Nikki crushes one champion as her insane gimmick. She should have wanted us shot that's that's what you should do it. And you maybe you could have had a little feud with Alexa Bliss like that would have been crazy. Formatting champions best friends. Alexa Bliss turns on her like there's so many other ways they could have went that it would have worked, but you make her as mighty Molly 2.0. And you know, like almost a superhero. And I'm now the raw Women's Champion, like great, but it's like, Listen, man, I love the fact that rear Ripley was being pushed last year into lashes WrestleMania when she was the NXT champion I just think today I don't know I feel like they kind of bury her character too so to speak and that gave me the chance to you know, hoverboard this Charlotte Charlotte is one of the best if not the best. All we were seeing the questions I'm in that division but I don't know now I'm hoping that Rhea Ripley gets put over but I also don't if you're gonna if Nikki loses I feel like that's probably the end of this character because you can't keep her You can't have her keep moving on TV the characters no longer becomes believable.
Michael Marcangelo:I just wish that they would you know this is a tale of all the time in wrestling right I just wish they would stop going back to the same you know performers over and over and over like for like I understand Charlotte flair is who Charlotte flair is and Rhea Ripley his next big thing. There is just so much talent backstage is I could Why are they putting and we'll get into this with Mike in a little bit. Why are they putting Alexa bless wasting her in a feud with Eva Marie right now when she is probably one of the best wrestlers on the raw roster on the SmackDown roster on the NXT roster anywhere they're just wasting her in a feud where I wish I could put like a swap Nikki A.S.H. or whatever the hell Her name is now out for Alexa bless and flip flop them storyline why that would do that in a heartbeat. Because I just I didn't I'm with you Ray I'm not feeling Nikki A.S.H.. Maybe it'll grow on me. If it sells merchandise. If it sells things obviously they're gonna keep her exactly where they are. But I'm just I'm not feeling it like
Rayshawn Buchanan:yeah, I'm not either. I'm not ashamed was hitting I'm not feeling it right now. And I'm sure maybe there are some people that are all thinking that it can't get over and Miss to get by that that opportunity to seep in and get the character over. And you're right in the cells merge attending with the new day, right? Remember how the new day New Day, the new day I was like, Okay, I mean, I was a Kofi guy cuz I know at watch somewhere Evan born and some other guys but you know, that original gimmick that they had was garbage. And then it turned into the power of positivity. And it really just took off. Right?
Craig D'Alessandro:So we're on pancakes everywhere I look at when the new day when the new day first started. I hated it. But it took it you know, like a tumor took a while to grow on me.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Right. Exactly. And this this was one that we're glad that we're doing go away. Could they have been? They have been also one of the most decorated tag teams, but no, yeah, I mean, maybe hopefully, this is the return of Becky Lynch's somehow, some way, you know, and I know you know, I was she's on with the baby and as she mentioned on Twitter and money in the bank, yeah, I'm I'm at home breastfeeding, but I'm more over than your left, even at home, so I thought that was a great job. I think we'll get the return of Ronda Rousey. So point two I know Lacey mo not anytime soon. No of the night and I was gonna say I hope that we can get this at some point. I think so. I like it. You know, so I'm a fan. I was watching the summertime various moments before we got on. And I remember that messy I was so blessed back and all those 2018. And that's the same thing to write as much I love Alexa Bliss. I got tied to her to win that 2017 2018 Yeah, it was he was dominating the women's division for a year and something must have changed. So, I mean, I know Mike, when it comes to women's wrestling like this all about all the blueprint, the standard, all Sasha Banks, you know, I love that she's back. And everybody knows that answer is awesome. I know. No, no, no, she knows. That's not where I was going with that. I'm excited to see her this Jakub belayers won't.
Michael Marcangelo:So that brings us to the next matchup that we want to talk about here. And that is the SmackDown Women's Championship. But here's the thing, man. So it's Bianca Belair, the ies to WWE against the standard, the blueprint and the legit boss, Sasha Banks. Now she is my absolute favorite from Boston. But there have been complications over the last week where they have not been able to make house shows. So my first question is going to be let's operate under the assumption that this match actually happens. How excited are you for it? Can it top their Wrestlemania match and who wins? Ray?
Rayshawn Buchanan:So me I'm going with the EST of WWE like, mostly, this is her time. Like once again, Sasha will have a moment again, she'll have another one right now. This is this should be the year Bianca Belair. Like she, you know, she came in into lashes were recorded 2020 Yep, dominate that when she comes back this year. Obviously, they put her over and she wins that event she ends up going on. So when I'm in the main event of night one at WrestleMania. Like she put on a hell of a show a hell of an athlete on hell of a character.
Michael Marcangelo:She wasn't alone, like she didn't put on a show. She was led in that match by probably the greatest women's wrestler of our generation.
Rayshawn Buchanan:I mean, Bianca is no slouch by I asked him to sing. Right. Yeah. So so it's like you can't, you know, you got you're desperate and has to be good, too. So we've, we've talked about it all the time. So it seemed a hell of a dance. That's foreigner. Yeah, obviously, it's not Sasha Bayley NXT 2015. Because to me, that is the standard of a woman's match. You know, it's hard to top that or even Sasha Charlotte at the 2016 on the cell phone. So hopefully I'm right on that one. And it was one of the they have so many matches what you are lost that you lost. Yeah, right. Exactly. I picked up a view over it from us, Lord. Yeah, that is that is a wild streak. But no, yeah. You I said no, I'm all over the place. Laughter like Bianca Belair should win. I love what she's doing right now. And I think that you know, Sasha should continue to help pull her over for now. And your lesson would maybe to have their finale match it like someone said something like that.
Michael Marcangelo:Craig. Let's say that this match happens. Are you How excited are you for Ken atop mania and who do you think's gonna win?
Craig D'Alessandro:So, if you go back and watch the world shows, you know, I'm not particularly the biggest fan of this feud because I felt like the most vanilla feud that I've ever heard of. Sometimes it was just as far as the promos went. It was just four months or however long it was. I'm the boss. I'm the Best. I'm the boss. I'm the Best. You're not the boss of me. No, I'm the boss. It was just that dad had that back back back back when you actually got to the match. It was incredible. These are two of the best athletes in the WWE right now. You know, I you know if I was power ranking athletes right now it will be Cesaro. And then Bianca Belair. Where does Sasha fall on that list? Oh, she's up there. The pure pure athletes. Okay. Okay. Like like deadlifting powerlifting whatever. Oh, what whether moving on the match rent mania was incredible. And I expect if it happens, this the top this match. question is if it happens, so hold on. Don't don't don't don't know when the big market is here. Who Wins? Bianca .
Michael Marcangelo:Okay. So, before we go through, we move into for that I just want to say, I am so happy. I don't know what occurred to make this happen. But Vince is finally booking Sasha the way that she deserves to be booked because she is the Okay, she is a top three talent on any roster and she's the top three talent of the WWE roster and for so long, she was overlooked. And again, in that entire 2016 2017 run, she had won four raw women's championships. She successfully defended zero of them,
Craig D'Alessandro:I was gonna say "and lost them "
Michael Marcangelo:Right so now at least they gave her the run that they gave her from December of last year through through WrestleMania I think a heal Sasha Banks is the best Sasha Banks because she's allowed to say when she wants on the microphone, and the fans are still gonna pop like we're still all gonna love her for that. So I hope this kills me. I hope Bianca wins, but more so I hope that the match happens The reason that we're talking about that is that there have been two house shows one in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the other one in South Carolina, where neither Bianca nor Sasha were available. And the reason that their audience was given this that they were not there for unexpected circumstances. So sounds like COVID. Using I was like COVID. Although you can't sell when you have COVID it might be COVID. If that is the case, my question would be, what do they do here? Right? If they don't have if they don't have those two people there and this has been advertised and people would will be flocking into Legion stadium to see it. Do you insert Becky there? Is that when he got the big surprise?
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, I was. I will tell ya, I will go Whoa, yeah. Come on out. Becky. come on home. Okay, Alison, I miss you. Yeah, I missed the man. You know, you know, I can't I'm dive ready to come back. So I think Yeah, you know, hey, calling them Hey, get the baby a couple of bottles, put them into backstage with Seth. Have you ever come on out and go crazy, you know, it doesn't have to be a match just to say, hey, the man is back. And, you know, that could be a no fanfare, as is. But yeah, I mean, hopefully, I said that is not the case. And this probably is or something where they you know, I don't know what it is to have a tidy profit, but I'm assuming it is right. But I also feel that would have been helpful and they would have said that by now. Yeah, cuz they talked about over chiefly they would have brought you I'm saying like they said about Keith Lee. So maybe it is something of interest not
Michael Marcangelo:just to be clear to want when Keith Lee had it, that's when majority of the people out there could not get vaccines that would they were not readily available. So it was okay to promote that people had to go then. Now, with vaccines being out there, I would assume that as a publicly traded organization, that they would want their wrestlers or superstars to be vaccinated. And the reason why I say this is see to have the news of them not be at the events. And then we have other news from Dave Meltzer of pro wrestling insider or wherever he's, yeah, he says that now, dw is mandating a 24. Seven mass policy. So the two aren't mutually exclusive. is all that I'm trying to draw that conclusion to. perfect scenario, though, Craig, before you go, you know, you have you have Adam Pierce. And you have What is her name? It's Sonya Deville, you know, the the New Jersey Devil herself, right? You they come and they say that, that this match cannot happen because of protocols. They really apologize and then the man's music hits, because I think that's the only way you rectify the situation for the people that pay light.
Rayshawn Buchanan:And if she cuts her promo, there's no protocol that could stop the man on back and coming back from my spot. Perfect leaves the rain jobs to Mike threat and it you know, and then boom, now we're looking for national champions, whatever comes up,
Michael Marcangelo:just like edge just a short term. I'm coming back for a title that I never lost. Well,
Rayshawn Buchanan:yeah, I mean, or maybe you do a second edge. You do what you're doing him a couple years ago. It's almost Sam right now. Haven't you know, lyase came out there. And it was a hidden Serrano, you know, way Academy. Okay. Could he come back? Should he come back? He looks great. You know, so maybe that's what they do. Right? And you know, she comes out and then next thing you know, then she comes back in a rumble you know, for 2022. So, you know, that the possibilities are endless. But at the end of the day, all three of us and most wrestling fans are like most kayfabe creators and runners people that out there keep t ball t ball cheap pop my hit rate right here in Boston, Massachusetts. We all want you know, Sasha verse. That's the that's the thing, you know. So
Michael Marcangelo:next thing, so we kind of jumped around because this matches is so important to me. But so we have the the WWE Championship match versus the Almighty. Bobby lashley. who by the way, I think this run is absolutely incredible. Versus the 54 slash 55 year old. took all for go over. So how do we get this mash? Right? And I didn't realize she's gonna win. But have they done a good enough job telling you that Goldberg could hold his own?
Craig D'Alessandro:No, and I don't think they ever do that. I don't think you have to do that with Goldberg and I feel like and this is bad news, Bobby. lashley I feel like
Michael Marcangelo:right, you've got pale.
Rayshawn Buchanan:I did.
Craig D'Alessandro:Love it. I feel like this is going to be the match that opens up SummerSlam not as bad news, Bobby lashley because that mean that Goldberg is coming to that ring. He is spearing Bobby lashley. He is jackhammering Bobby lashley and he's leaving with that belt
Michael Marcangelo:now. No, no, you actually believe that?
Craig D'Alessandro:I didn't think he'd be Brock Lesnar. That was five years ago.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah. And he's still Goldberg though some of Craig Are you saying this is going to be Atlanta, Georgia. 2.0. Is that what you're saying? What do you mean? Memphis? Oh, he won. He won the title. And Atlanta, Georgia. does what you said comes in these spirits decision couplets. Those a jackhammer. I promise you they may be fans that fall stuck in the rain just like they didn't Atlanta Georgia that night jobs to jackhammer 123 and Do you hear and your new job? I really hope not. But Craig tried me now wrong honestly, like
Craig D'Alessandro:I only say that because that's the way his matches traditionally go.
Michael Marcangelo:Okay, okay. Oh, let's just take a deep breath. Let's take a deep breath though. What was the last match the Goldberg one Craig.
Craig D'Alessandro:I was probably against it was probably against the theme that one of those Saudi Arabia paper views.
Michael Marcangelo:Okay. Yes. Again, so that but that was to drop the bell to Roman Reigns who stayed home because of COVID. Russia, right? So Braun Strowman. No,
Rayshawn Buchanan:I mean, Brostrom, and that Max, I'm sorry.
Michael Marcangelo:Yeah, he did drop it to Braun Strowman. That was supposed to be Roman. Yeah, it was supposed to be Roman. Yeah, spear versus spear. But then COVID happened, right. But aside from Bray Wyatt and Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam, the year before.
Rayshawn Buchanan:I forgot about that. Oh, my God,
Michael Marcangelo:he lost to the Undertakeraker. He lost to Brock Lesnar. I mean, he, I think he's what what Paul Heyman wants and what Vince wants, reportedly, is to have him as like the Babe Ruth, right to come back. make people believe which he, by the way for 54 year old, he does a really good job of that. There are very few times where he's in the ring with someone when I say to myself, I know they can do it. The however, I think Bobby lashley is that, that Bobby lashley should eat him for lunch. And if so, I think the opening match is gonna be the match. We're gonna talk about next. But if this is the opening match, then yes, Greg. I do think O'Byrne wins. So I'm I some overall that's so bad life. It's actually the worst.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Nobody does. So that's that booking is so bad. I don't like Vince idlis. I know you know, what's the show, bro? Please, man Don't Don't do that. Don't don't end don't end a run like this. Like
Craig D'Alessandro:you don't book over to wrestle.
Rayshawn Buchanan:No, I know that but it's like don't make the opening match please. Oh, I'm I'm gonna be so past on Saturday. If I hear music drop and I'm like Craig like You bastard like you're like you're you're you did this right? You You're immune just from the dental existence. I really hold this I let that be the second or third match for no one's gonna remember like, just don't make a beat opening match. Please, please install Google
Michael Marcangelo:he does have the ability to make a short match memorable. I mean, his match against against Drew McIntyre through a rumble was exactly what it should be. They had all that crap that happened before the bell rang, where he sped them through the barrier key that was great. But at the end of the day, you know McIntyre's the younger, stronger guy or something like that should happen with Lastly, in my opinion, what I would do, but they kind of ruin that on Raw, you know, on Monday is if you have Goldberg spear lashley I would have Lashley you know, sell it like don't go down. Then what? Then what do you do? Because spirit spirit song they should have last year look like a million dollars because presumably, he's gonna lose at some point. Now, I personally believe this incarnation of Bobby lashley with MVP, they have legs you should look he should not lose until you have the next guy because he is the right guy to hold that belt right now.
Rayshawn Buchanan:I know this is the thing he said remember when he came back in 2018 or with the headband and didn't get do What the hell? Yeah, but I mean,
Craig D'Alessandro:just showing us ask everybody
Rayshawn Buchanan:right but Ray Ray spacely putting the same talk the ball like well no one remembers you when you walked away you quit 12 years ago type thing I want to see champion versus champion that as some at Survior Series says I don't want I don't want to say I'm sorry.
Michael Marcangelo:meaningless match.
Rayshawn Buchanan:No match. I don't care. I want to see you change. Especially when the guy like you know how to build out What do you mean when AJ Styles for Brock Lesnar? You thought that was meaningless? Dude, that was a hell of a match.
Michael Marcangelo:Yeah, that was against that all right. So AJ could have you he could afford to lose that match. Bobby cannot take a pin from Roman and Roman you cannot take a pen from Bobby
Craig D'Alessandro:I think Bobby could take a pin.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, you can swallow that slide the blood black could come in you know and that's why this the other ways that make them both look strong at the end of that I just want to see that match up and now with them guys. And then there's in the era that they're in right now because I said MVP being the mouthpieces is phenomenal like I mean this is this is I didn't know where he was going when he came back last year when they you know they started the whole business and yeah I'm yeah I hated that. You know Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin had to kind of fall by the wayside. I hate I hate it to see that part. But yeah, what he's done with lastly over the last year as then, you know, I mean, no pun intended, but straight gold. And you know is this is great, it's awesome to see.
Michael Marcangelo:Personally best case scenario for me out of this is lashley beats Goldberg handily. I start on Raw MVP and him kind of promo, how there's just nobody left for him to be he's beat everybody and then you hear Brock Lesnar. His music hit And now it's on now I would still have Brock lose by the way, but that I think you can sell that those are two legitimate MMA fighters, wrestlers collegiate wrestlers. That's what you want to see.
Rayshawn Buchanan:There's no there's no way. There's no way Vince has Brock come back to go to lay down No way.
Michael Marcangelo:It brought Brock back after eight years to lay down to Cena.
Rayshawn Buchanan:That's different Lashley ain't Cena. See the scene is dying. You may Yeah, but he's not the Lashley like in hi mid 40s. You're now looking an making scene at this point, bu I'm sorry. Sorry for those o the younger fans that didn' last you live longer. He's bee around. He was the ECW champion. He was around at WrestleMania fricker 22. To watch that match. with Vince the hair versus hair with Donald Trump like, Listen, he's been i for a long time. Okay. I'm sorry. Sorry to burst that bubb e. Oh, sorry to break the ayfabe whoops seaways away as it has house. Tina said, S e your fourth wall, you know Yeah, that you're not looking o make him that guy like, this i no to me. This is no differe
Michael Marcangelo:actually seen it though. This is it? t than what we saw in 2017 when jinder Mahal became champion. Right. And this is a better one then. genders in my opini n. But that's a whole nother ubject for another day. But yea , so I don't know. But I thin yeah, there's no way that h comes that Brock comes back o laid out not now right away. And he was like that wouldn t be I think they would hav a few going back and fort going they'll do that be ter to WrestleMania. The nex The match that I think is gonna open the show is the match. We should talk about Max, which I think just based in WWE storytelling, aside from Roman versus Cena, I intend to open the show. I think it's I think it's the best story that's been told it's edge versus Seth Rollins. I think
Craig D'Alessandro:I think that this match has been a very very this match not only has the ability to be the match of the night, it has the match, it can still the show, I don't think it would be surprising if this was the best wrestling match the night. But here we have the Rated R superstar edge, who s fresh off? I think that this r n over the last two years has be n exactly what he needed it to b . No one questions his ability o work. It's still believable. A d then this Seth Rollins feud, y u can always tie back to 2014 wh n he was standing over him a d Cena had to reinstate t e authority to power or s t setting us up. He was gonna st p on his stack of dimes neck. o if again, edge edge doesn't ne d any that he does not need a y more victories. In reality. He s already a Hall of Famer. Righ , so he doesn't need to win. f I'm booking this match, I ha e Seth Rollins cheat to win. B t Seth Rollins goes over Crai , what do you think? appropriately books. Yeah. No suffer on thought. You almost guaranteed himself that he was going to win money in the bank, he didn't end up winning it. And then he goes for the next guy who took who we felt took his spot, just coming for edge. And I just I felt like out of all these matches, every single one of them. I don't care from championship to the mid card or to lower card. This has probably been the best books were built match out of all of them. It's just traditionally booked very well. And I'm very happy about that lens. I'm gonna say Seth Rollins rounds say stuff rounds when this even though I think edge needs to win more. I still think that Seth Rollins ends up winning, right?
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, um, I mean, I can't do it like Tony Chimmle but I'm going over there. I'm going with the rated R superstar. That was I was awesome. My best finger tunes all speech from she can't remember did that was great. But yeah. Yeah, it was awesome. No, but uh, no, I mean, but you know why it was a probably booked, Craig. Like, there's something different about that attitude ever. Guys. They know how to build a story. Yep, it did just do. So the attention looked in the eye for a promo ball him letting Seth get his stuff and say it out and didn't say bad like that, to me. That's how you build so edge knows how to tell a story Cena knows. And those guys in the era know how to tell a story. And Seth Rollins just happens to be one of the newer guys that knows how to tell a story too. So that's why it comes together perfectly. And I'd be Seth Rollins has been the standard for opening matches. So I feel like you better have a damn good match after that. They they do open it because when he opens up a match, it's been a classic. I mean, I know he did open the 3030 that was that was him additional age but
Michael Marcangelo:he opened at 31
Rayshawn Buchanan:lB 31 that was a hell of a match and when he opened up in that and no bra but also 34 though when he went when he when he got to the championship won the Grand Slam title I know if it was there, and it was crazy. The crowd was going nuts
Michael Marcangelo:if they also have a 35 to play
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, Rocky, I guess rock Yes. So yeah, he delivers his opening matches so you better have a damn good follow to that and that's the case because he's gonna deliver so as edge Bobby, I'm going with the Rated R superstar. I'm not gonna think he needs to win. I just think that edge gets gets put over and it will still have a feud going on with them for next few months. And then you know, it made me continue to add to the Royal Rumble
Michael Marcangelo:next match. I mean, I really I think that this match is gonna be a great one. But I think it's okay, so it's the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. It's the Unos versus Mysterios. The problem here is I love The Usos. I love this incarnation of The Usos. I also, I mean, you're a terrible person, if you don't like Ray Mysterio. And Dominic has done everything he needs to do to prove that he belongs in that ring. So I think this should be a great tag team contest. The scary part for me, though, is that Vince doesn't like tag team wrestling anymore. I don't think I don't think that he loves it, and that he cares about it. If they give this 1516 minutes, it will still the show. But I think that the Uso's need to retain their titles, because the bloodline storyline of them having all the belts going into what I think will beThe Rock coming in at Survivor Series, they need to have the most momentum possible. So my hope is that The Usos win, but I it's hard to it's hard for me to read against against Ray Craig.
Craig D'Alessandro:Yeah, if you hit the nail on the head, this is pretty much as far as the bloodline story. I don't see them changing that much. You know,Mysterios thing was good and had a lot of legs, especially that Ray Mysterio versus from rain somehow on the cell. I enjoyed that. That was good. But as far as his match goes, I don't I don't really, it's, they'll probably be great wrestling match, it'll probably be fun to watch. I think that the outcome is pretty much baked into the pie at this point. I don't see the results in this one even close, maybe some false finishes, of course. But I think, you know, heading into next year at WrestleMania. You know, the roads already paved.
Rayshawn Buchanan:So go with me for a second. I'm gonna say some kind of well, what if dominics, the reason, although not not dominance, is that raised the reason they lose the match and dominant turns on him after I think that
Craig D'Alessandro:would be great. I'm here.
Rayshawn Buchanan:I think that would be phenomenal. With musah. Father something obviously we've mentioned and Shane, back in early 2000s. I think that would be phenomenal.
Michael Marcangelo:The problem here though, is not to not to cut you off. Dominic can't. But as we currently have seen it, he can't talk. So if you're going to be a healer, you have to have at least you have to have a manager or you have to be able to do work on the stick. You know what I mean? Yeah,
Craig D'Alessandro:Dominic would have to be the deal on that. Sorry. wouldn't make?
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yes. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. So yeah, you know, all like, you know, from stuff with Eddie and Vicki and mom and Aaliyah. Like there's so many things that kind of pull from that. And you know, you not being there and me I'm better than you'll ever be type thing. And you know, you know, that did this. So there's so many they can go that I would love to see that. But yeah, you had to get better on on the mic. I was just thinking from a pure wrestling standpoint, as I was saying, I don't think I don't always think about the mic, but I understand of pens. That's why Randy was kind of put a back for a while because Randy was always the greatest on the mic. Except for last few years. And he said on the on Stone Cold Broken Skull Session, but yeah, so I mean, that would be great. But um, yeah, they also should definitely win, im here for the Uso mirror so penitentiary, you know, that's not what they're going by now. I know. I know. But I still think the doubt says day one, I actually need to get a new t shirt cut out. I love that. I didn't know that maybe had that music about four or five years ago. It was that long. But I just saw that match with the new day from SummerSlam 2017. When I hope we have a segment about favorite matches, too. Because if I'm bringing I'm gonna bring it up, but But yeah, also. Yeah, great. Perfect. So yeah, to do so should definitely go over on my site, you got to keep them like the evolution thing back in oh three, right? Everyone got leave with the gold. It's a different thing. Different different storyline. But, you know, you got to walk away with the gold, you got to show who's balsams on top.
Michael Marcangelo:Playing off of what you just said, there is a way to make this work that they could tie in a couple years worth of storyline. So let's say that set an edge up in the show. Right. And let's say that, because they planted the seed on SmackDown, either last week or a couple of weeks ago where Ray was yelling at Dominic to pay attention. And Dominic still won. What if Ray pushes him and says you're not ready? And then we get a backstage clip of a dominant talking to Seth because that's that's gold right there that can reignite the entire storyline from when Seth blinded Ray last year and now it's we could get Dominic versus Ray at some point in time. I think that's the way out. If they want to do it Ray wouldn't be healing in that situation. He'd be a certain father like scolding his son would tell him to keep his eyes open and Dominic could still play the I know what I'm doing. He doesn't believe in me and said says I believe in you.
Craig D'Alessandro:Oh, I like that devil's advocate.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Oh, yeah, I mean, yeah. Now, listen, man, listen, I mean, that'd be a good listen to Matt. Oh, let's do you got three guys here that are right for you. on the spot you're talking to added to our fans robbing the best ever wrestling. Oh, saw the ad in the NWA childhood dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair. All but yeah, that's perfectly booking and like we know what we're talking about. We know what the fans are walkers. We're fans ourselves, right? So, you know, kay fair correctly, we had to stay.
Michael Marcangelo:So there are a few matches here on the card that I think are meaningless that race it with good matches, we'll go through them. I'm not gonna spend a lot of time on them. You just talked about one. But I love both of those guys. You had the US championship Sheamus versus Damien priest. I love Sheamus. I thought that his match. I think that hit that he Drew McIntyre should have real feud at WrestleMania because their match was it wasn't Fastlane that there imagined the Thunderdome was unbelievable. That was that was WrestleMania where the Sheamus is at the top of this game. Damian pieces is good hand. I don't think he's great on the mic. I think I think it'll be a good match. But I don't particularly care about it. I hope that Sheamus wins, right?
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, listen, I'm I'm a big Damien priest sold knee at WrestleMania sold me I'm over. I saw a little bit of NXT. But I'm like, last time my WrestleMania with Bad Bunny against The Miz and john Morrison. I was like, Okay, this guy he hasn't. And if I'd once again, I keep going using references from old school. But how perfect would be good? It seems like he has a separate character. Can we make a new brood of type character with him being the leader? That I think that would be awesome. I don't know what to put with them. I have no idea what to do with them. But I think him being a little like a new brew type thing. I think that would be crazy. And once again, Michael Hayes is still there. He's the originator like no top take a mic. Talk to him backstage about what your work with the Hardy Boyz worked with gang growlin and edgy Christian like that, to me would be phenomenal. And Jamie fish to remind the other young dads as well, you know, saying sorry, to me. That's why I'm sorry. So yeah, and once again, Sheamus is a hell of a worker too. So why wouldn't it be a good match? Like, is there going to be the best match on the card? No, what am I going to be entertained by? Because I think Sheamus is a great worker and I'm a fan of what damage has done so far I think and projecting will do on the future. So I think it's gonna be a good match. Obviously not gonna steal the show but something I'm going to be not going to grab my popcorn or Bronco water or going to the bathroom. They'll probably do it at least at all. I'll be locked in. And you know, since you asked me who's going to win if you didn't ask me I'm gonna answer I got Damian freestall going over.
Michael Marcangelo:cranking you need someone?
Craig D'Alessandro:This this Sheamus United States Championship run has been so oddly booked. He's I've been watching it since the beginning. I understand he got injured. But it's just been so weirdly booked. He tried to do the United States Championship thing like john cena did a number of years ago that didn't end up going his way he kept on facing the same guy over and over and over and it just didn't go and then just to insert Damian priest who I love who I think is going to end up winning this match is Sheamus has done nothing with that title. I think Damien priests could do more with it. It's just been our weird few and yet Damien on that thing with the Miz on Monday then suddenly up he's facing Seamus this week for the championship but it's just been weirdly booked. I expected to be a good match but I think Damon Priest takes it and actually does something with that belt.
Michael Marcangelo:I do think that is that is WWE fault that we feel this way that I feel this way about Damian priests because they booked him into an oblivion with what that fucking zombie thing at at Backlash WrestleMania backlash that was terrible. No one should ever have to do that. It was the match that they did in NXT between Dexter Lumis, and yeah, except except Vince made a million dollars off having the zombies but because of the paid partnership with petite ratney movie.
Craig D'Alessandro:Ah, yeah,
Michael Marcangelo:that's it. next match. McIntyre vs mahal, the we had two out of the three members of three MB battling each other. Does anybody care about this match? And is there any reason as to why McIntyre's should not win rate? So
Rayshawn Buchanan:you got me? I don't care about this much. Right. I don't care. I don't but I'm Drew McIntyre has won me over. I wasn't a fan. When he came back a few years back after he I know he has mentioned less than me. 35 against Tom, I guess Roman Reigns. But yeah, this run from 20 2010. Now winning the championship a few times. And he's gotten better on the mic as well to make this character a lot more believable. And really just not look like the chosen one. Yeah, I mean, I said, I don't care for the match. But George showed me the guy that goes over. I actually want to see another one. At some point. I think he was that good a champion last year. And then Randy had a great feud. You know, yeah, I wasn't here for him at LaSalle. Today, we're breakdance partners. But yeah, I'm here for Drew waney on on most occasions, but I made it seem almost out of that.
Craig D'Alessandro:Yeah, I feel the same way. I said Drew McIntyre did great a topic card, but for a guy like him, he can only be up there for so long before it just kind of gets stale. And you know, Microsoft from earlier Vince and His Excellency has a lot of people at the top of accidents for that long. So he needs a little trip to the midcard. He's going to face jinder Mahal, I assume. Longer than this match. I assume this feud will go on for a couple more months. I actually think just number one this match just because I assume there'll be some kind of shenanigans and Drew McIntyre will probably chop somebody up with a sword. But this match of nothing for me. It's a standard mid feud wrestling match.
Michael Marcangelo:I hate that. You're right, so we're just gonna move on. Yeah. Raw Tag Team Championship. AJ Styles and Omos vs. RK-Bro. Oh, I have love Randy Orton and Middle Matt Riddle, is it but i'd love I love their pairing. I think they're perfect with each other. So I love AJ Styles. Anything he does turns to gold. He was put in a bad position back at WrestleMania 33. Against again, Shane. Nobody thought that matches gonna be worth anything. And they stole the show that night. They stole the show in Orlando.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Bad matches Shane had aggressive media he hasn't right so to say yes, I'm
Michael Marcangelo:saying so because it wasn't a no holds barred match it was a regular wrestling match they put those two in the confines of a regular that he couldn't go that he could have been counted out he could not jump off the Titan Tron jump off the stage right but even in those confines they still had a hell of a match. Everything he does turns to gold. I think this match could be great. I'm pulling for RK-Bro, right?
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, I mean, I am too late. I mean, Omos has gotten considerably better forms I mean at WrestleMania on there he moves a lot quicker. Honestly, this is where like Neil the old school of theory with big money wb could Undertaker says it Kevin Nash says that you could tell that they've been embedded in their brains that less is more. I think almost it's kind of like how big show was back in the day. Now he can I think he could job pig. I think he could jump over stuff. But that just like, you know, less is more, you know, move slow. You know, don't go too fast. You know, same thing Braun Stroman to about the us even more time than Braun Stroman was not saying but I like marshawn but I think he could do more than what our son was doing right? So I mean, like, AJ Styles where you can't help but you know, get something from AJ being and Nixon driving with him on the road. doorstop with him in the Thunderdome by day definitely became vis was right to put on multiple 10 off for the time being so Vince did a masala when they're in that regard, but it's it's time it's time brother. It's over time. Let let Yeah, let let let let let the let the RK-Bro role they want to serve us run. I feel like I know. I know Randy you're undefeated as someone that likes to do stuff alone but it's just something special when he gets together with certain tag teams like I didn't care for legacy as much I mean I was workable faction but that was a Cody and DiBiase signing in my eye you know, whatever. I like it. It was a million dollar dream that whatever fine. You know, it was more like a million dollar nightmare anyway, in my opinion anyways, outside of the funeral you have with Vince all and Triple H. But yeah, I mean,
Craig D'Alessandro:that was a gold nugget on a pile of crap.
Michael Marcangelo:The home the home invasion aspects of that was Yeah,
Rayshawn Buchanan:it was phenomenal. Right? But I'm saying like that, but I think that you said they have something there was was Reto and hangman is the perfect blend. It just makes me think and maybe they should just summon Rob Van Dam back in the day. But you know, just Oh. Wait, he did do something with Kane. But that's a whole different character. But you know,
Michael Marcangelo:so put belts on Rob Van Dam 2006. And they get pulled over with with pills in his car. So like he did? Yeah, unfortunately.
Rayshawn Buchanan:You know what he's told the whole damn show. You know what? Here's one of my favorites. But anyways, but we can do that's another time in the show. But yeah, rk bro. should be put over. I would love to see him going over when the tag team champions and to see different winners they're going to do with having them as champions. And you know, Brandi I miss you withdraw. As I do is it's so so so great. As far as factor was great.
Michael Marcangelo:I also believe, right? Before you go, Craig, that if they do this properly, they should have Riddle turn heel on Randy Orton. Oh, for sure. That should be the move to plays into next WrestleMania. Because ready can do anything. And no one's going to expect Riddle turning heel on him. So that's what I would do. But in this match in this context. Craig, who do you have? Who do you want?
Craig D'Alessandro:Well, as opposed to long term booking, this is Randy Orton and Riddle being attacking for a rather long time. So I I totally expect that. You know, based on what we just saw, you can't tell me what we saw based on Monday and the couple of in the week before that, that they're going to do that and not have them walk out of summer slam Tag Team Championships. I think as far as Omos and AJ Styles goes that's a good view right there for them that they could possibly do all mos i, you know, the criticism of him was he was super green, and he was a bad talker. He's looked better since WrestleMania. I think that guy, I think that can be a good fuel, maybe not necessarily AJ Styles vs Omos sales for so much. But that's a good view in the making right there. But I do think at the end, you know, there's no way there's no conceivable way that I can And Randy Orton and Riddle not locking out the tag team champion so
Rayshawn Buchanan:I think what happened so to to add on that credit I think that's a good idea as almost like you're a longtime wrestling fan,
Craig D'Alessandro:you know Stone Cold pull the gun on Vince McMahon in the middle.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Right exactly bang you know,
Craig D'Alessandro:I thought he was really gonna shoot him.
Rayshawn Buchanan:I did too. I think that if you they should be champions up until the war room right? They both want wherever on the match Reto actually eliminates Randy All right. They dropped the titles maybe the next night, whatever maybe next pay per view. And then that's where it's hard to them they built all so Bro you know, I thought you were XYZ band has has some with the slipper, whatever as he jumps off. And the next thing you know, that sets up for WrestleMania Riddle versus Randy Orton you're in now they told a little story. I think now it'd be perfect, honestly. All over. It happens.
Michael Marcangelo:We have two more. Let's have the card. We have Alexa Bliss versus Eva Marie. I think Lilly is going to gonna interfere in this match. I don't think it's gonna be anything. Alexa should win so bad. Yeah, it's that.
Craig D'Alessandro:I don't think there is gonna be a winner in this match.
Michael Marcangelo:Well, the fans will be losers, I promise. Yes. Should we spend any more time on this? No.
Rayshawn Buchanan:next.
Michael Marcangelo:Me and Ray were talking about this earlier Alexa Bliss isthe position that she should that Nikki should be in right now.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Why exactly
Michael Marcangelo:that they gave someone else's gimmick to somebody else. You're right. Yeah, this is Bray Wyatt's. Now, the next match was has not been confirmed yet, but is rumored to be confirmed this week. is Finn Balor versus Baron Corbin. If this happens, I don't it's not confirmed yet, but let's just see what it does. I love both. I love both of them. But I really love I mean, talk about turning hay turning, making chicken salad out of chicken shit Baron Corbin has done so well with this whole gimmick about losing all this money because he's no longer the king hiding. It's actually entertaining during it, but they're in a tricky spot here which is not unbecoming of WWE. They always put themselves into a corner where they have someone returning to the main roster that needs a win like Finn Balor. Again, someone like Baron Corbin, who is hard pressed for I mean, he needs a win to I would pick Baron Corbin in this instance, real quick. Lightning Ray, have you gotten this match? If it happens?
Rayshawn Buchanan:It will I'm gonna go with Baron Corbin I just think they said he definitely he needs it more defend Finn, Finn's fan base. Like it's, I mean, I went nuts when I saw him come back. So like fit and finish is gonna be fine. He could win another another peer review or Rawls might know whatever someone chooses will be all like that, to me. Almost all got so mad as you over say gun to my head. I'm going with you know, he should go back to his gimmick at some point. I'm going with the lone wolf. Man.
Craig D'Alessandro:You know, this is gonna sound weird. But I think Baron Corbin needs a lot more.
Rayshawn Buchanan:I think so interesting concept. My work in this field right now.
Craig D'Alessandro:It's just pure comedy gold. And that's where it is right now. Maybe he I think that we're kind of going with this. Based on last Friday night. Smackdown are kind of going with the feud between him and Big E. And I'm I don't like Baron Corbin. I hate the lone wolf gimmick. I hated the authority. Baron Corbin just watching Baron Corbin just groveling at people's feet for $100,000 or whatever. However much has just been so entertaining. And Vince knows a good I'm
Rayshawn Buchanan:imagine though. Imagine? He asked you just just really casually asked me
Craig D'Alessandro:Hey, you got $100,000 to get me through the week
Rayshawn Buchanan:on my si rally search, but you don't sound so my boy. My boy cam. He said I forgot about this. This storyline back in the day. He said he said this current Baron Baron Corbin stolen resume over 10 years ago. Yeah. And I I forgot about that.
Craig D'Alessandro:Yeah, minus the suicides but yeah, right.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Right. So I was I was asked Oh, yeah, I forgot about that completely. But yeah, that was hilarious.
Michael Marcangelo:I'm taking a bath of the toaster was one of the best things that web com ever put out. I mean, it was hysterical. So before we move on to some other to some other wrestling news a little bit, I owe it to all of our listeners and enter the panel here that we have tonight. Just talking about the greatest Summerslam of all time in their minds. Can I go first?
Rayshawn Buchanan:I mean, we already know what the effect is and you should go last.
Michael Marcangelo:Okay. All right. So right You go first.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, we know we I probably know what I probably know what you pick up any spoilers. Yeah, no, it's not a prediction school right. I'm gonna go with hunter Hearst Helmsley was he was symbolized by them by trouble age and the rock 98 summer slam ladder match. What is the title I that match was phenomenal to me quite possibly the worst ladder match in web history. But that's fine. But I was I enjoyed it and know Mark Henry in Chyna was evolving on the sidelines and you know It was real to me dammit. And I enjoyed it. I still enjoyed that magic. I was glad he was going over but I was troubled this guy at that time, you know, you know I said that that propelled kind of both him and so it was kind of mid card both at that time and they kind of our rules still super solid right out right shortly after that and then another match for me. I think we've brought this guy up before but I'm like I might you know, he's no longer alive but he's not able to be mentioned on the WWE Network once more. Oh, four. You know, we'll just say when I was I liked when Randy Orton became the youngest world champion.
Michael Marcangelo:Since here we're not on the WWE Network on Peacock.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Okay, gotcha. Okay. So when he defeated Chris Beniot as some of the stances as a core and so when the World Championship was one of the coolest matches I've seen one more from you this wasn't a great match was done the tribulation turn. Summer Sam Oh, seven him his book, The T the cane book of gimmicks was cool. Yes. Yeah. But you know, what was that always happens with them too. But that's a whole nother topic for another day. But those a few matches that come to my mind is more but I'll take it over to Craig.
Michael Marcangelo:Okay, Craig.
Craig D'Alessandro:So I have these I believe there are two I believe Brock Lesnar vs. JOHN CENA squash was a summer slam match, right? Yeah, that was amazing. That was amazing. Because nobody, everyone was expecting that to be a wrestling match. Everyone's expecting to beat john cena versus Brock Lesnar, and it was just gonna be a phenomenal wrestling match. Turns out john cena destroyed and it was so nice because John Cena was at the height of his douchebaggery at that point, and it was just so nice to see him swatch all the 1998 Highway to Hell. Summer slam Undertaker versus Uncle Steve awesome. Loved it.
Michael Marcangelo:I mean, the spine of the leg off the off the turnbuckle to the table. That was nice. Okay, so my, I think Ray knows as you might know, to Craig, my number one greatest summerside match of all time is 2002. It is the it is the return of the heartbreak kid versus Triple H four years gone, and unsanctioned fight.
Craig D'Alessandro:I love the jeans fight, right?
Michael Marcangelo:Yeah, what's hap he's walking through the curtains in jeans and Arn Anderson says, you know, this isn't like riding a bike. Then he goes on to have a 43 minute long match with Triple H where he does all the most insane shit. And on the way back through the curtain, Arn Anderson said, Well, I guess it is like riding a bike for you. For years gone. That's number one. Number two, I saw I have 320 13 CM Punk versus Brock Lesnar. Nobody can watch that. The story that they told with of with Heyman being that became the guy for both of them. That was that was at the end of punks running WWE, but that match was absolutely incredible. And third one. Trish Stratus vs. Charlotte Flair,
Rayshawn Buchanan:Oh, wow. Yeah, yes, that's
Michael Marcangelo:not that's not where I thought she was going. But okay, if you don't recognize the level of just how great Trish Stratus truly is for her to come back and 2019 and put up again, you got to have a great dance partner and Charlotte is that after what was it at that point? I was 13 years since the last time she had a singles match in WWE. She retired young 2006. Yo, take care of her mom. Only Missy leave. I
Rayshawn Buchanan:think it's okay. Mickie James silk
Michael Marcangelo:in Toronto, that that match was incredible. And just middle of the match when you hit the crowd chant and you still got it and she takes a bow to them. That's what wrestling that's what wrestling is all about in its purest form. Right? It's moments like that. So before we wrap up, we are all WWE loyalists. We admit that we would be hard pressed to close this show without talking about the fact that there is a real possibility that SummerSlam is not the biggest event of this week. Nevermind the summer because all elite wrestling AEW was running an event in Chicago on Friday, their second episode of rampage and CM Punk is rumored to show up. So my question would be does this overshadow SummerSlam and how do you add impact do you think now 2021 kids can CM Punk have in the wrestling landscape? Where you go ahead?
Rayshawn Buchanan:So I mean, I listen I've been clamoring for CM Punk to come back into wrestling period late didn't matter what what happened What happened? So it could have been impact it could have been Ringo Varner could have been to like whatever it could have been damaged. I mean, whatever, right? He still would demand you know, he still will be a draw. He's still like he's been gone for seven years. And people still hijack the show yellow CM Punk cm point like, I listened to cause a personality on the regular and I don't even know where to hell live in color was a theme song. But I still I listened to that group just because of so it's just like, he's, he's awesome. He's everything. Like he's the anti CNN. He's the anti you know? establishment soldiers mean so if that's what made it work man does it overshadow no does overshadow Listen man on until we got a point like it wasn't a mid 90s where AWS was taking this taking over you know ratings weeks or taking over pay per view buys or whatever you want to call it ticket sales like then not on they're not on dummies level like this they've been around for too long at this moment so it'd be a nice story we'd love to see CM Punk come back you know, I To me it's a little oversaturated with AWS but once again I felt like a WWE lawyers as opposed to just a wrestling fan in general. But yeah, I would love to see you cm come back into the ring and you know go get some like orange Cassidy or mgf or whatnot live another even without having to guess the payments.
Michael Marcangelo:It's gonna be Darby Allen. Yeah, yeah,
Rayshawn Buchanan:it's me. It should be Orange Cassidy or Kenny Omega. That's just me. That's just me. That's what it should be. That's what he his name demands you to play him against that type of talent. like not to say that doorbell is not giving you the edge. But Arash Cassidy who I think is maybe he might be top 10 in the business, regardless of where he's at. And then, you know, you know, obviously, you know, he had a feud with Jericho and WrestleMania 28. But, you know, obviously, Jericho come back as the pacemaker. And there's different ways to kind of put that in there. So yeah, I would like even MGM. That would be awesome. You know, I'm saying something like that any anything, but those guys will be gold. So yeah, let's say doesn't overshadow but I hope they I hope he does. I'll come back and I welcome him to come back because that means to be more competition. So I'm here for
Michael Marcangelo:Craig is someone who has readily admitted that he doesn't watch much of AWS knowing the fact that AWS now garnered a million viewers for pretty regular standpoint on all of their shows that they're being really smart and they are not running directly opposite of web programming, which will make it hard to have a ratings type war that they did back in the 90s. What does the signing add the the perspective appearance of punk on Friday, mean for the landscape professional wrestling knowing that Daniel Bryan's or Brian Dallas is not far behind?
Craig D'Alessandro:Can I take it even further than that?
Michael Marcangelo:You whatever you want to
Craig D'Alessandro:think that this is a this week this week in wrestling this particular week in wrestling, maybe last week, if you recall last week as well, as been probably one of the biggest indicators that is as has is a problem and it has been a problem in professional wrestling for a while. And that is that they rely way too much on nostalgia. You look at triple A wrestling this past week in Mexico. Ric Flair. Staying is wrestling on TNT on Wednesday. Christian is now Is he the AWS champion really empowered easy impact champion that
Rayshawn Buchanan:now I'm sorry, that was awesome.
Craig D'Alessandro:I was I was that magic now? Yeah, but I but it's not it's not it's saying that you these companies are still relying on older talent that have not been around for a while. And obviously Yeah, people love to install do but it just proves that the they're not able to make new draws. So it's still a problem. It's not a bad problem.But it's still rotten.
Michael Marcangelo:isn't coming to wrestling comparison to Barry Sanders in the NFL. He left too early. Yeah, at some of the height of his powers, hasn't done anything. And now he's come back. And he's done plenty of Well, some movies, that's fine. But in terms of professional wrestling, and I think your nostalgia thing is a real it's a real problem. I think WWE does it wrong. I think if you bring back nostalgia acts to better the talent that's currently there like yeah, Christian one, the impact will championship. That's great. What matters more is who he drops the bell to and how it's done. Yeah. Right. So if punk comes back and makes people on that roster better, you're all for it. Right? That's why you bring the rock back. The Rock has no need to wrestle john cena in 2012. In 2013. I watched it. I watched both of them. Because in 2013 is really three count the tag team match. Yeah. And but again, you watch that and it makes it like that again. Shawn came back after four years, four years now.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Nobody was passing the torch to light. Same thing. Hogan didn't need to fight the rock either, you know, to where he
Michael Marcangelo:wasn't supposed to. He wasn't supposed to be a face. Remember that? No,
Rayshawn Buchanan:right? Yeah, right. But I'm saying but still like he didn't need to face the wrong like Hogan was already lead like beyond legendary. The Rock was on his way.
Michael Marcangelo:He also wouldn't drop the he wouldn't do the job for Austin.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Right? What? All right, yes. Yeah. Hey, I mean, well, maybe he sounded the rock was a better job. Who knows? I don't know. But I mean, that. Obviously, we know Stone Cold was the biggest draw ever and, and really, wrestling history isn't even close. Probably. But yeah, I mean, I don't know. I mean, CM Punk. Um, you know, it's a great comparison about the Bernie Sanders. I mean, for those who doesn't know, you know, maybe Got Calvin Johnson typed into but he also walked away early you know there must be a Midwest thing you know so but yeah I mean listen if CM Punk comes back and he fights you know certain guys I'm like that aren't aren't like I can't bring a march cast to come I just like him hammock is mgf will be great but like say we're Christian but yeah Craig you're right though man just stalls it definitely is and stajcic Act has to stop but once again it's not going to stop as long as it keeps making money but it also as you can't put over certain stars because fans once again they listen to the crowd and the crowd does not adopt feeling certain wrestlers so yeah, what are you going to do like I think about very similar I mean it was more of a comedy thing but I remember when when he Slater was coming out we got to we got a roll against legends yeah and all legends kept coming back like you know I mean, truth be told I was waiting for he said over a day at work everyone Yeah, yeah work but it was a it was cool to see Lita It was cool to see APA. It was cool you know it was cool to see those people come back you know every now and then you know said Yeah, wow man. That's a mini one. Yeah. WrestleMania one Whoo. You know, that was crazy. So yeah, so I don't know man. But you know to go back to your original question Michael. We went left right up down. It doesn't overshadow what's going on. WWE is still King. And if summer slam does what they need to do, we won't be talking much about web re W. We will be getting Russell fast but not the casual person will be talking about what happened.
Michael Marcangelo:My last question would be given that e w ticket sales have been better than WWE. Since they allowed to have fans back they sold out. I think it was that the US Open Arena in New York City and they sold a lot of tickets for for all their New York City shows and they're to be we cannot sell a MSG my question to you, Ray is AEW a viable alternative for wrestling fans right now.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. That will last and once again, TNA had fell off
Michael Marcangelo:for a while. Like your point though, before you go down that road. Tony Khan has more money than Vince does. That's not that has not happened since WCW.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Right, But Ted Turner had more money as well. But what happened like you knew Kevin Nash Scott Hall said it best he said WWE is a red television place that does not rest nicely. Just television and it WCW was a TV that did wrestling so that's what might be happening down at AEW and eventually they don't have to do all these bigger tours like it and that fanbase is growing that you can do more than that all the knowledge that arena wish that I know that's a that's a hot spot for for wrestling but etc.
Michael Marcangelo:They they saw that the United Center.
Rayshawn Buchanan:Okay, great, but I saw that has to keep happening. Right? So and I know they can't do the guard examiner wrestling exclusive to WWE, but yeah, I mean, yeah, it's definitely viable because that's how they have good right. So I don't like Mark Henry and I'm going over their big show now over there. But yeah, it does. Look at this a little look, it does look a little bit like WCW in a sense that they're bringing in their version of Randy Savage is the whole call games, the miyota Rowdy Roddy Piper is like they're doing that what is the only profession is older? Jericho is older. You know, Mark Henry's old, a big show of older so it's not like you know, not getting older bringing them on as off you know, as the the Aussie and nalsa team are there on the sidelines. It's like oh, like, I don't know. So it to me, they are mimicking what, you know, in their own CNC is mimicking what said Turner them did. So they may get to a point where they surpass WWE in the in the ratings or ticket sales wherever. But we know ultimately, you know, when Vince or siblings or whoever it was like they get into their really creative mode, as we saw during the attitude ever, ever lose aggression? Never. There's no one that can mess with WWE. I'm sorry. It's just not.
Michael Marcangelo:Also I think it is worth noting that AWS is different in the sense and I think that they're smart in the sense that they're not trying to divide the audience because they know that it's not what it used to be they're not trying to go head to head with them. So they're going on laid out for now or now that maybe we try to take them on with NXT and they get their asses whooped. ass is warped. So yeah, I think for the first time you know, they're all wrestling is cyclical. There are these things in wrestling that happen over and over again that make you think well, we could be on the verge of this. I think this is the most interesting time in wrestling since 2011, which was the summer of punk. I think him walking away out of the Allstate Arena with that belt when we didn't know if he was if he had signed a contract. That was amazing now who shot themselves in the foot as always, by bringing him back in two weeks dad and wrestle against seen at SummerSlam only to lose because of Kevin mash, another nostalgia act and Alberto Del Rio but they got to write. I think the more people the more viable wrestling shows out there, the better for all of us, especially us doing this podcast. Thanks. So that will do it for the inaugural episode of kayfabe. Critics formerly cheapy I am like the market Angela joined by rayshawn Buchanan and Craig D'Alessandro. Thank you so much for listening. Let's go enjoy SummerSlam