Every week, Kevin Eck will run down his burning questions from the past week in professional wrestling.
‘RAW’ thoughts
Am I the only one who …
… has mixed feelings about Matt Hardy apparently being “Broken” again?
Don’t get me wrong: I think it’s absolutely delightful that the long-overdue debut of “Broken” Matt (or perhaps “Woken” Matt) on “RAW” appears imminent and a program with Bray Wyatt seems likely. The Broken Hardys in TNA were fun, original and highly entertaining, and it was disappointing that Matt and Jeff weren’t allowed to play the characters in WWE due to a legal dispute with Impact Wrestling/Anthem Sports and Entertainment.
My fear, however, is that since Vince McMahon didn’t create the “Broken” Matt character, he will feel the need to put his fingerprints on it and “make it better.” What made the Broken Hardys act such a success is that the Hardys created it and were given the creative freedom to run with it. I can’t imagine that McMahon will understand the characters or why they got over so well.
I hope I’m wrong, but that Meekmahan is dastardly, you know.
MORE: Details on "Broken" Matt Hardy and the Broken Universe taking over WWE
… was shocked that Roman Reigns received a “you deserve it” chant from the crowd when he was cutting a promo about being the new Intercontinental champion?
Reigns has been getting a more positive reaction ever since The Shield reunited, but the chant showed that the crowd — at least this one in Knoxville, Tenn. — actually believes he is deserving of being a champion. That’s a real breakthrough, and Vince McMahon must’ve been absolutely giddy.
I wonder if the crowd reaction will be the same if/when Reigns defeats Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title at WrestleMania.
… already misses The Miz?
The former Intercontinental champion has been written out of the show for now so that he can shoot the movie “The Marine 6: Close Quarters.” Miz has had a great 2017 on the mic and in the ring, and not having him on “RAW” for an extended period of time is a bigger loss than some fans might want to admit.
By the way, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels has a supporting role in the movie, which will star The Miz. Who would’ve believed The Miz would ever get top billing over “The Showstopper” in anything? Apparently, this was Michaels’ reaction when he was informed of the film’s pecking order.
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… loved the fire that Titus O’Neil showed in his match against Samoa Joe?
This match had squash written all over it befoe the bell rang, but the way it played out was much more believable. It looked like a real fight. Obviously, Joe going over was a foregone conclusion, but O’Neil towers over him and is a former Division I college football defensive lineman, so it shouldn’t have been a cakewalk and it wasn’t.
Even though O’Neil ended up losing in about three minutes, he gained some credibility. That’s a good thing, as it’ll make wins over him mean more going forward.
… got a kick out of The Miztourage’s Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas playing harmonicas in a jam session with Elias?
I was surprised at first at how well Axel and Dallas played, but then I remembered that musical talent is in their genes.
Axel’s father is “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, and Dallas’ mother is the sister of Barry and Kendall Windham. Henning and the Windhams, of course, were part of the legendary country music group The West Texas Rednecks.
… thinks Paige might want to consider changing the name of her finishing move?
I know it’s wrong and immature on my part, but every time I hear the announcers say “RamPaige,” my first thought is: “Yeah, that’s what Brad Maddox said.”
‘SmackDown Live’ thoughts
Am I the only one who …
… didn’t understand the logic regarding the stipulations Shane McMahon put on the Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton match?
Shane O’Mac really wanted to stick it to Owens, so he made the match no-disqualification and banned Owens’ best pal Sami Zayn from ringside. As soon as I heard that, I knew Zayn was going to interfere. If it’s no-DQ, why wouldn’t he?
… would be a lot more excited about the Riott Squad if the faction wasn’t an exact copy of Absolution?
Unless it’s going to be revealed that Paige and Ruby Riott are working together to take over the women’s divisions on both “RAW” and “SmackDown Live,” it’s an odd creative decision to simultaneously debut two groups that are so alike.
Paige’s threesome … wait, let me rephrase that. Paige’s trio, known as Absolution, has a goth girl (Paige), a Barbie doll (Mandy Rose) and a rugged fighter (Sonya Deville), while the Riott Squad has a goth girl (Riott), a Barbie doll (Liv Morgan) and a rugged fighter (Sarah Logan). And both groups are attacking babyfaces and heels alike.
It has to be by design, right?
… thinks Jinder Mahal has the best facials in the business?
He may not be WWE Champion any longer, but when it comes to scowling, Mahal is this reigning, defending, undisputed champion.
And you thought I was going to make another Paige joke, didn’t you?
… thought the “Saw” parody was the best of the “Fashion Files” vignettes?
I know that’s faint praise, like saying Kurrgan was the best member of The Truth Commission, but I actually did crack a smile when The Ascension thought Fandango was coming back to save them when he really was just retrieving his hat — and they were OK with it.
… finds it jarring whenever a promo clip for “Total Divas” airs during the program and it shows Lana speaking without a Russian accent?
As long as these clips keep airing, I never want to hear anyone in WWE accuse people of exposing the business.
What’s next, WWE airing commercials on “RAW” promoting “The Best of Husky Harris” WWE Network special?