SEScoops

Category: Editorials and Features

  • Roddy Piper Had The Strangest WrestleMania Legacy Of All Time

    Roddy Piper Had The Strangest WrestleMania Legacy Of All Time

    When wrestling fans hear the name Roddy Piper, a number of different concepts might come to mind.

    He was, perhaps, the greatest talker in wrestling history and certainly the host of the greatest wrestling talk show of all time. He was one of the best heels ever, and a darn good babyface too.

    Then there’s the matter of WrestleMania.

    Absolutely no one has a legacy at the Showcase of the Immortals quite like Hot Rod, ranging from all-time classic performances, to matches fans thought were his last, to a series of downright bizarre matches, to playing an interviewer, guest referee, and a number of points in between.

    Roddy Piper’s Historically Great WrestleMania Performances

    The original WrestleMania certainly wasn’t the greatest iteration of the event, but was one of the most historically important ones for establishing the WrestleMania brand and cementing WWE’s place atop the wrestling world.

    Roddy Piper’s contributions to the event can’t be overstated. While Hulk Hogan was explosively popular and it was a score to sign Mr. T as his tag team partner, Piper was the engine of the heel side of that equation—the bad guy whom fans were all too eager to pay to see get his comeuppance against the heroes.

    Paul Orndorff was the muscle and a formidable villain in his own right, but there’s no question Piper was the top bad guy on the show.

    On the flip side of Piper’s great heel work at WrestleMania 1 came arguably his greatest babyface performance and perhaps the best match of his WWE career at WrestleMania 8. There, Hot Rod went out of his way to put over Bret Hart, taking a rare pinfall loss to drop the Intercontinental Championship.

    It’s telling that, after this important victory, Hart would work world title matches at three out of the next four WrestleManias.

    Roddy Piper’s First And Last Retirement Matches

    At WrestleMania 3, a babyface Roddy Piper battled Adrian Adonis in a match that was billed to be Hot Rod’s last time in the wrestling ring. By all indications, he really did mean to transition to Hollywood, and did take part in his share of films in the years to follow.

    Seeing him put Adonis to sleep and pass the upper mid-card babyface torch to Brutus Beefcake, who cut Adonis’s hair afterward, was a fitting enough send-off.

    Of course, Piper wasn’t really done by a long shot.

    Twenty-two years later, he’d work his true final match for WWE at a WrestleMania, when he teamed up with Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Snuka in an elimination handicap match against Chris Jericho.

    Hot Rod was a shell of his former self by then but performed respectably in an entertaining spectacle.

    Roddy Piper’s Unusual Encounters At WrestleMania

    Roddy Piper took diversification of his WrestleMania resume to the next level with his efforts at WrestleManias 2, 6, and 12.

    WrestleMania 2 saw him headline his leg of the event from the Nassau Coliseum in a boxing match that went off the rails with celebrity visitor Mr. T. From there, he engaged in an even uglier spectacle at WrestleMania 6 with Bad News Brown.

    The otherwise forgettable match achieved infamy for the poor choice for Piper to wear black paint over half his body.

    Piper may have had his strangest match of all at WrestleMania 12 in a Hollywood Backlot Brawl with Goldust.

    This was one of WWE’s first stabs at a cinematic match, staged outside before it gave way to a high-speed chase, clearly deriving from real-life OJ Simpson theatrics that was still in the news at the time.

    Finally, the battle returned to the arena and culminated in the ring with Piper stripping Goldust’s garb to reveal lingerie underneath—a humiliation that was apparently profound enough for Hot Rod to be declared the winner.

    Roddy Piper’s Guest Referee Appearances At WrestleMania

    After appearing in the main event of the first WrestleMania, set in Madison Square Garden, it was only fitting that Roddy Piper returned to the venue for WrestleMania 10, this time to serve as guest referee for the last match of the show—a WWE Championship clash between Yokozuna and Bret Hart.

    Piper counting the pin offered some symmetry to the first decade of WrestleMania, in addition to calling back to Hot Rod and The Hitman’s history from WrestleMania 8.

    Piper officiated Hart’s match again at WrestleMania 11—a less auspicious affair when Hart won an I Quit Match over Bob Backlund.

    While Hot Rod’s role felt a little random in this context—and a number of fans were annoyed with his insistence on repeatedly asking if either man gave up into a mic–it nonetheless kept Piper in the ‘Mania mix, adding another unconventional chapter to his history with the event.

    In addition to the matches Roddy Piper wrestled or officiated at WrestleMania, he appeared at other events as well.

    He hosted editions of Piper’s Pit with Morton Downey Jr. and Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleManias 5 and 21, respectively. He was also Virgil’s cornerman against Ted Dibiase for WrestleMania 7 and interfered on Mr. McMahon’s behalf against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 19.

    He made a series of oddball backstage appearances for WrestleManias 21, 30, and 31, too, all adding up to the most unusual legacy any wrestler ever has, or likely ever will have at WWE’s biggest annual event.

  • Gunther is the Perfect Man to Bring Prestige Back to the Intercontinental Championship

    Gunther is the Perfect Man to Bring Prestige Back to the Intercontinental Championship

    The WWE Intercontinental Championship has a long history. It was the title that served as a stepping stone for men like The Ultimate Warrior, The Rock, and Triple H to eventually win world titles. That’s in addition to men like Tito Santana, The Honky Tonk Man, and Don Muraco thriving as Intercontinental Champions in their own right.

    The title has suffered from inconsistent booking over the years, though, and particularly as of late it has seemed like an afterthought. Champs like Shinsuke Nakamaura, Apollo Crews, and Ricochet—despite their considerable talent—weren’t booked to do anything of note during their reigns. Gunther won the title IC strap on last week’s SmackDown.

    More than a simple instance of a title changing hands, this one might represent much more. Gunther may well be the perfect man to restore the title to its past glory.

    Gunther Can Work Great Matches

    One of the cornerstones of Intercontinental Championship history was that it was title great matches got built around. Particularly in eras when the main event picture was more consumed with showmanship and star power than technical precision, this was the workers’ title.

    It set up absolute classics like Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania 3, Bret Hart vs. Mr. Perfect or The British Bulldog at back-to-back years of SummerSlam, or the first Ladder Match WWE ever broadcasted live at WrestleMania 10, between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon.

    Gunther represents an opportunity to return to that tradition. He’s a stiff, polished worker and one need look no further than his NXT UK efforts opposite Butch or Ilja Dragunov to see the kind of instant classics he can deliver, in particular opposite a tough, smaller opponent.

    Gunther hinted at what he was capable of when he took the title from Ricochet, and it would be a pleasure to see him actively defend the title in matches like that over the months ahead.

    Gunther Seems To Have Earned Management’s Respect

    There’s not shortage of talents who’ve done well in WWE’s developmental system but flopped when they got to the main roster. On paper, Gunther is exactly the kind of talent most at risk of suffering a similar fate, given his indie and international pedigree, complete with a focus on stiff offense and technique over playing a colorful character. However, he has been presented as a dominant force in this main roster run so far, up to and including winning the Intercontinental Championship.

    A part of why Gunther might have earned management’s respect and admiration is his adaptability. The big man was purportedly not willing to base his career in the US when he first signed on to work with NXT UK. He has changed his mind since that time, though. Moreover, reports suggested management asked him to get more visibly cut to consider him for a main roster run. Gunther delivered.

    While his work rate and cardio probably weren’t ever in question, he nonetheless has made major strides in looking like a more traditionally ripped WWE Superstar leading up to his introduction to the SmackDown roster. All of these factors bode quite well for his long-term prospects.

    Gunther Is Still New To The WWE Main Roster

    Though hardcore fans may have followed Gunther for quite some time, he only got his formal call up to the WWE main roster this past April. Yes, he put over Ilja Dragunov in NXT UK and Bron Breakker in NXT 2.0. That’s not to mention his early elimination from inter-branded Survivor Series in 2019.

    Still, in the eyes of the more casual fan, his record remains mostly clean, and having Ludwig Kaiser in his corner offers him a credible sidekick he has already built strong chemistry with. Without the baggage of ever looking like a jobber or someone relegated to the tag team division, the sky’s the limit for what Gunther might accomplish in WWE.

    So it is that Gunther arrives as Intercontinental Champion with a noteworthy combination of credibility and optimism for what he might become. Nothing is guaranteed. Nonetheless, at this point he feels like he could the one to reinvent the tradition of the fighting Intercontinental Champion who elevates the title every bit as much as it elevates him across a series of great matches, en route to an eventual main event destiny.

    It has been a while since WWE has given its fans much reason to get invested in the Intercontinental title or the person holding it. Between his talent, management’s support, and his bright future, Gunther just might be the man to make this championship prestigious again.

  • Is Rhea Ripley This Generation’s Lita?

    Is Rhea Ripley This Generation’s Lita?

    Rhea Ripley is one of the most talented and well-received women in WWE today. After her successes in NXT and NXT UK, she made a splash by debuting on the main roster opposite Charlotte Flair in a match that stole the show at WrestleMania 36.

    From there, Ripley’s resume includes a Raw Women’s Championship victory over Asuka at WrestleMania 37, and most recently garnering a high profile angle as the first female addition to the Judgment Day faction.

    From her on screen partnerships, to her aesthetic, to her positioning within the women’s roster, more and more reasons have developed for why fans might liken her career to Lita’s.

    Like Lita, Rhea Ripley Is A Woman Sharing A Mutually Beneficial Partnership With Men

    After a couple of bit parts and false start working as part of The Godfather’s entourage and with Essa Rios, Lita rose to prominence as part of Team Xtreme. The Hardy Boyz were a cool tag team with an edgy look and eye-catching aerial offense. Lita fit that style perfectly.

    Having a uniquely talented and attractive woman with them elevated The Hardys, while being paired with a featured tag team got Lita more time on screen and a more clearly defined persona. Later in her career, Lita enjoyed a similar relationship with Edge.

    Having a well-known femme fatale in his corner helped The Rated R Superstar feel more credible as a top tier act, while a provocative partnership with Edge helped Lita get over as the top heel of the women’s division.

    WrestleMania Backlash saw Rhea Ripley strike up her own partnership with Edge when she joined his Judgment Day faction. The Nightmare, Damian Priest, and Finn Balor have since turned on Edge but the core consideration remains in place.

    She‘s a woman, paired with men who have similar dark and edgy personas, and everyone involved stands to benefit from this alliance and the clear identity it lends them.

    Like Lita, Rhea Ripley Has A Different Aesthetic

    Part of Lita standing out during the Attitude Era was her signature look. In a sea of blonds who looked like clean-cut fitness models, Lita had bright red hair, highly visible tattoos, and a signature look that included a thong peeking out from her pants.

    There’s a somewhat similar ethos to Ripley’s act. With short hair, tattoos, piercings, and leather, she stands out from the pack of female performers in WWE, looking a bit edgy, a bit alternative, and perhaps most importantly like a clearly identifiable character no fan is ever likely to confuse with another woman from the WWE roster.

    Like Lita, Rhea Ripley Has Lingered One Step Shy Of The Top

    Lita was one of the best and most popular female performers of her day. However, it was difficult to ever call her the top woman in WWE, at least in a sustained way. Just as Randy Savage tended to play second fiddle to Hulk Hogan, or Randy Orton spent the better part of a decade one step behind John Cena’s stardom, Lita was a key rival, but ultimately second fiddle to Trish Stratus.

    Some of that comes down to timing—particularly when Lita got hurt going into what might have been her biggest push for WrestleMania 21–but regardless, she tends to be remembered more as half of a package deal with Stratus than as the face of the division on her own.

    Time will tell how Rhea Ripley’s career wil play out. In NXT UK, though, she shared the top women’s spot with Toni Storm, and in NXT she tended to be featured a step behind Io Shirai and Raquel Gonzalez at different points.

    On the main roster, Ripley has had her moments, but Charlotte Flair has tended to get the best of their exchanges and Bianca Belair has surpassed The Nightmare in their cohort of talents, when it comes to kayfabe accomplishments like title reigns and winning the Royal Rumble, as well as overall star power.

    At twenty-five years old there is still plenty of time for Rhea Ripley to carve out her legacy. The fact that WWE’s women’s division is much better featured now can be a blessing and curse in comparing her run to Lita’s, as The Nightmare certainly has more opportunities to break out, but also a more crowded roster to overcome to stand out from the pack. Nonetheless, key elements of their presentation and journey have overlapped so far.

  • 5 Moments That Defined Sasha Banks’ WWE Career

    5 Moments That Defined Sasha Banks’ WWE Career

    Sasha Banks reportedly getting released from her WWE contract ends the WWE career of an all-time great women’s wrestler. WWE wisely made Sasha a huge part of the women’s evolution after she thrived in NXT and held a lot of fan support on the main roster. Banks won every title possible and proved that her childhood dream could come true.

    WWE witnessed Sasha having quite a few career-defining moments that showcase just how much she accomplished there. Even though Banks wasn’t always booked perfectly and there were some odd creative decisions, she won out in the end by becoming a massive star. The following moments deserve to be viewed deeper as the best things Sasha did in WWE.

    Legendary NXT Match With Bayley

    Sasha Banks took her career to the next level with an epic performance at the first NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn event. An argument can be made this was the biggest night in NXT history since it was the first time that they worked a large venue in a sold out Barclays Center during SummerSlam 2015 weekend.

    Bayley and Banks paid off their rivalry in NXT by having a must-watch classic match on a bigger stage. The entire wrestling world was talking about this match with the perfect mix of in-ring magic and advanced storytelling for flawless pro wrestling. Sasha took the loss putting over Bayley, but the performance helped define her career.

    Historic WrestleMania Main Event Vs Bianca Belair

    Sasha Banks Bianca Belair

    WWE didn’t push Sasha Banks as hard as Charlotte Flair despite them both being on the same footing in their early main roster runs. Many fans wondered if Sasha would ever reach that WrestleMania main eventer status with Charlotte and Becky Lynch when she was struggling to find the right role.

    Banks eventually did her chance by breaking out again with a tremendous Smackdown Women’s Championship reign. Bianca Belair challenging Sasha for the belt at WrestleMania 37: Night One created a historic moment. The first WM main event between two black women stole the show with Banks perfectly putting over Belair to build a new star.

    Winning Raw Women’s Championship First Time

    WWE is rightfully criticized for not having the best booking for Sasha Banks during her rivalry with Charlotte Flair. The trend of Sasha winning the Raw Women’s Championship and losing it back to Charlotte on PPV upset many viewers, but that shouldn’t take away from their better moments.

    Banks won the Raw Women’s Championship for the first time on the first Raw episode after the 2016 brand split. The early stages of the women’s evolution needed moments and matches like this. Sasha received a massive ovation from the crowd for dethroning Charlotte to get to the top of the mountain.

    WrestleMania Debut

    Another pivotal moment in the very early months of the women’s evolution featured the trio of Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch having their first WrestleMania match. All three women were given the honor of having a triple threat match to replace the Divas Championship with the Women’s Championship.

    A memorable entrance saw Sasha’s cousin Snoop Dogg rapping her to the ring as confetti fell in the venue. Banks delivered an outstanding performance despite falling just short to Charlotte. Even though she didn’t win like many felt she should have, Sasha was a huge part of the best match in front of a record-setting WWE crowd.

    Getting Revenge On Bayley In HIAC

    The top defining chapter of Sasha Banks’ WWE career featured her feud with Bayley in 2020. Fans wanted to see a main roster pay off to the years of Banks and Bayley having a unique relationship. The two stars had breaking points attacking each other, but they always made up to remain best friends as a team.

    This ended when Smackdown Women’s Champion Bayley finally betrayed Banks by viciously attacking and attempting to injure her. Sasha and Bayley delivered a flawless culmination inside of the Hell in a Cell structure. The feel-good moment of Banks dethroning Bayley to win the title gave Sasha the story, moment and pay off to show a childhood dream reaching peak results.   

    There you have it, our picks for Sasha Banks’ greatest WWE career moments. Hit up the comments section and share some of your own favorite memories of The Boss’ WWE run.

    Also Check Out: WWE runs down some of Sasha Banks’ Greatest Moments

  • Three Potential WWE Money in the Bank 2022 Returns

    Three Potential WWE Money in the Bank 2022 Returns

    WWE’s Money in the Bank is just a few weeks away and the qualifying matches are underway on both the RAW and Smackdown brands.

    So far for the women, Lacey Evans, Alexa Bliss, Raquel Rodriguez, and Liv Morgan have qualified. For the men, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre have earned their way into the Money in The Bank ladder match.

    After those names qualified the match graphics on the screen showed seven participants for both the men’s and women’s matches. This is a change from previous years that usually saw eight participants in both matches.

    While the graphics show seven participants according to WWE’s website, they mention there will be eight participants this year. It could be an oversight, or it could mean we are in for some surprises for this PPV.

    There are three potential surprise returns we could see at the Money in the Bank this year if all the participants are not revealed ahead of time.

    Bayley

    Bayley Injruy
    (via WWE)

    I believe speak for most wrestling fans when I say we are all anticipating her return.

    Bayley has not appeared on TV since July 2, 2021, due to a torn ACL she suffered from a freak accident while training at the WWE Performance Center. She has teased a bit on social media while she has been out, leaving fans guessing as to when we may see the “Role Model” make her grand return.

    The latest tease was a post of what appears to be a laced-up boot she posted on both Twitter and Instagram. If she is cleared and ready, what bigger return than the Money in the Bank match where she could possibly snag the briefcase giving her the opportunity at a title shot?

    Right before Bayley got injured, she was in a hot feud with Bianca Belair, who at the time was the Smackdown Women’s Champion. Bianca Belair is now the RAW women’s champion and there is some unfinished business, especially for Bayley.

    Either way, Bayley making her return and capturing the briefcase would at the least be entertaining, especially given the obnoxious trolling character she was when she left.

    An argument can also be made that if you are returning fresh from an ACL injury would you want to put her in a ladder match first thing coming back? While she should be cleared regardless, I can see them exercising caution as well.

    This without a doubt would be the biggest return audience pop they could garner right now.

    Charlotte Flair

    Charlotte
    (via WWE)

    No matter how you feel about Charlotte Flair, she shines bright on a big stage.

    Last we saw Charlotte Flair was her saying “I quit!” at Wrestlemania Backlash in her “I Quit” match against Ronda Rousey. WWE reported later on the PPV that Charlotte had suffered a fracture of the radius as a result of the armbar, but it was reported this was all part of storyline to write Flair off TV.

    As we now know she was being written off so she and her now-husband, AEW star Andrade El Idolo, could get married. It was never reported how long she would be absent, so we fully expect her to pop up now that they are back from their honeymoon.

    Charlotte Flair always seems to find herself in the title picture, so it isn’t far-fetched to think that she may make her grand return and be a surprise entrant in the ladder match. If she were to win the Money in the Bank briefcase it would be an easy way to set up a rematch between herself and Ronda Rousey.

    It would also be a change in the norm, as Charlotte Flair has been the one cashed in on three times of the four winners.

    Whether she wins the match or not, this would be a great way for her to make her comeback and set up a SummerSlam match since the PPV is set for three weeks after Money in the Bank this year.

    Bum A** Corbin

    Baron Corbin
    (via WWE)

    Baron Corbin has gone through many transformations over years, but none have been more endearing, welcoming, and entertaining as Bum Corbin.

    Last we saw Bum Corbin was back around SummerSlam 2021 in Las Vegas where his luck turned around and he became Happy Corbin. This past Smackdown after losing to Madcap Moss in a Last Laugh match, Corbin addressed commentator Pat McAfee upset about his criticisms over the last year and for coining the nickname Bum A** Corbin.

    He then threatened to drag him into the ring, hinting at maybe a future match. Pat McAfee did not let Corbin go without a response, and with the help of the WWE Universe laughed Baron Corbin out of the arena.

    Money in the Bank is being held in Las Vegas this year where Bum Corbin won “big” and became Happy Corbin. It would be poetic if this year Happy Corbin enters the Money in the Bank ladder match, loses, and tries his luck at the casinos again, except this time he loses.

    Down on his luck again, we may see the return of Bum A** Corbin? Corbin arguably did some of his best character work as Bum Corbin, I think it would be a welcomed return by most fans.

    Money in the Bank is one of the most fun Pay-Per-Views of the year and a lot of people look forward to the surprises. The unknown of the briefcase winners and potential cash-ins make it all the more exciting.

    If any of these surprise returns were to happen this year, it would shake things up for the rest of the year in WWE.

  • Impact Wrestling Memories Over 20 Years

    Impact Wrestling Memories Over 20 Years

    As Impact Wrestling celebrates the 20th anniversary of its first show, I think back to my own memories.

    Mourning the loss of WCW and ECW I was excited at the idea of something that felt familiar and new. Built on the foundation of the NWA complete with stars that I missed seeing on weekly television. Needless to say, I was intrigued. I remember those Wednesday night shows and going over to my friend’s house to watch them. As a broke college student, I’d shell out a few dollars to help cover the $9.99 cost. 

    Not long into Impact’s (or should I say NWA-TNA) run, I decided to rent a car with a friend during spring break. We drove from South Florida to Nashville for a taping. The company couldn’t have been more accommodating, even taking us on a tour of the Nashville Fairgrounds. We were even treated to a visit to the White Trash Cafe where the crew would eat before the show.

    That night Chris Harris was within an eyelash of becoming the NWA champion over Jeff Jarrett. Seeing Sting again was another highlight. Earlier in the day, I’d banked interviews with not only Jarrett but America’s Most Wanted, Konnan, Johnny Fairplay, and Vince Russo. 

    A little less than a year later I was happy to make the drive in 2004 for the promotion’s first three-hour pay-per-view Victory Road. The energy in the Impact Zone was palpable right from that top-quality produced opening video package. The last time I’d get to see Macho Man Randy Savage live. I’ll never forget those trips to Universal Studios Orlando. Even the time the soundstage had to be evacuated in the middle of a pay-per-view due to fire. Eric Young, Traci Brooks, and other talent did an amazing job keeping the fans entertained before the crew let us back in for the rest of the show. 

    One of the things Impact did well over the years is create some unique fan experiences. In 2010, for Slammiversary I remember a particularly fun night at the NASCAR Sports Grille. Stars interacted with attendees in an intimate and festive setting. I mean where else could you share a shot with members of the Beautiful People or play a game with Abyss? A few years ago I also recall covering a mini-golf tournament between Impact wrestlers and fans. I kind of wish I also attended the bowling tournament.

    Then there was 2014’s Lockdown when Impact hosted its first Miami pay-per-view. That fan weekend was a big highlight for me as I got some time with the legendary Great Muta. Ahead of the show, I also spotlighted hometown boy MVP for a local publication. 

    Early on in dating my now wife, I recall taking her to Impact’s first live event (house show) in Miami. She was ecstatic to see “her champion” Taylor Wilde. She was invested in the Knockouts at the time no doubt. We actually spent one of our anniversaries in Daytona Beach during Bound for Glory weekend. When we got two dogs, the names bestowed upon them were Shelley and Sabin after the Motor City Machine Guns. My first big feature for Pro Wrestling Illustrated was actually on Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin’s return to Impact. 

    Even recently I reached out to Ross Forman, head of PR  about having some stars come out in support of a “Day of Giving” event at my local YMCA of Central Florida. Since they were in town for TV tapings, he made it so Deonna Purrazzo and Moose stopped by to help support the cause and raise a few dollars. For that, I’m extremely grateful. 

    You see, in many ways, this company has run parallel with my own life moments. I feel I’ve essentially grown up beside them. And for that reason, the company will always hold a special place for me. So I say thank you to Impact Wrestling for the last 20 years. Here’s to looking forward to its next chapter. 

    Order Impact Slammiversary 2022 now from FITE ($39.99)


  • Fantasy Booking Cody Rhodes’ Road to the WWE Championship

    Fantasy Booking Cody Rhodes’ Road to the WWE Championship

    When Cody Rhodes cut his first promo back in WWE since his return, he established a mission statement of winning the title his father never had the chance to—the WWE Championship. Based on the way he was booked to sweep a three-match series with Seth Rollins, it would appear he was on track for just that accomplishment.

    While his injury to his pectoral muscle may have seemed to derail that momentum the fact that he still won his last match before stepping away inside Hell in a Cell, and delivered such a well-received, gritty performance in the process suggest he may well pick up where he left off and still be on track to wind up WWE Champion. But what will that road look like?

    Cody Wins The Royal Rumble As a Surprise Entrant

    Royal Rumble
    WWE Royal Rumble

    For the last three decades, there’s been no better established traditional journey to the WWE Championship than winning the Royal Rumble and going on to challenge for the title at WrestleMania. Early reports suggest Cody Rhodes will miss six-to-twelve months for this injury. If he can return on the early end of that range, he would fit the mold of electrifying surprise entrants to the Royal Rumble and would make a lot of sense as a choice to win it all.

    Of course, that opens the question of whom Rhodes would challenge at WrestleMania. It would not make sense for him to go toe to toe with Roman Reigns there, assuming the rumored plans are true for Reigns to face The Rock in LA.

    Additionally, Reigns is about the only WWE roster member who still feels off limits for The American Nightmare to defeat. Seth Rollins could, however, be in play.

    Cody Helps Seth Rollins Win the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble

    Seth Rollins vs Roman Reigns

    It’s not unheard of for a world title match to go on after the Royal Rumble at the annual PPV, or with two Rumble matches in the mix, the men’s could go on early while the women’s version closes the show. Whatever the mechanics may be, Cody Rhodes could win the Royal Rumble, then have an active role in Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins for the WWE Championship later in the show.

    Rollins is an established enough top tier star for WWE that he’ll never not make sense in a world title picture. Moreover, given the fact he technically beat Reigns at Royal Rumble 2022, there’s some poeticism to him getting his rematch at Royal Rumble 2023. With only the WWE Championship on the line, Rhodes could be the difference maker in helping Rollins win this match and title.

    That finish would protect Reigns, and he might even be confronted by a returning Rock after the match, to offer a reason for him not to immediately seek revenge on Rhodes. Meanwhile it would make some sense to put the WWE title on Rollins, whom Rhodes has unfinished business with after The Messiah attacked him during his last appearance on Raw.

    Cody Beats Seth Rollins At WrestleMania

    Cody Rhodes Seth Rollins
    (WWE)

    While there’s a large portion of the WWE audience that’s ready to move on from Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins, their story really does feel incomplete given the way Rollins attacked an already injured American Nightmare. Rhodes vs. Rollins one more time at WrestleMania can pay off that storyline, give Rhodes a champion to beat who’s not Roman Reigns, and, importantly, would all but guarantee another excellent match. It might even feel somewhat fresh again after ten months of the two not working matches together.

    With Rhodes going 4-0 against Rollins, the story could truly be finished between these two, and bring The American Nightmare’s comeback journey full circle with another huge WrestleMania victory.

    Cody Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns

    Cody Rhodes Roman Reigns
    (WWE)

    If The Rock vs. Roman Reigns does happen at WrestleMania 39, it’s not clear who would emerge victorious. On one hand, The Rock is a wrestling legend and legit A-list celebrity whom  fans would buy beating Reigns. On the other hand, it seems unlikely Rock will stick around WWE to defend a title or work many more matches at all after this one. Also, Reigns beating Rock may be a proper capstone to his dominant run.

    Cody Rhodes would remain one of the few top talents Reigns hadn’t defeated, and with the story of him costing The Tribal Chief the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble—not to mention winning the title himself afterward—it would only be natural for the two to clash after WrestleMania, maybe saving the dream match for SummerSlam.

    It’s too soon to say which of the two would make sense as the winner, but it’s a natural destination for both to head to, after The American Nightmare realizes his destiny as WWE Champion.

    Time will tell how things play out, with injuries, fan reactions, a Money in the Bank briefcase, and other wrestlers surging with momentum all in play to alter the future of WWE. Nonetheless, the story of Cody Rhodes vs. WWE Champion Seth Rollins (and by extension Roman Reigns) can begin at the 2023 Royal Rumble.

  • 5 WWE Superstars Who Could Replace Roman Reigns

    5 WWE Superstars Who Could Replace Roman Reigns

    There is no doubt that Roman Reigns is the top dog in WWE, but is the clock ticking?

    The Tribal Chief garners all the attention whenever he’s out with The Bloodline. His presence oozes ‘superstar’ and the WWE Universe has indeed acknowledged him.

    The ‘Head of the Table’ gimmick was a much-needed turnaround for Reigns. While WWE always viewed him as a main-eventer, the audience knew he was being forced on them for many years.

    Back in the summer of 2020, Reigns turned heel and aligned with Paul Heyman. Eventually, he forced The Usos to join him and they formed The Bloodline faction.

    Since then, Roman Reigns has become the top draw in WWE. He is the current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.

    While WWE has been enjoying the success of the “Tribal Chief,” it may not last much longer. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio reported that Reigns has signed a new contract for fewer dates.

    Prior to the news breaking, Reigns spoke to fans during a house show in Trenton, New Jersey and said that he was entering a new phase in his career.

    It’s also been reported that Reigns could be missing the June 5 Hell in a Cell show. With Reigns having fewer dates and the potential of Hollywood knocking on his door in the not-so-distant future, it’s left many wondering who could be the one to replace Reigns when the time comes.

    For the five stars named here, we won’t be including the likes of Cody Rhodes or Drew McIntyre. They have already been established as big stars who are in their mid-30s. Instead, we’ll be taking a look at talent on the rise.

    Let’s dive into five potential WWE Superstars to replace Roman Reigns:

    Gable Steveson

    Gable Steveson
    Gable Steveson was drafted to Raw

    WWE has high hopes for Gable Steveson. The Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling is signed to a WWE contract. While Steveson hasn’t had a match yet, he’s already gotten physical, giving Chad Gable an overhead belly-to-belly suplex at WrestleMania 38.

    Very few are doubting that Steveson can become a great in-ring performer given his amateur wrestling background. The real question is, can he captivate the WWE audience with his personality?

    So far, Stevenson has been purely presented as an athlete but he’ll need more than that to thrive in WWE.

    Time is certainly on Gable Steveson’s side. He will turn 22 years old on May 31. He’ll be hard at work in the ring and in promo classes behind the scenes before he becomes a regular on WWE TV.

    Theory

    Austin Theory
    (WWE)

    At least for now, Theory is Vince McMahon’s golden boy.

    The reigning United States Champion has been pushed on TV as Vince’s new “chosen one.” WWE officials are high on Theory as he seems to attract younger viewers to Monday Night Raw, something the company has struggled with.

    Some fans are struggling with Theory’s rise, however. The concern is that he’s a bit too generic on the mic and in the ring, at least when working the WWE style. Some feel Theory is being held back by heavily scripted promos and needs to be unchained similar to what happened with Reigns.

    Theory is reportedly viewed as the next John Cena by Vince McMahon. The WWE United States Champion has even teased a SummerSlam match with Cena.

    Solo Sikoa

    Solo Sikoa
    (via WWE)

    This option would certainly be close to home for Reigns. Solo Sikoa is the younger brother of Jimmy and Jey Uso. He’s currently featured on the NXT 2.0 brand and it hasn’t taken him long to become a fan favorite on the show.

    Being a member of the Anoai family certainly isn’t a bad thing when you’re a WWE superstar. At 29 years old, Sikoa isn’t the youngest guy on this list but he isn’t the oldest either. His size certainly fits the bill with WWE’s new initiative when looking to build stars.

    If Sikoa develops fast enough, they may just have the perfect person to dethrone Reigns and possibly snap his brothers out of the mind control that the “Tribal Chief” has over them.

    Madcap Moss

    Madcap Moss
    (via WWE)

    Madcap Moss is in the midst of a babyface push. After winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, Happy Corbin got jealous and the team ended up splitting. They had a one-on-one match at WrestleMania Backlash, which Madcap won.

    While many within WWE feel Madcap has potential, he has some things working against him. WWE has had difficulty finding the right fit for Moss and even as a face, he has still retained his bad joke gimmick when he was with Corbin.

    At the age of 32, Moss isn’t exactly a young prospect either. While he may not seem like the most appealing choice, don’t rule out WWE trying to tie the rocket ship to Moss’ back.

    Bron Breakker

    Bron Breakker
    (via WWE)

    To many fans, this is the only option.

    Bron Breakker just looks like he was born to be a WWE main eventer. The son of Rick Steiner hasn’t had a lot of experience but he’s already been impressive in the ring.

    He certainly stands out above the other green talent that fills up NXT 2.0. Breakker made his WWE TV debut back in Sept. 2021 and he’s already a two-time NXT Champion.

    He’s got an intimidating presence, has great facial expressions when selling, is as intense as they come, and can hold his own on the mic.

    To top it off, Breakker will be 25 years old this October. He has all the ingredients to headline WrestleMania one day. It’s up to WWE to maximize his potential.

    Whether that means replacing Roman Reigns remains to be seen.

  • Cody Rhodes Could Have Been AEW’s Greatest Heel. What Happened?

    Cody Rhodes Could Have Been AEW’s Greatest Heel. What Happened?

    In his final in-ring promo before leaving All Elite Wrestling, an impassioned Cody Rhodes addressed a rabid crowd in the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C. Standing in the center of the squared circle in his suit and tie, Cody shouted to be heard over the jeers and heckles, like a presidential candidate trying to sway a gathering of his biggest detractors. Throughout this 7- minute-long speech, Cody touched on his recent contract negotiations, the creation and evolution of AEW, and his complex relationship with the fans.

    “You wanna ask why I won’t turn heel?” he screamed into the mic as his voice cracked under the emotional weight of the moment. “It’s because you cheered me when I needed it most. When it says, ‘There is more than one royal family in wrestling,’ I am talking about me and ALL OF US!”

    Cody was referencing the continued calls from a large section of the AEW fanbase for him to “turn heel.” In wrestling terms, turning heel is when a good guy (the babyface) becomes a bad guy. It’s a role Cody has fulfilled to great success before, both in his previous (and potentially future) home of the WWE and in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. But since signing with Tony Khan’s AEW in January 2019 as a wrestler and executive vice president (alongside Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks), Cody has always played the babyface.

    This was clearly the correct decision in the beginning as the upstart wrestling promotion sought to establish itself on a national scale. As Cody stated in his Washington promo, he carried “every ounce of empty monopoly sentiment on his shoulders” and “held every grain of the revolution in his hands,” and the fans cheered him every step of the way. He was the blood-pouring, throne- smashing, flag-waving hero that helped launch the first serious alternative to WWE in decades.

    Fans wanted to cheer him ever since his NWA World Title match against Nick Aldis at All In — the 2018 event that inspired the formation of AEW. That sentiment carried through to his classic encounter with his brother Dustin Rhodes at AEW’s first pay-per-view Double or Nothing and helped set the tone of Dynamite in its first few months on TNT through his feuds with Chris Jericho and MJF. While the company was rebuilding Hangman Adam Page and laying the early foundations for its future stars like Darby Allin, Jungle Boy, and Sammy Guevara, Cody was the one holding down the fort.

    However, somewhere along the way, Cody went from the most beloved babyface in AEW to one of its most polarizing figures. As funny as it is to pretend it started when he got that ugly neck tattoo, it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact moment of the shift. You might look to the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020 and how the loss of live crowds killed some of Cody’s luster. But that would be dismissing his incredible run as the first TNT Champion, where his open challenges were a weekly highlight, helping showcase up-and-comers like Ricky Starks and undervalued industry veterans like Eddie Kingston.

    It wasn’t until Cody’s second run as TNT Champion and the return of live crowds that things started to feel different. Having taken time off to film the TBS game show The Go Big Show, Cody would make his return to Dynamite, adorned in a black suit, his trademark bleached blond hair replaced with a darker cut, looking like a lost member of My Chemical Romance. He quickly regained the TNT Title from the late Mr. Brodie Lee and just as quickly went back blond — perhaps the first sign of a character in the midst of an identity crisis.

    Cody’s second reign as TNT Champion lacked the appeal of the open challenge era, with his matches often feeling more like time-stalling devices rather than compelling feuds with their own intent and purpose. And he would ultimately drop the title to Darby at the Full Gear ppv in November 2020. Everything that came next felt like a wild rollercoaster ride through Codyland, where you were never sure when the ride would stop or restart or leave you hanging upside down on a loop-the-loop.

    Let’s briefly summarize Cody’s adventures in AEW since late 2020. He interacted with a debuting Sting but never followed up on what could have been a blockbuster dream match. There was a similarly intriguing feud set-up with Penta El Zero M that abruptly ended after a couple of weeks. He beefed with Shaquille O’Neal in a slew of awkward segments, despite the surprisingly entertaining match at the end of it. And how can we forget the seemingly never-ending saga with QT Marshall and the Nightmare Factory trainees that led to the uncomfortably jingoistic rivalry with British Olympian Anthony Ogogo? All the while, he was dipping in and out to shoot his various reality shows.

    During this period, fans began referring to Cody’s matches and segments as the “Codyverse,” a mocking term used to describe how Cody’s parts of the show felt like they were happening in a bubble. He seemed disconnected from the rest of AEW, both in the tone of his segments and the way he never interacted on-screen with the company’s other top stars. While this was partly due to taking himself out of contention to challenge for the AEW World Title, it still felt odd not to see any interaction between Cody and The Elite or Hangman or even Jon Moxley, what many would describe as potential money feuds and matches.

    With that storyline disconnect came fan disconnect. The audiences — at least those in the arenas following AEW’s return to touring in July 2021 — no longer had the same level of investment in Cody’s character as they did when AEW first started. It was fatigue brought on by underwhelming storylines, confusing character motivations, and semi-frequent disappearing acts. This was only exacerbated by the signing of big-name talents like CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Adam Cole,

    not to mention the growth of popular homegrown stars like Darby, Sammy, and Jungle Boy. The fans now had new heroes to cheer for and didn’t need Cody to fulfill that role like he did in the company’s early days.

    And yet, Cody couldn’t let the fans go. Even as more and more people started to boo him, he tried to reel them back in. But the harder he tried, the louder the boos became. The crowds didn’t want All American, “undesirable to undeniable” babyface Cody anymore; they wanted despicable, shit- talking heel Cody. That’s why they cheered when Malakai Black arrived and kicked his head off. That’s why they applauded in agreement when Arn Anderson called him a coward. It was time for a change, just like when Kenny and the Bucks turned heel or when the Dark Order went the other way and became faces. AEW had a good track record of gauging crowd reaction and giving fans what they wanted, even if it meant adjusting, and so, that’s what was expected of Cody.

    But Cody never gave the fans the satisfaction. Sure, he teased heel tendencies on several occasions and played up to it in front of particularly raucous crowds. His Homelander-like attire and elaborate, pyro-filled entrances, accompanied by an entourage that would make Madonna blush, fit the image of an obnoxious prick that believed he was the good guy when really he was the biggest villain of all. And many people, including myself, thought this was intentional. It seemed like Cody was leaning into this meta character arc and that eventually, he would morph into full heel mode and make the turn official.

    As suggested in the title of this piece, I believe a Cody Rhodes heel run in AEW could have been one of the best of all time. And that’s because there was real justification behind it. In interviews, Cody has said that turning heel and going back on his word to the fans would have been too predictable. But predictable doesn’t necessarily have to mean bad. Sometimes, predictable is also logical, and there was logic and reasoning behind a Cody turn. The once adored hero the fans rejected in favor of the new shiny toys would create the kind of justifiable resentment to form the basis of a heel turn.

    A pissed-off Cody turning his back on the fans because they turned on him first is so perfect that it’s almost shocking it never happened. His character could remain in the right while still acting like a dick and taking his animosity out on the AEW crowd favorites. That would mean proper heel versus babyface feuds with Hangman Page and Sting and Moxley and CM Punk. It would mean going back on his word and winning the AEW World Title, preferably with his wife Brandi (also better as a heel) by his side. The mileage of the Cody heel character and the potential dream matches was almost endless.

    But we never got that, and perhaps never will, all because Cody refused to change his on-screen character. In interview after interview, Cody has firmly stood his ground when it comes to not turning heel. Many thought this was part of the meta-story arc and would only add to the impact of the turn when it eventually happened. However, it’s become clear now that Cody was being completely sincere. He said he would retire before turning heel, emphasizing that his role as a new father and the head of AEW’s community outreach program meant more to him than “doing heel stuff on TV.”

    “I am not turning heel, and I’m not going back on my word to challenge for the title. That stuff was real,” he told Pop Culture in late 2021, echoing comments he’d made to a fan on Twitter earlier in the year when he said, “After a decade of honing my skills at this, and the last 3 – 4 years of such a strong and growing connection with my fans… I’d be a fool to throw it away and swim upstream.”

    Yet, the last year of Cody’s career has felt like he was swimming against the current of what many fans wanted to see. Sure, with new parental responsibilities and increasing his charitable work, you can understand him wanting to be a role model on TV and continuing the pure babyface legacy of his father, Dusty Rhodes. And wrestling is this weird artform where performers often straddle the line between reality and fiction, putting a lot of their true selves into their characters, which is certainly the case for Cody. But there is such a thing as separating the art from the person, and people (fans and performers both) should be able to make that distinction.

    Roman Reigns’ current run in WWE is the perfect example of how much a heel turn can improve a character. Like Cody, Roman faced backlash from fans who grew tired of the company shoving him down their throats. His babyface character had passed its use-by date. The heel turn reinvented Roman’s image while only increasing his popularity. The same thing happened back in 1996 when a stale Hulk Hogan turned to the dark side and launched the NWO, leading to one of the hottest angles in wrestling history. Even uber babyface and highest Make-A-Wish granter John Cena was ready to turn heel in the late 2010s (having custom heel gear made and everything) before Vince McMahon nixed the idea.

    If John Cena, of all people, was willing to turn, why not Cody? It’s not as if he lacks awareness. Anyone that has seen his appearances on the AEW backstage vlogs will know that Cody can be very self-aware and self-deprecating. But turning heel is the one bridge he seems unwilling to cross. Is that because he views being a bad guy as a reflection of his true self? Can he not separate Cody Rhodes the character and Cody Runnels the man? Or maybe he’s just addicted to the adulation of the fans and unwilling to give that up; it could be why he set himself on fire and dressed up as Fuego II, just to receive that positive affirmation from the audience.

    In many ways, Cody reminds me of the character Ace Spade from the Starz show Heels. The Stephen Amell drama series revolves around an independent wrestling promotion owned by brothers Jack and Ace Spade. Ace is a clean-cut babyface who the crowd absolutely adores until something happens that turns them against him. Try as he might to win them back over, Ace is met with rejection. Jack knows it’s time to turn his brother heel; the fans not only demand it, but Ace is good at it, a natural if you will. But Ace resists, believing the mere suggestion of turning heel is an attack on his personal character.

    “You do not have to be an asshole to be a heel. You got to be able to take the heat if you’re a heel, and you need to learn how to separate you the character from you the person. You cannot take this shit home with you. And when you’re starting out… that is easier said than done.” – Jack Spade, Heels.

    We don’t know the exact reasons Cody chose to part ways with AEW, but I’d be shocked if his refusal to turn heel didn’t at least contribute. If Tony wanted the heel turn and Cody didn’t, it’s reasonable to think that it led to creative clashes. It would also explain the disjointed booking over the past year, with this half-measure, heel-but-not-really Cody character, which had the air of a forced compromise where neither party was particularly satisfied. It’s why despite the Pedigree teases, the “Cody Sucks!” chants, and his wife entering through the heel tunnel, Cody would still cut babyface promos and primarily feud with bad guys. In turn, it led to a baffling character involved in awkward storylines, which diminished Cody’s stock as a main event talent to the point where Tony felt it wasn’t worth meeting Cody’s contract demands.

    As of writing, Cody is a free agent, and rumors suggest he is likely WWE-bound. It’s a surprising development given that Cody was an EVP at AEW and had a significant role in birthing the company. But it becomes less surprising the more you look back at his actions on and off-screen over the past year. I’m sure WWE will offer him a major money contract — and good for him. At

    the end of the day, it’s his choice and nobody can take that away from him. He will undoubtedly receive the hero’s welcome he so craves when he first makes his WWE return. But how long will those cheers last? Six months? A year? What happens if the crowd turns on him again and Vince McMahon wants him to turn heel? Without the executive title and backstage influence, he might not have a choice next time.

  • Five Stars Who Need To Work International Indies Post-Pandemic

    Five Stars Who Need To Work International Indies Post-Pandemic

    The past 18 months have had a huge impact on the professional wrestling scene internationally. Stars that would usually travel for much of the year have now had to work either local shows or be forced to semi-retire for the foreseeable future.

    With the potential of the pandemic now getting to a somewhat controlled point, with vaccines being rolled out across the major hubs of independent wrestling, there’s a good chance that some of the biggest names on the indie scene will be able to work internationally once again.

    Here are 5 of the names we want to see making the rounds again on the US, European and Australian scenes towards the end of the year and into 2022.

    Chris Hero returns to the Indies?

    Before Chris Hero re-signed with WWE back in 2017 as Kassius Ohno, he was regarded as one of the very best performers on the independent circuit. The Knockout Artist moved to NXT UK during his last stint with WWE, and he has a wealth of experience on the UK scene overall.

    Chris Hero has not wrestled since March 2020 for the NXT UK brand, so a return to the UK independents, where he was a major star for PROGRESS and Rev Pro, would be more than welcome later this year.

    Match we NEED to see: Chris Hero vs PROGRESS World Champion Cara Noir

    Chelsea Green

    The former WWE NXT Superstar was released from the company earlier this year and has been extremely active on social media. Recent appearances on Ring of Honor and IMPACT have shown that she is more than ready to get back out on the circuit, and there’s a ton of fantastic independent companies that could use the talents of Green.

    GCW looks like it could be a great fit for Chelsea at some point; with her fiance Matt Cardona having just won the Game Changer Wrestling title, she could be brought in as part of a ‘GCW Universe’ stable to bring even more heat to the jacked Champion.

    Match we NEED to see: Chelsea Green vs Mickie James

    Charli Evans

    The Medusa Complex (Charli Evans and NXT UK Superstar Millie McKenzie) were one of the most intriguing acts on the UK independent scene before the pandemic. McKenzie has since signed for WWE; however, Charli Evans is still an incredible performer in her own right. The Australian star has helped build PWA Black Label, Deathmatch Down Under and Newcastle Pro Wrestling in 2021.

    There’s still a wealth of opportunities for Evans on the UK circuit, with the former Pro Wrestling: EVE Tag Team Champion (along with Millie) looking like an ideal fit for the next generation of UK talents such as Lizzy Evo, Kanji, Gisele Shaw and Mercedez Blaze.

    Match we NEED to see: Charli Evans vs PROGRESS Women’s Champion Kanji

    Drew Parker

    Drew Parker was a promising UK performer when he made the jump to Japan. That was several years ago, and the Deathmatch specialist has proven that the expectation levels were right for the current GCW Ultraviolent and BJW Death Match Heavyweight Champion.

    There is a renaissance of Deathmatch wrestling across the globe (although we Deathmatch fans would say it never went away). Parker could be a mainstay with the likes of TNT Wrestling in the UK, who have a wealth of Deathmatch talent on their roster and seem to be cornering the market on the style in the United Kingdom.

    Match we NEED to see: Drew Parker vs TNT Extreme Division Champion Clint Margera

    Mickie James

    One of the most important performers in Women’s wrestling history is back on the free market and looking to prove once again why she is up in the pantheon of greats. Not that Mickie James needs to prove anything, but the former WWE Women’s Champion could be a fantastic fit on both the European and Australian indie scenes.

    With the aforementioned current crop of Women’s talent in the UK, James could be having some blow-away matches against some of the EVE, Rev Pro and PROGRESS talent. Gisele Shaw looks like she would be a top draw opponent for Mickie, with the Rev Pro Women’s Champion building herself up as the Quintessential performer on the UK circuit right now.

    Match we NEED to see: Mickie James vs Revolution Pro Women’s Champion Gisele Shaw

  • Defending (But Not Really) WWE For Releasing Samoa Joe

    Defending (But Not Really) WWE For Releasing Samoa Joe

    Samoa Joe was perhaps the biggest name to be released by WWE last week as part of the company’s latest round of cost-cutting.

    Whilst many fans and critics were completely shocked about the former TNA and ROH World Champion being released; WWE would’ve had fair reason.

    Well hopefully they would’ve had fair reason and not just the petty usual stuff.

    Check out the video below and let us know if you agree or disagree with my reasoning for defending WWE somewhat in their decision to release Samoa Joe.

    What would you like to see us produce for video content on YouTube going forward? Let us know in the comments

  • WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 2 Predictions

    WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 2 Predictions

    The WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver event is taking place over the course of two nights. Night 1 took place yesterday, Wednesday April 7th (airing on USA Network).

    Tonight’s show, Thursday, April 8th will be available to watch via Peacock and WWE Network for International fans.

    WWE had already announced the main events of both nights that take place in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center. WWE NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez headlined the first night, with Gonzalez winning the Championship for the first time in her career.

    WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Karrion Kross will main event tonight, with Balor putting his Championship on the line.

    This show marks the second special for the yellow brand in 2021, which features a stacked lineup. As a reminder, we will be providing ongoing coverage of tonight’s show throughout.

    Here’s the full card for Night 2 of the event:

    NXT Takeover Stand & Deliver: Night 2

    • Unsanctioned Match – Kyle O’Reilly vs Adam Cole
    • NXT Championship Match – Finn Balor (c) vs Karrion Kross
    • Undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Championship Ladder Match – Jordan Devlin vs Santos Escobar
    • NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship Match – Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon vs The Way
    • NXT North American Championship Match – Johnny Gargano (c) vs Bronson Reed

    Here are Jake’s predictions for the second night of WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver:

    What would you like to see us produce for video content on YouTube going forward? Let us know in the comments

  • WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1 Predictions

    WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver Night 1 Predictions

    The WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver event will take place over the course of two nights, tonight Wednesday, April 7th (airing on USA Network) and Thursday, April 8th (Peacock broadcast). 

    The company has already officially announced the main events of both nights that take place in Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center. WWE NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez will headline the first night while WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Karrion Kross will go down the following night. 

    This show marks the second special for the yellow brand in 2021, which features a stacked lineup. As a reminder, we will be providing coverage of this special on both nights.

    Here’s the full card for Night 1 of the event:

    Stand & Deliver: Night 1

    • WWE NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez
    • MSK vs. Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Legado del Fantasma for the Vacant NXT Tag Team Titles
    • WWE NXT UK Champion WALTER vs. Tommaso Ciampa
    • Bronson Reed, Dexter Lumis, Cameron Grimes, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Leon Ruff, and LA Knight – Gauntlet Eliminator Match
    • Pete Dunne vs KUSHIDA

    Here are Jake’s predictions for the opening night of WWE NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver – MINUS Pete Dunne vs KUSHIDA…because honestly someone forgot it was on the card tonight.

    Pete Dunne to win by the way.

    What would you like to see us produce for video content on YouTube going forward? Let us know in the comments

  • Women’s Wrestling Focus (Ep. 1) – Scoops on Screen

    Women’s Wrestling Focus (Ep. 1) – Scoops on Screen

    Welcome to Women’s Wrestling Focus, the show talking all thing’s women’s wrestling! Hosted by: Ella Jay of A Wrestling Gal Podcast.

    From WWE & AEW to the independent circuit and all around the world, Women’s Wrestling Focus (WWF) looks to explore and showcase the past, present, and future of women’s wrestling! This first edition discusses the predictions and potentials at stake for the WWE women at WrestleMania 37.

    Check out the very first episode of Women’s Wrestling Focus with Ella Jay below:

    Asuka Returns To In-Ring Action On WWE Raw

    Here’s the current Women’s matches that are likely for WrestleMania 37 on April 10/11:

    • WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match – Sasha Banks (c) vs Bianca Belair (CONFIRMED)
    • WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match – Asuka (c) vs Charlotte Flair (LIKELY)
    • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match – Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler vs ?

    As you can see there’s not currently much in the way of Women’s representation as we head to WrestleMania. Hopefully the card will have more bouts confirmed after this Sunday’s WWE Fastlane event from the ThunderDome.

    What would you like to see us produce for video content on YouTube going forward? Let us know in the comments

  • The Rock Wanted WrestleMania Match? – Scoops on Screen

    The Rock Wanted WrestleMania Match? – Scoops on Screen

    Jake Jeremy looks at Paul Heyman’s recent bombshell remark that The Rock called him to set up a match with Roman Reigns at WWE WrestleMania.

    Check out our opinion editorial video below and let us know if you think The Rock will return to WWE at some point and challenge Roman Reigns.

    For context, Paul Heyman recently made the following comments in an interview with GiveMeSport.

    “If I could show you one day’s worth of text messages, emails and calls that come into my phone from some of the biggest superstars in sports and entertainment on this planet, it would blow your mind” Heyman stated.”

    “Crossover celebrities in their prime would love to step into a WrestleMania ring with Roman Reigns. It’s not just Dwayne Johnson. The Rock is just one of many. Top stars in many sports are yearning for the publicity, the notoriety, fame, legacy and money of main eventing WrestleMania with Roman Reigns.”

    Roman Reigns himself has commented on the possibility of this match in the past.

    “He’s the biggest box-office attraction for the big screen. So, to be able to take that and match it up with the biggest box-office attraction in sports entertainment, I think some magic would be made.”

    Check out the full article for this story below:

    What would you like to see us produce for video content on YouTube going forward? Let us know in the comments

  • The Case for Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair Main Eventing One Night of WrestleMania 37

    The Case for Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair Main Eventing One Night of WrestleMania 37

    On the February 26th edition of WWE SmackDown, Women’s Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair selected Sasha Banks as her WrestleMania 37 opponent. With over 6 weeks of build-up and with two women at the top of their game, this match should headline night one of WrestleMania 37 on April 10th

    Bianca Belair battled in the Women’s Royal Rumble for almost an hour, entering at number 3 and winning the match. At the same time Sasha Banks fought of Carmella, ending the storyline she was involved in leading up to the Rumble. Since then, it had been rumored that Bianca would choose Sasha as her opponent at WrestleMania.

    The two have been involved in tag-team action up until last Friday and are now set to enter their own feud leading up to the big showdown. The only previous time a women’s match headlined WrestleMania was in 2019, but this matchup has all the makings to be a lot better and holds the potential to be a main event that lives long in the memory.

    Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks

    With the benefit of WrestleMania being spread of two nights again, there is more opportunity for exposure and appreciation. Edge and Roman Reigns will deservedly be the main event for night 2 of WrestleMania, but Bianca and Sasha have just as much claim to also close out the show.

    Bianca has only been a part of the main roster since last year’s WrestleMaina, where she was put with the Street Profits, but her meteoric rise since has been admirable. After being transferred to the blue brand of WWE, Bianca has been involved in exciting feuds with Billie Kay and Natalya as well as representing SmackDown at Survivor Series. She then went on to become the second-ever African American Superstar to win the Royal Rumble, lasting a total 57 minutes in the match.

    On the other hand, we have Sasha Banks, who has finally been given the opportunity to hold on to the Women’s Championship belt for a sustained period of time. After a lengthy back-and-forth with the company, Sasha stayed with WWE despite there being rumours she was set to leave the promotion. The Boss entered a memorable feud with long-time best friend Bayley, from whom she captured the SmackDown Women’s Championship from at the 2020 Hell in a Cell pay-per-view.

    Prior to this defence, Sasha had lost all of her title matches where she held the belt going into the match. After beating Bayley in the rematch, she ended a drought of unsuccessful defences with a main roster singles title, finally opening up a new chapter in her era of being champion.

    With the match now made official, we have just over a month until WrestleMania where both women have the opportunity to prove why they should be headlining one of the nights.

    Both Sasha and Bianca’s promo-cutting skills are only bettered by their in-ring abilities, providing us with a plethora of entertainment. May the best woman win.

  • WWE Superstar Spectacle: From an Indian Fan’s Point of View

    WWE Superstar Spectacle: From an Indian Fan’s Point of View

    WWE is finally starting to make inroads into one of the largest untapped market they have for their product, India. Known for being the second most populous country in the world with 1.4 Billion people, India has long been one of the markets many companies have tried to enter. Given the large population, capturing even a tiny percentage of the market enables the company to reach another level.

    With the WWE Superstar Spectacle, WWE hosted one of their first televised events directed completely towards their Indian audience.

    What WWE knows, and what not too many viewers know, is that WWE already has a large ready-made market in India. When it comes to viewership, WWE is second only to cricket, a sport that has been compared to a religion for many Indians. The large portion of the WWE audience in India is young and it’s a burgeoning audience. However, the biggest challenge that WWE will face in the country is breaking down societal  and cultural barriers.

    WWE is not widely accepted in Indian culture because the violence in the genre lends it a taboo quality that’s difficult to overcome. Thus, while large portions of the Indian audience are watching WWE, the same audience are not discussing it openly among themselves as the do cricket in fear of being judged. Getting acceptance among Indian audience will be the first and biggest step for the company.

    The Indian WWE fanbase, however, can be divided into two broad categories – casual fans and smart fans.

    WWE’s Indian Fanbase

    Much like the rest of the world, India has a diehard smart fanbase for WWE, who not only follow RAW and SmackDown, but NXT as well, while also seeing the documentaries released by the company on their network.

    With a massive broadcast partner in the form of Sony Sports Network, WWE is broadcast live, as well as repeated throughout the day at prime times, given the interest the product has garnered.

    The second more casual fan may not regularly watch the shows religiously, but they tune in t times and add to the viewership tremendously, simply because of how many of them there are.

    For example, according to reports by Economic Times, WrestleMania 33 had a massive reach across all their channels with repeats included of 67.3 million viewers. When it comes to consumption of WWE on YouTube, India ranks first as well. According to another report from The Bridge last year, WWE weekly shows attract a total of 335 million unique viewers over a whole week.

    In 2018, WWE made the brave and controversial decision of deciding to push Jinder Mahal, someone who had only been treated as a jobber before. The move was an obvious one to pander to Indian fans, but it was not as successful as WWE hoped. While Mahal did appeal to the fans, the fact that he was a heel, that he had a stereotypical Indian gimmick, and that he was made Champion out of nowhere and with no apparent build all worked against him.

    What WWE had failed to note, is that back in the day, they had already cracked the Indian equation with a giant. Mahal found success and pushed the WWE market in India more, but he himself did not find the same popularity that his predecessor had.

    The Role of Indian Pro Wrestlers

    When The Great Khali first came to WWE, he was fierce and known for his huge height. The fact that he used those attributes to run over his opponents, including the likes of Batista, The Undertaker, and Triple H, made him a convincing character. He was someone the fans could understand and get behind and they did in force. His popularity sky rocketed until he was a household name and every Indian knew of him, in the same manner they know of The Rock, John Cena, or Hulk Hogan.

    Even more interestingly, when his weaknesses and slowness became more apparent and his push disappeared, his popularity in the Indian market didn’t. He is still famous and an extremely beloved figure among Indian fans. As a result, the natural push he got could be a lesson to WWE, as it was clear that much like the rest of the world, Indians like representation on the biggest stage, but only when it’s not forced.

    That’s exactly the chance WWE has with their newest crop of stars at the WWE Superstar Spectacle.

    WWE Superstar Spectacle

    The recent Superstar Spectacle was huge for India and quite a lot of people tuned in, as it was the first time that WWE was shown taking active and real interest in the Indian wrestling scene. There was a lot of support there, but at the same time, people were worried the Idian show might be nothing more than another Saudi Arabia, where WWE panders to the fans and leaves and the Indian stars find no standing outside India.

    However, those following the product know this is not the whole case as WWE is actively trying to make India their base of operations in Asia and that’s something that is appreciated. Superstar Spectacle allowed a lot of young stars to shine through, with Guru Raaj, Jeet Rama, Sareena Sandhu, Indus Sher, Dilsher Shanky, and Giant Zanjeer, all being appreciated by the fans for their performances. If WWE can continue to book them so strongly, and find others like them, then they might have found a huge launchpad for their product in India.

    At this time, they have everything in their control, and it depends on how they plan to develop. Given the proper push, they could find themselves sitting with a massive market share in the country.

  • AEW Full Gear Predictions

    AEW Full Gear Predictions

    All Elite Wrestling returns to the pay-per-view arena this weekend with their AEW Full Gear show from Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

    The top matches heading into this Saturday’s AEW show are Chris Jericho vs. Cody for the AEW World’s Heavyweight Championship and an unsanctioned “Lights Out” match between Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley.

    A Closer Look At AEW Full Gear Lineup

    Other championship action at AEW Full Gear this weekend includes a three-way match for the AEW World Tag-Team Championships, as SoCal Uncensored defends against The Lucha Brothers and Private Party, and a singles match for the AEW Women’s World Championship, with Riho defending against Emi Sakura.

    Also scheduled this Saturday night is The Young Bucks vs. Santana & Ortiz, “Hangman” Adam Page vs. PAC and Joey Janela vs. Shawn Spears (with Tully Blanchard), as well as a “Buy-In” pre-show match featuring Dr. Britt Baker vs. Bea Priestley.

    SEScoops.com Round Table Writers For AEW Full Gear

    As is the case before every major pay-per-view event, SEScoops.com compiles a handful of pro wrestling journalists to provide their in-depth insight and analysis into each match scheduled on the card in our SEScoops.com Predictions Roundtable feature.

    Joining us for this AEW Full Gear installment will be veteran staff writers Ian Carey, Andrew Ravens and Jeff Moss.

    Without further adieu, let’s take a look at our official AEW Full Gear Predictions.

    Buy-In Pre-Show: Britt Baker vs. Bea Priestley

    Ian Carey: I’m a little torn on this one. Baker just lost to Riho and they will likely want to rehab her from that but on the other hand, Bea Priestley seems like the biggest star they have in the division. They have to push her to a shot at Riho, right? It’s also weird this is on the preshow considering the role Baker seems to have and the rivalry that’s been brewing. I’m picking Bea but I’m not super confident about it. (Prediction: Bea Priestley)

    Andrew Ravens: I think this is a pretty easy pick from all of the matches on the card. Baker should and will win. She is being groomed as a top star under the AEW banner in the women’s division. Outside of Riho, she is their biggest women’s talent that they have. I like this matchup, which will be a fun match. (Prediction: Britt Baker)

    Jeff Moss: What’s interesting about this match is that Britt Baker, sorry, DOCTOR Britt Baker is a dentist, and AEW managed to go almost a whole show without mentioning it! Seriously though, Baker has a bit of payback to exact over the concussion she suffered courtesy of Priestly at Fight For The Fallen, so there’s a grudge to be settled here. With that said, I’d take Baker — who is totally a dentist — in this one, for the best reason of all: Revenge. (Prediction: Britt Baker)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Britt Baker

    Shawn Spears vs Joey Janela

    Ian: Both of these two need wins. Actually, I’m not certain Janela actually needs to win his matches to be popular but all the same. Spears has one singles win against Michael Nakazawa but it seemed like they would push him harder than they have after he aligned with Tully Blanchard. Perhaps, Full Gear will be the start of a winning streak for Spears. I wouldn’t be that surprised to see Janela pull off an upset though. (Prediction: Shawn Spears)

    Andrew: A late addition to the card and this is just a random thrown together match that I’m not sure why was added than other to fill time. They have no program but will be wrestling with each other. Following his match with Cody Rhodes at All Out, Spears has fallen off a cliff on television and seems to have no direction. I think a cheap win can get him back on track. (Prediction: Shawn Spears)

    Jeff: Another match that has the potential to get bloody, fast. I can’t stress how much I’m enjoying Asshole Tye Dillinger. Just being associated with Tully Blanchard makes him even more snake-like in my book. That said, Joey Janela is hardcore. I’d rather see Spears go over here, mainly so he doesn’t find himself back in an enhancement talent role, so we’ll see how things shake out. (Prediction: Shawn Spears)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Shawn Spears

    SCU vs. The Lucha Bros vs. Private Party

    Ian: After Private Party won the bronze medal match against Dark Order this week, they were added to this match here. Triple threats are great for having a team win without them having to actually beat another team. For that reason, expect SCU to get the pin over Private Party and not the Lucha Bros, that way Pentagon and Fenix stay in the tag title picture. I’m predicting a successful title defense for SCU, followed by a post-match beatdown by the Lucha Bros, followed by a run-in save by Christopher Daniels. (Prediction: SoCal Uncensored)

    Andrew: Since SCU just won the titles, I don’t see why a title change would take place here. They have a built-in story with SCU vs. The Lucha Brothers but since they made it a three-way, I think they didn’t want Lucha to eat the loss but wanted to continue this story. Thus, they put Private Party in the contest for them to take the fall. With that said, SCU should and will retain the straps here. (Prediction: SoCal Uncensored)

    Jeff: SCU just won the titles on Dynamite, so I can’t see them dropping them so quickly here. I expect them to win, but the Lucha Brothers will do something spectacularly dangerous, if for no other reason than to upstage the Bucks in their match. Adding Private Party to the mix here adds an element of the unknown, but regardless, the titles stay put. (Prediction: SoCal Uncensored)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, SCU

    Riho vs. Emi Sakura (AEW Women’s Title)

    Ian: As much as we’d all love a Freddie Mercury cosplayer as champion, it feels as though the belt will stay on Riho here. Riho garners such sympathy whenever she takes a move that I have to imagine she’ll eventually drop the title to one of the divisions larger women, such as Awesome Kong or Nyla Rose or possibly to Bea Priestley. I just can’t see her dropping it here. (Prediction: Riho)

    Andrew: Riho wins. This is a no brainer as Riho is a big fan favorite especially with women and young girls. The ratings back that up. Sakura is a talented star but is still unknown to most fans who watch the AEW product. It will be interesting to see if fans in attendance believe any of Sakura’s offense against Riho. (Prediction: Riho)

    Jeff: I honestly didn’t know much about Riho when she first won the Women’s title, but I’ve grown quite fond of her. As we watch Brandi Rhodes slowly descend into madness, I like the idea of Riho establishing herself as a champion. This will be a really fast, cool NJPW match between two rising stars in North America, but in the end Riho retains. (Prediction: Riho)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Riho

    Hangman Page vs. PAC

    Ian: So between the match they had in England and the match they had on Dynamite, these two are 1-1 against each other. The thing with Page is, he’s not going back to the world title picture anytime soon, at least I don’t think. It feels like Page chasing the title is a long-term plan, whereas they want PAC in the title picture soon. For that reason, I think PAC gets the win and moves closer to a title shot. (Prediction: PAC)

    Andrew: So between the match they had in England and the match they had on Dynamite, these two are 1-1 against each other. The thing with Page is, he’s not going back to the world title picture anytime soon, at least I don’t think. It feels like Page chasing the title is a long-term plan, whereas they want PAC in the title picture soon. For that reason, I think PAC gets the win and moves closer to a title shot. (Prediction: PAC)

    Jeff: Honestly? I’d watch PAC fight a potted plant and call it match of the year. The dude is practically unrecognizable from his NXT Champion days, and twice as entertaining. British Strong Style? More like BASTARD PAC STYLE. He’s the next contender for the AEW title in my mind, so I’d expect him to win decisively and brutally here. (Prediction: PAC)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, PAC

    The Young Bucks vs. Santana & Ortiz (AEW Tag Titles)

    Ian: After dropping the semi-final of the tag tournament to Private Party, it feels like the Young Bucks could use a big win here. A loss for Santana and Ortiz this early after debuting isn’t great but losing to the Young Bucks never hurts anyone too hard. I’m fairly certain both of these teams will be in the title chase not long after this PPV. (Prediction: The Young Bucks)

    Andrew: This is one of the hardest matches to pick as Santana and Ortiz should win and will likely do so but The Young Bucks lost at All Out and then in the Tag Team Title Tournament so they need a big win. I will take Santana and Ortiz only because they are part of the Inner Circle as Jake Hager could cause a distraction for the win. (Prediction: Santana & Ortiz)

    Jeff: This should be a really fun match, with lots of hard hits, high flies, and of course tassels. The Bucks know how to put on a show, and Santana & Ortiz were one of the highlights of TNA (I’m told). This is a great match to forward the Elite Vs Inner Circle feud that’s taking over AEW storylines, so while the stakes aren’t that high on paper, overall it should have some impact. I have to take the Bucks in this one. (Prediction: The Young Bucks)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, The Young Bucks

    Jon Moxley vs. Kenny Omega (Unsanctioned “Lights Out” Match)

    Ian: This is a tough one to pick because it seems like AEW will want to push both of these guys into the world title scene sometime soon. Omega has lost to PAC and Jericho already and probably can’t afford another loss. Moxley hasn’t lost yet but did go to a time-limit draw with PAC. I think it makes sense for Omega to get the win and then we get a triple threat with these two and PAC with the winner earning a title shot. Otherwise, Omega is really going to have a hard time making up for some of these early losses. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)

    Andrew: This is going to be a fun match but a more interesting finish to it as both guys need to win. Yes, Moxley has been more protected than Omega up to this point and could eat a pinfall but I see Moxley heading to the world title picture quicker than Omega. I think Omega will lose here but I don’t agree with it. Prior to the launch of AEW, Omega was booked as a bigger deal and to the hardcore fans, he still is but in the eyes of the casual fans, he’s a top mid-card guy, which isn’t good. Moxley goes over. (Prediction: Jon Moxley)

    Jeff: It’s been months in the making and this match is the leading candidate for match of the night for me. This should include some crazy spots, hardcore action and I’d expect a whole bunch of blood. If I had my way this match would be the official “Return of the Cleaner” and let Kenny Omega go full Omega on the guy who would take it the best (non-PAC division) Jon Moxley. I wonder if they will put this match on last, or save it for the title bout? At any rate, Kenny Omega will (and needs) the win here. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Kenny Omega

    Chris Jericho vs. Cody (AEW World Title)

    Ian: Well, up until Dynamite this week I would have said that Jericho is winning this match but now that’s all up in the air. Cody’s announcement that if he doesn’t beat Jericho then he’ll never challenge for the title again changes things. It’s possible Cody could lose and just decide he doesn’t want to ever book himself to win the title or he could win and become the 2nd ever champion. I’m betting he wins the title but then loses it back to Jericho fairly quickly after, similar to what his Dad used to do with Ric Flair. (Prediction: Cody)

    Andrew: This is the rightful main event and the right #1 contender to the AEW World Title. While Rhodes is an executive in the company, he was the right star to be chosen for this spot at the moment. His win record backs that up and since AEW puts a focus on it, this was the right call. This has been a great build-up as both guys are great talkers and while it might not be the best match on the card, it will live up to expectations. There’s no reason to take the title off of Jericho right now as he’s the biggest star that AEW has right now. I don’t like the stipulation that Rhodes added as that means there will have to be a screw job finish to this contest. (Prediction: Chris Jericho)

    Jeff: If the fact that Chris Jericho is universally beloved “Shampiown” right now, and Cody is the EVP of the company weren’t enough to telegraph the result of this match, adding a “I’ll never challenge for it again” stipulation certainly seals the deal. Who wins then? Well, I’d expect Cody to win, but Jericho to keep the title in what will assuredly be a DQ, run-in and outside interference filled match. (Prediction: Cody via DQ)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Cody

    AEW Full Gear Predictions Outro

    What do you think about Ian, Andrew and Jeff’s picks for Saturday’s matches? How do their above picks compare to yours? Let us know by sharing your own AEW Full Gear predictions in the “Comments” section below.

    Join us here at SEScoops.com throughout the weekend for the best coverage of AEW Full Gear news, rumors and spoilers.

    Make sure to stop by on Saturday night for the absolute fastest and most-detailed, live AEW Full Gear results coverage on the web!

    Until next time …

  • WWE Crown Jewel Predictions

    WWE Crown Jewel Predictions

    WWE Crown Jewel 2019 Predictions Opener

    WWE returns to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for their WWE Crown Jewel 2019 pay-per-view from King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and as always, SEScoops.com is your number one destination on the web for the most comprehensive coverage leading into a significant pro wrestling event.

    The WWE Crown Jewel 2019 show on Thursday marks the second event WWE has promoted under the “Crown Jewel” chronology, and marks the fourth event WWE will be holding as part of their ten-year partnership in support of Saudi Vision 2030.

    A Closer Look At WWE Crown Jewel 2019 Lineup

    WWE Crown Jewel features an absolutely stacked card loaded with “special attraction” matches such as former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez making his WWE in-ring debut against the man he defeated to become the king of UFC’s Heavyweight division, current WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.

    The Lineal Boxing Heavyweight Champion of the World Tyson Fury will also step into the squared circle for his WWE in-ring debut, as he meets Braun Strowman in a one-on-one showdown at the event.

    Also on tap in a main event featured-attraction bout at WWE Crown Jewel 2019 is a “Falls Count Anywhere” match where there must be a winner, as Seth Rollins defends the WWE Universal Championship against “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt.

    Rounding out the card will be a Team Hogan vs. Team Flair five-on-five match, a nine-team Tag-Team Turmoil Match for the WWE World Cup and a 20-man Battle Royal with the winner facing AJ Styles later in the show in a one-on-one match for the WWE United States Championship, the first-ever women’s match in Saudi Arabia with Lacey Evans taking on Natalya, and WWE’s first Saudi Superstar Mansoor will challenge Cesaro.

    The Crew Analyzing & Breaking Down WWE Crown Jewel Matches

    As is the case before every major pay-per-view event, SEScoops.com compiles a handful of pro wrestling journalists to provide their in-depth insight and analysis into each match scheduled on the card in our SEScoops.com Predictions Roundtable feature.

    Joining us for this WWE Crown Jewel 2019 installment will be myself, Matt Boone, as well as fellow veteran staff writers Ian Carey and Andrew Ravens.

    Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the SEScoops.com predictions for WWE Crown Jewel 2019.

    20 Man Battle Royal For Shot At U.S. Title

    Matt Boone: Advertised to compete in this match, where the winner faces AJ Styles later in the show for the WWE United States Championship are: Apollo Crews, Buddy Murphy, Andrade, Drake Maverick, Eric Young, Luke Harper, Cedric Alexander, Heath Slater, Humberto Carrillo, No Way Jose, 24/7 Champion Sunil Singh, Mojo Rawley, Erick Rowan, R-Truth, Sin Cara, Brian Kendrick, Titus O’Neil, Tony Nese, Akira Tozawa, and Shelton Benjamin. What a tough pick. I’d love to see a number of these guys one-on-one against “The Phenomenal One” later in the broadcast for a potential “show-stealer” performance. With that in mind, I’ll go with Buddy Murphy for the win. Who knows! (Prediction: Buddy Murphy)

    Ian Carey: This is a complete crap shoot. The person who wins will likely just be in line to lose to AJ Styes shortly after. So it’s likely going to be a babyface so there is a heel vs babyface dynamic in the US title match. Sin Cara, Apollo Crews, and R-Truth are possibilities. Buddy Murphy is another possibility. To be honest, I have no idea if Murphy is a heel or babyface but he could certainly have a great match with Styles! (Prediction: Buddy Murphy)

    Andrew Ravens: There is a lot of filler in this match with only a few guys who I can see winning the match. While Andrade and Erick stick out as the top names in this match, both guys are heels. This would make for an odd selection to face AJ Styles since he’s a heel. Thus, they are not an option. I’m taking Cedric Alexander here as he’s a face that WWE has done something with over the last few months although his push has halted. Plus, he has a history with Styles. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)

    CONSENSUS: Buddy Murphy (2-1)

    Tag-Team Turmoil For 2019 WWE World Cup

    Matt: This one will feature nine WWE tag-teams vying to determine who the best duo in the business is today. The teams competing for the 2019 WWE World Cup in this tag-team turmoil match are The New Day vs. The Viking Raiders vs. Heavy Machinery vs. Lucha House Party vs. Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins vs. The Revival vs. The O.C. vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode vs. The B-Team. In a complete shot-in-the-dark, because much like the battle royal, I could see 100 different people coming out on top in this one, I’ll go with the safe pick. (Prediction: The New Day)

    Andrew: It seems like every time that WWE holds an event in the country there has to be some sort of gimmick match. This fills that gap. It’s whatever though because unless your name is Shane McMahon then does it matter who wins this match? Does Braun Strowman even have his trophy from last year? Okay, I’ll take The New Day to win because they’re the top tag team in this match. (Prediction: The New Day)

    Ian: This match has to go to the Viking Raiders. They are the monster tag team WWE is buiding right now so there is no way they will get pinned in this match. Granted, last time WWE had a tag team turmoil match they were able to get the Raiders out by having them go to a double count-out with the O.C. So something weird could happen but it just seems to be this is a good opportunity to showcase arguably the top team in the company. Expect the Revival and New Day to do something to build to their title match on Friday’s Smackdown as well. (Prediction: Viking Raiders)

    CONSENSUS: The New Day (2-1)

    Mansoor vs. Cesaro

    Matt: See, we have Saudi Superstars, too! In what feels like a clear showcase of the man WWE is heavily promoting as “WWE’s First Saudi Superstar,” I can’t see Mansoor losing here. With Cesaro involved, however, I can see Mansoor looking like 1,000,000 bucks in this one. (Prediction: Mansoor)

    Andrew: Who cares? Okay, with us giving picks and all, it’s pretty easy to see who will win this contest. This marks Mansoor’s second match on WWE pay-per-view and with it being in Saudi Arabia, which is the only time he’s basically booked, he should go over in this contest. (Prediction: Mansoor)

    Ian: WWE didn’t really capitalize much off Mansoor’s battle royal win on a previous Saudi show but he’ll be in single’s action here. Cesaro is an excellent opponent for Mansoor as he will be able to give him a good match. Mansoor will win here but don’t expect it to lead to anything for him after, as the last time he won on a Saudi show pretty much led to nothing at all… aside from this match here several months later. (Prediction: Mansoor)

    CONSENSUS: Mansoor (3-0)

    Team Hogan vs. Team Flair

    Matt: I think this is unfortunately more an excuse to get big names like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair on the show for promotional purposes, as the Saudi Arabian deal clearly guarantees some high-profile stuff. It’s also an excuse to get a bunch of guys on the card, which a lot of the matches we’ve broken down thus far appears to be designed to do. In any matter, a Hogan muscle-posing outro with an angry Flair freaking out in over-the-top Nature Boy fashion feels like the ending to me for this one, so … (Prediction: Team Hogan)

    Andrew: I’m taking Team Hogan on this one. WWE has clearly been building Ric Flair as the heel in this storyline and in legend vs legend matches, usually the babyface goes over. Not always, but the vast majority of the time. I’m expecting that to be the case here. This isn’t an elimination match so expect Roman Reigns to pick up the win for his team, likely over McIntyre, Nakamura or Corbin. (Prediction: Team Hogan)

    Ian: This is a one-off match and at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who actually wins the match. However, with it being a special show for the Saudi government, I suppose the right call would be for Team Hogan to go over here. The reason for that is due to the team being full of babyfaces and competed under one of the biggest babyfaces in the history of pro wrestling in Hogan. (Prediction: Team Hogan)

    CONSENSUS: Team Hogan (3-0)

    First-Ever Women’s Match In Saudi Arabia: Lacey Evans vs. Natalya

    Matt: In what was a late addition to the lineup and one that is definitely meaningful in the sense that it is yet another feather in the promotional cap of WWE, as they managed to make history with the first-ever women’s match in the history of Saudi Arabia. This one should be good, with Nattie going far out of her way to deliver, as she clearly is something who takes things like this extremely serious. With that said, the winner is a toss-up in my mind. (Prediction: Lacey Evans)

    Andrew: A late addition to the card and while it may be historic, why WWE went with this match remains to be an odd choice for me. These two have worked together so much together with various gimmick types that makes me less interest in seeing it. Since Natalya is a babyface, I’ll have her to win here. (Prediction: Natalya)

    Ian: Natalya and Lacey Evans will make history as the first WWE women’s wrestlers to perform on one of these shows. These two have been trading wins and losses for some time now so it’s no guarantee who wins here. I imagine Natalya will win with the sharpshooter as they’d rather the babyface go over for a match like this, however. (Prediction: Natalya)

    CONSENSUS: Natalya (2-1)

    AJ Styles (C) vs. TBD (WWE United States Title)

    Matt: Well, since I’ve got Buddy Murphy winning the aforementioned 20-man battle royal earlier in the show to determine who will be facing AJ Styles in this contest with the WWE U.S. Title up for grabs. It should be an excellent match, but unless they need the strap off of Styles to prepare him for bigger and better things (which is a very good possibility, by the way), I don’t see him losing here. (Prediction: AJ Styles)

    Andrew: Aside from a select few guys who were not in this Battle Royal, the title shouldn’t be taken away from AJ Styles at this time. Unless, which I highly doubt, WWE has plans to put him back in the Universal Title scene, Styles should remain as the United States Champion. He makes the title more prestigious and has done a good job as champion thus far. (Prediction: AJ Styles)

    Ian: I’m predicting this match is Styles vs Buddy Murphy but really no matter who wins the battle royal, Styles will win this match here. There is not one name in the battle royal which could be argued is a bigger star than Styles. (Prediction: AJ Styles)

    CONSENSUS: AJ Styles (3-0)

    Tyson Fury vs. Braun Strowman

    Matt: Straight out of the gate, I’m a giant combat sports (MMA and boxing, primarily) fan and a huge mark for “The Gypsy King.” That aside, I’ve always thought Fury would be a perfect fit in the world of WWE, and he’s done pretty well so far. He’s definitely making the media rounds to help make this thing feel big, like he is in stature, in the boxing world, the European market in general and internationally as the lineal boxing heavyweight champion of the world. Will this match succeed? Triple H is putting Fury in a rare category that only seems to include Floyd Mayweather and Ronda Rousey in terms of combat athletes making flawless transitions to the world of sports entertainment in WWE. Thursday will be a big test for Tyson Fury. It should be interesting to watch play out, regardless of how it unfolds. WWE has my money for this one! (Prediction: Tyson Fury)

    Andrew: If this was a year ago I would wonder how they beat Strowman but he isn’t the same protected guy that he once was. Thus, Fury should go over. Now, the finish of this contest will be interesting to see as they can’t make Strowman look weak in losing. Maybe Fury catches him with a KO punch like Big Show’s finisher used to be. (Prediction: Tyson Fury)

    Ian: I don’t expect Tyson Fury would have agreed to this match unless he was going to win. On the other hand, if the Saudi family was able to pay him enough then maybe he doesn’t care about losing. Strowman has been kept strong in Saudi, however, so there could be some type of shakanary at the end to prevent either guy from truly losing in the eyes of the fans. This is a tough one but I’m going to pick Fury. (Prediction: Tyson Fury)

    CONSENSUS: Tyson Fury (3-0)

    Seth Rollins (C) vs. Bray Wyatt (WWE Universal Title)

    Matt: This one should be given all the bells and whistles that come with story-telling in a gimmick match, especially one involving such an extreme gimmick/character like “The Fiend.” Everyone knows the reaction to the (non) finish of their match at the WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view. Obviously this one won’t play out anything like that one did. We will have a winner here, and I think it’s time for the reign of “The Fiend” to begin. (Prediction: Bray Wyatt)

    Andrew: WWE should put the title on Wyatt in this match but the company has made it where that is impossible. Wyatt is on SmackDown and obviously, WWE can’t have two world titles on the same brand. I don’t see Wyatt being moved over to RAW either. Also, WWE has already shown that they don’t want to put the title on Wyatt, which is what led to the disaster of the Hell in a Cell match finish. With the odd stipulation that this match can’t be stopped for any reason, WWE will have to be creative with the finish and protect Wyatt. I have Rollins retaining the title over Wyatt. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)

    Ian: I almost want them to stop this match without a winner just to see the reaction it would cause on social media. Expect something weird to happen here. Rollins will keep the title most likely because Wyatt is on Smackdown. Now hear me out on this one but Smackdown owes RAW future considerations for the Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. If Wyatt wins the title, does he end up on the RAW brand? Is that the end game here? Probably not, probably Rollins wins. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)

    CONSENSUS: Seth Rollins (2-1)

    Brock Lesnar (C) vs. Cain Velasquez (WWE Title)

    Matt: Did I mention I’m a giant combat sports fan? This match is too cool on so many levels. Watching the face-to-faces, reading into some of the comments in the social media entries particularly shared by Velasquez the past couple of days. Knowing the history these two and how everything played out in their past, it just makes for very entertaining programming. It’s the Bret Hart-Shawn Michaels rivalry on a whole other level of reality. Cool stuff. Will the match deliver? We know Cain can flip around in his Lucha Libre style. We know Brock can make things look like a dog-fight. Will the styles blend? Will their egos sneak into the picture, ala Lesnar decking Strowman in the past hard-way, etc.? We’ll find out in less than 24 hours. (Prediction: Brock Lesnar)|

    Andrew: When this match was first announced, I figured that WWE wouldn’t beat Cain in his first match with the company. However, with it being for the WWE Title, I can’t see Cain becoming the champion so soon. I also don’t see them beating him either. However, Lesnar must retain the title so I figure they will do a DQ finish with Cain winning. It isn’t like WWE is against doing these finishes anyways. (Prediction: Cain Velasquez)

    Ian: This match runs into the same scenario as Fury vs Strowman. Would Cain agree to lose to Brock his first match in the promotion? Velasquez is signed to WWE for an extended period of time and has retired from MMA. To kick off his WWE career right, they will want to have him win here but that’s not to say that’s what will happen. I feel like Cain is likely going to win this match but I wouldn’t bet my life on it. (Prediction: Cain Velasquez)

    CONSENSUS: Cain Velasquez (2-1)

    WWE Crown Jewel 2019 Predictions Outro

    What do you think about Matt, Ian and Andrew’s picks for Thursday’s matches? How do their above picks compare to yours? Let us know by sharing your own WWE Crown Jewel 2019 predictions in the SEScoops.com “Comments” section below.

    If you have somehow failed to get your fill of insight, analysis and predictions for Thursday afternoon’s show, fear not!

    In addition to the above picks from our trio of veteran reporters, you can also see what the “betting experts” expect to happen in the top matches by checking out the WWE Crown Jewel 2019 betting odds from 5Dimes (Odds updated as of Tues., Oct. 29th).

    Join us here at SEScoops.com throughout the weekend for the best coverage of WWE Crown Jewel news, rumors and spoilers. Make sure to stop by on Thursday afternoon for the absolute fastest and most-detailed live WWE Crown Jewel results coverage on the web.

  • WWE Clash of Champions Predictions

    WWE Clash of Champions Predictions

    WWE returns to the pay-per-view arena this weekend, as they present their WWE Clash Of Champions event on Sunday, September 15th from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

    Sunday’s show will feature champions from the RAW, SmackDown LIVE and 205 Live brands competing in an 11-match card with ten titles on-the-line, and will mark the third event under WWE’s “Clash of Champions” chronology. The PPV is an extension of their former “Night of Champions” chronology that included the same theme.

    WWE Clash Of Champions will also stream live via the WWE Network this Sunday night, with a one-hour “Kickoff Show” pre-show starting at 6pm Eastern Time.

    A Closer Look At WWE Clash Of Champions Lineup

    In the headline spot this Sunday night will be the WWE Universal Championship showdown between the reigning RAW Tag-Team Champions, as Seth Rollins defends against Braun Strowman the same night the two will also unite to defend their tag-team titles against the team of Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode.

    In other tag-team championship action, the current SmackDown Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Big E. & Xavier Woods) will look to hold onto their belts as they put them on-the-line against highly-regarded opposition, The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder).

    The co-main event will see Kofi Kingston attempt to hold onto his WWE Championship, as he defends against longtime career rival, “The Viper” Randy Orton.

    In women’s action, the reigning RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch will put her title on the line against potentially her most dangerous challenger since becoming champion — Sasha Banks, while Bayley defends the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair and the team of Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross defend the WWE Women’s Tag-Team Championships against Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville.

    Also on tap for WWE Clash Of Champions this Sunday night is Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Miz for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, AJ Styles vs. Cedric Alexander for the WWE United States Championship, Drew Gulak vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. Lince Dorado for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship and Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan in a “No Disqualification Match.”

    SEScoops.com Panel For WWE Clash Of Champions Predictions

    As is the case before every major pay-per-view event, SEScoops.com compiles a handful of pro wrestling journalists to provide their in-depth insight and analysis into each match scheduled on the card in our SEScoops.com Predictions Roundtable feature.

    Joining us for this WWE Clash Of Champions installment will be veteran staff writers Ian Carey, Andrew Ravens and Jeff Moss.

    Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the SEScoops.com predictions for WWE Clash Of Champions.

    Drew Gulak (C) vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. Lince Dorado (WWE Cruiserweight Title)

    Ian Carey: I figure Gulak will likely retain the title here. if you haven’t been following 205 live, first of all, you’re not alone, but Gulak has really been an interesting champion for the cruiserweight division. He’s been there since the beginning and we’ve really seen him come to define the brand a little bit. This cruiserweight division isn’t like wcw’s cruiserweight division. It’s not about moves you’ve never seen before, it’s about wrestlers under 205 lbs telling stories. Gulak tells good stories. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    Andrew Ravens: I like the addition of Dorado late in the build of this match as a three-way match with these guys should make for a great match. The only bad thing is the fact that no one will care about these guys, which is a shame. That’s a big problem with 205 Live these days and has been for quite some time. Gulak should win although I wouldn’t be shocked to see the title be put on Carrillo. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    Jeff Moss: Occasionally there comes a champion or wrestler that I’m just always going to pick to win because I like them so much. Drew Gulak is one of those wrestlers. Dorado and Carrillo are fantastic, and this match is going to be great (if anyone sees it) but Drew should carry that purple belt as long a humanly possible, perhaps into a new Golden age of 205 Live on a network without NXT on Wednesdays. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    CONSENSUS 3-0, Drew Gulak

    AJ Styles (C) vs. Cedric Alexander (WWE United States Title)

    Ian: The goal of this match is to help turn Cedric Alexander into as big of a star as possible without him actually beating AJ Styles. The United States title is staying on Styles. Alexander got the pin on AJ on raw in the build-up to this match so this is an opportunity for AJ to avenge that loss. He might require the help of the OC which will help establish Alexander without actually giving him the win. (Prediction: AJ Styles)

    Andrew: As much as I think Alexander would be a good champion and a deserved role for him as he’s extremely talented, I don’t see it. AJ still has a big push going on and it doesn’t make sense for WWE to take the title off of him at this time. (Prediction: AJ Styles)

    Jeff: This could be a star-making match for Cedric Alexander, and headed into the fall and a new TV landscape, new stars is what the WWE needs. If the good version of AJ shows up these guys will put on a clinic, but I think it’s Cedric who’s going to leave the crowd talking and walk away with the title. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, AJ Styles

    Shinsuke Nakamura (C) vs. The Miz (WWE Intercontinental Title)

    Ian: Nakamura isn’t going to lose the Intercontinental title just a few weeks after being paired with Sami Zayn as his mouthpiece. That the title and Sami Zayn we’re both put on Nakamura relatively recently means there’s been some discussion in the back about how to get the most out of him. It’s very unlikely that discussion involved deciding to have him lose to the Miz. One little note here, if the Miz wins the title here it will likely mean he surpasses Pedro Morales’ combined days with the Intercontinental title record. He’s only 20 days shy of the record. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)

    Andrew: WWE can be a petty company and I see them being that here with The Miz. Currently, Chris Jericho holds the record of most reigns as Intercontinental Champion with only The Miz being behind him at eight. Thus, with The Miz winning the title here then he would be tied with Jericho. He could also surpass this record down the road. WWE has done the same with guys who hold records no longer being on good terms with the company. That happens here. (Prediction: The Miz)

    Jeff: An Intercontinental Title Match? On PPV? Jebus, I’d forgotten that title was still a thing. And this young upstart who has the belt, Shinsuke Nakamura? He seems like pure money, and there’s no way he could languish in the bottom of the WWE barrel for three years is there? Anyways, this match has had very little to build on, so part of me hopes they go out there and tear it up as a middle finger to WWE forgetting about what should be one of it’s most prestigious titles. But I think we’re looking more at 6 minutes, Kinshasa, 1,2,3, moving on. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Shinsuke Nakamura

    New Day (C) vs. The Revival (SmackDown Tag-Team Titles)

    Ian: What happens here will really depend on what WWE decides to have happen in the Kofi vs Orton match. One possibility is that the Revival and Randy Orton take all of the titles from New Day on Sunday but I don’t think that is going to be the result. First of all, the Revival are from RAW and New Day are on SmackDown so it feels like this match wasn’t put together with much forethought anyway. I can’t see it leading to a title change. (Prediction: New Day)

    Andrew: The Revival has had another renewed push with their alliance with Randy Orton, which is nice to see. Whether that means that they win some more gold remains to be seen but I don’t see that happening here. Other than just having a title change for the sake of it, they don’t need the titles if they are paired up with a top act like Orton. Thus, The New Day retains. (Prediction: New Day)

    Jeff: I expect these guys to put on a great match because, well, how could they not? New Day has been having killer matches, Revival really are Top Guys (when they are allowed to be) and unless the Revival are headed to USA and an NXT return, I say put the belts on them and let them be themselves. (Prediction: The Revival)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, New Day

    Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (C) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville (WWE Women’s Tag-Team Titles)

    Ian: Unfortunately for fans of Fire and Desire, I don’t think they are taking the titles here. it would be nice if an established tag team would win these titles and defend them against other established tag teams, but that isn’t what has been happening in this division. It’s also not clear what is going to happen with this division in the fall. The women’s tag titles exist independent of any brand in WWE. Is that still the case when smackdown goes to Fox? Or do these titles find a permanent home on RAW or NXT? The titles are being used as a prop for this backstage sitcom between Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross they’re filming and I expect the titles will stay with them on Sunday. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross)

    Andrew: WWE hasn’t done a great job of getting fans invested in seeing this match and I could care less about it. Bliss and Cross recently won the titles so it doesn’t make much sense for them to drop the titles. With that being said, it appears to just be a match on the card. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross)

    Jeff: Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose have improved as a tag team, but they are still the 6th most interesting team in a 5-team division. Where are the IIConics? The Kabuki Warriors? ANYONE ELSE?! WWE has nerfed the Women’s Tag Titles so hard, you’d think it was a King of The Ring Tournament. Bliss and Cross should retain here, and a real challenger should rise from the fiery (and desiery) ashes. PS – Can we get something going for Sonya Deville? That girl is nothing but up sides. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross

    Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman (C) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode (RAW Tag-Team Titles)

    Ian: Seth and Braun will win here because neither one is getting pinned before their title match later in the show. A schmohz ending is possible with no real winner but more likely is the two don’t get along during the match but still win, keeping both strong for their Universal title match later. (Prediction: Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman)

    Andrew: This is where Rollins and Strowman should and will likely drop the titles. I expect this match to be the opener or early on the card to allow Strowman and Rollins to give them time to recover. Also, WWE is behind the pairing of Ziggler and Roode. Thus, with Rollins and Strowman only holding the titles to further their program, let Ziggler and Roode have a run. (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler & Bobby Roode)

    Jeff: (Sigh) “And New RAW Tag Team Champions… Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode!” Two randomly paired wrestlers who’s only thing in common is neither one has anything better to do will take the titles instead of any one of the excellent new or established tag teams on the roster. They probably don’t want Seth & Braun to hang onto those straps going forward. So one will probably do something to make the other eat a pin, shove, shove, punch, punch, and oh yeah, this was about the tag team titles right? Bah, who cares about tag team wrestling anyway? (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode

    Bayley (C) vs. Charlotte Flair (SmackDown Women’s Title)

    Ian: Several different things could happen here. The most likely, however, is that Bayely retains the title by nefarious means. Considering Bayley just turned heel, it’s possible this is an opportunity for Flair to turn babyface. I hope that isn’t the case, however, as I’m hoping the real-life conflict between Ric Flair and Becky Lynch over “the Man” moniker will lead to storyline angle between the two with Ric in his daughter’s corner. I’m not expecting that to happen, however. (Prediction: Bayley)

    Andrew: If WWE didn’t turn Bayley heel then I would’ve said that Flair wins the title. However, that has changed with the heel turn. WWE is going to give Bayley a big push with this new role. Unless WWE just wants a title change and have her only be aligned with Banks again as a tag team, Bayley will likely retain. The only problem is the fact of where does Flair and Bayley go from here. (Prediction: Bayley)

    Jeff: I know we were supposed to be shocked by Bayley’s big “heel” turn, but really, aside from having a bit of an attitude, what’s changed? She’s still doing the same entrance. She’s still doing the same things in and out of the ring. She’s still trusting Sasha when she shouldn’t. If we’re going to buy Evil Bayley, she has to be just that, EVIL. So I’d like to see her win this match through blatant cheating, lost the wacky inflatable arm men, and fully become Dark Bayley. (Prediction: Bayley)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Bayley

    Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan (No Disqualification Match)

    Ian: The goal of this match for WWE is to have Erick Rowan get over while still losing to Roman Reigns. With Reigns playing the role that he is now, championing WWE’s charitable efforts and sharing his own story, he’s not going to lose to a bully. The job for both of the wrestlers in this match is to turn Rowan into a guy fans want to see again while still keeping Roman looking unbeatable. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)

    Andrew: One would have to think that Reigns goes over in this match to get his revenge but not so fast. With Daniel Bryan looming all be it after being attacked by Rowan, I see him costing Reigns the match and being revealed as the mastermind behind these attacks. Perhaps HIAC is a more fitting place for Reigns to get his revenge. (Prediction: Erick Rowan)

    Jeff: Woof. The way this feud has been going, I half expect the winner of this match to be a parking garage attendant from the condos across the street from the arena. That said, if they let these guys go all out (Copyright and Trademark AEW) and have a silly match where they hit each other with the prerequisite slangy poles in the backstage area, it could be a lot of fun. As far as a winner goes, Roman wins and we can put a bullet in this story. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Roman Reigns

    Kofi Kingston (C) vs. Randy Orton (WWE Title)

    Ian: I’m not overly confident in this pick but I think Orton’s taking the title. Then I think Kofi’s character has additional motivation. He’ll want to prove that he is at Orton’s level and can be a better champion than he was. Kofi then chases the title for a few months and wins it back maybe at Survivor Series or the Rumble. The story only comes full circle when Kofi beats Orton for the title after Orton takes it from him. The Revival will get involved. (Prediction: Randy Orton)

    Andrew: Let’s hope that this match is better than the one that they had at SummerSlam, which I found to be disappointing. I like this feud and the way that WWE has built it up over the last month or so. With that said, just like heading into SummerSlam, I don’t see Orton being the guy to take the title. In fact, I don’t see Kingston going over clean. With the draft taking place after the HIAC PPV next month, I see them doing a DQ finish where Kofi loses his cool and Orton winning cheap with the payoff being in the HIAC structure. (Prediction: Randy Orton)

    Jeff: Oh crap… could Randy Orton be winning the WWE title here? They’ve booked Kofi pretty strongly against him in the last little while and that’s usually one of WWE’s tells in terms of a title change. That said, I think Kofimania could keep going a little longer, at least until we get to fox, shake up the roster and see a few fresh matchups. As I mentioned elsewhere, Seth Rollins on Smackdown would be a great feud for Kofi. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Randy Orton

    Becky Lynch (C) vs. Sasha Banks (RAW Women’s Title)

    Ian: This will be the best match on the show because it is a match Sasha Banks has been planning in her mind for months. She’s going to win the title here too. This will mean that Sasha Banks and Bayley will both be respective champions of their brand. The win will make Sasha a focal point of the women’s singles division and also allow for an opportunity for Becky to go to SmackDown in time for the move to Fox. (Prediction: Sasha Banks)

    Andrew: I find this to be the hardest match to pick because either talent could win here and rightfully so. Lynch has been one of the hottest acts that WWE has had for the entire year while Banks has only been back a few weeks and still in the middle of her heel turn that got people talking. Unless WWE does a cheap finish, I don’t see Banks losing but can’t see her winning the title here. I have Lynch winning by DQ. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)

    Jeff: I’ll just say it: This should be the main event of Clash of Champions. These two are the best going, they’ve got a good story to tell and we know they could close it out with a banger. If they still want us to believe that Becky is “The Man” (Trademark and Copyright Ric Flair) then she’s gotta prove it against the best, and Sasha is one of the best. Let Becky chase the title into Hell In a Cell next month and finish it up with a killer match at Survivor Series. (Prediction: Sasha Banks)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Sasha Banks

    Seth Rollins (C) vs. Braun Strowman (WWE Universal Title)

    Ian: The key here is the winner goes on to face Bray Wyatt at Hell in a Cell. It’s possible Wyatt shows up during or after this match too. In the end, I think Seth retains, possibly due to Wyatt interference (to keep Strowman strong) and this sets up Rollins vs Wyatt at Hell in a Cell. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)

    Andrew: Obviously, Braun is someone that Vinnie Mac likes but it’s also clear that Rollins is a guy that WWE officials are behind and has been for quite some time outside of Roman Reigns. Thus, with the challenge already being set by Bray Wyatt for the HIAC PPV next month, I find it interesting that WWE is doing a one-off match for this program that could easily be extended through storytelling. With that said, Rollins should retain. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)

    Jeff: While I think it feels too soon to take the belt off of Seth, WWE has been working hard to rehabilitate Braun’s image as a monster to be reckoned with. It’s odd, but my prediction of a winner for this match is built entirely who I want to see defend that title against The Fiend at Hell In a Cell, and that’s Braun. He may not be totally ready for the top spot, but he’d be entertaining. Plus, those two could do some real damage to each other and Seth could go back to chasing the title like he does best, or get Drafted to SDL. Either way, I expect The Fiend to make an appearance either before the pin, or after it. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Seth Rollins

    WWE Clash Of Champions Predictions Outro

    What do you think about Ian, Andrew and Jeff’s picks for Sunday’s matches? How do their above picks compare to yours? Let us know by sharing your own WWE Clash Of Champions predictions in the SEScoops.com “Comments” section below.

    If you have somehow failed to get your fill of insight, analysis and predictions for Sunday night’s show, fear not!

    In addition to the above picks from our trio of veteran reporters, you can also see what the “betting experts” expect to happen in the top matches by checking out the WWE Clash Of Champions betting odds from 5Dimes (Odds updated as of Sat., Sept. 14).

    Join us here at SEScoops.com throughout the weekend for the best coverage of WWE Clash Of Champions news, rumors and spoilers. Make sure to stop by on Sunday night for the absolute fastest and most-detailed live WWE Clash Of Champions results coverage on the web.

  • NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff Predictions

    NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff Predictions

    WWE returns to the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday, August 31st, as they present their NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff live special event on the WWE Network.

    Saturday’s show marks the second event promoted under the NXT UK TakeOver chronology, after their inaugural event — NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool — back on January 12th. It will stream live via the WWE digital subscription service starting at 2pm Eastern Time / 11am Pacific Time.

    Heading into the event this weekend, WWE is advertising a five-match card for the NXT UK special event, three of which will feature World Championships on-the-line.

    Closer Look At NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff Card

    Scheduled in the headline spot for NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff on Saturday is a one-on-one showdown pitting WWE United Kingdom Champion against Tyler Bate with the title up-for-grabs.

    In other title matches advertised for the show, Toni Storm will put her NXT UK Women’s Championship on-the-line against Kay Lee Ray, while The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) will defend their NXT UK Tag-Team Championships in a three-way match that includes the teams of Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) and Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster.

    Rounding out the lineup will be two additional matches, as Travis Banks meets Noam Dar in the opener, and Dave Mastiff vs. Joe Coffey is scheduled in a Last Man Standing Match.

    SEScoops.com NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff Round-Table Team

    As is the case before every major pay-per-view event, SEScoops.com compiles a handful of pro wrestling journalists to provide their in-depth insight and analysis into each match scheduled on the card in our SEScoops.com Predictions Roundtable feature.

    Joining us for this NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff installment will be veteran staff writers Matt Boone, Ian Carey and Andrew Ravens.

    Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the SEScoops.com predictions for NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff.

    Travis Banks vs. Noam Dar

    Matt Boone: In what could be, if positioned as such, an excellent show-opener to set the tone for the evening inside the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales this Saturday, Travis Banks and Noam Dar will collide. Banks is a talent the company has appeared to have their eye on since launching the United Kingdom title and brand. Meanwhile, Dar doesn’t exactly appear to be soaring through the ranks. That should be your indicator right there if you’re going to the betting window. (Prediction: Travis Banks)

    Ian Carey: I want Noam Dar to win this but it feels as though he’s in NXT UK mainly to put over talent they see as bigger stars. Travis Banks is one of those stars. Dar is a fun wrestler to follow but it just doesn’t seem to be his role to in NXT UK to win matches on a Takeover show. Putting over other talent? That seems more what Dar is about on the brand. Expect Banks to get the win and move on to a top storyline. (Prediction: Travis Banks)

    Andrew Ravens: In theory Banks should come out on top here considering the spot that Dar is in during this storyline. In the eyes of the casuals, I can see why people would think Dar would go over here but Banks is someone to keep an eye on. Banks should go over to finish this program. (Prediction: Travis Banks)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Travis Banks

    Joe Coffey vs. Dave Mastiff (Last Man Standing)

    Matt: A Last Man Standing Match always makes for compelling storytelling from bell-to-bell. With the players involved in this one, Dave Mastiff and Joe Coffey, this one has the opportunity to be pretty unique. There is a lot they can do in terms of bells and whistles, but when the time comes for someone to stay down for the count of ten, I’m having a tough time envisioning which one it will be. In a coin-flip pick, I’ll go with … (Prediction: Dave Mastiff)

    Ian: This should be fun as two big tough brutes clash in a Last Man Standing match. They have the opportunity here to have their match stand-out and I think they are going to do just that. At the end of this match, I’m expecting Mastiff to stand tall (unless Gallus gets involved) but this is basically a toss up. I think Mastiff could win because I could see them putting him up against WALTER shortly after. (Prediction: Dave Mastiff)

    Andrew: Another Last Man Standing match on a TakeOver special and this will actually fit well on the card. Coffey and Mastiff have bright futures in the company. This one should deliver and I expect to see more of a hardcore style in this one. While I don’t think this feud needs this type of stipulation, it brings a different dynamic. (Prediction: Joe Coffey)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Dave Mastiff

    Grizzled Young Vets (C) vs. Gallus vs. Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster (NXT U.K. Tag Titles)

    Matt: The Grizzled Young Veterans just captured the tag-team titles from Moustache Mountain and still appear to be on their ascension. With that said, I can’t see a title change happening here. If WALTER doesn’t lose his title, and I don’t expect Toni Storm to drop hers this weekend either, you would think at least one title would change hands on this card. If so, this would seem the most likely candidate, unless they go the upset-route in the main event. From a logical standpoint, I think the champs retain. (Prediction: The Grizzled Young Veterans)

    Ian: I’m almost wondering if a title change could happen here purely on the fact that I don’t think we’ll see new champions in either of the other two title matches. With that being said, the last NXT Takeover in Toronto had no title changes either, so it’s not like that doesn’t happen. Still, I sort of feel like the belts could go on Gallus here. It doesn’t seem right to have the Young Vets beat Moustache Mountain only to lose the titles here but maybe that is what they have planned. (Prediction: Gallus)

    Andrew: Well, this one is a hard one to pick. I can see Gibson and Drake retaining the titles but at the same time, I can see Andrews and Webster winning if WWE wants to do a title change. This should be a really fun match with high paced tag team action. In the end, I see this being the only title change on the card with Andrews and Webster winning. (Prediction: Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster)

    CONSENSUS: 1-1-1, PICK’M

    Toni Storm (C) vs. Kay Lee Ray (NXT U.K. Women’s Title)

    Matt: Toni Storm should get the “W” here. This should be a good match, but is most likely a showcase bout for what is one of the more promising talents on the current NXT U.K. roster. She’s already been called out by “The Man,” as Becky Lynch named her when asked about talent she’d like to fight that isn’t already on the main roster. With that in mind, the only questions are how good does she look and how much does she impress en route to victory on Saturday night? (Prediction: Toni Storm)

    Ian: I’m expecting Toni Storm to retain here. She’s one of the top athletes in the company not on the main roster, it doesn’t seem like they would want to take the title off her anytime soon. As for Kay Lee Ray, she could get her time with the belt at some point but it feels like Storm might hold it for a while to really establish the NXT UK Women’s title as a tough one to win. (Prediction: Toni Storm)

    Andrew: I’m a big Toni Storm fan and while I think it’s likely a lock for her to hold onto the title, I can’t rule out Ray getting an upset win if WWE wants to move Storm to NXT with the show moving to the USA Network soon. In the end, I think it’s best for Storm to stay in NXT UK and she will retain. (Prediction: Toni Storm)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Toni Storm

    WALTER (C) vs. Tyler Bate (WWE U.K. Title)

    Matt: With the NXT U.K. brand still very much resting on the broad shoulders of their current champion and his faction, WALTER appears to be one of the locks of the card. While the match itself should be interesting, and could get you to bite on a potential title change due to how it is laid out (particularly if there are any run-ins and/or distractions), in the end, Imperium’s leader should retain with a victory. By the way, does Cesaro get inserted here, or somewhere else? WWE might want to do something newsworthy so they don’t overwhelmingly lose, at least in terms of fan interest coming out of each show, their final AEW vs. NXT (UK) same-day-showdown before the “Wednesday Night Wars” kick off. Nah. I’m over-thinking things! (Prediction: WALTER)

    Ian: Watching WALTER chop down Tyler Bate could be the highlight of this show. We will get a real David and Goliath type battle. With Bate’s strength and WALTER’s size this could turn into a really interesting match. Don’t miss this one. In terms of who wins, WALTER has to be the heavy favourite as Imperium continues to make NXT UK their “yard.” (Prediction: WALTER)

    Andrew: I like Bate a ton but does anyone actually give him a real chance of winning this match? WALTER has been an unstoppable force since making his way to NXT UK and with only holding the title for months, WWE should keep the title on him. The company likes for their champions in NXT UK to hold the strap for long periods of time and I don’t see that changing here. (Prediction: WALTER)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, WALTER

    NXT U.K. TakeOver: Cardiff Outro

    What do you think about Matt, Ian and Andrew’s picks for Saturday’s matches? How do their above picks compare to yours? Let us know by sharing your own NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff predictions in the “Comments” section below.

    Join us here at SEScoops.com throughout the weekend for the best coverage of NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff news, rumors and spoilers. Make sure to stop by on Saturday afternoon for the absolute fastest and most-detailed live NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff results coverage on the web.

  • AEW All Out Predictions

    AEW All Out Predictions

    AEW returns to the pay-per-view arena this weekend, as All Elite Wrestling presents their ALL OUT event from the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois on Saturday, August 31st.

    The show will feature the crowning of the inaugural AEW World Champion and the unveiling of the AEW Women’s World Championship belt.

    In the headline spot for Saturday’s highly-anticipated event is Chris Jericho vs. “Hangman” Adam Page in one-on-one action to determine the first-ever World Champion in AEW history.

    Supporting the main event at ALL OUT will be Kenny Omega squaring off against late-replacement PAC.

    PAC, formerly known as Neville during his WWE days, fills in on short-notice for Jon Moxley after the former WWE Superstar known as Dean Ambrose came down with a vicious bout of MRSA in his elbow.

    Closer Look At AEW ALL OUT Undercard

    Also on tap for AEW ALL OUT main card this weekend is Cody vs. Shawn Spears, The Lucha Bros vs. The Young Bucks in a Ladder Match for the AAA Tag-Team Championships and The Dark Order vs. Best Friends with the winning team earning a bye in the first-round of the AEW World Tag-Team Championship Tournament.

    Additionally, Darby Allin vs. Joey Janela vs. Jimmy Havoc in the “Cracker Barrel Clash,” Riho vs. Hikaru Shida in women’s action and a six-man tag-team match pitting Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy & Marko Stunt vs. SoCal Uncensored is advertised for the card.

    AEW ALL OUT “Buy-In” Pre-Show & Round Table Notes

    AEW ALL OUT will also feature a “Buy-In” pre-show.

    The show leading into the main card currently features two advertised matches — Private Party vs. Angelico & Jack Evans and the 21-Woman Casino Battle Royale with the winner advancing to the inaugural AEW Women’s World Championship bout on the debut episode of AEW On TNT on Wednesday, October 2nd.

    As is the case before every major pay-per-view event, SEScoops.com compiles a handful of pro wrestling journalists to provide their in-depth insight and analysis into each match scheduled on the card in our SEScoops.com Predictions Roundtable feature.

    Joining us for this AEW ALL OUT installment will be veteran staff writers Ian Carey, Andrew Ravens and Jeff Moss.

    Without further adieu, let’s take a look at our official AEW ALL OUT Predictions.

    21-Woman Casino Battle Royale (Pre-Show)

    Ian Carey: This is tough, especially considering we don’t know all the participants. Awesome Kong seems like the safest pick, however. She’s popular, she looks larger than life, and she’s a key character on a hit Netflix series which just released its newest season. Expect many talented wrestlers to get some time to shine in this match but in the end, Kong has to be the favorite, though how likely it is she’ll win is not clear. (Prediction: Awesome Kong)

    Andrew Ravens: AEW has done a great job of loading up this battle royal with some fun names. It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Britt Baker although I don’t see her winning this match despite the fact that she could be the real star of this division. It’s a battle royal so expectations should be kept low. I have Nyla Rose being an upset winner. (Prediction: Nyla Rose)

    Jeff Moss: Like the Male version of the Casino Battle Royal, this one is hard to call because we don’t know everyone in the match. I’d have to say that of the announced participants, Brandi Rhodes would be a front runner in that I feel like she should be in the October 2nd match for the Women’s Title in some way. Jazz, Ivelisse and Britt Baker all make perfect sense as winners as well. Given that I don’t know how the other participant(s) of the Oct 2nd match will be determined, I suspect it’s an unannounced entry that wins here. (Prediction: Unannounced Entry)

    CONSENSUS: 1-Awesome Kong, 1-Nyla Rose, 1-???

    Private Party vs. Angelico & Jack Evans (Pre-Show)

    Ian: I think Angelico and Evans will win the match but the commentary team will focus on how much potential Private Party has. Evans and Angelico are an established team and Jack Evans on the mic can keep them heels in any situation. I expect Evans and Angelico to get the crowd against them and then cheat to win, building sympathy for Private Party. (Predictions: Angelico & Jack Evans)

    Andrew: Private Party all the way. Evans and Angelico are a fun tag team but I see more potential in Private Party as a top tag team under the AEW banner. Private Party should be booked as near the top of the division. Thus, Private Party goes over. (Prediction: Private Party)

    Jeff: I love watching Angélico and Jack Evans work, so I’m pretty stoked for this match. That said, aside from getting a bit of momentum (Copyright & Trademark WWE) heading into TV, the winners of this match are pretty inconsequential. So with that in mind, I’ll take Angélico and Jack Evans. (Prediction: Angelico & Jack Evans)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Angelico & Jack Evans

    Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy & Marko Stunt vs. SoCal Uncensored

    Ian: SCU will get the win in this fun trios match which will likely have a lot of comedy in it. If you notice, we’ve got no librarians and no Michael Nakazawa on the preshow here so I expect AEW to get all their silliness out in this match. Despite his popularity, I’m expecting Marko Stunt to eat the pin in this match as AEW attempts to build SCU into one of their top tag teams. With the tag tournament coming up, Stunt likely will be the 3rd man out from the A Boy and his Dinosaur team, which makes him taking the pin in this match the most likely result. (Predictions: SoCal Uncensored)

    Andrew: With this being such a late short notice match, this has a ton of potential to be a really fun match and one that I am looking forward to seeing. Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy, and Marko Stunt have been on the independent scene for a few years now but are unknown to the masses. That changed at the last AEW show and they put on one heck of a match. I expect nothing less. With that being said, it’s a pick em so I have SCU getting the win. (Prediction: SoCal Uncensored)

    Jeff: Jungle Boy. I’m going to pick Jungle Boy in every match he’s in until it pays off. I love that guy. SCU are an awesome team and have proven so in a million matches, but Jungle Boy RIDES TO THE RING ON A LUCHASAURUS WHO’S ALSO HIS PARTNER. (Prediction: Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy & Marko Stunt)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, SoCal Uncensored

    Riho vs. Hikaru Shida

    Ian: The winner of this match will face the winner of the Casino Battle Royale on October 2nd for the AEW Women’s Championship. Riho’s stock with the company seems like it’s higher than Shida’s. Riho is Omega’s former tag partner in DDT and seems to be someone AEW wants to feature in their Joshi matches. The winner here will really depend on who wins the Casino Battle Royale, however. (Prediction: Riho)

    Andrew: This should be a solid match but I don’t think AEW has done a great job of explaining the back stories of these two stars. Personally, and I think a lot of people would agree with this, but I have no interest right now in seeing this contest. It’s just a match on the card. In a real pick em, Riho goes over. (Prediction: Riho)

    Jeff: These are two wrestlers who will definitely wrestle a wrestling match that will be seen by the audience in attendance and on PPV. The winner of the match will for sure be the one who beats their opponent. It will be enjoyed by some, but perhaps not enjoyed by others. Possibly. Beyond that, I got nothing. But I’m told I can’t just put “ ¯_(?)_/¯ ” for my prediction, sooooo…. (Prediction: Hikaru Shida)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Riho

    Darby Allin vs. Jimmy Havoc vs. Joey Janela (Cracker Barrel Clash)

    Ian: The Cracker Barrel Clash could be the show-stealer for fans who like plunder and hardcore matches. This is a toss up, honestly but I feel Janela needs the win more than anyone else. Janela could use a win as he’s lost in every match he’s had in AEW so far. Jimmy Havoc seems like he could lose every match and it wouldn’t impact him much so I don’t expect him to win. Darby Allin could use a win but his draw against Cody was basically that. I’m picking Janela here but wouldn’t be surprised to see Allin win this either. (Prediction: Joey Janela)

    Andrew: Well isn’t this a pick em match. I don’t see how Havoc winning will do anything so it comes down to Allin and Janela. Both guys have so much potential and either could win here but I think AEW has more stock in Janela right now although I think Allin will be the bigger star among them. (Prediction: Joey Janela)

    Jeff: (I will NOT call it a Cracker Barrel Clash… unless it’s IN a Cracker Barrel). Should be a good one as all three men are known for doing whatever it takes to win. I’m pretty into the idea of three guys being mad at each other about losing a wrestling match settling it with another wrestling match (Jesus, has watching WWE for so long actually made that concept something NOVEL in wrestling?) and it should get the crowd whipped into a frenzy. I have no idea why, but my guy is telling me Jimmy Havoc ends up with the win. (Prediction: Jimmy Havoc)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1-0, Joey Janela

    Shawn Spears vs. Cody

    Ian: Spears needs the win more than Cody does. We’ve watched Spears as Tye Dillinger lose and lose and lose again in other promotions, it wouldn’t make sense for him to drop his first single’s match in a new promotion. Cody can lose, Cody’s fairly untouchable. Spears needs a little boost right now. Receiving Tully Blanchard as a manager is a good start to his push and beating Cody will help even further. (Prediction: Shawn Spears)

    Andrew: Rhodes is the bigger star and the babyface going into this match. With history saying that Rhodes should get his revenge on Spears, I think it’s a pretty clear booking decision by AEW. Spears has done a great job of reinventing himself as a heel and could be a solid star going forward. While Rhodes should go over, you can’t rule out a surprise outcome. (Prediction: Cody Rhodes)

    Jeff: A grudge match brought on by a devastating chair shot to the head! (I know the story, don’t @ me). Newly-married Spears is coming off a gruelling honeymoon and has the legendary Fifth-Greatest (of the original Four) Horseman in his corner. This’ll be Spear’s biggest match to date since leaving WWE, so I expect him to win here. Cody is an established star, but Spears, even though most of the audience knows him, needs to get a win here to show he’s a force to be reckoned with. (Prediction: Shawn Spears)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Shawn Spears

    Kenny Omega vs. PAC

    Ian: Kenny Omega has to win this match. PAC is no longer the Dragon Gate champ and can lose in other promotions again so the issue which impacted Double or Nothing won’t apply here. Omega has a big rivalry with Jon Moxley pending in AEW and it’s unlikely the promotion has him lose in a match with little build-up and no chance of his rival interfering. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)

    Andrew: This is one of the hardest picks of the entire card because both guys have big status’ and the promotion will want to keep them looking as strong as possible coming out of this show. I think PAC losing here won’t hurt him as many might think. I also see AEW booking Omega vs. Jericho for the AEW World Title at a later date potentially at their final 2019 PPV event. Thus, Omega should go over. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)

    Jeff: Everyone was bummed to hear that Jon Moxley wouldn’t be able to take on Kenny Omega. But if you’re looking for a replacement, PAC ain’t a bad choice! Also not a bad way to debut PAC in AEW. This is the match of the night for me, which is saying a lot since it has had almost no build due to time constraints. As for a winner, I’m going with Kenny Omega. It makes more sense to keep him hot until Mox is able to come back and the two of them can tear up TNT. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Kenny Omega

    The Dark Order vs. Best Friends (AEW Tag-Tourney First-Round Bye)

    Ian: The Dark Order should take this match and be granted a bye to the second-round of the upcoming tag title tournament. It’s too early for the Dark Order to lose as it does appear AEW wants to build them up as a heel team in the division. Fans know and like the Best Friends but don’t seem as knowledgeable regarding the former Super Smash Bros. It seems unlikely that AEW has them lose straight up here. (Prediction: The Dark Order)

    Andrew: Best Friends are a more well-known team compared to The Dark Order. This should be one heck of a match but I see more upside with The Dark Order as AEW is gonna want a babyface vs. heel dynamic in the finals of this tournament. I have The Young Bucks making it to the finals so The Dark Order has to go over here. (Prediction: The Dark Order)

    Jeff: Winners receive a first round bye in the AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament. Given how stacked this Tag Team Tournament is going to be, having a bye in the first round is a huge advantage. The Best Friends have really impressed me in their AEW matches, so I’m thinking them taking this one and getting the Bye would be great. After all, these teams could face each other again in the tournament brackets, so let’s give it to the Best Friends and light a fire under the Dark Order. (Prediction: Best Friends)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, The Dark Order

    Lucha Bros (C) vs. Young Bucks (AAA Tag-Title Ladder Match)

    Ian: To fans who have not been following AAA as well, this rivalry seems incredibly one-sided. The Bucks won at Double or Nothing and Fyter Fest, so if they win again here it’s not going to make the Lucha Bros look like title threats in the upcoming tag team title tournament. The Bucks have yet to lose in AEW but I think All Out is where they take their first L. (Prediction: The Lucha Bros)

    Andrew: Their match at Double or Nothing was great and this could be the match that ends up stealing the show. Throw in the fact that this will be a ladder match with some insane moves could prove to be one of the best matches of the year and that’s a bold statement to make. With the AAA titles on the line, I don’t see a reason as to why Young Bucks should hold the titles any longer considering they will be exclusive to AEW. Lucha Brothers go over. (Prediction: The Lucha Bros)

    Jeff: This match is going to be a banger! We all know what these guys are capable of, and I’ve loved just about every match they’ve had over the last few months over the AAA Titles. As for this match though, I can’t see the Bucks heading into a weekly TV show with another promotions tag straps (especially with the AEW tag titles as a primary focus as the kick off the TNT show) so I’d expect the Lucha Brothers to retain here, in what is sure to be a great match. (Prediction: The Lucha Bros)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, The Lucha Bros

    Chris Jericho vs. “Hangman” Adam Page (AEW World Title)

    Ian: AEW is doing their best to make you believe Hangman Page has no chance in this match. On recent shows, he’s been portrayed as injured and barely able to eek out a win over Kip Sabian, somebody many AEW fans have little experience watching. AEW may be doing this so that Page winning is a total shocker or they are doing this so that somehow they can make it believable during the match that Page could win. In the end, they just aren’t going to put that belt on Page yet and maybe not for a few years. That belt is going on Jericho. (Prediction: Chris Jericho)

    Andrew: As much as I would like to see Page become the top champion, I don’t think it’s his time and especially going up against the biggest name that AEW has right now. Yes, having a former WWE star be their first champion isn’t the great thing to do but in this situation, it will help them more than hurt them just starting out. Page should be showcased in this match and be a bigger star coming out of it. It’ll be interesting to see how long Jericho stays champion. (Prediction: Chris Jericho)

    Jeff: It’s exciting as hell to be in on the ground floor of a World Title that means something again. It reminds me a lot of how the NXT title still feels important in that promotion. This is going to be a straight up fight though, with Jericho somehow still doing the best work of his career and Page able to match him every step of the way. In the end, it makes more sense to me to put the inaugural title on Page. It fits with the “newness” of AEW and gives Jericho a reason to continue heeling it up so excellently. It’ll be weird to have two Wednesday night shows with “Adams” as champions. But I’ll take it. (Prediction: “Hangman” Adam Page)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Chris Jericho

    AEW ALL OUT Predictions Outro

    What do you think about Ian, Andrew and Jeff’s picks for Saturday’s matches? How do their above picks compare to yours? Let us know by sharing your own AEW ALL OUT predictions in the “Comments” section below.

    If you have somehow failed to get your fill of insight, analysis and predictions for Saturday night’s show, fear not!

    In addition to the above picks from our trio of veteran reporters, you can also see what the “betting experts” expect to happen in the top matches by checking out the AEW ALL OUT betting odds.

    Join us here at SEScoops.com throughout the weekend for the best coverage of AEW ALL OUT news, rumors and spoilers.

    Make sure to stop by on Saturday night for the absolute fastest and most-detailed, live AEW ALL OUT results coverage on the web!

    Until next time …

  • WWE SummerSlam Predictions

    WWE SummerSlam Predictions

    WWE continues their four-day stretch of special live events at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Sunday evening, as they present their WWE SummerSlam 2019 pay-per-view.

    The show will follow-up Saturday night’s NXT TakeOver: Toronto II live special on the WWE Network and preceed two consecutive nights of WWE television, as the post-SummerSlam episodes of RAW and SmackDown LIVE will also emanate from the Toronto-based venue.

    Sunday night’s PPV marks the thirty-second event under the WWE SummerSlam chronology and the second to be held in the Toronto market, with the first being WWE SummerSlam 2004 at the Air Canada Centre.

    As of this writing, the advertised WWE SummerSlam card consists of ten matches, with six championships on-the-line from the RAW, SmackDown LIVE and 205 Live brands.

    Closer Look At WWE SummerSlam PPV Card

    Representing the red brand as the main event will be the WWE Universal Championship showdown between Brock Lesnar and Seth Rollins.

    The blue brand main event offering will see WWE Champion Kofi Kingston defend his crown against longtime rival Randy Orton.

    205 Live will be represented with championship action as well, as Drew Gulak defends his WWE Cruiserweight Championship against Oney Lorcan.

    In other featured attraction matches this Sunday night will be returning WWE Hall Of Famers Bill Goldberg and Trish Stratus, who square-off in separate one-on-one matches against Dolph Ziggler and Charlotte Flair, respectively.

    Rounding out the lineup for WWE SummerSlam will be Becky Lynch vs. Natalya in a Submission Match for the RAW Women’s Championship, Bayley vs. Ember Moon for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, A.J. Styles vs. Ricochet for the WWE United States Championship, Finn Balor vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon in a match where Owens has vowed to quit WWE if he loses.

    It’s worth noting that there is a strong possibility that multiple additional matches could be added to WWE SummerSlam at the last minute.

    As is the case before every major pay-per-view event, SEScoops.com compiles a handful of pro wrestling journalists to provide their in-depth insight and analysis into each match scheduled on the card in our SEScoops.com Predictions Roundtable feature.

    Joining us for this WWE SummerSlam installment will be veteran staff writers Ian Carey, Andrew Ravens and Jeff Moss.

    Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the SEScoops.com predictions for WWE SummerSlam.

    Drew Gulak (C) vs. Oney Lorcan (WWE Cruiserweight Title)

    Ian Carey: This match really sums up what 205 Live is all about. While WCW’s cruiserweight division was all about bringing in luchadors and high-flying innovative moves, 205 Live is just about smaller wrestler putting on good wrestling matches in whatever style is deemed fit. Gulak and Lorcan won’t be putting on a lucha libre or highspot fest here but it’ll be a unique and hard-hitting match which Gulak will win. Don’t sleep on this match or feel you can miss it. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    Andrew Ravens: This should be a fun match and it’s nice to see Lorcan get this chance to shine on PPV as he’s a great talent. However, he doesn’t seem to be someone that WWE wants to be champion. It’s a fresh feud, which is different but Gulak retains with ease. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    Jeff Moss: I’ve been asleep and honestly don’t know if this match is on the main card or the kickoff show, but that’s really neither here nor there. I’d just like to see some of this action on the main show, is all. These guys will tear it up, just as Lorcan has been doing in NXT UK, NXT and on 205 Live for a while now. I’d like to see Lorcan get some payoff for all the hard work he’s put in over the last year, all over WWE, but I think that the title stays with Gulak here, and maybe after SummerSlam he makes some NXT appearances with that purple belt. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Drew Gulak

    Finn Balor vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

    Ian: It would be pretty bad form for WWE to beat the Fiend in its very first match. So much has gone into Bray Wyatt’s new character that one can only assume the plan is to go strong with it. This is likely the strongest Wyatt will ever be in his career, it’s possible that WWE goes all the way with it. Wyatt’s fanbase will be hoping this is the case. (Prediction: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt)

    Andrew: There should be no way that Wyatt suffers a loss in this contest as it serves as his in-ring return with his new gimmick. Also, Balor is slated to take time off from WWE after this event and there’s no reason why someone taking time off with what I mentioned above should lead to him getting the win. (Prediction: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt)

    Jeff: I am a huge fan of Finn Balor, but The Fiend needs to crush the Demon here. I’d love to see a Finn Balor that doesn’t have that persona to “channel” when things get rough and is just a down and dirty fighter who can kick your ass. For that to happen, he needs to lose here, “take some time off” as has been rumoured, and then come back better and stronger. As for the Fiend, it’s time for him to show us what he is all about. I want this match to be fast, hard-hitting and the Fiend should dominate. Not in that weird WWE way where he wins in 25 seconds with a rollup, but actually take the time to be the fearsome character we all want him to be. (Prediction: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

    A.J. Styles (C) vs. Ricochet (WWE U.S. Title)

    Ian: Expect this match to steal the show. These are arguably two of the best wrestlers in the world, not just WWE. Amazingly, we never saw these two wrestle when they were both competing in NJPW. With there being a weight division between them at the time, their paths never crossed. I’m expecting A.J. to pull out the win here as the O.C is kept strong. Styles will likely cheat to keep the title somehow, however. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)

    Andrew: These two have had plenty of matches thus far but I see this being the best match of them all as WWE should give them plenty of time to tell the story that they want to do in the ring. A.J. has had a renewed push as a champion on television and with him being paired again with Gallows and Anderson, they could play a factor in him winning this contest. Let’s move onto a different program. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)

    Jeff: WWE loves a “dominant” faction that has a lot of belts, so I can’t see A.J. losing the US title so soon after the OC (Califoooooooornia) just picked up the tag belts. There’s 2 things I can hope for here; 1.) That this match will steal the show, because on paper there is no reason it shouldn’t, and 2.) A.J. wins and the OC (Califoooooooornia) begins a rise on RAW that’ll make them more powerful and somewhat of an Undisputed Era group. Ricochet can take a hard-fought loss here and it won’t hurt him. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, A.J. Styles

    Goldberg vs. Dolph Ziggler

    Ian: What? It’s going to be a spear plus jackhammer and that’ll be that. Do you think they are going to waste 20 minutes on this match? Is Ziggler being kept strong for something? Nope, this match is entirely so that fans (and likely Goldberg himself) can just forget about what happened at Super ShowDown. Too bad for Ziggler, who seems to have really found himself again lately. (Prediction: Goldberg)

    Andrew: This should be a one minute match with Goldberg absolutely destroying Ziggler for the comments that he made and sending a message to the critics who voiced their opinion about his match against The Undertaker in Saudi Arabia. Let Goldberg remind fans that he can still work and be a monster. (Prediction: Goldberg)

    Jeff: Here’s a pre-recap: Bell. Spear. Jackhammer. Ziggler explodes. Goldberg pins the shiny pair of pants left over. Look, we all know why this is happening. It’s a make-good for Goldberg’s terrible, terrible match in that other place with the Undertaker. My only hope is that this starts the show because even though it will be hot garbage, it’ll get the crowd hyped and be done with quick. After that, perhaps we call it even with the man who has admittedly repeatedly concussed himself during his into actually retire before something even worse happens. (Prediction: Goldberg)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Goldberg

    Trish Stratus vs. Charlotte Flair

    Ian: With this being Trish’s final match, don’t expect her to win. Oddly enough, Stratus’ first send-off into retirement resulted in a veering away from tradition. Instead of losing in her final match as a full-time wrestler, Stratus won the WWE Women’s title in her last match. Expect things to work out more traditionally this time, with the wrestler from yesteryear putting over the star of today. (Prediction: Charlotte Flair)

    Andrew: It’s nice to see Trish back on television and in the ring competing again. This should make for a fun entertaining match but Flair should go over. Trish will go back into retirement while Flair still has many years left as one of the top stars in the women’s division. This is another accolade that Flair can boast about. (Prediction: Charlotte Flair)

    Jeff: While I don’t always hate Legends returning for “one more match” this one is just flat. The build to it has been tepid at best and frankly, I don’t care who wins. That said, since Trish is in her hometown (and mine, just to town-drop) lets give her the win. It’s really not going to matter to Charlotte if she loses here, so why not give us the feel-good moment with Trish? (Prediction: Trish Stratus)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Charlotte Flair

    Kevin Owens vs. Shane McMahon (Owens’ Career On-The-Line)

    Ian: I find everything with Shane McMahon involved to be quite fast-forwardable. This is too bad considering it is the backdrop for Kevin Owens’ Stone Cold-esque character pivot. Owens needs to win here and win big. He’ll do so with a Stunner and hopefully we won’t see Shane O’ Mac for a long long time. (Prediction: Kevin Owens)

    Andrew: The most predictable match on the card as no one really thinks Owens will quit the company. If for some reason he should lose this match, which I highly doubt then Raw could always sign him. McMahon has picked up some notable wins over top talent as of late. I don’t see Owens being the next star to fall to McMahon with this stipulation that appears to be the conclusion of this storyline. (Prediction: Kevin Owens)

    Jeff: I’m so sick of Shane stories at this point that even if Kevin doesn’t win, and they do that “he quit but is back 2 weeks later for some reason” thing, I might just live in denial and pretend he won anyways. Heading into the Smackdown on Fox era, Shane needs to be erased and Kevin Owens needs to the the top guy on Smackdown. Heel or Face he can work it, and I know that Roman’s always had the golden boy tag, but Owens is where the money is going forward. (Prediction: Kevin Owens)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Kevin Owens

    Bayley (C) vs. Ember Moon (SmackDown Women’s Title)

    Ian: Bayley should win this but you have to wonder if something unexpectant could occur here. There hasn’t been much to talk about in terms of Moon and Bayley building up this match and of the 3 women’s matches booked, it feels the least important by a wide margin. Could Sasha Banks enter back into the picture soon? It’s been 4-months, that’s one heck of a sabbatical. No matter what, Bayley wins. There’s no way a title-change occurs on a match which is being presented as such an afterthought. (Prediction: Bayley)

    Andrew: I’m glad WWE decided to do something with Ember Moon but she just feels like she is a beatable opponent and placeholder until Charlotte Flair gets back into the mix, which is a shame considering how talented Moon is. Bayley should and will retain her before moving onto a more meaningful program. (Prediction: Bayley)

    Jeff: Bayley, oh Bayley. Our beloved NXT star has fizzled out completely in this run as SD Champion (not entirely her fault) and it’s time for some new blood. Ember is one of the few women in the division right now that’s got potential to be a character in the vein of the Fiend or even NXT Asuka, so let’s give her a chance to build that. Make her scary. Make her Luna Vachon for a new generation. If “one ember can start the fire” let’s light it and see where it goes. (Prediction: Ember Moon)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Bayley

    Kofi Kingston (C) vs. Randy Orton (WWE Title)

    Ian: I was in attendance when Randy Orton won his first world title – it was at SummerSlam 2004 which was also held in Toronto. He defeated Chris Benoit that night and his Evolution teammates would subsequently turn on him in the following days. I think it’s too early for them to take the title off Kofi but I’m worried that’s exactly what is going to happen. It’s been awhile since Orton had the title but I’m wondering if he’s who WWE wants with the strap for when they move to Fox. (Prediction: Randy Orton)

    Andrew: WWE has done a great job of building this program up and incorporating the backstory of this feud leading into the match. Kofi has had a pretty good reign as champion that I don’t see why should end at the hands of Orton. We’ve seen Orton as champion and while he’s a good talent to have, he shouldn’t be WWE Champion over Kofi at this stage. Kofi beating Orton is just another top name to help give him more credibility. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)

    Jeff: Is Randy Orton the Joker to Kofi Kingston’s Batman? If you’d asked me a few months ago I would have said no, but WWE has actually done a pretty good job of checking it’s homework on this match. The lead up has laid out the history between the two really well, and I’m hoping that Kofi can pull an actual match out of Orton while they try to trade finishers. Orton can go when he feels like it, but the last thing I want to see is another Championship around is waist. I fear WWE’s temptation to have John Cena come back and feud with him over it to break Ric Flair’s record would be too great. Damn, even just in typing that I’m sure someone in Stanford got chills. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Kofi Kingston

    Becky Lynch (C) vs. Natalya (Submission Match For RAW Women’s Title)

    Ian: Becky will get booed. The Toronto crowd will not cheer against Natalya though Becky always gets a big pop when she’s here too. Expect some bizarro world comments from the commentary team (via Vince) but also expect Becky to get a chance to cut a somewhat heel promo on the live crowd. There has to be a reason they booked Becky in a match where she’ll get booed, it’s just not clear what that reason is yet. Regardless, unless Natalya cheats like crazy and does a full heel turn (possible), Lynch should win. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)

    Andrew: While the match itself should be decent, I like the fact that they have let these two stars go out there with a more ediger dialog with their promos that have been quite entertaining. Once this match was booked, most fans felt numb about it because WWE hadn’t done much with Natalya leading up but they have turned that around with promos. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)

    Jeff: My presumption is that this match will end with some kind of farting. Either actual farting from Natalya, or some kind of sill over-booked farting around on behalf of WWE creative. I mean wouldn’t you just LOVE for Lacey Evans to interfere and cost Becky the Title? No, neither would I and I have no reason to think she would other than we haven’t seen her in a while. Yup, I’m so disinterested in this match, I’m just making stuff up at this point. Anyway, Becky wins. Especially if we’re going to give the “Yay Canada!” win to Trish. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Becky Lynch

    Brock Lesnar (C) vs. Seth Rollins (WWE Universal Title)

    Ian: It’s got to be Brock Lesnar winning this match. Rollins just beat Lesnar at WrestleMania so I don’t see what the point would be in having him beat him again. Lesnar’s not going back to the UFC, he’s going to be a key figure in WWE for the foreseeable future. It doesn’t make sense for him to lose again and so I don’t think he will. I think Rollins will ultimately get bumped down a notch, which could allow a guy like Ricochet to move up. (Prediction: Brock Lesnar)

    Andrew: This is a rematch from WrestleMania 34 with pretty much the same build, which says something about the state of WWE right now. Lesnar just won the title a few months ago so I don’t see a reason why they would him drop it here. However, that doesn’t mean having Lesnar as champion once again is a good thing as I thought Rollins was making progress as champion despite feuding with Baron Corbin before dropping the title. Lesnar predictably retains the title. (Prediction: Brock Lesnar)

    Jeff: So, Seth has breathlessly “guaranteed” that he’ll beat Brock at SummerSlam. If I know anything (and according to the comments, I don’t) that’s WWE’s way of saying he’s not going to win this match. Why wouldn’t he win this match? Beats me. Maybe WWE just doesn’t like the idea of a title or champion being on TV regularly. Maybe they think Seth is better chasing a title than holding one? I don’t know, but I truly hope I’m wrong because the longer that Big Red Belt is around Brock’s Big Pink Waist, the less I care about it. So here’s hoping Seth overcomes the odds/obstacles/numbers game/whatever and wins in spite of WWE’s telegraphing. Then the Championship can feel like part of the show again. What a SWERVE!!! Extremely hopeful. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Brock Lesnar

    SEScoops.com SummerSlam Predictions Outro

    What do you think about Ian, Andrew and Jeff’s picks for Sunday’s matches? How did the trio fare with their predictions for last year’s WWE SummerSlam PPV? Find out by checking out the SEScoops.com Roundtable Predictions feature for WWE SummerSlam 2018.

    How do their above picks compare to yours? Let us know by sharing your own WWE SummerSlam predictions in the “Comments” section below.

    If you have somehow failed to get your fill of insight, analysis and predictions for Sunday night’s show, fear not!

    In addition to the above picks from our trio of veteran reporters, you can also see what the “betting experts” expect to happen in the top matches by checking out the WWE SummerSlam 2019 betting odds from BetOnline.

    Join us here at SEScoops.com throughout the weekend for the best coverage of WWE SummerSlam news, rumors and spoilers. Make sure to stop by on Sunday night for the absolute fastest and most-detailed live WWE SummerSlam results coverage on the web.

  • AEW Fight For The Fallen Predictions

    AEW Fight For The Fallen Predictions

    In addition to WWE Extreme Rules, there will be an All Elite Wrestling (AEW) show this weekend, as AEW Fight For The Fallen goes down from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday night, July 13th.

    The special, which will stream live via B/R Live service with a “Buy-In” pre-show leading into the main event, features a stacked lineup with several high-profile matches and segments.

    On tap for Saturday night’s show is a tag-team bout pitting The Young Bucks against The Brotherhood, Cody and Dustin Rhodes, as well as singles action with Kenny Omega going one-on-one against CIMA and “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Kip Sabian, a “Live Mic” segment with Chris Jericho, women’s singles action with Brandi Rhodes vs. Allie, SoCal Uncensored (Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky) vs. Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix) and The Dark Order (Evil Uno & Stu Grayson) vs. Angelico & Jack Evans vs. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus in a three-way tag-team match with the winning team advancing to AEW All Out for a chance at a first-round bye in the AEW World Tag-Team Championship Tournament.

    Scheduled for the AEW Fight For The Fallen “Buy-In” pre-show leading into Saturday night’s main card will be Sonny Kiss vs. Peter Avalon (with Leva Bates) in one-on-one action, Britt Baker & Rihno vs. Bea Priestly & Shoko Nakajima in a women’s tag-team bout and Jimmy Havoc, Darby Allin & Joey Janela vs. MJF, Sammy Guevara and Shawn Spears in a six-man tag-team match.

    SEScoops.com writers Andrew Ravens, Ian Carey and Matt Boone have come together to offer their insight and predictions for all of the matches for Saturday night’s show (Editor’s Note: The women’s tag-team match on the “Buy-In” pre-show was announced after this feature was compiled). Check out their breakdowns and picks for AEW Fight For The Fallen below.

    Sonny Kiss vs. Peter Avalon (Pre-Show)

    Andrew Ravens: A last minute addition to the AEW Fight For The Fallen card that I don’t think many fans are excited about. Avalon and Bates caught a lot of backlash over their characters after fans saw them in action at the Fyter Fest event a few weeks ago. I have Avalon going over with some cheap heat help by Bates to barely get by Kiss. (Prediction: Peter Avalon)

    Ian Carey: I feel like the reason this match got added was specifically because of the poor reaction the librarian gimmick has received. It sort of seemed that way this week on BTE when Leva told the Bucks how great she feels the gimmick is getting over. It’s possible this match is being done specifically to get Jim Cornette all worked up. Regardless, Sonny Kiss should win what will be a rather silly match. (Prediction: Sonny Kiss)

    Matt Boone: This one is your comedic relief match for the “Buy-In” portion of the AEW Fight For The Fallen event. Should be some more character development and storyline advancement in this one, with some goofy spots mixed in to keep it wrestling~! (Prediction: Peter Avalon)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Peter Avalon

    Jimmy Havoc, Darby Allin & Joey Janela vs. MJF, Sammy Guevara & Shawn Spears (Pre-Show)

    Andrew: This should close the pre-show and a match that has fun written all over it with such personalities in it. I have MJF, Sammy Guevara & Shawn Spears going over just because they’re heels that have more potential than the babyfaces. MJF should be a talent that is protected in his booking as he could be a megastar for them once they get on TV. Thus, that’s the reason behind my belief. (Prediction: MJF, Sammy Guevara & Shawn Spears)

    Ian: Expect some conflict between Shawn Spears and MJF during this match. MJF says that Cody is his mentor and Spears walloped (took me awhile to determine what word to use) Cody in the head with a chair at Fyter Fest. I’m expecting MJF and Spears to be too concerned with each other and not concerned enough with their opponents. (Prediction: Jimmy Havoc, Darby Allin & Joey Janela)

    Matt: Should be an interesting dynamic playing out on one team between MJF and Shawn Spears after Spears ripped Cody’s head open with a steel chair at the last AEW show. As far as inside the squared circle, this one should absolutely deliver from bell-to-bell, both in terms of entertainment and good wrestling action. (Prediction: MJF, Sammy Guevara & Shawn Spears)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, MJF, Sammy Guevara & Shawn Spears

    Dark Order vs. Jack Evans & Angelico vs. Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy

    Andrew: A late addition to the card that should see some excellent in-ring action with these three teams. Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy have more upside in my opinion that makes for a fun dynamic of a tag team. Jungle Boy has a ton of potential and could be a real star under the AEW banner. I see officials getting behind him and it could start at this show. (Prediction: Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy)

    Ian: I’m expecting Evans and Angelico to pull out the win here. Dark Order are debuting but I expect they will be kept strong by attacking and getting heat on Jungle Boy during and after the match. Angelico and Evans are a fantastic tag team and likely one AEW will want to build up before the tag tournament begins in the fall. (Prediction: Angelico & Jack Evans)

    Matt: This one should be good for what it is. They are really trying to make this tag-team tournament something special, and I think the slow-build over multiple shows is a smart way to do it. It helps showcase multiple teams and individuals by the time all is said-and-done. Who out of three makes the most sense moving forward? It’s actually a pretty tough one to pick. (Prediction: Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy

    Brandi Rhodes vs. Allie

    Andrew: A tough pick here as this match does mark Brandi’s in-ring AEW debut and if they plan for her to be a top star, which I would assume to be the case, then you could make the argument that she should go over here. The dynamic of these stars should be interesting regarding the heel/face roles. Rhodes goes over in a win that doesn’t hurt Allie. (Prediction: Brandi Rhodes)

    Ian: This will be Brandi Rhodes’ first match for the promotion but Allie is coming into this one having defeated Leva Bates at Fyter Fest. Something tells me Brandi has it out for Allie more than she is letting on. I’m expecting Allie to pull out the win on Saturday and the frustration from the loss haunting Brandi for the weeks that lay ahead. (Prediction: Allie)

    Matt: Is it more important for Allie to go 2-0 and remain an undeated emerging singles star in AEW’s women’s division, or does AEW want Brandi Rhodes to start off her AEW career with a “W?” We’ll find out on Saturday, but I’ll assume it will be the latter. They could pull a swerve and have Brandi become a scorned women’s executive / authority figure after the loss, but I don’t think that will happen. (Prediction: Brandi Rhodes)

    CONSENSUS: 2-0, Brandi Rhodes

    SoCal Uncensored vs. The Lucha Bros

    Andrew: While SoCal will have a role in the tag team division, Lucha Bros are such money and one of the top teams in the division going forward. I don’t see a reason as to why Lucha Bros would lose here unless AEW is just going for a surprise. With that said, Bros go over in an entertaining bout. (Prediction: The Lucha Bros)

    Ian: SCU comes into this one having defeated the Strong Hearts but also having not won the tag team triple threat at Fyter Fest (won by the Best Friends). The Lucha Bros come into this one 0-2 after having lost to the Bucks at Double or Nothing and then lost to the Bucks and Kenny while teaming with Laredo Kid at Fyter Fest. The Lucha Bros really need a win here and I’m expecting they get it. (Prediction: The Lucha Bros)

    Matt: Like Ian and Andrew, I feel it’s time for the team of Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix to get their hands raised and their profiles strengthened in the minds of the AEW fanbase, and I believe that begins this Saturday night with a win over SCU in what could be a “Match of the Night” candidate. (Prediction: The Lucha Bros)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, The Lucha Bros

    Hangman Page vs. Kip Sabian

    Andrew: Another example of an easy pick as Page should go over here to keep him strong heading into the biggest match thus far in his pro wrestling career when he takes on Chris Jericho for the World Title at All Out next month. I wouldn’t rule out though Jericho costing him the match to further their feud that needs some heat. (Prediction: Hangman Page)

    Ian: Hangman Page is 2-0 in AEW having won the Casino Battle Royale at Double or Nothing and then defeating MJF, Jungle Boy, and Jimmy Havoc in a fatal 4-way match at Fyter Fest. Sabian defeated Sammy Guevara at Double or Nothing leading to this clash between unbeatens in the promotion. Page has the PPV main event coming up in late August, so he’ll get the win here. (Prediction: Hangman Page)

    Matt: Screw it, I like to be different. While I agree with Andrew and Ian in the sense that Hangman Page should win here to keep his stock strong heading into the first-ever AEW World Championship match against Chris Jericho at AEW All Out, I feel with Jericho at the show for his “Live Mic” segment, he’ll also be used in an angle shot at the end of this match. I see Jericho costing him the match, heating up their personal issue heading into their already booked match in August. (Prediction: Kip Sabian)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Hangman Page

    Chris Jericho “Live Mic” Segment

    Andrew: I would assume that Jericho is going to cut a heated promo about how much credit he should get for AEW’s success. I also see him hyping his match against Hangman Page at All Out next month. Should be fun.

    Ian: With Jericho building up that he’ll have a live mic at Fight for the Fallen, expect him to have something noteworthy to say. Jericho isn’t the kind of performer who will build something up only for it to be a letdown when it happens.

    Matt: If this is held before the Hangman Page / Kip Sabian match, I expect an entertaining heel-promo from Chris Jericho demanding his outstanding “Thank You” owed to him by the AEW fans from the inaugural AEW Double Or Nothing show. If this is scheduled after the Page-Sabian match, I see Hangman hitting the ring at some point to have a big pull-apart brawl segment leading to cool footage for the Jericho-Page video package for AEW All Out. We shall see!

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, This should be awesome

    Kenny Omega vs. CIMA

    Andrew: Omega should go over here. In my mind, there’s no reason for CIMA to win here despite how talented he is. Omega is a bigger star in the promotion now and going forward. AEW also needs to have him as strongly booked as possible heading into All Out next month against Jon Moxley. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)

    Ian: Omega needs a win here after dropping Alpha vs Omega II to Chris Jericho at Double or Nothing. CIMA defeated Christopher Daniels at Fight for the Fallen and a win over Omega could catapult him into possible title contention. It feels like this match might be AEW trying to rehabilitate Omega after the loss to Jericho, however. Unfortunately, Jon Moxley won’t be anywhere near this match as he will be in Japan for the G1. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)

    Matt: There a couple of really solid matches on paper on the AEW Fight For The Fallen card, but this one still stands out. I expect nothing less than a blockbuster in-ring outing from two excellent in-ring performers in what is essentially the featured singles match of the evening. I can’t see Omega losing here. (Prediction: Kenny Omega)

    CONSENSUS: Kenny Omega

    The Young Bucks vs. The Brotherhood

    Andrew: Does it really matter who wins in this match that appears to be a one-off? While you could make the case that The Young Bucks should go over here as they are the future of the tag team division, I see them wanting a feel-good ending to this show and that’s why Cody and Dustin go over here. It’s likely Dustin’s last match for the near future so why not have him get sent off in the right way? (Prediction: The Brotherhood)

    Ian: This match will steal the show and be something fans talk about all the way up until All Out on August 31st. There are so many possible places this match could go but in the end, expect the Rhodes brothers to come out on top. The Bucks are 2-0 in AEW and can take a loss. With a win the Rhodes brothers and Young Bucks rivalry will continue as weekly TV begins and a tournament to determine the promotion’s first-ever tag champions commences. (Prediction: The Brotherhood)

    Matt: I can’t wait for all four guys to be in the ring and for the bell to sound. This one has been built-up really well from day-one with the emotional embrace after the violent bloodbath Cody and Dustin Rhodes had at AEW Double Or Nothing. Anything The Young Bucks are involved with lately is entertaining as hell. This should have a bunch of bells and whistles and cool spots, and when all is said and done, I can’t imagine there won’t be at least a half-a-dozen “Holy Sh*t!” chants in the books by the time the bell sounds a second time and The Rhodes Brothers get their hands raised to end AEW Fight For The Fallen. Whoops, did I give up my pick already? (Prediction: The Brotherhood)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, The Brotherhood

    What do YOU think is going to happen at AEW Fight For The Fallen? Share YOUR predictions in the Comments section below, and make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com on Saturday evening for live AEW Fight For The Fallen results.

  • WWE Extreme Rules Predictions

    We’ve got a big weekend ahead of us, folks!

    On Saturday night, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) will set the tone for the weekend with their AEW Fight For The Fallen event at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.

    Afterwards, however, it will be WWE’s turn for a swing at the plate.

    WWE brings their top Superstars from the RAW, SmackDown Live and 205 Live brands for their WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view this Sunday night at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    On tap for Sunday’s WWE PPV main event is a “Winner Take All” match with WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins and RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch putting both of their titles on-the-line in an inter-gender tag-team match against Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans. The winning team of the match will walk out with both championships.

    Additionally, The Undertaker will return to his “yard,” as he teams with “The Big Dog,” Roman Reigns, for a tag-team showdown against Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon.

    In other matches on the card, Kofi Kingston puts his WWE Championship on-the-line against Samoa Joe, Braun Strowman squares off with Bobby Lashley in a Last Man Standing match, Ricochet puts his WWE United States Championship on-the-line in a highly-anticipated showdown against A.J. Styles, and much more.

    As is the case before any significant WWE or AEW PPV, we have conjured up three veteran SEScoops.com reporters to provide expert analysis, insight and their predictions for each match scheduled for this Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules show.

    Without any further ado, lets take a look at the card for Sunday’s big event in Philadelphia, PA.

    Aleister Black vs. Cesaro

    Andrew Ravens: History would say that Black should go over here as he is the young new star that WWE has been pushing over the last few weeks. Cesaro is obviously talented but it makes no sense to go over Black in this random match that only has a few days of build up. (Prediction: Aleister Black)

    Ian Carey: This is interesting because Cesaro is a RAW guy, Aleister is a Smackdown guy and apparently Paul Heyman has been helping with Black’s promos. Regardless, Black will win here as he steadily climbs the ladder and becomes a bigger player on the main roster. There’s a reason nobody but Cesaro seems interested in picking a fight with him. (Prediction: Cesaro)

    Matt Boone: Clearly this match has been promoted as a spotlight showcase for the former NXT World Champion. I expect some kind of “angle” to be involved either during the match, or during the finish / post-match. This should be a great match in terms of in-ring performance. (Prediction: Aleister Black)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Aleister Black

    The Revival (C) vs. The Usos

    Andrew: The Revival’s reign as champions have been lackluster and this feud has seemed like it’s gone on for way too long. I don’t see WWE having anything important for the champs and with their futures still up in the air, I think it’s the perfect time for The Usos to win. (Prediction: The Usos)

    Ian: This is really WWE’s two best tag-teams going after the RAW belts. The Revival, the Usos, Anderson & Gallows, the AOP, and the Viking Raiders are all going to be vying for these belts on Paul Heyman’s show moving forward. I’m expecting the Revival to use dirty under-handed tactics to hold onto the titles here and for the next several months. (Prediction: The Revival)

    Matt: With all of the drama between The Revival and WWE, I can’t see the RAW Tag-Team Champions losing their straps in this one. As far as match quality, this is a sleeper for potential “Match of the Night.” I’m expecting this one to be given some time, too. (Prediction: The Revival)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, The Revival

    Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley (Last Man Standing)

    Andrew: Honestly, does it matter as to which guy wins here? What has the company done to make the fans care about the winner of this match? Yes, Strowman is the babyface and will likely go over but I still can’t recall why these two are feuding and so mad at each other. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)

    Ian: If Paul Heyman really does have control, Bobby Lashley is winning this match. Heyman has certain people he likes and Bobby Lashley is one of them. Lashley came away from their explosive RAW angle nearly unscathed whereas that was not the case with Strowman. I’m expecting Lashley to take advantage of Strowman’s injuries and get the win. (Prediction: Bobby Lashley)

    Matt: Clearly this match will have all the trimmings. The bells and whistles are likely reserved for this match, which will likely feature another big dramatic spot after the RAW stage-explosion segment was used to build this one up. In terms of the winner for this one, WWE sure seems fond of “The Monster Among Men.” (Prediction: Braun Strowman)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Braun Strowman

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-7RG-0c7Bg

    Drew Gulak (C) vs. Tony Nese (WWE Cruiserweight Title)

    Andrew: Gulak recently won the title and although I’m not sold on him being the champion, WWE has shown that they give the Cruiserweight Champion some time to hold the title, which would make it surprising to me to see him lose it here. A fun match though. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    Ian: Would you believe me if I told you this will be a good match that you should watch? It will be. Drew Gulak is a good old-school storyteller in the ring and Tony Nese is one of those guys who can do anything. Gulak will hold the title until we know more about the future of the brand once Smackdown heads to Fox. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    Matt: This should be an excellent early match to set the tone for the crowd inside the Wells Fargo Center this Sunday night. Gulak and Nese have the ability to steal the show in this Cruiserweight Title showdown, however they have tough competition later in the evening in the form of A.J. Styles vs. Ricochet. As far as this one goes, I don’t think it’s time to take the title off of Gulak yet. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Drew Gulak

    Ricochet (C) vs. A.J. Styles (WWE U.S. Title)

    Andrew: A new champion will be crowned here. Yes, historically, Ricochet should get his revenge in this match. Despite the fact that Ricochet has beaten Styles in recent matches, Styles’ heel turn has served as an overcast of that. With that being said, Styles should get the title as a heel and gives a boost to his character as well as recent reuniting with The Club. Ricochet is the perfect babyface to chase for the title. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)

    Ian: These two are now 1-1 against each other on RAW. I’m expecting AJ to pull out the victory but having to cheat to do so. It’s likely we’ll get some interference by the Club leading to the victory. At some point, Ricochet is going to need some back-up against AJ and his stablemates. Ricochet and the Viking Raiders have teamed in the past, including at Takeover: WarGames II. Perhaps he’ll enlist their help after Extreme Rules. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)

    Matt: Just want to start off by sending a “good luck” shout-out to Drew Gulak and Tony Nese. They have their work cut out for them if they’re going for the “Match of the Night” honors. In the minds of many fans, Styles and Ricochet in a one-on-one WWE PPV match with a championship on-the-line are the perfect ingredients for an undercard “Show-Stealing Performance.” I expect nothing less this Sunday night, even if “The Phenomenal One” isn’t 100% coming into Philly this weekend. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, A.J. Styles

    Daniel Bryan & Rowan (C) vs. New Day vs. Heavy Machinery (SD! Tag Titles)

    Andrew: I like the fact that this is a three-way match as we just saw Bryan & Rowan work with Heavy Machinery last month. I can see a title change here with New Day going over but I think WWE doesn’t have any plans for Bryan as a singles star right now. With that said, Bryan’s time as a tag team star is coming to an end with a decline in ratings and he could be used as a top challenger for Kofi Kingston in the near future. With that said, I have Bryan and Rowan somehow holding onto the titles. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan & Rowan)

    Ian: Expect Xavier Woods and Big E to come away from this match the new Smackdown tag team champions. The victory will allow all 3 members of the faction to close out the show holding up championship gold. Unless Brock chooses that moment to cash-in that is…
    Heavy Machinery could end up costing Daniel Bryan and Rowan the match, leading to those teams feuding while Woods and Big E enter a new storyline along with Kofi. (Prediction: New Day)

    Matt: With WWE SummerSlam coming up, it would make sense to free-up Daniel Bryan in order to have him available for a significant singles program heading into WWE’s biggest event of the summer. Could we see the Kingston-Bryan saga revived and re-polished heading into next month’s WWE PPV in Toronto. If the titles change hands, who do they go to? That is the real question. If they are going the Bryan-Kingston route, they could mix in and include Big E. and Xavier Woods in the story line if New Day comes out on top here. We’ll see this Sunday! (Prediction: New Day)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, New Day

    Bayley (C) vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (SD! Women’s Title Handicap Match)

    Andrew: Although the deck is stacked against Bayley, I’m gonna go out and make a bold thought. I see Sasha Banks making her return at this show to make the save for Bayley and help her retain the title. The feud with Bliss will be over and down the road, Banks turns heel on Bayley to set up a program at SummerSlam. (Prediction: Bayley)

    Ian: I don’t care. Is “I don’t care” an OK answer for this one? Fine, Bayley will win but only because Bliss isn’t healthy. It’s tough to say where they are going with this after Extreme Rules because Eric Bischoff starts booking Smackdown then. In all likelihood then, Bayley retains here but then joins the NWO on Tuesday. (Prediction: Bayley)

    Matt: As noted, Nikki Cross was added to this match due to Alexa Bliss’ sinus infection issues. With that in mind, it appears clear that WWE is trying to stack the deck in a way that the match can deliver. With Bliss seemingly uneligible for a title run from a medical standpoint, one would assume Bayley is going over. (Prediction: Bayley)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Bayley

    Kofi Kingston (C) vs. Samoa Joe (WWE Title)

    Andrew: As much as I would like to see Joe go over here, WWE has taken the time to build up Kofi as a legit champion despite him still throwing out pancakes to fans. Joe has been in this spot before and we know the outcome, which makes it hard for me to believe that WWE would make a title change just one month away from SummerSlam. Kofi wins but this feud lives and a rematch takes place at SummerSlam. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)

    Ian: This rivalry with Joe is just a time-killer for Kofi. WWE already got the thrill of the chase and the glory of victory for this angle in the build-up to and then at WrestleMania. The only thing left is the heat they can generate and put on whoever takes the title off him. That has to be Brock Lesnar. Lesnar taking the title off Seth would lead to a rivalry we just saw in the build-up to WrestleMania. A Brock cash-in on Kofi, however, would lead to a fresh angle and Lesnar on Fox starting in the fall. Kofi retains here but only so he can eventually drop it to Brock. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)

    Matt: Well, Kofi Kingston is injured, and Samoa Joe is the type of guy who could carry the ball for a little while (and I think he would surprise people in a positive way if he were handed the ball). Having said that, I think the agent / producer for this match will have a busy time coordinating things so that this can deliver like a world title match should in terms of action and match-length, but somehow there will be some fun at the end that results in KofiMania continuing for a little while longer. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Kofi Kingston

    Undertaker & Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre & Shane McMahon

    Andrew: I actually see McMahon and McIntyre going over here as a swerve because many people think that it’s a slam dunk that Reigns and Taker go over here because that’s what should happen. If you look at the way that WWE has booked Shane this year with his feuds with the likes of Miz and Reigns, Shane goes over in the end. I see WWE splitting this feud up going into SummerSlam with Reigns vs. Shane and Taker vs. McIntyre happening. (Prediction: Drew McIntyre & Shane McMahon)

    Ian: Undertaker needs to win this match to wash the taste out of his mouth from Super ShowDown. Kevin Owens could play a role in this match as well, considering he has no other role on the show and recently gave Shane McMahon a stunner. If Shane McMahon is going to go away soon, we’ll have to start that process here. (Prediction: Undertaker & Roman Reigns)

    Matt: Well, as we reported here at SEScoops.com this past weekend, WWE is planning on Undertaker vs. Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam next month. With that in mind, something tells me that things will go wrong for “The Phenom” and “The Big Dog,” leading to individual matches for each against “The Scottish Psychopath” and “The Best in the World,” respectively, at WWE’s “Biggest Event of the Summer.” (Prediction: Drew McIntyre & Shane McMahon)

    CONSENSUS: 2-1, Drew McIntyre & Shane McMahon

    Seth Rollins (C) & Becky Lynch (C) vs. Baron Corbin & Lacey Evans (Winner Take All)

    Andrew: This is the easiest pick on the entire card as if the company wanted to put the titles on the heels then they could’ve done it in previous matches. WWE has no intention of putting the titles on Evans and Corbin despite how much that they like them and push them on television. Rollins and Lynch move onto different feuds finally after this show. (Prediction: Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch)

    Ian: These titles are not going on Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans. They just aren’t. I think WWE is going to milk Seth and Becky for all its worth. They’ve never had this dynamic before no matter how badly Vince may have wanted Wendy Richter and the Hulkster to hook up. I’m expecting Becky and Seth to each hold their titles until SummerSlam at the very least. (Prediction: Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch)

    Matt: Well, I know WWE is big on “shock value” and the “surprise factor” in big matches on big shows, but if you’re laying down any loot for this one, you’re moolah is safe on “The Architect” and “The Man.” I just plain can’t see Baron Corbin and Lacey Evans wearing the prizes that makes them the top dog and dogette on WWE’s red brand. Even if Paul Heyman is holding the pencil, those two on top every Monday night? Nah!! (Prediction: Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch)

    CONSENSUS: 3-0, Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch

    What do the experts think is going to happen on Sunday? Check out the updated WWE Extreme Rules betting odds. What do YOU think is going to happen this Sunday? Sound off in the Comments section below, and make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com on Sunday for live WWE Extreme Rules results.