thoughts on the SPORT of professional wrestling

So as I often do, I was thinking out loud about certain things regarding the business of professional wrestling aka sports entertainment. Now, due to reasons, I have not been able to watch the product on television lately, but i have been keeping up with everything via social media and the dirt sheets. With that being said, I do have some thoughts.

• Why is wrestling the only source of entertainment that gets heat for being predetermined, but at the same time the some of the people that watch Scandal, Game Of Thrones, Empire, Power, and other shows treat the actors playing the character as if they are the character they are portraying? You know, like wrestling used to be. Are those TV shows more believable than wrestling? Has wrestling become so unbearable that it's not believable anymore? What is the issue? I heard from Steve Austin that, "Kayfabe is dead." But the fact that I called him Steve Austin not Steve Williams kinda proves it's still there. I call him CM Punk not Phil. I call her Charlotte not Ashley. I call him Triple H, not Paul. So there's still some kind of kayfabe there. Now we know that the business has been exposed a little bit, but that shouldn't cause the stories to get lazy. Like, I'm pretty sure the fans of those TV shows I mentioned before know it's a TV Show, but the stories are so believable that they buy into the show. Character development wise, WWE needs to do better. I think that goes with more of the performer than it does the creative team, because the performer still has to perform. The creative can do what they do, but they don't go in front of the camera. 
• I personally think that the creative team picks and chooses who they allow to be more genuine as a character. The more genuine the character is, the more over it gets. Bayley's character, according to what I've seen, has become a bit stale. For some reason or another, what Bayley did as a character in NXT is not working on the main roster. Sasha and Charlotte have been able to make a good transition. Becky has as well, but for some reason Bayley doesn't seem to be transitioning well. I'm a fan of Bayley's work. She can have a good match with just about any other female on the roster, Dana Brooke and Lana aside. Bayley has never really been believable on the microphone. Probably because she's not speaking from her perspective, she's speaking through another person, because reasons. I'm hoping Bayley takes her time, gets healed from her shoulder injury, and comes back with some development to her character. I'm not necessarily saying a heel turn, but I'm saying more of an edge to the character if you will. Like, not being shook by the crowd response.
• It's been 29 years since DX was formed, with the original members being Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chyna (R.I.P.), and Rick Rude (R.I.P.). I personally think that, a group like DX is definitely needed in today's WWE product. You have a DX like group in wrestling known as the Bullet Club, but WWE is missing that. I mean yes, you have Kevin Owens who is that kind of rebel, but imagine if there was a faction of rebels like DX was almost 30 years ago. I guess the New Day is closest thing we have to a kind of rebel to the normal we have in WWE right now. Plus, you can tell New Day are having fun. I heard Scott Hall say, "This business is supposed to be fun." 
• Going by the clips I've seen on the YouTube, GFW/TNA still sucks. I got to catch a whole episode to get the jest of the product, but by the clips I've seen, it's hard to follow. 
• WCPW is a great product. The return episode of Loaded was a solid show. I'm also enjoying the Pro Wrestling Cup tournament. They're not trying to be something their not, they're just presenting professional wrestling as is. Some of the storylines are questionable, but that comes with the territory. Overall I'm a fan of the WCPW brand.
• Sports Entertainment. Sports and entertainment. WWE tends to focus more on the Entertainment part, but let's not forget how important the sports part is. As a fan, I personally want to see Mickie James and Alicia Fox used more on TV rather than just on house shows. Like Lana and Dana Brooke, below average workers at best, get TV time all the time, while Alicia Fox and Mickie James, get squat. Now Alicia Fox and Mickie James were on TV to become to determine who was going to get the number one contender spot for the Raw Women's Title, but did anybody really believe that either one had a shot to be the final two? 

Just a few thoughts I had on the product overall. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section. Give me a follow on the Tweetie and the Gram: @D_Rich864. Thanks for reading.

~Daniel Richerson

IS IT TIME FOR MORE BLACK MANAGERS IN WRESTLING?

So, a couple of things. One, I know it's been a while since I've posted on this particular blog. I post a lot on my other blog, which you can read them if you fancy (in my Ben Potter voice) here. And I always have a lot of thoughts on professional wrestling, but I just never get on my laptop and type them out, but I'm going to give some of the thoughts in this post.

One thought is that I think WWE is missing the mark on black managers. Not in the Alicia Fox situation in that she's Noam Darr's valet, which I have a problem with big time but that's another post. What I'm saying is, with the popularity of Lavar Ball, and Stephen A. Smith has always been known for how he talks, I think it's past time for wrestling to have a black manager on the grand scale. I know in ROH there's Prince NaNa, who is entertaining in his own right. He's about the only one I know about. I don't know if there's anymore, but either way, I think that's a massive gap that's missing. I'm glad Naomi is on top of the SD Live women's division, not just because she's black, but because her talent is finally getting recognized. The gap I'm talking about is the strong black figure that can put talent over by talking. Not in a shucking and jive way like Slick, with all disrespect to Slick, he made it work.

I'm talking about a manager that brings that Lavar Ball type heat. That Stephen A. Smith type heat. I'm sure that guy is out there that can cut a promo as well as Paul Heyman, but also doesn't have to be another Slick or Teddy Long. Look up Stephen A. Smith's speech when he said to Kevin Durant, "You don't want to make an enemy out of me." You mean to tell me that kind of thing won't work in a wrestling landscape? Lavar Ball's heat speaks for itself. The guy is putting his son over and himself over at the same time. He's selling his own merch without any big company to back him up. He is his own big company. He lives what he believes and has everybody talking about him. Isn't that one of the goals of a good wrestling personality?

Now the question comes who could be that character. Who out there at home or in the independents could bring that kind of, lack of a better word, swagger to the ring and command that presence? Is there a retired black wrestler that could do that? Ron Simmons could, I think, if he wanted to. He was the original lead guy of the Nation of Domination. Maybe Stevie Ray, Booker T's brother.

Just my opinion. Feel free to share your thoughts on this.

~Daniel Richerson

The question tonight/today is why...is race still an issue in the WWE?

Why does Vince dislike Sasha Banks so much? Why does a great wrestler like Alicia Fox have to be in a bull crap love storyline in the crusierweight division? Isn't it ironic that not too long after that picture of New Day, Sasha Banks, and Rich Swann with their titles that the New Day and Sasha dropped their titles? Am I reaching when I say that in 2016, WWE still has a race issue? Why is Bayley rumored to be getting a better run with the Women's Title than Sasha? Allow me to give my opinion. Bayley got that white skin. It protects her. As the great Paul Mooney would say, "The complexion for the protection for the collection." 

Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge fan of Bayley. In my opinion should have been called up when Becky, Sasha, and Charlotte got called up. But to not give Sasha a meaningful run with the Raw Women's Championship is a load of cow dung. To say that Sasha is not over with the audience is a load of cow dung. It's well rumored that Vince is not a fan of Sasha. That would explain that Sasha hasn't had much communication with Vince, at least that's what she says. This isn't the first time that Vince has been accused of racism. Remember when Vince said nigga in front of Booker T? Remember that storyline between Booker T and Triple H that had a major racial undertone that Triple H ended up going over in? Complexion for the protection for the collection. 

Why hasn't Naomi even mentioned with the top women superstars on the Smackdown Live roster? Too dark? Naomi is a hell of an athlete, and I believe deserves a shot at the top spot of the women's division. And as I'm typing this hasn't really been on TV in the past couple of weeks. As Hurricane Helms would say, "What's up with that?"

We can do 5 blogs on the fact that there hasn't been a black world champion in so long. I don't count the WWECW title because that was doomed from the start. But Zeke and Mark Henry got short runs with it, and one could look at that as pity runs. When that last time a black man was even the WWE Champion? The Rock is half black so I guess that counts. I'm half black myself, so props to the Rock, but I'm talking like Mark Henry, Ahmed Johnson, R Truth, Booker T. R Truth had a title shot against John Cena. Mark Henry I remember cut his best promo ever with that fake retirement speech, and turned heel against John Cena. In my opinion, the man should have got a title run with that alone. But Super Cena, who got big off of portraying a rapper. Right? So in other words, a wigger can be a champion but not a nigga. Great message WWE.

Ok, The New Day became the longest reigning tag team champs in WWE history only to lose not too soon after. 

Don't get me wrong. I understand it's wrestling. I understand it's all a work. I understand that it's all predetermined. I also understand there's a lot of urban black kids watching the product, who hasn't seen a black world champion in quite some time. I'm old enough to remember when WCW died, and who was the champion when WCW died? Booker T. This is the good old boy, southern territory, WCW having Booker T end it all as the WCW Champion. If WCW got it toward the end, why can't WWE get it now? Again, I ask, am I reaching? What are your thoughts?

~Daniel Richerson

AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT SEES THIS? and SURVIVOR SERIES PREDICTIONS

So this Sunday (11/20/2016) we got Survivor's Series, which was originally WWE's answer to WCW's Starrcade. That is if you watched the Starrcade DVD, never mind. The PPV that is the same age as I am, 29, has struck some controversy because it seems like story lines has been thrown out the window. It seems the Universe of smarks are up in arms because some of the rivalries have been put on pause due to the traditional survivor series tag matches.

I feel like I'm the only one that doesn't see this as a big deal. They're fighting for a greater cause of showing brand loyalty. They're putting differences aside to defend the brand. To me, it's kinda like the Olympics. Like look at the basketball team. You got players from rival teams that played together to play for their country. Remember the original dream team? Magic Johnson, Larry Byrd, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and them boys came together to win a gold medal. They put differences aside for the greater good of representing America. When Jordan was playing on the dream team, he wasn't representing the Chicago Bulls, He was representing America. Magic wasn't representing the Lakers, etc. So I see what's WWE's doing.

I don't mind that I saw Bayley coming to SmackDown to help being down a member of Smackdown's Women's team. For the greater good of her brand. She's representing her brand. Again I may be on my own on this, but I'm not mad at that. I also get the Stephanie McMahon playing the dictator role saying that if anyone messes up, they'll be punished. I get it. Now I get it that Stephanie has taken Big Show's gimmick and has turned heel and face like 20 times since the brand split started, but that's neither here nor there.

After Survivor's Series everything's going back to normal. But for this one cause, differences are put aside for the greater good of being on the best brand.

Now since I got more space, let me do some predictions, which I never do.

Brian Kendrick (raw) vs Kalisto (SDLive) for the Cruiserweight Championship - I see this being a new start for Kalisto and the Cruiserweight Championship. If Kalisto wins, the championship and the division gets moved to SD which makes since due to that new 205 show coming out. So I see Kalisto winning this.

Miz (Smackdown) vs Sami Zayn (Raw) for the IC Title - I think Zayn is winning. Even though this is the best work Miz has done. Even better than his work with John Morrison. But with Zayn winning that means Smackdown would need a new secondary title. So I don't know. Maybe for that reason Miz retains, but I'm still giving it to Zayn.

Team RAW vs Team SDLive, Tag Team elimination match - I give Team SD this win. I think Team SD has the stronger division, I know New Day is going for the record, and all that, but I think SDLive wins this one.

Team RAW vs Team SDLive Women's elimination SS match - I think Raw wins this hands down. They got 3 of the 4 horsewomen, and they got Nia Jax. I think SD will get some eliminations, and Natayla will get involved somehow, but RAW has this one in the bag.

Team RAW vs Team SDLive Men's elimination SS match - this one is a coin flip for me. I want to say SDLive wins just to pick a side, but I think RAW might win in order to create more storyline with the Undertaker on SDLive. But I'm going with SDLive for the upset win here. There I said it.

Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar - And now for the main event (uh) of the evening (uh)...see what I did there? Bill Goldberg returning for his "last match" against Lesnar. Since obviously the first match they had went so well at WrestleMania 20. Sarcasm there. I remember watching that match on PPV, both men got booed out of Madison Square Garden. It was brutal. I didn't like this idea when I first read the rumors because of how bad the match went at first. I see Brock winning. Not that Brock needs it, but I think Brock is going over. I don't see it being dominate but I see a hard hitting match with Brock winning.

So that's my thoughts, If you disagree, find me on Twitter @D_Rich864, or on Facebook.com/bigdusty. Or just comment down below how much of a mark I am and all that nonsense.

~Daniel Richerson

IS RAW REALLY THAT BAD?

In the current state of Smackdown vs Raw, I think it's safe to say that Smackdown is winning right now. Smackdown is building characters. It's building new talent just like it did around when the roster first split some years ago. Smackdown built John Cena, Raw then drafted John Cena, and now we got the John Cena we know and---well we got John Cena. John Cena can wrestle. Yes he can. CM Punk did not wrestle those matches by himself. Shawn Michaels did not wrestle those matches by himself. Ever heard that saying, it takes two to tango?

So what is wrong with Raw? What is Raw doing that is not working well enough to get stronger ratings? Is something wrong with Raw? Is Raw doing something wrong? Is there something wrong with us the fans that are burying Raw? First thing we got to understand is that Vince is not running things like a wrestling company. He's running it like an entertainment company. He said it himself . He was talking about when Ted Turner bought WCW, and Ted called Vince and told Vince that, "I'm in the 'rasslin' business." And Vince said something to the fact, "That's good, but I'm not in the 'rasslin' business, I'm in the 'entertainment' business." Once we get that logic in our minds, WWE's booking probably wouldn't bother us so much.

But on the other hand with that being said, some parts of WWE is still wrestling. Like NXT, like Smackdown, like CWC was. Now back to Raw. I watched some of this video with this guy saying that Raw is dead. That Raw has gotten so bad it's dead. One thing we fans got to realize is that we don't know everything, and some of what we think we know, we really don't know. There's a reason Kevin Nash calls us smart marks, or smarks. I watch a lot of shoot interviews involving members of the Kliq, specifically with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall since they do a lot of them. I learn a lot from watching them cause I listen. Why do I listen? Because they were a part of a backstage group of guys that had Vince's ear. Vince listened to them.

I'm going off topic. Anyway, Raw. Is Raw dead? I don't think so. I tune in to Raw and it's looks pretty full to me. I don't see any card board cut outs of fans to fill in the seats. People still go to the shows. So as long as the fans keep buying tickets, Raw is still alive. Is Raw pulling in the numbers they did in the Attitude Era? No, but is the wrestlers from Attitude Era coming through that door? For the most part no. We got to consider that people are not watching TV like they used to. Whatculture's Simon Miller put out a good video on this subject. Simon Miller is not my favorite Whatculture personality, but he made some valid points in it. I'll put the link at the end of the blog. 

So has Raw been as good as it can be? No. Could it be better? Yes. I heard Scott Hall say something recently that was talking about fans and WWE creative, and he was saying that as soon as we think that they don't know what they doing, they show us that they do. So I think that Raw is going to show us soon that they're not as dumb as we think they are. I mean I think it's time for Vince to hand over control to Triple H. Just my opinion. So I don't think Raw is dead. I think Raw is suffering a little, but I wouldn't go straight to death.

~Daniel Richerson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Iz7gVcDb8 (Why WWE's TV Ratings Aren't As Bad As You Think- WhatCulture Wrestling)

SMACKDOWN LIVE FOUGHT THE RAW AND THE RAW WON...

So the first week of this so called "new era" is over. Both Raw and Smackdown now have specific rosters. This week they both had the first shows post the draft and post Battleground. Let's start with Raw.

Raw was the type of show wrestling fans beg for by the week. It was a great show. A few mishaps, but nothing that drags the show down too bad. To get the negative points out the way. The Golden Truth playing Pokemon Go. Nuff said on that one. And as of right now, I don't like the name WWE Universal Championship. The initial reaction it seems cheesy, but then again, the spinner belt John Cena introduced seemed cheesy then it became the norm. The New Day segment went on for way too long. The Who's On First type joke did not go over. Sonny Boy...just a load of barnacles that segment was.

Now, let's get to the positives. The two fatal four ways to determine who wrestles in the end of the night for the number one contender spot in a match at Summerslam against Seth Rollins for the new World title. Great idea. Finn Balor won the first fatal way match, and Roman Reigns won the second fatal four way teasing what made the IWC barf at the thought at Roman getting another shot. But WWE did the unthinkable. WWE gave the people what they want. Finn Balor is going to Summerslam. I marked out so much when he won. That little kid in me that is still a wrestling fan came out. Get in there (in my King Ross voice).

Also, we got a new women's champion. The Boss, Sasha Banks. Sasha Banks and Charlotte had an instant classic match. The type of match you'd expect these two athletes to have. The type of match they had in NXT. Let's not neglect the fact that prior to this match, the crowd was dead. The crowd was non existent. These two athletes, these two women, brought that crowd back to life. It was tremendous. Sasha paid tribute to her favorite wrestler, the late great Eddie Guerrero, and got Dana Brooke, who is on the main roster and Bayley isn't, let that sink in...

Anyway, Dana Brooke got sent to the back. Charlotte and Sasha had a great match. One of many match of the year candidates we've had this year so far. Sasha Banks went over with the bank statement. What made it even more great is that they let Sasha have her moment. I was fearing the worst. Like Nikki Bella returning and getting heat on Sasha type fear. But no, they let Sasha have the moment. Great stuff.

I got to bring up the jobber matches. Some people didn't like them. I personally loved it. It reminded me of the old school wrestling days. It made Braun Strowman and Nia Jax look like the monsters their supposed to look like. My only thing on Nia Jax, is that she needs a new finisher. I don't think that leg drop is lethal enough. The jackhammer she used on NXT could be considered for a finish I think, I mean, unless Goldberg is actually coming back, which I doubt.

They moved the announce table on RAW. It's up by the stage. It's not that much of a major change, but it worked. Other than the shot of all three commentators standing. Like them poor guys couldn't have a shot of them actually sitting at the commentator table?

So that was Raw. A very surprisingly good night. Mostly positive feed back. Before I go on to Smackdown, another good thing is that you barely saw Stephanie and Mick Foley in the show. You really only saw them in the opening segment, and that was it.

Now to Smackdown Live. I had such high expectations. I was hoping and expecting another great wrestling show. Sometimes when you expect something so much--

Let's talk about the positives. The opening shot of Shane and Daniel introducing the show was cool. The opening video package was great. Shelton Benjamin is coming back soon. Another mark out moment for your boy. Becky Lynch got a W. Good week for 3 of the 4 horsewomen. Sorry Charlotte.

The negatives. Basically the rest of the show. They had a 6 pack challenge to determine the number one contender for the WWE Title. Participants included, Bray Wyatt, Dolph Ziggler, John Cena, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin...Baron Corbin...Bar--, and after winning a battle royal Apollo Crews. I personally wanted Bray Wyatt to get the W just to give him a shot. Spoiler Alert, Bray didn't win. Dolph won. Not saying Dolph winning is a negative, but we've seen WWE look like they're going to give Dolph a shot only to rip the rug from under him. Of course Shane and Daniel had to come out with their music playing. I don't mind them coming out by why did their music have to play? Taking the spotlight off of Dolph.

I mentioned the Becky Lynch win as a positive. The negative about it was that she was facing Natayla again. WWE is once again going with this 50/50 booking. So after Becky got the win, all the other women on the Smackdown roster came out. What happened after that? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. They still have no title or anything to fight for. We just now know what all the women on the Smackdown roster look like. That's basically it. No title.

Rhyno returned.

Heath Slater still has no spot on either show. He was out cutting a promo only for Shane to get in another segment and for Rhyno to return and gore Heath. Boring it was. Boring.

There was a Miz TV segment. If that wasn't bad enough Randy Orton came out. It went as well as you would think it would. That of course led to a match. Nothing to say after that. It was just poor.

Basically in my opinion, my opinion,  Raw was everything you wanted and Smackdown Live was the opposite.

~Daniel Richerson

The WWE Draft: WHERE-IS-BAYLEY?!!?!!?!?!!?!!?!!?!!?

The build up for the draft was better than the actual draft. The build up from WWE and the dirtsheets I was expecting a night to remember. Honestly, the December to Dismember was more memorable.

First let's look at the positives. Fin Balor is going to RAW. American Alpha is going to Smackdown. Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Cesaro are on the same roster. I expect great matches out of that. Sasha Banks gets drafted to RAW after saying she wanted to go to Smackdown, but she's on the same roster as Charlotte. So we get to see that feud build up to a championship match with Sasha hopefully going over. Also a positive Stephanie McMahon's dress. Yep. Also the New Day is still in tact on RAW as a team. I don't think anybody wanted to see them split. Naomi, aka Trinity Fatu got drafted to Smackdown. I really do hope this is a start of a big push for her. AJ Styles is on Smackdown. Could be good. Heath Slater not drafted, and then the camera shot at the end. Hilarious.

And now...let's start with the flubbed lines by both Shane and Stephanie. And they are supposed to be "running" the show. Stephanie trying to over sell every draft pick they made on the show was just bad. Bad shouldn't have been done. I now understand why Vince wants to script every line. I get it now Vince.

Roman Reigns got drafted to a massive boo. Such a boo for a top baby face, huh? Turn him heel WWE, turn the man heel. It took way to long for Cesaro to get drafted. Easily a top 10 guy. But Cesaro ended up being a 6th round pick. That's a way to put the guy over the top. The Golden Truth is still a tag-team. Let that sink in.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a big R Truth fan. I'm a Golddust fan. I'm not a fan of the tag team. Each guy can carry a match on their own. They're good in the ring as individuals. But just not a fan of the team.

Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, Eva (yes that one) Marie, Carmella all drafted. Everyone, just about, was waiting to hear Bayley's name. Guess what? We're still waiting. Well, at least we'll get Bayley vs Asuka at least one more time. That should be good. Bayley gets a rematch for the NXT Women's Title. So there's that. But still. Heel move by the WWE on that one. Getting everyone's hope up, and...nothing. Eva Marie? Really? Like her and Dana Brooke on are the "main roster" and Asuka and Bayley are still in NXT. Again just going to let that sink in. 

All this is my opinion. Just another wrestling fan with access to the Internet and a way to put my opinion out there. 

~Daniel Richerson