Credit: WWE.com
The 2018 WWE Royal Rumble has come and gone and in its wake has left numerous rumors and tons of speculation regarding potential WrestleMania match-ups, potential returns and the direction programming may take.
The excitement and anticipation of the upcoming Grandaddy of Them All, taking place this year on Sunday, April 8, is understandable, but for the time being, the rumors reported at this point are just that and should be taken at that value.
Major Mixed Tag Team Match for WrestleMania?
Ronda Rousey’s debut at Royal Rumble, coupled with her tense handshake with Stephanie McMahon at ringside, has the rumor mill suggesting WWE officials may attempt to revisit the Mixed Tag Team match hinted at by the events of WrestleMania 31 when Rousey and The Rock cleared the ring of McMahon and Triple H.
According to PWInsider.com (h/t Cageside Seats), WWE has someone in mind if A-list movie star The Rock is unable to fit WrestleMania in his schedule.
“If The Rock can’t do WrestleMania 34 […] WWE may use Braun Strowman as Ronda Rousey’s tag partner against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.”
This report contradicts all others preceding it that had Rousey appearing in everything from an Eight-Woman Tag Team match to a singles bout with Charlotte.
Buy or Sell?
Sell. There may be a precedent for Rousey to battle Triple H and Stephanie in some form or fashion, but without The Rock, the proposed match does not work.
Yes, there is history between The King of Kings and Strowman dating back to Survivor Series, where The Monster Among Men left the COO lying in the center of the ring.
Rousey’s signing, though, should be a major coup for women’s wrestling in WWE and a Mixed Tag Team match in which she gets a few strikes and a hold or two in on The Billion Dollar Princess while the emphasis is put on Strowman and Triple H does not play to the idea that the Raw or SmackDown women’s divisions will be better off with her star power to capitalize on.
Charlotte vs. Rousey is a marquee bout that allows the women’s title on SmackDown to take precedent, all the while making a household name out of Ric Flair’s supremely talented daughter. It is a better idea than the proposed tag match without the availability of The Rock.
If The Great One is good to go, there is still an argument to be made that Rousey should work a singles match against a quality female competitor, but at least there is a history behind the bout at that point.
Rey Mysterio Return Update
Rey Mysterio made a shocking return to WWE Sunday night at the Royal Rumble, but as PWInsider.com reported (h/t Cageside Seats), it appears as though it was a one-time deal—at least for the time being:
“…the main issue in getting Rey Mysterio back in WWE is that the company wants him on a full-time schedule and he only wants to commit to a part-time one.”
This would seem to dampen any expectations that the dynamic luchador and future Hall of Famer will be included in WWE’s march to WrestleMania.
Buy or Sell?
Buy. How WWE can possibly expect Mysterio to work a full-time schedule when it is aware that the injury history that accompanies the beloved competitor is mind-blowing. Knee injuries alone helped attribute to his downfall and eventual departure from the company.
Why the company would think it is a good thing to try to force him into a full-time role rather than allowing him a lighter, television-based schedule is puzzling, to say the least.
With that said, it makes absolute sense that management would try such a move.
It desperately needs star power to bolster its live event touring lineups and Mysterio certainly brings that.
What is the purpose of paying someone all of that money, though, if he is unable to fulfil his part of the deal because he is too physically beat-up?
The good news? Mysterio is in the best shape of his career and looked re-energized as he sped around the squared circle Sunday night at the Rumble.
Rousey’s Effect on the Women’s Division
Ronda Rousey’s arrival to WWE will have an effect on the company’s continued dedication to the Women’s Revolution and a report by F4WOnline.com (h/t Cageside Seats) suggests it will lead to greater exposure for the roster as a whole.
“According to Wrestling Observer, WWE plans to ‘heavily push women’ now that Rousey is on board because she’s ‘the company’s biggest mainstream star’.”
As it should.
Buy or Sell?
Buy. Forget plans of meaningless Mixed Tag Team matches at WrestleMania, Rousey’s greatest contribution to WWE will be the credibility she brings to women’s wrestling under the WWE umbrella.
Yes, the original Four Horsewomen of NXT, Asuka, Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss have done wonders to make wrestling fans care about the sport, but to the world beyond the diehard audience, there is still a sense of skepticism and uncaring in relation to it.
Rousey not only brings more eyes, her legitimate background will bring a sense of credibility to it.
Instead of seeing it was “girls wrestling in sports bras,” as an ill-informed friend of this writer put it, they will see someone of Rousey’s stature working an athletic match and appreciate more based on her name and likeness alone
At least that is the hope of longtime women’s wrestling fans.
The post WWE Rumors: Buying or Selling Buzz on Braun Strowman, Rey Mysterio and More appeared first on HD Sports News.
source http://hdsportsnews.com/wwe-rumors-buying-or-selling-buzz-on-braun-strowman-rey-mysterio-and-more/
No comments:
Post a Comment