What’s this? Lenny’s is back so soon with another update? Yes! I have an early day tomorrow so I need to get these predictions and the preview out ASAP!
Anyways, let’s get right to it!
WWE
WWE has yet to post a preview for what to expect on Raw this week, but I think we can anticipate a few things in lieu of a preview:
First of all, Fandango will likely have one problematic run-in with an uncooperative talent. The new fashion czar is going to start getting everyone in line with the new regime and there will be hell to pay for anyone who doesn’t tow the line.
I foresee something else brewing here with the Women’s Division. Maybe Sonya will get some revenge, perhaps Asuka will surprise attack Beth Phoenix, but all I know is that something will happen to advance one of these two stories.
Hook and Axel might have some kind of encounter to build for what I suspect will be a major match between them. Whether that match transpires on a future Raw or Then. Now. Forever. 2 is something which remains to be seen, but I definitely anticipate a match soon.
Ryback’s mom might come for seconds with Johnny, and Ryback will make Johnny eat his own ass for it.
Another board member is likely to be revealed, but that’s not all. I think the actor who portrays Terry Silver is going to cause some trouble for the roster in a continuation of the Celebrities on Cocaine saga!
Finally, I foresee something else involving The Rock, maybe a match with Samoa Joe, maybe a confrontation with Big E. I am not sure, but something is coming!
AEW
- Benny’s Address
Now that we have moved on to AEW, we are set to kick off the show with an address by the youngest of us four crazy Mouse brothers: Benny. It’s been years since Benny last gave an in-ring address, and I think this one is going to cover a lot of ground, particularly the accusations about his dementia (we may even get a confession here) and the latest revelation regarding Megan being his biological daughter.
Benny is trying to save his ass from being deposed by the Board of Directors, and I think that this address will stave off that effort for a period of time, unless he announces his resignation. Either way, I have no doubt that this will be the highlight of the night, because it is hard to compete with the rare addresses by the members of my family!
- Logan Paul Calls Out Starks
Logan Paul informed MJF last week that he wants to pursue the Internet Title. Seeing himself as the uncrowned champion of the internet, Logan wants Ricky Starks to put the title that Matt Cardona created on the line.
In my opinion, this championship is useless except as a prop for unfolding stories (then again, there are many in the industry who say the same about ALL wrestling championships). Yet, this isn’t about the title at stake, this is about Paul throwing MJF off of his trail.
Paul has something that MJF doesn’t: a victory over a world champion, albeit a former world champion. There is an argument to be made that Logan deserves a shot at the world title, and I suspect that Logan is seeking to divert MJF’s attention from that with this meaningless pursuit.
Keep an eye on him, MJF!!
- Danielson in the House
The only other preview that we currently have for Dynamite is that Bryan Danielson is in the house for the show. The new champion will surely gloat about defeating Styles, but MJF is going to confront that fact with the counter-fact that MJF’s bodyguards helped make it a reality. We have 3 quarters of a month to build for the encounter between them for the World Title and that build kicks into hyper drive here.
Then again, there is a slight possibility that we see these two try to play it off like they are friends who just orchestrated a great heist together. A brief partnership might be facilitated, but it will all be a ruse. This will be followed by MJF betraying Danielson in true Maxwell form, setting the stage for his own ascension.
No matter which route they take, the build begins tomorrow night!
PWI/HCW
- Adam Cole (MDC) v. Brian Cage (4)
The Million Dollar Corporation has a big night ahead of them, as they stand to possibly get ahead in the tally by two wins if they sweep another night of action. That all starts with Adam Cole (BAY BAY) taking on the ascending Brian Cage.
Cage has been on a tear over the past two months with his series of World Tour victories, leading to his jump from relative obscurity to being the 4th ranked superstar in PWI. Adam Cole is looking to deflate Cage a bit and to tie HCW on behalf of the Million Dollar Corporation.
If Cage wins, PWI ties HCW in the tally and Cage rises to #3 in the ranks. Either way, this will be a great way to kick off the show!
- Becky Lynch (1) v. Jade Cargill (2)
This is a match with a lot on the line. Whoever wins earns a shot at the Women’s Title at Global Conflict III. Whoever loses is in the Death From Above Match at the same event, taking the guaranteed slot for a PWI star (all three warring factions have one guaranteed slot, with Indi Hartwell already occupying HCW’s slot).
This will be Jade Cargill’s first match back after returning last week from the injuries she sustained at the hands of Alexa Bliss and Slammer back at Rising. Jade confronted and scared off Alexa after fending off another attack by Slammer last week, and she enters this match lucky enough to still have her second rank status despite being on the shelf for more than two months.
There is one problem, though. A big question mark hangs over the match as to whether the first ranked Becky Lynch will be cleared to compete after she suffered her own injuries thanks to the insane AJ Lee last week. As of right now, Becky has not been cleared to compete. But, if Becky misses the chance to fight for a shot back at her former title, then who will take her place?
- Toni Storm (3) v. Charlotte Flair (5) v. Liv Morgan (MDC) (7)
Just as with the previous match, this one has a lot at stake. This is to fill the final open slot in the Death From Above match, but there’s a twist that I will get to in a second.
First and foremost, Toni Storm is here because she has been speedily ascending the ranks a lot like we have seen with Brian Cage, and it has been thanks to key victories during the World Tour. This is the most prominent Toni has been since her run as Women’s Ascendant Champion, and we will see if she can capitalize on it.
Charlotte Flair has been in the top 10 of PWI’s ranks since she was brought here via a blockbuster trade in the summer. She has maintained her top rank status by winning when she needed to and now she has a chance to enter the Death From Above match. All she has to do is survive these two other hungry female talents!
Finally, we have Liv Morgan. Here’s what’s interesting, Liv ALREADY has a guaranteed spot in the Death From Above match. This is because Liv is the only woman in the Million Dollar Corporation. She is only in this match for three reasons: 1. Ted Dibiase apparently was successful in negotiating for this, 2. to give the MDC a chance to gain a valuable win, and 3. to eliminate one of the four slots for the Death From Above match!
That’s right, because of the fact that Liv is already in the Death From Above match, a victory for her here makes that match a Triple Threat instead of a Fatal Four Way. That outcome would both improve the odds of Liv winning the Death From Above, but also of the other participants. So, while PWI and Mickey certainly would want Charlotte or Toni to win, Liv, the Million Dollar Corporation, Indi Hartwell, and whoever wins the match prior will all be rooting for Liv.
It’s going to be fun!
- Giant Gonzales Open Gauntlet Challenge
The Main Event is here because Ted Dibiase and Gonzales promised a showcase of the determination of Giant Gonzales to shoot straight for the top! Gonzales has issued an open challenge to anyone and everyone who dares to enter the ring. Tentatively, this is slated as an “Open Gauntlet Challenge”, but that doesn’t mean that it will be a traditional Gauntlet Match. In essence, if Gonzales loses, the match is immediately over. It could turn out to be a one on one bout with Gonzales and the only person willing to challenge him. It could turn out to be no match at all.
The odds are statistically stacked against the Million Dollar Corporation getting a win here, but one should NEVER bet against the Giant Gonzales. In two weeks he will be competing for his first world title opportunity since he was in the era-ending monster tournament back in late-2014. Likewise, this is will be – and I have confirmed this – the FIRST meeting ever between he and Dragonfly at Global Conflict III. So, this ride that we are on over the next few weeks will be one for the ages.
Recall the hint of fear that we saw in Dragonfly’s eyes last week as he stumbled all over himself in a manner that was unbecoming a Dragonfly commentary. The Champion is shook whether he wants to admit it or not, and Gonzales is charging at him like Godzilla on a rampage. Will someone emerge from the roster tomorrow night to shock Gonzales or will this be a massive sacrifice as a warning to the champion?
Make sure to tune in and find out!
Well, that does it for me this weekend, I look forward to sharing more thoughts with you after the upcoming week!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 