I know, I know, I’m late again. Sorry, but after I spent the better part of the week getting rejected by the BMV and the Social Security Office from switching the “L” to a “K”, I wasn’t in much of a mood for wrestling. Maybe this is why you are always told to avoid meeting your heroes, people. It ruins your life, and maybe a few kitchen appliances as well.
Anyways, let’s get into what happened in yet another insane week in professional wrestling!
TEN. Big E’s Big Moment
Big E main evented Raw alongside Rey Mysterio this past Monday in a great display of in-ring skill for both men. This was a fun match, and as I predicted, it was another “W” for the E man en route to his big moment on WWE’s grandest stage of the year. I have no real complaints here, because everything about the match was great.
I can tell you right now that I do have a stronger feeling than before that E really is being groomed to unseat The Rock. You don’t have a victory over a legend removed from wrestler purgatory without it having some kind of veiled significance, especially as you prepare to take on another legend for the grand prize.
Like I said, it’s a mere feeling, but I can read the signs that are being thrown our way. The Rock better cling to his belt while he can.
NINE. The Rock punishes Samoa Joe
Speaking of the Great One, we saw him on Raw abusing fellow native of American Samoa, Mr. Joe. Joe lost his guest appearance on Dynamite the previous Monday night and Rock became the latest member of this…family…to beat down Joe for not sufficiently representing the Samoan culture. Rock declared that Joe didn’t deserve to share the same ring with stars like him, and while I felt sorry for Joe, I couldn’t help but feel that he was right.
I’m not saying that out of any dislike for Samoa Joe. Hell, I was always a fan of the guy when he wrestled here, and I liked his match on Dynamite. However, this hasn’t exactly been his era to shine. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Samoa Joe come out on the right side of an upset in the near future, but for now he looks like the Bloodline whipping post.
As for the Rock, this moment made him look the part of a tyrant reigning supreme over his dominion. Samoa Joe disappointed the Rock not only as a member of the Samoan brand, but of the WWE brand, and that was intolerable to the champion. For all this talk of Roman being the “Tribal Chief”, it sure looks to me that The Rock is more deserving of that label. Am I right?
EIGHT. Brock Anderson defeats Dunne
Brock Anderson stole the show in the ring for WWE this past week, again. In a solid match of the week candidate, Arn’s son stood tall after a brutal battle of submission magicians against “Butch”. There is no denying the fact that there is a bright future for Brock as we witness him week after week showing why he is a true blue chipper.
Butch is no slouch either, by the way, but his purpose here was to showcase the talent of Mr. Anderson. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of old Petey boy, but just as is the case with Samoa Joe, this just isn’t Pete’s era.
Brock, on the other hand, is likely to wear gold by the end of the year. I would watch out Lexis!
SEVEN. Roman lectures Yokozuna and pursues Wisdom
This was a bad week for wrestlers with Samoan blood, honestly. As I anticipated, Yokozuna fell short of taking the Television title, but it wasn’t due to Cody’s incredible skills. Instead, it was due to an Immortal chicken dance. Now that I think of it, I don’t blame Roman for scolding Yoko. He deserved this lashing more than Samoa Joe did!
After berating his much larger elder cousin, Roman stated that the Bloodline was in need of some wise counsel. A “Wise Man” was specifically mentioned as the feed cut from him and I am left pondering who it is that has this magic touch. I know of one person who has been called “Wise Man” in jest in locker room talk, but it couldn’t be him…could it?
SIX. Fandango Shines
Well, I will tell you one thing, Camden Cross probably felt less “wise” after his encounter with Fandango on LvL Up. The new head of fashion for NXT came into the picture with a cloud of fashion AIDS clinging to everything around him. I don’t know what to expect with this guy, but I do know that the encounter was hilarious enough to overshadow any of my usual favorite comical things to watch in WWE.
Hell, I am almost left forgetting that Johnny Lawrence appeared in the same section of the show because of how much Fandango left my sides hurting. I expect that we will be treated to Fandango skits and moments wherein he is seen prepping talent or even correcting the crimes of fashion to come.
This is gonna be good.
FIVE. High Minded
About a month ago, PWI and HCW were trying to negotiate with AEW to bring Midget Hogan back to Mmouse Enterprises or even back to Brown Inc. AEW flatly said “no” and now we know why: Midget Hogan was going to be the new manager for the group which finally has a name: High Minded.
Undeniably one of my favorite moments of the week, Hulk and Midget Hogan (no relation, by the way), Matt Riddle, Scott Hall, Randy Savage, and Kevin Nash coming together to officially form their comedy stable was genuine TV gold, and I can’t wait to see what they will do next.
Then again, I fear that they will have to answer for their crimes against the Bloodline soon, so this high point (ha!) may be short-lived.
FOUR. Lexis King’s NXT
THE highlight of WWE’s week was the vignette for Lexis King, who has absolutely asserted himself as my favorite talent in the company. Finishing off the week for Murrey land in epic style, the next “guy” was glowing with that “it factor” that we in wrestling like to look out for every so often.
Watching King, it is easy to forget that this is the son of the retired Brian Pillman. King is ALREADY ten times the star that his dad ever was, and we are only 2 months into his career on the grand stage! I mean, he even overshadows the gold around his waist because I sometimes forget that he is the NXT Champion.
He’s that damn good. So good that he makes you see him as a future WWE Champion to the point that you see his current title as a mere fixture holding his pants up.
Now, THAT’S star power!
THREE. Acolytes help Menotaur crush Splinter
As cool as it was to see Bradshaw and Simmons debut in AEW and lay waste to the iconic Master Splinter, it was a little sad to see such a fantastic match end that way. Splinter and Menotaur tore the house down, and I mean that almost literally!
It really goes to show you that age doesn’t fully matter in this business, because Splinter and Menotaur are each some old mother-f…
Sorry, I am getting a little excited here. This match was fun, that’s all I am saying. Splinter has NEVER failed to deliver in a match in his 30+ year career, and that is impressive beyond belief. It’s why he is the ONLY superstar who casts doubt on the belief by many (including myself) that Dragonfly is the GOAT.
Anyways, the Acolytes jumping into the picture balances the playing field quite a bit against Splinter’s alliance with the Harlem Turtles and AOP. Splinter will definitely be sidelined for a little while as the remnants of his union will be forced to fend off attacks from Sami’s minions. This might be a bad time for the enemies of Sami and Benny.
TWO. “A Good Day” for Benny
It was, however, a good time for Sami and Benny from start to finish. No, Sami and Benny likely did not appreciate the hidden camera footage of their conversation at the outset of Dynamite’s special episode, but it did reveal one thing: Benny is not yet a complete puppet of Sami Zayn.
Benny commented that he was having a “good day” and he was absolutely correct. From the aforementioned beating that Splinter took to the overall incredible ratings success that “Dragon’s Fury” enjoyed, this truly was a “good day” for my brother. Now, with Splinter sidelined, Benny will be free to have numerous consecutive positive experiences without his present arch-nemesis shining a spotlight on his ailments.
Then again, dementia is a disease without a cure, and Benny’s days of being in control are numbered. So, that means the de facto head of AEW and BWM Inc. overall, Sami Zayn, will continue to tighten his grip on power over the present number one company in the industry.
So, does that mean that it is in fact Sami, not Benny, who is having a “good day”?
ONE. Danielson wins it all!
Regardless of Sami’s day, it was the best possible day for Bryan Danielson! I am still in shock that the man pulled off this victory, even with the help of Wardlow and Scott Steiner. I seriously didn’t think that anyone not named MJF was taking the gold from Styles, but man was I wrong.
Before I continue, let me be clear that Danielson DESERVES this moment. He has been a genuine highlight for AEW for the better part of the year so far, but now I am worried about the shenanigans of MJF backfiring on him later down the line. He may have been laughing at the conclusion of Dynamite, but it is tragically apparent that he may not be laughing after New Horizons.
No, I am not doubting my man…main man…the man…MJF.
Ok…, moving on. I am not doubting the Number One Contender at all, but Danielson is a crafty son of a bitch who was worked his whole career to get to this point. He will dead set on making sure that his title reign is not less than a month long. Don’t ever underestimate someone like him in a moment like this. The outcome of New Horizons is now more uncertain than ever before, and that is due to this unforeseen twist.
I will be watching with lot-…a LOT of popcorn. And napkins…to clean up the butter. Yes, that butter can get everywhere when I am enjoying myself.
ANYWAYS, that does it for me in this installment of WRESTLING WITH LENNY, I look forward to sharing my predictions with you very soon!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 