Good evening, and welcome back to the Mop-Up. I’m your host Chris Hyatt, and this is where I’d normally claim that I am the hardest working wrestling journalist in the industry, but I’ve gotta be honest – no one is working harder than Lenny Mouse these days… dude’s pumping out columns and loads, all while ensuring that the MJF Championship Experiment is immediately a success.
Truly, I understand why Catherine summoned him before the Board on Monday because he’s working overtime to get over the competition’s top guy, and Lenny’s adulation has almost certainly put AEW’s new world champion in the same stratosphere with Dragonfly and the Rock, and has instantly legitimized Maxwell Jacob Friedman (not to say he wasn’t already). He’s practically carrying AEW on his shoulders in the eyes of his bosses!
But let’s shift gears to the competition! WWE now has three (four?) shows per week in the post-TNF 2 landscape, but who’s going to complain about some bonus content? So, let’s dive right into it!
WWE:
America: Land of Opportunities
The most exciting aspect of Murrey having an extra show every week is that now we can see storylines unfold across two shows instead of just one (or one and a half, considering how often main roster stories progress on NXT). The first storyline to benefit from this change is the introduction of the United States Championship, replacing the European Championship that Gunther famously trashed on live TV. The twist? Jeff Murrey has exclusively restricted the tournament’s participants to those residing in the good ol’ US of A!
…or has he? Right after Murrey made his proclamation on Monday night, we’re treated to a surprise as Doc Brown recruits none other than the Japanese-born Shinsuke Nakamura as his representative in the tournament! The plot thickens as we witness this development unfolding on Smackdown, with what I dare say is Doc Brown’s most inspired work yet—a wild, George Washington-inspired promo hyping up Nakamura before his first-round match against Dom Mysterio.
The speech worked like a charm, and Nakamura brought out his inner Strong Style for what I’d argue is his best performance yet—yes, I’m talking about his entire career! While he wasn’t exactly floundering in the PWI, he certainly wasn’t getting the regular main roster spotlight alongside the company’s top draw (*debatable, considering the existence of Johnny Lawrence, but you catch my drift). What we’re all curious about now is Jeff Murrey’s reaction to Nakamura’s inclusion (and advancement) in a tournament aimed at keeping foreigners at bay. Is Murrey turning a blind eye due to his previously cordial relationship with Doc Brown? Or are we in for an explosive showdown come Monday night?
This blend of comedy and seriousness in the storytelling is truly compelling. If things keep going this way, Shinsuke is poised to embark on the run of a lifetime. I’m genuinely excited to see how it all unfolds!
…and NEW Tag Team Champions!
Fans witnessed not just one, but TWO tag title changes this past Monday night. Firstly, the Usos lost the AEW tag belts to Omega & Page, thanks to a hairy distraction. Then came the shocking and unceremonious conclusion to the Viking Raider’s nearly year-long tag team dominance in the WWE at the hands of the New Day.
As Lenny pointed out earlier this evening, this was both shocking and, perhaps, a bit of a consolation prize for TNF 2 main eventer Big E Langston. I can’t argue that E doesn’t deserve it, but I was expecting the reign to end with more flair. That said, by delivering a surprising title change on Raw, Murrey has kept the atmosphere of “anything can happen” alive on Monday Night Raw. I think that’s going to work in his favor as time goes on.
What’s in store for the Viking Raiders now, I wonder? And who will step up as the next challengers for the tag belts? Maybe a team from the Doc Brown 6? The Final Judgment? Well, I suppose time will tell!
Every Rose has it’s Thorn
You know who else had a breakout week? Sonya Deville!
It appears that Sonya has identified her next rivalry following the conclusion of her feud with Lacey Evans. It all started with her unsettling admiration for Mandy Rose, who seemed understandably alarmed during their encounter on NXT.
What sets this apart (and potentially adds an extra layer of enjoyment – only time will tell) from a similar angle in the PWI between AJ Lee and Becky Lynch is that Sonya is fully aware that Mandy Rose doesn’t welcome her advances. Unlike in the PWI, where AJ Lee believed Becky was simply playing hard to get, Sonya doesn’t deny that Rose is fearful, and she’s given her ample reason to be. She’s vowed to win Mandy’s affection “one way or another.”
It’s a bit premature to dub this the angle of the year, but it’s certainly the most captivating storyline the women have offered in the WWE thus far. Here’s hoping it maintains its quality in the weeks ahead.
The King’s Proclamation
On NXT Level Up, Lexis King returned to the graveyard where he became a star while basking in the glory of his victory over Bronson Reed at Stand & Deliver. He declared that his tenure in NXT was drawing to a close. I’ve always believed King was destined for the main roster, and while I initially speculated he might relinquish the title, it’s clear he’s primed to shine on WWE’s flagship brand. It would be a disservice to keep such a bona fide star away from the A brand for too much longer.
The question now is how the bookers will handle getting the title off King. Will he lose it to someone on the NXT roster? That seems less probable given the lack of an obvious successor. Alternatively, will King hold onto it for another month or so before relinquishing the belt by choice to make the leap to Raw?
I was convinced that Brock Anderson was the clear choice to lead the black and gold brand in King’s absence, but WWE surprised me with his call-up to the main roster last week. One thing’s for sure: I’m eager to see how they navigate this storyline going forward!
Smackdown Is Jericho!
Earlier, I mentioned how the tag title change showcased WWE’s coveted unpredictability factor – something every wrestling promotion strives for. Well, we got another taste of that during the contract signing for Drew McIntyre and The Rock at Backlash.
For nearly four days, McIntyre’s resurgence in WWE dominated conversations, especially as he appeared to be entering a program with the World Champion following the retirement of the European Championship. However, Jericho’s unexpected appearance begs the question: Was McIntyre ever the ultimate goal, or was he merely a stepping stone in Jericho’s story?
It’s hard to admit, especially considering the magnitude of The Rock vs. McIntyre potential showdown, which could have elevated McIntyre even in defeat. However, The Rock vs. Chris Jericho is arguably the even BIGGER match, and Jericho is riding a wave of momentum that McIntyre just can’t match. Jericho hasn’t been seen on TV since his loss in the Crimson Car Match at AEW Genesis, which feels like an eternity in the wrestling world. Whatever stain that loss may have left on Jericho (who didn’t even take the fall) has undoubtedly been erased by his surprising move to World Wrestling Entertainment.
PWI:
The Opening Video:
I usually don’t like to spend time on something relatively minor, but I have to admit, that opening video package for WrestleMania X really hit me in the feels. It’s tempting to look back at the USWA and original WWF as the “glory days” of pro-wrestling, but I’ll take the modern production values over the grainy film and squeaky voices any day!
If there’s one thing MMouse Enterprises has excelled at in this era, it’s raising the bar for production values and setting the standard for the industry. Plus, with their extensive catalog, they can seamlessly connect these moments with inspirational videos. And let’s not forget about the set—it looked better than ever! If this indeed was the last WrestleMania we’ll witness, it was a fitting finale that went out with a bang.
Hash Turns ‘Heel’
Jesse Hash, a career-long hero in the ring, appears to have made a shocking turn to the dark side! I use “heel” in quotes because, while Hash betrayed The Crock and seemingly attacked his man-dog Don Sparking, it’s hard to label anyone teaming up with Ted DiBiase solely to secure their future employment in the 7th Era as a “bad guy.”
Furthermore, Hash’s surprising turn led to his first championship victory in over a decade, since his days as the EWA World of Wrestling Undisputed Champion! Now holding the Extreme Championship, Hash faces a slew of challengers waiting in the wings, from LA Knight to R-Truth, and the inevitable rematch with The Crock. The clash between the hosts of the Crock Show and 4:20 would make for a massive main event level bout at Armageddon 4, if that’s the direction they’re heading. But I’d also be just as intrigued by a 4-way showdown involving the aforementioned contenders, as PWI has really nailed the character development of all involved in this angle in the latter half of the season.
Hash’s journey in the PWI started off slow, entangled in a season-long feud with CM Punk that regrettably never reached its climax due to the draft. However, he persevered, rebuilding his foundation in the PWI and later adding some star power to HCW. Now, with his move to the Million Dollar Corporation, I’m genuinely intrigued to see what’s next for him!
Total X Match:
I have my criticisms about how this match was set up, but they all seem relatively minor after witnessing the show-stealing performance these four men delivered to crown our first Premier Champion. (Premier does mean first or best, right? If so, you have to wonder if this belt is meant to be on the same level as the World Championship – a sort of consolation prize for Attitude, who was never given his chance to regain the gold. I also have qualms about introducing a belt this late in the game, but let’s set that aside for now.)
Shane McMahon’s promo outlining the match rules may not have been the most inspiring, but once the bell rang, Attitude, Phobe, LA Knight, and Matt Cardona delivered. While I never doubted that Attitude would win this tournament, sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination. Attitude’s path to singles gold intersected with his best friend, tag partner, and all-time great rival Teo. It’s a telltale sign of the PWI’s high regard for a talent when they feature them in multiple matches on the same show, a trend almost exclusive to PWI. Attitude pulled double duty, even taking an accidental clobbering from Jackson’s foot during the Fall From Grace in the tag match. The loss in the tag bout only made Attitude’s victory in the 4-way more apparent, but regardless, it was an enjoyable ride!
With only 6 weeks left in the season, I anticipate a full-fledged breakup of the Attraction, setting the stage for another epic showdown between Teo and Attitude at Armageddon 4. Gotta hand it to the competition for making me eat my words from last winter when I said I didn’t want this. They shoved it down my throat, and I guess I’ve learned to like it!
Uh oh, Lenny’s in trouble…
Lenny Mouse pulls off a rare feat in the pro-wrestling world, making appearances on not one but TWO Monday shows in the same evening! That’s right, Lenny popped up on Dynamite after Logan Paul got his mitts on some CCTV footage of Lenny partying it up in the streets following MJF’s title victory at New Horizons. Then, over on PWI, some extra footage rolled as Lenny endured a verbal lashing from his niece and superior.
Lenny may be in the midst of a downward spiral, but there’s no denying he’s currently enjoying the greatest success of his career. Always the straight-laced Mouse, Lenny’s had the chance to reveal his true personality this year, much to the chagrin of his family. Despite his employers’ disapproval of his antics, the fact that they’ve turned it into a ratings booster tells a different story. Lenny is now a consistent draw for both PWI and AEW. If he’s on screen, fans’ eyeballs are glued. So, just how much trouble is he really in?
Just like the Jews, Lenny was persecuted for his religion – which so happened to involve fornicating with a farm animal who may or may not have consented. But hey, what else is one to do during a party, right? Lenny was reprimanded and put on probation. However, knowing Lenny, this setback is unlikely to be the end of his presence in the Maxwellian Movement.
The Greatest of All Time:
As a self-proclaimed fan of Dragonfly, I can’t help but have conflicting emotions about his record-breaking championship reign. While it undoubtedly cements his status as a future Hall of Famer, it also raises concerns about the opportunities for emerging talents like Matt Cardona, Randy Orton, LA Knight, and others. A fiercely competitive world championship scene could offer these rising stars valuable opportunities to shine and grow.
Love him or hate him, Dragonfly is poised to finish the season as champion, with Randy Orton looming as his only significant challenger. But will PWI truly allow a career-long BWM Inc. stalwart, to topple their marquee star? It’s a tough call, especially when that star is Dragonfly. Some insiders speculate that even if opportunities arise for PWI-HCW talent, this may be Dragonfly’s final chapter. Sources suggest that PWI struggles to envision a different trajectory for Dragonfly, and it’s unlikely he’ll resurface in a PWI-adjacent promotion as a world champion in the 7th Era. While many fans, myself included, would relish the chance to see Dragonfly in WWE or AEW, it seems like an unlikely prospect.
The final WrestleMania brought closure to Dragonfly’s longstanding rivalry with Rhyno and Metal Head, a fitting end to an era. Yet, let’s not kid ourselves – the outcome of the match was never really in question.
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 