WWE:
Theory of a Dead Man: One of the highlights of WWE programming this week was the opening to Monday Night Raw, when Murrey Entertainment CEO Jeff Murrey made what has unfortunately become an increasingly rare appearance to piss upon the grave of Mickey Mouse Jr. The scene comes after the ULW, under the banner of Cash Mouse Entertainment, launched the “Rule 11 Clock” two weeks back when WWE and AEW missed the week of action; WWE to celebrate the Olympics, and AEW due to the fire in Sami Zayn’s office that forced an evacuation of the arena minutes before Dynamite was supposed to hit the air. Rather than targeting the leadership of ULW with his grievances, CEO Murrey has gone on unhinged rants about a puppeteer who allegedly controlled Mickey Mouse, who goes by the name of “Dan.” This has caused confusion, with William Regal nodding along unsurely as Murrey ranted, but it has made for some compelling television. I wouldn’t be shocked if this feud continues and then culminates with Jeff Murrey wrestling the ghost of Mickey Mouse Jr. on PPV. And before you think I’m being hyperbolic, tell me that doesn’t sound like something the WWE would do!
Rebounding the World Heavyweight Championship: WWE introduced the World Heavyweight Championship after announcing the title at Starrcade, so now both Raw and Smackdown have their own respective world championships. Unfortunately, they introduced the belt on the same night as the “Kurt Angle Invitational,” and we saw Women’s Champion Asuka eliminate the newly crowned World Champion AJ Styles in a battle royal. This immediately devalued the belt a bit in my opinion, with the obvious goal to continue getting Asuka over as a dominant champion. The most decorated woman in wrestling today now has another accolade to her list – an elimination of the man who was first to wear the heavyweight championship in both AEW and WWE. In the weeks that followed, WWE has done a good job pivoting and trying to make the belt feel equal to the WWE title, but it’s just not quite there yet. I think Balor and Styles’ feud over the strap, built on their mutual respect for one another, has the abilities to get the belt over, but if I’m booking this I wouldn’t wait much longer before pivoting to more of a blood feud between the two. This is easily doable with Balor’s alter ego, the Demon, just waiting in the wings.
The Case for Karrion Kross: In the months before the draft, I repeatedly said that it really didn’t matter much who the company kept and who they gained, because Murrey’s inane ability to get virtually anyone over. A prime example of that is Karrion Kross, who in the span of two weeks has become the most compelling act on NXT. Kross floundered in the PWI, relegated to the Ascendants Class, and though he’s still in the “developmental” territory in WWE, there’s no arguing that NXT and Ascendants were on the same level. NXT has felt like a big deal since the jump, thanks in part to the work of the NXT champion Lexis King, who has created one compelling moment after the next the last several months. And now for the first time, King has a viable, believable opponent who is capable of taking his throne. Honestly, NXT continues to be WWE’s most consistently entertaining program, and if these are the stars of tomorrow, the business is in good hands!
Sonya Deville & The Dominatrix: Sonya Deville is another NXT star who continues to be a highlight of WWE programming, first with her feud with Lacy Evans last Spring, then her obsession with Mandy Rose, and now with her new “bodyguard” The Dominatrix. The duo has all the potential in the world, and I think it’s just a matter of time before their ratings success compels WWE to put Sonya in a title program.
The Bloodline’s Civil War: Though I haven’t seen Smackdown this week (if it even aired, I’ve been busy!) but one thing is for certain: The storyline set up between the WWE Champion The Rock and his cousin Jey Uso truly has the potential to catapult Jey into “Main Event” territory. Many were left scratching their heads when WWE didn’t draft Jacob Fatu, but with the addition of the former AEW Tag Team Champions the Usos, it’s arguable that the company doesn’t need him. The Bloodline is a unique faction because to my knowledge, it’s the only one in wrestling history to exist in two different companies at the same time. Unfortunately for Roman, Starrcade didn’t pan out how he wanted it to, and the Usos jumped ship for Reigns cast Umaga and Yokozuna to the side. With the Bloodline effectively dead in AEW, it’s been awesome to see the evolution of the WWE’s version. No one expected the WWE to break the Usos up for this storyline, and I think it’ll continue to evolve in ways we cannot anticipate moving forward.
ULW:
Dragonfly: The Farewell: I am conflicted about Dragonfly’s retirement, because I think there still exists a world in which he could have something to offer to ULW. The man who spent 99 percent of his career with MMouse Enterprises has now retired, wrestling his “last” match and losing to Matt Cardona this past Monday. I put the word “last” in quotatioins because this is pro wrestling, and nothing’s really ever over in this industry. For all we know, Dragonfly will be back one day, even if it’s years from now. With Cardona picking up the win, the easy part is over. Cardona needs to be protected booking wise for the next several months in my opinion, as to note squander the big win. If he immediately challenges Wyatt again for the title and loses, this Monday’s main event will have been for naught. (Kind of like when Ted Dibiase Jr. ended Dragonfly’s record title reign, only to lose the belt a few weeks later and then fade back into obscurity. Yes, I saw him groveling to Lenny Monday, but he’s got a LOT of work to do before he regains the momentum he had last Spring.) Cardona is capable of taking the spot on the card that Dragonfly held onto, but only if he’s protected. I don’t want to see him lose anytime soon, and if that means he needs to be wait a bit on his title shot, I’m okay with that.
What, What, in the Dutt: Last week, we got what I consider to be the best in-ring segment in the company’s young history with Sonjay Dutt, Saguna, the Big Show, and the Crock. This week, we followed up on that with another solid segment with the foursome, with the Crock taking Saguna’s phone “for his own good” after it was revealed he’s still trying to contact Lady Love. Crock then confiscated all of their phones while repeating that there is only one way for the men to get over Lady Love, and that’s to move on to another transgendered woman. For her part, Lady Love also discouraged the men on Dynamite, when she proposed to Midget Hogan. I’m literally dying for the follow up to that in ULW!
Jesse Hash vs. CM Punk: There’s no doubt about it in my opinion, the best feud in ULW so far has been the feud between Punk and Hash, which dates back to their time in the EWA and PWI. These men have had it out for one another for literal years, and after a stellar match ended in a no contest, it’s safe to say we’ll see these two men in the ring with one another soon. I will say that for as much as I’ve enjoyed this, I am curious about what comes next for both men, as they cannot keep this up forever. Punk has still failed to win a world championship, unbelievably so, and it’s said that AEW was saving him for just that reason when he sat out the season last year. Hash can take the loss and rebound, I’m not sure the same can be said for Punk.
Owen Hart Returns: For the first time in decades, the youngest Hart brother dropped in to the ring, helping the Ladies Man pick up a win in his match with Ricky Starks. As they always say, the money is in the chase, and a loss this way actually helps build sympathy for Starks as a babyface. I’m wondering if they drag this out through the Halloween special, or if the program ends organically sometime before then. Either way, I’m ready for the follow up, and I’m eagerly awaiting Owen’s explanation on why he did what he did.
A Break from the Triad: Anyone else find it curious that a week after I proclaim that Ted Dibiase Sr. to be the real focal point of the company, that we get a break from all three leaders? No Catherine, no Ted Brown, no Dibiase, no Evil, and no Jackie Mouse. I think it is likely that the company is just allowing these stories to breath, but I think what this Monday’s Aggression was missing was one big plot-driven moment from any or all of the above. I commend the company for its presentation so far, cementing themselves as the undisputed number two company, but just like WWE, I think they’re capable of taking that number one spot at any moment with just a few minor tweaks.
That does it for me this week, I’ll be back next week!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 