Forbidden is the Promised Land

WWE's annual Royal Rumble pay per view is scheduled for January 26, 2014, giving a little more than a month to combine superstars from all over the WWE roster, and allow for some surprise entrants such as Booker T, Road Dogg, Big Daddy Cool Diesel, and others to name a few.

The Icon

This is also the same time of year where rumors are started about the legendary Icon, Sting, to jump ship from TNA to WWE's own ragtag group of misfits, solidify his career within four months with a defining moment at Wrestlemania, take his payout, and retire. Questions that circle around touch many different subjects, such as who does Sting face? When will he return? Will he be just a wrestler?

At this point, who knows. However, Sting currently is the oldest active wrestler between both rosters at 54, and the next oldest "active" wrestler is the Undertaker at 48, who at this point in time, isn't really active anymore (the oldest recurring "active" superstar for this statement to be legitimate would be Kurt Angle at 45). And therein lies the rumors--will Sting and Undertaker, the oldest remaining dogs in wrestling, battle it out at Wrestlemania 30? Or will Sting remain in TNA and retire?

These questions branch out to even more theories and oddball suggestions within the IWC. But my main question is, does Sting really want to venture into the wrestling Promised Land after twelve years of his original NWA/WCW home of fourteen years? Think about it... if Sting is given just four months to cement a legacy in the WWE after his expansive twenty-six year wrestling history, what could he possibly do to outshine all of it in that time frame? Is it even possible? Sensible critics say that the only way the Stinger can even equal all of this is by going toe-to-toe with the Phenom and defeating him on his own stage--in his own yard.

Would Sting come back and Beat the Streak?

Yes... that's right. Beating the Streak.

Granted, Sting doesn't need the rub. He doesn't need to be glorified to the extent of what a much younger superstar would benefit by putting down the biggest prize in all of the WWE. But who would benefit, rightly so?

One of the newer superstars? Someone in his mid-to-late twenties/early thirties to take down a man nearly twice his age and a fraction of his schedule? Disrespectful. Granted, a then-24 year old Randy Orton took on the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 21, but Undertaker himself was 38, in much better shape and actively wrestling then. Would have been a great birthday present for Orton to Beat the Streak (recently passed on April 1, 2005), but Orton became tally 13. Undertaker hasn't been in the best of shape, seen at Wrestlemania 29 against CM Punk. Triple H and Shawn Michaels did a number on the Undertaker in the years beforehand, and it shows. For the past ten years (save for Orton, and CM Punk), Undertaker has been pitted against opponents close to him in age.

John Cena? There have been talks about Cena facing the Undertaker for a while now, and has possibly been penned in for such a match, but does Cena need the rub from being in the match? Highly doubtful. John Cena has his own star power, and should be far away from anything Taker related.

Someone he's faced before? No. Frankly, Shawn Michaels was the only thing I could enjoy back to back

Would this possibly be the future for Sting as WWE Champion?

because the story behind it was legendary. Shawn Michaels WAS Mr. Wrestlemania, and Undertaker stood in the way of ultimate Wrestlemania history. Triple H (now a corporate big wig) placed himself in the Phenom's path three times in the past, and just needs to step away from the limelight. And what about our current WWE World Heavyweight champion? Randy Orton can be a surefire back up in case plans fall through, but it isn't necessary. CM Punk himself doesn't need another Taker feud, and everyone else on down the path of being his victims have become too old to make some relevancy.

Now before I get ahead of myself, if and only if Sting returns to the WWE, he needs to face the Undertaker. It needs to be booked for any sort of relevancy. IF it happens. Why? The WCW Icon who has never set foot in WWE territory facing the promotion's very own legend. Similar to an invasion angle, but this time, it's to settle the all-time question.

Of course, Vince McMahon won't let something from WCW beat him. Too proud. And quite honestly, I don't think Undertaker would job to Sting. But it would make for one hell of a storyline to entice Sting back. A WCW legend that never stepped foot in the WWE for over 26 years, comes to Vince's Promised Land, and beats the streak of WWE's own tailor made. It would be a huge slap in the face of the company, storyline intended, and if pitched the idea, I would guess Sting would no doubt go for it.

But that would be the only way Sting would be relevant in the WWE, and make something within a four month timeframe.

Now, this is all opinion on if Sting came to the WWE. My personal opinion?

Don't step one toe in the WWE. Retire as the only superstar that didn't need the machine. Make it to where

Is The Phenomenal One, AJ Styles
reaching out to the WWE?

the machine needed him. That's the biggest slap in the face of all. Speaking of, AJ Styles could benefit from not reaching out to the WWE. He has made an impact (in IMPACT! Ban pun, I know) outside of the WWE, and he doesn't need to join their ranks. Styles would be a "flash in the pan" superstar, and then minimized to the mid-card after a solid run.

I will reiterate; Sting is the oldest active wrestler to date; even Ric Flair himself "retired" from the WWE at 59, and Ric Flair had little steam left in him at that point. Sting has had an illustrious career outside of the WWE, and doesn't need a short term contract to possibly end his career on a high note. On top of that, Sting himself has expressed that he declined a contract from the WWE back in 2001 because he saw Booker T treated as a nobody by the Rock. Times have changed, of course, but would Sting be treated as a superstar? Or would he be buried by Taker, Cena, Orton, or even a rookie?

Today, World Wrestling Entertainment mass-produces and churns out superstars by the dozen. But before all this, there were several different promotions that people have made a name for themselves, and are synonymous with that company. There isn't a competitive domestic ship to jump from WWE, as TNA is much lower on the food chain than the corporate wrestling giant. However, the originals that stick with their company, who are loyalists and make a name for themselves create their own legacy and refuse to have a company defecate on their pride.

Sting is one of these superstars. AJ Styles can be another.

I would much rather Sting finish and hang his boots up in TNA. Accept an invitation to the WWE Hall Of Fame (since WCW and all rights are owned by WWE, I'd understand that), but never wrestle there. Sting's legacy has already tested the length of time. And his legacy should be known forever as the established Superstar who never wrestled for the WWE.

Thanks for reading, everyone! Stay tuned for more from The Wrestling Spectator, and follow us on Facebook!!

TLC 2013 Breakdown

Hello wrestling fans! It's been quite some time from my last article, but now I am ready, and back in action! Today, I will be reviewing the upcoming WWE pay per view "TLC". The main focus on this PPV is the unification of the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship once again, an event recreated from Vengeance 2001 with Chris Jericho becoming the first ever Undisputed WWE Champion by defeating then-World Heavyweight Champion The Rock, and then-WWE Champion Steve Austin.

We will have a new Unified Champion in the WWE, but who?

Dolph Ziggler vs. Fandango

I've noticed a lot of these "kick-off" shows that have former established superstars before the actual event. This sounds a lot like Sunday Night Heat in a way, but Heat was intended to start fresh wrestlers, not established main eventers. Both of these men have headlined Wrestlemania at one time or another, and now they're at the bottom rung of a PPV? Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course, but with the high amount of diluted WWE programming is absurd. Simplicity is a key factor. WWE has their hands in so many cookie jars for advertising and marketing that it's unnecessary and bores the general public.

I'll get off my soap box, but this is a debate for another day.

Fandango and Ziggler shouldn't be this low on the card. It's outstanding to see them on the card at all, considering TLC 2013 is saturated with cheap bread, condiments, joined with a thin slice of cheese. No meat, all filler. In any event, this is the "kick-off" match to get things started for the PPV and liven up the crowd. Ziggler has been on a losing streak for four months ever since his break up with AJ (she goes up, he goes down) with the various mid-card championship chases. The guy can't catch a break, and now he's been delegated to face off against Fandango. I consider Fandango to be part of the "was promsing-less serious" aspects of wrestling--the Wade Barretts, Tensais, David Otungas... wrestlers that were destined for something great so long ago and part of what has been swept under the rug. Tensai(Albert) was scripted to to come back and demolish John Cena...

...never happened.

I can't tell who's going to win this one. Since Dolph is in a funk, and Fandango is on a similar path (spotted wins here and there), it'll be tough to decide. Frankly, I'm in high regard for Ziggler to make a win out of this one and get himself back in the title chase, and get away from wrestlers who have nothing going for them outside of your typical comedy act.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler

Diva's Championship: AJ Lee(c) vs. Natalya

The Diva's division has slowly built itself up (and by slowly, I mean at a snail's pace) through the past few months, but I still can't help to use a bathroom break each time a cat fight breaks out on WWE TV. The Diva's division within the WWE hasn't turned a profit since the days of Lita and Trish Stratus, and even then, it wasn't a comparable dime to profit with...

...until Total Divas. The WWE-based reality show goes behind the scenes of half of the Diva division into their personal lives, and somewhat branches off into other superstars' lives as well (cue in John Cena and Daniel Bryan for starters). This employed idea ALONE grasps hundreds of people's attention because there is that hidden magic that no one sees outside of the typical WWE programming; what happens outside of RAW and Smackdown? This is, in my personal opinion, what is driving the vast majority to this show. It has been bumping the Diva's division little by little because of the outside exposure, but within the ring... I still see nothing that holds together any interest. All I see is a bunch of older high school girls squaking about their differences with a freshman who thinks she's Queen Bee.

Nonetheless, I think AJ Lee and the Diva's Championship has run its course. If WWE had maintained the power couple between her and Dolph Ziggler as World Heavyweight Champion, she may have more relevance and impact on the Diva's division. However, the WWE decided to go a different direction with Ziggles. It is time that we have a face Diva's champion, and with Natalya only having a little more than a one time, two month reign, it should be her chance to shine. Not only that, I hope by putting the title on Natalya, it will pull her away from that ridiculous clown disaster team of Hornswoggle and Khali.

Prediction: Natalya Neidhart

WWE Tag Team Championship; Fatal 4-Way Match: Goldust & Cody Rhodes(c) vs. Rey Mysterio & Big Show vs. Ryback & Curtis Axel vs. The Real Americans

A last minute championship addition to TLC 2013, this match has eight star powerhouses, and with so many egos clashing in one squared circle, it'll be a chaotic mess. An awesome chaotic mess. The tag division, in my personal opinion, has flourished into something much better from the past few years. Not as good as in the 90s, but definitely watchable. This is another match (outside of the main event) that I would definitely be tuning in to watch. Anything that I have watched within the past few months that have to do with the Rhodes brothers has made WWE that much more to stomach.

However...

Goldust has been lobbying for a Brother vs. Brother match before his return to the WWE. Is this still the Wrestlemania intent? Will there be any turn against one another at TLC? This should be playing in the back of every one's mind at the end of TLC. Then again, Cody and Goldust have been working very well together, and Goldust himself is in the best shape of his career and he fits in the tag team picture with his brother. Personally, I would absolutely hate this tag team to break up as it is a huge staple in the current development, but I think that it would put asses in seats. Some seats. A typical sibling rivalry, escalated in the ring over years of neglect from the American Dream.

Just an idea. I could be wrong.

Going down to the Big Show and Rey Mysterio, these two were frequently pitted against each other in tag matches and singles matches, even stemming to a "David vs. Goliath" match from a Big Show elimination at Survivor Series '05. So, by my research, this will be the first time that these two team up. Storyline wise, these two have been at it for quite some time, and now finally decide to team up for a quick tag team bout. I've seen much more weird things (the Rock 'N' Sock connection to be one of them).

The team of Ryback and Curtis Axel, I think, is a strong team, rebirthed as Paul Heyman "rejects". Not necessarily rejects in the sense that they may be quite a formidable tag team, and could dominate the division like the Rhodes have. I see big things in the future of these two superstars in 2014 if they stay relevant, and stay heels. Ryback and Axel can be like the school yard bullies starting trouble in the WWE Universe. I wouldn't mind to see these two as tag champs and pull off a nice little run, but we shall see.

The Real Americans I just cannot take seriously. Swagger has become a lame duck, and Colter is just a supporting comedic crutch. Cesaro is being pulled down in this whole comedy act, and has potential to be a part of something bigger. The Intercontinental Championship will become similar in prestige of the World Heavyweight Title, and much more individuals will be gunning after Langston (or future title holders), aching to bridge the gap between being an IC champion to the WWE Championship. And Cesaro should be part of that elite group. He's the only thing that keeps me interested in the Real Americans (that Cesaro Swing is killer, by the way), but as a group, it's just another wrestling faux pas that I get up and get a sandwich.

Prediction: It'll be a hard one, as usual with four way matches, and even more with tag teams. I'm going with the champs to retain.

Rhodes & Goldust: 70%
Ryback & Axel: 50%
Big Show & Mysterio: 40%
Real Americans: 20%

Intercontinental Championship: Big E Langston(c) vs. Damien Sandow

I liked the idea behind Cody Rhodes bringing back the "prestige" to the Intercontinental Championship (as all heels say that they will do sometime during their reign) and showcased the white IC title. However, I don't think that it fits well with Langston (or Curtis Axel, or any modern day champion). I am glad that Axel is no longer in the picture, and has made somewhat of a good tag team with Ryback (as "former" Heyman guys). With a little more fine-tuning, I'm pretty sure that Ryback and Axel would make for decent tag champs. But enough about what isn't to be. Axel is gone, and now WWE has pitted Langston against the "Savior of the Masses", Damien Sandow in a quick turn of events for the IC title. Langston is such a big guy, that I highly doubt Sandow will be able to knock him down off his championship run, and I see Langston as a credible Intercontinental title holder, and with being such, could be launched into the title picture. The upper card should be composed of very strong mid-card titles holder, and if Langston can hold his own, he'll be able to maintain a top spot in the WWE. It would be entertaining to see an Intercontinental Champion VS a WWE Champion match.

With that being said, and with John Cena having internal backing on the Big E, Langston will continue to hold the IC title for a long time, and dominate the mid-card.

Prediction: Big E Langston

CM Punk vs. The Shield (3-on-1 Handicap Match)

There is no reason that this match up should have even been booked. I understand the whole plot issue with both faces being punished, but between CM Punk and Bryan, it isn't needed. Honestly, this should have been a 2-on-3 handicap match for the Tag Team titles with Punk/Bryan and the Shield, continuing the IWC indy gloryfest storyline with Punk and Bryan since both superstars have been buried to mid-card players. As the 3-on-1 handicap went with the Big Show a few weeks ago, I don't see CM Punk tallying a win without some sort of outside interference from Bryan.

On the flip side of this match, the Shield have nothing better to do than to do Triple H's dirty work. As rumors have been floating around on the IWC, this is going to set up a future feud between Punk and Triple H, to which we will possibly see a continuation of the feud from Night of Champions '11. This also serves to be a temporary fix for the Shield to keep themselves relevant until their next task from the C.O.O.

Punk won't walk away from this one clean.

Prediction: The Shield

Daniel Bryan vs. The Wyatt Family (3-on-1 Handicap Match)

Another match up that really isn't necessary, but this one has a bit of build up and story behind it. It keeps Daniel Bryan busy until his "fair" WWE Championship rematch in 2014, and it builds the Wyatt Family up to be credible. Bray Wyatt, with the transformation from Husky Harris, has made something of himself as that creepy and sadistic persona--it's something that works for him, and it isn't too far out, or too cartoony. This is someone that could possibly be in the bayous of Louisiana in a horror flick.

Kidnapping aside, I think that Bryan will be "following the buzzards" after a nasty beat down and disappear for a while as what happened with Kane. Then again, Kane came back as a corporate big-wig, totally out of left field. Bryan will get the loss and disappear for a few weeks to allow a small program for Cena to develop (possibly a rematch clause from Orton) and squash real soon just in time for Bryan's return.

Prediction: The Wyatt Family  

WWE Unification Match: World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs. WWE Champion Randy Orton (Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match)

What this PPV is all about. The ONLY match that people will be paying for, if they pay for this PPV at all. WWE is touting this to be a historic match eleven years in the making (Vengeance 2001). And no where in the TLC page describes anything about the original WWE/WHC Championship match... as if it never happened. There hasn't been any other mention of it even on television, Which is truly disappointing to say the least, because at Vengeance 2001 was a turning point in WWE's own history to finally unify the defunct WCW with the WWE.

This time around, the WWE is in need of one champion, one great individual that can be the target of the entire federation. With the brand split finally at an end, WWE feels that there isn't a need for two champions, as Cena and Orton respectively have shown up at both shows over the past few weeks, and this is simply to create and setup the next few months of programming and make it easier upon the writers.

This small feud started when John Cena began speaking in cahoots with The Authority (Triple H and Stephanie McMahon) and suggested that there be only one champion on November 25, sparking Randy Orton to lose what composure he had. Jumping to a small conclusion, Cena just wants to be WWE Champion again and to do away with the ridiculousness of the WHC title, but that's just my thoughts running through my head. The Authority thought of that to be a great idea (storyline wise anyway), and now at TLC, there will be a newly crowned WWE Unified Champion.

Between the two, John Cena and Randy Orton have had a long and storied clash since early 2004 (even before that in OVW), a lot of bad blood, and this will be a shining moment with both individuals, and will open up new possibilities and more feuds similar to that before the WCW/WWE Invasion storylines.

All in all, Cena will undoubtedly be the new WWE Unified Champion, and the "Face of the WWE". There were talks roughly ten days ago that there wouldn't be a crowned champion at TLC (pushing the storyline for the Unification out until Wrestlemania 30), but for simplicities sake, one champion is all is needed...

... for the time being. Needless to say, I feel that the TLC Unified WWE Championship match was a bit rushed, and that WWE Creative is struggling to put something together in a short amount of time. Deadlines change all the time, but the idea stays the same--At TLC, one man is walking away with two titles.

Prediction: John Cena


With a continuing thought, with no brand split and one WWE champion, I am interested to see usage of the United States Championship like the European Championship was back in the late 90s. Digging up some past archives during the Monday Night Wars, the only championships that were around at that point in time were the WWF Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, the European Championship, the WWF Tag Team championships, the Light Heavyweight Championship, and the Hardcore Championship. With the current set up, all the WWE is missing is the LHC, and the Hardcore championship, and since the WWE needs to stay PG oriented and has a new slew of cruiserweights in the roster, this would be the perfect opportunity to bring back the Cruiserweight title, and have those superstars still relevant. It creates a mix and variety of action (instead of having bruisers lumbering about for WWE title shots), and allows the WWE product to stay fresh and maintain interest in not only the flagship show of RAW, but the fast actioned pace of Smackdown... on how it used to be.

Thanks for reading! And see you at TLC!

Heat and Water

As I was beginning my musings on the upcoming TLC pay per view blog, I took a stand on my soap box and began a rant regarding the diluted programming of today's WWE and yester-years WWF programming. What was successful back then that could be used in today's era?

Understandably, if it isn't broken, don't fix it. But considering that there is so much advertising and marketing for the WWE right now, and with so many different programs that saturate our televisions at home, who can honestly keep track? WWE RAW; Smackdown; Main Event; Superstars; WWE NXT; AM RAW; and Total Divas, along with alternative programming overseas, such as Bottom Line, Afterburn, Vintage Collection, Experience, This Week in WWE, and Free For All. A total of thirteen programs, and where Germany and Austria show nine out of these thirteen! This total infiltration of WWE/TV is unnecessary and superficial, and not only does it pollute the airwaves, I would be hard pressed to think that this is also watering down what ratings RAW and Smackdown should be getting.

Case in point; from what I remember, about the time of the brand split, there was RAW, and Smackdown as your major shows. Then ECW/WWE (which was a poor rendition of what it should have been), Heat and Velocity. I'm not going to work with ECW as it was a rebirth disgrace that was beaten into the ground as a minor "C" show, but I will focus on Heat and Velocity for this blog.

A Velocity Moment Brought to you by Billy Gunn
and Mark Jindrak (07/17/2004)

At the point in time with a brand split, Heat and Velocity worked in tandem with their major counterparts, and allowed the lower mid-card some viable TV time, and even allowed new stars to come up from the rankings of OVW and FCW to showcase talent on TV. It was a minor pollution, and it kept the roster relevant. Heat and Velocity also allowed a handful of Cruiserweights to develop, even having a Velocity Cruiserweight Championship battle royal at one point in October 2005.

A battle royal of cruiserweights. I don't think there are even enough cruiserweights in the WWE to have enough for a battle royal.

The Olympic Gold Medalist makes his WWF Debut
on WWF Heat!

With the inception of the WWE Network, I can see the use of all this programming (plus tons more) allowed on a channel that displays 24/7 WWE wrestling. However, there has been rumor of the WWE network to be a premium channel. For those who aren't vastly rich or do not want to fork out a monthly fee for the service of the WWE Network, regular WWE TV should be limited to the two "A" shows within the week, a "C" show allowing nothing above mid card, and a recap of the week.

WWE Monday Night RAW.
WWE Friday Night Smackdown.
WWE Sunday Night NXT.
And Saturday Morning Slam.

Grand Master Sexay and Steve Blackman working together
on Heat. Mid-card talent used the right way on the
right show.

Whatever is left over should be designated to the WWE Network. Saturate that channel with all of the overflow for the hardcore and the nostalgic. And keep national TV simple. As there isn't a brand split any longer, and after Sunday's TLC pay per view, the WWE Champion can float over both shows, and be a target across the board. The Intercontinental title can stay specifically to RAW and be a top tier title defended solely on RAW, and the same idea goes for the US Championship for Smackdown. NXT should be influenced strictly by the rookies, lower mid-card, and cruiserweights, and can be the "kick-off" before a pay per view; and Saturday Morning Slam can have a continuation of NXT talent and a week's recap over one hour for those who missed all week (because the IWC doesn't have recaps and dirtsheets), or need a summary on a Saturday Morning.

This way, things stay simple, and WWE Creative could churn out much better storylines and programming on free TV. Just a thought, McMahon. I want to see the WWE product succeed just as much as the next fan, and this is why I take a few hours of my time, research, and write such compelling information with a non-profit stance. I bet anything TNA could take this same approach, SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THE NORM, and be a successful contender. But I don't see that happening. Not with the current management. Talent is there, mindset isn't.

Either way, this is my short rant before Sunday rears its head and presents to us a rushed and shameful product. But you'll get to hear that on Saturday. Take care, Spectators, and I will see you soon!