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SmackDown 12/25/18: Christmas Day Is Rusev Day

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Rusev Day WWE

I know I am stealing the title from this blog once again, but Christmas Day was indeed Rusev Day as the Bulgarian Brute beat Shinsuke Nakamura to capture the United States Championship once again on SmackDown Live.

The move gives the fan favorite another opportunity to climb WWE’s invisible ladder as a babyface with the ultra hot Lana by his side. Will this lead to another shot at the WWE Title or will this cement the big man as a mid-card champion that fans have grown to love with one of the best gimmicks the company has been able to build in recent years?

WWE has a chance to finally get Rusev’s character right. For the past few years, he has waited in purgatory – a place professional wrestlers avoid at all costs. The “Rusev Day” gimmick, with his wife and Aiden English by his side, was effective, but it wasn’t cashing in on company gold. For his size, strength, and ability to play the foreign sympathizer role, the creative team dropped the ball on what should have been one of the more dominant heels of the 21st century.

Creating the “Rusev Day” gimmick is catchy, adaptable and has had fans ready to cheer on the heel. But like wrestlers before him, his appeal to the masses should have been to draw heat, hate the fanbase and beat every babyface on the company roster. Fan sensibilities dictate heels are loved and babyfaces must do more to get over unless you are A.J. Styles, Daniel Bryan or Seth Rollins.

The closest thing I can think of in comparison to Rusev and his growth as a babyface is the move by the NWA to make Nakita Koloff a babyface overnight in the wake of Magnum T.A.’s career-ending injury. With the help of Dusty Rhodes, the Russian everyone despised won over the hardened 80’s fans. Koloff never won the NWA World Title although he chased Ric Flair on several occasions.

Rusev could very well become the United States Champion several times over and never sniff the top of the mountain in Vince McMahon’s circus.

I liken Rusev to Kevin Owens in terms of a performer who can play the babyface or heel roles and still get the reaction from WWE’s Universe. Owens is a far-better performer and can work well on the mic and in promos. the cutesy angles, the joking during interviews have taken away from Rusev’s strengths. An eventual heel turn with the title in hand will once again prove to be his best move.

How long WWE decides to run with the new champion and his gimmick shouldn’t be too long. Nakamura will get a title rematch. If the company is smart, they will give Rusev his time with company gold to see where it takes both superstar and company.

But for now, Rusev Day is alive and well and will make the New Year his chance to prove he can shine once again.

 

 

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Opinion

Chris King: Is Brock Lesnar Truly Retired?

Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…

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Brock Lesnar WWE WrestleMania 42 Retirement

Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…

At WrestleMania 42, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar took off his boots and gloves following his loss to Oba Femi. Lesnar has done it all inside of his twenty-four-year career in professional wrestling. He’s a ten-time WWE Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and he’s one who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. 

While Lesnar was in the ring, he was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and crying while he thanked the fans in his own way. The Beast even threw up an x to signal to Paul Heyman, his longtime friend and advocate, that this was not scripted and was real. There had been rumors that Lesnar and Oba were supposed to have a series of matches before everything went down at Mania. 

‘The Career Killer’ Gunther was doing Heyman’s bidding as he faced Seth Rollins for a favor. For a while now since Gunther retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, the rumor has been Gunther was set to retire Lesnar in his hometown at this year’s SummerSlam event. There’s been no confirmation if Lesnar is truly retired, but on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, we saw Heyman talking with General Manager Nick Aldis. Later that night following Rhodes’ match against the debuting Ricky Saints, Gunther choked out the WWE Champion. Could this be the favor from Heyman? 

I know in the world of professional wrestling we live by the mantra of “never say never,” but what if Lesnar is actually retired and this was WWE’s way of shutting down those rumors about Gunther and Lesnar? What if Gunther’s next program is chasing after the WWE title, and where is Randy Orton at in all of these plans? There are so many questions that need to be answered, hopefully soon!

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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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Opinion

Chris King: Defend The Intercontinental Championship At Backlash!

With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!

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Penta WWE Intercontinental Championship WrestleMania 42

With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!

This year’s annual Backlash showcase is only a few days away, and while there are many big matches announced, one that definitely should be isn’t on the card. In my opinion, outside of Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu and Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Championship scene has been stellar over the last month. 

Penta has been an excellent champion, especially after his triumphant title defense in a ladder match against JeVon Evans, Rusev, Dragon Lee, and the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 42. Their ladder match at Mania was one of the best that WWE has produced in a while. 

The momentum never stopped, as on the post-Mania episode of Monday Night Raw, ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page made his debut and was quickly inserted into the Intercontinental title scene. Page had a fantastic showing against his longtime NXT rival Evans and picked up a big win in his debut match thanks to an assist from Rusev. 

All Ego immediately joined forces with ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ Rusev, who was also vying for the Intercontinental Title in his own right. On this week’s episode of Raw, Page and Rusev defeated Evans and Penta. All Ego pinned the champion, making a huge statement and putting him one step closer to getting a title shot. For the past few weeks I’ve been anxiously waiting to see if WWE was going to add this incredible fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship, but it hasn’t happened yet. 

As much as the WWE Universe enjoys witnessing great matches on free television, I truly believe all four superstars deserve the chance to showcase their talents on the PLE. While Penta has done a terrific job as the intercontinental champion, it’s time for a fresh face to hold the prestigious title. Page would make a great braggadocious heel that would help elevate the Intercontinental Championship to new heights!

Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Nefarious Means

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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