Opinion
Scott: How Will WWE Handle Kushida?
Being highly touted from Japan, concerns always arise. Scott tries to predict the future for our favorite little Time Splitter, Kushida!
Being highly touted from Japan, concerns always arise. Scott tries to predict the future for our favorite little Time Splitter, Kushida!
Following his official signing with the company over Mania weekend Kushida made his in ring debut in the main event on this week’s NXT. Following in the tradition of the newest talent going over Kassius Ohno.
While Ohno has a history of being put in this position he’s still an interesting choice for Kushida’s first opponent. As Ohno is larger helped make Kushida look like the underdog and he was capable of using his technical and athletic ability to hold his own. He would pick up the win making the wrestling genius tap out to the Hoverboard Lock.
The fact that he was in the main event and beat a larger opponent by submission is a good start for Kushida in WWE. Despite that there is still some concern about how he will be presented especially once he moves on from NXT.
Given that he is better known as a jr in New Japan winning the jr Heavyweight championship 6 times and the jr tag titles twice alongside Alex Shelly as the Time Splitters . He also won the Best of the Super Juniors twice.
Given this record you could be forgiven for thinking that once he signed he would go straight to 205 Live. Most fans would see this as demotion but I don’t think he would given as he clearly proud to be a junior. He would add a lot of star power to the show given the likes of Ali and Buddy Murphy leaving the brand.
On the other hand it could be that he is ready to wrestle with the heavyweights and didn’t think he would be able to in New Japan. He’s in his mid 30’s just like Nakamura was when he came over so maybe he felt it was a case of now or never.
As seen from his time as the ROH TV champion he could hold his own against heavyweights. I’d love to see him as the North American Champion.
The concern from fans is WWE’s treatment of Japanese wrestlers in the past. Tajiri while fondly remembered by some fans was never allowed to go much further than Cruiserweight or comedy character. Kai En Tai are remembered more from a segment involving Val Venis penis than any matches they had.
Hideo Itami’s run is widely seen as being a disappointment but that’s not entirely WWE’s fault as he was hindered by injuries. Asuka was dominant in NXT but her main roster run has been very stop start so far.
His impressive debut this week, with the fact that he’s kept his name, and Back to the Future gimmick is a good start. Mauro even made references to Back to the Future on commentary. I wonder how it’s going to work with him and Kenny Williams having similar gimmicks.
They’ll have to settle it in a Marty McFly jacket on a poll match. There can be only one.
I’m happy to get to see Kushida get to face a mix of opponents from people his size like Gargano to larger opponents like Keith Lee. His Hoverboard Lock is a finisher that can be used on anyone. I’d love to see him vs Riddle in a battle of submissions as Kushida has an impressive MMA record of 6 wins, 2 draws and 0 loses.
He rarely got a chance to face heavyweights in New Japan. This could be a good chance for him to break new ground, leave the past behind, and move into the future.
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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…
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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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!
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!
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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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