Friday 31 January 2014

CM Punk has quit WWE

Multiple sources are reporting that CM Punk, one of my current favourite (if not #1) wrestler. When I heard the news, I frantically scoured the Internet hoping for some definite proof that would refute the "rumours". I have since moved past the "denial" phase of loss and moved up to "bargaining".

Maybe he's not gone for good, and Punk and WWE will reconcile in the near future. Maybe it's a story line. And maybe this is what's best for business.

It's no secret that people were furious following Royal Rumble. Although Batista winning the thing was the most predictable result, it was also the most enraging. It meant that WWE didn't care to adjust their plans or give the viewers what they wanted. It meant that Batista, a "part-time" wrestler was getting the big push for the main event of WrestleMania. And for many, it meant that WWE didn't care about its fans.

And that's why, as sad as I am to see CM Punk go, I'm optimistic that his actions will facilitate change--the theme of his original "pipe bomb" promo that propelled him to the top of WWE.

The fans can't do anything but not watch. The problem is there are guys like Punk, and Bryan, and the members of The Shield, who people do want to see, and they're willing to put up with the nonsense and BS to watch those particular wrestlers. And, with a company the size of WWE, something catastrophic would need to happen for there to be a significant dip in viewership.

However, by Punk leaving, he's sending a message. He's saying that, since the fans are apparently helpless to affect the program, he'll do what he can to show the company they're doing something wrong. Others may not follow him out the door, but the WWE can't ignore Punk's behavior. Supposedly, Punk was most upset by the fact that WWE are pushing part-timers like Batista instead of the guys who bust their asses for the company on a daily bases, and I have to say I agree.

In order to make the next legends, the next "part-time" draws for WrestleMania like Rock and Batista, they need to let the  guys they've got now break through that glass ceiling, but WWE seems content to rely on the past.

How can Bryan be a big WrestleMania draw if you keep holding him back?
How can Roman Reigns become the next breakout star unless you let him break out?
WWE needs to answer these obvious questions soon.

Until next time, have a nice day, and don't be a jabroni.

Sunday 26 January 2014

Batista won the Royal Rumble.

Of course.

And the whole crowd booed. Hopefully this will inspire the writers to smarten the hell up.

Friday 24 January 2014

This Sunday, the Royal Rumble is finally here!

As I've mentioned before, the Royal Rumble is my favourite match type, and it's usually my favourite match of the year. Heck, I even named this blog after it. However, this year the entrants leave me somewhat wanting. I have a feeling the match will be a relative disappointment, and I'll explain why.

Batista, who was meant to be a surprise entrant in this year's Royal Rumble, had to be revealed early because a Las Vegas venue spoiled his return. Since he's likely to win it, the surprise would've made his victory much more palatable, but now the match hinges on his performance and results.

Bray Wyatt has a singles match, meaning he probably won't be an entrant--even though the rest of the Wyatt family will be, which is ridiculous. If Bray was in the Rumble, Harper and Rowan could have had a role in protected him, but those guys have no shot at winning it themselves.

Daniel Bryan is in that match with Bray, so he's probably not going to be involved. :(

Brock Lesnar is ALSO in a singles match,  so he's probably not in the Rumble either.

And, finally CM Punk is the #1 entrant, meaning he'll either be eliminated around the midpoint, forcing someone less talented to carry the proceedings, or he'll make it all the way to the end to face off against Batista. It's a predictable result, and in pro wrestling, predictability is poison.

And that's really my prediction for this thing: CM Punk or Batista. I would've said Daniel Bryan, and if he wrestles in two matches on Sunday despite concussion worries, I will say Daniel Bryan, but again, he's in a match already. That's not to say he absolutely cannot be in the Rumble; Dolph Ziggler was an entrant after competing in a singles match in the same night, but...well, I guess we'll see.

Batista has the best chance, given that he was meant to be a surprise. I doubt they'll change their plans based on that spoiler, so I see him winning it, especially with rumours that Punk will be facing Triple H at Wrestlemania. Knowing that, my guess is that Punk and Batista will be the final two competitors. Punk will be on the cusp of victory just before the Authority screws him somehow, allowing Batista to win.

But I hope I'm wrong. If that's how it ends, it'll be too predictable and disappointing for me. Batista isn't who I want to see in the main event at Wrestlemania, and he isn't who I want to see hold the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Sadly, that seems to be where everything is heading. Maybe Brock wins at Elimination Chamber for a Lesnar vs. Batista main event? That might not be a bad consolation match, but that would mean Daniel Bryan wouldn't be in the position he deserves.

Until next time, have a nice day, and don't be a jabroni.

Friday 17 January 2014

WWE Network is finally coming!

On Feb. 24, the long-awaited, long-delayed WWE Network finally arrives...in the US!
Canadians like me will have to wait until the summer or later.

Poo.

There are some nifty features that come with the WWE Network, which the company boasts is the "first 24-hour network of its kind." I'd have to do some research to dispute them, but the content they're promising is pretty impressive.

It will be a subscription based service like Netflix for $9.99 a month, and with that comes access to an archive of every past pay-per-view (and some key shows), pre- and post-shows for regular programs, HD replays of programs, new programming (including another reality show), availability on laptops, smart phones and tablets, and best of all--every new WWE pay-per-view at no additional cost!

That last feature alone is well worth the price.

Normally, a WWE pay-per-view costs about $40, and that's not $40 x 12; there are more than 12 pay-per-views a year. The cost to buy every pay-per-view a year right now: $675! The cost of every pay-per-view with the WWE Network? $120! That is a significant discount. And it makes sense.

WWE pay-per-views sales aren't as strong as they once were, especially since many fans admit to watching streams of the events for free on-line. They're just too expensive, and unless you go to a movie theater to watch them (like I do) or have a viewing party where everyone splits the bill (like I rarely do), you probably don't want to pay $40 to watch a 3-hour program by yourself. (FYI, movie theater tickets are about $15, and it's like one big viewing party sometimes. It's the one time I don't mind people talking in the theater -- especially when people start chants!)

However, having checked out some of these free streams, the quality is often very poor and sometimes the streams flat-out crash in the middle of a show. This generous discount through the WWE Network should hopefully encourage people to PAY for their pay-per-views. That way, the WWE can get paid for the entertainment they're providing (the best matches/match-ups are always saved for pay-per-views), and WWE fans can get HD pay-per-views for 25 per cent the usual cost. As my Public Relation instructor often says, "it's a win-win" (right after he says never to say that).

In any case, I know I'll be subscribing to the WWE Network the moment it's available in Canada.

Until next time, have a nice day, and don't be a jabroni.

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Daniel Wyatt

This week, Daniel Bryan -- er, Wyatt had his first match as a member of the Wyatt Family.

That's right. I may have failed to mention this, but Daniel recently surrendered to Bray Wyatt and joined his sheepish cult of bearded, backwoods alligator wrestlers. Apparently, he did this because he was tired of them beating him up -- but his true motive could've been anything. Maybe he wants to increase his odds in the Royal Rumble (my favourite match type) by having 3 powerful allies, or he means to destroy the Wyatts from the inside. Or maybe the authority, the real life authority, wants Daniel Bryan out of the title picture heading into Wrestlmania, so they're keeping him occupied.

But I could speculate all day -- and I will.

Daniel's match this Monday on RAW was clearly meant to keep his involvement with the Wyatts vague. There were frequent tags, preventing Daniel from getting too great a pop from the crowd. No hot tag, no hype -- he was simply on the Wyatts' team. This works, since it  makes Daniel's role somewhat mysterious, and it seems to be leading to a bigger payoff down the road.

The Wyatts lost due to miscommunication, leading Daniel to demand that they (Luke Harper and Eric Rowan) let him contribute. As they should -- Daniel is by far the single strongest Wyatt Family member now. The segment led to the announcement of Daniel teaming with Bray Wyatt next week -- and I imagine this is when the storyline will really start to unfold. This story could go in many different directions, and I believe the planned direction will be a bit more defined next week.

I still think Daniel has a good shot at winning the Royal Rumble. Cena or Orton will come out of Royal Rumble the champion, and it makes sense for Daniel to fight either one of them at Wrestlemania. If not for the new Wyatt angle, I'd say his victory is assured, but now I'm not 100% sure. Batista is returning for the Rumble, a surprise that was supposed to be...well, a surprise, until the info got leaked. Shaemus may return, and that's not to mention any other big superstars that usually appear around this time, like The Rock and Brock Lesnar. And THAT'S not to mention other contenders for the main event of Wrestlemania, such as CM Punk.

In any case, I can't wait for the Royal Rumble. I look forward to it every year, what with the Superstars getting their order numbers, and the surprise comebacks, and the unforgettable moments -- and the confirmation of Wrestlemania's main event. The road to Wrestlemania is long -- roughly 3 months of hype -- but this is when WWE produces its best content. Should be fun.

Until next time, have a nice day, and don't be a jabroni.