By Nick Whitworth@TheNickWhitworth
We are close to Wrestlemania, Spring is here and I am back with Rant # 19… How sweet is that? I recently got my computer back from the shop and was told the problem wasn’t virus related but the problem was in the left phalange…. Who knew eh? Anyways now that the issue has been resolved it is time to Rant away. Today’s topics are:
– Daniel Bryan’s return
– Mark Cuban
– Wrestlemania 34: What to expect
– Hulk Hogan’s rumored WWE return
– Rusev’s rumored unhappiness in WWE
1: Unless you have been living under a rock, even then you have probably heard, Daniel Bryan has been cleared by WWE to return to in ring activity. So how should WWE proceed?
I have read reports that part of the agreement of Bryan return was he is to be checked out after every match. He will undergo Impact testing and neuropsychological evaluation on the regular. The company is covering their ass here. Having cleared him is one thing but you have to properly watch is health and go over him with a fine comb.
We all know Daniel was extremely vocal about returning and has said if he doesn’t get clearance from WWE he will go elsewhere once is contract is up. So WWE being a business chose to follow what there doctor says about his testing. If cleared they just received the company’s biggest star, if they can’t clear him then the indies just received the biggest star.
Neck injuries, multiple concussions, seizures from the results of concussions, why would anyone risk their health to get back in that ring? I totally understand, Bryan was just peeking with his popularity and the “Yes” movement was taking the world by storm but health is more important. That is why WWE forced him to retire.
You would think with Daniel having a family now that his health would outweigh the need to compete inside the squared circle. With his neck injury alone, you would think that would be enough but add in all the concussions, he is one bad bump away from permanent damage. That would be a shame if something bad happens. We all know accidents can happen but putting everything into the pot, it is just too risky for my liking.
Now that WWE were given the go ahead, how should WWE proceed with Daniel Bryan? Baby steps…. baby steps all the way. The company is smart by putting him with Shane McMahon at Wrestlemania to go against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. It will slowly allow him to test his body and see what he can and can not do.
The company has given a mega star and normally would strap the jet pack on him and let him fly but with this issue we will see his push be very slow and careful. With WWE always getting a bad rap, if this goes south a bad rap would be the least of their problems. The fans will need to be patient and allow the company to work him in slowly. We can start hijacking shows by chanting his name until we get want we want. We need to just be lucky we still have him around.
If and when (might never happen) WWE decides to go all in on Bryan I think they should by this time next year. Have Daniel Bryan win next years Royal Rumble and go on to headline Wrestlemania 35. That gives the company a year to fully understand his health and his body, it gives Daniel the chance to find his rhythm and fine tune his new in ring style and it gives the fans a chance to really get behind the guy. A real slow burn push here with a major cap off would be the best way to tackle Daniel Bryan and his return.
I have been a major fan of Daniel Bryan but I have also been very vocal on this subject. I am a family man just like Daniel and I would never jeopardize my health for work. My wife and my kids mean everything to me and they come first. Money, fame, health, none of that matters but being their for my family is my main priority and that should be his as well. I just really hope this doesn’t come back to bite him in his ass.
2: Who better to take on Vince McMahon then Mark Cuban. Much like Vince, Cuban is a billionaire who is all about making money. Both have the balls to tackle anything they want to but Mark just happens to be richer the Vince which creates a little problem.
Cuban is involved in all kinds of business ventures but his AXS TV is where the potential battle lies. He has brought on New Japan Pro Wrestling to its line up and plays a major part in NJPW’s State side takeover. With New Japan’s increasing popularity Vince has to be a tad bit worried.
Mark and Vince seem to have a great relationship. He has appeared on WWE television and they even had talking about creating their own MMA brand to challenge UFC. They seem like they are long lost brothers or just plain ol’ BFF’s.
Vince needs competition to give his product the boost it needs but I am sure deep down inside he doesn’t want that, especially coming from Cuban. Mark on the other hand has the cahonas big enough to step up and face WWE head on.
The timing is right for both parties, but the timing is perfect for New Japan. Their roster is insanely stacked and their shows are always amazing. They know how to book matches and give the fans what they want. New Japan’s recent jump into the States seemed to be the start of the big rivalry and by having the world’s biggest star, Kenny Omega as the first ever IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion seemed to really set the tone as to what the plan could possibly be.
Maybe Mark just wants to put on good wrestling for his TV channel… But my gut says he wants a challenge. There is so much money to be made off of a WWE/NJPW war it is crazy. With Cuban being money hungry why not dive right in.
Mark, I know you are a fan of mine and my Rants and are reading this….. Please go full on attack on WWE and really spice things up. I will even pass along some of my wisdom for a low fee of 6 figures……
3: Wrestlemania is so close I can taste it… I even have pointed to a Wrestlemania sign once or twice. I for one am super pumped for Mania weekend. Friday to Tuesday seems to be a lot of wrestling to take in but it is the worst time to miss a show.
This year is the first year in about 3-4 years where I am excited for the entire Wrestlemania weekend. The Hall Of Fame line up is perfect, Takeover is stacked and Mania itself is the best card the company has had in awhile. I got goosies just thinking of it.
When all is said and done here is what I think will happen:
– Johnny Gargano/Tommaso Ciampa match will be Match Of The Year. The build to this match has been incredible. It has probably been one of WWE’s better builds in a very long time. The fans are so invested in to this match that there is no way this can disappoint.
Gargano is a mega babyface and Ciampa plays a perfect heel. These 2 create magic and we are all in for a real treat. I think this match will be so good that I wouldn’t be surprised if Vince brings this feud up to the main roster.
– With Lesnar leaving for UFC (Dana White has said he is returning) I have a feeling the fans will finally side with Roman Reigns and rally behind him. I just hope WWE has Reigns put a whooping on Lesnar. Brock is over paid and overrated. This is the time for the fans to get behind Vince’s bestie.
– Win or lose the fans will be talking about Ricochet. This match is his coming out party and seems like it was made for him to really shine. It wont matter the outcome because what he does inside that ring will have the world buzzing and NXT will have their newest mega star.
– Andrade “Cien” Almas along with Zelina Vega will get called up to Raw and be immediately put into the main event scene. Almas is good but the pairing of him and Vega is excellent and was that little missing piece that he needed to really get over. I see big things for the future for these 2.
– Jeff Jarrett ends up being a part of Triple H’s team as Hunter prepares for his WWE Takeover (like how I worded that?).
– Ronda Rousey will impress the wrestling world with what she has learned in such a short period of time. Yes she will be limited and will only showcase her strengths but for her debut to be at Mania…. She has to be catching on fast. I will say before Summerslam she will have turned heel and have aligned with Paul Heyman. Much like Brock Lesnar, Heyman will be the mouth piece while Rousey takes care of business inside the ring.
Overall I think the weekend will be unreal and we all just need to sit back, crack a beer (Ginger Ale for me) and take it all on. It is going to be a fun ride.
4: Hulk Hogan and WWE have this weird relationship but things always tend to work out with Hogan back with the company. Hogan belongs with WWE hands down but he brings a lot of baggage.
Growing up it was Hogan who hooked me into this crazy business. He was that television hero who we all loved and couldn’t wait to see beat up those “bad guys”. As soon as his music hit you knew business just picked up.
We all know his up and down history with the company but WWE without The Hulkster is like peanut butter without the jelly. They just go together. Plain and simple. Just Hogan has had some bad luck, made some hopefully regrettable choices and now WWE is left with a question. Do we continue doing business with Hulk Hogan?
Hogan’s sex tape scandal is an unfortunate one. What people do in their homes is nobody’s business. He trusted the wrong people here. Nowadays privacy doesn’t exist. Cell phones get hacked, people being filmed, it is just wrong. You can say “You shouldn’t have pictures on your phone that are inappropriate”which is wrong to say. It is your phone, do whatever you want to. Send whoever you want to pictures. It is none of our business.
As much as I feel bad for Hogan for this, his racist comments upset me. Here is a guy who I grew up loving saying hateful things. I get it, we say things when we are mad but making derogatory comments takes things to a whole new level.
As much as I believe in seconds chances and people make mistakes, this one is just a tough pill to swallow for me. To say words like that you must feel that way. Saying you are sorry doesn’t cut it. Yes wrestlers have come to his aid and that is great but as we are trying shield the world from the hate that fills it, adding comments to it just knocks us down a few pegs.
Maybe over time Hogan can show the world that this was an honest mistake that meant no harm but for now I truly think WWE should just stay clear from him. They have a nice buzz going surrounding Ronda Rousey, the company doesn’t need any bad press. Maybe instead of spewing racist comments you should just spray “NWO” on their backs and be on your way.
5: Rusev burst unto the WWE scene as a major beast. Some would say a brute. I honestly figured it was only a matter of time until he was holding some major WWE gold. Fast forward a few years and his WWE run has been a tad bit weak.
He has the look that makes you believe he is going to hurt somebody. He should been push like a true monster. He sort of was but then was put into a comedy role which really hurt his character and all his momentum. WWE dropped the ball with this one.
It is never too late to get behind a star again, even after weak booking. It just takes time, hard work and patience. Rusev seemed to be getting back to the “old” Rusev and I was hoping for that push he should of already received. WWE even switched gears on Lana and her character. She played a big role in getting Rusev over yet they also went a different route with her character.
Rusev’s odd pairing with Aiden English. English was in the same bout as Rusev and was getting lost in the shuffle when out of nowhere the duo started getting over with the audience. “Rusev Day” was their golden ticket and all of a sudden Rusev became one of the company’s biggest stars. He became the number 1 merchandise seller and was getting massive pops from the crowds in every town he was in. Rusev was red hot.
Then just like WWE tends to do, they didn’t take advantage of this and it once again was damaging to the Rusev character. I still shake my head over the fact that a wrestler is that hot and the company did squat with him. I figured it was only a matter of time before we hear that Rusev has quit. Actually I am surprised it hasn’t happened already.
Then…. Then, I recently read he actually requested his release. He was unhappy and wanted out. Can you blame him? So, somehow someway WWE did damage control and took him out of the Andre The Giant Battle Royal at Wrestlemania and added him to the United States Championship match. He deserves more then this and hopefully he doesn’t accept this role much like Dolph Ziggler.
Honestly, it is only a matter of time before Rusev does leave unless he wins the Money In The Bank briefcase (Vince, I didn’t give away any spoilers, I pinky swear). If he doesn’t get that monster push he deserves ASAP, I see him walking very soon. Maybe I will put out some Nick Day shirts on WWE Shop and see how well they sell…..Top seller for sure.
Bed is screaming my name for some late night snuggles. Oh, quick question for ya… How long does the terrible two’s last? Just my sister is 40 and still going through them….. And there goes my holiday invites… That’s all for this Rant as I have to tend to this email from a fan saying he wrote me but I still ain’t callin’ and that he left his cell, his pager and his home phone at the bottom… I must not have got em’.. The joys of being Rant famous….
