@RoxBlackburn
Is it possible to watch too much wrestling? I feel like all I’ve done for the last 10 days is watch wrestling and I love it. From NXT Takeover: New York, to the WWE Hall of Fame, Wrestlemania, Raw and Smackdown I feel like I’ve been trapped in a WWE bubble, the bump back to reality on Wednesday sent me into a post ‘Mania funk. Anyone else feeling it too?
I think the rest of my PWJ colleagues have gone into hibernation this week, all except for Liam, who’s off running the Brighton Marathon. Everyone worked tirelessly and around the clock to bring you the absolute best of the action from across as many promotions as possible this week, we truly hope you enjoyed the content we produced. As everyone is recuperating, this week ‘’My Week’, is just me.
The most interesting things about the Wrestlemania weekend are not always the events that unfold in the ring but the stories you hear from the outside. I read that Kevin Owen’s driver took him to the wrong place and he missed his appearance at Axxess. I also heard AJ Styles was pulled from his Axxess appearance and sent home after Wrestlemania with an injury. And Dash Wilder upcutting that guy who attacked Bret Hart at the Hall of Fame.
Together we’ve learned that Charlotte is dating Almas and Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins are a thing. Did you see the pictures of them attending a concert together? Cute as hell! The reason I mention these things is because throughout the twists and turns and euphoria of this week, you have to remember there are real people behind it. To go off track a little bit, a few years ago at a Supernatural convention, Jensen Ackles became quite emotional when discussing the hate his wife receives online, just because she’s his wife. One fan turned to him and said, “The people who hate on her are not your fans, your fans want you to be happy and if you love here, we love her” (or words to that effect). The reason I bring this up is because these guys and girls deserve to be happy, especially given the fact they are on the road 300 days a year. So, if you can’t be nice about their personal lives and their personal choices, just be quiet, nobody wants to hear your hate.
The biggest shock in terms of the results over Wrestlemania weekend were Seth Rollins winning the Universal Championship. I didn’t think it would happen. I’ve heard rumors about Lesnar being unhappy with his position on the card and insisted he went on first, but I’m not sure how true that is. Matt and Jeff Hardy won the Smackdown Live tag Team Championships, which left us all wondering why they couldn’t have had that moment at ‘Mania. I believe the reason for this is that WWE always has an eye towards the future and movement of the Smackdown and Raw tag teams is very likely in the Superstar Shake-up, which is due to take place tomorrow.
I can’t help but feel like the post ‘Mania Raw and Smackdown weren’t as intense as previous years. Unfortunately, Sami Zayn’s return wasn’t met with hype I would have expected. The Undertaker, I hate to say it, is there for his yearly paycheck and the predictability of Lacey Evans squaring up to Becky Lynch, just left me feeling a bit…underwhelmed. I also wonder if it’s because in those moments following ‘Mania, I was so elated. I felt like WWE had gotten everything right for once but of course, we’re never happy and yes, there should be a dip and a lull as we build towards the next climatic storylines.
In 2 weeks, I’ll be attending the UK wrestling convention, For The Love Of Wrestling, where The Undertaker will be making his first UK convention appearance. Interestingly he has recently signed a new deal with WWE and his Q&A session has been pulled from the event. Photo’s and Autographs with very little room for interaction. This is very WWE as they pretty much only permit interactions with their superstars at WWE sanctioned events. Yes, on one hand, they are employees of that company and I can understand the requirement for exclusivity. On the other hand, how massively frustrating it is as fans. Many feel WWE keeps such a tight rein on them, it makes the chances of meeting your favorites very slim. I guess I best start saving for a future Wrestlemania Axxess!!
The injuries list seems to have grown this week too. Nia Jax, Big E, Ronda Rousey, not to mention Ciampa (how heart warming to see him come out at the end of Takeover and whatever maybe wrong with AJ Styles. This leaves some pretty gaping holes across WWE and puts immense pressure on those returning from injury to fill those gaps and fill them quickly. The shake-up should level the playing field a little, which in turn could mean those who are having to take time off now, have a harder time fitting back in when they are recovered and healed. We wish them well, of course, in their recovery.
What do we all think of the Sasha Banks situation? I know it’s mostly conjecture but the more you read about the situation, the more believable it seems. Banks of late hasn’t been herself, in fact there are times where I’ve felt like she’s been ‘dialing it in’ more through frustration than anything else. She’s not the only one who’s mouth has got them in trouble over the years, but this time, has she gone too far or are WWE being harsh? Please share your thoughts around her supposedly asking for her release after losing the Women’s Tag Team Championship at Wrestlemania.
Stayed tuned to @KayfabeToday for the fall out from the Superstar Shake-up and be sure to check out our latest recruitment ad. We’d love to hear from you. #TheRoxSays PWJ needs you!!
Rox
