Time For Shayna Baszler To Trade UFC Octagon For WWE Ring?

Is it time for Shayna Baszler to make her way to the WWE after getting TKOed in her fight with Bethe Correia. This was Baszler’s long awaited UFC debut after having fights cancelled on a couple occasions. Baszler was on the Ultimate Fighter on "Team Rousey" and lost to the eventual winner of the show Julianna Pena. That was the bad news for Baszler, but the good news was the friendship she formed with Ronda Rousey and joining up with her to train together. Baszler brought her love and passion for the WWE to Ronda Rousey’s house and this led to Ronda becoming a bigger fan of WWE and creating the four horsewomen.

Josh Barnett who has both fought in MMA and in a pro wrestling ring has trained Baszler for years. Baszler has been in videos with Ronda Rousey with the two working a pro wrestling match. Recently the WWE had the four horsewomen at Summerslam and rolled out the red carpet for the UFC’s Women’s Bantamweight Champion and her fellow four horsewomen Baszler included. Baszler herself talked about that experience being something she will never forget and said something to effect that a 10-year-old version of her would have thought the current her was pretty cool.


In addition, Baszler has had some training sessions with Natalya from the WWE which rumours are one might be featured on Total Divas this upcoming season. It seems all of the WWE have been fans of Ronda and the Horsewomen and while the WWE has no chance at getting Rousey in their ring anytime soon. Baszler on the other hand likely could have a credible match in a WWE ring tomorrow if need be. You can argue that she has done as much as she can in MMA and is never going to be any real threat at a title.

She took a wicked beating the second round of her fight last night, after most feeling, she won the first round. It makes some sense for her to take a shot at the WWE now and see what she can do their while that option is still open to her one would have to assume. She knows wrestling inside and out and is a historian of the product. She has shown she has tons of charisma being along side Rousey.

You already have her first feud written for you being the Queen of Spades why not set up a battle with the Queen of Harts in Natalya. That would have the makings of a women’s wrestling match the likes of which we have never seen potentially.

Will see if Baszler decided to stick with UFC and MMA but for my money, her next match should take place in a ring not an octagon. She is a firecracker and could easily be in position to be a challenger for someone for the Diva’s title or even work against Stephanie at Wrestlemania 31. Is all of this crazy dreaming talk? Perhaps, but Baszler would be wise to consider the option given the way her last two fights have come out.In addition while she still has the ability to have some interest from the WWE. Even if it as pawn in a slightly larger plan to get Ronda to be a part of the company down the road. Baszler realistically would be the easiest to transition straight to wrestling as she already is somewhat trained in it.

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

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Condo on the Moon Podcast 25

When this started I was a basketball guy who happened to be a wrestling fan that had decided to change what I cover and turned my attention to covering wrestling. Chris Walder was willing to come along on this crazy ride with me. 25 shows in we have had on some wrestling champions, a 20 year plus employee of the WWE and some great wrestling journalists. All of this along with myself and Chris offering are opinions too. So let's crank it up and look back at Summerslam along with latest with TNA and ROH this week.



If you have been with us from the start I really on behalf of myself and Chris thank you for listening. I would ask you to spread the word so we can grow our audience and have more loyal great listeners like you. If your new to our show thanks as well and go check out our past shows we think you'll enjoy them. Will be back to do it all again next week.

If you can't listen via our website to the podcast head over to our podcast hosts Podomatic and listen there. 

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

If you have questions/comments for our NEW Weekly Google+ Show Live Thursday's 7:30 pm EST use hashtag #AskMachoMoon. You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com. 

Summerslam: Brock vs Cena

It looks like I am not going to get to doing an in-depth preview on Roman Reigns and Randy Orton but I have shared my thoughts in the Summerslam Preview Podcast on Between the Ropes. As well as our Podcast here on Condo on the Moon.

But tonight is the night we see if the WWE is going to make a major change in the direction for their company based on the main event in the WWE.

Here is what I wrote about this match in Between the Ropes preview with predictions:

 It is so rare that a match in the WWE these days feels like something fresh with two long-standing characters. Just one of about a hundred reasons you could list for why Brock vs. Cena is a compelling match-up. Brock stating that he plans to practically commit a homicide on John Cena does not hurt either. All of this said what has made this feud is one man; his name is Paul Heyman. The promo work done by Heyman in the build up to this feud has been some of, if not the best of his long career in wrestling. He sold this match the night after “Battleground” and it has only been expanded upon since.

Brock Lesnar’s next loss needs to be to someone this company is going to be banking on for the next 10 years. John Cena is not that guy. If he is that guy, I am not sure I could survive that. Realistically though the WWE thinks, they have found that guy in Roman Reigns. He needs to be the one that beats the one for the future of not just him but this company as a whole. If Brock does indeed win you will need to re-educate fans to a new era where the champ isn’t here. WWE should not “hot shot” Reigns to win the belt but wait until Wrestlemania 31. Given Brock limited schedule that will mean very little of the WWE World Heavyweight Champion being seen. This is not a bad thing as Paul Heyman proved keeping Brock’s accomplishment of beating the Undertaker alive for months. He can do the same for the “NEW” WWE Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar.

A lot of futures are tied into this match and it's result and the direction we take come out of it. First and foremost might be the impact on the WWE Network in a positive or negative way.  Fans are ready to see Lesnar be champion and want to see it happen. Be damned the circumstances to that anyone but John Cena is pleasing to a majority of the audience. Right now the WWE needs a happy core fanbase that will buy the network and spread the word.

If the WWE tries to be cute with this it will blow up in their face. People want Cena beaten down and Lesnar to stand victorious and add in the fact you have the majority of your subscribers coming up to renew. You need to book to keep those people happy and give them a reason to do so.

I look forward to Summerslam on the whole we have had from top to bottom a card that has had angles booked around all the matches on the card. You may not like all the angles but you have been given something to but into or reject.

Check out the rest of our In-Depth Summerslam previews so far: 

Stephanie vs Brie     

Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins   

The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler   

Jericho vs Bray Wyatt 

Swagger vs Rusev 

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

If you have questions/comments for our NEW Weekly Google+ Show Live Thursday's 7:30 pm EST use hashtag #AskMachoMoon. You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com. 

Hangin on the Moon #6

Another Week of Hangin on the Moon and more breaking news hours before the show. This time it is about TNA. No they have not closed yet but Spike-TV who has been rumoured to be giving them the boot in October is moving them to Wednesday Night's. To review TNA has now been on Saturday, Monday, Thursday and Wednesday all with pretty much the same results. Also Summerslam is this week and will look at the card coming up on Sunday with myself and Josh Lopez coming up at 7:30 (Eastern). Watch it below or click and join the Google Hangout live and we can make you part of the show with your questions.



We have been busy giving you in-depth previews for Summerslam so after the show go have a look at all the matches we have previewed so far.

Check out the rest of our In-Depth Summerslam previews so far: 

Stephanie vs Brie     

Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins   

The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler   

Jericho vs Bray Wyatt 

Swagger vs Rusev 

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

If you have questions/comments for our NEW Weekly Google+ Show Live Thursday's 7:30 pm EST use hashtag #AskMachoMoon. You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com. 

Stephanie McMahon Is Ready To Kick Some Bella Butt

Earlier today, we had our preview of Stephanie McMahon vs. Brie Bella coming up at Summerslam this Sunday. In that I mentioned the amount of work Stephanie had done with her husband’s personal trainer over the past few years. Now the WWE comes out with this video much as they do when Paul (Triple H) is having a big match of Stephanie in intense training. Have a look for yourself below:



This to me makes two clear points about this upcoming match. One is obvious in that Stephanie McMahon is taking this very seriously. Those who expect this match to fail to be good may end up being very surprised. I have always been under the impression that it will be. The second and maybe not quite as obvious is how the WWE is really treating this match like the Co-Main Event of Summerslam. They even have come out with merchandise that mocks Daniel Bryan’s Yes! Yes! Yes! T-Shirt’s with Steph having here own shirt in the same design and colors saying Steph! Steph! Steph! This is something here Brother Shane would often do when he had matches making parody shirts of his opponents back in the day. I do not remember if the WWE ever sold those but they are selling these ones with Stephanie. This is a great way to use up some of those shirts that would have been going to Daniel Bryan fans. A move that you could say is “Best for Business,” or maybe not.

Getting into character :))). http://t.co/YZsvX4FdHt pic.twitter.com/ZR4r0uogC0
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) August 14, 2014

In any case the WWE seems to be all in on this feud being a success. We will be having are live google hangout at 7:30 PM (Eastern) as myself and Josh Lopez will be talking all things wrestling so come back to the site and join us live.

Check out the rest of our In-Depth Summerslam previews so far: 

Stephanie vs Brie     

Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins   

The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler   

Jericho vs Bray Wyatt 

Swagger vs Rusev 

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

If you have questions/comments for our NEW Weekly Google+ Show Live Thursday's 7:30 pm EST use hashtag #AskMachoMoon. You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com. 

Summerslam: Swagger (USA) vs Rusev (RUS)

The classic wrestling angle of the evil foreigner and the baby face American. It is as old as wrestling itself or so it seems. The latest version trying to cash in on this classic angle has been the feud between Jack Swagger and Rusev with their respective mangers Zeb Colter and Lana. In many respects, this feud has been made by the mangers with the wrestlers more in the background.

The Rusev arrival from NXT to get him to the point we find ourselves now has been a rocky road. He started, as the Bulgarian Brute and transitioned into being from Russia as go figure people hate Russia more than Bulgaria. Let us be honest, there are many things about this feud that could not have been foreseen.

It probably begins with Jack Swagger being turned baby face along with Zeb Colter. They have been booked as radical tea party like supporters that had very controversial opinions on America. Unexpectedly they come out and confront the evil foreigners and instantly they were turned. It kept with their logic as heels to come out and confront Lana and Rusev.

The real life issues involving Russia and their involvement in Ukraine and the downing of a commercial airliner. Lana referenced the tragic event in a promo on the last WWE pay-per-view. It was just a comment about people blaming Russia for “recent events in the world” and it was wrong. It caused a backlash in mainstream media that threaten this feud. This was set up with match between the two ending in a countdown out victory for Rusev leading to this flag match at Summerslam.

In the end, the WWE weathered the storm issuing a very sarcastic apology and moved forward with their plans for these two. It does remind me of the situation the WWE landed them in with Slaughter vs. Hogan angle that started just prior to the first Iraq war. This angle is walking a line that is similar in nature. . Let us hope for peace and not war and this angle to continue being totally secondary to that.

In any case, this is a feud that deserved to continue as Zeb and Lana have more than done their share as the soundtrack to this feud. While Rusev and Swagger both who lack the microphone skills are a good match-up in the ring. This is a feud that honestly shows you the value of some performers need for having a manager that can do their talking for them. Makes total sense that an Old School angle would point out one of the other aspects of Old School wrestling that can still work today.

You also have Lana who has become the pin-up girl for the WWE despite her less than American values of her character. Zeb has become the American patriot all of the sudden for America to rally behind. 

The outcome has been fairly predictable in this one as America always wins in the end in the WWE. Nothing a crowd of Americans especially wrestling fans love to do more than chant U-S-A. People claiming Jack Swagger is over and this has made him might be going too far. Ultimately, though a win here will help him a great deal.

In contrast Rusev does not have to be pinned to win a “flag match” if it is done in the last version of this we have seen it just takes claiming the flag off a pole. Therefore, he remains strong to some extent. Which is perfect wrestling booking, in which the match harms no one and everyone should come out stronger on the other side.

So America have fun chanting U-S-A like Hacksaw Jim Duggan for 2014. Rusev can be your Volfoff but Lana is in no way resembling Classy Freddie Blassie or Slick. Which males from all nations are thankful for that!

Check out the rest of our In-Depth Summerslam previews so far: 

Stephanie vs Brie     

Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins   

The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler   

Jericho vs Bray Wyatt

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

If you have questions/comments for our NEW Weekly Google+ Show Live Thursday's 7:30 pm EST use hashtag #AskMachoMoon. You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com. 

Summerslam: Stephanie vs Brie

This is a feud that really dates back to January of this year between Stephanie McMahon and Brie Bella. It at first was the side attraction to Daniel Bryan’s feud against the Authority leading into Wrestlemania 30. Since Bryan has been ruled out to injury, it has risen to be arguably the co-main event angle of Summerslam. Part of the interest and intrigue to this event has little to do with Brie Bella. This will mark the first time Stephanie as competed in a WWE in ring in over 10 years. In that time, Stephanie has had three daughters in real life with here husband Paul Lévesque (Triple H) and I think many felt we would never see Stephanie in a ring again.

That all changed when Brie Bella called Stephanie a bitch over her less than really concern for Brie Bella’s husband Daniel Bryan being injured at the time in storyline. It sparked something in people to think that perhaps we would see Stephanie return to the ring in a match. The storyline would be used to deal later with the uncertainty of Daniel Bryan’s now legit injury to his neck and lack of recovery from neck surgery. Stephanie forced Bryan to choose between the WWE World Heavyweight Title and his new wife Brie Bella’s employment with the company. Brie would take the choice out of her husband’s hands by quitting instead and slapping Stephanie in the face on the WWE event Payback.

As things turned out Bryan would legitimately have to forfeit the title, he won as his neck surgery and recovery from it did not improve. The angle would be shifted to Stephanie punishing Nikki Bella as a way of getting at the now unemployed Brie Bella. The feud would heat up again with Brie in attendance to watch her sister wrestle and she would get in a verbal altercation with Stephanie that turned physical when Brie called Stephanie a bitch yet again causing Stephanie to deliver one of her most famous slaps. Mick Foley lays claim to being the first person Stephanie every slapped. He advised her to slap him as hard as she could but not directly on the jaw. Wise advice he gave as Stephanie has been know to lay in quite the slap. Anyway, this slap would land Stephanie in hot water, as she was arrested for assault, as technically Brie was just a fan so she pressed charges. In order to drop the charges she demanded her job back and this match at Summerslam. Stephanie tearfully agreed and than turned on a dime and slapped Brie off the ring apron promising to make Stephanie her bitch at Summerslam.

This angle main evented Raw in back to back weeks and despite Brie being totally outclassed on the microphone by Stephanie this was a match people wanted to see and maybe still do but likely not as much as they did before Monday. What happened on Monday with Stephanie bringing out a physical therapist named Megan Miller having Miller admit to an affair she had been having with her client Daniel Bryan was just going to far with this. Brie would attack Miller and Stephanie leading to her own arrest. It was unnecessary and took away from this great and rare long-term build to a match.

Many have wondered what kind of a match we will get once this match makes it to the ring. After all, it has been 10 years since Stephanie has wrestled and Brie Bella herself has not had a match in several months after this angle driven departure from the company. Call me crazy but I think it will be better than you think. Stephanie has worked out for years with Triple H’s personal real life trainer since having the couple’s third child. She also has taken up Jiu-Jitsu learning it from Rener Gracie the husband of former WWE Diva Eve Torres. Her daughters had been taking a program for kids and Stephanie was said to have taken an interest and learned some things as well. Gracie is also known for working with Ronda Rousey and C.M Punk.

While Brie has been, helped in real life by her husband Daniel Bryan considered one of the best wrestlers in pro wrestling today. She has shown improvements in the ring as a result. Therefore, in theory this could be a decent match and not strictly a cat-fight of hair pulling and slaps. It may turn out to be that but the potential is there for it to be more than that.

At first, many speculated this would be a match for Brie to earn her job back with a victory, as the story has played out this has not been the case. This opens the door widely to the idea of Stephanie actually winning this match. There were rumors that Nikki Bella would actually turn on her sister as part of how this all would take place. Keeping with the rumor mill the WWE has been less than impressed with Brie’s work in the build-up to this feud and it makes you wonder if spinning off into a feud of Bella vs. Bella is a direction the company would still want to go. Also with Stephanie, landing a pedigree on both Bella’s it makes that also seems a little less likely or at least logical.

Another question is when and if we see Daniel Bryan get involved in all this. Bryan now being brought into this angle with his loyalty to his wife questioned makes you wonder if he now appears involved in this. He is not ready to return to the ring to wrestle. In fact may well require more surgery as his neck has not heeled correctly causing him to lose strength in on of his arms. It was also revealed that he since has discovered and injury to his shoulder that also could require going under the knife. I question if him being involved is wise given he really can’t return to active duty in the WWE. Does it not make sense to save such a moment for when he is ready to return and fight?  

Despite all of these issues at the finish line to the build to this angle, I remain very invested and interested in seeing it. Perhaps it is just me but I am not rooting for Stephanie to get was it coming to her. I almost would like to see her win at this point. Which the door is clearly the door is now open too. I also would not mind seeing Stephanie in a match at Wrestlemania against A.J Lee the current and defending Diva’s Champion. A feud between these two would have a lot of real life drama tied to it with A.J being married to C.M Punk and Stephanie being believed to be one of the people behind the scenes glad that he is gone. Add in the fact that at one time and maybe still is, the idol of one A.J Lee. In the past, Lee has talked about how she finds it is hard for her just engaging in a conversation with Stephanie as she is so excited to be talking with her and it brings out the fan in her that idolized her. Sounds like a good idea to me.

What I think we can say, or should say, is that this match with Brie should be a one and done type affair which should mean Brie gets the win. I would not bet the house on it though as the WWE logic might suggest having Stephanie win. If there is a plan in place to have her wrestle again at Wrestlemania she would have some legitimacy to her match against a different female opponent.  Not that she would need it but that is a line of thinking. Brie’s failure to hold up her end of this feud might be a reason to see Stephanie win as well.

Whatever the case you can make the argument this is the most anticipated women’s wrestling match since the retirement match of Trish Stratus in Toronto against Lita at Unforgiven in 2006.

It has been the match most people have expressed interest in seeing, beyond the Brock and Cena battle for the title. We have poll on website here that reflects that.

Check out all the rest of our Summerslam Previews so far below:

Bray Wyatt vs Jericho
Dean Ambrose vs Seth Rollins
The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler 

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

If you have questions/comments for our NEW Weekly Google+ Show Live Thursday's 7:30 pm EST use hashtag #AskMachoMoon. You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com. 

Summerslam: Seth vs Dean

The match we did not get to see at Battleground is scheduled to happen at Summerslam between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. I think if WWE creative would just get out of the way these guys could have a great feud. The fact this match is a “Lumber Jack Match” makes very little sense. Dean Ambrose won the right to make this match and he has no desire to get his hands on “Money in the Bank” briefcase? I get that Dean is suppose to be nuts and that Seth Rollins was portrayed or claims to be the brains of The Shield but seriously? It makes no logically sense that any wrestler with that opportunity available to them would not want to claim that contract. Just like, it made no sense for these guys not to have a match at Battleground to cheat people out of it.

These guys can go in the ring and really do not need much of a storyline to get people invested in these two. You do not need gimmick matches either unless they make sense. What people wanted to see was likely a ladder match for the briefcase or at least a match with it online. We are going to see them in a match at least finally to see them work. Dean has been a standout of all three members of The Shield since the break-up that was induced by Seth Rollins joining up with Triple H and The Authority. Ambrose stands out and is one of those guys where every movement and facial expression from the moment he enters an arena until he goes out of sight. The fact is if were judging the former members of the Shield on who is the best of the group on talent along it is Ambrose. He is a guy that has filled the void of C.M Punk’s absence to an extent.

If not for the gimmick attached to this match, it would have a real chance to be the match of night on Summerslam. It still might be even with the burden of this gimmick attached to it. Even the logic that Ambrose expressed to why he selected this match made no sense at all.

It is going to help Seth Rollins being paired with Ambrose in a long drawn out feud works for him in a couple of ways for his short-term future.  First of all it will help Rollins get over and how off his strengths as an in-ring competitor. For my money, Dean Ambrose is the “best seller” in this company today.  Some may get angry about this statement but as I have said in the past, he is better than Dolph Ziggler is and smarter in his selling. Dean Ambrose can sell by just his facial expressions alone. Some people just have great and very expressive faces and Dean Ambrose is one of those people.

Secondly, Seth Rollins is not ready to be in position to be taken seriously in terms of cashing in on his Money in the Bank Contract and becoming a threat to the title.  Therefore, a long feud with Dean getting in the way of him cashing in makes a ton of sense to keep him away from being involved in the title picture that he is simply not ready.

This feud started in a great way based around the “Money in the Bank” briefcase. It was simple but it all made great sense. Since that time, they have somewhat dropped the ball creatively on this feud. The saving grace is how “over” Dean Ambrose is and how upset people were with Rollins for breaking apart The Shield.

It probably is going to be a bit of a brawl with all of the people outside of the ring. I would like to believe Dean is going to win this match because it makes sense for him to win. I have a horrible feeling he is not going to win at the end of the day.

Why should Ambrose win this match? He has got to call his own shot and even though this stipulation is ridiculous, this was Ambrose’s choice. Rollins does not have his briefcase on the line either so there is no real reason Dean should not win. I expect he will be screwed over by some of the lumberjacks that will be tied to The Authority in some way. If Ambrose was not as over as is he is, mistakes in logic could really hurt him. Will see how it ends up playing out.

I assume this feud will continue not sure, where it goes to next. Perhaps we get the match involving the briefcase at Night of Champions as one of those hooks to re-new or get the network.  I assume they are loading up that card, as we likely will see Roman Reigns against Triple H on that show as well. It was originally scheduled or planned for Summerslam.

In any case, no gimmick or angle can stop Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins from having one of the better matches on the show. Even the brawl they had on the last show ended up being better than probably half of the matches on the show itself that did actually make it to the ring.

Believe that!

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

If you have questions/comments for our NEW Weekly Google+ Show Live Thursday's 7:30 pm EST use hashtag #AskMachoMoon. You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com. 

Road To Summerslam Is All About The WWE Network's Future

WWE enters perhaps one of the more critical times in their recent history. To say that "Battleground" inspired confidence that they are ready for this challenge would be a lie. Battleground two years running has been a solid candidate for worst WWE Show of the year in terms of PPVs/Special Events. I along with Steve broke down the show in audio form for Between the Ropes. While today I wrote my review in written form which was no more glowing.

Reports are already out that Brock Lesnar will be in the building and expected not to be in that same building is John Cena who for some reason someone is being stupid enough to have in another movie. Least he plays a “Bad Guy” in the movie after this decade as good guy John Cena a major stretch for him.

Why this time is so critical is the WWE soon will have to produce numbers for shareholders on how the WWE Network is doing in terms of subscribers which doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out isn’t all that good. Add into the fact Battleground seems to be the first PPV that people seem to have had a lot of issues with the network stream in great numbers. Not the stuff you want to hear right now if you’re WWE. Who is not only trying to grow their network in new subscribers but soon faces  the end of the 6 month window in which current subscribers were forced to commit too when the network launched in late February.

Brock Lesnar and John Cena need to pull off a heck of a build to Summerslam that the company is really banking on delivering. This 4 week build to Summerslam might be the most important build for the company since perhaps the original Wrestlemania when you consider all that is on the line. This makes the decision to basically screw fans out of a Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins match all the more puzzling. This is a time more than ever that the WWE needs to create good will with its fans. They need fans to buy into this network sooner rather than later or the consequences could be pretty damaging at least in the short term.

We have already seen more people fired in WWE than at any point I can recall in recent memory. Expect the cost cutting to continue should the network not deliver a favourable number at the end of the month.

How ironic that the future is based on one guy that is corporate face of the company and another that basically is just here for all the zeroes on his pay check. Not that Cena isn’t but Brock is more like a mercenary bounty hunter that he is anything else. Most expect him to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and after that some expect him to hold it all the way to Wrestlemania 31. If this is true that will be a major change in wrestling physiology for modern fans that have been use to seeing the Champion on T.V every week. This generation has grown us with “The Champ Is Here” even if Cena was not that guy. Back is the 1980’s Hogan was rarely seen on T.V as you had to go out to house shows to see him or wait for major events. Not sure fans will be use to this and some might not see it as total hypocrisy based on the stripping of an injured Bryan of the title and the explanation given.

The road not just to Summerslam starts tonight but the road to a very uncertain and rocky future for the WWE potentially. It is not going to be easy if they can’t fix this network in some form or fashion in a relatively short amount of time. Even when they get to their international launch scheduled for late 2014 or early 2015 that may not help. Most people here in Canada and other foreign lands have taken steps to beat the system and get the network now. Bad news when the WWE launches internationally to know that most of their hardcore fans may already be part of their domestic number.

It is a long and tough road ahead for the company. Break glass for Brock will be launched or plan C. It is clear the WWE has had more than 3 plans for their network and the more plans they have the more misses they seem to have than hits. It isn’t going according to plan at all.

 

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! 

If you have questions/comments for our NEW Weekly Google+ Show Live Thursday's 7:30 pm EST use hashtag #AskMachoMoon. You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com. 

Brock As Champion: The Next Big Problem For WWE?

The WWE World Heavyweight Title seems in a state of flux based on the injury to Daniel Bryan. It was not, or should not, have been a shock that the WWE turned to John Cena in a crisis. He is their go to guy like it or not and makes the most sensible choice to headline Summerslam for WWE. It has been the worst kept secret in wrestling that Brock Lesnar is expected to challenge for the title at Summerslam and is on a collision course with Cena.

Brock returned to the WWE laying out Cena the night after Wrestlemania when Cena had suffered a loss to the Rock. It would lead to a match that honestly is likely one of the best on the resumes of both Cena and Lesnar in which many loved the match but hated the finish. Cena would go over on Brock Lesnar despite taking a tremendous beating throughout the match. While some will say this was just the typical WWE protecting the “Golden Boy” Cena from having consecutive loses it may have been more about Brock. Seeing if the former UFC Champion was willing to “do business” in wrestling and put over the WWE’s top attraction in Cena.

Many have had lots of issues with how Brock has been booked in terms of the several years since his return. What has been clear is Brock is only really concerned with is pay and very limited schedule. He had a wins trading feud with Triple H and most recently, as Paul Heyman reminds us frequently, ended the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at this past Wrestlemania. This match with Cena that is all but a certainty will be the first time we have seen Lesnar since.

Under normal circumstances you would have thought the man that ended the Undertaker’s legendary streak would be the biggest “heel” in pro wrestling. In a match against John Cena for the WWE World Heavyweight Title is likely to see him as a huge “babyface” instead. On this alone it seems like an opportunity lost. Most feel that Lesnar will be successful in his attempt to win the championship for a couple of reasons.

One, it would make little sense to have Lesnar coming off ending the streak losing to John Cena who really doesn’t need the win. Brock also has a win coming back to him if you believe in even booking among top stars that tends to be the unwritten rule in wrestling. Secondly,  the WWE seems hell bound on making John Cena the “Greatest Champion in the History of WWE,” by defeating the 16-time mythical number that Ric Flair is known for being champion. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer that actual number is no lower than 18 if you go back and look at the actual history. Regardless the number that fans know is 16 and that is the number the WWE seems determined to have Cena beat eventually.

So if Lesnar wins the title what happens next becomes the question. This is where the undetermined status of Daniel Bryan comes into play. There is one school of thought that if Bryan is ready he would face Lesnar at Night of Champions. Which has become a very important pay-per-view as it will be the mark where majority of WWE Network subscriber’s renewal date will come up between Summerslam and Night of Champions. This would allow Bryan to “go over” and regain his title and continue on the path WWE had originally planned on coming out of Wrestlemania. Lesnar because of the importance of this pay-per-view is scheduled to appear on it.

The other theory that does not require Bryan necessarily sees Lesnar to continue to hold the championship. Which if the WWE has not changed the deal with Lesnar would mean he and the WWE World Championship would not re-appear until the Royal Rumble his next scheduled appearance based on his past schedule.

How the WWE would be able to sell that based on the storyline around Daniel Bryan’s real injury would be interesting. The Authority in their rationalization of stripping Bryan claimed it was unfair to fans and the roster to not have an active WWE World Heavyweight Champion. So if they do not want the appearance of being hypocritical how could they justify Brock’s absence? They could in theory strip Lesnar of the title but given all the storyline and injury based stripping of titles that would not do them any favors.

Some feel that Lesnar should hold the title till Wrestlemania 31 and face in the main event the WWE’s “Next Big Thing” Roman Reigns against the man that made that moniker famous in Brock. The challenge seems to be in how you get from point A to point B at this point.

In the old days back in the 80’s it was rare we saw Hulk Hogan the WWE Champion of the day on television. So it is not unprecedented that we have a WWE Champion with little presence on television. This was counter acted however by Hogan being booked on all the house shows as the main event in a majority of all the WWF’s (at the time) major markets. Lesnar is not coming to your local house show we can bet the bank on that.

An argument is made that you make the title and champion more important this way. It would be a thin line between making it more important and people losing interest in titles in general. It could, if fans were willing be re-educated on the presence of WWE Champion, help elevate the Intercontinental title and U.S title. This re-education process would be a major risk though as the WWE Champion for decades has been a fixture on Monday Night Raw.

While fans will be for the most part very excited most likely to see Lesnar defeat Cena for the title will that be a short term thing that ends up in long term problems. Not to mention has the WWE missed a massive opportunity to make Lesnar not only a monster but the most hated heel in the business. In an era where it is very hard to create a legitimate “heel” are they throwing that away for fear over making sure the WWE Network remains strong and viable.

It is not easy choices that lie ahead for the WWE. Although the ultimate destination to a Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns title match at Wrestlemania 31 seems like an exciting and fresh match to "Main Event" for the biggest show of the year.




Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com

WWE's Uncertain Future Continues Heading To Summerslam

What a difference a few months can make in wrestling and in the WWE specifically. It was a long battle, but Daniel Bryan got his Wrestlemania moment. A bad program with Kane and neck injury and WWE in a sense was turned on its ear.

While it is easy to cast stones at the WWE you have to admit there has been a ton of turmoil surrounding this company. It started after the Royal Rumble where fans revolted and demanded Bryan to be placed in the title picture. At the same time CM Punk angry over a number of issues decides to go back to Chicago and call it a day. After months of silence he finally came out and declared himself retired. He was also getting married as we would learn to the top woman in company A.J Lee. She beat the odds only to lose the title the next night to Paige and fade away with Punk

First it was to move to Chicago to live with him, than an announcement of a wedding that took place somewhere in Chicago last weekend. The latest is the A.J is expecting and thus will not be back for sometime if at all. It will definitely not be before July in which C.M Punk’s deal is supposed to end if the pregnancy talk is true. Punk's deal coming to an end is even is in doubt with the WWE’s recent actions with Rey Mysterio’s contract, as they rolled it over stated that Rey owed the company time based on injuries. In theory with Punk walking out they could use the same clause to keep Punk under contract assuming this language was in his deal as well. It has all led to a lot of fans picking sides and some turning their back on Punk stating that he did the same to them. While others were just happy for a guy that seemed miserable when he left, finding some happiness since that time even if it didn’t include wrestling.  

There was recent speculation that WWE tried to get Punk to return for Payback in Chicago once they had learned of the injury to Bryan but were unsuccessful. Who knows and at this point who really cares. I am convinced that Punk will not make a move until his current deal expires so he can craft and entirely new deal from scratch.  There is also the off chance that Punk is serious about being retired and done with wrestling. He had always said he would be gone long before anyone expected him to be. About the only thing not on his resume that might interest him is a Wrestlemania Main Event. I could see that being something Punk might be interested in.

I maintain the Main Event for Wrestlemania 32 in Cowboy’s Stadium needs to be Austin vs. CM Punk. It’s a year and half away but this would be the WWE attempting to have the largest crowd in their history for this event should it be the venue for Wrestlemania 32 as it has long been speculated to be.

WWE have much more short term concerns to deal with. Mainly the lack of success for the WWE Network in the early stages, not drawing as big of numbers domestically as they would have hoped. In addition to losing staff over at the network, the WWE also fired their head writer in creative. In addition to the releases of talent last Thursday. Changes are happening all over the place it seems. From the outside looking in it looks like some organized chaos, but at the end of the day still chaos. This likely all sparked by the huge negative reaction to the WWE’s new T.V deal that was expected to double if not triple and even had a personal guarantee from Vince McMahon himself. It didn’t happen while the WWE did get a bump up it was not to the level promised. The low network numbers combined with this news sent the WWE Stock that once had climbed above 30 dollar mark down to below 10 before stabilizing slightly above that number. It closed this past Friday at 11.66 cents in U.S funds.

The one group that has so far seem to navigate all the land mines and benefit in this time of Chaos has been The Shield. They now have been broken up into 3 separate acts as individuals which given the WWE’s lack of people the crowd is invested in makes some great sense.

What originally was thought of has trying to put a band-aid on the situation of Daniel Bryan’s injury may not be anymore. WWE has pulled him from all shows in July and now they are hoping he can be back for Summerslam. Who ends up winning the WWE Title at Money in the Bank might tell you more about Daniel Bryan’s health status than anything.

If it is not one of the old guard and it is in fact a Roman Reigns, Cesaro or a Bray Wyatt it might be an indication that Bryan is not doing so well on his road to recovery. If the Belt were to go on Cena or Orton it might be a sign Bryan is looking on schedule to come back. Losing a title for ether at this stage of the game is not a big deal.

Brock Lesnar seems to be the "wildcard" in all of this, as he was suppose to be taking on the WWE World Champion at Summerslam and that was suppose to Daniel Bryan. Now what happens with Brock? Do they flip his dates around and we see him show up next Sunday? It is possible, but Brock’s original plan was to return for Summerslam and the PPV after that. Brock is very set in only doing his required dates and anything beyond that you are going to have to pay. Given the sweet deal that he already has who can really blame him.

If Roman Reigns were to become the Champion does he face Brock or does he face Triple H as the storyline has been leading us to believe? Cesaro seems the likely fit to face Brock in a feud with Heyman as his manger. It could be the launching point to turn Cesaro baby face finally. Some will say it is too soon and do you really want him to beat Brock which he almost has too in this situation if not at Summerslam definitely on the next PPV.

Bray Wyatt could be the best option as if Daniel Bryan is ready they have some history already and if not a final battle in an “I Quit Match” with Cena wouldn’t be a horrible option for the Title. This despite the two having a long feud, that we all have grown kinda sick of, but if Bray could make Cena quit in a title match that would be worth it. Although the chances we get that finish are probably slim.

In any case if you thought the road to Wrestlemania was a rocky bumpy and unpredictable ride, this one to Summerslam might be even more interesting. Having some lasting impact on the immediate future of the company in the short term and perhaps long term, depending on how it all shakes out.

It is ironic in the predetermined world that is pro wrestling, so many things that could not have been predetermined have impacted on this company in major ways in 2014. WWE has had to endure a lot of shots in 2014 the difference between them and everyone else in the wrestling business is they have more than enough money to take the shots and move forward.

It is not to say this isn’t a pretty vital time for the company because it really is as they are being stretched to their limits in a lot of ways.  

Condo on the Moon is on Twitter and Facebook and check out our weekly podcasts Every Friday! You can find us now at Condoonthemoon.com

Ronda Rousey In WWE Might Be Closer To Reality Thanks Indirectly To ROH?

Has UFC Fighter Tom Lawlor opened the door to Ronda Rousey and the 4 horsewomen riding into WWE? Lawlor was in the corner of Ring Of Honor Tag-Team Red Dragon who regained their ROH Titles defeating the defending champions Nick and Matt Jackson the Young Bucks.

Lawlor was said to be already attending the event as fan. He like Rousey and the horsewomen loves his wrestling. You can argue he is an even bigger fan of it but I don’t wish to get arm-barred by anyone. Already having bought a ticket Lawlor was asked if he wanted to be part of the show and corner Red Dragon. He agreed after getting the blessing and approval from the UFC.

I’ll be honest with you I have no idea if Dana White knows what Ring of Honor is or was at the time the UFC was approached. The point is now the door swings wide open for Ronda to make an appearance on a larger scale in the WWE perhaps. Safe to say that Ronda or her management can now point to this appearance by Lawlor as justification for being allowed to do it. The event was on I-PPV as well so if Dana or the UFC was going to use that as an excuse still some room to say they already let it happen.

All due respect to Tom Lawlor but in terms of mass appeal Ronda Rousey is on a different planet in terms of fame. WWE took a butt kicking on Wall Street last week. Ronda is set to make her next title defence at UFC 175 against Alexis Davis July 5th, 2014 . Summerslam is scheduled to take place in Ronda’s backyard in L.A on August 17th,2014.

So it fits as far as Ronda’s fight schedule goes. Not sure how it works with the other 3 ladies that make up her horsewomen but you have to wonder if this marriage could take place. Rousey now as some leverage to say she is entitled to work with WWE as long as it would be in some capacity where she would not be competing in the ring. A show that likely would see the first appearance from Brock Lesnar since breaking the Undertaker’s streak at Wrestlemania as well. Just another reason a Rousey appearance might make some sense to draw over the UFC crowd in bigger numbers to see Summerslam.

It seems all to good to be true but a basis for how it can happen may have been established this weekend. There has been a lot of faction based storylines in the WWE of late perhaps the biggest real life faction coming in for an appearance might make some sense for all parties involved.

Let the speculation begin. If not for Summerslam, Wrestlemania 31 will also be in California up the coast in the Bay Area.