5 Things To Expect on WWE Monday Night Raw 3/9/15

THE CHAMP IS HERE!!!!! Well, that's not true because the guy that came up with the catchphrase  doesn't even have a WrestleMania match booked. The real WWE World Heavyweight Champion "The Beast" Brock Lesnar is advertised to appear on tonight's show With that said welcome to this week's WWE Monday Night Raw preview. Tonight the WWE is in the Steel City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We're 20 days away from WrestleMania 31. Acclaimed rapper and Pittsburgh native Wiz Khalifa will perform on tonight's show. The road to WrestleMania is always a bump ride no matter which side of the fanbase you are in. I'm on the side that what matters to me at the end of the day is the story that's being told from the ring and not on the mic hence why I'm so interested in this year's WrestleMania. Here's five things you can expect to see on tonight's Monday Night Raw.

1.) Intercontinental Championship Carousel + Daniel Bryan

In one of the most anticipated matches for this year's WrestleMania we have people thinking it's a 8 person ladder match. Let me remind you guys something there's six people that are going to be in this match. Last week on Raw we saw Dean Ambrose, Bad News Barrett, Luke Harper, R-Truth and even Dolph Ziggler hold the Intercontinental Championship. There was some tease on SmackDown where maybe Daniel Bryan and Stardust would join the match. Here's the thing if Bryan's in the match I'm fine with that, but I don't think that Daniel Bryan nor Stardust will be in the Ladder Match. I think we see Daniel Bryan vs. Stardust then Goldust will distract Stardust to let Bryan win the match then while Bryan is celebrating with the crowd coming from behind is a returning Sheamus with a vicious Brouge Kick plus a High Cross to the turnbuckle that's your heel turn. As far as tonight goes for the IC Title I think we see Dolph Ziggler vs Luke Harper then Bad News Barrett vs R-Truth and this time you have Dean Ambrose on the commentary.

2.) Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns ?

Brock Lesnar is advertised for tonight's Monday Night Raw and hopefully this time he actually appears on the television screen. I want to make this perfectly clear with everybody I'm a Brock Lesnar fan and I enjoy his work, but there's been no return of investment with this Lesnar's WWE World Heavyweight Title reign. Brock Lesnar wants to go to UFC fine go ahead knock your socks off my issue is that know there's report about Brock and WWE not getting along with contract negotiations and my issue is that he wants to fight in UFC and WWE at the same time and not only should not happen, but it's not going to happen when Vince McMahon is the owner of the WWE. As far as his match with Roman Reigns goes I think people are acting like hundinis and there's this mindset that this match is going to be like Goldberg/Brock from WrestleMania 20. I don't know how the match is going to go and neither do you. If Brock's on the show I think it would be good to hear him talk and go off the whole I can do anything I damn well please soliloquy to get some heat from the crowd. I think something that can build some heat into this match is if Reigns and Lesnar brawl on tonight's show and both guys need to be seperated. I would have it start the show actually you have Brock and Paul in the ring and they do their thing and Roman comes out and says oh you think I can beat you bam they start brawling the locker room comes out and seperates both guys. I think its a good idea because its a good test to see how the reacts to Brock and Reigns going after each other.

3.) Triple H vs Sting + Bray Wyatt vs The Undertaker 

Just wanted to throw out a couple of scenairos for both of these matches. I think that Triple H and Bray Wyatt have been doing a good job so far building both matches. For Triple H you have the recent confrontations with former WCW Superstars and it's really cool from a historically standpoint because the WWE has been nailing the build for this match with Triple H and Sting. I think a nice surprise for the crowd and for this feud you have either Sting show up on a balcony or in a video package, but either way you have Sting talk about why he's in the WWE and his purpose to go after Triple H. We have to see Sting before Mania and while Triple H has been doing a good job putting words in his mouth how can you personally connect to the feud if you don't know what's going through the mind of the challenger as much as wrestling fans think that they're the smartest people on the earth they're not mind readers. As far as Bray Wyatt/Undertaker match is concern once again I think Bray Wyatt is doing the best work of his career. Last week on SmackDown Bray Wyatt said that he's going to reveal the soul of The Undertaker on Raw. Do you have Undertaker play mind games with Bray since he's holding onto the urn now? Or do you have a coffin come down to the ring with Bray Wyatt and Bray opens the casket and tries to light it on fire and as Bray opens the casket he sees himself and then The Undertaker music hits he appears and everybody loses their you know what? Taker doesn't have to be on Raw, but if he is I think we see him in person and Bray Wyatt walks away laughing.

4.) John Cena vs. Rusev vs. Curtis Axel ?

Tonight we know that we'll see Curtis Axel vs Rusev. It hasn't been made official that we'll see the rematch at WrestleMania, but someway somehow we see John Cena make Rusev accept his challenge. I think eventually Hulk Hogan gets involved with this feud and you see that in the constant actions of Curtis Axel. I think Hulk Hogan will be in the corner of John Cena at WrestleMania. Also since The Authority continues to get into Cena's head if Hogan shows up and he's involved in this feud you can have Triple H come out and ask why he's here and that can also transition into Triple H and Hulk Hogan talking about Sting. I think John Cena may have another confrontation with Stephanie McMahon. If not we'll see John Cena vs Kane and Big Show and that plays with Cena mentioning that he wanted to be in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal you have Kane & Big Show feuding with each other saying that they will win the battle royal and they also represent The Authority who doesn't want John Cena at WrestleMania.

5.) Randy Orton and Seth Rollins Friendship?

I don't know why WWE is taking forever to make this match official. You already had Orton come back too late and now you're continuing to stall this friendship if you will with Orton and Rollins when everybody knows that Orton is going to turn on The Authority. You're missing out on a major face moment in Randy Orton career and on Raw. This has to end tonight. I think we see Randy Orton vs Roman Reigns tonight due to what happen in the main event of last week's Raw. Rollins cost Orton the match and then he finally turns. It has to happen tonight. I think we see Seth Rollins brag about beating Roman Reigns and how he feels that he needs to be in the main event of WrestleMania, but eventually things will change where Ryback comes out you have Seth Rollins vs Ryback on Raw.
As far as other stuff for the show I think we see who else enters the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Also coming out last night's Total Divas The Bella Twins are no longer WWE Divas, so it makes sense now with AJ Lee & Paige vs Bella Twins at WrestleMania. I think we also see more tensions between Miz & Mizdow who will be in a match with The PrimeTime Players. I think tonight we see The Usos vs. The Ascension and the winner of that match will take on Kidd & Cesaro for the WWE Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania.

That's a wrap for this week's WWE Raw Preview. Hope you guys enjoy it you can follow me on Twitter @VoiceOfTruth94 and also make sure to check out my wrestling radio show the Pro Wrestling Experience which airs live every Wednesdays from 10am-1pm CT on Chicagolandsportsradio.com

#StundentOfTheGame

Condo on the Moon Podcast #51

Today on the podcast Chris Walder and I get the full 90 minutes to share our thoughts on all things wrestling. Including a full rundown for the ROH Pay-Per-View from Las Vegas, thoughts on the WWE HOF that added Madusa/Alandra Blaze to the class. She was part of Team Madness pictured above that had a run in late 99 early 2000 in WCW. We also talk the ever strange and winding road to Wrestlemania both in and out of the ring.

So go have a listen:


If you are unable to listen via our website head over to Podomatic and listen or download there.

We are entering into year two so help us spread the word and build our audience. We have a lot of fun every week and hope you as listeners do as well. So help us share it with others and grow our audience. Our best source of advertising is you out there listening if you spread the word we can grow by leaps and bounds.

Time For Cedric Alexander To Move To The Land Of Heels In ROH?

One of the things that likely slipped under the radar with Ring of Honor’s PPV was at least a tease of Cedric Alexander turning heel down the line. If you go back in time when Kevin Steen left ROH for NXT, he declared in his final speech to an ROH audience that Alexander was the future of the promotion. Since that time Cedric has not exactly been on fire in terms of wins and loses or positioning on the card.

He really seemed on the verge of breaking out coming off his program with Roderick Strong.  Since that time, Cedric has faced quality opposition but never really has been able to break through. He had an excellent match back in Toronto when he was a last minute replacement for ACH to take on Jay Lethal.

The talent is there but you are starting to see the frustration become part of his ROH persona. After losing to Matt Sydal, he was clearly frustrated but still did the right thing in terms of being a babyface. It seems like he needs a match against a top-level talent and just snaps and goes to the heel side of the equation.

Could Cedric pull off a heel character? It remains to be seen but it is worth a shot to try to get him to an upper level in the company.

Adam Cole is the best example of what a heel turn can do taking you to another level. Cole’s turn was part of a top program for the ROH title in a drawn out tournament. I don’t think it is possible to give Cedric something on that high of a level.

Perhaps having him join the House of Truth looking to learn the evil ways of the force from Truth Martini and Jay Lethal would be a direction to go. The ROH Roster is only becoming more crowded and Alexander needs to find a way to stand out and move up the ladder.

Is it a risk to do this with him? Obviously, there is but there is also a risk in leaving him the same and getting lost in the mix.

The talent is there but you cannot just let it sit at the bottom of the card without progressing. If Kevin Steen believes in Cedric there has to be something to that. He also is one of the favorites of Steve Corino. People see success in him. It is time to press the button and start a climb to the top for him by any means necessary.

For more talk on ROH, WWE and the Wrestling News of the week make sure to listen to the Condo On The Moon Podcast that comes out later tonight and every Friday evening.

NXT Report: March 4th 2015

This is likely long overdue but welcome to the first ever NXT Report here on Condo on the Moon. If you have listened to our podcast, you know how much I love NXT in fact who doesn’t love NXT. It is a big weekend for the WWE’s Developmental brand, as they will be appearing at the Arnold Classic on the weekend. This will be the first venture outside of Florida for NXT as a whole. A big step as Triple H has stated he wants to see NXT expand and tour doing some live events in the future going forward.

A couple of notes on this new venture it will be spoiler free for the most part and follow what is going on with the product based on the most recent T.V. Any reference to future events are just speculation and is not based on info gather from spoilers.

So, here are some thoughts based on this week’s episode of NXT:

We had a couple of squash matches featuring NXT Tag Team Champions Blake and Murphy who have flipped the script to being heels. They are being positioned to face the much-loved team of Enzo and Big Cass. Who cut a promo with Carmella declaring their intentions to become #1 Contender to the tag team titles. Not sure if it was Blake or Murphy, but one of them hit a pretty nice frog splash covering 3/4 of the ring to get the win.

The other jobber match saw Baron Corbin squash some poor sap with The End of Days. The NXT crowd tried to do their counting gimmick but it appeared they were trying to kill that by have a long pause before Corbin and his prey locked up. Corbin has definitely had a noticeable drop in his buzz since his brutal match with Bull Dempsey. It was a horrible match and exposed Corbin for being not ready for prime time.

Solomon Crowe had a match over the aforementioned Bull Dempsey and came out on top. I wasn’t blown away with his in ring work but maybe Bull Dempsey just makes people look bad at the end of the day.

Segments of note on this show included Bayley wishing Charlotte luck in here title match with Sasha. After which Emma came along and suggested to Bayley that acting nice was what got Emma back in NXT. Some might say it was a terrible pairing with Santino, a shoplifting incident at a Walmart and a general failure to get over but let’s go with she was too nice for sake of storyline.

Sami Zayn had a taped promo that he claimed was taped from his home in Montreal. He talked about not being mental right to compete right now. He stated he has yet to watch back the match he lost against Kevin Owens yet but will and promises to return to NXT. He also made mention of all the changes in the short time he has been gone. So it appears if Sami is going to the main roster he will at least have one more run of matches on NXT.

Speaking of Kevin Owens, he was on the show again. At the start of the show, Alex Riley who Owens attacked last week was in Regal’s office begging for a match with Owens. Regal stated that he could not be a commentator and competitor in NXT. Later in the night, Kevin Owen came out, starred at Riley, and eventually dumped water on his head. Jason Albert restrained Riley and Steen calmly walked away. Riley stormed into Regal’s office as he was talking with C.J Parker. Riley said he wanted to wrestle and wanted Owens. Regal stated he needed to sign a talent contract and he would get to fight Owens but only when Regal deemed he was ready. C.J Parker chimed in stating he has been the only person that ever hurt Owens and Riley had no chance. This sets up Riley and Parker for next week.

Alexa Bliss was back and stated she is ready to compete and looking for revenge against Sasha Banks regardless of if she retained her title or not. Banks apparently broke Alexa's nose and she has been out as a result. Don’t remember that happening, but hey, its part of the story now.

Divas always get a chance on NXT and that includes main eventing as Sasha defended her title against Charlotte. It was a great match that really showed off the flexibility of Charlotte. It also showed the growing aggression in Sasha Banks. Charlotte survived many submission attempts after stopping Banks from running out on the match and taking a count out loss but keeping the title. In the end, Banks would get a pinfall using the ropes for leverage keeping this feud alive if they choose to do so. Charlotte has been another name rumored to be heading to the main roster. Her not regaining the title adds fuel to that speculation.

Last note on NXT mark your calendar as the week of Wrestlemania on Wednesday we will be getting Kevin Owens defending his title against Finn Balor. It should be an amazing match that likely will be better than many at Wrestlemania.

So, that was your NXT Report look for this every Thursday going forward here in Condo on the Moon. Don’t forget tomorrow night that we have the Condo on the Moon Podcast.

5 Things To Expect on WWE Monday Night Raw 3/2/15

"Can you avenge evil with becoming it? If you are good at something never do it for free." Welcome to this week's WWE Monday Night Raw preview for Monday March 2nd, 2015. I'm Joshua Lopez from the Pro Wrestling Experience and it's been a fun challenge so far getting to write these pieces and seeing the feedback it gets is really humbling. We're still on the road to WrestleMania 31 and the next stop is in Newark, New Jersey in the Prudential Center! Last week Randy Orton played posse with The Authority, Rusev denied John Cena challenge, Triple H went slient, Reigns sent a message to Brock Lesnar, Brock walked out of Raw, AJ called out Stephanie, Now people want to #GiveDivasAChance and now we have a multiple person ladder match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. Here's five things you can expect on tonight's Monday Night Raw.

1.) The Authority/Randy Orton  

It was nice seeing The Viper return to WWE television last week. I felt that WWE took way too long for Orton to come back, but I understood the purpose as to why The Authority wanted Orton back and he hasn't striked back at the Authority. Orton went to a business summit last week where Stephanie McMahon wanted him to be back with the Authority and work out his issues with Seth Rollins. Orton & Rollins took on Reigns & Bryan in a very good tag team main event last week and just when you think that Orton was going to lose his mind he shakes Rollins hand and continues to play mind games with Rollins & The Authority. It was a good week to be Seth Rollins coming out of the recent social media controversy that happen a couple weeks ago. Rollins made an appearance on Jon Stewart's "Daily Show" last Thursday and invited the long-time comedian to tonight's Monday Night Raw. I think it's obvious that Rollins will take on Orton at WrestleMania, but here's the thing. When does Orton turn? Do you hold off the turn until the second to last Raw before WrestleMania and continue to play posse and tease and tease? Far as tonight is concern if we do see Jon Stewart I think it will be pretty cool because I am of fan of his! I think we can see Seth Rollins vs. Ryback or Erick Rowan. I think The Authority will try to calm down Randy and continue to patronize him and we may see him against Dolph Ziggler tonight. Tonight is the night you will see Randy Orton finally make his turn. 

2.) John Cena vs. Rusev ?

Haven't had a chance to talk about this here on the site, but I really enjoyed the match between John Cena & Rusev at WWE Fast Lane. Match far exceeded my expectations and that match really put Rusev on the map. Rusev continues to shine in his promo's and his in-ring work each week and he's positioning himself to become one of the best heels in the WWE over the last ten years. Last week on Raw Cena said that he lost the match, but he said he wants to beat Rusev on the grandest stage of them all. Rusev denied Cena request which I approved with finally somebody says no you lost the match who are you to think your entitled to get everything you want? This is the standard WWE feud and it's the best thing for both guys right now. One of the cool things with this year's WrestleMania this is actually the first WrestleMania in many years where it's clear spotlight on the current and younger talent in the WWE. You know it's a big deal when John Cena is not main eventing a WrestleMania and at the same time pinning these two guys together totally puts a major spotlight on the United States Championship. Rusev deny John Cena request, but how does John Cena get what he wants? Can you see John Cena vs Luke Harper or maybe John Cena takes on one of The Authority's hench men or maybe we see John Cena vs Jack Swagger. John Cena has rarely wrestled on Raw over the last couple of months and it's going to be interesting to see how does John Cena get's this rematch with Rusev at WrestleMania. Is someone also included in this match?

3.) Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns?

Now you may wonder why I put another question mark in this bullet point. We'll probably see John Cena vs Rusev, but we aren't sure if we'll see the main event of WrestleMania. Brock Lesnar walked out of Monday Night Raw last week due to circumstances that is not known right now. I don't bother with rumors or speculation nonsense, but I'll say this. If you didn't want to be here? Why ask for a title run in your contract? I didn't want Brock Lesnar to win the title at SummerSlam because I knew something like this would've happen. I thought it would have been better business for Brock to win the title at the Royal Rumble and have a shorter run then drop it at WrestleMania. Brock has held the WWE title hostage and it's been very frustrating to be honest with you. When the subject of Brock Lesnar comes up, it's never about him being the WWE World Heavyweight Champion it's about MMA and the UFC. I respect MMA I have no problem with it, but what bothers me is that Brock's run as champion has been about him leaving the WWE after WrestleMania and going back to UFC. Go ahead Brock do your thing you don't care about professional wrestling you never did, but was it the right choice to have Brock break The Undertaker streak and the only thing you get out of it is the fans talking about UFC more than the WWE and that's a problem. I like Roman Reigns go ahead crucify me, I followed this guy work in college football and has been shoved down people thoart it's a subjective topic because people only have a problem with that mindset if it's with a guy who they don't like. Is he ready? Honestly was anybody ever ready? I want Roman to succeed because he wants to be there and I appreciate that more than someone who thinks about himself and MMA 24/7. I'm not watching WWE for MMA you want MMA stuff go watch Fox Sports 1 or get the UFC fight pass. Roman Reigns will prove his detractors wrong and I think these two guys can have a good match. I think Brock showing up at the UFC 184 PPV was a legit spit to the face to not only WWE, but also every single wrestling fan. As far as tonight is concern I think that we'll see Roman vs The Miz. Paul Heyman said that he has a message for Roman Reigns, so that should be interesting. 

4.) Triple H vs Sting 

I want you guys to check out the video down below which I thought was great work from the WWE. It's a interview with Michael Cole, Michael PS Hayes and Arn Anderson. It's great display of storytelling. Tonight we'll get to learn more about the man called Sting and I wonder if Hunter is actually going to speak this week. Triple H was radio silent last week on Raw and it's going to be interesting to see how Triple H reacts to being embarassed again by "The Vigilante" Sting for the fourth time.

5.) IC Title Shenangians 

It was great finding out on Friday that the Intercontinental Championship will not only be defended at WrestleMania, but it will be defended in a Ladder Match. I think that's a great added a bonus and very nice treat to hardcore wrestling fans and I'm pretty sure that this match will open and could steal the show. Bad News Barrett had a pretty rough week he lost to Dolph Ziggler on Raw and then he lost to Daniel Bryan on SmackDown and his title was robbed by R-Truth. I've been happy that R-Truth has been added in this title picture because he's going out of his way to show hey I'm here I deserve a title shot whether people like it or not. I don't think that Daniel Bryan will be in this match, but it did say that this match is a multiple person ladder match. Tonight we can possibly see Bad News Barrett vs R-Truth and Dean Ambrose vs Dolph Ziggler. Either way I'm happy that the IC Title will get big spotlight on WrestleMania and I'm interested to seeing who's added into this match. 

It was reported that AJ Lee and Sheamus will make their WWE returns tonight. I think that we'll find out who else is added to the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Look to see more tension growing between Miz & Mizdow and also we'll have a rematch from Fast Lane added to WrestleMania where Tyson Kidd & Cesaro take on The Usos or maybe The Ascension add their hats to this title feud at WrestleMania. If AJ's back I think we'll see either a fatal four way for the Divas Championship or we'll see AJ Lee & Paige vs The Bella Twins at WrestleMania. Will we get conformation that Sheamus will take on Daniel Bryan because if that happens I'll mark out because I'm a big fan of Sheamus and love to see a heel turn from Sheamus. Also WWE said that a female will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015. I think it may be Victoria or Alundra Blayze.

Hope you guys enjoyed this week's WWE Monday Night Raw Preview 

I'm at Twitter @VoiceOfTruth94 

Check out my wrestling radio show "The Pro Wrestling Experience" on Chicagolandsportsradio.com every Wednesdays from 10am-1pm CT! 

ROH Makes 13 Lucky In Vegas

Ring of Honor celebrated their Thirteenth Anniversary show in Las Vegas last night. Normally the number 13 is associated with bad luck but things are looking up for ROH. The company seemed to have hit a bit of a plateau after Final Battle. It easily could have led to things going in the wrong direction. The fact that this company’s MVP was rumored to be out the door to WWE in Adam Cole. He came off a tremendous 2014 which saw him become arguably the best wrestler not in NXT system. He would suffer an injury at Final Battle and have to have shoulder surgery. He ended up sticking with Ring of Honor and based on our interviews with Michael Bennett and Matt Taven his recovery is ahead of schedule. It was good news for ROH that they can have Adam Cole for longer than they might have expected.

The entered last night without Cole but put together a compelling card that featured the Bullet Club. A.J Styles had a great match with ACH that elevated his stock even in a losing effort. The Young Bucks challenged for the ROH title and had yet another classic with ReDragon. This match offered one of the surprises of the night as Shyana Baszler one of Ronda Rousey’s Four Horsewomen was in the corner of ReDragon and played a role in the match without getting physically involved. Much like Filthy Tom Lawler had done at the “War of the World’s” show that provided the match of the year for ROH last year with these two teams.

It was expected to be Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson in a three-way tag match against The Addiction and The Kingdom. Doc Gallows had travel issues and ended up stuck in Detroit and missed the show. Karl would go it alone and all five guys in this match made it work as The Kingdom team of Matt Taven and Michael Bennett getting a key win. This was typical ROH where they are dealt a bad hand and they make the most out of it and in the end got a match that did not suffer from the challenges dealt to them.

It was also a big night for the Kingdom, as Maria would also have a match with ODB on the card. It is rare that we see a woman’s match in ROH. This showed that it could be exciting and something new for the company. Michael Bennett and Mark Briscoe pulled double duty working likely harder in this match than they did in their own individual matches. Maria started the match pretending she was pregnant and unable to have the match. It was all a set up as Bennett came out and attacked Mark as Maria corked ODB with the Title of Love and this thing was off to the races. It was a very high-energy match full of great spots involving the guys and gals. In the end, ODB won and the Title of Love was sadly destroyed.

It was also teased in the Main Event that the guys behind the red masks lurking in the crowd could in fact be The Kingdom. Could this be the angle to bring back Adam Cole? Perhaps time will tell but a strong night for the Kingdom without Adam Cole present keeping the faction very strong.

Jay Lethal got a chance to go with a former WWE and World Champion and put on a match where he did not look out of place. He obviously had to cheat to win but that is what heels do not that we see enough of that in pro wrestling today. In ROH the people who are bad do bad things, it makes sense. As far as Alberto El Patron, he has real embraced the ROH fans and given a rub to the ROH brand as a whole. It has made his coming in for a series of dates well worth it. Adding creditability to the product helps grow the base of fans for Ring of Honor and helps them shed the image of being some kind of independent show. It is still a thought while not true those casual fans not familiar with ROH think.

Jay Briscoe retained his title as many expected retained his title. It was a decent match that many complained was over-booked with the masked red men attacked Briscoe, Nigel stopped Elgin from using a chair, and Ciampa saved Nigel from getting power-bombed by Elgin. It was a lot going on but in the end, the expected outcome happened.

What was more important is that Samoa Joe returned and he cut a promo declaring he is back and wants whomever the ROH Champion would be coming out of tonight. He would come to the ring after the match on his way there locked eyes with Elgin and continued on to the ring and had a classic star down with Jay Briscoe.  I would think that for my money you make Joe vs. Briscoe the main event for Best in the World the next announced PPV in June. In the meantime, Joe can battle Elgin and Jay Briscoe can get to the bottom of which these masked men actually are. Kills some time and gives you the proper main event for next PPV.

In other news, it seems Cedric Alexander could be heading towards a heel turn. He lost to Matt Sydal in the opener, which was a good match where Alexander fell short. Kevin Steen deemed Alexander as the future of the company when he left for NXT. Seems logical to build an angle where Alexander has had enough of being a good guy and dealing with high expectations and failing to deliver. Could be a great story and change for Cedric. I am not sure what he would be like as a heel but I am willing to give it a chance to see.

Roderick Strong continues to have great matches, still stuck at the bottom of the card to his frustration.  The fact he is not under contract to the company is part of the reason for this in my view. While he tries to position himself as a contender for the title, it has to be frustrating to see Samoa Joe walk in the door and get an instant shot. However, given Joe’s history with company it is hard to argue the point of it making sense.

Moose has been someone ROH is slowly grooming to be a big star. It was an impressive win over Mark Briscoe who bumped around like a maniac for him in this match. In addition, has a slow burn that could easily flip Moose baby face as Veda Scott stopped Moose from shaking hands and using the Code of Honor. He had an impressive spot for a big man dropkicking Mark Briscoe off the top rope to the floor.

In the end, this show did a lot of good for ROH creating a positive buzz for the brand. Will it translate to Pay-Per-View success? Sadly, it might not being booked on the same weekend, as a big Ronda Rousey UFC fight but it still can be a positive. The reviews and the reactions to the show have been generally positive and the show had a buzz factor too it. In addition, ROH not rushing with PPV has been a good idea. If they can have a good few months with their Wrestlemania weekend show and the co-promoted NJPW shows in Philly with War of the Worlds and two shows making up Global Wars this year in Toronto. If they can continue to keep the ball rolling forward and get a good build to Best in the World, they should be heading in a positive direction.

It was ironic fans were chanting F-TNA during Joe’s speech. ROH may not agree given they have had A.J Styles, The Addiction and now Samoa Joe handed to them on a silver platter thanks to TNA’s failures. It has really helped add some depth to the ROH roster with quality names that can draw.

It was a good night if you’re a ROH fan. It will be an even better night if it helps draw more people to product in this competitive market for the eyes of a lot of fans that are disillusioned with WWE. ROH is on a slow and sometimes frustrating path to success. It may not move as fast as you would hope or wish, but it seems always to be moving in the right direction.

I watched a free WWE show and yet was more entertained by a show I had to pay for which speaks volumes as to where both companies are for me. 

Brock Lesnar Turns Up Heat On WWE By Showing Up At UFC 184

After walking out on Raw on Monday, on Saturday Brock Lesnar the current WWE Champion walked into the Staples Center to watch Ronda Rousey make history. Rousey would watch him capture the WWE Heavyweight Title in the same building smashing John Cena. It may be a decision the WWE will really regret.

Dana White the UFC president before Dave Meltzer could ask the question as to why Brock was there he asked it for him. In answering his own question, he said that Lesnar was in town and wanted to see the fights. White also said that Brock is under contract to WWE and he said the day after that contract ends he expects to hear from Lesnar.

White has been hinting at conversations he has had with Lesnar but because of the obvious threat of a tampering legal action from WWE will say with a twinkle in his eye that Brock and I are friends and did not talk business. This is about as believable as Nikki Bella joining the UFC and defeating Ronda Rousey in the Octagon.

It has been rumored the dispute on Monday was about a new contract Brock wanted with WWE that would allow him to fight for UFC. Dana White offered no comment, or was asked, if he would be on board for such a scenario as has been rumored. Bellator the competitor to the UFC has had former WWE star and current TNA wrestler Bobby Lashley fight for their organization while under contract with TNA. The WWE is not TNA though and it would be unlikely they ever agree to such an arrangement. 

White made a lot of news announcing that C.M Punk signed with the UFC in December and would fight at some point in 2015 in the UFC.

The idea the WWE keeps trying to push that they are not in direct competition with the UFC is becoming even more of a joke by the day. Lesnar is next scheduled to appear for the WWE on March 9th and if he doesn’t you have to wonder if he would pull a C.M Punk like move and walkout if he does get what he wants with a new deal allowing him to work for both UFC and WWE. This would throw the Wrestlemania main event that had been already in trouble due to fans rejection of Roman Reigns into a tailspin.

The more likely is Lesnar plays out his contract and signs with the UFC practically moments after he is pinned to the mat by Roman Reigns. Dana White seems very confident that he will have Brock back as soon as that match is over. Rumors of a Ronda Rousey appearance at Wrestlemania have been out there as well. She will not be fighting anytime soon as she is booked to do another movie. So maybe, Dana should just tag along and he can sign Brock, as he makes his exit from the ring while the fireworks are going off for Roman Reigns.

In any case the WWE has be pretty pissed to see their Champion on the UFC PPV and not even recognized as being a part of the WWE. In fact, just as a former UFC legend. WWE often feared C.M Punk would be made to look foolish in his appearances as a fan when he worked for the company. They rejected him permission to walk out for a fight with his friend Chael Sonnen in Chicago.

Add in the fact that the WWE has been taking heat for not using their women correctly and we had a UFC show draw a larger gate than Summerslam in the same venue with a show headlined by two women’s matches. It all adds up to a big in your face to Vince McMahon and the WWE.

Brock is as good as gone at this point.