A New Era for the Wrestling Thread

[Hunter Rider]

Who's everyone's surprise entrants predictions?

I'm expecting Joe Hendry and Jordynne Grace so, mine are:

JBL
Jeff Hardy
Josh Alexander
Masha Slammovitch
Nikki Bella
AJ Lee

Jeff is a great call, I could see both the Hardyz involved. JBL is ideal for the Bushwaker spot.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Who's everyone's surprise entrants predictions?

I'm expecting Joe Hendry and Jordynne Grace so, mine are:

JBL
Jeff Hardy
Josh Alexander
Masha Slammovitch
Nikki Bella
AJ Lee

Why does everyone think Josh Alexander is a lock for WWE? Jordynne Grace is a lock for WWE for sure, and so will Joe Hendry when he is free to sign with WWE. Could Josh Alexander end up in WWE? He could, but he could also sign with AEW, NWA, MLW or New Japan.

For now, I would replace Josh Alexander with Matt Hardy.

Also his contract doesn't end for another few weeks.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Report - WWE In 'Significant Talks' With Nikki Bella, Return Likely

Report - WWE In 'Significant Talks' With Nikki Bella, Return Likely Wrestling News and Rumors

www.ewrestlingnews.com

Why?

Report: Malaki Black Officially Done With AEW, Cannot Appear At WWE Royal Rumble - Wrestling Inc.

AEW sources have reportedly indicated that Malaki Black has finished up with the promotion, but will not be a free agent by the day of WWE Royal Rumble.

www.wrestlinginc.com

That's a shame, I think once he gets back in WWE he can reignite his career.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Lobo]

Why does everyone think Josh Alexander is a lock for WWE? Jordynne Grace is a lock for WWE for sure, and so will Joe Hendry when he is free to sign with WWE. Could Josh Alexander end up in WWE? He could, but he could also sign with AEW, NWA, MLW or New Japan.

For now, I would replace Josh Alexander with Matt Hardy.

Also his contract doesn't end for another few weeks.

His contract might not end for another few weeks, but the deal with TNA and WWE is already in place. He could potentially show up in the Rumble.

As for why everyone thinks he'll go to WWE? It seems most likely he'll sign with them, get a nice contract, and he'd be a vet who can help the young nxt talent, as well as be a solid addition to the midcard on either Raw or Smackdown. It's good for both parties that's why most people are thinking he'll sign with WWE. It's also lots of new matches for him against people he's never wrestled.

 

[Dr. Evil]

His contract might not end for another few weeks, but the deal with TNA and WWE is already in place. He could potentially show up in the Rumble.

As for why everyone thinks he'll go to WWE? It seems most likely he'll sign with them, get a nice contract, and he'd be a vet who can help the young nxt talent, as well as be a solid addition to the midcard on either Raw or Smackdown. It's good for both parties that's why most people are thinking he'll sign with WWE. It's also lots of new matches for him against people he's never wrestled.

With Trick Williams on his way up for a major raise, NXT could use depth in the men's division and Alexander can provide that.

Having said that, he could surprise and sign with AEW, although I think he gets lost in the shuffle there.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

Yeah I bet.

 

[Lobo]

Yeah I bet.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Report - WWE In 'Significant Talks' With Nikki Bella, Return Likely

Report - WWE In 'Significant Talks' With Nikki Bella, Return Likely Wrestling News and Rumors

www.ewrestlingnews.com

Why?

Report: Malaki Black Officially Done With AEW, Cannot Appear At WWE Royal Rumble - Wrestling Inc.

AEW sources have reportedly indicated that Malaki Black has finished up with the promotion, but will not be a free agent by the day of WWE Royal Rumble.

www.wrestlinginc.com

That's a shame, I think once he gets back in WWE he can reignite his career.

After what she has gone through in her personal life, Nikki Bella probably feels like going back to the WWE gives her a sense of stability.

 

[Lobo]

Damian Priest has officially switched to Smackdown. That's a good move for him imo. Lots of new matches and gets him away from the Judgement Day completely

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

Charlotte is definitely winning the Royal Rumble.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Charlotte is definitely winning the Royal Rumble.

I think she wins the Chamber.

 

[Lobo]

I got Iyo winning the Chamber. Gives her another cage to jump off of.

Jacob Fatu promo was great. Knight's was hilarious, "I'll hit you so hard you won't be able to stop shaking"

So officially we have Damian Priest, The Miz, and the Wyatt Sicks all on Smackdown. Raw has Bayley. There has to be a few more people headed to Raw. Never mind ATown Down Under heading to Raw. So... so far the trade has been Bayley, and ATDU for Priest, Wyatt Sicks, Miz, and Strowman. NXT is meant to be part of this transfer widow, maybe Santos Escobar and Alpha Academy go there?

 

[Dr. Evil]

Too bad they didn't have an "I Love You Solo" t-shirt prior to Tribal Combat.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I got Iyo winning the Chamber. Gives her another cage to jump off of.

Jacob Fatu promo was great. Knight's was hilarious, "I'll hit you so hard you won't be able to stop shaking"

So officially we have Damian Priest, The Miz, and the Wyatt Sicks all on Smackdown. Raw has Bayley. There has to be a few more people headed to Raw. Never mind ATown Down Under heading to Raw. So... so far the trade has been Bayley, and ATDU for Priest, Wyatt Sicks, Miz, and Strowman. NXT is meant to be part of this transfer widow, maybe Santos Escobar and Alpha Academy go there?

the deal with TNA likely changed NXT's involvement.

 

[Hunter Rider]

It feels like Trips is trying to heat up the tag team division on Smackdown, Los Garza are really stepping up and Pretty Deadly are goofy but actually a good team, then there's DIY and MCMG actually getting to have their tag title match at the Royal Rumble, I think that's the first time either brands men's tag belts have been defended on a PLE since Wrestlemania 40. All these guys are hungry and it's showing in the recent batch of tag matches on Smackdown.

Priest moving to Smackdown should be good for him, he got off to a good start with the Melo match and the little scene with Cody, but not much of a pop, they need to get him in a good program straight away.

I love Piper as Chelsea's Secret Service agent lol, I'm thinking the US title match next week will conclude the feud with Michin.

I think Pretty Deadly and B-Fab had new spruced up entrances with updated music?

Liv pinning Bianca relatively clean in the 6 women tag was a bit of a surprise, I will say for Liv that being heel has showcased how well she bumps.

Owens vs Jimmy was a decent main event, Owens heel work has been excellent, the most I've ever enjoyed him.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Lobo]

Damn Tiffy

 

[Lobo]

So there was no mention of the addendum to the contract with Cody and Owens. Kevin is right, and I'm rooting for him at the Royal Rumble. And it must be mentioned that Kevin Owens has the best tshirt game.

Spoilers below.

Nia vs Rhea was a good short match.

Bron vs Sheamus was great. Personally that was favorite IC title defense of Bron. I do think Sheamus should win that belt eventually.

I think the contract signing would have been better if Owens gave Shawn the package piledriver.

Solo was holding Jacob back. Curious what Solo does at Mania. Him vs Jacob seems most likely. Now it's time to watch Jacob and Brawn destroy each other.

 

[TheVileOne]

John Cena is winning the men's Rumble.

Charlotte Flair is winning the women's Rumble.

 

[Hunter Rider]

SNME is in the record books, I thought it was a fun, breezy show, Jey has now had his best 2 matches with Gunther, and I think him getting his singles respect worked within the story while keeping Gunther strong.

Jacob didn't win but got over regardless, although the angle didn't work as intended as Strowman isn't over enough for fans to care, and they were chanting "one more time" and even Fatu at one point. A similar thing happened when Reed hit Seth with all those tsunamis, it's difficult to get the Hogan/Bundy type of angle over in modern wrestling.

Rhea vs Nia and Bron vs Sheamus were the best matches on the show, Nia has progressed so much it's amazing, she's low-key the mvp of the division over the last 6 months. Bron is a freakish Brock level athlete and the spear spot off the steps was incredible, even Jesse marked for it lol, I love having him back on commentary.

 

[Hunter Rider]

John Cena is winning the men's Rumble.

Charlotte Flair is winning the women's Rumble.

Ewwwww