Jacks lost his Swagger

Written By RY2J

Swaggers Career: After Every Rise Comes A Fall

As a former ECW Champion, World Heavyweight Champion and Money in the Bank Winner; Jack Swagger has had plenty of highlights in his four-year stint in the WWE.

However, since forming an alliance with Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler in August of last year, the All-American-American’s rise up the WWE ladder seems to have run down a blind alley.

With only a six week United State Title reign to show for his years’ work, Swagger’s accomplishments within the past 12 months have to go down as disappointing.

So the question must be asked: What went wrong? To find the answer, we must go way back to the build-up to WrestleMania 27.

Rhodes to Replace Randy?

Written by RY2J

Can Rhodes Make The Step Up?

After finding out that Randy Orton had been suspended for 60 days due to violation of WWE’s Wellness Policy, I decided to take a glass-half-full look at the situation.

Sure, Orton has been the key player on SmackDown ever since his move onto the Blue Brand over a year ago; but this latest incident could prove to be just the kick up the backside that WWE needed with their Friday Night Show.

When The Viper was first drafted to SmackDown, I, like many people, thought this was a step in the right direction to adding value to WWE’s ‘second show’, but a year on, and the show seems to be going backwards again.

Repetitive storylines, the brands top talent being available to be seen on Monday Night Raw, a lack of depth in the roster; SmackDown has again become a second thought in mine and many other WWE fans minds.

Bye Bye Bellas

Written by RY2J

Bella Twins: Future Endeavoured

In August 2008, the WWE Universe were introduced to Brie and Nikki Bella, twin sisters who would go on to stay with the company for the best part of three and a half years; a stay that came to an abrupt and harsh end this past Monday night.

It was common knowledge amongst many fans that the Bella Twins contracts were ending, but for a pair who really helped boost the Diva Division, the crude send-off that they were given on Raw hardly seemed appropriate.

Hearing from the commentators table that “The Bella Twins have been fired by Eve Torres” was announced almost as a side note on what was quite a busy Monday Night Raw.

Smackdown Vs Raw: It's more than just a Game

Written by Headbanger Ash

The fight to be number one!

Ever since I can remember, Raw has been the dominant brand in the WWE. From the Raw is War days to our present Monday night Raw show, it has always been the leading weekly episodic, constantly leaving Smackdown sat in a sorry second place. However, is the domination of Raw beginning to disappear? Can Smackdown, Teddy Long and-all, rise above their prevailing brother show and become number one?

Lately, I have been watching both shows without fail and the one thing I have noted is that Smackdown seems to be invading, and taking over, Raw. Rarely will a Monday night now go by in which Sheamus, The Big Show, Randy Orton or Wade Barrett are not involved in one way or another, and these names are fast becoming fans favourites.

I understand that Raw is now called the Raw super show, meaning both rosters can compete on Monday nights, yet the reliance upon certain superstars from the runner-up brand is perhaps indicating that Smackdown is no longer content with living in its sibling’s shadow. In fact, without the likes of Orton and Sheamus kicking some ass on Raw, would we actually see a drop in viewing figures?

The Royal Rumble winner of 2012, The Great White himself, is a fully pledged Smackdown superstar whilst the tag titles are also now owned by the blue half of the WWE. As this sort of power is instituted towards Teddy Longs team and away from big Johnny, will Teddy actually catch his rival?

Like many others, I still believe that Raw is, the greater brand, with the likes of Jericho, Punk, Cena (yes we may not like him, but, we like to not like him), Kane, The Miz, and Ziggler perhaps over-powering the weaker Smackdown roster.

Yet a look at the upcoming talent on Smackdown such as Sheamus, Cody Rhodes, Barrett, D-Bry etc. and you can see that the gulf between the two shows is certainly shrinking.

However, the problem doesn’t seem to be the talent, it seems to be the storylines. Raw has always provided that extra special moment which Smackdown just lacks. For example, on Raw you may see Kane clawing his way out of a hole in the middle of the ring only for it to be set ablaze moments later, whilst on Smackdown, the most edgy thing that occurs is a Natalya fart-gag or Hunico riding some sort of “pimped-out” bicycle to the ring. It is this kind of thing that is remembered by the WWE universe and which one, honestly, would you rather see?

To finish this piece I think we must recognise the huge strides Smackdown has made recently with the show actually becoming interesting again and not just 2 long, long hours of air-time on Sy-Fy. Raw has dominated the WWE universe for decades now, yet could we soon be seeing a switch over to the blue side?

Deadman Walking

WrestleMania XXVIII: Undertaker vs ???

Written By RY2J

It has been a hectic ten months in the WWE since WrestleMania XXVII. From meeting Mr Excitement John Lauranitis to seeing Jomo having to go go. From the disbanding of Nexus to The Rock’s first match in over seven years. Even in the last month or so we’ve seen a masked Kane re-appear, a bemusing Jericho return, Sheamus win the Royal Rumble and we’ve even been introduced to the only living Funkasauras known to man!

However, amidst all the commotion that has excited us throughout this time, one thing (or should I say ‘one man’) has been missing. On Monday 30^th January 2012, Hells Gates reopened and out stepped the man who has made the WWE ring his playground over the last twenty years. Finally, The Undertaker returned.

As soon as the first ‘Donggg’ was echoed through the arena, the crowd erupted (even sat at home I couldn’t help but to throw a ‘hell yeah’ fist into the air). Memories of the great matches between The Undertaker and Triple H were quickly flooding back as The Deadman squared up to The Game in the ring and, without the need to say a word, challenged him to a match at WrestleMania.

However, unlike with the build-up to WrestleMania 27, this time Triple H did not stand there and stare back, instead he just patted Taker on the shoulder and left the ring. So the question has now arisen: will it be HHH vs Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVIII? And if not The Cerebral Assassin, then who?

Last year’s bout between these two heavyweights of the business even eclipsed The Rock as guest host and the match justifiably stole the show. A rematch has looked likely to occur ever since, with Undertaker desperate to get his streak to 20-0 in style.

However, with Triple H’s apparent reluctance to fight The Phenom again, if this match does not occur then, in my opinion, I can only see one other potential matchup. Will we have a repeat of WrestleMania XIV and XX and once again see The Undertaker vs Kane on the biggest stage of them all!?

With John Cena scheduled to face The Rock come April 1^st in Miami, The Big Red Machines current feud with Cena will surely come to an end sometime before this. Therefore, another ‘brother on brother’ bout could well be on the cards for this year’s pinnacle event.

However the fact remains that, whether it be Triple H, Kane or anyone else on the roster for that matter, personally I am just delighted that The Deadman has returned, and come WrestleMania 28, will once again be looking to make his opponent Rest. In. Peace.

Brodus "What the Funk" Clay

Written By Headbanger Ash

FUNKASAURUS

Mix together some Sexual Chocolate with a pinch of Rikishi; topped off with a layer of The Godfather and what do you get? A Funkasaurus.  

After two months of suspense Brodus Clay finally made his return to Raw last Monday night, in a way that nobody could have expected.

Previously known for letting his actions in the ring do the talking, Clay’s comeback to the WWE universe was shocking to say the least.

Strutting his way down to the ring to “Somebody call my Momma” in his over-revealing, red singlet, the new and improved Clay opened up his very own Hall of Pain, inducting both Curt Hawkins and Tyson Kidd as honorary members.

Powerful suplexes, body splashes and the return of the head-butt have all appeared in Clay’s move set, which looks similar to that of a young Umaga.

Not since the American Badass hit the WWE has a superstar’s image changed so much – but the question now arises, is this a good thing?

The turnover of superstars in the WWE is one that no other company can emulate. Superstars are hardly in the company long enough to finish a match before they are thrown out the door so whether our new big red machine will survive in these testing waters will be a challenge in itself.

Personally, I like the new Brodus Clay. Rather than just bringing him back as another heel, where the likes of Mark Henry and Kane would all but eclipse him, John Laurinaitis has handed the funky torch on to a superstar who has the in ring abilities to do more than the original funk man ever could do.

What the future holds for the Funkasaurus now is unknown. A Gimmick who can actually wrestle has the potential to challenge for titles, and as long as nobody calls his Momma too soon, Clay may well have a bright future in the WWE.