WWE releases part 2

Cody Rhodes
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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A couple weeks ago WWE released a handful of talents, ranging from the Brooklyn Brawler to "King" Barrett. Another round of releases has started.  Over the weekend Cody Rhodes requested and was granted his release from WWE.  Embattled Superstar Adam Rose has been 'future endeavored' too.  

Adam Rose
Courtesy: WWE

The Rose release isn't surprising.  He was serving a 60 day suspension for a Wellness Policy violation.  During his time away he was also arrested on domestic charges violence charges.  None of us knows what's going on his life, but I hope whatever hardships he and his family are going through, they get the situation worked out.  Never say never as we could see him back in WWE at some point.

Cody's release was a surprise, but I don't blame him wanting to step away.  He was clearly frustrated with his place on the roster and walking away now gives Cody a chance to perhaps reinvent himself elsewhere or find a whole new line of work.  Again, I wish him nothing but the best.  Here's what Cody had to say about the situation via his Twitter page @PrinceCGR.

My Favorite Rosebud

Matt "Money" Cage joins the Party Posse (vest with black pants)
Photo courtesy: WWE 

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I've had the privilege to meet several talented men and women in the world of independent wrestling.  Some of them have taken their skills to the next level, making to the promised land of the WWE.  Even if it was a one shot appearance, it's quite an accomplish to make it onto WWE television.  There are wrestlers who toil for decades and never get that opportunity.

Matt "Money" Cage recently had that chance.  He was a part of Monday Night Raw on Labor Day 2014.  Cage was a member of Adam Rose's "Party Posse" as he danced his way to the ring and then joined Rose for his post match celebration.  The appearance was brief, but it made an impact on the fans of Cage.

Rose & Cage
Photo courtesy: Jason Wilkey

I met Matt for the first time in late 2011.  He and Christian Rose became the AAPW tag team champs in Cage's debut with the company.  Team Overkill took tag team wrestling to a new level, not just in AAPW, but in other independent companies too.  I always appreciated the hard work Cage put forth in each of his matches.  It was always a pleasure to call the action when he was in the ring, whether in tag team action or a singles match.  To this day, one of my favorite indy matches is the ladder match between Cage and Rose and Brandon Espinosa and Ace Hawkins.

Cage in action
Photo courtesy: Pro Wrestling Collision

It is my sincere hope that this appearance for Cage is more than just a one shot deal and the door is open to more opportunities for this extremely gifted wrestler.  His ability in the ring and on the microphone have more than earned him a shot with WWE.  I hope in the very near future I'm tuning in to watch him on NXT for just $9.99 a month.

We The People

Ready to Rumble
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I try to keep an open mind when watching wrestling.  I know from time to time on this blog I have been critical of the decisions made in regards to some storylines and angles.  But for the most part, I try to stay positive and enjoy the show.

Now that I have that out of the way, I want to tackle the current feud brewing between Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter, the Real Americans and Rusev and Lana, who have pledged their allegiance to Mother Russia.  I really do like the work the WWE has done with the Rusev, making the once referred to Bulgarian Brute one of the most destructive forces in recent WWE memory.  My criticism comes with the decision to make Swagger the patriotic American to face the monster heel Rusev.

Lana lays the smack down
Photo courtesy: WWE

I don't dislike Swagger at all.  In fact, his gimmick with Colter helped renew my interest in this former World champion who has clearly been lost in the shuffle. But up until three weeks ago, Swagger was one of the last people I would have thought of going toe to toe with Rusev.  To say he's floundered would be putting it kindly.  I enjoyed he and Cesaro as a tag team and thought the duo had a legitimate shot at becoming tag team champions.  But since The Real Americans' split after Wrestlemania, Swagger has done very little to impress.

His most recent "feud" was with Adam Rose.  Swagger lost their first encounter in two minutes and 18 seconds on SmackDown. Their followup match happened on Raw.  Swagger dropped that one in just under three minutes.  I'm not taking anything away from Rose, but I find it hard to believe that Swagger is going to be the man to end Rusev's streak, especially since Rusev handled Big E pretty easily, a man who had given Swagger a hard time not that along ago too.

Patriot Lock!
Photo courtesy: WWE

I will admit that the WWE has done a good job strengthening Swagger, having him go toe to toe in the recent showdowns with Rusev.  I just worry that it may be too little too late.  Sunday evening we'll all know for sure.