VIDEO: Matches announced for the 'SHOULD have' tournament

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Twenty-three names were submitted for the My 1-2-3 Cents 'Who SHOULD Have Been WWE Champion' tournament. The top eight made it into the tournament and I did a Facebook live announcing the participants and the matches. You will be able to vote via Facebook every day until a winner is crowned. See the announcement here. 

By the way, a few names that didn't make it in the submission list that I would like to add include Kerry Von Erich, Paul Orndorff and John Morrison. Remember vote in the tournament each day but you have to submit via the poll on Facebook to make it count.

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Carmella is money

Ms. Money in the Bank, again
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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As suspected, Carmella has won the WWE's second ever Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match. This, of course, was the rematch from last week's event on pay per view. Storyline wise the "do over" match was needed because of the interference by James Ellsworth. In my 1-2-3 cents, it's because of the backlash from fans who were upset that a man "won" the first ever women's version of the match.

Chairwoman
Courtesy: WWE

Right now there are plans for me to voice more of my feelings on that situation on any upcoming Positive Cynicism podcast with Chad, so I'll save all it for that show in the coming weeks. However, WWE made the right decision banking on Carmella. Admittedly she's one of those characters I didn't think was going to make it after debuting on SmackDown Live last year. When she was first drafted (last I might add) she seemed out of place without her NXT buddies Enzo and Big Cass.

In fact, up until a couple months ago, I was still holding out for WWE to do a reunion of sorts for that trio. But then the genius idea came about to pair her with Ellsworth. The combo has been gold. I'm thoroughly entertained by these two and Carmella has stepped up her game both in the ring and on the mic. I also really dig the money printed gear she's wearing too.

Airborne
Courtesy: WWE

I had picked Carmella a couple weeks ago to win the MITB because I believed her character was most fit to portray the Ms. Money in the Bank character. The build to an eventual cash-in will be amazing and only topped by Carmella becoming the SmackDown Live Women's Champion. She's a classic case of a Superstar I wasn't high on at first and becoming a fan of in the long run. So maybe there's still hope for Baron Corbin...

Shouldering the title

Jericho & KO "shouldering" their belts
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Spoiler alert: I'm going to sound like an old man wanting to get the kids off his lawn... But as an old school fan, I wanted to speak on this issue and see what other fans think.

Courtesy: WWE

During the Royal Rumble preshow (I think, it was a long night after all) Renee Young made a remark about a championship belt going on someone's shoulder. I really don't remember who she was referencing, but the point of the story is the belt going over the champion's shoulder. I'll be honest, I don't like it. I'm not picking on any particular Superstar because I know this has been a trend in wrestling for years. 

Umaga
Courtesy: WWE

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock and pretty much everyone in the modern era puts the belt on their shoulder or "drags" it to the ring. Umaga carried the Intercontinental belt in his mouth, which fit his character. Undertaker wore the belt around his neck. And of course Yokozuna was too big for the title to go around his waist, so he shouldered it.

Hulkster
Courtesy: WWE

Ric Flair
Courtesy: WWE

But I do miss the days when a champion wore the belt around his or her waist. There's something more professional looking about this. I get that "belts are props", but the presentation of those titles still matters to me. I know there are cases when old school guys shouldered their belts too. This is something minute in the grand scheme of things, but it wasn't until Renee's comment during the Rumble that made me wonder if WWE is programming us to get used to this trend... 

Closest I'll come to being a champ

I'll never be a champion, but if I were to win the gold, you'd see me wearing it to the ring like the photo above. Thanks for listening.

Be fair to Flair

Two of the greatest
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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John Cena has made his intentions known, he wants to tie Ric Flair's long standing record of being the World Heavyweight Champion 16 times. Growing up in the 80s, "Nature Boy" was the guy I loved to hate. He would lose the title and then regain it. I can remember him surpassing Harley Race's seven reigns, never dreaming Naitch would double that in the years to come. He eventually went from the guy I loved to hate to my all-time favorite wrestler.

Woo!
Courtesy: WWE

Flair said on the most recent episode of podast, The Ric Flair Show, that he's not worried if Cena wins the gold again and ties his record. He doesn't think it'll tarnish his legacy. I admire Flair for saying that. I agree, tying the record won't hurt Flair's legacy. But I'm old school and like the guys from my past to stand tall in the record books. Yes, I know it's a predetermined business and at the end of the day it probably doesn't amount to a hill of beans to most. But some fans (like me) take this stuff seriously.

The champ is here!
Courtesy: WWE

I don't think Cena is going to beat AJ Styles for the championship anytime soon. The earliest I see that happening is WrestleMania. It could be a big celebration, but does tying a record warrant a party? Cena is 39 years old. Flair hadn't even come to WWF until age 42 and still won the title there twice and a couple more times in WCW. So there's time for Cena to break the record, which I anticipate will happen at some point.

I don't want it to happen, but if Ric Flair is cool with it, who am I to complain? Also if someone is going to set a new record or even tie I can't think of anyone better than Cena to do it.

How I'd handle a WWE brand extension

Courtesy: vortexeffect.net

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Speculation has been running wild for a few weeks now that WWE will once again try the brand extension idea.  Years ago, I'll admit I didn't like the way it was executed.  But in 2016, it can work and here's how I'd do it.

NXT: Dallas
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

First off, my idea involves more than just Raw and Smackdown.  I am including NXT in my plan because let's face it, it's no longer a "farm league" for WWE.  That being said, I think the company can create yet another brand that would be strictly a developmental "territory" for up and comers.  But I'll save that for another blog.

WrestleMania 32
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

There would still be one WWE World Heavyweight champion.  He would defend his title on all three shows.  It would be like when I was growing up and World Class had a champion, as did Mid Atlantic, UWF and Central States.  Then the NWA World Heavyweight champion would visit those areas and defend his title.  I would do the same thing with the Women's and Tag Team champions.  When the title changes hands, the former champ goes to the show from which the new champion(s) came from.  Depending on the talent pool, this could lead to a secondary tag title and maybe even a women's tag team championship or secondary belt too.

WrestleMania 32
Courtesy: My 1-2-3 Cents

If and when the draft happens, I would not split up any of the current tag teams.  I feel like right now the division is finally getting some love.  The Intercontinental title would be defended exclusively on Raw, the U.S. title on Smackdown and the NXT title of course on NXT.  I'm still undecided on how to handle pay per views, but since the Network is available, there could be monthly specials for each brand.  The Big 4 could be talent from all three shows and feature a few "interbrand" matches.  For example a three-way Survivor Series match with the winning team getting the number 30 pick for the Royal Rumble or the majority of Superstars in the matchup.  

A brand extension can be beneficial to everyone involved.  Fans wouldn't get bored with the same Superstars headlining Raw and Smackdown every week.  Lesser used talents would get a chance to shine.  And with less weekly shows to be a part of, the injury risk would decrease.  I'm very excited about the future for WWE and I think Payback could spawn a new era for WWE fans.  *Fingers crossed*

The Champ Can't Win

Tombstone & he's done
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Even though I don't intend for this to sound like I'm complaining, it's going to appear that I am, so here goes.  I've read in a couple of different places that in his last 14 televised matches, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins has won ONE of those contests.  One.  

For the last few years WWE has been in a mode of 50/50 booking, especially with the mid card.  I think that philosophy has hurt the product and brought us to where we are today.  I view Rollins as the heel who has no idea what's going on around him.  At times he seems to be in control, but more often than not he hasn't got a clue.  I don't like it.

Losing to Cena
Courtesy: WWE

Beating John Cena for the U.S. Title at SummerSlam was a bold decision and one that I fully endorsed.  Losing it back so quickly, especially with Cena reportedly taking time off makes little sense to me, unless something has suddenly come up with Cena.  

Battling Sting
Courtesy: WWE

If my math is correct Rollins' last victory was over Sting, a man who is roughly twice Seth's age and has wrestled a total of three times in the past year.  Of course Rollins should have won.  Now Rollins is engaged in a feud with a guy who debuted his gimmick when Seth was in junior high school.  I'm not knocking Kane, I like the gimmick he's doing now with the corporate and demon personalities, but I don't know at this stage in his career he should be the number one contender to the WWE World Championship.

Rollins of course is a different type of champion than Brock Lesnar, John Cena or Randy Orton.  But I think he needs to get some solid victories over credible contenders like Roman Reigns, Cena and Orton if fans are going to truly buy into him as a serious champ.  (Yes, I know wrestling is a "work.") He's being booked similarly to The Miz or Jack Swagger during their title runs.  Rollins is clearly one of the most talented men in the company today and he needs to have a better record than what he's currently got.

Flying high (at the moment)
Courtesy: WWE

Even though Ric Flair may not have had his hand raised very often when he wore the gold, I don't remember ever watching his reigns and wondering, "what the hell?"  I'm not criticizing Rollins.  And usually I take a wait and see approach, but I can't believe 1 and 13 is the record of the man who's supposed to be the company's top guy.  

My Money Is On...

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Who I WANT to win Money in the Bank 2015 and who I THINK will win Money in the Bank 2015 are two different things.  But I will say this, I really don't have a problem with any of this year's competitors becoming "Mr. Money in the Bank."  Yes, even Randy Orton. I guess  I'm mellowing as I get older.  Be sure to let me know who you've got this year too.

THINK
1.  Roman Reigns - This is partially because of the Internet buzz, but also because I don't think the WWE has written off Roman Reigns.  I wouldn't mind seeing him repackaged somehow, but overall, I like the guy.  He's continuing to develop both in the ring and on the mic and I think he's going to eventually click with fans.  I don't feel like we're being force fed him anymore, plus the WWE has a year to convince us he deserves a title run.

2.  Sheamus - I like the heel version of Sheamus much more than his babyface character.  Buzz online had him winning the Intercontinental title at Elimination Chamber, so since that didn't happen, maybe a run at the top is coming for the Celtic Warrior.  

3.  Randy Orton - He's been then, done that with both the championship and a tenure as Mr. MITB.  While I'd rather see a fresh face in the title picture, I wouldn't hate it if Orton had another shot at glory.

4.  Dolph Ziggler (he's actually who I WANT to win this year) - I'm still bitter that Ziggler never got the proper title run a couple years ago when he cashed in against Alberto Del Rio.  Injuries played a factor in that, but I also think a lack of confidence and support from the suits contributed to Dolph's lackluster and way too brief run.  The guy has the skills, the work ethic and the popularity.  He just needs the opportunity.  Give Dolph the ball, he'll run with it forever.

5.  Kane - I put him here ONLY if creative has him become the Big Red Monster and quit the Authority.  Kane has been around consistently for nearly 18 years.  The character has evolved many times and I think he's ready to come full circle.  I know there aren't many years left for the big guy in the ring, so one last hurrah would not bother me.

6.  Neville - If you know me, you know I'm a Neville mark.  He's my favorite guy on the roster right now.  But I don't think he's going to win Sunday.  He will be impressive and provide some daring high spots, but I don't think he's ready for a WWE World championship run.  I know the winner has 12 months to get ready, but I like the idea of someone potentially cashing in immediately after clutching that case.  Neville will be there sooner rather than later.  I have no doubt about that.

7.  Kofi Kingston - Of everyone in this match, I'd say I'm the most surprised he's in it.  That's no disrespect to him.  I love the work he is doing now with Xavier Woods and Big E in The New Day.  I also like the buildup to MITB with the group saying if Kofi wins, they'll all have a crack at the title.  But let's face facts, WWE has pushed and pulled back Kofi so many times, he's the personification of a yo-yo.  I like him and respect his abilities in the ring.  I just don't think he's got a very good shot at winning this seven man ladder match.