We Are (Wyatt) Family

The Wyatt Family
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

For weeks I've been eagerly awaiting the Raw debut of the Wyatt Family.  I have only seen a little bit of their work on FCW, but liked what I saw.  Plus, the vignettes that have been airing, added to my interest.  As I've mentioned before, I get up for work at 2 a.m., so watching all of Raw isn't in the cards for me.  I stayed up until the firing of Vickie Guerrero, which I expected to be interrupted by the Wyatt Family.

I was disappointed as I turned off my TV at 9:10 and Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan hadn't yet come out.  I was even more disappointed to get home from work to find for whatever reason my DVR did not work.  I'm grateful we live in a world of online video and I was able to see these three  unique individuals make their debut.

Harper & Rowan attack Kane
Photo courtesy: WWE

Overall, I am impressed with what I saw.  I like how the production team put together the promo of Wyatt talking before the group headed out to the ring.  Kane was an interesting choice of victims, as I had read speculation it would be everyone from the Shield to Triple H to Mr. McMahon.  The pain and destruction they inflicted on the Big Red Machine showed us the Wyatt Family isn't a group to be taken lightly.

It was a powerful debut, short and to the point.  It'll be interesting to see of course what this means for Kane as he was carted away from the ring, just days before he's to appear in the Money in the Bank All Stars match.  I also wonder what this all means for Daniel Bryan.  Is Team Hell No finished?  Bryan seems to be getting over as a solo star and going back to Kane could be viewed as a step back.

Of course another possible ally for Kane in this battle would be big brother The Undertaker.  But with his limited schedule, I don't know if that's realistic either.  One thing is for certain, the Wyatt Family has made an impact on the WWE and will have fans eagerly waiting to see what their next move and who their next victim will be.

Silent Rage Is Silenced

"Silent Rage" & "Stone Cold" (WWE)

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

The period after Wrestlemania often brings an onslaught of "future endeavoring" and it appears that last year's Tough Enough winner Andy "Silent Rage" Leavine is the first casualty of the post Wrestlemania 28 era.  (Several wrestling websites are reporting this) But let's be honest is this really a big surprise?

Big Andy hadn't been seen on WWE television since winning the competition just over a year ago.  On the night of his big win, he was slapped by Mr. McMahon and on the receiving end of a Stone Cold Stunner by Steve Austin.  In my view, not exactly the way you want to introduce a new talent and "future superstar" to the world.  He made one last appearance in June 2011 in a backstage promo with CM Punk and Stone Cold.

The Dragon & Leavine (WWE)

He had been sent down to train and refine his skills with FCW.  They may have played a vignette on him down there at some point as well, but last summer he was suspended for a Wellness Policy violation.  In my view, not a good thing for anyone, but especially someone who the company had seemed to expressed such an interest in by taking them to the top of the Tough Enough competition.

It sucks for Andy that he's been released.  I don't wish termination upon anyone.  But really I didn't see much of a future for him on the main roster with WWE.  Honestly, I never really bought in to him.  I respect Andy Leavine, the man.  He has a family and is trying to follow his dream and do what's best for them.  But during the Tough Enough show, I did not feel like he truly brought his "A" game to the table (or the ring for that matter)

Matt Cross & company, AAPW Main Event

In the final weeks of the competition, I was solely behind Jeremiah Riggs.  But early in the show I was rooting for Matt Cross.  I felt like he was eliminated WAY too soon.  Now that I've met M-Dogg 20 (at AAPW Main Event), I really believe he has the tools to make it in the WWE.  The guy seems like a class act to me, and although I'd hate the thought of him not being a part of future AAPW events, I would love to see him reach his dream and make it to the grandest stage of all in the WWE.

But back to the point of this post, Leavine I believe is just the first in a series of releases coming our way in the next few weeks.  What are you thoughts on "Silent Rage"?  Did he ever get a fair shot?  Post your thoughts here or on our Facebook wall.

New Name, New Look

Photo from: Bleacher Report.com

By Kevin Hunsperger

Remember a couple of weeks ago when Husky Harris got punted in the head by Randy Orton on Monday Night Raw?  Apparently the kick knocked some sense into the rookie, and he's changed his name.  Again.   At least for now.

Husky returned to the Florida Championship Wrestling ring over the weekend with a new look and a new moniker.  He's now known as Axl Mulligan.  For those who didn't know, Axl is the grandson of WWE Hall of Famer "Blackjack" Mulligan and the son of Mike Rotunda (IRS).

I actually like his real name, which is Windham Rotunda.  How many superstars can say they have the same name as a legendary WWF tag team?

While I applaud the fact that he is embracing his heritage with taking his grandfather's name, I don't quite understand the mask.  As you can see, it looks a bit like something Hannibal Lecter would sport.  Not quite sure where the gimmick is headed...

Husky Harris' profile remains on the WWE Raw Superstars website, and Axl's hasn't emerged on the FCW talent page, yet.  Not sure if that means anything or not.  Personally, I liked Husky Harris.  I'd say other than CM Punk, he's my favorite member of Nexus.

The name change goes back to something I posted earlier today about Alberto Del Rio embracing his past as Dos Caras, Jr.  I wish more of these guys who have a legacy in the business, would get booked that way.   What do you think?  Should legacy superstars be promoted as such or do they need to find their own niche under a different name?  It worked for Barry Windham.

Thanks for reading.  Follow us here and on Facebook.  And don't forget to subscribe to My 1-2-3 Cents on YouTube.

MIA Already

Courtesy: WWE

Tyson Kidd's monster body guard Jackson Andrews is already MIA.  I think he might have appeared on three episodes of Raw.  His last being the squashed by Mark Henry a couple of weeks ago.

The reports I've read on line indicate Andrews was sent back to FCW, the WWE's developmental territory.

My question is this:  why in the world did they even add him to the main roster?  Surely they knew before bringing him in that he was still green.  And from what I've read they decided to NOT use him on this season of NXT because he wasn't ready.  So he's not good enough to be a on a show decided to rookies learning the craft, but you're going to put him on a show that millions of people watch each week and rip apart (ie, me)  I don't understand that.

But of course this is just what the other websites are reporting.  Maybe there is some other legitimate reason behind all this.  I just wonder where this decision leaves Tyson Kidd.  And if and when they bring Andrews back, will he have a new gimmick?

Share your thoughts.  Thanks for stopping by.