Rhetorical questions about Survivor Series 2017

Survivor Series 2017
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Overall I was impressed with the 2017 Survivor Series. There wasn't one match on the card that disappointed me in terms of the performances. But like many fans, I have some questions that likely won't be answered by WWE in the wake of the annual event. 

The Shield vs. The New Day
Courtesy: WWE

1. Why wasn't the Shield vs. New Day match an elimination one? Don't get me wrong, this was an outstanding match and New Day was much more competitive than I had anticipated. That's not a knock on Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E, but Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins have all be WWE Champion. I love the elimination matches at Survivor Series and in my 1-2-3 cents this one could have been one as well.

2. Why did the participants in the elimination matches have separate entrances? As someone pointed out on Twitter, nothing says unity like separate ring entrances. I know I'm being nitpicky and I don't know how often all team members have come out together. In my 1-2-3 cents, teams should be lead to the ring by the captain and with his or her music playing for everyone. While we're at it, go back to the fun team names like The Enforcers and The Rude Brood.

3. Why didn't Triple H or John Cena wear the shirt for their respective brands? At least Triple H had on a red shirt. But Cena wore lime green armbands and no shirt. Come on John.

4. After Randy Orton RKO'd Finn Balor, why on earth did Michael Cole encourage the Viper to make the cover? The whole match was a back and forth between the Raw and SmackDown Live commentary teams. My guess is Cole got caught up in the moment and didn't realize he was cheering for the other team. 

Owens & Zayn attack
Courtesy: WWE

5. Why would Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn attack Shane McMahon? I know why they did it. But logically speaking, Shane will either a) punish them on SDL or b) fire them, effectively sending them to Raw. The last time Stephanie McMahon was around Owens, she snarled at him after he headbutted Mr. McMahon. So it would seem she wouldn't have any use for the duo either. But maybe I'm reading too much into that storyline.

6. When do we get "Broken" Matt Hardy?

7. Why did Baron Corbin win? You all had to know that was coming as I'm still not on board with Corbin and believe that the Miz is really hitting his stride as of late.

Money in the Bank predictions

That time I was in a MITB match

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I'm looking forward to this year's Money in the Bank event for a few reasons. Number one, I'll be there. I'm joining some friends from the Stride Pro Wrestling roster along with my buddy Weston (who will be on the podcast with me reviewing the show, it'll drop later than usual on Monday). Chad will be there too, but he's got primo seats near the ring. Before the show starts I'm going to the live Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard show too. It's going to be a great day.

Here are some quick thoughts on the show.

The Hype Bros will beat the Colons. But something tells me one of the Hype Bros will turn on the other. I can't imagine fans booing Zack Ryder, especially since he's returning. I just don't want him to become the Jannetty of the team.

Naomi will retain the SmackDown Women's Championship against Lana.

The New Day will become SmackDown Tag Team Champions after beating the Usos.

Carmella will win the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match. I never thought I'd say that, but the others involved in this don't need the prop of the briefcase. I can see Carmella and James Ellsworth working the case into their current gimmick.

Jinder Mahal will retain the WWE Championship against Randy Orton. "Losing in your hometown" trumps the "never bet against Orton" mantra that I have.

I'm still divided on who will win the men's Money in the Bank match. I've said it before, as long as it's anyone but Baron Corbin, I'll be content. But since I need to name someone, I'm going with Kevin Owens. Like Carmella, I can see him milking the gimmick of Mr. Money in the Bank the best. However, if Orton wins the belt back, I could see Corbin winning the case and cashing in that night, but who knows what order they're going to go with the show. 

My MITB pick is ABC

MITB 2017 participants
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Money in the Bank is right around the corner and I'm pretty excited because I will be in the crowd that night in St. Louis. It'll be even more fun because I missed WrestleMania this year and I'm going with a group from Stride Pro Wrestling along with my long lost pal Weston. Chad and his nephew will also be there, so it's going to be a fun night. I'm also hitting up the Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard show earlier in the day. But I digress...

I have not picked a winner yet for MITB, I think it's too early to do that. As we know U.S. Champion Kevin Owens, Nakamura, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn are the combatants. My title says ABC, which means Anyone But Corbin. It pains me to say that because I have really focused on trying to be more positive with my posts in recent months. But I do not understand the love for Corbin from within the machine. 

Corbin talks, I don't listen
Courtesy: WWE

I have nothing but respect for anyone who becomes a WWE Superstar. But that doesn't mean they're all going to be liked by the fans. Corbin falls into that category for me. His character hasn't connected with me. That's not to say it never will, as there have been past Superstars I didn't like but then became a fan of later. Brock Lesnar, Billy Gunn and Albert/Tensai are just a few. 

Once MITB gets closer I'll expand more on my thoughts of a winner. I hope the rumors of a Baron Corbin push are just that and he does not ascend to the top of the ladder and grab that briefcase on June 18. But if he does, I'll get over it. I survived the Diesel years after all. 

Payback predictions

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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WWE Payback happens Sunday. The company has done a pretty good job building up to the first post Superstar Shakeup and WrestleMania pay per view event. I'm going to attempt to make some predictions and voice a couple of concerns with the show as it stands at the time of this post on Saturday, April 29.

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson will beat Enzo and Big Cass. I just have a feeling they're leading us to a split between Cass and Enzo. Not necessarily a feud, but I can see these two going their separate ways. I don't think it'll happen Sunday night, but I won't be surprised in the next few months if this popular duo is no longer a pair.

It's too soon to switch the tag team titles so the Hardys will retain the belts against Sheamus and Cesaro. I am digging the team of Shesaro (did I spell that right?). 

Kevin Owens will retain the U.S. Championship against Chris Jericho. SmackDown Live needs the star power of Owens and not someone who is planning to leave and go on tour with his band.

I'm holding out hope that Neville will retain against Austin Aries, but it seems they're priming A Double to eventually lead the Cruiserweight Division. I'm a huge fan of Neville's and as long as he's still a key in the storylines in the division, I'll be happy.

Alexa Bliss will become the next Raw Women's Champion. She's the highlight of the division on Raw.

Samoa Joe will beat Seth Rollins, perhaps due to interference by the returning Triple H.

I suspect Roman Reigns will beat Braun Strowman to overcome all the ass beatings he's faced recently. However, I'd rather see the carnage continue. WWE Creative appears to still be strapping the rocket pack on Reigns' back, so having him bounce back from the abuse seems to be the next step.

Bray Wyatt should beat Randy Orton in the House of Horrors match, especially since it's non-title. But long ago I learned to not bet against Orton. 

Now for some critical analysis of the card. The U.S. title is being defended and not the Intercontinental Championship. I figure they're on a time crunch to get the Jericho-Owens rematch in on pay per view and since they're on opposite brands this makes sense, but I would like to see the IC title be defended too. I'm still holding out hope Dean Ambrose and the Miz will meet at Payback too.

I say that because it's the second biggest title on the Raw brand and since Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will not be defending his belt, the IC title should be getting some shine and be showcased on events when the big belt isn't defended. 

Did the Superstar Shakeup happen too soon?

Orton & Wyatt
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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The question of the day: Did the Superstar Shakeup happen too soon? Short answer: Yes. But since I get paid by the word, I'll go into long form here. (Editor's note: I don't get paid by the word.) 

Owens & Jericho
Courtesy: WWE

I have enjoyed the stories coming out of the Shakeup and my only criticism is it seems to have happened too soon after WrestleMania. Loose ends weren't tied up before Bray Wyatt went to Raw and Kevin Owens went to SmackDown Live. Because of this, there are now two championships that are no longer on Raw being defended on a Raw event. It's not a huge deal, but when it comes to the brand split and pay per views, I prefer only the big four shows to have inter-brand matches.

I have more thoughts on the upcoming Payback event, but since it's only Tuesday and I hope they're going to add another match or two, I'm going to wait until later in the week to weigh in on those thoughts. Overall though I'm pleased with the way stories are currently developing. I would have waited until after Payback to do the Shakeup. 

Shaking things up

Maryse & the Miz
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Superstar Shakeup 2017 is in the books, and overall I'm impressed with how it was executed. There weren't any splits of tag teams or manager/valet setups, which is good. Lana is staying with Rusev on SmackDown Live and the Miz and Maryse will remain a pair on Raw. I had concerns teams like the New Day or Enzo and Big Cass would end up getting separated.

Wooo!
Courtesy: WWE

It's interesting that Bray Wyatt is now on Raw. I'll be curious to see if there's any kind of interaction with Braun Strowaman on the show. It seems like neither man would really need to have their alliance anymore. I'm happy to see Charlotte Flair coming to SmackDown Live. As mentioned before, the Bayley, Sasha, Charlotte story was getting a bit stale. Injecting Alexa Bliss into the Raw Women's Championship picture is great, but all signs are pointing to a Sasha heel turn, at least it appears that way to me. I'm hoping Tamina is ready to get back into the ring because the SDL women's roster lost two full-time and talented women along with Maryse (I don't know how much more she'll wrestle). 

The KO Show moves...
Courtesy: WWE

I'm not sure why they traded the Intercontinental and U.S. champions between shows, but I'm glad they didn't keep both champs on the same show. Maybe the IC title will get some shine on Raw with Universal Champion Brock Lesnar being a part-time Superstar. I believe Kevin Owens will beat Chris Jericho at Payback and remain on SDL. But I was hoping for a faction with him, Samoa Joe and possibly Cesaro on Raw. 

The rosters have new looks for the post-WrestleMania season. Change is good and I'm looking forward to the build up to Money in the Bank (I'll be there) and SummerSlam.

Not so Fast(lane)

Spear!
Courtesy: WWE 

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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If you've been paying attention you probably know I'm not thrilled with the results from Fastlane. It is what it is, and I'll get to my feelings on the Goldberg champion win and YOUR 3 Cents too in a moment. But I also want to touch on the other travesty of justice that went down: ending Charlotte Flair's pay-per-view win streak.

Bayley retains
Courtesy: WWE

It was destined to end, I just wish WWE would have done it on a bigger show, like oh let's say the biggest freakin' show of the year in five weeks, WrestleMania. I don't mind so much that it's Bayley who ended the streak, but after seeing these two go at it on NXT and now on Raw, someone outside the box would have been refreshing. I guess I got my hopes up when I saw some speculation last week that NXT Women's Champion Asuka was mentioned as a possible WrestleMania opponent for Charlotte. I don't want to rush to judgment and will wait patiently to see what's next for the women.

Now to Goldberg. Quick recap: never been a fan, but that doesn't mean I don't respect what he did for the business in the late 90s and during his brief run in WWE. I'm not a fan of anyone coming in after a 13.5-year hiatus and being handed a title shot in his third match back. I'm even less of a fan of that person winning the championship in less than 30 seconds. And even lesser of a fan of that new champion facing another part-time performer (who has been suspended from UFC for drug violations).

Goldberg wins
Courtesy: WWE

Let's also approach this from another side. Why would Chris Jericho cost Kevin Owens the WWE Universal Championship when all signs are pointing to a match with KO at Mania? Wouldn't Jericho have wanted to be the one to end Owens' reign? Enough of my venting, here's what others are saying on the My 1-2-3 Cents social media sites. Some are for Goldberg, others share my thoughts.

Courtesy: WWE

• Chad: (poop emoji) "Nostalgia only goes so far. The main event at the biggest show of the year shouldn't be between two guys who will wrestle probably six times this year combined."
• goodbirger: "As a casual wrestling fan, I dig it. It will make me want to watch for the time being. Also, I hate that belt. I wish they would use a throwback belt for the big title."
• Martin Endersby: (thumbs down) "Time for WWE to probably ditch the old guard and part-timers. There's more than enough young, rising talent out there."
• Greg Mehochko: "I agree with Martin. I know (or at least 'I'm pretty sure') WWE has something more "big picture" in mind. But you just took the main event (or co-main) of WrestleMania and gave it to two part-time guys."
• Garrett Turner: "If WWE really wants to build up their roster as legitimate, they would not have their Universal Champion (Kevin Owens at the time) lose in less than a minute to someone who hadn't held the world title in 13+ years!! I get the fact that he is a huge draw and brings back nostalgia. But if he gets winded walking to the ring, I dread what we have in store for us at WrestleMania between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar. I feel like they should focus their efforts on building stars and not relying on those of the past."
  
• Ken Johnson: "He came back to put butts in the seats. He deserves to be champ for a week or so."
• Robert Wilson: "Yay, because the new young talent has no respect. They want it easy the old talent paved the way and still has a big following and spend the money there is a need for new faces but don't discount the vets."
  Thank you to everyone who weighed in. I will say this title change makes me feel a lot less sad about not being in Orlando this year for Mania. Hopefully, the show will still be great. I am curious to see what happens with this match now. And hey at least Neville retained the Cruiserweight Title... 

Goldberg doesn't need the Universal Championship

Face to face
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I know I've been critical of Goldberg since his return right before the Survivor Series in late 2016. My criticism isn't meant to be negative, I'm just expressing the other side of the argument as many fans are popping over his return. I preface this all with the caveat: I've never been a Goldberg fan. I don't hate the guy, I just never connected with him as a fan. I think in part because I was always a WWF guy over WCW in the Monday Night Wars, but even when he signed with WWE in 2003, I felt "meh." 

But putting my own thoughts and feelings to the side for a moment, I see the value in bringing back legends. Society in general loves nostalgia. That's why shows and cartoons from the 80s are coming back in big screen form. Yes, I've seen The Smurfs Movie, Scooby-Doo and the new Ghostbusters. I will probably go see Baywatch later this year. And I marked out when the Rock came back. But I don't think he should have had a run with the belt again.

Goldberg
Courtesy: WWE

As much as I love seeing my favorites come back and work with the current roster, I find value in those former Superstars helping establish the future. The Rock killing the Wyatt Family last year at WrestleMania and Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley beating up on The League of Nations did nothing for these full-time Superstars. Putting the Universal Championship on Goldberg this weekend will be another example of that.

Kevin Owens
Courtesy: WWE

I know there will be those who argue Kevin Owens looks more like a pro bowler than a pro wrestler and a "fat guy" shouldn't be representing WWE. I couldn't disagree more and I've laid out my points on that in the past so I won't rehash it here. A year from now Owens will still be around. Will Goldberg? What about in five years? I'm not suggesting Owens cleanly beat Goldberg, especially considering Goldberg is headed to Mania against Brock Lesnar, but I don't think he should be going into the event as champion either.

Owens vs. Jericho
Courtesy: WWE

I don't read spoilers or speculation usually so I don't know what the plan is right now. But in my 1-2-3 cents, Goldberg will win by either disqualification or count out. This can set up Owens-Jericho at Mania with both the U.S. and Universal championships on the line. By dirty means, Owens wins both (Jericho is allegedly going to tour with Fozzy next month). Then Owens can drop the Universal Championship to Finn Balor and I'll be quiet (not likely) about the situation. But putting the gold on Goldberg is a band-aid solution that does nothing to help the current crop of Superstars.

Wrestling mysteries that were never solved

Owens wins
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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This blog is probably going to end up being more cynical than I planned, but I really don't have much to say about Raw from Monday (I haven't finished the show) and I am really making an effort to be more positive with my posts. This will stray from that, but I'll be back on course tomorrow as the blogging streak continues. Today I am looking at a few mysteries in wrestling that never seemed to be solved.

Why did Triple H help Kevin Owens win the WWE Universal Championship? There is still time to answer this, and I think had Seth Rollins not gotten hurt we might be an answer to that question in the near future. Sometimes as fans we get impatient and want to know details as they start to unfold. As we learned in 2013/14 the slow burn is worth the wait. And yes I know allegedly the original plan was not for Daniel Bryan to go all the way to the top at WrestleMania XXX.

The McMahons vs. Austin
Courtesy: WWE

Who was pulling the briefcase during The McMahons vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin? This ladder match was for the title of CEO of the WWF. The briefcase that hung above the ring could only be reached via a ladder and when Austin climbed to the top, the case suddenly got yanked away. This eventually allowed the McMahons to regain control, climb the ladder and retain control of the company.

Hummer collision
Courtesy: WWE

Who was in the white Hummer that nearly destroyed Kevin Nash? Before WCW folded, Nash was involved in a storyline with Randy Savage. Savage drove a limo that Nash was inside and parked it before someone in a white Hummer slammed into the luxury car several times. The Macho Man told viewers it was his new bodyguard that we would meet later, but guess what, we never did. 

GTV is always watching
Courtesy: WWE

Who was behind G-TV? WWE fans watched as someone had set up a camera backstage and was spying on Superstars and Divas. The feed was played for months, but we never learned the mastermind. Bruce Prichard recently revealed it was supposed to be Goldust, but he departed the company before the payoff. 

These are just a few things I've questioned as a wrestling fan. What storylines never had a resolution that you're curious about?

When bromances go bad

When bromances go bad...
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Bromances are awesome. We see them in all walks of life. I even have a couple myself. In the world of professional wrestling, it seems these relationships always end up going south. It's inevitable, so let's take a look at some of the best bromances in the business.

Chris Jericho & Kevin Owens
Courtesy: WWE

Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho's bromance came to a screeching halt on the most recent episode of Monday Night Raw. When the union formed last summer it gave new life to the Jericho's character and helped endear Owens in the eyes of fans. Their SummerSlam victory over Enzo and Big Cass surprised me and I thought for a moment the two would get a run as Raw tag team champions.

The timing of the breakup concerns me, though. My hope was that Owens would retain the Universal Championship against Goldberg later this month with the help of Jericho and then set up a match between the two at WrestleMania. But now I'm worried Goldberg will emerge as champ because of Jericho's interference, still leading us to an Owens-Jericho Mania matchup.

I would have loved to see the two stick it out together longer, but with WrestleMania coming, you knew the fun was going to come to an end. Now I look forward to seeing what both of them can do against each in the ring.

The MegaPowers
Courtesy: WWE

In the late 80s, "Macho Man" Randy Savage was on the verge of turning good when he feuded with the Honky Tonk Man. Then one Saturday night the fans fully embraced Savage after he was attacked by HTM and the Hart Foundation. Miss Elizabeth summoned the help of Hulk Hogan and the two became fast friends. For more than a year the Mega Powers dominated the WWF with their bromance, but all the way seeds of dissension were being planted. It was great storytelling and the Mega Powers exploded prior to WrestleMania V, 18 months after the bromance began.

Chris Adams & Gino Hernandez

I'm going old school for this last bromance. "Gentleman" Chris Adams proved to be anything but when he turned on the Von Erichs in World Class Championship Wrestling. He aligned himself with Gino Hernandez and the two ran amuck on the babyfaces of the company. They were joined at one point by Jake "The Snake" Roberts and won the WCCW 6 Man Tag Team Titles. Adams and Hernandez also had a run with the tag team titles. 

But like all good things, the Gentleman and the Handsome Half-Breed had a huge falling out. Hernandez blinded Adams, which led to his return to being a face. Sadly, Hernandez died shortly after this while Adams was recovering from his injuries. The two never had that much-anticipated feud. Hernandez was just 28 years old and had so much potential. 

Rock n Sock Connection
Courtesy: WWE

Of course, there are plenty of other great wrestling bromances. Edge & Christian, Shawn Michaels & Triple H, The Rock & Mankind and Scott Hall & Kevin Nash just to name a few. These men have all had their ups and downs too, just like history has shown us. 

Positive rumblings

It's Samoa Joe!
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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A lot of wrestling fans, myself included, have done some complaining on social media about the outcome of the WWE Royal Rumble. Last year I vowed to be more positive in my postings, but there are times I don't necessarily like the outcomes of events and a snarky or negative post gets made. Episode 115 of the podcast this week, Chad and I voice our concerns with the current landscape leading up to WrestleMania. But that's the past and now a few positive notes from the Rumble and the Raw after.

Neville
Courtesy: WWE

1. Neville is the new Cruiserweight Champion. For weeks Neville has been the self-anointed "King of the Cruiserweights" and that destiny was fulfilled Sunday night. Neville beat Rich Swann in a great match. I have been a fan of "the King" since before he signed with WWE, so naturally, his title win is awesome. My hope is his involvement in the division will draw more interest to the 205 contenders.

Owens flyin' high
Courtesy: WWE

2. Roman Reigns didn't win the Universal Championship. I understand this is negative, and maybe I should say Kevin Owens retained the title. I don't dislike Reigns, but I don't think he's ready to be at the top of the hill again. I want to see the Owens-Chris Jericho angle play out.

Rollins gets mugged
Courtesy: WWE

3. Samoa Joe appears to be on the main roster. I popped as I scrolled through my social media feed Tuesday morning (I go to bed before Raw ends) and saw pics of Joe destroying Seth Rollins. Throw in the "Holy shit!" chant from the fans and my day was made. It's not that I dislike Rollins, I'm just glad to see Joe on the main roster. And yes, I'm the guy 10 years ago who referred to Joe as "Rikishi 2.0". I'm an ass, I know.

There are plenty of things to complain about in wrestling (and in life), but taking a look at the glass being half full is what's best for my business.