nxt takeover: london // raven // ROH
2016 // ISSUE 7
ROODE AND STORM
SteelChairMag.com
WRESTLING
feb
STEELCHAIR
ICW SQUARE GO!
// SHINSUKE NAKAMURA - COMING TO AMERICA //
"Featuring interactive roundtable discussions on prowrestling, including the Monday Night War Timeline series, the SCG Trials, current events analysis and random topics a melting pot of opinion, wisdom and humour"
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appy New Year! Yes it’s February and I’m way too late to legally be able to say it, but I did it. I’m so late that it’s post-Rumble and we’re on the Road to WrestleMania. Lee Hazell looks back at WrestleMania 1 and also plots what he think will and should happen at this year’s.
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Our cover stars and interview is Beer Money, who you may also know as TNA’s Bobby Roode and James Storm. Coire is back with his ‘Intro to’ and this time looks at Ring of Honor. We’ve also got live reviews of ICW’s Square Go and we look at Nakumura going to America. Enjoy! David Garlick @davidgarlick
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PAST MONTH
NEWS: SHANE BAYLISS | MATCHES: JOHN DUFFY
MATCHES OF THE MONTH
1
MARTY SCRULL V WILL OSPREAY
RPW HIGH STAKES
The Villain Marty Scrull and The Ariel Assassin tore the roof off York Hall in a match that had some of the best and most insane sequences ever seen. A contender for MOTY already.
2
AJ STYLES V ZACK SABRE JR
RPW HIGH STAKES
Two of wrestling’s modern wonders went face to face in what was Styles’ last British indie date. High spots, reversals after reversal and “the is awesome” chants aplenty.The match crowned Zabre Jr as the new British Heavyweight Champion
3
KAZUCHIKA OKADA V HIROSHI TANAHASHI
WRESTLEKINGDOM 10
Arguably the greatest match of all time in the greatest feud of all time. A fantastic display of fighting spirit, NJPW’s two top guys put on an epic encounter.
4
OF THE MONTH
AJ STYLES ayley currently has the unprecedented honour of winning the first ever, womenonly main event in a WWE Network Special. It was the first time the girls got top billing and both her and her opponent Sasha Banks proved why there is no reason this shouldn’t happen more often. It’s not been called a match of the year contender, it’s simply been called match of the year. A moment where finally women’s wrestling has been given the Respect it deserves. Bayley is at the forefront of women’s wrestling and a massive part of wrestling’s future full stop.
B
AMBROSE V OWENS WWE ROYAL RUMBLE
A fun and action packed Last Man Standing match in which the two stars shined with chair shots and broken tables galore.
5
WRESTLER
KURT ANGLE V GALLOWAY TNA
A revitalised Impact zone saw the first match in the Kurt Angle farewell tour. The two opponents stole the show with a back and forth match that featured brutal moves, high spots and near falls.
04 STEELCHAIR NOVEMBER 2O15
EVENT OF OF THE MONTH NXT RESPECT
NEWS
SteelChair is now the wrestling section for magazine VultureHound.com
THE OLYMPIC HERO HANGS UP HIS BOOTS, MAYBE
THIS MONTH
1
THE NJPW SCREW-JOB
When the rumours broke that New Japan’s biggest talent had supposedly
TNA’s recent Maximum Impact UK Tour also marked Kurt Angel’s final matches for TNA, before what TNA were publicising as his retirement. His late match in Birmingham (spoilers) ended with him being beaten and then attacked by Bobby Lashley who turned heel. Only time will tell if Angel is full retired, with rumours and the IWC suggesting he could attempt one more run in WWE before finally calling it a day.
quit the company, with rumours of AJ Styles, Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson all leaving to join WWE. These rumours continued with no confirmation, until AJ made his grand entrance at Royal Rumble. At the time of writing Gallows and Anderson’s future is yet to be revealed, and Nakamura is confirmed for NXT Takeover: Dallas scheduled to face Sami Zayn the night before WrestleMania.
2
KALISTO GETS A PUSH
As WWE’s list of inactive talent continues to grow certain members of the roster have managed to take advantage at the lack of depth, with Kalisto seizing the opportunity created by Sin Cara’s injury
BRET HART
and becoming United States champion.
CANCER BATTLE
Rumble the high-flying Mexican superstar
2016 has been pretty shit outside of the wrestling industry with cancer taking its fair share of high profile victims. Unfortunately wrestlers aren’t immune to the disease and recently ‘The Excellence of Execution’ Bret ‘The Hit Man’ Hart announced that he is in a battle with the disease. We a SteelChair all wish Bret the best, and point you in the direction of prostatecanceruk.org
Kalisto one the title on RAW before quickly losing it to Alberto Del Rio the following Smackdown, but at Royal managed to overcome the odds and win the title again.
3
BOTH TNA AND NXT RELEASE TALENT
After an ‘altercation’ with TNA Champion Matt Hardy’s wife Reby Sky during the UK tour TNA opted to release former Knockouts Champion Awesome Kong, whilst over a NXT fan favourite Bull Dempsy also found himself with out a job despite the cult success of the #BullFit movement. Both are now seemingly looking for independent bookings, so I doubt either will be out of work for long.
NOVEMBER 2O15 STEELCHAIR 05
ROH
WORDS: COIRÉ MC CRYSTALL | PHOTOS: ANTON JACKSON
JAY LETHAL 06 STEELCHAIR NOVEMBER 2O15
AN INTRODUCTION TO
RING OF
HONOR I
t’s safe to say that wrestling
ECW. In its early days, ROH made its name
in the year 2016 owes a
in the same East Coast US area that had
great debt to Ring of Honor.
been ECW’s old stomping ground. In what
Whilst WWE has tried,
would be an interesting development, ROH
and tried even to this day,
would eschew the ‘hardcore’ style which
to turn glamour-muscular bodybuilders
formed much of ECW’s character, whilst
and failed American football players into
pushing harder on the ‘high workrate’
‘WWE Superstars’, Ring of Honor took the
element and building the promotion around
opposite approach - they took young men
the sportsmanship-like notion of a ‘Code
who wanted to be professional wrestlers,
of Honor’. Basically, a lot of handshaking.
and they let them be professional wrestlers.
This ‘high workrate’ element would be most
In its formation, Ring of Honor treated
evident in the later days of ECW, with the
wrestling a lot more like a sport, possibly
likes of Jerry Lynn and Rob Van Dam, but
more than any promotion outside of the
also present in ECW’s adolescence, when
territories era, and in doing so, changed
the likes of Dean Malenko, Perry Saturn,
‘sports entertainment’ to ‘sports’ while
Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero were
keeping the ‘entertainment’. If you’ve ever
getting their first major exposure in the US.
wanted to learn about what this ‘Ring of
Indeed, Eddie Guerrero even featured on
Honor’ promotion that WWE sometimes
the first ROH show.
makes veiled references to when referring to your favourite wrestlers, then please read
Though the shows were critically
on.
acclaimed, a 2004 scandal in which ROH founder Rob Feinstein allegedly tried to
When talking about Ring of Honor, talk
solicit sex online from a minor, though
of ‘eras’ comes up - the ROH of today
actually the ‘minor’ was an adult plant in
and the ROH of yesteryear are extremely
a sting operation. The controversy would
different beasts after all. Ring of Honor
be dire for ROH, with Total Nonstop Action
got its start as a DVD-pushing promotion
wrestling withdrawing all TNA talents from
for RF Video following the 2001 demise of
ROH shows; gutting the promotion of
>
NOVEMBER 2O15 STEELCHAIR 07
ROH many top prospects, including a young AJ Styles. Feinstein would resign from the promotion; ROH would carry on. ROH would continue to grow, making use of a time-trusted method of growing promotions - using established names, such as Mick Foley and Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat, to entice fans, and then relying on strong talent, such as Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson and Low Ki to wow the fresh eyes on the product and collect the dividends. This strategy has worked fairly well in some instances - see Raven and CM Punk’s highly emotional tale, and not so much in others. the most infamous of these being Jim Cornette’s creative input into the promotion, which has been unceremoniously dubbed ‘Smoky Mountain of Honor’ after Cornette’s former promotion, Smoky
AJ STYLES
Mountain Wrestling, which is now another head on the WWE trophy wall. This 2009-2012 era was a critically difficult time for the company. Though
MARK BRISCOE
business remained strong, thanks to TV deals with HDNet and later Sinclair, the creative direction of the company at the time has been criticised by many fans, and importantly, many of the promotion’s former top stars. Blame for this has pinged around the company like a ball in a handball alley. What we do know is that there was a pervasive oldschool ‘funny don’t make money’ mantra within the booking authorities at the time, leading to many of the promotion’s most fondly remembered stars, such as Colt Cabana and Kevin Steen either being persona non-grata within the company (Cabana), or frustrated and frozen out (Steen). The end of that era brings us to present day Ring of Honor. Though today’s Ring of Honor looks very different to the ROH of yore, there is still a clear lineage there. There is a lineage to the promotion as a producer of the stars of tomorrow - indeed where WWE used to harvest ECW for its new stars, today it can be said that they harvest ROH. There
Low Ki was the first ever ROH World Champion
DALTON CASTLE is a seemingly endless list of ROH wrestlers turned WWE sports
more than say, TNA and WWE. Whilst TNA and WWE are very
entertainers - Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn, CM Punk, Kevin Owens,
seeking a more mainstream audience by their nature and as
Luke Harper and more have all had ROH experience before
such need to keep their promotions as free from complexity as
‘making it to the big leagues’ as the WWE corporate machine
possible, Ring of Honor tends to give its fans more credit than
would drone. Though that isn’t to say that the WWE has a
that. To watch a Ring of Honor main event is to witness a piece
perfect success rate - a notable error being WWE’s disastrous
which the artists have devoted time and care in their craft.
handling of Kaval, and the acrimonious split between CM
Whilst WWE will have a commentary team push Roman Reigns
Punk and WWE can be used as evidence of this hit-and-miss
down our throat for doing things which, let’s be honest, most
relationship.
anyone on their roster could do, ROH champion Jay Lethal’s matches are a sight to behold. This point also extends to the
So what is it about ROH that the fans love so much? Well, a lot
booking. Jay Lethal’s story arc has been years in the making -
of it is just personal preference. As mentioned previously, Ring
from winning the mid-card TV Title, feeling a bubbling inferiority
of Honor relies on a extremely high ‘work rate’ - moves come
towards to the Heavyweight Champion, to eventually dethroning
a mile a minute, oftentimes at the expense of selling, pacing
this champion and proving that the mid-card belt can mean as
and psychology. But then again, one fan’s spotfest is another
much as the main event title. It’s been a coherent story with
fan’s extravaganza. Matches are generally more internationally
its own intricacies and subtleties. WWE couldn’t even book a
informed, making use of hard hitting Japanese puroresu, high
coherent Royal Rumble, and the less said about TNA’s booking
flying Mexican lucha libre, and yes, even some British catch-
the past half-decade the better.
style; though this British-style has given way in recent years to a more Brazilian jiu-jitsu-Mixed Martial Arts approach, as best
And so we get to the real crux of ROH’s latent popularity - it is
evidenced by Kyle O’Reilly.
a viable alternative. In recent years, there is a definite shift in ROH towards a more mainstream appeal - while hopefully not
Furthermore, ROH generally tends to reward attention to detail
losing its unique flavour. By no means is it going to challenge
>
NOVEMBER 2O15 STEELCHAIR 09
GENERICO
ROH
KEVIN STEEN
WWE’s claim to the throne any time
us, ROH hosts their weekly shows free
Above all else, the track record of Ring
soon, however, it has captured a valuable
of charge on their website at ‘http://
of Honor of producing future WWE
market - the same market which WWE
www.rohwrestling.com/tv/current’. Ring
Champions is staggering. ROH produces
has been reaching towards with NXT.
of Honor hosts several marquee shows
future draws, where it seems these days
So valuable is this market, that WWE
which either appears on iPPV or PPV. In
WWE only produces shoulder injuries.
has in fact made efforts to curtail the
terms of production quality, ROH floats
The sheer amount of talent which is bred
popularity of ROH. From booking shows
in this nebulous area - the production
out of the North American independent
adjacent ROH to swiping Jushin Thunder
is rarely ‘bad’; but it isn’t the high
wrestling scene, of which Ring Of Honor
Liger from out of the the talent sharing
watermark of the industry. ROH does
seems to be the gatekeeper, is unlike
arrangement which New Japan and ROH
what it can with the resources available
anything the wrestling world has seen
have, WWE has sought to return to the
to it. Production quality is usually a point
before. In a way, ROH is wrestling’s way
same tactics which saw them put so
of personal preference, and here is no
of codifying independent wrestling;
many promotions out of business in
different. Generally, I’d say that the show
sanding off the rough edges and serving
those halcyon territory days.
is better presented than most episodes
as an American top tier for wrestlers, not
of TNA, and less interfered with than
sports entertainers. The Ring of Honor
So where can you watch Ring of Honor?
the average WWE output. Commentary
product, currently, is an unmissable
In the United States, Ring of Honor is
is provided by Kevin Kelly and Steve
hour of weekly television; yet you can be
available on Sinclair affiliate stations
Corino (who at the time of writing is
safe in the knowledge that this time is
throughout the country. Until recently
under a mask as ‘Mr Wrestling 3’). The
an investment, as you follow the careers
ROH had been available on Destination
commentary again, is no JR and the
of young stars who will almost certainly
America, the same station as TNA.
King, or Mike Tenay and Don West, but
headline future Wrestlemanias.
However, in December ROH made the
it’s functional, and generally miles ahead
jump to COMET, a SciFi channel owned
of its contemporaries.
by ROH parent Sinclair. For the rest of
10 STEELCHAIR NOVEMBER 2O15
HALL OF FAME
WORDS: RICHARD HART | PHOTO: WWE VIDEO
STING SET TO JOIN WWE HALL OF FAME 26 STEELCHAIR NOVEMBER 2O15
STING: HALL OF FAME
ne of the major icon’s of the late WCW promotion, Steve “Sting” Borden is due to be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame. Sting made his WWE in-ring debut at WrestleMania last year, wrestling in a showy but disappointing match with HHH.
O
It’s safe to say that WWE are never going to get bored of mentioning that they won the war against WCW and despite the fact that WCW went out of business over fifteen years ago, Sting was somewhat sacrificed to this too, putting over HHH to further prove this. How he earned his spot in the Hall Of Fame? Sting was often the main attraction of WCW, leading the company through the lean times and then adapting his old surfer character to his gothic crow> character. Sting worked with Ric Flair, Rick Rude, Scott Steiner and Hulk Hogan, amongst others and often had strong matches. He also had a career with almost no fights or backstabbing politics. Sting’s inclusion is a must. Though the WWE hasn’t been overly concerned with the credibility of their Hall Of Fame, Sting being a member is vital. Without him the WCW would never have been serious competition and for the longest time he was the wrestler that the WWE most wanted to poach and whose loyalty made that impossible. Now he’ll be recognised for his achievements and added to the WWE Hall Of Fame, though I’m sure they’ll mention that he’s not in the WCW Hall Of Fame.
NOVEMBER 2O15 STEELCHAIR 27
LOOK BACK
A LOOK BACK AT THE 1ST WRESTLEMANIA 1 WORDS: LEE HAZELL | PHOTO: JOHN MCKEON
he Granddaddy of The Granddaddy of them All. WrestleMania I. This is where the hottest night of the wrestling calendar got its start. Shown in the most prestigious indoor sports venue in the United States of America, Madison Square Garden, and drawing a crowd of 19,121… it actually paled in comparison to Jim Crockett’s Starrcade ’85 which brought in 30,000 people across two venues. WrestleMania 2 would try to top that next year by housing the arena in three stadiums, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
T
The point I’m trying to make is that WrestleMania wasn’t created to lead. It was created to compete. That’s not a narrative you hear out of Connecticut very often. And while the arena attendance was only two thirds of its rival’s it was almost at capacity. Include in this the healthy PPV numbers and the lucky one-million watching at home on closed circuit TV, then you have an event that must have had Jim and his boys looking over their shoulders. Their edge, as I probably won’t need to tell long term WWE fans, was glitz and glamour. The show featured heavily touted appearances from stars like Cyndi Lauper, Muhamed Ali and Liberachi. Some say that to rely on such gimmickry was a sign of
44 STEELCHAIR AUGUST 2O15
shrinking confidence in their product. Others thought it was a ballsy way to achieve crossover appeal, and a great business move. And for all the honest criticism I’ve ever thrown WWE’s way, I can’t say that this wasn’t a shrewd way to break into other markets. After all, Vince has never been in the wrestling industry. Only the entertainment biz. In fact, I’ve always believed that the two companies should have swapped names for their biggest shows. Starrcade was where the wrestling was at and WrestleMania was full of stars. Let’s face it. As great as Flair and Dusty were, they were never the cultural, international phenomenon that Hogan proved to be. Case in point, you don’t watch WWE’s flagship PPV for the wrestling. At least not in 1985 you don’t. You watch it for the spectacle.
no matter how much Gorilla Monsoon touts its place in the record books you just don’t see this match as an event so much as a foot note. Speaking of Gorilla, he is the main anchor of the evening flanked by Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura. Both men are legendary commentators and fitting hosts of the show. Mean Gene Okerlund handles the pre-match interviews, being the glue that holds together the shaky mic ability of the mixed bag of interviewees. And Lord Alfred Hayes is man outside the entrance and while a legendary commentator himself, is way outside his comfort zone here. He looks like he was just told a million people were watching him just before they switched the camera on. He looks uncharacteristically dazed. He then has to contend with the wrestlers and managers ribbing him as they walk past.
It takes ages for the wrestling to even get going. Tito Santana opening your PPV is a great idea. Giving him an opponent like The Executioner and only five minutes to put him down isn’t. His quality will always shine through, but the opening bout feels like a wasted opportunity. The second match just feels like a waste in general. Special Delivery Jones is offered up to the rise of King Kong Bundy, foretelling his main event status at WrestleMania 2. SD is taken out in just nine seconds. But
Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat was next and he’s against Matt Bourne. For the analysis for match three, please see match one. It’s less than half an hour in and we’ve already had three matches. This brings me to another difference that 1985 has with 2016. The preamble to a match, the context of the feud and the story going in, are all handled by a brief thirty second interview. Legends such as the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff get a dozen words between them before they make it down the
Vince McMahon remortgaged his house to fund WM1
OH HOW WWE MUST LONG FOR
THE DAYS OF FAN IGNORANCE ramp. Their context is made clear by the name of the opposing team; the U.S Express are made up of Mike Rotundo (father to Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas) and Barry Windham. The Express showcase the energy that made them so good and Sheik and Volkoff showcase the preening that made them such excellent bad guys. Winning the titles off of such a patriotic team did wonders for them and really riled up the crowd. Speaking of which, oh how WWE must
long for the days of fan ignorance. They don’t know the power they have, so they don’t go exploiting it at live events. Good guys, get cheered and the bad guys get booed. And boy do they cheer and boo. An appreciation for the art of professional wrestling will never produce the reaction actual moral vindication or outrage will get. The crowd are hollering the whole way through the night, the atmosphere is electric and the audience are animated, they never sit still, they are
letting the wrestlers know what they think with all their motor functions. A modern crowd couldn’t touch it. The next match is the first one of decent length, but it’s not because of the respect that WWE has for the performers inside the ring. No, this match is all about one man outside it. Bruno Sammartino, The Living Legend of Professional Wrestling. Technically he was there to support his son David as he went up against Brutus Beefcake, but the younger man
AUGUST 2O15 STEELCHAIR 45
LOOK BACK
THE MAIN EVENT IS
A CLUSTER FUCK is firmly in dad’s shadow. He was the one the commentators were talking about, he got the biggest pop, he was given the biggest announcement. His son didn’t even get to go over. Due to his dad’s and Johnny Valiant’s interference, it ended in a double disqualification. Junkyard Dog is next and the whole match is just one big showcase of the man’s constant flow of charisma. He really was one of the strongest characters in WWE history. After that, Andre the Giant vs Big John Studd in a match where Andre could only win if he slammed The Studd. He does and the crowd goes ballistic. It’s weird to think that in a couple of years’ time someone would do the same to him and it would make news around the world. Wendy Richter goes up against Leilani Kai and features the second celebrity appearance of the night, after Bruno Sammartino. Cindy Lauper is one of the best celebrities to ever make an appearance in WWE for her sheer gameness alone. She got stuck into her role as a manager and was invested in wrestling every step of the way, learning manging from the great Captain Lou Albano.
44 STEELCHAIR AUGUST 2O15
This is what cameos in wrestling should mean. Also, her appearance did not overshadow the match the two competitors were having. It only enhanced the storytelling. We now move onto our main event of the evening. Hulk Hogan and Mr. T with Jimmy Snuka, vs. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff with Bob Orton. Muhammed Ali is the guest ref, Pat Paterson is the actual ref, baseball star Billy Martin is the guest ring announcer and Liberachi is the timekeeper. That’s ten people for this main event. And that’s not including the bagpipe players accompanying Roddy to the ring or The Rockettes who dance with Liberace. Quite frankly this is a cluster fuck. It’s been well documented that Mr. T and Roddy had problems because Roddy didn’t like T walking straight into the main event and, in his words, making people believe that anyone can do what they do. This match has no real narrative to speak of, way too many moments of interference and shenanigans, if the Sammartino match ended in a double DQ, then why is this farce being allowed to continue? I know WWE needed to make this match feel special in some
way, but by throwing everything they had at it they just made it intolerable. Also, it’s really weird to watch Hulk teaming up with an African American, and having Jimmy Snuka in his corner, knowing what we know now. In fact it’s weird to see Snuka in general. The first WrestleMania feels like it was less about the cameos and more about the kitchen sink being thrown at it. Nine matches in two hours and a quarter. I’d rather have had Tito Santana and Ricky Steamboat go twenty minutes at each other than see half of these matches. But I enjoyed the show, although I am grateful that WWE refined the PPV format over the next few years. With the next WrestleMainia just around the corner, it will be interesting to compare the two and see how far the product has come. And let’s face it, WrestleMania is always a lot better, and more memorable, when it’s all about the Wrestling rather than the celebrities.
TWEET US YOUR WRESTLEMANIA VIEWS @STEELCHAIRMAG
BEER MONEY
WORDS: MIKE WALSH
We spoke with BOBBY roode and James storm aka...
BEER MONEY nce upon a time the hottest tag team division in professional wrestling found it’s home in TNA. You had teams such as The Motor City Machine Guns, Team 3D, LAX and, of course, Beer Money absolutely tearing it up while WWE did not really have a division at all. Fast forward to today and WWE have invested a lot of time and effort into their teams while TNA’s division has stagnated slightly. However, one of the most popular teams of all time; James Storm and Bobby Roode, have reunited and we had an exclusive chat with Beer Money!
O
As we enter the room to meet the guys, it is quite clear that Storm and Roode are not only comfortable in, but enjoy each other’s company so
it is no surprise they gel so well in the ring together. When asked how it felt to be reunited, Storm says “It’s so cool, especially how the fans have taken back to Beer Money. When you don’t do something for a while, 5 years or so, you wonder if the fans have forgotten what you have done. Even when we went out as single wrestlers we would still get the ‘Beer...Money’ chants and now, actually getting back together, it’s pretty amazing. Roode adds “It’s kind of like a rock and roll band getting back together. After being such a popular group, splitting up and going our own ways, I think the people were eager to get us back together because it’s a fun tag team that people can relate to. It doesn’t mater who you are or where you’re from, people just relate to us
going out there and having a lot of fun and we enjoy working together. Storm then jokes “Yeah, we’re like Guns & Roses, I’ll be guns.” Excuse the pun, but Beer Money have indeed started the year all guns blazing. Having already captured a tag team title shot via feast or fired, the two have just been in the UK for TNA’s annual Maximum Impact tour and it is clear the pair are enjoying life. Having done pretty much all there is to do in the wrestling world, I was intrigued what the team held accountable for their success. A success which has seen them able to reunite after all these years and be just as over as they were in their hay day, Roode explains “When it comes to
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 19
>
BEER MONEY
wrestling, it’s not only about being able to compete in the ring and have the fans believe in you but I think it’s about being able to go out there and entertain the people. I think that is something that we did very well and it’s something we look forward to doing every night which is to go out and have fun, entertain the fans. We were talking earlier about the double suplex we do, the Beer Money suplex we do, it’s a very simple move you see in every tag team match but we made it our own and get the fans involved in it. We like to get the fans involved in everything we do and I think that helped us to create the mystique of Beer Money and why everyone wants to come see us and why we’ve become so popular. Storm chips in “The double suplex was just something we just thought would be fun and funny and we didn’t
38 STEELCHAIR APRIL 2O15
think the fans would really take to it but we just did it enough and it got over. Also, I think it’s just down to the chemistry Bobby and I have together. We just gel so well even if we’re wrestling against each other or as a tag team. Storm and Roode have both enjoyed runs as TNA world champion and as single competitors are always situated towards the top of the card. TNA has been heavily criticised for not being able to create their own stars but now the pair are back teaming again, this presents an opportunity for some of TNA’s younger talents to seize and make a march towards the main event. I was intrigued who the guys thought could fill the upper card void left by them. Storm says ”I think Bram has a lot of potential to get there. He just has the look and size and also the athletic
ability to do it. Of course you have Drew Galloway so I would say those two. Roode agrees, “Yeah Drew is a guy who has been around for a while but to the Impact roster he is pretty new. I think he started here this time last year on this tour so I see him as a real young guy with a tonne of potential who is going to be a main event star for years to come. I think another guy who you have got to keep an eye out for is Eli Drake, he has a huge upside and has a lot of charisma so I think we’ll see him in the main event sometime soon.” Having climbed to the top of the tag team wrestling mountain before, some people have been left wondering what more there is for Beer Money to achieve in 2016. The answer is loud and clear. “Obviously
Beer Money are 5 times TNA Tag Team Champions
this will be our first time back together in about 5 years so the first thing on our minds is becoming champions again” Roode declares. “So to be World Tag Team champions again is top of the list and then just having great matches because there are some good tag teams in TNA. Storm adds “You’ve got the new team of Abyss and Crazy Steve which is weird combination but somehow it works. You’ve got Bram and Eric Young too, that could be really good as a tag team as well. Roode finishes by sayng “We spoke earlier about some new faces and new tag teams coming in for 2016 that we can have some new matches
with so I think 2016 is going to be a huge year, not only for Impact Wrestling but for Beer Money as well.” For new fans who may not be familiar with Beer Money, the team were quick to offer them some sources for research, saying “Our best of five series with the Motor City Machine Guns, everybody still talks about those matches to this day” states Storm. Roode adds, “That whole best of five series is fun to watch, but the last match is the best. It was a TV match and we had about twenty minutes. I actually watched it back the other day and from the moment both teams enter to the end of the match the entire arena are on their feet. It was pretty electric”. Catch Beer Money every Sunday at 9pm on Challenge TV!
APRIL 2O15 STEELCHAIR 39
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA
NAKAMURA 08 STEELCHAIR NOVEMBER 2O15
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA COMING TO AMERICA WORDS: LIAM O’ROURKE | PHOTOS: TEMAKI
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA t sounds almost crazy. To any outsider, to somebody engrossed with any other sport or walk of life, it would sound absurd. The notion that somebody could be the very best in the world at their profession, and yet, for the fear or expectation to be that he’ll fail in the major league. I’d say “only in pro wrestling”, but that’s not even the issue. “Only in WWE” would be more accurate. That’s not meant to disparage or complain about WWE, but when evaluating the impending fate of Shinsuke Nakamura, it’s not hard for all those fears, that we’ve had realised for years in other cases, to come rushing back to the forefront of the mind.
I
For the uninitiated, Shinsuke Nakamura has been the most complete professional wrestler walking the planet for the last three years. Incredible matches with a variety of opponents, including some all-time legendary performances as IWGP Intercontinental Champion. A universal charisma that has gotten over everywhere he’s gone, as the trial and error of time morphed a once straight-laced MMA based performer (based on his real life experience in the sport) that earned him the nickname “The King Of Strong Style”, into an eccentric, captivating and idiosyncratic wrestler inspired by Michael Jackson, that oozes star power. We know the obvious pitfalls and
trappings for him in WWE. No prior track record of pushing a genuine Japanese star at a major level. The different style. Somewhat of a language barrier. The list could go on, but the point to focus on is that Nakamura is, obviously, such a break from the norm when it comes to the choice of signing, that we’re walking on unsteady ground because history dictates it to be. But let’s take the optimistic approach first. The very fact that WWE wanted Nakamura enough to bite the bullet and drop some significant money on the table, as opposed to sticking to their own guns and wanting stars from elsewhere to conform to their own designated rules (as was the case with KENTA, now Hideo Itami), means there has to be legitimate intentions on some level. It’s also a boon in the sense that, as has often been the case in wrestling, the talent will be used to the level of their contract, at least at first while the sting of the investment is fresh in the brain. In addition, Shinsuke is coming in at a time when WWE is on a kick of making a lot of moves uncharacteristic of their typical nature, such as the signing of Mauro Ranallo as Smackdown announcer and allowing him to maintain his Showtime association, or bringing in AJ Styles without changing a single thing about him. The WWE is currently walking the line between two worlds - the more traditional
company vision built around a single top babyface, protecting their main stars and sticking to their rigid TV formula; and a more contemporary mentality based on bringing in the best people from around the world to one place, and using every available
Nakamura has a 3-1-1 record in MMA
strength they bring with them to leverage their own agenda and build their business accordingly. Shinsuke Nakamura enters the WWE in the middle of this great divide, and the timing may be right for a
guy like him to be arriving just as the wave gathers its momentum. With the WWE Network available in Japan, it may be a benefit to WWE to allow him, like AJ Styles, to keep his name and identifying traits, so that potential Network buyers can attach
themselves to the guy they know, in his pure form, over in another world. Not only that, but 2016 is already shaping up to be a year of transition for the company, both on and off screen, and Nakamura will clearly fare better in experimental times. >
SHINSUKE NAKAMURA because it looks like he’s having an epileptic fit. And the true test of the current environment will be to see how much of this act, the one that has worked for years on a major stage, they leave on the cutting room floor. But again, the numbers and timing are on Nakamura’s side - reverting to comfort zones back in October and November (focus on Roman and Sheamus) led to all time record low Raw ratings, a change in fortunes that surely played a part in some of the experimental times we’re witnessing now.
Reason being? WWE is at their worst when they fall back on their old philosophies, the mantras that provide a comfort zone for the man in charge, and the talent suffers as much as anyone. Five years ago, WWE may have told Nakamura to cut his hair. Or stop with the expressions that look like he’s spent the last 48 hours snorting cocaine. Or get regular tights. Or to never do his “Good Vibrations” move again
The problem ultimately is that WWE, to a degree, has to be flexible in their presentation for Nakamura to be what we currently know him to be. And as open as they may be to signing different people, their television approach has still yet to change. When the “Divas Revolution” began, it was alarming how many people were encouraged by the idea of the women finally being treated like the men, ignoring the fact that an entire roster of men have to cut long promos, go 50-50 with wins and losses, and none of them are truly over as stars. As optimistic as we can be, we have to acknowledge that this an era where WWE has been unable to get anybody new over in any real way, so expecting that to change for somebody completely different to what they’re used to booking (and wanting out of a WWE Superstar) is a fool’s errand. When looking at the landscape, one
has to wonder how WWE will believe they can get use out of Nakamura. His upcoming debut against Sami Zayn and transition period in NXT will capitalise on his built-in audience, the crowd inclined to cheer him based on his previous work and, in the case of most fans, reputation. Common sense seems to indicate a similar intro to Styles as a babyface on the main roster for that reason, but with that niche catered for to a degree with AJ, and going back to WWE’s mentality of reverting to old habits in the clutch, there is a possibility they’ll see a use in Nakamura as the foreign heel we’ve seen countless times before. While it’s a move I see as dangerous in hurting his ability to get over by sapping so much of that charisma away and forcing him into a one-dimensional cookie cutter act, WWE has a very glaring weakness in major heels after WrestleMania, with only Bray Wyatt, a possible heel turn for Dean Ambrose, and the forever rumoured fantasy of Cena holding the fort. While I don’t foresee anything as drastic as the return of the Orient Express theme music or Nakamura throwing salt to earn a victory, the Nakamura we get might be different from the one we know if they see him as a way to help the heel side. Hopefully better judgement will prevail. In looking at this, the only comparison that feels accurate (and ominous at the same time) is when WWE hired Mistico and rechristened him Sin Cara. A guy with a reputation
Fans voted for his IWGP IC title defense against Tanahashi to main event Wrestle Kingdom 8 ahead of the IWGP World Title Match
him to connect, none of which proved helpful. When the early returns weren’t good, they gave up, and before long the anticipation of the huge star coming in from the outside were but a vague faded memory, replaced by a depressing reality that didn’t give anybody what they wanted. But there are differences between Sin Cara and Shinsuke. Nakamura’s style will translate significantly better to the rest of the roster and to WWE itself than Sin Cara’s did. Lucha is a completely different mentality and way of doing things, and the style clashes were both inevitable and painful. On the other hand, Nakamura was probably the guy who has the most Americanised style of the New Japan natives. While Sin Cara rubbed people the wrong way with a bad attitude and unwillingness to learn English, Nakamura has no such negative reputation, and does speak the language (though not perfectly). And again, not enough can be said for the changing times - with the WWE in-ring style adapting the way it has, Nakamura in WWE 2016 with the roster they have is a far superior fit than Sin Cara in WWE 2011 with the roster they had.
for quality performances, being a legitimate star and a major draw in a foreign land. They invested a lot in him early, but they couldn’t get away from their habit of making the tweaks they felt were necessary for
So what’s the verdict? All the analysis, trepidation, hopes and expectations in the world can’t accurately prepare us for what we’re about to witness. WWE in 2016 is going to be a fascinating year to follow on screen and off, and in twelve months I truly believe, for
the first time in a long time, that a lot of things will be different. Where Nakamura fits in that equation is a mystery, a question that can only be answered by the willingness of a company, that has been notoriously close-minded for years, to be flexible and try something new. It’s a gigantic leap of faith to expect a best case scenario of Nakamura as a genuine top level player, but at the same time, he’s so good that it’s not unachievable. It’s not unfair to be cynical about the company, and at the same time there is an element of uncertainty about how Shinsuke Nakamura will get over to a crowd in Ames, Iowa who don’t know the first thing about his built-in rep. The fact the company need to follow through is absolutely crucial if he is to make any kind of real difference. We are either walking into the absolute unknown, or the most typical and perhaps infuriating example of WWE’s refusal to see anything other than their own way we’ll ever witness. There is no middle ground. But if, in twelve months, we’re hearing buildings across America join him in his post-match battle cry of “YeaOh!!”, that will be the time for wrestling fans the world over to take in the magnitude of one of the most unique talent acquisitions in WWE history.
ICW
WORDS: CRAIG HERMIT | PHOTOS: DAVID JAMES WILSON
ICW SQUARE GO 2016 REVIEW
F
ans of Insane
Lionheart to avoid contact and Williams
Championship Wrestling
crashed onto the ramp, hard. The match
have always looked
continued at a frantic pace but it would
forward to January, for
be to the fan’s disapointment that
January represents not
Lionheart would get the pinfall with a
just the start of a new year but the
rollup while holding the trunks leaving
‘Square Go’ show itself. For wrestling fans
Williams in shock while Lionheart gloated
not familar with ICW’s first major event
on the ramp.
of the year, not just is it the ‘Square Go’ match itself that makes it a must see event but each match is built up from the previous year usually reaching the peak of that feud at this event. The 30 man Rumble style Square Go match itself, unlike WWE’s version where the winner will have a guaranteed shot a few months later at Wrestlemania, the winner of the ‘Square Go’ gets their Title shot any time within the year and this being ICW, there will be five weapons allowed in this match. The Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow was the destination for this year’s Sold Out ‘The 5th Annual Square Go’.
KENNY WILLIAMS VS LIONHEART
POLO PROMOTIONS VS THE 55 Next it was the rematch for the ICW Tag Team Championship, the Newly crowned Champions, The 55 (Kid Fite & ‘The East End Butcher’ Sha Samuels) along with James R Kennedy & Tim Wylie facing Polo Promotions (Jackie Polo & ‘The Real Deal’ Mark Coffey) again. On the final ICW show of the year, The 55 ended the record long Tag Team Championship reign after brutalising Jackie Polo’s leg and capturing the Titles, but on this night it would be a full strength Polo Promotions facing the Champions, The 55. Right from the beginning of this furious bout, both teams launched at each
while this occurred Jackie Polo faced The 55 alone and despite a valiant effort, their repeated attacks on his leg took their toll. In the end, Polo would not submit but Coach Trip threw in the towel after Polo was locked in the Boston Crab. The 55 couldn’t celebrate their victory for long as a furious DCT stormed to the ring
Kicking the show off was the battle
other and both were determined not
between Lionheart and Kenny Williams
allow the other side to get an advantage.
where the winner would enter the
However, it was the numbers game that
Square Go at No.30 and the loser would
would prove to be the undoing of the
be barred from the match. Both men
challengers one more time as every
demonstated exactly why ICW fans hold
chance Polo Promotions almost looked
them in high regard, as the two men did
to win, either Wylie or Kennedy would
everything they could to show exactly
interfere.
CARMEL VS LIAM THOMSON
especally as he performed a brutal
The climax of the match occurred when
This match was almost a year in the
stunt, running at full speed performing
Mark Coffey was thrown over the barrier
making, at Barramania last year, Carmel
a suicide dive through the ropes only for
and Wylie continued his assault on him
Jacob was defeated in a Loser leaves ICW
and attacked The 55. Mark Coffey then delivered a piledriver to James R Kennedy as DCT said that was a message for Bram, that piledriver was just for him.
how far they would go to win. Williams,
44 STEELCHAIR AUGUST 2O15
ICW is one of the only Scottish promotions that Wolfgang hasn’t held the main title.
match against Layla Rose. Afterwards as
the punishment would continue as she
This year, many of the fans focus was on
Jacob stood looking at the fans, Thomson
would be thrown through a table on the
the ICW World Heavyweight Championship
greeted her and appeared to comfort her
outside.
match featuring the challenger and NAK
until he then attacked her with a chair.
But despite the viscous assaults and
spokesman, Chris Renfrew versus The
Throughout the year, Thomson took
brutal calculating beatdown by Thomson
Champion, Grado. This match had been
a vindictive delight in mocking Jacob
it would be Carmel who would get the
in the making for months, it was building
expecting no retaliation, until the current
victory as she hit Thomson hard in the
before Grado defeated Drew Galloway for
ICW Women’s Champion arrived. It was
face with a steel chair proving that she
the Championship at Fear and Loathing
then decided that Square Go would be the
could withstand anything he did and still
VIII
time the two face each other.
stand tall afterwards.
This match had some of the most hardened ICW fans looking away as Thompson viscously beat Jacob down not just in the ring but on the ramp too as he focused his attack on her back, a point proven as he slammed her on solid ramp. Jacob would would fight back several times only to be stopped by Thomson and
This match one easily one of the best that
ICW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: CHRIS RENFREW VS GRADO
Grado has ever had in ICW. From the very moment he arrived to the ring with his alternative music and different attitude, it was clear that this was going to be something different. This match had everything, nearfalls, emotion, weapons, blood and
AUGUST 2O15 STEELCHAIR 45
ICW thumbtacks. Both men proved that on
The match teased some interesting matches
this night remaining or capturing the ICW
for the future as well, mainly Jimmy Havoc
Championship was the most important thing
against Mikey Whiplash as the two brutalised
and the fans remained divided.
each other during the match and afterwards
But it was Chris Renfrew who would win the
when they were eliminated as well. The
Championship from Grado to am ecstatic
phenomenal ‘Iron Man’ Joe Coffey against
crowd. The man who had pursued the Title
‘The Bastard’ Dave Mastiff was also teased
for years had finally captured it and the fans
as the two men did battle.
accepted he had done this on his own as the New Age Kliq celebrated in the ring with him
The ICW civil war between Mark Dallas
as for the former Champion walked up the
and Red Lightning continued as both men
ramp to cheers of respect, no longer looked
battled in the ring, Dallas armed with a golf
on as a joke, Grado may have lost the Title
club and Lightning with the kendo stick that
but gained so much more.
brought rapturous cheers from the crowd. One of Dallas’s main supporters Noam Dar
THE SQUARE GO MATCH It was then time for the Annual Square Go, 30 Men, 5 Weapons and previous winners included Dickie Divers, Chris Renfrew, Mikey Whiplash and Red Lightining. All four men would be participating in this years event as well. The beginning started with No1: an injured Joe Coffey and No2: Big Damo, until Red Lightining arrived with a team of security and informed him that due to an ‘Admin Error’ he wouldn’t be in this years match, but his replacement, Lewis Girvan would be. This unpredictablity continued throughout the match, especially when both the Gzrs (Sebastian & Tom Irvin) arrived both drawing No4 much to the fans delight. The shocks kept coming as ICW went Lucha for a brief time as Solar and Soldato dazzled the fans with their highflying abilites until Dave Mastiff showed the fans his raw power by eliminating them both and then came one of the most dangerous sights of the night when Mikey Whiplash suplexed Trent Seven over top rope to the concrete floor. The action continued as Lou King Sharp was thrown over the top rope onto the fans, who then crowd-surfed over them and returned to the ring only to eliminated soon after. The fun continued throughout as Lewis Girvan held the unique distinction of connecting with over fifteen low blows to his oppenents during the match.
who had been attacked by Red Lightning & Jack Jester earlier in the match returned to make an impact armed with a chair to stake his claim on the match. As the match drew to a close, Lionheart, the final number was to be eliminated soon after arriving he was attacked by Kenny Williams and it was then down to the final four: Joe Coffey, Wolfgang, Jack Jester & Mark Coffey. As Jester and Wolfgang set themselves up ready to assault the Coffey Brothers, a battered and almost beaten Joe looked to his brother and extended a hand, that Mark took and shook hands drawing cheers from the fans as all four engaged in a furious finale. First eliminated was Mark, who as he left encouraged the fans to cheer for his brother, then it was Jester and then after a fantastic battle it would be Wolfgang standing tall. A beaten Joe made his way to the back up the ramp as fans cheered but Wolfgang was then greeted by the rest of the NAK and as the New ICW World Champion Chris Renfrew stood in the ring facing the Square Go Winner, Wolfgang, faces waited to see if this would be the moment the NAK emplodes until Wolfgang and Renfrew gained, hugged and stood tall in ring. this year’s Square Go belonged to the NAK.
This was the third in a row to be won by a member of the NAK
RAVEN
WORDS: BRENDAN MCELENY | PHOTOS: TABERCIL
? G N I R E H T F O D N E LEG isagree?
N E V A R
Agree or d g a M r i a h c l ee t S @ t a s u tweet
54 STEELCHAIR NOVEMBER 2O15
C
ontroversy plays an
reign however he would go on to
important factor in
famously lose his title against Terry
some wrestler’s careers.
Funk at Barely Legal, the first ever
It could be the ring
ECW ppv. Raven would return to WCW
gear they wear, the type
in 1997 until 1999 where he would
of taunts that they do and even the
form “The Flock” which was a stable
many things they can say in a promo
similar to Raven’s Nest Group in ECW.
whether it be written or improvised.
In his second spell in WCW, he would
Throughout the years there has been
successfully capture both the United
many controversial wrestlers but one of
States Championship and the WCW
the most important in raising criticism
Tag Team Championship with partner
is Raven who is known famously for
Perry Saturn. In 2000, Raven returned
his over the top angles and intense
to the WWF and had an impressive
mic work. There is no doubt that
27 reigns as Hardcore champion. He
Raven helped reach out to that mature
would feature in only one WrestleMania
audience ECW vowed to obtain by
losing his Hardcore title to Kane in a
simply edging it week in and week out.
Triple Threat match which also featured
RAVEN – CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2003, Raven continued his impressive form by debuting in TNA and made several returns and serious angles up until 2010. It is worth noting that
wearing punk we saw on ECW he
Raven competed in the very first TNA
started his mainstream wrestling
Monster’s Ball match stipulation.
Flamingo in WCW which saw him carry a surfboard to the ring. Throughout his year spent in WCW between 1992
WHERE IS RAVEN NOW?
and 1993, Raven captured the WCW
Nowadays, like most in ring veterans
Light Heavyweight Championship
of the past, Raven competes on the
from Brian Pillman and held it for less
independent circuit feuding still with
than a month. Once departing WCW
the likes of Stevie Richards and Shane
in February of 1993, Raven joined the
Douglas who would feature regularly
WWF going by the name of Johnny
with Raven in ECW. Over the past
Polo, acting as a manager for Adam
few years he has began working as a
Bomb, Harvey Wippleman and The
stand-up comic featuring on several
Quebeccers. However the occasional
tours. Despite wrestling being his
singles matches and managerial duties
main career, Raven has also had a
did not stop Raven from departing the
lifelong love of comic books and still
WWF after only a year in the company.
contributes to co writing for some of
It was in 1994 when Raven joined
his favourite characters. Much can’t
ECW and undoubtedly changed the
be said about what Raven is doing
landscape of where the company was
currently except from still going strong
heading. His feud with Tommy Dreamer
on the independent scene and thrilling
created new levels of popularity for all
us all with fantastic shoot interviews.
involved however his most famous feud
Nonetheless Raven epitomised late
and most emotional feud would come
90’s ECW with his questionable promos
at the hands of ECW original Sandman
and sadistic story input. Raven to many
where Raven would controversially
paved the way for the typical unchained
crucify Sandman outside the ring
heel with a microphone in current
only to then apologise later that
wrestling television and his legacy
night to anyone he offended. His feud
will continue with the unforgettable
with Sandman was at the heat of an
moments he has created.
intense ECW world championship
RAVEN MATCHES
1
W/ SATURN VS. CHRIS BENOIT & DEAN MALENKO SPRING STAMPEDE 99
A truly excellent tag match that showcased the should have been future of WCW.
Big Show. Despite being released in
Before Raven was the leather jacket
career going by the name of Scotty
TOP 5
2
VS. TOMMY DREAMER WRESTLEPALOOZA 97
A memorable match in the middle of a fantastic feud on the rise of ECW.
3
VS. KANE VS BIG SHOW WRESTLEMANIA 17
An incredible and entertaining match not so much for the wrestling but for the fun factor.
4
VS. CHRIS JERICHO HALLOWEEN HAVOC 98
Two of the great WCW mid card performers started the event with a high skilled match.
5
VS. RHYNO BACKLASH 2002
A plunder brawl that paced perfectly and drew great heat in it’s position.
> NOVEMBER 2O15 STEELCHAIR 55
W
If there is one thing that NXT has managed to do, almost without peer, it’s bring out the passion of the fans. It’s almost as if long time WWE fans finally have an outlet for all of the positive feelings they wish they had about the main product. The atmosphere at Wembley was electric with the loudest chanting I have ever heard at any sports or music venue. But it wasn’t all positivity. As much love that went out for Bayley and Finn Balor, the Hype Bros and Tye Dillinger got abused like the cows at a cheap dairy farm. The action was exhilarating throughout with the small exception of Elias Samson’s bizarrely uneventful bout > with Bull Dempsey. NXT keeps up its record of having two major storylines focusing on the women’s division, not just one like the bigger brother and both exceeded some very dry expectations. Emma didn’t go down to Asuka in a squash as expected, she still lost but the match was a lot more even than expected. Nia Jax and Bayley also had a great match, which no one thought a paring with such disparate sizes could do. Main event was clearly the standout bout though. Finn showing the inexhaustible creativity of his entrances dressed up like Jack the Ripper. The match was a barnstormer. Perhaps not in the league of some of the more revelatory matches that established NXT as the most quality driven brand in the company, but still excellent none the less. NXT continues to impress, and hopefully, the triumphs of shows like this and Beast in the East will encourage WWE to bring PPV quality wrestling to more international territories in the future.
NXT TAKEOVER:LONDON
WE finally brought PPV action to the United Kingdom for the first time in twelve years. And this time it was cannon, not those never-to-be-mentioned-again kind of shows that Insurrextion and Rebellion were.
WORDS: LEE HAZELL | PHOTOS: DAVID GARLICK
NXT LONDON
NXT LONDON
44 STEELCHAIR AUGUST 2O15
NXT London proved that English fans have potty mouths
44 STEELCHAIR AUGUST 2O15
AUGUST 2O15 STEELCHAIR 45
WRESTLEMANIA
WORDS: LEE HAZELL
PLOTTING THE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA he Road to WrestleMania is a rocky one. It’s a road full of pitfalls and uneven terrain. We look at the three potential matches that are probably happening at this year’s biggest wrestling show to see if they should happen and if there are better alternatives.
T
Lane leaving Roman to another opponent.
Bray Wyatt vs. Brock Lesnar Why It’s Happening: Bray screwed Brock at the Rumble and will undoubtedly do so again at Fast Lane. He is the next big star to get in Bray’s sights.
Triple H vs Roman Reigns Why it’s happening: This has been the narrative for the better part of six months. Roman is the guy. He has all the wins and has put down any opponent. But he isn’t Triple H’s guy. He won’t bow down to The Authority and he won’t kiss McMahon’s ass. But he is the champion elect. It is his time, his push and if they don’t pull the trigger on him on April 3rd his career is going to go on a downward slide it won’t be able to recover from. Should it happen? No. For the first time in two years the winner of the Royal Rumble was cheered. Problem is, he was supposed to be booed. Smart fans filled the arena and WWE creative were counting on them to boo the guy for the politics of the decision alone. Unfortunately, Triple H is now an indie darling for the success of NXT. So they cheered him, and booed Roman for all the time he had in the ring. WWE protected him with kid gloves so transparently it was embarrassing. The fans, especially the ones who will be in attendance at WrestleMania aren’t going to care about his ascension to the throne. Also, Roman vs Triple H isn’t a match I’m excited to see. With their styles it will undoubtedly be a load of shoving each other into the steps and barriers, brawling outside the ring and at least two announce table spots. Easy wrestling and I’m already bored by it. What should they do instead? Ambrose is the solution to this. They hate Roman but they love Ambrose. Having him be the second to last man in the Rumble was inspired. It meant that someone for whom fan admiration isn’t in question was the last elimination so that fans would be unhappy with the winner regardless. It could also potentially set him up for his own rise to the main event. It’s the start of a grand narrative that takes him past Fast
44 STEELCHAIR AUGUST 2O15
Should it happen? Once again, no. We’ve seen this feud with Wyatt too many times. A benefactor of favourable booking is made to look like he could take out a room full of people on his own. The Wyatt family are essentially a room full of people. This has happened with Cena, Roman Reigns, The Undertaker and now it is Brock’s turn to take out four men on his own. It’s been done and will bury Wyatt further than his last few feuds have done so already. I’m only interested in this feud if Bray wins it. Otherwise, it’s so predictable it’s as dull as dishwater. What should they do instead? Roman vs. Brock in a rematch of last year. Can Roman finally finish the fight he started in 2015? Will he live up to that potential? Yes he can, if he cheats. Which would set him up for the heel turn he needs as his face run is dying faster than a stuttering comedian. As for Wyatt? I don’t know. He’s gone up against everyone it makes sense for him to go up against and there is no hero big enough that will make up for the damage the booking has already caused him. The best bet is to find someone who needs some time off and Bray can destroy him.
AJ Styles Vs. Kevin Owens Why it’s Happening: The story of Styles being thrown out of the ring at the Rumble by a chatty Kevin Owens can’t end there. Two of the biggest and best in-ring performers getting to ply their trade on the greatest stage of them all is huge. Too huge to pass up. Should it happen? Yes What should they do instead? Nothing. That was easy.
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