The Bloodline saga has been considered as one of the finest in WWE history. And it merits inclusion in this conversion. Yet, if you take a step back and ask yourself why this is the case, I believe you will discover something greater than Roman Reigns, The Usos, Sami Zayn, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman’s performances.
Long absent from WWE, you will witness the significance of factions to long-term storytelling in professional wrestling. Vince McMahon made the decision to distance himself from them with the exception of a few three-person stables. Now that it has returned, it feels brand new.
Simply expressed, a larger group allows for the highlighting of diverse characters, the creation of new match possibilities, and the development of additional tales. The addition of Zayn added humor to The Bloodline and expanded the narratives of Jey Uso and Reigns. Each member does not need to appear on every episode of every show, creating anticipation for the return of Reigns or Jey Uso to a particular plot arc.
Roman Reigns is attacked by Sami Zayn during the Royal Rumble.
WWE
In addition, a group of two or three individuals typically turns against each other and disbands. Members of a larger group can leave, be replaced, have their leadership changed, and return. After the Nexus, WWE had very few major groupings, such as the Wyatt Family, for about a decade. We are perplexed as to why folks grumbled about the creativity.
When examining the history of professional wrestling, the most memorable stories of its finest performers revolve around factions. Hulk Hogan had the Mega Powers and then the nWo, Ric Flair had the Four Horsemen and Evolution, Bret Hart had the expanded Hart Foundation, Triple H and Shawn Michaels had Degeneration-X and the former Evolution, and Triple H and Shawn Michaels had Degeneration-X and the former Evolution. The Rock possessed both the Nation of Domination and the Corporation. Even Death had access to the Ministry of Darkness. Compared to other promotions, AEW is centered on The Elite. Bullet Club and Chaos compete for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Aces & Eights dominated the narrative of the film Impact. Steve Austin, whose nickname is “Stone Cold,” may be the exception to the norm, but there is always one.
Even look at Roman Reigns himself. The most rewarding phases of his career were spent with The Shield and The Bloodline. As a babyface when he was on his own, he floundered and was booed out of buildings.
How many films and television programs, where audiences are accustomed to consuming great stories, are about the interaction between simply two people? Certain characters in the romance genre may be alone, but their friends and family are typically also involved. Most of the best television programs centered on larger groups and their interactions with new characters each season.
This is true of “The Sopranos,” “Seinfeld,” “The Simpsons,” “Friends,” “The Wire,” “Cheers,” and “Mad Man.” Even “Saved by the Bell,” “Full House,” “Married with Children,” and “Family Matters” fit this description. Why do you believe the Avengers and Justice League films are so influential? People desire to watch how these personalities connect with one another.
This same premise applies to wrestling, and WWE strayed too far from it for far too long. The Bloodline has brought us back to this, with Heyman attempting to hold the relationships together like a TV father or a gangster drama’s chief of staff. Sikoa represents the wild card. This should serve as a reminder of the significance of factions in long-term storytelling, as well as a source of great television.
Mic’ Drop Masterpiece
Paul Heyman and Cody Rhodes set the American Nightmare and Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania 39 storyline in stone. The duo dashed any aspirations of a Sami Zayn revolution by cranking up the heat on the WrestleMania main event in a Raw segment that was both heartfelt and cold-blooded, with tears and lip quivers that blurred reality. It is now personal. (Rhodes wishes the former honorary Uce well now that he has a shot at the championship at Montreal’s Elimination Chamber)
Heyman used the term “personally” three times throughout the segment, referring to how it touched him, following Rhodes’ sincere thanks to him for assisting his father Dusty Rhodes and for teaching Cody how to disrupt the industry. He repeats it before delivering the lines about Dusty viewing Reigns as the “son he always wanted” — immediately after a long pause that showed an almost unwillingness to deliver his mic-drop moment to Rhodes.
The situation swiftly changed from pleasant to tense. Heyman, who on Friday would not even touch an enraged Roman Reigns’ shoulder, stated that he is simply delivering the message with the challenger in his face. Rhodes, who was startled into silence by the stinging statements, repeats “personally” when explaining to Heyman how he will take the belts away from his “boy” Reigns. Simply amazing work from both parties.
February 2 is Groundhog Day
Rapidly, AEW must improve their storytelling surrounding MJF. I can’t be the only watcher getting tired of seeing the current world champion set up weekly matches or challenges to prevent his opponent from gaining a match with him. Last week, it was Timothy Thatcher who failed, followed by Rush acquiring a suitcase of cash to prevent Bryan Danielson from reaching Revolution.
This is the fourth occasion in the past four years that MJF has done something similar with Cody Rhodes, Chris Jericho, and most recently with Wardlow. I’m waiting for this to become more serious, for the “mask” to be removed, and for MJF’s promised “mental” assault to occur. There remains time. But if the rinse-and-repeat plot continues, it feels like MJF’s abilities are being wasted.
The Ten-Count
Adam Page, author of “Hangman,” has become an expert at leaving you wondering what will happen next. After Jon Moxley kicked out of the Buckshot Lariat and then countered an attempt at the bulldog choke to win the rubber match, his rage was at an all-time high. Does this make Hangman’s world darker? Does this return him to the Elite? Do he and Moxley need one more match at Revolution to eventually develop mutual regard for one another?
The Raw women’s division had a successful evening. Bayley and Becky Lynch had an aggressive and brutal cage match, leaving fans wondering whether Trish Stratus will assist “The Man” and surprise ally Lita in Montreal to balance the odds against Damage CTL. Chelsea Green appears to be a natural in her “Karen” gimmick, Asuka is being portrayed appropriately, and the addition of Carmella to the Chamber battle was the correct choice.
For Vengeance Day, it was great to see NXT back in front of an arena crowd. I think Dijak and Wes Less had a fantastic match with a fascinating backstory. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter certainly deserved a better conclusion to their reign over a more established duo, and I felt that Gigi Dolin and Jacey Jay did a better job of telling their narrative than Roxanne Perez. Grayson Waller may become a stronger performer on the main roster than Bron Breakker. We will see.
Kota Ibushi, who will face “Speedball” Mike Baily at GCW’s Bloodsport 9 on March 30, is the hottest free agent in wrestling due to the expiration of his contract with New Japan. Working with AEW would make a lot of sense considering his longstanding bond with Kenny Omega, but WWE would have a hard time luring him away with all the dream matches they could offer and their global reach.
I’d have Jey not appear. Two weeks from today, the Usos will defend their tag team titles, and Solo Sikoa will defend with Jimmy. WWE previously permitted this with Sami Zayn. I do not want to meet Jey until the Elimination Chamber because I do not wish to know his current loyalty.
JBL’s decision to leave Baron Corbin was correct, just as it would be for Montez Ford to win the United States championship.
After the underwhelming Pitch Black bout, all we got on SmackDown was a scary scene between Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy?
I’ve enjoyed the Toni Storm and Saraya subplot thus far. Let’s hope that spray-painting Ls on people nWo-style will pay off later on.
Sonya Deville’s gradual expression of suffering was actually a lovely touch to finish a really terrific bout between her and Charlotte Flair.
On the Jericho vacation, I was shocked to see Chris Jericho costumed and painted identically as Danhausen.
Extra: Does Brock Lesnar’s first mention of his “wife” on WWE television signal that Sable can finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame, where she belongs? If necessary, we can even allow her speech to last “about four or five hours.”
NXT Vengeance Day was primarily about Carmelo Hayes’ ascent to prominence. Apollo Crews and the previous two-time North American champion had a terrific two-out-of-three falls match during which the former champion made a spectacular entrance and won cleanly. Afterward, he confronted NXT champion Bron Breaker, setting the two on a collision path for Stand and Deliver during WrestleMania week. Melo was wealthy and obtained the feud and title programs he desired as the spotlights shone brightly on him.
Weekly Game of the Week
MJF vs Konosuke Takeshita, AEW championship eliminator (Dynamite, Wednesday, 8 p.m., TBS)
Takeshita, who is being constructed extremely nicely as a potential babyface star, has been the side runner in MJF’s feud with Bryan Danielson since he attacked him on Dynamite a few weeks ago. In AEW, the former DDT superstar’s matches have become must-see events, although MJF’s actual wrestling is uncommon. It will be intriguing to observe how Takeshita meshes with MJF and if AEW leaves any flesh on the bone for the duo to return to in the future.
Within the Ring
The GCW/JCW J-Cup, the largest independent wrestling competition on the East Coast, will return to White Eagle Hall in Jersey City on February 11 after a nine-year absence. It will feature twenty wrestlers, including “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Jonathan Gresham, Joey Janela, and Lio Rush, with sessions at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
For the 2022 fiscal year, WWE reported $1.29 billion in revenue (up 18 percent) and $195,6 million in net income (up 10 percent).
The premiere of Major League Wrestling’s “Underground” is on February 7 at 10 p.m.
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