Earlier this week, The Shield appeared on the Onnit podcast. Here are some highlights that Dean Ambrose talked about:
Getting Called Up To The Main Roster:
“By the time we actually got through sitting in Tampa for a while, we had all been down there for a long time… but by the time we were at like, we’re at Wrestlemania, we’re on the main stage, we’re doing our thing, because we got thrown right into the fire really quickly. We had a good little act with three rookies, and they just threw us right out there with the main eventers. We were working with John Cena, Randy Orton, Big Show.”
Working with Undertaker:
“We were working with Undertaker in a six man tag in London. The most legendary, most intimidating figure in the history of the business, wrestles once, maybe twice per year. Usually once a year, he did an extra match that year, working with us in the six man tag.
“We had double-shotted [worked two shows] that day and did a show in Cardiff, Wales earlier in the day and they helicoptered us in to do the other show, which was a live RAW. We got there pretty much right as our music was playing, and pretty much had to go right up and right down into the crowd and right into the ring, which was nothing, nothing really worked out or anything.Someone proofread this. We were in there with Undertaker who, again, is one of the most legendary, intimidating guys in the business, but at this point we’re like the World Series guy, screw it, let’s just go out and do it.
“So we just went out there and did it. We were like, that was cool. It was like we’re at Wrestlemania, we’re on the main stage, we’re in the WWE. Hell yeah we are. This is where we belong. It doesn’t feel like whoa, this is such an accomplishment. It’s just like, no, it feels right. This is where we’re supposed to be.”
WWE's latest poll asks fans which of these if the most fantastic finishing move ???
- Brock Lesnar's F5
- Steve Austin's Stunner
- The Undertaker Kane's Tombstone
- Randy Orton's RKO
- Triple H's Pedigree
- Shawn Michaels' Sweet Chin Music
- Edge & Rhyno & Goldberg's Spear
- The Dudley's 3D
- Jake Roberts' DDT
- Bret Hart's Sharpshooter
With over 109,000 votes cast, Austin's Stunner is leading with 27% whereas the next closest is the Tombstone with 18% of the vote.
Regarding WrestleMania XXX, Hulk Hogan is not signed as of today but people are talking confidently about the idea he would be with the company and involved with the biggest pay-per-view of the year in some form. However, it is openly believed and talked about internally that Hogan is not expected to wrestle.
There's a feeling that even if officials wanted him to wrestle, he could not pass medical tests. Hogan most likely will not be teaming with John Cena and will likely do something like an appearance, a quick knock down to a heel and a promo.
Batista is also being talked about coming back internally.
At this point, Rob Van Dam is not in the WrestleMania plans but that could change.
It was reported over the weekend that the winner of Randy Orton vs. John Cena at TLC would be using only the WWE Title belt. As seen on RAW, new champion Orton came out with both belts. Word coming out of RAW is that eventually the champion will hold just the WWE Title belt. Orton coming out with the World Heavyweight Title belt on RAW was a last minute decision.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted a new blog entry on JrsBarBq.com. Here are some highlights.
Raw Main Event featuring Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan:
The highlight of the night was the strong, WWE World Title Bout featuring Orton and Bryan. Excellent story....good pacing...plenty of near falls....the live audience engaged and emotionally invested...a tried and true, villainous conclusion that put all the steam on Orton and not on the referee. Plus, the message was made loud and clear that Daniel Bryan looks to have Orton's 'number.'
This was one of Orton's best matches in a good while as his chemistry with Bryan is noticeable. For the record, I can't recall the last time that I saw Daniel Bryan have a bad match.
Bryan may be the definitive, best wrestler in the business at this point in time.
Shawn Michaels confronting CM Punk:
Pleasantly surprised to see Shawn Michaels unadvertised appearance on RAW and his segment verbalizing with CM Punk was entertaining. It seemed as the two were mostly ad-libbing their dialog which is usually better than when a writer creates copy while role playing as the talent and then the talent being challenged to memorize their lines on show day and accurately interpret someone else's copy/creative direction in one take.
Roman Reigns build: Nice, continued slow burn type build for Roman Reigns who is beginning to look the part more and more each week. This process will likely never please younger fans who don't generally realize that this creative journey takes time to do properly. No, there is no set length of time as in months, etc as this is a 'feel thing' and from my experience it t can take a year or more to arrive at one's desired destination.
Shawn Michaels returning to the ring:
Still get questions daily, and multiple ones after HBK has been on RAW, if HBK will return to the ring. I am unwavering in my answer and that is a definitive "NO." Shawn has told me that he has no interest in returning for the proverbial "one, more match" as that chant will never go away even if he actually had "one more match."
It seems obvious to me as it relates to WM30 that 1. Daniel Bryan will be in a main event level bout and 2. WWE will have ample 'special guests' return for the land mark 30th WrestleMania celebration.
Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman's return:
I'd also expect Paul Heyman to return to WWE TV soon as the serious build to WM30 begins in earnest, as usual, after the New Year and leading into the Royal Rumble. That means that one can expect to see Brock Lesnar return as well. I'm still of the belief that Lesnar's TV persona will get significant and much needed exposure in one form or another to make the "Next Big Thing" as valuable an asset as possible for whoever he faces at WM30. I don't expect to see Lesnar at an overabundance of RAW TV's, which has to be strategically addressed, but I do expect his 'presence' to be on every show in some form including spokesman Heyman representing Brock. This is also were the great work done by WWE TV production people really steps to the forefront, too.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston recently spoke with Chad Dukes of ChadDukesWrestlingShow.com and mentioned there has been talk of Batista returning. Here are some highlights:
John Cena:
“He’s been very helpful over the past few years, even before I got called up. Just giving me advice, he opened up the weight room to me. I live about 15 minutes away from his gym. He’s been very helpful, just kinda giving me pointers throughout the way, just giving me advice, and really just trying to be a mentor in many ways. I’m really grateful for him taking time to help and guide me. Honestly, he’s done that for a lot of younger talent, people just don’t see that.”
NXT:
“When you look at NXT, to me there’s a ton of talent, and they’re doing a great job with everyone who’s on NXT for the most part has a story, a character, or something that you know, people can sink their teeth into. Obviously the developmental system has changed, but they’ve invested nearly $3 million dollars into that performance center, it’s huge and they’re going to be able to attract hopefully better talent as the years go on. But I think right now there’s a great deal of talent in NXT and I think it bodes well for our future. Personally, I’m a big fan of NXT as a product. If you ever get a chance to go to Full Sail for those tapings, it has a really different feel than a lot of what we do on the main roster. I’ve actually talked to a lot of people who tell me NXT is their favorite wrestling program.”
Dream Opponents:
“There are a few guys. For me it’s kinda cool to think about guys you grew up and you idolized. Undertaker has a spot where he has that allure, and that mystique, and everyone always kinda goes to Undertaker as being their guy, and rightfully so. I was also a huge Vader fan, so if they were ever able to bring him back for one, I think that would be cool as well. I know there’s been talk possibly, and I have no idea if it’s gonna happen, about Batista possibly coming back. You know guys like that, you grew up watching idolized, you know they’re all kind a dreams who knows if they’ll ever come to fruition.”
The WWE will bring its annual TLC pay-per-view from Houston on December 15 with a title unification match and couple of handicap matches as its main attraction.
The event will hold immense significance in the history of the company as they are going through the lowest reaches in pay-per-view business. Inconsistent and predictable booking have been haunting the rating throughout the year and the creative will be looking to wash their hand clean by pulling of a spectacular show at TLC.
With WrestleMania drawing closer after each second, the fans will be looking at TLC as the platform where the seeds is to be sown for the grand stage. So here is a look at the twists and turns that could take place at the Toyota Centre on December 15th.
Midcard titles
The only title that is likely to change hands is the Diva’s championship, AJ Lee has been on the receiving side of Natalya show for some time and a title reign for the Total Diva star pretty much looks on the card. The title change also could pave way for NXT prospect Paige to enter the main roster as she is already building some heat with Natalya in NXT.
As far as the other titles go, Intercontinental Championship looks destined to remain with Big E Langston even though Damien Sandow looks like a worthy opponent. And Dean Ambrose won’t be defending the United States Championship since he will be busy with the handicap match against CM Punk.
A match for the Tag Team titles is yet to be booked for TLC, but Ryback and Curtis Axel are the favorites to land a title shot. The Real Americans, The Usos and The Primetime Players could fail to make it into the match card but a three way dance for the number one contender ship would be an intriguing way to book them.
Daniel Bryan joining the Wyatts
“I see you for what you really are, but they, they look at you like you’re some circus clown here for their amusement,” Bray Wyatt summed up the situation between Daniel Bryan and WWE with that one sentence.
And it would be the same sentence that will be making the run in every fan’s mind that has seen Bryan being pulled down whenever he is at the top of the mountain. The only interesting prospect that could culminate after the handicap match at TLC will be Bryan joining the Wyatts.
For elementary level, Bryan has beard and the whole Wyatt Family have beard. Seeing in a wider angle, as Wyatt once said, together they could bring the machine to its knees it’s a risky move since Bryan will be indulged in a stable in which only one guy talks, but it’s a risk worth taking than giving Bryan the inconsistent booking that he has been given over the year.
Chaotic end for Unification
If you thought the WWE is going to unify their top titles at a B-grade pay-per-view like TLC, well think again.
Thought they confirmed that the winner will be referred as the unified champion, they are yet to verbally say that it’s going to be a single title after TLC. This opens door for a disappointment for the fans as we could even see worse things like the two superstars swapping the titles.
The only way that this can be made interesting would be the addition of a third external party who could stir up the proceedings. Triple H is the most likely one to be if such a plan is to be executed at the same time a return of Vince McMahon to the scene would be more than welcome.
All possibilities apart, one thing that will not happen at TLC for sure will be one wrestler holding both the title and unifying unless of course a miracle happens, like Cena turning heel.
Friction between The Shield and Punk’s triumph
It not a secret that the Shield will be broken to aid the eventual push of Roman Reigns and the handicap match at TLC promises to be the inception of the split.
The fact that handicap matches always fails to be a classic, adds much more pressure on the creative to pull off some surprise at the pay-per-view. Punk would be seen taking advantage of the chaos among the trio to emerge as the winner and leave the Shield behind to concentrate on The Authority.
Aftereffects of the match will be the most interesting as Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose could be pitted against Roman Reigns while Punk will be playing the Stone Cold like figure as he go against Triple H with the backing of WWE universe. It could also build up to a potential Punk vs. Triple H showdown at WrestleMania.
Keeping it short and simple, this is the biggest attraction of TLC purely due to the underlying stories and their dimensions.
