This time last year, I gazed into my crystal ball gimmick in an attempt to forecast the year ahead for professional wrestling. On reviewing the article, it’s fair to say that I got more of my assumptions wrong than right. However, I’m claiming credit for my prediction that Paige would marry Ric Flair: what is Alberto Del Rio, with his expensive suits and love of a bevy, if not a Mexican Ric Flair?
Given my less than stellar hit rate, I’ve adapted the column
for the new year: I’m not predicting what will happen in 2017; rather I’m stating
what I would like to see happen, a pro-wrestling wish list if you
will. Let’s start with matters close to home.
The British Wrestling Wars.
WWE vs WCW was an American wrestling conflict that audiences
were deeply invested in. Many fans watched both shows but everyone had their
favourite, their brand that they wanted to see secure bragging rights when the
Monday Night Wars reached their inevitable conclusion. The action on television
may have been scripted but the real life competition gave it an edge that
elevated the viewing experience.
Could British wrestling be about to get a taste of such
competition? For years, the UK scene has been territory based, with promotions
running certain towns and cities, happy to share talent and never going head to
head within the same market. This collaborative approach has been great for the
wrestlers and the fans but could the business model be about to change? As WWE
prepare to launch their own UK brand, ITV have resurrected World of Sport: two
major companies are set to fund the biggest battle UK wrestling has ever seen,
competing over talent and media attention. This could lead to great
storytelling and immense match ups. Marquee events could go head to head as WWE
run London while WOS hit up Manchester: wrestling would be a hot ticket across
the land. And with PROGRESS making reference to their own “tapings” in March,
it could be that a third dog will enter the fight, with Camden’s finest taking
the ECW role: the alternative, cult offering with the rabid following and
unique vibe. 2017 could well be the year when wrestling goes mainstream in the
UK.
TNA finds a
home…the WWE Network.
There is a chance that this is the year in which TNA might be deleted. But let’s stay positive. Sure, it seems that no network in the US or UK is keen on picking it up but this is 2017- streaming is where it’s at. TNA could become the crown jewel of the Floslam network or it could go where the real money is…
If the WWE Network is to become the true hub of wrestling,
it needs as much diversity as possible. It has NXT, 205live and now the UK
brand but these are all quite similar: indie in HD. TNA has more history
attached to it, a roster that sets it apart and a touch more sports
entertainment in its DNA: its back catalogue could be promoted alongside new
episodes of Impact and current WWE performers such as Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe
and Sting could make cross-over appearances. We all know that Vince has never
seen TNA as competition so an invasion angle with the WWE wouldn’t happen.
However, a TNA vs NXT feud could allow Triple H the chance to rebook the
invasion in his own image, providing Network only content that could
legitimately appeal to new subscribers.
Due to various court cases, legal disputes and interference
from mid 90s alt rockers, this happening is the longest shot of all. But if a
deal could potentially be made that results in Broken Matt Hardy on Renee
Young’s Unfiltered, I think we should allow ourselves to dream.
Connor McGregor at WrestleMania.
I’m a big Ronda Rousey fan but this year’s WrestleMania may
be a bit soon to book the MMA star, who, whilst a pioneer to be respected, has
lost some lustre in the wake of two devastating knock outs. This doesn’t mean
that WrestleMania can’t have some MMA involvement: in fact, Connor McGregor
should be booked in a prominent role. Just as Mike Tyson’s notoriety enlivened
the build to WrestleMania 14, the UFC lightweight champ, a bona fide super star
and, despite his comments in the media, a wrestling fan, would use his promotional know how to draw
attention to the show of shows. There is no way that the UFC would let him
wrestle but as he is on a hiatus from the fight game, he would be available to
appear (should the price be right). Best use of the man: he and The Rock enter
a Trump/McMahon style challenge and select and corner two fighters for a mega
match. That’s a massive rub for the two wrestlers chosen but the real appeal would
be the promo wars between The Notorious One and The Great One. Elite banter
guaranteed.
The Omega Man
Hey RevPro, book Kenny Omega for York Hall in 2017. Cheers.
The Miz gets one more World title run
One of my predictions for 2016 was for the The Miz would
have a great year; the thing is that I thought it would come as result of a
managerial role, whereby he represented a larger, more dominant wrestler, essentially
becoming a Paul Heyman who could bump. Instead, the addition of a manager to
the Miz’s own act, in the form of his real-life wife Maryse, has proven the
catalyst to refining and perfecting his arrogant, Hollywood bubble heel. His
feud with Dolph Ziggler in the fall was excellent, their bout at No Mercy the first
time that the former reality show star has truly competed in a near perfect
match. Now WWE should strike while the iron is hot. A title run in 2017 would
reward Miz’s self-belief and hard work and he would be the perfect foil for
John Cena and (the surely soon to be babyface) AJ Styles. If John Morrison
where to come back, that’s a three month programme that writes itself.
I’d slightly tweak the gimmick and add Baron Corbin to the
package as a heater; such chicanery would suit the Miz’s act, allowing him to
keep the strap whilst preventing Maryse’s interference from getting over-exposed.
It would also set up a future programme between the two. Miz vs Corbin could be
effective whichever way you cast the face/heel roles. Whilst I’m at it, here’s
a crazy prediction for 2018: The Miz will be one of the biggest babyfaces in
the promotion.
Words - Sean Taylor-Richardson
Images - James Marston
Editor - James Marston
Find Us
Twitter - @ATPWrestling
Facebook - /acrossthepondwrestling
Instagram - @ATPWrestling
No comments:
Post a Comment