0
0
For my last post of the year and with only three, that’s right, just three, pay-per-views left until WrestleMania 35, it’s a good time to look at what our current feuds are.
Raw
Elias and Lashley
These two facing off in a street fight was a good continuation of their feud which started with Bobby interrupting Elias to have a flexing session. It will be interesting to see how they interfere with each other in the Royal Rumble picture.
The Glorious Gable
After being passed over by acting GM Baron Corbin, they finally became our tag team Champs by defeating AOP. Tag teams are where Smackdown get everything right. I enjoy the camaraderie displayed by the Bar and their shtick that people love so much and I feel like they are trying to do the same thing with Roode and Gable on Raw. With the new changes, The Revival is getting a shot. This is a good match-up of two teams who have similar styles. We’ll see if any other Raw tag teams come into the mix moving toward the rumble.
Dolph v. Drew v. Finn Balor
Drew seemed to save Finn Balor from a beat down by Bobby Lashley back in November only to turn on him seconds later. Dolph and Drew’s friendship has fizzled. Dolph and Finn are now working together to take out Drew, which is especially fun because Drew is expecting to win the Royal Rumble and main-event WrestleMania. That would be amazing, because if Brock continues to hold the title, Drew v. Brock would be such a powerful match and much better for me than Brock v. Braun.
Brock and Braun
The monster faces the beast at the Royal Rumble for a chance at the Universal Championship. It will be interesting to see if Brock will end his mean streak of winning against Braun or if Braun will remain the larger than life attraction that he is, the title continuing to allude him.
Natalya v. Ronda Rousey
After winning a gauntlet match on Raw, Natalya won the opportunity to face Ronda for the Women’s Championship. Former training partners and friends faced off, but Ronda still came out on top. As we head into the next pay-per-view, it’s not clear if this will continue.
Seth Rollins and Baron Corbin? Or Dean Ambrose
After losing the Intercontinental Championship, it is unlikely that the feud between Dean and Seth is over. But after calling out Baron Corbin for being a terrible GM, Seth has had to answer to those statements. After an exciting win over Corbin, we’ll see where Baron finds himself in this mix.
Other News
Heath Slater and Rhyno are back! I’ll be excited too see where they end up in the tag team picture.
Smackdown
Royal Rumble look ahead – Daniel Bryan and #30
After winning the mixed match challenge, Carmella and R-Truth are entering the Royal Rumble at number 30. Now, the “new” Daniel Bryan will have a target on his back from everyone in the Royal Rumble, but that’s only if he still has the title. The story for Daniel Bryan will be who is going to be his biggest threat in the Royal Rumble, or will he lose the title far before then.
AJ Styles and the “new” Daniel Bryan
After a talk with Vince, he wants AJ Styles to find a dark side. By bringing up that Daniel Bryan is taking over the house that AJ built and that he and Vince are “a lot alike,” AJ can’t take it, and he hits Mr. McMahon. The smile on Vince’s face shows that that’s all he wanted. Prediction: AJ will continue to face Daniel, bringing out his own dark side and working to take Daniel down. Something that has alluded Mr. McMahon for years.
Tag Team Division
For the tag team division, The Bar, SANitY, The Usos, The Good Brothers, and The New Day keep each other very close in their feuding. It is nice to see that Smackdown gives so much time to the tag teams and doesn’t keep it just between two teams.
Jeff Hardy and Samoa Joe…and Randy Orton?
A month or so ago, during a celebration of Jeff Hardy’s 20 years with the WWE, Samoa Joe proved yet again why he is one of the better heels in the company today. Keeping his comments very pointed at personal struggles in Jeff’s life, Joe setup a feud between them. The only thing we need now is a title to face off between these two. And, is the Randy Orton chapter over? Who sees this one going to Jeff with a returning Matt facing off against Randy and Joe?
The Miz and Shane McMahon
Between asking for Vince’s blessing and continuously mentioning that he and Shane are “co-best-in-the-world”, The Miz can do no wrong. Now, it’s revealed that he wants Shane to be his partner to impress his dad. So, Shane agrees to the union, as long as The Miz doesn’t screw him. We’ll see where this goes, but I see a change in The Miz.
Naomi v. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville
With some fresh faces making passes at her husband, a very exciting feud may be being set between Naomi, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. The backstage package was good, so let’s see if this one can find some footing in the ring.
Rusev and challengers for his title
Rusev becomes The United States Champion after a week or so of packages describing how Rusev is a “diva” and Shinsuke is a clown. Does this feud have anymore ground to cover, or will Rusev continue with a title to bigger and better things?
And let’s not forget to mention where the new recruits or the inclusion of the cruiserweights will fall into the mix.
Other Gifts
And to propel us into next year, Santa Vince announces our Christmas gifts:
- John Cena returns
- We’re getting women’s tag team titles!
Speaking of women’s tag team titles, right now our front runnersR appear to be possibly a 3 woman group of Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Ember Moon, or Mickey James, Alisha Fox, and Dana Brooke. Other possible front runners are Nia Jax and Tamina, though we know Nia will likely be wanting to go for the Women’s title again. So, too early to say who might be the women’s tag team picture, but it is nice to have options.
