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AW APRIL 29, 2024
THE DRAFT
Last Friday’s Smackdown portion of the draft was far from newsworthy. While everything made sense from a logic perspective, it didn’t exactly make for compelling TV if you tuned in hoping to see some major names moved around. Raw’s half of the draft fell into a similar category, however, there were enough moves to freshen up both rosters, and separate some feuds that had run their course. Raw gaining groups like the LWO, Damage CTRL and Final Testament will bolster the numbers on their roster massively. The NXT call ups will be the most interesting talking point coming out of the draft, as big names such as Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes could prove to be major players on their respective brands. The women's division has added some fresh names from the PC that will add depth to both rosters. Gone are the days of big names being bounced around for the sake of creating a shock, or to embarrass people (Remember JR in 2008). We no longer have champions jumping around needlessly, creating messes that need cleaning up, or championship challengers moving brands days before a PPV title match leaving it 100% obvious who would be walking out as champion. This was a sensible draft, fitting with this new incarnation of WWE, where decisions are made with logic and thought for the future ahead of doing things to cause a stir in the moment.
WHO WILL WIN?
It isn’t unreasonable for wrestling fans to expect wrestling promotions to do enough to create doubt as to who will win any important championship match. WWE have done that with Damien Priest vs Jey Uso. While it would be easy to see Jey Uso as a good first opponent for Priest to beat, and establish himself as world champion, the more you think about it, the less obvious that result might be. Recent storyline progression leaves you thinking, maybe Judgment Day turmoil will cost Priest and they will go into the break up? Maybe a babyface champion in Jey Uso would make more sense to possibly face Drew McInytre this June in Scotland? Maybe WWE will want to give the French fans a memorable moment with a world title change? My gut still says Priest wins, as a short reign may hurt him, but WWE have done enough to create some intrigue and leave you guessing, despite this not feeling like a major world championship match.
IS IT TIME FOR LIV?
Liv Morgan has been on WWE TV for quite a number of years, and has yet to really find her place or make any major lasting impact. Is this finally her time? It seems like the perfect storm, and maybe now or never. Seeds are being planted for her slow heel turn after a lucky accident (for Liv), and some positive coming from Rhea Ripley’s injury. Becky Lynch is the perfect babyface champion for her to work with, and she will have a molten hot babyface Rhea Ripley to work with in the future. Her ring work has always been solid but limited, as seen here with her match with Nia Jax. So hopefully a heel run will help her find the missing piece to the puzzle. Nia Jax was smartly booked in defeat, giving a strong win to Liv, and giving Nia a reason to be pissed off at her new Smackdown counterparts. Despite what you might read on the internet, the crowd are NOT turning on Becky Lynch.
THE IC PICTURE MOVES ALONG
It seems as though there will be no rush to a big Sami Zayn vs Chad Gable match, and rightfully so. This story is building slowly week by week as Gable gets established as a heel. It made perfect sense for Zayn to attack Gable backstage in an attempt to prevent him interfering later on. The rushed nature of the Zayn vs Reed title match and lack of hype around it, made it very obvious that the Gable run in was coming. Bronson Reed could easily be a third wheel in this whole thing, but he remains looking strong, as he holds a win over Sami, and will want his uninterrupted championship match. Although nothing has been announced, it is possible that we will get a triple threat at Backlash, but there is no need to rush to that and have Gable & Zayn in the ring together before their eventual singles meeting. Alpha Academy loses again, giving Gable more reason to want to dump them, which will be a smaller story in the meantime to help Gable get positioned as a strong heel on the Raw brand.
PLANS FOR IMPERIUM?
After last week's excellent, vicious beatdown angle where Ludwig Kaiser left Giovanni Vinci laid out, in an apparent hit arranged by Gunther, Imperium are heading in a new direction. With a PLE coming up later this year in Berlin, you have to think there is a plan in place leading to that event in and around these men’s homelands. Gunther looked like a killer this week on Raw, in an excellently worked match with Xavier Woods, and we know he is entering the King of the Ring tournament. Let’s not forget Ilja Dragunov. A man with a storied history with Gunther dating back to their days in wXw, NXT UK and into NXT. Maybe he will align with the group? Where does this leave Vinci? It’s too early to say. An excellent in ring worker, and his fate will depend on what plans there are or aren’t for him on his own on Smackdown.
I can be reached at matthewmacklin90@gmail.com
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