Breezus

Yeah, Cole and Saxton don't do them nearly enough justice. Can't say JBL and Otunga would but Ranallo is definitely the superior play-by-play guy, plus they'd probably be much better booked so yeah. The cruiserweights can still work on RAW though and I think they'll eventually get over, regardless of the booking and hour placement - it's just the fact that they could've gotten there already that's infuriating. But still, I hate WWE's half-assed approach to characters and storylines (on RAW). Honestly, I'm not sure I'd care nearly as much about Banks, Bayley, Neville, Zayn and the cruiserweights if I didn't watch NXT and the CWC. Speaking of NXT, the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is shaping up to be glorious (pun fully intended) with teams like the Revival, Gargano/Ciampa, Cien/Cedric, Itami/Ibushi (!) and my favorite, the Glorious 10 (Roode/Dillinger). Can't wait for NXT to be consistently exciting again, I have to say it's been a while.

The crowd was okay during Cedric/Swann-Dorado/Gulak but they chanted 'CM Punk' and 'Randy Savage' during TJP-Nese so yeah. While I get that the casual audience isn't going to get crazy for relatively unknown talent, I don't get how in the fuck you can disrespect them like that. However, WWE is to blame as well. It's great that they added the purple ropes, trons and mat logos and the ref interactions but short video packages before the matches aren't enough to get people invested. They didn't capitalise on the CWC's massive hype at all and that's just mind-boggling. SmackDown! is turning the Usos, Naomi and fucking Eva Marie into must-see attractions while RAW couldn't take advantage of the overness of Banks, Bayley, Zayn, the cruiserweights and so much more talent. It's like they're run by two entirely different companies.

Yeah, I thought it was great. Purple lighting and logo and a great F4W #1 Contender's match (and I'm so happy to see Swann and Cedric there). But since they kicked off the third hour, the crowd was dead and Foley's introduction didn't do them any favours and even though they still got them to chant "this is awesome", I really hope they get an earlier slot in the future.

Yeah, I thought it was great. Purple lighting and logo and a great F4W #1 Contender's match (and I'm so happy to see Swann and Cedric there). But since they kicked off the third hour, the crowd was dead and Foley's introduction didn't do them any favours and even though they still got them to chant "this is awesome", I really hope they get an earlier slot in the future.

Not sure what to think. AHS lost me after the Coven finale but Hotel kinda brought me back. And while I didn't have high expectations for this one, I didn't expect the documentary format at all (which may or may not grow on me) and the lack of an opening sequence. I'll definitely keep watching but for now, I can't say I'm overly excited about it.

I'm glad I knew about Ibushi and ZSJ's situations because otherwise, I wouldn't have enjoyed the excellent finale nearly as much. All matches were great and if they do tag matches like that on RAW, I can't wait. Although I thought it was a shame they didn't do Ibushi-ZSJ as a match for 3rd place instead of the tag match but that's just nitpicking. Speaking of Ibushi, while a lot of talent impressed big time, he remains my personal MVP of the CWC because every match of his was at least four stars. Can't wait to see him in NJPW, hopefully with Omega. Also, I was never really rooting for TJP and I doubt anyone thought he was going to win but he turned out to be the perfect choice. He had a great real-life backstory, he was one of the best total packages of the tournament and he totally deserved both the trophy and the title. I will fucking miss this show - it was legit the best weekly pro wrestling product I've ever seen. If the cruiserweights can't save 3-hour RAWs, nothing will.

This fucking year, guys. Unreal.

She's definitely been misused and the way she's been booked is probably a big reason I stopped caring about her. However, except for her excellent match against Emma at NXT ArRIVAL, I can't think of a single match or feud that I found to be particularly good or memorable (even the Pai-J feud was kinda disappointing). And while she can cut promos when they let her, I find her annoying more often than not - especially her silly catchphrase. I don't know, she absolutely adds to the women's division's depth and she's still over with the fans but I wouldn't mind if she left and then someday, comes back better than ever.

El Patron was really good in Lucha Underground and in the indies. It shouldn't have come as a surprise that they'd never use him well in the WWE or that they'd ever push him back to the top again when there are so many others vying for that spot. He could've been a good upper midcarder I guess since he's still a tremendous athlete but I don't blame him for leaving. Paige is apparently on her way out, too. I've actually liked her less and less since her main roster debut and while I didn't expect them to part ways already, I can't say I'm gonna miss her. The Women's Division has become so strong, Paige can't even make the Top 10.

I guess they want to turn him into an underachieving underdog who can easily squash lower midcarders but can't win "the big one". As long as he shows up on RAW every week, gets a good storyline and a payoff will actually happen, I'm fine with that. The CWC winner will only get the trophy since they haven't mentioned a title at all. I'm super stoked for the 2-hour live finale, I didn't think they'd to the semi-finals and the finals on the same night (btw that final hold ZSJ used against Dar Dar Binks looked absolutely brutal). Also very happy Lucha Underground is back. Once the CWC is over, it would've been a bit depressing to only have NXT on Wednesdays.

I have no doubt it'd work since I don't think he's gonna catch a break anytime soon lol. They could have him lose all the important matches (like the #1 Contender's matches) while he picks up smaller wins against guys like Jinder until he gets a big storyline in time for WM. Hell, maybe even against Owens already if Balor won't return in time. As much as I'm loving this rejuvenated Kendrick, I don't think him winning the whole thing would've been the best option. A fresh new talent could need that push more (not to mention that his loss was such a wonderfully heartbreaking moment). Also, I'm not so sure it's gonna be Ibushi-Sabre anymore since apparently, neither have signed yet. It could go to anyone at this point. I'd be surprised if Ibushi heads to RAW's Cruiserweight Division instead of going back to NJPW to battle a certain old friend who recently won the G1 Climax for the IWGP Heavyweight Title in a few months.

I just love that Owens is HHH's new chosen one, it's such a perfect fit - not to mention that he deserves the spotlight. Adding Jericho to the mix would be pretty cool, too. And I can see Rollins slowly turning face in the process and after Ambrose got his revenge before the draft, there's no point in keeping him heel (especially since everyone wants to cheer him). I think they'll do an underdog story with Zayn, hopefully against Reigns if he wins the US Title. Also, the CWC just keeps blowing my mind. Two absolutely fantastic matches. I don't think Kendrick has ever been better (not to mention him doing Neckbreakers on the ring post and a fucking Burning Hammer).

Really want to check out Neon Genesis: Evangelion. Hope I can get my hands on the DVD sets soon. And I'm on Episode 7 of One Punch Man (watching the English dub, not really a fan of subtitles in anime, at least not for stuff I see for the first time) and I love everything about it.

I just finished RAW and HOLY SHIT WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED

Finally grabbed this for 10 bucks, thanks again for suggesting Zavvi, it's fantastic. Crazy how I haven't spent more than 10 bucks for each of my steelbooks.

Watch out, he's gonna cut a shoot promo on you!

Lmao seriously. Seeing the whole arena chanting that was surreal. But yeah, also loved the CWC this week. Three really good matches and I'm glad with the outcomes. It's crazy how this just keeps getting better and better. However, I used to have ZSJ as a lock for the finale but since he reportedly hasn't signed yet (and probably won't), I think both his and Ibushi's spots could be in jeopardy.

DELETE

Aaaaaand the Reigns push is back. It was good while it lasted I guess. Ugh. At least Bayley finally debuted on RAW. If there's one positive outcome out of Sasha losing the title so quickly and being out, it's this.

Styles-Cena was so good. That one and MITB might've been Cena's best matches ever. PG era or not, the ending of Brock-Orton was pretty disturbing, mainly because I didn't expect so much blood to pour out. I can't believe they let Brock legitimately smash Orton in the head like that cause that sure wasn't a blade job. I'm glad I didn't stay up for this because while SummerSlam wasn't as good as it could've been, I didn't hate it nearly as much as anyone else who sat through the entire thing. Fuck those "fans" during Balor-Rollins though. Yeah, the UT is butt-ugly but to shit on the whole match like that and booing when Balor grabbed the title just because you hate the design was fucking disrespectful.

I love The Revival but I never cheer for them. They are such brilliant heels, it's impossible to not boo them. And I think they actually had the MOTN against Gargano & Ciampa. There was some top-notch storytelling going on and I don't think they could've delivered a better match. I'm surprised that didn't go to Joe-Nakamura, which was a really good bout yet I felt like something was missing for it to be truly GREAT, I dunno. Same goes for Bayley-Asuka but I expected that since it was the same in Dallas. The rest of the card was very solid, from Ember Moon's impressive debut to Aries and Rooooooooooooo winning (those entrances though, holy shit). Enjoyed the SummerSlam Kickoff but I'll watch the rest tomorrow morning since there's no way I'm gonna stay up for this until 5am. Have a good one, guys.

Graves is the best. Him and Young Boy Tom are my favorite commentary team right after Bryan/Ranallo. NXT reminded me that it's a shame Eva Marie is on SD! because him gushing over her was hysterical. On a sidenote, what about Itami? Just like Zayn, it seems odd neither seems to have a match at Takeover and SummerSlam, respectively.

Still don't get why they decided to bring back guys like Jinder Mahal out of all people. And if the plan was to split the brands anyway, why release capable talent like Sandow in the first place? Makes no sense. Anyway, SmackDown! was awesome while RAW was meh ... for the third week in a row now. It's not even a contest at this point. RAW keeps getting bodied every single week. I fail to understand how they can't give Zayn something to do on one show while they can make Eva fucking Marie a must-see character on the other show.

With 'awesome' you mean fucking insane, right? Jesus Christ, what a match. The psychology and storytelling was unreal. Not to mention that both are the best heels in the company. And I just saw the finale and oh my GOD: If Takeover Brooklyn II and SummerSlam deliver, this could very well be the greatest wrestling summer ever.

I'd be very surprised if both Tajiri and Kendrick won't show up on SmackDown! or RAW. I think it's pretty much a done deal. On a sidenote, I just got to Day 17 of NJPW's G1 Climax and holy hell, Tanahashi and Okada had yet another MOTY candidate. Also, Ishii-Okada from Day 13 got a well-deserved five-star rating from Meltzer, so if anyone wants to see at least some of the G1 matches, definitely watch those two.