The Lost Art of the Slow Build - Too Soon for Ronda?

   I understand that wrestling has changed and evolved in the last 30 years or so.  I understand that maybe some fans may not have a long attention span anymore.  Since the inclusion of at least one Pay-Per-View every month in professional wrestling, I almost feel as if wrestling fans have now become conditioned to have smaller attention spans.  While I can appreciate striking when the iron is hot, there is a difference between knowing when to do that and when to use a slow build.  One mistake I think WWE is making right now is not slowly building Ronda Rousey.  Before I get to that, I have a few examples of a slow build and why it is important.

   Hulk Hogan's feud with Andre the Giant for instance, is an example; not so much the act of a slow build for the match itself, but overall for the entire feud that went until the Summer of 1988.  In early 1987, Andre turned on Hulk Hogan, setting up their match at WrestleMania III.  Along with competing with the NWA's Starrcade, the WWF created the Survivor Series to extend the Hogan/Andre feud.  Layers were added over the months, such as the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase paying off the referee in Hogan's rematch with Andre, and subsequently purchasing the WWF Championship from Andre.  The Title was vacated and a tournament to crown a new Champion took place at WrestleMania IV.  In the end, Hulk Hogan evened the odds for his Mega Powers partner "Macho Man" Randy Savage, thwarting off Andre the Giant in order for Savage to defeat DiBiase to become the new Champion.  Finally, at 1988's SummerSlam, the Mega Powers defeated Andre and DiBiase, known as the Mega Bucks, ending Hogan's feud with Andre once and for all.

   Another example happened in the 90's.  Paul Heyman was smart enough to know that fans were craving to see a match between Taz and Sabu in ECW.  However, he did not rush it at all.  He built it slowly to where the two men didn't even touch one another for almost a year.  Taz kept challenging Sabu, who would always decline.  The anticipation was built up so much that fans couldn't wait for it to happen.  Matches tend to be better received when the fans are invested.  While Hulk Hogan's match with the Ultimate Warrior wasn't exactly a mat classic, the match wouldn't have been as well received without the proper buildup.  That was the case here as well.  It even earned mutual respect from one another for Taz and Sabu.

   The buildup to Hulk Hogan vs. Sting at Starrcade 1997 was a year and a half in the making.  During the Summer of 1996, the nWo took over WCW.  On an episode of Monday Nitro, it looked as if Sting had joined the nWo, as he attacked his friend Lex Lugar alongside an nWo limousine.  However, we would soon learn that it was an impostor.  Unfortunately for Sting, fans turned on him because they thought he joined the nWo and even his peers distrusted him.  At Fall Brawl during the War Games match, the last man to join in on the nWo's team was the impostor Sting.  Everyone was finally made fully aware of this when the real Sting came out for Team WCW.  Sting beat up the nWo by himself and then left, simply to make a statement that he was not satisfied with everyone distrusting him, leading to Team WCW losing the match.  After that, Sting's character evolved into his "Crow" gimmick and we would see him very sparingly, mostly in the rafters for well over a year.  Finally, Sting came back to defeat Hogan for the WCW Title at Starrcade in December of 1997.  

   A more recent example of a slow build was the build up to the first match between John Cena and The Rock.  The Rock got involved in Cena's Title match with The Miz at WrestleMania 27.  The next night on Raw, Cena challenged The Rock to a WrestleMania match the following year.  In late 2011 at the Survivor Series, Cena and The Rock teamed up to take on The Miz and R-Truth.  Despite winning the match, The Rock executed a Rock Bottom to Cena.  Though The Rock wasn't at every Raw, both him and Cena went back and forth with promos against each other for a year until their encounter.  For the time, the match was treated as "Once In a Lifetime."  

  Before I get to the topic at hand, here's an example of something I think could have used a slow build.  What I'm referring to is Jinder Mahal becoming the WWE Champion.  I disliked Jinder being Champion for several reasons but one particular reason was the lack of build to his moment.  You can't take someone who loses all the time and make him a credible Champion overnight without the proper build.  That's why the whole thing was so asinine to me.  It's bad enough taking someone from near jobber to Champion, but it's even worse to do it overnight.  I think it would have been smart to start building him up somewhat under the radar.  Start giving him some wins but don't discuss them as much as other feuds.  Sooner or later, he starts defeating more credible names.  Give him a great showing in the Royal Rumble, spending a large amount of time in the match and making it to the final six men.  Then, you have him win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXXIII.  That way, by the time he wins the number one contendership Battle Royal on Smackdown, he's a much more believable threat to Randy Orton and his win, while still shocking, wouldn't have been as poorly received.

   Now we come to the enigma that is the booking of Ronda Rousey.  First things first, I don't want to come off as some know-it-all fan.  I don't claim to know anything about wrestling business-wise.  I'm not in the industry nor have I ever booked a show or match.  With that being said, I think it's too soon for what is about to happen with Ronda Rousey, no matter what the result may be.  It was announced that she will be challenging Nia Jax for the Raw Women's Championship at Money In the Bank next month, with it likely being her first singles match for WWE.  Don't get me wrong!  Ronda Rousey is a great athlete and a huge star, and she shut up a lot of critics and haters with her performance at WrestleMania this year.  In fact, it was my favorite match of the night.  

   However, Nia is still not exactly a veteran and having a less experienced wrestler with Ronda might not be the best idea.  While Stephanie McMahon is not a wrestler at all, she's been involved with wrestling her whole life, and there were ring generals in there in Triple H and Kurt Angle.  Lately, she's come to the rescue of her friend Natalya from an attack by Mickie James and Alexa Bliss. Rumors then started that a program between Ronda and Natalya would take place this year, likely due to Nattie turning on Ronda.  Now, they're already putting Ronda in the Title match.  Nia just won the Title from Alexa at WrestleMania and I'm not trying to predict the future here, but it's more than likely Ronda will win, and in my opinion ruin Nia's run.  Of course, even if Ronda does not win, it will either be a screwy finish or not end clean whatsoever.  I'm afraid it will ruin the progress Ronda made at WrestleMania with her surprising delivery both as a wrestler and as a character.  

   Once again, this is all subjective and just my opinion.  While I did want to eventually see this program take place, I think it's way too soon.  I'd like to see a one on one match between Ronda and Mickie James at Money In the Bank.  Working with an experienced wrestler like Mickie would be important for this stage of Ronda's career.  Again, I'm not saying no to a Title run by Ronda.  It's something I expect and would welcome.  However, it wouldn't be smart to do it so soon.  Then, at Extreme Rules in July, Ronda can team with Natalya, who has somewhat mentored and trained her in the ring.  Together, they could take on Mickie James and Alexa Bliss, since Alexa is now done with Nia Jax.  During the match, Nattie turns on Ronda and it sets up a match between the two to be built towards SummerSlam in August.  Once her program with Natalya ends, Ronda could then set her sights on the Women's Championship.  That could be either outright winning it from whomever is Champion at the time, or perhaps winning the Royal Rumble to earn the opportunity and have her culmination at WrestleMania.  Other big money matches for Ronda would be against Asuka and Charlotte Flair.

   I'm not trying to tell Vince McMahon how to run his company.  There's a reason why he's a rich wrestling promoter and I'm not.  However, I still feel I'm allowed to have opinions on my passion that is wrestling.  I can still feel a certain way and disagree with something.  I don't overdo it, nor do I complain just to complain but it's unfair for me to simply accept everything that happens in wrestling.  There is such a thing as a bad idea, or at least a poorly received idea.  Even promoters and wrestlers talk about gimmicks, angles, or things they disagreed with.  Are there people that simply like to complain about every little thing in wrestling?  Sure!  But to me, I know the difference and I would never claim to know something I don't.  What do you think?  Is it a bad idea to rush a Title program for Ronda?  Or you fine with it?  Do you prefer it?  I'd like to know your thoughts.

  If you have any further thoughts on this topic, let me know in comments.  Heck, let us all know on The WAR Report podcast, every Tuesday at 7PM EST on YouTube, brought to you by tagmeadate.com, the first and only dating site for wrestling fans.  Go to askthewarreport@gmail.com or #askthewarreport.  For TagMeADate members, our Android and Apple apps are vastly approaching so stay tuned!
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Backlash 2018 Review

   I have to be honest here and I don't care how I may be coming off as a fan.  Backlash 2018 started out great and was going well for a while and then completely took a nose dive from there.  Between the awful endings to one of the matches to the questionable match placement, overall it was a disappointing show.  I'm not complaining just to complain, though!  Besides, it's just an opinion anyway.  Yes, some fans do complain a lot and maybe even too much but it's gotten to the point where you're not even allowed to criticize something you didn't like.  I will stand by my opinions!  Anyway, here it goes!

Kick-Off Match - Bayley vs. Ruby Riot

   I thought this match was fine and really didn't see anything wrong with it.  I had predicted Ruby Riot to come out on top and she did. However, it was due to help from the Riot Squad members Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan.  While that was expected due to their gang mentality, I was kind of hoping Bayley's loss would be directly due to Sasha Banks' involvement, whether it be purposeful or inadvertent.   Either way, it's probably more important for Ruby Riot to get a win like this to further establish herself.

Intercontinental Title - Seth Rollins vs. The Miz

   This was by far the match of the night.  Even before any other matches followed, I knew it would be the match of the night.  The Miz is someone that made me change my mind about him.  Up until Maryse's return two years ago, I hated The Miz.  After that infamous Talking Smack segment with Daniel Bryan took place, I officially became a fan.  He's improved greatly in the ring as well.  Rollins is just incredible and this was a fantastic way to open the show.  With The Miz now on Smackdown, I kind of figured Rollins would retain, which he did.  As great as the match was, I thought; oh boy, what can follow this?   Five stars all the way!

Raw Women's Title - Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss

 Little Miss Bliss exacted her rematch clause here, after having lost the Championship to Nia at WrestleMania.  I enjoyed the match and like their match at WrestleMania, it went longer than I expected.  It was a good story, as it took a completely different look compared to their previous one.  This time, Alexa tried to paint Nia as the bully.  In the end, the Irresistible Force retained the Title and I think she's moving on to other challengers.  I liked the match but Nia's post-match anti-bullying promo could have been a little shorter.  Overall, so far, so good when it comes to Backlash's fourteen installment.

US Title - Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton

   The US Title has moved around a bit lately but I think it's landed on Jeff Hardy for a decent amount of time.  Hardy can almost always be expected to perform and Randy Orton is another fans can count on.  I enjoyed the match; the counters, the RKO, and the overall performance of both men.  The match had a great sequence of moves and the ending with Hardy countering the RKO into a Twist of Fate was pretty cool.  Hardy wasted no time as he immediately climbed to the top to deliver the winning Swanton Bomb.  I think we're either headed for a rematch soon enough or a Triple Threat involving Shelton Benjamin.  So far, I was enjoying Backlash.

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass

   The show took a slight dive here as the match wasn't very well received.  To be honest, I wasn't paying much attention so I really have no frame of reference.  I wasn't thrilled that this feud was happening.  In fact, I don't care about Big Cass anymore.  Frankly, after he and Enzo broke up, I stopped enjoying either of them.  As we know, Enzo is gone and I wasn't phased during Cass's recovery from injury.  Bryan fulfilled his promise when he made the 7-footer tap out.  I thought the match was going to end in a DQ but I liked the tap out.  As expected, Cass attacked Bryan after the match.  I didn't dislike this because of how the match went, I just didn't care about it at all.

Smackdown Women's Title - Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair

   Almost a month ago on Smackdown, Carmella cashed in her "Money In the Bank" to become Women's Champion over Charlotte, the woman who broke Asuka's streak at WrestleMania.  I think people are giving this match too hard a time.  I didn't think it was bad at all.  Carmella may be annoying be she's supposed to be.  It means she's doing her job well.  What made this match good to me as well was the fact that Carmella won fairly clean and I think it was important for her first Title defense to go that way and establish some credibility.  After all, 'Mella Is Money!

WWE Title No Disqualification Match - AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

 This is where the show took an unfortunate turn.  First of all, I completely disagreed with this match not being the Main Event.  As some have pointed out after the fact, the way the match ended is why it didn't headline.  However, I'd argue that the ending shouldn't have even taken place.  The match itself was fine but I really think they're overdoing it with the low blows.  I'll give credit where credit is due and say that I didn't mind the actual spot of the double low blow kick.  However, ending the match with neither man able to get up due to it was terrible.  Again, I don't mind the spot itself necessarily but no match at a PPV should ever end this way, especially a Title match.  It means we're going to get yet another match between the two at Money In the Bank.  I never thought I'd say this, but, I don't care to ever see it again.  Maybe the chemistry just isn't there in the WWE.  I wasn't expecting them to top their New Japan match or even go that style.  It's unfair to compare both the styles and the fan base. If this was going to be the ending, it should have taken place at the Greatest Royal Rumble, which was just a televised house show.  This ending made me start to hate the show.

Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

   I was so angered by the way the last match ended that I stopped paying attention to the rest of the card.  This match did what it was supposed to but I didn't feel any which way about it.  I was wrong about my prediction and yet again, there is some dissension again between the friends.  I didn't hate this match but it didn't really do anything for me.  

    On a positive side note, unlike many, I actually enjoyed the segment with Elias when everyone kept interrupting his performance.  The New Day is always entertaining but the fans got really excited when Aiden English appeared because they knew Rusev Day was upon them. Rusev then came out as well.  As predicted, No Way Jose came out with his Conga line, which featured Titus Worldwide.  It all came together after the final interruption, as Bobby Roode came about and planted his nemesis Elias with a Glorious DDT.  Everyone then danced to the back.  I thought that was a fun segment.

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe

   I wouldn't have minded this being the main event if Reigns was going in as the Universal Champion, despite me not caring about that Championship at all.  However, this match without a Title was something I felt didn't deserve the main event over the WWF Title match.  I didn't hate the match as many did, but I didn't exactly love it either.  I got completely turned off by the ending of AJ/Shinsuke so much so that my brain stopped caring.  It was akin to the way I felt when the Undertaker lost his streak at WrestleMania.  Back then, I felt deflated and didn't have the enthusiasm I should have by the time Daniel Bryan had his moment.  I felt Joe needed the win but I can see it being Roman considering his two losses to Brock Lesnar recently.  Overall, it was a fairly lackluster show.  It started out incredibly with Seth Rollins vs. The Miz and held a fairly steady pace for the first few matches.  The Cass/Bryan match was a somewhat low point but the ending to the WWE Title match really brought the entire thing down.  

  If you have any further thoughts on this topic, let me know in comments.  Heck, let us all know on The WAR Report podcast, every Tuesday at 7PM EST on YouTube, brought to you by tagmeadate.com, the first and only dating site for wrestling fans.  Go to askthewarreport@gmail.com or #askthewarreport.  For TagMeADate members, our Android and Apple apps are vastly approaching so stay tuned!
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Backlash 2018 Predictions

  Yet another Pay-Per-View event for WWE is upon us.  It seems even quicker with the odd placement of the Greatest Royal Rumble just nine days before.  However, we have to remember that the Greatest Royal Rumble, although a special event for the fans in Saudi Arabia, was just a house show.  With that in mind, I can live with some of the bad match endings from that show, as Backlash is the true next PPV up.  Since Brock Lesnar retained his Universal Title against Roman Reigns at both WrestleMania and the Greatest Royal Rumble, and is not going to appear at Backlash, the event will not have a Universal Title match.  Now that the PPV's are all co-branded going forward, I'd assume the main event for Backlash will be the WWE Title match between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura.  

Kick-Off Match - Bayley vs. Ruby Riot

   With two Women's Championships around, it's hard for other women to get on the cards.  With Ronda Rousey's recent involvement in her friend Natalya's feud with Mickie James, I thought for sure that would be used here.  However, since the Shake-Up, the Riot Squad has been attacking both Bayley and Sasha Banks.  I would say they are dividing and conquering but the division between Bayley and Sasha has been happening since the Royal Rumble back in January.  It's only a matter of time before they become ex-friends.  Though either could turn heel, it makes more sense for Sasha to be the one.  With that being said, I'm choosing Ruby Riot to get the win over Bayley.  It won't be due to her Riot Squad sisters either.  It will be due to Sasha Banks.  Whether this is the heel turn or an accident, that will be Bayley's loss.

Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass

   Daniel Bryan triumphantly returned to action at WrestleMania and seceded his General Manager position to Paige to become a full time competitor once again.  He and Shane McMahon were victorious at WrestleMania.  His last act as GM was to bring long time rival The Miz back over to Smackdown.  Another superstar brought over to Smackdown was the returning Big Cass.  Cass immediately made a statement by attacking Daniel Bryan.  This is based on Cass being a much bigger man physically.  Many feel that Cass is just a means of keeping Bryan and The Miz away from each other for the time being.  Some think it may even be an alliance between Miz and Cass, much like the Dolph Ziggler/Drew McIntrye situation on Raw.  I can see Big Cass getting the win but I think Bryan will pull it out in the end.  That's what she said!

Raw Women's Title - Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss

   Nia dethroned Alexa at WrestleMania of the Raw Women's Championship and this is the obligatory rematch.  To continue the feud beyond this notion, Alexa has tried to portray herself as the victim of bullying, even though her "Mean Girls" act beforehand says otherwise.  Once again, I'm going with Nia Jax for the win.  After this, Nia will move on to other challengers.  It might be wise to keep her and Ronda Rousey separated for a while before that clash of the titans happens.  In the mean time, Sasha and Bayley are always go-to challengers.  Not only that, Money In the Bank is coming up in June and the winner of that match could very well cash in on Nia at some point.

US Title - Jeff Hardy vs. Randy Orton

   The US Title has changed hands quite a few times as of late.  It all started after Dolph Ziggler won the Title back in December and nonsensically gave it up and quit, only to return shortly thereafter. Bobby Roode became the new Champion in January by winning a tournament and lost it to Randy Orton in March at Fastlane.  At WrestleMania, Jinder Mahal claimed the Title, only to lose it to Jeff Hardy just over a week later.  Hardy came to Smackdown during the Shake-up to have a match with Shelton Benjamin, taking over Orton answering Shelton's challenge.  Since then, Orton returned the favor and even dropped Hardy with an RKO.  If Orton wins, then it should have stayed on Orton to begin with.  However, I think Jeff will retain here.  

Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

   Thanks to Stephanie McMahon, the best buds made it to Raw, despite their loss at WrestleMania. These two were recently involved in a ten-man tag team match on The Miz's last day on Raw.  Two of the opposing team members were Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley.  Braun just came off a Tag Team Championship win with partner ten-year-old Nicholas, who had to relinquish the Titles due to school obligations.  However, Braun also won the Greatest Royal Rumble as well.  Bobby Lashley made his big return to Raw the night after WrestleMania.  With teased dissension between the two big men, I'm predicting Owens and Zayn pick up the victory.

Smackdown Women's Title - Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair

   At WrestleMania, Charlotte did the unthinkable when she handed Asuka her first loss in their Title match.  Just says later on Smackdown, NXT's Iconics in Peyton Royce and Billie Kay arrived and attacked Charlotte.  Moments later, Carmella took advantage of the situation and cashed in her "Money In the Bank" to win the Smackdown Women's Championship.  Though Charlotte wants to get her revenge on the Iconics, she is owed a rematch with the Champion.  With Carmella just winning, I see her retaining at this time because 'Mella is money!

Intercontinental Title - Seth Rollins vs. The Miz

   At WrestleMania, Rollins won the Title in a match against both Balor and The Miz.  The Miz, Balor, and Samoa Joe were unsuccessful in their Ladder Match for the Title at the Greatest Royal Rumble.   With The Miz drafted to Smackdown courtesy of Daniel Bryan and both the US Champion and challenger being on the Smackdown brand, I think it's safe to say that Rollins will retain.  Finn Balor is still in the mix and I think there is something brewing there.  Recent actions Balor's recent actions possibly paint him as a heel sooner or later.  This match should be fantastic and I'm looking forward to it.  As of this time, I'm choosing Seth Rollins.

Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe

   Reigns was unsuccessful in two attempts to take Brock Lesnar's Universal Title.  Since then, the recently returning Samoa Joe made Reigns his target.  However, Joe was then traded to Smackdown during the Shake-Up.  Upon arrival to Smackdown, he made a challenge to AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, depending on  the outcome of their match.  Though two big losses might mean a win for Reigns, Joe would look awfully dumb after losing and making that recent challenge.  I'm taking Samoa Joe for the win here and that might finally be enough for Reigns to snap.

WWE Title - AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

   Many were shocked when AJ retained the Title over Nakamura at WrestleMania.  What shocked us even more was Shinsuke's heel turn directly after with a low blow.  Since then, he has used that dirty tactic on AJ several times and it has become quite personal.  It angered Styles so much that it led to a double count-out between the two at the Greatest Royal Rumble.  How AJ hasn't decided to wear a cup by now is beyond me.  Now the two will face once again for the WWE Title, this time in a No Disqualification Match.  Even though my pick for their recent matches was Nakamura, he's still my pick this time and the change in attitude will lead him to the gold.  To be honest, even if there was a Universal Title match, this match would still be the main event, as frankly the Universal Title means nothing to me and I don't consider it a World Title anyway.  There are so many different ways this show can go.  These were my predictions but I've been wrong many times before.  It should be a decent show and I'm interested to see what happens tomorrow night and what the outcomes will lead to.  

  If you have any further thoughts on this topic, let me know in comments.  Heck, let us all know on The WAR Report podcast, every Tuesday at 7PM EST on YouTube, brought to you by tagmeadate.com, the first and only dating site for wrestling fans.  Go to askthewarreport@gmail.com or #askthewarreport.  For TagMeADate members, our Android and Apple apps are vastly approaching so stay tuned!
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