(listen to Jim Ross’ podcast as that’s where I got the idea for this type of blog from, the title is literally taken from him anyway).
Last night I began watching the best Hell in a Cell matches of all time (ahead of a future blog I am going to write), I tend to watch the Mankind vs Undertaker one (where Mick Foley attempts to self destruct) as one of my many “comfort viewings” when I am emotionally distressed or bored (tends to be more the first one and hardly ever the later these days). Watching the first ever Hell in a Cell match last night made me look at some statistics, and I noticed that there were 16 HIAC matches in the first 11 years or so since the concept was created. Compare that to the 22 in the past 9 or so years, mainly due to the inception of the specific Hell in a Cell ppv, in which there are 2 or 3 each show. Hell in a Cell used to be something that would be called upon when a rivalry had reached the point where they could no longer be contained in a regular match.
Nowadays with the fact there is a PPV each year for the match it is simply whatever rivalry is happening at the time is thrown into a cell and they have a match (Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon for example were still at odds by the time Wrestlemania came about some 6 months later). Before Hell in a Cell was the be all and end all of a rivalry, now it’s just another part. It kind of takes away the magic and allure of the match to me. Less is certainly more with Hell in a Cell matches, having them less often (and only when necessary and the story calls for it) will retain their magic more rather than having a ppv when you are forced to have multiple HIAC matches.
Speaking of less being more, that brings me nicely towards the man who will be making an appearance on Raw this Monday ahead of his Universal Championship defense at the Greatest Royal Rumble on Friday; “BRRRRRROOOCCCKKKKKKK LLLLLEEEESSSSSSNNNNAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!” (Heyman, 2012). The debate will rage on and on as to if it is ethically right that the world champion of WWE only appears on TV every now and then, or any performer for that matter. So here’s what I think: with regards to part-time Brock being a world champion, lets think about this: I like the idea of Brock Lesnar being champion because if this was all ‘real’ and legitimate then I am in no doubt that former UFC (Mixed Martial Arts) Heavyweight Champion and NCAA (college wrestling) Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar would still be holding the championship.
Whenever WWE appears to be close to ‘real’ then it’s so much better because it’s more believable so Lesnar being Universal Champion in that sense is fine with me. The next issue is with him being a “part timer” that is paid per appearance at an extremely high rate for limited dates, despite him being one of the company’s top superstars he only appears a dozen or so times a year and competes even fewer times. Would I like the Universal Champion to be on TV every week, as is WWE Champion AJ Styles, and to defend the title at every ppv rather than a few? Obviously I would. Do I want to see Brock Lesnar on TV every week? Despite his talents and characteristics as a WWE superstar (and Paul Heyman’s amazing promos), in actual fact I’d rather him appear as few times as he does.
Why? Well ‘less is more’ once again; Brock Lesnar (like The Undertaker and even John Cena more and more these days) is a special attraction act. Someone who fans at arenas and watching at home will go out of their way to see. And given the vast array of talent in WWE these days, special attractions acts are a lot tougher to come by. So lets keep Brock as a special attraction act, lets keep his aura and make sure every time he appears it is still a huge deal. Brock instantly elevates anything or anybody he interacts with on TV, and this is down to both his star power and the fact that as he doesn’t appear all that often we know when he does it’s important and it’s for a big purpose.
I absolutely get why people are unhappy with Lesnar’s contract, lack of appearances and the fact him as Universal Champion hardly ever defends the belt of even appears on TV. But honestly I prefer Lesnar in this role as opposed to being on TV every week, he brings with him a lot of eyes and appeal for a big money match with a Roman Reigns or a Braun Strowman for example and he continues to get very, very rich in the process. We get a big star, he gets lots of money, I think overall we get a good deal. And for those who don’t like it I am confident that his reign of part-time terror wont be lasting too much longer…
And another seamless link brings me nicely to the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this Friday. Where indeed an incredibly stacked card will include the aforementioned Brock Lesnar defending his Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match. Now no explanation is need with regards to the questionable morality of WWE holding a huge event in a country where women on their own aren’t allowed to buy tickets for the event, and one where men on their own are only allocated seats in the far back area of the arena. You’re incredibly naive if you don’t get why this is happening.
Why have WWE signed a multi year deal with Saudi Arabia to form a promotional partnership? Why did they hold tryouts for Saudi based athletes this past week? Why is this event as stacked as it is? Put it this way, Brock Lesnar earns a lot of it…. I get that it’s their country and they can obviously make their own rules, and I understand that they are slowly trying to change their public perception, and obviously I’ll still be watching the event and the talent performing will make it terrific I’m sure, but it’s incredibly two-faced to me.
Did someone say ‘Women’s revolution’? Just remind me how many women are on the card for this event? And was it only THIS YEAR that women in Saudi Arabia were allowed to drive or even be in sports stadiums? … It’s good business, and it’s highly beneficial financially for the WWE sure, and maybe I’m part of the problem in that I’ll still pay my 9.99 a month for the network and I’ll watch the event still, but nonetheless it’s questionable to say the least…. But hey not much we can do to stop it happening, the event will be star-studded and greatly entertaining I’m sure but just bare that in mind.
I’ll try and end on a positive note after all that has kind of hampered my mood right now, and the best way for me to do that I feel is to talk about someone I really like. So allow me to speak briefly about somebody I indeed really like; Samoa Joe. He was, in my opinion, the biggest acquisition of the entire Superstar Shake-up last week. Last year it was undoubtedly Charlotte Flair who took that mantle for Smackdown, and she did rather well in the ensuing 12 months didn’t she? But back to Samoa Joe, this guy is one of the most legitimate and believable heel characters in the entire company, his in-ring work is outstanding (a great move set and more than able to tell a tremendous story along with any form of opponent), and his entire demeanor and character is so well executed that I legitimately believe (despite having seen him in numerous podcasts and TV specials come across as a terrifically engaging and intelligent man) he is an absolute bad-ass MONSTER!
Above all else though, in my humble opinion, Samoa Joe is the best heel promo guy on the active roster. He can shout and scream at a Roman Reigns or a Brock Lesnar or he can softly and deliberately speak one on one to a quavering Paul Heyman. I was left in no doubt of his wonderful mic skills after the previous few weeks that have seen him brutally bury a moaning Roman Reigns for two weeks in a row, and then after a typically well-executed squash match win against Sin Cara on Smackdown he grabbed a microphone and was somehow able to promote 1 huge live event, 1 pay per view, 2 matches, state his claim for 2 separate championships and then run down a handful of potential future opponents, all whilst maintaining his intimidating and fearsome character… all in one promo. This guy is an absolute genius of his craft, and if he has to go through AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura or even Daniel Bryan or even Seth Rollins, The Miz or Finn Balor OR EVEN Brock Lesnar or Roman Reigns…. This guy NEEDS to and imo WILL be a champion. And the sooner Samoa Joe wears championship gold once again the better.
Anyway I’ll wrap up now. Sorry to ramble on at the end but wanted to finish on a positive, and with this being just me saying what I want and what comes to mind WWE related at the time I write this, it might come across at times as a bit random and all over the place. But it helps me get my built up WWE stuff off my chest so I can think about more pressing issues (not that ANYTHING is more important than WWE…. obviously…). So yes enjoy the Greatest Royal Rumble, try and put to the back of your mind the laws of the country it is being held in for the duration of the event, and sit back and watch what is arguably a bigger event (match wise) than even Wrestlemania!
Josh.
PS; Happy Birthday to John Cena! He’s done ok for himself hasn’t he? …
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