Extreme Rules takes place tomorrow. Where does the event rank among WWE’s pay-per-view offerings?
Samoa Joe could be headed to WWE NXT – but will he be able to make his mark in the talent-dense roster?
The fallout of Ronda Rousey’s WrestleMania appearance is still being felt, with rumours flying that the UFC women’s bantamweight champion could make another appearance at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas. Is Rousey a good fit for WWE?
Join us for this week’s Gimme Five.
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1. WWE Extreme Rules is live from Chicago this Monday. Where does the anything-goes event rank for you when it comes to WWE pay-per-views?
David:
Extreme Rules 2012 was really something special, and it’s created enough goodwill with me that I still look forward to Extreme Rules more than I probably should. This year’s card has a lot of potential though, especially with the likes of Ambrose vs. Harper, and Barrett vs. Bryan on the undercard. Extreme Rules is a step down from Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and SummerSlam, but probably on par with Survivor Series as a solid second-tier event.
Blake:
I really love the concept of WWE Extreme Rules, but I really don’t like its placement on the calendar. Maybe I’m just a bit too nostalgic, but I liked how Backlash was enough for the fallout of WrestleMania. To me, Extreme Rules should be an ace in the pocket, an event used when the ratings are tough. It doesn’t mean I’m not going to enjoy it though…
Dion:
It’s not so much “Extreme Rules” that does it for me, but more the fact that it is the post-WrestleMania pay-per-view. ‘Mania is like the beginning of a new season for wrestling fans, but I do enjoy the biggest feuds of the year continuing at this event.
Mike:
It’s down the list for me because it comes so soon after WrestleMania and so always feels too soon for strap changes. Extreme rules has its place but without the hardcore title it feels like a ‘we don’t have any other ideas’ PPV.
2. ROH Global Wars, one the promotion’s annual cross-over events with New Japan Pro Wrestling, will be available live in New Zealand (and the rest of the world) on iPPV. Are you booking the event?
David:
The date is marked in my diary and my schedule shall be cleared to make way for Global Wars. I’m very excited. Being able to watch something as it’s happening adds a little extra to the product, and then when you consider the unique matchups Global Wars has scheduled, it’s on track to be one of the must-see events of the year.
Blake:
Unfortunately, there is only so much wrestling one can watch in a week. In saying that, I did watch it last year and thoroughly enjoyed it… We’ll see.
Dion:
I don’t follow ROH and NJPW, but I think I’ll catch this event. The card looks really impressive and well worth checking out!
Mike:
No. With limited time I have to choose what I watch and so I watch Raw religiously, SmackDown on occasion and sometimes TNA. I’d be interested in watching, but life tends to get in the way of all the wrestling!
3. Former TNA star Samoa Joe was reportedly backstage at the latest set of NXT television tapings. Is Joe a good fit for WWE, or will he get lost in the shuffle of what has become an increasingly talent-rich NXT roster?
David:
Joe’s more than capable of keeping his head above water, even in the deep talent-pool that is the NXT roster. I’m instantly intrigued by the idea of matches with Kevin Owens or Hideo Itami. Signing with WWE could be the best thing that’s ever happened to Samoa Joe, and to us with WWE Network subscriptions.
Blake:
By the end of his Impact Wrestling career, he was already lost in the shuffle. He might not reach the tippity top of WWE or even NXT, but at the very least he will have fresh meat.
Dion:
I think Joe is different enough to make an impact. I only hope that he makes that impact as a surprise appearance on Raw, and not down at NXT. I mean, how much does a guy like Samoa Joe really need to “learn” before being on the big show?
Mike:
It’s hard to see Samoa Joe making a massive impact given what’s happening at the WWE – there are so many potential main eventers that it’s crowded and it’s hard enough giving them all enough exposure. Although given the way NXT is going, if he makes a big impact there then he could surprise a few people. There finally seems like there’s a pathway for developing wrestlers to make the grade in WWE. Maybe Samoa Joe is the next guy to make that leap?
4. The buzz over Ronda Rousey’s appearance at WrestleMania 31 has yet to die down, with speculation the UFC women’s bantamweight champion may appear again at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas. Are you interested in seeing more collaboration between Rousey and WWE?
David:
We all know Ronda could legitimately destroy any woman on the planet, but there’s no one in WWE—not even Stephanie McMahon—who has annoyed me enough to want to see them annihilated. I think Ronda’s role at WrestleMania 31 was about as perfect as it gets, and I’m all for seeing her and the Four Horsewomen at ringside for future events, but there’s no need for Ronda to actually wrestle a match.
Blake:
I’m not really a UFC fan, which is strange for a wrestling to say, but the idea of people going out and actually trying to hurt each other just doesn’t interest me. As such, I have no real relevant opinion on Ronda Rousey. She is obviously a talented woman, but I really have no clue whether or not she would be a good fit in pro wrestling.
Dion:
I absolutely am! I just hope it’s not against Steph. Ideally, WWE will build an unstoppable Diva—perhaps Charlotte Flair—and have Rousey step in at WrestleMania to take her down.
Mike:
Hell yes. Ronda Rousey is a bad ass and legitimately one of the toughest female athletes around. I’ve been a huge fan since seeing her early MMA fights and I’d love to see her lock in a few armbars in WWE. I think she has the potential to be a massive heel, the Brock Lesnar (as was) of the female division – and so the more we see her the better.
5. WWE recently sent out an email polling recipients on potential upcoming DVD releases. If you were put in charge of DVD creation for WWE, what subjects would you like to see given the box-set treatment?
David:
ROH put out an interesting DVD a few years back, Creating Excellence, in which they essentially compiled the best matches of guys who’d gone on to be major stars in TNA or WWE, like Austin Aries and CM Punk. I’d be interested in seeing an NXT equivalent, with some early footage of the likes of Dean Ambrose or Seth Rollins before they cracked the main roster. Throw in some talking heads with the guys who signed them to developmental contracts, maybe extend the scope a little to include guys who came from OVW or FCW as well, and you’ve got yourself a three-disc set.
Blake:
First of all, I would love to see a DVD set of what I like to call ‘the forgotten wrestlers’. The wrestlers like Taka Michinoku, Damien Demento, and Essa Rios. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a top seller, but there are a lot of people who didn’t quite make it in the WWE, and not always because they were bad wrestlers. Other than that, I think the only necessary collection that needs to come out on Blu-ray is Tuesday Night Titans.
Dion:
I’m such a fan of box-sets, but surely they’ve all been done! Perhaps a best of WWF Superstars of Wrestling for the young fan in me, remembering those early days of watching WWF programming on TV2!
Mike:
I’d like to see a Dudley Boyz release – some of the brutal matches they had in their run with the WWE were brilliant. I’d also like an Alundra Blayze DVD, reviewing her whole run, the dumping of the title and the kissing and making up after all these years. I thought she stole the Hall of Fame night with her speech and want to hear more. Other than that? I think there are too many already – although I’m always up for more Mick Foley DVDs!
