Busy week in world of pro wrestling
It was a busy week in the world of pro wrestling, so let鈥檚 jump right into it.
Why did Styles win the WWE title?
When A.J. Styles pinned Jinder Mahal Tuesday night to become a two-time WWE champion, it sent vibes through the wrestling world, and most of them were pro-Styles.
First off, it instantly gives the champion vs. champion match at Survivor Series a big-time feel.
Out is the match between Mahal and Universal champion Brock Lesnar, and all of a sudden, the feeling of an afterthought match instantly became must-see.
Lesnar vs. Styles has a buzz about it, so much so that John Cena was removed as the special guest referee for the match.
Another reason is the low ratings that Smackdown has had in recent months.
While the numbers cannot fully be blamed on Mahal being champion, what did WWE expect?
The company buried Mahal for years, as he seemed to lose what seemed like every match he was in for years.
It is a case of WWE not elevating talent and then expecting fans to buy into him when it feels like pushing a wrestler.
Shield vs. New Day forthcoming
In a developing storyline that everyone has to see coming is that The Shield will take on The New Day at the Survivor Series.
Roman Reigns has been cleared to wrestle, so it could be a six-man tag match.
There is still a chance that it could be a two-on-two tag match, but it is highly unlikely.
Cena added to Survivor Series match
Speaking of Cena, he was added as the fifth member of the Smackdown Live elimination team against Raw for Survivor Series.
Two WWE stars sent home from tour
After Smackdown Live Tuesday, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were sent home from the overseas tour.
It has been announced that they 鈥渂roke script鈥� during Smackdown Live, but this could all be part of a storyline as well.
Review of the Ric Flair documentary
Reviews are in from ESPN鈥檚 30 for 30 on the career of Ric Flair, and most are positive.
The show looked into the life and career of the legend, and not all of it was in a positive light.
If you missed the documentary, check your listings, as it will air again several times.
Charlotte title win?
Could Charlotte be the Smackdown Live women鈥檚 champion by the end of the month?
Apparently there is more interest in a Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss champion vs. champion match at Survivor Series than there would be in a Bliss vs. Natalya match.
If the title changes hands before Survivor Series, then Natalya would take Charlotte鈥檚 place in the traditional five-on-five elimination match.
The other possibility is that Charlotte will win the title from Natalya in a steel cage match at the Starrcade event in Greensboro later in the month.
WWE may go this route to play off of the fact that Ric Flair won the NWA title at the first Starrcade and Charlotte would win the women鈥檚 title at the same 鈥渆vent.鈥�
WWE reducing number of PPVs
Starting in February, WWE will cut back the number of Pay-Per-Views it provides.
One reason is that with the WWE Network, having more PPVs is not benefiting the company鈥檚 bottom dollar.
Plus, the interest just isn鈥檛 there right now for two PPVs a month.
Coachman leaves ESPN
In a move that was not surprising, it was announced Thursday that Jonathan Coachman and ESPN have parted ways.
It was not announced what Coachman will do next, but he had not been on TV much as of late.
Ellsworth鈥檚 time limited in WWE?
There have been more and more rumblings as of late about the future of James Ellsworth.
Signed to a WWE deal last November, it was believed to be a one-year deal.
With WWE releasing a handful of talents recently, will it continue its downsizing if Ellsworth鈥檚 deal is up later this month?
This week鈥檚 question? Is Chris Jericho in hot water with WWE because of the fact that he is wrestling against Kenny Omega on New Japan鈥檚 Wrestle Kingdom 12 card? Rocco, Uniontown.
Earlier this week, the wrestling world was surprised to find out that Jericho would be wrestling on a card that wasn鈥檛 an affiliate of WWE.
Jericho is a free agent, so it isn鈥檛 like WWE had to approve the match.
However, it is a safe bet that Jericho made WWE aware of the match to stay in its good graces.
After all, Jericho makes way too much money when he is active in WWE to just show up elsewhere for one match.
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