We continue to move down the road toward Survivor Series WarGames, and I have some questions. I can’t help but wonder if we are repeating a common mistake. Gimmick matches should come up naturally because of a feud, not as a predetermined event to be filled in. WWE could have sold just as many tickets for SurvivorSeries if, instead of calling it WarGames, they announced a few weeks out that the event would feature the WarGames match.
But instead, we have a gimmick needing a match as WWE tries to find twenty wrestlers who can participate in the most dangerous and best gimmick match in wrestling history.
More Like BoreGames
But instead, we got the announcement months in advance, and now WWE is scrambling to fill the matches in the next week and a half.
The women’s match is more or less settled as Damage CTRL plus Nikki & Rhea
What’s @RheaRipley_WWE thinking? #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/V7WG76EaFO
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2022
face off against Bianca, Alexa, and Asuka will go with Mia Yim and…Dana Brooke?
EXCLUSIVE: @DanaBrookeWWE gets emotional talking about the legacy of the 24/7 Championship and feels disrespected by the actions of Nikki Cross.#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/FbNSA8uhJS
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2022
Is Dana Brooke’s moment finally happening? No. Probably not.
Mizter Rodgers Neighborhood
Only The Miz could dress like a dad but still look like a man who deserves to be choked out and kidnapped all over again.
MIZ-ter Rogers@mikethemiz #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/tbVgvD3UDd
— WWE (@WWE) November 15, 2022
This week on RAW, The Miz, while being interviewed by endlessly useful Byron Saxton, read a statement justifying his actions of paying Lumis for his actions. The Miz, like all great bad guys, doesn’t think he’s the bad guy. His attempt to turn himself into the victim failed. But I do like we’re getting a dastardly and conniving Miz. Usually, The Miz is just a showboat chicken-poo heel, but evolving his character into a guy with a plan is a nice change of pace. The segment was fun, and we got my favorite “Camera guy is a hidden wrestler” surprise.
But as clever as The Miz wishes he was, Johnny Gargano is twice as bright. Gargano is better as a bad guy, though. And I was hoping this would end up with Johnny Wrestling becoming so wrapped up in revenge that he somehow becomes the villain.
Instead, we are getting The Miz vs. Dexter Lumis with Lumis’ payday and contract on the line.
Dominik Scrappy Doo
Dominik Mysterio is moving beyond Rhea Ripley’s boy toy. Now he’s turning into the Judgement Day’s Scrappy Doo, going so far as to hide behind Damien Priest with the whole “lemme attem!” routine.
#WWERaw Dominik Mysterio out there looking like Scrappy Doo pic.twitter.com/RFkKX7qCbb
— HMK (@AEWKyle) October 18, 2022
This is a good sign, as Dominik needs a gimmick that isn’t “Rey Mysterio’s Kid.” Still hopeful the Mysterios get their mask vs. hair match at WrestleMania, even though Rey may be injured.
Roman’s Empire
No one can beat Roman Reigns. Not in WWE, and maybe not out of it (more on that later). It looks like Reigns will next wrestle with either Drew McIntyre or the recently emergent Sheamus. Both are fine competitors, but are they championship worthy?
I think the answer is no. This is why they’re seemingly teaming up to take on the Bloodline in what looks like the men’s WarGames match.
But then what? This is the problem with having a grand champion. Who will beat him? It is looking increasingly like it has to be The Rock. Who else has the star power and the believability? Roman Reigns has surpassed everyone. He is the champion and maybe the most strongly booked champion in WWE history.
Even Hogan had downfalls and close calls. Roman is mowing through everyone. And the most notable accomplishment? It isn’t dull. Everyone in the ring with Roman Reigns looks legitimate and like a star. But in the end, they all have to bend the knee.
I’ll be harping on this more and more in the next few months. But I can’t see anyone else, but The Rock challenging Reigns at “WrestleMania Goes To Hollywood.”
What did you think of WWE this week? Share your thoughts in the comments below.