Champions of the WWE

It is a good time for the WWE and a good time to be a fan of the WWE. The new brand split is going great despite some key injuries for both brands. Smackdown is coming off a very successful Backlash event and the set up for Raw's Clash of Champions, airing September 25, is stellar so far. Take a moment and look at each brands list of current champions.

On Raw you have:

The United States Champion - Rusev

The Raw Tag Team Champions - The New Day

The Raw Women's Champion - Charlotte

The WWE Universal Champion - Kevin Owens

On Smackdown Live you have:

The Intercontinental Champion - The Miz

The Smackdown Tag Team Champions - Rhyno and Heath Slater

The Smackdown Women's Champion - Becky Lynch

The WWE World Champion - AJ Styles 

There's one thing all these champions have in common: Good stories! The WWE doesn't always nail it when it comes to story telling. Often the main title gets all the focus and the mid card titles get an unimaginative match thrown together at the last minute with almost no story behind it. See almost every one of former U.S. Champion Kalisto's title defenses for example. But that isn't the case lately. The stories being told over the WWE Universal and World titles are great right now but I would say the stories over the rest of the titles are great as well. None of the champions and/or title feuds feel thrown together right now. They all feel legitimate and worthy of our attention. 

With the brand split in full swing the WWE needs every title to feel important. At Backlash we saw the Smackdown brand nail their first brand exclusive event. Every match was either good or great and we thought the four title matches alone brought more than enough for Backlash to earn an A rating. Having good title matches only makes the title feel that much more important and it can be said that whether champion or challenger, everyone brought their a-game to Backlash and did an incredible job making Smackdown Live's titles feel like every they mattered. On September 25 Raw gets its chance to shine as they bring us their first brand exclusive event, Clash of Champions. Every title right now is involved in a story. There's no championship match that will be thrown on the card last minute as an afterthought this time and that's the first step in creating a great event.

Once again it is a good time for the WWE with both Raw and Smackdown bringing amazing matches, fun stories, and heated rivalries to our television sets each and every week. We are more than please with the new era thus far and we only see good things on the horizon with talent like Shinsuke Nakmura and Samoa Joe and Asuka in NXT just waiting for their main roster debut.

Backlash Card Preview

Here we take a look at the card for Backlash! What match are you looking forward to the most?

The Miz Rules Smackdown

     On a night where two new titles were unveiled on Smackdown and a new number one contender for the WWE World Title was named, it was The Miz that dominated social media and the press. The Miz was barely featured on Smackdown only appearing in a backstage segment as Health Slater searched for a new tag team partner. So why was The Miz trending so much?

     The Miz joined Renee Young and Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan on Talking Smack after Smackdown Live aired. The segment started out like any other WWE sit down interview. The Miz was unhappy about not being more heavily featured on the live show seeing as he has been the reigning Intercontinental Champion for 141 days. We're not sure if someone went off script or not but what followed was the most intense, awkward, and REAL moments WWE cameras may have ever filmed. Before Daniel Bryan was forced to retire due to injury he had said he wanted to bring prestige back the the IC title that was held by many WWE Hall of Famers. Bryan told The Miz, "I have respect for the title I just don't have respect for the person holding it." The Miz demanded to know why Bryan felt that way and Bryan said he just didn't like the way The Miz wrestles and he doesn't think the WWE fans like it either. He then said he thought The Miz wrestles like a "coward" and someone who's "afraid to get hit." That set The Miz off who defended his wrestling style crediting it to why he's never been injured for 6 months to a year [like a Daniel Bryan has]. He then laid into Daniel Bryan saying, "You sit there and call me a coward? Let me tell you about a coward. Let me tell you about a guy who tells his WWE fans, the people that he loves, that he will be back... that he promises them... 'I promise I will be back in one years time to reclaim this [IC] title.' but you didn't Daniel did you?" Bryan responded that if WWE would let him come back (wrestle again) he would come back. The Miz then said if he loved the ring so much why not just quit and go back to the bingo halls and independent wrestling world. Renee Young tried to interject and get The Miz and Daniel Bryan back on point but there was no stopping a very heated Miz. Daniel Bryan had heard enough and stormed off as the Miz continued his rant. 

     This moment was one of those special moments in wrestling that no one can predict or plan. Did it get personal? Yes. Did it get real? We certainly think so. Like him or not after watching this promo it's beyond clear that The Miz is insanely PASSIONATE about the WWE and what he does in the ring. He ended his promo by getting somewhat back on track saying that he will make the Intercontinental title the most relevant title on Smackdown and that Smackdown was his show. It certainly feels like The Miz and his 141+ day reign as the IC champ is all anyone is talking about after what occurred on Talking Smack. So, at least for now, The Miz rules Smackdown.



You can listen to the audio below.

The Dudley Boyz Say Goodbye

       One year ago the WWE Universe witnessed the long awaited return of the Dudley Boyz. Last night Bubba Ray and Devon Dudley called it a career. They are the greatest tag team in the history of the WWE. They are 8 time ECW Tag Team Champions. They are 2 time IWGP Tag Team Champions. They are 2 time TNA Tag Team Champions. They are 9 time WWE Tag Team Champions. We wish it could have been 10 but no one can deny that the Dudley's are bound for the WWE Hall of Fame.

       The Dudley's are a class act and always have been. Their veteran presence will be missed in the WWE locker room and in the WWE ring. Many fans wanted to see the Dudley's return to win multiple tag team titles but the Dudley's spent this year doing what all veteran wrestlers at this point in their careers should do: putting younger talent over. 

It was emotional to see the last entrance of the masters of the table match. Bubba Ray and Devon made their WWE debit in the year 1999. Their impact was felt immediately as they brought a brand of hardcore tag team wrestling the WWE hadn't seen before. The Dudley's truly helped revolutionize the WWE tag team division. Along with Edge & Christian and the Hardy Boyz, the Dudley's helped create the famous Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match to which now there is an entire event themed after it. In 2005 they made their TNA debut and both were able to gain some success as a singles competitors where Devon won the TNA Television Championship two times and Bubba Ray become a two time TNA Heavyweight Champion. They also were both heavily involved in one of TNA greatest story-arch's, Ace's & Eights.

        As the Dudley's said their goodbye's to the Brooklyn crowd they were interrupted by Primo and Epico who mocked them as they made their way down the ramp and into the ring. After Bubba and Devon had heard enough they attacked Primo and Epico hitting them with the 3D and the waaasssssuupp head butt. The crowd was loving this sendoff and then one final time chanted as loud as possible to, "GET THE TABLES!"

       However, there would be no 3D through a table tonight because the Dudley's would once again do what they've done all year: put over younger talent. The Club, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, attacked the Dudley Boyz from behind and hit a Magic Killer on Bubba Ray on the outside of the ring. Devon attempted to fight back but to no avail. He was thrown into the ring where the Dudley Boyz had sey up a table and was then driven through that table with a Magic Killer. 

       It's painful and emotional but it's the way wrestlers should go out. Rarely do guys making their exit in the business get to have the last laugh. The Dudley's could have had every right to tell WWE to let them do one last 3D through a table and then walk victoriously to the back while fans paraded them with cheers and applause. But no, the Dudley's went a different route, a classy route. They chose to make the Club look good. They chose to put them over as the tag team to beat. And for that they absolutely deserve our loudest cheers and applause!

       Thank you Bubba Ray and Devon Dudley for all the incredible moments that left us in awe. Thank you for all the laughs that brought tears to our eyes. Thank you for every bump, every risk, every mile you drove, every sacrifice you made all for our entertainment! We will miss you. Oh my brother, TESTIFY!

Full SummerSlam Review

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Top 10 Wrestlers I Want To See Return To The WWE

This years Royal Rumble event is a 40 man Rumble.  It's only the second time the WWE has had that many wrestlers in the main event match.  I'm hoping for a few things to happen at this years rumble.  I hope John Cena DOESN'T tie Ric Flairs 16 time world champion record by beating Brock Lesnar.  I hope the winner of this years 40 man Royal Rumble isn't as boring as the last winner of a 40 man Royal Rumble, Alberto Del Rio.  But most of all I hope to see some great returns from former superstars/guys we haven't seen in action in a long time.  Below is my top 10 list of guys I'd like to see return whether it be from injury or return after a long absence from the WWE.  Note: I'm trying to be somewhat realistic with this list so that means CM Punk will be no where near it.  *single tear

10. Rey Mysterio

Unfortunately this is almost unrealistic according to the rumors that have been circulating for months of Mysterio being unhappy and wanting out of his WWE contract.  I for one would still love to see him back on the depleted WWE roster though.








9. Daniel Bryan

Yes if you want to be technical we did see Daniel Bryan return recently.  But I want to see him WRESTLE not give promos/make matches as acting GM.  I'm not sure he's been cleared to wrestle but really hope he has.  The WWE could really use him right now.




8. The Hardy Boyz

Am I cheating a little bit by having these guys on here as a team?  Yes.  But I would love to see both of these guys back as a tag team.  Remember how cool it felt to see a tag team you watched as a kid once again win the titles when Road Dogg and Billy Gunn came back?  It would be an even better if the Hardy's did that!  Doubt this happens this year but I could see it happening someday.






7. The Rock

A surprise on this list considering I hated The Rock when he came back and ended CM Punk's 434 day reign as WWE Champion.  But when The Rock came back for a one off against Rusev a couple months ago, the promos he did with Triple H got me thinking that I could totally get into a Wrestlemania match between these two WWE legends.




6. Goldberg

One of the biggest stars to ever come out of WCW didn't exactly have the greatest WWE career.  I think that's mostly on the WWE too.  I would still like to see him have a comeback though he may have missed his opportunity seeing as the buzz over a Goldberg return seems to have died down a lot compared to last year.







5. Bully Ray

Bully is a guy the WWE could actually really use right now.  He became a top heel in TNA and can cut really good promos.  The WWE needs veteran guys like Bully Ray who can still bring it week after week and help show younger talent how to work in this business.  I would so mark out if Bully returned and seeing as he's been tweeting a lot about the WWE lately maybe he's trying to drop hints...





4. Chris Jericho

His last run felt like it ended way too soon and that's why he's so high on my list.  Chris Jericho will always be one of my favorite wrestlers of all time.  And his recent win of a Slammy shows he's still very much loved by the WWE universe.  I never get sick of surprise Jericho returns so how about another one?







3. Stone Cold Steve Austin

There are two reasons Austin isn't a little higher on this list: 1. If he ever comes back it will be for one match and one match only.  2. The guy most people wanted to see face Austin now works with the UFC so that match will likely only happen in video game land.  Still seeing Austin back even for one match would be awesome.








2. Bad News Barrett

Last time we saw Barrett he promised that if the Authority lost their power, he would usher in an era of bad news.  So far he hasn't been seen since despite the Authority indeed losing their power.  Barrett is an almost guarantee return for the rumble and I hope he gets a big push upon his arrival.  Barrett has the chops to be a top heel... If John Cena would do the freaking job ;)




1. Kurt Angle

I don't understand with Angle willing to sign with the WWE why a deal couldn't be met but whatever the reason it looks like we'll never see Angle in a WWE ring again.  Angle recently said that he feels he has two solid years left in him and he'll probably be finishing those two years in TNA.  It would be a tragedy to not see Angle come back even after all these years.  Angle was gold (no pun intended) when he was with the WWE whether heel of face.  Why can't the WWE offer him part time contracts like they do with Lesnar, Y2J, RVD, Batista, etc is beyond my understanding.  Who wouldn't mark out if you heard that unforgettable theme of the Olympic hero?  I know I would flip!  At this point, sadly, it looks like I'll just have to enjoy Kurt Angle on the WWE network especially as I don't get the channel that is TNA's new home.

Who would you like to see make a return?