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Sting and The Undertaker – The Final Chapter?The WWE think-tank did a commendable job of protecting their stars(barring Kevin Owens) in the recently concluded Money in the Bank event, and this leaves us poised for a number of interesting feuds and storylines that can develop now with the view of culminating at Summerslam and possibly even Wrestlemania. Dean Ambrose, in spite of losing, managed to garner 72% of affirmative audience vote in an online poll asking if he deserves another shot at Seth Rollin’s championship belt and Roman Reigns looked really strong in the MITB ladder match, despite being thwarted of the victory by Bray Wyatt.Sheamus has promised the fans that they “will be entertained” when he cashes in his MITB briefcase and Brock Lesnar’s return, understandably, augurs much optimism for the WWE Title picture. Cesaro’s appearance on Smackdown this week was well-received in terms of fan reaction and could lead to another singles run for the Swiss Superman, especially with one eye on Tyson Kidd’s recent injury lay-off. Even The Miz has managed to sandwich himself between the two behemoths involved in the Intercontinental Title picture for good measure. Despite maintaining a squeaky clean image out of the ring unlike some of his previous avatars, that is about where the similarities between John Cena and someone like Hulk Hogan end. Not unlike the Hulkster, John Cena has no mean measure of ego, and this has forced a tie-breaking rubber match with Kevin Owens. Not that anyone would be complaining though given the entertainment value that this feud has bestowed us with thus far.With the WWE doing an overall better-ish job of building up its Superstars this year than compared to its own recent track record, juicy feuds and storylines are ripe for the picking if the top brass would only decide appropriately and selectively. Here then, is a look at 10 such suggested storylines that the WWE creative team could look at piecing together, so that the second half of 2015 may be as refreshing as the first half has been.
#1 Randy Orton vs Neville
I think we can concur that Randy Orton is too good a Superstar to merely be floating around for the want of a solid feud, the way he unfortunately has in the last few months. What began promisingly with Seth Rollins petered out into nothingness for Randy Orton while Rollins went on to have an engaging feud with Dean Ambrose, of which hopefully we haven’t seen the last.
A feud has been brewing between the Viper and Sheamus for the last couple of weeks, but with the Irish Warrior now in possession of a certain briefcase, chances are high that he may be written into the WWE Title storyline sooner than later; leaving us with Randy Orton deviod of an actual storyline yet again.
Am I the only one to feel this way or with the WWE’s current requirement of a top level heel, was Orton’s babyface turn completely redundant? Turning Orton heel again is well suited to both the WWE’s need of the hour and the man’s strengths. This could also be a tailor-made scenario for Neville, who has been steadily gathering traction with the fans, in aiding his “unofficial” push towards main event status. Neville’s all-action athleticism and high flying tendencies are perfectly foiled by Orton’s calculated explosiveness in the ring, and the Viper’s fabled mean streak could yet extract dimensionality from him out of it.
Here is some food for thought. Of the complete and comprehensive “RKO outta nowhere” highlight reel, wouldn’t a Red Arrow-turned-RKO be the crowning glory?
#2 Dolph Ziggler(w/Lana) vs Rusev
Dolph Ziggler’s current tryst with Lana, though outwardly eliciting wolf-whistles from the audience, feels rather forced sometimes due to the lack of chemistry between the two. Rusev on the other hand would make Devdas proud, stumbling around with his stereotypical ‘ex-boyfriend’ stubble, wallowing in his heart-break.
This feud looks set to continue, especially since the Ziggler and Rusev have not yet faced off for Lana’s favour, owing to Rusev’s ill-timed ankle injury. With both wrestlers established in the mid-card and no championship to fight over, this storyline could yet revolve around Lana’s character and her gradual (d)evolution into CJ Perry.
When it eventually gets taken to the ring, this feud could provide for a classic underdog versus monster heel dynamic and is likely to showcase solid in-ring action to boot. Despite the perennial vote of support from the ‘smart’ fans, Dolph Ziggler’s push to main event status remains a mirage. That being said, Rusev also looks destined for a mid-card spot which means that this storyline can simply be enjoyed on the face value of it and without reading too much into its implications- a comfortable vantage point to purview the product from that has been hard to come by with the WWE in recent times.
#3 The Miz vs Samoa Joe
Considering the “Moneymaker”, the flappy chicken-like shenanigans and the hood-type, cross-dressing aberration that The Miz is currently flaunting, one can agree, the self-titled Hollywood A-lister gets on everybody’s nerves indiscriminately. He made it in pro-wrestling through a reality show, ostensibly a back-door entry, and also managed to weasel himself into the outer circles of Hollywood which is something he seems loath to let us forget.
Juxtaposing him with Samoe Joe, if the WWE choose to call him up into the main roster that is, yields a dynamic of polar opposites. Here is a wrestler who earned his stripes in the industry by performing in smaller promotions, devoid of the magnitude of mainstream attention or pull that the WWE generates, for almost the entire duration of his career before finally choosing to affiliate himself with the company as a made man.
The Miz’s loudmouthed sense of entitlement against Samoa Joe’s self-assured air of dexterity, promises to deliver an interesting amalgamation of styles and indeed, personalities.
This storyline could be developed as the ultimate “authentic pro-wrestler vs larger-than-life WWE Superstar” feud, which would certainly pique the interest of the smart fans, if not for anything else then to at least to witness The Miz receive the come-uppance that many would dearly pay to watch him receive.
#4 Ryback(c) vs Bray Wyatt for the Intercontinental Title
“The Ryback” as Daniel Bryan cheekily referred to him before conferring on him the Intercontinental Title, has turned his overall game up a notch recently. As a result, he has finally obtained the foothold of audience support that could serve as the stepping stone to greater heights in his WWE career. Common logic dictates that he be allowed a decent run with the IC title, especially taking into account that this is his first ever title in the company after grafting for a decade.
Which means Ryback is likely to dispose of Big Show and swat off the Miz in retaining his title, while consequently being built up as someone who cannot be thwarted by physicality alone.
Enter Bray Wyatt.
The Eater of Worlds indulges in devious mind games that far outstrip any challenge that sheer physicality can pose Ryback. As evidenced recently with Roman Reigns, Wyatt engineers a way to get under his opponents’ skins and this could serve as a catalyst for Ryback to further display depth and dimensionality in his character. This would be a refreshing change from his current modus operandi of merely typecasting himself as a “Big Guy” who can lift the 7-foot, 500 pounds of steaming, stinking, moaning, grade A… well, you get it.
If the WWE creative team play their cards right, both men could exit from the feud looking stronger since a valid argument could be constructed for either of them deserving an opportunity to wear Championship gold.
#5 Kevin Owens(c) vs Cesaro for the US Title
Kevin Owens is white hot right now as far as momentum and impact on the WWE landscape is concerned, and ideally giving him the consecutive victories against John Cena would have boosted his resume tremendously. After all, no Superstar in history has claimed back to back triumphs against the Champ.
But I digress. After their recently concluded match at Smackdown, that saw Kevin Owens emerge on top, the Swiss Superman would be itching for retribution - a scenario which just as easily could be manipulated into begetting a storyline involving the two ring maestros. Vince McMahon’s claim that Cesaro does not have the “It” factor to succeed as a main event superstar has thrown a spanner in the works as far as Cesaro’s push is concerned. Owens on the other hand, might just possess the Midas touch that Cesaro’s floundering career desperately requires. Also, the duo square up pretty evenly when it comes to in-ring innovation and technique, pretty much guaranteeing show-stealing matches every time they rumble.
Whether Cesaro is scripted to win or lose, elevating him into the US Title scene with Kevin Owens(assuming of course, that Owens beats Cena at Battleground) presents a win-win situation for both superstars, only outdone by the viewing audience who will no doubt, benefit the most.
#6 Seth Rollins vs John Cena
Seth Rollins looks set to drop the WWE title in the near future, what with the Beast Incarnate looming at Battleground and looking to avenge his Wrestlemania reverse. Whether Brock Lesnar gets a lengthy run with the WWE Title though, is wholly dependent on the plans that the WWE think-tank has in store for Sheamus. Either way, Rollins’ days as the WWE Champion seem numbered.
After repeated encounters with Roman Reigns and lately, Dean Ambrose, the novelty aspect of seeing the members of the Shield mix it up is fast wearing off, and unless the WWE decide to re-unite the stable, it might freshen up the main event scene to let Rollins explore storylines that don’t involve his ex-bretheren.
Without compromising on the elevation of status that the WWE have already afforded Rollins by entrusting the WWE Title on him, few Superstars exist upon whom association would not present a classic case of one step forward and two steps back. John Cena very much remains in that bracket of Superstar caliber.
Presumably coming off his feud with Owens, settled one way or another, the presence of another top level heel in Rollins conveniently serves to assume the mantle of anti-thesis to John Cena that has been molded into a fashionable template for a heel nowadays. This storyline could yet throw up some surprises, with a John Cena heel turn not entirely ruled out either.
#7 Roman Reigns vs Sheamus(c) for the WWE Title
“Once bitten, twice shy” would, in a nut-shell, sum up the WWE’s stance with respect to Roman Reigns. Make no mistake, there is no indication that the WWE do not want to push him as the top babyface, but they are doing a spectacular job of biding their time.
As such, with Brock Lesnar being cheered as a babyface, it is improbable that the WWE will have Roman Reigns face-off against the Beast and take the title off him which is where Sheamus features heavily. As a full blown heel, Sheamus fits the role of a transitional champion perfectly and could hold the Title until the WWE creative team deems it prudent for Roman Reigns to ascend to his metaphorical throne.
Having Reigns defeat Sheamus would lend some credibility to the WWE Title that Reigns will no doubt enjoy owing to the Irish Warrior’s infamous ‘tough man’ image, while also ensuring that the odds of Reigns being booed is lengthened, going up against a Superstar who is customarily subjected to “You look stupid!” chants from the audience nowadays.
Either way, pitting Roman Reigns against Sheamus would be a safe bet for the WWE in achieving their ends, while not risking abrasive audience towards him reaction in the process.
#8 Dean Ambrose vs Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) - Stone Cold (Special Enforcer)
After Stone Cold’s exchange with Paul Heyman on the topic of facing Brock Lesnar had the rumour vines abuzz with a potential match-up between the two at Wrestlemania 32, the Rattlesnake himself was quick to douse the speculation, attributing his comments solely towards the preservation of kayfabe. As such, more questions than answers plague the topic.
Besides, could Stone Cold’s back hold up sufficiently to deliver a credible match against the wrecking machine that is the Beast Incarnate? If so, who would win? Given the infrequent nature of Lesnar’s appearances, could he really be scripted to take a loss to Austin without a possibility of a rematch?
And yet the fans have been incited to fever pitch even contemplating the idea that Stone Cold and Brock Lesnar might potentially cross paths. So how exacty does the WWE creative team, now climb out of the well of expectations it has erected around itself? If not Stone Cold Steve Austin, who else would be insane enough to call out Brock Lesnar for a match?
Cue the Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose.
With his similarities to Stone Cold well documented, Dean Ambrose offers a viable alternative for the WWE to book against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 32. To be conducted in the Rattlesnake’s hometown of Texas, this provides the perfect backdrop for Stone Cold to be inserted in the match as the special enforcer; a role he has been familiar with post-retirement.
Arrive. Raise Hell. Stun Brock Lesnar. Allow Dean Ambrose to pick up the win. Leave - a simple yet effective plan of action for the Rattlesnake that could see Austin raise Ambrose’s hand in victory, cementing what would be another one of the poignant torch-passing moments that are so unique to pro-wrestling.
#9 The Rock (w/Ronda Rousey) vs Triple H (w/Stephanie McMahon)
After Ronda Rousey’s cameo at Wrestlemania 31, that would have raised the roof off the stadium had one been present, the WWE Universe cannot be blamed for eagerly anticipating the match to attain fruition. Especially for a self professed life-long wrestling fan like Rowdy Ronda Rousey, whose moniker “Rowdy” itself was adopted from WWE legend Rowdy Roddy Piper, chances of a return to the squared circle are markedly high.
Considering the cross-promotional benefits that both the WWE and the UFC would reap if Ronda actively participated in a WWE match at Wrestlemania 32, the implementation of this storyline is practically a no-brainer.
With Ronda in his corner to neutralize the conniving machinations of Stephanie McMahon in aiding her husband, The Rock and Triple H could yet revisit their storied rivalry fought tooth and nail one more time, possibly headlining what is already shaping up into a glittering match card for Wrestlemania if the rumour mills are to be believed.
With Ronda Rousey clearing up her schedule after her UFC 190 bout against Bethe Correia on August 1st, a re-introduction into WWE storylines at Summerslam could well be in the offing. Watch this space!
#10 The Undertaker and Sting
As usual, the two most magnetic and mysterious characters to grace pro-wrestling in our generation have slipped under the radar, plausibly to re-surface only at the Show of Shows. Given that Sting was the victim of yet another burial-of-sorts of WCW, the moral onus is on the WWE to celebrate his legacy, irrespective of its allegiance, with a fitting send off.
On the other hand, The Undertaker has reverted to hibernation, before conceivably making what is touted to be his final appearance at Wrestlemania 32. The gilt-edged opportunity for wrestling fans to finally witness The Undertaker and Sting inhabit the same ring is there for the taking, albeit briefly.
Considering that both of them appeared as though they were pooling all their strength into finishing off their respective matches convincingly at Wrestlemania 31, perhaps risking a full-blooded match where they will have to carry each other seems a vague and outlandish possibility.
The legendary dichotomy between the duo has been dissected to no end and perhaps a moment immortalized in WWE lore of the two engaging in a silent stare-down with a thousand words passing between them unspoken – of competition, mutual respect and “what ifs”- would offer a poetic sense of completion to two colossal careers that have defined a complete generation of pro-wrestling for fans throughout the world.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
