One brief reunionThis week, WWE went all guns blazing with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, Ric Flair and HBK, all making appearances. Also, there was a brief and significant Shield reunion of sorts. It was funny and entertaining and it seemed like Dallas had a gala time with the nostalgia factor kicking in. This probably was WWE’s way of dealing with the slumping ratings. Hopefully, it worked.It was a show hyped for weeks in advance and it surely came out looking much better and much entertaining than what WWE has put out in recent weeks. But did the nostalgia factor overpower the continuity of storylines?Here are the 5 promising developments from this week's show -
#5 The Seth Rollins situation
It was a relief that we did not see much of the Demon Kane and Rollins nonsense. What was interesting to see was the confrontation between Rollins and HBK, two people we would definitely love to see have a match.
Rollins blasted Michaels for not putting him over and going about the beat of his own drum during his segment. This is interesting as Rollins argued with Triple H’s best friend.
This led to HBK suggesting to HHH backstage about putting Rollins in a tag match with his former Shield brethren, which Rollins accepted.
But this coul be a sign of things to come. A Shield reunion eventually after a Rollins babyface turn? That sure looks like it.
#4 Hell In A Cell
Okay, the card for HIAC doesn’t really look monumentally great. Undertaker and Lesnar’s match had a last moment build up this week but Cena is going to have his US Title Open Challenge match at HIAC. What’s interesting is that this may be the moment that he finally loses his championship.
This may also be the right time for someone to get some major heel heat by beating the one great thing Cena has had going for a while.
#3 Owens Fights
Mark Henry, outside kayfabe, is a huge believer in Kevin Owens. While tonight wasn’t a typical Owens squash, and how could one even believe that Henry will be squashed just like that, it was a pretty momentary match.
For one, Owens and Henry are two of the best trash talkers during a match and a hardcore fan ought to love all these Owens matches and victories. But this week he gave a Pop-Up Powerbomb to Henry which was a WOW moment like few others.
#2 Ending it looking strong
When Reigns came out for a promo tonight, he was undoubtedly greeted with the ‘What’ chants. His presence is something you can wait for, but not his promos. So, seemingly that went along like that. But when the time came for the main event, the audience was already overwhelmed with a Shield reunion but eventually Reigns and Ambrose had to fight it out without their little ‘architect’ brother.
Reigns delivered a Superman Punch, a top rope leap outside the ring and the spear to some very positive reactions.
That, coming from a Dallas crowd, means a major step forward for the ruler of the ‘Roman Empire’.
#1 Anything to fight
The brief Shield reunion wasn’t going to last beyond this night. Rollins walked out and Ambrose and Reigns were again fighting three men together. So, it was quite perfect that Ambrose took a kendo stick to overcome Braun Strowman. It doesn’t matter that Ambrose and Reigns then lost via disqualification. A win did not matter here. Survival did. And with Hell in a Cell so close, survival was imperative.
Reigns and Ambrose finally ended the night standing tall.
