The WWE wheel continues to turn, and the first week of 2017 began where the last week of 2016 left off. SmackDown Live continued to be a better show than RAW, WrestleMania rumours picked up pace and everyone was blown away by NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 11.
Goldberg returned once again, although this time his return was another attempt to get Roman Reigns over with the WWE Universe.
Braun Strowman continued his stomp towards the main event, Dolph Ziggler finally began moving back towards the heel side, Mick Foley tidied up his look and an old favourite returned to the WWE Cruiserweight Division.
There was also big news coming out of NXT’s TV tapings, as Chris Hero made his return to the company under his former moniker, Kassius Ohno. This is the week that was on WWE’s Instagram account, the best of the best from the first week of 2017.
#25 Happy Birthday JR
Some may say, Gordon Solie, others may even plump for Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan or Joey Styles, but the majority of modern professional wrestling fans will agree that ‘Good Ol’ JR’ Jim Ross may well be the greatest announcer in the history of the game.
Ross may no longer be an active part of WWE TV, but the official Instagram of the company still took the time out to wish the WWE Hall of Famer a Happy Birthday. JR turned 65 on January 3, and you can be sure that there was plenty of BBQ sauce at the celebration. Bah Gawd!
#24 An Extremely Weird Love Triangle
WWE has finally begun giving the performers in the Cruiserweight division characters, and arguably the biggest beneficiary so far has been Scotland’s own Noam Dar. Noam has found himself embroiled in a little story with Cedric Alexander and Alicia Fox, as Dar continues to make some particularly creepy moves towards Fox, Alexander’s new beau.
Ostensibly this entire feud is rumoured to be a thing because Vince McMahon loves the way that Dar pronounces ‘Fox’, sounding a little bit more like a profanity than an urban-dwelling mammal. Regardless, Dar is playing the part to perfection right now, and that can only mean his stock will rise in WWE.
#23 The Champ is Here
Roman Reigns was given the rub of joining forces with Goldberg to take out Braun Strowman on RAW, but at the RAW house show in Montgomery days later, it was back to business for The Big Dog.
The current United States Champion defended that very title in the main event of the Alabama show against current Universal Champion Kevin Owens, and if you aren’t sure who came out on top then you must be new to the company.
Of course, Reigns defeated Owens. The Big Dog will defend his United States Championship against both Owens and Chris Jericho tomorrow night on RAW, and no one will be surprised if the former Shield man walks out with his Championship intact.
#22 CarmEllsworth
The James Ellsworth fairytale continues on SmackDown Live, as the Chinless Wonder has gone from competing for the WWE World Championship to being the object of Carmella’s affections. Those affections almost certainly aren’t genuine but Ellsworth hasn’t exactly been militant when it comes to honouring the genuine.
Carmella is clearly using Ellsworth for whatever reason, and he clearly doesn’t mind one bit. Their partnership went to the next level on SmackDown Live, as Ellsworth offered his shirt to Carmella. The Princess of Staten Island duly accepted, but what are her true motives?
#21 The King of the Cruiserweights
It is amazing what a heel turn can do for an individual, and Neville’s career has been completely reinvigorated by his turn to the dark side. Not only that, but the entire Cruiserweight division has benefited from Neville’s turn, as the division now has a genuine big bad guy for the 205 and under performers to bounce off.
It is the least that the man from Newcastle deserves.
As highlighted on WWE’s Instagram this week, Neville is also in the best shape of his career. Many in the Cruiserweight division are all about their athleticism and technical prowess, but the former PAC brings all that to the table allied with a power game that is unrivalled on 205 Live.
It is surely only a matter of time before The Man That Gravity Forgot picks up the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
#20 The Queen of NXT
The first week of 2017 was a big one for current NXT Women’s Champion Asuka, as the undefeated Empress of Tomorrow became the longest reigning NXT Women’s Champion in the short history of the title. Asuka has now held the belt for over 280 days, and in truth, she hasn’t looked likely to lose it at any point.
NXT TV taping spoilers revealed the identity of her next challenger, however, and it surely represents Asuka’s toughest challenge to date. At NXT TakeOver: San Antonio, Asuka will defend the Championship against not one but three challengers, as the title goes on the line in a fatal four-way featuring Asuka, Nikki Cross, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce.
Will Asuka overcome her biggest challenge yet?
#19 The Coach just made The List!
Nobody is quite sure how, but in 2016 Chris Jericho managed to make a list one of the most popular things in all of WWE, Not just any list, of course, we’re talking about The List, a collection of names taken by Y2J for a variety of reasons.
The latest unfortunate individual to find themselves on it was none other than former WWE announcer and current ESPN anchor, Jonathan Coachman, better known as The Coach.
Jericho was making an appearance on ESPN Sports Center when The Coach ticked him off just one time too many. Jericho’s list sees no signs of slowing down as we enter 2017, so who will be the next to find themselves on it?
#18 Neck Brace Buddies
Mojo Rawley is an extremely strange Superstar. The man who stays hyped is undoubtedly WWE’s most energetic superstar, and his constant state of enthusiasm is equal parts confusing, endearing and annoying for WWE Superstars and fans alike.
Rawley comes across of one of those eternally optimistic characters, useful in times of crisis but irritating when the time isn’t the right.
Sitting on an aeroplane in a neck brace probably falls under the second category, so James Ellsworth probably wasn’t too pleased to find himself embraced by the uber-hyped Rawley. Mojo was merely sitting in neck brace solidarity with the Chinless Wonder, however. Lucky Ellsworth!
#17 It takes work to stay on top
WWE loves to post pre, post and during workout photographs, and one such shot from the first week of 2017 showed the current RAW Women’s Champion (or is that Sasha? We can’t keep track anymore) Charlotte Flair hard at work in the gym.
The daughter of the Nature Boy looks in incredible shape in the photo, which is accompanied by a shout out to company sponsors, Tapout.
Of course, one should avoid reading the comments on any post involving the women of WWE. Things may have improved tenfold on screen, but the internet is still full of testosterone-filled boys who have just learnt big words and insults. Stay fit, Charlotte!
#16 An extraordinary pose from an Extraordinary Gentleman
‘The Extraordinary Gentleman’ Jack Gallagher has been something of a revelation since arriving in WWE, further proof, if proof was needed, of the importance of giving those in the Cruiserweight division actual characters and gimmicks. Gallagher has been entertaining fans as much as he has been irritating opponents, but he continues to pick up wins along the way.
Gallagher took on ‘The Premier Athlete’ Tony Nese this past week on 205 Live and came out of the match victorious via disqualification. That victory came at a price, however, as Ariya Daivari brutally attacked Gallagher post-match, continuing the feud between the two after Daivari was embarrassed in the inaugural Gentleman’s Duel the week before.
How will Gallagher respond this coming week?
#15 Welcome back, Tajiri
The Japanese Buzzsaw is back. Ever since his appearance in the 2016 Cruiserweight Classic, Tajiri’s full-time return to WWE has been a case of ‘when’ as opposed to ‘if’. The former Cruiserweight and United States Champion finally returned to action this past week, dispatching Sean Maluta before being involved in a post-match altercation with former Cruiserweight Champion, The Brian Kendrick.
Kendrick’s somewhat disingenuous congratulations were easily seen through, however, as The Man With A Plan extended his hand to Tajiri, the Buzzsaw was one step ahead of TBK...
#14 Kendrick gets misted
...as he blasted The Brian Kendrick with his trademark green mist. It has been a long time since we last saw the mythical green mist on WWE TV, but the return of Tajiri means we can sleep safe, knowing we’ll see more of the strange green stuff in weeks to come. How Kendrick will respond to this embarrassment, we’ll just have to wait and see.
How far can Tajiri go in the new WWE Cruiserweight division? With Neville positioned as the big bad of the division, Tajiri could well end up being a credible first challenger, if and when the Geordie picks up the belt. Whether or not a title run is in Tajiri’s future remains to be seen, but for now, we can expect plenty more of the green stuff in the near future.
#13 Big E and Francesca II
The New Day may have lost their WWE RAW Tag Team Championships after a record-breaking run as champs, but they have still managed to maintain their positive outlook heading into 2017.
The New Day dealt with the irritating advances of Titus O’Neill rather easily last week on RAW, Xavier Woods defeating Titus after the latter attempted to become the fourth member of The New Day.
With Woods in action, it was left to Big E. to take up the role of the main cheerleader, which he did by attempting to show the world his impressive tuba skills. Xavier picked up the win in the end, but the less said about Big E’s musical ability the better.
#12 The Realest Wheelchair in the Room
Enzo Amore and Big Cass continue to have problems with Rusev and Jinder Mahal but on the physical side of things Cass has been left alone by injuries suffered by Enzo in the early days of the feud. Rusev would frequently lay a beating on Amore, with Lara luring him into a hotel room that turned into an ambush.
The feud is picking up, and the resolution is expected to see the Big Bambino get a big rub at the expense of the Bulgarian Brute. For now, however, Amore is consigned to a wheelchair and Cass must compete on his lonesome. Of course, Enzo being Enzo, the wheelchair has been pimped beyond recognition, a motor certainly befitting a Certified G.
#11 Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned
The big news coming out of the first SmackDown Live of the year saw a new Intercontinental Champion crowned, as Dean Ambrose overcame the interference of Maryse and the trickery of The Miz to end the Awesome One’s Intercontinental Championship Reunion Tour.
Ambrose’s title shot came about after Miz and Maryse began paying Renee Young a little too much attention backstage, with Maryse eventually slapping the broadcast journalist.
WWE continues to play up Ambrose and Young’s relationship, but it seems there are no plans to put Renee in the ring anytime soon. Still, never say never, and maybe we can expect to see Ambrose & Young vs. Miz & Maryse sooner rather than later.
#10 Redesign. Rebuild. Reclaim.
Another workout photo, but this time involving one of the biggest babyfaces on the WWE roster today, Seth Freakin’ Rollins. The Royal Rumble is just three weeks away, and whilst Rollins is yet to be announced for the 30-man main event match, it is almost inevitable that he will be a part of it.
Rollins will surely be considered a favourite to win the event, as the Royal Rumble match remains one thing missing from The Architect’s impressive CV.
Don’t expect Rollins to win the match, however, as he seems to be on route to a WrestleMania 33 showdown with Triple H. Do expect Rollins to be in the best shape of his career, however.
#9 The Kevin Owens Show rumbles on
Kevin Owens fans may be overjoyed to see their hero as the current WWE Universal Champion, but they will be less than thrilled at the way the champ has been booked since winning the title way back in August 2016.
Owens has been booked as one of the weakest champions in recent memory, reliant on either the interference of his best friend Chris Jericho or other nefarious means to keep the title over his shoulder.
That title still looks great over the shoulder of Owens, however, so if he must retain it by any means necessary then so be it. Owens was in a typically salty mood at this past week’s live event in Montgomery (Alabama), as he unsuccessfully challenged Roman Reigns for the WWE United States Championship.
#8 The incredible journey of Johnny Gargano
#DIY’s NXT Tag Team Championship win against The Revival at NXT TakeOver: Toronto was undoubtedly one of the best WWE matches of 2016, if not the best. The two-out-of-three falls match was a perfect exercise in modern tag team wrestling, as Gargano and Ciampa came from one fall behind to pick up the win over Dash and Dawson.
If you’ve still not seen that match, go and seek it out now.
It represented a moment of true redemption for Gargano, as the NXT Tag Team Champion posted a picture on his Instagram this past week of his seven-year journey in NXT. Gargano appeared as a security guard in the first season of NXT, standing by as Michael Cole ran down a pre-YES! Movement Daniel Bryan.
From security guard to champion, Johnny Wrestling deserves all the success he gets.
#7 The wounds of war
Braun Strowman was one of 2016’s major success stories in WWE, and smart money would be on the Black Sheep continuing that momentum in 2017. The first unfortunate individual in the way of the Abominable Strowman in the new year was Sami Zayn, with the two going one-on-one in a Last Man Standing match on the first RAW of the year.
Strowman would pick up the win, but not before Zayn and a kendo stick put up one heck of a fight.
Strowman was showcased on WWE’s Instagram page shortly after, the wounds of war still clearly visible on the giant back of the big man. Strowman ended the night on that back, however, after receiving a double spear from Goldberg and Roman Reigns.
#6 Keep following those buzzards, boys
The Wyatt Family lost the WWE SmackDown Live Tag Team Championships to American Alpha on the last blue show of 2016, but the dangerous trio still has their sights firmly set on the blue and silver championships.
Bray Wyatt took over three years to secure a title belt on the main roster of WWE, and you’d be a fool to believe he’s going to give them up without a long, drawn-out fight.
The members of the Wyatt Family are arguably the most photogenic individuals in WWE, with every shot of them giving off a sinister and threatening aura. 2017 could be a pivotal year for Wyatt in particular, as the WWE Universe awaits the inevitable betrayal of Randy Orton.
Will Wyatt and Orton face off at WrestleMania 33, or will WWE surprise us all by keeping the dastardly duo together?
#5 Who is La Luchadora?
The masked La Luchadora has become an integral part of SmackDown Live over the past few weeks. Becky Lynch was the first to don the mask, as she shockingly defeated current SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss ahead of the champ’s showdown with the Lasskicker.
Bliss was next to work under the hood, but recently La Luchadora has been seen with both Bliss and Lynch around. Who could it be?
Rumours seem to suggest that Mickie James could well be the one eventually saddled with the gimmick, leading to her return to the main roster and an eventual feud with Lynch. Until then, however, we will have to make do with pictures of the masked sensation alongside the SmackDown Live Women’s Champion, and that is fine by us.
#4 A new look for Mrs Foley’s baby boy
New year, new Mick Foley. The current RAW General Manager showed his new look off to the world last Monday, and the reception was mixed, to say the least. Whilst Foley was venturing a little too far into ‘homeless drunk’ territory, this new clean shaven (for Foley, at least) look just doesn’t seem to sit well.
Even so, it represents a tightening up of Foley’s image, something long overdue after five months of management responsibilities.
This isn’t the first time Foley has shorn his hair for the sake of a job, as his first run as commissioner in 2000 coincided with Foley’s hair being shorter than ever. His current look is nowhere near that, but it will still take some getting used to.
#3 Braun, you may well be next
Bill Goldberg returned to RAW this past week, as the first guest on The Kevin Owens Shows. Of course, the WWE Universal Champion ended up being the fifth most important individual on a show that was named after him, as Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman decided to come down and get involved.
The segment ended with Goldberg and Reigns joining forces to vanquish Strowman with a huge double spear.
WWE’s Instagram account got tongues wagging in the aftermath, however, by posting a picture from the segment with a message saying ‘Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and Goldberg will collide in the Royal Rumble match for a Universal title shot at WrestleMania’.
Many assumed this meant a triple threat between the three, when, in fact, all it meant was that the trio would be involved in the Rumble match. Giving away the result of the Royal Rumble Universal Championship match, however? Possibly.
#2 Your new Intercontinental Champion
Dean Ambrose has started 2017 in the best way possible, by defeating The Miz on SmackDown Live to become WWE Intercontinental Champion for the second time in his career. How long he holds the title remains to be seen, but it represents further Championship glory for The Lunatic Fringe after a gold filled 2016.
The Miz has been successful in bringing prestige back to the Intercontinental Championship, but does this still represent a move down the card for Ambrose? 2016 saw Ambrose win the WWE World Championship for the first time, and establish himself as a top-tier performer in the process.
Whilst former Shield brethren Roman Reigns has taken a similar route, Reigns is still booked as the top guy on RAW. Can the same be said for Ambrose on SmackDown Live? Clearly not. 2017 is going to be a big year for Dean Ambrose.
#1 A dream match that will never happen
With Goldberg back in the fold, fantasy bookers worldwide have been hard at work putting together dream matches that they would love to see Big Bad Bill involved in. The two men involved with Goldberg this past Monday are included (Reigns and Strowman), along with AJ Styles and John Cena.
One match sticks out like a sore thumb, however, and it is a familiar story for WCW fans who have made the jump over to WWE in the post-Monday Night Wars landscape.
Goldberg vs. The Undertaker may well now replace Sting vs. The Undertaker as the dream WCW vs. WWE match that fans are desperate to see. It would represent wrestling’s two most legendary streaks going head to head, and whilst both men are quite clearly past their prime in 2017, it would still be a match for the ages.
If we can’t have The Undertaker vs. John Cena at Mania, why not give us Goldberg vs. ‘Taker at the Showcase of the Immortals?
Send us news tips at [email protected]
Do you love to play crosswords, Wordle or other exciting games? We'd like to connect with you. Fill the form here!
