JR's Blog: WWE TLC Predictions, UFC194 Feedback, Ross Report Podcast, @HOBDallas RINGSIDE w/ Jim Ross & Friends Tkts Available, Order Online For JR's Products for the Holidays!
Posted: Dec 14th 2015 By: Jim Ross
The feedback on part's one and two of my conversation for the Ross Report Podcast w/ "Bookerman' aka Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan has been nothing short of spectacular on podcastone.com and at iTunes. Listen for FREE by downloading the show and I encourage you to subscribe to the Ross Report for FREE at iTunes so that you will never miss a show and each show will be downloaded automatically to the device of your choice. The controversial, outspoken Vince Russo joins me this Tuesday night at 9 pm ET to review @WWE TLC which is tonight on the WWE Network.
#WWETLC predictions based on zero inside knowledge and going by how I would address this creative function:
Firstly, this show doesn't need to be an overwhelming 'spot fest' simply because tables,ladders and chairs are 'legal' and happen to be the theme of the event. If so, then these props become crutches and the fans will eventually become numb to their usage. Plus, the main event must be protected and not be forced to 'one up' what the fans have already seen earlier in the night.
Also, the show should be booked to where there is ample match time, based on the skill sets of the participants. No reason to rush matches on a three hour broadcast with no 'commercials.'
The WWE Title is being rebuilt. It's in a fragile state and needs continuity and stability. Does that mean Sheamus keeps it whereby he is then made to become much hotter in upcoming weeks or does WWE pull the trigger on this one and go with Reigns at TLC? It's hard for Reigns to win, one would assume, with all of Sheamus' cronies in the building or one could logically think.
The Authority and Reigns mutually embracing the WWE Title win on Monday's RAW interests me and also allows Roman to get on a fresh roll leading into Wrestlemania Texas. Force feeding a 'face to today's fans has an obvious backlash affect of which Reigns is battling to overcome.
There are two ways to go and I'd say it's most likely that the show ends with a modicum of heat and Sheamus retaining with some timely help.
If I were booking, I'd flip the switch to Reigns and give him the Authority rub beginning on Monday Night RAW while building him aggressively to April 3 at AT&T Stadium.
Being fans of both Ambrose and Owens makes this a fun match to watch as long as they don't try to do too much in the time that they have been allotted. I hope that KO is a vicious heel who isolates a body part like a carnivore. I've got Kevin Owens retaining with Ambrose going down fighting like Hell. Both men can 'win' in this particular presentation. If what we are seeing in matches is consistent with what we are hearing, that goes for every bout, both talents can leave the ring being over more than when they arrived.
I still don't know if being entertaining, makes me laugh, villains ala New Day can get themselves to the Promised Land but I enjoy watching New Day and as a fan don't dislike their TV personas whatsoever. Is that good or bad for a trio of alleged villains? New Day retains here in a somewhat tepid booking.
Table Elimination Match is a Dudley specialty which might indicate that they will go over but more established, veterans need to elevate the younger talents and I'd have the Wyatt's prevail. I felt the crowd when heel Wyatts confronted heel Sheamus's group on RAW and it's obvious to me that it wouldn't take much for Bray to be a ticket selling character 'face. The Wyatts have zero heat but beating the Dudley's and company would help them.
ADR beats Jack Swagger to retain the US Title. Alberto should likely be a fan favorite and, I'm biased, but Swagger is highly underutilized but consider the source here. Put Swagger with manager Miz and watch business pick up if booked properly.
I have no clue as to who is the fan fav and who is the villain between Charlotte vs Paige for the Title. I'd keep Charlotte the champion until Wrestlemania Texas when she would lose to newly minted fan favorite Sasha. This specific area within WWE has seemingly lost a little sizzle because I don't think fans know who to cheer for and for who to boo. Would love to see Charlotte focus on Paige's legs while setting the Brit up for Figure Eight.
Ryback is in need of a win if WWE feels that the 'Big Guy' can get over and help them. He can if he's booked ala The Warrior using power moves in shorter matches. However, WWE seems to also like Rusev and Lana so they could easily 'steal one' from Ryback but I'll go with Ryback tonight.
Thoroughly enjoyed my sizeable HD PPV investment in the UFC 194 PPV Saturday night. Well booked card, great TV production, a live, loud crowd for the most part and it was obvious that the majority of the fans inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena were there to see one guy and that was obviously Conor McGregor.
McGregor is closing in on being the new, male face of UFC and it will be interesting to see how he and UFC upper management coexist going forward. The Irishman's demands will be a pricey one I have to assume not withstanding his desire to be a multiple weight champion simultaneously which will likely come back to eventually bite him in the backside.
Nonetheless McGregor is a breath of fresh air in UFC and his career, if he stays focused on fighting and not outside interests, will be fun to follow. I'd love to see Conor face Frankie Edgar in Ireland at the stadium near Dublin that has been discussed.
The way that Luke Rockhold hammered former champion Chris Weidman surprised me somewhat but they had a helluva fight that appeared to see the then challenger one step ahead of Chris Weidman at most turns in the road. It was Rockhold's night but Weidman will likely come back as a man possessed. This is a great division in UFC and this was a helluva fight that likely should have been stopped earlier than it was. Both fighters are warriors.
There are so many parallels to old school, pro wrestling with MMA that it's scary but certainly not what most MMA die hard fans want to hear. Joe Rogan had a stellar night albeit a busy one at that as he was all over the broadcast plus I enjoyed the post fight show on Fox Sports 1 anchored by Jon Anik along with my man Daniel Cromier, Brian Stann, a very under rated broadcaster, and the edgy Brit Michael Bisping. They told excellent stories in sound byte form which perfect for the hour of the evening.
Tickets for my three shows in Dallas at the House of Blues there on Saturday April 2 before and after the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony and after Monday Night RAW on April 4 are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com starting at only $20 while they last. We hope to have JR's Beef Jerky and our All Purpose Seasoning, which both are flying friendly available there too. Get your tickets before they are all gone at www.ticketmaster.com for a great trio of shows each with a different special guest @HOBDallas. We'll also bring some BBQ sauces, Chipotle Ketchup and Main Event Jalapeno Honey Mustard. Remember that TSA security won't our liquids on flights.
Our business with Ingles Markets is growing at an amazing pace.
Time is running out to get your orders for the holidays via online shopping at www.wweshop.com and in the UK, Ireland and Europe at www.americansoda.co.uk.
www.prowrestlingtees.com/jimross are busy shipping shirts in up to size 5X and shipping them worldwide. Our shirts and our trademark Slobber Knocker caps are selling briskly. Tons of different designs.
Happy for Rey Mysterio joining Lucha Underground and hopefully this lighter schedule will help Rey better cope with his lingering knee issues.
My take on the Daniel Bryan injury situation hasn't changed on the little info that I know about DB's physical status. I would not allow Bryan back in a WWE ring until WWE Dr. Joe Maroon clears him. Safety first.
Q&A's elsewhere here are updated as of Sunday midday.
Remember to download the Vince Russo Ross Report podcast that drops this Tuesday evening 9 pm ET on podcastone.com and @iTunes.
Thanks for dropping by and you're invited to follow me on Twitter tonight for some live Tweeting @JRsBBQ about #WWETLC.
Have a great day!
J.R. @JRsBBQ
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