The following editorial was written by Geoff Rowland and does not reflect the opinions of WrestleZone as a whole. We encourage you all to discuss Geoff’s thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of this post and follow him on Twitter @Geoff_Rowland
The WWE appears to be all in with Becky Lynch as the Main Event of the biggest show of the year.
The Man was the opening segment on both RAW and SmackDown this week and has seen The Authority, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, get firmly planted into her buildup to face Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania.
It seems that company brass must be completely comfortable with Rousey’s role in this as the McMahon’s jumping in and Charlotte Flair’s constant tease is turning all who try to get in Lynch’s way into a target of vitriol from the WWE Universe. There seems little chance that Rousey can come out of three months of buildup as a clean babyface.
Lynch is up to the task. She is electric and has organically moved to the top of the heap much in the way that Daniel Bryan did in the past.
RAW opened with Lynch limping to the ring and the storyline of her being suspended by The Billion Dollar Princess until she gets her leg looked at is just another obstacle to overcome on her way to dethroning The Baddest Woman on the Planet. If this buildup ends any other way, there may be a serious riot from WWE fans.
Rousey has excelled in the role as the champion that everyone targets and is giving the best promos since she joined the company. The buildup has been well done and hopefully these two can put on a show to match the anticipation. Rousey still struggles a little with some things in the ring, but Lynch is strong enough to carry the match should it get its rightful spot closing The Granddaddy of Them All.
The rest of RAW continues to shake out, but the focus has turned to the Intercontinental and Tag Team titles as well as what seems like it could be Kurt Angle’s final run before retirement.
The booking of Angle with Braun Strowman in a match against Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin seemed a little forced and makes it feel as though the writers don’t really know what to do with these guys. All four are certainly serious players on the roster and can carry a solid feud with the right opponent.
Boss and Hug Connection continued to roll through the women’s tag team division and look like the clear favorites to win the first Women’s Tag Team titles in the Elimination Chamber on Sunday. It is well deserved for a duo that continues to be at the forefront of the women’s revolution in WWE.
On the Blue Brand, Becky continues to be a focal point, but Daniel Bryan is holding his own as a charismatic firestarter and a perfect heel champion.
There is little doubt that the Elimination Chamber WWE Championship match is going to be very good, and there is also very little doubt who is going to come out of that match with the title.
The question is who is going to be the next feud for Bryan as he moves past AJ Styles into WrestleMania. They are teasing a Styles vs. Randy Orton buildup through the Elimination Chamber so they may have a program for The Showcase of the Immortals, but is there a big enough babyface on the Blue Brand to square off with Bryan at the event?
Jeff Hardy has been solid and Rey Mysterio could possibly carry a main event match, but would either of those guys be a real threat to Bryan right now?
The world title match, Charlotte Flair and The Man seemed to suck up all the oxygen on SmackDown this week and the show is normally better at featuring its midcard talent.
The IIconics seem right at home in the tag team mix and it is working pretty well for them and Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville have elevated right alongside them.
The men’s division continues to be used to just prop up a Miz vs. Shane McMahon match that appears to be coming at WrestleMania. It would not be shocking to see The Usos win the titles on Sunday to start moving toward a tag bout at the big show.
Oh … and Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev are now a tag team. Sure, why not.
RAW Top 10
- Becky Lynch
- Ronda Rousey
- Braun Strowman
- Kurt Angle
- Bobby Lashley
- Finn Balor
- Drew McIntyre
- Boss and Hug Connection
- The Revival
- Alexa Bliss
Smackdown Top 10
- Becky Lynch
- Daniel Bryan
- Jeff Hardy
- AJ Styles
- Charlotte Flair
- Randy Orton
- Mustafa Ali
- Samoa Joe
- The Miz and Shane McMahon
- IIconics
Overall Top 5
- Becky Lynch
- Daniel Bryan
- Rounda Rousey
- Jeff Hardy
- AJ Styles
