My Monday column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review looks at WWE Clash of Champions. Here’s an excerpt:
WWE Clash of Champions’ top story is the logs, tinder and gasoline tossed on the fire that is Seth Rollins as a babyface.
It’s not a blazing fame just yet, but the slower the growth will be, the grander the heat.
Almost everyone trying to predict wrestling booking expected another Triple H appearance tonight to aid Kevin Owens in beating Seth Rollins. We didn’t get that appearance. We got Owens’ current best friend in Jericho and then the perfect timing of Stephanie McMahon sending out the second referee to be on point to count the winning pin fall for the Owens win.
What could have been accomplished with another Triple H win was done so and more, adding the layers of Stephanie’s involvement and how far do the conspiracy and Owens internal support run? It’s the stuff of which soap operas known as professional wrestling are made.
But don’t let drama be the defining tone of this show. There was some real athleticism holding up the sport end of things. There were some real impressive and stupid showings. Impressive the performer didn’t kill themselves and stupid that it keeps being done.
How many suicide dives can be done on one show — with a number of them being bad landings — for it to continue being done? If you’re going to risk your body on a move called a suicide dive, shouldn’t it be a standout moment of the night, not a repetitive move?
The professional wrestling audience has evolved to a thirsty bunch. They don’t just want to see classic good guy vs. bad guy tactics but a reason to be amazed and chant “This is awesome.” They paid for their ticket, but it’s not a asset to the product or performer. Still, I try to look beyond that and appreciate the performers who are reverting back to the successful basics.
CLICK HERE for Gallows/Anderson booking, why Jericho winning works, chaos on Women’s match and what this show proves about WWE RAW.
