We have seen both Styles and Nakamura get a whole lot more intense with other opponents and those were matches that weren’t based on a recurring theme of blatant and personal disrespect. Hell, Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns fought with a greater display of personal animosity and that match was subpar at best, more on that in a minute.
If WWE is going to book a No Disqualification match in a major feud based on personal issues, we need to see that level of intensity. Nakamura and Styles should have been trying to rip each other’s limbs off and beat each other to death with them, and we haven’t seen that in the ring as of yet. It’s not like I don’t understand both guys getting counted down after taking stereo soccer kicks to the baby-makers, any male watching could sympathize with that, but it did absolutely nothing for either competitor.
The low blow being a key aspect of the feud was addressed just minutes prior, when Nakamura went low on Styles and Styles responded in kind. To finish the match with a basic repeat of that same exact spot and a double count out was cheap and lazy. If you needed a dusty finish that didn’t involve unnecessary outside interference, why not end the match with a double pin? Or hell, even a double submission? These are supposed to be two of the absolute best wrestlers on planet earth. Styles already looks like a dumb babyface for not wearing a cup. How many shots to the junk does one man need to take before making the conscious decision to wear one?
Roman Reigns: Another Main Event, Another Disinterested Crowd
I want to preface this by saying that I’m not a Roman Reigns hater. I’m highly critical of him and his booking but that isn’t the same thing as hating him. I do see the potential in him. I can see why WWE sees dollar signs on the guy. Would he be my first, or even third or fourth, choice for top guy in the promotion? No, but it’s not my company. Roman Reigns has the potential to be great. That word “potential” is key. JR once said of Shelton Benjamin that, “potential won’t always bring you the groceries,” and that statement rings true today. Despite having a successful career in his own right, Benjamin never reached the level everyone believed he was capable of.
This is absolutely true of Roman Reigns. Reigns has great intensity, a hardhitting ring-style, a good look and a strong work ethic. He’s popular with kids and women and sells a decent share of merchandise. These are all important factors in your placement on the card in WWE. Which is why things like last night’s main event can’t be ignored.
The usual arguments can be made:
- Roman had to deal with a smart/snarky crowd in Jersey
- There was heavy traffic and people wanted to get a head start on their commute home
- Etc…
The question is, how long can those arguments be used to excuse debacles like last night?
Next Page: What’s Going On With WWE’s Main Event Scene Following Backlash? (cont.)
