Cheap Pops - Wrestling News & Views - September 20, 2015

Cheap Pops - September 20, 2015
by Chris Delloiacono, Mike Maillaro and Jeff Ritter

This week!

• Night of Champion Predictions
• Complete 2k16 roster
• New Day Starts Save The Table Campaign

Night of Champion Predictions

Pre-show: Six-Man Tag Team Match - Neville and The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) vs. The Cosmic Wasteland (Stardust and The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor))    

Chris: What's this, the match of smaller guys that never get a meaningful push?  Other than The Ascension, all these guys deserve to have a better place on the roster.  In the end, this match means nothing, but it should be entertaining.  I'm going to pick the heels since WWE seems to be putting a little work into them.

Mike: I kind of feel like Cody and Neville are being wasted in this match.  But it should still be a decent match anyway.  I am going with the faces on this one.  The Ascension have basically become the Matadors, and they are pretty much only put in matches to lose lately.

Jeff: Night of Champions should not have throw away matches on it. I mean, isn’t that the point of naming the show “Night of Champions?” If it’s not a title fight it should be a match featuring some of the big former names of recent years. Mankind vs the Rock, for example. Or Hulk Hog...oh...right. Sorry. Yeah, I guess we get useless crap like this to fill in the gaps when the man who has done more to put the modern product in the popular zeitgeist than anybody before him is disowned by the industry for racism, and Roddy Piper, Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man Randy Savage and Dusty Rhodes are all deceased and Superfly Snuka is in jail. Of course, he never was champion because the WWE has a long history of promoting minorities, right Hogan? Pot, this is Kettle, Kettle, meet Pot. Can you tell I don’t give a damn about this match yet? I’ll go with the heels because they need to give Ascension some sort of minor push or send them back down. This is such an R-Truth vs Barrett type of useless match.

 
Chris's Prediction: Ascension and Stardust
Mike’s Prediction: Neville and the Lucha Dragons
Jeff’s Prediction: Ascension and Stardust
 
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP - Seth Rollins (c) vs. Sting    

Mike: I have no idea how this makes sense Kayfabe for Sting to be able to jump to the take of the title picture but I am really curious about seeing one of the best of the current generation vs one of the best the Monday Nights Wars era.  At first, I was thinking that I can’t imagine they are going to put the title around Sting...but I also don’t think they are going to have Sting lose again.  It doesn’t make a lot of sense for Sting to have been willing to go to WWE just to keep doing the job (at PPV’s at least, he did “win” both his matches on Raw).   So, I am going to go against my first instinct and say Sting wins.

Chris: Sting in WWE has been cool but mostly a letdown.  I'd like to see him with a more regular role.  You're right about him not getting pinned again.  It just doesn't make any sense, but that's WWE 101--it just doesn't make sense.  I don't see Sting with the strap, but I hope I'm wrong.  Change like that would be fun.  To be honest, a little bit of hot potato with the title would make the product more interesting.

Jeff: Chris, the secondary belts are for hotshotting. The World Title shouldn’t be traded lightly and the matches, more so than anything else, need to make some sort of sense. This doesn’t make any sense, except for the fact that Rollins is one of the few on the roster who could carry Stinger’s 50+ self to a decent match. There is simply no logical reason for Sting to get a run with the title. None. Who would he face? Ric Flair? It’s been a decade since that match closed down WCW. It wouldn’t be better this time around either. That said, Rollins has a history of not exactly winning convincingly. Maybe Brock gets involved. Maybe Undertaker gets involved. Maybe the fiendish Jon Stewart shows up to help his ol’ pal Rollins again. I smell a bit of a Dusty finish, or no finish at all. And I suppose that could mean Sheamus cashes in on just as Sting gets Rollins in the Scorpion Death Lock.

In the end, I think Seth drops the U.S. Title but retains here.

Mike’s Prediction: Sting
Chris's Prediction: Rollins
Jeff’s Prediction: None...or maybe Sheamus.

WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP - Seth Rollins (c) vs. John Cena    

Chris: I can't even stand the idea of watching this match again.  They've wrestled so many times over the past year that there's nothing they can do to interest me.  Who's going to win?  Come on?  Why bother picking against Big John.

I'm actually fine with that, because Cena's last run with the U.S. strap was enjoyable.  Plus, it will make it seem inevitable that Seth is dropping the big belt.  Then, that won't happen.  He will cheat the odds again to continue that reign.

Mike: Yeah, I am with you 100% on this one.  Cena doing the US Title open challenge at least gave it some prestige, so it makes sense to have him win this one. And like you said, I have no interest in seeing these two guys wrestle again.  At least Sheamus Vs. Orton is not on the card...  

Chris: Don't even get me started on Sheamus and Orton…

Mike: Neither of them are on the card yet...WWE still might make it happen...

Chris: I wonder if we get a Sheamus cash in?  I don't know what the purpose would be, though.  I can't see him getting a run with the strap.

Jeff: Please sweet baby Jesus, little brother of Mark Henry’s hand from the blessed loins of Mae Young, send jon Stewart to end the tyranny of John Cena forever. Lead us like Moses to a world where Jon is spelled correctly, and Cena is left the H out. And if you need backup, call Green Arrow. Muchas gracias, Amigo! Amen.

What? No, not Jesus...Jesus, like the guy Hogan has cutting his grass, probably on that mower that Juventud Guerrera, Psicosis and Super Crazy used to ride in on together..  

 
Chris's Prediction: John Cena
Mike’s Prediction: John Cena
Jeff’s Prediction: That the Hallmark Channel has a more entertaining program running tonight. And Rollins, because I can’t see his opponent and don’t want to.

Six-man tag team match - Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and TBA vs. The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Braun Strowman)    

Mike: I am still wondering who the mysterious third man was.  Originally I was thinking Seth (this was long before they had announced his matches against Sting and Cena), but no way he’s pulling triple duty.   Maybe Erick Rowan?  No idea where he is in terms of coming back.  Actually, I would love it to be a huge surprise.  Someone we never expected to see (or see again), like when the Dudleyz returned a few weeks ago.  Either way, I am assuming Ambrose and Reigns win this one.

Chris: Man, Seth pulling triple duty would be fun, but I couldn't see it happening in a million years.  It would be too awesome.  This match would have to go on last and Seth would have to do a face turn first.  Imagine if Sting joined The Authority and Seth went baby?  Setting up the return of The Shield!  Cool thought, but I doubt it.

Did you see the image of Baron Corbin with Dean and Roman that was on WWE.com for a short time?  I think that's where this is going whether Baron is ready for the main roster or not.  At least it would shake things up, and him and Braun could toss each other around.

Winner?  Well, not the Wyatts!  They always lose big spots.

Mike: I had heard Corbin was rumored, but I think that would be throwing him in the deep end, and kill any chance he has of a career.  Which is a shame.  When they have given him some time to work, he manages to put on decent matches.  He’s not quite main roster ready, but I do think he can get there.

Maybe they can go with Apollo Crews?  That guy looks ready to me!

Hey, a random thought that just popped into my head.  Have it be Stone Cold Steve Austin!  They are in Texas after all.  That would blow the roof off.  

Chris: All ideas, including Corbin, would be fun.  I'm sure it'll end up being Kane or someone else that will kill the crowd's enthusiasm.

Mike: The rumor I am now hearing is Daniel Bryan.  YES!  YES!  YES!  No idea if that is even possible.  

Jeff: I find Daniel Bryan to be extremely unlikely.  I wish it would be Bo Dallas, who then turns to join Brother Bray, but that’s too obvious. I’d agree that Corbin makes the most sense--Goatface Killah would be an even more obvious turncoat candidate than Bo. The shame of it is Corbin’s NXT output has been about as simplistic and unworthy of the big time as the Ascension.

Mike’s Prediction: Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and TBA
Chris's Prediction: Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and TBA
Jeff’s Prediction: The Wyatt Family...wait...who the %$#@ is Braun Strowman?!?

 
Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev (with Summer Rae)    

Chris: Oh my, is this wretched crap festival of unending monotony still going on?  I love Dolph but this has been the pits.  Please WWE, let this continue for six more PPVs!  

Mike: I am always amazed when WWE can take two talented guys, with a ready-made story (Ziggler defeated Rusev in NXT) and just totally botch it.  This has become a horribly stupid soap opera drama.  It’s also a waste of Summer Rae, who is far more talented than they have allowed her to show.  She might not quite be on the level of the Four Horsewomen, but she’s still very good.

I am thinking Rusev has to win this, just to salvage his character somewhat...but I doubt WWE cares enough about either men to make it a meaningful match.  

Chris: You summed it up perfectly.  A waste of talent, and an utter snooze of a feud.

Jeff: I can barely muster the enthusiasm to type “What you guys said.” I wonder if there’s anything better to watch on the Network...Hey, which Starcade had the first Lethal Lottery?

Chris's Prediction: Zzzzzzzzzzzziggler
Mike’s Prediction: Rusev
Jeff’s Prediction: Jerry Lawler. Here there be puppies.

 
WWE Tag Team Championship - The New Day (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz    

Mike: New Day just got the titles back...and have been killing it week in and week out.  I think it’s very likely they are going to win this match, but still end up going through tables.   Maybe that will set up a Tables match at the next PPV where the Dudleyz will once again win the Tag Team Titles.  Testify.

Chris: I agree.  The Dudz are getting the titles soon, but not quite yet!  This feud should keep going until TLC, although that would really drag it out.

All told, this could be the best program for the tag belts in years!

Jeff: I would hope all hell would break loose here and every tag team in the back runs out and the whole thing just goes crazy. JR would say, if he were here, “It’s a Pier 6 brawl! A brouhaha! A SLOBBERKNOCKER!” And somehow, in the end, Kofi kicks Devon in the mush to sneak away with the win. I agree with Chris, not yet, but soon, for the Dudleys. I can’t help but wonder if the Hardy’s aren’t far behind?

Mike’s Prediction: The New Day
Chris's Prediction: The New Day
Jeff’s Prediction: The New Day

 
WWE Intercontinental Championship - Ryback (c) vs. Kevin Owens    

Mike: This should be an odd match...I am not sure either of these guys would be able to hit their normal finishers on each other.  Though Ryback is pretty strong, so I could be wrong.   I think just based on that, Ryback might have to win this one.  Cause Owens is not hitting the pop-up powerbomb on the Big Guy.

Jeff: Mike, I’m not sure why you’d think either would have any trouble hitting their finishers on the other, but I can certainly see Ryback sandbagging Owens and Owens dropping him on his head like the infamous Tiger Driver ‘91.

Chris: Ryback isn't my favorite but he's gotten better.  The IC Title is a good level for him.  Owens should be able to put together an entertaining match with him.  I don't see KO getting the belt, so I'll pick the Big Guy.

Jeff: And I can’t agree with Chris either. I think Owens wins the Intercontinental Title and starts calling it “The Real World Title” or some such thing in true heel style. Then I want to see him hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb on Big Show next month.

 
Mike’s Prediction: Ryback
Chris's Prediction: Ryback
Jeff’s Prediction: Kevin Owens

 
WWE Divas Championship - Nikki Bella (c) vs. Charlotte; if Bella gets counted out or disqualified, she will lose the title.

 
Mike: It would be so damn spiteful if the WWE had left the belt on Nikki just long enough for her to beat AJ’s record...and then have her lose it to Charlotte at the next PPV. And I honestly really think the company is that spiteful.   Charlotte has some huge momentum behind her, and if they are serious about a Divas Revolution, they need to put the title on Charlotte or Sasha Banks immediately.

Chris: The Divas Revolution has been a merry-go-round of tag matches and unimportant nonsense.  They have to raise the stakes and get the singles bouts featured. Perhaps a Divas Tag Title would give the other women something to do.

As for the match, I think it's Charlotte's time to shine.

 
Jeff: Nikki Bella rolling under the ring and being replaced by her fresh sister Brie is neither a disqualification or countout. At least if they don’t catch it. And how often has that occurred? Charlotte should win. But she won’t.

 
Chris's Prediction: Charlotte
Mike’s Prediction: Charlotte
Jeff’s Prediction: Nikki Bella

 
The Complete (AND I MEAN COMPLETE) WWE2K16 Roster

WWE 2K16 Wrestler Lineup:

• Bad News Barrett
• Booker T
• Colonel Mustafa
• Daniel Bryan
• Emma
• Eva Marie
• Finn Bálor
• General Adnan
• John Cena
• Kalisto
• Kane
• Lord Steven Regal
• Paige
• Seth Rollins
• Sin Cara
• "Stone Cold" Steve Austin & "Stunning" Steve Austin
• Summer Rae
• Tamina
• Triple H
• Adam Rose
• Bo Dallas
• Brie Bella
• Brock Lesnar
• Goldust
• Heath Slater
• Hideo Itami
• Jack Swagger
• Kevin Owens
• Neville
• Nikki Bella
• Ric Flair
• Roman Reigns
• Sami Zayn
• Stardust
• Sting (Current, Late 1990s and Classic)
• Tyler Breeze
• Ultimate Warrior
• Zack Ryder
• Alicia Fox
• Bam Bam Bigelow
• Big Show & The Giant
• Cameron
• Cesaro
• Darren Young
• Diamond Dallas Page
• Dolph Ziggler
• Fit Finlay
• Kevin Nash
• Layla
• Lex Luger
• The Miz
• Naomi
• Randy Orton
• Sheamus
• Titus O'Neil
• Tyson Kidd
• Aiden English
• Andre the Giant
• Batista
• Chris Jericho
• Curtis Axel
• Dean Ambrose
• Edge
• Erick Rowan
• Fandango
• JBL
• Luke Harper
• "Macho Man" Randy Savage
• Natalya
• "Ravishing" Rick Rude
• R-Truth
• Ryback
• Santino Marella
• Sgt. Slaughter
• Simon Gotch
• Stephanie McMahon & Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
• The Rock
• The Undertaker (Current, Early 2000s and The Ministry)
• Billy Gunn
• Bret "Hit Man" Hart
• The British Bulldog
• Cactus Jack
• Christian
• Damien Sandow
• D-Lo Brown
• Dude Love
• Farooq
• Haku
• The Honky Tonk Man
• Jake "The Snake" Roberts
• Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
• Kama
• Ken Shamrock
• Mankind
• Mr. McMahon
• Rikishi
• Shane McMahon
• Shawn Michaels
• Vader
• X-Pac
• Baron Corbin
• Big E
• Bray Wyatt
• Brian Pillman
• Colin Cassady
• Enzo Amore
• Jey Uso
• Jimmy Uso
• Kofi Kingston
• Konnor
• Mark Henry
• Mikey Whipwreck
• Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
• Rusev
• Savio Vega
• Viktor
• Xavier Woods
• The Terminator (preorder bonus)

 
Mike: Man.  When I heard how many characters were in this game, I was real skeptical.  I was expecting 4 Mick Foleys, 10 Undertakers, and Judy Bagwell in a Pear Tree. And then this list comes out.  You know you have a thorough list when Savio Vega and Mickey Whipwreck are on it.   If nothing else, you get a huge sampling from many different generations of the WWE.  

Chris: This is a very strong lineup.  I like the mix of NXT stars, classic wrestlers, and urgent main roster players.  You can do all sorts of dream matches.

Mike: Sadly, I haven’t been playing much video games lately, so haven’t upgraded to a new system.  I am definitely very interested in this game, but not sure it would be worth it for the Xbox 360.  Last year, they left a lot of features off of the “older system” versions (which makes sense).  

One thing that bugged me is that they didn’t include the Four Horsewomen.  And 2K’s cryptic explanation didn’t help things much:

"With our final roster reveal this past Monday, it was awesome seeing the excitement for The New Day, Enzo and Cass, Mikey Whipwreck, and more. But it was clear that some in the community are frustrated by the lack of the newer Divas added to the main WWE roster recently.
 
We pushed as hard as we could to include Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Bayley in WWE 2k16, but it simply did not work out for various reasons. While we are not divulging full details on WWE 2K16's post-launch plans just yet, we can confirm that the Four Horsewomen will not be available as DLC.
 
We are proud to have and built the largest WWE roster to date featuring the most Divas ever. The WWE 2K16 disc includes all of the Divas on the main roster at the time we locked it in (13 playable in total).
 
We all agree the Divas Revolution is great for business and look forward to celebrating the Divas even more in future WWE 2K titles.”

Jeff: Yeah, I don’t see why they’d come out and say, “Gee, we can’t figure out how to do Bayley or Sasha Banks in DLC 6 months from now.” It’s probably because they only have a short window of opportunity to create any DLC before they have to focus on next year’s installment. I

That said, I know next to nothing about the product. I haven’t bought a new WWE game since the license was still with Yukes. Is it good? Does it play well? Good collision detection? Intuitive controls? Create a wrestler and a Universe sandbox mode? No stupid unlockables by playing as Cena and Triple H 75 teams each? I hope they recorded new commentary because Yuke’s long-running commentary track got old fast.Why is Adnan and Mustafa on the roster but Iron Sheik and  Nikolai Volkoff aren’t? No Dynamite Kid? None of the Horsemen after Flair? No Scott Hall/Razor Ramon? Kevin Nash beat his son up at Christmas and Lex Luger all but killed Miss Elizabeth but they’re in the game and Hogan and Superflly aren’t? Why does every development team waste four slots on Mick Foley’s multiple personality disorder instead of having one build with four skins to choose from? No Jesse Ventura to team with The Terminator? And finally, did Mikey Whipwreck ever really work for Vince? I thought he retired when ECW was still owned by Paul Heyman.

Sounds like I’m unhappy--I’m not. I’m just gleefully greedy. I’ll team Luger with Cena and job them out mercilessly to Enzo and Big Cass.

New Day Rocks!

 I saw this petition on Big E’s twitter feed:

 http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-the-tables

Some of life's most memorable moments are spent with a table. Think of the family dinners, board game nights, and the hanky panky you and your significant other enjoy when you have the house to yourself. All enjoyed on or around a table!

We, The New Day, are here to alert you to the rise of a camouflaged menace, a filthy scourge, a lingering and powerful blight that should have been eradicated a decade ago, that threatens to mutilate & poach every table in existence. This plague refers to itself as The Dudley Boyz. These Boyz have been destroying tables, obliterating good wood, and spitting in the face of Mother Nature for years so it is time that we took a stand. Please sign this petition to ensure that our future generations don't have to first learn about tables in history textbooks. Keep tables from going the way of the dodo bird. Keep them from going extinct.
And if this petition gains enough support, we're pretty sure we can get the Dudley Boyz fired or tarred and feathered. Something really humiliating. Only you can prevent table violence.

#SaveTheTables

Mike: I have been a fan of Big E since I first saw him in NXT.  In fact, my signature on GameFAQ’s just reads: Big E is my guy.  He just has a great look and a ton of charisma.  It always bothered me that WWE only let him show his personality in online segments or just in passing.   New Day has been a real great showcase for all three of these talented wrestlers.  I especially love Xavier Woods yelling at ringside.  And now playing his trombone.  This gimmick could have bombed horribly, but in their hands it has been terrific.

This feud against the Dudleyz has been a great showcase for their talent.  New Day Rocks!

Chris: It's hard to believe just how far New Day has come.  WWE did next to nothing with them for months.  Then, inexplicably, they let them do their thing, and they got over!  They don't seem to be written characters like so much of the roster.  Everyone sounds similar on WWE TV because of the writers, but not New Day!  Whatever it is with the New Day, their real personalities come out.  They stand above so many others on the roster and made WWE have to push them, because people care when they come out.  This letter is a small indication why.  These gents drip charisma.

Jeff: I miss the factions. I wish they’d go back to that sort of thing. Makes for great Survivor Series fodder. The New Day is working because they’re getting a lot of creative freedom. One can’t help but wonder if Cesaro couldn’t be facing Rollins for the World  Title instead of a washed-up Sting if he was given the same freedom.