Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.

This week, Jordan Chaffiotte, Greg Coleman, and Ben Guest will be giving their thoughts on portions of WWE's major stories heading into WrestleMania 35 weekend!

We're rapidly approaching WrestleMania 35 weekend. This will be part two of a three-part preview of all of the WWE festivities for the biggest wrestling weekend of the year.


CHAFFIOTTE: I am very, very excited about it. When I first started watching wrestling, the entire women's division was on one 7-minute pre-show match for the Diva's Championship. The year prior, they were cut entirely for time. We've come so far in such a short amount of time and honestly, I don't really care if it's a cash grab or not. I care that the amazing women in this company are getting their due. Becky Lynch is far and away the most over wrestler in the company today, we want to see her in the main event. Anyone else taking this spot would be a disappointment. For the first WrestleMania women's main event in WWE's history, it feels really good that this is undeniably the match to put on last and that WWE seems to be recognizing that. Also, my anxiety appreciates it, as I did not enjoy the will they won't they of Hell in a Cell 2016.

GUEST: It was the right decision, and not because it was time for women to main event WrestleMania or because it shows equality, but because this has been the biggest story in the company for so long now. Charlotte, Becky, and Ronda are three of the biggest names and all have a reason to be there. I think we’re getting to the point where there’s no need to say “look, the women are doing this” and that’s exactly what needs to happen because when something happens and it’s not mentioned every five seconds, that means it’s normalized and that’s true equality. Despite that, I accept that they’re going to make a big deal out of women main eventing WrestleMania, but after this, I think we can stop. Women’s wrestling (at least at the highest level) is now on a par with men’s wrestling within WWE, that should be celebrated. These three women have made themselves the main event, they’ve truly earned this spot, and I really hope we get an amazing match.

COLEMAN: I had a strong feeling that this would be the case the minute Becky and Ronda didn’t have their match at Survivor Series. There was never a greater opportunity and honestly, there may not ever be greater opportunity than this year to put the women at the top of the card. Lynch-Rousey is the best story going on the main roster even though it’s gotten slightly overshadowed by the developments with Kofi Kingston in recent weeks.

This is a major moment for women’s wrestling and one that I am glad is happening. However, the build to this match has been weakened severely by adding too much to it. Charlotte shouldn’t be in this match and if you want to see a more detailed explanation of why I feel that way check out my Smark Remark piece on this subject. Also, Ronda’s heel turn should’ve occurred after she was defeated not during the build.

There is only one person who should win this match and it’s Becky Lynch. Since August, no wrestler in all of WWE has been hotter than her and she’s only fanned those flames with her in-ring work, promos, and social media activity. Becky should beat Ronda decisively and take the title. Any finish outside of this is a disappointment and if for some reason WWE has Becky lose then you might as well have discarded all Becky has done since August.


COLEMAN: The Hart Foundation is definitely deserving of the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s unfortunate that Owen won’t be a part of it due to his wife not wanting him to be in the Hall of Fame. There are a few names that come to mind for being long overdue but since a couple of tag teams are going in, I would say Demolition needs to be added to the Hall of Fame. Before the New Day, they were the longest reigning tag team champs in WWF/E history and had rivalries with all-time great tag teams such as the Hart Foundation and The Legion of Doom.

CHAFFIOTTE: I'm not hugely familiar with the Hart Foundation, but I know enough to know that they had a huge impact on WWE and wrestling on the whole. So that's great. I also hope they give the induction to Natalya so that I can sob like a baby. For me, Cyndi Lauper not being in the Hall of Fame is a travesty. She was so instrumental to WrestleMania even existing at all. Wrestling has never been the same since she got involved in it, and there are people in the celebrity wing who have done far less.

GUEST: The Hart Foundation was a guarantee to go in at some point, so it’s more a case of them choosing this year than them making the decision at all. The only real surprise is the exclusion of Owen Hart. I know there are some problems with regards to his family allowing him to be inducted, but it seems like the sort of thing where it’s about paying respect to him. Whatever the situation I think this is a good induction and that Owen deserves to there with The Hart Foundation, and even in his own right.


GUEST: This is a rare situation where I really don’t care which way this match goes. Gargano deserves a run with that title and it would be very fitting for him to hold it whilst Ciampa is injured. Adam Cole has been great since he got to NXT and fully deserves the belt, I really think this is a case where the crowd and everyone watching will be happy regardless of what happens.

I really thought both of these guys would be called up after WrestleMania, and I assume whoever loses will, but my guess would be that Undisputed ERA get called up and Gargano holds the belt until the next TakeOver.

COLEMAN: First off, Ciampa being injured is a huge, HUGE disappointment. Now to this match, I think that Gargano will finally get his NXT Title reign and become the first Grand Slam Champion in NXT history.

CHAFFIOTTE: I would say, Gargano, if for no other reason than holding onto the idea of Undisputed Era eventually making a clean sweep. No one else is up for a belt so that doesn't work just yet. I'd like to see them line it up before winning all the gold on one night. The only snag is how much longer can you realistically keep Gargano in NXT? At some point, he might start to feel a bit like a lifer. On the other hand, that will make Gargano an NXT Grand Slam Champion, which I'm very happy about.