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, Dallas Allsopp, Bodeen Green and Matt Morgan preview Night 2 of WWE WrestleMania 37.
WrestleMania 37 is almost upon us, and just like last year, the event is being split over two nights. This is sure to give more wrestlers an opportunity to shine, without putting such a strain on fans to watch an 8 hour show in one sitting. Will Rhea Ripley stand tall as the focal point of Raw's women's division? Will this be The Fiend's swansong? And just who will walk out of WrestleMania as WWE Universal Champion.
Question 1: Should Rhea Ripley beat Asuka to win the Raw Women’s Championship? Is Ripley the right option to carry Raw’s women’s division, or is 2021 too soon for her to be it’s main focus?
ALLSOPP: In order to freshen up Raw, it is vital that Rhea Ripley defeats Asuka and becomes Raw Women’s Champion. As much as Asuka is one of the most talented performers in WWE, it cannot be argued that she has been treated like shit. Reduced to a mere shadow of her NXT character, the aura that surrounds her is gone. Ripley, on the other hand, had a wonderful showing in the women’s Royal Rumble match, which set her up as a viable challenger. A heel Ripley should tear through the Raw roster, certainly becoming the focus of Raw. I say should, as it is no guarantee.
GREEN: Due to terrible booking throughout 2020, Asuka looked like one of the weakest champions in WWE history. Even though she was winning matches and defending the title, these title defenses did not come as regularly as they should have. Asuka also looked extremely week, as she was rarely the centerpiece of the Raw's women's division, with the main focus being on Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. Due to this, Asuka felt like a side character, rather than the dominant champion we saw a few years ago in NXT.
Without a doubt, Rhea Ripley should be the one to dethrone Asuka at WrestleMania. Rhea is without a doubt one of the most talented women on the roster, with a lot of potential considering she is only 24. Ripley winning can breathe fresh life into Raw's women's division, especially considering the names she can face if there is a draft after WrestleMania. The only fear I have is that Ripley will be a transitional champion lose to Charlotte Flair after she recovers from Covid. All that being said, this should be a great match if both women are given the correct amount of time. Even if she loses this match, it can also be a good chance for Asuka to shine under a live crowd and once again remind fans of how talented she really is.
MORGAN: Asuka’s time with the Raw Women’s Championship has been abysmal. Asuka is incredibly talented and capable of having outstanding matches. For whatever reason, the company refuses to put a prominent focus on her title reign. She gets treated like an afterthought, and is consistently forced to the background whilst other storylines get more attention. Despite her lackluster reign, I hope Asuka retains at WrestleMania. Asuka deserves so much more than she has gotten, and that is why I hope she can at least be awarded a win at WrestleMania. Rhea Ripley is, without a doubt, a future champion. However, to me, it is too soon to have her become champion. Ideally, I would like Ripley to have spent a little more time on the main roster before winning the championship.
Question 2: Will The Fiend walk out of WrestleMania victorious? Or should this be the final appearance of The Fiend as a regular character?
GREEN: Whilst I am a massive fan of Bray Wyatt and The Fiend character, I have somewhat mixed feelings on his new transformation. As much as I love the new look of The Fiend, there are two big problems with this new transformation, with thr main one being the fact WWE is extremely limited to what they can do with The Fiend. Another problem is that there is now no Firefly Fun House Wyatt character. Whilst Alexa Bliss is entertaining and fun to watch as The Fiend's sidekick, it doesn't match up to Wyatt's Firefly Fun House character, which allowed us to understand The Fiend more, as well as create mystery around the Firefly Fun House version of Wyatt.
This is why personally, I would like to see Randy Orton defeat The Fiend at WrestleMania. There is just so much more WWE can do with The Fiend as well as Orton, only if Orton was to beat the Fiend at WrestleMania. Orton defeating The Fiend also allows the possibility for Wyatt's Firefly Fun House character to return. Personally, I would still love to see Wyatt stay as The Fiend character, although I would like to see him used less.
MORGAN: I believe that The Fiend will beat Randy Orton. I can see this contest serving as the blowoff match to their feud. Based on Orton’s actions at TLC, I am guessing that The Fiend will get his ultimate revenge by beating and tormenting Orton this Sunday. I am torn about the continuation of The Fiend character. Bray Wyatt always does a great job with his character work, and The Fiend is no exception. However, I am not sure where the character goes after Wyatt moves on from the feud with Orton. Having The Fiend appear regularly after WrestleMania would be interesting, so long as the next storyline is planned out well *knocks on wood*.
ALLSOPP: I am resigned to the fact that The Fiend character seems to be all but finished. There has been a piss poor end to the build for this feud, therefore I can only assume the new Peacock deal has had an impact on The Fiend’s newly charred appearance. I love The Fiend, but I think it’s time for Bray Wyatt to retool his character one final time. That, or eventually find his way to AEW. I cannot see Randy Orton walking away from WrestleMania as anything other than a winner.
Question 3: Who should win the WWE Universal Championship match? Will this Triple Threat eclipse the quality of the WrestleMania XX main event?
MORGAN: I would be okay with any participant in this match winning. I do feel, though, that it would be most effective for Roman Reigns to retain. His heel persona has been so well executed since SummerSlam, and I feel that a win over two legends would fully cement both the Tribal Chief character and his championship reign. I am hoping Reigns, Edge and Daniel Bryan can put on a clinic. I don’t know if this contest can match the raw emotion that I remember the WrestleMania XX main event having. However, I fully believe in the capabilities of all three performers in putting on an outstanding match.
ALLSOPP: This single match is the only reason why I even care about this year’s event. The build has been poor to the card as a whole, but blimey, this match has been booked to perfection! Daniel Bryan is as beloved now as he was in 2014, whilst Roman Reigns is putting in the best performances of his career. Add to this the fact that Edge is finally The Rated R Superstar again, I cannot wait to see how these three implode in the true main event of WrestleMania. I anticipate Edge will win, especially as he seems intent to stick around for a while on SmackDown. However, the fan in me hopes Bryan wins, and such a finish is the only way I see this match surpassing the amazing (but tainted) main event of WrestleMania XX.
GREEN: Despite the build for WrestleMania feeling weak and rushed, the Triple Threat match between Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan and Edge for the WWE Universal Championship has been extremely well done. All three men have done an amazing job in setting up the feud, with all three men pulling off their roles perfectly. Edge's new attitude is also amazing to watch. His new aggressive approach is understandable and makes perfect sense due to Bryan's new position in the match. This should be a great match, and easily has the potential to be the best match on the card.
Personally, I would love to see Edge win the title at WrestleMania. Not only would it be a great moment in front of a live crowd, but it would also allow for great potential in the future as Edge could have some great matches as WWE Universal Champion, and put over the person who eventually beats him for the title. Reigns retaining his title is also a great option. This would strengthen the Tribal Chief's character and make Reigns one of the strongest champions in recent history. Lastly, in terms of Bryan, whilst it's highly unlikely, Bryan winning would be a great surprise.
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
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