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, Ben Williams and Robert DeFelice preview WWE Day 1 2022.
WWE Day 1 marks the start of the calendar year, but the word on the grapevine is that Vince McMahon wants this event to be huge. However, is the spectre of COVID going to prevent this show from being a success? Or will WWE triumph in adversity?
Question 1: Which non-World Championship match are you most looking forward to?
ALLSOPP: Edge vs The Miz is a genuinely intriguing prospect. The Miz has always been a somewhat guilty pleasure, whilst Edge is The Rated R Superstar! Not only does this contest look good on paper, but I have been a complete sucker for the build. This was intensified by the black goo that fell on The Miz and Maryse courtesy of Edge’s former Brood stablemate, Gangrel. Given sufficient time, these two can easily create a masterpiece.
WILLIAMS: The Miz vs Edge definitely holds the most intrigue to me, although not necessarily for the match on this pay-per-view. There is a high chance of Maryse related involvement in this match, which I'm hoping may lead to the epic return of The Glamazon (and Edge’s wife) Beth Phoenix. A mixed tag bout between Maryse and The Miz, and Edge and Phoenix could be really fun and a welcome addition to this year’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
DeFELICE: Of the non-title matches, I think it has to be Edge vs The Miz, mostly because I don’t find the other non-title match to be any real contest, so at least this match will provide some intrigue in regards to who wins and how.
I think it will be The Miz Who walks away with the victory after Maryse gives him the advantage, leading to an eventual mixed tag team match, adding Edge’s wife, Beth Phoenix.
Question 2: Will Brock Lesnar dethrone Roman Reigns? Will Paul Heyman have any impact on the result of the WWE Universal Championship match?
WILLIAMS: I don’t think Brock Lesnar should, nor will dethrone Roman Reigns here. This is a career defining run that Reigns has been on for the past 18 months, and there is no chance it is ending on a pay-per-view that will be forgotten about just days afterward. I expect this match to take place once again at WrestleMania 38, however, which leads me to believe shenanigans may be at play at Day 1.
DeFELICE: Unfortunately, I see this match ending in a no contest. I hope I’m wrong. I hope Roman Reigns wins, but I don’t see Brock Lesnar, or anyone, dethroning Reigns at an event not named WrestleMania.
ALLSOPP: No, but I will not be surprised if he does. I have made it clear on numerous occasions over the past 16 months that I absolutely adore Roman Reigns as The Tribal Chief. He is the very embodiment of the WWE Universal Championship, and as such, he does not deserve to lose it at Day 1. At WrestleMania, sure. But not here.
I could see, however, Paul Heyman having a huge impact on the result of the match, especially if WWE want to cause a rare double turn. Heyman siding with Brock Lesnar would be big, especially if they can retcon the past few months into a narrative of Heyman manipulating Reigns into firing him. This could include a clause in The Tribal Chief’s contract that prevents him challenging Lesnar for the title. That would give a valid reason for Reigns dropping the belt, but ultimately, I feel Reigns walks out of Atlanta with the belt.
Question 3: Who will walk out of Day 1 as the WWE Champion? Does Big E need a decisive victory in order to remain WWE Champion going into WrestleMania season?
DeFELICE: COVID looms over both main events, as Roman Reigns has also been missing from live events recently. This match in particular, in my opinion, may just not happen if it doesn’t happen on New Year’s Day.
There's no way that I see Big E walking into WrestleMania with the WWE Championship unless they decide to give him the Goldberg match and save it for April. I see Bobby Lashley winning here, and I think this is the best chance that we could ever get to potentially see Bobby Lashley versus Brock Lesnar. Admittedly, however, I don’t see that match happening outside of anything but a personal desire to see it.
Kevin Owens did just sign a contract, and that puts him in as good of a position as anybody else. We will see what happens, but I don’t see the title staying on Big E.
ALLSOPP: I have my doubts that Seth Rollins will even appear, as it seems he has come down with COVID. Despite claiming he is not suffering, I do not see him being permitted to compete, and unless they decide to go with Finn Balor as a late addition, I’m going with Bobby Lashley regaining the WWE Championship. As much as I loved Big E winning the big one, he is somewhat floundered as WWE Champion, therefore he is not the strong option WWE need for WrestleMania season. Lashley has the experience, therefore he is the safer option. And if WWE insists on giving Seth Rollins that spot, he can always win the title from either Big E or Lashley on Raw.
WILLIAMS: I imagine Big E will walk out of Day 1 still holding the WWE Championship, but I’m not sure that's the correct decision whatsoever. This world title run has been rather mediocre thus far, and I honestly believe Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Bobby Lashley would all be far more interesting as WWE Champion at this point. Regardless though, I’m pretty certain Big E is keeping that title until at least the Royal Rumble, where hopefully Owens or Rollins snatches it from him.
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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