The possibilities are endless, just need to execute them.

topic of the day 055 & video of the day 050

10 wrestlers set for a big push

following Wrestlemania 34

Youtube channel: College Humor

I've been wanting to cover the recent Superstar Shakeup so here's my first warmup post:

I - Ember Moon

Finishing up her run in NXT after leading the Women Division well after the departure of Asuka, she is following on her footsteps by debuting perfectly in the RAW after Wrestlemania. Kudos to Mickie James for selling that xyz like no one else! Her character was caught before between trying to keep her mystique and making her more humane hence more relatable but I have hopes the writing team would lead her down the same road as the Empress of Tomorrow since she is prime to fight for the RAW Title against Nia Jax (she should hold on to that as long as possible) after having some entertaining feuds with the rest of the roster. She is one of the most capable wrestlers that would have quality matches against anybody and my dream match down the line is her against Ronda Rousey, a clash of style between MMA and fast and high flyer!

II - Naomi

A surprising winner of the first Wrestlemania Battle Royale (what's up with that cup though?), she is probably rewarded to be the historic winner after being such a loyal company woman after all these years, transforming from one of the Funkadactyls (is that correct?) into one-of-a-kind energized performer. She has the moves in the ring and the skills on the mic to be the leader of the SmackDown division once again and with the call-up of Iconic Duo and the crowning of the new Champion of Carmella, I couldn't see a better string of opponents for her to fight with and probably being in contention for the Championship again, although it's getting crowded now with Asuka being traded in and Becky Lynch always in the vicinity and of course Charlotte who would want to get revenge straight away.

III - Jinder Mahal

I can agree that him surprisingly being put with the WWE Championship without proper build-up (it did came out of nowhere when he won that #1 Contender match months ago) just to cater to the Indian market (he is a native Canadian with Indian descent) undermined the value of the top title of the Blue Brand quite a bit but I can also applaud him for shouldering up the responsibility well enough as a decent Champion and get real heel heat for that (whether it's for an unjust Championship or just for being an effective heel, a reaction is still a reaction no matter where they come from). Cutting the legs off of him by losing his US Title in his debut on RAW would not be beneficial for him in the short run (with his immediate feud appeared to be with No Way Jose), but I believe they have hope in him to be the top heel in the division by letting him start from the bottom again and build up his credibility again in the long run.

IV - Bobby Lashley

RAW after Wrestlemania certainly brought with it a few delightful surprises and one big addition is the return of Bobby Lashley who had improved his crafts outside of WWE and adding much more needed dimension to his character and arsenal. It was fitting for the always wonderful Elias to be the first casualty (he is now the unofficial welcoming committee for any midcarder and even upcarder for the Red Brand) but the first thought that came to mind when I saw him was the dream match between him and Brock Lesnar, Beast versus Beast! That Universal Championship scene would always be off limit as long as Roman Reigns and the Beast still hasn't finished their overwrought and overdone feud but Bobby has the stature and power to be a legit Championship holder whether it being Intercontinental and hopefully eventually Universal. He would be eased in with a few nondescript matches and let the WWE Universe being familiar with him for the second time before pushing him when the scene has clear up a bit.

V - Carmella

It's only a matter of time before she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract and it couldn't have been done in a better way by being the ultimate opportunist and taking advantage of the Iconic Duo's attack on the Queen (it's unfortunate the man's holder was punished for backstage politics instead of how he performed in the ring ... that's what matters, right?). Finally in the limelight after brandishing that briefcase for almost a year (you have to admit it looked perfect in her hands. How they executed the first Women Money in the Bank on the other hand ...), she would be the top heel and the face of the Division, a changing of guard of sorts after knocking down Charlotte Flair from her pedestal and being a calculative character, she would definitely align herself with the Duo to make sure her hold on the Title would last as long as possible, especially after the arrival of the Empress. It is time for a fresh storyline and she setting up a stable with Mandy Rose and xyz might be the injection of surprise that SDL needs right now. 

VI - Jeff Hardy

One of the loudest pops for a returning superstar was for the return from injury of one half of Hardy brothers, Jeff when he came out to save Seth Rollins and Finn Balor. Surprisingly winning the US Championship off of Mahal the week after, you could safely assumed that he would be traded to SmackDown Live since the Intercontinental Championship would stay in the top Brand. The eventual team-up with Matt would smartly be saved for the future when he turns into Brother Nero (that quick entertaining and cheeky conversation between them and the newest crew of Bray Wyatt was a perfect tease of what's to come) but until then, he is seen (rightly so) as a capable single wrestler and he would thrive in the now packed men roster of the Blue Brand as the enigmatic Champion and maybe even fight for the top WWE Title. He certainly deserves it and since he appears to not be losing his steps at all, he would provide his best matches against other top talents such as Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles.

VII - Charlotte Flair

Another winning streak bites the dust in Wrestlemania but I can't find a better candidate in the current roster to break it than the second generation athlete, having one of the best matches of the night and maybe even history in the process that put both performers over and giving the SmackDown Women's Champion prestige and clout as the leader of the Division. I don't think that it was all become a waste when he was blindsided and robbed of his Championshop since this gives the storyline much more depth and just imagine the reaction when Carmella finally get her comeuppance and Charlotte got what was truly hers! She would always be in the upper echelon despite her current predicament and I can guarantee her being a professional and put over other newer talents.

VIII - Shinsuke Nakamura

Having both Royal Rumble winners lost the Championship matches was quite a gamble and a disappointment really right in the moment but I can understand that it would be much more beneficial in the long run with mutual respect earned for the aforementioned Women's contention while the Men's on the other hand a surge of hatred and a turn from babyface to a full-blown heel. I believe this is for the better, a much more interesting projection for Shinsuke's career as he would no doubt thrive as a heel with much needed edge in his actions inside and outside of the ring. He is such a lovable talent though but as his cowardly actions began to escalate, the cheers began to turn to boos and when he eventually gets one over AJ by cheating and get the Title, he would be an excellent heel Champion ...

IX - Daniel Bryan

What a comeback story! Fighting for over three years to finally getting cleared to get back in the WWE ring (Thank, you, Brie!), he is now able to shake off that pesky manager thread and just compete as one of the most talented technical wrestlers they have in the roster. That tag team match was a great warmup for him to get back into the grooves but it seemed like he has never left at all in the first place, having quite a memorable first single match with the Phenomenal One the very next day. Having personally requested for the Miz to be transferred over, this very historic feud would entertain us for at least months to come as he would chase that scaredy cat until he gets his hands on him. After that fan-pleasing feud finally over, he should always been in contention for the titles and that little dream match with Styles should indicate how the company view him since he is the most over performer currently and they would not waste him, at least not anymore. The dream matches possibilities are virtually endless with the recent Superstar Shakeup (and that match with AJ didn't exactly ended satisfyingly)!

X - Ronda Rousey

Personally, I believe in the MMA competitor-turned-wrestler to make the transition seamlessly since it is her lifelong dream and even though her vocal performance was shaky at best in the buildup for her debut, no one could predicted that her tag team match alongside Kurt Angle against the Authority of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon to be the match of the night! When she finally got the hot tag and got into the ring, she looked natural in her now signature stance and her mixed martial art background provides her with a solid arsenal that looks genuine and fierce (look at that jabs! pay attention, Shane!) while her physical prowess allowed her to do the wrestling throws and moves effortlessly. With her now proven in-ring abilities, it is smart to have Natalya comes to RAW to act as a capable veteran guidance (she is her real life wrestling coach after all) for Ronda and they would team up to fight possibly the Absolution and other midcarders while the having the possibility of the Queen of Hart to turn on her (she was a heel after all in the Blue Brand) to be explored in the future, and that match would be wonderful with the clash of style between MMA and technical, as long as they build up properly.