Table of Contents
Merry Christmas. Joyful Holidays.
For those who’re studying these phrases, I hope that you simply’re having your self a really completely satisfied vacation season. 2021 was one other wild and loopy yr, however we made it to the top. 2022 is true across the nook, however earlier than we get to 2022, we’ve to get by means of Christmas.
Christmas means quite a lot of issues to lots of people. For the sake of this column, although, let’s discuss presents. Extra particularly, I wish to go over the issues that I need from the skilled wrestling world in 2022. Not solely am I writing it right here, however to verify my bases are lined, I despatched a letter to Santa Claus himself and advised him about all the pieces listed.
A few of these issues are simple to get. Others are extra of the pie-in-the-sky selection. The one constant factor right here is that I wish to see all the pieces listed happen in some unspecified time in the future in 2022. Lastly, that is my listing. MY listing. Identical to any Christmas listing, there are issues I wish to see that you simply may not care about having, and vice versa. Keep in mind that.
This stuff are listed in no specific order. Now that all the pieces is out of the way in which, let’s rock and roll.
New Japan Professional Wrestling World Accessible On PS4/PS5: Sure, I requested for this very same factor final yr. No, I didn’t get it. I simply need to have the ability to watch the New Japan product simpler.
There’s zero need inside me to observe prolonged wrestling matches and reveals on my cellphone. I like my laptop monitor, but it surely’s nowhere close to as wonderful and as unimaginable as my tv, the place I watch quite a few streaming providers by means of my PS5. It’s a lot simpler, and definitely preferable, for me to do it that approach, as a substitute of sitting at my laptop. I’m already sitting at my laptop sufficient in the course of the week as I put together for, after which write, these columns each week.
Assist a brother out, New Japan.
Wrestling Followers To Thoughts Their Enterprise: I don’t care if Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti are relationship, nor do I care in the event that they’re fuck buddies. It doesn’t matter to me if both of them is sleeping with the remainder of the AEW roster, or in the event that they’re fully celibate. I don’t care if somebody cheats on another person.
You shouldn’t, both.
It’s simply bizarre to me that folks get so labored up over the non-public lives of wrestlers and wrestling personalities. It isn’t simply the followers. There are too many websites and blogs that report on this stuff like they’re TMZ or some shit like that. So-and-so unfollowed So-and-so on Twitter, in order that clearly means they broke up! Oh shit, So-and-so appreciated a tweet that mentioned one thing about So-and-so, in order that they undoubtedly hate one another! Let’s submit 14 “information” items about it, with updates as we get them!
Cease.
The one actual exceptions to this rule, in my guide, are when wrestlers are hurting different individuals (verified tales about assault or sexual misconduct, and so on.) or hurting themselves and doing unlawful issues (getting arrested for DUI, and so on.) of their “actual” lives. Even then, there’s a line that folks will nonetheless cross. For instance, when Jimmy Uso has gotten into a few of his authorized points, individuals will bombard Jey Uso, Roman Reigns and Naomi with some vile tweets and feedback. What do they suppose they’re reaching by doing that?
A whole lot of it undoubtedly has to do with social media. When wrestlers tweet out of character they usually’re capable of converse with RandomDude8675309 about puppies, you’ll see a ton of oldsters really feel like they know the wrestlers on a a lot deeper degree than simply seeing them on tv. Social media is an amazing software that provides method to large instruments.
Simply thoughts your corporation, individuals. Let individuals like Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti stay their lives, no matter it’s they’re selecting to do.
Jeff Cobb To Develop into A Most important Occasion Man In New Japan: In final yr’s Christmas Want Record column, I mentioned one thing comparable about Shingo Takagi. I discussed the otherworldly sizzling streak that Shingo was on since becoming a member of New Japan, and the way he had but to actually break by means of into the primary occasion scene.
Not solely did I get what I needed there, however Shingo would go on to turn into the highest man within the promotion, profitable the IWGP World Heavyweight Title in June.
For 2022, I wish to see Jeff Cobb observe an identical path. Cobb can be on a loopy sizzling streak in New Japan. He doesn’t have a singles match in 2021 that I might fee at lower than three stars, and he has picked up pinfall victories over a few of the high names within the firm like Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Over the previous couple of months, he has been transferring up the proverbial ladder, and I believe it’s time to push him much more.
Oddly sufficient, not solely do Shingo and Cobb have comparable in-ring kinds and backgrounds, however they had been additionally born in the identical yr. That has nothing to do with something. I simply thought it was attention-grabbing.
If I had my approach, the timeline would even match up, with Cobb popping out of the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom occasion trying sturdy. At Wrestle Kingdom 15, Shingo defeated… watch for it… Jeff Cobb to efficiently defend his NEVER Openweight Title in a Match Of The 12 months contender, and it helped propel him to the highest. Wrestle Kingdom 16 sees Jeff Cobb collaborating in a six-man tag match, teaming together with his United Empire stablemates Will Ospreay and Nice-O-Khan to tackle the Los Ingobernables de Japon trio of Tetsuya Naito, Sanada and Bushi. The subsequent evening, Cobb will tackle Naito in an enormous singles match. Let’s give Cobb the win, no less than within the singles match, and he can transfer as much as probably problem for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title at Sakura Genesis round April or at Dominion in June.
Bron Breakker Not To Get Screwed Up: I don’t have to say so much right here, as a result of I’ve already executed a column in regards to the man. His temporary tenure in NXT has been executed so properly, and he seems to be on a transparent path to changing into the NXT Champion a lot before later. All I’m asking for is for him to stay true to the character. It’s working. There’s no have to make any drastic modifications, whether or not he sticks round NXT for the long-term or if he will get moved to Uncooked or Smackdown. There’s a lot potential there.
Shit, whereas we’re at it, let’s say quite a lot of the identical about Hook. Once more, I’ve already executed a column about him, so there’s no want to enter an excessive amount of element. I’m simply saying that there’s the potential for one thing particular with Bron/Hook, and I hope it doesn’t get ruined.
The “Forbidden Door” To Proceed, With out It Having That Title: Professional wrestling has at all times been a wild and loopy enterprise, however that degree of untamed and loopy has been turned up a number of notches in recent times. On this “technology” alone, you will have quite a few wrestlers exhibiting as much as wrestle in NXT (and typically the WWE major roster) that you simply simply swore would by no means wrestle for Vince McMahon in any approach, form or type. Extra not too long ago, we’ve seen AEW open their doorways to the likes of Nick Gage and to a number of members of the New Japan roster.
I like that shit, and I wish to see extra of it. I’m nonetheless holding out hope that Shingo or Okada present up on AEW programming in some unspecified time in the future. It looks like AEW goes to be my best choice for issues like this now. With NXT shifting its focus from “impartial wrestling supershow” to “we wish to push you for those who’re in your early 20’s” seemingly in a single day, I don’t suppose we’re going to be seeing quite a lot of the highest free brokers exhibiting up there. With WWE deciding it might be a terrific concept to launch 80-something on-screen abilities in 2021, one thing tells me they aren’t seeking to go on an enormous spending spree to herald new, costly expertise.
No matter occurs, can we transfer on from the “Forbidden Door” title already? It’s lame, and it has been pushed into the bottom. Preserve it useless and buried. Simply make the strikes occur.
One thing… Something… With Roman Reigns & The Rock: Months in the past, there was a ton of hypothesis about WWE presumably bringing The Rock in for a mega match in opposition to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. It made a ton of sense. There was an excessive amount of speak and dialogue in regards to the Anoa’i household for there to not be some form of an look from the household’s most well-known member. Some followers speculated that Reigns vs Rock can be for the Common Title, whereas others speculated that Reigns may lose the title earlier than WrestleMania and have their match be its personal factor.
Hopes had been dashed when the rumors swirled round that Rock wouldn’t be concerned in something on the upcoming WrestleMania. As an alternative, there was discuss Rock and Reigns doing one thing at WrestleMania 39 as a substitute. The benefit of that’s simple to determine. WrestleMania 39 is coming to us from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Inglewood is ten miles away from Hollywood, California. The Rock is, arguably, the most important star in all of Hollywood. That’s unbelievable and all, however… WrestleMania 39 is over 15 months away! The Rock shall be a month away from his 51st birthday when WrestleMania 39 rolls round. That’s a protracted, lengthy, very long time from now. It’s virtually an eternity on this planet of wrestling.
It might be one factor if we had a assure that, sure, The Rock shall be showing on WWE programming within the highway to WrestleMania 39 for a highly-anticipated match in opposition to Roman Reigns. Sadly, we don’t have that assure. There’s actually some huge cash to be made in making that match, however… and I can’t consider I’ve to even sort this out… Dwayne Johnson could also be in the midst of a full-blown run for the Presidency of the US in 2024. Within the final 4 elections the place there wasn’t an incumbent, nominees launched their campaigns a median of 531 days earlier than the election befell. That’s roughly one yr and 7 months. The 2024 election is in November of that yr. Do the mathematics. What’s one yr and 7 months earlier than November 2024? April 2023… also called when WrestleMania 39 is going on. That might lead me to consider that both…
The Rock just isn’t wrestling at WrestleMania 38 or 39.
Or…
Dwayne Johnson just isn’t operating for President in 2024.
Or…
By God… The Rock goes to wrestle Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, win, after which create the ULTIMATE “WrestleMania Second” by legitimately asserting his candidacy in the midst of the ring throughout a post-match promo.
So many choices!
In all seriousness, I simply wish to see one thing between Rock and Reigns in 2022. I’m quickly shedding hope that we’re going to see them wrestle, however even a section would work for me. It’s such a simple factor to jot down. Reigns is the “Head Of The Desk” and has talked about that everybody in his household, high to backside, eats due to his success. Have him say that he’s the “greatest star” within the household. Discuss how he’s profitable out and in of the ring. Blah blah blah. As he’s speaking, he’s interrupted by The Rock, and the roof blows off of the constructing. It creates a “second” and it helps to construct Reigns much more, as if he wants it. There might be physicality in the course of the section, even when they don’t truly lock horns. You recognize the routine… Rock and Reigns have lower their promos, after which The Usos go in for the assault, solely to be thwarted as Reigns leaves the ring. One of many Usos will get a Rock Backside and he rolls out of the ring. The opposite Uso will get a Rock Backside, after which he’s on the receiving finish of a Folks’s Elbow. Growth. Everyone’s speaking. Hooray!
Simply give me one thing, WWE! I need it now! *Veruca Salt voice*
First-Time World Champions: I don’t want a brand new one each month, however I’d nonetheless wish to see it occur sprinkled all year long.
For those who take a look at the present AEW roster, there’s a few names that might realistically be concerned on this dialog. Darby Allin, Jungle Boy and Miro leap out at me. There are different names, but it surely is dependent upon your definition of what a real “World Title” in wrestling is. Some individuals suppose a “World Title” is a title that has been defended on a number of continents, or no less than a number of international locations. Others really feel a “World Title” is simply the highest belt within the high promotions, which might just about slim it all the way down to just a few within the enterprise. MJF is a former CZW World Champion. Does that rely? Eddie Kingston held that very same title, in addition to the CHIKARA Grand Championship. Does that rely?
Switching over to the present WWE roster, there are additionally some names that realistically stand out. Damian Priest, Omos and Xavier Woods, for certain. If you wish to add NXT to the combo, then Bron Breakker and Carmelo Hayes belong within the dialog. Once more, although… what makes an actual “World Title” in wrestling? Cesaro is a former PWG World Champion and a wXw World Heavyweight Champion. Do these rely? Riddle is a former Evolve Champion? Does that rely? Austin Idea is a former Evolve Champion, too, in addition to a former FIP World Heavyweight Champion and a former Crash Heavyweight Champion. Do these rely?
Leaping again to AEW, Jade Cargill, Ruby Soho and Tay Conti are undoubtedly the stand-out names to say within the girls’s division. For those who don’t rely the WSU World Title, then you possibly can add Kris Statlander to the combo.
In the case of the ladies of WWE, it’s simple to level out Liv Morgan, Cora Jade and Dakota Kai right here. Relying on the definition of what a World Title is, you possibly can add Doudrop, Toni Storm, Shotzi and Xia Li.
I’m not saying all of these names ought to or will turn into World Champions, thoughts you. They only have paths to the tops of their divisions which might be, to various levels, simple to see enjoying out. It’s quite a lot of enjoyable to see a lot of these tales play out, and on high of that, we have to see some extra stars made and solidified.
Your Continued Assist: Sure, it’s time for me to be sappy once more.
Of us, I’ve been doing this column factor for 14 years now. I’ve seen all of it and I’ve written about all of it. None of it might matter with out your assist. So lots of you will have been there from the start, and meaning the world to me. I’ll by no means be capable of thanks sufficient on your assist, whether or not you’ve learn all of my columns or that is the primary time you’ve clicked a hyperlink of mine. Your assist is wonderful.
I don’t know how lengthy I’ll be doing this. Possibly I’ll be sitting in a particular orthopedic laptop chair once I’m 80 years previous, nonetheless amazed that Charlotte Aptitude continues to be profitable Ladies’s Titles in WWE. Who is aware of? What I do know is that I nonetheless have a ton of enjoyable doing this, and so long as that continues, I’ll be round to do what I do.
Thanks. For all the pieces. Right here’s to a different yr collectively.
There you will have it. The issues I’m asking Santa Claus for in 2022. Your lists are most likely very totally different, so I wish to hear from you. Hit me up within the feedback part under, or on Twitter (@HustleTheSavage), and let me know what’s in your thoughts. I hope you all have as pleasant a vacation season as you possibly can presumably have. Cherish the time you get to spend with the individuals you’re keen on most. Aloha.
Weekly Energy Rankings
- “Hangman” Adam Web page vs Bryan Danielson: Simply one in every of my favourite wrestling matches to ever air on “free” tv. I don’t have anything so as to add to the heaps of reward that folks have been leaving for the match, however I’ll say a pair issues which might be on my thoughts. Firstly, had this actual match taken place on a pay-per-view, I might place it as one in every of my all-time favourite matches, interval. There have been so many industrial breaks to take care of. Sure, picture-in-picture helps, but it surely nonetheless takes a few of the enjoyable out of issues. On a associated notice, I’ve seen some individuals say that AEW ought to discover a method to go commercial-free on Dynamite or Rampage for giant matches like this. The concept is ok, however that’s additionally very costly. It’s one factor for those who’re commercial-free for a quick interval. This could’ve meant no commercials on Dynamite for properly over an hour, counting match introductions, the match itself, and something within the post-match. We don’t know what sort of cash AEW is making, but when we’re being actual, they’re nonetheless a comparatively new firm. Their viewership continues to be averaging below one million viewers each week. That isn’t a knock on them. It’s only a true assertion. There’s no approach it might financially behoove AEW to spend that type of cash proper now. My last level is that Bryan Danielson has had two matches in opposition to AEW World Champions. One match was to mainly see if he may “earn” a title shot, and the opposite was an precise title shot. He has gone to a time-limit attract each matches. I actually don’t anticipate them to, however AEW can’t go to that properly once more. It’s what occurs once you’re constructing a number of up so strongly that neither particular person can take a loss. Anyway… this was a fucking unbelievable match. Sufficient of my wall of textual content.
- Pete Dunne vs Tony D’Angelo: Full disclosure… I wasn’t as massive a fan of Tony D’Angelo as quite a lot of you will have been. It was an attention-grabbing character, particularly in 2021, however individuals jumped throughout his jock with out truly seeing a lot of something that he may do within the ring. NXT is lastly giving him an opportunity to win individuals over together with his in-ring work, and it’s paying off. He did so properly as part of Conflict Video games, however this match in opposition to Dunne has been his finest work but. It was a loss, however he didn’t look misplaced on the market, and appeared like he belonged within the ring with the most effective wrestlers alive at the moment. Dunne wanted the win to remain sturdy as a high expertise in NXT, however D’Angelo confirmed that he has the potential to be a high expertise for the model, too.
- Hikaru Shida vs Serena Deeb: This has simply been the most effective girls’s feuds in AEW historical past, and it actually got here out of nowhere. Serena Deeb has at all times been actually good, however she went from being away from an enormous highlight for years to being a significant competitor, incomes herself a brand new set of followers. Shida and Deeb have had a very enjoyable trilogy of matches over the past two-plus months, with Shida profitable two of them, however each girls got here out trying higher and stronger than they did getting into. Each girls must be in-line for title pictures now. Kudos.
- Smackdown’s Closing Section With Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman & Brock Lesnar: A whole lot of people suppose it’ll find yourself being some type of “swerve” that we’ll see play out at Day 1, but it surely was nonetheless an enormous shock to see Roman Reigns hearth Paul Heyman after which take him out with a Superman Punch. Heyman and Reigns proceed to shine of their roles, working the story to perfection with Heyman being torn between his allegiance to Reigns and the Anoa’i household, in addition to his friendship and partnership by means of the years with Lesnar.
- Tommaso Ciampa’s Opening Promo On NXT: Ciampa has been such an enormous a part of NXT for therefore lengthy, however he doesn’t typically get to chop prolonged, entertaining promos. This was one of many instances he did, although. Ciampa was glorious because the clever veteran that was capable of play thoughts video games with the younger, emotional Bron Breakker.
- Eddie Kingston, Lucha Brothers, Santana & Ortiz vs Daniel Garcia, The Acclaimed & 2point0: I’ve mentioned it time and time once more, and it matches right here… AEW does a terrific job of getting these six, eight, or ten-person tag matches with extra motion than anyone can actually maintain monitor of. This was one other occasion of that.
- Sasha Banks & Toni Storm vs Charlotte Aptitude & Shotzi: The feud between Toni Storm and Charlotte Aptitude has been as silly as might be, however with Storm pinning the Smackdown Ladies’s Champion right here, perhaps we are able to transfer to it being greater and higher. Toni desperately wanted an enormous win as a member of the Smackdown roster, and he or she received it right here.
- BOLA Persevering with To Get Stronger: Final week, I discussed how sturdy the roster was for PWG’s upcoming Battle Of Los Angeles match. Jonah Rock, Alex Shelley, Black Taurus, Lio Rush, Daniel Garcia, Kevin Blackwood and Jack Cartwheel made for a really stable roster. Since my final column, PWG has introduced the additions of Bandido, Lee Moriarty, Davey Richards, Aramis and Jonathan Gresham. Bandido is the present PWG World Champion, and till a pair weeks in the past when he needed to vacate it on account of testing constructive for COVID, he was additionally the RoH World Champion. Gresham is the person who gained the RoH World Title at Closing Battle. There’s a lot range and star energy within the BOLA discipline, and we’d solely be midway by means of seeing who’s concerned.
- Huge E & Bobby Lashley vs Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens: Rollins and Owens are lastly on the identical web page, though that can undoubtedly finish at Day 1, after they’re each competing for the WWE Title. That’s good. What’s even higher is one thing I didn’t even know I needed till Uncooked, and that’s a face run for Bobby Lashley. I don’t know if we’ll see a full-blown face flip for him, however I believe he can pull it off. He gained’t be a face like Hulk Hogan within the 80’s, however he doesn’t need to. Time will inform.
- A Potential Tease For Riddle vs WALTER: MSK is working with Riddle, who’s their “Shaman” on this storyline. They’re at the moment feuding with Imperium, as they attempt to win the NXT Tag Staff Titles again. We received the tease this week, with Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel mentioning that MSK has their “Shaman” however Imperium has their “Basic.” In fact, that’s WALTER’s “title” with the group. Riddle vs WALTER might be a Match Of The 12 months candidate. I’ve little doubt about that by any means. With Barthel and Aichner having quite a lot of momentum proper now, a six-man match that includes Riddle & MSK taking over all three members of Imperium may, and may, be wonderful, too. Shade me intrigued.
- Bianca Belair vs Doudrop: It might nonetheless be infinitely higher if Doudrop had been nonetheless Piper Niven, however I’m simply completely satisfied that she’s truly attending to take part in good matches now, in comparison with the nonsense she was doing with Eva Marie. Bianca is now on a roll, profitable the final seven matches she’s been concerned in on tv and pay-per-view, probably placing her squarely again into the Uncooked Ladies’s Title image after Day 1. You recognize… the place she belongs.
- Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent & Rocky Romero vs Adam Cole, The Younger Bucks & Bobby Fish: Let’s see… this was an AEW match involving eight individuals. You recognize what meaning. High quality. Tons of motion. Numerous enjoyable.
- AJ Types Working With Grayson Waller: Not solely does AJ add some star energy to NXT, however he’ll give fairly the “rub” to Waller by even being concerned in a storyline with him. It’s fairly clear that NXT sees some massive issues in Grayson Waller’s future. One other factor that’s clear is that WWE trusts AJ Types to make any and all people he works with look nice. Even when Waller loses to Types, he can nonetheless appear like a star with a very good efficiency. I assume we’ll simply need to see if he’s received it in him.
- Finn Balor vs Austin Idea: I don’t know simply fairly what it’s but, however WWE is doing SOMETHING with Austin Idea. He has been concerned in a number of segments with Vince McMahon himself, and has been within the ring with a few of the greatest names on the Uncooked roster since coming over from NXT in October. His matches are getting a very good period of time, and he’s capable of look sturdy in each wins and losses. In outside-of-WWE interviews, he has made point out that he needs to face John Cena, in addition to desirous to face Vince McMahon at WrestleMania. Are you able to think about? I’ve mentioned it earlier than, however Idea is somebody who has all the pieces Vince McMahon might need in a star, so are we seeing a few of that play out proper now? We might be.
- THE Brian Kendrick Returning… To Die: Brian Kendrick has at all times been very, excellent at this professional wrestling factor. Probably the greatest issues he does, although, is take an ass kicking. He’s returning to the ring in NXT, however it is going to be to face Harland, the place he will certainly be murdered in brutal vogue. At the very least he’ll make it look good, so there’s that.
This Week’s Playlist: “Quentin Tarantino” by RZA & Flatbush Zombies… “Mr. Pyrex Man” by Benny The Butcher… “Maintain On To Me” by Lauren Daigle… “Been About It” by Andy Mineo & Lecrae… “Jericho” by Andrew Ripp… “Too Good” by Moonchild… “Sauce” by Jerome Thomas… “Strain” by Ari Lennox… “Left For Useless” by Memphis Could Hearth… “Witching Hour” by Black Map… “HORIZON” by BEFORE MY LIFE FAILS… “All I Actually Know” by Sevendust… “So Known as Life” by Three Days Grace… “Forsaken – The Aftermath” by Inside Temptation… “Ease My Thoughts” by The Faim… “I Hate U” by SZA… “MONEY” by LISA… “Yonaguni” by Unhealthy Bunny… “If You Assume You’re Lonely Now” by Okay-Ci… “Love You Down” by Prepared For The World… “Daydreamin” by Tatyana Ali, Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz… “Right here I Am” by Rick Ross, Nelly & Avery Storm… “Time 4 Sumaksion” by Redman… “Rockin’ That Shit” by The-Dream… “My Love” by The-Dream & Mariah Carey… “Love vs Cash: Pt. 2” by The-Dream… “Rockin’ That Shit (Remix)” by The-Dream, Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross & Ludacris… “I Luv Your Woman” by The-Dream… “You” by Lloyd & Lil Wayne… “Participant’s Prayer” by Lloyd
