==5 Directions for a Returning Johnny Gargano==
Yet another lost wrestler made his return to WWE this past week. Johnny Gargano made a
surprise appearance on Monday Night Raw. It was a huge return and one that not many saw coming.
Gargano hasn’t been seen since December of last year when he left WWE to be with his child. Some
thought he might be going to AEW but Johnny Wrestling decided to stick with the company to the north.
Now that he has made his stamp on Monday Nights what is next for Gargano? There are several
directions that he can go in, and since we smarks like to speculate lets take a look at 5 possibilities.
Austin Theory
Based on Garganos return this seems to be the initial direction the company is going in. Theory
and Gargano have the perfect backstory to build upon. The mentor/mentee relationship they enjoyed
on NXT is a great thing to use to build tension going forward.
With Vince McMahon gone it will be interesting to see who ends up on top during the feud, but
it should provide for some great television.
Championship Chase
Another main point from his return promo was Gargano’s desire to build on his championship
resume. He has held every championship possible on NXT and it would be great to see him start
knocking off some accomplishments on the main roster.
For the moment Lashley is holding the United States Championship, as a babyface, so it would
make more sense for Gargano to go after the Intercontinental strap. Matches between Johhny and
Gunther would be fantastic. The David and Goliath story would be an easy one to explore and their
matches would, naturally, be off the charts.
Seth Rollins
After he is done with Theory, a matchup against Seth Rollins would be a smart move. These are
two men that don’t have a ton of history between them and would provide a fresh feud. They are also
two of the best wrestlers in the world and would be able to give us some potential five-star matchups.
Rollins could be a great idea for a feud with Johhny Wrestling. What he has done with Cody
Rhodes and Riddle has been great. His ability to play a despicable heel would be a great counteract to
the perfect babyface that Gargano can pull off.
A.J Styles
Styles will make it onto nearly every list that I put together. He is a 5-star match machine and
anytime there is the possibility of a new match-up WWE should jump all over it.Gargano is also no slouch himself. His matches against Ciampa and Adam Cole were fabulous
and were responsible for the popularity of NXT. It may take a bit to get the two together but Styles and
Gargano need to be given a chance to create magic.
DIY
Yes, they are on the opposite end of the face/heel dynamic, but who doesn’t want this to
happen? In NXT the storyline arc of DIY was one of the best in company history. When the team was
able finally to capture the tag titles the roar of the crowd was deafening. It was perfect storytelling
made better by the performances of Ciampa and Gargano.
Now take that blueprint and transfer it to the main roster. Who wouldn’t want to see a DIY
reunion and chase for the tag titles? It would bring prominence back to the tag division and make for
great television. Make this happen!

==Directions For Bray Wyatt==
Triple H being in charge has opened the door. Those who we thought were gone from WWE for
good have been returning en mass. It has been an exciting time as rumours have been swirling as to who
will be next to make their return.
For a few weeks now one of these rumours has been surrounding Bray Wyatt. Wyatt had a less-
than-sparkling exit from WWE. It left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth and was not a fitting end to
Wyatt’s WWE tenure.
Now that Wyatt’s return is potentially on the horizon how does he return? In what direction can
HHH push the former World Champion? Let’s take a look at some possibilities.
Bring Back the Cult Leader
The Fiend and Firefly Funhouse characters were good. They showed a range to Wyatt that many
didn’t think there but it is time to give his cult leader gimmick a longer shot.
Wyatt’s cult leader gimmick was brilliant. He was the perfect combination of charm and terror.
Wyatt was able to appear as a smooth-talking leader with hidden malice behind his words. It was a
character that flourished in NXT but was never given his chance on the main roster.
If he returns it is time to ditch the other gimmicks and give him a chance to become the great
cult leader we all know him to be. Speaking of which.
Time To Build a Stable
Part of the success of Wyatt was his ability to attract followers. Luke Harper and Erik Rowan
were great as his followers. Their physical presence protected Wyatt while setting them up as a
formidable tag team.
Wyatts return must be coupled with a new stable to back him up. It will give some wrestlers
great exposure and help to establish their new stable as a force. It is something that needs to happen.
Go After A Championship but Only the World Championship
Wyatt is beyond any tag-team or mid-card championship. During his WWE run, he established
himself as a top star. So much so, that a mid-card title was below his level.
If he were to return to the company he must be thrust into the main event picture. He was
never given a lengthy chance to establish himself in this avenue. It would best fit his character and a
heel World Championship run would be exactly what to do with the eldest Rotunda.
Drew McIntyre
McIntyre is a top-of-the-card guy in WWE. Since his return, he has established himself as a
perennial championship contender. Anyone put into a feud opposite McIntyre is instantly considered a
top talent, and this could be the best way to reintroduce Wyatt.
There isn’t a ton of history between the two men and their physical styles would mesh well.
Plus, McIntyre could very well be a World Champion soon and Wyatt would be a great first challenger.
Karrion Kross
Kross has recently made his triumphant return to WWE. He has inserted himself into the
championship picture, but that doesn’t mean a tilt against Wyatt wouldn’t be great. Both have a
somewhat supernatural element to their character and this could provide for some entertaining
television.
Both are heavy hitters and putting them opposite one another would give the world a
tremendously hard-hitting contest.

==Best/Worst Of U.K PPVs==
WWE has never been one to share its product. Yes, you can buy and watch their shows from
anywhere in the world, but that is where it ends. Bringing PPVs and shows to anywhere but the United
States is an incredibly special event, one that doesn’t happen often. This is, and WWE PPV's decades-
long absence is why the upcoming Clash at the Castle PPV is so important.
For years the U.K PPV was a staple of WWE programming. At least once a year WWE would take
its show across the ocean to entertain fans overseas. These shows have been some of the most
memorable in WWE history so it is great to see WWE going back across the pond.
That being said, heading to the U.K for a PPV has not always been a success. There have been
various lows to go with the highs of WWE in the United Kingdom. Before Clash at the Castle is set to
invade our t.v screens let's take a look back at the best and worst of WWE in the U.K.
Best: Bret Hart vs The British Bulldog (Summerslam 1992)
We all knew that this was going to make it on the list. When the subject of U.K PPVs comes up
this is usually the first thing that comes to mind.
Under the guise of a family at war Bulldog and Bret went to battle over the Intercontinental
Championship. It was a beautiful match that showed off the technical expertise of both men. The back-
and-forth for 25 minutes was spectacular and kept the fans on the edge of their seats.
The match was also great for the thunderous crowd response throughout. Bulldog was the clear
hometown favourite and the fans showered him with praise. The reaction blew the theoretical roof off
Wembley when he pinned his brother-in-law.
Worst: The British Bulldog vs Shawn Michaels (One Night Only 1997)
D-X and The Hart Family were engaged in a bitter feud going into One Night Only. Centering
around the real-life hatred between HBK and Bret Hart it was an incredibly personal feud and one that
led to a horrendous moment in the United Kingdom.
The main event match, booked between HBK and The British Bulldog, was, admittedly, a good
match. Both men were great wrestlers and there was no doubt that they would put on an entertaining
contest. The problem that occurs is with the finish of the match.
Rumours have it that Bulldog was initially going to retain his European Championship before a
last-minute power play by HBK. Michaels convinced top brass to let him walk away the winner and in a
very terrible finish, this happened. The boo’s reigning down on Michaels were deafening and the win
served no purpose going forward.
Best: The Undertaker vs Chris Benoit (Rebellion 2000)United Kingdom PPVs are not ones to maintain WWE storylines. Going overseas gives the
company a break from most storylines and while this does upset some, it provides for some great
matchups that we usually don’t see. Enter a fantastic little match between The Undertaker and Chris
Benoit.
At Rebellion 2000 both men engaged in a great 12-minute bout. The styles clashed perfectly and
there were able to craft an entertaining match for the Sheffield crowd. It was something that should
have been continued over in the States but we only got to see this hidden gem in the U.K.
Worst: Paul Heyman Dones The Tights (Rebellion 2002)
Rebellion in 2002 was an interesting PPV. It was the first U.K PPV of the brand split era and was
exclusively a Smackdown show. It was a lackluster affair that didn’t include many great matches on the
part of the blue brand. A stand-out was the WWE Championship match between Edge and Brock Lesnar.
So why would this match be landing on the worst list? Because someone thought it a good idea
to include Paul Heyman in the main event, as a wrestler. Heyman is a fantastic talent and his creative
ability has made him a great part of any roster, but he is not a wrestler. It was embarrassing to see the
walrus lumber around the ring and it would have served the match better to have him absent from it.
Best: The Rock vs Triple H (Rebellion 1999)
The Rock and Triple H were part of one of the best feuds in WWE history. The two men had
some incredible matches all over the world, including this fantastic cage match in the U.K.
The rest of this show would have been forgotten about had it not been for the main event. It
was violent, fast-paced, and was a great watch. It shouldn’t come as a huge shock as their feud
produced some memorable WWE programming.
Triple H using some interference to retain his championship was no surprise. A strap changing
hands overseas was a rarity. Still, though, this match is worth a watch for any wrestling fan.
Worst: The Plane Ride From Hell (Insurrextion 2002)
Following Insurrextion one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history took place.
After their U.K exclusive PPV WWE talent boarded a plane for their long ride back across the pond. On
this flight, copious amounts of drugs and alcohol were consumed. This led to some less than great
behavior from talent. Tales that came out of this flight were almost too hard to believe because of the
extreme nature of them. Allegations of sexual assault and lude conduct were levied against WWE talent.
That is not to mention the rough behavior that nearly caused the plane door to open mid-flight.
These actions resulted in fines and terminations of several wrestlers on the roster. It was a black
eye for WWE and one that still haunts them to this day.
Best: Los Guerrero’s vs Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle (Rebellion 2002)Rebellion 2002 was a two-horse race. The Edge/Brock Lesnar main event was the highlight of
the night but there was a banger of a tag team match that went on just before it.
Smackdown was amid its Smackdown Five upswing and these four men put on one heck of a tag
team match for the Manchester crowd. It was a continuation of their matches from episodes of
Smackdown but they brought some new spots to the match. The freshness of the match made it seem
that much more special.
Worst: Vinnie Jones Involvement in the Main Event (Capital Carnage 1998)
WWE is always one to use celebrities to beef up their reception. It is an easy ploy and one that
can get some mainstream attention to the show. Unfortunately, this does have the habit of falling on its
face if the celebrity is not smart to the show and is not coached properly.
We can see how celebrity appearances can fail by examining Vinnie Jones at Capital Carnage.
Coming from London it made sense to have some football stars show up. It added to an already hot
crowd but that is where it ended. Jones was not used properly as an enforcer and looked like a fool.
The red card segment with Gerald Brisco was terrible and showed WWE’s ignorance of the sport
they were mimicking. Vinnie wearing a turtle neck was also a laughable thing. Yes, I am nitpicking but it
just shows how WWE failed to hit the mark on that night.
Best: Summerslam 1992 Heads to the United Kingdom
In 1992
WWE had the choice of holding Summerslam in Washington, D.C, or breaking down
barriers. Thankfully, for us all, they decided to put on one of the biggest shows in wrestling history.
Summerslam 1992 was a rousing success. The show brought close to 80,000 fans to Wembley
Stadium and was a massive financial success. It was an eye-opener for WWE as the show proved that
anything heading over to the U.K turned to gold.
It was the first, but not the last time that WWE headed across the pond. The history of the U.K
and WWE can be traced back to Summerslam in 1992.
Worst: HHH vs Kevin Nash (Insurrextion 2003)
The terror that was HHH’s hold on the World Championship took its show on the road in 2003.
Main eventing Insurrextion HHH and Kevin Nash put on a yawner.
HHH had no interest in putting anyone over, other than himself, and Nash was well past his
prime. It was a hard match to watch as it involved the two men engaging in rest holds and very slow
power moves throughout.
Judging from their feud in 2003 this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Still, though, the Newcastle
crowd deserved better than this.

==Greatest U.K Wrestlers in History==
It is a great thing that WWE has decided to bring PPVs back to the United Kingdom. The U.K is
one of the greatest wrestling markets in the world. They have been responsible for some memorable
moments in wrestling history and have produced numerous amount of great wrestlers.
Some of the wrestlers who have made their way across the pond have become the biggest stars
in the world of wrestling. They have done their countries proud and have left a lasting impression the
world over.
But which of these men and women have the claim to be the best? Below let’s take a look at
some of the candidates.
Chris Adams
Better known to the world as Gentleman Chris Adams, Adams was an incredible success story.
He was a prominent member of the WCCW, WCW, and UWA, winning a total of 26 titles across these,
and other, organizations. Over a 23-year career, he was consistently one of the best wrestlers on
whichever roster he was a part of.
The name may not ring a bell to many but it may be of note to mention that Adams was
responsible for training some huge names. Scott Hall and Steve Austin were just some of the names that
have learned under Adams. He is also credited with popularizing the superkick. A move that is widely
used in professional wrestling today.
Drew McIntyre
McIntrye came into WWE as the “Chosen One”. Under the backing of Vince McMahon, the sky
was the limit for McIntrye. Unfortunately, the sky was not the limit as his character failed and he was
soon released from the company.
This release could have ruined the Scottish Warrior but he took the opportunity to develop
himself. His time with independent promotions was incredibly valuable and allowed McIntyre to
become the star he is today. Coming back to WWE he has built himself into one of the biggest stars in
the world.
Zack Sabre Jr.
Sabre Jr. is one of the most prolific wrestlers to ever come out of the U.K. He has also gained
notoriety for being one of the best wrestlers to never make his way to WWE.
He has been a massive success in some of the biggest independent promotions in the world.
With NJPW, ROH, PWG, RPW, and Progress he has won numerous championships and proved his worth
to the world.It is also should be noted that his technical skill puts him above anyone. He has won the
Wrestling Observers' best technician award seven years in a row (2014 – 2020) and was also voted best
technician of the decade (the 2010s). No other wrestler in the world can match the technical knowledge
of the man from Kent.
Paige
Her career may have been cut short, due to injury, but the impact Paige has had on the world of
wrestling cannot be understated.
Getting discovered by WWE at a young age was a dream come true for Paige. She was 19 and
started in FCW where she impressed top brass quickly enough that by 2012 she became the inaugural
NXT Women’s Champion. The accolades didn’t stop there as she was soon called up to the main roster
and won the Diva’s Championship on her first night on Raw.
Sadly, in 2015/2016, she had to retire after sighting neck injuries. Despite her short career, Paige
was able to accomplish more than some have managed to over decades. Her success makes her one of
the best to ever come from the U.K.
Nigel McGuinness
Being known as a commentator for NXT U.K was a disservice to Nigel. He molded himself into
one of the best professional wrestlers in the world for years before his entrance into WWE.
As a wrestler, he was known for his tremendous work in Ring of Honour. Sure, he worked in
various promotions but it was in ROH where he made his name. There he held the Pure Championship
for nearly a year and was one of the longest-running ROH World Champions.
McGuinness was one of the best heels in wrestling history. His attack on Bryan Danielson was
brutal and established him as a despicable wrestler. It showed the range of McGuinness as a performer
and further cemented his legacy in professional wrestling.
William Regal
Regal is one of the most underrated wrestling in history. If there was a list of those who should
have won multiple world titles, he is at the top of it.
Throughout his career, Regal did nothing but entertain the crowds all while putting on
exceptional matches. He was able to switch from comedic buffoon to ass-kicker seamlessly. It was a
talent that not many were able to replicate.
While not winning world titles Regal did have an extensive championship trophy case. He was
the recipient of multiple mid-card championship reigns. He was always a legitimate contender for the
Intercontinental and Television Championship. It is a shame that he never won the big one but his
influence on wrestling history will last forever.The British Bulldog
In a time when U.K wrestlers were not as widely known, The British Bulldog was becoming a
star. Starting in a tag team, with the Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith was one of the most popular
performers on the roster. Winning the tag titles was a huge spot on the Wrestlemania 2 card and
pushed the tandem to the top of the roster.
Once he embarked on his singles career Bulldog was pushed into the stratosphere. He got
tremendous reactions from every audience he was in front of. At some points, his popularity even
rivaled Hulk Hogans.
Then Bulldog was given the task of main eventing one of the biggest shows of all time. Alongside
Bret Hart, Davey put on one of the most loved matches in WWE history. He helped to make
Summerslam 1992 a huge success and thus put the U.K on WWE’s map.
Fit Finlay
The Northern Irishman who loved to fight built himself a massive legacy in professional
wrestling. Making his name in WCW, Finlay was a good hand with any company he wrestled for.
Finlay held 20 championships over his lengthy career, including the WCW Television
Championship and the WWE United States strap. It was a testament to his talent that he was able to
hold a championship wherever he went.
Finlay is also known as the favourite producer of many wrestlers. His influence over the
production of various great matches cannot be understated. He had his hand in the development of
many top stars today including being a driving force behind the women’s revolution.
Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett could be one of the biggest question marks in WWE history. Breaking into the
company with NXT, Barrett won the inaugural season of NXT. Not resting on this victory he brought
together all the NXT season 1 wrestlers and invaded WWE. It was a great move and one that gave us
some captivating television.
After running roughshod through the company Barrett spent his years as a tremendous mid-
card talent. He was a five-time Intercontinental Champion and was consistently one of the best talkers
in WWE.
It is a shame that he was never able to break through to the top of the card but his lasting
impression in WWE more than qualifies him as one of the great U.K wrestlers.
Dave Taylor
Taylor was always a great hand in wrestling, and an underrated one to boot. His time spent with
WWE and WCW was one that never got much notice from anyone. He was a technically gifted athletethat was fantastic in the ring. His charisma was his downfall and it prevented either company from fully
getting behind him.
Outside of his ring work, Taylor was responsible for training some of the best in the business. He
spent years training in WWE and TNA. He helped to mold the next generation of stars and his hand
prints can be seen all over the wrestling industry.

==Overrated/Underrated Stars of the Ruthless Aggression Era==
WWE. He was great in
various programs and was a valuable part of the roster. Then he was given a new gimmick and
everything fell apart.
Turning heel and going by Gregor Helms was a great character change for the wrestler, but one
that never caught on. Fans had a hard time identifying with the character change, which was a shame.
His ass-kicker gimmick was great and he was the highlight of the cruiserweight division.
If WWE chose to spend more time on Helms he could have brought prominence to the
cruiserweight division that had never been seen.
Overrated: JBL
Being part of the APA was perfect for JBL. He was over with the crowd and his limited work rate
was hidden in comedy angles and tag team matches. That is why it was such a travesty to have him
move into the singles arena.
Adopting his JBL gimmick was interesting to start. He got some great heel heat but that is where
his push should have ended. Having him become a main event star exposed the limitations of JBL. His
matches were boring and his promos carried on for far too long.
As a mid-card champion, he would have been better, but he was not the main event talent that
WWE thought he was.
Underrated: Shelton BenjaminThis is a no-brainer. During his first run, Benjamin was the most talented man on the roster. He
had few equals in the ring and deserved better than what he got.
Sure, Benjamin’s talking ability was not the greatest but he more than made up for that by
putting on instant classics every time he was in the ring. He was consistently rewarded with
Intercontinental Championship reigns but he deserved more.
Looking at who was pushed to the main event during this time boggles the mind why Benjamin
was not given at least a chance at the top of the card.
Overrated: Heidenreich
Coming in as a monster heel, Heidenreich fell flat immediately. He never got over with the
crowd and was put in angles opposite more talented wrestlers. Specifically, his feud against The
Undertaker exposed the cracks in his persona.
Still, though, WWE continued to give him television time. He was given a ridiculous poetry
gimmick and was included in the revamped Road Warriors tag team. Both of which failed.
There were various wrestlers on the roster, who were more talented, that deserved the
consistent t.v time that was afforded to Heidenreich.
Underrated: Muhammad Hassan
This may be the biggest case of bad timing in Ruthless Aggression history. Hassan was flourishing
in his heel role before some tragic events derailed his push. The London terrorist attack happened amid
his foreign menace role. It, understandably, caused his character to fade into the background but that
shouldn’t have been the end.
A repackage of the man would have worked. He was great on the stick and his in-ring work
improved drastically. WWE was short on mid-card heels at the time and Hassan could have continued to
fit that niche. Alas, WWE gave up on this underrated wrestler too early.
Overrated: Sable
Sable could be on the Attitude Era list for this as well. There are very few women who have
exhibited no talent or desire in the history of wrestling.
Sable was terrible in the ring, she could barely cut a promo. It was hard to hear her talk when
she came out and she added nothing to every program she was in. The only reason she was put into the
position she was in was due to Vince McMahon’s infatuation with her.
There were so many women on the roster who would have killed for Sables' spot. Frankly, 90%
of them would have done a much better job. Please, Brock, don’t beat me up.

==Star Making Moments in Wrestling History==
Professional wrestling is one of the most fickle sporting industries in the world. Your success is
based on not just athletics but your ability to entertain as well. If you can’t navigate through those then
your chances of success are slim to none.
After all of that, even though both of those attributes pay off you can still fail in that world. It
takes that special moment that gets you to the top. It takes that time in space where everything comes
together and the world sees you for the star that you are.
Throughout wrestling history, these moments have been some of the most special. They have
gotten massive pops from the crowd and are still top hits on most streaming sights. Below we will take
a look at ten such star-making moments from wrestling history.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin – Wrestlemania 13
Steve Austin had been showing flashes of a potential star for years before his entrance into
WWE. WCW and ECW had, famously, dropped the ball several times and WWE didn’t look to make the
same mistake.
Putting Austin opposite Bret Hart was the first step to the top of the card, but it was his 5-star
classic, at Wrestlemania 13, that assured Austin’s place in the company.
Austin had been getting positive responses from the crowd for a few months now but the
cheers were louder than the boos during the Submission match. This was further compounded by his
refusal to tap out to the sharpshooter. It completed the fabled double turn and showed Austin for the
badass that he was. It was the moment Austin became a star.
Diesel – Royal Rumble 1994
Coming in as HBK’s bodyguard Diesel was a one-trick pony. He stood behind Michaels and
provided an imposing presence but that was the extent of his character.
This all changed when Diesel entered the Royal Rumble at the 7 spot. Diesel came into the ring
and dominated the competition. In just over 17 minutes Big Daddy Cool ran through everyone in the
ring. He eliminated 7 wrestlers and looked to be unstoppable. So much so that he began hearing some
cheers from those in attendance.
In the end, it took 5 men to eliminate the man from the match. It showed the world the
incredible force that was Diesel and the man from Detroit never looked back.
Jeff Hardy – Raw 2002
Hardy had been one of the most popular tag team wrestlers in the company. He and his brother
were fantastic but some questioned his move into the singles division. Hardy’s size and inexperienceworked against him for a long time, that is until his match against The Undertaker for the WWE
Championship.
Entering into a match against The Undertaker not many gave Hardy a chance. Even with the
ladder match stipulation, there was a 0% chance that Hardy was going to get one over the Deadman. It
looked as if the odds were insurmountable for the Charismatic Enigma.
Truth be told, the odds were too much for Hardy, but that didn’t take away from his star-making
moment. Hardy hung in with ‘Taker throughout the match. He used his quickness to stun the big man
and create several instances where the fans believed that he could win. It was on this day that WWE,
and the world, realized the singles potential of Jeff.
Owen Hart – Wrestlemania 10
The youngest Hart member was forever living in the shadow of his older brother. Bret had
amassed himself quite the impressive career and this put more focus on him instead of Owen. This
caused quite a bit of jealousy for Owen and he was forever attempting to get himself out from under his
brother.
Turning heel, Owen began a crusade against his brother. It led to some great storytelling and an
incredible star-making moment at Wrestlemania 10.
The opening contest, between the brothers, was an absolute classic. Owen hung in with his
brother and matched his technical ability perfectly. This match showed everyone that Owen was just as
good in the ring as his brother. It was also capped off by Owen surprisingly Bret with a roll-up and
getting a clean win. Owen was never in Brets shadow again.
Becky Lunch – Bloody Face
The women’s division had been treated like a joke for years in WWE. As much as some women
have become good hands there was never a thought that one would be able to break the glass ceiling
and become a top star in the company. That is until a Monday Night Raw in November.
Leading into Survivor Series Raw and Smackdown were invading each others show to hype up
the PPV. On this night, Smackdown was mid-invasion when Becky Lynch took a nasty hit to the face
courtesy of Nia Jax. It was a botch by Jax but one that led to the star-making moment of Lynch’s career.
Lynch was already massively over with the crowd but it was at this moment that she exploded.
Fans began seeing her as a top star and when she returned from an injury she was one of the biggest
talents in the company.
Sting – Great American Bash 1990
Sting was slowly gaining steam in NWA/WCW in the late 80 and this was getting attention from
the top brass, namely Ric Flair. Flair was the man in NWA/WCW and he saw the potential in the man
known as Sting. Flair took Sting under his wing and the two entered into the feud that would make Stinga star. Their matches were fantastic and it proved to the company that Sting would be able to take the
ball and run with it.
It all culminated at The Great American Bash, in 1990, Flair did the honours for Sting, jobbing for
him to win the World Championship. It was from that moment that Sting was a made man and became a
perennial fan favourite.
DDP – Spring Stampede 1997
During the late 1990s, WCW was giving WWE a run for its money. The southern company was
crushing WWE in the ratings, but most of this was due to ex-WWE guys leading the charge. There was
little in the way of homegrown talent, save DDP. DDP stood against the NWO and his rebellion was
getting him some incredible responses from the crowd.
All DDP needed was a foil to get him over the top and that came in the form of Randy Savage.
Savage was a top star and was exactly what DDP needed to get over.
The culmination of this feud came at Spring Stampede in 1997. Main eventing the PPV, DDP, and
Savage put on an incredible match. Their feud spilled over into a no-DQ match as both men beat the hell
out of each other all over the arena. It was the best match of DDP’s career and the moment that he
proved his main event worth to the world.
CM Punk – Raw 2011
Since he showed up in WWE CM Punk was one of the most talented men in the company. He
was a five-tool player that showed day in and day out he was the best in the world. Alas, the company
failed to capitalize on his talent and he never got the push that he deserved. That is until CM Punk took
matters into his own hands.
After costing John Cena the main event of the evening, Punk proceeded to plunk himself on the
top of the stage and give a promo for the ages. He ripped into the company from top to bottom and
gave one of the best shoot promos in years. He broke the fourth wall and ran down every authority
figure the company had.
His promo was an instant hit and had the world talking. On that day, he pushed himself to the
front of the line. He was never thought of as a second-rate talent again and the Summer of Punk began.
Kenny Omega – G1 Climax Tournament 2016
Omega has built himself into the best wrestler in the world. With NJPW and AEW Omega has
proved, time and time again, that he can put on a 5-star classic with anyone in the world. This had made
him into one of the biggest stars in the wrestling world but it was not always that way. Omega was just
another wrestler, that is until he broke through at the G1 Climax Tournament.
In 2016, the tournament was Omegas' time to shine. He cut through the competition and
walked away the G1 Climax Champion. It was a massive accomplishment for the North Americanwrestler. It is not usual for a gaijin to win the tournament and this proved to the world that Omega was
ready for the big time.

==5 Suspect Main Events and What Should Have Replaced Them==
Summerslam has always been considered one of the biggest shows on the WWE calendar. Vince, and company, usually strut out the best matches and the best talent to make the show feel like “ The Biggest Party of the Summer”. For the most part, they do a fantastic job of this.
Since 1988, WWE has been able to create some great cards that showcase the immense talent that they house. These cards have been great top to bottom, especially at the top.
The main events of Summerslam have been the reason why the show has been running since 1988. That being said the main event has not always been the best idea to close out the show. There have been a few instances where the main event should have been another match on the card. Below we will discuss 5 such times.
Summerslam 1994 Main Event: The Undertaker v The Undertaker, Replaced by Bret Hart v Owen Hart
The summer of 1994 was a tale of two angles, one terrible and one outstanding. It started with Ted Dibiase claiming that he had acquired The Undertaker a client. This led to a mind-boggling angle where two men were claiming to be the Undertaker. It was a poor decision by WWE and one that led to them booking a horrific match between the Imposter and Real Undertaker. One that had no business being the main event.
Then we had an engaging story between two brothers, one a celebrated champion of a dynastic family. The other, the youngest sibling, was desperate to upend his brother and become the WWE Champion. The feud between Bret and Owen was the best of the summer and was much more deserving of the main event. To top that off Owen and Bret had one of the best matches in WWE history in their cage match for the championship. This would have been the best way to end the evening.
Summerslam 2003 Main Event: Elimination Chamber Match for the World Championship, Replaced by Kurt Angle v Brock Lesnar
The Raw Championship scene was weak in 2003. Triple H was deep into his bury everyone phase and the match quality was sometimes suspect. Goldberg was the only bright spot on the roster but Vince dropped the ball with the WCW stalwart. Treating Goldberg like an unstoppable force was the only way to book the man, but at the main event of Summerslam, this all went away. After tearing through the chamber competitors Goldberg was dispatched quickly by HHH. It was a disappointing end to the night and one that ruined the aura of Goldberg.
What should have been in its place was a great match between Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle. Both men never disappointed in the ring and this match was no different. They produced a captivating encounter that included some great technical wrestling and some brutal brawling. They were also over with the crowd and the finish, with McMahon being put through a chair, would have been a more suitable way to send the crowd home happy.
Summerslam 1995 Main Event: Diesel v Mabel, Replaced by HBK v Razor Ramon
1995 was not exactly a banner for WWE. The booking was sub-par and they had a tremendously misguided idea of what made for a good main event. This issue was evident when WWE Champion Diesel met Mabel in the main event of the evening. Diesel was passable in the ring when given the correct opponent and Mabel was not it. Both men lumbered around the ring for close to 10 minutes and had a hard time keeping the attention of the Pittsburgh faithful. It was a mistake to have them close out the show.
WWE could have rectified this issue easily by switching the WWE Championship match with the match that preceded it. HBK and Ramon put on one of the best ladder matches in WWE history. They took the foundation that was laid at Wrestlemania 10 and built on it beautifully. It was something new and was made better by the face v face dynamic that wasn’t present in their previous match. It was a much more deserving main event than what we were given.
Summerslam 2020 Main Event: The Fiend v Braun Strowman, Replaced by Drew McIntyre v Randy Orton
The Thunderdome era had its ups and downs. The main event of Summerslam has to be considered a down. Sure, the return of Roman Reigns, as a heel, was a great surprise but the match itself was not worth watching. Both men's reputations had been sullied to the point of no return which made it hard for anyone to care about this match. To top that the match was slow and didn’t involve the brutal brawling one would come to expect with a Falls Count Anywhere Match.
In its place, WWE should have gone with the man who carried the company during the pandemic. McIntyre had been a beast for the company since fans left the buildings and his feud with Randy Orton was easily one of the best parts of the Thunderdome era.
It was a damn shame that both men were not rewarded with the main event slot. They turned in a much better performance than the actual main event and it would have been better to reward both men with the main event slot of The Biggest Party of the Summer.
Summerslam 2016 Main Event: Randy Orton v Brock Lesnar, Replaced by Seth Rollins v Finn Balor
Summerslam 2016 was the beginning of a new era for WWE. The brand split was in full force and WWE seemed to be treating it seriously. Unfortunately, the seriousness didn’t extend to the main event of the evening.
WWE was looking for a new opponent for Brock Lesnar, and they settled on The Viper. It wasn’t a terrible call and the build-up to the match left fans salivating. Alas, the build-up was the best part of the feud. The match was not anything worth watching. Orton was made to look like a chump for most of the match, which is a travesty considering his standing in the company. It was a disappointing match that was not deserving of the main event.
On the other side, the match to decide the inaugural Universal Champion should have closed out the night. The match between Balor and Rollins was your usual exciting contest. Both men are fantastic wrestlers and their chemistry in the ring was unmatched by Lesnar and Orton. Plus, ending the night on the high of fan-favourite winning his first world championship was a more palatable finish.

==Under The Radar Summerslam Matches==
It is a great thing that WWE has decided to bring PPVs back to the United Kingdom. The U.K is
one of the greatest wrestling markets in the world. They have been responsible for some memorable
moments in wrestling history and have produced numerous amount of great wrestlers.
Some of the wrestlers who have made their way across the pond have become the biggest stars
in the world of wrestling. They have done their countries proud and have left a lasting impression the
world over.
But which of these men and women have the claim to be the best? Below let’s take a look at
some of the candidates.
Chris Adams
Better known to the world as Gentleman Chris Adams, Adams was an incredible success story.
He was a prominent member of the WCCW, WCW, and UWA, winning a total of 26 titles across these,
and other, organizations. Over a 23-year career, he was consistently one of the best wrestlers on
whichever roster he was a part of.
The name may not ring a bell to many but it may be of note to mention that Adams was
responsible for training some huge names. Scott Hall and Steve Austin were just some of the names that
have learned under Adams. He is also credited with popularizing the superkick. A move that is widely
used in professional wrestling today.
Drew McIntyre
McIntrye came into WWE as the “Chosen One”. Under the backing of Vince McMahon, the sky
was the limit for McIntrye. Unfortunately, the sky was not the limit as his character failed and he was
soon released from the company.
This release could have ruined the Scottish Warrior but he took the opportunity to develop
himself. His time with independent promotions was incredibly valuable and allowed McIntyre to
become the star he is today.
Zack Sabre Jr.
Sabre Jr. is one of the most prolific wrestlers to ever come out of the U.K. He has also gained
notoriety for being one of the best wrestlers to never make his way to WWE.
He has been a massive success in some of the biggest independent promotions in the world.
With NJPW, ROH, PWG, RPW, and Progress he has won numerous championships and proved his worth
to the world.It is also should be noted that his technical skill puts him above anyone. He has won the
Wrestling Observers best technician award seven years in a row (2014 – 2020) and was also voted best
technician of the decade (the 2010s). No other wrestler in the world can match the technical knowledge
of the man from Kent.
Paige
Her career may have been cut short, due to injury, but the impact Paige has had on the world of
wrestling cannot be understated.
Getting discovered by WWE at a young age was a dream come true for Paige. She was 19 and
started in FCW where she impressed top brass quickly enough that by 2012 she became the inaugural
NXT Women’s Champion. The accolades didn’t stop there as she was soon called up to the main roster
and won the Diva’s Championship on her first night on Raw.
Sadly, in 2015/2016, she had to retire after sighting neck injuries. Despite her short career, Paige
was able to accomplish more than some have managed to over decades. Her success makes her one of
the best to ever come from the U.K.
Nigel McGuinness
Being known as a commentator for NXT U.K was a disservice to Nigel. He molded himself into
one of the best professional wrestlers in the world for years before his entrance into WWE.
As a wrestler, he was known for his tremendous work in Ring of Honour. Sure, he worked in
various promotions but it was in ROH where he made his name. There he held the Pure Championship
for nearly a year and was one of the longest-running ROH World Champions.
McGuinness was one of the best heels in wrestling history. His attack on Bryan Danielson was
brutal and established him as a despicable wrestler. It showed the range of McGuinness as a performer
and further cemented his legacy in professional wrestling.
William Regal
Regal is one of the most underrated wrestling in history. If there was a list of those who should
have won multiple world titles, he is at the top of it.
Throughout his career, Regal did nothing but entertain the crowds all while putting on
exceptional matches. He was able to switch from comedic buffoon to ass-kicker seamlessly. It was a
talent that not many were able to replicate.
While not winning world titles Regal did have an extensive championship trophy case. He was
the recipient of multiple mid-card championship reigns. He was always a legitimate contender for the
Intercontinental and Television Championship. It is a shame that he never won the big one but his
influence on wrestling history will last forever.
The British Bulldog
In a time when U.K wrestlers were not as widely known, The British Bulldog was becoming a
star. Starting in a tag team, with the Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith was one of the most popular
performers on the roster. Winning the tag titles was a huge spot on the Wrestlemania 2 card and
pushed the tandem to the top of the roster.
Once he embarked on his singles career Bulldog was pushed into the stratosphere. He got
tremendous reactions from every audience he was in front of. At some points, his popularity even
rivaled Hulk Hogans.
Then Bulldog was given the task of main eventing one of the biggest shows of all time. Alongside
Bret Hart, Davey put on one of the most loved matches in WWE history. He helped to make
Summerslam 1992 a huge success and thus put the U.K on WWE’s map.
Fit Finlay
The Northern Irishman who loved to fight built himself a massive legacy in professional
wrestling. Making his name in WCW, Finlay was a good hand with any company he wrestled for.
Finlay held 20 championships over his lengthy career, including the WCW Television
Championship and the WWE United States strap. It was a testament to his talent that he was able to
hold a championship wherever he went.
Finlay is also known as the favourite producer of many wrestlers. His influence over the
production of various great matches cannot be understated. He had his hand in the development of
many top stars today including being a driving force behind the women’s revolution.
Wade Barrett
Wade Barrett could be one of the biggest question marks in WWE history. Breaking into the
company with NXT, Barrett won the inaugural season of NXT. Not resting on this victory he brought
together all the NXT season 1 wrestlers and invaded WWE. It was a great move and one that gave us
some captivating television.
After running roughshod through the company Barrett spent his years as a tremendous mid-
card talent. He was a five-time Intercontinental Champion and was consistently one of the best talkers
in WWE.
It is a shame that he was never able to break through to the top of the card but his lasting
impression in WWE more than qualifies him as one of the great U.K wrestlers.
Dave Taylor
Taylor was always a great hand in wrestling, and an underrated one to boot. His time spent with
WWE and WCW was one that never got much notice from anyone. He was a technically gifted athletethat was fantastic in the ring. His charisma was his downfall and it prevented either company from fully
getting behind him.
Outside of his ring work, Taylor was responsible for training some of the best in the business. He
spent years training in WWE and TNA. He helped to mold the next generation

==Top Promos in Wrestling History==
Wow, the promo by MJF recently was fantastic. Whether a worked shoot or a legitimate shoot the emotion behind it was fantastic and it looked like one of the more authentic promos given in years.
With MJF knocking it out of the park it started the wheels going of how important a great promo can be to a wrestler's career. The ability to convey the proper emotion to the audience will get a wrestler over and could propel them to the top of the card.
That being said there have been many instances in the history of wrestling where a promo was destined for greatness. There have been times when a wrestler changes the course of their career with a memorable promo.
Below we will take a look at some of the best promos in the history of wrestling.
MJF – “Fire Me, Tony Khan”
MJF has been money on the mic since AEW came into being. He has elevated every program he has been in with his promo work but has still managed to play second fiddle to many. This led to his tremendous pipe bomb on AEW Dynamite.
Fed up with his standing, and pay, in the company MJF proceeded to rip apart owner Tony Khan and AEW. He claimed that his pay scale was never increasing while ex-WWE guys continued to rack in the cash. It was a profanity-laced tirade that had the world on the edge of their seat wondering what was going to happen to the Salt of the Earth.
It was a star-making moment for MJF. He had the world by the ear and we are all excited to see where he goes from here.
Hulk Hogan – NWO is Formed
Kevin Nash and Scott Hall jumping ship from WWF to WCW was massive news in 1996. What was even bigger was their claim that there was a third man in their group. This became even bigger news when the Immortal Hulk Hogan was revealed to be the third man.
After this reveal, Hogan stood in the middle of the ring and gave what was the best promo of his career. Ripping into WCW and WWF, Hogan went completely against the script and gave an incredible heel promo.
It was such an odd sight to see Hogan going heel. Gone was the positivity of promo’s past and in its place was anger and resentment towards both major wrestling organizations. The promo ended with the ring being littered with trash as Hogan delivered one of the best of his career.
Chris Jericho – The Man of 1,004 Holds
Jericho was involved in a great feud opposite Dean Malenko. Malenko’s moniker was “The Man of 1,000 Holds”, and he was very proud of this wrestling ability. Using this title against him Jericho launched into a promo describing why he was betting because he was the Man of 1,004 Holds. Y2J then pulled out a long piece of paper and began listing all the holds that he knew. Some were real but others were hilariously fake.
This promo showed Jericho’s ability to entertain. He was hilarious during the entire thing and had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He was able to sustain this even during a commercial break. The genius of Jericho was shown to the world.
Ric Flair – Royal Rumble 1992 Promo
Flair was already a terrific promo man in WCW before he made the jump to WWE. Fans around the world knew his ability to give an impassioned speech that got the fans going. However, it was when he made the trip up north that he showed the entire world just how good he is.
After lasting over an hour in the 1992 Royal Rumble, Flair walked out of the ring the WWE Champion. It was an amazing feat and one that cemented him as a top guy in WWE.
What followed his victory was an incredible promo. Stating that this was the greatest moment in his life, Flair showed a passion that many WWE fans had not seen before. We were all invested in every word that he was saying, and it established that he was a top guy in the company.
Steve Austin – Austin 3:16
Austin had been floundering on the roster before his gimmick
change. Taking on a more serious and no-nonsense character Austin began getting some great reactions from the crowd. This evolution came to a head when Austin won the 1996 King of the Ring Tournament.
Following his victory, Austin cut the promo of his life. Going after his final opponent, Jake Roberts, Austin delivered his famous Austin 3:16 speech. It was an incredible promo that had the fans yearning for more.
It was a side of Austin that WWE had not seen before and it was a side that connected with the audience.
The language used throughout his promo was also a new one for WWE. It was more than a PG rating and it was the beginnings of what would become the Attitude Era.
Cactus Jack – Cane Dewey
Before he became a household name, in North America, Jack was one of the most beloved men in the wrestling world. His work in the hardcore had made him famous all over the world and had eventually caught the eye of ECW. While there Jack was a great babyface but it was a misplaced sign that changed the course of his career.
After seeing a sign that suggested violence against his son, Cactus sprung into a promo laying into the fans. It was an emotional promo that called out wrestling fans as Jack questioned what was wrong with them.
We saw a different side to the man who was only known as a hardcore wrestler. We saw a wrestler who was just as talented on the mic as he was in the ring. The perception of Cactus Jack changed on that day.
CM Punk – The Infamous Pipe Bomb
Punk had been languishing away on the upper-mid card for years before that fateful night. After costing John Cena a match against R-Truth, Punk made his way to the top of the entrance ramp and delivered one of the most famous promos in wrestling history.
Sitting down crossed-legged, Punk went into a nasty tirade against WWE. He ran down their booking practices and promotional strategies. He was furious over the fact that while he was one of the best performers on the roster, the company still relied on part-time talent when the big shows came around.
It was a great promo that mirrored the thoughts of many WWE fans. During that time, and this time for that matter, fans had grown tired of the way WWE had been doing business. Punk was a voice for these frustrations. He was on the stage saying everything that we had all thought and wanted to say.
It was the promo that started the Summer of Punk and his rise to stardom.
Paul Heyman – One Night Stand 2005
Capitalizing on the popularity of ECW, Vince McMahon decided to run a one-night-only pay-per-view in 2005. Bringing back ECW stalwarts of yesteryear was a great idea and holding it in the Hammerstein Ballroom added to the nostalgia. The PPV also had the best promo of Paul Heyman’s career.
Coming out near the of the show, Heyman took the chance to take shots at Eric Bischoff and various other WWE wrestlers who were in attendance. Heyman through kayfabe out the window as he ran down Edge and JBL. It was a fantastic promo delivered as only Heyman can.
Sure, it was a slight work, but there is truth behind those words. ECW was his baby and the low blows that many WWE wrestlers had taken at the company's expense had gone unchecked. Heyman was able to get his chance at One Night Stand, and it remains one of the most-watched promos of Heyman’s career.
Joey Styles – “WWE Called Me”
Styles was an anomaly in wrestling. In an age where the commentary booth got claustrophobic with announcers, he was able to call a show by himself. It was this talent that brought him to WWE, and also led to him giving one of the best promos in the company's history.
Following a match on Monday Night Raw, Styles made his way to the top of the stage and tore into WWE. His grip centered around the company’s treatment of himself and Jim Ross. After firing Jim Ross WWE hired him but then shafted him the big PPV paydays.
WWE also kept asking him to ignore the wrestlers and their moves. It was an insult to the wrestlers and to the people trying to get them over, and Styles had had enough.
It was an out-of-character moment for Styles. He had been known as a mild-mannered company guy, but not on this night. His promo was fantastic and resonated with a lot of the problems that persist with WWE today. Styles became a legend that night.

OIW Top 5 Championship contendersHell in a Cell was a great outing for WWE. Every match was entertaining and the main event had a fantastic star-making moment from Cody Rhodes.
With the night over we can start looking at the rest of the Summer. WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, was not at the show but there were many wrestlers whose performance could put them at the top of the challenger ladder.
Going into the Summer who on the WWE roster has the best chance to challenge the Head of the Table? Let’s take a look at the top 5 contenders.
Bobby Lashley
The Almighty has been kept out of the main event scene for a few months now, but that time is coming to an end.
Lashley has been entrenched in a program with Omos and MVP but that came to a close at Hell in a Cell, with Lashley looking like a beast. There isn’t much left for him in the mid-card. Lashley is head and shoulders better than most wrestlers on the roster and it is time for him to take his place at the top again.
It is also important to note that Lashley has been getting increasingly louder reactions from the WWE Universe. The crowd is very much behind the Almighty and now might be the time to pull the trigger on a championship run.
Sheamus
With Randy Orton and Riddle being kept from the title picture, it leaves a void for plausible contenders. One that could work great in that role would be Sheamus.
Sheamus has been one of the most consistent wrestlers on the roster. He is great in the ring and his stiff style would work perfectly across from Roman Reigns. He has also been out of the main event picture for a while and would provide a fresh opponent for the Head of the Table.
If Sheamus were to get a win over Reigns, a built-in feud opposite McIntyre would be great. The built-in history, and list of fantastic matches, would be a great starting point for Sheamus.
Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura is one of the most underutilized men on the roster. He has proved time and time again that he can have a great match with just about anyone. It is time that he gets moved out of the mid-card.
WWE nearly pulled the trigger in a feud with Reigns a few months ago, but for some reason that got scrapped. It would have been a great idea and one that they can recitify. With the lack of fresh opponents at the main event level, it would be nice to see Nakamura get that spot.
Drew McIntyre
Here is another man who has been kept away from the main event scene for a while and needs to come back.
Drew was the flag bearer for WWE during the pandemic. He took the ball and ran with it and was responsible for keeping the company afloat during that time. Once fans came back McIntyre never got his crowning moment. It would have been a tremendous pop from the crowd, but one that we were all denied.
With Money in the Bank coming up it is time to have McIntrye take his place at the top of the card. He is legitimately over and with an event coming up in Wales in September it would be a great redemption story to have McIntyre capture the championship in his backyard.
Kevin Owens
Owens is one of the most under-appreciated men on the roster. Any angle or program he is put into becomes instant gold, regardless of how it is written. Just look at the Elias/Ezekiel program. In the hands of any other wrestler, this would have been a dud, but Owens was able to turn it into something watchable.
There is also the note of Wrestlemania. Owens carried the Steve Austin return and was the major reason that it was as entertaining as it was. It showed the talent that Owens has in his ability to contribute to any angle.
It is time to pull the trigger on an Owens main event run. Sure, he has gone up against Reigns before but that feels like a lifetime ago. It would be easy to create a fresh feud with the two and involving the Uso’s would add another level to the proceedings.