June 23 marks a day rich with WWE history. The anniversary of the Austin 3:16 speech. The anniversary of Brock Lesnar winning his very first King of the Ring. Of course, my birthday.
On this day, 14 years ago, Kane took his mask off for the very first time. Five years later, the Raw set collapsed on Vince McMahon. Friday is an homage to pro wrestling controversy, and in 2017, the hits keep coming.
Women’s Money in the Bank Dazzles, Angers
Many fans were outraged by design when WWE booked a controversial finish for its first-ever women’s Money in the Bank match. When heel-whose-job-it-is-to-make-people-upset James Ellsworth grabbed the briefcase and tossed it to fellow heel-whose-job-it-is-to-make-people-upset Carmella, people became upset.
1st ever women's money in the bank match and a man gets the case. Disrespectful @WWE to all women. A historic moment ruined! #MoneyInTheBank
— Sam Goosetree (@GooseInspired) June 19, 2017
My face when James Ellsworth climbed the ladder and took the first ever #Women's Money In The Bank briefcase …. ? pic.twitter.com/25E992SMs0
— Renée Young (@QuirkyReneeWWE) June 19, 2017
WWE logic: We're gonna have a WOMEN'S Money in the Bank match but a MAN is going to be the one to get the briefcase. #MITB
— magnus bane ? (@tasiakaraa) June 19, 2017
Big Boot from Big Cass Solidifies even Bigger Heel Turn
WWE’s experimental summer phase took a turn as Big Cass was revealed to be Enzo Amore’s attacker. After some sloppy detective work and an even sloppier promo by Kurt Angle, sudden gossipmonger Corey Graves turned in a flawless monologue when he proved Big Cass to be the attacker. From there, Cass cut an excellent promo that set in motion a potentially game-changing turn a singles performer.
The split between Enzo and Cass seems premature. The pair was wildly popular as a tag team and still had the underdog appeal as a unit that had never won the tag team championships. Now, Big Cass will bask in the homogenous jeers of being “Vince’s hand-picked guy” while Enzo Amore’s future remains more uncertain.
Perhaps Amore could rejuvenate the much-maligned cruiserweight division as a scrappy performer. Maybe he could begin teaming with Big Show. Maybe managerial exploits or a spot in a broadcast booth could suit him well. But without Big Cass, Amore’s ceiling as a singles wrestler is quite low.
Mauro Ranallo, who reportedly had his share of problems with SmackDown Live announcer John Bradshaw Layfield before taking a leave of absence from the promotion, per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc), is back with WWE as part of NXT’s broadcast team.
The return may seem like a demotion on the surface, but NXT—a hotbed for wrestling hipsters—is the perfect fit for Ranallo, who shined as the lead announcer of last summer’s Cruiserweight Classic.
It also keeps him away from Layfield, who reportedly did not get along with Ranallo and was the target of many weird and potentially bogus claims (per a statement from Ranallo himself to Newsweek) of bullying the 47-year-old commentator.
NXT is perceived as the hotter brand, especially when juxtaposed with WWE pay-per-views on NXT Takeover specials, which seem to do a better job of connecting with live audiences and bringing out rabid energy in fans that sometimes just isn’t there for more pedestrian WWE pay-per-views.
It may not be a coincidence that Ranallo’s return is coming just days after he was named lead announcer for Showtime’s “Fight of the Century” between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor.
Braun Strowman is Back, Still Isn’t Finished with Roman Reigns
Following a heel promo to open Raw and a babyface performance in yet another incredible match against Samoa Joe, Roman Reigns is carrying WWE through its extended transitional era. Reigns will receive help in doing so, as Braun Strowman returned to WWE following his absence to recover from elbow surgery, per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc).
Reigns and Strowman are set to compete in an ambulance match, and though Reigns named himself No. 1 contender, plans currently call for Strowman to face Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam on August 20, per the aforementioned report.
It’s likely Strowman scores his second consecutive victory over Reigns, who figures to be “protected” in defeat by being wheeled in an ambulance to his demise rather than pinned.
Reigns and Lesnar are the penciled-in main event for WrestleMania 34 as Reigns looks to become the first WWE Superstar since Hulk Hogan to headline at least four WrestleManias in a row.
