BEARcast - WrestleCast 12/24/2014 TOP 20 of 2014

BEARcast - WrestleCast 2014-12-24 with Fred "The Oracle" SPECIAL EDITION

Special Edition BEARcast - WrestleCast!  It is time for the Top 20 of 2014 World’s Greatest WWE Power Rankings which we countdown the Top 20 wrestlers of the year.  Thank you to all our listeners.  Please enjoy and happy holidays.    

Please check us out at www.worldofbear.com and on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/world-of-bear/id828777439?mt=2 and don't forget to Subscribe!  Also, don't forget to spread the word to friends, family and fans.

Thanks,
WK
@wkbear on Twitter or email the show at WorldOfBearBC@gmail.com to send in ideas and comments.
Contact Fred on Twitter @FreddyD15

WWE Power Rankings, Best of 2014

Coming at you from My Couch, and it’s that special time of year.  The time of year when you get to visit with family members that you’ve done your best to avoid all year long.  The time of year when your choice is getting drunk with the adults inside or getting high with the kids out back.  The time of year when you can watch football in the living room but you have to listen to your uncle complain about Obama or you can graze your favorite foods in the kitchen but are bombarded with “So, when are you getting married?” or “How’s work going?”  Tough choices, no wonder suicide rates are so high during the holidays.

But the toughest choice of them all is the Top 20 wrestlers of the year!  I’ve sat down and calculated, using the most advanced metrics and algorithms, the World’s Greatest Power Rankings: Top 20 for 2014.

Additionally, I took my list to Fred “The Oracle” to see if he agreed on this week’s BEARcast - WrestleCast (www.worldofbear.com and subscribe on iTunes).  Check it out and let us know your thoughts.  Maybe you agree, maybe you disagree; either way, let me know by posting a comment or tweeting me @wkbear on Twitter.  

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/world-of-bear/id828777439?mt=2

Before we get to the rankings, I want to thank everyone who’s read this blog all year and to our 10’s of loyal listeners of the podcast.  It’s been a lot of fun and I appreciate everyone’s support throughout the year.  I love hearing from you all.  2015 is going to be a great year and we’re going to grow and grow, so look out for even more content next year.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

So with that, let’s get to the Top 20 Power Rankings of 2014...

1. Paul Heyman – I shouldn’t have to justify my list but I can feel some of you nodding in agreement and others head’s exploding at the thought of Paul Heyman being number one.  I’m sure the biggest criticism is that he’s not a wrestler.  Fine, but let’s list the other ways he’s contributed to the WWE in 2014.  His partnership and feud with CM Punk.  He made Ryback and Curtis Axel a viable thing.  He became the first Advocate of wrestling.  He was the mouthpiece for Brock Lesnar, who would become the World Heavyweight Champion.  And lastly, most importantly, Paul Heyman gave the best promos out of any performer in the WWE.  His work was so good that when I went back to review the various promos he gave, be it his CM Punk-style pipe bomb to Brock Lesnar’s post WM victory lap to his pre-cog warning to John Cena as if it were a soon-to-be murder in Minority Report, Paul Heyman was flawless.  It would have been unthinkable to have the WHC be a part time wrestler but with the help of Paul Heyman, it worked (well, it’s worked as best it can, one can debate the success of putting the WHC on Lesnar another time).  Bottomline, the show is always better when you hear, “Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman…”
   
   
   
   
2. Seth Rollins ( ) – When it was clear that the Shield was going to break up, the one member that I was most concerned for was Rollins.  He wasn’t the prototypical WWE superstar that Reigns is.  He didn’t have the “it” factor and fan support that Ambrose has.  He’d shown tremendous in-ring ability but that doesn’t always transfer to a great singles career.  I was worried he’d be another Sheldon Benjamin or worse, Charlie Haas.  But as it turns out, Rollins can do it all.  Don’t get me wrong, he’s not The Rock or Stone Cold at the peak of their powers.  He’s only been in singles mode and getting the WWE push for less than a year but he’s won the Money in the Bank case and is currently the main event heel for the WWE.  With the absence of Lesnar and the WHC, it’s a split between the IC strap and the MitB holder as to who’s everyone is chasing.  It doesn’t hurt that every time he wrestles, Rollins has a “How the fuck did he do that?!” moment.  
   
3. Dolph Ziggler – Finally, after over two years, Ziggler finally crawled out of the WWE dog house and is getting the push many of us hardcore fans have been asking for.  He’s dialed back his in-ring intensity on a per week basis and learned that it is best to save your 100% for the big matches, like the Survivor Series main event.  As well as being a unique breath of fresh air on social media and other outlets, Ziggler is more than just your 9-to-5 wrestler.    
   
4. Brock Lesnar – 1) He’s the WHC, 2) He demolished John Cena like no one has ever done before and 3) He broke The Undertaker’s WM streak.  Did you hear me, he broke Taker’s streak!  ‘Nuff said.  
   
5. HHH & Stephanie – Just imagine what the show would look like if HHH and Stephanie weren’t on RAW?  They’re the straws that stir the WWE cocktail.  A special shoutout to Stephanie McMahon who, other than Heyman, gave the best promos all year.
   
    
6. CM Punk – “And just like that…he’s gone.”  The Keyser Soze of the WWE.  He was only around for a few months of 2014 but we’re still talking bout him.  Every speculated plot twist and turn always end with some version of CM Punk coming back.  Even his recent UFC announced fight has been theorized as a possible game changing “work”.  People loose their shit talking about him as if he’s the ghost of Wrestling’s past, present and future.  He’s just a man.  Granted, a very talented performer but still just a man.  A man who still gets the biggest pop week-in and week-out on RAW, so maybe he is more than a man…
   
7. Bray Wyatt – This was Bray’s breakout year.  Whether he was wrestling with the Wyatt Family vs The Shield or he was going it alone in some really stellar matches, Bray moved up to the top tier.  His entrance is now the best in the business.  Don’t try to argue, he currently holds that championship.  He’s gone from show stealing tag matches to wrestling Cena and finally headlining TLC with Dean Ambrose.  2015 will be the test.  Does he fall back in a sophomore slump or does he continue to push the limits on promos (they don’t all work but I appreciate that he tries), continue putting on great matches, help usher in a faction like The Ascension, will we get some traction on who / what Sister Abigail is all about or does he do something completely different?  Not having a clear path can be scary in the WWE but if anyone is going to pull it off, Bray Wyatt will. 
   
8. Daniel Bryan – Did anyone have a better first quarter of a year than Daniel Bryan?  This should have been his year but injuries stole it from him (and us).  At least he got his WrestleMania moment, which no one can ever take away.  We’ll always have a ton of “What If’s” for Bryan’s 2014.  Let’s just hope he can get well and come back in 2015.
9. John Cena – While being at Nine might make you think he had a down year, nothing could be further from the truth.  In 2014 you could start chiseling his face on the Mount Rushmore of the WWE.  Boo him or cheer for him, he IS the “Face of the WWE’ and no year personified that more than 2014.  He’s the only one that the WWE felt could face Brock Lesnar.  When ever the show dragged, they threw him at the problem.  He put over wrestlers like Bray Wyatt and Dolph Ziggler.  No one has had better job security than John Cena.  You and I can boo him all day but Cena won.  What makes him great, is that he knows it.
   
10. Dean Ambrose – He was the first Shield member to really break out on his own.  His style is so different it becomes hard to compare him in and out of the ring to other wrestlers.  So what does he do that makes him so special?  He entertains!  You can never say you’re bored when Ambrose is involved.  Like Wyatt, it’s hard to see where he’s going in 2015 but I’m along for the ride.  
    
11. Miz and Damien Sandow / Miz-dow – HUGE late push up the 2014 rankings.  I’ve always been a champion for Sandow.  He’s smart, innovative and willing to turn chicken shit into chicken salad.  He’s also been in the second tier group of guys that were constantly getting buried.  Even in the beginning of the year when he was doing all sorts of goofy shit week after week, at least he was on TV (which any fan of the BEARcast will tell you, is Fred’s first goal to success in the wrestling).  So while he toiled around looking for anything to stick, something unexpected happened.  2010-2011 Miz came back!  There was a time, not long ago, that Miz was headlining WrestleMania and winning World Championships.  I know, crazy, right!  Well, Miz came back and the WWE threw Miz and Sandow together for what was surely just a one or two night gimmick but then something clicked.  Now they’re consistently the most entertaining parts of any WWE show.  No they’re not the best wrestlers ever or the best gimmick of all time BUT they EN-TER-TAIN!!!  The writing is on the wall for them to feud in 2015 and I’ve already predicted that they should be the show opener at WM but until then, I’ll sit back and enjoy every time they’re on.  
    
12. Roman Reigns – Don’t let the last few injured months fool you.  Reigns will be in main events throughout 2015.  Don’t be surprised if they work him into the main event at WM this year.  He is the future of this company, like it or not.  If Vince could build a wrestler, it would be John Cena but right after that it would be Roman Reigns.  It goes to show how great The Shield was if the future Face of the WWE is ranked at #12 and below his fellow Shield members.   
13. Goldust and Stardust – My personal favorites.  Not only has Goldust, who at 45 years old (which is wrestling year is about 136), not only found the fountain of youth but is wrestling better than he ever did in the 1990’s.  The biggest surprise and the person most responsible for The Dust Bros greatness is Cody Rhodes.  He sold this Stardust character like a motherfucker.  This could have gone bad faster than Tensai but Cody sold it.  He went all in, joined his brother in great matches and put a twist on every character trait and move so that Startdust was its own thing.  Brilliant.
    
14. AJ Lee – The next two slots are proof that female wrestlers can be multidimensional, interesting without a love interest, be attractive and can wrestle their asses off.  AJ had to swim an uphill battle for the fact that she’s married to CM Punk and not a match goes by where there isn’t a CM Punk chant, which is tiresome and insulting to the work that AJ Lee as done on her own.  She’s been great on the mic (when given the chance) and stellar in-ring.  
15. Paige – A rookie being on this list?  A rookie DIVA?  Yep!  Paige is all that and a bag of chips.  She came out hot and lived up to the high expectations.  We haven’t seen her a lot at the end of the year but she’s put on more solid matches on RAW than 90% of her male counterparts.  I understand the financial reasons why she’s joining the Total Divas show, for her and the WWE’s sake, but I hope she continues what looks to be a great start to a wonderful career.  Many times I was more excited for the Paige / AJ fight than anything else on a given night’s card.  
    
16. Randy Orton – Totally misused all year long.  There’s no bigger mark for RKO than me but even I had to roll my eyes when his 2014 highlight was yet another battle between him and Cena.  I have to retract that, his highlight of 2014 was all the RKO memes and YouTube clips, to which RKO nor the WWE had anything to do with.  Thank you internet.  RKO is the most gifted wrestler the WWE has and when given the right gimmick / material he can hit home runs.  In 2015, we need to see him go up against other talented wrestlers.  Throw him against Bray, Ziggler, Kofi, Cesaro, Rollins or god forbid Brock Lesnar and let’s see what happens.  Tell me you wouldn’t be excited to see any of the guys I just listed feud with RKO?  At the very least you’ll get some great matches.  
17. The Usos – Slipped a little by at the end of the year.  Let’s not forget they started 2014 hot as hell.  They got the Tag straps and put on great matches.  So what happened?  They got a bit stale, and fast.  Only until these last few weeks of 2014 have we seen any character development.  I understand that they push a lot of merchandise, especially toward the kids, but I’d love to see some shades of grey to their characters.  They don’t have to be heels, but they don’t have to be the generic 80’s florescent face painted tag team.  At least this mini feud with Miz and Jimmy Uso regarding Naomi’s Hollywood dreams has given us some character development which could lead to a number of possibilities.  They’re highlight reels in the ring and always bring their “A” game.  Now that they’re established workers, they need to be more.  Just look at The Dust Brothers.  You may not know if they’re good or bad but they’re interesting.  The Usos can easily get to that next level in 2015.  
18. Luke Harper – This is probably the biggest surprise.  I can’t remember a wrestler that has grown this fast with his in-ring abilities.  At the start of 2014, he was just a Wyatt Family member.  Bray was the start and you put up with Harper and Rowan because they were two big guys who could move a little.  In the summer you started to see a little personality come through his Wyatt Family gimmick.  It wasn’t a 180 change but just slight moments where Harper started to stand out.  Then his portion of the Wyatt matches got really good.  If in January of 2014 you would have told me that a Harper / Ziggler Ladder match would have been the match of the night at TLC in December, I’d have you tasered and taken away by the white-coats.  Also, when I found out that Harper is two years younger than me, I had to take a long look in the mirror and ponder at what a cruel bastard father time is.
19. The Bella Sisters – Once you pull yourself off the floor, let me explain.  I HATE Total Divas.  In 2012, if the Bellas never showed their faces in the WWE again I wouldn’t have cared less.  But in 2014, B-Bella started to put on some good wrestling matches and N-Bella started giving some interesting promos.  They’ll always be linked to their significant others (Brie w/ Daniel Brian and Nikki w/ John Cena) but all of the sudden they weren’t just a novelty act because they were twins.  Could it have been as simple as a pair of fake boobs for Nikki that split the Bellas personality and forced them to each find their own voice?  I’m just as shocked as you but they made it onto this list.  Why?  Because they mattered, which is more than I can say about the likes of Sheamus, Y2J, RVD, Mark Henry, Titus O’Neil, Kane, etc.  All solid performers but who cared about what they were doing in terms of WWE storytelling.  
    
20. A New Day – So here’s where I get to cheat and sneak three of my more favorite performers.  Yes, I’m excited for what TND could be.  Am I worried that all three (Kofi, Big E and Xavier Woods) will be misused and by SummerSlam The New Day will be working security at the B.E.T. awards?  Sure.  But like Damien Sandow, they’re getting a chance to be on TV each week.  Xavier Woods has a lot of promise but we haven’t seen enough of him to really care but Kofi and Big E have been dying to get a push.  Both have been former champs.  Both have incredible in-ring skills.  TND could be a flop or by the end of 2015 we could be looking back at this year’s Shield or Wyatts (probably not, but we can hope). 

Honorable Mentions

SAN-TIN-OOOOOOOOOO!!!! – Unfortunately my favorite performer had to retire due to injury.  You never want to see a young wrestler go out because the business has beaten his body up.  Hopefully the WWE will find ways to keep him involved.  He’s been a great soldier for all these years.  Besides, if I gave you the choice between Santino or the Anonymous RAW GM Computer, wouldn’t you take Santino every time and twice on PPV’s?  Santino for the open Authority slot!

The Undertaker – I couldn’t put someone who had one match on this list.  Even if it will go down as the most rememberable match for a 20 year period.  The Undertake lost his streak and seems to be all but done with the Wrestling Business.  All I can do is tip my cap and say Thank You.  He’s in the discussion for GOAT.

Sting – Of the things that I thought I’d never be able to say, “Sting is going to wrestle a match in the WWE” is one of them.  Sting is in the WWE and in 2015 he will wrestle.  ‘Nuff said.  

Cesaro – The one Honorable Mention / performer that didn’t make the cut, that should have made it on the top 20.  He’s pound-for-pound the strongest and maybe most talented performer in the WWE.  He seemed to be getting a huge push at the beginning of the year but then faded into nothing.  I don’t even remember the last match I saw him in.  Even Vince made note in his Stone Cold Podcast interview that he didn’t know what to do with Cesaro.  My fingers are crossed that they figure it out next year because Cesaro puts on 5-star matches.  That’s what he does.

Side note

Again, thank you so much for all your support.  I appreciate everyone who’s taken the time to read my posts and listen to our podcasts.  I know there’s a million choices that you have and it means so much to me that you spend your time with me.  There’s nothing more valuable than time in this world.  Thank You. 

Please feel free to write or tweet me with questions or comments.  I’ll do my best to add them into the blog and on the podcast.  If you don’t agree with me, even better.  Let me know.  I love a good argument.  

Lastly, 2015 is going to have a lot of new content.  I’m going to work my ass off to do a variety of things not just a weekly wrestling blog and podcast.  Keep checking into www.worldofbear.com or any of my blogs for more info.  

Have a great holiday!  Be safe.  Until next time…

WK

@wkbear

BEARcast - WrestleCast 12/17/2014

BEARcast - WrestleCast 2014-12-17 with Fred "The Oracle"

We start the show off with a special holiday intro.  Lots to get to on the second to last show of the year.  Oh how the time flies.  Fred and I discuss the TLC PPV and Monday’s RAW, which was filled with a surprising amount of returning Superstars.

Please check us out at www.worldofbear.com and on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/world-of-bear/id828777439?mt=2 and don't forget to Subscribe!  Also, don't forget to spread the word to friends, family and fans.

Thanks,
WK
@wkbear on Twitter or email the show at WorldOfBearBC@gmail.com to send in ideas and comments.
Contact Fred on Twitter @FreddyD15

WWE Power Rankings, RAW 12/15/2014

Coming at you from Detroit, and a night after a ho-hum TLC PPV.  TLC(and Stairs) started off with an incredible match, Ziggler vs Harper, and then took a Dr. Thackery-like heroin nap for the most of the show until the main TLC match of Ambrose vs Wyatt.  Even then, in the midst of a really solid match, the ending was caused by…wait for it… WAIT FOR IT… an exploding TV monitor.  The perfect way to end a TLC match.  The WWE sure knows how to put the “M” in TLC.  

But was it a disappointment?  NO.  They only had three weeks to build up for this match, one of which was highjacked by The Slammys.  All of the matches were placeholders for one of the best times / PPV of the year, The Royal Rumble.  And lastly, not that I’m in the business for making excuses, but TLC is now squeezed in right before the holiday break.  Nothing is really going to happen story-wise so having random gimmick matches with undeveloped feuds seems like an appropriate time during the wasteland of the holiday season.

The WWE’s main focus is this WWE wee on USA where it can promote it’s starts to the general USA watching public and put on their annual tribute to the troops and all the other charitable Christmas time stuff.

What they did do well is bring back some major players to give us a nice pop to finish the year and get us ready for 2015.  We got away from the horrible “previously on RAW” opening to a traditional wrestling / storytelling open.  Y2J was the special host and delivered on all fronts, even wrestling in a match.  Roman Reigns is back BACK.  Let’s not bury the lead, Brock Lesnar came down from the mountain top where I imagine him chopping trees down with his by pulling them straight out of the ground and F5-ing them into perfectly broken pieces of firewood.  If anyone is training Rocky IV style in the snowy plains of rural north, it’s the BEAST, Brock Lesnar.  

Tune in to the BEARcast - WrestleCast this week (www.worldofbear.com and subscribe on iTunes).  Fred and I had a great show and bring pre-holiday cheer to all as we do a little breakdown of TLC and run through this weeks’ Power Rankings.  And check out next week when we have the Ultimate top 20 Power Rankings of 2014!  There shall be blood!

So with that, let’s get to the rankings as of this week’s RAW on 12/15/2014...

1. Brock Lesnar (N/A) – When the WHC does appear, it’s noteworthy.  As I mentioned, Royal Rumble is around the corner at which Lesnar will fight Cena (yet again) so it’s time to get hype machine going.  After the initial shock of seeing the WHC (BTW, kinda a problem, but that’s for another time) you knew he’s somehow someway be involved with Cena.  They aren’t bringing Lesnar back to squash Y2J, stare at the camera and go home.  Lastly, MY GOD, Cena is a huge man but when Brock starts tossing him like a rag doll, it just shows you what a BEAST he is.  I can’t get enough of it.  Although I’m sure it’s not Cena’s favorite part of his matches.
2. John Cena (16) – When you start off with Cena, Y2J, Paul Heyman and throw in an improving Rollins to start the show, I’m a happy guy.  Aside from a great match, this is how I like my RAW storytelling to go.  People can hate (me being one of them) but Cena can bring it.  In and out of the ring with tremendous competency.  A random steel cage match with Rollins?  Meh, ok.  But as I just said, seeing Brock demolish Cena is always fun.  Having said all this…Cena is winning his match at Royal Rumble.  I don’t know how, nothing has shown me he can, but he will.  At the same time, I don’t believe he walks out of the Royal Rumble with the WHC belt.  Chew on that, or listen to the BEARcast - WrestleCast for more info (www.worldofbear.com). 
3. Seth Rollins w/ Minions (2) – The weakest link is the opening segment when it comes to hype and mic work but let’s not forget, this is just his second year and really only his sixth month as being a main guy.  He’s already one of the top five wrestlers in the WWE.  He’s going to continue to get better on the mic.  The Rock, Stone Cold, Cena, etc. took time to be elite.  It’s the hardest part to being a Superstar.  It was funny to see Mercury and Noble show the same type of joy new parents have when watching their kid take it’s first steps and Rollins played right along.  
   
4. Chris Jericho (N/A) – He did a great job opening the show.  But I was more impressed with a man who’s on “break” from the WWE being able to not only put on the trunks and wrestle without any buildup, training or rust.  So what if he got smashed by Lesnar.  Could you walk in off the street and get F-5’d by Brock? 
   
5. Paul Heyman (13) – G.O.A.T.  I love when Heyman gets “geared up” for a match.  He works that tape like my aunt wrapping Chanukah presents.
6. Dolph Ziggler / Erick Rowan vs Big Show / Luke Harper (3/5/5/14) – Ziggler, Ziggler, Ziggler.  He’s the man.  He and Luck Harper had the match of the night at TLC.  Big Show and Rowan…not so much.  The key was how much the announcers were pumping up the IC belt.  That tells me they are going to make it the top prize while the WHC is not on TV each week.  At the very least, it tells me that the WWE is still fully behind Ziggler which makes me happy.
7. The Usos (12) – This thing with Miz and Jimmy has brought some much needed flavor to the Uso brand.  They’re better so keep it rolling.  Side note: was I the only one who saw some possible tension between Usos?  Nah, I’ve got to be wrong…???
   
8. Miz and Damien Miz-dow (1) – Not even Naomi, who's supposed to be intently watching her husband defend her honor, couldn’t help but crack up at the antics of Miz-dow.  They’re my favorite part of RAW week after week.  
9. The New Day (9) – Kofi, stop grabbing your dick while doing a shitty rap.  You’re not in NWA, relax.  The announce team is either 1) setting them up for a great and needed heel turn or 2) are as oblivious as the Ferguson police department thinking that blacks jumping up and down are some sort of a threat.  I’m really hoping it’s the first one.  And for god’s sake, leave poor Big E alone regarding the sweat.  This is out of left field and is stupid.  If “Midnight Hour” is going to be their finisher, they need to practice it a few more times. 
10. Dust Bros (8) – They were there to put over The New Day and they did it well. 
11. Alicia Fox & Natalya w/ Tyson Kidd (11) – I like this “Ladies man” / “Shine stealer” gimmick that Natalya and Kidd are doing.  Fox is a good wrestler.  
12. The Bellas (N/A) – Don’t get me wrong.  Here me correctly.  I am not a fan.  But they’re actually not that bad these day.  (still waiting for lighting to strike me…)
13. Roman Reigns (N/A) – He’s back!  The Big Show is the perfect tune up before his massive push towards WrestleMania.  Side note: His new shirt looks like the black Spiderman / Venom costume.  (I read too many comics.)
    
14. The Big Show (17) – Keep Cashing Checks and put over the youngsters.  
    
15. Fandango 2.0 w/ Rosa (N/A) – Got squashed like the annoying nat that he is.  I’d love to me the one true, non-ironic, fan of Fandango / Fandango 2.0.  I challenge the WWE to produce this person.  
    
16. Rusev w/ Lana (14) – There’s no need to dive deep into infatuation of Lana and her hair braiding skills.  Joke all you want Y2J, you ain’t kicking her out of bed. 
17. Ryback (20) – Since the rest of the world is on the Ryback bandwagon, I give up.  He’s the best.  It’s a thing of artistic beauty.  His mic skill are transcending.  One day he’ll go down as the best ever.  Keep chanting “Feed Me More!”  It’s fantastic.  And if he’s going to be the American Hero that defeats the Russian threat, well by-golly, USA USA USA!  Final side note: whispering… (fuck Ryback)
18. Korporate Kane (19) Now that Kane is just wrestling other people and not involved with “The Authority” it’s ridiculous that Kane is in dress pants rather than being the Devil’s Favorite Son KANE.  At this point, Kane looks like some angry dad coming home from a shit job.  
    
19. Adam Rose w/ The Bunny (N/A) – Adam Rose and the Bunny were choke-slammed but that wasn’t enough.  “The Bunny is headed to the pet cemetery!” Ok, Cole, that was amusing.  Kane Tombstone’ing The Bunny only rivals him taking out the San Diego Chicken and Pete Rose.  is there were we’re at with this gimmick?  really?
    
20. ?

Honorable Mentions

The Ascension – Their first promo on RAW and well, they look like the Road Warriors for the 2010’s.  Hey, if you’re going to steal, steal from the best.

Bray / Ambrose – Why would you have on the main event-ers from the previous night’s PPV?  It wasn’t like there was some confusing ending that should have been and needed to be cleaned up.  Oh, and they’re only two of your companies top five stars.  It’s nice that the WWE throws shinny things like Y2J, Reigns and Lesnar out to distract us.  Maybe throw the two guys who you banked TLC on out on the next night so they don’t loose momentum.  It didn’t seem like such a beating that, even story-wise, they needed the night off.  But what do I know.  I’m just a fan.

Until next week…

WK

@wkbear

BEARcast - WrestleCast 12/10/2014

BEARcast - WrestleCast 2014-12-10 with Fred "The Oracle"

The awards season is upon us.  Fred and I discuss the Slammy’s, RAW and preview the upcoming PPV; Tables, Ladders and Chairs (and Steel Stairs?).  Oh My!

Please check us out at www.worldofbear.com and on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/world-of-bear/id828777439?mt=2 and don't forget to Subscribe!  Also, don't forget to spread the word to friends, family and fans.

Thanks,
WK
@wkbear on Twitter or email the show at WorldOfBearBC@gmail.com to send in ideas and comments.
Contact Fred on Twitter @FreddyD15

WWE Power Rankings, RAW 12/08/2014

Coming at you from Greenville, and early side note, why are there so many shows in Greenville?  It feels like they’re in South Carolina at least four RAWs a year.  No knock against one of the O.G. states but watching a few Gamecock games is about all the SC I need. 

I’m getting distracted, everyone knows when you hold a prestigious awards show like The Slammys, you roll out the red carpet down the gunt of the East Coast, world famous South Carolina.

I’ll make it short and sweet, like Gamecock BBQ, most of RAW was taken up by The Slammys and we only got a few matches.  Having said that, all the matches were pretty good.  It was a solid “go home show” for this Sunday’s “Tables, Ladders and Chairs” PPV.  Wow, TLC is here already.  It feels like it was just two weeks ago when we had the last PPV… OH, RIGHT.  IT WAS!

It is one thing for me to accept the WWE making it standard procedure to start each show with a “Previously on RAW” recap (which is against good traditional wrestling storytelling, but I’m accepting it).  It’s another thing to announce the main event being John Cena vs Big Show.  That’s just testing my testicular fortitude and challenging me to watch through to the end.  But I’m a pro, so I can proudly say that I watched the whole thing in one sitting.  You can’t say I don’t work hard for you people.

Before I forget, Seth Green was the special guest host.  Why?  I don’t know.  But it happened and now we have our first nominee for the Slammy Award for Best Guest Host 2015.  To bad they couldn’t work his hot wife, Clare Grant, into the proceedings.  I guess that’d be too much to ask.  Or maybe she draws the line at making nerd-gasm Star Wars fan fiction.  What?  ‘Rasslin too good for you!?  If Vince was still around, she’d be shaking her little money maker out there.  Oh, the good ol’ days.  Never mind, we’ve got a lot to get to.

Check out the BEARcast - WrestleCast for a full recap of RAW, The Slammys and a preview of TLC.  www.worldofbear.com and please subscribe on iTunes.  At the bottom is a complete list of Slammy winners.  

So with that, let’s get to the rankings as of this week’s RAW on 12/08/2014...

1. Miz and Damien Miz-dow (4) – Clearly the stars of the night.  Miz and Miz-dow were all over RAW, which is fine by me.  They’re great!  My hope is that the WWE doesn’t blow their wad too soon on their inevitable breakup.  This could, and should, be strung out until the curtain-jerk match of WM.   
   
2. Seth Rollins w/ Minions (9) – Ziggler vs Rollins, that will never be bad.  You’re going to hear me say this a lot, great quick match.  Once again, Rollins gets the cheap win.  He’s the focal point of the show and as we discuss on the BEARcast - WrestleCast (www.worldofbear.com) Rollins should have been the Wrestler of the Year.  Here’s an early prediction, “He doesn’t deserve it, but I DO!” is going to be new Rollins catch phrase.  
3. Dolph Ziggler (7) – Match of the Year acceptor (even though I don’t agree with Survivor Series being match of the year).  Two things, 1) Ziggler’s speech was on the of the few that felt the most genuine.  If it wasn’t for the fans and his hard work, he would have never made the comeback he’s had.  2) I don’t recall another wrestler being slammed face first through a table like the bump Ziggler took.  Well done, glad he didn’t get a concussion and set his push back.  Dude needs to relax on the RAW before TLC.  You’ll get your chance to knock yourself out on Sunday. 
   
4. AJ Lee vs Summer Rae (12&N/A) – In a night of great but quick matches, you could argue that both Divas matches were the top 2 of the night?  I’m not saying they were, but you could argue it.  When did you ever think that would happen?  The Divas division is set to have a great 2015.  AJ also gave a great speech / shoot when accepting her Slammy.  If nothing is ever by accident in the WWE, go back and listen to whom she left out.  You don’t even need to do that, just guess.  Starts with a Bel and ends with a La.  Most surprising, as of now it doesn’t seem any of the CM Punk / WWE brouhaha hasn’t affected AJ, yet.
   
5. Erick Rowan vs Luke Harper (14&10) – Recently announced MENSA member, Rowan fought his former Wyatt Family brother.  Again, another good match.  God forbid they save this feud for down the line and get Bray to step his toes in.  That would be too good.  Let’s just have them fight at a random RAW with no buildup, then when the WWE actually puts the effort into this feud, we’ll pretend they never fought before.  
6. Bray Wyatt (1) – Very, very, VERY upset about Abigail’s chair being broken by Ambrose.  I’m sure there are thousands of chairs just like it at Restoration Hardware but this one obviously meant a lot to Bray.  Although, I’m surprised you can’t buy one on WWEshop.com.  Am I the only one who noticed that Bray almost got speared in the dome with an errant chair.  Someone could get hurt in that ring if one is not careful.   
   
7. Dean Ambrose (2) – The ghost of wrestling past emerges from the ambulance to show Bray what he’s in for this Sunday at TLC.
   
8. Stardust w/ Goldust (6) – I love the Dust Bros but I fully expect them to put over The New Day.  The sheer talent between the two teams should make for an awesome match.
9. The New Day (3) – The fact that JBL is excited about TND makes be believe they’ll be heels.  I very much enjoyed their performance art of doing a human Slammy. 
10. Charlotte (Flair) (N/A) – For all you dudes who ever had latent homosexual thoughts but were too afraid to act on them, now you can jerk off to a female version of Ric Flair.  
11. Natalya (via Hart) w/ Tyson Kidd (11) – These two put on a great match before on NXT.  Another great quick match with Nattie winning.  I love this gimmick of Tyson Kidd stealing her shine.  Am I going to start cheering for these two?
12. The Usos (5) – Naomi and Jimmy Uso gave one of the best shoot promo blurring the lines of real life and wrestling, so I guess Total Divas is a success.  Someone please shoot me now before the next season airs.  If you guys are truly my friends, you’ll do me this favor.  But it goes to show, the Usos can do more than just fly around the ring.  I like this semi heel turn.  Or at the very least, a sign of personality. 
13. Paul Heyman (HM) – It’s so much better when he’s there live.  It’s been far too long since we’ve seen Heyman or Lesnar at a show and we need to keep the WHC on our minds, even minimally.  It should be mandatory that Heyman is live at least every other week in absence of Brock Lesnar.
14. Rusev w/ Lana (16) – Swagger vs Rusev at TLC for US title.  I’m glad the WWE is busting out the new ideas…  As WWE fashion expert, and as much as it pains me, I must point out that Lana looked like she went one-on-one with some of South Carolina’s finest moonshine the night before and needs to get back to a metropolis so that she can get her roots dyed.  She wasn't looking her best and if not for that, what of fuck am I watching Rusev for?
15. Jack Swagger (17) –  REALLY?  We’re running this back again?  Crazier, do I now like Jack Swagger?  Is he my American Savior?  Am I going to get a “We The People” shirt?  (Let’s just all pretend he didn’t get his ass handed to him a few months ago in the exact same few and exact same gimmick.)
16. John Cena (8) – It’s bad when the face of your company and the night’s main event is listed at 16, we can all agree on that.  But I don’t blame Cena.  He’s a good soldier.   The first 90 seconds were better than I expected but admittedly the bar was very low for this match.  After the opening salvo, the match ground into the sludge match I thought it would become.  As to expect with the main event of a “go home show” there were all sorts of run-ins and interference.  
17. Big Show (14) – Won via Rollins and crew interfering, aaaaaannnddd I’m done with this match… See you at TLC&Stairs. 
18. Roman Reigns (N/A) – Good to see him back.  His recent absence is proof that a little time off once a year can be good for a wrestler.  He’ll be a huge face when he comes back.  BTW, are we sure Reigns and Jason Momoa aren’t the same person?  Someone was shooting Aquaman scenes.  Are we sure it wasn’t Reigns and THAT’s why he’s been out, not this bullshit sport hernia?  I’m just throwing it out there.  I’ve never seen them in the same room.
19. Kane (N/A) – Now for the dregs of the show.  Teaming Ryback and Kane up with really over performers it cheating.  Kane got the Miz and Miz-dow bump.  Literally riding their coattails. I’m throwing this out there for anyone to answer, “Has Kane ever won a singles match at a PPV?”  Brain = hurts.   
20. Ryback (N/A) – The “The Big Guy” and his new catch phrase that’s sweeping the WWE Universe of “It’s feeding time” teams up with the Usos.  He’s the worst.  I have an irrational distain for him but fortunately the WWE doesn’t program to my whims because I seem to the only person who can’t stand him.  Keep riding this absurd push. 

Honorable Mentions

NXT Takeover – Sami Zane vs Adrian Neville, watch it.  You’ll thank me later. 

SAN-TIN-OOOOOOOOOO – There’s no reason he’s not a regular on RAW.

Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat – What is he, 70?  He could probably out wrestle half the guys in the back right now.

RVD – In full offseason mode, let’s not get carried away with the late night munchies Mr. 420.  I love RVD so I can’t ride him too much.  Enjoy life, I say.

Match of the Year – This should have been Batista / RKO / HHH vs The Shield.  For what it was, who it involved, what it said about the past / future of the WWE and how the Shield dominated, this was the best match.  It lived up to the anticipation where Survivor Series match was a surprisingly good match with a Sting showing up at the end.  

Saint Mick w/ Noelle – Back again, looking hot and sexy… you too Noelle :)  That’s a bit of Foley humor for you.

Side Note(s)

The whole Cena / Bray thing just went away after being so very hot and a ton of resources put into it.  

Fandango 2.0 seems to forever be attached to Y2J.  

Until next time…

WK

@WKbear

Slammy Award results:

Insult of the Year: The Rock insults Lana and Rusev on Raw

Fan Participation of the Year: “You Sold Out” chants to Seth Rollins

Double-Cross of the Year: Seth Rollins betrays The Shield

Animal of the Year: The Bunny

Best Actor: The Rock

Tag Team of the Year: The Usos

NXT Superstar of the Year: Sami Zayn

Anti-Gravity Moment of the Year: Seth Rollins Balcony Dive at Payback

Faction of the Year: The Shield

Best Twitter Handle: Dolph Ziggler (@HeelZiggler)

Breakout Superstar of the Year: Dean Ambrose

Raw Guest Star of the Year: Hugh Jackman

Best Couple of the Year: Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella

Rivalry of the Year: Daniel Bryan vs The Authority

Hashtag of the Year: #RKOOuttaNowhere

This is Awesome Moment of the Year: Sting’s Debut at Survivor Series

OMG Shocking Moment of the Year: Brock Lesnar Ends The Streak

Diva of the Year: AJ Lee

LOL Moment of the Year: Damien Mizdow

Match of the Year: Team Cena vs Team Authority

Extreme Moment of the Year: Chris Jericho’s Cross Body Off the Steel Cage

Surprise Return of the Year: The Ultimate Warrior returns to WWE at WrestleMania 30, Raw and the WWE Hall of Fame

Superstar of the Year: Roman Reigns