Top 4 of NXT 6/6/12

Well, not even a little plot actually gets through on this episode, and that’s mostly because Regal is absent. What a difference a commentary team makes. I like Striker, but he and Mathews continue to not really bring much in commentary to NXT (or their portion of Superstars for that matter). Striker spends the episode getting his lines wrong or being in what seems to be a nasty little tiff with Mathews, and Mathews does his robot thing.

4. Percy Watson vs. JTG

I really wanted to put this higher because JTG is amazing. He carries this match. But, that’s why it’s number four. A match between two men should not be about one man doing all of the work. If I had made this about individuals as opposed to matches, JTG would have been second after Reks, but it’s about the match, and while JTG dominated this match, Watson did nothing special and continues to make me question if he’s grown any since his return to NXT.

3. Tamina vs. Natalya

This is one of those rare times where Chris and I differ on opinions. He thinks Tamina’s a bit stiff, I like the way Tamina wrestles. Is she has experience as Natalya, definitely not. Is she still green, absolutely, but Tamina has something about her that shines in her matches. Tamina and Natalya put on a beautiful display in this match and Natalya shows off different ring gear, though she needs new boots if she will continue to wear this.

2. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd vs. Heath Slater and Johnny Curtis

Kidd typically makes not only the number one on my NXT list, but he usually makes it to match of the week. This week there was something greater. However, Gabriel and Slater were the ones to shine in this match. Kidd did his best, as he always did, but seemed content to let his team partner get a time to shine after being gone for awhile. Curtis does his best at looking “weird” not creepy, and broods in the corner before going out to get pinned. He is incredible, but this match was about Gabriel, and Gabriel isn’t doing the 450 Splash so I am celebrating.

1. Tyler Reks vs. Jey Uso

Of the two Usos, Jey is the better wrestler. So throwing him in the ring with Reks almost guaranteed an excellent match. I also was excited to hear Reks’ music again because, hey, it’s been awhile. Reks embodied his solo persona once again, more of a dominant monster during the match than the nearly playful Reks that wrestles with Hawkins. Reks still has that interaction with the crowd but there’s this difference in him as a solo performer. Jey Uso and Tyler Reks put on a fluid match that made me smile the entire time!

Top 4 of FCW 4/29/12

FCW proves it is consistently one of the better stories told from the WWE (with perhaps the exception of NXT) and this week was no exception. Summer Rae, official general manager of FCW, has a photo op with Antonio Cesaro and Richie Steamboat in anticipation of their match next week while Adam Mercer continues to be Randy Orton Light – which I’m not exactly complaining about, just pointing it out.

4. Benicio Salazar vs. Rick Victor

Okay, I knew going in Victor was going to win for two reasons. First, this is only the second match I’ve seen Salazar in and FCW does not tend to have their wrestlers win their first few matches against already established guys. Second, Victor was escorted out by the beautiful, and talented, Sofia Cortez and Paige. Already great points to him. However, as usual, Victor puts on an entertaining match against their newest luchador and I look forward to seeing more!

3. Bo Rotundo vs. Big E Langston

I love Big E Langston. After Mark Henry is probably my favorite man with a physique of those proportions (you know, huge!) with the WWE. Ever. Because Langston is big he already has haters, and because Rotundo is pretty he already has lovers. Rotundo has a spear that is weak and while he has presence, he still needs that in-ring time to polish himself up. It took Husky (Wyatt) a bit of time, don’t push Rotundo before he’s ready, which is what they are doing. He won this match.

2. Nick Rogers vs. James Bronson

First, an earlier segment in the show involved the commentators letting us know there was something going on in the back. Bronson had Ambrose locked into a sleep while CJ Parker, Mike Dalton, and I think Jason Jordan (I didn’t get a good look at him) tried to pull Bronson off. Later comes the match for Bronson against Rogers. Rogers dropped the Mr. Jacked and instantly went up in my books, but now he has a beard! I’m not sure about the beard, but hey, that’s me. Bronson wins this match with a submission, then immediately puts Rogers in a second submission! Regal rushes out to save Rogers and twists Bronson into the Regal Stretch. Garrett Dylan (another FCW up and comer that I have not seen that much) comes out and tries to pull Regal off of Bronson, but Ambrose is right behind him. Ambrose pulls Dylan and puts him in the Regal Stretch and for one moment of complete serendipity we have Regal and Ambrose doing the Regal Stretch almost perfectly lined up side by side. Afterwards they both stand and Ambrose stares Regal down in a way that only Ambrose can, with an almost sad look while being completely furious. When Ambrose moves forward, Regal slides out of the ring. All together an awesome segment.

1. Kassius Ohno vs. Seth Rollins

Despite the excellent segments from earlier, and Regal’s dig at other commentators in the WWE (not all, I’m pretty sure Scott is safe) this match just had what I came to see: excellent wrestling. It started off slow but quickly began building up into a crescendo of moves that were perfectly executed in elegance. Ohno and Rollins show off their balance and agility and whatever bit of rust Ohno might have felt at the beginning chipped off and towards the end these man made you forget anything else but the beauty of this match.

Reviewing ‘Walking A Golden Mile’ by William Regal and Neil Chandler

4/5

William Regal is an enticing figure you watch on your television screen. His persona never fades and he knows how to tell a story in just the way he carries himself. What went on, though, to bring him to the point the is at today? Let’s face it, everyone who follows wrestling knows he did drugs at some point, but what was going through his mind as he did?

The novel starts off a little dry. It was not hard to follow but did a fair share of bouncing. It was obvious he did not want to actually talk about his family more than he had to. The family was more thrown in to show that someone out there supported him or how he differed for them. His love for his father shines through clearly, but Regal did his best to take the focus off of familial ties.

About 15-20% through the novel it seems to screech and turn and slam on the brakes. It re-evaluates where it is going, and hit’s the gas. Now, instead of taking winding turns the novel is following a very straight path that takes you along a scenic route. Perhaps a little fast, but not too fast you get to see what you came for.

Regal’s story is heartbreaking and something to look up to all at once. He is a role model, even if it’s a what-not-to do sort of thing. Regal makes quite a few mistakes in life, and pays for them. He is repenting now, and forever, for those sins, and it makes for a more interesting read. A man who was sinister and dark on screen is truly a humble, loving man.

My biggest complaint about the autobiography was the reuse of simple words, like “sad”. Sure, Regal even admits he is no literary genius, but if you have another man there to help you write your story he had better darn well not overuse the word “sad”. The audience gets it, having friends die is sad, but how many times did I need to hear the word? Thesauruses rock.

Reasons to Read:

- You are a sports entertainment fan

- You are a Regal fan, in any incarnation he has been in

- You enjoy stories of men overcoming their own addictions

- You enjoy autobiographies

Reasons Not to Read:

- A bit dry in detail

- Overuse of certain words

- Despite stories with other wrestlers, the focus is very much on Regal and everyone else is glossed over

April 2012 Barrett Book Club Novel

If you are here you are obviously following @BarrettBookClub on twitter. If not, you should be! In this space I am going to make sure we know what book we are reading and when they go up, we’ll post the discussion questions. We do not have to discuss those questions particularly, but perhaps they will help you come up with some questions of your own! If you have a discussion question this is also a great place to leave one in the comments!

So for this round, the books is:

Walking a Golden Mile by William Regal with Neil Chandler.

It’s hard to find a copy of this novel, but it’s not hard to find a Kindle edition. Amazon and Barnes and Noble both have one for about $12.99. If you can not buy one in time @WWECapshuns and myself ( @SolaceWinter ) might have a copy we can loan you, just get a hold of us!

The discussion for twitter is set for April 28th.

Questions are ready!

1) What do you think about superstars who speak out about their past drug problems?
2) What is your favorite Regal gimmick and why?
3) What aspect of the book did you like the most/least and why?
4) Do you want to see another book from Regal? If so, should that book be about him or should he try his hand at fiction like Mick Foley?
5) Is there a question you wish Regal had answered in his book that he did not? If so, tell us about it!

Top 4 of WWE NXT 4/18/12

I have to admit that in the very beginning of this episode, I worried. Okay, not the very beginning. The Glee-esque opening, “And that’s what you missed on NXT,” was hilarious. But then they opened with Watson versus Curtis. No story, just throwing them back in the ring together. But the show went up, up, and away from there!

I have to admit that in the very beginning of this episode, I worried. Okay, not the very beginning. The Glee-esque opening, “And that’s what you missed on NXT,” was hilarious. But then they opened with Watson versus Curtis. No story, just throwing them back in the ring together. But the show went up, up, and away from there!

4. Percy Watson vs. Johnny Curtis

Besides just having complained about the match opening the show it was a great match. Just, predictable. In the determination to be different and not give us very long feuds, which I like, NXT does tend to go one to one and then need a tie-breaker. Great for storyline, but sometimes you need a shakeup. Still, sound match that shows off Curtis’s skill and Watson’s moves.

3. The One-Liners

Okay, they weren’t all one-liners. Some played off of one another, but the writing for this show is spectacular. Or whoever is coming up with what everyone decides to say.

Maxine: “Matt Striker is fine. There is nothing wrong with Matt Striker.” Josh: “HE WAS KIDNAPPED FOR 3 WEEKS!”

Regal: “Please let it be Derrick Bateman, I’d like to fire him.” Derrick: “No one is, no one’s a fan of me. I’m a fan of you though Regal! I used to like playing as you on WCW/nWo Revenge!”

Curtis: “Single, ready to mingle.”

Regal: “You don’t have to sign it, and you don’t have to work here.”

Kaitlyn: “Maxine, aren’t you used to these by now?”

Hawkins: ““What are you going to do, you little midget?”

2. Maxine vs. Kaitlyn

These women just work wonderfully together. It’s a far cry from their first match ever together, which I think is part of what makes the two such a joy now. When they are in the ring you can see how far they have truly come. Beautiful match that ends with Maxine wrapping herself around Kaitlyn and putting on an expertly executed Dragon Sleeper. My only complaint: NXT needs more divas. More Natalya would be great!

1. Curt Hawkins vs. Tyler Reks

I am going to try to keep this as short as possible while describing how fantastically horrible and wonderful this was. Hawkins and Reks are ousted as the kidnappers. Reks and Hawkins confront Regal claiming the film was doctored, they weren’t really the kidnappers. Striker comes out, says he wasn’t beaten by fists, but with a blunt object, much like a walking stick. In his hands, Hawkins’ cane. Oh yes, quite nice. Regal, tired of the two slackers, tells them they must fight one another. Whoever loses is fired. Reks begins to refuse, but Hawkins panics and punches him, turning this into a brawl.

These two men do not just wrestle. This is a knock-down drag out (without blood, kudos!) They fight through a desperation to stay employed, not thinking about who they are fighting on the other side. Reks ultimately wins (didn’t see that coming) but both are still ultimately fired.

Solace has a heart attack.

Will she survive? Guess we’ll find out next week, on NXT

 

Top 4 of WWE’s NXT 4/11/12

These two make me think twice about wearing this shirt as no one could make it look as good as these two!

In a few conversations with Hellions, the man who hosts my blogs on his site and knows more in general about wrestling than me, I’ve realized a few things. One, in getting to know a writer for NXT and learning he’s a former soap opera writer, it makes sense why the storylines are where they are. Two, Hellions pointed out to me NXT seems to be the show more aimed towards women. Sitting back, looking over NXT, I’ve realized it’s probably a huge part of the reason I enjoy it while some fans still don’t like it. I like drama. And comedy. And facial expressions. I also like good wrestling. This show brings me the things I would love to see in a show. Which is why today’s Top 4 had to be broken down the way it is.

4. Tamina, Darren, Titus
- 4.3 – Titus: He gave Tamina the coconut tree Darren wanted to give her! And has been increasingly funny. And I haven’t wanted to stab him in about three weeks.

- 4.2 – Tamina: Loves the coconut tree and commends Titus, to Darren, how thoughtful he is.

- 4.1 – Darren: Heartbroken, near face turn, and I can’t help rooting for him in this upcoming love triangle.

3. Maxine, Tyler Reks, Curt Hawkins, Derrick Bateman, and Kaitlyn
- 3.3 – Derrick Bateman and Kaitlyn: Hello Chicks and America shirts, hello best facial expressions of the show

- 3.2 – Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins: It’s interesting to see Tyler Reks playing the part of someone a little confused while Hawkins plays the part of the man who knows what’s going on, until he forgets his cane somewhere very important.

- 3.1 – Maxine: She flirts her way through with Regal, figures out how transparent the Reks/Hawkins kidnapping is, and generally knows how to act and bluff her way through anything. The woman has more chemistry with anyone who walks on screen then anyone I’ve seen.

2. Percy Watson vs. Johnny Curtis

I’m inclined to put matches before storylines on the list because first and foremost… this is a wrestling show! Unfortunately this show only had two matches and they were still longer and better put together matches than anything we saw on Raw or Smackdown this week. Curtis and Watson prove to be a tool for Maxine to distract Regal and take him away for a little while, but in the meantime these two tear up the squared circle and put on a non-stop show.

1. Tyson Kidd vs. Michael McGillicutty

The two are 1-1 in their matches and William Regal informs us that this is the last match. This will determine who the winner is. Despite believe I knew who would win going in this was still a tense match up. McGillicutty reminds me why I originally enjoyed him and brings personality and style to the ring against a man who could arguably be the best technical wrestler in the WWE. (arguably, I could see a few other names thrown into the debate.) Kidd has continually brought PPV quality matches to television, or the internet, in the past months and despite being on the show everyone keeps talking about wanting off of he never skimps in the ring. MCGillicutty gives it back just as equally, culminating into what could be more than match of the week.

Top 4 of FCW 4/8/12

FCW comes back and it could not have been a moment too soon. Two weeks without it, and having missed the part where Rollins won the championship from Kruger, yeah, I’m miffed! But it was back!

4. Regal and JR on commentary

I’ve often complained about Chris Russo on commentary, so when he leaves the booth so that during the 15 minute championship (which took 20 minutes on this particular night) JR can take over, I’m positively ecstatic. JR is not my favorite commentator, though he’s not bad by any stretch of the imagination, and when given an option of so many others, I would choose him before most. Working in tandem with Regal just made this a winning pair. The downside to the commentating here, JR kept pronouncing it “Cesar” and not “Cesaro” until Regal oh-so-subtly corrected him.

3. Seth Rollins Promo

First, since the last two weeks were missing, this was an excellent chance for those who do not read up on spoilers on a regular basis to learn that Seth Rollins is the new champion! The audience also learned he has a high ankle sprain. The championship is starting to seem like a curse. Gain the title, and an injury. This promo, though, seems to prove Rollins is here to stay.

2. Antonio Cesaro vs. Richie Steamboat

I haven’t really been impressed with Cesaro despite improvements every week. The improvements were slow and it does not help when a million people are talking to you about how incredible someone is. Hype often can ruin someone for you. Tonight Cesaro refreshed my feelings on him and turned me into a believer! Steamboat paled in comparison, which is sad because I keep wanting Steamboat to succeed. However this was Cesaro’s time to shine and everything that he lacked before went up a few notches. Did not keep him from still not quite getting that title. This time.

1. Kenneth Cameron vs. Byron Saxton

I admit my biased towards Ascension willingly. After Scott Stanford, Derrick Bateman, and Tyler Reks, Ascension might be the next great thing for me. (I have weird taste) This match was cut short and I should be pouting about it because it never really was a full match, but Conor O’Brian returns and when the lights go out Cameron and O’Brian pull Saxton out and the match is no contest. Is Saxton going to become a part of Ascension? PLEASE?!

The Missing Wrestlemania 28 Match

Wrestlemania is so jammed pack full of gimmick matches that have little to do with storylines people care about that they left out a glaring error, because they forgot they were supposed to be pushing tag matches again. Epico and Primo hold the tag team titles but who remembers that? It’s not the men’s fault but sadly misused booking. Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins have been used better and they are on NXT.

Speaking of Reks and Hawkins… Oh yes, you knew I would go there.

Solace’s Dream Missing Match

Before the start of the show Reks and Hawkins are up to their usual antics of being bullies and utterly cool while doing so. When they run into Epico and Primo they make fun of them for not having a match even though they are tag champs and for having to be managed by a woman whose only talent is dancing. This is where Regal does his thing and comes in to announce that since there was some time to fill on the card and people want to see their tag team champs he is going to make an impromptu tag match. However, if Reks and Hawkins lose they get to clean the entire arena once everyone leaves with a pro showing them how it’s done. Reks and Hawkins agree on the condition that Regal will do the sweeping instead if they win. Regal agrees because he believes there is no chance that Reks and Hawkins can win.

Epico and Primo put on a great show, and even get a little help from their former stable-buddy Hunico, but they just can’t hold up to Reks and Hawkins. Reks and Hawkins ultimately win the tag titles from Epico and Primo. No, not because I prefer Reks and Hawkins, but because Reks and Hawkins have done more to show what tag teams should be like in the last six months than anyone else has. These men should be the two going around and crushing any and all other tag teams, while helping to build groups who want to take them down.

After the show Reks and Hawkins hand Regal his broom and wish him luck on cleaning. Oh, and they found his pro, the ever handsome Scott Stanford, who is the lone man cleaning the arena corridors. As soon as Reks and Hawkins leave, and Scott starts saying how happy he is to work with Regal and how he could use the help, Regal instantly starts making excuses. His twins need him. His wife found out about Maxine. Etc. Leaving poor Scott to sweep on his own and Regal calculating a better revenge on Reks and Hawkins.

Of course I found a way to incorporate Scott into this. What were you expecting?

Top 4 of WWE NXT 3/21/12

Sadly, the closest Derrick comes to making the list this week.

Let’s start off with what did not make the list, and the reasoning behind it. First, Darren Young has a crush on Tamina, and it’s sort of cute because Titus is the one who tells her, with D-Young standing right there. NXT is so full of childish antics and romance it really is it’s own wrestling sitcom, and I love every moment of it. What makes this segment a major fail is The Usos are either coming off racist because they don’t want Tamina to date below her stations (JTG and now Darren Young, and whatever happened to JTG?) That, or Tamina has a thing for black men. I do not have a problem with Tamina dating a bunch of black men, it’s that it looks like there is racism going on with the Usos being against two black men in a row.

The match between Darren Young and Jimmy Uso was a good one, but it did not make the list because compared to the other three, and the segment, it was slow. That and we were supposed to be wowed by Jey being on commentary and I forgot he was even there he said so little. Talented men overshadowed by larger talents on the show.

4. Curt Hawkins vs. Justin Gabriel

When I first heard the show was going to have four matches I wondered how they would fit four onto the less than an hour show while keeping the plot that NXT is known for. This match suffered because of it. Gabriel has been on a roll lately and Hawkins is always great in the ring but the match was not given the time these two deserved. If you judged the match by the last Smackdown and Raw, sure, the match was long, but NXT is notorious for longer, better matches and it was disappointing to see these two have the match that suffered most because of time constraints. Still, an excellent match to watch and gives Hawkins a chance to show even as a singles competitor he can hold his own… even if Gabriel won.

3. Johnny Curtis and Maxine

Curtis and Maxine are up to something, as usual. They want off NXT and onto one of the other shows and will do anything to get there. This includes lying to Josh and chloroforming Striker. “Why do you have chloroform?” Maxine asks the creepiest man currently in the WWE. With Striker and Mathews out of commission Maxine is free to join Regal on commentary for our number two of the night. Later Curtis, who was supposed to be watching the box that Striker was put into, finds the box without Striker. Not wanting to admit this to Maxine he sits on it and when he refuses to show her Striker she asks, “You killed him didn’t you?” Striker is not dead, in fact there is a note left behind telling Maxine and Curtis that someone knows what they did.

2. Tyler Reks vs. Percy Watson

After just writing a blog on why I think Reks is great (oh, you didn’t read that? Go do it after you are done here) he does not disappoint me in this match. Holding true to his character he is a beast in the ring against Watson while Watson takes advantage of Reks’ distraction. Why is Reks distracted? Well, Maxine is massaging Regal’s feet and the two of them are doing anything but talking about the match in front of them. Usually I’m an advocate for commentary being about the match but during this particular one it does work. 1) Regal and Reks are feuding a bit and Regal ignoring Reks makes perfect sense. Of course he would rather pay attention to the beautiful woman beside him than the man who called him “old” even though there is only a ten year difference. 2) Reks and Watson put on a match that is great enough that even with the distractions it is hard to not pay attention to what they are doing in the ring. Reks, though, gets distracted enough that he loses to Watson.

1. Michael McGillicutty vs. Tyson Kidd

Who would have thought I would be throwing McGillicutty up into my top 4, much less at number one? But McGillicutty (who seriously needs a new name if only because I hate typing McGillicutty!) has been brilliant since his return to NXT to feud with Tyson Kidd, and Kidd… well, he’s always been brilliant, it’s just that now people are starting to realize it. Out of the three shows I’ve watched so far this week (Raw, FCW, and NXT) this is the best match I’ve seen so far. This time Kidd picks up the win, making them 1-1. After Kidd’s win McGillicutty leaves him with a statement in a truly creepy, dastardly voice. “Tyson! Tyson! This isn’t over. You’re going to regret ever crossing me. Because I’m going to hurt you where it hurts the most. In your heaaaart.”

As much as I love Batelyn the two of them had very little to do this week. No match, not a central focus in plot, mostly used as accessories for the plots of others, but boy are they shiny accessories. Bateman did get out a good, “Let’s backpedal,” and Derrick and Kaitlyn walked backward and away from the ever increasing weirdness that is Maxine and Johnny.

Love,

Solace Winter

Top 4 of FCW 3/18/12

No matter what the rumor mills are saying, FCW still aired this week and I’m sticking with it until I can find shows no longer! The writers of FCW experiment and play around with plotlines and do things that WWE seems to have forgotten how to do.

4. Leo Kruger Promo

“I hate to be the person to tell you I told you so, but I told you so.” Leo Kruger is back with his title and standing about letting the crowd know why he is worthy to be their champion. I do not need to listen to his words, his voice is magic. For a man from South Africa that can have the best accent he actually covers it well. If I didn’t know where he was from I would never be able to place the accent. But, really, listen to him speak, let him soothe you and tell you why he’s worthy and you are nothing if you do not believe in him. I fall for it every time!

3. Kaitlyn and Audrey Marie vs. Sofia Cortez and Paige

Sadly, the less talented side on this one stars a WWE diva. Kailtyn is a great character who has grown in the ring and out, however she still does not have what two of the other women in the ring do, and that is just a natural born ability. Sofia Cortez and Paige dominate this match-up and Paige does a submission move to Audrey Marie that is so impressive I was wincing from at home. The problem, however, is that they do not want to push their new girls too fast and of course can not have Kaitlyn losing. For whatever reason Audrey Marie does not tap to the painful submission the small Paige has her in and instead Kaitlyn makes Paige tap out. The submission was a good one but this is almost typical WWE booking. Someone new comes in, they want the person to look good, so first they must lose as much as possible. Of course Paige should not win every match, but she is not established and is trying to get a step up. Putting Sofia in the submission would have done no harm as we already know that Sofia is worthy of being in that ring. After Audrey Marie and Kaitlyn win this match there is a bit of a rumble that Raquel and Caylee Turner get involved in. Regal mentions the “Anti-Divas” but I think it’s a pretty weak term. Sofia Cortez, for example, is gorgeous, but she knows how to wrestle. Paige and Raquel may not be traditionally beautiful, but they are beautiful and know how to move in the ring (though Raquel might be the greenest). Anti-Diva is not three beautiful women who know how to wrestle, but they might be a good step in the right direction.

2. Antonio Cesaro vs. Richie Steamboat

This match almost could have made it to number one except for a huge glaring flaw: the ending. It is obvious they do not want Cesaro to lose but also obvious they are not stripping the 15 Minute Champion from Steamboat yet. What do you do in this case? You give them a tie. Okay, this would not be so bad if the ending did not copy the last ending Steamboat had defending his title. During what could have been his second pin he rolled Cesaro up and one, two, bzz, three! Oh, but the three count came after the bell so it doesn’t count as a second pin. It still makes him the winner since it was a tie, but this is where FCW gets a little weak. They take a good idea and keep running with it (Ala Road Dogg throwing Kruger in the ring two weeks in a row).

1. Xavier Woods vs. Kassius Ohno

Considering all of the great things I’ve heard about Cesaro and Ohno, and then not being able to fully embrace the Cesaro love, I had my trepidations about Ohno. Especially since he was up against Xavier Woods who had not really wrestled an impressive match so far. I felt like someone was trying to surround me with big words but nothing to back them up. Oops. I spoke too soon. Ohno is a beast in the ring and he brought out some of the best in Woods. This match, to me, should have been the main event, even if I understand why it wasn’t.

What did not make it on the list this week was a match between Dante Dash (who is too large for a last name that insinuates speed) and James Bronson. There was no back and forth, it was pretty much the former psychiatrist beating up on Dash. Raquel gave a promo that was splendiferous but no better than Leo’s so… had to go with Leo this time! There was also some Summer Rae interaction. Summer looks like she should be a bubbly face and not a self-centered heel so it should be interesting to see where she goes with the character and if she can pull it off.

The other thing I should be putting on the list, but is silly since it was just an internet rumor, is that FCW is not being shut down. Huzzah! But stay tuned, because there is something going on with FCW that we should keep an eye on.

Love,

Solace Winter