411 Fact or Fiction Wrestling: Was WWE at MSG a Disappointment?

Welcome back to the latest edition of 411 Fact or Fiction, Wrestling Edition! Stuff happened, people loved/hated it and let everyone else know. I pick through the interesting/not so interesting tidbits and then make 411 staff members discuss them for your pleasure. Battling this week are 411’s Tony Acero and Greg DeMarco!

Questions were sent out Monday.

Participants were told to expect wrestling-related content, as well as possible statements on quantum physics, homemade pharmaceuticals, the Turtle Total Trip Theorem, pizza and hydroponics.

1. The WWE at MGS: Show vs. Lesnar event was a disappointing show.

Greg DeMarco: FICTION – I actually quite enjoyed the event. Look, I know this isn’t going to be a popular statement in the comments section, but if you didn’t enjoy the show…that’s on YOU. Let’s not forget—this was a house show. This wasn’t Raw, Smackdown, main event or a PPV. This was a televised house show. For someone like me, it takes me back to the days of Tuesday Night Titans, when they’d broadcast matches from MSG, the Maple Leaf Gardens or the Boston Gardens. Some of those shows exist on the WWE Network today, and they’re fun to watch. If there’s anything that I didn’t like, it’s that they didn’t use the traditional MSG center entrance. That’s something special to MSG, and I miss it. For all I know it’s no longer even there since the remodel, but it was part of what made MSG…MSG. Honestly, I’d be down to see one of these per month on the Network, and want them to go just as this one did.

Tony Acero: FACT – This was a glorified house show with Brock Lesnar on it. Now I was faced with the argument on my podcast The RAW Reaction that a “glorified house show” is exactly what should be on The Network, but I completely disagree. House shows are house shows. The Network is, in some way, supposed to get you to watch the product more – particularly the one show they care so much about with regards to ratings. What the MSG show became was essentially a small RAW. I think what bothers me most about this show ultimately meaning nothing in the grand scheme of things is that they gave so much of the time they had on RAW towards the show. They had Big Show demolish Cesaro and effectively built as a threat only to give him four minutes against Brock – and lose. And this isn’t an argument against Big Show losing, nor is it an argument against him losing in such quick fashion. No, this is an argument against giving Big Show time one RAW that wasn’t needed. A promo on each side, and a video package was seriously all that was necessary to make this match important. Instead, we got segments given towards it, entire promos and spots, all for a four minute squash match that we basically saw the following Monday. The show was a waste.

2. TNA made the right call putting their world title on Matt Hardy.

Greg DeMarco: FACT – I know you are shocked. Not sarcastically shocked, but legitimately shocked. But this is not an illegitimate answer. TNA obviously had a plan to combat the weeks of television that are uncertain at best. They taped a ton of unused matches (you can find them here at 411Mania), and we now have the World Title Series. It’s different, and while I question if they can pull it off, I am willing to give it a chance. In order to have a World Title Series, we needed a vacated world title. Having a controversial ending at a PPV does just that. Having EC3 file an injunction and Matt Hardy vacate the title is new and different. I don’t like how it makes Hardy look, I’d rather the injunction cause the title to be vacated. But now we’re here, and TNA for once seems to have a plan to combat an uncertain situation. And that plan doesn’t involve a made-up title, or a repurposing of the King Of The Mountain/Legends/Television/Red Toy Belt. It involves the World Championship. As I said, I fear the execution. I presume we’ll have to fill in the blanks with results of matches that never really happen in order to move things forward. But that hasn’t happened yet, so I am happy to see this thing through. Good luck on this one, TNA.

Tony Acero: FICTION – As of this writing, the plan moving forward is a World Title Series that is similar to the World Cup. While I love tournaments, and am a bit anticipated to see where this goes, I have to say that it could have all been done in some way or fashion without Matt Hardy winning the title. Had I answered this question BEFORE he vacated the title, I’d say giving Matt Hardy the belt was the right call. If there is one audience that still loves Matt Hardy, it’s likely the same audience that would give TNA a fighting chance (they are a forgiving bunch), and likely help usher in some continuous fanbase. Instead, less than a day later, Matt Hardy goes on YouTube to tell us all that he will be dropping the title to no one. Not to say that Matt Hardy is a god of wrestling, but he is a name, and a fresh one when talking about the TNA World Title. This could have been a big move, but it is now just one that got us to a tournament that will surely just bother most people – even if the intrigue is there.

3. With John Cena reportedly taking time off, he should not have defeated Seth Rollins AGAIN at the WWE at MGS: Show vs. Lesnar event.

Greg DeMarco: FACT – This is a fact but could be fiction on semantics. John Cena should not have defeated Seth Rollins again at the MSG show. Period. And it has nothing to do with the house show, as I already shared. It has everything to do with the number of times John Cena has defeated Seth Rollins (too many to count) and the number of times Seth Rollins has defeated John Cena (3). And that’s since Rollins’ main roster debut. And the last time he beat him, it was thanks to a Jon Stewart heel turn. Rollins is a heel, and a heel should cheat to win. Not continually lose clean. I know Kane was there, but Rollins is losing way too much. CM Punk’s and Rey Mysterio’s first reigns think Rollins is losing too much. I don’t care if that match took place in MSG, Staples Center or Djibouti. He is your top champion—heel or not he should not be presented as a lower level talent than your secondary champion. 4. WWE confirming a major NXT show during WrestleMania weekend is a direct effort to take away attention from the independent shows that will run that weekend.

Tony Acero: FICTION – I only say fiction because of the way the question is worded. Cena should not have defeated Seth Rollins AGAIN, period. I don’t care if he’s taking time off or not, we are at a point in Seth’s reign where people are somewhat tired of his “sleazy” ways because they can see that he can wrestle. Let me put it to you this way; a chicken shit heel gets away with being so because he is annoying, hardly ever gets his comeuppance, and seemingly always finds a way to get the upper hand “by hook or by crook.” If you watch a Seth Rollins match, and remove the ending of any one of them, you would assume that this guy is Champion material. What I’m saying is that his matches prove that he is a wrestling champion, so one would assume that winning is the next logical step. Instead, we get the United States Champion beating Seth due to interference by a story that I simply cannot buy (please do not get me started on the Kane debacle of a feud). Cena needs to stay away from Seth, and vice versa. They each have their own stories to tell that should no longer cross paths, and should not have in the first place.

SWITCH!

4. WWE confirming a major NXT show during WrestleMania weekend is a direct effort to take away attention from the independent shows that will run that weekend.

Tony Acero: FICTION – We have seen such petty activity before from the WWE, and I never understood it. However, with the way NXT has been run in recent times, and the simple acceptance of other companies’ existence by Triple H, I do not think that the NXT Show is being ran for the purpose of taking away from attention from independent shows that will run that weekend. Of course, I would also not go so far as to say that they will work in conjunction with the shows, but I really don’t think there is any animosity towards other companies so strong that they would actively book against them. No, NXT is a brand of its own and it’s doing great things; so much in fact that it deserves a show during WrestleMania weekend, and it has little to do with lesser-known organizations getting shunned.

Greg DeMarco: FICTION – Can we get over this already? As many of you know, I served as the local promoter for Ring Of Honor’s 2010 WrestleMania weekend shows here in Phoenix. Step 1 for me was to secure the venue. We had plenty of options. The day before ROH announced our venue, the dirtsheets were reporting that the WWE was shutting them (and Dragon Gate USA) out of local arenas. That simply wasn’t true. NXT has already set a precedent of running shows that coincide with major WWE events. Running WrestleMania weekend isn’t a shot at the independent shows that will take place that weekend. It simply makes sense, and it’s what’s… …wait for it… …best for business.

5. With John Cena reportedly taking time off, WWE will once again push Dean Ambrose into a top spot, which will only last for a short time. Once Cena is back, Ambrose will be dropped down on the card no matter how over he gets.

Tony Acero: FICTION – Far too many variables in the one question alone to answer with a straight Fact. I did hear that Ambrose is the name out of the hat that they want to push with Cena out of the top spot, but it’s a mentality that I never truly understood in the wrestling world. Why is there always ONE top spot? Why not usher in numerous guys towards the top and let them toil against one another until Cena comes in and joins the fray. Similar to the Divas division, the only way a “Revolution” can truly happen is if the old guard is gone for a period of time. No, not a blatant storyline kicking him (or them) out, but a simple absence that needs to be filled. Time that can be given to others is a valuable asset that can create stars who are bolstering at the bit to get out. I’m talking button-popping motivation that is ready to scream I’M HERE! Ambrose may be one of them, but he’s not the only one. I pray the focus doesn’t go to one sole purpose, because although there is always a leading actor, more often than not, it’s the supporting cast that people fall in love with. Why doesn’t the WWE get that?!

Greg DeMarco: FICTION – I love Dean Ambrose, I really do. I think that, in the Attitude Era, he’d become the face of a generation. But the Attitude Era ended a long time ago. We’re in this friendly era. We change the color of the middle rope to match whatever cause we’re supporting this month. We no longer powerbomb women through tables, we support their charities and let them have a revolution. John Cena is the face of the WWE. He’s about to take some time off, and the WWE already tipped their hand on Raw. Outside of the cancer survivors, who else was in the ring with John Cena? Roman Reigns. Roman Reigns is going to be the guy pushed into a top spot while John Cena is gone. There are rumors of Reigns main eventing WrestleMania 32, and that push starts now. I fully expect Reigns to dispose of Bray Wyatt at Hell In A Cell and transition into a high profile feud with Seth Rollins. If that doesn’t happen, it’s probably because Dean Ambrose turns heel and is fed to Roman as part of his ascension to the top. Poor Dean Ambrose. His run at the top, if it comes, will either be one of desperation or one due to injury. Or both.

6. The Dudleyz are already past their expiration date in regards to this run in WWE.

Tony Acero: FICTION – Although I do feel they have been pushed aside slightly, I don’t think that it has tarnished them in the least. They are still every bit as welcomed today as they were on day 1 of their return. They do the little things in the ring, and outside of it for that matter, that create a feel of importance. They, along with The New Day, have created a compelling program that spells an impending title reign for them, which will only serve to boost the titles into a higher level of importance. I am not saying that The New Day cannot get over without The Dudleyz, because they are doing it in spectacular fashion, but one must admit readily that in most cases, a person (or team) is only as good as their foil in terms of wrestling, and what better way to be dastardly heels than to hurt a beloved tag team such as The Dudleyz. For further evidence, please see RAW’s ending.

Greg DeMarco: FICTION – Quite the contrary, actually. I was happy to see the Dudleyz return to the WWE after SummerSlam as I feel like they add something to the tag team division. Even then, I am very surprised at how well they’ve worked into the storylines. Since their arrival, The New Day has been elevated and Bubba and Devon haven’t buried anyone. Which is why I am going fiction here. The only thing The Dudley Boyz have done is make the product better. I can’t see a reason to be down on that.