411 Fact or Fiction Wrestling: Do You Want a Shawn Michaels Return to The Ring?

Welcome back to 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 & Len Archibald.

Questions were sent out Tuesday.

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. You have no desire to see Shawn Michaels have a comeback match.

Len Archibald: FACT – Let me preface this by stating that in my opinion, Shawn Michaels is the greatest wrestling performer in history. That doesn’t mean he is the best wrestler – just that he was the most engaging. His original heel run was compelling. His in-ring prowess from WM 10 to WM 12 was top of the world. His DX heel run was inspired. When he made his comeback, from 2002 to 2010, he was the best storyteller in the world (I will go to my grave that his 3-on-1 performance at Survivor Series 2003 is one of the single greatest performances in history.) Barring all that aside, LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE. As much as it would be cool to see HBK in a ring, he is 53 years old, with a history of back issues and seems to be happily retired and working as a coach at the performance center. He got out at the best time in his career, in one of the best matches ever, on top of the world. There is no reason to return. Not with a match against AJ Styles. Not for a match with Daniel Bryan. Not for a match against Seth Rollins. Wrestlers have a history of “retiring” then returning to the ring a shell of their former selves. I appreciate Michaels’ balls and integrity to stay retired. I hope he sticks to it. There is nothing wrong with having dream matches that don’t happen. The debate and conversations are fuller and more complex in that regard. No comeback. HBK already admitted that Vince basically backed a dump truck full of money to have him return at WrestleMania. If “Mr. WrestleMania” passes on the event that is his namesake, he’s not coming back – frankly, I think it’s okay that he doesn’t.

Tony Acero: FACT – If there is any one old-timer that could make a comeback after not wrestling for years and create magic, it would almost undoubtedly be Shawn Michaels, but that’s a risk that I’m not willing to take. We have learned time and time again that “retired” simply doesn’t mean that in the world of wrestling (or in most of the entertainment world for that matter), and although there will always be that fanboy that wants to see Shawn Michaels go one more time, I don’t think there is one person in this world who wants to see this “one more time” be with anyone named Triple H or The Undertaker. No, this is a ploy to build a match that no one asked for, and will go away just as quickly as it appeared.

2. You’re glad Mixed Match Challenge is getting a second season.

Len Archibald: FACT – The Mixed Match Challenge was a fun affair that actually took WWE out of its mundane trappings and forced them to be a little more creative. One of the things I wish WWE would do is interact their talent more – Women with Men, Cruisers with Heavyweights…the isolation of talent is frustrating as there are more possibilities to be had with these interactions. Already R-Truth and Carmella are on their way to stealing the show on SmackDown just because their dynamic is so batshit insane and entertaining. Alexa Bliss and Braun had a partnership that fleshed out their characters. Askua and The Miz was able to amplify The Miz’s arrogance and Askua’s dominance. Becky Lynch’s and Sami Zayn’s partnership had a great bit of cat and mouse over philosophical differences (which would have totally paid off if Zayn wasn’t injured.) For as much as the matches were okay to very good, the one thing I enjoyed more than anything else was allowing us to see new dimensions to the wrestlers in a more free, creative environment. I am hoping that the matches will be better, and anticipate the pairings will further the motivations of the performers. It is definitely more unpredictable now that Askua’s winning streak no longer applies…but I will be shocked if the AJ/Charlotte pairing loses unless their loss becomes a baseline for a major feud.

Tony Acero: FACT – Sure! It didn’t hurt anyone and actually had some cool pairings that entertained people. Considering it’s basically not WWE-canon – if there even is such a thing – it’s just a nice way to get some fan favorites on the PC screen and, most of all, socially interact. This is, after all, what the whole reason behind this thing is. While “glad” may be too strong of a word, I have no issue with the return or “next season” of the challenge, and I hope to see some more unique pairings that we most likely wouldn’t be able to see on television due to the short-sighted story-telling that they are oh so good at putting on.

3. Drake Maverick as the new manager of the Authors of Pain is a great idea.

Len Archibald: FACT – This is a great dynamic for a few reasons: one, Drake Maverick can talk. He has shown his personality as Rockstar Spud on Impact, he has shown his serious side on 205 Live and the simple aesthetic that he is a tiny dot compared to Akam and Razar is a fine little detail. The AOP has seemed lost and directionless since coming to the main roster – which I can’t believe I am actually saying – and Maverick will be able to provide focus to the team. It also goes to my above point about why I like the Mixed Match Challenge: we are able to see an interaction of talent that fans may would have never imagined before. Show of hands: who would have ever considered Maverick as a mouthpiece for AOP? It is unexpected, interesting and could be a major factor in getting AOP over with the fans apart from their own bruising in-ring style. I am on board.

Tony Acero: FACT – Another statement where if I disagreed, it’d just make me a jaded wrestling fan unable to enjoy things without giving them time to mean something. I try my hardest not to do that. Besides, ol Spud head is a good hand, and a good mic guy, something you can’t say too much about either members of the Authors of Pain. Sure, it doesn’t make much sense, but it’s also not something that can’t be explained easily. Aside from that, aesthetically, it’s kind of pleasing. To see the little man flanked by two behemoths only serves to make them look more menacing and intimidating.

SWITCH!

4. WWE is doing a better job of hyping & building to the Super Show in Australia than the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia.

Tony Acero: FICTION – I wouldn’t say better, although I would say that they are doing more to build towards the Super Show. Although, the idea of a rumble kind of sells itself, so there wasn’t too much to sell in that aspect. Still, this Super Show has been given more time than I’d like to see, especially in terms of Triple H and Taker, a match that NO ONE has asked for. Another byproduct of having this “Super Show” is realizing a glaring error that the WWE has been suffering for years from. It seems like the idea of these shows is the epitome of not seeing the forest for the trees. While it’s great to focus on big picture ideas, if that’s the sole focus – and you’re unable to properly take care of the trees – then you get empty vessels of PPVs and Special Episodes that no one is all that interested in.

Len Archibald: FICTION – Don’t get me wrong, WWE is building the hell out of the Australia Super Show – promoting Triple H vs. The Undertaker is proof positive of that. But WWE treated Greatest Royal Rumble as the second coming of WrestleMania. The whole notion of promoting a show in a country like Saudi Arabia was treated (rightfully) as an event that was unparalleled, and most importantly – carried a political slant that showed that Saudi Arabia was making steps towards becoming a more progressive society. The Super Show in Australia is a big deal and WWE is pushing it hard, but the Greatest Royal Rumble had more stakes attached to it as the first REALLY major show outside of the United States in a long time, the hype behind the Rumble itself as the biggest ever and its political ramifications. WWE HAD to hype the Greatest Royal Rumble harder than anything they’ve done outside WrestleMania, because if it was a bust, there would be no Australian Super Show in the first place.

5. WWE made the right move taking the tag titles off of the B Team.

Tony Acero: FACT – Once The Miz detached from these two, the writing was on the wall, and they did everything they could to eliminate the idea and create some semblance of magic. Yes, Axel and Bo lasted longer than I thought, and even won some belts to boot. But the luster is gone, and they didn’t improve – whether it be kayfabe or otherwise, so it’s not a bad move for them to go into different directions. Especially if that direction is with Drew McIntyre. Man, it’s only a matter of time before he becomes something great, and this is definitely step 1. Dolph is a whole other story, one that I could write an entire column about if I wasn’t so damned lazy, but Drew is great and if it was any team to take the titles off of The B Team, I’m glad it was Drew and Dolph.

Len Archibald: FACT – The B-Team had a ceiling with their current characters. Unless Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel were planning to take a more serious turn with their portrayal, they were always going to be place over champions. On top of this, I am digging the dynamic between Ziggler, McIntyre and BRAUN. Ziggler and McIntyre holding the titles gives them credibility that The B-Team wouldn’t have had and we have a VERY rare instance of intersecting storylines as Braun, McIntyre and Ziggler are feuding with BOTH The Shield and are slowly building a rivalry with The Revival. I love it, and I feel The B-Team would not have been able to pull that off. Wow. A storyline with Dolph Ziggler I am interested in. I’ve taken the DeLorean and ended up in 2013. Quantum physics, indeed.

6. What is your excitement level for the WWE Hell in a Cell PPV?

Tony Acero: 4 out of 10 – I gotta reiterate what I said above with question 4 in the fact that the WWE simply doesn’t know how to properly build towards PPVs anymore, and because of their entire model change, they’ve become simply unexciting. Hell, even Summerslam felt so matter-of-fact to me. As far as Hell in a Cell, I can easily admit that I’m part of the group that say this PPV just isn’t what it used to be, but the reality is that this mentality is already archaic. Hell in a Cells haven’t been what we’ve “wanted” for years, and they are no longer the end of a storied feud. In most cases, they just happen to happen because September/October is here. It’s that type of bad pigeonholing that the WWE continues to do with no signs of figuring it out or changing anything. With all of that being said, I have a relatively low excitement level for the PPV.

Len Archibald: 7 out of 10 – Hell in a Cell is getting an “anticipated, but not excited meh” from me. The show looks good on paper, but most WWE events look good on paper. Roman vs. BRAUN for the Universal Title in the Cell will be able to hide both competitors’ limitations and should promise a hard-hitting affair. I foresee Ziggler, McIntyre, Rollins and Ambrose playing a factor in the match as well to provide some more overbooking smoke and mirrors, but it could be the chaotic, good smoke and mirrors. Speaking of, Ziggler/McIntyre vs. Rollins/Ambrose has potential to be a very good match as all four workers seem to have good chemistry with each other. The build for AJ vs. Joe for the WWE Title has been top notch – with WWE having their booking backwards as THIS should be the match taking place in the Cell as the AJ/Joe rivalry has become a personal grudge affair. I do expect them to try and tear each other apart. Jeff Hardy just may force Randy Orton out of his comfort zone for a change, and I am on board with Orton’s current heel incarnation. Rousey vs. Bliss should be a squash. I am expecting nothing less. Bliss getting any significant offense in that match would be stupid on all sorts of monumental levels. The mixed tag between DBrie (OMG) and Miz and Mrs. should be good…when Bryan and Miz are in the ring. I expect this to further the feud between DBry and Miz (I still think they’re on a course collision to meet for the WWE Title at WM to blow everything off.) The New Day always brings the fire on Pay Per View and whether they are facing The Bar (who I think it will be) or Rusev/English (who I personally hope it will be), it should be a great match. The match I am anticipating the most is Becky vs. Charlotte. This will be Lynch’s first match away from her babyface role (don’t get it twisted, she is playing tweener, not heel) and I expect a heated, physical match. Charlotte and Becky have shown in the past that they play well off each other and I have this weird feeling they are planning to do something special. With all that said, I don’t believe there will be any immediate ramifications from this show and will simply act as a placeholder until Survivor Series, where the real seeds for WrestleMania will begin to be planted.

PLUG! Check out Ring Riffs on YouTube where I make fun of the worst pro wrestling matches. This week, I torture myself with the infamous Judy Bagwell on a Pole Match. Like and leave comments on my episodes and subscribe to the channel so you can watch riffs on The Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzales, Jenna Morasca vs. Sharmell, THAT Jackie Gayda Match and more!