411 Fact or Fiction Wrestling: Will Roman Reigns Leave Summerslam With The WWE Universal Title?

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 Jeremy Lambert & Robert Leighty.

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. Roman Reigns will not leave Summerslam as the WWE Universal Champion

Jeremy Lambert: FICTION – Ugh. Who knows. I would think that they’ve had Roman fail so many times that they’ll finally have him win this one. But this company can’t commit to anything past a couple of minutes. There’s a lot going against Roman. Brock possibly sticking around past Summerslam. Braun or Owens as the Money in the Bank holder. Roman being Roman. Vince deciding he should wait until WrestleMania to crown Roman again. I’ve spent too many words on this. Roman wins because it makes no sense in the most logical way.

Robert S Leighty Jr: FACT – We have been down this road before and every time, everyone is certain Roman is going over Brock for the Title it doesn’t happen. So until I see it happen I will continue to believe this is just some sick game for the enjoyment of Vince McMahon. The twist this time though is that Roman could go over Brock and still not leave with the title thanks to Money In The Bank. The fantasy booking scenario I can see happening is Owens winning and then cashing in on Reigns to once again have him screwed out of the title so we can chase another 7 months to WrestleMania XXXV. For some reason the WWE seems to think the more Reigns is screwed over the more sympathy they can build. I like the idea of Owens cashing in, and I think it is a good way to get the case off Braun as babyfaces kind of suck holding onto the case. It is more of a heel move and Owens is the perfect choice after the abuse he has taken all summer from Braun to cap it off by having him outsmart everyone and close the show with the Universal Title. I prefer Owens but whether it be Braun or LOL Lesnar wins again, I don’t see Reigns leaving Summerslam with the Title.

2. WWE is making the right call airing the Mae Young Classic in weekly episodes instead of bulk dumps like last year.

Jeremy Lambert: FACT – Sure. They’re only doing it so they can say they produce “x amount of original content weekly,” but sure. It’s the right call because wrestling fans are used to a schedule. Every week, you know when your wrestling is on. And when the MYC starts, you know it’s on every Wednesday after NXT. When they dumped all the footage at once, there was no structure. If was just, “here you go. Watch when you want.” WWE loves structure and they love telling you when you can watch stuff.

Robert S Leighty Jr: FACT – This is personal preference, but I was never a fan of dumping everything all at once. I like having things released on a schedule to build anticipation and make you want to tune in the next week. If it is something I have seen before then by all means throw everything on there at once, but new programming should be on a schedule. It’s part of the reason why I can’t get into things on NetFlix. A bulk dump just makes it seem daunting to sit through where if I get one episode a week, I can be done with it and get in a habit of watching each week. I was raised on weekly episodic TV and I am kind of stuck in that way.

3. You are surprised that WWE hasn’t signed James Storm.

Jeremy Lambert: FICTION – They had him and he opted to return to TNA. There could be some hard feelings there. I like Storm, but what’s he offering the company at this point? He’s 41 with no upside. They have enough talent that they can’t find useful positions for. Storm would just further clog things up.

Robert S Leighty Jr: FICTION – I loved James Storm in TNA and feel he has something to offer in a veteran role in NXT or the main roster, but I’m not surprised the WWE hasn’t signed him. Part of the reason is because it’s not often I think about him and how the WWE is missing the boat by not having him. A Beer Money reunion would be fun for a bit and would be a much needed boost to the RAW Tag Division, but Storm doesn’t offer too much more than that. I am all for the WWE bringing him in though, but saying I am surprised he hasn’t been brought in is a stretch.

SWITCH!

4. You like Michael Cole, Beth Phoenix, and Renee Young as the Mae Young Classic commentary team.

Robert S Leighty Jr: FACT – Cole has shown he can do quite well on commentary when Vince McMahon is not in his ear, and I suspect that will be the case here as well. Cole is also the voice of the WWE right now and he does lead more “star” credibility, like it or not, than Mauro or any other NXT guys. Beth Phoenix is a better choice for me than Lita and I think she will do fine as well. The big news for me is they are finally doing something with Renee Young and letting her back behind the commentary booth. She is a natural on the mic and I think she will knock this out of the park. Renee being on the team with basically anyone else would make this a FACT for me. Update: News has broke that Renee gets a chance on RAW Monday, so it’s great to see the WWE is using her in a better role.

Jeremy Lambert: FACT – I like anything involving Renee Young. Cole will be good because Vince won’t be in his ear producing him every second. Three people can always be messy, but Cole and Renee are great in their respective roles and Phoenix will provide the wrestler’s insight that they love. They can’t be any worse than Jim Ross last year.

5. You on are board with a Lana & Rusev vs. Andrade Almas & Zelina Vega mixed tag match at Summerslam.

Robert S Leighty Jr: FACT – The WWE has been focused on pushing Mixed Tag Matches a lot in the last year plus and this is a perfect way to continue that. They finally realized Almas and Vega have been part of Smackdown and are using them. They are great together and being on the card at Summerslam in any capacity is better than what they were doing with the pairing just a few weeks ago. Rusev is spectacular and Lana should always be with him because any time they were apart was a disaster. This is a solid midcard match that should be fun, and rewards all 4 involved with a spot on the second biggest show of the year. It will also play into the English/Lana/Rusev storyline as well which is also a plus because English has made the most out of his run as well.

Jeremy Lambert: FACT – I’m on board with Almas and Rusev getting any opportunity they can. I’d rather Lana and Vega be managers, but WWE doesn’t believe in actual managers. Just ringside seconds who aren’t wrestling.

6. Nick Aldis is right, Triple H made a mistake by not signing him to WWE

Robert S Leighty Jr: FICTION – The WWE is doing quite well without Aldis, but I have no issue with him having belief in himself. With that said there is nothing from him that I have seen that says can’t miss and megastar that the WWE is missing out on not having. Much like James Storm, it would be great to have him, and of course he has more upside than Storm, but no way is it a mistake leaving him out there to work the Indy Scene as a big name. I understand he has the tie in to the WWE with his wife, and I can see where that could hurt his WWE chances as much it may help other people in that scenario. I tend to believe he is on the WWE’s radar and the offer may come one day. Until then the WWE will continue without missing a beat.

Jeremy Lambert: FICTION – Papa Paul doesn’t make mistakes. If Aldis really wants to get signed, he won’t mention WWE. They want you more when you act like you don’t want/need them. And is anyone clamoring for Nick Aldis? I can’t name you a single memorable Aldis match that you need to go out of your way to see. I’m sure he had good matches in TNA when Styles was still around. But no one is out here freaking out about the amazing Nick Adlis bout they just watched.