Between The Ropes

Between The Ropes: Daniel Bryan

May 17, 2012 Brian Fritz No comments

Daniel Bryan has really hit his stride in the WWE. Most wrestling fans already knew he was one of the best technical wrestling in the world before even joining the WWE. But over the past few years, he has risen to one of the top stars in the company having already won the World Heavyweight Championship. Now, one simple word has made him into one of the popular WWE superstars: YES!

This Sunday, Daniel Bryan will challenge CM Punk for the WWE Championship at the Over the Limit PPV in what believe could be an instant classic. I spoke with Bryan about the upcoming match, the YES phenomenon and how it has changed his life, the reaction he has received from Vince McMahon about it, if he was disappointed in the quick match at WrestleMania 28 against Sheamus, Brock Lesnar’s return to the WWE and if he would like to have a match against him and more.

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WWE RAW: BROCK LESNAR MEANS BUSINESS

April 17, 2012 Brian Fritz No comments

When Brock Lesnar returned to the WWE two weeks ago, it was met with a roar from the audience. He is bringing legitimacy back to the company.

That was shown last week when Lesnar and John Cena got into a brawl which left the latter with a bloody mouth.

The point was driven home either further last night on Raw during a video package with the former UFC heavyweight champion. It was a slick video that felt much more like something produced that by the UFC than the WWE as Lesnar said his return is all about business.

That business right now means being as ass kicker and legitimizing the WWE, a company that includes Cena who everyone is tired of. Lesnar went on to say that when he faces Cena at the Extreme Rules PPV, it won’t be a wrestling match: it’s a fight. And right now, Cena is in total fear of him.

It set the perfect tone for Lesnar with it being serious and something different that we normally see from the WWE. He not only looks like a monster but a monster star. (Read more)

WrestleMania 28 Record Breaking PPV

April 16, 2012 Brian Fritz No comments

Here is the official release from the WWE:

STAMFORD, Conn., April 16, 2012 – WWE (NYSE:WWE) announced today that WrestleMania XXVIII, held April 1 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, set new records for pay-per-view buys and gross sales. Preliminary estimates show that WrestleMania, featuring the historic Once in a Lifetime match between The Rock^® and John Cena^®, garnered 1.3 million pay-per-view buys with global gross sales in excess of $67 million including the live event.

WrestleMania was seen around the world on pay-per-view in more than 105 countries and 20 languages.

Next year’s WrestleMania will take place Sunday, April 7, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Ticket information will be announced later this year.

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While it’s not as big as the rumored 1.9 million buys, this is still a big number and very good for the company. 1.3 million is nothing to sneeze about in the current economy and $67 million in gross sales is huge.

About a week before WrestleMania 28, I had thought that the show might not even hit one million buys but as the week went on, there was big time buzz for the show that made me change my mind. But it still exceeded what I had thought the show would do.

I think it goes to show what can be done when have have big stars but also build up to not only a big match but make it into a huge event. WrestleMania is a big deal every year but this year’s felt special because of what they did for the main event match and something I hope the WWE learns from and does more of.

WWE Smackdown: Legends Don’t Make it Legendary

April 12, 2012 Brian Fritz No comments

When I saw that the WWE was promoting this week’s live edition of Smackdown as a ‘Blast From the Past” featuring legends, I didn’t have high expectations.

The company – especially the creative staff – was in a tough position with many of the superstars not available as they were on their way for an overseas tour starting in Russia. So, the legends had to be called in. But even more so, almost none of the storylines advanced with them being short-staffed.

The one standout segment of the show was Piper’s Pit with Rowdy Roddy Piper interviewing Daniel Bryan. Piper was fantastic as he usually is and Bryan more than held his out in a verbal exchange against Hot Rod.

Piper was upset at the way Bryan was treating AJ, blaming her for losing the World Heavyweight Championship in 18 seconds to Sheamus at WrestleMania. Piper called her to the ring to get her side but she said that the former champion was a good guy deep down which didn’t sit well with the legend. She took the blame for Bryan’s loss and hoped he would take her back.

Bryan seemed open to it and said if AJ really loved him, she would leave the ring which she did. But Piper wasn’t done yet as he dressed Bryan down, saying that while his new t-shirt said ‘Yes’, he had a bunch of no’s for him. Like you don’t tell a woman to shut up and you don’t use a woman as a human shield. Piper went on to say that he best part of the upcoming Extreme Rules PPV – where Bryan would face Sheamus in a 2-out-of-3 falls match for the championship – was that he would get to see Sheamus kick his head off twice. (Read more)

WWE Raw: Brock Lesnar Bringing Back Legitimacy

April 10, 2012 Brian Fritz No comments

In case you didn’t know, Brock Lesnar is back with the WWE.

At the end of last week’s Raw, the beast made his return and quickly made his mark, laying out John Cena in the middle of the ring with an emphatic F5.

With that one move, Lesnar brought with him plenty of excitement and the curiosity of what would be next. Last night, we saw the next step in not only his return but in his new blood feud with Cena.

John Laurinaitis began the show by announcing Lesnar was bringing legitimacy back to the WWE. Now that he was back, he would be facing Cena at the April 29 Extreme Rules PPV. Lesnar then came to the ring and thanked the General Manager for having him but was quickly cut off by Cena who entered the ring and slapped the former UCF Heavyweight Champion in the face. An angered Lesnar immediately took Cena down and busted him lip with a short right hand.

It turned out to be a fantastic segment with the entire locker room from superstars to producers and referees trying to hold these two wild men apart. Both broke free at different times, trying to get their hands on the other until Lesnar was physically pulled from the ring. Lesnar walked away with a smug grin, knowing that he had busted up the WWE’s golden boy. (Read more)