TNA

The Taz Show Recap – Money in the Bank Predictions, It’s Mahal’s Time, Lita Returning at MITB? More!

A listener calls into the show and tells Taz that in a recent ‘I Quit’ match on the indie scene, one performer pulled a gun on the other in order to make them quit. The caller thinks that was a bit much, and Taz agrees. In this day and age, Taz doesn’t think there’s a place for that stuff in the business of professional wrestling, but that’s strictly his opinion.

Taz gets into his Money in the Bank predictions.

He says that it’s weird to see a PPV with only five matches on the card, but he admits that the two Money in the Bank ladder matches will eat up a large portion of time. He points out that it takes a long time to tell good physical stories when ladders are involved.

The Usos vs. The New Day – The Usos

* Taz doesn’t think that The New Day needs the Titles right now, and a win over New Day will strengthen The Usos’ Title run significantly. Taz thinks that The Usos are one of the freshest acts on WWE programming right now, and he’d like to see their Title reign continue.

Lana vs. Naomi (C) – Lana

* Taz thinks Lana will defeat Naomi for the Smackdown Live Women’s Championship, but he doesn’t think that’s a good idea at all. He thinks that Naomi has had a good run with the Championship, but it’s evident that WWE wants to push Lana to the moon. After debuting with a big entrance and a new gimmick, a loss here for Lana will kill her run before it even gets started.

WWE Reveals Four Names for the Mae Young Classic

WWE announced the first four names for the July 13th and July 14th Mae Young Classic tournament. They wrote the following on their website:

Toni Storm is the first and reigning PROGRESS Women’s Champion in the United Kingdom. Already an eight-year veteran, Storm has carved out a reputation worldwide: Born in New Zealand, raised in Australia and based in the U.K., she wrestled in 13 countries before age 20, capturing championships along the way.

Lacey Evans, of Parris Island, S.C., is a familiar face to WWE Network subscribers. A newcomer inside the yellow ropes of NXT, Evans joined the WWE Performance Center in April 2016. Prior to pursuing sports-entertainment, she served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, including time spent as military police and a member of the Special Reactions Team, which is the Marine equivalent of a SWAT Team.

Sarah Logan is an NXT competitor and recruit at the Performance Center. She began her in-ring career on the U.S. independent scene in 2011, and quickly gained notoriety for her rough-and-tumble fights. She refined her skills in Japan under former WWE Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku before signing with WWE in October 2016. Logan, who has also won Olympic powerlifting competitions, made her NXT TV debut earlier this year.

Princesa Sugehit, from Monterrey, brings 20 years’ experience to the Classic. Since turning professional in 1996, Sugehit has earned countless accolades while competing in her home country’s top organizations, CMLL and AAA. Not only that, but she has claimed the masks of numerous rivals over the year, which is considered the ultimate sign of triumph in lucha libre. She is also the current Mexican National Women’s Champion.

We revealed seventeen names the other day for the event, which you can read here.

WWE 2K18 Coming to the Nintendo Switch?

The Nintendo Switch may be getting the upcoming WWE 2K18 video game.

GoNintedo.com reports that there could be two different versions of WWE 2K18. Austrian retail outlet Libro triggered speculation after they listed WWE 2K18 as available on Nintendo Switch.

The listing has been deleted but they could have posted the information ahead of schedule after receiving sales data for the game. This has been done in the past.

The last game in production for Nintendo was WWE 13, which was available on the Wii. The Wii U never got any wrestling titles. The latest game of the series, WWE 2K17, is currently available for PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and PS4.

Rusev Returning to SmackDown Next Week

We reported a few days back via Pro Wrestling Sheet that Rusev has been cleared to return to in-ring competition after having shoulder surgery back in March.

PWInsider reports that Rusev is expected to make his return to WWE programming on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live. There is no exact word on what his role will be upon his return. WWE teased a feud with Shane McMahon last month, but those plans got nixed. It’s unknown at this time if the company will pick up where they left off. We will keep you updated.

Someone Please Tell Me Where the Smackdown Midcard Is

These last few weeks on Smackdown, there’s been a noticeable lack of superstars on the show. I’m not even referring to American Alpha.

“We used to be your tag team champions!”

You’d think that with the Money in the Bank ladder match coming up, the blue brand would want to use that match to help build up some of their lower players. There’s no reason that Tye Dillinger, Luke Harper, or even Aiden English shouldn’t be in the match. Even if management didn’t want them there, at least have qualifying matches and have those guys lose. As much as I hate to say it, Smackdown’s been recycling matches ever since Backlash. Some variation of the 6 men in the ladder match will fight, they’ll tag against each other, etc. Quite a few people have been missing action, and it’s a shame, because the roster is so talented right now.

The United States Championship Is on Lock Right Now

Did you know that Luke Harper and Tye Dillinger won their matches at Backlash? Crazy, right? What are they up to now? Nothing, that’s what. They could have very easily been put into a program for the United States Championship. You know, the title that’s meant for the midcard guys? Instead, Kevin Owens is in the ladder match, and the title will not be defended at all this Sunday.

After Money in the Bank, I’m sure Shinsuke Nakamura will go on to take the title from Mr. Kevin Owens. I don’t mind that. I’m cool with that. However, it is highly unlikely that Nakamura will spend his time defending the title against Erick Rowan or Aiden English. It’s not happening.

They don’t have to win the title. I get that. Not everyone can be a champion. But give the guys some exposure. Rusev defended the title against Kalisto, Zack Ryder, and Titus O’Neil. John Cena fought the likes of Stardust and Neville for the US title. The point is, these guys who aren’t being used need a purpose.

Create Engaging Feuds For Them

Tye Dillinger had something interesting going on with Aiden English. Dillinger would beat him, and English would cry. English would also sing a lot and Dillinger would interrupt and kick him in the face. That was something.

Erick Rowan was angry at Luke Harper for leaving the family. He had a whole bunch of masks, and it was sort of cool. That was something.

After Backlash, what happened to Luke Harper and Erick Rowan? Absolutely nothing. What happened to Tye Dillinger and Aiden English? Absolutely nothing. Apparently they’re trying to start a program between Luke Harper and Aiden English. But how is someone supposed to know that if it isn’t even televised?

One of the best parts of Smackdown last year was the fact that almost everyone had something to do. Heath Slater got a job. The Usos became thugs. Kalisto wanted to fight Baron Corbin. When Raw was struggling to use more than 5 people per show, Smackdown had something for everyone. Sure, the roster was thinner, but even with the current roster  you should still be able to create engaging stories for everyone. Heck, that’s what Raw is doing right now. Who attacked Enzo? Who will join the Titus Brand? Even Goldust and R-Truth are battling each other via film quotes and vignettes.

Please, Smackdown. Make better use of your roster. It’s too talented to waste.

Former WWE Diva Coming Out of Retirement for Mae Young Classic?

It looks like a former WWE Diva may be coming out of retirement for the upcoming Mae Young Women’s tournament.

Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that the company has been in talks with Serena Deeb about being part of the upcoming Mae Young Classic tournament. For those that don’t remember, Deeb was part of CM Punk’s Straight Edge Society group in 2009-2010. She retired from the ring back in 2015.

NXT Women’s Title Stipulation Match Announced

WWE announced that Asuka will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross in a Last Woman Standing Match on the June 28th episode of NXT. Here is the announcement:

Asuka to defend NXT Women’s Title against Nikki Cross in Last Woman Standing Match

NXT Women’s Champion Asuka will put her coveted title on the line against the crazed Nikki Cross on the June 28 episode of NXT. The title showdown will be a Last Woman Standing Match, further adding to the uncertainty and chaos surrounding the huge championship contest.

The extreme stipulation was a logical next step in Asuka and Cross’s rivalry after the two brawled throughout Full Sail University on the June 14 episode of NXT. Along with Ruby Riot, they competed in a Triple Threat Elimination Match for the NXT Women’s Title. After Riot had been eliminated, Asuka and Cross fought outside the arena, only to return and eventually crash through a table, leaving them laid out in a heap of carnage.

Asuka’s record-breaking NXT Women’s Title reign has overcome many obstacles, but she has yet to face a challenger as crazy as Cross in a bout that caters to chaos like a Last Woman Standing Match. Will we see the end of The Empress of Tomorrow’s historic title reign?

Find out on Wednesday, June 28, at 8/7C on the award-winning WWE Network.