Posted in: Mr. Tito
MR. TITO STRIKES BACK - Like Kevin Owens? Be Aware of WWE Creative Damage to Seth Rollins + MITB Predictions
By Mr. Tito
Jun 10, 2015 - 12:39:01 AM

Follow Mr. Tito on Twitter.com: @titowrestling

Welcome back to the Excellence of Column Writing, the column that gets 100% approval ratings by the Comments section below (sarcasm). Come on, you should be thanking me... I'm the elder statesmen of LordsofPain.net and aside from my 3 year break from 2006-2009, you've received lots of content for FREE from yours truly. And since 2012 when I've been writing weekly, you get just over 1 column per week. Now that's productivity and one heck of a volunteer.

And the crap I'm getting now is about Kevin Owens... OH MR. TITO, YOU'RE SO TOUGH ON NXT! Or my favorite, HOW DARE YOU CALL NXT "MINOR LEAGUES" OF WWE. Huh? Do most of NXT's wrestlers actively train in WWE's Florida training facilities? Yes. Are many of the NXT wrestlers signed under WWE developmental deals? Yup... Does NXT have a major Cable/Satellite channel deal? Nope...

Last time I checked, any player in baseball or hockey minor leagues didn't get upset when their professional leagues as "minor leagues". Why? Because they know they haven't made the main pro league.

But with NXT, it's the cherished Independent Wrestlers that the WWE has signed. Because the main WWE shows have become close to unwatchable (3 hours of RAW is too much, mailing it in for Smackdown is sad), many fans on the internet are seeking alternatives. I used to get absolute hell back in the day for ripping the early days of TNA wrestling just as I'm catching hell now for ripping NXT. Better yet, I've been around long enough (since October 1998) to catch hell from ECW things. Same thing... When you dislike the bigtime corporate wrestling product, you'll cling to alternatives for dear life. Right now, the "internet darlings" are wrestlers with longtime independent experience who had to pass through NXT. What I'm hearing is that those Indy wrestlers are "too good" for the WWE and don't need developing...

OK... Can most of those NXT guys move merchandise? Can most of those NXT guys work the intense WWE road schedule? In other words, can they wrestle a safer style that can enable them to have durability to work that extensive WWE road schedule. See Daniel Bryan. Can most of the NXT guys cut a good promo? Can most of the NXT guys represent the WWE well at appearances?

In other words, as good as many Indy guys may be in the ring, the WWE has an expectation to do much more. Their expectation is to act like Public Relations employees to the general public while remaining healthy enough to endure the many houseshows and television tapings thrown your way. Better yet for any NXT wrestler... Are you willing to do what Vince McMahon tells you to do? I know that Triple H is gaining power, but Vince still has final say as both CEO and Board Chairman. He can make or break careers, and worse yet, Vince thumbs his nose at Indy guys. In fact, he was pushing Triple H to sign a bunch non-wrestlers to NXT contracts to homegrow wrestlers instead of signing wrestlers with that "indy stench". Thankfully for Triple H, he has reversed course over the past year and has made several significant signings.

Internet fans are fully behind Kevin Owens and I hear about it regularly... But I would be very careful raising your expectations too high. Again, Owens has to work for Vince McMahon and the Corporate WWE Machine. There's a BIG difference between working in front of 1,000 people and working in front of 10,000. Then, to have your success judged upon how much merchandise you've sold or if your Quarter Hour during RAW drew a rating or not is difficult for many newer wrestlers to handle. WWE is a different culture... That's what Internet wrestling fans HAVE to understand as they see their favorite wrestlers go through the WWE process. As good as Kevin Owens looks now, all it would take is a slight downward swing on John Cena's merchandise numbers to cause Vince McMahon to reverse course. Seriously... That's how WWE operates now.

But the worst foe for Kevin Owens is WWE Creative. Sure, Triple H is EVP of Creative but Vince has shown a history to overrule him on key creative decisions. I'm sure that Vince's shredder has destroyed multiple RAW scripts that Triple H has presented... Just look at the way that the WWE has poorly handled NXT call-ups. Can anybody tell me where Bray Wyatt is these days in the WWE's plans? Seriously... Rusev got hurt, but before that, John Cena got his wins back easily... Then, you have Fandango who hasn't mattered since beating Chris Jericho at a Wrestlemania one year. I could go on and on...

Most consider the Shield a major success and through Wrestlemania 31, I'd agree... WWE might be overpushing Roman Reigns and trying to sabotage Dean Ambrose's babyface following (ONE Pay Per View win in the past year, seriously!), but those guys are known quantities. Both can walk into any airport and pretty much get recognized... We can debate their pushes or lack thereof now, but through 2014, they were both set-up to be stars.

But Seth Rollins... That's a HARD lesson learn about WWE Creative.

Through Wrestlemania 31, no complaints about WWE Creative's handling of Seth Rollins. In fact, I'd consider it perfect...

He started out with the group as sort of the big spot guy and the Shield seemed reliant on Dean Ambrose to handle much of microphone work. It wasn't until the Shield began converting to a babyface group that Seth Rollins took more of a polished and balanced approach to his wrestling ability and he improved greatly on personality and on the mic. Then, he turned on the Shield... Between that heel turn and Wrestlemania 31, Seth Rollins converted into the best heel in the company (besides Brock Lesnar, if you consider winning cleanly to be heelish) and his momentum helped convince WWE Creative to give HIM, not Roman Reigns, the WWE Title at Wrestlemania 31.

But what happened after Wrestlemania 31?

- "Curb Stomp" finisher was BANNED by WWE Creative (Seth Rollins confirmed this)

- Feuding with Kane and having issues with the Authority. Took away much needed attention off of his feuds with Orton, Reigns, and Ambrose.

- Triple H and Stephanie have been largely absent. Where are they? Shouldn't they be celebrating and bragging up their new WWE Champion?

Let's go back to 1998. I know, there you go again Mr. Tito, another history lesson. But the truth hurts and you can see it on the WWE Network. When the Rock turned heel and became the "Corporate Champion", he the full 100% support of Vince McMahon's Corporation. They celebrated that their stable had the WWE Champion and all of the wrestlers aligned to protect him. Massive beatdowns occurred of anyone feuding with the Rock and they did whatever it took to retain Rock as the champion. No distractions for the Rock and full focus on letting him be the #1 heel in the company without question. WWE expanded rapidly with the Rock as the "Corporate Champion" as a result and they drew absurd money at Wrestlemania 15 with Rock vs. Austin.

What do we have with Seth Rollins? Well, he just wrestled his J&J Security and Kane may actually win the 2015 Money in the Bank briefcase. And if he does, we're getting more of the deteriorating Authority and further erosion of Seth Rollins as the #1 heel. That didn't happen with the Rock and the Corporation. The Vince McMahon Corporation during 1998-1999 complemented the Rock and did not actively try to hinder his ability to rule the WWE. Seth Rollins can't even focus on Orton, Reigns, or Ambrose because he has to deal with petty bickering with the "Walking Glass Ceiling" known as Kane. Huh?

THAT is what Kevin Owens has to truly worry about, along with his dedicated Internet Fans. Vince McMahon and many members of WWE Corporation's management see pro wrestling differently than most. Furthermore, the Chris Benoit tragedy has scared the WWE Corporation into taking any risks. That means anything offensive, vulgar, or something that goes against being politically correct, the WWE Corporation will scrub from the product. Removing the Curb Stomp finisher from Seth Rollins is an absolute joke. That move hurt nobody and it wasn't even close to what a REAL curb stomp is. If the WWE doesn't want the "Curb Stomp" name associated with the brand, then just call it the "Seth Stomp" or something close like that. It's a unique move that was getting Seth Rollins over. Do you think that stealing Triple H's trademarked Pedigree move will help his career? NO! Strip the Curb Stomp and you've stripped part of Seth Rollins's identity.

I wish Kevin Owens and any wrestler coming out of NXT the very best... If you believe that I have something personal against NXT or its wrestlers, you are wrong. I just have a little common sense and knowledge as to how Corporate WWE works. I've been following the WWE for more than 25 years now and I work in a corporate setting for a living. I don't have any reason to purposely troll your favorite wrestlers. I'm offering an opinion, take it or leave it, and you're granted a beautiful Comments section below to speak your mind. You can also Tweet me @TitoWrestling whenever and as many of my followers can attest, I do respond...

Just saying, the WWE world is much different than the Indy scene or NXT. And that's a fact.

Sickens me how the WWE Creative Team have FUMBLED on Seth Rollins.

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MR. TITO'S PHAT MONEY IN THE BANK PREDICTIONS

Good chance that I'll be reviewing this Pay Per View, although not on an insta-post basis like past Pay Per Views. I'm going to relax and watch the show as opposed to writing a column as the show occurs.

King Barrett vs. R-Truth
I laughed when R-Truth came out on RAW and thought that he was actually in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Classic stuff... R-Truth is actually an entertaining character that I think that WWE Creative has shortchanged throughout the years. He's a good worker, too... I wouldn't doubt that WWE management laughed at R-Truth and might consider a mini push here if he clears Barrett.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Wade Barrett, although the momentum from the last "Bad News" run before injury is now gone.

WHO WILL WIN: R-Truth and possibly to kickstart a comedic act push in the midcard.

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Nikki Bella (c) vs. Paige for the Divas Title
Nikki Bella is a WWE loyalist and along with being John Cena's girlfriend, she's not leaving the WWE anytime soon. She has held the Divas Title for 199 days (through 6/10/15) and the record is 295 days by AJ Lee. Nikki Bella would need to hold the title just 96 more days to tie and 1 extra day to break the record on 9/15/15. That is not too far away... I believe that WWE wants to remove AJ Lee from the record books and then put over Paige during the 4th Quarter or possibly a NXT call-up.

WHO SHOULD WIN / WHO WILL WIN: Nikki Bella - I agree with the WWE. Scrub the retired AJ Lee from the record books.

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Ryback (c) vs. Big Show for the Intercontinental Title
I'm just not sure how serious the WWE is about Ryback right now. I'm encouraged by the Intercontinental Title victory but I've seen WWE undercut Ryback before. That, and the Big Show is the other half of the "Walking Glass Ceiling".

WHO SHOULD WIN / WHO WILL WIN: Ryback, but I don't know how clean it will be... Should go over Big Show 100% clean and hit his finisher, if possible.

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New Day (c) vs. Prime Time Players
WWE missed the boat on the Prime Time Players as a legitimate babyface tag team act. Granted, Darren Young got hurt and WWE tried to push Titus O'Neil as a singles wrestler... But they seemed to get a decent reaction. The ship may have sailed but I don't know what else the WWE has to offer for Young and O'Neil. However, I have no idea where WWE is going on the New Day as well.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Prime Time Players. The New Day Stable is doing nothing for me.

WHO WILL WIN: The New Day.

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John Cena vs. Kevin Owens
It is hard for me to believe that Vince McMahon would EVER let a developmental wrestler defeat John Cena. And then to defeat John Cena again in a rematch? Hard to imagine... Expectations are quite high for this rematch, too... Many considered the first match to be up there for WWE "Match of the Year" so thus the expectation of quality for the rematch will be through the roof.

WHO SHOULD WIN: John Cena, period. Very few wrestlers on the WWE roster should ever beat the guy, let alone a developmental wrestler. He's the top guy in the business.

WHO WILL WIN: Kevin Owens by cheating. I would not expect a clean win for the rematch. If Vince wants to protect John Cena while giving Kevin Owens the victory, he'll book a screwjob finish.

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Money in the Bank Ladder Match: Kane vs. Sheamus vs. Neville vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston
It would be remarkable to see the WWE actually give BOTH of their automatic title bids to Roman Reigns (Edit: Alberto Del Rio did it during 2011). In fact, it would reek of desperation... No other wrestler would be handed so many high profile title shots in a single calendar year's time than Reigns and yet he's not over to show for it. This match makes it seem too obvious that Reigns will win it but I really don't see any other options. If Kane wins to set up a Rollins/Kane feud, I'll throw up.

WHO SHOULD WIN: BROCK LESNAR. He should clobber either Neville or Kofi Kingston, neither of whom should be in this match, and steal their spot in this match and then win the briefcase.

WHO WILL WIN: Roman Reigns. I wouldn't doubt that Seth Rollins is being cooled down to make way for Roman. Vince McMahon LOVES this guy and thus I believe he'll be the first Royal Rumble/Money in the Bank dual winner.

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Seth Rollins (c) vs. Dean Ambrose
I'm just not convinced that the WWE is ready to make Dean Ambrose become WWE Champion. Even WWE management should know that they've sabotaged Ambrose's 2014 babyface momentum with only one Pay Per View victory in the past year. At the same time, Seth Rollins is struggling to draw as WWE Champion. In some ways, I get the feeling that we may see a Roman Reigns cash-in of the Money in the Bank for Vince to "correct" the mistake he made at Wrestlemania 31. That's how he works...

WHO SHOULD WIN: I don't know... As much as I want change, Dean Ambrose just doesn't feel like he's ready to be WWE Champion. WWE only let him win 1 Pay Per View match in the past year. Not good.

WHO WILL WIN: Seth Rollins - He got pinned on RAW by J&J Security and that's all you need to know. Clear sign who is winning the match.

SO JUST CHILL... 'TIL THE NEXT EPISODE!

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