Quick Thoughts

Next WWE NXT Champion?

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It’s a four-way at NXT Heatwave.

Zilla Fatu (who had an interesting debut promo) vs. Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana vs. Tony D’Angelo for the NXT title.

They won’t do it yet, but Montana is the guy to dethrone D’Angelo. His presence stands out above the others.

Then, he and Zilla can do great work as the top feud in the men’s division.

It’s going to be too tempting for WWE to move Zilla to the main roster, so you could also do it in reverse.

Have Zilla win at Heatwave, and then Montana wins the title in the next few months.

Wren Sinclair Is A Future NXT Women’s Champion

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They have something in her.

She’s the ultimate babyface. The pairing with Kendal Grey is more authentic than, let’s say, that Sol Ruca and Zaria friendship, and when Grey heads to the WWE main roster, Sinclair will become a key figure.

Can she do it on her own? Which top heels will take advantage of Grey’s absence?

The NXT crowd loves Sinclair, and that title win is going to hit big when they do it.

 

Royce Keys Finally Got His WWE Debut

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Or at least the one he should’ve had from the beginning.

He debuted at the Royal Rumble, and then WWE did nothing with him for a while.

His good guy character never clicked (despite a well executed backstory), and he was the third wheel in the LA Knight and Solo Sikoa rise to the top.

So, pairing him with an intimidating tag team in OTM to try to take over Raw is how Royce Keys should’ve debuted.

Better late than never.

 

Kevin Owens vs. CM Punk (Match Reaction)

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I didn’t love the finish.

Does every hot babyface have to wrestle with their conscience in every big title match? This wasn’t Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 level stuff, but it’s just an overused trope that didn’t work for me as a fan.

Sami Zayn’s interference was predictable, and going right back to Zayn vs. Kevin Owens is interesting.

You couldn’t have CM Punk straight up beat Owens, but WWE played it safe with another top good guy.

On a positive note, WWE has a reliable, consistent formula for Triple Threat Matches.

Owens vs. Zayn vs. Punk at Money in the Bank seems likely at this point.

Breaking News: Ilja Dragunov Exits WWE

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He was never WWE’s kind of guy.

In the TKO era, it’s “how can we monetize you” versus “how good are you in the ring?”

He had great matches with Gunther, Carmelo Hayes, and Sami Zayn, and I thought his character work with Carmelo during their United States title feud was quality stuff.

His wrestling ability will be welcomed in AEW (seems like a layup signing for Tony Khan).

Casino Gauntlet Match at All In?