Choke's RAW 9/3/12, Smackdown 9/7/12 Analysis: Ryder Rising
Posted by: choke Sep 9, 2012 | 1843 views | 4 comments
My fantasy analysis of this past week's Raw and Smackdown shows
Some good action on the shows this week, and I like some of the storyline development we've been getting (Heyman with Punk in particular)
If you're new to the site and haven't read any of my analysis pieces before, you should know that I try to avoid highlighting obvious choices like Sheamus or Cena unless something drastic happens that I think could change their current point getting status.
Rising:
1. Zack Ryder - After being ignored most of last season, Ryder is back in full force winning matches on both shows. I predicted that he would be getting a reignited push on my Preview Show, and it looks like it's coming to fruition. I could see a Ryder/Miz or Ryder/Cesaro feud for either title happening sooner or later. Even if not, I expect him to keep picking up wins
2. Wade Barrett - Wasn't the strongest return I'd ever seen (seriously? on a random Smackdown?), but I do think he will find himself picking up lots of squash victories on his climb back up the ladder. The big question is how slow will the ascension take? I also think it's possible he will interfere in a match at a PPV (maybe Orton/Ziggler?) to restart the feud where they left off, or to start a new feud with other top tier talent. Either way, I think a lot of points are in his future. If you're somehow in a league where people are sleeping on him, pick him up.
3. Divas (Eve/Kaitlyn/Layla) - Another prediction from my season preview was that the Divas would get a lot more shine than they did during the last season, and again it looks like this might be happening. I like the potential for storylines out of the Kaitlyn/Layla/Eve situation. Will Kaitlyn turn heel and win it from Layla maybe with the help of Eve? Or will Eve get herself thrust into the title picture and win it? I personally think Layla drops the belt (!) in the next few months, but she should still get some wins on Raw and Smackdown nonetheless
Also: I think Primetime Players will win the tag belts next weekend, but I've predicted that the last 15 times they've faced Kofi/Truth for the titles, so there's that.
I also think Vickie will get a match set up against AJ for the right to be the Raw GM. As if she wasnt a good enough pick for all her Mic and Accompanying points, a stip match like that (which I think she'd win) will make her extremely valuable in this short season
Falling:
1. Santino Marella - Could be one of my famous wishful thinking picks, but I know I wouldn't mind having an extended break from his nonsense. With the way the WWE has had Cesaro dominate him as of late, I'm hoping the bookers agree.
2. Kofi/Truth - As stated above, I'm going to go ahead and predict that PTP finally win the Tag Belts. I'm thinking they might pick up a new manager and maybe the WWE was waiting to figure out what to do in the wake of AW's departure. Yeah I'm full of wishful thinking. If Kofi and Truth do lose the belts, I think they might split them up again and I see their point potential for this short season being greatly diminshed.
3. Christian - coming soon to a milk carton near you.