Given the recent COVID-19 outbreaks in both WWE NXT and AEW, do you think it’s time both promotions halted shows for a least a week to stop the spread?
Running shows through a pandemic is a very complicated thing and what we are seeing now with COVID-19 outbreaks is to be expected. The virus is highly contagious so once someone catches it, others are going to become infected. There has been a lot of criticism on WWE for the way they have handled things but I do not have the answer for you. If WWE and AEW halted operations, it is going to have significant implications. I understand someone may say I am suggesting these companies making money is more important than human lives. I am not. I am saying if they shut things down; when is it safe to come back? The best case scenario is to continue with the protocols, test frequently and remove talent when they test positive. Otherwise, the entire business is just going to crumble and that is not good for anyone.
Do you have any WWE Clash of Champions predictions for us headed into the weekend?
As you all know, predictions are not something I like to do. Things change so much and are dependent on a number of factors that are impossible to predict. I can share a little bit about what I think should happen. First of all, Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre is currently a push when it comes to who is favored. We could make scenarios for each but given Orton has “done the honors” to both McIntyre and Keith Lee, I think it’s time for his victory. If I were booking, he would be going over as champion with the others chasing. Roman Reigns should go over with no problem and it would be a huge mistake to take the title off him at this point. Other than that, Andrade and Angel Garza either need to go over for the titles or never go anywhere near the Raw tag titles again. The program has gone on for too long with no payoff. We will have complete coverage of the show here at WrestlingNews.com on Sunday.
Any truth to Ronda Rousey return rumors?
Ronda Rousey is under WWE contract, so she could come back at anytime. As we have noted previously in this space, Rousey’s WWE contract is through the first quarter of next year. The problem is Ronda hated the WWE schedule and I don not think she expected the reactions she received from the fans. It is hard to get over and even harder if fans feel like someone is being forced. Rousey obviously does not have to worry about the schedule now and could be back before her contract expires. It will come down to WWE having a creative plan for her and Rousey having the desire to do it. Just because she has a WWE contract, does not mean they can force her to work.
I know a lot has been written about Retribution. What about Raw Underground, which came to the show at the same time. What are your thoughts on the segment?
Raw Underground has had good, bad and ugly moments. I went in with an open mind and have come to enjoy some of the segments during a time when there is no live audience. I do not know how it would get over without a live audience and I do not know the future of the segments when that finally happens. But WWE had almost created a viable star with Raw Underground in Dabba-Kato and put him under Braun Strowman clean for no good reason.
The next installment of Ask WNC is scheduled to run on Monday, September 28, 2020.
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