Royal Rumble 2014 - The positive side

There is a lot bitching and ranting going on about the Royal Rumble, and I agree with the vast majority, having even some more to add to the big bunch!
And yet, why make ourselves feel even shittier about a PPV that forecasts a very bad shadow not only on the Road to Wrestlemania, but the whole year (wrestling-wise)? Thus, I dedicate this post the positive side of the Royal Rumble, the good and astonishing things that happened. They are few, limited, not by far making up for the feeling of betrayal 95% of the WWE Universe feels right now, but it is a start!

Bray Wyatt def. Daniel Bryan

This match - even though the outcome wasn't pleasing everyone - was definitely the match of the evening!
Especially after Luke Harper and Erick Rowan got sent out, the match gained intensity and had - hopefully - everyone on the edge of their seat! Bray talking to his "sheep", encouraging them to let him fight his battle alone, was a great addition to the whole feeling of the match. The maniac against the one who sought redemption.
And yet, Daniel Bryan was inferior to Wyatt. Many may argue that he lost clean, something they would have never wished upon Bryan, and yet the constant blows to the head, him clutching the sides of his head after a severe fall even, and the constant reminder of the commentators that Bryan suffered a concussion in his Steel Cage Match against Bryan, make the relatively clean victory of Wyatt plausible.

Crowd reactions during the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match

Goosebumps! Not because of the bazillionth match between John Cena and Randy Orton, no, but because millions of fans - in the arena and behind the TV screens - were on the same page during this match: Not again!
Putting two "Top Stars" in he ring together, the two "faces of the company" going against each other, backfired majorly for the WWE. While the crowd reactions during Daniel Bryan's entry and throughout the whole match were amazing, encouraging, hopefully fueling the two man in the ring to give their best and nothing but their best, it was a throughout negative atmosphere the Pittsburgh crowd created here. And it was necessary! It was a statement! Shouting Bryan's and The Undertaker's names during the match, alongside with "Boring" and "This is awful" chants should send a clear message out to the WWE creatives and authorities! If a whole arena tunes in on a "We want Divas" chant because they were just so damn done with this whole set up, they can't close their eyes from it. Right?
No wonder the Wyatt family got such a strong reception once they interfered with the match and - finally - put it to an end! How much clearer can we all show what we think of this all. Now, dear WWE, please open your eyes and ears!

The Royal Rumble match

As demotivating and shameful the match actually was, it had a few bright moments - at least in my eyes.

Punk eliminating Kane:
I know, I know, this foreshadowed a very unpleasant event towards the end of the match, but still. For the vast majority of the match, CM Punk had had his revenge on the Director Of Operations.

Alexander Rusev debuts:
Sadly, many won't know him and see just another characterless Power House in him - especially since he came out without manipulating Lana at his side. Lets hope, he will be allowed to show more than his submission finishing move now that he made his way to the grans stage! I want to see his Frog Splash and Spinning Heel Kick on a weekly basis, please.
I hope, his debut will go a much better way than Bo Dallas' who debuted last year at the Royal Rumble.

Kofi Kingston:
There should be a petition to give Kofi Kingston the nickname "Mr. Royal Rumble"! As I said in advance, I was anticipating his shenanigans a lot since they always posed a highlight in the Royal Rumble match! This time, he added jumping from the barricades back on the apron - after carrying out the feud with Rusev from NXT - and hanging on the ropes with nothing but his toes to his impressively growing Royal Rumble CV.
I can even oversee him eliminating one half of the Real Americans on his behalf. I just wished he would have had some more screen time for entertaining us so greatly!

Antonio Cesaro:
Being one of the last to come in, he surely had an advantage over many of the other participants, and still I am glad that he lasted this long! Several Cesaro swings, a near elimination by Punk, and clashes with not only The Shield but Punk and Sheamus showed that he might still be one of the go-to Power Houses of the heel fraction. Fingers crossed.

Roman Reigns finished second to last:
I am no fan of Roman Reigns. In my eyes, Rollins is the most talented one of the Shield guys - even if he may lack charisma and mic skills for some - and the whole "push the big guys" isn't helping, but there is something more than valuable gain out of his impressive very first Royal Rumble participation!
While WWE seemed to be a big fan of recycling older superstars for their Road to Wrestlemania, shoving down our throats the same people again and again, it was a nice change to see a "Newbie" last that long! You can like or dislike Reigns all you want, but even I - belonging to the latter - ave to acknowledge the hope his figure puts into some of us fans that, maybe, one day - pwetty pwease - the newer talents get a chance at the big shots as well!

2014 Royal Rumble participants

Hear my opinions to the latest confirmed Royal Rumble Match participants.

● Batista
Returning after his (rather undignified) departure from the WWE in May 2010, Batista is back!
2014 will be his 5th participation in a Royal rumble match, but will it be his second to win (he won the RR Match in 2005)? I don't think and I don't hope so. The already teased feud between Batista and Alberto Del Rio seemed to be something that could be carried out even after the Royal Rumble, leaving the Animal in no need for a title shot at Wrestlemania.
My hopes thus lie in the fact that he will not join his colleague The Rock in a fast and completely meaningless title reign!

● Alberto Del Rio
Maybe the teasing and challenge of former WWE and World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio for Batista will result in an at least somewhat interesting in-ring feud during the Royal Rumble Match. But let's face the facts:
Del Rio might have one his first Royal Rumble match in 2011, but with such a mighty foe, Del Rio's chances to win the Rumble go against null!

● Big E Langston
With the current Intercontinental Champion, another powerhouse is added to the Royal Rumble Match. Given that he has no title match at the PPV, his chances to win his very first Royal Rumble match are very very slow. Unless, he loses the title in a match prior, which seems even more unlikely to me.

● The Miz
Commentating on Main Event, hosting MivTV, a very redundant feud with Kofi Kingston at the end of last year... It seems to me that The Miz's star as an in-ring competitor in the WWE is falling rapidly. Winning the for the first time in his 7th Royal Rumble Match? No way!

● R-Truth & Xavier Woods
After "stealing" the Funkadactyls from Tons of Funk, Xavier Woods and R-Truth have formed a mildly entertaining tag team. But with the current standing, a Royal Rumble victory is something those two shouldn't be concerned with at all.
It will be R-Truth's 6th, and Woods' first Royal Rumble Match.

● Kofi Kingston
Could the latest victory over Randy Orton tease a possible Royal Rumble victory for the exceptional high flyer Kofi Kingston? I don't think so. But his participation still fills me with great anticipation.
2012, Kofi Kingtson nearly got eliminated, saving himself by covering the distance between ringside area and the saving steel steps with a hand stand! 2013, he nearly got eliminated but managed to jump on the announcers table. With the usage of a chair, he literally hopped his way back into the ring!
What can we expect from Kofi Kingston in his 6th Royal Rumble match?

● Cody Rhodes & Goldust
Until now, no Tag Team Title Match has been announced for the Royal Rumble PPV. If the Rhodes brothers really enter the name-giving match, their chances to win and gain a title shot at Wrestlemania are more than low.
For Cody Rhodes, it will be the 6th Royal Rumble Match, for his brother Goldust the 9th even, thus making him the veteran in this set up!

● Rey Mysterio
Since his return in October 2013, Mysterio wasn't part of anything noteworthy, his only broadcasted victories being when he was involved in a tag team of some sort. It doesn't look like the WWE wanted to establish a big face run for him anytime in the near future, thus I don't think the winner of 2006 stands even the slightest chance in his 7th Royal Rumble Match.

● CM Punk
For the 6th time, CM Punk will be booked in a Royal Rumble Match this year, last year being part of what many WWE fans regard an upset as he lost his title to The Rock at the PPV.
This year, his chances to win are rather high! Over the last year, Punk had been challenging The Undertaker for his streak at Wrestlemania, participated in a long feud with his former mentor Paul Heyman, taking part in various quarrels with The Wyatt Family and lately The Shield, ending in a team up and screwing by The New Age Outlaws. He may not have been the main focus of WWE creatives, but he always played a major role with his segments and matches.
A teased match between CM Punk and Triple H for Wrestlemania could hint at his win at this year's Royal Rumble as well. Main Eventing Wrestlemania seems to be one of the last things CM Punk has on his to-do list for the WWE (alongside with, indeed, winning the Rumble), and instead of going for the WWE Heavyweight Title, he could demand this spot shall he really win this year.
My hopes for this are high, and in my eyes, CM Punk is the most likely to win out from all current participants.

● Fandango
The chances for the dancing star winning his first Royal Rumble Match are low. Very low. It seems more likely that Fandango is one of the "they don't stand a chance anyway" people from the mid- to undercard booked into the match to fill it. Furthermore, he adds up to the feud between him and the team of Xavier Woods and R-Truth.

● Bad News Barrett
Finally, Wade Barrett returns to the ring in his 4th Royal Rumble Match this year. His chances after being stuck announcing bad news to the WWE Universe for some time now are more than slim though.

● The Shield
Will the Shield be able to stand tall as a unit during their very first Royal Rumble Match? Or will the arguments and fights for power inside the group end in all three members being easily eliminated. The chances for Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins seem relatively low, and in the end, they could even get eliminated by their very own team mate Roman Reigns.
Reigns on the other hand seems to be a hot candidate for the win. Reports and rumors about a push, his almighty spear, and the general depiction of him being the strongest and most successful member of The Shield could speak in favor of this. And still I think - and hope! - that he will get eliminated just like his colleagues. Roman Reigns might very possibly become a top player for the company, but putting him in the title picture and on the Road to Wrestlemania this early? I don't think so.

My 50 cents on the MITB matches

The whole WWE Universe is all about the next PPV that will take place on Sunday July 14th:
Money in the Bank

On the net you can stumble upon the "My Money is on ..." pictures, and the speculations about the potential winners cashing in their contract/briefcase successfully and when and how are already spreading like wild fire. Of course I don't want to miss out on that trend, so...
Here are my picks and opinions about the MITB matches for 2013:

WWE Championship contract
CM Punk | Randy Orton | Daniel Bryan | Kane | Christian | Sheamus | RVD
Who I would want to win this match would either be Daniel Bryan or CM Punk. In my eyes the most likely winners are Christian and Randy Orton though.
CM Punk won a MITB contract twice already, getting shots at the big titles even without it. He doesn't need the briefcase for his career anymore. Daniel Bryan, on the other hand, won as one of the "odd ones out", now being a way more established superstar who wouldn't exactly need the briefcase either to get a decent feud, some main event spots, and eventually a title shot.
Sheamus and Kane, on the other hand, are kind of out of the picture for me. The Great White got somewhat of a downstep lately with his feud against Sandow, and Kane is simply one of the oldest still active stars in today's WWE. He had his moments, his time, and now it is time to step aside for younger talents.
One possible candidate I wouldn't be happy with is Randy Orton. As he had stated himself, it has been some time since he held a title, and since he is one of the most popular stars, I guess the WWE won't leave him without any gold for that much longer. And probably the best chances, in my eyes, are for Christian to win. He is not only the experienced of them all when it comes to ladder matches in the WWE, but also never held the title before, clearly deserving it after being in the company for so long and constantly bringing us good matches and entertaining segments.
And now, some words to the big elephant in the room: RVD. He is gloriously returning to the WWE, and in the past I loved to see his matches. But does that qualify him for a title shot already? WWE might think so, giving him the same thing they gave The Rock as he won the title from CM Punk. I honestly hope they won't do such a mistake again, choosing a champion that most probably will hardly be seen in ring during the normal shows.
Résumé: My heart wants Bryan, but my head says Christian.

World Heavyweight Championship Contract
Damien Sandow | Cody Rhodes | Jack Swagger | Antonio Cesaro | Fandango | Wade Barrett | Dean Ambrose
Here, my heart's pick is easy. As a big Cesaro fan I of course want him to win the match. The most likely winner, on the other hand, is Barrett.
Who's pretty much out of the picture for me are Rhodes, Swagger, and Ambrose. The latter already holds a title, and somehow I get the feeling that he was just inserted in the match because they couldn't give him another one at the PPV (with Christian being in a MITB match as well). Rhodes is someone who gets a lot losses as of late, always kind of standing behind Sandow, not getting a prominent feud while the other battles against Sheamus. Swagger, another "odd one out" candidate, had one MITB in the past, and nobody thought this would be possible back then. Another victory like this is highly unlikely, especially while looking at his opponents.
The rest could actually all be potential candidates. The question is, whether the WWE deems them to be ready. Winning the contract and successfully cashing in would mean the very first titles for both Fandango and Sandow. Of course it would mean a big push for both of them if their first title would be the World Heavyweight Championship, but on the other hand, exactly this makes a win more unlikely. Unless they are the ones, after Cena, that would cash in and fail to get the title.
Cesaro and Barrett both held titles in the past, even though Barrett has the advantage of being a part of the WWE for a longer time than the Swiss Sensation. This and the fact that he is part of a quite young stable speak for Barrett being the better choice. After having won the Intercontinental Championship three times, a bigger title would be a logical step for him.
Résumé: My heart wants Cesaro, but my head says Barrett

What are your picks? And why?

Leave a comment or hook me up on twitter to let me know! :D

WWE 2K14 Cover Contest

Have you designed your cover for the new WWE game yet? If not, go here, get creative, and submit your variations!

I personally are very disappointed with the possibilities they give us. The reason for that is this tweet by the official WWE 2K14 twitter account:

Please use ONLY the assets provided for the #WWE2K14 Cover Contest. If you use others, we CAN'T consider your entry. http://t.co/biv7sHSfQn
— WWE 2K (@WWEgames) June 26, 2013

The assets the page give us are very limited and leave almost no space for variation. Choose from three background pictures and simply add your favourite superstar(s). And done... No creativity, only a simply "I like XYZ, lets throw him on the cover". More of a creative desert here, but I still hope we get some sort of CM Punk variation in the end.
Because yes, apparently I am not at all happy with the choice of the Rock as being on the cover for the new game! Why is pretty simple: We haven't seen him on television since Wrestlemania, not even in a short video message of some sort. And even before WM, he had been a rather rare guest in the shows and even more so in the ring. Many talents have worked their asses off during the last year, deserving to be on the cover, not a part time actor, part time 'I show my face on Raw to get some extra money' person.
But I can see why the WWE decided on this move. Despite the fan protests, people will buy the game, no matter who's on the cover. And for those who are not that familiar with the WWE (anymore), The Rock could be the little tidbit that could convince them to buy the game. Because The Rock is widely known, seen on the big screen every once in a while. He sure speaks to the purchasing power of the masses.

Anyways, I couldn't resist and make my own versions of the WWE 2K14 cover, of course not using the assets they gave us.

What do you guys think? Have you done your own as well? Let me see them! :D