Ben Hercik & Tokens Hopes For WWE in 2019-2020
While we approach the big show this weekend, we are also nearing the end of the wrestling year. In the weeks following, you have new names coming up from NXT, as well as people moving shows from Raw to Smackdown and vice versa. You see all these names in new places and the potential new rivalries. With allo of these things coming up, Ben Hercik and Token decided to sit down and talk about what they want to see for the 2019-2020 year in the WWE.
Token’s 1st pick: Andrade As United States Champion
Andrade has been tearing it up on Smackdown over the past couple months, especially with his matches against Rey Mysterio. He has a very bright future on the Smackdown brand and I think within a few months he'll win the US championship. Andrade can be the next top Latin superstar in WWE and if Vince and the creative team play their cards right, they'll have a big star in their hands. With a US title reign, Andrade could dish out great matches and have one of the best title reigns in WWE history. WWE needs to do right by Almas for the next year. Who knows, Andrade could have a big match at Wrestlemania 36.
Hercik: I agree, but the big question is when does he win the title? I don’t see Joe losing at his first Wrestlemania, and I don’t think that he should be pinned for the title. So it would have to be a multiman, since they have built Joe up to be this type of monster wrestler. I want to see Andrade win the championship, but I just have no idea when he would win it. I think Summerslam is a great time for him to win it, the issue I don’t have is when he wins the title, because I think he does, but the issue is who he beats for the title.
Token: Summerslam would be the perfect place for Andrade to win the United States Championship, but I do see what you mean when you asked the question, "Who does he beat?" Now I don't wanna see Samoa Joe lose his championship so suddenly and not in match that's not built up either. Andrade could be the man to beat Joe. Now if that happens, WWE has got to build this match up right as Andrade wants to be one of the biggest stars on Smackdown and winning the US title would be a big step. Joe, who's been US champion for months by this point hopefully, won't allow that as he's beaten everyone who's stepped up to him at this point. Now they're both heels too so if either of them has to go face if could be Andrade. With the correct build, Andrade could defeat Joe at Summerslam to win the US Championship.
Hercik: I agree, but the big question is when does he win the title? I don’t see Joe losing at his first Wrestlemania, and I don’t think that he should be pinned for the title. So it would have to be a multiman, since they have built Joe up to be this type of monster wrestler. I want to see Andrade win the championship, but I just have no idea when he would win it. I think Summerslam is a great time for him to win it, the issue I don’t have is when he wins the title, because I think he does, but the issue is who he beats for the title.
Token: Summerslam would be the perfect place for Andrade to win the United States Championship, but I do see what you mean when you asked the question, "Who does he beat?" Now I don't wanna see Samoa Joe lose his championship so suddenly and not in match that's not built up either. Andrade could be the man to beat Joe. Now if that happens, WWE has got to build this match up right as Andrade wants to be one of the biggest stars on Smackdown and winning the US title would be a big step. Joe, who's been US champion for months by this point hopefully, won't allow that as he's beaten everyone who's stepped up to him at this point. Now they're both heels too so if either of them has to go face if could be Andrade. With the correct build, Andrade could defeat Joe at Summerslam to win the US Championship.
Hercik’s 1st pick: More Stables
One thing that has always bugged me since I got back into wrestling is the lack of stables in WWE. For me, a stable consists of 4 wrestlers, like Undisputed Era. With so many wrestlers not being used, it would make a lot of sense to have them in a stable to do something and be used. Imagine R-Truth joining New Day, or someone slowly losing their mind and joining Sanity.
Token: Ben's observation on stables in WWE today are interesting. He's right about many wrestlers are not being used right now and putting them in stables would be an interesting thing to see. But I must say WWE's idea of a stable these days wouldn't be so bright. They would put underutilized superstars together and make them jokes. I'm sorry but that's the truth. I believe that if we do have more stables, they gotta be used right. The Undisputed Era is a good example of a stable used right. They're under HHH's control. Under Vince's control, who knows how a stable would be these days on the main roster.
Hercik: This is where I think that we see a new regiem take over. Triple H has been running NXT and has been doing a fantastic job. I think we all know that Vince’s days as the creative mind of WWE are numbered and Hunter is in line for that spot. I think a Triple H lead WWE would look a lot different, and we would see more stables and people getting more opprotunities like that.
Token: Ben's observation on stables in WWE today are interesting. He's right about many wrestlers are not being used right now and putting them in stables would be an interesting thing to see. But I must say WWE's idea of a stable these days wouldn't be so bright. They would put underutilized superstars together and make them jokes. I'm sorry but that's the truth. I believe that if we do have more stables, they gotta be used right. The Undisputed Era is a good example of a stable used right. They're under HHH's control. Under Vince's control, who knows how a stable would be these days on the main roster.
Hercik: This is where I think that we see a new regiem take over. Triple H has been running NXT and has been doing a fantastic job. I think we all know that Vince’s days as the creative mind of WWE are numbered and Hunter is in line for that spot. I think a Triple H lead WWE would look a lot different, and we would see more stables and people getting more opprotunities like that.
Token’s 2nd pick: NXT to be involved in Survivor Series
For the past couple of years, we've heard rumors of NXT invading the main roster and having elimination matches at the Survivor Series PPV. NXT is the best brand in WWE bar none, so why not? Now NXT doesn't have to necessarily invade RAW and Smackdown, but that could really spice up things in the company and make Survivor Series a must see PPV. Survivor Series is one of the top 5 PPVs in the company so adding NXT to the mix would really help make a big difference for the show. I also believe this would set up future programs for the talents involved and fans would definitely stay tuned for those.
Hercik: I’ve been back and forth on this one. I want to see it because it does give NXT amazing exposure, but then again you have to think who is going to take the pin. Someone has to be the person to take the loss, and my fear is that it would be the NXT guy most of the time. If the matches are elimination style, then they do get rid of that aspect. But knowing WWE if they make a multiman match, which should be elimination style (womens tag titles at Mania), they never do it. You want to build these guys and girls up to be the next wave of WWE wrestlers, and they need the opportunity to grow and develop. I know that Triple H and Vince have different looks at NXT, and Vince not even watching the shows, so how can Hunter convince Vince that the NXT guys should win?
Token: The NXT stars don't neccessary have to win their matches at Survivor Series in order to look strong. If they bring their A game and give WWE the fight of their lives and still lose, they would look strong in defeat. NXT could win most of their matches and still look incredibly strong. I know Vince and HHH have major differences on NXT, so this must be the perfect time for HHH to show Vince what the brand is all about. Vince would probably still not care, but millions of the fans will and with enough fan support Vince would have no choice but to properly give the NXT stars a chance.
Hercik: I’ve been back and forth on this one. I want to see it because it does give NXT amazing exposure, but then again you have to think who is going to take the pin. Someone has to be the person to take the loss, and my fear is that it would be the NXT guy most of the time. If the matches are elimination style, then they do get rid of that aspect. But knowing WWE if they make a multiman match, which should be elimination style (womens tag titles at Mania), they never do it. You want to build these guys and girls up to be the next wave of WWE wrestlers, and they need the opportunity to grow and develop. I know that Triple H and Vince have different looks at NXT, and Vince not even watching the shows, so how can Hunter convince Vince that the NXT guys should win?
Token: The NXT stars don't neccessary have to win their matches at Survivor Series in order to look strong. If they bring their A game and give WWE the fight of their lives and still lose, they would look strong in defeat. NXT could win most of their matches and still look incredibly strong. I know Vince and HHH have major differences on NXT, so this must be the perfect time for HHH to show Vince what the brand is all about. Vince would probably still not care, but millions of the fans will and with enough fan support Vince would have no choice but to properly give the NXT stars a chance.
Herick’s 2nd pick: At Least 2 more NXT’s Formed
I have loved the addition of NXT UK, and I think that this is only the beginning of the NXT Expansion. It was recently announced that WWE was sending officials over to Japan to talk to companies in order to set up working relationships like they currently have with promotions like Evolve, Progress and ICW. I think that we will see NXT Japan start up this year, and maybe another one, and the one on the inside track is NXT Europe. A lot of people think it’s going to be called NXT Germany, but they need a central hub, and Germany is close to being the center of Europe. The signings of WALTER, Ilja Dragunov and Jazzy Gabert, along with a partnership with WxW it seem even more likely.
Token: I honestly gotta disagree with this one. If the rumors are true and that we may see an NXT Japan at some point, then that's fine and all, but in my opinion NXT shouldn't be overexposed that much. We already have the main NXT and NXT UK, but that's should be it. Now if anything I think it would be cool if WWE had opened other performance centers in Japan and Europe. NXT is fine the way it is now. WWE already has a ton of content and having more NXT's I feel would overexpose the hottest brand in WWE.
Hercik: I do think that the over exposure would be a problem, but the saying goes that you can’t have to much of a good thing. I love seeing the growth of NXT and how much we see of it. I want to see more and more things like NXT and working relationships like WWE has made. Could you imagine if we see a working relationship between WWE and NJPW for NXT UK? We see the growth and emergence of wrestlers that we never heard of. Before his run in WWE, not to many people were talking about Patrick Clark, or as everyone else knows him, Velveteen Dream. Now he is one of the biggest stars in NXT, we could easily see this happen with other NXT Wrestlers as the NXT Expansion continues.
Token: I honestly gotta disagree with this one. If the rumors are true and that we may see an NXT Japan at some point, then that's fine and all, but in my opinion NXT shouldn't be overexposed that much. We already have the main NXT and NXT UK, but that's should be it. Now if anything I think it would be cool if WWE had opened other performance centers in Japan and Europe. NXT is fine the way it is now. WWE already has a ton of content and having more NXT's I feel would overexpose the hottest brand in WWE.
Hercik: I do think that the over exposure would be a problem, but the saying goes that you can’t have to much of a good thing. I love seeing the growth of NXT and how much we see of it. I want to see more and more things like NXT and working relationships like WWE has made. Could you imagine if we see a working relationship between WWE and NJPW for NXT UK? We see the growth and emergence of wrestlers that we never heard of. Before his run in WWE, not to many people were talking about Patrick Clark, or as everyone else knows him, Velveteen Dream. Now he is one of the biggest stars in NXT, we could easily see this happen with other NXT Wrestlers as the NXT Expansion continues.
Token’s 3rd pick: A Four Horsewomen Elimination Match
Sticking with Survivor Series here, I believe we'll definitely see a Four Horsewomen match at the PPV. Ronda Rousey is a heel now while Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir are heels in NXT. Together they could be an unstoppable force in WWE. Imagine these women terrorizing the women's division for the next few months and it gets to a point where they finally challenge Bayley, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte. This could be one of the biggest matches in the current era of WWE as we have 4 of the baddest women on the planet vs 4 of the best women wrestlers in WWE. Fans have been waiting to see this match for a long time and why not do it at Survivor Series.
Hercik: I think this is the hardest one to justify, because of one problem. What the hell is going to happen with Ronda Rousey? We simply have an issue of what is going to happen with her after Wrestlemania. I’ve heard she is going to take time off, I’ve heard that she will be leaving after Maina, it is just a huge question to me. I think that if she does return, then we will see the match, but then the issue is the winner. The only team who would make sense to win is the WWE Four Horsewomen, and another issue is the championship situation. Right now the only women’s wrestler who is ready to be champion outside of the 4 horsewomen is Asuka. Ember is currently hurt, but she would be another one. How can they build someone up in this time to be ready to take the Raw Women’s Championship, and maybe the Women’s Tag Team Championships, in the time from now to Survivor Series, when they have failed to do that in the build up to Wrestlemania?
Token: Ronda Rousey's post Wrestlemania situation is in a slump as we speak. Let's say if she does leave for a while, she could possibly pop back up at anytime. But the focus could be on Shayna Bazler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir for the time being as they terrorize the women's division. This could build to Shayna winning either the RAW or Smackdown Women's Championship then continue to terrorize the division until Sasha, Bayley, Becky, and Charlotte have had enough. Becky and Charlotte could put their differences aside to fight the MMA women as Shayna would call Ronda Rousey for her team's backup. With the perfect build, this could definitely comminate to an elimination match at Survivor Series. Yes, the WWE Four Horsewomen can win this matchup. Now as for who can they build up as a contender for the RAW Women's Championship and Women's Tag Team Championships, that I'm not so sure. I guess for the RAW Women's Championship they can build around Ember Moon once she comes back from injury. For the Tag Titles, that could go to the IIconics as I think they could do something great with those tag titles.
Hercik: I think this is the hardest one to justify, because of one problem. What the hell is going to happen with Ronda Rousey? We simply have an issue of what is going to happen with her after Wrestlemania. I’ve heard she is going to take time off, I’ve heard that she will be leaving after Maina, it is just a huge question to me. I think that if she does return, then we will see the match, but then the issue is the winner. The only team who would make sense to win is the WWE Four Horsewomen, and another issue is the championship situation. Right now the only women’s wrestler who is ready to be champion outside of the 4 horsewomen is Asuka. Ember is currently hurt, but she would be another one. How can they build someone up in this time to be ready to take the Raw Women’s Championship, and maybe the Women’s Tag Team Championships, in the time from now to Survivor Series, when they have failed to do that in the build up to Wrestlemania?
Token: Ronda Rousey's post Wrestlemania situation is in a slump as we speak. Let's say if she does leave for a while, she could possibly pop back up at anytime. But the focus could be on Shayna Bazler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir for the time being as they terrorize the women's division. This could build to Shayna winning either the RAW or Smackdown Women's Championship then continue to terrorize the division until Sasha, Bayley, Becky, and Charlotte have had enough. Becky and Charlotte could put their differences aside to fight the MMA women as Shayna would call Ronda Rousey for her team's backup. With the perfect build, this could definitely comminate to an elimination match at Survivor Series. Yes, the WWE Four Horsewomen can win this matchup. Now as for who can they build up as a contender for the RAW Women's Championship and Women's Tag Team Championships, that I'm not so sure. I guess for the RAW Women's Championship they can build around Ember Moon once she comes back from injury. For the Tag Titles, that could go to the IIconics as I think they could do something great with those tag titles.
Hercik’s 3rd pick: Wrestlers Can Go Back to NXT
So many wrestlers get underutilized on the main roster. When they need the chance to show that they can go, and NXT is the place for that. There was a match where Tyler Breeze went back and showed that he can still go in the singles division. Also that way, you have guys that have been on the main roster that can give a rub to the guys in NXT.
Token: Absolutely! Tyler Breeze's NXT return a couple months ago is proof that underutilized guys still have a lot left in the tank. Also there's so much guys who were called up from NXT that aren't doing anything on the main roster, so why not send them back to NXT? Before Tye Dillinger was released, he requested to go back to NXT and was denied? Denied for what? They weren't doing anything with him for months and yet they wanted him to stay on the main roster. There's guys and gals on that roster who would love to go back to NXT and they should definitely be allowed to.
Hercik: Plus many of them may come in with a chip on their shoulder as they were one of the guys on the main roster. One of the guys I was thinking of was Harper. He is a former tag champ and an Intercontinental champ and only a world title win away from the triple crown, but he has no direction for the time being. He can go to NXT, dominate and look like a great wrestler. This is something that NXT really needs as they are going to be light on big names, so they need to have big names in NXT, and the under utialized guys on the main roster are the perfect wrestlers for this.
Token: Absolutely! Tyler Breeze's NXT return a couple months ago is proof that underutilized guys still have a lot left in the tank. Also there's so much guys who were called up from NXT that aren't doing anything on the main roster, so why not send them back to NXT? Before Tye Dillinger was released, he requested to go back to NXT and was denied? Denied for what? They weren't doing anything with him for months and yet they wanted him to stay on the main roster. There's guys and gals on that roster who would love to go back to NXT and they should definitely be allowed to.
Hercik: Plus many of them may come in with a chip on their shoulder as they were one of the guys on the main roster. One of the guys I was thinking of was Harper. He is a former tag champ and an Intercontinental champ and only a world title win away from the triple crown, but he has no direction for the time being. He can go to NXT, dominate and look like a great wrestler. This is something that NXT really needs as they are going to be light on big names, so they need to have big names in NXT, and the under utialized guys on the main roster are the perfect wrestlers for this.
Token’s 4th Pick: Drew McIntyre as Universal Champion
This one shouldn't be a prediction but an absolute spoiler. Over the past year, Drew has been one of the best heels in WWE. For the next full year, Drew MUST become Universal Champion! He's got all the tools to be a legitimate world champion and he's been showing that for a while now. Especially the way he's been booked over the past couple months, Drew is a monster. He's got a great look and can wrestle! When he beats people down, you can feel his rage. When he enters the arena, you can feel his presence. When he roars, you can hear the beast inside of him. He should definitely become Universal Champion at Summerslam. Just like I said for Andrade, Drew's reign as Universal Champion can be one of the best reigns in the modern era if the cards are played right.
Hercik: Very similar to the Andrade point, how do we get to this point? The easy answer is the Money in the Bank briefcase, but Drew really doesn’t need that. That should go to someone who is set for a big run, not in the middle of a big run. Plus you don’t want to waste it on someone two years in a row like the whole Braun Strowman issue last year. I think that McIntyre would be the perfect person to take the title off of Rollins, but when is the right time? I want Rollins to have a good reign, and he shouldn’t be a transitional champion.
Token: Just like with Andrade, Drew McIntyre could win the Universal Championship from Seth Rollins at Summerslam with the right build to it. Summerslam is possibly the third biggest event of the year behind Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania, so that would be the perfect time for McIntyre to claim the big one. Drew really doesn't need to MITB briefcase so that I don't see happening. I wouldn't be totally against that, but he really don't need it. Drew has already been tearing it up on RAW and while Seth could be a great Universal Champion, this could set up a big title match at Summerslam between these two. Rollins and McIntyre have already had good matches together, but with the Universal Championship on the line I think they can pull out a great match, with Drew standing tall at the end of it to close out Summerslam. That would be a epic way to build a new star in the main event scene. Not to mention, this would also be a great storytelling moment for the career of Drew McIntyre. To think that 5 years ago he was released from the WWE, then 5 years later he wins the Universal Championship at Summerslam? Now THAT would be a awesome conclusion to his comeback story.
Hercik: Very similar to the Andrade point, how do we get to this point? The easy answer is the Money in the Bank briefcase, but Drew really doesn’t need that. That should go to someone who is set for a big run, not in the middle of a big run. Plus you don’t want to waste it on someone two years in a row like the whole Braun Strowman issue last year. I think that McIntyre would be the perfect person to take the title off of Rollins, but when is the right time? I want Rollins to have a good reign, and he shouldn’t be a transitional champion.
Token: Just like with Andrade, Drew McIntyre could win the Universal Championship from Seth Rollins at Summerslam with the right build to it. Summerslam is possibly the third biggest event of the year behind Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania, so that would be the perfect time for McIntyre to claim the big one. Drew really doesn't need to MITB briefcase so that I don't see happening. I wouldn't be totally against that, but he really don't need it. Drew has already been tearing it up on RAW and while Seth could be a great Universal Champion, this could set up a big title match at Summerslam between these two. Rollins and McIntyre have already had good matches together, but with the Universal Championship on the line I think they can pull out a great match, with Drew standing tall at the end of it to close out Summerslam. That would be a epic way to build a new star in the main event scene. Not to mention, this would also be a great storytelling moment for the career of Drew McIntyre. To think that 5 years ago he was released from the WWE, then 5 years later he wins the Universal Championship at Summerslam? Now THAT would be a awesome conclusion to his comeback story.
Hercik’s 4th pick: More focus on the Tag Team/Women Division
The build for the Smackdown Women’s and both Tag Team titles has been atrocious to say the least. The best challengers for the Raw tag team titles aren’t even official members of the Raw roster yet. The Smackdown Tag Titles are going to be some five team match (why can’t it just be Usos vs Hardy Boyz?). Have a consistent build and actually build up credible opponents for them to face at a major show.
Token: Definitely agree with this one too. The Tag Team division especially. Both tag divisions on RAW and Smackdown Live are so in need of a shake up. RAW Tag champs The Revival and Smackdown Tag champs The Usos are lacking challengers because there's not much competition for them to face. Seeing them defend their titles against the same teams every other month gets repetitive as hell. The Women's division also needs good storylines to feature them more. Even some women from NXT were called up and yet most of them aren't being used at all. Give them something to do by competing every week and put the women in consistent storylines. That'll definitely help grow the women's evolution to greater heights and who knows, this could lead to more all women PPV's.
Hercik: I mean you have the pieces to do it too. Raw has several good tag teams, as well as having the very talented wrestlers like Aleister Black and Ricochet at their disposal while they are still in NXT. Smackdown has so many talented tag teams as well. New Day, Nakamura & Rusev, The Bar, and The Club. Hell even the Colons are worthy of a chance at the title. They just did the Smackdown women’s championship dirty, as there are plenty of women who could have challenged Asuka for the title, but the build for this Wrestlemania, as far as the tag teams and the women’s divisions, has just been horrible.
Token: Definitely agree with this one too. The Tag Team division especially. Both tag divisions on RAW and Smackdown Live are so in need of a shake up. RAW Tag champs The Revival and Smackdown Tag champs The Usos are lacking challengers because there's not much competition for them to face. Seeing them defend their titles against the same teams every other month gets repetitive as hell. The Women's division also needs good storylines to feature them more. Even some women from NXT were called up and yet most of them aren't being used at all. Give them something to do by competing every week and put the women in consistent storylines. That'll definitely help grow the women's evolution to greater heights and who knows, this could lead to more all women PPV's.
Hercik: I mean you have the pieces to do it too. Raw has several good tag teams, as well as having the very talented wrestlers like Aleister Black and Ricochet at their disposal while they are still in NXT. Smackdown has so many talented tag teams as well. New Day, Nakamura & Rusev, The Bar, and The Club. Hell even the Colons are worthy of a chance at the title. They just did the Smackdown women’s championship dirty, as there are plenty of women who could have challenged Asuka for the title, but the build for this Wrestlemania, as far as the tag teams and the women’s divisions, has just been horrible.
