1/30/16 Raw Review

Note: naturally, of course, as soon as I decide to start getting back on the WWE blogging grind, my Internet goes out for a week. So, sorry about the delay, but here's my (hopefully) weekly update on Monday Night Raw!

Highlights: 

Triple H- Say what you want about WWE deciding to put the belt on a part-timer who's now more involved in the corporate, behind the scenes aspects of WWE than the in-ring wrestling product, but at the end of the day, there's a reason why HHH is a 13-time champ. We all know he can go in the ring, and last Monday night, he proved to us that he's still got it on the mic as well. He's got a way with words that few others do, and his work on Monday proved that, when given the opportunity, the man can deliver one heckuva promo. 

Becky Lynch/Sasha Banks/Charlotte angle- Finally, it seems like we're getting the Divas Revolution fans have been hoping and praying for ever since these three NXT studs debuted last summer. While Paige, arguably one of the biggest catalysts for this revolution (see: Low Points) is nowhere to be seen, these three talented Divas are seemingly finally getting a chance to showcase their talents on a big stage. With Creative finally giving fans a reason to be interested in the Divas division, these ladies are taking the ball and running with it. Just imagine this: a triple-threat match at Fastlane where Charlotte retains in some wonky way. The next night, Becky and Sasha unite in a temporary truce in order to demand a rematch. While Charlotte seems reluctant at first, Stephanie McMahon then comes out and books a three-way Iron Man match for Wrestlemania. Finally, the next night on Raw, no matter who the champ is, Bayley finally comes out and makes her debut. Bam. Talk about exciting. 

The Miz is...Awesome- I have to admit, as weird as it may seem, the Miz is one of the most underrated performers in all of WWE. They once again used the "returning superstar" angle to perfection by using him to swerve the audience, and he did a fantastic job selling himself as this cocky, delusional "movie star". Add to that his impressive performance in the match vs Kalisto, and it was a very solid night for Mike Mizanin. Side note: Miz does a great job of selling his aggression in the ring, some of those punches looked pretty painful to take. He doesn't get much credit for it, but Miz consistently plays his character fantastically, and, as far as I'm concerned, generally puts on pretty solid matches in the ring (not to mention his outstanding work as an ambassador for the company). 

New Day ROCKs- Yet again, the most entertaining Superstars in WWE delivered a fantastic performance, showing that they can hang with even some of the most legendary performers this business has ever seen (although, you may want to check the Low Points category for more on that...). Going toe to toe with the Rock on the mic, the trio of Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E continued their amazing streak of stellar performances under this gimmick, delivering quality line after quality line after quality line ("I got that snipped"...I lost it). Considering how bland their act was at first, these three have done an absolutely fantastic job of grabbing that brass ring and running with it. All three of these guys have impressed so much, with all three guys really coming out of their shells, embracing the gimmick, and doing a fantastic job with it. The fact that they were given a segment with the Rock speaks volumes of what the backstage brass has come to think of them, and deservedly so, they were fantastic again Monday night. 

Other brief notes: Did you hear the pop from the crowd when the Bray Wyatt vs. Kane match first flashed on screen? That was impressive. Also, the Goldust/Truth segment...I'm not sure if that was funny or just plain weird. It's too bad that they've been relegated to what are essentially comedy roles, because both of those guys are supremely talented in and out of the ring. Finally, the AJ Styles match was also very solid, Jericho did a great job of putting him over as a legit star. And the postmatch exchange was rather interesting as well...

Low Points

Rock's segment- Now, there are likely going to be a lot of fans out there who disagree with me. However, in my opinion, the Rock's segment last Monday night dragged on way too long, was a bit cringy at some points, and treated two of WWE's possible top future stars like jobbers. While the encounter with Miz may have been admittedly pretty funny (the "park the Rock's car" line was high quality), the majority of that segment was simply unnecessary and unentertaining. Firstly, the segment with Big Show was not funny, and it simply portrayed Rocky as a jerk. Next, while the segment with Lana and Rusev may have been funny at some points, I simply wanted to cringe at some points. A supposedly strong woman, one whom the WWE is reportedly very high on, was reduced to the role of an easy, dependant, object. She simply grinned and played along as the Rock insulted her and her womanhood, as well as her fiance. From a storyline perspective, this simply doesn't make sense (as well as how Rusev simply let Rocky walk away after that. A year ago, he was an unstoppable crushing machine. Now, he's simply a glorified jobber for Reigns as part of the League of Nations. It's a dang shame). Finally, despite the crowd's response, I was not a fan of his promo in the ring either. The quick detour to the fans at ringside was a bit odd, and slightly cringy, and even his confrontation with the New Day seemed to lack his usual gusto. Overall, while Rock certainly is a major star, and his return is big news, his return simply wasn't played out to perfection. 

Total Divas—Total Flop- Don't get me wrong, in the minds of WWE's executives, the show is most likely a pretty big hit. Frankly, they have good reason to think that. By having a show on E!, not only does WWE expand its potential audience, but also increases revenue, as well as overall awareness of the company and its Superstars/Divas. However, the "flop" part comes into play when WWE tries to mix in Total Divas storylines into its regular weekly programming. Simply put, this goes against everything that the Divas Revolution is supposed to stand for. Paige is once again floating in Creative purgatory, with no visible direction, and Natalya, one of the most talented Divas in the company, is once again given no storyline, no discernible gimmick, and no reason for fans to care about her. While the likes of Becky Lynch, Charlotte, and Sasha Banks are finally being given the opportunity to show off their talents on the big stage, which is a step in the right direction, many others are simply being shoved to the side. If WWE truly wants fans to start caring about its Divas, it has to do a lot more. 

Royal Rumble Fantasy Booking

As the Royal Rumble rolls around yet again, we know that the Road to Wrestlemania is truly beginning to heat up. However, as with every long road trip, there are sure to be a few bumps and scratches along the way. Therefore, in order to hopefully help avoid such potential pitfalls, here is my list of fantasy booking for this Sunday's Royal Rumble PPV.


8. A couple of NXT appearances
In the vein of Rusev a couple of years ago, an appearance from a variety of NXT stars could do wonders to help introduce them to the mainstream WWE faithful. Whether it's an established star like Samoa Joe or a young up-and comer (in the eyes of the mainstream WWE Universe) like Finn Balor or Sami Zayn, having one of the many stars from down at Full Sail make an appearance in Orlando will do wonders to spice up the match, as well as legitimize the competitor and give them a much-needed rub.
7. Becky Lynch takes Charlotte all the way
Frankly, when the so-called Divas Revolution first came to life last July, fans were expecting great things. Rightly so, quite frankly. Charlotte, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch had been tearing the house down week in and week out at NXT for quite some time, and fans had good reason to think that they'd do the same in WWE. However, after months of inconsistent booking, bad storylines, and a conspicuous lack opportunities to showcase their talents, it's become clear that WWE still has no idea how to properly treat many of its talented women. However, this storyline has been an exception. After having come about organically, with a proper buildup and weeks of anticipation, Charlotte and her wheelin-dealin' father have become the perfect foils for the plucky underdog Becky Lynch, who's been absolutely on fire as of late. For the first time in months, WWE has given fans a legitimate reason to be excited about the Divas division, and it's absolutely essential that they give these two talented Divas a decent amount of time at the Rumble. While I don't necessarily think it's the right time to give Becky the title just yet, having her come oh-so-close, perhaps losing once again due to interference from the Dirtiest Player in the Game, will do wonders for her rapidly rising stock. If WWE plays their cards right here, they could have a potential massive babyface star for years to come, something that, frankly, six months ago, I never thought I'd be saying about Becky Lynch. Kudos to her for proving me wrong.
6. Kevin Owens and Dean Ambrose are given a chance to tear the house down
Simply put, Kevin Owens is one of the best professional wrestlers I've ever seen. He may not have that stereotypical bodybuilder look, but he's absolutely fantastic in the ring and his prowess on the mic is almost second to none. When you combine that with Dean Ambrose's fantastic energy and connection with the WWE Universe, along with the electric atmosphere of a Last Man Standing Match, you have a recipe for greatness right there in front of you. Similarly to the Becky vs Charlotte match, WWE just needs to make sure to give these two fantastic competitors some time to work their magic, because it most certainly will be just that: magic.
5.  Strong performances from the likes of Owens, Rusev, and Kalisto
As much as veterans like Triple H, Brock Lesnar, and Chris Jericho are awesome, at some point, WWE has to start thinking about the future. Simply put, these three guys, along with a few others that I'm sure I've missed, are the future. As previously stated, Owens is one of the most talented professional wrestlers I've ever seen, certainly capable of being a top heel in the company for years to come. Similarly, Rusev is also a crazy mixture of strength and agility, doing things in the ring that a man his size simply shouldn't be able to do. Combine that with the fact that he's got a solid gimmick, as well as pretty decent mic skills, and you've got another solid top heel for years to come, with or without Lana. Finally, when it comes to Kalisto, many people have been throwing around the phrase "the next Rey Mysterio". However, quite frankly, he may very well be the first Kalisto. Blessed with amazing, amazing in-ring skills, as well as a marketable look (mask sales are a very important factor to take into account here, as well as his popularity with the sizable Latin American faithful) and very solid mic skills, Kalisto's already managed to get himself very over with the WWE Universe. While I don't agree with the WWE's decision to ping-pong the US title around on recent episodes of Raw and Smackdown, the company clearly has big plans for the masked luchador, and the Royal Rumble is one of the company's premier spots for making stars. In order to fully utilize this element of the Rumble to its maximum potential, WWE needs to make sure all three of these guys put on a strong showing, possibly even making it to the final four or five. Having one of these guys take the traditional ironman spot, lasting close to an hour and putting in a supremely impressive performance, will do wonders.
4. AJ Styles makes his WWE return
While I've heard some arguments that Styles' impending WWE return (he wrestled a couple of matches for the WWF in 2002) would be best served after a few weeks of vignettes to hype him up, frankly, I think there's no better venue for him to return than the Royal Rumble. He's one of the relatively few legitimate stars left in the world who hasn't had a major run with the WWE yet, and his return would absolutely be a major selling point on the Road to Wrestlemania. There are a variety of ways to eliminate him in which he doesn't look weak, including many ways that could help set up a major rivalry, something that the company desperately needs with the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton, Cesaro, and Seth Rollins all currently sidelined.
3. Cody Rhodes finally returns
While this may seem a bit out of the blue. imagine this: Stardust comes out relatively early in the Rumble, perhaps the first 10 or 15 entrants, and gets eliminated rather quickly, the company treating him like the jobber he's become. Probably eliminated by Titus, in fact, because it's definitely great television to have these two talented superstars face off over and over for, really, no good reason. However, as the match progresses and the field gets thinner, perhaps around the mid 20s or so, the countdown clock strikes 0 and Cody Rhodes' music hits. The Orlando crowd perks up in a mixture of confusion and anticipation, which suddenly turns to elation and pure excitement as a face paint-less and de-robed Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring, a determined look on his face, while the crowd goes nuts. Cody Rhodes has consistently been one of the most entertaining parts of the company for years, no matter how dumb the gimmick he's saddled with, and he deserves his run in the spotlight. While this may not be very likely to happen, imagine how cool it would be if the turning point for this revelation occurred at the Royal Rumble.
2. Roman Reigns is eliminated early
While this may sound like the typical anti-Reigns propaganda, hear me out. Despite the fact that the Authority's clearly unbiased drawing (a segment which, by the way, was slightly painful to watch)gave Roman Reigns the number one spot in the Rumble, he's still undoubtedly got to be one of the favorites to leave Orlando as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. WWE has a major chance to jump on this opportunity by eliminating Reigns early. Possibly by having a young up-and-comer, perhaps an NXT call-up, or a returning AJ Styles eliminate him, WWE has an opportunity to not only give someone a major rub right off the bat by eliminating the champion, but also increase the excitement surrounding the match twofold. The Rumble is already exciting enough, imagine the buzz that'll be going around the Orlando crowd if we go through half of the match or more knowing for sure that there'll be a new champion by the end of the night.
1. Wyatt Family dominance/Bray Wyatt wins
Speaking of new champions, I believe there's no one more well-suited to leave the Amway Center Sunday night as champ than Bray Wyatt. Of course, in the minds of many WWE fans, as well as professional bookies around the world, there's no way this could happen. Frankly, I'm not too confident that it will either. However, ending the night with someone other than Reigns, Lesnar, or Triple H as champion would certainly be best for business. It would leave fans buzzing going into the Raw the next night, as well as Fastlane and Wrestlemania itself, and the opportunities for Wyatt would be nearly endless. He and his family have proved to be some of the most talented performers in the company over the past couple of years, and given their inconsistent booking, it's high time the members of the Wyatt Family, particularly Bray, are given the opportunity to prove themselves as legitimate top stars. There's no better way to do this than by giving Bray an opportunity to run with the industry's top prize. Plus, imagine the feuds and promos this could set up! Wyatt vs Heyman on the mic, anyone? Now that's best for business.

Why Do People Hate John Cena?

Arguably no two words in the professional wrestling community prompt more polarizing views and disagreement than the name John Cena. A 15 time world champion, a multiple time US champion, and a fantastic ambassador for the WWE, it's no wonder that Cena has such a huge legion of fans young and old alike worldwide. However, there remains one element of his character that is mystifying to the casual fan: why does such a large amount of the WWE Universe hate John Cena as well? Well, here are, in this author's reckoning, the 4 main reasons why:

4. Cena isn't as talented as a lot of the other guys. This is one of the most commonly misconstrued reasons, so allow me to emphasize something: this is not to say that Cena isn't talented, just that he is not as talented as some of the other guys. Yes, credit is due where credit is due, and John Cena is undoubtedly one of the best (if not the best) superstars of our generation, and any other for that matter. However, the fact remains that, both promo-wise and purely wrestling-wise, there are other guys in the company who are better than he is. Superstars such as Bray Wyatt, CM Punk, and Paul Heyman can outclass Cena on the mic (although, to be fair, the list of those who are better talkers than Cena isn't much longer than that), while a whole litany of superstars can outwrestle (though again, credit where credit is due, John Cena has contributed equally to more than his fair share of stellar matches, and his reputation as a bad worker is often overstated). The reason why this one ranks so low on the list is that John Cena is a world class superstar, and while he certainly is no Daniel Bryan, his in-ring skills often go underrated, and his promos, though often cheesy and pandering, can be among the best in the company on a good day.

3. Despite winning a ridiculously high percentage of his matches, Cena is always presented as the underdog. Let's approach this logically. Naturally, as a 15 time world champ, John Cena should be the favorite in just about every match he's in, correct? Well, according to WWE creative, that's wrong. According to them, Cena is best portrayed as a plucky underdog, someone who always (and boy, do I mean always) overcomes the odds and "never gives up". Frankly, not only has it been massively overdone by this point (see the rest of the list), but it's also almost insulting to the fans' intelligence.

2. Cena often goes over at the expense of young talent. For anyone who is not aware, let me briefly explain what the term "bury" means in a pro wrestling context. To "bury" someone means to beat someone in such a way that they are lowered in the eyes of the fans. Naturally, as WWE's top face, Cena gets a lot of wins. Inherently, there is nothing wrong with this. However, the problem arises with how Cena wins: the company is reluctant to ever let Cena look anything but strong. Therefore, whenever Cena feuds with a young, up-and-coming superstar, rather than giving them "the rub" (wrestling lingo for a win, or basically just for looking strong), the WWE's top face almost always ends up overcoming whatever various obstacles have been placed before him and coming out victorious. Not only does this get boring after a while, but it shows a lack of willingness by the WWE to put any measure of faith in young, up-and-coming stars who need an extra push like a victory over John Cena. For Pete's sake, Damien Sandow became the only man in history to lose his own Money in the Bank cash-in match, and it was to John Cena! Not only that, but Rusev and Bray Wyatt, two of the stars whom many expect will help carry WWE for the next decade, have also taken unnecessary losses to WWE's golden boy. 

1. Cena the character is just plain old boring. Finally, we come to the main reason why a large portion of the WWE Universe cannot stand John Cena: simply put, his character is just way too boring. The company is called WWE: World Wrestling Entertainment. And while, yes, John Cena is a fantastic role model, and, quite frankly, an excellent human being, him portraying that character on TV is not fun to watch anymore. There's a reason why the wrestling world is overflowing with gimmicks: it makes performers so much more entertaining. Before Windham Rotunda became Bray Wyatt, he was just a slightly overweight guy who could move around pretty fast for his size. However, since he's transformed into a deranged cult leader, he's become quite possibly the most interesting thing going in the company today. Therefore, when you compare fascinating characters like him, or a man with the pure villainy of Kevin Owens, or the lovable everyman personality of Daniel Bryan, John Cena and his true-to-life character are just not relatable, and not entertaining. Not only that, however, but he has also essentially remained exactly the same for about 10 years now. This business is all about entertaining, and to do so, you have to be able to evolve, to change. John Cena has not done this, he has instead portrayed exactly the same, boring, unrelatable character for far too long now.

Overall, despite Cena's admirable real-life persona and his considerable skills in the ring and on the mic, many fans have turned on him over the years because he is not the most talented, Creative portrays him as the perennial underdog, he wins matches and feuds that others are in much more dire need of, and he has not evolved at all in 10 years. Thanks for reading!

NXT Superstar Prospects With the Brightest Futures

Right now, simply put, NXT is untouchable. It's been delivering the highest quality wrestling content out of any promotion in the world for some time now, utilizing the undeniable talent on its roster to produce unforgettable match after unforgettable match. Of course, with the sheer number of aforementioned talented superstars on the roster, many have begun to debate which of these superstars will end up going the farthest in the promised land of the WWE. So, here is this author's attempt at ranking how far each superstar will go:
*Side note: since, at the time of writing this article, Neville and Sami Zayn have just recently made their debuts, so they will still be included in this list. Samoa Joe will not be included.

1. Finn Bálor- In this business, people often talk about the "it" factor. That unspoken, unquantifiable quality that separates the good wrestlers from the great ones, that changes them from show-stealing to must-see. Finn Bálor has that "it" factor. Sure, he's got other things as well—he's got them in abundance, in fact—such as his awesome special entrance (side note: why doesn't he change that up anymore? I never did actually watch him in the indies, but from what I understand, he would change up that entrance every time he did it, doing entrances like Bane, Hannibal Lector, the Joker, etc. His current one's not bad, but just saying, it would be sick if he changed it every time), his undeniable good looks, and his incredible wrestling ability. However, that "it" factor simply pushes him over the line from simply great to "one of the best". Every time he comes out, the crowd goes insane, and in the humble opinion of this author, that excitement will most certainly translate over to the world of the WWE. Expect multiple WWE World Heavyweight Championship reigns from this guy.

2. Sami Zayn- Frankly, this author can't help but look at Zayn and think of Daniel Bryan. Think about it: both guys have worked their rear ends off for years and years to get to where they are today, both are terrific technical wrestlers, and most importantly, they both connect with the fans on an emotional level. When Sami finally won the NXT Championship for the first time at NXT Takeover: R Evolution, it was undoubtedly one of the best moments of the year. Not a single person in that building was not totally invested in Sami and his seemingly never-ending quest to capture the brand's top prize. That sort of emotional connection with the fans, as well as his top-class work ethic, his endearing underdog persona, and his skills both on the mic and in the ring will ensure that Zayn has a bright future in the WWE. Expect this man to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at least once (probably more than that), and for him to become one of the most popular superstars in the company. 

3. Kevin Owens- When the decision makers backstage have enough confidence in a man who's never appeared on a WWE screen before, a "rookie" (in the eyes of the mainstream viewers, at least), to let him get in the ring with John Cena, go toe-to-toe with Cena on the mic, and to actually lay the 15-time world champion out in the middle of the ring with his signature finishing maneuver, that's when you know bright things lay ahead in that man's future. However, longtime fans of Kevin Owens know that he is anything but a rookie. Formerly Kevin Steen (his real name) in ROH, Owens has quickly developed a reputation at Full Sail University for being one of the baddest, toughest, and meanest guys on the roster. With multiple dominant, Brock Lesnar-esque displays in the ring already under his belt, as well as his terrific mic work and his in-ring psychology (which, in this writer's opinion, is a very underrated quality. Psychology is a HUGE part of pro wrestling), Owens is capable of doing big things in the WWE, perhaps even surpassing guys like Bálor and Zayn (the top 3 for this list was very close). Expect at least one WWE World Heavyweight Championship reign, along with some terrific matches and moments, particularly with his lifelong friend Sami Zayn. 

4. Neville- Simply put, this man can do things in the ring that a human being should not be able to do. Flying and flipping around the squared circle with the greatest of ease, the now singularly-named Neville is straight-up fun to watch. One particular moment about this man stands out in this author's mind: in a match on Raw shortly after he debuted, Neville was standing on the apron while his opponent was lying on the floor a few feet in front of him. Instead of simply hopping down and continuing his offense, or even waiting for the guy to get up, Neville hits a picture-perfect 450 splash. From the apron. Onto a guy on the floor. Most superstars can't even hit a 450 splash off the top rope, but Neville hit one (with ease) from the freaking apron! If that's not impressive, this writer doesn't know what is. However, as good as Neville is in the ring, there are two things that are preventing him from being any higher on this list. Firstly, his look. As much as this writer hates to say it, to be in the WWE, it helps massively to be super good-looking. While Neville certainly does have the physique, his small stature and his apparently unattractive face may hurt him. Secondly, unfortunately, Neville is nothing special on the mic. He's solid enough to carry an interview, or a short promo, but he simply doesn't leave the fans hanging on his every word like a Wyatt, Heyman, or Owens. That being said, however, still expect multiple midcard title reigns from this guy, who may take the Kofi Kingston spot as king of the midcard, as well as many, many unforgettable spots. 

5. Hideo Itami- The fact that Itami isn't any higher than 5th on this list shows just how incredibly talented the NXT bunch is. The man formerly known as KENTA is quite possibly the most well-known international superstar to ever step foot through WWE's doors. Making his name in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Itami (real name Kenta Kobayashi) developed a well-earned reputation as one of the best wrestlers in the world not under a WWE contract. With maneuvers such as Daniel Bryan's running knee and CM Punk's Go To Sleep—both of which were first used by Itami—in his repertoire, Itami is certainly one of the most dynamic superstars out there. However, as much as this writer hates to say it, it may be hard for him to ever leap past the midcard in WWE. Again, his size becomes an issue, as well as his heritage. WWE has been almost notoriously reluctant to put any championships on those of Japanese descent (as well as African-Americans, but that's irrelevant here), for both legitimate reasons (it's hard to have a champion who isn't fluent/has a very thick accent) and rather illegitimate ones. Despite this, however, expect Itami's undeniable global drawing power to help him garner at least a relative amount of success in the WWE, most likely in the form of multiple midcard reigns, potentially with a few world title opportunities here and there. 

Bray Wyatt's Top 6 Promos

The Eater of Worlds. The New Face of Fear. The Man of 1,000 Truths. No matter what you call him, there's no debating the fact that Bray Wyatt has been one of WWE's most consistently entertaining wrestlers over the past 2 years since his debut. Arguably second to only Paul Heyman right now in terms of mic work (which is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, Paul E is a legend), Wyatt has amassed quite an impressive collection of promo work already in his WWE career. With that in mind, here is this author's interpretation of Wyatt's top 6 promos ever:

Honorable mention: NXT farewell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBIKed_9gfg
While it may not necessarily have had the type of powerful lines or unforgettable moments that some of these other promos had (preventing it from being any higher on this list), this promo makes honorable mention based on its significance. After honing the Wyatt character in NXT for about a year, this promo officially wrapped up Wyatt's time at Full Sail University. Although it may not have been broadcasted to as wide of an audience as his promos on Raw and Smackdown, this promo shows how beneficial NXT truly was to Wyatt and his family. The crowd displayed a palpable respect for him, and the last line "...all you have to do is look up in the sky and follow the buzzards" was an excellent, excellent way to pay homage to NXT as he bid his old stomping grounds farewell.

6. "You three boys picked a beautiful hill to die on"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJvOGkbs45Q
This may not have been one of Wyatt's longest or most well-known promos, but it certainly is, in this author's opinion at least, one of his most memorable ones. Not only was it a part of one of the best feuds WWE has had in years in the Wyatt Family vs. The Shield (which, by the way, should totally have gotten a Mania match that year), but it was one of Wyatt's most convincing and chilling performances yet. Add in the classic line from Harper that titles this ranking, and it makes up a truly superb promo.

5. "If you look at me square in the eye, you will see a god."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI5dWmtBBQE (sorry for the commentary in the lower right, this was the best video available)
The fact that this promo isn't even in his top 4 shows just how amazing Bray Wyatt is. Wyatt's phrasing, delivery, and mastery of the crowd was simply beyond words for this promo. The WWE certainly must have had a lot of confidence in him to put him in a segment with John Cena and Hulk Hogan, arguably two of the greatest wrestlers of all time, and Wyatt most certainly took advantage of that opportunity, not looking out of place in the slightest. Also, it has to be said, the last line of this promo is simply a thing of beauty. "If you look up at me, you will see a friend. If you look down at me, you see an enemy. But if you look me square in the eye, you will see a god." If that's not epic, this writer doesn't know what is.

4. Sister Abigail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwEsCOYCkL8
This promo was so important primarily because it's the most Wyatt has ever really explained about his mysterious female inspiration "Sister Abigail". Here, Wyatt expands upon his childhood with the enigmatic Abigail, and how his special bond with her turned him into the man he is today. The line, "Her touch could save the world... but her kiss could burn it to the ground," is once again the type that sends shivers down your spine, providing just a tantalizing morsel of who Sister Abigail was, and why she had such power over Wyatt.

3. Wyatt calls out the Undertaker on the go-home Raw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ty5DNC2dIg
Given Wyatt's unique, supernatural character, sometimes, words just aren't enough to get off his point as effectively as WWE would like. This promo is an excellent example of how such smoke-and-mirror tricks can really enhance a promo by taking it to a whole new level. At the go-home Raw before WrestleMania, especially since Taker was still nowhere to be seen, something was needed to spice things up, to ramp excitement for the match up to a fever pitch. This promo provided just that. Wyatt was his usual amazing self for the first 2-3 minutes, and then the special effects ramped it up to an unbelievable level. Flashing lights, "thunder", fireworks, and the overall mystical aura that Wyatt talked about in this promo made for some absolutely epic images, leaving fans frantic for WrestleMania to roll around.

2. "He's got the whole world in his hands"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR6yVUxXnyA
Simply put, this was an absolutely phenomenal piece of storytelling. WWE certainly does make some bad decisions from time to time, but kudos to them for getting this one absolutely spot on. The image of a children's choir all donning Rowan's infamous sheep mask after singing various verses of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" is one that won't soon be forgotten by anyone who watched it. While it may not technically have been much of a "promo", Wyatt's delighted cackling at the end of the segment while a masked child sat on his lap and John Cena cringed in the ring was an excellent, excellent way to showcase one of WWE's best and most engaging characters of all time.

1. Miss Teacher Lady
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRUTIK2BUVE
While Wyatt's other work has all been superb, in the humble opinion of this author, this promo was simply out of this world. Not only was Wyatt perhaps more focused and convincing than he's ever been before, but the crowd's involvement made this an even more special segment. When Bray Wyatt forcefully said "I've got the whole (dang) world in my hands," and the crowd, without skipping a beat, launched into a rendition of "He's got the whole world in his hands," it was truly a spine-tingling moment, the kind of moment that can propel a superstar from being very good to being one of the best of all time. While this author may have a slightly biased opinion as a huge fan of Wyatt, there's no disputing the fact that he's produced a sizable number of classic promos already during his relatively short stint in the WWE so far, and there's certainly going to be more to come. Who knows, 20 years from now, we could all very well be watching a Hall of Fame induction video filled with some of the very same promos that have been included in this list.

Wrestlemania 31 Highlights: Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

The Juggernaut vs the Beast Incarnate. Wrestlemania 31's main event pitted one of the most physically imposing and dominant WWE superstars in history versus the seemingly hand-picked new face of the WWE. Would Lesnar come out on top, or would Romain Reigns make everyone in Levi Stadium "believe that"?

Result: Seth Rollins wins via pinfall after cashing in Money in the Bank midway through the match

Highlights:

• Brock Lesnar is his usual dominant self early on
• Lesnar hits an F-5 about 30 seconds into the match
• The crowd keeps a suplex count running
• Brock's amazing "suplex city, *****" quote
• Brock legitimately looking vulnerable- kudos to Reigns and the WWE for pulling that off
• Seth Rollins comes out mid-match and wins!!!

Wrestlemania 31 Highlights: Bray Wyatt vs the Undertaker

"He's got the whole world in his hands, he's got the whole wide world in his hands, he's got the whole world in his hands, he's got the whole world in his hands." Would the New Face of Fear Bray Wyatt come out of this match victorious, or would the Deadman's first match in a year end in retribution?
Result: Undertaker wins via pinfall 
Highlights: 

• Wyatt's entrance with the scarecrows was pretty sick
• Undertaker hitting a lot of his signature moves: Old School, the leg drop onto the apron, Tombstone Piledriver, etc.
• Wyatt doing his spider walk, then Undertaker doing his signature zombie sit up

Low points: 

• WWE tried, but simply put, neither of these guys' entrances really worked in the sunlight