Wrestling Love Letters
The Ring General: Reigning after Roman.
Gunther's journey as the Intercontinental Champion is now etched in the history books, securing him the esteemed title of 'longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time.' Yet, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, paving the way for even greater achievements. But how do you book the end of such an epic run without harming the dominance and significance of this championship reign? Gunther has ran through the majority of the superstars the WWE roster has to offer, so let’s explore a path for Gunther to ascend to the pinnacle of the wrestling world, cementing his legacy as a world title holder.
With a reign nearing 500 days (at the time of writing), Gunther undeniably deserves a shot at the top title. His longevity as Intercontinental Champion gives him a claim superior to many on the roster. In a previous blog post, I explored why I’m backing Shinsuke Nakamura to take the World Heavyweight Championship from Seth Rollins but, as a future feud, Gunther doesn’t seem the right fit here. Shinsuke would be a fresh champion with his own reign to cement and whilst I love a villain vs villain clash, this one doesn’t seem fitting.
Doesn’t Roman Reigns vs Gunther for the WWE Universal Championship at Wrestlemania XL (2024) sound appropriate for the longest reigning IC champion of all time? Champion vs Champion? Tribal Chief vs Ring General? Now that’s a Wrestlemania main event.
With Roman currently taking a break, WWE has some time to manipulate the moving parts in this potential matchup. Maybe they could continue to add fuel to the fire of the Giovanni Vinci storyline and identify Vinci as a pivotal figure in Gunther's journey moving forward. The Triple H era has seen the re-emergence of faction-based storytelling but, recently, every faction seems to be experiencing turbulence. Imperium should be portrayed as an impenetrable fortress, a united force that remains dominant and cohesive. Amidst the descent in the other factions on television, Imperium should stand tall, keeping their internal conflicts off-screen and projecting an aura of strength. At Wrestlemania, Vinci could have the opportunity to prove his loyalty to Gunther and Imperium and play a crucial role in Gunther emerging victorious, further solidifying their alliance. Perhaps intercepting a Solo Sikoa run in? Or perhaps putting himself in the path of a superman punch?
To prevent another instance of a champion holding multiple belts, Gunther should make a significant announcement. Given the lack of formidable contenders for his Intercontinental Championship, he was forced to explore new horizons. Gunther will be relinquishing the IC belt to focus on establishing a historic reign with the Universal Championship.
The future of the IC title could be determined by a tournament that features hungry and determined competitors. This not only showcases the talented WWE roster but also ensures that the next champion feels like they have truly earnt their place. This could be a great time to showcase all the talent that have come up short against Gunther but who still remain worthy contenders, roster members who deserve title shots but have been overlooked and perhaps even some hungry NXT stars.
Now, picture this: Gunther, seated at ringside in a sharp suit, proudly draping the Universal Championship over his shoulder. The Intercontinental Championship sits on a silk-covered platform, flanked by Ludwig and Giovanni. The tournament unfolds each week, with Imperium observing, analysing, and critiquing the suitability of the competitors.
For the brackets, after much consideration—taking into account Sheamus's injury and other superstars tied up in different storylines—I settled on a mix of suitable contenders. When it comes to showcasing NXT stars, while Ilja is a personal favourite, Carmelo Hayes or Bron Breakker would also shine in this spotlight.
As for the winner, recognizing that LA Knight is a huge fan favourite, my vision for the IC title aligns more with Drew McIntyre. It presents Drew with a well deserved opportunity for a dominant championship run playing out in front of real life crowds.
The legacy of Gunther's historic Intercontinental Championship reign will undoubtedly leave an enduring mark on the sport, setting the tone for an exciting new era and setting the stage for another unforgettable chapter in WWE history.
With pins, submissions, and a whole lot of heart,
Chloe xoxo
05.10.2023
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Wrestling Love Letters
The Bloodline Series: An Unfinished Story
In the world of professional wrestling, the careful crafting of storylines is what keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Wrestlemania, the grandest stage of them all, is where these narratives reach their pinnacle. However, sometimes even the most compelling opportunities slip through the fingers of creative decision-makers, leaving fans disappointed and questioning what could have been.
Cody Rhodes, a name synonymous with wrestling legacy, emerged as the perfect contender to challenge Roman Reigns for one of his coveted championship belts at Wrestlemania 39 (2023). For fans, this wasn't just about crowning another champion; it was about concluding a narrative that had been evolving for years. More recently, viewers were engrossed by Cody's documentary, "American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes," and it became apparent that the climax of his journey (and subsequently, the documentary) should have culminated in a triumphant victory on the grandest stage of all. Taking the WWE Championship that his late father, Dusty Rhodes, never secured would have been the ultimate feel-good moment. Dusty was passed over for the title in favour of Macho Man Randy Savage, and regrettably, history appeared to repeat itself. Cody’s victory would have been a powerful tribute to his father's legacy whilst also strengthening his emotional connection with the audience.
But how could this have been executed without compromising Roman's reign? One solution lies in the storytelling itself. WWE could have refrained from putting both championship belts on the line, therefore allowing Cody to secure a monumental victory without diminishing Roman's position. This approach would have maintained the excitement of the story while preserving Roman's dominance. Moreover, Cody's victory could have been the start of a captivating downward spiral for Roman's character. Grappling to retain his remaining championship, Roman's increasing desperation could have led to him questioning the loyalty of those around him. This intriguing twist would have added layers to his character, making him more gripping and complex.
An additional consequence of WWE's creative decision was the necessity to introduce a new World Heavyweight title (currently held by the ever reliable Seth Rollins), as it was now evident that Roman was truly unbeatable, WWE had booked themselves into a corner where no one was a true threat. It's difficult not to assume that Cody was meant to be victorious at Wrestlemania, and a last-minute decision led to Roman's victory and, consequently, the introduction of a new title. Along similar lines, the once-menacing Money in the Bank briefcase has lost some of its suspense, as it's now evident that, if Cody couldn’t beat Roman Reigns, instilling confidence in a successful Damian Priest cash-in is going to be a challenge. Despite Damian having the support of the Judgement Day, Roman still remains strong with the remnants of the Bloodline, and with turmoil within both factions, the threat of the briefcase is being overshadowed.
Looking ahead, there's still an opportunity for WWE to rectify the situation. Rather than drawing out the Bloodline story with unnecessary twists, it's time to embrace the potential for evolution within the faction. An eagerly awaited feud between Jimmy and Jey Uso would provide a fresh storyline and further character development leading into Wrestlemania XL (2024). A feud between the brothers would captivate fans' attention, highlighting their individual strengths and motivations. Also the idea of the formation of a brother faction with Jimmy, Jey, and Solo against Roman would give fans something to rally behind.
Finally, the enigmatic Paul Heyman's role shouldn't be underestimated. To invigorate his character, Heyman could acquire a new protégé. This could be an opportunity to bring in a rising star from NXT (or mentor a recent call up), injecting new blood into the main roster while giving fans a fresh dynamic to invest in.
In the pro wrestling universe, missed opportunities can often become catalysts for a new and exciting direction. While Cody Rhodes' Wrestlemania victory would have been a fitting tribute to his legacy, the path not taken opens doors for future innovation and the potential for a new ending to Cody’s story.
With pins, submissions, and a whole lot of heart,
Chloe xoxo
23.08.2023
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