The Triple Threat 8.30.09: The 154th Edition - Danielson To WWE, Punk As Champion, The Undertaker's Return, More

Posted by David Martell on 08.30.2009

This week in the jam packed edition of the Triple Threat we talk about Bryan Danielson signing a WWE contract, CM Punk becoming the three time WWE World Champion, The Undertaker returning at Summerslam, Rey Mysterio getting suspended for a Wellness violation and the WWE coming up with more PPV themes for you to choose from. Jeri-Show is our superstar highlight. Please enjoy!




Topic #1 Bryan Danielson has sign a contract with the WWE. How do you feel about this?

David Martell: This is great news in my eyes and something I didn't think would happen. Bryan Danielson is arguably the greatest wrestler in the world and you can't go wrong with that. Supposedly this move was made by the WWE because ROH was moving to Monday nights but I think they planned on signing him for a long time. After all, several years ago Danielson was under a WWE developmental contract. If he can get a treatment similar to what CM Punk has been giving, he is going to have a fantastic career in the WWE. The WWE needs to prepare for the future and signing indy guys like Danielson is a great way to start. I understand that people are afraid that the E is going to start raiding the ROH roster for talent but I would be perfectly happy if they only took Austin Aries. I would like Danielson to start on ECW where he can get time to establish himself on the C show before going to the big times. As long as they don't change his name and give him some ridiculous gimmick, he should be a big success on his talent alone. I look forward to seeing him move up the ranks.

Alex Mattis: This is one of those things that you know all along is bound to happen but when it finally does you're still very surprised. When I read the news of Dragon's signing to the E following SummerSlam I was shocked, but again I knew it would happen one day. The title "Best Wrestler in the World" isn't just a clever nickname it's what Danielson truly is, I've whole-heartedly believed that for the past three or so years. And today in this monopolized world of pro wrestling the best organization in the world is the E so it's only natural. Dragon has done absolutely everything conceivable to do outside of the E and has already had an amazing career outside of the "big time." Had this been 4 years ago I would have been weary about what Vince & Co. were going to do with Danielson but after seeing what they've done with Punk and Sydal I have hope. Major props and thanks to Danielson for everything he has given us in his career thus far, and here's to hoping this new chapter is just as successful.


Zach Brown: This news could not make me happier. It's good that WWE realizes that Bryan Danielson doesn't need a developmental deal. He needs no developing whatsoever. He is the one of the best technical wrestlers in the world, and he needs no gimmick. On rare instances in the wrestling business, extremely gifted wrestlers simply need no gimmicks whatsoever. And Bryan Danielson is a great example of this. Hopefully, WWE gives Bryan the same kind of treatment that they gave CM Punk. Punk only started 3 years ago, and now he is arguably 2009's Superstar of the Year. I'd love to see that kind of career for Bryan. He has what it takes, and I only hope WWE has the right amount of faith in Danielson to make it happen.

Topic #2 CM Punk once again became the WWE World Champion. Your thoughts?

David Martell: It is really pretty astounding that CM Punk is now a three time World Champion. This is by far his best year in his short career in the WWE. He has main evented a handful of PPVs, he has won the World Title twice, he has been a part of the best feud in wrestling this year and he has given us match we wont soon forget. CM Punk has now taken over the spot as the top heel in the company and I am enjoying every minute of it. I really think Punk is an indy success story and I feel that it would make it easier for guys who are in ROH to make the transition. The fact that he is now about to feud with The Undertaker is just plain awesome. CM Punk getting any win over the Undertaker is huge for his career and it will continue to establish him as the new face of the WWE. Punk and Taker are probably the only two in the WWE that could have a damn good submission match, and that will be a big selling point for the themed PPV of Breaking Point. I almost wish there wasn't another draft next year because Smackdown is already perfect as it is.

Alex Mattis: I think this was quite predicable as the E isn't going to have Taker feud with a face champ and SummerSlam was apparently Jeff Hardy's last shabang... too bad. Punk's had the belt several times know and that in and of itself should be viewed as an accomplishment but he is yet to have a reign that means anything. He gets the belt, loses, and YAY gets it back. Come on Vince! Give the man some time!

Zach Brown: This has definitely been a breakout year for Punk. Who would have thought that this guy would be a 3 time World Heavyweight Champion in only 3 years? Punk won the title from Jeff Hardy in impressive fashion, and it took place in the best feud of the year. This definitely cements Punk at the top of the list. I hope Punk remains in the main event for a very long time. He's consistently solid in his promos, his matches, and he's honestly surpassed Randy Orton in my eyes as the top heel of the company. And Punk is a huge part of why Smackdown is so good right now. If you look over on Raw, nearly everyone in the main event is stale and not exciting. Half of the "main eventers" over there need to step aside and start putting the guys in the mid-card over. Because if Batista, HHH, HBK, Orton, and Cena all retired at once, who would be in the main event? No one would be ready for it. So thank goodness that they know how to build new stars over on Smackdown. Whoever is booking Raw needs to look at guys like CM Punk and start taking notes.

Topic #3 What are your thoughts on The Undertaker returning at Summerslam?

David Martell: I think this was rather predictable but none the less awesome. It is always great to see the Undertaker back. After giving us THE match of the year at Wrestlemania, he is finally back and a feud with Punk will be an epic return indeed. I just hope he doesn't win the title. Usually I am for the Undertaker being champion but CM Punk has been great as of late and I don't want them to kill his momentum by losing the belt to the Undertaker. It is hard to see that not happening though because the next two PPVs are Breaking Point and Hell in a Cell. If Punk gets a victory at either one of those it will be quite impressive. I hope by Wrestlemania time next year, he will be in a feud with Chris Jericho. It is a match we have never seen and something that I know everyone wants to see. At this stage in his career Undertaker only deserves great Mania matches and a match with Jericho is only the next step in his retirement. Who knows when that will be though.

Alex Mattis: Always fun to see Deadman Inc. back up and operational. I think many fans knew this is what the E was steering SmackDown towards; a Punk-Taker feud. I think Taker is actually starting to wind down and his schedule is getting lighter and lighter. So while I expect the matches to be entertaining I don't see Taker beating Punk for the title in their first encounter. They'll have their matches at the PPV's to come, one probably at "Breaking Point," then have their HIAC at "Hell In A Cell (!!!)," Taker will win the title and then lose it to someone before 'Mania. That's how these things go with Taker.

Zach Brown: What could be better than Punk winning the title back from Jeff? Taker returning, that's what. It's the perfect opponent for Punk at Breaking Point. But how will that match turn out? I honestly don't know how the booking will work on this one. It would be a mistake to have Punk lose, but Taker is re-debuting after all. But CM Punk making Undertaker tap out on their first match would be the rub of the century. On a different note, I think it's a minor mistake to have Taker return on Smackdown. I know how that sounds, but hear me out. The Undertaker is a great wrestler, but if you've been watching how awesome Smackdown has been these last few months, you might know that Smackdown is completely fine being awesome without him. I honestly wish they could move Undertaker to Raw, because that show just plain sucks right now. But I know that's not going to happen. All in all, I'm glad that Undertaker is back, because after WM 25, I only wanted to see more of him.

Topic #4 Rey Mysterio recently got suspended due to a wellness violation. How do you feel about this situation?

David Martell: This was quite the shock. Although I figured Rey has used the juice in the past, I really didn't think they would ever suspend a top star like Mysterio. What makes me even more pissed is that Mysterio has been suspended but Batista has never been suspended. You can say that there is no proof that Batista has taken steroids but if you just look at the guy you can tell he is unnatural. Mysterio has really upped his game this year and has done a great job reestablishing the IC title. I hope he takes this month off to think about the things he's putting into his body and returns better than ever.

Alex Mattis: Rey Rey on the Juice Juice?!?! Anyone surprised? Really? Just comparing Rey today to the good Rey back in '96 and it's quite oblivious some sciences experiments took place within his body. He's just one of those guys that seemed to have got bigger over time but if you are like myself and watch enough old wrestling it's clear to see that he ballooned. At 5'6'' you don't get that big naturally; Sean Sherk, now, is about as big and physically fit that you can get with a 5'6'' frame and Rey's chest is wider that Sherk's wingspan. I'm sure there a plenty of fans that were surprised to hear about this but Rey is just another one of the guys on the E roster that I had a "matter of time" attitude toward.

Zach Brown: This news really does shock me. Rey was at the top of his game, and he's been having a great year over all. Talk about getting derailed. This is purely speculation, but I would expect that Rey got busted for performance enhancing drugs as opposed to recreational drugs. For a little guy, he really is pretty muscular. I guess he would have to be to make up for his height. But these kinds of wellness violations really suck when a fan favorite is at the top of their game. Guys like Mr. Kennedy and William Regal come to mind as being completely derailed by a wellness violation, and this is no exception. Hopefully, Rey gets off of whatever he's on. He's probably not going to lose any fans over this, so I just hope he shakes it off and comes back strong.

WWE once again is thinking of new PPV themes. The themes are: A street fight themed PPV where the main events are street fights, a TLC themed PPV where the main events are TLC matches and a tournament themed PPV where there is a one night tournament. What are your thoughts about these themes and which one would you want to see the most?

David Martell: WWE is really digging these themed PPVs and we are about to see how the first one turns out in less than a month. I don't know anyone who would actually want to see a street fight themed PPV. I have never been a fan of a street fight match and the only one that comes to mind that is any good is the one between HBK and Triple H. I love TLC matches but I consider that type of match to be something special. I think is a match that should only be brought in to end a feud and not something you see often and having multiple TLC matches in one night would just be too insane. The one idea WWE has put out that I love is the idea of having a tournament themed PPV which, I would guarantee, would be called King of the Ring. This type of PPV would be perfect for the WWE right now. They are in need of building up stars. The King of the Ring tournament could easily do this by show casing some of these young wrestlers and letting one of them win. It would instantly shoot them up in the main event if done right. The King of the Ring is the only theme I would like to see and I hope it becomes a reality.

Alex Mattis: I would LOVE the return of the one-night tournament PPV. I've always found those to be very excited and it truly demonstrates how good of performers that people in the tourney are. As for gimmick match main event PPV's... sigh. The E has completely lost touch with the purpose of gimmick matches. Having a PPV (and I've never liked the LockDown idea) where you're main events are pre-set as gimmick without even knowing who is going to be involved makes the gimmick lose all meaning. I understand TLC matches are just meant to be spot-fests that anyone can be wedged into, so I kind of would roll with that. But you can't just have two wrestlers have a street fight for the hell of it; a street fight is what it comes to when two wrestlers hate either so much that they can't even battle within the confines of the rules. Saying "oh we're having a street fight but we don't know who is going to be in it yet" just makes the match itself look pointless.

Zach Brown: I desperately want WWE to bring back King of the Ring. It's a great concept for a PPV, and it gives someone an instant rub, nearly on the same level as winning the Royal Rumble. Case in point, it really helped boost the careers of guys like Stone Cold and Edge, and gave them both serious singles competitor runs. Hell, it even gave Booker T a great gimmick. Why they ever got rid of KOTR as a Pay Per View is beyond me. So yeah, that's something I'd love to see again. As for having main events be street fights, I think that is a terrible idea. Street fights are appropriate to have every 5 or 6 months as a side thing on a PPV or on Raw. But to have them be the main event of a PPV? That is beyond terrible. I can barely stand street fights at all in the first place. Like when JBL and Cena had that street fight, everyone was all over it's dick, but I absolutely hated it. Lighting a Ford Taurus on fire while Cena was still inside...ugh...it was beyond lame. But main events with TLC matches could work. I'm a little more neutral on that concept. Maybe WWE saw how successful this past TLC match was, and they want to make it a regular thing. I don't know. But it seems harmless enough. Overall, I like that WWE is wanting to try new things, but they should wait and see if Breaking Point is a success before they continue down this road of gimmick-specific Pay Per Views.

Superstar Highlight

Jeri-Show


Our thoughts on Jeri-Show.

David Martell: I would have never thought that Jericho teaming up with the Big Show would be so much fun. I was a fan of Jericho and Edge teaming up together but when they announced the Big Show as his new partner I was kind of disappointed. It only took me about a week to realize how awesome this duo is. Big Show has nothing going for him on RAW anyways so it was a very logical reason in that part. It is funny to me how Jericho is making titles worth something again. Who would of thought in a few short months, that the IC title and the Tag Belts were titles worth having. Jericho has really set out to reestablish how things should be in the WWE. Him and the Big Show have even made Cryme Time look like a tag team who actually has a chance to win gold. Jericho is the WWE's best asset and if they ever lost him it would be a huge mistake. I hope Jericho and the Big Show continue their reign of dominance because who ever beats them in the long run, is going to end up being stars.

Alex Mattis: Sometimes in wrestling teams are paired up at the last moment that are meant to pass the time and aren't expected to work very well together, well more often than not those teams turn out to work great. While time will tell just how good Jeri and Show can be together I think it's quite apparent that the two are working very well together. The stage of each man's characters mesh well together as do in current in-ring styles. I think the E gives them enough time to really get comfortable with one another they could really turn into to a great, well-rounded tag team which is just what the E needs these days.

Zach Brown: At first, I thought Big Show was the absolute lamest mystery partner that WWE could have picked for Chris Jericho. Christian could have been a smarter choice. But that being said, I love everything that Jericho and Big Show are doing right now. All WWE had to do was put Big Show in a suit, and suddenly, Chris and Show were born to be a team. Show has adopted the same kind of "better than thou" attitude that Jericho has, and it definitely works for him. They are completely dominating the tag ranks, and they make the tag belts look awesome right now. And they were even willing to put over Cryme Tyme and make them look like a legitimate threat as well. Sure, Big Show's new singlet looks like a swimsuit from the 1950s. And yeah, their original music made my ears bleed. And their new music isn't earth shattering either, but it's definitely better. In the end, I'm a big fan of JeriShow, and I hope they keep the belts for another 4 to 5 months.


That is all for this week. Have a great week in wrestling and leave us feedback at the bottom of the page if you like. CYA!