Is it finally 'Uh Oh' for The Show?

Though McIntyre and Ziggler are currently on top of Rollins, is SummerSlam's rematch the impending doom for the Show we had been waiting for?

By Matthew Klink (@klinkmatt)

July 25, 2018

There is no confusion on this blog and in the podcast that I love, and you should love, The Show. They are the WWE's best chance to create a formidable foe for Brock Lesnar as well as successful, fighting heels. I've made the argument for months on how necessary this tag team (or whatever they are) is for the WWE and its need to stop spewing out the same few characters, week after week.

This was not only a chance to give the audience something 'new' (which I put in quotes since this could be tied back to the likes of Diesel and Shawn Michaels), but to give two individuals who have worked their asses off a shot in the spotlight. The argument could always be made that certain guys fail because of creative or a lack of chances to prove themselves. This instance and scenario, would be the exception to those claim and an honest, true, and believable shot for both Ziggler and McIntyre to be successful.

So whats happend? Well...everything I could have ever wanted...until the last two weeks.

Now, not everyone can go on month, quarter, and year long winning streaks. Just ask Brock Lesnar how much love he gets from the WWE loyalists. But there was reason and benefit for putting Ziggler and McIntyre on a tear. Believing in the Show hindered on the fact that they could defeat anyone on the roster (whether through good ol fashioned wrestling talent or with some sneaky heel tactics). They even used those tactics up until the last two weeks to get Ziggler the Intercontinental Championship and retain past Extreme Rules. 

In the last two weeks, the efforts to wipe all of their hard work away has begun. McIntyre not getting a shot at Lesnar and Ziggler being pinned start to remind of us of the old characters. They try so gosh darn hard, but just can't get the big one.

Sure...Ziggler retained his IC Title, but the title (while it is actually defended, oppose to the Universal Title) still means very little when compared to the Main Event, Heavyweight belts. If Ziggler were to be put into the Triple Threat matches to earn a number one contender spot, we'd all laugh ourselves into hysteria as we switched the TV off. We'd probably list Ziggler as the eventual man to take the pin. 

Why? Because we still need more success out of Ziggler and McIntyre before they can take that next step.

But who cares? Why is it so important for these guys to get the push? Well, its for good TV. Its for good programming. Its to go against the grain of what we know happens to these wrestlers, what we know happens to the characters, and where we know these performers and characters will eventually end up. Muddling around in the mid-card.

I could throw in rants about Finn Balor too, but I really do believe he is 3 seconds away from being a number one contender for the Universal or WWE Championships. Meaning, he's still believable, regardless of how many matches he could lose. We've talked about wrestlers being Teflon on the podcast before and I believe Balor to be one of those Superstars. Unfortunately for Ziggler and McIntyre, they aren't quite there. And even worse for Ziggler: even as the IC Champ, I still see McIntyre much closer to the main event than Ziggler.

All of these programs, house-shows, and pay-per-views should have goals in mind. We know that over the years those WWE shows have built both of these guys (Ziggler and McIntyre) to be incredible performers. We just also know that they aren't winners. I would argue that the WWE should making more winners. They are definitely more profitable and like in the Attitude Era (I know...major eye roll) you have a better chance at finding your long-term heroes and big time money makers (just out of sheer chance). 

Now that Rollins has a shot at his Intercontinental Champions again, it looks as though the end is nigh. If Ziggler was to prove he couldn't win the big one (or the medium size one), he'll return to Raw the next night to start a feud that will ultimately mean nothing. Seeing Dolph climb out of the mid-card gutter has been overdone and induces my own eyes to begin rolling. Its the same reason we couldn't watch Gargano go on a losing streak in NXT after losing to Ciampa (I know, NXT out of no where). Its the same reason we shouldn't wait till WrestleMania to see Brock Lesnar lose the Universal Championship. And its the same reason the Evolution is happening.

Change. Something new. Something different. Something entertaining. Something unpredictable.

Give me more of that and all the time. 

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