The card for tonight's WWE Survivor Series in St. Louis, some additional worthwhile network programming and a new television deal for TNA are just three of the topics covered in this week's edition of In This Corner.
Team Cena squares off against Team Authority this evening in the main event of Survivor Series with the power of the Authority on the line and the jobs of members of Team Cena also hanging in the balance as a last minute stipulation added to the traditional SS elimination contest. Bray Wyatt will tangle with Dean Ambrose in what could be described as the semi-main event, but interest in the show really does seem to hinge almost entirely upon what happens in the main event.
After the smoke cleared from last Monday's Raw, Cena's revamped team appears to consist of the captain, along with Big Show (who passed up an offer by Steph McMahon to be put into the 2015 HOF Class if he joined Team Authority, was then forced to wrestle Sheamus and eventually passed out at the hands of Rusev's Accolade after first enduring a World's Largest Slam through a table courtesy of Mark Henry), Dolph Ziggler (who was beaten up at Raw by the Authority for his choice to join Team Cena and subsequently dropped the Intercontinental title in an impromptu match with Luke Harper), Erik Rowan (who joined the squad in place of Sheamus, who was injured on Raw at the hands of the Authority) and Ryback (who joined Team Cena after coming down to brawl with the Authority during the main event contract signing when Cena initially appeared to be by his lonesome).
Other than the main event of SS, the show looks a little thin on paper. Other bouts include A.J. Brooks (now married to Phil, AKA C.M. Punk) defending the Divas belt against Nikki Bella and Goldust and Stardust defending the tag straps in a four-way that includes the Usos, the Matadores and Miz with Sandow. There is also an eight diva elimination bout.
There are at least two ways of looking at this show. One is that it is available free on the WWE Network during the free November trial period (which really has to frustrate the cable companies who have continued to offer WWE events on ppv at the normal price, while network subscribers have been getting them for $9.99 a month and now must compete with a FREE one this month) and that begs the question of how much does WWE want to give away for free? Maybe a weaker lineup would be sufficient for a free show.
However, the other way to look at this situation is that it is an opportunity to put out something special for all of the new eyes on the product who are checking it out because it is free. It is a chance to make a strong enough first impression that the curious are converted and want to subscribe for future months at $9.99 per.
Maybe they will do a surprise appearance by St. Louis native Randy Orton, saving Cena and completing his face turn. Perhaps he interferes on behalf of the Authority, remaining loyal after all to his old Evolution pal Triple H. Maybe Batista comes back to feud with Hunter or interfere on the Authority's behalf. Could Team Cena members turn on Cena, since he did nothing last Monday at Raw to help them when they were being pummeled? Maybe Ryback turns on Cena to gain a title match with Lesnar for the December ppv. Might Hogan drop in to help Cena survive? What about a Sting appearance? While not endless, the possibilities are plentiful.
While the monthly ppv shows are obviously the big draw on the Network, there is plenty of other programming worth checking out and a show that would definitely be in that category for veteran fans would be the Rivalries series. The one on the legendary Dusty Rhodes-Ric Flair rivalry was particularly well done with so much great archival footage that takes you back in Mr. Peabody's Time Machine to the glory days of the NWA and Gordon Solie calling the action in his uniquely dramatic tone that made pro wrestling seem so remarkably legitimate at the time.
After months of speculation, TNA announced this past week that it has struck a new television deal to broadcast Impact and other content on Destination America. Not sure yet where to locate it on our local cable affiliate, but we will have until mid-January to find it according to the start date released in the company press announcement.
(Shamokin's Bill Gilger "arranges the interview each week with The Insider.)