Title Match At Clash Of Champions, NXT’s Big Move, Lesnar’s Best Option, Injuries And Older Talent

What are your thoughts on Randy Orton right back in the WWE Championship match against Drew McIntyre at Clash of Champions?

WWE has booked Randy Orton to perfection. His stellar mic work elevated him to the top heel in the company, he was able to help establish Drew McIntyre, pickup Keith Lee and still go into the next pay-per-view as a viable threat. WWE receives a lot of criticism for bad creative and not enough praise when they get it right. And what does it say about Orton that at this stage in his career he is willing to go out and help up and coming talent while remaining a top star himself? It has been a year to remember for Orton and I am very high up on what he has done and how the company has booked him.

With rumors of NXT moving to Tuesday night, do you not think that would be what’s best for both WWE and AEW?

If NXT moves to Tuesday night, it would likely benefit both WWE and AEW. It would also show what each brand is made of and give a much more accurate picture of the following behind each brand. No matter how you split it, as long as NXT and Dynamite air on the same night at the same time, they are going to steal viewers from one another. However, this would be bad for Impact Wrestling as they will lose viewers to NXT. We will see if NXT moves permanently following the NHL Playoffs but I am not opposed to it.

With all the hype and dream scenarios of Brock Lesnar going to AEW or taking on another big UFC fight (like Jon Jones), wouldn’t the most likely scenario be he just returns to WWE?

Brock Lesnar back to WWE is the most likely scenario. In fact, I heard Lesnar vs. the newly turned heel Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman was being talked about for WrestleMania 37 prior to news that Lesnar was officially a free agent. As I’ve noted, every promotion and every company wants a piece of Lesnar but I just don’t see anyone offering a better deal than what WWE can offer. The two sides have an open line of communication and negotiations can reignite at any moment. With WWE running shows without fans, there is no real sense of urgency to bring him back. Dana White is like Vince McMahon, always looking for a big fight, but I find it hard to believe Lesnar will return to the octagon south of 40 having not fought in four years. However, anything is possible.

Both Edge and Rey Mysterio are in their mid-40s and ironically enough, are sidelined with the same injury. Is it safe to say WWE just cannot rely on aging talent?

Injuries can happen to anyone – young or old. Obviously older workers such as Edge and Mysterio are going to be more susceptible but these things happen. WWE does a much better job than people realize in creating new talent and mixing in the proven stars is a good way to help bridge the gap between retaining nostalgic fans and attracting new ones. I have no problem with workers competing past 40 and am reasonable enough to understand injuries are part of this business. Karrion Kross is 10 years younger than Mysterio and Edge and was just sidelined with a serious injury.

The next installment of Ask WNC is scheduled to run on Friday, September 4, 2020.

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