As seen on Friday Night SmackDown last month, a storyline was introduced regarding Natalya’s frequent flatulence. For those of you wondering, the storyline was created as a wake-up call to the former Divas champion.
WWE officials have been very unhappy with Natalya’s prima donna behavior which may have scraped plans for a potential Natalya vs. Beth Phoenix for the Divas Championship at WrestleMania 28. WWE brass have also been upset about her weight as of late.
A few weeks after WrestleMania 28 is over, the WWE tends to release several lesser-used Superstars and Divas as a way to refresh the rosters as well as opening up spots for up-and-coming FCW Superstars and Divas to join the main roster.
And so without further delay, here are the Superstars and Divas who I think will be calling either TNA, Ring of Honor, or Dragons Gate USA in the months to come.
Curt Hawkins: Has been relegated to NXT and Superstars while Zack Ryder is flourishing as we speak.
Evan Bourne: Bourne’s WWE career has been jeopardized due to his two suspensions and backstage heat.
JTG: Appears regularly on NXT and Superstars since Cryme Tyme disbanded back in April 2010.
Natalya: This one is a wild card, but I see Natalya quitting rather than getting released due to that embarrassing storyline. But I do see her making an impact in the TNA Knockouts division.
Michael McGillicutty: See Curt Hawkins and JTG.
Tyler Reks: Another NXT and Superstars regular. ‘Nuff said.
Heath Slater: Was used sparingly since The Corre disbanded.
Johnny Curtis: Another rarely used Superstar.
Trent Barreta: The Dudebusters shouldn’t be split up in the first place.
Layla: Like Candice Michelle and Maryse before her, was plagued by injuries.
Matt Striker: Was reduced to an interviewer role since being replaced by Booker T back in February 2011.
It's time to shake things up again!
On Monday, April 23 2012 in Detroit Michigan, the 2012 WWE Draft commences on a very special three-hour episode of Monday Night RAW. It’s the time where several WWE Superstars and Divas change brands in order to refresh the rosters of both RAW and SmackDown, which helps began new feuds, storylines, and maybe even a babyface/heel turn or two.
And so without further delay, here are the Superstars and Divas who I think will be switching brands come April 23.
TV DRAFT (MAIN EVENTERS AND UPPER MID CARDERS)
Cody Rhodes to RAW. The Intercontinental Champion has proved experts wrong when he, not Ted DiBiase, would end up being the breakout star of Legacy. Rhodes has become one of the top heels in the WWE since coming to SmackDown in the 2010 WWE Supplemental Draft after three years on RAW. With a possible big name heel going to SmackDown (more on that later), Rhodes’ days on the blue brand could be numbered.
Wade Barrett to RAW. Like Rhodes before him, the British Superstar has been on fire since winning season one of WWE NXT (which has since become the so-called third brand). And expect the Barrett Barrage to continue, this time on the red brand.
Kofi Kingston to SmackDown. The Ghanaian high-flyer seems to switch brands year after year and 2012 will be no exception.
Dolph Ziggler to SmackDown. Rhodes’ loss will be Ziggler’s gain as the former Spirit Squad member moves to Friday nights.
The Miz to SmackDown. The Awesome One has been getting buried somewhat due to recent backstage heat. But expect The Miz to rebound, this time on the blue brand.
Christian to RAW. Captain Charisma is recovering from an injury and once he’s 100 percent, look for him to make an impression on Friday nights.
Randy Orton to RAW. In the WWE’s eyes, Orton has been unable to replace 2012 WWE Hall of Famer Edge and with RAW‘s ratings declining as well as Irish Superstar Sheamus being groomed as the face of SmackDown, look for the Apex Predator to return to Monday nights.
Alberto Del Rio to SmackDown. The Mexican millionaire had a subpar year on the red brand despite winning the WWE Championship twice, but look for him to rejuvenate his career on Monday nights.
The 2012 WWE Supplemental Draft will take place on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 on wwe.com.
SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT (MID-TO-LOW CARDERS, DIVAS, and TAG TEAMS)
Alex Riley to SmackDown
Ezekiel Jackson to RAW
Brie Bella to SmackDown
Santino Marella to SmackDown
Hunico to RAW
David Otunga to SmackDown
A.J. to RAW
Mason Ryan to SmackDown
Hornswoggle to RAW
Nikki Bella to SmackDown
Brodus Clay to SmackDown
Kaitlyn to RAW
Tyson Kidd to RAW
Epico and Primo to SmackDown
Justin Gabriel to RAW
Jinder Mahal to RAW
Zack Ryder to SmackDown
The second WWE PPV of 2012 commences tomorrow at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Elimination Chamber PPV and so without further adieu, here are my predictions:
DARK MATCH
Every WWE PPV features an untelevised preshow dark match and the Elimination Chamber is no exception. I like United States Champion Jack Swagger taking on Alex Riley.
SMACKDOWN ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
I see either Santino Marella or the Great Khali getting attacked by maybe Christian or Mark Henry before the match. I see Cody Rhodes and the Big Show getting eliminated because of their rumored WrestleMania 28 matches (Rhodes vs. Goldust and the Big Show vs. Shaquille O’Neal).
I think it will come down to Wade Barrett and Daniel Bryan with the latter coming out as champ.
BETH PHOENIX VS. TAMINA (DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP)
I see the Glamazon to emerge as champion, only for Kharma to make her return.
RAW ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Miz has been the subject of backstage heat as of late while R-Truth, Dolph Ziggler, and Kofi Kingston are just filler participants. Thus, the final two are expected to be CM Punk and Chris Jericho. I see John Laurinaitis distracting the “Voice of the Voiceless” allowing Y2J to pick up the victory.
JOHN CENA VS. KANE (AMBULANCE MATCH)
I see John Cena finally putting Kane away despite possible interference from Eve Torres and/or Zack Ryder. Will Cena’s momentum carry towards his highly anticipated match against the Rock at WrestleMania 28?
Despite only four matches on the card, I don’t see any unannounced matches taking place. However, expect two video packages highlighting John Cena and the Rock as well as in-ring segments featuring Triple H and the Undertaker as well as an appearance from 2012 Royal Rumble winner Sheamus.
There is plenty of heat on Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes regarding what is considered “erratic” behavior according to various WWE officials.
Sources say that Rhodes got very demanding during his huge push last year and numerous follow WWE superstars have also publicly complained about Rhodes’ cocky demeanor and refused to work with him in the process.
When WWE Superstars debuted on April 16, 2009 on WGN, a new wrestling show was introduced. It was an hour long and it featured matches from both RAW and SmackDown (originally the ECW brand was also featured).
However while the show featured great wrestling matches and minimal promos, the Superstars who competed regularly on WWE Superstars consist of lower card talent such as Alex Riley, Curt Hawkins, Heath Slater, Johnny Curtis, JTG, Mason Ryan, Michael McGillicutty, Trent Baretta, Tyler Reks, Tyson Kidd, and Yoshi Tatsu. These men while great wrestlers, are little used because they don’t connect very well against the WWE Universe.
By contrast, Superstars like Alberto Del Rio, Big Show, Chris Jericho, Christian, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, John Cena, Kane, The Miz, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Sheamus, Triple H, and The Undertaker almost never appear on the show at all because they’re the top Superstars in the WWE right now.
In my opinion, WWE Superstars is a retread of WWE Sunday Night Heat and WWE Velocity. Shows that feature jobbers week after week.
The March 2012 issue of WWE Magazine rolls into high gear as we got not one, but four different covers featuring John Cena, The Rock, Triple H, and The Undertaker.
WrestleMania 28 is just right around the corner as we get you ready for the biggest stage on the planet!
We look back at the greatest match of all time and it’s hard to believe that it has been 25 years since that match took place!
We catch up with former Diva Stacy Keibler on her promising future!
BONUS!
Interviews with Dolph Ziggler and CM Punk!
Big Show shows us his fists!
The Miz answers your tweets!
The Bellas get down and dirty!
And NXT Diva Maxine is one detestable jerkette!
John Laurinaitis and David Otunga: a perfect combination.
Earlier on WWE’s website, it was announced that John Laurinaitis will in fact keep his job as RAW Interim General Manager and I would not be surprised if Laurinaitis was promoted to permanent RAW GM in the near future.
It has been said that Vince McMahon is very high on Laurinaitis who gets plenty of heat from the WWE Universe and that Laurinaitis reminds McMahon of former SmackDown GM Paul Heyman.
When you ask each member of the WWE Universe which is their favorite feature of WWE Magazine, chances are that they’ll tell you is the “Jerk of the Month.”
The Miz has been named "Jerk of the Month" more times than any other WWE Superstar.
The “Jerk of the Month” article is where the heels (bad guys or villains, whatever you may call them) are featured in photographs that depict them in a police mugshot holding the nameplate which features the heel’s name, hometown, and case number. Recently, the “Jerk of the Month” articles have been humorous as well. The photos ranged from Cody Rhodes being arrested by a policeman wearing a paper bag over his head to Jack Swagger dressed as Santa Claus to an upcoming one featuring Divas Champion Beth Phoenix sporting a fake mustache. However, the “Jerk of the Month” articles didn’t start out that way.
The “Jerk of the Month” article first appeared in the February 2007 issue with MVP as the subject. There were no mugshots back then, instead the heel is photographed in a simple photoshoot (the mugshots made their debut beginning with the May 2008 issue). The majority of “Jerks of the Month” tend to be male wrestlers, mainly main eventers and upper-midcarders such as The Miz, Cody Rhodes, Alberto Del Rio, R-Truth, Mark Henry, Christian, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, Wade Barrett, Hunico, and Jinder Mahal. Rarely do Divas get to be “Jerks of the Month” but there have been exceptions like Vickie Guerrero, Beth Phoenix, and LayCool; tag teams such as Epico and Primo rarely get selected as well. On occasion, general managers such as John Laurinaitis or even announcers like Michael Cole would get the nod.
And so, there you have it. My favorite feature of WWE Magazine. The “Jerk of the Month” is the main reason why I read WWE Magazine in the first place.
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