C.S.

Big Cass released WWE has come to terms on the release of William Morrissey (Big Cass). https://www.wwe.com/article/big-cass-released Kind of shocking, because I thought Big Cass and Daniel Bryan had the best match a lug like Cass could possibly have. I hope Cass didn't re-injure Bryan or something. Notice that Cass was not wished the best of luck in his future endeavors.

AJ Styles in 2006 was a great worker already. I'd call him legit great as early as 2005 at worst. But he had literally nothing else going for him back then - bad look (fresh-faced fraternity dork), abysmal mic work, etc. For better or worse, he would not have made it in the WWE of 2006.

So, it was his idea. I'm shocked such a creative genius never really made it.

My impressions of Kenny Omega vs. Cru Jones: - Wow, Omega was young. He looked like a dork and his mic work was the drizzling shits. - With that said, this was a fun little TV match. Omega's ring work looked good, at least, even if his overall "presentation" was severely lacking (dorky look, dumpy tights, etc.). - Whatever became of Cru Jones? He seems like exactly the kind of guy they would have pushed circa 2006, yet Omega won the match and Cru Jones never made it past developmental (neither did Omega, for that matter). - For all of the talk of WWE "missing the boat" with Omega, it's easy to see why he would not have been anyone's definition of a "sure thing" in 2006. Like AJ Styles back then, he simply needed more time, seasoning, and experience elsewhere. Edit: A Google search tells me they stole the name Cru Jones from the movie "Rad." Really, WWE?! Wow, Developmental truly was a bad joke back then...

Velveteen Dream should be the one to beat Adam "Bore-Bay" Cole for the already worthless NXT North American Championship. (What is it with reddish belts being complete and utter valueless disappointments?)

From Charles Robinson on Twitter: For as great a town that Chicago is for wrestling (one of the best ever), it is really disappointing that they can be so disrespectful when guys like @JinderMahal and @WWERomanReigns are busting there butts and giving us a great match. 8:34 PM - 17 Jun 2018 from Rosemont, IL https://twitter.com/WWERobinson/status/1008523276719706112 Two thoughts: 1. While I partly agree with him, because Roman and Jinder did bust their asses and exceed expectations, this was a match no one asked for or wanted to see. What did WWE expect in Chicago of all places? 2. Their, not there.

We have a cred?

No matter how formulaic and overdone these matches have become, I have immense respect for everyone in them - I'd scared to climb my ladder just to change my smoke alarm battery (and my damn knee buckled on me the last time I tried).

I'd mark the fuck out if Kofi won. It would be a genuine surprise, and he's long overdue. Plus, the JImmy Redman post would be epic!

Of all the women, they're the most over as characters (outside of Ronda). "Rasslin'" isn't enough and never has been, in any major league company.

Rusev should win. Miz will win.

Nia was an awful champion. Bliss was a good one. It was too soon for Rousey to win. I'm fine with this.

Not exactly a Hot Take. I can't imagine anyone in their right mind disagreeing with this. As a wrestler, yes. As a draw? The other things that usually go with being a WON HOF member? I could maybe buy influence because of Dragon Gate, but it's a lose call. He was one of the top 3 cruiserweights in WCW, for whatever that's worth. If he influenced Dragon Gate, that's pretty big. Also, there's a move named after him (that I think he also invented) - the Asai Moonsault. Good enough for the WON HOF.

Not exactly a Hot Take. I can't imagine anyone in their right mind disagreeing with this.

Remember when announce table spots were special?

In WWE, AJ's had great matches with almost everyone else, while Nakamura's had great matches with almost no one else - I think I'll give AJ the benefit of the doubt.

This match is another bore. Shin-skay has done nothing of worth on the main roster and even less to deserve a World Championship. Time to end this experiment or send him to 205 Live. Such a shame, because I was nuts for him after his NXT debut vs. Zayn. Didn't take long for the bloom to fall off the rose though.

I liked the finish. The right person won. And good to see Ellsworth back.

Random observation: Asuka is dressed like one of the enemies from Streets of Rage.

Hopefully Mella can carry Asuka to something serviceable.

That Superman Punch missed by a mile, but what a sell-job by Sunil Singh.

Has Corey "Call me, I still love you" Graves acknowledged the CM Punk chants in any way? I've all but tuned out the commentary.

I'm sure Reigns vs. Jinder is better than expected, but I can't get into it - there are no stakes and I don't care who wins or loses.

Good match, but did Alexa Bliss really need to win. :\ (I like Alexa, but it's not like she needs this.)

Wacky prediction: Lana will win.