Well, guys, it's been a minute but I'm back and going to try to stay much more consistent this go round as I'm bringing some new members to the team to help with the re-launch. In the process, we are going to be getting a new logo and introduction some features I've been wanting to implement for a while now.
Today, myself and our newest columnist Donnie Phipps will be taking a look at the Great Balls of Fire PPV card and giving our predictions. Donnie is a tattoo artist and die hard wrestling fan that I met through the hardcore music scene and I'm stoked to have them on board. They will be helping in finally launching a Pro Wrestling Truth sponsored podcast and keeping the blog current with content. So give them a follow on Instagram (@donnietattoer) and get familiar!
1) Neville (c) vs. Akira Tozawa - Cruiserweight Championship Match
Ethan's pick:
For Dragon Gate & PWG fans, this is a dream match of epic proportions. I doubt this will be a classic, but I really hope these guys go all out and pull off the crazy spotfest I know they can to set the show off right. I don't know the exact storyline heading into this one because I've been slacking big time, but I know this will serve its purpose super well with Tozawa being such a lovable baby-face and Neville being the best douchebag around as of late. I'd say Neville sneaks out the win when all is said as all signs point toward him continuing to run roughshod over the division.
Donnie's pick:
I haven't been keeping up with 205 Live in the past few weeks, but this is big matchup. Neville has soared to the top of 205 Live and has become the biggest heel they've seen yet. He's the Cruiserweight Champion but he's about to face an opponent very familiar to any fan of PWG, Akira Tozawa. At very least this one will be exciting to watch. A battle full of high flying and quick striking. Unfortunately I don't think Tozawa will take the title away from Neville, but I do believe this mini feud will at least include a rematch. I'm thinking Neville leaves GBOF still the Cruiserweight Champion.
2) The Miz (c) vs. Dean Ambrose - Intercontinental Championship Match
Ethan's pick:
This series is stale and I hope this is the last time we see these two go at it for a while. I used to be big on Ambrose, but he's now one of the more less interesting people on the roster whereas Miz continues to build his legacy as one of the most underrated talents of this generation. Miz over Ambrose.
Donnie's pick:
So, as badly as I'd like to see the Miz get crushed by Ambrose and drop the title, I'm thinking that won't happen. I foresee a solid matchup (that we have all already seen like twelve times) that ultimately ends in Maryse getting involved allowing the Miz to pick up the victory to retain the Intercontinental Championship. (God I hope I'm wrong)
3) Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Sasha Banks - Women's Championship Match
Ethan's pick:
This should be pretty solid, but not expecting anything out of this world. This is another feud I am not that familiar with due to my absence in action, so to speak, but I do know both women are perfect polar opposites which makes for a great match up. I see Bliss retaining, but then again just as I say that, I realize I've picked three heels to retain so far which seems kinda unrealistic, but fuck it!
Donnie's pick:
Based on recent events I get a strong vibe this one will be over pretty quick. As much as everyone wants Sasha to take the title, Alexa Bliss has been killing it lately and is quickly become the best female heel (aside from heel Charlotte) the WWE has seen in a lonnggg time. Sasha is a great wrestler, but in a way her always being involved with or around title is getting a little tired. I don't think Little Miss Bliss will be dropping the title any time soon. Tonight's winner and still Raw Women's Champion, Alexa Bliss.
4) Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman - Ambulance Match
Ethan's pick:
Let me just take a moment to talk about how much I love Braun Strowman and the superstar he's become this year. I admit I doubted him at first, but 2017 has been his year in WWE. This match is more than likely going to showcase why as he & Reigns have had a hell of a rivalry. The sad thing is, just like Donnie is going to touch on later, I think we already know where this is going. Strowman dominates then Reigns comes back for the win BECAUSE THATS WHAT EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE RIGHT?!
Donnie's pick:
When it comes to Roman Reigns there is absolutely one thing for certain. He's been pushed down the throat of every single fan over the past few years and I can't stand it, but I'm sure as another attempt to get him over as a face character he'll pick up the win against Strowman in this ambulance match. The likelihood of Braun pulling off the W in this one seems slim especially with how Raw concluded this past Monday night. I'm imagining it will be a lot of Braun on the offensive for most of the match with a come from behind victory for Reigns. As much as I don't want to see it happen, I predict a win for the Roman Empire tonight.
5) Enzo Amore vs. Big Cass
Ethan's pick:
It honestly broke my heart to see these two split when they did. But so it goes, it's made for a damn good story and these two are talented enough to pull it off perfectly. As much as I love Enzo, this is just the first match in the feud and I see Cass taking the win and Enzo continuing to chase victory against his former dickhead of a partner.
Donnie's pick:
Big story coming into this one and aside from the Joe vs Brock title match, it's what I'm most excited to see this evening. The perfect tag team split up story of betrayal. I was worried about Cass cutting promos on his own at first, but for this feud it's worked in his favor because like usual Enzo has done all of the talking. It's really great to see a serious side of Enzo come out and it's given an interesting dynamic to this feud. I would love an underdog Amore to pull through this one and get some retribution, but I'm thinking Big Cass is going to walk all over him. Final prediction, Cass takes it and walks back up the ramp in a sea of booooooooo.
6) Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt
Ethan's pick:
MEHHHH. Bray Wyatt is just meh and there's not really anything else I can say about this, I just want this feud to end and both to move onto something better. Rollins for the win after playing the baby-face in peril for most of the match.
Donnie's pick:
I wish this feud would die off. It's been poorly promoted, booked kind of sloppy, and ultimately isn't going anywhere special anytime soon. However, there is SOME potential this could be match of the night. It's low on the radar and no one I've seen has very high expectations of it. Let's not forget though that these are two of the most explosive superstars on Raw's roster! Rollins and Wyatt have been on the back burner as of late so this might be the match that sparks a flame. I could also be wrong and it could be the segment where I fall asleep (jk that's the tag team iron man match). As far as my prediction goes, I'm thinking Seth Rollins pulls out the win and hopefully gets wrapped up in a more interesting rivalry following GBOF.
7) Sheamus & Cesaro (c) vs. The Hardy's - 30 Minute Iron Man Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Ethan's pick:
This is an interesting concept and with the four men involved, I think it can definitely be executed in the manner it needs to be. I'm one of the few that loved their Steel Cage Match a few months back so I will probably be in the minority in this too considering most people are mentally done with this feud and don't care anymore. I think the boys should take that into account and wrestle this match accordingly. If so, this will be a hit. If not, it will be a huge miss and possibly one of the worst matches of the year. Either way, I think The Hardy's will regain the straps here.
Donnie's pick:
Four fantastic wrestlers with multiple titles under each of them and impressive tag team wins. Definite big match compatibility... if this god damn feud wasn't as stale as 1,000 year old Ruffles. I'm over it, most wrestling fans are over it, I'm pretty sure the competitors themselves are over it. So why in the hell is this match booked? A 30 minute iron man match for the titles? I don't really enjoy their 10 minute tag matches so I can only assume that a 30 minute iron man match will be roughly 3x less enjoyable. My prediction? The Hardy Boyz take it. Or I take a 30 minute iron man nap.
8) Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Samoa Joe
Ethan's pick:
If you follow any writing I've done over the past few years, you know this a dream match I've had for YEARS and seeing it finally come to fruition has made me nut and it's everything I could've hoped for. Joe hasn't been sleeping and Brock has been on his A game. Just an amazing, intense dynamic between these two with an amazing build, this is going to be an epic clash for the ages no doubt. And although it's unlikely, I'm gonna pick my boy Joe to grab the win and the Universal Championship! I love Brock, but JOEEEEE IS GONNA KILL YOU.
Donnie's pick:
Ohhhhhhhh mannnnnnnn. This feud has been building up in a beautiful fashion. Ever sense winning the fatal five way match and becoming number one contender for the Universal title, Joe has been on fire. A great ball of fire if you will (kill me). I'm more excited for this match than anything that's happened in recent months. Both Joe and Brock have been firing on all cylinders and have really added an intense special element to their promos since the feud began. Joe has also shown dominance throughout the majority of their encounters thus far, especially the physical ones. This rivalry has the potential to have multiple rematches with titles changing hands WITHOUT getting stale. Two gorilla humans ripping each other apart for the Universal Championship? What more could you want? As far as Great Balls of Fire goes, at the end of the night I think we'll have ourselves a NEW Universal Champion. As much as I love Lesnar, it's title time for the all mighty (and always present) Samoa Joe.
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