Future Endeavored: 4/15/20
April 15th brought the annual WWE spring cleaning, the time after WrestleMania where multiple members of the roster get their walking papers. This year’s seemed especially harsh, though, for a few reasons:
- The WWE has been hoarding talent since AEW came along, so they had a lot more fat to trim.
- They currently have the deepest roster in the history of the business, so while the names are toward the bottom of the WWE roster, most could star in any company that they end up with.
- The timing isn’t great, considering the situation we are all facing with this pandemic. It is also right after it was revealed that Linda McMahon’s Superpac pledged $18.5 million to the state of Florida, which itself came on the heels of the announcement that WWE has been deemed “essential media”.
There were so many superstars released (not to mention the backstage personnel who were either let go or furloughed) that I was able to book an indie show using just this talent. Below you will find my card, along with my rationale for how I set up the show.
Note: I didn’t use Kurt Angle in my card, as I don’t think he should be in the ring anymore, though he will always be one of my favorites.
Match #1: Drake Maverick vs Lio Rush
I fully subscribe to the idea that your best match should be the main event, but your second-best should open the show. Rush and Maverick both have the energy and the ability to get the night started off right and will get the audience pumped. Rush wins with the Final Hour frog splash.
Match #2: Deonna Purrazzo vs Sarah Logan
I’m putting the ladies next to continue the momentum. I want to separate the two multi-man matches, but I think the Rowan/Jose match will have the slower pace I want there. Purrazzo sneaks by with a small package.
Match #3: Mike Kanellis w/ Maria vs Heath Slater vs Eric Young vs Aiden English
Let’s hit the crescendo of the first half of the show here with four guys who have the curse of being a “good hand”, as they say. All four can work and with that often comes the job of making the bigger names look good. Here, they all get to shine. Maria Kanellis tries to distract Heath Slater, but the One Man Band moves when Mike Kanellis charges, causing Mike to run into Maria. Slater uses an O’Connor roll to pick up the victory.
Match #4: Rowan vs No Way Jose
Here’s our change-of-pace match, almost a hoss fight, though Jose is only 6’ 3” if he has his hair under control. Lots of punches, clotheslines, and stomps in this one before Rowan gets the duke with an iron-claw slam.
Match #5: Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins vs Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs Primo and Epico
All three of these teams are former tag team champions and each brings a different dynamic to the match – Gallows and Anderson are the bruisers, Primo and Epico are the flyers, and Ryder and Hawkins are the bumpers. The good brothers Luke and Karl pick up the victory after hitting the Magic Killer on Epico.
Main Event: Rusev vs EC3
Two favorites of the Internet Wrestling Community clash in the last match of the evening. Both are dripping with charisma and are good at what they do in the ring. We’ll send the fans home happy and have EC3 tap out to Rusev and his finisher, the Accolade. Of course Aiden English comes out afterward to serenade the crowd with a performance of “Rusev Day”.
What do you think of the card? Any thoughts on the releases? Let me know in the comment section below.
