TALKING POINTS FROM TALKING SMACK 1/10: Shane O’Mac, Lynch-Bliss, Mojo Rawley, Dolph World Order

Talking Smack has quickly become must see TV. That is very high praise for a network special that promotes sitting down and talking over wrestling on a wrestling network. It’s smooth, easy viewing that appeals to those who want to know more about what really goes on without ever damaging the overall characters. Every episode gives us a few interesting things that it is definitely with knowing.

I’m Tom Colohue and this is Talking Points From Talking Smack.

1. Shane O’Mac has really grown up

When Shane McMahon first debuted as an on-air personality, he was a massively excitable and overenthusiastic commentator that it was easy to hate. Coming into the big leagues with a swerve over Steve Austin he became a despised corporate heel and for his whole career he has been an absolute dynamo. Even on his return to Raw he was running all over the show.

Not so any more. We’re seeing Daddy Mac in action now. We’re seeing a man who genuinely puts his family first and is more than willing to do what’s best for business. Talking Smack was missing a lot of chemistry without Daniel Bryan, but Shane’s interactions with the talent lent a lot more gravity to what they were talking about. What we saw is a real matured leader.

2. Major faith shown in Lynch-Bliss

While Nikki vs. Natalya seems to be the most prominent female feud on Smackdown right now, and Nikki Bella seems to be the star around which the division is based, real faith was shown in two other female performers here. Normally a single guest is featured at a time, or a tag team who will be singing from the same hymn sheet. The only time so far that multiple different performers were featured at once was when Rhyno Claus was on screen.

It’s refreshing to see faith being shown in 2 performers with obvious talent on the microphone. While Bliss is still lacking in range as a wrestler, and Lynch has shown herself to be a little shaky at promos, this was an ideal use of both of their talents. Alexa’s facial expressions were always on point. The constant rising aggression of Becky was superb. These 2 have real chemistry and they’re keeping this feud going on that alone. Bliss’ popularity will soon be nearing Lynch’s.

3. Alexa can escape

One point that may have flown under the radar is the massively important point that leaving the cage will constitute victory for Alexa Bliss. This is important because since her debut Alexa has been booked as an opportunist.

She became number 1 contender after pinning Nikki Bella. Nikki had been taken out by a kick from Carmella. She became women’s champion with an eye rake, a trip and a powerbomb on a surprised and unbalanced Becky Lynch. If this booking keeps up we could have another Edge on our hands and I am loving it.

Alexa has been built to be very unique. She has something that the rest of the roster don’t have and that is opportunism. A straight pin or submission would be, and should be, beyond her against Becky Lynch. Running away as soon as she gets the chance? That’s her style.

4. A new coat of paint

I’m not a fan of Mojo Rawley. His enthusiasm and lack of variation annoy me. I don’t like his matches. I’ve never liked his promos. However, this might have just started a change in my mind.

Mojo was given his first real chance to speak and this wasn’t a scripted interview. He was clearly just talking about his life, with Shane McMahon carefully leading him to the bullet points that he knew needed highlighting. Mojo was relaxed and calm and showed a real underdog story. If he can stay fit his star should rise. Probably not too far but far enough for him to matter a little.

Sadly, this also confirmed that Zack Ryder could be out for a long time. Get well soon, Zack.

5. Dolph World Order

At first, the NWO t-shirt that Dolph Ziggler was wearing was the only sign of a heel change. By the end of the interview that still seemed to be the case. A slow heel turn seems to be favoured and, when you heard the crowd reaction for Ziggler, this definitely seems like the right idea.

People don’t want to boo Ziggler. He was cheered more now, as a heel, than he was before. The fans like him. They want him to succeed and if this is what he has to do to succeed the fans are behind him doing it. Honestly, it’s about time. By the end of the interview Ziggler even seemed like he was convincing Shane that this path was the right one for him.

I wholeheartedly agree.

(Follow PWTorch contributor Tom Colohue on Facebook and Twitter.)