TALKING POINTS FROM TALKING SMACK 3/21: Rise of Smackdown Tag Division, Ambrose Finds his Groove, Shane continues to get pushed, Cena-Miz

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.

(Follow Tom Colohue on Facebook and @Colohue for updates.)

Talking Points From Talking Smack

1. Shane McMahon is getting pushed

From the beginning of the Talking Smack broadcast, the table was putting over Shane McMahon and it’s been happening for a while now. This is not a positive. There are a few special acts that like to appear at WrestleMania. Undertaker. Brock Lesnar. Triple H. Shane McMahon does not deserve to be amongst them.

Now I like Shane matches. You know he’s going to do something stupid that’s worth watching, but there were major rumors that The Undertaker was asked to job to Shane last year. The storyline played out as if that was the case. That had better not happen to A.J. Styles. Have your No DQ match. Do some silly things. Don’t make Styles lose. And please, Shane, don’t die in the ring.

2. Ambrose has found his groove

It took a little while for Dean Ambrose to really find purpose after The Shield broke up. Even when the brand split rolled around and Dean Ambrose was the WWE Champion, he felt a tier below the three major stars in Styles, Cena, and Orton. A strong title run helped, but it’s also worth noting that Corbin could be the perfect opponent.

Ambrose doesn’t often shine in straight singles matches. His wrestling is still a little raw and unfocused. That said, Ambrose shined in a TLC match. He was a unique, charismatic element in the Elimination Chamber and he could have been so much more in the Street Fight with Brock Lesnar. Ambrose vs. Corbin should not be a straight wrestling match. Play to both of their strengths, please.

3. The tag teams were made relevant in change

Breezango featured on this episode of Smackdown. Heath Slater and Rhyno featured on this episode of Smackdown. The Usos vs. American Alpha was a great match and The Usos, the new tag team champions, appeared on Talking Smack. Finally, the tag teams on the blue brand got some attention in a big way.

Now, The Usos are rightfully the champions in a division that needed something to set it alight. They play face much more strongly on Talking Smack but are still authentic heels. With American Alpha coming from behind they might finally have a story worthy of their talents. You got me blue brand, now carry it home.

4. Phrasing matters

“Every available woman” was the line that Daniel Bryan used when promoting the women’s title match at WrestleMania. Now, Alexa Bliss has received the biggest push of any female Superstar bar none when you consider where she started to where she is now. She is a deserving women’s champion and the company clearly see her as having a major future in wrestling. The fact of the matter is that she is very unlikely to walk out of WrestleMania as champion.

WWE are keeping their cards close to their chest with this one. Literally anyone could turn up in this match. Santina maybe? It’s WWE; who knows? The mystery is the major selling point. Who do you think it’s going to be?

I want Asuka so bad.

5. Nikki and Maryse are window dressing

Since her return, Nikki Bella has been held as far from the Women’s Title as possible. Whether she is on a limited run as expected could be the reason. Maryse has been kept out of the ring entirely, so this should be a major match for the both of them. Unfortunately, they’re in the ring with two of the best mic workers that wrestling has ever seen.

The Miz against John Cena has been a WrestleMania main event for the WWE Title, but this feels far more personal because of how much more of a star The Miz is right now. The two are so polished on the microphone and when Nikki or Maryse start to talk the intensity just isn’t there as strongly.

Take the women out of the match and you still have a fierce, personal battle that I want to see. Take the men out of the match and I’m not interested. Nikki Bella matches have been good, solid bouts but lacking intensity and background. Maryse matches haven’t happened and her mic work has been lacklustre.

Credit for trying WWE. I’m still going to love it.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S REPORT: TALKING POINTS FROM TALKING SMACK 3/14: A parade of women promoting their Smackdown Women’s Title match, but where was everybody else?