RIShane

As over as Becky is, I think her tendency to do almost all of her interviews (even things like podcasts) in strict kayfabe is something that doesn't play well outside wrestling fans. This is a really interesting tweet--Charlotte's paraphrasing a line from Don Quixote: " The phoenix hope , can wing her way through the desert skies , and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise."

It was smart booking, because it simultaneously gives Charlotte a legitimate technicality (Becky wasn't in the match, she'd already lost a match, Fit's not a high enough authority to make that call etc: ) , but also makes it completely obvious that she's the heel in the situation by bringing it up, given they had Becky replace an injured face, ask Fit first, appeal to the fans loving her, play the underdog, etc. The facial expressions from both her and Becky throughout the closing sequence were of course expert, though it does amuse me that the last several months have basically been her putting Becky over again and again and again, and Becky beating her up on the rare occasions (Summerslam, SSD), she does win. Also, we need a full Charlotte/Kairi match some day.

With a tear in her eye!

Mysterio/Almas was awesome, Becky/Peyton, was well, the opposite of awesome.

I recall it being said it was going to be three women from each brand, so it absolutely would provide Becky with a way into the Mania match if that's how they want to book it. (Personally, I think they should, but it seems to be a controversial opinion from looking elsewhere online, where people just want Becky to win everything all the time without any delayed gratification.)

Thought that was a very good episode, with two high-quality matches in the Almas/Joe vs Mysterio/Ali tag and the main-event. Becky winning to set up her/Asuka is the right call, in that it creates an intriguing match and also adds suspense to the Rumble, which I assume Charlotte is winning so Becky can earn her way into the Mania match later. As lame and cliche as the Usos/Bar ending was, I did at least appreciate that for once 'beat the champs to earn another match against the champs' failed, and that the silly 'Best in the World' stuff has a pay-off.

Can you imagine if that promo prowess and swagger was backed by booking which didn't make Joe always lose when it counts?

That was a thought I had while watching that match: unless she's with someone really good, Becky's moveset can be quite boring and doesn't really match her character now. I like her uranage as a high-impact move, but I don't recall her doing it to anyone other than Charlotte, which might be part of why it looks good.

Not Koko B Flair?

Very sad news. Gene was an indelible part of countless childhoods, and meant so much to so many, R.I.P.

He's not bald, he's balding.

I was amused by Miz's designs for his and Shane's outfits, especially the last one with its obviously photoshopped McMahon bod. ? Also, while Cena going all out to put Becky over was cool, he kinda undercut her Nikki Bella line by already making a Nikki Bella joke.

So for the last two nights Asuka/Charlotte/Becky has main-evented SDL's house-shows, including tonight's show at Uniondale which also featured a John Cena/Daniel Bryan cage match. Gotta say that WWE is (rightly) committing to presenting its top women as main-eventers.

The New Brie Bella renounces the culture of excessive consumption portrayed on Total Divas.

Meltzer ratings, for those curious: Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Cedric Alexander for the Cruiserweight Title 3.5 Elias vs. Bobby Lashley in a guitar ladder match 2 R-Truth & Carmella vs. Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox in the MMC Final 1.5 Sheamus & Cesaro (c) vs. New Day (Kofi & Xavier) vs. Usos for the Smackdown Tag Team Titles 3.25 Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin in a TLC match 1 Natalya vs. Ruby Riott in a tables match 2 Finn Balor vs. Drew McIntyre 3.25 Randy Orton vs. Rey Mysterio chairs match 1.5 Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Nia Jax for the Raw Women's Title 3.75 Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Title 4.75 Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental Title 3 Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka in a TLC match for the Smackdown Women's Title 4.5

Meanwhile in Stockton:

I got a FEVER, and the only prescription, is MORE MCMAHONS! (Also, this 'shakeup' better not affect Paige, Best GM Ever.)