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8/8 Dot Net One Shots: The Dot Net staff give their quick thoughts from the previous week in WWE, TNA, MMA and indie wrestling

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Aug 8, 2013 - 02:32 PM

Welcome to the Dot Net One Shots. Each week, we will present a quick "one shot" thought from each staff member about the previous week in each of the following areas: WWE, TNA and Other (MMA, Indies, etc).

WWE

Will Pruett (Twitter - @itswilltime): There is a wonderful simplicity to the Brock Lesnar vs. C.M. Punk build. The story is so basic and so well-performed, it just works. Paul Heyman, Lesnar, and Punk have all been great. This could be the start of the feud of the year.

Jake Barnett (Twitter - @barnettjake): I have yet to receive one positive bit of feedback about the McMahon's butting in to the WWE Championship storyline for Summerslam. They better have some magic planned for the PPV, otherwise they are anchors on a boat that should be going near full speed right now.

Zack Zimmerman (Twitter - @InVasionZim): I love the dichotomy set up between Daniel Bryan and John Cena on Raw. Their promos were true to their characters and they gave their respective fans substance that is easy to get behind. If it weren't for the McMahons mucking it all up, I'd be looking forward to the WWE Title match as much as I am the C.M. Punk and Brock Lesnar clash.

Darren Gutteridge (Twitter - @Dazatheg): Lost amongst all the over analysis of Ziggler's face turn, and his feud with AJ, is the strong work Big E Langston is doing. He knows he's got big competition as a "big guy" (Henry, Ryback, Show etc), so he's taking the less-is-more approach of remaining cool, calm and collected in the ring. It makes him look that much more dangerous when nothing Ziggler throws at him phases him.

Chris Shore (Twitter - @TheShoreSlant): For the first time in many, many years, SummerSlam really feels like the second biggest show of the year. The co-main events could go on in any order and still be the perfect ending to the show, and the undercard is starting to round out nicely. I'm very much looking forward to this show.

TNA

Will Pruett: The Bound for Glory Series was seriously compromised by the finish of A.J. Styles vs. Austin Aries on Thursday. It wasn't the moves they did, but it was the time they took. The match lasted 17 minutes, violating the 15 minute time limit. TNA can control these things. The lack of oversight is astounding.

Jake Barnett: MMA crossover is not the path to success for TNA. If we find out that Spike and Viacom are turning the screws on this, that's one thing. If they aren't, then TNA management really needs to do an honest re-evaluation of what their core competencies are.

Zack Zimmerman: I've always been under the impression that MMA fighters and fans look at pro wrestling as "that fantasy play-fighting crap." Thinking back to King Mo's glitzy robe, crown, and chain, now seeing Rampage come out with the all-class suit-wearing Mafia in camo cargo pants and a chain, my impression was correct. Generally speaking, MMA fighters do not belong in pro wrestling, I'm just wondering when TNA will come to that realization.

Chris Shore: The continued inclusion of Bellator stars, especially the ones Bellator are using to get their promotion over, could be the ultimate dagger for TNA is Bellator gets damaged by it. Viacom spent a lot of money on Bellator, and could easily see TNA being the scapegoat if too many people conflate the scripted nature of wrestling with the brand Bellator, causing MMA fans to turn away. This is a minefield right now for TNA.

Other (MMA, Indies, Etc)

Will Pruett (PWG): This weekend I'll be at PWG's Ten, their tenth anniversary show. I've been attending PWG shows for two years and they remain my favorite live wrestling experiences. It's hard for an indie to survive even one year. Ten is an accomplishment. I plan to enjoy a killer night including a Triple Threat Tag Team Ladder Match and a Triple Threat Guerrilla Warfare Match.

Jake Barnett (ROH): I was relieved to hear that BJ Whitmer got some good news following a piledriver gone wrong in his match with Mike Bennett. I always worry about stuff like this at the pace guys generally work in ROH, so hopefully this scare is enough to put safety in the front of everyone's minds.

Zack Zimmerman (ROH): Wrestling needs innovation, but a piledriver onto the ring apron is something that shouldn't be done. In an era where the piledriver is the most protected move in the business, it just seems unnecessary and reckless. BJ Whitmer dodged a bullet last weekend, and for that, I am extremely relieved.

Darren Gutteridge (Other): JR's UK tour starts soon, but comes nowhere near me. Colt Cabana is in Edinburgh for the Fringe festival, but I can't go. So I have to settle for seeing Fozzy. That may sound like a good alternative, but I can't say I was blown away when I saw them at the Download festival. But hey, maybe he'll want to do an interview! I have that kind of pull now, right?! I'm clutching at straws here

Chris Shore (ROH): I too want to echo the best wishes to BJ Whitmer and calls for better decision making by wrestlers when it comes spots like piledrivers on the apron. Pushing the envelope is always a risk, but there's no need to put someone's head in such a precarious spot. Hopefully this will lead to more thought put into what it takes to excite crowds while still keeping the wrestlers safe.

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