STEP UP: Bayley & Charlotte
Continuing the theme of NXT stars getting big momentum leading into their title matches, both Charlotte and Bayley came off like a million bucks this past week. The Women’s Champ got a victory, and Bayley finally proved that she’s a serious contender, cutting the gimmick (mostly) and getting in Charlotte’s face. All the live reports from these two have been positive, and I’m looking forward to Takeover to see what Bayley is really capable of in the ring, with a good opponent and some actual ring time.
STEP DOWN: ACH
ACH is one of Ring of Honor’s brightest future stars. He gets amazing reactions everywhere he goes, wrestles a high flying style that the fans love, but also a great ground game that keeps him…well, grounded. I’ve been waiting for a title run for over a year now, and it seemed like this past Saturday at “All Star Extravaganza” could have been his break-out moment.
After a 30-minute time limit draw between ACH and Jay Lethal on ROH TV a few weeks ago, the two were booked in a no-limits championship match at the iPPV. However, due to “travelling issues”, ACH was unable to make the show, and at the last minute Cedric Alexander was asked to fill in. The two had a good match, and I don’t mind Cedric one bit, but it just wasn’t the advertised semi-main event that I had been looking forward to all week.
I’m sure ACH will get another shot to succeed. He’s incredibly talented, and the fans will make sure he’s treated well in Ring of Honor. But sometimes you only get that one big moment. Maybe that moment for ACH was on Saturday against Jay Lethal. Maybe ROH will now turn to the guy who was there – Cedric Alexander – for the next big midcard push? I’m just speculating. Odds are that it was just a case of delayed flights or passport conflicts or one of the 10,000 things that can go wrong when you’re wrestling at an event outside the US. Odds are management won’t really care. But I know I was disappointed in his absence this weekend, and I hope it doesn’t cause one of my favorite active guys to be moved to the back of the line.
