Over/Under: 9/9/2013

Is it possible to predict the future of the wrestling world? Given that ‘plans change’ might as well be the official motto of the WWE, this might be easier said than done, but in Over/Under, we’re still gonna try!

Each week, we’ll choose five scenarios and then predict how likely they are to come true, by saying whether it’s ‘over’ (i.e. we think it’s over the odds that it’ll happen) or ‘under’ (i.e. we think it’s under the odds). As usual, members of the site @TimWelcomed, @typicalROHfan and @TomBlackett are on hand to embarrass themselves by being the ones to make the predictions.

9.5: Total Triple H appearances on RAW tonight.

With the corporate heel Hunter as dean of the WWE Universe, he makes many appearances. Counting live promos, backstage segments, recaps and any other form of short haired Triple H, we’ve set the total appearances for him on tonight’s Raw at 9.5.

Tim:

OVER. OVER. OVER. There’s not many words that describe The Cerebral Assassin quite like “over.” He knows they love him as a good guy or a bad guy so he’ll give The WWE Universe what they want. I’m going to say that we’ll see Triple H a record breaking sixteen times tonight. Recap videos, backstage segments with Stephanie McMahon and/or Vince McMahon, In-ring promos… There are so many chances to see The Game tonight that the world HAS to tune in. Oh, and I’m sure he’ll humiliate Goldust in some way.
OVER.

typicalROHfan:

I’m going with the OVER because The King of Kings is OVER as a ratings juggernaut, brother. With Monday Night Football returning and ratings significantly declining last two weeks, there’s only one solution. More Triple H. My predictions are at least two promo segments (one opening, one closing and likely one with Edge), at least five backstage segments and at least four highlight video packages of things he said this or last week. ESPN may have a football “game” but do they have THE Game? I don’t think so. I’m going with 10-13 HHH appearances tonight.
OVER.

Tom:

Call me an optimist, but I’m going for under. Even though Triple H might be set on being the focus of the show, I’m hoping he also realises that an ULTRASTAR (copyright Brad Ward) of his magnitude needs to limit his appearances. Always keep them wanting more, y’know? Now, there is literally no historical evidence that demonstrate that philosophy as being one The (sigh) King of Kings believes in, but man, I really, really want to enjoy Raw tonight! Edge and Goldust are both returns I’m actually looking forward to, so I don’t want to be chased away to playing video games just so Triple H can further cement ‘best for business’ as a t-shirt worthy catchphrase!
UNDER.

12/31/2013: The date Sami Zayn has his first WWE TV match.

With a string of house show appearances this weekend getting rave reviews, many are ready for Sami Zayn to debut on WWE TV. Will he debut in 2013? We run the over/under to find out. (Disclaimer: WWE TV counts as RAW, Smackdown and PPV.)

Tim:

I don’t know much about this guy except that he’s been the best part of NXT for a couple of months now. It might just be me but it seems the design on his tights is some sort of ode to, ex-indie darling, El Generico’s mask design. He’s getting incredible reactions everywhere he goes. I really think he or Paige will be the next NXT star called up. I hope I am right anyway. I hope he’ll be on Raw (Okay, I’ll even take Smackdown) by the end of the year and I see no reason why they wouldn’t at this point.
UNDER. 

typicalROHfan:

I’m always skeptical of which developmental talent WWE will fall in love with and maybe it’s the sentimental sense of fandom I have for this random wrestler I’ve never seen before but I think Zayn will be on television fairly soon. Apparently he’s worked with Jack Swagger three times and ALL three times, the crowd were into the match. That’s like the wrestling version of a no-hitter or a triple double. It’s such a rare experience and Sami did it three times. I predict he will be on television by October or November.
UNDER.

Tom:

I was at the Brooklyn house show this past weekend, where Sami Zayn was making one of his first live experiences as part of the main roster, and the reaction he got was just phenomenal. Obviously, any NYC borough is going to be a little more hyped for someone like Sami, given that he shares a very similar moveset to indie star, El Generico. However, this was a house show audience with mostly kids and families, and EVERYONE was into him! Combine that with his incredibly strong showings on NXT, and I’d hope that they find a place for him before 2013 is over (though really, I’ll accept a very early 2014 debut – I just really want to see Sami in the Royal Rumble ASAP).
UNDER.

2.5: Total reports that Sting is close to signing with WWE in the next calendar year.

With Sting’s one year deal with TNA ending, TNA struggling financially, Wrestlemania season coming soon, how many different reports will there be about Sting coming to WWE?

Tim:

I am not a fan of Sting these days although I love his past. He will always be the first favorite wrestler I ever had. As much as I would love to see him get a Wrestlemania match before he retires (hopefully he retires…) I just don’t think it’ll ever happen. I mainly want it to happen if I can be there live to see it. I wouldn’t care as much if it was just me watching it on TV. As for the rumors, I think we have only one more round of rumors to go through. He can’t be around much longer, right? RIGHT?!
UNDER.

typicalROHfan:

I still enjoy the legend of Sting despite it being a less enjoyable one in TNA these days. I think it’s more realistic than ever he would go to WWE this year. The WWE has been getting talent who seemed to separate themselves from the company to work with them within the last year. (Bruno Sammartino, Ultimate Warrior and Goldberg) TNA seems to be having financial issues so the door is open. The door being open also means the dirt sheet reports running wild. Expect at least three before Wrestlemania and a possible few after. I can actually see 2014 Sting in WWE happening and I really hope it does.
OVER.

Tom:

Man, I can’t imagine it being that many ever again, to be honest. With WWE seeming VERY shy on signing any TNA guys and the star power of Sting diminishing every time he shows up in the ring with Rampage Jackson wearing a camouflage tuxedo, I can’t imagine any reports of him coming to WWE gaining much traction in the next year. Also, I think Dixie Carter will fire as many female wrestlers and X-Division guys as it takes to have the cash to keep her token star around. I’m sure there will be a Hall of Fame induction eventually, but not while he’s still covered in TNA stink.
UNDER.

4.5: Current PWG wrestlers that WWE will sign before the end of 2015.

With William Regal attending a recent PWG show for scouting purposes, a stacked roster of top tier independent wrestling talent in PWG and WWE’s current interest in the indy scene, just how many current PWG wrestlers will end up getting a WWE deal?

Tim:

PWG usually has only the best talent come through (with a few exceptions). With that said, I can see about nine of them getting signed before the end of 2015. Who knows who will take the indie scene by storm before then? We d know that there are plenty of deserving guys out there who should, woithout a doubt, be offered a WWE contract. With how good WWE has been about the wrestlers they sign, I think wemay just see quite a few PWG wrestlers make it to the big stage.
OVER.

typicalROHfan:

William Regal scouting for WWE at PWG was one of the cooler stories to come across lately. I think three is a conservative number to go with here. As much as I love the talent pool, I think WWE may become more selective with hiring wrestlers as time goes forward. There’s a nice depth of talent currently in their developmental and so few open TV spots. Unless there’s a lot of main roster releases, I have to take the under. For the record, the four I’d guess are Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Rich Swann and Kevin Steen.
UNDER.

Tom:

It’s a little tricky to define what a current PWG wrestler is, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see WWE snapping up more guys who show up regularly in Reseda, especially given the bigger training center and how Sami Zayn has really become the number one guy in NXT in such a short time. It also seems like a lot of WWE’s high flyers have fallen off the radar or just slowed down, so why not look to PWG for that kind of performer?
OVER.

0.5: Total matches left in Hulk Hogan’s wrestling career.

Hulk Hogan is old. Really old. His body is banged up. Really banged up. Could the Hulkster possibly wrestle again?

Tim:

I’m going to have to go with three more Hogan matches. I do not want this, but ego knows no boundaries with this guy. Two more TNA matches and a Wrestlemania. “Six Seasons and a Movie” rolls off the tongue way better than “Two TNA Matches and A Wrestlemania.” Sting vs Hogan and Bully Ray vs Hogan will definitely happen. I can just feel it.
OVER.

typicalROHfan:

Over Over Over. I see at least one more TNA match (possibly in a 10 man match teaming with the Main Event Mafia vs. Aces and Eights at Bound For Glory) and possibly another WWE match. If WWE put Flair vs. Hogan on at Wrestlemania 31 to give them yet another send off, I wouldn’t be surprised. The guy is definitely going to wrestle again. Let’s not kid ourselves.
OVER.

Tom:

DEFINITELY over. He clearly doesn’t care about embarrassing himself in the ring, and there are enough guys who can work around his (many, many) injuries to make for what technically passes for a match. More to the point though, he’s got the influence to make it happen. Really, even if he didn’t have a key role in the creative direction of TNA, I’m sure he’d find a way to get a few more pay-offs for ‘matches’ that’d consist of little more than a few punches, a pin and some posing.
OVER.

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