There’s a lot to discuss in this week’s Gimme Five but this time we’re doing it with a twist: True or False?
Our contributors will be faced with five statements to which they must respond either “True” or “False”. There’s no room for shades of grey in this week’s answers.
In addition to the regular G5 panel, we’re joined by The Young Nats’ Benjamin Keen. Keen will be in the corner of JB Bennett and Michael Richards when they take on Dal Knox and a mystery partner tonight at IPW Nightmare Before Xmas.
Join us for this special “True or False?” edition of Gimme Five.
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1. After breaking Demolition’s record for longest title reign this week, The New Day have to be considered the greatest tag team in WWE history.
Benjamin Keen:
False. As I tell ladies all the time, it’s not the length that’s impressive but what you do with it.
Steve:
False. They’re great, to be sure, but come talk to me once they beat the record for total combined days as tag team champions. Whoever holds that, I don’t know.
Richard:
False. While the record is definitely impressive I don’t think New Day have been as dominant as Demolition, losing several non-title matches that have made them seem beatable and far less dominant.
Grady:
False. Having a long reign doesn’t make you the best of all time, but with all of the teams they’ve defeated, especially in the last week, they have to be in the discussion. Keeping in mind there are a lot of teams in the discussion: The Dudleys, Hardys, E&C, Road Warriors, etc.
Blake:
False. While I’m not denying that The New Day may be the greatest tag team in WWE history, championship longitude alone does not determine greatness. Regardless, this new record has helped to cement the team as one of the greatest not only in WWE history, but in all of wrestling.
David:
False. WWE history dictates it’s the number of reigns, not the length, that seems to determine all-time greats. Ric Flair’s 16 world titles are more fondly remembered than CM Punk’s 434 day reign. Chris Jericho’s nine Intercontinental Championships stand out more than Honky Tonk Man’s run with the belt. So, by that token, you’d have to go with the Dudley Boyz in the tag team ranks. They’re certainly hard to argue against…
2. The constant trading of the Raw Women’s Championship between Charlotte and Sasha Banks had devalued the title.
Benjamin Keen:
False. Both women are willing to put it all on the line every night. They both deserve it and the current set-up is elevating everyone.
Steve:
True. I know they want it to feel like they’re both closely matched superior athletes, but I think that only works if they’d had a few years on the main roster competing at a high level against other big threats. But while I don’t think it’s working as well as it could be, there are getting lots of TV time and great reactions. Hopefully this can translate onto their new feuds in the future and give some shine to the women’s division that’s been waiting for a chance to have the spotlight too.
Richard:
False. I think it goes to show that the competition between these two women is very intense and they are evenly matched to the point that neither can gain a long-term advantage.
Grady:
False. I dislike it happening, because it seems like it is for no reason, but I don’t believe that it devalues the title. The matches between the two have been great and the gimmick matches are getting better and better.
Blake:
False. It is not the constant trading of the championship that has devalued the title, but the irreverence around the title matches which has devalued the title. Regardless, just because this championship has been developed good from whence it came, it does not mean that it is valueless. I just think that is important to remember.
David:
False. They’ve got people talking, haven’t they? And more people talking means more eyes on the belt, which can only be a good thing. Add to that, each time the title’s changed hands it’s been a step up – the first Hell in a Cell, the first Raw main event in a decade. This back-and-forth will be viewed favourably with the benefit of hindsight.
3. James Ellsworth has run his course.
Benjamin Keen:
True. If they wanted a horrible vanilla guy to give a pay cheque to they should have called Mason Daniels.
Steve:
True. And thanks to being busy, I’ve actually only seen him around six times! WWE loves running fun ideas into the ground.
Richard:
False. His AJ Styles feud is done but there was a small jobber-type brought in several years ago by the name of 1-2-3 Kid that was actually pretty good. I’d like to see him on 205 Live and see how he goes against smaller guys.
Grady:
True. I was enjoying it, but recently it seems like he is wearing thin on my patience. I don’t mind him sticking around and being in the lower midcard, but his constant interference in the main event is happening too often.
Blake:
False. Ellsworth had seemingly run his course, but then he turned heel in a brilliant fashion at TLC. Fans were beginning to get bored of him, and so the company made not only a bold decision, but a well executed one.
David:
True. As recently as WWE TLC, I’d have said “false”—Ellsworth’s explanation for why he turned on Ambrose, and upcoming WWE title match were so interesting to me—but now WWE has bait-and-switched us for two-straight weeks on SmackDown Live, it’s clear the moment has passed. I’m much more interested in Styles vs. Ziggler, and leaving James Ellsworth— at least as a WWE title contender—in 2016.
4. 205 Live is the least interesting of WWE’s weekly television shows.
Benjamin Keen:
False. It’s tied with NXT for me. An easy watch – not too long and full of action. I highly recommend it.
Steve:
True. And it pains me to say it. But all the talent in the world can’t fight against the lack of time spent making them endearing characters. It certainly doesn’t help putting them on after a long SmackDown taping. Will they get there eventually? I hope so, I love the concept of what they’re doing, and I dream that it’ll become another major division and championship for people to compete for, but it’s not there yet.
Richard:
False. I’m a fan of 205 Live as I love the different styles it brings. I’m looking forward to see how the show develops once it finds its feet.
Grady:
True. I don’t want to answer “true” to this but NXT, SmackDown, and Raw have been great recently. So I don’t think 205 Live isn’t interesting, but it is the least interesting out of that list. I do think the division could be helped by chucking Neville and Kalisto in there.
Blake:
True. However, I do not think that this will be the case for long. If I’d been asked this question a few weeks ago, I would have said that Raw was the least interesting. Unfortunately for the flagship program, as 205 Live is beginning to add some star power and storyline, my answer might return to the way it was.
David:
True. The cruiserweight division isn’t separate enough to warrant a standalone show. Why would any WWE Superstar limit themselves to just chasing the Cruiserweight Championship when you’ve got the likes of Finn Balor, Kalisto, and Neville on the main roster who’re all well under 205lbs? And without an end-goal, it’s lost the magic of the Cruiserweight Classic. I’d prefer an hour-long show dedicated to the women’s—or even tag team—division.
5. IPW’s annual Fans Bring the Weapons Match, tonight at Mt Albert War Memorial Hall, is the most exciting stipulation match to see live.
Benjamin Keen:
True. You haven’t seen wrestling until you’ve seen guys beat the hell out of each other with a toaster.
Steve:
True. People love saying that wrestling can give you a variety of entertainment on any given night – well, Fans Bring the Weapons can give you everything all in one match. It’s the most unpredictable match-type of all time, because so much of it is in the hands of those in attendance. Nothing beats being live for that match and I can’t see anything stealing its crown soon. I’ll be there for it, at Nightmare Before Xmas, and so should you.
Richard:
True. How could it not be? Who knows what weapons might turn up of how they may be used.
Grady:
True. The match can be anything and involve any number of crazy weapons. Kiwis are crazy, now imagine asking them to bring random items for other crazy Kiwis to fight with. It is also the only place I can get rid of my stack of signed David Dunn photos that I can’t even give away.
Blake:
True. Extreme rules variations are always amongst the most exciting matches to watch. However, Fans Bring the Weapons adds a level of mystery that no other hardcore variety match can offer. There is nothing quite like seeing someone hit in the head with a broken Xbox console; the little kid in me gets giddy at just the thought.
David:
True. Being in the audience for Fans Bring the Weapons is something special. You can shape the match into anything you want it to be. Or use it as an excuse to offload your unwanted household items the Salvation Army won’t take. I can’t wait to see what Chaos, Duncan and Shaw get themselves into.
