Talking points of the week - WWE (18 - 24 May' 2015)

The biggest talking point of the week

It was quite an eventful week for the WWE. Much thanks to NXT. WWE’s developmental arena hosted its latest edition of the Takeover Series. It wasn’t the best since the rest display but it will still be remembered for quite a few things. This week in the WWE was pretty much all about their biggest success story that is the developmental brand. With the presence of Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Bayley and the likes it’s gaining a bigger fanbase and is quickly becoming a competitor to the main roster.

This week gave rise to discussions mainly surrounding the women’s division- positive and negative. Here are the 5 talking points from this week-

1. An Important Moment in History

Lynch vs banks- Match of The Year?

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon have been said to be hugely in favor of having more focus on the womens division. That had some huge impetus heading into NXT Takeover Unstoppable. Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch graced our screens for almost 30 minutes and arguably stole the show. There was no way anything could follow that.

And even though Samoa Joe made his debut, the discussions around this match overshadowed everything else. It was said to be a co- main event but they surely made it look like the only main event. Banks and Lynch played out some stellar in ring psychologyand in the end they delivered a match that will stand the test of time and may be studied as a reference in the same vein as Trish Stratus vs Lita during their Raw main event in 2004.

2. Gail Kim tweets about THE match

Vince a sexist?

At least @TripleH has a clue on how to book women. @VinceMcMahon needs a clue. #sexist #WomenCanMainEventAnyDay https://t.co/oPoB05B9kl

— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) May 21, 2015

One of the best things about Banks vs Lynch was the discussion that it set in motion throughout social media and amongst fans of wrestling. Gail Kim took note of this match and praised Triple H in her tweet. But she was critical about Vince McMahon and since she was part of the WWE, we can trust her to speak from experience about what she had to say about Vince McMahon.

She called him sexist and it isn’t much of a secret about how McMahon feels about women. There is also this word doing the rounds that despite Stephanie McMahon and Triple H being the positive voices for the womens division, Vince attitude hasn’t changed much. Well, old habits die hard.

3. Paige’s Promo

Paige’s promo on Smackdown recieved mixed reactions

Paige’s return may have been a welcome sign on Raw but on Smackdown her promo wasn’t. On Smackdown,though,Naomi had some choice words to speak and she was articulate and she played her part well. Her promo was logical and a highlight of the show. But Paige was on quite a different page earlier. The 22 year old suggested that Tamina was a man. She even went on to call her Naomi’s little boyfriend. Reaction around this exclamation was quite mixed.

Gender issues are part of the WWE. It’s a hypermasculine world. When The Rock returned and insinuated that he’ll kick Cena’s ‘lady parts’, people chose to have a hearty laugh. ‘Girly’, ‘like a girl’ – these terms have long been part of the WWE litany and they are meant to be insulting. But why? Nobody has ever raised an eyebrow when it comes to babyfaces making such an exclamation.

Paige’s little remarks were unnecessary, of course. But so are the countless other references in the men's division.

4. Balor’s Entrance

Balor debuted some new body art

There is no doubt beyond doubts that Takeover Unstoppable began on a stellar note. Finn Balor’s entrance was one for the ages. It triggered a lot of shrieking, fanatic movements by the audience in the arena. It was a state of sheer frenzy. He introduced a new edition in his body paint. His back now has an eye- The eye of Balor. It’s a nice little touch. After all his name itself is oxymoronic. Finn, in Irish lore is the arch enemy of the demon king Balor. This little detail does a lot to enhance the meaning of his gimmick.

The scratches on his thighs added the demonic feel of his presence.

5. Kevin Owens is a marked man

Kevin Owens is on many a hit list.

Kevin Owens made his way to Raw and powerbombed John Cena and left after getting a match to face the face who runs the place at the Elimination Chamber. Then he decimated Sami Zayn and on his way to ending the match, he head butted William Regal. It was all built up for something spectacular to unravel. Samoa Joe made his way to the ring and stared straight into Owens. It was a picture of something that promised utter violence.

Owens also has Finn Balor to think about as the Irishman became the No.1 contender for the NXT title again.