{"id":59474,"date":"2018-05-06T18:33:54","date_gmt":"2018-05-06T23:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=59474"},"modified":"2018-05-06T18:36:43","modified_gmt":"2018-05-06T23:36:43","slug":"the-ball-peen-hammer-or-two-sides-of-the-groin-mcneill-previews-wwe-backlash-2018-with-a-wrestling-history-lesson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/05\/06\/the-ball-peen-hammer-or-two-sides-of-the-groin-mcneill-previews-wwe-backlash-2018-with-a-wrestling-history-lesson\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ball-Peen Hammer (or Two Sides Of The Groin): McNEILL Previews WWE Backlash 2018! (with a Wrestling History Lesson)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-655052176\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p>Wake the pets and call the neighbors, it&#8217;s time for our exclusive WWE pay-per-view projections!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-2659\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/StaffMcNeill07_120.jpg\" alt=\"StaffMcNeill07_120\" width=\"120\" height=\"138\" \/><\/p>\n<p>DISCLAIMER: Projections are based on what the columnist would do if he were booking this event, instead of Paul &#8220;NXT&#8221; Levesque, Runjin Singh, Ed Koskey, Brian G. James and WWE President Vincent Kennedy Saudi McMahon. Projections are not predictions, because this is the column where everything&#8217;s made up and the points don&#8217;t matter. This preview has been sealed in a mayonnaise jar on Funk &amp; Wagnall&#8217;s porch since noon today. \u00a0Some of our departing contestants will receive a Black &amp; Decker SmartBrew\u00ae coffee maker. The SmartBrew\u00ae has a Perfect Pour\u00ae Carafe with a dripless spout and ergonomic handle. Pat McNeill&#8217;s wardrobe provided by Bernini.\u00a0 Remember, this is only an exhibition. This is not a competition. Please, please, no wagering. This lineup is based on the best available information as of this writing. These predictions are based on what the columnist would do if he had creative control over WWE, except for where he replaces Mr. McMahon with the booking engine from WWE 2K18.<\/p>\n<p>If you had told the 2013 version of Pat McNeill that the top heel in WWE in 2018 would be former IWGP Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, he wouldn&#8217;t have believed you.<\/p>\n<p>If you had told the 2013 version of Pat McNeill that Nakamura&#8217;s WWE gimmick would be hitting people in the junk, he would have found that a lot more plausible.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m not sure you&#8217;re aware of this, but the new episode of Wayback Playback is live.\u00a0 Check it out.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/www.hipcast.com\/podcast\/H1kJTZ94<\/p>\n<p>Before we get down to business, let&#8217;s get to this month&#8217;s edition of the Wrestling History Lesson, because that&#8217;s why many of you clicked here in the first place. Twenty years ago, on May 9, 1998 the World Wrestling Federation aired an episode of &#8220;Shotgun Saturday Night&#8221; from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia. \u00a0Your featured match saw WWF Light Heavyweight Taka Michinoku in a non-title bout against David &#8220;Kid Kash&#8221; Jericho. \u00a0Michael Cole and Kevin Kelly had the call.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kid Kash vs Taka Michinoku\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZJb77pBFFEQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>What was happening in World Wrestling Entertainment fifteen years ago? I&#8217;m glad you asked! On May 3, 2003, World Wrestling Entertainment aired &#8220;WWE Velocity&#8221;, pretaped from Manchester, New Hampshire. \u00a0The opening match of that program saw former ROH Champion Jamie Noble (w\/ Nidia) facing the late Crash Holly (w\/ Shannon Moore).\u00a0 \u00a0Josh Mathews &amp; Ernest &#8220;The Cat&#8221; Miller had the call.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-635559046\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WWE Velocity May 3,2003\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uIBI3TG5Dq0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Did you miss this week&#8217;s Smackdown Live, or forget what you saw on the program?\u00a0 It&#8217;s okay, because WWE posted some highlights for us.\u00a0 WWE Champion AJ Styles was talking with Renee Young about Greatest Royal Rumble, and Shinsuke Nakamura responded.\u00a0 Tom Phillips, Corey Graves &amp; Byron Saxton had the call.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Did AJ Styles apologize to Shinsuke Nakamura?: SmackDown LIVE, May 1, 2018\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/PX2IZklnnW4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><b>Bayley Martinez vs. Ruby Riott (Preshow Classic):<\/b> The best part of WWE&#8217;s return to dual-brand pay-per-views?\u00a0 The disappearance of WWE&#8217;s midcard.\u00a0 This also happened the last time WWE did dual-brand pay-per-views.\u00a0 That&#8217;s why these two ladies will be rushing through an eight-minute match.\u00a0 <b>Projection?<\/b>\u00a0 Sasha does not come to ringside to help her friend, which Bayley at a three-on-one disadvantage.\u00a0 Morgan distracts, Logan interferes, Ruby wins with the Riott Kick.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, it will be Michael Cole, Tom Phillips, Corey Graves, Johnathan Coachman &amp; Byron Saxton announcing the show, while Renee Young, Booker T, Sam Roberts and David Otunga appear on the All-Star Panel, I mean, the WWE Network preshow.\u00a0 Mike Rome will be in the social media lounge, hating his life.<\/p>\n<p>On To The Main Show!<\/p>\n<p><b>Braun Strowman &amp; Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens &amp; Sami Zayn:<\/b> \u00a0After the Saudi Rumble, it&#8217;s obvious Braun Strowman is the top fan favorite in these parts.\u00a0 \u00a0<b>Projection?<\/b>\u00a0 Nattie uses her feet on the ropes for leverage to pin Lynch.\u00a0 We might as well have a Smackdown women&#8217;s feud that doesn&#8217;t involve the Riot Squad.<\/p>\n<p><b>Daniel Bryan vs. Colin Cassidy:<\/b> \u00a0Let&#8217;s say I&#8217;m in charge of booking WWE Smackdown.\u00a0 Which main event feud is going to draw bigger crowds, better ratings, and more subscriptions to WWE Network?<\/p>\n<p>a) AJ Styles defending the WWE Title against top challenger &#8220;Big&#8221; Colin Cassidy.<br \/>\nb) Shinsuke Nakamura defending the WWE title in a rematch with AJ Styles, and then against Daniel Bryan.<\/p>\n<p><b>Projection?<\/b> Bryan catches Big Cass with his running knee for the victory.\u00a0 Cass gets to sit another for another spell under the learning tree.\u00a0 Maybe he will get to feud with Rusev.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-915599518\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><b>Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe:<\/b> Many viewers are waiting for Roman Reigns to snap and turn heel on the WWE audience, and on that nice Braun Strowman fellow.\u00a0 I have been waiting three years for Reigns to turn heel, and I&#8217;m fairly positive it&#8217;s not happening.\u00a0 <b>Projection?<\/b>\u00a0 Joe pins Reigns clean after a muscle buster.\u00a0 I feel like this is going to be a big night for the fan favorites.<\/p>\n<p><b>Carmella Van Dale vs. Charlotte Flair (WWE Smackdown Women&#8217;s Title):<\/b>\u00a0Would WWE have Carmella win the Smackdown Women&#8217;s Title only to take the championship off her\u00a0 at the next pay-per-view?\u00a0 (Actually, they would.\u00a0 Never mind.)\u00a0 <b>Projection?<\/b>\u00a0The Iiconics run in to attack Charlotte again, Becky Lynch and maybe Naomi come out to run them off, and the entire match ends in a clustermess with Carmella keeping the belt (and escaping up the aisle.)<\/p>\n<p><b>Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss (WWE Women&#8217;s Title):<\/b>\u00a0 Alexa hasn&#8217;t been presented as a real challenge for Ms. Jax, and has been trying to get inside the champion&#8217;s head.\u00a0 But if Alexa can&#8217;t beat Nia, who&#8217;s left on the heel side of Raw?\u00a0 Ruby Riott?\u00a0 <b>Projection?<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0 Jax wins with the Fireman&#8217;s Carry Powerslam.\u00a0 And yes, we&#8217;re down to Ruby Riott and Mickie James as potential heel challengers.\u00a0 Someone is going to have to switch sides.<\/p>\n<p><b>Jeff Hardy vs. Randall K. Orton (WWE United States Title):<\/b> Brother Nero has been back for a month, and he&#8217;s already won his feud with Jinder Mahal over the WWE United States Title.\u00a0 Jeff Hardy is the hottest new act in the company. \u00a0That&#8217;s not bad for a guy who debuted on the main roster in 1999. <b>Projection?<\/b>\u00a0Hardy wins with the Swanton.\u00a0 Orton is in the right position to take the Whisper In The Wind, so that works out.<\/p>\n<p><b>Seth Rollins vs. Mike Mizanin (WWE Intercontinental Title):<\/b>\u00a0Brock Lesnar&#8217;s reign as WWE Champion means the Architect Arsonist is the top male singles champion on Raw.\u00a0 At least for tonight.\u00a0 Actually, Miz would make a fine challenger for AJ Styles, although WWE was teasing Miz against Jeff Hardy on Smackdown last week.\u00a0 <b>Projection?<\/b>\u00a0 I expect some backstage interaction between Miz and his Tourage, but I don&#8217;t expect them to factor into the finish.\u00a0 Rollins retains with the Curbstomp of Doom.<\/p>\n<p><b>AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Heavyweight Championship \u2013 No Disqualification):<\/b> \u00a0The reason this feud is still going is due to Nakamura giving Styles a donkey punch at every opportunity.\u00a0 So Smackdown GM Paige Knight decides to have a match where punches to the groin are legal.\u00a0 Brilliant!\u00a0 \u00a0<b>Projection?<\/b>\u00a0 There&#8217;s only one way to go.\u00a0 The referee misses Nakamura punching Styles in the ballpeens, but doesn&#8217;t miss the Kinshasa the challenger hits moments later.\u00a0 Shinsuke Nakamura has the WWE Title.\u00a0 The lineage goes from Bruno to Backlund to Bret Hart to Shinsuke Nakamura.<\/p>\n<p><b>Aftermath<\/b>:\u00a0\u00a0 We go to WWE Money In The Bank.\u00a0 Lesnar vs. Strowman, and some sort of Styles-Nakamura rematch.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll see you there.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Pat McNeill has been a PWTorch Columnist since 2001. He lives in Greenville, South Carolina. He&#8217;d take Utah over Houston \u00a0in tonight&#8217;s NBA game. You know, if gambling were legal.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-531565472\"><div id=\"pwtor-2779917956\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Wake the pets and call the neighbors, it&#8217;s time for our exclusive WWE pay-per-view projections! DISCLAIMER: Projections are based on what the columnist would do if he were booking this event, instead of Paul &#8220;NXT&#8221; <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2018\/05\/06\/the-ball-peen-hammer-or-two-sides-of-the-groin-mcneill-previews-wwe-backlash-2018-with-a-wrestling-history-lesson\/\" title=\"The Ball-Peen Hammer (or Two Sides Of The Groin): McNEILL Previews WWE Backlash 2018! (with a Wrestling History Lesson)\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":59459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,58,53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opnionandanalysis","category-takes_mcneill","category-opinion_stafftakes"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2018\/05\/WWEBacklash2018_600_3x2.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59474"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59474\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59477,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59474\/revisions\/59477"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}