Well, WWE Network additions have slowed down dramatically in the last month in terms of original content. While archived content continues to come in, the fresh original content has been inexplicably halted with the exception of Breaking Ground, which had it’s season finale. I predicted this the week before, but hopefully next week will begin the push of new series and new original content.
It should be noted that also uploaded recently have been the latest episodes of This Week In WWE, which will be reviewed on this site shortly, along with the latest episode of WWE Superstars with a review and results available here. Let’s take a look at what else hit the service:
RAW Pre-Show
The RAW Pre-Show started 2016 with a bang! While we were joined by the usual ensemble of Scott Stanford, David Otunga, and Corey Graves, who as always keep their excellent chemistry, we were introduced to a new member of the panel. Sort of. This new member happened to be an old member before he became a RAW commentator, WWE Hall of Famer and six time World Heavyweight Champion, Booker T. Pretty cool right?
I love this because it adds another dynamic to the show. Everybody has their distinct personalities but with having such a long tenured vet added to the mix, it offers a new perspective for everybody to bounce off of. Plus, Booker T is pretty much always entertaining when talking, so this is a good position for him.
This does lead to a question though… will Booker T remain a Smackdown commentator? All of this will be answered tonight if you’re reading this on Tuesday or likely answered already otherwise, however his future should be interesting. Regardless. this was a strong move and as always the RAW Pre-Show delivers. Give it a chance!
Breaking Ground
We knew it was coming, but I am still disappointed to know this is the final episode of Breaking Ground. Well, at least for this season potentially. And the show certainly aimed to go out with a bang, this last episode being almost 45 minutes long and I thought it definitely delivered a satisfying conclusion to the episodic documentation of several talent’s careers.
In particular, it was nice that the final few minutes wrapped up and gave information on some of the big stories we’ve followed. This includes Baron Corbin, Dana Brooke, Sami Zayn, and Tyler Breeze’s careers among others. I think a show like this needed that, and I also think a show like this will be a strong one to watch in a few years and see who did what and how it all went from here. Watch this. Watch this entire series. Let’s just hope they intend to do more with it.
NXT
This past week’s episode of NXT wasn’t much to talk about. Not because the program wasn’t excellent, which I’ll get to, but simply because the episode was a best-of. The best of 2015, which we’ve seen a lot of thanks to similar themed topics on Superstars and Main Event. With that said, something about NXT makes even something as seemingly uninteresting as a best of very entertaining.
This episode mostly focused on the first half of 2015, and it did include some exclusive highlights from the Cesaro versus Neville match that took place at the Arnold Classic earlier in the year that up until now has not been released. I thought this was a nice little way to advertise the upcoming NXT DVD while also providing some new content on the show. Beyond that, it was mostly a lot of highlights, although I did like they focused on some of the newcomers throughout the year such as Samoa Joe and James Storm.
Main Event
This episode of Main Event was perfectly solid. It wasn’t the strongest episode we’ve come across by any means, but it wasn’t the weakest either. It was episode 168 from December 15th of last year and featured the return match for Rusev vs. Neville, which had some importance as the last time they went at it on Main Event, Rusev would get injured. Beyond that we have Main Event regulars like Bo Dallas, Jack Swagger, and the Ascension in action, although the Usos also being on is a nice treat.
Main Event is what Main Event is. It went from being one of the better shows each week to on such a delay it is difficult to get people to watch. With that being said, it still delivers a decent product and if you skip the recap, you really don’t need to worry about keeping up with it each week anyway.
Match List
Rusev (with Lana) vs. Neville
Bo Dallas vs. Jack Swagger
The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) vs. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
RAW
This week’s RAW added to the service was episode 1175 from November 30th of last year. And this episode of RAW was a pretty cool one. Sure, it had a bit of that double dipping on talent that seems to be over done lately with all of the injuries, however it was still quite a bit of fun thanks to a return from former ECW Champion Tommy Dreamer along with the official introduction of the League of Nations, which is a stable by WWE Champion Sheamus, United States Champion Alberto Del Rio, King of the Ring Wade Barrett.. and Rusev, who is awesome too. This episode wasn’t amazing, and I believe the next week’s was stronger, but it certainly had some important moments and is worth watching for the build to the next PPV, TLC.
Match List
Tyler Breeze (with Summer Rae) vs. Dolph Ziggler
Rusev (with Lana) vs. Ryback
The Wyatt Family (Braun Strowman, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan with Bray Wyatt) vs. The Dudleys (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) and Tommy Dreamer
Goldust vs. Alberto Del Rio (with Zeb Colter)
The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso)
Sasha Banks (with Team B.A.D., Naomi and Tamina) vs. Brie Bella
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns
Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte
7 vs. 4 Handicap Match: The League of Nations (Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus, Wade Barrett, and Rusev) and The New Day (Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E) vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso), Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns
Smackdown
This episode of Smackdown takes place on the road to Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC), and took place on December 3rd of last year. It was the 850th episode of Smackdown, which in and of itself is an impressive milestone to have reached. The entire focus of the episode was on Roman Reigns and his battles with Sheamus, which also expanded into The Family, which is Roman’s cousins the Usos and his best friend Dean Ambrose and their issues with the League of Nations, which sees Del Rio, Barrett, and Rusev join Sheamus. The episode was a very solid one, nothing outstanding but it was certainly fun with a nice mix of talent. If you haven’t already seen this episode it may be worth checking out, although I wouldn’t say it is worth re-watching.
Match List
Neville vs. Tyler Breeze (with Summer Rae)
Brie Bella (with Alicia Fox) vs. Becky Lynch (with Charlotte)
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E) vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) and Dean Ambrose
D-von Dudley (with Bubba Ray Dudley and Tommy Dreamer) vs. Bray Wyatt (with the Wyatt Family, Braun Strowman, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan)
4 vs. 1 Handicap Match: League of Nations (Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Rusev, and Wade Barrett) vs. Roman Reigns
Closing Thoughts
So those are the latest WWE Network additions. What can we say? It’s been a very slow few weeks. The content is fine, but with the exception of Breaking Ground it is all standard fair. Important, but it’d be nice to have more original series. Going forward we know Breaking Ground is done but that this week we have the Stone Cold Podcast with Ric Flair coming. Besides that, it is anybody’s guess until the schedule comes out. Ride Along? Edge and Christian’s show? When we find out, we’ll let you know.
Stick to The WWE Network Chronicle for more WWE Network news, reviews, and previews! Also be sure to follow me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/AWWENetworkGuy and to join in on the discussion with your opinions, predictions, and desires about the WWE Network!