Post by Rando on Oct 13, 2020 17:27:53 GMT
We open on Scott Stanford and Kayla Braxtion, standing in a fairly straight-forward studio in the ESPN offices. Scott is dressed in a fairly laid gray suit, no tie, while Kayla is wearing an off-the-shoulder green dress. Both smile into the camera, clearly excited about all the huge Legacy Pro news to go over.
Scott Stanford: The wait is over! Legacy Pro is here, and I think it’s safe to say, it is off to a roaring start. There is a lot to unpack from the very first episode of Legacy Pro Ignited, but luckily you don’t have to do it alone. I’m Scott Stanford, and with me is Kayla Braxton, and this is Legacy Pro Beyond.
Kayla Braxton: Yes, the show where we go beyond the matches, beyond Ignited, beyond your expectations to really explore what is going on in the world of Legacy Pro with you, the dedicated wrestling fans. In just a little bit I will be talking with an esteemed panel of experts to go over everything that happened on the first ever episode of Ignited, and later we’ll be breaking down next week’s huge tag team special, including the Road Warriors Memorial to crown our first ever Inspire Pro Tag Team Tournament.
Scott Stanford: A lot to go over, but before we do any of that, I am going to have an interview with the Commissioner of Legacy Pro, CM Punk, including a huge announcement for our first Pay-Per-View event, Fight Forever. You won’t want to miss any of that, so stay tuned as we go...Beyond.
We cut to the theme song for Beyond, as the show graphic pops up on the screen.
We cut back to Scott Stanford standing behind a single-person podium.
Scott Stanford: Two weeks ago, Dwayne Johnson shocked the world when he announced that CM Punk would be the commissioner of Legacy Pro, making day to day decisions in his stead. I was lucky enough to sit down with the commish and discuss this new job title, his feelings on the first episode of Ignited and plans for the future Legacy Pro.
We cut to a separate interview area where CM Punk and Stanford are sitting in comfortable looking leather easy chairs. The pair both looked relaxed, with a clipboard resting in Stanford’s lap.
Scott Stanford: First off, thank you for the time, I’m sure your schedule has been crazy coming out of the first Ignited.
CM Punk: As crazy as always.
Both laugh a bit.
Scott Stanford: Secondly, I want to congratulate you on what I feel like was a fantastic start to the new program. How do you feel the first show went?
Punk seems to genuinely consider the question before responding.
CM Punk: You know, I’ve always had this reputation as the guy who has the biggest opinion of myself and my product. But I’m just as hard on myself as anyone else in this business, so of course I am always going to focus on the things that I think we could have done better. As far as the core product, I think that proved itself to be exactly what we set out to prove, and that is that this is the place to see the best in the world wrestle. So on that front I think we are off to a great start. All the other stuff we can sort out later.
Scott Stanford: Did anyone on that first show truly stand out to you?
CM Punk takes a deep breathe, looking up in the air as he considers.
CM Punk: You know, as an authority figure, I don’t really see it as my place to play favorites, you know? What I will say is that I was glad to see Dolph and Shawn come out and start the show off on such a high note, and especially to see Dolph seal a victory. He’s a guy who’s always just been on the cusp of great things, and I hope he has that success here.
Scott Stanford: So was he your MVP?
CM Punk: We haven’t signed MVP yet.
With that deflection and a coy smile, Stanford goes on to his next prepared question.
Scott Stanford: The first show you featured zero tag team matches; the next show you are featuring only tag team matches. Was that a conscious decision?
CM Punk: Yes and no. I knew we wanted to focus on singles competition, because that’s the bulk of where our talent is. But we also wanted to make sure we had a real celebration of tag team wrestling. As you know, we have a three pillar approach to our system: men’s world title, women’s world title, tag world title. So we figured for our first show we would really hammer home those first two pillars, and then with our second show celebrate the final one.
Scott Stanford: Which of those three pillars do you think is the strongest right now?
CM Punk: Women’s division. Absolutely.
Scott Stanford: You say that pretty confidently.
CM Punk: I just am trying to be honest. We invested a lot of time in making sure that our women’s division was best in class, and I think we excelled in that area. Now we need to focus on making sure those other two pillars can live up to that standard.
Scott Stanford: Well since you brought it up: we know that the tag team champions will be determined at the next Ignited. And we know the main event at Fight Forever will be for the men’s world title. That just leaves one headliner belt left to speak of. Any idea when we might be learning more about that women’s world title?
CM Punk smiles, stroking his chin as he considers the question.
CM Punk: Ah dammit, your twisting my arm here Scott. But what the hell, I’m the booker, I suppose I can let this out of the bag. At Fight Forever, we have big plans to crown the first women’s world champion. And it might include what we end up determining to be our four biggest names in the women’s division. And that belt. And a ladder. I’m not going to say much more than that, but you probably can do that math.
Scott Stanford: I absolutely can. Commissioner, a pleasure as always.
The pair share a handshake before Punk winks to the camera and we cut away.
Scott Stanford: The wait is over! Legacy Pro is here, and I think it’s safe to say, it is off to a roaring start. There is a lot to unpack from the very first episode of Legacy Pro Ignited, but luckily you don’t have to do it alone. I’m Scott Stanford, and with me is Kayla Braxton, and this is Legacy Pro Beyond.
Kayla Braxton: Yes, the show where we go beyond the matches, beyond Ignited, beyond your expectations to really explore what is going on in the world of Legacy Pro with you, the dedicated wrestling fans. In just a little bit I will be talking with an esteemed panel of experts to go over everything that happened on the first ever episode of Ignited, and later we’ll be breaking down next week’s huge tag team special, including the Road Warriors Memorial to crown our first ever Inspire Pro Tag Team Tournament.
Scott Stanford: A lot to go over, but before we do any of that, I am going to have an interview with the Commissioner of Legacy Pro, CM Punk, including a huge announcement for our first Pay-Per-View event, Fight Forever. You won’t want to miss any of that, so stay tuned as we go...Beyond.
We cut to the theme song for Beyond, as the show graphic pops up on the screen.
We cut back to Scott Stanford standing behind a single-person podium.
Scott Stanford: Two weeks ago, Dwayne Johnson shocked the world when he announced that CM Punk would be the commissioner of Legacy Pro, making day to day decisions in his stead. I was lucky enough to sit down with the commish and discuss this new job title, his feelings on the first episode of Ignited and plans for the future Legacy Pro.
We cut to a separate interview area where CM Punk and Stanford are sitting in comfortable looking leather easy chairs. The pair both looked relaxed, with a clipboard resting in Stanford’s lap.
Scott Stanford: First off, thank you for the time, I’m sure your schedule has been crazy coming out of the first Ignited.
CM Punk: As crazy as always.
Both laugh a bit.
Scott Stanford: Secondly, I want to congratulate you on what I feel like was a fantastic start to the new program. How do you feel the first show went?
Punk seems to genuinely consider the question before responding.
CM Punk: You know, I’ve always had this reputation as the guy who has the biggest opinion of myself and my product. But I’m just as hard on myself as anyone else in this business, so of course I am always going to focus on the things that I think we could have done better. As far as the core product, I think that proved itself to be exactly what we set out to prove, and that is that this is the place to see the best in the world wrestle. So on that front I think we are off to a great start. All the other stuff we can sort out later.
Scott Stanford: Did anyone on that first show truly stand out to you?
CM Punk takes a deep breathe, looking up in the air as he considers.
CM Punk: You know, as an authority figure, I don’t really see it as my place to play favorites, you know? What I will say is that I was glad to see Dolph and Shawn come out and start the show off on such a high note, and especially to see Dolph seal a victory. He’s a guy who’s always just been on the cusp of great things, and I hope he has that success here.
Scott Stanford: So was he your MVP?
CM Punk: We haven’t signed MVP yet.
With that deflection and a coy smile, Stanford goes on to his next prepared question.
Scott Stanford: The first show you featured zero tag team matches; the next show you are featuring only tag team matches. Was that a conscious decision?
CM Punk: Yes and no. I knew we wanted to focus on singles competition, because that’s the bulk of where our talent is. But we also wanted to make sure we had a real celebration of tag team wrestling. As you know, we have a three pillar approach to our system: men’s world title, women’s world title, tag world title. So we figured for our first show we would really hammer home those first two pillars, and then with our second show celebrate the final one.
Scott Stanford: Which of those three pillars do you think is the strongest right now?
CM Punk: Women’s division. Absolutely.
Scott Stanford: You say that pretty confidently.
CM Punk: I just am trying to be honest. We invested a lot of time in making sure that our women’s division was best in class, and I think we excelled in that area. Now we need to focus on making sure those other two pillars can live up to that standard.
Scott Stanford: Well since you brought it up: we know that the tag team champions will be determined at the next Ignited. And we know the main event at Fight Forever will be for the men’s world title. That just leaves one headliner belt left to speak of. Any idea when we might be learning more about that women’s world title?
CM Punk smiles, stroking his chin as he considers the question.
CM Punk: Ah dammit, your twisting my arm here Scott. But what the hell, I’m the booker, I suppose I can let this out of the bag. At Fight Forever, we have big plans to crown the first women’s world champion. And it might include what we end up determining to be our four biggest names in the women’s division. And that belt. And a ladder. I’m not going to say much more than that, but you probably can do that math.
Scott Stanford: I absolutely can. Commissioner, a pleasure as always.
The pair share a handshake before Punk winks to the camera and we cut away.
We cut back to the ESPN office, now in a cozy little lounge area where Kayla Braxton and three very recognizable panelists are all sitting, dressed professionally.
Kayla Braxton: A huge...not quite an announcement there from the commissioner of Legacy Pro: the first Legacy Pro Women’s World Champion will be crowned in a four-way ladder match at Fight Forever. To discuss that, and so much more, we have assembled a very distinguished panel to review the first week of Ignited and everything else. First we have the six time world champion, and professional wrestling hall of famer, Booker T.
Booker holds up 6 fingers with a slight smirk.
Booker T: Hey there Kayla, happy to be here.
Kayla Braxton: We have the writer and editor of the influential wrestling newsletter, Figure Four Weekly, Bryan Alvarez.
Bryan Alvarez: I think you meant to say “influential dirtsheet” there, Kayla.
Everyone gets a good-natured chuckle at that, Booker T most of all as Kayla moves on.
Kayla Braxton: And a member of the Ignited broadcast team along with Scott Stanford and myself, the always insightful Queen of Extreme, Lita!
Lita: I think this will be fun.
Kayla Braxton: So before we get started talking about this weeks Ignited, we have to talk about that huge tease from CM Punk. A four-woman ladder match for the Legacy Pro Women’s World Title? Lita, I’m sure you have a few things to say about that.
Lita: It’s absolutely a huge announcement, and is just a great statement about the place that this company is placing women’s wrestling as a whole. I think coming out of that first show, it was apparent, there is a depth of talent there that I for one am really excited to see develop.
Bryan Alvarez: Yeah, I think it’s telling that all you have to say is that THIS women’s division is going to have a four-person ladder match, and you immediately having wrestling nerds all over just rubbing their hands together. That’s important to remember, we don’t have any competitors named yet. But just the promise of a match like that, with the kind of talent that we have stacked here? That’s a big deal.
Booker T: That is a great point, and that goes to underline something Punk just said: this division is the diamond of this organization. And that’s not to take anything way from the other divisions, we’re gonna talk later about how stacked the tag roster is. But when you’re talking Rousey. Bliss. Kai. Charlotte Flair?!
Bryan Alvarez: Well hey, remember, Flair is just in a managerial role.
Booker screws up his lips and looks at Bryan incredulously.
Booker T: Oh yeah, okay, you got a Flair around a ring and you DON’T expect them to jump on in eventually. I’ll believe it when I see it, sucka.
Another round of laughter before Kayla goes into her next point.
Kayla Braxton: So now let’s talk the latest, and first, episode of Ignited. I want each of you to pick one thing coming out of this show that you think is the biggest, most interesting development from this episode. I’ll start with Lita.
Lita seems to be considering before she finally responds.
Lita: I keep going back to Ronda Rousey and Alexa Bliss clashing. Look, we knew going in they weren’t friends, but first the taunting from Bliss, and then just a brutal assault by Rousey? There’s some bad blood there to be sure, and sooner or later that’s going to explode.
Bryan Alvarez: Maybe in that four-person ladder match?
Lita: Could be!
Bryan Alvarez: That would be crazy to see.
Kayla Braxton: Is that your biggest story too Bryan?
Bryan Alvarez: No, I think the biggest story is also the biggest surprise coming out of Ignited, and that’s the rise of Kirby-oke, baby! I think if you asked anybody in the world if Martin Kirby could get a big win over one of the best in the world, AJ Styles, you would have been laughed out of the building. Yes he’s talented, yes he’s entertaining, but he was simply put never at that level. So for him to not only win, but win decisively? That’s a huge story and one I think we’ll see develop.
Kayla Braxton: Do you think Kirby has another big win in him like that?
Bryan Alvarez: I don’t know if I’m there quite yet, but he’s definitely put himself in a position to be one of the wrestlers on this roster to keep an eye on.
We cut to Booker T just shaking his head.
Kayla Braxton: Booker, you disagree?
Booker T: Oh I don’t disagree about Kirby, any other night that woulda been a huge moment. But you two forgot THE story of night!
Lita: What’s that, Book?
Booker T: Seth Rollins is one step away from the World Title! The Legacy Pro Messiah won a huge main event contest, and now at Fight Forever he just has to win one more match, and he’s the guy! THAT’S the story of the night! And, AND, his followers are in a tag tournament the next week! We could be looking at a total take over of the Legacy Pro brand before it’s even gotten started!
Bryan Alvarez: I think there is a big question mark of who he’s going to be facing at Fight Forever though.
Booker T: That don’t make it any less big news that Rollins punched his ticket! He’s in the driver’s seat, man!
Kayla Braxton: Well we’ll see if he and the House of Deliverance can capitalize, but now we go to Scott Stanford for another profile of the Legacy Pro roster.
We cut back to the interview lounge with Scott Stanford and his guest for this segment, Dakota Kai, dressed in athletic casual wear as she lounges in her seat.
Scott Stanford: Thank you Kayla, and our panel. Right now I’m speaking with one of the debuting stars from the very first episode of Ignited, Dakota Kai. Kai, how are you doing?
Dakota Kai: A little sore, but overall doing well.
Scott Stanford: Now I’m sure you don’t want to dwell on it, but you did come up short in your Legacy Pro debut. Do you feel like that will hurt your momentum?
Dakota smirks a bit and shakes her head.
Dakota Kai: I been in this business long enough to know ye can’t dwell on one loss for too long. Else it eats you right up. Ripley is a hell of a fighter, we been at it together for a long time and she had more than a little help on the outside. Lesson learned, don’t turn ya back on Tully Blanchard. If and when we meet up again, I won’t make the same mistake.
Scott Stanford: You hear Commissioner Punk saying earlier, he thinks that the Women’s Division here stacks up as one of the best. As a well-traveled wrestler, do you agree with that sentiment.
Dakota is quick to nod her head.
Dakota Kai: ‘Is hard not to be at least a little intimidated. I have had the pleasure to face many of the gals on this roster, and I will be the first to tell ya, they are the real deal. It was one reason I wanted to sign onto this company, is because Dwayne and Punk both assured me it was a focus. But I knew coming in that I wanted to be challenged, to be pushed. I certainly don’t expect that to slow down.
Scott Stanford: I wanted to discuss your other moment from Ignited that caught a lot of people’s attention…
Dakota Kai: I assume you mean Rollins?
Scott Stanford: Exactly. You were approached by the House of Deliverance, and I think it is clear to anyone watching that he’s interested in including you in his flock. The question is if you’re interested.
Kai answers almost before the question is all the way out.
Dakota Kai: Not at all.
Scott Stanford: No interest? Even after seeing the benefit of having someone in your corner?
Dakota Kai: Zero. Rollins and his ilk are exactly the sort of gang mentality I am looking to avoid here. See also Tully Blanchard. I’m not exactly a joiner to begin with, and I came to Legacy Pro to pave my own new path. So Seth can spit out any platitudes or cheap prophecies he wants, I’m not interested in buying what he is selling.
Scott Stanford: Okay, well that somewhat naturally leads into our last question. Next week, at our tag team special, you are paired with Nia Jax. The question is...can you two co-exist long enough to take down the team of Alexa Bliss and Taya Valkyrie?
Dakota Kai: Sure. Why not? It’s one night, but I trust that Nia is going to look to make a splash in her debut, and I know that I am looking for a big win. Bliss and Valkyrie both bring a lot to the table, but as long as Jax doesn’t get in my way, I think we got a way to pull this one out. Easy.
Stanford turns his attention back to the camera.
Scott Stanford: A very confident Dakota Kai going into the tag team special. Dakota, thank you for your time.
Kai simply nods.
Scott Stanford: Back to you Kayla.
We return to Kayla Braxton and her panel, all smiling to the camera as Kayla takes over the conversation.
Kayla Braxton: Thank you Scott. And now it’s time for our Ignited Preview. I’m going to run down this card, and you all tell me who you think is going to come out ahead.
As Kayla talks, the card match graphics come up on screen, as well as clips of the competitors being discussed.
Kalya Braxton: Let’s start off with the match that Scott was just discussing. Nia Jax and Dakota Kai face off against Alexa Bliss and Taya Valkyrie. Let’s start with you Booker, how do you see this one going?
Booker T: Look, I know that the doctors all say that Bliss is cleared to participate, but I am going to be honest here? She is going to be shaken. Even if she’s fully healed, you have to imagine she’s gonna have that head on a swivel lookin’ for a pissed off Ronda Rousey. My prediction is that’s gonna be the game changer.
Bryan Alvarez: I’m going to have to agree, I think Rousey is an unstated x-factor in this match. Do I think that will mean that Bliss and Valkyrie will lose? Maybe, but I think that will definitely contribute to this one.
Lita: I disagree a bit. Not that I don’t think Bliss might be off her A game, but I don’t know if I fully buy that Kai and Jax are going to fully gel as a team in the way that I think Bliss and Valkyrie have the chance to. Kai has made it very clear that she is out for herself, and that is a dynamic that can lead to disaster in a match like this.
Kayla Braxton: Speaking of unlikely pairings, we have Shawn Spears and Seth Rollins teaming up. The lead horseman, the head of the House of Deliverance. Can they co-exist and defeat Roode and Miz. Lita?
Lita: This is another big question mark for me, but ultimately I want to say they can? Spears is going to be looking for that first Legacy Pro win, Seth is riding high off a big main event W. That’s a deadly combo, and I think they’re going to ride it to victory.
Bryan Alvarez: I think you overlook the Miz and Robert Roode at your own peril. We’ve not seen them in a Legacy Pro ring yet, they may be in prme conditioning and both those guys have performed at a high level. I agree with Lita that Spears will be out for blood, but I don’t see Rollins giving it his all. Not for this one, not for someone who is not part of his flock already.
Kayla Braxton: Booker?
Booker T: Oh you know I’m in that Seth Rollins business. Any match he’s in, I’m going to break that way until he proves me wrong. Period.
Kayla Braxton: Alright, and now something of a dream match. Two of the biggest names in the MMA scene, two of the biggest names in the world of Joshi facing off. Rousey and DeVille vs. Thunder Tails, who you got Alvarez?
Bryan Alvarez: In the same way that Booker is in the Seth Rollins business? I am in the Kana and Hikaru Shida business. And I mean no disrespect to either Rousey or DeVille, in case they are listening. I don’t want my arms broken. But Kana and Shida? Come on man, those two on their own are top of roster talent, as a tag team? They could be unstoppable. In fact, I’m sitting here, unsure why they aren’t in the tag tournament.
Kayla Braxton: Good question. Book?
Booker T: Listen, I get that Kana and Shida are legends in women’s wrestling. I hear that. But I ain’t going to be sucka like Bryan and risk pissing off those ladies, so I’m going with Rousey and Deville. Period.
Lita: And for me it’s a coin flip. If this becomes an especially technical match, I lean towards Rousey and DeVille. If it becomes a brawl, I lean Tails. Truly depends on the day and the atmosphere, but I know it’s a highlight of the night for me.
Kayla Braxton: And that just leaves us...our main event.
Kayla Braxton: A tag team tournament blind, meaning we don't know the first round match-ups are. But we do know the winner comes out with the Legacy Pro tag team titles. Booker, I am assuming you are going for House of Deliverance due to the Seth Rollins connection?
Booker T: You would assume correctly. Although, ALTHOUGH, if not for that connection? The Mysterios have a huge potential for being a major force in this division.
Kayla Braxton: Absolutely. Lita?
Lita: I think I lean towards the championship experience of the Bar. They’ve been in these high stakes environments both individually and as a team, they got the Tully factor. For my money that’s the team to beat.
Kayla Braxton: And last but not least, who you got Bryan?
A small, mischievous smirk crosses Bryan's lips.
Bryan Alvarez: The Beaver Boys.
Booker T: WHAT?!
Bryan Alvarez: Yeah, I think they pull this one out. Look, they are definitely an underdog in this competition, and I think that goes without saying. But if we’re looking for a Cinderella to upset this whole thing? I don’t think it’s crazy to imagine that the Beaver Boys have it in them to take those belts.
Kayla Braxton: Well with that, our final prediction, I think we’re goin to call it a show. I want to thank our panel for contributing, obviously thank you to Scott, and thank you to both Commissioner Punk and Dakota Kai for joining us. We’ll be back in two weeks for more analysis, discussion and opinions. Until then, we’ll see you next time...Beyond!
The theme music strikes back up as we slowly fade to black, only for the Legacy Pro logo to fade up.
We cut back to the interview lounge with Scott Stanford and his guest for this segment, Dakota Kai, dressed in athletic casual wear as she lounges in her seat.
Scott Stanford: Thank you Kayla, and our panel. Right now I’m speaking with one of the debuting stars from the very first episode of Ignited, Dakota Kai. Kai, how are you doing?
Dakota Kai: A little sore, but overall doing well.
Scott Stanford: Now I’m sure you don’t want to dwell on it, but you did come up short in your Legacy Pro debut. Do you feel like that will hurt your momentum?
Dakota smirks a bit and shakes her head.
Dakota Kai: I been in this business long enough to know ye can’t dwell on one loss for too long. Else it eats you right up. Ripley is a hell of a fighter, we been at it together for a long time and she had more than a little help on the outside. Lesson learned, don’t turn ya back on Tully Blanchard. If and when we meet up again, I won’t make the same mistake.
Scott Stanford: You hear Commissioner Punk saying earlier, he thinks that the Women’s Division here stacks up as one of the best. As a well-traveled wrestler, do you agree with that sentiment.
Dakota is quick to nod her head.
Dakota Kai: ‘Is hard not to be at least a little intimidated. I have had the pleasure to face many of the gals on this roster, and I will be the first to tell ya, they are the real deal. It was one reason I wanted to sign onto this company, is because Dwayne and Punk both assured me it was a focus. But I knew coming in that I wanted to be challenged, to be pushed. I certainly don’t expect that to slow down.
Scott Stanford: I wanted to discuss your other moment from Ignited that caught a lot of people’s attention…
Dakota Kai: I assume you mean Rollins?
Scott Stanford: Exactly. You were approached by the House of Deliverance, and I think it is clear to anyone watching that he’s interested in including you in his flock. The question is if you’re interested.
Kai answers almost before the question is all the way out.
Dakota Kai: Not at all.
Scott Stanford: No interest? Even after seeing the benefit of having someone in your corner?
Dakota Kai: Zero. Rollins and his ilk are exactly the sort of gang mentality I am looking to avoid here. See also Tully Blanchard. I’m not exactly a joiner to begin with, and I came to Legacy Pro to pave my own new path. So Seth can spit out any platitudes or cheap prophecies he wants, I’m not interested in buying what he is selling.
Scott Stanford: Okay, well that somewhat naturally leads into our last question. Next week, at our tag team special, you are paired with Nia Jax. The question is...can you two co-exist long enough to take down the team of Alexa Bliss and Taya Valkyrie?
Dakota Kai: Sure. Why not? It’s one night, but I trust that Nia is going to look to make a splash in her debut, and I know that I am looking for a big win. Bliss and Valkyrie both bring a lot to the table, but as long as Jax doesn’t get in my way, I think we got a way to pull this one out. Easy.
Stanford turns his attention back to the camera.
Scott Stanford: A very confident Dakota Kai going into the tag team special. Dakota, thank you for your time.
Kai simply nods.
Scott Stanford: Back to you Kayla.
We return to Kayla Braxton and her panel, all smiling to the camera as Kayla takes over the conversation.
Kayla Braxton: Thank you Scott. And now it’s time for our Ignited Preview. I’m going to run down this card, and you all tell me who you think is going to come out ahead.
As Kayla talks, the card match graphics come up on screen, as well as clips of the competitors being discussed.
Kalya Braxton: Let’s start off with the match that Scott was just discussing. Nia Jax and Dakota Kai face off against Alexa Bliss and Taya Valkyrie. Let’s start with you Booker, how do you see this one going?
Booker T: Look, I know that the doctors all say that Bliss is cleared to participate, but I am going to be honest here? She is going to be shaken. Even if she’s fully healed, you have to imagine she’s gonna have that head on a swivel lookin’ for a pissed off Ronda Rousey. My prediction is that’s gonna be the game changer.
Bryan Alvarez: I’m going to have to agree, I think Rousey is an unstated x-factor in this match. Do I think that will mean that Bliss and Valkyrie will lose? Maybe, but I think that will definitely contribute to this one.
Lita: I disagree a bit. Not that I don’t think Bliss might be off her A game, but I don’t know if I fully buy that Kai and Jax are going to fully gel as a team in the way that I think Bliss and Valkyrie have the chance to. Kai has made it very clear that she is out for herself, and that is a dynamic that can lead to disaster in a match like this.
Kayla Braxton: Speaking of unlikely pairings, we have Shawn Spears and Seth Rollins teaming up. The lead horseman, the head of the House of Deliverance. Can they co-exist and defeat Roode and Miz. Lita?
Lita: This is another big question mark for me, but ultimately I want to say they can? Spears is going to be looking for that first Legacy Pro win, Seth is riding high off a big main event W. That’s a deadly combo, and I think they’re going to ride it to victory.
Bryan Alvarez: I think you overlook the Miz and Robert Roode at your own peril. We’ve not seen them in a Legacy Pro ring yet, they may be in prme conditioning and both those guys have performed at a high level. I agree with Lita that Spears will be out for blood, but I don’t see Rollins giving it his all. Not for this one, not for someone who is not part of his flock already.
Kayla Braxton: Booker?
Booker T: Oh you know I’m in that Seth Rollins business. Any match he’s in, I’m going to break that way until he proves me wrong. Period.
Kayla Braxton: Alright, and now something of a dream match. Two of the biggest names in the MMA scene, two of the biggest names in the world of Joshi facing off. Rousey and DeVille vs. Thunder Tails, who you got Alvarez?
Bryan Alvarez: In the same way that Booker is in the Seth Rollins business? I am in the Kana and Hikaru Shida business. And I mean no disrespect to either Rousey or DeVille, in case they are listening. I don’t want my arms broken. But Kana and Shida? Come on man, those two on their own are top of roster talent, as a tag team? They could be unstoppable. In fact, I’m sitting here, unsure why they aren’t in the tag tournament.
Kayla Braxton: Good question. Book?
Booker T: Listen, I get that Kana and Shida are legends in women’s wrestling. I hear that. But I ain’t going to be sucka like Bryan and risk pissing off those ladies, so I’m going with Rousey and Deville. Period.
Lita: And for me it’s a coin flip. If this becomes an especially technical match, I lean towards Rousey and DeVille. If it becomes a brawl, I lean Tails. Truly depends on the day and the atmosphere, but I know it’s a highlight of the night for me.
Kayla Braxton: And that just leaves us...our main event.
Kayla Braxton: A tag team tournament blind, meaning we don't know the first round match-ups are. But we do know the winner comes out with the Legacy Pro tag team titles. Booker, I am assuming you are going for House of Deliverance due to the Seth Rollins connection?
Booker T: You would assume correctly. Although, ALTHOUGH, if not for that connection? The Mysterios have a huge potential for being a major force in this division.
Kayla Braxton: Absolutely. Lita?
Lita: I think I lean towards the championship experience of the Bar. They’ve been in these high stakes environments both individually and as a team, they got the Tully factor. For my money that’s the team to beat.
Kayla Braxton: And last but not least, who you got Bryan?
A small, mischievous smirk crosses Bryan's lips.
Bryan Alvarez: The Beaver Boys.
Booker T: WHAT?!
Bryan Alvarez: Yeah, I think they pull this one out. Look, they are definitely an underdog in this competition, and I think that goes without saying. But if we’re looking for a Cinderella to upset this whole thing? I don’t think it’s crazy to imagine that the Beaver Boys have it in them to take those belts.
Kayla Braxton: Well with that, our final prediction, I think we’re goin to call it a show. I want to thank our panel for contributing, obviously thank you to Scott, and thank you to both Commissioner Punk and Dakota Kai for joining us. We’ll be back in two weeks for more analysis, discussion and opinions. Until then, we’ll see you next time...Beyond!
The theme music strikes back up as we slowly fade to black, only for the Legacy Pro logo to fade up.