Chairshot Wrestling News Shuffle: Goldberg vs Undertaker, WWE 2K20, AEW, Morale In WWE and More! (5/14/2019)

News here! News involving Goldberg vs Undertaker, WWE 2K20, AEW, Morale In WWE and More!

Morale Backstage In WWE

As you know, ratings in WWE have been at an all time low for weekly television, and many wrestlers have either chosen to leave, or decide to ask for their release from the company. In yesterday’s shuffle, I discussed Jack Swagger’s comments on the unhappiness in WWE. On Sunday’s Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez talked about the backstage morale in the company. He had this to say:

“All I can tell you is morale today in WWE is so bad. I’ve heard it from multiple people. I’ve heard people and they’ll say it ‘morale is bad.’ I’ll say ‘I’ve heard’ and [they’ll say] ‘no really bad.’ So like I don’t know. It’s probably been maybe the worst it’s ever been. I’m not sure. I know it was bad in the wake of the Invasion [in 2001 after WCW was sold]. I know a lot of people were unhappy then for different reasons. The Kliq made some people’s lives miserable, but not everybody’s. In 96, 97 and 98 things turned around and everybody was making a lot of money. Maybe the early 90s but it’s bad [today].”

Jason’s Take

The talent in WWE is probably the deepest and most talented it has been in company history. However, you can come up with many reasons as to why morale is low. Too much content/over exposure, poor storyline writing and creative decisions, and moves that don’t make sense. (super star shakeup on m0nth #2, the wild card rule after the fact, etc) Regardless, USA and FOX have a large amount of money on the line, and the pressure is coming down from not only backstage, but network executives. If there were ever a time for a rival organization to step up, it would be now.

Undertaker vs Goldberg

Since WWE announced that Goldberg would be returning at the next Saudi Arabia event, fans have speculated as to whom Goldberg would be facing. Many felt that Bobby Lashley would be the most likely candidate, however, it will be the Undertaker taking on Goldberg for the first time in history.

The #Undertaker and @Goldberg are set to clash for the first time ever on June 7 at #WWESSD! https://t.co/cwL3Iq82ct

— WWE (@WWE) May 13, 2019

Jason’s Take

Since this was announced early on Monday morning, I’ve read a lot of criticism regarding this match. Yes, it would have been great 20 years ago, however, that wasn’t going to be very likely with both men in rival companies. The match still has its place today, and is one of the few matches WWE has left that they can call “first time ever.”

AEW Double Or Nothing News

We are getting closer to the second AEW event, Double Or Nothing. Recently, the event has been listed for purchase through Xfinity, with a price tag of $59.99. Last week, the show was listed as a PPV event on AT&T Uverse with a 7 PM ET start time.

Also, 2 more matches have been announced for the show during this week’s episode of Being The Eliete. Best Friends vs. Angelico and Jack Evans and Kip Sabian vs. Sammy Guevara.

Jason’s Take

$59.99 is the standard price for a WWE pay-per-view event. I would expect an official announcement on pricing and purchasing options will be coming shortly.

WWE 2K20 News

Most of you that have been long time readers of the Chairshot know that in addition to being a huge wrestling fan, I am also a gamer. In fact, I did a review of WWE2k19 here at the Chairshot that you can check out here. News is starting to come out about 2K20. FOX Sports Asia has potentially gotten a hold of leaked documentation that states that Becky Lynch will be the cover athlete for the game, and DX will have a heavy presence in the game.

Jason’s Take

I don’t know if I find this article from FOX Sports Asia to be correct, however, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lynch becomes the first female cover athlete for the long running series. Typically, the game releases late October/Early November, so an August release date seems unlikely.

New Wrestling Game Under Development?

Speaking of the 2K wrestling series……many fans have long been disappointed with the series, and have hope their would be competition for 2K. Many have felt the game hasn’t matched up to 2k’s other successful NBA 2k series of games. If you have wanted competition, then you are in luck. Yukes has established a new development team, and hopes to create an internal competition with 2k games according to VGC.

“I think having no competitor isn’t healthy at all,” Furuta told VGC. “When we had competitors in the wrestling space, we were determined not to lose and that was a great motivator for creating something great.

“But right now, looking at the market demands, players are expecting something new every time we release a game and we feel like we haven’t achieved what we’ve really wanted to do. For example, in many cases we’re still using old assets and we’re not able to do some things in the way that we want to.”

Jason’s Take

I am old enough to remember when PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox wouldn’t have completely different wrestling games released for each console. I thought last years 2K game was the best entry of the series, but I do understand some of the complaints fans have had about the game, and agree that the game hasn’t matched up to the realism of the NBA 2K series. Here is hoping Yukes can change things up.