The Year in Review

2019…  It was a year.

The Cold Civil Cultural War (CCCW) rages on.  Two sides that are convinced that their side is right, and more importantly, the other side is not just wrong but evil.  It touches just about every news story today.  The irony is, the issues I am most concerned about (the growing debt, how involved should the US be in foreign wars) isn’t really discussed by either side in the CCCW.  It’s all about making sure one side wins and the other side loses.  And with the election coming up in 2020, I expect the CCCW to, if possible, get even more inflamed.

Sports- I abandoned professional (American) football.  A combination of too many bad people involved in the sport and a concussion issue that is swept under the rug and cannot be fixed.  I still follow baseball and basketball, though the NBA sent a clear message that what they WANT is six to ten Superteams and the rest are versions of the Washington Generals to job out to the Superteams. 

Things sound down, but they aren’t.  If you tune out the Cultural War, in so many ways life is getting better.  We are living longer, and the worst forms of poverty are being eradicated.  There are problems- there always are- but things are better than they are often portrayed.

On a personal level…. I became a Pescatarian this past year.  I just finally decided I couldn’t eat meat anymore.  I thought this would help with my weight loss, and I was wrong (when I eat less meat, I tend to more bread…)  But both Katie and I are healthy and doing well.  We also joined The Houde School this year, and are learning quite a bit.  The Improv classes are outstanding, and I can’t recommend them enough.

My grandmother, Elsie Vortanz Sonby Pittman-Kosteroski, passed away at the age of 93.  She raised five children under difficult circumstances- the more I learned about her life, both from her and after she passed, the more I learned to admire her.  

Farewell to the old year.  On Wednesday, we welcome in 2020…

The Rise of Skywalker thoughts

(WARNING:  This is discussing "Star Wars:  The Rise of Skywalker".  Leave now if you don't want to be spoiled)

The Decade: Movies

We're in December of 2019- not just the end of the year, but the end of the decade.  I'll leave it to other to discuss the worldwide themes of the decade.  I will say this; while there are several unpleasant trends between 2010 and 2019, it's an improvement over the last century at this time- no World Wars destroying millions of lives.

But, on a lighter front, I figured I'd give my own personal opinions on various categories of the decade.  We'll start with movies.  These are just my $0.11, and I'm open to suggestions for movies I haven't seen yet.

2010: Inception/Toy Story 3- we're starting with a tie. Inception is probably my favorite science fiction movie of the decade. I love the concept, even though it falls apart when you think about it. But invading people's minds through their dreams is a cool concept that works in a movie on a big screen.

As for Toy Story 3... Toy Story might be the greatest movie trilogy of all time (yes, I know there is a Toy Story 4; I haven't seen it yet). There isn't a weak movie among the three. I was convinced that 3 couldn't live up to the first two movies, and I was wrong.


2011: Captain America:  The First Avenger- the first of several Marvel movies in my list. Chris Evans nails the character (it's hard to make a non-snarky Lawful Good character interesting, and he pulls it off). Setting most of the movie in the WWII era gives the movie a unique feel among the Marvel Movies, and allows you to see the history.


2012: Avengers- another Marvel movie. They did it- they spent five movies setting up this movie, with only one misstep. They had a movie with ten main characters and they gave them all moments to shine. As a story, the movie is great. But sticking the landing is even more challenging, and they did it.


2013: American Hustle- went back and forth between this and The Wolf of Wall Street. Both are black comedies about scams and based on real life events. I went with Hustle for this reason; The Wolf of Wall Street was made by a production company that stole $10 billion from the people of Malaysia. The reality of making that movie is worse than the movie itself.


2014: Captain America:  The Winter Solider- another Marvel Movie. Tough choice- I could have gone with Guardians of the Galaxy or The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies. One movie that it wouldn't be was Birdman- I started watching it and just got bored halfway through. Which might say more about me than about the movie.


2015: The Big Short- Love the book, love the movie. Does the best job explaining exactly what the hell happened in the 2008 economic downturn that I've seen.


2016: Star Wars:  Rogue One- none of the Star Wars movies come close to the brilliance of A New Hope or The Empire Strikes Back. But Rogue One comes closest- it's an original story, it's fills in some of the story gaps, and it gives moments of awe-inspiring glory and horror. JUST edges out Doctor Strange

2017: none- I haven't seen Murder on the Orient Express or Spiderman: Homecoming, and none of the other movies released this year really appealed that much to me. Maybe Star Wars:  The Last Jedi- but that movie left me with more questions than answers. I'm terrified it'll be like The Matrix: Reloaded- an incomplete movie without the sequel, and the sequel is so bad it ruins the other movie.

2018: Into the Spider-Verse- I love this movie. It has the right 'fit' for Spider-Man, able to be serious without getting too depressing, and somehow manages to tie multiple universes together in a way that works. JUST edges out Black Panther

2019: Avengers: Endgame- technically, this is still up in the air. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker might (I hope) top it, and I really enjoyed Knives Out. But, like Avengers, it managed to tie so many other movies together that right now it's my movie for 2019.

No NBA Predictions

Of the major sports, the NBA had become my favorite.  Note the past tense.

I understand that large corporations want to work with China because China is a gold mine for them.  I'm a capitalist, and trying to balance making money and the need to work with bad actors.  And I don't expect the owners and players in the NBA to give up that money because China is Imprisoning millions of Uighurs and violently attacking protesters in Hong Kong.

But I expect them to stand up for their own people's right to speak out.

Daryl Morey wasn't trying to change the world- he just supported the Hong Kong protests with his tweet.  And China got upset and told the NBA to jump.  And the NBA said 'how high?'

To be fair- Adam Silver said China told the NBA to fire Morey, and they haven't.  But seeing the NBA bow down to China- after making such a spectacle of using their fame as a soapbox on so many issues- is really unpleasant.

So, instead of giving you NBA predictions- or even caring about the sport- here's a picture to show you who is calling the shots in the NBA:

Congress' Hammer

(Fair warning:  This is a political post.  I speak for no one but myself.  I welcome debate and disagreement)

"I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail."-  Abraham Maslow, The Psychology of Science.

From everything I've read about President Trump's call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, it's skeevy as hell.  President Trump all but tied Ukraine getting some anti-tank weapons to him investigating Hunter Biden, son of the former Vice President.

It reeks of corruption, no matter the circumstances.  No matter what Biden did, President Trump crossed a few lines and basically implied he'd leave an ally in trouble if Ukraine didn't help him politically.

Have other Presidents done worse?  I believe it.  Doesn't matter.

Is it impeachable?  Anything is impeachable if Congress will Impeach over it.

But here's my thought- Congress is going for the Impeachment because they think that is the only weapon they have to contain the President.  

Investigations don't stop Trump.  Congress cannot or will not pass legislation to stop his agenda.  They could always threaten to cut the funding- but that shuts down the government.

In the mind of Congress, Impeachment is the only tool they have.  And following Maslow's saying, when Impeachment is your only tool, everything you don't like becomes impeachable.

The problem is- this won't end with when Donald Trump leaves the Presidency.  Congress has become more and more impotent over the past generations, no matter which party controls the House or Senate.  When Congress is in the control of the same Party as the President, they rubber-stamp the President's agenda.  When Congress is controlled by the other party, they... don't do anything.  They never pass their own agenda, and the President merrily chugs along, running things through the executive branch.  

I don't think this is a party problem- it happens when the Democrats or when the Republicans win elections.  But if it doesn't change- if Congress doesn't start regaining some of the power and control they've lost over the past century- we're going to see Impeachments every time the House is a different party than the President.

This isn't healthy for the country.

MLB Playoff Predictions

National League:

Brewers over Nationals, 1-0

Braves over Cardinals, 3-2
Dodgers over Brewers, 3-1

Dodgers over Braves, 4-2



American League:

Tampa Bay over Athletics, 1-0

Twins over Yankees, 3-2
Astros over Tampa Bay, 3-1

Astros over Twins, 4-1



World Series:

Astros over Dodgers, 4-2

Star Wars and Villains

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker comes out this December.  The sequels have had mixed moments, and opinions vary on them.

My own opinion is that Star Wars: The Force Awakens was really well made, but the story was too similar to A New Hope.  Star Wars: The Last Jedi was the opposite- it was such a break from the Star Wars cannon that it broke new ground, but also left a lot of unanswered questions.

(side note:  I also agree with Nando in his one suggested change for The Last Jedi: )

I will be watching The Rise of Skywalker, but I'm asking for one thing in the next movie:  

A crowning moment of villainy from this guy:

This is General Hux.  If you saw The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi and don't remember him... well, that's part of the problem.

The original trilogy had multiple villains that were considered by fans to be a real threat to the heroes.  There was Darth Vader, Grand Moff Tarkin, The Emporer, Boba Fett, Jabba the Hutt....  the villains failed and died, but the audience considered them a threat to the heroes.

For the latest trilogy?  There is Kylo Ren (and some people think he'll make a face turn).  And...

Snoke?  Didn't do anything and died.

Phasma?  Looked like an awesome character, but died before she could really do anything to show she was a threat (and this ticked me off- I wanted her around as the dragon for Finn to defeat in the final movie)

There's no other named villains threats except for Ren... and General Hux.  

And Hux has been treated as a joke in the previous two movies.  He stands around, makes snide remarks, and seems to be wrong on every choice he makes.

So do something with him in this movie that makes him a serious threat.  He doesn't have to be a fighting threat.  Show him to be a tactical genius- or a great leader- or a brilliant manipulator.  Something to make the audience acknowledge he is a threat.

To have great heroes, you need villains that are considered threats.  There's a ton of heroes in Star Wars- Rey, Poe, Rose, Finn.  Kylo Ren can't be the only enemy for all of them.  Build up Hux and the overall movie will be better.

NBA Draft booking

My Crazy Dream Booking:  Even I can’t find a booking that would allow Zion or Morant to drop to #5.  Top 3 go Zion-Morant-Barrett.  New Orleans takes Culvert.  Atlanta trades #8 and #10 to Cleveland for #5 to take Darius Garland.  Phoenix takes Cody White, Chicago takes Cam Reddish, Cavs take DeAndre Hunter with #8, Washington takes Brandon Clarke with #9, and Cavs take Jaxson Hayes with #10.

What Should Happen: Top 4 go Zion-Morant-Barrett-Garland (either NO or in a trade).  Cleveland takes Culvert

What Will Happen: Top 4 are Zion-Morant-Barrett-Culvert.  Cleveland takes DeAndre Hunter

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Top 4 are Zion-Morant-Barrett-Culvert.  Cleveland takes Garland  (Cleveland doesn’t need another small point guard that needs help with defense)

If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: I don’t know if there’s a booking that I would HATE.  Maybe trading up, but I don’t see a feasible trade. 

Post-NBA Lottery Thoughts

NBA Post-lottery draft thoughts:

• I’m a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, so obviously I wished the Cavs had moved up instead of down.  But #5 is still good enough to get a starter, even in a ‘weak’ draft.  I’m hoping for Jarrett Culver, but it’s up to the front office to make the right choice
• Last year, the Western Conference received the top four picks in the NBA draft.  This year, they have… three of the top four.  I don’t see the talent gap between the Western and Eastern Conference shrinking.
• If I’m AD, I hire a PR firm to work on restoring my reputation to New Orleans.  Him AND Zion, with Jrue Holiday and a good GM?  That is a scary team.  If he insists on a trade… well, New Orleans should listen.  But I’m not sure what the best deal for them would be now
• I think Morant will be a great pick for Memphis
• The reformed lottery worked, in that tanking is not rewarded as much

NBA Lottery Predictions

My Crazy Dream Booking: 

1. Charlotte Hornets- Zion Williamson
2. Cleveland Cavaliers- Ja Morant
3. Atlanta- RJ Barrett
4. Memphis- Cameron Redish

Last year, the Western Conference ended up with the top 4 picks in the draft.  This year, the Eastern Conference gets the clean sweep. 

Charlotte gets a franchise player in Zion, Kemba has a good reason to stay with the team, and Zion both stays close to his college AND starts his career with a great point guard

Cleveland gets the second piece of their rebuild to creating a fast team

Atlanta gets Barrett to join Trae Young

Memphis (like Charlotte, a good organization that is due for some luck) get an outside shooter to help with their rebuild.

 
What Should Happen: 

1. Philadelphia (via SAC)- Zion Williamson
2. Chicago- Ja Morant
3. New Orleans- RJ Barrett
4. Cleveland- Jarrett Culvert

There are three teams that break the internet if they win the lottery:  The Lakers (see ‘If I was Booking This and I Hated You’), New Orleans (Now does Davis try to come back, or does New Orleans then trade Davis knowing they have Zion?), and Philadelphia.  Besides breaking the heart of Sacramento fans… what would Philadelphia do?  I can’t see a frontcourt of Embiid AND Simmons AND Zion working, so someone needs to be traded….

What Will Happen: 

1. New York- Zion Williamson
2. Cleveland Cavaliers- Ja Morant
3. Atlanta- RJ Barrett
4. Chicago- Darius Garland

New York starts their trio of KD, Kyrie and Zion, which on paper looks great and would be a potential train wreck.  I still love Morant to Cleveland.  Barrett goes to Atlanta, and the Bulls get their Point Guard

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: 

1. Phoenix- Zion Williamson
2. Washington- Ja Morant
3. Minnesota- RJ Barrett
4. Los Angeles Lakers- Cam Reddish

Phoenix gets their new frontcourt star to team with… their other frontcourt #1 pick.  Washington, stuck for years because of Wall’s injuries, get a new point guard.  Minnesota gets the new Andrew Wiggins to go with the existing Andrew Wiggins.  The Lakers get a shooter.  The West get three of the first four picks

If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: 

1. Los Angeles Lakers- Zion Williamson
2. Boston (via Sacramento)- Ja Morant
3. Miami- RJ Barrett
4. Phoenix- Cam Reddish

The Lakers have been in a three way race (with the Knicks and Phoenix) over the worst-run franchise in the NBA this past decade.  But their luck or deal with the devil continues to allow them to have things go their way.  It would be perfectly in line with the last 50 years for the Lakers to luck into the #1 pick and have Zion come to join this team. 

Boston gets their new point guard, because of course their trades work out for them.

The hot markets continue to hog all of the best players.  Reddish goes to one of the worst run organizations in sports.

2019 NBA Playoff Predictions

Eastern Conference:
Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs. Detroit Pistons (8)- Milwaukee, 4 games to 1
Boston Celtics (4) vs. Indiana Pacers (5)- Indiana, 4 games to 3
Philadelphia 76ers (3) vs. Brooklyn Nets (6), Philadelphia, 4 games to 2
Toronto Raptors (2) vs. Orlando Magic (7)- Toronto, 4 games to 0


Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs Indiana Pacers (5)- Milwaukee, 4 games to 1
Toronto Raptors (2) vs Philadelphia 76ers (3)- Toronto, 4 games to 2

Milwaukee Bucks (1) vs Toronto Raptors (2)- Toronto, 4 games to 3


Western Conference:
Golden State Warriors (1) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (8) - Golden State 4 games to 1
Houston Rockets (4) vs. Utah Jazz (5)- Houston, 4 games to 2
Portland Trail Blazers (3) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (6)- Portland, 4 games to 1
Denver Nuggets (2) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7)- Denver, 4 games to 3


Golden State Warriors (1) vs Houston Rockets (4)- Houston, 4 games to 2
Denver Nuggets (2) vs Portland Trail Blazers (3)- Portland, 4 games to 3

Houston Rockets (4) vs Portland Trail Blazers (3)- Houston, 4 games to 2

2018-2019 NBA Finals:
Toronto Raptors vs Houston Rockets- Toronto Raptors, 4 games to 3

2019 MLB Predictions

American League:

East:

1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees (Wild Card)
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles

Central:

1. Cleveland Indians
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Kansas City Royals

West:

1. Houston Astros
2. Los Angeles Angels (Wild Card)
3. Oakland Athletics
4. Seattle Mariners
5. Texas Rangers

Playoffs:

• Los Angeles Angels over New York Yankees (Wild Card Game)
• Boston Red Sox over Los Angeles Angels
• Houston Astros over Cleveland Indians
• Houston Astros over Boston Red Sox

Rookie of the Year: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays

Cy Young:  Mike Clevinger, Indians

MVP:  Mike Trout, Angels

National League:

East:

1. Atlanta Braves
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. Washington Nationals
4. New York Mets
5. Florida Marlins

Central:

1. St. Louis Cardinals
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Wild Card)
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Pittsburgh Pirates
5. Cincinnati Reds

West:

1. Colorado Rockies
2. San Diego Padres (Wild Card)
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. San Francisco Giants

Playoffs:

• Milwaukee Brewers over San Diego Padres
• St. Louis Cardinals over Colorado Rockies
• Milwaukee Brewers over Atlanta Braves
• Milwaukee Brewers over St. Louis Cardinals

Rookie of the Year: Luis Urías, Padres

Cy Young:  Aaron Nola, Phillies

MVP:  Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals

World Series:  Houston Astros over Milwaukee Brewers, 4-2

Baseball: Needing a storyline.

I used to be a baseball fan, before any other sport. And I still like following it. But right now, it doesn't hold the interest of sports fans the way basketball and football do.

There's a part of me that thinks baseball needs a villain- and that Bryce Harper might be the best person to fit that role.

Harper is a free agent- and people thought he'd be the first $300 million dollar player. But as of today, no one has signed him. And the fact that no one is upset that he hasn't been signed is part of the problem.

Imagine if he signed a one year deal with the Yankees for a bargain basement price and point blank said, "If the owners aren't going to pay me what I'm worth, I'm going to get a title- something Washington couldn't do- and keep doing so until the fans and owners smarten up about by worth."

He won't- for some very good reasons- but that would make Harper THE story for baseball for 2019. Because right now, baseball needs something to attract the attention of the public.

NBA: Porzingis trade thoughts

The Knicks traded Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks along with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee, the team announced Thursday.

New York will receive second-year point guard Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews in the deal, as well as two future first-round draft picks. Jordan and Matthews are expiring contracts.

This is a big trade.  Porzingis is called a 'Unicorn', because he's 7'3" and can shoot from three point range.  He's an incredible player- but he's also been injured.

People are raking the Knicks over the coals for this deal- but I actually think they did well here.  They have enough salary to sign two max free agents this summer- and the summer of 2019 is LOADED.

I'm sure their dream is to sign Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.  But let's say they can't get either one.  Still on the table are:

• Kawhi Leonard
• Klay Thompson
• Jimmy Butler
• Kemba Walker
• DeMarcus Cousins

The point is, they will sign two excellent players.  In addition, they have one of the three worst records in the NBA- which means that right now, they have as good of a chance as anyone to get Zion Williamson.

So to the Knicks, in a perfect world their starting lineup next year would include Durant, Kyrie, and Zion.  But say they don't get any luck- next year's lineup still could include Jimmy Butler, RJ Barrett, and Kemba Walker.  In the East?  That's a contender.  Not to mention the draft picks from Dallas.

As for Dallas?  I love this trade- _IF_ Porzingis stays healthy.  But that's a big question mark- and if he can't stay healthy, this could blow up for them badly.  

I like this trade for both teams- but I think the Knicks have a lower risk here.

NXT Takeover and WWE Royal Rumble Predictions

NXT TAKEOVER

* NXT North American Championship:  Ricochet © vs. Johnny Gargano
My Crazy Dream Booking: The Ciampa-Gargano storyline isn’t finished by a long shot.  And the next step is for the two to terrorize NXT for a few months as the two champions.  Gargano wins, and wins cleanly.  Ciampa watches from the sideline, and applauds his former teammate/hated rival.  Gargano embraces the title, but seems confused by Ciampa’s reaction. 

As for Ricochet, I reward him tomorrow night with a spot in the Rumble.  There’s usually one spot in the Rumble where Kofi Kingston does something that looks physically impossible to stay in the ring.  Tomorrow night?  He does his stunt- then Ricochet tops that.  Leading to a one-shot Wrestlemania match between the two over ‘Who can top the other’

  
What Should Happen: Gargano wins cleanly- their epic storyline works better if both have titles

What Will Happen: Gargano wins with Ciampa’s help
What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Gargano loses and Ciampa taunts him, calling him a loser, and cutting short the Gargano heel turn. 
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: This match doesn’t last three minutes.

* NXT Tag Title Championship:  The Undisputed Era (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong) (c) vs. War Raiders (Hanson and Rowe)     
My Crazy Dream Booking: I like the War Raiders, and can see them on the main roster (imagine a feud with them and the Bludgeon Brothers).  But the driving force is the Undisputed Era.  I could easily see bringing all four of the UE up as a stable in a major push.  But I also think they work better as heels- and I don’t see the right combination of faces for them to feud with yet.

So I keep them here and dominant, winning cleanly, and sending the War Raiders up the roster. 

  
What Should Happen: A double-DQ, leading to a wild no-DQ rematch at the next Takeover

What Will Happen: Undisputed Era wins, leading to a storyline of “there’s no challengers left”

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: There’s no real downside here- if the War Raiders win, it might set off a Undisputed Era split storyline, and I think it’s way too soon to start that.
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: This match doesn’t last three minutes.

* NXT Women’s Championship:  Shayna Baszler (c) vs. Bianca Belair          
My Crazy Dream Booking: I still think a Four Horsewomen vs. Four Horsewomen feud can carry the women’s division for over a year- but I also don’t think Shafir and Duke are ready yet for the Main Roster.  Until then, keep Baszler with them.  I do think there are women who are ready to hold the title (Io Shinrai, Kairi Sane)- but Belair isn’t quite ready yet.  I have Belair give Baszler fits but Baszler win in the end.

  
What Should Happen: Baszler retains

What Will Happen: Baszler retains

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Belair wins, Baszler moves up, and there’s no good challengers for the new champion.
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: This match doesn’t last three minutes.

* NXT Championship:  Tommaso Ciampa (c) vs. Aleister Black

My Crazy Dream Booking: There’s still more meat on the Ciampa/Gargano story- and I want both men holding titles with Ciampa as Gargano’s devil for a few months.  So Ciampa retains.

Black?  I send him up the roster.  Jeremy had a great idea of him being the Undertaker’s protégé, but I’m not sure Undertaker is still a viable option.  But Bray Wyatt has been out for a while- and I could see him returning with Black and a harder edge.

What Should Happen: The beautiful thing about NXT is that the ‘Crazy Dream Booking’ may actually happen.  Ciampa retains, Black moves up to the main roster.

What Will Happen: Ciampa retains

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Black wins, Ciampa and Gargano start feuding… and Black faces Adam Cole and Velveteen Dream.  And even this isn’t “Terrifying”
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: This match doesn’t last three minutes.

ROYAL RUMBLE

* Fatal four-way match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship:  Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Akira Tozawa vs. Kalisto vs. Hideo Itami 

My Crazy Dream Booking: I don’t know what the future of 205 is for the WWE.  A placeholder for the cruiserweights until (unless) they move up to the Main Roster?  A separate show for workrate junkies?  Given Mustafa Ali has been placed on Smackdown, I fear this show is an Afterthought to everyone in the WWE.

I don’t care who wins- what I’d like is for a show-stealing match by all four that leaves the fans screaming to see more.

What Should Happen: Murphy retains while the WWE picks someone to elevate as the new face of the 205

What Will Happen: Tozawa wins the title and leads to a Tozawa-Itami match at Wrestlemania

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: This match will be ignored completely, or even left off the card
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Murphy is declared too heavy to be in the Cruiserweight division, and the WWE decides to award the title to Lio Rush (who might be a very good wrestler, but I haven’t seen him wrestle yet)

* WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship:  The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) (c) vs. Shane McMahon and The Miz

My Crazy Dream Booking:  After about ten minutes, Daniel Bryan comes down and stops the match.  He points out how dominant The Bar have been, how intelligent Shane McMahon is- even (grudging) admiration for Miz.  Why fight when they can all dominate the Smackdown Brand?  They would be the ‘UNDISPUTED’ leaders of the WWE.

The leads them to run roughshod over the next month, cheating to beat Styles, having Miz beat Rusev for the US Title, and them acting like the Kingpins…

And then, right before the February PPV, they are crowing- and here come the Undisputed Era.  Cole challenges Bryan at Wrestlemania, Strong is in the six man ladder match to face Miz, and The Bar face O’Rielly and Fish

What Should Happen: The Bar wins, leading to Shane McMahon vs. Miz at Wrestlemania

What Will Happen: The Bar wins, leading to Shane McMahon vs. Miz at Wrestlemania

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Shane and Miz win, leading to them as champions heading into Wrestlemania.
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Shane and Miz win, then ignore the tag titles as Shane challenges AJ Styles at Wrestlemania

* WWE United States Championship: Rusev (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

My Crazy Dream Booking:  Rusev wins, as his power overcomes Nakamura’s speed.  Nakamura seems down, and announcers speculate on him needing to ‘regain his edge’ as he goes on a losing streak, eventually moving onto RAW, where Finn Balor helps him regain his edge.  Rusev moves onto Miz

What Should Happen: Rusev Day!

What Will Happen: Rusev Day

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Jeff Hardy gets inserted into the match and wins the title
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Both men get beaten down by Brock Lesnar to keep Brock’s heat

* WWE SmackDown Women's Championship: Asuka (c) vs. Becky Lynch

My Crazy Dream Booking:  Because of the two Rumble matches, it is announced at the start of the show that all other matches have a thirty minute time limit.  This one goes to the limit- Lynch is ahead on points but can’t put away Asuka.  Nose-to-nose, handshake of respect, promise of a rematch… and here comes Ronda Rousey.  Rousey points out that Lynch and her still have unfinished business, and hopes that whoever wins the Woman’s Rumble challenge Asuka so they can settle it on the biggest stage of all

What Should Happen: They probably won’t get thirty minutes- maybe a double countout, with the same post-match encounter

What Will Happen: Asuka and Lynch are fighting outside while Rousey is commentating.  Asuka throw Lynch over the announcer’s table- and Lynch and Rousey start fighting, leading to a countout victory for Asuka.

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Asuka wins cleanly as Lynch starts heading down.
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Someone named McMahon gets involved in this match

* WWE Raw Women's Championship: Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Sasha Banks

My Crazy Dream Booking:  Rousey wins- but Banks looks awesome in the process, with several near two counts, and Rousey has to show a desperation she hasn’t shown before

What Should Happen: Rousey wins and Banks looks good in the process

What Will Happen: Rousey wins cleanly

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Rousey wins when Bayley and Banks get into a fight
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Nia Jax leaves everyone in the ring laying

* WWE Championship: Daniel Bryan (c) vs. AJ Styles

My Crazy Dream Booking:  Five star match with both men pulling out everything in their repertoire.  Just as Styles appears on the verge of the win, the Bar come down and distract the referee- while the Miz clocks Styles to give Bryan the win

What Should Happen: Bryan wins a close match, and Styles wins the Rumble to challenge the RAW champion.  Bryan then faces Samoa Joe

What Will Happen: Bryan wins a close match, and Styles wins the Rumble to challenge Brock Lesnar.  Bryan then faces Samoa Joe

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Bryan wins a match when Shane McMahon interferes to set up Styles/McMahon
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Bryan turns into the Honky Tonk Man

* WWE Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Finn Bálor

My Crazy Dream Booking:  Finn wins, cleanly in twenty minutes.  Lesnar goes on to face Strouman at Wrestlemania.  Balor defends the title against Styles, turning heel in the process.  The Reign of the Demon begins

What Should Happen: Finn wins, Lesnar challenges for a rematch at Wrestlemania

What Will Happen: Lesnar wins and move onto facing Rollins.  Balor faces Ambrose for the IC belt

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Lesnar doesn’t sell a move
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Balor never shows up and Strouman replaces him, only to lose inside of five minutes to Lesnar

* 30-woman Royal Rumble match for a women's championship match at WrestleMania 35

My Crazy Dream Booking:  Charlotte establishes a longevity record for the women’s Rumble, entering early.  Several NXT Stars are in the Rumble- including the Horsewomen.  At one point, we get a Horsewomen/Horsewomen brawl.  Baszler lasts until the final four- but this is Charlotte’s showcase.  She wins and announces that as much as she wants Rousey, she’s a Smackdown person- so bring on Asuka. 

What Should Happen: Charlotte wins to face Asuka

What Will Happen: Charlotte wins to face Asuka

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: The Nia Jax/Tamina alliance aliminates half the roster
If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: Any workrate is thrown out in exchange for stupid storylines (Naomi/Mandy Rose?)

* 30-man Royal Rumble match for a world championship match at WrestleMania 35

My Crazy Dream Booking:  First two in the ring are HHH, and John Cena.  Both last until about halfway- when Roman Reigns re-enters (health permitting). Reigns comes in as the big surprise- eliminating several wrestlers.  Ambrose and Rollins enter soon after, and the three have a huge brawl, often eliminating everyone but themselves.  Samoa Joe enters at 28, and AJ Styles enters at 29.  Ambrose is finally eliminated at the final five.

Final four- Reigns, Rollins, Joe, Styles.  Reigns is on fumes, and avoids several near-eliminations… but finally Joe and Styles team up to remove him, and he leaves to massive cheers and “WELCOME BACK” chants.  Rollins eliminates Joe, and he and Styles clash… and a missed curbstomp leads to Styles winning.

What Should Happen: No Reigns- Ambrose takes his spot in the final four.  Same result

What Will Happen: Rollins wins to face Lesnar

What I’m Terrified Will Happen: Brau Strouman enters at 24 and singlehandedly eliminates everyone to earn the title shot

If I Was Booking This And I Hated You: At 28, Styles and Rollins eliminate each other to empty the ring completely.  29 is… Roman Reigns, who eliminates R-Truth at 30 and is gifted a title shot.  This will cause an ugly backlash.