APTER CHATTING

News and opinions from Sportskeeda Wrestling's Senior Editor, Bill Apter

Here's What's Happening!

The historic pro wrestling city of St. Louis, Missouri, hosts the next WWE Premium Live Event this Saturday -- May 10th.  As always, I am bombarded with  the question, "Hey Bill, who do you think will win?"  So you want to know? Lol.  Below are my predictions

1)Undisputed Champion John Cena takes on challenger Randy Orton:

It is said that these two competitors know each other inside out.  History shows they've been clashing in the ring as opponents on and off for 25 years. In my opinion, that means zero -- zippo! Neither John Cena nor Randy Orton is the same physically or mentally as they were back in their peak war days.  There will have to be an adjustment --and I don't mean an "Attitude Adjustment" (although it could happen).

St. Louis is Orton's home ground, and the fans will be solidly behind him.  So does "The Viper" take a pinfall loss?  I don't think so.  Orton is a master of losing his temper and becoming out of control when things don't go his way.  He will dominate the action, and when Cena begins to play as dirty as he can, Orton will give "blow his top" and lead to a probable disqualification when he shoves the referee and goes on to viciously pummel Cena.

2) Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta

I don't anticipate a loss for the title from Dominik Mysterio so soon after winning it at WrestleMania.  The only reason I could see a title change here is that WWE recently purchased Mexico's AAA company. Penta was a superstar in AAA, and to give him an extra rub in WWE by having him with the belt is something that would make AAA executives happy.  For me, Mysterio needs to retain.  He's an excellent heel -- but loved by the fans of the WWE Universe.  I hope WWE keeps him as champion.  One other thought on Dom losing (if WWE is letting Penta win) is Finn Balor can interfere, causing Dominik to lose -- and that kicks off the Mysterio vs. Balor feud we are all expecting.

3) Gunther vs. Pat McAfee

Come on, we know Pat McAfee has to somehow get the victory here -- but needs to do it without hurting Gunther's persona. As crazy as this sounds, McAfee wins with assistance from -- broadcast partner Michael Cole, causing Gunther's loss.  McAfee should show some decent skills, but we can't let a broadcaster look better than a wrestler!  Don't let that happen!

4) Women's Intercontinental champion Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch

I would love to see the lovely Lyra Valkyria retain the Intercontinental honors but I don't see that happening. "The Man" Becky Lynch has turned full heel and WWE needs to get her even more into the hated column and this is the way to get it done. No, Becky doesn't need a title but I think he winning this match -- and then Lyra getting a big win rematch at SummerSLam is the way to go.

5) United States Champion Jacob Fatu puts his title on the line in a "Fatal-Four-Way" against Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, and Damien Priest

There is no way Jacob Fatu leaves the ring without the belt.  He's become a "must see" champion (sorry, Miz, had to borrow that).  The match will be a total brawl and I see McIntyre, Knight, and Priest continuing battles with each other after this PLE.  One thing I need to add, I just have a thought that Solo Sikoa will insert himself into this clash and possibly wind up in a heated argument with Fatu, causing the start of a huge rift between the two.

Q&A WITH ME

Q: Why was Braun Strowman released from WWE, Bill?  He was just catching on again, in my opinion -- Ronnie Katz, New York City, NY

A: There are many rumors swirling around the Internet as to the reason.  My sources point out that he was not brought back in mind for any long-term programs as he did not want to be a full-time performer.  Strowman did what he was contracted for and WWE had no further vision for him at this time.  Don't count out that if and when he may be needed down the road you may see him again. He did not leave on bad terms -- I know that for a fact.

Q: With the purchase of AAA by WWE do you think it will succeed? -- Anthony Sotucci,  Baltimore, MD

A: I do, and here is the reason why.  Behind the scenes, you have two legendary AAA icons running the angles and programs. They are Konnan -- and you can be certain that Rey Mysterio Jr.. will be a huge part of the promotion.

Rey spoke to the press and said, "That’s a dream come true, something that I never thought would happen,” Rey Mysterio said. “I was talking about it yesterday. My first national television opportunity was with AAA in 1992. I was 18 years old, I had just left Tijuana, and I was chasing my dream to become a wrestler. And the first company that opened up its doors was AAA.

"I never imagined that I would make it to this level, but to be able to do that now and merge the two most important companies in the world to me, AAA and WWE. And have one single company, and not just have Luchadores represent Lucha Libre here and there. Now it’s a company that will represent Lucha Libre around the world as a whole. I think if it wasn’t on the map before, now it’s definitely going to be on the map. And I’m so proud of being a part of it.”

JOE WHATTADAY LOWRY RANTS

*The opinions expressed in Mr. Lowry's column do not necessarily represent the opinions of anyone related to this newsletter. They are the opinions only of Mr. Lowry. 

Another WrestleMania and just like clockwork more WWE Releases. This past Friday, the WWE decided to release a plethora of employees that including corporate executives and in ring talent. Unless you're the person making these decisions we may never know exactly why stars like Braun Strowman, Cora Jade, Dakota Kai and others were abruptly let go. 

Wth the internet wrestling community still absorbing John Cena’s record breaking title win, the news of the releases only added fuel to what can only be called a dumpster fire. The timing of these releases seems rather odd as well. With TKO and Triple H announcing historic revenues and profits from WrestleMania, one has to wonder if things are that well in the financial realm of the company, then why the sudden mass releases? Based on previous releases, some talent will go on to bigger and better things while others will make their way back to the company. 

Either way, people are out of a job and fans are left scratching their heads. What is even more perplexing is the fact that TKO/WWE is acquiring wrestling companies and along with that comes overhead and talent. Yet over 17 former WWE Superstars were given their walking papers days after the announcement. What am I missing here? Has the WWE Bubble started to burst, or is the company now too big to fail? 

Joe WhattaDay Lowry is an experienced broadcast journalist and has covered the world of pro wrestling for over three decades. Subscribe to his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ringsidewithwhattadayjoelowry

FROM MY PRIVATE FILES

He was one of the most violent members of the legendary Graham family.  "Crazy" Luke Graham (pictured) isn't talked about much when historians mention the Graham clan that included "Superstar" Billy, Eddie, Jerry, and Mike. But for me, I will never forget the terror that "Crazy" Luke brought to the old WWWF territory.

One of his biggest feuds was against WWWF champion Pedro Morales. Each time they battled, fans sat on the edge of their seats as Luke nearly captured that coveted title from the Latin-American favorite -- but it was not to happen.

This photo was taken by me after a tough loss to Morales at Madison Square Garden.  As soon as Graham spotted me clicking away, he screamed at me to "Get the hell out of here with that camera!"  He scared the crap out of me lol!

I was not "smart" to the biz back then -- around 1971.  Eventually when I was "smarted up" he and I became good friends.

A classic photo and a scary memory

BOB SMITH'S OUTDATED WRESTLING PODCAST

DOWN FOR THE COUNT:

FINISHING MANEUVERS WE CAN'T FORGET

I realize I’ve been quite the lucky chap during my career in covering pro wrestling. In addition to having my byline featured in more than 25 magazines and several websites, I’ve also had the opportunity to tour the United States for the sole purpose of covering the mat sport as a journalist. From giant pay-per-view spectaculars to indie shows in front of just a few hundred fans, I’ve seen so many matches and stars that it would be impossible to remember them all.

However, some things you just never forget, especially big victories from wrestling’s biggest stars – not to mention the incredible maneuvers that the legends employed to finish their matches. From simple holds to daring flying tactics that took both bravery and balance to accomplish, I remember the greats of the game from decades past as if it all took place yesterday.

So, as Mary Poppins once sang, there are a few of my favorite things – in the ring: A lot of people inside the wrestling industry truly believe that Bobby Eaton of The Midnight Express might be one of the finest pure wrestlers ever – and with maneuvers like his “Alabama Jam,” a flying legdrop from the top turnbuckle – it’s little wonder why this tag team specialist spent most of his career with gold around his waist.

I still don’t know how the legendary Harley Race didn’t severely injure his opponents with his uncanny set-up move: A slow-motion kneedrop directly to his opponents’ heads, faces, or throats. At about 260 pounds, we honestly don’t know how his hapless foes survived this brutal maneuver – or any of the dozens of other classic holds and tactics that the rugged multiple-time NWA World champion came up with during his decades in the sport.

Many a preliminary wrestler retired after being on the receiving end of the brutal Road Warriors' finisher known as “The Doomsday Device” – Hawk would hold an opponent on his impossibly wide shoulders as the equally powerful Hawk would leap off the top turnbuckle to deliver a flying clothesline. “I’ve never seen a finisher more devastating,” said Bill Apter during an office meeting with me in 1989. “I don’t know how people get up off that mat after that."

How many people have copied Randy Savage’s flying elbow from the top turnbuckle ... Jimmy Snuka’s flying body splash from the top rope … the superkick, made popular in the 1980s by wrestlers like Shawn Michaels and Chris Adams … the figure-four leglock, employed by legends such as Ric Flair and Greg Valentine … The Undertaker’s “Tombstone” piledriver, which was a mitigating factor in the WWE eventually banning piledrivers outright … or Bret Hart’s “Sharpshooter,” his own variation on the legendary Boston Crab?

It seems that these days, every wrestling fan has his or her favorite finisher. The only difference, really, was that when I started viewing wrestling in the 1970s, not every finishing move had a name attached to it, if you can imagine that. Then again … The Sheik’s fireballs kind of spoke for themselves, didn’t they?

Bob Smith is the former managing editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He now hosts The Outdated Wrestling Hour, available on all podcast apps (outdatedwrestling.buzzsprout.com).

WHAT THEY”RE TELLING ME

Samoa Joe on retiring:

"No, I am not ready for retirement by any means.  Yes, it seems like I've been around forever (lol), but working for AEW makes me feel brand new again.  I'm not going to be a filler talent.  I want to get that World title from John Moxley and be on top of the industry again -- and let me tell you something -- that will happen!

Samoa Joe is looking for Mox's belt and blood!"