WWE Undercard Overhaul: Kings of the Ring Edition

Undercard Overhaul is one fantasy booker's attempt to write the future, offering suggestions and stories to improve WWE TV while operating under a single, unbreakable code: make it memorable, make it wrestling.

Today's armchair assault is an attempt to revitalize a division, as Teddy Long announces the inaugural Kings of the Ring tag team tournament, exclusively on Smackdown, with the winners receiving a championship opportunity at the next pay-per-view.

Each team has been hand-selected by Teddy and it's an offer that can't be refused, meaning some mismatched pairings and certain Superstars who aren't happy about their contractual obligations.

Here's how it plays out.

5. Week 1, Round 1

Announced as "Mucho Lucha," Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara defeat the Japanese Buzzsaws (Yoshi Tatsu and special one-night guest Tajiri) after a suitably crazy cruiserweight spot-fest that sees Tajiri eat a 619 and stumble backwards into Sin Cara's La Mistica.

Pairing Mysterio and Sin Cara is important for a couple of reasons: it logically removes Rey from the world title picture without diminishing his presence, he'd be great as a behind-the-scenes mentor and they'd hide each other's faults—Rey's age is slowing him down and Mistico doesn't have much experience in the WWE style.

Not to mention, putting two of the company's most popular Superstars together would create a "dream team" atmosphere and bring excitement to the lagging division.

Later that night, in another first-round contest, the Celtic Connection (Sheamus and Drew McIntyre) defeat the African Embassy (Kofi Kingston and Justin Gabriel) after Sheamus Brogue Kicks Gabriel out of the ring and McIntyre nails Kofi with a Future Shock DDT.

The Great White's star power makes this a less embarrassing loss for the Embassy, and plays into the angle that Sheamus is helping Drew get his edge back.

4. Week 2, Round 1

The next week, Atten-Hut (Trent Barreta and JTG) defeat Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez after a mistake by Ricardo allows Barreta to hit the Dudebuster DDT on Del Rio.

It would normally be a stretch to see non-factors like Barreta and JTG beat someone like Del Rio but because Ricardo is "still in training," the loss merely punctuates the seemingly impossible task ahead of Team Mexican Royalty rather than damage it. Atten-Hut also gains a massive number of prestige points. Win-win.

Later in the evening, the New Blue Bloods (William Regal and Wade Barrett) defeat the Savage Samoans (Jimmy and Jey Uso) by disqualification.

Regal disrespects the Uso's father-manager Rikishi, who then orders his sons to hit Barrett with their new (highly illegal) signature maneuver, the Samoan Slaughter (a Total Elimination/Con-Chair-To hybrid).

3. Week 3, Round 2

This week sees both semifinal matchups, as the Celtic Connection defeat the new Blue Bloods after Barrett gets clobbered by a High Cross and Regal is unable (or refuses) to make the save—it's unclear which.

(Post-match, Regal and Wade invade Teddy Long's office, complaining about the extra week Sheamus and McIntyre had to rest. Teddy rewards them with another match that night against Big Show and Randy Orton, which they'd also lose. Something's wrong in the Blue Blood camp.)

Mucho Lucha go on to defeat Atten-Hut by again connecting with a 619/La Mistica combination.

Trent and JTG would look good by keeping up with a former World Heavyweight Champion, and Rey/Sin Cara continue to gain steam and credibility by moving forward in the tournament.

2. Week 4, the Finals

Mucho Lucha defeat the Celtic Connection in the finals of the tournament when World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan distracts the Great White, leaving McIntyre to suffer Mucho Lucha's combination finisher—which Booker T unceremoniously dubs the 3M (or Murderous Mexican Medley).

By this time, Daniel Bryan and Sheamus will have squared off at WrestleMania 28 and it's a feud I see having some legs, so the Connection takes a gimmick loss and Mucho Lucha continue on their path to tag team legitimacy.

Rey and Sin Cara have earned a title opportunity, but not before Teddy Long comes to the ring and awards them a gigantic Kings of the Ring championship cup as confetti rains from the ceiling (selling the tournament's significance).

Epico and Primo, still WWE Tag Team Champions, ambush Mucho Lucha while they're celebrating, knocking Rey and Sin Cara out with the very trophy they just won and posing over their comatose bodies as the show goes off the air. (Giving them the main event also shows that WWE means business in resurrecting tag teams.)

1. A Championship Opportunity

Mucho Lucha meet Epico and Primo at the pay-per-view but fail to capture the titles because of foul play.

The challengers wouldn't shed any momentum in the loss, and the Ohs would strengthen their position as credible heel champions who would do anything to retain their belts.

The Ohs' use of questionable tactics, however, would force them into a rematch with Mucho Lucha at the next pay-per-view, contested under TLC rules.

Mucho Lucha would go over, cementing their status as power players and paving the way for Epico and Primo to worm their way back into the spotlight. A loss here would give the Ohs cogent beef with which to fuel the feud, and Sin Cara and Mysterio as a combined draw could provide a long-term ratings boost.

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If you enjoyed this installment of Undercard Overhaul, you might also enjoy the seven previous entries in the series, which can be accessed through my B/R profile.

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