A New Jersey Devils Fan’s Open Promo To Paul Heyman

Earlier this week, the New Jersey Devils twitter account tweeted out this.

It was undeniably inspired by wrestling mastermind Paul Heyman labeling his client “the one behind the one in 21-1.” He caught on…

…and the Devils responded.

https://twitter.com/sbbaicker/status/940781810291740674

Ladies and gentleman, my name is David Lebovitz, and I am a contributor to Pucks And Pitchforks.

You may have squashed your beef with the New Jersey Devils…

…BUT I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU!

I am here, Mr. Heyman, to make you understand something. The Devils did not “steal your shtick” when they referenced your title for Brock Lesnar. They have gone beyond it, and proven themselves superior to your client. Allow me to explain.

In the spirit of a certain Advocate, let’s take a minute to talk up the Devils’ opposition in this. As you yourself have said, trash talking is easy. Opponents should be built up as box office attractions, not dismissed. Anyone willing to go toe-to-toe with one of the most surprising teams in the league deserves our respect.

The Kings were 8-0-0 before they met the New Jersey Devils, now at 8-1-0. Brock Lesnar, is 7-2 in his last nine.

And yes, for your information, I am including the Royal Rumble as a loss. Lesnar entered late, and surely a performer as dominant as Lesnar could have cleared the field. He even had the opportunity after F5ing the whole field. But instead he got eliminated by Goldberg after less than five minutes inside the ring.

The Kings’ undefeated streak stretched back to November 25th, 2017. Lesnar’s record – which, again, contained two fewer wins than the Kings – stretched back to August 21st, 2016. They had a better record than the Beast Incarnate… and took less time to do it. Anyone can have a good record when they only have to compete once every three months – it takes a true competitor to keep that streak alive.

Let’s take a minute to look at the teams the Kings beat over that time period. The Kings took on the Blues, one of the most dominant offenses in the league, and held them to one, solitary goal. The Kings took on the Chicago Blackhawks, the most dominant team of the past decade, and held them to one, solitary goal. The Kings took on the Washington Capitals, who have one of the most dominant goal scorers in league history, and didn’t even allow Alexander Ovechkin the dignity of one, solitary goal.

Then the Kings came to Newark to play the New Jersey Devils. And what did Devils do to this dominant Kings team? They held them to one, solitary goal.

The New Jersey Devils have one of the game’s most exciting rookie centers in Nico Hischier. The New Jersey Devils have one of the game’s most exciting rookie wingers in Jesper Bratt. The New Jersey Devils have one of the game’s most exciting rookie defensemen in Will Butcher. But they still had to face the Kings – the core of which beat them in the cup finals two years ago and remain with the team – and the Devils proceeded to make mincemeat out of them.

The Kings were more dominant than Brock Lesnar… and the Devils proceeded to dominate the Kings.

With all of this in mind, I’d say that the New Jersey Devils were not “stealing your shtick.” The New Jersey Devils have usurped your shtick. They have unseated your shtick. More than anything else, they have surpassed your shtick. They own it now, Mr. Advocate. The champion has become the challenger.

And about that invite…

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As for that invite to the Prudential Center the New Jersey Devils offered, I’d like to remind you that your client already had that opportunity. Extreme Rules was held there last year, but your client decided that Sunday, it would be more beneficial for him to take a four hour nap than show up to compete for a title. Brock Lesnar famously detests traveling, but the Prudential Center is in the same city as Newark Airport. Surely he could have handled a no-transfer flight and a short cab ride, but the so-called Conqueror found that too daunting. Don’t worry, though – SmackDown Live is coming to the Prudential Center next week. I know Brock Lesnar is on Raw, but surely he can make time in his schedule for… let’s call it a part time appearance.

Perhaps most damningly for your client, it took Brock Lesnar three tries to beat Goldberg. It only took the New Jersey Devils one try to beat the Kings. Since he won the title in April, the Beast Incarnate has only defended it three times to date.

The only reason Brock Lesnar has been Universal Champion  for a year… is because he doesn’t want to work Mondays.

(Mr. Heyman, I love you and hope I made you proud.)