WWE Talk Pt. II: It's not a good thread, it's not a bad thread, it's THE thread...

[Caveat Emperor]

I thought he did a great job in his promo segment with Jericho. It was a really little thing, but the way he turned Enzo's call-response line about him being 7 foot tall into his own line was great. The fact that he's able to hold on his own while Enzo is out is fantastic, and it's going to make Enzo's return that much more dynamic.

My other thought on RAW is how sick I am of the Usos. I know they're crazy-over with the kids, but they're such a generic team (to that point: even Mauro Ranallo really doesn't bother learning to tell them apart when he calls their matches). If the WWE is going to do "The Family" v. "The (We-Can't-Say-"Bullet"-For-Legal-Reasons) Club" that builds into something, I'd really like to see them get a gimmick update or at least add an edge to them of some sort.

I think there's a lot of money and good TV that could come from a slow-build that ends with a Survivor Series match between The Family (Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Samoa Joe, and maybe Dean Ambrose) v. The Club (AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Finn Balor and maybe someone like Seth Rollins), but they can't have 40% of Roman's team being goofballs in face paint.

Picking up from the last thread....

[cincrazy]

Well since the start of the original thread around two years ago, I'd say the company is in a better place. I've gotta be honest, I knew there were some wrestling fans on here, but I'm shocked the original thread cleared 1,000 posts, and kind of giddy about it in a totally nerdtastic way.

I'm excited for the Extreme Rules PPV. I think Roman Reigns vs Styles has really ratcheted up in intensity, and both Styles and Reigns are starting to evolve in really cool ways. Roman has been a killing machine and less of a Cena-clone, and it's done wonders for his character, despite the boos he still hears.

Rollins and Cena will be back soon, maybe Orton, Lesnar in time for Summerslam, Wyatt in a few weeks... this roster's depth is getting impressive. That's not to mention the eventual ascension of Balor to the main roster. It's a fun time to be a wrestling fan, let's hope creative doesn't screw it up!

Now let's get another 1,000 posts :).

[Bourgeois Zee]

Balor is the one I'm most interested in.

He and Styles as either heels pulling a Four-Horseman-esque stable (with the Gallows/ Anderson tag-team) or in a long-term feud would draw heat from marks and smarks, for sure.

[Tom Servo]

I'm digging the Reigns vs. Styles feud, it's probably my favorite WWE Title feud since Bryan vs. Punk in 2012.

[Raisor]

WWE let Steve Lombardi go after 33 years with the company.

[cincrazy]

WWE let Steve Lombardi go after 33 years with the company.

Hopefully Redszone takes notes and moves on from you.

And trim your stupid beard.

[Raisor]

Hopefully Redszone takes notes and moves on from you.

And trim your stupid beard.

Dude, stop posting pictures of yourself on Facebook. You look like a serial killer.

[TRF]

I'm imaging the both of you on the old Georgia Championship Wrestling set, screaming at Tony Shiavone as one of you attacks the other from behind.

Prolly Raisor... he's sneaky like that.

[Raisor]

I'm imaging the both of you on the old Georgia Championship Wrestling set, screaming at Tony Shiavone as one of you attacks the other from behind.

Prolly Raisor... he's sneaky like that.

David Crockett not Tony Jabroni

[TRF]

I'll never forget hearing the Road Warriors scream at Shiavone...

"We snack on danger and dine on death!"

[Raisor]

I'll never forget hearing the Road Warriors scream at Shiavone...

"We snack on danger and dine on death!"

"...and dead men don't make money"

- - - Updated - - -

By the way, Tony does PBP for the Braves AAA team in Gwinnett

[Tom Servo]

By the way, Tony does PBP for the Braves AAA team in Gwinnett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgItbGA0tJg


(why was the Yeti a Mummy?)

[TRF]

"...and dead men don't make money"

- - - Updated - - -

By the way, Tony does PBP for the Braves AAA team in Gwinnett

Maybe its because I was about 12 when I watched him for the first time, but I always liked him. If nothing else, he was into it.

Which is more than I can say for the stiffs on RAW. Cole is... I can't even.

[cincrazy]

I'm imaging the both of you on the old Georgia Championship Wrestling set, screaming at Tony Shiavone as one of you attacks the other from behind.

Prolly Raisor... he's sneaky like that.

Nah I'd lure Raisor into the parking lot for an NWO style beatdown. But eventually we would team up and be unstoppable. Only after he's seen the error of his ways.

[Raisor]

Nah I'd lure Raisor into the parking lot for an NWO style beatdown. But eventually we would team up and be unstoppable. Only after he's seen the error of his ways.

I'm not sure anyone would buy me as a heel.

I'm too pretty.

[Slyder]

Can I be James Cornette and hit people with tennis rackets?

[Raisor]

Can I be James Cornette and hit people with tennis rackets?

Only if you can manage the Midnight Express.

Can you?

[gilpdawg]

Maybe its because I was about 12 when I watched him for the first time, but I always liked him. If nothing else, he was into it.

Which is more than I can say for the stiffs on RAW. Cole is... I can't even.

Tony was fine until the Bischoff era when everything was "the greatest night ever" stuff. Tony was on Ross's podcast and even he cringed at that stuff.

They really should shake up the announce teams right now. Put Mauro and King on Raw. King has really gotten betts since he's been away from Cole and JBL.

[Slyder]

Tony was fine until the Bischoff era when everything was "the greatest night ever" stuff. Tony was on Ross's podcast and even he cringed at that stuff.

They really should shake up the announce teams right now. Put Mauro and King on Raw. King has really gotten betts since he's been away from Cole and JBL.

I think its funner for Lawler because he has someone to work with that isn't just a puppet, like JR again. Plus Smackdown's taped so they could always voice over it again if needed.

[sdwagers]

David Crockett not Tony Jabroni

Crockett "get him" , "whip him like a dog" or " Yeeeesss" ... Depending on what the baby faces were doing that week in the ring.

- - - Updated - - -


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgItbGA0tJg


(why was the Yeti a Mummy?)



It's the Yet-Tay!

[sdwagers]

Maybe its because I was about 12 when I watched him for the first time, but I always liked him. If nothing else, he was into it.

Which is more than I can say for the stiffs on RAW. Cole is... I can't even.

I can't stand Cole. War correspondent or not with professional journalism experience.

Give me Mauro.. Heck give me Ultramantis Black and Bryce Remburg from Chikara.

[sdwagers]

Can I be James Cornette and hit people with tennis rackets?

Best shoot interviews ever out there. His podcast is great when he's not talking politics or about Kenny Bolin.

[Javy Pornstache]

I can't stand Cole. War correspondent or not with professional journalism experience.

Give me Mauro.. Heck give me Ultramantis Black and Bryce Remburg from Chikara.

David Crockett was amazing, I knew he got lots of heat for being awful and nepotism charges back in the day but how much better would Raw be with a guy like Crockett totally marking out and putting over babyfaces and deriding heels for their reprehensible actions. Instead of puppet Cole, Vince's avatar JBL and completely monotone Saxton never getting anything over and only burying stuff if they do try to cast an opinion.

Re: Mauro. He's clearly the best but I say keep him on Smackdown. There's a reason he's still being himself on WWE TV - Vince doesn't produce Smackdown, Hunter does. You'd get very crappy watered down Mauro on Raw I'm sure with Vince controlling his brainwaves the way he has deadened Cole's brain and soul all these years!

[sdwagers]

David Crockett was amazing, I knew he got lots of heat for being awful and nepotism charges back in the day but how much better would Raw be with a guy like Crockett totally marking out and putting over babyfaces and deriding heels for their reprehensible actions. Instead of puppet Cole, Vince's avatar JBL and completely monotone Saxton never getting anything over and only burying stuff if they do try to cast an opinion.

Re: Mauro. He's clearly the best but I say keep him on Smackdown. There's a reason he's still being himself on WWE TV - Vince doesn't produce Smackdown, Hunter does. You'd get very crappy watered down Mauro on Raw I'm sure with Vince controlling his brainwaves the way he has deadened Cole's brain and soul all these years!

Dont get me wrong - I love me some David Crockett. The attack he took from Nikita Koloff.... I thought he was dead.

I 'd never thought I 'd be pushing for anyone from the Kliq - let alone HHH to run the WWE- but NXT has proven HHH has got what it takes. Of course though - he learned from Dusty Rhodes and admits it. Vince is becoming Vern Gagne 2.0 ... When does he do the Wrestlerock Rumble.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1CRatikdWg

[Javy Pornstache]

Vince is becoming Vern Gagne 2.0 ... When does he do the Wrestlerock Rumble.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1CRatikdWg

Lol. Right after he comes up with the WWE Team Challenge Series and books the turkey-on-a-pole match

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pT_dvUVBc2I/TRx6s2Qx_xI/AAAAAAAAAc4/dlrPKi3_tKY/s1600/turkeyhunt2.gif

[sdwagers]

Lol. Right after he comes up with the WWE Team Challenge Series and books the turkey-on-a-pole match

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pT_dvUVBc2I/TRx6s2Qx_xI/AAAAAAAAAc4/dlrPKi3_tKY/s1600/turkeyhunt2.gif

The Great American Turkey Hunt. some of Wrestlecrap's finest.... the AWA was so sad in its closing days.

[Mutaman]

Supposedly Joey Styles works for WWE in some administrative capacity. That's like having American Pharoah in your barn and using him as a lead pony.

[Slyder]

Supposedly Joey Styles works for WWE in some administrative capacity. That's like having American Pharoah in your barn and using him as a lead pony.

Didn't he get burned out on having to be on the road so much and having Vince constantly yelling in his ear?

[Mutaman]

Didn't he get burned out on having to be on the road so much and having Vince constantly yelling in his ear?

http://www.prowrestlingtees.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/800x800/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/j/o/joey1006_1.png

[Javy Pornstache]

Supposedly Joey Styles works for WWE in some administrative capacity. That's like having American Pharoah in your barn and using him as a lead pony.

I believe Joey is the head of the "dot-com" division of WWE. If memory serves me correctly, that was at one time Shane McMahon's post in the corporate structure. A nice job I'm sure, but quite a number of pegs below Stephanie in the pecking order, no doubt.

[sdwagers]

I believe Joey is the head of the "dot-com" division of WWE. If memory serves me correctly, that was at one time Shane McMahon's post in the corporate structure. A nice job I'm sure, but quite a number of pegs below Stephanie in the pecking order, no doubt.


Styles hosted the Paul Heyman special on the network, and yes he's working the .com portion of WWE. From what I 'm told - he's got no interest in being on camera for Vince on RAW.

[Caveat Emperor]

Styles hosted the Paul Heyman special on the network, and yes he's working the .com portion of WWE. From what I 'm told - he's got no interest in being on camera for Vince on RAW.

Vince is a nightmare on announcers -- the RAW commentary team is the way it is because he wants it to be that way. Everything said is micromanaged to all hell. At this point, Cole's just given up.

[Tom Servo]

Joey Styles was always overrated.

Don't @ me

[Caveat Emperor]

Joey Styles was always overrated.

Don't @ me

Joey Styles, like most of ECW, was great in the moment it existed back in the 90s -- not much of their product (outside of some PPV matches) has aged well at all.

[sdwagers]

Joey Styles was always overrated.

Don't @ me

tend to agree. One line "Oh my God" .... over and over again...

though when Primo and Epico hit their version (The Shining Star) of the Eliminators finisher "Total Elimination"... I could hear Styles screaming "Total Elimination" over and over.

[cincrazy]

Vince is a nightmare on announcers -- the RAW commentary team is the way it is because he wants it to be that way. Everything said is micromanaged to all hell. At this point, Cole's just given up.

And it's so obvious too. When Roman appeared last week, JBL said something to the effect of "Whether you love him or hate him, he gets a reaction out of you!" So obviously a Vince line.

In new news, Cody Rhodes asked for his release yesterday. It's being reported both Cody and Goldust left Smackdown before they started taping. Maybe Goldie was just being there for his brother, or maybe he asked for his release too. Hard to tell. It's a damn shame they couldn't do more with Cody, especially after 2013 when he feuded with the Authority. The Stardust character was always a disservice to the man.

[Caveat Emperor]

With all the new blood pushing through NXT, there just isn't room on the card for a lot of these guys. I wouldn't be surprised to see guys like Dolph Ziggler follow -- they can make good money on the indys and have a way less hectic travel schedule.

[Bourgeois Zee]

With all the new blood pushing through NXT, there just isn't room on the card for a lot of these guys. I wouldn't be surprised to see guys like Dolph Ziggler follow -- they can make good money on the indys and have a way less hectic travel schedule.

Ziggler in New Japan would be (perhaps) better than Styles in New Japan.

That's a lot more travel though. (Kind of.)

[Slyder]

With all the new blood pushing through NXT, there just isn't room on the card for a lot of these guys. I wouldn't be surprised to see guys like Dolph Ziggler follow -- they can make good money on the indys and have a way less hectic travel schedule.

Ziggler just reupped not to long ago for a multi year deal, because he had talked about leaving. I think you'll see Ziggler more as that "curtain jerker face" that gets new heels started and spend more time in movie filming.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Ziggler just reupped not to long ago for a multi year deal, because he had talked about leaving. I think you'll see Ziggler more as that "curtain jerker face" that gets new heels started and spend more time in movie filming.

I'd like to see him go the "Mr. Perfect" anti-hero route with a tag-team partner (with Tyler Breeze perhaps or Zack Ryder) and branch out from there.

[Javy Pornstache]

Ziggler in New Japan would be (perhaps) better than Styles in New Japan.

That's a lot more travel though. (Kind of.)

Two straight weeks at home and two weeks in Japan versus five nights on the road, two at home, five nights on the road, two at home, lather rinse repeat. Which is better? Guess it depends on who you ask. Most gaijins that work full-time in Japan have the former schedule though there have been some that decided to stay in Japan full-time while working there. Most live their regular life between tours. In fact, I am pretty sure Karl Anderson lived right in Cincinnati throughout his entire tenure in NJPW, and he probably had more matches there than any non-Japanese in many years. Anyway, agreed that Dolph in NJPW could be fun but i can only imagine him taking the crazy bumps he does in their ring, and the proclivity for neck-first bumps over there, can you imagine with his bumping style?

[Slyder]

So any chance wwe gives Rusev the US belt just to get fed to Cena again?

[Slyder]

Isn't one of Romans other cousins in the club?

[Tom Servo]

Man, that AJ vs. RO match was off the chain. Could only have been better if Mauro was calling it.

[Javy Pornstache]

Man, that AJ vs. RO match was off the chain. Could only have been better if Mauro was calling it.

The match was outstanding, but I mean, they keep wondering what they're doing wrong with Roman and why fans are rejecting him, and just keep on with the superhero booking. He kicked out twice from the "deadliest" move in wrestling, the Styles Clash, the last one even on a chair. Then he survives the Wrestlemania 17 finish of a zillion chairshots. No problem, kickout. Couldn't at least have had the Usos broken up one or two of those pin attempts?

And then. One spear. Pin. Over. No one is kicking out of his finish, that's for damn sure. I guess I should be glad one finisher is still protected nowadays.

AJ took some hard bumps too, hope all is well for his long-term future in WWE, he ain't no spring chicken though they sometimes portray him as such.

Oh, and Rollins so clearly is going to be a babyface though they brought him back as a heel, and they'll wonder yet again what they are doing wrong when Reigns is booed out of the building at MITB or wherever they face off.

On a non-complaining note, man was the four-way IC match awesome or what? A great accomplishment too because multi-person matches are often so hard to get MOTYC status on, but this match had perfect timing and tons of great spots. Kudos to these four fellas, and that includes the underappreciated Miz!

[Javy Pornstache]

So any chance wwe gives Rusev the US belt just to get fed to Cena again?

I would say this is a virtual guarantee, and probably on Cena's first night back, being Memorial Day and all. The return of the US Title open challenge should make for some great fresh matches with all this new talent though

[gilpdawg]

Vince is a nightmare on announcers -- the RAW commentary team is the way it is because he wants it to be that way. Everything said is micromanaged to all hell. At this point, Cole's just given up.

Foley quit the Smackdown announcing job he briefly had because Vince screamed something in his earpiece that highly offended him. He never stops talking to the announcers. He talked about it in one of his books, the one no one read because WWE didn't promote it because he was in TNA at the time.

[TRF]

Ziggler in New Japan would be (perhaps) better than Styles in New Japan.

That's a lot more travel though. (Kind of.)

Lots of spots opening in TNA. Ares, Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode all in NXT now. I can see Cody and Dustin there easily.

[sdwagers]

Two straight weeks at home and two weeks in Japan versus five nights on the road, two at home, five nights on the road, two at home, lather rinse repeat. Which is better? Guess it depends on who you ask. Most gaijins that work full-time in Japan have the former schedule though there have been some that decided to stay in Japan full-time while working there. Most live their regular life between tours. In fact, I am pretty sure Karl Anderson lived right in Cincinnati throughout his entire tenure in NJPW, and he probably had more matches there than any non-Japanese in many years. Anyway, agreed that Dolph in NJPW could be fun but i can only imagine him taking the crazy bumps he does in their ring, and the proclivity for neck-first bumps over there, can you imagine with his bumping style?

Karl Anderson still resides in Fairfield.

[sdwagers]

The match was outstanding, but I mean, they keep wondering what they're doing wrong with Roman and why fans are rejecting him, and just keep on with the superhero booking. He kicked out twice from the "deadliest" move in wrestling, the Styles Clash, the last one even on a chair. Then he survives the Wrestlemania 17 finish of a zillion chairshots. No problem, kickout. Couldn't at least have had the Usos broken up one or two of those pin attempts?

And then. One spear. Pin. Over. No one is kicking out of his finish, that's for damn sure. I guess I should be glad one finisher is still protected nowadays.

AJ took some hard bumps too, hope all is well for his long-term future in WWE, he ain't no spring chicken though they sometimes portray him as such.

Oh, and Rollins so clearly is going to be a babyface though they brought him back as a heel, and they'll wonder yet again what they are doing wrong when Reigns is booed out of the building at MITB or wherever they face off.

On a non-complaining note, man was the four-way IC match awesome or what? A great accomplishment too because multi-person matches are often so hard to get MOTYC status on, but this match had perfect timing and tons of great spots. Kudos to these four fellas, and that includes the underappreciated Miz!

IC match was phenom. One of the Miz's best performances ever. Cesaro, Zayn and Owens always deliver.

I can't stand Reigns. AJ is one of my guys. I hope he gets a LONG run with the WWE title someday.

- - - Updated - - -


Lots of spots opening in TNA. Ares, Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode all in NXT now. I can see Cody and Dustin there easily.

TNA is a sinking ship. I hope Cody goes to ROH. I 'd love to see him in Chikara.

[sdwagers]

Isn't one of Romans other cousins in the club?

Tama Tonga ( Alipate Fifita) is a member of Bullet Club- he's the son of Haku/Meng and wrestles for New Japan

[TRF]

TNA is a sinking ship. I hope Cody goes to ROH. I 'd love to see him in Chikara.

They need a better TV deal, for sure. ROH is a toilet factory of good wrestling performed in malls. ECW Lite with the same graphic package.

[Javy Pornstache]

Tama Tonga ( Alipate Fifita) is a member of Bullet Club- he's the son of Haku/Meng and wrestles for New Japan

Indeed, and his brother recently signed a full-time deal with NJPW as well, and is in the coolly-named Guerillas of Destiny tag team with Tama Tonga, the current IWGP Tag champs, in fact. Tonga Roa is his NJPW name. He had a cup of coffee in WWE as Camacho a few years back, who IIRC, had a gimmick of a street-tough Mexican from the barrio... yes, a Tongan was cast in this role.

[Tom Servo]

I still haven't quite come up with the words to express my distaste for how WWE wasted Cody Rhodes' talent, he's been ready to be a big time player since his undashing gimmick took off in 2011 and they just refused to ever give him a real shot at the brass ring.

I liked Camacho in WWE/NXT, thought he had potential.

[Caveat Emperor]

There's a parallel universe out there where Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett tear the house down at a Wrestlemania, with Rhodes finally overcoming and winning his first WWE World Title.

[sdwagers]

They need a better TV deal, for sure. ROH is a toilet factory of good wrestling performed in malls. ECW Lite with the same graphic package.

Chikara has better production values than ROH lol....

ROH product is quite good IMHO.... TNA iis better when its not trying to be the WWE.


I never cared for Wade Barrett.... he should have been booked as a monster and I thought he had no charisma on the mike. Though I think he's WAAAY better than Sheamus.

[Tom Servo]

A SmackDown shakeup is about to completely reshape all of WWE. Beginning July 19, the second longest-running weekly episodic program in television history, SmackDown, will move from Thursday to Tuesday nights and air LIVE each and every week — for the first time ever — at 8/7 C on USA Network, the exclusive cable home to WWE’s marquee properties.

This bold move will have major ramifications for all of WWE and exemplify the New Era, as both Raw and SmackDown will each feature their own unique rosters and rivalries following an imminent Superstar draft.

http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/smackdown-live-usa-network-july-19

hell to the yes. WWE got a lot weaker overall when they eliminated the brand split.

[Caveat Emperor]

http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/smackdown-live-usa-network-july-19

hell to the yes. WWE got a lot weaker overall when they eliminated the brand split.

Moving Smackdown to a live show is an outright game changer. The live/taped dintinction always branded Smackdown as the B show, and now that won't be the case. In fact, given that SD won't air opposite Monday Night Football in the fall / winter, you can make the argument that Smackdown is going to be the better show to be on.

I'm curious how they do the split, though. They don't have a deep enough women's division to split them, IMO -- and the tag division is only now getting healthy enough to have interesting non-title feuds. Also, do you split up Reigns / Ambrose / Rollins and kill the potential for a Shield reunion (even though each one of those guys is a talent that could carry a brand)? Do you move the little guys to one division and ressurect the Cruiserweight division?

Excited to see where this goes.

[TRF]

WWE Needs the Cruiserweight Division in the worst way. I hate the U.S. belt, it should be retired. Keep the IC as it has more WWE history.

Really, WWE needs an X Division. Best thing TNA ever did.

[Bourgeois Zee]

WWE Needs the Cruiserweight Division in the worst way. I hate the U.S. belt, it should be retired. Keep the IC as it has more WWE history.

Really, WWE needs an X Division. Best thing TNA ever did.

You could put the women's division on Mondays and the cruisers on Tuesday.

The draft will be interesting.

[sdwagers]

WWE Needs the Cruiserweight Division in the worst way. I hate the U.S. belt, it should be retired. Keep the IC as it has more WWE history.

Really, WWE needs an X Division. Best thing TNA ever did.

Belts make the feud meaningful.... There should be more Tag belts, but Vinces hates tag teams.

I 'd go

WWE World Hwy
WWE World Tag
WWE IC Title
WWE IC Tag
WWE World 6 man
WWE Women's
WWE Womens Tag

[TRF]

Belts make the feud meaningful.... There should be more Tag belts, but Vinces hates tag teams.

I 'd go

WWE World Hwy
WWE World Tag
WWE IC Title
WWE IC Tag
WWE World 6 man
WWE Women's
WWE Womens Tag

Can't argue with that. More women mean a need for more belts for them. An IC tag title and bringing back the 6 Man tag title could be fun.

[Slyder]

Belts make the feud meaningful.... There should be more Tag belts, but Vinces hates tag teams.

I 'd go

WWE World Hwy
WWE World Tag
WWE IC Title
WWE IC Tag
WWE World 6 man
WWE Women's
WWE Womens Tag

The man makes the belt, not the belt makes the man. They've done a poor job with most of the belts the last 5-10 years. If it means tolerating John Cena match a thon (and any lack of real story beyond the matches) to make the US belt mean something again... FIne. One thing I will give TNA credit for is at least being a little creative. I wish WWE would do like they've done millions of times before. Take someone elses idea and make it their own. And this idea is my desire for days when the US and IC belts were usually considered the #2 or 3 guy in the company.

(Since the brand split is a certainty).

Option C in WWE:
Leading up to Summer Slam (makes SummerSlam unique). You still have Reigns with the belt and Steph/HHH want to give the US champion the option to turn in the belt and get a match with the WWE champion. Seth defeats Cena for the US belt (after Cena wins it Monday from Rusev you know its going to happen).
couple weeks before you have Ambrose win the IC belt from the other show. He interupts a segment and Shane puts him in and you have your Shield Triple Threat PPV main event. From there you can really go in any direction. If you did it this year, I'd say probably Reigns retains and book it to work further toward HHH/Rollins at Survivor Series.

[Caveat Emperor]

The big rumor is that Reigns will be the headliner on RAW, Cena will be the headliner on Smackdown.

Smark tears are the best tears for Vince.

[Tom Servo]

The big rumor is that Reigns will be the headliner on RAW, Cena will be the headliner on Smackdown.

Smark tears are the best tears for Vince.
I understand using Cena to make SmackDown seem big time, but I think it should be the other way around. RAW tends to run the bigger city (Green Bay, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Phoenix, the next four episodes) with SD getting the smaller city (Rockford, Wichita, Biloxi, Tucson). The smaller towns tend to be nicer to Roman, maybe if they book him well enough on SD he could start getting regular pops and they could eventually have him become the guy on RAW and not get booed out of every building.

[sdwagers]

The man makes the belt, not the belt makes the man. They've done a poor job with most of the belts the last 5-10 years. If it means tolerating John Cena match a thon (and any lack of real story beyond the matches) to make the US belt mean something again... FIne. One thing I will give TNA credit for is at least being a little creative. I wish WWE would do like they've done millions of times before. Take someone elses idea and make it their own. And this idea is my desire for days when the US and IC belts were usually considered the #2 or 3 guy in the company.

(Since the brand split is a certainty).


The problem is that there is ton of talent that the writers need to get over. When you have a just a few titles - it doesn't work. The UFC blew out the weight division for instance... more opportunities. I would love to see the Revival as the IC Tag Champs and have Enzo and Cass chase the belts. Tag Teams give more opportunity to get talent over in meaningful way. I 'd much rather see a title match that a match over the fact a plant got destroyed (see Jericho v. Ambrose). With the lack of regional territories - less champions mean less people over (unless you don't need a belt to be over - see Jake the Snake Roberts).

I miss the days of the NWA with the :

World Hwy Title
US Title
World Tag
US Tag
World TV.
World 6 Man title.

(... and they even had the Mid Atlantic, the Western State Heritage and National Hwy Championships for awhile as well).

I agree the belts need to mean something... but I have to have championship intrigue in the match... I mean it's supposed to be a "competiton" right?

[Slyder]

The problem is that there is ton of talent that the writers need to get over. When you have a just a few titles - it doesn't work. The UFC blew out the weight division for instance... more opportunities. I would love to see the Revival as the IC Tag Champs and have Enzo and Cass chase the belts. Tag Teams give more opportunity to get talent over in meaningful way. I 'd much rather see a title match that a match over the fact a plant got destroyed (see Jericho v. Ambrose). With the lack of regional territories - less champions mean less people over (unless you don't need a belt to be over - see Jake the Snake Roberts).

I miss the days of the NWA with the :

World Hwy Title
US Title
World Tag
US Tag
World TV.
World 6 Man title.

(... and they even had the Mid Atlantic, the Western State Heritage and National Hwy Championships for awhile as well).

I agree the belts need to mean something... but I have to have championship intrigue in the match... I mean it's supposed to be a "competiton" right?

Same time though, would Wyatts vs Shield have meant more with a 6 man title in it? Did Zayn vs Owens (i hope they're going away from this for a little while its almost played out and save it for a renew later) have mattered more with the US belt? You can overdo it with anything. Its my one big complaint with WWE and Cena they've given him so many "marquee" moments you would think he'd have to at least be in contention with Rock, Hogan, and Austin... but all its led to is diminishing returns.

Plus look at Vince's history, he uses tag teams/factions to introduce guys then "his guy" (IE Bret, Shawn, Rock, etc) spins off and goes on to "bigger and better things". How many true tag teams last with WWE unless they are an LOD, Nasty Boys, etc that come with their own fan base and pay day based on the team. The problem I see with the 6 man is that you'll see random thrown together teams with no real purpose for anything holding the belts... when they're even acknowledged as such.

[sdwagers]

Same time though, would Wyatts vs Shield have meant more with a 6 man title in it? Did Zayn vs Owens (i hope they're going away from this for a little while its almost played out and save it for a renew later) have mattered more with the US belt? You can overdo it with anything. Its my one big complaint with WWE and Cena they've given him so many "marquee" moments you would think he'd have to at least be in contention with Rock, Hogan, and Austin... but all its led to is diminishing returns.

Plus look at Vince's history, he uses tag teams/factions to introduce guys then "his guy" (IE Bret, Shawn, Rock, etc) spins off and goes on to "bigger and better things". How many true tag teams last with WWE unless they are an LOD, Nasty Boys, etc that come with their own fan base and pay day based on the team. The problem I see with the 6 man is that you'll see random thrown together teams with no real purpose for anything holding the belts... when they're even acknowledged as such.

Von Erichs v Freebird for the Six man belts was CRAZY....
Magnum v. Tully for the US Belt... Goodness....

Yes... Belts make it matter more...

Dont get me wrong... you can book belts waaaay wrong... just take a look the Hardcore Title and the cluster it was.

... but done right.... it makes the feud even that better.

[gilpdawg]

I understand using Cena to make SmackDown seem big time, but I think it should be the other way around. RAW tends to run the bigger city (Green Bay, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Phoenix, the next four episodes) with SD getting the smaller city (Rockford, Wichita, Biloxi, Tucson). The smaller towns tend to be nicer to Roman, maybe if they book him well enough on SD he could start getting regular pops and they could eventually have him become the guy on RAW and not get booed out of every building.

You just don't hear the boos on Smackdown for Roman because they edit them out. That won't happen live.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Slyder]

AJ you want nothing to do with the Cena monster. Just ask about anyone who's feuded with Cena and how they ended up.

[M2]

AJ you want nothing to do with the Cena monster. Just ask about anyone who's feuded with Cena and how they ended up.

Why it's an honor just to have John Cena say your name, right before he explains how you're not a real man.

[Dom Heffner]

Philosophical question: how can one be "champion" of a fixed sport?

[Dom Heffner]

Why it's an honor just to have John Cena say your name, right before he explains how you're not a real man.

I saw him yesterday. Or his car, anyway. I think I shared this but his gym is right by my house.

[Slyder]

Why it's an honor just to have John Cena say your name, right before he explains how you're not a real man.

And then invalidates EVERYTHING that happens with 5 moves of doom!

[sdwagers]

Philosophical question: how can one be "champion" of a fixed sport?

People pay to see you by buying tix and merch, that's how.

People paid to see Dusty get revenge on the horsemen, that's how.

People pay to boo or cheer Cena, that how.

[Joseph]

Philosophical question: how can one be "champion" of a fixed sport?

As an aside completely out of left field, I have a pool table in my house. I'm fairly good. I'm buying a belt for myself to signify my dominance. </tongue-in-cheek-yet-serious>

[Dom Heffner]

People pay to see you by buying tix and merch, that's how.

People paid to see Dusty get revenge on the horsemen, that's how.

People pay to boo or cheer Cena, that how.

How are you a champion if you didn't beat anyone?

You seem a bit testy, bro.

I'd tell you to relax and that it's only a game, but it even isn't that.

I'm not here to pushbuttons. I just heard The Rock call his relative "a great champion," and I'm just not sure that holds water.

That would be like Michael Douglas calling Kirk "a great gangster."

[sdwagers]

How are you a champion if you didn't beat anyone?

You seem a bit testy, bro.

I'd tell you to relax and that it's only a game, but it even isn't that.

I'm not here to pushbuttons. I just heard The Rock call his relative "a great champion," and I'm just not sure that holds water.

That would be like Michael Douglas calling Kirk "a great gangster."

Testy ? Nah... Just not a fan how the writers treat belts like props instead contested trophies if we're not a work.... Count me in the the Jim Cornette school of booking... Listen to his podcast and shoot interviews, they're fantastic.


... In other news how about that AJ Styles beat down on Cena.

[M2]

Count me in the the Jim Cornette school of booking

aka, the lead-the-company-to-ruination school of booking. I mean, I agree about treating belts like contested trophies, but Cornette's out of the business for a reason.

[Slyder]

aka, the lead-the-company-to-ruination school of booking. I mean, I agree about treating belts like contested trophies, but Cornette's out of the business for a reason.

Cornette has his faults, but most of the time he really wasn't in that position. He opened Smokey Mountain Wrestling in one of the worst times for the business. He also helped train many of the stars now. And he hates Vince Russo. That must account for something!

[gilpdawg]

Cornette has his faults, but most of the time he really wasn't in that position. He opened Smokey Mountain Wrestling in one of the worst times for the business. He also helped train many of the stars now. And he hates Vince Russo. That must account for something!

SMW had some good stuff. There's some on the Network. I didn't see that stuff first time around.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[sdwagers]

aka, the lead-the-company-to-ruination school of booking. I mean, I agree about treating belts like contested trophies, but Cornette's out of the business for a reason.

WWE is entertainment, and TNA and ROH are run by idiots that don't know the business and want to be WWE. Smokey Mtn and OVW were solidly booked by Cornette.

Listen to shoot interviews podcasts he has, he explains it all. Dude still has it, really he does. He praised the American Alpha - Revival match when the titles changed.

... He's a huge liberal, so expect lots of Bernie Sanders praise in his podcasts.

[Caveat Emperor]

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall for the conversation Brock had with Vince about letting him go (potentially) get his ass kicked at UFC 200 while under contract to the WWE.

I know kayfabe is dead, but damn -- I can't imagine how he got Vince to say yes, other than threatening to just sit out his contract if he wasn't allowed (which, really, is what he's doing right now anyway).

[cincrazy]

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall for the conversation Brock had with Vince about letting him go (potentially) get his ass kicked at UFC 200 while under contract to the WWE.

I know kayfabe is dead, but damn -- I can't imagine how he got Vince to say yes, other than threatening to just sit out his contract if he wasn't allowed (which, really, is what he's doing right now anyway).

I'm guessing this was a clause that was inserted into his contract when he resigned at Mania. And honestly, I think it's good business by Vince. Why not agree to one match, if that means you can re-sign the guy for 3-4 years? I think it's unique and awesome. And it also doesn't hurt to establish a good working relationship with UFC if the WWE wants access to Rousey in the future, or McGregor. And how sweet would it be (as unlikely as it may seem right now) if CM Punk comes back for a "one-off" Mania match in the future? How is that not big dollars for EVERYONE involved?

[Slyder]

I'm guessing this was a clause that was inserted into his contract when he resigned at Mania. And honestly, I think it's good business by Vince. Why not agree to one match, if that means you can re-sign the guy for 3-4 years? I think it's unique and awesome. And it also doesn't hurt to establish a good working relationship with UFC if the WWE wants access to Rousey in the future, or McGregor. And how sweet would it be (as unlikely as it may seem right now) if CM Punk comes back for a "one-off" Mania match in the future? How is that not big dollars for EVERYONE involved?

Lesnar gets knocked the F out and the last 2 years is wiped out without WWE really getting ANY return on ending the greatest streak in WWE history.

[Caveat Emperor]

The Cena / AJ segment tonight on Raw was absolute fire.

When Cena is properly motivated, he's still an amazing talent on the mic.

[TRF]

The Cena / AJ segment tonight on Raw was absolute fire.

When Cena is properly motivated, he's still an amazing talent on the mic.

yeah but...

Once AJ decimated Xavier Woods (one of the most underrated talents on the mic IMO), why wasn't Cena in the match? This is not the first time WWE has ignored this option. They came out to help him, he has to wait for their beat down to help them? That's dumb booking. Now maybe he can't fully go in a match just yet, and if that's the case, wait until Summer Slam to bring him back.

Logic: None Found.

[sdwagers]

yeah but...

Once AJ decimated Xavier Woods (one of the most underrated talents on the mic IMO), why wasn't Cena in the match? This is not the first time WWE has ignored this option. They came out to help him, he has to wait for their beat down to help them? That's dumb booking. Now maybe he can't fully go in a match just yet, and if that's the case, wait until Summer Slam to bring him back.

Logic: None Found.

Love Woods on the mic.

I admit I 'm not a fan of the GM of week restarting matches, changes matches on the fly, inserting people into matches after they started.

What would have been cool was Cena as the "mystery partner" say if Big E got attacked backstage. The New Day has the a few hours to get a replacement... Cena taking someone's place in a match that has already started.... that doesn't make sense at all.

[sdwagers]

The Cena / AJ segment tonight on Raw was absolute fire.

When Cena is properly motivated, he's still an amazing talent on the mic.

agree completely here. I like AJ as a heel here too. feels more natural. I hated AJ as heel in TNA (Prince AJ, Flair's Protege) as it was natural. Loved him as face vs. Aces and 8's.

[TRF]

this has to be seen to be believed...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TgbxaQcheQ

[Caveat Emperor]

Yesterday's RAW had a really smarky feel to it -- the opening segment on the Ladders was really well done, but felt completely unscripted (and, therefore, incredibly refreshing). Everyone had a chance to get their individual characters over, it was genuinely funny, and came off as authentic. Jericho, Ambrose, and Owens all own every bit of their characters. It was the first time in a while that I've watched a WWE segment and it didn't feel like people reading off a cue card. We even got a "I'm from Winnipeg, you Idiot!" from Jericho.

Then you had all the Teddy Long stuff, complete with his tag-team match fixation.

And then you get Cena actually calling Gallows, Anderson and AJ the "Bullet Club," burning himself for still wearing jorts, and then AJ styles directly stating that people get buried after they finish programs with Cena.

Fun show.

[sdwagers]

this has to be seen to be believed...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TgbxaQcheQ

the spot at 4:47 is mind blowing.

[TRF]

gah! they took it down. Too bad, that was one of the most acrobatic matches I have ever seen.

[sdwagers]

gah! they took it down. Too bad, that was one of the most acrobatic matches I have ever seen.


but yet they won't take this trainwreck down.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV-i-H-Vbew

[M2]

yeah but...

Once AJ decimated Xavier Woods (one of the most underrated talents on the mic IMO), why wasn't Cena in the match? This is not the first time WWE has ignored this option. They came out to help him, he has to wait for their beat down to help them? That's dumb booking. Now maybe he can't fully go in a match just yet, and if that's the case, wait until Summer Slam to bring him back.

Logic: None Found.

John Cena is the world's worst friend.


this has to be seen to be believed...

What was it?

[Javy Pornstache]

What was it?

It was the video of the Ricochet-Will Ospreay match from the Best of the Super Juniors tournament that went viral. New Japan had it, very wisely, as a free video on YouTube, to help gauge interest in the New Japan World service... but apparently the video didn't last. It must have been for a limited time only, as they say.

[TRF]

John Cena is the world's worst friend.



What was it?

Ricochet vs Will Ospreay. They pretty much scrubbed it from Youtube.

Some highlights.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4eeqzr

[sdwagers]

Ricochet vs Will Ospreay. They pretty much scrubbed it from Youtube.

Some highlights.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4eeqzr

whole match here


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4dxp1b_ricochet-vs-will-ospreay-bosj-27-05-2016_sport

[Bourgeois Zee]

That is a fun match to watch.

[Tom Servo]

I'm doing a rewatch of the WWF in 1997 and this really made me laugh, thought Redszone might appreciate it:

http://i.imgur.com/sOkRBxH.png?1

[Caveat Emperor]

whole match here


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4dxp1b_ricochet-vs-will-ospreay-bosj-27-05-2016_sport

I don't know why, but the opening sequence reminded me so much of the lightsaber fighting from the Star Wars prequels.

[Javy Pornstache]

I don't know why, but the opening sequence reminded me so much of the lightsaber fighting from the Star Wars prequels.

Lot of people would suggest it was as choreographed as a Hollywood blockbuster; seems the match was love it or hate it for most - not a lot of middle ground.

Any of you Redszone rasslin' brahs watch NXT tonight?

[sdwagers]

Lot of people would suggest it was as choreographed as a Hollywood blockbuster; seems the match was love it or hate it for most - not a lot of middle ground.

Any of you Redszone rasslin' brahs watch NXT tonight?

going to watch it this weekend, already heard the results. Sounds like good show. Honestly if it were NXT vs. WWE on Monday nights, I ' d be all NXT (wishing the, Bullet Club Cesaro, Zayn, Owens, Ambrose and Rollins were in NXT).

[Tom Servo]

Any of you Redszone rasslin' brahs watch NXT tonight?
I did, the usual good show from NXT. Really looking forward to Bobby Roode getting in the ring, his title run was the last good thing that TNA ever did.

Honestly my biggest markout moment may have been Paul Ellering appearing with that tag team. Managers are such an undervalued commodity in WWE.

[gilpdawg]

Not as good as the last Takeover show, but still good. Nakamura/Aries and the tag match were at least ****.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[M2]

It was the video of the Ricochet-Will Ospreay match from the Best of the Super Juniors tournament that went viral. New Japan had it, very wisely, as a free video on YouTube, to help gauge interest in the New Japan World service... but apparently the video didn't last. It must have been for a limited time only, as they say.

I watched last week (obviously not via TRF's link). Loved it. Ricochet and Ospreay are two of the best on the planet at this moment.

[Javy Pornstache]

I watched last week (obviously not via TRF's link). Loved it. Ricochet and Ospreay are two of the best on the planet at this moment.

I thought it was great as well. I don't get the handwringing... I kinda understand people not liking the stereo flip/standoff thing towards the beginning, but big deal, of all super fake things in wrestling, I am not sure why this would be the one that sets people over the edge. Those that actually WATCHED the match see that it had a story, actually did have psychology, and wasn't just spot, spot, spot, spot. I imagine there was similar handwringing over Dynamite Kid-Tiger Mask when it was revolutionizing junior wrestling a generation ago. (Or is that two wrestling generations ago by now??)

Re: NXT, loved the tag team match, those two teams just click really well, and I could watch them fight a thousand times and never get tired of it. I liked it better than Nakamura-Aries and Joe-Finn though both of those matches were certainly fine, and well, better than fine in the case of Nak-Aries. But man, there's something special when Jordan/Gable fight Dash and Dawson. Rock N Roll-Midnight Express vibes in the 21st century for me.

[sdwagers]

But man, there's something special when Jordan/Gable fight Dash and Dawson. Rock N Roll-Midnight Express vibes in the 21st century for me.

yep... having seen the RnR and MX go at it live in the Cincy gardens... MERCY DADDY.

[M2]

Just to toss this into the mixer. Lucha Underground has been killing it every week. The 6v6 match and nunchuck matches from this week were a blast.

[Javy Pornstache]

Yep, I love me some Lucha Underground too. Due to a recording snafu, I missed out on the nunchuck match but with the guys involved, I have no doubt that it turned out great. I did see the 6v6 match and was just great. I generally do a good job avoiding LU spoilers, so it makes it all the more intriguing, there are many different directions they could go for the main event of Ultima Lucha with the six winners in that tag match, let alone all 12 that started the match. No clue which direction they'll go.

[WrongVerb]

Not WWE, but this happened last week (http://www.yardbarker.com/wwe/articles/spectator_pulls_loaded_gun_on_pro_wrestler_paul_le e_during_in_ring_action/s1_13156_21066016):


According to the Rome News-Tribune, a spectator pulled a loaded gun on a wrestler in the middle of a match this past Saturday and is now being charged with aggravated assault. The woman in the seats, 59-year-old Patricia Anne Crowe, who reportedly has regularly attended the monthly American Wrestling Federation (AWF) events in Ringgold, apparently just got up during a match involving longtime wrestler Paul Lee (pictured above) and a wrestler known as “Iron Mann” and pointed her gun at Lee.

She then allegedly pointed the gun at the “commissioner” of the show, “Robbie Rude,” as well.

Scary stuff.

[M2]

there are many different directions they could go for the main event of Ultima Lucha with the six winners in that tag match, let alone all 12 that started the match. No clue which direction they'll go.

Hay solamente uno opcion.

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1bfbfe_475c6013db4449d4874b98d9d4b3baf4.gif

[Javy Pornstache]

Not WWE, but this happened last week (http://www.yardbarker.com/wwe/articles/spectator_pulls_loaded_gun_on_pro_wrestler_paul_le e_during_in_ring_action/s1_13156_21066016):



Scary stuff.

The Deep South United States: the last place that kayfabe is still alive.


Hay solamente uno opcion.

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1bfbfe_475c6013db4449d4874b98d9d4b3baf4.gif

Si, si. La mejor opcion. Cero miedo!

[Slyder]

Not WWE, but this happened last week (http://www.yardbarker.com/wwe/articles/spectator_pulls_loaded_gun_on_pro_wrestler_paul_le e_during_in_ring_action/s1_13156_21066016):



Scary stuff.

Just another Saturday Night in Biloxi, Mississippi for James E. Cornette.

[Caveat Emperor]

Dean Ambrose wins the MITB.

Seth Rollins beats Roman Reigns for the WHC.

Ambrose cashes in immediately after and takes the WHC from Rollins.

All 3 former members of the Shield would have held the title on the same night.

[Chip R]

TNA almost went dark last weekend due to lack of money. Billy Corgan saved them by buying a minority stake in the company.

http://www.wrestling-online.com/tna/tna-barely-survives-the-weekend-due-to-lack-of-money/

[Slyder]

So does AJ get a victory tonight to go on and get feed to the Cena monster at Summerslam or will they just blow it off here and Cena will vanquish the rebel outsider like WWE tends to do with people who made their name elsewhere (see Vader, see Sting, see many countless others).

[Javy Pornstache]

Dean Ambrose wins the MITB.

Seth Rollins beats Roman Reigns for the WHC.

Ambrose cashes in immediately after and takes the WHC from Rollins.

All 3 former members of the Shield would have held the title on the same night.

https://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/43453359.jpg

[Mutaman]

I guess when betting the WWE, playing the chalk is the way to go.

http://411mania.com/wrestling/big-change-in-final-money-in-the-bank-betting-odds/

[Caveat Emperor]

Cleveland may be celebrating tonight, but Dean Ambrose brought home the real prize for Cincinnati. :)

[Caveat Emperor]

Also, someone brought this up today at work, and I can't believe I've never made this connection -- Dean Ambrose probably got his "lunatic fringe" gimmick name from WEBN's tag line "The lunatic fringe of American FM."

[TRF]

Also, someone brought this up today at work, and I can't believe I've never made this connection -- Dean Ambrose probably got his "lunatic fringe" gimmick name from WEBN's tag line "The lunatic fringe of American FM."

jeez, they are still using that?

[sdwagers]

Also, someone brought this up today at work, and I can't believe I've never made this connection -- Dean Ambrose probably got his "lunatic fringe" gimmick name from WEBN's tag line "The lunatic fringe of American FM."


I'm guessing "eBN" got it from Red Rider.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTFVMMCwsss

Wikipedia says "eBN" still using the phrase as of 2014.

[dabvu2498]

My coworkers were all buzzing about Ambrose this morning. I guess they used to see him in matches when he was just a kid starting out in wrestling at the UAW Hall in Hamilton.

[Javy Pornstache]

My coworkers were all buzzing about Ambrose this morning. I guess they used to see him in matches when he was just a kid starting out in wrestling at the UAW Hall in Hamilton.

yep, I worked with the fella through the Dayton/Cincy area, pretty surreal seeing him with the strap. hoping he doesn't get Zack Rydered, but I am optimistic they'll give him a chance seeing they needed a shakeup with ratings and house show numbers way, way down, here's his chance!

Edit to add: WEBN is definitely, 100% where the nickname came from

[Caveat Emperor]

I thoroughly enjoyed RAW last night.

It's pretty obvious that they're going to split up the Shield in the upcoming draft, because otherwise they're rushing a triple threat match that they'd otherwise spend the next few months building towards.

[sdwagers]

I thoroughly enjoyed RAW last night.

It's pretty obvious that they're going to split up the Shield in the upcoming draft, because otherwise they're rushing a triple threat match that they'd otherwise spend the next few months building towards.

The Draft is July 19th. You have thing this triple threat is a bait and switch. It's WM match, or Summerslam.... not battleground. I think Dean faces Seth only.

[M2]

I thoroughly enjoyed RAW last night.

It's pretty obvious that they're going to split up the Shield in the upcoming draft, because otherwise they're rushing a triple threat match that they'd otherwise spend the next few months building towards.

It's more than a little bit criminal they aren't doing the Shield 3-way as the headliner at SummerSlam.

I watched some of Raw, which is a lot for me these days. It was good by Raw standards, but I think the model might be broken.

[M2]

The Draft is July 19th. You have thing this triple threat is a bait and switch. It's WM match, or Summerslam.... not battleground. I think Dean faces Seth only.

I was thinking, if Seth was truly playing chess he'd have let Roman challenge for the belt at Battleground and claimed the SummerSlam headliner for himself. That also would have put Ambrose and Reigns at each other's throats.

[Tom Servo]

Yeah I thought the Shield triple threat was no doubt going to be at SummerSlam, but I guess the draft means we will have two world titles by that time.

[TRF]

I wonder what the CWC means for WWE going forward and into the split. The Cruiser Weight Challenge is a brilliant idea, basically auditioning a bunch of talent while enforcing a weight limit of 205.

Could infuse a ton of talent.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I wonder what the CWC means for WWE going forward and into the split. The Cruiser Weight Challenge is a brilliant idea, basically auditioning a bunch of talent while enforcing a weight limit of 205.

Could infuse a ton of talent.

High-flying talent.

Someone's been watching Lucha Underground, methinks.

[sdwagers]

Yeah I thought the Shield triple threat was no doubt going to be at SummerSlam, but I guess the draft means we will have two world titles by that time.

If this is true.... I could see a double pin and claims by two people as champion... Title splits and we're off and running. I 'm hoping Reigns gets pinned by Rollins and Ambrose. Ambrose stays on RAW and Seth goes to Smackdown.

[sdwagers]

High-flying talent.

Someone's been watching Lucha Underground, methinks.

or a lot of late 90s Nitros on WWE Network.

I hope that Drew Gulak gets signed. Tracy Williams as well. Those guys are awesome in Chikara as the Colony.

[M2]

or a lot of late 90s Nitros on WWE Network.

I hope that Drew Gulak gets signed. Tracy Williams as well. Those guys are awesome in Chikara as the Colony.

Is Wiliams Silver Ant? If so, he'd have been a baby when he started.

I'm hoping exactly zero ants sign with the WWE. I want the Colony to go to Lucha Underground and compete for the Trios title. That's my happy place.

[Caveat Emperor]

I wonder what the CWC means for WWE going forward and into the split. The Cruiser Weight Challenge is a brilliant idea, basically auditioning a bunch of talent while enforcing a weight limit of 205.

Could infuse a ton of talent.

If they really wanted to differentiate the brands, they'd draft the entire women's division to one roster and put a cruiserweight division on the other roster.

[cincrazy]

Roman Reigns has been suspended 30 days for violating the Wellness Policy. Wow. He would be back in time for Battleground, but you wonder if they'll give him that opportunity.

They've been working on building this guy for years. It's been a constant struggle to get him over, and now this? Vince can't be happy. Part of me wonders if he dropped the title at MITB for this reason, but if so, why would they have him wrestle last night and book him for Battleground?

[Tom Servo]

Roman Reigns has been suspended 30 days for violating the Wellness Policy. Wow. He would be back in time for Battleground, but you wonder if they'll give him that opportunity.

Oh man, this is nuts.

[M2]

Roman Reigns has been suspended 30 days for violating the Wellness Policy. Wow. He would be back in time for Battleground, but you wonder if they'll give him that opportunity.

They've been working on building this guy for years. It's been a constant struggle to get him over, and now this? Vince can't be happy. Part of me wonders if he dropped the title at MITB for this reason, but if so, why would they have him wrestle last night and book him for Battleground?

I don't see how they can sell it to the locker room that he gets 30 days off and then steps into a main event after a wellness violation. That would have to be a morale killer.

[sdwagers]

Is Wiliams Silver Ant? If so, he'd have been a baby when he started.

I'm hoping exactly zero ants sign with the WWE. I want the Colony to go to Lucha Underground and compete for the Trios title. That's my happy place.

Tracy "Hot Sauce" Williams = Silver Ant

Drew Gulak = Soldier Ant

Orange Cassidy = Fire Ant.

Lucha Underground would be fun too. I really love Chikara... deep storyline (things that happen matter and are explained) and great young workers. AJ, Cesaro, Owens, & Zayn spent time there.... and King of Trios weekend is just insanely fun (lots of legends show up)

plus this....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HlJcYYhif0


RIP Larry Sweeney.... you were magic on the mike.... what might have been...

[TRF]

I don't see how they can sell it to the locker room that he gets 30 days off and then steps into a main event after a wellness violation. That would have to be a morale killer.

No, he goes to the back of the line. No way can they sell this now. It's too bad they started this whole Shield triple threat thing in the first place, because I am dying to see Rollins vs Styles for the/a title.

Perhaps after the brand split.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I don't see how they can sell it to the locker room that he gets 30 days off and then steps into a main event after a wellness violation. That would have to be a morale killer.

Pushes Cena, Styles, Rollins, Ambrose to a four-man anti-hero/ smarkfest, IMO.

Perhaps add in Kevin Owens and Bray Wyatt for fun.

This would be a fine time for Samoa Joe and Finn Balor to move on up too.

[sdwagers]

No, he goes to the back of the line. No way can they sell this now. It's too bad they started this whole Shield triple threat thing in the first place, because I am dying to see Rollins vs Styles for the/a title.

Perhaps after the brand split.

The easy fix is that Stephanie was out of town - and that she is not going to allow Shane to make a match of this caliber for battleground .

[sdwagers]

They can also create some sort of Storyline suspension for Roman .

Wouldn't doubt that he interferes at battleground either ... That should be passed his 30 day suspension

[M2]

Pushes Cena, Styles, Rollins, Ambrose to a four-man anti-hero/ smarkfest, IMO.

My guess would be Ambrose-Rollins with a double pin situation and two different refs who can't agree on the outcome. Then the mighty Abeyance takes the belt and we get two world titles sorted out at SummerSlam.

[Raisor]

I was flipping through the stations last night and stumbled onto Raw for a minute. Bob Backlund being on my television is always awesome.

[M2]

I was flipping through the stations last night and stumbled onto Raw for a minute. Bob Backlund being on my television is always awesome.

I once hung out with him for an afternoon. The total nutjob gimmick isn't an act. That's just Backlund. He's fantastic.

[Slyder]

Roman Reigns has been suspended 30 days for violating the Wellness Policy. Wow. He would be back in time for Battleground, but you wonder if they'll give him that opportunity.

They've been working on building this guy for years. It's been a constant struggle to get him over, and now this? Vince can't be happy. Part of me wonders if he dropped the title at MITB for this reason, but if so, why would they have him wrestle last night and book him for Battleground?

I wonder why they wouldn't just have him get absolutely destroyed somehow (see Curb Stomp to Cinder Blocks when Ambrose went to film a movie). I sense a serious repackage in the 30 days. Maybe have him "lose" his opportunity at Battleground to put it off until Summer Slam?

[Caveat Emperor]

If they were holding off on turning Reigns heel because they wanted him to be the squeaky-clean Cena v. 2.0 hero for the kids, this suspension should provide plenty of motivation.

They should have pulled the trigger on Ambrose a lot sooner. He's over with every part of their audience, save for the hardest of hardcore smarks (who won't be happy with anyone other than Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins or Cesaro anyway, so screw them), can work a decent match, and is one of their top 5 mic guys.

[Slyder]

If they were holding off on turning Reigns heel because they wanted him to be the squeaky-clean Cena v. 2.0 hero for the kids, this suspension should provide plenty of motivation.

They should have pulled the trigger on Ambrose a lot sooner. He's over with every part of their audience, save for the hardest of hardcore smarks (who won't be happy with anyone other than Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins or Cesaro anyway, so screw them), can work a decent match, and is one of their top 5 mic guys.

Hey now... Wyatt is every bit as over as Ambrose (I might be biased though LOL). Rollins is about one of the bright spots in some really bad Raws. Cesaro... eh I like but I don't know if he's anything more than that something different because he isn't allowed/able to be WWE charismatic.

[sdwagers]

If they were holding off on turning Reigns heel because they wanted him to be the squeaky-clean Cena v. 2.0 hero for the kids, this suspension should provide plenty of motivation.

They should have pulled the trigger on Ambrose a lot sooner. He's over with every part of their audience, save for the hardest of hardcore smarks (who won't be happy with anyone other than Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins or Cesaro anyway, so screw them), can work a decent match, and is one of their top 5 mic guys.

As a Ambrose is cast as a "brawler" ... the kid can wrestle a technical match. I 'm a smark and love AJ, Rollins, Cesaro, Owens, Zayn... (not big on Bray's in ring work- but he's a master on the mic)... but Ambrose has it.

It took me a long time with the New Day... but man did they finally get over or what. For me its Woods. The kid is brilliant, and I credit him for saving Kofi from the midcard.

[Caveat Emperor]

Hey now... Wyatt is every bit as over as Ambrose (I might be biased though LOL). Rollins is about one of the bright spots in some really bad Raws. Cesaro... eh I like but I don't know if he's anything more than that something different because he isn't allowed/able to be WWE charismatic.

Don't get me wrong, I love Wyatt / Rollins / Cesaro -- I was just making the larger point that Ambrose is over with virtually every segment of the fanbase other than the ultra-smarks, who will never be happy unless the champ is their specific guy (and if you go to places like r/SquaredCircle, those fans are almost universally in love with the three guys I mentioned).

[Slyder]

Wouldn't story be the Steph take Rollins side, then Shane counters? Or at least make a Teddy Long special... Seth and Dean vs AJ and Cena with the story being who gets along longer?

[TRF]

I'd love to see the Cruiser Weight Challenge have one match on Raw, one on Smackdown each week until it finishes.

That is an impressive gathering of talent.

[Caveat Emperor]

So, I know the topic of TNA doesn't come up a lot, but did anyone else watch "The Final Deletion" between Matt & Jeff Hardy.

Holy hell.

[Tom Servo]

Brother nero

[M2]

So, I know the topic of TNA doesn't come up a lot, but did anyone else watch "The Final Deletion" between Matt & Jeff Hardy.

Holy hell.

You can't really call it wrestling, but Matt Hardy's having himself one hell of a fever dream. DELETE! DELETE!

[sdwagers]

So, I know the topic of TNA doesn't come up a lot, but did anyone else watch "The Final Deletion" between Matt & Jeff Hardy.

Holy hell.

TNA got a ratings bump for it. They're moving to Thursdays when Smackdown goes live.

... I watched it. Matt Hardy gets no credit for his creative genius like Jeff does for his art. Matt's trying to be not WWE and that works, as that long been TNAs problem. I like the wolves there, but man I couldn't tell you who half the roster is. I think TNA will fold because of money problems too.


I hope the WWE isn't copying it with New Day vs the Wyatt family at the compound

[sdwagers]

Hornswoggle now a big deal for Chikara


https://mobile.twitter.com/wwehornswoggle/status/750721259600646144

[TRF]

Paul Heyman offered Will Ospreay an EVOLVE contract.

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0714/613574/more-on-paul-heyman-offering-will-ospreay-contract/

Wouldn't interfere with him signing with NXT. Kid is legit.

[Javy Pornstache]

Kinda surprised the topic of NXT doing a live show at NKU didn't come up here, I've been out of town for the last week but got back in time to go to the show. Any locals here go?

[Caveat Emperor]

Draft is tonight. If I'm handicapping, I've got Rollins as Pick #1 for Stephanie, Ambrose as Pick #2 for Shane.

[Tom Servo]

In kayfabe I have no idea why Stephanie would pick Mick Foley as her GM, but I will forever love Commissioner Foley of 2000 and would love to see a return to that.

In regards to the draft, I really don't have any clue what to expect other than basics like Roman and Cena being on opposite shows.

[Caveat Emperor]

How is it that both rosters kinda suck?

[sdwagers]

How is it that both rosters kinda suck?

Well in my 30 plus years of watching WWE... Crap like this is Vince's MO

[Chip R]

Wonder what effect the Lesner positive drug test have on WWE?

[Tom Servo]

How is it that both rosters kinda suck?
I kinda like it?

RAW:
Rollins
Reigns
Balor
Zayn
Owens
Cesaro
Sheamus
Swagger
The New Day

SmackDown:
Ambrose
Styles
Cena
Orton
Wyatt
Miz
Ziggler
Del Rio
Kalisto
Crews
American Alpha


That's enough pretty stuff on each side right there for me, I actually think RAW might be the stronger brand after initially preferring SmackDown. I just wish Big Show, Kane, and Mark Henry would go away already. And I'd love to see Bobby Roode skip NXT entirely in favor of the main roster but hopefully he becomes a big player in NXT.

[Chip R]

Well in my 30 plus years of watching WWE... Crap like this is Vince's MO

Yet you've been watching for 30 years.

[sdwagers]

Yet you've been watching for 30 years.

truth, but frustrated with the product numerous times and the WWE banner includes JCP's NWA, WCW, WCCW, etc which I adore.

I was NWA guy tried and true. I 've never been to to a WWF/E event. I do have WWE network - mostly for NXT and PPVs and classic stuff (more JCP NWA!)

I 'm a HUGE Chikara fan even though some of the stuff is nonsense - at least the storylines ALWAYS make sense.

[Caveat Emperor]

I kinda like it?

RAW:
Rollins
Reigns
Balor
Zayn
Owens
Cesaro
Sheamus
Swagger
The New Day

SmackDown:
Ambrose
Styles
Cena
Orton
Wyatt
Miz
Ziggler
Del Rio
Kalisto
Crews
American Alpha


That's enough pretty stuff on each side right there for me, I actually think RAW might be the stronger brand after initially preferring SmackDown. I just wish Big Show, Kane, and Mark Henry would go away already. And I'd love to see Bobby Roode skip NXT entirely in favor of the main roster but hopefully he becomes a big player in NXT.

I'd be happier if Smackdown didn't have Cena, ADR and Orton -- because you just know that the minute ratings stagnate that the strap (or whatever passes for a World Title on SD) will go right around John Cena's waist, and he'll be feuding with Randy "Can I get my check as soon as I get back to gorilla?" Orton endlessly.

I'd wish they would have just gone all-in with Smackdown as the show full of guys Vince doesn't like/get (Ambrose, AJ, Wyatt, Ziggler plus guys like Zayn and Cesaro) v. having it be guys Vince doesn't get plus 2-3 people who he can use to just bury the hell out of them.

Also, Mauro Ranallo getting saddled with useless-pile-of-humanity-in-a-headset JBL just seems like an extra kick in the dick to anyone who had hopes for things changing even a little bit.

[TRF]

I'd be happier if Smackdown didn't have Cena, ADR and Orton -- because you just know that the minute ratings stagnate that the strap (or whatever passes for a World Title on SD) will go right around John Cena's waist, and he'll be feuding with Randy "Can I get my check as soon as I get back to gorilla?" Orton endlessly.

I'd wish they would have just gone all-in with Smackdown as the show full of guys Vince doesn't like/get (Ambrose, AJ, Wyatt, Ziggler plus guys like Zayn and Cesaro) v. having it be guys Vince doesn't get plus 2-3 people who he can use to just bury the hell out of them.

Also, Mauro Ranallo getting saddled with useless-pile-of-humanity-in-a-headset JBL just seems like an extra kick in the dick to anyone who had hopes for things changing even a little bit.

wait... JBL to Smackdown?

Is he off Raw?

[Chip R]

truth, but frustrated with the product numerous times and the WWE banner includes JCP's NWA, WCW, WCCW, etc which I adore.

I was NWA guy tried and true. I 've never been to to a WWF/E event. I do have WWE network - mostly for NXT and PPVs and classic stuff (more JCP NWA!)

I 'm a HUGE Chikara fan even though some of the stuff is nonsense - at least the storylines ALWAYS make sense.

I didn't mean to sound flip but it reminds me of this joke: Two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of 'em says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions."

[Tom Servo]

wait... JBL to Smackdown?

Is he off Raw?
Raw: Cole, Graves & Saxton
SD: Mauro, JBL & Otunga
Superstars: Phillips & Graves
Main Event: Phillips & Otunga

[Bourgeois Zee]

With Reigns in the doghouse, I could see Rollins going full face. (Someone will have to-- this is a roster of heels, pretty much.) Balor will come in a face, but he works so well as a heel. Interesting too that he's on RAW with Anderson and Gallows, but not Styles. I'd have bet a bunch they'd be a modern iteration of the Four Horsemen. Young may get a push with Backlund as his mouthpiece. Neville might also get a big push.

[Chip R]

Raw: Cole, Graves & Saxton
SD: Mauro, JBL & Otunga
Superstars: Phillips & Graves
Main Event: Phillips & Otunga

No King.

[Raisor]

No King.

Probably off tv for awhile after his latest arrest.

[Tom Servo]

Probably off tv for awhile after his latest arrest.
He actually was back on TV, including last night on SmackDown, for a few weeks after the charges got dropped. But apparently he's being booted to pre-show activities.

[Slyder]

He actually was back on TV, including last night on SmackDown, for a few weeks after the charges got dropped. But apparently he's being booted to pre-show activities.

Probably tired of travelling for SD tapings. This way he's needed half as often?

[sdwagers]

Probably tired of travelling for SD tapings. This way he's needed half as often?

Lawler is not a fresh voice as the WWE is doing a facelift. I would nt be surprised if he's not doing work for the WWE network in some capacity and brought back for special events. I preferred Lawler the wrestler vs the commentator.

If they could get rid of Michael Cole - that would be awesome.

[sdwagers]

I didn't mean to sound flip but it reminds me of this joke: Two elderly women are at a Catskill mountain resort, and one of 'em says, "Boy, the food at this place is really terrible." The other one says, "Yeah, I know; and such small portions."

Truth here. WWE has a monopoly in some sense. TNA's product is not good, and ROH's production just seems off. I don't get AXS so I can't get NJPW. I did Chikaratopia ($8 a month) for awhile but couldn't make time for it (though I have digitial versions on older shows of theirs with Caesro, Chris Hero, Gargano, etc).

[Slyder]

Oh yea only noted wrestler not drafted Heath Slater. Does this mean anything for the true social Outkast of WWE? I hope so
I've liked him since watching him here in WV.

[Caveat Emperor]

Oh yea only noted wrestler not drafted Heath Slater. Does this mean anything for the true social Outkast of WWE? I hope so
I've liked him since watching him here in WV.

Since they've made a big deal about him not being drafted, I assume it'll play into some storyline.

[TRF]

I see Slater in the first row, holding signs that say the ONLY Free Agent worth having...

That would be funny as hell.

[gilpdawg]

Probably tired of travelling for SD tapings. This way he's needed half as often?

Meltzer thinks they are phasing him out due to his age, and the writing's been on the wall since he got moved to Smackdown, just like when they did the same to JR.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Slyder]

Meltzer thinks they are phasing him out due to his age, and the writing's been on the wall since he got moved to Smackdown, just like when they did the same to JR.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I never understood. I loved JR and Taz as a commentary team I thought they were very good team.

[Caveat Emperor]

Thing is, Lawler has been rejuvenated since being paired with Mauro Ranallo and resuming his heel status. He's actually been the 2nd best announcer in their stable since the first of the year.

[sdwagers]

Thing is, Lawler has been rejuvenated since being paired with Mauro Ranallo and resuming his heel status. He's actually been the 2nd best announcer in their stable since the first of the year.

Lawler is now a special analyst for the WWE network for pre-shows.

I like the Corey Graves call up to RAW, it's well deserved.

[Caveat Emperor]

Lawler is now a special analyst for the WWE network for pre-shows.

I like the Corey Graves call up to RAW, it's well deserved.

I love Graves, but a pairing of him with Ranallo makes all the sense in the world -- I'm just dumbfounded that it didn't happen.

Getting paired with JBL has to be the broadcaster's equivalent of a burial.

[TRF]

I love Graves, but a pairing of him with Ranallo makes all the sense in the world -- I'm just dumbfounded that it didn't happen.

Getting paired with JBL has to be the broadcaster's equivalent of a burial.

lol Cena wins.

It's the equivalent. JBL is awful. But, he'd be awesome if he adopted his old APA Bradshaw persona.

[Caveat Emperor]

Fantastic PPV last night.

Started off hot with Bayley's debut in the women's tag match, finished strong with Ambrose getting the clean(!) pin over Roman in the main event to retain the title. In the middle, Zayn and Owens had a MOTY-candidate effort that would've justified your $9.99 network sub for the month.

If this is the end of an "era" in the WWE, they went out on a huge high.

[sdwagers]

Fantastic PPV last night.

Started off hot with Bayley's debut in the women's tag match, finished strong with Ambrose getting the clean(!) pin over Roman in the main event to retain the title. In the middle, Zayn and Owens had a MOTY-candidate effort that would've justified your $9.99 network sub for the month.

If this is the end of an "era" in the WWE, they went out on a huge high.

Zayn-Owens = Insane match. 8/10 Overall on the show.

[Tom Servo]

I thought RAW was awesome last night, the best episode I can remember in a long time.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I thought RAW was awesome last night, the best episode I can remember in a long time.

A smaller roster can make things feel organic instead of tacked on.

[M2]

A smaller roster can make things feel organic instead of tacked on.

The episode also told a larger story (it's time to seize opportunities in a new era) rather than throw together a bunch of matches that don't matter. That's good television.

[TRF]

I'm trying to decide if i like the instant interview after matches. Very boxing/UFC. It was kinda cool to get Reign's reaction after losing to Balor.

[Caveat Emperor]

I thought RAW was awesome last night, the best episode I can remember in a long time.

I was worried after the insanely long authority-style promo at the start from Stephanie and Mick, but it was just well done TV. I love that they not only brought in jobbers, but that they actually interviewed the jobber to build heat on the heel for squashing him. It's perfect execution to put the actual talent over as a monster without needing to demean another one of the guys on the roster.

The wrestling was crisp, the matches told stories themselves but also advanced ongoing stories, which was great. The finishes were unpredictable, without being ridiculous, and I too loved the post-match interviews they did. Hell, I even heard a "Pro Wrestling" come out of Cole's mouth, which was shocking.

Smackdown has a lot to live up to tonight, with a way-weaker roster to do it with.

[Caveat Emperor]

And, as good as RAW was on Monday, that's how bad Smackdown was tonight. Wow.

[Tom Servo]

I didn't think it was particularly bad, it was a rather inauspicious debut though as nothing much stood out. RAW definitely has more depth, they even have guys who might be able to do something on SmackDown like Jack Swagger who probably won't ever see the light of day.

I don't know where I am on this Ziggler thing. I was a HUGE fan of his, but that, sadly, was years ago now. He could and should have been a top heel champion, and it just never happened. Now he's older, feels long in the tooth, and his appearance is basically crap unless you're into the whole glam rock thing. But hey, Bret Hart didn't make it big until he was 35. If this gets a heel Ziggler going again that would be a great thing.

[TRF]

I didn't think it was particularly bad, it was a rather inauspicious debut though as nothing much stood out. RAW definitely has more depth, they even have guys who might be able to do something on SmackDown like Jack Swagger who probably won't ever see the light of day.

I don't know where I am on this Ziggler thing. I was a HUGE fan of his, but that, sadly, was years ago now. He could and should have been a top heel champion, and it just never happened. Now he's older, feels long in the tooth, and his appearance is basically crap unless you're into the whole glam rock thing. But hey, Bret Hart didn't make it big until he was 35. If this gets a heel Ziggler going again that would be a great thing.

I'm not a fan of the underdog Ziggler. No one to root against in the SS match. No, he needs to go back to being a heel in the worst way. I watched SD last night and in my head called every match starting with the battle royal. Seriously, i didn't get a single one wrong. I knew as soon as Ziggler was announced that he was going to win.

Looks like Orton wants to be a SCSA type. That can work for him.

I totally called the Heath Slater thing. I completely expect him to be speared by Goldberg on RAW next week.

[Tom Servo]

Seriously, i didn't get a single one wrong. I knew as soon as Ziggler was announced that he was going to win.

Really? I gave Ziggler zero chance, he seemed like a warm body to bump around for the match. I thought Corbin was the darkhorse to solidify the 'new era' with Balor main eventing on RAW and another new guy on SD, with AJ and Cena as the two most likely choices.

[Caveat Emperor]

I didn't think it was particularly bad, it was a rather inauspicious debut though as nothing much stood out. RAW definitely has more depth, they even have guys who might be able to do something on SmackDown like Jack Swagger who probably won't ever see the light of day.

I don't know where I am on this Ziggler thing. I was a HUGE fan of his, but that, sadly, was years ago now. He could and should have been a top heel champion, and it just never happened. Now he's older, feels long in the tooth, and his appearance is basically crap unless you're into the whole glam rock thing. But hey, Bret Hart didn't make it big until he was 35. If this gets a heel Ziggler going again that would be a great thing.

Everything about SD just felt tired and off. You can start with how thin the roster is -- the "battle royale" to open the show was laughably empty, and that featured the entirety of the men's roster minus Ambrose and the five other guys from the main event match. I know it's only a two hour show, but Smackdown needs more talent. Looking around the ring in the battle royale, I couldn't pick one guy out who would excite me by winning. Kane? An old and slow worker that brings nothing to the table. ADR? Hasn't given an actual crap about anything other than a paycheck in years. It ends up with Apollo Crews winning -- a guy who is such a boring babyface character that he should probably come with a warning not to operate heavy machinery while watching.

The commentary was just a total trainwreck too. I know it's cliche to complain about WWE announcing, but JBL is seriously the worst. He has absolutely no sense of timing, he was talking all over Mauro all night, he's not funny, and he's incredibly inconsistent with his announcer character. The SD announce team with Mauro & King was one of the strongest aspects of the show over the last 8 months -- now it's an absolute liability. I'd comment on David Ortunga, but JBL was such as loudmouthed prick that I'm not certain Ortunga spoke once during the entire two hour broadcast.

Then you had a women's segment that was just horrible. The match itself was dull and boring -- mostly because it's the same pairing (Natalya and Becky) that we've seen multiple matches of in the last few weeks and because Natalya has the personality of an Arby's condiment bar. And then the segment ends with each of the women parading out, talking smack for a few seconds and culminating with Eva Marie basically doing a striptease on stage and then fading to commercial. It felt straight out of the mid-2000s divas division and added absolutely nothing to the show.

And then Dolph Ziggler winning in the ME? I like Dolph, but he's probably at one of his weakest character-moments of his career (though nothing will ever top the "Kayfabe stealing Lana from Rusev while real news media outlets are reporting Rusev and Lana are engaged" disaster) as a completely forgettable babyface character and, unless he's going full heel to get the title, I don't see how a face v. face Ziggler v. Ambrose feud will do anything to better either guy.

[Tom Servo]

The commentary was just a total trainwreck too. I know it's cliche to complain about WWE announcing, but JBL is seriously the worst. He has absolutely no sense of timing, he was talking all over Mauro all night, he's not funny, and he's incredibly inconsistent with his announcer character. The SD announce team with Mauro & King was one of the strongest aspects of the show over the last 8 months -- now it's an absolute liability. I'd comment on David Ortunga, but JBL was such as loudmouthed prick that I'm not certain Ortunga spoke once during the entire two hour broadcast.
This is completely true, JBL is unbearable. Mauro could barely say anything last night, let alone Otunga, without JBL yelling some nonsense.


I loved the Eva Marie thing though, it was hilarious.

[M2]

I agree Apollo Crews is dreadfully boring from a character standpoint. They should have him rebel against his name, dub himself Anonymous Blackman and run a gimmick where he openly mocks Creative's latest ideas for him.

[Tom Servo]

Didn't JBL call Apollo 'Titus' the other week? lol

[gilpdawg]

Everything about SD just felt tired and off. You can start with how thin the roster is -- the "battle royale" to open the show was laughably empty, and that featured the entirety of the men's roster minus Ambrose and the five other guys from the main event match. I know it's only a two hour show, but Smackdown needs more talent. Looking around the ring in the battle royale, I couldn't pick one guy out who would excite me by winning. Kane? An old and slow worker that brings nothing to the table. ADR? Hasn't given an actual crap about anything other than a paycheck in years. It ends up with Apollo Crews winning -- a guy who is such a boring babyface character that he should probably come with a warning not to operate heavy machinery while watching.

The commentary was just a total trainwreck too. I know it's cliche to complain about WWE announcing, but JBL is seriously the worst. He has absolutely no sense of timing, he was talking all over Mauro all night, he's not funny, and he's incredibly inconsistent with his announcer character. The SD announce team with Mauro & King was one of the strongest aspects of the show over the last 8 months -- now it's an absolute liability. I'd comment on David Ortunga, but JBL was such as loudmouthed prick that I'm not certain Ortunga spoke once during the entire two hour broadcast.

Then you had a women's segment that was just horrible. The match itself was dull and boring -- mostly because it's the same pairing (Natalya and Becky) that we've seen multiple matches of in the last few weeks and because Natalya has the personality of an Arby's condiment bar. And then the segment ends with each of the women parading out, talking smack for a few seconds and culminating with Eva Marie basically doing a striptease on stage and then fading to commercial. It felt straight out of the mid-2000s divas division and added absolutely nothing to the show.

And then Dolph Ziggler winning in the ME? I like Dolph, but he's probably at one of his weakest character-moments of his career (though nothing will ever top the "Kayfabe stealing Lana from Rusev while real news media outlets are reporting Rusev and Lana are engaged" disaster) as a completely forgettable babyface character and, unless he's going full heel to get the title, I don't see how a face v. face Ziggler v. Ambrose feud will do anything to better either guy.

I'm assuming the SD roster will wind up with Joe and Nakamura eventually, which helps with the depth.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Bourgeois Zee]

I'm assuming the SD roster will wind up with Joe and Nakamura eventually, which helps with the depth.


Austin Aries and Bobby Roode might be interesting as well.

[Tom Servo]

Austin Aries and Bobby Roode might be interesting as well.
Man, the two of them teaming up again to face the New Day would make for some great television.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Man, the two of them teaming up again to face the New Day would make for some great television.

If you want to go to three, Eric Young could also hang. Young's poor man's NWA Macho Man character is solid enough to be interesting in small doses. Good mic skills too. (Which they'd need, as Roode needs work there. Aries is good, though.)

[TRF]

SD actually has a feel of NOTHING has changed whereas RAW is giving off the New Era vibe. Which is hilarious and possibly even planned. If not, they should take advantage of it immediately with having Daniel Bryan offering a dissenting opinion all the time but getting overruled by the boss, Shane.

As for Ziggler, he totally needs to lose at SS and go bat crap crazy. Complete heel turn. This underdog stuff has to transform to resentment.

But yes, the roster is woefully understaffed, and RAW was announced at the draft that they are doing the cruiserweight division.

What a cluster.

[Slyder]

#SignHeathSlater!

[sdwagers]

Roderick Strong is NXT bound... Now If the wwe could just get the Young Bucks for a super kick party

[Slyder]

Roderick Strong is NXT bound... Now If the wwe could just get the Young Bucks for a super kick party



When just about everyone and their brother does some form of a super kick already? I'd rather not cheapen it further.

[sdwagers]

When just about everyone and their brother does some form of a super kick already? I'd rather not cheapen it further.

The Young Bucks don't cheapen it.... seriously fun.

[Caveat Emperor]

When just about everyone and their brother does some form of a super kick already? I'd rather not cheapen it further.

It's become the new DDT -- except it's even easier to take safely.

[Slyder]

I wish Kharma was still with WWE. Could you imagine the difference between most of the women's matches and then you had Nia Jax vs Kharma could do with proper build? That's not meant to be a slight to Sasha, Charlotte, etc but just the difference in styles.

And greatest debut? Balor? Please Nexus blew the doors off of WWE. We'll see if Balor has that kind of impact short term.

We should have seen Roman vs Rusev when Rusev was at his peak. Not fed to the Cena monster.

[sdwagers]

I wish Kharma was still with WWE. Could you imagine the difference between most of the women's matches and then you had Nia Jax vs Kharma could do with proper build? That's not meant to be a slight to Sasha, Charlotte, etc but just the difference in styles.

And greatest debut? Balor? Please Nexus blew the doors off of WWE. We'll see if Balor has that kind of impact short term.

We should have seen Roman vs Rusev when Rusev was at his peak. Not fed to the Cena monster.

Kharma though impressive in size is a certified nut job out side the ring. Her youshoot was plain nuts if it wasn't a work and really a shoot.

[sdwagers]

According to Meltzer, WWE will be debuting new WWE Women's and WWE Tag-Team titles on the SmackDown Live brand, as well as the Universal and Cruiserweight for RAW .

I see an intercontinental tag team championship in the future and possibly a Ladies championship (vs Diva)

[Slyder]

Why are they bothering with Eva Marie...

[sdwagers]

So the Smackdown Live Announcer tonight is Greg Hamilton. He lists his hometown as Butler County, OH, because he took his stage name "Hamilton" because he's from Hamilton (likely a Reds fan)...

I'm originally from Hamilton but don't know the dude... Guessing he might have went to Badin vs. HHS as looks to be about my age.

[TRF]

Why are they bothering with Eva Marie...

punchability factor. I've watched her on total divas... i mean i saw it for a minute maybe as i was trying to find a wild life documentary...

In real life, she comes of as personable, even likable. In WWE, she generates tremendous heat. She does her job in that regard. WWE probably likes her a lot as an ambassador. Does a lot of personal appearances, works with kids.

Not everything is in the ring. I can deal with Eva Marie because I know she'll never get a push that holds anyone like Bayley back.

[Caveat Emperor]

The image rehabilitation the WWE has done with Dolph Ziggler in the span of two weeks is remarkable. It just goes to show you what good writing and good storytelling can do.

[M2]

The image rehabilitation the WWE has done with Dolph Ziggler in the span of two weeks is remarkable. It just goes to show you what good writing and good storytelling can do.

The thing Ziggler has going in his favor is that he's good in the ring. Give him a story that makes some sense and he'll deliver on the action part of it. Crying shame they wasted most of his last three years.

[Caveat Emperor]

The thing Ziggler has going in his favor is that he's good in the ring. Give him a story that makes some sense and he'll deliver on the action part of it. Crying shame they wasted most of his last three years.

This needs to end with him making a full heel turn and ending the off-brand HBK gimmick.

Also, whatever they've done to the writing for Dean Ambrose needs to continue. His character feels very unique with the wacky nonsense toned down.

[Tom Servo]

I think it's a shame The Big Guy has officially left WWE. No, from a performance stand point he wasn't quite ready in 2012 when they gave him the big push, but like Goldberg it really did capture the audience's imagination and they wanted to watch him and wanted to chant 'Feed Me More'. And from there WWE just pissed away the next superstar they had built practically overnight, and of course he ended up getting better and better as a performer while languishing in the midcard.

[sdwagers]

I think it's a shame The Big Guy has officially left WWE. No, from a performance stand point he wasn't quite ready in 2012 when they gave him the big push, but like Goldberg it really did capture the audience's imagination and they wanted to watch him and wanted to chant 'Feed Me More'. And from there WWE just pissed away the next superstar they had built practically overnight, and of course he ended up getting better and better as a performer while languishing in the midcard.

Ryback is a PERFECT example of why I miss the territories. Dude could be a main eventer as big fish in a small pond. My bet is that he's TNA bound (for glory)

[TRF]

Ryback is a PERFECT example of why I miss the territories. Dude could be a main eventer as big fish in a small pond. My bet is that he's TNA bound (for glory)

he'd be a good fit there or New Japan. ROH seems like a bad fit.

But yeah, I'd like to see him beating the snot out of Matt Hardy.

[Caveat Emperor]

I never found Ryback interesting or entertaining. Honestly haven't missed him on the roster at all since his little outburst.

[M2]

Ryback is a PERFECT example of why I miss the territories. Dude could be a main eventer as big fish in a small pond. My bet is that he's TNA bound (for glory)

Unfortunately he doesn't really fit in this era. He's a big piece of meat who doesn't really know how to work anything other than a squash match. That worked 40 years ago, but Ryback suffered from oversaturation in the WWE. We saw his whole schtick and it got tired fast. He wasn't able to remain relevant after he started to lose some matches. Even when they made him IC champ last, his run was mostly DOA. I liked that he kept whipping out a new move in each match at the very end of his WWE run, but it was a case of too little too late.

Going some place where he doesn't have to work on television every week would benefit him. He could be an effective monster in New Japan. Might be a dynamite fit down in Mexico. He might end up in TNA, but that's probably not a great career move. That promotion is circling the drain.

[Tom Servo]

He's a big piece of meat who doesn't really know how to work anything other than a squash match.
I think that's how he started out, but by his last year or so he could have really good power matches against guys like Sheamus or good big man/small man matches against Kalisto.

I kind of like the idea of Ryback going to ROH, talking about how all these small guys can't measure up, and dominating before someone finally steps up and beats him. Of course, I have no idea who ROH even has left as regulars.

[Caveat Emperor]

Ryback stinks on the mic, though. His best role is as the "hot tag" half of a tag team, where he can come in and clear out a ring with power moves.

[M2]

I kind of like the idea of Ryback going to ROH, talking about how all these small guys can't measure up, and dominating before someone finally steps up and beats him. Of course, I have no idea who ROH even has left as regulars.

I like the ROH idea. Love to see him challenge Jay Lethal's year-plus title run.


Ryback stinks on the mic, though. His best role is as the "hot tag" half of a tag team, where he can come in and clear out a ring with power moves.

I agree that's his optimal use in a WWE setting. I think he'd work better as the house titan in a promotion not loaded up with similar and bigger guys.

One of the reasons I think New Japan might work for him is he wouldn't have to cut promos.

[Tom Servo]

Ryback stinks on the mic, though. His best role is as the "hot tag" half of a tag team, where he can come in and clear out a ring with power moves.
That is true as a babyface, he didn't have anything interesting to say, but he got to show a lot more personality as a heel. Almost none of it got on TV, but he was hilarious with Curtis Axel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CJPLlN4fYs

[Puffy]

Has Bob Backlund always looked like Mitchell from Modern Family or am I just noticing it now?

[Slyder]

Am I the only one that thinks That they're going in the exact opposite direction with Lana? They've taken just about everything unique (minus her dilect) and turned her into every other blonde WWE has had.

Oh yea.... Bulgarian Sasquatch and a Mail-Order Bride Roman... :slow cap: well done.

[Caveat Emperor]

The cake is the Chekov's gun of the WWE.

[TRF]

That was the most relaxed and natural I have ever seen Reigns. Good to see.

[M2]

That was the most relaxed and natural I have ever seen Reigns. Good to see.

Except for the acting like a total wanker part of it. I mean, who's supposed to be the good guy here?

[sdwagers]

The cake is the Chekov's gun of the WWE.

Cake is an old school trope.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSmZ8ZWeYMQ

[TRF]

Except for the acting like a total wanker part of it. I mean, who's supposed to be the good guy here?

I think that's why I liked it. He's not a good guy...

I mean in real life, I see jerks arguing with jerks all the time. Did anyone notice Rusev lost his "accent" for a moment?

[Slyder]

How many ways are they going to find to keep Eva Marie from actually wrestling?

[Caveat Emperor]

How many ways are they going to find to keep Eva Marie from actually wrestling?

It's a fantastic gimmick.

They should go full out and have her pine for a return of the "Divas Era" and put down women's wrestling.

[Javy Pornstache]

It's a fantastic gimmick.

They should go full out and have her pine for a return of the "Divas Era" and put down women's wrestling.

I agree, the Eva Marie gimmick is one of the best parts of Smackdown so far, it's hilarious. They have to introduce tag team and women's titles for Smackdown, I would go as far as to have Eva win the strap by very unsavory means and brand it as the Divas Title again... I mean, Women's Title is already in use on Raw, so they need a different name. Whenever Eva gets her comeuppance and loses it, they can rebrand it as Ladies Title or call it the Women's Intercontinental or whatever else they wanna call it to keep it "serious". I do think her pairing with Nia Jax as her "muscle" on NXT worked well for this gimmick, doing all the work... I don't think Tamina Snuka is doing anything else, perhaps she could fit this role on Smackdown.

[TRF]

Sandow joins TNA, so now I have to watch TNA again.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ntH56wRLlY&ab_channel=MalikFletcher

[Caveat Emperor]

I still can't believe WWE didn't have room for a guy as talented as Sandow, especially with the brand split -- even as a mouthpiece / hype man (ala Xavier Woods) for a group, he had major value.

[Caveat Emperor]

It's amazing how much better the writing and production for Smackdown has been over the last few weeks compared to RAW.

They've built their main feuds (Ziggler / Ambrose, Cena / AJ, Orton / Bork) beautifully while also keeping everyone apart from one another in the ring, but they've also done a great job with little check-ins to remind you about other feuds (Apollo - Miz, Corbin - Kalisto), while also starting to build rivalries in their women's division.

[sdwagers]

Del Rio, Paige and Eva Marie all suspended 30 days for wellness violations.... chronic problems methinks

[Caveat Emperor]

Del Rio, Paige and Eva Marie all suspended 30 days for wellness violations.... chronic problems methinks

With the schedule most wrestlers keep, I can see how certain stimulants would be a problem.

[TRF]

Del Rio and Paige are dating. I'm thinking this may have been recreational.

[Slyder]

For Eva Marie I was hoping for a Benny Hill skit. Have a "fan" jump the barrier, grab her, run off. Then throughout SD have guy run past interviews, segments, etc and trailing could be the inept refs.

[Tom Servo]

Man, I love Bobby Roode so much, he always far too good for TNA. So glad he's finally getting his big chance.