A New Era for the Wrestling Thread

[Shinobi Shaw]

The guy in the 2nd pic looks like his day job is lugging around crates of fish.

Dude, he got winded just coming out to the ring! Bless his heart and his cholesterol.

 

[Lobo]

Hunter that description is too accurate

 

[Hunter Rider]

The opening promo segment on Smackdown was a bit stilted, Rhea's promos remind of stage plays in her delivery, the heavy, dramatic emphasis on the end of each line, and she does them in a loud voice like the mic won't reach the cheap seats. Naomi did fine and Iyo got her one line off fine, then for some reason they had Nia using kiddie insults, it was just all a bit awkward. The biggest issue is they haven't given the women on the face team time to explore the issues of their past rivalries. All that aside, I expect the match to be excellent.

Nakamura vs Andrade was a really good match, some tremendous counter work from both guys, Andrade has amazing balance and Nakamura looked really sharp in there, with some great looking strikes. I thought the way he sidestepped Knight and misted him was slick, an all round strong showcase for the challenger.

Cody vs Carmelo was decent, and the Women's US title tournament triple threat had some good moments, with Lash getting to show off her power again, and Michin using her athleticism and experience to pull off the win and advance, she'd be a very deserving inaugural Champion.

Jacob vs Jey was a good main event, Jey isn't the greatest worker but he's a selfless one, it was reasonably competitive and he got his offense in, but Jacob withstood everything, dominated chunks of the match with his explosive offense, and then pinned Jey clean, the right result as they've got something special with Jacob and you don't want to lose that aura he has.

I think both Seth and Rock get involved tonight, Seth will get involved physically, and Rock revealed as the true leader of Bloodline 2.0 he is a high chief. Thus setting up the road to Wrestlemania for Seth vs Punk and Rock vs Roman. I think in Roman's storyline he might have to go through Jacob and Solo before getting to the final boss, The Rock.

It starts at 6pm tonight for those of us on the east coast of the US.

K.O brought the receipts

I'm surprised how much they are booking Owens to make a genuine case for his actions, it's an interesting approach and makes the WWE title match at SNME more intriguing.

The favor is either a title shot or a Mania main event

Could be both! I'm wondering how Heyman can help him with this though.

WWE have got a real handle on these cinematic vignettes now, this was really well done with all 3 guys delivering as expected, Punk is like Doc Holiday to Roman's Wyatt Earp lol.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Dude, he got winded just coming out to the ring! Bless his heart and his cholesterol.

Did they have to bring oxygen out for the front row by the time that match ended?

 

[Lobo]

Clearly there was some miscommunication in the ladies War Games match, the items they kept looking for weren't where they were supposed to be. Iyo was Iyo and Tiffy shined imo.

Now it's the mega star vs sith lord

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Iyo showing out in War Games, Nakamura winning the US title. Tonight is a good night for my Japanese baes.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Is that Guilia?

 

[Hunter Rider]

Is that Guilia?

Yes

 

[Lobo]

Is it me, or is this crowd quiet tonight?

 

[Spider-Fan]

Interesting how they didn't opt to end on a cliffhanger

 

[Lobo]

The Triple threat was my favorite match of the night. Both Breakker and Kaiser are future world champions imo. I do think Sheamus will beat Bron eventually to become a grand slam champion. Maybe on the first Raw of Netflix? Kaiser should be a mitb winner.

Tiffany should have cashed in, they had the perfect moment. Tiffy and Iyo were good otherwise I felt the Women's War Games match was botchy and meh at best.

I'm glad Shinsuke won. Give Knight a chase again and a proper feud instead of just open challenge defenses. I actually wouldn't mind them trading the belt back and forth a few times. It's been awhile since we've seen that.

Damian vs Gunther wasn't as good as their first match and there was no need for Finn to interfere. Ruins Gunther's story of removing any doubt about his world championship reign. Maybe a triple threat where he defeats Finn and Damian? Finn and JD need to lose the tag belts. They almost never defend them and don't even carry them half the time.

I thought Jimmy Uso was a standout in the men's war games match. Hope Jacob is okay and was just selling but as someone whose had multiple knee problems, it definitely looked like he hurt it. Could just be phenomenal at selling though.

Punk vs Roman is a bigger match than Punk vs Seth. And I'm a Seth guy. Maybe the favor is ensuring Punk wins the Rumble this guaranteeing a Mania main event?

 

[Spider-Fan]

We're all thinking the favor is getting a shot at Gunther, right?

 

[Lobo]

We're all thinking the favor is getting a shot at Gunther, right?

Could be. I updated my review above, giving more thoughts on the ple.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

I don't know what to think of those War Games matches. Felt like it was all a bunch of safe choices, when Bayley started off the women's one I knew in my soul it was going to be wack, but Iyo and the others salvaged it.

Then with the men's War Games, it was just lackluster. I was expecting at the very least a heel turn from Punk/Heyman or something, but it was just safe.

Glad Shinsuke won the US belt though.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I didn't expect anything crazy to happen during the men's match, but I didn't expect them to end the show on something more

 

[Lobo]

I feel like the presence of Cody, Orton, Seth, KO was missed.

I'm just going to add I'm still upset at the handling of match 7 between Carmelo and Andrade. They still need a definitive winner. But Melo is wrestling the champ while Andrade moves back down the card. He really could do with a manager or valet to talk for him.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

I didn't expect anything crazy to happen during the men's match, but I didn't expect them to end the show on something more

I'm telling you man, a Heyman/Punk heel turn would've been SPICY.

Missed opportunity.

I feel like the presence of Cody, Orton, Seth, KO was missed.

I'm just going to add I'm still upset at the handling of match 7 between Carmelo and Andrade. They still need a definitive winner. But Melo is wrestling the champ while Andrade moves back down the card. He really could do with a manager or valet to talk for him.

For real, Seth should've been sprinkled in somewhere in the Bloodline match.

I'm bummed now, Bronson and that ankle injury, there's definitely not gonna be a Steel Cage match at the Holiday Tour in a few weeks lol.

 

[Lobo]

I'm telling you man, a Heyman/Punk heel turn would've been SPICY.

Missed opportunity.



For real, Seth should've been sprinkled in somewhere in the Bloodline match.

I'm bummed now, Bronson and that ankle injury, there's definitely not gonna be a Steel Cage match at the Holiday Tour in a few weeks lol.

I mean Seth hates Roman, Punk, and Bronson. Odd choice to not have him. But I guess he's home enjoying the holiday weekend with his wife and child.

And the Wyatt Sicks vs Final Testament should have been a traditional Survivor Series match.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

We're all thinking the favor is getting a shot at Gunther, right?

Not sure. While that makes sense, and I expect Punk/GUNTHER at Main Event, Paul was trying to hide it, like it would annoy Roman. And I'm not sure why that would.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Not sure. While that makes sense, and I expect Punk/GUNTHER at Main Event, Paul was trying to hide it, like it would annoy Roman. And I'm not sure why that would.

Maybe the favor will be that he wants to Main Event Wrestlemania?

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Maybe the favor will be that he wants to Main Event Wrestlemania?

That would definitely tick off Roman. I wonder if he's going to ask for a world title shot, meaning Cody, but Paul will instead give him GUNTHER. So he's technically fufills the promise, but stays loyal to Roman.

My original guess was that Punk was going to have Paul quit working for Roman, but don't expect that now.

 

[Herolee10]

In hindsight, does anyone else feel like they should have saved the Rock's return for another time given how nothing has come about from his appearance at Bad Blood?

 

[AndrewGilkison]

I think the next time we see Rock it will be on the first Netflix RAW.

Keep in mind that a year ago, Rock randomly came out during an episode of Smackdown with Pat McAfee, embarrassed Austin Theory, and then you didn't see him again until Day One.

 

[Herolee10]

I think the next time we see Rock it will be on the first Netflix RAW.

Keep in mind that a year ago, Rock randomly came out during an episode of Smackdown with Pat McAfee, embarrassed Austin Theory, and then you didn't see him again until Day One.

I think the difference here is that the Rock's appearance at Bad Blood was supposedly meant to further develop the ongoing Bloodline story, whereas his appearance with Pat McAfee was more of just a random guest spot.