The Wrestling Thread is a team player - - - Part 186

[JabarR]

So....with Spike TV about to sack Impact Wrestling. Does that free up space for GFW to be the new Wrestling show on Spike TV?

I think that would be nice but I'd REALLY love to see if they can get a deal with Ted Turner and get Into his checkbook. Then they'd really have a fighting chance at being WWE's competition.

Somebody's lying! Dixie Carter says she has re-signed TNA to Spike TV and they said they're done with the company. Now somebody's lying here!

 

[bullets]

Is there any truth to the rumor that Macho Man had ran ideas by Vince for potential feuds to put Bret and Shawn over in that got vetoed?

If so that's a real shame because both those feuds could have been great

Bret spoke very highly of Macho Man and judging from the accounts of his other peers id be willing to be this was true. He had matches with both Shawn and Bret but a real feud could have been awesome.

I can't wait for the documentary . I told myself I would never buy a blu Ray again as a subscriber to the network but this will be worth it.

 

[TheNextNolan22]

Somebody's lying! Dixie Carter says she has re-signed TNA to Spike TV and they said they're done with the company. Now somebody's lying here!

The dumb **** that doesn't know how to run a wrestling company is lying here. Spike was actually nice enough to air the rest of the episodes of 2014.

 

[sweetre15]

Bret spoke very highly of Macho Man and judging from the accounts of his other peers id be willing to be this was true. He had matches with both Shawn and Bret but a real feud could have been awesome.

I can't wait for the documentary . I told myself I would never buy a blu Ray again as a subscriber to the network but this will be worth it.

I've even heard rumors that Macho Man punched Hogan in the eye because of the BS that took place at Mania 9. Macho must have had a lot of respect for the younger guys to do something like that.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

I've even heard rumors that Macho Man punched Hogan in the eye because of the BS that took place at Mania 9. Macho must have had a lot of respect for the younger guys to do something like that.

I'd always heard it was because Hogan and Elizabeth had an affair.

 

[sweetre15]

I'd always heard it was because Hogan and Elizabeth had an affair.

Though it's worth noting that Macho Man did look pissed when he saw Hogan win the belt

 

[Wheels]

PWIinsider is saying Destination America is the frontrunner to sign TNA. Destination America, WTF?

 

[TheNextNolan22]

PWIinsider is saying Destination America is the frontrunner to sign TNA. Destination America, WTF?

They were on a ****ing GOLD MINE with Spike and now they could be on that channel? Sucks Jeff Jarrett can't be allowed on Spike TV as GFW would be a great home for them.

 

[Dr. Evil]

PWIinsider is saying Destination America is the frontrunner to sign TNA. Destination America, WTF?

Never heard of the channel.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I've even heard rumors that Macho Man punched Hogan in the eye because of the BS that took place at Mania 9. Macho must have had a lot of respect for the younger guys to do something like that.

That's not true, Hogan hurt his eye in a boating accident, the actual Macho punching him rumour from Mania 9 was about some affair with Liz, all of it not true from what I've heard wrestlers say, Hogan got hit in the eye while out on his boat.

Is there any truth to the rumor that Macho Man had ran ideas by Vince for potential feuds to put Bret and Shawn over in that got vetoed?

If so that's a real shame because both those feuds could have been great

I don't know if there is any truth to it but both Bret and Shawn spoke of how supportive of them he was with advice and sharing the ring when the opportunity arose unlike some other main eventers.

I guess Savage appreciated how tough it was for a guy in that size bracket to get a push in WWF back then, I mean he was alone until Bret's push 5 years later and I did read that the belt was set to go back on Macho at the end of '92 due to the steroid scandal and WWF needing a smaller Champion, but Randy suggested Bret to Vince.

I have always maintained that the main event for WrestleMania X should have been Bret Hart vs Randy Savage, it was the torch pass Bret needed after Hogan screwed him over.

 

[Dr. Evil]

RE Total Divas:

- The WWE needs to cut that roster down. Also, I don't think we want to see AJ Lee battle Layla a million times in a row.

 

[Wheels]

The Wrestling Thread Hopes to Survive The Survivor Series

 

[Darkness Falls]

surprised the tna roster hasn't started looking to jump ship already
there is so much potential for alot of them

 

[sweetre15]

For anyone that has the Bret Hart: Best There Is, Best There Was, And The Best a There Ever Will Be documentary, what was the song playing during the Bret/Austin montage?

I ask because it also used to play in some of the Pulp Fiction vignettes on ECW Hardcore TV during the 1996 episodes.

 

[Incrediblejeff]

Never heard of the channel.

It's a channel that features great programming as Southern Fried Bigfoot,Bosom Bars and Hillbilly Blood.TNA should fit right in.

 

[sweetre15]

Reddit user MetsFan4Ever is reporting that Dolph Ziggler may be doing double duty at the Survivor Series pay-per-view on Sunday, November 23rd, 2014.

Even though Ziggler is scheduled to compete for Team Cena in the Team Cena versus Team Authority match, there is talk of having him defend his Intercontinental Championship against Cesaro and Tyson Kidd in a triple threat match, which reportedly got rave reviews when the match took place during last Friday's SmackDown.

 

[Darkness Falls]

if it's as good as their smackdown match i'm all for it

 

[sweetre15]

I really hope it's a precursor to a feud with Dolph Ziggler and Tyson Kidd...Give Luke Harper something else to do and build him up for now.

 

[Heretic]

Finally got around to watching the first episode of Lucha Underground.

Keep in mind...I gave up on both WWE and TNA about 3 months ago...

What I liked
The presentation was great. High quality production values but presented in more of an underground fight club way. So, the announce table intentionally looks like an amateur build and the venue is small with an inetionally dirty look, but it's professional and camera work solid. At the moment I actually prefer the production to TNA. Maybe that'll change once the novelty wears off...but TNA is trying and failing to look like WWE, whereas Lucha is blending the positives of the indies with high production values, camerawork etc.

Also, I loved the vignettes explaining the mythical history of the luchas and the tribes etc, presenting characters like Prince Puma almost as spirit animal warriors/heroes. This felt different from WWE and TNA, and I want more of that. They also had introductory videos for a few wrestlers that gave solid background on who they are.

The backstage skits are also quite different. At first it was a bit jarring...but...you know...I think I might be able to accept it. The backstage interactions are handled like scenes from a tv show...multiple camera angles, but not acknowledging them. There's a scene with Konnan talking shop with the owner of the company about the main event, and it was them kind of sparring verbally about Puma being handpicked by Konnan to be the future and how Johnny Mundo doesn't appreciate the history of Lucha so he was to be made an example of. It's kind of a bold move to basically tie the matches together with filmed tv scenes presenting what is clearly a tv show. I'm not sure how I really feel about that, but I'm game for the moment.

The action was good. Johnny "Morrison" Mundo is always a welcome performer for me, and I liked Prince Puma in the first time I saw him. Blue Demon and Chavo were just there so they could talk about the history of Lucha

What I didn't like:
Vampiro was terrible on announcing. Matt Striker was fine, but Vampiro seemed to have been reading a different script from everyone else. As soon as the episode started, he trashed the owner of the company as a guy who doesn't respect Lucha and he's Spanish, not Mexican, so he's a fraud. That immediately set me off because I REALLY don't need yet another show that revolves around a heel authority figure. But then the owner came out and basically said everything the crowd wanted to hear. He's a businessman that wants to bring the tradition of Lucha to the states, and yeah...it's about money as well (after all, this is presented as a fight club with financial rewards to the winners). But, turns out that Vampiro was right, since he proved to be crooked in the end...so Vampiro needlessly warned us of a heel turn ahead of time. However, despite my hatred for YET ANOTHER evil authority figure, I'm going to give this a few weeks to sort itself out...because the character is presented as a greedy promoter type scumbag.

Anyway...

Later, Vampiro trashed Konnan as being evil and this poisonous presence, but Konnan was never actually portrayed that way. Also, Vampiro kept using the term "rock star" to describe Prince Puma...who was the opponent of Johnny Mundo. Every time he said it it reminded me of the fact that WWE marketed Johnny as a rock star (even released a DVD under that title).

So yeah...Vampiro on announcing was my big complaint, with a big reservation on the heel authority figure angle and a still up in the air feeling on the tv show presentation of angles...but if you're a wrestling fan I'm not sure why you wouldn't watch this.

 

[Wheels]

Vampiro is like if SandersRobin was a wrestling announcer. He's all laid back and casual and it's freaking weird.

 

[S. Grundy]

The backstage skits are also quite different. At first it was a bit jarring...but...you know...I think I might be able to accept it. The backstage interactions are handled like scenes from a tv show...multiple camera angles, but not acknowledging them. There's a scene with Konnan talking shop with the owner of the company about the main event, and it was them kind of sparring verbally about Puma being handpicked by Konnan to be the future and how Johnny Mundo doesn't appreciate the history of Lucha so he was to be made an example of. It's kind of a bold move to basically tie the matches together with filmed tv scenes presenting what is clearly a tv show. I'm not sure how I really feel about that, but I'm game for the moment.

Except for the multiple angles, isn't pretty much how WWE/TNA do their backstage skits. I mean I always found it odd that the heels would talking there plans in front of the camera, it's like everyone can hear you.

 

[Wheels]

Except for the multiple angles, isn't pretty much how WWE/TNA do their backstage skits. I mean I always found it odd that the heels would talking there plans in front of the camera, it's like everyone can hear you.

This is supposed to be underground though. Why do the backstage segments look so professional and staged? Do hidden camera stuff or something.

 

[Heretic]

So...I watched the second episode of Lucha Underground...and was far less impressed....

1. Johnny "Morrison" Mundo was introduced last week as a guy who didn't respect Lucha and needed to be taught a lesson...yet he is apparently the top face in the company. Yes, a heel GM figure said that about him...but it was the first thing we were told about him and he has yet to speak...so...why am I cheering for him?
2. The dominant heel faction that debuted at the very end of the 1st episode lost in the opening match of the second episode and was quickly forgotten. Yes, the leader Ezekiel "Big Ryck" Jackson was not involved in the match...but you should not start a faction off with a loss.
3. Konnan was confirmed as a heel manager in telling Prince Puma that he is his only friend and he shouldn't hang out with Mundo etc. Konnan was later shown in a second vignette to be a proud and respectful trainer for Prince Puma that saved him from the streets. So...which is it??
4. Speaking of Puma...despite him losing his first match, they are being consistent with pushing him as a franchise player. The roster is small right now, and he is getting multiple segments. This is a GOOD thing. To be honest, the only good thing about this episode aside from some of the ring work.
5. Last week, female Lucha Sexy Star lost to a guy...so Chavo Guerrero teamed with her in an intergender tag match...and nice guy Chavo got the winning move, but then tagged her in so she could get the win over the man who beat her the previous week. Chavo is a nice guy who seems to care about Sexy Star and has gotten over his loss last week to Blue Demon.
6. Speaking of Blue Demon. His angle is that he's a legend that is our connection to tradition, and the crooked owner wanted to send him into retirement or whatever. The thing is, I didn't care enough about him last week to be invested...and that storyline came to an end already when a new wrestler named Mil Muerte defeated Demon. This new heel Mil Muerte is not impressing me. His ring attire is drab, his physique is not great, and his move set isn't impressive. Then, after his victory he immediately becomes an afterthought and disappears because the show wanted to segue back into Chavo vs Demon from last week.
7. Chavo Guererro's presentation is a MESS. Last week he lost a match to Blue Demon but was respectful due to the heritage etc and got chewed out by the owner. This week he became a hero for Sexy Star...and then a few segments later he was bashing Sexy Star upside the head with a steel chair for no reason. So...he basically lost to Blue Demon, beat a guy whose only victory was against a girl, and then he beat up that same girl worse than the guy he helped her get justice against, while also bashing Blue Demon with a chair. Well...Blue Demon has already beat him, and then lost to the already forgotten Mil Muerte...so where is the drama here?
8. Vampiro still sucks, but he wasn't offensively bad like last week.

Unfortunately, only 2 weeks in this has turned into a booking mess.

 

[Heretic]

Except for the multiple angles, isn't pretty much how WWE/TNA do their backstage skits. I mean I always found it odd that the heels would talking there plans in front of the camera, it's like everyone can hear you.

True...but the presentation is that there is a man with a camera filming the wrestlers talking. That is not the case here. This is like a scripted tv drama...like...there are no cameras filming the NCIS or Big Bang Theory people as far as the show goes...we are supposed to think that we are just watching the events.

 

[Wheels]

Just because Konnan saved Puma from the streets and respects his background doesn't mean he won't use Puma for his own personal gain.