The Wrestling Thread Is The Only One Who Can Have Me - Part 226

[ssj wolverine]

For me personally outside of Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar is the only other wrestler that matters on the roster.

Spoiler

So happy that Brock won. I was worried there for a moment with all the "experts" predicting his defeat. They can build his unstoppable aura even more and save the clean pin for someone that deserves it but it shouldn't be Orton.

 

[nite-owl]

 

[RetroNaz]

For me personally outside of Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar is the only other wrestler that matters on the roster.

Spoiler

So happy that Brock won. I was worried there for a moment with all the "experts" predicting his defeat. They can build his unstoppable aura even more and save the clean pin for someone that deserves it but it shouldn't be Orton.

I think it should be Rollins that gets the big win. They'd make an awesome Wrestlemania main event, without any other shenanigans.

If WWE didn't screw up his return and force feed us their agenda, Rollins would actually be the face in the feud with Brock back in full beast mode.

 

[nite-owl]

 

[RetroNaz]

As much as I think that it'd have made much more sense long-term for Ambrose to win at WM, he could have still lost and yet emerged looking good. If it'd have been more like Austin vs. Bret Hart at WM 13, where he loses but still looks really good in doing so and gave Lesnar one heck of a fight, then that could have worked (and both men leave looking good ultimately). But instead we got a glorified squash match, after one of the tamest street fights ever, that did neither of them any favors.

Jericho beating AJ, that was just a misfire all-around imo.

Agreed, and that's really why I referenced the 2003 Royal Rumble match between Angle and Be****.

It really just felt like the wrestlemania match between Ambrose and Lesnar was just "there" with little consequence before or after it. Prior to his recent title win, I actually though Ambrose was starting to phone it in a little, perhaps a little burnt from his fairly poor booking made even worse when watching his fellow Shield members doing much better.

 

[runawayboulder]

For me personally outside of Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar is the only other wrestler that matters on the roster.

AJ Styles deserves credit. The guy has been lighting it up since he came to WWE 7 months ago. He's every bit as important to the roster as those two.

I doubt it will happen anytime soon but man, Lesnar vs Styles....that would be awesome to see.

 

[Metallo]

#WWE is either relieved that Brock's still strong going into Summerslam, or pissed that he now has more bargaining power than ever.

- Paul Lanzeby

Probably a good chunk of both. Brock defied a lot of expectations and once again makes a WWE top guy look like a legit badass. He can come back to Raw a conquering monster. Wherever he goes he dominates. It just adds to the legitimacy that he has in the WWE and shows exactly why he's booked so strong and protected so well.

But Vince has got to be wondering about that next contract. Brocks legit. He can ask for what he wants and Vince is gonna have a tough time finding an experienced pro wrestler monster heel who brings to the table what Brock Lesnar does as an on air character. Vince could say no and he has in the past but in a time where he's hurting for legit stars that would be a mistake. Brock? He can just go do something else and he knows it. They have to accommodate him more than he has to bend their way.

Agreed, and that's really why I referenced the 2003 Royal Rumble match between Angle and Be****.

It really just felt like the wrestlemania match between Ambrose and Lesnar was just "there" with little consequence before or after it. Prior to his recent title win, I actually though Ambrose was starting to phone it in a little, perhaps a little burnt from his fairly poor booking made even worse when watching his fellow Shield members doing much better.

Yeah...I like Ambrose a lot but it was almost a glorified squash at times. Everybody saw the outcome they we got so no suspense there. He did benefit from it in the sense that his character showed he wasn't scared and he could take a beating but in a straight up fight he didn't come off looking like he could hold his own fighting and why should he after the way Brocks been booked? I will say they it didn't feel like a Wrestlemania worthy marquee matchup but then again the whole card was missing those. With so many guys out and so little major star power wwe had to really work around that problem this year.

AJ Styles deserves credit. The guy has been lighting it up since he came to WWE 7 months ago. He's every bit as important to the roster as those two.

I doubt it will happen anytime soon but man, Lesnar vs Styles....that would be awesome to see.

I agree. AJ has done very well considering the general perception among some people that he'd never get into wwe because of age, style, lack of whatever, and do as well as he has. He seemed to have a lot going against him but he was good enough that wwe have him a real chance and he's delivered on his end so far.

 

[famicommander]

The only question about AJ Styles was how good WWE would allow him to be. Anyone who saw his work in TNA, ROH, and NJPW knew he was as good as they come in between the ropes.

 

[killface]

But Vince has got to be wondering about that next contract. Brocks legit. He can ask for what he wants and Vince is gonna have a tough time finding an experienced pro wrestler monster heel who brings to the table what Brock Lesnar does as an on air character. Vince could say no and he has in the past but in a time where he's hurting for legit stars that would be a mistake. Brock? He can just go do something else and he knows it. They have to accommodate him more than he has to bend their way.

I doubt Brock would go for another WWE contract after his current one expires. He'll have enough money to live out the rest of his life by the time his contract ends and he does not hide the fact that WWE is simply a business venture for him. It's just a matter of who will be given the monster heel role after Brock leaves (please let it be Bray).

 

[AndrewGilkison]

I thought Ambrose lost a bit of momentum after WWE turned his "passing of the torch" moment with Mick Foley giving him the barbwire bat into a joke by having Terry Funk give him a chainsaw the following week. It turned him from a tough breakout star getting in Brock Lesnar's face into a comedy act. I think he loses something when he gets too goofy with his crazy guy act.

 

[Loki882]

Don't tease the "hardcore legends" giving him all kinds of nasty weapons if you're not going to actually let him use them. That's just setting people up for disappointment, and it should have been obvious to them. But I guess not.

 

[Metallo]

I doubt Brock would go for another WWE contract after his current one expires. He'll have enough money to live out the rest of his life by the time his contract ends and he does not hide the fact that WWE is simply a business venture for him. It's just a matter of who will be given the monster heel role after Brock leaves (please let it be Bray).

That'll be a sad day because he's a legitimate star and a great talent. I'll hate to see him go. One less reason for me to tune in.

They need Brock more than he needs them. That's why I think he's got the bargaining power if he wanted to re sign. Vince will at least try. But they have to accommodate Lesnar. He doesn't have to meet them in the middle of he doesn't want to.

The only question about AJ Styles was how good WWE would allow him to be. Anyone who saw his work in TNA, ROH, and NJPW knew he was as good as they come in between the ropes.

Long time fans and fans of Styles knew that but we also all know the biases and politics of WWE. Like you say it was about how far they'd let him go and so far they've given him a fair chance to succeed. I never doubted AJ's ability. He's improved so much in the last ten years and even more in the last five years. But I've seen lots of people come through WWE over the years who were mishandled because they didn't fit WWE's image of what a star should be or got held back by politics or were just mishandled based on sheer incompetence.

I think a big thing in AJs favor is WWE is in the biggest transitional period that we've seen from them in over a decade and they are at a breaking point when it comes to legitimate big time stars and veteran talent that can teach and get over new stars. They realize they have to go outside to top talents like Styles, Joe, Roode, Aries, etc. when they may not have been as willing before. Those guys have the experience that WWE needs in it system right now AND they can still go in the ring.

Reigns might be "the guy" but he needs some top hands to work with the same way Hogan had, Austin had, and Cena had when they all got the mega push to the main event as the face of the company.

 

[Loki882]

Vince also has a nasty habit of trying to undermine/sabotage performers who "made it big" in other promotions first. Because he often seems to hate the idea of stars that he and WWE didn't create themselves.

 

[Wheels]

I've heard that Sasha is a Sailor Moon fan. And, I can buy that. The fact that she isn't Women's champion yet is pathetic.

Well- it didn't exactly work when Paige and Charlotte won the title in short order. Perhaps waiting on Sasha's run unti Battleground or SummerSlam 2016 will actually help her in the long run. I know the wait has actually made has made me clamor for the title win all the more.

 

[Loki882]

I'm still annoyed at that WrestleMania finish, because dear lord did they have it set up perfectly to do it there (also the end of that match was crap). If she wins it at Summerslam, then fine. If it's anywhere else, then it's going to feel underwhelming imo. It just, wouldn't have the same impact.

Also those other two examples are more about bad booking during the followup, rather than the initial idea itself being. Honestly Paige coming in and winning it right away was a good idea imo, and could have led to some interesting angles. They, just botched everything after that unfortunately.

 

[Wheels]

I'm still annoyed at that WrestleMania finish, because dear lord did they have it set up perfectly to do it there (also the end of that match was crap). If she wins it at Summerslam, then fine. If it's anywhere else, then it's going to feel underwhelming imo. It just, wouldn't have the same impact.

Also those other two examples are more about bad booking during the followup, rather than the initial idea itself being. Honestly Paige coming in and winning it right away was a good idea imo, and could have led to some interesting angles. They, just botched everything after that unfortunately.

Paige winning it right away could have worked if Paige actually felt like Paige when talking to AJ Lee. Charlotte as a face just isn't my cup of tea at all. Good thing she was going against Team Bella, who are so easy to hate. Once she wasn't working with them then she kinda had to turn heel.

 

[Dr. Evil]

AJ Lee is one of those "what ifs" in the WWE. That promo she had against the Total Divas in 2013 was great. She as by far the best wrestler in the WWE at a time when the Divas Division at the time was at an all time low. She debuted during the latter stages of the Post-Trish/Post Lita Era and by the time she established herself as the best on the roster, Mickie James, Melina and Beth Phoenix were already gone and outside of Natalya, the talent was mediocre at best when she ruled the division. Her feud with Paige was good but I think by that time, she stopped giving a damn about the WWE anymore. I wasn't surprised in all honesty that she quit the WWE a few days after WrestleMania 31, I was surprised that she quit pro wrestling in general though as I would have thought that she would show up for Shimmer or Shine.

I know it's "never say never" in the WWE and in pro wrestling, but I think it's safe to say that we'll never see AJ Lee in a WWE ring ever again. I could see Beth Phoenix and Mickie James back as WWE Ambassadors and I could see Melina back in a similar role someday, but to me, AJ Lee is a never.

 

[Slushy]

I think it should be Rollins that gets the big win. They'd make an awesome Wrestlemania main event, without any other shenanigans.

Agreed. Helmsley clearly wants him to be the Face of the WWE. If Reigns drew better numbers and didn't take whatever drug he took, I bet he would've gotten his win over Lesnar at SummerSlam instead.

Rollins has more than proved that he is the one that should slay The Beast.

AJ Lee is one of those "what ifs" in the WWE.

They made her the longest reigning Divas Champion at the time. She had nothing left to prove.

I doubt Brock would go for another WWE contract after his current one expires. He'll have enough money to live out the rest of his life by the time his contract ends and he does not hide the fact that WWE is simply a business venture for him. It's just a matter of who will be given the monster heel role after Brock leaves (please let it be Bray).

He went through Hell and highwater to get his multi-million dollar part time deal, he's not giving that up. He's all about the numbers and its extra pay for him.

 

[PyroChamber]

AJ Lee is one of those "what ifs" in the WWE. That promo she had against the Total Divas in 2013 was great. She as by far the best wrestler in the WWE at a time when the Divas Division at the time was at an all time low. She debuted during the latter stages of the Post-Trish/Post Lita Era and by the time she established herself as the best on the roster, Mickie James, Melina and Beth Phoenix were already gone and outside of Natalya, the talent was mediocre at best when she ruled the division. Her feud with Paige was good but I think by that time, she stopped giving a damn about the WWE anymore. I wasn't surprised in all honesty that she quit the WWE a few days after WrestleMania 31, I was surprised that she quit pro wrestling in general though as I would have thought that she would show up for Shimmer or Shine.

I know it's "never say never" in the WWE and in pro wrestling, but I think it's safe to say that we'll never see AJ Lee in a WWE ring ever again. I could see Beth Phoenix and Mickie James back as WWE Ambassadors and I could see Melina back in a similar role someday, but to me, AJ Lee is a never.

I'm still wondering what she had planned after leaving. At least Punk's got UFC and writing for Marvel and the random show appearence here and there, but what's she doing?

 

[Dr. Evil]

I'm still wondering what she had planned after leaving. At least Punk's got UFC and writing for Marvel and the random show appearence here and there, but what's she doing?

Writing a book.

 

[RetroNaz]

I'm still wondering what she had planned after leaving. At least Punk's got UFC and writing for Marvel and the random show appearence here and there, but what's she doing?

I'm guessing it probably didn't factor too heavily into the decision making to leave the company.

She's still got some name value if she ever needed to leverage that, but I suspect she might be enjoying the quiet life with no monetary pressure to find work in a hurry (outside of writing her book).

 

[RetroNaz]

http://411mania.com/mma/ufc-reportedly-sells-for-4-billion/

It’s once again been reported that the UFC has been sold for $4 billion. TMZ has reportedly confirmed that the deal is done and that WME/IMG talent agency will be the new owners, with WME/IMG co-CEO Ari Emanuel described as someone who “will wield a lot of power” over the UFC.

Dana White will still serve as president of the company and the Fertittas will still have minority interest and a diminished role, but Lorenzo Fertitta will step down as CEO. The deal has been agreed upon, but the final legalities and signatures will take six to eight weeks to finish up.

Interesting. Without blowing things immediately out of proportion, nor really understanding what this means - could it be the beginning of the end for UFC as we know it today?

 

[Slushy]

Depends on how they run it. With all the history, digital content, and a hardcore fanbase available, it would take TNA-like management to screw that all up.

A good step would be not oversaturating the market. It took them 16 years to reach their 100th PPV. It took them 7 years to reach 200. -_-

I also think if you have the UFC Fight Pass, you should get a discount when ordering the new PPVs. It's a d*ck move that they haven't added that option yet for their loyal customers.

 

[RetroNaz]

Depends on how they run it. With all the history, digital content, and a hardcore fanbase available, it would take TNA-like management to screw that all up.

A good step would be not oversaturating the market. It took them 16 years to reach their 100th PPV. It took them 7 years to reach 200. -_-

I also think if you have the UFC Fight Pass, you should get a discount when ordering the new PPVs. It's a d*ck move that they haven't added that option yet for their loyal customers.

Bang. Hit the nail right there. It's probably my biggest concern as an outcome of the draft in WWE too.

 

[javonstokess]

Ambrose should get the clean win over Brock Lesnar. It would take his character to another level in the WWE moreso than Rollins.