The Wrestling Thread Mustache You a Question

[Anno_Domini]

That's not what the spoilers for SD on PWInsider say.

Spoiler

That's not what this week's spoilers say, but expect it to change since Ryback was laid out by Henry at the end of SD.

 

[Metallo]

Originally Posted by The Sage
- Vince McMahon has been a fan of the Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter storyline but word at RAW last night was that there's a lot of concern about the angle and its future. The program was originally designed to be a long-term feud to help get Del Rio as a babyface but those plans may be changing. There's a feeling that the angle is not getting over on WWE TV but Zeb and Swagger are getting heat at live events.

Source: F4Wonline.com

I just want to grab Vince McMahon and say "no sh**, Sherlock!"

People here KNEW the chances were slim of Del Rio getting over. His promo deliveries range from so so to awful. He's a natural at being an arrogant guy and its hard to feel sympathy for him or see him as a defender of the people or one of the people.

If you want to run the "respected, honorable man immigrant"
story you damn well better get someone who IS respected, who is relatable, and who has worked hard in the peoples eyes.

Since he's a Canadian (kayfabe Scot) someone with Roddy Pipers story (and mic skills) is the kind of man you put against Swagger to get the crowds sympathy and support. Piper in his prime would have had the crowds crying and cheering AND baying for Swaggers blood in a full on brawl.

They'd have been better off working Sheamus against Swagger for God's sake. It doesn't work as well as a Mexican star for obvious reasons but Sheamus is far more of a mans man who can also cut a better promo.

Originally Posted by Darkness Falls
just caught up with raw
not surprised creative used moody's death to get punk heat
didn't really like how they had punk interrupt taker's tribute, that could've waited

you know u failed at making a guy hated when they still cheer for him even after doing heelish things

This is what I had a problem with more than anything. If they are going for heel heat THAT cheap and easy they are trying too hard to make people accept Punk as a heel.

Originally Posted by Kaleb
so let me get this straight? the guy with the least experience in MMA is gonna most likely win ?

Yeah thats absurd. There is just no way Triple H should win if thats the stipulation. No way. I'd even accept Taker beating Lesner in that kind of match before I'd accept Triple H doing it. If you are going to do that kind of match you need someone else with MMA experience (similar to the way Lesnar and Angle had their mat wrestling matches).

Triple H is a pro wrestler...not any kind of submission specialist. Not even in the wrestling sense. He's never been a great striker or submission worker.

This reeks of Vince and HHH trying to poke fun at Lesnar's credentials and take a shot at MMA.

Originally Posted by MMMMM...Dounuts
Is Triple H trying to be Double J? It'd be funny as Double J was the Triple H of TNA for a while.

Oh my God...you're right! On both counts! The Son and Law and Future owner vs the Son of the co-owner and a co-owner himself. Both hogged the spotlight in their respective companies. Double J...Triple H? Even the name is familiar. Double J was the Triple H of TNA and now its the other way around...indeed. Sledge beats guitar though.

And like you said Jarrett already ran this faux MMA fighter angle in TNA. Now Triple H wants to have an MMA style match? This was way more believable when Angle and Joe did something similar years ago.

Originally Posted by TheFuture
I have to admit, I didn't mind them using Paul Bearer's passing to advance the Punk/Taker feud because Christ knows what they would have used otherwise to raise the stakes so close to WM. Having said that, Punk using it has just shown again that the crowd *so* want to cheer him, regardless of what he does. A face turn should be imminent. Also, I agree with those saying an MMA stip should be a deep no no for Trips and Brock. Just make it a last man standing match where Trips *barely* beats Brock to his feet, and let Brock destroy Trips in the aftermath in order to protect Brock.

I agree. When you belittle the ACTUAL death of a beloved wrestling figure in front of its fans and said fans STILL cheer you there's something wrong. People WANT to like CM Punk.

As for Lesnar vs HHH II...I agree. It should just be a LMS or even a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Or a No Holds Barred or no DQ match. That gives them a gimmick than can cover for any weaknessess the match might have and lets it be brutal. This MMA rules bullsh** sounds laughably stupid when one guy is the very antithesis of MMA.

Originally Posted by The Batman
I feel like....HHH would choose HIAC just so he could have the most wins for HIAC matches.

As outlandish as that sounds, HHH often tries hard to be considered an equal to the greats, and it just gets more transparent as time goes on. And I hate how he stole Lesnar's "Ass Kicker" tag not once, but twice.

I agree. Thats really what this is all about. Making HHH look "greater." Not just in a win but over a former UFC champ. Triple H doesn't need this at this stage in his career. Especially now that he's a part timer.

WWE is constantly trying to brainwash fans by promoting him as one of the all time greats when in reality he's on that second tier of stardom. He's been the top heel in the company but he was never "face of the company" material or truly "the man."

As for the match I think you're right. He'll push for it just to better his record in the cell...especially after losing to Taker last year. But its a mistake since Triple H just had a cell match last year. It would be repetetive to do it at a Second Wrestlemania in a row AND with Triple H again.

And guess what...if he did beat Lesnar in a cell match he gets to claim he did what the Undertaker couldn't do. Getting even more credit. Disgusting.

Originally Posted by Dr. Evil
It's better for Lesnar to be knocked out than for him to be pinned or tap out.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand thats probably why Triple H will be a d*ck and push for Lesnar to submit if the match is actually an MMA match. Even if its not he may want that.

But I agree that Lesnar should be kept strong. It should take a herculean effort to defeat him.

Originally Posted by AntMan
Ugh no Hell in a Cell. It's overused thanks to the yearly PPV.

Agreed. We don't need two Triple H HIAC matches two Wrestlemanias in a row either. Sadly Vince thinks of nothing but buyrates. Who cares if somethings a rehash. Thats why there's a chance we may see this happen.

Originally Posted by Van Petrol
Ironic, as he himself is of Irish descent. Not that far from Royal Brittania, is it?

Yeah...thats why his dad stuck Hogan with his Irish last name. Its probably one reason why Sheamus is getting pushed as hard as he is. I think we'll eventually see an Englishman as WWE champion but Vince has never really bothered to push any of them who worked for him to it. If Regal had literally been able to keep his nose clean maybe he could have gotten a short run. Triple H would have pushed for it if he had.

Originally Posted by Parker Wayne
I think Punk and Brock will happen eventually but I hope Lesnar goes on another feud first. If they only brought him back strictly to get other wrestlers over then why bring him back? Just for a slight rating boost even though he's not at every event.

There are too many part timers. Some of these part timers should at least be wrestling some matches on Raw.

For what they are getting paid...you are right. But it seems like they just want these part timers to help draw for the short term instead of helping the company be able to draw for the long term. Quick fix solutions instead of using them to get the most out of their value.

Guys like Rock, Lesnar, Triple H, Taker should be used to make the entire show better...not just their segments. Thats how part timers and veterans were used ten years ago and it worked.

They should be used to get over the current stars to help make them more popular so fans who DO tune in to see the part timers will keep on tuning in to see the full time top guys while the part timers are gone.

As it is now many people who tune back in to see the part timers tune out as soon as they leave. How does that help WWE for the rest of the year the part timers aren't there?

If WWE had stubbornly focused on part timers only 15-20 years ago we never would have seen the the rise of The Rock or Austin or Triple H or Foley. They had to be given the strong material and the opportunities to show what they could do to get over in the first place. People weren't going crazy for the Ringmaster. Austin got the chance to ditch that and do something new and exciting. The veterans were used in supporting roles and to get the next generation over so they could carry the company. The way Bret Hart, Jake Roberts, and Shawn Michaels were used at vital points to elevate Steve Austin. Even when he lost to any of them he lost looking strong.

Would Stone Cold have even come up with "Austin: 3:16" if he wasn't working with the newly bible thumping, Revelations toting, Jake The Snake? Great things happen when you let things develop in a natural spontaneous way.

Now there is no incentive to build new stars and instead WE is fine coasting. Fine playing it safe.

Originally Posted by ImWithTeamConan
They should do just a straight MMA style shoot. Let Brock break his arm for real.

Well sh** I'd pay 60 bucks for that match alone. Seeing that would be worth it.

Originally Posted by Van Petrol
Just to be clear, I'm referring specifically to why the WWE title belt 'looks' the way it does, rather than having a more traditional look.

Well the belt LOOKS the way it looks so they can sell replicas and merchandise to a broader more diverse selection of potential consumers.

Many die hard fans are going to buy it anyway but the bling belt v2 also appeals to more casual fans and even some non fans into that kind of aesthetic. Its not limited to being just a "wrestling belt" that appeals only to traditionalist wrestling fans. Some guys into hip hop want a BET Rapz title so the new belt might also appeal to them.

Rock is carrying around the belt to promote the WWE brand as well as promote the new belt related merchandise they are trying to shill. Its good exposure in that sense but we've seen time and again that this kind of stuff does nothing for wrestling long term as far as getting it accepted into the mainstream. Its a pipe dream. WCW tried this a bunch of times and most people still didn't care..especially when the wrestling product was weak...which WWE's is now Rock or no Rock. Wrestling will always have a stigma on it and a bad wrestling product will be that much worse.

The Rock 'N' Wrestling and Attitude Eras took off because of cross promotion that was far more well thought out and complex than just desperate for attention quick fix promotion.

Partnering with MTV then was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay smarter than parnering with Rock now for a number of reasons.

Originally Posted by Van Petrol
Yes. Of the current guys on the roster, and the ones the E can bring in, Rock is on top of the world right now (media and publically wise in the entertainment spotlight), so it makes sense that they would do this. In the long run it could prove fruitful for everyone. The E just need to take advantage of the potential recognition and attention they could get from this and run with it in the right way. Though if past recent things are anything to go by and what is expected to continue, then it doesn't look too promising.

Whoever the main guy and/or WWE champion is will most likely be doing tons of media appearances and gigs, and carrying this thing around with them will potentially help do the trick of expanding and increasing their audience.

At this point in time, it seems as though brand recognition is greater than talent recognition. Which is fine when you consider that you have to have people watching the brand before they can recognise the talent (not counting us die-hards, of course ).

This thing will likely do the job it is expected to do, and get people talking 'WWE' when they see it. Another thing is seeing as the company is one that is publically traded, brand recognition is even more important for them in that sense.

Problem is all this only maks a big long term difference if the brand they are trying to promote has enough of a good product hook to KEEP people talking for the long term. Rocks return hasn't ALWAYS been a resounding sucess for both sides. His exposure with that male demo didn't do much to help Snitch. Thats because it wasn't something a lot of people felt was worth their immediate attention at the box office. THATS what you need. A hook to draw interest and a strong product to keep them coming back.

If those people who are interested after seeing Rock walk around as the Red Carpet Champion then tune in to WWE only to see something ridiculous what does that do to help WWE's brand beyond get people talking about how bad it is? Some people say any publicity is good publicity but...

People have short memories. Its an ADD culture more and more every year. How many NEW people will give a sh** about WWE, the belt, the brand, 6 months from now after any initial buzz has faded?

Getting Tyson to accentuate Austins rise payed off FAR more than ANYTHING Rock has done since his return...including his title win. And they didn't need the P Diddy title to do it. That had a hook...and something of quality that hungry tv/ppv audience stayed around to consume for years.

Originally Posted by AntMan
Van makes good points as to why the title must look the way it does. However, I will continue to despise it and other titles made in this fashion. I suppose that having two world titles is good for fans who want a real world title.

Agreed. This is another reason why I don't want the WHC to be unified with the Jay Z championship. The World Title is a far better looking wrestling belt in the traditional sense. Why should some fans who like that be robbed of that? As it is now there's a belt for everyone. I think WWE sees that too. They can market replicas to different people with different tastes and make even more money than they could with just one belt.

Originally Posted by The Sage
Hell In A Cell is Triple H's specialty, though Brock can claim he mastered it when he beat Taker in it years ago.

Thats why I think Triple H might like to say he did what Taker couldn't at beat Lesar inside HIAC.

Originally Posted by NDX
What a stupidly indytastic move. And an indystastic crash and burn.

I like King, always have, but that was just idiotic to attempt.

Its a shame since he's got the potential to be far more than a spot monkey. And lets get him some better gear and a non twangy entrance theme, TNA.

Once AJ actually grew as a worker I became a REAL fan of his beyond just his stupid pointless spots. King's got potential if only he'd work smarter.

Originally Posted by AntMan
Vince treats WWE like a Schumacher Batman film now. Just because it's entertainment doesn't mean it can't have a certain legitimacy to it.

Ditto. What you said. Good comparison. It feels like that sometimes...especially Cena's goofier stuff. Some of the more awful backstage comedy bits feel just like that. Hornswoggle and Khali are something that crawled right out of Schumacher's a**. Joel probably loved every minute of it too.

 

[Metallo]

Originally Posted by The Sage
Former TNA Knockout Daffney (Shannon Spruill) settled her lawsuit against TNA that stemmed from TNA’s failure to pay her medical bills during her 2009-2010 tenure with the company. Daffney and TNA reached a settlement right before the next court hearing in the case, which would have potentially opened the door for every pro wrestler to become classified as an employee rather than an independent contractor. That debate will now have to rage on.

Said Daffney on Twitter:

“I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the love and support over the past two years. I appreciate so much that you recognize the HUGE injustice that is being done to Professional Wrestlers throughout the industry. I hope my case has opened up a few blind eyes and maybe now we, the wrestlers who put our bodies on the line every time we step in the ring, are one step closer to being provided with medical coverage and all the benefits that go along with being a true employee and not an independent contractor.”

http://wrestling.insidepulse.com/201...r-wwe-and-tna/

This is nice to hear. I hope TNA compensated her very well. They done her wrong, boys. They treated her very badly when her inujuries were their fault. They never should have put an inexperienced worker like Rosie Lottasuck in the ring with anyone. TNA doesn't appreciate most of their girls enough and they really didn't appreciate Daffney. Their handeling of this was bushleague at best. Even WWE would have taken care of her somehow if she got hurt in this situation and not tried to totally stiff her.

Hopefully this leads to some changes and better treatment for every worker in the business. Some promoters act like wrestlers are little more than wind up toys that can be thrown away and replaced when they break. No they are people. Some of the office schmucks don't get how impressive what these people do is. Others know the risks but don't care because they are greedy b*stards.

I doubt it but wouldn't it be something if years down the line Daffneys case set in motion something that led to changes in the classification of wrestlers. Even though she didn't win and instead settled maybe it'll change something. Anything. Or maybe someone else will get the balls to buck the system and challenge authority on the shoddy treatment wrestlers get when you weight it against how hard they work and the risks they take. Sure the pay is nice...if you make it to a big company. But so many men and women destroy themselves just for a sliver of a chance to live out that dream. And they still don't get the respect they deserve.

Originally Posted by The Sage
ESPN's comments during their Power Rankings article.

Can somebody explain to me the point of CM Punk losing to The Rock twice and breaking up the most significant title reign in years, a reign that actually helped bring meaning back to the WWE Championship, when in the buildup to Wrestlemania, WWE creative knew The Rock wasn’t going to show up on every Raw (even via satellite)?

Every Rock no-show leaves me more and more frustrated. If the point was to build to the John Cena versus Rock rematch nobody over 12 wants to see, couldn’t it have been done without taking the title off the guy who actually busts his butt on every show? Adding the WWE Championship to the Undertaker-Punk match, making it streak versus title, ups the ante far more than putting the title on the line in the Twice in a Lifetime main event. But maybe that’s just me.

Speaking of no-shows, if you know you don’t have The Rock next week due to a scheduling conflict, wouldn’t you shoot some new backstage content while he’s there to fill in the holes? Can’t you tape Rock and Cena getting into a backstage brawl or a fight in the parking lot while you have them both in the building? That way, when Rock is out doing whatever it is he does other than defending the title, he can at least be on the show every week as we build toward the biggest event of the year?

Crazy, I know, to actually expect to see the WWE champ on Raw.

http://espn.go.com/blog/playbook/fan...ar-up-rock-out

THIS. This title run has been halfassed and this feuds buildup has been just as halfassed. Rocks not the WWE champion he's the Red Carpet Champion. Just like many said he's hardly been around to make this run matter where it needs to just as much: on WWE tv.

Maybe he should have Joan Rivers strapped around his waist instead of the Superhead title.

Originally Posted by The Sage
Well let's look at those options:

Cena vs Punk: A great rivalry that has never been done at Wrestlemania.

Punk vs Trips: CM Punk goes after the man who beat him two years ago, and wants to avenge his loss.

Punk vs Orton: Snoozefest, I agree with.

Or Punk vs Taker, Title vs Streak.

Outside of the Orton one, the rest are all good options.

Agreed. OR...they could have actually built up other viable opponents for Punk instead of wasting two years. Bryan got over...and they let him cool off by throwing water on that heat.

They could have built up Ziggler to be a worthy opponent because quite frankly the contrasts between Punk and Ziggler write the story for them. And if Dolph had Flair in his corner against a face Punk? Even better.

Looking ahead they could have taken a risk and thrown a ton of money Robert Roode's way. That doesn't mean anything to the casual fans and WWE only marks but to the wrestling fans who keep up with the business?

Punk vs Roode could have been money if played right. Punk was the longest reigning WWE champion of the last 25 years. Roode was the longest reigning champion in TNA history. They want to wrestle each other. High praise from a respective rival. Story writes itself.

Roode is a guy who can go step for step toe to toe with Punk in the ring so in that sense he is worthy. He was such a great champion that even the "almighty" Rock sang his praises AND he got Madden to put him over in his colums and Madden hates all things TNA. If a WWE crowd could chant "Kong" (which shows some WWE fans watch TNA) before she made her debut I think enough would have been shocked to see Bobby Roode lay out CM Punk after defending or regaining his title at Wrestlemania.

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider
On the fans chanting "You suck" at Punk last night, they did directly after he interrupted the Bearer tribute, but just under 3 hours later the same fans chanted his name during the match with Kane. Any heat Punk gets is fleeting and he has to keep getting again each week no matter what he does.

Agreed. If you can't sustain heel heat for a couple of hours because the fas WANT to cheer you the problem is obvious. A lot of people still find Punk is cool. Runs often never work when they are forced and opposite of what the fans want. Its why Lex Luger fizzled as a babyface in the WWF 20 years ago. He was a natural unlikable a**hole. Nobody bought his baby kissing, whistle stop campaign.

While I didn't think it was a very creative idea it does seem like this guy took the fall for Vince not telling him no and instead using his poor idea and then blaming him when everyone said it was a weak one post-Raw.

Thats what I thought. The buck stops with Vince. If it was such a bad idea why didn't he nix it in the first place? If he's such as genius that is. This was Vince saving face and looking for a scapegoat when it didn't work out as well as he hoped. He had no idea if it was a good or bad call at the time it was made. Even people here did as soon as it was announced.

Originally Posted by Scar Predator
Cena vs Punk, part 1,038? Sorry, oft-seen retreads won't sell Mania, at least not until enough time has passed to make it seem different.

Punk vs. the broken down Nose of Noses? Nope, Trips should never be in a ME again--ever.

Correction: like Sage said Triple H should only be in the main event when he's putting over younger talent that deserves it. Its stupid to say what he shouldn't do when he still has some value to rub off on someone else. Thats a waste of a valuable resource they are short on today: top stars with legit popularity and well built up images as winners. A Punk victory over HHH is dying to happen and it should be a main event so that it means as much as possible for Punk.

Triple H can still go better than the badly out of ring shape sluggish aging Rock who has put over fewer people than HHH has in the last 2 years. granted one of those guys didn't need it but at least HHH hasn't spent ALL of his limited time going over the two top stars in the company. And I think Triple H is a selfish a**hole.

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider
A handshake with Taker post-match is about the best Punk can hope for out of that, and it segue's easily into Heyman being mad at him the next night on Raw for showing weakness, and when he grabs Paul the music hits and Brock puts him on the shelf.

Yeah the chances of Punk walking out the victor are slim. I mean...for one thing its Taker AND add on the fact that they aren't going to let Punk disrespect Paul Bearer and walk out the winner. It would get him some strong heel heat if he did but I can't see WWE not having Taker avenge Paul Bearer in what is essentially his last WWE angle. Taker and Bearer BOTH go over in this one. Taker wins and possibly holds the urn up high one last time. I've got a feeling that will be a final tribute.

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider
Looks like AJ has been wrestling on house shows.

*wipes drool from mouth* God yes...She ain't lying about the amount she can squat. Look at all THAT.

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider
Interesting bit of news from the SD tapings.

I wonder if this means

Spoiler

Show takes Rybacks place...and possibly turns on his team? Or it becomes a four on four match at Mania? Or we get a Ryback vs Mark Henry singles match? WWE is obviously setting up something between Ryback and Henry even if its down the line.

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider
Two in October.

They may as well do away with the Hell In A Cell ppv all together. I wonder if Kane will want some of Halle Berry at Extreme Rules? A most special of dates it could be...especially for the BRM.

Originally Posted by AntMan
WWE needs to get rid of Extreme Rules, Hell in a Cell, and TLC. They should modify the Money in the Bank concept by returning to the original one briefcase formal and the match should main event the show a la Royal Rumble.

I agree AntMan. As far as MITB one briefcase is FAR more interesting if they keep two world titles. If they must have two cases why not make the other case for the two midcard belts?

Years ago it was always interesting to see the guessing game play out over which of the three titles the MITB winner would go after: WWE, WHC, or ECW?

Originally Posted by Hunter Rider
This made me think, what would everyone use as the 11 PPV's of the year?

January - Royal Rumble

February - Elimination Chamber

March/April - WrestleMania

May - Backlash (with extreme rules/hardcore matches)

June - Money In The Bank

July - King of The Ring

August - Summerslam

September - Night of Champions

October - Fall Brawl: Wargames

November - Survivor Series

December - Starrcade

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze
For the first time since Wrestlemania XI in 1995, I think I may give Wrestlemania a miss this year. Before, even when my interest in wrestling has been at its most tenuous, WWE has been able to build up my intrigue on the Road to Wrestlemania and get me really exciited to see the PPV, even if the event itself ends up disappointing. But this year, I find myself just feeling utterly indifferent.

You aren't the only one who feels this way

Originally Posted by UnionJack
With Vince gone in the future how will people think WWE will go?
Trips has an ego just as big so we still might see another dictatorship that please's himself more than the public that pays his bills.

I think a lot of the crazier headgame/mindgames/cultish stuff that goes on backstage will lessen. All the "tests" and indecision and start/stop pushes will be cut down. Triple H has a huge ego but his head is screwed on far straighter than McMahon's at this point. He's a younger guy and more of a normal person. I think he will listen to others more even if its his close friends he trusts with experience like the Kliq. That could be bad but theres no way it will be worse than what Vince does now. I DO think he will listen to the older agents more instead of basically tying their hands. Triple H has been IN THE RING....in the trenches so to speak. He respects the agents far more as a fan AND as a fellow worker than Vince ever could. He knows far better how to process the advice of a Ricky Steamboat or an Arn Anderson. He also has the experience to understand and respect their insights far more than Vince does. If they say something Triple H will know how to analyze it as a wrestler. Vince doesn't really get that despite playing wrestler a few times in his life. He's never spent years getting over just his ring work.

Even Stephanie isn't as far out as Vince. She turned down the McMahon incest angle that HE was pushing for. She's got a lot of her dads same arrogant self centered nature (comparing the steroid trial to 9/11...jeez) but she's not an eccentric old weirdo like her old man.

I fully expect Vince McMahon to be pissing in mason jars and walking around in Kleenex boxes in the next 10 years...holed up on the top floor of Titan Towers.

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

So No Way Out has been scrapped? And I think twelve is a little much to do. Get rid of Elimination Chamber, Money In The Bank, and Over The Limit. This would be an awesome lineup:

Royal Rumble
No Way Out
WrestleMania
Extreme Rules
King of the Ring
SummerSlam
Night of Champions
Survivor Series
Armageddon

9 a year should be enough.

You just got rid of 2 of the best PPV's of the year.

 

[I'm Batman.]

I think a Jericho/Ziggler Intercontinental title match would be good for WrestleMania.https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=J0Yr6p0GVWA

You just got rid of 2 of the best PPV's of the year.

I probably should've been more specific. I'd rather that they use No Way Out as the name of the PPV, but still keep the concept of having the Elimination Chamber on the show. That's what they did in 2008 and 2009.

I'd also scrap having a PPV in July altogether and use Money In The Bank as an annual match at WrestleMania instead of an annual PPV every year.

 

[Wheels]

Spoiler

That's not what this week's spoilers say, but expect it to change since Ryback was laid out by Henry at the end of SD.

Spoiler

So WWE is going to ignore that The Sheld attack setup the Henry beatdown? Why even do this stuff on SD? WWE already moved Ryback away from The Sheld and then they put him in the 6-Man Tag.

 

[Metallo]

Originally Posted by I'm Venom
I probably should've been more specific. I'd rather that they use No Way Out as the name of the PPV, but still keep the concept of having the Elimination Chamber on the show. That's what they did in 2008 and 2009.

I'd also scrap having a PPV in July altogether and use Money In The Bank as an annual match at WrestleMania instead of an annual PPV every year.

I see what you're saying. I did something similar by keeping elements of Extreme Rules for Backlash.

Similar things can be done with other theme PPV's. We could have an annual ladder match at another PPV like GAB or Night of Champions.

I kept MITB in my PPV schedule but if I did put the MITB match back on the Wrestlemania card I'd shift KOTR to June and bring back The Great Americn Bash for July.

 

[Anno_Domini]

Spoiler

So WWE is going to ignore that The Sheld attack setup the Henry beatdown? Why even do this stuff on SD? WWE already moved Ryback away from The Sheld and then they put him in the 6-Man Tag.

Spoiler

Why do this? Because WWE's logic is always a failure, lol. Ryback/Henry has been talked for a while, so Ryback will probably want out of Team Celtic Viper and go after Henry.

 

[Van Petrol]

Well the belt LOOKS the way it looks so they can sell replicas and merchandise to a broader more diverse selection of potential consumers.

Many die hard fans are going to buy it anyway but the bling belt v2 also appeals to more casual fans and even some non fans into that kind of aesthetic. Its not limited to being just a "wrestling belt" that appeals only to traditionalist wrestling fans. Some guys into hip hop want a BET Rapz title so the new belt might also appeal to them.

Rock is carrying around the belt to promote the WWE brand as well as promote the new belt related merchandise they are trying to shill. Its good exposure in that sense but we've seen time and again that this kind of stuff does nothing for wrestling long term as far as getting it accepted into the mainstream. Its a pipe dream. WCW tried this a bunch of times and most people still didn't care..especially when the wrestling product was weak...which WWE's is now Rock or no Rock. Wrestling will always have a stigma on it and a bad wrestling product will be that much worse.

The Rock 'N' Wrestling and Attitude Eras took off because of cross promotion that was far more well thought out and complex than just desperate for attention quick fix promotion.

Partnering with MTV then was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay smarter than parnering with Rock now for a number of reasons.




Problem is all this only maks a big long term difference if the brand they are trying to promote has enough of a good product hook to KEEP people talking for the long term. Rocks return hasn't ALWAYS been a resounding sucess for both sides. His exposure with that male demo didn't do much to help Snitch. Thats because it wasn't something a lot of people felt was worth their immediate attention at the box office. THATS what you need. A hook to draw interest and a strong product to keep them coming back.

If those people who are interested after seeing Rock walk around as the Red Carpet Champion then tune in to WWE only to see something ridiculous what does that do to help WWE's brand beyond get people talking about how bad it is? Some people say any publicity is good publicity but...

People have short memories. Its an ADD culture more and more every year. How many NEW people will give a sh** about WWE, the belt, the brand, 6 months from now after any initial buzz has faded?

Getting Tyson to accentuate Austins rise payed off FAR more than ANYTHING Rock has done since his return...including his title win. And they didn't need the P Diddy title to do it. That had a hook...and something of quality that hungry tv/ppv audience stayed around to consume for years.




Agreed. This is another reason why I don't want the WHC to be unified with the Jay Z championship. The World Title is a far better looking wrestling belt in the traditional sense. Why should some fans who like that be robbed of that? As it is now there's a belt for everyone. I think WWE sees that too. They can market replicas to different people with different tastes and make even more money than they could with just one belt.

Yeah, I don't like it either, but I can see their reasoning and rationale for going the direction they are. But as we've said, if the quality in the product is not there the longetivity in the draw and attention grabbing of the audience will not last.

 

[The Sage]

- WWE officials specifically scripted John Cena not to appear on Monday's RAW from Indianapolis because WWE Champion The Rock couldn't be there. They did not want to bring attention to the fact that the WWE Champion wasn't there on the Road to WrestleMania 29.

They went against the idea of having Cena come out and cut an in-ring promo because The Rock would have looked weak not being there to respond to it. They also did not want to put it out there that Rock was in South Korea at a GI Joe 2 movie premiere. The decision was made to just air the video package for their match.

- On Monday, WWE officials discussed having Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston vs. Kane and Daniel Bryan for the WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 29. This is why Langston attacked Daniel Bryan. By what happened at the SmackDown tapings last night, it looks like they are moving forward with this plan.

- Many people backstage at RAW were talking about WWE Champion The Rock not being there. Several of The Rock's co-workers are upset at the fact that he's not going to be in attendance for 2 of the last big 4 shows going into WrestleMania 29. There was already some resentment over him being in the WrestleMania main event again but him not being there each week isn't helping things.

Source: PWInsider

- Currently The Rock is not scheduled to appear at this Monday's episode of Raw at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Rock is scheduled for the next three Raw's after that, which includes the post-WrestleMania Raw on April 8th from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

- The Undertaker is currently scheduled to appear at all Raw episodes up until the WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view event. Taker is not advertised for the post-WrestleMania Raw on April 8th from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365186285.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365185846.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365205750.php

 

[brainchild81]

This is the wrong Team Rhodes Scholars title!!!!1

Ditto

 

[Pink Ranger]

This is the wrong Team Rhodes Scholars title!!!!1

Ditto

We were not aware that there was a different interpretation that met the criteria of taste and good form.

 

[Kaleb]

- WWE officials specifically scripted John Cena not to appear on Monday's RAW from Indianapolis because WWE Champion The Rock couldn't be there. They did not want to bring attention to the fact that the WWE Champion wasn't there on the Road to WrestleMania 29.
They went against the idea of having Cena come out and cut an in-ring promo because The Rock would have looked weak not being there to respond to it. They also did not want to put it out there that Rock was in South Korea at a GI Joe 2 movie premiere. The decision was made to just air the video package for their match.

- On Monday, WWE officials discussed having Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston vs. Kane and Daniel Bryan for the WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 29. This is why Langston attacked Daniel Bryan. By what happened at the SmackDown tapings last night, it looks like they are moving forward with this plan.

- Many people backstage at RAW were talking about WWE Champion The Rock not being there. Several of The Rock's co-workers are upset at the fact that he's not going to be in attendance for 2 of the last big 4 shows going into WrestleMania 29. There was already some resentment over him being in the WrestleMania main event again but him not being there each week isn't helping things.

Source: PWInsider

- Currently The Rock is not scheduled to appear at this Monday's episode of Raw at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Rock is scheduled for the next three Raw's after that, which includes the post-WrestleMania Raw on April 8th from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

- The Undertaker is currently scheduled to appear at all Raw episodes up until the WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view event. Taker is not advertised for the post-WrestleMania Raw on April 8th from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365186285.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365185846.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365205750.php

wow I have no words.

 

[The Apocalypse]

- WWE officials specifically scripted John Cena not to appear on Monday's RAW from Indianapolis because WWE Champion The Rock couldn't be there. They did not want to bring attention to the fact that the WWE Champion wasn't there on the Road to WrestleMania 29.

They went against the idea of having Cena come out and cut an in-ring promo because The Rock would have looked weak not being there to respond to it. They also did not want to put it out there that Rock was in South Korea at a GI Joe 2 movie premiere. The decision was made to just air the video package for their match.

- On Monday, WWE officials discussed having Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston vs. Kane and Daniel Bryan for the WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 29. This is why Langston attacked Daniel Bryan. By what happened at the SmackDown tapings last night, it looks like they are moving forward with this plan.

- Many people backstage at RAW were talking about WWE Champion The Rock not being there. Several of The Rock's co-workers are upset at the fact that he's not going to be in attendance for 2 of the last big 4 shows going into WrestleMania 29. There was already some resentment over him being in the WrestleMania main event again but him not being there each week isn't helping things.

Source: PWInsider

- Currently The Rock is not scheduled to appear at this Monday's episode of Raw at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Rock is scheduled for the next three Raw's after that, which includes the post-WrestleMania Raw on April 8th from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

- The Undertaker is currently scheduled to appear at all Raw episodes up until the WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view event. Taker is not advertised for the post-WrestleMania Raw on April 8th from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365186285.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365185846.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365205750.php

I don't understand why the locker room is mad at Rock. wWE knew his schedule before they made this dumb decision to make him champ. They should be pissed at Vince and company.

 

[Kaleb]

I don't understand why the locker room is mad at Rock. wWE knew his schedule before they made this dumb decision to make him champ. They should be pissed at Vince and company.

I believe it was was reported before the rumble that Rock wanted to be the one to take the title off Punk.

 

[The Sage]

Spoiler regarding Triple H/Lesnar. Well not really a spoiler but...

Spoiler

- The current plan is for Triple H to defeat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 29. The feeling is that he has to win because Lesnar beat him the first time, "broke his arm" twice and broke Shawn Michaels' arm as well. There has been talk of using Michaels in the storyline again so Michaels can have a WrestleMania role.

Sage Edit:

Spoiler

Love that the "returning the win" logic only applies when Triple H loses. Too bad it doesn't when he beats someone and they don't get their win back.

- Most of the material for the Zeb Colter promos comes directly from the man behind the gimmick, Wayne Keown (Dutch Mantell). He has to get everything approved but he is coming up with most of it.

- WWE's WrestleMania 29 pay-per-view from New Jrsey is now officially sold out with a gate of $11 million. There will be some more seats released closer to the event after production is set up.

- Regarding the Divas Title match at WrestleMania 29 if there is one, it will likely be Kaitlyn vs. a heel Layla but they may end up doing a multi-Divas match instead. The Kaitlyn vs. Layla feud is in the works.

Another match planned this week is Fandango vs. Chris Jericho. One possible match is Brodus Clay, Tensai, Cameron and Naomi vs. The Bella Twins, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow.

- We noted before that WWE was negotiating with other former Divas to return after bringing back The Bella Twins. Apparently they made offers to Maryse and Kelly Kelly also. Kelly and Maryse reportedly denied their first offers but are still in talks.

- Shad Gaspard, who was released in 2010, has told people that he's interested in returning to WWE.

- As noted before, the March 11th WWE RAW did a 3.34 cable rating with 4.79 million viewers.

In the segment breakdown, the show opened at a 3.46 quarter rating for the Paul Bearer tribute, The Undertaker and CM Punk. Big Show vs. Seth Rollins lost 9,000 viewers. Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan gained 132,000 viewers. Fandango's segment with Tensai and Brodus Clay lost 298,000 viewers. The New Age Outlaws vs. Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow with Brock Lesnar's appearance gained 326,000 viewers for a show-high 3.57 quarter rating.

Mark Henry vs. Kofi Kingston and Ryback vs. Heath Slater and the Henry-Ryback face-off lost 179,000 viewers. Antonio Cesaro vs. Alberto Del Rio lost 265,000 viewers. The video for John Cena vs. The Rock lost 10,000 viewers. Sheamus and Randy Orton vs. Rhodes and Sandow in the 10pm timeslot gained 106,000 viewers for a 3.32 quarter rating. The Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho, The Miz, Wade Barrett and Brad Maddox gained 81,000 viewers but Jericho vs. Miz lost 359,000 viewers. Jack Swagger vs. Sin Cara lost 78,000 viewers.

CM Punk vs. Kane in a No DQ main event gained 153,000 viewers for a 3.18 quarter rating, which is a very weak overrun gain.

- Rob Van Dam's TNA contract expires very soon. No word yet why officials kept him off the Lockdown pay-per-view.

- Not including the UK tour, TNA's average live event attendance in January 2013 went down 54% to 550 from the 1200 in January 2012. Impact in January 2012 averaged a 1.15 rating and 1.61 million viewers but in January 2013 it averaged a 1.12 rating with 1.53 million viewers.

- Jesse Sorensen was brought to Lockdown but is leery about wrestling, given that he was immobile for three months after his nasty injury. Last year, the plan was to give Sorensen a big push. No word yet what they have planned for his future.

- TNA is currently asking $25,000 for sold shows. They can get casinos but it's tough for other venues because you have to pay TNA's fee plus marketing and other costs. Breaking even would be well over 1,000 tickets and TNA live events rarely draw that many.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365223178.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365222369.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365223489.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365224542.php
http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/365225183.php

 

[Kaleb]

regarding the HHH Lesner storyline

Spoiler

I dont see any reason why they should get shawn involved, unless its its so he can be fed to Brock again just so we can see Hunters face turn red and his nostrils flare up while he watches his friend get destroyed again

Cole: ''there will be hell to pay for Lesner this sunday at Wrestlemania''

 

[Anno_Domini]

Spoiler regarding Triple H/Lesnar. Well not really a spoiler but...

Spoiler

- The current plan is for Triple H to defeat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 29. The feeling is that he has to win because Lesnar beat him the first time, "broke his arm" twice and broke Shawn Michaels' arm as well. There has been talk of using Michaels in the storyline again so Michaels can have a WrestleMania role.

Spoiler

"he has to win".

No, he does not. Triple H should've actually stopped wrestling after his retirement speech and only show up here and there as the "big boss" to make a smooth transition when Vince finally steps down and keep Lesnar with his one loss and one win and move unto someone new for him to face.

**** HHH....I remember when I was one of his biggest fans

Another match planned this week is Fandango vs. Chris Jericho.

The hell? Jericho said for a while he'd work a match where he puts someone over...why would you waste someone who would put someone over with him going up against someone so ****ing boring as...Fandaaaaaaaaaaango?

 

[Metallo]

Originally Posted by The Sage
- Most of the material for the Zeb Colter promos comes directly from the man behind the gimmick, Wayne Keown (Dutch Mantell). He has to get everything approved but he is coming up with most of it.

No wonder they are pretty good.

Another match planned this week is Fandango vs. Chris Jericho. One possible match is Brodus Clay, Tensai, Cameron and Naomi vs. The Bella Twins, Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow.

Really????

- Shad Gaspard, who was released in 2010, has told people that he's interested in returning to WWE.

A Cryme Tyme reunion could work with them sometimes trying to rebuild the tag division.

Originally Posted by Kaleb
just so we can see Hunters face turn red and his nostrils flare up while he watches his friend get destroyed again

Thats like saying we might see the sun flare up.

 

[Wheels]

WWE wants to get Rick Martel 2.0 over so they're putting him with Jericho. I think Curtis is a guy WWE sees potential in but I don't like him right now. I'm willing to change my stance, but every time he was on NXT I was bored.

 

[NDX]

- WWE officials specifically scripted John Cena not to appear on Monday's RAW from Indianapolis because WWE Champion The Rock couldn't be there. They did not want to bring attention to the fact that the WWE Champion wasn't there on the Road to WrestleMania 29.

They went against the idea of having Cena come out and cut an in-ring promo because The Rock would have looked weak not being there to respond to it. They also did not want to put it out there that Rock was in South Korea at a GI Joe 2 movie premiere. The decision was made to just air the video package for their match.

That just made it MORE obvious to me. Worse off, if felt like the WWE couldn't care less about how we felt about the MAIN EVENT of their BIGGEST PPV of the year by not having either guy at the show. Felt like I was spat in the face.

 

[Van Petrol]

Although it represented the WWF/WWE Championship. I wonder if they'd ever consider swapping the Big Gold Belt for the Winged Eagle Belt, if they wanted to change it? Afterall it does say 'World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion' on it, just like the BG. I could imagine some wrestlers saying they'd rather be the WH champion if they were told they were going to be given the WWE title.

 

[Wheels]

Although it represented the WWF/WWE Championship. I wonder if they'd ever consider swapping the Big Gold Belt for the Winged Eagle Belt, if they wanted to change it? Afterall it does say 'World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion' on it, just like the BG. I could imagine some wrestlers saying they'd rather be the WH champion if they were told they were going to be given the WWE title.

Why did you put this thought in my head?

 

[Kaleb]

 

[Van Petrol]

Why did you put this thought in my head?