The Wrestling Thread Says, "Wait Just A Second There, Playa!"

[spidey-dude]

Only Hogan from that lot was a sustained top guy, for nearly a decade Taker was a special attraction not a main event guy. Foley and Kane were utility guys and a lot of the heart of Mankind when he got really over was built off the real Mick Foley, remember all those sit down interviews with JR where he talked about his real life growing up? before that he was just the crazy stunt heel that Taker semi-killed every few weeks.

Rock and Austin's sense of humour was in both iterations, the core of their characters remained pretty much what they are, a redneck tough guy and a loud mouthed jock.

so are you saying that at his core Cena is only just a nice guy, thats all he is.... not buying it, Kurt Angles original character (or 2nd turn, I think maybe his first was a cocky unbeaten olympian) was the nice slightly goofy guy, and he did great work as a heel, I don't see why Cena shouldn't do something different, it's clear his schtick is stale with alot of fans

 

[spidey-dude]

Sting shares some of the same feeling of trust and forgiveness that most versions of his character have. Steve Borden/Sting has a strong moral compass. Just like his character. Steve Borden tries not to be selfish and is instead a team player when it comes to the business. Just like his character.

Ultimate Warrior/Jim Hellwig was an aggressive alpha male crazy man who had very strict moral views and guidelines. JUST like his character. he goes on long rants. Just like his character.

Hellwig believes in a kind of personal discipline and the source of ones on success coming from their inner soul. Just like The Ultimate Warrior.


Mankind was an underdog type of character who could endure inhuman amounts of physical punishment to prove something. Just like Mick Foley in real life.


The BIKER Undertaker IS the personality of Mark Calloway/The Undertaker. And even the Deadman Undertaker has elements of Calloways real personality. His drive/dedication being one thing he has in common with his character. His attitude about respect being another. Both have a certain code of honor.


HOLLYWOOD Hogan pretty much is Hulk Hogans real personality.


Austin is a guy who has been known to have a peculiar sense of humor in real life so its not that far removed from the truth. The "WHAT" started as a REAL joke that the REAL Steve Williams made to guys like Christian while on the road.

Even then his heel run was a deviation from the overall Stone Cold persona. The most popular version of Austin's gimmick was the one that was closest to the real Steve Williams aka Steve Austin.


Ever since Dwayne Johnson first became "The Rock" (not Rocky Miavia) every face or heel version of his character has had some basis in his real feelings and personality.

okay you have kind of just backed up my own pojtn in a way, that as long as there is a bit of the person in there they can play characters that are fundamentally different to who they actually are - I just dont see how because Cena is a nice guy he cant play someone who is a heel.... I mean he was sort of a heel at first no? (I didnt watch when he broke through)

 

[Metallo]

okay you have kind of just backed up my own pojtn in a way, that as long as there is a bit of the person in there they can play characters that are fundamentally different to who they actually are - I just dont see how because Cena is a nice guy he cant play someone who is a heel.... I mean he was sort of a heel at first no? (I didnt watch when he broke through)

Thats true to an extent but the point of Cenas character now is that he DOESN'T bow to the pressure to do bad things just because people don't like him. He does the right thing even if its unpopular. Thats the foundation of his whole gimmick and a part of the real man. To do what you're saying would be selling out the core of his character.

Cena was a heel early on but the vast majority of his career has been as a face...even during some of his Dr of Thuganomics phase.

And most of the people I listed WEREN'T fundamentally different from the characters they portrayed. Most were exaggerated versions of themselves. Most had their BIGGEST success as that.

This is the definition of "fundamental"

serving as, or being an essential part of, a foundation or basis; basic; underlying

If they were "fundamentally" different the core of the person would be changed or removed from the character.

so are you saying that at his core Cena is only just a nice guy, thats all he is.... not buying it, Kurt Angles original character (or 2nd turn, I think maybe his first was a cocky unbeaten olympian) was the nice slightly goofy guy, and he did great work as a heel, I don't see why Cena shouldn't do something different, it's clear his schtick is stale with alot of fans

During Angles early run the happy Olympic champion WAS a heel. Just not the traditional one. It was the Attitude Era and the rules went bizarro world.

 

[Van Petrol]

- Randy Orton has officially signed on to star in Marine: Homefront. Production for the film begins June 11th in Vancouver, British Columbia. In the film, Orton plays Marine trying to rescue his kidnapped daughter.

John Cena starred in the first Marine film, while Ted DiBiase starred in the second. Orton was reportedly set to star in the second film, but due to an injury, DiBiase got the role.

Marine: Homefront will be released straight to DVD.

Haha, this sound like 'Commando 2'.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Haha, this sound like 'Commando 2'.

Lol. But seriously, Commando 2 was actually Die Hard 1. Fe realz.

 

[Darkness Falls]

watching raw, wow, listen to that crowd for otunga haha even tumbleweeds have stopped rolling

 

[Pink Ranger]

His oiled-up posing makes people so uncomfortable they can't even bring themselves to boo him.

 

[spidey-dude]

Thats true to an extent but the point of Cenas character now is that he DOESN'T bow to the pressure to do bad things just because people don't like him. He does the right thing even if its unpopular. Thats the foundation of his whole gimmick and a part of the real man. To do what you're saying would be selling out the core of his character.

but I'm saying he needs a gimmick change.... noble honest wrestlers have turned heel for decades - he can incorporate characteristics of himself into a new gimmick whilst retaining who he is

Cena was a heel early on but the vast majority of his career has been as a face...even during some of his Dr of Thuganomics phase.

was he not a heel that got over with the thuganomics? (again I don't really know about his early career til 2009/10 I still knew him as the guy with ruthless aggression)

And most of the people I listed WEREN'T fundamentally different from the characters they portrayed. Most were exaggerated versions of themselves. Most had their BIGGEST success as that.

This is the definition of "fundamental"

If they were "fundamentally" different the core of the person would be changed or removed from the character.

I would argue that those guys are fundamentally different to who they are in real life but retain key characteristics which they use to give a realistic edge to their characters - fundamentally the character of Mankind is different to Mick Foley despite a few shared traits, same with Undertaker and Mark Calloway (is that his name?) we might have to agree to disagree on this one

During Angles early run the happy Olympic champion WAS a heel. Just not the traditional one. It was the Attitude Era and the rules went bizarro world.

I think he was only a heel because he was facing faces with attitude like The Rock and Austin.... he was a bit more condescending but character wise reminds me quite a bit of current Cena (my memory maybe hazy here I was pretty young after all) I mean Agle was essentially a goody twoshoes who drank milk

 

[JabarR]

[YT]SDjrW5hKplE[/YT]
[YT]0qdJy5pWNws[/YT]

 

[Hunter Rider]

so are you saying that at his core Cena is only just a nice guy, thats all he is.... not buying it, Kurt Angles original character (or 2nd turn, I think maybe his first was a cocky unbeaten olympian) was the nice slightly goofy guy, and he did great work as a heel, I don't see why Cena shouldn't do something different, it's clear his schtick is stale with alot of fans

I'm saying at his center Cena is just basically a good guy and that's what has made him so popular with a certain demographic, and in a sad comment on the times has made him so unpopular with other fans.

However what exactly is the point in changing him? you can't make him a coward heel because he's been booked too strong for too long, so now you make him a badass trash talking heel, guess what happens? they start cheering him anyway but he's lost the other part of the audience he was hero to and in the middle of it all you lose your biggest revenue stream, so it's pointless on both a creative and financial front.

The best thing for Cena is to keep his character close to what it has been in the Punk and Rock feuds, tone down the crappy jokes and just keep going.

 

[TX85]

http://wonderwall.msn.com/tv/john-c...-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity-1673323.story

"JOHN CENA SAYS HE WILL LEAVE THE ROCK'S 'CONFIDENCE SHATTERED'

That last promo on Raw and this quote just screams heel turn at WM win or loose,There's been hints before But this is the biggest seed planted,WWE need to take a risk and just pull the trigger already!!!

 

[The Sage]

Turning Cena heel, I wouldn't mind. But they would really have to rally behind Punk in making him the new # 1 face. His merchandise sales are strong enough for it. But I'm guessing WWE enjoys the merchandise sales from both a face Punk and face Cena to take the risk.

 

[Darkness Falls]

great promo from cody

 

[Metallo]

but I'm saying he needs a gimmick change.... noble honest wrestlers have turned heel for decades - he can incorporate characteristics of himself into a new gimmick whilst retaining who he is

Cenas problems have always been booking and presentation based. Even if he turns heel what makes you SURE that all those people that hate him will suddenly embrace him? They boo him cause its trendy and popular and some of them will boo him no matter what.

Saying "he needs turn heel" while ignoring all the other issues is just the lazy way out.

was he not a heel that got over with the thuganomics? (again I don't really know about his early career til 2009/10 I still knew him as the guy with ruthless aggression)

He got over but it wasn't the fact that he was a HEEL that got him over but his attitude and presentation. When he turned face the same thing kept him over. Cenas presentation was changed and thats when some people got really sick of him. He wasn't allowed to transition naturally to that top spot.

I would argue that those guys are fundamentally different to who they are in real life but retain key characteristics which they use to give a realistic edge to their characters - fundamentally the character of Mankind is different to Mick Foley despite a few shared traits, same with Undertaker and Mark Calloway (is that his name?) we might have to agree to disagree on this one

Then you didn't read the definition of FUNDAMENTAL that I posted. Look it up yourself. FUNDAMENTALLY different characters means they were all different at the CORE or the foundation. They weren't.

I think he was only a heel because he was facing faces with attitude like The Rock and Austin.... he was a bit more condescending but character wise reminds me quite a bit of current Cena (my memory maybe hazy here I was pretty young after all) I mean Agle was essentially a goody twoshoes who drank milk

Angle at the time wasnt like Cena now. Cenas an in your face wiseass when he wants to be but he doesn't tell someone they are wrong to hate him or wrong to do anything. Early Angle was never that. You got the feeling that he was disappointed in people who didn't live up to his standard. His "wholesomeness" was rubbed in peoples faces. He was a much more exaggerated boy scout.

Cena is who he is for himself. He doesn't say its right or wrong its just "him." Angle thought that was the way it was supposed to be when it came to how he acted.

 

[Metallo]

I'm saying at his center Cena is just basically a good guy and that's what has made him so popular with a certain demographic, and in a sad comment on the times has made him so unpopular with other fans.

However what exactly is the point in changing him? you can't make him a coward heel because he's been booked too strong for too long, so now you make him a badass trash talking heel, guess what happens? they start cheering him anyway but he's lost the other part of the audience he was hero to and in the middle of it all you lose your biggest revenue stream, so it's pointless on both a creative and financial front.

The best thing for Cena is to keep his character close to what it has been in the Punk and Rock feuds, tone down the crappy jokes and just keep going.

Exactly. Its fine to turn Cena heel only to throw that fans that DO still love him under the bus? He needs to turn heel because he's a decent man? Maybe the problem isn't Cena but those jaded older fans who can't accept that it isn't just about what THEY want and can't see a place in the cartoon world of wrestlign for a Shining Knight.

There should always be a place in the WWE for a true noble hero. Thats what the company was built on from Bruno to Backlund to Hogan. And there should also be a place for the Anti hero like Austin. Its called diversity.

Cenas problems have to do with how he's been rammed down peoples throats.

 

[Metallo]

Update: TNA Star Ric Flair Confirmed For WWE HOF Ceremony

by Matt Boone

March 27, 2012

The following is a new article from WWE.com:

Ric Flair to appear at WWE Hall of Fame ceremony

WWE.com has just gotten word that Ric Flair will be in attendance at the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Miami's American Airlines Arena on Saturday, March 31.

On that night, The Nature Boy will gain a record second entry into the hallowed Hall. Only this time, Flair will be entering alongside his legendary Four Horsemen allies: Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and JJ Dillon.

First inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008 on the night before he faced Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV, The Nature Boy became the first active Superstar to ever receive the honor. The Dirtiest Player in the Game retired from the ring after losing to HBK on The Grandest Stage of Them All, but his legacy as one of the most respected and influential performers in sports-entertainment endures.

The induction ceremony, which will be held on the eve of WrestleMania XXVIII, will air on USA on Monday, April 2 at 8 p.m.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/252...star-ric-flair-confirmed-for-wwe-hof-ceremony



TNA Press Release On Flair/WWE HOF, Dixie Carter Comments

by Matt Boone

March 27, 2012
The following press release was issued today ...

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING Star Ric Flair® to Attend WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Flair Confirms He Will be Present in Miami When the Four Horsemen Receive Their Hall of Fame Honor

CHARLOTTE, NC – (March 27, 2012) International celebrity the Nature Boy® Ric Flair is set to become the only wrestler in history to be inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Fame twice.

Flair’s dominant 1980s wrestling group, the Four Horsemen, known to be the greatest in ring performers of all time, will be granted their seat in the Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Miami, FL on March 31st, the day before Wrestlemania XXVIII. Flair will be inducted along-side fellow members of the Four Horsemen: Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, and J.J. Dillon.

The news of Flair’s second induction was followed by a firestorm of controversy. Questions flew about whether Flair would attend the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony as he is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling. Understanding what a huge honor this is for Flair, TNA is graciously supporting him in the decision to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony alongside his fellow inductees. “Being inducted once was one of the greatest accomplishments of my career, so I’m humbled and honored to be recognized again. I wouldn’t miss the ceremony for the world,” says Flair.

TNA President Dixie Carter says, “We are proud of Ric’s many accomplishments and contributions he has made to the world of professional wrestling and beyond. We wish to congratulate him on yet another honor he truly deserves.”

Flair, a 16-time World Heavyweight Champion, was inducted individually into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008. On becoming a two-time inductee his agent Melinda Morris Zanoni of Legacy Talent and Entertainment says, “We are all so proud to be watching Ric continue to make history. There will never be an athlete more deserving of wearing two Hall of Fame rings than Ric Flair.”

For more information on Ric Flair go to www.ricflair.com, follow him on Facebook: Ric Flair, The Nature Boy, or on Twitter: @RicFlairNatrBoy. Flair is currently with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. TNA airs Thursday nights (9/8c) on Spike TV with monthly 3- hour Per-Per-View events.


ABOUT LEGACY TALENT AND ENTERTAINMENT, LLC

Legacy Talent and Entertainment is a full service Talent Management and Entertainment Development Company. Legacy Talent provides professional talent management services to select celebrities and athletes, including representing several of the highest profile celebrities exclusively. For more information call 704-334-7727 or 310-892-7561, visit www.legacytalentandentertainment.com, and become a fan on Facebook: Legacy Talent and Entertainment.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/252121-tna-press-release-on-flairwwe-hof-dixie-carter-comments

 

[Metallo]

Raw ratings for 3/26

By Hustle
Mar 27, 2012 - 5:58:42 PM

The "go home" episode of Raw before WrestleMania got a 3.04 rating, with 4,443,000 viewers. The show had hour ratings of 2.96 and 3.12, with 10,000 more viewers in the second hour than the first hour.

This rating is actually down from last week's 3.10, which has to be viewed as a disappointment.

Source: PWInsider.com

 

[Nightmare]

eh, the match had primo/epico and curt hawkins and no taker/hhh/hbk. What u expect?

Anyone know the full story about orton going awol?

 

[TX85]

Orton went awol?just walked away from WWE or what??

 

[NDX]

Great to see Flair will be at the HoF. Hard to see them inducting the 4H without Flair there to accept with the rest of the crew.

Those RAW #s blow going into WM, considering this has been the best built up show in years. Could blame March Madness a bit, or could be fans are not as interested as WWE hopes. Who knows, who cares, I at least enjoyed the show.

Orton went awol?just walked away from WWE or what??

After graduating from Hazelwood in 1998,[8] Orton enlisted with the United States Marine Corps. There, he expressed his Christian faith by telling another marine that he "better believe in Jesus." At the base, he received a bad conduct discharge a year later after going AWOL on two separate occasions and disobeying an order from a commanding officer. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Private First Class Orton was tried and convicted under a special court-martial and was put into a military prison for thirty-eight days.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Orton#cite_note-2003_DVD-15

From his wiki page.

 

[Team Andino]

Anyone surprised at Team Teddy not having Rey Mysterio?

Is it possible he's still not healthy enough? I know he was working hard to be ready for mania (seeing as nobody wants to miss the event if they're a shoe in for a match), but maybe even Rey Rey didn't feel comfortable going in there just yet.

 

[TX85]

Ratings mean nothing to me,I tuned it and overall enjoyed the episode and that's what I care about!!

 

[NDX]

SMARK JEOPARDY, TONIGHT @ 11:30 PM EST, ONLY ON GORILLA BLOOD!

Only at http://www.pw247radio.com/live/​

Play the game! Answer questions! Win a priize ... or something!

I'll be on the show! Wait... I want people to tune in. I WON'T be on the show tonight!
​

Okay, now that I got that out of the way, if you don't listen to my show, at least tune in for Three Way with Fire and Ice on Thursday and This Very Ring on Sundays if you like hearing interviews. ODB is a regular on Three Way and Brian Kendrick just did an hour long interview for TVR just 2 days ago. Some really great radio on the station. Shoot Finish is great for discussion, WhatAManooooover is hilarious, and Midnight Wrestling has all you RAW Recap needs. Oh, and let us not forget MMA Crossfire with Kenai Andrews for you bloodsport fanatics!

Hell, even Gorilla Blood is entertaining if you like half assed not so serious wrestling radio. Sometimes I crack too many jokes, but hey, it's wrestling, not everything needs to be taken seriously. I might even make a joke about Rock's boobs tonight.

 

[Slushy]

It's the WWE character and how he's been booked for the last 7 years that I can't stand.

This is the magic of storytelling. For the past year, I eventually stopped caring about Rock Vs. Cena since the story just seem half-assed until until those final 15 minutes last night.

I couldn't stand Cena for the first half of his portion. Being smug, cocky, arrogant, judgmental, whiny, feeling entitled to winning, and basically rubbing it in The Rock's and the people's face. All the whole "houlier than thou" and everything else I described got my blood boiling.

Then immediately, he dropped the smiling and got serious in the 2nd half of with the "I have to win" speech. All to familiar from that Austin Vs. Maivia sitdown interview heading into WM 17.

From that point on, it seemed like they both spoke from the heart and I got goosebumps. GOOSEBUMPS from a talking segment. I haven't had that experience since the final Undertaker / HHH confrontation on RAW from last year. That...THAT is how you build a match!

Cenas problems have always been booking and presentation based. Even if he turns heel what makes you SURE that all those people that hate him will suddenly embrace him? They boo him cause its trendy and popular and some of them will boo him no matter what.

But he'll actually be a heel now so getting booed is a good thing and CM Punk can finally get the spotlight as the number one face.

Its fine to turn Cena heel only to throw that fans that DO still love him under the bus?

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

Ric Flair to appear at WWE Hall of Fame ceremony

It's so f'n stupid he's getting inducted again. I'm glad The Rock hogged his speech time back in 2008.

Anyone know the full story about orton going awol?

According to his DVD documentary, IIRC he joined The Marines because he thought it would be cool, underestimating how hard it it actually was to be one. After awhile of being miserable in the service, he basically did everything he could to get out.

I'm not saying its okay what he did, but I can certainly understand why. Military life isn't cut out for everybody and I respect all who were brave enough to joined our armed forces even if it turned out not to be their cup of tea.

 

[TX85]

How is Flair going in twice so stupid?It's not like it'll be individually again,4-Horsemen deserves to be in it and Flair was a major part of it!!

Your glad his speech time was cut short!?..Oh so it's a biased personal issue thing cause YOU dislike him?