WWE Thread

[jncuse]

Hopefully they limit these cross promotional things to mostly Bray Wyatt matches. Wyatt matches are all write-offs and disasters either way.

 

[OrangeDW]

Hopefully they limit these cross promotional things to mostly Bray Wyatt matches. Wyatt matches are all write-offs and disasters either way.

I don’t understand why they keep trying with him. For what? He sucks. What is the upside?

 

[jncuse]

I don’t understand why they keep trying with him. For what? He sucks. What is the upside?

Following up on my pineapple pizza rant on the other board.

Bray Wyatt is basically pineapple pizza. A minority amount of people love him more than anything else and are very adamant and vocal about it for no rational reason. His merchandise sales are very high apparently. And because of that, WWE forces promos and wrestling onto us.

 

[OrangeDW]

Following up on my pineapple pizza rant on the other board.

Bray Wyatt is basically pineapple pizza. A fairly small amount of people love him more than anything else and are very adamant and vocal about it for no rational reason. His merchandise sales are very high apparently. And because of those idiots, WWE forces promos and wrestling onto us.

He was ONLY interesting to me early in his run when he carried the lantern and had the “Wyatt Family” and kidnapped Daniel Bryan. The character had potential back then.

Once it became apparent that he couldn’t actually put on a decent match, I gradually lost interest.

Once they went supernatural with the gimmick, I absolutely hated it. Some of the worst crap that has ever aired on wrestling TV.

 

[jncuse]

He was ONLY interesting to me early in his run when he carried the lantern and had the “Wyatt Family” and kidnapped Daniel Bryan. The character had potential back then.

Once it became apparent that he couldn’t actually put on a decent match, I gradually lost interest.

Once they went supernatural with the gimmick, I absolutely hated it. Some of the worst crap that has ever aired on wrestling TV.

Fully agreed - he and the Wyatt family were intriguing to start.

I can't pinpoint exactly when he started to disinterest me - it was before the FIEND era which was a total disaster.

I remember he had a tag team with Matt Hardy for a while-- I think this was his last work before becoming the Fiend. It was a big drop down the ladder for him. At that point, they had done all they could with the initial character, but the rebrand(s) have just made it worse.

 

[jordville]

I wouldn't expect Wyatt to go away anytime soon.. especially with Taker basically coming out on Raw a couple weeks ago and passing the torch so to speak to Bray. I'm pretty sure Triple H is a fan of his work. The merch sales (mentioned before) will also keep him around.

 

[Symphony Steve]

I don’t understand why they keep trying with him. For what? He sucks. What is the upside?

Merch Sales. Especially to kids.

 

[Knicks411]

There's another, uh, interesting story about Lanny Poffo out there. Google Lanny Poffo party trick if you're unaware.

Bray is the absolute dirt worst.

 

[OrangeDW]

Sami Zayn is the one. He should beat Reigns for the titles at Mania.

Screw overrated Cody. They’ll be booing him within months anyway.

Pull the trigger on Sami.

 

[jncuse]

Sami Zayn is the one. He should beat Reigns for the titles at Mania.

Screw overrated Cody. They’ll be booing him within months anyway.

Pull the trigger on Sami.

I agree and disagree on various things - or at least can find a way to rationalize what the WWE is doing even if its a major risk because Sami may never get hotter.

Would the moment of Sami beating Reigns be a bigger moment / pop than Cody beating Reings. At this point absolutely.

The time to become champ though is not always when it would be the best moment - it could be when your character is developed enough, has the right opponents lined up, to be believable for some sustained period as champion. A concern for both Cody and Sami, but I think moreso for Sami because his singles character is not that well defined post bloodline. That being said fans may not be concerned about Sami having a title reign of any length- they may just want the moment.

I think what might be best for the WWE and for WWE fans (longer term) is to go to Cody at WM - let me explain. Wrestlemania moments are nice - but we still have to put up with this stuff for 365 days in between! Cody as champ, and Sami chasing as a non bloodline member (and getting screwed) might make better quality content post WM

The WWE is in an odd position - they have two great stories for new champions heading into a WM. Something they don't typically have - they typically have no options. Both have tremendous equity with fans right now, perhaps not seen for a new champion since Daniel Bryan.

The WWE has to choose one. The thing is the Cody character is what he is and that really is at its peak. They really have nowhere else to go with him at this point - its go time and his character won't really develop its identity any further. Cody chasing post WM wouldn't be compelling - but Sami chasing, developing himself as a strong standalone guy, getting screwed by the Bloodline still has legs.

The problem (or maybe better viewed as an opportunity) with Sami is that his character is still largely tied into the great mesh he had with the bloodline - they all played so well of each other, and while Sami was the star, it goes nowhere without the presence of the champ Roman.

So I think Sami could benefit from developing the strength of his "singles" character further before making him champion. Like Daniel Bryan, the chase for the title only made him stronger and believable after ultimately winning You can go back to this Bloodline stuff after WM -- a lot of weaving parts still remain in the storyline, and Reigns may find a way to retain one of his titles post WM (Heyman could always do something conniving). Have a screwjob finish at Elimination Chamber and keep some things to come back to later on.

Its a real risk. Sami could lose his heat for various reasons - his storylines given to him by WWE could suck. But if Sami is not able to remain hot for 6 to 12 months while chasing after Reigns, he arguably had limited chance of being really hot as a champion if they put him over now.

And other obvious thing of course -- it might not be about the WWE choosing who to run with now. They may just not want Sami winning the title for even a short term at a big event, which is unfortunate.

 

[orangenauburn]

I agree and disagree on various things - or at least can find a way to rationalize what the WWE is doing even if its a major risk because Sami may never get hotter.

Would the moment of Sami beating Reigns be a bigger moment / pop than Cody beating Reings. At this point absolutely.

The time to become champ though is not always when it would be the best moment - it could be when your character is developed enough, has the right opponents lined up, to be believable for some sustained period as champion. A concern for both Cody and Sami, but I think moreso for Sami because his singles character is not that well defined post bloodline. That being said fans may not be concerned about Sami having a title reign of any length- they may just want the moment.

I think what might be best for the WWE and for WWE fans (longer term) is to go to Cody at WM - let me explain. Wrestlemania moments are nice - but we still have to put up with this stuff for 365 days in between! Cody as champ, and Sami chasing as a non bloodline member (and getting screwed) might make better quality content post WM

The WWE is in an odd position - they have two great stories for new champions heading into a WM. Something they don't typically have - they typically have no options. Both have tremendous equity with fans right now, perhaps not seen for a new champion since Daniel Bryan.

The WWE has to choose one. The thing is the Cody character is what he is and that really is at its peak. They really have nowhere else to go with him at this point - its go time and his character won't really develop its identity any further. Cody chasing post WM wouldn't be compelling - but Sami chasing, developing himself as a strong standalone guy, getting screwed by the Bloodline still has legs.

The problem (or maybe better viewed as an opportunity) with Sami is that his character is still largely tied into the great mesh he had with the bloodline - they all played so well of each other, and while Sami was the star, it goes nowhere without the presence of the champ Roman.

So I think Sami could benefit from developing the strength of his "singles" character further before making him champion. Like Daniel Bryan, the chase for the title only made him stronger and believable after ultimately winning You can go back to this Bloodline stuff after WM -- a lot of weaving parts still remain in the storyline, and Reigns may find a way to retain one of his titles post WM (Heyman could always do something conniving). Have a screwjob finish at Elimination Chamber and keep some things to come back to later on.

Its a real risk. Sami could lose his heat for various reasons - his storylines given to him by WWE could suck. But if Sami is not able to remain hot for 6 to 12 months while chasing after Reigns, he arguably had limited chance of being really hot as a champion if they put him over now.

And other obvious thing of course -- it might not be about the WWE choosing who to run with now. They may just not want Sami winning the title for even a short term at a big event, which is unfortunate.

Agreed.

Sami could become Mick Foley like in his pursuit and ultimate achievement of gaining the title.

Give it to Cody. Let him have it. Let Seth take his shot at it versus Cody. Hell, let the Miz get his one off against Cody for it. Cody still holds it.

Sami goes into the post WM battling bloodline off and on throughout the summer - everytime he comes close to winning an event or lower level title the bloodline is in his way.

Say SummerSlam comes, and Sami is in a program with Sheamus or Rollins or Gunther for the IC belt.

And as the year carries on Cody retains the title, and Sami rolls along at varying events getting denied by the bloodline.

Get to the royal rumble and the last two guys are Sami and Jimmy Uso, and Jey goes to interfere and costs Jimmy instead.

Sami gets his title shot at WrestleMania and the bloodline starts to split into two factions, with The Rock coming back on the side against Roman Reigns.

This sets up a title shot that the bloodline disrupts allowing Cody to retain, only for the interference to be called out and a new title shot happens on the following Raw.

Sami takes on Cody and as the one faction of the bloodline comes to interfere, the other faction with The Rock comes down and prevents the interference and Sami wins the title.

This could then set up Sami and Gunther or Seth, or Cody v Gunther / Seth in the future.

 

[KaiserUEO]

Sami, Cody and to a degree Gunther…are who will have to carry WM and after.

It’s possible, just has to be written right.

 

[OrangeDW]

Sami, Cody and to a degree Gunther…are who will have to carry WM and after.

It’s possible, just has to be written right.

Which, if the past holds up, theyll bring in a 50+ year old whose prime was in the Attitude Era, a celebrity, and Brock in the main spots.

I don’t see the big deal about Cody. He’s fine but he’s not that big of a deal. I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.

 

[orangenauburn]

Which, if the past holds up, theyll bring in a 50+ year old whose prime was in the Attitude Era, a celebrity, and Brock in the main spots.

I don’t see the big deal about Cody. He’s fine but he’s not that big of a deal. I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.

Rated R superstar will end up in a title match against Cody and win it, only to lose it to Lesnar, who then goes on to lose it back to Roman.

Something like that?

 

[NineOneSeven]

Just recently tuned back into WWE, but I don't Bray. Indifferent for me. Looks like some strong negative feelings here though.

 

[jncuse]

Which, if the past holds up, theyll bring in a 50+ year old whose prime was in the Attitude Era, a celebrity, and Brock in the main spots.

I don’t see the big deal about Cody. He’s fine but he’s not that big of a deal. I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.

I think Cody is fine in a short to mid-term transitional high carder / champion role.

Sami probably is similar in that regard - they are 37 and 38 respectively, and the WWE needs some guys to pull them through the next few years and I think they can be huge in that.

 

[jncuse]

I think the one really important thing that Cody proved is that guys could come from being stars or stagnant in AEW and come to the WWE with a fresher coat or story.

It was a good development for fans and wrestlers -- you want top wrestlers that are perhaps stagnating in either company, to be able to get a fresh start in the other.

 

[jncuse]

Agreed.

Sami could become Mick Foley like in his pursuit and ultimate achievement of gaining the title.

Give it to Cody. Let him have it. Let Seth take his shot at it versus Cody. Hell, let the Miz get his one off against Cody for it. Cody still holds it.

Sami goes into the post WM battling bloodline off and on throughout the summer - everytime he comes close to winning an event or lower level title the bloodline is in his way.

Say SummerSlam comes, and Sami is in a program with Sheamus or Rollins or Gunther for the IC belt.

And as the year carries on Cody retains the title, and Sami rolls along at varying events getting denied by the bloodline.

Get to the royal rumble and the last two guys are Sami and Jimmy Uso, and Jey goes to interfere and costs Jimmy instead.

Sami gets his title shot at WrestleMania and the bloodline starts to split into two factions, with The Rock coming back on the side against Roman Reigns.

This sets up a title shot that the bloodline disrupts allowing Cody to retain, only for the interference to be called out and a new title shot happens on the following Raw.

Sami takes on Cody and as the one faction of the bloodline comes to interfere, the other faction with The Rock comes down and prevents the interference and Sami wins the title.

This could then set up Sami and Gunther or Seth, or Cody v Gunther / Seth in the future.

Largely agree. But if the WWE does think that Sami could be a champ his final comeuppance and victory for the title has to be against Roman / not Cody. Not sure if they want him as champ though, which is unfortuante.

But if they do this path to me seems much simpler.
It appears Roman is going away for a while.
Have an injury angle where Zayn gets destroyed, and leaves TV sets for 4 or 5 months. It then gets out that Roman put the hit on him.
Have Roman come back and win one version of the titles at or before the Rumble.
Have Sami come back from his injury, win the Rumble or overcome other challenges to get to and beat Roman at the next WM.

It doesn't allow for the momentum to really get away from them. Worst thing that can happen is to see someone too much on their slow brand of TV and then things get dull or tired - its sad when the best strategy at times is to hide someone from TV for a while, but its the WWE.

 

[OrangeDW]

Largely agree. But if the WWE does think that Sami could be a champ his final comeuppance and victory for the title has to be against Roman / not Cody. Not sure if they want him as champ though, which is unfortuante.

But if they do this path to me seems much simpler.
It appears Roman is going away for a while.
Have an injury angle where Zayn gets destroyed, and leaves TV sets for 4 or 5 months. It then gets out that Roman put the hit on him.
Have Roman come back and win one version of the titles at or before the Rumble.
Have Sami come back from his injury, win the Rumble or overcome other challenges to get to and beat Roman at the next WM.

It doesn't allow for the momentum to really get away from them. Worst thing that can happen is to see someone too much on their slow brand of TV and then things get dull or tired - its sad when the best strategy at times is to hide someone from TV for a while, but its the WWE.

My feeling is that when they try to give the people what they want to give them(Cody for sure….just watch, Roman as a face lol), it doesn’t work.

Sami is the new version of 2014(?) Bryan. Guys don’t get this over very often and angles don’t get this hot very often. Roll with it! Give the people what they want!

 

[jncuse]

My feeling is that when they try to give the people what they want to give them(Cody for sure….just watch, Roman as a face lol), it doesn’t work.

Sami is the new version of 2014(?) Bryan. Guys don’t get this over very often and angles don’t get this hot very often. Roll with it! Give the people what they want!

I can't argue Cody makes more sense than Sami, but it just doesn't appear that is the way they are going to go. Which is why I am trying to rationalize a way to still get to Sami in the end and how it could work.

But there are 2 months to go so things can change.

 

[jncuse]

Part 1 - Owens / Jericho Split nearly 6 years ago today.

I was thinking the other day when was the last great WWE TV storyline that you knew was going to end in a split - and the split delievered. And it almost 6 years ago today.

That storyline and their interactions, like the Bloodline was easily my favourite part of the show, and like today while much of the show could be fast forwarded anytime you saw them you watched it.

More comedic than the bloodline, but still that final turn by Owens against the narive Jericho had been teased for about 3 months. And the final split moment was spectacular.

Not as great as the bloodline (which was epic) but it was great stuff.

Couldn't find a full video of their final split, but a 2 parter. Here is part 1. (As an aside, did Jericho ever age after this especially when he had put on the weight)

 

[jncuse]

Part 2 Owens-Jericho Split

Jericho did a hell of a job of enhancing and legitimizing Owens as a champ. Once they split, it really hurt Owens -- or at least the WWE never game him a chance.

 

[jncuse]

Part 3 Jericho-Owens Split

The split was great, and the timing (February 13th) seemed right to lead to something big at Mania -- i.e Owens vs Jericho for the WWE Title. Instead the WWE found away to really screw up the final blowoff to this feud.

About 2 weeks later Owens lost to Golberg for the WWE Title -- with Jericho's interference.

They then had a match at WM that didn't really deliver, wasn't for any titles, and wasn't placed at a high place in the card.

Jericho has mentioned that the way feud played out after the split, and the bad placement at WM 33, really soured him on the WWE.

Neither really benefitted from it. Jericho may have left because of it. Which is a shame because it was a great story.

 

[OrangeDW]

Daniel Bryan is still the best wrestler in the world. I’d be a lot more interested in WWE if he was around and in a big spot. Just watched his match from last night…man, he’s the best.

 

[Shawn91111]

Went to Smackdown on Friday with my son at Mohegan Sun Arena. I have been watching the late 90s Raw and Smackdown episodes on Peacock and one thing I noticed is the amount of crowd signs has really decreased. Also, the amount of adults carrying around replica championship belts is staggering. I can see kids, teens doing this, but 40 year old adults doing it is weird. In the casino there was a guy who had a belt around his waste, the NWO spray painted belt on one shoulder, and the Million Dollar belt on his other shoulder.

The best match of the night was a dark match after the tv show ended, which was Bray Wyatt vs LA Knight no DQ.