cm funk

This is very silly I'll eat my hat if the "big plans" with New Day involve HH. No way, no how......that's not happening I'm expecting The Rock to help out New Day to cement their face turn. IIRC remember when Rock was on RAW the one time in the build up to Mania? Who did that involve? New Day and League of Nations. What else would he possibly be doing on the show? Also, this whole "redacted" thing is very obnoxious, Bixenspan. It wasn't even funny the first time I'm more wondering, when it comes to Mania, what's up with Austin and HBK? You know they'll be there because it's Cowboy Stadium and it's WM, but they haven't even been teased in the build up. I assume they'd do "surprise" run-ins in the Taker-Shane HIAC, and I'm expecting Vince to eat a Stunnner.......but who knows?

Obviously......so why speak on something you admittedly know nothing about? I feel like I made this same post with JVK a while back....... I don't talk about the indies or modern lucha or puro on this board because I don't watch enough to feel qualified to have an opinion on the quality Why even say something stupid like "I don't watch so I don't know shit" and then proceed to continue You at least stumbled on one thing.......WWE's booking sucks. But if you can't see Enzo's charisma (or the charisma of many of the NXT talent that you wouldn't even know because you don't watch the shows)......you're as clueless as the idiots at WWE BTW......thought it was a fun show in a bottle.......but the booking was so strange. Who the hell decided to book that Sami-Stardust match that way? I like Cody......but he's been a complete joke......and if Sami is going to be in a big match with the IC Champ why the fuck book that like that when he hasn't had a main roster TV match since the one with Cena and showing up in the Rumble (I know he had the tag on SD!......but still.....wtf)

Very bummed to hear this news Was never the biggest fan of his......but I had a lot of respect for him. Both as a performer.....and moreso for his fighting spirit after the injury. I'll fully admit to tearing up seeing pictures of him backstage at a WWE show and being treated like a rockstar with everyone wanting to take pictures with him......and that getting out of a wheelchair and going in the ring again video I need to watch more prime period FMW. I tend to fall more in the category of being an Onita or Gannosuke fan......but maybe I'll rediscover Hayabusa RIP

The production on these "out of house" type of things starts long in advance. CM Punk was in some of their cartoon stuff and by the time they were released he was already out of the company.

Taker, Brock, Cena, Jericho and AJ belong in the conversation IMO. Not saying any of them are the GOAT......but they at least belong in the conversation for various different reasons I'd add Nakamura and Joe.....but I don't consider them "active roster" yet I'd also add Big Show to the list.....but I realize that won't be popular on this board.....so I didn't say it

Foxy actually started getting pretty good at one point. She's a victim of not having enough ring time to keep improving/not regress and WWE caring more about her being a pretty face that's good at charity stuff and USO/Tribute to the Troops stuff

They could totally have the serious female wrestlers on one brand and the "attitude era" eye candy girls on the other. I like both, but a separation between the two wouldn't be the worst thing, and it would spare us from having to watch pretty girls who have no business in the ring struggling and failing and dragging other girls down with them I so welcome the idea of a brand split. I was actually a big fan of it in the mid 00's. The shows were different. Just the fact that they had different writing teams and different creative was a good thing. It also created a lot of intrigue when they had the few co-branded shows where you'd see guys interact who hadn't crossed paths before or at least in some time. Of course they ended up watering it down and the drafts hurt it......but the concept was very solid and worked for quite some time. And they absolutely have a deep enough roster to do it again. SD already feels different now with Mauro announcing and a clear deviation where it doesn't just feel like RAW's sloppy seconds every week. But.....I'd like them to go a step further. I don't need to see Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose on both shows every week. And on the flipside, there is a ton of good talent on that roster that barely gets used. Tyler Breeze could be a star on the main roster.......but it's never happening the way things are set up now. As a SD talent where he gets character time like had in NXT.....absolutely

However they are dismissive and end discussions. Therefore they are not good at all. I generally agree, at least for this board.....however......joeg warrented that response God Bless You Johnny Sorrow

hahahahahha that was way better than my response to this joeg fella

I'll stop short of calling you an idiot and just say......you're wrong Are you even watching the TV? The best stuff they're doing right now IMO is the AJ Styles push. Will he be a main eventer? He's AJ F'n Styles. He gets over. And if we've learned anything from recent WWE......they can't deny

It's seriously getting tough to read some of the WWE threads on this board. I love this place, but man.....if you seriously think they brought in AJ to not get him over you're just.....I don't know. I'm pretty sure AJ is happy right now. And if you thought AJ would immediately be pushed straight to the top.....well......I don't know what to tell you. WWE is not NJPW

They don't want Styles over? Seriously? They debuted him #3 in the Rumble to face off with their Golden Boy to a huge pop They've programmed him with Jericho who's a WWE legend who specifically came back to put AJ over They've given him a great entrance with Titantron pyro and the announcers treat him like he's a huge deal They paid him a LOT of money They debuted him straight to the main roster which hasn't happened for ANY other outside guys They're pushing his merch like crazy They don't want him to get over? fuck outta here

Small nitpick, Meltzer doesn't do the live PBP coverage of RAW, it's some dude named Jeff Hamlin. The byline is right at the top of all the articles at F4W/WO Shane coming back is very interesting and injects some much needed life into the Mania build. It got MAJOR online buzz all over the freaking place. 7th on Google trends right now. I don't believe he'll actually wrestle......Cena is dropping hints all over that he'll be back......and Taker wrestling for Vince/The Authority doesn't make sense......but let's see where it all goes. It's at least intriguing. Thought that was a pretty good RAW. Ambrose is looking like a million bucks as this pesky lunatic who's too crazy/stupid/tough to back down from the baddest man on the planet. This is legit cement as a top star making stuff. I loved his "KISS MY ASS! I told you I was indestructable....." line. Brock is both amused, annoyed and grudgingly gaining respect for Ambrose. Ambrose is gonna look like the toughest SOB in the WWE in defeat. That street fight is gonna be hella fun and likely the best thing on the show. New Day vs. Lucha Dragons/Neville 6 man was a lot of fun When Jericho hadn't turned on AJ yet and shook his hand last night I figured this might lead to a team......or this could just be the setup for a delayed turn. Not sure where this is going. AJ/Jericho vs. New Day could be really good.....not sure what the point of that segment with League of Nations last night was though..... Naomi-Sasha with the Becky run in and Charlotte setting up the #1 contender match (I still think it leads to a 3 way) was well done No Owens or Ziggler and no mention of them on the show was odd.....and nothing hyped for SD that I noticed which they had been doing a really good job of since the USA move..... I always welcome blood in angles. Not gonna complain that only HHH (and Brock, and Taker) gets to break that rule....it made that segment. Overall good show that got the ball rolling on a lot of Mania stuff

I watched it live, then saw the GIF that was online. I didn't catch them laughing either time

Also, remember when the original plan was HHH vs. Rock with Steph and Rousey in the respective corners? That's more exciting than anything they have lined up, and the tease was one of the best "WM Moments" ever......but they shouldn't have teased it if they couldn't deliver.....and the UFC and Hollywood stepped in quickly to say "No." Rousey most likely won't even show up, and the Rock's vague "see you at WM.....where I'll be doing.....something?" isn't exactly a selling point The fact that I'm hearing rumours of Bill Goldberg and that maybe they changed Ryback's gear because they want Goldberg.......wtf

Titus has spent long periods of time on c-show banishment but I don't remember him ever being outright off TV. When did this happen? I don't remember exactly when.....it was a couple years ago IIRC.....where he just disappeared for a while with no explanation.....he wasn't doing public appearances or B/C show stuff either...... Also, considering how much charity stuff Titus has done, and the mainstream appeal and attention that Titus has gotten, and being an ex Florida Gator.....and knowing what a boner Vince has for that stuff......including USO tours that Vince goes on and it's only a couple of the boys and a couple of the divas and it's seen as a bonding experience........something about this just doesn't add up to me......there has to be more to it than just grabbing Vince's arm from behind unexpectedly and it being on camera. And if that's really all it was.......Vince really is losing his marbles......

I'm hoping they pull some rabbits out of their hat.....but I'm not terribly optimistic. Cena being injured put them in a major bind......because I'm pretty sure they were going to do Taker-Cena this year. Now Taker doesn't have an opponent. I think Owens and Taker was a viable top match.....but they've screwed that up with Owens on a losing streak to Dolph Ziggler, after losing the Ambrose feud. I don't know what the heck they're doing with Owens at this point. The first time they teased Owens-Reigns in a multi man tag the crowd went nuts.......then they gave it away on free tv and booked it to suck. Then they renew Zayn-Owens in the Rumble......and it hasn't even been mentioned on TV after the fact and Zayn is booked with Nakamura the night before Mania. At this point I expect Owens to be stuck in a random car crash ladder match And who the hell is Taker going to be wrestling against. At a WM in Dallas where they're hoping to set an attendance record we should really know his opponent by now.....and with the injuries and bad booking I can't think of any match worthy of that spot And, they've changed HHH's match like 3 times already......and I don't think anyone really wants to see him and Roman in the main event I think Brock and Dean Ambrose would be fun......but if that's the direction what were they doing with Bray and Brock? And if they do Bray and Brock......well, it's stupid given how little they've protected Bray. That's not how you book a guy you want wrestling your most over guy on the biggest show of the year. And where would that leave Ambrose? I'm afraid the answer to most of these questions is they book on a Waffle House napkin.......and it's really telling how guys like Austin, Rock, Batista, HBK etc who have FU money and other gigs don't seem to want anything to do with this show. I will die laughing if they get desperate enough to bring Hogan back for this show, or if they wheel out Linda or Shane thinking they'd be draws. Do they even have any big celebrities lined up? Usually if they did (LT, Tyson, Mayweather etc.) they'd have started the program already. Could they get Trump again or is he too much of a legit presidential candidate to do it? It's actually the kind of crazy thing I could see Trump doing.......

Yeah he has beef. He thinks that the WWE didn't treat him right in his last run. Supposedly he was promised certain things that never materialized, he didn't like how he was booked to stand in the ring letting Stephanie slap his face and glasses, and he was quickly reduced to henchman by the end of it. If Batista was happy with them, he wouldn't have left again so quickly and he wouldn't have turned down an offer to do something at Mania this year. He's actually talked about it quite a bit. He wanted to come back as a heel.....he prefers being a heel.....he would have been a "cool heel" that ended up being cheered.....just like he was when he left the company. He also hates scripted promos. He's basically shit all over WWE creative. Once the Bryan thing took off like it did he was fine being there in the role he was in......but there's a reason he's been shitting on the company since then. I'm glad he told them to fuck off when they proposed guest ref for HHH v. Roman to him. I'm pretty sure they pitched that to Austin too and he told them to fuck off, and now he's talking like he won't even show up to Mania. I'm pretty sure he'll be there, but some of his comments make it sound like he's pretty frustrated with WWE creative too..... As for the Titus thing.......when I saw it happen live it looked like Vince had an aggressive overreaction to being unexpectedly grabbed......turning around looking for a fight and shoving Titus like he did. The fact that people in Vince's inner circle were advocating a longer suspension or a firing blows my mind. Bryan Alvarez was in the crowd and he said it was hard to see what happened.....but he thought maybe Vince reacted the way he did because he thought it was a fan attacking him? I can totally believe that Titus was just emotional in the moment and grabbed his arm and said "ladies first". He also probably thought they were off-camera......that thing went so long, longest overrun in RAW history, and had gone to the Network.....how would he know if they were still on air? I didn't see Vince or anyone on stage wearing an earpiece to get cues from backstage......and "after the show is off the air" is a traditional thing where guys loosen up, play around and go off script. Also, Vince still horses around with the boys, works out with the boys.....how would Titus know that touching him on camera would get him a 90 day suspension. And the fact that they almost immediately reduced it to 60 tells me that they immediately realized it was a major overreaction......but didn't want to look weak by admitting that they were wrong. I also have to agree with sentiments earlier that comparing this to someone grabbing Adam Silver is nonsense, and comparing it to a "real world job" is nonsense. Also, Titus was taken off TV for no reason that we know of before.....and 90 days is a 2nd pop.....and they had him to job to Adam Rose of all people earlier in the show.......so I'm willing to at least entertain the idea that this was a staged coverup for a failed test that they didn't want the public to know about because of how much charity work and stuff with kids he does. This is the WWF we're talking about......they have a long history of covering up drug suspensions and trying to work the public and the sheets. I'm not saying that that is the case, but this is too weird of a suspension to not think it might be

It's hard to take JVK seriously when he admittedly doesn't watch WWE and only checks out the big shows like Rumble, Mania etc. So he would have missed all those RAWs and PPVs where Reigns got strong babyface reactions. The Rumble crowds are some of the smarkiest, most hardcore of any WWE show of any given year. They booed the shit out of Rey Mysterio when he came in #30 two years ago because he wasn't Daniel Bryan. They turned on Roman Reigns and the Rumble match last year because Bryan got tossed/didn't win. These reactions do not indicate him being "100% rejected". As others in this thread have noted, and from what I've read, he gets some of the best babyface reactions on house shows. He's over with women, kids and a lot of guys. It's just when you put him in front of the uber smart fans they reject him because he's the company guy and their favorites aren't getting the push that feel they deserve As others have said, it's really down to bad booking and the feeling he's being forced on the fans, and it's not unique to Roman Reigns. Also, there's a lot of tv and ppv crowds that just aren't very vocal for anyone, which is a much bigger problem than just Roman Reigns As far as merch, I don't know how well his merch sells, but when you watch WWE tv shows you see a lot of it in the crowds. I do know that that August '15 list (you should always source your material btw) isn't going to be very representative because they ran 3 huge sold out nights at Barclays Center in Brooklyn (NXT, SummerSlam, RAW) and did a whole week of events in the city for SummerSlam. Most of their merch for the month was probably sold that week in NYC. Barclays is their new homebase in NYC and that brings out the most hardcore smart fans. That's why you had Balor so high on that list, and Jushin Liger who came in for one opening match at the NXT show. Also Roman was cooled down at that point, working a never ending midcard feud with Bray Wyatt. I don't think that that month of all months is indicative of their general merch trends. I'm not the biggest Roman Reigns fan either, but I like the guy well enough, and I think it's important to be fair and not intellectually dishonest

As a 13-14 yr old budding workrate mark I thought it was cheesy as hell........but I did like Sullivan and the never ending stream of ever more ridiculous monsters. Now I kind of love it as primo wrestling cheese and actually have fond memories of it Sullivan has said it was totally catered to Hogan who still wanted to market to little kids, so he set out to make it as ridiculous as possible. I'd say he'd succeeded. Another reason Sullivan in that 95-97 time period is one of my favorite booking runs

It's sad that they've been on POP for two weeks and had a "PPV" and nobody even bothered to bump this thread

How did I miss this thread until now? I'm going to lay down an unpopular opinion knowing this board, so take it easy on me. I hate blowjob babyface tag teams specifically The Fabs and The Fantastics. The only way they work for me is that I'm rooting for the Midnight Express or whoever to fuck them up. I've always been "meh" about the RnR Express. I liked the Rockers a lot. I liked The Thrillseekers. But in general I have always been a heel fan and I especially hate the beefcake blowjob tag teams I love Sabu. Terry Taylor never did anything for me. I didn't hate him, just found him boring. Same with Mike Rotundo. I like UWF Terry Taylor well enough, and I liked the IRS character.......but yeah, the times I liked them were few and far between I'm a pretty positive person who has respect for just about every pro-wrestler, even if they bore me, so trying to come up with guys I can't stand is tough. I don't care much for a guy like Tanahashi and I'd rather watch a Dino Bravo match from late 80's WWF.......so I'm definitely on my own planet when it comes to these things 3 of my all-time faves are Greg Valentine, Dick Slater and Ronnie Garvin.....so I at least have something in common with the general mindset of this place

Bruno vs Andre is a great choice. Bruno vs Morales was the first Showdown At Shea. Not much more they could come with that matchup. The Bruno-Pedro curfew draw at Shea is actually a very, very famous match, surprised JVK didn't remember about it. It was an incredibly rare babyface vs. babyface big match for WWWF at that time (72 IIRC). I've never watched it in full, but I've been lead to believe it's very boring and tedious.....and I personally don't care for matches that long. And I like both guys and their babyface formula, but I can't imagine the two of them for over an hour being watchable

Edge over RVD & Cena in 2006 but that had outside circumstances too so before that I think it goes all the way back to Austin over Angle in 2001. Chris Jericho beat Batista for the WHC in a cage match, Nov. 2008. That's the match where Batista famously bladed and the two of them and the agent (Malenko IIRC) got laid with heavy fines which Dave paid

Late to this thread, but the obvious problem in 95 was the lack of depth on the heel side and credible challengers for Diesel. I like the idea of turning both Luger and Razor heel. Razor was floundering in the mid-card after losing the IC belt to Jarrett. Luger was completely wasted in the Allied Powers team with Bulldog. The face side was top heavy already with Diesel, Bret, Taker and HBK post-Mania. Backlund was killed dead by the Diesel squash, Owen had had his run on top against Bret, and Jarrett was too chickenshit and comedy to be taken as a WWF Title threat. Luger was ripe for a heel turn at this point. The fans were really behind Bam Bam's face turn, so I wouldn't change that. Now, WWE didn't really do shit with him as a babyface, but they could have. The other major problem was the lack of depth of the roster as a whole, and there wasn't a whole lot out there. This was the year they brought in lots of Smokey Mt. and USWA guys, pushed Barry Horowitz, etc etc. They did bring in some interesting talent like Candido and Sunny, Louie Spicolli, Shane Douglas, Hakushi, Al Snow, Savio Vega and others. They had the opportunity to sign guys like Guerrero, Benoit, Sabu and other indy darlings of the time but passed on them for a variety of reasons (too small, conflicting Japan commitments etc). I'd also, obviously, ditch the New Generation stuff and go in a more serious direction a year-year and a half earlier than they did. The audience was ready for it and both WWF and WCW were slow on the uptake that year