Coffey

This is the type of shit that I could roll on all day about. I know you made this thread with me in mind, Loss, so I appreciate it. I think it's a good, thought provoking topic too. I'm going to kick my shit up a notch by randomly throwing in some pictures too. Just for the fuck of it. We only have a few replies and already you can tell that people are undecided about the brand split. It does have it's strengths and weaknesses. Some of the strengths include things such as drafts that garner interest. Also, interbrand matches always seem to come off well, such as HBK/Angle from 'Mania. The downside is that you don't get to see all of your favorite people on each show. The plus side, theoretically, is that you would get to see more people on each brand. Personally, I still don't know how I feel about it. I think I'm glad it's there. If it weren't, we'd have two entertainment shows. Imagine if the Diva Search was on both shows? What if the main event scene was Triple H Vs. The Undertaker again? No thanks. So, I'd leave the brand split. What I would do, however, is totally revamp each brand. A general couple of changes would happen to both shows, such as eliminating GM's, Ref Bumps, etc. Then each brand would be like a different company. Smackdown could have the high-flying cruiserweights so maybe Raw could have the over-the-top-rope-equals-DQ rule reinstated? How about on Raw you have to give up by tapping out but on Smackdown you have to verbally quit? Give Smackdown a ramp that connects to the side of the ring...it'd make for some more unique cruiser spots. I agree that Raw needs a makeover. I think the three man commentary team is a step in the right direction. They need to do more than have off the wall characters and a bunch of skits though. It's still a wrestling show. If I had my way, WWE would be back to four PPV's a year. I know that they can't do that because PPV's make too much money for the company but when there's fewer PPV's it makes them more special. Just like title matches. Wrestlemania, Royal Rumble, Summerslam and Survivor Series. The Series would be back to five on five matches. Summerslam could have the yearly gimmick match, which appears to be either Hell in a Cell or Elimination Chamber nowadays. The Rumble would be the same and 'Mania would be the yearly blowoff. The end of the season so to speak. I'd get rid of the IC, one of the tag and US titles. I know this won't be a popular opinion. I love the IC title and it's lineage but nowadays it's an afterthought. Look at Sheltons reign. He had a long reign which was acknowledged. He never defended the belt and no one cared. People were more excited to see The Texas Tornado win that bitch. So, just let it go away for awhile. I remember when it was gone last time and I thought it was a terrible idea. Austin brought it back, said it was one of the most important titles that he ever won and instantly gave the title legitimacy again. Then the booking and shit just took it back to where it's at now. Sad. I'd replace all of those belts with a Television title. I think WWE should start doing a Clash of the Champions type show too. A big show that's almost like a PPV but it's on free TV. Big things will take place though. When was the last time you saw a title switch on TV that mattered? Have the TV champion defend his title at each TV show. That means Raw and Smackdown. I figure the Clash would be interbrand, so obviously he'd be there. With the "B" shows seemingly going away, it wouldn't be too much workload I don't think. Not if you put the belt on a workhorse. Make it so that wrestling talent is the focal point of the TV belt. People like Benoit could hold it and not look like they've been demoted on the shows. People like Val Venis could hold it and not look like a jobber with a midcard belt. Sort of like the Pure Wrestling Title in Ring of Honor. At least that's what I'd like it to be like ideally. The continuity point that Loss made is a HUGE one. I remember reading about someone whom used to work for WWE and he had a big posterboard with magnets that showed who couldn't interact with who due to past altercations. WWE needs that again. Like Loss said, they need to acknowledge the past more too. When Hassan calls himself undefeated, why not bring up the DQ against Benoit? Talk about Big Show being a former world champion. Talk about the F-5 being used in the past by Brock Lesnar when Matt Morgan does it. Little things like that go a long way. Obviously WWE isn't proud of everything that's went down in the past but that shouldn't make it so they just straight ignore shit. Lita turns heel so that means she has to randomly befriend Snitsky? He still aborted her fucking baby...even if Kane is the one that fell on top of her and she was dumb enough to get into the ring. He still stalked her and chased her. She should hate his ass. I don't think WWE should have such established finishers like they do. I wish it were more like Japan. Kawada's powerbomb is a big deal, for example, but in main events, the first one never gets the win. Finishers should be last ditch efforts after all the other moves didn't work. They should be scouted more so that opponents are looking for them so they can reverse them. Why can't Triple H win with an Indian Deathlock or his Spinebuster every now and then? Why doesn't Batista win with his Clothesline anymore? I think title matches should be bigger, more professional spectacles. Sort of like they do in Japan and/or boxing. Each wrestler comes out to their theme and then waits in their corner. The announcer doesn't introduce them as they're walking down the ramp but instead does it when both wrestlers are in the ring. Introduce them by name, height, weight and location. Then whatever title they are at the time, like World Heavyweight Champion, or former eleven time champion. Have the face off in the middle as the referee shows the title to both wrestlers and the crowd. I'm a big fan of the boxing type press conferences as well. When the champion and the challenger get together in a hype session before the match where they call each other out and make predictions and shit. Abandon women wrestling. It's not going to catch on with the crowd. Especially while Lawler is on commentary and making a mockery of it at every second. Trish worked hard and got to where she's at. No one else seems to want to put in the effort. Jazz was fired. Victoria doesn't matter anymore. Trish is still on the shelf. Lita is the shits. You can't have a division, let alone a competitive title, with that shit. Go back to having male managers and valets. Let Stacy be the modern day Miss Elizabeth. She just stands at ringside and claps. Occasionally distracts the heel. Something like that. She shouldn't be doing bra and panty matches or any of that shit. I always thought that Trish would work great with Hunter. Even though he doesn't need her, she'd get a huge rub from him. Kindof like how Shane Douglas was always the champion and had a hot woman with him. Flair would still be around. So, Triple H would have the brains (Flair), beauty (Trish) and ability (himself). Then, at least in my eyes, he'd be more credible when he was dominating the entire roster. I don't think WWE should bench him. He hasn't been on Raw in two weeks and I've already started to miss him to a degree...mainly just because last nights show was so awful. It'd be great if it happened and WWE acknowledged the past with Trish and HHH. Remember the feud that Trish and Stephanie had? When HHH was teaching Trish a hammerlock in the back? Acknowledge that shit. This was mentioned somewhere else, I think Something Awful, but they really shouldn't play a wrestlers entrance music during a run-in. It's awkward. I'm a big fan of sneak attacks. Especially when they come from the crowd and it's someone unexpected. I'd mark out now if Sting were to randomly show up and Scorpion Death Drop someone. I think WWE should continue to bring in big names. Their age shouldn't matter as long as they can still go. Even if it's just like NWA used to do. Have former champions or whatever show up, get a pop, and be on a title committee or a judge for a title match in case it goes to time limit. Something like that. They could use Vader, Steamboat, Windham, Nikita, Backlund, whomever. I think WWE should hire Konnan and make him the mouthpiece for the Mexicools. Konnan has a good look is a decent enough wrestler and the crowd can actually understand him when he talks. If WWE is really getting rid of the "B" shows, just cut the extra weight instead of having the workers on the roster all fearing for their jobs. Let them pursue careers elsewhere where they might get over and actually be allowed to showcase their talent. I'm sure RoH or TNA would pick up Val Venis or Akio. You know what I'm saying? They're never going to do anything in the company, so just cut them off. Bring back the big blue barred cage matches where the only way to win is to climb over the top and touch the floor. No door. No pinfall/submission. The cage is lowered over the two wrestlers before the bell rings. I'd take that over a Hell in a Cell anyday. It keeps people out (in theory) and keeps people from running away. Stop showing backstage shit. It's dumb. The occasional interview in front of a backdrop is fine. I don't want to see wrestlers walking to the ring, Goldberg style, or a cameraman trying to catch up to something that's going on. If it's important it should happen in front of the live audience. I hate how in one skit we're supposed to acknowledge that the cameraman is there but in the next he's supposed to be invisible. I know that WWE has the Highlight Reel and Carlito's Cabana now but I think they should have their own sets instead of just being in the ring. I'm thinking like the Barbershop, Piper's Pit or The Brother Love Show. I think it's better that way and you don't have to waste time by building, removing the in-ring shit. This is a big pet peeve of mine. WWE needs to quit taking commercial breaks in the middle of a match. ESPECIALLY on taped shows. What the fuck, seriously? I'll add more as I think of it. Great topic!

Good point, but wasn't it reported that he was wrestling on Smackdown?

That seems shitty. Why are they so nosey? Yeah, he missed a lot of work, so he should be disciplined for that, however I can't understand all the investigative work to see why he really missed work. It's not that big of a deal.

I was kinda lookin' forward to Jindrak and Christian meeting so they could acknowledge the comment that Christian made towards him. "You know I beat him!" Well, I guess they can do it with Tomko but that wouldn't be the same. What the hell would Chavo have to do with Kane, The Big Show, Val Venis and Viscera? That was pretty random. I feel sorry for Regal. What the fuck can he do on Smackdown? Then again, he never did a whole lot on Raw. They stuck him in random tag teams with Eugene and Tajiri. Of the people traded, now that apparently the "B" shows are leaving, I wouldn't be surprised if up to eight of the ten were fired before the year is out.

Raven & Perry Saturn Eliminators Fabulous Freebirds (Hayes & Garvin) Strike Force

I recorded Raw on Monday. I've rewatched the Diva segment probably four or five times now. It's still a trainwreck which is why I'm guessing the ratings for that segment were so high. I really like that black chick, Krystal. I'm actually going to vote this year to give her my support. I couldn't believe how big her jugs actually were when she took off her top.

Eh, I figure the coke-fiending plant makes the final two. The black chick is hot but she's just a token, don't lie to yourself. I bet the blonde bitch whom pulled out her entire ass and had a weird accent will make it far. We'll see, unfortunately.

New Age Outlaws, Demolition, Powers of Pain & The Dream Team

Cena's pop was definitely louder than Hogan's. I think the crowd initially was disappointed that it wasn't The Rock. I even went back and rewatched the tape from last night to confirm my belief of this before making this post/statement. Hogan's cheers picked up in the match. The crowd was chanting for Hogan and wanted to see the Legdrop. Opening entrance pop though, Cena's was the loudest. I guarantee you that the brunette bitch in the diva search, the one that drank the beer and wore sunglasses, is a plant. It looked like she was wiping blow from her nose on her way from the backstage area when it showed all the bimbos coming out of the dressing room. I'm pulling for the black chick. She was real hot. I can't watch Flair matches anymore. He's done. Everytime he goes to take a bump, I cringe and fear for his safety. The first hour of the show flew by. I looked at the clock expecting the show to almost be over, and it was only at the halfway point. It dragged on after that though, which is a shame. Lita was looking good last night too. Super juggage. I marked for both The Big Show and Rob Van Dam because I like them both and can't watch Smackdown.

Match #1 - 3 Count v Jung Dragons Yung Dragons To be honest, I didn't really like either team that much. The Jung Dragons had Jamie Knoble and didn't have a shitty dancing gimmick though. Match #2 - Barry Windham & Dustin Rhodes v Los Guerreros Los Guerreros Ugh. Eddie Guerrero is why I'm voting this way. Match #3 - Booker T & Goldust v Nasty Boys The Nasty Boys ...because they were a real tag team. Not just two randomly slapped together single workers. Match #4 - Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho v Natural Disasters The Natural Disasters ...for the same reason that I picked the Nasty Boys.

Anyone ordering the show? It seems as if WWE is trying to put on a "super show" of sorts to follow up the ECW PPV. I just want to point out that the IC match didn't get a spiffy picture on WWE.com like the other matches did. Shows how important that belt is to the company.

Brainbusters (Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard) British Bulldogs (Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith) Demolition (Ax & Smash) Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray & D-Von) Edge & Christian Fabulous Freebirds (Hayes/Gordy/Roberts) Hardy Boyz (Matt & Jeff) Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart) Hollywood Blondes (Steve Austin & Brian Pillman) Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Stan Lane) New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg & Billy Gunn) Outsiders (Scott Hall & Kevin Nash) Rick & Scott Steiner Road Warriors/Legion of Doom (Animal & Hawk) Rock & Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty)

Hi.

WTF? That's retarded.

I sure hope that proves to be false, much like the Big Show rumor. I want to see Trish again and I don't get UPN. Up until her injury, she was the best character on Raw, not to mention the hottest.

Holly's really not bad. People just shit on him for being a bully. He's decent enough in the ring though.

If HBK went to Smackdown, there's a TON of people that he could wrestle with that aren't named Eddie. Rey Misterio, JBL & Carlito just to name a few. Not to mention Randy Orton is over there now as well. There's no guarantee that HBK would stay a face but, more than likely, he would. So of those listed, only Rey doesn't seem probable. Hell, he could reteam with Jannetty and randomly feud with MNM.

Just another reason why I hate him. I've been waiting for him to leave the ring for longer than I've been bitching about Lawler/Ross on commentary. Ugh.

Is that Austin/Flair match the one where it was a "pure wrestling match" that said punches were against the rules? So, they just chopped the whole time.

Earl Hebner is one of my, if not the, most hated men in the business. He takes me out of every single match that he's refereeing because his count elimates near falls.

They're wrong.

I don't understand what this sentence means. Abbreviation for association. Steph didn't want Heyman associated with the show.

You're misunderstanding me. I agree about Sandman and New Jack. It was vital. I disagree about everyone else. It wasn't vital but it was important not to be WWE.

Eh, I don't think it's so much that it was vital to their gimmick as much as this was an ECW show and the fans didn't want to hear the wrestlers WWE themes. Especially in the case of Jericho and Misterio. At least that's how I felt. Lance Storm & Tommy Dreamer, for example, had generic versions of the real songs that they came out to in ECW. I don't understand how they can have Thunderkiss '65 for the entire ECW dudes at the end but not El Phantasmo for Lance. It's the same artist! Tommy's Man in the Box rip-off reminded me of old WCW shows. Where everyone just had generic mainstream songs.

Benoit/Guerrero was the shits. There's no way it was as good as Jericho/Storm.