Goodear

READY TO GO I'm not really going to go into these because 'ready to go' is pretty self evident. Adrian Neville Sami Zayn Tyler Breeze Kalisto Charlotte Sasha Banks Bayley NEED FINAL TOUCHES Kevin Owens - Needs to show he can survive without the super push behind him where no one has gotten over on him yet. I just want to make sure he can show some ass effectively without messing up the aura he has right now. He's kind of run roughshod on NXT so far and he's not going to do that on the main roster. He's also been around for only 4 months or so and worked Neville and Zayn exclusively. I'm looking forward to the work with Riley to see how he does with a lesser talent. Finn Balor - Needs some character work. Needs some character beyond "paints himself for the big shows" because we have no idea who Balor is at this point even a little. Hideo Itami - Would really like to see him get a finish over as he has a lot of the other things he needs to succeed. A little more character work wouldn't hurt but he's a better character than Balor at this point. Enzo & Big Cass - Want to see them develop some more in ring stuff since their key offense is Cass throwing Enzo into stuff. Cass won't be so much bigger than everyone else on the main roster so they need to bridge that disparity. But the character stuff is all there and ready to go. Becky Lynch - Agree with fakeplastictrees that Beck Beck needs more character pieces. I actually like Corey Graves calling her a fake Hot Topic music fan and I think she should try to work more of that into the act. NEED HEAVY DEVELOPMENT Solomon Crowe - Character work is awful. Awful. Baron Corbin - I like Corbin as a big guy but he's actually a little too fast to be working Giant. Now that the 30 seconds or less gimmick is kind of dead, he needs a direction stat. Aiden English & Simon Gotch - They need a more developed style as they seem to be bouncing from thing to thing in the ring. They really need some mid match spots. Blake & Murphy - Need a hook to the characters and I'm hoping they will toss Carmella into the production as she's a natural heel and a turn on Enzo & Cass will get them some major heat in NXT. A replay of the Woman-Rick Steiner angle would be appropriate right here. Mojo Rawley - LONNNNNG term development. Good size and build for wrestling but his character is bad and his finish is worse. Needs tons of work but could get there. Carmella - Again, I think a tun and joining BAM will help her out. Great finish. Alexa Bliss - Needs to cut down botches and awkward spots. HIT CEILING BELOW MAIN ROSTER - I don't see these guys advancing at this time past were they are. Dempsey and Parker are actually effective in their roles and could get bigger but I don't see that happening. I actually think Parker would be good in a managerial role or as a guy hiding behind a bigger partner (like a reverse Enzo) and Dempsey plays a good gatekeeper but would be better off gaining 50 lbs. LeFort & Dillenger aren't going anywhere and are enhancement talent for new guys. Bull Dempsey CJ Parker Sylvester LeFort Tye Dillenger UNKNOWN Shoot Nation - this is a group of 6 guys including Dawkins, Jordan, Gable, Fulton who haven't really debuted on TV yet despite Dawkins & Fulton doing a job for BAM two weeks ago. I'm cautiously optimistic with Gable doing well in a squash loss to Breeze about a month ago. Dawkins & Wilder - Heavily underused guys who I don't think are going to break out but they shows up so infrequently that I want to reserve judgment. Dawkins especially has some good character ability.

I think booking is causing 90% of the problems the call ups are having with only a few people just not being worth the squeeze. But then I also think the booking has caused 90% of the main roster problems to begin with especially when it comes to murdering the mid card by having them working each other trading wins and jobbing to the stars too often. Mark my words, if you really want to improve the shows there need to be clearer tiers to talent and they need to save key matches for pay per view. With that in mind, you need to have wrestlers to fill out those tiers and having guys come up to fill those roles aren't 'failures' in my mind. I would agree that Bo Dallas has a relatively low ceiling as a WCW television championship level where he wins on flukes and escapes with the title. But that's a good role to fill on your shows! Bo could provide that mid level heat segment on the fifth spot from the top that doesn't burn out the crowd or kill anyone else's spots. Guys like the Ascension and Adam Rose spent so long in developmental that they either had to cut ties entirely or move forward. Adam (as mentioned) got completely derailed with the Bunny stuff and the Rose Buds nonsense and comes off so much better in NXT even as late as a week ago with Tyler Breeze. But again, low ceiling on the card for me and I don't know he does anything that Heath Slater doesn't. The Ascension are not in any way good with Viktor actually being miscast as a 235 pound 'monster' and Konnor being another case where I think WWE doesn't think he's ever going to get any better so they might as well toss him up and see if he sticks (NOPE). The Divas are totally underused on main TV and while I think Emma under performed, no one is going to actually excel in that environment.

The only people that up until now who could even make an argument for that is Sin Cara and Tyson Kidd. Where they are underused and flawed talent on the main roster who get to work on things/mentor younger talent/take larger roles in NXT. Kidd especially took the opportunity to reinvent himself and retool for this tag team run with Cesaro and was able to lay the ground work while main eventing in NXT. But even I would call that a 'trip to the minors to figure stuff out' and not a lateral move and I love me some NXT.

In no way is Solomon Crowe ready to be on the main roster based on what he's produced on NXT television. His character work is actively bad with it basically explaining why the heck he has been in development this long without making tape. Granted he's only 2 in ring appearances in but the beat down on CJ Parker was anemic and the match with Bull Dempsey came off like a enhancement match where the jobber went over, he was so unimpressive.

I wonder if we are calling the call ups 'failures' because they themselves are unable to fill roles or because WWE main roster booking is unable to use them well? I think this is an important distinction that should be clarified before moving forward.

I'm more interested in upcoming matches involving goddamn Alex Riley than I am the entire WrestleMania card. I saw on another site someone point out that the majority of the build for the event is between people that don't even directly interact on a regular basis. Like Bray is building his feud against nothing, Reigns is building his against Heyman and HHH is facing a mute. Its hard to be invested when the feuds have no heat even a little. I watch Raw on Hulu in fast forward mode, barely watch Smackdown and watch NXT every week because stuff seems to actually happen.

I totally thought that producing Matt D was the posting Matt D (I believe my actual words were, "I didn't know he was British")... I'm glad I didn't embarrass myself by private messaging him or them my award winning game ideas. No awards were awarded.

I enjoyed listening to this today and felt the points were well argued and delivered. I'm not familiar enough with the cast to know who is who at the moment, but the voices are different enough to tell apart and I'm interested to learn more. I think framing the conversation in terms of actual laws might be a mistake to be honest. I think focusing more on a 'bad for business' or 'good/bad worker' might be more interesting than trying to prove negligence when you can't really prove that sort of thing? Maybe more 'Guilty of the murder of WCW' would work better? Content wise the only real thing that jumped to mind was when you were talking about drug use making him a bad worker and thinking about all the materials going through Ric Flair and how much it didn't effect his work. I guess The Judge for the show made that point himself at the end, but not with that specific angle.

I think where we differ is that my star ratings assume at least some degree of familiarity with the core concepts of a promotion whereas yours don't really take that under consideration. To me, this match had most of the same major flaws I see when I watch All Japan stuff from that era (limb selling, ignoring macro strategy, finishing stretches that go too long). So to me, having that built in, makes it three stars. If you like that style, you will enjoy this match. If you don't? This will probably not going to change your mind. To use another example, if you don't like current WWE style then you might not like Cena-Rusev (I'm using this as an example only, I've not seen the thing) because it falls into a lot of the current stylistic ruts WWE uses (finisher spamming, finishers are the only way matches end barring roll ups, heels have to cheat). Cena-Rusev will not change your mind regarding that style because it falls into too many of the tropes. Cena-Brock-Rollins exceeded those boundaries and pushed the paradigm somewhat and is more effective as a result.

My star ratings are a little different than other people's but I would go with a solid 3 star effort. For those keeping track. 1 star = Avoid at all costs 2 stars = Only watch if you are a super fan of the people/style involved, there is some value there but will reinforce prior notions. 3 stars = If you are a fan of the people/style involved this is worth watching, but not recommended for non fans. Nothing out of the ordinary for the style. 4 stars = Even if you don't like the people/style involved, this may change your mind. Would be great example of the best of the style in question. 5 stars = Watch at all costs regardless of the style or people involved. Transcends preconceived notions the style or participants brings to the table.

Commonly referred to as a beanie or wool cap down this way. I figure it must be a variation on the soda, pop, soda pop, Coke thing. Watched the first tag match and I have to say I am a bit underwhelmed on how good these All Japan matches are promoted as being. I have found a number of them to be artificially bloated especially when it comes to finishing stretches. The top rope DDT that had Parv gushing meant nothing in the grand scheme of the story and was blown off less than a minute later. Even the death bump to the outside (which rightly should have led to a finish) was ignored so the match could extend another 3 minutes (and chokeslams) which weren't needed on this occasion. The first half of the match features a bunch of limb work that goes absolutely nowhere and was filler like breadcrumbs in a meatloaf.

I had to look up what a toque was. WATCHHHHMAN! I believe "Kenny vs. Spenny" was the betting show Steven was talking about. Parv UNDER SIEGE. Run Parv Runnnnnn!

Arguing about Johnny Valentine in the early 70's "burying" Paul Jones was worth a larf. Sometimes it seems like Pete and Parv want wrestling to be very much the same constantly where certain rules are sacred. In my opinion, it is okay for the loud mouth jerk not to put guys over since that is the reason you want to see them get their asses kicked. It is okay to call Jones a little shit if he's a little shit. Let us not ignore the blatantly obvious like ignoring the fact that Dusty is a husky gentleman or Rey Mysterio is the size of a 12-year old. No one wants a heel that talks like a NFL football coach who doesn't want to give out blackboard material. I now want a Spoiler character like today. He could wear a mask and carry signs with him to the ring. Pete wants Wahoo's leg to go all Suzy Spirit and be sticking out of the meat?

I do care if he loses. I will be happy if he loses! I won't be thinking about how that will effect his future with the company because if there is one thing I am not concerned with, it is that Triple H won't have enough wins for his angles to progress. Because thats insane.

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hunter winning given the WWE vs. WCW narrative being spun. Plus, what is Sting's future? All evidence suggests that at age 56, that this is likely his final match and that WWE have no real plans for him afterwards other than a Hall Of Fame induction next year. Agree with Keith here. Why put Sting over unless they've got some long term plans for him? Because you aren't a total moron and want to pop the crowd sitting there, that day? Triple H is going to do the job because there isn't any longterm plan for him either. Triple H is there because it won't hurt him at all to lose to a 56 year old. Because WHO CARES if Triple H loses. This whole idea that everything needs to build to the next thing is okay for Monday Night Raw or Fastlane or whatever... but Wrestlemania should see stuff end. If the swansong for Sting is one match in WWE where he wipes out Triple H, thats a good thing!

I would say the passing of the torch thing is actually the exception when you look at it with guys getting 'made' into superstardom with an assortment of intangibles leading to a moment that completely defines the character and gets it over. Most guys don't just survive off of wins and if they do, their superstardom only lasts as long as they are winning and have less staying power (see Goldberg, Vader). Lets look at a few examples... Austin - Shawn jobbing to Austin was more of a coronation than a final push to put him over. Of the people that helped Austin be as over as he got, I don't know that Shawn makes the top five . No one looks at that Wrestlemania as the day Austin was "made" since he was already the biggest star in the companty at the time. Foley - Mick didn't get over with wins either rather getting thrown off stuff, pulling a sock out of his tights and having a great promo. I guess you could say Undertaker put him over intially but Foley himself would say his heat was on the wane before Hell in a Cell and only really took off thanks to the interactions with Vince. Shawn - Got over doing high profile jobs to guys at Wrestlmania and... and this makes me gag... stealing the show. Probably biggest break out moment was jobbing to Razor Ramon in the ladder match. Bret - Probably got over to the highest level through television exposure more than one big match considering he made that leap off tape by beating Flair. He was also pushed in an absense of other options since the cubbard was bare at the time. Undertaker - Got over due to mystique than anyone else ever. I don't know the Hogan job really put him on the map since it got wiped out so quickly at Tuesday in Texas and it had interfearance. I would also say the Streak wasn't really a thing until he was already a made man unless you want to say Jimmy Snuka and King Kong Bundy got him over.

Why not throw the strap on Andre if you're hurting for a main guy to carry the standard until you can get Ted over? As it is, he's not even in your tournament and he's the face of the company.

Looking at the card right now, Daniel just doesn't have an opponent worthy to tie up with in terms of booking. Even guys he would have good matches against (Harper, Cesaro, Kidd) are much lower on the food chain than he is. Sheamus isn't a compelling figure to me unless Bryan knocks him out in 8 seconds which would be another waste of your most over babyface. Unfortunately every thing I'm coming up for him to do (including special refereeing the main) seems like such a step down from where he should be. If we had another heel on the rise like Russev, that would be a place to go but no one is ready to be in that spot. I've even considered guys in NXT and none of them would be a good fit here. Sami and Adrian are just too close to Bryan stylistically to make a compelling match and Owens would need more than a month's build to get over to that point. They are in a corner right now with Bryan and there's no way I see of getting out. Fuck it, special referee it is. No I don't know who would name him special referee or why. Cena vs. Russev could go a couple of directions and could benefit from a stipulation like 'I quit' or Last Man Standing. I could see it second from the top again due to the success of the first match up and the likelyhood of being the match of the night. Cena has been killing it this year. Rollins vs. Orton doesn't excite me and doesn't really have long-term implications either because both are bullet-proof at the current time. Rollins doesn't need to win if he still has the briefcase to wave around and he's the number one heel in the company week-to-week. Sting vs. Triple H will be short (under ten minutes bell-to-bell, maybe that long in entrances) Taker vs. Bray is a complete mystery to me considering Taker being a complete question mark at this point in terms of health. I would like to see Bray bring the Family back together because separating them has killed Rowan and done nothing for Harper. I think that might eat up some minutes as Bray working control segments on Taker just is a recipe for a bad time. This also gets Rowan and Harper involved in the show without putting them in a multi-man thing. Dust Brothers, Bad News Barrett and Dean have all lost any chance of major spots due to the failures of Fastlane. They can be cycled to the Battle Royal with Kidd, Cesaro, Usos, Miz and Mizdow and less significant guys. I would like to work a Virgil-slugs-DiBiase moment into the thing for Mizdow to wrap that whole mess up and move on but putting that singles match here seems like a waste. Book Dean to win to put some momentum behind him (finally). I would do Ryback/Dolph against Big Show/Kane in a kick off match. I think Ryback really deserves something meaningful based off his last year and letting him shellshock one of the other jabrones would be a good step in that direction. Dolph can work the heat segment this time. Divas can be ... Bellas versus Paige and Charlotte (as a mystery partner?) in a cool down match

I'm not really making the argument that Daniel should be jobbed left and right but pointing out an error in the line of thinking that the older guys should always be putting over new, fresher talent. I personally believe Wrestlemania especially should be about the present of the company rather than the past (which is what The Undertaker, Triple H and Sting are at this point) or the future (which would be trying to make someone new every year). Wrestlemania should be hottest guys in the company at that particular moment coming to blows in my opinion which would be Daniel and Brock. RE: Harper and Rusev. I recognize that Harper isn't getting the much deserved push and is jobbing way more than he should. By the same token, you can't really push everyone at the same time and Harper and Russev would be in the same sort of category of physical heels that beat down fools.

Sheamus' doesn't have Brock's schedule which means he would have to move on to the next thing much more quickly. Lesnar working four times a year lets everything sink in much, much more. Brock was probably the best option due to that reason. Punk got over without it based on promos and John Cena. I don't think retiring Shawn has ever been something anyone promoted. I get that booking to the future is a good idea generally, but you also have to book for 'right this moment' too. Barrett is not and has never been ready for that kind of spot on the card. The crowd would reject that placement and wouldn't buy him as Rock's equal. Big moments are great. But the bigger problem is the week-to-week guys are overexposed and nothing is allowed to breathe even a little. Harper can't get momentum at the same time Russev is because they pull from the same pile of job guys.

I think at some point people starting confusing John Cena with Triple H in the thought that he should lose every match to anyone who is remotely over. John needs to be protected so when he does do a job, it actually means something. And lets be honest, John jobs a bunch in meaningful matches and is trying like hell to get more guys on his level but has had to hold onto his company ace standing because of things outside of his control like guys quitting, getting injured or working an extremely limited schedule. So no, Cena should not be jobbing clean to guy who is not posed to be the next company standard. If passing the fuck out in his finisher won't get him more over, then doing the same thing without a nut shot won't work either. The whole Seth Rollins thing is almost funny in that while asking to be treated like adults and our intelligence to be respected, we need to see him get a big pile of money or we don't understand his motivations. The manipulative, smart guy in the Shield 'sells out' to the bosses of the company to get ahead and leave his boys behind. Who, by the way, were lauded as being more likely to breaking out at the time. I don't need to see a bank transfer to get it. And also funny is how everyone should make new stars but Daniel Bryan shouldn't put over Roman and put him into position to get more over and 'make' him. Best point of the show was when the agents came under fire more than the booking. This was a failure in layout again after the crap with the Royal Rumble. For example, the Dean Ambrose gets himself disqualified because he is insane and unfocused could work. Imagine if you will, Barrett grabs the title belt but Ambrose gets control of it and beans Bad News for the DQ in a fit of rage. Follow up with him being made even more angry at himself for the mistake and correcting next time. That's a much better way of telling the same story. Much more compelling than not breaking off at five. Granted Jim Ross and Parv might want have wanted disqualifications for throwing punches, but that's crazy talk.

How fast can Parv get the straps off the Strongbows? Is it the first match of the first card?

I think if they did it properly like, for example, they did when Cesaro slammed Show over the top rope at Mania this past year, Roman could have gotten a pop out of it. Now, is Roman even capable of that kind of strength? I have no idea and kind of doubt it but with the eliminations as performed (which sucked major donkey ass) it was doomed. Doomed I tells ya. I also have tons of emotional distance here because I didn't watch the show as it happened and just now watched the actual finish and if I had invested an hour into that I would probably be as fired up as the rest of the world.

If memory serves, his NXT run past was pretty solid with a title match against Neville (10/23/14) and during Sami's Road to Redemption tour (10/31/14). Titus is an odd case though where even when he looks good, he has a moment or two where he looks out of position or lost.

I don't know that the title needs to be defended more on TV but the champion needs to at least be a presence rather than have him just be gone for month-long stretches. Even if Brock just did sit down interviews or Paul was around more often to promo for the guy, things would have a clearer direction.