Current WWE

[Strummer]

I saw it at cageside. The rest of the news is from Bryan so I assumed the title stuff was attributed to him. Guess not. No idea where they got it from then

[Strummer]

http://www.cagesideseats.com/2014/5/24/5746998/rumor-roundup-may-24-2014-daniel-bryan-wwe-title-plans-brock-lesnar-return-more

 

 

 

• The latest word is Daniel Bryan will be appearing on next Monday night's episode of Raw and he will be relinquishing the WWE world heavyweight championship. The idea, apparently, is not to rush him back too soon, instead focusing on his long term health. Bringing him back and having him drop the belts himself gives them the ability to book a segment to gain a ton of sympathy for him on his way out so he can be really hot upon his return. It is expected he'll be right back in the main event scene when he does come back.

• As for what they'll do with the WWE world heavyweight title, it doesn't appear as thought there are any plans in regards to the Payback pay-per-view (PPV). That show is all but totally booked up already and considering the new model with the WWE Network, there's no need to alter current storylines. Instead, they'll build to Money in the Bank, with the current idea being two Money in the Bank matches: One for the WWE world title and one for the briefcase to challenge for it anytime the winner wants over the next year. That could change, of course, but it's one possibility, apparently the strongest one right now.

[David]

Cageside Seats' Rumor Roundup section really should consistently cite sources when listing stuff like this.

 

For what it's worth, I never heard Alvarez say anything about plans for Bryan to forfeit the title on any of his radio shows.

[Stiva]

Against all my better judgment, I like the proposed idea for MITB as long as it doesn't involve the Shield getting mixed up in another break-up angle. I'd actually like to see Batista win the title ladder match, just for the reaction. He's gonna lean into the heel stuff as much as possible and I think that'd get a perfect response. I'd like to see Lesnar take the belt off him and then Bryan take the belt off him but I don't know who I'd give the MITB case too. A Shield guy is probably the safest bet but I just want those guys to run trios matches from now until the end of the decade.

[Blehschmidt]

What if Lesnar wins the title, and Cesaro has the briefcase. Then they can tease Paul Heyman Guy issues.

[anarchistxx]

Batista putting in the most sluggish, tentative, lazy ladder match performance and then getting the belt after a crazy bump takes everyone out would get fantastic heat. For me he is the clear choice to win the belt, you don't want to hotshot it on somebody new as it could hurt them down the line.

[SomethingSavage]

I could see them putting the strap on Batista for now, with Cesaro taking the briefcase. Lesnar could be looming in the wings, as he's practically owed a title shot whenever he returns & demands it anyhow - based solely on breaking the streak.

 

Meantime, Heyman can stall with "allowing" Cesaro to cash in his shot. Every time Batista is vulnerable, down & out, in a weakened state, etc. - Paul steps in and forces Cesaro to resist the urge to capitalize. Slow-build. Slow-burn.

 

Eventually, D-Bry returns and slays the Brotista dragon one more time. They can run their series or whatever. I think they could reintroduce Hunter back into the fold at some point, letting Aitch and Bryan resume their rivalry and properly pay it off as well. Plus there's the lingering HHH/Batista talk about how Hunter never beat Batista back in the day, and so that could be "resolved" to some degree when Evolution eventually disbands again - perhaps leading to a Triple Threat with Bryan as defending champ.

 

With Daniel back atop the mountain and gaining momentum as champ again, Brock seizes the opportunity to strike. Heyman loudly and boastfully trumpets the return of his "number one" client, BAARRRROCK LEZZZZNARRRR. Brock demands the shot, vows to conquer the underdog, and so forth. Cesaro is peeved but stays quiet, of course.

 

There's a number of ways they could obviously take it from there - either with Brock getting a reign for a few months or not. Bryan could be the straw that stirs the drink, planting seeds and ideas in Cesaro's mind, or he could just pursue Brock straight-ahead. Heyman would try playing peacekeeper. At some point, Cesaro's first attempt to interfere in one of Brock's bouts would "backfire." The next time, it would be outright sabotage. Boom. Run Cesaro/Brock.

EDIT: Looking back over my own post, I realize of course that this would involve a ton of variables and "what if" type scenarios. Not so sure I have full confidence in them to keep both Orton and Cena away from the title for that long, for instance.

 

A lot of things hinge on Bryan's health staying up once he returns, too.

 

Then there's the issue of keeping all members of The Shield and Bray Wyatt occupied elsewhere. It's a critical thing to consider, because they MUST maintain a sense of upward mobility and building momentum with these acts. If they don't, then they run a chance of fans growing complacent with waiting for the trigger to be pulled. I know they normally have a good gauge of that sort o' stuff, but after last year's stop & go approach with Bryan? I'm skeptical at best.

 

What about Punk? Call me crazy, but if the guy re-signs & they don't push him to the moon for those first few months? I'd be seriously surprised. "Punishment" of some kind MIGHT come later (and I doubt even that), but no way do they do ANYTHING other than push Punk upon a return. They'll strike when the iron's hot. Besides, the 'E has a history of rewarding that kind of stubborn behavior. Old Man Vince seems to hold a deep sense of respect towards his top-tier guys that show they can live a life separate from his empire.

 

So yeah. So many things that could alter my proposed scenario. I realize that. I just hope I'm right about them holding off on any of the Shield guys or Bray just yet. I think there's plenty of time to give those guys their due & some credible reigns down the road. Cena and Orton can help elevate them or others during the meantime.

 

My fantasy booking scenario calls for immediate future plans to orbit around Batista (possible short term fixer), Bryan, Brock, and Cesaro. Only possible spoiler I'd care to mix up the recipe for would be a white-hot returning Punk towards the end, which could lend itself to a tremendous Triple Threat of Brock, Bryan, and Punk at some juncture.

[David]

On today's Observer Radio, Alvarez said he doesn't expect Bryan will give up the title.

[SomethingSavage]

Finally found the time to catch this week's SmackDown. Heard some good things, so I wanted to scope it out. Fairly good stuff.

 

The Batista/Ziggler rematch was a pleasant surprise. They didn't go overboard with the weaponry, but it was worked really smart. Played off the last bout's finish, played up the stipulation, and helped hype the Payback match simultaneously. I want to say I saw signs of Big Dave finally shaking loose the ring rust, but I'm not so sure. He's still looking a little more miss than hit with me. There were lulls in this match I didn't like, but I don't know if they were intended to sell the physicality - or if Dave was just lying around between a lot of spots. Kind of hard to tell, having just watched it this once.

 

That backstage interview with Renee was the best Usos promo I've seen to date. Can't recall them ever sounding so natural. Just an old-school, smoothly spoken babyface promo. Nothing wrong with that. They were trash-talking, sure. But there was no over-the-top "pro wrestling" feel to it. Would have felt at home in any sport.

 

Even when Cena shows up at the end and DOES pump the "pro wrestling" dynamic into it, the segment isn't killed. Funnyman John Cena doesn't appeal to me very often if ever AT ALL, but he did okay here. Poking fun & mocking Bray Wyatt without resorting to toilet humor or lame jokes. Not bad. Still, I wish he'd play out the remainder of the feud as intense, serious Cena. The story just seems to be calling for THAT more than THIS from him. Maybe I'm in the minority in that line of thinking though.

I'll reserve judgment on Bo Dallas for now. I've seen his entire run with NXT, and I just never cared for the guy's in-ring work to be perfectly honest. The short series with Zayne was perfectly fine, but come on. I don't know if anyone can have a legitimately terrible match with Generico anyhow. Otherwise, I can't recall any one standout performance from Bo. He works a very simple, very safe style. Nothing necessarily wrong with that either, but it's reminiscent of Edge to me. Some praise his work, but I don't see it. Maybe he'll find his calling in gimmick matches - or perhaps the character work will be enough to keep him elevated & afloat - but I don't know. There's just no one thing that defines him or makes him seem extraordinary enough to me.

The Trish bulldog is a lame finish though. That needs to go. Pronto. Even just a traditional bulldog headlock would do the trick. Almost ANYTHING can be packaged and promoted as a finish anyway. But that phony square-dance setup to get off the ropes and back around just irks me. And Bo looks uncoordinated enough WITHOUT doing that sort of stuff.

The bit at the end was great though. Nice, shining moment for his obnoxious heel character. He's playing up the personality strong, and I've enjoyed it a lot on NXT. It's missing a lot of the ingredients already, without any of the groundswell from the fans or them FIRST rejecting him before he goes all cheesy, dimwitted superego on them. But we'll see what happens with it.

 

Enjoyed the heck out of the main event. Really digging the Usos nowadays. But Harper? Man oh man. Harper is a BEAST. Always liked Brodie Lee before, but no way in hell would I have pegged him to do this well in the 'E. So glad he IS tearing it up there though. That charging big boot, where he drops to a knee, is freaking FIERCE. It looks like he drives forward and just force-feeds 'em some leather off the end of his boot. Just an awesome visual, every single time out. And of course the rest of his offense is tremendous.

 

Honestly wish that Cody & Dustin were kept strong on TV and involved with this program. A three-way feud with the Usos and Wyatts would be excellent. Not that what we're actually getting is BAD - but I don't see any benefit in cooling down the Rhodes Brothers after firing them up to get so hot last fall & winter. I mean, they're breaking up one week. And then they're fine the next. Or maybe I'm out of the loop. I don't really follow the rumor mill much these days. Any word on what's being done with them?

[goodhelmet]

Kane may be the least over person on the entire roster.

[Dylan Waco]

None of the top heels are over right now, aside from Bray who isn't even really a heel

[Strummer]

All the heel heat is going to Stephanie and Hunter. Even more tonight. Again not taking anything away from their performances but I can't wait for this Authority stuff to be over. We are going on 10 months of this

[goodhelmet]

Christ, Cesaro being paired with RVD is death.

[Strummer]

Basically Stephanie is the top heel in the promotion and can't take bumps. I guess Hunter can take them for her but still it's frustrating

[Strummer]

That was the least amount of heat a Stephanie/Hunter promo has drawn in quite some time. Maybe the live crowds are getting sick of it. I'm sure the Bryan segment with Steph will do much better but man

[(BP)]

I was hoping Barrett's bad news was that RVD/Cesaro was cancelled. Also, Lawler just lifted a joke from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.

[goodhelmet]

I wasn't listening but was it the "No class' joke? To be fair, I have been using it for ten years in the classroom.

[(BP)]

Yeah the school in summer joke. Are they still advancing the Rhodes brother's breakup story? I haven't seen the full shows a few weeks.

[Strummer]

"What does he mean by skinny jeans sell out?"

 

"Hey you got big legs."

 

 

Okay that made me laugh

[Russellmania]

that was probably the best RVD match you can hope for in the year 2014 and it was still pretty sloppy. Dude calls his spots more audibly than anyone on the roster.

[The Chief]

I love heel Hornswoggle, dead serious.

[tim]

This show is pretty bad so far, other than Cody backstage. I hope they let Rhodes vs. Batista/Orton actually be something.

[goodhelmet]

OK, I know the singing bit was a little catchy a couple of months ago but man does it seem so forced and hokey now. What happened?

[Bierschwale]

Trips intimated that the Rhodes Bros. match will end up as a shitty beatdown or something.

[Strummer]

JBL tries to protect Lawler and gets bet down! Holy shit this could be good