Is the empire crumbling before our eyes?

[flyonthewall2983]

LA Knight sounds like someone whose name you’d only find in the PWI ring results from some really cheap indie show. 

[MLB]

Very split crowd for/against LA Knight on pWo.  

[strobogo]

LA Knight is a name you'd find in the 400s of the PWI 500 in 1998

[Al]

Looking at that PWI 500. J.R. Ryder, J.T. Lightning, J.P. Hogg, J.B. Jammer, J.B. Destiny, J.T. Coleminer, J.C. Ice.....

[strobogo]

I rest my case.

[sek69]

The jabronis in the bottom third of the PWI 500 don't get themselves over in two different national companies (and yes jokes aside, Impact is a national company). 

Also LA Knight is a WWE invented name anyway. 

[KawadaSmile]

LA Knight was over in NWA as well! He cut a slightly inebriated promo that was amusing.

YEAH

 

[MLB]

Perhaps it is worth mentioning in this thread that WWE has not been impacted by the ongoing WGA strike because they are non-union. One wonders how different the shows would be if WWE were affected by a work stoppage.

This topic might deserve it's own thread, but it raises some of the issues that WGA is striking over. Will we eventually get AI wrestlers and promotions? Can machines book angles?

How do you think WWE will incorporate this technology into their product?

[KawadaSmile]

I'd think they would be doing it right now if the results were decent. Or maybe they are doing it but WWE verbiage is so ahead of its time that we didn't notice?

[strobogo]

TK said he tried to use ChatGPT to book a show but it had too much going on to be useful. 

 

A few examples of ChatGPT booking a show in the style of various bookers

Dynamite by Bill Watts 

Spoiler

Title: AEW Dynamite: Watts' Revolution

Date: [Choose a specific date]

Venue: [Choose a specific venue]

Opening Segment:
- The episode kicks off with Bill Watts standing in the center of the ring, surrounded by the AEW roster. He addresses the audience, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to shape AEW's future.
- Watts announces the creation of the "Watts' Revolution," a series of changes aimed at enhancing the integrity and competitiveness of AEW.
- He emphasizes the importance of wins and losses, promising that rankings will truly matter going forward.
- Watts announces a tournament to determine the inaugural AEW Television Champion, with the finals taking place at All Out.

Match 1: Tag Team Showcase
- The Young Bucks vs. Santana and Ortiz (Proud N' Powerful)
- Both teams showcase their high-flying and hard-hitting styles, leaving the crowd on the edge of their seats.
- After a back-and-forth battle, Santana and Ortiz score a surprise victory over the dominant Young Bucks, setting themselves up for a future title shot.

Backstage Segment:
- Watts is shown backstage, discussing the importance of respectful competition with wrestlers and staff.
- He announces the return of time limits for all singles matches, to encourage wrestlers to push themselves to their limits and create more urgency in the ring.

Match 2: Women's Division Clash
- Thunder Rosa vs. Serena Deeb
- A hard-hitting, technical showcase between two of AEW's most skilled female wrestlers.
- The match is given ample time, allowing both competitors to tell a compelling story and leave a lasting impression.
- Thunder Rosa secures the victory, earning herself a shot at the AEW Women's Championship in the near future.

Promo Segment:
- CM Punk makes a surprise appearance to a massive ovation from the crowd.
- Punk expresses his admiration for the new direction AEW is taking under Watts' leadership.
- He challenges anyone in the locker room to step up and prove themselves against "The Best in the World" in a match at All Out.

Match 3: Grudge Match
- MJF (accompanied by Wardlow) vs. Sammy Guevara
- This match is filled with personal animosity and high stakes, as both competitors aim to settle their differences.
- The intense encounter culminates in Guevara hitting a breathtaking 630 Splash, securing the victory over MJF.
- Post-match, Guevara extends a hand in a show of respect, but MJF walks away, refusing to accept it.

Main Event: AEW World Championship Match
- Darby Allin (c) vs. Jungle Boy
- In a hard-fought battle, two of AEW's rising stars face off for the ultimate prize.
- The match showcases their athleticism, resilience, and determination.
- After a back-and-forth contest, Allin manages to retain his title, narrowly escaping Jungle Boy's finishing maneuvers.
- The show ends with Allin standing tall, celebrating his hard-fought victory as the crowd gives him a standing ovation.

Closing Segment:
- Bill Watts returns to the ring to address the crowd one last time, thanking them for their support throughout the evening.
- He promises more exciting changes and opportunities in the weeks to come, keeping the focus on the integrity of competition and building new stars.
- The episode ends with the AEW roster joining Watts in the ring, celebrating the start of the "Watts' Revolution."

 

Raw by Eddie Graham 

Spoiler

Title: WWE Raw: Graham's Legacy

Date: [Choose a specific date]

Venue: [Choose a specific venue]

Opening Segment:
- The episode begins with a video package highlighting Eddie Graham's legendary career and contributions to the wrestling industry.
- A spotlight shines on a podium in the middle of the ring, where a microphone awaits.
- Stephanie McMahon welcomes the audience and pays tribute to Eddie Graham, acknowledging his impact on WWE.
- Stephanie announces that tonight's show is dedicated to honoring Graham's legacy and promoting the values he stood for.

Match 1: Technical Showcase
- Daniel Bryan vs. Cesaro
- Bryan and Cesaro deliver a masterclass in technical wrestling, showcasing their technical prowess and athleticism.
- The match is given ample time to breathe, allowing the audience to appreciate the artistry in the ring.
- Bryan secures the victory with the "Yes! Lock," paying homage to Graham's commitment to technical excellence.

Backstage Segment:
- Stephanie McMahon is shown backstage, discussing the importance of storytelling and character development with the wrestlers.
- She emphasizes Graham's belief in the power of compelling narratives and encourages the talent to bring their best performances to the ring.

Match 2: Tag Team Action
- The Usos vs. The Revival (FTR)
- A hard-hitting tag team encounter between two of WWE's premier teams.
- The match highlights the classic tag team psychology and innovative double-team maneuvers that Graham was known for.
- The Usos pick up the victory, solidifying their position as one of the top teams in WWE.

Promo Segment:
- A spotlight shines on the entrance ramp as Ric Flair makes his way to the ring, paying tribute to his longtime friend and mentor, Eddie Graham.
- Flair reminisces about their shared experiences and the lessons he learned from Graham about the importance of passion and dedication to the business.
- Flair vows to continue carrying the torch of Graham's legacy and reminds the WWE Universe of the impact Graham had on wrestling.

Match 3: Intercontinental Championship Match
- Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. Sami Zayn
- A highly competitive match that showcases the technical abilities and showmanship of both competitors.
- The match tells a story of Zayn's desperate pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship, while Nakamura defends his title with precision and flair.
- In the end, Nakamura retains his championship, but Zayn leaves the ring with newfound determination, vowing to come back stronger.

Main Event: WWE Championship Match
- Bobby Lashley (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
- A clash of powerhouses, reminiscent of the intense battles Graham was known for promoting.
- The match is hard-hitting and physical, with both competitors leaving it all in the ring.
- McIntyre hits the Claymore Kick, signaling a potential victory, but Lashley kicks out at the last moment.
- Lashley counters with a spear, retaining his WWE Championship and showcasing his dominance.

Closing Segment:
- Stephanie McMahon returns to the ring, expressing her gratitude to the WWE Universe for honoring Eddie Graham's legacy throughout the evening.
- She encourages the fans to continue supporting WWE and the values that Graham embodied.
- The episode concludes with the entire WWE roster on the stage, paying their respects to Eddie Graham, ensuring that his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of the wrestling community.

Wrestle Kingdom by Vince Russo

Spoiler

Title: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom: Russo's Unleashed Chaos

Date: [Choose a specific date]

Venue: [Choose a specific venue]

Opening Segment:
- The show kicks off with Vince Russo making a surprise appearance, addressing the NJPW faithful with his trademark enthusiasm.
- Russo announces that tonight, he's going to bring his unique brand of storytelling to Wrestle Kingdom, promising surprises and twists like never before.
- He promises to deliver an unforgettable night of unpredictable action and compelling storylines.

Match 1: Chaos vs. Bullet Club Showdown
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White
- The match starts off as a technical showcase but quickly descends into chaos as members of Chaos and Bullet Club interfere.
- The referee is rendered powerless as chaos ensues, with both factions brawling inside and outside the ring.
- The match ends in a double count-out, leaving the fans stunned and eager for more unpredictable action.

Backstage Segment:
- Russo is shown backstage, revealing that he has signed a "mystery wrestler" to make an impact later in the show.
- He hints at a potential power shift in NJPW and teases further surprises to come.

Match 2: Cruiserweight Showcase
- Hiromu Takahashi vs. El Desperado vs. Will Ospreay vs. Taiji Ishimori
- A high-flying, fast-paced match that pushes the boundaries of the Cruiserweight division.
- The action spills to the outside as the competitors execute jaw-dropping dives and aerial maneuvers.
- In a shocking twist, Russo appears at ringside and declares the match a no contest, claiming that none of the competitors deserve to win.

Promo Segment:
- Russo returns to the ring, flanked by a new faction called "The Unpredictables."
- He delivers a passionate promo, asserting that NJPW needs his creative genius to shake things up.
- He challenges the entire NJPW roster to prove themselves in the coming weeks, promising even more shocking developments.

Match 3: Tag Team Championship Match
- Dangerous Tekkers (Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi) vs. Guerillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa)
- The match starts off as a traditional tag team encounter, with both teams showcasing their technical skills.
- Midway through the match, the lights go out, and when they come back on, the members of The Unpredictables are attacking both teams.
- Russo declares the match a no contest and proclaims that there will be no champions until someone can impress him.

Main Event: IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match
- Kota Ibushi vs. Tetsuya Naito
- The match is a hard-hitting, back-and-forth affair, with both competitors displaying incredible athleticism and determination.
- Just when it seems like Ibushi is about to win, Russo's mystery wrestler makes his entrance and attacks both Ibushi and Naito.
- Russo declares the match a no contest and announces that the mystery wrestler will face the winner of this match at a later date.

Closing Segment:
- Russo stands tall in the ring, smirking at the chaos he has created.
- He promises that the next NJPW event will be even more unpredictable, with more twists and turns that nobody could have seen coming.
- The episode ends with Russo's laughter echoing throughout the venue, leaving the NJPW faithful bewildered and eager to see what happens next.

 

Something a little more specific: an 8 week Punk vs Starks program with the intent of making Starks a main eventer.

Spoiler

Week 1:

- CM Punk makes a highly anticipated return to AEW Dynamite, delivering a passionate promo about his love for professional wrestling and his desire to challenge the new generation of talent.
- Ricky Starks interrupts Punk, asserting his own talents and claiming that he deserves the spotlight.
- Punk, intrigued by Starks' confidence, proposes a series of matches over the coming weeks to determine who truly belongs in the main event scene.

Week 2:

- CM Punk and Ricky Starks engage in a non-title match, showcasing their in-ring abilities and charisma.
- The match is competitive and hard-fought, with both men displaying their unique styles and athleticism.
- Punk picks up the victory but shows a hint of respect for Starks' performance, setting the stage for their ongoing rivalry.

Week 3:

- Ricky Starks, frustrated by his loss, delivers a scathing promo on CM Punk, accusing him of being a part-time wrestler who is stealing the spotlight from hungry young talent like himself.
- Punk responds with a promo that addresses Starks' claims but also hints at a darker, more aggressive side of his persona.

Week 4:

- CM Punk and Ricky Starks compete in a Falls Count Anywhere match, escalating their rivalry to a more intense level.
- The match spills outside the ring and throughout the arena, with both men utilizing the environment to their advantage.
- In a surprising turn, Punk unleashes a vicious attack on Starks after the match, showing a darker side to his character.

Week 5:

- Ricky Starks, recovering from Punk's attack, delivers a defiant promo, vowing to prove that he is a true main event player.
- Starks challenges Punk to a rematch at the upcoming pay-per-view event, promising to expose Punk's true colors.

Week 6:

- CM Punk and Ricky Starks compete in a No Disqualification match, ratcheting up the intensity of their feud.
- The match is brutal and hard-hitting, with both men using weapons and taking risks to secure victory.
- Starks showcases his resilience and determination, pushing Punk to his limits but ultimately falling short.

Week 7:

- Ricky Starks, battered but not broken, delivers an emotionally charged promo, acknowledging the respect he has gained from the audience despite his loss.
- Punk interrupts, acknowledging Starks' growth and admitting that he sees shades of his own past in Starks' hunger for success.
- Punk offers Starks a mentorship, stating that he will help him reach his full potential.

Week 8 (Pay-Per-View Event):

- CM Punk and Ricky Starks team up in a tag team match against a formidable duo.
- Throughout the match, Punk guides and encourages Starks, showcasing their chemistry as a team.
- Starks secures the victory for their team, pinning one of their opponents.
- After the match, Punk raises Starks' hand in a show of respect, officially anointing him as a main event player in AEW.

This 8-week program would present a compelling storyline where CM Punk showcases shades of gray in his behavior, ultimately elevating Ricky Starks to the main event scene. The program would emphasize Starks' growth as a performer, building him up as a legitimate threat while showcasing Punk's willingness to mentor and push the new generation of talent. By the end of the program, Starks would be firmly established as a main event player, with his future in AEW looking brighter than ever.

 

[MLB]

Wow, that's incredible.

[Dav'oh]

AI is humourless, colourless and lacks personality, like (insert least favourite wrestler here). And I don't know if you can teach AI that stuff, or get it to use non-formulaic syntax and grammar, or to use the vernacular (really, every eighth word should be "fuck" or similar).

[MLB]

Yeah, it's a bit dry but provides a very solid framework to color between the lines and/or spice up the language used.

[Alucard]

the "wrestle kingdom by Russo" one posted above was hilarious 

[Stiva]

I watched the last two weeks of ROH and, after reading those, that feels like an AI booked show 

[Coffey]

I found it interesting the talent that the A.I. decided to use. Darby Allin Vs. Jungle Boy in the main event of a Bill Watts show? C'mon...

[MLB]

That's a great point, @Coffey. I would've tailored the roster more to Watts's style before I ran a scenario like that through AI. It might be a flaw in AI that it didn't recognize the type of wrestlers Watts would've promoted.

[strobogo]

You'd have to get real detailed in the prompts to get something like that. 

[MLB]

So based on speculation, it sounds like we're going to get the return of Bray Wyatt at SummerSlam to start a program with Cody. Reportedly, WWE hired new writers for Wyatt, and I think Cody is over enough where this might potentially get Bray back on track as a heel.

For all the creative successes WWE has enjoyed of late, Wyatt's utter bomb of a return was a significant failure and blemish. A total disaster after all the vignettes they aired, Bray went from getting 10 minute entrances, standing ovations and careless whispers from the Undertaker, to being completely taken off TV.

Can Wyatt get back to being a headliner for WWE? It will be interesting to see since they have been on such a hot streak otherwise.They have invested a lot into Wyatt, he has a very close relationship with Vince, and it's important for WWE that he becomes a special attraction.    

[NintendoLogic]

What an incredible turn of events it would be if the current WWE boom came to an end because they just couldn't help themselves from trying to make Bray Wyatt happen.

[sek69]

Interesting how WWE seems to think the reason long term characters work is the gimmick itself not the performer. They tried to make Lex Luger the new Hulk Hogan, They tried to make Wyatt the new Undertaker, and they've tried to make tons of folks the new Rey Mysterio. It never seems to occur to them it was the charisma of the people doing those characters/gimmicks that made it work in the first place. 

[Zoo Enthusiast]

Sudden urge to sell my Summerslam tix.

[KawadaSmile]

Codymania running wild through its Dungeon of Doom phase. The third man turn is happening in a couple of years, I guess.

[DMJ]

Yeesh. God bless Cody for agreeing/wanting to work with Wyatt, but, man, what a poor decision.

I think there was a news blurb many moons ago about Roman not wanting to be involved in anything with Wyatt, correctly seeing that it would force him to do corny overacting the same way he watched Seth and Cena do. 

For Cena, I'm in the minority that thought the feud worked - but mostly because Cena was way more of a "Hulk Hogan"-type: objectively uncool and geared towards kids. The jorts. The jingoism. The over-the-top "I'm just having fun" attitude he gave off even in feuds that should've/could've been more serious. I think Cena also relished in getting to tap into that Dungeon of Doom cheesiness in a way that Brock or Roman don't see their characters doing. (The same way, say, Ronda would've probably balked at working with Bray while Alexa Bliss saw it as being an opportunity to do something weird and creative, for better or worse.)

Seth Rollins had to pilfer pieces of Asuka and Nakamura's acts to reinvent himself after his ill-fated Wyatt feud.

And, as much as I've always been willing to acknowledge that Wyatt has his fans and his appeal and that, done right, there's money in the act: if you peruse places like reddit or the "Twittersphere" (gag), where Wyatt had consistently been praised by a respectable amount of fans, he is significantly less popular than he was before his last comeback. It really seems like his defenders were willing to stay on his bandwagon until this last run, which was just so objectively shitty that it is now near-impossible to be a fan of the character.

Even his staunchest ride-or-die fans seem to have gone into hiding as, whether its accurate or not, there is a feeling that Bray was given an opportunity to do his whole Wyatt 6 story but that every element we saw was incredibly stupid and lame. I think lots of his fans and those of us who were sometimes on-the-fence about him no longer care that he didn't get to execute his "full vision" because even the glimpses we saw were supremely cringe. Most fans recognize we don't need to eat a whole plate of shit to know what it is. The first few bites were evidence enough of what was on the menu.

But good luck to Cody for seeing if he can somehow make it work. I think he'll be fine no matter what...but Wyatt will be back off TV by November.

[Timbo Slice]

Cody is a carny at heart and the two families have been close over the years so I think in his mind he can make it work.