Dave Meltzer stuff

[Strummer]

well it's been confirmed by multiple sources that it was supposed to be Batista/Orton, Punk/HHH, and Bryan/Sheamus. Punk said it on Cabana's podcast and there is no reason why Punk would ever want to push a WWE narrative

[Rah]

There's no reason why they wouldn't purposefully misdirect talent, as well, noting that dirtsheets have inside sources or such news would be bound to slip out. That is, if they wanted to build the narrative that Bryan was kept back and help push the backlash/fanfare behind him.

[Kadaveri]

I think what happened with Bryan is they did always intend to get him back into the title scene, but after Mania. Batista vs. Orton was the Mania title match. Victator's right that Bryan was way too central to the show to relegate him to the midcard long-term; but if him winning it at Mania was always the plan that would mean they sabotaged the Royal Rumble PPV and potentially the whole Wrestlemania build for the sake of a long-term angle. Seems like far too big a risk to take considering how important that Mania was (debut of the Network).

[Jmare007]

I've always believed that Bryan was going to be put in the title match with Batista vs Orton at Mania no matter what. Like, that was a "change of plans" that was bound to happen given what was going on at that time.

 

Now, the whole show focusing on D-Bry's chase and feud with The Authority once Punk left was obviously booked on the fly as Punk's departure wasn't on anyone's plans. HHH showing so much ass for D-Bry and putting him over so strong came out of nowhere and it's hard to believe that didn't happen because of Punk's refusal to have a match with him

[Strummer]

yeah you can say Bryan might have been in the title picture *post* mania but him winning the title at mania was def. not the plan. I'm not even sure he gets it post mania because the plan was to build to Brock v Batista at Summerslam that year. Brock was getting the title at Summerslam that year no matter who was champion (Cena, Bryan, Batista) to build to Roman the next year

[Kadaveri]

But Batista had to leave months before Summerslam because of his Guardians of the Galaxy commitments, so how could that have been the plan?

[Matt D]

I believe it was Bryan vs Sheamus. The fact they were trying to push the Yes chants on to Big Show is telling. I have pretty much zero doubt.

[Loss]

There's no reason why they wouldn't purposefully misdirect talent, as well, noting that dirtsheets have inside sources or such news would be bound to slip out. That is, if they wanted to build the narrative that Bryan was kept back and help push the backlash/fanfare behind him.

 

I can't think of a single time WWE has ever worked online news sources to make a storyline work.

[Strummer]

But Batista had to leave months before Summerslam because of his Guardians of the Galaxy commitments, so how could that have been the plan?

Pretty sure he was going to take time off to promote the film and come back to drop the title to Brock

[Loss]

The whole reason they wanted him as champion was so he could have the belt, err, "championship" while doing all of his PR.

[Strummer]

As a slight aside, Dave's report that wwe was trying to get Extreme Rules 2014 in Seattle (show after Mania) turned out not to be true right? That story went nowhere after being pretty big

[FMKK]

Dave dropped the big five on Almas vs Gargano

[KawadaSmile]

How long has it been since all crowds of wrestling fans reached some sort of consensus? Not that Dave's ratings are any gospel, but I don't remember any other match having EVERYONE go "yeah that's a full five if I ever rated matches"

[Matt D]

Even with the system diluted over the last year or two, it's crazy to think that this is only the sixth WWF/E match he's given five stars to in the history of the Observer following the promotion.

[Flyin' Brian]

Dave dropped the big five on Almas vs Gargano

Wonder what it would have gotten if it happened in New Japan?

[GSR]

 

Dave dropped the big five on Almas vs Gargano

Wonder what it would have gotten if it happened in New Japan?

 

 

Yawn....

[artDDP]

Alvarez has now offered a VOD service for his morning zoo shows.

 

Has Dave ever commented on what Alvarez does on the rest of the audio shows?

[sek69]

Alvarez has now offered a VOD service for his morning zoo shows.

 

Has Dave ever commented on what Alvarez does on the rest of the audio shows?

 

 

Not really, he pretty much lets Bryan do his own thing. As long as it doesn't interfere in his shows he doesn't seem to be bothered by it.

 

FWIW, I think it's a smart move. Bryan gets a side hustle and doesn't have to listen to people bitch that something they don't want is added to the cost of their WON sub. If people want it they can get it separately, and by the way he's talking about it on Twitter apparently it's been a hit so far.

[FMKK]

No idea why anyone would want to pay to watch Bryan looking at his computer while he rants about Nitro or whatever but it takes all sorts I guess

[Strummer]

anyone still visit rajah? Them trying to decipher Dave's speculation/news on WOR is absolutely hilarious

[sek69]

Rajah? That's a blast from the past.

[Flyin' Brian]

anyone still visit rajah? Them trying to decipher Dave's speculation/news on WOR is absolutely hilarious

Still my go to site for mindless speculation and general wrestling headlines.

[SPS]

 

anyone still visit rajah? Them trying to decipher Dave's speculation/news on WOR is absolutely hilarious

Still my go to site for mindless speculation and general wrestling headlines.

 

 

I've never heard of this site, how long has it been around?

[Loss]

Probably 20 years or so. Late 90s for sure.

[SPS]

Wow, I was late to get internet but have been online for over a decade and haven't ever heard of this site. What was it's big appeal? just free internet wrestling news?