Wrestling Thread

[zackmorris85]

surely Cena vs Rock II kinda shits all over the once in a lifetime bollocks? Never stopped the 'E before I guess!

i completely agree, even with the dvd release "once in a life time cena/rock" coming out through silvervision that they would just let it be a one off thing but you're right, if vince thinks it will sell again (which it will) then he will more than likely do it, also read an interview with nash regarding an NWO comeback, with cm punk being a member.... now that would be quality......

[CMD]

I was thinking it might be a Punk vs Rock vs Cena triple threat at Mania.

[CMD]

Spoiler: show

Seth Rollins became the first ever NXT champion at last nights tapings.

[yournewaesthetic]

Smackdown's main event was great. There were some fantastic spots. When executed correctly, fatal-four-ways can be awesome.

[MikeyG]

Spoiler: show

Seth Rollins became the first ever NXT champion at last nights tapings.

Spoiler: show

yeah I read that Triple H came out to congratulate him too. NXT excites me greatly now. Especially with JR and Regal on commentary.

[Jammer]

is nxt a wwe thing? is it on sky?

[MikeyG]

You can find the latest NXT episodes on youtube no problems. Don't think they show it on Sky?

NXT was WWE's own thing, and FCW was the WWE's developmental federation. The two have since merged, with FCW evolving into a bigger thing, and NXT devolving to make better use of the WWE superstars and their developmental superstars. It works really well I think. Gives the midcarders in the WWE a chance to excel in a smaller arena amongst really promising new wrestlers.

[snot90210]

i watch NXT on Monday night, Sky Sports before RAW

Little behind real time but its all there

[Pants]

FCW definitely isn't a bigger thing now, they're still running Live Shows but they're not taping anything for TV at the moment, they've changed heavyweight champion about 5 times in the past 2 months as well which is a tad strange!

NXT is now definitely seen as developmental with FCW being 'developmental-developmental' so to speak haha

[CMD]

NXT is first shown Thursday nights around midnight-1am but appears on youtube earlier in the day.

[yournewaesthetic]

I quite enjoyed Raw, despite the show being far from extraordinary overall.

Punk's opening promo was delivered well and I guess Orton's return was a big deal. Also, Daniel Bryan is the best thing about WWE currently (and has been for a few months now). His street fight with Sheamus was excellent, much like his backstage segments.

However, the torrent of social media nonsense that Cole and King promote is infuriating. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they advertise a platform of some description while Orton was on his way to the ring? They should be emphasising his comeback, rather than trying to plug an online platform. JR was always fantastic when big names returned.

[hi there, i'm chris]

honestly, i don't care about all this social media stuff. it doesn't take up more than a minute or two at a time and i can easily block it out, especially if the wrestling is good.

i enjoyed raw this week. they used the extra hour well, longer matches and more time for the mid carders. it looks like we'll have an actual important mid card feud with sandow and clay, something which hasn't happened in years. the one thing that annoyed me was how they managed punk right at the end. hated the "i'm the wwe champion, you can't treat me this way" speech. up until then his 'heel' turn had been managed very well, it looked like he was more of a tweener. especially with him not dissing the fans and his interaction with cena, and the way he talked to lawler - explaining his actions rather than heeling it up and beating the shit out of him. but the end made it pretty much clear that eventually he'll be a full blown heel.

[hi there, i'm chris]

also, i don't think they emphasised orton's come back because they never said he'd been away whilst he was suspended, and making a big deal about his return just would have highlighted that he'd been suspended. he didn't deserve a big come back in wwe's eyes and that was highlighted with how he returned against health slater, rather than someone with a bigger profile.

massive pop though.

[MikeyG]

FCW definitely isn't a bigger thing now, they're still running Live Shows but they're not taping anything for TV at the moment, they've changed heavyweight champion about 5 times in the past 2 months as well which is a tad strange!

NXT is now definitely seen as developmental with FCW being 'developmental-developmental' so to speak haha

oh right, I just assumed FCW totally folded. My bad!

Raw just highlighted that Daniel Bryan is fucking excellent. Absolutely phenomenal promos.

Yep, CM Punk heeling has been good until the end, but I still don't mind if they make him full heel. He's fantastic at it, and I didn't want to get bored of him being face, which i was starting to a bit.

Totally agree that the social networking is swamping WWE far too much. Touts springing up, Shazam adverts ruining entrances, it's far too full on. The twitter trending topics is just about bearable, but that's where they should nip it in the bud. They shouldn't let it dictate the flow of the programme.

Talking about the flow of the programme, I tend to watch Raw on YouTube the next day now. The quality doesn't bother me, and they edit it into 2 hours for a length that I can tolerate without the adverts dicking on me.

[CMD]

The Shazam one especially does my head in. "Go on Shazam to find out instantly who's entrance theme you're hearing". Hmm could just look at the screen really.

[yournewaesthetic]

also, i don't think they emphasised orton's come back because they never said he'd been away whilst he was suspended, and making a big deal about his return just would have highlighted that he'd been suspended. he didn't deserve a big come back in wwe's eyes and that was highlighted with how he returned against health slater, rather than someone with a bigger profile.

massive pop though.

They don't need to reveal that he was suspended. It's obvious that he hasn't been on TV for a while and I just thought the commentators should have made it a bigger moment than what it was, rather than cutting to a ridiculous advert. I miss JR.

Totally agree that the social networking is swamping WWE far too much. Touts springing up, Shazam adverts ruining entrances, it's far too full on. The twitter trending topics is just about bearable, but that's where they should nip it in the bud. They shouldn't let it dictate the flow of the programme.

It really is horrific. What makes it worse is how King and Cole introduce the social media elements, especially King, who just sounds like he's reading from a script (and probably is). When King leaves WWE, I'll be overjoyed. I don't like criticising WWE but I have standards.

Bryan really is fantastic, though. If future Raw episodes are as Bryan-heavy as this week's, I'll happily tolerate the show's weaknesses.

[WTFItsCiaran]

Just when you think Bryan can't get any better. Seriously. Insanely awesome effort from him on RAW this week.

[snot90210]

thought RAW was great this week, pretty much all the matches were really good, massive result for Titus going over Kofi, I realise there was outside help but a win is a win...

the Bryan bit where the pictures formed a goat was really funny, really clever and the Lawler/Cole reaction was priceless, always tickles me when they genuinely start laughing at stuff

New Smackdown GM is a little surprizing...

[snot90210]

Chris Jericho spoken word anyone?

http://venues.meanfiddler.com/the-garag ... tured/7663

[Housing Jim]

RAW was okay this week but there were more lows than highs.

First off the 3 hour thing wasn't handled well at all. No one made it on to TV that wasn't usually featured on the two hour show. Instead of showing the Brock Lesner vs Triple H recap from last week twice they could have put in another short match. The tag team match did seem to get more time than it would have on a 2 hour show but apart from that the 3 hour thing was terrible.

The obsession with Tout is already getting annoying. The videos that people send in say nothing of any value. What can you really say in fifteen seconds apart from "WWE is awesome....wooooooo".

The main event between John Cena and Big Show was an utter bore. If it hadn't been for CM Punk on commentary I think I might have nodded off. The best thing about this match was CM Punk repeatedly embarassing Jerry Lawler on commentary. It's about time somebody did so. Lawler clearly was taken aback and didn't know how to react. I hope this is a wake up call to Lawler that his commentary is boring and stale. Or even better I hope they retire him sooner rather than later.

First impression of AJ as GM is that she's terrible. Eve played a similar role as Lauraunitis' executive assistant so much better. I can't see AJ lasting in that role very long at all.

It wasn't all bad. Daniel Bryan and Sheamus had a great match again and Bryan continued to prove that he might well be WWE's future. Alberto Del Rio and Santino were pretty good too and Randy Orton's return was a mark out moment for me as a big Orton fan. I hope this will be a momentary pop return for him before he turns heel shortly after SummerSlam to challenge for the WHC.

[snot90210]

i was frustrated by Lawler just because I know he can give as good as he gets, he is quick witted and could have sparred quite well with Punk on commentary but just... didnt.

whether he was told not too or just froze i dont know but I would have liked him to give a little instead of being a little bitch about it

[Housing Jim]

You can read it that way but I really think that he just isn't capable of providing the standard of commentary that he used to. It's alleged that he just can't be bothered. He is known to never even watch Smackdown and used to have to need cards with pictures of the wrestlers from Smackdown on them so he would know their names if they were to ever appear on RAW.

About the only thing he's useful for now if for a heel to get a bit of heat from the crowd when they insult him.

[WTFItsCiaran]

Chris Jericho spoken word anyone?

http://venues.meanfiddler.com/the-garag ... tured/7663

Just got my ticket. Couldn't refuse the meet and greet...

[snot90210]

Chris Jericho spoken word anyone?

http://venues.meanfiddler.com/the-garag ... tured/7663

Just got my ticket. Couldn't refuse the meet and greet...

what price was that one?

I'm tempted by all 3 of these spoken word shows but the pricings are weird... I have met all 3 people in question too so that isnt as much of a draw. could imagine them being a right laugh though

[Miloskiba_The rebirth]

Good to see Creative have gone a bit batshit forgetful again...

RAW GM - AJ
SD GM -

Spoiler: show

Booker T

Don't remember either of these two auditioning in the run up...