Official WWE/TNA Wrestling Thread

And people pissed and moaned about how bad the booking was back then, too. The number of losses Austin had versus what Ambrose has had is irrelevant. It really is. He is getting cheered regardless. He is teflon, in that regard. Why? Because his character isn't really defined by wins and losses, much like Austin's. Those characters were there to cause havoc, mayhem and buck the system. Ambrose is booked well, in that regard, as was Austin.

Having a DQ loss to ANOTHER talent that the WWE is invested heavily in, is not the end of the world. Neither is losing to Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins and other cornerstones of the WWE's future. It's ludicrous to say that Ambrose is hurt by his high profile feuds that he is constantly in. It is complaining for the sake of complaining.

Again, not saying WWE is perfect. They certainly aren't. But how are all of the internet's favorites supposed to thrive at the same exact time? There are a finiite amount of spots available to slot guys into on a weekly/monthly/yearly basis. Stalwarts like Cena, Big Show, Kane, HHH, Orton, Sheamus, and a few others are going to be showcased. They are solid pros who know what they are doing and can be trusted to bring a bare minimum amount of gravitas to each show. The young guys simply have to get in where they fit in. And I would say that Ambrose, Wyatt, Bryan, Reigns, Dolph, and a few others, have done a pretty good job at that, as has the WWE of trying to keep as many of them looking strong (read, not wins and losses, but their characters) as they possibly can.

If wins and losses and in-ring work rate are going to be your only barometers, then I suggest you watch ROH or NXT. Because the WWE is never going to fully scratch that itch for you. Case in point, Wyatt's theatrics last night were very well received by most people who reviewed the show, and no match ever took place. Yet he still looks good and his character is pointed in a clear direction.

Ambrose losing the way he did is clearly an indicator that he is going to continue the feud. The story arc isn't over yet. The payoff comes at Wrestlemania, most likely.

 

you guys are tough to please.

It was a filler PPV...and for a filler PPV it was damn good.

 

How in the world has Ambrose been booked well? And why is it complaining for the sake of complaining to point out that Ambrose hasn't won a single PPV match since June and hasn't won a single feud he's been in since then and has been made to look like a goof. Sometimes wins and losses do matter, especially for babyfaces. Yes Ambrose has been in high profiled feuds but how many matches has he won in those feuds? None. There's a reason why people like Lex Luger were labeled chokers. You can't sit there and say Ambrose is as hot or over with the crowd now then in the fall. He was the most over guy on the roster in the fall outside of Cena, now he's just another guy in mid card.

I would agree if Ambrose lost those feuds yet looked good or got over more with the crowds but the way he's lost and even the matches haven't done him any favors. At least when Austin lost, he looked like a million bucks and a bigger star. Ambrose hasn't plain and simple. If Ambrose came out of those losses looking better then there would be nothing to complain about but when you have the crowd laughing at your baby face because of a stupid gimmick blowing up in his face (literally) or the ref DQing you for really no reason, like what happened last night, there are clearly issues.

It's funny that you mention Dolph looking strong though. I'm not the biggest Ziggler fan in the world by any means but since Survivor Series when the WWE finally booked him to look strong and the TLC win vs. Harper the WWE has seemingly gone out of their way to de-push him. Again someone like Dolph shouldn't be losing matches to Big Show and/or Kane. Fans like the guy and want to truly get behind him yet the WWE doesn't want to pull the trigger.

For the past 6 months or so outside of Reigns, Cena, Rusev, Wyatt and Rollins the WWE hasn't consistently been booking guys to look good/strong. It's the same 50/50 booking or starting/stopping pushes, so it's no wonder why fans don't really get behind these guys. Hey remember when Cesaro was really over and they started to push him to the moon then the WWE cut his legs out from under him? I'm glad you have confidence that Ambrose will be fine. I'm not so sure right now given the WWE's track record.

 

Ehhh

 

WWE app sent a update to users last night before RAW saying Brock Lesnar would be there.....odd they switched or he didn't show.....maybe wanted to hold off on the Brock/Reigns face to face?

Bryan coming out to jerk off Reigns was pathetic and insulting to wrestling fans.

 

Yeah the Bryan thing did scream, "Hey everyone I know you like me but cheer for Reigns too now". Although I did like the tag match at the end with Bryan tagging himself in and Reigns just smiling because he knows Bryan wanted the spot light. Could turn into an interesting story.

 

I liked the match too. But Bryan literally admitted hes not good enough for the mainevent....which sucks *** and cuts Bryans legs off.

 

WHAT? That never happens in the WWE.

By the way Meltzer reported that Brock was backstage at RAW but the WWE decided not to use him for some reason.

 

I wish he came out with Heyman as Bryan was walking off, to have them go face to face....to see the reaction....would've popped huge!

 

I think that would have been a major mistake if they're fully committed to Reigns/Brock. Something like that would have made a ton of sense before Fastlane now it would just troll the Bryan marks and put more negative heat on Reigns, which is kind of strange why they ended the tag match like that did as you'd figure after the Bryan interview you let him go off to his next feud.

 

Creative is probably just confused and has no idea what to do, per usual.

 

Nah that can't be it the WWE has all of these long term plans. Everyone will be fine, don't worry.

 

Well this is interesting:

According to Dave Meltzer, Brock Lesnar was involved in a backstage situation that the WWE doesn't want to get out. Meltzer says there is "more to the story" and "The story is ongoing and still in progess. I don't think anyone wants it out until whatever it is is settled... but something happened, but what that is, I do not know." Meltzer also added that he doesn't think the situation is bad enough that the WM31 main event is in jeopardy but there "is an unanswered question, and I don't know what it is right now".

Let the speculation begin.....

 

I cant wait to hear what it is...

From a pure speculation standpoint, I would say it has something to do with his contract.

 

Yeah would make the most sense and my guess too but playing devil's advocate would that really be enough to turn into a situation to keep him off TV? Unless he was threatening to walk or not show up at WM maybe?

Could be he got into it with someone (another wrestler or company front office employee) backstage and the WWE felt it best to let him cool off ala a Alberto Del Rio situation.

 

Or Brock didnt or doesnt agree with jobbing to reigns, or even going out there to coddle to Reigns like everyone else was....and he told creative to re-write or some ****....or nothing. who knows lol.

 

The WWE just sent me an email...

The email..is a GIFT....

they sent me a code to get $25 off a wweshop.com order!

All for my 1 year anniversary on the WWE Network. So they gave me back the months they gave away for free!

 

So we have a feud between HHH and Sting where sting doesnt talk, Wyatt/taker where Taker wont show up until WM, and Brock vs Reigns feud where hell show up the last two raws... Great

 

LOL. I got a free Emoji. Even though my service never lapsed for the entire year.

That kind of sums WWE up in a nutshell these days.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3T0YFtlW_U
great promo by Stardust. Get the Attitude out!

 

I'm going to guess he was supposed to be part of the Bryan/Heyman Reigns Love Fest and he said no ****ing way.

 

Meltzer is now reporting Lesnar was upset about his business relationship with the WWE and left the building before RAW ended. Doesn't see like it will be a big deal or effect WM in any way.

 

Again, it is easier to criticize than create.

We all have our favorites and what we think SHOULD happen, without knowing even a 1/8th of what goes into putting everything together, assuming everything goes according to plan, which it often doesn't.

WWE isn't perfect, but there is a reason they are the top company in the world in this genre...because they do things right more often than wrong. Whether we want to admit that or not.

 

There was a huge - and at this point completely unsubstantiated - rumor over on r/SquaredCircle that it wasn't related to that at all, but instead related to a possible failed drug test by Roman Reigns. This rumor went on to say that Brock felt that it would cost him money going back to UFC, as he would be guilty by association.

Again it's completely unfounded ... but if that's the case, wow.

 

Yeah I heard that rumor too but it doesn't add up or make sense to me. We'll see though.

EDIT: Meltzer shot down the Reigns rumor.

 

WWE themselves shot down the rumor.

 

Meltzer is reporting now that the Brock walk out was over his contract negotiations but the exact matter is has been kept quiet. It has nothing to do with creative direction or anything like that.

Also Meltzer has a fantastic article about Daniel Bryan and how the fans are starting to realize it's just not going to happen with him anymore and for whatever reason the WWE really cut his legs off without ever really giving him a chance. He still thinks Bryan will be popular with the fans but basically think he'll be Chris Benoit wrestling career wise where he got his title run to make the fans happy but now his job is to put over the younger possibly future stars and continue to have good matches with everyone.

It's a long article but he makes great points and it's really a great read. It's on his pay site but if you do some googling it's not hard to find.

 

I must say with 3 weeks to go until WM, not sure if it's really smart to have Roman Reigns lose matches, especially when he's not exactly "Mr. Over" in the WWE right now. And it doesn't even make sense or help storyline wise for Reigns. Also don't understand the logic for it either, how does that help people get interested in Reigns' WM match or build up his match or make him seem like a real threat to Brock?

And at the same time Bad News Barrett has now lost 3 straight matches, he's also the IC champion. Wins and losses do and should matter and your champions shouldn't be getting pinned each week (or sometimes twice in a week). This is why I have to laugh when people think if Cena wins the US title and Bryan wins the IC title at WM it will make the belts mean something. But this has been something we've discussed countless times in the past and things won't ever change.

 

The secondary titles are meaningless and have been for quite some time. The tag titles only really matter when The Usos have them (I missed the first hour of RAW so I am not sure if The Brass Ring Club aka Kidd/Cesaro, were even ON TV this week) and the Divas division is a joke, obviously. The only title that has managed to remain important is the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and that is in large part due to Brock's rare appearances and Paul Heyman insanely golden promos.

Speaking of which, I am not sure if Heyman's promo last night with the ic cutting out was planned or not, but it was tremendously done. But for once, it was the SECOND best promo on RAW. HHH's promo owned the night, for me. One of his best promo's ever, in my opinion. No catchphrases, no over the top cliches. Just solid stick work that told a story, and a nice moment with Booker T to establish and remind everyone just who Hunter is, within the organization.

The Jon Stewart bit was shaping up to be a train wreck, but Jon saved it with some cheap pops and clever lines. I was a tad confused as to why Orton came out, as I already forgot that he and Rollins were supposed to be on the same page, despite the obvious match up for WM.

Something new was the slow mo cam replay through the entire impact of the move. I noticed it with Daniel Bryan taking that nasty bump on his head during his match, but they re-did that about three other times throughout the night. Typically, they start in slow mo, and then switch to regular speed for the moment of impact to help "protect the business." Not so last night. Not sure if they told the talent to tighten up their work because of this or if it was just a coincidence that there were about three or four stiff bumps throughout the night that they could highlight.

Not exactly a fan of Bryan going after the IC title, but him in a ladder match with those other competitors should be a lot of fun. I doubt he wins it (probably Ambrose), but he will have a few memorable spots, for sure.

AJ Lee coming back doesn't excite me at all.

 

I don't mind if Bryan wins the IC title if it means the WWE is fully committed to making it mean something and turn it into what the IC title or US title in WCW meant in the 80s and 90s. Which they absolutely should have done when Brock was at home with the WWE title for the last 6 months. If it's just going to be a prop for the champion to hold and continue to be treated like a jobber I'd much rather it not be with Bryan or Ambrose.

Agree about AJ, I never got the appeal of her. I feel like most fans only like her now because of her relationship with CM Punk.

 

that Reigns promo was bad. just outright bad

 

Maybe if Brock's contracts ends, Heyman turns on him and he becomes reigns voice

 

What's everyone's take on this Bill DeMott situation?

 

He needs to be fired.

 

With all the resources the WWE has in regards to former wrestlers they can use as head trainers I'm shocked they keep going with DeMott, as he was never a good wrestler. This isn't the first time DeMott has been called out for questionable things with his training.

 

He needs to go. Period.


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Meltzer is reporting that Samoa Joe has signed with the WWE but doesn't have details as to whether its just a try out, a short term deal, if he's headed to NXT or right to the main roster. Either way nothing wrong with loading up on talent although I can see Vince looking at his body and giving him a stupid gimmick or making him Rikishi Jr.

 

Reigns manager lol

 

Hey cousin, let's go bowling!

 

This is actually pretty funny and well done:

[video=youtube;20s8u_iPm-w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20s8u_iPm-w[/video]