***Official Pro Wrestling Thread*** (6 Viewers)

[JB Breakfast Club]

I'm not thrilled with the Wyatt family losing either, but the hate for that result is out of hand. First of all, those dudes are HEELS...they aren't as good as their face counterparts (which was a team with two hall of famers, by the way). The story also isn't over because Bray wasn't actually in the match. He's the most important player in the whole match. What if he runs through each of Kane, Ryback, and Show individually since his boys couldn't get it done? That story isn't available if his lackies win it for him. 

I also agree that the Edge and Christian segment was really messy. Was that supposed to signal a full face turn for New Day? They can easily flip to faces without changing their schtick - they just have to wrestle heels. Based on all of the tweets last night, we're getting a full New Day vs LoN program. 

HHH is a great heel. He'll do fine getting the audience to boo him and support Roman. All he really needs to do is tell the truth about his history of burying people, and HHH likes to blur those story/real life lines. 

 

[Bogart]

I enjoyed the hell out of the show.

Brie/Charlotte was better than I expected. The kick pads were a nice touch. It was a fun match with a satisfying finish. The Diva Tag-Team match did exactly what it needed to do, shine up Sasha. We get Sasha/Charlotte at WM32 and a Fatal-Four Way with the 4 Horsewomen at WM33. 

The six-man was fun. Every guy worked their ### off. If you want to put over the old guard over the Bray-less Wyatts, I have no problem with that. Feels like they are setting up a much match for Dallas. (Full disclosure, watching Big Show on the Austin podcast has made me a bigger fan of his.)

Owens/Ziggler and Y2J/Styles were great, really great. Both matches told great stories and all four guys looked stronger regardless of who won.

The New Day/Edge and Christian segment was fun until the League of Nations showed up. Honestly, I was kind of hoping for a Enzo and Big Cass reveal at the end there, but whatever. 

The Main Event had to finish the way it did. WWE isn't going to toss away months of storytelling. For better or worse, you have to finish the HHH/Reigns story. Reigns gets his WM moment, and hopefully they start the new year with an interesting chase for the title. Brock getting both Dean and Roman over his head in a suplex, that deep in the match, was my favorite moment of the night. He comes off still as the Beast, Dean is still huge over and Roman gets to finish the story. Good for all three.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Like the ending of the main event was ever in doubt?  I mean HHH at his age couldn't withstand a full match with Brock. After suplex #2 he would have been curled up in a ball. 

The only way they can save WM is to have Reigns beat the heck out of HHH and really make it seem like he has the match in hand throughout, and then have Ambrose interfere at the end and cost Reigns the belt. 

Ambrose is their most over guy.   You usually push the guy thats over.

 

[Tom Servo]

####### love AJ... 

I hope they give him a heel run, think he can do that cocky heel well, put him with Balor and have him run roughshod from April-August building to a Reigns match.  Or even start it with Reigns/Ambrose vs Balor/Styles to elevate

His NJPW work as part of the Bullet Club was pretty good in my opinion. While Japanese wrestling has fewer shenanigans than North American wrestling, he seemed to get enough heat with those reserved Japanese crowds.

 

[Tom Servo]

Ambrose is their most over guy.   You usually push the guy thats over.

You do realize that we're talking WWE here? A regular promotion would at least pretend to care that one of their non-favorites is over.

 

[Tony Jabroni]

How close is Rollins to returning? Any chance we see him come out and play a part in determining the winner?

Quite a way. (From what I have read). The Shield reunited would save WWE.

I thought the PPV was alright. Ziggler/KO was great. New Day with E&C was hilarious (I was drunk by then, though). Main event, excellent.

 

[Tony Jabroni]

Ambrose is their most over guy.   You usually push the guy thats over.

Unless your name is Vincent Kennedy Mcmahon.

ETA: When the hell are they going to bring up Finn Balor?

 

[Jeremy]

Eh. I don't mind Ambrose not going over yet.  The more times he comes thisclose, the better the payoff is going to be when he actually does win the big one. 

 

[Tony Jabroni]

Eh. I don't mind Ambrose not going over yet.  The more times he comes thisclose, the better the payoff is going to be when he actually does win the big one. 

He's been over for almost 2 years. Selling t-shirts, signs everywhere, C'mon man. They need a change.

 

[soothsayer]

Eh. I don't mind Ambrose not going over yet.  The more times he comes thisclose, the better the payoff is going to be when he actually does win the big one. 

The problem is, with all the injuries on the main roster, you have to worry that Dean gets hurt before we ever get the payoff. That's the huge problem with waiting too long for a payoff - you may never get it.

 

[RBM]

I'm not thrilled with the Wyatt family losing either, but the hate for that result is out of hand. First of all, those dudes are HEELS...they aren't as good as their face counterparts (which was a team with two hall of famers, by the way). The story also isn't over because Bray wasn't actually in the match. He's the most important player in the whole match. What if he runs through each of Kane, Ryback, and Show individually since his boys couldn't get it done? That story isn't available if his lackies win it for him. 

What story?  Nobody wants or cares about that story!  Bray already beat Kane and Ryback multiple times. Bray vs Big Show excites no one. 

 

[Jeremy]

He's been over for almost 2 years. Selling t-shirts, signs everywhere, C'mon man. They need a change.

The problem is, with all the injuries on the main roster, you have to worry that Dean gets hurt before we ever get the payoff. That's the huge problem with waiting too long for a payoff - you may never get it.

Well, there's still 6 weeks until WrestleMania.  A lot can still happen between now and then. 

I'd be a little surprised if Dean doesn't get a run with the belt at some point this year.  While I think he's been over for a while, I'm not sure he's been "face of the company" over until fairly recently.  Obviously Reigns isn't either, but they probably need to finish the Reigns/HHH feud.  After that they can go in 100 different directions.  Maybe Reigns wins the belt, but then decides he doesn't want to give his little buddy a title shot, turning him heel.  We'll see. 

 

[Tony Jabroni]

Well, there's still 6 weeks until WrestleMania.  A lot can still happen between now and then. 

I'd be a little surprised if Dean doesn't get a run with the belt at some point this year.  While I think he's been over for a while, I'm not sure he's been "face of the company" over until fairly recently.  Obviously Reigns isn't either, but they probably need to finish the Reigns/HHH feud.  After that they can go in 100 different directions.  Maybe Reigns wins the belt, but then decides he doesn't want to give his little buddy a title shot, turning him heel.  We'll see. 

I can get on board with this. We should write for WWE. Ambrose, is running the Daniel Bryan underdog schtick for too long.

 

[Bogart]

Interesting that most of the NXT Takeoverallas card is up on Wikipedia. The main event might be the 5th most interesting match on the entire card.

Also interesting, well maybe only to me, that there is no Enzo and Big Cass on the card. Wrestlemania pre-show match maybe??

 

[Tom Servo]

He's been over for almost 2 years. Selling t-shirts, signs everywhere, C'mon man. They need a change.

Roman Reigns IS your change, guys. 

 

[Bogart]

 

[hagmania]

Apparently something big going down tonight, because... FINALLY /u/falconarrow has come BACK to /r/SquaredCircle.

 

[Thunderlips]

Interesting that most of the NXT Takeoverallas card is up on Wikipedia. The main event might be the 5th most interesting match on the entire card.

Also interesting, well maybe only to me, that there is no Enzo and Big Cass on the card. Wrestlemania pre-show match maybe??

There was some scuttlebutt amongst the boys around the campfire that they were going to debut last night during the New Day segment. Guess it was more butt than scuttle.....but they would have been better than the League. 

 

[Smack Tripper]

Vince looks like Deadpool without his mask

 

[Bogart]

SHANE O'MAC!!!!

 

[Bogart]

Here comes the moneeeeeyyyyyyyy

 

[Eminence]

Shane o Mac is back!  

 

[Smack Tripper]

Awesome!   

 

[soothsayer]

Wow - I just totally marked out. I jumped out of my chair. Nice!!!!!!

 

[Smack Tripper]

they're shootin here brother!

 

[Thunderlips]

 

[Smack Tripper]

Dreamt of this angle... don't mess it up!!!!

Shane may be the guy to get Reigns over

 

[RBM]

WOW

 

[soothsayer]

Seriously, this is so great.

 

[Bogart]

Shane vs. The Undertaker at WM. Hell In A Cell. Nice rabbit out of the hat.

 

[Thunderlips]

I' m giggling like a school girl. 

 

[Smack Tripper]

Doesn't really make sense, but oh well.

Reigns Taker for the Title

Shane HHH would have been enormous

 

[facook]

So, as a guy who has come back to wrestling in the last 18 months, why does this matter?  I mean, I feel like a total newb, but isn't this just another angle?  Shane's a good character, and I certainly prefer him to Stephanie.  Or is there actually an element of creativity/leadership that he brings that you all know about?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Wow shocking. Was getting ready to turn the TV off when Stephanie was announced for the award. Only thing that could have made me mark out more is if the Mean Street Posse showed up.

Great segment. Only thing I would have done differently is waited for another time for the Undertaker reveal.

 

[Thunderlips]

Gallows and Machine Gun take out The Taker.....next day at RAW, Balor comes up.....they reform a Bullet Club with Shane as the CEO. 

 

[Smack Tripper]

So, as a guy who has come back to wrestling in the last 18 months, why does this matter?  I mean, I feel like a total newb, but isn't this just another angle?  Shane's a good character, and I certainly prefer him to Stephanie.  Or is there actually an element of creativity/leadership that he brings that you all know about?

Bit of Meta/real world bleed in going on here.  Shane is the eldest, was the presumed heir, was more invested in wrestling at an earlier age and longer than Steph.  

But for whatever reason, Shane left, I wanna say about 10 years ago, creative differences, wanting to be on his own or maybe the perception of being passed over.  Reportedly Shane and Vince really butted heads in real life.

Lot of the ideas that have thrived now were Shane's, who pushed for an online network, a boutqiue brand to build new talent as a feeder system for the main roster.  

Shane always seemed more connected and concerned with the fans, a true promoters heart.  Again, this is based on listening to a lot of people close to the matter discuss it.  

So shane goes off and does extremely well for himself, basically launching on demand and PPV content in China.  He's done very well supposedly.  

So the excitement here is in some of the potential reality of these feelings and a natural affinity for Shane who needlessly and recklessly put his body at risk to make fans happy.  

Most smarks have also resented HHH"s long game political that taking the company was the ulimtate power grab.  

Basically, in my mind, this was one of three "break glass in case of an emergency" instant huge pop angles.  The other two are Punk returning and Cena turning heel.  

 

[Thunderlips]

How about. Shane O works an angle where he gets Cena to champion for him against the Taker.  They build that match up....maybe even make it a tag team match where Vince gets in.....then during the match, Cena turns....Shane loses and Cena gets put into the Authority fold.  Then Shane gets some of the boys from Bullet Club and they work an Invasion angle for a few months into the summer. 

 

[facook]

Bit of Meta/real world bleed in going on here.  Shane is the eldest, was the presumed heir, was more invested in wrestling at an earlier age and longer than Steph.  

But for whatever reason, Shane left, I wanna say about 10 years ago, creative differences, wanting to be on his own or maybe the perception of being passed over.  Reportedly Shane and Vince really butted heads in real life.

Lot of the ideas that have thrived now were Shane's, who pushed for an online network, a boutqiue brand to build new talent as a feeder system for the main roster.  

Shane always seemed more connected and concerned with the fans, a true promoters heart.  Again, this is based on listening to a lot of people close to the matter discuss it.  

So shane goes off and does extremely well for himself, basically launching on demand and PPV content in China.  He's done very well supposedly.  

So the excitement here is in some of the potential reality of these feelings and a natural affinity for Shane who needlessly and recklessly put his body at risk to make fans happy.  

Most smarks have also resented HHH"s long game political that taking the company was the ulimtate power grab.  

Basically, in my mind, this was one of three "break glass in case of an emergency" instant huge pop angles.  The other two are Punk returning and Cena turning heel.  

Gotcha, thanks.  I think I stopped watching not too long after Shane did the crazy jumping off of stuff in matches.  And some of that stuff you mention reminds me of things I'd heard.  I didn't realize he left with ill will.  And the idea that there could be heat between Shane and HHH makes sense now that you write that.

So it kind of sounds like you're saying it could be both: a great angle and better leadership...IF Shane is actually given a say.  Correct?

 

[Smack Tripper]

Gotcha, thanks.  I think I stopped watching not too long after Shane did the crazy jumping off of stuff in matches.  And some of that stuff you mention reminds me of things I'd heard.  I didn't realize he left with ill will.  And the idea that there could be heat between Shane and HHH makes sense now that you write that.

So it kind of sounds like you're saying it could be both: a great angle and better leadership...IF Shane is actually given a say.  Correct?

I think theyve veered far from their core. They think they're Disney, and to be fair, they have big toy and video game licensing deals. 

But they're probably still closer to the state fair in audience and perception. 

There is hope, perhaps unfounded, that Shane would at least service and acknowledge more of their long term core audience than Stephanie who like her father seems consumed with gaining outside credit and validation to  "legitimize" things

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Stephanie doesnt have a creative bone in her body. Go back and watch anything Shane ever did. He gets this is entertainment. That's where the discord IMO occurred. Shane saw the company was becoming more and more wrestling and less entertainment. Short of Austin or Michaels, I don't think they could have brought back a better option than Shane. 

Great move going no holds barred match at Mania between Brock/Ambrose. Card is shaping up nicely,especially if they get Cena back somehow.

Glad they're back to doing some out of the ring (parking lot,etc..) stuff. I can't recall the last time they've done that. Wouldn't be surprised if Shane already has a hand in some of the creative.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Stephanie doesnt have a creative bone in her body. Go back and watch anything Shane ever did. He gets this is entertainment. That's where the discord IMO occurred. Shane saw the company was becoming more and more wrestling and less entertainment.

Great move going no holds barred match at Mania between Brock/Ambrose. Card is shaping up nicely,especially if they get Cena back somehow.

Glad they're back to doing some out of the ring (parking lot) stuff. I can't recall the last time they've done that. Wouldn't be surprised if Shane already has a hand in some of the creative.

And well done In this age. THATS how you'll get me to follow on social media. Angles. And the tv audience if they choose to consume in the body of the show that's fine. 

 

[Bogart]

I think Shane being here tonight is a big signal that Cena isn't going to be ready in time. Like Smack said, this is a huge "break glass in case of emergency"

 

[RBM]

I think Shane being here tonight is a big signal that Cena isn't going to be ready in time. Like Smack said, this is a huge "break glass in case of emergency"

No question. 

 

[GoFishTN]

 

[Courtjester]

Pipe Bomb by Shane!!

 

[SlaX]

Bit of Meta/real world bleed in going on here.  Shane is the eldest, was the presumed heir, was more invested in wrestling at an earlier age and longer than Steph.  

But for whatever reason, Shane left, I wanna say about 10 years ago, creative differences, wanting to be on his own or maybe the perception of being passed over.  Reportedly Shane and Vince really butted heads in real life.

Lot of the ideas that have thrived now were Shane's, who pushed for an online network, a boutqiue brand to build new talent as a feeder system for the main roster.  

Shane always seemed more connected and concerned with the fans, a true promoters heart.  Again, this is based on listening to a lot of people close to the matter discuss it.  

So shane goes off and does extremely well for himself, basically launching on demand and PPV content in China.  He's done very well supposedly.  

So the excitement here is in some of the potential reality of these feelings and a natural affinity for Shane who needlessly and recklessly put his body at risk to make fans happy.  

Most smarks have also resented HHH"s long game political that taking the company was the ulimtate power grab.  

Basically, in my mind, this was one of three "break glass in case of an emergency" instant huge pop angles.  The other two are Punk returning and Cena turning heel.  

The Shane/Vince story parallels Vince Jr/Vince Sr story in a lot of ways.  

 

[Smack Tripper]

The Shane/Vince story parallels Vince Jr/Vince Sr story in a lot of ways.  

I wonder if he's not coming back in the fold practically.  Lets be honest, Steph's only employer has been this company, she's not done much and isn't particularly impressive on an level.

Shane went out and formed some very succesful entertainment ventures.  

There have been rumblings that Paul Lesquque, the bodybuilder from New Hampshire, is not exactly impressing board members in terms of succession plans.  Shane may be more essential to them in shoot terms than we know.  He represents a credible successor with a track record

 

[Courtjester]

 yeah but the storyline Shane versus undertaker is kind of a gimmick match especially since most of us believe that is Undertaker's  swansong match in front of his home crowd . 

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

 

[Trey]

Yes! Chants and HHH! HHH! to close out Raw as Reigns is a bloody mess. 

They should put the Championship match on the pre show to save face.