***Official Pro Wrestling Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Samoa Joe back to ROH

 

[Keith R]

Samoa Joe back to ROH

Disappointing but understandable. So many great matchups he could have had in WWE but he's likely leary of being booked poorly - a very legitimate concern.

 

[Tony Jabroni]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc7UGbDnynw&list=RDoc7UGbDnynw#t=418

 

[RBM]

Crowd on fire.

Steph so hot.

 

[Bogart]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

 

[Brady Marino]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

 

[SlaX]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

Brock's likely not happy because he was promised a percentage of the Wrestlemania PPV buyrate and now that the network is the main attraction for PPVs, there's less to make off of Wrestlemania.

 

[OC Zed]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

The Grantland/Cheap Heat podcast threw out the dream scenario last night: Lesnar having a temper tantrum, vacating the title and skipping Wrestlemania thereby setting up a WM IV-style tournament for the belt which would be far more compelling than the Lesnar/Reigns matchup we are currently destined for. The WWE would also avoid having to give Lesnar his last big payday too.

Of course, there is 0% chance of this happening.

 

[GoFishTN]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

The Grantland/Cheap Heat podcast threw out the dream scenario last night: Lesnar having a temper tantrum, vacating the title and skipping Wrestlemania thereby setting up a WM IV-style tournament for the belt which would be far more compelling than the Lesnar/Reigns matchup we are currently destined for. The WWE would also avoid having to give Lesnar his last big payday too.

Of course, there is 0% chance of this happening.

Besides the obvious, there's a rumor that Vince hates tournaments because fans can't follow them.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

I have decades of the WWE telling me who I am suppose to root for but something about this RR push feels so off. Nobody in the crowd is buying it, not even the kids.

 

[OC Zed]

I randomly threw on Extreme Rules 2012 from Chicago last night. Chicago is famous for being the best crowd in the business so this was a sharp contrast from Memphis last week.

The card had three great matches...

Sheamus vs. Bryan - 2 out of 3 falls for the heavyweight title. Very good match. Bryan was sort of playing the heel here, but he was still extremely over with the fans 2 1/2 years ago. The fans have been nuts for this guy for a long time now and Vince still doesn't get it. Also, this heavyweight title match was fourth from the top of the card.

Jericho vs. Punk - Chicago street fight for the WWE title. Another very strong match. The storyline of Punk developing a drinking problem was pretty dumb and Jericho's corniness didn't help, but the in-ring work was still excellent with some awesome spots. Of course, the crowd was extremely juiced for Punk. And, of course, this match for the WWE title was third from the top.

Cena vs. Lesnar - nothing really on the line. This was the main event because, of course, Vince loves him some giants. To be fair, the match was still very good... but (i) it wasn't a title match, (ii) no long running stories were at play, and (iii) your company's hottest star at the time was in his hometown AND had a title defense that night and this match is STILL the main event.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but the whole thing made was disappointing when thinking about the bigger picture.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

I have decades of the WWE telling me who I am suppose to root for but something about this RR push feels so off. Nobody in the crowd is buying it, not even the kids.

WWE house show in Minneapolis two weeks before Mania. I asked my 8 year old who he is most excited to see. His instant response: Roman Reigns.

A multi-person ladder match for the IC title has been announced...seems like that's where Daniel Bryan ends up too. I'll guess we get six entrants:

Barrett, Ambrose, Ziggler, Bryan, R Truth, Harper

 

[OC Zed]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

I have decades of the WWE telling me who I am suppose to root for but something about this RR push feels so off. Nobody in the crowd is buying it, not even the kids.

WWE house show in Minneapolis two weeks before Mania. I asked my 8 year old who he is most excited to see. His instant response: Roman Reigns.

A multi-person ladder match for the IC title has been announced...seems like that's where Daniel Bryan ends up too. I'll guess we get six entrants:

Barrett, Ambrose, Ziggler, Bryan, R Truth, Harper

This is really sad that they couldn't figure anything else out to do with all of this talent for their biggest show of the year.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

I have decades of the WWE telling me who I am suppose to root for but something about this RR push feels so off. Nobody in the crowd is buying it, not even the kids.

WWE house show in Minneapolis two weeks before Mania. I asked my 8 year old who he is most excited to see. His instant response: Roman Reigns.

A multi-person ladder match for the IC title has been announced...seems like that's where Daniel Bryan ends up too. I'll guess we get six entrants:

Barrett, Ambrose, Ziggler, Bryan, R Truth, Harper

This is really sad that they couldn't figure anything else out to do with all of this talent for their biggest show of the year.

if your narrative is going to be that the WWE is always dumb, that's fine. Lame and no fun, but fine. The WWE did figure out what to do with them - they all want to be IC champion to bring some prestige back to the title. If I understand things correctly, the IWC wants the secondary belts to matter, but the IWC complains when some of their biggest stars try to become those secondary champions.

Personally, I'd rather give these guys 30-35 minutes to put together something wild and exciting than chop them up into separate 10-12 minute singles matches that don't mean anything.

 

[GoFishTN]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

I have decades of the WWE telling me who I am suppose to root for but something about this RR push feels so off. Nobody in the crowd is buying it, not even the kids.

WWE house show in Minneapolis two weeks before Mania. I asked my 8 year old who he is most excited to see. His instant response: Roman Reigns.

A multi-person ladder match for the IC title has been announced...seems like that's where Daniel Bryan ends up too. I'll guess we get six entrants:

Barrett, Ambrose, Ziggler, Bryan, R Truth, Harper

This is really sad that they couldn't figure anything else out to do with all of this talent for their biggest show of the year.

if your narrative is going to be that the WWE is always dumb, that's fine. Lame and no fun, but fine. The WWE did figure out what to do with them - they all want to be IC champion to bring some prestige back to the title. If I understand things correctly, the IWC wants the secondary belts to matter, but the IWC complains when some of their biggest stars try to become those secondary champions.

Personally, I'd rather give these guys 30-35 minutes to put together something wild and exciting than chop them up into separate 10-12 minute singles matches that don't mean anything.

I always thought this was one of the best parts of Dusty's NWA booking. It was mostly to feed his ego, but he made all the title seem important. If Bryan or Cena or Orton aren't in the World title picture they should be going for one of the other belts. These guys should want to be a champion.

 

[travdogg]

I randomly threw on Extreme Rules 2012 from Chicago last night. Chicago is famous for being the best crowd in the business so this was a sharp contrast from Memphis last week.

The card had three great matches...

Sheamus vs. Bryan - 2 out of 3 falls for the heavyweight title. Very good match. Bryan was sort of playing the heel here, but he was still extremely over with the fans 2 1/2 years ago. The fans have been nuts for this guy for a long time now and Vince still doesn't get it. Also, this heavyweight title match was fourth from the top of the card.

Jericho vs. Punk - Chicago street fight for the WWE title. Another very strong match. The storyline of Punk developing a drinking problem was pretty dumb and Jericho's corniness didn't help, but the in-ring work was still excellent with some awesome spots. Of course, the crowd was extremely juiced for Punk. And, of course, this match for the WWE title was third from the top.

Cena vs. Lesnar - nothing really on the line. This was the main event because, of course, Vince loves him some giants. To be fair, the match was still very good... but (i) it wasn't a title match, (ii) no long running stories were at play, and (iii) your company's hottest star at the time was in his hometown AND had a title defense that night and this match is STILL the main event.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but the whole thing made was disappointing when thinking about the bigger picture.

That was an excellent show.

Pretty much all of 2012 was the company trying its damndest to bury Punk, despite him being the most over guy on the roster. Never the main event despite being champ for almost a year and a half, and taking his stories, like ousting Big Johnny, and making it about Cena and Big Show instead. Or turning him heel so he can drop the title to Rock, so we could see another awful Cena-Rock match at Mania.

I actually think Mania has been one of the lesser PPV's in the last few years. 2014 was great, but it was probably the first good one since 2010.

 

[OC Zed]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

I have decades of the WWE telling me who I am suppose to root for but something about this RR push feels so off. Nobody in the crowd is buying it, not even the kids.

WWE house show in Minneapolis two weeks before Mania. I asked my 8 year old who he is most excited to see. His instant response: Roman Reigns.

A multi-person ladder match for the IC title has been announced...seems like that's where Daniel Bryan ends up too. I'll guess we get six entrants:

Barrett, Ambrose, Ziggler, Bryan, R Truth, Harper

This is really sad that they couldn't figure anything else out to do with all of this talent for their biggest show of the year.

if your narrative is going to be that the WWE is always dumb, that's fine. Lame and no fun, but fine. The WWE did figure out what to do with them - they all want to be IC champion to bring some prestige back to the title. If I understand things correctly, the IWC wants the secondary belts to matter, but the IWC complains when some of their biggest stars try to become those secondary champions.

Personally, I'd rather give these guys 30-35 minutes to put together something wild and exciting than chop them up into separate 10-12 minute singles matches that don't mean anything.

I DO want the IC belt to matter (correspondingly, I wish the US title would be dissolved as it's redundant), but to throw a half dozen guys into a ladder match at the last minute tells me they aren't very good at coming up with some compelling stories on a 1:1 level... which is really when pro wrestling is most compelling.

ETA: This also waters down one of your best non-major PPVs of the year (MITB).

 

[RBM]

That ladder match will steal the show, no question. I'm just going to be annoyed if Ambrose gets screwed now that DB is involved.

 

[OC Zed]

That ladder match will steal the show, no question. I'm just going to be annoyed if Ambrose gets screwed now that DB is involved.

It will and it won't... the spots will likely be the best in the show, but with so many guys, nobody gets featured and really promoted which is another reason why these types of matches aren't very good for the talent as opposed to building some creative storylines for these guys separately.

 

[Jeremy]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

There's always a chance Lesnar wins and Rollins cashes in. Unlikely scenario, but maybe they'll want to keep Lesnar "unstoppable" for down the road and giving Rollins the title could lead to a Summerslam match between Rollins and Bryan where the internet darling "finally" (ignoring WM30) goes over.

 

[OC Zed]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

There's always a chance Lesnar wins and Rollins cashes in. Unlikely scenario, but maybe they'll want to keep Lesnar "unstoppable" for down the road and giving Rollins the title could lead to a Summerslam match between Rollins and Bryan where the internet darling "finally" (ignoring WM30) goes over.

I'm predicting a Reigns win at WM (not that bold, I know) and then squashing Rollins in the next few weeks afterwards when he tries to cash in to further prop up Reigns.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I hate when the main event outcome at Mania is a foregone conclusion because one of the 2 is leaving.

There's always a chance Lesnar wins and Rollins cashes in. Unlikely scenario, but maybe they'll want to keep Lesnar "unstoppable" for down the road and giving Rollins the title could lead to a Summerslam match between Rollins and Bryan where the internet darling "finally" (ignoring WM30) goes over.

It feels like they have invested so much time in RR, that putting the strap on him seems almost inevitable. But I would welcome any surprise.

 

[SlaX]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

The Grantland/Cheap Heat podcast threw out the dream scenario last night: Lesnar having a temper tantrum, vacating the title and skipping Wrestlemania thereby setting up a WM IV-style tournament for the belt which would be far more compelling than the Lesnar/Reigns matchup we are currently destined for. The WWE would also avoid having to give Lesnar his last big payday too.

Of course, there is 0% chance of this happening.

Besides the obvious, there's a rumor that Vince hates tournaments because fans can't follow them.

Every other sport has tournaments and they have no problem following them. How dumb does Vince think wrestling fans are?

 

[OC Zed]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

The Grantland/Cheap Heat podcast threw out the dream scenario last night: Lesnar having a temper tantrum, vacating the title and skipping Wrestlemania thereby setting up a WM IV-style tournament for the belt which would be far more compelling than the Lesnar/Reigns matchup we are currently destined for. The WWE would also avoid having to give Lesnar his last big payday too.

Of course, there is 0% chance of this happening.

Besides the obvious, there's a rumor that Vince hates tournaments because fans can't follow them.

Every other sport has tournaments and they have no problem following them. How dumb does Vince think wrestling fans are?

King of the Ring was a fun format... made a lot more sense for a WM matchup.

 

[Thunderlips]

That ladder match will steal the show, no question. I'm just going to be annoyed if Ambrose gets screwed now that DB is involved.

It will and it won't... the spots will likely be the best in the show, but with so many guys, nobody gets featured and really promoted which is another reason why these types of matches aren't very good for the talent as opposed to building some creative storylines for these guys separately.

Isn't WM though the end of the creative storyline year though?

 

[OC Zed]

That ladder match will steal the show, no question. I'm just going to be annoyed if Ambrose gets screwed now that DB is involved.

It will and it won't... the spots will likely be the best in the show, but with so many guys, nobody gets featured and really promoted which is another reason why these types of matches aren't very good for the talent as opposed to building some creative storylines for these guys separately.

Isn't WM though the end of the creative storyline year though?

Generally, ya... but that's my point. It's much more engaging for the fans to have some well crafted storylines between paired wrestlers. And yet there are no 1-on-1 storylines now for Dolph, Bryan, R-Truth and Harper (and a flimsy one for Ambrose and Barrett). How did they not plan this out 3 months ago?

These are the types of things that makes you realize JR is sorely missed.

 

[Tom Servo]

AXS TV showed the final of the 2013 G1 Climax tournament last night. Tetsuya Naito (sporting a bum knee) beat Hiroshi Tanahashi in just under 27 minutes. I loved this match, great moves/counters, good ring psychology and an all around good performance from both guys.

I'm definitely enjoying these NJPW shows.

 

[GoFishTN]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

The Grantland/Cheap Heat podcast threw out the dream scenario last night: Lesnar having a temper tantrum, vacating the title and skipping Wrestlemania thereby setting up a WM IV-style tournament for the belt which would be far more compelling than the Lesnar/Reigns matchup we are currently destined for. The WWE would also avoid having to give Lesnar his last big payday too.

Of course, there is 0% chance of this happening.

Besides the obvious, there's a rumor that Vince hates tournaments because fans can't follow them.

Every other sport has tournaments and they have no problem following them. How dumb does Vince think wrestling fans are?

King of the Ring was a fun format... made a lot more sense for a WM matchup.

It would have been nice if they would have switched it up. KotR winner one year, RR the next, or something. The early Rumbles were fun were anyone could win and get a little rub.

 

[OC Zed]

Chyna recently did a long video interview with Vince Russo. She looks good and healthy (only can see her from the shoulders up). Much of it centers around Triple H's recent comments about her, their relationship and breakup and what she is doing now in Japan. She still sounds a little scattered, but by and large is doing much better than from the last time we all saw her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmIjyMiR2Ys

 

[KiddLattimer]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

The Grantland/Cheap Heat podcast threw out the dream scenario last night: Lesnar having a temper tantrum, vacating the title and skipping Wrestlemania thereby setting up a WM IV-style tournament for the belt which would be far more compelling than the Lesnar/Reigns matchup we are currently destined for. The WWE would also avoid having to give Lesnar his last big payday too.

Of course, there is 0% chance of this happening.

Someone on Sirius fantasy this morning said that if Lesnar is leaving anyway that they were hoping for a Taker/Lesnar match at WM where Taker wins, Lesnar leaves and then Monday Taker retires leaving the belt vacant. I really like that idea... too bad its not happening

 

[Ghost Rider]

Right, because having the belt won by another part-timer will being even more prestige back to the title.

 

[Thunderlips]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

The Grantland/Cheap Heat podcast threw out the dream scenario last night: Lesnar having a temper tantrum, vacating the title and skipping Wrestlemania thereby setting up a WM IV-style tournament for the belt which would be far more compelling than the Lesnar/Reigns matchup we are currently destined for. The WWE would also avoid having to give Lesnar his last big payday too.

Of course, there is 0% chance of this happening.

Besides the obvious, there's a rumor that Vince hates tournaments because fans can't follow them.

Every other sport has tournaments and they have no problem following them. How dumb does Vince think wrestling fans are?

King of the Ring was a fun format... made a lot more sense for a WM matchup.

It would have been nice if they would have switched it up. KotR winner one year, RR the next, or something. The early Rumbles were fun were anyone could win and get a little rub.

IMO, part of the mistake is tying the RR winner to the WM main event. It shoehorns them in for their buildup....with the past two years showcasing that mistake. Additionaly, it cheapens the RR simply because we know that 22 out of the 30 guys don't have a chance to win it. They need to remove that stipulation and just go with a format where (at a certain point in the year) they name a number one contender who more or less has the title shot matchup at WM. It might even be better to have this wrestler annointed as such in the secondary match at RR (a matchup between two and three). Then.....this number one contender and the winner of the RR have two months (and I'm presuming the main event at FastLane) to determine who goes to WM.

This format gives them the option to legitimize pretty much everyone in the RR. One year, you could have a part timer come back, win the RR and be the main eventer at Fast Lane legimately(DDP winning???). You could run the underdog angle(KINGSTON), you could run the rookie up from NXT ( they need to implement a RRJr. where a NXT Battle Royale winner gets a spot)angle (BALOR?). Or you can just the expected guy or an over wrestler win (AMBROSE/BRYAN/ZIGGLER this year). It would give them some wiggle room if things dont' work out with the fans....and it creates a bit of suspension.

Think about it, they kind of did that this year.....and it would have been pretty good if they didn't have the SNAFU of going back on the RR winner. So every year, the RR can have two or three WM relevant matches - A Title defense, a Number one contender match and the RR......with Fast Lane actually getting a legitimate "anything can happen" Main Even between the RR winner and the Number One Contender.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Agreed. The whole "the Rumble winner gets a title match at WM" stipulation has always been stupid. It makes everything too predictable. The first two Rumble winners were Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Big John Stuff, and neither would have had a shot in hell at winning if that were the stipulation then.

 

[D in the D]

Agreed. The whole "the Rumble winner gets a title match at WM" stipulation has always been stupid. It makes everything too predictable. The first two Rumble winners were Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Big John Stuff, and neither would have had a shot in hell at winning if that were the stipulation then.

I think Big John Stuff was the name he used when he crossed over into Adult films.

 

[OC Zed]

So Brock was at RAW this week, but did not appear. Tons of speculation on what happened, because no one just flies a private jet somewhere and not make an appearance. Talk of it being anything from dispute over Merch sales to a possible Roman Reigns PED drug test failure.

Reigns Wellness failure rumor is completely false.

Meltzer says he left angry over business dealings with Vince. His contract is up soon and the word is he's getting the UFC itch again.

The Grantland/Cheap Heat podcast threw out the dream scenario last night: Lesnar having a temper tantrum, vacating the title and skipping Wrestlemania thereby setting up a WM IV-style tournament for the belt which would be far more compelling than the Lesnar/Reigns matchup we are currently destined for. The WWE would also avoid having to give Lesnar his last big payday too.

Of course, there is 0% chance of this happening.

Someone on Sirius fantasy this morning said that if Lesnar is leaving anyway that they were hoping for a Taker/Lesnar match at WM where Taker wins, Lesnar leaves and then Monday Taker retires leaving the belt vacant. I really like that idea... too bad its not happening

I'd love for an Undertaker/Lesnar match next year allowing Undertaker to retire in Texas and avenge his only WM loss. Lesnar jobbing for Undertaker certainly wouldn't be any hit on him at that point.

 

[GroveDiesel]

My daughter went to a birthday party at the Monster Factory yesterday. Didn't even know it existed or was near me until she was invited. Apparently they are one of the most storied and revered professional wrestling training places. Trained guys like the Wild Samoans, King Kong Bundy, Big Boss Man, Sheamus, Tatanka, Doink, Sgt. Slaughter and many more. Was pretty cool.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Agreed. The whole "the Rumble winner gets a title match at WM" stipulation has always been stupid. It makes everything too predictable. The first two Rumble winners were Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Big John Stuff, and neither would have had a shot in hell at winning if that were the stipulation then.

I think Big John Stuff was the name he used when he crossed over into Adult films.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Chyna recently did a long video interview with Vince Russo. She looks good and healthy (only can see her from the shoulders up). Much of it centers around Triple H's recent comments about her, their relationship and breakup and what she is doing now in Japan. She still sounds a little scattered, but by and large is doing much better than from the last time we all saw her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmIjyMiR2Ys

Speaking of Russo, apparently the guy running/owning 'Russo's website' (Chris Cash) locked Russo out of everything assuming over a money dispute yesterfday. Thus Vince has no access to any of his content (shoot interviews), money proceeds from the website (subscribers)

Russo's video shoot interviews are quite good.

 

[Bogart]

Watching WrestleMania I. Wondering if I can plow through all 30 previous WrestleManias before number 31.

 

[uconnalum]

Would like to see Lesnar go according to script. Then work stiff at the end and put Reigns in a true UFC submission move and ask for the mic and Heyman holds the microphone and Lesnar tells the crowd this is not a work and tells Reigns to tap or he breaks his arm. Reigns taps and Lesnar takes the belt and since it is a PPV tells HHH, Vince and Steph F&$k You and walks out with the belt.

 

[uconnalum]

Can Lesnar face a lawsuit or anything if he went stiff and really put reigns in a submission hold and broke his arm. Besides being blackballed by the WWF what can really happen.

 

[OC Zed]

Watching WrestleMania I. Wondering if I can plow through all 30 previous WrestleManias before number 31.

Godspeed.

 

[OC Zed]

Can Lesnar face a lawsuit or anything if he went stiff and really put reigns in a submission hold and broke his arm. Besides being blackballed by the WWF what can really happen.

I'm sure there are enough clauses in that contract to face a pretty stiff breach of contract claim from the WWE and an assault claim from Roman Reigns because the injury was intentional.

 

[Bogart]

Watching WrestleMania I. Wondering if I can plow through all 30 previous WrestleManias before number 31.

WrestleMania I Useless and Random Comments:

• Mean Gene sings Star Spangled Banner. It was horrible but classic Mean Gene.
• First WM match ever: Tito Santana vs. Executioner
• Every match was preluded with "previously taped interviews" where one guy would walk into one side of the screen, say something, leave and then the other guys would walk in from the other side and say something.
• No walkup music early on. No walkups at all the first few matches.
• Bundy with the record setting pin over S.D. Jones. 9 seconds.
• The ring ropes are about as loose as you can imagine. Cartoonish how much they give and shake.
• Ricky Steamboat beats Matt Borne so bad he turns him into Doink.
• Brutus "Not a Barber Yet" Beefcake vs. David Sammartino. Sammartino is the first one you see actually come to the ring.Actually you see Bruno coming to the ring with David following. Sammartino is too small and too crappy a wrestler to be in the ring with Beefcake. Second longest match of the entire PPV and it's not even close. Ends with double DQ of "both teams??" Clearly this match was set up to get Bruno to do some tag matches with David afterwards. Well done Vince, well done.
• Greg Valentine vs. JYD for the Intercontental Championship. We get walkup music!!!! Grab them cakes!!! Sounds like it's piped in after the fact. Valentine wins by using the ropes. Tito Santana comes in and tells ref. Ref restarts match and counts out Valentine. JYD wins!!! Oh, but doesn't get belt.
• Gorrila and Ventura are dominating on commentary.
• The biggest pop coming from the crowd happens with vertical suplexes. This was the move in 1985.
• John Studd vs Andre. 15 grand is ALOT of money, but such a small bag to hold it. Product placement with WWF all over the bag. Horrible match. Andre past his prime already. Studd actually carrying the match. Slam by Andre and tossing money into the crowd before Brain steals the bag and heads to the back. Huge pop for Andre. Awkward interview between Andre and Mean Gene.
• Women's Championship Match. Man are Richter and Kai about as backwoods hick as you can get. Lauper steals the show here. Forgot that Wendy was from Dallas.Ref checking boots and gear. Lost art. Horrible match with a horrible finish. Moolah doing a Ric Flair dive with no one around. Wendy Richter was not attractive as I remember as a young lad.
• Lord Alfred Hays gets a ton of screen time and adds zero value.
• Main event time!! Billy Martin! Liberace! Ali! Piper really was as over as it comes for a heel. Hogan and T hit the ring. "Ali has been assigned as the outside referee, which is just as important as inside the ring." Pat Patterson is the ref for the match, never realized that. Mr. Wonderful is really small. Chaotic match. Hard to believe it's only a couple mins more than Beefcake/Bruno's Kid was.
• Nothing outside the main event really was worth watching. I have to think either Starcade 84 or 85 was a better card.

 

[uconnalum]

I like my angle of Lesnar walking out champ and leaving with title.

 

[RBM]

Can Lesnar face a lawsuit or anything if he went stiff and really put reigns in a submission hold and broke his arm. Besides being blackballed by the WWF what can really happen.

How would that benefit Brock?

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

Straight Shoot Retro review of Wrestlemania I:

http://youtu.be/mXa45pEbmcs

 

[SlaX]

Can Lesnar face a lawsuit or anything if he went stiff and really put reigns in a submission hold and broke his arm. Besides being blackballed by the WWF what can really happen.

He can, but Brock's about doing business and making money. Zero chance he'd do that. He doesn't care if he has to do the favor. The world knows the WWE is scripted and it won't hurt his legitimacy.

 

[SlaX]

Watching WrestleMania I. Wondering if I can plow through all 30 previous WrestleManias before number 31.

WrestleMania I Useless and Random Comments:

• Mean Gene sings Star Spangled Banner. It was horrible but classic Mean Gene.
• First WM match ever: Tito Santana vs. Executioner
• Every match was preluded with "previously taped interviews" where one guy would walk into one side of the screen, say something, leave and then the other guys would walk in from the other side and say something.
• No walkup music early on. No walkups at all the first few matches.
• Bundy with the record setting pin over S.D. Jones. 9 seconds.
• The ring ropes are about as loose as you can imagine. Cartoonish how much they give and shake.
• Ricky Steamboat beats Matt Borne so bad he turns him into Doink.
• Brutus "Not a Barber Yet" Beefcake vs. David Sammartino. Sammartino is the first one you see actually come to the ring.Actually you see Bruno coming to the ring with David following. Sammartino is too small and too crappy a wrestler to be in the ring with Beefcake. Second longest match of the entire PPV and it's not even close. Ends with double DQ of "both teams??" Clearly this match was set up to get Bruno to do some tag matches with David afterwards. Well done Vince, well done.
• Greg Valentine vs. JYD for the Intercontental Championship. We get walkup music!!!! Grab them cakes!!! Sounds like it's piped in after the fact. Valentine wins by using the ropes. Tito Santana comes in and tells ref. Ref restarts match and counts out Valentine. JYD wins!!! Oh, but doesn't get belt.
• Gorrila and Ventura are dominating on commentary.
• The biggest pop coming from the crowd happens with vertical suplexes. This was the move in 1985.
• John Studd vs Andre. 15 grand is ALOT of money, but such a small bag to hold it. Product placement with WWF all over the bag. Horrible match. Andre past his prime already. Studd actually carrying the match. Slam by Andre and tossing money into the crowd before Brain steals the bag and heads to the back. Huge pop for Andre. Awkward interview between Andre and Mean Gene.
• Women's Championship Match. Man are Richter and Kai about as backwoods hick as you can get. Lauper steals the show here. Forgot that Wendy was from Dallas.Ref checking boots and gear. Lost art. Horrible match with a horrible finish. Moolah doing a Ric Flair dive with no one around. Wendy Richter was not attractive as I remember as a young lad.
• Lord Alfred Hays gets a ton of screen time and adds zero value.
• Main event time!! Billy Martin! Liberace! Ali! Piper really was as over as it comes for a heel. Hogan and T hit the ring. "Ali has been assigned as the outside referee, which is just as important as inside the ring." Pat Patterson is the ref for the match, never realized that. Mr. Wonderful is really small. Chaotic match. Hard to believe it's only a couple mins more than Beefcake/Bruno's Kid was.
• Nothing outside the main event really was worth watching. I have to think either Starcade 84 or 85 was a better card.

The only match I consider close to a classic was Studd vs Andre. They should have gone with Piper vs Snuka, then Hogan and T vs Orndorff and Orton (or Don Muraco if we need a bigger heel) in the main event.

I used to think Hogan vs Piper should've been the main, but I'd save that for WM2. Hogan teaming with Mr T needed to happen because of how bringing in the stars (including Cyndi Lauper) helped make Wrestlemania successful.

And yes, I feel the Starrcades up to '86 were better cards than Wrestlemania since WM3 was the first time it became the event we know today.

 

[uconnalum]

Even without that craziness be nice for Brock to leave with belt. This gives WWE a chance to start with a clean slate and hopefully they will not screw it up by giving CENA the strap. Involving CENA in any way will screw it up.