***Official Pro Wrestling Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[Ghost Rider]

Loved the camera work on the Orton finish outta nowhere

Have to admit, I popped when Hendry appeared. I knew he'd get squashed, but I'm glad it was a bit of a back and forth and not a super quick match. Randy mocking him after the match with the turn and pose in the middle of the ring had me dying. Definitely a fun little match in the middle of a busy night.

When it comes to the best of the best from the 21st century, I will take Orton over almost anyone. Awesome as both a face and a heel, always great in the ring, and while not a top tier talker like Austin or Punk, he is still very good on the mic.

That was cool to see Orton give Hendry a pat after mocking him, a major show of respect:

https://x.com/LordBalvin/status/1914121828102017364

And oh yeah, that main event last night sucked. Saturday's was great, though.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

A lot of the recent booking makes you think either Vince is back involved behind the scenes or Vince wasn't the sole problem. (Former may seem unlikely but HHH mentioned Vince and Linda was shown on camera at HOF)

Just seems a bunch of illogical / last minute on the fly garbage thrown together.

 

[Ghost Rider]

A lot of the recent booking makes you think either Vince is back involved or Vince wasn't the sole problem.

Just seems a bunch of illogical / last minute on the fly garbage thrown together.

Agreed.

Triple H did great last year when he was still working with Vince's pre-existing storylines, but with the Bloodline thing over (for now at least) and everything else new, he has really pooped the bed. And it's not like Vince hadn't lost the plot to some degree before his ouster, but he still new what worked from a big picture standpoint. And to be fair, Triple H has done plenty of good, especially with the way they promote the company now (so many wrestlers going on podcasts and TV shows everywhere and constantly blurring the lines between kayfabe and reality is happing a lot now and is a great thing), but he has really fallen on his face since the dubious decisions to have Charlotte and Jey win their respective Rumbles.

 

[Payne]

About the Austin thing, what was he thinking? He was flying. Who didn't think something was going to happen.
First thing I thought of when he started down the ramp was "dang he is flying....what if he goes into the crowd?"

Stupid

 

[Joey Wright]

I wanted two things out of this Mania and I got them both. The winner of Night One's main event being

Spoiler: SPOILER

Seth Rollins

as well as the winner of Night Two's Intercontinental Title match being

Spoiler: SPOILER

Dirty Dom

Both guys for me are the tip-top of the company and deserved those spoils.

I personally didn't need anything more from Night Two's Main Event in terms of story. I saw a lot of people saying they should have saved turning Cena heel for that moment, but I am expecting the big moment tonight to start a new chapter.

I also ate an entire large thin crust pizza by myself.

 

[Payne]

I wanted two things out of this Mania and I got them both. The winner of Night One's main event being

Spoiler: SPOILER

Seth Rollins

as well as the winner of Night Two's Intercontinental Title match being

Spoiler: SPOILER

Dirty Dom

Both guys for me are the tip-top of the company and deserved those spoils.

I personally didn't need anything more from Night Two's Main Event in terms of story. I saw a lot of people saying they should have saved turning Cena heel for that moment, but I am expecting the big moment tonight to start a new chapter.

I also ate an entire large thin crust pizza by myself.

Seth absolutely deserves it.

 

[Corporation]

Terrible but I can't stop laughing at this....

She’s been watching Lebron, that was top shelf quality flopping

Holy cow, this lady however, was not flopping as she gets trucked by a cart with Dirty Dom in it. No word if the driver was Stone Cold Steve Austin:

Dirty Dom Golf Cart Hits Fan

 

[DannyLee]

Wrestlemania this year was poorly written. Cena winning after a low blow and one title shot to the head? Against Cody? Really?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Rock with some rambling interview with McAfee.

This whole Cena turn didn't require Rock or that short skinny runt at all if Rock wasn't getting involved at Mania. Rock says he didn't want to make it about Cody/Cenas soul...wtf....he literally just did.

Rock says he backed off to make it all about Cena & Cody.....yet that skinny runt comes in at the end takes 25 minutes to get to the ring ......

Ok, guy.

WWE creative is really in a bad way right now. Maybe it's not in the depths of hell at McMahon's worst but it's not far off of it right now

Rock went on McAfee because everyone was giving him ****. And he didn't come off looking good with his rambling heap of . He'd have been better off not addressing at all.

 

[hagmania]

Oh ye of little faith in HHH. I saw sparks of a lot of good at WM that reminded me of black and gold NXT. You know, when HHH was running the show there.

I think he is hamstrung by leadership above him. If they pass him a directive, HHH has to carry it out if he can’t win the argument against a corporate decision. He’s merely the head of creative now.

 

[hagmania]

In other news, AEW has been stringing together a few consecutively excellent shows.

If they announce Omega vs Okada for All-In Texas I will be tempted to see how a cowboy hat looks on baby girl. Yeehaw, that has been the series of the century.

Ospreay vs Takeshita was flippin’ great last week.

 

[hagmania]

Finally, over in Tokyo, poor president Tanahashi has to build the New Japan brand back up.

Naito (and BUSHI) leaving NJPW in early May.

Ok, let’s be honest: Naito’s knees left New Japan about 6 years ago and the rest of his body is now following suit. He had no more left to give the company, it’s just a confirmation of the state of their business.

Tsuji Yota needs to win a banger of a G1. Tighten the blocks back down and deliver great match quality. Make it a grueling summer tournament once again and wrap it up by putting over your future.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Rock with some rambling interview with McAfee.

This whole Cena turn didn't require Rock or that short skinny runt at all if Rock wasn't getting involved at Mania. Rock says he didn't want to make it about Cody/Cenas soul...wtf....he literally just did.

Rock says he backed off to make it all about Cena & Cody.....yet that skinny runt comes in at the end takes 25 minutes to get to the ring ......

Ok, guy.

WWE creative is really in a bad way right now. Maybe it's not in the depths of hell at McMahon's worst but it's not far off of it right now

Rock went on McAfee because everyone was giving him ****. And he didn't come off looking good with his rambling heap of . He'd have been better off not addressing at all.

Oh ye of little faith in HHH. I saw sparks of a lot of good at WM that reminded me of black and gold NXT. You know, when HHH was running the show there.

I think he is hamstrung by leadership above him. If they pass him a directive, HHH has to carry it out if he can’t win the argument against a corporate decision. He’s merely the head of creative now.

Right, this is all on the Rock, who inserted himself into a story that he clearly had no commitment to finishing, and then was nowhere to be seen when the story climaxed (at Wrestlemania). Just an epic fail on his part. His apperance on McAfee came off as more damage control than anything, but he just made it worse.

 

[hagmania]

Tony Khan has cut bait with all the WWE sandbags outside of a couple notable exceptions and his weekly wrestling show is firing on all cylinders again.

AEW is cooking. Great main event tonight; I love the Hangman’s workrate and Kyle Fletcher is going to be fantastic for a long while yet.

 

[Tin Cup]

Tonight’s Smackdown is like a “Who’s Who?” of people that bore me to tears and who I wouldn’t mind not seeing ever again.

Pretty Deadly, Nia Jax, and Naomi so far. Just waiting for them to trot out Grayson Waller and Pete Dunne to round things out.

 

[Corporation]

Tonight’s Smackdown is like a “Who’s Who?” of people that bore me to tears and who I wouldn’t mind not seeing ever again.

Pretty Deadly, Nia Jax, and Naomi so far. Just waiting for them to trot out Grayson Waller and Pete Dunne to round things out.

The ref in the Pretty Deadly Fraxiom match was just awful. Elton got busted up due to a Frazer botch, and it was like he was concussed and forgot to kick out. It wasn't a late kick out, he just didn't kick out at all. The ref just pulled her arm and called it a 2 count. They got Frazer out of the match and Wilson hits a powerbomb. I think the ref was confused and thought they were trying to end the match due to an injury, so she counts 3. They just looked at her like "that's not the finish" so they just kept going. Some fans booing at this point. Fraxiom hits their finishing move for the win.

Sloppy spots, but one of the worst reffing performances I've seen in a very long time.

 

[calcinorjones]

Tonight’s Smackdown is like a “Who’s Who?” of people that bore me to tears and who I wouldn’t mind not seeing ever again.

Pretty Deadly, Nia Jax, and Naomi so far. Just waiting for them to trot out Grayson Waller and Pete Dunne to round things out.

The ref in the Pretty Deadly Fraxiom match was just awful. Elton got busted up due to a Frazer botch, and it was like he was concussed and forgot to kick out. It wasn't a late kick out, he just didn't kick out at all. The ref just pulled her arm and called it a 2 count. They got Frazer out of the match and Wilson hits a powerbomb. I think the ref was confused and thought they were trying to end the match due to an injury, so she counts 3. They just looked at her like "that's not the finish" so they just kept going. Some fans booing at this point. Fraxiom hits their finishing move for the win.

Sloppy spots, but one of the worst reffing performances I've seen in a very long time.

I saw that and had to rewind thinking I thought I heard a three count. Sure enough, she counted three and then the kick out. Elton was really messed up. Dude has blood pouring out of him and for some reason he gets positioned on top of a turnbuckle where a big moves usually happen. Elton in no condition to do anything but get rolled out of the ring. Fraxiom just kept going like it was no big deal and the ref completely botched it. Have not seen Smackdown in quite some time. It was lousy. Black and Miz was decent and the Orton promo was solid. The luchador match looked promising but I turned it off after seeing the main event materialize. Tiffy is going to be ruined by lousy creative.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

Saturday Night's Main Event was a lot of fun tonight.

 

[Desert_Power]

Saturday Night's Main Event was a lot of fun tonight.

Cody was getting a bit stale with belt but fun to have angry Cody back out there.

 

[hagmania]

AEW PPVs are so awesome.

Double or Nothing rocked

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

I think everyone was expecting a run in during Jey v Gunther last night, especially when the camera shot of the sleeper included the entrance area... I'm sure it's been said online, but the RAW match topped their Mania effort, and Gunther is back to being a killer. He must've just needed some time off, and the Jey test run went really well, imo. Interested to see how they balance both titles and the briefcase being with heels for now.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I think everyone was expecting a run in during Jey v Gunther last night, especially when the camera shot of the sleeper included the entrance area... I'm sure it's been said online, but the RAW match topped their Mania effort, and Gunther is back to being a killer. He must've just needed some time off, and the Jey test run went really well, imo. Interested to see how they balance both titles and the briefcase being with heels for now.

Glad they got belt off Jey quick. They got a WM moment I guess even if I thought their whole build up to their 1000th match was poor at best. Entrance is over but he's a better chaser of a champion than a champion. And probably a midcard title. His promos just aren't good or even average. You can only say Uce or Yeet in a promo, and it comprise of the majority of the promo, so many times before it gets tiresome.

For whatever the reason, I think Goldberg will be back to challenge for the title in his "retirement match". Possibly at their Saudi show. And Goonther should quickly dispose of him.

 

[Tin Cup]

They seem to be following the same script with Gunther they did with Rhea Ripley. Build him up as almost unbeatable. Throw in an occasional “upset” loss. I hope they don’t end up making him the same kind of one-note caricature Rhea/Goth Mami has become.

 

[Payne]

They seem to be following the same script with Gunther they did with Rhea Ripley. Build him up as almost unbeatable. Throw in an occasional “upset” loss. I hope they don’t end up making him the same kind of one-note caricature Rhea/Goth Mami has become.

Except one has the looks, talent and charisma.

 

[calcinorjones]

They seem to be following the same script with Gunther they did with Rhea Ripley. Build him up as almost unbeatable. Throw in an occasional “upset” loss. I hope they don’t end up making him the same kind of one-note caricature Rhea/Goth Mami has become.

I think they realized how pathetic they made Gunther look at WM. His IC run was strong but his first championship run was odd. Seemed like he was neutered quite a bit. Gunther's strength is exactly what we saw on display at the MITB PLE. He just chops apart ppl until they wither into a mass of sweltering flesh. Not sure what they are doing with Rhea but she sure needs a belt. With Perez, Vacquer and Giulia coming up to the main roster in addition to the return of Bailey and Asuka things are going to get complicated. RR put on a solid performance at MITB. Sadly, Naomi (who is a solid in ring performer) spent 80% of ring time laying outside of the ring while the rest of the women did the heavy lifting. I can't remember when Iyo last defended her belt - maybe WM. She put on a couple of good matches with Perez in May but to me I think RR gets a shot at Iyo at the next PLE and should get another title run. She looks leaner to me for someone that has always been in great shape.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Cena-Punk recreated

Great stuff. One of the best wrestling segments of the year

 

[Corporation]

Cena-Punk recreated

Great stuff. One of the best wrestling segments of the year

That was blistering!

 

[Ghost Rider]

Cena-Punk recreated

Great stuff. One of the best wrestling segments of the year

I get what they were going for, with the roles being reversed, but while I think Cena is one of the better talkers of all time, that came off as more corny than anything. Plus, Punk's original pipe bomb worked so well because we all knew that while it was a work, it was also somewhat of a shoot, as he was bitching about various things that he was legit pissed about. I got zero sense of that from Cena, even if some of the things he said about Punk were rooted not in kayfabe.

If nothing else, at least Cena looks like he is enjoying himself out there now. The first few months of him mean mugging as a heel, like he was mad at the world and constantly acting like Mr. Grumpy, was hilariously bad.

 

[Tin Cup]

Hope they start building some legitimate heat in the lead to Summerslam. Other than Cena-Punk things have been underwhelming lately IMO. The tag division is rudderless and predictable. They keep recycling the same rivalries in the women’s division. We now seem to be on Bloodline 35.0. This new Rollins/Heyman stable seems derivative and rudderless. Not sure anyone is buying or clamoring for Goldberg-Gunther or LA Knight-Rollins. Only 3 matches in 6 months from Reigns.

Needle-movers: Reigns, Punk, Rollins (when used properly), maybe Cena, Lynch and Stratton
Dependable role players: Orton, Rhodes (needs a fresh “story”), J. Fatu, Priest, Paul

Hope HHH finds some angles with legs and juice. Aleister Black has potential. Wouldn’t mind to see the Usos together as tag team partners again. Bron seems to have lost juice since ending up in the Rollins stable. Move the Cena story and inevitable face turn back beyond the same recurring match elements. Stop forcing Jade and Solo on a weary audience. Get Gunther an ongoing storyline where he is the hunter not the hunted.

 

[ChicoCat]

Turned in to AEW for the past couple of weeks and am generally not disappointed. It kind of seems like they righted their ship a bit. One thing that they should do is dump their announcing team. Those guys drag things down a good bit. Tony Khan should throw the checkbook at Pat McAffee....

 

[Payne]

Shocked to see this not bumped with all the action this weekend.

Obviously, the biggest news is Seth looks to be on the shelf for 10-12 months.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I think the Seth thing might be a work. Triple H was still talking last night about having it looked at, but with a knee injury like that, having it looked at immediately is usually par for the course, not "eh, we'll have it looked at in a few days." And he was hanging out backstage last night on crutches? Something seems fishy.

 

[Payne]

I think the Seth thing might be a work. Triple H was still talking last night about having it looked at, but with a knee injury like that, having it looked at immediately is usually par for the course, not "eh, we'll have it looked at in a few days." And he was hanging out backstage last night on crutches? Something seems fishy.

I don't think so at all. Even Knight looked upset.

That being said, I hope you're right. But all the sources so far have said it's legit.

 

[Tin Cup]

Goldberg’s last match was in a way the retirement of WCW as well. He was sort of the last connection to the golden age of the Monday Night Wars.

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

Wrestling just got interesting again.

 

[calcinorjones]

Shocked to see this not bumped with all the action this weekend.

Obviously, the biggest news is Seth looks to be on the shelf for 10-12 months.

Wrestling just got interesting again.

Evolution was solid. There was some excellent matches and some of the gear was just over the top creative. Veterans up and down the card really showed out.

 

[Desert_Power]

Shocked to see this not bumped with all the action this weekend.

Wrestling just got interesting again.

We're talking about how Big Boom AJ finally returned to the ring in AEW right?

 

[bro1ncos]

RIP Hulk Hogan aka Terry Bollea

 

[Uncle Leo]

RIP Hulk Hogan aka Terry Bollea

GOAT

Man I loved the Hulk. It was him that made me watch WWF.

 

[Tin Cup]

I think most people expected a Cena face turn back at some point, but WTF were the last three months all about? What was the point with the Final Boss and Travis Scott and soul-bartering just to abruptly abandon the whole angle?

Cody heel turn imminent?

 

[JB Breakfast Club]

Had a good time with SS night 1. Assuming we'll see something crazy tonight to compete with the Rollins reveal.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I think the Seth thing might be a work. Triple H was still talking last night about having it looked at, but with a knee injury like that, having it looked at immediately is usually par for the course, not "eh, we'll have it looked at in a few days." And he was hanging out backstage last night on crutches? Something seems fishy.

I don't think so at all. Even Knight looked upset.

That being said, I hope you're right. But all the sources so far have said it's legit.

Always a work , which became more clear as the weeks went on and no diagnose of Rollins' alleged knee was ever talked about. I am shocked that so many were surprised by that last night.

 

[bro1ncos]

Had a good time with SS night 1. Assuming we'll see something crazy tonight to compete with the Rollins reveal.

Was truly surprised thinking there wasn't going to be a big swerve or heal turn in night 1 until Seth came out.

Night 2 is a heal/face turn. They kept tempting it night 1 with Charlotte and a little with Roman.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Thought night 1 was solid.

Rollins angle was well done. Id eventually turn LA Knight into the group and say he was in on it all along.

I thought Charlotte was done for in WWE with her tired queen gimmick that was **** as face/heel. They've at least temporarily revived her with the tag team with Alexa Bliss.

Roman tag team match was good. Crowd was into it

Jelly Roll did shockingly well. Thought he carried / did most of the work for his team.

Jade belongs nowhere near the title picture. Just sloppy and careless. Good physique but so have a lot of males that've failed that didn't seem to get it in ring. I think WWE/NXT women's scene is too good to wait around hoping something clicks with Jade. Thought they made the right call having Stratton go over clean. Hopefully Jade disappears for awhile. Don't know where you go with her from here either.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I think most people expected a Cena face turn back at some point, but WTF were the last three months all about? What was the point with the Final Boss and Travis Scott and soul-bartering just to abruptly abandon the whole angle?

Cody heel turn imminent?

Seems like no long term plan with Rock-Cena-useless Scott.

WWE have apparently cut ties with that little runt Travis Scott (thank God!!!). Having his scrawny *** walking out there was akin to having Spike Dudley walking out to confront Brock Lesnar. Was just ridiculous. Hope I'm wrong, but I don't think they have Cody turn this weekend as to not overshadow Rollins. I do think Cody wins unless Cena's quick face turn was just a ruse. But also think Cody falling for that again makes him look like a dumbass. I think we get face-vs-face with Cody going over clean as a face.

 

[calcinorjones]

I think most people expected a Cena face turn back at some point, but WTF were the last three months all about? What was the point with the Final Boss and Travis Scott and soul-bartering just to abruptly abandon the whole angle?

Cody heel turn imminent?

I think the Rock shows up tonight but not sure how it weaves into the picture unless its a Cody heal turn catapulting Cena into his final run as a face OR confirming and reinforcing the Cena heel turn. Just a hunch as the Rock planted the soul sell (heel turn) and has to redeem that lousy WM no show.

 

[calcinorjones]

Thought night 1 was solid.

Rollins angle was well done. Id eventually turn LA Knight into the group and say he was in on it all along.

I thought Charlotte was done for in WWE with her tired queen gimmick that was **** as face/heel. They've at least temporarily revived her with the tag team with Alexa Bliss.

Roman tag team match was good. Crowd was into it

Jelly Roll did shockingly well. Thought he carried / did most of the work for his team.

Jade belongs nowhere near the title picture. Just sloppy and careless. Good physique but so have a lot of males that've failed that didn't seem to get it in ring. I think WWE/NXT women's scene is too good to wait around hoping something clicks with Jade. Thought they made the right call having Stratton go over clean. Hopefully Jade disappears for awhile. Don't know where you go with her from here either.

Thought SS Pt 1 was solid. Entertaining.

Opener was very good. Was shocked to see Reins execute a suicide dive and he almost smashed his head.

Women’s tag match was pretty darn good. Perez is the real deal and has a promising career on the near horizon but it was the uncanny pairing of Flair and Bliss that altered the negative fan response on Flair to booking gold. Looking forward to the next chapter on both teams.

Sami and Kross suffered from being too short which was puzzling. Lazy result and lack of a payoff given the momentum of the buildup. Where does this leave Kross?

Nothing is slowing Tiffy for the long term. Her in ring performances are exceptional and she is so far over with the fanbase. Jade needs more work. Looks great but in ring effort needs major refinement. Tiffy needs a major heel to step up and push her into the stratosphere. She is that close but needs more polish on the promos.

Randy and Roll vs Paul and Drew was just silly but man it was a lot of fun. These are WWE matches that have zero relevance outside of chaotic cheeseball entertainment where JR was built as a sympathetic underdog and it worked. Paul coming off the post for the Spanish announce table splash on Jelly was insane.

Punk and Gunther w the MITB cash in was excellent. Gunther redeemed himself after the brutal WM loss and I wonder if a face turn is coming. Punk is the unquestionable performer of the night and took a serious beating. All of the talk about being a selfish performer might have gone out the window. There is going to be one hell of a receipt coming for Rollins w the multiple burns on Punk. Enjoy SS night 2.

 

[bro1ncos]

They put on a great show last time and expect the same tonight, but a little surprised they are having the women's triple threat opening the show again.

Sikoa/Fatu in the cage might have been an interesting start.

 

[calcinorjones]

They put on a great show last time and expect the same tonight, but a little surprised they are having the women's triple threat opening the show again.

Sikoa/Futu in the cage might have been an interesting start.

Surprised as well but the women were exceptional. I honestly don’t know how or where Iyo gets her stamina and durability. This was about as perfect as a match can get. Looking forward to cage match. Fatu is just insane. Also wondering if Bayley does something in that title match. TLC time baby!

 

[calcinorjones]

Wow Candace just crashed hard. What a match. Train Wreck Glory!