Pro Wrasslin' Thread: I don't know what I just saw

[FunSlower]

Surprised we're not hearing the same with Danny Bryan that we do with Stephanie, which is people calling for her to get her comeuppance every chance they get. I mean, what makes them so different?

Oh yeah Steph is a successful woman and Bryan is a hill person.

[Stro]

For me, the past 2 moths of Bryan both as a fully written character and him being (mostly) himself on TS and TD/TB has made me come to dislike him a lot.

Post "retirement" DB can kick rocks. Dude is STILL talking about the doctors being wrong, his post WWE wrestling plans, voting for the weirdest candidate in the race, being an absolute shitbag to his co-workers and in laws on TV. It makes sense that his best character was when he was a dickbag to AJ on TV every week. That was the closest to the real him. Who would have thunk it?

[El Babua]

You marks

[seagrams hotsauce]

You marks

seriously lmao

For me, the past 2 moths of Bryan both as a fully written character and him being (mostly) himself on TS and TD/TB has made me come to dislike him a lot.

Post "retirement" DB can kick rocks. Dude is STILL talking about the doctors being wrong, his post WWE wrestling plans, voting for the weirdest candidate in the race, being an absolute shitbag to his co-workers and in laws on TV. It makes sense that his best character was when he was a dickbag to AJ on TV every week. That was the closest to the real him. Who would have thunk it?

DBs best schtick was him being a dick to AJ? Gtfo haha

[FunSlower]

Dickbag Bryan was absolutely, easily my favorite run. Scrappy underdog was just too...pitiful

Big Dave Bateaster did the job and put him over like a million bucks though. Dave was too good for us, I miss him so much

[Stro]

You marks

seriously lmao

For me, the past 2 moths of Bryan both as a fully written character and him being (mostly) himself on TS and TD/TB has made me come to dislike him a lot.

Post "retirement" DB can kick rocks. Dude is STILL talking about the doctors being wrong, his post WWE wrestling plans, voting for the weirdest candidate in the race, being an absolute shitbag to his co-workers and in laws on TV. It makes sense that his best character was when he was a dickbag to AJ on TV every week. That was the closest to the real him. Who would have thunk it?

DBs best schtick was him being a dick to AJ? Gtfo haha

What time was he doing better character work?

[FunSlower]

It's closely related, but Hell No Bryan is a close second. Hell No and Dickbag Bryan made Mania 30 Bryan possible. It wouldn't have worked without those previously, those got him over as fuck. As did Sheamus' boot.

[nachobro]

Team Hell No was his best stuff imo. But dick Bryan was great too, as was sadsack Authority-whipped Bryan. He's had a lot of good stuff for a dude that still flubs constantly on the mic.

[FunSlower]

[Stro]

Lol what a terrible look he had going into WM30. Beard was disgusting, hair was a mess and he was always messing with it because it was in his face, dropped the 15lbs of muscle he had put on over the previous 2 years, looked stringy and slight.

[FunSlower]

I like Bryan a LOT but he looked terrible. Just a little grooming would have paid off even bigger.

[bork]

I like Bryan a LOT but he looked terrible. Just a little grooming would have paid off even bigger.

Yup.  The 'E even made a storyline out of how bad he looked.

[Stro]

With Bryan retired, KO for sure has the worst look in WWE award locked down. Especially when he comes out in track pants. Dying when people say he's a Vader/Norton type instead of a short dude with a huge gut, no muscles, and a gross patchy beard.









I have such an appreciation of Norton. Even more than I used to have now that I've been exposed to much more of his NJ work. Dude was always a blast to watch.

[seagrams hotsauce]

  alright Vince

[Stro]

alright Vince

I mean, he's a great talent and obviously Vince doesn't care much about look anymore, but he looks like shit. Huge gut, bird legs, no muscle tone, poor beard, 10 years out of date hair. Could thing for him he can talk.

[seagrams hotsauce]

I hear what you're saying but I don't really put that much weight on that personally. If you're good at wrestling and good at talking that's enough for me. You must hate the Wyatts

[FunSlower]

even just talking CAN be enough for me. It rarely is but it has happened before and will happen again. I'm a forgiving guy.

[Stro]

I hear what you're saying but I don't really put that much weight on that personally. If you're good at wrestling and good at talking that's enough for me. You must hate the Wyatts

No. Nor do I hate KO because of his look. I said he was a great talent. One of their top talents. He just looks like trash. KO wishes he had the actual big guy body that Bray has. Bray is built like a defensive tackle (because he was one). KO is built like a normal sized guy who eats and drinks non stop. I don't hate anyone because of their look, but looks are important. Even bad looks can be good depending on the talent and style. I don't think KO's look is good for him. It could be if he lost like 15-20 lbs. He looked significantly better when he started in NXT and had dropped quite a bit of weight and had defined muscles, but was still obviously a a husky dude.

I'm not going to stop enjoying KO because he's fat, but I would like him to look like he gives a shit about his appearance once in a while.

[FunSlower]

KO could go from great to exceptional with a little personal care. He has all the tools. He really does.

My gf continues to love him but always mention that he is wear shapewear, and that makes me laugh every time

[nachobro]

Yep, same. Everytime I bitch about my beer gut (which is going down, thank you) my lady suggests I just wear compression gear like KO. Dude is good on the mic and in the ring but yeah, a little personal work could do wonders. Of course it's harder to do that when you're on the road 300 days a year so I'm not one to talk.

[Stro]

[Stro]

That FloMat thing is going to be dead in under 2 years. Especially since they don't actually have agreements with WWE to air WWE shows, and PWG won't sign up for it. What it ends up being is a house for a bunch of indies that already have their own streaming infrastructure but will be getting less money per customer and have to go through a middle man (or multiple for some of them).

What it looks like to me is WWE's investment in the thing is essentially outsourcing another group to set up the contacts and contracts so they can swoop in and buy it all without having to set it up themselves in a year or two when it fails. And get some of their money back while it lasts, too. It might even be a way around monopoly laws if we want to get Alex Jones up in this mug.

[Stro]

Oh wait, they didn't tell WWE their investment was going towards locking down indie promotions that WWE itself was interested in streaming on The Network? 

[nachobro]

I don't even understand this Flo thing. So it's streaming only of a few indies and no archive? For $150 a year?

[nachobro]

also lol at gaf wrassle thread. it's real easy to rustle some jimmies there by pointing out their irrational hate of steph mcmahon

[Stro]

also lol at gaf wrassle thread. it's real easy to rustle some jimmies there by pointing out their irrational hate of steph mcmahon

That type of talk about any woman in any other thread on the board would leads to a graveyard and a closed thread. The shit they say about her in that thread is full blown legitimate misogyny. It's so weird.

[nachobro]

Also I apologize for bringing up GAF, won't do it again. But just had to laugh at them for getting so upset at something that is frighteningly obvious.

[FunSlower]

I wish I could let them know she's just playing a character, it'd bring up some WONDERFUL discussion 

[nachobro]

You don't understand, Sunny. She shit on my favorite of all time, Daniel Bryan! Therefore she's an evil monster who hates children and also WWE charities are all fraudulence! 

[FunSlower]

Maybe it's just me, but I have zero problem separating her on-screen character with what she actually does at WWE. I didn't know that was too high concept, but...wrasslin fans. They always say not every wrestling fan is mentally stunted, but everyone who is mentally stunted is a wrestling fan.

Really incredible how Stephanie draws out the GamerGate (WrassleGate?) folks. The people who watch a man vs woman match and cheers for the man to humiliate the woman the whole time. Ugh, I saw one of those matches and it was really gross.

[Stro]

Maybe it's just me, but I have zero problem separating her on-screen character with what she actually does at WWE. I didn't know that was too high concept, but...wrasslin fans. They always say not every wrestling fan is mentally stunted, but everyone who is mentally stunted is a wrestling fan.

Really incredible how Stephanie draws out the GamerGate (WrassleGate?) folks. The people who watch a man vs woman match and cheers for the man to humiliate the woman the whole time. Ugh, I saw one of those matches and it was really gross.

It really is fascinating. These dudes who so desperately want Steph to get beaten up by man 100 or more pounds bigger than her. All because she...promotes charities on Twitter and dares to slap men. And they don't see why said 100 pound plus bigger men beating her up because she's a meanie to some people they like (when she's actually on TV for one segment per show where she does nothing but talk to Mick Foley in the office) isn't a good look for a PG promotion in 2016.

Stephanie McMahon is on TV each week less than Daniel Bryan. And Daniel Bryan is a much bigger offender at actually burying talent on SD and TS than Steph ever is on Raw, yet no one complains about Bryan and, in fact, celebrates him going out of his way to demean talent and put them in situations where they can't respond in or out of character without having to worry about getting punished by the office. Just imagine if there was a post-Raw show where Steph shit on every talent and writer in the company for 25 minutes to their face with complete impunity.

[nachobro]

Haven't watched Raw in a bit but wanted to catch a go home show.

Three hours is really just too much. Everything is just too drawn out and every segment takes much longer than it should. They've got a decent sized talent pool but a lot of them are just used for a 10 second thing backstage. Very weird. That being said I think Strowman and Sami is going to be a good match. Strowman looks good and Sami is the perfect dude for him to learn from in a match.

[bork]

I watched it for just a few minutes and stopped.  Your go-home show is focused on Jericho losing his list?  Seriously? 

I forgot they had another PPV coming up since the focus has been on Brock/Goldberg for Survivor Series.  Also what happened to the women headlining the event?  Now they've branded it as a "triple main event." 

[archie4208]

You know Raw is bad when a Paul Heyman promo flops.

[nachobro]

Brock's face when the crowd started chanting Goldberg Sucks though



 

[Stro]

You know Raw is bad when a Paul Heyman promo flops.

Paul Heyman hasn't cut an interesting promo in 2 years, though. I can't blame any crowd for not being interested in hearing him say the same thing he's been saying since WM 30.

[Trent Dole]

You don't understand, Sunny. She shit on my favorite of all time, Daniel Bryan! Therefore she's an evil monster who hates children and also WWE charities are all fraudulence! 

To be fair Komen for the cure is a pretty bullshit charity and Steph very very rarely gets any sort of comeuppance for being an asshat on TV. Misogyny is NOT tolerated on the SA boards these days and she's endlessly called a Mary Sue on there.

[Stro]

You don't understand, Sunny. She shit on my favorite of all time, Daniel Bryan! Therefore she's an evil monster who hates children and also WWE charities are all fraudulence! 

To be fair Komen for the cure is a pretty bullshit charity and Steph very very rarely gets any sort of comeuppance for being an asshat on TV. Misogyny is NOT tolerated on the SA boards these days and she's endlessly called a Mary Sue on there.

I just want to point out SGK is actually a much better charity than it is given credit for. Actual studies show about 10% go to administrators, but Wreddit would lead you to believe 99% of all money goes directly to the CEO or something. They paid for my mom's double mastectomy, her chemo, and her meds and all doctors visits for the next year. They actually do do some stuff.

[bork]

Didn't watch SD either.  Is it true that Orton turned on Kane and said he was joining the Wyatts? 

I didn't watch live last night. I'm glad I didn't.

They did Curtis Axel so fucking rotten after he gave THE GREATEST PROMO OF HIS FUCKING LIFE.

He jobbed in his hometown.  Standard stuff.  He also has like zero charisma- dude needs to be repackaged (again).  He was at his most entertaining when he was pretending to be Hogan and that says a lot.

Bo is not that much better a this point either.  Put both of them with the Wyatts or something.

[nachobro]

Yep, he RKO'd Kane during his match and then left. Then there was a backstage interview where he just looked around for a while and then said "if you can't beat em, join em" and left.

Also Becky Lynch got a yellow streak spraypainted on her back and James Ellsworth cost Dean a title shot. All in all a good, weird show. Oh, also the Hype Bros won a match. Most shocking moment of the night.

[bork]

Yep, he RKO'd Kane during his match and then left. Then there was a backstage interview where he just looked around for a while and then said "if you can't beat em, join em" and left.

Methinks this is a SHOCKING ORTON SWERVE AND HE TRICKED BRAY WYATT!  MIND GAMES!  thing though.

Also Becky Lynch got a yellow streak spraypainted on her back and James Ellsworth cost Dean a title shot. All in all a good, weird show. Oh, also the Hype Bros won a match. Most shocking moment of the night.

 

[nachobro]

 

[bork]

That used to be my feelings on WWE.  Now it's just . 

Yet I keep the Network sub going.

[Stro]

Only way to do it is keep making emails every month because the free trials are tied to emails instead of card numbers

[FunSlower]

I hope Orton goes all in with the Wyatts. He could use a refresh, or something. I'm fine with the Viper stuff, I don't think that's a gimmick that expires, but making Randy more interesting would be good.

[bork]

Only way to do it is keep making emails every month because the free trials are tied to emails instead of card numbers

(Image removed from quote.)

I really should do this.

[bork]

I hope Orton goes all in with the Wyatts. He could use a refresh, or something. I'm fine with the Viper stuff, I don't think that's a gimmick that expires, but making Randy more interesting would be good.

I doubt it's going to happen.  Who are they going to feud with?  Kane, again? 

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Oh man that's what's going to happen, isn't it?    Maybe Taker will come back and team up.

[close]

[nachobro]

Kane, Taker, and a surprise transfer from Raw: Brawn Strowman! Actually after last night I wouldn't be surprised to see Ambrose join a team against the Wyatts.

Also for what its worth I do like WWE a lot more now than I did before. I think it has to do with just watching less. Stopped Raw outside of PPVs, picked up Smackdown, and don't watch NXT outside of the Takeovers and I'm immediately more positive on the product.

[Stro]

I hope Orton goes all in with the Wyatts. He could use a refresh, or something. I'm fine with the Viper stuff, I don't think that's a gimmick that expires, but making Randy more interesting would be good.

What is The Viper gimmick? I would argue that's what has made him so boring and forgettable the past few years is that he hasn't actually had a gimmick in like 5-6 years. From the time he turned face in what...2011? He hasn't had any kind of discernible character beyond "Randy Orton".

[nachobro]

He used to hear voices, he doesn't even seem to do that anymore. But he's still popular so I guess they are just letting him do whatever.

[FunSlower]

I hope Orton goes all in with the Wyatts. He could use a refresh, or something. I'm fine with the Viper stuff, I don't think that's a gimmick that expires, but making Randy more interesting would be good.

What is The Viper gimmick? I would argue that's what has made him so boring and forgettable the past few years is that he hasn't actually had a gimmick in like 5-6 years. From the time he turned face in what...2011? He hasn't had any kind of discernible character beyond "Randy Orton".

Well, gimmick is definitely the wrong word. But it's his character. His motivations have always been really written poorly post-Legacy, which is a shame. He's still dynamite in the ring. Let's hope this gives him some direction and freshening.

I'm very interested in Strowman vs Zayn at the PPV. I think that's a great new matchup and nobody aside from little Daniel Aryan plays "smaller dude in peril" as good as Zayn does currently. Except maybe Heath Slater.

[Stro]

I hope Orton goes all in with the Wyatts. He could use a refresh, or something. I'm fine with the Viper stuff, I don't think that's a gimmick that expires, but making Randy more interesting would be good.

What is The Viper gimmick? I would argue that's what has made him so boring and forgettable the past few years is that he hasn't actually had a gimmick in like 5-6 years. From the time he turned face in what...2011? He hasn't had any kind of discernible character beyond "Randy Orton".

Well, gimmick is definitely the wrong word. But it's his character. His motivations have always been really written poorly post-Legacy, which is a shame. He's still dynamite in the ring. Let's hope this gives him some direction and freshening.

I'm very interested in Strowman vs Zayn at the PPV. I think that's a great new matchup and nobody aside from little Daniel Aryan plays "smaller dude in peril" as good as Zayn does currently. Except maybe Heath Slater.

Orton is like...whatever Cesaro and Sheamus are to the mid card, but in the main events. It's very weird. Everything he does is crisp and looks great, and you can dependably rely on him to put on a certain quality of match against anyone, but there is no reason to give a shit about anything he's doing. The only things of note he's been involved with in 6 years are the matches with Christian/Bryan, and being involved in an angle that made people think Brock was shooting on him in the middle of the ring.

I, too, am interested in Sami/Braun. Mostly to see Braun look amazing, as I've been on his hype train since he debuted and I've pretty much given up on Sami ever returning to the level he was pre-shoulder injury. I also want to see the hatred flow when Braun beats him clean.

[FunSlower]

"Yeah, sure WWE, let the big idiot win instead of your greatest face hero your company has ever seen. That'll hurt Sami bad, and that'll keep him from the main event"

so stupid to think that faces don't lose on the reg unless they're a spectacle ala Hug Hogins.

[Stro]

Getting mad at Sami losing at this point is like getting mad at The Ascension for losing. Did is mid card through and through, and it isn't even 100% WWE's fault. The difference between Sami pre and post shoulder injury is night and day, sadly. Still. And he's been back almost a year.

[FunSlower]

I'll also never understand the weenies that still want him to wrustle KO. Let that shit sleep for a decade. When it comes back it can be hot.

Still think WWE set KO up for failure by putting him with Cena for a debut. Since he wasn't going to be champ then, there was no direction for him to go but down. Cena was generous and inside the ring, made him a killer. Fortunately his promo ability and his wrestling ability kept him from washing away ala Essssscobar, but man, unless you're hotshotting someone to be champion, giving them a debut THAT strong means afterwards, you kind of meander around. And he did. Fortunately he clawed his way up. I'm happy for him being where he is now.

Ratings are in the toilet if that's what you're into

[bork]

Kane, Taker, and a surprise transfer from Raw: Brawn Strowman! Actually after last night I wouldn't be surprised to see Ambrose join a team against the Wyatts.

Also for what its worth I do like WWE a lot more now than I did before. I think it has to do with just watching less. Stopped Raw outside of PPVs, picked up Smackdown, and don't watch NXT outside of the Takeovers and I'm immediately more positive on the product.

That's what I've been doing.  Before I used to just get burned out on it.  Now I just find it all kind of boring.

[FunSlower]

It's a terrible thing when "watch less of the thing you love" makes it better, but it's true. The less you watch, the better.

[nachobro]

I guess its more of "stop watching stuff I already know I'm not going to like" such as 3 hours of Raw

[archie4208]

Right now there are no plans for bringing Nakamura to the main roster. At least for now, he’s pegged to be the flagship star of the NXT brand.

[bork]

Right now there are no plans for bringing Nakamura to the main roster. At least for now, he’s pegged to be the flagship star of the NXT brand.

Didn't they also say the same thing about Samoa Joe and kept him on because of his merchandise sales being higher than they expected?

I wonder if the language barrier has anything to do with it.  Nakamura speaks English decently, but needs a lot of work.  Ditto for Asuka.  Although they could always be given a manager.

I'd like to see a new Japanese group pop up and have Nakamura, Itami, and Asuka get called up and dominate one of the main brands.  Serious stuff instead of "I CHOPPY CHOPPY YOUR PEE PEE."