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

[Stro]

What happened with SD that has you guys upset?

Show started with a 15 minute Shane/Bryan promo to announce a match already announced for days. Show goes to break. Show comes back to Shane/Bryan walking around in the back. This leads right into an Ellsworth promo, then a super short Cena/Nikki vs Ellsworth/Carmella match that ends with a pretty long Miz promo. Then a break. Then Dean Ambrose comes out and has another promo with Corbin with Corbin on the screen. Then a break. Then they come back to Dean walking around again, do a women's month thing, a Mojo promo, then BACK to Dean who eventually gets a beat down from Corbin. Then a break. Then, at 9, Alexa and Mickie come out for a promo segment that immediately goes to break, which then turns into Becky and Nattie also getting in on it...then Bryan comes back out to Teddy Long it. Match immediately goes to break, ends with partners turning on each other.

Austin Aries gets a promo to hype 205 Live, an update on Dean, then AJ comes out with a half hour left in the show to....cut a promo. So Orton/AJ starts and immediately goes to break, gets about 18 minutes and is not even impressive considering the talent involved except for one GREAT spot.


AND THEN, 205 Live, the even more explicitly workrate than SD show starts with a 15 minute Aries/Neville promo followed by a break and backstage segment with Dar/Gallagher/Swann. 20 minutes into the cruiserweight show before the match starts.

[Trent Dole]

Haha wtf is Vince paying attention to Smackdown now and shitting it up?

[archie4208]

Shane/AJ has been planned for months.  It's not surprising, but it's a terrible waste of talent for the best worker on the roster.

[FunSlower]

Well, I'd be pissed off too if I had to watch Austin Aries. He's fucking awful.

[bork]

Austin Aries is awful...but Roman Reigns is good?

[FunSlower]

Yeah, Roman is good. I'd even say he's very good. He's not my favorite by a long shot, but the internet digs their heels in and is continuing the feelings of #notmychampion and probably will forever. It's a shame. These are the same child baby fans that let Batista know that they're really not worth his time anymore, even though he loves the business.

[fistfulofmetal]

Roman is fine in a very specific role. He's hasn't been in that role since leaving the Shield and since then he's completely floundered trying to be the various kind of Face characters the booking expects him to be.

So you got this guy who's OK in the ring and excels when he's matched with the right people. But when you put the stick in his hand he falls apart. He looks like a goof ball trying to be a badass.

[FunSlower]

Speaking of people who were handed the stick, how about Strowman? I didn't expect him to excel at the level they dropped him in at all. He's been a great result.

[Stro]

Roman vs Stroman was about 100% better than Aries vs Nese from last night.

I fear for the days when Stroman gets a Hogan parody gimmick, dude. WELL YOU KNOW SOMETHING, BROTHER, STROKEAMANIA IS RUNNING WILD, DUDE.

[fistfulofmetal]

He's definitely surpassed a lot of expectations. It's got a little annoying when literally all he says is "GIVE ME COMPETITION, I WANT COMPETITION" but I get his character. They aren't trying to make him something he's not and he's doing well in his role.

He shouldn't have lost at Fastlane.

[FunSlower]

I'm not sure I understand the anger of putting AJ with Shane for Mania. Shane and Taker were the biggest draws of Mania, which sad as it is, is true. AJ can work with him and definitely make it a hell of a lot better. AJ's a made man.

[Stro]

Yeah, it shows that they have the utmost faith in him and are giving him the biggest thing they possibly can on the show. But it's still a gigantic waste of AJ. You have literally the best guy in the world on the biggest show in the world and it's with a 47 year old whose giant bump will be the focus of the match.

[FunSlower]

Yeah, it shows that they have the utmost faith in him and are giving him the biggest thing they possibly can on the show. But it's still a gigantic waste of AJ. You have literally the best guy in the world on the biggest show in the world and it's with a 47 year old whose giant bump will be the focus of the match.

Don't get me wrong, no doubt he could have a wonderful match with someone else, and we're missing that to do a Shane match. But I see the business behind the decision.

[seagrams hotsauce]

the internet digs their heels in and is continuing the feelings of #notmychampion and probably will forever. It's a shame.

God forbid people resent having something that isn't working shoved down their throat for three plus years. Surely the best way to fix the issue of the top babyface getting loudly booed any time he's on TV is by having him beat Taker at Mania

[Stro]

Good thing they clearly want you to boo Roman in his feud with Undertaker. You don't have the monster heel come out and say "everyone hates you, Chicago hates you", then have the Roman get in Taker's grill without WANTING the fans to boo.  They encourage you to boo Roman, just like they encourage you to boo Cena, because it's a fun dynamic for the crowds and keeps them engaged no matter who is in the ring. They're not trying to fix the issue. They haven't for 2 years. They're not going to because it works.

[FunSlower]

the internet digs their heels in and is continuing the feelings of #notmychampion and probably will forever. It's a shame.

God forbid people resent having something that isn't working shoved down their throat for three plus years. Surely the best way to fix the issue of the top babyface getting loudly booed any time he's on TV is by having him beat Taker at Mania

but it is working, that's the thing. Reigns is top 5 merch sellers. Whether you want to believe it or not...that shit's working and a lot of people like him.

[seagrams hotsauce]

They encourage you to boo Roman

crowds are clearly dying for a reason to cheer for Roman

🤔

[Trent Dole]

Oh is it time for more Ramen?

[Stro]

They encourage you to boo Roman

crowds are clearly dying for a reason to cheer for Roman

🤔

They want him to turn heel so they can cheer him. This is literally what people have been asking for the past 2 years. Vince stays giving the people what they want via reverse psychology   

[FunSlower]

That's the evolution of the Daniel Bryan stan. Their hero taken from him, they turned their attention to a polar opposite of that little earth muffin. A swarthy, strong, handsome man.





And this was peak mass Bryan.

[Stro]

Why the fuck was he wearing sandals to chop wood

[FunSlower]

I don't have a good answer for that, and neither does he

Bryan on TD was a treat. Asked Nikki and Brie's parents to shit in the yard.

[archie4208]

According to Meltzer, Reigns winning the galactic championship off Lesnar is likely happening.

That will be his 3rd coronation. 

[FunSlower]

According to Meltzer, Reigns winning the galactic championship off Lesnar is likely happening.

That will be his 3rd coronation. 

Makes sense, they could probably have a pretty hot feud culminating on Summerslam. Should be good.

[bork]

Kairi Hojo has signed with WWE and should be heading to NXT in April.  Are we gonna get a joshipuroresu feud going with her and Asuka? 

[FunSlower]

Kairi Hojo has signed with WWE and should be heading to NXT in April.  Are we gonna get a joshipuroresu feud going with her and Asuka?

No shit. Dope!

I would hope they won't sit on Asuka a day later than the night after Mania. They have that Takeover setup with Peyton Royce and Billie Kay and Asuka, so Asuka doesn't have to get pinned. Keeps her unpinnable mystique.

Asuka has been in NXT way too long.

[bork]

OK, yeah, this might be better than Bork Laser.

[nachobro]

 

[Stro]

I made this probably 2-3 years ago: Razor Romaine





I also have Sid Viscous, and Bad Grass Billy Gunn, and something else I can't remember. I don't remember where I posted them.

[Stro]

Omg this episode of Raw, the one with the Macho/Crush summit.

opens with that

about 12 mins in




Followed by the original Jeff Jarrett vignette, where he's outside the country hall of fame bitching about the politics of country music and flubbing his lines, and at one point a plane nearly drowns him out. IN A PRETAPED PROMO.

Then THAT is followed by Randy Savage saying this about Hulk Hogan:

"I think Hogan's a prima-dona, a backstabber, and he's a liar, and he thinks he's the messiah walking around the face of the earth and there's only one power, and that's up above, brother, and that's the way that it is."

[Momo]

[Stro]

I see that and wonder why TDE hasn't made individual emojis of all of those faces for my use on the the coli 

[Trent Dole]

OK, yeah, this might be better than Bork Laser.

(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

omg

[Momo]

I think you guys would like this more than our dead mma thread

[Stro]

https://twitter.com/cagesideseats/status/839931789816836099




And Bryan insists his brain is okay

[archie4208]

He's gonna pull a Randy the Ram in 2019 against Shibata. 

Meltzer will give it 5 stars. 

[seagrams hotsauce]

https://twitter.com/cagesideseats/status/839931789816836099




And Bryan insists his brain is okay (Image removed from quote.)

lmao Jesus christ

[Stro]

Vince out here taking bumps to put over the Crush/Randy Savage feud 



It's a shame Crush was so terrible, because this is actually a pretty lit ass feud. Super heated, both have logical reasons to be pissed at each other, and VINCE himself is taking bumps to pump it up.

[Stro]

https://legitshook.squarespace.com/strobogos-wrasslin-potpourri-reviews/2017/3/9/impact-wrestling-3917

The TNA reboot is 

All but 2 segments have ex WWE/NXT talent, show starts with feuding tag team partners straight into a worked shoot by announcers, you have Dutch Mantell name dropping all the talent that TNA used to have that left for WWE (including himself) because TNA sucked to be in, Brother Love coming out saying TNA was NEVER great but it can be again (), and a main event featuring an ex-WWE guy vs ex-WWE guy for the title with an ex-WWE ref, 2 ref bumps, called by two ex-WWE guys and an ex-WCW guy.

Plus the Hardys getting written out via teleporter issue, and multiple references to Donald Trump shit. There is no way Russo didn't ghost write this show.





It's a trainwreck, but at least it was an entertaining trainwreck.

[archie4208]

Apparently TNA threatened to sue Matt and Jeff for using the broken gimmick outside of their company.

I'm no lawyer so I can't determine the legality, but it's still assholish.

[bork]

Matt filed a patent for the "broken" trademark in retaliation. 

[FunSlower]

TNA's crazy. They managed to cost some folks at the Fight Network their jobs too. Just by existing.

[archie4208]

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/841340447658254336

Announce a marquee match on Twitter instead of your TV show, brehs.

[fistfulofmetal]

Well I imagine more people are going to see the announcement on Twitter than on the actual show 

[FunSlower]

It'll be fun to figure out if WWE will finally turn Roman heel (as beating Taker is a great way to get legit heat, not just upsetting Bryan stans) or if they're going to continue to stay the course. I get the feeling they're gonna stay the course.

[Stro]

I say genuinely run it into the ground until even kids have turned on him, THEN turn him true heel. Kids buying all his goofy accessories is the reason they won't turn him, so midas well stay the course until that well is dry.

Getting up some WM's to get in the spirit:

https://legitshook.squarespace.com/strobogos-wrasslin-potpourri-reviews/2017/3/12/wwf-wrestlemania-5

WM5 a giant improvement over the awful, dreadful, torturous WM 4, although still not great or anything. Macho/Hogan legit has a 3rd devoted to Macho working Hulk's HAIR.  Some fun undercard matches, all the really shitty dudes were kept to really short matches.





https://legitshook.squarespace.com/strobogos-wrasslin-potpourri-reviews/2017/3/13/wwf-wrestlemania-18

WM 18 is basically the blueprint for the current WM's of being built around multiple "main events" and relying heavily on old timers/returning stars/part timers. Rock/Hogan might be THE defining WM match. Taker/Flair has to me what might be Flair's GOAT performance, and that Arn spinebuster 




I'll probably get out a few more before 33.

[seagrams hotsauce]

Saw this in my youtube sidebar and had to click to see if it was as distinguished mentally-challenged as the title made it out to be, and lo and behold it was

[Trent Dole]

Ryback - still dumb as fuck.

[archie4208]

Lucha Underground seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix now.

Also AJ vs Shane is now confirmed. 

[FunSlower]

Ryback - still dumb as fuck.

hah, I remember that reference. good podcast.

[Stro]

https://legitshook.squarespace.com/strobogos-wrasslin-potpourri-reviews/2017/3/14/wwf-wrestlemania-10

Tell me how Wrestlemania 10 has two of the all time classic WM matches and it's still one of the worst WM shows of all time.

[archie4208]

The Wrestlemania 34 main event is penciled in.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Reigns vs. Lesnar II

A lot of times people talk about how there’s no long-term planning but the WrestleMania 34 main event for April 8, 2018, which obviously could change, is set for Lesnar vs. Reigns for the Universal title.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Reigns is beating Undertaker or that Lesnar will have a full one year run as champion, although both could happen. I have no idea of what the finish will be of Undertaker vs. Reigns. The goal is very much to make Reigns the next Cena, which was the plan for Santa Clara two years ago, until they decided to delay it based on fan reaction.

The plan is to once again build for a year and have the big coronation at WrestleMania. The idea between now and then is for Reigns to be the face, not just when he wins the title, but to fully replace John Cena as the lead babyface of the company. How they’ll make that work is uncertain. They may just go with the idea that the fans that attend TVs and PPVs that boo Reigns are a minority of their worldwide audience and ignore the obvious crowd reaction. It’s hard to believe that in one year, considering it’s been more than two years since they’ve tried to change things, that the Santa Clara reaction of Lesnar being far and away the most popular wrestler on the show as the heel, and Reigns being even more far and away the most hated, even positioned as main event babyface, will change much with another year of attempting to convince fans Reigns is the guy.

[close]

[FunSlower]

So WWE will continue on course. Makes sense. I mean, it's WWE. They should have woken up ages ago and realized it's not going to work as well as they want, but them's the bricks. Hey, if I had my druthers, Mr. Perfect would have had a couple world title runs, etc. There's so much more going on outside of the main event you have to really stretch to not watch Mania due to the main event.

Speaking of, good for AJ Styles on getting a match with Shane. That's a big payday. He really is a one of a kind talent.

[Arbys Roast Beef Sandwich]

Paige nudes leaked... Not bad 

[eleuin]

[Stro]

Man, they had a  2 cam shoot going. Shit had higher production values than a lot of actual porn I've seen.

[seagrams hotsauce]

I just checked wrestlewiththeplot after seeing you guys post and hooooolllyyyy fuckingggg christ. Asuka gotta burn that belt

[Take My Breh Away]

Stupid Sexy Brad Maddox 

[Mr. Nobody]

I just checked wrestlewiththeplot after seeing you guys post and hooooolllyyyy fuckingggg christ. Asuka gotta burn that belt

Literally. Jesus Christ.

[seagrams hotsauce]

The unofficial name for the Woods tape should be Up Down Up Down