The Official WWE Thread

[Javocado]

lil notes:

Can't believe this was 8 years ago!!

-The Nakamura news is an absolute shame because he's been dealt such a horrible hand by the company since he graduated from NXT. His debut match against Sami is one of my all-time favs from the Black and Gold era. Royal Rumble win squandered, many stop and start pushes, a horribly book feud against AJ, the list goes on for the decline of his aura on the main roster. I was intrigued by his new presentation and was shocked when he took the title off LA Knight and wanted to see what they'd do with it but he would literally just lurk backstage and now it's back on LA. If the news is true, I would imagine AEW would be frothing at the mouth to sign him, but I would like him to go back to NJPW and finish there if he so chooses. No matter what happens and how his tenure in WWE shaped up, I really like Shinsuke and just wish he won the world title at least once.

-Also while we are on the subject of Rikishi, his online presence is starting to really irk me lol, at least when it comes to bringing up his son. I get it that he's Jey's father, but he's a little too chatty when it comes to how his "main event" career has played out. I know lost every big title match he's been in save one and he lost the title like 2 weeks after to move the Bloodline story but he's about to be due for a big payoff at Wrestlemania! But recently I guess Rikishi met up with Jey and said he said Uce looked "exhausted" during the dinner they had but I'm like why would you air that out?? That's just gonna give the "Jey's not cut out for the main event" crowd even more to talk about even though Jey is working all the shows. Just seems a lil weird to air that out to me and almost makes me want to see Gunther win just to see how Rikishi would meltdown LOL. He's probably going to crash out regardless because I don't think Jey vs Gunther will main event either night of Wrestlemania if Rollins/Reigns/Punk happens and Night 2 is obviously Cody/Cena.

-RAW is looking to be great tomorrow!! It's at MSG so you know they're going to deliver! We got Punk and Rollins in the steel cage but on top of that there's also the Tornado Tag and Rhea's live reaction to losing her championship and more. I'm very excited because apparently there's "more twists and turns" to come and it's almost a month til the big show

 

[Dim]

Edit: looks like I can't send this video for some reason

 

[QueenCobra]

Stop giving me a heart attack with these video titles….

 

[QueenCobra]

Bring back some vehicle entrances, I beg of you….

 

[QueenCobra]

Why does this look like fun lol. Might try some of the Texas toast….

 

[QueenCobra]

Interesting how King Kong Bundy originally went by “Chris Canyon” and Chris Kanyon had the same name…just a different spelling.

 

[Dim]

Happy 3:16 Day! Gimme a hell yeah!

P.S. It's also my mother's birthday lol

 

[QueenCobra]

My WWE birthday buddy is Roddy Piper (April 17th), who is an awesome one to have!

 

[SkyKnight03]

The new show WWE Evolve is free on Tubi if anyone has interest. It's basically WWE developmental for NXT.

They have the first 3 episodes currently up.

 

[Dim]

Somehow I forgot this clip. Randy Orton is such a gift

 

[Dim]

 

[QueenCobra]

Maybe that's the look he's going for

 

[QueenCobra]

WWE creepypastas are a thing, apparently. I came across one good one, while the other two were so bad they felt like trolling. I wish there were more good ones. (I guess I could write one, but my fanfic days are behind me lol.)

 

[QueenCobra]

Terry was right though…if you’re going to an exploding barbed-wire match, why sit in the front row? Almost reminds me of when I watch sumo and I see all the frail old people sitting up front, despite the big boys tumbling into the crowd….

 

[Dim]

truly inspiring

 

[Halloqueen]

I somehow haven't posted in this thread for like two weeks, so uh, huge post incoming.

Here goes:

1) The long-awaited John Cena promo addressing what he did to Cody back at Elimination Chamber struck a weird chord with me. I dunno, felt like gaslighting to me, but other people were saying how it makes sense, so eh, maybe it was just me. Some of what he said felt more like stuff that would've landed better earlier, maybe in the middle of his career or something. Cody coming out to confront him afterward, just days after hitting The Miz with the Cross Rhodes on SmackDown due to his frustration with Cena's no-showing for so long, and only telling him that he wanted to "fight the real John Cena, not this little *****" felt awkward. Like, after the absolute assault John Cena put Cody through after Elimination Chamber, you'd think Cody would try to get physical now that Cena was finally here. But no. I know they probably want to try to save that for WrestleMania, but that's still weeks away. You could at least have a pull-apart brawl between the two.

2) CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins match should be fun. Punk calling out Rollins' outfit on Friday and referring to him as Grimace was good, haha. I kind of have to complain about them standing around in the ring while this guy they supposedly hate is making his way down the ramp with their music playing. Like, Seth was ranting to himself and wringing his hands. There's a bit too much disbelief for me to suspend in how they're presenting some things.

3) I've complained about people pointing at the WrestleMania sign more prominently again, like they did under Vince's reign, and it took a new, absurd step on SmackDown this past Friday. Amidst a brawl between CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins, ALL THREE of them, after beating down the other two, pointed at the WrestleMania sign. Like, oh my god. Humans don't do this.

4) The Bianca, Iyo, Rhea triple threat is okay. Rhea's non-legally binding contract signing antics is kind of a weird way to get her way into the match, but I'll take it I guess, should be a good match.

5) I don't know what the plan is with the men's tag team championships but, if they can keep them and retain at WrestleMania, I'm cool with the Street Profits having won them. I like them and hope they get more time in the sun, even if it's overdue. I will say though, that while there were some nice moments in their match against Los Garza on Friday, there was a dumb spot where Montez escapes a top rope move and, while it was indeed cool at first, they milked the scene too long and made Los Garza look like incompetent morons for not taking advantage and trying to use literally any move on Montez when his back was turned. They just sat there on the top turnbuckle all .

6) Speaking of The Street Profits, as well as Zelina Vega, I didn't see it since I only watch the YouTube clips, but I've been made aware that they were given absolutely awful new Def Rebel songs. Boo. I wonder if maybe they've caught wind of the public opinion and just made junk to spite the critics or something, lol.

7) The Jacob Fatu situation is weird. The logical feud people figured on is against (I Love You ) Solo, but with just weeks to go until WrestleMania, Jacob's feud has felt more like it has been with Braun Strowman, since they're both big, powerful guys putting each other through the ringer in various ways. Solo and Tama "saving" Jacob during his United States Championship title shot match against Braun was weird and nonsensical given the stakes. Is LA Knight going to just be a transitional champion, dropping it to Braun, and it's a Jacob Fatu vs. Braun Strowman for the United States Championship match at WrestleMania? Is Solo going to screw up again and Jacob finally turns?

8) If it is Jacob vs. Solo, if there's shenanigans screwing Braun out of the title win, does it just mean LA Knight vs. Braun Strowman at WrestleMania? If so...okay, I guess? I'm not that big on Braun Strowman, to be honest, and would prefer LA Knight to retain, but Braun does have the whole Grand Slam Champion angle here as mentioned in a post-match promo.

9) Guess maybe that Shinsuke rumor about him leaving the company could've been a fake, since after that report came out, he had a match two Fridays ago. Hopefully he does stick around with this character, but if he does head elsewhere, whatever makes him happy, I guess.

10) Since a few posts featured him recently, I'm appreciating Randy Orton now more lately than I have in a long time. Great worker, good on the mic, I liked his promo to KO this week even if it could be seen as a little cheesy by referencing his theme song. Also, someone pointed out a while ago that he's huge and then I noticed it and can't unsee it, haha.

11) Wrapping up, and looping back to a few points I made regarding Cody/Cena, CM Punk/Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins, and Street Profits/Los Garza, I feel like they need to tone down the clippable moments and make a few things more believable. I know HHH' has said in post-PLE presser events that "We don't hide what we are"...but honestly, please do. Its basically like I can still see the actor under the monster makeup in a movie when it's not intended. Touch things up a little and complete the product.

I probably forgot something since it's been a few weeks, but I can just make another post.

---

Random AEW tagents:

1) I've given AEW a lot of grief in past posts but I will say that I'm quite fond of Timeless Toni Storm. She's a great character, haha. That match against Mariah May had a spot that was a bit dangerous looking, though probably not as crazy as it looked. Also seemed Toni was cut a bit too deep based on her reactions. Was good though for what it was, and again, I like Toni.

2) On the flipside of dangerous stuff, the match between Cope (formerly Edge, Adam Copeland) and Jon Moxley this week had the most over-the-top dangerous, reckless spot and I hated to see it. Landing any other way then he did on the spiked board could've permanently messed Jon Moxley up. I've got to say that I lost a bit of respect for both of them. I can understand Edge wanting to go to AEW to face-off against Christian as he wraps up his career since they're good friends and Christian has had some good character work in AEW, but now he's tarnishing his legacy with this stupid spot? Yikes.

I've said before that I feel like Claudio Castagnoli is wasting the twilght years of his career in AEW and seeing him as one of Moxley's Death Riders (aka just guys in white shirts and jeans) is just another confirmation of that for me. Seeing him run in to help Moxley was just a sad reminder. Wish he could've been with WWE still. Will always blame Vince for that.

---

Random WWE tangent:

1)

Spoiler: Politics

I said in a past post that WWE has been more difficult for me to watch due to Linda McMahon heading the dismantling of the Department of Education in accordance with Donald Trump's orders. Now that it's fully underway I think I'm getting to a breaking point. I might just stop watching after WrestleMania. I've liked following the company since I was young, I like keeping up with the goings on and I like being able to reliably make posts about it to discuss with you all and earn some TBT. But man, it's a bit too against my morals and I don't think I care that the quality has been much higher.

---

Random Neutral Tangents:

1) Tying in with the AEW stuff, I think I've had enough of hardcore matches with various weapons. I'm not someone who has ever shied away from depictions of gore or violence, I have a strong stomach for these things. But honestly, as someone who likes workrate, I'd rather we keep it in, and a little bit out if necessary, of the ring. Cage, Hell In A Cell, Elimination Chamber, etc.? Fine. Blood? If it's called for. But I dunno, that Moxley spot has soured me on the rest of it. A bit hypocritical since I liked the Sami vs Kevin Owens match at Elimination Chamber and Kevin takes those wicked chair spots, including the one with the barbed wire this time. But man. Let's reel this stuff back in a little.

2)

Also while we are on the subject of Rikishi, his online presence is starting to really irk me lol, at least when it comes to bringing up his son. I get it that he's Jey's father, but he's a little too chatty when it comes to how his "main event" career has played out. I know lost every big title match he's been in save one and he lost the title like 2 weeks after to move the Bloodline story but he's about to be due for a big payoff at Wrestlemania! But recently I guess Rikishi met up with Jey and said he said Uce looked "exhausted" during the dinner they had but I'm like why would you air that out?? That's just gonna give the "Jey's not cut out for the main event" crowd even more to talk about even though Jey is working all the shows. Just seems a lil weird to air that out to me and almost makes me want to see Gunther win just to see how Rikishi would meltdown LOL. He's probably going to crash out regardless because I don't think Jey vs Gunther will main event either night of Wrestlemania if Rollins/Reigns/Punk happens and Night 2 is obviously Cody/Cena.

I've been kind of down on The Tribal Cheeks since he snubbed Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay by not even mentioning them during his Hall of Fame acceptance speech and proceeded to do the Too Cool dance with Jimmy and Jey. I know they had some indie show spat prior to that and prior to Brian's passing, but like, come on. Too Cool was one of my favorite parts of the Attitude Era and it was a big part of Rikishi's legacy. I got over that some, but he's a bit much when he talks about this stuff online sometimes, so eh. Unfortunate.

3)

View attachment 614482
Maybe that's the look he's going for

I'm here for Macho Rob Zombie Savage. OH YEAH! Dig it!

 

[QueenCobra]

Interesting how two of The Great Khali's trainees that made it to the WWE are also really tall-- Giant Zanjeer (7'2") and Dilsher Shanky (7 feet). I know people didn't like Shanky dancing after his matches, but I found it kinda endearing lol. I miss them.

 

[Javocado]

Since HHH has taken the reins, I have been mostly favorable of how he's booked storylines. I love how you have the watch backstage segments now cause you have wrestlers in the background potentially setting up new angles while the main segment is going on. One other thing I enjoy is the long-term story telling aspect. It has been a breath of fresh air to the contrast of how "he who should not be named" booked. However, in this instance, and like Halloqueen alluded to a bit, Cena's promo last week and this week also struck a weird cord with me. I know we're getting drip fed this storyline, but I want to see Cody absolutely get his hands on this man. It's the biggest match at Mania and so far the build has felt flat. People are saying Cena's beef is with the fans and he doesn't care about Cody and that Cody is just the body in front of him to get to his goal, like he's no-selling him. In addition to wanting to see Cody beat Cena up, I'm just trying to see Cena go on the mic with Cody (not with the fans). I don't believe what people are saying that they're holding Cena back to make Cody look good, but I just think they're building up to him finally directly responding to him. I hope I'm right in this instance lol. It could also be just heel mindgames, as Cody is desperate to get at it with Cena, ripping his shirt off and all, but Cena won't give him the time of day. We'll see how it all shakes up though. I think they have one more Face-to-Face before Cena disappears for a few weeks again even though Wrestlemania will be like 19 days away by this Monday. The time is now to heat this thing up! FFS they haven't even mentioned The Rock or souls or anything!

 

[Javocado]

Bring back some vehicle entrances, I beg of you….

My GOAT Sasha I miss her so much that Takeover entrance was amazing and the match that followed was absolutely incredible!

And idk if you saw, but back in October for the Bad Blood PLE, Dom gave a tribute to his real dad Eddie and gave Liv a ride to the ring!

 

[QueenCobra]

So now matches are going in the Hall of Fame? (Bret Hart and Stone Cold’s match at Wrestlemania 13 is inducted as an “Immortal Moment.”) Hoo boy…I think this is only the start of “Immortal Moments!”