The General Wrestling Thread

[FedEx227]

We're vocal when WWE creative is lacking, boring, uninspiring or may not make sense but they never, ever do anything unless it serves some purpose.

If this was Russo-era 2000 WCW, yeah, it's probably some elaborate work because Russo is a mark for "people talking about his product". WWE doesn't care about that, nor should they. As Warner said, if this was a work is accomplishes absolutely nothing. It gets people talking but could potentially hurt house shows, Elimination Chamber, merchandising, etc. It's the same reason they haven't turned Cena heel. It would be cool and people may talk about it but the financial risk is too heavy. Same deal here.

It's not a work.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Corey Graves vs Camacho on NXT this week was one of the biggest pieces of shit i've ever seen.

Graves used a side head lock for like 40 seconds (which is forever in real time), they did one sloppy transition, and then he used his leglock finisher. Match was around 1:00.

Graves is such shit.

I'd like to say, that I was in on the ground floor of this movement.

He's the drizzling shits in all aspects.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

They continually ignore Daniel Bryan's ability to draw money ... what makes AJ Lee that special?

Right now, Daniel Bryan doesn't draw money...they tried...it bombed. Yes, these things take some time, but he isn't a draw (yet).

And, AJ Lee is actually pretty good in the ring for a chick...dave must be too busy fappin.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

dave was clearly drunk last night

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

LOL @ this Punk thing being a work.

He is a moody guy...he is probably telling little fish heads to get the fuck off his lawn as we speak...the whole story falls in line with who the guy is and what he is all about.

Not sure why this story is just an outtanowhere, Keyser Soze, poof gone moment, when if I could have predicted Punk leaving the WWE, the leader in the clubhouse for reasons would have been "took his ball and went home."

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

mookie did the ratings gainers/losers from post SummerSlam onward and Bryan was near the top for non overruns and number one when overruns were included. So he's following the pattern of live reactions, TV, house shows, then PPV. The problem, is we will never know about the PPV because it's about to be history, just as he would theoretically be evolving into a PPV draw.

I find it amusing that people inside the company first blamed his TV segments that weren't anything special as ratings movers (but not losers, mind you), then moved on to his house shows doing worse than Cena's as reasons to maybe not go all the way with him. Yet Roman Reigns is a worse TV draw than Bryan (and in fact slightly worse than Seth Rollins, although that's a fluke of sorts, but still), and Reigns actually was the main event of most of those Bryan house shows (vs Punk) that people knock Bryan for. Not to mention live reactions Bryan vs Reigns aren't even close.

It just goes to show, it's whatever fits the narrative. Nothing will derail Reigns, because they won't go out of their way to look for reasons he can't draw like they do Bryan. I'm not even saying they shouldn't push Reigns. That's not the point. The point is the same metrics used to bash Bryan work even less for Reigns. But he's tall & good looking, so...

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

mookie did the ratings gainers/losers from post SummerSlam onward and Bryan was near the top for non overruns and number one when overruns were included. So he's following the pattern of live reactions, TV, house shows, then PPV. The problem, is we will never know about the PPV because it's about to be history, just as he would theoretically be evolving into a PPV draw.

I find it amusing that people inside the company first blamed his TV segments that weren't anything special as ratings movers (but not losers, mind you), then moved on to his house shows doing worse than Cena's as reasons to maybe not go all the way with him. Yet Roman Reigns is a worse TV draw than Bryan (and in fact slightly worse than Seth Rollins, although that's a fluke of sorts, but still), and Reigns actually was the main event of most of those Bryan house shows (vs Punk) that people knock Bryan for. Not to mention live reactions Bryan vs Reigns aren't even close.

It just goes to show, it's whatever fits the narrative. Nothing will derail Reigns, because they won't go out of their way to look for reasons he can't draw like they do Bryan. I'm not even saying they shouldn't push Reigns. That's not the point. The point is the same metrics used to bash Bryan work even less for Reigns. But he's tall & good looking, so...

Reigns shouldn't be pushed to that level yet either, IMO.

He should be the guy that beats Ambrose for the US Belt and then we see what he can do as the US Champ, on that Big E level, while they elevate Ambrose up the card.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

And the thing about Reigns, is he is protected in the booking more than anybody in the company right now. He dominated Survivor Series, dominated the Rumble, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS gets the shine in his matches with The Shield, never takes a pin, and is always put over strong by the "announcers" (Vince in the headset).

And Bryan still does better in the ratings.

 

[Kuzzy Powers]

A spoiler probably isnt necessary but...

 

Former WWE Superstar MVP made his TNA debut at today's Impact Wrestling tapings in Glasgow, Scotland. MVP was revealed as the mystery investor.

It was mentioned that MVP is "the man to change Impact Wrestling." He came out in a suit with Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards at the end of the show, which will air on tonight's Impact Wrestling.

 

[FedEx227]

TNA always does the late-WCW deal with bringing in guys or having their guys say they are going to "bring them back" or "get them back on top" or "beat the guys up north", etc.

It's just so dumb. I don't expect them to go out and say "we are the top wrestling company in the world" but if you constantly tell us you're second and you suck now but are TRYING to bring it back how do you expect fans to buy-in?!

 

[s@ppisgod]

TNA always does the late-WCW deal with bringing in guys or having their guys say they are going to "bring them back" or "get them back on top" or "beat the guys up north", etc.

It's just so dumb. I don't expect them to go out and say "we are the top wrestling company in the world" but if you constantly tell us you're second and you suck now but are TRYING to bring it back how do you expect fans to buy-in?!

I've never really bought into that. Wrestling companies always have shitty dialogue and fans always just tune it out if it gets too stupid. I don't think it would matter if TNA had a good in-ring product, sensible booking, and generally competent employees (or ownership) top to bottom.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I LOATHE "mystery investor" angle that turns into a former wrestler...

wCw made a habit of it toward the end. The WWE even went on a kick with this awful concept in the late 90's, early 2000's.

 

[FedEx227]

I've never really bought into that. Wrestling companies always have shitty dialogue and fans always just tune it out if it gets too stupid. I don't think it would matter if TNA had a good in-ring product, sensible booking, and generally competent employees (or ownership) top to bottom.

Shitty dialogue is different than saying "Hey the product you're currently watching, investing time in and possibly paying money for isn't worth shit but I'M (mystery investor, new commissioner, returning star, etc.) am going to make it better!"

It may be a chicken and egg scenario but companies on their death bed do this. Look, in 1996 Bret Hart didn't come out and say "Now we are getting our asses kicked in the ratings right now but I'm the new World Wrestling Federation Champion and I'm going to get us back to the top". It would've seemed insane, there's a self-confidence that comes with your company. I think that would've made a lot more people look around and go "Wait, is this company dying, should I stop being so invested?" Remember back in that age, if you weren't an Observer subscriber you had no idea they were in the financial shits. They were days away from shutting down in 1996, taking out loans left and right but the announcers, wrestlers and the general tone of the product was "This is the best product out there."

Ring of Honor didn't have AJ Styles come out and say "Roderick Strong, this guy sucks, I'm back to bring ROH back to when it actually meant something in the early 2000s". That dialogue does absolutely nothing but hurt you and your company.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

One of the main reasons I fell in love with ECW was because the company projected itself as second to nobody.

Those two big companies in Atlanta and New York? Fuck them, they suck, we're the best everything in wrestling right now. WATCH US. Didn't matter if it was in front of a few thousand or 40 people...they let you know they were the best thing going.

 

[BigBiss]

http://www.examiner.com/article/wwe...-promotions-from-running-against-wrestlemania

LA commission could not stop them ...

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Alright, watching IMPACT for the first time in 14 episodes (that is the number on my DVR, anyway)...

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Impact should be a UK promotion.

This Rockstar Spud character is ridiculously ridiculous.

 

[Ravin]

http://www.examiner.com/article/wwe...-promotions-from-running-against-wrestlemania

LA commission could not stop them ...

So just move the shows to Oakland, or San Jose has a bunch of places to hold bigger events. Sure it doesn't have the same thing as being in the same city, but it isn't like there isn't other options. And on a Saturday night if you are looking for a wrestling show for your weekend Oakland is across the water, and San Jose is under an hour.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Missy Hyatt ain't lyin...Dixie is in every fuckin segment or transition.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

So just move the shows to Oakland, or San Jose has a bunch of places to hold bigger events. Sure it doesn't have the same thing as being in the same city, but it isn't like there isn't other options. And on a Saturday night if you are looking for a wrestling show for your weekend Oakland is across the water, and San Jose is under an hour.

Exactly. It's a non story. Gabe already booked a building, and there are probably literally thousands of private owned small to medium sized buildings in the bay area.

WWE is pissed because WrestleCon set up shop in New Orleans literally across the street from Axxess. They'll probably cut these deals with the municipalities moving forward, but that'll just be a minor inconvenience.