The Ultimate WWE Thread

[wullie]

They said Nia Jax can add herself into Asuka's title match if she wins, but Asuka hasn't actually picked an opponent yet so in kayfabe terms Angle's booking a match with the potential to send both of them to the rival brand. Fewer names for him to forget I guess.

[Ian]

HHH is now in charge of 205 Live, then.

Article says it has been more match-based (i.e. the reason people liked the CWC) in the last couple of weeks. I wonder if it's actually going to become worth watching.

[Pleb]

Have they already sacked off Rockstar Spud then?

If so then fucking lol.

[wullie]

HHH is not on-screen, he's running the show properly instead of Vince. First step towards McMahon dying in a limo fire.

[Ian]

EDIT: wot Wullie said.

[Queenslander]

I pretty sure I heard Tyler Bate wrestling under 205 which is amazing. It would make the most sense for HHH merge 205 live and the British roster.

Sanada v Okada tomorrow night should be another classic. Sanada is apparently the last great student of Muta and AJPW.

[Ian]

I haven't watched Bate's recent stuff (I heard the match against Strong was good) but supposedly he has "heat" with WWE for refusing to cancel non-WWE dates to do something for them and that's why he's lost his last however many matches.

They also need to stop treating 205 Live like it's a separate fucking company. Let them wrestle the main roster and just choose the matches carefully. Okay you don't want Jeremry Corbin battering Mustafa Ali for a lol but there's no reason you couldn't have some of them mixing it up with the likes of Crews (who is doing better recently) or even a smaller, upper card guy like Miz or Styles. You'd get good matches. Not that those are WWE's priority.

[phonics]

Okay you don't want Jeremry Corbin battering Mustafa Ali for a lol

http://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/vince-mcmahon-gif-4.gif

Put him in a tag match with Baron, give him a basic DDT for a finisher, name it 'the redistributor' and call it a day.

[Ian]

I'm not quite sure how I've managed to put two Rs in jeremy there.

[Disco]

I once said Lenry Henry by mistake so you're in good company.

[wullie]

They could at least incorporate the cruiserweights into the tag division, particularly on Raw where about 75% of it is injured. Don't bother changing the ropes and look and pointing out that these guys are different from the regular show either.

[Ian]

I'm now probably going to struggle to not think of him as Lenry Henry.

[phonics]

I read it as Larry Henry.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Henry Lenry.

[Ian]

Harry Lenry to his friends.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

'Friends'.

[phonics]

Barry Kenry

[Disco]

Ring of Honor show live and free on their website

http://www.rohwrestling.com/content/free-stream-honor-reigns-supreme

[phonics]

You know it's Indie because its' the first time in about 8 years I've been asked for this:
https://i.imgur.com/4kAFFt1.png

[phonics]

This looks like a kink.com intro

[Disco]

With more or less writhing sweaty men?

[phonics]

Once a fatal four way starts, about the same. I couldn't last. I need a level of production that just isn't there. This is like watching an ESPORTS tournament but slightly more embarrassing.

[Disco]

Just as much pyro as WWE.

[Queenslander]

I haven't watched Bate's recent stuff (I heard the match against Strong was good) but supposedly he has "heat" with WWE for refusing to cancel non-WWE dates to do something for them and that's why he's lost his last however many matches.

They also need to stop treating 205 Live like it's a separate fucking company. Let them wrestle the main roster and just choose the matches carefully. Okay you don't want Jeremry Corbin battering Mustafa Ali for a lol but there's no reason you couldn't have some of them mixing it up with the likes of Crews (who is doing better recently) or even a smaller, upper card guy like Miz or Styles. You'd get good matches. Not that those are WWE's priority.

I bet he regrets signing with them now. Surely a fair few British Wrestlers will be a bit cautious from now on with WWE?

Jap graps lets their wrestlers book themselves outside the NJPW calender. Hopefully they choose that direction.

[Queenslander]

I wonder if Muta will intefere in the Sanada v Okada match? They have just resumed a working relationship with AJW...

[Disco]

Unless it's right by the ramp Hiromu's sunset bomb off the apron is genuinely terrifying.

[Queenslander]

They both took some heavy bumps at the back end of the match. Hiromu is a beast!

[Queenslander]

After his match last night Okada called out Will Ospraey for a match which could be a 5 star classic.

It probably has something to do with him bringing in Jay White and his slow burn heel turn. I reckon he is going to purge Chaos of the dead wood and or baby faces considering how bloated the group is atm.

[Ian]

http://whatculture.com/wwe/wwe-confirm-7-men-for-elimination-chamber-2018

So:
- Accidentally announce winner of your show's main event (which would have rendered Rollins' whole thing on Raw this week a colossal waste of time)
- Have another one of those 'make up the rules as we go along' moments to have a bullshit ending
- Announce the outcome not on the next show but on sodding Facebook.

Of course, WWE. Of course.

Having seven in the match itself isn't really an issue, I suppose. If it's a triple-threat at the start then I suppose it reduces an element of the "we're just killing time here" feel of the first few minutes of a Chamber match.

[Pleb]

A triple threat start needs to happen considering the amount of pods they already have in their chamber unless Vince or HHH loses their fucking minds by adding more pods.

Can anyone remember the last decent Chamber match WWE/F has had lately?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Catching up on 205 Live from last week.

The Kalisto/Dorado match :drool:

[Ian]

Can anyone remember the last decent Chamber match WWE/F has had lately?

What was wrong with last year's? Alright a lot of people didn't like the result, and those who either liked the result or didn't care either way then rolled their eyes at it the WWE title essentially being used to pad BMJ's stats and then put it in position for fucking Jinder but I recall the match being fun.

EDIT: Also, on the subject of weird WWE decisions, why are the Smackdown writers giving a heel team the story of being shafted by referees?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Watching RAW and they really should not give Angle a microphone.

He's an absolute mess.

The Elias/Strowman promo was fucking brilliant.

[Disco]

I must say I'm quite looking forward to Okada v Ospreay although I'm not sure where they're going with it.

[Queenslander]

I must say I'm quite looking forward to Okada v Ospreay although I'm not sure where they're going with it.

This is part of Okada's heel turn I think. Also I think Jay White is part.of Chaos trimming the baby faces?

What did you think of Okada v Sanada?

[Disco]

This is part of Okada's heel turn I think. Also I think Jay White is part.of Chaos trimming the baby faces?

What did you think of Okada v Sanada?

It was alright, not the best Okada defence I've seen. He seems to be treading water a bit, almost like they're killing time before the next big feud. Could just be time of year, March looks to be a fairly busy month after which you have SG and then it's almost G1 time again.

I also enjoyed New Japan lolling Hulk Hogan out of the building when he asked for $750k for a Wrestle Kingdom appearance. Jog on Terry-san.

[Ian]

Is he short of money? He's been angling for another WWE return too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's always short.

[Browning]

I would have watched it and then complained about it if they got him so really they’re missing out.

[Shindig]

Has he pissed away his Gawker money already?

[Disco]

I think he's just a cunt.

[Queenslander]

It was alright, not the best Okada defence I've seen. He seems to be treading water a bit, almost like they're killing time before the next big feud. Could just be time of year, March looks to be a fairly busy month after which you have SG and then it's almost G1 time again.

I also enjoyed New Japan lolling Hulk Hogan out of the building when he asked for $750k for a Wrestle Kingdom appearance. Jog on Terry-san.

I thought Sanada came off really wooden.

Okada put his hand up for the New Japan Cup so I assume we won't be seeing a proper fued for a while.

Terry-san is delusional.

[Ian]

Learned via Wrestling With Wregret today that late-90s WCW had a wrestler who was briefly called "The Final Solution." :face:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Changed to The Ultimate Solution when those pesky Jews complained.

How dare they.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just had a good lol at Ron Simmons/Farooq turning up with his first gimmick.

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/b0/33/f4/b033f41f818c1ea699003ef0beded55d.jpg

Glorious.

[Disco]

Have you run into pre-hardcore Bob Holly yet?

[Shindig]

Sparky. Why wasn't he the one being bullied backstage? Also, OSW Review have their new one out. It's ... Sunny's porno.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Have you run into pre-hardcore Bob Holly yet?

No, according to Wiki he didn't appear that much in 96 and 97.

I just came across T.L. Hopper though, a wrestling plumber who carries around a plunger called Betsy.

[Disco]

And is also for some reason a wrestler.

[wullie]

They were mad keen on wrestlers having other jobs then, the Undertaker would only be rolled out for comedy skits now if he had debuted in the mid-90s. Cesaro getting kicked out of rugby for being too mean was a throwback to those great days.

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY3CNeC3Ce0

Hall of Fame, baby! That's L-E. W-I. S-B. E, double T (S).

[Shindig]

WCW were at it as well. Chris Canyon being a construction worker. He had a hard hat. That's how you knew.

[Ian]

Two hours (or thereabouts) of wrestling (less the endless adverts) was a bit of a surprise. Really enjoyed the gauntlet match. A bit surprised they gave Rollins so much from it given he appeared not to even be in their plans for the PPV before they 'accidentally' revealed the line-up for the Chamber. Doesn't make a difference to the outcome of course so Reigns loses nothing by being first man out of the gauntlet but I'm not sure what they're planning with Rollins with Ambrose still out and Jordan going down too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah, I groaned when Reigns came out thinking we'd get 10 minutes of him fucking up on the microphone.

It made no sense (them all kicking the shit out of each a week before an elimination chamber match) but it was enjoyable.

[Ian]

All the big boys getting battered days before the PPV was the norm back when WWE cared about buyrates and had "go-home shows."

So we know Miz is one of the guys starting in the chamber, Elias definitely isn't and Cena probably isn't (or else why bother having him earn the right not to be first.) So Cena and Elias in pods, I reckon Strowman will be in one so that he can react to some provocation by forcing his way out of it. Probably Roman is in from the start because he's the BIG YARD DOG GUY and can go the distance and Balor starts too because otherwise why wouldn't Reigns and Rollins just batter the shit out of the Miz right off the bat.

Miztourage probably find some way to get involved too after all the chat that they won't.

[SvN]

They made Seth LOOK STRONG to set him up as Reign's challenger post-Mania.

[Ian]

It'd be weird to have that as face vs face (sort of) before they've seen out this shambolic Shield reunion, unless they're quietly sweeping it under the carpet and maybe have Ambrose go heel the moment he returns.

Strowman is definitely getting a world title feud with Reigns at some point (maybe even where the belt changes hands), maybe Miz too so Reigns can slaughter him. Dunno who else, it's hard to say when the main event is Bork and Roman followed by a midcard full of people without proper pushes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'd really like it if they sacked Dana Brooke btw.

I fucking hate the STATISTICIAN gimmick, it's so fucking cringey.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

"After WrestleMania, you'll get the best of both brands – Raw and SmackDown LIVE – every month, on every pay-per-view. Catch every event streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network.

WrestleMania 34 - April 8, 2018

WWE Backlash - May 6, 2018

WWE Money in the Bank - June 17, 2018

WWE Extreme Rules - July 15, 2018

SummerSlam - Aug. 19, 2018

WWE Hell in a Cell - Sept. 16, 2018

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs - Oct. 21, 2018

Survivor Series - Nov. 18, 2018

WWE Clash of Champions - Dec. 16, 2018"

[Browning]

Good decision that, but so many people hate it.

[Ian]

Less PPVs is good. I just hope they strike the balance right between giving guys matches on them and "big" TV matches.

[Pleb]

I'm hearing the PPVs will be 6 hours long in total (2hr pre show, 4hr main show) :sherlock:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Watching Smackdown now and this Roode/Orton/Jinder feud with the top 10 lists is batshit.

[Ian]

Didn't realise a) that Roderick Strong was competing in this Cruiserweight tournament or b) that Mark Andrews was properly signed. I really like Andrews.


Watching Smackdown now and this Roode/Orton/Jinder feud with the top 10 lists is batshit.

It's utter bollocks, isn't it?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's the pits.

I'm enjoying 205 (I really liked the Jack Gallagher/Mustafa Ali match) and NXT so much more than the 2 big shows.

[Ian]

You've basically started to watch it just in time for it to stop being an utter waste of time, as I understand it. I need to make a point of giving it a go because there are some guys there I really like. Jack Gallagher in particular, and Neville if he comes back. Mark Andrews too, now.

Looking forward to see how much they spoil Ricochet as well.

[Disco]

Mahow has gone through most of the modern wrestling fan trajectory in about a month.

Rediscovery
Nostalgia
NXT is the only thing worth watching

[Queenslander]

Is it too soon to recommend NJPW?

[Ian]

You watch NJPW?

[Queenslander]

:lol:

[Ian]

I didn't watch all the Wrestle Kingdom matches I was going to. But the links on the page I was using went a bit wonky so I need to find new ones.


They made Seth LOOK STRONG to set him up as Reign's challenger post-Mania.

Dunno if you'd already read that but Meltzer agrees, it would seem. Seemingly the initial plan was for Ambrose to turn heel soon, which I think everybody had suspected would happen at some point, and then be Reigns' first title feud.

Have we had a singles Reigns / Ambrose feud yet? Or just the triple threat(s)?

[Disco]

Is it too soon to recommend NJPW?

At current pace he'll be with us in a couple of weeks.


The first Honour Rising show was on this morning and I've already seen a clip. Return of the Golden Lovers :drool:

[Weaver]

Apparently some of the NXT crowd last night were chanting ‘Happy Ending’ and ‘Pearl Harbor’ at Kairi Sane.


Have we had a singles Reigns / Ambrose feud yet? Or just the triple threat(s)?

I don’t think they’ve had a feud yet, but they had a match at Survivor Series one year for the World Championship... whichever year Sheamus cashed in MITB on Reigns.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

American crowds are one of the worst.

https://78.media.tumblr.com/fed7f1d44812bd8d14ac765ddc030151/tumblr_ovs4bvPNKA1u1ljrzo2_500.gif

https://media1.tenor.com/images/46e2ebe046a3b449e84c39b2bd385a57/tenor.gif?itemid=10210509

She's awesome.

[Gray Fox]

Before the upcoming PPV we should probably ask. Is it possible to tip the chamber over?

Because it's Brawn. And it's a PPV. Some big shit is being tipped over.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Well he's definitely putting someone (Miz) through a pod.

I wouldn't be surprised if he chucks someone (Miz) against the door which breaks/opens and the Miztourage come running in.

[Pleb]

Boo Reigns is getting that Beast guy at Mania because WWE logic.

[Queenslander]

At current pace he'll be with us in a couple of weeks.


The first Honour Rising show was on this morning and I've already seen a clip. Return of the Golden Lovers :drool:

Im loving the conflicted Marty angle.

Golden ruvers chant had my giggling like a child though.

[Ian]

Before the upcoming PPV we should probably ask. Is it possible to tip the chamber over?

Because it's Brawn. And it's a PPV. Some big shit is being tipped over.

Has anybody broken out of their own pod before? Loads of people have gone through the "bulletproof" glass but has somebody force their own way out? If not, Boatman is doing that. If so then, as you say, something else. Maybe he batters the door open like 'How says. You'd think there'll be a big strength spot of some variety for him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not that I can think of.

Maybe Boatman could do a powerslam to someone (Miz) through the metal flooring to the side.

[Disco]

Mark Henry. He milled about before deciding to come out and join one of the worst matches ever seen.

[Ian]

I wonder how Strowman's strength compares to Henry's. I still love the bit where they forgot to gimmick the cage door Henry was meant to break off so he just did it for real.

Also if Mahow's not seen it this feels like a good excuse to link this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSMu_VU_OOg

It might look like I just want you to admire Henry's magnificent suit but it's worth watching anyway.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LrfKw3q1n8

Dolph's body broke the thin PVC sheeting.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh and that's an incredibly sharp suit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

When he's thanking his family and someone in the crowd shouts Mae Young :D

Great promo.

[Lewis]

I wonder how Strowman's strength compares to Henry's.

It doesn't. Mark Henry - bearing in mind that he was drug-free, and chucked full-time lifting in his mid-twenties - is probably the strongest person ever.

[phonics]

I hear he's the worlds strongest man.

[Disco]

Sexual Chocolate :cool:

[John]

I hear he's the worlds strongest man.

He sort of is. He still holds three or four weight records in powerlifting.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sexual Chocolate :cool:

When they paired him up with Mae Young though :sick:

I think I had nightmares about the birth (a fake hand wasn't it?) for a year after.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He sort of is. He still holds three or four weight records in powerlifting.

And they were set in the late 90s.

[Lewis]

His individual and total numbers have been surpassed now (only just, and I think he is still the only person to squat and deadlift over 900lbs in the same tested meet), but he set his powerlifting records at a relatively young age, and at a time when he was no longer a full-time powerlifter, so realistically he never got anywhere near his full potential with that and is still an all-time great. In addition to that he was an elite-level Olympic weightlifter despite 1) coming into it ten years too late; and 2) not being on drugs. Plus he won the first Arnold Classic, beating a load of drugged-up professional strongmen despite barely training for it due to his rasslin' commitments, where he was also the first person to clean and press the Thomas Inch dumbbell. For some lol perspective, John Cena - who is strong as fuck - has posted videos of himself just about squatting six-hundred pounds. Henry was doing that for repetitions when he was fourteen.

He is a freak of Usain Bolt-like proportions, and in terms of covering all conceivable forms of strength athletics/events is pretty untouchable.

[wullie]

Hall of Pain Mark Henry was one of the best characters they've ever had. The match where he won the title by just telling Orton to fuck off with his RKOs and smashing him was perfect.

[Dave.]

His individual and total numbers have been surpassed now (only just, and I think he is still the only person to squat and deadlift over 900lbs in the same tested meet), but he set his powerlifting records at a relatively young age, and at a time when he was no longer a full-time powerlifter, so realistically he never got anywhere near his full potential with that and is still an all-time great. In addition to that he was an elite-level Olympic weightlifter despite 1) coming into it ten years too late; and 2) not being on drugs. Plus he won the first Arnold Classic, beating a load of drugged-up professional strongmen despite barely training for it due to his rasslin' commitments, where he was also the first person to clean and press the Thomas Inch dumbbell. For some lol perspective, John Cena - who is strong as fuck - has posted videos of himself just about squatting six-hundred pounds. Henry was doing that for repetitions when he was fourteen.

He is a freak of Usain Bolt-like proportions, and in terms of covering all conceivable forms of strength athletics/events is pretty untouchable.

I don't often come in this thread but have enjoyed the discussion about Mark Henry. I follow strength athletics quite a bit and Lewis is spot on here. I will also add that there is an argument that the Arnold Classic is a truer test of strength than the Worlds Strongest Man competition. Mark Henry definitely has a legitimate claim to be the strongest man of all time. In strongman terms, I'd say the strongest ever would be Henry, Bill Kazmaier and Zydrunas Savickas.

[Queenslander]

So Honor Rising night 2 finished with the Young Bucks coming out to declare offense to the Golden Lovers claim at being the best tag team in the World. The Young Bucks have moved up to heavyweight. Golden Lovers v Young Bucks fued has started!

[Lewis]

I don't often come in this thread but have enjoyed the discussion about Mark Henry. I follow strength athletics quite a bit and Lewis is spot on here. I will also add that there is an argument that the Arnold Classic is a truer test of strength than the Worlds Strongest Man competition. Mark Henry definitely has a legitimate claim to be the strongest man of all time. In strongman terms, I'd say the strongest ever would be Henry, Bill Kazmaier and Zydrunas Savickas.

Brian Shaw has to be up there. He has beaten Savickas (who is the best ever) plenty of times, and has a bunch of his own records with stones and what have you, so as far as actual strongman goes I would go: 1) Savickas; 2) Kazmaier; 3) Shaw.

[Shindig]

So Honor Rising night 2 finished with the Young Bucks coming out to declare offense to the Golden Lovers claim at being the best tag team in the World. The Young Bucks have moved up to heavyweight. Golden Lovers v Young Bucks fued has started!

Motor City Machine Guns are still going, so they're both wrong.

[Ian]

Hall of Pain Mark Henry was one of the best characters they've ever had. The match where he won the title by just telling Orton to fuck off with his RKOs and smashing him was perfect.

When I did my Network trawl I loved the Hall of Pain stuff.

[Lewis]

Didn't he keep fucking his own momentum with injuries, or was he just seen as a crap draw and not trusted with the belt?

[Ian]

He did have a lot of injuries but I don't think they trusted him much to do anything proper either. Probably got booked against other fatsos rather than guys who'd bump like fuck for him.

So does Boatman register at all as a strongman in WWE terms? I always think it's funny how often I've seen guys talking about Kane as the strongest guy in WWE, and to be fair there were a couple of times he picked up Big Fat Big Show with what looked like relative ease.

Strowman's spots with the vehicles and whatever are absolutely absurd, I just don't know enough about it to put his actual competition stuff into any sort of context beyond how easily he handles WWE's other big lads.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Big Show says that Henry, Kane and Cena are the strongest for him.

Based on how it felt being lifted by them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIn7k__fhmY

[Lewis]

From what I can gather Strowman was a competent strongman, and will no doubt be stronger than the rest of the roster, but ultimately he would still be closer to somebody like Cena or Kane (when he was in shape) than peak Henry.

[Ian]

Cena never lifted Big Show with his arms (as if for a slam), did he? I know it's a different sort of strength but while I've seen Kane and Henry lift Big Show bodyslam style I don't remember Cena doing it. May well be wrong though.

EDIT: Really enjoyed Ali vs. Gallagher.

[Queenslander]

Motor City Machine Guns are still going, so they're both wrong.

That is a fair shout. Both are underrated as singles as well.

[Dave.]

From what I can gather Strowman was a competent strongman, and will no doubt be stronger than the rest of the roster, but ultimately he would still be closer to somebody like Cena or Kane (when he was in shape) than peak Henry.

Competent is about right. He had some great results as an amateur strongman and a couple of decent results in professional strongman events in 2012 but nothing beyond that. I think he competed once in the Arnold Classic but got injured in one of the earlier events?

Are they any other pro wrestlers that competed professionally as strongman too? There's Henry, I think Bill Kazmaier dabbled in pro wrestling (?) I'm struggling to think of anyone else.

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrHm5XeN-dQ

Eddie Hall reckons WWE have been in touch, which sounds like a premature death waiting to happen.

[wullie]

Ken Patera from the early Wrestlemania days was an Olympic weightlifter, Ted Arcidi from the same kind of time too. Pure beef

https://78.media.tumblr.com/9258a8c0ab71f996abacf18d6f9b02f0/tumblr_inline_n341osQrA21qm0dh6.jpg

[Lewis]

Bruno Sammartino had the bench press record for a time, and would have gone to the Olympics were Paul Anderson not the pre-eminent freak of his day.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Alexa Bliss :wub:

I groaned loudly when somehow Sasha wasn't hurt at all by the twisted bliss and ended up, clumsily, in the banks statement as I thought she was going to take it.

Decent opener and a fairly good first elimination chamber for the women if a little obvious at times.

[Browning]

I thought the entire PPV suffered from the fact there was zero doubt who was winning all the matches.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nia Jax just seems to suck everything out of a match.

She is just a female Viscera but with none of his charisma or charm.

[wullie]

I think Nia's alright as a bruiser, but she has absolutely no menace about her at all. Plus she's clearly the immovable object rather than irresistible force, Gorilla Monsoon would be turning in his grave.

Alexa Bliss's post-match interview swerve was the best thing on the show. Ronda Rousey should have Paul Heyman doing the talking for her.

[Browning]

The Ronda segment, her crippling HHH aside, was utter bollocks. Mrs Ladyballs gets a slap on her and she doesn't retaliate, and then she does what they wanted all along and signs the contract anyway. Given she got "no perks" in the deal, I'm sure they'd have included "I get to put HHH through a table" in the contract if that's what it took to get it over the line. Ronda is already their bitch.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did lol at the Rousey introduction (baddest woman on the planet, lol) with these going through my head:

http://i.imgur.com/eatqfr3.gif

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--WjzuV_Uo--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/rb9lifltrokwnjwn8rsk.gif

No idea why the crowd were so in favour of her.

Drunk Kurt fucking it all up is always great.

They also couldn't draft up a fake looking contract? They could only get a page with RONDA ROUSEY in 48 point for her to sign?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think Nia's alright as a bruiser, but she has absolutely no menace about her at all. Plus she's clearly the immovable object rather than irresistible force, Gorilla Monsoon would be turning in his grave.

Alexa Bliss's post-match interview swerve was the best thing on the show. Ronda Rousey should have Paul Heyman doing the talking for her.

It really was a thing of a beauty.

Pretty boring all told and no shocks in there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Men's match was lazy.

We can make Boatman look unbeatable, he can eliminate EVERYONE.
But Roman has to win...
Ok, so he eliminates everyone but Roman. We can even have everyone trying and failing to eliminate him
If everyone gangs up to eliminate him and he shrugs them off how does Roman have a chance?
Err, he can just throw a few more Superman punches and Spears?
Genius

They should have just had Boatman win it or had everyone hit their finisher on him (I think they pretty much did) and have someone pin him. Or just go back to the reliable roll up midway through his destructive tear.

[Ian]

I thought the entire PPV suffered from the fact there was zero doubt who was winning all the matches.

It really did. Not one part of it was ever in doubt. Other than Wyatt vs. Hardy which nobody in their right mind gives a shit about anyway.


The Ronda segment, her crippling HHH aside, was utter bollocks. Mrs Ladyballs gets a slap on her and she doesn't retaliate, and then she does what they wanted all along and signs the contract anyway. Given she got "no perks" in the deal, I'm sure they'd have included "I get to put HHH through a table" in the contract if that's what it took to get it over the line. Ronda is already their bitch.

Her lobbing HHH through a table was decent but as with a high percentage of contract signings it was largely bollocks. Stephanie only gets her 'comeuppance' once a year at Wrestlemania so that's why that happened.

The PPV was.... fine, but no better. The big issue with the two Chamber matches on top of the predictable winners was that very little happened that actually required the Chamber to be there. A couple of big spots and some token 'lob them into the wall' spots but not much to really make the most of it. It also really feels like it's going to be another pretty lacklustre build towards Mania but hopefully I'm wrong.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think the women did alright, especially considering it was their first go at the match. Alexa doing a Twisted Bliss off a pod was good but Sasha deciding to no sell it was fucking stupid.

weepydelayedfirecrest

I was also surprised that more damage wasn't done with Braun using the Chamber. Halfway through I spotted that the 'BULLETPROOF' plastic went up above the pods too and when he chased Miz up there I thought he was going to get put through. So disappointed when he just lobbed him at the others instead.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZkLzPRReaA

I forgot that he smacked his head against it a few times but I was really hoping that he'd just launch him through. That would have been great.

[Queenslander]

Really hoping Juice Robinson gets the nod.

http://i66.tinypic.com/29c9uuc.jpg

[Queenslander]

Elgin v Ishii, Naito v Sabre Jr and Juice v Yujiro should all be crackers.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkOQ4QiMRxg

Best thing about RAW this week.

The rest was pretty shit.

Oh and Reigns actually cut a semi-decent promo.

[SvN]

I enjoyed Cena and Reigns. Both promos were good I thought.

[Browning]

If it's true that Cena is facing Nakamura for the title shot, I so hope Big Match John wins, just for the seethe :drool:

[Browning]

Fuck Wrestlemania, this is all that matters:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAP4VPaP0IY&feature=youtu.be

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's nice that he still looks like he's in his 70s.

[phonics]

Whoever James Ellsworth is, he cannot cut a promo.

[Pleb]

That's the gimmick.

Also he's shit.

[wullie]

Ronda Rousey was much better on Raw, it's like she learned to speak into a mic during the day. Stephanie squaring up to her and then apologising for her life was ace.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'd imagine she practised it a lot, or she was just a lot less nervous.

I expect her to be a shambles on the microphone though and they really should give her a manager.

[Ian]

I do like it when people call out Bork for his bullshit on telly. It's just a shame he cares.

Hopefully when Reigns goes over him at Mania he'll fuck off for a long time.

[wullie]

He's got more presence than anyone I've ever seen but I'd rather have the champion actually on the show now, plus once he had that fantastic match with Cena and all the german suplexes that just became his entire repertoire.

[SvN]

Yeah, at the time that Cena match was brilliant, but it basically killed Brock as an entertaining wrestler.

[Ian]

Which is a shame, because as much as he doesn't care he does get it. When he bothers to sell, etc. he's actually really good at it. He has a level of understanding about how to put a sell the match and put it together that is utterly wasted on somebody so colossally lazy and all they've done in the last year is sacrifice pushes at the altar of Lesnar so that it looks "more impressive" when Reigns beats him.

[wullie]

He seems more into it when his opponent is a bit more physical like with Samoa Joe or Braun Strowman clocking him for real last month, whereas everything Ambrose does is light as a feather so he completely phoned it in for that match. I'd guess he's done after WM and back off to UFC.

[phonics]

I decided to listen to the Stone Cold Podcast with Vince Russo as I've heard he had history in the business and thought it may be interesting, BUT BRO, he has some of the most annoying verbal tics in the world I MEAN BRO, he can't go half a sentence without shouting BRO, BRO.

LIKE BRO, I lasted about 8 minutes.

[Disco]

Russo is an asshat of the highest order.

[wullie]

He had Buff Bagwell's mum as tag champion and the object in one of those '____ on a pole' matches, you can't knock ideas like that.

[Browning]

Still better than a Kendo stick on a pole where one wrestler is allergic to kendo sticks.

[wullie]

All the Mexican wrestlers in a pinata on a pole match too, someone in the WCW office must have mistakenly ordered way too many poles.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.wwe.com/videos/sting-vs-jake-roberts-coal-miner-s-glove-match-halloween-havoc-1992

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/talent_champion_xl/public/wysiwyg/image/2012/06/20120607_Pole04_642.jpg

Coal Miner's glove anyone?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2taco

Or why have 1 pole when you can have 4?

Championship title in a box up one pole, a framed picture of Scott Hall, Coal Miner's glove and of course a blow up doll.

[wullie]

During the Pimp my Ride/meme years, WWE considered getting Xzibit in for a pole on a pole match.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Smackdown was pretty shit.

Best thing was probably the Uso/New Day promo (after The Usos came out) but then it was spoiled by the two dickhead bludgeon twats.

Main event was ruined by finisher spam as per usual and it sets up a shit 6 man tag for next week.

[Ian]

He seems more into it when his opponent is a bit more physical like with Samoa Joe or Braun Strowman clocking him for real last month, whereas everything Ambrose does is light as a feather so he completely phoned it in for that match. I'd guess he's done after WM and back off to UFC.

He still made Joe look like a bum so he wasn't that into it.

Did Strowman go down to one F5 too?

[Disco]

Keith Lee rumoured to be joining WWE, he's awesome and you should all look forward to him arriving.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Watching 205 now and I can't stand TJP.

Anyone over 15 who 'dabs' should be shot.

[Queenslander]

Keith Lee rumoured to be joining WWE, he's awesome and you should all look forward to him arriving.

Who would have thought 5 years ago that PWG would be a WWE developmental territory of sorts?

[Queenslander]

Are you going to this Disco?

http://i68.tinypic.com/zwxksm.jpg

[Disco]

I suspect London will be the closest show so probably not.

Have you seen this yet?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx_pZWrHCng

[Ian]

Watching 205 now and I can't stand TJP.

Anyone over 15 who 'dabs' should be shot.

It's good to hate a heel. Assuming he's still a heel.

I'm super bored of the crowd cheering dickheads. Yes, Kevin Owens (for example is good) but play the game and fucking boo him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah he's still a heel.

I wouldn't hate him as much as I do if he didn't dab, I guess the WWE are on the right path with it though.

[Ian]

If you want somebody to get kicked in the balls but don't actively want them to not be on your screen then that's the job being done about right.

[Shindig]

And the modern wrestling crowd is a bunch of smarks or smarks with kids. They've ruined kayfabe.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Modern wrestling crowds are just puppets just waiting to chant 'This is awesome' and 'holy shit'.

[Queenslander]

I suspect London will be the closest show so probably not.

Have you seen this yet?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx_pZWrHCng

It is beautiful story telling.

[Ian]

Modern wrestling crowds are just puppets just waiting to chant 'This is awesome' and 'holy shit'.

Shinners has it. If they were puppets they'd be cheering Reigns. The thing you're referring to is more a result of the way many people are just are aout everything. They want to have been there when a thing is seen to have happened. They want to be the notable crowd in some moment or another, not realising that those things work best when it's a result of people being actually invested in a guy or into a show.

[Lewis]

'Ian Web-ly!'
*clap, clap, clap-clap-clap*

[Ian]

That's a chant we can all get on board with.

[Shindig]

I'll also say the smarks are the reason WWE's so bloated. All this in-ring craft appreciation chatter that never really mattered. And, to be honest, doesn't matter as much as some fans think.

1. Internet goes on about guy at other promotion.
2. WWE sees hype.
3. Other guy ends up on 205 Live with gimmick crowd refuses to respond to.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until 18 hours of weekly programming is sorta .... kinda ... full.

[Ian]

The issue being compounded by the fact that the guys hiring people appear not to be the people who write / book the show.

By which I mean a talented wrestler rocks up and Vince goes "Why is he a foot too short?"

[Shindig]

Can you really have so many ongoing threads? Even Eastenders has like, three tops. What great moments of character has Ricochet had? Here's what I know about him:

He had this one match where he and his opponent decided to avoid each other for fifteen minutes and then everybody cheered. The fuck is that?

[Disco]

Let's go Webly!

Webly Sucks!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Web, ly Rocks

[Ian]

"This is Web-ly!"

*clap, clap, clap-clap, clap*

Stealing Lew's claps for a This Is Awesome tribute.

[Ian]

Also if this is anything to go by I'm the most over wrestler among TTH wrasslin' fans.

[Mike]

That means you’re probably meant to be a heel though.

[Queenslander]

WWE's biggest problem is that wins and losses dont matter.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/sami-callihan-eddie-edwards-bat-face-injury-video/

Eddie Edwards took a baseball bat to the eye resulting in a broken orbital bone and a broken nose.

Whoops.

[Queenslander]

Watching Okada v Ospraey tonight, Disco?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

WWE are going to be doing a 50 man Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia next month because why not.

[Queenslander]

Do you follow British wrestling Mahow?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nope.

I really hate this Nia/Asuka rivalry but I did like the finish (although it was a little too long) in this match.

[Queenslander]

You are missing out.

British Strong Style>WWE main roster.

[wullie]

Don't want it getting too popular though or half the fans will desert it.

[Disco]

I am counting the fucking minutes until I can go home and fire up the Jap-graps. I did not enjoy leaving for work thus morning when I knew it was just about to start.

[Queenslander]

I am counting the fucking minutes until I can go home and fire up the Jap-graps. I did not enjoy leaving for work thus morning when I knew it was just about to start.

Tidy little 3 hour show.

[wullie]

There's going to be cruiserweight tag titles fairly soon apparently. If that means they're going all out on 205 Live it's ace but otherwise that's three different belts for what, seven people?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hillbilly Jim into the Hall of Fame :cab:

I've had to put up with him and The fucking Godwinns a lot in my Nostalgia run.

[Disco]

It took me longer than I'd care to admit to realise their initials spelled HOG and PIG.

[wullie]

Look at the smouldering bastard here, holy shit

https://img.discogs.com/WzunsmTXNd6FYGz6Pzg5DnhoeSU=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():qualit y(40)/discogs-images/R-5661132-1399424004-5532.jpeg.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2018/0305/637590/jonathan-coachman-accused-of-sexual-harassment-in-lawsuit-filed/

WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman is being accused of sexual harassment by former ESPN anchor and legal analyst Adrienne Lawrence.

According to a report today by the New York Post, Lawrence filed a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit against ESPN on Sunday for incidents dating back to 2015. She is accusing ESPN of not addressing her complaints, specifically against longtime SportsCenter anchor John Buccigross. Many other current and former employees are also accused of varying degrees of harassment in the suit, including Coachman.

Guess Booker T will be needed again.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh and fucking lol if they are trying to turn Nia face after the Alexa talk.

[Disco]

So All In will be in Chicago in September.

Cue literally every rumour being about CM Punk making an appearance.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Speaking of Chicago, Bork turned up in a squash match against Kane.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=PgOwFeNUI-Y

That probably fulfils his contractual obligations until Wrestlemania.

[wullie]

If it's all on purpose to get people to cheer Reigns it's pretty shrewd, while also being shit for anyone who bought a ticket on the strength of a Lesnar appearance. Didn't even bother putting his gloves on.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I thought Kane had been DESTROYED by Boatman so he could run for Mayor somewhere in Tennessee though?

Or are live shows like that not part of the main storyline?

[Gray Fox]

House shows like that are never part of storyline. It's usually for the guys to get a tune up and get rid of ring rust.

Triple H teamed up with the SHIELD at a few last year when getting ready for Survivor Series.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHqCKUqoAeE

He has my vote btw.

[Shindig]

He and Jessie Ventura need a debate / Wrestlemania match.

[Gray Fox]

I demand he tombstone his opponent after his sure-fire victory.

[wullie]

Still my favourite photo. HELLFIRE AND BRIMSTONE

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DFsy4UhUAAArsMZ.jpg

[Ian]

Or are live shows like that not part of the main storyline?


House shows like that are never part of storyline.

Except for the very rare occasions when they suddenly are because it suits WWE for it to be the case.

[Queenslander]

I am counting the fucking minutes until I can go home and fire up the Jap-graps. I did not enjoy leaving for work thus morning when I knew it was just about to start.

Will Ospraey is going to be brilliant at Heavy Weight.

Also Im done with Sanada and his current gimick.He isnt tranquilo he is boring and slow..

What are thoughts from last night?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Smackdown was proper shit.

The promo to open wasn't overly engaging (the whole silver spoon thing is so tired now) with a really strange abrupt ending.
The Orton/Mahal/Roode thing is still batshit (no one fucking wants a triple threat match).
Carmella/Lynch was alright but Carmella and her hissy fits are so fucking annoying plus it sets up a dull as fuck tag match.
Styles/Ziggler promo was good as was their match but I don't get basically booking the Fastlane match to end it.
The main event was alright with a good end but it would have felt better at the actual PPV although it can't possibly happen at Fastlane as it looks likely that Cena wins to make Wrestlemania a shit triple threat with a God mode enabled Cena throwing finishers around for days.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

971241139738173440

I'm still not sure what they're trying to do with this.

[phonics]

WWE LIVE is coming to Geneva. 100 quid a ticket and a bargain of 80 quid for under 14s.

[Shindig]

971241139738173440

i'm still not sure what they're trying to do with this.

"and i-eeee-i will always brawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!"

[Disco]

Will Ospraey is going to be brilliant at Heavy Weight.

Also Im done with Sanada and his current gimick.He isnt tranquilo he is boring and slow..

What are thoughts from last night?

I'm not sure I was ever on the Sanada train, he's very good but I don't see the charisma that those at the top of the roster have. Ospreay on the other hand has it all already, I understand that the match at the anniversary show is a one off and somewhat traditional but this seemed to pose quite a few questions and makes me want to see more of this master/student semi-rivalry thing they have going on.

As for the rest I thought Hiromu looked great again and I really enjoyed the Naito / Taichi match. Plus of course my man Suzuki who I could watch forever. Roll on Friday and the start of the NJ Cup. :drool:

[phonics]

WWE LIVE is coming to Geneva. 100 quid a ticket and a bargain of 80 quid for under 14s.

Will this have any stuff that actually matters? I don't understand how WWE does shows that aren't on TV. Will it just be watching people wrestle or do they do kind of in house storylines?

[wullie]

You tend to get matches based on current TV feuds, but it's non-canon otherwise. It tends to be a bit more free and loose as they're just there for the live crowd though.

[phonics]

Will I see cool non-PG stuff and moves? It's not even so much the money as the fact that the idea of sitting in a half empty Geneva Arena sounds depressing.

[Ian]

Surely they're not charging that if they don't think they'll fill it?

[phonics]

Surely they're not charging that if they don't think they'll fill it?

I just checked their prices and they're asking the same as both Nickelback, Iron Maiden and some hairy fuckers called Nightwish so maybe they just assume (probably rightly) that no-one here has any taste.

[Ian]

To be fair, I like WWE (sort of), Iron Maiden and the Nickelback stuff that came out when I was a yoof and I wouldn't pay £80 for any of them. But maybe that just means I don't have the disposable wealth to back up questionable taste.

Anyway, I'm just watching Smackdown (by which I mean mostly winding through it) and it really is impressive how they've managed to make the presentation of WWE even worse. Constant picture-in-picture interviews during matches, even more 'people watching backstage' bits (they just had one that caused us to miss an attack the commentators made a big deal of), those shitty sort-of-subtitles through video promos.

It's just awful and I bet a lot of it is Kevin Dunn's idea.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Phonics you have to go to test out our Welby chants.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just finished 205 and they really have done well with the Cruiserweight tournament, can't think of a bad match that has been thrown up in it.

[phonics]

Sure, give me 125CHF of that inheritance money.

[Queenslander]

Ive just subscribed to the network :drool:


http://i65.tinypic.com/ea0fid.jpg

[Queenslander]

I'm not sure I was ever on the Sanada train, he's very good but I don't see the charisma that those at the top of the roster have. Ospreay on the other hand has it all already, I understand that the match at the anniversary show is a one off and somewhat traditional but this seemed to pose quite a few questions and makes me want to see more of this master/student semi-rivalry thing they have going on.

As for the rest I thought Hiromu looked great again and I really enjoyed the Naito / Taichi match. Plus of course my man Suzuki who I could watch forever. Roll on Friday and the start of the NJ Cup. :drool:

It would be amazing if they let Suzuki take the belt off Okada, Im constantly flip flopping in who the 2nd and 3rd guys are in NJPW. Naito reminds me of Austin and heel Shaun Micheals. He is the one out the top tier Jap grappers that could.get over in WWE. He is well over in ROH.

Hiromu is such a brilliant lunatic.

[Disco]

Apparently Suzuki told the crowd he hoped they all died in a car crash on the way home. :D

[Queenslander]

Apparently Suzuki told the crowd he hoped they all died in a car crash on the way home. :D

He is clearly the last remaining heel. :D

[7om]

Yeah, there's a captioned video of his promo and there's some right belters in there.

The car crash is a great one and also when he threatens to "kill every bastard" in the crowd when they won't calm down. He's just the best, basically.

[Ian]

Meltzer reckons HHH / Steph vs. Angle / Rousey might end up as the main event. It's about time Stephanie got her long-deserved Wrestlemania main event.

[Pleb]

Unless they package it together alongside the shitfest that is Boo Reigns-Bork Lesnar.

When's Taker poking his head out then?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's not, he's done.

NXT wasn't as great as it usually is but I did like the Ciampa promo, it was something different and you really got the full crowd reaction.

Also, Black Mass might be my favourite finisher right now. It's so simple and Aleister sells it so well, the sound it puts out is cracking too.

Oh and Dunne/Cole is a fucking great match to make.

[SvN]

Taker will either be at Fastlane or the Raw/Smackdown after it.

[Ian]

Cena doesn't win at Fastlane, moans again, BONG, Cena feuds himself for a month, crap match with Taker.

[Queenslander]

Apparently Marty Scurl v Pete Dunne has been booked by an indy promotion in Canada. First time they will wrestle each other.

British Wrestling is so fucking good at the moment.

[wullie]

I don't think they'd have had Cena reference an Undertaker challenge if they weren't planning something. They'd either not mention it entirely or do some kind of trolling.

[Disco]

Ian has it spot on, bet your house on it.

[Shindig]

So how does Taker signify his retirement this time around? Does he just ride his bike back up the ramp?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They get a Paul Bearer lookalike to cremate him when he goes into a casket.

[Disco]

Tomohiro Ishii is not a normal human.

[Mike]

They get a Paul Bearer lookalike to cremate him when he goes into a casket.

https://youtu.be/AkGdq4NOBE8?t=54

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EIOsDU57ssc/UT-0VH2UbrI/AAAAAAAAAa0/NoEJ49uMbXM/s1600/39.jpg

[Queenslander]

Zack Sabre Jr. :cool:

[Ian]

What about him?

[Disco]

I assume it's to do with his match with Naito this morning (no spoilers, I'm still watching todays show), first round of the New Japan Cup.

Elgin / Ishii and Juice / Yujiro have been the best of the first round so far.

[Disco]

Also, here's a Martin Kirby montage set to a Jason Donovan song. I don't think it gets any more appropriate than that.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vn-OQE13Po

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The forever suplex and ref lobbing in a stunner were the highlights.

[Pleb]

Nakamura-Styles for Mania is still on.

Asuka has Flair which is lol really unless they merge both ladies titles (again) and be done with it. Expect Taker to poke out his head on RAW while Cenah cries himself silly that he hasn't got himself a Mania match. Oh yeah Brother Nero got done for DWI on Saturday the fucking muppet.

[Disco]

Asuka / Charlotte is the best possible match they could have made.

Oh, and ZSJ :cool:

[Queenslander]

Asuka / Charlotte is the best possible match they could have made.

Oh, and ZSJ :cool:

lll spoiler my Japan Cup comments next time sorry.

[Browning]

Yea, Asuka Vs Charlotte absolutely had to happen. At least this way there's 1% doubt who is going to win, which there isn't with Alexa.

I still reckon Asuka beats her, Carmella cashes in, and Asuka beats her too.

[Shindig]

At which point Awesome Ko...harma turns up and they fight for another 200 years.

[Disco]

lll spoiler my Japan Cup comments next time sorry.

Nah you're fine, I don't come in here if I'm bothered about spoilers.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Watching it now.

I do like that Orton finally completed the set but it is a little shit that it was at Roode's expense as I really like him. Hopefully they give it back to him soon enough. I'm guessing they wanted to set up the Wrestlemania triple threat with Roode winning it back.

Also, fun fact. Only Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy have held ALL possible formats of Championships (WWE champion belt, world champion belt, World tag team, WWE tag team, Intercontinental, European and Hardcore).

Edit: They've been building towards Asuka/Flair the whole time. Nakamura was able to say who he was going for at the fucking Rumble and then with Nia moving towards face the last week to set her up against Bliss.

[Browning]

That seems like a really random list. No US title on there for a start, which would rule out Hardy.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That seems like a really random list. No US title on there for a start, which would rule out Hardy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Slam_(professional_wrestling)#WWE

Old format for grand slam champions.

US championship wasn't in the format prior to 2015.

[Ian]

Yea, Asuka Vs Charlotte absolutely had to happen. At least this way there's 1% doubt who is going to win, which there isn't with Alexa.

I still reckon Asuka beats her, Carmella cashes in, and Asuka beats her too.

They're not having Carmella fail at the first ever womens cash-in, Shirley? Maybe they have Carmella switch shows too. Cash in at the end of.... Jax / Bliss? Just do a straight rip-off of the Rollins cash-in maybe.

That show was pretty uninspiring. I thought the pre-match video piece for the tag match was one of the best they've done in ages, saw that New Day obviously weren't winning as soon as Big E wasn't in their line-up and then rolled my eyes at the Bludgeon Brothers interrupting. Though hopefully, if BB are wrestling for the belts at Mania, it's at least a triple threat. Usos and New Day should both be on the card.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I really wish that they had the Bludgeon wankers come in after the match.

It was shaping up really nicely (I loved that they were trying to show how much they know each other by imitating finishers) and then they ruined it completely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I just started on the main event (my Google feed ruined it) and having Cena lob AA's around to start :face:

I get why they did that to have Cena/Styles for a bit but why does it always have to be Cena turning God mode on?

[Ian]

Only an AA or two more than any of his big singles matches these days, to be fair.

[Browning]

Carmella's contract was outright stated to be for the Smackdown Women's Championship, and there isn't a chance in hell she's beating Asuka, so her losing is the only real way out of it. There were rumbling a while back it would happen at Mania as a way to still give her a "moment" because she knew she'd have to lose either way. That could easily be bullshit, but to me it's the most logical way out.

They could of course play the "WWE fans don't remember what happened 5 minutes ago" card and have her go to RAW, but that would be even worse.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How long does it last? The day before the next Money in the Bank?

Regardless of when though, they'd have to have her beat Asuka which just isn't happening.

[Ian]

Carmella's contract was outright stated to be for the Smackdown Women's Championship, and there isn't a chance in hell she's beating Asuka, so her losing is the only real way out of it. There were rumbling a while back it would happen at Mania as a way to still give her a "moment" because she knew she'd have to lose either way. That could easily be bullshit, but to me it's the most logical way out.

They could of course play the "WWE fans don't remember what happened 5 minutes ago" card and have her go to RAW, but that would be even worse.

That makes sense as it was a Smackdown PPV, now you say it.

WWE fucking the end of Asuka's streak on Carmella would not surprise me at all. Not because I think it's a good idea, but because I don't have faith in them to do the end of the streak justice when it comes.

They'll just build up to some "super-match" with Rousey I suppose. Although maybe not I suppose if she's on Smackdown now because there's not a chance Rousey gets switched off Raw any time soon.

[Browning]

Yea it's normally one year from whenever it was won, so probably the day before the next MITB.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They could conceivably have someone else end THE STREAK between 'Mania and MITB and Carmella successfully cash in.

[Browning]

It's possible, but I wouldn't do it. I would keep the streak for a big PPV, maybe even next year's Mania against Rousey. It's just not worth throwing away all this build up just for Carmella. That would be like having someone go undefeated for years only to lose to Kevin Nash and a taser.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah but it's WWE...