The Ultimate WWE Thread

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Predictions:

Greatest Royal 'fuck women' Rumble match: Boatman. I'd love it if Mark Henry won but that's not going to happen. The only other person I can see taking it is Daniel Bryan. Do we hate women? Yes! Yes! Yes!

Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns - I have a feeling that Bork's new contract was only for this event. I think they wanted this to really sell the event (other than the Rumble ofc) so paid Bork for one more match. I'd hope so at least because as much as I hate Roman at least it means the Champion actually appears more than twice a month.

Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn Bálor vs. Samoa Joe vs. The Miz - I'd like Balor to win but I just can't see them making Rollins drop the title so quickly, even if the Backlash event wasn't set.

A.J. Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - This is the one that I'm most unsure about but I think it's the right outcome. It sets things up for Backlash and I like heel champions.

Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Jinder Mahal - I seriously hope they're not stupid enough to give it back to Jinder. Does feel like we could be getting a fairly long Hardy reign barring injuries/drugs though.

The Deleter of Worlds (Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy) vs. The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus): Even if they weren't the only team on RAW they'd still win. Has to happen, yawn.

The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) (c) vs. The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso): They've built them up to be MONSTERS for a while now, they're not going to lose it in their first defence sadly. Probably be a squash but I hope the titles go back to The Usos soon.

Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Kalisto - Strange decision to have Kalisto as the challenger but they couldn't have Gulak winning the gauntlet as they can't have a Jew winning a title in Saudi Arabia and I feel he will be the next champion.

John Cena vs. Triple H - Continues the sad sap John Cena story I guess.

The Undertaker vs. Rusev - It's a shame they're going to bury Rusev in a PPV again but they can't have old man Taker losing a casket match at this.

[Browning]

Most of the matches are painfully obvious, but I wouldn't bet against Jinder and Miz taking the belts to the opposite brands. Miz needs to be in position to win the IC title and get the record, rather than being stuck in the US title picture for a year.

[Ian]

I don't get hating Reigns. Hate the booking? Absolutely. Want to root for Bork because you like people being annoyed more than you want WWE to be good again? That's fine too. But other than being a crap promo there's nowt wrong with him.

Anyway, here's hoping WWE swerve everybody and give Saudi the finger by surprise replacing the whole thing with a female card. It'd be shit but fuck you, Saudi Arabia.

[Browning]

Roman does also come across as a bit of a cunt outside the ring, so I can kind of understand it, but there is no sense in hating him just because of how Vince books him.

I really want Brock to beat him again though.

[Lewis]

Yeah he said rasslin' is for kids and that the adults booing him are losers (or something like that). You don't say it out loud mate.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's his limited moveset that annoys me most.

It's just Samoan drop, superman punch, spear, repeat.

[Ian]

Variety of moveset counts for fuck all. it's not how many moves you can do that matter but when you do them. By the time they got to some of their best matches the Rock and Austin were probably showing off about half the variety of moves they did when they were coming through. Roman isn't going to drag some mug to a world class match but nor is he the dead weight against a properly good opponent.


I really want Brock to beat him again though.

I think I'm an ABU for Bork by this point.

[wullie]

Reigns is great when they do things that seem more him, like his world class promo on the Raw after beating the Undertaker. When they're trying desperately to make him seem like an underdog it's a losing battle. One of the main things about his big push to the top from the start was him fighting to get opportunities which would be great if they even tried to make it look convincing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Variety of moveset counts for fuck all. it's not how many moves you can do that matter but when you do them. By the time they got to some of their best matches the Rock and Austin were probably showing off about half the variety of moves they did when they were coming through. Roman isn't going to drag some mug to a world class match but nor is he the dead weight against a properly good opponent.



I think I'm an ABU for Bork by this point.

But they (and others in similar situations) had so much more to them. They had actual presence and actual microphone skills.

Reigns has nothing else to elevate him. Their push to make him THE GUY just doesn't work. They pushed him far too much.

If he was a middle of the card guy or something he'd be fine.

I also missed his shield days which were supposedly pretty damn good.

[Ian]

He's crap on the mic and I'm not arguing he should be their main guy but there's nothing wrong with him as a main eventer, And if that looked like I was putting him at the level of Rock and Austin that absolutely wasn't my intention, merely that I think he's underrated in terms of his ability to help put a match together. Also his Spear is usually pretty crap and while it will never happen he could do with a new finisher, though I have no idea what that would be.

Ignore what they're trying to make him be and watch his matches and you can see that he does understand how it works. It's the same with Bork he's frustrating in a totally different way. You should definitely go back and check out whichever of the big Shield matches you haven't seen because the heel days are an indicator of exactly what they should be having Reigns do now, being an unpleasant heel bully.

I can't remember them all. The 6-man matches against the Wyatts and Evolution were all good as were the tag matches against the Rhodes family.

EDIT: Speaking of crap promos, I thought Cass' delivery of his was decent it's just a shame that most of what he was saying made so little sense. Implying he's grew tall by sheer force of will to avoid bullying or whatever. Come on, mate.

[Shindig]

Edge made a whole career out of the worst spear in existence.

[Ian]

I saw a thing once saying the reason that Goldberg's Spear (is his the best?) is because he actually runs through it rather than stopping short to do a shit jump into it and I think it's right. I mean, presumably that came from him being a former gridiron-er but Reigns was too so he's got no excuse, really.

[Shindig]

Yeah, Goldberg's was just sublime. It's the one wrestling move I'd love to take. Maybe an Arn Spinebuster as well. Even with Goldberg, it's not a finisher which makes me wonder why Edge settled for it.

[Ian]

How much choice do they get? WWE seem obsessed with finishers you can hit, ugh, OUTTANOWHERE.

[SvN]

Reigns is a pretty good in the ring. I'm not having that he's shit, despite the fact that I find his character dull. He's had some great matches over the last few years.

[Disco]

I liked the Cass promo, yeah his delivery could use some work but it's nice to have a heel with some justification for a change. Shame it came a day after former mahogany scotchman Drew Galloway (Mcintyre?) gave a similar but far far better one.

[wullie]

Greatest Royal Rumble: Strowman. I was going to joke about WWE reverting to type and getting all their terrorist characters back so the crowd have someone to cheer for, but it looks as though original Daivari's actually going to be there, so a few quid on Muhammad Hassan
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns - Same reasons as Mahow. NXT had a title change in that Japan show on the Network and they're putting a million times more into this, so either Reigns or Nakamura are winning I think
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Finn Bálor vs. Samoa Joe vs. The Miz
A.J. Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura - Nakamura to get himself disqualified by punching Styles in the dick past the count of 25
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Jinder Mahal
The Deleter of Worlds (Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy) vs. The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus): Stick with the champions on their own shows rather than doing a draft and fucking it up within weeks by shifting everyone back again
The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) (c) vs. The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso): Unless they smuggle in Naomi dressed as a man, in which case Usos
Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Kalisto
John Cena vs. Triple H
The Undertaker vs. Rusev - You have to believe

[SvN]

I'm expecting Undertaker v Rusev to be a carbon copy of the Cena match, but with him rolling Rusev into a casket at the end instead. I hope I'm wrong.

[wullie]

I'm most looking forward to Aiden English's Undertaker rap and that sweet 15-minute prayer break.

[Shindig]

Rusev retiring the Undertaker to appease some foreign investors would be the most WWE thing.

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn2FltxTgjs

That fucking spear. :lol:

[SvN]

That was so brutal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That really is the greatest one ever.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The GREATEST EVER KICK OFF SHOW has started.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This stadium :sick:

[wullie]

Someone put up a month of Goldberg spears on Reddit a while back, it's like JBL's clothesline where I don't understand how he's not actually killing people
http://i.imgur.com/jqQqaUG.gif

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

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

There's only about 100 floor seats, there's so much empty space.

[Shindig]

Goldberg must be doing all of the work in those. The Christian one looks daft because he's trying to sell it as well. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lol.

Booker T just called AJ Styles Nakamura on the pre-show whilst talking to him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Heyman has indeed flown over and all they're fighting for is a trophy...

[Pleb]

Who's the fucking twat that put Saxton on pre show host duties? :moop:

I was half expecting Tom Phillips.

[Pleb]

Putting Saxton on commentary :D

Fucking muppets.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

His suit is absolutely hideous.

For once Corey doesn't look like the biggest twat.

[Pleb]

They have blown the budget on the entrances here.

HHH for the squash win.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

So many in the front aren't even watching :cab:

[Shindig]

"Look at the money we've spent. We're here at an event. Hurrah for us and our money." <spends all the time on their phone>

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wasn't too bad that match but too many finishers.

The crowd is also wank.

[Pleb]

Hunter must of begged like crazy towards his father in law to put himself over #cenawinslol

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I hope we're having thank you's for the GLORIOUS KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA WHO ARE RIGHT TO HATE WOMEN after every match.

[Browning]

I only caught the second half of it, but I thought it was shite. So slow, no fluidity at all.

[Pleb]

I thought that as well. Thought it was lag on my end.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's outside in 30 degree heat, they were exhausted.

Mark Henry's going to be breathing out of his arse walking down to the ring.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This feels so stale.

90% of the crowd don't want to actually be there.

[Browning]

Stop trying Kalisto, they don't give a shit about your stupid chant.

[Disco]

For a second I thought Michael Cole et al were all wearing the dishcloth and robe combo.

[Pleb]

Match of the night that.

Shame the crowd doesn't give a fuck. This feels like a house show.

[SvN]

The VIP section is half empty.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was good with a brilliant finish.

[SvN]

Yeah that was a cracking match.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did chuckle at no one doing the delete chant.

Amazing.

[Disco]

Seamus looks...warm. Undertaker will need 8 months in an oxygen tent to get over his own entrance let alone a match.

[SvN]

Undertaker v Rusev will definitely be shorter than the Taker v Cena match.

That tag match was shit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The Saudi princes in the front row not watching and talking on their phone instead is really pissing me off.

[Disco]

I can't decide if they're unwilling to show the tea towel section or if it's just the normal awful camera work.

[SvN]

lol, Hardy looks knackered after 30 seconds.

[Browning]

"NOBODY HOME!" as Jinder sells it.

Fucking awful.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I like that they're playing up the hometown-ish thing for Jinder.

He was born in Canada and Hardy was born closer to Jeddah so lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.islamicfinder.org/world/saudi-arabia/105343/jeddah-prayer-times/

Prayer break in 3 minutes...

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

989916003986563073

Fucking mega botch.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Everyone is welcome in Saudi Arabia :harold:

[Disco]

Wait, has Cena / HHH been on?

[Browning]

Yea, it opened the show.

I assume the sound guy made the list for muting the crowd.

[Disco]

Who won?

[Browning]

Don Cena, of course.

[Shindig]

There's no excuse for selling that miss. :D

[Disco]

I wonder if we'll see him in the rumble, at least he won't be winning if he won his other match.

Daniel Bryan said 'wrestling'. Immediately sacked.

[Browning]

Michael Cole beats Jeff's botch by telling us all that Slaughter is dead.

[Disco]

Balor didn't bring his little rainbow team with him then?

Odd that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Balor didn't bring his little rainbow team with him then?

Odd that.

Couldn't use his rainbow logo either, not sure why though. It's puzzling.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Where is the cage btw?

Are they going to build it during a prayer break or something? I can't see it above the ring at all.

[SvN]

It's very clearly above the ring

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I only see light rigging :\

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Damn, I so wanted to see a superplex on ladder/Joe.

[Browning]

That finish :D

[SvN]

Good match, brilliant ending.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Rollins :D

Could have done with less Balor cat pawing at the title.

[Browning]

The finish was indeed brilliant, but makes Finn look like a total cunt (which I don't object to). Just stood there watching.

[Browning]

Let's have Hogan come out and take out these 4.

[Disco]

Kinda shits on almost every other attempt to climb a ladder in the history of the promotion.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Monsoor wasn't too shabby there.

He's already better than Roman on the mic.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Well this has gotten the crowd into it.

[Disco]

Trainees, sure.

[Browning]

That was absolutely pathetic.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Michael Cole describing Jeddah as a progressive resort city is so lol.

[Browning]

This needs to be better than Mania or it could be the first nail in the coffin of Nakamura. He's yet to have a great match in WWE.

[John]

They should get Golddust out there. All the tight leather and nipple rubbing will drive them bonkers, but he's also gold so they'll want to make taps out of him. The cognitive dissonance will make their heads pop like in Kingsman.

[Disco]

This needs to be better than Mania or it could be the first nail in the coffin of Nakamura. He's yet to have a great match in WWE.

Main roster maybe, he had plenty in NXT.

[Disco]

They should get Golddust out there. All the tight leather and nipple rubbing will drive them bonkers, but he's also gold so they'll want to make taps out of him. The cognitive dissonance will make their heads pop like in Kingsman.

He's advertised so I assume he (and anyone else with a pulse) will be in the rumble.

[SvN]

What the hell is that ending? Felt like the match was only halfway through.

[Browning]

Get Paige out to restart this....

[Disco]

I wonder if they were contractually obliged to have a title match and that was the way of getting it done without affecting whatever their actual plans are.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bullshit.

[Disco]

Gotta love the lingering shot of Takers hat head.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hat must have shrunk in the heat.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Taker almost falling there, lol.

[Browning]

Taker nearly falling on his arse while delivering punches..... please retire him Rusev.

[Browning]

That was shockingly bad. Why did he not just shut it as he walked past it....

[SvN]

Taker still getting the biggest cheer of the night :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Doubt they're pleased at two men sharing a casket.

[Disco]

Doubt they're pleased at two men sharing a casket.

:D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Brock got more cheers than Roman.

I can see Brock suplexing Roman out the door.

[Disco]

Odds on Joe interfering to make sure his match with Roman is for the title? He's on Smackdown now so it makes no sense but still.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Brock was on the cage wall.

Roman touched the actual floor first.

[Browning]

:lol:

Greatest of all time.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Saxton :harold:

You clearly see Brock's fee...

They were still in the air.

[SvN]

I wonder if that was a botch or deliberate to make Roman seem hard done by.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The greatest trophy and a title belt :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hall of PAINNNNNNN.

It's going to take him about 5 minutes to get to the ring.

[Disco]

I've become fascinated with watching the five or six completely disinterested middle age gents sat on the hardcam. Not a single flicker of reaction as yet.

Edit: Oh shit, one them actually laughed!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mike Kanellis :lol:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Who the fuck is this?

[Browning]

Who the fuck is this?

[Browning]

:D

Amazing.

I just want Henry to take them all out.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh fuck off.

They should have given Henry longer.

[Disco]

Bryan / Ziggler has been the best match of the night.

[Lewis]

So is it fair to say this has all lived up to its name?

[Browning]

It's been a glorified House Show. Mostly utter shite. Needs some amazing surprises in the Rumble.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ugh, fuck Tony Neese.

[John]

Who the fuck is this?

If it's the tubby idiot my mate just messaged me about I've christened him 'Yokozoomer'.

[Disco]

We still have 40 men to enter tonight

Not if you want to get past customs mate.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hornswoggle \0/.

Biggest reaction tonight.

[Disco]

It's been a glorified House Show. Mostly utter shite. Needs some amazing surprises in the Rumble.

Are you happy now?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That Samoan drop :D

Greatest thing ever.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's thicc :D

That was a great entrant.

[Browning]

What a way to follow up Hornswoggle... with Primo. :D

[Browning]

I want Foley to be at least 5 of the 50.

[Disco]

They've cynically moved some children in front of the waxworks to ruin my fun. Quite a few of them seem to come to the show in order to mill about aimlessly then spend five minutes reading their phone.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Kurt Angle doesn't Bo-lieve.

[Shindig]

I want Foley to be at least 5 of the 50.

Mick Foley
Dude Love
Mankind
Cactus Jack
Noelle Foley (/w Mick Foley)
TNA Mick Foley
Santa Mick Foley
Comedian Mick Foley
Author Mick Foley

Aye, fill them slots.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The commentary, especially Michael Cole, has actually been good tonight.

[Disco]

He killed Sgt Slaughter.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I don't think I've ever seen Mojo Rawley in a non-Rumble/Battle Royal match.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I had no idea that Orton would be so loved in Saudi Arabia.

[Browning]

3MB reunion.... please!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not a clue who he is but he's got a Polish flag on his trousers.

[Browning]

Is Rey being dressed as the new title belt a hint?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What the fuck :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That is the greatest thing ever :D

[Disco]

Jesus christ, worth $200m just for that.

[SvN]

Pissing myself at Titus :lol:

[Browning]

I went back to watch it again, and I still don't know how he did it.

[Baz]

Pissing myself at Titus :lol:
Same. I only just switched it on and saw that. :D

EDIT: So many replays haha.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm actually in tears.

I love that they keep replaying it too.

[SvN]

I've actually got tears streaming down my face. Every time they show it I crack up.

[Browning]

The replays were great. The live take missed almost all of it, so we needed those.

[Disco]

They're utterly burying him too, three or four replays already.

Rey winning would be good, the crowd would probably like it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiZLrg34jKQ

Here's the keg fuck up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's not right having Tye Dillinger at a number not 10.

[Disco]

Waxwork 4 actually popped for that Strowman chokeslam, must be the beard.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Daniel Bryan's chest is completely fucked.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Khali can barely walk anymore.

[Disco]

Khali there, moving with the grace of The Undertaker.

[Baz]

Daniel Bryan's chest is completely fucked.

Yeah, what happened?

[Browning]

So we got 4 left, 3 of which are Zayn, Jericho and Shane, right?

[Browning]

And Big Cass... I'm guessing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bryan's arms are torn up too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What's the point of Shelton?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bodyslam.net/2018/04/26/exclusive-sami-zayn-not-expected-to-travel-to-saudi-arabia-for-the-greatest-royal-rumble-event/

A source indicated to BodySlam.net Managing Editor Brad Shepard that WWE Superstar Sami Zayn was not expected to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Greatest Royal Rumble event, unless something unexpected changes.

WWE told Sami he wouldn’t be needed on the show and shot a segment backstage where he implied to Kevin Owens that he wasn’t feeling well and may not appear in the Royal Rumble match in Saudi Arabia.

The indication backstage is that he wasn’t included because he’s a Syrian Muslim. Saudi Arabia-Syria relations have long been strained.

[Disco]

RIP Big Cass.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That looked ugly from Lashley to Cass.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Shane :lol:

[Disco]

Just loop the Titus Worldslide for the next half hour please.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I make that 13 eliminations fro Braun too so he breaks Roman's record :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Are they using fake shots on fireworks on those zoom outs?

Does Braun now have to defend the belt at the next Greatest Royal Rumble with 60 men?

[Disco]

989965137204441088

Shut it all down lads, it doesn't get any better than this.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I love that it pretty much swallowed him whole.

[Shindig]

Should've stayed under it and pretended it was a work. Emerge at the other side and sneak someone out.

[Dan]

Is it worth watching anything other than the Worldslide?

[Waffdon]

Daniel Bryan is a god

[Disco]

Is it worth watching anything other than the Worldslide?

It is, genuinely, the best bit.

[Browning]

Is it worth watching anything other than the Worldslide?

Ladder match is worth watching, but Titus stole the show.

[wullie]

A crowd can help make a show, so it was great to have the rows on camera filled with a lot of bored rich men looking at their phones.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The botches were incredible:

989933952063356928

989972374727651329

989972365705732096

989962103518826497

989959008021868545

989960279424491520

989971108442107905

Then you've got Michael Cole claiming that Sgt. Slaughter was dead, the ending of the ladder match and the Universal title ending.

Commentary team were also surprisingly brilliant too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And obviously the greatest moment ever:

989990650195169281

[wullie]

I wonder if the Titus thing was replayed more than the time Taka Michinoku's arm fell off and they showed it in super slo-mo for the next ten minutes instead of the Rumble match.

[Dan]

I wonder if the Titus thing was replayed more than the time Taka Michinoku's arm fell off and they showed it in super slo-mo for the next ten minutes instead of the Rumble match.

I remember the one of him getting thrown over the top rope & faceplanting fondly - King's "doink!" was the cherry on top.

[Ian]

How did Strong do that to Bryan with chops alone?

Anyway, aside from the Worldslide that was a genuinely dreadful show.

[Baz]

A crowd can help make a show, so it was great to have the rows on camera filled with a lot of bored rich men looking at their phones.:D

[Shindig]

I wonder if the Titus thing was replayed more than the time Taka Michinoku's arm fell off and they showed it in super slo-mo for the next ten minutes instead of the Rumble match.

Taka breaking his nose might've got more airtime. Mainly because King kept asking for it. :D

[Shindig]

Saudi TV's apologising for the indecency of the women's match which goes against Saudi values.

[Queenslander]

NJPW are putting on a show in a 10 000 a person seater which they will sell out for sure... first time outside of WWE since the 90's?

[Mike]

https://media1.giphy.com/media/2YeheNa7pHNTSPH60A/200w.gif

https://streamable.com/zv5z2
The gifs are great, with commentary is even better

[Ian]

Graves sounded like he was genuinely struggling rather it just being fake hilarity.

[phonics]

From the sounds of it, Vince thinks it's the greatest thing to happen in wrestling in years. It'll be forced on him as a gimmick for the rest of his career.

[Disco]

He really likes people falling over, apparently one of his favourite things to do is push people into his swimming pool.

[Ian]

He'll only have found it funnier given it was Titus who had the temerity to try and speak to him that one time.

[Shindig]

He also thinks farts are hilarious.

[Lewis]

I've just seen that Iran segment. Christ. Missed opportunity to have the Iron Sheik shoot on the crowd though.

[Ian]

What Is it he has the weird thing about trying to never do? Sneezing?

[Disco]

I liked the local lad who implied Daivari smelled, you know, because he's Iranian.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've just seen that Iran segment. Christ. Missed opportunity to have the Iron Sheik shoot on the crowd though.

Yeah but he'd have just called them all faggots.

[Trancemeister]

He'd make them humble

[Queenslander]

Disco did you catch Suzuki v Naito?

[Disco]

Not yet, still catching up on the 'Road to' shows from last week, happily I'm getting through them just as English commentary is getting added.

[Ian]

I enjoyed Rollins/ O'Shango on Raw and there was another decent match or two but the interbrand matches were waiting for don't half take the wind out of these shows and make it feel like you're just treading water.

Still, at least Titus and Jeremy is bubbling away nicely.

[Queenslander]

Not yet, still catching up on the 'Road to' shows from last week, happily I'm getting through them just as English commentary is getting added.

Will Ospraey is going to win the Heavy Weight Title at some stage if he stays with NJPW. He could easily be the best of the work rate era by the end of his career.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I know it's all kayfabe and obviously the storyline but it's mental that they wouldn't reverse the decision and give Reigns the title.

It's not like a ref accidentally counting to three when a shoulder was open/foot on the rope.

His feet touched first, he won the match. If it was a genuine mistake they'd clearly hand it over so it's crazy when they just decide 'fuck it, just rewrite the rules for now'.

[Browning]

The referee's call is always final, they would have no grounds to overturn it after the event.

Besides, the rules of cage matches have been fucked with so many times it's unreal. Kane and RVD had a cage match where Kane chucked him through the wall and Bischoff came out and said the rules clearly state that doesn't count and you have to go over the top or through the door, and JR on commentary was agreeing with him. They've never once enforced that before or since.

[phonics]

I like Steve Austin as much as the next man but I never want to hear him talking about 4 wheeling across Nevada again.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The referee's call is always final, they would have no grounds to overturn it after the event.

Besides, the rules of cage matches have been fucked with so many times it's unreal. Kane and RVD had a cage match where Kane chucked him through the wall and Bischoff came out and said the rules clearly state that doesn't count and you have to go over the top or through the door, and JR on commentary was agreeing with him. They've never once enforced that before or since.
Apart from the times when it isn't.

[Browning]

I've never seen a GM overturn a referee's call after the match. Restart the match, sure, but not just completely reverse it later on. There was a time when Angle made Austin tap out even though Austin got to the ropes, and the referee even admitted it the next night, but the decision still stood. Granted that's not exactly the same because Austin didn't "win", but yea, it just doesn't happen.

All this talk of it being a botch is clearly bullshit too, because if it were a botch, they would have just restarted the match, or declared Reigns the winner after reviewing it a few times. People just got trolled again. Brock :cool:

[Browning]

Actually, I can think of one, Kurt Angle reversed the call of Eddie Vs JBL. But that was immediately after the match, not the next night on RAW. They just called what they wanted the result to be, and that's what they're sticking with. In kayfabe you would just say "the referee got it wrong, tough luck".

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Tripping Worldwide? They really should have gone with Titus Worldslide.

[wullie]

The idea of it having to be specifically the feet touching the floor was always a bit weird, in a battle royal someone could launch a cruiserweight out to the ramp but if they land on their arse they're not eliminated. At some point Kofi Kingston will run out of wacky ideas and they'll no reason not to sort that right out.

[Disco]

Hebner was forced to reverse the decision when Jericho beat HHH back in 2000ish. One of the first appearances of Trips and his trusty shovel.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was quite a good RAW tbh. It helped that we went from a crowd who didn't give a shit (fuck the Saudi royal family) to one that was seriously vocal.

I'm enjoying Boatman plough through Owens for the second week in a row too.

Last week:

988824137190780931

This week:

991138977657901056

Also lolled at Jinder (born and raised in Canada) still getting boos. I know he's billed from India but it was great.

[Ian]

Hebner was forced to reverse the decision when Jericho beat HHH back in 2000ish. One of the first appearances of Trips and his trusty shovel.

Back when referees were, for better or worse, an actual thing. I don't think I know of their names now if they're not Mike Chioda. Or at least I know some names but couldn't tell you what they look like.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I know John Cone now because the whole Nicholas bullshit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The only other ref I know is purely by face and it's this twat:

https://statics.sportskeeda.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2014-10-31-charles-robinson-1487429118-800.jpg

Also, I got back to watching some older stuff again and I started watching In Your House Mind Games from 1996. Proper lolled at seeing Sandman and Tommy Dreamer in the audience trying to kick shit off. Sandman even spat his beer on Savio Vega before crushing the can the only way he knows how. Apparently only Vince from their side knew it was a work.

https://78.media.tumblr.com/a88921a0959ec16578043f20b9654960/tumblr_mhs7fduGiX1s2sfl8o1_400.jpg

Vega must have been so pissed off about not knowing (if true) it was coming.

[wullie]

Woah, let's not speak ill of Lil Naitch.

[Ian]

I never thought of him but yes, Charles Robinson I know. Just tried and failed to find a gif his amazing reaction to the Rock hitting Booker with the Rock Bottom at Summerslam.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://media1.giphy.com/media/LkKUGejqDBzUs/giphy.gif

Not it but a good reaction nonetheless.

[Ian]

Yeah I saw that when trying to find the one I wanted. There was also a good one for a low blow.

[Lewis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfLLqHq3BFs

[Shindig]

Nick Patrick was the nWo's ref. That's it for my ref knowledge. There was the fat one whose name I should remember, too. Did he try to commit (worked) suicide at some point?

[Ian]

Tim White, yeah. I remember more of the old ones or certainly I knew most of them at the time. 'Theodore' Long was one too, of course.

[wullie]

The Hebner boys are probably the biggest names, sullied slightly like everyone eventually is by working in TNA and selling 'Yes I did screw Bret ha ha' t-shirts about 15 years too late.

[Queenslander]

Smackdown has quite the roster atm. Nakamura v Joe was a lot of fun in NXT.

[SvN]

The funniest thing about Earl Hebner is his comments about Vince and WWE before/after he was let go from TNA. See if you can guess which is which.


I just want Vince McMahon to know there's other promoters in this wrestling business besides himself. [...] I’ve had offers to come back to WWE but I won’t go back because I feel if I went back there, they’d only be hiring me to get me out of TNA. I’m glad I did and I’m happy where I’m at. When I leave, I’ll leave my boots and my shoes hanging on TNA wrestling ropes. I’ll be finished, I’ll be gone. I will never go back to WWE.


I would love to go back to WWE and finish my life in this business right there. Vince McMahon was always good to me, and he gave me the opportunity to be who I am and what I am. I would love to go back and, if nothing else, do one more match to say thank you very much for what you’ve done for me.

[Disco]

The Jap-Graps has Tiger Hattori and Red Shoes Unno.

[wullie]

I remember during the Attitude days they had some kind of angle where referees went on strike due to physical abuse. Can't remember it lasting long or where it went but it struck me as something they should aim for more, like a more realistic thing than arguing over shampoo commercials and dressing up midgets.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Kane has won the republican primary.

One step closer to having the big red machine as a mayor :drool:

[phonics]

He's a hardcore libertarian so that should be interesting.

[Ian]

I know Jeff used to do the odd Twist of Fate but did he didn't used to use it this much, right? It's a bit lol that he's using Matt's finisher to set up the Swanton.

EDIT: Also nice to see WWE are firmly back in the lolling at midgets camp.

[phonics]

They both had it as a finisher in the video game which is my version of canon.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh brilliant, they've mentioned the top 10 list.

I had hoped that had now been completely forgotten after the shit Roode/Orton/Jinder shit show.

I had also forgotten just how shit Lana's Russian accent is.

[Queenslander]

Jericho v Naito is going to be a cracker!

[Disco]

They changed Suzukis entrance music :facepalm:

[Ian]

By contrast I think adding the shit vocal to Nakamura's music was a decent move if it'll stop people singing along with it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think it's also more fitting with his current heel turn.

[Shindig]

Either add vocals or change it entirely so the fans boo the theme. Immediate heat.

[Disco]

Ugh, we have to wait until June for Okada / Omega 4. No time limit and best of three falls though :drool:

[Browning]

Meanwhile there's only 1 day to wait until we get to see how Styles/Nakamura could possibly make their 3rd match even shitter and even more boring than the first 2.

[Disco]

I'd forgotten about Backlash, shame the only time I could conceivably watch a ppv live it's probably going to be shit.

[Baz]

Ugh, we have to wait until June for Okada / Omega 4. No time limit and best of three falls though :drool:I haven’t seen the third (and just spoiled it for myself, doh!) but can’t wait for this.

[Ian]

I was enjoying the second Styles / Nakamura match right up until the non-ending.

[Disco]

Miz / Rollings was a cracker.

[Queenslander]

Miz / Rollings was a cracker.

Ill definitely be getting back on the Network for Smackdown alone.

[Disco]

Look lads, if you don't want to do anything sensible with Nakamura can you just let him go back to Japan please.

[Disco]

I'll save you some time chaps, turn it off after the first match. It was, by some considerable margin, the best thing on the show.

[phonics]

I saw a GIF of Styles and Nakamura simultaneously kicking each other in the nuts. Great storytelling.

[wullie]

Worth watching, like, Nia Jax's promo, you guys, about how girls should be true to themselves, totally, while people boo her, whatever

[SvN]

Just watched it. Thank God I didn't stay up for that.

Despite everything, I can't believe they actually went with Reigns v Joe as the main event.

[Gray Fox]

Apparently the crowd openly shit on the main event. Shame they're still keeping up with that, but by all accounts it's worth turning off after the Miz/Rollins match.

[Shindig]

I saw a GIF of Styles and Nakamura simultaneously kicking each other in the nuts. Great storytelling.

That's an I Quit match I would book. At Great Balls of Fire.

[Queenslander]

Chris Sabin has been booked for the best of the Super Juniors. Gonna be a cracking tournment to stimulate my jap graps boner.

[Disco]

https://i.imgur.com/jtczggN.png

[Browning]

Both Styles and Nakamura can fuck right off. Stop making me sit through shite.

[wullie]

I thought the match itself was getting really good until they stopped abruptly for the second show in a row. With three PPVs in the space of a few weeks and people crossing brands it's all a bit of a mess, hopefully they can finish what they're setting up now.