Pro Wrestling Discussion Thread **Spoilers Possible**

[Mota]

It's crazy that the people that get the most heat don't even wrestle. The Rock, Vicky Guerrero, Michael Cole, etc.

I guess it's a product of having John Cena on TV every single week and at every PPV so it's not a big deal to see him. Back in the day it was a treat to see Hulk Hogan, they held him back enough that it was a big deal every time he was on.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by Mota

It's crazy that the people that get the most heat don't even wrestle. The Rock, Vicky Guerrero, Michael Cole, etc.

I guess it's a product of having John Cena on TV every single week and at every PPV so it's not a big deal to see him. Back in the day it was a treat to see Hulk Hogan, they held him back enough that it was a big deal every time he was on.

This is a good point. I think its part of the reason the Undertaker always seems interesting. He takes half the year off and it seems and even when hes going full time hes not hogging the show. I am a Cena fan but his matches just arent very interesting to me as hes faced all of his top competition(other than Undertaker) so many times.

I remember Wrestlemania 3 so clearly because most of them 12 matches had storylines going that were months old and the matches despite being very short were all very interesting and hard to predict who would win. As it is now you can basically predict 80 percent of the winners in any given PPV.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

That was the best 10 mins I have seen in pro wrestling in years.

Unless I'm missing a clip somewhere, there was about 6 mins of promo + 6 mins of crowd noise.

Can't find any video on wwe.com but it's split into parts on YouTube this morning, so the first 4 1/2 mins or so is the announcement & the walk down to the ring. The clip I found restarts with Rock telling Cole to sit down, etc, goes through the Cena bit, then walks back up the ramp for another nearly 2 mins.

Was that everything, or am I missing a segment? (No, I'm not ripping on you, I'm legit wondering if I saw it all).

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm with the Eric Gargiulo commentary, My guess here is that they will pull something similar to Steve Austin and Mike Tyson where they teased a confrontation but Rock and Cena wind up working together in the finish at WrestleMania.

If that does turn out to be the route, I have to question where the long term gain is. Cena needs help to dispense with Punk? Certainly downgrades Cena but I'm not at all sure it elevates Punk.

At the moment at least, this seems like a bit of desperation to get WM buys. But it was good TV, a solid promo, for now it's all good I reckon.

[Toddzilla]

The Rock overrrun was well over 15 minutes, as my DVR missed the end of the show and I tape 15 minutes after the hour

[wade moore]

Wish I had known about this.

I haven't watched wrestling in years, but The Rock back would pull me back in.

If anyone finds good video online, let me know.

[Neuqua]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS8-vf8w7pc

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS8-vf8w7pc

Thanks, there was indeed a missing segment (or 2 or 3 or 4) from what I found earlier this morning.

edit to add: The thing that jumped out at me was the change in his catchphrase, he's now the most electrifying man in entertainment rather than sportsentertainment. I wonder how hard it is to break that habit?

[PackerFanatic]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Wish I had known about this.

I haven't watched wrestling in years, but The Rock back would pull me back in.

If anyone finds good video online, let me know.

Agreed - I found the video on WWE.com and it was pretty awesome.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Wish I had known about this.

I haven't watched wrestling in years, but The Rock back would pull me back in.

If anyone finds good video online, let me know.

Ditto.

Thanks for the link Neuqua.

[molson]

I got a little nervous there for a second when they just showed those "mystery woman's feet" leaving the limo, but everything worked out.

I'm hopeful too that Rock will do something more interesting than a Tyson/other celebrity-esque "help the good guy beat the bad guy" bit. I think that's way beneath Rock. Seeing him run down Cena was promising (and it was fun to see the crowd spontaneously bust into a "Cena sucks" chant. The WWE has never shied away from utilizing that negative heat Cena can generate (like during that awesome RVD feud.)

Rock can make make the fans turn on anyone, and if they're already over as a heel, ala Michael Cole, the result is just tremendous TV. Cole might be my favorite WWE charater at the moment. The stuff with the Miz, the huge heel heat he gets just for saying "May I have your attention please", and "And I Quote" is just great stuff.

I loved how the first couple of "ass" comments were bleeped out, but then it seemed like the censors just gave up by the end (maybe because it was after 11.)

I was also looking around at that crowd, how young it was - I wonder how many people in the audience even remember Rock being an active wrestler. I'm sure they call got sucked in by the energy/hype and could gather that it was a huge deal.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by molson

I wonder how many people in the audience even remember Rock being an active wrestler.

That thought crossed my mind also. But absence can make legends grow too. The interesting thing to me is that it's non-wrestling fans who've talked this up on my Facebook today, nary a peep from the wrestling fans. To those nons (100% female btw) he's a charismatic sex symbol so if he's on TV then it's all good with them.

[RainMaker]

I would hope they don't just use Rock in a generic put Cena over type bit at WM. Not too confident in WWE creative though. I would think this would be a great chance to turn Cena heel (or at least alter his character).

And The Rock is amazing on the mic. Seriously, I can't think of anyone who even comes close to him.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Watched the video today. I haven't watched in years, but that 23 minutes from last night's show was FANTASTIC. Takes me back to when I was a fan. The Rock is an unbelievable entertainer. I'd pay for Wrestlemania just to see the Rock again.

[Mota]

Originally Posted by molson

I was also looking around at that crowd, how young it was - I wonder how many people in the audience even remember Rock being an active wrestler. I'm sure they call got sucked in by the energy/hype and could gather that it was a huge deal.

My son just turned 7 and he knows all about The Rock. He has his action figure, has seen him on several DVD's. And most of all, he's played The Rock on the video games many times. So he was really excited about him being on TV last night even though The Rock had probably retired by the time my son was even born.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Watched the video today. I haven't watched in years, but that 23 minutes from last night's show was FANTASTIC. Takes me back to when I was a fan. The Rock is an unbelievable entertainer. I'd pay for Wrestlemania just to see the Rock again.

+1

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS8-vf8w7pc

Wow. I JUST started this and just the initial pop he gets on the "Do" of "Do you smell..."

May sound stupid, but gives you chills. Makes me think back to when I actually liked wrestling.

I might be back in.

[wade moore]

"Barney the dinosaur's anus"

Hah. The Rock is so great.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Wow. I JUST started this and just the initial pop he gets on the "Do" of "Do you smell..."

May sound stupid, but gives you chills. Makes me think back to when I actually liked wrestling.

I might be back in.

Just semantics, but you mean the "If" of "If you smell..."

[wade moore]

Yeah, that .

[PilotMan]

godDAMN that was FanFUCKINGtastic! I gotta echo the statements of others. I got the chills, couldn't keep the smile off my face, and the Rock just blew that out of the water. Wow. Easily the best 23 minutes of wrestling I have seen in years.

[Maple Leafs]

Best intro to a new/returning character since Jericho in the late 90s.

(Hm, I think there was a second guy involved in that one, come to think of it...)

[Toddzilla]

Jeez, when did this thread get taken over by a bunch of teenage girls?

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Jeez, when did this thread get taken over by a bunch of teenage girls?

Do you think we're teenage girls?

[SirFozzie]

Well, I'd reply but then you'd interrupt with

"IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK", right?

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by Neon_Chaos

Do you think we're teenage girls?

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT...

Dammit Foz....

[molson]

Actually, "ability to make grown men mark out like teenage girls" is one of the rarest and most sought-after attributes in a pro wrestler.

Because let's face it, pro wrestling doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense from the perspective of a mature, discerning adult.

[PackerFanatic]

As others have said, I haven't watched wrestling in years, and hearing about this I had to find the video - and needless to say, I actually was excited. I used to love The Rock and what he can do with a mic is unparalleled. I hope this means he sticks around, but I'd be surprised (happily so) to see him do any actual wrestling.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT...

Dammit Foz....

[Neon_Chaos]

RAW's overrun jumped almost 1,000,000 viewers when the Rock showed up. When 1,000,000 people switch channels to watch 20 minutes of you talking, you know you can draw.

[RainMaker]

Pretty good PPV tonight. Predictable, but entertaining. Cena will now be in the Wrestlemania Championship match for the 7th year in a row. Quite a streak.

[Suicane75]

Hopefully the build will be more about Cenas desire to win the belt and vanquish the Miz rather than jokes and goofy no selling of Miz as champion.

[bulletsponge]

please not Cena again. i want to see the Rock kick cenas ass so bad

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

Hopefully the build will be more about Cenas desire to win the belt and vanquish the Miz rather than jokes and goofy no selling of Miz as champion.

Rock screws over Cena for the title and then drops Miz as he leaves.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

...rather than jokes and goofy no selling of Miz as champion.

Hey now, don't forget third-grade gay jokes!

[jbergey22]

Rapper Cena just ripped off a funny little promo. He must be stepping up his game in order to compete with this best in the business.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey32

I think it will be Cena VS The MIZ at WM and The Rock will be the guest referee.

Yup

2 more returns tonight. I wont spoil it with who but this RAW has been very good.

[Comey]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Yup

2 more returns tonight. I wont spoil it with who but this RAW has been very good.

From what I understand, they won't be the only two returning for that particular angle. There will be one more.

(Don't expect it tonight, though.)

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by Comey

From what I understand, they won't be the only two returning for that particular angle. There will be one more.

(Don't expect it tonight, though.)

I have a good guess on who that might be.


HBK?

[SirFozzie]

Kill him, Jerry.

Not a bad way to rescue the heat for this angle.

[JonInMiddleGA]

If they bring Andy Kaufman in for the Lawler angle, I'm definitely buying WM.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

If they bring Andy Kaufman in for the Lawler angle, I'm definitely buying WM.

Haha!

[Mota]

Wow, obviously Vince McMahon's statement about creating new stars is a lie. They sure sacrificed a lot of their up and comers last night in order to get their old guys a bit more momentum.

It seems like there's only two fresh guys that have any hint of a push right now. Alberto Del Rio, who they are REALLY trying to push, making him seem like a good wrestler. The Miz, who even though he is the champ, is a total afterthought at Wrestlemania and to be honest I don't think he'll benefit at all from the spotlight. It's so obvious that the focus is on Cena and The Rock.

If you look at Sheamus, he's so far gone from last Wrestlemania where he put Triple H out. Nexus, who had the hottest angle of last summer, look like they'll be used as sacrificial lambs for Orton over the next weeks. Wade Barrett, one of their top potential heels, I don't even think will be used at all? Daniel Bryan, their US Champion again was a prop to give The Miz a bit of momentum.

The problem with the WWE is that they'll try to come back to these guys later and the cheers will be more quiet, people will be sitting on their hands because they know that to get emotionally invested in these guys is a waste. Look at Evan Bourne. He was viewed by the fans as a potential Rey Mysterio level guy initially. Now he gets cheered but it's more of a "look at the cool moves" cheer vs. "he's my favorite".

Now once Wrestlemania is over and the Rock goes back to Hollywood, Undertaker disapears until Summerslam, Triple H moves to the back room, and once again they'll have no guys with credibility.

I really believe that the WWE writing team needs to be blown up. Too many old guys with their boys club that say they want to build for the future, but in reality they're more interested in hanging onto what they're comfortable with.

[Mota]

Just wanted to add that I like the lineup for Wrestlemania. It's definitely one of the more hyped cards they've had in a LONG time. My comment was just to say that they're paying a high price to get there.

Molson, feel free to jump in now.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Mota

If you look at Sheamus, he's so far gone from last Wrestlemania ...

Thank God for small favors.

[jbergey22]

I agree Mota.

Last night with Sheamus. I didnt understand it at all. Just let Sheamus walk out for no apparent reason and have HHH make him look like a career jobber.

Its like the booking team decided that it didnt make sense when HHH came back last week that he didnt want revenge on Shemus so they decided this would accomplish it.

I dont understand the point of jobbing out your potential stars. Plenty of other wrestlers that currently dont work in the WWE would make fine jobbers.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Mota

Molson, feel free to jump in now.

You know, I like the show, I think I get what they're trying to do - so I've made an early spring revolution to enjoy things at that simpler level and not engage too much in the negativity and the armchair booking, there's no point. I'm just glad they're putting on a product I personally enjoy more than anything they've done since around 2006.

[Comey]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

I agree Mota.

Last night with Sheamus. I didnt understand it at all. Just let Sheamus walk out for no apparent reason and have HHH make him look like a career jobber.

Its like the booking team decided that it didnt make sense when HHH came back last week that he didnt want revenge on Shemus so they decided this would accomplish it.

Kevin Dunn, the producer (I think) or RAW, does not like Sheamus whatsoever. Sheamus is something like 1-8 in TV matches this year, and has looked like garbage.

Consider him buried for now.

[Mota]

I just wish they weren't so hateful. If they don't like someone, fire them. Instead they seem to take such delight in humiliating workers who are putting their lives into the product.

I think that my job is full of red tape and politics, but it seems like nothing compared to the WWE. It's all about who you know and who you have watching out for you, I guess the corporate world and the WWE are exactly the same.

[Toddzilla]

I just watched some TNA footage from tonight's Impact that was taped in an arena in Fayetteville, NC, and it's hard to overstate just how much more professional TNA looks in an arena than it does in that cheesy TV studio. Even if they had to paper 85% of the crowd and move every single person to one side of the arena, they need to do this every single week. It just looks big league.