WWE

[jackknight]

The booking of the last match made no damned sense. Big Show doesn't want to fight Bryan. Fine. Daniel attacks him over and over. Yet Show is still crying? Yeah okay. May've made more sense if it was Kane. If it's possible for them to make Show look like a bigger bitch at this point I don't know how.

Speaking of which, all the wrestlers coming out and watching Bryan punished every night? It's already old. And worse still makes the entire roster look like chicken shits. I mean the heels could easily laugh this all off. But the faces in the locker room? They just stand there night after night? Just terrible. I want them all to get their asses kicked.

Rest of the night was pretty good. Rhodes vs. Orton was a great match. But him crying back stage? Note to WWE talent. Crying makes you look the opposite of sympathetic.

Glad to see the Prime Time Players and better yet 3 Man Band get some more airtime. And a better match. Slater continued to shine, especially when he was mocking O'Neil's dog bark.

RVD vs. Sandow has the makings of a great feud. The Intellectual Savior vs. The Perpetual Stoner. Hopefully Van Dam will defeat Boring Del Rio at NoC with a Sandow cash in. Though personally I wouldn't mind if they wait and give Rob a bit of a run with the belt.

The opening segment was really good. Hunter and Orton were boring as usual. Though Randy was a bit better. Timing was a bit off on what on paper was a great promo. Daniel Bryan continued to blow them both out of the water on the mic.

CM Punk also gave an outstanding promo. Looking forward to him vs. Axel more than Heyman though. And enough with the Brokeback Heyman promo. We get it. Paul wants Punk to call him daddy.

Ziggler vs. Ryback with a healthy helping of Ambrose was surprisingly good. Though Dolph was already hurt, Ryback was back to being booked as the monster he needs to be to matter at all.

Overall an alright Raw. Didn't piss me off as bad as last week's anyway.

[Captain Charisma]

Yea mixed bag tonight. Jack can tell y'all I give the current product more benefit of the doubt than it deserves. I explained away a week of Big Show bitchiness, and Daniel Bryan de-pushed-ness or whatever, but Show and Bryan need something to go right before Night of Champions. Even if it's on Smackdown and not Raw. Something.

Bray Wyatt's promo was completely enthralling. Great analogy, great delivery. I love the character, and the portrayal of the character. Hell at this point I've forgotten/forgiven the less than stellar match at Summerslam. Tonight was the first time I've watched the Prime Time Players without thinking about how much better they were as heels. They did well tonight, Titus' "hot tag" offense needs to pick up, but he's learning and they put together a good little match. 3MB needs to replace Jinder with Curt Hawkins, or just go to "The Band" and give McIntyre and Heath all the ring time.

Outstanding match from Cody and Orton. I really hope that what they planted tonight isn't ignored when Cody returns. Put a mask on him, bring his Daddy to tv, something, anything, the kid has earned it. Seeing him crying made things suck, especially when Show has been crying on every episode of TV since Summerslam, but it's ok, it felt right seeing Cody in a big match situation, and with real life pressure to perform given his opportunity, I feel like he succeeded.

Daniel Bryan is the fucking man. Period. His talking has reached his wrestling. He blew Triple H and Orton out of the water in a strong opening segment for everyone. Hunter was at his best on the stick, a solid B-. Orton's timing was good, he is a great heel, but Daniel is funny, he is serious, he is sympathetic. He is almost at that CM Punk level of talking. Almost

I didn't like the ending. I don't mind strong heels, and I don't mind Daniel Bryan in the chase. That is best for business most likely. But it's been more about Show, Steph, and Hunter. Don't get me started on my feelings about shitting on the Iron Clad contract angle. Seriously, what an easily fixed problem to address, but "eh fuck it, nobody really cares about continuity." Where is my eye rolling smiley when I need it.

AJ Lee brings the awesome. Summer Rae is my favorite non-wrestling diva since Maria, maybe ever. I hear she is pretty good in the ring though. If that is true then Lita and Mickie James' positions atop the all-important Jeff's Favorite Diva Ever list is in jeopardy.

[jackknight]

Summer Rae is Fandango's dancing girl? She's nice. Forgot all about that match. Think there's something in my head that protects me from thinking about The Miz figure four. Thanks for botching it Jeff.

AJ is still my girl though. (need a drool emoticon)

And can't believe I forgot the Wyatts. I really love those promos. Hope they do a lot more with them. Though so far I'm only really liking Husky in the ring.

[Captain Charisma]

Sept 3, 2013 4:01:06 GMT jackknight said:

Summer Rae is Fandango's dancing girl? She's nice. Forgot all about that match. Think there's something in my head that protects me from thinking about The Miz figure four. Thanks for botching it Jeff.

AJ is still my girl though. (need a drool emoticon)

And can't believe I forgot the Wyatts. I really love those promos. Hope they do a lot more with them. Though so far I'm only really liking Husky in the ring.

Yes or "Misses Fandango" as JBL calls her. And man I can think about her without Miz's godawful Figure 4 coming to mind. I too enjoy AJ. Her not realizing how hot she is, and being a total geek makes her even hotter. She gets better and better in the ring each week as well. She is rapidly surpassing Mickie James for the highly valuable #2 spot on my favorite Diva list. Being the total package, easy on the eyes, and believable in the ring. AJ's mic work is so superior to any other Diva they have right now it's not even funny. And she plays video games.

AJ is the leader in the clubhouse for the title of Mrs. Heel, where as Summer Rae is Mrs. Right Now.

And yea I was surprised to see you miss the Wyatt's in your feedback. Rowan and Harper do suck greatly. I mean damn dude, I've seen plenty of successful guys their size that couldn't perform a single wrestling move, they just ain't cutting it. Where is Festus when we need him? Gallows is a decent enough worker. And Husky is underselling his in-ring abilities for the sake of his character. Husky can do a lot of things in the ring that Bray shouldn't. As he develops the character I think we will see more and more of those Windham/Rotundo genes that the "sherman tank with a Ferrari engine" posses rise to the surface. I really feel that tonight's promo was his best work yet. Icarus was a perfect analogy for the character.



 

[bigraj]

Still not sure Show is having a tough time hurting Daniel Bryan. He was still pissed at DB for the cash in during the Team Hell No storyline. Now they're friends? Or are they trying to blur the lines here between "WWE TV" and real life? And why do all this to Bryan? If they don't want him to be champion, don't give him a title shot. They've found the most ridiculous way to nullify Big Show's IRON-CLAD contract, certainly they can get rid of DB's rematch clause. Just cite the "Best for Business" catchphrase that seems to punctuate everything HHH and Steph say lately.

The rest of the show was alright. Punk's promo was pretty good, as was Heymann's. I liked the Rhodes-Orton match, and I like Cody's parting words about the McMahons hating his family. Get rid of The Miz. NOW. All that progress he'd made in the leadup to his WM main event a couple years ago has disappeared. Wow that figure four botch was beyond horrible. Motivated RVD has always been fun to watch. Glad he's back. AJ is really in a groove right now on the mic, but it wasn't smart to jump in the ring and attack 3 people. Although that fits the character's past behavior. Nice to see a character keep some consistency.

[darthfoley]

Agreed on most every point here.

I like that we're getting back to wrestling being a big focus, and I'm amazed that I actually enjoyed an Orton match to be honest, but that was a solid, solid bout.

Don't care for the McMahon stuff, never will, but there's not much to be done about it. I do wish the faces would stand up for themselves. As it is now they've all been basically emasculated.

[Kimmel]

My biggest issue with the Superhero face or the unstoppable heel or heel group is that if you show no weakness in either side, then what's the reason for the fans to even care? It's like a story Ole always tells about taking over the Georgia booking from Dusty, Dusty booked himself to be unstoppable, and while he drew some great crowds, it wasn't enough. Ole had Dusty show weakness and the crowds showed up to see Dusty get revenge. Look at Hogan, his best drawing feuds were against guys who people really thought could beat him. On the flip side, the reason the Horsemen were so successful was yes, they got their beat downs in, but the faces got theirs back enough to make it compelling.

The problem with the McMahons now is looking like the same problem with the nWo, one side is getting to much. When Austin was battling the Corporation he was able to get one up on the McMahons. I think they have all the pieces and even the structure in place to really have something exciting, but I don't know if they are willing to take a couple of real risks in order to do so.


If the rumors are true, if this is all leading to HHH and Steph redoing the McMahon-Helmsley era with Vince getting fed up and bringing a "conquering hero" in to face HHH at Wrestlemania XXX, you have to wonder who they have in mind, it would make sense to make it someone who needs to get the rub, but being Wrestlemania XXX if they decide to follow the storyline I think it is more likely we are going to see some like Hogan, who will be out of TNA soon, Rock, or hell even HBK or Austin come back to do a quick match with Hunter.

[jackknight]

"The problem with the McMahons now is looking like the same problem with the nWo, one side is getting to much. When Austin was battling the Corporation he was able to get one up on the McMahons. I think they have all the pieces and even the structure in place to really have something exciting, but I don't know if they are willing to take a couple of real risks in order to do so."

This is exactly it. Instead we're left with all these supposed bad asses doing what they're told like good little puppets and/or crying about it.

It's funny, after SummerSlam I told Jeff that I got this feeling Bryan lost the Title just to set up Triple H/Michaels at Mania. Have the two best buds have their last match against one another at the expense of "what's best for business." That night Shawn was on commentary before the PPV and they were really selling the fact he trained Bryan. After the heel turn I kept expecting Michaels to show up to avenge his student. But it hasn't happened yet.

I'm not nearly as huge a Bryan fan as most people. I like him, but I'm a Punk guy. The fans though are going crazy for D Bry and it looks foolish not to capitalize on the man who may just be the next big thing.

[bigraj]

Anyone else think they're gonna have Bryan win back the title much sooner that the storyline calls for?  The way they're ending every show with him getting beat down without getting the upper hand seems to be leading to him getting the title back at either of the next 2 PPVs, instead of at a major show like RR or WM.

Oh, and in this era of blurred lines, why do they think they can run a "Big Show is broke" angle when anyone can look up how much money these people have?  www.celebritynetworth.com/view/en/paul_wight/

[darthfoley]

Because we aren't supposed to think that deep about it, Raj. We's just supposed to be good little Universe sheep and do as we're told.

I get a kick out of reading Mick Foley's reactions to the current stuff on FB and such. He really seems to be enjoying the current McMahon storyline.

[bigraj]

Sept 4, 2013 0:24:13 GMT darthfoley said:

Because we aren't supposed to think that deep about it, Raj. We's just supposed to be good little Universe sheep and do as we're told.

I know, but too often they try to make things seem "real" by using someone's real name (HHH called Show "Paul" last night, and AJ Styles said his own name on Impact last week) or bringing up something in real life, so they have to expect people will call them out on shit like this.  Especially after coming up with that shitty way to deal with Show's IRON-CLAD contract.

[darthfoley]

Oh, they know it'll happen. They just don't care.

Much like Steph getting called out for the whole storyline being about bullying last week on Twitter and just glossing it over by saying it was like a movie, not real life. They take whatever tack is convenient to explain away the things that 'smart' fans complain about.

[bigraj]

I've got no problem with the heels being bullies, since they will (or should, HHH doesn't have a great track record with this) get beat and embarrassed to pay off the story. I've got more of a problem with babyface Sheamus being a bully and constantly displaying poor sportsmanship.

[darthfoley]

My only issue with the heels as bullies is that Steph puts herself forward in the whole Be a Star thing, but then plays a bully. For us, that's an easy break point. For the younger audience they have been targeting for so long, that break may not be that easy.

[Captain Charisma]

I had a bigger problem with Stephanie talking about Show helping raise her in the back, and she isn't that "12 year old little girl anymore." Bitch please, you were on TV when Show debuted in 99, or real close to your debut anyway. If she was 12 when Big Show got to the E, then we can add pedophile to Hunter's resume that sadly already includes necrophilia.

The Big Show ordeal really bugs me. I mean it would not be difficult at all to say that Show's Iron Clad contract expired, release a statement on WWE.com about him signing a new deal. Hell let Show make a joke about wishing Laurenitis were around to negotiate with again. Getting past the Iron Clad gimmick wouldn't even take a whole promo. The announcers could mention it in passing, and I don't mean like one of the announcers saying Hunter would shred that Iron Clad contract. That shit bugged me. Contracts don't get shredded unless they've expired.

And as bitchified as they've made Show, at this point he has to go full on heel vs. Bryan right? I guess he could KO Hunter and have a match with him at Survivor Series, but it doesn't seem like the E wants Hunter, Steph, or Orton taking any setbacks right now. And yes Raj, logic would dictate that Bryan has to win the title at NOC after ending something like 5 consecutive TV shows under the foot of a posing Randy Orton. But classic logic also dictates that the babyface shouldn't win the title in the first big one on one match. I mean, Bryan does make the company more money in the chase role, but if he doesn't get the big payoff soon he will be as wasted as Dolph was after cashing in.

I've really enjoyed the WWE lately. Especially the wrestling. But they are very close to booking themselves into a corner. I think they are trying to "crank up" the traditional chase storyline. Make the mountain to overcome a little bigger, etc. But like Jack tells me repeatedly I'm probably giving them too much credit, and the plan for all of this was to get Orton and Hunter over. To that I will say that Steph has been the best heel of the group, honestly. Her timing is much better than Hunter's when it comes to promo's. That first exchange with Daniel, and she was so into it, "you are a solid B plus.... SOLID." That was good shit.

You are right also Darth, I don't mind them playing the "we just entertainment" card and the Be a Star campaign is great, but you can't have your top heels heading Be a Star, even if it is Trips and Steph. You can't tie you bullying babyface Sheamus to it either. Put Cole and Cena out there as the face of it. Let Shawn and Booker do stuff with it. If Ryback showed up at my 6 year old's school, she would not be able to tell the difference in him and his TV character. She might start a "feed me more" or "Goldberg" chant, but she would be mindblown if that dude were shaking hands, taking pics, and kissing babies. We are smart enough to make the break in realities, but that doesn't mean they should flaunt it in every possible way either. Don't try to make the kids see the difference. Send em Kofi instead! Seems pretty simple.

[Captain Charisma]

Fandango vs. Justin Gabriel in the A match on Main Event? They weren't even trying to compete with Fight Night, sheesh. I would love it if Justin Gabriel were treated that seriously in the WWE, he is one half of a great tag team just waiting to happen, but that is the kind of match that if I didn't have DVR, I would not have flipped to Ion more than once for.

Watch the rest of the show kick ass, and only those of us with DVR will ever know it.

[bigraj]

Well, Mr. Gabriel was featured very prominently on Totally Divas this week, so maybe he'll start to make a few TV appearances as a push.

[Captain Charisma]

What Diva is he tied to? I won't complain about him getting a push. Gabriel vs. Fandango was outstanding. Went 17 minutes including the commercial. The show also featured a couple of decisions I didn't like, but did feature the best, BY FAR, the best R-Truth match I can remember ever seeing. I know that isn't saying much, but he and Sandow really did have a good match. Who the hell decided that Truth pinning Damien clean was best for business? SMH. Rowan and Harper basically squashed the Prime Time Players. So why have the PTP's been pinning the best tag team on the roster on the main shows, again? For those who don't know, the Real Americans are the best team on the roster BTW.

Also, as bad as he annoyed me as a wrestler, Alex Riley is a really good color commentator. He and Josh Matthews both have futures in the booth. I'm cool with any color man who makes 2, count em, 2 Outkast references on the same show,

[bigraj]

Sept 5, 2013 14:56:56 GMT Captain Charisma said:

What Diva is he tied to?

It was one of the boobs noobs, JoJo. Only looked to last one episode, as he feels he's too old for her, so the South African werewolf better take advantage of every TV spot he gets.

[tlyne]

I've watched more WWE this summer than I have in years. To be honest, I've watched most of on Hulu+, so I get the 90 minute version, but I have enjoyed a lot of. I like the Wyatt's.

[bigraj]

Why isn't Dustin in the ring more often in WWE?  Damn, that was an outstanding match with Orton.

[Captain Charisma]

Dustin did look great. They should bring Cody back all made up, or under a mask, and have he and Goldust feud with Rollins and Reigns over the tag titles. Go all out with it, bring Dusty on TV as their manager, let them dedicate all their matches to Cody. Let the Shield permanently injure Dustin when they take the titles back (he has been saying on Facebook that this is his final year in the ring), and after Cody or Dusty or somebody "earns" Cody's job back for him, he and Dean Ambrose will be ready to rock and roll as one of the top feuds in the company.

Daniel ending the take home Raw standing tall is not a good sign. The babyface on the chase isn't supposed to take the title back in the first encounter, but as we've discussed here, Bryan has taken so many ass whoopings lately that he might need to win at N.O.C. Bray Wyatt is the man, they should bring Kane back with no mask (he is making See No Evil II right now anyway and might need to be an unmasked heel for promotional purposes) bring Bray's brother in with a gimmick, I guess they can keep one of the two with Bray now, but as a tag team they suck. Anywho, get Bray a big family, give them Cena and the Prime Time Players as their big feud and let them roll. Put Ziggler and the Rhodes with Daniel if that is going to be a full on Corporation vs. the World, bring Punk into that one if they plan on moving Brock onto something else after his blowoff with Heyman/Axel.

Those are just quick thoughts on shit I think is fun. I've really enjoyed the WWE this year; they don't need fixing, but I do hope they realize that Daniel Bryan deserves more than just a main event feud, he has to stay at the top even after this feud is done. So much focus on Big Show and Hunter, Booker T. ain't talking like he has been for no reason at all, there is a lot going on here, and it feels like they don't want to let Daniel and Randy be the "be all, end all" of the feud. I'm not hating, I've been enjoying it, I just really want to see them carry the momentum forward.

[darthfoley]

Cody as the Midnight Rider...do it!

[bigraj]

With Bryan finally getting the upper hand last night, finally giving the fans that glimmer of hope, I've got no problem with him getting screwed at NoC to continue the storyline. Especially if he clearly has Orton beaten at a couple of points in the match.

I'm not sure how far you go with it, but the fans have been crazy about DB for about 18 months now, so I don't think a slight cool-off period leading to Royal Rumble would hurt him if it's part of the storyline that winning the Rumble match is the only way he'll ever get another shot. Not sure what direction they're going with the title for WrestleMania, but guys like Cena and Punk don't really need to be in the title match to be part of the "main" event. Orton-Bryan for the WWE Title really fits the bill of 2nd or 3rd from the top of the card while Punk and Cena have "bigger" grudge matches going on. I really would like to see Cena vs Punk at WrestleMania for the title at WM 31, though. They've had great matches and I'd really like them to do it at 'Mania.

[jackknight]

I dunno. I have little faith in the WWE. Loved Goldust coming in and his match with Orton was great. Was hoping however that when Goldie showed up in the ring, it'd be Cody in the make-up. He beats Orton getting his own job back. As terrific as the match was however, it took a step back again; with Dustin crying like a bitch. Does this look good to anybody?

Problem I see is for Daniel Bryan though. Bringing this Cody storyline in so late in the Orton/Bryan feud doesn't bode well for Daniel's Title win. Rhodes' main grip is with Orton, not Ambrose who he hasn't had ring time with. So the natural progression would be Cody coming back after Orton and the Title. Which would mean, Randy will still have the Title post NoC and Daniel will be minimalized in that storyline. Maybe fighting or teaming (against the Shield) with the Big Show. Who I have to say is the ugliest cheerleader ever.