WWE Raw & Smackdown Weekly Thread
- Thread starter member20672
- Start date
It's been shown repeatedly how wrestling fans are passionate and more knowledgeable than in the past. They know what goes on behind the scenes. They don't want to see someone who isn't passionate about the industry as much as they are. If your main goal isn't wrestling the fans will react negatively in a way that WWE hates. Remember Lesnar vs Goldberg? Another example is AJ/Paige. While the majority of divas see WWE as a stepping stone, for these two it's a lifelong goal, which makes them connect with and respected by the fans.
Fan reaction plays a big part on who deserves the belt. Bryan and Rey are good examples. WWE decides who holds the title, but us fans, as the consumer, decide who deserves it.
Yes, but it's a prop that guarantees you screen time. Whether that time is used to give a match its needed time to build, or cut a meaningful promo, it gives the wrestler the exposure they need without having to worry about being rushed through by the producers or cut from the show entirely. Squandering this guaranteed airtime on someone who won't even use it bothers me, especially when there is talent that could really use (or needs) it.
Quite frankly, anyone that gets a good reaction that hasn't been champ yet. Bray, Cesaro, anyone from the Shield to name a few. I bet almost everyone on this board has someone they'd like to see as champ over Brock. And again, I'm happy that it looks like Rollins will have his run as champ. Also consider that the champ gets a pay bonus for as long as they hold the title, which is another reason why it should be earned by showing up for work every week.
I disagree with your 6 month point. Let's not forget that when the network first came out, they said there will be NO month-to-month option. Then they said they'll add the monthly option for $20. And now they dropped the monthly rate to $13. Combined with the publicly stated goal of a million subscribers by year's end, I think you catch my drift. WWE does, and needs to care about the PPVs over the next quarter.
All this isn't to say I don't agree with your point that not having a wrestler appear every week builds anticipation and makes it special when they do show up. Taker is a good example. My point is that the title shouldn't be used/wasted on such a part-timer (unless it's a temporary thing, which apparently it is).
A lot of good points made above both for and against the new part-time champ. Maybe I'm too much of an 80s kid, but I rather like the idea of the champ not always being on TV. I think that was the thing that got me sick of Cena the quickest. Over-saturation leads to many things, not all of them good. For example, would Cena have destroyed so many potential challengers if he wasn't required to be on TV every week? WWE bookers are responsible for killing half of the talent on the roster off by feeding them to Cena. Remember the NEXUS? Fantastic group, with huge hype...utterly destroyed by Cena. When your champ's not on TV every week, they can focus on some of this other talent that we're all lamenting, while quite possibly building them up as legit challengers. They can accomplish this without making the champ look weak, but also without having the champ destroy everyone in their path. It also allows for focus on some of the secondary championships, which while they are still awarded, are totally belittled in the overall picture. They change hands extremely frequently, and the secondary champions are also used to put over either the Champ - when he has nothing better to do - or the latest challenger to the champ.
A lot of the comments above seem to favor the idea of the title changing hands several times before 'Mania - to Cena, Reigns, maybe Cesaro...something along those lines. I think frequent title changes at the WHC level actually belittle the title. While I'm certainly not in favour of a Hogan-esque 4 years, what's wrong with a 6-12 month reign? Build some mystique and excitement for both the champ and challenger before throwing them in a match, tag-team match, battle royale, or whatever.
Last point I'm looking forward to is simple. While Brock Lesnar will certainly not be on TV every week, Paul Heyman will. I'm excited to see what this promo genius can pull out of his hat to keep interest from waning. I'm betting he comes up huge.
A lot of the comments above seem to favor the idea of the title changing hands several times before 'Mania - to Cena, Reigns, maybe Cesaro...something along those lines. I think frequent title changes at the WHC level actually belittle the title. While I'm certainly not in favour of a Hogan-esque 4 years, what's wrong with a 6-12 month reign? Build some mystique and excitement for both the champ and challenger before throwing them in a match, tag-team match, battle royale, or whatever.
Last point I'm looking forward to is simple. While Brock Lesnar will certainly not be on TV every week, Paul Heyman will. I'm excited to see what this promo genius can pull out of his hat to keep interest from waning. I'm betting he comes up huge.
Ace Bandage
The one and only.
Lesnar is being built as an unstoppable beast. He's going to run through people for the next few months. And part time or not, he's very believable as champion. We're in the reality era. And Brock looks like someone who could fuck people up and win the title. He is the beast incarnate.
But Make no mistake about it: he's going to put somebody over on a very big stage down the road. That's the whole reason for doing this. They're going to make him look unbeatable.. right up until Roman Reigns beats him at Wrestlemania. And then Reigns will be a made man.
As far as other contenders go:
1. Wyatt - not ready for the main event yet. And his character doesn't seem like the type who would be interested in titles anyway.
2. Ceasro - has been buried since Wrestlemania. He's the biggest example of why fans' opinions mean jack shit. Nobody was more over than him, and they totally fucking buried him. He's not main event right now. Hell, he can't even win a midcard title.
3. Reigns/Rollins - They're building Reigns up right now. He'll be in the main even picture soon. I fully expect Rollins to cash in MiTB whenever Reigns wins the title.
4. Ambrose - WWE doesn't think he's ready yet (BR). He's not going anywhere until that changes.
I don't think there's any way Lesnar loses before WM. So if you're not a fan of his, you're going to have to wait for a change.
But Make no mistake about it: he's going to put somebody over on a very big stage down the road. That's the whole reason for doing this. They're going to make him look unbeatable.. right up until Roman Reigns beats him at Wrestlemania. And then Reigns will be a made man.
As far as other contenders go:
1. Wyatt - not ready for the main event yet. And his character doesn't seem like the type who would be interested in titles anyway.
2. Ceasro - has been buried since Wrestlemania. He's the biggest example of why fans' opinions mean jack shit. Nobody was more over than him, and they totally fucking buried him. He's not main event right now. Hell, he can't even win a midcard title.
3. Reigns/Rollins - They're building Reigns up right now. He'll be in the main even picture soon. I fully expect Rollins to cash in MiTB whenever Reigns wins the title.
4. Ambrose - WWE doesn't think he's ready yet (BR). He's not going anywhere until that changes.
I don't think there's any way Lesnar loses before WM. So if you're not a fan of his, you're going to have to wait for a change.
icerfan
Nikkala made me do it!
Anybody who doesn't think Ambrose (or Rollins) isn't ready needs to go back and watch their match Monday night. :crash:
If someone needs additional exposure, they shouldn't be made champion. Their character should be exposed/established enough already. The wrestler being worthy makes the title reign meaningful, not the other way around, as WWE experienced with CM Punk's first title reign, which fans by and large rejected and was a total washout.
Thought the Bella Twins trying to reconcile their differences last night on Raw was stupid. Even though neither can wrestle, have to find a way to keep them around. Best suited for Total Divas. AJ kissing Paige's hand was hot, would love to see a lesbian scene with them. Anaheim crowd seemed not into it.........not much reaction to anything. No Stephanie, no HHH, overall kind of weak and disappointing. Any thoughts ?
Stephanie's actually right about the Bellas using reality tv to get noticed. Reminded me of AJ's pipebomb about the "total divas". Minus Naomi and Natalya, the "total divas" are just horrible. I agree, AJ and Paige would make a cute couple. I'd pay big bucks to see them scissor or use a double ender. Anyway, Anaheim crowd was terrible. Roman seemed to be the only one with any legitimate pop and really, with such a horrible set of segments, can you blame the crowd? Bray deserves better and unless he plans to get his ass kicked by strapping up his boots, enough of Hogan.
If anyone wonders why the crowd turns on Cena, look no further than Monday's horrible effort. After taking the beating of his life from Lesnar, he came back confident, jumping around in his Legends promo, and then beat the living hell out of the entire Wyatt Family. Way to belittle prime talent for your big star, WWE. This Super Cena shit has to stop. Moreover, I can't believe that John Cena as a performer would not see how freaking illogical this was, and would choose to go over an entire other stable to reestablish his dominance. What are we supposed to believe now, that in 8 days he healed up, reflected on his beating, and decided to bring the house? That he's changed? That he held back at SummerSlam? Tell a story for once WWE - the idea of a beaten and unsure John Cena going into the rematch of his life would be a great one no matter the outcome. No we're simply back to there being the rest of the roster, and there being John Cena. He seems to be a great guy as a person with all his charitable work, but as a performer he's either guilty of stupidity or tremendous hubris.
Speaking of the Wyatts, who did they piss off - losing to Henry and Show would be a low point for anyone, much less the team who should be the tag champs. Now they've turned the Dust brothers heel to be a prime threat to the Usos? Did Harper and Rowan get caught watching Steph change or something? Did Bray take a leak in Trips coffee? Pathetic burying of prime talent.
Speaking of the Wyatts, who did they piss off - losing to Henry and Show would be a low point for anyone, much less the team who should be the tag champs. Now they've turned the Dust brothers heel to be a prime threat to the Usos? Did Harper and Rowan get caught watching Steph change or something? Did Bray take a leak in Trips coffee? Pathetic burying of prime talent.
Little Red Wagon Repairman
MFOMBSoPGA
Burying The Wyatts like that might not be Cena's fault or decision but adds to the resentment of Cena. People either like The Wyatts or respect them as a powerful force. Bray's a great mouthpiece, Harper is a big guy that can pull off luchador moves, and Rowan is a beast who slams Big Show and Mark Henry with authority. Cena laying them to waste was just awful.
Wonder if IRS took the leak in Trips coffee. Somebody in the office not much of a Bo-Liever recently either.
The stop and start push factors in WWE are astounding right now. We nearly had a new heel faction in Kofi/Woods/Big E, but they stopped showing their new attitude abruptly. Bo gave up his losing streak to R-Truth of all people, for what? Cesaro is losing to everyone - at least he now seems to have a program with Shaemus, though little doubt Big White comes out on top, unless he's losing the title so he can be fed to Lesnar after Cena. They fed us Adam Rose until Vince (it seems) finally got sick of him, though he did get some time on Main Event last night.
I read today that a leaked script from this past week's RAW had Rowan and Harper against Henry and Show, with Wyatt doing a run-in and hitting Show with Sister Abigail afterwards. Wonder who called that audible?
Little Red Wagon Repairman
MFOMBSoPGA
Good post. I was so hoping something good was happening for Kofi too. Poor Kofi once more.
Well said. I don't think it's a question of pissing someone off than just not being Cena. He's been pushed so far into face status that there's no way he can be salvaged. I'm pretty sure he'll be resented so much that his legacy and retirement will be completely tarnished. All thinks to greedy Vince. Turning a guy's gimmick into "the charitable face" was such a horrible choice. I wonder when WWE will start doing things that are best for wrestling and start ignoring what's "best for business".
Yea, thought the icons (Michaels,Flair,Hogan) was a waste of time. Nice that they're still around but that segment was terrible ha. As for Roman, obviously he needs to talk more and it would be nice if he had some wrestling ability and more than a superman punch as a finishing move. People love him though. True, a disappointing Raw in Anaheim to say the least.
It's a PG version of Trish-Mickie, and to my view not nearly as hot. Each girl, that is. Combine that with mediocre matches, it has to be disappointing to say the least.
Comparing most women to Trish and Mickie (wrestling and sex appeal wise) isn't exactly fair but yes, it is similar. HHH and Vince seem to argue a lot and I'm wondering if Hunter wants more for the diva's division but Vince doesn't care. Judging by various rumors (him and Trish for example), I wouldn't be surprised if Vince simply used the diva's division as his own personal bunny ranch.
Using Hogan to manipulate people into pulling for Cena, was pathetic. One over-rated bore supporting another. Roman's finisher is actually the spear and I think he's got a good arsenal of moves. With more practice, he'll get better in the mic but with such a calm demeanor, you shouldn't expect much. I actually like his "don't give a fuck" personality.
I have to agree. I wasn't as sold on Reigns to start with, but I have to admit he's coming along. My only concern with him is that besides the original chair beat-down from Rollins, he's only really 'sold' once - in the beat-down angle with Orton - and he got his own back the next week. While he is playing more of the babyface in peril in tag matches - see last night's RAW as an example - I worry that he comes out on top so frequently against stacked odds. It's straight from the John Cena playbook. If your lead babyface can demolish not just single competitors, but multiple more-or-less credible competitors, how do you present a threat to said babyface? Brock Lesnar aside - and let's face it, his credibility was less than stellar until he became the 1 in 21-1 - that's the reason they have such a hard time building credible challengers. Cena looks unstoppable, even against stacked odds. If Reigns goes the same way, who do you put against him? His talking points are getting there, and he is very much the epitome of cool. I just hope they don't burn out the fans with multiple scenarios in which he overcomes the impossible, or his title chase will seem a foregone conclusion.
Was last night's RAW the most awful show in recent memory? How much screen time do the authority need to have before they give up on this horrendous Bellas angle? Hot as they are, neither are believable, and this feud needs to dry up and blow away. The crowd apathy speaks volumes. In other news, we had yet another dominant performance by the played out vets - Show and Henry - over the young guys with a HUGE upside - Rowan and Harper - saved only by the Rusev kick to the chops on Henry. Even so, Show chased the Wyatts away with a chair, and the attitude era stood tall. Yeesh. Jack Swagger has gone from the biggest popular push of his career to working with the undermined Bo Dallas, which is a disservice to both men. Finally, Trips had to watch Cena 'prove himself', as if last week's destruction of the Wyatts wasn't enough. While I have no problem with Corporate Kane being manhandled - he couldn't win as the 'demon' Kane, so who really cares - Cena had to go through Rollins too. Once again, Super Cena sends the kids home happy at the expense of young talent, all for the non-story of whether or not he gets his advertised match with Brock. Ugh.
Exactly why you need more new talent in that company. Have Roman run through the guys of yesterday, have him feud with other nxt alumni and create a wave of new talent instead of this same old crap. Eventually, you're going to have to stop using veterans against new guys. Dominant champions are fine. The problem is if that dominant champion is not only boring on the mic, but has a set of moves that aren't that devastating and therefore, at to the bore factor. Not to mention how Roman just started and Cena's been doing the same shtick for the past ten or more years.
Best for business but not best for wrestling which is the type of business WWE is. Vince needs to stop being so damn greedy and realize that the kids aren't the ones making the money to buy merch ppvs which now are 10 bucks resulting in a huge dent in his already swollen pockets. Don't get me started on Show and Henry. Those are two guys that should've joined years ago and now are joining the ranks of washed-up new talent squashers.
Best for business but not best for wrestling which is the type of business WWE is. Vince needs to stop being so damn greedy and realize that the kids aren't the ones making the money to buy merch ppvs which now are 10 bucks resulting in a huge dent in his already swollen pockets. Don't get me started on Show and Henry. Those are two guys that should've joined years ago and now are joining the ranks of washed-up new talent squashers.
