Pro Wrestling Discussion Thread **Spoilers Possible**

[Front Office Midget]

X-Post for squaredcricle subreddit:


The way the crowd got behind Kofi this week was incredible and speaks volumes about his talent. To get such huge pops, and get such heat on ANY heel would be impressive, much less when that heel is DANIEL BRYAN.

AJ Styles is a terrific performer, and even he couldn't get heat in his feud with Bryan. People are happy to boo Bryan in the angles, but generally still want to see him to win his matches (hence the dead crowd for the Styles matches).

Compare this crowd to Bryan vs. Lesnar 3 months ago.

I was a little nervous about Bryan's heel run not having any truly over babyface to work with, which is why the angles have been hot but the matches have been crickets. Kofi has worked magic in these 2 matches, and nothing else really springs to mind in terms of "grabbing the brass ring" so quickly. What a memorable week.

Kudos to all involved. I jump in and out of following wrestling, but I think Bryan is doing the best heel work since 1997 Bret Hart or 1997 Hollywood Hogan. A lot in common between the 3, all were growing fairly stale as the same old babyface they had been for years, but any of them could have just milked that for the rest of their career and been near the top of the card (but not on top). Each heel turn was gutsy, trying to get the crowd to boo someone who you thought would possibly never be a heel again, and each resulted in the best character work of their careers. You can tell that Daniel Bryan has done a lot of deep thinking about professional wrestling, and it certainly seems like he has studied the Hart/Hogan turns (especially how Hart managed to keep the boos going in 97).

You don't often get a situation where a feud has massive heat before a single promo has been cut, and it's even crazier because of who the heel is. Also, the smarks are actually behind the face, even though they love the heel. Also, New Day and Enlightened Bryan are entertaining television for casuals (based on a sample size of 1 vegan non-wrestling fan roommate who loves them both).

This feud is loaded with potential. Only time will tell if it ends with Kevin Nash vs. Triple H at Summerslam.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

Wonder how Marty will be without the club.

He's pretty much still Marty. (saw him with his new entourage at the ROH tapings a few weeks ago).

[Carman Bulldog]

Bret Hart was still a face in 1997. You Americans just chose to boo him. The rest of the world still cheered.

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by Front Office Midget

X-Post for squaredcricle subreddit:


The way the crowd got behind Kofi this week was incredible and speaks volumes about his talent. To get such huge pops, and get such heat on ANY heel would be impressive, much less when that heel is DANIEL BRYAN.

AJ Styles is a terrific performer, and even he couldn't get heat in his feud with Bryan. People are happy to boo Bryan in the angles, but generally still want to see him to win his matches (hence the dead crowd for the Styles matches).

Compare this crowd to Bryan vs. Lesnar 3 months ago.

I was a little nervous about Bryan's heel run not having any truly over babyface to work with, which is why the angles have been hot but the matches have been crickets. Kofi has worked magic in these 2 matches, and nothing else really springs to mind in terms of "grabbing the brass ring" so quickly. What a memorable week.

Kudos to all involved. I jump in and out of following wrestling, but I think Bryan is doing the best heel work since 1997 Bret Hart or 1997 Hollywood Hogan. A lot in common between the 3, all were growing fairly stale as the same old babyface they had been for years, but any of them could have just milked that for the rest of their career and been near the top of the card (but not on top). Each heel turn was gutsy, trying to get the crowd to boo someone who you thought would possibly never be a heel again, and each resulted in the best character work of their careers. You can tell that Daniel Bryan has done a lot of deep thinking about professional wrestling, and it certainly seems like he has studied the Hart/Hogan turns (especially how Hart managed to keep the boos going in 97).

You don't often get a situation where a feud has massive heat before a single promo has been cut, and it's even crazier because of who the heel is. Also, the smarks are actually behind the face, even though they love the heel. Also, New Day and Enlightened Bryan are entertaining television for casuals (based on a sample size of 1 vegan non-wrestling fan roommate who loves them both).

This feud is loaded with potential. Only time will tell if it ends with Kevin Nash vs. Triple H at Summerslam.

And all I could think of was the 12 EC with it coming down to Bryan vs Santino.

Unfortunately, I think it's just going to end as another Cesaro Section.

[RainMaker]

This would sound crazy a year ago but they should do Kofi-Bryan at Wrestlemania. Can't remember the last time the crowd got behind someone like Kofi in forever (besides Becky). He's been a great wrestler for over a decade and this would be an amazing moment for his career. He can lose the belt at the next PPV.

They will put on an amazing match too. It'll be fresh. Crowd will be jacked up. Just don't see a lot of downside here. I know Kofi isn't considered main event talent, but the women are going on last and the Universal Title will be higher up on the card.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I can't help but think the sudden Kofi push can only mean one thing: his contract expiration must be getting close.

[Mota]

I just don't understand how the WWE just suddenly turns on the switch for some wrestlers. Kofi Kingston this past 2 weeks. Then it was exactly like Jinder Mahal when they made him the champ ... he was a complete jobber for years, and then all of a sudden they say wait a second, we need to sell a PPV next week, forget about all we've shown you for the past 2 years, Jinder is actually a great wrestler!

Kofi is really good, but he has been flinging pancakes around for so long, and telling stupid jokes that it is difficult to take him seriously. They are going to have to put in some work to make it believable beyond the 1-2 week shock value which we are in right now.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I can't help but think the sudden Kofi push can only mean one thing: his contract expiration must be getting close.

I don't think Kofi is a guy that would jump. He mentioned that he was going to retire until the New Day stuff took off. Probably has made a lot of money over the years, especially with how well New Day merchandise sells.

It seems his push has been luck. Ali had to miss the chamber at the last minute and Kofi got thrown in. Fans kind of took it from there. I think it helps that he's the only face that has been able to get Daniel Bryan heel heat.

[RainMaker]

Also I don't think Kofi is the kind of guy who would sell tickets in another promotion. A nice guy to book for a show, but not a game changer. WWE should be far more concerned with losing someone like Ambrose who given some creative freedom can really be interesting.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I don't think Kofi is a guy that would jump. He mentioned that he was going to retire until the New Day stuff took off. Probably has made a lot of money over the years, especially with how well New Day merchandise sells.

Oh I'm largely kidding, you're absolutely right. But that does seem to be the surest way to get a sudden push these days.

[miami_fan]

If interested, I just got a YouTube alert that Wrestlemania 34 is streaming for free right now.

[RainMaker]

Am I the only one who doesn't get the Matt Riddle hype? I'm sure he's a fine wrestler but what's the big deal? His gimmick does nothing for me.

[Mota]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Am I the only one who doesn't get the Matt Riddle hype? I'm sure he's a fine wrestler but what's the big deal? His gimmick does nothing for me.

I like Riddle. He has charisma, and he's different. Also has that believability since he was an actual fighter in the UFC. Seems like a good combination to me!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Am I the only one who doesn't get the Matt Riddle hype? I'm sure he's a fine wrestler but what's the big deal? His gimmick does nothing for me.

In person he's pretty good. Reasonably so anyway.

I felt like he lacks much of the "big" natural charisma - not physical size but rather "presence" - that I associate with wrestlers so he's working a gimmick (or playing his actual self?shrug) that gives him an alternative to that.

[RainMaker]

I think he's fine from what I've seen. The "bro" gimmick just doesn't do much for me. Maybe I'm just getting old.

[molson]

Talking about weed all the time automatically increases your popularity 50% with a particular large segment of fans. That's not all he is, but, it helps him stand out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Flair's 70th bday celebration (from the weekend) will apparently continue tonight on Raw.

Backstage this afternoon are Flair, Sting, and HBK. With Rock in town (filming the Jumanji sequel) but not yet in the building.

Ya know, that's not the most legacy star power ever assembled, but it ain't a bad bunch on that score.

[miami_fan]

Having a Legends Match every Wrestlemania is now a real thing and not a joke?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Washing Machine Goes With Every Wrestling Theme - YouTube

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Washing Machine Goes With Every Wrestling Theme - YouTube

Ok that was way more entertaining than I anticipated.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Ok that was way more entertaining than I anticipated.

Pretty much my reaction as well. Had a great deal of "okay, what's next?" going for it.

[Toddzilla]

Wow, Rousey and Lynch throwing shots

[CU Tiger]

?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Wow, Rousey and Lynch throwing shots

I saw a bit of that on Twitter today I think


Forbes described it "As of this writing, the most recent tweet is a short-but-threatening message from Rousey, who warned Lynch that she will beat the living [expletive] out of her the next time they come face to face regardless of "what the script says."

That came after Lynch put Rousey's husband face over a phallic symbol as things ramped up.

[molson]

Rousey channeling Vince Russo and its cringey as fuck.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I will say that catching up on the whole deal after someone RT'ed some of it was probably more interested than I've been in the whole Lynchmania frenzy.

I've always thought she was a fine enough worker but the recent gushing about her has had me scratching my head the entire time.

And her fans better hope this is all a work, cause she'll go from new hotness to jobbing to Ralphus very quickly if she's legit crossing RR who I firmly believe McMahon et al see as their next meal ticket.

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by molson

Rousey channeling Vince Russo and its cringey as fuck.

Yeah, people seem to be liking this but it's not good. There's no cheaper way to get your angle over than with "everything else is fake but this is totally real".

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Yeah, people seem to be liking this but it's not good. There's no cheaper way to get your angle over than with "everything else is fake but this is totally real".

One take I saw was that this was basically supposed to be Rock v Cena mic battle, using real elements of tension in their promos.

Problem being that these two are not Rock or Cena on the mic.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

Yeah, people seem to be liking this but it's not good. There's no cheaper way to get your angle over than with "everything else is fake but this is totally real".

And Becky actually tweeted back that Ronda went "full Russo", which is, itself, the very most Russo thing a pro wrestler can do.

I think it's cool that a WWE woman has gotten as over as Becky has, but I don't like this version of her character at all. I think her, Ronda, and Charlotte are all kind of terrible in their promos. Ronda always seems like she's just pretending, Charlotte emphasizes random words in her promos that aren't supposed to be emphasized, and Becky feels like she's trying too hard. They all have presence, they're all very good in the ring, but none come across naturally to me.

[CU Tiger]

I thought it was all an obvious work.
A Biechoff esque attempt to blur the lines of reality.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

And her fans better hope this is all a work, cause she'll go from new hotness to jobbing to Ralphus very quickly if she's legit crossing RR who I firmly believe McMahon et al see as their next meal ticket.

I was under the impression that Rousey might be done after Mania. From what I've read, she hates the travel and wants to have kids.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I was under the impression that Rousey might be done after Mania. From what I've read, she hates the travel and wants to have kids.

I've seen nothing more seriously suggested than that she'll take a year off.

[Mota]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I've seen nothing more seriously suggested than that she'll take a year off.

She has no stamina. She became a star in MMA, and as soon as she lost a few matches, she was gone. Now the same thing seems to be happening in the WWE.

[miami_fan]

RIP

King Kong Bundy passes away | WWE

[RainMaker]

Only 61? I thought he was much older. RIP

[molson]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Only 61? I thought he was much older. RIP

Ya, he started really young and had his big run with Hogan in his 20s. Even though he looked 40 then.

He started his career as a fat jobber with hair in his early 20s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR7CdfVcNSk&t=1382s

[JonInMiddleGA]

WWE has some of the worst luck ... reports now that Ciampa will undergo neck surgery in the next few days and be out for an extended period.

Just ... damn

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

WWE has some of the worst luck ... reports now that Ciampa will undergo neck surgery in the next few days and be out for an extended period.

Just ... damn

Terrible news. His run over the past year has been great. Just a perfect heel character. The Takeover match with Gargano was going to be the culmination of a 3 year story.

[RainMaker]

I wonder when he hurt it or if it is just a cumulative injury. His recent match with Black was great.

NXT TakeOver: Phoenix: Tommaso Ciampa vs Aleister Black - NXT Championship - Video Dailymotion

[miami_fan]

Wrestlemania is coming to Tampa in 2020. As the father of a wrestling obsessed 11 year old, this is probably the best case scenario. I am looking information/advice from anyone who has gone to Wrestlemania recently. I am pretty sure we will be avoiding the HOF ceremony. I don’t think that will peak his interest at all.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Rest in peace.

THE DESTROYER, DICK BEYER PASSES AWAY | PWInsider.com

[murrayyyyy]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Wrestlemania is coming to Tampa in 2020. As the father of a wrestling obsessed 11 year old, this is probably the best case scenario. I am looking information/advice from anyone who has gone to Wrestlemania recently. I am pretty sure we will be avoiding the HOF ceremony. I don’t think that will peak his interest at all.

I did 32? (Dallas) with a 6 year old. We didn't do NXT or HOF (watched at a friends house in Dallas) but went to Rangers-Indians game the day before Mania. Went to the fan-expo Friday before Mania but didn't have tickets for all the other stuff or signings. More of just roaming around and getting in the shopping early.

Nothing will prepare you for how long the actual Mania is. I think we arrived too early and left in the middle of the main event (which was at 11:30 I think). Think that was the year USA network had 2 hours of pre-show so the action started at 3 PM and probably would have ended at midnight. We still had to take a break to the gift kiosk to just stretch our legs.

You may want to check out all the other shows in the area which seems to be getting more popular now for other associations the entire week before Mania.
I'm sure someone like ROH or AWE will be doing something to get some attention there.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by murrayyyyy

I did 32? (Dallas) with a 6 year old. We didn't do NXT or HOF (watched at a friends house in Dallas) but went to Rangers-Indians game the day before Mania. Went to the fan-expo Friday before Mania but didn't have tickets for all the other stuff or signings. More of just roaming around and getting in the shopping early.

Nothing will prepare you for how long the actual Mania is. I think we arrived too early and left in the middle of the main event (which was at 11:30 I think). Think that was the year USA network had 2 hours of pre-show so the action started at 3 PM and probably would have ended at midnight. We still had to take a break to the gift kiosk to just stretch our legs.

You may want to check out all the other shows in the area which seems to be getting more popular now for other associations the entire week before Mania.
I'm sure someone like ROH or AWE will be doing something to get some attention there.

Thanks for the info. The length of the day is what I am dreading personally. We "watched" last year's event together. Translation: He watched every second while I sat in for a couple then jumped on my laptop for a bit

Oh well I got about a year to figure all this out

[JonInMiddleGA]

And just announced for night two of Joey Janela's Spring Break ... the Rock 'n Roll Express versus ... LAX.

What a time we live in.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Through two nights of New Japan Cup things just feel ... weird.
It honestly feels like it's been booked by someone other than Gedo.

I don't even mean that in a good or bad way especially, just completely different.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Says just about everything for the state of my wrestling fandom that I'm significantly more interested in watching night three of the New Japan Cup - where I've already been spoilered on the winners - than I was for anything on Fastlane where I didn't know for sure the outcomes.

[Mota]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Says just about everything for the state of my wrestling fandom that I'm significantly more interested in watching night three of the New Japan Cup - where I've already been spoilered on the winners - than I was for anything on Fastlane where I didn't know for sure the outcomes.

The storylines in NJPW either mean something for this current story, or are building to another larger story.

In the WWE, it's "okay we need to fill segments, whadya got?" and it's rarely planned out more than a week in advance, because the big boss rewrites things so often. It makes the writers stop thinking beyond the now, because it is futile and wasted planning time.

[Toddzilla]

the PPV last night was just wretched

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

the PPV last night was just wretched

I'm largely in agreement with you ... which is what makes it seem so odd that the IWC seems more split than usual about it.

I've seen a lot of dog turd polish used on the show, noticeably more than usual.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Your winners, and newwwwwwwww AAA tag team champions ...
The Young Bucks

Kid happened to flip over to Twitch for the Rey de Reyes main event and caught the post-match angle turned title change.

Obviously the formal announcement of the working relationship between AAA & AEW was sealed with a pretty big kiss.