Pro Wrestling Discussion Thread **Spoilers Possible**

[molson]

Vince did a promo tonight on ECW saying that show is going away in 3 weeks, to be replaced by "WWE NXT". Whatever that is.

Most of the speculation is that it will just be a development show, or basically, just like ECW is now except without Goldust.

I'd love to see some kind of new format, SOMETHING different, but I'm not optimistic.

It's kind of interesting that they're leaving ECW on to be a lame duck for 3 weeks - again, there's potential for interesting stuff there, but I'm not optimistic there either.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by molson

Vince did a promo tonight on ECW saying that show is going away in 3 weeks, to be replaced by "WWE NXT". Whatever that is.

Most of the speculation is that it will just be a development show, or basically, just like ECW is now except without Goldust.

I'd love to see some kind of new format, SOMETHING different, but I'm not optimistic.

It's kind of interesting that they're leaving ECW on to be a lame duck for 3 weeks - again, there's potential for interesting stuff there, but I'm not optimistic there either.

I wish he would have done this from the very beginning instead of trying to ruin the things a few brilliant minds had worked to accomplish. It never resembled ECW in any way so using it to get better ratings was BS in my opinion.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by molson

Vince did a promo tonight on ECW saying that show is going away in 3 weeks, to be replaced by "WWE NXT". Whatever that is.

Most of the speculation is that it will just be a development show, or basically, just like ECW is now except without Goldust.

I'd love to see some kind of new format, SOMETHING different, but I'm not optimistic.

It's kind of interesting that they're leaving ECW on to be a lame duck for 3 weeks - again, there's potential for interesting stuff there, but I'm not optimistic there either.

Syfy is pissed at the ratings as it is so I don't see how them doing a show for young guys will help unless they let them wrestling a completely different style then Raw and SD. If they can go all out then I say it can work, otherwise it's just delaying the inevitable.

The show is called Next Generation. It'll go under NXT.

[Toddzilla]

I hear they'll use a 6-sided ring

[Neon_Chaos]

Wow.

For someone who's suffered a career-ending concussion and a life-threatening stroke, Bret could still go. I can actually see him in a match at WM.

[Toddzilla]

Seriously? I swear he looks 1/2 a step slow, like dementia is beginning to set in. At the end of the segment when his music hit, he hardly knew what to do. He seems to me to act 30 years older than he really is.

[duckman]

He didn't look as sharp as he was in his prime.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by duckman

He didn't look as sharp as he was in his prime.

Neither do I, and I haven't even had a stroke.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Neither do I, and I haven't even had a stroke.

Heh. But seriously, after reading up on his bike accident and rehab afterwards, it stands to reason why he looks "off", but it's so disconcerting to see him kinda fumble from one spot to the next.

[Ramzavail]

Bret Hart is back? Got a youtube link of the footage?

[molson]

I don't think he can take any bumps at all. Batista and Vince were pulling their punches last week, and a few times they started towards the head, thought better of it, and didn't punch at all.

Unless they're teasing the extent of his "disability" right now, a match is a ridiculous idea.

[Neon_Chaos]

I think a tag match would work. With Cena taking all the bumps from Batista, winning the match, and then the feel-good 5-minute beat-down by Bret on Vince.

[Toddzilla]

The lack of action in this thread pretty much sums up last night's PPV.

ZZZZZZzzzzz

[molson]

I'm getting really bored with the dual world champions. It'd be one thing if they were the champions of two distinct entities, but the way it is now, it's literally just two world champions in one promotion. I don't think any promotion ever has done that (except for short-term unification storylines).

I can never remember week to week who's the "WWE Champion" and who's the "World Champion"

I am curious though, to see this WWE NXT concept, which I think starts tomorrow in the old ECW timeslot.

[Toddzilla]

That's where crafy experienced veterans like The Miz take young up-and-coming noobs under thier wing like Bryan Danielson.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

That's where crafy experienced veterans like The Miz take young up-and-coming noobs under thier wing like Bryan Danielson.

That's the storyline though, at least for now, which is kind of interesting (if it ever gets to TV). (Miz, on the website, in heel mode, is mocking Danielsons' experience and telling him he doesn't understand what it takes to be a star in the WWE, that it takes more than "being a big star in a bingo hall" or whatever).

So at the very least, Danielson's experience is being acknowledged - we'll see if that continues, or if he's just portrayed as another "rookie".

I don't think the show will involve Miz teaching Danielson how to wrestle. More like Miz teaching Danielson that all that matters is flash and sizzle, eventually leading to Danielson losing his temper on Miz. But we'll see.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by molson

I don't think the show will involve Miz teaching Danielson how to wrestle. More like Miz teaching Danielson that all that matters is flash and sizzle, eventually leading to Danielson quitting and returning to ROH

I like that better.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by molson

I don't think the show will involve Miz teaching Danielson how to wrestle. More like Miz teaching Danielson that all that matters is flash and sizzle, eventually leading to Danielson losing his temper on Miz. But we'll see.

Y'know, as the current WWE roster goes, Miz is a guy I'd like to see caught in a little Cattle Mutilation more than most.

[Flasch186]

I actually like the Miz since this was a dream of his since he was a little kid...good for him.

[DeToxRox]

I love Dragon, but people bitching here are the minority. Miz is right when he says no one on the street will know who Dragon is but they will know who the Miz is (well a much greater chance obviously).

Danielson has already been put over more then anyone on NXT. They spent more time on him last night then Miz and MVP while they were wrestling.

I love Dragon but he deserves to make real money and this is his way to do it.

Who knows if it will work but right now it's obvious based on all the promotion he is getting that he is the favorite.

Personally I think it'd be hilarious if he is showcasing all his different holds then Miz stops him and says "that won't work" and then applies a chin lock.

It can eventually lead to Danielson vs Miz if Danielson wins the show.

Frankly I can't think of a better pairing.

[molson]

Ya, I think Miz is actually pretty good. He's only been wrestling for what, 3 years? He's improved a ton in every area.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by molson

Ya, I think Miz is actually pretty good. He's only been wrestling for what, 3 years? He's improved a ton in every area.

Yup. Plus he came from Tough Enough (albeit a bastardized version) and the Real World, so he will probably be better in this element then anyone else.

They are doing a lot to make Danielson look good, but we'll see how it goes. They are even making mention of the fact he trained at HBK's TWA. I have no idea how the winner is determined but I do know that on PWI they said the winner goes to Raw, the runner up to SD, guys who are 3-5 go onto the next season of the show (seasons are 16 weeks) and the other 3 go back to FCW.

[Mota]

Danielson is great. He does have a rather plain look though, so this chance to get his personality through to the public is a great opportunity. Danielson really does have that winning personality, I look forward to seeing NXT to find out what happens.

[RainMaker]

I think The Miz is a solid mid-card heel.

I like Jericho and it's cool he is Champion, but doesn't it hurt that they basically have made him a jobber for the last few months? I mean even in the EC he was hiding most of the match. One thing if he's going to carry a run for a few PPVs, but a guy who rarely wins headlining Wrestlemania seems a bit odd.

[DeToxRox]

Daniel Bryan, formerly Bryan Danielson, will make his on-screen debut tonight on Raw. The former ROH Champion will appear in a backstage vignette with The Miz.

The vignette is being done to promote the debut of NXT on SyFy tomorrow night.

There was talk about doing another angle on the show with the two as well, but at this time it hasn't been confirmed.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I think The Miz is a solid mid-card heel.

I like Jericho and it's cool he is Champion, but doesn't it hurt that they basically have made him a jobber for the last few months? I mean even in the EC he was hiding most of the match. One thing if he's going to carry a run for a few PPVs, but a guy who rarely wins headlining Wrestlemania seems a bit odd.

Transitional champ. He's there to put the title on Edge and have an entertaining match in the process.

Jericho is amazing but he's at the point where a title does nothing for him. He'll always have his heat regardless.

[Maple Leafs]

It will probably be yanked down shortly, but here's a crazy fan-shot video of the WWE accidentally setting the Undertaker on fire last night:

[molson]

It's just a matter of time before we have our first pyro-related wrestling fatality.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

It will probably be yanked down shortly, but here's a crazy fan-shot video of the WWE accidentally setting the Undertaker on fire last night:

They'd probably be smart to leave the video up since it's being picked up by mainstream media (and I'm sure Vince knows that virtually any publicity is good publicity, especially since he wasn't hurt).

[DeToxRox]

...

Danielson vs Jericho on NXT tonight.

[DeToxRox]

So some people are disputing Jericho vs Danielson. I am not looking because I'd rather not read all the spoilers but I sure hope so.

[DeToxRox]

I loved the opening. I like the sink or swim aspect to this. Danielson did better on the mic then I expected.

[Mota]

I thought that Danielson really did look minor league and I'm a HUGE fan of his in RoH.

That being said his chance to shine is not on the mic, it's when he stretches Chris Jericho and takes him to the limit. Danielson is a great wrestler and I hope he has a chance to showcase it.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Mota

I thought that Danielson really did look minor league and I'm a HUGE fan of his in RoH.

That being said his chance to shine is not on the mic, it's when he stretches Chris Jericho and takes him to the limit. Danielson is a great wrestler and I hope he has a chance to showcase it.

He has the issue where he always looks like he is smiling. He is like Jimmy Fallon in an SNL sketch you think he is going to laugh at any moment.

I think this show is going to have a ton of awkward, ugly moments but that is the charm, these guys are gonna quickly learn. I think a month from now some of these guys could look really good, and obviously some will be terrible.

Love the show so far.

[Neon_Chaos]

Yay for black John Cena!

[DeToxRox]

This is the best thing WWE has done in forever. Count me as watching weekly.

[Terps]

Good show tonight... I'm pulling for Skip Sheffield, but I think Danielson ends up winning and having a feud with Miz over the US Title on RAW.

[SirFozzie]

Man, I'm not getting all the RAW love that I'm seeing. Last I looked, it still said wrestling on the marquee... they had what.. one match (Legacy/Rhodes v Orton) that went over three minutes? (Note: I'm not counting the main, that was an excuse for a ten minute beat down.)

I was surprised to see the Sting turn, and unlike Sting's last big turn (back in the dying days of WCW), this worked well. I see a bunch of people complaining that RVD wasn't seen after that.. um.. could it be that he was selling the affects of 15-20 bat shots?

I'm hopeful this is the last time we see Hogan and Flair in the ring. Although, as a main event grumpy old man style match, it succeeded as it substituted copious amounts of plasma for the things we would have seen 15-20 years from Hogan and Flair. Flair did about a .79 Muta. The sad thing is that this is being used to push Abyss. Look, I know he's got a decade invested in the mannerisms and the mask and all that, but um.. sorry. Still have trouble taking him seriously.

The angle with Kurt and Anderson was... well... it was satisfying in seeing a chickenshit heel get the pummeling that was coming to him, but as the saying goes.. how the hell does this sell the PPV? You're not going to buy it to see Anderson get his ass kicked for disrespecting the troops.. they showed it on free tv, with a side order of feel-good stuff about the troops...

I did kinda like the finish in how out of control it was, yes, it was WCW ish.. but it emphasized the out of control nature of TNA right now, it made you want to see what would happen next.

[DeToxRox]

My issue with RVD's debut is it turned into an afterthought.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

My issue with RVD's debut is it turned into an afterthought.

Agreed, I popped when he came out and squashed sting, then the focus totally shifted. Hopefully this wasn't just a one time shot for RVD, would love to see him work with Styles down the road.

[Terps]

I don't know what the point of bringing Jeff Hardy in again was, since he'll probably be in prison soon.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Agreed, I popped when he came out and squashed sting, then the focus totally shifted. Hopefully this wasn't just a one time shot for RVD, would love to see him work with Styles down the road.

Sounds like he is signed for a while.

Obviously RVD is a guy who can't really be buried, but I am more or less just worried that how he was booked already is an indication of things to come. He was used as a pawn to put over Hogan's angle which scares me a shitload.

When Bubba the Love Sponge gets more air time then a debuting RVD you know priorities are skewed.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Terps

I don't know what the point of bringing Jeff Hardy in again was, since he'll probably be in prison soon.

Hell in a Cell match

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

When Bubba the Love Sponge gets more air time then a debuting RVD you know priorities are skewed.

Good point, I love Bubba, but stick to what you do best and that's not cutting promos.

Would have been better to have Fonzie and Sabu appear and have Sabu nail Sting with the Arabian Face Buster after he attacked RVD with the bat

The one thing that may be RVD's saving grace is that he and Hogan are apparently real good friends now, we'll see how it plays out.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Plenty of spoilers floating around the 'net after tonight Impact taping.

Meanwhile Spike officials are said to be okay with last night's numbers but gracious they're rough. TNA down to a 1.0 (lower than what they draw on Thursdays) but flat in M18-34. WWE off nearly a million total viewers last night but still a solid trouncing by anywhere from 275% to over 300% depending upon the demo.

And if you think this was bad wait til next week when Raw is live with Stone Cold's return vs an Impact with only 2-3 good segments and on the low end we get 6-man tag action with the Nasty Boys + Jimmy Hart vs Team 3D & a surprise partner

Spoiler

Spike Dudley returns

[Mota]

Well after watching NXT I have 2 opinions on the show.

I think that Daniel Bryan looked ready for prime time, no longer lost in the large arena and in front of the cameras like I thought on Week 1. That part backstage where he faked out The Miz and he flinched? Wow.

And my general thoughts on NXT? Terrible. 3 weeks in and there is NO semblance of a reality TV show here. It is essentially ECW but with more newbish wrestlers, and the reality TV portion is a fake vote by the pros to determine the winners in the end.

I think there should be half the amount of wrestling, more time focusing on the wrestlers training or backstage, and each guy should be put in equivalent situations so they can be judged equally. If they already have a star system with the top guys getting 2-3 more times airtime, they can't even pretend that this is a reality TV model.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Raw wins the Monday Night Snores 3.7 to 0.8

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Raw wins the Monday Night Snores 3.7 to 0.8

Wow, not quite going how TNA had hoped. I really do hope TNA can rally and didn't think the show was bad last night, but they need something huge to boost those ratings.....Too bad they couldn't have snagged Austin for a guest shot.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I was wondering how long it had been since the number was this bad.

from tnawrestlingnews.com
Monday's TNA iMPACT! rating of .84 is the lowest rating for iMPACT! since November of 2006. Back then, Impact was airing in a late-night Thursday timeslot, not in prime-time.

The perfect storm of Austin/Bret/Vince going up against a taped Impact was pretty much every bit as bad as expected. Not a single quarter-hour reached a 1.0 and the main event (Styles vs Hardy) was the lowest rated segment of the show.

The highest rated quarter hour, for the second week in a row incidentally, involved The Beautiful People. That might seem coincidental but I have my doubts that's entirely the case when you recall that Kong's segments were consistently the highest rated as well and on weeks when she didn't appear it was normally some Knockout segment.

[BigDPW]

Have not seen this week yet but I can say that over the last few weeks I have been very disappointed. I was hopefule after the 1st Monday night show back in Jan. This stuff is getting a bit old. Let the young guys come out and wrestle. Too much stupid stuff going on for me. And the constant teasing that Hogan is good... No no he is bad... No No he is good... Needs to pay off ASAP and move on...