Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

[aholbert32]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

Not even in the same stratosphere, man. This thing with DB has been going on for a while. And go look on Twitter, they're getting killed right now, still.

And it's not just DB, it's this flashback to 2007 with Cena, Orton, Batista, HHH in the main event spotlight. It amazes me even more that Punk was on top for as long as he was.

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I dont agree with that. I watch Raw and yes, Bryan is over but it wasnt anything like last night. For the past few years, he's always recieved one of the biggest pops. Last night, people were booing other wrestlers because they werent Bryan. Thats totally different.

If that continues that shows the WWE that the fans are demanding that Bryan be placed in the main event. If it doesnt and it goes back to Bryan being cheered but having no effect on other fighters, the WWE has every right to chalk up last night as one hardcore crowd.

[Bellsprout]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

I think it took one crowd to finally snap like last night's did and now other crowds going forward won't hesitate.

This tension has been building in the fanbase ever since they spent two months ****ting on Bryan after Summerslam. Last night if finally boiled over and manifested itself in one 3 hour long gigantic middle finger to the WWE establishment.

Moreover, I'm not sure PPV buys is a relevant argument anymore. They need the Bryan fanbase now that they're moving to the Network model. They can't keep alienating this many people anymore just because that crowd was the "I'll stream it for free!" crowd, that doesn't matter anymore.

[kingkilla56]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

Yesterday was the birth of "Not Daniel Bryan" heat. Hopefully Cleveland keeps it going tonight.

[aholbert32]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

I think it took one crowd to finally snap like last night's did and now other crowds going forward won't hesitate.

This tension has been building in the fanbase ever since they spent two months ****ting on Bryan after Summerslam. Last night if finally boiled over and manifested itself in one 3 hour long gigantic middle finger to the WWE establishment.

Moreover, I'm not sure PPV buys is a relevant argument anymore. They need the Bryan fanbase now that they're moving to the Network model. They can't keep alienating this many people anymore just because that crowd was the "I'll stream it for free!" crowd, that doesn't matter anymore.

Why would that change because of the network? One, I dont think that the price point will remain at $9.99 a month forever. The WWE is leaving too much money on the table if it never increases the costs. Two, many of the "I'll stream it for free" crowd will still stream it for free even if its only $10 a month.

[secondcity t]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

I posted this in the Rumble thread and I'll post it here. This is my theory on last night.

Edit for addition: Keep in mind that everything going on in WWE currently is "Best for business". It's not a coincidence that Triple H's boys dominated the show.

I agree but I'll add a couple of points.

1. It seems like WWE is using social media as the new kayfabe. Bryan tweeting afterwards was supposed to look like damage control. I don't know where Foley fits into this but for the first time in years since the pipebomb, they've worked fans into a frenzy. Bryan doesn't need the belt because there is more money in the chase.

2. Batista and Rey have to turn heel. One of the things I love about wrestling is the psychology. How you can mind**** someone by not giving them what they want. This goes with point 1. Batista has acted like a prick on Twitter since he returned. When he came out on Monday, they had the Batista spotlight during his entrance like his heel run. Everything from the Orton/Batista confrontation screamed "New face of WWE". Hugging HHH and Stephanie, etc. He has a new movie to promote and it would fit perfectly when/if he beats Orton. I see Rey going full Rock after being booed at Wrestlemania 17. He's never been a heel in WWE and he could benefit from working a heel moveset with his bum knees.

3. This is really far fetched and out there but I think WWE is intentionally working the dirtsheets by leaking planned matches. They are blurring the lines between kayfabe and reality. We know this **** is predetermined but what if this is part of the bigger picture with the Authority storyline?

I feel like WWE is building doubt inside of their fans and it's risky as hell but it might work. The only thing I've read is over the last 12 hours (Not exactly 12 cuz a brother had to sleep) is "They aren't giving the fans what they want!". Well in 2014, you have to find new ways to generate heat. In the early/mid 90s, there was no youtube, no twitter, no facebook. I haven't seen fans this pissed in years and I love it. I got caught up in it too.

[jmillhimes]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

Can we get a "WE want Sting" chant

[SmashMan]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

1. It seems like WWE is using social media as the new kayfabe. Bryan tweeting afterwards was supposed to look like damage control. I don't know where Foley fits into this but for the first time in years since the pipebomb, they've worked fans into a frenzy. Bryan doesn't need the belt because there is more money in the chase.

I think the problem is that he's not even part of the chase. They have time to 'fix' it (meaning, to come full circle on Bryan vs. Authority storyline), but will they? I'm really more bothered at the storyline not paying off than any specific wrestler winning or not winning a match.

I could see them hitting some detours, because keeping a Bryan vs. Authority feud hot from August-April would've been tough - but they're not even feuding anymore. That's what gets me more than anything. We'll see where it goes, I guess.

I agree with your other points about using social media to further things.

---

And, from NeoGAF:

[kingkilla56]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

Bryan's storyline will payoff. At a random PPV after Mania season. Then they'll say "see? we listened".

[GnarlyKing]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

Bryan vs. the Authority is going to pick back up very soon, but it's not going to be Orton or HHH that he feuds with.

[TMagic]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

I dont agree with that. I watch Raw and yes, Bryan is over but it wasnt anything like last night. For the past few years, he's always recieved one of the biggest pops. Last night, people were booing other wrestlers because they werent Bryan. Thats totally different.

This right here.

I hate to admit it, but I always had the thought in my head that Bryan was over because of the "Yes" chants.

But then after last night, people chanting Daniel Bryan and booing other wrestlers because it wasnt Bryan completely changed my tune.

Now I see the "Yes" chant being the catalyst to Bryans rise in popularity. And he is just completely ****ing over. Yes chant or no yes chant

[secondcity t]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

I think the problem is that he's not even part of the chase. They have time to 'fix' it (meaning, to come full circle on Bryan vs. Authority storyline), but will they? I'm really more bothered at the storyline not paying off than any specific wrestler winning or not winning a match.

I could see them hitting some detours, because keeping a Bryan vs. Authority feud hot from August-April would've been tough - but they're not even feuding anymore. That's what gets me more than anything. We'll see where it goes, I guess.

I agree with your other points about using social media to further things.

---

And, from NeoGAF:

Part of me believes that they're gonna milk this for all it's worth but as you stated, keeping this hot from August to April is tough. I think the Authority angle is shadowing over a few different characters at the moment.

They wanted Punk but he turned them down and started the rumble at 1, longest reigning champion in recent history. I expect him to be taken out shortly as his contract is due to expire.

Bryan being held back with Wyatt being the devil in his ear to distract him from the title. He beat Cena and Orton clean but they don't see him as a money maker. The blurring of kayfabe and reality.

Cena seemingly being phased out from the top with the Wyatts distraction last night.

The Wyatts "protecting" the title for the Authority.

Orton falling out with the Authority on a weekly basis.

Batista being groomed as the new face of the WWE.

I'm trying to look at the positives of this instead of "They aren't giving us what we want!". The people complaining would hate watching shows like The Wire and Breaking Bad where storylines didn't payoff until the 4th or 5th season.

[secondcity t]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

Bryan's storyline will payoff. At a random PPV after Mania season. Then they'll say "see? we listened".

What payoff will make you happy? The rumored match of Sheamus Vs Bryan makes perfect sense if they're going for a redemption storyline. The 18 second match kickstarted this **** in the first place. I'll be happy if he sabotages the main event and ends Mania with the crowd chanting Yes. He does not need the belt! Honestly, they could keep this going until WM 31 but the question is in this day and age of instant gratification, are people willing to wait that long?

[kingkilla56]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

What payoff will make you happy? The rumored match of Sheamus Vs Bryan makes perfect sense if they're going for a redemption storyline. The 18 second match kickstarted this **** in the first place. I'll be happy if he sabotages the main event and ends Mania with the crowd chanting Yes. He does not need the belt! Honestly, they could keep this going until WM 31 but the question is in this day and age of instant gratification, are people willing to wait that long?

You lost me at Sheamus Bryan makes perfect sense. This is a redemption storyline? Since when? And they would be idiots to milk this till Wrestlemania 31.

[Ice_Cold345]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

What payoff will make you happy? The rumored match of Sheamus Vs Bryan makes perfect sense if they're going for a redemption storyline. The 18 second match kickstarted this **** in the first place. I'll be happy if he sabotages the main event and ends Mania with the crowd chanting Yes. He does not need the belt! Honestly, they could keep this going until WM 31 but the question is in this day and age of instant gratification, are people willing to wait that long?

In terms of Bryan being over, yes he would last until WM 31, but as the story with Authority, no it's already pretty much gone now.

As for the Sheamus match, it would be a giant shoe-in. Yes, it started the YES! / NO! / DANIEL BRYAN! chants, but other than that, what would be the point? Also, what "redemption" are you talking about? The only redemption Bryan wants is being WWE champion and stop being screwed over by the Authority.

[SmashMan]

Re: Raw 1/27/14: If you quit watching for awhile, I wouldn't blame you.

Yeah, I'm lost on Bryan vs. Sheamus making sense too. The only redemption here is Bryan winning over the Authority - whether that's winning the title they didn't want him to, or even just pinning Triple H in a statement win.

He doesn't need redemption from the Sheamus loss. They had a feud after that, and he lost the feud. That happens.