WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

[SmashMan]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

I know most hate it, but I'm excited for Rock vs Reigns. If you have a chance to get The Rock in what is likely his last match ever, you get him. Makes 0 business sense to pass up on that opportunity.

That's a good reason for Triple H/WWE/TKO to want to do it, but an odd reason for you/us as a viewer to be into it.

[dubcity]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

Rock vs Reigns would only be good if it was a fight everywhere type of street fight, like what they did with Austin and Kevin Owens. Rock's matches with Cena had many botches and awkward moments, and those were a decade ago.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

I'm not sure how I feel about that end to Smackdown.

I really, really hate devaluing Cody's Rumble (2x in a row at that) win and the Seth title, but that's the peril of even having another title like that. That's what I was worried about this whole damn time. Protect your performers and protect your matches and gimmicks. And they just cast aside both.

And how are you gonna just have Cody come out and just slink out like that. Makes him look weak, not just deferential. What does "coming after Roman, but not at Wrestlemania" even mean? Why does Rock's counsel convince you to back off? What if Reigns isn't even champion by then, if you're backing down for Rock there? (of course he will still be, but still). Why not just have Cody ruminate for a while, expressing doubts each week on which "path" to choose, the noble or the "greed" of "going after everything" (as he said) so to speak. So many questions that need some really good answering.

The main peril here is people souring on Cody and them missing the boat on his current level of intrigue and presence. I don't think we should have Cody beating Roman anymore. Cody's main title win needs to be against someone else. Not sure who or how.

Obviously from a stature standpoint, nobody's bigger than Rock. But again, this story needs way more. They need to have divisions between the family. They need to have skits and "trials" and stuff, not just talking. Does Rock have time for it? Does the company have enough time for actual story? I don't know.


And besides, after what Roman said about Seth, maybe the main event should be Rollins vs Reigns title for title? That has more build than even Reigns vs Cody. That's been brewing for 10 ****ing years. Then your Summerslam main event can be Seth vs Cody who's by then turned heel because he's gone crazy and realized the depths he needs to go to to crack the code, or Seth goes heel because he has both belts now and it's Cody that "gets it all" by finally winning.

[Mercury112491]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

So for two years of “the story writes itself” “these two HAVE to meet, the family story is there!” “OMG did you see Young Rock ITS HAPPENING!!!” But now that it’s actually happening we all of a sudden have no reason to care, or this will suck(based on one staredown)?

It’s CRAZY just how over Cody is as a true baby face. Not only the kids and casuals but he’s got all the 30/40 year old internet fans acting like they’re 8 years old defending Hogan from Slaughter again haha.

This will be good and you’ll enjoy the ride. Trust in the Merc. He was right about Bianca/Becky and he’ll be right about this [emoji23][emoji1303]


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[mpklub]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

To those saying this makes sense from a business standpoint I'm not even sure thats true.

Over the last 5 to 10 years WWE has done such a good job marketing their product that it's the brand that sells more than individual stars. I get that the Rock is one of the top two or three biggest stars of all time. But does this story you've been building with Cody for two years warrant being tossed aside to try and bump a number at wrestlemania which already sells itself and will do massive business even if you have Omos headlining? Why even have Cody win the Rumble if this is what you had planned? Let Punk, Drew or Gunther win if Cody was just going to look like a goober and toss aside his title match?

I'm sure theres some bump in business with the Rock in terms of advertising and mainstream coverage, but I question whether it truly is as good of a business decision as some are claiming.

It's a short term cash grab, and you risk making your top babyface lose his heat. To WWEs credit they managed to keep the fans behind Cody after last year. I'm not sure they can keep that going. And if this leads to keeping the belt on Reigns for another year after you had him bury your other champ.....its just absurd. No matter how hard they try Reigns is always going to be a guy who got over in spite of himself and has been protected his entire career by the Shield, Bloodline, Heyman and smoke and mirrors. Kayfabe the guy may be an all time great, but in terms of actually being great he will always be far behind guys like Rock, Austin, Hogan, Flair, Taker, HHH, Angle, HBK, Bret and others.

Triple Hs obsession with never ending title reigns is going too far too. I'm all for having long title reigns, but you need some balance. Let's mix in a couple 3 or 4 month title reigns. I don't want titles hot potatoing every month but not every title reign has to be for close to a year.

Maybe this all plays out differently and in 2 months I'm saying "I can't believe this made this work." But at the moment I don't see it happening.

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[UFCMPunk]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

WWE learned nothing from Batista's return in 2014 interrupting Daniel Bryan's push and the fans desire to see Bryan pushed. This will end in a disaster for WWE.

[SmashMan]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

And how are you gonna just have Cody come out and just slink out like that. Makes him look weak, not just deferential.

This might be the part that gets me. Rock vs Reigns, whatever. I’ve never been too interested in it, but it’s a match. If they do it, they do it. But Cody has his big story to finish, wins the Rumble to get another shot at it, goes nuts pointing at Reigns, then six days later lets Rock have it while he walks away to go win the loser title? It doesn’t fit with Cody’s character at all.

[J_Posse]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

WWE learned nothing from Batista's return in 2014 interrupting Daniel Bryan's push and the fans desire to see Bryan pushed. This will end in a disaster for WWE.

Right, I have no issue with an eventual Rock vs. Reigns match (even if I think it'll disappoint).

I just think it should've been built up and hyped up like the first Cena - Rock match. They actually teased and built that match up, not like this haphazardly thrown together mess.

And as much as I started to not side with Punk and why he left, torpedoing 2 years of build and anticipation (for short-term success) is bad business.

Yes, they'll make out like bandits financially, but why not save this match for next year (when the huge Netflix deal kicks in)?

I understand that 'the brand' sells itself at this point, yet they still need to find someone to pass the torch to.

Anyway, we'll see how this all plays out and hopefully Cody can eventually get the stamp of approval (plus somehow remain hot).



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[TMagic]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

WWE learned nothing from Batista's return in 2014 interrupting Daniel Bryan's push and the fans desire to see Bryan pushed. This will end in a disaster for WWE.

I think this is exactly why I'm "trusting the process"

That ended up being one of the most memorable builds and finishes at a Mania that I can remember

They have shown the ability to pivot and adapt on the fly

There's a lot of storylines converging here. I can see us getting two big main events. Night one is "family night" and opens with USO v USO, then closes with Roman v Rock for "head of the table". The Bloodline story comes to its conclusion

Then night two Roman vs Cody vs Seth with both titles on the line. The history between all three just works every direction. And the match should be fire

And just think about all the promos, interactions, and general tomfoolery that can happen with everyone on the lead up. Writes itself

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[peter42O]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

As someone who's been watching Raw and Smackdown almost in their entirety since the Day 1 Raw show and watched the Royal Rumble on Peacock, im not surprised about the direction for WrestleMania which makes perfect sense in my opinion. Once Rollins and Punk got injured, they had to change up some stuff.

Cody can win a world title as Rollins will drop the belt, have surgery and be out for a while and then perhaps go into WM 2025 as champion versus champion against Roman Reigns. I'm 100% expecting Reigns to retain the title even if he loses the match because he's several more months away from being #3 all time and The Rock isn't full time or even part time like Reigns is so giving him the title wouldn't make any sense.

The card thus far is looking pretty good. Cody/Rollins will headline night one and Reigns/Rock will headline night two. Iyo Sky versus Bayley should be pretty good. I'm expecting Jimmy vs Jey Uso at WM. Overall, the card is starting to take shape and is looking really good on paper.

But first things first, we'll see what happens at Elimination Chamber.

[DJ]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

No question that the Vince lawsuit and federal investigation, coupled with Punk's injury, led to this change up.

How mad will people be when Cody beats Rollins at WM, only for Priest to cash in and take the title moments later?

[TheMatrix31]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

The only way this would have been acceptable is if Cody ended up picking Roman anyway, and Rock turning on Cody to protect the family. Something like that. With this reaction this situation is getting, maybe they can find a way to do that.

[southernmetalhead]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

At least Rock didn't show up and tell Cody "Get out of my ring bitch!". Well, at least not those actual words.

[TheShizNo1]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

If nothing else.... I love how this bs has gotten this forum active.

I have no problem with Rock/Reigns..... I'm a mark for both..... just not. right. now.

Rhodes is just the better story and he's who, ironically, the people want. This is exactly how I felt when Batista won the rumble......nah.....



But can't deny them "Rocky" chants last night [emoji2377]

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[TMagic]

Re: WWE RAW & Smackdown Thread

I don't know how much the IWC translates to real life...but if it's any indication, Roman v Rock is going to get DESTROYED in Philly if they go forward with that man lol

But who knows. Maybe it's all a work to get fans even MORE behind Cody making the payoff AT MANIA even more epic which would shoot Cody to the moon and cement him as the guy going forward

EDIT:

Also something to think about is that Rock already made his intentions known BEFORE Punks injury. So Rock/Roman must have already been in the cards. Cody winning rumble was probably planned as well.

If Punk wasn't around, Cody/Roman II would likely still be happening. So there would have been another opponent set up for Seth to face anyway.

So I think Punk getting hurt might be a bit overstated in this conversation as the only thing we can be almost certain being the plan that's being changed now is Seth/Punk at mania. That's it