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NFT: WWE Predictability at an all-time worst

dep026 : 1/15/2019 9:27 am
Anyone who is following the steps to Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania, the WWE is doing a horrific job trying to conceal what they want done for RR, WM, and eventually SS.

Last night Strowman was taken out of the main event at the Royal Rumble cause he is not cleared for the event from his injury. So Balor won a fatal 4 way and now will face Brock, who will win it. Also last night Lashley won a triple threat match against Ambrose and Rollins.

To me, this sets it up perfect for Rollins now to win the Rumble, then go and defeat Brock at WM, then for Rollins and Ambrose to face off at Summerslam.

I get its tougher to hide storyline lines in today;s age. But this seems pretty obvious to me, no? Or am I missing something?
nah not predictable but they are laying the ground work  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/15/2019 9:30 am : link
its fine by me. Finn deserves the glory. Unsure if he will even win but oh well.

I cannot believe how bad wrestling is today  
Jints in Carolina : 1/15/2019 9:30 am : link
I grew up watching it in the late 70's, 80's and attitude era...it is god awful now. I really don't even pay attention to it anymore.

I will always watch Wrestlemania because it's Wrestlemania, but that's about it.
It's been predictable and poorly  
Metnut : 1/15/2019 9:33 am : link
written for a long time, that's why I pretty much stopped watching. It seemed like Vince/writers really loved sticking it to the "smark" fans and made booking decisions based on that.

My last hurrah was the ECW roll out. Coming off of two white hot "One Night Stand" PPVs where people were paying $200 a ticket to get in they end up making this awful sci-fi show and having the whole company just job to everyone. What a waste.

Sorry for the rant. I just loved wrestling during the attitude/independent era and stuck with it for a few years after and left very very frustrated.
I mean its easy to see who gets pushes  
dep026 : 1/15/2019 9:38 am : link
and whatnot, but I love when someone wisn the Rumble and MITB that is kind of unexpected.
watch nxt  
nygiants16 : 1/15/2019 9:44 am : link
..
RE: watch nxt  
Jints in Carolina : 1/15/2019 9:48 am : link
In comment 14263887 nygiants16 said:
Quote:
..


I am actually excited that there will be another wrestling promotion coming.

I am so sick of the WWE.
Shad Khan is now a wrestling promoter  
Ben in Tampa : 1/15/2019 9:50 am : link
maybe his league will be a viable alternative
RE: Shad Khan is now a wrestling promoter  
Jints in Carolina : 1/15/2019 9:52 am : link
In comment 14263896 Ben in Tampa said:
Quote:
maybe his league will be a viable alternative


That was what I was talking about...All Elite Wrestling.
It could have been worse  
Tom in DC : 1/15/2019 9:57 am : link
They could have just reversed their plans and had Rollins V Lesner at the rumble and then had Strowman win the rumble to earn the WM match. I know Strowman isn't cleared for a full match yet, but he's probably OK to come in late and toss some people over the ropes.

At least we get the fresh match up of Finn vs Lesner. At Survivor Series, Lesner worked a pretty compelling match with the much smaller Bryan, so there is a chance this one is also good. Lately, I have gone into Lesner matches with pretty low expectations but he has stepped up and worked pretty decently. Also, Finn deserves a chance to be at the top of the card.

Rollins vs Lesner has been the WM rumor ever since Reigns had to step away. Its a fine line WWE has to walk. We want them to be unpredictable but we also want to have well written cohesive storytelling. In a way its nice to see them plan some main story arcs.
Remember when the McMahons promised change?  
Anakim : 1/15/2019 10:01 am : link
And all we got were boring matches and Cena sucking again?
RE: Remember when the McMahons promised change?  
Anakim : 1/15/2019 10:01 am : link
In comment 14263922 Anakim said:
Quote:
And all we got were boring matches and Cena sucking again?


Oh and we got to see Alexa Bliss's back. Big whoop
EC3  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 1/15/2019 10:03 am : link
Made an appearance. He'll be interesting to watch in the Rumble.
RE: RE: Remember when the McMahons promised change?  
dep026 : 1/15/2019 10:08 am : link
In comment 14263923 Anakim said:
Quote:

Oh and we got to see Alexa Bliss's back. Big whoop


I would be glad to see Alexa Bliss' back, front, middle, top, or bottom. You serious with this Anak? Shes absolutely fucking gorgeous.
RE: RE: RE: Remember when the McMahons promised change?  
Anakim : 1/15/2019 10:10 am : link
In comment 14263937 dep026 said:
Quote:
In comment 14263923 Anakim said:


Quote:



Oh and we got to see Alexa Bliss's back. Big whoop



I would be glad to see Alexa Bliss' back, front, middle, top, or bottom. You serious with this Anak? Shes absolutely fucking gorgeous.


Alexa is a 10, but it was a back. They think that's risque?
RE: EC3  
Anakim : 1/15/2019 10:11 am : link
In comment 14263927 BigBlueDownTheShore said:
Quote:
Made an appearance. He'll be interesting to watch in the Rumble.


All the NXT call-ups appeared
RE: RE: EC3  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 1/15/2019 10:13 am : link
In comment 14263942 Anakim said:
Quote:
In comment 14263927 BigBlueDownTheShore said:


Quote:


Made an appearance. He'll be interesting to watch in the Rumble.



All the NXT call-ups appeared


The crazy Scottish women wrestler was very lame to me.
I  
BIG FRED 1973 : 1/15/2019 10:36 am : link
really wish they would leave the NXT crew alone as it seems most get forgotten after awhile if they dont get a big push right away like the Wyatts ,Finn and Bliss .Heavy Machinery are a very good tag team and it will be interesting to see how they are booked .Trevor Lee from TNA just signed to nxt ,he is really good
NXT Callups  
Tom in DC : 1/15/2019 10:45 am : link
I don't see a very high ceiling for Heavy Machinery. They'll pop the crowd and entertain the kids at house shows. But I do have to disagree with you about Bliss. She was never NXT woman's champ or even in the hunt for it there. On the main roster her star has shown, she's a former champ there and has a very high ceiling (in the ring and out).
....  
Route 9 : 1/15/2019 11:10 am : link
The storylines are way too boring for me. I cannot get into the characters much like the old days.

The product is way too clean and just is a completely different show from what I used to like. I'll maybe watch wrestlemania but even those shows drag on because they're what? 6...hours?
Plus wrestling fans have gotten a bit annoying lol  
Route 9 : 1/15/2019 11:12 am : link
They bitch at EVERYTHING, thinks every guy should hold the belt for the sake of whatever and they think they know every single little thing.
RE: RE: RE: Remember when the McMahons promised change?  
viggie : 1/15/2019 11:26 am : link
In comment 14263937 dep026 said:
Quote:
In comment 14263923 Anakim said:


Quote:



Oh and we got to see Alexa Bliss's back. Big whoop



I would be glad to see Alexa Bliss' back, front, middle, top, or bottom. You serious with this Anak? Shes absolutely fucking gorgeous.

Check her thumbs
RE: Plus wrestling fans have gotten a bit annoying lol  
Jints in Carolina : 1/15/2019 11:31 am : link
In comment 14264048 Route 9 said:
Quote:
They bitch at EVERYTHING, thinks every guy should hold the belt for the sake of whatever and they think they know every single little thing.


This is what also is ruining wrestling. The fucking asshole fans.
Alexa Bliss is certainly smoking.  
Drewcon40 : 1/15/2019 11:35 am : link
Mandy Rose is an easy one to find hot. Does anyone find Asuka good looking? I know when she speaks it can be brutal. Is it because I am an Asianphile. Man I think Asuka is smoking sometimes.
RE: Alexa Bliss is certainly smoking.  
Anakim : 1/15/2019 11:36 am : link
In comment 14264100 Drewcon40 said:
Quote:
Mandy Rose is an easy one to find hot. Does anyone find Asuka good looking? I know when she speaks it can be brutal. Is it because I am an Asianphile. Man I think Asuka is smoking sometimes.


Yeah, Mandy Rose is ridiculous. She's a New York product!
Asuka  
BIG FRED 1973 : 1/15/2019 11:41 am : link
is hot ,i think she did modeling in Japan before she became a wrestler
Asuka is a smoke show  
Jints in Carolina : 1/15/2019 11:44 am : link
I think she is very sexy.
I think there is a great deal  
Tim in Eternal Blue : 1/15/2019 11:47 am : link
of mystery surrounding the women's Rumble. The fans want to see Becky win it and challenge Ronda... But what about Charlotte?

As for the men... Seth should have been the guy to beat Brock last time, when he was red hot. He's cooled a little but there really isn't a viable babyface (other than Seth) to get that run at Mania.
She in reality is not all that hot compared her peers  
Chef : 1/15/2019 11:51 am : link
but I have a thing for Becky Lynch..
RE: She in reality is not all that hot compared her peers  
Jints in Carolina : 1/15/2019 11:54 am : link
In comment 14264126 Chef said:
Quote:
but I have a thing for Becky Lynch..


I would have loved to have seen someone like Becky Lynch in the Attitude Era.
RE: She in reality is not all that hot compared her peers  
Drewcon40 : 1/15/2019 11:55 am : link
In comment 14264126 Chef said:
Quote:
but I have a thing for Becky Lynch..


Chef - you are not alone, especially with the heel turn (although it looks like she is a face/tweener again keeping her attitude - the Stone Cold formula).
Charly Caruso, all the way  
Anakim : 1/15/2019 11:55 am : link
.
I'd drink Becky's  
Tim in Eternal Blue : 1/15/2019 12:10 pm : link
bath water. Her and Bliss. *Heart emoji*
Wrestling isn't more predictable  
jlukes : 1/15/2019 12:14 pm : link
it's just that the kids that grew up watching are now adults that can actually put things together and the adults don't want to admit the magic is gone. They want to blame wrestling, but it's really just a fact of life.

I still enjoy watching it from time to time because I appreciate it for what it is.
All this talk about WWE and really...  
ArcadeSlumlord : 1/15/2019 12:37 pm : link
I just cant wait for AEW Wrestling and real booking and story lines by the talent FOR the fans and get away from this weak-ass bubble-gum PG drivel.
WWE's problem is there are tooooo many wrestlers on the roster  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/15/2019 12:37 pm : link
Becky lynch is the best womens wrestler and fun to watch.

on the guys side, Finn is due. But this fascination with Brock is annoying me. guy has to go

RE: All this talk about WWE and really...  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/15/2019 12:38 pm : link
In comment 14264200 ArcadeSlumlord said:
Quote:
I just cant wait for AEW Wrestling and real booking and story lines by the talent FOR the fans and get away from this weak-ass bubble-gum PG drivel.


Impact was seen as an option too. i hope they can bring it because frankly WWE needs the competition.
RE: Wrestling isn't more predictable  
Larry from WV : 1/15/2019 12:42 pm : link
In comment 14264169 jlukes said:
Quote:
it's just that the kids that grew up watching are now adults that can actually put things together and the adults don't want to admit the magic is gone. They want to blame wrestling, but it's really just a fact of life.

I still enjoy watching it from time to time because I appreciate it for what it is.


This is how I feel. I am a WWE network subscriber and will sometimes watch old stuff while I workout. I enjoy the athletic performance now more than anything else. I rarely will watch any of Raw or Smackdown. I can't say I've watched an entire episode of either in years. I always enjoy the Rumble and will watch that and Wrestlemania, but it's more nostalgic than anything else at this point.
Alexa Bliss and Mandy Rose  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/15/2019 12:55 pm : link
good god...
RE: RE: She in reality is not all that hot compared her peers  
Chef : 1/15/2019 1:07 pm : link
In comment 14264135 Jints in Carolina said:
Quote:
In comment 14264126 Chef said:


Quote:


but I have a thing for Becky Lynch..



I would have loved to have seen someone like Becky Lynch in the Attitude Era.


This would have been great.. her accent also sounds like it is forced at times though.. she could do better in that department IMO.
the reason for last nights change  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/15/2019 1:09 pm : link
Quote:
WHY FINN BALOR IS NOW CHALLENGING BROCK LESNAR AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE
By Mike Johnson on 2019-01-15 10:38:00
Last night's Monday Night Raw featured a surprising twist for fans when Finn Balor replaced Braun Strowman in the role of challenger to WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar at the 2019 Royal Rumble.

As I discussed last night in an Elite audio update following Raw, we have been told there were several reasons for the change.

One, Braun Strowman has still not been 100% cleared for physicality by WWE. While the expectation has been that he will be ready by the Rumble PPV, we are told that WWE had decided to go with Balor at least several weeks ago. There was a feeling internally that now was not the time to beat Strowman and if he lost to Lesnar, it might hurt his momentum and long-term viability as a top talent for WWE. So, WWE effectively decided to paint themselves out of the corner they had trapped themselves in and save Lesnar vs. Strowman for another time.

There was also a feeling that even if Strowman was cleared and good to go, that Balor vs. Lesnar, with the obvious David vs. Goliath overtones, would be a better story and would be a better match for the PPV. If you remember the No Mercy 2018 bout between Lesnar and Strowman, one could certainly argue that Balor would certainly be stronger as a challenger in terms of match quality.

WWE has been quietly building Balor in recent weeks in anticipation of making the move as well as trying to build the babyface side of Raw. We are told it was not a last second decision and was not something the company was forced to do by outside forces. It had quietly been the plan for some time.

The real questions coming out of the move are:

*Where does this leave Strowman in the build to Wrestlemania?

*Does WWE now slot Strowman inside the Royal Rumble match?

*Will the audience take to Balor in that role after a long period where he was not being utilized in a strong position from a creative standpoint?

*Where does Balor stand after the Rumble match?

*Who's next in line to challenge Lesnar post-Rumble?

All interesting things to keep an eye on as we head into Phoenix.




RE: Wrestling isn't more predictable  
Route 9 : 1/15/2019 1:10 pm : link
In comment 14264169 jlukes said:
Quote:
it's just that the kids that grew up watching are now adults that can actually put things together and the adults don't want to admit the magic is gone. They want to blame wrestling, but it's really just a fact of life.

I still enjoy watching it from time to time because I appreciate it for what it is.


The ratings are at an all-time low, no? Many people jumped off the wrestling train when they saw the red tape when Austin turned heel in 2001 but it seemed as if it still had a chance to be good with the Attitude era ending and connecting into the ruthless aggression era. Those days are long gone. I have 0 confidence it would even be 5% as interesting as the RA era.

I think everyone who stuck around and watches full time knows it's going to be nothing like it was. Those who watch every RAW and smackdown must REALLY just like it for what it is.

I for one, am not going to sit around cranking over the product like most do, it's just not that important to me.

I went to the RAW in Philly this past October and more than half the upper deck was blacked out. So many people on the floor/lower level said they got upgraded because their seats were unavailable. I also went to a house show in AC over the summer. The place was about half empty.

Something ain't right. I think the product is way too stiff, RAW is too long and the commentary is irritatingly bad. Wrestling is sadly another victim of the "cant day this or that" times we live in.
The wrestling "drafts", where wrestlers exclusively  
TheMick7 : 1/15/2019 1:20 pm : link
go to RAW or Smackdown,dilute the product. It's why every week you see similar matches between similar wrestlers,with the only change up being is it a 1 0n 1,a 2 0n 2 or a 3 on 3. I wish they went back to wrestlers just wrestling on both shows as it leads to many more different combinations & the ability to set up a myriad of rivalries!
RE: All this talk about WWE and really...  
nygiants16 : 1/15/2019 1:31 pm : link
In comment 14264200 ArcadeSlumlord said:
Quote:
I just cant wait for AEW Wrestling and real booking and story lines by the talent FOR the fans and get away from this weak-ass bubble-gum PG drivel.


it will be at minimum 3 years before aew gets off the ground...

First they do not have a big enough roster to have a weekly show.

second no tv deal

Third all in was a success in ticket sales but wrestlers on the show were upset with how the booking went..

4ththere is not a lot of top talent out there...

5th they do not have a working relationship with roh or new japan and both have said they will not work with aew..

they have a very long way to go
RE: RE: All this talk about WWE and really...  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/15/2019 2:00 pm : link
In comment 14264307 nygiants16 said:
Quote:
In comment 14264200 ArcadeSlumlord said:


Quote:


I just cant wait for AEW Wrestling and real booking and story lines by the talent FOR the fans and get away from this weak-ass bubble-gum PG drivel.



it will be at minimum 3 years before aew gets off the ground...

First they do not have a big enough roster to have a weekly show.

second no tv deal

Third all in was a success in ticket sales but wrestlers on the show were upset with how the booking went..

4ththere is not a lot of top talent out there...

5th they do not have a working relationship with roh or new japan and both have said they will not work with aew..

they have a very long way to go


AEW will be great if they become different than the WWE

Also, they need to build stars. They have a TV deal apparently in place.

ROH and NJPW have said they are the enemy.

WWE is a massive company. Honestly, once McMahon dies and Triple H takes the reigns, it will be golden. Look at NXT. NXT is fucking amazing compared to RAW. No big stars or anything. Just good stories and wrestlers.

AEW will never, ever compete with the WWE. What they need to focus on is being awesome at whatever their identity is.
Raw and Smackdown suck  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 1/15/2019 2:09 pm : link
because it's at the lowert part of their marketing funnel.

It's part of the "free" part of their very dynamic freemium model.

The good stuff happens on the network, and the PPV's are more of an old school Raw that lead you to a Mania or Summer Slam or one of the big 4.

They tier their content at a very very high level. Hours of footage for Youtube, and all Social Media outlets.
the other thing is the FOX deal coming  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/15/2019 2:29 pm : link
They will need to produce some ratings for FOX once Smackdown moves.

RE: the other thing is the FOX deal coming  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 1/15/2019 2:32 pm : link
In comment 14264403 GMAN4LIFE said:
Quote:
They will need to produce some ratings for FOX once Smackdown moves.


Wrestling always draws a good amount of viewers, even when it sucks.
RE: RE: the other thing is the FOX deal coming  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/15/2019 2:38 pm : link
In comment 14264413 BigBlueDownTheShore said:
Quote:
In comment 14264403 GMAN4LIFE said:


Quote:


They will need to produce some ratings for FOX once Smackdown moves.




Wrestling always draws a good amount of viewers, even when it sucks.


is it going to the FOX network or Fox Sports?
RE: RE: RE: the other thing is the FOX deal coming  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 1/15/2019 3:48 pm : link
In comment 14264428 GMAN4LIFE said:
Quote:
In comment 14264413 BigBlueDownTheShore said:


Quote:


In comment 14264403 GMAN4LIFE said:


Quote:


They will need to produce some ratings for FOX once Smackdown moves.




Wrestling always draws a good amount of viewers, even when it sucks.



is it going to the FOX network or Fox Sports?


I believe FOX network.
It was a good raw last night  
Mr. Nickels : 1/15/2019 4:47 pm : link
lot of change ups.

Braun Strowman was not pulled from the Universal title match at Royal Rumble due to his injury, according to Wrestling Observer.

So this seems storyline. With Rollins poised to win the Rumble it now seems that Braun can. Also look forward to Braun tossing out half the competitors.

The Rumble is at its best when it is unknown who will win and a number of options makes sense. This is the one benefit of the brand split with 2 titles.

RE: She in reality is not all that hot compared her peers  
FStubbs : 1/15/2019 6:36 pm : link
In comment 14264126 Chef said:
Quote:
but I have a thing for Becky Lynch..


So, googling her and the other three listed above, I think she's hotter than they are. Asuka might be more attractive outside of her gimmick, and the other two are just plastic Barbie doll types.
RE: RE: She in reality is not all that hot compared her peers  
dep026 : 1/16/2019 6:50 am : link
In comment 14264704 FStubbs said:
Quote:
In comment 14264126 Chef said:


Quote:


but I have a thing for Becky Lynch..



So, googling her and the other three listed above, I think she's hotter than they are. Asuka might be more attractive outside of her gimmick, and the other two are just plastic Barbie doll types.


Bliss is portrayed as a Barbie doll. But if you see her dressed down and out of character, she is even hotter.
I'll take it.  
Anakim : 1/16/2019 7:27 am : link
It's a start. Two girls fighting on a bed. We would've never seen this shit 5 years ago. I'll take it.
Stock is at 80 bucks  
mattnyg05 : 1/16/2019 7:46 am : link
They don’t care if it sucks.
RE: Stock is at 80 bucks  
nygiants16 : 1/16/2019 8:28 am : link
In comment 14264969 mattnyg05 said:
Quote:
They don’t care if it sucks.


Kind of hard to say they dont care when they pour a ton of money into the performance center and nxt and just opened another performance center the uk..
The problem with WWE is the 50-50 booking  
Bobby Humphrey's Earpad : 1/16/2019 8:49 am : link
Whenever somebody gets hot, they never pull the trigger at the right time so they can get more "heat". They killed Strowman and Ambrose as faces; they even somewhat stymied Becky's run by having to make Charlotte part of it and nonsensical booking.

Logical storylines where you know the ending still work if executed correctly with compelling characters who can tell a good match - New Japan just did it with Tanahashi and Omega.
RE: The problem with WWE is the 50-50 booking  
GMAN4LIFE : 1/16/2019 9:09 am : link
In comment 14265010 Bobby Humphrey's Earpad said:
Quote:
Whenever somebody gets hot, they never pull the trigger at the right time so they can get more "heat". They killed Strowman and Ambrose as faces; they even somewhat stymied Becky's run by having to make Charlotte part of it and nonsensical booking.

Logical storylines where you know the ending still work if executed correctly with compelling characters who can tell a good match - New Japan just did it with Tanahashi and Omega.


true. Becky is quite honestly the best the WWE has right now. She is attitude era written all over her. She doesnt give a damn and kicks ass.

as for the WWE's plans, i think they are trying to take over all the wrestling areas. WWE UK is building their own stars. Just seems as if there is a global reach now.

again, once HHH takes over, i can fully see NXT style stories being brought to Raw. well i hope at least. NXT is leaps above anything on RAW, NJPW, Smackdown and all

btw, Mandy Rose is soooooo freaking hot

NXT has been great  
BIG FRED 1973 : 1/16/2019 10:01 am : link
this past year maybe the best since 2014-15. Undisputed Era are such awesome old school heels .It will be interesting to see who they show on the big screen during Takeover next week since a bunch of wrestlers got called up to the main roster.I would think Trevor Lee would be one .I hope they sign Robbie E too ,he is very underrated and definitely deserves at shot in WWE
NXT  
Tom in DC : 1/16/2019 6:43 pm : link
NXT is great, but it is easier to produce a 1 hour tape delayed show each weak that it is a 3 hour live show working around commercial breaks. SO while NXT is clearly a better product, it has advantages.
WWE has been boring for years, that's not news.  
Dave in Hoboken : 1/16/2019 7:27 pm : link
It has a really talented roster, but the booking of said talent is absolutely terrible. I guess that shouldn't be too much of a surprise though when someone that is Vince McMahon;s age still has final say over everything. I barely watch SD and the only parts of Raw I watch these days are Seth Rollins segments. Rollins is the only main roster talent that makes me want to watch the main rosters at all. NXT is clearly miles and miles ahead of Raw and SD in terms of storylines, characters, promos, and matches. Sometimes I wish they'd send Rollins back to NXT so I wouldn't have to bother with Raw at all. Anyway, I hope Rollins does win the Rumble. Despite being firmly booked in the midcard since 2016, he's managed to stay over this entire time. He deserves it this year.
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