GeronimoJacksBeard

1 hour ago, textonly said:

The Smackdown tag division is suffering, right...

Or just quietly drop the belts, keep the women’s tags exclusive to Smackers and the men’s exclusive to Raw. Absolutely no need for so many tag belts as it is and despite their immense roster and amount of tv time they’ve seemed to always struggled to have more than one worthwhile tag division. I like a travelling champion gimmick, but I’d rather it was just a few titles and all champions travelled between brands. Doesn’t make a lick of sense that just the girls tags do.

Judging by Brays “i’ll see ya next week!”, hoping they’ll be a few more weeks of the fun house for @Astro Hollywood to potentially dissect before Wyatt turns up on Raw proper. Feel like there’s probably a whole bunch of nods/homages/Easter eggs in this video and any more to come. Mercy the Buzzard has to be a nod to Waylon, right?

I’m another dickhead that’s fully on board right now and stupidly excited by it. I’ve watched the video a bunch of times already, but he got me first time around when he was originally hyped to turn up on the main roster.

Yoweewowow! It’s just refreshing to have something so utterly different to break up the usual monotony of Raw and such an intriguing direction for Bray that’s long overdue.

Heel Doink was exactly the vibe I got from it too and the impression I got in how it would translate as far matches and that are concerned. Wouldn’t surprise me if he was a fan of that gimmick. Love the direction it’s taken so far at least and intrigued to see more. And good on him, he’s looking fucking tremendous. Wonder if he will wrestle in that lovely sweater?

8 minutes ago, Mat said:

Why would Charlotte be behind it?

Am I missing something?

Andrade is throwing it up Charlotte. Charlotte is on Smacky D. Zelina manages Andrade. Black is married to Zelina.

I don’t at all care for Undisputed Era myself. Booking that pops the “you’re not my real Dad” lot with featuring internet faves prominently on the Raw after WrestleMania is not a foreign concept they’ve never done before. Neither is debuting some Indy lads together presented strongly as a group. The nod there being the novel setting, being The Shields last night proper.

Was the puppet not a buzzard? Clearly seems to be implying Bray. I can’t help but actually be intrigued what the fuck is going on there.

Doing The New Day and Seth stuff and it being Ambrose’ last night (the open acknowledgment of which has all been a bit odd) and it being Monday Night AfterWrestleManiRaw felt like a good setting to do New Day vs Shield as the main, all things considered. Which, as Supremo touched on, would have made a wonderful setting for “Shock the System” and Undisputed Era to arrive, wreak havoc and debut.

Only watched the sliced up YouTube version, which surely doesn’t help, but seemed like a fairly flat, uneventful Raw for the night after the big one.

3 hours ago, Joe Blog said:

The Demon really is a massive example of WWE not understanding a concept and just fucking it up completely.

Nah. They created the concept, giving him a reason behind painting up instead of just being a cosplay artist. The concept is good (in the comic book universe of wrestling) but perhaps not executed as well as it could have been. Someone else said Finn hasn’t got the chops to pull it off, so he’d have to shoulder some of the blame. I’d be inclined to agree, but some of his pre-WWE dress up performances he was great at incorporating a different edge depending on the influence of the paint job and there’s been a couple of occasions where he’s looked the absolute bollocks doing the Demon schtick. In NXT against Tyler Breeze and last years SummerSlam is what I’m thinking of.

For the most part I’ve thought the Demon gimmick is crap, Finn just coming across far too camp, perfectly rehearsed and polished in his entrance to come across at all threatening. The weird headdress thing doesn’t help. He can look really cool with the full body paint on occasion, but Mick Foley taking off a mask, ripping off a shirt to reveal a t-shirt and transform into Cactus Jack it isn’t. He literally just comes across as someone whose thrown some face paint on usually. Which is a shame as something as simple as that can be and has been a great storytelling tool in the wacky world of wrestling.

For me, it should be a transformation he doesn’t particularly have control over. Picking and choosing when he does and revealing it beforehand like on Raw plays a big part in killing it for me, but especially with the way he plays it in those segments. At SummerSlam last year against Corbin I was almost back on board though. There was a point before the match when he’s standing in the ring looking down on Corbin shitting it outside as the lights came back on. The camera angle was great and made Finn look awesome and then he proceeded to squash Corbin quickfast and it all came across great. Easily the best The Demon has been presented since Finn has been on Raw.

Is this the first time since then he’s going full minstrel? Might come across great at ‘Mania I guess, but I was glad he didn’t against Brock as I could only see it looking as ridiculous as it is really, against him.

7 hours ago, The King of Old School said:

Absolutely no chance, it's a triple threat match.

 

It’s the most likely it’s been that it might not be a triple threat, having just positioned Ronda as the heel. I can still see it being Charlotte/Asuka and (perhaps naively) hope it goes that way. Their match last year wasn’t set up or made clear until Fast Lane, could see that being mirrored this year. Throwing Asuka into the mix from ‘Mania could give them like 6 months worth of big PPV matches between those four. Yeah, I’m definitely being naive actually.

The Shield have become WWEs nWo. So many re-runs now, none of which have hit the mark. I don’t need to see those lads together anymore. Roman is 10 times the star of the other two.

Echoing all the sentiments for Becky. Christ, she’s the bollocks. Goosebumps when she sauntered out after attacking Ronda. Not had that with anything WWE for a long old while. And yeah, could not have looked any more badass with the blood. Funny how things happen sometimes. Close to being the only thing I give a shit about with WWE currently, but I enjoyed the opening segment too and it actually almost felt like they might just be able to salvage Braun yet. So fucking refreshing made a point that he doesn’t give a shit about representing Raw. Bet he’s still in a red shirt come Sunday mind.

But Becky/Ronda. Absolute money. You get the sense from Rondas socials that she’s well up for this and excited as fuck to be working Becky. Becky seems to really be over with all sorts there as well. I really hope they click in the ring too and it’s as magic as it feels it could be. I’m only interested in Ronda against Becky of anyone on the roster except maybe some point Asuka if she can be salvaged. Don’t agree that Becky needs to win Sunday though, but she needs to look strong/badass in defeat. If Becky wins I’m not sure where she goes from there immediately after. I thought of Becky losing but never quitting ala Bret/Austin after Supremos pic on the previous page also. I love the idea of ref stoppage from Ronda breaking Beckys arm and then Becky rocking up in a cast and reminding everyone constantly she never quit, claiming she can beat Ronda and she will. They’re aware of Beckys popularity and it gaining traction. Michael Cole made some comment after the Evolution match basically acknowledging as much and seemingly hinting towards embracing it. With someone like Becky, an internet favourite, sometimes a loss can work out better for her as the fans will rally behind her even more, feeling Ronda has been “chosen” over her. If Becky loses but never quits here, reminds us about it constantly, defends her belt with her arm in a cast but then is forced to vacate it by Steph or something akin to Vince not letting Austin wrestle with the neck injury. She disappears for a short bit, then rocks up on Raw to take out Ronda before ‘Mania or wins the Women’s Rumble and challenges Ronda (or both) and gives Ronda her first defeat at ‘Mania. Yes please.

I’ve no doubt they’ll be going with Ronda/Charlotte still though.

So incredibly frustrating how much potential there is for awesome shit to be going on and how often some momentum or an interesting scenario suddenly presents itself, but that excitement is killed dead almost instantly.

Agreed with another post that all of a sudden, this Brock doing what he wants, holding the title hostage deal has some legs and could produce some good tv. Did at least, until this show was done with. Imagine if Braun and Brock hadn’t really touched yet, or at the least hadn’t crossed paths during Brocks title reign. If Brauns buzz hadn’t simmered, they hadn’t already had a title match and Braun cashes in forcing Brock to appear and defend, it could have been as hot as Goldberg dethroning Hogan when Braun goes over.

Braun having the MITB contract is the perfect storyline for this Brock angle and to actually do something different with the cash in for once. And fuck me Braun is a monster, who constantly, confidently smashes through everything and everyone and has wanted at Brock for a while. Why on earth would he not be demanding Brock appear and defend his title in this scenario. It’s a massively noticeable, logic flaw and lacking continuity with Brauns character. That could pretty much only be forgiven if they’re having Braun rock up at Brocks ranch and start throwing trees and horses around demanding his title match like I think someone mentioned here, or showing up at UFC and flipping the Octogan over.

Rollins could have been an exciting challenger for SummerSlam too. That crowd would be well into him having a crack at Lesnar. Reckon that would produce a great atmosphere and probably a tremendous match too. Such easy ways to have got there too. Keep the IC title on Seth, continue him being the fighting baby face champion, every show, having an exciting matches each time. The complete opposite of what Lesnars reign has become recognised as. Being the top singles champion on Raw who is there all the time, successfully defending it, have him positioned as such. Just start acting like he’s your main champion and referring to him that way in Brocks absence. Give him PPV main events, then start having Seth taking shots at Brock and claiming himself as the true champion of Raw. They could have done some nice build for this since WrestleMania and have the audience throbbing at the idea of Seth taking the belt off Lesnar. And fuck it, put the belt on Rollins at SummerSlam, next night on Raw, a bitter Reigns turns on him in a callback to The Shield split.

The Bruno Special is well worth a watch. Only 45 mins but feels longer, in a good way. There's some fascinating footage. It's great that WWE seem to always have some cameras on when there's these big events and have a bunch of awesome material to put these things together. Incredible to think of some of the stuff that might surface in the years to come. But there's amazing footage from Bruno's day too. Triple H seems genuinely so absolutely chuffed that he's back around and on good terms with the company again. Fucking love Bruno, a really pretty incredible story from his childhood. You really get a feel for and can see why he was so popular and such a big babyface. Feel like he'd probably be massively popular today, as hard as that can be with todays crowds. Just seems an absolute class act in every regard.

14 hours ago, Jacko said:

Braun really is monster over isn’t he? Its  the reaction they are seeking for Roman but are never going to get.

13 hours ago, Kaz Hayashi said:

The thing is though, as soon as they start giving him the WWE 'full attention' rub, he'll be booed to fuck. I don't trust them anymore, they have a track record of eventually realising who the fans really like and then fucking it up by being overbearing. 

That tag match started and i was a little "awww...they've missed the fucking boat on Braun haven't they!?" And then he made that hot tag and i'm more "This guy! THIS FUCKING GUY!" I've been fearing they might have missed the boat and that, having nailed all his comedy bits, they were going to go overboard with it and do the whole overbearing thing. I'm starting to think he might just be the rarest of rarest and that nothing will truly harm him. He's just absolute money and so bloody likeable, i'm not sure the crowd would turn on him even if he was presented as the number one guy. Which would be truly remarkable considering he's not been in the game long and isn't an indy darling. They've got something special with that big wonderful bastard and it'll be a travesty if it all goes to shit. Honestly, found myself watching a youtube 'Origins of' on Braun the other day and then several others like some vids of him larking about as an early Rosebud. Fucking love him.

There was a thread on here recently that brought up the prospect of Braun and Reigns ending up being career rivals and ever since i've really hoped that turns out to be the case. I enjoyed their matches and feud immensely and i'm desperately hoping that shortly down the line they clash again but with roles revered (well, kind of) with Braun being fully the crowds guy and Reigns actually being heel proper. Braun finally dethroning Lesnar, when Reigns repeatedly couldn't and simultaneously being fully accepted by the crowd might be just the ticket to finally have Reigns have had enough and tell the fans to stick it brother.

Other Raw things - Glad they went for a proper tribute for Bruno. Sami and KO were tremendous, loved how KO took/sold those shoulder tackles. Enjoyed Miztourage in this role and hope they continue to try and find someone to fill the Mizvoid rather than just quietly disappearing.

2 hours ago, BomberPat said:

I'm not sure when he used the name Levi Wyatt, either - 

...I do vaguely remember one of him backed up by Eli Cottonwood before Eli was replaced by Luke Harper.

 

That's precisely the only time i recall he was referred to as Levi. That promo (which is probably my favourite promo he's ever done), which was basically an introduction to the new character in FCW, when i first saw it he was named Levi, but then it was very, very shortly after changed to Bray. So good chance he never actually wrestled under Levi. Brought it up as thought maybe that name was making reference to something rather than Bray.

On 4/5/2018 at 3:49 PM, Glenryck Pilchards said:

Am I going mad? I am writing a wrestling quiz and I am sure in the past I came over a titbit that Bray Wyatt got his name from Stand by Me (If not that another Stephen King inspired film) where the radio announcer says "...and this song goes out to Bray Wyatt and his sister Abigail"

I have tried googling to confirm this and I cannot find anything. Have I completely made this up? I am looking at @Astro Hollywood to answer this after his brilliant dissection of the character on his blog. 

Probably doesn't help or mean anything to you, but i'm sure i remember he went through a few names/gimmicks in a short period of time before settling on the Bray Wyatt gimmick and name, one being under a leatherface style mask as Axel Mulligan, although the eventual character of Wyatt was initially and very briefly Levi Wyatt or similar. 

If they're to ever turn Roman proper, he NEEDS to be on the same show as D-Bry.

4 hours ago, Your Fight Site said:

That, and the Del Rio/Sasha Banks double knees, where the opponent has to pull themselves up to be hit with the move. How does a move like that get developed?

“So I’m thinking it’d be cool if you held yourself up whilst I knee-dropped you.”
“And I’d do that because…?”

56 minutes ago, bbabba said:

Del Rio's finisher has for years been my most hated thing in any aspect of wrestling.  Such a contrived set up that slaps you in the face and completely kills any suspension of disbelief you're trying to hold to enjoy a match.  The counter to the move is literally to not hold yourself up in position to take it.

Worse still, for me, slapping your own leg as you're opponent strikes you! Worst thing in the world. Fucking detest it. That's not being a smark dickhead pointing it out, because it's the most blatant thing in the world as nobody tries to hide it! EVERY fucker does it, even guys considered great workers, no attempt to disguise it and do it with every single fucking strike. It's one thing doing it when you're performing your own move to enhance it, but at least disguise it in some way. There's some things that seem to regularly occur in wrestling these days just because "it's wrestling" and we all know it's pretend and it's more accepted these days, but when it's so obvious it really takes something away and takes you out of it.

Rey, HBK and Del Rio were pretty good at it and perhaps caused the popularity of its use today, but they disguised it and saved it for particular big strikes that made them seem/sound deadly. 

On ‎03‎/‎04‎/‎2018 at 5:33 PM, Uncle Zeb said:

Wasn't it a case of someone telling him the kick was his best looking move and should therefore be his finish? Not sure if I read that in his autobiography or somewhere else.

It was, perhaps almost unsurprisingly, the genius that is Pat Patterson that pulled him aside and said the suplex thing is shit, that kick - that's your finish. Shawn tells the story in his Stone Cold Podcast.

Had a hunch it might not have been meant seriously. Just wasn't sure what the gag was! But, yes. I see. Now.

Remember Sheryl Crow? Now you do.

On ‎27‎/‎03‎/‎2018 at 8:14 PM, Keith Houchen said:

Pisses on the original.

Wow. Couldn't disagree more, butchered a classic. Was coming in to post the original. 'Dreams' and 'Linger' worthy too, frankly.

Can't figure out embedding...

Longpigs - 'She Said'

Spin Doctors - 'Two Princes'

Space - 'Female of the Species'

Catatonia - 'Mulder and Scully'