simonworden

I thought the show was a little more watchable than a few weeks ago to be honest. Not spectacular all the way through but enjoyable.

 

Fast forwarded through Ryback Vs Big Show. That was really fucking deflating to see they had to have a match after the segment. It would have been much better to let them be a little more separate after the cheesy rumble angle which I enjoyed. Although I hear show might just be the "first announced entrant" not the real number one entry. Hope that isn't true as I like a grizzled old Big Show trying to show he is still the man by entering number 1. They could tie this into him winning the battle royal last year and possibly trying to defend the trophy this year. Gives him something to do and keeps him out the way of important stuff.

 

Sasha and Becky seemed odd and messy, I suggest listening to JR's podcast with Russo for a good insight there into a big problem with wrestling and the Diva Revolution

 

I love Vince, he is a parody of himself right now but still knows how to generate heat, I wonder where this is going to go though as I quite like HHH Vs Roman for Mania but could see it being at the Rumble if this is the Sheamus blow off. Either that or they insert another challenger into the mix for the Rumble PPV, no idea who, meaning probably rematch city. Roman has no legit full time heels who could be worth challengers in the next 6-12 months bar a returning Rollins. 

 

Everything else was easy TV to watch for me, nothing spectacular but nothing terrible. They seem to be making the product a little more enjoyable, so next its about pushing that to unmissable!

 

I'm not sure if losing some of the roster for one week was a good thing or a bad thing. We got a bit much of some people, but now I'm interested in seeing the people I missed next week

The Divas award think was a piss take of the recent Miss Universe fuck up, a poor one at that. 

 

Summer 08, pre dates Steph/Orton.

Exactly, thought so.

 

Wow I was way off had 2010 in my head for some reason, starting to feel my age

One thing from that show that I absolutely loved watching on the Network over the course of the last couple nights, quite simply the lighting of that arena was wonderful. The ring gloriously lit the first few rows in ambiance, and the rest pretty much darkness. Had a real old school look to it, the type of lighting Austin raves about every other podcast. Just had a great feel to it solely down to the lighting. 

 

More of this WWE.

 

A good show that with opener being my fave match of the card by a long way.

I really liked it but thought maybe just a tiny bit too dark during matches because of the ridge at wembley. When they zoomed out and put the lights up a bit so far away looked almost black and white I thought it looked fantastic

I guess Jericho punching Michaels' wife was the last one although that was ppv and supposed to be accidental

How far did they get with the Washington show. Was it just behind the scenes penciled in for Washington or had they started to announce and sell tickets?

Perhaps a drop in ratings will convince the network to cut back?

Stupid comparison but I was thinking when you said they find it a ballache that I feel similar about my classes. 3 hour ones on paper pay more and my students get more. However I am constantly trying to fill a 3rd hour without having to cover next weeks stuff. That said sometimes 2 hours isnt enough for me. Cant see WWE having that problem right now

didnt watch without reading spoilers first but a few angles and matches seemed worth skimming. Dreamer was a nice touch but "family" was the wrong word unless Spike is going to be the 4th man at TLC or something. I could see RVD being involved if Spike isn't as i'm not sure on his status in wrestling

 

The Charlotte turn intrigued me not sure if it is to make lynch more of a top babyface or for the rumored Sacha turn coming. I think it works as Team Bad and Brie Bella, Fox are not really working as Heels for me anymore so someone else is needed. Just get rid of daddy next to her as he kills her heat. Can see a 3 way possibly ladder match or even TLC and the PPV

 

League of Nations, hmmm well at least some solid guys have something to work with now, unsure where it goes though and although none will set the world on fire individually between them and the New Day I feel theyre and acceptable bunch of heels at the top while the roster is so thin. Just can't see who will be the big heels going into wrestlemania season. Them and Triple H that's it as the Wyatts are midcard for a good while now in my opinion

 

Reigns Vs Sheamus, can see why they did it and it was ok for me but I really think they should have done the switch their and then, the league could be brought in later but perhaps if they dont have the champ they are a loser stable from the get go, not just next month. However the switch would have spiced things up and bar completely changing the formula which they need to more shock and surprises is what they need. I'd have been tempted to have Roman come out superman punch and get the pin before anyone could run in. Hell reverse the decision  if you have to later

didnt watch without reading spoilers first but a few angles and matches seemed worth skimming. Dreamer was a nice touch but "family" was the wrong word unless Spike is going to be the 4th man at TLC or something. I could see RVD being involved if Spike isn't as i'm not sure on his status in wrestling

 

The Charlotte turn intrigued me not sure if it is to make lynch more of a top babyface or for the rumored Sacha turn coming. I think it works as Team Bad and Brie Bella, Fox are not really working as Heels for me anymore so someone else is needed. Just get rid of daddy next to her as he kills her heat. Can see a 3 way possibly ladder match or even TLC and the PPV

 

League of Nations, hmmm well at least some solid guys have something to work with now, unsure where it goes though and although none will set the world on fire individually between them and the New Day I feel theyre and acceptable bunch of heels at the top while the roster is so thin. Just can't see who will be the big heels going into wrestlemania season. Them and Triple H that's it as the Wyatts are midcard for a good while now in my opinion

 

Reigns Vs Sheamus, can see why they did it and it was ok for me but I really think they should have done the switch their and then, the league could be brought in later but perhaps if they dont have the champ they are a loser stable from the get go, not just next month. However the switch would have spiced things up and bar completely changing the formula which they need to more shock and surprises is what they need. I'd have been tempted to have Roman come out superman punch and get the pin before anyone could run in. Hell reverse the decision  if you have to later

Once upon a time I would've argued about a hot tag angle and big match up feel being a possibility but I think we all know that's not going to happen.

That WWE Corporate stuff definitely seems like a clever little storyline which will see 'WWE Corporate' which the NXT fans will of course hate trying to get their claws into the brand. No idea where it will go but I assume it will be for some form of takeover near Mania. Maybe on the Mania card itself but I kind of hope not.

The problem with reducing the content is the money they would lose and of course refuse to do so.

 

Is Main Event on TV now or is it just the 5 hours of RAW and SD?

 

I would love to cut the third hour of RAW out because PPV's shouldnt be the same length or shorter than your weekly TV

 

I'd love to chuck smackdown and just have RAW and a B/C show

 

If you have to keep smackdown decide on 1 or 2 storylines that have their big moments on the blue show rather than just the little filler bits like it is now

 

But thats a problem there's usually only 1 or 2 storylines full stop nowadays, they really need to be pushing 6-10 storylines that can overlap now. With a writing team so big I dont understand how plots can be so weak

 

My main question was, what can they do with a 3rd hour if they can cut it. It needs to be as must see as Raw but without being a drag.

Do you try to show DVD style documentaries and previews of network content?- Would showing Breaking Ground a week later draw?

Do you do something with 2- 30 minute slots bookending raw?

Could stand alone event type things work like tournaments, a cruiser show etc

Stick NXT on as the final hour?

How about producing something more real like breaking ground on the main roster?

The problem with reducing the content is the money they would lose and of course refuse to do so.

 

Is Main Event on TV now or is it just the 5 hours of RAW and SD?

 

I would love to cut the third hour of RAW out because PPV's shouldnt be the same length or shorter than your weekly TV

 

I'd love to chuck smackdown and just have RAW and a B/C show

 

If you have to keep smackdown decide on 1 or 2 storylines that have their big moments on the blue show rather than just the little filler bits like it is now

 

But thats a problem there's usually only 1 or 2 storylines full stop nowadays, they really need to be pushing 6-10 storylines that can overlap now. With a writing team so big I dont understand how plots can be so weak

 

My main question was, what can they do with a 3rd hour if they can cut it. It needs to be as must see as Raw but without being a drag.

Do you try to show DVD style documentaries and previews of network content?- Would showing Breaking Ground a week later draw?

Do you do something with 2- 30 minute slots bookending raw?

Could stand alone event type things work like tournaments, a cruiser show etc

Stick NXT on as the final hour?

How about producing something more real like breaking ground on the main roster?

I love Eva Marie because she is so easy to hate (which I do too). I'm now pretty sure they're going for an annoying Kardashian style character. I couldn't tell at first but those promos she did a few weeks back proved it's more than just her, they are deliberately trying to make her an annoying personality vacuum (quite an up to date character for WWE really!). 

 

I actually find it irritating most of her heat seems to come from her background though, but if it helps get her over and we have a super shallow heel character going on which people universally wants to see get beat up then great. Plot lines are also of course being drawn for months of interesting female stories as said before.

 

Bayley vs Nia Jax & Eva Maria followed by involvement of Asuka (I assume this will occur to set up Nia Jax Vs Asuka sometime) and others getting involved until a Nia Jax turn on Eva Maria being the final payoff. I expect that will happen next year (if they go the expect route at all) around the time Bayley will be getting pulled up.

Someone made a point here a few months back when ambrose was hot in his feud with Rollins that they should have put a sign up saying "ambrose always wins" meaning they often look strong in some capacity not necessarily winning which is definitely what they need to do with a few of the guys they want to or could get to main event level

 

However it would be nice if next to that sign there was a "if segment one or last segment are the same 2 weeks running then Vince fires you". Back in the day my dad used to joke when I would wat smack down Saturday mornings on sky 1 that it was always 30 minutes of talking. Now I see his point. How often does raw open with a hot match. Hell they could even have it started and show a reply of a hit dive or something that happened during the credits. Cole can say how the fans were to excited to wait any longer or something. Endings should always give you a reason to tune into the next show they want you to. It should almost always be an EastEnders style thud thud thud that goes off in your head most weeks and happy endings should be saved for ppv and the very occasional raw

 

There's more focus on the wrestling over skits to make it easier to market in non English speaking countries, not catering to fans who moaned on the Internet 12 years ago.

But wrestling doesn't draw money. Only a minuscule amount of fans pay for wrestling because they think a match will be good. Characters, storylines, angles, feuds, personal issues etc. That's what draws money. The three biggest stars ever weren't stars because of their matches. It was the stories surrounding the matches and the bond that their character had with the audience that made people pay to see them.

So as much as you say that there's more focus on wrestling to market the product overseas, it doesn't matter because those markets are given no reason to spend any money. When you offer about 8 hours of wrestling for free a week, what incentive is there to buy a PPV or an overpriced ticket to a live show? Why buy the merchandise of a wrestler with no character or likeable traits when all they do is wrestle the same three people every week in the same match up with the finishes reversed for no reason?

Us lot are the absolute last people they should be trying to please.

 

 

Thats just not true, the markets are given plenty of reason to spend money, just not enough opportunities. Many of my students love WWE they have the network and watch it on TV. However they can't get much in the way of licensed products or go see live shows etc because it just isn't available.

 

However the idea that more angles make it less digestible is so silly as well. I've heard it before and assume it could be wwe's real stance but. Most spoken parts are dubbed or subbed its what the kids do remember. I don't get them tell me about moves and work rate but they do ask his the undertaker appeared from nowhere and keep saying catchphrases. If it is the case as to why we get less engaging angles then if they think they cant use them in all markets take them out and play dark matches instead.

Watching some NJPW on NJ World. Noticing the entrance themes seem dubbed. either that or its gone way down hill. Any reason why?

I thought the stuff with Paige on Raw was ok to be fair, I saw it coming and that was purely because she started showing some very very slight dissent a few weeks ago, not enough for most people to notice I don't think but she obviously was less happy storyline wise with PCB. I can see the comparisons to AJ Less but I don't think she is trying to do the "I'm the only real wrestler" thing AJ was. This is more a tough girl not being happy her mates have come along and stolen her spot. She comes across a little more unpredictable and vicious than AJ did like when she was confronting Natalya had an air of awkwardness about it in that if I was Natalya I would be worried what she's going to do next in close confines. I never got that with AJ

Watching this week, I thought while it's obvious she is still fairly useless, Eva Marie does have one thing about her, which I'm not sure is intentional and should be. When I saw the way she interviews and how fake it was, to the way she walks to the ring, does her make up and even the way she beat down Carmella before trying to look "cute" for the camera and jump around, I got the same loathing I get for a Kardashian on my screen. For me that's just what WWE need is someone trying to be one of them in mannerisms, I want to see them get beat up for sure. Hopefully this is part of her gimmick being a Californian girl and not just coincidence

 

 

I know these little "cool" crowds tend to have fans who just want to joke and chant for shits and giggles, but sometimes I have to also knock the heels who are getting cheered. I've heard plenty of people say if your a heel and you get cheered your doing something wrong. I know its hard these days with lots of the heel stuff banned and heels being cool but surely its not that hard to act like a dick on screen

Not sure if I see Cena vs Triple H or Rollins vs Triple H for mania, now you mention it I can see the latter proceeding the former.

 

The Zigler stuff is the shits as said before. The only thing I hoped for was when Lana stormed off and he turned away was to see a little smug grin like he had got away with a lot more than either was saying In the shower. That could have made the story interesting and led back to a pissed off Lana and Ruse reuniting against impure america

 

Also anyone else think Paige looked royally fucked off in her appearances last night. Even during Lynch's match. She didn't even look ather team mates properly. Not sure iI imagined it just noticed immiedately she had a right face on her

I thought it was Vince's doing as a way to fuck with both competitors. Maybe they were not being fierce enough rivals or something as well, but I'm fairly sure it was just Vince being a dick and no bigger reason was given (stunners or rock bottoms could have preceded his involvement)

If I recall the first time I remember seeing them was No Mercy 2002, however I wasnt watching much Raw at the time so it could have been a few weeks before. They didnt have them at Unforgiven the previous month.

 

Could the change have been to modernise and as the new Smackdown Tag belts were going to look more like the old belts they went with a newer design for Raw? as with a lot of things until survivor series on Raw they were horrible

Rivermead used to have the potential for a good set up. I saw a small show with Shane Douglas in 2003 there and that didn't need all the room it had but you could see the potential for more than the usual leisure centre as it has two big ass tiers that I assume can be moved closer to the ring giving more of a mini arena feel than a leisure centre feel. Will the usual acoustics issue affect the show..maybe.

 

Going to this is possible as my Vietnamese visa runs out an I'm changing job just not sure if I am moving countries. If I am I need to fuck off back to blighty for a while however if I stay in here then I was thinking it's cheaper just to go see New Japan in the full  next year. Will have to see wish I had the money to have the best of both worlds or that flights cost the same as bus tickets!

My first show was in Bournemouth Febuary 2002, Scott Conway's The Wrestling Alliance (TWA) just starting to slow down before its close in 03/04.

 

The card is vague in my head and there is almost no record of it now online however.. it was something like this

 

Robbie Brookside vs ????????????? (Tournament semi final)

Karl Krammer Vs Adam Angel (Tournament semi final)

Doug Williams Vs Dave Taylor

The UK Kid Vs Julio Torres Vs ?????? (possibly an FWA rookie at the time like Simmons, Tighe, Ghosh)

Robbie Brookside Vs Karl Krammer tournament final tables match

 

I remember being super excited and getting into the chanting with some old followers from back in the day who were always at the Bournemouth shows. 3 years later after no shows in the town for some time WAW promoted and we saw the old man and his family again. Sadly the next time I saw them in 2007/8 he was not with them anymore sadly.

 

Was super excited to see the table spot and because it was unreserved seating we bagged front row. We didn't even know of Dave Taylor then. Interesting to think that from the card Taylor was on at least 1 WWE PPV  a few years later, Brookside is now a trainer, we know what Doug's done and a few names have also dark matched or jabbered for big promotions too.

 

A show a few months later was amazing however and looked like this. Was supposed to be a 4 team night. Allstar Vs TWA Vs WAW Vs International

 

The Shooting Star Vs Jodie Fleisch

Johnny Storm Vs Doug Williams

Robin Knightwing Vs Ricky Knight

Zebra Kid Vs Juventud Guerrera - With Phil Powers and Ricky Knight causing a DQ

Robbie Brookside Vs A German guy who was awesome and name escapes me

12 man tag elimination which was almost too big for the ring

Storm/Fleisch/Brookside Vs Williams /Knightwing/ Adam Angel (not 100% sure)? Vs Phil Powers/Zebra Kid/ Ricky Knight Vs Shooting Star/ Juvi/ German Guy

 

Strangely it was super heated for such a small show. Wish I could remember a few of the extra names

to me the GFW TNA things seems to be going towards more of a working agreement thing. TNA have TV (now) but live events are dead. GFW have some form of live events going on with a little success (really don't know how much). I do wonder if TNA will be the TV to GFWs live events in some way

Chyna would have been right up shit creek if Jarrett didnt put her over. He'd out smarted her and gotten the better of her at every turn, as well as beating up every woman they had on the roster. The angle was designed for Chyna to get one over on the man. Imagine if he'd have just walked out after slapping all those women about for months? This was before the days when women beat men every weekend on the indies. Chyna winning the IC title was a big novelty at the time. Jarrett held a lot of cards. Not forgetting of course that the money he was asking for was money he earned. It was his PPV money.

 

How did they get into a position where they knew what the pay off was but without a key part under contract? Did they not expect Jeff to leave as they were smashing WCW at the time. Did Jeff change his mind due to the stuff with Austin refusing to work with him or something else much sillier?