The Official UKFF RAW thread (part 2)...

[AndyUK]

You'd think it'd make sense for him to turn up at the end of Roman v Solo, but then he's clearly been building to a match with Cody so god knows. 

[DavidB6937]

Don't know what you're all worried about. As soon as Rock comes out he's getting jumped by the Wyatts so Rowan can get his revenge.

[d-d-d-dAz]

Let him face Seth Rollins. They're both too close to derailing Wrestlemania season for my preferred wrestlers, so may as well box them off together.

There's nothing The Rock could be involved with that leads to a match that's better than the alternative.

The Rock vs Roman fills me with existential dread. I'm sure the last 5 minutes would be fine if Dwayne gets that far, but Christ the first 40 would be slow.

[TheScarlettChad]

32 minutes ago, Gooner said:

Fantastic The Rock has confirmed himself and will be showing up tomorrow night and hopefully means he'll be involved against Reigns, Rhodes or both at Wrestlemania this year. 

He isn't wrestling Cody is he? He posted about his Samoan heritage. He's coming after Roman. Cody vs Cena is the big rumor. 

[d-d-d-dAz]

9 minutes ago, TheScarlettChad said:

He isn't wrestling Cody is he? He posted about his Samoan heritage. He's coming after Roman. Cody vs Cena is the big rumor. 

[Gooner]

4 minutes ago, TheScarlettChad said:

He isn't wrestling Cody is he? He posted about his Samoan heritage. He's coming after Roman. Cody vs Cena is the big rumor. 

I have no idea, I didn't see what he posted, just went was said by a poster on here in this thread that he is going to be on Raw tomorrow.  Since that PPV Bad Blood show where The Rock came out with Reigns and Rhodes in the ring at the end and him coming out I took it as him coming for both, but i cant see him coming back for two singles matches in next few months, so I was thinking one of them or have them both in a triple threat. Going by what you have said it does seem to imply it will be The Rock vs Reigns and I never had a clue about Rhodes vs Cena possibly happening at Wrestlemania, that of course would be huge.

[d-d-d-dAz]

Honest to goodness, if they keep Seth/Punk rolling until April I'll be distraught.

[TheScarlettChad]

10 minutes ago, d-d-d-dAz said:

Honest to goodness, if they keep Seth/Punk rolling until April I'll be distraught.

It honestly makes me feel queasy, thinking about it.

[RedTwoster]

We were all wanting Rock/Roman at one point this year, and I’m still fine with it; but the problem is that they’ve once again put themselves in a position where they’ve done some interesting things to build up to another match - Roman/Punk in this case. I’d love to see that get a longer build, and happen next year, with Roman/Punk being the next big story after all of the Bloodline stuff wraps up. If you have Roman/Punk brewing on Raw with the involvement of Heyman, and an alliance of Owens, McIntyre and perhaps Rollins wreaking havoc on Smackdown, those are two strong year-long stories, especially if the second one culminates in Sami Zayn winning his first world title.

EDIT: On another note, Triole H has now confirmed the run time off Raw on Netflix will be flexible, meaning it’ll fit whatever the story they’re telling requires.

Edited January 5, 2025 by RedTwoster

[Devon Malcolm]

18 minutes ago, RedTwoster said:

We were all wanting Rock/Roman at one point this year

[Guest]

Roman Reigns wins the rumble, chooses Cody as his opponent. Cody comes out and stares him down, tells him he's looking forward to their rubber match.

"But not at Wrestlemania"

Rocks music hits - Cody hands him the belt as he leaves, going into a midcard grudge match with Randy Orton.

 

A year ago, the tease was specifically for Rock/Cody. While I agree with everyone else that Rock/Roman and Cena/Cody is more interesting, I don't know how thought through that plan was.

[The King of Old School]

I would have liked Reigns/Punk at Mania but keeping that on the back burner for Summerslam considering that is 2 nights this year is fine with me.

Let's finally get this Rock/Reigns match done, along with Cena/Cody. Two belting Mania headline matches there.

[Supremo]

As if tonight’s show couldn’t be more exciting, we’ve now got Dwayne’s bullshit politics on top of it! He probably rushed from last night’s Golden Globes to start ripping up Hunter’s script and telling him the new plan. Nice Wrestlemania card you’ve got there, Paul. Would be a real shame if someone completely changed it. Know your role and pass the pen!

It is a real testament to Hunter’s product though. Ten to fifteen years ago, this is just what happened every year. The real stars would come in for Mania season and everyone would just accept it. It was better than whatever dreck we had, anyway. But current WWE has become so creatively satisfying to the audience that watch* that Rocky showing up feels like this huge disruption that could ruin everything.

*Except that one lad obsessed with the World Title always being the main focus, of course. Hope he gets Gunther tonight.

Assuming The Rock is now in, I’d go with Roman vs. Punk on Night One and Rock vs. Cody on Night Two. They’re the biggest matches with all the names available. It also uses Rock in the most productive way, building on the amazing buzz he and Cody had last year. That big angle in the rain deserves a one-on-one pay-off and although it’s never been mentioned since, I want them to continue that storyline where Rock handed Cody something on the night after Wrestlemania. Best idea I’ve heard is that Rock handed him the number thirty, signifying Rock was putting himself in the Rumble and coming for Cody’s belt.

If Rock brings his Family Tree PowerPoint and insists on Rock vs. Roman? Then I’d pull the trigger on Cody vs. Punk. Not only is that a huge match that gives Phil the Mania main event, but doing that match on the biggest stage possible feels like a death knell to AEW. The ultimate dick swing. You had this match and you let it fall through your fingers. Watch us main event one of the biggest shows of all time with it.

I also love the idea that Raw on Netflix won’t have a set time. That’s definitely for the better. Segments that are dying can go home early. Segments that catch fire don’t need to be rushed. And it’ll be a huge benefit if main events don’t have to conclude precisely on the hour. It’s always a bit of a buzzkill when you know exactly when the finish is coming. Every false finish suddenly has a million times more drama.

Saw this poster doing the rounds. Belter.

This show feels humongous now. Even when WWE was at its worst, they could always nail these big tentpole TV shows. Now that they’re on fire, the sky is the limit.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to watch this live. But on the plus side, tomorrow is the day my kids return to school. This will be the ferocity with which I Irish Whip them through those school gates in order to rush home and watch this show.

Edited January 6, 2025 by Supremo

[DavidB6937]

It's alright. We all know what the real Mania feud is.

 

 

[Kfogg1991]

I think this is the first time I've been truly excited for raw and a WWE show for a long long time.

 

It just feels special and if anything outside of mania is going to give us big it's this.

 

I'm not ashamed of being excited either because this company was the only thing to look forward to and believe in my entire life in foster care I had this. Being sectioned I had WWE and UFC which made me feel better and get let out of hospital which didn't seem possible. 

Let's go