Wrestlemania 41 Discussion Thread

[d-d-d-dAz]

1 minute ago, RedTwoster said:

He’s a big star, so clearly he offers something. Celebrity involvement has been a thing in wrestling long before TKO and Netflix came about - look at the success they’ve had with Bad Bunny and Logan Paul, for example.

I don't know, I think this is different. They've made no effort to build Travis Scott into the story really, or acclimatise the audience to him.

They've always had a couple of approaches to celebrities; one option is it's just for a bit of fun so you live further down the card, or you actually put a bit of work in your end and we'll try and make it credible and maybe let you interact with the real stars. K-Fed, Bunny and Logan Paul all put real work in.

So far, Travis Scott's involvement has been right at the very tippy top of the card, but the audience haven't been given a reason to care beyond 'he's a big deal'.

It's shit. It's the Wrestlemania main event, there HAS to be more to it than selling chocolate cones in the CONE ZONE and platforming someone because of their Spotify streams.

[Devon Malcolm]

Nobody cared about Travis Scott when he came out. He's done nothing to suggest he'll have the impact of Logan Paul or Bad Bunny. You can't compare them at all. 

[IANdrewDiceClay]

Logan Paul and Bad Bunny were super over, hugely charismatic and people were going "if they were good in the ring, they'd be perfect." Travis Scott has the presence of David Flair. They're trying to force you into believing he can carry this spot they've put him in. And he cant.

Personally thought the booking and presentation was shocking all weekend. The test for this post-Vince era was always what they'd do once the Bloodline had ran its course. Something that had gotten established and over under the previous management. Also once the novelty of "Vince isnt changing shit at the last minute, and Kevin Dunn isnt dribbling in the gravy anymore." And this is what you got. This is what you'll keep getting. If you like it cool. If you dont, it doesnt leave a lot to be desired. Paul Levesque, Michael Hayes and the Road Dogg dont exactly seem that clever.

[gmoney]

I like Travis Scott as a chaotic, blunt smoking herald for the Rock. Unfortunately, Rock wasn't here, so it was a bit shit. He didn't even have a fag on. 

Edited April 21, 2025 by gmoney

[OzExile]

Where is my post WrestleMania washing of melancholy feeling? I feel robbed. 

[NeverYield]

Just nonsensical how you put The Rock in the mix, essentially having him make the signal for Cenas heel turn and then he's not even there on the night.

Genuinely don't know how these people can't see how silly that all looks. 

 

Absolute cinema......

[RedTwoster]

29 minutes ago, Devon Malcolm said:

Nobody cared about Travis Scott when he came out. He's done nothing to suggest he'll have the impact of Logan Paul or Bad Bunny. You can't compare them at all. 

I’m not saying he has - but in the a space of two appearances how could he? But I think it’s a perfectly valid comparison - they’ve had a lot of success with celebrity involvement, and here you have a guy who has apparently been training to wrestle. They’ve had a lot of success with celebrities involvement recently, so I can understand why they’d want to see what can be done with Travis Scott. If the direction of travel is - for example - Cody vs Travis Scott at Sumnerslam, that’s an attraction.

What I’m disputing is the idea that he ‘offers nothing’ - he’s a big name and offers star power. The value of that star power is a separate question, as is whether or not they’ve used him well (I don’t think they have, for the record).

I’m also not sure that it’s true to say no one cared when he came out - his entrance music got a decent reaction; but clearly people were also expecting to see Rock. I do agree that it was a shitty ending though, and I also think - so far - they’ve failed to make the most of Cena’s heel turn. 

Edited April 21, 2025 by RedTwoster

[d-d-d-dAz]

 

I mean, FUCK. ING. HELL.

On the one hand I endorse this entirely. On the other, the bad old days are really back if talent are going on company talk shows to workshoot moan about their booking and potentially get themselves sacked.

WWE. What a fucking mess.

What on earth have they done recently?

Edited April 21, 2025 by d-d-d-dAz

[SuperBacon]

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

it surely isn't

Absolutely none of that seemed genuine. He's cutting a wrestling style promo.

[DavidB6937]

Kross is great and people are really starting to get behind him. The guy deserves it.

[d-d-d-dAz]

3 minutes ago, SuperBacon said:

Absolutely none of that seemed genuine. He's cutting a wrestling style promo.

I edited it before you got to me, as I can't fully make my mind up on what it is.

I think 'workshoot' is more accurate, I can't imagine anyone fully scripted Karrion Kross to go where he did. Maybe they did.

It's awful, whatever it is. I don't want people moaning about their booking on talk shows or telling 'the suits' to fuck off. It's dull, and brings back the worst of 2012 onwards.

But the overall suggestion that starfucking and prioritising 'viral' moments is bad? Sign me up. 

 

Edited April 21, 2025 by d-d-d-dAz

[FLips]

Ah fuck it I enjoyed it. If it was a shoot then wow he’s gonna be in bollocks for it. If it was (more likely) a worked shoot then they still let him go absolutely ham with it and if it results in more Kross screen time then fair play.

[Supremo]

Night One was a perfectly acceptable, perfectly forgettable affair. I didn’t care about almost anything, and nothing felt big or special, but the action itself was fun enough.

Jey vs. Gunther was about as good as it could be. Solid, if unremarkable. Nice, feel good moment, but surely the clock starts now for how quickly Jey loses the belt. Wouldn’t be shocked if he loses by Backlash.

I love that it’s becoming lore than Gunther always bottles it on the big shows. Great little story. Makes his dickhead heel character even better, strutting around for twelve months like Billy Big Bollocks, conveniently ignoring the fact that he’s a Wrestlemania choke artist. Prick.

New Day vs. War Raiders will go down in history as a match that happened. Save us, Big E!

Jade vs. Naomi continued Jade’s WWE run of never being able to have a match as good as the Rampage matches she’d have with people like Anna Jay. It was fine, I just wish Jade was even half as good as her aura demands. For every incredible look or amazing moment of athleticism, there’s two or three moments where she stops and stares into space, trying to remember or figure out what to do. It’s like the Incredible Hulk stopping mid-fight like Homer Simpson to engage his brain. Kills the moment every time.

Jacob Fatu vs. LA Knight was great fun. His success ratio remains rubbish, but you’ve got to at least credit Knight for always being willing to try the silly, over complicated spots. They hit here and Jacob looked amazing winning the belt. Jacob and Gunther definitely sharing an Easter Share Bag of Malteasers backstage. Both quietly putting the beef back on, both looking much better for it.

It wasn’t the Butterbean knock out we were expecting, but Charlotte vs. Tiffy clearly had more than a couple of potatoes. Poor Tiffy looked like the end of Rocky 4! Bruised forehead. Busted lip. Teeth all fucked up. Wonder if that was Charlotte’s receipt for the remark about her divorces, or the fact neither woman was willing to wear their Away Kit.

”You can watch as much tape as you want of Charlotte Flair over the years, but she’s evolved. She’s evolved as a super star. She’s evolved as a competitor.” - Michael Cole. Hard disagree, Mike.

The El Grande Americano thing is so close to being great, but the constant whiff of MAGA keeps ruining it. I smiled at them bottling it during the ring introductions, trying to have their cake and eat it and talk themselves out of, “The Gulf of America.” Awful people and cowards at the same time. The worst.

Is Vikingo Fed-bound, then? He’s not signed to AEW? Genuinely jealous of people who don’t know who he is. People’s heads are going to fall off when he fills his special meter on Raw.

Hilarious that Lex Luger went to Wrestlecon because they offered more money. Hope he wore this shirt.

Does anyone know if any celebrities attended this show? Wasn’t sure if they mentioned it.

Absolutely wild considering how many ads they did have on the broadcast that on more than a handful of occasions the audio would dip and they’d cut to a wide shot, seemingly for them to add even more ads for the American audience. Can only imagine how bonkers those ads are, if they’ve decided they’re only suitable for the US feed. “Feeling down? Why not try some delicious alcohol and prescription drugs! Having a bad day? Have you considered a GUN?”

Best thing on the whole show was the CM Punk video package before his entrance. Imagine that video leading to a singles match for the Disputed WWE Title. Would’ve been incredible.

Punk vs. Seth vs. Roman was great fun in that WWE way, where it’s just a wild, daft video game, but I didn’t give a fuck about anyone or anything. I spent a solid half of the match getting distracted by Roman’s gear. I couldn’t decide which white was brighter. His boots, his Nintendo Power Glove, or his turkey teeth. All of them would pass the Daz Doorstep Challenge with flying colours. Brighter than the sun. Like he’d used a dozen bottles of Tippex in Gorilla.

A Wrestlemania main event built around Paul Heyman’s acting is not for me. Man’s doing a school play, thinking it’s worthy of an Emmy. What on Earth was he doing after giving Roman the low blow, too? Wiggling his arm around like he couldn’t get a car into gear. Made it look like Roman had the angriest cock in the world. Harley Cameron now only the second best ventriloquist in pro-wrestling!

Funny that Heyman seemed absolutely knackered after only delivering two low blows. The Penguin was so winded he had to spend the rest of the match sitting in the corner like Raven! The slightest physical excursion and he’s left on his arse like Vince tearing his quads. “Go home, lads. I’ve got a stitch.”

Ridiculously predictable finish that will undoubtedly teach a very bad lesson to all the kids watching. Threaten to stamp on people’s heads and then when you don’t actually do it, they’ll still owe you a favour! Worried about your grades? Tell your teacher you could have stamped on his head, but didn’t! Worried you won’t get all the birthday gifts you hope for? Remind your parents you could stamp on their heads, but haven’t!

I suspect Seth and Heyman will be fucking insufferable in no time at all.

“I am a visionary, I am a revolutionary…”

Anyway, that’s far too many words. I am a fan after all, not a critic. So just for Hunter, I’ll try and sum it up in as few words as possible.

4/10. Bret would’ve done better. With tears in his eyes.

Edited April 21, 2025 by Supremo

[gmoney]

26 minutes ago, SuperBacon said:

Absolutely none of that seemed genuine. He's cutting a wrestling style promo.

And it was a bit shit as well! Double whammy. 

[d-d-d-dAz]

Seeing Supremo had posted in the Wrestlemania thread..

Seeing the posts starts 'Night 1'..

Realising it ends without getting onto Cena/Rhodes..