WWE: Unreal Discussion

[tiger_rick]

38 minutes ago, DavidB6937 said:

• Chelsea - I already liked her before but this really solidified it. Her head is so screwed on and she works so hard. I was even happier for her for the US title win after this. Give her all the gold damnit.
• Jey - again, seeing the thought process behind his Mania push was.. I'm not even sure what the word is. I quite liked that it seemed like a pivot based on crowd reaction, which sometimes has felt impossible in years gone by, but it was also stressful because he nearly lost it. It was definitely a big step up for him.
• Charlotte - I genuinely like her every time I see her as herself. Everything she's been through. All the pressure that comes with being Ric's daughter. She does seem like a really decent person who cares about what she's doing. Even moving past that stuff with Tiffy and being able to do what they did.
• Seth - not a whole lot of insight into him but the little bits did suggest he genuinely does think he's the best and Becky does too.
• Punk - I will absolutely be in the minority here but watching this, I feel like I finally got his love for the business, for WWE and the reasons why he wanted to main event Mania. And if that was enough for him this year then I'm really happy for him. I'm choosing to take it as face value and believe it's authentic. I'm a sucker I know. Sorry.
• Overall I really enjoyed it as I expected to. Again I'm probably in the minority but I actually enjoy seeing them on a more personal basis and getting an insight into their passion for the business and how they feel about it.

Thanks for the post, very interesting to read. Surprised by some of these comments, given the trailers I've seen sold it as a "writer's room" documentary. This stuff does make it sound a lot more interesting.

3 hours ago, air_raid said:

I think it’s because nowadays Hunter subscribes to the “different to Vince is better” theory that Eric Bischoff has extolled hundreds of times recounting the story of his war to be top dog (which he’d end up losing), so as a consequence means he needs to be nice guy boss, I wanna be your buddy boss (man Bing). So they’re playing up to that and sucking up to the chiefs desire for everyone to be a big happy family. A further departure from when (see Jericho’s books, among other sources) if you went up to Jr and told him he was a moron and you were sick of it, he’d admire your spirit and immediately give you a renewed push.

 

1 hour ago, mim731 said:

In fairness, and I'm not saying any of that is not the case, but given how seemingly toxic the workplace was during Vince's tenure and especially in the latter years it might be that they're just trying to create a slightly less shit environment. Perhaps overcorrected too far the other way, mind and it's a bit saccharine for my taste. 

Good points. I think there's an element, without completely generalising, that a lot of Americans are just like this. They're very into expressing their appreciation. Certainly from plenty I've met. Can see how that isn't applicable in a toxic working environment but both WWE and AEW these days seem to have a locker room filled with people working hard together for people who genuinely appreciate them, until it's time to sack them anyway. Gratitude era is definitely true but I'm not sure it's a bad thing. 

[DavidB6937]

13 minutes ago, tiger_rick said:

Thanks for the post, very interesting to read. Surprised by some of these comments, given the trailers I've seen sold it as a "writer's room" documentary. This stuff does make it sound a lot more interesting.

They dip into the writers room every now and then, but it's definitely not focused on that. There's just as much backstage stuff and following the talent etc.

Probably for the best. No one wants to listen to Road Dogg talk for 5 episodes.

[The Dart]

I'm half way through episode 3, and Chelsea Green comes across fantastically.  That's my main take away, so far.

[Onyx2]

I really enjoyed it. Sure it's dipping in and out of kayfabe, but I'm a sucker for seeing how the sausage is made even it's about 60% true. Footage from Gorilla is always fascinating. If you're worried about writer's room bollocks, there's only a handful of scenes like that. Like others said it's good to hear from people like Rhea or Jey absolutely freaking out with the pressure as they don't show it out there.

Aside from everything else, loved the interesting coverage of the Rumble. They sort-of... morphed between shots so it was a seamless flow, especially noticeable in the Rey / Penta opener.

And iShowSpeed is limping with a gnarly graze on his calf, Logan Paul says "walk it off... Just have some Prime, you'll be a'ight." Hate to say it but godamn that man is built for wrestling.

[thatvinylgeek]

I've enjoyed what I have seen so far as well.

Funniest thing for me, was Rhea saying she couldn't wear her newly designed gear for the Netflix debut as she ate too much over Christmas so wasn't comfortable with how she looked (completely valid). So decided to wear some old comfortable gear instead...all makes sense. Cut to her coming out in a TINY bikiniesque outfit for the Netflix debut...what on earth was she planning on wearing????

[thatvinylgeek]

On 7/29/2025 at 11:30 AM, Supremo said:

Massively superior Wrestlemania card.

 

I thought this card was interesting and as you say Supes much better. However, what it did make me think was where would it leave Punk?.

Assuming if they went down this route it meant he won the Rumble (which seemed to be the main consensus in Ep2), but then he would have to pick Gunter over Cody...which feels a stretch. Also I don't see Punk v Gunther closing night one, doesn't feel big enough, unless Punk's value bumps it to the main? 

If the board goes in order of "Main event status' of the matches (which isn't beyond the realms of possibility) it would put Reigns v Rollins closing night one, which in itself feels like a big match, and I guess they would have still done the Heyman turn, but what could be the reason for putting it on last...?

All just nonsense and hypothetical anyway...as I say, it just made me think.

[thatvinylgeek]

Also Jacob Fatu seems like a 10/10 human and MASSIVE giddy mark for everyone and everything in a good way, never seen such a scary looking guy be so lovely.

Hearing Jey's son say he wants "Uncle Jacob" to win the Rumble just affirms it...the guy is the future.

[tiger_rick]

27 minutes ago, thatvinylgeek said:

Also Jacob Fatu seems like a 10/10 human

That's questionable. Must be some documentary.

[thatvinylgeek]

2 hours ago, tiger_rick said:

That's questionable. Must be some documentary.

Ah ok...I know nothing about him other than what I've seen on this...apologies if he's a questionable character. 

[RedTwoster]

41 minutes ago, thatvinylgeek said:

Ah ok...I know nothing about him other than what I've seen on this...apologies if he's a questionable character. 

He’s alleged to have done some dodgy things in the past, which you can google. I’m not saying he hasn’t learned from his mistakes, but nothing I’ve seen so far from Unreal has told me anything one way or the other about him.

The one thing I’ve taken from this so far is that they’re really ballsing up with Chelsea. The pitch for her to win the Rumble was far better than what they actually did - but ultimately, she could be their Toni Storm. A character rooted in comedy, who is an enormous star because she’s really fucking hard to beat, and generally a tremendous character. She’s arguably their most entertaining wrestler, and treating her as a perennial loser just because she’s funny is a mistake. 

Edited July 30, 2025 by RedTwoster

[The Dart]

4 hours ago, thatvinylgeek said:

I thought this card was interesting and as you say Supes much better. However, what it did make me think was where would it leave Punk?.

Assuming if they went down this route it meant he won the Rumble (which seemed to be the main consensus in Ep2), but then he would have to pick Gunter over Cody...which feels a stretch. Also I don't see Punk v Gunther closing night one, doesn't feel big enough, unless Punk's value bumps it to the main? 

If the board goes in order of "Main event status' of the matches (which isn't beyond the realms of possibility) it would put Reigns v Rollins closing night one, which in itself feels like a big match, and I guess they would have still done the Heyman turn, but what could be the reason for putting it on last...?

All just nonsense and hypothetical anyway...as I say, it just made me think.

You'd think given where Jey is on this, the original pitch for all this would have been Cena winning the Rumble, choosing Cody and then Punk winning Elimination Chamber to challenge Gunther.  Deciding to go with Jey Uso probably messed with their original plans somewhat.

[DavidB6937]

27 minutes ago, RedTwoster said:

The one thing I’ve taken from this so far is that they’re really ballsing up with Chelsea. The pitch for her to win the Rumble was far better than what they actually did - but ultimately, she could be their Toni Storm. A character rooted in comedy, who is an enormous star because she’s really fucking hard to beat, and generally a tremendous character. She’s arguably their most entertaining wrestler, and treating her as a perennial loser just because she’s funny is a mistake. 

I felt like this a bit but also thought they chose to feature her in this and got a lot more screen time than many of the women, so I'm hoping they do genuinely realise what they've got with her. Maybe she needs to be a bit more ruthless so they don't take advantage of her being willing to do anything.

[thatvinylgeek]

1 hour ago, The Dart said:

You'd think given where Jey is on this, the original pitch for all this would have been Cena winning the Rumble, choosing Cody and then Punk winning Elimination Chamber to challenge Gunther.  Deciding to go with Jey Uso probably messed with their original plans somewhat.

Yeah good point, didn't even consider Cena winning the Rumble because I am an idiot...

[RedTwoster]

4 hours ago, DavidB6937 said:

I felt like this a bit but also thought they chose to feature her in this and got a lot more screen time than many of the women, so I'm hoping they do genuinely realise what they've got with her. Maybe she needs to be a bit more ruthless so they don't take advantage of her being willing to do anything.

I definitely think they know what they have with her, but I do think they believe that characters who lean into comedy shouldn’t rise above a certain level. 

[air_raid]

On 7/29/2025 at 11:30 AM, Supremo said:

For someone who hasn’t watched the show yet - is there in indication of what time frame this was the plan? One assumes pre Tiffy cash in?