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Post by J.B (@Condoonthemoon) on Apr 13, 2014 18:35:39 GMT -5
Hi all: This blog post did really well for me. I gave my thoughts on 10 things I expect to happen prior to Wrestlemania 31 so have a look if you like and comment on mine or come up with your own list. Also I had a chance to Interview The Law's Own Jason Agnew for our podcast. Thanks to Jason for taking the time to talk with me. It was a lot of fun and hope people will enjoy our conversation. I am pretty sure I wouldn't be attempting to do a wrestling blog or cover wrestling at all if not for having been a longtime listener of this show dating back to my days in college in the late 90's. I have a lot of respect for all of the guys that have kept this show rolling from back then til today. Thanks to the Law and all of you that give this stuff a look and listen. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2014 22:03:20 GMT -5
Very good list.
#10- Can't argue with that one, really. I haven't seen his latest YouTube experiment catch much traction and even the smarkest of fans don't seem to give a shit anymore.
#9- Hopefully he debuts before the end of the summer. I'm guessing how quick Zain gets the call-up depends on how fast the newest batch of NXT talent takes off.
#8- Seems logical, though I doubt it will matter unless WWE puts emphasis on the title(s) long term.
#7- I agree 100%. At this point, I hope Cena is more like HBK was in his 2002-2010 run in that he can be a consistent main event headliner who doesn't need the title.
#6- Agreed....I am salivating for a Lesnar-Cesaro match down the road.
#5- I like this idea, but just hope the briefcase marinates for a bit. I don't think he should cash in this year if he wins MITB.
#4- I'm surprised he wasn't scooped up the last time his name was rumored. Seems inevitable.
#3- I am all for Jason Albert and Renee Young being the voices of SmackDown!
#2- Gotta disagree here. I think Batista will stick it out until the end of his contract and remain one of the top heels.
#1- I kinda hope Rey sticks around with WWE for the rest of his life. He's given so much of his health and body to them I think he's owed a cushy contract for the next decade at least.
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Post by J.B (@Condoonthemoon) on Apr 13, 2014 23:32:26 GMT -5
Will see how I do. I believe in holding myself accountable so this will be fun to look back on a year from now. You problem with 3 is you picked to Colour People from a broadcasting point of view. I am not sure you can have Renee Young doing play by play. It would be VERY different to have a female play by play voice so maybe they do it for the shock value but I kind of doubt it.
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Post by Milky on Apr 14, 2014 5:30:35 GMT -5
Pretty good list. Can't really argue with anything you've said, as it's all very possible. The only one that I could really highlight is Batista leaving before his contract finishes. While always possible, this would seem to me to be the least likely to happen. Batista is friends with Triple H and if boring boring Sheamus can still get consistent WM paydays, then I don't see any reason why Batista wouldn't. But yeah good list. I like it.  |
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daryl
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Post by daryl on Apr 14, 2014 8:21:09 GMT -5
Good list. I would love to see Renee and Regal on Smackdown together but you'd probably need a play by play guy between them. Maybe Cole, Renee and Regal?
Reigns winning money in the bank makes sense but I don't see it happening. I'm of the opinion that the briefcase is better off on a heel unless it's like RVD where he announces when he'll cash it in ahead of time. In the year and a half he's been up they haven't given Reigns a hometown yet so he can't cash it in somewhere and get a big hometown pop so unless you're going to turn him heel again so quickly that seems like a waste. I could see Ambrose costing Reigns the match and perhaps winning the briefcase himself.
I agree with Ryder getting fired this year although this is the same company that still employs JTG, Yoshi Tatsu and Rosa Mendes so who knows. I do worry about more notable talents like Ziggler, Sandow and Barrett getting lost in the shuffle with all these NXT guys coming up as well as younger guys already on the roster like the Shield, Wyatt's and Cesaro.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2014 9:52:32 GMT -5
Will see how I do. I believe in holding myself accountable so this will be fun to look back on a year from now. You problem with 3 is you picked to Colour People from a broadcasting point of view. I am not sure you can have Renee Young doing play by play. It would be VERY different to have a female play by play voice so maybe they do it for the shock value but I kind of doubt it. I feel like it wouldn't be too big of a deal since most of the time the PBP and CC just bicker and banter with each other. Ideally I think Regal could work, but since they have just kept him in NXT for so long, I don't see them bringing him up. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2014 10:30:32 GMT -5
Dave Batista's comeback is "horrible" and "we never wanted him back" but Adam Cole's ROH title run "has been tremendous".
Batista is more valuable worker than Adam Cole ever has been or ever will be. His return pulled a big Raw rating and whether he finds his niche as a babyface or heel, he's capable of drawing money because he has mass appeal. Indy geeks like Cole are only popular with a certain section of the audience, the bitter jaded smarks who hijack WWE shows and drive away people who don't think like them. WWE may very well hire him but if they do they'll just be encouraging the cancer that is preventing them from having a proper recovery.
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Post by HotTakePolice on Apr 14, 2014 15:29:53 GMT -5
Dave Batista's comeback is "horrible" and "we never wanted him back" but Adam Cole's ROH title run "has been tremendous". Batista is more valuable worker than Adam Cole ever has been or ever will be. His return pulled a big Raw rating and whether he finds his niche as a babyface or heel, he's capable of drawing money because he has mass appeal. Indy geeks like Cole are only popular with a certain section of the audience, the bitter jaded smarks who hijack WWE shows and drive away people who don't think like them. WWE may very well hire him but if they do they'll just be encouraging the cancer that is preventing them from having a proper recovery. I was with you until the end. While true, Cole is far from the tried and true "superstar" that WWE likes to push, I don't think them signing Indie guys is a cancer. Nor do I think that WWE really needs a "recovery" right now. I've enjoyed the current product, and think that most other people have been enjoying it as well. In an era where instant gratification exists almost everywhere I think the Daniel Bryan storyline reminded us what a good tease and long term booking can earn you. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2014 16:20:01 GMT -5
Dave Batista's comeback is "horrible" and "we never wanted him back" but Adam Cole's ROH title run "has been tremendous". Batista is more valuable worker than Adam Cole ever has been or ever will be. His return pulled a big Raw rating and whether he finds his niche as a babyface or heel, he's capable of drawing money because he has mass appeal. Indy geeks like Cole are only popular with a certain section of the audience, the bitter jaded smarks who hijack WWE shows and drive away people who don't think like them. WWE may very well hire him but if they do they'll just be encouraging the cancer that is preventing them from having a proper recovery. I was with you until the end. While true, Cole is far from the tried and true "superstar" that WWE likes to push, I don't think them signing Indie guys is a cancer. Nor do I think that WWE really needs a "recovery" right now. I've enjoyed the current product, and think that most other people have been enjoying it as well. In an era where instant gratification exists almost everywhere I think the Daniel Bryan storyline reminded us what a good tease and long term booking can earn you. Who are these "most other people" that you speak of? Other WWE fans? Other internet fans? I agree, they probably have been enjoying it recently but that's because everybody else stopped watching and talking about WWE years ago. You don't get those people back with Daniel Bryan or CM Punk. |
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Post by HotTakePolice on Apr 14, 2014 16:23:34 GMT -5
Well how do you get them back? If you're talking about Attitude Era fans I think that ship has completely sailed. You don't really get all those people back with Batista, Cena, Orton, or anyone else on the current roster really.
I'm just unsure/curious as to what your solution would be? I'm not calling you out or anything, just wondering.
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Post by J.B (@Condoonthemoon) on Apr 14, 2014 16:56:11 GMT -5
Well how do you get them back? If you're talking about Attitude Era fans I think that ship has completely sailed. You don't really get all those people back with Batista, Cena, Orton, or anyone else on the current roster really. I'm just unsure/curious as to what your solution would be? I'm not calling you out or anything, just wondering. He doesn't have one which is funny as he throws around terms like smarks and all the rest. I am far from an indy fan to any degree. I have watched ROH and PWG and think Cole is very good. But say this based as much on his potential to grow and work in WWE System. If it was a case of who I personally like more Steen and Bennett would rank ahead of him but for WWE he is best fit. Batista is a washed up old guy that is not even up to the level he use to be. I was never high on him even when people liked him. Only reason he got a push was being picked for evolution without the support of HHH he never would have got anywhere. Just another Jacked up guy that really is only there for that reason. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2014 17:04:25 GMT -5
2014: The Year of BO.  |
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Post by pretty toney on Apr 14, 2014 17:21:04 GMT -5
Cole's pretty good. He's also very young so there's no rush. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes to the WWE eventually. He improves a little more every year, and his character work has been very good lately. I don't even watch ROH half as much as I used to, but he has a lot of potential. I don't necessarily see him in the WWE before WM31, but no complaints from me if it happens.
I was amused the other day thinking of several people I know who either stopped watching wrestling years ago, or were never really fans, who have started watching and enjoying WWE this year. WWE is all they know and they're totally invested. It's pretty cool. I hope there are more people like that with the current trend of newer guys rising up the ranks.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2014 17:42:32 GMT -5
Well how do you get them back? If you're talking about Attitude Era fans I think that ship has completely sailed. You don't really get all those people back with Batista, Cena, Orton, or anyone else on the current roster really. I'm just unsure/curious as to what your solution would be? I'm not calling you out or anything, just wondering. He doesn't have one which is funny as he throws around terms like smarks and all the rest. I am far from an indy fan to any degree. I have watched ROH and PWG and think Cole is very good. But say this based as much on his potential to grow and work in WWE System. If it was a case of who I personally like more Steen and Bennett would rank ahead of him but for WWE he is best fit. Batista is a washed up old guy that is not even up to the level he use to be. I was never high on him even when people liked him. Only reason he got a push was being picked for evolution without the support of HHH he never would have got anywhere. Just another Jacked up guy that really is only there for that reason. /cancer Kevin Steen sucks. Mike Bennett sucks. Adam Cole sucks. None of those indy geeks can draw as well as Batista. American indy wrestling is dead. The people who watch shit like ROH and PWG don't even like it. If James Borbath was booking WWE then the company would be out of business in six months. If you look back at WWE's biggest drawing periods in the modern era, the Hogan era and Austin era, you'll see distinctive heavyweight characters and energy throughout the whole show. Now everybody looks the same, wrestles the same, works rest holds and talks slower than a stroke patient. It's not the worst wrestling product I've ever seen but it's the most boring period I've ever lived through. Changing those things would be a start but they have a long-term talent problem too. Everybody they train is shitty. Phase out the ones who are currently on the roster, cancel NXT, burn down the Performance Center and get some working agreements with foreign promotions. Send prospective talents to AAA or CMLL, or NJPW or AJPW, get them experience working real matches with different styles in front of proper wrestling crowds. Fire all the agents that are telling workers to slow down. Give Vince McMahon coffee after coffee until his steroid-enlarged heart explodes and he dies so the company can free itself from his obsessive-compulsive mania that comes up with ideas like removing the "Antonio" from Cesaro's name and thousands of other minor changes that have made things worse over the years. Don't just change the talent and staff, change the fans too. Deliberately seek to provoke and drive-away the smarks who hijack the shows and encourage the casual fans to misbehave. Let them gnash their teeth and rage on the internet instead of in the arena. Get rid of Daniel Bryan, don't bring CM Punk back, hire and push bodybuilders with colourful outfits and big personalities. Things like that. |
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Post by Milky on Apr 15, 2014 16:19:25 GMT -5
He doesn't have one which is funny as he throws around terms like smarks and all the rest. I am far from an indy fan to any degree. I have watched ROH and PWG and think Cole is very good. But say this based as much on his potential to grow and work in WWE System. If it was a case of who I personally like more Steen and Bennett would rank ahead of him but for WWE he is best fit. Batista is a washed up old guy that is not even up to the level he use to be. I was never high on him even when people liked him. Only reason he got a push was being picked for evolution without the support of HHH he never would have got anywhere. Just another Jacked up guy that really is only there for that reason. /cancer Kevin Steen sucks. Mike Bennett sucks. Adam Cole sucks. None of those indy geeks can draw as well as Batista. American indy wrestling is dead. The people who watch shit like ROH and PWG don't even like it. If James Borbath was booking WWE then the company would be out of business in six months. If you look back at WWE's biggest drawing periods in the modern era, the Hogan era and Austin era, you'll see distinctive heavyweight characters and energy throughout the whole show. Now everybody looks the same, wrestles the same, works rest holds and talks slower than a stroke patient. It's not the worst wrestling product I've ever seen but it's the most boring period I've ever lived through. Changing those things would be a start but they have a long-term talent problem too. Everybody they train is shitty. Phase out the ones who are currently on the roster, cancel NXT, burn down the Performance Center and get some working agreements with foreign promotions. Send prospective talents to AAA or CMLL, or NJPW or AJPW, get them experience working real matches with different styles in front of proper wrestling crowds. Fire all the agents that are telling workers to slow down. Give Vince McMahon coffee after coffee until his steroid-enlarged heart explodes and he dies so the company can free itself from his obsessive-compulsive mania that comes up with ideas like removing the "Antonio" from Cesaro's name and thousands of other minor changes that have made things worse over the years. Don't just change the talent and staff, change the fans too. Deliberately seek to provoke and drive-away the smarks who hijack the shows and encourage the casual fans to misbehave. Let them gnash their teeth and rage on the internet instead of in the arena. Get rid of Daniel Bryan, don't bring CM Punk back, hire and push bodybuilders with colourful outfits and big personalities. Things like that. Sorry, but this is just untrue. Look at the most over star in the WWE right now and think about where he came from. Answer: ROH. Also, CM Punk's promo from a few years back certainly did draw fans back, at least until they realised that everything was still pretty much the same as when they originally left the product. I'm not saying Adam Cole is the messiah (he even had a WWE try-out and they passed on him for now) but there is a proven track record of ROH guys making it in the WWE. The NXT show and WWE Developmental are good concepts, but they are more miss than hit in terms of producing guys from scratch who become huge draws. In my opinion there is no substitute for working territories/indy's; the Performance Center is better served as a finishing school to polish guys in the WWE style who already know how to work and get over. Just for fun here is a list of the most over/interesting regular-working WWE Superstars in the last year or so and where they came from: Daniel Bryan - ROH John Cena - WWE CM Punk - ROH Brock Lesnar - WWE Triple H - WWE Of that list you've got more WWE guys than ROH guys, but I don't think you should discount the impact that ROH has made on the WWE's current main event picture. Plus, Triple H isn't really a full time active wrestler nor is Brock for that matter, and CM Punk is gone, so really it's just John Cena and Daniel Bryan as your top stars. That's pretty much 50/50. Nobody is buying a ticket to see Batista at this point. Here is a list of the current WWE talent who seem to be the future of the WWE and a look at where they came from: Bray Wyatt - WWE Cesaro - ROH Roman Reigns - WWE Seth Rollins - ROH Dean Ambrose - Various indy's This list is also pretty much 50/50, though the future seems slightly skewed in favour of indy guys. Again, I don't think you can discount the impact or importance of working American indy's during the formative years of one's future WWE career. Mexico and Japan are also good places to go, but even so, you can work lucha or strong-style in North America too and American promotions tend to be better for American/Canadian indy guys to develop their promo skills. |
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