At 8/9/16 12:03 PM, aviewaskewed wrote:

At 8/9/16 10:53 AM, FastbootsZA wrote: Can someone tell my why is Roman Reigns a mid carder? He went from Main eventing wrestlemania to facing Rusev for the US title.

Wellness Suspension and the audience just refuses to accept him as a top guy. Couple that with the need to make this brand extension and "New Era" get off on the right foot and work....so all that together necessitates a de-push of Reigns from the main events for now. He's wrestling a guy who's been rebuilt to a large degree, for the second most important title on the most important show so....doesn't strike me as a demotion as much as it strikes me as trying to keep him strong and try to move him back up not too far down the line.

The wellness suspension probably shined some light on the fact Roman was being overworked to begin with too. You don't abuse Adderall for a fun high, or to get ripped muscles, you use to it help with attention and pain management. Roman either wasn't ready for the top spot mentally, or he was hurt and tried to hide it. Either way, for his own health he needs the demotion right now, and WWE knows it.

Rusev is the perfect opponent for Roman right now. He's one of the few heels that the crowd respects, but also NEVER cheers for. Roman can actually get over in a feud with Rusev, and actually fill the spot John Cena had with the US title giving a bunch of up-and-comers a shot at a former 'top guy' in US Title exhibitions. He may not fill the role as well, but at least he's around full-time to do it, without being spread as thin as whoever has the world title typically is.

Long term, all that has happened with Roman is going to be the best thing for his career. He'll be the top guy again I think, but when he's truly and organically ready for it this time. Let's not forget the Rock once had a huge push and subsequent demotion once upon a time (not that Roman will ever be THAT big, but you get the point).

At 8/9/16 01:14 PM, PsychoGoldfish wrote: The wellness suspension probably shined some light on the fact Roman was being overworked to begin with too. You don't abuse Adderall for a fun high, or to get ripped muscles, you use to it help with attention and pain management.

I just want to point out for myself, I've not personally heard from any reporters I trust WHAT Roman failed for. So I've kind of taken the personal tact of not really commenting on anybody who says they do know. All I will say, and have been willing to say is he definitely embarrassed the company and himself here. I think because of the way the suspensions work even had it been a case of something he had a prescription for and he didn't get the prescription to them in a timely manner after the failure and was suspended (and I do know that is a thing that can, and has happened to talents), for the PR of it WWE I think does need him out of the top mix for a couple months. It's a very similar reason as to why I think Brock finally needs to lay down to Orton at SS. You can't allow people to get the idea that certain top talents can transgress and get away with it. That's awful for morale.

Rusev is the perfect opponent for Roman right now. He's one of the few heels that the crowd respects, but also NEVER cheers for. Roman can actually get over in a feud with Rusev, and actually fill the spot John Cena had with the US title giving a bunch of up-and-comers a shot at a former 'top guy' in US Title exhibitions. He may not fill the role as well, but at least he's around full-time to do it, without being spread as thin as whoever has the world title typically is.

I'm ok with that. I think they shouldn't have done the Cesaro match though last night because I think the crowd is dying for that guy to get a belt, any belt, and get a run. Unless this is all building to a situation where SD! Live gets to "steal" him from RAW and then push him as a top guy, I'm really scratching my head at why they would even play that last night. But agreed, I see Roman having great matches with Rusev, and being able to do similar with a lot of other talents on RAW en route to maybe getting back up to the top.

Long term, all that has happened with Roman is going to be the best thing for his career. He'll be the top guy again I think, but when he's truly and organically ready for it this time. Let's not forget the Rock once had a huge push and subsequent demotion once upon a time (not that Roman will ever be THAT big, but you get the point).

The cases are pretty identical to me. Both cases were Vince falling in love with a talent and trying to force the audience to fall in love with them too and it falling flat because the way Vince constructed the character and pushed the guy were completely out of step with audience tastes and what they wanted. Rock turned heel, ditched Rocky Maivia, and developed "The Rock" and organically rose into the top spot they wanted him in all along. Is Roman the Rock? Fuck no, nobody in the history of the business has ever been The Rock. Because the Rock was able to cross over better then any talent ever has. But the situations right now are similar, and if WWE backs off the mega push, but keeps Roman strong and in meaningful programs (like they did with Rock) and maybe even allow him to shed more of those old Shield elements and find something that works better for him....maybe they'll have that top guy they want, and the fan support they want for him.

At 8/9/16 10:53 AM, FastbootsZA wrote: Can someone tell my why is Roman Reigns a mid carder? He went from Main eventing wrestlemania to facing Rusev for the US title.

Reigns was suspended for taking drugs, and the audience did not really like him that much. He was demoted to mid carder. If he does well, he might return. However, I feel he does well as a mid carder.

Tonight's Smackdown was weak, but a little better than RAW. American Alpha debuted and beat a jobber tag team. I am not a fan of squash matches. After the match. they beat three other tag teams in a non match. That part was just stupid. If they can beat three teams at once, who would want to see any of those teams in a one on one match? Eva came out , but did not wrestle for the second week. Randy Orten beat The Pride of Mexico with an RKO. Dean and Ziggler has to tag together, but Dolph hit Ambrose with a " super kick. " Bray Wyatt was probably the best part of the night.

SD! Live has a roster that needs to be built and rebuilt. It's going to take them longer to get to the finish line, but despite some missteps here and there, it's looking good. RAW was definitely weak, but I can forgive them with how good it's been lately. Really looking forward to Takeover then SS. Both shows look strong and should give us some great jumping off points for new stories.

At 8/10/16 08:41 PM, aviewaskewed wrote: SD! Live has a roster that needs to be built and rebuilt. It's going to take them longer to get to the finish line, but despite some missteps here and there, it's looking good. RAW was definitely weak, but I can forgive them with how good it's been lately. Really looking forward to Takeover then SS. Both shows look strong and should give us some great jumping off points for new stories.

Smackdown seems to be doing better, or maybe more is expected from RAW? I think there will be more crossovers in the future, since the Randy/Brock angle went well. Since AJ and Wyatt were separated from stables, they should both receive pushes. The Diva matches are still weak. I have no idea how to make them better, or if they should keep showing them.

At 8/11/16 02:26 PM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: Smackdown seems to be doing better, or maybe more is expected from RAW?

RAW is what drives the cart and what USA looks at when they decide how much to pay WWE come renewal time. SD! will continue to rebuild and try to match them, but it'll be difficult since RAW will always need to be the priority. If they do it right though, both can be strong and profitable.

I think there will be more crossovers in the future, since the Randy/Brock angle went well.

Nope. There's no need to keep going back to that well since the whole point of this is to put up walls to develop new talent. If you just keep crossing the shows over with already made marquee guys it fucks things all to hell. This was booked before the split, so this should be a one and down type thing.

Since AJ and Wyatt were separated from stables, they should both receive pushes.

They will and are.

The Diva matches are still weak. I have no idea how to make them better, or if they should keep showing them.

They have some good workers on SD! (Carmella is a good, Alexa stepped up big before her call up, Becky and Natty have always been good), and they have some not so good and train wrecked type women (Naomi, Eva Marie). It'll take a little while to get that ship righted on SD!, but they've got the pieces, they just have to place them right.

At 8/11/16 07:36 PM, aviewaskewed wrote: RAW is what drives the cart and what USA looks at when they decide how much to pay WWE come renewal time. SD! will continue to rebuild and try to match them, but it'll be difficult since RAW will always need to be the priority. If they do it right though, both can be strong and profitable.

RAW has always been the flagship show. I think bringing the crusierweights to RAW is a bad idea. It feels like they are just throwing things to the wall, to see what sticks.

Nope. There's no need to keep going back to that well since the whole point of this is to put up walls to develop new talent. If you just keep crossing the shows over with already made marquee guys it fucks things all to hell. This was booked before the split, so this should be a one and down type thing.

We will see if they go back to the crossover well again.

They have some good workers on SD! (Carmella is a good, Alexa stepped up big before her call up, Becky and Natty have always been good), and they have some not so good and train wrecked type women (Naomi, Eva Marie). It'll take a little while to get that ship righted on SD!, but they've got the pieces, they just have to place them right.

They tried Diva stables and that did not work. Now they are pushing single matches. Perhaps better stories would make them more interesting? That new Diva, that is related to the Rock, looks horrible. Like a female Roman Reigns.

At 8/12/16 01:56 PM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: RAW has always been the flagship show. I think bringing the crusierweights to RAW is a bad idea. It feels like they are just throwing things to the wall, to see what sticks.

I would have thought that myself but for the CWC. That show is getting rave reviews, and we've gotten two absolute classic matches two weeks straight. I think Triple H has shown the concept is viable and RAW's biggest problem right now is they throw away the 3rd hour. Just fucking chuck that thing. So to my mind if you sign up enough Cruisers, you could potentially take that 3rd hour their punting and make that the "Cruiser hour" where you put on a couple of longer fast paced matches, and/or get some good storylines going around the title and as long as it's treated well I think you'll get and retain an audience for it.

We will see if they go back to the crossover well again.

If they do, they may as well just kill this thing now. This is NOT the brand expansion of the past, where they had a lot of things out of their control (and just as many things that were) that hampered it. With the Network there is NO GOOD REASON, this shouldn't work. Crossing over too much, creative apathy, these are the enemy to me. They have done a very good job so far of trying to create new talents and shine up old ones, that has to continue. This shit is a marathon, not a race. The territory has been raped by hot shotting, now it's time to build it back up and get the network partner in USA to understand that.

They tried Diva stables and that did not work.

I'd make some honest arguments about how much they "tried". I think that was a lazy crutch to get them on TV and get their names out there and it was a half assed idea from start to finish. They've done a very good job, at least with RAW of getting away from that and boiling down to the viable talents that people want to see and that could honestly I think make a case for the Women's Champion headlining major shows and TV's.

Now they are pushing single matches.

Which they should have done from the start.

Perhaps better stories would make them more interesting?

Absolutely. A problem the internet has, that they do over and over is thinking the best worker should always be the champion and the franchise. Doesn't work. This business is built on personality and connecting with an audience. That's why Chris Benoit as champion didn't work. No personality, just an amazing work rate. If people don't care about Sasha Banks and her struggles against Charlotte, then there's no heat and there's no money to be made. Fortunately people do.

That new Diva, that is related to the Rock, looks horrible. Like a female Roman Reigns.

Nia Jaxx is still a bit green for me. The potential is there, the pedigree and the bloodlines are there....but if it was me I would have left her in NXT for maybe another 6 months to a year. They very soon are going to need to reset their women's division anyway, and I think Nia needs just a bit more seasoning. But maybe I'm wrong, she's certainly got presence.

At 8/14/16 04:23 PM, aviewaskewed wrote: I would have thought that myself but for the CWC. I think Triple H has shown the concept is viable and RAW's biggest problem right now is they throw away the 3rd hour, and make that the "Cruiser hour" where you put on a couple of longer fast paced matches, and/or get some good storylines going around the title and as long as it's treated well I think you'll get and retain an audience for it.

Making RAW two hours and the CWC a seperate one hour show would work well. RAW would be less dragged out, and if you don't like CWC you don't have to watch it.

This is NOT the brand expansion of the past, where they had a lot of things out of their control Crossing over too much, creative apathy, these are the enemy to me. They have done a very good job so far of trying to create new talents and shine up old ones, that has to continue. The territory has been raped by hot shotting, now it's time to build it back up and get the network partner in USA to understand that.

No more invasion angles could work. If anything, it should help competition. Like when RAW and Nitro went head to head. Not exactly the same thing, but you know what I mean.

I'd make some honest arguments about how much they "tried". They've done a very good job, at least with RAW of getting away from that and boiling down to the viable talents that people want to see and that could honestly I think make a case for the Women's Champion headlining major shows and TV's.

Stephanie is really into the Diva division. I feel she pushed it way too hard. The Stables were weak, and one had the name of a porn websight. lol Single matches work better at establishing faces and heels.

Absolutely. A problem the internet has, that they do over and over is thinking the best worker should always be the champion and the franchise. This business is built on personality and connecting with an audience. If people don't care about Sasha Banks and her struggles against Charlotte, then there's no heat and there's no money to be made.

Storylines can be hard to make from nothing. I have to admit, I enjoyed when Charlotte and Sasha were in a match with Jericho and Enzo. They did not to wrestle as much, and you could see who was bad and good. The Divas could shadow the guys and maybe get a story line that way.

Nia Jaxx is still a bit green for me. The potential is there, the pedigree and the bloodlines are there....

Here joining the bloodline stable could work. They are all related, but maybe they should not keep advertising that?

if it was me I would have left her in NXT for maybe another 6 months to a year. They very soon are going to need to reset their women's division anyway, and I think Nia needs just a bit more seasoning. But maybe I'm wrong, she's certainly got presence.

As a big girl, she will need a rival big girl. Like Mark Henry vs. Big Show. Maybe they could get Awesome Kong?

At 8/15/16 02:26 PM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: Making RAW two hours and the CWC a seperate one hour show would work well. RAW would be less dragged out, and if you don't like CWC you don't have to watch it.

That is not what I was suggesting at all. What I was suggesting was taking one of the three hours of RAW and making it all about the Cruisers and the Cruiserweight Title they're going to introduce. CWC should stay exactly what it is as a Network draw.

No more invasion angles could work. If anything, it should help competition. Like when RAW and Nitro went head to head. Not exactly the same thing, but you know what I mean.

It's not the same thing at all. It also is a really bad idea because it puts them right back to where they were before they decided to do this....too much reliance on too few guys which eliminates spots and chances to move people out of NXT and get people over. They need to force these shows to work with the rosters they have to develop them. The only thing even close to a crossover I want to see is talent trades, maybe a yearly draft, and storylines where if a talent feels they aren't doing well on one show, their "contract expires" and they "jump" to the other show.

Stephanie is really into the Diva division. I feel she pushed it way too hard. The Stables were weak, and one had the name of a porn websight. lol Single matches work better at establishing faces and heels.

Hunter is the bigger proponent I think. He's the one really developing it. Steph has her name stuck on it because of what it can mean for the brand and PR. The initial setuup was garbage, but they've mostly righted the ship now and they've got the right feud for the title headed into one of the biggest shows of the year.

Storylines can be hard to make from nothing. I have to admit, I enjoyed when Charlotte and Sasha were in a match with Jericho and Enzo. They did not to wrestle as much, and you could see who was bad and good. The Divas could shadow the guys and maybe get a story line that way.

It's not that fucking hard honestly. Bookers have done it for a century. The point is to come up with a reason for people to get in a fight and then let them hype the fight and have the fight. The difficulty in my mind is when WWE and others decided to change the formula and take everything out of the performer's hands and make them puppets to writers who'd never been in a goddamn fight much less knew how to write one.

Here joining the bloodline stable could work. They are all related, but maybe they should not keep advertising that?

That company doesn't push stables and I don't think they have anybody strong enough to stick into any stables right now. I'd stay away from that till they've got more of the roster established.

As a big girl, she will need a rival big girl. Like Mark Henry vs. Big Show. Maybe they could get Awesome Kong?

Not necessarily no. If Sasha is going to retain the title and be a long term champion you can put her with Nia and have her fight from the underdog babyface spot. It's the same formula they've done with the men for years. Take your babyface hero and make them fight a much bigger monster heel for audience sympathy. Works every time as long as it's done well.

At 8/15/16 03:18 PM, aviewaskewed wrote: That is not what I was suggesting at all. What I was suggesting was taking one of the three hours of RAW and making it all about the Cruisers and the Cruiserweight Title they're going to introduce. CWC should stay exactly what it is as a Network draw.

One hour of RAW is all CWC, and they keep their own show. That might get old quickly. I would rather see maybe one CWC match on RAW. That would make it special.

It's not the same thing at all. They need to force these shows to work with the rosters they have to develop them. The only thing even close to a crossover I want to see is talent trades, maybe a yearly draft, and storylines where if a talent feels they aren't doing well on one show, their "contract expires" and they "jump" to the other show.

I understand what you mean. A draft event every year would make things interesting.

Hunter is the bigger proponent I think. Steph has her name stuck on it because of what it can mean for the brand and PR. The initial setuup was garbage, but they've mostly righted the ship now and they've got the right feud for the title headed into one of the biggest shows of the year.

I thought the Divas were all Steph's idea. Like a girl's club, as opposed to the old boy's club.

It's not that fucking hard honestly. The difficulty in my mind is when WWE and others decided to change the formula and take everything out of the performer's hands and make them puppets to writers who'd never been in a goddamn fight much less knew how to write one.

Yes, the wrestler should have more input on their story line.

Not necessarily no. If Sasha is going to retain the title and be a long term champion you can put her with Nia and have her fight from the underdog babyface spot. It's the same formula they've done with the men for years. Take your babyface hero and make them fight a much bigger monster heel for audience sympathy. Works every time as long as it's done well.

That makes sense. Sasha might be a good champion. I think there should be divas the can wrestle, and those that are eye candy.

At 8/15/16 06:50 PM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: One hour of RAW is all CWC, and they keep their own show. That might get old quickly. I would rather see maybe one CWC match on RAW. That would make it special.

It wouldn't BE the CWC though. That tournament is confined to it's own show. This would just be an hour of Curiser matches and storylines. Which is very much like what you get now, but a different stye and flavor. Worked for Nitro.

I understand what you mean. A draft event every year would make things interesting.

It's usually a ratings winner too.

I thought the Divas were all Steph's idea. Like a girl's club, as opposed to the old boy's club.

Nope, all those ladies came out of NXT, and that whole thing was unfortunately Vince's terrible idea of how to execute the call ups.

That makes sense. Sasha might be a good champion. I think there should be divas the can wrestle, and those that are eye candy.

They have that now. No reason you can't have valets, but also actual female wrestlers too. I'd like for managers to make a come back too.

At 8/15/16 07:23 PM, aviewaskewed wrote: It wouldn't BE the CWC though. That tournament is confined to it's own show. This would just be an hour of Curiser matches and storylines. Which is very much like what you get now, but a different stye and flavor. Worked for Nitro.

I would be okay with some cruiser weights on RAW. Nitro was an amazing show.

Nope, all those ladies came out of NXT, and that whole thing was unfortunately Vince's terrible idea of how to execute the call ups.

That Triple H has his thumb in every pie. At least, he is not on TV for a while.

They have that now. No reason you can't have valets, but also actual female wrestlers too. I'd like for managers to make a come back too.

Valets are awesome, like Lana. I always liked managers, they are not afraid to bend the rules when the ref isn't looking. Not sure if a Diva would make a good ref. You would need an older wrestler, like Bob Backland, but somebody better.

I've not been following the weekly shows but had a quick look at the Summerslam card today, and that looks to be shaping up to be a hell of a show.

Outside of Rusev vs Roman there's not a single match I don't want to see there. Cannot wait for Balor vs Rollins and Cena vs Styles.

RAW was average with week, with a few really good spots. Chris Jericho and Kevin Owns teaming up was very nice. They have good chemistry as a team. Rollins wasted 95 % of the show looking for the Demon King. He finally found him at the end. The Demon KIng's first entrance was done well. The Golden truth appeared and it seems they dropped the Pokemon Go gimmick. Jax squashed a little blue haired girl. Squash matches are boring. A long video package advertising Summer Slam.

Smackdown was better than RAW this week. Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon are backstage chatting with Randy Orton about his SummerSlam match when they’re interrupted by Heath Slater. The only wrestler who is undrafted. They say he has match later. On Miz's talk segment, Ziggler kicks Ambrose in the head. Eva did not show up for a match again. I am really starting to like this gimmick. How long will she be on the show without actually wrestling? lol The ending was dumb when lame Cena defeated Alberto Del Rio. Then went on, to throw AJ through a table. Hopefully, this means that AJ will win at Summer Slam.

At 8/17/16 09:22 PM, FastbootsZA wrote: Alberto del rio and paige both suspended for 30 days for violating wellness policy.

http://www.wwe.com/article/paige-suspended

http://www.wwe.com/article/alberto-del-rio-suspended

They must of been taking the same pills together. They have been involved with each other.

At 8/18/16 08:09 PM, FastbootsZA wrote: Eva marie suspended for 30 days.

Did she take the same drugs as Paige and Alberto?

At 8/19/16 11:10 AM, FastbootsZA wrote: at least now she will have a legitimate excuse not to compete.

That was the best Diva gimmick I had seen in a long time. lol

At 8/19/16 01:18 PM, DoctorStrongbad wrote:

At 8/19/16 11:10 AM, FastbootsZA wrote: at least now she will have a legitimate excuse not to compete.

That was the best Diva gimmick I had seen in a long time. lol

Yeah I agree, I was loving the Eva trolling. She was getting legit heel heat.

Del Rio was just starting to get a push too. What is it with people failing drug tests as they get pushes? Who's next, AJ and Finn?

At 8/19/16 01:33 PM, PsychoGoldfish wrote:

At 8/19/16 01:18 PM, DoctorStrongbad wrote:
That was the best Diva gimmick I had seen in a long time. lol

Yeah I agree, I was loving the Eva trolling. She was getting legit heel heat.

Her announcer does a good job, he could join her ringside during her matches.

Del Rio was just starting to get a push too. What is it with people failing drug tests as they get pushes? Who's next, AJ and Finn?

This all started with Reigns, now three more fail the tests. Are they all taking the some drugs from the same person? Maybe this is a plot by TNA to ruin WWE from the inside?

At 8/19/16 09:15 PM, slaughterMYdaughter wrote: I don't mind Alberto's suspension, what does bother me is this is how triple H makes headlines after being gone. I would have liked a ''I quit match' vs Kalisto instead of flip flopping the US title.

They do flop the title way too much. Would rather see a champion hold it for 6 months or up to a year. To see how the wrestler acts with it.

That extra hour has to be funneled to create a vortex of competition with NXT and not just leading up to cena on smackdown; The savior of misbehavior doesn't cut it for me.

They are going to bring CWC to RAW, that should help to fill space on the three houyr show.

This happened.

Also dat Bobby Roode entrance.

At 8/20/16 08:42 PM, TheMaster wrote: This happened.

Looks like Austin Aries is having a bad time.

All hail the new NXT Champion: The King of Strong Style

Tag division stole the show at NXT yet again. Revival have been in superb matches for months now, and have confirmed it's not just because they were with American Alpha.

Not a bad match on the card. Great stuff.

At 8/21/16 10:26 PM, FastbootsZA wrote: Congrats finn balor on becoming the first universal champion.

That Universal title belt is ugly as Hell.

Can we acknowledge how all the important matches at Summerslam AND Takeover actually had clean finishes? Big E was like the only notable run-in (which made zero sense. If he was healthy, why not be IN the match, or at least ringside?)

At 8/22/16 12:05 AM, ZJ wrote: That Universal title belt is ugly as Hell.

I think I'm the only person that kind of likes it. Red's my favorite color so maybe that's the bias, but to me it's another knockoff of the WWE World Heavyweight Title (which I don't recall hearing any bitching about) with a red border.

The whole weekend of shows was very good stuff to my mind. The only things that left me scratching my head is why Jericho is pinning Enzo, and why Apollo Crewes is losing clean to The Miz. I understand Jericho is still a big star, but I think his shine is definitely on the wane, and while Miz has definitely been great in his role lately and looks more motivated then he has in years, I don't understand why they're taking a blue chipper like Crewes who's really meant nothing since his call up and giving him such a big stage to get beat on.