Very true. Especially cool when you think about the guys that Undertaker didn't have chemistry with.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/00Ok_Z8QGU8" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

According to the Observer, small possibility Lesnar won't defend the Universal title at next year's Royal Rumble due to lack of credible challengers. At the moment, WWE is against the idea of Strowman-Lesnar II although Meltzer speculated they could lean towards the idea of Joe-Lesnar II as a potential match.

Cool. Don't really think the Rumble needs a Universal Title match.

https://i.imgur.com/FQq5FTy.jpg

Now which way to the register.......

lol it's not fine. That's clearly a neckbreaker.

Imagining Fignuts and Cool King seeing someone wearing that shirt and walking up to them, scoffing, pushing up their glasses, and saying "You realize that is clearly a neckbreaker, right?"

They aren't wrong. The shirt is a fail.

They aren't wrong because the shirt just says "outta nowhere" and not "rko outta nowhere." Probably gonna start having Orton use the swinging neckbreaker outta nowhere soon.

Rusev excelled in his initial push as the United States Champion and is coming across as highly entertaining in his current incarnation. I am not particularly sure why he doesn't have a more prominent position on the Smackdown roster.

Just put Brock in the Rumble with the stip he gets to choose his challenger if he wins, then have Roman eliminate him.

The whole thing has been such a dull build to the obvious Wrestlemania match that it's hard to give a shit about a title match either way.

It's pretty clear Vince doesn't see anything more in Rusev than what he's been. I'm a fan of the guy and think he could do really well at the top of the card if given the opportunity but unfortunately the only person whose opinion matters is Vince. There's a reason he jobbed in seconds to Orton at the second biggest show of the year.

Bulgaria doesn't have 1.3 billion people either.

Wouldn't that water down the Universal title? Having a world champion compete in the Rumble unless they are defending their title seems a bit odd.

That was pretty evident from Owens' 365 special.

Well the other alternative is either Samoa Joe again or save a paydate. I don't see Balor as a legit threat since he jobbed clean to Kane.

Why wouldn't they do Lesnar vs. Kane?

Does anyone want to see that?

I'll tell you what I do want to see. Starrcade. F U WWE.

I wouldn't mind Lesnar vs. Kane

It's the same execution. They want you to see the snowman's face. They could have done it the other way, but it doesn't matter.

Lesnar vs. Kane would be fine. Not everything needs to be a five star classic. Just have Brock beat the piss out of Kane, have Kane retire, and then Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar has the added background that each retired a Brother of Destruction.

IT MATTERS TO ME, GOD DAMN IT

I'd rather not see a title defense at the Rumble as opposed to a lackluster one.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's another look to Arn Anderson's Spinebuster to Ziggler. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWEStarrcade?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWEStarrcade</a> <a href="https://t.co/MkZKziylVw">pic.twitter.com/MkZKziylVw</a></p>&mdash; Italo Santana (@BulletClubItal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/934589629688315904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ha ha L'il Naitch

I respect Kane, but its hard to be excited for the guy at this point. Put him in the HOF and call it a career

Video version of the Arn tweet earlier:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I0EUBrVQIKg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Kane v Lesnar , Undertaker comes out for some reason and costs the match for Kane by attacking Lesnar, Kane then attacks 'Taker leading to a final match between the two at Wrestlemania. This is WWE so there is no logic.

I like that ^ as long as the match is geniusly worked so that for 8 or 9 minutes we are on the edge of our seat.

Also, damn Arn can still slam that spinebuster down.

By the way, the next time somebody on here wants to make a "BEST WRESTLER TO NEVER WIN THE TITLE" thread, the answer is Arn Anderson, problem solved.

I still go with piper, and I think the thread is still down there somewhere.

Like when the FAT BOY slapped Arn on the back?

God damn it, Arn has still got that magic. It's weird they don't use him on-air more.

Never liked AA, but this was glorious.

Regal for me.

Razor is up there too.

Makes sense why its happening but ticket sales for the Christmas episode of RAW are selling really poorly at the moment. WWE is already offering a "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" deal for certain seats.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE is doing a BOGO sale on Chicago Christmas Raw Tickets if anyone is looking <a href="https://t.co/SD6L2iN9xo">pic.twitter.com/SD6L2iN9xo</a></p>&mdash; Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrJacobCohen/status/934880035135283202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I second that.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="fi" dir="ltr">Axl Rotten in WCW <a href="https://t.co/NJ1g4v4Rvl">pic.twitter.com/NJ1g4v4Rvl</a></p>&mdash; Dean Coles (@DeanRasslin) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanRasslin/status/934803779513454592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I third that , as a kid I would of marked out considerably if the bad guy won the big one.

I retrospect, it's probably good that he didn't. Micheals issues were bad enough.

Lame.

YOU'RE lame

:rofl:

:(

https://i.imgur.com/QBdlDsJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3GBcnNS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/61Krnkr.jpg

Pfffff.

I'm pretty sure he's said he didn't want all the responsibility himself too

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For everyone that's forgotten, Batista was promised a title run. Instead, he happily put over Bryan at 'Mania, and The Shield on two separate occasions. Top class talent. Would love to see another run. <a href="https://t.co/iJanCYmLAY">https://t.co/iJanCYmLAY</a></p>&mdash; PWStream (@PWStream) <a href="https://twitter.com/PWStream/status/933715065618001920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He's rumored to be in talks about a return to WWE. Thanks but no thanks.

Teddy Long is going to book him in a title shot at the next ppv playa holla holla

Who's spot do you think he'll take at Mania? Batista can still go

Drax vs Brock plz

If it doesn't happen then we'll consult with my copy of WWE 2K18(cheap plug a lug wubba lubba dub dub) and see what it does.


Shinsuke Nakamura v.s. Born Again Christian Nakamura has to be on the card though

Not only this, but when he returned he'd signed a two-year deal and was intending on being around full-time with the exception of having to promote Guardians for a month or two.

Then Guardians sent his career skyrocketing and he decided to forego the remainder of his deal in favor of more movie offers.

He could've kept coming back as a part timer if he wanted to but he's said on podcasts he doesn't really feel the urge to come in, take a spot, go over, and then be gone the next night while the guy he beat is still around.

When he's around he wants to be around full-time, and I give him credit for that.

He's indicated he would be willing to work house shows if he came back for a final run. I could see Dave putting over Braun and maybe some surprises, like Naka or AJ.

Lol no

How are you not a Batista fan?

I went to Backlash ten years ago. Fuck.

Yeah he also mentioned a couple of times of his last run being miserable for him behind the scenes and being made into the scapegoat for WWE's general incompetence with Bryan's rise around the same time.

Bluetista would be welcome back.

If he's willing to do full-time, fuck it, I'd be fine with him winning the Rumble and going against Brock at Mania. Let The Shield do a six-man. But it's more likely that they would put him against AJ Styles.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0ER6ft1y3MQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If he does return, hopefully he looks better than he did then, the thin hair and slightly gaunt look in his face did him no favours.

The crowd shit all over it the first time, I don't doubt they'd shit all over it again. And I don't think he'd be responsible for bringing in anymore viewers unlike Dwayne would.

I know it's not a credible match but I'd like to see Cesaro vs Brock at the Rumble.

Hey, is Braun turning face or something?

He's been face for months

Whaaaa? Seriously?

That's odd.

Cant remember the last time I heard an audience boo him

He was getting cheers for months but was still officially booked as a heel through TLC, as part of the Alliance to End Shieldamania.

Then his whole team turned on him and I'd guess that was the "official" face turn.

"officially booked as heel"


LOL

The office doesnt decide who's face and who is heel. Use your ears.

Think they do. Roman Reigns is supposed to be a face.

booked as a heel - attacking good guys.

How the crowd reacts is a different story.

Every time a script has leaked, on the very first page they have a diagram clearly listing faces on the left side and heels on the right. I can guarantee you that prior to TLC and during their entire feud, Roman was on the left and Strowman was on the right.

They even put him on a clearly heel team against the Shield and a returning Kurt Angle.

WWE viewed him as a heel in spite of the crowd reactions.

Roman, like Cena before is pretty unique since he is techinially both. HOWEVER if you tihkn reigns is nt booked like a heel there are dozens of example as to how he is.


For instance look at the rumble from January. Using reigns to play spoiler so Orton would get a pop when he went over.


There is this great myth among the IWC that the fed isnt aware of whats happening but thats idiotic. They're playing it from a different angle.

"nah"

To be fair, Orton was likely to get a pop for going over anyway. Yes the Big 4 shows draw smark-heavy crowds but Orton had gotten himself popular with the smarks with his run in the Wyatts. It was different from what he'd been doing for years and was a breath of fresh air.

None of that is relevent to how they used Reigns elimination to get the pop. It was eliberate and obvious how they constructed the final 4 around Reigns gettign heat.

Honestly Destor, I think you are wrong.

Of course they are aware of what is going on, but WWE is a one man operation and that one man is very particular about what he wants. He wants Roman Reigns as the top face of WWE and he doesn't care that it isn't working, because that's what he wants.

There were times in the past where he had to be flexible, out of desperation and he let organic faces like Austin rise to the top. But in a world of no competition, he is confident enough to push on with what he wants to see.

"The kids will buy it anyway" is a different stance from "clever face/heel divide. The way he is booked right now, hardcore fans are not paying to see Reigns win or lose. He banks on the fact that they will tune in anyway...and they (we) do.

Meh.

WWE has their own opinion on who is a face and who is a heel. Fans tend to disagree and WWE often (not always) change things accordingly. But still, they book them their way.

the greatest work of all

I do think WWE are aware Roman's heat can be used in certain situations. I'm hoping they'll be smart enough to not have him win the Rumble in Philly, who booed the fuck out of him last time. The match with Lesnar can be set up by other means.

But when push comes to shove I'm certain they'll try to sell Reigns' inevitable win and being the first man to beat Brock and kick out of the F5 in over a year as being this grand conquering hero moment no matter how the crowd reacts.

I can already imagine Rollins and Ambrose parading Roman around on their shoulders as confetti falls from the ceiling, the first pyro display in months goes off, and Cole has an orgasm on commentary. All while the crowd boos angrily. It'll be bizarre.

and then Seth and Dean drop his ass and stomp him out for thinking he is bigger than The Shield.

I'm predicting a twist, but it's not beyond Vince to have Roman Reigns win the Rumble again in Philly as a troll.

Id do it just for the heat

Yeah, this is always bothers me. Like when someone tries to make the case that Austin was actually a heel because he was an asshole. Um, no, have you heard his pops? He's the biggest babyface of all-time.

I'm not a big WWE apologist, but they know Roman gets booed and they play into it a lot. They know he's a heel. People are coming along to the shows to boo him with hopes that he'll fail. That's exactly what a heel is. Don't let him kissing babies and being positioned against guys that are snarling all the time fool you -- anyone who goes against Roman is a babyface.

Where it gets confusing for people is that they book Roman as the protagonist, and people confuse babyface with protagonist. That being said, Roman is still miscast at this type of heel. He'd be better as a babyface that takes no nonsense, and to do that you'd have to "turn him heel" (to the people who still think he's a face).

The WWE just sucks at telling stories.

that I fully agree with

When you think about WrestleMania and how that card is probably going to look, I think it is a better outcome than, say, John Cena winning his third. People are going to boo that too, because it's still the automatic response. Unless you're going with someone not Cena as the AJ Styles opponent, in which case them eliminating Reigns at the end is going to get such a big pop.

Right now though, I'm kind of hoping that they go with Reigns winning, doing the whole "destiny being fulfilled thing" and then they have Brock beat the piss out of him at Mania. Play with the "chosen one" expectations. Everybody and their dog will think they know the coronation is coming at Mania, so if Brock wins then people are going to lose their shit. Give Reigns a period between WrestleMania and maybe SummerSlam where he has a "bad year" to subvert these expectations people have that "lol Roman wins."

The experiment has not worked the way they'd like. They know this. They can jam it down people's throats and just present that reality, or they can shift everything slightly and give people a story that they're going to be completely lost in.

Yeah, we can discuss the semantics of alignments of all day. The end result is the same... a bad product.

At least for the short term, he'd be able to pop the ratings for a while although Rock-like levels would be tough even though he's been building up his movie stardom well in recent years.

Only problem is just like The Rock, those viewers are going to leave once Batista is gone or through WWE's attrition of poorly run shows.

When Batista returned last time, he wasn't perceived as a success in Hollywood. I don't necessarily believe that he will switch a lot of people back onto the product, but the fans that are watching are going to see him slightly differently.

Yeah, I fucking love Batista as an actor, have a feeling a lot of people will dig him because of his stellar on-screen work.

For some weird reason, I imagined Cena beating Styles at the Rumble for a second year in a row, breaking Flair's record in the process. I've long assumed Cena getting the record would be a Mania moment, but since his schedule post-Mania might be up in the air as he's getting new movie offers all the time, they may want to give him the title run during Mania season when they know for sure he'll be around.

In this scenario I'd also imagine Styles entering the Rumble and being the first man since Brock in 2003 to win a Rumble after competing earlier in the show.

I love Batista, but if WWE goes into Mania with HHH, Angle, Batista, Shane, and possibly Big Show, Jericho, Undertaker and Kane on the card, in 2018. That is insane to me.

If that's the match they go for, honestly Batista is the weakest link here.


Batista was in right place at right time and went much further than someone of his skill level should have made it. Batista isn't a terrible wrestler but he is in my view a midcarder who was lucky to get into the business at a time when talent was lacking.