Don’t disagree with that. I’ve always heard her gripes have been with booking (Ric Flair leaving). I don’t think she’s been made to look weak.

If there was hall of fame for bad booking decisions that would seriously have to be one of the first inductees. I mean all-time. It was that bad.

I think she lost to Carmella twice, didn't she?

Oh yeah. Carmella cashed in her MITB on her and then they had a rematch and Carmella beat her... FUCKING CLEAN. Lol

And again this was the immediate follow-up to Charlotte beating Asuka via submission at WrestleMania to retain the title and end the “longest undefeated streak in WWE history”.

Mind blowing.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PKDRU5IagHY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Charlotte beating Asuka was fine. Carmella beating Charlotte was not.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vK1qTGVoOUw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WUSNvYxNhEA" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Wait, women wrestle?

I love ragging on AEW, but they have the similar problem to WWE right now. They’ve only got a few good moments that go to highlight how terrible the rest of the show is. With Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns being the best story in pro-wrestling, it only goes to show people what they are going to miss. I think SmackDown is going to see a pretty notable drop with Brock being gone until the Royal Rumble.

What else do they have on SmackDown? They haven’t got anything ready for when Brock isn’t there. Drew is talented, but he’s not going to have the same dynamic as Brock in that program. And what heels are there for him to beat? They kind of need someone to come out of nowhere.

I guess they do Raw vs. SmackDown at this time of year. I don’t think Big E is ready to throw himself at the feet of Reigns in that program though. And I don’t think people care about Raw vs. SmackDown enough.

This fucking roster split, man. And their inability to generate interest in things outside that top program. The guys coming out of Crown Jewel with the most firepower are Edge and Goldberg. They don’t have dates on Goldberg and Edge and Reigns has been done, plus Edge is on Raw anyway.

Roman is going to be magnificent gloating about Brock being gone. But who can really step into that program with him? They need to get their head out of their asses and iron this shit out so there can be some flow.

The only thing I can recommend is either doing Big E and Roman as captains of respective teams. That way you might be able to build some faces and heels up alongside them. Big E being opposite Xavier Woods might actually be interesting. Drew can be there butting heads with Roman. Edge can be unhinged on the Raw side. Maybe that can be interesting enough with cross-pollination or promos on each side.

The other idea would be for Roman to deny Big E’s challenge...unless he ups the ante. You think you can hang with The Big Dog? Actually put your belt on the line. Winner takes all. Now that Brock is gone I’m taking over Raw too. Title for title might actually keep some people engaged. You can have Kofi & Woods backing Big E’s cause on SmackDown.

I dunno. The best thing I can say about the WWE’s direction right now is that I’m morbidly curious to see what they pull out of their asses. I suppose the Roman/Big E stuff will be pretty pedestrian and the rest of the card looks like:

* Edge, Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley and...maybe Rey Mysterio, Keith Lee, Kevin Owens or AJ Styles against Drew McIntyre, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Sheamus and Jinder Mahal or Sami Zayn. I hate the heels and faces all working together, but you just know they will put all the arch-nemeses on the same side. I’d prefer a heel team from Raw AND a face team from it where they can all get competitive with each other and maybe do their own televised Survivor Series matches.

* Becky vs. either Sasha or Charlotte, depending on how things go with Charlotte. At least that’s interesting now.

* A women’s elimination match.

* Happy Corbin vs. Damian Priest, so Priest can beat a heel.

* RKBro vs. The Usos

* A tag team Survivor, which may be something like Street Profits, AJ & Omos, Rey & Dominik, Ziggler & Roode and Alpha Academy against Hit Row, Viking Raiders, Jinder & Shanky, Nakamura & Boogs and...fuck maybe New Day or The Bar. Is there another team I’m forgetting? Wait, Garza & Carrillo.

I guess it could be solid from an in-ring. I dunno.

Putting together face vs. heel teams, leaving guys open for tag team clutter.

Drew, Kofi, Xavier, Cesaro & Jeff Hardy from SmackDown to go against Seth, Bobby Lashley, Shelton, Cedric & Austin Theory or Karrion Kross from Raw. Probably Theory.

Edge, Balor, Owens, Keith Lee &... I’m drawing blanks here. John Morrison? Veer? Fuck. To go against Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Ridge Holland...I give up.

It’s going to be Edge, Seth, Balor, Bobby & AJ against Drew, Kofi, Xavier, Sheamus & Jinder, isn’t it? Maybe they expand it to include Owens & Zayn on their sides, and maybe Theory & Hardy as well.

Yeah, it'll be down to the "usual" heavily-featured ppl.

2022 PPV schedule so far:

Saturday, Jan. 1 – Day 1 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta
Saturday, Jan. 29 – Royal Rumble at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis
Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3 – WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium in Dallas
Sunday, May 8 – Pay-per-view at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I.
Sunday, June 5 – Pay-Per-View at Allstate Arena in Chicago
Saturday, July 2 – Money In The Bank at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
Saturday, July 30 – SummerSlam at Nissan Stadium in Nashville
Saturday, Sept. 3 or Sunday, Sept. 4 – Pay-Per-View at TBD location
Saturday, Nov. 26 – Survivor Series at TD Garden in Boston

Glad to see the bigger shows going to Saturdays. Saturday is just a better night for wrestling than Sunday.

SummerSlam in July? What is this about?

Being rebranded The Great American Summer Fest.

Actually, considering WWE’s show lengths, It’ll probably be mid-August by the time the main event rolls around.

The Great American Pumpkin Spice Series, brought to you by Shittles, taste the asshole.

Well....you could call it that..sort of.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What did I just watch ���� <a href="https://t.co/jU7Yfnqq5o">pic.twitter.com/jU7Yfnqq5o</a></p>&mdash; ��Adam Goldberg  (@adamgoldberg28) <a href="https://twitter.com/adamgoldberg28/status/1452079450783469576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Outstanding lol

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">when the crops are growing in real well this season <a href="https://t.co/MgjtEQBKBx">pic.twitter.com/MgjtEQBKBx</a></p>&mdash; WCW Deep Cuts (@DeepCutsWCW) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepCutsWCW/status/1452682940702416896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

LOL love it

Especially if there's a special appearance by The Undertaker. His entrance alone will eat up four days.

Ugh, why? This sort of shit holds everyone back so much.

With the WWE running six stadium shows in 2022, it would make sense for them to really ramp up their product. I predicted the XFL would force their hand to create more stars. They tried with Drew, but then Covid hit and the XFL was gone. These shows provide new outside stimulus to actually create content that is going to get people into those buildings.

It’s sad the WWE needs that push to create better content. But I do understand the idea behind having a sustainable product that isn’t affected too adversely when peaks drop off. But the downside is that you whittle down an audience over time. But then you do get to hype them up later. If they’re willing to bite.

It’ll be interesting to see how the WWE handle their next few PPVs. Survivor Series and Day 1 are going to be especially intriguing as to how they handle duration, structure and the booking. It might provide insight into what their model is going to be. But I think they should be doing something so they don’t get egg on their faces by not filling up stadiums or whatever.

I couldn't agree more. Such blatant disregard of kayfabe is so inline with post modernism bullshit that's been in circulation for decades now. Big E should be reprehended and eventually made to drop the belt to someone deserving like Timmy Thatcher or Chad Gable. Imagining a 30-minute slugfest with Oney Lorcan for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Even better, have him drop the title to Goldberg in less than 10 seconds. That feels appropriate for holding everyone back.

What's the deal with it though? Because he side-eyed the potential winner? Like, foreshadowing a future event?

He's taking the piss on one of the dumber tropes of wrestling. Good thing no one else ever did it...


i never quite figured out how to do the image grab from Imgur. Shoot me.

oh.... well that's really dumb :|

I think it would be kind of funny if every week it showed him watching in a more awkward position.

Eventually he's outside the building staring at a tree.

That would definitely be funny, and Big E would make it work well :D


I didn't understand how it was holding people back I guess.

It’s “it gets a lol from the hardcore fans but a casual channel hopper would be put off by it”

I think the casual channel hopper wouldn't give a fuck how some dude was looking at a TV. I dunno man.

I started writing a response to the “How would you fix WWE” thread from about a year ago that floated the idea of WWE having 5 “tent pole” events on PPV (not on the network) throughout the year that essentially served as the foundation of the booking structure. These huge stadium shows could do the same thing.

Lol I remember in one of the first AEW episodes they made a point to show someone backstage. Think it might’ve been Brandi. The camera was behind her and they spun around to show that she was standing directly in front of the monitor instead of at an awkward angle.

She was soooooo good.

This is the first stuff a casual fan notices. Other than “he didn’t really hit the guy,” the most off-putting stuff to casuals is the stuff that seems so inorganic.

I know someone who checked out SmackDown post WrestleMania in 2018. There was a word that kept being used because Vince was telling everyone to use it. Something like “heinous.” Turned them off the product because someone said it in a promo, they said it on commentary and someone said it in an interview.

Magic cameras, magic intros (AEW is guilty of these too) and unnatural conduct are exactly the sort of things casual fans care about.

:y:

Redefining these tent poles should theoretically give them things to build to and come from. It’s not an unreasonable way to think about them.

I'm a casual fan, by definition... shit, probably even less because I don't watch even regularly. I had zero clue that this was some "young bucks" thing, at all.


To me, it was some dude side-eyeing his potential next competitor. That's what I get from a picture as a filthy less-than-casual fan

it's not even a young bucks thing. they were making fun of the backstage segments in the E (and probably other places) for doing that same sort of "watch on a screen at an angle" for years.

It’s always weird when WWE tries to make fun of themselves. Especially when it’s a thing they continue to do after parodying it. You can’t simultaneously “get it” and not get it. That’s not allowed.

Of course, they could just go full-on Tommy Wiseau. I’d be for that. Stop trying to be “occasionally serious” with ultimately meaningless storylines and long matches and pitch the entire company as the worlds greatest producer of stuff you and your friends can MST3K to.

Hardwork Bobby Walker was so bad lol

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bobby Walker spilled his Juice. <a href="https://t.co/yZeCQZ8k7Y">pic.twitter.com/yZeCQZ8k7Y</a></p>&mdash; WCW Deep Cuts (@DeepCutsWCW) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepCutsWCW/status/1452833654858829825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ring announcer Greg Hamilton took exception to rapper Westside Gunn sampling his voice on a track. Threatened to sue him and get WWE’s lawyers involved if he didn’t receive compensation.

WWE noped out of that one real quick and released Hamilton instead.

I was expecting that to be more of a rap beef, with Hamilton threatening to shoot the guy or something.

Feel like there's more of a story here - maybe it'll come out soon, or maybe never. But I don't think WWE is so strapped for cash that they couldn't have some people hammer this out.

Or maybe they didn't give enough of a shit to bother and decided it wasn't worth keeping him if this was going to turn into "a thing."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/ugtGiQAp4h">pic.twitter.com/ugtGiQAp4h</a></p>&mdash; Rob Naylor (@NINaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NINaylor/status/1453355143173480452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I always loved it when Rey would do a hurricanrana and basically have the guys legs hooked before he even flips him.

That's the only reason I loved the two ring setup.... for when cruiserweights earlier in the night would use it in crazy ways.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2 more days</p>&mdash; Windham (@WWEBrayWyatt) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEBrayWyatt/status/1453534881762275333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Interesting.

He is going to the cinema.

I hope he pops up somewhere in wrestling capacity. He is a big man who can move really fast. I enjoyed the whole Wyatt family schtick, that was good shit. The Fiend was enjoyable for a while, but wore off quick due to how he was booked.

Hamilton sounds annoying, I'd release him too.

Course if his claims have any merit, he would STFU and just move ahead with the lawsuit.

I think I’m more interested in what he has to say about his time in WWE than I am of seeing him pop up somewhere else. I’m expecting him to be something completely different if he does land somewhere though.

That too. Very curious indeed. It will be interesting.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan diagnosed with prostate cancer. Having surgery this Friday.

Has anyone used the nickname "The 1 Seed" as a wrestling nickname. Someone trademark this for me.

Leaked convo with Vince:

"Greg, how can I help you pal?"
"Mr McMahon, a rapper used my voice in a song, can WWE help me sue him so I can make some money?"
"Actually pal, that is our money, you cannot profit off your WWE character!"
"But, its my actual voice and I think th"
"YOU'RE FIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREDD!!!!!!!"

Verbatim

"Was it Oscar?"

Had anyone ever used “The Impeccable”?

embarrassing...

Next time they go to Saudi Arabia, Goldberg should wear a star of David a "yarmulke"

LOL.


MBS is a sociopath.

How much money did Goldberg get paid to say that?

First, the man threatens to kill Lashley after his son jumped the barricade and tried to attack him. Then he goes on to praise fucking MBS :nono:

And in the main event: Ladies wrestling with bare ankles!

Talk dirty to me baby:naughty:

Apropos of nothing; I used to hate how Reigns would sling the championship belt over his shoulder. Then I realised it symbolises that he’s carrying the title - and by extension the whole company - on his back.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://t.co/praWi8ojso">pic.twitter.com/praWi8ojso</a></p>&mdash; Windham (@Windham6) <a href="https://twitter.com/Windham6/status/1454536223851167748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Now that we have Johnny and Bruce’s opinion, I would like to share mine soon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KultofWindham?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KultofWindham</a></p>&mdash; Windham (@Windham6) <a href="https://twitter.com/Windham6/status/1454537024917147649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

mox was going to team with sami callihan vs the wolves at the pro wrestling revolver event tonight, but since sami's injured, wolves are wrestling another team, and mox is instead facing JIMMY JACOBS in an IOWA STREET FIGHT. i'm gonna get lit in des moines tonight for this one, my babies

That's contradictory to what we've heard in the past. Wyatt has praised the creative team in past interviews, and stated that any creative issues he had, were due to one man, which was implied to be vince.

I’m already sick of Bray Wyatt outside of WWE and he hasn’t even done anything yet.

Nobody cares.

Bray Wyatt is one.of the greatest of ALLL TIME DADDY

It kind of reminds me of that segment where they were announcing the sites of the next 3 manias (this past one and the next two). Triple H, Steph, Cena, Banks, and to a lesser extent Heyman were all clowning around and being funny. But not Reigns. He was just pissed by the whole thing. He wasn't some silly weatherman, he was Roman Reigns, the WWE World Champion. And I bought the guy.

I stand by this: This past year was the year that Roman Reigns became the star that Vince McMahon always thought he would be. Where all the pieces came into place.

H20 Wrestling had Rob fucking Feinstein as a guest backstage. I know it's a hardcore promotion but jesus, feel like the locker room should've walked out.

Haha!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The instant regret on this woman’s face once Buff Bagwell walks away… <a href="https://t.co/4aKNFhry5t">pic.twitter.com/4aKNFhry5t</a></p>&mdash; WCW Deep Cuts (@DeepCutsWCW) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepCutsWCW/status/1455200145725853701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

lol She is like "damn that was a lot of baby oil"

She was mystified at having touched the Buff One. She touched Buff and got the Stuff

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Damn kids with their flips and high spots! Business will be dead in a year. <a href="https://t.co/fEf30y21ZA">https://t.co/fEf30y21ZA</a></p>&mdash; Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) <a href="https://twitter.com/LanceStorm/status/1454905113827418114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Whenever I see these videos I just think to myself why doesn’t the other guy just throw a punch or kick

I was trying to get some context, as to who the wrestlers were (Is one of them Carpentier?) and all, but all I see is a bunch of Edgelords being edgy. :mad:

Wrestling is not real.

Anyone who has yet to see the available footage of Maurice Tillet “The French Angel” needs to get on it ASAP.
He looks like a real life Gargoyle with a normal body. Hideous.
He looks like his head is made of plasticine.

Quite frankly there has never been a more terrifying wrestler.

I only saw the footage the other day, the pictures do him no justice at all.

There's a facebook page dedicated to Maurice with TONS of photos etc.

I just said the pictures do him no justice at all.

Worthless!

Shrek was based on him.

Barbarian was such a beast

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bodies aren’t supposed to bounce like that. <a href="https://t.co/qrNAJ9NIdF">pic.twitter.com/qrNAJ9NIdF</a></p>&mdash; WCW Deep Cuts (@DeepCutsWCW) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepCutsWCW/status/1455317324018368514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eddie Guerrero was the best at conveying mischief in a wrestling ring. <a href="https://t.co/iNtikCD2K5">pic.twitter.com/iNtikCD2K5</a></p>&mdash; WCW Deep Cuts (@DeepCutsWCW) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepCutsWCW/status/1455367808800464897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Even though it came early for him (IMO) I'm glad Eddie got his reign as champ. On of my favs during his finals years.

I legit thought the orange and black New Day gear was a play on The Godfather until I looked closer and realised it was a Fugees tribute.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So ummmm… now he has sources at Halloween parties??? Hahahahah omg. It’s a costume. That’s it, no need for an analysis. Slow news day I guess. WOWWWWWWW <a href="https://t.co/jWcYiW0g5t">https://t.co/jWcYiW0g5t</a></p>&mdash; Franky Monet (@FrankyMonetWWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrankyMonetWWE/status/1455574030510137350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I feel like this Alex Wright gif is better with no context. <a href="https://t.co/8JhSKnq8Hu">pic.twitter.com/8JhSKnq8Hu</a></p>&mdash; WCW Deep Cuts (@DeepCutsWCW) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeepCutsWCW/status/1455553491594846223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DSQExBPos_0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If this kind of stuff was the best wrestling could do at the time then wrestling would have been in very bad shape. And if it was better than the more realistic stuff then it would have become the norm. I don’t think this tweet makes the point Lance thinks it makes.