Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[Andrew]

It really doesn't, but I read somewhere one reason would be that Vince wanted Randy to take him out, so his family would go after Orton. Vince would have known Orton would take them out too, and now he has his show back and as result he's running RAW along with Legacy.

Yeah that's the kind of scenario I was envisioning as well. Of course it makes little sense when Vince's on-screen character has traditionally been shown to have absolute power of everything most of the time so it's a pretty contrived plot but again, one of those things we're not supposed to think about.

[Null17]

Sad thing is, the parts i've enjoyed most the past few weeks are Christian and the Tag Team feud.

[Andrew]

I'm really enjoying the Taker/HBK stuff, the build has been pretty good starting with the hints at the Rumble and it's the match I'm looking forward to the most. Obviously I'm biased in that regard being a Taker fan but as far as non-title matches go, I don't think either man could ask for a better opponent to work Wrestlemania with at this time.

[Null17]

Taker-HBK will be awesome. I just felt like the transition from JBL to Undertaker was a little bit forced. But the buildup's pretty good. I'm really not liking the Jericho promos but I guess he's doing it intentionally to sound monotonous and ranting about the same thing all the time.

[Andrew]

It was a bit forced, but I wasn't too fond of the JBL/HBK angle to begin with so I didn't mind that ending early so both HBK and Taker could have a quality opponent at Wrestlemania. I see where you're coming from on the Jericho stuff, it doesn't bother me too much because I think it's a good approach to a heel character to appear so wrapped up in their warped beliefs and whatnot. What disappoints me is the payoff to the angle but bigger plans fell through there.

[Lean]

shawn micheals is an attention craving drama queen. his popularity is baffling.

I don't know if I have to react violently on that.

I think that the Y2J feud is the most predictable match so far. Other cards are too tough to call, especially the world title cards. Apparently the winner of the title cards may have to switch brands to continue the feud. About the MITB, it's either MVP or Christian. But I'm picking MVP over Christian, based on MVP's "winning streak" storyline. Besides, he's already got a fanbase.

Haven't seen Raw this past week, but is Stephanie back on-screen?

[Andrew]

Briefly, leaving in an SUV with HHH.

Taker/HBK would seem predictable too but that should be a great match so I don't think it matters as much. It's better to have the most intrigue around the championship matches anyway.

[Lean]

That match will definitely steal the show.

Apparently there will be a new TV show, WWE Superstars. Said to have unique matches per week featuring wrestlers from all three brands.

[Andrew]

I heard that too, kind of a revival of two incarnations of the WWF Superstars program back in the day. I'm guessing it'll replace one of the recap shows here in Australia if we do get it. Then again it took ages for us to get ECW after it debuted so who knows, it could be a while after its debut elsewhere.

Interesting note from this interview with HHH (via Wrestling News World):

Speaking of story lines, you recently revealed wrestling's worst kept secret and wove it perfectly into a story line leading to your match with Randy Orton at WrestleMania: You are, in real life, married to Stephanie McMahon. Were you apprehensive about the decision to reveal this?

For story lines and business, we try to keep that stuff separate. But people knew and we joked about it when I was in DX [comic wrestling tag team formed with fellow superstar Shawn Michaels]. The only reason I was apprehensive is where do we go on the flip side of it. Look at it like this: There is the real world and the WWE Universe. So the cat is now out of the bag in the WWE Universe and it now exists there. So anything that has to do with me story-line-wise, you have to be conscious of the fact that I am married into the McMahon family. That throws a different curve into it. So my only concern was it tainting future story lines. Say something happens, and it's like, "Well, why doesn't he get that change through his father-in-law?" [Laughs.] We have created a wrinkle in the fabric of the WWE Universe.

That's one of the things I think could be a problem with the HHH/Orton angle. Sure, things get pushed aside and never mentioned again but HHH is one of the top names in the company and his marriage to Stephanie has kind of been an open secret that as he said has been hinted at in a wink-wink, nudge-nudge kind of way in recent years. It's well worth it for this angle but it'll be interesting to see how it plays out afterwards.

[Lean]

I was surprised at first, when HHH went out on Orton after Stephanie was RKO'ed. The thing I remember in the storyline is that HHH and Stephanie's marriage was called off.

We have created a wrinkle in the fabric of the WWE Universe.

Like a time paradox.

[Andrew]

Exactly, which raises a bunch of questions we're not supposed to ask.

[Lean]

Just saw SmackDown, and uhh, was that the 500th episode special?

[shadowgrin]

We have created a wrinkle in the fabric of the WWE Universe.

Like a time paradox.

Triple H is so smrt.

[buzzy]

Damn:

phpBB [video]

Gotta love the expression on the ref's face after he hit it.

[Al Ka Pwn]

gail kim looked hot.

and I think I misinterpreted shawn micheals value as a performer.
he was cracking me up on this one.

[Lean]

Holy shit buzzy.

[Andrew]

They certainly go crazy in the smaller promotions.

[shadowgrin]

Holy shit buzzy.

+1 here. My reaction was then , especially when he just positioned himself on the canvass (for safety?) and then boom, right in the jewels.
The commentator was right at the end of that video: "He had no mercy! He showed him no mercy!"

That was more brutal than today's ECW.

[Andrew]

That was more brutal than today's ECW.

What isn't?

[buzzy]

WWE should reconsider what they're doing in the last week before Wrestlemania/a PPV.

I mean, this "He's got the last word on the show - He's gonna do the job at the PPV" is occuring almost everytime. It's too freakin predictable.

Watch RAW from yesterday, you'll notice.

[Lean]

It was rare to see Triple H and Vince on the "same side."

[Andrew]

WWE should reconsider what they're doing in the last week before Wrestlemania/a PPV.

I mean, this "He's got the last word on the show - He's gonna do the job at the PPV" is occuring almost everytime. It's too freakin predictable.

Watch RAW from yesterday, you'll notice.

I don't disagree, though I guess it's Booking 101; let the eventual winner appear to have the odds stacked against them and give the other guy some wins or whatever because he's doing the job on PPV. I suppose they've got to book for the marks as well who probably don't notice (or certainly look for) such patterns and to their credit they will throw a few curveballs. It's nice when they do go for a bit of ambiguity though, keeps us guessing.

EDIT: Just saw that Tazz has left the company after deciding not to renew his contact. It will be interesting to see if he goes to TNA and who his permanent replacement would be.

[buzzy]

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/9719878?cid=2009EP-00

Pragnancy angle coming up. i wonder what they gonna do, no way she's legitimately pregnant. I think she'll the take some time off once we're supposed to see her belly getting bigger.

just btw something I read:
- Ted sent word that Edge vs. The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Title is being advertised for the SmackDown event on May 9th in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
So either we see Edge winning at Mania, or winning it back from somebody some weeks later, making him a 9-time champion.

I just hope this is a mistake and is from one year agp

[Andrew]

Sounds like a way to write her out but then again they could always do the miscarriage angle.

As for the Smackdown house show in May, you never know but since cards are always subject to change, it might not mean anything just yet.

[buzzy]

Thinking about it, this is most certainly an April Fools Joke. I mean, would they pass on revealing it on Smackdown?? I don't think so.
It just happens to be that there isn't a show on Wednesdays. Or a live show for that matter, which would be necessary.