Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[Andrew]

Orton's had some ill-fated runs as a face, the guy's a natural heel from all accounts, so hopefully they don't try and turn him. Put him up against any face other that doesn't draw such polarised responses as Cena does and the crowd will gleefully hate him.

[buzzy]

I'd rather Randy gets some pops and the crowd just doesn't die out completely in ther match against Sheamus, than having to watch another heel-heel match with absolutely no reaction.
Last time it was Jerishow against Legacy if I remember correctly, even with Y2J being perhaps the most cheered heel, it was still a dead crowd.

[Andrew]

Oh absolutely, in that situation you need one of the performers to be a quasi-heel. I'm hoping Sheamus goes over in that one, I'm still not a huge fan of the decision to give him one of the major belts this early but since that's the way they've gone, I think interrupting his reign to give Orton another run would be a waste.

[koberulz]

I never thought TNA was taking this concept that seriously. Then AJ wins by submission when Earl Hebner rings the bell without Angle tapping.

What exactly is their plan? Alienate their fans and go bust? They're doing a good job.

[JaoSming]

well Impact was pretty good....until that point. They are making AJ a heel along with Flair and well.....there are just so many better ways to do that than a screwjob.

[koberulz]

Anything this side of 1997 that involves the Nasty Boys going over is not anywhere near good. The whole purpose of TNA now seems to be to cater to Hogan's friends, thus explaining why Bubba the Love Sponge, who contributes fuck all to the company, remains employed despite pissing off the entire locker room, and has in fact pushed Awesome Kong and Alissa Flash to quit, when they actually can contribute to the company.

[Andrew]

Hogan and Bischoff keep saying that they've learned from their mistakes but it doesn't seem to be the case. I think it's going to generate a lot of excitement and respectable ratings at first, but alienate a lot of people along the way and eventually come back to haunt them.

[koberulz]

It's not, though. They did a 1.26 the first week after their live show, which they got a dozen times in 2009. Not sure what they got the week after Genesis.

[Andrew]

It hasn't caused a huge spike in the ratings aside from picking up their best rating to date when they went head to head with RAW, but I think the Hogan/Bischoff approach has the potential to result in a short term but respectable increase in ratings and interest. In the long run however, I certainly don't think they'll topple WWE by rehashing the mid 90s, relying on the members of the roster who are over the hill and alienating the TNA diehards.

[koberulz]

I doubt ratings are going to increase that much from this point on, though. The Monday night rating was due to the live show, Hogan, and a ton of hype. It's meaningless. Same thing happened when they signed Angle: ratings increased for a couple of weeks, and then went right back down.

Even if they do get interest from people who wouldn't usually watch iMPACT!, the people walking away from the product is going to offset it. I'd hazard a guess that next week's rating will be lower again.

[Andrew]

It does seem they've made several miscues already. I don't think changing back to a traditional ring was too bad of an idea as I've said before, but Hogan's promo about it sounds like it bombed.

[koberulz]

Definitely. I really don't like the idea, because it's part of the company's identity, and something that makes them unique (look how well the cage worked for UFC), along with their logo. Not the end of the world by any means, though. Belittling the fans and then trying to cut a babyface promo, having already tried to cut a babyface promo by belittling the founder of the company? No. Just no.

EDIT: 1.26 again the week after Genesis. Again, they've gotten that rating before Hogan was around. Well done, all.

[JaoSming]

but still I'm personally enjoying it more than the WWE show right now. I could see impact drawing away from RAW if they goto monday's and getting 2.25 and raw going down to a high 2.9 area but neither show deserves full attention and right now TNA's biggest problem for me are the tapings. I know what happens for the next 2 weeks thanks to those tapings while they are off in the UK (with the 6 sided ring).

when they get back it looks like everything is going to change again, and possibly the move back to monday nights

[buzzy]

Rumble predictions: Sheamus, Christian and Taker retain their titles, Mickie James wins Women's Title.
The Rumble match is probably between HHH, HBK and Cena. Would love to see Jericho do it at least once in his career, though.

[JaoSming]

great TNA match

phpBB [video]

little bastards can move


my rumble predictions are no title changes and HBK winning by throwing HHH over the top with Cena being third place.

[buzzy]

Finished watching iMPACT!, and I'm really bothered by the whole face/heel thing. It looks like they don't give a crap about who's facing who. First you have Desmond Wolfe against Val Venis, who I thought were both supposed to be heels.
Then the women's match was like heel-heel-heel against heel-heel and Tara who I'd say is a tweener right now.
Then the match Jao posted, even though there was a little tension after the match, they still teamed the face MMG with Kendrick.

I'm all for a little variety, and it doesn't always have to be a face - heel matchup, but the way they're doing it, makes it look like they're rolling dices to set up the matches, and completely ignore storylines.

[Andrew]

Rumble predictions: Sheamus, Christian and Taker retain their titles, Mickie James wins Women's Title.
The Rumble match is probably between HHH, HBK and Cena. Would love to see Jericho do it at least once in his career, though.

Agreed. The cringe-worthy Mickie James angle will be worth it so long as she prevails in the end. Unless they're planning some swerves, I also think the rest of the champions will retain. I wouldn't be surprised if Cena wins the Rumble.

[Lean]

I for one, would love to see HBK win the Rumble.

Because there's no other way for HBK to go against 'Taker at WrestleMania but the Rumble, and there's no point in HBK going on the SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match.

[Andrew]

Unless HBK costs Taker the title in the meantime, setting the wheels in motion for the rematch. Personally I'd like to see Taker (successfully) defend the title at Wrestlemania as that's something he's never done at the event.

[buzzy]

The reason I don't see HBK winning the Rumble is because of the fact he'd be getting a title match at WrestMania.
Michaels said he doesn't want any World Title reigns anymore.
The last two years Rumble winners have gone on to lose their match at Mania, I think this year, to keep up the rate, the Rumble winner is going to win the title at WrestleMania.
Maybe he's going to cost Taker the Title at No Way Out (yea I said it), but interferring in a Chamber is going to be kinda hard ..

I'm torn between Cena and HHH.

[koberulz]

Rumble predictions: Sheamus, Christian and Taker retain their titles, Mickie James wins Women's Title.
cringe-worthy Mickie James angle

What's the angle, for those of us opting to stay sane?

[buzzy]

http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/ma ... 0/preview/

[Lean]

It's unpredictable yes, but honestly I don't like either Triple H or Cena winning, what more with CM Punk. HBK appearing on SmackDown having a match with Mysterio is a good hint.

[JaoSming]

yay legacy is over!?

[dare]

can someone tell what's happening already at the royal rumble?