Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[JaoSming]

Dreamer vs Abyss was pretty good on TNA today (Raven licking Tommy though, tha fuck?)

Motor City vs Beer Money was amazing again in a cage

no idea what they are doing to E.Y. or with the security folk but everyone else needs stuff to do while ECW takes over.

[Axel The Great]

OK, so today was the first time I've watched WWE (or Smackdown) in like a year. Can someone catch me up on what's happened since? Can't remember watching much WWE since WM25, so for all I know, new PPV's were created. Some questions I have though:

1. WTF are these Nexus guys and where the fuck did they come from?
2. Who's the "clean" or "dirty" wrestler in the Orton-Sheamus feud?
3. Where's Undertaker/Triple H/Batista?
4. How did Layla and Michell McCool both become co-champions?
5. WTF happened to CM Punk?
6. Why aren't Tazz and Michael Cole on Smackdown anymore?

[Andrew]

1. Nexus are the "rookies" from the first season of NXT, which is WWE's scripted reality show for pushing new talent. Kind of a mix of Tough Enough (except completely scripted) and the workers involved are already trained and the top guys in FCW (WWE's developmental promotion) who are being called up to the big time. After the first season finished, they banded together to form a rebellion against the main WWE roster (which for storyline purposes, they're not considered a part of).

2. Orton is the face, Seamus is the heel.

3. Undertaker and Triple H are recovering from injuries. Taker is apparently going to be back fairly soon, HHH is likely out until October or November. Batista's contract expired and he's currently pursuing opportunities outside WWE, it's expected he'll return for a farewell tour at some point.

4. Technically, they're not co-champions. The WWE is only recognising Layla as the champion and that's how it will go down in the record books, but her current angle that has her allied with Layla has them sharing the championship as a part of their heel shtick.

5. Punk is currently a heel, emphasising the straight edge element of his gimmick in a holier-than-thou manner. He lost a Hair vs Mask match to Rey Mysterio, hence his current bald look.

6. Tazz is in TNA. Michael Cole is announcing on RAW.

[Axel The Great]

OK. Thanks Andrew. I'll try to continue to watch on a regular basis. Tonight's Smackdown was pretty good.

[Murat]

Man, did anyone see the McIntyre crouched for Theodore Long? This guy is poor. Got his visa and comeback, badly. About Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre blocked his finished and made him over. Ziggler won against MVP. Also MVP pinned Chavo but Ziggler pinned MVP after. BTW, Kane punished Swag because of breaking knees a lot.

This night was the best night...

[Lean]

...actually not much compared to the Smackdown of the old. The best Smackdown runs that I know of are the ones from its first years and during 2003-2005 (pre-Eddie death).

Kane being a champion is something that makes Smackdown watchable today.

[deihatein]

phpBB [video]

on top of my favorite smackdown moment.

[Andrew]

I once again find myself reading the results more than I watch the shows. Maybe I'll catch a few more episodes when Taker returns.

[Axel The Great]

What kind of a WWE fan are you?

[Andrew]

One who's not completely enamoured with the current product.

[Axel The Great]

That was me a few months ago. I stopped watching cause I didn't like the storylines.

[J@3]

phpBB [video]

on top of my favorite smackdown moment.

I can't believe how small Big Show made Brock look.

[Murat]

phpBB [video]

on top of my favorite smackdown moment.

I loved that. Big Show

[Andrew]

Apparently, Randy Orton is upset with The Miz.

Randy Orton was upset at The Miz after their match taped for tonight's edition of WWE Raw last week from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. While I haven't heard full details on what upset Orton, apparently it had to do with the timing of the finish of their match.

[Lean]

At last, an end to The Miz's run.

You don't want to mess with the Omnipotent Orton.

[Andrew]

Perhaps. As much as I don't think he's ready, it would be a shame if the plug is pulled on a good build for his character just because Orton got upset over one mistake and went crying to management. Sounds like the guy's really insecure about his position in the company. Even HHH put people over and he's notorious for his backstage politicking.

Funny how Orton doesn't try and pull a stunt like this with someone like The Undertaker though; I imagine that would not go down well. I've read that not even HHH will mess with The Undertaker and like I said before, he's notorious for his indulgence in backstage politics and Vinnie Mac's son-in-law to boot. Taker is The Dude.

[Lean]

WrestleZone reported that the WWE is changing its logo, plus they also pointed to HBK's Twitter post saying "I'm staying retired, understand the skepticism though."

Anyway, this is the reported new WWE logo:

[buzzy]

I like it because it's a good representation of what WWE and its product has become today.
All the changes to the worse and more uncreative - it just fits.


If anyone could spare 25 minutes I recommend watching this tag match between Rey/Edge and Angle/Benoit again. It was the final match in the WWE Tag Team Titles Tournament from No Mercy in 2002. One heck of a match.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2baXiRf ... r_embedded
2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGTL9HT9 ... re=related
3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhVa6oj_ ... re=related this is where it gets really epic

[Andrew]

I like it because it's a good representation of what WWE and its product has become today.
All the changes to the worse and more uncreative - it just fits.

Good call.

I'd say it's alright actually, not the best logo I've ever seen but not exactly the worst either. At least it represents the E in WWE.

[Lean]

I think this would lead to a new look on the title belts.

[Andrew]

Hopefully one that doesn't spin.

[JaoSming]

well it hasnt spun since I started watching again (about a year and half)

[Andrew]

I guess a more traditional design is what I'm getting at.

[J@3]

It looks like the old WWF logo.

[Andrew]

Yeah that's what I like about it. Not quite as good as that old design though.