Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[[Q]]

Feels like they were rushing a bit to get everything in pain time. It was nice that the video packages in between matches were much shorter than normal but each match seems like they ended early and needed 15 more minutes.

Now that you mention it, I don't like how asuka tapped to Charlotte's "regular" move. She should have been KOed from a natural selection from the top rope or something.

[bigh0rt]

Thots:

The highs were very high, and the lows were very low.

At like 10:00 PM, I thought we were on track to have the greatest WrestleMania I'd ever seen. The IC Title match was fantastic, as was Charlotte vs. Asuka. Just two great matches. The SmackDown Women's Title Match was the match of the night for me, and I am a much more harsh critic of the Women's matches than many others. Just great work from the two of them, even if you're displeased with the finish. If the likely alternative finish is having Carmella cash in on a prone Asuke to end her streak, I'll gladly take what we got last night. Great story telling and spots and work in that match. At this point in the night, I'm thrilled.

The US Title match was fine. Nothing really note worthy, but it wasn't bad. Jinder winning is fine. Whatever. I'm not thrilled with Roode's run on the main roster so far, and I haven't found Orton to be interesting in years. With as over as Rusev is, I'd love to see him get an actual push, but I know that's unlikely. The match was fine. It didn't bring down the night at all, and the only real knock was that it followed two smash hits that started the main card.

I thought the mixed tag match was absolutely fantastic, and the only match that challenged Asuka/Flair for match of the night, which is crazy when you consider the participants. Ronda looked like she belonged in every sense of the word. Her offense looked great, her selling was fine, and she was very believable; which I wasn't certain she would be. I think she's going to be an incredible addition to the Women's Division, and would be fine seeing her vs Charlotte and/or Asuka main event a PPV down the road. This match had great psychology that helped mask everybody's deficiencies, and far surpassed my expectations (like most, I'll be thrilled when a WrestleMania goes by where Triple H doesn't have a match at all). All in all this was a great debut for Ronda, and I'm excited to see what they've got in store for her going forward.

It was great to see Daniel Bryan wrestle again. I got back into the WWE right at the time he was making his meteoric rise, so it was good to see. I don't think you needed the pre-match attack to build the suspense, as the crowd was already ready for him to return after such a long absence. All in all the match was fine; Shane didn't ruin it (I look forward to the next WresleMania he does not have a match on, as well) thankfully. With Shinsuke's heel turn, I really hope that ultimately we get a great Styles/Nakamura feud that leads to Shinsuke taking the belt, and then a Daniel Bryan v. Nakamura feud for the WWE Title; I'm sure that isn't the hottest take around.

The tag matches were both dreadful. A waste of time, and crowd killers. It's tough to not have the crowd be into a match that involves the Usos and/or the New Day, but they managed. The Bludgeon Brothers are awful, and will become The Ascension after they drop these titles because there's just nothing else you can do with them. That's unfortunate. As for the RAW tag team match, that was a let down mostly because people had built up all the possibility of who Braun's partner could be, with rumors of Mysterio and Lashley and even Hulk Hogan himself. The build up caused the let down to be greater (which was also the case in the WWE Championship match), but it was let down all the same. I imagine Braun drops the titles as soon as tonight, and he deserved better at WrestleMania given how over he is.

Nakamura and Styles put on a fine match. It wasn't great or note worthy, and only disappointed because people thought it was going to be the match of their lives. Shinsuke's turn opens the possibility of a good feud between the two with later payoff(s), which I'm fine with. I hope that heel Nakamura is more cocky, brash, and aggressive, and think there's good possibility there. As mentioned above, I hope he takes the strap off Styles eventually and leads into a feud with Daniel Bryan. So yeah, this wasn't a great segment, but by the fifth hour of this PPV, you're fatigued even watching, and with such high hopes, it was a let down.

Undertaker vs. Cena. Bleh. Go away. Awful.

Reigns vs. Lesnar. Woof. Brutal. Just a horribly booked match top to bottom. I need Lesnar to go away and I need Reigns to turn heel to actually build on his character more than anything, because a guy as good in the ring as Reigns still not being over with the crowd at this point I don't blame on him; I blame it on Vince, et al. He's just booked poorly, and if they'd just build on his character a little, they could ultimately have him have a natural face turn that the fans would actually embrace. Lesnar is just the worst, and I wish he'd go back to UFC. If I never see him in another WWE match that'd be great. I'd rather watch the Undertaker or Triple H. Brock is the worst. He's the literal worst part of the entire company at this point. And he holds their most prestigious title. For over a year. Makes sense.

[Andrew]

Taker/Cena, awful? I know you're sick of Taker, but that seems a little harsh. The match wasn't long, Taker looked healthy, and it's potentially a good send-off for the character, instead of having him look broken and mortal as he did against Reigns last year.

I absolutely agree about Lesnar, but the WWE Championship remains the company's most prestigious title, with the longest lineage. Interestingly, they even made a point of mentioning that in the introduction to AJ/Shinsuke, which surprised me.

[Andrew]

So, here's the latest: Brock Lesnar, WWE Agree to New Contract; Will Face Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia

WWE brought the speculation about Brock Lesnar's future to an end Monday, as it announced the universal champion has signed a new contract with the company.

Lesnar will also defend the WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns at the Greatest Royal Rumble, a WWE Network-exclusive event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 27.

Embedded Tweets from Bleach Report's Jeremy Botter state:

My understanding is Lesnar signed for one more match. Audible called by Vince during the match last night when Roman wasn’t getting over at all. Now Lesnar will lose the belt in front of a more conducive audience.

There may be an extra TV appearance in the deal, but at most I’m told this is a two appearance deal.

Then again:

The question now becomes whether Lesnar's new deal carries him through WrestleMania 35 in 2019 or if it's more about keeping him around long enough to drop the universal title.

Pro Wrestling Sheet's Ryan Satin reported Monday that Lesnar and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon got into an argument after the WrestleMania main event, during which Lesnar allegedly threw the universal title.

Having him hold onto the title until next year would be a huge mistake. Even if he drops the title later this month, we don't need to see him again.

[[Q]]

I agree with the points about roode. I actually liked him in what little tna I watched when he was beer money, but I don't like him in WWE. Nothing really makes him stand out in the ring. His theme is more over than he is.

I also agree with rusev being misused. They've been milking his merch for every penny but they don't seem to want him to win anything. His addition to the WM match seemed like an afterthought. He seemed destined for the battle royal.

Does anyone know if nakamura ever was a heel in Japan?

[Andrew]

I've heard that he did have a heel run, but I don't know anything more than that.

Rusev is overdue for a proper push. He's gotten over after the stumbling block of being an undefeated monster heel whose streak is broken, leading to the inevitable "What do we do with him now?", and they're wasting him. He definitely should've won instead of Jinder Mahal, whose push has felt very forced and inorganic.

[bigh0rt]

Taker/Cena, awful? I know you're sick of Taker, but that seems a little harsh. The match wasn't long, Taker looked healthy, and it's potentially a good send-off for the character, instead of having him look broken and mortal as he did against Reigns last year.

I absolutely agree about Lesnar, but the WWE Championship remains the company's most prestigious title, with the longest lineage. Interestingly, they even made a point of mentioning that in the introduction to AJ/Shinsuke, which surprised me.

I’ll give you that it was a substantially better showing for The Undertaker than we’ve seen in a few years but my question is, why? Why have him squash Cena? Is there a point outside of nostalgia? Are we going to do this forever? I watched his 2010 match with HBK earlier in the day yesterday and man, seeing this sullies that for me. As much as I loved Stone Cold Steve Austin, I know seeing him wrestle again would do nothing outside of the nostalgia, and I’d rather see guys who entertain in the present. You’re correct though, it was the best we’ve seen Taker in years. However, all it really was was 3 minutes of just the hits. Cena landed 1 move. I read it may have been to set up a Career vs Career Rematch for them at next year’s Mania?

[Andrew]

I guess a lot of it is the appeal to nostalgia, and that can admittedly get old. I've heard those rumours as well, but I'm not sure what to make of them. My feeling is that it was a send-off that allows Taker to go out on a high and create a proverbial "Wrestlemania Moment", with Cena being willing to do the honours as he's someone who ultimately won't get hurt by it (especially with him becoming more of a part-time talent as well). And if they do have a Career vs. Career match next year...well, it probably would be a retirement match for Taker, and if he's this healthy, it probably wouldn't be half bad. It also means they wouldn't be involved in a match with any up-and-coming talent or taking up two matches on the card. My guess is that's just a rumour for the moment.

[Andrew]

So...Paige retires, Bobby Lashley returns, and Owens and Zayn are going to fight it out for a spot on RAW. I was surprised to hear Kurt Angle mention TNA by name during the Owens/Zayn segment; it drew a shocked "Ohhhhhh!" from the crowd as well.

[shadowgrin]

Rumor of Rousey vs Charlotte as next Wrestlemania's main event.

[Lean]

NXT call-ups are great, but then again the main roster is just getting filled up yearly with some of the regulars being stagnant. Would they add more NXT call-ups on Smackdown tomorrow? Will Bryan be a full-time guy and be replaced as GM?

I was surprised to hear Kurt Angle mention TNA by name during the Owens/Zayn segment; it drew a shocked "Ohhhhhh!" from the crowd as well.

I absolutely loved that.

[Andrew]

I heard a rumour that they might bring back Hulk Hogan as the GM, seeing how the dust has settled on that whole situation and there apparently have been discussions about bringing him back.

[bigh0rt]

I hope that with the NXT call ups, which I love, that they trim the fat at the bottom of the roster, at least with respect to who gets television time. I was surprised to see No Way Jose, as I feel he's a character who just hasn't figured it out yet, and I imagine he'll fall into a jobber role in short order, unless they've got something surprising planned. Ember should easily jump right into the Women's mix with her talent, though, as well as AOP in the tag division. I do hope we see a few more debuts on SmackDown tonight, and imagine we will. Any of Almas/Gargano/Ciampa/McIntyre would be welcome.

I would love to see The Miz get sent to SmackDown Live in next week's shake up to ultimately feud with Daniel Bryan. In my perfect scenario, Nakamura lifts the title off of Styles after a strong feud, then Daniel Bryan lifts the title off of Nakamura after a strong feud, and then we get Daniel Bryan vs The Miz at next year's WrestleMania for the WWE Title. I think that could be just a fantastic build and trajectory for the title for the next calendar year.

Random Thot: You've gotta love the Universal Champion not appearing on the RAW following WrestleMania. You can't make this shit up.

I wonder what they've got planned for Lashley. I missed his entire WWE career, but I've seen a little of him on TNA, and he's massive. Should I be excited, or is the probability more for let down?

[[Q]]

Yeah honestly I haven't seen too much of lashley so I wasn't that excited when he showed up. Not sure what to expect from him

The problem with nxt "call ups" is that many of them that succeeded there don't translate well or simply just don't get enough time or focus spent on them to build them up.
Look at guys like tye dillinger vs someone like Bobby roode who was hotshotted to the top since his debut

I feel like they have enough talent being wasted, solid veterans who are paid to hang out in catering that we never see. Makes me feel like they need a third "main" show to showcase all this talent they have

I like the ember call up and I think cien will show up on SD tonight but there's just only so much time with too many people to showcase. Hell, they nearly botched shinsuke's debut because they couldn't figure out how to use him

[bigh0rt]

Yeah honestly I haven't seen too much of lashley so I wasn't that excited when he showed up. Not sure what to expect from him

The problem with nxt "call ups" is that many of them that succeeded there don't translate well or simply just don't get enough time or focus spent on them to build them up.
Look at guys like tye dillinger vs someone like Bobby roode who was hotshotted to the top since his debut

I feel like they have enough talent being wasted, solid veterans who are paid to hang out in catering that we never see. Makes me feel like they need a third "main" show to showcase all this talent they have

I like the ember call up and I think cien will show up on SD tonight but there's just only so much time with too many people to showcase. Hell, they nearly botched shinsuke's debut because they couldn't figure out how to use him

That's part of the nature of calling the guys up, too, though; to see if they'll translate from NXT into bigger venues, a different audience, etc. Even people that are supremely talented like an Apollo can get lost in the shuffle for any myriad of reasons. You'd hate to give up on the guy and have him go onto mega-success elsewhere because you missed something (ahem, Cody Rhodes), but at the same time, some guys just never get over or figure it out despite tremendous talent. I'm glad that we rarely see guys like Curt Hawkins or Heath Slater unless they're jobbing to put somebody over, and we don't get forced storylines (often) for them.

I just went through the entire RAW roster, and really, the only person I'd like them to ditch would be Kane. The aforementioned jobbers, and guys like R-Truth don't get TV time anyway, so that's fine (and as I mentioned in my previous post, I think No Way Jose will join those ranks in short order). Otherwise you've got just an unbelievable list of talent. Titus has never done anything for me, so I'd like him to get less TV time, but I feel like he has in recent months.

As for SDL, Primo and Epico Colon, The Ascension, The Bludgeon Brothers, Mojo Rawley, Sarah Logan, Mike Kanelis, Sin Cara, Tamina, and Zack Ryder all feel like absolute wastes to me. If they're ever on television not getting squashed, that is television time wasted. Granted, most don't see the daylight for the most part, but two of them are the current Tag Team Champions, and Logan feels so out of place compared to the other NXT women who were called up at the same time, both in character and in the ring, despite I believe being in the business longer than many of the others. It's a shame that Harper and Rowan get monster pushes with absolutely no character development and are doomed to be left with absolutely nothing the minute they lose the titles, whereas Breezango, if booked correctly, with the development they've gone through with their characters from a comedic standpoint via their vignettes, etc. would be so much better served and received by the WWE fans, IMO.

[Lean]

Makes me feel like they need a third "main" show to showcase all this talent they have

I agree with this. But the problem that it would present is, too much wrestling I guess? That's why I really am against several NXT call-ups because after the episode they debut in, it goes downhill from there. Very few transitioned with great success, and I think apart from the Shield guys, I only feel Owens and Charlotte are the biggest successes of the NXT program.

[[Q]]

Breezango is another head scratcher as they struck gold with them and buried them after their run of backstage segments.

Part of the problem is that nxt used to be a developmental system but with them signing finished talent it's basically the indie wwe show. Imagine if they called up all the top guys from nxt, there would be no time for them. But since it's seen as developmental it doesn't make sense to keep em in nxt forever. And the current roster isn't going anywhere. I think they'll have to address this in the near future, especially whether they'll keep nxt as developmental or split it

[Andrew]

Lashley was pretty good in his initial run with the company. Good to see him back for a second run.

[Andrew]

So, Paige is the new GM of Smackdown. Not surprised that they're keeping her in an on-air role. Looks like I was a couple of days early on my Carmella prediction, though there's still the question of where they go from here with Asuka. Bryan/Styles was a solid TV match and I hope we see it again, but that was a good finish to protect both of them and further Shinsuke's heel turn.

[Lean]

WILL WWE FINALLY PULL OFF A PAIGE AND XAVIER WOODS SEGMENT?

[Andrew]

That's going to be awkward.

[bigh0rt]

I imagine we'll see Charlotte back on RAW next week, after the title drop. Wonder who else moves where.

[Andrew]

Presumably Daniel Brien and The Miz will find themselves on the same brand. I kind of hope Bryan stays on Smackdown, though. We don't need HHH and/or Stephanie coming out to tell him he's a B+ Player over and over again, all over again.

[bigh0rt]

Presumably Daniel Brien and The Miz will find themselves on the same brand. I kind of hope Bryan stays on Smackdown, though. We don't need HHH and/or Stephanie coming out to tell him he's a B+ Player over and over again, all over again.

I agree, SmackDown is absolutely the place for him. I think it's a great place to re-elevate him, back into the title picture, etc. I don't anticipate him moving. I think we'll see one of the Usos or New Day move to RAW, Miz (and tourage) to SmackDown, Finn & Gallows & Anderson to SmackDown to work the top of the card would be fun. RAW seems very full, whereas SmackDown seems to have more fat to trim, and more room for superstars to come over and potentially flourish instead of being lost in the sauce on Monday nights.

[Andrew]

It would also mean being in the WWE title picture, i.e. the championship that actually means something, and is actually on TV. An extended reign for him, should his health hold up, would be - to borrow one of WOKEN Matt Hardy's favourite words - wonderful.