Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[Null17]

i can't believe they're using vince mcmahon as an opponent for shawn michaels, i mean come on. i would've loved to see michaels face off against RVD, or someone of that nature. he really needs one more run with the title before he goes, he's still pretty over with the crowd. i hope to god he doesnt get traded to smackdown

I actually wish he'd get traded. Give some new life to Smackdown. It's been kind of boring lately

[Andrew]

World Heavyweight title was back in WCW and it goes further back to NWA

Yes, but the WWE Title is the one with the most lineage within the company it's currently a part of. Also, it would seem that TNA is claiming lineage with the old NWA belt. (Source)

The WWE doesn't even recognise anything before 2002 as far as the Heavyweight title is concerned (Source), although it does bear the design of the old WCW/NWA title. In comparison, the WWE title dates back to the 60s. (Source).

As far as the WWE's concerned, the belt that John Cena holds is the more significant one in the history of the company. The title Angle holds has a much shorter lineage in the WWE (since it doesn't continue on from any NWA/WCW records) and is basically the Triple H World Title.

[Yessie]

Yeah i guess that makes alot of sense. WWE just kept the WCW belt but even in WCW it was reannounced as the NWA title im just saying it was the NWA title before WCW and NWA had beef and TNA bought the rights to the NWA title.

Flair is an idiot how many times can someone be striped of the title

Christian Cage Best NWA champ yet even though he copies alot of what the ROCK did in WWE

[Andrew]

It has the same design but it's basically newly created. Anyway, the main point is the brand split's really run its course. Having two major titles just doesn't work and they both kind of undermine each other.

I think back to the Eddie Guerrero tribute shows and all the inter-brand matches. Obviously I would have rather seen those matches for different reasons but it showed what could be accomplished if they went back to the way things were in the Attitude era. And I know we're supposed to suspend belief when it comes to pro wrestling, but it's just silly how they act as though wrestlers from the other brand shouldn't be there or whatever, yet they're able to come in to their entrance theme...as though they have the magical ability to make it start playing as soon as they enter the arena.

And while I'm ranting about that...as fun as it was to see Shawn Michaels throw what looked like apple juice on the McMahons, wouldn't any normal person have an open and shut lawsuit against the company after that, with video evidence? Wouldn't the cameraman have said something? It's kind of like that whole Batista/Melina thing. There was a camera there! It should be open and shut.

I know, one of those things we're not supposed to think. Right up there with John Cena being arrested for vandalising JBL's limo and getting arrested but when Randy Orton brags about murdering the Undertaker, he's not even questioned. Little bit of an inconsistency in the writing there. They used to be a lot better at avoiding situations like that.

[koberulz]

not to mention the fact that he magically appeared in time to take the title from jbl anyway....and when batista smashed all the windows out of jbls limo after triple h faked a run-down, nothing happened to him.

[Andrew]

I'd forgotten about that. I suppose there's no point questioning it but it seemed like the writing was much better before the current era. Or maybe I was just younger and less critical.

[Andrew]

Just a note for my fellow Aussies with Foxtel: not only are RAW, Smackdown, Velocity, Heat and Experience being shown at their usual times on Main Event free-for-all (digital channel 955), Saturday Night's Main Event will also be shown on Monday free of charge.

[Jugs]

Is it on 955? Fuck i didnt know that, I was still watching WWE on 108

[koberulz]

when does it return to normal? the 27th?

[Andrew]

After the Simpsons marathon finishes...so if that's the 27th, then yes, the 27th.

It's all on 955 (46 analogue) at the moment. Smackdown! wasn't on today though in its usual repeat slot since there was a boxing event.

[Andrew]

Just caught Saturday Night's Main Event. Pretty good show I have to say. Those reports that some people were concerned about JR doing commentary and showing up Joey Styles - with all due respect to Styles - were pretty much on the mark. He hasn't been on TV in months, he comes straight in and he's as good as ever. Great to hear him calling the action again. It's a shame he won't be doing it fulltime, I'm hoping he'll be involved with Wrestlemania perhaps calling the main events at the very least.

[Jugs]

I watched some of the main event, the match at the start was alright, just some massive orgy. And the beer comp stunt was and Edge getting chairmoled or whatever it was called was

I missed the street fight though Who won?

[koberulz]

shane on a screwjob remarkably similar to that of montreal 97. whats the deal with ortons entrance music?

[Andrew]

Guess they decided they didn't like the change after all.

[Null17]

The "hey" one is more recognizable anyway, they should go with how they did kane's, benoit's and edge's change in music. Have the same intro with a different song mixed in.

Finishing up watching the first disc of Bloodsport: ECW's most violent matches. Just finished downloading Impact and SNME. Have to watch it later.

[Yessie]

SNME was pretty good everyone knew orton would turn on angle and rey same for HHH hitting the pedigree on Cena the ending was a decent. Orton is your next Champ looks like they are really pushing him.

[Andrew]

I'm not certain about the outcome of the main events at WM. I have a feeling Cena's going to retain the title but with his iffy crowd reaction and HHH's backstage influence I'm not totally sold on that. It would seem that the feud will continue past WM so the title may well trade hands a couple of times.

As far as the world title is concerned...I really can't predict it. As you say they're pushing Randy Orton but there'd be a great underdog story if Mysterio was to win it as well. And on top of that, it would make a lot of sense for Angle to retain since he's overdue for another long title reign and he's been pushed as a strong champion since winning the title in the wake of Batista's injury.

WM is shaping up quite nicely, even the Mickie James heel turn. The women's matches haven't been too bad at all lately. Usually it's just been T&A but lately they've actually done a decent job of writing and the matches have been above average, making it entertaining from a wrestling standpoint as well as pleasing to the eye.

I'm not sold on the Taker/Henry match though. I'm a Taker fan and upon reading this might be his last WM, I had hoped for a more talented opponent. I really hope they don't put Mark Henry over here. I know they invested a lot of money in him but he's disappointed them almost every time. Why let Taker go out on a bad note in their last ditch attempt to make the World's Sweatiest Man (yes, I stole that one) seem worthy of a push?

I'm also not too keen on HBK/Vince. I thought when Bischoff was outed as part of his vacation to end his WWE tenure, we'd actually get another GM. Instead it's just been Vince, which again doesn't make much sense as far as the brand split since technically anything Vince says would override Teddy Long. It's also sad to see HBK job week after week. I wonder how many other main eventers would be doing what he's doing right now.

I would've much preferred HBK/Taker at WM this year. If the brief feud with Angle achieved nothing else, it showed that Taker still has something left in the tank and with a talented worker like an Angle (or HBK) is capable of having a really good match. Two potentially lousy matches could have been avoided and a really good one made instead. The original HIAC with Taker/HBK is considered a classic. They don't have to do that again but that doesn't mean it couldn't be great.

[The Other Kevin]

shane on a screwjob remarkably similar to that of montreal 97. whats the deal with ortons entrance music?

That was possibly the gayest thing ever. That was so fake, and really bad, not even good acting, me and my friend were about to cry from laughing. "C'mon Shane, your a McMahon" And the ending was so retarted, something big has to happen at Wrestlemania.

[koberulz]

I'm not certain about the outcome of the main events at WM. I have a feeling Cena's going to retain the title but with his iffy crowd reaction and HHH's backstage influence I'm not totally sold on that. It would seem that the feud will continue past WM so the title may well trade hands a couple of times.

well, ive seen the backlash poster, which makes it quite clear who will win.

SPOILER:Triple H wins, he is on the backlash poster with the text "long live the king".END SPOILER

[j.23]

i can't believe they're wasting HBK's talent by pairing him up with vince. what a crock of shit. i would've rather seen him in that money in the bank match, or an interpromotional match versus the undertaker (and subsequently end his streak). HBK will deliver the goods though, he's never disappointed in a wrestlemania match, not even with a really bad back.

[Null17]

Oh yeah, I've read the spoiler a while back. Although the guy in the poster doesn't have the title I think. But then I just read about the transcript of the Backlash video ad. It's really confirmed that the guy in the poster wins.

[koberulz]

the text in the poster gives it away

[Yessie]

HBK is taking a "Vacation" after WrestleMania and will be gone for a Good Amount of time. Vince Will Screw HBK and Cena at WM and the Corporation will be born again.

[Andrew]

well, ive seen the backlash poster, which makes it quite clear who will win.

SPOILER:Triple H wins, he is on the backlash poster with the text "long live the king".END SPOILER

I saw that before, and the transcript of the ad. I really hope it's a swerve but it probably won't be. Still, I won't be completely sold until I see it. The creative team may not be as good as they used to be but they still have their moments.

[koberulz]

judgment day 2002 poster has also been released. just with a different camera angle and "2006" written on it. only positive being at least there's no spoilers.