panix04

Poor wrestlemania - hugely entertaining raw. What a bonkers crowd. Love it. Ziggler finally rewarded for his hard work.

Yeah I thought the crowd were very flat for the final match. Of course It's hard to truly tell unless you are there. I guess in terms of what the best match was it is a matter of opinion. I wouldn't call myself a cena hater, I'm not a fan but he's had some good matches. His series against edge was very good. I think had he and the rock been at their best it would have been a decent main event. I liked last years match. But I thought both men were poor. Like I said though its just one guys opinion, having said that it looks like a lot of people are with me on this one

I didn't expect a technical masterpiece, I expected effective story telling and I expected that they would finish the card with the best match. For me the match was worse than Ryback Vs Mark Henry (And I REALLY don't like those guys) I love the rock and I do not agree that he is technically limited. I actually think compared to some he has a pretty good arsenal. I think Cena needs a change of character badly and was hoping they would do do something with it here (which obviously they didn't) i'm not a huge fan of Cena, but the guy works his ass off doing 300 shows a year and makes a lot of cash, so From a drawing perspective it was totally correct to put them two together in a match, the evidence of that is the sell-out crowd and the massive buy rates. I just can't help but feel that the title didn't have to be anywhere near that feud, it made it predictable to begin with. I also think the lack of any "comedy" matches on the card added to the crowd being completely burned out. It was just a crappy PPV, that was ended with a match that I would only rate as a two star (based on technical ability, telling a story, crowd reaction, pacing and build up) And I think that the biggest show in wrestling deserves a much higher caliber finale. I get why the match was there, but once you have sold the tickets why not end on a high and let CM Punk end the show? The guy is the best performer the company has, it sucks that he has to perform below all the part-timers. (having said that, I thought Brock looked very good, it's a shame they can't get him on a more regular basis)

I was bitterly disappointed. I had my friends round, beer flowed and it was all set to be a great night. The show wasn't bad, some of the matches were okay. But it was just run-of-the-mill. No massive surprises. And the Rock Vs Cena match is the worst wrestlemania main event I can remember seeing. I was psyched for it, but it just fell apart for me, the only spot in it that I found interesting was the little "people's elbow" bit (which was actually pretty cool) aside from that I wish I had spent my money on buying bubble wrap, at least then I could have kept myself entertained! I know that's a little rant-y but i'm very tired and feel robbed of my sleep!

I wanna play The Undertaker vs. CM Punk - I love CM Punk but can't see much logic in him ending the streak, the people that would hate him for ending it already hate him and the guys that chear him regardless of his disposition would continue cheering him. Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H The game looks in good shape and I think they will try and get a new contract out of Lesnar. So I don't think the feud will end here. I'm hoping HHH has a year or two more of in-ring stuff left in the tank because he really is that damn good. The Shield vs. Big Show, Randy Orton and Sheamus - If a turn happens then the shield win, if Big Show remains tweener-y and the other two stay face then I can't see the shield going over them. The shield need to win this, in fact they need to win everything, 'cos they are cool. World Heavyweight Championship: Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger - Swagger seems to have lost all kinds of momentum and frankly he's boring. I'm not really sure why they put him in what I would say is "ziggler's spot" but Ziggy has been really badly booked post-rumble and despite a big push for Swagger he has just proved that at best he's an upper midcard worker that desperately needs to stick with a mouthpiece. I'm really hoping for a Ziggler cash in (and maybe a face turn) but I don't mind too much as ADR has been solid since his turn. A much better champ then big show. Ryback vs. Mark Henry - secretly I hope that they botch a superplex and are injured to the point where they can never wrestler again, I kid (and that's a horrible thing to say) but i'm probably going to use this match to get snack/beverages. I hate watching two big men go at it. I really dislike Ryback he's a total one trick pony, his mic work is dire and his catch phrase is irritating and Mark Henry has been doing the same schtick for decades and he makes me sleepy, he's part of the reason I tape smackdown (so I can fast forward when he's on.) Man i'm being harsh today! Chris Jericho vs. Fandango - I'm sensing i'm totally in a minority here, but I love Fandango. I think the gimmick is really cool and he plays arrogant, angry jerk to a tee. Jericho is one of my faves of all time and could put on a solid match with Khali if he needed to and this match has potential to steal the show imho Tag Team Championship: Hell No vs. Zig-E & AJ - Really can't call this, there hasn't been much build but in many ways this is one of the most intriguing matches for me (and not just because it has 3 of my faves in it) It will be interesting to see how Big E handles the step-up, he looked pretty solid in NXT. But I find this interesting because Kane and Bryan are still volatile, AJ is a massive x-factor having dated 75% of the competitors. Everyone knows that the belts have to come of team heel no soon, but Dolph Ziggler is likely to become world champ soon. So how does it go down? Loads of possible permutations, it will probably just end with a team hell no win, I reckon AJ's distraction will not quite pan out and her guys will lose. Tons of Funk vs Rhodes Scholars This will be a bit of comic relief, which is almost a shame as Cody and Damien deserve a bit better, they have had a terrific year and been in some great matches. Tons of funk will likely win so they can have a good ol' fashion dance and make the kids smile. Intercontinental Championship: Miz vs. Barrett They surely can't have one of the companies top belts change hands on the pre-show, can they? I want to see them do more with barrett next year. I usually hate "big guys" but he's grown on me massively. The Rock Vs John Cena: I thought this was a done deal, but I read on a gossip site that the rock is scheduled to be at the next PPV. I read an article on bleacher report that suggested John Laurinitis will be involved somehow in this match and I think they are spot on. I'd love to see a Cena heel turn...love it...or a Rock turn...I really don't care, but a second face Vs face match doesn't excite me at all. At least with a chance that the rock may win thrown into the equation the bout might be a bit less predictable. There are my predictions, looking forward to it last PPV I was on the money for most of the bouts, but this PPV is a little less predictable.

I disagree, I guess it's a matter of taste, but I think cole is underwhelming as both play by play and as a colour guy. When he was playing the heel character he was just irritating and as an announcer he calls moves incorrectly, lacks charisma, doesn't keep up with the action and doesn't have a great rapport with the rest of the team. I know i'm down on the guy a bit, but honestly I preferred him in Matt Striker's role - although Striker does that very well. I agree with the JBL comment though. He does come across as someone with a lot of love for wrestling, but as an Englishman it really irritates me when he tries to impress people with his "knowledge" of England. Honestly, he's been on tour here, right?

I was watching a recent smackdown match (Del Rio vs Ziggler) and it was Matthews, Cole and Maddox on commentary. I do like Brad Maddox but their commentary was dire. MC called a fame asser the zig-zag and they basically waffled all the way through what was possibly the strongest match on the card. Seriously it was like a clinic. I found myself really frustrated that the commentary was not at the same standard as the match. If you are going to waffle on and try and put yourself over on commentary do it when the great Khali is wrestling epico, don't ruin a segment with some actual talent in the ring...grrrr...I think the JR and King combination is actually great. JR has the ability to make a great match legendary and he's such a student of the game. JBL (who is improving) obviously knows his wrestling, but the big difference between him and JR is JR doesn't have to name drop, everyone knows he knows his stuff.

Just curious if anyone who is a bit more "smarky" than me knows anything about backstage reps? I read somewhere recently that Samoa Joe is supposed to be a bit Diva-like and HHH has always had a rep for playing politics. But i'm curious if anyone else knows about the rep's of other stars. I'm really curious about that kind of stuff, but can't find any info. In particular, guys like CM Punk and Zack Ryder.

yeah I thought it was good. disappointed with the lack of major air time for Ziggler in general recently, so it was kinda cool when he alluded to that fact on the PPV. The shield match was great, not only did they go over, but they looked strong doing so. I felt for sure they were going to be buried. I'd like to see the shield target somebody else now. Let it feel like they bested the best good guys in the WWE (can always revisit those feuds once they are more established.)

I'd pay £15 for #4 on it's own. (Curious to see if Kane's thingy was burned in "the fire"

Why do you think it would hurt a person if they beat the streak? It's such a big deal I personally would imagine they would get a massive rub from that accolade. Not saying you are wrong, just want to hear your opinions

I'd say judging by your forum name you are slightly biased

thought he looks familiar. I think I have seen cape fear.

I think whoever breaks the streak should be a face who they are looking to turn heel. Imagine the amount of heat generated if someone ends 'taker's legacy cheaply! I wouldn't wanna be that guy! As for the diva's division if they wanted to liven it up they could do worse than that gothy chick in NXT. Can't remember her name but she can wrestle a bit and has a cool gimmick. I also quite like the inbred farmer stable they have down there, the wyatt's is it? I have only been watching a few weeks but their manager is amazing.

I think you are right! I also really don't think they are succeeding. The thing with Big E stopping Cena leaving the cage was ridiculous as well, glad that happened during the adverts, so poorly done it made both men look stupid.

I don't get what the WWE are trying to accomplish with the Ziggler Vs. Cena feud at the moment. Is it just about keeping each guy busy fro a while? Because at the moment there's seemingly no point to the feud apart from possibly trying to make Ziggler look weak? Ziggler is cheating and ganging up against Cena and still can't buy a win. If they faced each other at a PPV Ziggler would look like he was no kind of threat at all, which if that's what they are trying to accomplish is fine, but if you have someone whose gimmick is they are arrogant, they have to be able to back it up to a degree or they just look like idiots. You can't truly hate a heel who is just a bit delusional can you? They need to let Ziggler cheat his way to a few victories to gain a bit of heat and momentum, because at the moment all they seem to be doing is slowly taking apart his push. On the bright side and if the commentary was right this is a great move, giving Miz the figure four leg-lock would be a stroke of genius. The skull crushing finale is such a lame finisher and with a smaller guy a submission finisher always seems more legit. Hit and miss booking imho and no Austin, HHH or 'Taker? Bit of a let down.

Has anyone seen Zack Ryder's tweets recently complaining about his push? Does anyone else think this might be a work? If it isn't they could turn it in to a quality storyline. Let's face it the broski needs to re-invent himself and developing a bit of an anti-authority gimmick might be good for him.

I think the only reason they have put the strap on Del Rio is to make for a more believable opponent to cough up the belt to Dolph Ziggler. Which in a way is a real shame as Del Rio has really grown on me and I think his match against Big Show was great. However i'm a massive Ziggler fan, so I can't wait to see him as world champ, the guy has been paying his dues for what seems like forever. Perhaps they are thinking of having Del Rio chase the gold as a face against Ziggler as a champion heel? I could watch that feud.

I don't think Cena carried the Rock at 'mania. I thought it was a great match as well. And the rock may have only a handful of moves outside of his 'trademark moves' but he does have a pretty big arsenal of trademark moves. I agree that Cena 'out-promo-ed' the Rock in their feud. But I don't think he buried the guy, they both had a fair bit of momentum going into 'mania. I think in Monday's Raw that both Punk and the Rock were great. In very different ways. I actually think that punk's mic work has been a bit slack and cliche of late (still better than most, but not at his best) but he pulled out the big guns on Raw and gave a helluva promo, but the Rock was very entertaining and his point about CM Punk looking "high" was so on the money. (his eyes always look red and puffy) just a shame he forgot the word 'pipe' and fluffed his joke a bit.

thanks for the info - will set to record!

Can you watch TNA on Sky in the UK? If so, which channel?

perfect-plex indeed!

Being as i'm only 30 and being from the UK I can safely say that Ric Flair is overrated! for me the best heel over the past couple of decades has been triple H. (controversial eh?) His ring work is virtually flawless and whilst he hasn't got the best rep. he has gotten over so many people. And yeah he cheated a bit, but his face and heel persona's were very similar, he got over just by being a jerk. The thing with Cena is that he is always kept strong, he may have lost a few big matches this year, but he always had an excuse (apart from versus the rock, but then he was facing a babyface anyway) and that's why the IRC hate him so much. I'm not suggesting jobbing him out, just doing something different with him, perhaps a losing streak or a heel turn. He's had the same schtick for what seems like an eternity. He hasn't held a title all year, yet he has main evented most of the pay-per-views? That makes little sense to me.

But should a bad guy winning fairly seem special? The big show is a massive giant, you don't need him to cheat/be a coward to be over as a heel. He just needs to act like a mean mofo and his stature does the rest. I honestly believe heels are misused at the moment. I read an interesting stat that the heel/face win/loss ratio for WWE pay-per-views this year was something like 70% in favor of faces. I think that's too high. Only 3 heels had a positive win/loss ratio on PPV's this year. To use an analogy, look at David and Goliath, would David's victory have meant anything if it was against a regular sized guy who wasn't very good at fighting? It would be far easier for people like John Cena to stay over (with anyone who has hit puberty) if the people he was fighting kicked butt a bit more often. That's why I think Cena should have jobbed to Lesnar, Cena doesn't need wins to stay over with kids and most adults find his character tired. Making him vulnerable makes him a more sympathetic character, therefore his wins mean more. Plus it killed Lesnar's momentum, when he returned after 'mania he was red hot, everyone knows he will be at 'mania this year - but most people I have spoken to don't care. I realise some might argue that having part-timers go over full timers is a bit controversial - but if you want guys like Lesnar to remain a big draw you have to keep them looking strong. Personally I think that using part timers because of their ability to make the company money is a little counter-productive as it is slightly reducing the ability to create the new breed of big stars. (part-timers are effectively taking the younger stars 'spots' on the card) Having said that I love me some Rocky!

actually that's a valid point, especially in Cesaro's case. However I think that even main event face's should lose cleanly occasionally. Yeah bad guys will cheat, but some bad guys are bad just because they are mean (at least if they want to reflect real life)