AfRoMaN36

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm confused? Turning him heel would change the go away heat to I want to see this guy get beat heat.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Even so, at least it's the proper response. Best case scenario he gets more freedom as a heel and shows more personality, allowing more people to relate to him. Then you turn him face but keep the personality (Ala Rock or New Day).</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="RKOwnage" data-cite="RKOwnage" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> I also don't agree with this - the second Reigns turns heel is the second the fans explode for him.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Wouldn't that be the point? Turn him heel so you can turn him face when he gets over? It worked wonders for the Rock. Imagine if the WWF covered their ears and put the title on Rocky Miavia despite mega go away heat.</p>

I remember. I mentioned that in a previous post. And we'll agree to disagree, but let's just see how over she remains once she converts to wrestling full time. Her pop has already waned considerably (albeit that is more so for terrible booking).

Lana wasn't a wrestler when she debuted, she was a manager. And she also knew how to cut a promo. And there wasn't the push back on Sable because most of those fans hadn't seen anything better at that point. How would they know that there was actual very good women's wrestling? I mean she refused to take most bumps. In a world where Bayley and Sasha Banks main evented pay per views this would not fly.

I'm not minimizing Sable's career, only that if she were to debut today, there would be a visceral rejection of her. Back then there were no women in the company, so just having Sable in Mero's corner (though it makes no sense for a babyface to have a valet) drew mega reactions. But even though Vince still books at times like it's 1999, women's wrestling has progressed since then. Crowd reactions and a hashtag forced the company to take the division more seriously. We now expect women to be able to carry matches and to actually have a passion for what they do. Gone are the days when Kevin Dunn and John Laurenitis would hire girls off of fashion magazines and put the womens title on them. Thank god might I add.

She's their 2016 version of Sable. Vince probably has a thing for her and will push her to the moon as a result. Only that doesn't work anymore. Sable would most certainly not get over today. Her lack of knowledge and interest in wrestling would shine right through and the fans would tear her apart.

<p>With the Mania hype virtually over, I find myself saying something I thought I would never say: "I hope Triple H goes over."</p><p> </p><p> Now for my predictions...</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Roman</strong> vs Triple H</p><p> This is the predictable outcome, but Vince might be weary of having his record setting show end in a chorus of boos. We might be swerved here.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Ambrose</strong> vs Brock</p><p> Brock is the predictable winner here, but something tells me Ambrose will pull an upset. He has been losing an awful lot of big matches lately. This could be a huge pay off for him. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Shane McMahaon</strong> vs The Undertaker</p><p> I honestly have no idea. The booking of the feud outside of the first week has been an absolute mess. They seem to just be throwing things on a week by week basis and hoping something sticks. There is little in the way of a coherent plot and I don't know who to cheer for. I want Shane to run RAW and I want a return of the brand extension. I want Sting to cost Taker the match and set up a double retirement match next year. Since I have no gut feeling either way, I will predict Shane wins based on what I want.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Sasha Banks</strong> vs. Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch</p><p> This one is easy. I would be shocked if Banks didn't win.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Kalisto</strong> vs Ryback.</p><p> I don't care either way.</p><p> </p><p> IC Ladder Match - <strong>Sami Zayn</strong></p><p> This should have been a singles match between Zayn and Owens. Oh well. I would accept Ryder winning as well, but that would never happen.</p><p> </p><p> The New Day vs <strong>The LON</strong></p><p> Surprise me Vince. Give the LON, which consists of two former world champions some credibility. Give me a reason to care about them. New Day's run as tag champs is also running its course.</p><p> </p><p> Dudleys vs. <strong>Usos</strong></p><p> I couldn't care less.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Total Divas</strong> vs. Not... total divas</p><p> At the very least it would give Natalya a win at Mania. But while talking about this match, how out of touch is Vince if he seriously thought Eva would be cheered on the main roster? Has he lost his damn mind?</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Andre the Giant Battle Royale</p><p> Don't know. Don't care.</p>

If this is true, then they truly are completely out of touch.

Not being corporate employees does not remove the incentive for the company to act on their own and implement something like this. Many companies that do not have unions still make an effort to care for their employees. And it's neither here nor there, but most legal analysts say that their classification of their wrestlers as "independent contractors" would not hold up in court.

Split them into three groups then. Have AJ Styles or Dean Ambrose run the third group. Have two groups running together each month with a third brand off the road. Rotate them out. I'm sure there will be small intricacies that need to be worked out. And maybe you might have to hire a couple more guys or bring in local talent for a night, but this short term "run them into the ground to make as much money as possible" mentality is clearly backfiring on them. We're long past the carny days, we need to treat the workers like human beings. Any job that can afford to take those extra steps for their employees should absolutely take the investment. Paid time off in any profession, not just wrestling, sees a benefit of higher retention. Workers are rested, more motivated and perform better cause they're not burned out. That means a better product for the fans, at least from an in ring stand point.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="CQI13" data-cite="CQI13" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Because I'm sure the workers would be glad to take less money - the company wouldn't keep the same compensation if there was less revenue coming in.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Who said anything about less revenue? You can run the same number of shows but rotate months where certain workers appear. I don't think house show attendances will be impacted significantly if Cesaro or Heath Slater aren't scheduled. As for the main eventers, you can divide them up evenly. Cena can run roster A, Reigns can run roster B. It's not like having them both on the same card is doing big house show business as it is.</p><p> </p><p> And as a side note, I've left jobs for lower pay because I was worn out and demoralized and the other job was offering something more manageable for my mental stability. I doubt CM Punk is the only person who doesn't think life revolves around money.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It's not about Vince, at least not 100%. I've heard main roster talent going on record to say they love house shows. They get pretty much complete creative freedom to go and do whatever they want out there, as well as far more time than the TV to actually work a crowd and have a match. Wrestling is performance art but working for WWE usually means that you heed to a script. The talent pretty much jumps at any chance to break those shackles and express themselves.<p> </p><p> Besides, nobody is under any illusions. It's been well established how demanding the schedule is, physically and mentally.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="OldStingberg" data-cite="OldStingberg" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I love my job, too, but I love paid time off even more. Even more so if my body was constantly on the verge of breaking down.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This. Even if the boys (or girls) loved the free expression they get from working house shows, I'm sure they wouldn't mind having only 150 days to do it and not 280+. I'm sure it'll also extend their careers and improve morale as they actually get to go home to their families for longer than ten minutes at a time.</p>

WWE is reaping what they sow. You run guys into the ground like Chinese factory workers, don't be shocked when they start falling apart one by one. Now is the time for them to consider different ways to utilize talent so that everyone gets a break. They can adopt TNA's method of giving half the roster off certain months, then rotate. Not rocket science if TNA has figured it out...

Owen's will look strong against Show. He can use a big win on a big stage... against the Big Show? Zayne I would imagine would be a surprise entrant in the Andre the Giant Battle Royale and win.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I would be in favor of a shared World title run between them as they dangle the belt over the baby faces. We know they can carry almost everyone except League of Nations in a promo. It would give Kofi the run he never had and would be a way to say thank you for the hard work while everyone is slowly returning from the injured list.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I don't think they're serious enough right now to put the world title on them. I could certainly see this with the IC title though. And using the Freebird rule on a singles title could give the company a fresh new concept to work with.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="rd_dbacks01" data-cite="rd_dbacks01" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>We'll decide at the next IWC meeting.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Are you getting smark with me?</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Rickymex" data-cite="Rickymex" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It be cool as long as both AJ and Jericho keep getting some high profile single wins. AJ could build up his character playing off Jericho and get firmly established without falling prey to repetitive single matches against Ziggler.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree. As long as it isn't a long term reign so that it pulls from AJ's singles career it should be fine. It also serves the purpose of getting the belts off the New Day, who have more than run their course as tag champs.</p>

Am I the only one who thinks they're gonna put the tag belts on Y2AJ? How do we feel about this?

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="crownsy" data-cite="crownsy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Steph's monologue was actually very good, to bad the crowd will never let go of the "What!!!" chants when they think they are being clever.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Stephanie has been getting some mega X-Pac heat lately. Last weeks opening segment was set to bomb had Shane not come out. Fans are sick of seeing the authority.</p>

<p>If we do get a brand extension again, I hope Triple H gets to run Smackdown and Vince stays on RAW. He can push Roman till he falls off a cliff, while Hunter can work with the younger guys/NXT call ups and actually utilize them properly. </p><p> </p><p> I'm actually thinking really hard about the possibilities. Too bad I'll most likely be really disappointed.</p>

I'm imagining that Shane is a placeholder until/if Cena can be cleared in time.

That's actually a pretty feasible solution. I can see the E doing this too. EDIT: As far as this lackluster main event goes, is there a reason Roman couldn't face off against Barrett? Or Del Rio? At least give us a fresh match.

It sounds... interesting? I'm not sure how they'll write themselves out of this one though. Does Shane actually beat Taker at Mania, or does Taker squash this angle and any possible chance we have at a break from monotony? I'm also not sure how I feel about shaking things up in a stale product with... more McMahon family drama?

Yeah I was really holding onto some faint hope that it's some work. I'm glad I at least got to see his farewell address. But I've got to say I feel deflated. Bryan was really the only reason I followed wrestling since Punk left.

I just don't see such a huge company like the WWE "having a heart." I'm not saying people on top weren't concerned. They are human after all. I'm sure after Eddie passed away that Vince, as a person, was affected. However I think him recreating the Wellness program was more of him covering his ass than out of legitimate concern for anyone's safety. Call me a cynic, but I would venture to guess that the WWE blocking Bryan's resignation has much more to do with the company not wanting their top babyface working elsewhere, while they themselves do not want to be liable for any injuries he sustains while working for them.

I don't doubt the first part of what you said, but I feel like not letting Bryan wrestle elsewhere has more to do with the WWE "protecting their asset." Basically if he can't work for them, he can't work for anyone else. Which is as childish as it is impractical. Of course this is all speculation.