DaMegaFish

<p>Sooo I know I'm kinda late to the party but I was at RAW last night. Pretty decent show from in the seats.</p><p> </p><p> What was with Bad News Barrett and Lawlers interaction though? I just found it beyond awkward...almost Emma awkward. I really was wondering if it was something that they actually televised because of how short and out of place it seemed.</p><p> </p><p> Also, a lot of the crowd was bummed out by the Wyatt vs Truth, Woods, Ziggler match, should have definitely gone on a bit longer.</p><p> </p><p> Crew was doing a good job nabbing Punk signs. My favorite sign was in the main event though, a fan had a Vanilla Midget sign and was holding it up during a lot of the main event. Beautiful.</p><p> </p><p> Batista had an amazingly terrible pre-taped promo before his segment trying to warm up the Omaha crowd to him. Nobody really bought it. </p><p> </p><p> When Santino asked who won the dance off, I tried to start a CM Punk chant, but if failed...I would have died of laughter if it would have kicked in there. I've been sick and my voice was kind of falling out a bunch throughout the night every time I to do much.</p><p> </p><p> Cody Rhodes face before his moonsault was priceless. A smirk that said "well, this is gonna hurt."</p><p> </p><p> The crowd was a bit bizarre. The side that you could see on camera was much more vocal than the other half of the arena where I was. I assume it was because I bought my tickets so late (at 3PM yesterday when the show started at 7) and I was still in the 5th row of the lower bowl. There were a lot of kids on the side where the cameras were which probably played a huge part in why the chants never got too out of control.</p><p> </p><p> And finally, with the Cena run in after the show, man, if you've ever doubted that this guy is the WWE's meal ticket, go to a live event where he is. The roof really blew off the place when his music hit and people ate it all up.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The one thing that bugs me is you have to pay for 6 months upfront, but it sounds incredible.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> From what I read, they don't make you pay for 6 months up front, the force you to subscribe for 6 months, meaning if you back out early, well, you're still getting charged for the 6 months in the end. It makes complete sense though that way people can't subscribe, watch Mania, and then drop it.</p>

<p>I would recommend picking up Hammerwatch. It's on sale, and I think it is a blast. Having more people to play with would be great also.</p><p> </p><p> In non-Steam news, I was playing Madden 25 on my Xbox 360 today and the frustration was ridiculous. I was playing online as my beloved Oakland Raiders vs. New England. I kicked the ball to start the game, and wound up getting an interception and returning it for a score. The game is 7-0. On their next drive, they throw another interception. And then they quit. In the first quarter. I hate Ranked Matches for that reason. It seems like probably 75% of players constantly quit, or go for it on 4th down every time and then quit. Look, play to the spirit of the game and I'll do the same! Some people man, I tell ya...</p>

<p>In regards to companies calling titles World Titles, I always just rather assume it relates to their roster, not particularly where they defend the title. The person is the World champion because in kayfabe rosters would typically have THE top competitors from all over the world competing for it. </p><p> </p><p> Kayfabe is real, dammit. The top guy is the best because every company has the best worldwide roster assembled (assuming they pretend no other wrestling companies exist...which is usually how they play things) and they are the best of the best.</p><p> </p><p> No, I can't explain what a United States champion is with this logic.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>He super kicked D-Bry because D-Bry knocked Triple H the hell out. That's his best friend. That was at the beginning of the promo.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Well at least I kinda saved face by saying I missed the start of the promo on RAW.</p>

<p>Not just in regards to last nights match, but any match with a special ref here...why not just make your intentions clear from the word go and attack someone if you plan to turn on them? I missed the start of D-Bry and Michaels promo tonight, but if Shawn always planned to attack Daniel, why even call the match anything close to fair? Ring the bell and double team the one guy, just like a video game. Who is going to stop you? You are the official! Do whatever the heck you want!</p><p> </p><p> On another note, sometimes JBL drives me insane, but sometimes he brings a lot of fun to the announce group, and it really shows up and makes the whole show a lot more enjoyable sometimes. During The Real Americans match at HIAC I nearly died listening to the commentary team. Trying to explain to JBL that it's not a real bull is hilarious in its own right, but then saying that its the same guy in a different suit which only confused JBL was another. I love that Michael Cole said sometimes people change, and even mentioned how JBL used to be a cowboy with a handlebar mustache. Golden.</p>

<p>I've been watching. And I actually did see the stipulation set. I was kinda napping in and out of RAW at that point though, so that probably explains why I didn't remember until I posted here.</p><p> </p><p> And yeah, it's a good storyline no doubt, and I know their roles as characters are completely different than where they were a year ago but idk, I'm having a hard time getting super excited for it. Maybe I'll think it over for a couple days and see if I can't figure out what is bothering me about it.</p>

<p>Sooo has Punk vs Ryback in the cell actually been confirmed or is that just in rumor-ville? </p><p> </p><p> Because this really ought to spice things up! Wait a second...what was the main event of the HIAC PPV last year? Ooh...right...Punk vs Ryback in the cell.</p>

I would have loved to see The Shield all pull a face/rogue turn in the Ziggy handicap match. How awesome would it have been to see them lay down for him or just hound around the ring, ready to pounce before dropping off the apron and leaving? It'd easily suit their gimmick as they could say they still believe in their goal to fight against injustice in the WWE. They could have then almost paired with Daniel Bryan (a guy who gave them fits not too long ago) against Triple H's squad (who would gain a couple more members.) It'd probably really help them from being so predictable in matches as Triple H, who recently said he doesn't like them running around out of control could do things to try and tame them, such as overwriting title match rules. Ooh well, I'm still excited to see where things are going.

<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>HOW DO YOU KNOW!!! YOU'RE A FICTIONAL CHARACTER!!! YOU DON'T GET PPV!!!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Quality post right here. Made my night.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That's fine and dandy, but it still doesn't answer my 2nd question. Why do they book main event backwards? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I would figure its a kinda nod to the older eras in boxing and wrestling where the Main Event would go on first, with the under card following. Eventually, promoters realized that the crowd leaving after the opening segment wasn't great.</p><p> </p><p> I'm not entirely sure if that really used to happen or was just a myth I heard once about Main Events opening cards. WWE knows nobody is going to leave after the main event on the taping show when the feature show is still coming up, so they can cheat and get away with it.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yeah, well I'm not buying that turn. It turned out well, but it came from nowhere. Oh well.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Wrestling is story telling and believe it or not, sometimes matches are still the best places to tell a story. The double turn is the perfect example of using the match story to pull the turn off in strong fashion. Out of curiosity, have you watched the match? I feel like if you haven't seen the match, the turns and execution are probably harder to put together, but if you saw it and watched the story then it should be a lot easier.</p>

<p>How many people commenting on ADR vs Ziggy from Payback watched the match actually?</p><p> </p><p> The kicking the head repeatedly was only part of the story. Watching the whole match you saw Ziggler getting treated by doctors (and attacked during those periods by ADR, not to mention ADR's heel mannerisms towards AJ) and still attempting to continue to fight through the brutality of it. It wasn't a turn just because he got kicked in the head, it was a turn because more than anything he wanted to fight to keep his title, and the last kick that sealed his fate is a great wrestling image. Ziggler on his knees, fist up and wanting to fight taking one more kick to the head to end it. </p><p> </p><p> It's hard not to love a guy who seems to be legitimately trying with every last being to overcome the odds to keep his title, even though shortly in to the match we know the whole thing is like a lamb to slaughter.</p>

I'm perfectly fine with a heel turn for Del Rio. I don't under stand him as a face...whats his gimmick? He's from Mexico? That doesn't make me automatically want to cheer for him.

<p>"VINTAGE PUNK!" I legitimately laughed when he yelled that at Cole.</p><p> </p><p> In regards to the womens match, I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to be the early Lita/Trish matches weren't the best. I'd say the AJ and Kaitlyn match made me excited for how the WWE might start presenting its Divas (although they probably won't get too rough) Seriously, throwing over the announce table and stuff isn't normally Divas matches, so maybe they'll start pushing it more.</p><p> </p><p> I am perfectly okay with Dolphs loss. Rio turned to some heel tactics in the match, and even Ricardo seemed more heelish after. The obvious set up for this would be Dolph chasing with the spirit of a fighter to get his title back at SummerSlam (not MITB, we've got to sell that he's still hurt a bit). At least I hope thats where WWE is going with this.</p>

I didn't see the whole match, but what I did see from AJ and Kaitlyn looked mostly awesome. Glad to actually be more on the impressed side than disappointed side with a divas match.

I really loved that when Ryback won his match on RAW, he screamed RYBACK RULES as he was announced the winner, so all he really had to yell was RULES. Smart man. Also, according to Daniel Bryan, The Ryback has a problem with Panera Bread. I would love to hear Ryback talk about that. Starts talking about Ryback/Panera at 19:55.

Seriously though, Ryback can stop screaming "RYBACK RULES" any time now...

It's really a shame the O'Doyle family from Billy Madison met their tragic demise. It would have been great at WM30 to see The O'doyles vs Ryback. Winner Rules All.

Thats great! Thanks!

And now I want to play SWF...I knew I should have avoided this thread. Excellent work on a lot of these, and I'm not just talking about the SWF ones!

You act like the only way anyone has EVER cashed in is the run in route. That is completely false. WWE has done it a number of different ways. Obviously, for most wrestlers though, it makes sense to take advantage of a fallen victim. Also, when was the last time the WWE used that battle royal finish? I'll admit that I always hope to see someone who isn't eliminated by the true rules come back and win but I can't remember a time it has happened recently. I'll be fair on this one though and admit I haven't watched a ton of WWE over the past few years.

The way he did it makes perfect sense. He had stated in an interview that he wanted to do it when it wasn't expected because if everyone expects it, then surely the champion also expects it. Ziggy also said that he wanted to wait for the perfect moment because trying to force his cash in failed too many times so he'd rather just pick his perfect spot. Why not attack a guy after he gets hurt in his 2nd match in 2 nights when you didn't have a match that night? Makes sense to me.

The crowd was great on Raw, sure, but you know what was even better? Fandango! After getting beat down by Jericho and being awarded the match by DQ, all he cared about was the ring announcer still not being able to pronounce his name correctly. As he was laying on the ground all beat up, his final words weren't at Jericho, no, they were, "FAN-DAN-GOOOOOO" Awesome heel work. The guy completely won me over with that. I'm a 100% Fandango fan now. I already liked him, but he is now easily one of my favorites on the show. Also, everything about his character reminds me of mid 90's WWF. From the weeks of video vignettes to the giant light up version of his logo in the ring on his entrance, it's all absolutely wonderful.

Awesome show for the first half...hopefully the 2nd half turns out just as well!