Mootinie

February 26, 2018

Is there a single person on this forum that is looking forward to Lesnar vs Reigns?

February 23, 2018

Almas vs Gargano from NXT TV this week is a must-watch, if people haven't seen it already I highly recommend it. Sublime storytelling.

February 13, 2018

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Final Countdown" data-cite="The Final Countdown" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Not sure what you mean here? The Honor Rising shows are at Korakuen Hall.</div></blockquote> Oh dear, I've had a right mare, sorry. I thought the shows were in the U.S. for some reason! Ignore that last bit haha.

February 13, 2018

I've just seen that Flip Gordon is in a Three Way with KUSHIDA and Hiromu Takahashi on the first night of Honor Rising... if given time that will be phenomenal. My hope is that this is Flip Gordon's audition for the Best of the Super Juniors this year. He worked a CMLL tour last year so he's worked two of the three in this little alliance, it only feels right that he does a Japan tour in the near future.

Golden Lovers reuniting is cool as well, but I wish they'd run that in Japan. They tagged in DDT, not ROH, won't the history be lost on the large majority of that audience?

February 4, 2018

It depends on how many Kenny Omega matches you've seen. To the relatively uninitiated, he has a magic to his work that has to be witnessed. But, in my opinion, Almas vs Gargano was better than anything on Wrestle Kingdom.

February 1, 2018

Then again I guess every Stable has at least one god-tier awesome worker.

Chaos has Yoshi Hashi

Fixed that for you. Nobody throws shade at the Loose Explosion on my watch.

January 23, 2018

As per Sean Ross Sapp and David Bixenspan's latest Twitter comments, it's looking like Enzo was fired for not telling WWE he was being investigated by the police for an alleged rape incident in October.

January 14, 2018

Ugh, this sucks. It hurts because it's so avoidable, nobody should be taking bumps from strikes they cannot see, and therefore judge. I feel awful for Paige and I feel sympathy for Sasha, who never should have been performing this kick in the first place.

January 10, 2018

Yeah, Suzuki vs. Goto was my match of the night. I can't say enough about how much I loved pretty much everything about it haha. It had story, nuance, drama, execution. Everything. It was brilliant.

January 7, 2018

I watched the major matches this morning so here's some snowflakes.

Jr. Heavyweight Four Way - ***1/2

Relatively light-hearted and plenty of fun, which was a change of pace from the more recent Junior matches at the Dome that have been more personal and more story-driven. Takahashi was given scraps here and showed in basically just a minute why he's a special, special talent.

Tanahashi vs. White - ****

Very sound, very solid, very psychological. The jury is still out on "Switchblade" Jay White, he was asked to sink or swim here and I thought he did nothing wrong despite the live crowd not being receptive. He still needs to develop the persona forward, establish his moves and get more comfortable with the character he needs to get across but I have no doubts that will come with time. Whilst this match did lack urgency, it was nice that it didn't run long and was worked more from a narrative, story-telling point of view instead of being balls to wall exciting.

Omega vs. Jericho - ***1/2

Omega's entrance outfit was awful, that struck a false note with me given the relative personal nature of the rivalry. He came out like a goof, struggling to keep his headgear in place, desperately trying to look anything but completely silly in whatever this get up was supposed to be. Jericho was pretty great here, a real pro, he worked this match from a safety-first perspective which I felt did take away from the match and its stipulation. It was No DQ but they never really got that sense of danger across to me. Everything else was pretty neat and given the grandiosity of the build, I came away from this match perfectly satisfied. Did anybody else pick up that Jericho was really enjoying himself in this match?

Okada vs. Naito - ***1/2

This was every Okada match I've seen in the last 24 to 36 months, perfectly smooth and slick with some neat little counters but I'm afraid I may have forgotten this match by next weekend. Okada and Naito both come from fairly similar schools of teaching. Whilst they have dramatic wrestling matches with twists and turns, neither have a particularly great handle on telling a story that isn't rooted simply in the back and forth. This is why they were bumped from the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 8, because Nakamura and Tanahashi are/were captivating characters that built a far more compelling wrestling match on paper. This had heightened drama and no glaring technical flaws but for the most part, it was quite unmemorable for the biggest match of the year.

December 29, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>From what I've read the Jordan slow-burn heel turn story was planned from the beginning. They knew the reaction the Kurt's Son storyline would get. But now with Ambrose on the shelf for 9 months the heel turn is on hold while he and Seth Tag Champs.</div></blockquote> Hmm, it could be a WrestleMania program? Rollins vs. JJ is a perfectly serviceable opening match.

December 23, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Final Countdown" data-cite="The Final Countdown" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26106" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The match is still Cody vs. Ibushi. It's just non-title now.</div></blockquote> It makes me wonder if New Japan and/or Ring of Honor backed themselves into a corner. Was Ibushi genuinely going to lose an ROH title match in the midcard of New Japan's biggest show?

December 12, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Dynamite Sid" data-cite="The Dynamite Sid" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>People on here still love Jinder or did that not exactly work out?</div></blockquote> I respect and appreciate that he does/did everything in his power to make it work.

December 10, 2017

Of course Jinder Mahal lost to Triple H in India hahahahaha.

November 22, 2017

I've heard rumours that they'd like to do a women's Royal Rumble match so it wouldn't surprise me at all if these call-ups were to bolster the divisions for that.

November 21, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Rone Rivendale" data-cite="Rone Rivendale" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Paige's new stable is going to be great for the Raw women's division. They already had more talent than SD's side, but this makes for new storylines and that's always a good thing. Having talent doesn't automatically make you better.</div></blockquote> I wonder if they're ready for Asuka.

November 21, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Derek B" data-cite="Derek B" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>With NXT being fully under the conttol of the WWE, it would indeed seem to be a WWE issue to me. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> You'll have to give a pretty strong argument on why you believe this to be the case.,, one I'm happy to read, as there is clearly some disconnect between WWE and NXT.</div></blockquote> Well yes, it is an issue for both. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> My contention is that you cannot retread the steps you took in NXT. You can't do the Bayley moment again, you can't start fresh with Jason Jordan refusing to say the catchphrase, you can't do whatever they did to get Shinsuke over (nothing?). That development is done, so the question is always "what's next?" and in several cases, the talent has either failed to adapt their character beyond the one they portrayed on NXT television or failed to generate enough interest in their program for people to see their upside. The main roster brings fresh challenges and the actual talent on the roster rises above them. Let's not forget that Kevin Owens was in some pretty drab, forgettable programs but he was never not entertaining, hence why he's been such a resounding success ever since his debut. Braun Strowman has followed in his footsteps, everything he does is fun to watch even when it might appear corny on paper. He makes it work. There's also an argument for them as television characters reaching the end of their arc. Bayley, again, was done as far as a TV character goes when she finished up in NXT. Bobby Roode was much the same, there's little you can do with a villain like him once he's been defeated. Best to write them off and start building the next big evil, only you can't do that in WWE because the squeaky wheel keeps on turning. Characters that have made the transition from NXT TV to WWE TV successfully are often the ones that had incomplete story arcs upon their call-up, NXT would be best served leaving the main roster writers something to chew on with regards the narratives of their characters instead of bringing them to completion. Really, it's on NXT to make sure all their talents are prepared to play a role different from the one they've been portraying for a while now and it's often the simplicity of NXT's old-school storylines that leaves them ill-prepared. They don't need to be dynamic down there so the challenge they face is obviously a culture shock. Whether heel or babyface, they need to have the capacity to carry a program with their personality, their charisma and of course, their in-ring ability. They need to be taught how to make the most of their limited air-time too, because with so much competition fighting for your spot, you simply cannot afford to not shine. And several talents just don't look as good under the bright lights of RAW or SmackDown.

November 21, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Macca316" data-cite="Macca316" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Exactly, WWE are obsessed with a gimmick being instantly over and when its not they lose faith and say "well they are a failure" I remember listening to I believe Raven in an interview once where he said that back in the day you were given months to get the gimmick over and connect with the fans, and its shows. WWE expect instant results but do little to nothing to help, How many NXT darlings have debuted on the main roster with no fanfare and been left to slowly die... Not all WWE Raw & Smackdown viewers watch NXT so they don't understand why they should care.</div></blockquote> No, NXT is the problem. They fail time and time again to equip their talent with the skills needed to succeed as main roster performers.

November 12, 2017

I've heard plenty of theories but Dave Meltzer doesn't know for sure why they took the belt off Jinder and that's where the hearsay should end really. I get tired of there being so many "insiders" with their SCOOPZ, most of whom don't know for sure and admit as much but know their "source" can never be challenged.

I take it all with a pinch of salt but clearly they feel they can still sell the India tour without Jinder as Champion. I doubt he's winning the belt back at New Delhi <a href="http://www.wwe.com/wwe-live-india" rel="external nofollow">because AJ Styles isn't booked for the tour and it looks like they're doing Jinder vs. HHH on one of the dates.</a>

For what it's worth, no dirtsheet reported that WWE fired Austin Aries but if you're to believe the man himself that's what actually happened.

October 29, 2017

I thought the Asuka vs. Emma match they ran in NXT was Asuka's finest so there is some sense in trying to replicate that on the main roster. But I agree that her release is somewhat baffling given the timing even though there's a feeling of inevitability to the entire situation. It has felt like more a case of when and not if she's getting released ever since the iPad case debacle and subsequent arrest in 2014.

October 25, 2017

At least if Jinder wins they're putting over a full-timer.

October 24, 2017

I came away from the TLC match with three thoughts.

The first was that Kurt can still go, which wasn't a revelation because I saw his later TNA work and although those matches with Lashley and Austin Aries were missing WWE's superior production, it was still clear he had it in him.

My second thought was that The Miz is bloody good at his job. He is, for my money, the most underappreciated talent in wrestling. He's the only heel going that is genuinely disliked by the fans and yet he's a kickass worker. Right place, right time, all the time. Great facials, superb seller, class act both in the ring and outside of it and now an integral part of this, the supposed most talented WWE roster in history.

And my third thought was that the match was designed to make Kane look like a star. I'm not sure where I stand here, yes it's useful if you're going to pit him against Strowman and granted, I do like the story of last boss BRAUN being immortal but sacrificing both time and talent to put Kane on a pedestal is a lost investment when we all know the end game. This three weeks of booking isn't going to have a large pay-off and turn Strowman into a huge draw over night because it's still just Kane, he's damaged goods no matter how much you rehab him.

Either way, it was a fun match but Reigns' magnetism was sorely missed here.

October 20, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="sebsy" data-cite="sebsy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>What was already looking like one of the poorest PPV cards since the last one has been further messed with!</div></blockquote> Fixed that for you. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I'm really happy for Kurt, hopefully this opens the door for some involvement at the Rumble and maybe WrestleMania.

October 15, 2017

Oh do not get me wrong, I have no problem with him putting other companies out of business. It was an eat or be eaten situation. It was smart business sense for him to see how the industry was evolving and he put himself at the forefront of the change.

What bothers me is when the shoe was on the other foot he took a poor me stance. He tried to paint the then WWF as a mom and pop store going against a soulless corporate entity who were hellbent on putting poor Vince and his family out of business. I just never liked that narrative because while WCW was trying to put him out of business, he really had no right to try and claim victim status after what he did the previous decade.

Heck that song that he sung on the Piledriver album, which was Stand Back, was about him destroying all of the other promotions that were his competition. To me it is hypocritical to go from that, to ten years later crying about how the big mean WCW wanted to put him out of business.

I agree that he had no place playing the victim, his own pride aside he'd have been fine had WWE gone bust. However, when Vince took WWE national, he did make an attempt to look after promoters by buying out their territories. The few that wouldn't sell up inevitably went bust or were bought out by Crockett when he unified all the territories. I don't think Ted Turner and Eric Bischoff ever intended to look after anybody but themselves, I think that's the difference here. They crossed a line when they started giving away RAW results on Nitro, the wrestling business is a brotherhood, you don't do that. I think Vince and the staff at the time like Michael Hayes had every reason to be upset about some of WCW's tactics, especially since they were responsible for the little guys (production, front office) that needed the employment.

October 14, 2017

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="BHK1978" data-cite="BHK1978" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>In regards to the whole Bullet Club Invasion thing. I love how the WWE seems bring up the whole DX invading Nitro on a near yearly basis. However, when it is done to them they complain about and they slap a cease and desist order on the Young Bucks over the stupid Two Sweet hand gesture. It reminds me of when I saw some documentary about Vince and Stephanie was complaining about how WCW was trying to actively put them out of business. Gee Steph, what about all of the companies your father put of of business. I think the WWE's hypocrisy is why I can never fully embrace them as a fan (Well that and the repetitive booking).</div></blockquote> I think Vince and the WWE get a really bad, undeserved rap for going national. It was a changing market, there was money on the table and Vince seized the opportunity with the first WrestleMania by proving that wrestling had a place in mainstream culture and on national television. If it wasn't him, somebody else would have done the same and driven the WWF at the time out of business. I think you have to adapt to a changing market or you simply die. You look at it now, I think promotions without monthly streaming services will go bust in the next three to five years. The DVD and Blu-Ray market isn't strong enough, it's the exact same as the territory days, you couldn't keep your promotion running with money from the gate and syndicated local television deals. You needed national television, it was the way the market moved. Vince moved with it and the rest didn't.

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Posts posted by Mootinie