Heat on... Trips???

[NickC13573]

Reported By Patrick W. Boucher on Sep 12, 2008 - 7:59:55 AM - Since returning to the SmackDown brand, there is some major heat on the WWE Champion Triple H, mainly for him going out of his way to make the younger talents look bad on camera, especially guys like MVP and Shelton Benjamin. A lot of the guys backstage were upset about Triple H’s recent promo and have went to The Undertaker for a resolution, of sorts. The Undertaker agrees with the younger talents and says he understands how they feel. The belief is that a backstage showdown is coming between The Undertaker and Triple H, due to the way the WWE Champion treats people in the locker room. Many people think that Triple H would get his way in the end but the one person that Vince McMahon respects and trusts the most above others is The Undertaker. Triple H wouldn’t lose his job obviously but some kind of changes would have to be made. The Undertaker sees SmackDown as his brand and the Superstars as his boys, in a way. If he isn’t backed by McMahon when the time comes, there’s a feeling that he could take more time off for injuries as a way to show his displeasure. There’s already a thought among some close to the situation that Triple H wants payback for his loss at WrestleMania 17 and is pushing for himself to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 with the streak being broken.

[AfRoMaN36]

Don't believe everything you read. ;)

[Blasphemywebleed]

If there is any truth in that then Trips needs to learn his place. Smackdown [I]is[/I] the Undertakers brand. Trips ending the streak would cause riots IMO.

[Self]

Triple H ending the streak, ending The Undertaker, has the potential to be an awesome heel move. As long as it's played as jerk-ish, and done with a fair degree of cheating (and by that I mean stopping just sort of blowing the guy up) then Triple H could become the most hated man in all parts of wrestling. Internet fans, WWE-marks, all could be united in their hatred. He could be the ultimate heel. It's almost a shame Triple H is human, with that desire to be loved, because he's in a position to become a true legend. A real bad guy.

[scorpion]

Actually, that story has merit to it. Except, it didn't come from whatever newz site he's quoting. It was reported on PWInsider.com by Mike Johnson on September 8. In fact that story is almost word for word what Johnson reported 4 days ago. This is no knock on Nick, but it actually really irritates me when I come to this board and read stories being attributed to people who did nothing more than cut and paste or transcribe other people's work.

[shamelessposer]

[QUOTE=Blasphemywebleed;493993]If there is any truth in that then Trips needs to learn his place. Smackdown [I]is[/I] the Undertakers brand. Trips ending the streak would cause riots IMO.[/QUOTE] The real problem is that Triple H is already a big name. Any other guy on the roster can become an instant main eventer by ending the streak, so why give it to someone who's been at the top of the card for years?

[NickC13573]

[QUOTE=shamelessposer;494056]The real problem is that Triple H is already a big name. Any other guy on the roster can become an instant main eventer by ending the streak, so why give it to someone who's been at the top of the card for years?[/QUOTE] Well I have heard very respectable arguments from both sides. Side A) give the rub to a young guy, so he can become an instant main eventer. Rebuttal would be A) what if the Young guy never pans out and doesnt have that "IT" factor. you have wasted the best streak in all of sports. So B) why not give it to someone proven, a veteran, someone who has the "IT" factor, but needs a little help getting to IMMORTAL Status. but rebuttal is B) the streak ender has to be someone up and coming because if you give it to a Main eventer NOW, who will carry the business in 5-10 years. Really there is NO way of properly ending the streak if you ask me. Its a HUGE gamble on an up and comer, and a veteran doesnt need it

[The Shape]

[QUOTE=shamelessposer;494056]The real problem is that Triple H is already a big name. Any other guy on the roster can become an instant main eventer by ending the streak, so why give it to someone who's been at the top of the card for years?[/QUOTE] I think you have to think about Taker in all of this. The streak is his primary legacy, and to let someone with whom there are no guarantees it will work out is a huge investment. That person could easily get above themselves and think they're untouchable. I don't think giving the rub to a young guy like that is worth the risk at all. Furthermore, if someone who has done little else in their career actually ends the streak then it'll become nothing more than cheap heat almost, mentioning it in every promo and undoubtedly cutting that same promo time after time. Whereas someone already established will add a lot more diversity. I like the idea of Trips turning heel over this but don't think Taker's going anywhere yet, and the end of his streak will in all liklihood be his last match (for a very long while at least).

[Undertaker666]

'Taker should be allowed to retire with his streak still intact, and i'm not even saying this as a 'Taker mark (which some people have accused me of ;)). It's his legacy. Plus, look at the list of people he's beaten over the years at 'Mania: [B]Jimmy Snuka VII [/B] [B]Jake Roberts VIII[/B] Giant Gonzales IX King Kong Bundy XI [B]Diesel XII [/B] [B]Psycho Sid XIII [/B] [B]Kane XIV [/B] The Big Boss Man XV [B]Triple H XVI [/B] [B]Ric Flair XVIII [/B] [B]The Big Show & A-Train XIX [/B] [B]Kane XX [/B] [B]Randy Orton XXI [/B] Mark Henry XXII [B]Batista XXIII[/B] [B]Edge XXIV[/B] There's only four people on that list that you can described as "meh". I've always said that if 'Taker is going to lose his streak then it's got to be because of more than one man. If he's on a huge winning streak leading up to 'Mania and he's dominating the entire locker room (as he should be), all the heels would have to come out during his match, beat him down and put him in a casket to finally lay him to rest (like his Royal Rumble match against Yokozuna, but more final). Would I be happy about it? No, but it's the only situation which: - Wouldn't tarnish his reputation. Losing his streak is effectively slapping him in the face and blowing a big raspberry at what he's accomplished. - Would help to placate the fans. - Makes sense. If two huge guys like Big Show and A-Train can't beat him, why could any one man alone beat him? I say that if Triple H wants to beat 'Taker at Wrestlemania then it should be a completely real and unscripted fight. Lets see who wins.... my money's on 'Taker. :D

[ColtCabana]

They could do a "false finish" where Triple H KO's the ref then beats the Undertaker down with a few Sledgehammer shots before making the cover while the groggy ref counts to 3. Triple H starts celebrating, Taker looks angry and stunned and just as Trips reaches the entrance way...Vince (or Shane, Stephanie or even Linda) comes out and orders a re-start to the match which Taker wins clean.

[scorpion]

I agree taker. The discussion on whether or not Triple H will end the streak is pretty moot in my opinion. Undertaker is the most loyal employee Vince has had. He is the one that told Vince he had to go apologize to Bret Hart, which led to Hart punching Vince. He is the one that sat at the Gorilla position during the Wrestlemania match between Stone Cold and HBK, taping his fists, and letting it be known that if Shawn didn't drop the title, he'd drop him. Undertaker will be the one to decide if and when the streak ends, because Vince has that much respect for him. And, if there was a falling out, I imagine Taker would walk away rather than being disrespected by being jobbed as punishment.

[Antithesis]

Not just that, but Taker is a very well respected guy in the locker room. I am sure Vince is aware that there would be morale problems if he messed with Taker.

[Self]

Did people complain this much when The Rock used to make fun of his opponents? I wasn't as 'into' wrestling back then, so I don't know what the IWC community thought, but I get the feeling that no one cared when The Rock would mock people. They just enjoyed the rib. Maybe it's just me, but I get the feeling that people, both internet fans and wrestlers, take what Triple H does too much to heart. His character is a jerk. Heel or face. A jerk. I can't speak for backstage, but when I've been watching him on Smackdown, I've seen nothing that I found out of line. He made fun of some heels. Big whoop. I concede he dominates a little too much when playing face, but... I think people are just whining because he married Stephanie. Jealous much? I'm 50-50 on Undertaker losing the streak. It depends on the opponent. Batista, Orton, Edge... I'd like to see him go out with a win. Triple H? I can see a loss working to the WWE's advantage.

[The Shape]

The rock's character was a ****y loudmouth though, that was what he did. The problem with hhh is the inconsistency, one minute he does this and the next he's all I AM THE GAME rambling on and frothing at the mouth. The combination doesn't seem right.

[Undertaker666]

[QUOTE=ColtCabana;494103]They could do a "false finish" where Triple H KO's the ref then beats the Undertaker down with a few Sledgehammer shots before making the cover while the groggy ref counts to 3. Triple H starts celebrating, Taker looks angry and stunned and just as Trips reaches the entrance way...Vince (or Shane, Stephanie or even Linda) comes out and orders a re-start to the match which Taker wins clean.[/QUOTE] Oh God no, my heart wouldn't take such a shock. :p [QUOTE=scorpion;494105]I agree taker. The discussion on whether or not Triple H will end the streak is pretty moot in my opinion. Undertaker is the most loyal employee Vince has had. He is the one that told Vince he had to go apologize to Bret Hart, which led to Hart punching Vince. He is the one that sat at the Gorilla position during the Wrestlemania match between Stone Cold and HBK, taping his fists, and letting it be known that if Shawn didn't drop the title, he'd drop him. Undertaker will be the one to decide if and when the streak ends, because Vince has that much respect for him. And, if there was a falling out, I imagine Taker would walk away rather than being disrespected by being jobbed as punishment.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Antithesis;494201]Not just that, but Taker is a very well respected guy in the locker room. I am sure Vince is aware that there would be morale problems if he messed with Taker.[/QUOTE] Agreed. :cool: [QUOTE=Self;494225]Did people complain this much when The Rock used to make fun of his opponents? I wasn't as 'into' wrestling back then, so I don't know what the IWC community thought, but I get the feeling that no one cared when The Rock would mock people. They just enjoyed the rib. Maybe it's just me, but I get the feeling that people, both internet fans and wrestlers, take what Triple H does too much to heart. His character is a jerk. Heel or face. A jerk. I can't speak for backstage, but when I've been watching him on Smackdown, I've seen nothing that I found out of line. He made fun of some heels. Big whoop.[/quote] The Rock and Triple H are two very different characters. The Rock character was consistant, he mocked everyone. [QUOTE=Self;494225]I concede he dominates a little too much when playing face, but... I think people are just whining because he married Stephanie. Jealous much?[/quote] Yep, i'm jealous that he married Stephanie McMahon (at least i'm honest). That doesn't alter the fact that he should NEVER end The Undertaker's Wrestlemania streak. [QUOTE=Self;494225]I'm 50-50 on Undertaker losing the streak. It depends on the opponent. Batista, Orton, Edge... I'd like to see him go out with a win. Triple H? I can see a loss working to the WWE's advantage.[/QUOTE] I'm more 95-5 on 'Taker losing his streak. He CAN lose his streak with some credibility, but I doubt the WWE creative team could come up with such a storyline. They'd more than likely do it simply for shock value. [QUOTE=The Shape;494231]The rock's character was a ****y loudmouth though, that was what he did. The problem with hhh is the inconsistency, one minute he does this and the next he's all I AM THE GAME rambling on and frothing at the mouth. The combination doesn't seem right.[/QUOTE] Agreed. :cool:

[Astil]

Legit end to Taker's streak?: Matt Hardy

[Dischord]

[QUOTE=Astil;494305]Legit end to Taker's streak?: Matt Hardy[/QUOTE] I would imagine Matt would have to be a heel and I don't see that working for some reason.

[djthefunkchris]

Taker don't need to lose his streak at Wrestlemania. Neither does Edge (at least not yet). Taker never has to, he could lose at any other event and give the same "Rub" to someone, as long as it was final. Wrestlemania can be left as his legacy in the WWF. There is no reason to end it, unless you just want to be a prick to him.

[G-Prime]

[QUOTE=djthefunkchris;494321]Taker don't need to lose his streak at Wrestlemania. Neither does Edge (at least not yet). [/QUOTE] Edge lost at the last two WrestleManias.

[James Casey]

[QUOTE=djthefunkchris;494321]Taker don't need to lose his streak at Wrestlemania. Neither does Edge (at least not yet). Taker never has to, he could lose at any other event and give the same "Rub" to someone, as long as it was final. Wrestlemania can be left as his legacy in the WWF. There is no reason to end it, unless you just want to be a prick to him.[/QUOTE] Agreed. If you want to end Taker's career, the logical place to do it is Survivor Series - you can put over how he's had the longest career in WWE, and make it a nice round number (17, 18, 19 years...), give his opponent the rub, and Taker gets to keep his Mania streak - while the person who ends it gets a nice start in the runup to Mania four or five months later.

[Self]

[QUOTE=djthefunkchris;494321]There is no reason to end it, unless you just want to be a prick to him.[/QUOTE] Because it could make someone a truly hateable heel, who fans would want to pay money to see taken down a peg? How's that for a reason? I understand why people would want Undertaker to keep the streak intact. I'm pretty sure 'Taker wants to end things at Wrestlemania (well... I know I would) and it would be nice to go out with a win. Hell, I wanted Ric Flair to beat Shawn Michaels. I wanted him to win, and officially retire, on his own terms, on the following RAW. However, his loss led to the great Batista-Shawn feud, which in turn led to the awesome Shawn-Jericho feud. Ric Flair losing kicked off stories that I was actually [I]excited[/I] to see, and if The Undertaker losing can accomplish the same thing, then The Undertaker should lose. It's going to have to be one hell of a story though. To paraphrase the great Hulk Hogan "[I]There's no shame in losing, brother.[/I]" (Although I guess this end doesn't have to come at Wrestlemania, but... I find it somewhat poetic for his final match to be there.)

[djthefunkchris]

[QUOTE=Self;494376]Because it could make someone a truly hateable heel, who fans would want to pay money to see taken down a peg? How's that for a reason? I understand why people would want Undertaker to keep the streak intact. I'm pretty sure 'Taker wants to end things at Wrestlemania (well... I know I would) and it would be nice to go out with a win. Hell, I wanted Ric Flair to beat Shawn Michaels. I wanted him to win, and officially retire, on his own terms, on the following RAW. However, his loss led to the great Batista-Shawn feud, which in turn led to the awesome Shawn-Jericho feud. Ric Flair losing kicked off stories that I was actually [I]excited[/I] to see, and if The Undertaker losing can accomplish the same thing, then The Undertaker should lose. It's going to have to be one hell of a story though. To paraphrase the great Hulk Hogan "[I]There's no shame in losing, brother.[/I]" (Although I guess this end doesn't have to come at Wrestlemania, but... I find it somewhat poetic for his final match to be there.)[/QUOTE] In my opinion, he don't even have to lose when he leaves. The only people that will "Truly" hate whoever beats him at wrestlemania, would be the "Smart Marks" or internet fans, whatever you want to call them. The normal people that make up the majority of WWE's fans, would probably tend to give props to the winner, moreso then hate. I don't agree with you at all about it making someone the "Ultimate" heel. That's done by the person working the gimmick, not the person they beat. IF they are going to be a heel, then it can't be a clean finish (Ultimately, that wouldn't be very "Heelish"). SO it would have a "?" mark at the end of his carreer. I say let him lose clean, if your going to make him lose. Let it be someone that can benefit by the rub, it don't even have to be a heel. OR, Have him win his last match, but have it a "Doozy" of a match, where the guy up against him looks like they might pull it off time and time again. Let it look almost "Supernatural" the way Taker win's (Maybe a lightning bolt finisher). Where Taker pulls something off he has never done before, to get the final victory, and this way the person that lose's gets such a huge rub, that other's on the roster seem to "think" of him as the winner. RESPECT his record, and let him retire with it intact.

[cappyboy]

Some good stuff on Taker and how to treat his streak. And I like what James Casey was saying about Survivor Series. Between all the mystical "sending someone to hell" stuff and the fact his WWE career began at Survivor Series there is a real symmetry to his idea. But that said, if I had to book Taker's end, I might book the end of the Wrestlemania streak for his final match too. And the thought process starts with his "brother" Kane. Look at the stuff the Big Red Machine's been through the last year or so. He's been faced with his professional mortality. He's been shown, most notably by Mark Henry, that he's not necessarily King of the Monsters anymore. Yet he's found ways to adapt to that and still maintain his black heart. Albeit he is no longer the pure mauler. He now has to be more cerebral about it than he used to. I'd have Taker follow this lead somewhat. After all, time and tide wait for no man. No even The Undertaker. They've already acknowledged his humanity somewhat with the Biker Taker run. This current issue with Vickie Guerrero and the Big Show could be another demonstration of that. Now I'm not saying you push Taker out the door, rush up some developmental and take his streak willy-nilly. He's earned much better than that. But his professional mortality is rapidly approaching too. May take another year or two to get here. But I doubt anyone can deny that Taker's at the back end of his career at this point. So right now, if I'm the E, I start scanning the landscape for the next great monster. Someone with a fair amount of experience but still young enough to reign in fear for a good decade or so. Somelike like an Abyss for example. Once this figure has been spotted I put him on TV and I have whatever "dark beings" power Taker meet with him. Taker is wearing out in their minds so they have decided to bestow their dark protection on another.The new guy's music plays and he debuts by coming out to be presented to Taker and the world. As the protection fades around Taker, he continues to fight on anyway. Faring quite well against mere mortals because of his years of experience. But The Other is just eating away at him. Taker doesn't want to surrender his place in WWE. He also thinks that since he's been on the dark side for SO many years, he knows enough of the inner workings to defeat it even without the mystical protection. So he goes after The Other and for a while his savvy earns him some moral victories. But the dark beings adapt and train The Other accordingly. The collision course is set for Wrestlemania. Feeling that the streak still required a great of his own effort, Taker goes into Mania confident. He fights long and hard. Making every valiant effort possible to put The Other away. But without the dark protection age catches up to him and Taker succumbs. The dark transition from Taker to Other is now complete. Taker retires and The Other seeks out new victims to terrorize using the spectre of ending Taker's streak as a weapon against his victims from there on.

[Self]

[QUOTE=djthefunkchris;494407]In my opinion, he don't even have to lose when he leaves. The only people that will "Truly" hate whoever beats him at wrestlemania, would be the "Smart Marks" or internet fans, whatever you want to call them. The normal people that make up the majority of WWE's fans, would probably tend to give props to the winner, moreso then hate. I don't agree with you at all about it making someone the "Ultimate" heel. That's done by the person working the gimmick, not the person they beat. IF they are going to be a heel, then it can't be a clean finish (Ultimately, that wouldn't be very "Heelish"). SO it would have a "?" mark at the end of his career.[/QUOTE] I don't think he has to lose either. I just think there's great potential if he does. If (and only if) they can come up with a cool storyline, it could be awesome, like, as I mentioned, the Ric Flair loss. The way I would book Triple H beating him would be to show in the kayfabe world, all of the power Trips has backstage. Internet Wrestling Fans seem to hate The Game because he married into the family, has a huge amount of stroke, and can do whatever he wants. He can even end The Undertaker's streak if he talks Vince into it. I think if you showed that power on screen, 'normal' fans would hate him too. All across the (kayfabe) WWE Universe, Triple H harnesses his power, calls in every favour, every connection he has in real life. Notably the McMahon Family and The Kliq. He plays mind games, burying certain people to the right people. Smackdown (or RAW, whichever) becomes his puppet. He would then cheat rampantly to defeat The Undertaker. I have no specifics in mind. Off the top of my head, I think Shawn Michaels could be a cool link. Maybe if HBK has a belt, Trips can use paranoia about his age, breaking down body, and maybe some of his Christian beliefs to screw with him. Sweet Chin Music at the right time, 'Taker loses, Shawn is guilty. He's ended another career. Eventually leads to a HBK/Game showdown. On the other hand, maybe The Undertakershould get the Flair send-off. Kayfabe be damned, The Undertaker has an awesome final match. Totally clean. Totally kick-ass. Maybe he wins. Maybe he loses. Then he finally breaks character for the send-off. Thanks the fans. Everyone cheers. Everyone buys the DVD collection. I don't know which I like better. Open to both. Willing to see what WWE come up with... when the time comes. I like cappyboy's thoughts too. I by no means think Triple H must be the guy to end 'Taker, I just think he could, and it could be awesome... If Triple H is a heel.

[Astil]

My biggest gripe is why does it have to be a heel. Ending Taker's streak as a face, and then getting his support, could get you over so fast it's not even funny.