The Official WWE / NXT Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

[Russelrules44]

<p>Well, this certainly has been an interesting week for the wrestling world.</p><p> </p><p>

I mean, in one week's time we've seen...</p><p> </p><p>

Jimmy Snuka pass away..</p><p> </p><p>

RAW put on their best wrestling show in a little while...</p><p> </p><p>

Mickie James return to the WWE...</p><p> </p><p>

Kurt Angle enter the Hall of Fame...</p><p> </p><p>

And another enter the presidency...(You know who by this point)</p><p> </p><p>

All we need now is for James Ellsworth to enter the Royal Rumble and this week will become an early candidate for most exciting week in wrestling for 2017.</p>

[milamber]

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">NXT Takeover:</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Dillinger vs Young</strong> - Solid match in no small part to Dillinger's energy and the crowd's hype for him. The count-out 10 chants need to die, though.</p><p>

<strong>Almas vs Strong</strong> - Good match. They should bring in Truth Martini from ROH as Roddy's manager.</p><p>

<strong>AOP vs DIY</strong> - Good match. Way better than expected. The result was a shock. If DIY and Revival are main roster bound it doesn't leave much of a tag division.</p><p>

<strong>Rollins segment</strong> - Hats off to WWE for the cross-event continuity.</p><p>

<strong>Fatal Fourway</strong> - Solid match thanks to a few cool spots but it was too short and Peyton & Billie are not on the same level as the other 2 women.</p><p>

<strong>Roode vs Nakamura</strong> - Sick entrances. Good match with a finish that protected Nakamura. Looks like he's main roster bound just in time for Mania. Not expecting a Rumble appearance. The focus should be on Joe's debut.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Verdict:</strong> They overcame a lackluster card on paper with good performances. Didn't expect to like it so much.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<p>...Are they building up to Sami Zayn winning the Royal Rumble?</p><p> </p><p>

I'm asking because it feels like it to me.</p>

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Russelrules44" data-cite="Russelrules44" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>...Are they building up to Sami Zayn winning the Royal Rumble?<p> </p><p> I'm asking because it feels like it to me.</p></div></blockquote><p> No. They're going out of their way to make him look like a geek because they evidently don't want him to get over.</p><p> </p><p> AJ vs. Cena was great. Cena was sloppy in the ring for a long time earlier in his career, but he's seriously one of the best in the company now.</p>

[CQI13]

<p>I can't get behind Zayn. Between him and Owens, I felt Owens was always the superior one. I did think it was funny all the apologists coming out when he got hurt during his entrance the first time on Raw (against Cena for the US Title). Good wrestler and whatever you want...just can't get behind him.</p><p> </p><p>

EDIT:</p><p> </p><p>

Taker/Cena for the title at WM? They'd blow 2 big matches in one?</p><p> </p><p>

EDIT 2:</p><p> </p><p>

I like that result. Bray wins title at Elimination Chamber and the situation with Randy comes to a head when Orton completes the turn and goes for the title at WM.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<p>RANDY ORTON EVERYONE!</p><p> </p><p>

Did not see him winning. I knew he'd play a big role in this year's Rumble, but I didn't think he'd win.</p><p> </p><p>

Awesome ending to a fun as hell Royal Rumble.</p>

[guyver3]

God you hear Roman's music at 30 and all the life gets sucked out of the crowd. At least he didn't win again though Orton winning is kinda underwhelming.

[Pteroid]

So...Bray wins title at Elimination Chamber? Please? I DUN WANNANOTHER CENA/ORTON BOREFEEEEEST ;_;

[Russelrules44]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Pteroid" data-cite="Pteroid" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So...Bray wins title at Elimination Chamber? Please? I DUN WANNANOTHER CENA/ORTON BOREFEEEEEST ;_;</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm imagining that's the case, that might explain why Randy won the Royal Rumble.</p>

[crownsy]

<p>and for the second year in a row, Vince's Ego ruins a great rumble match. At least he didn't go all the way through with it, congrats to Randy.</p><p> </p><p>

I'll post my thoughts on the whole event tomorrow, but what a joke that last 5 minutes was. Good on the Crowd to take a dump all over it. Sure that will be edited into rabid cheers by tomorrow night.</p>

[crownsy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Russelrules44" data-cite="Russelrules44" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I don't think the crowd was booing Orton though. Booing Reigns, yes; but at this point it's a given.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Oh agreed, the Crowd was happy Randy won. The whole "here comes super Roman!!! " for the second year in a row sucked all the joy out of that for me though.</p><p> </p><p> Again, kudos for the crowd for letting Vince know exactly what they thought of that booking.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<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>Oh agreed, the Crowd was happy Randy won. The whole "here comes super Roman!!! " for the second year in a row sucked all the joy out of that for me though.<p> </p><p> Again, kudos for the crowd for letting Vince know exactly what they thought of that booking.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'll say this much, at least this time around it served a purpose. He eliminated The Undertaker in his hometown, That to me sounds like a feud is on the horizon.</p><p> </p><p> I will also admit that I would like to see a darker side of Reigns myself, and I'm hoping that with this that we can finally see something resembling that. (Who knows, maybe he turns heel. That's something we've been waiting for)</p>

[Blodyxe]

I legit laughed out loud when number 30 came out, they have no chill. And when Orton won I just raised an eyebrow, like really? No offense to Randy, but him in the mainevent of WM? In 2017? *Head scratch*

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Russelrules44" data-cite="Russelrules44" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'll say this much, at least this time around it served a purpose. He eliminated The Undertaker in his hometown, That to me sounds like a feud is on the horizon.</div></blockquote><p> Clearly. He also did a cocky little eyebrow raise after he eliminated him and said "This is my yard now." It honestly felt to me like they were setting the stage for him to turn heel at Mania. I may be reading too much into that, but Vince can't be so clueless as to think beating Taker at Mania will do anything but make people hate Roman even more.</p><p> </p><p> ...Can he?</p><p> </p><p> If it sounds like I'm bashing Roman, that's not my intention. As a worker I think he might be one of the more underrated guys today, and at this point the best of the former Shield guys (yeah, I said it. Ambrose annoys the crap out of me and I haven't seen nearly as many good to great matches from Seth in WWE as I have from Roman.) They've just botched his character so badly over the past few years, largely because they absolutely suck at writing for top faces these days.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blodyxe" data-cite="Blodyxe" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I legit laughed out loud when number 30 came out, they have no chill. And when Orton won I just raised an eyebrow, like really? No offense to Randy, but him in the mainevent of WM? In 2017? *Head scratch*</div></blockquote><p> He won't be in the actual main event. They use that term extremely loosely. I'd expect him vs. Bray, if that's the match, to be somewhere in the first half of the card. Goldberg vs. Lesnar will probably be the true main event.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blodyxe" data-cite="Blodyxe" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I legit laughed out loud when number 30 came out, they have no chill. And when Orton won I just raised an eyebrow, like really? No offense to Randy, but him in the mainevent of WM? In 2017? *Head scratch*</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I was honestly a little shocked about Reigns being thirty. I didn't even think he'd be in this year's Royal Rumble, very ballsy move. I'm guessing they did it to kick-start the Reigns-Taker match at WrestleMania.</p><p> </p><p> As for Orton, I think this might actually end up being a brilliant booking path going forward if Wyatt ends up winning the WWE championship at EC. We'll see later down the road, but I wouldn't be shocked if this was the case.</p><p> </p><p> EDIT: I just now realized that Kane wasn't even in the Royal Rumble.</p><p> </p><p> I'm as shocked as you are.</p>

[Blodyxe]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>He won't be in the actual main event. They use that term extremely loosely. I'd expect him vs. Bray, if that's the match, to be somewhere in the first half of the card. Goldberg vs. Lesnar will probably be the true main event.</div></blockquote><p> That's an even bigger problem when the rumble result leads to smth like Del Rio in the opener or 16 seconds with Sheamus and D Bry. Such a waste of the gimmick. I guess you're right that Wyatt/Orton is the match in plans, but do they really need a title for their feud? If AJ stayed the champ it would be nice, Orton/Styles and Wyatt/Harper? But if Bray does win the EC, what is the reason of Cena winning 16th title? Goldberg vs Lesnar closing the show would be hilarious <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png"></p>

[The Final Countdown]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blodyxe" data-cite="Blodyxe" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That's an even bigger problem when the rumble result leads to smth like Del Rio in the opener or 16 seconds with Sheamus and D Bry. Such a waste of the gimmick. I guess you're right that Wyatt/Orton is the match in plans, but do they really need a title for their feud? If AJ stayed the champ it would be nice, Orton/Styles and Wyatt/Harper? But if Bray does win the EC, what is the reason of Cena winning 16th title? Goldberg vs Lesnar closing the show would be hilarious <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> Agreed; the Rumble winner challenging for the title should always be the main event, unless there's something else on the show so special that it would obviously overshadow it (Hogan/Rock, the first Rock/Cena.) But then again there would only be one true world champion if it were my decision, brand split or no brand split.</p><p> </p><p> When my friend and I were talking about the potential Mania lineup a month or two ago, I said they should have Cena win the Rumble and beat AJ in the main event of Mania to tie Flair's record. I still think that's what they should have done.</p>

[Warhawk8492]

If they do have Orton Vs Wyatt it should be a good match. I'm glad Roman Reigns lost twice in one night.

[Blodyxe]

Also nonchalant Ambrose elimination is a crime. He's an IC champ for crying out loud, got tossed over the rope like some Curt Hawkins. I know Zayn and Jericho also left in a bad way, but Ambrose sticked out for me the most.

[Warhawk8492]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blodyxe" data-cite="Blodyxe" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Also nonchalant Ambrose elimination is a crime. He's an IC champ for crying out loud, got tossed over the rope like some Curt Hawkins. I know Zayn and Jericho also left in a bad way, but Ambrose sticked out for me the most.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That did suck</p>

[Questlove]

I read the results because I suspected Reigns would be a surprise entrant and I couldn't handle yet another year of that. Doesn't sound like I missed anything noteworthy.

[dpoolez]

<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="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Clearly. He also did a cocky little eyebrow raise after he eliminated him and said "This is my yard now." It honestly felt to me like they were setting the stage for him to turn heel at Mania. I may be reading too much into that, but Vince can't be so clueless as to think beating Taker at Mania will do anything but make people hate Roman even more.<p> </p><p> ...Can he?</p><p> </p><p> If it sounds like I'm bashing Roman, that's not my intention. As a worker I think he might be one of the more underrated guys today, and at this point the best of the former Shield guys (yeah, I said it. Ambrose annoys the crap out of me and I haven't seen nearly as many good to great matches from Seth in WWE as I have from Roman.) They've just botched his character so badly over the past few years, largely because they absolutely suck at writing for top faces these days.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> He won't be in the actual main event. They use that term extremely loosely. I'd expect him vs. Bray, if that's the match, to be somewhere in the first half of the card. Goldberg vs. Lesnar will probably be the true main event.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Youre not wrong honestly.</p><p> </p><p> Roman has lowkey been the most consistent of The Shield since Fast Lane 2015 imo when it comes to in ring stuff.</p><p> </p><p> FWIW I think he is way more coordinated and entertaining as an in ring guy than Cena was his first couple years in the main event. If it were a random Raw match with a good opponent, 15-17 Reigns vs 05-07 Cena, Id easily watch Reigns right now.</p><p> </p><p> His criticism is his persona and preference as WWEs chosen one more than its anything to do with his actual wrestling like you said.</p>

[Fleisch]

<p>So because I've already wasted 3 hours of my life watching the Royal Rumble, I'm not going to waste too much time reviewing it.</p><p> </p><p>

Huge disappointment from top to bottom. Considering this was a milestone year anniversary for the year, a bit more effort could have gone into it. Not one thing entertained me - which for a WWE PPV is rare as I at least like one match on a card.</p>

[sabataged]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Fleisch" data-cite="Fleisch" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So because I've already wasted 3 hours of my life watching the Royal Rumble, I'm not going to waste too much time reviewing it.<p> </p><p> Huge disappointment from top to bottom. Considering this was a milestone year anniversary for the year, a bit more effort could have gone into it. Not one thing entertained me - which for a WWE PPV is rare as I at least like one match on a card.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Really? The Owens/Reigns match was a really good brawl, the Charlotte/Bayley was not bad but could have been better, the Neville/Swann was good, and the AJ/Cena match was great. The rumble itself was only average but the rest was good.</p>

[Blackman]

I honestly can't believe I'm saying this, but the Cena match was probably the best thing of the Rumble. Is it all just a ploy to induce insight that Cena isn't that bad after all?

 

So no surprise entrants? Really? I suspected very few surprises as the announced entrants were already stacked, but my enthusiasm dwindled when Enzo got in and went rock bottom when Reigns entered at number 30. The following moments were me watching in fear of Reigns winning the damn thing. Orton's win was surprising and a let down, but I'd take that any day over the dreaded alternative. It was just unfair. I endured Reigns' match with Owens. It was ok. It was over. I was done with him. He couldn't just debut an hour later. I'm comfortable with WWE shoving him in my face, but come on... There should always be surprises. Biggest one was Dillinger at 10 but that potential occurrence was all over the internet so it was hardly a surprise.

 

I'm not going to bury their decision to, well, bury Lesnar again. Let's see where they go with both characters. But don't expect me to be excited for Lesnar vs Goldberg III. Nobody is going to care one bit following this 'interaction'.

 

Charlotte vs Bayley as an opener should've been way better. In general: nothing really sucked, but it's the rumble we're talking about.

 

Is there someone who actually liked the Rumble? Please explain to me what justifies this year's Rumble as one of the top 3 PPV's of the year using relative terminology. Being "ok" doesn't just cut it. We watched it on a work day, sure, but I usually don't fall asleep that early. This lackluster event can be saved if they come up with something interesting for Orton to do, but I doubt they will succeed in setting that up as they failed to cook a good rumble despite having all the ingredients. In the middle of the match, I honestly believed Y2J was going to get the nod to feud with Owens into Mania, but who was I kidding, right?

 

I legit laughed out loud when number 30 came out, they have no chill. And when Orton won I just raised an eyebrow, like really? No offense to Randy, but him in the mainevent of WM? In 2017? *Head scratch*

 

Well... I for one was nearly crying. I also agree the Ambrose elimination was downright criminal. At least the camera was on it...