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


Adam Ryland

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<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 say he got what he deserved. Not because of him hanging out with the Bullet Club, but more how he acted on his own part.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah. Do whatever you want during your breaks, but don't make it public with what could be interpreted as a mockery of the WWE top. You know how highly they value social media... It was a stupid move. Too bad for him, though. He had a good thing going. Maybe he just got too cocky to attempt things like this.</p>
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<p>I have not watched the sister Abigail segment but I think WWE made the right choice by giving it to Bray Wyatt himself as it might give something new to play with and it safeguards a female wrestler from maybe having a bad start as the storyline is tricky and it might fall very hard so it might be the best situation to debut anyone.</p><p>

On the Jimmy Jacobs things, I think he was wrong in posting a selfie with a group of wrestlers who were insulting your current employer if it was a Friday night club photo no one would have batted an eye.</p>

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<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blackman" data-cite="Blackman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yeah. Do whatever you want during your breaks, but don't make it public with what could be interpreted as a mockery of the WWE top. You know how highly they value social media... It was a stupid move. Too bad for him, though. He had a good thing going. Maybe he just got too cocky to attempt things like this.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> It is an absolute shame he did it too, he seemed like a really good writer. Didn't he come up with the Roman vs Braun feud and the List of Jericho?</p>
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<p>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. </p><p> </p><p>

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.</p><p> </p><p>

I think the WWE's hypocrisy is why I can never fully embrace them as a fan (Well that and the repetitive booking).</p>

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<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jack ryder" data-cite="jack ryder" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I have not watched the sister Abigail segment but I think WWE made the right choice by giving it to Bray Wyatt himself as it might give something new to play with and it safeguards a female wrestler from maybe having a bad start as the storyline is tricky and it might fall very hard so it might be the best situation to debut anyone.<p> On the Jimmy Jacobs things, I think he was wrong in posting a selfie with a group of wrestlers who were insulting your current employer if it was a Friday night club photo no one would have batted an eye.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree about Sister Abigail. Every time I see a rumor that they're planning to bring her on as an actual character I'm just like "Ugh, don't." I think she works better as a concept than she would as an actual character.</p>
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<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. <p> </p><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> I think the WWE's hypocrisy is why I can never fully embrace them as a fan (Well that and the repetitive booking).</p></div></blockquote><p> 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. </p><p> </p><p> 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.</p>
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<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>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. <p> </p><p> 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.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> 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.</p><p> </p><p> 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.</p>
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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.

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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,

 

You're absolutely right. Take SHIMMER for instance, the only promotion besides FIP and ROH (which are part of the same network) that I've followed years ago. They have taped shows from literaly YEARS ago that still haven't been released to the public. Eventually people stop caring as the promotion uses storylines. They've had a taste of on-demand and streaming through some sites, but never commited.

 

Imo Prazak should actively lobby to hand it over to WWE and have some sort of women only program just like UK or 205 on an off-day. SHIMMER has played its part in the revolution but there's simply no future for a promotion like that in this day. That's why they are struggling financially, though a big part of that is in WWE embracing the "revolution" so there's no real uniqueness about it anymore.

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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.

 

See I do not see them doing that as crossing any lines. After all Vince was the one who put Survivor Series on Thanksgiving night to take money away from Starrcade. To me it is the same thing, just another means to take eyes off your competitor. Granted it backfired in a big way when Mick Foley won the title.

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I'm going to play Devil's Advocate a little here by saying that, I wasn't watching during this period as it was before my time, so I'm going off what you describe and what has been said many times when I hear this subject come up. But, I do think that Vince putting a show on the same night is different to WCW giving away WWF results.

 

Vince putting a show on the same night means people have a choice of where to spend their money. They can still choose the WCW PPV over WWF if they want. But anyone tuning in to a weekly episode of WCW with the intention of watching the weekly WWF show afterwards, and having WCW spoil WWF for them is a shitty move, and it serves them right that it backfired.

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<p>What was already looking like one of the poorest PPV cards in a long time has been further messed with!</p><p> </p><p>

Roman Reigns is out of TLC and will be replaced by Kurt Angle!</p><p>

Bray Wyatt is out and Finn Balor will now face AJ Styles!</p><p> </p><p>

A very troublesome time for WWE atm. Neville walked out, Nia Jax has taken a leave of absence but will reportedly be back for the European Tour at the start of November, and Owens has left the current Smackdown tour due to personal reasons.</p><p> </p><p>

Now the main match at TLC has lost Roman Reigns and Wyatt is confirmed as out due to the viral meningitis bug that he, Bo Dallas and JoJo have all reportedly been suffering with. </p><p> </p><p>

No word on why Reigns is out, but the obvious assumption would be the virus has indeed spread further and I now wonder if that means we're going to see others taking time off over the next week or two.</p>

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<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 <strong>since the last one</strong> has been further messed with!</div></blockquote><p> 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" /></p><p> </p><p> I'm really happy for Kurt, hopefully this opens the door for some involvement at the Rumble and maybe WrestleMania.</p>
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<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 in a long time has been further messed with!<p> </p><p> Roman Reigns is out of TLC and will be replaced by Kurt Angle!</p><p> Bray Wyatt is out and Finn Balor will now face AJ Styles!</p><p> </p><p> A very troublesome time for WWE atm. Neville walked out, Nia Jax has taken a leave of absence but will reportedly be back for the European Tour at the start of November, and Owens has left the current Smackdown tour due to personal reasons.</p><p> </p><p> Now the main match at TLC has lost Roman Reigns and Wyatt is confirmed as out due to the viral meningitis bug that he, Bo Dallas and JoJo have all reportedly been suffering with. </p><p> </p><p> No word on why Reigns is out, but the obvious assumption would be the virus has indeed spread further and I now wonder if that means we're going to see others taking time off over the next week or two.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Honestly if it means I get to see Kurt wrestle again then hooray! Also lets be honest...the writing of the Bray and Balor feud veered off the road and smacked right into a brick wall long before Bray got sick. At least we can assume Finn vs. AJ will be a great match!</p>
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<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>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" /><p> </p><p> I'm really happy for Kurt, hopefully this opens the door for some involvement at the Rumble and maybe WrestleMania.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> HIAC wasn't exactly a great card, but at least a lot more exciting a prospect than TLC.</p><p> </p><p> Shane vs Owens, New Day vs Uso's, and the US Title match.</p><p> </p><p> TLC has 2x Cruiserweight based matches, 2x womens matches (I really like the womens wrestlers, and actually think Alexa vs Mickie could be very enjoyable, but still) and the card was bad before you take in to account the main 2 matches have been changed at the last minute.</p><p> </p><p> Hopefully they do something unexpected. Angle to be taken out backstage before the match starts, or something.</p>
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<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>HIAC wasn't exactly a great card, but at least a lot more exciting a prospect than TLC.<p> </p><p> Shane vs Owens, New Day vs Uso's, and the US Title match.</p><p> </p><p> TLC has 2x Cruiserweight based matches, 2x womens matches (I really like the womens wrestlers, and actually think Alexa vs Mickie could be very enjoyable, but still) and the card was bad before you take in to account the main 2 matches have been changed at the last minute.</p><p> </p><p> Hopefully they do something unexpected. Angle to be taken out backstage before the match starts, or something.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> At least Finn/AJ is gonna be infinitely better than whatever horror show they had planned for Sister Abigail</p>
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<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blackman" data-cite="Blackman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I don’t think the changes are a good thing, but it’s worse than actually cancelling it. Angle’s return could’ve been much better than this crap. Now the Shield are siding with the authority figure? How could this work?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Here's how I would book it:</p><p> </p><p> - AJ & Finn have a good decent length match ending with the lights going out. Finn is laid out in the dark by "Bray/Abigail" and loses via countout.</p><p> </p><p> - Jason Jordan steps in and takes his father's place out of concern for his health only to take the pin and get massive heat. He feels like he failed his father and starts doing whatever it takes to win, turning heel in the process.</p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>TLC:</strong></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Foxy vs Sasha</strong> - Solid match.</p><p>

<strong>Emma vs Asuka</strong> - Good match. I'm glad they gave Emma a chance to shine and get some heat from the crowd instead of being squashed.</p><p>

<strong>Cruiserweights</strong> - Fun rematch. Now if only they would introduce a Tag Title for the division so they have something to fight for.</p><p>

<strong>Mickie vs Alexa</strong> - Good match but I think it was a mistake not putting the title on Mickie. They could have used her to transition the title to Asuka or Jax. Now Bliss will probably hold the title until Wrestlemania while they build up Asuka.</p><p>

<strong>Enzo vs Kalisto</strong> - OK match.</p><p>

<strong>Styles vs Balor</strong> - MOTN. It was a short notice marquee match-up like Zayn/Nakamura and they knocked it out of the ballpark. They claim Finn always wrestles more agressively with the Demon paint on but this is the first time it was noticeable to me.</p><p>

<strong>Elias vs Jordan</strong> - I enjoyed the build-up more than the match.</p><p>

<strong>Main Event</strong> - Entertaining clusterfork of a match considering the whole thing felt cobbled together even before Roman got sick.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Verdict:</strong> Just like HIAC, well performed matches and a hot crowd turned an average card into a good PPV.</p>

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

<strong>Foxy vs Sasha</strong> - Solid match. <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Match was a nice surprise indeed.</span></p><p>

<strong>Emma vs Asuka</strong> - Good match. I'm glad they gave Emma a chance to shine and get some heat from the crowd instead of being squashed. <span style="text-decoration:underline;">I think so too. Squash matches are non-PPV-worthy and regardless of what the over-analysts think I thought Emma could hang with her and she could use the elevation.</span></p><p>

<strong>Cruiserweights</strong> - Fun rematch. Now if only they would introduce a Tag Title for the division so they have something to fight for. <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Short and decent.</span></p><p>

<strong>Mickie vs Alexa</strong> - Good match but I think it was a mistake not putting the title on Mickie. They could have used her to transition the title to Asuka or Jax. Now Bliss will probably hold the title until Wrestlemania while they build up Asuka. <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Was a bit painful to see Bliss underperform in relation to the entire division, including Foxy, while carrying the belt. Some awkward spots on her part. Given how titles are hot potatoes nowadays she wouldn't deserved it.</span></p><p>

<strong>Enzo vs Kalisto</strong> - OK match. <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Fair enough, but average pre- and postwork by Enzo, though maybe he couldn't really help it.</span></p><p>

<strong>Styles vs Balor</strong> - MOTN. It was a short notice marquee match-up like Zayn/Nakamura and they knocked it out of the ballpark. They claim Finn always wrestles more agressively with the Demon paint on but this is the first time it was noticeable to me. <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Good match obviously and MOTN but underwhelming given its monstrous appeal. A squandered opportunity, though not their fault. Thank god the workers themselves have a history to provide at least some buildup.</span></p><p>

<strong>Elias vs Jordan</strong> - I enjoyed the build-up more than the match. <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Ok, but what's with the salad tossing? Jordan looked a bit queer to me (no offense), though I guess this was preferable to him interjecting himself in the main event. Another good showing by Elias.</span></p><p>

<strong>Main Event</strong> - Entertaining clusterfork of a match considering the whole thing felt cobbled together even before Roman got sick. <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Surprisingly entertaining given the storytelling, even though a lot of it made little sense due to the last-minute changes. I laughed hysterically at the mention of Angle paying "hommage" to Reigns. I expected the Hardies to make an appearance but I'll settle for this mess and a good spot from Kane/Strowman.</span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Verdict:</strong>The hot crowd indeed made it better, but it doesn't deserve better than a "good" rating imo.</p><p> </p><p>

Funny quote of the day from Booker T: "I don't think Kane likes being in a tag team match". How would he know? <img alt=":rolleyes:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

Btw I liked your booking plans but having Jordan in the match instead of Angle could've potentially killed the main event and, in a way, the PPV entirely, even if they put the spotlight fully on Kane & Strowman.</p>

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<p>I came away from the TLC match with three thoughts. </p><p> </p><p>

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.</p><p> </p><p>

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.</p><p> </p><p>

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.</p><p> </p><p>

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

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