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

[milamber]

It would have been easier to have both shows on Fox but obviously Vince chose the deals that were worth the most money. It's probably a blessing in disguise that he kept a good relationship with USA because if Fox pulls the plug Vince will be begging them to take Smackdown back.

[Makhai]

<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>It would have been easier to have both shows on Fox but obviously Vince chose the deals that were worth the most money. It's probably a blessing in disguise that he kept a good relationship with USA because if Fox pulls the plug Vince will be begging them to take Smackdown back.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Something to keep in mind about the potential for cancelation, this would catch Wall St. entirely off guard and it would send the stock into free-fall. It was $20 a share-ish before the FOX deal announcement. It's been over $100 dollars after it. If this goes like that(I think they'll get at least a year grace period to turn this around, it would make FOX look really bad to cancel super early but if we're looking at 1.5M viewers this time July 2020...) </p><p> </p><p> WWE has also increased spending across the board, and they've given out big money deals to Becky, Orton, and KO recently. People don't understand how much money they're going to hemorrhage in minutes if they get canceled we're talking a billionish in company valuation here. Companies have folded for losing that kinda equity that fast. Now they don't have any outstanding debt, but with Vince trying to get XFL off the ground in that same period. OH BOY, could he get raked here.</p><p> </p><p> Massive downsizing would be needed, and probably an increase in the network price to compensate, but again. We're talking going from 600M in projected Q3 2019 earnings to $100M again. And Wall St. loves to over correct when you show them -500% earnings reports.</p>

[milamber]

<p>The ten most watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network were:</p><p> </p><p> <strong>1. NXT on 5/8;</strong></p><p><strong> 2. NXT U.K. on 5/8;</strong></p><p><strong> 3. 205 Live on 5/7;</strong></p><p> 4. Table for 3 with Kim Orton, Reby Hardy and Giovanna Angle;</p><p> 5. WrestleMania 35;</p><p> <strong>6. NXT from 5/1;</strong></p><p> <strong>7. World’s Collide from 5/1;</strong></p><p><strong> 8. NXT U.K. from 5/1;</strong></p><p> 9. Raw day after WrestleMania on 4/8;</p><p> 10. Formerly Known as Matt Hardy</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> From Big Dave:</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Some notes regarding different things of late. Paul Levesque, while never saying anything publicly, those close to the situation say he’s very frustrated with how things are going on the main roster. One person noted that a big problem isn’t Vince not being open to suggestions, but that they believe he’s far too open these days to suggestions and that it ends up watering down all the original visions and storylines. We’re told that there has been too much input from too many people on the team who haven’t figured out that when you change something in a story, it has a ripple effect on every aspect of the story. He solicits input on so much from so many people that it leads to things being watered down.<p> </p><p> There is a question of how Vince is going to cope with things early next year once the XFL starts. I can recall in 2001 when everyone doing both was just exhausted during football season. For better or worse, Vince’s workload is crazy now. He’s often in the office past midnight, close to 3 a.m. at least once a week and Friday’s his easy day, he’s working until 8 p.m. It’s mostly work and lifting weights, and occasionally watching some football on the weekend. The feeling is once the XFL starts, even though he says nothing will change, that it is simply impossible that’s the case unless he spends little time on the XFL. And since he’s got so much riding on the XFL, and is spending so much money on it, I can’t see him staying out of it.</p><p> </p><p> Regarding the family, Levesque picks his spots to talk with Vince, but never does it in front of anyone. Stephanie has nothing to do with creative. Shane does pitch ideas for himself but they rarely get used.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Andrade has gotten high marks from everyone of late. He’s gotten great reviews from the live event producers and the talent is also as a general rule really positive regarding his ability. He’s pretty much become universally loved. Vince wants to push him but does feel his English is going to hold him back. Through talent relations, they’ve given him an English tutor to speed him up in that regard. He’s been speaking more English in his promos of late because they want him to get more practice at it, rather than just rely on Vega to do it for him.</div></blockquote>

[milamber]

Ashley Massaro passed away aged 39.

[Warhawk8492]

Ashley Massaro passed away aged 39.

 

My prayers are with her family and friends.

[Blackman]

<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>Ashley Massaro passed away aged 39.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That's quite tragic. Nobody should die that early. Never was a fan of her work though, but I guess she had her fans as well.</p><p> </p><p> Not surprised about Andrade. The dude's an awesome worker, and with WWE always needing good mexican talent, he should be a sure push for main eventer.</p>

[shawn michaels]

That's quite tragic. Nobody should die that early. Never was a fan of her work though, but I guess she had her fans as well.

 

Not surprised about Andrade. The dude's an awesome worker, and with WWE always needing good mexican talent, he should be a sure push for main eventer.

 

Indeed. And she apparently took her own life, which makes it even more sad. Andrade is great in the ring, but I haven't seen something that sports entertains me from him yet, regarding entertainment skills. Vince worrying about his English and talking abilities is just a joke. This comes from the dude who booked the same guy for Universal Champion for the last years. The guy that barely spoke a word and had Heyman as a mouthpiece.

[Makhai]

Indeed. And she apparently took her own life, which makes it even more sad. Andrade is great in the ring, but I haven't seen something that sports entertains me from him yet, regarding entertainment skills. Vince worrying about his English and talking abilities is just a joke. This comes from the dude who booked the same guy for Universal Champion for the last years. The guy that barely spoke a word and had Heyman as a mouthpiece.

 

I agree, a language barrier is overblown, and you can have characters just talk much less, and say far more. But Brock Lesnar looks like somebody cloned him in an Umbrella Corp lab to hunt down the members of S.T.A.R.S so he kinda gets a pass. And he can cut a belligerent heel promo in a pinch, to be honest.

 

As far as Sombra goes: He was a can't miss superstar in CMLL that they ruined to keep over Atlantis. He's a can't miss main eventer in the WWE, who apparently has enough English to get Flair to dump her husband so he's got some kinda stick skills, which would be good enough for me.

 

Give him the atomizer and let him shoot out Seth's eye. Let's do this.

[panix04]

So far I think Lacey vs Becky has been the best match. Which says it all

[Jaysin]

Lacey is bad.

[panix04]

<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>Lacey is bad.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Was genuinely impressed. But AJ and seth stole the show</p>

[Warhawk8492]

What an awful ending. I hate Lesnar almost as much as I hate Reigns. Drew McIntyre should have won.

[scmurph01]

<p>MITB Spoiler:</p><p> </p><p>

<span style="color:#FFFFFF;">That ending would of made sense if there had been at least ONE segment since WM involving Paul Heyman trying to get Brock a rematch and being shot down. Just one. I have already started reading the recaps of Raw & Smackdown and tonight just solidified that choice.</span></p><p> </p><p>

I cannot believe Vince made these choices 6 days before a new company (with a lot of buzz behind it) has its first official event.</p>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="scmurph01" data-cite="scmurph01" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>MITB Spoiler:<p> </p><p> I cannot believe Vince made these choices 6 days before a new company (with a lot of buzz behind it) has its first official event.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I don't know how you could expect anything else, honestly.</p>

[BHK1978]

I did not even watch the show and I am annoyed by the ending. I was actually thinking about going to it live because Hartford is like a two hour drive from me, I am glad I decided not to go.

[Crychon]

<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>I did not even watch the show and I am annoyed by the ending. I was actually thinking about going to it live because Hartford is like a two hour drive from me, I am glad I decided not to go.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Same. I was going to watch it until GoT came on, but I got an Email this morning saying my network subscription was canceled (I think I had an old card on it). I was going to renew it and then I was just like "Nah"</p><p> </p><p> Now that Brock Lesnar's back I'm not in any hurry to renew at all.</p>

[BHK1978]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Crychon" data-cite="Crychon" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Same. I was going to watch it until GoT came on, but I got an Email this morning saying my network subscription was canceled (I think I had an old card on it). I was going to renew it and then I was just like "Nah"<p> </p><p> Now that Brock Lesnar's back I'm not in any hurry to renew at all.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> GOT was just as disappointing...<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> But the Barry finale was great.</p>

[Crychon]

<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>GOT was just as disappointing...<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> But the Barry finale was great.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow for Barry. Love that show, though.</p>

[panix04]

I was bitterly disappointed with MITB. The ending was dire - the seven guys in the ring all put on one of the better ladder matches I've seen. And the swerve would have been cool if it was someone that the fans want to see pushed, someone who needs a push - but nope. We get Brock again. Hopefully he uses it in Saudi Arabia, loses and gets on his bicycle and never comes back. It's not that I dislike him. If he was contracted to show up 3-4 times a month i'd probably be cool with him. If he was booked in marquee matches that didn't involve the belt i'd be cool with him. But it seems these days he doesn't even draw real heel heat, just frustration and annoyance, the crowd went flat as a pancake after he won. Fair play to the other guys though, Andrade made himself a star and Finn Balor's program with him could be immense. I'd love to see a solo ladder match between the two.

[milamber]

<p><strong>Usos vs Bryan & Rowan</strong> - Solid match.</p><p>

<strong>Women's MITB</strong> - Good match. Everyone pulled their weight, especially Sonya! Didn't pick Bayley to win. Multiple Sasha namedrops...</p><p>

<strong>Rey vs Joe ©</strong> - I don't mind Rey finally winning the US Title but I don't like the way they did it. Apparently they called an audible to cut it short because of the blood.</p><p>

<strong>Shane vs Miz</strong> - Solid match and the finish was funny but Miz should have won to end the feud.</p><p>

<strong>Nese © vs Daivari</strong> - Solid match.</p><p>

<strong>Lacey vs Becky ©</strong> - Solid match.</p><p>

<strong>Charlotte vs Becky ©</strong> - Good match and angle. Right after the last match and with interference was the best way to get the title off Becky and onto Bayley without Becky looking weak. Grand Slam Bayley!</p><p>

<strong>Styles vs Rollins ©</strong> - MOTN but they probably should have saved it for SummerSlam. Reeks of panic booking.</p><p>

<strong>Owens vs Kofi ©</strong> - Great match.</p><p>

<strong>Men's Money in the Bork</strong> - Great match. Balor and Ricochet got destroyed! I don't know whether to love or hate the finish. TBH, Lesnar fits the role of monster lurking in the background waiting to strike and it will make USA and Fox both happy. And it means they can keep him out of the title picture for almost a year while still being a threat.</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="BdT6viE.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BdT6viE.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Warhawk8492]

I was hoping Drew McIntyre would win.

[Jaysin]

Lame finish.

[sheepy]

<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><p> <strong>Men's Money in the Bork</strong> - Great match. Balor and Ricochet got destroyed! I don't know whether to love or hate the finish. TBH, Lesnar fits the role of monster lurking in the background waiting to strike and it will make USA and Fox both happy. And it means they can keep him out of the title picture for almost a year while still being a threat</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Totally with you on this. Think it’s a really interesting dynamic they have going on here.</p><p> </p><p> Hopefully he keeps this up his sleeve until Wrestlemania.</p>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="panix04" data-cite="panix04" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I was bitterly disappointed with MITB. The ending was dire - the seven guys in the ring all put on one of the better ladder matches I've seen. And the swerve would have been cool if it was someone that the fans want to see pushed, someone who needs a push - but nope. We get Brock again. Hopefully he uses it in Saudi Arabia, loses and gets on his bicycle and never comes back. It's not that I dislike him. If he was contracted to show up 3-4 times a month i'd probably be cool with him. If he was booked in marquee matches that didn't involve the belt i'd be cool with him. But it seems these days he doesn't even draw real heel heat, just frustration and annoyance, the crowd went flat as a pancake after he won. Fair play to the other guys though, Andrade made himself a star and Finn Balor's program with him could be immense. I'd love to see a solo ladder match between the two.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I hate to be that guy, but they gave hardcore everything they wanted at Mania, and they were rewarded with continually sliding ratings, that only improved when they hotshot a non-sensical angle that brought more guys over from the other shows. That sent the message to Vince loud and clear. Need more stars, need to keep stars away from AEW. So they signed Taker, they signed Goldberg, they re-signed Kurt, and they gave Brock what he wanted. </p><p> </p><p> So 3 more years of Brock, Taker, and Goldberg. And I expect to see them much more... on Smackdown on Fox.</p>

[milamber]

This Raw was highly giffable

 

 

 

As for the 24/7 Title: The name and design are meh. They should have just made it a TV title that gets defended at least once a week on any of 5 shows or even a Trios title. The DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion works because they really embrace the insanity. Having said that it's a good excuse to get the lower midcard and enhancement talent on the show more often.