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

[Wrestling Machine]

So it looks like Cody vs Logan will be for the Undisputed WWE title AND the United States title! Thoughts?

[Sisma]

1 hour ago, Wrestling Machine said:

So it looks like Cody vs Logan will be for the Undisputed WWE title AND the United States title! Thoughts?

I don't get why they would do this, it makes no sense to give Cody both belts, or for Paul to lose the US title with no build up. I guess we are getting some sort of DQ ending so that the titles don't switch hands. 

[Mootinie]

Logan Paul isn't even going to put somebody over in dropping the US title? He really is an actual professional wrestler.

[The Blonde Bomber]

What… what if Logan Paul wins?

[Sisma]

49 minutes ago, The Blonde Bomber said:

What… what if Logan Paul wins?

Imagine how quickly the entire iwc will turn on WWE! 🤣

[CQI13]

4 hours ago, Sisma said:

I don't get why they would do this, it makes no sense to give Cody both belts, or for Paul to lose the US title with no build up. I guess we are getting some sort of DQ ending so that the titles don't switch hands. 

My guess is AJ interferes, and then LA Knight gets involved somehow. Or KO gets involved when Logan Paul tries to cheat. Can't see a clean win coming out of it, and it's fine. I don't mind DQs/Non-finishes as long as it's both of the following - it's logical AND it's not overdone for the wrestler.

[The Blonde Bomber]

The double title stip makes me extra curious what will happen. May actually watch the show live if it’s on at a reasonable hour.

[SanX]

4 hours ago, The Blonde Bomber said:

What… what if Logan Paul wins?

For a throwaway PPV defence, they are surely holding the audience hostage with this. People know no one is safe because of Jinder and 99% of the time either stip will change or a DQ will end the match but that 1% is still there.

Edited May 12 by SanX
forgot the word match/defence

[Wrestling Machine]

I understand those who are unhappy with this choice, and I consider it a reasonable point of view.

On the other hand, however, I personally much prefer this solution to seeing Cody defend his Undisputed WWE title strap against a random opponent with 0 chance of winning. Will we see Cody 2 Belts? Will Logan Paul succeed in the phantasmagorical task of defeating Cody, who I assume would win the title back in a short time? Will it all end in a DQ? At least now I have a reason to see the PLE lol and Cody will have something to do! 

Of course, it all comes from the fact that when the story ended, they didn't plan a nice feud for the Nightmare and he was floating.

[CQI13]

3 hours ago, Wrestling Machine said:

I understand those who are unhappy with this choice, and I consider it a reasonable point of view.

On the other hand, however, I personally much prefer this solution to seeing Cody defend his Undisputed WWE title strap against a random opponent with 0 chance of winning. Will we see Cody 2 Belts? Will Logan Paul succeed in the phantasmagorical task of defeating Cody, who I assume would win the title back in a short time? Will it all end in a DQ? At least now I have a reason to see the PLE lol and Cody will have something to do! 

Of course, it all comes from the fact that when the story ended, they didn't plan a nice feud for the Nightmare and he was floating.

I still think we could see Styles as his first long term feud, but it's getting broken up with other matches in between. LA Knight finds his footing with the US Title, and you have KO turn on Orton to have that going forward. It could work.

[Wrestling Machine]

A rather boring RAW last night, especially with little star power a main event that was a big miss imo. 15 minutes of wild messy brawl, a suicide dive, an over-abused chop trading in the middle of the ring, and little heat from the crowd. Am I the only one who doesn't get this Dragunov hype? IDK to me he seems to do pure random striking without a bit of storytelling to engage the me nor the audience, seems phony on how he acts, and his “invicible” gimmick doesn't convince me on a 5 ft 10, 200lb(?) guy. I just can't buy it.

 

[SanX]

1 hour ago, Wrestling Machine said:

A rather boring RAW last night, especially with little star power a main event that was a big miss imo. 15 minutes of wild messy brawl, a suicide dive, an over-abused chop trading in the middle of the ring, and little heat from the crowd. Am I the only one who doesn't get this Dragunov hype? IDK to me he seems to do pure random striking without a bit of storytelling to engage the me nor the audience, seems phony on how he acts, and his “invicible” gimmick doesn't convince me on a 5 ft 10, 200lb(?) guy. I just can't buy it.

 

Ilya Dragunov is a Gunther type of wrestler, the big difference is he makes up for his size with intensity. It doesn't help that he needed to carry Jey Uso. 

[Dawn]

Ilja is awesome. Had he been able to face Gunther, you probably would have seen where a bit of the hype comes from.

[eayragt]

Yes, Jey's charisma is amazing, but his solo matches have been anything but. I don't blame WWE for trying to rinse this Main Event run, but the quicker he's back in tag action the better.

[Wrestling Machine]

3 hours ago, Dawn said:

Ilja is awesome. Had he been able to face Gunther, you probably would have seen where a bit of the hype comes from.

Yeah Dawn it may be, matches with Jey and Ricochet didn't make me a fan but maybe it'll change!

[bhalbur]

On 5/12/2024 at 11:10 AM, CQI13 said:

My guess is AJ interferes, and then LA Knight gets involved somehow. Or KO gets involved when Logan Paul tries to cheat. Can't see a clean win coming out of it, and it's fine. I don't mind DQs/Non-finishes as long as it's both of the following - it's logical AND it's not overdone for the wrestler.

Yeah, smells like a double DQ/brawl finish. Which is fine for a Saudi show to me. 

[The Blonde Bomber]

One of my pet peeves is backstage segments where they have a microphone then the microphone disappears and you can hear everyone exactly the same. Either you need a microphone or don’t, pick one. 

[PaperMachete]

Wonder if we get some shenanigans in the Gunther-Jey match on Monday. One possible KOTR final is Jey vs Tama Tonga. Maybe not the match we want, but adds another wrinkle in the Bloodline story.

[Dawn]

I hope they don't overthink it. Just go simple and give Gunther KOTR to reestablish it as a proper yearly concept.

[Wrestling Machine]

1 hour ago, Dawn said:

I hope they don't overthink it. Just go simple and give Gunther KOTR to reestablish it as a proper yearly concept.

Our Ring General 🫡

[Dawn]

I...am legitimately so sick of babyface Bianca, gang. Lmao

She is admittedly producing spectacularly in the ring, so it's better than many folks who have had go away heat with me in the past. But character wise she is unpalatable to me right now. They had to make Jade lose (even if by DQ) this soon to accomodate for Bianca going far in the tourney, while Tiffany looks like a fool for losing to a one legged woman.

If she wins QOTR just give her everything else so I can stop watching SmackDown already...when DID Raw and SD switch places when it comes to which show is the better booked of the two (outside of Cody and Roman less Bloodline it's just not a very interesting show atm)...why isn't Naomi in this spot? She would actually benefit from this accomplishment, man...

Edited May 18 by Dawn

[The Blonde Bomber]

I don’t see the hype around Carmelo Hayes yet from what I’ve seen. He has a look to him, but in the ring I see nothing special about him. Comes off as choreographed to me. 
 

Tama v La Knight was well done, enjoyed the hard hitting nature of the match.

[CQI13]

On 5/17/2024 at 11:15 PM, Dawn said:

I...am legitimately so sick of babyface Bianca, gang. Lmao

She is admittedly producing spectacularly in the ring, so it's better than many folks who have had go away heat with me in the past. But character wise she is unpalatable to me right now. They had to make Jade lose (even if by DQ) this soon to accomodate for Bianca going far in the tourney, while Tiffany looks like a fool for losing to a one legged woman.

If she wins QOTR just give her everything else so I can stop watching SmackDown already...when DID Raw and SD switch places when it comes to which show is the better booked of the two (outside of Cody and Roman less Bloodline it's just not a very interesting show atm)...why isn't Naomi in this spot? She would actually benefit from this accomplishment, man...

At least she’s not playing the “so happy to be champ” bit she did the first time around. With her talent and athleticism she is infinitely better suited as an “I am better than you  and I will tell you about it” heel. 

[FellaLibby]

On 5/17/2024 at 11:15 PM, Dawn said:

I...am legitimately so sick of babyface Bianca, gang. Lmao

She is admittedly producing spectacularly in the ring, so it's better than many folks who have had go away heat with me in the past. But character wise she is unpalatable to me right now. They had to make Jade lose (even if by DQ) this soon to accomodate for Bianca going far in the tourney, while Tiffany looks like a fool for losing to a one legged woman.

If she wins QOTR just give her everything else so I can stop watching SmackDown already...when DID Raw and SD switch places when it comes to which show is the better booked of the two (outside of Cody and Roman less Bloodline it's just not a very interesting show atm)...why isn't Naomi in this spot? She would actually benefit from this accomplishment, man...

I've been tired of Babyface Bianca since she beat Asuka at WrestleMania. For the most part, she didn't bother me until it started feeling... Forced. Like Roman used to be. Thing is, Bianca is a woman of color, she's empowering, and she has marketing to present herself above most of the roster. Now I have to say, what I just said is not a negative at all, it's all a positive for a woman in her position. She's got star quality and she's not a bad wrestler, but there are just times that it just feels forced with her. For example, Asuka again, Backlash last year, Asuka beat her when she she should've beat Bianca at Mania. And she still needed to use her Mist to win. 

[Dawn]

For sure. I'm well aware that I am not a part of the target demographic for her character. And good for her, last year's Mania entrance showed just how inspiring she is.

But to those who are not kids and can look past her being a superhero inspiration, there is legitimately no nuance to her character right now. She shows up, smiles through all the opposition (which makes them look super weak as she never seems to take them as a serious threat and we as an audience have no reason to believe they are), wrecks them and leaves. Dare I say it's worse than how Roman used to be, because at the very least with him they played up the ironic parts of the Big Dog character for a period and that inferiority complex his character has always had gave him layers.

Bianca has no layers. Her promos are all the same (which do NOT fit her at all, they would fit the arrogant heel character perfectly like CQI said. As a babyface it just feels disingenuous), she has no natural nemesis who has stood toe to toe with her and will pose a classic rivalry or will aid in a signature character moment in the future like Roman had Seth, because she's wrecked all who may have been that. If Bayley had looked even the least bit competent during their previous feud, then maybe I'd be VERY excited for the prospect of a rematch now that she is champion. 

Keeping her away from Rhea for 3 years now, while wise if you're saving it for Mania, has also made it that more jarring how little Bianca's character has evolved in the meantime...while Rhea has been such an engaging heel she has forced fans into cheering for her. By the time they do meet if this trajectory is to be maintained, I don't see how Bianca isn't booed out of the building. I'll eat crow otherwise, but there really needs to be some believable conflict for Bianca to struggle through in the future at the very least before the discourse becomes toxic as this current character will not cut it against the most popular woman on the roster.