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

[Astil]

I actually love the Ryback booking at the moment, because it shows a frustrated guy who is "saving himself for the PPV" but in a new way. He is faking the injury to not have to fight until the PPV. Then, when Jericho focuses on it, it'll be revealed it's not injured and be the reason Ryback wins.

 

Or so I hope.

 

I also loved the ending with Henry and Cena. Cena looks legit scared of Henry, which builds up the match in my opinion. That initial promo and attack, great as it was, did not set the story as much as Cena flinching when Mark moved. Even if the original promo was better.

 

For me that Raw was good fun.

[Russelrules44]

I caught the clips from yesterday's RAW and one thing really stood out.

 

The WWE HAS to be outright giving up on Ryback. I actually was somewhat of a fan with his whole big-bully style with the Miz. Pushing his head around, looking like he was that bigger guy showing that he can do whatever he wants, but then... he quits?

 

Miz kicks him in the leg a few times and... he quits?

 

That has to be the WEAKEST ending to a match I've ever seen. Someone of Ryback's size should never be booked in that manner. Even if you're not planning a main event run, you pretty much just made him look weaker than a 150 pound cruiserweight.

 

Then, they give him a stare-down so he can look 'tough'. Seconds later, it's really used for Jericho to knock him out with a "Code Breaker". Lazy booking. Very lazy booking.

 

You really want to sell the story? Ryback is hurt. Has to overcome the pain despite his knee killing him. He continues on; wrestling outright. However, as he goes for his finisher, his knee gives out. You could even have Ryback roll out of the ring; checking on his leg. That said, he never really gets back upright and can't return to the ring. Still a 'cheap win' but a lot better than what we saw.

 

Finally, Jericho makes an attack to move their storyline but, instead of landing a code breaker, he hits the one thing that just weakened Ryback. Like a shark to blood, Jericho dives in with a low-drop-kick and takes out Ryback's knee further. That would be a WHOLE HELL of a lot more interesting than what we saw.

 

OBVIOUSLY, They've given up on Ryback. Or Cryback.

[djthefunkchris]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Astil" data-cite="Astil" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I actually love the Ryback booking at the moment, because it shows a frustrated guy who is "saving himself for the PPV" but in a new way. He is faking the injury to not have to fight until the PPV. Then, when Jericho focuses on it, it'll be revealed it's not injured and be the reason Ryback wins.<p> </p><p> Or so I hope.</p><p> </p><p> I also loved the ending with Henry and Cena. Cena looks legit scared of Henry, which builds up the match in my opinion. That initial promo and attack, great as it was, did not set the story as much as Cena flinching when Mark moved. Even if the original promo was better.</p><p> </p><p> For me that Raw was good fun.</p></div></blockquote><p> I don't know why I find it weird how much I agree with you on this post... earily so. I'll explain after next quote, because it goes together.</p><p> </p><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>OBVIOUSLY, They've given up on Ryback. Or Cryback.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> To me the opposite is what seems to be happening. To me they are using Jericho once again to build him back up... For what I don't know, but it can kill two birds in one stone here.</p><p> </p><p> Ryback hasn't been winning at the PPV's lately, and I agree with Astil in I believe the story is going to be how he fooled everyone into thinking he was hurt worse then he really is. Possibly JBL might even crack a joke about "Of course he wasn't that hurt, they wouldn't let him compete if he was that hurt. He's brilliant!"</p><p> </p><p> The whole thing with Jericho talking about how smart Ryback actually is, kind of helps set this up. Jericho loses after a hopefully better then expected match, giving Ryback momentum to move forward again. Or.. possibly a double turn as Jericho goes after the "injured" leg over and over, while Ryback takes it, looking more and more hurt, something like we just saw with Ziggler. Then overcoming the odds and beating Jericho.</p><p> </p><p> Either way, I believe Jericho loses in a way which leads to him hurt and unable to compete til' after his tour with Fozzy is over... giving Ryback a much needed win, and possible credibility. </p><p> </p><p> I don't see Ryback losing. I don't know what to think about Cena vs Henry though. Punk I think goes on another winning streak.</p>

[milamber]

Main Event was good. Christian vs Sandow, Sin Cara vs Swagger, Big E vs Hawkins. Matthews & Rhodes on commentary this week (and AJ for the last match).

[Astil]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="djthefunkchris" data-cite="djthefunkchris" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I don't know why I find it weird how much I agree with you on this post... earily so. I'll explain after next quote, because it goes together.<p> </p><p> </p><p> To me the opposite is what seems to be happening. To me they are using Jericho once again to build him back up... For what I don't know, but it can kill two birds in one stone here.</p><p> </p><p> Ryback hasn't been winning at the PPV's lately, and I agree with Astil in I believe the story is going to be how he fooled everyone into thinking he was hurt worse then he really is. Possibly JBL might even crack a joke about "Of course he wasn't that hurt, they wouldn't let him compete if he was that hurt. He's brilliant!"</p><p> </p><p> The whole thing with Jericho talking about how smart Ryback actually is, kind of helps set this up. Jericho loses after a hopefully better then expected match, giving Ryback momentum to move forward again. Or.. possibly a double turn as Jericho goes after the "injured" leg over and over, while Ryback takes it, looking more and more hurt, something like we just saw with Ziggler. Then overcoming the odds and beating Jericho.</p><p> </p><p> Either way, I believe Jericho loses in a way which leads to him hurt and unable to compete til' after his tour with Fozzy is over... giving Ryback a much needed win, and possible credibility. </p><p> </p><p> I don't see Ryback losing. I don't know what to think about Cena vs Henry though. Punk I think goes on another winning streak.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think sneaky but strong Ryback would be a great opponent for face champ Ziggler to go against. Just think of the selling! If anyone could make Ryback look like a beast as well as him being sneaky (he could even be caught out once or twice by the also sneaky Ziggler) it's Dolph. Heck, to me the feud writes itself, as Mr. Back wants a belt, any belt, and <strong>forces</strong> his way into a title picture.</p>

[djthefunkchris]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Astil" data-cite="Astil" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think sneaky but strong Ryback would be a great opponent for face champ Ziggler to go against. Just think of the selling! If anyone could make Ryback look like a beast as well as him being sneaky (he could even be caught out once or twice by the also sneaky Ziggler) it's Dolph. Heck, to me the feud writes itself, as Mr. Back wants a belt, any belt, and <strong>forces</strong> his way into a title picture.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That is such a ridiculously good idea to start on right after the MITB PPV. IF they are going to go for Heel Ryback and Face Ziggler with it, that could really make them both look extremely strong if done right. Imagine Ziggler staying alive over and over after brutal hit (Ryback doesn't even have to work much for this) after brutal hit, as we know Ziggler can make a weak chest slap look like it caved in his chest. </p><p> </p><p> Overall, Ziggler could come out looking like a champ with a huge heart for taking such brutal punishment and still pulling out the win, and Ryback would look stronger then ever because of Ziggler (over) selling everything so well.</p><p> </p><p> It really wouldn't matter who won, if they told the story right in the ring, both could come out looking much stronger after the match.</p><p> </p><p> That's one of the things they have been doing more and more of lately, telling a story in the ring. Lots of in ring psychology going on, even if actual in ring skill isn't exactly on display. People that have stood out to me are Henry, Kane, Orton, Bryan, Del Rio, Sheamus, and even Cena. I have no idea who is putting these match's together, but I wish they would help out the Divas more. I know people are saying the Divas are looking better, but to me they are making the time to do a move very choreographed looking, and every match I see Kaitlyn in, she doesn't seem to have any moves what so ever, outside of the spear which looks better then some guys I've seen use it. The little skits between AJ and Kaitlyn are horrible to me. AJ needs to speed up her promo's, there is too much gap, as if she is trying to remember her line. </p><p> </p><p> It's amazing to me the hate Vickie gets, when IMO, she is the best female on the mic, better then most of the guys as well. She gets heat easily, and is showing signs of being able to get "real" sympathy from the crowd recently, which is something I think might be surprising to most people. I honestly think she could change up to a face, and do it quite well, using the "Excuse Me" to interrupt a heel doing a promo. </p><p> </p><p> I'm most impressed with Ryback though. To me he looks so sincere when acting hurt. That's why I can't shake the possibility of a turn to face with him. It's great acting. Well, Henry is a great actor as well. Those two need a movie.</p>

[Rickymex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="djthefunkchris" data-cite="djthefunkchris" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> It's amazing to me the hate Vickie gets, when IMO, she is the best female on the mic, better then most of the guys as well. She gets heat easily, and is showing signs of being able to get <strong>"real" sympathy</strong> from the crowd recently, which is something I think might be surprising to most people. I honestly think she could change up to a face, and do it quite well, using the "Excuse Me" to interrupt a heel doing a promo. </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This sympathy is probably due to how douchetastic the McMahons are especially Triple H and his interactions with Vickie. Stephanie however has just put down everyone she has been on screen with. She put down the evil scheming Diva's champion AJ which is understandable since she's a heel but a few seconds later she puts down Kaitlyn who is the biggest face of the divas and the one who has been traumatized by AJ Lee. </p><p> </p><p> Mr. McMahon is kind of fun especially interacting with some of the wrestlers like The Shield and he could be great in backstage segments similar to Ron Simmons as he looks at the gimmicky guy like Fandango, Ryder, and Santino and just walks away in disgust. Plus having him hanging out with Sheamus or having a conversation with Damien Sandow in backstage segments would just be awesome. Painting Vince as a cool old man could really work.</p>

[shawn michaels]

Main Event was good. Christian vs Sandow, Sin Cara vs Swagger, Big E vs Hawkins. Matthews & Rhodes on commentary this week (and AJ for the last match).

 

Oh sure, it was good, but it prompts 2 questions:

 

1: why do they book main event backwards every week? They always start with the best matches first and go on o put the worst things later on. Ridiculous.

 

2: Why don't we see a match like Sandow vs. Christian on Raw? They have the time to put this on Raw, where it would be greatly appreciated. Instead they fill Raw with 4 minute filler matches that no one cares about...the kind of matches that should go to main event, and put the good stuff on main event. Where's the logic? You're wellcome!

[Self]

Because they believe audiences have short attention spans, and that long matches between guys like Christian vs Sandow would cause lots and lots of casual wrestling fans to turn off. They're not wrong either. There are numbers that back this up way of thinking.

 

Main Event, on the other hand, isn't so important, ratings-wise. So... yay, long matches between midcarders.

[shawn michaels]

Because they believe audiences have short attention spans, and that long matches between guys like Christian vs Sandow would cause lots and lots of casual wrestling fans to turn off. They're not wrong either. There are numbers that back this up way of thinking.

 

Main Event, on the other hand, isn't so important, ratings-wise. So... yay, long matches between midcarders.

 

PPV long, like 20 minutes. And a great match. So...fans would turn off if it was on raw? And they don't on ME?

[Russelrules44]

<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>Main Event was good. Christian vs Sandow, Sin Cara vs Swagger, Big E vs Hawkins. Matthews & Rhodes on commentary this week (and AJ for the last match).</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I didn't quite see it but I guess it must have been a pretty good Main Event.</p>

[Self]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>PPV long, like 20 minutes. And a great match. So...fans would turn off if it was on raw? And they don't on ME?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> WWE don't care as much if people turn off during Main Event. Compared to RAW, the ratings are unimportant. It's not their flagship, all-important show. </p><p> </p><p> Pay Per View is a different animal. PPV's cater to the people willing to spend $50 on a show (loyal, dedicated wrestling fans who like 'good wrestling') whereas the television audience includes a good portion of super casuals, who like to know what's going on, want to see stars, but are just as happy flicking over to the other channel. </p><p> </p><p> I decided to google some ratings breakdowns, to glance at some trends in ratings. Here's the 24th June episode of RAW.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Some Thread on Bodybuiling.com... Not the most reputable, but 1st thing that came up" data-cite="Some Thread on Bodybuiling.com... Not the most reputable, but 1st thing that came up" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>In the segment-by-segment, the show opened at 3.04 for the Alberto Del Rio promo with Paul Heyman & C.M. Punk coming out. Christian vs. Wade Barrett lost 194,000 viewers. You’d hope Christian’s return would have at least held even. Sheamus vs. Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow lost 164,000 viewers. Backstage stuff with HHH, Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox plus Team Hell No backstage gained 226,000 viewers. Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan gained 248,000 viewers to a 3.13 at 9 p.m. The A.J. Lee/Stephanie McMahon in-ring and Kaitlyn attack of Lee gained 168,000 viewers, which I’d consider good for the time slot. Dean Ambrose vs. Kane for the U.S. title and the backstage aftermath with Vickie, Vince McMahon and The Shield lost 341,000 viewers. That wouldn’t be so good. Antonio Cesaro vs. William Regal gained 41,000 viewers, which is also a good showing. The star period of the show was the John Cena and Mark Henry in-ring angle, which was one of the strongest periods on the show in a long time, gaining 738,000 viewers to a 3.57 quarter at 10 p.m. However, Mark Henry’s backstage heel interview and Chris Jericho vs. Heath Slater lost 953,000 viewers. People seem to always tune out at 10:15 p.m., but not at that level. Curtis Axel vs. Sin Cara plus the backstage stuff with the McMahons, Guerrero and Maddox gained 112,000 viewers. C.M. Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio with the post-match with Brock Lesnar and Dolph Ziggler gained 636,000 viewers to a 3.42 overrun.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> So there's are a few matches there that caused hundreds of thousands of fans to turn off. Including the Sandow match and the Christian match. Here's the week before.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Says it's from Wrestling Observer" data-cite="Says it's from Wrestling Observer" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>In the segment breakdown, the show started with a 3.29 quarter rating for the Ryback and John Cena segment. Damien Sandow vs. Randy Orton lost a whopping 725,000 viewers, including 19% of all Males 18-49. Chris Jericho’s promo gained 124,000 viewers. R-Truth vs. Fandango lost 146,000 viewers for a 2.74 quarter rating. Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler at 9pm gained 228,000 viewers for a 2.91 quarter rating.<p> </p><p> The Shield vs. The Usos and Kofi Kingston lost 206,000 viewers. Zack Ryder vs. Antonio Cesaro gained 26,000 viewers. The highlight of the show was Brock Lesnar’s visit to WWE HQ and then the segment with Triple H and Paul Heyman. That segment gained a big 899,000 viewers in the 10pm timeslot, boosting the rating to a 3.44. Male Teens grew 35% and Males 18-49 grew 38% during that segment.</p><p> </p><p> Kaitlyn, Cameron and Naomi vs. AJ Lee and The Bella Twins lost another big number – 921,000 viewers. During that match, 17% among Male Teens and 21% in Males 18-49 tuned out. The confrontation with Sheamus and Mark Henry plus Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett gained 146,000 viewers. Kane vs. Ryback in the main event plus the post-match angle with Daniel Bryan, John Cena and The Shield gained 163,000 viewers for a 2.99 overrun – very weak for the main event.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> The loose trend I see if that people turn off when the segments are 'unimportant' or don't involve the stars. Christian and Sandow don't come out looking good, so I'd wager that a match between the two wouldn't do well. Unless it was part of an important storyline. Which it wouldn't be.</p><p> </p><p> Guys like you and me would love seeing that match on RAW. We're wrestling fans. We like good wrestling. We're not the only type of fans WWE has though. They gotta book for casuals too, and Christian vs Sandow isn't floating casual boats.</p>

[bigtplaystew]

Why can't Ryback just shake his fist and tell us he rules? That was funny.

[Russelrules44]

I thought now would be a good time to start up a new project I called, Fantasy Booking. Simple really, Just say the wrestler that comes to mind in WWE and i'll do a little fantasy booking.

[mitsukaikira]

<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 thought now would be a good time to start up a new project I called, Fantasy Booking. Simple really, Just say the wrestler that comes to mind in WWE and i'll do a little fantasy booking.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Wrong thread.</p>

[Russelrules44]

Oh, sry.........BTW, Did you see Smackdown? It was one hell of a event! Best SmackDown of the year so far.

[milamber]

NXT Highlights:

 

- Bo Dallas doing a great job as a doofus heel (tweener?) in a backstage interview -- calling his fans Bo-lievers, stealing Bret Hart's catch phrase and calling Bret his mentor, dissing Cesaro's US title reign etc.

- Fox vs Paige - Paige is awesome. Seeing how good Fox was in this match proves that the women purposely dumb down their wrestling on the main shows.

- Baker vs O'Brian - From silly rat gimmick to evil beast. Connor O'Brian might just make it to the main roster after all.

- Dawson vs Woods - Dawson is like a young redneck Arn Anderson. Woods has exciting offense. Good match.

- Cesaro vs Dallas (NXT Title Match) - Fantastic PPV-quality technical match. The crowd chanted "We the People!" then a loud split chant ("Let's go Bo" / "No more Bo") started up. The creepy tweener Leo Kruger was lurking ringside again and accidentally helped Dallas win. Kruger beat down Dallas after the match, before Cesaro stopped him and beat Dallas down himself. Then the 2 men beat down Dallas together before Zayn came out to stop Cesaro.

 

Verdict: Plenty of matches (squashes aside) and an awesome last half hour.

 

http://gyazo.com/286fd63d6f89c31f21348410f07d76d9.pnghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMisw6py-TI/UdWHVPSXHbI/AAAAAAABqHw/EnMzHdCouyg/s325/a.gifhttp://www.wrestlingforum.com/signaturepics/sigpic231642_2.gif

[Guest codey]

I like O'Brian a lot and think he's got a great look about him, but I just wish they would give him a name change. I know they've moved away from gimmicky names in the past years, but having a guy come out with a demonic gimmick, ominous lighting effects, and a general monster-type appearance and then announcing his name as Connar O'Brian just doesn't seem right.

[milamber]

I like O'Brian a lot and think he's got a great look about him, but I just wish they would give him a name change. I know they've moved away from gimmicky names in the past years, but having a guy come out with a demonic gimmick, ominous lighting effects, and a general monster-type appearance and then announcing his name as Connar O'Brian just doesn't seem right.

 

Yeah, a new name would be good. The crowd got noisy during his entrance which is a sign the gimmick is getting over. Did you see his finisher vs Pierce and Sakamoto where he faceplanted both at once? Just as impressive as Ryback's 2-man Shellshock. Also his Stockade submission looks strong.

[shawn michaels]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Self" data-cite="Self" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>WWE don't care as much if people turn off during Main Event. Compared to RAW, the ratings are unimportant. It's not their flagship, all-important show. <p> </p><p> Pay Per View is a different animal. PPV's cater to the people willing to spend $50 on a show (loyal, dedicated wrestling fans who like 'good wrestling') whereas the television audience includes a good portion of super casuals, who like to know what's going on, want to see stars, but are just as happy flicking over to the other channel. </p><p> </p><p> I decided to google some ratings breakdowns, to glance at some trends in ratings. Here's the 24th June episode of RAW.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> So there's are a few matches there that caused hundreds of thousands of fans to turn off. Including the Sandow match and the Christian match. Here's the week before.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> The loose trend I see if that people turn off when the segments are 'unimportant' or don't involve the stars. Christian and Sandow don't come out looking good, so I'd wager that a match between the two wouldn't do well. Unless it was part of an important storyline. Which it wouldn't be.</p><p> </p><p> Guys like you and me would love seeing that match on RAW. We're wrestling fans. We like good wrestling. We're not the only type of fans WWE has though. They gotta book for casuals too, and Christian vs Sandow isn't floating casual boats.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That's fine and dandy, but it still doesn't answer my 2nd question. Why do they book main event backwards? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Rone Rivendale]

I can not believe that is the same rat face Connor O'Brien that was on the early NXT. He's a total badass now. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[Rickymex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That's fine and dandy, but it still doesn't answer my 2nd question. Why do they book main event backwards? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> People are more likely to tune in at the beginning of the show if they know the good match starts early and it just seems like it would make people remeber the time of the show if they have a bigger incentive to watch it at the beginning.</p>

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That's fine and dandy, but it still doesn't answer my 2nd question. Why do they book main event backwards? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> My guess is because of the Tuesday taping schedule - Main Event, Saturday Morning Slam (not currently taping), Smackdown. Assuming most of the crowd attend both tapings back-to-back. Or maybe the network wants it booked that way.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Smackdown Highlights:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Usos vs Rhodes Scholars</strong> - Short match but a big win for the Usos. Rhodes Scholars probably should have won, though, because the Usos are only on the PPV pre-show and the other 2 are in a major MITB match.</p><p>

<strong>Kaitlyn vs Fox</strong> - Okay match but not as good as the women's matches on NXT. AJ and Big E were good backstage. I like how Ziggler and AJ & Big E are slowly drifting apart.</p><p>

<strong>Orton vs Christian</strong> - Great match. The old chemistry is still there.</p><p>

<strong>Ziggler vs McIntyre</strong> - Ziggler killed it on the mic. 3MB are much better in solo matches, especially McIntyre who was impressive. Good match.</p><p>

<strong>Fandango vs Gabriel</strong> - Fun match with both guys showboating. I like Gabriel's Capetown Werewolf gimmick. Nothing major but gives him a bit more personality and style.</p><p>

<strong>Punk vs Del Rio</strong> - Another good match. The No Contest finish made sense with the story they were telling. Heyman on commentary getting snarky with Cole was a bonus.</p><p> </p><p>

Verdict: Best show of the week, though NXT came close. Overall WWE has been moving in a positive direction. If only Raw had been more consistent.</p>

[DaMegaFish]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="shawn michaels 82" data-cite="shawn michaels 82" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That's fine and dandy, but it still doesn't answer my 2nd question. Why do they book main event backwards? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I would figure its a kinda nod to the older eras in boxing and wrestling where the Main Event would go on first, with the under card following. Eventually, promoters realized that the crowd leaving after the opening segment wasn't great.</p><p> </p><p> I'm not entirely sure if that really used to happen or was just a myth I heard once about Main Events opening cards. WWE knows nobody is going to leave after the main event on the taping show when the feature show is still coming up, so they can cheat and get away with it.</p>