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

[Psycho Sam]

<p>Tag Team Championship Match: <strong>The Shield (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns)</strong> © vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso)</p><p> </p><p>

Divas Championship Match: <strong>AJ Lee ©</strong> vs. Kaitlyn</p><p> </p><p>

Intercontinental Championship Match: <strong>Curtis Axel (c</strong>) vs. The Miz</p><p> </p><p>

WHC MITB Ladder Match: Wade Barrett vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Sandow vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Fandango vs. <strong>Jack Swagger</strong> vs. Antonio Cesaro</p><p>

<em>I want Cesaro or Fandango to win...but I think Swagger will win.</em></p><p>

Credibility vs Credibility: Chris Jericho vs. <strong>Ryback</strong></p><p> </p><p>

WWE MITB Ladder Match: CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus vs. Christian vs TBD1 vs. <strong>Rob Van Dam</strong></p><p> </p><p>

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Alberto Del Rio © vs. <strong>Dolph Ziggler</strong></p><p> </p><p>

WWE Championship Match: <strong>John Cena © </strong>vs. Mark Henry</p>

[Derek B]

Yay for predictions.

 

Tag Team Championship Match: The Shield (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) © vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso)

 

Divas Championship Match: AJ Lee © vs. Kaitlyn

 

Intercontinental Championship Match: Curtis Axel © vs. The Miz

 

WHC MITB Ladder Match: Wade Barrett vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Sandow vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Fandango vs. Jack Swagger vs. Antonio Cesaro

 

Credibility vs Credibility: Chris Jericho vs. Ryback

 

WWE MITB Ladder Match: CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton vs. Sheamus vs. Christian vs TBD1 vs. Rob Van Dam

 

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Alberto Del Rio © vs. Dolph Ziggler

 

WWE Championship Match: John Cena © vs. Mark Henry

 

---------------------

 

I don't follow the WWE as closely as I used to so I'm picking with my heart at least as much as I am with my common sense. More or less I'm expecting this PPV to set up all the WWE as a heel dominated company for a while, with things only getting worse for any babyface who dares to win a title. I think we're going to see Daniel Bryan in a real chase for the title and actually win the gold later this year, only to lose it very quickly to Randy Orton... if the WWE finally turn Orton heel again, I think everyone would be happy. Ziggler and Bryan are the two most sympathetic characters in the WWE right now and them chasing the gold again legions of bad guys should make them seem even more awesome when they finally win the big one clean.

 

I was tempted to pick Cody for the MITB and I can even see some huge potential in him winning it, with Sandow as his manager/general to try and help him out... which could even lead to a Cody face turn somewhere down the line too if they really needed it. Could be fun, but I love Sandow so much that I think he'll just outsmart Cody somehow and win the match. Those two are the stars there and I hope one of them gets the chance to really do something good in future.

 

I'm not sure if I really believe Mark Henry will win or if I just want him to. The guy has been awesome for a few years now, a far cry from the injury machine he used to be. I'd love to see him and Daniel Bryan going at it for the title more than I'd want to see Bryan and Cena go at it... I just can't ever see Cena tapping out (character-wise, I'm sure the real person wouldn't mind) and the underdog Bryan chasing the monster Henry would be amazing stuff again.

 

Anywho... should be a fun PPV no matter what, it always sets up some interestsing stuff for the future.

[milamber]

<p>Tag Team Championship Match: <strong>The Shield</strong> (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) © vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso)</p><p> </p><p>

Divas Championship Match: <strong>AJ Lee</strong> © vs. Kaitlyn</p><p> </p><p>

Intercontinental Championship Match: <strong>Curtis Axel</strong> © vs. The Miz</p><p> </p><p>

WHC MITB Ladder Match: Wade Barrett vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Damien Sandow vs. <strong>Dean Ambrose</strong> vs. Fandango vs. Jack Swagger vs. Antonio Cesaro</p><p> </p><p>

Credibility vs Credibility: Chris Jericho vs. <strong>Ryback</strong></p><p> </p><p>

WWE MITB Ladder Match: CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. <strong>Randy Orton</strong> vs. Sheamus vs. Christian vs TBD1 vs. Rob Van Dam</p><p> </p><p>

World Heavyweight Championship Match: <strong>Alberto Del Rio</strong> © vs. Dolph Ziggler</p><p> </p><p>

WWE Championship Match: John Cena © vs. <strong>Mark Henry</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Notes: Bryan doesn't need MITB. Orton is hugely over and should be main event pushed (as either face or heel) before WM30. I'd like to see Ziggler dogging ADR for a bit longer before winning the title and clashing with the WHC MITB winner. Barrett probably deserves MITB most but HHH loves Cesaro (though he's having trouble getting over). Ambrose would be a good choice if they plan to turn Rollins & Reigns face soon (works even better if they lose to the Usos and Ambrose turns on them). Henry deserves the WWE title and it would be more interesting to have Cena chasing the title at SummerSlam.</p>

[Active Jerichoholic]

<p>Thanks a bunch for this Ricky.</p><p> </p><p>

Tag Team Championship Match: <strong>The Shield</strong> (Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) © vs. The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso)</p><p> </p><p>

Divas Championship Match: <strong>AJ Lee</strong> © vs. Kaitlyn</p><p> </p><p>

Intercontinental Championship Match: <strong>Curtis Axe</strong>l © vs. The Miz</p><p> </p><p>

WHC MITB Ladder Match: Wade Barrett vs. <strong>Cody Rhodes</strong> vs. Damien Sandow vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Fandango vs. Jack Swagger vs. Antonio Cesaro</p><p> </p><p>

Credibility vs Credibility: Chris Jericho vs. <strong>Ryback</strong></p><p> </p><p>

WWE MITB Ladder Match: CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. <strong>Randy Orton</strong> vs. Sheamus vs. Christian vs TBD1 vs. Rob Van Dam</p><p> </p><p>

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Alberto Del Rio © vs. <strong>Dolph Ziggler</strong></p><p> </p><p>

WWE Championship Match: <strong>John Cena</strong> © vs. Mark Henry</p>

[Findlay]

The All-Star MITB Match had the most god awful ending I have ever seen. It wasn't a bad show, it ended on a really crappy note. The first MITB match was solid, the ending was creative. The IC match was just dull. The Divas Title match was good, better than the normal diva garbage. Ryback-Jericho was pretty boring. The WHC match was okay, but Del Rio is just dreadfully boring. Cena wins, big surprise. It really was a solid show, I just don't get the ending. Randy Orton got zero response from the live crowd. I am not a fan of his, I think he is super dull, to me he always has been. But, he has been pushed as a mega superstar on Cena's level forever. So, shouldn't he have gotten a better reaction other than dead silence? I love the direction this company is going right now, I think they are so close to something special. It's just moments like this where a poorly scripted match or a dumb ending ruins a show. Just like Wrestlemania 29.

[RKOwnage]

This must mean that change is a-comin' for Orton's character.

 

I thought Sheamus was gonna win for sure.

[shawn michaels]

The All-Star MITB Match had the most god awful ending I have ever seen. It wasn't a bad show, it ended on a really crappy note. The first MITB match was solid, the ending was creative. The IC match was just dull. The Divas Title match was good, better than the normal diva garbage. Ryback-Jericho was pretty boring. The WHC match was okay, but Del Rio is just dreadfully boring. Cena wins, big surprise. It really was a solid show, I just don't get the ending. Randy Orton got zero response from the live crowd. I am not a fan of his, I think he is super dull, to me he always has been. But, he has been pushed as a mega superstar on Cena's level forever. So, shouldn't he have gotten a better reaction other than dead silence? I love the direction this company is going right now, I think they are so close to something special. It's just moments like this where a poorly scripted match or a dumb ending ruins a show. Just like Wrestlemania 29.

 

Wrestlemania 29 was just awful, Nothing could save that. I had 100 % sure Orton would not win...and he won. Why? To get a 3rd strike and firing during his title run? Awesome.

[Active Jerichoholic]

I'll be honest, the pre-show and WHC MITB match were both so good that the rest of the card did seem a little weak. The IC match was alright, Diva's match was pretty good, and hopefully Ziggler benefits long term from what happened/will happen with AJ. Ryback won in a way that made him look weaker than if Jericho had won and Ryback destroyed him after. That baffles me that they can't book him right AT ALL. The crowd kinda took me out of the WWE Title match, they didn't want to really cheer either guy it seemed. The end result to the All Stars MITB is what I wanted, but are we really getting Bryan/Axel instead of Bryan/Cena? I hope not. All in all, the rest of the card didn't live up to the first two matches imo, and that really hurt my enjoyment of the event.

[shawn michaels]

I'll be honest, the pre-show and WHC MITB match were both so good that the rest of the card did seem a little weak. The IC match was alright, Diva's match was pretty good, and hopefully Ziggler benefits long term from what happened/will happen with AJ. Ryback won in a way that made him look weaker than if Jericho had won and Ryback destroyed him after. That baffles me that they can't book him right AT ALL. The crowd kinda took me out of the WWE Title match, they didn't want to really cheer either guy it seemed. The end result to the All Stars MITB is what I wanted, but are we really getting Bryan/Axel instead of Bryan/Cena? I hope not. All in all, the rest of the card didn't live up to the first two matches imo, and that really hurt my enjoyment of the event.

 

Yeah...and the all stars was one of the slowest MITB matches i've ever seen. It could have been great. I still don't know what Axel was doing there, but Cena-Bryan at this point seems like a mirage.

[Teh_Showtime]

the pre show and opener were easily the 2 best matches

 

Zig/ADR was good as always but they've fought almost as much as Kofi and Dolph now

 

The Blue MITB match was simply amazing. Loads of innovative spots and one in particular (Cesaro standing on Swagger to try for the case) really enhanced the finish of the match with Sandow betraying his partner

[Findlay]

It really wasn't a bad show. It just had some baffling booking.

[Rickymex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Findlay" data-cite="Findlay" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It really wasn't a bad show. It just had some baffling booking.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> HOW DO YOU KNOW!!! YOU'RE A FICTIONAL CHARACTER!!! YOU DON'T GET PPV!!!</p>

[DaMegaFish]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Rickymex" data-cite="Rickymex" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>HOW DO YOU KNOW!!! YOU'RE A FICTIONAL CHARACTER!!! YOU DON'T GET PPV!!!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Quality post right here. Made my night.</p>

[milamber]

<p>MITB 2013 Review:</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Usos vs Shield (Tag Titles)</strong> - 1st half was average, 2nd half was great. The powerbomb/3-man suplex was incredible! Also nice to see the buckle-bomb in WWE. Shield had to win but the Usos came out looking like strong.</p><p>

<strong>World MITB</strong> - Highly entertaining ladder match. Probably 2 dozen brutal and awesome spots, most involving ladders! Shield and Usos interference was okay. Holy **** at Sandow winning! They planted the seeds for a split but I didn't think it would pay off during this match. Cody face turn imminent. Possible Ziggler vs Sandow feud for the WHC?</p><p>

<strong>Miz vs Axel (IC Title)</strong> - LOL at HeelMiz getting Heyman ejected. Figure-four spot was good. Finisher looked dodgy on replay. Decent match and Axel got a clean win. #skullet</p><p>

<strong>AJ vs Kaitlyn (Divas Title)</strong> - On par with the usually superior NXT women's matches. The Black Widow submission is badass!</p><p>

<strong>Jericho vs Ryback</strong> - Decent match after a slow start -- better than expected except for the lame finisher.</p><p>

<strong>Ziggler vs Del Rio</strong> - Great match as expected. I didn't even mind the way it ended. ADR can put over babyfaces as champ and Ziggler is already over without the title. "You Screwed Ziggler!"</p><p>

<strong>Henry vs Cena</strong> - Good match... but the result <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/mad.png.69834f23b9a8bf290d98375f56f1c794.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> Smart choice not to make it the last match.</p><p>

<strong>WWE MITB</strong> - Not as good as the first ladder match. It did have some good mark out moments with Bryan and RVD in particular. Predicted Orton would win. I can understand the Axel/Heyman interference if it's leading to SummerSlam but the timing seemed off -- should have saved it for Raw.</p><p> </p><p>

Verdict: Cena winning sucked. The WWE MITB match didn't live up to the high standard of the WHC MITB match. Divas match and Ziggler/ADR were good. Tag Title match was too good for the pre-show. Everything else was average. Overall I'm satisfied but it had the potential to be the best PPV of the year and fell short.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/milamber/Ock25_zps465ca048.gif~original</span><span>http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/milamber/qGYPq_zps7795abe7.gif~original</span></p>

[milamber]

<p>Following up on some comments above:</p><p> </p><p>

- Orton really is over. Just not with the smark Philly crowd. And I think he's actually improved this year (might have to thank Bryan & the Shield for that).</p><p>

- Ryback vs Jericho was let down by a weak finish. If Jericho is off on tour now they missed an opportunity to have Ryback reveal his injury to be fake and destroy Jericho.</p><p>

- ADR's character might be a bit stale but no worse than half the roster. And his moveset and in-ring ability are above average.</p><p>

- Heyman/Axel interference should have been saved for Raw. And the WWE MITB match in general was sloppy. The highlight for me was Bryan's rampage.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Following up on some comments above:</p><p> </p><p>

- Orton really is over. Just not with the smark Philly crowd. And I think he's actually improved this year (might have to thank Bryan & the Shield for that).</p><p>

- Ryback vs Jericho was let down by a weak finish. If Jericho is off on tour now they missed an opportunity to have Ryback reveal his injury to be fake and destroy Jericho.</p><p>

- ADR's character might be a bit stale but no worse than half the roster. And his moveset and in-ring ability are above average.</p><p>

- Heyman/Axel interference should have been saved for Raw. And the WWE MITB match in general was sloppy. The highlight for me was Bryan's rampage.</p>

[Timber]

<p>Just going off the Cena/Henry match, i haven't seen the show, It's just disappointing that Cena won. At this point, is there anyone that can really challenge him for the title? He's unstoppable and after Ryback and Henry being that last of the monsters for him to fight.</p><p> </p><p>

If Cena does lose the belt, it's gonna be anti climatic, at least to me. If Ryback or Henry can't take him down, then what chance does anyone else have? Super Cena is the worst gimmick ever. I don't hate Cena, but if you can't make him human from time to time, then the matches get predictable, and with that you've lost any reason to watch them.</p><p> </p><p>

Good to see the Uso's get a push. The MITB matches sounded fun. Sandow winning was a surprise and i will hate on Orton all day everyday for like, you know, ever. So many other people deserve a chance to run with the ball and Blandy Orton gets to go for another title. Sad.</p><p> </p><p>

RAW will not be good tonight. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Teh_Showtime]

<p>I cant understand people being mad at Randy winning the case</p><p> </p><p>

It makes it that much easier for him to FINALLY turn heel and he needed a bump after being largely irrelevant since 2011. If anything Im glad that the prediction that Bryan would win and turn heel to feud with Cena like other babyfaces recently like Punk and Ryback didn't actually happen. </p><p> </p><p>

The worst part was having Henry tap out to Cena. He is so stale that every feud is a rehash of earlier feuds with minimal variance and I can't believe they ran with the "Can he lift Henry?" angle. Not even 12 months ago they did the same exact thing when he was feuding with Big Show (for the 10th time in as many years). It's just depressing to see so much progression within the company but Cena doing the same overcoming giants story like it's 2007 at the top of the card to remind everyone that the ens result wont change.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Like Orton or hate him, only Bryan, Babyface Punk and Ziggler can match the pop he gets. It's smart to take advantage of that. Just don't count on a heel turn that's been teased for months and may never happen.</p><p> </p><p>

The booking of Henry with his fake retirement, the hype surrounding Henry's title chance and the scripting of the match were all perfect. Then they ruined it by not following through. They won't get another chance like this again with Henry. And Cena wouldn't even have looked weak losing to Henry clean. We can only pray that Henry is the cause of Cena losing his title when it happens so some good comes from this (other than the few epic Henry promos we were treated to).</p><p> </p><p>

Anyone else think Rhodes was the MVP of the show? I wanted Cesaro or Barrett to win the match (or Sandow but thought he had no chance) but found myself marking for Cody to win.</p>

[Active Jerichoholic]

<p>I pretty much agree with everything Showtime has said regarding MITB.</p><p> </p><p> </p><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>Like Orton or hate him, only Bryan, Babyface Punk and Ziggler can match the pop he gets. It's smart to take advantage of that. Just don't count on a heel turn that's been teased for months and may never happen.<p> </p><p> The booking of Henry with his fake retirement, the hype surrounding Henry's title chance and the scripting of the match were all perfect. Then they ruined it by not following through. They won't get another chance like this again with Henry. And Cena wouldn't even have looked weak losing to Henry clean. We can only pray that Henry is the cause of Cena losing his title when it happens so some good comes from this (other than the few epic Henry promos we were treated to).</p><p> </p><p> Anyone else think Rhodes was the MVP of the show? I wanted Cesaro or Barrett to win the match (or Sandow but thought he had no chance) but found myself marking for Cody to win.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Like I said in my prediction, I've been a huge fan of Cody's for awhile and even though he lost at the end I'd be absolutely shocked if this match didn't lead to huge things for him. I popped hard when he cleared everyone out and made the Cross Rhodes look devastating instead of kind of awkward like it has looked before. Also, I think it's important to note he got a legit chant a couple of times instead of people just chanting for his mustache.</p>

[bigtplaystew]

<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>Following up on some comments above:<p> </p><p> - Orton really is over. Just not with the smark Philly crowd. And I think he's actually improved this year (might have to thank Bryan & the Shield for that).</p><p> - Ryback vs Jericho was let down by a weak finish. If Jericho is off on tour now they missed an opportunity to have Ryback reveal his injury to be fake and destroy Jericho.</p><p> - ADR's character might be a bit stale but no worse than half the roster. And his moveset and in-ring ability are above average.</p><p> - Heyman/Axel interference should have been saved for Raw. And the WWE MITB match in general was sloppy. The highlight for me was Bryan's rampage.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Orton is in a prime spot right now for a great "Tweener" run which is how I'd roll out with him going forward. I don't know if it's been great booking or purely an accident as he's seemingly been a throw-away character tossed into the Kane/DB storyline lately. But either way, they've found a way to add darkness to his character again without him being full heel. He's still doing all the cool badass stuff we liked when he was a full blown bad guy, but he's also not over-the-top villainous either.</p><p> </p><p> This is the kind of character and hero WWE needs to be building for the future. A lot less "Superman" and a lot more "Walter White" lol. I mean I know the show is for kids and I'm not saying "Get Cena out of the picture!" but a complicated character for Orton could be huge huge business. He's got the chops to pull it off (I think he's a good wrestling actor... i know many disagree but whatever) and I think that's the meaningful way to book him going further. Will he cash it in with honor like Cena did or will he be opportunistic like we all expect him to? THATS the money. If they just have him do his normal "I'm relentless... I'm a 'stone cold' viper with no remorse... blah blah blah" it's more of the same and pointless. But I'm optimistic going forward. Randy Orton is not the best wrestler on TV but he's a gifted actor and used to be able to cut a decent promo before he was kissing babies and high fiving fans on the walkway.</p>

[Findlay]

<p>Again, I am not a fan of Orton's. I state that right up front. "Resthold" Randy doesn't do it for me. But, it is a business, I understand that. And if giving him the MITB is going to be good for business, great. I'm not really upset that he won, I think there were better choices in the match, but it's wrestling. The issue I have is the poor ending. It had zero drama, zero excitement factor. If you want to get the ball rolling on Orton, wouldn't you want to not book the worst ending to a ladder match of all time? </p><p> </p><p>

On a side note, I am fictional character. A fictional character living in the real world.</p>

[bigtplaystew]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Active Jerichoholic" data-cite="Active Jerichoholic" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I pretty much agree with everything Showtime has said regarding MITB.<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Like I said in my prediction, I've been a huge fan of Cody's for awhile and even though he lost at the end I'd be absolutely shocked if this match didn't lead to huge things for him. I popped hard when he cleared everyone out and made the Cross Rhodes look devastating instead of kind of awkward like it has looked before. Also, I think it's important to note he got a legit chant a couple of times instead of people just chanting for his mustache.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Cody's been great for a while now so I'm with you dude. I was marking out for him thinking he'd get it. But that Sandow finish was a tasty little piece of booking that I loved. Those two played it perfectly I adored that finish.</p>

[shawn michaels]

This had all the ingredients to be a great PPV...and it ended up being...average. All Stars MITB was slow and disapointing...And The WWE title match not main eventing the PPV was dumb booking. Cena is always on The main event, except when he should be. I support the MITB match to main event...if it had the quality to do so. Putting it as ME just because they would get an RVD cheap pop is lame booking. I will riot if Brock vs Punk is not the ME for SummerSlam. Sandow winning was gold, i marked for Rhodes when he was almost winning, but i marked even more when Sandow went for it. Gold. Ryback's match with Y2J was actually better than expected... but that was an asinine ending. Henry vs. Cena was dull....man, so dull....but after the ME that followed....i have no idea why it didn't main event the show. And i'm anti-Cena. Also...Axel interfering didn't made sense. He really wasn't needed there. The idea it gave was that Punk could only have won because of Axl... Wouldn't it be much easier to have Punk almost winning and then Heyman comes and screws him? No...instead we have: Axel interferes...leading to a Punk win...and than Heyman screws him. It was a subtle, as well as dramatic as the same time, turn that could work well in other scenarios, if well done, just not in today's WWE.

[bigtplaystew]

<p>SM82, I'm going to tell you RVD in philly would have gotten an enormous pop no matter where that match was. I think putting it last made sense given the finish they had planned. You didnt care for the finish, and honestly, I thought it was weird but Cena/Henry wasn't following that. </p><p> </p><p>

Especially in Philly.</p><p> </p><p>

No way they let John Cena get booed out of the building going on last after what they hoped would have been an outstanding MITB ladder match.</p>