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

[crownsy]

<p>Smackdown still suffered from the same problems Raw does, namely a creative department that writes moment to moment because Vince changes it up on them at the last second, but I will say, At least they got Ziggler going over Rollins right.</p><p> </p><p>

Now, i'm not sure I would have given that match away for free (it was really, really good) but Rollins looked strong, and lost in an acceptable Heel fashion when his plan backfired. Both guys came out looking good, and I loved Dolph screaming "This is what it's all about!!" while slapping the IC belt.</p><p> </p><p>

That Belt might be worthless right now, but you can't say Ziggler isn't trying to change that. now it's up to creative to do something shocking like, have the champion win in non-title matches and look strong.</p>

[djthefunkchris]

The one thing I took from the Steve Austin Podcast with McMahon was his feelings on the belt. My take from that was that the belts weren't important, that it's the story that is important. He even went so far as to say the story was more important than the wrestling.

 

Now, while I agree on the surface, I totally disagree with the lack of importance to both the belts and the in ring work. To me, the belts should always be the main stories, and the wrestling should be a part of the story, in the ring. If that's what he meant it was totally lost in translation, at least to me.

 

I brought this up because of crownsy's comment, and also to let Swanton know that none of my posts were directed at him personally, and actually understand the points made by him and others. I just wanted to throw in the obvious flip side of the coin.

[Arrows]

The one thing I took from the Steve Austin Podcast with McMahon was his feelings on the belt. My take from that was that the belts weren't important, that it's the story that is important. He even went so far as to say the story was more important than the wrestling.

 

Now, while I agree on the surface, I totally disagree with the lack of importance to both the belts and the in ring work. To me, the belts should always be the main stories, and the wrestling should be a part of the story, in the ring. If that's what he meant it was totally lost in translation, at least to me.

 

I brought this up because of crownsy's comment, and also to let Swanton know that none of my posts were directed at him personally, and actually understand the points made by him and others. I just wanted to throw in the obvious flip side of the coin.

 

I honestly like the way the belt is being handled right now. I like the idea of the champion very rarely wrestling. He is the best, and only the best should be able to challenge him. Otherwise, he's going to either lose some random throwaway match, or beat everyone.

 

The champion being the best doesn't mean it has to be the best story, though. When the champion comes in and defends his belt against whomever has EARNED a shot at him, it should be the main event, but it shouldn't always be the main focus of everything, or you fall back into the throwaway/beat everyone situation.

[Rickymex]

I honestly like the way the belt is being handled right now. I like the idea of the champion very rarely wrestling. He is the best, and only the best should be able to challenge him. Otherwise, he's going to either lose some random throwaway match, or beat everyone.

 

The champion being the best doesn't mean it has to be the best story, though. When the champion comes in and defends his belt against whomever has EARNED a shot at him, it should be the main event, but it shouldn't always be the main focus of everything, or you fall back into the throwaway/beat everyone situation.

 

I don't mind him not appearing but I just hate that he basically disappears from WWE. No video packages, vignettes, etc. He's The Champion. Everyone should be looking to get a title shot against him. They should talk about him and keep him fresh instead of forgetting about him until it's time to defend his title. He doesn't need to show up every week or even wrestle every show but instead they should show videos of him working out and how much of a badass monster he is. Lesnar is this unstoppable beast who can and will destroy anyone who they put in front of him.

 

I was expecting Lesnar to beat Cena and then have him wrestle guys like Orton, Sheamus, Cesaro, Ambrose and whatever other face/heel they are able to build up between two PPV's. Losing to Lesnar doesn't hurt anyone if they present him as a monster and if the opponent puts up a fight then he comes out looking like a fighter.

[Arrows]

I don't mind him not appearing but I just hate that he basically disappears from WWE. No video packages, vignettes, etc. He's The Champion. Everyone should be looking to get a title shot against him. They should talk about him and keep him fresh instead of forgetting about him until it's time to defend his title. He doesn't need to show up every week or even wrestle every show but instead they should show videos of him working out and how much of a badass monster he is. Lesnar is this unstoppable beast who can and will destroy anyone who they put in front of him.

 

I was expecting Lesnar to beat Cena and then have him wrestle guys like Orton, Sheamus, Cesaro, Ambrose and whatever other face/heel they are able to build up between two PPV's. Losing to Lesnar doesn't hurt anyone if they present him as a monster and if the opponent puts up a fight then he comes out looking like a fighter.

 

Yeah, you're right on all points. I was expecting much the same as you were, and was looking forward to Orton/Brock. I figured we'd get Jericho/Brock. Maybe RVD since he was around.

 

I'd be fine with no videos for Brock (They'd get old), as long as we still have Heyman around, and someone OTHER THAN CENA actually seemed to give a crap. Nobody else has really made any play at all to even try to get a shot.

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Arrows" data-cite="Arrows" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I honestly like the way the belt is being handled right now. I like the idea of the champion very rarely wrestling. <strong>He is the best, and only the best should be able to challenge him.</strong> Otherwise, he's going to either lose some random throwaway match, or beat everyone.<p> </p><p> The champion being the best doesn't mean it has to be the best story, though. When the champion comes in and defends his belt against whomever has EARNED a shot at him, it should be the main event, but it shouldn't always be the main focus of everything, or you fall back into the throwaway/beat everyone situation.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree. I like Brock as a part-time Champion. The problem is part I bolded. This year only Cena has been built as the best to face Lesnar. If no one else even comes close to being the "best" like Cena it doesn't say much for the rest of the roster. Ziggler, Cesaro, Sheamus, Ambrose and Orton have all busted their guts putting on quality matches this year but none of them have been worthy of being pushed to that level by the higher-ups. Now it looks like Reigns will be built up to join that level of "best" for Wrestlemania but with his recent injury, lack of promo and in-ring skills it feels like it's going to be a rush job getting him there. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a triple threat between Lesnar, Reigns and Cena. My only hope is that Rollins successfully cashes in, either at the Rumble or Wrestlemania.</p>

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="crownsy" data-cite="crownsy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Smackdown still suffered from the same problems Raw does, namely a creative department that writes moment to moment because Vince changes it up on them at the last second, but I will say, At least they got Ziggler going over Rollins right.<p> </p><p> Now, i'm not sure I would have given that match away for free (it was really, really good) but Rollins looked strong, and lost in an acceptable Heel fashion when his plan backfired. Both guys came out looking good, and I loved Dolph screaming "This is what it's all about!!" while slapping the IC belt.</p><p> </p><p> That Belt might be worthless right now, but you can't say Ziggler isn't trying to change that. now it's up to creative to do something shocking like, have the champion win in non-title matches and look strong.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I stopped watching Smackdown last week but I did catch this week's highlights. The Rollins/Ziggler match shows they both deserve to be permanent main eventers.</p><p> </p><p> With Smackdown moving to Thursday and rumors of WWE wanting to make Smackdown the equal of Raw like it once was it would be the perfect time to drop Raw to 2.5 hours and add an extra half hour to Smackdown. They should also add an extra 15-20 minutes to NXT but that would require them to split the tapings.</p><p> </p><p> The Thursday Smackdown is pretty funny: </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/9tstOa3vOLA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="SmackDown is moving to Thursday"></iframe></div></div>

[The Swanton825]

<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>The one thing I took from the Steve Austin Podcast with McMahon was his feelings on the belt. My take from that was that the belts weren't important, that it's the story that is important. He even went so far as to say the story was more important than the wrestling.<p> </p><p> Now, while I agree on the surface, I totally disagree with the lack of importance to both the belts and the in ring work. To me, the belts should always be the main stories, and the wrestling should be a part of the story, in the ring. If that's what he meant it was totally lost in translation, at least to me. </p><p> </p><p> I brought this up because of crownsy's comment, and also to let Swanton know that none of my posts were directed at him personally, and actually understand the points made by him and others. I just wanted to throw in the obvious flip side of the coin.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm of the opinion that the entire purpose of stories are to give fantastic ring work meaning. I think it should be approached similarly to Dragon Ball (just without as much stalling) in that you tease the fight for long enough that the audience is chomping at the bit to see it and then you give them an awesome payoff. Sure, you aren't <em>required</em> to put on good matches, you already have their money at that point after all, but if you want to keep them watching for much longer, the fight they're paying for has to deliver.</p><p> </p><p> Also, to your point about cheap heat, I'm not much of a fan of that either, but it's mostly used by heels to warm up the crowd before hitting them with the good stuff. Kind of like how a comedian starts with a consistent joke before pulling out the riskier material. It bugs me more that Lana can do an entire promo built on cheap heat in the fake as hell accent and the crowd actually buys into it. It amazes me how easy it is to get heat with WWE crowds just by insulting America in any way. And how morons will chant "USA! USA!" even in a Rusev match where he's fighting someone who isn't American either. It makes me wonder why any heel even puts any effort in when all they have to do is say "America sucks!".</p>

[djthefunkchris]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Swanton825" data-cite="The Swanton825" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm of the opinion that the entire purpose of stories are to give fantastic ring work meaning. I think it should be approached similarly to Dragon Ball (just without as much stalling) in that you tease the fight for long enough that the audience is chomping at the bit to see it and then you give them an awesome payoff. Sure, you aren't <em>required</em> to put on good matches, you already have their money at that point after all, but if you want to keep them watching for much longer, the fight they're paying for has to deliver.<p> </p><p> Also, to your point about cheap heat, I'm not much of a fan of that either, but it's mostly used by heels to warm up the crowd before hitting them with the good stuff. Kind of like how a comedian starts with a consistent joke before pulling out the riskier material. It bugs me more that Lana can do an entire promo built on cheap heat in the fake as hell accent and the crowd actually buys into it. It amazes me how easy it is to get heat with WWE crowds just by insulting America in any way. And how morons will chant "USA! USA!" even in a Rusev match where he's fighting someone who isn't American either. It makes me wonder why any heel even puts any effort in when all they have to do is say "America sucks!".</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> /nod, I'm in total agreement with you here. There is nothing in your post I can say I don't 100% agree with. All of that stuff is cliche', old, and at times really tiring to hear for me. I find myself thinking "Get some original idea's already!". Easier said then done I suppose.</p><p> </p><p> Edit: As far as Lana and Rusev, don't forget he "kafabe" broke Zebs leg.</p>

[Russelrules44]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Smasher1311" data-cite="Smasher1311" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So I was looking at this thread and this is how I reacted...<p> </p><p> WWE High...hmmmm...wait...WHAT? BY THE GUYS WHO DO TOTAL DRAMA ISL...OH MY GOD!!!!!!!! I WANNA WATCH THIS CRAP RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> This was my reaction.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> If only we could, oh I dunno; wave a magic wand and poof it on Nickelodeon, or Disney XD or maybe Cartoon Network......</p><p> </p><p> Nah, Who am I kidding? There's only one place for that shiz.......WWE Network.</p><p> </p><p> WWE, If you're listening.....Call the people who do TD, and give it a season!</p>

[lazorbeak]

<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>The one thing I took from the Steve Austin Podcast with McMahon was his feelings on the belt. My take from that was that the belts weren't important, that it's the story that is important. He even went so far as to say the story was more important than the wrestling.<p> </p><p> Now, while I agree on the surface, I totally disagree with the lack of importance to both the belts and the in ring work. To me, the belts should always be the main stories, and the wrestling should be a part of the story, in the ring. If that's what he meant it was totally lost in translation, at least to me. </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> But why? Why should all stories revolve around belts? Is there really any reason beyond "it's a really easy story to tell"? I mean I understand it's symbolic and that it's something you give to the guy that you're telling the fans is your best guy, but what about all the other belts? I'm loving Lucha Underground right now, and while I assume there will eventually be some kind of belt, this current status quo has been a really fun change.</p>

[Rickymex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="lazorbeak" data-cite="lazorbeak" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>But why? Why should all stories revolve around belts? Is there really any reason beyond "it's a really easy story to tell"? I mean I understand it's symbolic and that it's something you give to the guy that you're telling the fans is your best guy, but what about all the other belts? I'm loving Lucha Underground right now, and while I assume there will eventually be some kind of belt, this current status quo has been a really fun change.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Lucha Underground is establishing NEW characters. WWE has a decades long history behind it. IMO it's not fair to compare the storylines to each other. The character development and backstage interactions sure but storylines no.</p><p> </p><p> Going to Title storylines. The World Championship should have a different meaning to everyone.</p><p> </p><p> The Miz - The title was him proving he wasn't a joke.</p><p> CM Punk - The title made him the Best In The World.</p><p> Daniel Bryan - He was a Main Event Player.</p><p> </p><p> The belt is a prop. But it should be a meaningful prop. The thing that heroes and villains want. Be it for glory or money everyone should want the belt.</p><p> </p><p> The midcard titles should be what other wrestlers use to put themselves in title contention. Defend it constantly and use it to rise up the ranks. Use their positions as title holders to become and talk to the world champion and former world champions as equals.</p><p> </p><p> The tag titles are about friendships, teamwork and alliances be it the The Usos' family bonds or Cesaro/Kidd deciding to become a tag team to refocus their careers.</p><p> </p><p> The belts should be important because they conflict between wrestler's that don't have history behind them and create reasons for them to interact.</p>

[djthefunkchris]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="lazorbeak" data-cite="lazorbeak" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>But why? Why should all stories revolve around belts? Is there really any reason beyond "it's a really easy story to tell"? I mean I understand it's symbolic and that it's something you give to the guy that you're telling the fans is your best guy, but what about all the other belts? I'm loving Lucha Underground right now, and while I assume there will eventually be some kind of belt, this current status quo has been a really fun change.</div></blockquote><p> I guess I worded something wrong, as this is not exactly what I meant. I don't mean there can be no other stories but the titles. I certainly didn't mean just one story and one belt. My whole thought process for my comments centered around feeling that the titles should mean something to everyone, not that they be the only storylines in existence. I meant this for all levels to include all titles. </p><p> </p><p> I have no problem having the Bray/Ambrose type storylines, I'm not saying these should not exist. They almost have to exist. </p><p> </p><p> I quoted Rickymex for his breakdown of what is basically my thought process put perhaps in better wording.</p><p> </p><p> PS: The Lucha Underground is different and I liked quite a bit of what I watched. Glad people seem to be enjoying it and I hope it has mad success.</p><p> </p><p> </p><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>Lucha Underground is establishing NEW characters. WWE has a decades long history behind it. IMO it's not fair to compare the storylines to each other. The character development and backstage interactions sure but storylines no.<p> </p><p> Going to Title storylines. The World Championship should have a different meaning to everyone.</p><p> </p><p> The Miz - The title was him proving he wasn't a joke.</p><p> CM Punk - The title made him the Best In The World.</p><p> Daniel Bryan - He was a Main Event Player.</p><p> </p><p> The belt is a prop. But it should be a meaningful prop. The thing that heroes and villains want. Be it for glory or money everyone should want the belt.</p><p> </p><p> The midcard titles should be what other wrestlers use to put themselves in title contention. Defend it constantly and use it to rise up the ranks. Use their positions as title holders to become and talk to the world champion and former world champions as equals.</p><p> </p><p> The tag titles are about friendships, teamwork and alliances be it the The Usos' family bonds or Cesaro/Kidd deciding to become a tag team to refocus their careers.</p><p> </p><p> The belts should be important because they conflict between wrestler's that don't have history behind them and create reasons for them to interact.</p></div></blockquote>

[lazorbeak]

<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>Lucha Underground is establishing NEW characters. WWE has a decades long history behind it. IMO it's not fair to compare the storylines to each other. The character development and backstage interactions sure but storylines no.<p> </p><p> Going to Title storylines. The World Championship should have a different meaning to everyone.</p><p> </p><p> The Miz - The title was him proving he wasn't a joke.</p><p> CM Punk - The title made him the Best In The World.</p><p> Daniel Bryan - He was a Main Event Player.</p><p> </p><p> The belt is a prop. But it should be a meaningful prop. The thing that heroes and villains want. Be it for glory or money everyone should want the belt.</p><p> </p><p> The midcard titles should be what other wrestlers use to put themselves in title contention. Defend it constantly and use it to rise up the ranks. Use their positions as title holders to become and talk to the world champion and former world champions as equals.</p><p> </p><p> The tag titles are about friendships, teamwork and alliances be it the The Usos' family bonds or Cesaro/Kidd deciding to become a tag team to refocus their careers.</p><p> </p><p> The belts should be important because they conflict between wrestler's that don't have history behind them and create reasons for them to interact.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I wasn't comparing the companies except to say I'm enjoying a situation where shows aren't based around six belts being defended at a big show every month. </p><p> </p><p> I agree that it would be nice if the IC title wasn't a gypsy curse that makes you lose (I liked the idea that the US champion could get a shot at the World champion whenever he wanted). I totally agree that the top belt should mean something different to Cena, who already knows he's great, vs. a guy like Rollins.</p><p> </p><p> I just didn't understand the idea that everything had to revolve around belts, which I guess wasn't what dj was trying to say. I mean if you've got workers that are talented and over, there's lots of things for them to fight over that allow for storytelling more nuanced than "that guy has a belt and I want it," such that even if the belt is involved, it's not really a story <em>about</em> the belt.</p>

[Rickymex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="lazorbeak" data-cite="lazorbeak" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I just didn't understand the idea that everything had to revolve around belts, which I guess wasn't what dj was trying to say. I mean if you've got workers that are talented and over, there's lots of things for them to fight over that allow for storytelling more nuanced than "that guy has a belt and I want it," such that even if the belt is involved, it's not really a story <em>about</em> the belt.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I have no problems with Rollins vs Ambrose feuds where the characters have history (even someone attacking a higher profile wrestler to make a name for himself works or even to get a PPV match/money) and are feuding because of it but instead it's more of the idea that basically everyone forgets about the titles until it's their turn to challenge. No one tries to earn championship opportunities. No one has any character motivations. Why does Ziggler want the IC title back? Because he lost it? After eliminating 4 members of Team Authority he should be demanding World Title Shots not moving back down to the IC title. The announcers keep saying how awesome that match was but everyone including Ziggler himself ignores it. So it becomes an unchanging status quo.</p><p> </p><p> You can tell me how badass/cool/good/evil a character is over and over but if all he does is scratch his balls he's going to be the balls scratching guy no matter what.</p>

[Teh_Showtime]

<p>The New Day vs Gold/Stardust "feud" is pretty much everything that's wrong with the company right now</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

It's a "feud" where the only things that happens are endless rematches with no changes in story between said rematches and therefore nobody cares about the matches. It creates a ridiculous cycle because now these guys are going to be labeled as failures that couldn't get over despite having absolutely no help</p>

[djthefunkchris]

<p>Yeah, that bugs me as well. It took quite a while for me to get behind Ziggler, I felt he was going for gold way too early, etc. However, now that I am behind him, and I feel he is ready and has improved in the area's I was worried about... he's seemingly content with the IC title.</p><p> </p><p>

As far as titles Lazor, I feel they should be promoted to be more important in the grand scheme of things. Doesn't necessarily mean it has to be a "you have the title and I want it" storyline. There are obviously, as Rickymex pointed out, lots of ways a title story can be told. </p><p> </p><p>

I feel (for example) that the world title should be the last match/headline a PPV if it's on the line. I feel that a midcard title should be placed in a way that it's depicted as more important then other midcard storylines. There can be certain circumstances that this might not be the way to go, but overall throughout the majority of the year, I feel it should be represented as the most important match on the card.</p>

[djthefunkchris]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Teh_Showtime" data-cite="Teh_Showtime" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The New Day vs Gold/Stardust "feud" is pretty much everything that's wrong with the company right now<p> </p><p> </p><p> It's a "feud" where the only things that happens are endless rematches with no changes in story between said rematches and therefore nobody cares about the matches. It creates a ridiculous cycle because now these guys are going to be labeled as failures that couldn't get over despite having absolutely no help</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> These are the things that I always feel like creative has nothing for, but to keep them viewed, they have them work match's anyways.</p><p> </p><p> I was actually hyped up for "The New Day" debut, and it went "dud" right out the box. I have to get this off my chest though... It feels to me that the only one that really has tried to do it well is Big E. I thought the hype videos for them were great, and he was not the reason why. Live though, he stands out. It's like the other two are just saying words, not getting into the role at all, and it brings the whole thing down.</p><p> </p><p> Would like to see how it would have gone with Big E, R Truth, and perhaps Titus or heck... Throw in Heath Slater if you want it to be fun and awesome.</p>

[DaMegaFish]

<p>I like Ziggler a lot, don't get me wrong, but he is just too bland for me. Character wise anyway. I just don't get what he is supposed to be. Well that's not true, I get he is supposed to be a scrappy guy that keeps fighting but I just think it is incredibly bland. I'm pretty sure Ziggler has kind of acknowledged that his character kinda needs more character too, and hopes to get more mic time to establish that. I just get frustrated at his "Ooh yeah! This is what it's all about! I'm a good guy! See? I smile!" that he does coming to the ring. You can't be a super arrogant guy who shows off constantly to what he is now. It's like his character didn't have just a slice of humble pie, he had the whole damn pie.</p><p> </p><p>

Since we're kind of talking about shows on the Network again, what about just running their old programming at a set time each week? Maybe they already do, I'll be honest I'm not entirely sure what their schedule is, I just know when special events are happening usually, along with their new original content. How cool would it be to have Nitro air on Tuesday nights in order, and then have WWE Network show PPV's on what would have been the PPV week? I think it would be pretty cool. You could really go back and go through all those times again. Not to fantasy book too much, but I think the WWE could really do better to get their original programming mixed in with old programming too. Why does all their new shows roll out on Tuesday? Spread it out to keep people coming through the week. Running from this idea, if I were to make a schedule it would look like this...</p><p> </p><p>

Monday-ECW TV (before RAW and the RAW Pre-show)</p><p>

Tuesday-WCW Nitro(Or maybe even start with WCW Saturday night!), followed by The Monday Night Wars</p><p>

Wednesday-WWE Rivalries, followed by NXT. I think it'd be great to let people see where the WWE is coming from followed right by where it is going.</p><p>

Thursday-WWF RAW before WWE Smackdown airs on Syfy</p><p>

Friday- Smackdown followed by Thunder</p><p>

Saturday-It'd be awesome if a thing like WWE High happened and they could do a morning cartoon show and a couple episodes of SlamCity. Later in the day, old school PPV's if the timeline is correct. WWE Countdown could also sneak in on this day.</p><p>

Sunday-Run re-runs of their other original shows, use the day as a random catch all since you don't want to burn people out when PPV days do come.</p><p> </p><p>

I mean, that's not a perfect schedule by any means, but I would definitely love something like that. It'd give me a reason to tune in regularly, instead of just turning it on once or twice a week. I think maybe building viewing habits like that could possibly go a good way to helping keep subscribers too. I'm no expert, but like I said I would love to see a format like this...if it isn't already close to this. If it is already set like this, then just forgive me for being on an old man rant.</p>

[milamber]

<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><strong>Yeah, that bugs me as well. It took quite a while for me to get behind Ziggler, I felt he was going for gold way too early, etc. However, now that I am behind him, and I feel he is ready and has improved in the area's I was worried about... he's seemingly content with the IC title.</strong><p> </p><p> As far as titles Lazor, I feel they should be promoted to be more important in the grand scheme of things. Doesn't necessarily mean it has to be a "you have the title and I want it" storyline. There are obviously, as Rickymex pointed out, lots of ways a title story can be told. </p><p> </p><p> I feel (for example) that the world title should be the last match/headline a PPV if it's on the line. I feel that a midcard title should be placed in a way that it's depicted as more important then other midcard storylines. There can be certain circumstances that this might not be the way to go, but overall throughout the majority of the year, I feel it should be represented as the most important match on the card.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Here is Ziggler's explanation. Basically he wants to turn the IC title into the new stepping stone to the top level and he sarted that with his awesome ladder match win at TLC. I didn't watch Smackdown so I don't know if they showed it. And I doubt they'll give him the promo time on Raw to run with it. So I your point stands. WWE are lazy with their storytelling when they think they can get away with it.</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2014/12/17/7411695/dolph-ziggler-the-man-in-wwe-video" rel="external nofollow"><strong>http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2014/12/17/7411695/dolph-ziggler-the-man-in-wwe-video</strong></a></p>

[lazorbeak]

The New Day vs Gold/Stardust "feud" is pretty much everything that's wrong with the company right now

 

 

It's a "feud" where the only things that happens are endless rematches with no changes in story between said rematches and therefore nobody cares about the matches. It creates a ridiculous cycle because now these guys are going to be labeled as failures that couldn't get over despite having absolutely no help

 

Hunter and Steph clearly get their storyline ideas from the last few years of WWE2k's Universe mode.

[djthefunkchris]

Here is Ziggler's explanation. Basically he wants to turn the IC title into the new stepping stone to the top level and he sarted that with his awesome ladder match win at TLC. I didn't watch Smackdown so I don't know if they showed it. And I doubt they'll give him the promo time on Raw to run with it. So I your point stands. WWE are lazy with their storytelling when they think they can get away with it.

 

http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2014/12/17/7411695/dolph-ziggler-the-man-in-wwe-video

 

Thanks, that is the first time I saw that. I guess I can get behind that if they use it in the way he is explaining it, and I agree he could be the man to make it as the stepping stone but..... He has already been there, even before I got totally behind him. I think that's what bugs me more.

 

I like the idea though, to create a definitive level to the titles, the IC being the one between the US and the World, but it's not going to work like that. What is going to happen eventually is that the US title is going to feel like a TV type title, with the IC Title staying right where it is. I just have no confidence in WWE being able to utilize it as the "Upper Card" level title, as they will continue to have other feuds that appear "above" that level.

[crownsy]

Hunter and Steph clearly get their storyline ideas from the last few years of WWE2k's Universe mode.

 

See, I don't think the problem is Hunter. Hunter books NXT with full creative control, and how's that working out?

 

The problem seems to be, and the podcast with SCSA seems to back this up, that Vince now believes he needs an entire staff of writers (SCSA asked "you got like 30-40 guys, why so many?) to fill the ludicrous amount of time they now have (6+ hours is far to much) and also Vince admitted that he retains full control and often changes things on the fly. So you have multiple writers working on multiple angles, which can be changed 5 minutes before go time.

 

Meanwhile on NXT, Hunter gets to book the whole thing, with some assistance I' sure, but you can see how that plays out better, and Feuds make sense and proceed over multiple shows and PPV's.

 

This, according to rumors, came to a head starting with Charlotte v. Natty, and has now led to a "silent protest" against Vince. The original plan was Charlotte to go over, and pump up NXT but according to the backstage scuttlebutt, Vince balked at the last second about putting a "NXT girl" over a Main Roster Diva, and Triple H rightly got pissed off. But what Vince says goes, so Natty won with a role up in 2 minutes, completely destroying the point of having Charlotte on the show.

 

Vince reportedly told Hunter " no one will remember this when she comes up in 6 months anyway." which is another problem with the booking. Look at Swagger v. Rusve 2.0. It was never mentioned that the whole fued had happened 6 months ago. IT's like Vince thinks the audience has the mental capacity of goldfish, so he can get away with rebooking the same tired things barley months apart.

[Hashasheen]

@crownsy: HHH doesn't do much in terms of booking for NXT, there's all of one guy doing it (former head writer for Smackdown), though I'm sure that HHH does the Vince role and oversees the development.

[Rickymex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hashasheen" data-cite="Hashasheen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>@crownsy: HHH doesn't do much in terms of booking for NXT, there's all of one guy doing it (former head writer for Smackdown), though I'm sure that HHH does the Vince role and oversees the development.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Considering the amount of work HHH probably has this is probably correct. I'm guessing his influence is more overall than show to show things. Still him and whoever is the writer are the ones that deserve the credit.</p>