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

[K-Nection]

I know most of you guys dislike Roman but this is a pretty good interview, as most of the Michael Cole ones are. He sounds more relaxed and comfortable.

 

 

Honestly I don't hate Roman....I'm sick of Roman. If he didn't feel manufactured and shoved down my throat I would appreciate him again.

 

I was one of those guys that was some what behind him going into Survivor Series but was hating how they kept fumbling his and Leauge of Nations booking.

 

The more I think of the brand split thing....the more I hate the placement of Smackdown. They could have easily given the boys Tuesday nights off and made Thursday their return to work day. Whenever a PPV comes around that will be 9 hours of back to back content. That's a little over kill.

[Rone Rivendale]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> The more I think of the brand split thing....the more I hate the placement of Smackdown. They could have easily given the boys Tuesday nights off and made Thursday their return to work day. Whenever a PPV comes around that will be 9 hours of back to back content. That's a little over kill.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> You do know that exactly what they've been doing all along right? The only difference is now we'll see it all together instead of split up. Smackdown was always a Tuesday taping, shown on Thursday.</p>

[Questlove]

<p>On the one hand I think having two world titles devalues them both, but what's the other option? Roman has a feud on one show and squash matches for months on the other? Leaving one brand without a world title for the duration of a feud on the other show would be pretty crazy.</p><p> </p><p>

The simplest way and the one that would make the most sense at this point I think is to have the two world titles and then have the tag teams and women working both shows.</p>

[K-Nection]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Rone Rivendale" data-cite="Rone Rivendale" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You do know that exactly what they've been doing all along right? The only difference is now we'll see it all together instead of split up. Smackdown was always a Tuesday taping, shown on Thursday.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Where in my statement says I didn't know that? I'm saying the call having it live is smart if it's on Thursday not Tuesday. This was obviously why they always aired the program on Thursday even though they taped on Tuesday. They didn't want to burn their viewers out....I forgot about NXT on Wednesdays so it's going to be a real grind every week....I just lost every bit of enthusiasm I had for a brand split in about 3 hours.</p>

[Jaysin]

Instead of devaluing their world title they should elevate the importance of the current mid card belts. Make the IC and US feel like a big deal again.

 

If the CWC is well received it'd be nice if they brought back the Cruiserweight title though.

[milamber]

From Meltzer:

 

According to WOL, WWE is planning on having two massive episode of RAW every year that will be dual-branded. One of the episodes will be the day after SummerSlam and the other will come the day after WrestleMania. One imagines that one of those two annual episodes will feature the annual draft -- if they're planning on having a draft every year.

 

Every pay-per-views is planned to be dual-branded, with both announce teams present and alternating matches, just as they did with dual-branded RAW and SmackDown PPVs during the initial brand split.

 

Bryan Alvarez also asked how a more-hands-on production by Vince McMahon on SmackDown would affect Mauro Ranallo. Dave Meltzer said it depended on what Vince's mentality toward Ranallo is. Meltzer's understanding is that Vince's opinion of Mauro is not for the best, but time will tell exactly how badly McMahon will micromanage his announcing.

 

 

And completely unconfirmed but this picture has been floating about for a few months.

 

[Jaysin]

That's infinitely better looking than the last two WWE title belts, but isn't it just the Winged Eagle belt with modern WWE logos?

[Texas_Forever]

I was wondering how they could have two supermen (Roman and Cena) at the same time. I guess the brand split is the answer. Now they each have a show to dominate.

[Russelrules44]

I was wondering how they could have two supermen (Roman and Cena) at the same time. I guess the brand split is the answer. Now they each have a show to dominate.

 

But one question remains. Which superman gets what show?

 

Speaking of shows, I have this stupid idea for a fan-made series in which Vince McMahon turns Camp WWE into a Survivor-esque competition. Do you think this has fanfic potential?

[jwt13]

I was wondering how they could have two supermen (Roman and Cena) at the same time. I guess the brand split is the answer. Now they each have a show to dominate.

 

Wrestling has had "Supermen" since the start nothing new with Cena/Roman. Plus Cena is transition from this role. He'll be on Smackdown and give the Smackdown WHC a boost while he feuds with some of the younger talent.

[milamber]

<p>Roman (the future) on Raw and Cena (the past) on Smackdown.</p><p> </p><p>

I just hope Owens is on Smackdown winning the Heavyweight Title.</p>

[Mootinie]

<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>Roman (the future) on Raw and Cena (the past) on Smackdown.<p> </p><p> I just hope Owens is on Smackdown winning the Heavyweight Title.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> He's too good to hold the lesser title on the lesser brand.</p>

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>He's too good to hold the lesser title on the lesser brand.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm just being realistic. The chance of guys like Cesaro, Owens and Zayn holding the WWE Championship while Vince is in charge is close to 0%. Styles might have a better chance because of his international reputation.</p>

[codey_v2]

He's too good to hold the lesser title on the lesser brand.

 

It comes down to which brand ends up being booked better. There was a time at the beginning of the brand when the Smackdown title was head and shoulders above Raw's. You had guys like Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and Eddie Guerroro while Raw was home to HHH's reign of doom.

[steesh07]

It comes down to which brand ends up being booked better. There was a time at the beginning of the brand when the Smackdown title was head and shoulders above Raw's. You had guys like Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and Eddie Guerroro while Raw was home to HHH's reign of doom.

 

This was one of the best times in wrestling for me.

[Warhawk8492]

<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>From Meltzer:<p> </p><p> <em>According to WOL, WWE is planning on having two massive episode of RAW every year that will be dual-branded. One of the episodes will be the day after SummerSlam and the other will come the day after WrestleMania. One imagines that one of those two annual episodes will feature the annual draft -- if they're planning on having a draft every year.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Every pay-per-views is planned to be dual-branded, with both announce teams present and alternating matches, just as they did with dual-branded RAW and SmackDown PPVs during the initial brand split.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Bryan Alvarez also asked how a more-hands-on production by Vince McMahon on SmackDown would affect Mauro Ranallo. Dave Meltzer said it depended on what Vince's mentality toward Ranallo is. Meltzer's understanding is that Vince's opinion of Mauro is not for the best, but time will tell exactly how badly McMahon will micromanage his announcing.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> And completely unconfirmed but this picture has been floating about for a few months.</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="13076518_1088913934507305_1663213999591117880_n.jpg?oh=f95e6efbc202d99a88752f990c58a4b8&oe=57B6C9C0" data-src="https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-9/13076518_1088913934507305_1663213999591117880_n.jpg?oh=f95e6efbc202d99a88752f990c58a4b8&oe=57B6C9C0" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I hope they are bringing that championship back.</p>

[iruleall15]

<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>From Meltzer:<p> </p><p> <em>According to WOL, WWE is planning on having two massive episode of RAW every year that will be dual-branded. One of the episodes will be the day after SummerSlam and the other will come the day after WrestleMania. One imagines that one of those two annual episodes will feature the annual draft -- if they're planning on having a draft every year.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Every pay-per-views is planned to be dual-branded, with both announce teams present and alternating matches, just as they did with dual-branded RAW and SmackDown PPVs during the initial brand split.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Bryan Alvarez also asked how a more-hands-on production by Vince McMahon on SmackDown would affect Mauro Ranallo. Dave Meltzer said it depended on what Vince's mentality toward Ranallo is. Meltzer's understanding is that Vince's opinion of Mauro is not for the best, but time will tell exactly how badly McMahon will micromanage his announcing.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> And completely unconfirmed but this picture has been floating about for a few months.</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="13076518_1088913934507305_1663213999591117880_n.jpg?oh=f95e6efbc202d99a88752f990c58a4b8&oe=57B6C9C0" data-src="https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-9/13076518_1088913934507305_1663213999591117880_n.jpg?oh=f95e6efbc202d99a88752f990c58a4b8&oe=57B6C9C0" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That picture is nothing to be wondering. Its got the old logos. Most likely model or a phony. Doubt its anything thats in the works</p>

[liontamer]

I'm getting the impression that I'm the only one, but I have to say that I find Nakamura thoroughly underwhelming. The only thing I like about him is his ring music.

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="liontamer" data-cite="liontamer" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm getting the impression that I'm the only one, but I have to say that I find Nakamura thoroughly underwhelming. The only thing I like about him is his ring music.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> If we're counting his NXT career only:</p><p> </p><p> The Zayn match was called on the fly after late notice and it was a classic, which says a lot about both men's ability and experience.</p><p> </p><p> The rest of Nak's matches have been squashes. Let's see what he can do against another veteran in Aries at Takeover.</p>

[Ben_Ditch05]

<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>If we're counting his NXT career only:<p> </p><p> The Zayn match was called on the fly after late notice and it was a classic, which says a lot about both men's ability and experience.</p><p> </p><p> The rest of Nak's matches have been squashes. Let's see what he can do against another veteran in Aries at Takeover.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Plus Naka is notorious for "phoning it in" on tour shows. He comes out in spectacular fashion for the big shows... Let's hope he does the for all the Takeovers and WWE Special Events when he gets the call.</p>

[Jaysin]

If Roman's matches with Seth Rollins are good, are people still going to crap all over him?

 

I'm not his biggest supporter, but he has grown as an in ring performer quite a lot since Wrestlemania.

[Warhawk8492]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>If Roman's matches with Seth Rollins are good, are people still going to crap all over him? <p> </p><p> I'm not his biggest supporter, but he has grown as an in ring performer quite a lot since Wrestlemania.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I still will, I can't stand him and never will be able to. Rollins can carry him if he can. I don't see any improvement in Roman Reigns. He is still garbage, he only got over because Ambrose and Rollins covered his weaknesses in the Shield. Roman Reigns is one of the most undeserving pushes in wrestling history. Fans have every right to boo him right out of the building. He is get almost universally booed. This is not a Cena reaction, this is X Pac heat.</p>

[jwt13]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Warhawk8492" data-cite="Warhawk8492" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I still will, I can't stand him and never will be able to. Rollins can carry him if he can. I don't see any improvement in Roman Reigns. He is still garbage, he only got over because Ambrose and Rollins covered his weaknesses in the Shield. Roman Reigns is one of the most undeserving pushes in wrestling history. Fans have every right to boo him right out of the building. He is get almost universally booed. This is not a Cena reaction, this is X Pac heat.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Saying my he is garbage is insane he turns out great matches month after month of PPV and you know what the only constant in those matches? Roman. He is the most underrated worker among IWC fans in a very long time maybe even ever. Plus it's not X-pax heat, it's the exact same as Cena, Roman is over with regular fans no matter how much people like to think otherwise.</p>

[smurphy1014]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jwt13" data-cite="jwt13" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Saying my he is garbage is insane he turns out great matches month after month of PPV and you know what the only constant in those matches? Roman. He is the most underrated worker among IWC fans in a very long time maybe even ever. Plus it's not X-pax heat, it's the exact same as Cena, <strong>Roman is over with regular fans no matter how much people like to think otherwise.</strong></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I've seen it in person at Smackdown here in KC. It is close to a 50/50 split.</p>

[jwt13]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="smurphy1014" data-cite="smurphy1014" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I've seen it in person at Smackdown here in KC. It is close to a 50/50 split.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I've been to 3 house shows here in NC/SC and he got by far the biggest pop of the night. It just depends on where you are.</p>