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

[Rampaaage]

I was 100% sure Rollins was turning face, until he cut that promo at the top of Raw when the four men were in the ring. He seemed to be far more heelish than Owens, which makes me think maybe Owens and HHH will work together as faces? Hard to say because of the whole JerichKO thing, but it definitely has me excited for next week's Raw.

[crownsy]

I was 100% sure Rollins was turning face, until he cut that promo at the top of Raw when the four men were in the ring. He seemed to be far more heelish than Owens, which makes me think maybe Owens and HHH will work together as faces? Hard to say because of the whole JerichKO thing, but it definitely has me excited for next week's Raw.

 

Trips leads NXT on the main roster as a quasi face authority figure?

 

but that has problems too, not like Steph wasn't using his "kids", they are all in high profile spots.

[KnowYourEnemy]

<p>WWE finally made the sensible choice -- The "Kevin Owens" character worked perfectly with the authority angle. His storyline with Zayn will only become hotter now that he is heel. It is a logical turn. </p><p> </p><p>

As usual, someone had to get hurt for them to see the light. </p><p> </p><p>

Zayn vs. Owens for the belt deserves the headline a major event. Owens vs. Zayn, with Rollins and HHH factored in, is a classic storyline with major heat. </p><p> </p><p>

I hope Owens holds onto the belt until the Rumble -- maybe have one of Zayn or Rollins challenge for it next year, the other win the Royal Rumble and have a three-way at 'Mania. </p><p> </p><p>

I just hope they learned from Rollins reign and book Owens strong as champion. He needs to more than 50% of his matches clean -- and if he does win after interference, he should do it against Zayn. This could easily be our Generation's Shawn vs. Bret, and could be WWE's last shot at a mainstream audience.</p>

[CQI13]

Russo is funny. Is he just saying stuff to get a reaction?

 

On Kevin Owens Being WWE Universal Champion: Ok bro, I am bombarded with the Kevin Owens people. Can I just say this? Let me just say this because we are going to talk about this for a while, ok? Listen, I’m going to say this once: If you are one of these idiots who actually believe that Kevin Owens actually won a scripted, fake wrestling match on TV yesterday, let me tell you a few things; 1) Please don’t tweet me for a couple of reasons, because you’re going to tweet me, I’m going to read your tweet, and I’m going to think to myself, what kind of jacka** is this that actually thinks Kevin Owens won a match and then I’m going to block you because I can’t wrap my head around that level of stupidity, I can’t. If you actually think Kevin Owens won a match last night; I don’t care if you’re 2, I don’t care if you’re 4, I don’t care if you’re 8, I don’t care if you’re freaking 80; if you actually believe the guy won something, I can’t wrap my head around that; so a couple of things: don’t tweet me, here’s another thing, I don’t want you to listen to this show. If you are one of these people that Kevin Owens won a match yesterday, and shoved it up my backside because he is the WWE Universal Champion and I said this about him, and I said that about him, please don’t listen to this show. I don’t want you insulting the intelligence of my show, so please, if you are one of those people who fall into the category and you know who you are, don’t listen to my show. If I have to sit here and tell you wrestling is a Work, and nobody wins or loses their matches. If I actually have to tell you that and you are over the age of 5 years old, please, please don’t tweet me, don’t listen to this show; disassociate yourself with Vince Russo, I’m irrelevant, I am all those things you say I am, please, please don’t listen to the show. Guys, if the [san Francisco] Giants go to the Playoffs this year, and they lose, I will be upset, if anybody out there honestly believes for a second that I care that Kevin Owens is the WWE Universal Champion. Do you understand that in about a month, our promotion here, Rocky Mountain Pro is going to be on national television in about a month. That is what I care about, that is where my energy is. Do you think for one F’N second, I care about Kevin Owens being WWE Universal Champion? For you to think that I actually care about this, please, if you fall under one of these categories, don’t listen to this show, just go away from me.

 

On Kevin Owens Being Champion From a Business Perspective: Let me tell you what putting the belt on Kevin Owens achieves does for the WWE, and what it doesn’t achieve for the WWE as a whole. First of all, I’m not in the locker room, so I don’t know the landscape of the locker room, nor do I care, I’m not one of these idiots who is on the phone with moles everyday to find out what time Vince McMahon takes a dump. I don’t care, I don’t care what the people in the WWE are doing. It’s of no interest to me, but if you want to look at maybe some of the reasons why. Maybe what was going through the mind of the WWE, from a business perspective, we’ll look at that, but I’m also going to look at the other side of it. From a business perspective, let’s look at the four guys that were in the match. First of all, the way they look at Big Cass, Cass wasn’t ready, he has his whole career ahead of him, yada yada yada, whatever bro. If Cass isn’t ready then he shouldn’t be on the main roster number one, number two I said yesterday on the Relm Network and RussosBrand.com, if they really wanted to do something with Cass they had an opportunity to do something for him last night. I’m not saying put the belt on him, I’m saying, let him go to the final 2, let Triple H screw him, they could have elevated him to a whole other category and they didn’t. Him being in that match didn’t elevate him no matter what they want to tell you. So, Cass is out, and next you look at Seth Rollins, who the list of who this guy has hurt inside the ring grows week by week really can’t reward a guy who is hurting other guys. Let’s look at Roman Reigns; as much as Vince McMahon would have loved to, you can’t reward a guy just coming off failing a Wellness Policy test, so that leaves you with Kevin Owens. So now, what that does now is that it sends a message to the locker room, well you know, Rollins is hurting people, Reigns failed a drug test, guys, if you are a good soldier like a Kevin Owens, you too can become WWE Universal Champion. That is the message they are trying to send to the locker room. I get all that bro, I get it, I understand it. Here is the payoff: Kevin Owens is now the hood ornament of your company. Do you want to drive around with Kevin Owens sitting at the hood of your car? I don’t. Basically bro, at the end of the day, this is what you have to do; it’s very simple: Put Kevin Owens in the John Cena role. It’s that simple. We’re going to put Kevin Owens on Good Morning America, we’re going to put Kevin Owens in commercials, we’re going to put Kevin Owens in movies, we’re going to put Kevin Owens on the Kids Choice Awards, on MTV, it’s that simple. He’s the hood ornament of your company. Would I make Kevin Owens the hood ornament of my company? No, I would not! I don’t see Kevin Owens sitting next to Kelly Rippa. I don’t see that. If you disagree with me, I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me. But, you’re replacing John Cena is what you are doing, which is preposterous. That is absolutely freaking ridiculous. Then I hear things like; oh, says the guy who put the belt on David Arquette. First of all, David Arquette was more over than Kevin Owens will ever be. Casual wrestling fans and casual wrestling viewers in general knew who David Arquette was. That’s first of all. Casual viewers have no idea who Kevin Owens is, and every time he comes out, literally they’re like, who is this guy? So, that comparison is ridiculous. Another thing I hear is; oh, says the guy who was going to put the belt on Tank Abbott. Well, I was going to put the belt on Tank Abbott because of the circumstances in the match, and oh by the way, Tank Abbott was a legitimate shoot fighter, and he knocked people out for a living and the way the story was written out made sense, so who knows, maybe he would of had the belt for a week. Also, understand that booking came from me being backed in the corner and everybody being hurt and something had to be done with the circumstances I was dealt with. Regardless, it doesn’t even matter, I look at the list this morning bro, here are guys that have never been the WWE Champion. People want to know how far wrestling has fallen. We have Dean Ambrose as one champion, and Kevin Owens as the other. You want to know how far wrestling has fallen? Razor Ramon/Scott Hall was never a WWE Champion, Jake the Snake Roberts was never a WWE Champion, Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig was never a WWE Champion, King Kong Bundy was never a WWE Champion, Rowdy Roddy Piper was never a WWE Champion. I can go on and on and on, Kevin Owens is the WWE Universal Champion, and you’re going to look me in the eye, if you call yourself a wrestling fan and understand anything about wrestling, you are going to look me in the eye and tell me that the wrestling business is not at a rock bottom, and you’re going to sit there and tell me that the wrestling business doesn’t suck? When, so many people were over, that a Roddy Piper couldn’t even be a Champion? Or a Curt Hennig couldn’t be a WWE Champion? You’re going to sit there and tell me how over wrestling is? Give me a F’N break, but for the record: I don’t give a crap if they put the belt on Heath Slater. If they put the belt on Heath Slater tomorrow, I don’t care. It’s not my company, it’s not going to affect my life. So, for you idiots that are tweeting me that actually think I actually care? Guys, please stop, because every time I get one of these tweets, I cannot fathom the person on the other end who the other person on the computer is. I cannot wrap my head around your level of stupidity, so I don’t know what you are accomplishing tweeting me that Kevin Owens is now the WWE Champion.

[Ayden]

For someone who says he doesn't care (a lot) he sure seems to care...

[iruleall15]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Ayden" data-cite="Ayden" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>For someone who says he doesn't care (a lot) he sure seems to care...</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Watched a podcast of him and him and his jock rider buddy kept saying how Russo is irrelevant and wants to be irrelevant. If this dude didnt want to exist he sure does a terrible job of saying things to get his pathetic name out there</p>

[Anggur Merah]

Beauty and the Man-Beast! Best tag team name ever! <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[KnowYourEnemy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="iruleall15" data-cite="iruleall15" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Watched a podcast of him and him and his jock rider buddy kept saying how Russo is irrelevant and wants to be irrelevant. If this dude didnt want to exist he sure does a terrible job of saying things to get his pathetic name out there</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think Vince Russo has benefited more from the WWE "mythos" than any other worker. Vince McMahon didn't make "Austin", he didn't make "The Rock" -- they got over on their own abilities, and turned around the Monday Night Wars. He <em>did</em> hire, promote and find Vince Russo -- it allows him to take credit for the WWF's boom period in the mid-to-late 1990s.</p><p> </p><p> Russo was a nobody before Vince promoted him -- he doesn't have to share with anyone else. Russo's "booking philosophies" and "story writing" revolve around sacrificing anything to boost a rating in the short-term -- and most of his ideas have drastic long-term consequences for the promotion. </p><p> </p><p> Russo has made a living off Vince McMahon's narrative, whether he believes his own hype or realizes his contributions are minimal. He is an extension of Vince McMahon's boundless ego.</p>

[K-Nection]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="KnowYourEnemy" data-cite="KnowYourEnemy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think Vince Russo has benefited more from the WWE "mythos" than any other worker. Vince McMahon didn't make "Austin", he didn't make "The Rock" -- they got over on their own abilities, and turned around the Monday Night Wars. He <em>did</em> hire, promote and find Vince Russo -- it allows him to take credit for the WWF's boom period in the mid-to-late 1990s.<p> </p><p> Russo was a nobody before Vince promoted him -- he doesn't have to share with anyone else. Russo's "booking philosophies" and "story writing" revolve around sacrificing anything to boost a rating in the short-term -- and most of his ideas have drastic long-term consequences for the promotion. </p><p> </p><p> Russo has made a living off Vince McMahon's narrative, whether he believes his own hype or realizes his contributions are minimal. He is an extension of Vince McMahon's boundless ego.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> You know Bro you could just </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Qhx02kYGObk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Vince Russo Will CHANGE YOUR LIFE! [ft. JIM CORNETTE] | Wrestling With Wregret"></iframe></div></div>

[thecoolestjedi12]

Kendrick Hit Ibushi with the Burning Hammer?! WHAT!!!!

[milamber]

<p>Solid Smackdown but the main event was lacking. Heath/Rhyno and Miz were highlights. The ratings are inching closer to 3 million as well.</p><p> </p><p>

NXT was a transitional episode focused on developmental talent.</p><p> </p><p>

CWC was amazing. Tozawa & Gran Metalik need to be signed. Ibushi vs Kendrick was a MOTY contender. The chemistry, storytelling and psychology were off the charts!</p><p> </p><p>

And next week we get the NXT/CWC/LU combo. It's a good time to be a wrestling fan.</p>

[lr10540]

So am I the only one thinking The Revival need to go toe to toe with former kingpins of the tag division? They're killing everybody. Ascension vs Revival anyone?

[Russelrules44]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="lr10540" data-cite="lr10540" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So am I the only one thinking The Revival need to go toe to toe with former kingpins of the tag division? They're killing everybody. Ascension vs Revival anyone?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I guess it would be a good match if...well, you know...</p><p> </p><p> <strong>The Ascension actually won matches.</strong></p>

[crownsy]

<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 guess it would be a good match if...well, you know...<p> </p><p> <strong>The Ascension actually won matches.</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Would help if the Ascension weren't you know, terrible. </p><p> </p><p> Changing them from Goth kids who play vampire the masquerade to Road Warriors 2.0 on their call up didn't help, but they are a boring power (and now paint) team. I'm not really surprised the gimmick didn't catch on outside of Full Sail. </p><p> </p><p> Even in Full sail by the end, people were only invested in how long they'd set the tag titles record at, not really the team itself.</p>

[lr10540]

<p>I love the NXT Ascension. Main roster Ascension is bathroom break. NXT Ascension, is legit.</p><p> </p><p>

And they have one of the best entrance themes in the company.</p>

[crownsy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="lr10540" data-cite="lr10540" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I love the NXT Ascension. Main roster Ascension is bathroom break. NXT Ascension, is legit.<p> </p><p> And they have one of the best entrance themes in the company.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Well, I disagree, but thats the awesome thing about Wrestling, we all like our own acts haha.</p><p> </p><p> For me, they were always a boring act. I think they would have gotten lost in the shuffle if they had been in NXT at a different time.</p><p> </p><p> The revival, AA, Vauds, Gargano and C, Enzo and Cass are all way better acts, NXT or otherwise for me.</p>

[shawn michaels]

<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>Well, I disagree, but thats the awesome thing about Wrestling, we all like our own acts haha.<p> </p><p> For me, they were always a boring act. I think they would have gotten lost in the shuffle if they had been in NXT at a different time.</p><p> </p><p> The revival, AA, Vauds, Gargano and C, Enzo and Cass are all way better acts, NXT or otherwise for me.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> The Ascension are boring and nothing special, tbh. I share the same thoughts. I like Enzo, we all know his value...but that whole kinda Guido gimmick...so not my cup of tea. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[K-Nection]

<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>The Ascension are boring and nothing special, tbh. I share the same thoughts. I like Enzo, we all know his value...<strong>but that whole kinda Guido gimmick...so not my cup of tea. </strong><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> Hey Cass....it looks like we got some hatas....we got a couple hatas here! No I get your point. They are over with me but I can also see where they would get annoying to some people.</p>

[Jaysin]

<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>Hey Cass....it looks like we got some hatas....we got a <strong>couple</strong> hatas here! No I get your point. They are over with me but I can also see where they would get annoying to some people.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> cuppa*</p><p> </p><p> <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png">:p</p>

[Russelrules44]

<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>cuppa*<p> </p><p> <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />:p</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I swear if Amore and Regal ever interacted with each other...That would be the reason.</p>

[Rone Rivendale]

<p>It's easy to remember The Ascension as bad now because of how they have been treated in the main roster.</p><p> </p><p>

But during their NXT run they were THE tag team.</p>

[CQI13]

<p>Really, though? I started watching NXT around the time of the Network (that Cesaro/Zayn feud was fantastic). I think by then they were already on their way to being the longest reigning tag team champions. </p><p> </p><p>

Did they serve a purpose? Absolutely. Were they entertaining? Meh.</p><p> </p><p>

That's not to say that they can't rebound on the main roster. Everyone was crapping on how Tyler Breeze was being used. And I was shocked to see Fandango was still employed. But put them together and they are awesome.</p><p> </p><p>

But just because they were 'awesome' in NXT (The Ascension) it doesn't mean they are gonna do the same thing on the main roster. Maybe their schtick is better suited for there. Maybe they're too limited. They'll find their role eventually - not everyone is a home run hitter.</p>

[Mootinie]

For those of you with public social media accounts and/or some cash to spare to a good cause, One Man Gang needs your help! I'm surprised this hasn't received more attention in wrestling circles but hey ho, I'll be donating and you can too: https://www.gofundme.com/2lbn0us

 

I always liked his little jig when he was Akeem The African Dream.

[BHK1978]

I was watching RAW last night and every time the brought up Connor's Cure, I cringed a little bit. It always comes across as a bit disingenuous to me. The reason why I say that is I remember reading an article where Stephanie was talking at some sort of function and she said (This is a paraphrase and not a direct quote), "The way for companies to further build brand awareness is through working with charities."

 

Now I get that Connor's Cure benefits greatly for the free airtime it gets on WWE programming and it is a great cause. That being said it is a mutually beneficial thing and I hate that the WWE tries to paint themselves as promoting the charity for pure altruistic purposes when it is clear, according to what Stephanie said, that is simply not the case.

[evileddie10]

I was watching RAW last night and every time the brought up Connor's Cure, I cringed a little bit. It always comes across as a bit disingenuous to me. The reason why I say that is I remember reading an article where Stephanie was talking at some sort of function and she said (This is a paraphrase and not a direct quote), "The way for companies to further build brand awareness is through working with charities."

 

Now I get that Connor's Cure benefits greatly for the free airtime it gets on WWE programming and it is a great cause. That being said it is a mutually beneficial thing and I hate that the WWE tries to paint themselves as promoting the charity for pure altruistic purposes when it is clear, according to what Stephanie said, that is simply not the case.

 

I agree with you. The WWE relationship with Susan G Komen has always annoyed me. I feel bad for hating on a cancer charity, but when you look into Susan G Komen, the word "charity" is used very scarcely. At least with Connor's Cure it seems to be a decent charity. It feels wrong to be annoyed at charities though.