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

[Truly]

<p>Cool find I stumbled upon; I sincerely thought The Rock had no territorial experience whatsoever before joining the WWE in 1996. Can anyone tell me what year this was? :/ I have a hunch it happened in the same year he debuted but who knows how long he sported that haircut. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

 

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="150" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Y0SEitEkK98?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="The Rock's first TV pro wrestling match"></iframe></div></div>

[Jaysin]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Truly" data-cite="Truly" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Cool find I stumbled upon; I sincerely thought The Rock had no territorial experience whatsoever before joining the WWE in 1996. Can anyone tell me what year this was? :/ I have a hunch it happened in the same year he debuted but who knows how long he sported that haircut. <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 class="ipsEmbeddedVideo" contenteditable="false"><div><iframe width="200" height="150" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Y0SEitEkK98?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" title="The Rock's first TV pro wrestling match"></iframe></div></div></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Definitely 1996.</p>

[dpoolez]

<p>Bringing up the possibility of Austin/Punk, I'd welcome Punk back if this happened. If they allowed both guys to be themselves on the mic it could make for an amazing feud. I dont know how good of a match you can get out of Austin who hasnt been in a ring in 11 years, but he still looks to be in decent enough shape from what I can tell, so it's possible, even if only a little bit.</p><p> </p><p>

There's really not much there is left for Punk to do honestly. A face vs face feud with Bryan and maybe one more Cena match for old times sake, but hes feuded with all of the important guys that he possibly can feud with.</p><p> </p><p>

I dont think Trips buried him at all in their match, but maybe itd be nice to see him go over Triple H especially if Bryan does, but IDK if that alone warrants a full time return where he'd be stuck in lingo long-term especially with The Shield, The Wyatts, and Bryan's stocks rising.</p>

[Basmat01]

<p>the WWE really seem to be going all out atm buying up any video library they can get there hands now with them interested in Carlos Colon WWC library aswell as Lawlers Memphis Wrestling library I also read somewhere that they brought the library to former UK promotion 1PW (Not sure about this one).</p><p> </p><p>

Its a smart move for the WWE they want it so that if you want to see it we are the only place that has it.</p>

[Jaysin]

I thought Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett coowned all the Memphis stuff? I wonder how that will pan out. It'd be kind of cool if WWE bought Smoky Mountain Wrestling's library.

[Basmat01]

<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>I thought Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett coowned all the Memphis stuff? I wonder how that will pan out. It'd be kind of cool if WWE bought Smoky Mountain Wrestling's library.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> WWE does own the SMW library.</p>

[Jaysin]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Basmat01" data-cite="Basmat01" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>WWE does own the SMW library.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I had no idea. Now if only they'd put some of it on the Network <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> </p><p> I do wish they'd add the Clash of the Champions though.</p>

[Hive]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Truly" data-cite="Truly" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Cool find I stumbled upon; I sincerely thought The Rock had no territorial experience whatsoever before joining the WWE in 1996. Can anyone tell me what year this was? :/ I have a hunch it happened in the same year he debuted but who knows how long he sported that haircut. <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 class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="150" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Y0SEitEkK98?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="The Rock's first TV pro wrestling match"></iframe></div></div></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think the WWF signed him after he finished his training and then told him to go get some experience in USWA before using him. While not a development territory per se, WWF often sent workers there.</p><p> </p><p> About CM Punk... I know this is likely an unpopular opinion, but... am I the only one who's tired of his antics and thinks he's somewhat overrated? <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> That said, I'd love to see an Austin vs. Punk feud.</p>

[milamber]

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">NXT Review:</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Emma vs Sasha</strong> - OK match. Could have been a better if they had more than 5 minutes. Emma got revenge on the BFFs.</p><p>

<strong>The Ascension vs Hurley & Vandal</strong> - Pointless squash.</p><p>

<strong>Woods vs Brodus</strong> - OK match to end an irrelevant feud. Brodus cut a heel promo and challenged Neville for the NXT Title. Neville cut a decent promo of his own.</p><p>

<strong>Tatsu vs Breeze</strong> - OK match. Big fan of Breeze. </p><p>

<strong>Graves vs Zayn</strong> - Good match. Graves hid in the ropes and smirked early on. Zayn went to town on him before Graves grounded him to the mat and made him woozy with repeated head strikes. In the final third, both guys dug deep into their movesets for a thrilling back and forth. Zayn looked legit concussed (A+ acting) so Graves locked in Lucky 13 and the ref called the match without a tap-out.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Verdict:</span></strong> The show suffered from too many short matches and was saved only by the main event.</p>

[Teh_Showtime]

<p>Punk isn't the best human being ever but he's undeniably one of the greatest all around wrestlers ever with the matches (and promos) to back it up.</p><p> </p><p>

Even being visibly uninspired he was still putting on quality matches to the end of his run against pretty much everyone. He had a match against Fandango on SD that made him look like a million bucks that nobody talks about.</p>

[Mammoth]

Who have people got pegged for the three mystery entrants in the Battle Royal? I wouldn't be surprised to see Jake Roberts, Razor Ramon and/or Lita/Ultimate Warrior. I'm thinking the Battle Royal will be the second to last match on the night as the action will be more or less hit and miss, allowing the crowd to have a bit of a break (particularly with the comedic breaks they're bound to have with Santino Marella and the 3MB amongst others) and saving the real pops for the surprise entrants which is why it wouldn't surprise me if they were saved for the HoF entrants.

 

I'm surprisingly really looking forward to Wrestlemania which I didn't think I would be this time a couple of months ago. They appeased the crowd simply by giving Daniel Bryan a chance at the gold and I think the card has come together really well (apart from the diva's match) and when you look at the names like John Cena, The Undertaker and Triple H, they're all guys who usually step up their games on nights like these and against the likes of Bray Wyatt, Daniel Bryan and Brock Lesnar whom none have had a bad match in months, it is surely going to be a great night.

[Hive]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mammoth" data-cite="Mammoth" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Who have people got pegged for the three mystery entrants in the Battle Royal? I wouldn't be surprised to see Jake Roberts, Razor Ramon and/or Lita/Ultimate Warrior.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I could easily see Roddy Piper in that match, though your guesswork sounds plausible.</p>

[Guest codey]

<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><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">NXT Review:</span></strong><p> </p><p> <strong>Emma vs Sasha</strong> - OK match. Could have been a better if they had more than 5 minutes. Emma got revenge on the BFFs.</p><p> <strong>The Ascension vs Hurley & Vandal</strong> - Pointless squash.</p><p> <strong>Woods vs Brodus</strong> - OK match to end an irrelevant feud. Brodus cut a heel promo and challenged Neville for the NXT Title. Neville cut a decent promo of his own.</p><p> <strong>Tatsu vs Breeze</strong> - OK match. Big fan of Breeze. </p><p> <strong>Graves vs Zayn</strong> - Good match. Graves hid in the ropes and smirked early on. Zayn went to town on him before Graves grounded him to the mat and made him woozy with repeated head strikes. In the final third, both guys dug deep into their movesets for a thrilling back and forth. Zayn looked legit concussed (A+ acting) so Graves locked in Lucky 13 and the ref called the match without a tap-out.</p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Verdict:</span></strong> The show suffered from too many short matches and was saved only by the main event.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree with the final verdict on this week's show. I really liked the main event, and I can see why Graves is getting pushed right now even if a lot of people find him a bit boring. The guy's got a great look and works well as a smug heel, even if he did get a little resthold-happy this match. </p><p> </p><p> As far as Breeze goes, I love the guy. I just wish he would find himself a better finisher than that wheel kick small fast guys have been using as a basic mid match move for two decades now. I don't think he'll ever be a main eventer, but he could find himself occupying the same space that Fandango is on the main roster, picking up a few decent wins here and there. Plus, he's really small, so if he ever turns face he could easily fall into an underdog role.</p><p> </p><p> As far as the Ascension goes, I just don't know. THey've been doing squash matches for what, two months now? As the champs? I'm sure there's a couple of guys in development they could pair together as a team to challenge them. Hell, put Mojo together with a more experienced guy to help him learn the ropes. That's TEW tag team booking 101!</p>

[Teh_Showtime]

Correction, Ascension has been doing squashes for TWO YEARS

[dpoolez]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hive" data-cite="Hive" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think the WWF signed him after he finished his training and then told him to go get some experience in USWA before using him. While not a development territory per se, WWF often sent workers there.<p> </p><p> About CM Punk... I know this is likely an unpopular opinion, but... am I the only one who's tired of his antics and thinks he's somewhat overrated? <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> That said, I'd love to see an Austin vs. Punk feud.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Im on the same boat. Punk is a great talent overall but I think hes praised a bit too much simply because its easier for him to shine in this era of people who are either good on the mic and crappy in the ring or crappy on the mic but good in the ring. He's a one of a kind talent in this era because hes such a great overall talent. He's not a master in any one area of in-ring wrestling, but his ability to do anything in or out of the ring is very unique these days.</p><p> </p><p> He'd get outshined in the 90's-Early 2000's mainstream wrestling. Prime Angle/Jericho/Eddie/Rey/Benoit plus prime Bret, Austin, Shawn, then while Trips and Rock arent as great as those guys on a pure skill level, they still made a damn big impact plus the nWo in full swing, there'd be no place for Punk to really be as big as he became now.</p><p> </p><p> All of this IMO of course.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Article about Adam Pennucci, the man behind some of the best WWE promo videos.</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/04/pro-wrestling-video-king" rel="external nofollow">http://www.wired.com/2014/04/pro-wrestling-video-king</a></p>

[moon_lit_tears]

Poor Jake Roberts. Watching his H.O.F speech was depressing....

[masterded]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="moon_lit_tears" data-cite="moon_lit_tears" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Poor Jake Roberts. Watching his H.O.F speech was depressing....</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> It made me hate wrestling fans. I mean there are times to shut your mouth and listen and too often people were either yelling stupid things or chanting/cheering at stupid times.</p>

[moon_lit_tears]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="masterded" data-cite="masterded" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It made me hate wrestling fans. I mean there are times to shut your mouth and listen and too often people were either yelling stupid things or chanting/cheering at stupid times.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree. I'm sure that speech was hard for him and it came from the heart. People are morons. I was worried though at times when it seemed like he was so far down he wouldn't come back up.</p>

[jwt13]

<p>So we have Hogan, Nash, and Hall in NO, I want a NWO/Shield program started or I riot. </p><p> </p><p>

On the subject of Punk he's no where as overrated as Daniel Bryan is. Punk is the whole package and would have stood out in any era. Plus why do people act like him walking out is bad, he stood up for himself and did the right thing by show them they can't treat him just any way they wanted to.</p>

[Jaysin]

Punk isn't doing anything Shawn Michaels didn't do in the 90's.

[Hive]

<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>Plus why do people act like him walking out is bad, he stood up for himself and did the right thing by show them they can't treat him just any way they wanted to.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Really? It's not like he was mistreated or anything; he walked out because he didn't feel a match against the guy running the company was a big enough match for him for WrestleMania, and insisted on being in the main event. That's not "standing up for yourself", that's being a little spoiled princess. And he completely screwed all his fans while doing so. Walking out <em>right</em> before a show you are scheduled to appear on, where your fans have paid to see you wrestle, is so absurdly unprofessional that, from the top of my head, I can only think of one guy who did it before at this level: The Ultimate Warrior. And I'm not sure that's the type of guy Punk would want to be associated with...</p>

[bigtplaystew]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hive" data-cite="Hive" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>About CM Punk... I know this is likely an unpopular opinion, but... am I the only one who's tired of his antics and thinks he's somewhat overrated? <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I don't think you're the only one lol. There's been quite a bit of "Screw Punk" backlash. Turns out if you walk out on your contract and your fans some of them turn on you. Who knew?</p><p> </p><p> </p><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>Punk isn't doing anything Shawn Michaels didn't do in the 90's.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Did Shawn ever walk away out of frustration? I know he had a controversial "injury" or two but at least he got semi-bogus xrays done ;-)</p>

[TakerNGN74]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hive" data-cite="Hive" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Really? It's not like he was mistreated or anything; he walked out because he didn't feel a match against the guy running the company was a big enough match for him for WrestleMania, and insisted on being in the main event. That's not "standing up for yourself", that's being a little spoiled princess. And he completely screwed all his fans while doing so. Walking out <em>right</em> before a show you are scheduled to appear on, where your fans have paid to see you wrestle, is so absurdly unprofessional that, from the top of my head, I can only think of one guy who did it before at this level: The Ultimate Warrior. And I'm not sure that's the type of guy Punk would want to be associated with...</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Stone Cold Steve Austin did the same thing as well. I love Steve Austin he's my favorite wrestler of all time and his reasoning behind his walking out actually makes a lot of sense but I still don't agree with it.</p><p> </p><p> CM Punk on the other hand walked out because he's a stubborn jerk plain and simple.</p>

[bigtplaystew]

<p>The HoF was a mixed bag. Lita went on way too long. The hornswoggle/el torito bit was awkward. and mr T's speech was just boring.</p><p> </p><p>

But Warrior's speech was very good and surprisingly straight forward haha. The speech that stole the show had to be Jake's. WOW. The stuff that guy has been through... to see him just baring his soul like that. Really deeply moving, and in a dark way extremely inspirational. Really powerful stuff.</p>