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

[milamber]

<p>I cracked up during the Sandow segment. It was way more entertaining than seeing him be squashed again in an actual match.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/bAIBhyy.gif</span></p>

[bigtplaystew]

No, just being a little bit loose. It seems to me Wyatt is not completely natural when speaks. Probably it's the character he portrays that limits his promo abilities.

 

I couldnt disagree with you more. When I noticed those early bray wyatt NXT promos I felt like we had something special brewing. The way that man made the audience believe in that character was unprecedented in modern wrestling.

 

He's developed the character so well. To the point that a guy who was in NXT this time last year is a true nemesis to the top guy in the company. He's probably the most believable character on the show, and most of these guys are playing themselves lol.

 

"PG" is not what holds most of these guys back.

[Jaysin]

Yeah, PG isn't what's wrong with the company, bad writing is.

 

Still though, there's a lot of good in WWE right now and Bray Wyatt is near the top of that. His promo skills are just insane.

[The Swanton825]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Kitarzu" data-cite="Kitarzu" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>No, just being a little bit loose. It seems to me Wyatt is not completely natural when speaks. Probably it's the character he portrays that limits his promo abilities.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Really? He comes off as an amazingly natural speaker to me. His promos have been some of the best moments since I started watching wrestling again.</p>

[dpoolez]

<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>Really? He comes off as an amazingly natural speaker to me. His promos have been some of the best moments since I started watching wrestling again.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I second this. Bray is really good on the mic.</p>

[Kitarzu]

<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>Really? He comes off as an amazingly natural speaker to me. His promos have been some of the best moments since I started watching wrestling again.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> As I said before I think he's a good talker, but the gimmick he plays somewhat holds him. In comparison I find Dean Ambrose more natural when he speaks, even he's also limited being part of the Shield. </p><p> </p><p> Raven is an easy match because was a leader of cult stables like the Raven's Nest, The Flock, The Gathering and Serotonin.</p><p> </p><p> @bigtplaystew </p><p> </p><p> I see Wyatt as a well played cult leader. Just different from the others monsters Cena met in the past. Big Show, Kane, Umaga, The Great Khali, Mark Henry, Ryback.</p><p> </p><p> That's probably what made him relevant after those years of bad clean cut vs monster storylines, added also with a good writing.</p><p> </p><p> P.S.</p><p> </p><p> The opening segment was good, aside the usual Cena's acting. It would have been great if all the people in the arena were wearing the goat mask, not only the children chorus, just like they done it with Ultimate Warrior. That doesn't mean it would happen in the future, I hope.</p><p> </p><p> Edit: wrestling often repeats and remodels its own history.</p><p> </p><p> <span>http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2bfP7h407srB2jBrKgcErpl9bwc5cw9ZvfvxcOKOLKAhZfQczzQ</span></p>

[bigtplaystew]

<p>Fair enough, one's entitled to one's opinion. You state yourself well. I just think his accomplishments and how far he's come speaks for his skills. I certainly don't think he's held back by PG but that's my opinion.</p><p> </p><p>

It's interesting that writing comes up when rumor has it Bray's one of the few guys essentially writing his own promos. From what I understand he's given bullet points and everything he says must be approved, but he's been pretty much given free reign over his promos.</p>

[The Swanton825]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Kitarzu" data-cite="Kitarzu" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Edit: wrestling often repeats and remodels its own history.<p> </p><p> <span>http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2bfP7h407srB2jBrKgcErpl9bwc5cw9ZvfvxcOKOLKAhZfQczzQ</span></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I knew there was a reason I was thinking about Raven during that segment.</p>

[dpoolez]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="bigtplaystew" data-cite="bigtplaystew" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Fair enough, one's entitled to one's opinion. You state yourself well. I just think his accomplishments and how far he's come speaks for his skills. I certainly don't think he's held back by PG but that's my opinion.<p> </p><p> It's interesting that writing comes up when rumor has it Bray's one of the few guys essentially writing his own promos. From what I understand he's given bullet points and everything he says must be approved, but he's been pretty much given free reign over his promos.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I can believe those rumors about Bray doing his own promos. Triple H is in charge of creative now and since he was huge in the AE he knows what works and doesnt work, so I expect bullet points to be the new trend the longer Triple H is in charge of creative.</p>

[Stennick]

I know his promo was written word for word on the leaked script a few weeks ago I find it strange a guy would be doing his own promos yet they be written word for word in the scripts

[Stennick]

Double post

[Jaysin]

You can delete your second post

[milamber]

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

<strong>Opening segment</strong> - A variation on Cena's usual promos, calling out the fans who want him gone, and not a single joke. This would be ruined by reverting to his comedy schtick with Renee later on. I marked for Cena name-dropping guys like Cesaro, Neville & Zayn (cheap pop aside he sounds genuinely excited about these guys). Bray one-upped Cena using his target demographic against him in a creepy way. This feud just ramped up a gear.</p><p>

<strong>The Usos vs Rybaxel</strong> - Good match. The finish was cool. Jey sold the fake injury well. Why wasn't this on PPV?</p><p>

<strong>Sheamus vs Titus</strong> - Another potential Titus push ruined.</p><p>

<strong>Ziggler, Jackman & Sandow</strong> - Jackman is one of the better Raw celebrities. I cracked up at Sandow! He should just be a super-serious comedy heel who dresses in silly costumes.</p><p>

<strong>Swagger vs Cesaro</strong> - Not as good as their Smackdown match.</p><p>

<strong>Rhodes vs Del Rio</strong> - OK match.</p><p>

<strong>Rusev vs Woods</strong> - Set-up for the PPV match.</p><p>

<strong>Steph, Bryan & Brie</strong> - Solid segment.</p><p>

<strong>Brie vs Paige (Divas Championship)</strong> - Solid match while it lasted. Kane dragging Brie to Hell was too silly after the serious promos beforehand.</p><p>

<strong>BNB vs RVD</strong> - Solid match. Barrett is on fire! Looks like we're getting a Triple Threat match between Cesaro, Swagger & RVD at Extreme Rules.</p><p>

<strong>Evolution, Flair & The Shield</strong> - I knew Flair was going to turn on his old buddies! The match was OK and the brawl was good.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Verdict:</strong> The beginning and end of the show were good but there was a lot of average stuff in the middle.</p>

[milamber]

Anyone watch Main Event? I saw the highlights. Goldust vs Del Rio, Fox vs Paige (who used a Cradle DDT as a finisher) and Sheamus vs Bray all looked like good matches. Plus the announce team (Phillips and Saxton) is better than on the main shows.

[Stennick]

So there is another handicap match involving part of the shield on smackdown can we now agree the handicap match is very lazy booking and uninteresting in the least?

[Rickymex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Stennick" data-cite="Stennick" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So there is another handicap match involving part of the shield on smackdown can we now agree the handicap match is very lazy booking and uninteresting in the least?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> If you're talking about the Dean Ambrose match (spoilers) <span style="color:#FFFFFF;">it's a fatal four way for the US Title</span> (spoiler).</p><p> </p><p> Handicap matches makes sense if you consider that The Shield is facing against Triple H who is the boss. The bad guys would want to get on his good side and he would want to hurt the Shield as much as possible and he can't trust them to be successful in one on one matches. So either gauntlet matches or handicap matches would make the best choice. Plus the smackdown matches don't really mean much since they are either repeats of Raw or testing for future Raw matches.</p>

[Stennick]

I understand it make s sense but the shield being fired and working the indies makes sense because he's the boss. Lots of things make sense that doesn't make tree handicap matches in four shows entertaining. Watt vs. Sheamus on Main Event was a hell of a match. It was good in ring as well.as entertaining and that's their C show that's only seen by a fraction of their audience. So I'm not sure "it's just a smackdown match" is a good answer.

[DaMegaFish]

So I'm definitely enjoying the original shows from the WWE Network. Legends House is more entertaining than I expected, and Wrestlemania Rewind I just think every episode is fantastic. I was particularly thrilled that the most recent episode was Mayweather vs Big Show. It's a match that I think is very very underrated overall, even listing it in my person top 10 for WM matches a while back. I will admit that in that list, I did want to include a celeb involvement type match, but even if I didn't want to do that part, I still think the match holds up very well...both guys really knew the roles they were playing in the match.

[milamber]

<span>http://www.wrestlinglol.com/images/8c25213dc3d844c5215d6ab6f3ceba03.jpg</span><span>http://www.wrestlinglol.com/images/1cac5b83b02dcba4f31a574b2a566ac4.jpg</span><span>http://www.wrestlinglol.com/images/93bd27882877dcf35d03a4341d4fd276.jpg</span><span>http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w18/s1rude/Nos_highlighted_zpse8175371.png</span>

[Mootinie]

<p><img alt="1558505_702767266428997_6598022110317912543_n.jpg" data-src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/1558505_702767266428997_6598022110317912543_n.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="10314773_705942446111479_5703261997127837998_n.jpg" data-src="https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10314773_705942446111479_5703261997127837998_n.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[hellboy2]

<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><img alt="1558505_702767266428997_6598022110317912543_n.jpg" data-src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/1558505_702767266428997_6598022110317912543_n.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <img alt="10314773_705942446111479_5703261997127837998_n.jpg" data-src="https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10314773_705942446111479_5703261997127837998_n.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> that wheel of fortune really made me chuckle, i don't often watch wrestling anymore but i can see what Paul Heymans promos are about</p>

[milamber]

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

<strong>Kidd vs Dallas</strong> - Bo has an awesome new entrance based on his cheesy "Bolieve" promos. Good match won by Kidd. "He's got the Bo world in his hands" chants.</p><p>

<strong>Bayley vs Sasha</strong> - Bayley's entrance now has Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tubemen! Good 1st match in the Womens Championship tournament. Sasha finally beat Bayley with an impressive new finisher (backstabber into a crossface).</p><p>

<strong>Rose vs Burch</strong> - Rose spent most of the match playing to the crowd who love him. The match played out like his other squashes. His new faceplant finisher isn't that much better than his last one. Camacho took out one of his Rosebuds to "Party pooper" chants.</p><p>

<strong>Natalya vs Layla</strong> - The 2nd match in the Womens Championship tournament was sloppy. Layla looked rusty. It was a waste pitting 2 main roster stars against each other.</p><p>

<strong>Grey vs Mojo</strong> - Squash match. I like Mojo as a personality but his moveset is poor. English cut a decent promo on him and they had a short scuffle.</p><p>

<strong>Neville vs Brodus (NXT Championship)</strong> - OK for a big guy vs small guy match. But the No DQ stipulation was wasted. They should have cut one of the squash matches to give them more time.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Verdict:</span></strong> NXT is slowly getting back on track in the lead-up to the Takeover PPV but the roster turnover is hampering their efforts.</p><p> </p><p>

One thing I've noticed is how well they're using the revamped Arena for entrances.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/bo-dallas-bolieve-entrance.png?w=650&h=368</span><span>http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/milamber/ohZrQLP_zpsaa76a1a2.jpg~original</span></p>

[milamber]

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

<strong>Wyatt Family vs Sheamus & The Usos</strong> - Solid physical match but the finish was a little sloppy. The Wyatts roughed up their opponents after winning the match.</p><p>

<strong>RVD vs Swagger</strong> - Short match. Cesaro got involved and RVD pinned Swagger. Cesaro Neutralized RVD.</p><p>

<strong>Truth vs Rusev</strong> - Short DQ match designed to keep Rusev's streak intact while making Woods and Truth look strong as a team. I love Lana! </p><p>

<strong>Bryan & Kane</strong> - Passionate promo from Bryan. Kane's promo was average. He's entered Big Show territory now where he should only be putting over up-and-comers, not main eventing.</p><p>

<strong>Ziggler vs Sandow</strong> - Sandow's Magneto costume now has outside underwear. OK match. Ziggler pinned Sandow after he was blinded by his own cape.</p><p>

<strong>Big E vs Titus</strong> - Solid match. Titus dominated, tossing Big E over the announce table twice, and got DQ'd for beating the crap out of Big E. Big E got payback by roughing up Titus after the match. The timing wasn't good with Big E looking weak heading into Extreme Rules. Speaking of which, BNB should have cut a promo hyping his chances of being the next IC Champ.</p><p>

<strong>Ambrose vs Del Rio vs Axel vs Ryback (US Championship)</strong> - Good match but the other 3 contenders were chosen with minimal build. Not sure about Rybaxel turning on each other unless they're breaking up. Axel needs to use the Perfect Plex as a finisher and it shouldn't be kicked out of in a TV match.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Verdict:</span></strong> Average pre-PPV show.</p>

[Stennick]

Or Axel can figure out who he is like Curt did with being the son of a legend as well. Axel shouldn't do the perfect plex and if he does I'm ok with it being kicked out of because he's a lower card heel. Axel might be the most bland worker on the roster. Solid worker but very dull.

[The Swanton825]

Anyone else like to pretend that Ziggler is Curt's son instead?