I wish nxt was an actual proper show rather than what feels like a mish mash of matches cobbled over a few days.

XOMuggins wrote:

NXT is an old school wrestling show. The storytelling is done in the ring, which is ideally where everything important happens. They don't need to have promos that tell the story: the wrestling does that.

But I like the promos.

For me NXT is always a reliable PPV event on  the mania weekend, but I'm never bothered to watch it for the month that I have the network. Still, it has more appeal than 205 live so that's something.

XOMuggins wrote:

Man, it isn't just a reliable PPV, it's fucking astonishingly good. Did you see the Gargano main event? That is some Ric Flair/Steamboat level stuff right there. I could write 10,000 words about how good the Bayley/Sasha Banks feud was.

See the problem I have here is that Nxt is, no doubt, exceptional high on work rate. There is some stunning in ring work (almost too much for my taste). But the same can be said for NJPW, RoH, and many other indies in the US. Wrestling standards have never been higher. We're past the horrible garbage scene of the late 90s and now there are amazing matches to be found all over the internet. So while NxT keeps that standard high, it's not enough to make me take real notice. 

I agree that Johnny wrestling has huge potential as a babyface (and his opponent in that match looks proper heel) but at the same time, he could also end up being the next Paul London, especially while Vince is the gate keeper. I looked at Ricochet and thought that there was a guy who could be a top, top guy with his charisma alone but he is small and fact is, Vince doesn't go for small too often. It takes really exceptional charisma for someone to make it big in the fed while being small. Daniel Brian is one who bucked the trend but not many really hit main event level. Even Mysterio couldn't crack that (and while he was given a shit title run, I never saw him as a guy who could headline)

While we are getting huge amounts of top workers (as you said, awesome roster) we are not getting too many potential hogans, austins or rocks coming through. And I think wrestling needs that as much as the technical stuff. I know many here disagreed with me but the previous manias best match was Brock v Goldberg IMO. Only 3 moves but it was super intense and the crowd was hot. Seth Rollins could work rings around both those guys but he never gets the heat he needs to really main event. And as I said, if every fed out there has steller work, what you need to set the real stars apart is the charisma and the ability to connect not just with the very forgiving Nxt crowd (very similar to the ecw situation) but also the average fan who doesn't follow things to such a degree. Its the wrestler who grabs those fans who will be the real next big thing. Hogan had it, as did Austin. I never felt Cena managed it myself. Reigns is nowhere near that reaction (despite being a much better worker than he gets credit for)

For me the guys who I think could break out are Samoa Joe (at least as the heel who the face has to beat) Daniel Bryan (his monster video promo for mania a few years back was epic), Charlotte ( as a female undertaker in terms of just pure respect) and Braun Stromon. From Nxt, I saw a lot of great workers but not many who I think can transcend. I thought Adam Cole had huge potential, Johnny Gargona certainly deserves a push but the 2 guys who were wrestling for the nxt title were forgettable. 

To really crack the scene at the moment I think you need guys who can wrestler a good match, not necessarily 5 star all the time, but more importantly can get the fans to, just for a second, believe. And the really good ones break through the wrestling scene and become bigger still (Hogan, Austin, Savage, Rock)

IMO of course.

it does surprise me that strowman is basically invincible but hasn't had a proper title shot yet. He's also popular so why not give him the belt and then give reigns a fighting chance at getting it or for joe to slap on the clutch for a random win now and again. 

It's just a bit shit that brock barely turns up. That's not really in the fans interests. 

There's quite a few big guys on the roster and it's getting bigger. I like that it's kind turning into gladiators. 

I'd like to see Dolph turn more technical like mr perfect or ravishing rude. I'd also like to see more work off the turnbuckle but the 205 and womens divisions scratch that itch. 

Big Cass is back, thoughts?

RedDave2 wrote:

Final thoughts on the greatest rumble - I think it's actually terrible that they agreed to do a no woman card as a ppv. I know that its not the WWE that makes the law but I dont care. They could have done this stadium show anywhere in europe if they wanted. The 2 best matches at mania this year involved women and its a huge finger to the performers who have pushed themselves to get womens wrestling over.

Aye, it both farcical and shameful. All about bending over and taking the Saudi money this one. 

Entire card has clearly been bought and paid for. Expect any title upsets to be instantly reset at Raw/Smackdown days later.

Terrible decision when you consider the women's matches have been head and shoulders the best things on all the pay per views in the last year or so.

g.man wrote:

Terrible decision when you consider the women's matches have been head and shoulders the best things on all the pay per views in the last year or so.

Yep, and quite possibly for even longer than that. Sasha Banks vs Bayley Ironman match is pretty much my favourite of all time. There was so much emotion and meaning, up there with HBK vs Flair, for me.

Ironman match you say?

#timesup XOMuggins!

Diluted Dante wrote:

WWE ummed and ahhed about what to call it, and went with Ironman in the end so there is no differentiation.

Really? Well fair enough so. Seems an easy fix - iron woman match.

XOMuggins wrote:

That's what they called it, so that's what I called it.

And you were right.

Apparently Sami Zayn wasn't in the rumble because he's of Syrian descent... seriously. This is some fucked up shit.

this thread needs more titus falling meme's

why was the crowd leaving during reigns and joe? 

Pleased for Carmella. 

Strowman is gonna be in a ladder match  jeepers! 

I've signed up to the WWE network. I'm going right back to the beginning and will watch the PPV's year by year. Currently half way through WM1. Not sure if i've actually seen this before. Some of it is hilarious. Gorilla did pre-recorded interviews. One person is slagging off the other, is literally still in shot as they're walking off when the guy they were slagging off walks in as if they've not seen them and as if they don't know where they are and does their promo lol. 

Also amazing how close everyone is to the edge of the ring. At what point are the crowd pushed back a couple of meters? 

Favourite quote so far is by Jesse the body Ventura. The Mouth of the South is on the apron and JYD grabs hold of him. Jesse says "Jimmy weighs, what? 140lbs.. with a wet tux (tuxido), he must've been scared for his life"  

Also alot more moves in this, atomic drops, back body drops bulldogs. How come they don't use these moves anymore? 

Also "solar plexus" lol, why do commentators never say that anymore. Just abdomen?

Is it the ESPN one?

mk64 wrote:

why was the crowd leaving during reigns and joe? 

Pleased for Carmella. 

Strowman is gonna be in a ladder match  jeepers! 

I've signed up to the WWE network. I'm going right back to the beginning and will watch the PPV's year by year. Currently half way through WM1. Not sure if i've actually seen this before. Some of it is hilarious. Gorilla did pre-recorded interviews. One person is slagging off the other, is literally still in shot as they're walking off when the guy they were slagging off walks in as if they've not seen them and as if they don't know where they are and does their promo lol. 

Also amazing how close everyone is to the edge of the ring. At what point are the crowd pushed back a couple of meters? 

Favourite quote so far is by Jesse the body Ventura. The Mouth of the South is on the apron and JYD grabs hold of him. Jesse says "Jimmy weighs, what? 140lbs.. with a wet tux (tuxido), he must've been scared for his life"  

Also alot more moves in this, atomic drops, back body drops bulldogs. How come they don't use these moves anymore? 

Also "solar plexus" lol, why do commentators never say that anymore. Just abdomen?

The reigns thing is seen to be a protest over his continued push as a face. I feel bad for the guy, I think he's a good talent but the company is just not paying attention to the reaction.

As for early ppv, be warned some are very hard to watch (mania 4 is the worst for me,) but on the plus side Jessie Ventura is pure gold during his run as colour. Genuine classic stuff. My own favourite is from a match between Rick rude and steamboat. Something like "look how great rick rude is, he reminds me of me"

What's great about Ventura is that while he is always pro heel , he always backs it up with logic. He was so consistent and quick