Pro Wrestling Catch-all

I like him as a part of The Shield. Especially since there's no real leadership in the group so it's not like the Wyatts. He can do whatever he wants and be as crazy as he wants and then the group has to deal with it. Now on the sad day when The Shield is no more, we'll see how much I still like him. But for now, I really like him as the crazy, hot headed friend.

My 2 year old watches the "wessling" as he puts it.

It was mentioned earlier about it being much more PG nowadays which is great. He loves Daniel Bryan and teh other day he was talking with his mother and she said yes to him in answer to a question so he started throwing his hands in the air over and over in the Yes chant and she just looked at him and said what are you doing?

I really like John Cena. He's the modern day Face Hulk Hogan and having a young boy watching the wrestling it's good that there is an uncompromisingly good, good guy. Lots of people get down on him for a number of valid reasons but I'm sure anyone with young children will agree that you need an uncomplicated hero type for the kids who are too young for more nuanced shades of gray in their storylines.

I always loved Ambrose on the indies as Jon Moxley. Much like Piper back in the day he was a good but eccentric talker who always managed to bite off just a bit more than he could chew and I loved the character.

NXT Arrival is tonight and I'm pretty excited. Anyone else watching live on the network?

I wish. Maybe I can watch a replay at my neighbors.

Had unexpected company and missed the main event. However, Cesaro/Zayn and Paige/Emma were both really good to amazing matches. The NXT crowd chanting "Better than Batista" during the divas match really had me laughing as well.

For some reason I thought there was one more regular episode of NXT left, but I guess last week's was it. Was Arrival any longer than a regular show? Or still only an hour?

Yes! They're still adding NXT to Hulu. Can't wait to watch it later tonight.

New PowerBombcast is up, for those of you interested.

McChuck wrote:

Yes! They're still adding NXT to Hulu. Can't wait to watch it later tonight.

Not the NXT Arrival live event though.

And that is totally worth the effort in finding a way to watch:
- Sami Zayn vs Cesaro part 4 and the end of that feud
- Paige vs Emma for the NXT Women's Title, outstanding match and listen for the crowd
- Bo Dallas vs Adrian Nevile for the NXT Championship in the first ever NXT Ladder match, very well paced; not a mindless spotfest.

And if you can find the pre-show to NXT Arrival as well, it's worth a listen for a very funny interruption which seems to mean that The Shield vs The Wyatt Family feud is far from over. As a bonus is Kevin Nash taking a huge piss on himself regarding his range as a wrestler.

Falchion wrote:
McChuck wrote:

Yes! They're still adding NXT to Hulu. Can't wait to watch it later tonight.

Not the NXT Arrival live event though.

And that is totally worth the effort in finding a way to watch:
- Sami Zayn vs Cesaro part 4 and the end of that feud
- Paige vs Emma for the NXT Women's Title, outstanding match and listen for the crowd
- Bo Dallas vs Adrian Nevile for the NXT Championship in the first ever NXT Ladder match, very well paced; not a mindless spotfest.

And if you can find the pre-show to NXT Arrival as well, it's worth a listen for a very funny interruption which seems to mean that The Shield vs The Wyatt Family feud is far from over. As a bonus is Kevin Nash taking a huge piss on himself regarding his range as a wrestler.

Yah, they continued the fued betweeen Shield/Wyatts last night in Smackdown, they will have a rematch at Monday Night Raw this Monday.

Falchion wrote:
McChuck wrote:

Yes! They're still adding NXT to Hulu. Can't wait to watch it later tonight.

Not the NXT Arrival live event though.

It's on there. What's weird is that it's not in the episode listing but is under Clips. It's a 2 hour clip. Strange.

Anyway, I watched the first match before going to bed last night. It was amazing. Can't wait to watch the rest.

Falchion wrote:

- Sami Zayn vs Cesaro part 4 and the end of that feud

What a match! And that one count! Hugs for everyone!

Falchion wrote:

- Paige vs Emma for the NXT Women's Title, outstanding match and listen for the crowd

"Better than Batista!" Get one of these ladies wrestling AJ at Wrestlemania, please. And keep them off Total Divas. Maybe a title vs. title thing with Paige and AJ. It'd be the battle of crazy looking submission finishers. Any idea what that last move Paige did was called? Bend a paige corner, perhaps? Also, hugs for everyone!

trueheart78 wrote:

New PowerBombcast is up, for those of you interested.

It's also free, no subscription required this go around.

McChuck wrote:
Falchion wrote:

- Sami Zayn vs Cesaro part 4 and the end of that feud

What a match! And that one count! Hugs for everyone!

Falchion wrote:

- Paige vs Emma for the NXT Women's Title, outstanding match and listen for the crowd

"Better than Batista!" Get one of these ladies wrestling AJ at Wrestlemania, please. And keep them off Total Divas. Maybe a title vs. title thing with Paige and AJ. It'd be the battle of crazy looking submission finishers. Any idea what that last move Paige did was called? Bend a paige corner, perhaps? Also, hugs for everyone!

The effort made in in-ring storytelling was off the charts in both those matches. The kick out at 1 by Sami was masterfully timed. Cena needs to learn from him to improve his art of the "comeback face" and not blindly follow Hogan's take on it.

Paige flipping out was also a masterstroke: "kicked out of my finisher? Ok ok I got this, welcome to the next level Emma!"

I swear I could hear the gears spinning as William Regal tried to remember the name for that submission before he correctly called it a "Scorpion Crosslock". That's such a bad ass name I don't think Paige needs to change it.

Paige has actually used it before in NXT where it was called the Rampaige.

EDIT: That's actually a different submission she used to do. Memory fails me sometimes.

I wonder if people are still in the arena this morning, refusing to go home, waiting for CM Punk to come back.

Tired of the authority and what they are doing to Daniel Bryan. Tired of the hamhanded writing for Triple H and Stephanie. Or maybe those two just can't act and I'm tired of that....

Spoiler:

Seems like they are also trying to break up alot of groups, like the Real Americans, and The shield. Though I missed most of the Shield/Wyatts rematch, so don't know why Seth Rollings was walking out on the team. I am also bummed I missed the Usos getting the tag team belts.

When it ended on a shot of Bryan laying in the middle of the ring with The Authority standing over him I asked, "Is this a rerun from Fall? Or Summer?" However, I did like what Stephanie had to say about how Bryan would have no fans chanting, "Yes!" if they hadn't built an empire he could showcase his talents in. A fairly valid point.

Rollins walked out because Ambrose went nuts again so Reigns was butting heads with him a bit. Rollins said he was tired of trying to keep those two under control or something like that.

Also this?

Aaaaaaaalright! Sunday's the day. Wrestlemania 30. How do you think it's going to go?

Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H, Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. TBD

Screw it. My hopes are up and prepared to be dashed. I say Bryan wins it all!

Taker vs. Lesnar

The Streak continues but maybe Lesnar will try the Shooting Star Press again as a last ditch effort to win.

Cena vs. Bray

I feel like Cena will win but not sure where Cena or Bray go afterwards if that happens. Maybe SummerSlam rematch between him and Bryan.

Four Way Tag Team Match

Yet another tag championship match as pre-show. Lame. Usos retain.

The Shield vs. Kane & Old Age Outlaws

Believe in The Shield. I hope they destroy the Outlaws and they're off the air permanently.

Divas Championship Invitational

Don't care unless Paige is a surprise entrant and makes AJ tap out with the Scorpion Crosslock.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

No clue. Not even sure who's all in it other than all those guys that ran out during Piper's Pit. I doubt it'll be anyone in 3MB. Maybe Punk will return? I don't know. There's gotta be at least one surprise return or debut, right?

Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H, Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. TBD

Dream scenario #1: Bryan and Trips ends in a double pin, both men added to main event. Bryan beats 3/4s of Evolution in one match to win title. Next night on Raw he's attacked by clean cut corporate CM Punk.
Dream scenario #2: Trips crushes everyone to carry on his fantastic heel work forever.
Realistic scenario: Bryan wins it all, has dumb angles after the win and thus low buyrates, ten more years til a small worker guy wins the belt.

Taker vs. Lesnar

Taker isn't losing at Mania unless it can make someone. Maybe a year or two he'll lose to Wyatt or Reigns or something, but not to a guy who isn't full time and doesn't need it.

Cena vs. Bray

Bray needs to win this. Either the match itself, or have Cena need to do something really dastardly to win. Have him do whatever it is, look remorseful for a second then go "Screw it, I'm the best." Cena turns into a cunning veteran heel who lariats people to death and Bray can be "Look, I was right all along."

Four Way Tag Team Match

So sad that Cesaro is on the pre-show. Put it on the Real Americans and let them kill people for the next 6 months until it is time for Cesaro in the main event.

The Shield vs. Kane & Old Age Outlaws

Shield by a landslide.

Divas Championship Invitational

I fell asleep just thinking about this.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Is there any way Big Show doesn't win this?

Let's mix in some predictions with some fantasy booking, shall we?

Four Way Tag Team Match - What a waste. I'm guessing that they're going to let the Real Americans' off-and-on tensions simmer a bit more by having them win over the Usos here, then having them lose the belts down the road to trigger the break up.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal - My guess is that we'd see a final four of Christian, The Miz, Sheamus, and a face cameo of some kind (Rob Van Dam?), with Sheamus walking away with it. Hogan gets involved here somehow, probably to help take out The Miz. I also wouldn't be surprised if they used this to springboard Rusev into a feud with the Big Show by eliminating him.

Divas Championship Invitational - They've been teasing AJ's loss too heavily for it to actually happen, so I'll say that she retains after Tamina tries to blast AJ and hits Natalya instead. AJ pins Natalya, setting up a triple threat for the next PPV.

The Shield vs. Kane & Old Age Outlaws - I'm actually banking on a Shield betrayal here, with Dean Ambrose turning corporate. Rollins and Reigns still put up a valiant fight to put them over, but they end up losing to the numbers game here. Ambrose cuts a promo after the match on why he's bitter at being overtaken as the leader of the Shield by Rollins.

Backstage, Cena takes out both of the other Wyatts to ensure that his upcoming match with Bray is one-on-one.

Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan - A long, drawn out war where Triple H throttles Bryan for 20+ minutes, but just can't put him away. Eventually, Stephanie gets impatient and calls for the bell (in a call back to Montreal), which leads to an argument backstage. Triple H is ticked off at Stephanie, tells her that he wants to do this his way and then books himself and Bryan into the main, turning it into a Fatal Four Way.

Taker vs. Lesnar - Undertaker wins this one clean and sends Paul Heyman out on a stretcher with a bonus Tombstone after the match.

Backstage, Brie Bella (Bryan's real-life fiancee) tends to Bryan's injuries while another superstar cameo (Piper? Bret Hart?) gives Bryan a pep talk.

John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt - I think they're going to flirt with a Bret/Austin WM13 situation here, with Bray finally getting in Cena's head so badly that he finally snaps and ends up earning a DQ by beating Bray to a pulp (probably with Bray laughing the whole time, just to up the creepy factor). Officials run in to try and stop Cena and get blasted, then Hogan runs in to try and talk him down. Cena decks Hogan, realizes what he's done, then leaves the ring in a daze. The other Wyatts come to help Bray out of the ring.

Backstage, Stephanie appeals to Vince to have him step in and talk some sense into her husband.

Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H - This one will be an absolute circus. Vince and Stephanie come down a little bit later in the match to keep Bryan from winning at the match. Brie Bella comes out to get some revenge on Stephanie and when Vince gets protective, another superstar cameo (almost certainly Steve Austin) comes down to take him out. After a whirlwind match, Bryan finally pins Triple H to win the championship. Orton, Bautista, Triple H and the McMahons argue all the way to the back, leaving Bryan, Brie, and a full complement of WWE superstars and cameos to recreate the celebration at the end of Wrestlemania X.

Ooh. I like what you guys are talking about. Either justinbot's Dream Scenario #1 or Oz's w/Stone Cold.

I liked Cena's promo on Monday so I don't know about a full turn but I liked that side of him. Bray laughing while getting the sh*t kicked out him would definitely be a thing to see.

Did anyone else think the Tripl H video package from Monday night was one of the best things the WWE has done in a while? It was masterfully done heel work.

Four Way Tag Team Match - Would love to see the USO's hang onto it.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal - The Big Show is my bet.

Divas Championship Invitational - Just don't care.

The Shield vs. Kane & Old Age Outlaws - The shield has become my favorite group, and my thought is they will win Sunday. The Outlaws need to go away, no longer relavent and super annoying.

Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan - Daniel Bryan. So sick of Triple H and Stephanie. I absolutely loved Daniel Bryan's appearance on Monday Night!

Taker vs. Lesnar - Undertaker's streak will remain unbroken. This will be the last time we see Lesner in any of the shows.

John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt - Hard to call on this. Sooo many fans hate Cena, and the Wyatts have been bringing a bit of darker edge back to the show.

Randy Orton vs. Batista vs. Daniel Bryan - Bryan will get an advantage and begin pinning Orton or Batista and Triple H pissed off at losing to Bryan will jump in and stop Bryan from winning and Orton or Batista will get the belt.

Probably won't get to see it unless I cave and sign up for the network this weekend....

Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H

Triple H is working the corporate heel bit to a T. However, he also knows very well what is good for business, and he knows that he can't keep on destroying Bryan forever without them starting to lose audience. As such, it will start out with Bryan doing good, followed by a beatdown of Bryan by HHH, and then end up with Bryan completely destroying HHH (focussing on the arm that has been "brokwn" twice by Brock), followed by him applying the Yes Lock and winning. I see this being possibly turned into a no-holds barred match, allowing HHH to be placed on the shelf for an extended period of time.

Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton vs. Batista

They know that Batista is hated by the audience. Not in heel heat, but actual hatred for him being parachuted in. Plus, with CM Punk gone, they need someone else at the top to keep the smarks interested. I see Bryan getting destroyed by Orton and Batista and getting thrown out of the ring, followed by Orton and Batista having a decent match, whereupon Bryan comes in and steals a win. Note that I think that they need to have Bryan win so that they can get a lot of people picking up the WWE Network to catch the replay for free.

Taker vs. Lesnar

As mentioned above, the only way Taker loses at WM is if he is going to put someone over bigtime. If CM Punk was still there, I could see him beating Taker to put him way up there. However, Lesnar is only part-time, and they need to have whoever beats Taker be a full-time wrestler. I see this as being a typical big-man match.

Cena vs. Bray

Bray is good, and beating Cena is a way for him to be really put over. If they really want him to go over big as a heel, Bray beats Cena in the middle of the ring after him getting completely destroyed by the rest of the family. Doing so puts Bray in the top of the heel ranks, and Cena really won't ever drop. I also allow for the possibility of a DQ by Cena as he goes too far and doesn't let go of the STF after Bray really messes with his mind. Perhaps by having, during the match, a bunch of people come out around the ring in sheep masks.

Four Way Tag Team Match

Real Americans. Cesaro is ready for a push to upper mid-tier. Getting the tag straps and then having them dominate would do good, followed by an eventual (in the fall) splitup of the Real Americans.

The Shield vs. Kane & Old Age Outlaws

The Shield wins this. However, I think that the WWE will screw up and have this be the start of a breakup of The Shield. The Shield has the possibility to go long as they are. Similar to how the Hart Foundation worked for a long time, as well as the Four Horseman. Just allow them to freelance a little bit in singles as well.

Divas Championship Invitational

Don't care.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

The big russian guy wins by dumping The Big Show to get a big man vs big man feud going on.

I don't know that Cena even has to do a complete turn to make that scenario work. He could very easily come out on Raw the next day, acknowledge that he lost control, and apologize in a half-hearted attempt to still be a hero (which would play perfectly to his usual 50/50 split reaction). That would set Bray Wyatt up perfectly to cut a month's worth of mind-bending promos on the power of temptation and whatnot.

The next post-WM event is Extreme Rules, so a Cena/Bray rematch where Bray is constantly goading Cena into "destroying his own legacy" through the temptation of extreme violence wouldn't be the worst thing: the feud still has plenty of juice for both participants and a Bray win (perhaps with the help of the other Wyatts) sets the program up for even more mileage over the next few months.

thejustinbot wrote:

Did anyone else think the Tripl H video package from Monday night was one of the best things the WWE has done in a while? It was masterfully done heel work.

I thought the promo that preceded it was actually a lot better, since it was a much more direct attack on the fans that reiterated some of HHH's better talking points as a heel (trashing this generation, sarcastic mockery of other wrestlers).

The video, on the other hand, was such a painstakingly compiled list of the big names that Triple H has buried at Wrestlemania that it almost seemed too meta and too self-conscious. For me, the video really reinforced that Bryan will go over at Wrestlemania because it revealed that Triple H was self-aware enough to make it.

The only scenario where Triple H buries Bryan at Wrestlemania after that video is if he's even more delusional than internet fans have feared for years...and, though I'm hardly a fan of HHH (his interminable run on top is one of the reasons I stopped watching years ago), I can't imagine his head being that far up his own rectum.

I can't think of anyone currently wrestling that I care to see win the trophy. So, unless it's a surprise entrant (one of my favorite parts of battle royales), I'd be cool with Remote Controlled Rusev tossing Big Show out for the win.

Both the in-ring promo by HHH and the video package were great. He and Steph have been on fire building up to Sunday. For a while there, they weren't totally heel and it was annoying. And Bryan's attack was great. Hunter bumped like he was Seth Rollins.

Getting so pumped for Sunday!