WWE/NXT/AEW/NJPW Thread

[Jack Brickman]

Wrestlers always change their minds but I thought he was pretty damn content about fully retiring. I can see him being a special enforcer/referee or a legend surprise rumble entrant for a quick pop. I'd be shocked if he does a singles match.

70k for a Rumble sounds amazing though. I'm guessing Raw and Smackdown split the 30 or less plus a few legends.

I think the thought is that, while he might be totally content with retirement, there's always a number that will bring a guy back for one last match.

 

[DJTJ]

Legit hope we get a women, and cruiser elimination chamber match, because we know we're getting a universal one.

I also heavily expect whoever of Lesnar/Goldberg doesn't win rumble to win EC for the belt.

 

[bigfoot5415]

If HBK gets in the ring vs Styles...I will be at Royal Rumble. I have never attended a major ppv nor have I ever had a desire to. Seeing my two favorites of all time tear down the house would be something beyond a dream for me.

 

[Derek]

Legit hope we get a women, and cruiser elimination chamber match, because we know we're getting a universal one.

I also heavily expect whoever of Lesnar/Goldberg doesn't win rumble to win EC for the belt.

Elimination Chamber is currently listed as a Smackdown show.

Also, you think Lesnar or Goldberg is going to win the Rumble?

 

[DJTJ]

Elimination Chamber is currently listed as a Smackdown show.

Also, you think Lesnar or Goldberg is going to win the Rumble?

I read the complete opposite online, but they must have went opposite.

I fully believe lesnar/Goldberg will win the rumble.

 

[Derek]

I read the complete opposite online, but they must have went opposite.

I fully believe lesnar/Goldberg will win the rumble.

Yeah, first reports when EC was announced had it as Raw, but everything recently has it as Smackdown. Scheduling wise, it should be Smackdown since it'd be their turn in the event order.

I'd be really surprised at this point if Lesnar or Goldberg won the Rumble. I think they end up eliminating each other. Neither one belong near the title right now, and I really think Owens/Balor is our Universal match at WM.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Also, you think Lesnar or Goldberg is going to win the Rumble?

No. I think they are planning to have the two of them rematch at Wrestlemania, and you don't need a title for that to be a big match. My guess is one of two things happens...

1. Lesnar returns the beating he got to Goldberg and just annihilates him to start the Rumble, then is eliminated later when a bunch of guys team up on him.

2. They clash and eliminate each other early, then Brock gets the better of Goldberg and leaves him lying at ringside.

Either way, Brock needs to walk out of it stronger to justify a rematch and I don't think either guy is going to win the Rumble. Hell, I doubt either guy could last the entire Rumble (they are entering at 1 and 2) cardio-wise. Lesnar hasn't had good cardio for years now, and Goldberg hasn't had an actual wrestling match in over a decade (I don't count his minute-long Survivor Series return, as it wasn't anywhere close to a full length PPV match).

The WWE has pretty firmly established Brock as a guy who doesn't need to hold a title to feel important, and so he will probably continue to be held out of the world title picture. Plus, with his schedule, having him hold a world title is kind of pointless since he's never around to promote matches and feuds. I also doubt Goldberg is coming back full-time, so the same rules apply to him.

 

[Derek]

No. I think they are planning to have the two of them rematch at Wrestlemania, and you don't need a title for that to be a big match. My guess is one of two things happens...

1. Lesnar returns the beating he got to Goldberg and just annihilates him to start the Rumble, then is eliminated later when a bunch of guys team up on him.

2. They clash and eliminate each other early, then Brock gets the better of Goldberg and leaves him lying at ringside.

Either way, Brock needs to walk out of it stronger to justify a rematch and I don't think either guy is going to win the Rumble. Hell, I doubt either guy could last the entire Rumble (they are entering at 1 and 2) cardio-wise. Lesnar hasn't had good cardio for years now, and Goldberg hasn't had an actual wrestling match in over a decade (I don't count his minute-long Survivor Series return, as it wasn't anywhere close to a full length PPV match).

The WWE has pretty firmly established Brock as a guy who doesn't need to hold a title to feel important, and so he will probably continue to be held out of the world title picture. Plus, with his schedule, having him hold a world title is kind of pointless since he's never around to promote matches and feuds. I also doubt Goldberg is coming back full-time, so the same rules apply to him.

Oh, I completely agree. I was just trying to clarify what DJTJ was saying. The cardio aspect had definitely occurred to me for each of those guys, and I definitely anticipate them having earlier exits.

 

[Tornicade]

I wouldn't be surprised if Corbin wins the rumble

 

[Jack Brickman]

I wouldn't be surprised if Corbin wins the rumble

I just don't see it, as I think Cena will be going after number 16 for Smackdown against Styles at 'Mania. It's either that or finally doing his long-rumored match with Taker.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Thoughts on the second episode of 205 Live:

• Jack Gallagher is really good, but this feud with Daivari is not.
• That video package for Mustafa Ali actually got me interested in him, so it did its job well.
• I don't want to watch the cruiserweights and see the exact same matches I can see on Raw and Smackdown. These guys need to start working a more lucha style. 205 Live should be the show providing fast-paced, flippy action and fast-paced technical guys.
• Swann and Kendrick have good chemistry together in the ring. It seems they just can't work a bad match with each other. This was a bit too soon for a rematch, mind you, but the match itself was solid and enjoyable.
• Looks like they are teasing a triple threat title match between Swann, Perkins, and Kendrick. I am fine with that, as it mixes things up and could be a great match.
• I like the addition of actual character development. I'm still not sure what the fuck Perkins is supposed to be, but we're seeing some genuine character development with these cruisers, and that was something they weren't getting on Raw. I'm still not quite there with regards to caring about most of them, but that's not unexpected so soon.
• They need to introduce some sort of secondary title to the division both to give guys not in the title hunt something to do and to set the show apart from Raw/Smackdown. Trios titles seems to be a perfect idea given the division.
• All in all, solid week two. I didn't like that two of the matches were repeats from last week, though.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Not 205 Live related, but Mil Muertes throws the best wrestling punch I've ever seen. It just looks like he fucking clocks the guys. I have no idea how he doesn't knock people out with some of these.

 

[Derek]

I just don't see it, as I think Cena will be going after number 16 for Smackdown against Styles at 'Mania. It's either that or finally doing his long-rumored match with Taker.

Yep, Cena/Styles for Wrestlemania is written on the wall. In my opinion, the Rumble winner will either be Cena or Balor, and I'm not sure how ready Balor is to return. The Rumble will be 5 months from the time they said 4-6 months. A returning Balor winning would be a huge pop, and then I assume you'd get a Smackdown Elimination Chamber to determine their #1 contender.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Yep, Cena/Styles for Wrestlemania is written on the wall. In my opinion, the Rumble winner will either be Cena or Balor, and I'm not sure how ready Balor is to return. The Rumble will be 5 months from the time they said 4-6 months. A returning Balor winning would be a huge pop, and then I assume you'd get a Smackdown Elimination Chamber to determine their #1 contender.

I don't think Cena will win, simply because it's something the fans would revolt against. The same goes for Reigns winning. I just can't see them trying that again after the crowd shit so hard on it the last two times. I have to imagine Vince is at least somewhat embarrassed when a PPV ends with a face getting booed out of the building, and the brand split basically gives the WWE the perfect excuse to do a little fan service.

The real question is what happens if Balor isn't ready. I agree he's a top candidate to win the Rumble if he can make it back in time. I also think that Triple H will be pushing for a Balor/Owens match at Wrestlemania given how successful their title program was in NXT. Triple H looks after his guys, and Owens and Balor are definitely two of them.

But if Balor can't get back for the Rumble, maybe they'll finally do some real wish fulfillment and go with Zayn. Yeah, it'd be kind of soon to rehash Zayn/Owens, and they just fought on Raw, but Zayn/Owens at Wrestlemania could lead to their best match ever. You know they'd both go all out to try to steal the show, and Zayn going over at 'Mania in front of a huge smark crowd would be amazing to watch. Him winning the Rumble would undoubtedly get a huge pop too.

Beyond that, not sure where they'd go with either brand. Rollins will likely be feuding with Triple H at Wrestlemania, so he's probably not winning the Rumble. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Triple H returns at the Rumble and causes Rollins to be eliminated (or eliminates him directly), which would only add fuel to their rivalry. He'd be a top candidate otherwise.

The WWE will probably just have Reigns win again though, because Vince hates us.

---

Also, unrelated, but I watched TLC on Sunday night while the girlfriend was over. My favorite part of the night was when they first showed Dean Ambrose and she commented, "He looks like he just crawled out of a sewer." That had me fucking dying because it was so true.

 

[Kizzle]

Not 205 Live related, but Mil Muertes throws the best wrestling punch I've ever seen. It just looks like he fucking clocks the guys. I have no idea how he doesn't knock people out with some of these.

Same about Mil. I thought that too during that match. Also thought about how Brian Cage has more wrestling talent in his pinky finger than Roman Reigns lol Dude pulls out new moves every week.

Came in here to talk about 205 Live. I think Austin Aries is what WWE thought they were getting when they put JBL on commentary.

Divari and Gallaher had a great match and Divari is gonna be a top heel on 205 Live.

Gallaher has something special. He connects with the crowd and wrestles a unique style that ppl won't get tired of. Every match he's had iv loved starting with CWC. Glad the WWE scouting dept found him because iv never heard of him