WWE/NXT/AEW/NJPW Thread

[Real Deal]

Here's the real question, if Lesnar - Goldberg - Taker - James Ellsworth are the last 4 competitors would u continue to watch and subscribe to WM?

I'd come here laughing if this was to happen.

I like the legends, but I don't want them winning a rumble, Batista made me hate that idea.

 

[Jack Brickman]

This is silly. The last couple weeks they haven't even been around. If you look at any of the Raw's before a major PPV with a past/PT star, they always bring in someone to build it up. This is no different. If this really bugs you I'd advise to stop watching till May, this is WM season and its all about the history of the company.

And that's a short-sighted way to look at the company, in my opinion. You should be using famous part-timers and legends to get over a new generation of stars, not using them as the sole means of promoting an event. What are they going to do in ten years when they have almost no stars capable of coming back to sell major events? What are they going to do in twenty when they have none at all?

And for the record, I don't have a problem with the WWE using part-timers to sell events or feuds. What I have a problem with is them ending the go-home show for a major PPV with three part-timers staring each other down. It might have provided a cool moment, but ultimately we will only see these guys a handful of times between now and Wrestlemania and the cool moment will ultimately be at the expense of the guys who have to show up and punch the clock every single week.

 

[Kizzle]

Here's the real question, if Lesnar - Goldberg - Taker - James Ellsworth are the last 4 competitors would u continue to watch and subscribe to WM?

I'd come here laughing if this was to happen.

I like the legends, but I don't want them winning a rumble, Batista made me hate that idea.

Nothing will probably ever make me quit my subscription but with the current state of WWE I can see why a lot of ppl are

 

[Jack Brickman]

Nothing will probably ever make me quit my subscription but with the current state of WWE I can see why a lot of ppl are

I keep getting offers for free months of the WWE Network, probably since I've used multiple email addresses in the past to sign up. They sent me an offer for a free December/January package that included both January PPVs and the Rumble, so I happily accepted that. Then, a week or so ago, I got a Road to Wrestlemania package offer that includes the Rumble and everything between that and Wrestlemania, although 'Mania itself is not included. Naturally, I accepted that on a different account and canceled the old one.

I guess I won't be paying for another month of the Network until Wrestlemania.

 

[Kizzle]

Just heard an interesting thing to think about. Usually Babyfaces are CHASING heels' titles. When that face wins a lot of the times the reign is short and sweet. But heels are usually the ones holding belts for up to a year at a time. Look at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. It's last few long reigning owners were AJ, Rollins, and Lesnar. Going back further HHH, Randy Orton, Edge when he was Rated R, Jericho, Sheamus. Despite a few outliers of amazing faces who somehow managed to keep their interest up like Austin and Shawn Michaels and Cena(?) it seems as if heels hold the belt the longest and actually drive the company and babyfaces are really there to switch things around and hold belts when the heels get stale or boring. Because there's money in a heel chasing the belt as well.

With all that said do you guys think that all along the WWE should've been trying to find the next mega heel like HHH instead of the next Cena or Daniel Bryan?

 

[JDailey23]

Just heard an interesting thing to think about. Usually Babyfaces are CHASING heels' titles. When that face wins a lot of the times the reign is short and sweet. But heels are usually the ones holding belts for up to a year at a time. Look at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. It's last few long reigning owners were AJ, Rollins, and Lesnar. Going back further HHH, Randy Orton, Edge when he was Rated R, Jericho, Sheamus. Despite a few outliers of amazing faces who somehow managed to keep their interest up like Austin and Shawn Michaels and Cena(?) it seems as if heels hold the belt the longest and actually drive the company and babyfaces are really there to switch things around and hold belts when the heels get stale or boring. Because there's money in a heel chasing the belt as well.

With all that said do you guys think that all along the WWE should've been trying to find the next mega heel like HHH instead of the next Cena or Daniel Bryan?

Absolutely!
This is where WWE screwed up with Reigns. Everyone hates him because he's being forced down our throats. He seems to not mind the boos, switch him heel if they want the belt on him, it would probably work.

 

[Bill Walton.]

I honestly hope those three just end up fighting a triple threat at WM.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Just heard an interesting thing to think about. Usually Babyfaces are CHASING heels' titles. When that face wins a lot of the times the reign is short and sweet. But heels are usually the ones holding belts for up to a year at a time. Look at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. It's last few long reigning owners were AJ, Rollins, and Lesnar. Going back further HHH, Randy Orton, Edge when he was Rated R, Jericho, Sheamus. Despite a few outliers of amazing faces who somehow managed to keep their interest up like Austin and Shawn Michaels and Cena(?) it seems as if heels hold the belt the longest and actually drive the company and babyfaces are really there to switch things around and hold belts when the heels get stale or boring. Because there's money in a heel chasing the belt as well.

With all that said do you guys think that all along the WWE should've been trying to find the next mega heel like HHH instead of the next Cena or Daniel Bryan?

There's always more money in the chase and the big victory than there is in a face champ reigning forever. When a face champ reigns for a long time it gets super boring. This is why people got so sick of Cena over the years, and why they've soured on Reigns so quickly.

No one wants a dominant face that wins all his battles with ease. A hero is only as good as his villains, and so you need powerful heels in order to have truly great faces. As much as people hate Triple H, he had a symbiotic relationship with a lot of faces over the years where both benefited. He and Mick Foley basically made each other. He buried his fair share of guys as well, and frequently went over when he probably shouldn't have, but having a heel who was actually a credible threat to win all of his matches made a big difference.

Personally, I think the WWE should be focused on building both heels and faces, not just one or the other. Vince seems to want to put everything behind Roman Reigns, and I think that's a huge mistake because, quite simply, Reigns isn't Cena. Cena has charisma and can cut a promo, even if his promos often bury the guys he's working with. He did that to AJ Styles earlier tonight on Smackdown, acting like he wasn't even a credible threat despite the fact that Styles beat him clean to end their feud a few months ago. Still, unlike Reigns he can pick up a mic and talk for five minutes without it turning into a disaster.

The real babyface the company should be working toward building up is Sami Zayn. Dude could be fire for them if they booked him right. He should have been the guy to give Strowman his first loss. Instead, we're probably going to end up getting the "Vince's Wet Dream" match at Wrestlemania where face Roman Reigns defends the Universal Title against heel Braun Strowman in yet another misguided attempt to get the audience to cheer for Reigns, while the Zayn/Strowman rivalry is totally forgotten.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Hey, hey, it's NXT Takeover: San Antonio preview time!

Roderick Strong Vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas
Almas has actually been somewhat entertaining during his heel turn, as it looks like he's channeling his Los Ingobernables roots. Still, it's hard for me to see Strong losing in his first major match. I'm not a huge fan of Strong, simply because he's hot garbage on the mic which limits his ceiling, but he's a good in-ring guy and this could certainly be a good match.
Winner: Roderick Strong

---

Tye Dillinger Vs. Eric Young
This is a tough one to call. I personally think Dillinger is ready for a serious push, either in NXT or on the main roster. He's gotten himself over in a big way, is a likable face, and has a fantastic chant that audiences have embraced. He should have a rocket strapped to him and they should see if he can handle a main event. That said, I think Dillinger may also be a main roster candidate, and I think that, if there's a god, he'll debut at number ten in the Royal Rumble. But, if he's main roster bound, he also has to lose this match, so I'm going with Eric Young. I think Young has a future as NXT champion, and I think they specifically signed him to beef up NXT cards for house shows (although he will likely end up on the main roster eventually).
Winner: Eric Young

---

NXT Tag Team Championship Match - DIY (c) Vs. The Authors of Pain
I don't really know what to think of the Authors of Pain. I can't really think of a match by them that's been particularly memorable, and so I worry that this match may not deliver, especially given some of the classic tag team matches the past few Takeovers have given us. Still, DIY is a great team featuring two incredibly talented in-ring guys, so that gives me hope that this can outperform my somewhat low expectations. I can't remember the last bad DIY match I've seen. This is hard to call, because for all I know, DIY could be main roster bound. Smackdown in particular could use a bit of a boost with Ryder sidelined. Assuming that DIY is staying in NXT, I think they take this match and continue to feud with AOP for a while longer.
Winner: DIY

---

NXT Women's Championship Match: Asuka (c) Vs. Nikki Cross Vs. Billie Kay Vs. Peyton Royce
A fatal four way is a pretty perfect opportunity for NXT to take the title off of Asuka without having her actually lose, and I think they'll use it in exactly that manner. Asuka should be on the main roster. She's just too good and deserves one of the women's championships on either Raw or Smackdown. While I like both Kay and Royce, I'm not sure either of them is really ready for a title run, and the booking of the title has generally avoided the girls who aren't ready. I think Cross takes this one and then goes on to feud with Ember Moon eventually. Of course, they could just keep the belt on Asuka until Ember Moon takes it from her, but I think Cross is good enough and ready enough to hold the belt for a while.
Winner: Nikki Cross

---

NXT Championship Match - Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. Bobby Roode
If nothing else, this match should give us two unforgettable entrances. The actual match is less certain. Nakamura put on a MOTY candidate back at Takeover: Dallas, but he hasn't put on a classic since then. Roode, similarly, has been good but not great so far in NXT> There's a lot of potential in this one, but it's hard to know exactly what it will deliver. I do think they keep the belt on Nakamura, though, at least for one more Takeover. Personally, I think he drops the title to Chris Hero in the dream match we all deserve.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

---

All in all, this is a solid card. It's not as good as the last Takeover card on paper, but it's been a long while since we've had a bad Takeover, so I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Tornicade]

Wonder why Goldbergs head was bleeding. did he cut himself shaving or did the pyrotechnics get him.

I am wondering if Rollins interferes in the Rumble and helps soeone win who Triple HHH would eb annoyed at getting a shot at the championship.
More Likely Rollins will show up jut as Owens is about to Win and do his Own version of Triple HHH.

WWE should do the unexpected and keep Owens and Aj styles as their titleholders. It would be far more interesting to See Cena lose and have to reastalish himself as a contender or win the rumble.

hopefully when number thirty coes out they have as many people out there as possible. even f it means 6-8 guys fighting outside the ring for a bit.


Big show looked I the ebst shape he has been in a long time.. the special event status should be good for him over the next couple years.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Wonder why Goldbergs head was bleeding. did he cut himself shaving or did the pyrotechnics get him.

He headbutted a door backstage during his entrance.

 

[Bill Walton.]

Wonder why Goldbergs head was bleeding. did he cut himself shaving or did the pyrotechnics get him.

I am wondering if Rollins interferes in the Rumble and helps soeone win who Triple HHH would eb annoyed at getting a shot at the championship.
More Likely Rollins will show up jut as Owens is about to Win and do his Own version of Triple HHH.

WWE should do the unexpected and keep Owens and Aj styles as their titleholders. It would be far more interesting to See Cena lose and have to reastalish himself as a contender or win the rumble.

hopefully when number thirty coes out they have as many people out there as possible. even f it means 6-8 guys fighting outside the ring for a bit.


Big show looked I the ebst shape he has been in a long time.. the special event status should be good for him over the next couple years.

I'd bet Rollins is still in the rumble. Foley promised answers and I have a feeling Rollins finds his way into the rumble.. At #1

 

[Derek]

There's no way Samoa Joe doesn't play some sort of role on Sunday, and that alone has me pumped for the Rumble.

 

[Real Deal]

Stone Cold is still pretty damn good. I'd give my left nut to see him in one of these roles. (Taker, Goldberg, Lesnar)

WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin recently spoke with Scott Fishman of TV Insider to discuss the WWE Royal Rumble and more.

On Sunday's Royal Rumble match:

"It will be interesting to see what they do with [Bill] Goldberg and Brock [Lesnar]. You are expecting they are meeting at WrestleMania for another match, but they do have to do epically well in this because of the physicality of both guys. They just brought Undertaker back. He has to be a force in there. Braun Strowman is a physical guy in there. He has to be strong and eliminate a decent amount of guys, but is he ready for a main event slot at WrestleMania? I don't know. There are so many things to consider when I look at this; I'm not even going to try and book it. I'm just looking forward to watching it.

"…They are relying on the established stars to help out with their experience. I think it's more than nostalgia. There are these guys who have been there, done it over and over. People still want to see them, but the fact they are this veteran presence and super well-known. Most of that roster is not over to the degree a lot of the current guys are. So blend them in there and let those young guys get the rub, do well, because they are the future. The nostalgic guys bring that older and hardcore fanbase because most of those guys were from the 'Attitude Era.' They are drawing any way they can to sell tickets and put asses in those seats."

 

[Jack Brickman]

So apparently on Smackdown Live this little graphic popped up and may reveal a surprise entrant into the Royal Rumble, if real.

If you look carefully, the one name that stands out there as someone who isn't currently employed by the WWE is none other than Zack Sabre Jr. If this leads to Sabre appearing on 205 Live as a WWE regular, I am all for it.