The Official WWE Thread

[Dim]

Yaaaa that Cody Rhodes and Rock promo was the oddest "Rock Promo" I've seen yet. Like I can see where they're going with it.... Rock asks Rhodes to be his guy like Rollins became Triple H's and betrayed The Shield except Cody is gonna say no and piss him off. It's just the rivalry or friendship or whatever is starting to feel back and forth and confusing just as Rock's constant face/heel turn in literally a single night. Then Rock finished it saying "I want your soul" like wtfffff is he The Undertaker now? I can at least say it's a far different version of The Rock from what I've seen. A pretty scary one... and I dunno if it's his character giving that vibe or the fact that the man himself who's actually in power. I've seen a lot of short matches on Smackdown and lemme just say it didn't sit right with me.

As far as The Elimination Chamber goes.... it's very tough to pick between John Cena and CM Punk. Punk's payed his dues since coming back, maybe let him at least have this chance to main event a wrestlemania before the door closes. On the otherhand, Cena's already on his way out and perhaps having a 'passing of the tourch' match with Cody Rhodes would be the way to go for him. I know Rollins and Reigns is probably going to happen but it's possible Punk might make it a triple threat if he does not win, which may be a very good match imo so perhaps Cena will win it. I don't see the other four EC participants winning at all, but it should still be a great watch. I might have to replay it the next night though seeing as how I have a memorial that day.

 

[Halloqueen]

I got what he was going for in the promo in terms of overall message, but he kept repeating specific talking points and rambling and it was just...not great. It was also a weird blending of kayfabe and pulling back the curtain that just makes it obvious how it's all just play acting with real injuries. Like, last year, dude whipped a bloodied Cody in a parking lot with a belt leading up to WrestleMania and then now The Rock's just like "here's a picture of our moms hanging out together after WrestleMania last year!" Just, like, what?

I expect John Cena will probably win the Elimination Chamber this year due to this being his stated final year. I've been seeing vibes for the past while that CM Punk might use his favor with Paul Heyman to make the WrestleMania match a triple threat. If it is the case that John Cena wins the Chamber, I'd prefer Punk to get his own one-on-one next year and win it, but these are the cards we've been dealt, so if it's a triple threat, then hey.

 

[QueenCobra]

Well…I didn’t expect that Macho Man impersonator

Also, Idk why but I found his parents’ wedding picture and he looked a lot like his mom. (to me)

 

[Javocado]

Some notes:

-The Rock/Cody segment was such a drag! Final Boss Rock last year was so electrifying(ha) and it seems like that promo on Friday was a shell of that, just some convoluted backtracking they did because perhaps Rock all of a sudden can make an appearance in some capacity at Wrestlemania now. It seemed like the first Netflix RAW he went ahead and killed any storyline with Cody for the foreseeable future and now all of a sudden he's back in Cody's orbit. Again as I mentioned in January, this angel could've been way hotter if they didn't have them be all buddy buddy. I get it, Rock's the BOSS BOSS and he wants Cody to be his corporate champion, cool, was still such a slog of a promo to get there like I swear he said Cody was a great champion like 6 times LOL. I will say he finished off okay thought with the eerie soul line and I am intrigued at whether Cody or Cody's opponent at WM will turn heel.

-Oh and I forgot to mention, The Rock came out at Bad Blood and did the finger thing and then Rock said that Cody and his mom were best of friends and they showed the picture of them but it was at Wresltlemania which was like half a year before Bad Blood and the finger thing like come on bruh at least try and show them at the Moana premiere or something that's not when the PLE when their beef is coming to a climax

-Elimination Chamber is this Sunday and I know signs are pointing to John Cena winning but I REALLY hope its Punk that wins. I wanted Cena to win the title at Wrestlemania originally, but he could hold off until maybe Summerslam and they can give him maybe a last classic with AJ Styles at Wrestlemania and they can sweeten the deal by making it a Number 1 Contenders Match?? I know it's out of left field, but I feel like if Cena loses at EC, he will face Logan Paul and I wouldn't want his last Wrestlemania to be against Logan Paul LOL I'd want it to be against AJ who he has history with. My main reason for wanting Punk to win is not only does he deserve to finally main event WM, but the rumors are saying his match is supposed to be a triple threat with Reigns and Rollins....for nothing??? I don't see anyway how they can salvage that match if it's heatless and for nothing, I don't know how they would be able to sell it and I wouldn't want it because Punk deserves to be fighting for the title this year.

 

[Halloqueen]

Post-Elimination Chamber thoughts:

Spoilered in case anyone hasn't watched yet. Click to reveal.

- Nah, Pat, I think that considering everything that has gone on in the past month, Canadians are well justified to boo the U.S. National Anthem and you can shut up about it in your attempts for cheap heat. It was annoying enough hearing him comment on it at the start, but he mentioned it a few times throughout the show. Ew.

- The Women's Elimination Chamber was good. Jade Cargill's attack on Naomi at the start was neat. Alexa's mounted punch flurry looks too soft and the timing on the Sister Abigail kind of gave it away that she was getting pinned. When it got down to Liv and Bianca I knew Bianca was winning it since Liv already has the Women's Tag Team titles with Raquel Rodriguez. While I'm not really into whitemeat babyfaces, Bianca winning is good by me. It works. Interested in this whole Jade, Naomi and Bianca situation.

Random tangent: I know the Lily doll is/was popular, a good merch seller, and Alexa is going to work with the Wyatt Sicks, but in this interim period it just feels kinda goofy having her walk out to the ring with it.

- Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae was whatever.

- While I was initially unenthusiastic about another Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn match when it was being built up, they of course put on a great match, as they always do when they work each other. The chair covered in barbed wire was a bit silly but it did make for a cool spot. Overall great match. Post match kind of lost me though; Kevin rolls up the floor mat to expose the concrete and, with barely any resistance whatsoever, is able to yoink Sami out of the ring and set him up for powerbomb or package piledriver position. Something that would, like, kill the man. Randy returns, Kevin lets Sami go to focus on Randy, Randy sets up for a punt and is absolutely flooded and held down by agents and security to keep him from punting Kevin. Okay dude. Makes sense. Not.

Regardless, sets up for Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania. Sure, why not. Makes sense.

- The Men's Elimination Chamber was solid too. While I would've liked for CM Punk to win, John Cena winning it given this being his final year made sense and is what I expected from the outset. Drew vs. Priest is definitely going forward, which is, eh, okay. It makes sense and is good long term, since Priest keeps ruining things for Drew. Priest won the title off Drew after his WrestleMania win last year by cashing in his Money in the Bank, and cost Drew both this year's Royal Rumble and his chance for a WrestleMania main event this year.

The finish was smooth, made sense and sets up for Roman vs. Seth vs CM Punk, which is fine and ought to be a good match. Hopefully next year is CM Punk's year to main WrestleMania, but Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena makes the most sense. I don't know who I would want to win this match but I hope John gets a 17th title win before this year's end so he can beat Ric Flair's record...because honestly, despite all his good matches, screw Ric Flair lol.

- Post match was a bit of a roller coaster. For most of it I was just stewing in my Go Away heat for The Rock while he and Travis Scott took forever to get to the ring and then The Rock awkwardly delivers his lines to Cody. Cody giving an uncensored Go F Yourself on Peacock was kind of surprising. The Rock just standing silently afterward in his stupid bell-bottom pants while Travis Scott is...doing whatever in the corner. Why is he here? Felt weird and unnecessary.

I'm of two minds on John Cena's heel turn.

On one hand, he's finally turning heel, something that fans had wanted to see him do throughout his career if for nothing else than to spice things up a bit since he was the perennial babyface. It does add another dimension to the match against Cody, and admittedly probably a good call since the Jey Royal Rumble win and WreslteMania match against Gunther is a bit divisive.

On the other hand, I honestly would've taken Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena just as it was, babyface vs. babyface. Or Cody going heel could work too. Cena's potential 17th title win feels like sufficient reason for their matchup.

Certainly unexpected but I can see why they did it. Have to assume he circles back to being a babyface before the end of the year so he retires on a good note. Maybe he doesn't pull off that 17th title win after all, after selling out on his supposed morals and he turns back to the side of good, lol.

Whatever the case, it added intrigue. The more I sit with it, the more I'm cool with it.

---

Great event overall, I'd say.

 

[QueenCobra]

Sometimes wrestlers pop up in the most random movies and shows. The other day I had on “Snake Eater 3” (I know, I know….) and Bam Bam Bigelow shows up! I had to look it up to make sure, but I was right, that was him! Some are more noticeable than others…like, when I had on an Alec Baldwin movie from the early ‘90s, Big John Studd was a henchman, but he was clean-shaven so it took me a while to recognize him at first lol.

And Chyna in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” was pretty unexpected….

 

[Halloqueen]

I had a few reservations initially after it happened, but the John Cena heel turn was definitely the right decision.

Only saw a few things of last night's RAW via YouTube since I don't have Netflix, but the CM Punk promo at the start of the show was awesome and the crowd was loving what transpired.

Heard about and sought out the Women's World Championship match and hell yeah.

---

Here are today's random tangents:

1) I like the thing they've been doing lately where they have cameras and microphones set up in the Elimination Chamber pods. It's fun to see and hear their reactions to the action in the ring while they wait for their turns to come out and join the match. The Bianca Belair reaction was good, and there's a funny video of one of the lights in CM Punk's pod falling down from the impact of someone being thrown into the wall. The crowd's chanting "Fix the light! Fix the light!" as he reattaches it and they cheer as he succeeds, haha.

2)

Spoiler: Trigger Warning: Politics

While the WWE has admittedly never been a great company ran by great people, considering all the horrible things that have happened (including but not limited to things like whitewashing and trying to rehabilitate the image of Ultimate Warrior, Vince covering for Jimmy Snuka, the Ring Boy scandal, racist angles, the Janel Grant (and others) allegations against Vince, trying to whitewash the Saudi Arabian regime), I'm really not enjoying the cosmic joke that WWE is putting on the best, most consistent programming in two decades at the same time that Linda McMahon has been installed as the head of the U.S. Department of Education with the goal and only purpose of its destruction. Linda doesn't have anything to do with the company anymore, but HHH was at her nomination hearing prior to her getting the job. I feel gross following this company.

While everyone has their own personal ways to deal with media created by bad people who have done bad things, and some people outright can't read or watch things made by people who have done wrong, I'm someone who can still enjoy art made by problematic people while still disapproving of the person and their actions. That said, that's easier with something like a decades old movie or show or book that you can get secondhand, where the original creator isn't seeing any monetary gain. It's a different thing entirely when it's something currently ongoing.

AEW flat out kinda sucks in everything other than in-ring action most of the time (and even that has had incidents), Tony needs to hire bookers and stuff instead of him being the only one playing with all his toys. I realize it would be a lateral move to switch over since he's just another billionaire too, but I wish they were better so I could have another company to follow that doesn't make me feel disgust.

 

[QueenCobra]

I had a few reservations initially after it happened, but the John Cena heel turn was definitely the right decision.

Only saw a few things of last night's RAW via YouTube since I don't have Netflix, but the CM Punk promo at the start of the show was awesome and the crowd was loving what transpired.

Heard about and sought out the Women's World Championship match and hell yeah.

---

Here are today's random tangents:

1) I like the thing they've been doing lately where they have cameras and microphones set up in the Elimination Chamber pods. It's fun to see and hear their reactions to the action in the ring while they wait for their turns to come out and join the match. The Bianca Belair reaction was good, and there's a funny video of one of the lights in CM Punk's pod falling down from the impact of someone being thrown into the wall. The crowd's chanting "Fix the light! Fix the light!" as he reattaches it and they cheer as he succeeds, haha.

2)

Spoiler: Trigger Warning: Politics

While the WWE has admittedly never been a great company ran by great people, considering all the horrible things that have happened (including but not limited to things like whitewashing and trying to rehabilitate the image of Ultimate Warrior, Vince covering for Jimmy Snuka, the Ring Boy scandal, racist angles, the Janel Grant (and others) allegations against Vince, trying to whitewash the Saudi Arabian regime), I'm really not enjoying the cosmic joke that WWE is putting on the best, most consistent programming in two decades at the same time that Linda McMahon has been installed as the head of the U.S. Department of Education with the goal and only purpose of its destruction. Linda doesn't have anything to do with the company anymore, but HHH was at her nomination hearing prior to her getting the job. I feel gross following this company.

While everyone has their own personal ways to deal with media created by bad people who have done bad things, and some people outright can't read or watch things made by people who have done wrong, I'm someone who can still enjoy art made by problematic people while still disapproving of the person and their actions. That said, that's easier with something like a decades old movie or show or book that you can get secondhand, where the original creator isn't seeing any monetary gain. It's a different thing entirely when it's something currently ongoing.

AEW flat out kinda sucks in everything other than in-ring action most of the time (and even that has had incidents), Tony needs to hire bookers and stuff instead of him being the only one playing with all his toys. I realize it would be a lateral move to switch over since he's just another billionaire too, but I wish they were better so I could have another company to follow that doesn't make me feel disgust.

Your political part is my thoughts EXACTLY! I have a complicated relationship with wrestling. I love the drama, characters, and action, but don’t support a lot of what happens behind the scenes…or even what happens in front of our faces. Personally, I always had a beef with Triple H for cheating on Chyna with Stephanie McMahon, but I also know that infidelity is more common in these entertainment circles.

The Fabulous Moolah was also a nightmare and I’m glad they removed her name from that Battle Royal. (A “Sensational Sherri Battle Royal” would be fun, though.)

Hulk Hogan also disappointed my dad when his racist remarks were leaked. And with him being a Trump supporter— yeah, he deserved to be booed on Raw lol.

 

[Dim]

Raw was amazing! My favorite part though...

Spoiler

IYO IS OUR CHAMPION!! So happy for her, she's been absolute fire! Ofc Rhea is probably gonna be put into the Bianca vs Iyo match but hey, can't complain about that idea since it'll be a great match. I loved the way she was screaming and cursing at the end though lmao this and Punk's freaking bombshell is why I was glad Raw was moving to Netflix

Also, this just occured to nevut Goldberg announced a "retirement match" at mania but where tf has he even been? I honestly don't want to see him wrestle again. As soon as I saw that bit with Gunther though, I knew he was gonna want another match.

 

[Halloqueen]

Raw was amazing! My favorite part though...

Spoiler

IYO IS OUR CHAMPION!! So happy for her, she's been absolute fire! Ofc Rhea is probably gonna be put into the Bianca vs Iyo match but hey, can't complain about that idea since it'll be a great match. I loved the way she was screaming and cursing at the end though lmao this and Punk's freaking bombshell is why I was glad Raw was moving to Netflix

I saw people disappointed that a one-on-one between Rhea and Bianca isn't happening now at this year's WrestleMania, and I can get that, but I'm looking forward to the triple threat. Also yeah, the screaming and Rhea's audible "****!" while Iyo was celebrating was great, haha.

Spoiler

Also, this just occured to nevut Goldberg announced a "retirement match" at mania but where tf has he even been? I honestly don't want to see him wrestle again. As soon as I saw that bit with Gunther though, I knew he was gonna want another match.

Oh god, him. Last I'd heard, the plan is for his last match to be sometime in the Summer, so probably SummerSlam. I'm not interested in seeing it either, and don't know who is at this point...well, other than Big E. "Big meaty men slapping meat!" But hopefully he gets what he's looking to get out of it, gets the wrestling bug out of his system and the retirement sticks. But this is wrestling, where few truly stay retired. We can hope though. I guess if anyone can pull a passable match out of him it'd be Gunther.

---

Another pair of random tangents I forgot to include in my last post:

1) I thought we'd left the pointing at the WrestleMania sign in the past after Vince was forced out, but it's been rearing its ugly head again. It has always felt so unnatural and forced.


2) Paul Bearer was mentioned in another thread recently and, ever since, I've randomly heard his voice while reading things here on the forums. Ooooooh Yeeeeeees! Haha, loved that guy.

 

[QueenCobra]

This show is like The Voice but for wrestling and I still eat it up lol. HOWEVER the drama here was pretty juicy. ️

 

[Dim]

This show is like The Voice but for wrestling and I still eat it up lol. HOWEVER the drama here was pretty juicy. ️

I love Bubba Ray but he's such an intimitating guy lmao, not someone you wanna poke fun of

 

[QueenCobra]

I love Bubba Ray but he's such an intimitating guy lmao, not someone you wanna poke fun of

OMG I remember this episode of Impractical Jokers. Love how they’re wrestling fans too. (I think I’ve seen Sal wear a Ric Flair shirt once.)

The rest of the episode when The Undertaker asked that kid to come back and told him off…that was priceless. ️

 

[QueenCobra]

So far, I’ve seen that Triple H, Michelle McCool, and the Natural Disasters are going into this year’s Hall of Fame. On the Wikipedia page for the WWE Hall of Fame, it says that Bautista will be inducted in the future, but not when. (He was listed with the other inductees.)

I’ve seen some people say that Demolition should have been picked instead of the Natural Disasters, but I think they’re both worthy of the HOF.

 

[QueenCobra]

So far, I’ve seen that Triple H, Michelle McCool, and the Natural Disasters are going into this year’s Hall of Fame. On the Wikipedia page for the WWE Hall of Fame, it says that Bautista will be inducted in the future, but not when. (He was listed with the other inductees.)

I’ve seen some people say that Demolition should have been picked instead of the Natural Disasters, but I think they’re both worthy of the HOF.

Now I see Lex Luger is inducted…. Sorry if you’re a fan but I kinda blame him for what happened to Miss Elizabeth.

 

[QueenCobra]

Didn’t know Rikishi went through so many gimmicks omg.

 

[Dim]

Didn’t know Rikishi went through so many gimmicks omg.
View attachment 613379

Just know that every one of them... did it for The Rock

 

[Dim]

Oh speaking of Rikishi's wikipedia page...

Everytime I look at his picture, I wonder if the mic is small or his hands are just that freaking huge. The latter wouldn't suprise me though.

 

[Halloqueen]

Saw a report a moment ago that WWE isn't planning on renewing Shinsuke Nakamura's contract and are thus going to be releasing him when his contract expires. Apparently going to be benched in the meantime. Assuming this is true, man, what a waste of years of his career. I mean, I guess he at least got to rake in the money, but after all the hype and excitement when he came to NXT, he was squandered on the main roster.

All efforts failed, whether it be because of bad booking decisions (his loss at WrestleMania against AJ Styles, he and Asuka were both screwed over at WrestleMania 34), unfortunate injuries (Rick Boogs' leg buckling from that one double lift spot at WrestleMania 38), stretches of time off tv to refresh interest in between attempts. He finally had a cool thing going on with the current gimmick and now it's over.

Apparently the reason he wasn't around two weeks ago was because of the death of a friend, fellow wrestler Osamu Nishimura. Then they got the United States Championship off him this past Friday. I wonder how much Nishimura's passing and Shinsuke's headspace is factoring into this; I'd have to assume they would've been fine letting him have more time off to mourn, so maybe he just feels done with the company after so long. Guess we won't know unless he speaks about it in an interview if he ends up in another company after this.

Whatever the case, wishing him the best.

Oh speaking of Rikishi's wikipedia page...

Everytime I look at his picture, I wonder if the mic is small or his hands are just that freaking huge. The latter wouldn't suprise me though.

View attachment 613384

Wouldn't surprise me either if it turns out that The Tribal Cheeks has big hands. Could also be a combination of the two, big hands and small mic.

 

[Dim]

Saw a report a moment ago that WWE isn't planning on renewing Shinsuke Nakamura's contract and are thus going to be releasing him when his contract expires. Apparently going to be benched in the meantime. Assuming this is true, man, what a waste of years of his career. I mean, I guess he at least got to rake in the money, but after all the hype and excitement when he came to NXT, he was squandered on the main roster.

All efforts failed, whether it be because of bad booking decisions (his loss at WrestleMania against AJ Styles, he and Asuka were both screwed over at WrestleMania 34), unfortunate injuries (Rick Boogs' leg buckling from that one double lift spot at WrestleMania 38), stretches of time off tv to refresh interest in between attempts. He finally had a cool thing going on with the current gimmick and now it's over.

Apparently the reason he wasn't around two weeks ago was because of the death of a friend, fellow wrestler Osamu Nishimura. Then they got the United States Championship off him this past Friday. I wonder how much Nishimura's passing and Shinsuke's headspace is factoring into this; I'd have to assume they would've been fine letting him have more time off to mourn, so maybe he just feels done with the company after so long. Guess we won't know unless he speaks about it in an interview if he ends up in another company after this.

Whatever the case, wishing him the best.

Maybe it's because I haven't seen enough of his work in NXT, but I was never big on his in gimmick or in ring work. It's just me though, there are many wrestling styles, and apparently a lot of people appeal to his striking style because they feel "he looks like a real fighter" He definitely is good at selling it. Maybe I'm just into the old school moves like LA Knight. Him and Priest are fun to watch in the ring for me.

but yeah, his time in the WWE main roster was honestly wasted time for him. I feel it's the same for Finn Balor but Nakamura especially since they've done so little with him. They could of at least given him more matches during his current US championship run. If he does end up in AEW, maybe he could join the Death Riders stable and do tag team work again with Claudio(Cesaro).