WWE RAW - May 27th 2013 - Bret Hart Appreciation Night!!!....Sorta, Kinda

[Kimura Kid]

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/photo_large/public/photo/image/2013/05/OTM_BRET_00000000_0005.jpg


WWE Monday Night Raw features Bret Hart Appreciation Night … on the WWE App after Raw signs off of TV. But before that, there is the big rumor that CM Punk is slated to return to Raw, while WWE continues to build to the WWE Payback PPV. Check out the full preview below:


–At the Payback PPV, John Cena (c) will be facing Ryback in an Ambulance Match for the WWE Championship. Which mid carder will Ryback cart off this week?


–Daniel Bryan has snapped recently while trying to prove he’s not the weak link of Team Hell No. Will The Shield capitalize on Bryan’s fragile psyche or will Kane be able to talk sense back into his partner?


–Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel will feature special guest Paul Heyman. What will Heyman say or do to continue promoting his newest client Curtis Axel?


–Will CM Punk return? If so, how will it go down?


–After Raw signs off, the post-show on the WWE App will feature Bret Hart Appreciation Night.


All that and more on / after Raw … tonight!

[VHS]

Raw was on a seriously long shlock streak, but last week was the bomb. Hopefully they continue some momentum and not settle for one good episode every 2 months.

[Andy]

I might live tweet this again if I can stay awake.

[PurePlayer]

Where did you read the rumors of Punk coming back tonight? I know about the rumors of him showing up at Payback but not a specific time frame of when he will come back. Anyway, aren't the Raws on memorial and labor day pretty lackluster due to the low ratings that usually happen on those days? If so, I am not expecting anything big to happen like a CM Punk return, but who knows I guess.

Looking forward to see where they go with Daniel Bryan again. Looks like he is going to be in line for a big push with the way they are tweaking his character. I am also wondering who the likes of Orton and Sheamus will be feuding with? Maybe Mark Henry shows up tonight to continue his feud with Sheamus? I am expecting the highlight reel to turn into Jericho vs Axel tonight where Axel goes over.

[StoneColdWWE316]

I hope Bret is at least on the Live Show tonight. I would like to see CM Punk return tonight if it does happen. Maybe even Dolph Ziggler comes back if he is ready.

[Anaconda Sniper]

If raw sucks thank god the season finale of river monsters is on to save my night from boredom.

[JT4104]

For maximum reaction I just dont see Punk returning on Memorial day and in Canada to top it off. I wouldn't expect him till Payback or even mid july.

[G-Fresh]

Tonight's Raw was written with an other worldly influence.

[JT4104]

maybe it is just me...kinda wish they would have went with Joe Henning, I'm pretty sure Curtis Axel will grow on me after a while though.

[mr sabu]

still not sold on curtis yet

[Kimura Kid]

http://www.wwe.com/f/wysiwyg/image/2013/05/ryback05272013-2.gif

I don't no what it is, but this gif is killing me!!

WTF is he doing? haha!!

[mr sabu]

he feed himself

[Jacknife]

I hope Ryback says "Ryback rules" to Cena and Cena says "Ruck Fules"

[Kneeneighbor]

"we want Bret!" good start

[G-Fresh]

We want Bret chants already

[Jacknife]

Tables > Bret

[The Guy on the Couch]

Stage one being a lumberjack match makes zero sense. Why the fuck would someone "try to run" during the first fall?


Say hello to Luci-Four!

[Tainted Eclipse]

hahahaha, the refusal to say "hospital." STRAIGHT THE GET MEDICAL ATTENTION.

[mr sabu]

feed more smoressssssssssssssssss

feed me smoresssssssssssssssssss

[Jacknife]

Lucifor Rules

[JT4104]

wait a sec....did they change his music already? Sounded different than last week.

[The Guy on the Couch]

Is it just me or is Axel's theme slightly different every time he has came out so far?

[mr sabu]

the starts sounds similar to swagger

[Dee4Ness]

Glad I wasn't the only one.

[Jacknife]

curtisaxel is my password at work

[Andy]

Acknowledging how shit the stipulation is as you announce it. How do they manage to book these things.

I nearly marked out when he said three stages of hell but those stipulations are shit.

[JT4104]

Sounded like they took out the Mr. Perfect part of the theme.

[Kneeneighbor]

I love AJ. Just sayin.

[The Guy on the Couch]

I wish they would just let him have Perfect's theme not a remix or anything just straight up. Perfects theme is awesome.

[Jacknife]

well It's no gangrel but it is good.

[JT4104]

well the Canadians like ADR at least....love this backward country.

[Kimura Kid]

I officially like Big Es new theme

[Jacknife]

i unofficially like it.

[Kneeneighbor]

Is Big E still the champion in NXT? If so what sort of character does he play there?

[mr sabu]

Is Big E still the champion in NXT? If so what sort of character does he play there?


no it's now the worst choice ever

[Ringo]

He is a very popular face who likes to keep his opponents down for a 5 count after he beats them, repeatedly delivering his finisher.

[JT4104]

no it's now the worst choice everYou show respect to Bo D...........:lol:

[Ringo]

Nice finish.

[JT4104]

Nice that they didn't have Big E tap and gave ADR a kinda fluke victory.

Seeds for a possible Big E face turn already?

[Jacknife]

if AJ married Big E she'd become AJ E

[Ringo]

Two title rematches and the intriguing Cena/Axel. Terrific.

Hope we get some Titus soon.

[mr sabu]

You show respect to Bo D...........:lol:

fuck bo


ohhh come on cole it's not the toughest night for the shield

[Kimura Kid]

Big E has been looking solid even in defeat.

I don't take that lightly. They have big plans for big E.

And looks like the split is coming soon.

[G-Fresh]

He has the dumbest fuckin finisher ever.

[Andy]

I love Big E.

More Shield matches, great stuff.

[mr sabu]

db gets shammrocks gimmick

worlds most dangerous man

[Jacknife]

andy you're the best there was, dvda is the best there is, and i think you mr sabu is the best there ever will be.

[Kneeneighbor]

Nice that they didn't have Big E tap and gave ADR a kinda fluke victory.

Seeds for a possible Big E face turn already?

I was expecting him to be revealed as the secret admirer. Has that played out yet? I misses the last two weeks.

[Ryse]

Is it me or does Bret Hart look a lot like Christopher Lambert's Raiden from Mortal Kombat?

[Jacknife]

How do you guys watch RAW? I'm streaming it.

[mr sabu]

is it wrong of me to wanna see ambrose give kofi the headlock driver repeatably into a chair

[Kimura Kid]

How do you guys watch RAW? I'm streaming it.

USA Network on live TV.

[The Guy on the Couch]

Not sure why but Kofi's blue cow tights annoy me.

[Kneeneighbor]

Same, USA network

[Zacharie]

first roooow (stream)

[Kimura Kid]

Not sure why but Kofi's blue cow tights annoy me.

I was just asking in the skype chat WTF the deal is with Blue Cow Gear?

[JT4104]

Not sure why but Kofi's blue cow tights annoy me.
I knew I had a craving for Milk for some reason.

[JT4104]

I wonder if they get paid for those goofy wwe app scenes where they look like the are actually paying attention to this.

[Jacknife]

wwe i deleted the app last week cause it sucks what you think about that.

[Anaconda Sniper]

Kofis attire is based on the blue dart poison frog. And I love Ambrose's finisher.

[Sinner]

Haha...I have been calling him Cowfi Kingston

not really. But he looks like a blue cow. My friend said it looked like Blues Clues

[Kimura Kid]

Kofis attire is based on the blue dart poison frog. And I love Ambrose's finisher.

Wow, Did he not realize it looks like a blue cow to the average eye? lol

[The Guy on the Couch]

Roman Reigns WWE Champion by Wrestle Mania 31, calling it now.

[mth]

I never made the cow connection. I just thought it was supposed to be ink spatters.

[JT4104]

I'd love to see Bryan/Rollins in a 20 min match.

[Kneeneighbor]

I like the little cut ins (very early 90s of them) but I hate that they keep pushing the app.

[The Guy on the Couch]

They really need to capitalize on how over Bryan is. It is insane. As for crowd activity during matches he is second only to Cena.

[The Guy on the Couch]

They really need to capitalize on how over Bryan is. It is insane. As for crowd activity during matches he is second only to Cena.

Cool seeing that super back drop! Can't remember the last time I saw one of those.


Whoops. that was meant to be an edit.

[G-Fresh]

More people should use Tree of Woe moves. Everybody did back in the Attitude days.

[The Rick]

They really need to capitalize on how over Bryan is. It is insane. As for crowd activity during matches he is second only to Cena.

I don't think he is second to Cena.

This match has been excellent thus far. The action good, the energy from wrestlers great, and the crowd energy fantastic.

[Kimura Kid]

Cool seeing that super back drop! Can't remember the last time I saw one of those.


Whoops. that was meant to be an edit.

Agreed. Nice to see cool wrestling moves again on a regular basis. Thank god for indy wrestling!!

[mr sabu]

just make it 3 hours of raw and the shield

[The Guy on the Couch]

Agreed. Nice to see cool wrestling moves again on a regular basis. Thank god for indy wrestling!!

I don't want to see moves like that on a regular basis though. Bring something like that out once a month or so. I don't want it to be just the way it is.
Randy Orton busting out the superplex every match takes away from how awesome it really is.



Rollins is growing on me, but I must say he throws the worst punches in the WWE. They look so weak.

[Kimura Kid]

I don't want to see moves like that on a regular basis though. Bring something like that out once a month or so. I don't want it to be just the way it is.
Randy Orton busting out the superplex every match takes away from how awesome it really is.

Orton's suplex, CM Punk's Pile Driver and Bryan's Back Suplex.

That's what I meant by regular basis. not like we are seeing these moves weekly.

[The Guy on the Couch]

That Necessary Roughness commercial with Stamos made me wonder, where is Santino? Seems like we haven't seen him in a while.



If they are going to hype up these polls they should make them things where they actually mean something or at least aren't a given as to what the results will be. Otherwise don't even bother

[mr sabu]

someone should tell king he has a text

[Sinner]

Its kind of sad that The Miz used to be the WWE Champion.

But also good for Money In The Bank.

I'd say The Miz is to the WWE title as William Regal is the King of the Ring

[mr sabu]

king just read your fucking text and shut the fuck up

[JT4104]

dammit Barrett do a different entrance with this music....you're killing me.

[JT4104]

HUGE win for Fandango

[Kneeneighbor]

FANNNNNNNNNDANNNNNNNNNNNNNGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[G-Fresh]

Fuck anybody that doesn't like The Miz. Fo reelz.

[Jacknife]

dude man i don't like the miz and i don't want to get fucked.

[G-Fresh]

He's all yers Cewsh. Have at it.

[Kimura Kid]

Fuck anybody that doesn't like The Miz. Fo reelz.

Agreed!! I fuckin love the Miz He always comes to play!!

[Kimura Kid]

I want Natty to give me the "Rear End!"

[JT4104]

at this point there is no need for Tensai to have that crap on top of his head...

[JT4104]

dude man i don't like the miz and i don't want to get fucked.I have to agree with this statement.....unless of course he was a heel, then it would be ok.

[mr sabu]

i feel sorry for albert

[mr sabu]

MY EARS

[JT4104]

i feel sorry for albertHe'll always have those wins over Cena and Punk when he first came back. Can always hang your hat on that at least.

[The Guy on the Couch]

I get the vibe off of brodus that he hates the shit they have him do. Maybe it's just me but there are little moments where he looks dead inside.

[G-Fresh]

I'll agree that Miz is stale as a face. He needs some fresh shit to do most def.

[Kimura Kid]

Oh Fuck Yes!!!


Jericho Vs Punk @ Payback!!!

Please!!

[JT4104]

To bad Punk is at the Angels/Sox game in LA....

[The Guy on the Couch]

well that was anticlimactic. At least there must be a huge twist coming at Payback

The Bellas entrance sucks. It is way too ass focused but they really don't have much for butts

[JT4104]

I am just hoping those two can some how improve their chemistry......I didn't hate their 2 matches last year, but it felt like there was so much more they could do.

[Anaconda Sniper]

I always feel Jericho and Punk have way better matches on free tv than they do at PPV.

[mr sabu]

punk rejects it.. lesner vs jericho

[JT4104]

poor Natty has to take the fall tonight....

[Kimura Kid]

No way, Not in Canada


*Edit*

I'll eat my crow now.

[The Guy on the Couch]

Cole's delivery of "Natalya got beat...in her hometown...on her birthday" was amazing. Too bad Cole can't consistently be that awesome.

[mr sabu]

it's wwe... they like fucking over people in there home town

[The Rick]

I was pretty entertained by that womens match. Much better than what I saw on Impact last Thursday. Didn't think I would have said that.

[Anaconda Sniper]

Ugh how many times have Rhodes and Sandow lost to Sheamus and Orton this past year? Singles and tag matches.

[The Rick]

it's wwe... they like fucking over people in there home town

Bah. She got on tv twice tonight. In the ring noless. She usually is lucky if they show her backstage while someone is "walking" to the ring.

[The Guy on the Couch]

YES YES YES YES YES!! Wyatt Time!


Once he debut's we will have a new "best theme in the WWE"

[Kimura Kid]

RAW Welcome to Bray Fucking Wyatt!!!!

[Sinner]

from a promoter perspective...what if you put Natalya over and there is ZERO REACTION in her hometown? Well, you fucked up.

What if the Bellas do something uber-heel and they get NO REACTION...well the crowd is apathetic because of the LOVED HERO.

The only way it can backfire is if the Bellas were to get cheered. Who cheers for bad singing?

[JRSlim21]

Wyatt family! YEA BOI!!!

[Sinner]

i missed it, what happened?

[Kimura Kid]

They better book The Family as well as they did the Shield!

[Ringo]

entire family get fucking innnnnnnnnn

:hyper:

[Jacknife]

anyone got a link to wyatt. i had to pee. not fair

[Ringo]

a link to the vignette that aired a few minutes ago?

[The Guy on the Couch]

They should just ditch the tag titles and bring in six man belts. There are almost as many trios as there are tag teams these days


HAHAHA king is right. I didn't notice how orange cody is until he brought it up.

[The Rick]

a link to the vignette that aired a few minutes ago?

Yea. He's not paying you to question his authority.

[JRSlim21]

@WWEBrayWyattTick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock
#EaterOfWorlds
#Raw


@WWENXT#WereComing @ERICKROWAN @LukeHarperWWE @WWEBrayWyatt #RAW #NXTMeansBusiness

[mr sabu]

i love bray

but it makes me wonder how well the kiddies would react to it.

i for one hope it scares the fuck out of them they wet there pants

[Kimura Kid]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J3h4DtjvQMg/UXB3qjI4ebI/AAAAAAABRE8/XgSMDwUvvtU/s1600/f.gif

[The Guy on the Couch]

that was a weird ass camera angle. The cameraman should have been reaching his hand out too alongside sheamus. That would have been awesome

[JT4104]

I pray they don't neuter the Wyatt family.

[JT4104]

I mean honestly...how in the hell do you take the Perfect music out of that theme.

[Kimura Kid]

It's not completely out. Just takes a while to get there. Still dig it!

[The Guy on the Couch]

it's there still. you just gotta wait through 45 seconds of bullshit before you get 5 seconds of perfect


what is going on in the crowd? no one is watching the match

kinda funny how the whole time something was going down in the crowd they went super close ups to not show that the crowd wasn't watching

[Dream-Evil]

hahah. As always.. Cena waits til 9 and a half and perks up, get\s back in the ring and dies again

[Kneeneighbor]

Breakin out all of Mr. Perfects old moves. Love it.

[Ringo]

PERFECT PLEXXXXXX

[Kneeneighbor]

God Dam, Cena even kills Mr. Perfects finisher 5 years after his death.

[mr sabu]

so curtis gimmick is he wins all his matches by countout

i dig

[The Rick]

It's the perfect way to win actually.

[JRSlim21]

Anyone else watching Bret Hart Appreciation Night?

[Judas Iscariot]

Oh man not just a Wyatt vignette but the whole family? I'm gonna have to find that.

[mr sabu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cRD-82-fqU

[Judas Iscariot]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cRD-82-fqU

God yes. Oh man.

[G-Fresh]

That is wild. It would be a travesty if WWE messes it up.

[mth]

Sweet jesus I'm stoked for the Wyatt family. Big Bray is killer and their whole deal is out there and different and I dig it hard. Really hope they play this right and given how well they've handled The Shield, I'm willing to be optimistic. Hell, even Fandango, who a lot of folks called a potential career killing gimmick, is panning out pretty well.

[VHS]

There are so many heels running around now. WWE needs to do some serious roster cleaning.

[StoneColdWWE316]

Anyone else watching Bret Hart Appreciation Night?

Just got done watching Bret Hart Appreciation Night,good stuff.

Good RAW tonight in Calgary with some good Matches like Cena/Axel,both Title Matches,the Orton/Sheamus & Rhodes Scholars.

I am looking forward to Punk/Jericho and 3 Stages of Heel at Payback. Wyatt Family is coming soon.

[Big]

what happened with bret hart appreciation night?

[Beer-Belly]

So will Punk/Jericho be the last match at Payback? I could honestly see some of the fans bailing after that one. Not a noticeable amount, but they might want to hedge their bets.

[G-Fresh]

Nah, but Jericho should go over.

[The Law]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBUEUvIRB28

That's all I've seen from Raw so far, and it's absolutely amazing. Genuinely scary, unnerving, and creepy. It's like a trailer for a horror film. Amazing work by the guys who put that together. I'm really intrigued by the characters here. WWE hasn't had a dark character (other than Undertaker) for several years now. This apocalyptic cult preacher is definitely an interesting and original direction.

Also fantastic news that Punk will be facing Jericho. I wouldn't expect Punk to appear on TV at all during the build-up. I'd rather build the intrigue and anticipation. Jericho is good enough to build the match on his own. Nice that Jericho is finally getting something worthwhile to do after jobbing to everyone on the roster since he's been back. I don't feel like he's been treated well in this most recent run: He's a genuine legend and one of the most talented members of the roster. He deserves better than working with Fandango and losing almost every match he wrestles. Intrigued that they flipped the face/heel dynamic with Punk and Jericho now. I guess they've never worked together while Jericho was a face and Punk was a heel.

Also, Jericho claiming to be "Best in the World" after losing so much in his current run is pretty laughable. Hard for Punk to do it too now that he's lost his last four major matches (vs. Rock at Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, vs. Cena on Raw, vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania).

[Beer-Belly]

Nah, but Jericho should go over.
Jericho never wins. I love him, but he's at the Mick Foley stage of wanting to put everyone over.

Also, this seems like they're setting up a Punk face turn with Heyman accepting a match without his knowledge.

[G-Fresh]

I think he did a good job putting Punk over. I'd like to think he'd get 1 more run as either WWE or World champ. Hopefully the former.

[Judas Iscariot]

I think he did a good job putting Punk over. I'd like to think he'd get 1 more run as either WWE or World champ. Hopefully the former.

I don't know if he'd want another run unless it is to put someone over in the long run. He's got his own shit going on and seems to really get off on putting younger talent over.

[G-Fresh]

Alrighty then. That would be cool. He could have a few month run and then job it to Ambrose.

[Judas Iscariot]

Jericho vs Ambrose promos and matches?

DVDA you have to try harder to get into my pants. Not much harder, mind you. Just a little bit.

[G-Fresh]

I'd hope they'd go all in on it. Ambrose reminds me of Jake The Snake in the 80s.

[Judas Iscariot]

He has the drug abuse in his past to match it too.

[Andy]

I fucking love that they're just giving The Shield 20 minutes+ in the ring on every Raw, SD and PPV now. So good.

[mr sabu]

just give us the shield vs the wyatt family hell in the cell

[JRSlim21]

just give us the shield vs the wyatt family hell in the cell


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLnWf1sQkjY

[Jacknife]

God Dam, Cena even kills Mr. Perfects finisher 5 years after his death.

10

[Lagom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBUEUvIRB28


Honestly, I'm just overjoyed that they're calling The Family up together. I hope, given the push we've seen The Shield get, they at least give them a decent run at some of the roster's tag teams.

[Andy]

How many variations have we seen of Hell No vs The Shield now? And not a single dud. Absolutely amazing that it hasn't gotten stale after nine months or whatever too - but I'd happily watch them go at it for the rest of the year.

This has also turned into one of my favourite Kane runs ever. All five of them have just been spectacular.

[Lagom]

Also, hoping that they let Bray run riot and really immerse himself in this like they did with Goldust. He has the potential to unnerve a hell of a lot of people, and I think he can live up to the hype.

[Kimura Kid]

Bret Hart Appreciation Night-Half Hour special is up on WWE.com

[OD50]

Man, they didn't change anything about the Wyatt Family.. The vignette, the music, Rowan, Harper, Big Bray.. :heart:

[Ringo]

Harper and Rowan spoke though. That's the only thing. I liked the idea that Rowan can't speak.

Regardless... yeah. Great start. Can't wait for the debut and hope they aren't too dumbed down for the first big feud. I'd like to see Wyatt try and bring a popular face over to the dark side. Encouraging Orton to listen to his demons perhaps. Or Kane. Or even going for Kane and Bryan and teasing heel turns from both.

[Kimura Kid]

Bret Hart appreciation night was pretty awesome!!

[PurePlayer]

There are so many heels running around now. WWE needs to do some serious roster cleaning.

I'm thinking Punk turns face, Christian comes back as face, Orton turns heel, and Mark Henry comes back as a face.

[Hero!]

just watched the Wyatt promo. Fucking amazing. I love that WWE is bringing in the family as a stable. Bray is good on his, but the family unit it brilliant together.

Perhaps they saw the success of bringing in The Shield as a unit and realized that you don't have to call up individuals only.

STOKED.

[VHS]

Raw has so many new, fresh faces it's almost frightening. The amount of talent and potential the roster has at this point has created a glint of hope for WWE's future in terms of new names and new legacies:

Curtis Axel
Fandango
Dean Ambrose
Roman Reigns
Seth Rollins
Big E. Langston
Bray Wyatt and the Family

That being said, does anybody else notice a little pattern within those names?

They're ALL heels!

While WWE has been outstanding lately with introducing these new superstars, they still haven't figured out how to make compelling faces that aren't generically boy-scoutish. And there's also a ton of dead weight that needs to be cut within the main roster, with 3MB, Tons of Funk, R-Truth, and Great Khali being at the front of the line. WWE's midcard has only several good guys!

Judging by last night I had some indications of Big E. breaking away from AJ and Dolph, and him turning face would be big. Pun.

With all these new characters coming in, it's really starting to show how stale and boring the "top" guys actually are. Randy Orton, Sheamus, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston... they're all uninteresting to me. It's amazing how introducing us to some new blood can really spark some interest in the product.

[JT4104]

mark my words.....in the long run Rollins and Big E will end up the big faces from that group.

[MMH]

Raw has so many new, fresh faces it's almost frightening. The amount of talent and potential the roster has at this point has created a glint of hope for WWE's future in terms of new names and new legacies:

Curtis Axel
Fandango
Dean Ambrose
Roman Reigns
Seth Rollins
Big E. Langston
Bray Wyatt and the Family

That being said, does anybody else notice a little pattern within those names?

They're ALL heels!

While WWE has been outstanding lately with introducing these new superstars, they still haven't figured out how to make compelling faces that aren't generically boy-scoutish. And there's also a ton of dead weight that needs to be cut within the main roster, with 3MB, Tons of Funk, R-Truth, and Great Khali being at the front of the line. WWE's midcard has only several good guys!

Judging by last night I had some indications of Big E. breaking away from AJ and Dolph, and him turning face would be big. Pun.

With all these new characters coming in, it's really starting to show how stale and boring the "top" guys actually are. Randy Orton, Sheamus, John Cena, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston... they're all uninteresting to me. It's amazing how introducing us to some new blood can really spark some interest in the product.

Its very rare for wrestlers to come in as faces and make a decent fist of it. Its much easier to be a heel. Cena and Orton came up as faces but had to have a major heel turn put on them to advance.

[The Rosk]

I can't get over how great Daniel Bryan has become. I know how great he was before WWE but he has just utterly fucking smashed it, hasn't he. If they don't put him in a main event spot soon I will be aggrieved.

His face after Bret Hart complimented him was fucking cripplingly funny.

[Ringo]

Struggling to think of anyone in the last 15 years who made their debut as a face and actually got over in any way. Probably further back than that. Always been a thing. I'd like to see Cody go face soon. Bryan & Kane should both stay face. Big E should turn before or at Summerslam. Bourne should also come back and team with Neville and we've got ourselves an exciting face tag team who should get over.

And why Christian isn't back yet I do not know. He's one of the absolute best in the business at putting over his opponents in matches. There are so many different heels he could work with and help elevate.

And I may be the only one, but I'm really starting to miss the brand split. It was a great thing for so much of the roster.

[The Rosk]

It makes no sense NOT to have a brand split. We just have saturation with certain faces that lead to complete apathy over characters of certain wrestlers who are actually good (Sheamus/Orton/Del Rio) when we see them do the same shit two or three times a week, week after week. Also, the Rumbles aren't anywhere near as fun as they were when loads of new faces hit each other. So many new faces, too much time used unwisely.

[Kneeneighbor]

Problem with the brand split is SmackDown is on at such a terrible time. I cant remember the last time I watched Smackdown. May have been 2001. And I will be honest. If you stick the 3 or 4 guys I am interested on Smackdown I am more likely to stop watching all together than pickup watching Smackdown.

[Cewsh]

Well DVRs have done a lot to eliminate that as a real problem.

[Beer-Belly]

I want Bray Wyatt vs. Undertaker in the near future. We haven't had a Taker feud with a high concept heel in ages.

[Ringo]

Well DVRs have done a lot to eliminate that as a real problem.

Right.

There's also something called the internet. That's how I usually watch Smackdown.

[Brian M.]

Struggling to think of anyone in the last 15 years who made their debut as a face and actually got over in any way. Probably further back than that. Always been a thing..

Punk got over right away as a face. Granted he didn't find his footing fully until he turned heel, but he was absolutely over. Kofi too, basically. I really miss ECW. It was a great way to debut new guys and make them look like big fish in a small pond. Look at us all, bemoaning the loss of the brand split and WWE's ECW in the same thread. Vince McMahon would probably read this and be like "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU ALL WANT FROM ME?!?"

[chatty]

Decided to take some time off from the product but mate said lots of the NXT roster are moving up so checking in to see whats happeneing. Checked the Bray promo out - isn't that the exact same one they aired on NXT last year?

[V-Line]

Whoever scripted Ryback to say "Beelzebub" need to get axed immediately, just a horridly scripted promo that undid some of the good work on top of the ambulance from last week. Also it would be fantastic if Cena sold some kind of fear of this new monster instead of continuing to undercut him by calling him dumb & stupid. Does Ryback have some sort of attitude problem so Cena thinks he isn't ready for his spot, or is it the usually Cena not letting anyone get close to his level? Cena is winning at Payback and probably should as his actions have led to Ryback being an afterthough and a level below Cena which is a shame.

Also a note on Curtis Axel, he's not clicking atm for me and just personally I think it has a bit to do with the fact that he still has the exact same look as he did while competing as McGillicutty. Sure the regular viewers may not see NXT or Superstars as regularly as I do but would it kill them to give him somekind of a new look...and stop a headlock being a main offensive move.

[V-Line]

It makes no sense NOT to have a brand split. We just have saturation with certain faces that lead to complete apathy over characters of certain wrestlers who are actually good (Sheamus/Orton/Del Rio) when we see them do the same shit two or three times a week, week after week. Also, the Rumbles aren't anywhere near as fun as they were when loads of new faces hit each other. So many new faces, too much time used unwisely.

THIS, biggest issue with the product at the moment is the same faces facing the same people over and over again. Big E and Del Rio have had 5 matches in 2 weeks, Orton/Sheamus have beaten the Rhodes Scholars 1000 times also. With a brand split, most of the undercard that have been buried or vanished during the 3-hour era would actually have some screen time. Use something like Main-Event as a place for the tag or mid-card titles so you still have time too use plenty of time on the main guys on the 2 big shows. Also cut all the bloody recaps out of Smackdown, killing it, nobody just watched SD and misses Raw, they know what happened.