Okay.Originally Posted by mth
Did not see that at all. Good eye mthski!
Okay.
Did not see that at all. Good eye mthski!
Drew “quitting” and Seth returning this early, two things I definitely did not have on my Bingo card
I thought for sure that Seth would take a couple more months off, spend some quality family time at home; maybe a SummerSlam return. I don’t see Roman returning until the Rumble, Crown Jewel at the earliest.
How serious was Seth's knee injury?
IDK how I feel about post Mania WWE right now. We still have a little bit of time before Summerslam to see how some of these stories will unfold. I feel like I need to get out of my head that Gunther is winning the title at Summerslam.
I know they are leading to Cody/Rock at some point, I wonder if Rock getting his arm injured while filming may change their SummerSlam plans. I would rather see Cody/Gunther than Priest/Gunther. Yet, I think Raw weirdly needs as much star power as they can get. Which explains Seth coming back as the ratings have not really matched the shows selling out. It is also the Summer, so the NHL and NBA playoffs on top of people going on vacation usually leads to lower ratings.
Rollins surely beats Priest? Unless Seth is back to do a one and done before having surgery or something, he's the logical play for Gunther at Summerslam. Mainly because I can't think of another story for him beyond the title at this point. I guess Howdy's group, but I doubt they beat Howdy that early, and Rollins shouldn't be losing too much either. Priest is a transitional champion, and 3 months isn't too bad a reign. Rollins vs. Gunther would be a big match. Though I wonder if they're happy with leaving it on the table for now given Punk vs. McIntyre and Roman's return will be presented as the biggest deals.
I wouldn’t put the belt on Seth at MITB only to have him drop it two months later in Berlin (to Gunther); let Damian run until then.
It's good that it's unpredictable, and they don't have to burn through marquee matches on the way with these hot overseas shows. They've essentially got through celebrated, high grossing events with a Damien Priest transitional run and an AJ Styles filler feud. Bloodline angle is cooking for the nuclear Roman return, Liv and Rhea, Punk and McIntyre, Gunther's first world title challenge, LA Knight's likely first title win, Cody's still on fire. Bayley's run is flat but Tiffany is ready to step up. Tag divisions have stagnated and there's still a few cold acts but it's generally pretty fucking good at the minute. Drew and Punk feels the biggest non title match in years.
Unreal that it took a mere two months for the universe to be chanting Roman’s name. That return pop is going to be absolutely massive, really hope it’s a surprise.
Royal Rumble, if I were booking; that gives Paul/Paul/Solo a long runway to build up Bloodline 2.0.
I feel like the Bloodline wandered into nWo territory especially after Sami joined. What we're seeing now obviously very much a heel faction but I'm honestly not surprised the crowd has already started going against the Sikoa-lead version.
I agree, make Roman's return a surprise. Will they wait until Rumble though? I don't think so. I think if anything we're going to see him return either at Summerslam or no later than Survivor Series.
I'd imagine Roman returns at SummerSlam to stop Solo and company from destroying Rhodes.
Quick thoughts:
-definitely Team McIntyre
-Miz would be amazing as a color commentator, if that’s what he chooses to do upon retirement; extremely underrated in all aspects of the business, an easy hall-of-famer.
-Dom’s totally turning on Rhea when she returns, to side with Liv; we finally get face Ripley.
-Priest retains at MITB but drops it to Gunther at SummerSlam, right?
-the Bo Dallas segment was pretty cool, Paul and Taylor are definitely cooking.
-new tag champs, the assist to Morgan. I feel like Priest is going to leave the group sooner than later, maybe they accidentally cost him the title at SummerSlam?
Love that they look like they're giving the Wyatt 6 origin stories rather than having them just be a group of creepy wizards or whatever. Transforming into a cult leaders creations after being outcast from the business and shunned after his death, makes sense.
Drew is awesome.
I can see Drew v Punk at Summerslam. Solo wins MITB and Roman comes back at Summerslam
I think Priest might drop it to Rollins. Gunther needs to go over a strong face.
All of this.
Miz on commentary was terrific. Did they address why McAfee was not there, in his hometown? Cole spent much of yesterday afternoon on McAfee's show.
When Rhea returns, dare they attempt to have Dom choose between Liv and Rhea, in front of a live crowd? I loved Zelina Vega's getting the crowd to chant "sloppy seconds". This is arguably Liv's best work in her career - much better than post her first women's title run, when she'd have Racquel throw her at their opponents.
McIntyre is doing amazing stuff right now. Punk will probably knock him off a ladder costing him the MITB match.
Priest is doing great. I like that I can't call who wins between him and Seth. Part of me thinks shenanigans will lead to a 3-way at SummerSlam with those two and GUNTHER.
Bron Breakker got the face role against fellow heel Kaiser, so it was obvious Sheamus was going to DQ. Bron is not wrong to complain to Pearce about two DQ losses, and I liked Sami stepping up to offer him the title shot at MITB.
I liked Gable apologizing to Alpha Academy, and Otis not being ready to accept it. Maxxine nailed her spot saying she'd work on Otis for Chad - and that they are really glad he's okay. While a part of me thinks Jey will win MITB, Gable has been delivering for several months.
Congrats to JD for his first gold. I hope we get more Awesome Truth, because exasperated Miz has been really fun.
I just saw why McAfee was not there - his father-in-law passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon. Damn.
Apparently right after McAfee's show went off the air yesterday, he got news that his FIL was having issues (complications from a recent bout) at a local medical facility, where he later died. Not sure if Cole was aware of all that last night or the timing of when his FIL actually died. However, it's good to know that they have someone like Miz that they can plug in at the last minute and still have the show flow. And props to Cole for just going with the flow... Cole takes a lot of shit, but if/when he eventually leaves the desk it'll be a loss.
I was kinda worried about making Gable the 'face' of the Wyatt beatdown last week. In a storyline sense, the person next-in-line that most deserved to leave Gable a battered, bloody mess was Otis. It's been built for months now that he get his comeuppance from either Otis or the combined Alpha Academy. It just seemed like an odd mixture of storylines, and I didn't want the crack on the noggin to act like some sort of 'character reset button' as it appeared last night backstage. However, it could lead to a mini faction-vs-faction storyline with AA against Gable and a new group of protégés, so that's the upside.
RAW was good again.
Highlights for me -
Main event with Drew / Sheamus / Dragunov. I don't want to miss a Dragunov match.
The Uncle Howdy / Bo segment on VHS
Liv v. Zelina Vega was very good
Sami / Bron segment
Dom v. Rey, which included that spot with Dirty Daddy DomDom mounting Liv
Chad Gable talking with Otis, Otis telling him that the Wyatt Sick6 is Gable's problem
Balor pointing out that Priest has changed. I loved his reaction to Priest saying Judgment Day needs Priest more than Priest needs Judgment Day. Balor has been wasted in Judgement Day, but it has gotten Priest over much more. I liked Rollins telling Finn that he's just jealous of Priest doing what Finn couldn't. Since I would rather see Rollins v. GUNTHER at SummerSlam, I am leaning toward a Rollins victory at MITB.
The Women's MITB qualifier was meh. Stark's ring work makes me miss Dana Brooke. But they are finally giving Dakota some badly needed mic time / development, and her complaining about being sick of others interfering in Damage CTRL was fun.
I don't like a lot of what HHH has done to WWE, but I'm sure happy seeing Strowman doing things, and Bron Breakker is great.
Anything specifically you don’t like?
Curious as he seems to be getting mostly praise from what I’ve seen.
Can't really pinpoint what I don't like. Something just feels off. Same feeling I get when watching clips of AEW, TNA, WCW, etc.
Vince must have molded me as a fan or something.
Maybe making an assumption here (and correct me if I’m wrong btw) but going off this and your previous posts…
You basically feeling nostalgic because Vince was in charge and now that he’s no longer there, you are having trouble accepting anyone else in charge even with Vince’s troubles.
If I’m right…I kinda get it as Vince transformed the business so nostalgic fans like yourself are not sure of change.
Not easy but just gotta accept he’s gone and not coming back.
PS just seen an FB post where speculating Brock could be the guy to clean house and also save Heyman from the new Bloodline.
That might be craaaazy and fresh enough to work. Brock and Roman finding a common enemy due to Heyman’s treatment. Of course depends on Brock’s status as know he was pissed about Vince even if Brock would be part-time.
Kinda mixed about the Usos reuniting with Roman as Jey over enough on his own. Jimmy needs Jey more than the other way around IMO.
Brock returning as well to clean house on the new Bloodline might just get a poooop. Although he and Reigns should be apprehensive of each other.
I see no world where Jimmy and Jey don't join Roman when the inevitable match happens.
You need Bloodline 1.0 to defeat Wish-Bloodline
I'd go bonkers if Brock just returns and lays out the whole Bloodline.
I'd love a Heyman stable of Punk, Brock, and Reigns to take out the Bloodline. Imagine if Cesaro and Ryback and Curtis Axel were still around. Epic Heyman Guy Stable!
I could definitely see Jimmy returning to help.
Jey kinda conflicted on because it defeats the whole purpose of “It’s just me Uuuce…Day-One iiiish!”
I know Jimmy is his twin and all, but it would kinda feel like a regression for Jey single push unleeesss New Bloodline specifically target him.
Last edited by Badger; July 5th, 2024 at 2:17 PM.
It doesn't mean Jimmy and Jey need to be a tag team going forward. Jey comes back to help the family shut these idiots up and goes back to Raw to Uce it up.
It depends on Jey’s motivations.
I mean his brother/Roman would have to grovel to him or they target him especially.
It is possible but also could work without Jey involved. Kinda cool with his singles run.
I don’t think the Bloodline story benefits at all from not having Jey. The 2.0 has four people currently. Who is Roman getting to help him outside of Jimmy then?
This is also ignoring the Rock being in the story too because there is less than zero chance he isn’t involved.
I think it could work either way, even if the fourth member isn’t “blood”. They don’t even have to call it Bloodline or anything I think. Just allies for Roman.
I did also say earlier tbf if Jey got targeted specifically then it could work.
Basically it depends on Jey’s motivations. I see him as sorta like KO right now when Sami was trying to make up with him. I just can’t see him helping right now because it goes against the whole “Just Me Uce” thing plus he would need a LOT of convincing considering what Roman did to him. Also what Jimmy did to him too.
Also he’s need to switch shoes too. Not saying it can’t be done of course but think it needs to be booked carefully.
You didn't answer who is going to help Roman if not for Jimmy and Jey. Who, in the story, would be happy to team with ROMAN REIGNS, after all the shit he did, to take down bloodline 2.0. And not even just one person.
The Rock has already said they have plans for him at WM41. This means its likely finally going to be Roman vs Rock, since I assume the Rock is the one pulling Solo's strings.
You cannot have a Bloodline battle without the original Bloodline. Am I saying Jey is gonna just show up out of nowhere and help? No, I expect there to be build up from Roman's return all the way to him taking out Rock/Solo
Nia Jax is Bloodline, and she's meaner and tougher than Solo / Tama Tonga / Tonga Loa / Jacob Fatu
And unless Bloodline 2.0 gets a woman, they won't do anything with it unfortunately.
I'd watch Nia fight Jacob tho. That shit would be amusing.
Not meaner than Tamina.
Okay, it depends on if they promote it as “Bloodline vs Bloodline” if that makes sense. They might hypothetically rename the stable something else. Not saying they will, just saying a possibility.
Might just be a case of simply getting a group to take this new Bloodline down than a fight over which Bloodline is better
If you want an answer as a possible alternative to Jey, I’d say Owens is a good shout as he has been fighting them for aaages and still is.
I’m just saying there are possible options to Jey is all though they may end up going with him anyway.
Last edited by Badger; July 8th, 2024 at 11:28 AM.
Why would Owens help Roman? You keep saying the story with Jey doesn't have him involved, but why would KO join Roman who literally was the cause of him getting his ass beat down originally. Could they do it? Absolutely, but it would require the same buildup I am talking about. Jey isn't going to quickly go help them, especially on opposite brands. There will be buildup and I think it takes nothing away from Jey working as a solo artist. Or are we saying when Cody and Jey won the titles for a week or two, was bad for Cody because it put him in a tag team match?
Jey wants a belt, but you even said he needs work and probably isn't ready yet. So him joining w/ Bloodline just makes sense.
Seth Rollins said the best thing they did was get rid of Roman and they had to.
I don't see people flocking to help Roman outside of his family. Could it happen yeah. I just think it makes no sense not to involve Jey in a storyline that hugely involves him.
Survivor Series 2024 - Bloodline 1.0 + friends vs Bloodline 2.0 + Rock. Bloodline 2.0 wins and sets up Rock vs Roman at Mania.
Well yeah that’s kinda what I mean with Jey, same could apply to Owens. Of course he’d be reluctaaaaant with Roman like he was but they could HYPOTHETICALLY do it with him rather than Jey.
I mean the likelihood is that it IS Jey. I’m merely saying they COULD book it another way if they chose to.
But...but...but... if they are setting up the story why wouldn't you put the MAIN PERSON in that started the downfall of the current Bloodline, as it was. (arguably this is Sami, but yeah, Jey was directly involved too).
"Oh, Jey should not be involved with Bloodline. Let's forget that part and continue his non-existent title push
That being said, I am happy Jey's spears are looking better. They are less huggy.
Hypothetical lols.But...but...but... if they are setting up the story why wouldn't you put the MAIN PERSON in that started the downfall of the current Bloodline, as it was. (arguably this is Sami, but yeah, Jey was directly involved too).
"Oh, Jey should not be involved with Bloodline. Let's forget that part and continue his non-existent title push
That being said, I am happy Jey's spears are looking better. They are less huggy.
I’m not as stubborn as you are hahaaa. I just think there could be more than one way to book this.
Your way is probably what will happen. But my way could be an alternative which they could do but likely will not.
There happy?I wouldn’t throw my laptop oot the windae if they went with Owens.
All kidding aside if they went with Jey then I feel Owens should still be involved in some form or fashion in the build-up even if he isn’t officially a part of one of the two factions. Like Roman tries to approach him or something.
He’s been fighting the OGs since Day One-ish and now the new ones so shouldn’t remove him completely.
I agree KO should be involved. I don't disagree at all. He's been involved with the new one too.
You just can't have a battle of the bloodline without the OG members
This is ofc, assuming it is BL vs BL
They could put her with the new folks and Naomi with Roman's group.
They also could just put Tamina with the new folks and leave Nia out.
I am guessing at this point though they are just leaving out the women that could be involved.
Gooood show this week! Lot to unpack but two things to mention right off the bat:
1. These Wyatt vids get better and better every week. Plus Bo Dallas..backstage and unmasked!
2. Guess who’s back?… Back again! Ripley’s back…tell a friend!
3. Sooooonyaaaaa! See number 2 but sub the names lol.
Last edited by Badger; July 9th, 2024 at 7:50 AM.
Also the Badd Blood advert is very clever. October 5th was the date of the first Badd Blood PPV in 1997. Metro Boomin, raised in St Louis Missouri…that’s where the first Badd Blood was.
If it was in St Louis instead of Atlanta it’d be perfect. Nonetheless very clever.
The pop for Rhea Ripley was absolutely amazing.
http://www.wwe.com/videos/rhea-riple...ts-july-8-2024
It was indeed.
Of course, that's who Priest was on the phone with.
But thy'll explain that next week I'm sure.
Some amusing Eddie Guerrero memes on social media saying Dom should get his Mamacita(rhea) some flowers. I also kinda liken it to X-Pac and Tori when X-Pac refused to call her when injured and she slapped and broke up with him at WWE New York.
I bet Priest didn't buy Dom's BS that he had kept in touch with Rhea so took matters into his own hands. It'll be something like that probably.
Just wait when Lars Sullivan returns next week to help Chad Gable against the Wyatt Sicks. That pop will be deafening.
Well this is may or may not be interesting.
According to PWinsider, Rhea is listed as a face internally by those in WWE while the rest of Judgment Day are (currently) still listed as heels.
There possibly may be some sort of “Judgment Day civil war” with Priest/Rhea again with Liv/Balor (who I suspect with the key card thing may be helping either Dom or himself to Liv). Balor possibly envious/jealous of Priest being champ and Liv of course screwing with Rhea.
But yeah feel the split is coming very shortly!
Also Dom apparently said this to her backstage after the show which made her even angrier:
“I swear. It's not what you think. I've been trying to fix things since you were gone," Dominik said.
Last edited by Badger; July 9th, 2024 at 12:27 PM.
Rhea has been the most forced heel in the company for almost 2 years it seems. When was the last time she was booed in a match?
Probably when I was in the audience.
She's booed every time she appears with Dom or the rest of the Judgement Day group. When she comes out on her own, or when she wrestles alone, she's a face. When she interferes on behalf of DomDom or the group, she gets booed. Many times on the same show. I can't remember any wrestler other than Cena getting so many loud cheers and boos on the same show.
She was part of a tease / botched cash-in attempt with Priest and the crowd hated her for it.
I love that she's back and apparently healthy. I am looking forward to Dom having to choose who to side with.
Also, shout out to Carlito for consistently cracking me up with his comments in the background. "Now That's ... Cool! " and "I dunno, looks pretty hard to me" while pointing at Dom's crotch, sounded like it had both McAfee and Cole cracking up as well.
See I don't think SHE is being booed it's the rest of the group. When was the failed cash-in attempt? He had like 12 of them so I'm not sure which one you're specifically talking about.
I thiiink I know the one he’s talking about.
I’d need to look it up but it was something like she talked him out of it because he was injured IIRC hence why the crowd booed.
But in general I agree with your point. She’s more booed by association when with the group rather than boos being directed at her specifically.
Yeah it's obvious the boos aren't directed at her, if they were, she'd be getting booed outside of the group. Kind of like the nWo. Did anyone after about 3 months really hate Hall and Nash or did they A-hate Hogan and/or B-like throwing shit in the ring? Lol Rhea is probably the closest thing to Stone Cold in late 1996/early 1997 when the WWF were forcing him as a heel.
I love how Kairi Sane is just a pretty little girl until she SPINNING BACKFISTS someone. Not so pretty and not so little when you taste the back of her hand, I imagine...
Kairi Sane should have all the titles.
Rhea on Instagram with BRUTALITY tour merchandise to take the piss out of Morgan’s REVENGE tour merchandise!
Ahahaaaaaa!
Pics of shirts also (spoilered for size as a biiig picture)
Also love the MAMI’s BACK shirt!
Last edited by Badger; July 11th, 2024 at 7:48 AM.
Covered the Wyatt Sicks6 and Chad/Creeds stuff in the Wyatt thread, but yeah some good stuff this week.
The Drew McIntyre segment was good as both had good points. Drew saying all this shit happened to him under Pearce’s watch. Pearce actually showing some BALLS for a change lol saying Drew is still suspended after refusing to apologise to the refs. Then chaos ensues until Seth makes the save.
The ascension of the Sonya, Zoe and Baszler trio. Three Horsewomen I’ll call them.
Good match between Sheamus and Bronson. Dunne still a bit pissed Sheamus abandoned them it seems.
Strowman and Priest too. Priest nailing the South of Heaven on Braun was an impressive visual!! Should be a good one at Summerslam between him and GUNTHER..possibly including Seth too unless they have him run in or get involved in some way during Punk/Drew at Summerslam instead. If Punk makes it/cleared in time of course. They may just do Seth/Drew as a singles match instead. We shall see what happens.
Last but definitely not least of course, the Rhea/Dom/Liv love triangle. Rhea and Liv both traded excellent verbal jabs and Dom’s well though flower apology not working at fiirst..sorta towards the end. “You’re mine!”Should be good when Rhea and Liv finally clash again in the ring and how Dom will get involved in the match of course too!
Oh and nearly forgot Jey trolling by asking if Rhea is single lol. Priest going along with it too. Plus the brilliant “You’ve been in prison before! You gonna let him talk to you like that?” line!
Oh and great IC title main event between Dragunov and Zayn too!
Last edited by Badger; July 16th, 2024 at 12:22 PM.
The Wyatt Sick6 stuff was terrific all around. I loved Rowan's VHS segment. Gable really gets how playing clueless and arrogant can be really entertaining. His revelation that "in a display of my seemingly endless intellect, I have solved the greatest mystery ever in WWE. I'm here to announce the true identity of Uncle Howdy is in fact none other than Bo Dallas. I know you probably thought of anyone but him Master Gable cracked the case!"
Drew is right that he doesn't need to apologize to Pearce and refs who consistently screwed him over.
I loved Jey asking Priest and Dom about "Rhea being single and ready to mingle, cuz I'm trying to holllllllllleerrrrrrrrr!." Priest telling Dom "You've been in prison - you can't let people talk to you like that!"
I am wondering what Seth gets to do at SummerSlam? It feels like they are waiting to see if Punk is cleared before they decide if they add him to Priest v. GUNTHER. If Punk cannot get cleared, do they do Seth vs. Drew again?
They are clearly trying to make GUNTHER the heel vs. Priest - who is getting cheers by association with Ripley, and his pointing out Dom's failures. GUNTHER attacking the crowd and anyone who believes in dreams. GUNTHER telling Priest he wanted to lift the weight off his shoulders - just hand him the title now and they move on.
Playing up Priest's street scrappiness, and GUNTHER dissing Priest saying being on the street was his choice, and was his parents' fault for not giving him a good life. They may have to be careful because statements like that will resonate with a large segment of the WWE crowd.
Priest defeating Strowman clean was a mild surprise - I was expecting GUNTHER interference. But Priest was impressive and Strowman sold a knee injury very well.
Didn't like Jey's match with DomDom because of the bad camera angle on the spot with Jey clearly hitting the turnbuckle only and completely missing Dom with his father Rikishi's corner hip attack. But the rest of that was good storytelling with Liv and Rhea.
The problem I have with Drew's suspension is that it makes Pearce look like an idiot if he doesn't suspend Bron Breaker for his continued interference. Bron's interference was easily predicted, but it makes me wonder if they are setting up a 3-way with Sami/Ilja/Bron for SummerSlam. Ilja seems to have no personality, and his gimmick is that he has great matches and comes out looking like Sheamus - lots and lots of red all over the body.
It’s true that there are definitely some booking and logical inconsistencies. Especially with the Drew storyline.
Also although yes they are building GUNTHER as the heel, what everyone seems to forget is..in his own words..”the ring is sacred.” Yes he’ll attack people verbally, attack people after the match, maybe even a backstage fight or promo. He WON’T ruin a match though because the ring is sacred.
He can act heelish, but as far as the in-ring wrestling goes, he won’t interfere. He’s the ring general and a man of honour in that regard.
If we go by the last couple ppvs Summerslam is practically booked up lol. They already have 4 matches. I wonder if we are going to get a triple threat with Rollins/Drew/Punk and then the next couple ppvs it'll be Punk v. Drew in a gimmick match and then maybe Punk v. Seth in a singles after that. I just don't see Rollins coming back and being involved just to sit on the sidelines. We have to remember, all of this started with Punk/Seth. Fate morphed it into something else but now WWE have to figure out how to finish what they started.
Seth coming back and screwing Punk out of the title.....I'm here for it.
Punk needs to win a title though. Right now it doesn't look like he's getting a title shot anytime soon.
I do wonder---Was he going to beat Seth for the title? I didn't watch that WM 40 documentary but I just assumed it was 99.9% just about the Bloodline/Cody stuff and nothing about Punk/Rollins and the original plans for that match. That story we'll have to wait for probably Conrad and Bruce to do an episode because I'm very curious. Were they going to have Priest cash in on Punk or Seth or was that also added in?
I would find a way to move the title to Drew or Punk. It's the WWE's best feud, and one that would meaningfully be enhanced by the title's presence. I don't even mind a flip during the feud.
But if you get a chance to have Punk win or win back, and then have Seth screw Punk similar to how Punk has screwed Drew? Those two could cook with that story.
That said-
Realistically, if I was WWE I might also want to see Punk stay healthy for 2 months of regular wrestling before I moved a title to him.
See that's what I'm thinking. They're not dumb. It's not like Punk never got hurt during his first run shit he was always fuckin hurt, him, Edge, and Rey Mysterio always fucked up.
I do think if they can get the Raw title over to Punk and Drew that would be cool but I don't think we're there yet. Raw's main event scene is pretty thick right now so they have time. Priest could drop it to Gunther, which could lead to Gunther v. Seth for the belt. I feel like there might be something coming with Finn Balor and Priest that could very well be about the title if Priest retains. But again, if they can the title over to Drew and Punk and maybe they have a big blowoff at Bad Blood in the Cell for the title, it'd be pretty huge.
The way they've booked it, Drew wants nothing other than to get back at Punk. And Punk will stop Drew from getting the title. Storyline wise, do you think if Punk had a title shot, Drew would just sit by?
Once Punk gets cleared, he's gonna have a match with Drew.
Punk's dream was to win the title at Mania. That's what he came back for, and the doc showed that they had planned for him and Seth. They had planned for Rock and Roman, but they didn't say what the plans for Cody were supposed to have been.
The fact that we didn't get Rock v Roman makes me wonder how long they will string it out, especially since the plan for Rock next is presumably Cody.
Kick off to Raw with GUNTHER doubling down on his comments about Priest and the crowd, followed by Priest's appearance and the pull-apart brawl, came across as much better than last week. Priest seems more comfortable in the face role, but his intensity to want to prove himself seemed to finally be at a believable level.
Putting Seth in the guest ref role is a waste of his talent, and the Punk/Drew feud was hot enough and didn't really need it. They had to find something for Seth to do, though.
Breaker vs Ilja was fun while it lasted. Breaker's post match backstage interview segment was one of his best. I will be shocked if Bron does not win the IC strap at SummerSlam.
I keep waiting to hear Sheamus call Pete Dunne "Butch" again. Bronson Reed looked like a fool this week.
The Final Testament is destined to fail as they won't even give them a 30 second group character development segment - why the hell are we the audience supposed to care about them when it seems the WWE doesn't. Compare them to the Wyatt Sick6, and it's clear why one bunch of jabronis gets the audience looking for a bathroom break, while the other group - with arguably a lot less talent - gets us excited for who knows what's next?
Women's division is really missing the star power of Becky.
Loved the Rhea/Dom/Liv segment. Dom's Spanish felt like he was channeling Ricky Ricardo cursing the hell out of Lucy, when he was putting Liv in her place. Liv absolutely shined in this segment - from her dissing Rhea's looks, all the way up to her heartbreak.
The crowd hates Dom, but we love Rhea. Rhea wants to keep Dom, so we cheer when he chooses Rhea, even when she licked his face and got black lipstick on his cheek. Huge credit to all involved for making this complicated story keep working so well.
Buddy Murphy watched Raw and the next day signed a new deal with AEW. Damn, looks like Rikishi was right-only it was the wrong married couple who WWE are trying to break up. We all know that in wrestling if you're in a relationship the only way it'll work is if you're both in the same company. It's dark day for Buddy Murphy fans as we were all rooting for a WWE return especially with the Wellness policy seemingly non-existent (Orton, Styles, I'm looking at you TRT motherfuckers!)
Drew McIntyre has been one of my absolute favorites since he returned to WWE and while I can't fucking stand Jack Perry this is absolute nuclear if you're a smart fan.
This is the dude CM Punk got into the altercation with before he left AEW?Drew McIntyre has been one of my absolute favorites since he returned to WWE and while I can't fucking stand Jack Perry this is absolute nuclear if you're a smart fan.
If so, lmao.
Yep lol. I guess Drew took the picture down but it did what it needed to do. I know there aren't a ton of wrestling fans who watch AEW or follow AEW to fully understand how comical this picture is but for those of us that do, pretty hilarious.
If you think former Jurassic Park member was small, then let me raise you former Jurassic Park member Marko Stunt. Cornette as you may expectlovedhaaaated him!
Only juust taller than a woman I used to work with who had her barrage of short jokes lol.
@VoidKitten
Can do you one better as recently faced off against Jack Perry on Collision lol.
With the caption "cry me a river" as well.
There are some fans who are convinced CM Punk is legit mad and somehow had the tweet removed.....I'm quick to call bullshit on Rancid fan CM Punk but to think he's that much of a bitch when the last 7 months has been nothing but pulling back the curtain type shit between them. Even Punk would appreciate something like this. Punks now had a few days to load up the shotgun and you know he likes to drop those little disses toward whoever is the on the other side.
Punk is like a game of 70’s pong with the world. Or like one of them Newton’s Cradles with Punk being the ball on one side, past stars/creative being ball on other side and the three balls in the middle representing fans getting it from both sides.
Forever ending back and forth over who has the last word/best insult.
Ok, this is just fucking awesome. Love Drew.Drew McIntyre has been one of my absolute favorites since he returned to WWE and while I can't fucking stand Jack Perry this is absolute nuclear if you're a smart fan.
I have this ROH DVD called "Best in the World" and some of the matches are like Samoa Joe v. Kenta Kobashi, Bryan Danielson v. Lance Storm, but one I forgot they had and I watched this last night was Terry Funk v. CM Punk. Watching that match and realizing Punk was probably 22-23 at the time very young but he got it. He's going back and forth with the fans playing that heel role perfectly. I've said Punk is my favorite wrestler of the modern era until I saw Asuka and he "retired". But for all his negatives that we hear about it feels like the positives outweigh them when you really think about it. That's what makes him so fucking polarizing.
He'll have a group of people eating out of his hands and then a year later those same fans are shitting on him. Like when he turned heel on Jeff Hardy. Half his fans were heartbroken af.
So it looks like they’re doing a slight role reversal with Sami and Bron in that Sami can see him coming now. Should be Bron’s now to take now he’s forced to take Sami seriously.
Interesting class dispute between GUNTHER and Priest. Great main event between Balor and GUNTHER too.
I can see Woods joining the New Testament only to at least try and take it down from within. Might be a match where he’s forced to join if he loses. Alternatively he gets talked out of joining at the last minute.
Dom is so turning on Rhea.
I love how Carlito’s biggest concern over the JD clubhouse being trashed was the PS controller being out of charge and being so cocky to try his apple shit mid-match only for it to cost him. Plus trying to drop Dom in it in the first place signing him up against Sami. Comedy Carlito is great.
Nice Wyatt Sicks video for Lumis where he actually says a word! Six-man tag debut next week too.
Damage Control vs Three Horsewomen feud sounds good too.
Seth’s ref shirt…fucking hell lol. I sense a Summerslam 1997 Taker/Bret like finish where Drew berates and/or spits at him and he ends up costing Punk and being forced to count three. Essentially Punk’s turn to be screwed by a ref even accidentally is where I see this going nicely into Punk vs Rollins or a triple threat.
Last edited by Badger; July 30th, 2024 at 9:15 AM.
How are we feeling about Bronson Reed getting the big push?
Digging Orton v. Gunther II That one actually shocked me as I was honestly thinking Drew would be next in line to get a shot after beating Punk but this makes a lot of sense.
I like what's going on with Judgement Day and Priest/Ripley.
IDK how I feel about the name "American Made" because for us older fans it seems to spark a theme song from WCW's heyday lol. Good match though. I will say this....WWE needs to really crack down on people using the same finisher especially multiple times on the show. Loomis winning with a top rope splash, when he's never used that move to my knowledge just didn't look right. You already have guys like Bronson Reed, The Usos, even Gunther uses a top rope splash sometimes as a finish.
Forgot to add I was happy to see Odyssey Jones finally pop in and I'm digging this angle already. Woods was not having any of "Big O" For all the shit that Kross has had to put up with in terms of start and stop booking this has actually been one of the best angles going today. Multiple layers that keep things interesting.
Last edited by Nash Diesel; August 6th, 2024 at 9:44 AM.
On holiday but reading the report.
I certainly did not expect Bronson Reed to attack. SIX Tsunamis…holy shit! I know it’s an angle and all but still six in a row has gotta hurt.
I’m definitely all for the push though. It’s probably to write Seth out while Punk and Drew finish their feud. Then Seth once back finishes with Bronson then will likely get his turn at Punk.
So yeah a direction I did not expect but certainly not complaining. Glad Brandon’s getting some shine.
Nice that there's actually follow up on the sus KOTR finish making for a marquee match at Bash.
Loved Big Bronny getting the big spotlight and fucking up Seth like a monster. Crowd was going ape shit for those Tsunamis, too. Very cool. big fan of Reed so hope this is the start of him really cooking.
Finally OJ makes that main roster debut after two years, a couple calls ups, a return to NXT, a couple drafts, etc. New Day might finally be interesting for the first time in awhile. That double sidewalk slam was insane.
My Wyatt Sicks thoughts will go in the other thread.
If @Donald was here, he’d probably say Orlando Jordan and Odyssey Jones need to be a tag team the OJs…
He’ll throw in Orange Cassidy and you’d have a freshly squeezed trio lol.
Someone posted that Dom is the first wrestler be a heel and turn even more heel lol
Dom is kinda like anti X-Pac heat. Not in a fuck off go away heel heat, more like he’s such a bastard it’s fun to boo him deal.
He even got booed at his own wedding lol. It’s just fun!
The crazy part is here is a guy who I can see becoming a huge babyface down the road. Right now though.....Guys hate him, women hate him, his own parents want to kick his ass. 90% of the men in that crowd hate this fuckin guy for 3 reasons: 1-We wanted to be Rey's son, 2-Rhea, 3-Liv. Anything beyond that is just semantics. I was a grown man and I wanted Eddie and Rey to fight over me lol. I remember my oldest son thought that was the coolest fuckin storyline like Dad, is he really Eddie's son?? That was probably his "Santa isn't real" moment when it came to wrestling. Mine was my aunt showing me in slow motion a big boot that didn't connect at Survivor Series 1988 lol.
Bronson!!!
Raw was great. Really. JD stuff, Wyatt Sicks in particular. Gunther, Punk, Drew and Seth too.
I will give JD McGregor credit. That boy can sell. Rhea throws that wicked headbutt and he took it like a champ. I'll never forget when he came over to NXT and my daughter who was pretty young said he was her favorite wrestler. I was like, what happened to Bayley and Sasha Banks? She said she liked them too. She has no memory of this lol.
Human Bobblehead JD's selling is way better than his offense. In that way, he reminds me of Dolph Ziggler.
Back home from holiday and watching the show.
Gunther/Orton Two at the Berlin Bash should be good. Already covered the Bronson beating but yeah just also seen that Odyssey Jones return, yeah that was a pretty cool main roster debut showcase.
Just need Oba now and Raw’s gonna be stacked with beeeeef.
Great comparison really. Dolph was always a victim of his ability to sell but never really looked believable with the offense. I think Booker T did an interview awhile back where he said that exact same thing where told Dolph he was giving too much and not giving back enough. His moveset was never that great. Threw a nice superkick but that was about it.
I am happy for JD in that he has been given many opportunities and more screen time / longer matches where he can showcase his skills. His size and his win/loss record work against him for believability. He's been booked well enough now in a supportive heel role so that when he's in a match, while we don't expect him to win clean, even if we're surprised if they give him a longer chance to shine, we're never disappointed in his match work, and his matches always add to the longer story. I thought his promo this week was very good, he was effective at what he was supposed to do for the story in just the right amount of time they gave him. I am happy he'll be a continuing part of the New Judgment Day, and I get the impression that he'll be tagging with Balor and supporting Dom for a while. Eventually either Dom or Balor will also leave the group, but If JD keeps his progress up, by that point JD will probably have earned enough respect of fans so he may be taken more seriously. I hope they stay healthy and they don't break them up in the draft.
I watched the documentary on Damien Priest, and thought it was excellent. I thought HHH made an excellent point in the post SummerSlam press conference about when Priest won the title, it felt like it was given to him. By the time GUNTHER took the title, it really felt like Priest had earned everything and he belongs in the main event level. Now, it doesn't feel like a huge step down to the midcard for him because while Balor has felt like he's been coasting in Judgment Day ever since Edge left the company, Balor has maintained his credibility. Balor v Priest will be fun.
Stop trying to make Bronson Reed a thing.
Also, the Job Squad 2.0 (Kross and crew) needs to be future endeavoured sooner than later, please and thank-you.
Except Big Bronny is fucking awesome. Hope he Tsunamis your mom.
Wife was out so I watched RAW for the first time in forever. It was decent. Six man tornado tag and IC title match were good. Gunther saying Orton didn't live up to his potential didn't make any sense.
Aye more Bronson please!!!
Bronson vs Braun vs Bron…make it happen! But yeah I expect Bronson vs Braun at least over this.
Maybe even make them a stable…The Bronze Age!
GUNTHER/Orton….I could see what they were attempting as Orton isn’t the GREATEST in terms of title reigns like Flair/Cena and that Orton has made mistakes. That storyline might have been good a few years ago..but Orton’s a vet now not making these types of mistakes.
The match will be great but I’d have probably just framed it like GUNTHER saying Orton has lost a step and he cannot make that next level now rather than say he was wasted career potential. Just would’ve framed it differently basically.
This six man tag between New Day and Final Testament next week. I know Creed is unsure of Big O but yeah hopefully it’s not a straight Woods heel turn next week though and there’s another twist in the tale.
New Judgment Day kinda looking like chumps for second week running. Nice to see the Sexy Scottish witches get some air time. Texas Tornado between Creeds/Alpha Academy was a fun spotfest. Punk/Drew with the obvious strap match metaphor for their next match (though would’ve preferred bulldog collar really) but it’s showing the violence is slowly progressing til they get to the HITC at Bad Blood.
Last edited by Badger; August 13th, 2024 at 8:37 AM.
Bronson Reed getting kind of the Earthquake/Yokozuna push wouldn't be a bad thing. Just going out there and being a fat dude who can do a splash isn't enough so they have to keep the momentum going. I don't mean a bs feud with Shinsuke that ends on a random Raw either. Kind of how I feel about Final Testament. People want to glaze Triple H's booking, explain that stable not being a bigger threat. Tell me why Kross hasn't held any singles gold since returning? Bad timing?
Kross isn’t good, that’s why.
Big fish in the small pond in NXT, then became just another average big man in the bigs.
This we agree on.
I like Bronson Reed but it was fucking hysterical when he went around saying he was the best big man in the business. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life.
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