[Maluco]

People are very angry, and the anger seems directed towards reigns, when in reality, people are disappointed in the quality of the match itself. I was wondering why it all seemed so flat, but I think I can see how they envisaged the match.

The flat exits were supposed to provide the same effect as the Survivor Series. What they were trying to do is provide that "we have no hope" atmosphere so Reigns could thrive in it. They envisaged that the crowds disappointment at hero after hero falling, would have them cling to Reigns as the only one that could save them from Show, Kane, Rusev etc...

It was the combination of the plan and the guy chosen to do it that caused the problem, but it wasn't completely illogical and nonsensical as it played out on TV. There was a plan in place to get an emotional response for Reigns by making it "flat" and "bleak". That's why the eliminations were so flat.

I was initially happier because of that. I didn't want to think it was just a half assed job, but it actually makes things worse, because they really believed that that formula would put reigns in a favorable position and clearly saw the crowd getting behind him as the "excitement" built against the odds at the end.

In reality, I think it is worse, because it confirms that they are out of touch with what the fans will respond to, but at least there was a plan. I actually think, with the way it looks to have been planned, that they would have been genuinely surprised by the reaction.

What do people think, is thee any sympathy for Reigns? Would it have worked with Ambrose or Dolph in his position, not just Bryan? And does anyone think the WWE expected a backlash, because I really think the layout of the match suggested they didn't.