SmackDownLIVE - #1 Contender to be named tonight!

[slik]

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/wwe_16_9_l/public/all/2016/07/20160725_SD_Preview_Ambrose--db3b3db1021427456121577af4c7a412.jpg

[slik]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CoUtXokW8AA_5Aw.jpg

[Mercenary]

Any Owen White sightings?

[slik]

Not sure which brand he was drafted to

[Ruien]

Wonder who wI'll be Deans first victim. Has to be a big name since Balor is in the other title match. What big heels, besides Wyatt, does Smackdown have? Maybe they will go Cena and Ambrose to drive down the point Ambrose is for real.

[Mr. Nerfect]

My immediate thought after Ambrose retained the title at Battleground was Ambrose vs. Cena vs. Styles at SummerSlam, but it feels like they could run Styles vs. Cena as its own program. Hell, they might even keep it in the back pocket and run Ambrose vs. Styles and have Cena work with someone else until they get to a single-brand special they want to sell.

[DAMN iNATOR]

If they were to continue the Styles v. Cena feud, I could see it being either Bray or maybe ADR...

[Emperor Smeat]

Wonder who wI'll be Deans first victim. Has to be a big name since Balor is in the other title match. What big heels, besides Wyatt, does Smackdown have? Maybe they will go Cena and Ambrose to drive down the point Ambrose is for real.

Kane?

Seems to be WWE's backup plan whenever they don't have anyone else ready or just want a quick toss-away feud done.

[ClockShot]

Heart says AJ Styles.

Head says John Cena.

Although I'm expecting neither of them and we get quite the curveball.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to WWE's website, Smackdown's title is back to being called the WWE World title.

[ClockShot]

Alright Smackdown. Your turn.

[Triple A]

who watching

me

[Emperor Smeat]

New Smackdown opening is pretty cool.

[ClockShot]

Like the music.

[Simple Fan]

Theme sucked but I liked the opening video

[Triple A]

troubled by forced use of the word "lit" on 2 shows in a row

[Mercenary]

Mmmmm Becky

[ClockShot]

Smackdown only PPVs.

Cool. Makes things less confusing down the road.

[Maluco]

Simon Gotch fighting off sleep on the apron...

[Triple A]

Is the 3rd announcer guy there, haven't heard him

[BigCrippyZ]

Checking this out like I did with Raw.

[ClockShot]

Ok. They can drop the "face that runs the place" moniker for Cena.

[BigCrippyZ]

If they're going to do split PPVs/events make joint events unique like Rumble, Summerslam and WM only.

[Emperor Smeat]

Would have been cooler if Bryan announced an impromptu battle royale since everyone was already on the apron.

[ClockShot]

Would have been cooler if Bryan announced an impromptu battle royale since everyone was already on the apron.

A winner is you.

[Mercenary]

So hope Alexia Bliss wins this battle royal

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: they actually are doing one for a spot.

[slik]

Battle Royal ftw

[ClockShot]

I would have said Orton as the 6th man, but he's booked to fight Brock.

Who else is there that got some star power?

[Triple A]

Feels like they are being disrespectful to the women if they aren't in the battle royal and there is no women's championship.......

[Triple A]

Would be cool if Alexa Bliss won and fought Dean Ambrose @ SummerSlam...

[ClockShot]

Casual Tuesday for Otunga.

[Mercenary]

Where are the women? He said everyone damn it!

[Mercenary]

Best thing I like since I got Sasha only one night I have to worry a week now

[Triple A]

Alberto Del Rio gonna win I guess (via everyone else on the roster being a "jobber")

[owenbrown]

Ok did Hell freeze over with this new era?!

[Maluco]

Smackdown roster looks painfully thin to start with

[DAMN iNATOR]

Alberto Del Rio gonna win I guess (via everyone else on the roster being a "jobber")

Would be fine with that.

[Triple A]

Ok did Hell freeze over with this new era?!

Why do you say that?

[BigCrippyZ]

I'm gonna say Kane or Alberto.

[Triple A]

David Otunga seems like "another Byron Saxton"... (but not as bad)

[BigCrippyZ]

Wait, why is Dean even in this match?

[ClockShot]

This swaying "crane cam" is you will, is a nice change of viewing. But it's starting to put me to sleep.

Feel like my TV is a hypnotist.

[BigCrippyZ]

Nevermind, I thought that was Dean.

[slik]

what does every1 think so far

[DAMN iNATOR]

Dunno why but that Missy Elliot and Alec Baldwin ad seems really unnerving to me for some reason.

[Emperor Smeat]

Smackdown roster looks painfully thin to start with

Yeah this Battle Royale really exposes how small their undercard is.

[DAMN iNATOR]

what does every1 think so far

MEH.

[Triple A]

Is there a different writing team for SmackDown or no?

[ClockShot]

Just ran an ad for the Smackdown show I'm going to next month. Ambrose & Reigns vs. Rollins & Jericho is being billed.

Not happening.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Smackdown roster looks painfully thin to start with

Yeah, painfully small...they need more of both male and female competitors...roster is downright anemic right now.

[ClockShot]

what does every1 think so far

I dig it. But like some have said, it's a light mid-card. Would have loved some of our "darlings" to come to the show.

Give it time.

[Emperor Smeat]

Ryder's lucky he didn't injury his knee with that botch.

[Emperor Smeat]

Is there a different writing team for SmackDown or no?

Yeup. The head writer is the former NXT writer although think this might be his 2nd time in charge of Smackdown.

[ClockShot]

Crews, eh.

Alright.

[ClockShot]

Hey Renee.

[Triple A]

Good choice having Crews win imho

Don't like these immediately after the match interviews

[Mercenary]

fight forever!

[Poit]

Shelton Benjamin? What?

Awesome.

[Simple Fan]

Shelton Benjamin hell yeah

[ClockShot]

SHELTON'S COMING BACK?!

[slik]

Hate Apollo Crews

[owenbrown]

SHELTON BENJAMIN IS BACK?! :eek:

[ClockShot]

That's shot in the fucking arm for Smackdown.

[Emperor Smeat]

:D Shelton. Would be cool if they bring back Hass to beef up the tag division.

WGTT vs American Alphas with the winner to be the official Kurt Angle approved team.

[BigCrippyZ]

Apollo Crews has the personality/charisma/enigma of a tree limb so far.

[slik]

<3 Shelton Benjamin though

[BigCrippyZ]

It feels too forced. Two newbies getting title shots in the first two nights of the "new era".

[BigCrippyZ]

Granted Crews hasn't won his shot yet.

[Mercenary]

Hate Apollo Crews

racist!

[Simple Fan]

It feels too forced. Two newbies getting title shots in the first two nights of the "new era".

Agreed, I have really no problem with Crews winning his way into the Six Pack challenge but he better not win.

[BigCrippyZ]

Great promo from Ziggler and I was only half paying attention but he made me take notice.

[Shisen Kopf]

This is wrong. Don't like smackdown live. Should probably just throw out my vcr.

[Mercenary]

Make SmackDown Taped again sign lol

[BigCrippyZ]

Make SmackDown Taped again sign lol

:lol: Awesome.

[BigCrippyZ]

Love a few things about Nattie! :naughty::drool::heart:

[owenbrown]

Next TPWW poster to go to Smackdown should take a "Where's Owen White?" sign with them.

[ClockShot]

Next TPWW poster to go to Smackdown should take a "Where's Owen White?" sign with them.

I'll try to remember.

[Triple A]

How come you ignore all of my posts owen what the hell :-(

U hate me or something?

Mean...

[slik]

Does it seem like there are way more commercial breaks than RAW so far to any1 else?

[BigCrippyZ]

Does it seem like there are way more commercial breaks than RAW so far to any1 else?

Yes, certainly feels that way so far.

[Simple Fan]

Crowd wanted that match to end way earlier.

[ClockShot]

:rofl:

And Eva Marie gets booed.

[slik]

Alexa Bliss seems cool

[slik]

Not feeling this Carmella lady at all

[Poit]

:lol: @ Eva Marie's announcer

[Poit]

Not feeling this Carmella lady at all

That's 'cause you ain't fabulous.

[ClockShot]

Yeah. Ain't digging the Smackdown ladies.

Gonna have to dip into the free agent pool.

[Emperor Smeat]

JBL lacking the same enthusiasm Corey Graves had for Eva.

[Mercenary]

:lol: @ Eva Marie's announcer

Only good thing bout her...well besides the looks

[slik]

I like Eva Marie's entrance.

[BigCrippyZ]

This is weird.

[owenbrown]

How come you ignore all of my posts owen what the hell :-(

U hate me or something?

Mean...

I've been very upset at the direction of the forums as of late... :n:

[Mercenary]

The Smackdown Ladies need a dose of Sweet Sweet Stratusfaction

[BigCrippyZ]

The Smackdown Ladies need a dose of Sweet Sweet Stratusfaction

:yes: :yes: :yes: :naughty: :heart:

[Mercenary]

I've been very upset at the direction of the forums as of late... :n:


What not enough socks giving you attention ?

[ClockShot]

I still do not see the benefit of bringing back Maryse.

Just don't get it.

[owenbrown]

hasn't he done this before?

[Triple A]

snooze fest

[ClockShot]

I've missed you, Randy. :love:

[Mercenary]

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13872857_1170184169717358_5389562876253363103_n.jpg?oh=4f7658a592779d465565d0c5dc72aba2&oe=5822ECD9

[slik]

I admire Orton's anti-pants attitude.

[ClockShot]

Well, Maryse is good for something.

[Exyle]

Man, imagine if Randy won the IC title, then went to Summerslam and beat Brock. Talk about elevating the championship.

[Mercenary]

Orton a bt out of shape

[Emperor Smeat]

Going to laugh if this ends in a rollup.

[Mercenary]

rkoverkill

[Emperor Smeat]

Make <s> Darren Young</s> Randy Orton Great Again

[Maluco]

Could have used someone other than IC champ for that.

Smackdown way below Raw last night so far

[Triple A]

Feels like The Miz has been pinned in the last 15 matches he has been in

[ClockShot]

SLATER!

[Mercenary]

Heath!?

[Emperor Smeat]

Slater pulling an Owen White with this promo

[Savio]

Sign Heath Slater plz.

[ClockShot]

RHYNO!

[Mercenary]

GORE!!!!!!!!!

[ClockShot]

Rhyno today, Shelton Benjamin pretty soon.

Smackdown making sure you stick around even if it got a light roster.

[ClockShot]

#BeatUpJohnCena

[Savio]

Could have used someone other than IC champ for that.

Smackdown way below Raw last night so far

I was thinking so too but who would you replace miz with?

[DAMN iNATOR]

A light-year is a measure of distance, not time.

So, having said that, how can anyone, including American Alpha, be "light-years ahead of their time"?

Just sayin'.

[Mercenary]

I was thinking so too but who would you replace miz with?


Heath Slater

[Simple Fan]

Slater stuff was good. Rhyno kind of ruined it, I wanted him to be put in the main event.

[Maluco]

I was thinking so too but who would you replace miz with?

Alberto del Rio? Kane? Even Breeze or Fandango with the other guy in his corner.

Don't understand why they would use the IC champ when most of the roster is just filler...

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Slater has been the highlight of this show. <a href="https://t.co/4M0QbblCmM">https://t.co/4M0QbblCmM</a></p>&mdash; PWM - WWE COVERAGE (@ProWrestlingMag) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProWrestlingMag/status/758111719537475584">July 27, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

WTF at commercial break 10 seconds into main-event match

[Savio]

David Otunga seems like "another Byron Saxton"... (but not as bad)

racist

[ClockShot]

Got quiet in here.

[Savio]

Alberto del Rio? Kane? Even Breeze or Fandango with the other guy in his corner.

Don't understand why they would use the IC champ when most of the roster is just filler...

Del Rio would prob be the best option

[Savio]

I love that this show is 2 hours..... so refreshing.

[slik]

I like that the show is 2 hrs but I wish it was more exciting like RAW is WAR

[Simple Fan]

This has pretty much been a Corbin vs Crews match with the others sprinkled in.

[Emperor Smeat]

Nice of Cena to save Bray from a superkick.

[Ruien]

Rhyno looks terrible.

[ClockShot]

Zigs still set on being HBK 2.0.

[Emperor Smeat]

Is Cena going to just AA everyone in this match?

[ClockShot]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

[Ruien]

Nice. Dolph is a good choice for Ambrose to beat up clean.

[owenbrown]

ZIGGLER?!

[Emperor Smeat]

:eek: Ziggler won and with a superkick

Really didn't expect him to win this.

[Ruien]

Suprised AJ was pinned though.

[Ruien]

Feels weird they are ending at the correct time instead of having a overrun.

[slik]

congrats to Dolph

[Savio]

Crews should have ate the pin

[Ruien]

Fuck that. Corbin needs to be pinned I'm every match he is in. Crews is fun to watch.

[Simple Fan]

Honestly that show kind of sucked other than a few parts. A lot of segments just dragged along and never came together. I didn't mind the women all coming out but I thought it would lead to some sort of announcement about a title for the division. I liked the Miz TV segment and match. The main event was ok I'd rather Bray win so they're have a face vs heel. Slater was good and probably the best part of the show. Really need to be 3 hours if they are going to compete with Raw. Commercials kill the momentum of the 2 hour show.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This show actually felt like the "same old shit" show, to be honest. Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon had more of a presence in a shorter span of time than Mick Foley and Stephanie did on RAW. Becky being central in the opening shots was a pleasure though.

The Battle Royal opening the show...I understand it. Seeing the roster so thinly spread was kind of depressing though. Apollo Crews beat everybody on the roster, goodnight folks.

Becky vs. Nattie was a good match, but I am invested in Becky. I kind of wish that they put Nattie over again instead of the 50/50 stuff. They could have played up Becky's leg not being healed and Daniel Bryan perhaps granting her another match against Nattie before she was ready -- given Bryan's own competitive nature. But I guess we can get 2/3 Falls now, or some sort of Iron Man Match or Best of Seven Series to revive the Divas Title or whatever. The women on this show did feel more like "stock hot girls."

I liked the talking points leading up to the main event. Ziggler and Styles delivered in theirs. Corbin sucked. He's actually better in the ring than he is at talking. Oh, and Shelton is coming back. Cool. Rhyno is also back. I used to be a mark for him, but he is kind of a relic at this point, I am sad to say.

Heath Slater could actually be something if they let him. He looked cool as fuck when he punched down that local talent. I wonder who that local talent was supposed to face? I guess we'll never know.

Orton beat a champion, isn't the champion, took most of the offence and is now heading towards Brock. Okay.

This actually felt more like a "Vince show."

[Mr. Nerfect]

I am somewhat excited for Ambrose vs. Ziggler. I know people seem to think that Ambrose is going to win and that will be that, I could see them turning Dolph heel and giving him a short run.

Coming out of SummerSlam, I imagine we'll get the loser of the NXT Title match on SmackDown. That will probably be Samoa Joe, and I imagine he'll go against John Cena at Backlash. Orton and Styles have been rumored to be working together. It'd make sense to keep the Ambrose/Ziggler stuff going.

[Emperor Smeat]

Main event and show were decent. Like with RAW yesterday, the new touches on presentation were good since it helped make things feel different than before.

Also like that both main title matches are pretty fresh in terms of pairings since the WWE could have easily went with rehasing past feuds for them.

WWE probably needs to rethink its commercial placement for Smackdown since live shows are going to flow differently than taped shows. Like slik mentioned earlier, it did feel like it had too many occuring tonight.

[Shisen Kopf]

3.5/7 at best

[owenbrown]

It's shows like this that make me wish there is a wrestling podcast done by some current/former TPWW members to discuss this. :shifty:

[Ruien]

I only caught the second hours but it seemed enjoyable. Miz Orton was good. Slater was amazing as always. Main event was solid as ever.

Rhyno needs to go away though. Dude looks like I could beat him up now.

[Droford]

Summerslam is shaping up to be pretty good

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Yes

[BigCrippyZ]

Tonight's dark match following Smackdown LIVE featured RAW Superstars Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

Reigns teamed with former Shield brother and WWE Champion Dean Ambrose to defeat Rollins and Bray Wyatt. The pin came following "Dirty Deeds" from Dean Ambrose to Seth Rollins.

So much for "exclusive rosters". :lol:

[weather vane]

Not a good start to Smackdown, not the worst. Get Nakamura and Joe in there ASAP. If they did one of them the way they did Finn Balor... Geez.

Nice to see Ziggler get his shine but it feels forced and a little too late. Not the worst thing though.

Glad that SB and Rhyno are back.

[Dark One]

Watching the west coast airing. This first hour is dragging so fucking bad. Strongly considering just going to bed and watching on Huku tomorrow.

Looks like Smackdown also got boned in the creative draft.

[Dark One]

This is probably what happens when you draft like six people with anything even closely resembling momentum and then you put all of them into the same match. Shallow midcard is going to make for some looooooong shows.

Decent long term potential, but I'm going to have to stay awake long enough to enjoy it.

[Evil Vito]

Was at the Mets game tonight but I'm actually really intrigued by the results I've read on this. Will catch the Hulu version tomorrow.

[Volare]

Why couldn't Eva Marie have been drafted to Pornhub....

[Rammsteinmad]

Dolph Ziggler getting a main event push? I'm on board with that. :y:

(Even if it is as fodder for Ambrose).

[#BROKEN Hasney]

That was fun. Really rooting for Dolph after the promo earlier in the show, but weird they had AJ eat the pin.

Feel like Dolph might turn in the lead up or after Summerslam though, which could be fun.

[Evil Vito]

So much for "exclusive rosters". :lol:

Ambrose, Cena, and Styles were at the Raw dark match too I believe.

They advertise these dark match main events months in advance so barring injury they try to deliver on them.

[Simple Fan]

Smackdown just didn't feel new in any way. I do like the announce crew better than Raws though. Not sure if SD isn't going to have a ramp or if that was just for that arena but the set didn't look new at all. I expected to see something about new women's and tag titles but nothing. I like the SD roster a lot better than Raws but if SD doesn't change it doesn't have a chance to compete with Raw. Not sure what the point of bringing Daniel Bryan and Shane out at the end of the show was about was expecting some sort of announcement but they just came out and gushed over a Ambrose vs Ziggler Summerslam match. Personally not a big fan of Ambrose vs Ziggler. Orton and Lesnar should be the main event of Summerslam in my opinion.

[Shadrick]

I enjoyed the show thoroughly.

[Cool King]

I enjoyed SmackDown. Just like Raw, it felt fresh, new and like I was watching a completely different show.

Reading the posts in this thread, I need to ask, am I the only guy that noticed that the SmackDown Fist is back? Sure, it's only seen in the new opening, but it's still back.

I thought there would be some mention of it here. It's good that it's back and just like Raw and their metal factory theme, the usage of the SmackDown fist is a nice little nod to SmackDown's history.

The theme however was not that great. I'm not surprised that it's a CFO$ creation. From watching the new opening, I instantly got the message that SmackDown is going to be the show that's targeted towards younger viewers. I'm not meaning babies by the way, but around 10-20 year olds. It's just a feeling I got from the opening and one I got all the way through the show.

SmackDown for younger fans, Raw for older fans (25+).

I like the small details such as the microphones showing a blue design along with blue being used on the referee's shirts instead of red, but seeing the roster on the apron just showed how thin the roster is. The Battle Royal was fun. I'm a fan of Battle Royals and always enjoy them. I'm not surprised that Apollo Crews won. I had him down to win even before the match began. I noticed that Ryder was wearing the same gear as Mojo Rawley, so I can only assume that Hype Bros are back together, which I really didn't want to see.

Ryder needs to be solo.

Speaking of solo, I was happy to see that Shelton Benjamin is coming back, but sadly not with Charlie Haas.

Becky Lynch vs Natalya was quite good but Lynch seemed to botch quite a bit, and I've never really heard Becky Lynch talk but does she always sound like she smokes 40 a day? That was not the voice I was expecting. Anyway, her voice is not important (that much), but even though this match was good, what came after really wasn't.

We had Alexa Bliss (this is my introduction to her) come out to horrendous music, looking and sounding like a porn star (in both name and voice), then Naomi came out, followed by Carmella (this is also my introduction to her) coming out looking like a cross between a Jersey Shore "cast member" and an Iggy Azalea reject, with the music to back it up and just like Bliss, sounding like a porn star when she spoke, with it all being topped off with Eva Marie, "Miss All Red Everything" showing up in a white robe saying absolutely nothing and just showing off her fake tits.

I really wanted that whole thing to just end. It was so bad and it felt like I was either watching a show on E! or some really really bad porn. The Women's Division on SmackDown is already screwed if that is what it has to offer, and I feel so bad for Natalya that she has to deal with that, along with Becky Lynch, who up until that moment, I was "meh" about. I can now say I like Becky Lynch.

I'm also happy that the Women's Championship is on Raw.

Miz TV was alright, but I'm not liking this Randy Orton. He's coming across a being like John Cena was when Cena was all super PG, "JBL is poopy" and childish. The match with him and The Miz was ok, but Orton looked a bit rusty.

Seeing Heath Slater was great. I liked him on the mic and hopefully this goes somewhere. He could be SmackDown's answer to Curtis Axel. I was also happy to see Rhyno back. I like Rhyno.

The main event was enjoyable but I can't help but think that it's main duty was to showcase the new boys, Crews and Corbin. Speaking of Corbin. I'm not a fan and never have been. He's just so boring and bland that it's painful to watch him, but the guys in the back seem to be high on old "Boring & Bland" Baron Corbin. For whatever reason, I'll never know.

I was actually surprised that Ziggler won, but I was happy that he won. I was expecting Wyatt to win, but I'm looking forward to seeing Ambrose vs Ziggler. Hopefully, Ziggler doesn't turn heel, but if he wins the championship, then a slow turn would be interesting.

Overall, the show was good. I would probably say that both Raw and SmackDown were really enjoyable this week but with Raw just that slightly bit better.

The winner for best announce team goes to Raw though. JBL is just not good. All he does is constantly shout, mostly over Ranallo and Otunga. I thought maybe the shouting had something to do with his character on Raw, and with this whole "new beginnings" thing, I thought maybe a change would occur. I was wrong. I feel bad for Ranallo. He's so good but now has to deal with JBL.

As for Otunga, he's not really that great at the moment and he needs practice, but I'm sure he'll get better as the year progresses.

Another thing Raw "wins" at is the camera work. There was a lot of good new camera angles/shots on Raw that helped add to the fresh feel of the show. SmackDown however was just bad. The constant usage of the camera on a crane was just disorientating and I found it hard to concentrate on the matches.

Finally, the return of former talent like Shelton and Rhyno and more in the future is good and I look forward to seeing some old faces back, but it's quite obvious that they're only coming back to fill out the thin roster. I'm going to find it hard to invest in guys like Shelton and Rhyno, when I just know they're most likely going to lose most of their matches to younger talent and rarely win championships or even get title shots.

[Jordan]

Rhyno looked so fat with such tiny arms.

[Simple Fan]

I do think the Smackdown women's division has a lot more depth than Raws. I really like Bliss and Eva Marie. Not sure about Carmella trying to be Enzo but she could get better and add her own flavor to it. All around the division seems better than Raws they just need a title to compete for.

[Innovator]

Awesome that Shelton is coming back...can he bring Minoru Suzuki with him?

[Big Vic]

Rhyno looked like a Brolic Tomato

[Big Vic]

http://previews.123rf.com/images/chudtsankov/chudtsankov1502/chudtsankov150200080/36141809-Strong-Tomato-Cartoon-Mascot-Character-Flexing-Illustration-Isolated-On-White-Stock-Vector.jpg

[Big Vic]

Or maybe the "Cheese D-LUX" from the Group X flash animation "17 years"

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R5LRHWK9VyQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Evil Vito]

I wasn't really big on the Wyatt Family but I have to say the way they broke the group up was very arbitrary and clumsy. The Lucha Dragons explained they wanted to enter the draft separately to try singles careers. The Wyatt Family decided to enter separately because...?

Then they go on to win at Battleground and look triumphant. Strowman goes on to do his own thing on Raw, that's all fine.

But seeing Wyatt and Rowan not stand anywhere near each other during the opening segment yesterday didn't sit well with me. Why are they no longer affiliated with each other? I really couldn't care less about Rowan but he's clearly not going to be doing anything important if he's not Bray's muscle. I just felt like an explanation would have made sense even if it was just some typically cryptic Wyatt promo about setting his followers free again.

[Ruien]

I think he will reappear in some form with Harper to help Bray defeat 9ne of his enemies really soon.

[Vastardikai]

Awesome that Shelton is coming back...can he bring Minoru Suzuki with him?

Suzuki is the only Japanese wrestler that I can think of that has charisma that compares to Nakamura. He also scares the ever loving shit out of me.

[Vastardikai]

I think he will reappear in some form with Harper to help Bray defeat 9ne of his enemies really soon.

I had another crazy Harper idea...

There are creepy montages with the words "You Have Forsaken Me" as the end. It seems to play around the time of Bray Wyatt matches.

Harper comes back and joins them. There is a full, creepy version of the Wyatt Family doing a sit down type interview, with Rowan wearing the sheep mask and Wyatt talking about control. Cole asks Harper why he doesn't wear a mask. He simply replies "Because I don't want to."

It seems like a throwaway remark, but we start seeing that Wyatt asks Harper to do things, and he starts resisting.

Ultimately, it all comes to a head. Wyatt asks him what his deal is, and Harper says "You have forsaken me." He brings up how he was thrown to the wolves against Lesnar. He mentions how he was completely forgotten about while he was injured.

Wyatt says something to the effect "But you have always done what I have asked of you, why do you fight my control over you now?" Harper says, "You never had control of me. Everything you wanted me to do was things I wanted to do myself. But you never had control over me."

Wyatt sic's Rowan on Harper, but he doesn't attack. Harper says, "You never had control over Rowan, either. I did! He only listened to you because I wanted him to." And thus, the Wyatt Family dies, and the Harper Family is born.

[Poit]

This is probably what happens when you draft like six people with anything even closely resembling momentum and then you put all of them into the same match. Shallow midcard is going to make for some looooooong shows.

Decent long term potential, but I'm going to have to stay awake long enough to enjoy it.

Presumably, future Smackdowns won't have as much of a problem, since the guys in the main event are now free to be in the rest of the show.

[Black Widow]

SD was trash!

Was Raw really that great or more hyped internet BS?

I'll watch this weekend to see.

[Ruien]

I had another crazy Harper idea...

There are creepy montages with the words "You Have Forsaken Me" as the end. It seems to play around the time of Bray Wyatt matches.

Harper comes back and joins them. There is a full, creepy version of the Wyatt Family doing a sit down type interview, with Rowan wearing the sheep mask and Wyatt talking about control. Cole asks Harper why he doesn't wear a mask. He simply replies "Because I don't want to."

It seems like a throwaway remark, but we start seeing that Wyatt asks Harper to do things, and he starts resisting.

Ultimately, it all comes to a head. Wyatt asks him what his deal is, and Harper says "You have forsaken me." He brings up how he was thrown to the wolves against Lesnar. He mentions how he was completely forgotten about while he was injured.

Wyatt says something to the effect "But you have always done what I have asked of you, why do you fight my control over you now?" Harper says, "You never had control of me. Everything you wanted me to do was things I wanted to do myself. But you never had control over me."

Wyatt sic's Rowan on Harper, but he doesn't attack. Harper says, "You never had control over Rowan, either. I did! He only listened to you because I wanted him to." And thus, the Wyatt Family dies, and the Harper Family is born.

You will kill Wyatts entire character. Harper is good but Wyatt is better.

[Big Vic]

SD was trash!

Was Raw really that great or more hyped internet BS?

I'll watch this weekend to see.
It was nice

[Vastardikai]

You will kill Wyatts entire character. Harper is good but Wyatt is better.

The biggest flaw with Wyatt is that I think he wants to be cheered. Which is NOT what a heel should be after.

The only advantage Wyatt has over Harper is age. That is it. Wyatt is overrated as a talker. That's right, I said it. Harper is better at getting to the point. Kevin Sullivan talked about the Tree of Woe and the Cosmic Cookie, but he ultimately was leading people to see the match with the Windhams or Dusty Rhodes. Wyatt can't sell the match as well.

Bray has been on the shelf more than Harper, who has only really had the knee injury in WWE. Harper is the better in ring worker. I even had the running joke for the Brothers of Destruction vs. Wyatts of "who is Harper's partner?"

That said, the guy is popular, let him lead the Wyatt Family, where the "Family" is his fans. That can draw.

[Anybody Thrilla]

This was a pretty good show. You guys are expecting a whole lot from the very first show. Give them some time to establish things, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised down the road.

[Simple Fan]

The biggest flaw with Wyatt is that I think he wants to be cheered. Which is NOT what a heel should be after.

That said, the guy is popular, let him lead the Wyatt Family, where the "Family" is his fans. That can draw.

When he does turn face he will be a huge star. The fireflies fit in with him as a heel because he has them under his control like the rest of the Wyatt Family. As a face though I wouldn't want him to be a normal one where he helps others out.

[Anybody Thrilla]

See, I think heels DO want to be cheered, kayfabe wise. Some of them, anyway. The best heels are the ones that truly believe that they shouldn't be heels, seemingly oblivious to their glaring flaws that everyone else seems to recognize. Honestly, what kind of person WANTS to be hated by everyone? That's too cartoonish. In modern times, things aren't so black and white as they used to be. Bray Wyatt is a nice line walker.

[Simple Fan]

This was a pretty good show. You guys are expecting a whole lot from the very first show. Give them some time to establish things, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised down the road.

Agree that it should get better. This week had everyone clustered in to a few matches and was pretty much just an introduction. Styles and Cena should continue til Summerslam. Ambrose and Ziggler build could be good, I'd like to see one of them turn heel, preferably Ziggler. Tag teams should be showcased more next week with AA debuting, and possibly a new set of Team Championships being created. I really think the Womens division has alot of depth than Raws and look forward to them getting a new title as well. Feel like Benjamin will come right in and contend for the IC title. A lot left to be determined so SD should get better.

[Big Vic]

Honestly, what kind of person WANTS to be hated by everyone?
K-Fed

[Anybody Thrilla]

K-Fed's struggle is simply for relevance. Trying to get far on limited skills. Somewhere, someone can relate to that and is a fan because of it. It's all gimmicks, this life.

[Vastardikai]

See, I think heels DO want to be cheered, kayfabe wise. Some of them, anyway. The best heels are the ones that truly believe that they shouldn't be heels, seemingly oblivious to their glaring flaws that everyone else seems to recognize. Honestly, what kind of person WANTS to be hated by everyone? That's too cartoonish. In modern times, things aren't so black and white as they used to be. Bray Wyatt is a nice line walker.

I wonder what JBL would think of this? (tpwwforums.com/showthread.php?t=115331)

[Anybody Thrilla]

I wonder what JBL would think of this? (tpwwforums.com/showthread.php?t=115331)

Antiquated ideals. Times are changing.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I wonder what JBL would think of this? (tpwwforums.com/showthread.php?t=115331)

Antiquated ideals. Times are changing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I see what you did there.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Dolph Ziggler turning heel and winning the World Title would be a breath of fresh air, I just wonder how he goes about completing the turn. He doesn't really need Kevin Nash as a bodyguard, but someone of that ilk would make sense. Maybe they could bring in Cody Hall for that sort of role? There haven't been any mumblings of him being signed, but weirder things have happened.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've kind of thought for a while that Bray Wyatt and his family destroying John Cena and AJ Styles at SummerSlam would be a good way to segue into the next chapter of their careers. Cena & Styles being forced to team up to face this imposing threat has got a fair bit of potential to it. I'm just not sure who they get as a third partner. Shinsuke Nakamura getting the call-up would be tremendous. SmackDown feels like it needs that charisma boost.