Smackdown Live Thread - Will this all look different too? (1/30/18)

[Mr. Nerfect]

Either The New Day or Gable & Benjamin would probably go in there too. There's pros and cons to both teams. The New Day are probably more important investments from the WWE's perspective, but Benjamin is a tiny bit older and they may not ask him to do a Ladder Match.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Can kind of see New Day doing comedy segments, the Battle Royal or a six-man against random heels (Jinder Mahal, Rusev & Aiden English?).

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think they make a big deal out of the Battle Royal this year, because of the Andre doco. I can see it being main roster with lots of "main" guys in it. Like, obviously not Brock Lesnar and stuff, but guys you would expect to be on the main card. Truth be told, I'm not opposed to Braun being in it again, because tossing around people is what he does best -- it's really the place for him.

[KIRA]

Aww Bruan does like her

[Anybody Thrilla]

I don't actually know how to watch mixed match chllenge.... can t find it

If you can hold out a day or so, it'll be on the Network.

[Emperor Smeat]

Would be pretty cool if Owens interfered in the Mixed Challenge match as payback for what Sami did to him earlier.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I guess I have to check out of this thread for fear of spoilers, UNLESS YOU GUYS WANT TO START A MIXED MATCH CHALLENGE THREAD CONTINUOUS THREAD.

[rez]

lol rusev day chant

[Evil Vito]

If nothing else, considering I don't really care about the planned main event or the rumored Braun match...I like that there are still a good amount of potential programs they can set up that will get me interested in Mania.

I look forward to WWE managing to make me not feel that way in the next month.

[Emperor Smeat]

Yeah, I don't see a live stream anywhere

Its only for the US.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Braun ate Becky.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sorry, spoilers.

[Mr. Nerfect]

...Sexy spoilers.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I'll probably still watch that part.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm going to check out Styles vs. Nakamura, because how can you not? Brock vs. Reigns is also going to be a glorious shit-kicking. I'm sure there will be a Ladder Match, and that will be fun, even if I don't "care," per se. There's also some intrigue about how Ronda does in her first match. I'll say my detachment from the modern product has actually helped me, because I don't care enough to be disappointed by things like the build or the chosen programs. 31 and 32 did that to me. It's just not worth caring about this product in that way.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Braun tripping getting into the ring.

So far a clean sweep by RAW in this Mixed Match tournament. Probably going to end up with the bottom half of the next round being all blue to balance things out.

[Evil Vito]

Oh I have one more thing to say about Corbin - the few promos he's posted through Twitter have been really good. Why he can't be booked to talk like that on TV is baffling to me. At least then I'd have reason to take him seriously.

Whatever.

[Lock Jaw]

Its only for the US.

F those guys

[Tom Guycott]

"The Artist Known As"...

Might as well call him Prinsuke Iaumura

Only if they give him a red and black version of Iaukea's entrance coat and hat and the glitter shower, and Lee England Jr. cover's Purple Rain on the violin.

[Mr. Nerfect]

But I think this Mania will be "better" than most Manias. Especially with how people overrate things because their expectations are so low. People will honestly be calling Styles vs. Nakamura the best Mania title match they've ever seen, and genuinely think they mean it. Brock vs. Reigns is going to make people cum, because Brock sends shockwaves through the television like that. They are both going to be MOTYC. If they did Owens & Zayn vs. The Usos? That's three matches that are going to make people giddy. Then you'll have some spectacle stuff with whatever Ronda is doing. And Asuka is probably going to show up. And Big Match John will be Big Match John. Isn't Seth Rollins vs. Jason Jordan rumored? That's going to be athletically very good. And we haven't even covered Samoa Joe and what have you. Even Nia Jax squishing Bliss could be a lot of fun if it isn't dragged out.

When you compare it to Wrestle Kingdom, for example, I don't think people will bring themselves to admit that Mania delivered more, but there is a genuine chance for there to be more MOTYC than what New Japan offered, even though New Japan is a much more charming and inoffensive product, overall. Without over-exaggerating myself, I think Brock vs. Reigns and Styles vs. Nakamura have got the potential to be the best coupled title matches in a long, long time. I mean, last year's WWE Title match was a dud. The World Heavyweight Title was often relegated to the opening match, or the secondary title would be in a Triple Threat. Maybe WrestleMania 23 would give it a really good go? But yeah, Brock vs. Reigns and Styles vs. Nakamura are both going to melt your brains. I just can't support a product that disappoints me so much of the rest of the year.

[KIRA]

Love is in the air


Weird seeing Bruan as a face....acting like a face

[rez]

crowd is a bunch of pervs

[Emperor Smeat]

Buddy Murphy is probably somewhere doing a Homer-like scream at this love interest being developed on-screen between Bliss and Braun.

https://media1.tenor.com/images/46dfb50d1053bfbe44f08fb2f617bf8c/tenor.gif

[Lock Jaw]

Tuning into 205 Live for first time in a long time to see who is GM

[Lock Jaw]

Oh, an Oompa Loompa

[Evil Vito]

Drake Maverick aka Rockstar Spud

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Rockstar Spud is GM

[Lock Jaw]

Drake Mallard

[Anybody Thrilla]

I like Spud.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at the crowd being confused at hearing Rockstar Spudd's new WWE name.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Given this thread, I'd say this is the most viewers 205 Live has ever had.

[Evil Vito]

16 man tournament, culminating at Mania

So Vacant will get 2 more months added to his title reign

[Mr. Nerfect]

Drake Mallard? So both his names are derivatives of duck?

[rez]

cheap ass wwe should have came to terms with rey

[Anybody Thrilla]

Drake Mallard? So both his names are derivatives of duck?

It's Maverick, not Mallard.

[Lock Jaw]

Drake Mallard? So both his names are derivatives of duck?

I hear he may also moonlight as a vigilante

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, are they really trying to make this a big deal? Okay. I hope it comes down to Rey Mysterio and Ultimo Dragon in 1997.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I do enjoy a good tournament.

[rez]

https://img.wennermedia.com/article-leads-horizontal/msdtogu_ec032_h-67a397bd-c35d-4304-aa9f-5d248c4185d6.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's Maverick, not Mallard.

Maverick is almost worse, haha. Whose last name is Maverick?

[Anybody Thrilla]

Tonight's matches are hot ones. :y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

I do enjoy a good tournament.

Me too. A lot of them don't have Cedric Alexander vs. Tony Nese though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Alright, I'm out. Enjoy the rest of your night, guys.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Maverick is almost worse, haha. Whose last name is Maverick?

Bob Maverick.

[Savio]

It's Maverick, not Mallard.

I like Rapstar Potato better.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Me too. A lot of them don't have Cedric Alexander vs. Tony Nese though.

But it's Cedric Alexander v. Gran Metallik

[Anybody Thrilla]

I like Rapstar Potato better.

Yo, same.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I almost forgot that Lince Dorado worked there.

[#1-norm-fan]

Damn. Gotta start watching 205 Live now because Spud is awesome.

[Emperor Smeat]

I almost forgot that Lince Dorado worked there.
Same for WWE most of the time. Think at one point, he was competing with Gran Metalik on who would be used the least for 205 Live.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Serious question...has Lince Dorado ever met Vince McMahon?

[Evil Vito]

Hahaha Drew Gulak already sucking Drake Maverick's dick

[Evil Vito]

Not literally though, that would not be PG

[Lock Jaw]

Why did Drew Gulak give that Oompa Loompa flowers

He didn't even sing a song

[Emperor Smeat]

Nice of Gulak to show his appreciation to the new GM by also having an orange face tonight.

[Evil Vito]

So 16 man tournament...

Akira Tozawa
Ariya Daivari
Cedric Alexander
Drew Gulak
Gran Metalik
Hideo Itami
Jack Gallagher
Kalisto
Lince Dorado
Mustafa Ali
TJP
Tony Nese
Tyler Bate

3 open spots. I don't think Kendrick and Dar are set to be back anytime soon. Surely Neville won't come back just to be a cruiserweight again.

Is Rich Swann coming back with his legal issues dropped? Wonder who they'll get for the final few spots.

[Anybody Thrilla]

They should do a sumo show called 502 Live.

[Anybody Thrilla]

So 16 man tournament...

Akira Tozawa
Ariya Daivari
Cedric Alexander
Drew Gulak
Gran Metalik
Hideo Itami
Jack Gallagher
Kalisto
Lince Dorado
Mustafa Ali
TJP
Tony Nese
Tyler Bate

3 open spots. I don't think Kendrick and Dar are set to be back anytime soon. Surely Neville won't come back just to be a cruiserweight again.

Is Rich Swann coming back with his legal issues dropped? Wonder who they'll get for the final few spots.

Sin Cara? Maybe Drake Maverick himself?

[owenbrown]

They should do a sumo show called 502 Live.

I'd probably actually watch that :-\

[Anybody Thrilla]

Akira Tozawa is fucking awesome.

[Lock Jaw]

Tyler Bate looks like a "right wanker", but less so than when he only had the mustache.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Is Fabian Aichner still a cruiserweight?

[Evil Vito]

Tyler Bate's theme is boss

[Lock Jaw]

Still looks like a midget rasslers, though

[Emperor Smeat]

Funny thing about TJP being the CWC winner and 1st Cruiser champ was it only happened because the other guys in the Final 4 either didn't want to sign (Ibushi & Sabre) or needed time before they could work full time for the WWE (Metalik).

[Evil Vito]

The Moustache Mountain team doesn't work as well when they de-emphasize their moustaches.

[#1-norm-fan]

So 16 man tournament...

Akira Tozawa
Ariya Daivari
Cedric Alexander
Drew Gulak
Gran Metalik
Hideo Itami
Jack Gallagher
Kalisto
Lince Dorado
Mustafa Ali
TJP
Tony Nese
Tyler Bate

3 open spots. I don't think Kendrick and Dar are set to be back anytime soon. Surely Neville won't come back just to be a cruiserweight again.

Is Rich Swann coming back with his legal issues dropped? Wonder who they'll get for the final few spots.

What about Mysterio? Add some star power to it.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Tyler Bate's theme is boss

Of course I was just thinking that.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Dude, TJP is nice in the ring.

[Evil Vito]

What about Mysterio? Add some star power to it.

I'd be down for that. Wouldn't even necessitate a full time schedule for him. He'd just need to come in for tourney matches and maybe the odd Raw here or there to keep people interested in the ongoing tourney.

I'd guess he'd put over someone in the finals at Mania since he can't be on the road all the time. Don't want him breaking down again.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Don't forget about Trevor "Ricochet" Mann.

[Evil Vito]

Rico Shay bypassing NXT would be interesting.

Wonder what "class" he got put in. Apparently there are four levels.

Beginner: Robbie Brookside
Medium: Scotty Too Hotty
Advanced: Steve Corino
Finishing: Shawn Michaels and Terry Taylor

They've put plenty of indy dudes into the beginner class and had them work their way up. Feel like Ricochet will fly through quickly regardless.

[Emperor Smeat]

:| TJP beat Tyler Bate.

[Lock Jaw]

Itami/Roderick Strong next week

[Anybody Thrilla]

Damn, good match.

[Anybody Thrilla]

:| TJP beat Tyler Bate.

There's nothing wrong with that. You should have known from the promo that TJP was gonna win.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Oh shit, Roddy. That match could be dope.

[Emperor Smeat]

There's nothing wrong with that. You should have known from the promo that TJP was gonna win.

Match itself was good, just wasn't a fan of the end result. Might have been TJP's best match since the CWC Finals.

TJP had his pre-match promo but felt WWE missed a really good opportunity by not having Bate win.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Bate doesn't need the Cruiserweight title. He's got that whole UK thing going on.

[Anybody Thrilla]

...or whatever's happening with that. What's happening with that?

[Lock Jaw]

TJP winning makes sense unless they were going to have Bate full time 205 Live guy.

Or I guess they could have eliminated Bate in the second round and done a story with TJP where he snaps and becomes a badass submission machine because he won the last tournament he was in but lost in the first round in this one.

[Tom Guycott]

Wonder if Sami and Owens are going to have a "Nope" catchphrase in the future considering they already mocked Bryan's "YES" movement one.

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/vampirediaries/images/d/dc/NOPE-Dean-Ambrose-2.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140207041749

[Tom Guycott]

So, we went from a U.S. title tournament.

To Bobby Roode winning and having a U.S. Open Challenge at the Rumble.

Now we got a fatal 4-way for a shot to face Roode.

Okay. :roll:

It's almost like an entire team of writers don't know what the fuck they're doing with a whole pool of talent and a midcard belt.

[Emperor Smeat]

Bate doesn't need the Cruiserweight title. He's got that whole UK thing going on.

Yeah wouldn't have him win the tournament either but at least win his first match or two depending on how the bracket looks. A lot more beneficial to Bate and WWE's UK division than whatever the payoff to TJP's run will be considering he's arguably been a bust as a big star in the division.

Also legit thought Spudd/Maverick said a "60-man tournament" at first because the way he said the number 16.

[Mr. Nerfect]

TJP is a geek and putting over the geeks in the tournament is probably not the best idea. They need to press forward with people that actually have a hope. Hideo is still pretty fresh, Roddy is fresh, Tyler is fresh. They should be owning the only stages of this tournament. Pete Dunne is fresh within that cruiserweight context, he could be doing the same thing. If they wanted to get Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, they could do that too -- they're probably the guys people care most about and are going to half-way follow. That's 6 of your 8 guys. Gulak seems to do well and Jack Gallagher has always worked to a certain degree, but if you want to push a former champ, give Tozawa a first round win.

That belt is so fucking dead it needs to be contested by people that the fans somewhat kind of haven't been conditioned to think of as geeks. I'd argue that Gulak might be too far gone. You can say that Dolph Ziggler has lost weight and is entering the tournament. Maybe Mark Andrews who hasn't been exposed? Let's go with Dolph, because why the fuck not?

* Johnny Gargano defeats Drew Gulak.

* Roderick Strong defeats Jack Gallager.

* Tommaso Ciampa beats Gran Metalik.

* Cedric Alexander beats Tony Nese.

* Pete Dunne beats Kalisto.

* Tyler Bate beats TJP.

* Hideo Itami beats Mustafa Ali.

* Dolph Ziggler beats Akira Tozawa.

Whatever, something like that. I haven't given it that much thought.

* Gargano beats Strong.

* Ciampa beats Alexander.

* Bate beats Dunne (UK Title not on the line).

* Ziggler beats Itami.

* Gargano beats Ciampa.

* Ziggler beats Bate.

* Gargano beats Ziggler and becomes the new Cruiserweight Champion.

[Lock Jaw]

Now book it where Renee Young wins the tournament and becomes the new cruiserweight champion.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Honestly, she's more believable than some of the guys.

[Tom Guycott]

These pop ups are starting to get under my skin a bit

About as much as that "selfie cam" backstage promo shit that was happening all over RAW. It was one thing as a advertisement of sorts for the Mixed Tag Challenge to put it over as a thing on the internet. As a personal touch to someone like Miz, it works. As a new thing they do for ERRYGODDAMNBODY, it looks cheap and forced and absolutely overdone.

This appears to be the Smackdown answer to that. Both ideas are kind of a lead balloon.

Oddly enough, as cringy as the "ROCKSTAR" thing was, it would have worked (albeit slightly) better as a vid snippet if they were still doing actual titantron vids for everyone instead of just throwing a name up on the big screen. Just doing it randomly makes as much sense as shitty CGI prison doors... oh, wait. :-\

Just spend that money on some damn pyro.

[Tom Guycott]

i want to see alexa ride braun into the arena. it'd be so majestic


https://www.scholastic.com/content5/media/products/39/9780590474139_mres.jpg

[Tom Guycott]

I'm thinking about where wrestlers are from, because it's more interesting than actually watching WWE. I've always wondered if the kayfabe of Yokozuna being Japanese persists into the modern era. I think Cole said something at the Rumble about Yoko being Reigns' cousin. So I guess the idea that Yokozuna is Japanese has been retconned.

Until it is convenient. The idea that Kane and Undertaker are still "brothers" persisted even though the whole "brothers who aren't really brothers are stupid, stop saying that" era in WWE.

Pretty sure that at some point in future, Yoko will be "Japanese" again to serve some purpose in putting someone over. Like, perhaps, Shinsuke being the "first Japanese world champion in WWE since Yokozuna" or somesuch.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I just saw the Usos promo and Shinsuke entrance.

Holy shit that's awful... Did Kevin Dunn just find out what After Effects is?

[#1-norm-fan]

Oh God. What did he do now?

[Droford]

Bald jobber guy looks like a skinny version of Cesaro.

Just found out that was Rory Gulak brother of Drew and a current Chikara wrestler.

http://www.prowrestlingdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2288095-drew-gulak-left-rory-gulak-right.jpg

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Man, I feel bad for whoever has to fight the Bludgeon Brothers next on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SDLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SDLive</a>.</p>&mdash; Drew Gulak (@DrewGulak) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrewGulak/status/958516595684495360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[#1-norm-fan]

Alright, I just looked up the Usos promo. What the fuck.

[Droford]

Alright, I just looked up the Usos promo. What the fuck.

Somebody got sentimental about the fact Impact quit the Lockdown PPV

[Danny Electric]

Just a few ideas about what I've read about and watched.
With the 205 tournament, as much as I was gutted to see Bate lose, it was probably the right call. Bate will be taken off TV long enough for it not to matter too much and TJP won by cheating. Plus with his wearing his British Strong Style pants I really think they should be used as a tag team in NXT.
I can see Dunne being another surprise entrant and getting towards the semis.

I'm hoping that we are not leading to a break up of friendship with Sami and Owens, Samis work has been strong as a heel and if they give a longer build up to the eventual split then it would play off much better.

Braun is just gold at the moment, he doesn't need the title to be as popular as he is as nice as that would be.

[KIRA]

I hear he may also moonlight as a vigilante

Better Watch out you bad boys!

[Big Vic]

Who is Bate?

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I can’t even visualize how something like this could happen <a href="https://t.co/rH5nwtVpTK">pic.twitter.com/rH5nwtVpTK</a></p>&mdash; abrasive negro (@BestInTheGalaxy) <a href="https://twitter.com/BestInTheGalaxy/status/958526554023317505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Evil Vito]

So Ziggler quit a few weeks ago. He as the #30 entrant in the Rumble which prompted an uninterested "didn't he retire or something?" from Cole. Then he wasn't acknowledged or mentioned in any way on SmackDown.

I said it in the Rumble thread but I'm certain Ziggler's entire WWE career is a rib on him at this point.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anything can happen in WWE... including <a href="https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BeckyLynchWWE</a> becoming corrupted by ska.<br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/81bOkAzJNG">https://t.co/81bOkAzJNG</a> <a href="https://t.co/WlGb7C81Bj">pic.twitter.com/WlGb7C81Bj</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/958537731189215232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/AlexaBliss_WWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlexaBliss_WWE</a> with a little help from <a href="https://twitter.com/BraunStrowman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BraunStrowman</a>! <br><br>➡️ <a href="https://t.co/81bOkAzJNG">https://t.co/81bOkAzJNG</a> <a href="https://t.co/H8QIQKGtqp">pic.twitter.com/H8QIQKGtqp</a></p>&mdash; TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) <a href="https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/958540001767251971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Evil Vito]

Seriously I can't get over this.

Dolph Ziggler threw a tantrum and stormed out, nobody gave a fuck, so he came back hoping for everyone to say "OH MY GOD, we missed you!", and nobody gave a fuck.

It's the most Dolph Ziggler thing ever, and if it's not intentional it's the greatest rib of all time.

[Danny Electric]

Who is Bate?

Tyler Bate , he was the first WWE UK champion and had what many regard as the match of last year with Pete Dunne, myself included.
He was on 205 live last night fighting TJP in the new tournament.

[Lock Jaw]

What's this about Nakamura's entrance? I watched it and I didn't notice anything off (except for how they still won't let him time his role thingy to the music and it sucks)

[Anybody Thrilla]

TJP is a geek and putting over the geeks in the tournament is probably not the best idea. They need to press forward with people that actually have a hope. Hideo is still pretty fresh, Roddy is fresh, Tyler is fresh. They should be owning the only stages of this tournament. Pete Dunne is fresh within that cruiserweight context, he could be doing the same thing. If they wanted to get Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, they could do that too -- they're probably the guys people care most about and are going to half-way follow. That's 6 of your 8 guys. Gulak seems to do well and Jack Gallagher has always worked to a certain degree, but if you want to push a former champ, give Tozawa a first round win.

That belt is so fucking dead it needs to be contested by people that the fans somewhat kind of haven't been conditioned to think of as geeks. I'd argue that Gulak might be too far gone. You can say that Dolph Ziggler has lost weight and is entering the tournament. Maybe Mark Andrews who hasn't been exposed? Let's go with Dolph, because why the fuck not?

* Johnny Gargano defeats Drew Gulak.

* Roderick Strong defeats Jack Gallager.

* Tommaso Ciampa beats Gran Metalik.

* Cedric Alexander beats Tony Nese.

* Pete Dunne beats Kalisto.

* Tyler Bate beats TJP.

* Hideo Itami beats Mustafa Ali.

* Dolph Ziggler beats Akira Tozawa.

Whatever, something like that. I haven't given it that much thought.

* Gargano beats Strong.

* Ciampa beats Alexander.

* Bate beats Dunne (UK Title not on the line).

* Ziggler beats Itami.

* Gargano beats Ciampa.

* Ziggler beats Bate.

* Gargano beats Ziggler and becomes the new Cruiserweight Champion.

Why do you keep saying Alexander v. Nese? That's not a first round match. I know this is a fantasy book, but you said it earlier too.

[Fignuts]

Is Fabian Aichner still a cruiserweight?

Nah, he bulked up.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

What's this about Nakamura's entrance? I watched it and I didn't notice anything off (except for how they still won't let him time his role thingy to the music and it sucks)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">so how long has this been a thing <a href="https://t.co/QQdANpmS2S">pic.twitter.com/QQdANpmS2S</a></p>&mdash; Drake Maverick stan account (@repalec) <a href="https://twitter.com/repalec/status/958506485645897729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[#1-norm-fan]

Oh... my... God...

I actually cringed.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah, the ROCKSTAR shit was terrible and jarring

Didn't mind the words popping up during promos as much even if it was a bit weird

[#1-norm-fan]

I watched the Usos promo when it was mentioned and it completely made them look stupid. THIS though...

It seriously is like Kevin Dunn just learned something that teenagers who make Youtube videos don't use for the sake of not making their video look too cheesy.

If someone took a video of Nakamura's entrance and edited that in as a joke to make fun of WWE's lack of self-awareness and subtlety it would actually be funny. They're basically becoming a parody of themselves.

[#1-norm-fan]

I'm just glad he didn't discover this shit last week. Right in the middle of Austin's stunner of McMahon we would have seen "ANTI-AUTHORITY" scroll across the screen.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Now I don't know which part of the Usos promo #1 has seen. Was it the text as they spoke, or the hilarious cage closing everytime they say lockdown (2:00 in for an example).

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6nPTWsJXsY8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Lock Jaw]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">so how long has this been a thing <a href="https://t.co/QQdANpmS2S">pic.twitter.com/QQdANpmS2S</a></p>&mdash; Drake Maverick stan account (@repalec) <a href="https://twitter.com/repalec/status/958506485645897729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ok, I was watching that entrance and didn't see this happen. Saw that tweet earlier in the thread and thought it was one of those edits people do.

[XL]

Yeah, pretty sure I watched the USO promo and didn’t see/hear the stuff with the cell door.

[Lock Jaw]

I saw the cell door stuff

[Evil Vito]

The words on the pre-recorded selfie promos don't bother me much.

But the Nakamura words and the cell door stuff was just dumb. The "live action" stuff doesn't need words and graphics.

[Lock Jaw]

The words on the selfies did bother me.

I liked them on RAW because they were short and sweet, and felt "genuine". On Smackdown it was like "ok, someone took this and edited it to add graphics, this isn't just a dude on his phone sending a message"

[Cool King]

• What on earth was that "ROCKSTAR" graphic all about?

• Roode mistakenly saying "Mojo Riley" got a chuckle from me. I'm cool with Rusev winning though, but I'm sure it'll end up a Triple Threat Match with Ziggler being added later.

Speaking of Ziggler, what's going on with him? He wins the title and instantly vacates it, which nobody cared about, he then disappeared for three weeks, which nobody cared about and then he randomly returned during the Royal Rumble Match, which nobody cared about and then he never got one mention last night on SmackDown.

Not even during the Fatal Four Way Match. Someone could have at least asked Roode "What do you think about Ziggler returning on Sunday during the Royal Rumble Match?".

If no mention was made last night on purpose, as a way for us to be surprised if/when Ziggler gets added to the match or appears to claim a shot at the title, then cool, I guess, but if Ziggler isn't added next week and no mention of him is made yet again, then I really have no clue why Ziggler is even still with the company.

Finally, this whole pancake thing The New Day has going on is incredibly annoying and pointless. I didn't think The New Day could get more annoying but they found a way.

• Those two Usos promos. What the fuck? First of all, why have random words flash up in my face? I do have ears and they do work. I seriously hate these mobile phone promos and the giant text that accompanies them.

The in-ring promo was just awful. Not The Usos though, just the cheap looking cage graphic and sound effect.

Has Vince & Co. just discovered the graphics sections of Adobe After Effects? Tonight's promos and Nakamura's entrance are like videos a ten year old would make and then throw on to YouTube.

• It's crazy to think that Corbin has been on the main roster for almost two years now and he's still incredibly shit.

That segment with Shane & Tye was bad. Especially when he said "What? Are you still here?". It was so flat and monotone, like he had never done a promo before.

• The interview after the Mixed Match Challenge match just made me want to hope and pray that everything that happens on Mixed Match Challenge isn't kayfabe/canon.

[Tom Guycott]

I'm just glad he didn't discover this shit last week. Right in the middle of Austin's stunner of McMahon we would have seen "ANTI-AUTHORITY" scroll across the screen.

Just had a cringeworthy thought: they're likely going ro use a full screen flash of "OUTTA NOWHERE" after every RKO now...

[XL]

Is there such thing as “WWE canon” when they flagrantly retcon whatever they like, whenever they like? See “This is Jinder’s first appearance in a Royal Rumble”

[Cool King]

Just had a cringeworthy thought: they're likely going ro use a full screen flash of "OUTTA NOWHERE" after every RKO now...

https://s9.postimg.org/o9unpgjhr/ezgif-2-f1a96fb962.gif

[Cool King]

Or even:

https://s9.postimg.org/lfricg4lb/ezgif-2-24d8e58b7c.gif

[#1-norm-fan]

We're so close to this happening.

Main event of WrestleMania. Lesnar grabs Reigns from behind. "SUPLEX CITY" flashing on the screen during each suplex.

[Emperor Smeat]

The pop up graphics wouldn't be as bad if WWE just had some restraint on its usage.

Right now it just comes off like every new thing they've done in recent years where its suddenly the only thing they care about doing and want to spam it at every opportunity.

[Danny Electric]

That's terrible.

[Danny Electric]

Next The Uso's will be accompanied to the ring by someone doing sign language.

[#1-norm-fan]

Now I don't know which part of the Usos promo #1 has seen. Was it the text as they spoke, or the hilarious cage closing everytime they say lockdown (2:00 in for an example).

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6nPTWsJXsY8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I actually only saw the cage closing. The text while they talked was... less ridiculous I guess.

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">so how long has this been a thing <a href="https://t.co/QQdANpmS2S">pic.twitter.com/QQdANpmS2S</a></p>&mdash; Drake Maverick stan account (@repalec) <a href="https://twitter.com/repalec/status/958506485645897729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Holy shit. When I heard people saying "pop-up graphics," I thought they meant stuff on the tron or down the bottom of the screen, like a beach ball and a message to say "Watch the Juniors on the WWE Network" or something. I didn't actually think...oh god. Oh my fucking god.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I actually only saw the cage closing. The text while they talked was... less ridiculous I guess.

Hahahahahaha! The black blocks behind the text! It just repeating what they say. The cage. Holy fuck. That's legitimately embarrassing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Usos a lot better at talking than they used to be. Allowed to have genuine charisma as babyfaces too. Of course Kevin Dunn has to try and ruin it. God, his time has to be coming, surely?

[#1-norm-fan]

lol It's all seriously like an SNL parody of a wrestling show.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There's no justification for someone thinking that was a good idea.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Do you think the firing of Jim Johnston made him nervous? Like, "fuck, I need to prove my worth around here," so we're the seeing the last flailing of a man who never really deserved the position in the first place?

[KIRA]

Ok, I was watching that entrance and didn't see this happen. Saw that tweet earlier in the thread and thought it was one of those edits people do.

I thought I was having a stroke when I saw it

[KIRA]

Or even:

https://s9.postimg.org/lfricg4lb/ezgif-2-24d8e58b7c.gif

Don't worry they'll be forced to stop once some parent complains that it gave their child seizures

[#1-norm-fan]

Do you think the firing of Jim Johnston made him nervous? Like, "fuck, I need to prove my worth around here," so we're the seeing the last flailing of a man who never really deserved the position in the first place?

"Fuck. I need to step my game up." *Googles "windows movie maker torrent"*

[Mr. Nerfect]

The legacy of Kevin Dunn is going to be really interesting. Everybody hates him, by the sound of it. But generally, WWE has always been a fairly tightly run ship. It's just lately that their logos, their direction, their graphics and all that has gotten really...amateur. Not even amateur really. Bad. No one would advise using a camera like the WWE does now. No one would recommend those graphics. No one would say that the entrances now are better than the ones of yesterday (in terms of lighting, entrance videos and how it all ties together).

I'm not sure how much of it Dunn is responsible for, but it's got to be noticed by people who matter. Apparently Triple H and Stephanie have always wanted to get rid of him. Vince has to see it. This has got to be a death rattle.

[Emperor Smeat]

Do you think the firing of Jim Johnston made him nervous? Like, "fuck, I need to prove my worth around here," so we're the seeing the last flailing of a man who never really deserved the position in the first place?
The interesting thing about Dunn is he has legit no reason at all to improve as long as Vince is there and he maintains a huge ownership of WWE stocks. Even if Vince leaves any time soon, he helped bring back Shane to the WWE solely to put a wedge in Triple H's plans to get rid of him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, but Vince has to have loved Jim Johnston too. And a lot of other executives that he's just scrapped. It's "time," you know?

[Anybody Thrilla]

When I named this thread, I didn't know it would be this egregious. I thought maybe a new palette at most.

[Loose Cannon]

I kind of love these new graphics and cell phone promos to be honest and that RKO out of nowhere would be the greatest thing ever. I guess because it's fresh and different, I enjoy it. I always loved when guys cut a promo right before their match or tv segment. It's got that old school vibe with a new school touch. i'm cool with it

[Big Vic]

The RKO thing would seem very Marvel vs Capcom-y

[Anybody Thrilla]

I kind of love these new graphics and cell phone promos to be honest and that RKO out of nowhere would be the greatest thing ever. I guess because it's fresh and different, I enjoy it. I always loved when guys cut a promo right before their match or tv segment. It's got that old school vibe with a new school touch. i'm cool with it

I'm more than OK with the cell phone promos, but the graphics are really a bit much.

Also, why is no one talking about this Top Ten thing?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

If Randy Orton walked out and took 20 minutes taking a shit in the middle of the ring, no words, only the sounds of straining until he's done, it would be fresh and different. And just as bad.

[Lock Jaw]

As I said before, I was a fan of the cell phone promos on RAW, but adding graphics to them on Smackdown ruined their "genuine quality".

Also Daniel Bryan's top ten thing shouldn't have been one of them. Feel like announcements from the GM should have a staged and produced feel to them. So like the normal backstage promos.

As for the top ten.... I dunno. Will have to wait and see how it turns out. I remember TNA did a fan vote rankings or something and then got rid of it after one week because they didn't like the results or something.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

The TNA rankings were based on results. Then they realised it was too much to keep track of and scrapped it.

[Innovator]

Fan vote also happened and Desmond Wolfe kept getting #1, so they jobbed him to Abyss.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

NXT announcer Desmond Wolf?!

Yeah, I remember now. Had an ongoing feud with Kurt Angle purely because of that and then TNA suddenly realised they were popular in the UK.

[Anybody Thrilla]

This isn't fan vote. It's Superstar vote. They just can't vote for themselves. It's all kayfabe, so at least they're not trying to act like our opinion matters.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

This sounds even worse and no doubt they'll flash the numbers up in silly ways. Pass.

[Cool King]

The RKO thing would seem very Marvel vs Capcom-y

http://images.onesite.com/capcom-unity.com/user/xantista/blog_photos/d56ba2eb0f0cff89455caaea50d6bf01.gif?v=81320

https://78.media.tumblr.com/08bb802ed1cca6e489ca3226e0aab368/tumblr_mvpblgytum1rnjfjfo1_r1_400.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

Cena and Cesaro both have really good chemistry. If they sub out Sheamus because of his spine, I'd like to see a Cena/Cesaro super-team. Cena can take the beatings and tag in Cesaro. Give them a short run with the tag belts and do the open challenge thing. Could be some great matches. When Cena goes to Hollywood, they drop the belts and Cesaro goes on to bigger and better things, hopefully getting the Super Friends rub.