The WWE Future Endeavors Thread

[Lengua]

or are we getting worked in service of a WM storyline??????????

Here's hoping Shane plants the seeds to oust vince and put him in a nursing home only for vince's real song, huh, to save him.

Shane vs hhh

[slik]

Nick Khan is Vince's favorite child now

[Mr. Nerfect]

The story makes a little more sense when you imagine Shane, not having any sort of official role in the company, actively going and changing a bunch of things like he has any sort of official authority to do so. It would be different if he were assigned the match. Then Bad Bunny gets jerked around and Vince kinda goes “You either work here or you don’t.”

Like, putting yourself in Jamie Noble’s shoes: How do you tell Shane McMahon no, while at the same time he’s technically an outside talent coming in.

If Shane were actually there, I doubt this would have been a firing. But since he’s not, it’s just not an advantageous relationship to either party at the moment.

[Bad News Gertner]

He doesn't nearly have the aptitude for the business that Steph has

[drave]

You say that but you don't really mean that.

[screech]

But can Steph do the shuffle?

[slik]

I'm assuming this means another round of roster releases is incoming


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On Thursday's earnings call, WWE will almost certainly report 2021 was its most profitable year in company history, with annual revenue surpassing $1 billion for the first time. <a href="https://t.co/anikJVvBQ5">https://t.co/anikJVvBQ5</a></p>&mdash; Wrestlenomics (@wrestlenomics) <a href="https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1488988557071065088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm assuming this means another round of roster releases is incoming


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On Thursday's earnings call, WWE will almost certainly report 2021 was its most profitable year in company history, with annual revenue surpassing $1 billion for the first time. <a href="https://t.co/anikJVvBQ5">https://t.co/anikJVvBQ5</a></p>&mdash; Wrestlenomics (@wrestlenomics) <a href="https://twitter.com/wrestlenomics/status/1488988557071065088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Possibly. Being profitable doesn’t mean you don’t have a budget.

[Bad News Gertner]

You say that but you don't really mean that.

Steph has single handedly changed the perception of the company.

Shane just comes up with stupid ideas in creative.

[ron the dial]

hey man he falls from high places too!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Steph has single handedly changed the perception of the company.

Shane just comes up with stupid ideas in creative.

For argument’s sake, I will suggest that this is a little reductive. Vince and lots of executives have also been behind the WWE’s corporate change. Although, I will say that this change has probably been their smartest decision ever, and easily the best one they’ve made in the 21st century.

And with Shane I’m not sure it’s aptitude or ability so much as…Steph really, really wants it and he doesn’t care so much. Lots of people will say that he’s jealous or has tried and all that, but he did walk for a number of years to do his own thing. Regardless of how successful that was or wasn’t (and who knows how well Steph would do outside WWE either?), he still left that nest.

Steph has always been the better fit for the company, and the company has suited her. But for a while she was the sibling coming up with stupid ideas in creative too.

[Bad News Gertner]

It's why she was on the nominees for the Wrestling Observer Awards. She's won so many awards since she became Chief Brand Officer. Like the Eisenhower Fellow thing she was part of. the International Sports Hall of Fame. Something with the March of Dimes recently. SOOOOO important in terms of rehabbing the image of the company with sponsors and in the business world.

I believe it was Alex Greenfield who comments that Shane would pop in with these off the wall ideas in creative that nobody listened to because they were so "out there"

[Destor]

the ammount of people who don't understand econ is tragic when inflation rises increased "profits" dont mean more money.

[slik]

Steph has single handedly changed the perception of the company.



Stephanie is a great businesswoman
She really doesn't get credit for that

She might be an annoying onscreen character but irl she is rather outstanding at behind the scenes stuff

[slik]

Nia has given her opinion on shane, everyone can finally relax who was waiting for it


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Damnnn…nobody is safe. So I guess the narrative that you only have a job because you’re related to so &amp; so, doesn’t really fit now does it ��</p>&mdash; Lina Fanene (@LinaFanene) <a href="https://twitter.com/LinaFanene/status/1488976117352603649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

big match mox opening the show

[slik]

oh wrong thread lol

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

i wish there was much an uproar about Steph putting herself over. But lol Shane is such a dinkus

[xrodmuc316]

Possibly. Being profitable doesn’t mean you don’t have a budget.

They have come to realize that all the cuts has not hurt them from a financial standpoint. They are not a non-profit, there is no reason to employ 300 people if 100 people provide the same results. It is absolutely shitty, but but businesswise it is the right move. I would argue their only mistake was Bray Wyatt, as he was moving a lot of merch. He is probably the only cut that did not make financial sense.

The product quality has certainly suffered, but as long as they are being paid as content creators, they only need to do just enough, and they do still put out some great content mixed in with mostly time killing nonsense.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's why she was on the nominees for the Wrestling Observer Awards. She's won so many awards since she became Chief Brand Officer. Like the Eisenhower Fellow thing she was part of. the International Sports Hall of Fame. Something with the March of Dimes recently. SOOOOO important in terms of rehabbing the image of the company with sponsors and in the business world.

I believe it was Alex Greenfield who comments that Shane would pop in with these off the wall ideas in creative that nobody listened to because they were so "out there"

Yeah, that’s true. Point well made.

[Evil Vito]

One of the stories going around is that, because of how involvement Shane had in restructuring the Rumble, they changed Bad Bunny's entrance number multiple times.

That meant that, presumably, they were changing who he was scheduled to be in the ring with and exactly what he'd be able to do. This is frustrating for a wrestler, but downright unsafe when you're dealing with a non-wrestler that needs prep time and to be carried through their part in the match.

On top of that, there seems to be a feeling that it made WWE look unprofessional in the eyes of a major outside star and his people.

[drave]

Bad Bunny looked better than Shane, hands down. Fuck a number.

[Sepholio]

Bad Bunny could legit be a rassler if he wanted.

[Fignuts]

Shane fucking sucks. Not sure why anyone would be excited to see him "wrestle".

Only appeal he's ever had was his willingness to jump off high places. Which is very unlikely to ever happen again given his age. Dude was gassed just walking to the ring. Think if he had done his signature shuffle he would have had a stroke right there.

[Bad News Gertner]

Shane after 2000 is completely unwatchable

[Destor]

Theyre not a non-profit, there is no reason to employ 300 people if 100 people provide the same results. It is absolutely shitty, but but businesswise it is the right move. in what way is that shitty? if an employee isnt producing enough value to jusitfy their wages why is it shitty to let them go?

Furthermore it doesnt even look like thats whats happening. as you said Wyatt was generating revenue and they still let him go so this notion is shaky from the start.

the reality is spendable operating budgets are getting tighter. the currency has a lower purchasing power (both goods and services cost more to obtain, logistics take a larger percentage of availble operating expenses [and with a touring troupe this hits you from three or four different angles since you have factors like fuel and labor and the like all hitting you directly AND indirectly] etc) and doubly these issues effect your employees as well so you already know wages are going to have to go up when contracts get renegotiated since the employees spendable income has also been impacted. so they have the future increased payroll expense to plan for as well which of course further decreases your spendable operating budget.

then theres the unknown value of R&D of potential new market possibilities that is a completely invisible budgetary value that large companies are always experimenting with one thing or another that in most cases come up as pure loss. the wwe could be looking market potential in a promising avenue that at the present is pure cost that we dont see in slightest. things like video games, the network app, the film studio and developmental territories all started in this phase and at any given time they could have something brewering thats taxing their operating budgets.

tl;dr at a time when the currency is worth less and operating expenses are ballooning to hear people gloat about company X's profits just shows how little they understand about money (let alone business) on a truly fundamental level. $1 dollar today is not $1 tomorrow. they have the economic grasp of a toddler.

[RP]

I'd let Bad Bunny shit in my mouth for 10 minutes of sex with The Bunny.

[Loose Cannon]

I didn't watch the Rumble. i was going to, but then realized Sunday morning that it already aired lol.

But when i read the results and saw Shane McMahon was the 2nd to last person eliminated, I just shook my head and was glad i didn't watch it. That right there is WWE in a nutshell. A 52 year old guy who hasn't been relevant in forever booking himself in a primary spot in the 2nd biggest PPV of the year. Like how does that even happen? What a mess

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Shane after 2000 is completely unwatchable

Nah bruh the street fights with Vince at Mania and with Angle at King of the Ring in 2001 were fantastic

Then he started getting on my nerves during the invasion and I think I was out by the time Kane shocked his testicles

[Bad News Gertner]

That's right! I couldn't remember if Angle was 2000 or 2001.

[Destor]

shane is unquestionably the single greatest part time worker the business has ever seen...to be as good as he is... working as much as he has...well its all moot. its nepotism and self aggrandizing and we all know it. he didnt earn anything.

and thats why the sight of him in these positions is so sour. it speaks against the notion hard work will allow you to make something of yourself because he's absorbing spots of guys working hard year round. its why everyone hated jeff jarrett so much back in the day in early TNA. his work was perfectly fine. to the level of his position even. but when he has the pen it insults us on a human level. shane is that x10.

[Fignuts]

Is he though? He doesn't really have wrestling matches. He has garbage stunt shows. Anyone can guided through that kind of performance. He's had one actual wrestling match that I can remember. Yes it was good, but it was against AJ Styles, a guy who could probably carry wcw Powerplant wrestlers to a good match.

[Destor]

if not him then who

[Fignuts]

I guess that would depend on who you classify as part time.

If rousey counts I would absolutely put her above Shane. Rough around the edges yes, but far FAR better than she has any right to be given her experience, and her work looks far better due to the physicality she applies it with.

[Destor]

maybe in time id give you that. shes only got a year under her. but she could pass him for sure

[drave]

?


She's times better than him, save jumping off some high up place or getting thrown through the glass by Angle.


Those are the only things I think of when I hear "Shane" (well, maybe The Walking Dead too). There was a time where the stuff he did would be classified as "backyard crap".

[Destor]

she's very difficult for me to watch. shes dangerous and if she wasnt so over her natural instincts wpuld not play well. she basically makes the wrong call everytime but she has so much real world credibility that she gets over depsite these giant eye sore matches. shes "pretty bad" fundamentally but i def think she could get really good in time.

[drave]

She looks better "in the ring" than Shane. Period.

[Destor]

i have to look away when she works. its so green it hurts my eyes

[Fignuts]

Yeah again, I think it also depends on what you'd define as a "worker".

When I hear the word, I can't really disconnect it from working an actual wrestling match, and not just someone who works for a wrestling promotion and performs in some capacity.

I think the more accurate description for me, would be that Shane is the greatest part time attraction in wrestling history. Because that's all he really is.

It's just that when you hear guys described as great workers, their ability to almost kill themselves in ridiculous stunts never enters the conversation.

[Evil Vito]

Wonder who Destor would rather watch: Ronda Rousey or Chuck Taylor?

[Fignuts]

i have to look away when she works. its so green it hurts my eyes

I mean you actually wrestled and were trained, so it likely stands out a lot more to you. To someone like me it's noticeable but not enough that its deal breaking. And again while it's rough and possibly dangerous it also looks real. Which is s breath of fresh air in wwe's women's division where 90% of the action looks as fake as a plea from a Nigerian prince.

[Destor]

Yeah again, I think it also depends on what you'd define as a "worker".

When I hear the word, I can't really disconnect it from working an actual wrestling match, and not just someone who works for a wrestling promotion and performs in some capacity.

I think the more accurate description for me, would be that Shane is the greatest part time attraction in wrestling history. Because that's all he really is.

It's just that when you hear guys described as great workers, their ability to almost kill themselves in ridiculous stunts never enters the conversation.yeah i dont mean workrate at all. i see the disconnect. worker to me is a person who works marks. work: to elicite reaction.

[Destor]

I mean you actually wrestled and were trained, so it likely stands out a lot more to you. To someone like me it's noticeable but not enough that its deal breaking. And again while it's rough and possibly dangerous it also looks real. Which is s breath of fresh air in wwe's women's division where 90% of the action looks as fake as a plea from a Nigerian prince.
i think she's a great act that just needs time. her credibility is sorely needed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Shane is getting a rough rep as a worker in here. There have been full-time guys that can not be pulled through what he has. It’s getting tarred with the same brush as death match wrestling, but it really isn’t the same thing. And I think people should go back and watch his earlier work. He drew people into his work. His match against Test is still thought of fondly.

They’re not clinical masterpieces, but to say anyone could do them is a bit much. I saw someone say AJ Styles could drag a good match out of a WCW PowerPlant rookie. Well, there’s him and Omos. And I’m going to catch flack for saying this, but I’ve always thought that the Styles/Owens chemistry was flat too.

Shane’s work does require skill. He was a pretty great character at one point in time. People have sincerely loved/hated him. He got people to care about Steve Blackman at one point.

[Fignuts]

AJW spoiled the shit out of me.

[Fignuts]

No one's saying he wasnt a great entertainer. Just that a 50 something businessman should probably just go home and be a family man instead of entering a royal rumble.

[Destor]

let alone hogging the last eliminated spot which is inexcusable

[Loose Cannon]

No one's saying he wasnt a great entertainer. Just that a 50 something businessman should probably just go home and be a family man instead of entering a royal rumble.

yeah this. Shane hasn't really bothered me until the Rumble. He's been in a lot of the "filler spots" on cards and I don't mind that. Miz, Owens, Styles...I was cool with all that. It made sense. But the way he booked himself in the Rumble was just ridiculous. He should of just came in early or midway did a spot with some other midcarder (I've heard the Theory rumors) he was going to have a singles with and be done. Not be in the final 3 just because he wanted it that way lol

[Loose Cannon]

BTW, X-pac/Shane Wrestlemania 15 was my fav match of his. Great storyline heading into that one

[Destor]

excellent match

[Evil Vito]

Yeah X-Pac/Shane was dope

X-Pac was so fucking good, still not sure why they felt the need to add him to the nWo for the HOF to make him a "two time inductee" when he was more than deserving to be inducted on his own

[BigCrippyZ]

Loved the Shane WM15 match for what it was. Of course when you have Rock v Austin as the main event, even though it wasn't their best match, everything is going to get overshadowed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

No one's saying he wasnt a great entertainer. Just that a 50 something businessman should probably just go home and be a family man instead of entering a royal rumble.

I couldn’t remember who posted what I was responding to, but it turns out they were both yours, lol.

Shane fucking sucks. Not sure why anyone would be excited to see him "wrestle".

Only appeal he's ever had was his willingness to jump off high places. Which is very unlikely to ever happen again given his age. Dude was gassed just walking to the ring. Think if he had done his signature shuffle he would have had a stroke right there.

Is he though? He doesn't really have wrestling matches. He has garbage stunt shows. Anyone can guided through that kind of performance. He's had one actual wrestling match that I can remember. Yes it was good, but it was against AJ Styles, a guy who could probably carry wcw Powerplant wrestlers to a good match.

That assessment is just a bit much. You’re entitled to not like the guy, but I think he is obviously a bit better than that. Maybe you’re just being colorful to register a point?

[Big Vic]

X-Factor Hall of Fame nod 2022

[Evil Vito]

10 year old me: wooooooo Chyna helped Triple H beat Kane! DX is back to full strength!

10 year old me an hour later: WTF Triple H and Chyna just turned on X-Pac :(

[Big Vic]

But when i read the results and saw Shane McMahon was the 2nd to last person eliminated, I just shook my head and was glad i didn't watch it.

:lol: sounds awful

[GD]

X-Factor Hall of Fame nod 2022

Remember when Hunter had reservations about Chyna going into the Hall of Fame because of her adult career?

[Loose Cannon]

Someone mentioned in here about Nick Kahn being Vince's son now and honestly after this whole debacle with Shane, I wouldn't mind seeing a story build where Kahn takes an on air role driving Vince more and more away from his family and trying to grasp control of WWE. That dude has heel written all over him

[Big Vic]

10 year old me: wooooooo Chyna helped Triple H beat Kane! DX is back to full strength!

10 year old me an hour later: WTF Triple H and Chyna just turned on X-Pac :(

Ugh I had those exact feelings, was soo pumped when they cut that small promo between the 2 matches.

[Loose Cannon]

10 year old me: wooooooo Chyna helped Triple H beat Kane! DX is back to full strength!

10 year old me an hour later: WTF Triple H and Chyna just turned on X-Pac :(

YES! That shit destroyed me. Completely destroyed me

[Sepholio]

chiming in a bit late but Shane vs Angle in 01 is one of my favorite matches ever. It was so good.

[Destor]

its among the most memorable moments in the last 20 years or so of wrestling

[Destor]

and ignoring the high spots the match is really good on its own merits. it gets to those high spots really organically through a well structured and well executed match

[Supreme Olajuwon]

It’s even more impressive when you remember it was Angle’s 3rd match of the night and he broke his tailbone halfway through the match.

I can still hear the thud of Shane’s head and shoulders hitting the concrete when the glass didn’t break on the suplex spots.

[xrodmuc316]

Remember when Hunter had reservations about Chyna going into the Hall of Fame because of her adult career?

It wasnt just because she did porn, it is because she did a porn where she had a threesome with "Vince and Steph" characters. That distinction certainly is an understandable reason to have reservations.

[Fignuts]

Every good Shane match that's been mentioned here is with guys who could carry broom sticks to good matches. Fair credit to Shane that he cooperated well enough to get those good matches, but just sayin'.

[Destor]

i cant remember an all time classic where a guys was carried to it

[Destor]

good matches sure but some of shanes best are pretty unforgettable decades later

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Every good Shane match that's been mentioned here is with guys who could carry broom sticks to good matches. Fair credit to Shane that he cooperated well enough to get those good matches, but just sayin'.

I also remember Shane having entertaining matches with Test, Steve Blackman, Big Show, and of course Vince himself so I dunno.

Those matches were all heavily booked to make Shane look good while also getting his ass kicked. I liked that era of Shane. I do not like the current era where Shane is booked to be the equal of his competitors in both talent and conditioning. That’s ridiculous.

[Destor]

one thing there seems to be consensus on is the last few years have been absurd to the point of offensive

[Big Vic]

I was looking up shane matches on Cagematch.net https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=548&page=4&s=0

and remembered the awful Shane/Braun feud

[Big Vic]

Those matches were all heavily booked to make Shane look good while also getting his ass kicked. I liked that era of Shane. I do not like the current era where Shane is booked to be the equal of his competitors in both talent and conditioning. That’s ridiculous.Remember Shane was supposed to defeat Taker at Mania? And go toe-to-toe with Brock when he was white hot?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Every good Shane match that's been mentioned here is with guys who could carry broom sticks to good matches. Fair credit to Shane that he cooperated well enough to get those good matches, but just sayin'.

I think you’re trying to be reasonable, but I’ve seen AJ and Kevin Owens have worse matches against each other than they had with Shane. Shane must be better than a broomstick and some guys must be much worse.

[Mr. Nerfect]

one thing there seems to be consensus on is the last few years have been absurd to the point of offensive

As a chickenshit heel or a babyface that won’t die, Shane works fine. I don’t buy MMA hero Shane at all. His Hell in a Cell against Taker should have been structured a lot differently, and definitely should have been a lot shorter.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Also if I never have to see Shane throw his little combo punches that miss by three feet I’m good.

[XL]

I was hoping to see X-Pac in the Rumble. Would have been a nice little call back if he’d go into it with Shane, and eliminated him.

[Fignuts]

I think you’re trying to be reasonable, but I’ve seen AJ and Kevin Owens have worse matches against each other than they had with Shane. Shane must be better than a broomstick and some guys must be much worse.

Every great wrestler in history had the occasional bad match, or even had bad chemistry with particular workers. That doesn't diminish their broomstick carrying capability in my opinion.

[Fignuts]

I'll throw out an olive branch.

I'll concede that he was enough of a natural at the fundamentals that he was able to consistently have enjoyable matches. But unforgettable classics? That's fucking pushing it.

[Fignuts]

And regardless, he sucks now, get him off my tv.

[Destor]

that last point we agree

[Bad News Gertner]

You know what's not future endeavored? Tonight's Classic Wrestling! See you all at 8:30pm!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

While we’re here do you guys want to talk about Shane’s time as color guy on Sunday Night Heat

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Or his commentary in the Attitude video game

[Supreme Olajuwon]

They sounded remarkably similar

[Bad News Gertner]

While we’re here do you guys want to talk about Shane’s time as color guy on Sunday Night Heat

He was great on Sunday Night Heat. Loved Shane during that time period.

[slik]

I believe it was Alex Greenfield who comments that Shane would pop in with these off the wall ideas in creative that nobody listened to because they were so "out there"

RAW Underground was all Shane.


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[Jordan]

Honestly that style could have been cool. It's just that the workers had no idea what they were doing. It's really hard to pull off a shoot style pro wrestling match. Plenty of times in Japan it's done and been done and it's terrible. Think about when Hager faced Wardlow in that "MMA fight".

[Triple A]

Tried to watch the Von Wagner vs. Riddick Moss one there and the 1.5 camera cuts per second thing and each camera angle being like 20 feet away made it unbearable to watch...

[Triple A]

honestly like a 5 year old dumb kid is controlling the camera shots

[Destor]

the camera cuts are to hide how mickey mouse it all is. that's the problem with worked mma, youve gotta hide way too much.

[Big Vic]

Shane had an idea that I agree with, let wwe.com be less kayfabey. A few interviews with batista and booker were posted after their fight, same with Blue Meanie/JBL. Made we want to check out WWE.com

[Jordan]

Tried to watch the Von Wagner vs. Riddick Moss one there and the 1.5 camera cuts per second thing and each camera angle being like 20 feet away made it unbearable to watch...

Yeah this is the culprit behind a lot of WWE's flaws. This production style is so fake. It's almost to the level of America or Britan's got Talent, the manipulative editing and camera work, so false. The thing about the classic wrestling I love is that the camera is simply "AT THE EVENT". The camera just sits there and captures this live event that would be happening the same way if there was no camera at all.

When you go to a live show today, depending on what side you side you are quickly aware that you are not being performed to. The wrestlers are performing to the hard cam, every interview, angle, anything important at all will be directed to one side of the ring. How lame is that?

AEW guys aren't under the same death notice to always hit hard cam but obviously that's how most interview segments are done, for the hard cam.
WWE's editing keeps their show unbearable, even if there great workers and there are, and good matches which there are.... the editing is so fucking bad.

[slik]

Cesaro gone from WWE per Fightful and PWInsider

[Evil Vito]

I love watching Cesaro work. He'll be an asset wherever he winds up.

[slik]

Plot twist: His contract expired, so he does not have a 90 day waiting period.

[Destor]

wherever he goes i just hope i can call him Claudio Castagnoli again

[ron the dial]

the most money making man

[Fignuts]

Fucking please go to njpw

[Fignuts]

Inject Cesare vs ishii straight into my fucking veins

[Evil Vito]

I’d be OK if he didn’t even sign anywhere and just toured all over. Let him be the token mystery guy in the Revolution ladder match and swing around some meaty lads. Then go work a Terminus show and then a stint in NJPW.

[xrodmuc316]

Cesaro gone from WWE per Fightful and PWInsider

Cesaro checks every box for Tony Khan

1. Used to work for WWE
2. Can talk about how WWE held him back

Thats actually the full list :rofl:

[Lock Jaw]

Why would Cesaro remind him of Konnan? Cause they are both bald?

But anyways, yeah, he will def end up in AEW.

[Lock Jaw]

wherever he goes i just hope i can call him Claudio Castagnoli again

That name is not marketable. AEW would be wise to change it, but they won't.

[slik]

Cesaro has knocked Russia/Ukraine out of the top trending spot on Twitter in the U.S.

https://i.postimg.cc/7ZsWFCXY/Screenshot-2022-02-24-5-18-13-PM.png

[Destor]

That name is not marketable. AEW would be wise to change it, but they won't.
the worlds most moniest making man will do just fine

[Lock Jaw]

Cesaro has uppercut Russia/Ukraine out of the top trending spot on Twitter in the U.S.

Fixed

[Lock Jaw]

'Member last year when Cesaro was getting another random push and was beating Daniel Bryan clean on TV, and was in a singles program vs Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Member when Cesaro got the second biggest pop of the night at Wrestlemania XXX and then creative was just like “nah”

[DaveWadding]

Inject Cesare vs ishii straight into my fucking veins

This is the only post here that matters.

[Jordan]

For the love of God I hope that Cesaro goes to NJPW proper, they need him and AEW doesn't. If that isn't to his liking then him working for ROH would make a lot of sense as well.

[Jordan]

A Chris Hero/Claudio reunion in ROH against the Briscoes would be a huge program for them to return with.

[Evil Vito]

I will order the next Bloodsport in a heartbeat if they book Claudio vs. Thatcher

[Mr. Nerfect]

Claudio Castagnoli for New Japan, please.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

He’d do so well in Japan. It’s hard to believe he’s never gone over there in his career already.

[Mr. Nerfect]

He’d do so well in Japan. It’s hard to believe he’s never gone over there in his career already.

He’s been in the WWE for a loooooong time. New Japan really kicked it up as a fad in the online community when AJ Styles went over. Cesaro was already in the WWE.

I think that would be the best place for him. He can wrestle there for 18 months and be the “best wrestler in the world” and then weigh up his options then with an appreciable view of the lay of the land.

I’m worried he’s going to sign with AEW and try to show he has a personality or end up as another Brodie Lee, in the sense that they’re treated as this massive deal but when left to their devices they prove Vince McMahon right.

I’m all for Claudio being an anchor in a new promotion too. There’s a flavor of guys out there now that don’t fit that AEW vibe that could basically form their own promotion with an emphasis on the technical side of things.

[Vastardikai]

Cesaro, as great a worker as he is, has his short comings. Mainly, that he can't cut a promo to save his life. His other major short coming is only a short coming in AEW: In that he is a big athletic guy who knows what the inside of a gym looks like. That seems to be the antithesis of what gets pushed in that company. And he'd have a repeat of his time in Chikara, with many of the same players involved. I mean, I'm sure the Bucks would love to put themselves over the Kings of Wrestling, but beyond that, there isn't much for Cesaro there.

Ironically, he'd need to be an even better talker to get over in NWA, where everyone seems to be at least decent. On top of that, he's a big fish in a small pond.

He would be best off in New Japan, strictly because he doesn't have to be a good promo guy to get over there.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

What if he teamed with fat Chris Hero? They’d cancel each other out.

[Gerard]

Member when Cesaro got the second biggest pop of the night at Wrestlemania XXX and then creative was just like “nah”


Doesn't matter what "creative" has in the works when you have a 76 year old out of touch loon being the one who gives the yay or nay to storyline or characters put forward

[Bad News Gertner]

Cesaro hit his ceiling. Not World Champ material IMO.

Cesaro to me is the Arn Anderson of the Era. Not a top, top guy but possibly the best tag worker of the Era and a highly valuable upper mid card, but I wouldn't put the World Title on him

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Arn was better than Cesaro will ever be for the simple fact that he can cut a promo and a damn good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Cesaro hit his ceiling. Not World Champ material IMO.

Cesaro to me is the Arn Anderson of the Era. Not a top, top guy but possibly the best tag worker of the Era and a highly valuable upper mid card, but I wouldn't put the World Title on him

Maybe not the one. But I can see value in him being a transitional guy or holding it for a European tour or something. He’s not going to sink the company by holding it, but he’s not exactly going to usher in a new boom period either.

If I were him, I’d actually try and see value in being one of the best ever not to hold one. They’re like candy now. But being in the shortlist of guys like Piper, Anderson, Regal, etc. is lofty company. Unless it makes sense to put it on him because for whatever reason it does make sense for business. A sustained run in New Japan or ROH for example.

[Tom Guycott]

'Member last year when Cesaro was getting another random push and was beating Daniel Bryan clean on TV, and was in a singles program vs Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania?

Member when Cesaro got the second biggest pop of the night at Wrestlemania XXX and then creative was just like “nah”

'Member the "Cesaro Section"?

Or when Heyman supposedly saw the match between him and Sami Zayn in NXT way back when and wanted to work with him after, and he apparently got vetoed by the office? Grain of salt and all since it's a Heyman story, but the other side of that is actually a very WWE move which makes me inclined to believe Paul.

[Tom Guycott]

Cesaro hit his ceiling. Not World Champ material IMO.



Meh. That's one of the downsides of the whole "Perception is reality, pal!" things. If they got behind him to be a champion in any sustained way like they planned for Roman Reigns YEARS ahead of him even being remotely ready for it - he was getting that top spot come hell or high water, he would be seen as a champion. It's easy to say Roman's a star *now*, but how about when he cut that shaky "I'm the man" pre-Shield promo in NXT? Nobody bought that shit, not even him.

If you're booked repeatedly to look like a go-nowhere shithead, guess what you'll be percieved as?

[Fignuts]

That promo was early in Reigns' career. Like in his second year. Cesaro has been doing this for over 20 years, and his promos never got any better.

You can try and build him up as a star all you want, but as soon as he opens his mouth, it's over.

And that's fine. Not everyone can be the guy. That said, he still wasn't used to the best of his abilities. They could have done a lot more with him, but that is par for the course with wwe.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That promo was early in Reigns' career. Like in his second year. Cesaro has been doing this for over 20 years, and his promos never got any better.

You can try and build him up as a star all you want, but as soon as he opens his mouth, it's over.

And that's fine. Not everyone can be the guy. That said, he still wasn't used to the best of his abilities. They could have done a lot more with him, but that is par for the course with wwe.

Sadly, I think this is true. I also don’t think he got anywhere near as over as people said. I wanted him to be so over, but he always felt a bit tepid, even if I thought he was brilliant in the ring.

[XL]

That promo was early in Reigns' career. Like in his second year. Cesaro has been doing this for over 20 years, and his promos never got any better.

You can try and build him up as a star all you want, but as soon as he opens his mouth, it's over.

And that's fine. Not everyone can be the guy. That said, he still wasn't used to the best of his abilities. They could have done a lot more with him, but that is par for the course with wwe.

This. This is the feeling I end up with a lot of WWE leavers. They’re not always championship material/top guys but they are to a man not used to their full potential. There is always something “left on the table”.

[James Steele]

Cesaro is a perfect example of why managers are important to wrestling. Imagine if he had a Bobby Heenan or Jim Cornette type manager to handle all the promos for him.

[Splaya]

Cesaro is a perfect example of why managers are important to wrestling. Imagine if he had a Bobby Heenan or Jim Cornette type manager to handle all the promos for him.

It's why I felt Cesaro was paired with Sheamus for that tag run. Both were exceptional workers but if they needed to cut a promo, Sheamus could do it, and Cesaro could sit there and nod and throw in a line or two and it was "good enough"

[James Steele]

Cesaro isn't a full fledged main eventer, but in a 2 World Title world where Jinder Mahal was champion, Cesaro could have been a serviceable main eventer in lulls.

[Splaya]

Cesaro isn't a full fledged main eventer, but in a 2 World Title world where Jinder Mahal was champion, Cesaro could have been a serviceable main eventer in lulls.

Crazy to think. They saw Jinder as a more credible World Champion than Cesaro.

[drave]

Cesaro isn't a full fledged main eventer, but in a 2 World Title world where Jinder Mahal was champion, Cesaro could have been a serviceable main eventer in lulls.


So much of this, right here. Fuck Jinder. For every reason Cesaro is "not the guy" Jinder is that and then some. Token politics for the loss.


Def don't think he's "the man" but he was definitely someone who could have done more.

[Bad News Gertner]

WWE wasn't trying to expand in Switzerland like they were India

[drave]

I get the business side of it, but still, it was shit.

[Evil Vito]

The Jinder Mahal title run remains one of the strangest things ever. Jinder returns in 2016 to help flesh out the brand split, works as an undercard guy filling out Raw, gets drafted to SmackDown, wins a #1 contenders match with zero build, then beats Orton and ends up holding the title for ages.

I wasn't averse to pushing somebody new or whatever, but they so rarely have an organic rise to the top in WWE. It's usually somebody being rocket strapped, and in this case it was blithely obvious he only got his push because they wanted Indian expansion. Nothing against Jinder as by all accounts he's a nice dude, but it certainly felt unearned.

[drave]

Also, they could have expanded to 5 different countries, since he spoke 5 languages.


De kunde också ha expanderat till 5 olika länder, eftersom han talade 5 språk.



Außerdem hätten sie auf 5 verschiedene Länder expandieren können, da er 5 Sprachen sprach.


Také se mohli rozšířit do 5 různých zemí, protože mluvil 5 jazyky.


En outre, ils auraient pu s’étendre à 5 pays différents, puisqu’il parlait 5 langues.

[drave]

so GTFO India!

[Bad News Gertner]

Everything about Jinder was so fucking rotten lol

Remember his feud with Nakamura lol

[Evil Vito]

The feuds with Orton and Nakamura both felt utterly endless.

The fucking Punjabi Prison match....

[Bad News Gertner]

lxg4Aw_719c

[Bad News Gertner]

So bad lol

[drave]

The giant rug he was standing on was more interesting. Nakamura's used mouthguard had more charisma.

[Splaya]

Don't hinder Jinder.

[Splaya]

But in all seriousness, I see the business aspect of it. But a 2-3 month title run would have been a nice moment. But a super long title run....plus as some people put it, the Punjabi Prison Match. Fuck that. Especially with the Great Khali interfering

[Big Vic]

Should have lost to Nak

[Mr. Nerfect]

I thought Jinder was released for a second there.

Holy shit, was he terrible. He may be more relaxed in the spot now or whatever, but in 2017 it was between him and Zack Ryder as to who was the absolute dirt worst on the roster.

[GD]

What did Ryder do in 2017?

[#1-norm-fan]

The Jinder Mahal title run remains one of the strangest things ever. Jinder returns in 2016 to help flesh out the brand split, works as an undercard guy filling out Raw, gets drafted to SmackDown, wins a #1 contenders match with zero build, then beats Orton and ends up holding the title for ages.

I’ll never forget how amazingly nonsensical it was that they had a 6 man match on Smackdown to decide the #1 contender for the IC title and then the next week, the losers of that match had a 5 way match to decide the #1 contender for the WORLD title. Lol

That has always stood out to me as a notably clear statement by WWE saying “lol None of this shit matters, it’s hilarious that you’re tuning in as if it does.”

[GD]

Mahal is the worst Canadian champion of all time. And one of them even committed double murder-suicide.

[Lock Jaw]

Damn sweet theme and entrance though. Pretty much the only thing I can give him.

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[Destor]

mad gyno tho

[xrodmuc316]

Jinder as a foreign heel worked better than Cesaro because Cesaro is too good in the ring to be truly hated. I dont believe he was only champion to expand in India considering when they actually went to India he got jobbed out to Triple H. I think it was certainly part of it, but it was also how jacked he got and Vince loving evil foreign heels.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Jinder as a foreign heel worked better than Cesaro because Cesaro is too good in the ring to be truly hated. I dont believe he was only champion to expand in India considering when they actually went to India he got jobbed out to Triple H. I think it was certainly part of it, but it was also how jacked he got and Vince loving evil foreign heels.

I still think it came out of resentment for finding himself pushing a bunch of independent style no-marks. The eventual history with India will be valuable, but it wasn’t something that was going to pay dividends there and then, and you could tell it wasn’t right away.

That or Vince also accepted a bet and lost.

[M-A-G]

Wait, wait, wait...they put the fucking World Title on JINDER FUCKING MAHAL?????https://i.imgur.com/ufzCrrF.gif

[ClockShot]

They sure did.

[Lock Jaw]

It was at a time when Smackdown was feeling fresh and new and great right off the brand split and had a lot of promise.... then they kinda killed it with Mahal

[M-A-G]

Well, WM 32 was my cut-off day so I most definitely avoided that shitshow. SmackDown! around that time was most certainly not feeling fresh and new and great.

[xrodmuc316]

It was at a time when Smackdown was feeling fresh and new and great right off the brand split and had a lot of promise.... then they kinda killed it with Mahal

I didnt even mind Jinder winning it, but they then proceeded to book him like a worldbeater for like 5 months, which made no sense.

[Lock Jaw]

Well, WM 32 was my cut-off day so I most definitely avoided that shitshow. SmackDown! around that time was most certainly not feeling fresh and new and great.

The brand split was after WM32, or so Wikipedia tells me..... It was feeling real good for a bit right after the split, with Ambrose as champ, then AJ Styles... even Dolph Ziggler got a little push and was interesting in the main event fighting for the title.... the Orton/Wyatt story....

Then Mahal won the title and it was just like "what" and all Smackdown momentum seemed to kind of grind to a halt..... Styles eventually won the title off Jinder but by then the damage was done and it was like "who cares now"

[Rammsteinmad]

I totally was fine with given Mahal a chance as champion. He came back from absence (injury? released?) looking like a million bucks! However, he still sucked in the ring and on the mic. But props to him for getting in such great shape!

[Mr. Nerfect]

He was fired because he wasn’t very good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Mad props to him turning his life around, don’t get me wrong.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Ignorant question here: is Jinder getting jacked the reason why Drew McIntyre also got jacked?

[Lock Jaw]

That's a personal question

[Tom Guycott]

The following people wouldn't shock me if they were released in the next round of cuts:

Shotzi (called up to SD and then disappeared, ala Toni Storm)
Elias (disappeared from tv a while ago)
OMOS (tall, but he's really not athletic and he's not good in the ring either)
Robert Roode
Veer (I doubt he's ever going to actually appear on RAW if he hasn't by now)

I want to repost this: not as a sign of shitting on slik, because I would have agreed with pretty much this whole list except maybe Omos - because when you're that tall in WWE, being immobile and "not good" isn't enough to be shown the door. I mean, they put The Great Khali in the goddamn HOF! WWE has a track record with that. But everyone else? Yeah, I would have absolutely cosign'd.

I also would have gone the extra mile and suggested an ongoing timer clock for Veer's debut much like the timer website for JTG's WWE employment.

And we'd have both been very wrong.

Anything really can happen in the WWE.

[Evil Vito]

Dakota Kai
Draco Anthony
Harland (Parker Boudreaux)
Malcolm Bivens
Persia Pirotta

Released

[ron the dial]

i'm surprised they didn't release dakota kai sooner. love her tho.

[Triple A]

Dexter Lumis gone

[Triple A]

worried about Indi Hartwell!

[Fignuts]

worried about Indi Hartwell!

She recently tweeted a gif of Snitsky punting the baby.

So shes cool in my book.

[erickman]

Dexter Lumis gone

he can go back to impact and be sam shaw again

[erickman]

i'm surprised they didn't release dakota kai sooner. love her tho.

yeah at nxt since 2016, if they did not see anything before now they would never push her.

[Danny Electric]

That Harland must have been poor in the ring then. Had a good look and they were very hot on him when they brought him in.

[Sepholio]

Yeah I'm surprised by Harland being on the list.

[xrodmuc316]

Diamond Mine is the most cursed faction ever.

[ron the dial]

somehow roddy still has a job!

[erickman]

somehow roddy still has a job!

about the last of the black and gold trips nxt.

[Evil Vito]

They took any look Bordeaux had away from him the moment he debuted on screen looking like Snitsky.

[Danny Electric]

They took any look Bordeaux had away from him the moment he debuted on screen looking like Snitsky.

He looked straight out of American History X

[xrodmuc316]

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[XL]

Apparently Bivens signed an extension to his last contract but had rejected a new deal. Same for Dakota. Surprised they never even tried her on the main roster. Could have even kept her with Raquel <s>Gonzalez</s> Rodriguez and boosted the Womens tag division to 2 teams. Bivens could have been great with any number of talents, my first thought was pair him with “Zero Peesence” Gable Stevenson but I guess he’s a long way off yet. Who else on the main roster packs personality/charisma/presence? Ricochet? Put him with Lashley to counteract MVP with Omos? Dunno. The dude was with the company 3 years and only recently made TV, guess he had enough.

[Jordan]

Crazy how good NXT was at one time under Triple H's leadership. I mean it really changed wrestling on a main stream level. It feels forgotten now, at least by me. I'll never forget NXT selling out arean's for Takeover's and those shows being absolutely nuts. Nakamura vs Zayn ... my lord.

I guess it wasn't "sustainable" not really prepping guys to work for Vince, at all. But still, it was a huge thing, and aside from some booking differences AEW isn't all that much different. All of these companies that are blooming in the last 5 years are pretty much extensions of ROH. Evolve and PWG were evolutions of ROH in ways, the talent went between all of those companies. And then that talent was hired for NXT, and then for AEW.

I can't really watch NXT right now they really need to tour.

[Destor]

everything is the child of something. everything Gabe learned that allowed him to craft RoH he learned working under Heyman in ECW. we're all someones child.

[xrodmuc316]

everything is the child of something. everything Gabe learned that allowed him to craft RoH he learned working under Heyman in ECW. we're all someones child.

Not Phil, who filed legal protection against his own Mother :rofl:

https://www.tmz.com/2013/06/26/cm-punk-wwe-restraining-order-mother-court/ :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[puroresu fan]

Not Phil, who filed legal protection against his own Mother :rofl:

https://www.tmz.com/2013/06/26/cm-punk-wwe-restraining-order-mother-court/ :rofl::rofl::rofl:

I fail to see the humor or a valid point.

[xrodmuc316]

I fail to see the humor or a valid point.

Ummm, Phil sucks as a human :rofl:

[puroresu fan]

Ummm, Phil sucks as a human :rofl:

What’s humorous about that? We don’t know enough about their relationship either.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Don’t bother using logic with him. It’s a waste of your time.

[XL]

I fail to see the humor or a valid point.

What is the normal reaction to an xrod post.

[#1-norm-fan]

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/708/252/99f.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

None of those releases seem crazy at all. Dakota Kai could have maybe been a solid hand, but I didn’t find her particularly interesting. And who knows what circumstances were behind it?

Harland was probably the drizzling shits, plus he seemed to get heat.

Malcolm Bivens was lucky to have a job as a manager in modern WWE, really.

[Tom Guycott]

Crazy how good NXT was at one time under Triple H's leadership. I mean it really changed wrestling on a main stream level. It feels forgotten now, at least by me. I'll never forget NXT selling out arean's for Takeover's and those shows being absolutely nuts. Nakamura vs Zayn ... my lord.

I guess it wasn't "sustainable" not really prepping guys to work for Vince, at all. But still, it was a huge thing, and aside from some booking differences AEW isn't all that much different. All of these companies that are blooming in the last 5 years are pretty much extensions of ROH. Evolve and PWG were evolutions of ROH in ways, the talent went between all of those companies. And then that talent was hired for NXT, and then for AEW.

I can't really watch NXT right now they really need to tour.

I still believe the initial plan was for HHH to be obstensably running shit while Vince was busy with the XFL. All of "Hunter's kids" would have been called up and put in prominent spots, so when Vince came back to take a look, they wouldve been things he wasn't particularly high on (mainly shorter in height), but there would have been a roster of varied talent led by talent that had been fostered and pushed in NXT. He can't bitch about it if it's already in place and working, with popularity and merch sales. Better to ask forgiveness than permission.

Instead, Vince folded the tents of XFL well beforehand (in something wildly unforseen), then immediately went "what the fuck?!" about things like size, and proceded to put stupid touches on callups like name changes or tennis skirts or Demolition masks... and instead of taking the good shit from NXT and introducing it to the main roster, they're going the other shit by infecting NXT with the more garbage aspects of the main roster.

[Tom Guycott]

Malcolm Bivens was lucky to have a job as a manager in modern WWE, really.

I was surprised he was even there ever, given how much Vince apparently hates the idea of managers anymore, Paul Heyman excepted... possibly begrudingly since he's attached to Brock personally. I'm honestly even surprised that MVP has been doing mouthpiece and corner work for folks for the last few years. And I don't mean that as a knock on MVP.

Remember, this is a company that actively discourages using managers and tag team wrestling as a division, and has about a two decade track record at this point that proves exactly how much by deeds instead of words. I'm willing to bet if young prime versions of Jim Cornette, Jimmy Hart, or even Bobby Heenan existed now in their capacity as manager, they would not likely find a home in WWE and end up as post 'Mania release fodder.

[xrodmuc316]

I still believe the initial plan was for HHH to be obstensably running shit while Vince was busy with the XFL. All of "Hunter's kids" would have been called up and put in prominent spots, so when Vince came back to take a look, they wouldve been things he wasn't particularly high on (mainly shorter in height), but there would have been a roster of varied talent led by talent that had been fostered and pushed in NXT. He can't bitch about it if it's already in place and working, with popularity and merch sales. Better to ask forgiveness than permission.

Instead, Vince folded the tents of XFL well beforehand (in something wildly unforseen), then immediately went "what the fuck?!" about things like size, and proceded to put stupid touches on callups like name changes or tennis skirts or Demolition masks... and instead of taking the good shit from NXT and introducing it to the main roster, they're going the other shit by infecting NXT with the more garbage aspects of the main roster.

I said it before, but NXT's failure is solely Vince McMahon's fault. Triple H got at least 20 different acts ready to be big stars in WWE, and Vince went out of his way to bury each and every one of them.

He astonishingly went out of his way to push the few people that came from NXT who had little to no impact on the black and gold brand whatsoever. Alexa Bliss was a manager for almost her entire NXT run. Ditto for Carmella. Elias was just a weird outlier that Graves would trash on commentary. Mojo got a few start/stop pushes, way more of a push than anybody expected considering he was jobbing to the likes of Bull Dempsey. Xavier Woods didn't do much of anything in NXT. Then of course you have guys like Strowman and Omos who were in developmental but never even made it to having a match. He actually pushed Jackson Ryker for a while :rofl:

[XL]

Jackson Ryker :lol:

[XL]

It’s mental that more effort was put into pushing him than a dozen other names.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was surprised he was even there ever, given how much Vince apparently hates the idea of managers anymore, Paul Heyman excepted... possibly begrudingly since he's attached to Brock personally. I'm honestly even surprised that MVP has been doing mouthpiece and corner work for folks for the last few years. And I don't mean that as a knock on MVP.

Remember, this is a company that actively discourages using managers and tag team wrestling as a division, and has about a two decade track record at this point that proves exactly how much by deeds instead of words. I'm willing to bet if young prime versions of Jim Cornette, Jimmy Hart, or even Bobby Heenan existed now in their capacity as manager, they would not likely find a home in WWE and end up as post 'Mania release fodder.

I don’t think Vince is against using managers and tag teams. I mean, WWE has better managers and a better tag division than their nearest rival, easily. But I’m not sure how hungry they would be to get new people into that role when they’ve got a whole bunch of talkers already up there. But I guess it was his choice to leave, so good for him.

[XL]

There’s definitely a “sweet spot” when it comes to things like managers. AEW has far too many to the point where more people have them than don’t and so it doesn’t feel special. Apparently they pitched him pairing with Omos and he turned it down. Not sure what his next step would be, another manager in AEW? He’s a standup comedian too so maybe he wants to concentrate on that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’s possible. He seems to go back a fair way with ROH and EVOLVE, so it’s possible he’s looking to take a job with either ROH or doing something with Gabe? Or he’s just ready to quit.

It would have made the most sense to train him up as a referee or commentator, in my opinion.

[DaveWadding]

RODERICK STRONG HAS CENA NUFF

(and requested his release)

[erickman]

RODERICK STRONG HAS CENA NUFF

(and requested his release)

an wwe fire everyone around him but want to keep him for some reason.

[Fignuts]

Its possible they wanted to keep him as a coach.

[erickman]

yeah even the coaches are leaving

[xrodmuc316]

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[Vastardikai]

Roderick Strong looks like a Sitcom Dad 10 years after the show was cancelled.

[Tom Guycott]

He actually pushed Jackson Ryker for a while :rofl:

Jackson Ryker :lol:

It’s mental that more effort was put into pushing him than a dozen other names.

And on top of that, he was part of a trio where the other two guys got purged.

Forgotten Sons pretty much forgotten, but it could have been worse. Could have been like Hit Row. I would say that's the worst, if not for the perpetual implosion of The Diamond Mine... the only constant there is Roddy, and that stable can never get off the ground.

[Tom Guycott]

I don’t think Vince is against using managers and tag teams. I mean, WWE has better managers and a better tag division than their nearest rival, easily. But I’m not sure how hungry they would be to get new people into that role when they’ve got a whole bunch of talkers already up there. But I guess it was his choice to leave, so good for him.

Do they, though? Do they really?

Besides Heyman and MVP, who was the last manager - actual manager, not just an injured mouthpiece (David Otunga) or a valet with a mic who eventually gets in the ring anyway (Zelina) - to get any actual serious time? Last one I remember is Dutch Mantell/Zeb Coulter. Paul Ellering was back for enough time to build up Authors of Pain in NXT, but then when they got called up, he was back on the unemployment line, and they got split up and shitcanned. The only other one I can think of outside of that was Abraham Washington, and he got himself fired for mentioning the one name he wasn't allowed to on Twitter (Linda).

Tag teams are worse. Most established actual "teams" that gel or work as teams get split up for no reason or treated as jokes. Then, they make teams out of whole cloth from two thrown together singles. The one of the few true teams still around right now are the Usos, and part of that is being auxillary to Roman. If they literally werent Bloodline, they'd be on the breadline, or chilling somewhere in catering next to <s>War Machine</s> <s>The Viking Experience</s> The Viking Raiders.

They have two sets of tag team champions (not counting NXT or the women's belts, because those are different difficulties), but they're mostly ornamental. The "division" itself reminds me of when Gregory Helms was the Cruiserweight Champion when there was almost nothing on the roster but "heavyweights", or when AJ Lee was the Diva's Champ with no other legit full-time wrestling ladies on the card except Nattie, and she pretty much had to carry matches against swimsuit models and "reality tv stars". There are no more Road Warriors, British Bulldogs, Powers of Pain, Demoliton, etc., etc., and the few that show up get shit on or disappeared. American Alpha had potential, but again, not only were there few other actual tag teams around to make them look good, but Vince was super horny to make Jason Jordan the next big breakout singles superstar and was super eager to split them ASAP.

I find it funny now that they went elsewhere and proved how great they are, WWE wants The Revival back... even though when those guys left, the company was about to make them a comedy act and bury them to hell. And I'm convinced if they go back and take the money, they'll eventually swing back around to that line of thinking. They only want them back to deny AEW the buzz. Just like the deal with Gallows & Anderson. Just like when they "showed interest" in the Young Bucks.

They'll dabble every once in awhile. They may put together some sort of [insert wrestler name] Tournament for Tag Team Supremacy or hire some guy who looks like they'll become the new Harvey Whippleman or Paul E. Dangerously, but then both of those ideas will last for a number of weeks, then begin to fade into obscurity, and the idea of the next great tag team renissanse or prodigous mouthpice will be shelved for another few years. They never stick with it, and they seemingly never will. I would assume on the manager front Bivins saw the writing on the wall.

[erickman]

Do they, though? Do they really?

Besides Heyman and MVP, who was the last manager - actual manager, not just an injured mouthpiece (David Otunga) or a valet with a mic who eventually gets in the ring anyway (Zelina) - to get any actual serious time? Last one I remember is Dutch Mantell/Zeb Coulter. Paul Ellering was back for enough time to build up Authors of Pain in NXT, but then when they got called up, he was back on the unemployment line, and they got split up and shitcanned. The only other one I can think of outside of that was Abraham Washington, and he got himself fired for mentioning the one name he wasn't allowed to on Twitter (Linda).

Tag teams are worse. Most established actual "teams" that gel or work as teams get split up for no reason or treated as jokes. Then, they make teams out of whole cloth from two thrown together singles. The one of the few true teams still around right now are the Usos, and part of that is being auxillary to Roman. If they literally werent Bloodline, they'd be on the breadline, or chilling somewhere in catering next to <s>War Machine</s> <s>The Viking Experience</s> The Viking Raiders.

They have two sets of tag team champions (not counting NXT or the women's belts, because those are different difficulties), but they're mostly ornamental. The "division" itself reminds me of when Gregory Helms was the Cruiserweight Champion when there was almost nothing on the roster but "heavyweights", or when AJ Lee was the Diva's Champ with no other legit full-time wrestling ladies on the card except Nattie, and she pretty much had to carry matches against swimsuit models and "reality tv stars". There are no more Road Warriors, British Bulldogs, Powers of Pain, Demoliton, etc., etc., and the few that show up get shit on or disappeared. American Alpha had potential, but again, not only were there few other actual tag teams around to make them look good, but Vince was super horny to make Jason Jordan the next big breakout singles superstar and was super eager to split them ASAP.

I find it funny now that they went elsewhere and proved how great they are, WWE wants The Revival back... even though when those guys left, the company was about to make them a comedy act and bury them to hell. And I'm convinced if they go back and take the money, they'll eventually swing back around to that line of thinking. They only want them back to deny AEW the buzz. Just like the deal with Gallows & Anderson. Just like when they "showed interest" in the Young Bucks.

They'll dabble every once in awhile. They may put together some sort of [insert wrestler name] Tournament for Tag Team Supremacy or hire some guy who looks like they'll become the new Harvey Whippleman or Paul E. Dangerously, but then both of those ideas will last for a number of weeks, then begin to fade into obscurity, and the idea of the next great tag team renissanse or prodigous mouthpice will be shelved for another few years. They never stick with it, and they seemingly never will. I would assume on the manager front Bivins saw the writing on the wall.

yep poor stone and la knight both managers

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Lmaooooo at the idea at WWE having a better tag team division than AEW. Fucking laughable take.

[#1-norm-fan]

I find it funny now that they went elsewhere and proved how great they are, WWE wants The Revival back... even though when those guys left, the company was about to make them a comedy act and bury them to hell.

https://c.tenor.com/fJRgX3o6qvwAAAAM/the-revival-scott-dawson.gif

That was how they were using FTR. Accidentally putting Icy Hot on their balls. Just insane. Lol

[drave]

and they were shaving the backs of one another as well. brilliant.

[erickman]

Lmaooooo at the idea at WWE having a better tag team division than AEW. Fucking laughable take.

impact and nwa have better tag teams then the wwe

[XL]

THAN. THAN. FUCKIG THAN.

[XL]

Sorry about that little outburst.

[ron the dial]

THAN. THAN. FUCKIG THAN.

*fucking

[XL]

I can’t blame Roddy. When UE split he was the “other guy” when Cole and O’Reilly was feuding. Then they launched Diamond Mine, I think mostly as a vehicle for the Creed Brothers (which is fine), let that one guy go, then Bivens. Apparently they approached him with a name change. Where does the dude fit on the Main Roster? Fine as part of a group but as a solo act?

[XL]

*fucking

Sorry. Clearly too worked up.

[ron the dial]

I can’t blame Roddy. When UE split he was the “other guy” when Cole and O’Reilly was feuding. Then they launched Diamond Mine, I think mostly as a vehicle for the Creed Brothers (which is fine), let that one guy go, then Bivens. Apparently they approached him with a name change. Where does the dude fit on the Main Roster? Fine as part of a group but as a solo act?

he couldn't even hang as a solo act in NXT so his main roster chances were pretty damn slim imo

[XL]

Well yeah. He’s a tag/stable guy if ever I saw one.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Do they, though? Do they really?

Besides Heyman and MVP, who was the last manager - actual manager, not just an injured mouthpiece (David Otunga) or a valet with a mic who eventually gets in the ring anyway (Zelina) - to get any actual serious time? Last one I remember is Dutch Mantell/Zeb Coulter. Paul Ellering was back for enough time to build up Authors of Pain in NXT, but then when they got called up, he was back on the unemployment line, and they got split up and shitcanned. The only other one I can think of outside of that was Abraham Washington, and he got himself fired for mentioning the one name he wasn't allowed to on Twitter (Linda).

Tag teams are worse. Most established actual "teams" that gel or work as teams get split up for no reason or treated as jokes. Then, they make teams out of whole cloth from two thrown together singles. The one of the few true teams still around right now are the Usos, and part of that is being auxillary to Roman. If they literally werent Bloodline, they'd be on the breadline, or chilling somewhere in catering next to <s>War Machine</s> <s>The Viking Experience</s> The Viking Raiders.

They have two sets of tag team champions (not counting NXT or the women's belts, because those are different difficulties), but they're mostly ornamental. The "division" itself reminds me of when Gregory Helms was the Cruiserweight Champion when there was almost nothing on the roster but "heavyweights", or when AJ Lee was the Diva's Champ with no other legit full-time wrestling ladies on the card except Nattie, and she pretty much had to carry matches against swimsuit models and "reality tv stars". There are no more Road Warriors, British Bulldogs, Powers of Pain, Demoliton, etc., etc., and the few that show up get shit on or disappeared. American Alpha had potential, but again, not only were there few other actual tag teams around to make them look good, but Vince was super horny to make Jason Jordan the next big breakout singles superstar and was super eager to split them ASAP.

I find it funny now that they went elsewhere and proved how great they are, WWE wants The Revival back... even though when those guys left, the company was about to make them a comedy act and bury them to hell. And I'm convinced if they go back and take the money, they'll eventually swing back around to that line of thinking. They only want them back to deny AEW the buzz. Just like the deal with Gallows & Anderson. Just like when they "showed interest" in the Young Bucks.

They'll dabble every once in awhile. They may put together some sort of [insert wrestler name] Tournament for Tag Team Supremacy or hire some guy who looks like they'll become the new Harvey Whippleman or Paul E. Dangerously, but then both of those ideas will last for a number of weeks, then begin to fade into obscurity, and the idea of the next great tag team renissanse or prodigous mouthpice will be shelved for another few years. They never stick with it, and they seemingly never will. I would assume on the manager front Bivins saw the writing on the wall.

Heyman and MVP are where you could stop. I didn’t say the most managers, I said the best managers. No one touches them.

The Usos have been on the main roster for 12 years now. The New Day have been together for 8. The Street Profits for 6. The longevity argument is an outdated one. Splitting up teams wouldn’t negate the argument that WWE have a good division anyway.

Right now they’ve got aforementioned teams, RKBro, Alpha fucking Academy, The Mysterios, Ziggler & Roode, and the ability to put a bunch of other guys into the mix that currently aren’t cycled in (Edge & Priest, Gunther & Kaiser, Styles & Balor). It’s just an antiquated argument that they don’t have the teams available to produce top quality tag team stuff. It’s been the highlight on Raw.

This is probably the strongest the division has ever been since The Hardys, E&C, The Dudleys, APA, Too Cool, Radicalz days. And I can’t think of another time where it was more important in the context of the show. RKBro and The Usos are just about to headline a PPV.

I’ve also read that RKBro are MASSIVE merch movers for them. Hence why they don’t break them up. But the team has gotten over and worked. To say they aren’t one of the most important acts there right now is just absurd.

Now compare that to AEW. Do Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus compare as champs to either WWE team? No. Are any of the teams true main event acts? No. They’ve got FTR, who are outstanding, but booked so terribly by the company. They’ve got alien belts no one cares about and have had to build up a reputation outside the show to get over enough to stand out.

WWE had them in the first place, lol. WWE wants them now? They hired them anyway. FTR quit. Their greatness was well known before any AEW run.

The anti-WWE lens skewers everything, and it tends to fall back on antiquated arguments and internet tropes that don’t hold true under examination.

[puroresu fan]

Heyman and MVP are where you could stop. I didn’t say the most managers, I said the best managers. No one touches them.

The Usos have been on the main roster for 12 years now. The New Day have been together for 8. The Street Profits for 6. The longevity argument is an outdated one. Splitting up teams wouldn’t negate the argument that WWE have a good division anyway.

Right now they’ve got aforementioned teams, RKBro, Alpha fucking Academy, The Mysterios, Ziggler & Roode, and the ability to put a bunch of other guys into the mix that currently aren’t cycled in (Edge & Priest, Gunther & Kaiser, Styles & Balor). It’s just an antiquated argument that they don’t have the teams available to produce top quality tag team stuff. It’s been the highlight on Raw.

This is probably the strongest the division has ever been since The Hardys, E&C, The Dudleys, APA, Too Cool, Radicalz days. And I can’t think of another time where it was more important in the context of the show. RKBro and The Usos are just about to headline a PPV.

I’ve also read that RKBro are MASSIVE merch movers for them. Hence why they don’t break them up. But the team has gotten over and worked. To say they aren’t one of the most important acts there right now is just absurd.

Now compare that to AEW. Do Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus compare as champs to either WWE team? No. Are any of the teams true main event acts? No. They’ve got FTR, who are outstanding, but booked so terribly by the company. They’ve got alien belts no one cares about and have had to build up a reputation outside the show to get over enough to stand out.

WWE had them in the first place, lol. WWE wants them now? They hired them anyway. FTR quit. Their greatness was well known before any AEW run.

The anti-WWE lens skewers everything, and it tends to fall back on antiquated arguments and internet tropes that don’t hold true under examination.

Tremendous points.

[puroresu fan]

WWE is a leader in sports entertainment for a reason.

They do make AEW comes across as amatuers at time. I'm exhausted by the overbooking on AEW programming. It's not going to improve ratings. There's no breathing room on Dynamite. Space it all out for crying out loud.

[Sepholio]

Noids missing the point. None of those WWE teams do 7 star flippy shit every match. This puts them at an automatic disadvantage to every team in AEW.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

CyNoid

[#1-norm-fan]

WWE had them in the first place, lol. WWE wants them now? They hired them anyway. FTR quit. Their greatness was well known before any AEW run.

The anti-WWE lens skewers everything, and it tends to fall back on antiquated arguments and internet tropes that don’t hold true under examination.

When you take off the anti-WWE lens this is a gif of them tearing the house down.

https://c.tenor.com/fJRgX3o6qvwAAAAM/the-revival-scott-dawson.gif

[Sepholio]

I can find gifs of all the teams in AEW you worship doing embarrassing bits too. Is that really how you're gonna play this?

[Sepholio]

Could probably just do a montage of all of them jobbing to a dick flip at some point.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Seph versus Fan turning into a hot feud RN. I think you guys should do a podcast.

[#1-norm-fan]

I can find gifs of all the teams in AEW you worship doing embarrassing bits too. Is that really how you're gonna play this?

The only tag team I worship is Danhausen and his jar of teeth. I dare you.

[#1-norm-fan]

Could probably just do a montage of all of them jobbing to a dick flip at some point.

You wanna go back and forth with WWE guys and AEW guys taking dick flips for point provings? No lenses allowed!

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Idk how anybody could watch both programs and not concede that AEW runs the better tag division. WWE has the talent to have a strong division, they just choose not to.

[#1-norm-fan]

I can’t speak much on the team itself but the existence of RKBro pisses me off solely because Orton should be a megastar. He should be a special attraction and treated way above teaming with a stoner surfer dude who has birds fly out of his asshole.

[Destor]

I can’t speak much on the team itself but the existence of RKBro pisses me off solely because Orton should be a megastar. He should be a special attraction and treated way above teaming with a stoner surfer dude who has birds fly out of his asshole.
well he isnt and never was a megastar. his career is nearing its end...might as well build someone up.

[#1-norm-fan]

He’s 5 years older than the guy they’re using him to build up and has WAY more star potential. My comment was more condemning WWE for fucking up with him over the past 20 years but if they can even get 5 more years out of Orton full time then they should be focusing on making him the star he should have been as opposed to “using him” to build up a guy with FAR less potential than he ever had.

[xrodmuc316]

Why would Randy Orton, a 42 year old guy want to help somebody else get over when he can just say he wants to work with younger talent, but then win every single match he is in and act tough on Twitter???

https://i.imgflip.com/61c7en.jpg

[#1-norm-fan]

Let’s talk about it.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I can’t speak much on the team itself but the existence of RKBro pisses me off solely because Orton should be a megastar. He should be a special attraction and treated way above teaming with a stoner surfer dude who has birds fly out of his asshole.

Don’t think I could agree more

[Destor]

He’s 5 years older than the guy they’re using him to build up and has WAY more star potential. My comment was more condemning WWE for fucking up with him over the past 20 years but if they can even get 5 more years out of Orton full time then they should be focusing on making him the star he should have been as opposed to “using him” to build up a guy with FAR less potential than he ever had.5 years older and a couple million more bumps

[Destor]

there's a reason he's in a tag: its way easier on the body.

[#1-norm-fan]

That doesn’t really excuse the waste of bumps, which was my point.

[#1-norm-fan]

Orton should have been taking half as many bumps for twice the return.

[Destor]

he's not doing much bumping these days. the guy with no shoes does all that. its the easiest pay check he's ever had

[Destor]

takes a few years working tags. heals up. one final big push on his way out.

[Destor]

i dont see the down side

[#1-norm-fan]

That doesn’t really excuse the waste of bumps, which was my point.

[Destor]

the bumps are virtually 0. thats the point of the entire endeavor.

[Destor]

he *might* take 1 a night.

[Destor]

well 2. the rko is just a giant bump.

[#1-norm-fan]

Right. But my point is the fuck up to this point. Again…

Orton should have been taking half as many bumps for twice the return.

[Destor]

is the issue just who he's tagging with? cause theres no scenrio other than going home thats going to lead to less bumps than he's taking now