TPWW Discuss the Heel Tactic - Day One: Removing the Turnbuckle Pad

[Pepsi Man]

Personally, I think removing the turnbuckle pad has lost its luster, and I blame, in part, video games, where it can be done in every single match with ease, and is in fact encouraged.

Discuss anything you have to input about removing the turnbuckle pad.

[Anybody Thrilla]

This used to be the shit back in the day. The first time I saw it used was when Shawn Michaels wrestled the British Bulldog for the Intercontinental title on Saturday Night's Main Event some time in 1992, I believe.

Michaels took off the turnbuckle while the ref was distracted, and eventually, Davey Boy when back first into it. Davey sold the shit out of his back injury for the rest of the match, and the match ended when Davey attempted a superplex, but his back gave out and Michaels just fell on top of him for the pin.

It was a GREAT finish when used like that. However, I hate nowadays when the face just goes in for a splash and the heel moves, then the face knocks himself out on the exposed turnbuckle. I mean, for that to be believeable, it'd have to be a pretty precise shot, and it always seems so forced that way.

So yeah, I agree it has lost some of its luster. One thing that I would like to see is the heel remove the turnbuckle, but have it not be used in the match, just because people would be expecting it at that point.

[alvarado52]

Yknow, i really dont see it used anymore to be honest...either that or its used so much its become dull to me like seeing someone blade. Now what i'd like to see is a heel remove the turnbuckle pad and either belly-to-back suplex or simply back-to-back suplex their opponent onto the exposed turnbuckle, that'd look pretty brutal.

[Kane Knight]

I'm glad they don't much use it. We don't suspend belief much anymore.

[KayfabeMan]

I saw it used once back in October 2002, during a VERY good match on the indy scene. It was done in the heel spot, where the heel removed the turnbuckle pad - attempted to shoot the face in and the face escapes. The face is knocked down, the heel goes for a leglock and is booted face first into the exposed turnbuckle.

The match continued a little bit after that, but a good spot nonetheless.

My point is that it still works if it's used effectively. Like Pepsi said though, when things are done excessively or encouraged - then it gets out of hand and loses it's importance.

[PureHatred]

My favorite example of this was actually fairly recently: Batista v Benoit on Raw about 6-7 months back where Batista had Benoit hoisted up and just smashed him headfirst three times into the exposed turnbuckle. Looked brutal. Looked realistic. And it really sold the fact that Benoit was able to take a lot of punishment before losing.

[SuperSlim]

Yeah back in the day it used to be quite the spot. Now it's so repetitive that it's nothing. It's not ipressive, it's not cool. It's just a bland spot.

I almost look at it now as so what if the turnbuckle pad is removed it's not gonna do anything. They toss the face back first into the turnbuckle and he sells it for a bit and that's it. They don't do anything with it anymore.

And yes it has been overused too much to the point that it's lost its flavor.

[Joey Slugs]

Macho Man was the master of this back in the 80s.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This can be awesome if it's used right. For some reason, I think a face countering the the Irish whip in, by leaping onto the second rope (ala Shelton Benjamin), then the heel springboarding before bulldogging the face off the turnbuckle would be a ***** spot.

I would mark out if one day, the face counters the shot, like before, by leaping into the corner, but then some smoke sprays out of it and catches the face in the face, allowing the heel to pin him for three.

It would be an awesome heel trick for a magician character, or a heel "jock" that has a heel nerd (non-wrestler) for a friend, who can whip-up some device to help him win his matches.

[Impact!]

That would be pretty funny Alienoid. I'd like to see them remove the middle turnbuckle pad and have someone like X pac go for a Bronco Buster, but having the other person move sending for the example's sake, Xpac into the exposed mid turnbuckle.

It's a bit differant to the normal removal of turnbuckle + face moves out of the way, but it could be good.