Thinking Out Loud (Smackdown and Raw)

[dablackguy]

Just a bunch of random thoughts:

Kevin Federline needs to get the hell off of my tv.

I'm not finding this feud with Cena/Big Show/Booker remotely interesting. All 3 could be doing something much better. For Example:

In a perfect world: I'd have Benoit on raw as a heel challenging Cena for the world title. You could have Benoit come out and talk about how Cena represents the new school of wrestling, all flash with no substance. Whereas his generation it was all about blood, sweat and tears. And that it sickens him to see wrestling come to this substance-less, spinner belt bullshit. You could have him either go over Cena, or use this as a way to get Cena to wrestle someone the world recognizes as a wrestling machine. Credibility or a way to get the belt off him to reinvent him a bit, could be done either way.

I'd have Kane feuding with King Booker. When I watch Booker, I have flashbacks to Rey Mysterio's title run when he would lose every week. Which obviously, you can't have if you want a credible champion. I'd have him feud with Kane in a series of matches that would eventually end in a no holds barred world title match, where you could have Booker go over but get Kane over as a destroyer. Or put the title on a deserving Kane. While this is going on, have Batista feud with Kennedy and have Kennedy go over. What smackdown needs is some fresh talent in the main event scene. Not speaking for everyone, but I find Batista boring lately and am not ready to put the title on Lashley. The belt (I think) needs to stay on a heel, the faces on smackdown aren't particularly well developed.

Have Big Show feud with someone not named Sabu or Rob Van Dam. I think the logical choice is Sandman. Someone with credibility who would bring a different face into the title picture.

This Orton/Edge thing with DX could turn out to be great, or more likely, could turn out awful. The formation of the Edge/Orton alliance seems far fetched and out of character for both guys. I think it could work if they get more of a following (maybe like a few other bodies) against DX. But that only means that DX is going to go over and make them look weak, because it doesn't seem like the DX thing is ending anytime soon.

I think Chris Masters needs to go to smackdown, somewhat of a "fresh start"

I think Sheldon Benjamin needs to go somewhere where his mic skills (lack of) are hidden. Put him in a stable with Orton and Edge. Or turn him face and develop a relationship between he and Cryme Tyme after he decides if he's going to be treated like a thug, he'll act like one.

I don't think they should break up the Spirit Squad anytime soon. I don't think that they have done enough to establish identities of their own individually. I think more work needs to be done to get them to be recognizable as individuals rather than a unit. And I don't mean losing to Ric Flair.

Thoughts?

[RGWhat316]

[QUOTE=dablackguy]Just a bunch of random thoughts:

Kevin Federline needs to get the hell off of my tv.

I'm not finding this feud with Cena/Big Show/Booker remotely interesting. All 3 could be doing something much better. For Example:

In a perfect world: I'd have Benoit on raw as a heel challenging Cena for the world title. You could have Benoit come out and talk about how Cena represents the new school of wrestling, all flash with no substance. Whereas his generation it was all about blood, sweat and tears. And that it sickens him to see wrestling come to this substance-less, spinner belt bullshit. You could have him either go over Cena, or use this as a way to get Cena to wrestle someone the world recognizes as a wrestling machine. Credibility or a way to get the belt off him to reinvent him a bit, could be done either way.
QUOTE]

I definitely like your RAW title situation. Odd that Cena is feuding with the champions, but the other champions all have guys coming after their title. But no one is going after Cena. But as for Benoit, if he would go after the title for the reasoning you say, there is no way he could get booed.

[Mr. JL]

Man, the John Cena V. Chris Benoit idea could fucking work really well either way it ends.

[Kane Knight]

I haven't watched ECW in a while. Is Big Show defending his title over there, or are they just gaying up the title scene?

[Londoner]

^ They've had Big Show face RVD twice in two weeks, RVD has won both, one was a no.1 contenders match and another was a ladder match for the contract. Seems like they're just stretching it out aslong as possible. I don't buy Big Show as ECW champion, he may be big, but he's boring as hell and they can't afford to have him bury the whole roster.

[KingofOldSchool]

Benoit would NOT be booed against Cena.

[Kane Knight]

^ They've had Big Show face RVD twice in two weeks, RVD has won both, one was a no.1 contenders match and another was a ladder match for the contract. Seems like they're just stretching it out aslong as possible. I don't buy Big Show as ECW champion, he may be big, but he's boring as hell and they can't afford to have him bury the whole roster.

Wow, that's pretty lame.

[Kane Knight]

Benoit would NOT be booed against Cena.

Yeah, right now they need someone like X-Pac to go against Cena.

[Mr. Aristocrat]

Why do they need X-Pac...they have K-Fed...

[Jeritron]

Its incredibly lame that they want to hype a Big Show/RVD title match (obviously for D2D) by having them face eachother?!?! So lame. Its because those are the only 2 main eventers they have over there, at least that WWE trusts. Tommy Dreamer and Sandman are ecw originals and hardcore legends, but they dont really cut it. ECW needs Benoit and Rey.

[Kane Knight]

Yes, that's EXACTLY it. Or it could be the fashion in which they're doing it, if that's not too crazy.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

A Show/Sandman feud would be horrible.

I'm going to be honest, Sandman is pretty horrible.

[Jeritron]

I agree

[darkpower]

Just a bunch of random thoughts:

Kevin Federline needs to get the hell off of my tv.

Agreed 200%

I'm not finding this feud with Cena/Big Show/Booker remotely interesting. All 3 could be doing something much better.

Depending on what title they put on the line, it could get interesting.

For Example:

In a perfect world: I'd have Benoit on raw as a heel challenging Cena for the world title. You could have Benoit come out and talk about how Cena represents the new school of wrestling, all flash with no substance. Whereas his generation it was all about blood, sweat and tears. And that it sickens him to see wrestling come to this substance-less, spinner belt bullshit. You could have him either go over Cena, or use this as a way to get Cena to wrestle someone the world recognizes as a wrestling machine. Credibility or a way to get the belt off him to reinvent him a bit, could be done either way.

I do agree that Cena needs to drop the title and now. However, there is just one problem with that: They need Benoit on SD right now. He's one of the few people on SD right now that some people will tune in for, and to remove him just like that just defeats the purpose of having him there in the first place. Keep him on SD.

I'd have Kane feuding with King Booker. When I watch Booker, I have flashbacks to Rey Mysterio's title run when he would lose every week. Which obviously, you can't have if you want a credible champion. I'd have him feud with Kane in a series of matches that would eventually end in a no holds barred world title match, where you could have Booker go over but get Kane over as a destroyer. Or put the title on a deserving Kane. While this is going on, have Batista feud with Kennedy and have Kennedy go over. What smackdown needs is some fresh talent in the main event scene. Not speaking for everyone, but I find Batista boring lately and am not ready to put the title on Lashley. The belt (I think) needs to stay on a heel, the faces on smackdown aren't particularly well developed.

Batista is a big draw still for the marks. I still think his injury slowed him down a bit, and thus, I'm not really ready to say that Triple H gave him that push just yet (we've seen injuries slow down top name wrestlers before). As far as Lashley goes, refer to a post I made concerning WWE being interested in Monty Brown for that. And Kane and Booker would have an excellent feud. If people can forgive Kane for the whole Katie Vick thing, then things would be good.

Have Big Show feud with someone not named Sabu or Rob Van Dam. I think the logical choice is Sandman. Someone with credibility who would bring a different face into the title picture.

Only thing is that right now, ECW doesn't have any other people that they would have as crediable threats to the Big Show.

This Orton/Edge thing with DX could turn out to be great, or more likely, could turn out awful. The formation of the Edge/Orton alliance seems far fetched and out of character for both guys. I think it could work if they get more of a following (maybe like a few other bodies) against DX. But that only means that DX is going to go over and make them look weak, because it doesn't seem like the DX thing is ending anytime soon.

Agreed.

I think Chris Masters needs to go to smackdown, somewhat of a "fresh start"

What I've been saying for years. He's a FAR better fit for SmackDown, I think. Have him be in a feud with Benoit over their submission moves.

I think Sheldon Benjamin needs to go somewhere where his mic skills (lack of) are hidden. Put him in a stable with Orton and Edge. Or turn him face and develop a relationship between he and Cryme Tyme after he decides if he's going to be treated like a thug, he'll act like one.

They HAD something going, I think, with the race card thing. Could've gotten smarks going.

I don't think they should break up the Spirit Squad anytime soon. I don't think that they have done enough to establish identities of their own individually. I think more work needs to be done to get them to be recognizable as individuals rather than a unit. And I don't mean losing to Ric Flair.

Maybe not break up the ENTIRE Squad, but definitly have Nicky go his own way and become a sort of face. This is something thatr Alienoid knows alot about, since he's big on Nicky (I THINK this is the Nicky he keeps talking about). But have the Squad have less people, and let Nicky become a solo act.

[Crippla]

I like the idea of Benoit/Cena but like people said you would need Cena as a heel because Benoit won't be booed...

[Kane Knight]

Benoit can get heel heat, but I doubt he would against Cena.

Benoit could rape kittens and still get a better reaction than John Cena's face routine. Cena isn't dropping the title until his movie is out of theaters at least.

So, probably another 3 weeks, at least. :shifty:

[Crippla]

Unrelated to this storyline, you're all discussing but I'd like to see Benoit as a heel again. I enjoy him as a heel as well.

[Mercury Bullet]

I think we're in store for another LENGTHY Cena title run. Who is he feuding with right now? K-Fed? Johnny Nitro? The 3-way match for CyberSunday is rushed together and may very well hold no long term significance (unless they want to bury ECW [with Big Show retirement talks] and make Cena the WWE/ECW champ)...I don't think anyone will just kinda come out of nowhere to 'upset' Cena and when the WWE Championship.

[Kane Knight]

Great. Cena's gonna be the first black Grand Slam* Champion

By Grand Slam, I mean the first man to hold the WWE, ECW, and WCW championship. By WCW, of course, I mean the dark match title run before ECW shows.

[Kane Knight]

...Wait, that's the Smackdown title, isn't it?

[Favre4Ever]

Anything that keeps the focus of the show off of Cena, i will support. Even if its a 2 hour Moolah-Mae Young make out session. As long as Cena isn't on television.

[.44 Magdalene]

Benoit can get heel heat, but I doubt he would against Cena.

Benoit could rape kittens and still get a better reaction than John Cena's face routine.


There's no holding me back
Don't know why I'm here
I'm just driven by kittens
And I'm under a cat
Mr. Mittens, so lovely
Just walk away slowly

The tease, the ears, those eyes
I fumble with felines
I take the cat inside
So much hair

But whatever I need
Kittens have got
Kittens I want
I'll take cats again
Whatever I need

[KingofOldSchool]

I never liked Benoit as a heel, but that's just me.

[Crippla]

Benoit is better as a face but he can still play a great heel IMO.

[Favre4Ever]

See im the opposite, I think the cold, calculating Benoit heel was an awesome character, while face Benoit, who hugs retarded people( sorry Eugene, handicapped), comes off as unconvincing.

[Londoner]

I never liked Benoit as a heel, but that's just me.

That's probably means he was doing a good job of being heel then don't it?;) j/k I know what you mean.

Personally, I liked Benoit more as a heel than face, he just had more attitude and I could take him more seriously. He needs his old theme music back to.

[Crippla]

I still say Benoit is just as good a face as a heel. I honestly am thinking about it and I have decided I like him as both equally. He can play a face and a heel just as great.

[Crippla]

Maybe it's just because I'm the biggest Benoit mark...

[Londoner]

To be a face you have to be good on the mic imo and lets be honest Benoit isn't that great on the mic is he? He rarely says anything entertaining as a face.

[Crippla]

He may not be "Mr. Personality" but he can cut a decent promo at times and it depends on how the face is being portrayed as to whether or not he needs good mic skills.

[.44 Magdalene]

To be a face you have to be good on the mic imo and lets be honest Benoit isn't that great on the mic is he? He rarely says anything entertaining as a face.

Well, that's not entirely true. Goldberg was a face. The Hardies were faces, and they never really said much until the last few years or so. Same way with old Rey Mysterio. It's possible to book a non-speaking face, just as easy as it is to book a non-speaking heel...though WWE doesn't seem to be real good at doing it, anymore.

[James Steele]

Well, that's not entirely true. Goldberg was a face. The Hardies were faces, and they never really said much until the last few years or so. Same way with old Rey Mysterio. It's possible to book a non-speaking face, just as easy as it is to book a non-speaking heel...though WWE doesn't seem to be real good at doing anything, anymore.

[hb2k]

I hate the way WWE promotes it's big matches.

For example, DX Vs. Edge & Orton. They start with a good promo showing the union. Then next week they're all standing in the same ring making dick and gay jokes together, wrestling each other like it's no big deal, trading wins and "one-ups". Nothing means a goddamn thing, no-one gets anymore over, and then they sit in a boardroom and wonder why buyrates suck a dick.

[Londoner]

Well, that's not entirely true. Goldberg was a face. The Hardies were faces, and they never really said much until the last few years or so. Same way with old Rey Mysterio. It's possible to book a non-speaking face, just as easy as it is to book a non-speaking heel...though WWE doesn't seem to be real good at doing it, anymore.

I guess, but the guys you mentioned(except goldberg, who was just in the right place at the right time imo) all had a bit of personality to build on instead, Benoit doesn't.

[Londoner]

I hate the way WWE promotes it's big matches.

For example, DX Vs. Edge & Orton. They start with a good promo showing the union. Then next week they're all standing in the same ring making dick and gay jokes together, wrestling each other like it's no big deal, trading wins and "one-ups". Nothing means a goddamn thing, no-one gets anymore over, and then they sit in a boardroom and wonder why buyrates suck a dick.


I agree 100%.

[James Steele]

WWE needs to realize that writing pro wrestling isn't like writing a sitcom. You need to have people who understand wrestling.

[Fox]

I still say Benoit is just as good a face as a heel. I honestly am thinking about it and I have decided I like him as both equally. He can play a face and a heel just as great.


After WrestleMania 20, I think we can all rest assured that Chris Benoit was given the biggest face reaction to a victory in WWE history.

[hb2k]

I don't think it edges out Mankind beating the Rock pop. Plus there are numerous times where Austin and Rock won a big match and the pop was bigger. I like Benoit and all, but I wouldn't call it the biggest ever in all fairness.

[AdrianM]

Frankly, to me, Smackdown is doing far better than Raw.

Hardy-Helms is awesome, with JBL selling it so damn well, making every encounter seem so important. He is not just a wrestling god, but also a colour commentator god!

Kennedy-Taker is really hot right now, and Kennedy seems to be a real player.

Kane-MVP is starting to get interesting. Really not to sure about MVP right now, but he may be ok.

Cole and JBL are great on commentary. I've really started to like Michael Cole more and more lately.

Benoit-Chavo will have some great matches, no doubt. However, the over-use of Eddie in the storyline will be unfortunate.

William Regal and dave Taylor would have been brilliant...however, thats obviously not gonna happen.

But, the best thing of all...the return of the Boogeyman...made me pop like a mother-fucker! :)

Raw is blatantly uninteresting right now.
I have such a bad feeling DX will bury Edge/Orton.

Carlito heel turn seems unnecessary...I'd rather him stay face and feud with Johnny Nitro, Shelton Benjamin and Jeff Hardy for the IC belt.

Seeing the old-timers (sgt. slaughter, AA, Dusty and Flair) is awesome, the best thing on Raw right now.

Cryme-Tyme suck

John Cena has been the best he's been since he held the US title

ECW seems to be falling away.

To be honest, I don't really like RVD right now, and would much rather see him just win the title and defend it against the likes of Kevin Thorne, Sabu culminating with him turning heel and feuding with CM Punk.

Rene Dupree is doing nothing, and thats a real shame.

Matt Striker is doing weel with Sandman, but I really wanna see him wrestle, so I can actually see him as a realistic wrestler.

I hate Styles and Tazz commenating...honestly, what is the big deal with Joey Styles. I've seen bits and pieces of past ECW, and he seemed ok...but now, he's hopeless. OK, we get it, Kevin Thorne and Ariel are freaks..fine Whatever!!! Wow, CM Punk is straight Edge, you've told me that for the last two months. Matt Striker left the teaching industry in disgrace...AMAZING, I really don't need to be told that every week.

Anyway, thats my rant

[Fox]

I don't think it edges out Mankind beating the Rock pop. Plus there are numerous times where Austin and Rock won a big match and the pop was bigger. I like Benoit and all, but I wouldn't call it the biggest ever in all fairness.


I guess it's really a matter of opinion (unless we're talking about the decibel level for the reactions, but really, that's just stupid).

The Rock won a lot of big matches, but he never won the main event at WrestleMania. In fact, I can't remember when one of his World Title victories ended in a big celebration for the fact that he was the champ (not counting your average "Rock-posing-on-the-turnbuckle-with-the-belt Endings").

Stone Cold is harder to argue. His win at WrestleMania 15 against The Rock was huge, but certainly not as emotional as Chris Benoit's win at WrestleMania 20.

I think Benoit's win at 20 will go down in history as not only one of the best matches, but also the most emotional. Everyone knows Benoit as the guy who's worked his ass off from Japan to ECW to WCW and finally to the WWE. Most recognize him as the best technical wrestler in the world and a guy who never really got his due.

When he beat two of the biggest icons in the WWE in the main event of the biggest show of them all, I really think he cemented his spot. That was one of the best endings to a PPV/match/angle that I've ever, ever, ever seen... Rock and Austin included.

[hb2k]

Rock beating Angle was a red-hot match, and Rock beating HHH at Backlash was white-hot.

I do think that the outlook on the Benoit win is looked at through rose-colored glasses by us just because, well, it was Benoit. Plus Eddie's title win the month before was just as awesome.

[AdrianM]

seriously...can any1 even remember Benoit as a heel?

When he first came into the WWE he wa a heel, and he was good at it, as far as I can remember it. Still, I doubt they'll turn him into a heel. He might be a "forever face" like HBK (except with Hogan) or Funaki, Scotty 2 Hotty etc...

[Kane Knight]

I remember Benoit as a heel.