HHH makes perfect sense.

WWE isn't actually doing anything besides supplying the wrestlers for this show. WWE's just trying to take advantage of being one of the first entertainment events in the country that is going to be more open to women.

Everything else is all the Saudi government's work. If the prince or ruler decides in the future to allow women wrestlers on shows, it happened because of him and not because of any input by the WWE. Same for the inverse if the situation doesn't improve in the near future.

Based on some local reports, this show would have been a big bust for the WWE money-wise if they actually had to do the real work for it.

I also think HHH makes sense.

Surprisingly, I read that Gulak is going.

It sounds like the law there is that they won't let anyone in if their passport has an Israel stamp. Anyone who's been to Israel needs a clean passport.

I don't think the issue is whether or not WWE should put women on the show this year. I think that's a very clear-cut impossible thing. People are more upset about the perceived hypocrisy of a promotion claiming to be at the forefront of progressive rights for female performers and women in general, and then accept a big sack of money from a country that still treats its female populous like shit and say "Yay! Saudi Arabia!"

People understand that the WWE want the money. People understand that they literally cannot put women on the show. A lot of people just think it's really scummy. They want to pretend they are a program that set good role-models for little girls -- "You can be a superhero too!" -- but then they go into business with one of, if not the, most brutally regressive countries in the world for a buck.

I have zero faith in the morals of WWE, and I've never been a fan of wrestling for that. Their women are still used for their sex appeal and not primarily for their talents. They don't give a shit if Moolah was a pimp. They don't give a shit that women get mistreated all over the world. They literally could not give a fuck. It just bothers people who believe they do, or that they should.

If I were writing a piece on the moral fabric of the WWE, then I would tear them apart for how they treat their women domestically, let alone their international practices. There is a case to be made that they are sexist and racist, and that their tokenistic pandering is shallow and detrimental and they should just fucking stop and no one should give them any money. But I don't believe they are "good" in any sense of the word, and I don't think anyone takes them seriously, and if they weren't fucking shit and did fucking shit things for so fucking long, they wouldn't need all this bullshit PR in the first place and their audience wouldn't exclusively be fat, white men.

Specifically on what Triple H said: As I said earlier, the WWE is going to try and take credit for it when he gets women to wrestle with their midriffs showing (except for Becky Lynch). If that ever happens. That's the obvious PR spin on accepting money from a country whose dictators like putting on propaganda shows highlighting how "human" they are while they continue to oppress and abuse their people. But they want that money and they want that history with the country if it ever does change.

It's money and PR that I think anyone with a brain sees through, which is why they need to do this stuff all the time -- because they have such a bad reputation.

Paul Heyman, or whatever it's worth, is self-professedly very much against racism, and can't stand being around anti-Semites. I'm sure that while he understands why the company is doing what they're doing, he's probably not super-keen to go over there even if he could.

I have a feeling that this is going to be all babyface wins.

I was fully expecting that too. Just looking at the card, it doesn't seem at all unfeasible. The exhibition matches all call for face wins. And with the title matches - everybody expects Reigns to beat Brock. Nakamura's low blowed AJ a million times and is now owed some comeuppance. Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, and Cedric Alexander only just won their titles. Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt are obviously winning the Raw Tag titles since The Bar have left for SmackDown.

The only one giving me pause is the SmackDown Tag Title match. Not only have the Bludgeons only had the belts for a few weeks, but days before the show one of them finally ate a pin for the first time since their return. I feel like that would've been saved for the show if the Usos were getting the belts back. So I'm thinking the Bludgeons may get DQ'ed and the Usos will fight them off afterwards or something.

Heels win the mid card titles. Jinder wins back the US and either Joe or Miz win the IC.

You guys are crazy. There's no way they're gonna have Brock lose the strap in Saudi Arabia instead of WrestleMania.

We're talking about the WWE and the Saudi Arabian government. Who do you think has more power? WWE is a global brand. Just because Saudi Arabia has different views and rights for women doesn't mean there probably aren't a lot of WWE fans in that country. WWE wants to provide a show for these fans in this country, while also respecting the Saudi Arabian culture. Yes, a giant bundle of money certainly helps things, but if they weren't paid ridiculously for these shows would the way they were going about this be any different? I don't think so. This is still a great way to get their name/brand into the middle east/Saudi Arabia. How is this so hard to understand?

There's literally no other face wrestlers for Brock to feud after Roman besides Lashley. A Lesnar/Lashley feud could be a down the road feud after Lashley is more over.

Rollins & Balor aren't headed to the Universal Title scene r/n and Bobby Roode isn't and likely won't ever be over enough to face Brock.

There have been plenty of PPV's where Lesnar has not been there to defend the Universal title. I believe we will see quite a few of these in the next few months while they build up a credible challenger for him to face at SummerSlam or Money In The Bank.

That and I think Lesnar vs. Lashley is a match they could do at anytime. As is Lesnar vs. Mahal whether people actually wanna see it or not; it was advertised for Survivor Series for a few weeks before Mahal was replaced with Styles. Big Show apparently just signed another contract, he's always a credible challenger because of his size, there's a match WWE loves to give us, whether we wanna see it or not. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are on the cusp of being main event players; after this program with Kurt Angle they might be actual main event players. Speaking of Kurt Angle, there's a match right there, maybe Kurt is sick of Brock taking advantage of him and wants to take the belt back so it can be defended regularly. And you mentioned Balor and Rollins... why can't they go to the Universal title scene? They're two of the biggest starts on Raw, and having the IC title didn't stop Roman Reigns from challenging Lesnar. Speaking of Roman, maybe they drag this out and they continue to have a series of matches. There are plenty of possibilities for Lesnar going forward. And I didn't even mention Strowman, Wyatt, Ziggler (longshot,) McIntyre (longshot,) Ambrose when he comes back, Jason Jordan when he comes back, Kane, Triple H, John Cena, The Undertaker, the possiblities are endless.

I think Brock is definitely taking a break until SummerSlam post GRR. Lashley vs Lesnar could be a program for that show and maybe the ppv after as well.


As for the others mentioned:


* Kurt - Shouldn't be wrestling Brock in 2018, 2019 or beyond. Or probably wrestling period. Needs to retire.

* Strowman - We've seen it recently.

* Balor and Rollins - Both are super-over but I don't think the 'E is interested in either in the Universal Title scene right now -- and even if they were, Rollins vs Lesnar isn't fresh.

* Bray Wyatt - NO to the eater of jobs

* Dolph Ziggler - NO to the mid-card heat killer

* Drew McIntyre - If that is ever a possibility it is a long ways off from now, just like Roode.

* Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn - Brock doesn't have feuds with other top heels, wouldn't benefit Brock or Sami/KO.

* Dean Ambrose - We don't need to see that again.

* Jason Jordan - See Bob Roode and Drew Mac.

* Kane - Needs to Retire

* Triple H - It's happened already. Needs to Retire.

*John Cena - It's happened already.

* Jinder Mahal - NO

* The Undertaker - NO. Needs to Retire.

Just because you don't want to see them doesn't mean there aren't options for Lesnar after he beats Reigns. Every one of those challengers would work, whether it'd be entertaining to watch or not. You seem to be forgetting that the only two wrestlers on the roster to go more than 10 minutes with Lesnar in the last year or so has been AJ Styles and Roman Reigns. I doubt any match he has until SummerSlam (or including SummerSlam) is going to be anything more than a squash (or anything more than Lesnar vs. Samoa Joe from Great Balls of Fire.) And if he's headed back to the UFC Lesnar isn't going to show much vulnerability to anyone but Reigns at GRR, but he won't lose to him.

No way Reigns loses again. Unless Vince has someone else in mind for the face of the company Reigns isn't losing again.

Reigns losing will take his credibility in kayfabe and flush it down the drain as a top talent.

Reigns, the biggest face of the company. Cant beat Braun or Lesnar. Typically gets squashed. I dont even like Reigns but fuck that logic.

Reigns, the biggest face of the company, can't beat Lesnar at Wrestlemania, the biggest show of the year, but he can at our first big show in Saudi Arabia!

And they've all now been confirmed for the Rumble match.

Between these guys and Jericho, it's pretty clear there won't be any legit surprise entrants. They're more concerned with pure promotion than shock value for this show.

I think the optics will be something to behold.

Is pyro legal in Saudi Arabia? I hope so.

I think there will be 1 or 2 legit surprises. They will promote most of the wrestlers though for more views and attendance if they haven't sold out already

Also, if anyone boos Reigns, does that mean they get thrown in prison and/or executed for protesting?

Probably.

Considering WWE is getting like $20 million for this show, no excuse to not toss a few bucks into the pyro budget even if its just for Gillberg-style hand sprinklers.

http://i.imgur.com/iPcrW6Y.gif

I see The Usos winning the belts and then dropping them back in Harper & Rowan's rematch.

I would love for Brock to retain, but I think they're just going to go with the Reigns win. It didn't make sense to me either, but I've just resigned myself to it.

Sounds like there will be a one hour intermission during the show for prayer services.

ANOTHER FIRST FOR WWE!!!

that's where the should have had womens matches have 2 of them at next center

Apparently this event is going to have an intermission for religious prayer reasons.

Was originally rumored to be around 1 hour long but now its been reported to just be a 15 minute break. WWE wanting both a long show and noon start made it impossible to avoid hitting one of the daily prayer time spots.

They should put the words to the prayers on the big screen, but replace all mentions of "Allah" with "Vincent Kennedy McMahon"

The amount of heat that would generate would make Vickie Guerrero's boos seem tame by comparison. Probably even dwarf the worst ever wrestling riot up until that point.

Hahaha, they're bringing Khali back?

For the Rumble. I also imagine he'll be heading up an Indian development territory soon. Because if you want to learn to wrestle, you should definitely do so from The Great Khali.

I know it's for the rumble. Still awful, though.

Oh by the way, didn't he accidentaly kill someone while wrestling/training?

Yes. Happened in 2001 and because the guy he was training with was injured beforehand.

Sad story. I'd be devastated if I accidentally killed someone in the ring.

Cheers. Fucked up story. To make a guy wrestle even though he obviously has suffered a concussion.

I don't know why, but I just had this really random feeling that Hardy & Wyatt vs. The Bar is going to get a third team added to it.

Me and Dale Newstead as "The Dastardly Jews".

Will get a lot of heat for sure.

I'd pop for you guys winning the belts.

Hopefully they piss off the Saudis and when they do the call to prayer , they hit Muhammad Hassans music and he cuts a promo with Daviari translating into Farsi about how the Saudis screwed Iran over.

Fuck that, LJ. I love you, but Dale is returning to his Gorgeous gimmick to team with me, Dashing Damian Rey

We'll get the victory when you distract the ref and Paul Heyman slips me a version of the Torah that's loaded with a brick to smack our opponent.

What are your outfits? Hopefully very revealing.

Like those leather pants with holes so you can see your asscheeks. :)

Good thread but it's NOT the official thread. Shame on whoever killed Durka mania.

I don't think anybody was thrilled by that decision to close the thread....

This is the 3rd best thread about the greatest rumble.

Should the 205 live thread be merged with this thread?

No.

Please list a valid reason why not

*SIGH*

It should be noted that I didn't close that thread. Eat dicks, though.

Someone already mentioned that somewhere. Some people want to watch both, as in one after another and they don't want spoilers.

I don't give a shit personally about spoilers, but some people do and I'm just such a very nice person.

What why are you calling me out? :shifty:

Some people want to watch one Backyard wrestling thread without others being spoiled for them but they all get merged.

Man. So many hilarious heads around here. How do we manage to discuss anything without shitting ourselves?

Errr, that's hardly a similar situation.

He's right, you know.

We just like to have fun ABT

You can have fun whilst being respectful to others.

Aren't we?

Some.

Booo

plz merge the future nitro and thunder threads

Merge my dick into your mom's mouth

The 205 Live thread should be merged with the Backyard Wrestling thread

Slik should be merged with owenbrown.

This ^

Hope one of the rasslers gets on the mic and yells at them for being responsible for 9/11. Come on JBL that's something he would do bc he rules and he ain't a panty waist soy boy.

http://static.cycloneshockey.com/ima...93833a7016.jpg

Brock Lesnar should pick a few TURBANS from the crowd and take them to suplex city.

I wonder what the stink factor will be at that stadium. I say very smelly.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yhjnAVnY5ns" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That's what's gonna happen in the stands.

Paul Heyman will not be accompanying Brock via being Jewish
He will not be in Saudi Arabia today

I think the set will be 'really cool' for this show

I wonder if Billy Gunn will be in the Rumble...and if he is if Iginfest will be "Marking Out Bro"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnCena?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JohnCena</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/TripleH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TripleH</a> to KICK OFF <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWEGRR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWEGRR</a>. <a href="https://t.co/1MgeHJUxBR">pic.twitter.com/1MgeHJUxBR</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/989855740486565888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It hit me that theres a show starting in an hour and a half as I sip my 1st coffee at work

Gonna be staying out of here so I can watch it later spoiler-free.

Took off work for this. Yup.

Brought my extra phone charger with me...hoping it is a "chill" day at the office so I can watch in peace on my phone.

Sami Zayn will not be on the show or in Saudi Arabia either via being of Syrian descent.

I'm hoping for the best with Shin and AJ.

If you get WWE notifications on your phone you'd better turn that off too Vito! I was thinking I'd have to do that but then I was just like "nah" I'm gonna watch this live.

They all aren't islambuddies?

Pre show time. Wish there was a thread dedicated to the pre show but no, the nazi mods wont let us have nice things.

Lots of taped off area's and not many seats on the floor at all. Looks odd for WWE.

So are we watching live right here?

Yeah, looks super light, even for an hour out.

Looks like they are lucky to get 25,000 people, obviously it's early, I just mean from all the taped off areas and lack of ringside seating.

Wait, when does this start?

Ladder matches really are insane, if you think about it. We're just used to them anymore. They seem normal.

In about 52 minutes.

Well, idk bout that brother, they're not Aladdin, dude

Ah, fair enough. Cheers, never bothered to look up the time in Saudi Arabia.

But it's fucked for you, guys. IT's 11am EST.