5 greatest things from the NXT invasion.

[voncouch]

Am I the only one that though the segment would have been that much more awesome if the WWE still did blade jobs? A group of angry upstarts take out WWE's golden boy, leaving him a battered, beaten, bloody mess in the destroyed shambles of the ring. I thought the segment worked great, but a "proverbial mask of crimson" would have sold it even better.

For the record, I think their next target should be Michael Cole. Have him giving a stand up at the top of the ramp, then have the nxt rookies jump in and basically do a repeat of Outsiders/Bischoff back at the start of the nWo. Keep him off TV for a few weeks, maybe bring Striker in to replace him for a bit.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I don't think blood would have really added to it.

[XCaliber]

It was all good but I'm not so sure I like the idea of Cole being the "higher power" in all of this it'd be like there trying to pass him off as the next Vinny, Steph, or Shane-O-Mac.

[Anybody Thrilla]

IT WAS ME, CENA! IT WAS VINTAGE ME ALL ALONG!

[muffalufagus]

[BigCrippyZ]

Originally Posted by voncouch Am I the only one that though the segment would have been that much more awesome if the WWE still did blade jobs? A group of angry upstarts take out WWE's golden boy, leaving him a battered, beaten, bloody mess in the destroyed shambles of the ring. I thought the segment worked great, but a "proverbial mask of crimson" would have sold it even better. For the record, I think their next target should be Michael Cole. Have him giving a stand up at the top of the ramp, then have the nxt rookies jump in and basically do a repeat of Outsiders/Bischoff back at the start of the nWo. Keep him off TV for a few weeks, maybe bring Striker in to replace him for a bit.

No you're not the only one. I agree with you completely.

Some folks say blood is never beneficial or necessary and I just don't get that argument. The idea of seeing your top face get busted open by a group of 8 rookies not having any impact as opposed to him just getting stretchered out by selling a few signature moves is ridiculous.

I for one see the impact that blood can have in complementing and really selling the impact of a particular worker, stable or storyline.

I'm not saying however, that you have a blood bath every week to have great wrestling or great writing, but that blood still does have an impact and can be used to make a statement. Especially if used infrequently.

[Savio]

Is the only reason they do not blade now is to keep things PG?

[BigCrippyZ]

Originally Posted by Savior Is the only reason they do not blade now is to keep things PG?

That's my understanding of it. They also claim it's for the safety of the wrestlers and fans in attendance too, if I recall correctly. So there's no transmission of diseases, etc. That was basically an excuse after years of blading to suddenly stop for the PG era IMO.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Blood always seems silly to me when you can tell that a blade job was done. Hardway is one thing, but blading always came off as amateurish and unnecessary to me.

[BillyBonez]

Yes the best idea is to just have the guys beat each other so hard they bleed for real lol (This is sarcasm)
But seriously, this segment wouldve been mad better if it had blood but it would also have been better if they just destroyed the ring, not ripped a part of it off but just took it apart so it smashed down like that time in the Big Show/Lesnar match.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla Blood always seems silly to me when you can tell that a blade job was done. Hardway is one thing, but blading always came off as amateurish and unnecessary to me.

Sort of agree.

[Anybody Thrilla]

BillyBonez, you really are an idiot.

[Xero]

You don't NEED blood, but this was an angle where it would have helped things.

It adds drama and gravity to something like this.

Blading has its place in wrestling, and this is one instance where it can make a great angle even better.

[BigCrippyZ]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla Blood always seems silly to me when you can tell that a blade job was done. Hardway is one thing, but blading always came off as amateurish and unnecessary to me.

Like many things, I think some wrestlers are better at it than others. It seems like some guys know how to blade better than others.

Also, I think it works better in the main event/upper card levels. It gives the appearance that these guys are at a different level, a more dangerous level, and that the competition and title(s) is more important.

Again, not too often, but an occasional blade job adds that little something extra I think. But that's just me.

[BillyBonez]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla BillyBonez, you really are an idiot.

I think I caught it from yo mom in bed

[BigCrippyZ]

Originally Posted by Xero You don't NEED blood, but this was an angle where it would have helped things. It adds drama and gravity to something like this. Blading has its place in wrestling, and this is one instance where it can make a great angle even better.

Thank you Xero, I think we have a very similar outlook on this business which I can appreciate.

[Xero]

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla BillyBonez, you really are an idiot.

[BillyBonez]

Ahahahaha u guys r just jellous that I came up with the idea of the ring breaking like in Lesnar/Show before u did...or maybe u think they broke the ring for real? LOL

[Anybody Thrilla]

Originally Posted by BigCrippyZ Like many things, I think some wrestlers are better at it than others. It seems like some guys know how to blade better than others. Also, I think it works better in the main event/upper card levels. It gives the appearance that these guys are at a different level, a more dangerous level, and that the competition and title(s) is more important. Again, not too often, but an occasional blade job adds that little something extra I think. But that's just me.

That's reasonable.

[tjmidnight420]

Originally Posted by BillyBonez Ahahahaha u guys r just jellous that I came up with the idea of the ring breaking like in Lesnar/Show before u did...or maybe u think they broke the ring for real? LOL

Nobody's "jellous" of you, fella. You just didn't pay attention to what was said.

Originally Posted by Anybody Thrilla BillyBonez, you really are an idiot.

[XL]

I don't think the addition of blood would have improved anything really.

The attack wasn't on Cena as an individual. They weren't out to get him. They attacked him as the champion and "face of WWE". They ripped the ring and ringside area apart because most of it is covered in WWE logos. Making Cena bleed doesn't really enforce that message anymore so than they already did.

[tjmidnight420]

Originally Posted by XL I don't think the addition of blood would have improved anything really. The attack wasn't on Cena as an individual. They weren't out to get him. They attacked him as the champion and "face of WWE". They ripped the ring and ringside area apart because most of it is covered in WWE logos. Making Cena bleed doesn't really enforce that message anymore so than they already did.

This fella's on the right track.

[Impact!]

Only thing i "disliked" about the segment was that afterwards they all just sorta casually walked backstage. Felt like they should have left via the crowd...

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Originally Posted by Impact! Only thing i "disliked" about the segment was that afterwards they all just sorta casually walked backstage. Felt like they should have left via the crowd...

Or smashed up a cameraman to end the show.

Here's what I'd like to happen next week:

Lawler and Cole get into the ring with the NXT rookies and interview them about what happened. During the interview Lawler questions Cole about where he was. Cole states that he ran away. Lawler starts getting pissed about what the NXT rookies did to him and then Cole hits him from behind leading to a NXT beatdown of Lawler. Cole gets gets the mic and says "now that's vintage Micheal Cole" and celebrates.

Everybody hates Cole and he'd be way over as a heel. Cole could explain that he's been constantly living in the shadow of JR and treated badly, just like the NXT rookies. Cole becomes a Bischoff type figure in the group. Cole can be extremely aggrivating and I think he'd do awesome.

[Nark Order]

Gertner coming out of retirement??

[Ermaximus]

I just hope they don't put Justin Roberts in a match with Cena/Lawler/Striker/etc vs the NXT rookies.

[Jordan]

Blading isn't what WWE is about anymore. And I support that because when I watch TNA and see someone blade, it just looks bad. It's stupid that wrestlers always bleed "like that". On the forehead, a small cut that gushes blood. It's so fake. Since the blade ban there has been more hardway blood than ever, and at least its realistic. The reason it is happening is because of Rey's knee brace sure, but also because the guys are working harder to make up for the lost brutality they used to show.

So to me that beatdown was brutal enough with the wrestling holds they used and the attitude and intent of the characters.

[Xero]

From PWInsider:

As we mentioned on the Elite site on Tuesday, very few people were clued in to what was going to happen during the NXT attack on Monday's Raw, including those at ringside when the NXT attack took place. People were told that Wade Barrett would come out to ringside at the end of the show to confront Cena, but that was largely it. I was told that almost everyone else had no idea that the NXT guys would be joining him or that they would lay down the destruction that they did. The idea was to make the people at ringside react, which may explain why Michael Cole was able to run away and not get laid out. I was told that creative was very happy with how the angle played out.

--

Just makes it that much more awesome.

[Volare]

If Justin Roberts didn't know it was coming, then him getting choked makes it that much more priceless.

[XL]

I'm not sure I like Cole being behind the whole thing - especially at this juncture.

[Perry Saturn]

Im liking Wade Barretts push lets just hope they dont do to him what they did to Elijah Burke

[Inadequacy]

I'd rather Bryan take out Cole on his own one of these weeks.

What I'm concerned about is that the group has very few good talkers, and I think Cole who provide that. Plus he's so friggen easy to hate. He has that personality kinda like Bischoff. All Cole has to do is throw out a couple "Vintage Barrett" and keep looking like the dweeb he is and he'd get very over. Hell, Vickie. Guerrero made a career off of yelling "excuse me".

[Destor]

That segment NEEDED blood. That is all.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I definitely agree with Lance Storm and Vito. Putting the WWE Title on Barrett at Fatal 4 Way might be the best way to take this angle to the next level, and really set up "The Network" as major villains for John Cena and other guys to overcome. I'm on the fence about whether or not Edge or The Network should take out Randy Orton, but you can't have everyone after Barrett at once, so let Edge get his in on Orton, so that rivalry can keep gaining steam.

I'd have Evan Bourne take Orton's spot. They're trying to get the kid over as a star, and persistence is all that will need. Putting him in the main event of Fatal 4 Way would be a big nudge towards that. He can bump around for Sheamus, and add that extra dynamic to the match. Eventually, Cena overcomes the odds, and his hand is raised high as he celebrates with the WWE Championship. Some new music hits, and it's Wade Barrett's entrance music he won during NXT. He walks to the ring in wrestling gear, and he announces that he's cashing in his NXT title shot right now. Cena tries to fight, but he is mutilated, and The Winds of Change finishes the match -- Barrett is the new WWE Champion. Optional: Having the other members of The Network then beat the living crap out of Edge, Cena, Bourne & Sheamus.

Ultimately, I think they should be behind The Undertaker's attack. It seems like it was originally going to be a vehicle for Kane to turn heel, and that would still be cool, but seeing The Brothers of Destruction unite to take on The Network could make them huge stars.

And I've been thinking -- if anyone is "behind" this group, I'm thinking it could be a good reveal for it to be Bret Hart. I didn't see it, but apparently Vince McMahon confronted Bret recently and said something about the fans turning on Bret as General Manager? How he sort of gave him the job to slowly torture him? Bret could reveal that he has allowed The Network to run wild because he still has a resentment for this company, to some degree. He's going to remold it with this movement.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, and some random great things about the NXT invasion:

* Michael Tarver is ominous as hell. I don't know why people don't like him. Granted, in the ring he's not that exciting, but as a pitbull he works. I loved how ambitious he was during this segment, too -- even getting in the way of his allies in the assault. Tarver seems hungry to prove himself.

* Skip Sheffield is a beast, and has slowly been impressing me. He understands how to play a crowd. I think Sheffield is a guy to keep an eye on. He has a sweet finishing move, too.

* Justin Gabriel's stare. You just don't know what that guy is thinking. We got to know him as a happy-go-lucky fan favourite over the few months NXT ran for. Then he plays a complete asshole and beats up Jerry Lawler. I know it's the same deal with Heath Slater, and there is nothing offensive about the Ginga Ninja, but Gabriel just interested me more. Slater just seems willing to be an asshole, but Gabriel's motivations just seem to run deeper.

* Chad Patton getting dropped was pretty intense. Referees get laid out all the time, but something about Otunga doing it was just eerie.

* The arm-bands were awesome. I heard them referred to as "NXT armbands" but they weren't. The "N" was different, and they looked like generic designs, which just made it all the more awesome.

* "You are not better than me! You are not better than me! You are not better than me! You are not better than me!"

[The Pope]

Have Randy Orton turn babyface and kill the NXT rookies.

[Vastardikai]

Originally Posted by Noid * Skip Sheffield is a beast, and has slowly been impressing me. He understands how to play a crowd. I think Sheffield is a guy to keep an eye on. He has a sweet finishing move, too.

I was sold on him during his little intro promo. He seemed really smooth in delivery, and I thought the goofiness was the only thing holding him back. He's dropped the goofiness, and holy fuck.

By the way, which Finisher: The Backpack Stunner or Murder by Lariat (at least that's what I call it.)? Both look good, but holy fuck is his Lariat vicious looking.

[Evil Vito]

Originally Posted by Noid * Justin Gabriel's stare. You just don't know what that guy is thinking. We got to know him as a happy-go-lucky fan favourite over the few months NXT ran for. Then he plays a complete asshole and beats up Jerry Lawler. I know it's the same deal with Heath Slater, and there is nothing offensive about the Ginga Ninja, but Gabriel just interested me more. Slater just seems willing to be an asshole, but Gabriel's motivations just seem to run deeper.

Yeah, when the rookies were attacking, Gabriel was the only one that seemed...odd...as a heel. Barrett, Otunga, and Tarver were heels to begin with. Danielson I've seen as a heel in the indies so I was used to it and it made me mark out. Sheffield seemed to be on the verge of going heel in NXT. Young seemed to be unsure about where he stood in NXT, so going heel seemed normal. I just didn't really like Slater, so seeing him as a heel made him mildly more interesting. Gabriel was the one that stood out.

For what it's worth though, at Thursday's FCW TV tapings (they tape several weeks worth of tapings in one go), Gabriel wrestled as a face without an armband on. Otunga wrestled as well, but he DID have his on. That leads me to believe that Gabriel was gonna ditch the group or he'd get kicked out in the relatively near future.

But now with Danielson presumably gone, they may have to re-tape stuff and ditch those plans. Although most of the NXT guys weren't BAD in the ring (Otunga being the only really shitty worker), Gabriel was easily the 2nd most competent in-ring guy behind Danielson. I think they're gonna want a versatile in-ring guy for the group, unless they throw Kaval in there or something.