Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[Andrew]

Good to see that storyline running because it's one of the best ideas they've had. Mind you, the longer it runs the bigger the risk they'll eventually screw it up like so many other angles.

[BZ]

Anybody watch the special videos on Heat and Velocity this week? They give me nostalgia The videos couldn't possibly make the glaring contrast of old school wrestling and new age wrestling more obvious... new age wrestling absolutely stinks Watching those old wrestling videos and the fantastic commentary by Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby the Brain Heenan made every match look awesome compared to the crap we get today. I think WWE really need to make an effort on keeping kayfabe, even though everyone knows wrestling is fake, might as well make it enjoyable. With WWE not even making an effort on keeping kayfabe, wrestling just seems too uninteresting these days.

[Null17]

Fuck! I think the WWE just signed Sabu. Sucks for TNA but hopefully Sabu'll be more active in the full-time return of ECW.

[killer_cr0ss0ver]

shabu is old. can he still make an impact to the new generation of viewers.

[Yessie]

well with ECW returning full-time to TV. RVD vs Sabu would be a classic match to see. i think they did that match for the 1st One Night Stand PPV. but still one of the best matches ever.

[Air Jordon]

well with ECW returning full-time to TV. RVD vs Sabu would be a classic match to see. i think they did that match for the 1st One Night Stand PPV. but still one of the best matches ever.

No RVD was injured, so he didnt wrestle.

[Null17]

shabu is old. can he still make an impact to the new generation of viewers.

It's Sabu and yes he can still go. Not as much as before but he's still hardcore. He even did a sick barbwire match a few months back in TNA.

[Yessie]

i saw reports that sabu is banged up after lockdown PPV. but he did sign with WWE and will probably be a big part in the ECW movement. theres going to be a PPV in the near future called WWE vs ECW head on. i think its in July im not sure.

[Andrew]

It's also worth mentioning that the WWE is clearly keen on signing talent simply to keep them out of reach of TNA, even if they don't have big plans to use them and relegate them to dark matches, Heat, Velocity and grooming young, up-and-coming talent. With people like Sabu of course they have the added bonus of having talent for ECW projects.

[koberulz]

summerslam tour coming down under, once again skipping perth....anyone planning to go?

[Andrew]

One of these days I might attend a live event, but I might have to skip it this time. They haven't been back to Newcastle the last couple of tours.

I read the Backlash recap at Rajah's, sounded as lousy as expected. Glad to hear JR is expected to return with the Styles quitting angle, since he'll be involved in the ECW project. No disrespect to Styles because he's been doing the best he can and the heat he's been catching is unfair, but the decision to get rid of JR was premature and the storyline to explain it weak, so I'm happy that he not only got to do WM but might also get a final run on RAW that is more respectful to his character and the man himself for all the work he's done for the company.

[Andrew]

Just to add to my previous post (I missed RAW earlier this week so I caught up with today's replay)...

Joey Styles' promo was actually one of the best I've seen on either program for a while. It's a shame he's copped so much flak and won't be doing RAW for a while
(if ever again) but the whole angle works very well for the resurrected ECW promotion as well as the second annual One Night Stand PPV. One of the best segments so far this year.

I still don't like the Spirit Squad gimmick. It's disappointing to see that talent pushed under those characters.

Who do I feel sorry for most in the WWE? Candice Michelle. You just know that McMahon himself has devised all those segments in which he is able to get intimate with her. Who knows, maybe she enjoys it but if she doesn't who would know? Who would dare to even hint that they're uncomfortable with a storyline with the way it kills a push?

I don't normally like pulling out ideas that have already seen success and trying to milk them for more since it's often like getting blood from a stone. But the heavily rumoured, pretty much confirmed except for it actually unfolding on television reunion of D-X is something I'm actually looking forward to. I think that one can work. After all this hinting, I'd be more disappointed with a swerve.

[airtsinelas]

I feel bad for Styles, the guy was good as a commentator anyway, the higher ups want better from him though. I do hope that with ECW's return, we can see the old Styles, who was calling all the moves and the like.

And I can't buy to JR's return, but I can blame the WWE for its failures in "firing" the guy while continuosly keeping him back. I guess when they fail to replace the guy they have no other choice but to take JR back.

[Andrew]

I don't see why JR had to be written out in the first place, since that decision was made before he found out he needed colon surgery. The fact he's been able to return after months off without missing a beat is a testament to how talented JR is in the booth.

[Null17]

I haven't seen the Styles promo yet since I haven't been able to get my wrestling shows the past few weeks. I can't watch the wwe.com stream either since the computer I'm using doesnt have speakers. Sigh, I hate squatting in my relatives' house. I've read the transcript though and it's pretty good

[shadowgrin]

I feel bad for Styles, the guy was good as a commentator anyway, the higher ups want better from him though. I do hope that with ECW's return, we can see the old Styles, who was calling all the moves and the like.

Vince McMahon wants Styles' commentary to be more on the story-telling side instead of the great play-by-play commentary by which he was came to be known. Until Styles adjust his commentary to what Vince wants, we will still continue to hear JR.

I would definitely enjoy a DX resurrection, with Michaels and HHH leading the new DX. Shawn Michaels could be on Smackdown and HHH on Raw (or vice-versa) as they take on the WWE itself in line with DX's rebellious gimmick and could also be a way of somewhat ending the brand split. I wouldn't mind seeing the likes of Shelton Benjamin, Lashley, and other young wrestlers that badly needs a push by having a stable. I want to see the new DX composed of young wrestlers, and not old wrestlers like Ric Flair as a member.

[Andrew]

I reckon they should wait and see how successful a reunion is before they make it a larger stable. After all, HBK and HHH were the only active wrestlers in the beginning with Chyna as the valet. It wasn't until HBK was forced out of action after Wrestlemania XIV that it expanded to four members plus Chyna.

[Air Jordon]

WWE is so stupid. Styles is the best announcer they had in a few years. Everything he said is true, even if what he said is part of their "story".

[Andrew]

I'd have to disagree there, JR is still the voice of the WWE. He's perfected the combination of storytelling with calling the matches true to the "sport". There's no way he should have been replaced in the first place until the WWE was satisfied his replacement was up to their expectations.

[Null17]

I like Styles more than JR since he actually calls the moves by their names and not just as 'modified maneuvers but the JR firing was rather stupid especially with how it was executed and how they ended up hiring him again with no explanations.

On another note, I hear Finley's getting a midget sidekick. What the fuck is up with that?

[Andrew]

The commentators still need to put the storylines over though. Let's face it, without the storylines it's just men (and a handful of women) pretending to fight. No question, the WWE's dislike of Styles referring to moves by their real names is foolish and misguided but no one can match JR's passion or legendary voice. Until Styles can mix the storytelling aspect with his existing skills - which are excellent, don't get me wrong - I think it's best to stick with JR. And then write him out with a bit of dignity instead of what they did last year.

[Srbija]

Jimmy

[shadowgrin]

^ WTF is that all about?

[Jugs]

Its all about the Spam.

[BZ]

I'd rather have JR and Styles than any other combo... Coach should be fired, he's useless, and Lawyler has always been annoying. I mean, if JR and Styles both worked together, WWE would not only have excellent commentating, but it lets Styles adapt and improve with JR along side him. But then again, the Styles work was opened the door for WWE's plan on resurrecting ECW to replace Velocity.