Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[[Q]]

Rumble really didn't have any surprises (besides the fact that the Dudleys didn't make it and the ones who beat them got tossed out immediately). R-Truth's spot was hilarious. I need more KO. Didn't like AJ in TNA, so I'm not terribly excited but it's nice to have a new face to hopefully change things up. I watched and hoped for more Becky screen time, watched when she finally got it, and was pleasantly surprised that it was actually a decent storyline. Hope they don't drop it and build a Divas triple threat at WM

[TBM]

Bryan Danielson is retiring tonight.

[Andrew]

Damn shame, but not altogether surprising, given he wasn't given complete medical clearance to perform.

[[Q]]

I read that they're basically extending his contract all this time he is using/wasting trying to get approved to come back so I think he's doing this so he can get out of his deal and eventually wrestle elsewhere

If he is ok to wrestle, I really would like to see him be able to do what he loves, as long as he stays away from missile dropkicks and suicide dives. He could totally be a mat technician since he's already over, kinda like Bret Hart was. Bret didn't really do any high risk stuff and didn't really go to the turnbuckle unless it was for his driving elbow

[Andrew]

From the sounds of it, his lingering issues from concussions are worse than originally thought. Unfortunately, seems as though he is indeed done.

[JaoSming]

It sucks, but at least they pulled the trigger on him while he was hot and gave us multiple "perfect" moments during that WM30 build....with the cage turn with Wyatt still being my favorite.....


....and then I remembered how he suffered a concussion during that match and interviewed later that he didn't remember starting the Yes chants or climbing the cage....

[zz21]

The vanilla midgets last ride.

[Andrew]

It sucks, but at least they pulled the trigger on him while he was hot and gave us multiple "perfect" moments during that WM30 build....with the cage turn with Wyatt still being my favorite.....

Absolutely. I mean, we're still left wondering what could've been, but it could've been worse in that respect. At least he had some moments at the top.

[[Q]]

You know, as much as I didn't want to see this happen, his speech did help calm me a bit as he seemed okay with the way things went and okay with leaving. His "grateful" part of his speech was awesome. He did get to do what he loved for a very long time, and he finally had his big moment and seemed happy that it happened and was okay with living with the memories.

What's funny is that the Yes chant was originally a heel schtick he was using to be annoying and garner heat. And then he turned face and the chant itself became more over than him

[Andrew]

Not unlike Stone Cold's "What?", in that respect. It's much better when these things happen organically, when something resonates and creative runs with it, instead of trying to manufacture characters and catchphrases. It's the problem that's still plaguing Roman Reigns.

[bigh0rt]

Not unlike Stone Cold's "What?", in that respect. It's much better when these things happen organically, when something resonates and creative runs with it, instead of trying to manufacture characters and catchphrases. It's the problem that's still plaguing Roman Reigns.

You can believe... ... ... that.

[Andrew]

[Nursery Rhyme]

On the other hand, it looks like WWE's handling of Bryan in the past year or so was justified. As a company, they're often criticised for not doing the right thing by their workers, but in not clearing him to work when he clearly had some more serious issues, they were apparently exercising proper caution. Also, hard to push someone and make them a big part of their plans when their health is that questionable.

[[Q]]

It's the same stance with Dolph. He was poised to make a run as World champion but turned into a perpetual midcarder

These guys just go too hard, focused more on putting on a good show that their own safety

[[Q]]

Soooo does WWE put the belt on Brie out of sympathy or do they do a triple threay WM match with Becky/Sasha/Charlotte (which would be an awesome match)?

[Andrew]

In a stunning turn of events, HHH becomes Divas champion, because why not.

[bigh0rt]

I understand it's really just guys trying to make sure they don't get hurt before WrestleMania, but Fastlane was just absolute garbage wire to wire. The writing. The matches. Not a single moment worth remembering, aside from some decent work by Styles and Jericho; and WrestleMania doesn't exactly look encouraging, either.

[JaoSming]

From Reddit, sums it up perfectly

Raws in March leading up to Mania:
Chicago
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Brooklyn
Yeah, good luck with that Roman.

He can't be this character, he was cheered when he won the other month, and then right back to the same crap that gets him booed. It'll be interesting from a reactive standpoint, but the potential is going looking like crap right now.

[Andrew]

For some reason, I can't shake the feeling HHH is going over at Wrestlemania. The way they've dragged out the angle with The Authority, the way he still has to be a big part of the show despite being semi-retired...it just wouldn't surprise me.

[[Q]]

I wouldn't even call him semi-retired... he's fully retired but his father in law owns the company so he gets to play with the toys and put the belt on himself without having to work for it.

Either way, Roman or HHH gets booed if they win at WM. Are they setting up a Brock & ambrose match?

I liked the KO match, nice to see the Liontamer again, but the only match I really wanted to see was Becky & Sasha tag match

[Andrew]

Good point, but compared to someone like Edge or Mick Foley, I'd say he's semi-retired.

[Andrew]

Shane-o-Mac! He's back!

[bigh0rt]

Most excited I've been watching wrestling in two years. Shane-O-Mac!! Hope he wins.

[Andrew]

Over Taker at Wrestlemania? Nah, if Taker's going to lose, it should be to a full-time talent they want to elevate, not Shane.

Meanwhile, looks like they've abandoned Wyatt/Lesnar in favour of Lesnar/Ambrose. Tough one to book, but I think it's time to stop protecting Lesnar so much, and give someone the rub.

[zz21]

Idk. I think Shane really needs that Brock Lesnar giant push.

[bigh0rt]

Well, turned it off because it was two hours of garbage post-Shane. With Kane and Show on the screen and Reigns on deck, I can't imagine I'll regret my decision.