2022 Pro Wrestling Thread

Re: Fenix/Dante match

I only caught part of that one. So I missed the crowd reaction to it.

 

In the Casino Battle Royals, it's always been a shock or surprise return. It's how Ruby debuted and how Hangman returned from his layoff before beginning his chase for gold.

 

How affiliated is the show with WWE from the production side? Forbidden door or not, it could be a contractual thing with AEW.

 

Very. Vince is in the show and portrayed very positively, there are constant references to WWE / WWF, plus WWE and NBC are tied at the hip anyway. (i.e. Peacock / NBC bought the WWE Network.) The Rock is also pretty tied to NBC, involved as a host and a production company with things like The Titan Games. So yeah, I wouldn't expect J.R. or other AEW talent to pop up much on Young Rock.

 

Speaking of returns … Omega has to be involved in Forbidden Door, right? I have no idea the timetable for his return, but I can’t imagine him NOT being in a match.

 

One would think, but he had a lot done medically, so I don't know how long his recovery process was going to be. His body was basically being held together by scotch tape from what I gathered.

 

They’re going to have a hard time telling the story of the Rock’s career if they’re cutting anyone connected to AEW or other promotions. Like are we gonna have Mark Henry missing from the Nation when that comes up?

Seems pretty stupid.

 

With the caveat that I haven't seen the most recent episode, one caveat about this Young Rock talk - Apparently, Pat Patterson scouted him and got him dark matches, according to Wikipedia and some podcast talk by Bruce Pritchard. It was Jim Ross (and Vince) who got him a full-time contract with the company and branded him as Rocky Maivia. His tryout matches were in March 1996, did a short stint in Jerry Lawler's association (which was probably a de facto WWF minor league at the time), and then got signed by WWE in "Summer of 1996." He started showing up on TV in November 1996. So, the show might not be playing that fast-and-loose with this aspect.

 

interesting. JR has always told the story that he signed him, and he was the one who had the first dinner with him in Miami when he only has seven bucks (hence the name of his production company).

maybe its JR that’s exaggerating and playing loose

 

I kind of think both can be true. Meaning - Patterson scouted him initially, and got him two or three dark matches with the WWF. From there, the WWF likes his potential, and has him work with Lawler's promotion. Either before this or after, JR is the one who actually signs him to the contract, because he is head of talent development at that time. (Also, by the way - I don't think signing The Rock, a Xth generation wrestler that's 6'5" and enough of an athlete to play Division I football, is really that much of a stretch. It's not exactly like watching Kevin Owens or CM Punk and going "there's a world champion.")

 

Elsewhere with the Rock -- they seem to have a few holes left in this women's breakout tournament in NXT. Is this where we finally see Simone Johnson? I know she's been out a good while with a leg/knee injury. Seems a good time to debut her as the first fourth-generation wrestler (not counting Shane and Steph).

If so, the question is, do they go right out and say she's Rock's daughter, or do they skirt around it? Like how Solo Sikoa is the Usos' brother and Rikishi's son. They've alluded to it (like they did with Bron/Rick initially), but not flat out said it yet.

 

Just watched that match, fantastic stuff.