2014 Pro Wrestling Thread

That was actually a pretty solid Raw.

 

Yeah, I liked. It too. The kids chorus was a unique thing, Bryan and Brie did a good job at getting emotional. I thought it was smart to have Flair come out and do his Shield endorsement as a way of,explaining why he hadn't joined Evolution yet. And I was surprised that the Shield made that last second comeback. They looked like they were done.

 

Lots of speculation that Flair was drunk when he was in the ring, but I highly doubt it's true.

 

Be curious to see where they can do with Wyatt/Cena. We've already seen the whole Cena doesn't crack and really beat the tar out of him or go over the edge at Mania, is there more to explore there? Bray can certainly stay strong, psychologically, like he did then win or lose.....it'd be disappointing for Cena to just win clean, so where else does this go?

 

I'll be pretty shocked if Barrett doesn't win the IC strap on Sunday. I love his character and he seems to be going over with the crowd pretty well; even though he's technically the heel in this match. Big E has been nowhere in sight for the past month and has had zero interaction with anyone during the tournament.

 

I think Big E's booking is indicative of the entire title scene outside of the WWE World Heavyweight title. I read tonight that Dean Ambrose surpassed MVP as the longest reigning US champion as a WWE title (in other words, not counting title reigns as a NWA or WCW title). He hasn't defended the title on TV in months. Even JBL has been fed snarky lines about it on recent episodes. Other than WrestleMania and the night after, I hardly recall any of AJ's Divas title matches after Kaitlyn left the title picture then the company months ago. The tag titles are the best booked of the secondary titles. At this point, The E should pull the trigger on unifying the IC and US titles. They're worthless right now.

Anyway, solid Raw. I loved the opening segment with Cena and Wyatt. But does anybody else feel like Bryan is getting the same old midcard champion treatment Punk had? Finally wins the world title as one of the hottest story lines in a few years, then booked like shit after he wins it while Cena continues to have the real main event spot. Damn, here I was, after being spoiled by a Cena-free main event or title match at WrestleMainia 30, and now this ... Daniel Bryan vs. Kane. Yeah, I get it. It makes sense. With Triple H busy with Evolution and The Shield, Step is now the sole Authority against Bryan and needs an avatar, thus Kane. I'm not totally shitting on it just because Bryan and Kane have so much history to draw on. But I get the feeling that the execution is going to fall flat. How does this play out? Is Kane going to be the one-dimensional demon? Does Bryan try to redeem his old tag team partner and get him to see the light? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. If this is done right, it could be a good first feud for the new champ.

That reminds me, I'm really loving some of the non-match content on The Network. The Daniel Bryan special was great, as was a lot of the Warrior retrospectives. Also, the WrestleMania Rewind continues to be a nice little trip down memory lane. The latest episode was Hogan vs. Rock at WrestleMania X-8, and I had a blast watching the match. Not a technical highlight reel, but the psychology of two of the hottest draws of their respective generations was through the roof. I'll eventually start Legends House. I may watch other stuff first, then binge watch Legends. I need to catch up on Total Divas anyway.

 

I was thinking about how Bryan was booked, and, while I can see him getting the Punk treatment, at the same time, it's opposite what everyone used to complain about with Cena. We'd complain during midcard matches that all everyone would talk about was Cena.

Now that they have several strong programs going on at once, we're complaining that Bryan isn't getting respected as champion. It's a tough balancing act.

 

They have three main-event-caliber programs right now involving (depending on how you feel about Kane) 9-10 main-event-caliber performers. They've had it much worse. Also, what exactly were they supposed to do with Bryan? He was completely off one show for his honeymoon, then had to bail after the first segment of the next one to take care of family business after his father's death. To get him out quickly last week, they had Kane destroy him, and he sold the effects this week. That's about all they can do. As for his slot, Kane is the highest-caliber potential opponent at the moment with Trips busy putting over The Shield. KANE. Where Bryan is works right now.

 

Kane and Bryan could be and should be great. And if Kane is really contemplating retirement, outside of a program with Taker that's probably impossible, him doing one last tour of demonic destruction and then walking back and reuniting with DB for the big ending would be a cool way to go out.

 

It's not that Bryan isn't getting respected. The man has had a roller coaster last three weeks, with his dad passing away while he was away on his honeymoon.

I actually like the way they've booked it so far. The injury angle gave him time to take care of family business -- even though they gave him the option of taking that week off or attending Raw.

I'm glad we're seeing this side of Kane again. He hasn't been in the main feud for a while, and I like that -- especially if the rumors are true that he's going to retire soon. Let the man have one last main-event feud. If anyone can carry him to a solid rivalry, it's Bryan.

 

Just watched the Wrestlemania rewind on Hogan/Rock. Good stuff.

I was 17 at the time and all I remember thinking was trying to figure out why it wasn't Stone Cold going against Hogan.

 

It was supposed to have been Hogan-Austin, but Austin didn't want to do the match because he thought the timing wasn't right. He's since said that was one of the biggest regrets of his career.