2009 Running Pro Wrestling Thread

Two quick things.

1. The Legacy thing could just be a set-up for DiBiase and Rhodes to eventually go at each other, the winner to challenge a whipped-down Orton (although I really don't see Rhodes doing that, he ain't no Little Ray, after all.), who in turn drops down the pecking order in popularity until he snaps, goes completely nuts and rips everybody in the organization in a mad frenzy as part of a new build-up.
2. I really don't have the problem with Bautista that everyone else seems to. He's pretty damned agile and, from what I have heard, is one of the hardest workers in camp. That spear last night on Rhodes hurt just to watch. The las one I saw that well delivered was by Goldberg. And unless you want more and more and more and more (etc.) Trips or Cena, who else is there on Raw?

 

Personally, I think the booking was fine. We've seen Orton get the best out of countless people at the end of RAWs over the last few months. This flips the roles and makes Batista seem like a conniving badass type, as well as someone who has a strong chance of winning the WWE Championship at Judgment Day. It makes the match and feud more interesting because a lot of fans automatically assumed it'd be an easy first PPV title defense for the red-hot Orton and Priceless. Now Legacy is banged up and Orton will have to work around his injured ankle to not lose the championship on Sunday.

 

MVP for starters.

 

Not there yet. It wasn't that long ago he was booked on a months-long losing streak in which he lost to everyone from Big Show to Kizarny in his one and only WWE match. He got his first taste of the top of the card two weeks ago on Raw, but he's not viable as a top contender right now.

I actually like what they're doing with Orton. It's like an odd hybrid of Jake Roberts' cold and calculating style, Rick Rude's arrogance and Honky Tonk Man's "holy shit how has he not lost yet?" ability to win when nobody expects him to. It makes him look unbeatable without looking unstoppable, while not dropping to HTM-esque levels of luck. When Orton wins Sunday, the story line will be "OK, he's beaten the McMahons, he's beaten Triple H, he's beaten Batista, he's survived everything we've thrown at him ... who can BEAT this guy?" At which point HBK will probably pop back into the picture.

 

I *so* hope you're right on HBK.

And Jelly has a point with MVP, but they need to build him back up after that stupid-ass losing streak angle. The question is: who does he work with?

 

HBK, who can carry ANYONE to a helluva match.

 

Aren't they in the process of building MVP as a top face on RAW? He is currently feuding with William Regal, which isn't a bad move since he's a veteran heel and a decent worker. He'll see bigger and better things soon, because the guy is really talented in the ring and is above-average on the mic.

 

I read today that they were going to keep HBK out a few months to let him heal up, but he's been out since Mania, so maybe they do bring him back after Sunday. My bet is they somehow continue Batista-Orton through another PPV, then they have Orton win and set up Orton-HBK for a big buildup through the July PPV and into SummerSlam.

And for the most part, I love how they've set up Orton. I just wish they'd make the other guys in Legacy more than just his lackeys. Give these guys their own feuds.

 

I agree that RAW is in the process of building him up. It just takes a little bit of time. And with Hogan 2.0 and Botchtista currently in the top two face spots, he doesn't have a whole lot of room to do so. A feud with Regal is good for now, but after that there isn't really a whole lot in terms of top heels on RAW since DiBiase/Rhodes basically have become Orton's lackeys, JBL retired and Jericho went to SD.

Dude needs a new finisher anyway...the Playmaker sucks.

 

It's the most compelling program that few can see (we get MyNetwork over the air, but not on cable). I saw the SD side of the card on RAW (Edge/J. Hardy and Mysterio/Jericho) and instantly thought, "Hmmm...I *really* want to see those matches." RAW's got squat right now...I hate watching Botchtista and we all know what'll happen in the Hogan 2.0/Big Show match.

 

Cena vs. Big Show is predictable and has a "been there done that" feel, but Batista/Orton will be better than people expect. They had an excellent match at Armageddon last year and hopefully they tell a good story with Orton's ankle.

 

Yeah, I agree. The one he did on Regal on Monday looked absolutely lame.

The best pinning finishers is one that either has a huge impact (Batista Bomb, Tombstone, Rockbottom, Evan Bourne's Shooting Star Press), can be done quickly out of nowhere (Sweet Chin Music, Jake the Snake's DDT) or both (Angle Slam, Stone Cold Stunner, RKO).

Moves like the Playmaker, or Christian's Unprettier (which I like as a set-up move, not a finish), take too long to develop. The end is almost anticlimatic.