2013 Pro Wrestling Thread

It's actually been pretty good. Fine Orton/Fandango match, another good Ziggler/Del Rio encounter.

And Paul Heyman is an absolute God on the mike. If the man ever ran for office, the debates would be the biggest political squashes in history. The whole segment with Punk and Lesnar was compelling.

 

Good is an understatement. I know some will never be pleased, but this stretch since Mania has been the best in the past few years ... and definitely starting to find its stride in the 3-hour era.

 

Helluva Jericho/RVD match. The younger guys on the roster should have been taking notes.

 

Looks like we're getting what you predicted.

 

That Raw was fantastic. Great way to rebound after a couple of lackluster shows the last few weeks.

Y2J-RVD stole the show. Those two really know how to tell a story, which is something a lot of the roster could learn how to do. That match was, IMHO, match of the year quality.

I'm glad they're going through with Cena-Bryan for Summer Slam. I just hope they don't ruin it by throwing Orton into the mix. Let him -- and Sandow -- keep the briefcases for a while before cashing them in.

 

Better future promo showdown -- Punk vs. Ambrose or Punk vs. Wyatt?

 

Ooooooooh. That's too close to call. Both, no doubt, will be excellent.

 

I'm in the minority, I know, but I just don't find the Wyatt promos all that good. He does a great job of playing his role, coming off as crazy but the vast majority of what he says is pretty non-sensical to me.

I'm definitely much more on board with Ambrose than Wyatt.

 

Seems to me the WWE is allowing the matches to run longer than they have in the past and better taking advantage of the three hours. They're actually giving their quality match-ups room to breathe and tell a 15- to 20-minute story within a match.

 

They've been doing that for a while now. Seems most of the top of the hour matches (or promo segments, like Punk-Heyman on Monday) get a good 15-20 minute window.

 

The Punk-Heyman segment went about 5 minutes too long, and they had to cut a Bryan-Barrett match because of it. But if they had that match, RVD-Y2J wouldn't have had that epic match.

 

Raw thoughs (yes, a day later because I'm one of those awful Hulu Plus people) ...

- Daniel Bryan finaally getting a WWE Championship match? I'm still skeptical, but I'll shit myself if he beats Cena at SummerFest.
- Looks like Henry's turn was short lived, but a Shield beat down is a good way to turn anybody. I'm a mark for Henry no matter what.
- I'm really glad I was wrong about RVD. Sumbitch can still go. His match with Jericho was awesome. That was PPV quality on free TV. Can't beat it.
- Orton vs. Fandango wasn't half bad either. I think Johnny Curtis can go if given the chance. I used to hate the gimmick, but it's become so absurd that I love it.
- I'm curious how Brad Maddox is going to work out. I don't care for the guy, but it's all in the writing. He's apparently getting a push as a competent GM ... uh, okay.
- Punk vs. Lesnar/Heyman: Shut up and take my wife's money.
- The Wyatt segments looked cool, but I'm not so sure it translated great live. Wyatt needs to cut back on the cackling a bit. The dude in the lamb mask ... creepy as hell. Love it.
- I understand that organic storytelling means Ziggler would go into a feud with Big E and AJ, but I hope it can run cocurrently withi his title chase. He deserves a good spot on the card.
- And, please, someone put some pants on Big E.
- I missed the Usos's match because of Hulu cuts. Too bad. They won me over with their pre-show MitB match.
- Cody is primed for a face run. He's worked as a heel for years and years now. The mustache will suddenly become cool, like Bryan's beard.