2016 Pro Wrestling Thread

That's his nickname more than part of the actual ring name. Now, Triple H started off as Hunter Hearst Helmsley, but he's been Triple H for all but about 3 years of that time. Jarrett, meanwhile, went by his name for a number of years, and would mention his name with his initials.

 

Or Double-A (Arn Anderson)?
If they need a valet, they could bring back Sable (Double Ds).

 

Observer from Jan. 25:

- WWE is attempting to heat-up Wyatt yet again, for a potential feud with Lesnar or Reigns or someone else.

- Minnesota is now out for the 2017 Mania, and Orlando is the frontrunner. Los Angeles is a long shot, depending on when their new football stadium is done.

- Styles is scheduled to appear at a Jan. 23 ROH show, but he’s not allowed to be on TV. This was the past stipulation for guys like Samoa Joe, and it’s believed that his deal is now officially signed as a result.

- Daniel Bryan passed another round of concussion testing, this one from doctors at UCLA, but WWE still won’t clear him.

- Josh Bredl, the winner of Tough Enough, has been given the name Bronson Matthews. He also got heat for calling the new Social Outcasts group Social Jobbers on Twitter. Owens responded with, “Look at the veteran here with the big fancy insider terms.”

- Jim Ross is the new announcer for New Japan’s English broadcasts, replacing Mauro Ranallo. They had been in negotiations since November. He and Josh Barnett will provide commentary for taped matches. The first show is scheduled for March 4. Ross’ deal is technically with AXS, and not New Japan.

- The Prime Time Players are broken up.

- Wrestler of the Year from Observer voters was AJ Styles (299 votes), edging out Hiroshi Tanahashi (160) and Okada (136). Highest WWE wrestlers were Cena (55), Rollings (51) and Lesnar (79). Styles also got Most Outstanding Wrestler, which goes to the best mat technician. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks was the second best feud of the year, with 216 first place votes to 342 for Aldo vs. McGregor. Cena vs. Owens was a distant third with 45 votes.

Tag team of the year was Young Bucks (382), with New Day in third (167). Bayler was most improved (116 votes), with Sasha third (81) and Roman fourth (75). Most overrated, Kane (211), Roman Reigns (186), Sheamus (85), Big Show (46). Cesaro got most underrated with 477 votes, with Neville and Sasha getting 39. Chad Gable was Rookie of the Year (539). Mauro Ranallo got 625 votes for best announcer, with no one else cracking 74.

TNA got worst promotion in a landslide, 423 votes to 151 for WWE.


Missed a couple things from the Jan. 18 Observer:

- Wrestlers in the company have been getting heat for being too public with injuries, hence some pushback on social media from Randy Orton and Banks. However, both are hurt. Orton might not need neck surgery as originally reported, and could be back for March. Banks’ injury is still undisclosed. Paige suffered a concussion on Dec. 28 and is out as a result.

- Bryan still isn’t medically cleared, and there isn’t a plan to use him for the Rumble or Mania.

- Sister Abigail might actually become a character. They’ve talked about it in the past, but it’s gaining momentum again.

- Tyler Breeze’s push is over. Triple H wanted him protected on the main roster, but Vince soured on him quickly, and his split with Summer Rae was done for no real reason.

 

I hate this. So much. Breeze deserves a push, and I hope he doesn't get lost in the shuffle a la the Ascension.

 

Yup. Vince being Vince, although The Ascension really isn't that special. Breeze and Summer looked like they had some good chemistry too. But what the hell, let's break them up and then give them nothing to do, because, reasons.

Same with the PTPers. Unless Titus is getting an actual push, why bother breaking them up?

 

You've got to cherish it.

 

I think that may be the reason for the PTP breakup, but Darren Young is going to get lost in the shuffle. I can't imagine them finding something for him that worked as good as tagging with O'Neil.

 

That's what happened with the first PTP breakup......it's the Twilight Zone with this booking

 

Titus seems like he could be a good singles guy, but I don't know. Something just doesn't click there for me. Maybe he'll finally show something this time, but I doubt it, and why not just have him tag with Young? That could be a solid "face" tag team for a long time, and then maybe you have something, a la the Hardys, where even Matt eventually became a valued singles asset.

 

I would've loved to see them do a New Day-PTP run. Or throw them into the mix with New Day and the Usos since the Lucha Dragon guys can't stay healthy.

 

Spoiler:

Austin Aries debuted for NXT last night.

 

This year already is getting shitty in terms of wrestlers dying. The Mongolian Stomper, Archie Gouldie, died on Saturday.

I only vaguely remember him as a kid, but looking at his YouTube matches, he was a really believable heel. One of his most famous programs, though, was when he turned babyface in Stampede Wrestling after Bad News Allen turned on him and piledrove his "son" after a match with Bret Hart and some others. Hart, in his book, said the promo that Gouldie gave was the most realistic one he'd ever seen.

I do remember reading in the Apter mags that Gouldie would not only work Smokey Mountain shows in the early 90s when he was in his late 50s, but he would ride a bike to the shows instead of driving. RIP