God dammit Google, get your fucking e-mail-to-Blogger gateway fixed! I’ve got e-mail questions piling up and it takes me way longer to sift through them when I can’t just forward it to the blog and answer off the top of my head.
OK, got that out of my system.
Hey Scott, curious about your thoughts on a few WWE topics.
1)Punks long term plans? As much as I like Punk (especially heel Punk), it seems that he never has really moved the needle in terms of PPV buys or ratings. Do you think it's due to an issue with Punk, or that NOBODY besides Cena or an Austin Rock full time return is gonna increase business. As hot as he was last summer, I can't help but feel either WWE or Punk himself dropped the ball on turning him into a bigger draw then what he is.
2)Do you agree with the idea of the reported Rock/Cena for title and Brock/UT headlining 29? I know it's a long time away but I hate this idea. If this was the plan why not have Lesnar run through Cena, HHH, Punk, and go 3-0 on the way to UT? Can you imagine the buzz for this. Does WWE really hate money and buyrates that much?
Not to mention the thought of Rock Cena II making me barf. Why not throw a ton of money at Shawn where he can't say no to a Rock HBK or something of the sort. ANYTHING besides Rock/Cena again. Writing about this makes me realize how crappy WWE is at this point.
1. Nobody increases business in a vacuum now. It’s a totally different world than it used to be, and it’s only the WWE name itself or special occasions like Wrestlemania or SummerFest that moves numbers to any significant degree. That being said, Punk’s made as a top guy now, so eventually people will just think of him as a top guy no matter what and he can do like everyone else and leave for a bit before returning to a big pop and ratings number.
2. I’m fine with them having SOME kind of long-term plan, yes. Rock-Cena is of course the Once In A Lifetime…Again rematch, but maybe that will finally put Cena over the top and make him into the main eventer and breakout star that we’ve all been waiting for. Brock v. Undertaker could be a MONSTER match if UT wants to do the crazy MMA style fight that Cena did with Brock, so I’ve got no beef with that, although yeah, Brock really should start plowing through main eventer guys hardcore to set that up. But he won’t, so whatever.
2. Or they can actually...you know, get creative and have Undertaker finally job at Mania and put the overrated "streak" bullshit to bed. It's the most annoying "streak" I've ever seen. Were Taker not a selfish prick, MAYBE I'd be in favor of the streak lasting this long but at this point, it's overkill and beyond egotistical and self-indulgent on Taker's part. Of course, that won't happen. Brock better work extra stiff on him that night and get his money's worth at least. I'm just really tired of basically watching Taker masterbate in front of a large audience for once a year and they should just have AJ do that at Manias instead...at least until she turns 40.
ReplyDeleteStill feel like the best bet for WM would be Rock dethroning Brock for the title. Add in Cena/Taker and that is a hell of a double main event.
ReplyDeleteIf they want someone to end the streak, it should be Punk. And if Punk is going to go evil, I'd like to see him go big and basically us get a big push towards him ending the Undertaker's streak once and for all and actually doing it.
ReplyDeleteHe can even brag about how he's going to do that and tie that into (if the worst case scenario goes through with Rock/Cena II at WM) Punk successfully forcing Rock/Cena go on second to last so he can have the spotlight at long last.
And as for Punk, the best way to get him to that level is for him to drop the title before Royal Rumble. A pissed off heel Punk wins the Rumble and then beats Rock for the title WM. Then again, there is no way they will let a heel Punk beat Rock on the biggest show of the year.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had another computer here so I could like this twice.
ReplyDeleteIf HHH losses to Taker at like 3 Manias there is no way in hell Punk is going to end the streak. And unfortunately even though Rock and Punk at Mania would be fun. Or my pick of Rock vs Bryan, neither of those things will ever happen at Wrestlemania.
ReplyDeleteAs much as the IWC hates Cena he is without question the biggest star in the company. And Cena and Rock will draw bigger than if Rock faced anyone else on the roster.
Rock will beat Punk at the Rumble and lose to Cena at Wrestlemania. I'm pretty sure that was the plan from day one. Which is better planning on the WWE's part than they may have ever done before. Which is why Rock went over at Wrestlemania 28. And kudos to them for planning two years in advance.
So enjoy Punk's reign while it lasts.
Nothing good comes from punk heel turn, except the matches.
ReplyDeletePunk turning heel programs him against Cena and the part timers. Are there any other main event babyfaces left?
Look at that Twitter poll, if not for the idiot fans that for some reason voted for Big Show, The gap between the majority that voted for Punk and the people that voted for Cena would have probably been much wider.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about that poll today. I gotta believe its at least partially rigged. The only other reason anyone would vote for Show is as a joke.
ReplyDeleteIt' slim pickings. I can only think of Sheamus.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but he on SD but I kinda like that pairing though.
ReplyDeleteI really believe Sheamus is gonna break out for real once he drops the irish part of his gimmick. I think that part is really holding him back.
...But i thought he has been willing to end the streak on a few occasions (eg Orton)
ReplyDeleteBrock/Taker does no buys in my eyes -- nobody in their right mind, casual fan or not is going to believe Brock has a chance in hell at winning that match, so I can't see them doing a match with such a foregone conclusion, especially after they go back to the well again for Cena/Rock on the same show.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that he is Irish and because of his very pale skin color and hair color makes him *really* stand out. His charisma and presence are coming along and it's showing with some really quality matches this year. I don't think it'd be an idea to drop the Irish "gimmick."
ReplyDeleteCena/Punk is their top money program. Even without Punk they have Orton, Sheamus, Jericho, Mysterio...
ReplyDeleteAll bets are off on the Streak lasting past WM29 or WM30. Either....
ReplyDeletea) it ends this year since Taker's reached the round number of 20-0 (the new Streak DVD being released is a possible hint in this direction)
or
b) it ends at WM30 at Madison Square Garden, as Undertaker retires in WWE's home arena on the "30th anniversary" (tm Michael Cole) of Wrestlemania.
As a result, WWE should book Undertaker against very plausible opponents at WM29 and/or WM30 to create suspense over the fact that the Streak could actually end this time around. Lesnar is not such an opponent since everyone knows he's leaving after WM29. If Undertaker was set to face someone the company is high on as a future megastar, however, that would definitely raise the tension. Ergo, I'd book Undertaker against Sheamus at WM29 and then Cena at WM30.
You're right! AJ masturbating would be the perfect way to end the streak. It's the only believable distraction for every male wrestler. Instead of someone's music hitting and then the guy in the ring dumbly turning to see who it is, you hear a moaning over the PA system. Everyone turns to the big screen...and it's AJ masturbating. Of course, you would need a gay heel character for this to work. He'd obviously be repulsed by the notion and then notice that the Undertaker is taking his time to see how things play out. So he goes from behind (because he's gay, y'know) and school boys Taker, pulling his tights for added leverage. Taker is in shock but then sort of shrugs and goes back to watching AJ. Michael Cole calls this the darkest day in the history of our sport. Jerry Lawler can only be heard through his intense heavy breathing. Booker says something about shucky ducky quack quack. This goes on for another few minutes but before she can climax the gay heel who just beat the Undertaker stops her thereby making him the biggest heel in the history of wrestling. He then reveals the next night that he isn't gay and was just faking to score points with GLAAD, which is his face turn.
ReplyDeleteI doubt WM 30 (and I bet they call it "30", not "XXX", for obvious reasons) is being held at MSG. There's no way they're having a big-money show like that in a tiny 18,000 seat arena, and I don't see them having it in the same city 2 years in a row. Cowboys Stadium, Houston, Orlando, or back in Miami seems a lot more likely. Maybe one of the baseball stadiums in L.A. Outside odds on Toronto.
ReplyDeleteI would jizz myself if they ever put WM at Dodger Stadium. Great setting with the hills overlooking LA and with the 56,000 normal capacity, WWE could still get 70,000+ in there with the seats at ground level. SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
ReplyDeleteI would be fine with this. This scenario means Punk likely defends against Cena between now and the Rumble, and retains. Punk loses to Rock, then Cena gets the title, but Punk is still the guy who has Cena's number...only lost to him by DQ. Punk gets the belt back and you still have Cena never able to beat Punk. Almost like Raven/Dreamer, except Cena beats EVERYONE but Punk.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't make a damn bit of sense!
ReplyDeleteI mean, if he's gay, why isn't he shoving has hand down Taker's tights and illegally using his balls for leverage?Less importantly, if he's only faking the gay, why wouldn't he be distracted by AJ furiously dialing zero on the charmingly out of date pink telephone?It's just inconsistent and bad storytelling.Which means it's plausible, well done.
The Streak will NEVER end, cause the only guy who *could* end it is Cena (maaaybee Sheamus) and he would refuse. I also don't see HHH being the kind of guy to want to see it end, either.
ReplyDeleteYou'd need Taker, Vince/HHH, and a Streak-buster all on board and I don't see that happening.
It doesn't matter what the actual capacity is, they'll still claim 10,000 over the actual number of people just to set the record.
ReplyDeleteThere's a difference between "petite" and "pre-pubescent".
ReplyDeleteI guarantee you, up close, and naked, AJ is all growns up.
heh, I believe all of those polls are 100% rigged. This is still, at its core, professional wrestling no matter how much Vince tries to not acknowledge it. And, within the world of "pro rasslin'", the biggest carnie of them all is Vince. No way in hell (see what I did there :0), Vince would leave this shit up to the fans and I don't blame him.
ReplyDeleteI really think it won't take that long until we see a Punk vs. Sheamus program.
ReplyDelete"As much as the IWC [...]"
ReplyDeletewhat IWC are you talking about? I don't think it could be this blog, because here are a lot of guys posting that generally like Cena (best proof: just look the buildup to WrestleMania) or WANT to like Cena but feel they can't because his character is made to look too bland and too clean-cut.
well, he has beaten him before, has he?
ReplyDeleteThe BEST way to do a match with Lesnar/UT at Wrestlemania is 2 out of 3 falls.
ReplyDeleteFist fall: standard match
Second fall: MMA rules
Third fall: Hell in a cell
Undertaker loses the first fall and then it puts the seed of doubt in peoples heads. Lesnar then kicks his ass in an MMA-style match but UT gets a fluke submission out of him with the platypus or whatever the hell it's called. Then they have a knockdown, drag out cage match which of course UT wins.
Even when Lesnar loses they still have the credit of getting a fall on UT.
That is what Cena needs. A guy he can't beat. Actually I thought it would be Sheamus.
ReplyDeleteSubstitute Layla for AJ and I'd agree.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to see Cena/Rock II - at least not at wrestlemania. What about having Rock winning the title at the Rumble, then make a Cena/Rock rematch at Elimination Chamber where Rock defends the title because the Undertaker distracts Cena. At Wrestlemania we have then Undertaker vs Cena, The Rock (c) vs The Rumble Winner (Maybe Daniel Bryan or Dolph Ziggler), Steve Austin vs CM Punk, Brock Lesnar vs Sheamus or so.
ReplyDeleteNot in any type of "big", hyped-up match.
ReplyDeleteIf they're so dead set on Rock-Cena II for the title, then it makes sense to me to put the belt on Cena at Summerslam, move it to Lesnar at Survivor Series since Cena losing to Brock wouldn't matter after he already beat him, pop a huge buyrate for the Rumble with Rock-Brock for the title, and then job Rock to Cena at Mania.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I thought the general iwc consensus on cena was that he's a great worker and entertaining guy booked in a god awful fashion with a lame gimmick.
ReplyDeleteDon't underestimate how much the McMahon family loves MSG. Sure, they'd be passing up on a big stadium show, but who's to say they couldn't have another big arena event in 2013 to make up for the revenue? Heck, they could have Summerslam in London again and sell out Wembley....just start the PPV at 3 PM (8 PM British time) and drill the new start time into everyone's heads.
ReplyDeleteAlso, tickets for an MSN Wrestlemania would be uber-expensive, even the ones in the back row. It would still be an instant sellout, however. WWE would probably end up making only slightly lesser gate money for an MSG Mania than they would having it in a 70,000 seat arena.
Had Cowboys Stadium been available for WM30 I would've thought that would be the natural choice, but apparently it's booked for the NCAA basketball tournament for the next couple of years. I think the earliest Dallas can get a Mania would be Wrestlemania 31 in 2015.
my fav scenario i have read yet....
ReplyDeleteWell, there went my lunch onto the floor... and I hadn't had any, yet.
ReplyDeleteI'd pay good money for Summerslam in London.
ReplyDeleteI have zero interest in these plans. Rock-Cena II would be a good match, but it would damage my memories of being there live for "Once in a Lifetime," and I don't want to see Cena go over him. Seen Brock-Taker, even though I'm sure it'd be a great match.
ReplyDeleteMy dream scenario: Rock/HBK, Austin/Punk, Cena/Taker and Brock/Bryan.
More realistic dream scenario: Rock/Brock, Austin/Punk, Cena/Taker and Brock/Sheamus.
If they were to rig something they would have done it back when they needed it at the first Taboo Tuesday, when Shawn was injured and they still had him wrestle Triple H for the title in a god awful match rather than just put Benoit or Edge in there.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost positive one of the ex-writers who was with the company during the Taboo TuesdayéCyber Sunday era has gone on record saying the voting is legit. I cant imagine an ex-writer having any reason to lie.
ReplyDeletePlus as MarSolo pointed out, there was the Shawn debacle in 2004.
I thought rock v brock was supposed to be set for wm29?
ReplyDeleteI think the streak might be worth more money as a legacy attached to one of their greatest performers than as a way to get a guy heat.
ReplyDeleteBryan/HBK > Rock/HBK. (well, at least to me. seems like a better combination)
ReplyDelete"Even when Lesnar loses he still have will get credit [...]"
ReplyDeletewhy should he get it? as far as we know, he quits the WWE after Mania anyway. so why not let his opponents win decisively?
I've dreamed about Rock/HBK since 2000. Plus it's pretty much the only dream match they have left to do. And the selling would be unbelievably awesome.
ReplyDeleteNope.
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to LA, go all out and do the Rose Bowl.
ReplyDeleteLol
ReplyDeleteThe WM 30 debate is a good one. Likely out is NYC (29), Dallas (NCAA basketball championships) and LA (gets SummerSlam every year). Since Toronto is always viewed as "bizarro land" I doubt they would get it either. Indianapolis' stadium might end up getting it, and given that they love Detroit so much, possibly a return to Ford Field. Soldier Field in Chicago I could see as a possibility as well, if they want to roll the dice on cold weather for another year in a row.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that illegal for a publicly traded company?
ReplyDeleteI forgot about Detroit, there's a good possibility it ends up there.
ReplyDeleteBrock vs Rock is the one I want to see. To a lesser extent, Rock vs Punk. If Rock's winning the title at the Rumble though, he'll likely be dropping it at Wrestlemania and I can't see it being to anyone other than Cena.
ReplyDeleteThey just did it for this Wrestlemania, where they claimed the new attendance record DURING the show, even though the stadium holds less people with their big-ass ramp and Titantron set up in there. I don't know the legalities of it.
ReplyDeleteI'll throw out a city no one's talked about yet........San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteNiners are getting a new stadium(seats in the 70,000 area) + I remember hearing rumors of a possible Mania coming to SF.
Maybe it's just that I want one that's actually close but SF just seems too realistic for me not to think it's not a possibility.
Because you have to build him as a credible threat and it would be a nice twist to have the odds stacked in his favor so that people believe UT could lose for once.
ReplyDeleteLesnar is being wasted and the limited dates hes working doesn't help. This kills two birds with one stone.
Seriously, what is your hate for AJ? She's smoking hot and fun to watch. Yet you pop for Layla? Layla the tranny? Layla has to be one of the last attractive females (if she really is one) since Judy Martin.
ReplyDelete