Hi Scott,
Discussion for the blog:
With the subtle hints that Bully Ray is just using Brooke to get to Hogan and then Hogan to get to the title, if he reveals that he's the mastermind behind A&8's and that everything has been a big swerve just to get them control of the title, do you think that it would make all (or at least some) of the mediocrity worth it? You could actually do some interesting things going forward, such as push Joseph Park to a more prominent position and really explore his moments of aggression. His whole motivation would be that Bully Ray tricked him, which he doesn't like. As simple as that seems, it fits perfectly with Parks' character (though I do fear that with the whole politicking thing, they're in danger of making him a caricature). You'd obviously have some rematch stuff with Hardy, and then maybe Storm could get more involved in the title picture again. I really think having Bully Ray be a strong heel champ till Bound for Glory is doable and make for "compelling television" (to borrow from JR). And then of course who emerges at BfG to set things right? AJ, who finally is allowed to have a title shot again.
And while some people might be thinking, "But what about all of the times Bully Ray got beat down, or when he beat other members down?" In answer to that, I think the simple explanation of "taking one for the team" actually makes everything that much more devious.
Discussion for the blog:
With the subtle hints that Bully Ray is just using Brooke to get to Hogan and then Hogan to get to the title, if he reveals that he's the mastermind behind A&8's and that everything has been a big swerve just to get them control of the title, do you think that it would make all (or at least some) of the mediocrity worth it? You could actually do some interesting things going forward, such as push Joseph Park to a more prominent position and really explore his moments of aggression. His whole motivation would be that Bully Ray tricked him, which he doesn't like. As simple as that seems, it fits perfectly with Parks' character (though I do fear that with the whole politicking thing, they're in danger of making him a caricature). You'd obviously have some rematch stuff with Hardy, and then maybe Storm could get more involved in the title picture again. I really think having Bully Ray be a strong heel champ till Bound for Glory is doable and make for "compelling television" (to borrow from JR). And then of course who emerges at BfG to set things right? AJ, who finally is allowed to have a title shot again.
And while some people might be thinking, "But what about all of the times Bully Ray got beat down, or when he beat other members down?" In answer to that, I think the simple explanation of "taking one for the team" actually makes everything that much more devious.
I think you've pretty much got it nailed, actually. Although I'm still 100% sure that Eric Bischoff is the secret leader of the group, not Bully Ray. Bully would be the Hollywood Hogan type, I'd say, not the mystery masked man. And Bully hasn't really suffered many beatings at the hands of the Aces, either. Really, the problem isn't the angle itself, it's the drawn-out nature and the lack of viable payoffs because all they have is 3rd-string WWE castoffs to put under the masks. If it was someone INTERESTING getting revealed, the angle would still have some juice.
Not related at all, but did anyone see the weird promo WWE posted on YouTube of Zeb and Jack Swagger? They do their typical promo they've done, then they completely break character, say their real names, admit wrestling is fake, address Glen Beck, and they go back into character and finish their promo on ADR.
ReplyDeleteHah, I came here JUST to post this.
ReplyDeleteThreadjack my own thread!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9_RcD6WMmM&feature=player_embedded#!
Woo hoo, my question!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how they break character, do their rant, and then Wayne tells Jake to get back into character and Swagger basically does that same body language and everything lol. (btw I'm not using their real names to be "smart" they just used their real names so it made sense to use their real names when they weren't in character)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Joey Joe-Joe.*
ReplyDelete*That was me actually trying to smart by using your real name, Mr. Shabadoo, Jr.
That's the worst name I've ever heard
ReplyDeleteHunter's getting a weave and doing some extra potent wellness violations just to personally crush whoever ok'd that. Weird. Swagger standing like a statue that looks like it was about to topple over while Dutch was spoiling the next 3 months of "did you knows" didn't help much either.
ReplyDeleteMan. Dutch is just awesome here
ReplyDeleteAnd really, he's Bully Ray. He's been through hellacious brawls and battles before. I don't think he'd mind getting a beatdown if it achieves the long term goal they set out to accomplish. The greater good. The greater good.
ReplyDeleteIs getting a title shot that difficult in TNA that Bully Ray would have to come up with this elaborate plan?
ReplyDeleteTrue. TNA generally works on the tried and true method of one guy walking up to the champ and saying, "Hey dude, wanna fight?" But since Jeff Hardy is champion we usually get a ten minute soliloquy on the nature of man and his struggle to maintain sanity in a post-modernist society.
ReplyDeleteSo really Bully going the long route was probably better for everyone involved.
They're a group of outlaw bikers. It's not beyond reason to think they'd be cool with kicking the shit out of each other. Groups like that will often use an ass-kicking by the group as a rite of passage in an initiation to see how tough a guy is.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone can be John Cena and be given a bunch of title shots! It's hard out there for a pimp.
ReplyDeleteWho knew Dutch Mantell was that good a talker??
ReplyDeleteHa, that promo is awesome.
ReplyDeleteReally shows the value of a good manager as Swagger could never have cut something like that by himself
More than that, wasn't he already in line for a title shot when he was in the BFG finals? Why wouldn't he play his hand then? This doesn't make any sense.
ReplyDeleteHe did, didn't he? Hardy was attacked backstage by A&8s and there was doubt he'd be able to compete. But he came out and wrestled the match, and even though he was injured, still beat Bully Ray.
ReplyDeleteIf it turns out Bully is behind it all, it makes sense why he'd need to think of a newer, more elaborate plan to get another title shot, since he pretty much blew it and, theoretically, fell to the back of the line.
/raises hand
ReplyDelete(man runs out of bar crying)
ReplyDeleteBarney - "Hey Joey -Joe-Joe!"
If this isn't building to Zeb & Jack getting Roberto Rodriguez deported, I will be very disappointed.
ReplyDeleteWHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Bully and the guys were faking the beatings. In-universe mock violence within wrestling, to fool the other wrestlers within the storyline.
ReplyDeleteNah, HHH loves him some fourth wall shattering. He's throwing bonuses at whomever decided this would be a good idea, as is Vince because it's about time for him to think that Glenn Beck is relevant.
ReplyDeleteHe's years behind, but still...
Anybody who watched Memphis......or who's ever heard the term "low liiiife egg sucking carcass" lol
ReplyDeleteThat was pretty awesome. Good way to get the "this angle is racist" people to shut up.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately my knowledge of Dutch starts and stops with him managing Justin Hawk Bradshaw and the Blu Twins.
ReplyDeleteSteve Austin. Leader. Instant credibility to all. TNA finally beats Smackdown in the ratings.
ReplyDeleteAww man....you've missed his best stuff then
ReplyDeleteWhat's stupid is that they could've simply had Ray as the leader last August/September when the angle was red-hot and everyone was rabidly speculating who the leader could be. Weren't Ray and Samoa Joe thought to be the top two candidates?
ReplyDeleteThat reminded me of the Triple H/Eugene angle. He goes through all that effort to build a plan that depended on poisoning the mind of a retard so he'd hit Chris Benoit with a chair during their match...why not just ask Batista to do it?
ReplyDeleteCause Triple H thinks he's the smartest guy in the room and fucks with peoples lives because he enjoys it.
ReplyDelete