Hey Scott,
Long time reader, first time emailer.....
In Andy's latest Raw Review, another poster made a comment about how different the shows feel when Brock Lesnar shows up. Rather than the "Raw Variety Show" it actually feels like a real wrestling program (at least at the top of the card). I argued the way Brock comes off, he makes you believe he's going to whip somebody's ass, he has a real cockiness about him and the ability to back it up. Is this something that's unique to only him, or is it an approach that the WWE should try to have throughout the rest of the card? (Not saying the ENTIRE show should be like this/him, but more of it should). Thanks!
There is truly only one Brock Lesnar, which is as it should be. It makes Brock all the more effective when he's out there doing his super-intense 300-pound gorilla act amidst all the wannabe comedians and midcard geeks, because it's DIFFERENT. Just like Brock was the pro wrestler among super-serious UFC fighters and that turned him into a star, now he's the super-serious UFC fighter among pro wrestlers. You can't script someone stranger than Brock and his reclusive lifestyle, so even trying to do so would be a waste of time.
Bring Ken Shamrock back STAT!
ReplyDeleteIt's hilarious that WWE attempted the 50/50 bullshit with BROCK LESNAR when he first returned. He loses to Cena then goes 2-1 against Triple H in a series of matches nobody wanted to see. And they were actually surprised people lost interest in him.
ReplyDeleteSo now in the last year, he's gone over Punk, smacked around Big Show like a child, conquered the Streak and demolished Cena for the belt and people consider him a legitimate force. Who'd of thunk it? I guess its a case of "better late than never" with Monster Brock.
Oh wait, he's facing Cena again at Night of Champions. LOL!
I loved last week when he said, off-mic, to Paul: "I love it when you say that. Say it again." (About Heyman's "BRRROOOOCKK LESSSSSNNNNNAAARRR!")
ReplyDeleteThere's no way it's going to be as simple as Cena just going over Brock at NOC. No way.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that his lifestyle is all that unusual. I mean, I guess his financial status makes it somewhat so, but a DESIRE to live in relative isolation isn't that uncommon.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people, such as myself, are forced to interact with people on a daily basis. A guy can still dream.
ReplyDeleteBrock's first run reminds me of Roman Reigns right now. Brock didn't really have a character but he was going to be the guy just cause. It took a while but he's found something that connects.
ReplyDeleteThat's not quite accurate. He always had Heyman as a mouthpiece putting things into perspective (The Next Big Thing), and they always played up the NCAA championship so he had the vibe of a big time athlete trying his hand in wrestling, rather than being just another geek.
ReplyDeleteThe crowds were completely bored with Brock for the first four months. The month of August (bearhugging Hogan, feuding with/beating The Rock) was when Brock Lesnar transformed into a star.
ReplyDeleteThat's all true but it just never clicked for me. The whole thing felt rushed.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget they turned him into a bland face drinking milk with Kurt angle.
ReplyDeleteIf they do Brock/Cena in the Cell they hate money.
ReplyDeleteSo you're saying we need "The Lethal Weapon" Steve Blackman?
ReplyDeleteI so wish John Cena had come out on RAW last night, looked at the legends panel, mumbled "... I can't... I can't beat Brock Lesnar." Then dropped the mic and walked out. Cut to the back and Stephanie's saying to Hunter "that's our Night of Champions main event. What do we do now?" Randy Orton then comes in, says "forget about all that, I thought I was your guy, when are you going to put me back on top?" Hunter--looking pissed--says "fine, you want to be back on top? You get John Cena's spot at the top--against Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions!" Orton's smirks, then makes an Oh Shit What Did I Just Do face.
ReplyDeleteYou then spend the next few months with the legends going to Cena to try and convince him he can beat Lesnar--that he has to, to cement his legacy as greatest WWE Champion ever. I'm talking like Cena at his mansion, sitting by the pool, saying why should I go back, I've got nothing to prove, and Hulk Hogan looking around all disgusted, going "you know all this means nothing. All a man has is his legacy. Would there even be a John Cena if Hulk Hogan had hung up his boots after bodyslamming Andre the Giant? Would there be a John Cena if Hollywood Hogan had cashed in a fat paycheck and gone home instead of leading the NWO? Would there be a John Cena if Terry Bollea had called it quits after being pinned by the Ultimate Warrior God bless him? Who is John Cena if he gives up, runs out of Hustle, has no more Loyalty to the WWE Universe, and if he doesn't Respect his own immortal Legacy?!"
Cena. Lesnar. WrestleMania 31.
Imagining someone sitting on the porch with moonshine and a shotgun telling those damn kids to get off his land.
ReplyDeleteMy time has come! - Lance Storm
ReplyDeleteI will say this: if I WANTED Cena to get the title back, this would be an awesome way for it to go down. I'm a fantasy booking nerd and this was awesome.
ReplyDeleteBrock now makes me feel like Goldberg did in the run up to his first world title reign. When he comes out, it's like "ok, everyone sit down and shut the fuck up and watch this til it's over". And you're rewarded with Goldberg plowing through a chair to destroy La Parka, or him Jack Hammering The Giant.
ReplyDeleteYou'd basically have The Greatest WWE Champion Ever versus The Unstoppable Beast. If Cena wins you then build to a face/face passing of the torch match against Reigns (or whoever). If Lesnar wins then he truly is the biggest monster heel of all time, and whoever you put over him (Reigns) is your next Mega babyface.
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing could be used to get other people over if they wanted. Instead of Hogan, wouldn't Cena's Apollo be The Rock?
ReplyDeleteThere are older members of my family doing essentially that.
ReplyDeleteBrock truly embodies my version of the perfect professional wrestler. He genuinely gives that sense of someone who could legitimately KILL YOU at any time. This is the epitome of a Champion to me. I hope he's able to stick around for a good time to come.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the emailer was suggesting they try and make more Brock Lesnars as much as how he wishes the entire show resembled more of a traditional/serious wrestling show instead of a variety show. Sure, Brock really stands out because he's so different than everyone and everything else, but he'd still be super over if the show was booked like 1986 JCP. I mean, Austin wasn't any less over because the entire WWF show was Attitude and edgy. They didn't need to keep things like 1995 WWF in order for 1998 Austin to stand out.
ReplyDeleteWhen he gets to the mansion, he should say, "Where am I? There's no Hulkamaniacs here!"
ReplyDeleteThe only problem I see is Cena needing to be convinced goes against years of character development. He's Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, Rise Above the German Suplex. He's just overmatched.
ReplyDeleteI'd have Cena get slaughtered again and seek help from "retired" Daniel Bryan to train him on better technique. Brock is at the point where it would take Bryan's brain and Cena's physique to beat him.
His promos, if he's asked to sell scripted WWE Creative drama, are awful, but when he's allowed to work off a basic framework of "I'm legitimately dangerous and will hurt you," he's amazing. He doesn't sound "dumb," as some people say.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like a guy who wears track pants, Nikes and sleeveless t-shirts everywhere and it's fine because he's a massive monster of a human being who may have legit temper and emotional problems and WILL hurt you if he decides you deserve it.
This was my question (thanks Scott!) and I get that they're trying to make a show that appeals to all ages, but to me the pendulum has swung way too far into the stupid/silly entertainment program vs. an entertaining wrestling program. When Brock comes out, you KNOW it's a real wrestling program, and you can't help but to pay attention, when Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose fight to the death seemingly in their match, you pay attention because it's compelling....AND they had their comedy element with the Ice Bucket Challenge skit backstage. I just want to care about what I"m watching, and they don't convince me more than half the time because they give off the vibe what they're doing isn't that important.
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent idea, and a really good way to get the fans re-trained on appreciating the action in the ring, have them talk over strategy, trying new moves to slay the monster, etc. That would be cool as hell, so of course it would never happen.
ReplyDeleteYep. Like Ryback, Lesnar used to get "Goldberg" chants during his matches.
ReplyDeleteHe has a presence. He has the look that non-fans picture when they think of a pro wrestler. With Heyman, he is simply the total package. Especially now with the "Party's over, Old Man" and "Last day in the Universe... brings a tear to the eye". Sublime.
ReplyDeleteI don't care how bad Brock's promos are, the fact that there's usually one awesome deadly line that you'll remember for the longest time is enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI loved it when Vince had him murder Spanky. It was downright uncomfortable how badly he fucked him up. That and tossing that one legged kid down some stairs.
ReplyDeleteYeah, WWE creative couldn't even come close to writing it that well.
ReplyDeletethat's another part of the Rocky series they should really rip off: the training with another competitor (Rocky and Apollo) montages.
ReplyDeletejust pick one fitting emo-rock song (or even better. license one classic song already associated with videos like that) and show us Bryan and Cena working out in some dusty gyms, Bryan "torturing" Cena with constantly pushing punching bags against him etc.
imo the most fitting heel manager/wrestler combination ever.
ReplyDeleteI think that had less to do with him finally having a "character" but more with the fact that Hogan and The Rock weren't some jobbers or midcarders but legitimate stars.
ReplyDeleteAnd....we get The Fingerpoke Of Doom Part Deux.
ReplyDelete