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Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus at WrestleMania 31?

According to PWInsider the word out of the Royal Rumble this week is that the plans for Bryan vs. Sheamus that were originally scheduled for last year's show are back on, with Sheamus turning heel before the match.

http://wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2015/0127/588945/backstage-news-on-possible-wrestlemania-31-plans-for-daniel-bryan/

Comments

  1. Oh this is gonna be good ...

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  2. I still love how folks continue to cling to the delusion of "Bryan in the main event was always the plan" last year....

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  3. I'm sure we're in for a nice, calm, rational discussion regarding this....

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  4. Ziggler just called out Bryan for a match on Twitter ... why not that? Oh wait, because it will make the fans happy.

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  5. ..............................Well I won't be ordering WM 31 this year.

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  6. I bet Ziggler/Rollins happens at Mania

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  7. I want Rollins/Bryan. They'll Steamboat/Savage the shit out of this year's show.

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  8. At the very least, Bryan had better finally get to go over. Oh man, am I already resigned to this?

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  9. I feel bad for everybody involved here. This is a clear step-back for Daniel Bryan and I imagine the fans are going to crap all over this match will be another setback for Sheamus.

    How do you get over this clear mid-cart shit?

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  10. Seriously why not Rollins or Ziggler?

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  11. MELTZER IS ALWAYS WRONG!

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  12. Whatever else about Vince McMahon, I've never felt the man was an idiot. Stubborn, a total bastard but no fool, a guy who knew what to do for the company. But this really is pushing me to accept the guy has lost it. I know he's been burned before giving the crowd what they want and it backfires (Diesel comes to mind) but this...That he can completely and utterly ignore the obvious fan reactions to Bryan and continue to shove a guy they don't want is Verne Gagne at his worst. It's the mistakes WCW made so many times and I really thought Vince could avoid that. But this is showing that the man's skill has faded, something I didn't want to accept but it's there. And if he can't be given a massive wake-up call by those around him (quite unlikely), this "ignore the fans, it's what I want" mentality is going to continue to crush WWE more and that's bad for the entire business.

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  13. DB/Brock and Shield 3 way makes too much sense. Most over face trying to reclaim the belt he never lost against this unstoppable ass kicker in a david/goliath type match. The hope spots would be phenomenal. Reigns can win the 3 way and can continue his push if you want.

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  14. shit I would open with that just to get the crowd going.

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  15. Should be a great match at least, loved their 2/3 falls one whenever that was. I'm guessing it will be a heel Sheamus too

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  16. I have no doubt it will be a good match but unless they plan of giving Sheamus a mega-heel push, this is a waste of Bryan. The guy getting the biggest reactions on the show should not be on the middle of the card.

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  17. So let me see if I have this right. Per one of the daily threads a few days ago, Vince didn't want to repeat last year by having Bryan in the main event...so he chooses to repeat one of the worst matches in recent WM history from WM28 instead? My head hurts.

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  18. Agreed. I'm just trying to see the positives because I've been in pure negative mode with this shit since the Rumble

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  19. People HATE that they're going to go with this for a third WrestleMania, but there are two things good that can come from this:
    1. Sheamus can finally join The Authority and be the heel people want him to be.
    2. Bryan can avenge 18 Seconds...yeah, XXX kinda washed all of that stink away, but this seals it.

    The only concern that I have is that they'd have to put heel Sheamus over to build a new heel for Roman Reigns. Those fans in North California will not be happy.

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  20. The repeat of the main event is different than this in the fact that other match was three years ago and not the main event of WM 28.

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  21. Everyone loses it at some point or another. Not really a stretch to believe Vince has.

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  22. If I could have your attention please:

    As of Monday morning, the tentative WrestleMania card will feature:



    Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar
    Sting vs. Triple H
    John Cena vs. Rusev
    Seth Rollins vs. Randy Orton
    Sheamus vs. Daniel BryanUndertaker vs Bray Wyatt

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  23. So is this going to be a yearly tradition where they try to book Bryan vs. Sheamus for Wrestlemania every year no matter what?

    And why couldn't they do that for Bret vs. Owen back in the day?

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  24. Wow...they're really Hell-bent on Sheamus v Bryan at Wrestlemanias.

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  25. I wonder if this will be the year that the ring is pelted with garbage.

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  26. Yeah, but you know a Bryan/Sheamus at WrestleMania ain't getting more than like 13 minutes tops.

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  27. Still, the one thing about wrestling fans is that they have a long memory. I'm not a Sheamus hater; I think he's an underrated worker and an exceptional athlete for a bigger guy, and if they give these two time, it could be a show-stealing match. Still, the logic behind this doesn't make sense.

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  28. I'm not someone who watches Wrestlemania every year, so I can easily skip this one.

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  29. Hm.

    Allow me to post my thoughts on this matter, after having given it careful consideration.

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  30. Congratulations to the wwe for surpassing the 1million subscriber mark for The Network!

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  31. It doesnt make sense you are right about that and these two could have an awesome match and Sheamus is better served as a heel.

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  32. Dougie drops the hook....who is gonna take the bait?!

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  33. They broke even for 2014 with that goal.

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  34. To be fair, you and I look at wrestling very differently than Vince.

    That said, everything he's doing is a quick fix to create the next John Cena (in terms of merch, etc.) because literally nothing else is drawing money for this company.

    I get what Vince is trying to do...but I don't get why he can't take "No" for an answer.

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  35. Smell the buy rate... and just another reason why I wish WCW or TNA had managed to be the competition, since now they will do what they want, which means we get Roman Mavia v Brock (I rather see Bryan v Brock in Ultimate david v Goliath match) Usos v Miz and his 50 times more over stunt many part 100, the Authority always winning, and don't forget Tusev v Super Cena, which I can already tell you will end with Cena over coming the evil Bulgarian and winning.... Oh and don't forget anyone who dares to get over on skill and personality and uniqueness will get immediately put into dead end angles where they lose all the time... Yeah I am nor happy with the WWE right now

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  36. Can the bait be made in the shape of a kitten? Market research shows people like kittens.

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  37. Theberzerker Von HUSSingtonJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:15 PM

    A Sheamus heel turn is very badly needed, but all in all, what complete horseshit. And it's horseshit because you know this has nothing to do with Bryan at all, it's being booked to make heel Sheamus look like a big deal. Bryan got his bone last year, now it's back to jerking off over the big men as usual.

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  38. The chasm between how good this card could be and how bad it could be is gigantic. It's entirely conceivable that four of these six matches could be horrible (I have faith in Bryan/Sheamus and Rollins/Orton). However, if the crowd doesn't shit on Reigns/Lesnar, Sting/HHH is booked carefully and practiced many times, Cena/Rusev isn't a complete LOLCENAWINS affair, and Taker has more gas in the tank than we think, this could qualify as one of the "sneaky good" Manias.

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  39. I hope somebody is talking worst in the world off that ledge.

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  40. Bryan vs Sheamus is the new CENA vs Orton to Vince.

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  41. Daniel Bryan: the Jon Snow of WWE Superstars. No matter how hard he tries, he will always be a bastard in Vince's eyes.

    FYI, how was Sheamus as a heel? Just as bad as he was as a face?

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  42. It wouldn't surprise me if they had Sheamus beat Bryan in 15 seconds. Make Sheamus strong and get Bryan into full on underdog mode.

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  43. I'm tempted to take the bait myself just because I always pop when I see myself quoted over there.

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  44. Theberzerker Von HUSSingtonJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:17 PM

    It's a waste of Bryan, plain and simple. If you're not one of the chosen, they just use you up and spit you out...Ziggler, Ambrose, Punk, now Bryan.

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  45. I was thinking while watching the Rumble...it's like they don't even care about the story side of it anymore and figure they can just book anyone to win a few matches and be strong whenever they want to. There's really no logic to any of it anymore...at least from what I can tell. Like, Bray Wyatt was basically Cena's job-guy last year and then started beating Dean Ambrose by wacky misfortune and suddenly he's the iron man in the Rumble? Ziggler, Ryback, and Captain Red Beard are fired to humilate Cena and Sting saves them for reasons? At least Vince Russo could write a good first act. I don't get it.

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  46. What a waste of Daniel Bryan on the Wrestlemania card

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  47. Except Cesaro might enjoy watching that one 1000 times

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  48. For my information?

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  49. Slightly better as a heel but not by much.

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  50. Yeah didn't mean FYI

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  51. Cesaro will watch Mania at Tyson Kidd's house. Nattie is making pizza rolls.

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  52. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:20 PM

    I would be happy with 13 minutes

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  53. Sadly, you're probably right. I bet Chris Hero shows up to laugh about how much better off he is.

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  54. Face Sheamus: I like to FIGHT! FELLA! Cheer me, I'm pale!

    Heel Sheamus: I like to FIGHT, FELLA! BOO me, I'm pale.

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  55. Hero isn't invited. He would eat all the pizza rolls.

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  56. That about sums it up.

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  57. Not going to stop Dougie from calling you out on it. He's an editor, you know.

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  58. At a certain point, you watch these things happen and you start to wonder, am I missing some vital piece of information that explains all of this bullshit?


    Nope. Its just bullshit.

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  59. That's a really strong point. This is just a very odd way of getting there. You'd think years of putting on shows for live crowds would teach him he can't just decide who the next megastar is.

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  60. They're trolling.

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  61. Well, if they're given time (haha, I know) they could have a great match. They had that awesome 2/3 falls match back in 2012 but this is still a complete waste of Bryan. I've given up on him being given any sort of decent push so I'll settle for seeing a decent match and cheering my ass off for him in Santa Clara.

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  62. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:25 PM

    Rollins vs Randy has been pretty locked in for quite awhile

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  63. I'm sticking with Rollins/Orton. It's been in the cards since Summerslam.

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  64. So does this mean they're going to try to get the "1-800-FELLA" line over again?

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  65. If (huge IF) the plan is to flip Reigns at Wrestlemania, then feeding Sheamus to Bryan to keep Bryan strong isn't the worst idea in the world. There's better ones. Just saying this isn't the worst.

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  66. Bryan is very popular. WWE wants to make more money.

    Books him a match that benefits no one or the company.

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  67. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:27 PM

    Heh. I'm a bit defeated right now.

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  68. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:28 PM

    Not really. His matches weren't necessarily bad. I remember when he was the top heel and he ran away from the Nexus like a little bitch.

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  69. In Vince's defense, he's hardly the first promoter in history to ignore the crowds and push who he wants, happens all the time.
    Have heard promoters saying it's tricky, a guy who did an indie in Chicago years back telling me how they put the belt on their biggest babyface but he wasn't drawing while a small comedy thing was selling huge merchandise. Still, to ignore such massive reactions to Bryan is something wild.

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  70. Let me make you more defeated.


    Reigns is winning. Cena's winning. I'm assuming Sting is winning. Babyface Diva is winning. A heel has the IC title right now and whoever hast he IC title is almost a lock to lose every match they're in.


    Babyfaces won't sweep the day, not even at Wrestlemania. So who takes a loss...

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  71. Funny thing about Sheamus, I remember folks were groaning over him winning the 2012 Rumble but he and Jericho had one of the better 'final two" encounters in Rumble history so it meant something when he won. A rare time they actually did right by him but annoying that he's pushed to Bryan once more.

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  72. In terms of Bryan's involvement at WrestleMania (from XXVII to today)...

    WrestleMania 29 is the only WrestleMania not originally booked to feature Bryan vs. Sheamus, yet this is something that has been discussed almost every year since 2011.

    Here's my question...if not for Sheamus, what would Vince have in mind for Daniel Bryan (at WrestleMania) over the last few years?

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  73. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:31 PM

    Reigns winning is a lot like when all the heels would win but babyface Cena would win the main event.

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  74. Everyone must lose all the time. Stars lose most of their matches, while the midcard gets 50/50 wins/losses. There are no winners. There are no heroes. Just characters, and they're Telling Stories™.

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  75. Bryan/Kane
    Bryan/Sheamus
    Repeat

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  76. Daniel Bryan isn't my favorite wrestler. But he IS, doubtlessly, the most popular thing going right now. I just don't get it. Why wouldn't you want to capitalize on it? The WWE, much like Scott, must like leaving money on the table.

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  77. if Bryan is gonna be in a nothing match at Mania why can't it be against someone us IWCers can sink our collective teeth into? Like Bryan vs Cesaro or Bryan vs Ziggler???

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  78. There is no reason for Bryan to fight Brock. They've had literally zero interaction. I know it's the internet wet Dream and all, but it's not happening. They have Bryan his 15 minutes. He got hurt and fucked their entire plan for the year. Now he's back where he belongs.

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  79. What reason is there for Reigns to fight Brock then?

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  80. Dear Vince,

    DANIEL BRYAN IS THE MOST OVER WRESTLER YOUR COMPANY HAS HAD IN A DECADE YOU FUCKING IDIOT.

    Love

    Everyone with a brain.

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  81. Kayfabe: Bryan never lost the title and is due an automatic rematch. There's your reason.

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  82. "He got hurt and fucked their entire plan for the year"


    Also, this is factually incorrect.

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  83. You know, I try not to be overly cynical, but unfortunately I think you have something here. It's almost like DB is being used as enhancement talent to get over the people they REALLY want to get over.


    I don't hate Sheamus as much as a lot of folks here, but going from winning the title at Wrestlemania last year to probably a 3rd or 4th from the main event match the next year, it feels underwhelming....but, the good thing is that DB is a real professional and you know he'll bust his ass to make it entertaining, and Sheamus isn't a complete slouch (at least in the ring he isn't), so we'll see.

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  84. Maybe. Wouldn't be a rematch tho, since lesnar didn't win it out of abeyance.

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  85. Yeah more like two months. Bryan would have lost to Lesnar at Summerslam

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  86. Ha! I'd love to see them try it.

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  87. Okay, an automatic shot for the title.

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  88. Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn....though it would never ever happen....would be a WRESTLING match that could blow the roof off the place, properly elevate Zayn to the main roster, and allow Bryan to not have to have a generic David vs. Goliath match with Seamus.

    It could be built so easily, Bryan, who isn't gonna be in the main-event anyway could cut a promo about how he's been watching Zayn in NXT, knows what it's like to pay dues in the Indy-scene, and wants him in a match. This is beyond fantasy booking but it's fun to dream

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  89. Heh I can hear Stephanie saying "you know nothing Daniel Bryan"

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  90. From Summerslam 2002? Dude, Roman was probably in High School.

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  91. "The Internet"

    Have you heard his live crowd reactions and seen his merch sales? Or is that "the Internet" too?

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  92. Money.


    That match will make them the most money because Bryan and Lesnar are the two most over guys in the company right now.


    it's not hard.

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  93. Well.. I guess that as long as it lasts longer than 18 seconds, it's a victory of sorts...

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  94. HE DID IT FOR THE ROCK

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  95. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:39 PM

    Roman Reigns and Brock had no interaction. Punk and Brock had no interaction when they were managed by the same guy! That's some great logic there.

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  96. Well then here's what you do...have Sheamus enter the RR have Bryan almost eliminate him and have Sheamus low blow him or something to save his ass and toss Bryan. Or have Bryan eliminate him have Sheamus get pissed and distract Bryan so he gets tossed. Easy peasy. God this booking is so goofy.

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  97. In that vein can we get Big Show/Hogan again, then. Show never did avenge his father Andre

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  98. I don't know the first thing about his merch numbers.

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  99. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    Among other things.

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  100. Come to think of it was that Andre The Giant's coffin that Boss Man dragged away from the funeral?????

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  101. That was an incredibly lazy answer, but you are probably spot-on. They don't want to take the time and effort to make him matter.

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  102. Hi, my name is MrA and I like my wrestling based around merch sales.

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  103. As I said yesterday, this will likely be the opening match. They'll want the crowd to be hot for the opener and also want the crowd to get their Bryan chants out of their system before "The Big Dog" Roman Reigns has his moment in history.

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  104. Most compelling feud WWE has booked since Austin/McMahon: Vince McMahon vs. The WWE Fanbase.

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  105. There isn't any money to make now. WM is going to sell out regardless. Merch will be sold. PPV is dead. Is that match going to draw 300k subs for a month?

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  106. I still feel as offended as I did immediately after the Rumble, it was a slap in the face and I really think I'm done watching for the foreseeable. There's a chasm between Vince and the fans which I don't see changing anytime soon. It seemed almost spiteful, revenge for hijacking shows and forcing the change of plans last year.

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  107. You are wrong.



    There's no way Sting isn't counting lights that night. Asking HHH to job to WCW?

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  108. Yeah I really do wish Bischoff had just killed this company in retrospect. We'd have Wrestlemania as a B show, WCW Network making fun of Austin for ripping off Goldberg, WWF gave up on the biggest icon ever in Hulk Hogan and that the downfall of WWF was when the boss' daughter's boy toy was made champ.

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  109. I wasn't the one that brought merch into it.

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  110. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:43 PM

    Did the other match, and how they went about it COST them subs?

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  111. Of course there is. You're trying to sell and retain subscriptions. They're no where near where they want to be.

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  112. The point isn't just to DRAW subs, but to KEEP subs.

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  113. Now just how am I supposed to answer that

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  114. I'm okay with this. They work well together in the ring, and Sheamus is great as a heel. Face it, Bryan is not going to be in the main event scene any time soon. Why not Sheamus? After last night's Reigns and Lesnar promos, I'm okay with the direction they're going now. Yes, the Rumble match was incredibly poorly put-together, but they salvaged a lot of potential for that feud last night.

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  115. Ok. So does that supposed match draw subs? And what does it have to do with keeping them?

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  116. Brock has the belt Bryan never lost

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  117. I'm fairly certain that by now they know the best way to book Bryan is to *really* make it look like he's not going to be in an important match. That or they're incompetent. Either way, continued vocal support for Bryan and continued shitting on Reigns should make for an interesting few months.


    The "WWE Universe" is a monster of their own creation. As Wade Keller said on the Austin podcast, teach fans that the get to vote for matches, that Superstars are there to entertain and perform instead of being wrestlers there to compete, and they're going to want things their own way.

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  118. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:45 PM

    I think it's fairly obvious Rumble cost them subs. So even if DB/Brock is a break even draw, it's better than that.

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  119. that means Andre was in hiding for 6 years

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  120. Temporary rage wears off. Their subs will spike for WM regardless

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  121. Michael Cole: This Sunday at WrestleMania! The guy you all really really like and blow the roof of the arena for every time he comes out, Daniel Bryan, versus the most dominant superstar of our time, Brock Lesnar. It is going to be epic. You can't miss this, it's only $9.99 to see this show down on WWE Network. Subscribe today.


    And you keep them with continually good content and supplementals like the Vault & NXT.

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  122. But no issues with Austin doing the same story back to back years with different opponents or having Rock-Austin three times or Rock-Cena back to back.

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  123. It draws because it's a classic storyline. It gives people a reason to watch. And, because it's something people want to see, you build up goodwill to see what will happen next.



    It's really not hard. You can say there's no money to be made, but they cannot afford to lose subs, let alone not do anything to gain them.

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  124. Because that's worked so well thus far?

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  125. Well, kinda sorta at Halloween Havoc '95. Plus, you know, with the added humiliation of Hogan by the Yeti & Giant's double humpin'.

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  126. Also I'm holding out a small amount of hope that Cena loses to Rusev at Fast Lane, and they set up Bryan getting the big win at Mania.


    As for Cena, why not have him wrestle Undertaker like people have wanted for the last 5 years or so? Wyatt vs Taker will be hot garbage!

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  127. I'll rush the ring like that guy when the nWo was formed.

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  128. Crap all over a competitive match between superstars? Why would they? They love Bryan, they will hate Sheamus (as intended if he's a heel).

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  129. Here's the part that I've never understood about this. Unless a guy backstage is really detrimental to the company (or you're afraid he would be a PR nightmare if you made him the top guy, risk for drug issues, etc). In THIS environment, what is the logical reason NOT to put popular guys with fans at the top? WWE won't go out of business if they put another guy up and they fail, they've actually done a great job over the last few years of pushing the WWE brand rather than individual wrestlers, so their reluctance to "go with the flow" so to speak is really odd to me.

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  130. b/c Sheamus is bland and heat-less

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  131. Not true. They played up the whole jealousy/favorite child thing.

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  132. Surely Taker/Cena is a more likely WM32 headliner?

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  133. Bryan: Brock is the biggest challenge anyone has faced. I'm all about facing challenges.
    Brock: You think you can beat me, little man? I'll break you in half.

    Now you have a reason.

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  134. As a babyface, yes. But he'll get plenty of heat once he turns heel (and does it on Bryan, the most over babyface in the company).

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  135. Sure, Taker and Cena would be cool as hell, but it would have been a lot cooler at a Wrestlemania from 23-27.

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  136. WWE announcing that they hit 1 million Network subs two days after #CancelWWENetwork was trending worldwide is a new pinnacle in WWE trolling its fanbase.

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  137. I'm hoping the heat is more "Sheamus is a butt" and not "Why are we watching DB fight Sheamus? He should be winning his title back".

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  138. In two years, Sami Zayn will be Daniel Bryan and Baron Corbin will be Roman Reigns.

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  139. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 12:55 PM

    Are you a nihilist, or do you just like circular trolling?

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  140. I would assume that's what they are saving Taker vs Sting for

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  141. "Yep Mode" Abeyance Brown ©January 27, 2015 at 12:55 PM

    The sad part is, you're probably right.

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  142. WWE is a lot like my favourite hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs, despite showing streaks of brilliance, continue to overall make poor decisions. The fans in attendance often boo the team out of the building...but the fans keep coming, and so nothing changes.

    Fans might have booed two rumbles out of the building, but those two rumbles still sold out. #cancelwwenetwork might have trended, but today the Network hit one million subscribers.

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  143. And anything would be a lot cooler than the Triple-Header of Suck that is Reigns vs Lesnar, Cena vs Rusev, and Taker vs Wyatt

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  144. I'm beginning to wonder if Cena is on his way out or injured again. He hasn't beaten anyone in months and there's no reason for him to beat Rusev. Could be into the 'giving the rub' sunset

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  145. "Yep Mode" Abeyance Brown ©January 27, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    The one sliver lining in all of this is, at least it won't be Kane.

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  146. It's trolling. There's no real substance behind his point unless the point is WWE is fucked no matter what since there's no money to be made and nothing can increase their subscriber count.

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  147. I want to believe that, but he's still the top dog. Absolutely agree that his body is breaking down and he could be on his way to part-time status soon.

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  148. But.....but...

    THAT'S GOTTA BE KANE!

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  149. If they can even come close to their ER match and Bryan gets his win back, then I'm OK with this. It's better than nothing and they're going to do what they want anyway.

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  150. I do think their subscriber count is absolutely capped. I obviously don't know the number, but barring a new golden age a la Austin, they just aren't going to get their magic numbers.

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  151. I honestly think "Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus" is their annual troll of the internet.

    I don't think they booked Reigns at the Rumble that intentionally awfully, or that Bryan is secretly booked for the main at WM. But I do think they've become very aware as a promotion that a lot of these "held down" stars only gain heat from being "held down". Bryan will have a strong match.

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  152. Wrestlemania is the draw, and arguably the main event of the show is also a draw. Mid-card matches don't matter anyways. Buys don't matter in this case.

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  153. ok, I'll dumb this down for you...


    Bryan is popular. People get excited about seeing him fight for title


    Lesnar is big bad and mean! He beat Taker and humbled Cena!


    Popular guy vs Scary Bad Man = interesting scenario for fans

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  154. That's what she said...

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  155. Fuck you, that's why.


    Love Vince.

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  156. 1. Brock has the belt Bryan never lost.
    2. There is no 2. 1 is the only kayfabe reason you need.

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  157. I meant I don't buy Sheamus. He's not in Bryan's league currently

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  158. You try getting excited for a third Sheamus match when the Beast was on the table.

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  159. Ok so how many casual fans does that entice to pay for the show?

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  160. You might be right, but they can't think that way or else they really are fucked.


    Nothing's guaranteed to work. All we know is Bryan and Lesnar are their hottest attractions right now. They could create some short term buzz, but they seem to think they have to push the issue with Reigns now. We'll see if it works. It doesn't look good.

    ReplyDelete
  161. Why are you under the impression only n-n-n-n-n-NERDS!!!! like Bryan? Just watch RAW and gauge the crowds.

    ReplyDelete
  162. But against who?
    Let's assume Reigns vs. Lesnar, Triple H vs. Sting, and Cena vs. Rusev are set in stone. Who's left for Bryan to face?

    Either a "top guy" like Kane, Big Show, Sheamus or Orton or a "midcarder" like Ziggler or Rollins. And something tells me they don't see Ziggler or Rollins as an option against Bryan.

    ReplyDelete
  163. Key word: WAS. He's a little busy with Reigns, now. He's not on the table anymore. People are into Bryan, and they'll cheer for him no matter who he's up against. They're not going to boo the match for the fact that it's not the main event, that's ridiculous.

    ReplyDelete
  164. More than Reigns vs. Lesnar. Bryan has main evented Mania already, meaning he is more proven of a draw, and forfeited a title due to injury, the one that Lesnar currently holds.

    ReplyDelete
  165. Let me ask this - if you were Vince, would you back the currently popular guy that's coming off what looked like a career threatening injury? That he suffered AFTER you caved and ran with him last year?

    Or do you go with the guy you think has long term value, no real injury history (hernia aside), that is younger and has family connections to play up?

    ReplyDelete
  166. They're trying to grab the troll brass ring from Skip Bayless.

    ReplyDelete
  167. I'd back Bryan. We're not talking about a 'Bryan era' we're talking about a couple months tops (literally, because Rollins is cashing in at some point soon).


    You make your short term money now.


    They might ruin Reigns with what they're doing to him.

    ReplyDelete
  168. WWE stock is up to $12.00 at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  169. $12.41 (18.42%)

    ReplyDelete
  170. Snickers should REALLY stop running that Johnny Manziel commercial.

    ReplyDelete
  171. YankeesHoganTripleHFanJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:11 PM

    Bryan vs Rollins, (for the briefcase maybe) would be fine because at the very least it would be a **** match.

    ReplyDelete
  172. I'm canceling my Network sub today, let me know if the stock price falls in response.

    ReplyDelete
  173. How long has Sheamus been a DNPCD?

    ReplyDelete
  174. Bryan and Lesnar are 2 wrestlers that people who write for major sports outlets seem to care about. That match could generate mainstream publicity.


    Now, how many casuals does Roman vs Lesnar draw exactly?

    ReplyDelete
  175. YankeesHoganTripleHFanJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:12 PM

    Whatever...I'm all about Reeces and Butterfinger.

    ReplyDelete
  176. Vince McMahon vs. God had its moments.

    ReplyDelete
  177. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    Buy now, dump it the day after WM

    ReplyDelete
  178. I could get behind a Sheamus/Bryan feud, their Extreme Rules match was awesome so a Mania match (if given time) could be great.
    Sheamus would only need to play up that he had what it took to win a Rumble, unlike Bryan who got into last year's title match via the back-door. Also bringing up the 18-second match would get him some easy heat.

    ReplyDelete
  179. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:18 PM

    It's wrestling, everyone who isn't hurt with a career threatening injury is gonna get one eventually. Bryan is their top guy, just use him to chase instead of using him to hold. Problem solved. And the "family guy" push has never worked.

    ReplyDelete
  180. Did they really reach one mil subs or are they papering over the truth given how their cancellation servers crashed?

    ReplyDelete
  181. That'll put butts in the seats!

    ReplyDelete
  182. This years rumble didn't sell out bud. Also it wasn't all the fans that booed, more likely just the loud contingent that were also chanting for cesaro during the pre show. Otherwise spot on

    ReplyDelete
  183. As a public company, the can't lie about the one million subs. HOWEVER, keep in mind these are one million subs INCLUDING subs from Canada and the UK and AFTER doing the "free November" promotion.

    With that in mind, one million isn't all that much more than the 731k announced on October 30.

    ReplyDelete
  184. Extant1979 - Mr. Cable AccessJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:27 PM

    Ziggler and Bryan had a Twitter exchange, challenging each other to steal the show at Mania. I kind of want to see that match now.

    ReplyDelete
  185. Well at least Bryan will be jobbing in this scenario so..you can at least say they aren't half assing the burial

    ReplyDelete
  186. 1 million worldwide isn't unfathomable.

    ReplyDelete
  187. The 1 million subscriber number is a nightmare for Bryan fans. He's been gone for a long time and just recently came back, but yet the subscriber count went up whilst him being gone.

    ReplyDelete
  188. Extant1979 - Mr. Cable AccessJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:31 PM

    That's a false assumption, considering the 1 million subscriber number is with an international roll out. An extra couple hundred thousand subscribers worldwide shouldn't be considered a success in any way, shape or form, or even a nightmare for Bryan fans.

    ReplyDelete
  189. You're an idiot. On both counts. I was there. It was absolutely a sellout. The only tickets available for over a month were on the secondary market. 95% boos and to your Cesaro remark. I'd say easy 85% loved him. Guess philly is smark heaven or wait, no, you're just a contrarian dick smack who gets his jollies from patronizing your fellow wrestling fan. Lose the act. In fact lose the url to the blog. Idiot.

    ReplyDelete
  190. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:32 PM

    They have markets where they're drawing up from zero. I thought it was 1m domestic that was their target.

    ReplyDelete
  191. Yeah but they haven't even been out worldwide for longer than a couple months or weeks for some countries. That number will continue to climb especially around Mania season.

    ReplyDelete
  192. Extant1979 - Mr. Cable AccessJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    Exactly. It took them a couple MONTHS with an international rollout to get 250,000 international subscribers. I don't see how this goes against Daniel Bryan in any way.


    Domestically, they're still struggling to get people to sign up.

    ReplyDelete
  193. Extant1979 - Mr. Cable AccessJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:35 PM

    Two years? You expect the WWE to move that fast?!?!

    ReplyDelete
  194. ARRRRGH THE BARBARIANJanuary 27, 2015 at 1:36 PM

    Everyone that wants it will get it when it is available. We went through this with the US rollout. If the UK went nuts for this, it's possible the domestic number is down more.

    ReplyDelete

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