The PPV Discussion Thread

[RavenBish]

NXT have all taping done up until April already so they couldn't do that. I think they'll debut him or Balor on Raw - probably Neville and then use a few vignettes and stuff to hype Balor.

 

[Oaf]

Hm, Jericho seems to totally be in agreement with everything I've said regarding Roman Reigns... especially with the bit about his fastlane match with Bryan:

"Look, like I've said before, if you're going to give someone a shot, give them a shot. There've been tons of guys who when they've been put in the main event at WrestleMania might not have been quote unquote ready. Who's to say who's ready and who's not? Let's see how the crowd reacts when they get there. But all I know is that Roman Reigns was everybody's favorite guy until the Royal Rumble. And then everyone turned on Roman Reigns. It's so funny how two days before, and the year before, everybody loved Roman Reigns. Everybody. All the fans did. And don't tell me that you didn't because they were all saying "Roman Reigns, Roman Reigns, Roman Reigns...what? Daniel Bryan didn't win the Royal Rumble? We hate Roman Reigns! Boo!" And meanwhile, ever since then - I mean, we did house shows in Calgary and Edmonton and it was like Beatlemania. They were going nuts for him. And that was a week after the Royal Rumble. So I think that he is ready, as much as anyone can be ready in this day and age. So let's see how it goes. I mean the match he had with Daniel Bryan at Fastlane was incredible. And you can't tell me that it was all because of Daniel Bryan. Really? Because I always heard in the business that it takes two. And I think I've proven myself to be a fairly decent worker, so if I'm telling you it takes two, I think every fan should shut the hell up and listen to what I'm saying. He did a great job of living up to his end of the bargain and he'll do the same thing at WrestleMania. They will leave no stone unturned to make that a great match. They will get all the benefits. All the bells and whistles. And as long as they can hold it together, I think it's going to be great."

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

that probably does a lot more damage to him than good though OAF.....people in wrestling really really need to stop saying to give him a chance and back him etc, etc.

considering the big rifts at present the last few years is because WWE tell their fans who to support having people coming out right now asking fans to give people a chance, back them etc, etc is only going to add fuel to the fire.

its easier to let the guy win fans over himself.............the Rock did that, Austin did that, Booker T did that in WWE, Bully Ray did it in TNA etc, etc at some point if he is the right guy he'll find a gimmick, it will work and he'll get over.

you cannot just tell fans it'll be a great match......they either anticipate it will be beforehand due to the build or else it wins them over on the day.

reading his very cocky, arrogant type attacks on fans in interviews at present he maybe needs to go heel, then turn face.

 

[Oaf]

The thing with this whole situation is that I know I've personally wanted to see this sort of thing happen for years... how long has it been since a guy who'd never held the title won the rumble and then got their first big title win in the main event at Wrestlemania. Batista at WM 21 from what I can remember... that'll be nearly a decade. But prior to that you had Benoit, Austin and HBK in the 8 years between WM 12-20. I always love that approach and to me, it's one of the best ways to bring a superstar to that next level.

Money in the Bank kind of killed that because that seems to be the foot in the door most of the time now, which is a shame. So it's amazing to see them finally take this route...

As for Reigns being the guy to do it... I'm not that against it, honestly. Like Jericho said, before the Rumble Reigns was pretty fucking over. And as much as people like to say otherwise, overness is usually a heck of a lot more important than in ring skills. It's only the (HORRIFIC) way the rumble was booked that really got people against him.

I'd say the biggest issues for Reigns hatred are:

1) While It sounds odd, I'd say that a problem is that it seems like Reigns is too much of a natural star, so much so that it was always obvious from when the Shield first showed up that he was a guy who had a hell of a shot of making it big. He's got that "it factor", as they call it... he's got the look, and he's got that quick explosive style WWE love their top faces to have... and simply knowing that WWE were always bound to push him made would have turned some against him.

2) At at the same time that WWE are trying to push this obvious candidate, we're just enterting into an exciting age where WWE are really starting to sign up big names from the indys again. Reigns is yet another "WWE made superstar". People are going to hold that against Reigns, they want to see the people who they've been behind for years get this spot, not Reigns (even if they did like him prior to the rumble).

3) Fear of repetition... over the last decade, Cena has been the guy who's been shoved down peoples throats. People are instantly assuming Reigns will be the next guy to do that and turning on him before he can do so.

So yeah, I do agree that, perhaps, waiting a year or two may have been smarter. They have probably rushed it with Reigns, and it's bit them in the ass as a result. Reigns always had this aura about him where it felt like he was going to be pushed... but his career thus far has been part of a 3 man team (while awesome, it's always hard to stand out as an individual) and then pretty much been injured... and then come straight into this spot on the card. Being "the man" is pretty much Reigns only run as a singles wrestler so far. As you say Dave, they should have let him win people over first...

And the real shame is, I reckon Reigns could totally have won people over if he was given the chance. Reigns has that rare talent of being able to really get a crowd fired up. He's got an explosiveness that's actually fun as hell to watch when he gets going. My biggest concern when he won the rumble wasn't that he was taking the spot at WM, it was that they had effectively killed his career before it got a chance to go.

Turning heel does have such potential to fix this mistake, though. Let him draw major heat (because right now, he's going to do it anyway... it may as well be intentional!), give him time to actually win people over and get them backing him, relaunch him as a face and... well. Sky's the limit for the guy, really.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

It was just his interviews are enjoyable to read at the moment as he puts in a lot of very arrogant digs at the Wrestling fans complaining at him......and I do not mind that as its character and that is what ends up getting a wrestler over.

but Reigns seems to be the Rock all over again, WWE putting foot in it by knowing he's the right person but dictating exactly how fans should view him which backfires big time when they don't accept it, which Rock luckily was able to turn around 2 years later by going heel and bringing his own approach to it.

Have him win clean, get on the mic at mania and just run a huge heel promo slagging off the fans in the arena and at home for doubting his ability............WWE rather than trying to contain the boo's that will happen at a Reigns win should be planning in my view to accept and use that and feed off it.

Then have him either completely destroy Lesnar with a chair or weapon of some kind and go on an even bigger rant the following night at Raw.

He seems to have character which is the big part, I see that or read that in his nterviews, but they seem to be thriving as a heel character so for me its where they should turn.

 

[Oaf]

Yeah, I don't really see any way out of it other than to turn him heel at some point soon really. Surely they don't want another Cena style face where they get absolutely shat on by fans week in week out. He's not Cena... Cena can deal with that shit. Not sure if Reigns can...

As much as they fail to see it, this is the world they live in now... push somebody too hard and you get the exact opposite reaction to the one they want.

 

[Oaf]

YES!

WWE have just announced that on Thursday at Axxess there will be an NXT tournament with the winner getting a spot in the Andre the Giant battle royale at WM. I'm not actually going to the Thursday one (gutting as that'd have been awesome!), but that's still pretty cool news. Wouldn't it be great if that person won the actual match at WM...? Be a hell of a debut...

Also, while WWE usually announce the Axxess superstar schedules well in advance (was announced over a month in advance last year) they've STILL not announced who's going to be at what session this year, with less than a week to go. Which is pretty fucking shit. However... tweets are starting to come in from WWE superstars about when they'll be there. Well, two people have done it... but they both happen to be in my sessions! Stardust will be at my Saturday evening one and... Jim Duggan on Sunday morning. Be pretty cool to meet Cody, at least...

 

[Oaf]

Well, I'm fucking off to Heathrow tomorrow for my flight on Tuesday. Don't know if I'll get a chance to come on here before I leave, but yeah, holy shit, this is really happening. All along it's felt like something that's just too big/too surreal to be reality... but with my bags pretty much packed, it's FINALLY starting to sink in.

NQDP... are you also EXCITE?! You're flying Tuesday as well, right?

This is crazy shit man.

 

[Techno Natch]

Have fun mate.

 

[White Army]

Very jealous, have a good one.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

While I'm personally not bothered if Mania is good or not I do hope it ends up a good un for you guys because its your once in a lifetime experience and I can understand how hyped you are as I was like that with mania back in the early 90's and early 00's.....but I wasn't insane enough to spend that money on it.

to be honest I think you'll get a very good Mania, I think WWE's big problems will come June time when their lack of building hurts their product and of course the network subscriptions die a death when the mania surge leave......but it is mania so WWE up their game, the wrestlers up their game and the fans up their game.....it is hard to have a poor Mania so I expect it'll deliver.

Enjoy

 

[Luke]

Hope you both have a good trip.

Don't think it is going to be a terrible Mania but don't think its going to be a brilliant one, you never know though!

Looking forward to the IC title match the most at this moment in time.

 

[This Charming Mike]

Have a great trip lads. Insanely jealous of you both, hope I get to do a similar thing one day.

 

[NiallQuinnDiscoPants]

Well, I'm fucking off to Heathrow tomorrow for my flight on Tuesday. Don't know if I'll get a chance to come on here before I leave, but yeah, holy shit, this is really happening. All along it's felt like something that's just too big/too surreal to be reality... but with my bags pretty much packed, it's FINALLY starting to sink in.

NQDP... are you also EXCITE?! You're flying Tuesday as well, right?

This is crazy shit man.

Im flying tomorrow morning man, from manchester to philly, then from philly to san francisco. just checked in now online.

can't believe it's here. fuck the crappy build to mania, i'm super psyched!

Plus, i've been told that on the Axxess session i'm going to, there's going to be an NXT Tournament! Bloody ace!

 

[Saddlerrad]

Have fun lads!

 

[RavenBish]

Well, I'm fucking off to Heathrow tomorrow for my flight on Tuesday. Don't know if I'll get a chance to come on here before I leave, but yeah, holy shit, this is really happening. All along it's felt like something that's just too big/too surreal to be reality... but with my bags pretty much packed, it's FINALLY starting to sink in.

Hi Oaf, don't know if you've gone yet but have fun brother

Oh and Mr Disco Pants too, must have completely missed him saying he was going.

 

[T.A]

So it's ER on Sunday and we have:

Cesaro/Kidd v new day (tag title)
Cena v Rusev (U.S. Title)
Bryan v BNB ( IC title)
Harper v Ambrose
Big Slow v Reigns
Sheamus v Ziggler
Rollins v Orton

I presume there's a diva match of some sort too?

Thoughts? Looks a decent card apart from Show and Reigns.

 

[Oaf]

HOW DOES BIG SHOW KEEP GETTING PPV/MAIN EVENT/IMPORTANT MATCHES!?

It's not even annoying anymore. It's just a joke. Fucking last man standing match, where surely, Bray is going to come out and cost Reigns the match so that Wyatt can fued with Reigns talking all the big talk and then go on to lose to him a bunch of times... and then act as if that didn't happen, start picking on somebody else as if he didn't just say a whole bunch of shit and then get shut the fuck up and start the cycle again. As is the Bray Wyatt way.

OR.

How about, they actually let Bray Wyatt BACK HIS SHIT UP for once? Reigns is fucked, the crowd won't be won over on him until he turns heel now. So let Reigns FINALLY be the guy that Wyatt breaks. Let Wyatt be the reason for Reigns heel turn. Stop Wyatt from looking like a total mug again, FFS.

 

[Libertine]

HOW DOES BIG SHOW KEEP GETTING PPV/MAIN EVENT/IMPORTANT MATCHES!?

It's not even annoying anymore. It's just a joke. Fucking last man standing match, where surely, Bray is going to come out and cost Reigns the match so that Wyatt can fued with Reigns talking all the big talk and then go on to lose to him a bunch of times... and then act as if that didn't happen, start picking on somebody else as if he didn't just say a whole bunch of shit and then get shut the fuck up and start the cycle again. As is the Bray Wyatt way.

OR.

How about, they actually let Bray Wyatt BACK HIS SHIT UP for once? Reigns is fucked, the crowd won't be won over on him until he turns heel now. So let Reigns FINALLY be the guy that Wyatt breaks. Let Wyatt be the reason for Reigns heel turn. Stop Wyatt from looking like a total mug again, FFS.

Apparently Wyatt is actually scheduled to feud with

Spoiler

THE BIG GUY.

And Reigns with..... Kane.

 

[Oaf]

SHOW THEN KANE?!

FUCK RIGHT OFF.

I guess I see the logic... "oooh, people hate Reigns but they hate Show and Kane more. Match him against them and he'll be the face at last!"

Fuck that. Turn Reigns heel by taking out Cena. INSTA-REVERSAL of crowd reactions.

 

[Libertine]

SHOW THEN KANE?!

FUCK RIGHT OFF.

I guess I see the logic... "oooh, people hate Reigns but they hate Show and Kane more. Match him against them and he'll be the face at last!"

Fuck that. Turn Reigns heel by taking out Cena. INSTA-REVERSAL of crowd reactions.

I always said if he'd have been going against Cena for the title the same people booing him would've been right behind him.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Kane is turning face anyway and putting his mask back on. Starting by attempting to cost Rollins the title this Sunday. I saw on another forum the other day how he'd worked himself back up and looked ripped at Raw in London last week. Expect to see him have his final run with the mask this year.

 

[RavenBish]

Gimmick matches = terrible matches.

 

[White Army]

Kane trying to cost rollins the title will not make him face

 

[Leewilson]

To be fair, if Kane hits a tombstone with the mask on, all is forgiven.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Kane trying to cost rollins the title will not make him face

Just leaving/betraying the authority will have him turn face in the companies mind. Kane can't turn heel or face ever again, simply because nobody gives a turd.

 

[mase]

Kiss me arse match
Russian chain match


Sigh.

 

[NiallQuinnDiscoPants]

my take on Extreme Rules is....

Wyatt costs somebody a match, but that somebody is Randy Orton. Wyatt will interfer in the Orton v Rollins title match, cost Orton the title and then go on a 2-3 month feud with Orton. That will then leave Rollins free to have that feud with Reigns for the title through to Summerslam, until Lesnar comes back and they make a Triple Threat for the belt between Reigns, Rollins & Lesnar.

You might even get Kane get a brief PPV title match against Rollins after Extreme Rules, then he get "injured" and written off tv until he has his retirement match at Mania next year against Taker.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I guess this PPV is where WWE will as usual completely bury their new Champion before he even begins like they usually do.

Make Orton look strong, make Rollins look a complete mug, then have him win in their usual cheap tacky heel way.

why they do that way I never know when its been shown clearly by Lesnar building a strong champion does get them over strongly.

mind haha I did love a comment I read earlier in week saying had Rollins got the sleeper hold banned for this match Orton would lose 75% of his offence.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Extreme Rules tonight, anybody planning on giving it a watch?