WWE Raw Discussion Thread

[Stevencc]

God knows, suppose it depends if Rock is fighting at Mania or not. Seen a few reports to suggest he won't be but you never know.

Reigns/HHH I'm convinced is going to happen before or at Mania, just how they get there.

Also does nobody else not really care about Chris Jericho anymore? I wasn't fussed at all when he returned.

Bit of a shame but yeah, it's just another Jericho return. They mean less than Undertaker returns at this point.

The crowd didn't seem to care.

 

[Christian Slater]

Not a bad theory, can't help but feel it'll be Triple H/Reigns for the title at Mania. If not that possibly Brock/Reigns again.

Was rumours of Cena/Taker as well.

It's quite hard to predict right now which I suppose isn't a bad thing, compared to the last two rumbles when it was pretty clear Reigns & Batista were gonna win.

I was really expecting Brock to win the Rumble and he still might. The way they've gone about it has made it more interesting though. It's unpredictable where they're heading and that's great. The only thing I'm sure of, like you, is HHH will face Reigns, only I think they'll keep the title out of it because the feud will be hot enough not to need it.

 

[Stevencc]

The Rock in Reigns corner thing does make a lot of sense when you consider how Vince and Stephanie have gone out of their way in the last three weeks or so to mention how they used and underpaid Samoan wrestlers.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Bit of a shame but yeah, it's just another Jericho return. They mean less than Undertaker returns at this point.

The crowd didn't seem to care.

From the bits I saw they didn't seem to care about anything.

 

[Christian Slater]

Jericho is the midlife crisis Dad that comes back so frequently that it's met with apathy. He comes back with the same act he did 15 years ago and you know that's all you're going to get as he only stays for a month or two.

 

[Saddlerrad]

After teasing it numerous times in the last 18 months, there is no way Rock would turn up to be in someone's corner. It will be him vs HHH/Lesnar and Reigns facing whoever he doesn't face.

 

[Christian Slater]

He is filming Baywatch around 'Mania, so his physical output will likely be limited. The way they're throwing everything behind Reigns at the minute it seems unlikely Rock would be involved with anything else.

 

[Libertine]

Cena injured. Torn rotator cuff.

 

[Baz]

More injuries brilliant stuff.

RE Raw:

Owens/Neville was a solid match. I liked the more aggressive Neville. I hope he gets a singles title run in 2016 as he's certainly consistent in the ring.

Crowd were dead for Stardust vs Titus but it seems Titus in involved in a mini push for some reason let's see where that one goes.

Enjoyed the Becky/Charlotte match. That kind of level of performance is pretty much the standard in the Divas division now thanks to them though.

Show/Ryback just encanced the strength in numbers for the Wyatt Family heading towards the Rumble.

Good tag match between LON & The Uso's. Wasn't sure if the LON would survive without Sheamus as champion but so far so good.

Slater & the Job Squad 2.0 against Dolph was a bit of fun. I like the fact they put this group together as it gives them all something to do especially when a guy like Axel is praised massively for his work backstage so maybe this is the start of good development for the four jobbers.

Y2J yep I marked out a bit haha. Never EEEEEEVVVVEEERRR Jericho in the Rumble will be fun.

6 Man tag was a good match. JBL throwing in a Gary Anderson reference haha, good old JBL. Kalisto & The Dudleyz work well together so I wonder if they'll keep those three together chasing New Day until Sin Cara is fit?

Main event was very good and played out exactly as expected. The Royal Rumble announcement just makes it all the better for Reigns as he'll get oodles of sympathy. I expect him to be named #1 entrant soon enough too.

 

[Christian Slater]

It's not nice to see people getting injured, but coming into 'Mania season this feels like justice for not building stars over the last decade. In the year they want to break the attendance record at Cowboy Stadium they are left with a few household names and Roman Reigns, they guy they've sacrificed 5-6 member of the roster to get over. They are now going to have to scramble to make the midcard players seem significant with no time to do so. If Lesnar or Reigns gets injured they will be monumentally fucked.

 

[Baz]

I don't think they're going to break the attendance record without Cena, Orton, Rollins and possibly Bryan. Sure they'll have Lesanr, Taker, Reigns, Trips and Rocky on show but I don't think it'll be enough. It's too short an amount of time to get people to the levels they'll need for WM. Flip side though it's a perfect opportunity to bring up guys like Balor & Corbin now and to get guys like Ryback, LON, and New Day to the upper mid card spotlight.

 

[Christian Slater]

Ryback and every member of LON are lost causes and wouldn't be missed if fired tomorrow. It's the likes of Ambrose, Ziggler, Owens, Neville and Wyatt that have been wallowing in midcard purgatory that have a slim chance, as long as they're booked correctly.

Losing Cena is massive. They've been telling the fans for a decade that only he matters. Even when he's not the champion he's been in the main event or has beaten the champion several times to reaffirm the pecking order. The hardcore will still watch but the casuals will tune out, as evidenced by the massive ratings decline since Cena's recent absence.

With them signing three Bullet Club members I'd rush that to be a big deal, quickly.

 

[Christian Slater]

Sasha Banks out injured.

Cena's injury could be a nine month layoff.

 

[T.A]

Best news I've heard all year.

 

[Christian Slater]

Knowing him he'll be back for the Rumble.

 

[Luke]

See Daniel Bryan has tweeted something along the lines of can WWE clear me and a link to the article about the guys coming from NJPW. If there is ever a time to get him back it's around now and get him on the Mania card with all the injuries, if we don't see him before Mania I think it's game over for him in WWE sadly.

In response to my post about the odds on the Rumble the other day, Triple H is shortening and saw he was 17/10 somewhere, wish I had got him at 11/4 now if he does win it!

That Dave Metzler fella is saying that he believes Rock still wont be wrestling at Mania due to the insurance larky mentioned in the past.

As for the Cena injury its a blow, I can't stand the character but you can't argue with his wrestling ability, just look at some of the US Open challenges last year.

 

[Baz]

Dwayne is filming around Wrestlemania time so there's very little chance of him wrestling especially after him getting injured last time.

 

[Christian Slater]

See Daniel Bryan has tweeted something along the lines of can WWE clear me and a link to the article about the guys coming from NJPW. If there is ever a time to get him back it's around now and get him on the Mania card with all the injuries, if we don't see him before Mania I think it's game over for him in WWE sadly.

In response to my post about the odds on the Rumble the other day, Triple H is shortening and saw he was 17/10 somewhere, wish I had got him at 11/4 now if he does win it!

That Dave Metzler fella is saying that he believes Rock still wont be wrestling at Mania due to the insurance larky mentioned in the past.

As for the Cena injury its a blow, I can't stand the character but you can't argue with his wrestling ability, just look at some of the US Open challenges last year.

I like to think they're doing right by Bryan in that they won't clear him until he's deemed fit enough by their doctors. Fans complain about wrestlers working through gruelling schedules and picking up long term injuries, yet they disregard that the moment it's someone they like. Can't have it both ways.

 

[Baz]

The thing with Bryan is he's been cleared by everyone other than WWE doctors which is a frustrating thing.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

I don't think they're going to break the attendance record without Cena, Orton, Rollins and possibly Bryan. Sure they'll have Lesanr, Taker, Reigns, Trips and Rocky on show but I don't think it'll be enough. It's too short an amount of time to get people to the levels they'll need for WM. Flip side though it's a perfect opportunity to bring up guys like Balor & Corbin now and to get guys like Ryback, LON, and New Day to the upper mid card spotlight.

Where is Orton?
Also on an unrelated note have they turned Lawler heel?

 

[Saddlerrad]

Where is Orton?
Also on an unrelated note have they turned Lawler heel?

Might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure he got injured, then injured again in his recovery and needs neck surgery - likely to miss most of the year. That's very vague though so take it with a huge pinch of salt. Not bothered about him anyway, he's in the Cena boring, same old, same old bracket.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Might be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure he got injured, then injured again in his recovery and needs neck surgery - likely to miss most of the year. That's very vague though so take it with a huge pinch of salt. Not bothered about him anyway, he's in the Cena boring, same old, same old bracket.

He's beyond Cena in that respect, for me he is Big Show kinda boring.

 

[Baz]

Orton had shoulder surgery in November so it is plausible he could be back for WM but it isn't looking likely. Also Orton himself has come out and said he doesn't need neck surgery so make of that what you will.

 

[Baz]

Ambrose/Sheamus wasn't too bad but the post match brawl was the best bit of it.

Stardust/Titus was pretty much a rehash of their match last week.

New Day/Usos was a solid match. Jericho breaking the Trombone though haha. Awesome reactions from Xavier.

Wyatts/Social Outcasts haha, however Ryback and Social Outcasts aligning? Errm face turn for them four?

ADR/Kalisto brilliant match, loads of twists and turns and the WWE have got their new masked superstar.

Becky beatdown of Charlotte yeah good.

Reigns/Rest well yeah Owens vs Reigns was actually pretty good. The beatdown at the end was only ever going to lead to Lesnar destroying everyone so can handle that.

 

[T.A]

I'm a bit confused with what's meant to be happening at RR.

Vince said that Reigns title will be up for the actual RR match right?? But now they're saying Brock Lesner is going to be in the RR match. Surely they're not going to have Lesner win it?? Unless someone stops him and he then ends up having a match with that superstar at WM instead.

And Reigns ends up fighting HHH??

 

[Christian Slater]

I'm a bit confused with what's meant to be happening at RR.

Vince said that Reigns title will be up for the actual RR match right?? But now they're saying Brock Lesner is going to be in the RR match. Surely they're not going to have Lesner win it?? Unless someone stops him and he then ends up having a match with that superstar at WM instead.

And Reigns ends up fighting HHH??

I'm convinced HHH will face Reigns at 'Mania, but what is there for Brock if that's the case? There's nobody worthy of facing Lesnar other than Reigns. I guess HHH vs Reigns could happen at Fastlane to set up Reigns vs Lesnar at 'Mania, although I can't see HHH not having a match at 'Mania. I have no idea who will have 'Taker either, I bet they're wishing they didn't already blow their load on HHH and Lesnar vs 'Taker matches.

 

[Baz]

I'm imagining something along the lines of Reigns vs HHH, Lesnar vs Owens and a dreaded Taker vs Strowman match. However i'd love to see them pull a massive swerve and have the Balor Club (Old Bullet Club) debut as heels and have Balor vs Taker at WM. As for other early predictions for WM, some kind of multiman match for the US Title, Ambrose vs Jericho has to happen over the IC Title too, Wyatt vs Ryback perhaps and we'll no doubt see a clusterfuck of a tag title turmoil match with the Andre Battle Royal then on the pre-show. Lots of wild guesses there though

 

[Christian Slater]

I'm imagining something along the lines of Reigns vs HHH, Lesnar vs Owens and a dreaded Taker vs Strowman match. However i'd love to see them pull a massive swerve and have the Balor Club (Old Bullet Club) debut as heels and have Balor vs Taker at WM. As for other early predictions for WM, some kind of multiman match for the US Title, Ambrose vs Jericho has to happen over the IC Title too, Wyatt vs Ryback perhaps and we'll no doubt see a clusterfuck of a tag title turmoil match with the Andre Battle Royal then on the pre-show. Lots of wild guesses there though

I thought of The Bullet Club coming in and joining with HHH but it's surely too soon to have Balor in a big match at 'Mania?

 

[T.A]

It's going to be a poor Mania at this rate. Unless they pull a few rabbits out of a hat.

Although it could make them realise they need to build current talent and not just bring back old guys etc

Could be a blessing in disguise.

 

[Luke]

WWE teasing a "major" return tonight on Raw, wonder who that will be!

I'll go with Orton or Taker.

Love it to be Bryan but can't see it.

I see Stardust has tweeted that Stardust is coming to an end, maybe the "major" star is Cody (on a serious note I hope he does drop the whole stardust nonsense)