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[Sinatar]

They don't need any more brands, Christ. I have this weird feeling they may just license Progress and call that "WWE UK"

The WWE UK initiative was started entirely to stifle the potential competition that they saw in ITV World of Sports. With WoS falling apart they've completely backed off their WWE UK plans.

Dunne & Bates will make it to the main roster eventually but that's about it.

 

[Anth0ny]

I would only be saddened by Harper on that list. I think he'll do OK elsewhere, though.

Man I hope they release Harper, he is completely wasted by this company despite being one of the best workers they have. He'd kill it in the indie scene or in NJPW.

Agreed. They don't seem to have ANY plans for him at all unless they just want to have him tag with Rowan, which will get both of them nowhere.

I remember reading that Ziggler makes a LOT... and he's been treading water for as long as I could remember. They clearly have no plans for him, he's not a draw, so I'm not following the logic here. He was a solid mid carder in like 2011 but now with guys like AJ, Owens, Nakamura, Joe, Balor and more NXT guys to come... I just don't see a place for him at all.

 

[serenewarfare]

The WWE UK initiative was started entirely to stifle the potential competition that they was in ITV World of Sports. With WoS falling apart they've completely backed off their WWE UK plans.

Dunne & Bates will make it to the main roster eventually but that's about it.

It wasn't though. Back when it was first announced, Meltzer mentioned in a Newsletter (forget which one specifically), that the U.K. brand was an idea Triple H had been lobbying for backstage for a while. The ITV stuff gave him the political reasoning to talk Vince into funding it.

 

[Egg0]

Remember when Ellsworth was a jobber that got destroyed by Braun?

Now he's weirdly over and has a pretty safe/secure spot on the roster.

 

[Anth0ny]

Remember when Ellsworth was a jobber that got destroyed by Braun?

Now he's weirdly over and has a pretty safe/secure spot on the roster.

It's a legitimately great story. Dude's living his dream against all odds.

 

[serenewarfare]

The only real cuts I could see soon are on the women's side of things to make room for MYC competitors like Storm and whatever other women they keep.

 

[Foggy]

Oh lord there were MULTIPLE bearhugs in the Nak/Corbin match? Have mercy.

 

[Dental Plan]

James Ellsworth had one of the best WWE storylines from last year. People were going insane when he almost won the WWE Championship from AJ.

Super happy for him. Truly living the dream.

 

[FlammableD]

Nope, the closest might be the people that run Progress wrestling, but it is kinda hard to find a worst promotion and a man as despicable as Vince.

EVE are a lovely lot if you're a lefty feminist.

 

[The Elite]

They should move Enzo to Smackdown and have him, Carmella and Ellsworth work a program together.

 

[serenewarfare]

I also think some NXT TV spots will open up soon, because I'm pretty sure the Iconic Duo is coming up soon.

 

[Dental Plan]

They should move Enzo to Smackdown and have him, Carmella and Ellsworth work a program together.

That sounds fun.

 

[The Elite]

That sounds fun.

So it won't happen.

Also, Raw should technically owe Smackdown a superstar for Jason Jordan. It would make sense that they have to send someone over.

They don't even fucking explain it. Jason Jordan's now on RAW just cause Angle is his dad.

ok.

 

[slightconfuse]

WWE Rasin Brand

 

[excelsiorlef]

Why is it crazy for people to have baseless beliefs without any first hand knowledge or confirmation?

Huh?

A) I was talking about the change happening literally mid match to be crazy

B) They based it on information given to them.

I fully believe it because that ending was fucking weird and it's more believeable than AJ forgot to kick out

 

[Reneledarker]

EVE are a lovely lot if you're a lefty feminist.

Oh, nice!!! They even have an on demand system, really going to watch them after the G1 is over, I really like supporting companies like that.

Thanks!!!

 

[Draxal]

Ciampa is the best kayfabe heel on twitter.

The only real cuts I could see soon are on the women's side of things to make room for MYC competitors like Storm and whatever other women they keep.

Only cut I really see, is Summer Rae (when's the last time she's on TV?). The womens rosters are rather shallow and even though I don't like some of the wrestlers (Main Roster I don't like Tamina/Nia on the main roster and I'm lukewarm on the iconic duo and Liv Morgan ------ really down on Aliyaah; but like Ruby/Ember/Nikki Cross/Asuka ), so I could see them being signed without affecting but Summer.

 

[Angry Grimace]

The only real cuts I could see soon are on the women's side of things to make room for MYC competitors like Storm and whatever other women they keep.

Storm is under contract with Stardom for a while, I think. (like months, not years, and I would be highly, highly surprised if she isn't signed after that)

 

[excelsiorlef]

The only thing I can guess is Vince trying to stop the leaks of results looking credible all of the time, or Jericho literally called up him and said "I can be on SD on Tuesday" like 5 minutes prior.

My guess is absolutely that.

That Jericho decided he's good to come back and they only found out while AJ and Owens were out there

 

[Anth0ny]

Currently editing the #5years bible (or, for non believers, a long ass article on why I believe WWE will be a shell of its current self in 5 years). I'll post it once the August thread goes live.

 

[Jamie OD]

Predictions for releases:

Ziggler
Harper
Primo and Epico
Curt Hawkins
Heath Slater
Sin Cara
Emma
Summer Rae
a bunch of cruiserweights


For reference, last year's releases:

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstars Damien Sandow, King Barrett, Santino Marella, Cameron, Hornswoggle, Alex Riley, El Torito and Zeb Colter as of Friday, May 6, 2016.

If there are going to be releases it will be of developmental talent most of whom never made it to NXT TV outside of squash matches.

 

[excelsiorlef]

It came to me this morning in the shower that I could list the top 20 wrestling matches this year and not a single one would be from WWE. I don’t think there’s ever been a year where there wasn’t at least one WWE match in the top 10, let alone the top 20, but here we are.

• Takahashi vs Kushida WK11
  Goto vs Shibata WK11
  Naito vs Tanahashi WK11
  Omega vs Okada 1 WK11
  
  Okada vs Suzuki New Beginning in Sapporo
  Naito vs Elgin New Beginning in Osaka
  
  Okada vs Tiger Mask W NJPW 45th Anniversary Show
  
  Ishii vs Omega New Japan Cup
  
  Okada vs Shibata Sakura Genesis
  
  Omega vs Ishii Wrestling Dontaku
  
  Kushida vs Ospreay Best of the Super Juniors
  
  Kushida vs Takahashi Dominion
  Tanahashi vs Naito Dominion
  Okada vs Omega 2 Dominion
  
  Omega vs Elgin G1 in USA
  Omega vs Ishii G1 in USA
  
  Naito vs Ibushi G1 Night 1
  
  Omega vs Suzuki G1 Night 2
  
  Okada vs Elgin G1 Night 4
  
  Ibushi vs Ishii G1 Night 5

Bolded are my top 3 favorite matches of the year so far.

Keep in mind I am not caught up on the G1 (just finished night 5), and I haven’t watched every minute of every show so I bet I’m missing something here, but I promise you, to anyone who’s curious about New Japan, you legitimately can’t go wrong with any of the matches on this list. They’re all incredible and range from 4 to 6.25 stars on the Meltzer scale.

I also strongly believe that if these are the matches that are deserving of 4 stars, then nothing I’ve seen on main roster WWE in the last year is deserving of 4 stars.

I implore you to watch Naito vs Tanahashi from WK11, a match rated 4.5 stars, then watch Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns from the Royal Rumble this year. Remember that match? It was also rated 4.5 stars. Tell me if you think there’s a difference in match quality there. It is blatantly clear that Meltzer rates on a curve when it comes to WWE, because if you watch those New Japan matches I listed above, you’ll agree that no one on the WWE roster deserves 4 stars for their formulaic, repetitive, boring ass matches, let alone Roman fucking Reigns.

Impressive instead of pointing out, accurately, that NJPW is having a year like no other company as ever had and celebrate that you used it to shit on Roman Reigns and WWE.

 

[TarpitCarnivore]

I don't see how spinning up more and more brands is good for WWE. I understand that the niche brands could run "on their own" and be better creatively than RAW, but lets not fully kid ourselves into thinking that will happen for sure.

 

[Draxal]

Predictions for releases:

Ziggler
Harper
Primo and Epico
Curt Hawkins
Heath Slater
Sin Cara
Emma
Summer Rae
a bunch of cruiserweights


For reference, last year's releases:

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstars Damien Sandow, King Barrett, Santino Marella, Cameron, Hornswoggle, Alex Riley, El Torito and Zeb Colter as of Friday, May 6, 2016.

Hawkins does his job well (remember house shows exist); and Slaters over in the role he has.

I don't see how spinning up more and more brands is good for WWE. I understand that the niche brands could run "on their own" and be better creatively than RAW, but lets not fully kid ourselves into thinking that will happen for sure.

Its all about the network (and getting other countries onto it.

 

[Zach]

Didn't get the latest job I interviewed for. So that's now approximately £400 I don't have spent on train travel across multiple occasions, a bunch of time travelling the entire length of the country and pissing off my workplace before I go, all for nothing.

So, I start my Great Scottish Adventure™ as an unemployed bum, lodging a spare room at my future in-laws' house with no immediate prospects.

I will hire you, Menome.

 

[Barrage]

Impressive instead of pointing out, accurately, that NJPW us having a year like no other company as ever had and celebrate that you used it to shit on Roman Reigns and WWE

Agreed. The WWE potshot cheapens the praise that NJPW rightly deserves.

(And TBH Cena/Styles at the Rumble is in my Top 3 for matches this year still).

 

[Anth0ny]

Impressive instead of pointing out, accurately, that NJPW is having a year like no other company as ever had and celebrate that you used it to shit on Roman Reigns and WWE.

That's how I roll excelspreadsheet

 

[Sweeney Tom]

Told ya

95% of what I'll always believe (definitely don't agree with Dave considering him a pro, but meh, he probably thinks Shibata'll be back too. Can't be 100% perfect)

Currently editing the #5years bible (or, for non believers, a long ass article on why I believe WWE will be a shell of its current self in 5 years). I'll post it once the August thread goes live.

This can, and will be, 100% perfect. Pre-emptively giving it minimum #5Stars

 

[serenewarfare]

Storm is under contract with Stardom for a while, I think. (like months, not years, and I would be highly, highly surprised if she isn't signed after that)

Her contract expires in October. It's a near certainty she signs after that.

 

[Sweeney Tom]

*highfives Anth0ny*

 

[Anth0ny]

*highfives Anth0ny*

 

[Professor Beef]

so who is the fat walrus between you two? *heel laughter*

 

[Sweeney Tom]

Follow

the drumsticks

 

[excelsiorlef]

That's how I roll excelspreadsheet

It's boring, like really really boring and makes you a piss poor ambassador for what is legitimately the best wrestling company in the world right now.


That you can find something so positive and craft a negative fuck you WWE/Roman Reigns narrative out of it is frankly sad. I feel bad for you.

 

[Hasney]

I heard fuck you WWE/Roman. I too, think that.

 

[excelsiorlef]

Told ya

95% of what I'll always believe (definitely don't agree with Dave considering him a pro, but meh, he probably thinks Shibata'll be back too. Can't be 100% perfect)

Did you forget to log into your alt? ;P

Also being a pro in the ring and a bigot are not incompatible

Also Meltzer contradicted that in the podcast that came after this.

 

[Hasney]

Unless the context is sexual intercourse, then no thank you.

 

[serenewarfare]

If some of you guys spent the time you spend hate-watching WWE instead watching stuff like Progress or PWG or Highspots or Evolve or New Japan or All Japan or CMLL or any of the other great wrestling options out there nowadays, I feel like you would be much happier people.

Instead you just seem willingly miserable.

 

[excelsiorlef]

If some of you guys spent the time you spend hate-watching WWE instead watching stuff like Progress or PWG or Highspots or Evolve or New Japan or All Japan or CMLL or any of the other great wrestling options out there nowadays, I feel like you would be much happier people.

Instead you just seem willingly miserable.

And in turn want to inflict said misery on everyone who WWE doesn't make miserable

 

[Sweeney Tom]

I heard fuck you WWE/Roman. I too, think that.

Unless the context is sexual intercourse, then no thank you.

smh

I'd fuck the Big Dog

Spoiler

filth

, The Retirer of The Undertaker, Roman Reigns

 

[Heroman]

Remember

 

[Beefy]

And in turn want to inflict said misery on everyone who WWE doesn't make miserable

But NJPW tho....

 

[Sweeney Tom]

It came to me this morning in the shower that I could list the top 20 wrestling matches this year and not a single one would be from WWE. I don’t think there’s ever been a year where there wasn’t at least one WWE match in the top 10, let alone the top 20, but here we are.

• Takahashi vs Kushida WK11
  Goto vs Shibata WK11
  Naito vs Tanahashi WK11
  Omega vs Okada 1 WK11
  
  Okada vs Suzuki New Beginning in Sapporo
  Naito vs Elgin New Beginning in Osaka
  
  Okada vs Tiger Mask W NJPW 45th Anniversary Show
  
  Ishii vs Omega New Japan Cup
  
  Okada vs Shibata Sakura Genesis
  
  Omega vs Ishii Wrestling Dontaku
  
  Kushida vs Ospreay Best of the Super Juniors
  
  Kushida vs Takahashi Dominion
  Tanahashi vs Naito Dominion
  Okada vs Omega 2 Dominion
  
  Omega vs Elgin G1 in USA
  Omega vs Ishii G1 in USA
  
  Naito vs Ibushi G1 Night 1
  
  Omega vs Suzuki G1 Night 2
  
  Okada vs Elgin G1 Night 4
  
  Ibushi vs Ishii G1 Night 5

Bolded are my top 3 favorite matches of the year so far.

Keep in mind I am not caught up on the G1 (just finished night 5), and I haven’t watched every minute of every show so I bet I’m missing something here, but I promise you, to anyone who’s curious about New Japan, you legitimately can’t go wrong with any of the matches on this list. They’re all incredible and range from 4 to 6.25 stars on the Meltzer scale.

I also strongly believe that if these are the matches that are deserving of 4 stars, then nothing I’ve seen on main roster WWE in the last year is deserving of 4 stars.

I implore you to watch Naito vs Tanahashi from WK11, a match rated 4.5 stars, then watch Kevin Owens vs Roman Reigns from the Royal Rumble this year. Remember that match? It was also rated 4.5 stars. Tell me if you think there’s a difference in match quality there. It is blatantly clear that Meltzer rates on a curve when it comes to WWE, because if you watch those New Japan matches I listed above, you’ll agree that no one on the WWE roster deserves 4 stars for their formulaic, repetitive, boring ass matches, let alone Roman fucking Reigns.

Post of the year, decade, millenium

 

[dream]

There was a story 7/17 when GFW had meetings in Nashville and WWE had Raw in the city and some GFW people and WWE people ended up at the same bar later that night. Karen Jarrett came up to Strowman. The belief is that Strowman had no idea who she was, even though it’s not like there are that many woman wrestling fans who look like her. Karen said to him that he was one of her son’s favorite wrestlers and asked for an autograph for her son. I’m not sure what got into Strowman but he was rude, and may have sworn at her (the version I heard had it but that’s from someone far enough away that they didn’t hear the verbiage of what started it but was told he did, but everyone there saw what happened next). It turned into a scene at the bar because Karen immediately cut a major loud promo on him for blowing her off. While she was going off on him, she said how she was going to tell her son’s father about this incident, and her son’s father is Kurt Angle. Strowman did an about face, said he’d sign the autograph and begged her not to tell Kurt or anyone and said he was so sorry. She said she was telling Kurt. He said he’d get on his knees and beg her not to tell Kurt. She said she was still telling him. He did get on his knees in front of a lot of wrestlers from WWE and begged her not to, and she basically said something like now you’re acting like that because you found out that Kurt Angle is the father of her son, but even if he wasn’t, he should have never acted like that to a mother who asked for an autograph for her son, even if it was just another wrestling fan. He did say that’s true and he was sorry. Of course this story will be denied all week by everyone involved

RIP Braun. Begging on his knees. My god.

 

[Brian_FETO]

WWE is a great product you should feel good about

Storylines that make sense

Embracing what performers are good at to let them shine

An overall effort to make the fans happy

 

[excelsiorlef]

Post of the year, decade, millenium

Again why not celebrate NJPW instead of making NJPW's incredible year be about just another fuck Roman Reigns moment

 

[Professor Beef]

If some of you guys spent the time you spend hate-watching WWE instead watching stuff like Progress or PWG or Highspots or Evolve or New Japan or All Japan or CMLL or any of the other great wrestling options out there nowadays, I feel like you would be much happier people.

Instead you just seem willingly miserable.

it's glorified shitposting at this point

 

[Data West]

Because the world is buzzing about Roman Reigns

you guys got any photos of roman at njpw shows? 🤔

 

[Angry Grimace]

LOL @ Strongman fucking up in front of Angle's ex-wife.

She should have told him when he left "'I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU!"

 

[Anth0ny]

It's boring, like really really boring and makes you a piss poor ambassador for what is legitimately the best wrestling company in the world right now.


That you can find something so positive and craft a negative fuck you WWE/Roman Reigns narrative out of it is frankly sad. I feel bad for you.

if the comparison isn't made, people would ignore it


the comparison is the draw


the comparison is why we're still talking about it!


Also, don't cry for me, I'm already dead.