CM Punk & Wrestling's Best Storyline in Years...

[battlecatmeowstab212]

And in typical WWE fashon, they did fuckall with it.

Well, not to speak ill of the recently deceased, but O'Haire's demons are apparently what lead to nothing really coming of it. His personal problems reportedly made it so he couldn't perform the character live, which lead to him having to be teamed with Piper, and then when Piper got fired for appearing in a Showtime documentary condemning wrestling, O'Haire was given nothing which made his problems even worse.

It's an absolute shame, but I wouldn't solely blame the WWE for that one.

I do think their early 2003 vignettes were among the best they've ever had. From the talking heads leading up to the Royal Rumble, to Mania 19's video packages making it look like Booker T had any sort of chance to win (in a feud he really should have gone over in) to even making the arrival of Nathan Jones of all people highly anticipated:

[battlecatmeowstab212]

From Adam Pierce:

Quick story:

In 1999, I was in Atlanta, Georgia for my first tryout with WCW. What no one knew was that I went into it with a decimated left shoulder (I had partial reconstructive surgery the following year, which explains the big scar that I wear to this day). I really shouldn't have even been there with the injury.

As part of my evaluation, I was tasked by Paul Orndorff and company with wrestling opposite Sean O'Haire in an amateur-style match. As we were set to begin, I secretly said to him, "Please watch my left shoulder, it's gone."

With everyone watching, he didn't say a word. He simply looked me in the eye, and nodded a subtle "yes" in response.

We had our "match", which I put in quotes because at any point he could've yanked on my arm and exposed me, which would've showed everyone that I was hurt. If he chose to he could've easily embarrassed me physically. He didn't.

Instead, he worked with me. He took care of me, never touching my left arm, and really served to help me look better than I should have. And even though I ended up not signing WCW's contract, I have never ever forgotten what he did.

Godspeed, Sean O'Haire. Thank you again, and rest in peace.

[Brougham33]

^^^^^
What do you mean? The indie allstars/rookies on NXT? Total Divas? Network stuff like low PPV buys changing the programming?

I mean industry-wide.

The Punk, Del Rio and looming Rey lawsuits might change the way the company does business going forward.

WWE figuring out what to do with elevating new stars and the old guard and part timers slowly leaving.

Wrestling entering other mediums of television like "Total Divas" on E! and that upcoming AMC show on Resistance Pro.

Ring of Honor both having Jay Briscoe with their world title Saturday out of nowhere (with rumors about regarding everything from then-champion Michael Elgin's attitude to his work Visa) and it happening two days before the announcement that their weekly show is moving into syndication, starting in Atlanta. With ROH also making a more-successful-than-predicted jump into the terrestrial pay-per-view market this year already, along with their partnership with New Japan, things are going to get interesting going forward, especially considering how they've assembled the greatest tag team division of any promotion on the planet in probably a decade.

Chikara's full return with King of Trios and the influx of talent that have been exiled from other promotions who could get a perfect rebirth here.

New Japan and Konnan's Mexican-American promotion's on-going negotiations to get on American television, with the shadow of Jarrett's Global Force Wrestling not too far behind.

PWG being caught in the middle of all this possibly having to deal with all the indie promotions having to change their contracts to keep their talent from appearing on their shows (Elgin taking a loss while ROH Champion apparently ruffled some feathers there).

And the unclear future TNA taking an entirely different story every week while their weekly television show is already in the can months in advance as we move toward their biggest show of the year inexplicably happening in Japan as a joint-venture with Great Muta's Wrestle-1.

I feel like these are the tremors before a huge landscape shift. Post-Wrestlemania, the industry as a whole could look a lot different.

Interesting stuff indeed, figured this should be on this page as well.

[907]

I've been watching a bunch of New Generation era WWF on the network recently, I had forgotten just how amazing these two were any time they worked together.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

So, here's the card for Sunday's Night of Champions -

* Mark Henry vs. Rusev
* Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton
* Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins
* WWE Tag Team Title Match: The Usos {C} vs. Goldust and Stardust
* WWE Divas Title Match: Paige {C} vs. AJ Lee vs. Nikki Bella
* WWE US Title Match: Sheamus {C} vs. Cesaro
* WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Dolph Ziggler {C} vs. The Miz
* WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: Brock Lesnar {C} vs. John Cena

On paper, that looks pretty great and there are definitely some matches that could surprise us. Anyone feel a bit like, for a card that's that stacked, the build hasn't made it feel like such a huge show?

[Req]

IMOz

* Mark Henry vs. Rusev
* Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton
* Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins (by DQ)
* WWE Tag Team Title Match: The Usos {C} vs. Goldust and Stardust
* WWE Divas Title Match: Paige {C} vs. AJ Lee vs. Nikki Bella
* WWE US Title Match: Sheamus {C} vs. Cesaro
* WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Dolph Ziggler {C} vs. The Miz
* WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: Brock Lesnar {C} vs. John Cena

[Brougham33]

The build has been weak. I'm still looking forward to the PPV, but the RAWs have been undefendable. I was hoping with all the time they had between SS and NOC, they'd do some interesting things with the midcard, instead they're running the clock out like a desperate team in the 4th. We are getting Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins...and they've done nothing to make anyone care.

[mike eagle]

there's no heat at all outside of the main event. zero heat for any of the programs.

[BigCat8]

Haven't been paying a ton of attention lately, but R-Ziggler is pretty much my favorite thing ever.

[ThaJim2]

NXT Takeover part 2 was awesome. They need to get Bayley on the main roster already she will be the most over Diva ever. At a house show a couple of weeks ago this little girl balled her eyes out for like 20 minutes when she lost to Flair and every other little kid either had her shirt or a sign for her including boys. Mainevent was really good but have seen some of the spots in the last 2 house shows I been too.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Haven't been paying a ton of attention lately, but R-Ziggler is pretty much my favorite thing ever.

R-Ziggler is a great reason why people should be watching Smackdown.

The other was Triple H channeling his...well...you'll see (watch this through the end)

[907]

Another pretty lackluster Raw. The whole show felt disjointed, why do the Cena/Lesnar/Heyman stuff so early, and have a Rusev/Henry segment in the main event? Why the fuck did they have Rollins vs. Reigns end clean like that, when they're having the exact same match with no added stipulations at the PPV on Sunday? I can't come up with one reason why either of those was a good idea.

[Kalel]

Does anyone have any insight into the writing situation on Raw? I've heard rumors that there are up to 30 writers for the show.

[GUCCI CONDOMS]

rollins/ambrose program > rollins/reigns program

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Probably the best Raw this month though. I thought the triple tag team match was excellent and got me excited for both of its respective matches on Sunday. That and the Truth&Ziggler vs. Miz&Sandow match and the Bo Dallas vs. Jack Swagger match (althought that should be on PPV as there's been a month of build to their feud) were excellent.

[blastmaster]

Raw is unwatchable right now when compared to NXT. The announcing is so different which is strange bc Cole is the producer.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

While we're on the subject, what's been everyone's favorite NXT commentary team?

[Sylissez]

While we're on the subject, what's been everyone's favorite NXT commentary team?

Have they done Renee, Regal and Albert? If so, that. I find Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton to be completely interchangeable, in that I honestly can't distinguish one from the other. One of them says "OH!" a lot, and I think maybe Saxton works heelish sometimes? Alex Riley is very bad. And as much as I enjoy Renee as an interviewer, I feel she's most comfortable and at her best working with someone experienced like Regal. Takeover II was pretty brutal commentary wise.

[ObeseJesus]

Another pretty lackluster Raw. The whole show felt disjointed, why do the Cena/Lesnar/Heyman stuff so early, and have a Rusev/Henry segment in the main event?

It was an awful idea but they put the "main event" during halftime of MNF to get more viewers. Unfortunately, this is the exact opposite strategy of what won them the Monday night wars in the first place.

[Req]

LOL@the Bret Hart edition of the Monday Night War

Vince Russo still telling lies. Paul Heyman still sucking McMahon off. Aside from that it was pretty good.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Anyone catch Impact tonight? Surprisingly great show with a killer main event.

[907]

I've got it on my dvr, but haven't watched yet. I usually end up fast forwarding 3/4 of the show and just watching the matches I'm interested in.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

I've got it on my dvr, but haven't watched yet. I usually end up fast forwarding 3/4 of the show and just watching the matches I'm interested in.

I think I'm going to stop posting about TNA in this thread because for the past 18 months after I've said something complimentary about them, they do something baffling at their next taping and I can't stay true to my co-sign.

But without getting into spoiler territory, Roode-Lashley, Wolves-Hardyz-Dudleyz, Joe-Homicide and the women's battle royal were all worth watching this week.

[GUCCI CONDOMS]

I've got it on my dvr, but haven't watched yet. I usually end up fast forwarding 3/4 of the show and just watching the matches I'm interested in.

I think I'm going to stop posting about TNA in this thread because for the past 18 months after I've said something complimentary about them, they do something baffling at their next taping and I can't stay true to my co-sign.

But without getting into spoiler territory, Roode-Lashley, Wolves-Hardyz-Dudleyz, Joe-Homicide and the women's battle royal were all worth watching this week.

To me tna is just a nice change of pace from Wwe, but I always keep my expectations low when watching impact. Like I said tho it's great to have another option, and I'd be sad of they went out of business. Whether you like them or not, it would be a negative for the wrestling industry unless someone could really step up and take their place, but I'm def skeptical of that ever happening in a timely manner.

[zappy]

HA-HA! THE BULL IS TWERKIN'! I LOVE IT MAGGLE!

hahahaha the maggle got me. it got me good.

[907]

So Reigns had to have emergency surgery for an incarcerated hernia, and is out for at least 6 weeks. There goes their Wrestlemania plans.

[zappy]

what do you mean, it's just 6 weeks

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Latest on Reigns:

Roman Reigns will not be allowed to do anything physical until he's completely healed from his incarcerated hernia surgery. COMPLETELY. He can't lift a weight, take a bump, or do anything at all. Even the 4-6 week timetable is highly optimistic under those circumstances since he might not look physically ready for TV after that long not working out. (PWI)

[Pizon]

Reigns wasn't making it to Wrestlemania as the main event anyway. His buzz was already on the decline, and Bryan's return would interfere with any such plans.

[ObeseJesus]

NOC started out pretty great. Sheamus/Cesaro and Dust Bros/Usos were really good matches. But Rusev/Henry, Orton/Jericho (other than the finisher) and the women's 3way were yawners. It's great that AJ won and all, but I really don't like Paige. she's a terrible actor and her headbutts are atrocious.

I'm hoping for the best with this Brock/Cena match though. I'm expecting a swerve of some kind. I don't see how they can have Cena lose clean with Reigns out of commission.