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

[battlecatmeowstab212]

let it marinate

It's TNA. This was not the show for marination.

Let's talk about Raw. Anyone else think this felt like a go-home PPV? On one hand, considering how much happened, I'm intrigued for how they top it come next week for the go home. On the other hand, including the Rumble, we have two matches set for the PPV. I'm not comfortable with that.

Ascension looked good in the ring, but I don't see where they're going by exclusively running down LOD, Demolition and Powers of Pain, who haven't performed for the company in 24, 12 and 25 years respectively. It's not like any of those teams are in a position to come back. If they're trying to distance themselves, why are we specifically reminded of these teams week-in and week-out?

Loved the Randy Savage video package. His entrance at Halloween Havoc '96 was a favorite moment of my childhood, and seeing it included was a nice surprise.

I'm also loving the Miz and Sandow segments. They bring out so much in each other.

[Brougham33]

Yeah, pretty solid Raw, did feel like a go home with strong Daniel Bryan and Main Event segments. Seth Rollins was owning things left and right, and even though he's the only heel in the company who can get real heat, I loved that they let him get some face shine going toe to toe with Heyman/Lesnar. Can't believe how good he's gotten on the mic over the last 6 months.

LOVE that Savage is going in. HATE that lust in your eyes grandstanding/hotdoggin ass Hogan is involved. Goddamn, I wish Randy was alive so we could hear that speech.

As much as I enjoy Mizdow/Miz, and I hope people realize how great Miz has been both in-ring and with the promos during this whole run, but they have to be setting this up for a Mania match right? I think they could pull a perfect Rumble spot with them, have Sandow mimic Miz throughout the match, Miz gets eliminated and demands Sandow do the same. Sandow turn, stay in the match, I'd let him be one of the final 4 in the Rumble.

Can't tell what they're doing with Reigns. I know Meltzer and other sources are saying Vince is writing all his promos, but no matter how out of touch they might be, I find it hard to believe they think Reigns will get over with this magic beans storytelling stuff. His promo on Smackdown was worse, he even winked to the camera after the promo, acknowledging how awful his promos are? I'd rather see him turn heel at this point, I think that's the only way to save him.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

I put together a retrospective on Randy Savage's rap career for LA Weekyly today in honor of him being inducted - http://www.laweekly.com/music/remember- ... um-5334464" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Pizon]

I figured Lanny Poffo would be inducting him rather than Hogan, but now I'm thinking Lanny will be there to accept the award and speak on Randy's behalf.

Did anyone else catch Rollins' Sting reference? "I know it stinged..." Wondering if we'll see Sting at the Rumble or what.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

The second night of TNA's TV tapings pulled only 325 in attendance.

325.

That same week I was in a rap battle about seven blocks away that had about the same number.

Granted, the next night the taping for Lockdown had 1,100, but still 325 for taping your HD national network television show is troublingly low.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Of course, that means I'm going to try to sign EC3 and Kurt Angle to Freestyle Mondays.

[Brougham33]

Yeah, I listened to Dixie Carter on the Jim Ross podcast, and even though I want a legit number 2 competitor to WWE, it isn't going to be them. They needed to fully rebrand imo, and her talking about reality show spinoffs for her wrestlers made Vince McMahon seem in touch. If the attendance is that low for a big taping like that, I can't see how TV ratings going from 1 million eyes weekly to 100-200k tops on Destination is going to keep them alive.

In better news, this picture of Corp Kane winning a chicken wing contest is the best

[ThaJim2]

The second night of TNA's TV tapings pulled only 325 in attendance.

325.

That same week I was in a rap battle about seven blocks away that had about the same number.

Granted, the next night the taping for Lockdown had 1,100, but still 325 for taping your HD national network television show is troublingly low.

I went to a NXT house show last night that easily had more than 325 and probably was right around 1000. Again this is a House show that takes place in a community center a very nice one but smaller then half my high school gym.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Ring of Honor would like to congratulate Jay Lethal on breaking Matt Taven’s record for longest individual reign as ROH World Television Champion. As of January 17, 2015, he has held the ROH World Television Championship a record setting 288 consecutive days.

The confident and boisterous Lethal is now officially the measuring stick for any future World TV Champion. Not only is he a two-time champ with the longest individual reign but also has a record-setting 21 title defenses in that 288 days.

Jay Lethal believes that his World Television Championship signifies him as the number one wrestler in Ring of Honor and now Lethal is without a doubt the standard for which all ROH World Television Champions, past, present and future will be measured.

Good for Lethal. Really glad how he and Truth Martini have reinvented each other.

Lethal has to be the most underrated all-around performer of his generation. Glad his career's back on track and I hope he makes millions. He's still super young and could believably be headlining Mania someday.

The second night of TNA's TV tapings pulled only 325 in attendance.

325.

That same week I was in a rap battle about seven blocks away that had about the same number.

Granted, the next night the taping for Lockdown had 1,100, but still 325 for taping your HD national network television show is troublingly low.

I went to a NXT house show last night that easily had more than 325 and probably was right around 1000. Again this is a House show that takes place in a community center a very nice one but smaller then half my high school gym.

How was the house show?

[battlecatmeowstab212]

In better news, this picture of Corp Kane winning a chicken wing contest is the best

Post of the Thread thus far.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

RIP A$AP Yams.

He had a Bret Hart chain -

[Pizon]

Who?

[GUCCI CONDOMS]

Who?

http://yamborghini.tumblr.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

#OURTUMBLRGODHASLEFTUS

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Anyone watching the #RAWlternative live stream?

Beyond Wrestling put together this livestream of the best indie matches of 2014 from each indie promotion to run opposite Raw, not as some bush-league attack to get people to stop watching Raw, but as something for fans to check out while Raw is on to see some different promotions from all over the world.

Pretty cool idea, been great so far:

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Wow, best Raw is quite a while. Opening segment is probably the best opening segment since the anointing of Orton after Summerslam 2013. I think it's pretty telling that the nostalgia stuff was the weakest part of the show (and I still enjoyed it, save whatever that was supposed to do for the Ascension).

Sting made his first Raw appearance. That's pretty cool.

[Pizon]

I think WWE believes just putting newcomers in there with legends, even if they get squashed, makes them look big.

[Brougham33]

Yup, that was pretty great show. His schedule hurts the consistency of the product, but goddamn when Brock shows up it's always fun...baby. With the last two weeks I feel like they've been teasing a Heyman/Lesnar split. Sting on Raw is just a cool thing to see, same from Daniel Bryan. He looks sharp, and I know I'm getting worked, but I semi-freak out everytime he grabs his neck. Either way, damn near perfect go home show, looking forward to the Rumble.

[Philaflava]

First time watching Raw in awhile. If they can mix old with the new I could get with this shit. Lesner opened and closed the shit like a pro.

[Brougham33]

Good to hear, why'd you decide the check the show this week? Have you been following the product at all over the past few years?

[blastmaster]

I really hope they have a plan for The Ascension. This is embarrassing.
Not a big fan of how Barrett and the IC title are being treated.
Sting is awesome.
Glad Bray is being made to look strong still. Undertaker fued should be cool if they actually go that way.
I would love to see Cesaro win a match again in some way shape or form.
I want to lick a hole in Paige.
Announce team is better without Lawler.
New Day needs to turn heel Asap.
I have no idea what will happen in the title match at RR and I like it.
Anyone but Reigns needs to win the Rumble.

[GUCCI CONDOMS]

I really hope they have a plan for The Ascension. This is embarrassing.
Not a big fan of how Barrett and the IC title are being treated.
Sting is awesome.
Glad Bray is being made to look strong still. Undertaker fued should be cool if they actually go that way.
I would love to see Cesaro win a match again in some way shape or form.
I want to lick a hole in Paige.
Announce team is better without Lawler.
New Day needs to turn heel Asap.
I have no idea what will happen in the title match at RR and I like it.
Anyone but Reigns needs to win the Rumble.

I agree with all of this, but to me the announce team is only marginally better without Lawler. Cole is still grating, Booker T has been underwhelming, and JBL's tweener announcer gimmick doesn't work (turn him full heel or replace him).

[mike eagle]

jbl in them mom jeans tho

cant understand having bryan get pinned. i swear they would let cena give an AA to a school bus if he could. i dont know why they cant let other hot faces stay hot

good to see ambrose get a win tho.

[Philaflava]

Good to hear, why'd you decide the check the show this week? Have you been following the product at all over the past few years?

clearly for the old timers but i do like a few current guys. cena seems like a cool dude but he is too marky mark & the funky bunch for me. plus i can't get past the fact he attempted to rap.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Good to hear, why'd you decide the check the show this week? Have you been following the product at all over the past few years?

clearly for the old timers but i do like a few current guys. cena seems like a cool dude but he is too marky mark & the funky bunch for me. plus i can't get past the fact he attempted to rap.

You know Esoteric's his cousin and his album was produced by 7L and Jake One, right?

Not that that would necessarily change your mind, just a cool fun fact.

[LilLeftBrain]

The Mountain Goats’ new record is entirely about professional wrestling
ahhhhhhhhh
https://soundcloud.com/mergerecords/the-mountain-goats-the-legend-of-chavo-guerrero

[Philaflava]

Good to hear, why'd you decide the check the show this week? Have you been following the product at all over the past few years?

clearly for the old timers but i do like a few current guys. cena seems like a cool dude but he is too marky mark & the funky bunch for me. plus i can't get past the fact he attempted to rap.

You know Esoteric's his cousin and his album was produced by 7L and Jake One, right?

Not that that would necessarily change your mind, just a cool fun fact.

i didn't know about him being related to eso, but i heard bits of his album and know how/why Freddie Foxx was tapped for it.

EDIT. trademarc is not esoteric.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tha_Trademarc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Good to hear, why'd you decide the check the show this week? Have you been following the product at all over the past few years?

clearly for the old timers but i do like a few current guys. cena seems like a cool dude but he is too marky mark & the funky bunch for me. plus i can't get past the fact he attempted to rap.

You know Esoteric's his cousin and his album was produced by 7L and Jake One, right?

Not that that would necessarily change your mind, just a cool fun fact.

i didn't know about him being related to eso, but i heard bits of his album and know how/why Freddie Foxx was tapped for it.

EDIT. trademarc is not esoteric.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tha_Trademarc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He has several cousins. Esoteric's featured with John on his Word...Life DVD and guests on his album. Eso's done an album with Trademarc too under the name East Coast Avengers or something.

[Brougham33]

The Mountain Goats’ new record is entirely about professional wrestling
ahhhhhhhhh
https://soundcloud.com/mergerecords/the-mountain-goats-the-legend-of-chavo-guerrero

Looking forward to this. John Darnielle goes into some good detail about his love of wrestling on his episode of WTF with Marc Maron.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

The Mountain Goats’ new record is entirely about professional wrestling
ahhhhhhhhh
https://soundcloud.com/mergerecords/the-mountain-goats-the-legend-of-chavo-guerrero

Looking forward to this. John Darnielle goes into some good detail about his love of wrestling on his episode of WTF with Marc Maron.

I read that as WTF with Marc Mero.

Speaking of which Marc Mero is a surprisingly entertaining shoot interview. He and AJ Styles are both guys I find super interesting and entertained by their perspective on their lives.

[Pizon]

I can't take AJ Styles seriously because of his extreme conservative views (though I'm sure other wrestlers think like him, they're usually smart enough to keep quiet about it).