The WWE Thread

[karamazov80]

Muta succeeded more or less in the U.S. (and the Great Kabuki before him). So, it can be done with a Japanese wrestler who may not even have a strong command of English. But I don't think WWE has ever had a good case of it. Shinzaki, the Great Sasuke, and Ultimo Dragon were all reasonably big elsewhere. But more or less floundered in the mid-card in WWE. I think Shinzaki was in a jobber stable at one point, with Barry Horowitz and some others.

 

[epitaph04]

Sad to see Bryan go. This "PG Era" is massively devoid of talent and another one is going.

WWE botched his career. They had a mega-star on their hands and they did what they could to ruin him. I'm sure they'll keep him around in a non-wrestling capacity to leverage his popularity.

There's still a decent amount of in ring talent in the WWE, regardless of content rating and very questionable booking, to say the very least. Problem is a good lot of them are injured, while Reigns hogs the spotlight. Mic talent is exceedingly rare though, I'll agree with that.

 

[Grenouille]

Muta succeeded more or less in the U.S. (and the Great Kabuki before him). So, it can be done with a Japanese wrestler who may not even have a strong command of English. But I don't think WWE has ever had a good case of it. Shinzaki, the Great Sasuke, and Ultimo Dragon were all reasonably big elsewhere. But more or less floundered in the mid-card in WWE. I think Shinzaki was in a jobber stable at one point, with Barry Horowitz and some others.

I think Gary Hart was a big part piece for Muta outside the ring. I don't know who they can stick in that role today if they want to give Nakamura a mouthpiece. Maybe Heyman?

I agree WWE doesn't have a great track record with Japanese talent. Shinzaki was wasted outside of his short feud with Bret Hart. Sasuke got upstaged by Taka, who got signed and then wasted (along with the rest of Kaientai). I was happy to finally see Ultimo Dragon live at a house show back in '03, but his stint was pretty forgettable. I'm still trying to forget Kenzo Suzuki's run, but I want to forget his NJPW stuff too.

 

[fistfulmetal]

Tajiri also had a pretty good run with WWE too. I really hope Nakamura makes a big impression with the casual fans too. I'm just excited at the great matches he can have with many of the NXT and WWE main roster guys. Samoa Joe vs Nakamura or Owens for example.

 

[karamazov80]

Tajiri is a good call. I had forgotten about him, but he had a great character in ECW and then WWF (in his second run there). But yeah, Gary Hart was key to both Kabuki and Muta's success. I think WWE under-uses managers nowadays, and I'm not sure why exactly. But Vader flourished in part due to Harley Race, and Rick Rude initially in the WWF due to Bobby Heenan, then Heyman helped to really propel Austin and, of course, Lesnar to where they got. So great wrestlers have been elevated by managers at various times in the past. . .an aside, but WWF so quickly ending the relationship between Heyman and Cesaro was a terrible, terrible move. That made so much sense.

 

[Bardoon]

There's still a decent amount of in ring talent in the WWE, regardless of content rating and very questionable booking, to say the very least. Problem is a good lot of them are injured, while Reigns hogs the spotlight. Mic talent is exceedingly rare though, I'll agree with that.

Agreed, but those individuals aren't booked favorably (like Ziggler) or even when they are, it's questionable booking that flip-flops between whether WWE management "likes" the wrestler at the time or hate him (CM Punk, Ziggler, Bryan, etc.). So when fans start latching onto these in-ring favorites, WWE management does what it can to lessen the fan attention on those individuals so you root for "their" guy...like Roman Reigns.

Regardless, finding that 'total package' wrestler who can wrestle, does well on the mic, and connects with fans is hard to find...John Cena is only getting older and more beat-up and those types of wrestlers aren't ones that can just be shoved down fans' throat like Reigns has. It has to happen naturally.

Anyways...it'll be interesting to see how WWE handles AJ Styles and some of these high-profile signings like the Bullet Club and Austin Aries.

 

[WWEJedi]

According to a tweet from Cena.... he is coming back in time for Mania to most likely face Taker. You gotta love his dedication and love for the business. 8-9 hours of rehab per day.... he is a beast.

 

[karamazov80]

Or, his love of money and attention, anyway. Some payday wrestling in one of the main matches at Wrestlemania.

 

[WWEJedi]

Or, his love of money and attention, anyway. Some payday wrestling in one of the main matches at Wrestlemania.

Are you talking about The Rock? If Cena wanted money and attention he would have left years ago to fulfill a movie career like The Rock.

 

[karamazov80]

 

[epitaph04]

Nothing but respect for John Cena, the person.

 

[Jaycepticon]

 

[Sweet Rabbit]

I had no idea that Macho Man played for the Reds

 

[karamazov80]

I think he only played for the minors, but yeah, terrific athlete.

 

[Grenouille]

Fastlane was big ol' mixed bag. The divas tag opener was pretty decent. Owens/Ziggler was an excellent match. Jericho/AJ was good, but it really showed how much 2016 Chris Jericho has lost some steps. The main event was good until the awful finish. The stare down between Reigns and Triple H couldn't have had a more apathetic crowd and there's your WrestleMania main event.

At this point I'm guessing Takeover will blow WrestleMania out of the water quality wise.

 

[karamazov80]

The stare down between Reigns and Triple H couldn't have had a more apathetic crowd and there's your WrestleMania main event.

I bet Triple H actually gets more excited every time one of the major players (Bryan, Rollins, Cena) goes down. Because he sees that opening to make the convincing argument to Vince that he is the only guy big enough to carry the weight of the the main event at Wrestlemania on his shoulders.

 

[epitaph04]

This was an okay PPV. Styles vs Y2J was cool, so was Owens vs Ziggler. Kalisto vs Del Rio was pretty decent too...should have replaced wyatts vs ryback/show/kane and the weird edge and christian segment. Brie Bella is a walking botch. I couldnt be less excited for WW after that finish.

 

[Jaycepticon]

I can't wait until Ramen Rains and Honner do this.

 

[karamazov80]

So, who is Lesnar being set up to face at Wrestlemania? Ambrose? Or maybe they'll turn it into a 3 way again, to offset audience disgust with Reigns being forced into the match (again).

 

[imthebestatwhatido]

Bad PPV period. It was basically an episode of raw at best. KO v dolph was good. AJ v. Jericho was decent (Jericho clearly fudged some of the moves up). Main event was decent until the end. Lesnar takes chair shots and is taken out. Reigns takes chair shots and is unstoppable. Gimme a break. Reigns is so boring to watch. Sucks on the mic, character is weak and his finishers are lame. That normally equals failed career but for some reason the wwe jams him down our throats. #bored