Burgundy LaRue

But wrestling was and is built on bravado and hyperbole. So to that end, Rollins did what has always been done. Only because it's Rollins defending WWE does it get crapped on. And even then, there are guys/girls in WWE who could have said the same thing without as much blowback (Samoa Joe, as you used as an example).

Rollins has a nasal whine to his voice and it's why, even when he's giving a good promo, it sounds bad. Moxley has a Midwest accent too, but he's got a gravelly undertone to his vocals that makes him sound real. It feels like this is more of a case of 'killing the messenger.'

My point is that there's debate, and there's going over the top with criticism. No one invites abuse, and that often happens in cases like that. Berating someone is not how it's supposed to work. And we all know that's what often happens among some circles.

At their core, Seth and Sasha suffer from the same issue of being too far in the tank for themselves.

Is saying you and your co-workers are the best at what you do that outlandish? Of course someone will disagree, but there's nothing outrageous about the basic statement in the context of pro wrestling. This shows how social media is a blessing and a curse. For wrestlers, it allows them to connect with fans, promote shows, and expand storylines. But it also leaves them open to a lot of uninvited criticism. I'd be worried if Rollins didn't think WWE was the best. Wrestling isn't known for its modesty. Many of us have noted that Rollins often sounds whiny and entitled. What he said here isn't bad or necessarily wrong. At worst, it suffers from bad delivery. But that's just who he is.

That you laugh at anyone whose opinion differs from yours makes it hard to talk with you. Both women have had their health speculated about in the wrestling rags, when no one fully knew what was happening. It's one thing to offer an opinion, but that's all it should be presented as. And we know most 'journalists' don't do that. As @AxB noted, it may have been a case of WWE/Alexa trying to initially keep quiet because in 2019 saying 'concussion' means many will start counting the days to your retirement. That you're not willing to show more sympathy toward Alexa when you have been aggressive toward anyone who made remarks about Sasha supposedly being injury-prone is the problem I have with this.

You go above and beyond to belittle anyone criticizing Sasha for anything, but don't pay the same accommodation toward Alexa.

Here's another thought: pay Alexa the same courtesy you ask us to do with Sasha.

Maybe because she didn't appreciate indicating that she was nearly crippled and on the verge of retirement? It's like she has feelings or values her career.

I worry they're going to do Aleister vs Bray, which means someone has to lose when both need to win. I think someone realizes they can do something cool with Aleister, but don't know which direction to take. So they have him doing the dark room promos, which would be OK if it had been for 3 weeks instead of nearly 3 months.

Booking Corbin for a title match at a C-level PPV is a solid idea to see if he has any main-event staying power. The problem is that he's been in and around the main event for a while, so it's not a test. A show like Stomping Grounds is a good way to get newer talent in the mix with the top shelf guys/ladies in a low-pressure environment. But several of the matches have been done with the newcomers already losing. So if by chance they win on Sunday, it's an obvious fluke and doesn't help in taking them seriously. It also doesn't help in trying to present this as a major production. We know better. Treat it more like a super house show with lower ticket prices from the start, discount family packages and the sort. Maybe throw in a left-field match that's all about the zaniness, or do an OTT backstage stunt. Keep it at three hours and it's a fun evening for families who may be otherwise priced out. Have some fun with it and see where it goes.

And I pointed out how your concept of how him being the only top-booked face was wrong, that Kofi has rightfully gotten the main event booking of a passionate baby face. You then went on to write paragraphs about how and why you hate him. I sure as heck didn't call you insincere. And that wasn't remotely close to me jumping on anyone. If you can wail on Roman, what gives Rollins a pass for you? I guess, indeed.

I don't care that Bink doesn't like him. But he talks more about the guy than his fans do. Roman wasn't even being discussed. And some here call me obsessed.

Saying someone's hate for Rollins is bizarre, considering Roman's being employed somehow sends you into 'he hurt me!' mode.

Kofi Kingston is the strongest babyface in the company and has been since WM. Roman is still dealing with Shane/Drew/Revival. Stop with the idea that only Roman gets good booking just because you still wish he was off TV.

It's not NXT's fault. They were looking to push him even before Finn Balor signed. He got hurt. They tried again with some matches against Ohno and Black. KENTA got hurt again. When he broke Kendrick's eye socket with his signature move that many associate more with CM Punk, he was pretty much done. It's a shame it NXT/205 Live didn't go better for KENTA, but it wasn't because they didn't take him seriously. The whole "they treat outsiders like garbage on the main roster" rhetoric holds no water, anyway. The homegrown guys are the exception these days, not the rule. The women are probably more even split.

It's been changed on their YT channel, so something clearly happened to make that happen.

No way this isn't a bad rib. SMH.

I'm normally not for cutting anyone, but WWE has way too wrestlers, both in NXT and on the main roster. There are at least 20 people they can let go from RAW/SDL that would impact nothing. They need the space. They also need to send a few guys to 205 Live, like they're doing with Gable. Gives them something worthwhile to do while opening a spot for another person.

"Why will no one come and fight me???" I don't know, Aleister. Maybe because you stay locked in a back room instead of going to the ring like everyone else. Just a thought.

As someone who actually doesn't hate Raw but recognizes it has shortcomings, I think the show: 1) Needs consistency 2) Needs to change the formula That may seem like a contradiction, but no. The 24/7 title is doing well because it's not the status quo. It's different. Fresh. Offering something that isn't featured in any of the other stories. But it's also consistent in keeping R-Truth, Carmella, Drake Maverick, and a motley crew around it. A story unique to itself but with wrestlers who we know or have quickly endeared themselves to us. I thought last night's show was mostly inoffensive. A decent episode that moved the stories along. But why they haven't figured out to stop killing the room with 20-minute promos at the start of every show, I don't know. It's a tried routine, not to mention Rollins as the babyface doesn't have the skillset to carry the load. Not saying he can't cut a promo. But he's not a good true-blue baby and it reflects in his talking. They're starting to slide him more toward being conniving/shades of gray with using the chair and low blows. That's better suited to his strengths. But again, don't spend so much 'dead' time upfront that some fans leave before they see the end result. To me, Raw is like a novelist who needs a strong editor. The material is there. It can work. I think it does fine more than most here do. But the show needs someone who can trim the fat, leaving room for new stories/wrestlers to get time. This needs to be a regular process, not a flash in the pan fix. You gotta give them the reps, both in the ring and on the mic. I listened to Corbin's promo last night and thought it was one of his stronger moments. But that only happened because he gets on TV every week, the practice is there. The same needs to happen for more than the 15-20 wrestlers who know they have secured spots.

Goldust/Dustin Rhodes if he had buck teeth.

Beth sent a tweet about parenting--nothing to do with wrestling. Becky responded for whatever reason, and then Edge went in on her. May be a work, who's to say.

If the rumors of Taker having investments go bad are true, he might actually need the cash. Goldberg likely doesn't, though.