The Natural Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Roman Reigns rips Seth Rollins along with his World Heavyweight Championship. Then you have Cody Rhodes, back to back Royal Rumble winner deciding his desire to finish his story at WrestleMania XL, to hold the WWE Championship which his father never held having talked it over isn't there. In steps The Rock instead. It's backwards booking. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eivion Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Opening segment with Paul and Owens was good. As was the subsequent Owens/Theory match though its again nothing we haven't seen before. Did enjoy the finish with Owens turning the tables on everyone. The 4-way tag was fun. Glad Dunne & Bate won. Bayley's segment with Damage Ctrl was done well. I like Bayley knowing the fix was in and getting the surprise turn around in. Was a nice moment. Still not sure how well it all works out long term. Feels like they made a mistake not letting DC murder Bayley and kick her out months ago for a face turn. They need to do more to push Io, Asuka, and Kairi as credible and hateable heels. Its been the issue with Damage Ctrl from the getgo. The Final Testament vs. Lashley/Profits brawl was short but fun while it lasted. Wish it went longer. Dug Tiffany 's debut with her slapping Mia and running off. Their later match was decent and worked well as a showcase for Stratton. The final segment started off great with Roman's trash talk about Seth. Cody's rebuttal was going fine until they used it as segway to push Rock/Roman instead. The crowd loved it and treated it as a big moment, but I'm of the opinion were 2-3 years late for this match. Don't think Cody looks like an idiot, but I also don't think the explanation was strong enough to sell beyond a live crowd lost in the moment of Rock/Roman. Beyond that the match doesn't quite make sense with Rock just stepping in front of everyone else for a title shot. It may still be a big match, but whoever pushed for it clearly wasn't thinking of the long term. I'm also in agreement the match will likely get shat on hard unless the Rock magically becomes the athlete he was 20 years ago. The city itself doesn't really matter. The reality is its Wrestlemania which draws in just as many serious wrestling fans as it does casual. The Rock just isn't in the shape to deliver at that level and failed miserably the last few times he tried. It will take a miracle to make Rock/Roman deliver what people actually would want of it, especially give all the likely good matches that will occur before it. The matches were generally solid-good though as I mentioned before I don't like getting jipped out of match on a show that typically only has four matches in the first place. The segments were good as well though I've long past the point where I really care for a Rock/Roman match. I think they treated it well as a big moment, but it doesn't feel like they are considering the future beyond it by going that route. You would hope with Vince gone they wouldn't make a mistake like this, but maybe the current creative regime still has too much of his mindset when it comes to building to moments instead of a consistently solid-good future. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra Commander Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 It's not like the WWE has really been punished much monetarily over the last 10 months after the WM39 decision. They've gotten their rights deals. The money keeps coming in at live gates. The argument over losses are more of a "what if" sort of thing. Right now, the machine keeps humming along despite itself. Is there an overreliance on having champions hold titles forever? Yeah. There's probably some sort of Gordian Knot solution to that problem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig H Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 17 minutes ago, Cobra Commander said: what would Cody have done with the world title for the last 9 months or so? would he have basically been in Seth Rollins place for 9 months? wrestling's a funny thing where guys could win the title and everybody at the time thinks "it's their time", and then they just don't work out as champion and the title gets switched off of them. then again, I just remembered that the only Dusty Rhodes world title reign that lasted longer than 2 weeks was an 88 day reign that was very much a transitional reign trying to soothe the egos of NWA powerbrokers.. so if Dusty, an undeniably better World Champion type couldn't get 90 days... we probably shouldn't act like a 9 month Cody Rhodes World Title reign would have either been likely or smart. Cody's main support is more about raging against the WWE's booking than actually being all that into Cody Rhodes. Just because Cody happened to be wrestling for the WWE title at WM39 doesn't mean he should have won the title. I believe I typed some version of this about 10 months ago when it happened. Uh, what? What do you think he would do with the title? Defend it. More than Roman has. Again, there's zero point to have this title reign last as long as it has. Cody could have put over anyone else, had rematches against Roman, Roman could have kept his shit with the Bloodline going. It would have been a more interesting title picture than the utter boring shit that's happened for the last year. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Angel Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 1 hour ago, The Natural said: Adrenaline in my soul. The Rock's overshadowed Cody Rhodes. Oh no. Holy crap that fits. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuerrillaMonsoon Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Run back WM 9. Roman destroys Rock in under five minutes. Cody comes out, beats Roman. Everyone goes home happy. No Rock having to do a Mania main event length match, Roman has an out, Cody gets his title. Whether you combine the titles again or not, whatever. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octopus Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 I feel like we regularly get to this point every year. It’s tough to make the “what would ____ do with the title” argument. There is no way to know what the stories competent or an ill advised creative team would have come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odessasteps Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Does TKO think Rock v Roman will sell Peacock subs, even if it's only for a month? Or do they even care about that now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra Commander Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 7 minutes ago, Craig H said: Uh, what? What do you think he would do with the title? Defend it. More than Roman has. Again, there's zero point to have this title reign last as long as it has. Cody could have put over anyone else, had rematches against Roman, Roman could have kept his shit with the Bloodline going. It would have been a more interesting title picture than the utter boring shit that's happened for the last year. Raw is always gonna be inherently a bit boring because it's too long. Having Cody Rhodes world title defenses instead of Seth Rollins B-belt defenses isn't saving Raw. WWE has moved off of monthly PLEs and the success they're having on Peacock is there in some form even if they're more able to define their numbers than in the days of buyrates. The WWE had bad business years recently enough for us to be able to say that the last year of WWE has not been a bad business year for them. When we talk about Philly smart fans taking things over and hijacking things.. feels like we're sorta using expectations of things that really don't exist. Stuff like local smart fanbases and travelling Brits really aren't as formidable as they were 10 years ago. I suspect the worst case scenario for a crowd during Rock/Roman is that you'll get a bunch of bored quiet people, and that's hardly unique for a WWE main event. So there's a certain amount of "you're successful but you could be more successful" which feels like something the WWE has done in some form or fashion before Or to put it another way.. Quote I'm just a spoke on the wheel. The wheel is going to keep turning and I understand that. Vince McMahon is going to make money despite himself. He's a millionaire who should be a billionaire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt McGirt Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 I think their "story" is Rocky loses to Roman, they get to kick the can down the road longer and make people "wait for it" to see Cody finally win -- like anybody cares about this Finish the Story shit. There's their Rocky payday and their extention of the reign in one shot. (I can also see this as Vince whispering in Aytch's ear on his way out the door and him saying "it was his last wishes" to himself. "I must do this... for him." Just me unseriously playing conspiracy theorist) 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octopus Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 the Rock’s pitch for the main event 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawful Metal Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 how to kill a territory in one single step 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt McGirt Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 It would be really really funny if Paul said "I'm not sure which direction we're gonna go, Dwayne'll tell you" before Cody went out, Cody leaves, HHH says "Rocky I'm giving you the match", Rocky goes out there and tells Cody in the ring "they're going with me. Sorry kid." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odessasteps Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 31 minutes ago, Eivion said: They need to do more to push Io, Asuka, and Kairi as credible and hateable heels. Its been the issue with Damage Ctrl from the getgo. It's funny how on Kana Chan TV, they did a video talking about how much they were cheered when they won the titles, even while doing "bad things.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt McGirt Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Now I'm really having fun with this... here is my behind-the-scenes fanfic. It involves Vince so, you know, maybe just don't read it. Spoiler Vince has been mostly out of the picture. Steph isn't talking to him, Linda hasn't called in years, he's living like Howard Hughes up in his big mansion eating steak wraps and masturbating to scheisse porn. The only person who calls is Hunter. Phone rings. "Hey Vince... uh... I'm having some trouble here. I can't figure out what to do with Mania. We got Rocky but he gasses out having to stand up to pee. I'm... I think I'm gonna strap up Cody..." Vince: "THAT LITTLE PISSANT, GODDAMMIT PAUL, HE'S THE ENEMY. I TOLD YOU THAT WHEN YOU REHIRED HIM. CRUSH THAT LITTLE BUG, SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS. PROVE TO ME YOU'RE A MAN PAL. PROVE TO ME YOU CAN RUN THIS COMPANY." "Okay... dad." "BUT. DON'T TELL HIM UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. HAVE... DWAYNE DO IT." *uproar of sinister laughter* "OKAY NOW KID, THEY'RE PROBABLY SENDING ME TO JAIL. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THOUGH... IT'S ALWAYS MY COMPANY, AND ALWAYS WILL BE, AND I'LL HAUNT YOU IN YOUR DREAMS IF YOU FUCK IT UP." *click* The rest was written above. Rocky tells Cody, Cody cries in the dressing room. HHH walks in, "hey bud, you'll get to finish the story, just a little further down the line. I'll take that Mania money for the Rock match and give you a bonus. It'll be great when you win the title! Next year, I promise!" "You... you really mean it?" "Of course I do, champ. Now let's go get some ice cream." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 11 minutes ago, Curt McGirt said: Now I'm really having fun with this... here is my behind-the-scenes fanfic. It involves Vince so, you know, maybe just don't read it. Hide contents Vince has been mostly out of the picture. Steph isn't talking to him, Linda hasn't called in years, he's living like Howard Hughes up in his big mansion eating steak wraps and masturbating to scheisse porn. The only person who calls is Hunter. Phone rings. "Hey Vince... uh... I'm having some trouble here. I can't figure out what to do with Mania. We got Rocky but he gasses out having to stand up to pee. I'm... I think I'm gonna strap up Cody..." Vince: "THAT LITTLE PISSANT, GODDAMMIT PAUL, HE'S THE ENEMY. I TOLD YOU THAT WHEN YOU REHIRED HIM. CRUSH THAT LITTLE BUG, SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS. PROVE TO ME YOU'RE A MAN PAL. PROVE TO ME YOU CAN RUN THIS COMPANY." "Okay... dad." "BUT. DON'T TELL HIM UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. HAVE... DWAYNE DO IT." *uproar of sinister laughter* "OKAY NOW KID, THEY'RE PROBABLY SENDING ME TO JAIL. I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THOUGH... IT'S ALWAYS MY COMPANY, AND ALWAYS WILL BE, AND I'LL HAUNT YOU IN YOUR DREAMS IF YOU FUCK IT UP." *click* The rest was written above. Rocky tells Cody, Cody cries in the dressing room. HHH walks in, "hey bud, you'll get to finish the story, just a little further down the line. I'll take that Mania money for the Rock match and give you a bonus. It'll be great when you win the title! Next year, I promise!" "You... you really mean it?" "Of course I do, champ. Now let's go get some ice cream." I immediately see a problem, which is that Vince rehired Cody, not Triple H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt McGirt Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 That's an easy fix. He rehired him to torture him. Add in Vince saying "TELL HIM HE'LL GET IT NEXT YEAR, PAL... AND GIVE ROMAN THE OTHER TITLE INSTEAD." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Idiot King Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 I hope this recent WWE boom means that a whole new generation of fans will get to experience the excitement of getting to do the "Okay, but the THING IS, it's good that this sucks, in my opinion" two-step. Just spending hours a week talking themselves into believing anything other than the dumbest possible answer is true. It's a right of passage. I hope they will learn to let the stupidity of it just wash over them like a gentle bath and find pleasure in whatever the 2024 equivalent of Stevie Night Heat is. That being said, if Cody comes out and wins the title off Roman after Rock softens him up -- not bad! But still, a ridiculous way of getting there that asks poor Cody to do an awful lot of conceptual heavy-lifting and only makes sense in the internal Stock Must Go Up logic of the WWE Branded Content Machine That Cannot Be Killed. Excited for the women's title matches, tho! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 40 minutes ago, odessasteps said: Does TKO think Rock v Roman will sell Peacock subs, even if it's only for a month? Or do they even care about that now? It will sell more than Cody would. Cody ain't the guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Curt McGirt said: That's an easy fix. He rehired him to torture him. Add in Vince saying "TELL HIM HE'LL GET IT NEXT YEAR, PAL... AND GIVE ROMAN THE OTHER TITLE INSTEAD." This is Cody & Brandi if your conspiracy is true: Edited February 3 by Casey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curt McGirt Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 I dunno. Cody really does seem like the kinda guy who would want the belt more. Like, his dad was happy to humiliate himself with the polka dots for the payday; Cody would rather put 'em on as long as they promised him the other kind of gold. That's what my little fantasy I've written depends on anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra Commander Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 anyways, practice this line along with me for when it's used later this summer "there's one man who can stop a historic title reign, and it's a man who has had a historic title reign. Reigns! Gunther!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobo joe Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 Hahaha fuck Cody 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted February 3 Share Posted February 3 22 minutes ago, Cobra Commander said: anyways, practice this line along with me for when it's used later this summer "there's one man who can stop a historic title reign, and it's a man who has had a historic title reign. Reigns! Gunther!" Oh so we’re just gonna give Roman the Intercontinental belt too? Yeah fuck it why not. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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