Does Anyone Watch Wrestling? (WWE, AEW, TNA, NWA, etc)

[m8h3r]

I decided to really put my WWE Network subscription to use by re-watching the Attitude era as I was rather young during that period so I forgot/didn't understand most of it plus I rarely got to watch the PPV's (only chance was when we briefly had a magical box that gave us every channel for free). I decided to start in January of 1996 as that year is when a lot of the key players rose to prominence (HHH, Stone Cold, Mankind, The Rock). Plus the already established guys like Brett, Shawn and the Undertaker.

Despite only being up to WM12 I've noticed a few things already.

- 90's wrestling merch. was hideous. Not only were the designs bad but they were only available on a "one size fits all" sweatshirt.
- I forgot the WWF Hotline was a thing. Did they actually get people to pay $1.49/minute to find out answers to pointless questions?
- Goldust was creepy as hell
- Who thought Isaac Yankem was a good idea? Thankfully for Glenn he eventually turned into Kane.
- Tag Teams were seemingly ignored for a period. After Billy Gunn got injured they did a tournament to decide the new champions and it barely even gets mentioned on Raw. The matches take place on some other show not available on the network.
- It's hard to get used to hearing Vince be the face commentator.
- People that criticize current WWE for being unoriginal with PPV names must have forotten that "In Your House" was the default PPV name for awhile.

The undergrad really was bad back in the attitude era. People will talk about it like it was 100% gold quality programming but it really wasn't. Yes I'd say the main card of that era blows this one out of the water but just depth of talent this era is way more stacked.

 

[Northstar]

The undergrad really was bad back in the attitude era. People will talk about it like it was 100% gold quality programming but it really wasn't. Yes I'd say the main card of that era blows this one out of the water but just depth of talent this era is way more stacked.

The fact I can't really remember any mid-card story lines from the era means you're probably right.

I'm mostly just wanting to re-live the main card and tag team stuff. It helps that Raw was only 2 hours for most of it (it was only 1 hour in '96), Smackdown came along late in the game and WWE makes it easy to skip segments on the network.

 

[m8h3r]

WWE makes it easy to skip segments on the network

This is a godsend. No more guessing the length of a jobber segment!

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Only one more week to go!

 

[Gotbeefboy564]

Betting that the rock will make a appearance.

 

[m8h3r]

I'm heading rumours of a Cena Taker career vs career match. If so I'd be highly surprised if Cena ends his career abruptly right now, meaning a 3rd loss for undertaker. If they're bringing him back to lay for a 3rd time just let him stay away.

 

[Darla Starch]

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Wrestlemania week starts tonight!

 

[Darla Starch]

Little tidbit I forgot about that I meant to post sometime yesterday:

With his defeat of Zack Sabre Jr at New Japan's Sakura Genesis event, Kazuchika Okada has tied the record for most successful defenses of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at 11. To date, his defenses are:

1. Naomichi Marufuji (King of Pro Wrestling 2016)
2. Kenny Omega (Wrestle Kingdom 11)
3. Minoru Suzuki (New Beginning in Sapporo 2017)
4. Katsuyori Shibata (Sakura Genesis 2017)
5. Bad Luck Fale (Wrestling Dontaku 2017)
6. Kenny Omega* (Dominion 2017) *60-minute time limit draw, counts as a successful defense
7. Cody Rhodes (G1 Special in USA - Tag 1 2017)
8. EVIL (King of Pro Wrestling 2017)
9. Tetsuya Naito (Wrestle Kingdom 12)
10. SANADA (New Beginning in Osaka 2018)
11. Zack Sabre, Jr (Sakura Genesis 2018

To break the record, he has to beat the man who currently holds the distinction of most successful defenses of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship during a single reign: his former long-time adversary Hiroshi Tanahashi. Defense is currently scheduled for May 4th at the second day of Wrestling Dontaku in Fukuoka. Master stroke of storytelling there.

 

[Northstar]

And Braun’s partner is... Brain Strowman!

Guessing it will be a bigger name than since they are waiting for Wrestlemania to announce it.

 

[Darla Starch]

NXT North American Championship design unveiled and it's refreshingly old-school in look.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Raw featured a very good match between Balor and Rollins plus a good opening segment for the Rousey/Angle v Steph/HHH match, but apart from that it was as average as last weeks.

Cruiserweight title match and both Battle Royale's will be on the kickoff show on Sunday, a bit surprised that the Women's battle royale is on there.

 

[Darla Starch]

Ladies, gentlemen; WrestleMania 34 time. No confirmation from the Undertaker about John Cena's challenge but COME ON WE KNOW IT'S HAPPENING.

Final-ish card:
WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar(c) v.s Roman Reigns
Personal pick: Roman Reigns
Reasoning: Same basic build as WM 31. Lesnar is champion heading into a contract negotiation, Reigns is Reigns and the chosen one, no magic Money in the Bank. More or less expecting a continuation on their prior encounter: beating the snot out of one another, but this time Reigns kicking out of multiple F5's will likely be presented as a big deal despite multiple finisher kickouts being normal for main events.

WWE Championship
AJ Styles(c) v.s Shinsuke Nakamura
Personal pick: Nakamura
Reasoning: To try and negate THAT segment from his feud with Mahal. You know, the one with the not even subtle racist accent.

WWE Raw Womens Championship
Alexa Bliss(c) v.s Nia Jax
Personal Pick: Nia Jax
Reasoning: Murderdeathkill of the bully pixie.
BONUS: Carmella cashes in Money in the Bank and leaves with the title. But isn't that contract only good for th-SHUT UP WWE CAN CHANGE THESE RULES ON A WHIM.

WWE Smackdown Womens Championship
Charlotte Flair(c) v.s Asuka
Personal Pick: Asuka
Reasoning: Asuka/Rousey is happening at some point, don't deny it.

WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
Cesaro/Sheamus(c) v.s Braun Strowman/???
Personal pick for partner: Curt Hawkins
Personal pick for winner: Strowman/Hawkins
Reasoning: Luls.

WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The Usos(c) v.s The New Day v.s The Bludgeon Brothers
Personal pick: Bludgeon Brothers
Reasoning: Have a soft spot for Harper and Rowan.

WWE Intercontinental Championship
The Miz(c) v.s Seth Rollins v.s Finn Balor
Personal pick: Finn Balor
Reasoning: To give either Samoa Joe or Big Cass someone to murder the night after.

WWE United States Championship
Randy Orton(c) v.s Bobby Roode v.s Jinder Mahal v.s Rusev
Personal pick: Rusev
Reasoning: Winning the United Rusev Championship in New Rusev, Louisiana at RusevMania on Rusev Day?

Mixed Tag Team Match
Triple H/Stephanie McMahon v.s Kurt Angle/Ronda Rousey
Personal Pick: Angle/Rousey
Reasoning: Almost as obvious an outcome as Lesnar/Reigns II-Electric Boogaloo

If Owens and Zayn win, they are reinstated because professional wrestling logic
Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn v.s Shane McMahon/Daniel Bryan
Personal pick: Owens/Zayn
Reasoning: Someone's turning, my money's on Shane.

IT'S HAPPENING PEOPLE, JOHN CENA ISN'T MISSING WRESTLEMANIA
John Cena v.s The Undertaker
Personal pick: The Undertaker
Reasoning: High note before retiring or something, probably appearing as ABA or Big Evil.

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals
Cedric Alexander v.s Mustafa Ali
Personal pick: Cedric Alexander
Reasoning: Had this penciled in even before the Enzo Amore debacle.

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Feat. Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley, Tye Dillinger, Matt Hardy, Dolph Ziggler, Fandango, Tyler Breeze, Goldust, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Zack Ryder, Primo Colon
Surprise entrants: Big Cass, either Mark Henry or Goldberg
Personal pick: Big Cass
Reasoning: Can't teach being seven feet tall

WrestleMania Womens Battle Royal
Feat. Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Liv Morgan, Naomi, Natalya, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Bayley, Lana, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Carmella
Surprise entrants: Kairi Sane, Ember Moon, Candice LeRae, Mercedes Martinez (because the WrestleMania Axxess press release mentioned competitors from the Mae Young Classic as appearing in some capacity, a shot at 'Mania itself isn't too far out of the question).
Predicted Winner: Bayley
Reasoning: Pulled a name at random, somehow WWE bungled BAYLEY of all people.


My predicted card order:
Pre-show=

1. Andre Battle Royal
2. Alexander/Ali
3. Womens Battle Royal

Main show=

1. US Championship to open
2. SD! Tag Title
3. IC Title (depending on my schedule next week, this is roughly when I can tune in live)
   
4. Raw Tag Team Title
5. Raw Womens Championship
6. DBry/Shane v. Owens/Zayn
   
7. SD! Womens Championship
8. WWE Championship
9. Cena/Undertaker
10. Triple H/Steph v. Angle/Rousey (outside shot of main eventing, if it does then Lesnar's likely on his way out of the company)
11. Universal Championship (for now)

Post WrestleMania call-ups:
Ember Moon (to Smackdown)
Andrade Almas (to RAW)

 

[Eva]

Ladies, gentlemen; WrestleMania 34 time. No confirmation from the Undertaker about John Cena's challenge but COME ON WE KNOW IT'S HAPPENING.

Final-ish card:
WWE Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar(c) v.s Roman Reigns
Personal pick: Roman Reigns
Reasoning: Same basic build as WM 31. Lesnar is champion heading into a contract negotiation, Reigns is Reigns and the chosen one, no magic Money in the Bank. More or less expecting a continuation on their prior encounter: beating the snot out of one another, but this time Reigns kicking out of multiple F5's will likely be presented as a big deal despite multiple finisher kickouts being normal for main events.

WWE Championship
AJ Styles(c) v.s Shinsuke Nakamura
Personal pick: Nakamura
Reasoning: To try and negate THAT segment from his feud with Mahal. You know, the one with the not even subtle racist accent.

WWE Raw Womens Championship
Alexa Bliss(c) v.s Nia Jax
Personal Pick: Nia Jax
Reasoning: Murderdeathkill of the bully pixie.
BONUS: Carmella cashes in Money in the Bank and leaves with the title. But isn't that contract only good for th-SHUT UP WWE CAN CHANGE THESE RULES ON A WHIM.

WWE Smackdown Womens Championship
Charlotte Flair(c) v.s Asuka
Personal Pick: Asuka
Reasoning: Asuka/Rousey is happening at some point, don't deny it.

WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
Cesaro/Sheamus(c) v.s Braun Strowman/???
Personal pick for partner: Curt Hawkins
Personal pick for winner: Strowman/Hawkins
Reasoning: Luls.

WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The Usos(c) v.s The New Day v.s The Bludgeon Brothers
Personal pick: Bludgeon Brothers
Reasoning: Have a soft spot for Harper and Rowan.

WWE Intercontinental Championship
The Miz(c) v.s Seth Rollins v.s Finn Balor
Personal pick: Finn Balor
Reasoning: To give either Samoa Joe or Big Cass someone to murder the night after.

WWE United States Championship
Randy Orton(c) v.s Bobby Roode v.s Jinder Mahal v.s Rusev
Personal pick: Rusev
Reasoning: Winning the United Rusev Championship in New Rusev, Louisiana at RusevMania on Rusev Day?

Mixed Tag Team Match
Triple H/Stephanie McMahon v.s Kurt Angle/Ronda Rousey
Personal Pick: Angle/Rousey
Reasoning: Almost as obvious an outcome as Lesnar/Reigns II-Electric Boogaloo

If Owens and Zayn win, they are reinstated because professional wrestling logic
Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn v.s Shane McMahon/Daniel Bryan
Personal pick: Owens/Zayn
Reasoning: Someone's turning, my money's on Shane.

IT'S HAPPENING PEOPLE, JOHN CENA ISN'T MISSING WRESTLEMANIA
John Cena v.s The Undertaker
Personal pick: The Undertaker
Reasoning: High note before retiring or something, probably appearing as ABA or Big Evil.

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals
Cedric Alexander v.s Mustafa Ali
Personal pick: Cedric Alexander
Reasoning: Had this penciled in even before the Enzo Amore debacle.

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Feat. Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley, Tye Dillinger, Matt Hardy, Dolph Ziggler, Fandango, Tyler Breeze, Goldust, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Zack Ryder, Primo Colon
Surprise entrants: Big Cass, either Mark Henry or Goldberg
Personal pick: Big Cass
Reasoning: Can't teach being seven feet tall

WrestleMania Womens Battle Royal
Feat. Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Liv Morgan, Naomi, Natalya, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Bayley, Lana, Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Carmella
Surprise entrants: Kairi Sane, Ember Moon, Candice LeRae, Mercedes Martinez (because the WrestleMania Axxess press release mentioned competitors from the Mae Young Classic as appearing in some capacity, a shot at 'Mania itself isn't too far out of the question).
Predicted Winner: Bayley
Reasoning: Pulled a name at random, somehow WWE bungled BAYLEY of all people.


My predicted card order:
Pre-show=

1. Andre Battle Royal
2. Alexander/Ali
3. Womens Battle Royal

Main show=

1. US Championship to open
2. SD! Tag Title
3. IC Title (depending on my schedule next week, this is roughly when I can tune in live)
   
4. Raw Tag Team Title
5. Raw Womens Championship
6. DBry/Shane v. Owens/Zayn
   
7. SD! Womens Championship
8. WWE Championship
9. Cena/Undertaker
10. Triple H/Steph v. Angle/Rousey (outside shot of main eventing, if it does then Lesnar's likely on his way out of the company)
11. Universal Championship (for now)

Post WrestleMania call-ups:
Ember Moon (to Smackdown)
Andrade Almas (to RAW)

I'd like to imagine a world where Styles/Nakamura goes on last since, you know, the Royal Rumble winner and such

 

[Crazy Taylor]

I casually watch wwe every now and then. What i don't get is why the same people are always in the front row always in shot of the action. Are the on wwe payroll or just people with too much time/money?

 

[Northstar]

NXT North American Championship design unveiled and it's refreshingly old-school in look.

I like the designs WWE has been coming up with for the belts lately. Even the Cruiserweight belt is just a color change away from going from horrendous to great.

I casually watch wwe every now and then. What i don't get is why the same people are always in the front row always in shot of the action. Are the on wwe payroll or just people with too much time/money?

What shows have you been watching? NXT films several episodes at once in one of 2 locations and Smackdown/Mixed Match Challenge/205 Live are shot one after the other.

 

[Crazy Taylor]

I like the designs WWE has been coming up with for the belts lately. Even the Cruiserweight belt is just a color change away from going from horrendous to great.

What shows have you been watching? NXT films several episodes at once in one of 2 locations and Smackdown/Mixed Match Challenge/205 Live are shot one after the other.

Mostly raw/smackdown.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Cant wait for Wrestlemania, cards looks really good plus I got the week off from work next week so I cant stay up to watch it. 👍

 

[Northstar]

The Greatest Royal Rumble will be live on the network. Guessing it won't be more than a glorified house show with no title changes, but it should still be fun (or possibly terrible).

Mostly raw/smackdown.

I guess I've never paid attention. They do hire seat fillers for various spots as well as taking seats vacated by others for various reasons (bathroom, concessions etc...). They also frequently book both shows in the same area so it's possible people could go to both.

Of course there are also superfans like Izzy that become almost as well known as the wrestlers themselves.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Some bits of news you might have missed.

Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler will be the commentary team for the Men's Battle Royal.

Lillian Garcia will be the guest ring announcer for the Women's Battle Royal.

Shawn Michaels has cut his ponytail off!.

 

[Darla Starch]

WrestleMania 34 stage in progress:

 

[Northstar]

They did their official unveiling and it looks much better than I thought it would.

 

[Gotbeefboy564]

All that pyro for the stage unveiling there’ll be none left for the actual event lol.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

OK then here is the card for tonight NXT Takeover: New Orleans show

Unsanctioned Match
Jonny Gargano v Tommaso Ciampa

NXT Women's Championship
Ember Moon (c) v Shayna Baszler

NXT North American Championship-Ladder Match
EC3 v Killian Dain v Lars Sullivan v Adam Cole v Velveteen Dream v Ricochet

NXT Tag Team Championship & Dusty Rhodes Classic Final
The Undisputed Era (c) v Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne v The Authors Of Pain

NXT Championship
Andrade Cien Almas (c) v Aleister Black

 

[Darla Starch]

They really just reused WrestleMania 30's theme song

 

[Gotbeefboy564]

They really just reused WrestleMania 30's theme song

Wouldn’t surprise me if most of the entrances are the same as they were at that mania.
Also probably because Kid Rock was inducted in the hall of fame too.

 

[Northstar]

WWE will be doing another U.K. tournament starting in June.

https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2...s-wwe-uk-championship-tournament-returns-june

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Would anyone like a massive spoiler regarding Cena v Undertaker?!

 

[Darla Starch]

Takeover spoilers so far:

Spoiler

So I might've been onto something with Almas and Moon probably being called up to the main roster.

 

[Northstar]

With the exception of the women's match, TakeOver was another amazing show.

Spoiler

Gargano's back!

The crowd also had some very unkind things to say to Ciampa.