Topic: Wrestling Thread (AEW, NJPW, WWE, etc) (*)

[Stockholm Syndrome]

Think Dustin's contract is up this year, so might be able to get him in at some point if it drags on a bit.

I wonder if the Dudleys are angling for a TLC retread in AEW as both the Hardyz and E&C are there.  Would be an absolute shitshow though.

Isn't Dvon a coach at the PC these days?

[Wild Romany Boy]

Isn't Dvon a coach at the PC these days?

Thought he left last year?

[Stockholm Syndrome]

Thought he left last year?

May have, just last I heard of him he was a cool dude coaching people and looking to bring his son's into the business, and last I saw Bubba he was being full MAGA, pushing his Fiance, and buttering up TNA management to get a match with Dreamer

[Sheer Magnetism]

Rock's barely set foot in a ring for years and he's old, obviously roided to the gills and seems to have trouble moving quickly. Whatever the reason for the change, the original plan would have probably made the worst main event in years, possibly ever.

[Barefoot Doctor]

Rock's barely set foot in a ring for years and he's old, obviously roided to the gills and seems to have trouble moving quickly. Whatever the reason for the change, the original plan would have probably made the worst main event in years, possibly ever.

I mean they’re still going to do Rock/Roman, so that bad match is still coming. But at least now there’s a feeling there’ll be a proper storyline behind it.

Did think Rock looked a bit less bulky at that presser last night so presume he’s preparing for the ring return.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

https://www.vice.com/en/article/epv78z/ashley-massaro-wwe-vince-mcmahon-sexual-divas

Vice published a previously unseen statement from Ashley Massaro regarding Vince's sexual advances towards her, other diva's, and the consequences of turning him down.

Basically paints a picture of a casting couch culture in the company

[Stockholm Syndrome]

https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/02/09/bret-hart-on-vince-mcmahon-i-have-absolutely-zero-respect-for-him/

Bret Hart also come said his piece about Vince, thinks this type of behavior was everywhere in WWE, and said he recently apologized to Rita Chatterton for doubting her allegations

[I've been a good boy]

Rock's barely set foot in a ring for years and he's old, obviously roided to the gills and seems to have trouble moving quickly. Whatever the reason for the change, the original plan would have probably made the worst main event in years, possibly ever.

That match will still happen, just not at this year's Wrestlemania. And it'll probably be Rock's last match. He's gotten too big so he's nowhere near as agile as he used to be. Wonder if he can still do the kip-up like he used to.

[I've been a good boy]

https://www.vice.com/en/article/epv78z/ashley-massaro-wwe-vince-mcmahon-sexual-divas

Vice published a previously unseen statement from Ashley Massaro regarding Vince's sexual advances towards her, other diva's, and the consequences of turning him down.

Basically paints a picture of a casting couch culture in the company

As a 13 year old, that's when I realised Vince is a pervert. Making Trish crawl like a dog, always having her remove her clothes, Triple H practising holds on her backstage etc. It's clear that Vince's "Mr McMahon" character was just an on-screen extension of his real self. He must've loved shit like the bra and panties mud match and Lita's "live sex" celebration, which even Edge was reluctant to do and tried to get out of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6lFBmbtGl8&ab_channel=UnwatermarkedWWEWomen%E2%80%99sSegments

^ This video to me is very disturbing. The cold stare on his face, Ashley looking on in fear and the extremely weird gawking at their behinds as they walk up.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

As a 13 year old, that's when I realised Vince is a pervert. Making Trish crawl like a dog, always having her remove her clothes, Triple H practising holds on her backstage etc. It's clear that Vince's "Mr McMahon" character was just an on-screen extension of his real self. He must've loved shit like the bra and panties mud match and Lita's "live sex" celebration, which even Edge was reluctant to do and tried to get out of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6lFBmbtGl8&ab_channel=UnwatermarkedWWEWomen%E2%80%99sSegments

^ This video to me is very disturbing. The cold stare on his face, Ashley looking on in fear and the extremely weird gawking at their behinds as they walk up.

https://twitter.com/BenRogerson_/status/1756000189414854995?s=19

There is this video too which in context of Vince writing her script after she spurred his advances, this is a fair bit more sinister an interaction

[Wild Romany Boy]

https://twitter.com/BenRogerson_/status/1756000189414854995?s=19

There is this video too which in context of Vince writing her script after she spurred his advances, this is a fair bit more sinister an interaction

Yes, in WWE a full and effective investigation must clean out everyone who was provably involved and Vince should never work again, preferably spend his days in jail to be honest, very unlikely though that is.

And the industry, as a whole, has to clean up its act. There remains huge issues.

[Barefoot Doctor]

Orton and Drew the first two to qualify for the Chamber, with the winner facing Seth at Mania. Have to assume Drew is getting the shot. Sami got eliminated from the bracket but I think they’re telling a longer story with him and building him up, whether he gets a second chance for Mania not who knows but I do like the idea of a triple threat with Seth, Drew and Sami.

Presume Priest will finally cash in at Mania too, although don’t think he’ll be successful.

[Bread]

It's a shame Trips has his heart issues really, because a Rock vs. Triple H Mania match is currently finely poised.

It's not often I would want two 50+ year old men going at it at a big show, but I have a lot of nostalgia for this rivalry. Would also be a good springboard for The Rock to get a big win going into his inevitable feud with Roman.

[TipTopKop]

Is there anything Bret Hart wouldn't complain about?

He's my favourite. Absolutely loved the way he made technical wrestling so entertaining, and his promo skills were great, and I really felt for him after Montreal.

Him criticising Vince is fine; what Vince has done was horrible, but all this "I’m not worried about Vince’s feelings. He’s never cared about mine" Christ give it a rest and for once stop making it about you!

You willingly came back to Vince in 2010, called him a father figure, and praised him in his autobiography, now Vince is exposed Bret doesn't mind seeing Vince's "head kicked around the parking lot"...   If it isn't Shawn, Goldberg, or Vince it'll be something/someone else.

Love the wrestler, the character, the persona, but I have absolutely no doubt why he doesn't get a consultancy role, or a Tough Enough gig, or something similar.

[I've been a good boy]

I mean he was recently asked about his top five wrestlers and he named himself, so he's quite clearly a bit egotistical and of course a very bitter individual who can't let things go.

[TipTopKop]

I mean he was recently asked about his top five wrestlers and he named himself, so he's quite clearly a bit egotistical and of course a very bitter individual who can't let things go.

I honestly speak as a fan, as I said, I loved his character so much.... but literally every time his name pops up my first question is "Ah, let's hear it Bret, who did it to you this time?!"   

[Wild Romany Boy]

Is there anything Bret Hart wouldn't complain about?

He's my favourite. Absolutely loved the way he made technical wrestling so entertaining, and his promo skills were great, and I really felt for him after Montreal.

Him criticising Vince is fine; what Vince has done was horrible, but all this "I’m not worried about Vince’s feelings. He’s never cared about mine" Christ give it a rest and for once stop making it about you!

You willingly came back to Vince in 2010, called him a father figure, and praised him in his autobiography, now Vince is exposed Bret doesn't mind seeing Vince's "head kicked around the parking lot"...   If it isn't Shawn, Goldberg, or Vince it'll be something/someone else.

Love the wrestler, the character, the persona, but I have absolutely no doubt why he doesn't get a consultancy role, or a Tough Enough gig, or something similar.

Can you imagine Bret Hart being diplomatic with talent? Bloody hell, the man makes Elon Musk look modest.

There is one interview where he rates talent out of 10 on look, in ring and mic skills. He was surprisingly modest on his own look and mic skills and he gave Shawn a higher score in both (fairly in my view) whilst rsting them both tens in ring. But that's one of the rare times I've seen him to be modest and hit spooked me!

[Vegeta]

I mean, they're established for decades now, they have an insane head start on any other company with the money they generate, you'd have to expect that they'd be good at this kind of thing.

Shame they're part funded by Saudi blood money and are only just now starting to correct the awful backstage culture.

I agree with that, but they don't take shots at other promotions because as soon as you do that it makes you look 2nd rate.

I want their to be another alternative to WWE but sadly any alternative that comes along has an inferiority complex where they have to make bitter comments about WWE to stay relevant.

[tubby]

I agree with that, but they don't take shots at other promotions because as soon as you do that it makes you look 2nd rate.

I want their to be another alternative to WWE but sadly any alternative that comes along has an inferiority complex where they have to make bitter comments about WWE to stay relevant.

HHH has taken more than one shot against AEW though?

[Sheer Magnetism]

I mean he was recently asked about his top five wrestlers and he named himself, so he's quite clearly a bit egotistical and of course a very bitter individual who can't let things go.

Best there is, best there was, best there ever will be. I also think he has a right to be bitter, given a) the way Vince screwed him after he'd agreed to rip up the long-term contract he'd signed just a year earlier and b) what happened to Owen.

[Samie]

With The Rock now involvled I would not be suprised if Bret came back in some capacity.  He clearly has time for Dwayne and vice versa.

[B0151?]

Rock Vs Roman would be a bad match if the people didn't want it. But with the right build and people behind it, it could be incredible Mania moment.

Like Hogan Vs Rock is no doubt technically a bad match but one of my favourites ever due to the atmosphere and both of them being great performers who know exactly how to get audience involved. For me live crowd is what it's all about

I get the ring work still not to everyone's liking but Reigns has got so good at playing to the crowd during this run also

It's funny because even though the point of the Mania press conference was to set up Cody Vs Reigns again. Rock actually did get me hype for him Vs Roman too. That family tree and "Bound by Blood" as he said it, what a tag line

[paulrazor]

Bret comes across as a crybaby.

Depends which side of fence he wants to be on when it comes to vince

Vince really is a piece of shit isn't he

Always knew he was a bit seedy but not to this extent

[Stockholm Syndrome]

Okada sounds like he has agreed to AEW now

[Stockholm Syndrome]

I am probably going to take a fair bit of time tomorrow watching the New Beginning in Osaka show, because I am hearing GREAT things about ZSJ/Bryan Danielson II and Bullet Club: War Dogs vs United Empire

[Barefoot Doctor]

Rock himself, in an Instagram post, said he turned heel at the press event 

[I've been a good boy]

Rock himself, in an Instagram post, said he turned heel at the press event 

Won't be for long, he's just playing the game. Still feel he'll come out to the main event just when Cody is about to win, but instead of helping Roman he'll Rock Bottom him, ending his reign and turning him into the biggest face ever.

Or maybe that's too obvious? Seems like something Vince Russo would write.

[Barefoot Doctor]

WWE put out a Mania teaser trailer (for the Super Bowl I assume) and it’s Cody/Seth facing off against Rock/Roman. And not footage from Thursday’s event, it’s been shot specifically for that video. So definitely seems like they’ll be doing a tag match, presumably on the first night, before the title matches the next day.

[Wild Romany Boy]

Rock Vs Roman would be a bad match if the people didn't want it. But with the right build and people behind it, it could be incredible Mania moment.

Like Hogan Vs Rock is no doubt technically a bad match but one of my favourites ever due to the atmosphere and both of them being great performers who know exactly how to get audience involved. For me live crowd is what it's all about

I get the ring work still not to everyone's liking but Reigns has got so good at playing to the crowd during this run also

It's funny because even though the point of the Mania press conference was to set up Cody Vs Reigns again. Rock actually did get me hype for him Vs Roman too. That family tree and "Bound by Blood" as he said it, what a tag line

to be honest, it has been a near decade since Rock had a match and he is clearly not The Rock of 2002, so that's a big decline.

And Hogan, even of 2002, had more tools to work a storyline centric match than Roman does, even now.

I'd like to see it, of course, but it will take even more smoke and mirrors than that match had; apparently they worked that match almost on the fly because of the face reaction for Hogan, but I'm not entirely sure that's true; if they did then...wow.

[TipTopKop]

Rock himself, in an Instagram post, said he turned heel at the press event 

To be fair I think it was in response to a Tweet someone wrongly put it out making it look like he was booed for his charity situation.

[ianburns252]

to be honest, it has been a near decade since Rock had a match and he is clearly not The Rock of 2002, so that's a big decline.

And Hogan, even of 2002, had more tools to work a storyline centric match than Roman does, even now.

I'd like to see it, of course, but it will take even more smoke and mirrors than that match had; apparently they worked that match almost on the fly because of the face reaction for Hogan, but I'm not entirely sure that's true; if they did then...wow.

If "smoke and mirrors" wasn't intentional then I will be sorely disappointed

[Garrus]

To be fair I think it was in response to a Tweet someone wrongly put it out making it look like he was booed for his charity situation.

Some Trumper nutjob too. Apparently the crowd was booing him and chanting "Maui". How do these people live in these alternate realities? 

[Tonyh8su]

Some Trumper nutjob too. Apparently the crowd was booing him and chanting "Maui". How do these people live in these alternate realities? 

We truly live in a post-truth society. You see it even in football. People creative a narrative of what they want the truth to be, then parrot it to you, despite everything you've seen with your own eyes. It's mental and it's just normal now.

[I've been a good boy]

Apparently he only came back because of the backlash from the Maui situation and the Black Adam movie flopping. Internet nerds really will have you think they know it all.

[Wild Romany Boy]

Apparently he only came back because of the backlash from the Maui situation and the Black Adam movie flopping. Internet nerds really will have you think they know it all.

That's going too far, but after the Black Adam debacle and a run of less than impressive box office returns, he probably needs wrestling a little more than he did.

But, as much as it probably isn't and wasn't his first love, I've always thought the real Rock shines through when he gets yo talk about wrestling. It is clearly a love he never lost and not just a means to an end.

[RedDeadRejection]

We truly live in a post-truth society. You see it even in football. People creative a narrative of what they want the truth to be, then parrot it to you, despite everything you've seen with your own eyes. It's mental and it's just normal now.

Gary Neville likes this.

[tubby]

I was not expecting that Orange Cassidy vs Matt Taven Texas death match to be anywhere near as good as it was.  Taven put some serious work in there, good for him.

Ospreay vs Takeshita though.  Cannot wait.

[Riquende]

I was not expecting that Orange Cassidy vs Matt Taven Texas death match to be anywhere near as good as it was.  Taven put some serious work in there, good for him.

Ospreay vs Takeshita though.  Cannot wait.

The dive through that propped up table knowing that Cassidy wasn't going to be there to soften the landing, ouch.

I assume they want to bring Ospreay in doing something different to Callis' family and so have this 'friendly' match leading to him going off and doing whatever. But yeah, it's going to be something special on that card.

I've got the Monday after off so sitting on the 'watch live & be a zombie on Monday/watch across a lazy Monday morning' fence at the moment.

[tubby]

I think the big Aussie is due back anytime now, so might get a little program of United Empire vs Hobbs, Takeshita and Sammy.  Unless Sammy is in the doghouse again after what happened on Rampage.

[Wild Romany Boy]

The dive through that propped up table knowing that Cassidy wasn't going to be there to soften the landing, ouch.

I assume they want to bring Ospreay in doing something different to Callis' family and so have this 'friendly' match leading to him going off and doing whatever. But yeah, it's going to be something special on that card.

I've got the Monday after off so sitting on the 'watch live & be a zombie on Monday/watch across a lazy Monday morning' fence at the moment.

Yeah, Ospreay aligned with them is near death for him on debut. He needs to get away.

It was a cracking match with Cassidy and Taven though. I'm at the point where I am less "why was it a Texas deathmatch" and more "it was really good sizzle" and I enjoyed it all the more for it.