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Impact Wrestling - October 8, 2014

Impact Wrestling
Date: October 8, 2014
Location: Sands Bethlehem Events Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Mike Tenay, Taz

Reviewed by Tommy Hall

It's the go home show for Bound For Glory, meaning we're going to be told the same things we've been told for three months now: it's in Tokyo and they've never been there before. As for your regular TV show, it's Team 3D vs. the Hardys vs. the Wolves for the Tag Team Titles in a Full Metal Mayhem match. That has the potential to be one of the more entertaining matches we've seen in a long time on this show and probably better than all of Sunday's show put together. Let's get to it.


We open with a recap of the Tag Team Title series and Roode vs. Lashley.

Roode comes out early and says he wanted to get out here fast to get this off his chest. He knows he can beat Lashley if he gets one more match and he didn't hear Lashley say no. Roode calls out Lashley for the challenge but gets MVP and King instead. MVP talks about how everyone that has gotten their shot at Lashley has gone down. That list would include Roode so he gets no shot. They're about to leave but Roode asks them how the drive to the arena went tonight.

Roode wants to know which one drove Lashley's car and which one fed him grapes in the back seat. He goes on about how the two of them are just lackeys and he won't be one of those ever again. Roode will do anything else to get that shot and he means anything. MVP has an idea: if Roode can beat the two of them in one match, he'll get his title shot. If he loses though, he never gets a shot again. That's cool with Roode and the match is on.

We recap Havok taking the Knockouts Title from Gail Kim last week.

We actually get four matches announced for Bound For Glory: Team 3D vs. Abyss/Tommy Dreamer, Havok vs. Velvet Sky for the Knockouts Title, Samoa Joe vs. Kaz Hayashi vs. Low Ki for the X-Division Title and Sanada/James Storm vs. Tajiri/Great Muta. I don't think we're going to hear anything else later on.

Angelina Love vs. Madison Rayne vs. Taryn Terrell

Winner gets a title shot at some point in the future. It's a brawl to start with all three going at it until Angelina gets double teamed. Taryn and Madison trade rollups for two each as the fans don't seem all that interested in the near falls. Angelina throws Madison to the floor and hits a jawbreaker for two on Terrell. Love goes shoulder first into the post and gets caught by a neckbreaker for two. A middle rope clothesline drops Madison before Taryn goes up for a high cross body to take down both other girls. Back up and Madison grabs a quick rollup and a handful of tights for the pin on Taryn at 4:10.

Rating: D+. This was every multi-Knockouts match you've ever seen and the formula is getting old. All you get is some heel champion and then a three or four way match for the title shot. There's no personal issue between the girls and no reason to see them fight each other besides winning a match here or there. Mix it up a bit already.

Havok comes out post match and destroys Terrell as Madison runs.

Lashley doesn't sound thrilled with the deal MVP made with Roode.

We recap Sanada turning to James Storm and attacking Muta back in New York.

Low Ki/Tigre Uno vs. Great Sanada/James Storm

Here's your Bound For Glory build. Sanada takes Ki down to start but gets kicked in the chest for two. Off to Tigre who kicks Sanada down as well and grabs a rollup for two of his own. Storm gets in a cheap shot and comes in without a tag to work on Tigre's back. Sanada comes back in for a chinlock until Tigre pops up and nails a dropkick.

A double tag brings in Low Ki to face Storm and it's kicking a go-go. Ki double stomps him for two but Manik offers a distraction, allowing Storm to hit a Backstabber for two. Uno makes a blind tag and gets launched into a hurricanrana on Storm for two. Everything breaks down and Sanada mists Tigre, setting up the Last Call for the pin at 6:20.

Rating: C+. This was a pretty solid little match but man alive I can't wait to get done with Bound For Glory so TNA can stop acting like going to Japan is the most amazing thing in the history of wrestling. The show is just a huge step away from everything they've been doing for the last few months and feels far more like a Wrestle-1 show instead of TNA's biggest event of the year.

Gunner asks Shaw if he's ready for his match with Bram tonight. Shaw takes his shirt off and shows Gunner the tattoos he got to look like Gunner. Gunner asks why Shaw can't just be himself and Shaw asks why Gunner won't be more supportive.

Bram vs. Samuel Shaw

No DQ. Shaw nails him with a trashcan lid to start and dropkicks a trashcan into his face to take over. A chair is wedged between the top and middle rope but Bram avoids being whipped into the steel. They head back outside with Shaw still in control by nailing Bram with a chair over and over.

Back in and Bram gets in a Singapore cane shot to the head but Shaw counters a superplex attempt onto steel chairs into a sunset bomb onto the steel instead. Shaw loads up the choke but gets elbowed in the face and sent into the chair wedged in the corner. A shot to the head with the steel rod is enough to give Bram the pin at 5:17.

Rating: D+. This is one of those stories that isn't going anywhere and isn't doing anything for Gunner or Shaw. They're trying something with being obsessed with various people but Shaw just isn't an interesting character no matter what they do with him. Bram has something to him but he needs to do stuff besides hardcore.

Brittany comes out to check on Shaw post match.

Roode is ready for his handicap match.

The Wolves and Team 3D yell at each other about who is greater.

Bobby Roode vs. MVP/Kenny King

King and MVP don't get entrances, which is a common problem tonight. Roode has to beat both guys to get the win. MVP gives Roode one more chance to leave but Roode punches King in the face instead. The double teaming starts early and King gets two off a spinwheel kick. We actually hear about three interpromotional matches featuring MVP, Manik and EC3 facing three Wrestle-1 guys whose names are sped by very quickly.

Roode gets sent to the floor and MVP steps on Roode's lower back. They head back in where King hits MVP by mistake to give Roode an opening. He backdrops King to the floor but gets kicked in the face by MVP. A fisherman's suplex gets two but MVP misses the Drive By and gets rolled up for the pin at 5:24. So it's Roode vs. King now but MVP offers a cheap shot so King can hit a quick suplex for two. Roode nails a few clotheslines to come back though and the Blockbuster puts King down again. King sends him face first into the buckle but springboards into the Roode Bomb for....nothing as Lashley comes in for the DQ at 7:40.

Rating: D+. This was ok at best as the ending wasn't really a big surprise. They weren't about to get rid of Roode as a World Title contender, as I'm sure TNA would never go back on its word for a stipulation. The match wasn't bad as soon as MVP was gone, the ending wasn't really in doubt.

Tenay makes a point to say that Roode had to pin or submit both guys to win. That at least makes Lashley look a bit less stupid. Lashley spears Roode down after the match.

EC3 says Spud has one more chance to apologize.

Here's Ethan Carter to talk about being undefeated for a year in TNA and says he has victory after victory after victory (x15). History is written by the winners and this novel is written by Ethan Carter III. He demands Spud get out here right now for his apology. Spud says they're best friends and that he knows Ethan better than everyone else. She knows Ethan's favorite color is green because he likes money, that he likes his hotel rooms at 71 degrees and that the fans chanting YOU CAN'T WRESTLE gets on his nerves.

Spud does Ethan's responses to the chants for him but Ethan cuts him off. He brings up Spud fainting when it was time to protect Dixie and calls Spud a loser just like everyone else in this audience. Spud finally mans up and says he's a Rockstar and not a loser. Carter shoves him down and slaps Spud a few times until Spud finally fights back with a slap of his own. Carter smiles at him and says Spud has heart, which is what makes this so much sweeter. He fires Spud and let's get away from this as fast as we can. The jumping from one segment to another is WAY too fast tonight.

Another video on the Tag Team Title Series.

We run down the PPV card again.

The Trio is pleased when Angle comes in to yell at them. Roode is going to get another #1 contenders match next week and MVP is banned from ringside.

Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Team 3D vs. Wolves

The Wolves are defending and this is Full Metal Mayhem, meaning TLC. Richards has a somewhat bad leg coming into this but he seems to be fine. It's a big brawl to start of course with Matt hitting what looked like the Side Effect to Eddie on the apron. Bully hammers on Jeff on the floor as weapons are being sets up on the floor. Matt goes for a climb but Ray comes in for a save with a Rock Bottom.

Davey breaks up Ray's attempt and DDTs him, only to have D-Von nail Richards a second later. Matt gets enziguried into a German suplex onto a pair of open chairs. Eddie throws Jeff into the air and Ray catches him in a Cutter for a 3D. They chop it out but Matt is back up to take both guys down. We get the Tower of Doom with Ray electric chairing Matt who superplexes Edwards. D-Von bridges a piece of barricade between the apron and some overturned steps but Davey headbutts him onto the barricade.

Ray saves his partner from a dive and powerbombs Richards down, only to miss a middle rope backsplash. He comes right back with another powerbomb to send Richards onto the barricade, giving Richards one of the most shocked looks I've ever seen. Back with Jeff taking a ladder to the face and D-Von cleans house with a chair.

Richards comes back with a chair of his own but this time it's Jeff popping up to take over. The Whisper in the Wind and Swanton have Ray in trouble but he pops right back up for a brawl with Jeff on the floor. The Twisting Stunner has Ray in trouble and Jeff brings out another table. He bridges it between the turned over steps and the apron with the legs up. Jeff misses the legdrop though and crashes through the table, leaving him in a huge heap on the floor.

Back in and Ray goes up, only to have Edwards set up a ladder of his own next to it. Bully kicks him down but Matt comes in with a ladder of his own. All three go up and slug it out with Edwards getting slammed off the top. Mat and Ray grab for the belts but send them swinging around before knocking each other off with Matt flying into a ladder.

Davey and Matt slug it out with Hardy getting the better of it and bringing in another table. Everyone heads outside again with Matt climbing about halfway up a huge ladder to legdrop Davey through a table. Richards has taken one heck of a beating here. D-Von cleans house with the ladder and brings in the big ladder to make thing even more fun. Team 3D loads up What's Up but Edwards shoves D-Von to the floor.

Davey goes up the big ladder but gets shoved onto the floor and head first into the barricade. The Hardys make another save with chairs and put Ray on two tables. Jeff goes up top of the big ladder but Davey shoves it over, sending Hardy into a HUGE splash onto Ray for a horrible looking crash. Davey and Matt slug it out on top of the ladder but Edwards makes a save and powerbombs Matt through a table, allowing Davey to take down the belts for the win at 23:52.

Rating: A. I came into this show thinking this match wasn't going to be able to live up to its hype and they got me. This was an AWESOME match with a ton of high spots and some insane looking bumps. The fact that they didn't save this for Bound For Glory shows you just how much they don't care about that show this year. Excellent match and one of the best things TNA has done in years.

Overall Rating: C. The main event helped this show a lot but it felt like we're being dragged onto some side trip to Tokyo. The fact that none of the matches were mentioned until four days before the show should tell you all you need to know about Bound For Glory this year. Lashley, Hardy, Aries and Roode aren't on the show but we're supposed to pay full price for the show?

That's one of the more annoying things about TNA at the moment: their main stories aren't bad but we have to pull off to the side for a meaningless pay per view. The Full Metal Mayhem match was really entertaining in a car crash way, but that's exactly what it was supposed to be. That being said, where is the tag division supposed to go now other than making more makeshift tag teams? Decent show, but we can't really get anywhere until we're back from Japan.

Results
Madison Rayne b. Taryn Terrell and Angelina Love – Rollup with a handful of tights
James Storm/Great Sanada b. Tigre Uno/Low Ki – Last Call to Uno
Bram b. Samuel Shaw – Steel rod to the head
Bobby Roode b. MVP/Kenny King via DQ when Bobby Lashley interfered
Wolves b. Hardys and Team 3D – Richards pulled down the belts


Remember to check out my website at kbwrestlingreviews.com and head over to my Amazon author page with wrestling books for under $4 at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Comments

  1. I'm confused: why does Roode need a #1 Contender's match? Was the stipulation that Roode had to pin MVP and King (both reaps I've read just said "beat")? If Roode winning by DQ wasn't enough to get a title shot, why didn't MVP and King just hit Roode with a chair as soon as the match started? Also, what was Angle doing during the long promo to star the show, or during the 7 minute match? I know it's wrestling and these segments might have been rearranged, but this just seems stupid.

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  2. CruelConnectionNumber2October 8, 2014 at 10:53 PM

    Announcers stated several times -- Pin or Submit both opponents.

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  3. Jesus, they're doing shows in Bethlehem now!?

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  4. kip--theKingIsNotHereOctober 9, 2014 at 3:47 AM

    She is pretty good her best feature is that she has HUGE natural tits.

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  5. They do need a miracle.

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  6. Angle pointed out that MVP actually has no power, so the handicap match stipulations ultimately mean nothing if Angle doesn't sign off on Roode getting a title shot.

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  7. That's one of the more annoying things about TNA at the moment: their main stories aren't bad but we have to pull off to the side for a meaningless pay per view.

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  8. "Yep Mode" ABeyAnce1©October 9, 2014 at 5:49 AM

    I think they have the wrong Bethlehem though.

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  9. All they need is a miracle.

    All they need, is you.

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  10. In fairness, were they really selling PPV's before?

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  11. I believe this is the last set of TV tapings, so they'll either get said miracle, or die there.

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  12. Samoa Joe Intermediary: Come on, come back to wrestling!

    Punk: No.

    Samoa Joe Intermediary: I'll be your friend!

    Punk: No.

    Samoa Joe Intermediary: Aw, you're mean.

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  13. I for one am looking forward to that Roman Reigns/Batista WM main event for the WWE title!!

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  14. Good seats still available for Bound For Glory!
    http://ticket.pia.jp/pia/ticketInformation.do?eventCd=1441484&rlsCd=001&lotRlsCd=



    They should be fine though. It's not like the biggest typhoon of the year is barreling down on...oh, never mind.


    http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/10/08/super-typhoon-vongfong-japan/16912813/

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  15. I love how delusional that TNA is, to think that someone like Punk would even think for a second about joining their joke of a promotion.

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  16. I'm guessing that's supposed to say Reigns v. Lesnar, not Reigns v. Batista?

    Also...

    "Right now, the WWE is working towards a Rock vs. HHH match at WrestleMania."
    FUCK. YES. I can't imagine that'll be a popular sentiment around here, but that's a match I want to see. Arguably the second or third-biggest feud of the Attitude Era and it never really got closure, at least that I remember. I don't imagine the match itself will be more than just OK, but I don't care. Count me in for this.

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  17. It's up to every crowd from now till after the Rumble to shit on Roman and chant for Dean Ambrose, so that he can take that spot.
    Also, i get the impression would rather eat his own face than go back to TNA

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  18. *Still* go with Batista/Reigns? What happened to Lesnar?

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  19. Meh. I'd rather they worked with newer stars. Hollywood Rock vs Daniel Bryan for example. HHH vs Ambrose.

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  20. Will Rock break Booker T's 'KO'ed from the Pedigree' record? Only one way to know!

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  21. Take the story with a grain of salt. Meltzer reported it and we know he no longer has TNA connections so he's just making it up.

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  22. The true Wrestlemania 2000 main event, 15 years later!!

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  23. WM rumor BS aside... I can totally see Hunter saying...


    "Well, Rock's game... but there's really no one to put him up against... past or present... no-one's over... no-one's training for a comeback... what can we do? I mean... I guess.... *I* could do it if needed. I'd do that for you guys!"

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  24. This is in comparison to piper/hogan in 1996. 2 guys who rarely wrestle whose primes were 10 years prior wrestling again. It gives no current wrestlers a rub and it's a match no one was dying for.

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  25. Oh I actually believe that they reached out to him. But it's absurdly funny, sort of like if a rec league basketball team would reach out to Tim Duncan to play for them.

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  26. Doesn't hurt to make an offer. The worst that happens is what? That he says no?

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  27. I find it funny if the TNA bit is true they'd even try to get Punk during hockey season. He won't be leaving the city.

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  28. They can be laughed at. (oh wait, they've been laughed at for the past 12 years. So yep, doesn't hurt!)

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  29. I think Batista/Brock may be a draw... but Batista's got to get back on that HGH again.

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  30. That Hogan/Piper match popped a pretty big buy for WCW.

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  31. Yeah, but HHH and Rock now still have (or would have) better matches than Piper and Hogan did in their WWF primes. Not everything needs to give a new guy a "rub." It can just be entertaining for what it is. Besides, doesn't everyone whine when HHH is getting in the business of the hot new act? I'd rather see him as a sideshow who isn't being counted on to give the "rub" to the new guys.

    Also, I don't form my opinion on how much I enjoy watching something on whether or not it's the most prudent long-term business strategy or what it's helping to build or promote.

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  32. Eh, I go back to the indy show mentality. You wouldn't book AJ Styles against a local guy, with an undercard of Samoa Joe against another local guy... you book AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe.

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  33. TBH, they may as well ( as unlikely as it is they would say yes). If they gave him Hogan/Sting money, he would be worth it much more than them. An Angle/Punk feud would be a commercial and artistic success, and they could then do one with Jeff hardy which would get in some money.

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  34. I'd prefer the young guys stay together myself. If the writers can find a way to keep Ambrose - Rollins going, that screams huge Mania blowoff.

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  35. I love the self-fulfilling prophesy of wwe: no one current except cena can main event wrestlemania so let's throw 2 retired stars who main evented a ton of times.
    It had to take a near riot to put a new guy (Bryan) in the main event.

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  36. If it's built like a special attraction match, not really related to the rest of the storylines, sort of like Rock/Austin 3 at WM 19, it could be a fun little match.

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  37. Exactly. Book the biggest matches you can book. It's WrestleMania.

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  38. I, for one, and very curious to see where Daniel Bryan fits into all this.

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  39. Agree with this, too. Let the young guys elevate each other.
    You know, like Rock and HHH once did for each other.

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  40. Reigns is a new guy.

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  41. "It is also believed that they will still go with Roman Reigns vs. Batista for the WWE Title"

    Lesnar, not Batista

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  42. Well, TNA, maybe you should have tried making him your top guy in 2003.

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  43. Get your facts out of his speculation!

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  44. I'm guessing Ambrose/rollins gets blown off (For now) in Hell in a Cell. The only reason i can think of why they are having Cena/Ambrose as a contract on a pole match is to have Cena lose without being pinned.

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  45. Yep. I don't understand why some people are so obsessed with every last thing having to build toward something else. It's OK for some things to happen just for them to happen.
    If Rock and HHH were broke down and could barely move, like Piper and Hogan in '96, that's one thing. But that quite obviously isn't the case with Rock and HHH. Plus, the reason it's a match "no one was dying for" is there hasn't been anything suggesting it taking place. Start building for that match and then come talk to me if no one's wanting to see it. (Spoiler: people will want to see it.)

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  46. Batista/Brock would've been a money program if WWE didn't totally botch Batista's return.

    It probably would still be a big deal, but nowhere near as cool as it would've been.

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  47. the hotly anticipated rematch against Sheamus.

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  48. (Batista beats Lesnar for the title at Elimination Chamber. Anti-Meltzer posters COMPLETELY forget this post back in October, and think he was wrong again.)

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  49. Right. If Punk could be the thing that got them a TV deal and he got Hogan money to work a lot less than he did in WWE (which would probably still be a fraction of what he was making in WWE, but again...a lot less work)....I'd be surprised if he took it, but not totally shocked.

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  50. I'm sure we'll see Triple H on RAW next week taking a snarky dig at The Rock.


    ... and everyone watching will go, "Ooooooooooooooo..." because that's about the only thing you need to sell that one.

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  51. Yeah, WWE's "What do we do with Bryan?" question always seems to be answered with "Sheamus."

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  52. WM: Rock-HHH? Sure, why not? Reigns/Batista (OR Lesnar): Eh, whatever. Rusev-Cena: Yeah, Rusev should be built well enough to where a Cena loss is next on the agenda.

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  53. I think Punk is smart enough to realize that his presence would not elevate TNA. But the TNA stink would lower his own value. That's just the way it is.

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  54. His well-known disdain and hatred for TNA would make it a shock if he accepted any offer short of the old WCW days.

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  55. I can't believe the extent to which they fucked up Cesaro (so far). After the Battle Royale showing you'd expect to see him in one of the main matches the next year.

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  56. Cena/Hogan vs. Rusev/Cesaro at Mania. BOOK IT!

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  57. I agree. Except for Bryan at WM30, Miz at WM27, Orton at WM25, Edge at WM24, Cena at WM22, Batista at WM21, Benoit at WM20, Lesnar and Angle at WM19, Jericho at WM18, Big Show and Foley at WM16, Rock at WM15, Austin at WM14....they NEVER put someone new in the WrestleMania main event.

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  58. Even as a kid, I remember noticing the linear, upward progression of superstars year on year at Wrestlemania.

    Right now it seems if you're in a throwaway tag match one year, you've got a decent chance of headlining the next.

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  59. Hey, if they don't trust his health to hold up as the top guy, I'd be fine with Bryan/Sheamus. At least it'll be a great match, and even though I'm looking forward to this WrestleMania it's not hard to project it as lacking in workrate.

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  60. That would only be if he honestly thinks he will be back in WWE in a year or two.
    If him being in TNA elevates them up, and the WWE wants him back, it wouldn't effect him long term with them.

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  61. Agreed.
    Actually, all they need to do to sell it to me is say it's happening. I don't need a reason. They have nearly two decades of enough reason.

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  62. (Eagerly awaits someone parsing this match-by-match with inane details of why some of these examples shouldn't count)

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  63. If that's how it goes, I look forward to all of the "But why are they fighting?" and all the "lazy build" posts.

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  64. I believe the TNA-Punk negotiations went something like this.

    Dixie: "Hey, Samoa Joe, do you think we can get CM Punk?"
    Samoa Joe: "No."
    Dixie: "Not even if we signed him to a huge contract and made him the face of the company?"
    Samoa Joe: "No. Wait, where is all that money coming from? You still owe us from the last UK tour."
    Dixie: "Uh, quick, look over there! It's Scott Steiner and he's calling you fat again!"
    Samoa Joe: "That son of a--"
    [Dixie runs away]

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  65. I look forward to that as well. And the answer to why: because. That's why. Because.

    It's Rock and Triple H. Why the fuck do you need it spelled out for you?

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  66. But don't forget that every single match needs a breaking bad'esque super intricate storyline/reason for it to happen. Otherwise, the writers are retards or something.

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  67. There's more chance of Punk joining ISIS than TNA.

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  68. He isn't talking in the history of WWE, just recent history. So, by your own count, two of the last five Wrestlemanias were headlined by "new guys". One is injured, the other flopped.


    Before that:


    21-25: 4 out of 5, two still in the main event, one "mostly retired", one retired
    16-20: 6 (two years had double-debuts) out of 5, one part-time main eventer, one in the upper midcard, one as an occassional return, one possibly (small chance, I agree) returning, one retired, one dead
    11-15: I'll look it up later.

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  69. Nice recovery update segment on the pre-show? Dude ain't wrestling.

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  70. Nope, but I can do it in nice, easy chunks of five years.

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  71. HA! you totally called it!

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  72. Hogan v Brock surely, with Hogan winning.

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  73. You "ALMOST" win today's episode of "Know Your Poster".


    Just forgot to throw the World Title in there.

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  74. Nah. Hogan/Rock III.

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  75. Blimey, let's not forget Wrestlemania I while we're at it, FOUR new main eventers that year.

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  76. Bryan v Ambrose would be much more fun. Or a 3 way match with Rollins.

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  77. Both have similar views on alcohol and drugs.

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  78. They don't need Hogan to win the title at Mania at this point since Mania will draw on its own. They should save it for a B-show PPV to prop up the Network with extra nostalgia buys.

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  79. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 7:41 AM

    The source for the report of the Triple H-Rock match at WrestleMania? SmackDown spoilers.


    Also, I hope they give some sort of storyline explanation why the WWE World Heavyweight Champion is not appearing on television for another three months. There's not calling attention to it and then there's calling attention to it by not mentioning it.


    "Conspicuous by his absence," as Gorilla Monsoon would say...

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  80. 30 day rule is up on the 21st of October. They wouldn't strip him of the belt would they, as a way to get it off him without him having to job before Mania?

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  81. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 7:43 AM

    It's not about keeping the young guys together, it's about keeping the part-timers in their own universe. If Triple H or The Rock don't want to job to an up-and-comer, let them go at it themselves.


    Makes perfect sense to me.

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  82. I find it very hard to believe they won't have the champion defend the belt for 3 PPVs.

    And I find it impossible to believe they won't have him appear on tv until January.

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  83. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 7:44 AM

    When was the last time the 30-day rule was mentioned on television?

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  84. There was a post recently where someone wrote lots of Shakespeare
    plots and how they could be tied into WWE storylines. I wanted to track that
    person down and smack them around. MIDDLE GROUND please.

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  85. Reigns Vs Batista for the WWE title? Where does a rumour like that come from? I will eat my hat if that happens. Baffling

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  86. Yeah, 1-5 was going to be interesting:


    Eight "new main eventers" (Hogan, T, Piper, Orndorff at 1; Bundy at 2, Andre at 3, Savage and Dibiase at 4):


    And other than T, all were legitimate main events at other points. And all eight should be in the WWE Hall of Fame, arguably.

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  87. That's some top notch cheap heat.

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  88. It rears it's ugly head now and again. There's usually title matches all over Raw so it never comes up. But as you say, they gotta say *something*.

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  89. Sting: Can't afford him
    Matt Morgan: Can't afford him.
    AJ Styles: Can't afford him.
    Christopher Daniels: Can't afford him.
    Kazarian: Can't afford him.
    Bully Ray: Can't afford him.
    CM Punk: Here's a Hulk Hogan-sized contract, buddy!

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  90. Wasn't the NFL battle royal a "main event" of 2 as well? That's TWENTY people right there. If we work this out to an average over all 30 shows, there's probably 2 new main eventers a year.

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  91. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    I think it was supposed to read Brock. That's what I saw on another website.

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  92. That has to be a typo... He probably meant Lesnar vs reigns

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  93. Considering that's why they took the belt off Bryan.

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  94. Nah, I went with Hogan-Bundy. The other two locations had "featured matches", but IIRC it wasn't considered a "triple main event".


    Let me look into it a little more...

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  95. Didn't they mention it as a reason to strip Bryan of the title back in June?

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  96. I don't mind, it will just make his title defenses more special.

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  97. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 7:48 AM

    I admit to forgetting about that.

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  98. That was like 500 years ago and he was dealing with different people. Almost an entirely different company for all practical purposes.
    It'd be surprising if he did it under any circumstances, but I can't imagine that'd be much of a reason.

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  99. Ah yes, that makes more sense. Don't see that one happening either though tbh

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  100. As did I. WWE really does just wash over you these days. Now I'm certain they won't bring it up, consistency has no place here.

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  101. That would actually be cool... With the one exception that Brock basically laughs it off, saying "Whatever, I'll just win it back whenever the hell I want to. "

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  102. I like it. Gives Heyman something new to go off on as well.

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  103. Best main event ever? The Kiss Demon vs The Wall, in the "Special main event match"

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  104. Didn't people originally think Cena-Wyatt at WM was a typo as well?

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  105. I do miss the "Hogan main events in the opener/second match" days...

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  106. I hope so. reigns/Batista is LOL.

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  107. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    WrestleMania 16 was also Triple H's first Mania main event.

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  108. agreed - everyone has become so used to the champ appearing live each week since the Austin era. With proper booking and planning, they could make it great with less appearances.

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  109. If you're looking at just the last couple Wrestlemanias, that's just a woefully small sample size. And one that, again, is hugely affected by the previously would-have-been unlikely return of one of the biggest stars ever. If The motherfucking Rock doesn't come back, it's a near-certainty we would have seen CM Punk in the main event of 28, 29 or both.

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  110. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 7:54 AM

    Typo? No. Stupid? Yes.

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  111. I can't IMAGINE what the average not-online WCW fan thought when they said that.

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  112. Well, yeah, which is why this might not be a typo. Think of it - Batista comes back for revenge, Reigns takes him on. Sure, it would make Brock-Goldberg look like Cena-Punk and Flair-Steamboat combined, but that's "entertaining", is it not?

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  113. Yeah, I certainly wouldn't mind Bryan working with any of the Shield guys, including a heel turned Reigns.
    Though, the better solution to Reigns' tepid face reactions would be Reigns v. Cena. It's right fucking there. I get why they want to do Rusev v. Cena and I don't even disagree with their high opinion of Rusev, but if Reigns is really your guy, Cena is the man to put him over.

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  114. The Rock/Triple H backstage segment at the Smackdown taping was really good. They teased Mania but ultimately, they toned everything down and started joking with each other. Not sure if that'll be shown tomorrow night but it was a solid teaser nonetheless.

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  115. So I read that the plan is Sting-Undertaker, but if Undertaker can't go then Sting-Triple H is another option. Frankly, I like the second one better because Triple H can pull out his smug "You never wrestled in the big leagues" character and tell Sting that he could one be top dog in the bush leagues of THIS BUSINESS.

    But where does that leave Rock? Rock vs. Batista, the battle for Hollywood, could be a GREAT draw.

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  116. You'd think WWE would want to latch on to something like that. I swear they really just want "this whole Daniel Bryan thing" to go away.

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  117. Probably didn't give a shit about the match to begin, so calling it that meant nothing. Short of calling it "Winner joins the Horsemen", I don't think Wall-Demon was getting any response other than "Who cares?"

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  118. That reaction Cesaro got winning the battle royal was huge. I thought that was the moment he was going to the next level. Thought wrong.

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  119. Rock v. HHH? Seriously? When did the clock turn back to 2000? Reigns v. Batista for the title? Interesting...but that has trainwreck written all over it. Cena v. Rusev, yes, we know. And now Lesnar isn't defending the title until Royal Rumble? Well, that's brilliant. Oh, and it's Cena AGAIN? FANTASTIC!

    So I suppose we can expect Ambrose to be dumped into this year's Andre Battle Royal?

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  120. Eh, it's not much use promoting a guy right now who you can't see on TV for another few months.

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  121. Not sure I'd pay 9.99 for that WM. I like Dwayne on the mic, but didn't he prove he can no longer wrestle without injuring himself?

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  122. When was that?

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  123. I'm not sure you know what "prove" means.

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  124. No, he's just being "reheated", like leftovers.

    I don't see anyone losing their minds for rewarmed turkey wings, though...

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  125. I think you're just supposed to bow down to da knowledge.

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  126. Sorry about the mistake but it was Reigns vs. Lesnar, not Batista.

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  127. Not sure you'd pay 9.99? For a Wrestlemania?! ANY Wrestlemania is worth ten bucks.

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  128. I'll be optimistic here. IF Batista comes back looking to (show up his doubters/solidify his legacy/just have fun/whatever reason you want), and Reigns shows more development between now and Wrestlemania, that could easily become a "Wait, WHO managed a high star?" match.


    See: Batista-UT, Cena-Umaga, and so on...

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  129. wouldn't surprise me if the ambrose - rollins feud is going on by the time they get to wrestlemania. They've taken a long time to get to the logical pay-off match for it. Not complainng, I like watching them wrestle, but it seems like they're building to it VERY slowly

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  130. Rats. Batista vs. Reigns as a WM main event was a ton more interesting.

    And when I say "interesting", I mean "nuclear dumpster fire".

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  131. You have got to be f'n kidding me. Still on the "WWE is burying Daniel Bryan" wagon? Seriously?

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  132. I would have been in the Batista corner!

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  133. Something happening once doesn't "prove" that the alternative outcome can't happen.

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  134. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 8:04 AM

    The last match of WrestleMania is going to feature the WWE Title, and it won't be between Rock and Triple H. Rock-Triple H may be a "main event" but it's not going to close the show.


    Lesnar-Reigns? That I'll buy as the last match.

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  135. I think that Rock and HHH would be incredible. It'd be even more awesome if they got Austin involved. The ultimate winner of the Attitude Era!

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  136. This idea needs more Kane in it.

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  137. I feel like Batista v. Rock could have been a top level match last year, with the battle of the Hollywood egos and Rock basically acting as the avatar for the fans who were so pissed off that Batista won the Rumble.


    HHH v. Rock, though? With neither guy doing anything of note all year? Not feeling it.

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  138. The best possible match would be Rocky and Batista vs. Bad Influence. Like you wouldn't watch.

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  139. Sounds like they set up the rock stuff on smackdown Friday, which actually sounds like an episode worth watching.

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  140. It was. I made a mistake and corrected it.

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  141. HHH v. Rock will take just one promo for you to be into it. Same with me. (Well, I already am. But then me and my smark coworker were just talking the other day about how HHH/Rock never truly got any closure, so it was fresh on my mind.)
    I agree, though, Batista/Rock would have also been interesting.

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  142. I can't believe the rejuvination Styles has had since leaving TNA. He's somehow turned into one of the best wrestlers in the world. He must have been really suffering in TNA.

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  143. Yeah, but I'd watch Rock wrestle a fence. Or a ham sandwich. Or any other thing.

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  144. Batista vs. Rock could still work at 31, especially since Mania is in California (not L.A. specifically, but it can still work).

    Honestly, it would probably garner more mainstream attention than anything else WWE could put together. And you know they LOVE their mainstream attention.

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  145. Bow your head in shame...

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  146. The promos alone would've been awesome, as long as Batista could channel what he used against Cena. I'm good without getting "closure" on HHH-Rock.

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  147. Extant1979 - Ghetto SuperstarOctober 9, 2014 at 8:08 AM

    Good man, Bayless. You've got a future in this business.

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  148. I'm that way with Bad Influence. They're a fun act, and a match like that should be fun.

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  149. Why would WWE put two TNA guys against two Hollywood actors on the biggest show of the year?

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  150. I feel no need to satisfy your request.

    I suppose his injuries during the matches with Punk and Cena may have had something to do with the action figure look he was sporting, possibly because of the role as Hercules. Cosmetic vs practical. But, he's what, in his 40s? Maybe his body just can't bump anymore.

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  151. On an old Nitro, as part of WCW's deal with Kiss.


    It's as stupid as it sounds, and it went on third, IIRC.

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  152. http://hulkhoganhistory.weebly.com/hospital-history.html



    Really don't think he could wrestle anyone again, esp. not someone with Lesnar's style. Brock would kill him, and I don't mean that it a "beat him in a wrestling match" way.

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  153. Or, you know, just never, ever do that at all.

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  154. But what will be the Divas match at Mania?

    And what will be the Hornswoggle/Khali comedy segments?

    YOU'RE LEAVING OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT DETAILS!

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  155. He'd just achieved an organic face turn and they immediately paired him with Heyman. One of their strangest decisions of recent times, particularly when you consider how badly others (I'm thinking Sheamus) need a heel turn.

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  156. Nah, that's no fun. It's quiet enough here for me to get into something like that.

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  157. I want it for my personal entertainment. Everyone else can suffer the awesome build.

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  158. It was actually a PPV, just to make it even more awesome.

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  159. It wouldn't happen, but the promos alone would sell the show.

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  160. Divas match is Kathy Lee vs. Damien Bella

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  161. Which is why I DO want that match. Preferably with a webcam on Mr. Xavier's face broadcasting to the world as Hogan finally is conquered.


    Overkill: Absolutely. But again, overkill is underrated.

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  162. I said the entire time: "The Heyman thing is fine, to keep him relevant until the big break up around SummerSlam, where he gets sick of Heyman ignoring him for Brock."



    But that sort of kind of never happened. :(

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  163. WWE fans have no idea who Bad Influence is.

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  164. Wasn't he hurt in the matches with Punk and Cena? I suppose he could work with just a few bumps, but how likely is that at a WM?

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  165. I have an idea for that: the Divas match will be a title match featuring AJ against an ascending Charlotte. One or the other will be the face, and the heel will build 'heat' so fans 'care' about the match.


    Hornswoggle and Khali will be told the event is at Candlestick Park.

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  166. I don't mind either.

    I just think when ratings tank they might hotshot it back on Cena or something.

    ReplyDelete
  167. Bullshit. WM9 says hello. And makes me vomit.

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  168. Ambrose went like 6 months without defending the US Title.

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  169. "Remember we said Mania 28 Taker-HHH was the End of an Era? Well this it the REAL End of an Epoch!"

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  170. Bad Influence were mid carders in TNA. It would be the equivalent of putting Slater-Gater against Rock-Batsta at WM.

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  171. LOL @ the mania matches! Rock vs HHH, lolololololololol

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  172. Wrong. WWE fans actually know who Slater-Gator is.

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  173. I'm just wondering if they will tone down some of the Mizdow chants. He definitely got the biggest reactions of the night by far.

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  174. Upvote for sticking to the gimmick.

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  175. Wait, I gotta look that one up.


    (looks)


    You are correct. SuperBrawl X, in the fourth match. Wall wins at 3:37 with a chokeslam, mercifully the shortest match of the evening.

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  176. I was just joking about the word prove. Nevermind. I'm not actually a comedian.

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  177. I'm only aware of him being injured in his last match with Cena. His conditioning wasn't what it used to be, but that's to be expected when a)he hasn't regularly wrestled since 2003, and b)he used to be INSANELY well-conditioned.

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  178. Batista vs Rock promos this year would hilarious if both would be willing to let their egos take a hit.

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  179. Damn. Well, that got a few fun posts out at least.

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  180. It'll happen in 2015.

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  181. I wouldn't suggest putting Hogan in the ring with Brock at all. We've seen that back in 2002. Hogan/Cena is the angle to go with.

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  182. only if they bring in Bobby Heenan to call the match so he can do his "Hulkamania is dead!!" line over and over again.

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  183. Reigns is getting that belt no matter how bad he sucks huh? Well better to get over with, let him flop and them move on to something better I guess

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  184. It really wasn't that bad.

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  185. I thought I bought the Network so I could watch all the Rock vs. HHH matches that already happened 15 years ago.

    ReplyDelete
  186. Until Austin returns for WM32...and Steve Blackman returns at WM33.

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  187. Thank you for proving my point, because NOTHING Slator-Gator does ISN'T awesome.

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  188. I love them, too. I rarely watched TNA regularly but they were just about my favorite thing about it whenever I would. Too bad they're on the wrong side of the age fence, I'd have loved to see them get a crack in the WWE.

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  189. Yeah, they even made it part of the storyline, with Reigns basically daring him to defend it. That was kind of strange.

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  190. I wonder if everyone went home right after. I mean, the main event was over.

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  191. The years are kinder to some of that event. Yoko/Hart/Hogan can still go burn in the lower circles of hell though.

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  192. I'd suggest putting Hogan in the nursing home

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  193. You're gonna want to sit down when you read this, but I promise you that WrestleMania will also feature marquee matches with younger, more current talent.

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  194. With a bunch of part-timers being a part of Mania, would you rather see them fighting each other or giving the rub to newer guys? My only problem with them going at it with newer guys is the big chance that they'll lose to the part-timers.

    ReplyDelete

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