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Does Bryan "Need" to Win the Rumble?


Dear Scott,

Two long questions...

Although you recently said you think Roman Reigns will win the Rumble, how much do you agree with the notion that Daniel Bryan "needs" to win the Rumble (and win the title back at 'Mania) to be established as a top guy?  I can understand (many) fans wanting him to get his title back at 'Mania but think he's already popular enough that winning the Rumble wouldn't be as helpful to him in the crowd's eyes as someone like Reigns or Rollins or even Rusev, none of whom are generally viewed as main eventers.  And WWE reluctantly booking Bryan to win the Rumble isn't going to make corporate believe in him any more than 'Mania last year did.

Additionally, while Bryan winning back the title he never lost (even if it's not from the person who took it from him) is a good story, how much confidence do you have in WWE Creative telling that story given how badly they've booked the three biggest babyfaces in Bryan's absence: Cena (hero avenging Summerslam slaughter who gets into a #1 Contender's match by losing and is impotent when his allies are fired), Reigns (up-and-comer establishing himself by beating the big bad champ who is given Looney Tunes and fairy tale promos), and Ambrose (psychotic hellbent on revenge becoming a prop comic who loses to holograms and exploding TVs)?

I don't think he NEEDS to win it as far as his character or standing or whatever goes.  I think that WWE kind of owes it to the fanbase as an apology for last year and it would go a long way towards building goodwill.  Really, if he's booked in a strong Wrestlemania program (hint:  NOT KANE) with a direction that makes fans get invested in him again, he'll be OK.  Now, that being said, if they didn't want him winning the Rumble, he shouldn't be in it.  It's only going to hurt Reigns just by virtue of not being Daniel Bryan.  

Like, Bryan can be the guy to dethrone Rusev and that's an easy one to book and build sympathy and such.  The Brock match is of course the fireworks factory that we're unfortunately never going to arrive at, but that's another one that literally books itself.  It doesn't HAVE to be the story of "Bryan wins the Rumble and then gets the title", but it just happens that it's the only story they know how to book this time of year and the only one they really get behind.  

Comments

  1. Bryan in the title match or Bryan versus Lesnar. Either of those works for me. Ideally, they're one and the same.

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  2. He's the hottest act so they need to take advantage of that in the best way possible.

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  3. The only reason to have Reigns win the Royal Rumble is if its part of a slow burn heel turn. The Philly audience will turn on Reigns so quickly if he wins.

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  4. Did Austin need to win the rumble? Did Hogan? You put your big stars over at these shows, you don't throw good money after bad trying to build up some loser that is already dead in the water like Rusev or the shield faces. I agree with the emailer that I have zero interest in seeing Bryan or anyone on the roster do anything at mania because of how bad the "writing" is. Didn't they just turn Lesnar face too? Even if you got a good Bryan program going into mania, that's like 6 weeks of good segments on TV AT BEST. Then within a week or two after mania it will be right back to the dog shit stays quo.

    Also I wouldn't be shocked if Bryan vs Lesnar ends up being a disappointment like the Jericho vs punk mania match, in that it will be good but not a classic everyone is automatically assuming. Brock hasn't had a great match in a year and half and who knows what kind of shape Bryan will actually be in, not to mention Lesnar will have one foot out the door.

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  5. I'm getting the sneaking suspicion that Randy Orton will return and win it with Rollins winning the title. If Lesnar does leave - him and Cena will main event WM in a retirement match or something. But I think Orton might be the guy the fall back guy and there is a built-in Orton-Rollins storyline.

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  6. Scott's writing reminded me of when Bryan was in ROH. He had the belt and was either out-wrestling or out-cheating all his opponents and looked unstoppable. Homicide had feuded with Bryan for years before Bryan got the belt and was brought back to the company with the promise he could challenge Bryan. It was just a great story full of pathos and drama and it was the unlikely hero (Homicide) vs the unstoppable force ((Bryan).

    Then after Homicide lost the belt to the huge Japanese monster, Morishima, Bryan went after him and that was a legendary feud. Basically, Morishima beat the Hell out of Bryan so badly, Bryan had to take time off to heal. Then he came back and Morishima really went after him. It was a story of David vs Goliath only Goliath kept winning and really putting the hurt on David.

    Really, the WWE could do worse than just stealing stories from old ROH DVDs.

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  7. I do think that a lot of us are sleeping on Rollins taking the belt and running off into his own program setting up "Cena vs. Lesnar - THE FINAL BATTLE!!!!" for Wrestlemania.


    I think the thing to remember is they haven't paid off the Cena/Lesnar feud yet. We may not care anymore, but something tells me they still do. And this Triple Threat isn't really going to do it. And they added Rollins to this match late in the game for a reason.

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  8. And if the goal (which it almost certainly is) is 3-4 Main Event quality matches at a Wrestlemania:


    1)Rollins defends the title against Reigns/Bryan/Orton
    2) Cena/Lesnar for the final time
    3) Sting/HHH for the first and probably only time
    4) One of Reigns/Bryan vs. Rusev's undefeated streak or Bray/Taker if that actually happens as the fourth mega-hyped match


    Not exactly what I would want to see, but it's a WWE card that they would have no issue promoting.

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  9. yeah I'd like to see something like ...


    Lesnar vs. Cena
    Rollins vs. Orton
    Sting vs. HHH
    Bryan vs. Rusev
    Wyatt vs. Undertaker


    Or something

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  10. WWE Creative Monkey 1: "Let's book Daniel Bryan in a feud. But who with...?"

    WWE Creative Monkey 2: "What about Kane?"

    WWE Creative Monkey 1: "Brilliant! They have chemistry, history, the fans will eat it up!"

    WWE Creative Monkey 3: "Or we could put him up against someone else? Anyone?"

    WWE Creative Monkey 1: "I... don't understand..."

    WWE Creative Monkey 2: "What about Kane?"

    WWE Creative Monkey 1: "Yes! Yes! Yes! See what I did there?"

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  11. I'd probably juggle it a little. I would want to see Bryan/Rollins and Roman/Rusev, but given that Bryan is lobbying to become the face of Smackdown, if they grant that request, it's hard to see him getting the belt. Now, giving him the US belt and making that the defacto Smackdown belt, that jives a little more with WWE thinking.

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  12. "I have this really idea where Bryan beats Corporate Kane and he thinks he's rid of him and then BAM! It's THEDEMONKANE!!!!!!"

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  13. Let's suck it up and face it: WWE will book Bryan versus Kane or Sheamus or Big Show at WrestleMania and it will be fourth or fifth from the top.

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  14. Fourth or Fifth? He's getting bumped to pre-show to make time for the Divas Invitational and Flo Rida performing the Wrestlemania anthem

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  15. And then back to the full body outfit for the final match of the Kane gauntlet!

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  16. It's kind of funny watching old Wrestlemanias and seeing like 12-15 matches on a card.


    They don't really top eight these days.


    I like it better the way it is now because you get good matches and a lot of those early Wrestlemania matches are terrible because for a lot of reasons, length included, but it really does limit exposure on that stage to a handful of select guys, especially when you consider Triple H is part time, will always have a match, Taker up until this year part time, will always have a match, they usually lure one or two vintage acts back for a match.

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  17. This Sunday will tell us everything. I'm still convinced that Vince is going to ride the Reigns train to hell and back.

    I can easily see Lesnar vs. Bryan as a Mania match, but not for the title. I can see it as a "The Authority wants to destroy you and turf you out of WWE for good, so you have to face this monster" match.

    Of course, Bryan beating Lesnar will get the biggest pop of the night and overshadow Reigns' title win.

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  18. Sadly, I almost expect that at this point.

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  19. I'm interested in Bryan's Smackdown plans. He's smart - nothing good happens to anyone not named Cena or Reigns or Big Show on Raw. He can move to Thursdays, hopefully help move the needle on the ratings, and be somewhat free of Vince's tyranny.

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  20. Royal Rumble: Corporate Kane eliminates Daniel Bryan
    Fast Lane: Daniel Bryan beats Corporate Kane
    Wrestlemania: Demon Kane beats Daniel Bryan
    Exterme Rules: Stretcher Match: Daniel Bryan beats Demon Kane
    Payback: Bodysuit Demon Kane beats Daniel Bryan
    MITB: Daniel Bryan beats Bodysuit Demon Kane
    Battleground: Inferno Match: Daniel Bryan beats Bodysuit Demon Kane setting him on fire leading to...
    Summerslam: Voice Modulator Bodysuit Demon Kane beats Daniel Bryan
    Night of Champions: Daniel Bryan beats VMBDK (I'm getting tired of typing)
    Hell In A Cell: Hell In A Cell Match: VMBDK beats Daniel Bryan
    Survivor Series: Team Anti-Kane (Bryan, Zack Ryder, X-Pac, Edge) defeats Team Kane (VMBDK, Corporate Kane, Demon Kane, Bodysuit Demon Kane)
    TLC: Mask vs. Beard: Daniel Bryan beats VMBDK


    WHAT A YEAR MAGGLE!!!!

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  21. My semi-bold prediction: Bryan gets screwed somehow, doesn't win the Rumble. Cena/Reigns for the title, but Bryan/Lesnar goes on last.

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  22. If Kane showed up to a match in full suit and than broke it away like Hulk Hogan to reveal the Kane suit that would be pretty awesome.

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  23. If Reigns wins the title, it has to be in like a triple-threat against Rollins as champ and Ambrose. It can't be a one-on-one match against anyone cause he can't pull one off. It would get a "boring" chant from like 60,000 fans. ESPECIALLY if it's Reigns vs. Brock. That would be beyond awful.

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  24. Aye, that would actually be quite good.

    Especially if they fix him up with some sort of stunt pyrotechnics, so the suit burns away. :D

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  25. It will be Mania 18 all over again: the match with the most heat that should go on last (Hogan vs. Rock) is bumped for a less interesting title match that had a forgone conclusion (Triple H vs. Jericho).

    ANY match with Bryan will probably be the hottest match on the card. Hell, Sting vs. Triple H will probably be the 2nd hottest just for historical purposes.

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  26. Problem with a Triple Threat is the crowd will almost entirely go to Ambrose and it'll be like the Rey/Orton/Angle triple threat where it was Rey's moment and the crowd was booing him because they were so into Angle.


    If they do Reigns/Rollins, they're basically praying Rollins is a good enough heel to not split the crowd and make the smarks cheer him. Or maybe they just don't give a shit, who knows.

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  27. Hell, Mania 28 had 8 matches on the card and that includes Bryan's 18 second loss and the 5 minute Big Show/Cody Rhodes match.

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  28. Question for the bloggers - if they decided to reboot Bryan's character a bit, to shake up his moveset, change his image and set him up for new feuds, what do you think of rebranding him as American Dragon again and setting him up to take down Rusev at Wrestlemania?

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  29. It's 1995 all over again. Reigns is Big Daddy Cool and Bryan is Bret Hart. After a disaster run as champion they'll put the belt back on Bryan around this time next year having been the last people to realize "sufferin succotash" is lame and won't get anyone over.

    Personally I would just give Roman a year long US title run after beating Rusev at Wrestlemania. He's just not ready to be the man right now but winning a lower tier title would help him and help elevate that belt as well if he had it for 8 or 9 months. I'd turn Sheamus heel as a good contender for that belt during the summer. Hell he could be a dark horse challenger to Bryan's title during the lame duck months after Summerslam just to test the waters a bit. Maybe be a noble MITB winner and announce his cashing in beforehand. If he seems ready by then THEN you can anoint him as "the guy" and have him win the title at WM. Meanwhile Bryan slays the dragon Lesnar at WM, Rollins tries to cash in on a lifeless Bryan surviving the match of his life and Orton makes his return and stops it. You could then rotate Rollins Orton and even Cena into title matches for awhile.

    All in all right now is just Bryan's time and it'd be foolish to jump the gun on Reigns right now.

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  30. YES, Morishima! That fat bastard was a beast. I loved the match where Bryan get's DQ'ed for stomping on his balls.

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  31. It's a hard transition to pull off. You could call him the American Dragon if you explain it to the audience: that Bryan is regarded as one of the best in the world, he used to be called that in Japan taking on some of the best fighters from all around the world and put it over like that.


    It could work as a nickname similar to Canadian Crippler.


    But I don't really think you turn Bryan into a flag waving Duggan/Swagger like patriot.

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  32. True but that's okay if the fans cheer for Ambrose. At least the match would be cool. And enough ppl would like a Reigns win that he'd get a good enough reaction. He just can't have a one-on-one match. Even if Rollins heels the hell outta the match, it would still suck.

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  33. Being that they'd probably want to own his nickname, I'd go with something like American Dolphin.

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  34. I think the IC title getting passed back and forth would make this even better.

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  35. Bryan in 2015 is 10x as popular as Bret Hart in 1995. Otherwise your analogy is pretty good.

    Though any excuse to turn Sheamus heel is a good one. Bryan has said he loves working with him and a heel Sheamus "I beat you in 18 seconds and I'll do it again, FELLA!" would be a fantastic angle.

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  36. Or WM25 for that matter where UT/Shawn (two beloved legends) went on before HHH/Orton (two guys that are wrestlers)

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  37. It would end up The American Goat. You know it, I know it, the whole WWE Universe knows it.

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  38. That match would be cool, no doubt.


    Wrestlemania crowds are weird. Like, that Triple Threat I mentioned, Rey was one of the most over guys in the company at that point. It was just that the show was in Chicago and it was a super smarky crowd and they were annoyed at how Rey was getting the push because of Eddie's death and how transparent WWE was with exploiting it

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  39. Agreed. A Reigns title match will probably be AT BEST the 3rd hottest match on the card. And that's not a good spot for a guy winning his first world title to be in.

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  40. Who is King Mabel in this analogy?

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  41. Yeah but Bret was most over guy in the company just by default. That's just how bad their roster was at the time. All the draws were in WCW.

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  42. And to that point, I really need to know who is the 2015 equivalent of Sir Mo

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  43. I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just pointing out that Bryan is a much hotter act in 2015 than Bret Hart was in 1995.

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  44. I'm not sold on Reigns, and I am sold on Bryan getting one more shot back to the top.

    I think Bryan draws #2, and goes Broadway...your final five are Bryan/Reigns/Show/Ambrose/Wyatt. Ambrose and Wyatt probably eliminate each other (with Ambrose falling over a TV on his way out, Sister Abigail, pin...sorry, I had to).
    The final three are Show, Bryan, and Reigns. Reigns is eliminated by Show, and this sets up the whole "David vs. Goliath" angle for WrestleMania XXXI. Bryan is left with the Big Show, and they recreate the ending of the 2004 Royal Rumble. Bryan snaps a front face lock on Show...Show tries to hoist him over the ropes, but Show's own momentum causes him to fall over the top rope to the floor. Bryan wins, but is left to face a bigger goliath (in Brock Lesnar) at WrestleMania.
    Now, this is what I had in mind prior to Monday's Raw. After seeing Brock turn face, though...? Anything is liable to happen, at this point. I just think Show could be fed to Reigns in a two-minute squash, and that would give Reigns another year to prove that he belongs on top. That's what he needs right now, because his work doesn't lead me to think he should be headlining anything just yet.

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  45. Roman = Diesel
    Bryan = Bret Hart
    Big Show = King Mabel
    Joey Mercury = Sir Mo


    Who's popping painkillers at an alarming rate, we need a HBK

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  46. Kurt Angle? Jeff Hardy?

    Oh, they're in TNA.

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  47. Damn wellness policy!

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  48. Bret in 1995 had insane popularity outside the US. For whatever reason, he was absolutely huge in Europe/Asia. I love Bryan, and think he's definitely far more popular here, but I don't know if he has the same sort of global popularity.

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  49. Daniel Bryan doesn't need to win the Rumble for the sake of his character, but the WWE needs Daniel Bryan to win the Rumble for the sake of the company.

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  50. Yeah, I wasn't thinking of making him Mr America, more just a hard bastard arse-kicker who is just fed up of the USA being treated like dirt when he 'represented' America all over the world and gained respect, etc, doing so.

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  51. followed by emotional/X-Pac teaming era Kane!


    then when they really run out of ideas, Bryan can wage war on an Evil Dentist, just to put the 1995 Bret comparison on the mark.

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  52. Daniel Bryan is the hero WWE needs, but not the one they deserve.

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  53. My god, the evil dentist Kane has locked in the Eye-Sack Yank Em - will Bryan tap?!?!

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  54. I never really bought the idea that Bret Hart was insanely popular in Europe/Asia. WWF was definitely expanding in those areas, but the History of WWE says they weren't doing HUGE houses.

    Don't get me wrong - Hart was definitely a draw overseas and was WWF's biggest international draw up to then (and he was basically a national hero in Canada). His popularity did help him run a few international markets for the first time. But "huge" might be overselling it.

    Regardless, international appeal is great, but the company still runs 90% of their shows in the U.S.

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  55. I remember when Austin was hot and Billy Gun won the rumble after Stone Cold wrestled Test in the opener.

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  56. Blasphemy! Bret told us he was, so it must be true!


    I mean, there's that stock footage they used to show where THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OF INDIA showed up to see him. THE. ENTIRE. COUNTRY.


    That's like a billion Bret Hart fans! Think of the plastic sunglasses sales!

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  57. All the more reason its baffling they refuse to just make him the top guy.

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  58. I forgot about that! Tickets were probably the equivalent of a U.S. nickel. Sunglasses cost two cents.

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  59. They still do great when they go overseas just because of how infrequently they travel, don't they? Bret probably just lucked in to being the guy on top, they probably would've sold out every house in Europe even if the Brooklyn Brawler was champ.

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  60. Google "Bret Hart India" and this pops up

    http://www.tmz.com/2013/12/12/bret-hart-yokozuna-pooped-in-ring-wwe-wrestling-india/

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  61. That's too perfect.

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  62. it's funny how Vince wants so badly to be recognized beyond wrestling. All this time and investment in shit like bodybuilding or football or movies, to try and turn people like the Miz or Randy Orton into name actors... and yet when you have Bryan getting involved with the SF Giants during their playoff race - http://mlb.mlb.com/images/5/0/0/97763500/100614_sf_daniel_bryan_yes_twitter_anngltjp.gif - the WWE does absolutely nothing about it.


    If someone like Reigns or HHH were getting involved like this with a big MLB franchise (that too one that just won the World Series), we'd never hear the fucking end of it, and we'd have images like that shoved down our throats every other week.

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  63. with a tear in his eye, Yokozuna had said it was one of the most satisfying poops he'd ever taken.

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  64. "You can't see me, my time is now!"


    ...and then


    ...and forever

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  65. The public isn't interested in goats, Maggle!!!!

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  66. Because the MLB (and Ziggler's comedy, for another example) is not WWE Approved (TM).

    Vince wants his guys to be media stars, but ONLY in WWE-associated media. The thing is, he used to LOVE extra media attention. But I think the breaking point was when they promoted the shit out of Stacy being on Dancing With the Stars and she left immediately after. Vince is afraid of guys just saying "fuck it" and leaving for greener pastures.

    And HHH can do whatever the hell he wants, as evidence from accompanying Floyd Mayweather to the ring when CM Punk couldn't do the same in UFC.

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  67. The poster boy for B+ players... Triple H.

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  68. Don't worry, I submitted my resume and application to become a WWE writer. I will bring it back to greatness

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  69. I haven't followed WWE closely for about 8 months now, but I plan on watching the Rumble because I always enjoy it. Have they run a story where someone had to enter first as punishment, like Punk last year? Or will it be a surprise?

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  70. I don't think they're dragging out Reigns/Show for three months, but I've been wrong before.

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  71. I feel like Vince is (not so) secretly seething about Bryan's popularity. Every time the crowd starts chanting for him or doing the "Yes!" en masse you know Vince just wants to storm down the aisle, grab a mic and scream "but he's SHORT! Don't you people GET IT?! HE'S SHORT AND HE DOESN"T EAT MEAT! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!"

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  72. They have not announced #1 or #30 as of yet.


    They do still have time to punish someone at the event prior to the match.

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  73. I hope not. The No. 1 guy going the distance (or at least until the final four) is getting overused. It's a cool story except when it's done like four out of every five years.

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  74. I will forgive an entire year's worth of shit booking if they give me Bryan Vs Brock at Mania. I don't even care if he doesn't win the Rumble (even though I think he will), so long as Reigns doesn't win it. IMO it's between Orton and Bryan right now

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  75. I'd say it was because Bryan was on the shelf at the time and they still had no idea when he'd be back rather than anything nefarious.

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  76. And the viewer is entirely behind Bryan for that because he's such an underdog and Morishima deserves it. That was really perfectly booked. So much the WWE could just steal from....

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  77. They may have never planned on him being the top guy in the company, but the way he was treated from his first day on NXT suggests to me that they've always really liked him.
    Let's not confuse booking incompetence with something more sinister. Vince- and HHH, Steph, whoever else- are clearly big fans of the guy. They were caught way off-guard by just how over he got a year ago, and just how much we were not interested in a returning Batista as the main event babyface. When presented with that information, they swiftly changed plans. What am I missing here that suggests Vince would be super upset with an act that makes him money?

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  78. They always do strong numbers overseas and I think the infrequency is a big factor. They did solid numbers on the Australia tour last year and neither Cena, Bryan, or Punk were on the cards.

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  79. Brock isn't face, the fans just hate Rollins more.

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  80. Reigns has yet to actually beat the Big Show.

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  81. If they're looking to screw with the fans by having someone who will lose their shot prior to Mania win the Rumble, who's that guy? Big Show?

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  82. I kinda like the name "Hell In A Cell". "Elimination Chamber" isn't great, but it's not really any worse that "Survivor Series". "TLC" is pretty awful.

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  83. I was really hoping for a Cesaro/Sheamus team, just steamrolling through the tag ranks with European violence. But I can't imagine he comes back as a face, not when the heel ranks are so depleted that Big Show is a major player again.

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  84. Calgary has the biggest rodeo IN THE WORLD. It fits.

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  85. I go back and forth on this.


    It sounds absolutely insane for people to think a company hates one their biggest stars, who is making them money, and is passively trying to take the guy, who again is making them money, down a peg because he's they don't like him.

    I mean, legitimately, that is some crazy crazy fringe conspiracy stuff.


    But then you hear some of the things about this company that are actually true...


    I'm like 80% sure Vince isn't a complete psycho, but I mean, that still leaves 20%

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  86. The Ghost of Matt_INDEED!!!January 22, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    I haven't been paying attention to WWE at all recently. Is the Rumble on Sunday? I may have to watch that.

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  87. With Brock Lesnar turning face (kind of)... I wouldn't mind if Reigns wins the Rumble while Heyman screws Lesnar and choses Reigns as his new next big thing. If Lesnar leaves, it would be a good transition. But I don't want a heel Reigns to win the title at Wrestlemania. And I don't want a face title defense, which is boring. ;)

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  88. "Pretty good in a boring sort of way" is exactly how I'd describe a lot of current 4AD bands. I'm always willing to listen to new stuff on the label, because I know it probably won't suck. But the only band they've got now that really moves me is Camera Obscura.

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  89. Ever read Matt Murphy's wresting books "The Somebody Obsession" and "The professional wrestler in the world of sports entertainment"?


    They're both pretty good. The first one is his autobiography - he was an indy wrestler who came close to being in the majors. It reminds me of the baseball book "The Bullpen Gospels" if you've ever read that.


    His second book was just advice for people who want to be wrestlers. That's not something I'd want to be in a million years, but it's interesting.


    Two thumbs up, and I'd gladly give it higher praise if I had more thumbs

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  90. I think I agree with this.
    If, say, Daniel Bryan had remained at a main event level but they didn't change plans to make one of their biggest shows ever almost entirely about him, I could see the "Vince actually hated this" argument. But this isn't like David Stern being upset at the small-market Spurs winning. If Vince doesn't want something to happen...it most likely doesn't fucking happen.

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  91. I think the new version would be "Who's using icepacks at an alarming rate?" So...Rollins?

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  92. But there's a difference. People don't die from boxing, but someone might die from MMA fighting. And did you know they have women fighting now?

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  93. WWE Network has been buffering constantly today for I. Every few minutes and it just randomly stops. First time I've had a problem since getting the network last week :(

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  94. Shawn was the most over guy in 1995.

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  95. I think it's time for the 94 finish with Reigns and Bryan.

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  96. I learned a new put-down today from The Daily Show.


    A "munt"...a male cunt!

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  97. Well that's face enough for me. ;-)

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  98. That first one sounds interesting. We don't really get the perspective of an Indy wrestler who DOESN'T make it.

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  99. I haven't heard any of CO's recent stuff... the only current 4AD acts I like are Scott Walker, Tune-Yards and I was going to say Twin Shadow but apparently he's on Warner now. Ho hum.

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  100. You know what I wish the Network had?


    WCW Worldwide and WCW Pro Wrestling.


    It kind of plays out in my mind like a fever dream from my childhood, where I'm not entirely sure if I just made up a syndicated weekend wrestling show with a ring that spins in the middle of a studio for tourists.


    Added bonus, one episode featured Edge (as SEXTON HARDCASTLE, the porniest ring name since Flex Kavana) getting his shit wrecked by Meng.

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  101. the kindle versions are both pretty cheap

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  102. Doing a season of WWF '92 in EWR. I changed to an all PPV monthly model. Flair beat Hogan for the vacant WWF title at the Feb PPV "No Way Out". Also on the card, Ultimate Warrior beat The Great Muta, The Undertaker beat Sid Justice in a steel cage match, and Bret Hart beat Shawn Michaels to retain the IC title.

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  103. IT'S THE ROOOOYALLL RUMMMMBBBLLLLEEEERRTTRGHGHFFHRGH


    [/vince]


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ6VWYutfHU

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  104. Well, it's safe to say by the time Wrestlemania 33 rolls around, people will be cursing that overused goat bastard Daniel Bryan and getting behind underdog Sami Zayn.

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  105. Funny you should bring up 92. YouTube recommended a blast of Rumble nostalgia.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjQLC86xnrc



    WWF's PPV Event Centers used to be the tits.


    Also, your 92 EWR sounds like the tits.

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  106. Your mention of Flair beating Hogan made me think. One of the reasons why I never thought Flair vs. Hogan in '92 was that intriguing in WWF (as a young mark) was because I could never see how Flair, a pretty small guy in the land of WWF giants, could ever beat Hogan. Hogan's not tapping out to the figure four and it takes a superhuman effort (Warrior) or or chicanery PLUS a superhuman effort (Taker and a steel chair, Andre and two refs, Yoko and the exploding camera) to pin the guy.

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  107. Honestly, I can't see DB lasting till WM33 as a full-time performer. I think we've got another year or so of him. Too many miles on that body. The guy had a full decade of hard-hitting matches before he arrived at WWE.

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  108. That might be a matter of opinion.

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  109. The Ghost of Matt_INDEED!!!January 22, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    Wait.


    Yetaaaay's can't type or know English.


    What am I seeing here?


    And since when do Yetaaay's dress like mummies?


    The world is so confusing.

    ReplyDelete
  110. "Yep Mode" Abeyance Brown ©January 22, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    Plus he already had his big WM moment, only thing he needs to do now is win the IC title.

    ReplyDelete
  111. Taskmaster's wife teach me to type. She also design wardrobe.

    ReplyDelete
  112. So is there an argument against the 1992 Royal Rumble being the greatest collection of in-ring talent for a Rumble in history? Or has it been surpassed?

    ReplyDelete
  113. I think it's the greatest Rumble ever. Only person missing from it from that era is Bret.

    ReplyDelete
  114. It never will be surpassed. WWE could've done it with the 2002 Rumble with a ton of WCW and WWF all-stars, but they didn't.

    ReplyDelete
  115. The Ghost of Matt_INDEED!!!January 22, 2015 at 9:40 AM

    I may ask a genie someday as a wish to remove those memories for my own satisfaction.

    ReplyDelete
  116. I think 2002 rivals it.

    Also the final 7 in the 97 Rumble may be the strongest final field ever:

    Bret, Austin, Mankind, Terry Funk, Vader, Taker, Fake Diesel/Kane

    ReplyDelete
  117. Why should AJ return? I guess if she *wants* to work, but I'm guessing it can't be the best environment for her.

    ReplyDelete
  118. The Ghost of Matt_INDEED!!!January 22, 2015 at 9:41 AM

    She was clearly a renaissance woman.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Don't make me burn your bones and permanently get rid of you.

    ReplyDelete
  120. That's a nice crop of guys but that Fake Diesel gimmick just brings everything to hell. It's like lining up every Horsemen, then seeing Paul Roma's goofy ass smiling at you.

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  121. I know I was just joking.

    ReplyDelete
  122. The Ghost of Matt_INDEED!!!January 22, 2015 at 9:41 AM

    I'll still come back to haunt your dreams.

    ReplyDelete
  123. She's definitely at a crossroads. She's young and in her prime but she's already done everything a woman can do in WWE and her husband's departure must not endear her to the higher-ups.

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  124. Well, I assumed we were looking in retrospect. Like, look at those seven guys and what they became/were and it is pretty crazy.

    Also, Rock was there too... so final eight.

    ReplyDelete
  125. Dude. I'd go all Dreamscape on you.

    ReplyDelete
  126. The Ghost of Matt_INDEED!!!January 22, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Hi Hoss!

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  127. He just couldn't bounce back in time for the Rumble after the lashing he got from The Mountie.

    ReplyDelete
  128. No one knows if her marriage will actually last, but I'm guessing as long as she's hitched, they'll be fine financially.

    ReplyDelete
  129. It could be Joey Mercury again if he falls off the wagon

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  130. Yeah, those things he gobbled down before Starrcade '97 that made him look pregnant with Brandon Lee's baby.

    ReplyDelete
  131. High school memories.

    http://i.imgur.com/zW4H6iq.png

    ReplyDelete
  132. The Ghost of Matt_INDEED!!!January 22, 2015 at 9:45 AM

    "Therefore, it's the worst Rumble ever."


    - Bret Hart

    ReplyDelete
  133. If Wrestlemania 33 happens in Philly, I think Heyman is a shoe-in for Hall of Fame. They could even induct Tommy Dreamer and have him cry for two solid hours during the HOF show.

    ReplyDelete
  134. "The origin of the term "shill" is uncertain; it may be an abbreviation of "shillaber." The word originally denoted a carnival worker who pretended to be a member of the audience in an attempt to elicit interest in an attraction."

    If it has any derogatory meaning to Jewish people I was unaware and didn't intend to imply anything.

    ReplyDelete
  135. "Yep Mode" Abeyance Brown ©January 22, 2015 at 9:47 AM

    Eh, after how Ambrose has been treated these past few months, I'm not so sure the crowd would be completely behind him.

    ReplyDelete
  136. Tommy denies HOF entry..."I booked a Hardcore House of Horrors show at the ECW Arena that night. Sorry, guys."

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  137. A great way to kick that feud off (if they choose to do s) would be to have them both enter the Rumble early, and battle through out the entire thing (during slow spots, when the participants thin out, etc...), eventually eliminating each other very late (as in final 6).
    Rusev beats down Bryan at Fast Lane, then Bryan has to revert to the American Dragon attitude in order to compete with Rusev. Hell, bring in Brie (if you must) to neutralize repeated interference from Lana.

    ReplyDelete
  138. Yeah, I can't see what she'd want to come back for, other than to further prove she's the top of her profession in WWE. I mean, being in WWE was a dream for her in ways it never was for Punk, who simply wanted to be in pro wrestling, period.


    Of course, by letting everyone know how much it meant to her to win the Divas title, she immediately became the subject of ridicule because, "HAHA, she got the date of her title win tattooed on the back of her neck! What a fucking bitch, caring about one of our titles! She's a mark, Maggle!"

    ReplyDelete
  139. Things Jeff Katz is doing instead of finishing his Kickstarter scam The Wrestling Retribution Project:

    http://www.avclub.com/article/cinemas-newest-shared-universe-be-based-50s-b-movi-214177

    ReplyDelete
  140. I generally like the guy, but I'm fairly certain a Tommy Dreamer HOF induction speech would be the most insufferable thing ever.


    So much back-patting and manly tears and overstating his importance to the business, and then maybe slyly trying to get a "one more match" chant started. Blech.

    ReplyDelete
  141. The Ghost of Matt_INDEED!!!January 22, 2015 at 9:49 AM

    Well, kiss my grits. I guess I know what I'm doing Sunday night.


    Alice marathon.

    ReplyDelete
  142. Why no news update that Adam is the new Frontyard Wrestling world champion? That was huge the way the Commissioner's daughter turned heel like that.

    ReplyDelete
  143. "Yep Mode" Abeyance Brown ©January 22, 2015 at 9:50 AM

    That's, actually a pretty good setup for a year long feud.

    ReplyDelete
  144. You know what the problem is? NO ONE in this company is being pushed right now. Well, except for the Authority of course. Seth Rollins is sorta getting pushed as top heel, but his win/loss record and character is such that no one sees him as a threat to win matches without copious amounts of interference on his behalf. After Seth you drop way down to Big Show & Bray Wyatt as your next top heels, and both of those guys lose matches all the time.

    On the babyface side, they've booked John Cena as the biggest pussy in the world. Yeah, he usually wins, but everything he does is in reaction to the Authority, who generally gets the upper hand. Daniel Bryan is just back from injury, yet already again the most over guy in the company. What's the first thing they do with him? Make him look weak by having problems with Kane. Kane! Meanwhile the Chosen One--Roman Reigns--can't seem to get past the Big Show. Then you drop way down to Dean Ambrose who's won like 3 matches in the last six months, and a trio of guys who just spent the last month "fired".

    Even the company's World Champion--Brock Lesnar--is somehow portrayed as both an unstoppable beast AND a coward who's apparently afraid to wrestle full-time. If it weren't the Rumble coming up and him having a match there they wouldn't even be talking about him, because god forbid you push your champion.

    Speaking of champions: US Champ Rusev is getting a "push" in that they don't have him lose. But he never beats anyone tough either. Forty-eight straight victories over Jack Swagger & R-Truth don't exactly amount to much. And don't even get me started on IC Champ Wade Barrett. Of course there's the Tag Teams Champions... whoever they are. Seriously, who has the belts? Usos? Miz & Mizdow?

    I know they're Just Telling Stories™ and wins & losses don't matter... except they kind of do. Because people like to root for winners. Yes, the underdog is fun to root for. OCCASIONALLY. Not always. Generally people like to cheer on someone who kicks ass and usually wins. They say there's "money in the chase," and while that's true, ultimately the whole point is to see people overcome adversity and ultimately WIN. Right now the WWE roster feels full of guys who barely have what it rakes to be champion. Not just win it and successfully defend it, but literally make it through the RAW after a PPV without being made to look like a fool. Whether it's Cena, Reigns, Bryan or Rollins, fans look at all these guys right now and think "you know... Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, & the Rock would kick these guys' asses."

    Does Daniel Bryan "need" to win the Royal Rumble? I dunno--did Stone Cold "need" to win THREE Royal Rumbles en route to Vince McMahon putting WCW out of business and becoming a billionaire? Does WWE like making money?

    ReplyDelete
  145. Bryan isn't as popular right now as Bret was in 95.

    ReplyDelete

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