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Smackdown - January 15, 2015

Smackdown
Date: January 15, 2015
Location: Baton Rouge River Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton

Reviewed by Tommy Hall


Smackdown is back on Thursday nights in its original time slot, which might mean WWE will put a fresh focus on it instead of just using it as a dumping ground for whatever they can't fit on Raw. The big story tonight is Daniel Bryan's return to the ring for the first time since his neck surgery in May. Let's get to it.


Opening sequence.

Here's Daniel Bryan (with a fresh set of name graphics) for an in ring chat. Daniel says he should be in good spirits because he's back home where he belongs, in front of these great people, wearing his gear and ready to fight. Saxton shows him a clip of Kane tombstoning Bryan on everything he could find and Bryan looks a bit shaken. He talks about being Kane's partner and brother, but then Kane stabbed everyone in the back by trading in the mask for a suit.

Doctor after doctor has told him that he would never wrestle again but now he's ready. Of course he's worried about his neck but tonight he's going to prove himself by fighting Kane, winning the Royal Rumble and then getting his title back at Wrestlemania. Now some people think that's just a pipe dream, but YES he thinks he can do it. This brings out the Authority who actually doesn't have anything to say before the match starts.

Daniel Bryan vs. Kane

Bryan charges right at him to start but Kane takes him down with a single forearm to the back. They head to the corner where Bryan smartens up and goes after the knee. As usual though, Kane doesn't seem interested in selling and takes Daniel down with a pair of neckbreakers. A cravate doesn't last long so Kane kicks him in the head for two. I know I rip on Kane a lot but at least he's smart enough to go after the obvious body part. A neck crank has Bryan in even more trouble but he's able to kick Kane to the floor.

Kane is staggered up against the barricade but not staggered enough to let Bryan hit a flying knee from the apron as he punches Daniel out of the air. Back from a break with Kane holding a chinlock, followed by a running DDT for two. Off to the chinlock as the Authority plays cheerleader. For some reason the Noble seems like he would be very enthusiastic in that role. Kane loads up a superplex but gets shoved down and dropkicked for two. The kicks to the chest get the same but the Stooges come in to break up the YES Lock for the DQ at 11:41.

Rating: C-. If there isn't something else later in the night, I'm sending WWE a bill for the injuries suffered from my eyes rolling that hard. There is no way WWE doesn't let Bryan get a clean win in his big comeback match against Kane. Bryan looked fine but there's only so much you can tell in a match that didn't even get eight minutes of TV time. I did like Kane going after the neck and setting up the tombstone. It never ceases to amaze me when you have someone coming back off an injury and their opponent goes after a different body part. Even Shawn did that once when HHH had a bandaged leg.

Bryan fights back and finally runs away from the numbers advantage. The Authority stays after him but Reigns and Ambrose come out to stand next to them. HHH makes a six man with those three against Kane, Big Show and Rollins later tonight.

Randy Savage Hall of Fame video. I'm very worried about Hogan turning the induction speech into a way to talk about how great he was.

Bray Wyatt is not a human being but for thousands of years, society has labeled people like him a threat. At some point, his poison starts to seep out of the cracks. All those people over the years have been right, and it's going to be too late to run after he wins the Royal Rumble.

Usos/Naomi vs. Damien Mizdow/Miz/Alicia Fox

Miz/Mizdow vs. Usos for the titles is official for the Rumble. Mizdow gets a huge ovation as he's on the apron and watching Miz start with Jimmy. The brothers elbow Miz down for the double team elbow, followed by a nice suicide dive from Jey. Mizdow finally gets the tag but Fox tags herself in. That's fine with Naomi, who goes off on Fox for taking her spot on Total Divas. Pay no attention to Naomi still being on the show of course. A cross body gets two on Fox and it's already back to Miz vs. Jimmy.

The Reality Check is broken up and a double clothesline puts both guys down. The ice cold tag brings in Jey for a Samoan drop, followed by a Whisper in the Wind. Fox makes the save, only to have Jimmy throw Naomi at her for a cool looking spot. Mizdow tries to come in but takes a superkick to the hands (clearly didn't get close to his face). The distraction works though, allowing Miz to hit the Skull Crushing Finale for the pin on Jimmy at 4:50.

Rating: D+. Cool Naomi throwing spot aside, this feud is really getting dry. The Naomi Goes Hollywood part has been completely dropped, which you almost had to expect because it was actually interesting. That basically leaves Miz fighting the Usos in a handicap feud as we wait on Mizdow to finally break off on his own, even though they passed his peak about a month ago. At least the girls were there to keep this from being the champions losing in another non-title match.

Roman Reigns is with Renee Young (who has chopped off a lot of her hair) and says his partners would be in big trouble if this was the Royal Rumble. However, Dean is his boy and he has no issue with Bryan. On the other hand, he has a problem with the Authority and their giant crybaby Big Show. When it comes to the Royal Rumble, it's one vs. all. Dean and Bryan are part of the all, and that leaves him as the one. This felt a lot more natural from Reigns and it worked better than his usual stuff. The lack of fairy tales or Looney Tunes lines helped too.

Here's a ticked off Heyman with something to say. We look back at Rollins laying out Lesnar to end Raw and standing tall over the champion. Heyman says he's afraid for the first time because there's a threat to Lesnar. Brock has conquered everyone and everything because he can. When he beat up the Undertaker and broke the Streak or suplexed John Cena 16 times, it was all because he could and felt like doing it because he didn't have anything else to do on a Sunday night.

Now his purpose is to F5 the future of the WWE back into the past, but here are Rollins and the Stooges to interrupt. Seth is sick and tired of hearing about how awesome Brock Lesnar is and accusing him of hiding behind the Authority. He isn't afraid of Brock Lesnar and is going to cash in right now. Let's give the fans a treat for the show being back on Thursdays and have Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins right now....but Brock isn't here.

Rollins isn't cool with that and threatens to curb stomp Heyman if he can't curb stomp Lesnar. Heyman tells Rollins to be original because everyone threatens to beat him up when Lesnar isn't around. Seth is right in his face and says he's going to curb stomp Heyman and take away Lesnar's greatest asset. Then at the Royal Rumble, it's Rollins vs. all brawn and no brains, leaving Brock as nothing more than a 300lb mass of muscle that he can run circles around.

The facts are that he's curb stomped Lesnar twice now and he's going to do it again at the Royal Rumble, so why shouldn't he knock Heyman out right now? Paul says the Authority has been removed from power once so what makes Rollins think they can't be removed again by hook, crook, or by Vince McMahon's whims?

He's gained power every single day since he returned to the WWE and been by Brock Lesnar's side. Brock Lesnar has a death grip on the WWE Championship and he will control it as long as he likes. He can control that title by either defending the title or protecting the new champion when Heyman decides that the future is now. Paul drops the mic and leaves Rollins with a lot to think about.

This story has gone from another dull title match to one of the better stories around the title in a good while. Rollins is looking like a monster on equal footing with Lesnar and Cena in the span of a week. There's always the chance that this is the annual Royal Rumble challenger who goes nowhere after, but I'm totally buying into Rollins as a main event player. After the year he's had, there's a real argument to be made for him to win the title and defend it at Wrestlemania. I'd love to see him stop being the Authority's lap dog if nothing else.

Natalya vs. Nikki Bella

Non-title and Paige is here to counteract Brie. Natalya goes for the leg to start but gets taken down by a flying armbar of all things. She actually stays on the arm instead of yelling at the crowd but Natalya lifts Nikki into the air to break up a short arm scissors. Back up and Natalya steps onto Nikki's back before to drive her face first into the mat, followed by a running dropkick to the face.

Brie gets on the apron for a distraction, accidentally allowing Paige to slap Nikki. I'm sure they'll argue about it and then forget it a month later with no resolution. The Sharpshooter makes Nikki tap at 2:40. This would be their third match since December 29 now. Well that settles it. We MUST continue this feud at the Rumble. I for one couldn't survive without the thrilling end to this saga.

Big Show cuts Renee off and brags about knocking out Cena and Reigns this past Monday. Tonight he'll knock out all three but more importantly he's entering the Royal Rumble. That's where he dominates because no one can throw him over the top. Kane comes up and says he's in the Rumble as well.

Intercontinental Title: Sin Cara vs. Bad News Barrett

Rematch after last week where Sin Cara beat Barrett in a non-title match. Cara gets two off a rollup just after the bell and hits an enziguri from the apron to stagger Bad News. Barrett has had enough of that though and hammers Cara down before whipping him hard into the corner for two.

We hit the chinlock for a few moments before Cara hits a springboard spinning cross body for two. The announcers actually bring up Barrett's past troubles against Cara for some context. The Winds of Change lays Cara out but the Bull Hammer is countered into a rollup into a powerbomb. Cara misses the Swanton though and the Bull Hammer retains the title at 2:51. I'm so glad they had the champ get pinned clean to set up this epic showdown. To be fair though this was fun while it lasted.

The announcers plug the WWE Network launching in the UK, which went live a few days earlier than planned.

Dean Ambrose is in a dimly lit room and says he was the one you avoided on the playground. His report card always said he was disruptive in class, but that works really well for him in the Royal Rumble. The winner of the match isn't going to care about friendships or their own well being. Don't count him out, because you should be counting him in. His partners tonight have one big thing in common: they all detest the Authority.

Kane/Big Show/Seth Rollins vs. Daniel Bryan/Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose

Seth and Dean get things going with Ambrose slamming him face first into the buckle. He rips at Seth's hair and stomps at the ribs before bringing in Reigns for a nice suplex. Roman starts working on the arm but lets Rollins go for a tag to Kane. Reigns throws the big bald around for a bit before tagging Bryan in for the rapid fire kicks in the corner. A big uppercut finally puts Bryan down but Ambrose is right there to stop the Stooges from getting involved.

Everything breaks down in a fight on the floor and the good guys stand tall in the ring (not as tall as Big Show and Kane but still tall) as we take a break. Back with Ambrose stomping Rollins in the corner and hitting his dropkick up against the ropes for two. Seth finally sends him into the corner and ties Dean in the Tree of Woe to work on the injured knee.

Off to Big Show for something like an ankle lock but pushing forward on the shin instead of the foot. Rollins gets two off a running forearm in the corner and we hit the chinlock. Again I wonder why you would do that when you should know it's going to lead to a comeback. Back to Big Show as the Authority keeps things slow, hopefully leading to the hot tag to Bryan. I'll settle for one to Reigns as long as we don't hear another scripted promo.

Show hooks that same leg lock before Kane comes in and keeps up his good psychology by cranking on the knee. Seth comes back in and talks a lot of trash, earning him a slap in the face. The rebound clothesline finally puts Kane down but Rollins breaks up another tag. Dean sends him to the floor but everything breaks down on the floor. With everyone else fighting, Ambrose dives over for the hot tag to Bryan. Daniel cleans house and hits the Flying Goat on Kane and a top rope hurricanrana for two on Seth.

Kane comes back in with a chokeslam for two with Reigns having to make the save. Show loads up the announcers' table but Reigns jumps him to put both guys down. The YES Lock goes on Kane but Rollins makes a save. Dean's standing elbow takes out Rollins and the Stooges on the floor, leaving Bryan to escape the tombstone and hit the running knee for the pin on Kane at 17:48.

Rating: B+. This got a lot better as things went on and the slow build worked well here. I'm really glad Bryan won in the end and thankfully they kept the focus off Reigns vs. Big Show. At the end of the day, there just isn't enough interest in that feud to validate giving it the attention here. Ambrose selling a knee injury is a good way to keep him from 100% and makes the losses a bit easier to sit through. Really solid main event here though and a good main event for the first show back on the old night.

Post match HHH comes out and says Bryan's luck is running out. Next week on Smackdown, Kane is getting a rematch against Bryan and if Kane wins, Daniel is out of the Rumble.

Overall Rating: B-. The show was good but there's one thing I liked more than anything (well anything other than the main event): HHH making Kane vs. Bryan for next week. It's not the biggest match in the world, but it's a match being announced in advanced for Smackdown with a week's notice. If you're lucky you'll get a match announced four days in advance, but this feels like a match for Smackdown, not a match that happens as a result of something on Raw. It's like they're treating Smackdown as a show that matters, even if it's just a bit at first. That's something this show has been lacking for years now.

The rest of the show felt like a regular episode, meaning the wrestling was good to decent and mostly skippable. The main event was really good though and worth seeing, but most important of all is how they put a match on this show that people would want to see and it was given the time to stand out. If this were on Raw, they would have had to squeeze it in around a twenty minute promo, the New Day and Adam Rose beating up the Bunny for the 19th time. Hopefully Smackdown gets some more attention and is able to take some of the pressure off Raw, which would help both shows and the TV product as a whole.

Results
Daniel Bryan b. Kane via DQ when Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury interfered
Miz/Damien Mizdow/Alicia Fox b. Usos/Naomi – Skull Crushing Finale to Jimmy
Natalya b. Nikki Bella – Sharpshooter
Bad News Barrett b. Sin Cara – Bull Hammer
Daniel Bryan/Roman Reigns/Dean Ambrose b. Kane/Big Show/Seth Rollins – Running knee to Kane



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 guess I wasted my vote.

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  2. Yeah, there's a huge difference in how the Authority treated Orton when he was their champion, and how they're treating Rollins as just their number one contender.

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  3. Much appreciated.



    For me it comes down to how whiny he was when the Authority was gone. It was ALL he talked about. Rollins is the biggest active heel on the roster but he was like a 13 year old whose girlfriend was gone on summer vacation without the Authority around.

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  4. I voted Torrie, they all sound good though...

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  5. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJanuary 15, 2015 at 8:50 PM

    Was nervous watching Bryan but he looked good. Only thing I noticed that he did different was he did a better job catching himself on the corner dropkick. He did take the impact falling back on his neck.

    Entertaining 6 man and I will say roman reigns has so much potential. The guy is really athletic. Hope they figure out a way to limit his long promos

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  6. I thought the injury was to Bryan's elbow, not neck?

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  7. Crikey Mate Down Under AussieJanuary 15, 2015 at 8:59 PM

    "Paul drops the mic and leaves Heyman with a lot to think about."

    Quick edit man, good review.

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  8. Only 5 matches but nice to see they still managed to have a champion lose in 2 of em.

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  9. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJanuary 15, 2015 at 9:09 PM

    Think it started as a neck issue. Had surgery to correct that and during rehab he was struggling to gain strength in one of his arms. That's what lead to the tommy john rumors.

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  10. I think he had both.

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  11. Got it thanks.

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  12. I haven't watched SD in years and forgot how smooth a two hour show can move while still getting everyone involved.

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  13. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJanuary 15, 2015 at 9:12 PM

    And TWO Kane matches!!!!

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  14. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJanuary 15, 2015 at 9:13 PM

    Yeah I agree. Flowed pretty good and didn't have much filler

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  15. We're lucky Barrett didn't do another job to "Sin Cara". The action was fine, but seriously, how pointless is them trading wins, and wasting the "Big title match intros" on a match that lasted 2 minutes? The ring intros were so bad tonight, it made me long for Justin Roberts.

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  16. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJanuary 15, 2015 at 9:14 PM

    Next NXT special is shaping up nicely after reading spoilers (wish I hadn't but oh well).

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  17. I see your point, but for me it helps his whole slimy heel character. He was the schoolyard bully who didn't have the corrupt teachers to hide behind anymore. Like you, I'd like to see him strike out on his own eventually, but I'm enjoying his snivelling in the meantime.

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  18. Bryan being back just adds a whole new level of excitement to the shows. Look at how the crowd reacts while he's in the ring. It's something else.

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  19. "That man clearly doesn't know how to connect with the WWE Universe. Let's bury him on Superstars with Ezekiel Jackson."

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  20. Don't ask me why but I think Bryan is winning the Royal Rumble. Especially given how the end of the show put the focus on Daniel Bryan, NOT Roman Reigns.


    Hope I'm not proven wrong on this. Bryan vs. Lesnar at Wrestlemania or BUST!

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  21. Oh I love it too. I just would like to see him more angry than whiny about it.

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  22. The ring announcing has been god awful as of late. Why are all of the chicks just screaming names into the microphone? That chick on Raw a few weeks ago did it, as does the NXT girl.

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  23. I thought Kane brought a lot to the opener. When it wasn't Bryan carrying the pace, Kane's offense consisted almost entirely of punishing his neck. It wasn't flashy, but it worked within the story. Sometimes less is more.

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  24. When Lilian Garcia is the best option available, things are in the toilet.

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  25. I thought Daniel Bryan was not healing properly during rehab and now all of a sudden he's back. What was the story? Is really healthy now? I hope he didn't rush back

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  26. I don't think WWE would trot someone out there who isn't passing a physical, especially a few months after CM Punk's horror tales of (alleged) medical incompetence.

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  27. HowmuchdoesthisguyweighJanuary 15, 2015 at 10:22 PM

    I actually thought Kane was very good tonight. He is easy to rag on but I have nothing against him. I actually think he and big show should have a run with the tag straps for a few months. They can share the load and it would be believable for them to dominate for a little bit and whenever they lose it would be a big deal.

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  28. Please, no more Big Show. I don't mind Kane doing jobs for every midcarder, but no more Big Show. I think we have enough teams without going back to the SuperTeam's hogging the spotlight.

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  29. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329192-daniel-bryan-exclusive-on-his-injury-style-change-and-return-to-wwe-smackdown has Bryan explain it in his own words

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  30. But what if they swerve us and do Bryan vs Rollins for the title . . .to continue Bryan vs The Authority.

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  31. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2329192-daniel-bryan-exclusive-on-his-injury-style-change-and-return-to-wwe-smackdown

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  32. I'm watching the 1996 Royale Rumble and the first eight entrants might be the worst start to a Rumble ever. EVER.

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  33. Lol. 95 has a bad streak of names too

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  34. DORY FUNK! BOB "SPARK PLUG" HOLLY! HENRY GODWINN!

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  35. That NXT girl reminds me of Maureen the Mink on an old Muppets Christmas special.


    (http://www.buzzfeed.com/dray/57-great-unanswered-questions-in-a-muppet-family-4666#.cxD074Mzm) Check the video at the bottom and start watching about the 44:00 minute mark.

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  36. No eliminations until literally the 20-minute mark. I think 11 or 12 entererd before Bobby Backlund got tossed.

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  37. I never thought I'd see a Maureen the Mink reference... ever. Kudos!

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  38. No Road Warrior Animal? Too obvious, I guess.

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  39. "Yep Mode" Abeyance Brown ©January 15, 2015 at 11:50 PM

    What an odd way to bring in A Muppet Family Christmas.

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  40. I think about it every time I watch NXT.

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  41. Aside from Tori as the clear #5, I feel like you'd get a more heated debate over which of the other four was the hottest.

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  42. Some more info on the stuff that made Daniel Bryan better.

    http://breakingmuscle.com/mobility-recovery/muscle-activation-techniques-what-is-it-and-how-can-it-benefit-me

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  43. If this were the Attitude Era, the Miz-Naomi story would've involved Naomi going to Hollywood to meet Miz's producer/agent, Naomi getting tricked (or just convinced) into doing a porn (or just nude pics if WWE was feeling conservative), and then Uso Husband having to defend her honor.
    And if this were the Attitude Era, the Paige-Natty-Kidd story would be leading to Paige turning out Natty for some HLA while Kidd played the Jamie Noble role and was totally into it.
    I'm not saying this is good material or that it would've been good back then, but it's what would've happened.

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  44. Bryan-Rollins would be good, but be prepared for it to go second-to-last at WrestleMania. If that were the WWE title match, they'd run something like HHH-Sting, Undertaker's retirement match, or Rock-Brock as the main event.

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  45. I only watched the main event, but it did a great job of getting everyone over and was a fun match. Man, it's good to see Bryan back wrestling.

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  46. Has anyone been in more Rumbles than Kane? I'm struggling to remember a RR he wasn't taking part in.

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  47. If this were the Attitude Era I'd like to see what Naomi would wear in the ring, because Jesus Christ.

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  48. They would have done a LOT more with Paige's feud with AJ when Paige was crawling over her prone body and licking her cheek, etc.

    Man, if ever there was a reason to wish for the return of the Attitude Era... ;)

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  49. According to Wiki, he's been in 17 (including being Yankem and Fake Diesel), the closest active guy to him is Big Show on 9. 0 for 17. He's the fucking worst at Royal Rumbles. What a jobber.

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  50. That Rumble sucks so bad. Nothing happens until the final elimination segment and it's Jobber City.

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  51. That's an impressive number, though. Can't see anyone beating that for some time (which I guess is obvious if the next guy has 8 to go to even catch up).

    Yeah, it's a shame he's never won - although getting to hold the record for eliminations for a while was probably a decent consolation prize before the need to "Make Roman look good" overtook that. Kind of a funny co-incidence that both Brothers of Destruction lose their biggest achievement in the same year, actually, now that I think of it.

    I think the winner going to WM is actually detrimental to the RR at times. It rules out a lot of shock/surprise winners. Like a few years back when it was down to Santino and Del Rio - there was no way in hell Santino was winning that and going to headline ANY PPV, never mind WM.

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  52. That Wiki page is full of fun facts. Kane needs one elimination to break the most ever eliminations record, and nobody will catch him anytime soon. Only 2 of the last 7 winners have actually gone on to win the title at Wrestlemania.

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  53. Wow - if he gets that (and he should, frankly, as a reward for his long service if nothing else) they need to make a big deal out of it. Let the guy put the mask back on, turn face and go on one last little run before his (surely impending) retirement from the ring.

    I know he's not seen as a great or anything, but I've always liked him, he's never been afraid to refresh his character (and has some decent, surprisingly so, comic timing into the bargain) and by all accounts most folk like working with him because he's a pretty safe pair of hands.

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  54. Bryan vs. Rollins
    Brock vs. Reigns
    Cena vs. Rusev


    Works for me.

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  55. I prefer to look at it as two Daniel Bryan matches

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  56. It kind of makes sense, the title holder not being present has been a disaster so they move the title to Rollins at Rumble, probably via cash in after Brock or Cena wins the real match, they can still use Brock to give Reigns his going away rub, and yet not piss off the fans as much when it comes to Bryan. Bryan/Rollins will be good, but I really wish we got to see Brock/Bryan once (Maybe they can do that at Fast Lane?)

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  57. WWE will have to tape a new show to replace Main Event right? Why not just send a camera to a couple live events, tape some matches there and do voice overs in the studio?

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  58. It is 6 am and I just got into work. I decided getting here super early ahead of the protests was better than coming in later and not getting home till 11:30pm

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  59. Theberzerker Von HUSSingtonJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:03 AM

    Again with the Tough Enough. Oh well, using actual contracted guys this time means MAYBE the winner (or all of them) will go on to actually achieve something. Like eliminate Dean Ambrose from the Royal Rumble or something.

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  60. BECAUSE WE DONT TELL STORIES OFF TV GODDAMMIT! SUFFERING SUCCOTASH!

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  61. Velocity? Jakked?

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  62. Posted this on the Smackdown board but figure no one much will read that so:
    I'm predicting Bryan vs Rollins for the World title at WM.
    It kind of makes sense, the title holder not being present has been a disaster so they move the title to Rollins at Rumble, probably via cash in after Brock or Cena wins the real match, they can still use Brock to give Reigns his going away rub, and yet not piss off the fans as much when it comes to Bryan. Bryan/Rollins will be good, but I really wish we got to see Brock/Bryan once (Maybe they can do that at Fast Lane?)



    So my current card predictions:
    Bryan/Rollins (World Title)
    Brock/Reigns
    Cena/Rusev
    Brie/Nikki (women's title)
    Barrett/Sheamus (IC Title)
    Usos/Kidd-Cesaro (Tag Title [probably just a pipe dream])

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  63. I give zero shits considering Cameron of all fucking people was the one they threw their weight behind post-TE. If that's how they're gonna do it, I got better things to watch. Like a Melina vs Alicia Fox match

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  64. They will probably just move Superstars into the ME slot for a while.

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  65. That means he'll be in the Rumble

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  66. Good for the gander

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  67. Seems like the new version of tough enough is just a combo of the original nxt and tough enough.

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  68. Smackdown was so much fun with Bryan back. I think the night after Mania is the night to pull the trigger on doing a new brand split. Call up about 5-6 NXT guys to fill out the rosters. They can still have one World Champion, but just have them appear on both shows or alternate.

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  69. The Cena/Rusev one could be, but I think it will be non-title

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  70. Well Tough Enough could be fun, Chad Gable, Solomon Crowe and Hugo Know would all be entertaining to watch on it, and Sara Del Ray would get to have some WWE tv time probably as well.

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  71. Theberzerker Von HUSSingtonJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:11 AM

    Bryan the star on one show, Zayn the star on the other, they'd be back on top in no time.

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  72. Loving this early Daily Update. Real chill way to start the day. I've got my tea. I've got 4 soft boiled eggs. 3 pieces of toast. Let's get into it.

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  73. Theberzerker Von HUSSingtonJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:12 AM

    I've got a bottle of orange Gatorade and a throbbing hangover...let's do it!

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  74. It's a demonstration not a protest. Good luck.

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  75. Whatever happened to the last Tough Enough winner?

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  76. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:17 AM

    Isn't he out of wrestling?

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  77. Basically fine with this. It's not spectacular, but there's nothing spectacular available to them.

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  78. According to Wikipedia, he's either out of wrestling or working down in Puerto Rico.


    Also according to Wikipedia he is married with two children and as of August 2014, he is divorced. Can't have it both ways, Dickipedia.

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  79. Bryan talking about a potential match with Lesnar, saying it'd be the most realistic, hard hitting match in North American history made me really want to see that match, even if it isn't for the title.

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  80. Then what is the fucking point of having him as us champ if he never defends the belt.

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  81. Theberzerker Von HUSSingtonJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:23 AM

    We can't degrade the name of CENA with such a piddling little tittle! Don't be such a belt mark! FUN, MAGGLE!

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  82. WWE. The second W stands for What Is The Fucking Point.

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  83. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:25 AM

    Excited to hopefully watch Final Four tonight. That main event was pretty badass and Vader was on fire in the match.

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  84. They took away Main Event...those sons of...

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  85. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    Perfect World would be going back to 2002-2003 and making Smackdown the work rate show and the Cena and the soap opera on Raw.

    ReplyDelete
  86. The current contracts with Sky were done in November 2013, at that point WWE knew they were creating the network. There is no reason for the tv contract to be this restrictive.

    ReplyDelete
  87. A good day to have pending charges dropped against you.

    ReplyDelete
  88. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:29 AM

    Solid card. I think the reactions at the Rumble are really going to indicate their final plans.

    ReplyDelete
  89. No one reads the news bits.

    The show will still be taped due to International broadcast commitments and will be available on Hulu.

    ReplyDelete
  90. One of my favorite matches of all-time.

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  91. I see what you're saying, but I wouldn't go that far - Original-recipe NXT was a worked reality show (obviously), whereas this should be a legit competition. Real difference is that the "contestants" are people with wrestling experience, not just some guy who performed well at open-mic night.

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  92. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:30 AM

    It really is great. That's one Scott didn't give ***** but I could see myself doing.

    ReplyDelete
  93. I understand that. I'm saying that WWE will need a Live Network weekly show like Main Event was.

    ReplyDelete
  94. For the third time in five years? Man, I hope not. Jacques Rougeau has never been in a Rumble ever!

    ReplyDelete
  95. It's a protest even in their own words, especially since they have demands (drop restitution charges against the Black Friday protesters, disband BART police, cheaper tickets for low-income citizens)

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  96. It was a match that wasn't seen before when it occurred. I'm surprised they haven't tried another elimination fatal fourway with over the top rope eliminations as well as the pinfall/sub/DQ/Countout. Vader's eye cut was gruesome, too.

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  97. That's because it's the weekend, baby! Time to get MORE pending charges against you!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Agree about the one World Champion. I really hated the whole era of two World Titles and all the second-rate Champions we got with it (JBL, Khali, Swagger, Miz etc etc)

    ReplyDelete
  99. Did they announce it was over the top beforehand, or did they kinda cheat the fans with a lack of finishes on this one?

    ReplyDelete
  100. And the B is for bargain!

    ReplyDelete
  101. To appease the 125 people that watch Main Event?

    ReplyDelete
  102. I know we were all on the edge of our seat awaiting the return of the ONE MAN BAAAAAND, BAYBAY!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  103. The Heath Slater stuff was never going to go anywhere from the start.
    Hopefully Heath Slater's absence will have been long enough for the fans to forget he's a jobber and he'll get a bit of a push when he comes back.

    ReplyDelete
  104. I'm making a demonstrative protest against DBSM and Danimal for arguing whether it's a demonstration or protest.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Just what the world craved, more Tough Enough!

    ReplyDelete
  106. Last weeks show:

    Goldust/Stardust vs Matadores
    Ascension squash
    Rusev vs. Justin Gabriel
    New Day vs Adam Rose/Kidd/Cesaro

    Outside of the main event itself, this show really doesn’t need to exist.

    ReplyDelete
  107. What's a bit of a push for Slater? An actual win?

    ReplyDelete
  108. Having a live weekly tv show is a major selling point of the Network.

    ReplyDelete
  109. It was announced beforehand. I think they wanted to keep the Royal Rumble style eliminations in the match because of the "Final Four" name.

    ReplyDelete
  110. Re: Slater- so after 4 years they charge him out of nowhere, just to drop the charges a few weeks later? The justice system at work...

    ReplyDelete
  111. To whom? All they really push is the PPV's and classic content on demand. It's all anyone here bought it for.

    ReplyDelete
  112. Ah okay. Plus the finish to the Rumble was such a screwjob it was kind of a redo. Taker, Vader, Austin and Bret were indeed the final four of that show.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Got to get his heat back

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  114. If Austin is host again I am in.

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  115. It's neither

    IT'S THE YETAAAAYYYYYY

    ReplyDelete
  116. Fake Diesel was, he wuz robbed!!!! I remember they had a reason he wasn't included, like Bret eliminated him, not Austin I think?

    ReplyDelete
  117. Ah yeah. Austin was thrown out, then came back in and eliminated Bret, Vader and Taker. What a weasel!

    ReplyDelete
  118. I'm too lazy to read everything, I just a scanned it. I've got a short attention span. I think I got the gist though. Kevin Nash and Heath Slater got arrested after a fight on Tough Enough, but they both got acquitted and will face each other at a live event on NXT because Main Event got cancelled? Wow.

    I'm hungry.

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  119. Thank god you're here.

    ReplyDelete
  120. IM DOING HIM AN EGG

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  121. So one of the, like, two regular shows with new content is going away from The Network for at least half a year...top notch work boys.

    ReplyDelete
  122. I applaud you hangover brother. I have my red powerade in hand.

    ReplyDelete
  123. Not being cool with Sky has cost them a years worth of UK revenue and now cost them a TV show. You should be cool with Sky.

    ReplyDelete
  124. Bleeding from the fucking eye!! Its amazing that is only the second most gruesome eye injury hes had in a match.

    ReplyDelete
  125. Monday Night War is done, too, I believe.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Murdoch will beat Vince when it comes to playing dirty.

    ReplyDelete
  127. Spoilers: WWF won

    ReplyDelete
  128. If they only knew how lazy Nash was, they never would have charged him as the instigator to begin with.

    ReplyDelete
  129. I'm sure Vince will claim later he was personally at war with Rupert Murdoch himself just like he claims he was on Turner's mind all the time.

    ReplyDelete
  130. Yeah appears so, which is good because that show was garbage but bad because I highly doubt they have ANY programming lined up to replace it.

    ReplyDelete
  131. You would almost think this company had never done international business the way they keep fucking this up, it's stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  132. Good luck. You may not make it out alive.

    ReplyDelete
  133. Well there's always Cameron, carrying the touch for the last Tough Enough.

    ReplyDelete
  134. It's a great match type I'd love to see them do again. Just like the Championship Scramble.

    ReplyDelete
  135. There is nothing more annoying than a lip zit. This this is pulsing with pain and I think preparing to become sentient.

    ReplyDelete
  136. I think it was WCW Uncensored the following month where they only announced at the show that they're multi man match was also over the top rope elimination rules, now that I think about it.

    ReplyDelete
  137. Just play it off like it's a lip piercing. Teenage ladies will love it.

    ReplyDelete
  138. Much like Big Kev, the charges against him didn't have a leg to stand on.

    ReplyDelete
  139. I want to squish it but my fiancee would be pissed, not sure I'll make it 4 with this thing though, it fucking hurts

    ReplyDelete
  140. Seemed like a bullshit charge from the start.

    ReplyDelete
  141. I had to check Wikipedia just to see who won the last Tough Enough, he made that much of an impact.

    ReplyDelete
  142. Why would she be pissed? It's an inconvenience on your face. Does she want to pop it?

    ReplyDelete
  143. There are two kinds of girl in this world, those that pop zits, and those that LOVE popping zits.


    I found the latter. If I save this until this evening it'll be the most fun she's had all week lol

    ReplyDelete
  144. I feel ya man. My GF loves pulling ingrown hairs and popping this ear cyst I occasionally get. I've actually been awoken by her squeezing my ear in the middle of the night.

    ReplyDelete
  145. FINALLY, the Rumble is this coming Sunday. I am SOOOO pumped!

    ReplyDelete
  146. Mine is the same way. I figure they just some kind of sick pleasure in hurting us in a nonviolent way.

    ReplyDelete
  147. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 16, 2015 at 8:00 AM

    MAHAAA, NEXT SUNDAY!

    ReplyDelete
  148. Passive aggressive violence - The foundation of a steady relationship.

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  149. No, you're wrong. I know for a fact that it's January 18th. I've been waiting all year for this because the Rumble is my favourite PPV.

    ReplyDelete
  150. “Aurora borealis? At this time of year? In this part of the country? Localized entirely within your kitchen?”

    ReplyDelete
  151. Week before the Super Bowl.

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  152. you tell em buddy

    ReplyDelete
  153. MikeyMike, JuggernautJanuary 16, 2015 at 8:03 AM

    Is this a joke I'm unaware of?

    ReplyDelete
  154. That seems a woman's way, we like to punch a guy once and then feel ok. They like to find one particular nerve and SQUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZEEEE lol

    ReplyDelete
  155. Super Bowl? What's that?

    ReplyDelete
  156. Ahh SuperNintendo Chalmers.

    ReplyDelete
  157. “We can’t bust heads like we used to. But we have our ways. One trick
    is to tell stories that don’t go anywhere. Like the time I caught the
    ferry to Shelbyville. I needed a new heel for m’shoe. So I decided to go
    to Morganville, which is what they called Shelbyville in those days. So
    I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time. Now, to
    take the ferry cost a nickel, and in those days, nickels had pictures of
    bumblebees on ’em. ‘Gimme five bees for a quarter,’ you’d say. Now
    where was I? Oh, yeah. The important thing was that I had an onion tied
    to my belt, which was the style at the time. You couldn’t get white
    onions, because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big
    yellow ones...”

    ReplyDelete
  158. This thing with too many commercials and lots of greasy food, if you're doing it right.

    ReplyDelete
  159. Catching up on the new Parks before the minions get here, wow this show really took a shit

    ReplyDelete
  160. WWE Network DOES have geoblocking in Canada.

    It's called "Those motherfuckers at Rogers."

    ReplyDelete
  161. "Not many people know I owned the first radio in Springfield. Weren't much on the air then, just Edison reciting the alphabetover and over. "A!" he'd say, then "B". "C" would usually follow

    ReplyDelete
  162. Ready for war? Rock Star Gary has reviewed WCW Fall Brawl 1994 for you and it's on Scott's board for you! http://rspwfaq.boards.net/thread/220/rock-star-gary-reflects-brawl Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  163. I admire that you continue to do this.

    ReplyDelete
  164. Danimal, are we getting the "Danimal Report" for Impact tonight?

    ReplyDelete
  165. Aww, really? :(

    ReplyDelete
  166. It's weird, it's supposed to take place in 2017, and the whole department is broken up and it just feels really...not at all the same show it was

    ReplyDelete
  167. So doesn't Tough Enough seem kind of pointless now? What do you get for winning? a contract with NXT?

    ReplyDelete
  168. Will Austin,Trish & Booker T be back for Tough Enough?


    If not, no buys.

    ReplyDelete
  169. Yeah, ya couldn't tell. EVERY episode was like watching Vince McMahon stick his chest out in victory.

    ReplyDelete
  170. This version will have NXT guys.

    ReplyDelete
  171. I bet William Regal will be involved.

    ReplyDelete
  172. The network for only $9.99.

    ReplyDelete
  173. Shoot Interview Vote Count Update
    Kimberly Page: 33
    Maria Kanellis: 29
    Torrie Wilson: 25
    Celeste Bonin: 21
    Tori: 15

    ReplyDelete
  174. I imagine Natalya will be leading the womens side.

    ReplyDelete
  175. but it is guys who haven't been on TV correct? so it won't be Sami and so on it will be the guys they evidently don't feel are ready to be on NXT and then one of them is going to leap frog the whole NXT hierarchy and get on the main show to probably fail and get tossed back down to NXT?

    ReplyDelete
  176. The fact it is coming back to USA instead of the network is also a head scratcher.

    ReplyDelete
  177. Sara Del Rey all day.

    ReplyDelete
  178. Add Shotgun graphics to the HD set for dark matches and BAM new show to replace it.

    ReplyDelete
  179. "May I see it?"

    ReplyDelete
  180. Hopefully the Network will have a Tough Enough: Extra type show.

    ReplyDelete
  181. I'm really enjoying JR's latest episode with The Grappler. I could listen to the old timers talk about the territories all day long.


    On a somewhat related note, can WWE please bring back the Legends of Wrestling roundtable show? That is by far the best thing on the Network. We need more episodes!

    ReplyDelete
  182. Shit since I work from home now, I've really fallen behind on my podcast listening.

    ReplyDelete
  183. Do I buy the house I'm thinking about in 2016? Does my fiancee get pregnant in the next two years? Do I ever start liking kale?

    ReplyDelete
  184. Despite the fact that I've relocated to the board (and subsequently reduced my readership) I love recapping WCW. It'll be a long time before it'll become a chore at the rate I'm going. I hope everyone enjoys them as much as I enjoy writing them.

    ReplyDelete
  185. My wife has started eating kale with every meal. She obliterates it in
    the oven until it’s the crunchiest food ever. The sound of kale crunching! It’s
    the worst sound. That blackened kale is not real food.

    ReplyDelete
  186. 1. Torrie Wilson
    2. Kimberly
    3. Maria
    4. Tori
    5. Fat Kaitlyn

    ReplyDelete
  187. I can only do it in the green shakes in the morning, that shit gives a new meaning to "roughage"

    ReplyDelete
  188. That's the best way to eat kale imo

    ReplyDelete
  189. "Fat Kaitlyn" made me spit my coffee, damn it.

    ReplyDelete
  190. What's the point to eating kale?

    ReplyDelete

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