The Wrestling Thread

[Keyser Soze]

Job out Adrian Neville in his second match he didn't even look strong.
They could have made him an instant star by giving him a "fluke" victory or an Orton assisted victory.

[Alex]

Im sure there is always a lull after Wrestlemania and they pick up again when it comes to the UK. Only natural isnt it.

[MrShawnMichaels]

The bloom is already off the rose on Raw. Plus ca change as we are getting more Kane and the Big Show! YAY! Raw was largely miss-able, they didn't bother because of the NCAA finals going head to head with the show.

Anyone watch Invasion Attack on Saturday? Ibushi is finally looking like a top top star.

[Bender]

I think Rollins is brilliant and reminds me in many ways of Rick Rude from wrestling skills to on screen character,i like Reigns but seems he's as is the general opinion not ready yet.Oh and The wwe needs Lesnar so it's good that he signed a new deal

[MrShawnMichaels]

Apparently Vince was always adamant that Reigns was going to win on Sunday. He was going to be the guy who beat the guy who conquered the streak - this stems from last Mania. But I think they hugely overestimated Reigns' ability and it was apparent, even to the most ardent and stubborn of followers, that Reigns isn't ready yet. He would have been surrounded by a sea of boos, especially against the biggest babyface in the company - Brock Lesnar. You can guarantee there is no chance Vince would have wanted his Mania ending that way.
From a booking standpoint, Rollins makes complete logical sense as he is far more ready than Reigns is currently. It's just a shame he's lumbered with Big Show and Kane. Imagine if they had Cesaro and Harper in that role (maybe too ROH/PWG-rrific with Mercury, Noble and Rollins in there), how much fresher it would have been and it would have got two solid younger guys working against Reigns, Orton, Bryan etc.

[MrMichael]

Yup, the way they muted the extreme booing at Reign's entrance was far too obvious and a bit jarring for me.

Having watched the whole show now, it definitely had a proper Wrestlemania feel, much more than I expected from the card. Pretty much agree with MrSM's comments on it, I wasn't a fan of Sting v HHH at all, partly for all the ****ery completely disregarding 2 decades of wrestling history and partly I guess because I've been used to watching Sting in the ring in recent years. I also hated the outcome, which ruins much chance of them doing anything else credible with Sting really.

The main event was very well executed, extremely predictable that Rollins would cash in but it was booked as well as they possibly could have managed and they do deserve credit for that. The rest of the card was well put together and generally decent, I have seen better individual matches but they were mostly entertaining and the whole programme had a good pace about it.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I think wayyyyy to much attention is paid to backstage stuff now. It was just a nice moment they tried to put together. Landed for 95% and the other 5% cant look past what they think it is. Trouble is the 5% are just as loud as the other 95%

Its no different to arguing in the football forums about player contracts. No one knows the full extent of things, so why concern yourself with them.

I get more bothered by people booing John Cena and stuff. The guy clearly has put hard hours in to entertain people. But the 30 somethings in the crowd who dont like him skew the reactions for him. Wrestling Crowds can elevate a show like Wrestlemania which I thought they did on Sunday. But sometimes they can totally ruin the story that is trying to be told.

I think that Main event was always going to happen like that, its had seeds sown for months. But I have read things online where fans are saying 'We made that happen' Just because they pushed it to happen last year, they now think they can control the story.

Also. Rollins = Edge and I like that tremendously.

To be honest I think that the days of wrestling crowds genuinely elevating live events for those watching on tv are winding down thanks to the manipulation of crowd mics that is becoming more and more common.

Actual crowd reactions are being toned down or amplified based on what the company wants to promote, and when it is being done in an obvious manner it tends to take from what is happening.

[MrShawnMichaels]

Looks like they weren't impressed with the crowd on Monday. The crowd mics were completely turned down during the Divas match and the main event. Started with 'You Suck Cena' to Nikki Bella and moved onto the various Divas participating in the match.

[Doc_Piptorious]

My thoughts on Mania

The overall show was from back to front a fun and entertaining watch. There was no clear classic Savage/Steamboat, Bret/Austin, Michaels/Angle, Michaels/Taker match, which sometimes elevates a particular Wrestlemania to a higher regard.

Fatal 4 Way Tag Titles was exactly what you would want from an opener. All four teams worked very hard and almost trying to prove a point that they deserved to be on the main show. Considering what was happening later, difficult. A fun match with deserved winners

Andre The Giant Battle Royal had the main story of Miz and Mizdow going into this. From being an event last year, this is the jabroni payday opportunity. Hideo Itami facing off with Big Show smells of WWE booking of small guy unable to beat a big guy. In the end, we had an anti climactic win.

Intercontinental Ladder Match was good and intense. Not like a lot of other spot fests we've had in Money in the Bank PPVs and matches. Some really cool stunts and sick bumps. All gave a good account of themselves here, no real notable botches. A worthy winner here too.

Seth Rollins v Randy Orton had a lacklustre build but the narrative weirdly here was with two guys having a mechanical and solid wrestling match. If anything, I think they could have done with a bit more fire in this match to match the heat apparently going into it. A phenomenal finish with Randy seemed very pleased with.

Sting v Triple H was a bit meh at the end of it. On a script, having the DX and NWO face off is a cool concept despite the massive plot holes. The smoke and mirrors were placed probably because they didn't trust Sting to go on for so long. The only interferences which would have been good possibly are Michaels and Flair. Not sure about the finish unless Sting has another match to avenge this defeat because his stock is worth nothing now. In the grand scheme of things, HHH couldn't lose because of the plan next year.

AJ and Paige v The Bellas wasn't as bad as other matches they've had on TV. The correct result here because we need a fresh opponent for Nikki Bella. Decent story in the match too.

John Cena v Rusev had the best entrance of any man in any sport in the history of the universe. Rusev showing up on a tank was brilliantly creative and the production was big time and big stage for him. These two delivered a solid match, not as good as the previous and again, a winner with hopefully good booking to elevate that particular title - it does need it. I hope Rusev and Lana don't break up.

The most (or second) newsworthy segment of the show. The Authority trolled the crowd like it was the opener of Raw. Out comes The Rock and he cut down the silly lines and wanted a moment for the archives v Triple H. Rock was appearing in two forms for the event - either in the main to set up Brock or to set up Hunter - and press row had broke the story earlier that it was going to be Triple H. It's needed because of the big gate they have to achieve for next year. Stephanie slapped Rock and goaded him into hitting her. He left like a wimp and walked to where Ata Johnson (his mum) was sitting instead there was the Four Horsewomen and Ronda Rousey. This was brilliant. The crowd felt the buzz and clearly the best people to do this in front of. A lot of staring and stalling directed by The Rock, which led to a well delivered line by Rousey about owning the ring and some physical between all four people, teasing the armbar finish for next year. Hopefully a mixed tag is in the works, depending on Dana White. This smells gorgeously of money.

Undertaker v Bray Wyatt marked the return of the Undertaker of two years ago. The drama in this was good with a good pace at the start, Bray slowing it down and some good false finishes to close the match. Taker losing last year really did bring life to the Sister Abigail pinfalls. Crowd was dead for the first half, picked up in the second.

Brock Lesnar v Roman Reigns was beautifully brilliant from start to finish. Brock was strong over, showed good colour from an elbow or knuckle, which I'm sure Reigns got a good receipt for. The crowd were into this like it was a fight. Great noise around this. Reigns looked fine, hokey in some mannerisms. The final sequences were fantastic. I loved the Superman punch to F5 pick up. Then

The Rollins cash in was the only logical and best way to finish the show. Two curbstomps, Lesnar is protected from the finish, Reigns got screwed and the best (or second) worker in WWE is the champion for an explosive finish.

A great crescendo to an easy viewing Wrestlemania. Barring a few booking decisions, this was better than anything they've cooked up in years for a Wrestlemania and certainly unexpected after the months of rubbish served up on Raw. As close to Wrestlemania X7 as they could get - that WM probably had better match quality with the roster they had then. This roster and creative team massively overachieved here.

Found myself nodding along to most of that.

When I saw the line up I was extremely underwhelmed and was expecting very little from W31.

But many of the pairings that I was expecting to stink actually entertained, and whilst a few things sat wrong for me (DX, NWO, Rollins/Orton) it was a solid show for the most part

[MrShawnMichaels]

My thoughts on Mania

The overall show was from back to front a fun and entertaining watch. There was no clear classic Savage/Steamboat, Bret/Austin, Michaels/Angle, Michaels/Taker match, which sometimes elevates a particular Wrestlemania to a higher regard.

Fatal 4 Way Tag Titles was exactly what you would want from an opener. All four teams worked very hard and almost trying to prove a point that they deserved to be on the main show. Considering what was happening later, difficult. A fun match with deserved winners

Andre The Giant Battle Royal had the main story of Miz and Mizdow going into this. From being an event last year, this is the jabroni payday opportunity. Hideo Itami facing off with Big Show smells of WWE booking of small guy unable to beat a big guy. In the end, we had an anti climactic win.

Intercontinental Ladder Match was good and intense. Not like a lot of other spot fests we've had in Money in the Bank PPVs and matches. Some really cool stunts and sick bumps. All gave a good account of themselves here, no real notable botches. A worthy winner here too.

Seth Rollins v Randy Orton had a lacklustre build but the narrative weirdly here was with two guys having a mechanical and solid wrestling match. If anything, I think they could have done with a bit more fire in this match to match the heat apparently going into it. A phenomenal finish with Randy seemed very pleased with.

Sting v Triple H was a bit meh at the end of it. On a script, having the DX and NWO face off is a cool concept despite the massive plot holes. The smoke and mirrors were placed probably because they didn't trust Sting to go on for so long. The only interferences which would have been good possibly are Michaels and Flair. Not sure about the finish unless Sting has another match to avenge this defeat because his stock is worth nothing now. In the grand scheme of things, HHH couldn't lose because of the plan next year.

AJ and Paige v The Bellas wasn't as bad as other matches they've had on TV. The correct result here because we need a fresh opponent for Nikki Bella. Decent story in the match too.

John Cena v Rusev had the best entrance of any man in any sport in the history of the universe. Rusev showing up on a tank was brilliantly creative and the production was big time and big stage for him. These two delivered a solid match, not as good as the previous and again, a winner with hopefully good booking to elevate that particular title - it does need it. I hope Rusev and Lana don't break up.

The most (or second) newsworthy segment of the show. The Authority trolled the crowd like it was the opener of Raw. Out comes The Rock and he cut down the silly lines and wanted a moment for the archives v Triple H. Rock was appearing in two forms for the event - either in the main to set up Brock or to set up Hunter - and press row had broke the story earlier that it was going to be Triple H. It's needed because of the big gate they have to achieve for next year. Stephanie slapped Rock and goaded him into hitting her. He left like a wimp and walked to where Ata Johnson (his mum) was sitting instead there was the Four Horsewomen and Ronda Rousey. This was brilliant. The crowd felt the buzz and clearly the best people to do this in front of. A lot of staring and stalling directed by The Rock, which led to a well delivered line by Rousey about owning the ring and some physical between all four people, teasing the armbar finish for next year. Hopefully a mixed tag is in the works, depending on Dana White. This smells gorgeously of money.

Undertaker v Bray Wyatt marked the return of the Undertaker of two years ago. The drama in this was good with a good pace at the start, Bray slowing it down and some good false finishes to close the match. Taker losing last year really did bring life to the Sister Abigail pinfalls. Crowd was dead for the first half, picked up in the second.

Brock Lesnar v Roman Reigns was beautifully brilliant from start to finish. Brock was strong over, showed good colour from an elbow or knuckle, which I'm sure Reigns got a good receipt for. The crowd were into this like it was a fight. Great noise around this. Reigns looked fine, hokey in some mannerisms. The final sequences were fantastic. I loved the Superman punch to F5 pick up. Then

The Rollins cash in was the only logical and best way to finish the show. Two curbstomps, Lesnar is protected from the finish, Reigns got screwed and the best (or second) worker in WWE is the champion for an explosive finish.

A great crescendo to an easy viewing Wrestlemania. Barring a few booking decisions, this was better than anything they've cooked up in years for a Wrestlemania and certainly unexpected after the months of rubbish served up on Raw. As close to Wrestlemania X7 as they could get - that WM probably had better match quality with the roster they had then. This roster and creative team massively overachieved here.

[MrShawnMichaels]

I think wayyyyy to much attention is paid to backstage stuff now. It was just a nice moment they tried to put together. Landed for 95% and the other 5% cant look past what they think it is. Trouble is the 5% are just as loud as the other 95%

Its no different to arguing in the football forums about player contracts. No one knows the full extent of things, so why concern yourself with them.

I get more bothered by people booing John Cena and stuff. The guy clearly has put hard hours in to entertain people. But the 30 somethings in the crowd who dont like him skew the reactions for him. Wrestling Crowds can elevate a show like Wrestlemania which I thought they did on Sunday. But sometimes they can totally ruin the story that is trying to be told.

I think that Main event was always going to happen like that, its had seeds sown for months. But I have read things online where fans are saying 'We made that happen' Just because they pushed it to happen last year, they now think they can control the story.

Also. Rollins = Edge and I like that tremendously.

Are you Paul Levesque?

[Alex]

I think wayyyyy to much attention is paid to backstage stuff now. It was just a nice moment they tried to put together. Landed for 95% and the other 5% cant look past what they think it is. Trouble is the 5% are just as loud as the other 95%

Its no different to arguing in the football forums about player contracts. No one knows the full extent of things, so why concern yourself with them.

I get more bothered by people booing John Cena and stuff. The guy clearly has put hard hours in to entertain people. But the 30 somethings in the crowd who dont like him skew the reactions for him. Wrestling Crowds can elevate a show like Wrestlemania which I thought they did on Sunday. But sometimes they can totally ruin the story that is trying to be told.

I think that Main event was always going to happen like that, its had seeds sown for months. But I have read things online where fans are saying 'We made that happen' Just because they pushed it to happen last year, they now think they can control the story.

Also. Rollins = Edge and I like that tremendously.

[MrMichael]

I would have marked for DDP or a vague group of Horsemen.

Or Goldberg

Having watched that match specifically now, I honestly thought it was bull**** (and 14yr old me would have thought the same), from the commentary burying WCW and Sting through the whole match to a **** ton of ****ery at the end that just made no flipping sense whatsoever.

More than anything though you just cannot put Sting with the nWo, that's wrestling heresy. The nWo who were of course presented as WWF invaders trying to kill WCW so it doesn't even really make sense to have DX v nWo aside from "it being cool", but I could get past that without Sting in the middle.

I tend to agree with MrSM that it seemed like an excuse for Hunter to get all his mates a payday and for Vince to once again bury WCW's legacy.

[MrShawnMichaels]

Meh it was cool. DX vs NWO. 14 year old me would have been doing backflips. What's the point in treating it as anything different. Was a little jarring at first that it was NWO saving Sting, but other than that it was cool.

Flair needed to be out there if anything!

If it was truly following the storyline, it would have been DDP and Arn. Whilst the DX and nWo look old, those guys are even older lol.

[Alex]

Meh it was cool. DX vs NWO. 14 year old me would have been doing backflips. What's the point in treating it as anything different. Was a little jarring at first that it was NWO saving Sting, but other than that it was cool.