Pro Wrestling Thread

[Greg Pappas]

Even in the heyday of the 80's, most of the guys were established stars from the independent scenes and territories. Not many of the great stars were young guys. In the 90's, the Attitude Era hit and again, you had Trips, Rock, Austin, Taker, Foley, etc. All guys well into their 30's and into their primes.

To me, I like seeing the young guys take their lumps before being thrown into the main event scene. Look at Rocky Maivia. Boring as hell. The Ringmaster. Ugh. Mean Mark Callous. They all paid their dues before clicking on all cylinders and becoming main eventers. Meanwhile, guys who were pushed down our throats early, like Del Rio, Sheamus, etc. faded out fast and had to rebuild themselves up. To me, the younger guys should be the guys like Rhodes and Zigler fighting in the mid card for the second belts, or, God forbid, rebuild the tag division. Many a great Hall of Famer started out as a tag team guy. Once they are established and know how to click with the fans, thats when they should earn their spot in the main event.

As for the early Mania card, I love it.

Cena vs Rock has been an insiders dream match since Cena got big and Rock went Hollywood.

Punk vs Jericho will have some of the greatest interviews of all time, and they can both go in the ring and should deliver big for the Title Match at Mania.

Taker needs to be in a feud with a guy who is out of the "regular wrestler" role. Punk is a guy in his prime who is fighting for titles. No need to go after Taker. But someone like Triple H, who as he stated last year, has done everything there is to do in this business, the one last thing to hang on his trophy wall is taking down the Streak. I don't like that its the third time they will have faced at WrestleMania, but I LOVE that they set this match up immediately the night after WrestleMania, and have teased it periodically throughout the year. Have Taker come back and say "I ain't dead yet" and you've got your Trips vs Taker Mania match.

That is three very solid main events. Throw in the World Title and the secondary titles, a celebrity match, and GD if I wouldn't consider buying that PPV.

And I have stated it before, but I'll go on the record now, soon after WrestleMania 28 they will set up Punk vs Austin for Mania 29. Book it.

I get your point on age, and have no issues with guys in their 30's being at the top, as that's typically the way it is. Guys mature both in and out of the ring, and are usually superior on the mic with some time under their belt.

As far as the Tag-Team comment, again I get that. SG and I discussed it awhile back, and we both feel that the TT division was abandoned and neglected, and should be utilized to jump-start some careers and simply entertain us. Great teams need time and exposure, and at this point I can honestly say I don't even know who the champs are. Sad.

WM 28 should be solid, we'll see. I sure would like there to be something exciting and unexpected though. My inner Oriole is rearing it's head.

[Sports Guy]

The thing is, do you really care about these matches?

Punk vs Jericho does nothing for me.

I will always like any Taker match but HHH/Taker has happened often.

Rock/Cena is interesting but it would be more interesting if Cena was a heel.

I have a feeling that if Jericho doesn't win the rumble, that Barrett will. Either way, I think Barrett is in the world title match...I could see Henry turning face but keeping the title and then Barrett beats him at Mania.

[Sports Guy]

As noted before, The Undertaker vs. Triple H is indeed one of the matches on the books for WrestleMania 28. The talk is that Taker will return in early 2012 to pick back up on the feud with Triple H.

The HHH/Nash stuff probably needs to drag out some more first.

[ShaneDawg85]

The HHH/Nash stuff probably needs to drag out some more first.

I can see it now: Nash, who ended one man's streak, and was a victim of the Taker streak, interferes to help HHH end it. I'd hope WWE isn't that stupid, but than again, I wouldn't put it past them.

[adamwolff11]

The HHH/Nash stuff probably needs to drag out some more first.

They'll probably just have HHH "end" Nash's career and they'll have him try to do the same to Taker.

[MikeAD]

They'll probably just have HHH "end" Nash's career and they'll have him try to do the same to Taker.

You know what would be really smart is if Nash really takes it to HHH one night and that is Undertakers return. He comes back and buries Nash and then they stare down. Undertaker can say he saved HHH, HHH can be pissed and demand a match.

Your idea is good too. I know WWE will do neither, hah.

[adamwolff11]

Have any of you guys played WWE 12? There's a pretty sweet storyline that you play through in the Road to Wrestlemania mode.

You play as Sheamus, who forms a stable, which they called United Kingdom. It's Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, and basically led by William Regal.

Sheamus wins the United States Championship and, because the US fans don't appreciate him, retires the belt and declares himself the European Champion.

Pretty cool I thought.

[Sports Guy]

Have any of you guys played WWE 12? There's a pretty sweet storyline that you play through in the Road to Wrestlemania mode.

You play as Sheamus, who forms a stable, which they called United Kingdom. It's Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, and basically led by William Regal.

Sheamus wins the United States Championship and, because the US fans don't appreciate him, retires the belt and declares himself the European Champion.

Pretty cool I thought.

I know there was talk of a stable exactly like that...I think Barrett was the leader but it actually makes more sense to have Regal lead it.

[Dipper9]

Have any of you guys played WWE 12? There's a pretty sweet storyline that you play through in the Road to Wrestlemania mode.

You play as Sheamus, who forms a stable, which they called United Kingdom. It's Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Wade Barrett, and basically led by William Regal.

Sheamus wins the United States Championship and, because the US fans don't appreciate him, retires the belt and declares himself the European Champion.

Pretty cool I thought.

That's more interesting that ANY current storyline, and it would make great use of McIntyre and Regal who are severely underused.

[Greg Pappas]

United Kingdom does sound cool, but with Barrett in particular I'd like the WWE to have a foreign-based wrestler to NOT ALWAYS use their country's heritage factored into their music, entrance, schtick. Why does where someone come from nearly always need to be a major point of reference? Anyway, it's a thing with the WWE, and may always be so.

[ShaneDawg85]

United Kingdom does sound cool, but with Barrett in particular I'd like the WWE to have a foreign-based wrestler to NOT ALWAYS use their country's heritage factored into their music, entrance, schtick. Why does where someone come from nearly always need to be a major point of reference? Anyway, it's a thing with the WWE, and may always be so.

It depends. With someone like Davey Boy Smith it made sense because his nickname was the British Bulldog. For someone like Sheamus, Barrett, and others, not so much.

[ShaneDawg85]

Major title changes last night:

Big Show beats Mark Henry for World Heavyweight Championship. Henry beats Big Show senseless, Bryan cashes in MITB, and becomes new champ.

Ryder beats Ziggler for U.S. title.

Punk remains WWE Champ.

[adamwolff11]

A buddy and I decided to order this last night. Have to say, well worth the money IMO. This year, I think I've probably ordered around half the PPVs and this would definitely be one of the better ones.

The Ryder/Ziggler match kicked things off and was awesome. I'm not sure whether this Ryder thing is a phase or will be long term, but he's SUPER over with the crowd. Ziggler just can't put on a bad match. He sells so well and is probably my favorite to watch in the ring right now. I'm hoping with Ryder now the US Champ, he can have a nice run with the belt and Ziggler can move onto something bigger. Great start to the night.

Air Boom vs. Epico and Primo was a solid match. Epico and Primo (along with the Usos) work very well together as a team and are exactly how the WWE should be bringing along newer guys. Bring in new talent in the form of a tag team. It would help the tag division as well as give guys a chance to earn their stripes in that fashion. Solid match, Air Boom retained.

Orton vs. Barrett was good, pretty much what you would expect from them. I was hoping Barrett would win, but I guess they don't want to completely bury Orton. I hope this fued continues and Barrett can pick up a victory.

Divas match was a divas match. Kelly Kelly looked amazing. That's about all I can say on that.

Trips vs. Nash. Better than I expected. Obviously this wasn't a fast paced match and I've gotta say, Triple H has gained weight since Mania. This is the first time I've really noticed him not being in tip top shape. Still in great shape, but noticeable difference to me. This was actually a pretty good match, though. Nash got knocked off the ladder from about halfway up and went through a table. He ultimately left on a stretcher. I would honestly say this was better than most of Nash's WCW work. Seemed to me like he had something to prove.

Sheamus vs. Swagger was added for no reason. It wasn't bad, but there was no story and no real reason for them to be fighting. Filler.

Mark Henry vs. Big Show. I've enjoyed Henry's time as champ, but this match was a big time disappointment, really the only on the card. The match was only about 6 minutes long and just wasn't very good. Show wins, Henry takes a chair to him. Bryan cashes in, which I have pretty mixed feelings. I like Bryan enough, but there's no way he's ready to carry the title. We'll see how this one plays out.

Cody vs Booker T. Good match, pretty much what you expected. Cody got some good heat throughout (and beforehand, attacking Booker twice backstage). I think Cody is slowly adding some legitimacy to the IC title.

Main Event: Punk vs Del Rio vs Miz. This match was awesome. I've gotta say, Punk is right: he is the best at what he does. There were some awesome points in this match, including Ricardo going up the ladder for the belt and taking a HUGE fall out of the ring and through a table. This was a great end to the night.

All in all, super impressed. This is the best I've felt after a WWE PPV since Punk won the title at Money in the Bank. This should give them HUGE momentum going into 2012. CM Punk is excellent as the top face, The Miz and Del Rio (Miz in particular) are doing some nice work as the top heels, Bryan having the title could go either way, Ryder can now carry a belt (side note, the US title is going to have some serious legitimacy after Ziggler carried it so well and now Ryder), and I think Zigger/Cody Rhodes had excellent 2011s and could take another step in 2012.

[Sports Guy]

I don't really get where they are going with some things.

Why have Bryan win the title now?

There was talk of Henry turning face soon....So, is this the beginning of that happening? Either way, I don't see much point in Bryan having the title right now.

Why do you not have Cena involved at all? You had the storyline with Ryder, giving him his shot at the expense of Cena getting his shot.

But why go through all of that if all you aren't going to do anything with that aspect of the storyline? Why not just have Ryder win his first match and be done with it?

[Dipper9]

I don't really get where they are going with some things.

Why have Bryan win the title now?

There was talk of Henry turning face soon....So, is this the beginning of that happening? Either way, I don't see much point in Bryan having the title right now.

Why do you not have Cena involved at all? You had the storyline with Ryder, giving him his shot at the expense of Cena getting his shot.

But why go through all of that if all you aren't going to do anything with that aspect of the storyline? Why not just have Ryder win his first match and be done with it?

I read this morning that Henry has a legit knee injury, which would explain why the match was so fast, and why they took the title off him. No sense having Bryan beat Henry as they can't have a rematch due to Henry's injury, so by having Bryan beat Show, you at least have a built in rematch.

I am not a big fan of Bryan, but the internet seems to love him. He's another indy guy making it big, and they like that. The one thing with Bryan is he can play the underdog champion role now. Hell, he just lost to Cody Rhodes on Friday's Smackdown. He's jobbed to everyone all year long. I can see the challengers lining up next week as they have one of those interview segments where everyone lays claim to the #1 contender spot. Big Show, Cody, Barrett, Orton, Sheamus, they all will come out and demand a shot. I see Show getting first dibs, but I think Barrett ends up with the strap heading into Mania.

As for Cena, I agree it didn't make "sense" for him not to be at the PPV, but on a side note, its a breath of fresh air. No Cena. Punk, Ryder, and Bryan are your champs. Maybe Cena was selling the massive choke slam that Kane gave him last week?