WWE Raw Discussion Thread

[T.A]

This forum is the best I've discussed and read interesting points on. This place is going to be part of the struggle in avoiding wrestling talk. The main reason I'm doing it is spoilers, I'm sick of knowing what's coming next. I want to know if that is the main cause for a lack of interest in much of the show.

Minsterman raises an interesting point. I'm definitely overanalysing the booking of the show and the internal politics of the company rather than judging the shows in the context they're supposed to be viewed. Maybe knowing more about the way things work indelibly changes the perspective of the show. I'm hoping the less I hear of baqckstage drama the more I can invest in what's going on and wonder what's coming next.

Don't think this forum is too bad for spoilers. It takes us 3/4 days normally after the event to talk about what happened

 

[TheMinsterman]

I think a huge problem is, dirtsheets etc cherry pick things, online half truths become facts, we treat things as absolutes and look at everything that happens with those assumptions when normally we'd be more critical and sceptical of information. We're constantly watching the show with an ideology built by a community which often has ulterior motivations.

 

[RavenBish]

Yeah, Wrestling is a weird one - I'd hate to use the phrase 'take it too seriously' but some people legitimately do. It's really no different than the teenage girls on Twitter who 'ship' two characters together on some crappy show like the 100 and then bombard the network with hashtags if they don't get their way. The IWC seem to be a collection of people who put too much stock into their opinion and then feel so self-important that anything that goes against their decided consensus is a personal sleight on them.

The flip-side is that they gain a lot of credibility because they're essentially opposing Vince's incredibly out-dated and out of touch decision-making so actually seem like the voices of reason and sense, not just blokes on the internet who seem to hate a hard-working 30 year old chiselled athlete purely because they're told to like him.

 

[Luke]

I thought it was a terrible Raw (bar Shane/Taker) and the in-ring action was atricous, obviously not wanting any injuries which is understandable but still it wasn't a good episode. Two Authority promos, fuck me.

They need to do something with Roman Sunday because if they stick to the original plan (well the one we are 99% will happen with him winning) the reaction is not going to be pretty. The only thing I can think off is have him beat HHH and then if the Rock is with him turn on him and start a heel run for Roman. Can't see a heel Roman happening as they seem adamant he is going to be the next big star, all though him stopping coming through the crowd all of a sudden was a bit random.

As for other websites etc, I only use this forum and read articles on What Culture but I don't get involved with comments or anything. I enjoy coming on here just wish it was a bit more busier but like someone else has said there are no idiots and we can disagree without being personal.

 

[Libertine]

I thought it was a terrible Raw (bar Shane/Taker) and the in-ring action was atricous, obviously not wanting any injuries which is understandable but still it wasn't a good episode. Two Authority promos, fuck me.

They need to do something with Roman Sunday because if they stick to the original plan (well the one we are 99% will happen with him winning) the reaction is not going to be pretty. The only thing I can think off is have him beat HHH and then if the Rock is with him turn on him and start a heel run for Roman. Can't see a heel Roman happening as they seem adamant he is going to be the next big star, all though him stopping coming through the crowd all of a sudden was a bit random.

As for other websites etc, I only use this forum and read articles on What Culture but I don't get involved with comments or anything. I enjoy coming on here just wish it was a bit more busier but like someone else has said there are no idiots and we can disagree without being personal.

I thought about that. Roman turns on Rock, setting up next year's main event? Unlikely I guess. Think they stopped him coming through the crowd to avoid any "Roman is a wank pheasant" moments in the run up. Actually like the change.

 

[Dayman]

They can (almost) get away with Roman winning the title if it's not on last. HHH vs Reigns third last match, Women's title or the Battle Royal 2nd last and Hell In A Cell last. That way Reigns can win, they can fuck him off backstage with the title relatively quickly and cut to a promo when shitloads of people are booing him. Deal with the fall out on Raw.

I'm fairly sure they're finishing with Shane vs. Taker anyway. They've relegated the World title match in favour of a "bigger" match before and considering the stipulations and with it being in Taker's home state in front of the biggest WM crowd so far (allegedly) it's much more of a main event match.

 

[Christian Slater]

I feel the opportunity for shenanigans to make the title match are more interesting if Shane has already won. In that respect, going on last could give Reigns vs HHH some intrigue. Because for me, as it is, it has none.

 

[Libertine]

Can't be doing with the title match not being on last. Some years I can understand (Rock/Cena etc) but not this year.

 

[RavenBish]

some decent rumours knocking about for Raw tonight. Should be some fun surprises.

NXT call-ups

Spoiler

Enzo & Cass

and some returns too

Spoiler

Cesaro + one other. Even some rumours about a returning diva (sorry...woman?) - with people mentioning Maryse but I imagine she's probably just in Dallas for Miz

 

[Libertine]

this might not bode well for New Day.

 

[T.A]

Renee Young is an absolute beaut.

 

[Libertine]

Ouch

 

[Libertine]

God he'd be good as a heel.

 

[Libertine]

Jericho "buried" Styles

 

[RavenBish]

Reigns was fantastic there, I don't think he even has to be a 'heel' - just let him be like that all the time. Just a confident complete badass who has no time for anything.

 

[Libertine]

Reigns was fantastic there, I don't think he even has to be a 'heel' - just let him be like that all the time. Just a confident complete badass who has no time for anything.

Yeh good point. Like the whole "I'm not a bad guy or a good guy, just THE guy" thing. Part of his problem previously is seeming quite unconfident on the mic, possibly due to being a bit restrained. That was really good.

 

[Libertine]

Enzo & Cass babaaaay! Bit of a flat show so far but business just picked up!! Charisma in bucket loads.

 

[Libertine]

Hmm very surprising result, thought Y2J was going over there. Should be a good match, Styles has no chance though. Good to see Cesaro back. Wasn't as hot a post-Mania show as previous years but still a few great moments.

 

[RavenBish]

Good show overall that, was paced quite well. Only the women's segment fell on it's arse, mainly because Charlotte didn't know how to handle the crowd at all.

Styles v Reigns is juicy. I guess we'll get Reigns as a heel after all.

 

[Stevencc]

I thought that was an awful Raw made to seem more special than your average weekly show thanks to a raucous post-mania crowd.

 

[Libertine]

Twatty crowd though.

 

[This Charming Mike]

Smacktalker Skywalker!

 

[The Fack]

The Wyatts turn face? They've been stale for some time and need something to freshen them up. Hopefully, this is it.

 

[Stevencc]

Happy to see AJ being pushed, though. He's fantastic.

 

[RavenBish]

I'd put money on AJ not being the Number 1 contender by Payback in 4 weeks. RAW after Mania is nothing more than pandering to the crowd because they're absolutely shit scared that a smark crowd like that could completely shit on everything they do.

It's kayfabe of course but I can't see Trips/Vince letting the Number 1 contender get picked on a Shane-ran RAW and Trips still has his rematch clause to play with.

Genuinely now makes no sense why Jericho went over Styles at Mania though.

 

[Stevencc]

I'd put money on AJ not being the Number 1 contender by Payback in 4 weeks. RAW after Mania is nothing more than pandering to the crowd because they're absolutely shit scared that a smark crowd like that could completely shit on everything they do.

It's kayfabe of course but I can't see Trips/Vince letting the Number 1 contender get picked on a Shane-ran RAW and Trips still has his rematch clause to play with.

Genuinely now makes no sense why Jericho went over Styles at Mania though.

Yeah - you are probably right. It's cool to see him go from TNA to the WWE and be catapulted straight into the main event picture but I'm not sure it'll lead anywhere the first time around.

 

[iesty wfc]

ryder being buried within 24 hours of wrestlemania - stay classy WWE

 

[Eamonn]

Pretty good show I thought, I hope Reigns keeps this attitude, I'd have him presented as a face but with these heel mannerisms and cockiness that hes the champion so he keeps getting booed as we all know if we were to genuinely turn heel he would actually start to get cheered. I didnt see AJ winning but can see Jericho being added for a triple threat match, Reigns beats Jericho for the win, AJ beats down Reigns with help of Bullet Club. Wyatts as a face is much needed, this is how Bray can finally get to the top, their whole against the regime attitude should be face anyway, he will also have great support. Great to see Enzo and Cass hopefully other crowds will know their entrance, Enzo is so good on the mic, tag division made even better. I had a feeling Ryder would lose but ultimately he got his big moment which is the main thing, a heel turn and repackage is the only thing to save him now. Heel Miz with Maryse in actual feuds can be very entertaining, actually looking forward to that. Crews is very athletic but not sure if he has enough to make it, may be a call up too soon, but we will see.

Reigns vs AJ vs Jericho
Owens vs Zayn
Wyatts vs LON
Dudleys vs Enzo and Cass

All look likely so far for Payback, not sure on directions for Ambrose and Cesaro, kind of hoping for a Cena return soon for some more star power and to be fair to him some good matches.

 

[Christian Slater]

That was a really flat Raw sans Enzo & Cass and the main event. I found myself playing on ny phone while watching. Would have been a good Battleground lead-in.

That little qualifier the commentators gave at the start of the show was one of the most pathetic things I've seen them do.

 

[RavenBish]

ryder being buried within 24 hours of wrestlemania - stay classy WWE

1) He didn't even lose clean
2) He's still in 100x stronger position than 2 days ago
3) He got to win a ladder match and the IC title at wrestlemania!!!
4) It's Zack Ryder, who gives a fuck? They shouldn't be pushing him with the superior talent around anyway