At 7/22/11 10:04 PM, aviewaskewed wrote: Only caught the last hour of SD! tonight but got two very good matches I was happy with. Orton shows a mean streak while staying a face, Kane looks like a bit of a monster again only to be nailed by Mark Henry. I also enjoyed the shit out of the Sheamus/Barrett match, a nice brawl that didn't resolve anything and I thought both guys came out looking good.

Good news: Christian has been the champion longer than he was last time around, weeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
On a serious note, I hope that the Christian vs Orton match at Summer Slam be a gimmick match.

I hate the commercials DURING matches but DVR is god for that haha. There were some good matches on Friday...I hope Bryan(t) does work at Wrestlemania and they don't gimmick it away from him. SEVERE lack of Cody (did he get hurt?) and Ted. WWE is looking pretty good now and has me wondering what they will do with all this talent.

Also is CM Punk cosplaying Cena there? If so, not enough sweatbands. If not he totally should have.

CM Punk is a class act.

He showed up at a Indy wrestling show in Berwyn, Illinois, (five minutes from my house, and I used to live there) where he and Colt Cabana applaud Gregory Irons, a wrestler who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Nothing to do with the WWE story line, just thought it was a cool moment to share.

At 7/21/11 04:47 PM, Tetris wrote: lol cm punk is jesus

lol'd at the irony of the top rated comment.

At 7/24/11 03:33 PM, Bibby-Ney wrote: I hope Bryan(t) does work at Wrestlemania and they don't gimmick it away from him

I hope DB dies

On the other hand, who else thinks this Orton/Christian rivalry is one of the best ones WWE has done so far?

Regarding Vince: While I don't actually hate the guy, he's had a horrible track record when it comes to storyline making. From what I get from you guys, the Attitude Era only succeeded because Vince detached himself from the writing aspect; therefore it didn't suck. Then there's the issue with his burial of smaller wrestlers, and just generally shafting anyone he doesn't like, regardless of talent.

I do understand there was the whole Clique thing, but even at that, I have a hard time believing we'll be seeing the same mentality towards the way things are run with Trips heading things as we have with Vince for the past several decades.

..........Although if it's just kayfabe, I'll be extremely pissed...............

Now, with that out of the way...........

I guess Kane's not gonna be on TV for a while, either? So who the hell does that leave Henry? Khali, maybe? Although he's caught in another storyline right now. Or maybe they'll have Long try to attempt to fire him or something?

The only thing missing from the Cole/Bryan confrontation was a LaBelle Lock. :P Thing is, though, they'd better have something for him to do until WM - which is quite a while. Oh hell, we're not going to have a full-blown Cole/Bryan feud, are we? Dunno if I'm ready for that so soon.....

A great idea feuding Wade & Sheamus, as it keeps the both of them from getting buried. As long as it's done well (and if that match was any indication, it is), a two-heel feud is a refreshing change of pace.

One other thing I forgot to mention last week: The fact that Cena made an indirect threat to go to TNA ON LIVE TV was probably the funniest thing Cena's ever done. Although, seriously, I doubt he'd ever do it in reality; I think he has a bit more dignity than that.

At 7/21/11 04:47 PM, Tetris wrote: lol cm punk is jesus

That was awesome.

At 7/20/11 10:32 PM, aviewaskewed wrote: Cara's side of the story is that he denies using roids. He isn't sure why he was suspended but believes it may be because a medication he takes has steroids in it. He's going to have a meeting with Vince about it.

I do know that someone can be prescribed a steroid for medical purposes, only anabolic steroids are illegal, but other kinds are not. If your company has a stated policy of no steroids (and truth be told, I'm not sure if you can even test for KINDS of steroids) then it is indeed possible for somebody to be prescribed something by a doctor that will run them afoul of that rule. But of course it could be Cara is simply covering his ass in Mexico and here, and trying to make a run at damage control.

That's the one difficult issue with steroids. I realize there actual legitimate medical reasons for it, so I hope Cara can get himself out of this situation, if that's really the case.

At 7/24/11 06:11 PM, boloneyman wrote: CM Punk is a class act.

He showed up at a Indy wrestling show in Berwyn, Illinois, (five minutes from my house, and I used to live there) where he and Colt Cabana applaud Gregory Irons, a wrestler who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Nothing to do with the WWE story line, just thought it was a cool moment to share.

For a wrestler to have CP, it's gotta be a seriously mild case. Anyway, good for both Punk & Cabana to do something like that.

At 7/24/11 07:53 PM, mothballs wrote: I hope DB dies

That was seriously wrong, man.

At 7/24/11 09:26 PM, Swackman wrote: Regarding Vince: While I don't actually hate the guy, he's had a horrible track record when it comes to storyline making. From what I get from you guys, the Attitude Era only succeeded because Vince detached himself from the writing aspect; therefore it didn't suck. Then there's the issue with his burial of smaller wrestlers, and just generally shafting anyone he doesn't like, regardless of talent.

Vince is a very complex figure. He has had some great ideas and big brass balls. He masterminded Rock and Wrestling, bet everything he had on Wrestlemania, and really redefined what the business is. That said he also has the same flaws of any promoter, running ideas too long past expiration, not making the best use of his talents. The ego that has consumed him in believing he's always right. Yes, the Attitude era did indeed work because he was willing to allow writers and wrestlers to have outside the box ideas, but you cannot discount what Vince himself meant to it by taking advantage of Montreal to create Mr. McMahon and all the hard work in front of and behind the camera he put in to make it work. He's got his flaws, there's a lot to say negatively against him, but don't discount the positives and the successes he's had as well. I think Vince's biggest problem has always been he wants to be seen as more then the greatest wrestling promoter of all time. He's a man that has excelled beyond anyone else in his genre, but because of what his genre is he doesn't always get the respect he thinks he should, sometimes even within that genre and business.

I do understand there was the whole Clique thing, but even at that, I have a hard time believing we'll be seeing the same mentality towards the way things are run with Trips heading things as we have with Vince for the past several decades.

To some degree you will. H understands the game, part of Vince's most recent problems is how snake bit Lesnar and Lashley have made him. They walked out on him after he pushed them hard, MMA offers guys an alternative and competes for the same talents that wrestling used to get no problem. Vince of course has taken the wrong approach to that by yo yoing guys to "test them" and their loyalty to the company, which just helps ensure the fields are barren and guys will bolt when they get the chance. I think H and Steph can correct a lot of that, at least I hope they can. I think Monday will give us a good indicator of whether or not their willing to move in a new direction

..........Although if it's just kayfabe, I'll be extremely pissed...............

It's kayfabe for now, but it will become the reality eventually.

I will be surprised if ADR does not cash in and win the WWE title after the Rey vs The Miz bout.

At 7/25/11 05:40 AM, Dream-of-Duke wrote: I will be surprised if ADR does not cash in and win the WWE title after the Rey vs The Miz bout.

I dunno, do they really want it done that fast? Obviously the rumored SS plan of Cena vs. Del Rio seems to have changed (unless now instead of for the title, they'll fight over the briefcase or something). I guess it probably comes down to how long Punk plans to be out, and how they want to program him when he gets back.

I knew it...Mysterio being WWE Champion for a while is too good to be true...

Anyway, how bout that CM Pu-wait I'm not allowed to mention his name HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

WWE is finally getting close to the level I regarded it back when I was watching HHH resurrect DX with Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, and XPac. It might be too early to bring Punk back, and they could have milked him being off screen for a few more weeks, but I'm still glad he returned to show Cena who the real champ is. Bringing back his ROH theme is pretty awesome too, and I want that new shirt. I thought I'd never get a piece of WWE merchandise. I was wrong.

On a side, note, Bryan Danielson has started using social media: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Vtwdozi -Q

It appears that we will have Punk vs Cena II at SummerSlam. Hopefully, Cena will go back to the end of the line after Punk beats him again, I have lost count on how many consecutive PPVs Cena has main evented.

At 7/25/11 11:10 PM, mothballs wrote: I knew it...Mysterio being WWE Champion for a while is too good to be true...

My feelings exactly. Come on WWE.. We can stand to not have Cena as champ for a little while. I was a bit suprised they didn't go ahead and let ADR use his MITB title shot. At least he still has it.

Anyway, how bout that CM Pu-wait I'm not allowed to mention his name HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

It feel like they bought him back too soon to me. Granted they want to hype the hell out of SS and rightfully so, but I I really think they could have done more with Punk being away, yet taunting Cena and the WWE the entire time.

Great to have JR and Morrison back!

HAHA, I was RIGHT! Summer of Punk baby... Hell,, he's even fucking using Cult of Personality like he did in Ring of Honor.

At 7/26/11 05:16 AM, Dream-of-Duke wrote: It appears that we will have Punk vs Cena II at SummerSlam. Hopefully, Cena will go back to the end of the line after Punk beats him again, I have lost count on how many consecutive PPVs Cena has main evented.

If he wrestles as well as Punk and he did at MITB, I'm fine with him having a long programme with Punk in the main event.

I'm interested to see where they take Punk's character long term. He has turned into more of a tweener recently, and you could say he is even on a level with Steve Austin, so I wonder if they will embrace this or try to keep him heel. If they continue to build this story as well as they have done, I think they really could have a new megastar in CM Punk. Exciting times!

The new CM Punk shirt is available in their shop for preorder. I bought it, so hard.

******S*P*O*I*L*E*R*S*******

It looks like Zack Ryder has made a jump to Smackdown, and judging by what I read, it seems like he's gonna have a more prominent role there.

That was the BEST RAW in forever.

I had no idea that Punk used Cult of Personality (LOVE THAT SONG!) during his ROH days; so when it started playing, I was clueless. Honestly, that's the most fitting theme music Punk could ever have; when he returns, I hope to hell he keeps it.

So..........while I should've known Vince being replaced completely was too good to be true this soon, at least he's off the camera from this point forward. I know he's responsible for WM (which I keep forgetting), as well as many other things; his ego has just gotten too big a hold over him & he's made some really shitty decisions these last several years. Maybe a few people walked out on him; that doesn't mean you screw over everyone else you hire as a result. Like I said, I don't HATE Vince; but he needs to hand things over to someone else at this point in his life, because he's clearly lost sight of things for the most part.

With that said, Trips' airtime last night, as well as the show in general, gave me a glimmer of hope for the future. The whole exchange with Truth had me laughing my ass off - of course, Trips is good at moments like that. As was the mention of considering firing Cole.

First off: JR'S BACK!!!! SOMEBODY BETTER HAVE A PIC OF COLE'S LOOK OF DISGUST AVAILABLE!!!!

Second off: JoMo back earlier than anticipated, and firing on all cylinders, which should mean an excellent JoMo/Truth match at SS.

Third: Zach Ryder IN AN ON-SCREEN MATCH........against Cole. A fan favorite who gets no screentime for bullshit reasons, pinning the biggest heel in the business - it's a win-win.

Fourth: A great match between Rey & Cena, regardless of Cena getting the title again. Look, Rey's falling apart; maybe they didn't think it was a good idea to have the title on him for very long in the event something goes wrong, and so they let him win it temporarily as a thank-you, and let Cena take it over until ADR's inevitable cash-in win later. It does make some sense if you think about it. The match itself was great, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing when REY stuck CENA in the STF! That was awesome.

Lastly: The whole Punk/Cena "I'M THE REAL CHAMP, BITCH!!!" moment. What a way to end the night.

At 7/25/11 11:10 PM, mothballs wrote: Anyway, how bout that CM Pu-wait I'm not allowed to mention his name HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I think that, until we're 'allowed to say his name again', we should call Punk "He Who Must Not Be Named". WHO'S WITH ME?

At 7/26/11 11:12 PM, Swackman wrote: Fourth: A great match between Rey & Cena, regardless of Cena getting the title again. Look, Rey's falling apart; maybe they didn't think it was a good idea to have the title on him for very long in the event something goes wrong, and so they let him win it temporarily as a thank-you, and let Cena take it over until ADR's inevitable cash-in win later. It does make some sense if you think about it. The match itself was great, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing when REY stuck CENA in the STF! That was awesome.

Someone predicted that this could be a turning point for Cena's character and he could become more heelish. It starts with Cena taking the title from Rey the same night he won it, and there's potential for backstage segments where others in the locker room give Cena looks and say "Not cool man" at doing something like that. Combine that with Punk becoming a tweener and being the Anti-Cena figure which seems to be getting more support over time, and maybe...just maybe, he'll start being less of the white bread, always do you taxes on time, tell an awkward gay joke here and there person to something that's different. Maybe even do something so rash as to...get "mad " at the people booing him everywhere he goes in a promo.

I know it's improbable, but I like the idea.

I really enjoyed the hell out of RAW last night. A lot of people will see it as WWE blowing their wad, but I had no issue with what we got in the main event last night. Mysterio isn't a credible champion, and we've seen him and Punk many many times, no way does that draw for Summerslam. But Punk/Cena? The rematch of the true champion vs. the paper champion? Especially when people are already sort of willing to act like this would be only the second meeting. Yes, they could have dragged it out but you know what? The iron is hot, there's incredible buzz going here, take advantage of it and see if you can't pop another great buyrate with it and get more eyeballs on the TV show. Especially when they are making obvious steps to try and improve the product.

I also ordered that shirt, and I've been told that everything else Punk related is either sold out, or on back order. I think it may be too early to compare Punk to Austin...but my God ye is clearly a tippity top guy and MADE at this point. Fucking finally!

I don't think I have been this excited about wrestling since I was a kid. The best part of this is that my friends that don't even watch wrestling are interested with the story. Many have come up to me the last few weeks questioning the significance of Punk leaving and the story as a whole.

Change of topic, but does Melina seem really pale to anyone else? Maybe she just hasn't been tanning?

Texted a buddy of mine today:

"Is SS on the table? Can't believe I'm asking"

"Wow yeah, it's been a loooong time since we ordered a show other then WM...but it's been so good, yeah, it's on the table"

Also I think Melina has bigger problems then how pale she looks. Like that whole lack of a push thing and the trouble she seems to help get her boyfriend into every few months. I imagine Beth Pheonix should be rising from the ashes soon...I friggin hope so anyway, Kelly is great to look at, tries hard, but she just isn't Trish or even Lita before she got with Edge.

Also Zack Ryder? You can thank your Straight Edge Savior...Punk has gained quite a lot of influence in the company of late I understand...like, Michaels 94 or 95 level influence with Vince perhaps. There was also a great podcast with Punk at www.Grantland.com/podcasts. Frankly, if they don't keep the belt on him at SS and give him and Cena a great, clean match, they are out of their fucking minds! Wanna do fucky finishes? Save it for the Christian/Orton match that'll probably be no DQ, or ladder, or pink slip on a pole, or whatever.

At 7/27/11 01:18 AM, 36Holla wrote: Someone predicted that this could be a turning point for Cena's character and he could become more heelish...

I don't see that happening. I do see it moving Cena away from promos about "poopie" and the other juvenile crap he's been doing. Punk looks made right now, and he won't be getting kicked back down the card again. Punk isn't going to be the guy that looks around in a month and goes "ok, I'm made...I can coast now...yay!!" he's going to keep upping his game and looking to make the entire company better along with him. Cena and creative are going to have to put a little more edge into his character to keep up with that. I don't think we're going to see "what if John Cena was in the Attitude era?" but I do hope we'll be seeing a more realistic John Cena, more of that guy who fights and won't give up, but with a realistic attitude and creed to go with it. We can hope anyway, he's been bringing his game up so far.

Who should ADR be feuding with at Summer Slam? I am struggling to find him a worthy opponent while Cena and Punk are fighting against each other.

At 7/28/11 12:45 PM, Dream-of-Duke wrote: Who should ADR be feuding with at Summer Slam? I am struggling to find him a worthy opponent while Cena and Punk are fighting against each other.

Well, they could go back to him and Rey in a pinch, and it probably makes sense since he can go over Rey and they can push the idea that he now has a win over a former WWE champion as they continue to work him into the title picture more prominently. Actually, much as I'm not a gigantic fan of re-runs, this probably makes the most sense for Del Rio at present.

At 7/29/11 09:05 PM, aviewaskewed wrote: Well, they could go back to him and Rey in a pinch, and it probably makes sense since he can go over Rey and they can push the idea that he now has a win over a former WWE champion as they continue to work him into the title picture more prominently. Actually, much as I'm not a gigantic fan of re-runs, this probably makes the most sense for Del Rio at present.

Going over Rey won't make ADR look stronger than he does look right now. I'd like to see a feud involving his MITB briefcase against Morrison.

There are only three things I thought were of any importance from Smackdown.

Zach Ryder has an on TV role/gimmick now.
DB and Barrett hopefully gonna feud.
Sheamus face push?

I love heels, but face Sheamus is AWESOME

I am sad that they got rid of the Killswitch Engage theme from CM Punk & the New Nexus must have had some copyright issues or whatever. :(

One of the best ever in my opinion.

At 7/30/11 08:41 AM, illuminate wrote: I am sad that they got rid of the Killswitch Engage theme from CM Punk & the New Nexus must have had some copyright issues or whatever. :(

One of the best ever in my opinion.

I think it was more that they're trying to make Punk his own man in the company, and the new song not only gives him a fresh start, but it also separates him from Nexus since that storyline wasn't working out in the long run.