At 12 hours ago, WaterShake wrote: I imagine the producers incorporate Twitter into the show in order to make themselves feel responsive to changes in the media landscape.

Nope, my understanding is Twitter has basically told companies like WWE that the more they promote Twitter, the more Twitter will return the favor. THAT'S why WWE is promoting Twitter as hard as they do, to the point of annoyance. Because they want to then be able to turn around and tell Twitter to do the same for them. I doubt Vince cares about being hip, he cares about making WWE seem like the "it" entertainment company. As always has, the man is desperate to be seen as a new Walt Disney before he dies.

Fans will Tweet about the show regardless of how producers handle it,

Agreed. Also WWE really has to understand that "trending" doesn't always equate to being a good thing. Kevin Nash is a perfect example, he was "trending" because a majority of people talking about him were saying "Why the hell is Kevin Nash in a prominent role on my TV in 2011?" Trending is not always good! You shouldn't be promoting something if you don't really know how it works.

but I can easily imagine engagement being increased by the show's dynamic interaction with trends and what not.

In what way? Because I just don't see it. I think engagement with the show would be heightened by better storylines, better wrestling, and characters people actually give a shit about. Twitter really helps with none of those things.

I imagine people will be more inclined to post tweets about the show if they believe members of the show will actually read their messages.

I tend to think if people care to write stuff on Twitter, they'll do it whether or not they think WWE is reading it...which clearly they aren't. The only thing they're checking is if things are "trending" and then they report that fact, apparently oblivious to the potential negative consequences I pointed out earlier.

This is beneficial to the show as a higher number of tweets directly leads to greater exposure.

But what KIND of exposure? If you've got a high number of tweets saying "wow, this show is awful" or "I hate WWE and their product right now" how is any of that helpful to them?

The techniques being used by producers are hack-handed at best and all in all the, ROI is probably minimal at best.

Agreed 100%. It's another attempt by WWE to focus on something outside what they really need to fix: The core television product, and push this rapidly dwindling in interest product out to the world. It's bad bad bad stuff.

But it does demonstrate some endearing attempt at modernization from the WWE.

But unfortunately it's perfume on a pig at best, at worst it's attempting to expose a failing product to a wider audience and thus damage their brand in the long run.

At 8 hours ago, aviewaskewed wrote:

At 12 hours ago, WaterShake wrote: I imagine the producers incorporate Twitter into the show in order to make themselves feel responsive to changes in the media landscape.

Nope, my understanding is Twitter has basically told companies like WWE that the more they promote Twitter, the more Twitter will return the favor. THAT'S why WWE is promoting Twitter as hard as they do, to the point of annoyance. Because they want to then be able to turn around and tell Twitter to do the same for them. I doubt Vince cares about being hip, he cares about making WWE seem like the "it" entertainment company. As always has, the man is desperate to be seen as a new Walt Disney before he dies.

Whilst I don't want to digress to far from the topic of this thread, let me explain why I find this highly dubious (although an interesting theory none the less).

Twitter advertising and promotional partners are incredibly limited, they have a long waiting list of brands waiting to fill out their timetable of both promoted accounts and promoted trends. This business model is working very well for twitter, and Dick (Twitter CEO) is confident it while continue to do so in the future. Twitter's longer term business plan is more media distribution centric, hence the inclusion of the "Discovery" service under the #LetsFly revamp and the recent acquisition of Tweetly (a personalized news service that worked via your Twitter account).

Add to the mix Apple's (officially the most successful company in the world) recent endorsement of Twitter across both their Mac and mobile operating systems and I see little to no motivation for twitter to be making underhand deals with shows like the WWE.

But who knows, maybe I'm being naive and your version of the truth is more accurate.

Fans will Tweet about the show regardless of how producers handle it,

Agreed. Also WWE really has to understand that "trending" doesn't always equate to being a good thing.

This is very true. I'd be interested to actually look at the tweets posted during the show's airtime and analyse how many tweets are actually supportive of the show.

Kevin Nash is a perfect example, he was "trending" because a majority of people talking about him were saying "Why the hell is Kevin Nash in a prominent role on my TV in 2011?" Trending is not always good! You shouldn't be promoting something if you don't really know how it works.

but I can easily imagine engagement being increased by the show's dynamic interaction with trends and what not.

In what way? Because I just don't see it. I think engagement with the show would be heightened by better storylines, better wrestling, and characters people actually give a shit about. Twitter really helps with none of those things.

I should have been clearer here: I meant Twitter engagement e.g more people tweeting @WWE or @WhateverWrestler etc. I definitely agree that if they're looking to increase engagement across the board (which they should/will be), Twitter shouldn't be their first priority.

I imagine people will be more inclined to post tweets about the show if they believe members of the show will actually read their messages.

I tend to think if people care to write stuff on Twitter, they'll do it whether or not they think WWE is reading it...which clearly they aren't.

Personally, I would be more inclined to tweet about it as a result of the shows usage of it. The consistent mentioning of it keeps Twitter TOMA (top of mind awareness) making it more likely for me to Tweet if I think of anything remarkable related to the show. But we could argue tit-for-tat here given that I'm speaking purely anecdotally and most Twitter/TV engagement studies have been infuriatingly vague.

The only thing they're checking is if things are "trending" and then they report that fact, apparently oblivious to the potential negative consequences I pointed out earlier.

This is true for the most part, they also seem to ocassionally read-aloud Tweets from the superstars (encouraging people to follow their accounts etc.)

This is beneficial to the show as a higher number of tweets directly leads to greater exposure.

But what KIND of exposure? If you've got a high number of tweets saying "wow, this show is awful" or "I hate WWE and their product right now" how is any of that helpful to them?

A very good point, without analytical tools (which hopefully the WWE are using), it's very hard to gauge the tone of the conversation about your brand on Twitter. Whilst I know that the WWE seems to create a lot of trends on twitter, I'm none-the-wiser about wether these are actually positive or negative trends.

The techniques being used by producers are hack-handed at best and all in all the, ROI is probably minimal at best.

Agreed 100%. It's another attempt by WWE to focus on something outside what they really need to fix: The core television product, and push this rapidly dwindling in interest product out to the world. It's bad bad bad stuff.

But it does demonstrate some endearing attempt at modernization from the WWE.

But unfortunately it's perfume on a pig at best, at worst it's attempting to expose a failing product to a wider audience and thus damage their brand in the long run.

"a failing brand" are we talking about Twitter or WWE here?

Sorry for any typos or formatting errors, I've written this post on my phone.

Raw was boring. So boring. So many fucking promos. Oh how I hate the road to WM...

Pretty sure the whole 'notes on the wrist' thing was a work, but goddam I marked hard for Cena (again) during that promo. Dwayne has really lost his tough. He runs his promos based solely on the fact that he is the Rock and he will get a pop no matter fucking what, and that is a perfect of example of his laziness.

At 1 hour ago, MudkipsPiano wrote: I don't agree with you on one thing, though. I thought this RAW was awesome. I liked the triple tag match (and Kane).

They had what will likely be the only shot to get the TT belts onto actually believable contenders and keep them on heels and set up a feud. Primo and Epico are not believable champs right now... Putting the belts on Swaggie Time and Spaghetti Hair could have set up for a great feud between them and Air Troof.

I think Primo & Epico are doing a great job, actually; I would like to see Air Truth get the belts, though.......just as long as Ron doesn't fuck it up for Kofi like Evan did. >:/

Any word on what the whole Board of Directors announcement was about?

At 2 days ago, SunnyAgo wrote: That said, I'm currently loathing the Divas.

Some of them really really try, that's clear...but they are just aren't very good and the company puts absolutely no priority in trying to build them or make anyone care about them or their matches. It's an utter shame, I think the only division that's worse off is the tag division. Or maybe the non-existant US and IC Title challengers.

At 5 hours ago, aviewaskewed wrote:

At 2 days ago, SunnyAgo wrote: That said, I'm currently loathing the Divas.

Some of them really really try, that's clear...but they are just aren't very good and the company puts absolutely no priority in trying to build them or make anyone care about them or their matches. It's an utter shame, I think the only division that's worse off is the tag division. Or maybe the non-existant US and IC Title challengers.

Alas, as long as Beth and Awesome Kong are still there, the division will survive. The rest of simply do not matter because they are just eye candies.

At 16 hours ago, aviewaskewed wrote:

At 2 days ago, SunnyAgo wrote: That said, I'm currently loathing the Divas.

Some of them really really try, that's clear...but they are just aren't very good and the company puts absolutely no priority in trying to build them or make anyone care about them or their matches. It's an utter shame, I think the only division that's worse off is the tag division. Or maybe the non-existant US and IC Title challengers.

Theirs some life in the Tag Titles because the NXT guys are pretty much getting paired up to be tag title contenders, they are still just too green and WWE doesn't have a spot for their tag division. And theirs always FCW where they can call up Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero (I mean Antonio Cesaro and Kassius OHNO) and do the Sultans of Sports Entertainment (Cuz they can't say wrestling).

I just find it silly that they wanna make the guys from the indies into their own original product. But hey, that's WWE for you. FCW is actually pretty awesome right now.

Been a while huh?

I've been on a WWF/WWE theme kick these last few days, listening to some of the old CD's I have and going on youtube hunting down some of the more obscure ones. Some of the old instrumentals hold up so well that it makes me wish there were more of them around today.

What are some of your favorite theme songs for the current WWE roster? And while we're at it, what would you guys consider to be some of the best of all time?

I kinda like the one Miz has now as well as CM Punk's theme. SOS is also a great song in it's own right.

Cena VS Rock
Who do you think is going to win

At 19 hours ago, Wavepad wrote: Cena VS Rock
Who do you think is going to win

Rock does not stand a chance of winning. Vince will send all the little kids home happy.

At 22 hours ago, Dream-of-Duke wrote:

At 19 hours ago, Wavepad wrote: Cena VS Rock
Who do you think is going to win

Rock does not stand a chance of winning. Vince will send all the little kids home happy.

Cena should win but not for that reason.
It's basically the same as Rock vs Hogan at WM18.
Putting Cena over the Rock is huge, passes the torch so to say.

Should be an awesome match either way, if the rock does win, expect a rematch.

Yay for Santino!

I don't know if any of you are into vlogs or anything, but Cory Williams, a YouTube regular, filmed meeting former WWE wrestlers Gangrel and Rikishi. He is going to join a pro wrestling school and went to the place where they train and do shows. There is even a little bit of the indy show in his vlog. You can check it out here.

I'm looking forward to Punk/Jericho far more than Rock/Cena. While I do want to see Rock in action again, its more for WM nostalgia. CM Punk and Jericho are two of the very best around and no doubt will have an awesome encounter.

At 1 day ago, Shaun wrote: Cena should win but not for that reason.

True.

It's basically the same as Rock vs Hogan at WM18.

In that it's a spectacle type match that helps WWE continue to keep the WM name as something pristine, interesting, and "only we can do it" sort of a thing while the rest of the product burns? Sure.

Putting Cena over the Rock is huge, passes the torch so to say.

Mmmm, yes and no. It's an ATTEMPT to pass that torch. The problem for me will be if Cena picks up that win and then goes back to being a fucking child the minute Rock is out of the picture. The other problem is Cena just isn't the guy for this. Sorry Cena marks, but there's only one guy that's managed to drive interest and attention in a spiking way in the past few years, and that's CM Punk. WWE really needs to recognize who their true top guy is and act accordingly already...Cena can still be around and at the top as well...but it's just time to realize his watered down, faux Hulk Hogan schtick can't take them where they need to go.

Should be an awesome match either way, if the rock does win, expect a rematch.

At 32 minutes ago, aviewaskewed wrote: Mmmm, yes and no. It's an ATTEMPT to pass that torch. The problem for me will be if Cena picks up that win and then goes back to being a fucking child the minute Rock is out of the picture. The other problem is Cena just isn't the guy for this. Sorry Cena marks, but there's only one guy that's managed to drive interest and attention in a spiking way in the past few years, and that's CM Punk. WWE really needs to recognize who their true top guy is and act accordingly already...Cena can still be around and at the top as well...but it's just time to realize his watered down, faux Hulk Hogan schtick can't take them where they need to go.

Cena is the only guy for this.
1. Punk is not their "true top star" this has certainly been his year, but can he keep it up for the next 5 years? If yes, then sure top guy eventually. Miz was in this position last year and faded out so fast it isn't even funny.
2. Punk vs Stone Cold - that is the wrestlemania dream match for punk. They have already had some build for it and the feud writes itself. Would mesh better then Punk/Rock would.
3. I used to be a punk hater, and I can't be anymore. That upsets me. The moment of his entrance at elimination chamber was such a turning point for me. I truly realised that he is a star. But this match is made for Cena.

At 4 days ago, Shaun wrote: Cena is the only guy for this.

Only because they haven't even tried to build anybody else up to it. They just DECIDED all they need is Cena, and people need to shut up and like it.

1. Punk is not their "true top star" this has certainly been his year, but can he keep it up for the next 5 years? If yes, then sure top guy eventually. Miz was in this position last year and faded out so fast it isn't even funny.

Miz and Punk are not comparable for a whole host of reasons and even bringing them up and trying to compare them frankly shows you aren't equipped to be making arguments and assertions about who is and isn't a star. Punk is absolutely their true top star and these guys continue to be petulant and try to knock him back below Cena because they want Cena as the tippity top that badly.

2. Punk vs Stone Cold - that is the wrestlemania dream match for punk. They have already had some build for it and the feud writes itself. Would mesh better then Punk/Rock would.

But will Austin do it? No way unless he believes he's truly passing the torch to Punk and making Punk into the leader of the company and a star at least equivalent to Cena. WWE has proven they aren't really interested in that (or else the Summer of Punk last year would still be happening), and as long as they aren't, Austin won't come in to do the match.

3. I used to be a punk hater, and I can't be anymore. That upsets me. The moment of his entrance at elimination chamber was such a turning point for me. I truly realised that he is a star. But this match is made for Cena.

It's only because of WWE's promotion of Cena and lack of promotion of Punk. Punk could easily be having this match as well if WWE actually gave him the chance to do so, and I think it could absolutely be the organic turning point that the company is forced to try and manufacture with Cena.

I'm sorry, John Cena has had 6 years on top now...he isn't the draw they hoped he'd be...he's the king of a free falling product, and the face of a company that's fading into irrelevance. Punk gave them their relevance back, and they threw it away because they didn't authorize it or manufacture it. It's a myopic shame.

At 3 days ago, Austerity wrote: So my two observations are that the Rock really did need those notes on his arm, and that there is some real dislike between him and Cena.

You've been worked...congrats!

:)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes the idea of Santino holding the U.S. title. Everybody tends to forget sometimes that he can actually wrestle, which is understandable when he's been relying on his comedic knowhow ever since the company realized he was damn funny.

Shame that Swagger had to drop the title for him to get it, but they've never been good at figuring out what to ever do with Swagger anyway.

Currently, it looks like they're setting up Long to run both brands & boot Laryngitis out; we'll have to see what happens tonight.

And I hope Cena kicks the Rock's fuckin ass at Wrestlemania

Rock IS TOO CONFIENT

John Cena
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 251 lbs.
From: West Newbury, Mass.
Signature Move: Attitude Adjustment; STF
Career Highlights: World Heavyweight Champion; WWE Champion; U.S. Champion; World Tag Team Champion; WWE Tag Team Champion; 2008 Royal Rumble Winner; 2010 Superstar of the Year Slammy Award winner

The Rock
Height:6'5"
Weight: 260 lbs.
From: Miami, Fla.
Signature Move: Rock Bottom; People's Elbow
Career Highlights: WWE Championship; Intercontinental Champion; World Tag Team Champion; Royal Rumble winner (2000); WCW Champion

I figured something like that would be used to settle the GM dispute; now all that's left is to guess who's on whose team.

Let's see:

Team Long (w/ Santino as captain): Air Truth; Ezekiel Jackson; probably Khali to counter Henry

Team Laryngitis (w/ Otunga as captain, and Mark Henry confirmed): Christian, as apparently he's healed up now; Del Rio if he's healed up; possibly D-Mac; Wade Barrett if he's healed up (as last I saw him, he looked legitimately in serious pain, and we haven't seen him since)

Anyone else is anyone's guess.

The Rock & Cena segments were fucking gold. Ugh, if only Cena would STAY LIKE THIS........

Wow......that was an interesting, considerably uncomfortable stunt Jericho pulled there. And Punk pulled off the reaction perfectly.

i want in how to i join the club??been watching wrestling since i wus 9

At 1 day ago, MudkipsPiano wrote:

At 2 weeks ago, MudkipsPiano wrote:

Also, I think, for Wrestlemania 28, mark my words, Teddy Long and John Laurinaitis are going to face each other, only they won't be competing, it'll be a giant tag team match, with heels such as Christian, Del Rio and Mark Henry fighting for Laurinaitis, while Teddy has faces, and whichever side wins determines who runs both shows.

This was too predictable.

I would brag about calling it but I'm positive I'm not the only one seeing this from miles away.

I hope Laurinaitis wins, he's the man and he makes amazing matches. Also I fuckin' love David Otunga.

Teddy wins, we have more aksana porn crap and main event tag team matches.

i agree that john has more creative matches but his personality is soo bland and boring..if he had a more lively personality he may be the ideal gm for both shows.. By the way the aksana skits r pretty funny to me simply because how theodore long looks compared to aksana..lol

At 2 days ago, Austerity wrote: I've been listening to a lot of interviews and a lot of insiders agree that Cena and Rock have some genuine dislike for each other right now.

See prior post. Whatever issues they may be using as fodder, they're professionals and they're doing business. Rock wouldn't be doing this if he wasn't ok putting Cena over in the end...of course, now I'm hearing that may not be the plan.

The John Cena Rap and The Rock Concert were awful in my opinion. Yeah they got some good cracks at one another, but why did we have to do it IN SONG! What the fuck am I watching? Am I watching World Wrestling Entertainment or fucking Glee? Also The Rock fumbling on a half assed version of Queen's "We Will Rock You"... what were we thinking?

It was pretty cool though to see John Cena in his old character, looks, theme, everything. Sent me back in time for even that short moment. The rap was pretty good... hell of a lot better than The Rock's singing. I'm just wondering... why, why WHY? WHY!?

This Teddy Long vs. Johnny Ace team match should be quite interesting, then again we're just pulling the same card that was done with Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon as well as Eric Bischoff's Team vs. Stone Cold's Team.

This time around it seems it might become a bit predictable. Unless Teddy gets Brodus Clay on his side to shake things up a bit. I would like Johnny to become GM of both shows though because his matches are far more interesting than Teddy's. Oh yeah and you're gonna see Johnny try to interfere, and Teddy either push him on his ass again or clothesline him.

At 14 hours ago, The-Great-One wrote: The Rock fumbling on a half assed version of Queen's "We Will Rock You"... what were we thinking?

Part of the buildup of Rock's inability to cut promos obviously. This goes very well with the writing on the wrist, and gives more fuel for Cena...

It was pretty cool though to see John Cena in his old character, looks, theme, everything.

I didn't like the decision one bit. Fun as it may have been, Cena's entire current character is based on staying true to himself; no gimmicks, nothing. This went completely against that. I would be OK with a change in character, but you know as well as I do this was a one time thing.

This Teddy Long vs. Johnny Ace team match should be quite interesting, then again we're just pulling the same card that was done with Ric Flair vs. Vince McMahon as well as Eric Bischoff's Team vs. Stone Cold's Team.

TAG TEAM MATCH PLAYA

At 2 days ago, kill343guiltyspark wrote: I would be OK with a change in character, but you know as well as I do this was a one time thing.

Yes I do know that it was only a one time thing, it's just the nostalgia factor for me.

At 11 hours ago, Austerity wrote: Chris Jericho's "CM Drunk" whispers were funny on Smackdown

Yeah dude I agree

Did any of you guys saw smackdown with Randy Orton Facing Kane at Wrestlemania!?
The power 10 this week (i didn't put the last 15)
1.Chris Jericho
2.John Cena
3.Big Show
4.Daniel Bryan
5.Sheamus

6.Kane
7.Cm Punk
8.Randy Orton
9.Cody Rhodes
10.Kofi Kingston

I absolutely have to know what the hell Punk said when he gor massively bleeped; no doubt it was awesome.

So far, I've guessed 3 of the WM Tag Match participants (Christian; Air Truth) correctly. I wasn't sure Ziggler & Swagger would be in it or not, in case there was a Tag Titles match on the WM card; guess not, or at the very least, they weren't slated to be in it if there is.

(Btw, what should we be calling the Ziggler/Swagger team? ZigSwag, or The All-American Showoffs? I'm torn......)

I'm fucking sick of the Rock's shit, Cena is carrying this fued.