At 3/1/16 10:49 AM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: RAW had the chance to be great, but once again let us down. The UnderTaker could of argued with Vince, or done something interesting. He walks to the ring very slow, and says , " Your son's blood is on your hands. "he then leaves. It was an okay quote, but it felt like a wasted opportunity. They copied the double count out gimmick from NXT that happened about a week ago.

Pretty much gives away the ending that Shane wins given Taker has nothing to lose.

Please let there be a brand split and have Heyman go work for Smackdown, PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE.

At 3/2/16 08:39 AM, Radaketor wrote: Please let there be a brand split and have Heyman go work for Smackdown, PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE.

Heyman has other businesses he's involved in and likely wouldn't be free for such a demanding job.

The other thing that needs to happen before a brand split can work is signing more talent, because the roster is too thin to really pull off a good roster split right now. Every week would be the same 10 or so people on each show.

At 3/1/16 01:05 PM, PsychoGoldfish wrote: Pretty much gives away the ending that Shane wins given Taker has nothing to lose.

I agree. Would of been more intense if the UnderTaker was fighting for his job.

At 3/2/16 08:39 AM, Radaketor wrote: Please let there be a brand split and have Heyman go work for Smackdown, PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE.

They might have to hire more wrestles. Do they have enough for each show to have fifteen or more guys and girls?

At 3/3/16 10:33 AM, DoctorStrongbad wrote:

At 3/2/16 08:39 AM, Radaketor wrote: Please let there be a brand split and have Heyman go work for Smackdown, PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE.

They might have to hire more wrestles. Do they have enough for each show to have fifteen or more guys and girls?

WWE has been aggressive, as of late, in signing talent from other promotions like Evolve and NJPW. They also have a handful of guys in NXT that could make the jump at any point. I think they CAN pull off a brand split, but they have to get that influx of talent first.

Then again, maybe a brand split would be a good stage for introducing these new people. If you split the existing roster in half, they would only get half the spotlight in a brand split. That leaves half of each show open for some fresh new faces. They would also, likely, introduce them in matches with underexposed mid-card talent, so those guys could get some elevation as well.

It would be good for their top talent too. Roman Reigns could still be their top guy, but get a bit less screen time to wear on the audience. Of course splitting the world titles up probably means you have Cena back in the other top spot.

At 3/3/16 10:44 AM, PsychoGoldfish wrote: Then again, maybe a brand split would be a good stage for introducing these new people. If you split the existing roster in half, they would only get half the spotlight in a brand split. That leaves half of each show open for some fresh new faces. They would also, likely, introduce them in matches with underexposed mid-card talent, so those guys could get some elevation as well.

There were more pros than cons during the brand split. It gave people a lot more to see. One part that tainted it along the way was when ECW became a third brand and it got fucked up beyond belief and making a recovery from that was difficult because not a lot of people were still legitimate afterwards.

The brand split has built up people in the past. Hell if it wasn't for the brand split, John Cena would not have been as popular as he is today. If he was booked on the same show with Triple H during that time, while being a heel, he would've been buried and shafted a long time ago.

3/7/16 RAW was very boring until Jericho stole the show. Chris Jericho attacked AJ after they lost there tag team match, and gave AJ three codebreakers. When he was passed out on the mat, Jericho took a YAJ shirt , that represents there tag team, and shoved it down his throat. One of the best things I have seen on RAW in a long time.

The 'new' ECW was definitely the prototype for NXT. It was meant as a jumping point from OVW to Raw/SmackDown, but foolishly coasted on the ECW name. Had it been called NXT from day one, it would likely have been much better received. They even got to have their championship matches on PPV cards, wich was great for the up and coming talent of the time.

If you were able to look past the fact it wasn't Paul Heyman's ECW, there was some good shit on there. It gave rise to CM Punk. John Morrison had an awesome run. It put guys like Big Show in a spot where they actually worked well. Even Shamus had a great run back then. Had the format not been cancelled, they wouldn't have done that reality show version of NXT and Daniel Bryan's debut would have been in actual wrestling matches.

Contrary to some popular beliefs, Vince actually loves competition. When Raw and SmackDown were competing brands, both shows benefited (SmackDown moreso), especially when they would have a draft. USA Network was the party that wasn't pleased with the fact the A show was becoming the B show, and that's what ultimately killed the brand split.

It made it feel more like a real sport too, having divisions that could compete with each other, but mostly separated. And it made throw-away PPVs like Survivor Series a lot more special. When guys that are on a good roll, but on separate shows, meet for the first time, its always a huge draw.

The original Brand Split happened when WWE had a HUGE roster, though. This time, any brand split would need to be treated differently. If they truly take it as an opportunity it might actually be better than the last one.

The IMMEDIATE benefit is everyone gets a lighter schedule. This addresses their current injury problem without straight up pulling people off TV for lenthy periods of time. Superstars can get a lot more rest and rehab between bouts.

With superstars working lighter schedules (and probably being in better shape for it), they will also be capable of putting on longer matches for TV tapings. So even though the rosters may be thing, we could get better/longer matches as a result to fill up the air time. And this is going to mean the midcard will be asked to carry a lot more of that load.

The natural result of the midcard getting a better showing is that the upper card will be less overexposed (and feel more special), and the midcard championships will have a lot more value.

The other benefit of a lighter schedule is the talent can actually go down to Florida more often to work with NXT talent. You could have a lot of special guests pop in and end up in matches that help get new guys over, or even start feuds that will help push them to the main roster later.

Filling 5 hours of TV might also be simpler than expected since the McMahon drama is back on TV and that tends to eat up a lot of TV time that could be spent showcasing superstars.

The biggest benefit for a Brand Split though is simple. It's something new(ish). And that's pretty much the one thing fans are asking for.

At 3/8/16 12:10 PM, JohnCena423 wrote: Wrestlemania 33 will take place at Citrus Bowl in Orlando Florida on April 2nd 2017

Wrestlemania in Orlando, Florida. I am surprised they don't have more events in lovely, Florida.

https://youtu.be/DGpyTz7Tvrg

Meanwhile, in Scotland, Pikachu shivs the fuck out of Mr Anderson.

Tonight on Smackdown, Jericho explains why he betrayed AJ on Monday.

Got free tickets for tonight's Smackdown taping in Cincy. Pretty sweet seats, too.

Smackdown action tonight. Will Shane make an appearance? He should have at least one practice match before facing the Undertaker at Wrestlemania.

Hogan dropped the leg on Gawker and got 115 million dollars...BROTHERS.

At 3/18/16 09:33 PM, ZJ wrote: Hogan dropped the leg on Gawker and got 115 million dollars...BROTHERS.

I am glad that he won, it could not of happened to a nicer guy.

What's everyone's thoughts on Ambrose and Lesnar closing Mania instead of Reigns and Hunter?

RAW action tonight. Any chance they will address Hulk Hogan winning his gawker case? Even if they are not on the best terms, they usually note most wrestling related news.

At 3/21/16 10:54 AM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: RAW action tonight. Any chance they will address Hulk Hogan winning his gawker case? Even if they are not on the best terms, they usually note most wrestling related news.

Aye, WWE is going to talk about a racist's sex tape on Monday Night Raw.

At 3/21/16 10:54 AM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: RAW action tonight. Any chance they will address Hulk Hogan winning his gawker case? Even if they are not on the best terms, they usually note most wrestling related news.

None. They fired Hogan because of the embarrassment that tape and it's contents would cost them publicly. Hogan is at least two to three years I think after this all settles and is done before they consider bringing him back in.

I like the idea of doing a brand split here. With the network it allows them to do two specials a month without the onus of two 80 dollar PPVs which hurt the original one (and the bad creative too). I also think this could be an olive branch to PPV companies if they wanted to as well where they could offer one brands show to PPV for a month and then upload it on the network later and rotate every month....but I don't honestly see that happening. The key here is Vince has to keep his ego out of it and not get pissed off if RAW isn't considered the better show every week.

At 3/21/16 01:54 PM, TheMaster wrote: Aye, WWE is going to talk about an icon's sex tape on Monday Night Raw.

They did mention Hulk Hogan on RAW, but not about him winning his lawsuit. He earned every cent of that 140 million dollars.

RAW was not so good. Roman Reigns assaulted HHH again without being fired or arrested. How many times with it happen?
If UnderTaker loses at Wrestlemania, he has to retire. We all saw this coming a mile away.

Does anybody else here just hate the redesign for WWE's website or is just me?

Smackdown action tonight. Who will Roman Reigns assault tonight and suffer no consequences? Will AJ and Jericho interfere in each other's matches yet again?

Oh, Taker turned 51 yesterday, 24/3/2016!

At 3/21/16 01:21 AM, Ganon-Dorf wrote: What's everyone's thoughts on Ambrose and Lesnar closing Mania instead of Reigns and Hunter?

If Ambrose wins i riot.

At 3/25/16 03:58 PM, Radaketor wrote:

If Ambrose wins i riot.

You don't think a win over Brock would do good for Ambrose?

At 3/25/16 09:03 PM, Ganon-Dorf wrote: You don't think a win over Brock would do good for Ambrose?

Nah man, of course it would do him good. I'm just not an Ambrose fan.
In my mind Brock's this unstoppable beast that should only lose one more time, his retirement match. Afterall he beat Taker at 'Mania and according to WWE lore that should mean he's damn near immortal. If he's gonna lose i'd rather it would be against the next big thing, someone coming out of NXT that's sort of like Lesnar was when he debuted, tough as nails, strong as shit to rival Brock, surprisingly athletic, fast and with some high flying moves.

To me no one that was a part of The Shield is anywhere near the Beast's level, especially Ambrose. Roman is getting better (slowly but surely) and he's the powerhouse, Rollins is the high flying and smart guy, Dean's just female fan-service that makes stupid faces in his matches.

No problem if other people think he's great or want him to win, more power to them, just think that Brock's too good and valuable to lose at this point.

At 3/25/16 09:03 PM, Ganon-Dorf wrote:

If Ambrose wins i riot.

Ambrose is a joke and its not funny. Brock needs to beat the crap out of Ambrose. Give him at at least three F5s.

Met up with the Hulkster yesterday!

At 3/26/16 01:57 PM, ZJ wrote: Met up with the Hulkster yesterday!

Very nice. Where was that?

At 3/26/16 03:31 PM, DoctorStrongbad wrote:

At 3/26/16 01:57 PM, ZJ wrote: Met up with the Hulkster yesterday!

Very nice. Where was that?

Hogan's Beach Shop in Florida.