The Official WWE Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

[ampulator]

Orton vs. Punk would be interesting... more so than Cena vs. Punk. I can at least seeing this being a more equal feud.

[eayragt]

It's not just me, but Justin Gabriel's turning face, isn't he? Slow to hit his finisher on Cena, reluctant to raise his arm in salute to Punk - it has all the marks of someone leaving... but not to be sent back down to development in this case.

[|Anderz|]

I didnt notice him stalling more than usual with his 450... he always pauses for a moment before going for it.. but then I cant say I was looking for it.. so maybe youre right..

I think Gabriel would work well as both a face and a heel.. with his new beard, he definately looks more bad ass.. and he can pull off both set of mannerisms..

basically.. I really like Justin Gabriel and hope he has a long future in the WWE..

[sebsy]

Yeah, I did wonder why it took him so long to raise his arm towards Punk when everyone else had had theirs up for about 15 seconds, but I don't think there's a turn in the works atm.

I do think that he is one of the most promising of the group to have a good future in the WWE. Barrett stands out more than anyone, then Gabriel, then the rest.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

What a way to start off Raw. That was great, surprised he hit the splash though the table. Didn't think he'd actually do it.

Seems Cena is definitely gonna be out a while.

A cage match tonight too, random.

[Teh_Showtime]

Kudos to Miz and Morrison for a match that would have been great even on PPV. Clean finish win for Miz and more Morrison providing us with great spots (starship pain serriously) give this man another feud with CM Punk

[SeanMcFly]

WTF!

Just found out Kaval got released!? What exactly was the point of pushing him to becoming the winner of NXT? :mad:

[GhostDogg]

Can you say
"Barrett Face Turn?"

I can actually see Barrett aligning with Cena to face the "S.E.N.-Dicate"

(SEN meaning Straight Edge Nexus)

oh well just a thought

[Trell]

WTF!

Just found out Kaval got released!? What exactly was the point of pushing him to becoming the winner of NXT? :mad:


I heard this was his choice, he didnt feel that he would be pushed like Barrett due to his size and creative didnt really have alot for him in that direction.

[TakerNGN74]

The Miz vs. John Morrison Match on raw tonight was amazing, they really went all out for a TV match.

[ampulator]

The Miz vs. John Morrison Match on raw tonight was amazing, they really went all out for a TV match.
The thing about Morrision is... he's missing certain things. It didn't really stop Jeff Hardy, but he's missing those same things...

[Teh_Showtime]

The thing about Morrision is... he's missing certain things. It didn't really stop Jeff Hardy, but he's missing those same things...

he isn't nearly as spotty though

[ampulator]

he isn't nearly as spotty though
I can agree with that, but he's close. He doesn't really have much else. I can see why the WWE hesitates on Morrison. He never really developed the other skills that the Miz had.

It's not shocking they had a good match, though. Both had boatloads of Star Quality and Charisma. Morrison provided the aerial antics and flashy moves. The Miz kept the match together. It's a classic combo.

[TakerNGN74]

The thing about Morrision is... he's missing certain things. It didn't really stop Jeff Hardy, but he's missing those same things...

I could see how you would say that and I would have to agree, I do think that he is missing somethings though finding them could make him a champion in the future.

[ChrisKid]

Miz vs Orton :(

[milamber]

Miz vs Morisson (great match) and Punk and Barrett on the mic in the same segment (awesome). Cage match was cool but given that Miz is a heel the winner was predictable. Maybe they'll throw Morisson in and make it a triple-threat match at the Rumble. Hope Orton turns heel after the Miz feud. Raw's off to a good start in 2011.

And I tracked down a highlights video of Chimaera (aka Ricardo Rodriguez - Del Rio's ring announcer). Here I was thinking he was just a good actor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQzTwvk3UwM

[Johnny Fenoli]

Oh My God! JR Answred A Question From Me On Twitter!!!!!!!

[Teh_Showtime]

if you aren't already, follow CM Punk on twitter

[Jaysin]

So the CM Punk/Nexus thing is enough to get me interested enough to give watching WWE again a chance. I'm in the process of finding a way to watch last night's Raw and I'm on WWE.com looking at this list of 11 to watch in 2011.

11. Ezekiel Jackson
10. Tyson Kidd
9. Tamina
8. Alex Riley
7. David Otunga
6. Drew McIntyre
5. Skip Sheffield
4. Cody Rhodes
3. Dolph Ziggler
2. Daniel Bryan
1. Albert Del Rio

Hopefully Dolph being so high on the list is an indication that he'll get some sort of push to the main event this year. I'd really like them to take Vickie away from him because he really is one of my favorites, but Vickie makes me change the channel. That's not heel heat to me, that's just flat out irritating and unentertaining. Same with Michael Cole.

[Jaysin]

Ok, I've been a fan of Miz and Morrison for a really long time, but HOLY CRAP! That was awesome. I knew Miz won, but there were some good nearfalls that had me at the edge of my seat.

I can't believe that was a TV match. There were some good spots and over all probably the best thing I've seen on WWE programming in years. That's just my opinion though.

Is the crowd always that dead for Del Rio? You could almost hear a pin drop

[Johnny Fenoli]

Here's an interesting stat. John Cena and/or Randy Orton have been in a WWE Title or World Heavyweight Title match at every WWE pay-per-view for over two years now. The last show that didn't have either of them in a top title match was WWE's Cyber Sunday 2008 where the main events were Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Title and Chris Jericho vs. Batista for the World Title.

[Jaysin]

Here's an interesting stat. John Cena and/or Randy Orton have been in a WWE Title or World Heavyweight Title match at every WWE pay-per-view for over two years now. The last show that didn't have either of them in a top title match was WWE's Cyber Sunday 2008 where the main events were Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Title and Chris Jericho vs. Batista for the World Title.

There's a stat like that which includes Triple H always being in the title match too

[Teh_Showtime]

Here's an interesting stat. John Cena and/or Randy Orton have been in a WWE Title or World Heavyweight Title match at every WWE pay-per-view for over two years now. The last show that didn't have either of them in a top title match was WWE's Cyber Sunday 2008 where the main events were Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE Title and Chris Jericho vs. Batista for the World Title.

I might have knew that and im actually ok with it. I like their recent stuff more than on SD when it was Taker/Edge/Batista for so long with Kahli for like 2 months as champ.

edit: How is skip so high? I forgot all about him. he doesn't have much other than size.

[Jaysin]

I'm watching NXT to see who goes home. Hopefully its not Derrick Bateman. I was expecting Dolph to trade for him because of the Ohio connection, but I'd LOVE for Bateman to win and him and Daniel Bryan go for the tag titles. That'd be awesome.

Derrick Bateman: I don't know if you know this, but back in high school they called me Dr Love
Danielson: No they didn't
Derrick: You're right...I was home schooled...

I am SO, SO, SO glad they're letting Derrick use his entertainment skills. That's what he's best at.

I am so glad Novak went home. Next Brodus should go home. He sucked when he was G Rilla and he sucks now.

[Hashasheen]

I'm hoping for Derrick Bateman. He was on fire tonight, with his interaction with Daniel Bryan and his diss of Johnny Curtis (which was incredibly true). I would love a team of him and Bryan to take the titles.

[BurningHamster]

edit: How is skip so high? I forgot all about him. he doesn't have much other than size.

Skip is better than people give him credit for. Either that or the rest of the roster bar a few guys are so boring he seems okay by comparison.

Is there anyone else who just doesn't get Kofi Kingston in the ring? Fun character,nice enough entrance but as soon as his matches are over I cannot think of a single move, or spot or anything he did. It's like he gets in the ring and just moves around without doing anything then the match is over and nothing happened.

I don't know, maybe I just don't get this new WWE wrestling. It's like they specialize in wrestling that isn't brawling, high-flying or mat work.

[Teh_Showtime]

most of Kofi's matches consist of him getting beat on for 80% of the match.

and minor SD spoiler: power 11 list ftw

[Self]

Skip is better than people give him credit for. Either that or the rest of the roster bar a few guys are so boring he seems okay by comparison.

I have found that SKip is seriously under-rated by internet wrestling fans. They see his physique and automatically think he's an immobile lunkhead. He's an athlete. He moves really well. One of his first NXT matches (but back playing the yup yup yup babyface) he was running around, hopping over the top rope, and the next day people were saying "OMG Batista 2" and "He can't move". Ridiculous prejudice against the well-muscled. Compared to usual guys of his size, he's very agile.

Yup yup yup. WHAT IT DO???

[BurningHamster]

most of Kofi's matches consist of him getting beat on for 80% of the match.


Yeah, but that could describe a lot of people's careers. Daniel Bryan's WWE work has been probably a good 80% getting beaten up and I remember a bunch of cool things about his matches. While Kofi is maybe the most obvious offender in my mind, a lot of the current WWE crew who aren't second generation or got their start somewhere else (ROH for example) seem like they have taken the "less is more" mantra to heart so much that they are in competition to do as little as possible until the announcer is all "trouble in paradise" and it's like oh wow, it's over ... What the heck just happened? Or maybe I just have the worst attention span in history but either way, this is weird.

Oh and I am with you Self, sod the haters. Sheffield is the muscle with hustle and a bunch of other things that rhyme. I would rather watch him than pretty much anyone besides Bryan, Punk, Jericho and Husky Harris.

[UkWrestleFan]

I have found that SKip is seriously under-rated by internet wrestling fans. They see his physique and automatically think he's an immobile lunkhead. He's an athlete. He moves really well. One of his first NXT matches (but back playing the yup yup yup babyface) he was running around, hopping over the top rope, and the next day people were saying "OMG Batista 2" and "He can't move". Ridiculous prejudice against the well-muscled. Compared to usual guys of his size, he's very agile.

Yup yup yup. WHAT IT DO???

I'm a big Skip fan. It'd be really cool if he came back gunning for Nexus. On his return, I'd let him team up with the likes of Orton & Cena for a few weeks. One week he teams with Cena, the next with Orton then both in a 6 man tag-match. Would help get him over and would work well with his Nexus past.

[Self]

From what I heard, Miz/Morrison was worth a look, so I watched the beginning of RAW for the first time in a long while. I'm not a fan of Punk leading Nexus, but that opening recap video gave me a little chill, so maybe there's something there. As did Justin Gabriel's beard.

Onto the match... It was okay. I was into it up until the knee to Riley. Good move, took him out, and the facial expressions afterwards, with Miz looking terrified, and Morrison glaring at him with wild hair and beard... Fantastic way to go into an ad break. I couldn't wait for this bad ass John Morrison to start beating the hell out of Miz, who desperately flees through the crowd, trying to find somewhere he can hide from this madman. Sadly, I didn't get that. We returned to see Morrison playing babyface in peril, which was fine, but I was bummed that the wild bad ass was gone. I'd love to see that guy as world champ.

The rest of the match I was struck by how major this should have been. Miz & Morrison. Former best friends divided by fate, their lives taking vastly different paths, now pitted against each other, battling all of the arena for the gold. It felt fairly major here, but could have been an awesome title match for the Rumble.

Still, good match. 3-stars on my wonky star-o-meter. Even though I knew Miz was going to win, I did get the odd chill when Morrison would make a cover. I've been a mark for him so long I had moments of "what if this was it? What if this was his moment?". Flights of fancy that made my heart smile. I haven't felt like that since Jeff Hardy feuded with Triple H a few years ago. It felt good.

Didn't watch the rest of the show.

[MrOnu]

That's a shame Self, you missed that awesome new backstage interviewer. He looked so out of place, that was so funny. Then again, interviewing Randy Orton tends to do that anyway.

[LoNdOn]

That's a shame Self, you missed that awesome new backstage interviewer. He looked so out of place, that was so funny. Then again, interviewing Randy Orton tends to do that anyway.

I've lost all interest in Orton now. I do have to admit though that his "serious look" does make me laugh because it looks like he is trying to divide 3747 by 43 in his head and is just getting frustrated with the whole thing.

[milamber]

Skip Sheffield was more menacing than any other Nexus member bar Barrett, and he has the Clothesline from Hell. I hope they give him a good heel push. Funnily enough he was a complete p***y on NXT and I didnt like him!

[MichiganHero]

Anyone remember The Spirit Squad. I cannot believe NICKY! went on to become Dolph Ziggler.

[cappyboy]

Oh and I am with you Self, sod the haters. Sheffield is the muscle with hustle and a bunch of other things that rhyme.

You know I like that phrase. That would be an awesome nickname. Reminds me of when Mark Jindrak was The Reflection of Perfection.

[-laz-]

Anyone remember The Spirit Squad. I cannot believe NICKY! went on to become Dolph Ziggler.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdFJG6An45o

[TheEdgeOfReason]

I loved the SS. NICKY!!!!!!!!! MIKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheKenwyne]

So, how 'bout that episode of Smackdown last night? Quite the barnburner (minus the divas match) IMO.

[milamber]

Finally a Smackdown that was as epic as some of the recent Raws.

[GhostDogg]

Gabriel is turning face...

I bet my "SCREEN NAME" on it.


I can see where this is going. They are going to make a NWO/Raven's Nest type stable, where CM Punk will be in charge...and will have McGuillicutty, Harris, Heath, Otunga, and they will probably fued with Cena, Barrett (face turn), Gabriel, possibly Undertaker and......EVAN BORNE!!

But thats how I would book it if it was me.

Ghost

[GhostDogg]

OK...

HBK Returned....I have MARKED OUT!!!

[PoisonedSuperman]

I thought Otunga was kicked out of Nexus? Well last that I knew of they attacked him??

[Tha Black Phenom]

This Raw has been mental. Same for last SmackDown!. Seems strange it had to take the new year to lit a fire under their ass.

[GhostDogg]

Umm

is it me, or is ... Randy Orton this generations "Stone Cold" Steve Austin?

Ok..for example:

"The Viper" vs The Rattlesnake

The Stunner vs The RKO

even the RING Entrances are the same....???

Have I been in IRAQ THAT LONG???

[Jaysin]

Umm

is it me, or is ... Randy Orton this generations "Stone Cold" Steve Austin?

Ok..for example:

"The Viper" vs The Rattlesnake

The Stunner vs The RKO

even the RING Entrances are the same....???

Have I been in IRAQ THAT LONG???

Stone Cold=charismatic, believable bad ass
Randy Orton= devoid of charisma and looks more like a mentally handicapped person when he's trying to act

[GhostDogg]

I understand that.. and lets play

"Which One of these things is ALIKE!!??"

Stone Cold Raises his hands on the turnbuckle/
Randy Orton raises his hands on the turnbuckle....

Stone Cold with the lunatic look when delivering a Lou Thez Press/
Randy Orton when delivering a Power Slam

Stone Cold doing mudhole stompings in the corner..../
Randy Orton doing....AWWW HELL you get the point...

[juggaloninjalee]

The crowd pops for Randy Orton. He obviously has charisma. Bad acting... I think so but the majority of wrestling fans seem to get behind Orton.

[Teh_Showtime]

There needs to be more talk about CM Punk and the greatest thing of 2011 so far.

The guy was pure gold last night.

[juggaloninjalee]

The fake jumping off the Titantron segment bothered me a little. There were other things they could have done.

[Teh_Showtime]

I actually liked it, it was probably more on the attitude era side than I would have liked though.

He just feels like the leader of a cult so, I thought that segment was gonna take Punk to be emo or something

[juggaloninjalee]

I actually liked it, it was probably more on the attitude era side than I would have liked though.

He just feels like the leader of a cult so, I thought that segment was gonna take Punk to be emo or something

It was fine for the character and such but not for a product that is marketed towards kids. John Cena is marketed towards kids and that feud will be watched by them also. I just feel like for the current product WWE runs it was bad judgement.

[Tha Black Phenom]

Are we really gonna sit there and babysit the contents of the show as to what demographic it fits or not? I guess it's a bizarre but expected contrast from our previous stance on PG mode.

It's pretty clear WWE has never been fully PG and never will be. In fact it seems they've gradually moved on from the days with Hornswoggle throwing candy and glowsticks into the crowd. Once in a while they're gonna do something questionable; every three shows or so, you have smarks exclaiming "omg this is not PG!!?!?!" about things that range from a minor occurrence, to something major or subtle, to something fairly blatant like this. If some serious ish brews from this, such as sponsor loss or fan outcry(which I doubt tbh), then yeah it'll be bad judgment. In the meantime.. who cares?

[ShaunGBD]

I say, that last night was the start of moving out of the PG and into the PG-13. It's gonna be slow but it's happening.

[b0shey]

Seriously however wrote Raw last night must have been so wasted or stoned, weirdest raw i have seen in long time.

[djthefunkchris]

It was fine for the character and such but not for a product that is marketed towards kids. John Cena is marketed towards kids and that feud will be watched by them also. I just feel like for the current product WWE runs it was bad judgement.

Umm... The WWE is not catering to "kids" or "Just Kids" anyways. They are trying to be a family friendly show is all that was really said about that, meaning you can watch it with your six year old (or should be able to).

Also, the fact that Punk kept talking about the safety harnesses and spotter's, etc, kind of took all the flavor from actually doing something like that anyways. EVEN to a six year old.

How many six year old's do you think were hoping he would jump, anyways?

[BHK1978]

Umm... The WWE is not catering to "kids" or "Just Kids" anyways. They are trying to be a family friendly show is all that was really said about that, meaning you can watch it with your six year old (or should be able to).

Also, the fact that Punk kept talking about the safety harnesses and spotter's, etc, kind of took all the flavor from actually doing something like that anyways. EVEN to a six year old.

How many six year old's do you think were hoping he would jump, anyways?

I think the whole thing was in poor taste anyway. I mean, was I the only one who was thinking Owen Hart when they watched the segment.

[djthefunkchris]

I think the whole thing was in poor taste anyway. I mean, was I the only one who was thinking Owen Hart when they watched the segment.

To be honest, it didn't even cross my mind. I was thinking more like Sting/Raven to be honest.

[Fantabulous]

I wouldn't have done it because it was stupid to begin with. Not one person was watching thinking that Punk was going to jump, so why tease it? Wouldn't it have been better to tease something that people could realistically buy into as a possibility?

[Prophet]

I dug the Punk on the tron thing, because it came off somewhat Castro-ish. The new leader above his subjects, ridiculing their stupidity. Maybe I misinterpreted, but that's how it came off to me. More symbolic than anything.

What freaked me out was Orton hissing. I get it, he's the viper, and he "coils" and "strikes" and whatnot, but he's legitimately hissing now ... that's weird. lol

[Jaysin]

I just watched it and, I dunno, maybe I'm just desensitized to it, but I thought people are blowing that way out of proportion. If he would have jumped, that would be something to talk about, but just standing there saying he was? Nah.

[masterded]

I think the whole thing was in poor taste anyway. I mean, was I the only one who was thinking Owen Hart when they watched the segment.

I was thinking of Jeff Hardy and Shane McMahon. It almost felt like it was a little poke at Jeff at times.

To be honest, it didn't even cross my mind. I was thinking more like Sting/Raven to be honest.

Now it makes me think of that terrible Vampiro Sting feud.

I thought the Titantron thing was okay though I was expecting something to do with alcohol as the ultimate sacrifice.

[BHK1978]

I just wanted to add that I did not think he was going to actually jump. Because well that would just be stupid. I just thought it was in poor taste to do it at all and also to have him show the safety harness in the interview later.

[angeldelayette]

I thought about the Owen Hart thing for just a moment. I also thought about the angle the Legion of Doom ran where Hawk was 'pushed' off the Titantron by Droz. I honestly didn't have any issues with it perse. It was definitely a way for CM Punk to gain some heel heat by calling the people stupid and morons for thinking he would do something like that.

[SaySo]

I was thinking of Jeff Hardy and Shane McMahon. It almost felt like it was a little poke at Jeff at times.



Now it makes me think of that terrible Vampiro Sting feud.

I thought the Titantron thing was okay though I was expecting something to do with alcohol as the ultimate sacrifice.

Exactly. It was more Jeff Hardy due to their awesome feud in 2009 and how Hardy dirt sheet comments about CM Punk. Plus Owen Hart didn't jump off the Titan tron.

[BHK1978]

Exactly. It was more Jeff Hardy due to their awesome feud in 2009 and how Hardy dirt sheet comments about CM Punk. Plus Owen Hart didn't jump off the Titan tron.

Well yeah, I was just making the connection because of the height thing and him wearing a saftey harness. It might not make sense to anyone but me but that happens a lot.:D

[djthefunkchris]

Well yeah, I was just making the connection because of the height thing and him wearing a saftey harness. It might not make sense to anyone but me but that happens a lot.:D

/nod, I mean after you brought it up I can see your way of connecting to it, but like I said before, many things crossed my mind (to include the Jeff Hardy thing as well), but never even crossed my mind about Owen.

I tend to look at the glass as half full (or try to) though, so maybe that's why, I don't know. But I was thinking Sting/Raven at first... I didn't know where he was, but I knew he was up high somewhere. So I thought of Sting up in the rafter's, then thought about his style being more Raven-istic, but honestly after he started talking about someone having to be mental I was thinking "I bet Jeff Hardy would do it".

Anyways, I wonder if this same thing was run on TNA if you would have thought about Owen?

[Slim Jim]

I had a similar Owen Hart vibe. I think it was more because I was wary of there being an accident (ala Owen) rather than him being stupid enough to genuinely jump (ala Jeff or Shane). It was a good idea symbolically though.

The whole night was quite biblical. Perfect Jr being carried off as if on a cross, Husky being lashed with the belt, David (Otunga) vs Goliath (except he didn't win...), Punk preaching from above (either from the heavens or Sermon On The Mount)... yeah, Punk is rocking a religious cult vibe right now. He had stigmata on his hands the week he took over Nexus too.

[BHK1978]

Anyways, I wonder if this same thing was run on TNA if you would have thought about Owen?

Probably not, I tend to be more harsh on the WWF because I am not a fan of Vince. So anything they do that I can even make a remote negative connection to, I will.

[dvdWarrior]

I think the whole thing was in poor taste anyway. I mean, was I the only one who was thinking Owen Hart when they watched the segment.

I was thinking Road Warrior Hawk myself, that thing he did on top of the Tron way back when. Can't remember specifics, but I'm thinking there was an angle where he either jumped or fell off the titan tron way back in the Attitude Era.

Edit: nvm - just saw where AngelDayette already mentioned that. That was the incident I was thinking of anyway.

:)

[Prophet]

I had a similar Owen Hart vibe. I think it was more because I was wary of there being an accident (ala Owen) rather than him being stupid enough to genuinely jump (ala Jeff or Shane). It was a good idea symbolically though.

The whole night was quite biblical. Perfect Jr being carried off as if on a cross, Husky being lashed with the belt, David (Otunga) vs Goliath (except he didn't win...), Punk preaching from above (either from the heavens or Sermon On The Mount)... yeah, Punk is rocking a religious cult vibe right now. He had stigmata on his hands the week he took over Nexus too.

Ya know, I hadn't even considered that. Can even see a tie with Slater and Gabriel that weaves into that thought. I will say, the shots Husky took made me cringe. Like when you get a chill down your spine, and you do that little shoulder shutter.

The one other thing I wanted to touch on, I don't know if Cena ad-libbed it, getting some semblance of freedom for being the guy, or if it was scripted for him, but I have to admit, I enjoyed the Carlinism. Little sad he fumbled it, but thought it a nice touch.

[20LEgend]

Ya know, I hadn't even considered that. Can even see a tie with Slater and Gabriel that weaves into that thought. I will say, the shots Husky took made me cringe. Like when you get a chill down your spine, and you do that little shoulder shutter.

The one other thing I wanted to touch on, I don't know if Cena ad-libbed it, getting some semblance of freedom for being the guy, or if it was scripted for him, but I have to admit, I enjoyed the Carlinism. Little sad he fumbled it, but thought it a nice touch.

I noticed that too and he was the anti religious guy and CM now has the religious connotations, weird

[Tha Black Phenom]

I wouldn't have done it because it was stupid to begin with. Not one person was watching thinking that Punk was going to jump, so why tease it? Wouldn't it have been better to tease something that people could realistically buy into as a possibility?

That's the thing though. It looked extremely outlandish and fairly unrealistic, but for at least a split second, he made a big portion of viewers believe he was actually gonna do it. And that, to me, is awesome.


What freaked me out was Orton hissing. I get it, he's the viper, and he "coils" and "strikes" and whatnot, but he's legitimately hissing now ... that's weird. lol

He really did hiss? I thought that was just something some people were saying for fun. Wow, haha.

[Prophet]

He really did hiss? I thought that was just something some people were saying for fun. Wow, haha.

Yeah, when he was holding the Miz at bay. They pushed in on Orton in the ring, and he dropped his head a little, and clenched his teeth, and let out this hiss ... it was really surreal. I'm waiting for that point when he starts flickering his tongue during promos. lol

[Jaysin]

In about two and a half months on March 26th, it will officially be 10 years since the last Monday Nitro... *sigh*

[moon_lit_tears]

Probably not, I tend to be more harsh on the WWF because I am not a fan of Vince. So anything they do that I can even make a remote negative connection to, I will.

May not like the guy, but many respect him.



He really did hiss? I thought that was just something some people were saying for fun. Wow, haha.

Yeah, when he was holding the Miz at bay. They pushed in on Orton in the ring, and he dropped his head a little, and clenched his teeth, and let out this hiss ... it was really surreal. I'm waiting for that point when he starts flickering his tongue during promos. lol

Funny thing about that. People say he's actually hissing off camera too. That's creepy!!!

[Teh_Showtime]

SD taping is coming here in late March. Im thinking about going since its so close to 'mania and something earth shattering could happen (however dobutful).

It could be a good deal since some of Superstars is taped beforehand.

EDIT: SD spoilers in white if you won't be able to watch on Friday

Slater/Gabriel are back with Barret, heelping him jump Big Show as well as with Zeke (who switches brands every month lol) ..

[sebsy]

My thoughts on the Nexus situation, spoilered as it pertains to this coming Friday's Smackdown.

I'm wondering if this whole Nexus divide is actually a huge swerve, and they are all together as one still. They have said they are going to be stronger than ever and they've said for a long time that there is a greater cause or something like that. And Punk himself said something along the lines of taking over the WWE.

So you have Punk leading his guys on Raw, and Barrett leading the others on Smackdown along with their newest recruit (Ezekiel Jackson). Then when the time is right they regroup. Barrett was never ousted from the group, he just went to Smackdown under that ruse so they could slowly take over the WWE?

Just a thought.

[eayragt]

My thoughts on the Nexus situation, spoilered as it pertains to this coming Friday's Smackdown.

Thoughts

More thoughts:

I like that idea as long as they can make the combining of two factions better than the combination between "They" and Fortune. Huh, not hard.

It would also be good if one group turned face and they feuded for a while somewhere down the line (at or preferably post WM). It would have to be Barrett's group that turned face, but that puts forth the question can Barrett sell himself as a face or not. He makes an excellent heel, but I didn't see any of NXT so I don't know if he has / can do a face as well. Considering Barrett has gone straight after Big Show I don't see it happening, but it could have been interesting.

[BHK1978]

May not like the guy, but many respect him.

I really do not think many respect him either. People might fear him but not sure many respect him. I will say he is one hell of a promoter, maybe the best of all time (Either that or he is right behind P.T. Barnum.).

He is a an all right business man, and before anyone jumps down my throat about him being a billionaire, remember that was pretty much made off of wrestling alone. Yes he understands the wrestling business but each time he has ventured outside of wrestling he has failed for the most part (I say most part because his films unit seems to be doing okay.).

Now do I personally have respect for him? Not at all. How can you respect someone who has a wrestler die at an event and yet continues the show? And then the following night he exploits the death under the guise that it is a tribute show. A man who turned a blind eye while in the 1980's a good portion of his locker room were doing hardcore drugs. And let us not forget the steroids.

Okay my rant about Vince is done.:D

[dvdWarrior]

I really do not think many respect him either. People might fear him but not sure many respect him. I will say he is one hell of a promoter, maybe the best of all time (Either that or he is right behind P.T. Barnum.).

He is a an all right business man, and before anyone jumps down my throat about him being a billionaire, remember that was pretty much made off of wrestling alone. Yes he understands the wrestling business but each time he has ventured outside of wrestling he has failed for the most part (I say most part because his films unit seems to be doing okay.).

Now do I personally have respect for him? Not at all. How can you respect someone who has a wrestler die at an event and yet continues the show? And then the following night he exploits the death under the guise that it is a tribute show. A man who turned a blind eye while in the 1980's a good portion of his locker room were doing hardcore drugs. And let us not forget the steroids.

Okay my rant about Vince is done.:D

Oh, I think it's fairly safe to say that many respect him. Lots of WWE fans actually do the bow thing to him when he appears on WWE shows, wouldn't be surprised if some dyed-in-the-wool WWE marks all but worship him.

Not sure exactly how it is that Vince gets a pass on the whole steroids thing, but from where I'm sitting, it seems like he kind of does. He has his little controversies, here and there, but they always seem to pass him by and then fade away. I always wonder how it is that WWE manages to avoid any real long-term effects from even things like the Benoit thing, (seems it's rarely even mentioned anymore).

Since this whole drug problem in wrestling came to light, I've been more than a little disturbed by the fact that protecting the business seems to be more important to those in it that actually trying to solve the problem.

Sorry if I've slipped off topic a bit, I kind of just started typing and ran with it.

:o

[milamber]

Nice to see more crossing over of the Brands.

Ricardo Rodriguez is awesome! I hope after Wrestlemania when (fingers crossed) Del Rio is World Heavyweight Champion, Rodriguez puts on his Lucha mask and turns on Del Rio (with a little help from Rey).

Also hope Husky/McGilicutty get some Tag Team action soon against Kozlov/Santino. And for Slater/Gabriel to turn face.

[dvdWarrior]

I just wish WWE would put more emphasis on tag team wrestling. I like Husky & Magilicutty a lot as a tag team, and Gabriel & Slater as well. So many possibilities.

[Fantabulous]

That's the thing though. It looked extremely outlandish and fairly unrealistic, but for at least a split second, he made a big portion of viewers believe he was actually gonna do it. And that, to me, is awesome.

Who are these people that believed Punk was actually going to throw himself off the Titantron?

[Tha Black Phenom]

Gauging by the reaction he got right after the fakeout, it's safe to say quite a few people expected it.. of course hindsight will fool us, as by now it sounds fairly stupid because he obviously didn't go through with it, but on the moment... who knows what can be running through one's mind. We had already seen crazy ish happen beforehand during the show.

That's what entertainment can be about, suspending belief. If they were only setting up things that didn't look unrealistic and had a plausible chance of happening, then things would look a bit tamer.

[lazorbeak]

I realize I'm behind the curve, but I just caught Friday's Smackdown. Wow was that a great show, top to bottom. Even the divas angle is interesting in an attempt to get people to care about McIntyre, who hasn't really done much lately. But the fatal four way, Ziggler/Kofi, the title match, and especially the main event were all awesome matches and the crowd was going nuts for all of it. If Alberto Del Rio isn't champion on Smackdown by June, something has gone horribly awry. He is the total package: great look, great facial expressions, great athleticism. I have a hard time thinking of the last time a guy made his debut for WWE looking this complete, and that includes Sheamus and Brock Lesnar, who both won world titles in their first year. He is completely ready now, just showcase him for a few months and then give him the belt. I mean an MMA and greco-roman background, from one of the most famous families in Mexico, experience all over, amazing charisma, and a fantastic build make him look not just like a future champion, but somebody to build a company around.

It's even more amazing because he spent his first 7-8 years as a technico and has far less experience as a rudo, yet he's this good at it.

[Fantabulous]

That's what entertainment can be about, suspending belief. If they were only setting up things that didn't look unrealistic and had a plausible chance of happening, then things would look a bit tamer.

Suspension of disbelief can only go so far. If Punk had teased shaving his head again, which would have played into his past with the idea that he was willing to humiliate himself again to prove his manhood, that would be something people could suspend their disbelief over. Punk throwing himself off the Titantron? Anyone who seriously thought that was going to happen probably couldn't tell their arse from a hole in the ground. Suspension of disbelief only works if you can reasonably believe that what is being presented to you could actually happen in some way. Punk throwing himself off the Titantron was crossing the line into complete absurdity and made the whole angle, that being Punk teasing he was going to do something to hurt himself but then renege, into a waste of time. And believe it or not, you can do crazy, wild or exciting stuff that you can suspend your disbelief over.

[juggaloninjalee]

Suspension of disbelief can only go so far. If Punk had teased shaving his head again, which would have played into his past with the idea that he was willing to humiliate himself again to prove his manhood, that would be something people could suspend their disbelief over. Punk throwing himself off the Titantron? Anyone who seriously thought that was going to happen probably couldn't tell their arse from a hole in the ground. Suspension of disbelief only works if you can reasonably believe that what is being presented to you could actually happen in some way. Punk throwing himself off the Titantron was crossing the line into complete absurdity and made the whole angle, that being Punk teasing he was going to do something to hurt himself but then renege, into a waste of time. And believe it or not, you can do crazy, wild or exciting stuff that you can suspend your disbelief over.

I just remember when LOD Hawk jumped off the back of the Titantron. That is what I thought was going to happen.

[Tha Black Phenom]

Suspension of disbelief can only go so far. If Punk had teased shaving his head again, which would have played into his past with the idea that he was willing to humiliate himself again to prove his manhood, that would be something people could suspend their disbelief over. Punk throwing himself off the Titantron? Anyone who seriously thought that was going to happen probably couldn't tell their arse from a hole in the ground. Suspension of disbelief only works if you can reasonably believe that what is being presented to you could actually happen in some way. Punk throwing himself off the Titantron was crossing the line into complete absurdity and made the whole angle, that being Punk teasing he was going to do something to hurt himself but then renege, into a waste of time. And believe it or not, you can do crazy, wild or exciting stuff that you can suspend your disbelief over.

Again I seriously think hindsight's playing a part here, or your veiled interest in the show or even one's level of open-mindedness on a second-per-second basis, as I'd doubt every single person clicked the "it's not gonna happen" mindset the whole ride through. Especially among the marks anyway; they don't know any better. Some of them knowing in their minds everything's planned/scripted probably thought there was a big mattress under or something - not trying to go too technical with this but I personally wouldn't write anything off.

There's a difference between "oh my God, he's gonna do it!" as soon as he announces it, and your judgment building doubt as seconds go by and you see Punk doing his.. ritual-like posing as the crowd shushes down to see what's gonna happen next.

[StudioStu]

Wow, I never really cared that much for Randy Orton until I saw this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdNzMSluilo&feature=related

I know it's a couple years old, but that was some great heel work right there.

[Teh_Showtime]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWehDy0sE-A&feature=youtube_gdata_player

when can we have another feud?

hopefully when Morrison wins the RR and title at WM

[lazorbeak]

As much as I like Morrison and his chemistry with Punk, it's hard for me to watch their matches from that summer considering the details of Morrison winning that belt (filling in for Chris Benoit at Vengeance). Not sure why it bothers me more than actually seeing him in older matches, but it just makes me queasy knowing the storyline was planned to be Punk vs. Benoit at Summerslam.

[Teh_Showtime]

As much as I like Morrison and his chemistry with Punk, it's hard for me to watch their matches from that summer considering the details of Morrison winning that belt (filling in for Chris Benoit at Vengeance). Not sure why it bothers me more than actually seeing him in older matches, but it just makes me queasy knowing the storyline was planned to be Punk vs. Benoit at Summerslam.

how do you feel about HHH getting the game gimmick?

if it actually was meant for owen

[lazorbeak]

how do you feel about HHH getting the game gimmick?

if it actually was meant for owen

Owen died in an accident, so it's not really the same thing at all. Also they hadn't already given Owen the gimmick, then just moved it on to someone else after his death. That situation is just conjecture.

But anyway I'd rather talk about how great Alberto Del Rio is.

[The Shape]

Owen died in an accident, so it's not really the same thing at all. Also they hadn't already given Owen the gimmick, then just moved it on to someone else after his death. That situation is just conjecture.

But anyway I'd rather talk about how great Alberto Del Rio is.

I bet they also planned to give Benoit the rock star makeover :o

[Teh_Showtime]

over/under 4 months before Morrison and/or Del Rio is a world champ?

I say under

[eayragt]

over/under 4 months before Morrison and/or Del Rio is a world champ?

I say under

Touch and go. The very earliest it could happen would be Del Rio at WM, but I'll go over.

[Teh_Showtime]

idk though

on SD Del Rio has a LOT of heel competition like Barret, Kane,and Ziggler but Morrison only has Orton and cena and cena will probably not go for the title until the program with Punk is over.

[eayragt]

idk though

on SD Del Rio has a LOT of heel competition like Barret, Kane,and Ziggler but Morrison only has Orton and cena and cena will probably not go for the title until the program with Punk is over.

Thing is the RAW Title will be the Main Event of WrestleMania, and Morrison ain't headlining that show. So he'd have to win and lose it before then, which I don't see happening.

[BHK1978]

Thing is the RAW Title will be the Main Event of WrestleMania, and Morrison ain't headlining that show. So he'd have to win and lose it before then, which I don't see happening.

I agree, I think they shall play it safe with both titles. Have Randy Orton or Cena win the title at WM have one of the two hold it for a bit. Take the title off of them an give it to a transitional champion and then have Morrison win it at Summer Slam.

Same goes for Del Rio, I just can't see him in the co-Main or Main Event at WM. Not yet that is, so maybe he wins the title at whatever the event is after WM.

[Fantabulous]

I don't see Morrison winning the WWE title, at least not this year. I think he's comfortably slotted into the position of secondary challenger, someone who can go for the title on Raw or the occasional 'B' level PPV. The WWE title is probably staying on Miz until Mania; WWE like the idea of a heel holding the WWE/World title for a few months heading into Mania where a valiant babyface can, usually, take it from him. WWE seem high on Miz so he's probably heading into Mania with the belt, maybe with the added heat of sneaking out of No Way Out's Raw Elimination Chamber match with the title by the skin of his teeth. Cena or probably Orton are best bets to take it from him so Morrison isn't seeing the WWE title for a while, if ever.

Del Rio is a lock to get the World title at some point. If Cena or Orton are winning the WWE title at Mania, then that leaves the World title free for a heel to win, or retain, earlier in the night. Maybe Del Rio gets it at Smackdown's Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out and keeps it for a while?

[lazorbeak]

I don't see Morrison winning the WWE title, at least not this year. I think he's comfortably slotted into the position of secondary challenger, someone who can go for the title on Raw or the occasional 'B' level PPV. The WWE title is probably staying on Miz until Mania; WWE like the idea of a heel holding the WWE/World title for a few months heading into Mania where a valiant babyface can, usually, take it from him. WWE seem high on Miz so he's probably heading into Mania with the belt, maybe with the added heat of sneaking out of No Way Out's Raw Elimination Chamber match with the title by the skin of his teeth. Cena or probably Orton are best bets to take it from him so Morrison isn't seeing the WWE title for a while, if ever.

Del Rio is a lock to get the World title at some point. If Cena or Orton are winning the WWE title at Mania, then that leaves the World title free for a heel to win, or retain, earlier in the night. Maybe Del Rio gets it at Smackdown's Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out and keeps it for a while?

While I don't disagree with much of this, the year does go on past Wrestlemania. Jeff Hardy never won a title at Wrestlemania (or even had a title shot). I could easily see Morrison in the title picture by May/June. But he's still more of a long shot I think than Del Rio. Morrison is still not totally comfortable on the mic and despite the beard he is still a little too pretty to be a top babyface. Del Rio is just an amazing prospect and I'd be really surprised if he isn't champion going into Summerslam.

[Fantabulous]

If Morrison does win the WWE title, that would require Cena and Orton to be busy with their own feuds to keep them out of the title picture. Cena and Punk is something I can see going for months, maybe into the Summer, so we'll rule Cena out for the purpose of this argument. What about Orton? I don't see a strong enough heel on Raw that Orton can feud with to keep him away from the title picture.

So I checked up the Raw roster, and as someone who admittedly pays cursory attention Raw, am I missing something or are there no strong heels on Raw apart from Miz and Punk?

[Teh_Showtime]

well Barret just moved to SD abruptly and Sheamus has taken the jobber to the Stars role

edit: These biblical references are starting to become more and more apparent and they even quoted something from the book of 'Zeke.

and lol at Cole's line at Barreta. Play as yoursel on SvR and you might actually win.

[Candyman]

I don't see Morrison winning the WWE title, at least not this year. I think he's comfortably slotted into the position of secondary challenger, someone who can go for the title on Raw or the occasional 'B' level PPV. The WWE title is probably staying on Miz until Mania; WWE like the idea of a heel holding the WWE/World title for a few months heading into Mania where a valiant babyface can, usually, take it from him. WWE seem high on Miz so he's probably heading into Mania with the belt, maybe with the added heat of sneaking out of No Way Out's Raw Elimination Chamber match with the title by the skin of his teeth. Cena or probably Orton are best bets to take it from him so Morrison isn't seeing the WWE title for a while, if ever.

Del Rio is a lock to get the World title at some point. If Cena or Orton are winning the WWE title at Mania, then that leaves the World title free for a heel to win, or retain, earlier in the night. Maybe Del Rio gets it at Smackdown's Elimination Chamber match at No Way Out and keeps it for a while?

I'd say pump the brakeson Del Rio...he may very well be a World champion some day, but that day isn't here yet and it won't be in the next month or two. The very earliest he'd win it is July, if he wins MITB and cashes in right away. He's far from winning the title in a legitimate match. Morrison's closer, but there's just now establishing him as somebody that can contend for the title...and it's a big leap from contender to champion. It's certainly possible that he wins the title sometime in the second half of this year, but it's not a guarantee.

(btw, the PPV is actually called Elimination Chamber now, not No Way Out, lol.)

If Morrison does win the WWE title, that would require Cena and Orton to be busy with their own feuds to keep them out of the title picture. Cena and Punk is something I can see going for months, maybe into the Summer, so we'll rule Cena out for the purpose of this argument. What about Orton? I don't see a strong enough heel on Raw that Orton can feud with to keep him away from the title picture.

So I checked up the Raw roster, and as someone who admittedly pays cursory attention Raw, am I missing something or are there no strong heels on Raw apart from Miz and Punk?

Sheamus. Conventional wisdom dictates he'll be busy fueding with Triple H at some point, but once that's out of the way, he could certainly fued with Orton. There's also the possibility of Triple H going heel when he comes back...I certainly don't expect him to be on Raw with Cena and Orton and all three being faces. And we're completely ignoring the possible changes a draft would bring...Morrison, Cena, or Orton could all end up on SD, or other heels could be brought over to Raw, or anything else could happen.

[MrCanada]

is it just me or does sitting through WWE (or TNA for that matter) simply not matter anymore? I mean, now all you need to do is watch the highlight bits they do after and before every commercial and you can pretty much catch all the important stuff.

Always makes me wonder when I watch 2 hours of RAW how it can usually be summed up in some sort of RAW Rebound on NXT the next night in 4 minutes. I think this is a huge problem no one really talks about, or at least if people notice they dont talk about.

Back in the day of WWF vs. WCW if you didnt watch the whole show from start to finish (sans a Mark Henry match or something) you felt you missed something. now I tend to just read results and watch highlights..... is it just me or is that all wrestling is good for lately?

[Teh_Showtime]

Yes the shock value of the 90s is non existant. Back then there was a true war for viewers, so the creative team had to do everything to keep their viewers interested.

[lazorbeak]

is it just me or does sitting through WWE (or TNA for that matter) simply not matter anymore? I mean, now all you need to do is watch the highlight bits they do after and before every commercial and you can pretty much catch all the important stuff.

Always makes me wonder when I watch 2 hours of RAW how it can usually be summed up in some sort of RAW Rebound on NXT the next night in 4 minutes. I think this is a huge problem no one really talks about, or at least if people notice they dont talk about.

Back in the day of WWF vs. WCW if you didnt watch the whole show from start to finish (sans a Mark Henry match or something) you felt you missed something. now I tend to just read results and watch highlights..... is it just me or is that all wrestling is good for lately?

Say what? Recaps and highlight packages were invented during WWF/WCW wars. Every WWF show from that era came with intro video packages that summed up the current major storylines, and anything important was talked about repeatedly during the midcard/minor segments. What you're talking about is pure rose-tinted nostalgia. I'm pretty sure girls were prettier and food was tastier in 1998, too.

[Wrestling Century]

I've missed the past two Raws and I missed the last Smackdown. Did I miss anything important?

[UkWrestleFan]

Way to go, Batista jr.

[Self]

is it just me or does sitting through WWE (or TNA for that matter) simply not matter anymore? I mean, now all you need to do is watch the highlight bits they do after and before every commercial and you can pretty much catch all the important stuff.

Always makes me wonder when I watch 2 hours of RAW how it can usually be summed up in some sort of RAW Rebound on NXT the next night in 4 minutes. I think this is a huge problem no one really talks about, or at least if people notice they dont talk about.

Back in the day of WWF vs. WCW if you didnt watch the whole show from start to finish (sans a Mark Henry match or something) you felt you missed something. now I tend to just read results and watch highlights..... is it just me or is that all wrestling is good for lately?

Ideally there should be some some of draw in seeing the matches, which I guess is lost nowadays. They're not important or satisfying enough in and of themselves, and the emotion of a seeing a good match unfold in front of your eyes is something a highlight package can only hint at.

I love the recap packages. I watched Superstars the other day which highlighted the RAW where Punk joined Nexus, and that video package not only caught me up to where I could conceivably watch the next RAW, but actually made me want to tune in next Monday to boot. Those guys in the production truck do good work.

In mainstream television, you don't want a situation where if a viewer accidentally misses an episode, they'll be lost the following week. If they feel lost, unable to catch up, they might never come back. That's why most dramas come with "Previously on Lost" or "Last Time on 24" packages. WWE do the same thing, albeit spread over their B shows. Ideally, the actual show should be entertaining enough where the bullet-point highlights are a weak alternative to watching the real thing.

P.S. WWE may not rock, but Wrestling as a whole is good for lots of things.
P.P.S. Barry Griffiths! Yeah!

[Self]

Watching a little RAW for the Morrison/Bryan match, and... Wow Punk's Nexus is lame. It's totally lost the flavour of the original group. Do they even call it Nexus?

Match was fine. Short, and nothing kills my interest in a match like a commercial break. Was a really nice series of reversals and packages though. Would love to see them in a PPV and/or Superstars match, although I guess they're both too high up the card for the latter these days.

[dvdWarrior]

Do they even call it Nexus?

I think they've been referring to it as "The New Nexus" - no idea if that's an official name or not, though I doubt it. I think they should call them Noxious myself, but that's just me.

They do seem to have lost something as a group, but I think Punk's pretty cool as their leader.

[juggaloninjalee]

Punk's Nexus should be called the Straight Edge Society again. I just don't feel like it is Nexus. Otunga is the only original member. That is what sucks. So who was the Batista look alike?

[Fantabulous]

Sheamus. Conventional wisdom dictates he'll be busy fueding with Triple H at some point, but once that's out of the way, he could certainly fued with Orton. There's also the possibility of Triple H going heel when he comes back...I certainly don't expect him to be on Raw with Cena and Orton and all three being faces. And we're completely ignoring the possible changes a draft would bring...Morrison, Cena, or Orton could all end up on SD, or other heels could be brought over to Raw, or anything else could happen.
Especially after last night, we clearly have a different idea of what a strong heel is. Sheamus has been pure midcard since winning KotR.

[juggaloninjalee]

Anyone have a feeling Sheamus is going to dominate the Royal Rumble only for Triple H to come out and eliminate Sheamus and then go out over the top rope after Sheamus?

[sebsy]

Apparently this years Royal Rumble is going to be 40-man instead of 30-man.

Really am not a fan of this, the Royal Rumble 30-man match is a tradition. Changing it in any way, for me, takes the biscuit.

[juggaloninjalee]

Apparently this years Royal Rumble is going to be 40-man instead of 30-man.

Really am not a fan of this, the Royal Rumble 30-man match is a tradition. Changing it in any way, for me, takes the biscuit.

Yeah, I don't like this either. Not sure why they are doing it either. 15 guys from each brand is more than enough. The 15 top contenders makes sense since you know only about 4 from each brand really have a shot. Why add 10 more guys who have no chance at winning?

[LoNdOn]

Apparently this years Royal Rumble is going to be 40-man instead of 30-man.

Really am not a fan of this, the Royal Rumble 30-man match is a tradition. Changing it in any way, for me, takes the biscuit.

Where did you hear this?

[20LEgend]

Where did you hear this?

JR is talking bout it on twitter

[LoNdOn]

JR is talking bout it on twitter

Just saw Miz mention it on RAW as well.

[Self]

30 man? 40 man? I don't see any difference. I guess with 40 you can give more people streaks of eliminations. Maybe break Kane's record.

At any rate, I've never felt it was "15 top contenders from each brand". I've always liked the Royal Rumble as the time when everyone has a shot. From your consistent main eventers to the lowliest loser on the roster. The past doesn't matter. All that matters is this one night. Normally Yoshi Tatsu could only dream of fighting for the title, but tonight he can win that match. A broken down, past-time veteran can throw caution to the wind and go all out one more time. A rookie can rise above his station. I love that. It's a powerful thing. For a Zack Ryder, he can go in there and fight like there's no tomorrow, because for him, there really isn't.

[Purple Cowboy]

Is it two minutes between entrances? That would be at a minimum almost an hour and a half right there. Seems like it could be a bit excessive.

[shawn michaels 82]

IMO even when he was World Champion he wasn't treated as a main eventer

I'm back! looool

I think you're right. I always got the feeling that punk was always an upper mid during his title reigns...that's a shame. hope we'll see him as a true main eventer soon.

[lazorbeak]

I'm back! looool

I think you're right. I always got the feeling that punk was always an upper mid during his title reigns...that's a shame. hope we'll see him as a true main eventer soon.

Yeah that's patently ridiculous. He was main eventing pay per views and you don't think he was a main eventer? Big Show is a main eventer and when was the last time he main evented PPV?

[shawn michaels 82]

Yeah that's patently ridiculous. He was main eventing pay per views and you don't think he was a main eventer? Big Show is a main eventer and when was the last time he main evented PPV?

I really don't see Big Show as main eventer these ays. He's more like a semi active wrestler. loool

[Hashasheen]

Yeah that's patently ridiculous. He was main eventing pay per views and you don't think he was a main eventer? Big Show is a main eventer and when was the last time he main evented PPV?

He mostly main-evented for Smackdown. Basically the International World Heavyweight to the World Heavyweight, if any ol' WCW vets are around to understand. He was more like Jericho in a guy who could fall down a notch and not seem like it was that big a deal.

[lazorbeak]

He mostly main-evented for Smackdown. Basically the International World Heavyweight to the World Heavyweight, if any ol' WCW vets are around to understand. He was more like Jericho in a guy who could fall down a notch and not seem like it was that big a deal.

He main evented four pay per views in 2009 during his first heel run, including Summerslam! It's just baffling to me that anybody would say he isn't a "main eventer." If that's true, I guess Undertaker isn't a main eventer, and neither is Edge, and neither is anybody that isn't John Cena or Randy Orton.

[juggaloninjalee]

CM Punk is a main eventer. These people who say Punk isn't a main eventer I am curious who you think is a main eventer.

[sebsy]

Is it two minutes between entrances? That would be at a minimum almost an hour and a half right there. Seems like it could be a bit excessive.

Always been 1m 30s between entrances so don't see them adding ten wrestlers and increasing the time between entrances tbf :p

[djthefunkchris]

Yeah that's patently ridiculous. He was main eventing pay per views and you don't think he was a main eventer? Big Show is a main eventer and when was the last time he main evented PPV?

I think it's more of a timing thing. CM Punk the first time, got it by defeating Edge when he was down (crowd went nuts).

Very next time we see Punk he is turning heel, and the switch actually hurt his credibility as a main eventer. Pretty much thought he could handle it as a face, as he was already over enough. I really think the switch hurt him in his first reign, after being so "fair" minded beforehand.

The following time, I believe he was involved in mid-card stuff at the time, but ended up with it because someone else messed up that was going to get it. Because of his status at the time, he wasn't seen as a main eventer.

However, without any problem at all, he stepped out from behind the announce table as a Main Eventer. I wouldn't use him for anything less, unless I really needed to help some younger guy get established. Right now, CM Punk is as high as he can go (no matter heel or face), in my opinion. They have him worrying John Cena right now. Punk is easily going toe to toe with him in all area's, so I can't see them bringing him down other then to give someone else a rub..

It's WWE though, who knows what they will do.

[lazorbeak]

I think it's more of a timing thing. CM Punk the first time, got it by defeating Edge when he was down (crowd went nuts).

Very next time we see Punk he is turning heel, and the switch actually hurt his credibility as a main eventer. Pretty much thought he could handle it as a face, as he was already over enough. I really think the switch hurt him in his first reign, after being so "fair" minded beforehand.

The following time, I believe he was involved in mid-card stuff at the time, but ended up with it because someone else messed up that was going to get it. Because of his status at the time, he wasn't seen as a main eventer.

However, without any problem at all, he stepped out from behind the announce table as a Main Eventer. I wouldn't use him for anything less, unless I really needed to help some younger guy get established. Right now, CM Punk is as high as he can go (no matter heel or face), in my opinion. They have him worrying John Cena right now. Punk is easily going toe to toe with him in all area's, so I can't see them bringing him down other then to give someone else a rub..

It's WWE though, who knows what they will do.

Punk has been a main eventer for almost two years though. He wasn't quite a top guy his first title reign when he was feuding with JBL, but he was still holding a world title and taking part in major matches. For "game" purposes, he was a main eventer. He appeared on posters, headlined TV and house shows, etc. Then he won MITB again, won the title and turned heel, and was involved in the biggest storyline of 2009, main eventing 1/3 of that year's PPVs, putting him up there with Triple H and Orton as guys that main evented the most cards that year. In 2010 he wasn't in the title picture much but he still worked major feuds with Mysterio and Big Show, two former champions who are still major names in the company.

Now he's set for a Wrestlemania match with the biggest babyface in the business. Yeah, Punk is a main eventer, and has been for quite some time.

[b0shey]

On a side note:

OH Yeah the Macho Man is back :D

WWE All Stars: The Macho Man Lives
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtzJpS7BgY4&feature=sub

[juggaloninjalee]

Punk has been a main eventer for almost two years though. He wasn't quite a top guy his first title reign when he was feuding with JBL, but he was still holding a world title and taking part in major matches. For "game" purposes, he was a main eventer. He appeared on posters, headlined TV and house shows, etc. Then he won MITB again, won the title and turned heel, and was involved in the biggest storyline of 2009, main eventing 1/3 of that year's PPVs, putting him up there with Triple H and Orton as guys that main evented the most cards that year. In 2010 he wasn't in the title picture much but he still worked major feuds with Mysterio and Big Show, two former champions who are still major names in the company.

Now he's set for a Wrestlemania match with the biggest babyface in the business. Yeah, Punk is a main eventer, and has been for quite some time.

A couple MITB matches, and Title Reigns on both RAW and SD. He is a solid main eventer. This isn't even debatable. Now he is in a major program with the most over babyface in almost a decade.

[The Final Countdown]

Always been 1m 30s between entrances so don't see them adding ten wrestlers and increasing the time between entrances tbf :p
It was 2 minutes between entrances, years ago. But yeah, it's been 90 seconds for awhile now. I just hope they don't drop it down to 60 seconds now that they've upped it to 40 guys. They did 60 seconds at the '95 Rumble (the one that HBK won from the #1 position) and it felt like the guys were coming out way too frequently.

[eayragt]

CM Punk is a main eventer. These people who say Punk isn't a main eventer I am curious who you think is a main eventer.

Punk has been a main eventer for almost two years though. He wasn't quite a top guy his first title reign when he was feuding with JBL, but he was still holding a world title and taking part in major matches. For "game" purposes, he was a main eventer. He appeared on posters, headlined TV and house shows, etc. Then he won MITB again, won the title and turned heel, and was involved in the biggest storyline of 2009, main eventing 1/3 of that year's PPVs, putting him up there with Triple H and Orton as guys that main evented the most cards that year. In 2010 he wasn't in the title picture much but he still worked major feuds with Mysterio and Big Show, two former champions who are still major names in the company.

Now he's set for a Wrestlemania match with the biggest babyface in the business. Yeah, Punk is a main eventer, and has been for quite some time.

A couple MITB matches, and Title Reigns on both RAW and SD. He is a solid main eventer. This isn't even debatable. Now he is in a major program with the most over babyface in almost a decade.

He's a Main Eventer now, but he certainly wasn't during his first title reign, where he barely snuck out a clean win as a face. Then he held first the Tag and then the Intercontinental Titles - certainly not something Main Eventers should be doing (okay, sometimes the 'E has teamed up Main Eventers and given then the Tag Titles, but they've thankfully largely grown out of that habit).

Then he feuded with Jeff Hardy and Undertaker, and he finally made it into the Main Event legitimately. Before that in "game terms" he was an Upper Midcarder who was given the Main Title. However, after his SES feud with Mysterio was over (or maybe even during it when we all got bored...) he slipped out of the Main Event once more, before going to RAW. I think at this point WWE realised they had a genuine Main Eventer who wasn't Main Eventing, which was suicide considering how thin their roster was last year. Unfortunately Punk got injured, but he's been pushed straight back in as a Main Eventer, and has been treated as such.

So, when was he a Main Eventer? Flirted with it on RAW. A 7-8 month run on Smackdown. And now on RAW. That's not that long considering he won his first Heavyweight Title two years ago.

This isn't any discredit to Punk - I love him. He just wasn't a genuine Main Eventer (by how he was booked who by how the normal everyday fan saw him) during his first run. Thankfully that's different now and I don't see it changing anytime soon.

Although I'm still disapointed that we didn't have 45 minutes of him commentating on the Rumble while still injured, and then his music suddenly hitting. Queue over acting from Punk, "what's going on here?" before laughing and taking his top off and entering the ring. Sigh...

[sebsy]

It was 2 minutes between entrances, years ago. But yeah, it's been 90 seconds for awhile now. I just hope they don't drop it down to 60 seconds now that they've upped it to 40 guys. They did 60 seconds at the '95 Rumble (the one that HBK won from the #1 position) and it felt like the guys were coming out way too frequently.

Yeah 60 seconds will be far too quick between entrances. Imagine if Undertaker was to return, by the time he had made his way to the ring, the next 2 particiapants after him will already be in the match :D

[Purple Cowboy]

It was 2 minutes between entrances, years ago. But yeah, it's been 90 seconds for awhile now. I just hope they don't drop it down to 60 seconds now that they've upped it to 40 guys. They did 60 seconds at the '95 Rumble (the one that HBK won from the #1 position) and it felt like the guys were coming out way too frequently.

Yeah I got all confused about the entrance time. :o

Still an extra 15 minutes worth of entrances at 90 secs for 40 wrestlers. I guess that's not too bad, especially if one or two guys are going to come in and be wrecking balls.

[Prophet]

So who was the Batista look alike?

FCW champion Mason Ryan (who used to be a UK Gladiator).

[The Final Countdown]

Seeing Punk use the Koji Clutch (no, Cole, that's NOT the Anaconda Vise) on Cena was cool. I've always liked that move.

[Candyman]

FCW champion Mason Ryan (who used to be a UK Gladiator).

Yep, Jericho called him "Batistwo" after he debuted. Dirtsheets have been saying the WWE were very high on him for the last few weeks. Since Punk mentioned Batista being his good friend a couple weeks back, I wonder if they're going to play up the resemblence...say he's Batista's younger brother or something. He definitely looks enough like him to pull it off.

[Hashasheen]

Yep, Jericho called him "Batistwo" after he debuted. Dirtsheets have been saying the WWE were very high on him for the last few weeks. Since Punk mentioned Batista being his good friend a couple weeks back, I wonder if they're going to play up the resemblence...say he's Batista's younger brother or something. He definitely looks enough like him to pull it off.

Sadly, his Welsh accent is obvious whenever he speaks. Unless they play him off as mute, I don't think it can happen.

[Slim Jim]

Could say he's the love-child of a 13 year old Batista and a friendly Welsh milk-maid. That seems plausible.

[eayragt]

Could say he's the love-child of a 13 year old Batista and a friendly Welsh milk-maid. That seems plausible.

Now we just need to find a slightly older Welsh valet...

Who's willing to have implants...

[Tha Black Phenom]

Calling Wade Barrett to win the Rumble. Had a taste of main-event, and him vs. Edge would be a fresh match-up, which I'm sure WWE management must be longing for after their streak of them in the middle 00s. Bonus points if he rubs it in Punk and/or Cena's faces during the road to WrestleMania.

[lazorbeak]

I don't know, if I were Vegas, my favorite has to be CM Punk. He's got a lot of momentum, he's an established name that hasn't won it and he has a stable to help him out in the match (see Randy Orton in 2008). I'd say he's my pick for most likely. Other favorites: John Cena. He's been operating at a very high level as he's essentially replaced HBK as the guy on Raw who doesn't need to be in the title picture to be in a great feud, but he's still WWE's guy and they'd love to put him vs. Punk or him vs. Miz as their headliner. John Morrison: somewhat of an outside chance, but they've been pretty high on him lately, he's got a great feud with the Miz built in, and it's a show that should sell itself so you don't have to worry if Morrison/Miz doesn't go on last (although frankly it could, considering their match a couple weeks ago). Smackdown favorites: Alberto Del Rio. If your Raw feud is Cena/Punk, you can do Del Rio/Edge as your Smackdown feud and put it lower down the card.

Outside chances: Triple H. Doubtful, considering he's almost guaranteed to work a program with Sheamus in the near future.

Wade Barrett. He is leading the Smackdown Nexus, and could work against Edge, but considering Undertaker wants to work with him, I see him vs. 'Taker in a gimmick match being far more likely. Plus they still haven't explained the Nexus run-in on 'Taker from months ago.

I have a hard time of thinking of anybody else with a real shot.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Trips is gonna win it. The returning main eventer usually does.

[Tha Black Phenom]

Well that's the keyword; always. Fairly played out by now. They even had Edge come out at 29 instead of 30 last year, being that they pulled off the same schtick the very year before. Maybe Trips will come back at #38? lol.

With this rising star movement, it'd be fresh if an up-and-comer won it this year, hasn't been the case since what, Taker in 07? And yeah lazor, if I were a betting man, I'd bet on a Raw man hosting the Rumble winner this year, being one of those guys. But right now I'm feeling a suitable darkhorse in Barrett(although Taker is indeed a factor).

[Prophet]

I like the idea of Barrett winning, but when it comes to Wrestlemania, it's rare they venture outside of that small window comfort zone. Which leads me to think that it's gonna be Cena, or Hunter.

I think, if it were my Rumble, though, and all parties were healthy to perform for it, what I'd do is have Cena and Kane and Kofi and Sheamus in the ring. #38 counts down, and HHH's music starts pumping, and people lose their ever loving minds. Hunter eliminates Kofi, drops Cena and Kane, and focuses on the King of the Ring. They battle, while Cena and Kane face off, and out comes number #39 ... let's say ... Darren Young. Young comes in, gets walloped (official term for the kind of beating he'd sustained), and eliminated. Then it turns to #40 ... and here comes Christian!

The crowd goes crazy, Captain Charisma rushes to the ring, and with HHH and Sheamus focused on each other, Christian dumps them both, before turning towards Cena and Kane. Big battle between the three, and eventually Cena and Christian eliminate Kane. Kane goes nuclear, re-enters the ring, does his chokeslam thing on both guys, before stomping away, thus leaving a level playing field. A couple more back and forths, with false eliminations, until finally, Christian outsmarts Cena, causing him to slip over the top rope, and leading us towards E vs. C for the world title!

Will it happen? No chance, but darn it, that's how I'd do it! lol

[lazorbeak]

Trips is gonna win it. The returning main eventer usually does.

Except that 1) he has a built in feud with Sheamus, 2) he's already won it, 3) he's not a very good top of the brand babyface, and 4) he probably shouldn't be built as the top guy at age 41.

I would be pleasantly surprised if the winner doesn't end up being Punk or Cena, but right now that feels like what they're building towards.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Except that 1) he has a built in feud with Sheamus, 2) he's already won it, 3) he's not a very good top of the brand babyface, and 4) he probably shouldn't be built as the top guy at age 41.

I would be pleasantly surprised if the winner doesn't end up being Punk or Cena, but right now that feels like what they're building towards.

2 of your points are redundant, another is wrong and the first isn't really a problem. There is a reason they have the EC a month before WM, to put the belt on who ever they need too. They can have Trips come in and win the Rumble, then have Sheamus win the EC very easily.

[tommyb]

They can have Trips come in and win the Rumble, then have Sheamus win the EC very easily.

But, in my opinion, the Sheamus/HHH feud doesn't need the belt. It has enough build that it can stand alone as a PPV/Wrestlemania match without a title on the line. The World Titles can then be used to add heat to another match.

[Fantabulous]

The EC is for the brand's respective main titles and with WWE high on Miz I'd say the chances of them taking the WWE belt off of him before Wrestlemania are pretty much non-existent.

I see Miz retaining the WWE title against Orton at the Rumble in some cheap fashion, probably not with a pinfall finish because that's not how they're handling Miz and they rarely have Orton get pinned anyway. Because the Rumble has 40 people in it then I'd say everybody on the undercard, apart from whomever the main champions are, will be in it, so Orton comes back out and wins the Rumble to secure a guaranteed rematch against the guy who cheated to get past him earlier in the night and who screwed him out of the title in the first place. Cena doesn't need to win it and they can have Punk eliminate him through cheap tactics to heat up their Wrestlemania match, doubly so because the Rumble is in Cena's home state. Triple H doesn't need to win it, and probably won't, because the big deal for Triple H on his comeback is getting his big win over Sheamus and they can have him look strong by eliminating a bunch of people, maybe Alberto Del Rio as well to play off of the deal with Shawn Michaels, before he and Sheamus maybe eliminate each other to build their match.

On the Smackdown side, Alberto Del Rio is probably the most likely winner on the brand but I don't see him getting favoured over Orton in a 'Rumble winner to main event Wrestlemania'-type scenario, plus Edge isn't as over as a babyface anywhere near as much as Miz is over as a heel so it would really come across as a letdown if the big deal coming out of the Rumble is Edge defending against Del Rio or, well, anyone else on the brand really.

Because of that, and because I still think Del Rio is a strong candidate for a World title win this year, I'd say Del Rio comes back from the failure to win the Rumble to come out of the Smackdown EC match as champion and defending against Edge at Wrestlemania.

[crownsy]

I like the idea of Barrett winning, but when it comes to Wrestlemania, it's rare they venture outside of that small window comfort zone. Which leads me to think that it's gonna be Cena, or Hunter.

I think, if it were my Rumble, though, and all parties were healthy to perform for it, what I'd do is have Cena and Kane and Kofi and Sheamus in the ring. #38 counts down, and HHH's music starts pumping, and people lose their ever loving minds. Hunter eliminates Kofi, drops Cena and Kane, and focuses on the King of the Ring. They battle, while Cena and Kane face off, and out comes number #39 ... let's say ... Darren Young. Young comes in, gets walloped (official term for the kind of beating he'd sustained), and eliminated. Then it turns to #40 ... and here comes Christian!

The crowd goes crazy, Captain Charisma rushes to the ring, and with HHH and Sheamus focused on each other, Christian dumps them both, before turning towards Cena and Kane. Big battle between the three, and eventually Cena and Christian eliminate Kane. Kane goes nuclear, re-enters the ring, does his chokeslam thing on both guys, before stomping away, thus leaving a level playing field. A couple more back and forths, with false eliminations, until finally, Christian outsmarts Cena, causing him to slip over the top rope, and leading us towards E vs. C for the world title!

Will it happen? No chance, but darn it, that's how I'd do it! lol

I'm with ya brother, that would be awesome :)

I agree they won't do it though, despite the fact that Christan gets a major crowd pop, he hasen't been pushed above midcarder status...me thinks Vince still resents the TNA move.

[Self]

I'm not sure a WWE crowd would go 'crazy' for Christian turning up in the Rumble. I mean, he's well-liked, but not exactly a megastar, and not someone you'd expect to win the Rumble. Even if he's a 'surprise' entrant.

If I were booking Christian to win, I'd have him in early, and give him half an hour to make to fans believe in him. He's got the skills to really build some "Holy Crap, is he going to do it?" believability.

[cappyboy]

Other favorites: John Cena. He's been operating at a very high level as he's essentially replaced HBK as the guy on Raw who doesn't need to be in the title picture to be in a great feud, but he's still WWE's guy and they'd love to put him vs. Punk or him vs. Miz as their headliner.

Then in terms of character psychology, he needs to be in the title picture. BADLY. Because that's a demotion. Unless you're a character like Taker to whom wrestling is just a means for finding people to consign to hell, every worker's ultimate goal is supposed to be the world title. If that's not Cena, then he should be in-character fired and he should be hosting a talk show segment until his character's fire is written back in him.

Then again, I come from the school that doesn't care who "needs" the belt so much as who "deserves" the belt. Titles aren't promotional tools to me. They are the reward for taking advantage of having been promoted. So a guy like Cena can have great feuds without the world title involved? That's great. But that's all the more reason he should be in the hunt for it. That's the pinnacle and if he isn't worthy at this point, then nobody is. And if nobody's worthy, why have a company at all?

[lazorbeak]

Then in terms of character psychology, he needs to be in the title picture. BADLY. Because that's a demotion. Unless you're a character like Taker to whom wrestling is just a means for finding people to consign to hell, every worker's ultimate goal is supposed to be the world title. If that's not Cena, then he should be in-character fired and he should be hosting a talk show segment until his character's fire is written back in him.

Then again, I come from the school that doesn't care who "needs" the belt so much as who "deserves" the belt. Titles aren't promotional tools to me. They are the reward for taking advantage of having been promoted. So a guy like Cena can have great feuds without the world title involved? That's great. But that's all the more reason he should be in the hunt for it. That's the pinnacle and if he isn't worthy at this point, then nobody is. And if nobody's worthy, why have a company at all?

I'm talking about from a story perspective. It's incredibly easy to build a story around somebody wanting the title: it's pretty much the only story Batista was ever in after his rise to the top. It's harder and takes more skill to get people to care about a top level program that isn't for the title. People get fatigued from seeing a guy constantly in the title picture 12 months a year. Cena taking a six month break from constantly being in title matches has been great for the character. It's flat out boring from a story perspective if everybody in the company just generically goes after the belt. Main event level grudge matches have always been an attraction, and good for Cena that he has enough heat to pull a former complete unknown like Barrett into a top heel spot.

Don't even know how to address the "nobody's worthy" stuff, so I won't.

[GatorBait19]

Doubt it would be Christian. Officials don't even think he'll be back by WM. Now this could be smoke a mirrors like with Cena. Personally I always saw KOTR, MITB, and the Rumble as stepping stones for futures superstars i.e Steve Austin when he did it the first time, Batista, John Cena, etc.

Now when a established guy wins it, it's either they are coming back from injury or because there wasn't anyone WWE saw as a future Champ at that moment

[milamber]

RAW was more interesting than Smackdown this week, IMO. I'm glad they've done a brand split on Nexus. Enjoying the McIntyre/Baretta fued. I'm interested to see what sort of push they both get this year.

Is it just my imagination or has there been more cross-over between brands the last few months? It's certainly given the creative team more to work with.

Enjoyed seeing Ricardo Rodriguez clumsily win his first match on NXT. He's funnier than Santino. I'm also starting to enjoy DiBiase's losing streak and he's putting on some decent matches.

Del Rio is getting a lot of heat for the Royal Rumble but I don't see the need for either him or Punk to win it (Or Cena or Barrett for that matter). I don't think Christian and HHH will return yet, unless they want to give the HHH/ Sheamus fued some momentum before Wrestlemania. Would be cool if Jericho turned up. My pick: John Morrison

[eayragt]

Is it just my imagination or has there been more cross-over between brands the last few months? It's certainly given the creative team more to work with.

They always try to do a bit each year before the Rumble to try and get a bit of storyline between the brands going. This'll often go on to WrestleMania where there's normally a cross-brand match.

I think it's been pushed a little more as they had to use a few of the Smackdown guys on the RAW show after Christmas where some of the roster couldn't make it due to the snow, and they've run with it.

[cappyboy]

I'm talking about from a story perspective.

Don't even know how to address the "nobody's worthy" stuff, so I won't.

No worries. You first statement cancels out the need to. The "nobody's worthy" stuff is old school character psych stuff that doesn't pertain to the direction you said you were taking anyway.

[ThriceP86]

Based off some earlier comments, I was thinking that Triple H wouldn't actually be in the rumble itself but just come out while the ring is full with Sheamus inside and eliminate and destroy him on the outside with steel steps and junk. I was thinking this because a) I don't think Triple H needs to be in the rumble unless building up for another match against Sheams and b) it would be something cool and different.

However, with the rumble going up to 40 superstars that probably won't happen so either Trips will be a surprise entrant (hope not) or he won't be in the match.

That said, I could see Sheamus, Christian, Cena, Punk, Orton, Undertaker or Kane winning this year. Christian would be ideal for me just because him and Edge could have a great lead up towards a World Heavyweight title match. Otherwise, I'm not really sure who they will have win it.

Although, I'm not high on any Nexus or Corre member winning the rumble. As much as I like Barrett, it feels to me that he needs to show something more. If he can break out on his own instead of having a group of lackeys, I'd like to see how he'd work then.

[sebsy]

I am a huge Christian fan, but I don't want him to win this year. He isn't going to be in it anyway if recent reports about him possibly not being ready even for Wrestlemania are to be believed.

I really just don't want to see any returning superstar winning the Rumble this year as it's already been done twice in the last 3 years, and many, including myself, consider that a bit too much. That rules out Christian, Triple H, The Undertaker and Chris Jericho.

I'm going to assume that the losers of the championship matches won't be in the Rumble as they usually aren't, which rules out Randy Orton, Edge, The Miz and Dolph Ziggler.

The only superstars I can then see realistically winning are any of the following. John Cena, CM Punk, John Morrison, Kane, Sheamus or Alberto Del Rio. No way Mysterio is winning again, hopefully.

I don't think the CM Punk-John Cena feud needs the title on it, but neither does Sheamus vs Triple H - both possible matches for this years Mania. - but all of those men could feasibly win it. I'd love Punk to win it though as he has been consistently great for a good while now.

Kane is another who I think deserves the win, he finally got a decent title run this year, and a Rumble win would be a nice thank you to him for his years of service, although as I suspect he doesn't plan to wrestle for much longer, it could be considered a waist to give him the win.

This brings us to John Morrison and Alberto Del Rio. Morrison has been getting better and better and his title match against The Miz a few weeks ago on Raw was outstanding. He is a bit like Jeff Hardy imo, but with much more to him than the crazy bumps Hardy relied on too heavily. And he isn't a messed up idiot, but that's another matter. Del Rio on the other hand is a relative newcomer, and has been very impressive so far, and could easily be given the Rumble win to take him to that next level, and it could lead nicely to a Del Rio vs Edge match at Mania.

There are several men who could win, I'll just be happy if it isn't a returning superstar or Mysterio! But my main picks in no order are Punk, Del Rio, Kane and Morrison.

[Fantabulous]

On one hand, it says something about the power of WWE programming that they can have people making a real argument that the likes of Morrison or Christian can win the Rumble, and that should be commended. On the other hand, if you put any kind of logical thought into it, you should really know that the chances of a Morrison or Christian winning are zero.

[Self]

People I will be rooting for should I bother watching the Royal Rumble:

John Morrison
Zack Ryder
Justin Gabriel
Daniel Bryan
Any Woman who enters

Not watching WWE any more, but do like that Rumble match, so might give it a watch. I find I enjoy the match a lot more if I'm actively cheering someone on. Which is true of all wrestling matches, but it's especially true with the Rumble. Either last year or the year before I was totally into it... and then John Morrison was eliminated and I totally lost interest. I don't really care who wins any more. I just like cheerleading my guys.

[LordJaguar]

If Dolph Ziggler is in then I predict he wins! He is perfection!

[BurningHamster]

Not watching WWE any more, but do like that Rumble match, so might give it a watch.


I have to admit, even for the years I didn't regularly follow WWE (most of the late 2000s) I always watched the Rumble. I really would like to see something a little different happen in the rumble though. there haven't been any huge surprises and they have overused having early entrants win in recent years. I guess this 40 man thing is bit of a change but not sure I like the idea, I prefer to keep things the same.

[TakerNGN74]

I hope Sheamus will win, I understand it if he doesn't though as that might be too much to give him in only his second or third year (Cant remember) with the company. He has already won the WWE Title twice and the King of The Ring so some might say he doesn't need it but regardless of that he is still my pick to win it.

[sebsy]

On one hand, it says something about the power of WWE programming that they can have people making a real argument that the likes of Morrison or Christian can win the Rumble, and that should be commended. On the other hand, if you put any kind of logical thought into it, you should really know that the chances of a Morrison or Christian winning are zero.


Now I would have to disagree with that a little, I would not say the chances were zero, slim maybe, but not zero. Logically I would say Morrison has been built up very well over the past few months with his feud with Sheamus and his on-going rivalry with The Miz. Morrison would be the perfect logical choice to win the rumble if the WWE are going to go with someone who is a surprise winner outside of the usual main eventers. Have him come in early and last a while, almost being eliminated a few times only to somehow avoid putting both feet on the floor, gives the crowd time to believe in him. But then they could have him do that but get eliminated 3rd last and it would still be good for him.

[James Casey]

I agree. Morrison usually puts in a decent stint purely because of his athleticisim making it easy for him to have several close calls, but it's rarely made much of post-Rumble.

I can't see him winning the Rumble, not this year. MitB? Yes - right now, I'd say he's Raw's go-to guy for that match, albeit that we're six months away from the show.

Still, I expect him to put in a good showing, and maybe get one or two biggish eliminations. Nothing related to Sheamus, though, please...

[Fantabulous]

Morrison is in the Chris Benoit Spot; kept in a strong upper midcard position so he can be a credible opponent for the real top guys or those who WWE really intend to make it to the top. Given the interaction with Sheamus on Raw, I'd say we're finally going to see Sheamus get his win over Morrison and start getting built up for Triple H

Interestingly, a former WWE writer posted a long blog entry (since taken down but reposted on the cut and paste sites) that included the news that Vince does not see Morrison as top guy because he doesn't feel he could kick anyone's ass for real. I don't think it helps Morrison's case that he played the happy cuckold while he was with Melina and she would sleep around on him. That was widely known in the company, would have inevitably made its way to Vince, and would have made him look like a total ***** in Vince's eyes, and Vince wants his men to be men.

[Purple Cowboy]

I wouldn't have Morrison win the Rumble because then he'd have to cut promos about it afterwards! I can't take when he has to speak, just something off about it to me.

[jwt13]

WWE stock is still droping rapidly after yester droping around 3% it ha dropped 9% today

[1234]

Just weighing in on the Rumble debate, and although it is highly unlikely I am heavily rooting for Christian. Mainly because there could be a great story leading from it.

-Edge Retains the title at the Rumble over Ziggler

-Christian returns to win the Rumble match. (Not a great fan of another "return to win the rumble", but has to be done for this purpose)

-Straight away Christian announces he is going to Challenge for Edge's World Heavyweight Title. The story behind the build-up being that ever since E&C disbanded Edge has been seen as the better wrestler, more popular, more World title matches, while Christian has been regarded as the 'other' member of the former tag team, limited to competing on 'The B Show' ECW. Now Christian wants to prove on the Biggest stage of them all that he is better.

-Of course the obstacle being that Edge must first make it through the Elimination Chamber to make it to Wrestlemania as Champion. (What a twist :p). During the Elimination Chamber it ends up being Edge vs Big Show, and it looks like Big Show is going to win. Christian then appears on the outside to distract Big Show while the Corre sneak in for the attack, leaving Edge to make an easy cover for the win. This of course sets up the Wade Barrett(The Corre) vs Big Show at Mania, which it seems like they are building towards.

-The story then flips around with Christian bragging that Edge needed him to retain the title, but the only reason that he did it was to ensure he gets the match he wants at Wrestlemania, he isnt doing Edge any favours.

-Then of course the match itself at 'Mania which either man could win.



Of course I know its unlikely but its fun planning out potential 'Roads To Wrestlemania'

[Linsolv]

Wow. WWE is dropping like a stone.

Apparently it's because they released their profit expectations and it's not what people were expecting (like... WAY lower than analysts predicted), according to fool.com—though it has risen about 1 point since the article I'm seeing was written.

[SeanMcFly]

Favorites / Hopes at the moment?

Cena - Cena's always a favorite in the Rumble, no matter what. It's true that they try to stay in their comfort zone, leading me to think that Cena might be in there to win it again this year.

Mysterio - I like him, and I hope he gets another Title run soon, but I just can't believe that Mysterio would win again this year.

CM Punk - Punk's got a HUGE wave of momentum going into the Rumble, it's obvious that he's a thought to win it, no?

Alberto Del Rio - Probably won't win, because of being relatively new and all, but hey, it happened with Sheamus winning the title in his first year right?

Kofi Kingston / John Morrison - I like them both, but right now Kofi Kingston needs to stay in the Intercontinental Picture, because he's not going anywhere yet, as well as Morrison not being pushed yet I don't think. He's probably RAW's MITB guy for this year.

Ezekiel Jackson / Wade Barrett / Daniel Bryan - Okay, this probably won't happen, but I REALLY like these three, Zeke because of the brute factor, they're really pushing Barrett, and I just love Bryan Danielson.

For the returning guys -

I really hope they don't do an Undertaker win, or a Triple H win. I'd LOVE to see an Evan Bourne win ;-) but that won't happen. Not a chance. Maybe Christian, but the WWE has shown that they won't be planning on doing that any time soon. Hell, they'd probably push Yoshi Tatsu (Who I love, by the way) before they push Christian.

[Teh_Showtime]

I was just watching some MoD clips. I loved the Ministry, but who's great idea was it to make the corporate ministry? Sure Taker got hurt, but that was destined to be an epic fail.

and pretty good angle to start Raw tonight

[Jaysin]

The stupid laptop GM thing is still going on? UGGHHHH!

[sabataged]

I thought for sure CM Punk was going to walk out of the Rumble as the winner since he is probably the hottest act going. Now with the Barrett vs Punk stip I have my doubts. Maybe they continue the John Morrison push by letting him come out in the top 5 and lasting the whole way. That would break Shawn Michaels record of lasting from 1 to 30.

[sabataged]

Favorites / Hopes at the moment?

Cena - Cena's always a favorite in the Rumble, no matter what. It's true that they try to stay in their comfort zone, leading me to think that Cena might be in there to win it again this year.

Mysterio - I like him, and I hope he gets another Title run soon, but I just can't believe that Mysterio would win again this year.

CM Punk - Punk's got a HUGE wave of momentum going into the Rumble, it's obvious that he's a thought to win it, no?

Alberto Del Rio - Probably won't win, because of being relatively new and all, but hey, it happened with Sheamus winning the title in his first year right?

Kofi Kingston / John Morrison - I like them both, but right now Kofi Kingston needs to stay in the Intercontinental Picture, because he's not going anywhere yet, as well as Morrison not being pushed yet I don't think. He's probably RAW's MITB guy for this year.

Ezekiel Jackson / Wade Barrett / Daniel Bryan - Okay, this probably won't happen, but I REALLY like these three, Zeke because of the brute factor, they're really pushing Barrett, and I just love Bryan Danielson.

For the returning guys -

I really hope they don't do an Undertaker win, or a Triple H win. I'd LOVE to see an Evan Bourne win ;-) but that won't happen. Not a chance. Maybe Christian, but the WWE has shown that they won't be planning on doing that any time soon. Hell, they'd probably push Yoshi Tatsu (Who I love, by the way) before they push Christian.

My predicted WM match ups are

Barrett vs Taker
Edge vs Del Rio (title)
Miz vs Cena (unless there is something bigger for Cena like Jericho and we can have Miz vs Morrison)
Orton vs Punk (title)
Sheamus vs HHH
Money in the Bank - If Morrison isn't facing Miz I see him winning this. His time is coming to get the World Title shot. I see Kofi, Tyson Kidd, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, and like Ezekiel Jackson or some of those Nexus guys involved.

[MattitudeV2]

Bryan and Gail=A++++++++++++++++++
Bellas=Jealous hos!!!!!!

[TakerNGN74]

My predicted WM match ups are

Barrett vs Taker
Edge vs Del Rio (title)
Miz vs Cena (unless there is something bigger for Cena like Jericho and we can have Miz vs Morrison)
Orton vs Punk (title)
Sheamus vs HHH
Money in the Bank - If Morrison isn't facing Miz I see him winning this. His time is coming to get the World Title shot. I see Kofi, Tyson Kidd, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, and like Ezekiel Jackson or some of those Nexus guys involved.

I don't see Barrett wrestling Taker at this years WM, think about it he (Barrett) has yet to appear at Mania so putting him in such a high profile match with Undertaker would probably not be good for him not that I don't think he would be able to do it but I do think that being in a match at his first mania is already pressure enough so I don't think putting him in a match with Taker is probably a good idea because that would probably be way to much pressure for him. I would like to see Taker vs. Cena at this years WM, this is probably Takers last mania so I think his last match at Mania should be epic, I could also see Taker vs. Kane 3 at Mania this year I know I have said this before in this thread and people said that they didn't need to do it but I feel like they do because they never finished their feud.

[Teh_Showtime]

I think Taker vs Del Rio could be a great feud to help Del Rio

[Fantabulous]

They really need to stop the schizophrenic booking of Michael Cole. He goes from regular babyface announcer, to intolerable heel GM spokesman, to serious announcer hyping up the next PPV to heel cheerleader all in the space of five minutes and can jump from one persona to another at the drop of a hat. A new viewer to Raw would give themselves a migraine trying to make sense of Cole.

[milamber]

A fun but very gimmicky Raw. Probably the weakest in the last 2 months. Enjoyed King/Cole/Ziggler/Vicky on commentary. And I like the idea of each brand having a heel stable. I bet it was HHH's idea.

Del Rio and Morrison (2 of my fav wrestlers right now) are still getting the biggest pushes entering the Rumble, as well as Punk and Barrett (don't think either will win though).

[juggaloninjalee]

I think Barrett beating Taker at his final Wrestlemania (if it's his last) would be great. He could then begin a streak of his own over the next few years. He could go on to say he is the only man to ever beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. No matter who he is feuding with that could be his claim to fame. While someone like Cena may call Barrett out on that being the only thing he ever did. Eventually Barrett would have more on his WWE resume but it would be a good start.

[Fantabulous]

It's worth mention that Undertaker might not even be at Wrestlemania. The last I heard is that it's still uncertain if Undertaker will be healthy in time to wrestle there. If he can't wrestle I guess they could have him show up as a surprise to confront Barrett and co.

[shawn michaels 82]

I think Barrett beating Taker at his final Wrestlemania (if it's his last) would be great. He could then begin a streak of his own over the next few years. He could go on to say he is the only man to ever beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. No matter who he is feuding with that could be his claim to fame. While someone like Cena may call Barrett out on that being the only thing he ever did. Eventually Barrett would have more on his WWE resume but it would be a good start.

I did read somewhere (wrestlingexposed if i recall correctly) that the whole point of booking Taker vs Barrett in the WM (assuming it would happen) would be to give Taker an easy way to keep the streak alive and to make it easy on him on a phisicall level. People wouldn't expect him to go to on of those super intense phisical matches as he had with Shawn, in the previous years. So it would be an easy and phisically non demanding way to keep the streek alive.

[juggaloninjalee]

I did read somewhere (wrestlingexposed if i recall correctly) that the whole point of booking Taker vs Barrett in the WM (assuming it would happen) would be to give Taker an easy way to keep the streak alive and to make it easy on him on a phisicall level. People wouldn't expect him to go to on of those super intense phisical matches as he had with Shawn, in the previous years. So it would be an easy and phisically non demanding way to keep the streek alive.

I've never been a huge Undertaker fan in the first place so I wouldn't mind seeing him lose to a guy who could have a long lasting WWE career.

With that said I could see Undertaker retiring without ever losing at Wrestlemania.

[Jaysin]

Not sure if its been mentioned, but Mason Ryan looks like Mini Batista...

[Teh_Showtime]

you don't have to be an Taker fan to understand the importance of the streak. If they were to give anyone permission to break it , I think it would be Punk simply because he is a heat magnet and has main evented numerous PPVs already. Giving it to a relative newcomer could be great, but MANY huge pushes have been halted recently (Swagger, Kofi, McIntre, Sheamus to an extent).

That is highly dobutful since taker said on many occasions the only person he would let end it was Kane. When you throw in their previous history of incidents (hi HiAC 09) it probably won't happen.

[juggaloninjalee]

I agree about Mason Ryan looking like Batista.

I appreciate the streak and there is no telling if it will ever end or if he will retire with it still alive.

[Fantabulous]

If someone were to end the streak, I think it would have to be someone Undertaker respected and I think Undertaker would want/need to be involved in the booking of said person in the follow up, simply because I wouldn't trust creative on their own with something like this. I think Undertaker would want to know for damn sure that whoever beats him doesn't wind up right back where they started six-months down the line. In the end, I don't see the streak ending and there really isn't any point in doing so. Yeah, you could get some top new heel over with it, but WWE have done such a great job in making the streak mean something that I think ending the streak would end up like turning Austin heel and you'd only make fans tune out as a result.

[SeanMcFly]

I don't see Barrett wrestling Taker at this years WM, think about it he (Barrett) has yet to appear at Mania so putting him in such a high profile match with Undertaker would probably not be good for him not that I don't think he would be able to do it but I do think that being in a match at his first mania is already pressure enough so I don't think putting him in a match with Taker is probably a good idea because that would probably be way to much pressure for him. I would like to see Taker vs. Cena at this years WM, this is probably Takers last mania so I think his last match at Mania should be epic, I could also see Taker vs. Kane 3 at Mania this year I know I have said this before in this thread and people said that they didn't need to do it but I feel like they do because they never finished their feud.

Ramble Ramble Ramble, and They did finish the feud, they buried Undertaker... literally.

[1234]

Ramble Ramble Ramble, and They did finish the feud, they buried Undertaker... literally.

Yes, but for every time Undertaker has been Buried, put in a casket, etc. I cannot think of many times he did not get his revenge, and to have him return without even a mention of the Kane fued would make him look weak. Someone has finally taken him out and he is unable to get retribution.

[LoNdOn]

Ramble Ramble Ramble, and They did finish the feud, they buried Undertaker... literally.

You do like to provoke don't you.

[Jaysin]

I find it funny that the New Blood World Order has their own Wolfpac now.

[djthefunkchris]

I find it funny that the New Blood World Order has their own Wolfpac now.

This makes more sense over on the TNA discussion forum. I just don't know where your thinking most of the time, although some things I do agree with (the times I understand your thought process).

Trying to figure this one out, I'm going to believe your talking about Corre? And that Nexxus is what you call the New Blood World Order? In which (and I'm not sure) is a reference to the NWO (New World Order)?

IF any of this is correct, then you can make this connection anytime there is a stable in history. The difference's are huge as far as make-up is concerned, but every stable (heel versions) are always going to try to dominate the promotion (or in this case the brand), which is the only connection I see... The NWO had "Superstars", the Nexxus had relatively Unknown's. That might not seem like a difference to you, but to me that's a huge difference (especially since it has made a star out of the leader).

With the Nexxus being taken over by CM Punk at this point, I can't even think of a similar idea.... from anything... but maybe Raven and his flock. That's the only thing I ever think of with Punk though, from history.

[Jaysin]

This makes more sense over on the TNA discussion forum. I just don't know where your thinking most of the time, although some things I do agree with (the times I understand your thought process).

Trying to figure this one out, I'm going to believe your talking about Corre? And that Nexxus is what you call the New Blood World Order? In which (and I'm not sure) is a reference to the NWO (New World Order)?

IF any of this is correct, then you can make this connection anytime there is a stable in history. The difference's are huge as far as make-up is concerned, but every stable (heel versions) are always going to try to dominate the promotion (or in this case the brand), which is the only connection I see... The NWO had "Superstars", the Nexxus had relatively Unknown's. That might not seem like a difference to you, but to me that's a huge difference (especially since it has made a star out of the leader).

With the Nexxus being taken over by CM Punk at this point, I can't even think of a similar idea.... from anything... but maybe Raven and his flock. That's the only thing I ever think of with Punk though, from history.

I always refer to the Nexus as the New Blood World Order because it started out just a combination of the NWO and the New Blood(WCW stable of young guys sick of being held down...). Obviously its not the exact same story, but it has similarities. Especially now that the team has split into two groups. I know the Nexus had unknowns and that's where the New Blood comes in. The Nexus invaded Raw and now they are invading Smackdown in the form of the Corre. I really think they'll end up coming out that they're working together.

Punk has made the Nexus interesting to me, which is why I started watching again. I actually have Raw and Smackdown both set on record entire series on my DVR which I haven't done in probably a few years. A lot of stuff still irritates me, but its at least watchable now that Punk is the focus of Raw and Wade is the focus of Smackdown with Dolph in the title picture(FINALLY!!).

For the most part, I refer to the Nexus as the New Blood World Order in a light hearted way because I know almost nothing in wrestling is ever original, but its fun to poke and prod some times :p

[The Final Countdown]

I don't see the necessity of this "Corre" (and what a stupid name, IMO.) I would've been more interested to see what Wade could do on his own, Gabriel and Slater could've remained in the Nexus, and I don't care about Ezekiel Jackson.

[SeanMcFly]

You do like to provoke don't you.

Best part of my day.

[TakerNGN74]

Ramble Ramble Ramble, and They did finish the feud, they buried Undertaker... literally.

Yeah but he will get a payoff WWE is not that stupid. So you can say what you want but I don't agree with it.

[Hashasheen]

Daniel Bryan versus Ted DiBiase should have been a serious feud.

[The Final Countdown]

Daniel Bryan versus Ted DiBiase should have been a serious feud.
Bryan's too busy making out with Gail Kim. :eek:

[Hashasheen]

Bryan's too busy making out with Gail Kim. :eek:

Indeed. Would have preferred Layla, though.

[milamber]

DiBiase finally beat Bryan in one of the best matches on NXT. Interesting to see what what fueds they move on to or whether they'll let DiBiase take the US Title off Bryan.

[-laz-]

is it just me or is ezekiel jackson a modern day ahmed johnson

[20LEgend]

is it just me or is ezekiel jackson a modern day ahmed johnson

Its definitely not just you!:D It's uncanny

[Purple Cowboy]

Do you guys think the little Batista guy is going to get a long run in the Rumble? Zeke sounded nervous on the mic I thought.

[ampulator]

Daniel Bryan versus Ted DiBiase should have been a serious feud.
I don't know. Ted Dibiase doesn't "it" yet. He may get it in time, but he's a absolutely solid, but also absolutely dull, wrestler.

[Hashasheen]

I don't know. Ted Dibiase doesn't "it" yet. He may get it in time, but he's a absolutely solid, but also absolutely dull, wrestler.
... And? I'm talking serious matches, something to build the United States Championship on, instead of goddamn Bellas.

[ampulator]

... And? I'm talking serious matches, something to build the United States Championship on, instead of goddamn Bellas.
...Touche.

[The Final Countdown]

I don't know. Ted Dibiase doesn't "it" yet. He may get it in time, but he's a absolutely solid, but also absolutely dull, wrestler.
Yeah, he is as dull as it gets. He seems to have inherited none of his father's charisma.

[milamber]

Favourite quotes from Smackdown:

"I don't know what Kelly's thinking... if anything."
"The spear is banned."

My Dark Horse for the Rumble: Drew McIntyre.

[Jaysin]

CM Punk, Wade Barrett, and Alberto Del Rio are my top 3 picks for the Rumble.

Actually, it'd be sweet if Punk and Wade somehow co won the Rumble and got shots at Wrestlemania against their brands' respective champs.

[-laz-]

CM punk will win because he is straight edge nuff said

[Fantabulous]

The No Chance in Hell Group.

Cody Rhodes
R-Truth
David Otunga
Husky Harris
Michael McGillicutty
Ted DiBiase
Mark Henry
Darren Young
David Hart Smith
Primo
Tyson Kidd
William Regal
Yoshi Tatsu
Zack Ryder
Ezekiel Jackson
Heath Slater
Justin Gabriel
Jack Swagger
Drew McIntyre
Mason Ryan
Daniel Bryan
Chris Masters
David Otunga
JTG
Kane
Kofi Kingston
Santino Marella
Vladimir Kozlov
Rey Mysterio

If the stars align and mystic forces are at work

King Sheamus
John Morrison
CM Punk
Alberto Del Rio
Big Show
Sheamus

A strong chance and a credible bet

John Cena
Wade Barrett

[Jaysin]

Honestly, it'd be nice if Kane beats his own record this year.

[-laz-]

who are we kidding i would love to see someone like CM punk win, but this is WWE guaranteed triple h returns number 40 wins the rumble gos on to the next PPV wins the WWE Championship from The Miz then will headline Mania against the World Champion, whomever that me be and unify the belts

[MrCanada]

Honestly, it'd be nice if Kane beats his own record this year.

Going up to 40 stars it would definitely make sense and seem easier.

[LoNdOn]

Just booked my ticket to see RAW in the o2 arena in April! :D Good stuff.

[Teh_Showtime]

SD is coming here on march 22... I keep feeling tempted to grab a ticket since it will be a RTWM episode

[eayragt]

If Triple H wasn't coming back I'd pick Sheamus as a dark horse to win and then challenge Edge.

But Triple H is coming back.

So that won't happen.

Carry on.

[Fantabulous]

I'm going with Randy Orton to win the Rumble in a scenario I've mentioned before. Randy Orton gets screwed out of the WWE title against Miz; possibly a finish where the ref gets bumped, Orton RKO's Miz and has him pinned but they do something where the referee has DQ'd Miz, or, Orton, for something and Orton comes up short. They can show Miz, either then or later, looking ****y about having got past Orton and maybe even have him say something along the lines of never having to worry about him again. Then Orton winds up in the Rumble and wins and the build for Miz vs. Orton can be about how Miz has to face the man who has his number and there isn't anything he can do about it.

They could throw in a twist about Miz considering 'laying down' in a WWE title match just to avoid Orton; if they do that Alex Riley can be the one who offers to take the title from him and take the match with Orton in his place. If Miz is in the Raw Elimination Chamber match at the EC PPV, they can put it on last and have Miz fluke his way to victory in some fashion,look all please with himself and then Orton's music hits and the PPV ends with Orton starting down Miz who looks petrified. The final month before Wrestlemania can be Miz trying to find some way to put Orton on the shelf or maybe Miz slowly cracking up because he can't get out of facing the man who has his number.

However they handle the build to the match, I'd go with Miz vs. Orton for the WWE title at Wrestlemania and I'd start with Orton winning the Rumble tonight.

[LoNdOn]

I'm going with Randy Orton to win the Rumble in a scenario I've mentioned before. Randy Orton gets screwed out of the WWE title against Miz; possibly a finish where the ref gets bumped, Orton RKO's Miz and has him pinned but they do something where the referee has DQ'd Miz, or, Orton, for something and Orton comes up short. They can show Miz, either then or later, looking ****y about having got past Orton and maybe even have him say something along the lines of never having to worry about him again. Then Orton winds up in the Rumble and wins and the build for Miz vs. Orton can be about how Miz has to face the man who has his number and there isn't anything he can do about it.

They could throw in a twist about Miz considering 'laying down' in a WWE title match just to avoid Orton; if they do that Alex Riley can be the one who offers to take the title from him and take the match with Orton in his place. If Miz is in the Raw Elimination Chamber match at the EC PPV, they can put it on last and have Miz fluke his way to victory in some fashion,look all please with himself and then Orton's music hits and the PPV ends with Orton starting down Miz who looks petrified. The final month before Wrestlemania can be Miz trying to find some way to put Orton on the shelf or maybe Miz slowly cracking up because he can't get out of facing the man who has his number.

However they handle the build to the match, I'd go with Miz vs. Orton for the WWE title at Wrestlemania and I'd start with Orton winning the Rumble tonight.

I hope to god that Orton doesn't win the rumble. I would litteraly rather have anybody else win instead of him.

[-laz-]

i cant stand Randy Snore-ton his character is so boring. but im really looking forward to the two surprises if the rumors are correct then they are just what WWE needs becuase nobody in WWE except for Cena and CM Punk can cut a decent promo that gets you pumped

[Fantabulous]

I don't particularly care for Orton right now; he's (beyond) hopelessly miscast as a babyface. And my reaction to Orton winning would be mostly negative. But WWE are strongly behind him and they want him to be one of their top babyface, so that's why he is my pick and why I went the scenario outlined.

Personally, I would get a kick out of CM Punk winning, and doing so by eliminating John Cena (because it would be in Cena's home town and would get huge heat), but I think I'd fire thunderbolts out of my....ear before that happens.

[LoNdOn]

I don't particularly care for Orton right now; he's (beyond) hopelessly miscast as a babyface. And my reaction to Orton winning would be mostly negative. But WWE are strongly behind him and they want him to be one of their top babyface, so that's why he is my pick and why I went the scenario outlined.

Personally, I would get a kick out of CM Punk winning, and doing so by eliminating John Cena (because it would be in Cena's home town and would get huge heat), but I think I'd fire thunderbolts out of my....ear before that happens.

Punk is my pick to take it and failing that I think he will take the title at the chamber.

[slack]

34 entrants listed on WWE.com Who do you guys think will be the other 6?

It looks like Trips is a safe bet. A woman? A legend? A slimmed down Drew Carey?

What do you think?

[-laz-]

34 entrants listed on WWE.com Who do you guys think will be the other 6?

It looks like Trips is a safe bet. A woman? A legend? A slimmed down Drew Carey?

What do you think?
I think i know 2 but il hide it so as not to spoil it for people highlight below if you wanna know

Booker T and Kevin Nash

[1234]

I think i know 2 but il hide it so as not to spoil it for people highlight below if you wanna know
]

I have heard that a lot but am still hoping it's not true. Other than justva 1-time appearance I don't see what value they add. And without starting storylines by either eliminating a big name or winning being in the Rumble won't help either of them. They just don't seem like they would fit in.

[-laz-]

I have heard that a lot but am still hoping it's not true. Other than justva 1-time appearance I don't see what value they add. And without starting storylines by either eliminating a big name or winning being in the Rumble won't help either of them. They just don't seem like they would fit in.
WWE needs people who can cut a decent promo and these guys can, the problem with WWE nowadays is nobody except cena punk and maby miz can cut a decent promo that shows real emotion.

[eayragt]

I have heard that a lot but am still hoping it's not true. Other than justva 1-time appearance I don't see what value they add. And without starting storylines by either eliminating a big name or winning being in the Rumble won't help either of them. They just don't seem like they would fit in.

I'm fine with those two - one as an announcer, one to induct a certain somebody into the Hall of Fame (may even go in there with them, which I'd just about accept), so will only stay around until 'Mania.

And they can both work the mic better than most of WWE's roster.

[Linsolv]

Is it just me or is Miz v. Orton coming off a lot like Jericho v. Rock at Royal Rumble 2002?

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXvSzEkfBQ8&feature=related)

[Jaysin]

Is it just me or is Miz v. Orton coming off a lot like Jericho v. Rock at Royal Rumble 2002?

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXvSzEkfBQ8&feature=related)


Except neither the Rock, nor Jericho are boring like Orton :p

Anyways, if Dolph wins tonight its going to be amazing. I'm actually really excited for him. He's going to be attending a wrestling tournament at Kent State(where he went to college and where I also go) and he's doing a meet and greet. I'm pretty ecstatic to meet him. I've been a giant fan of his since he started the "Hi, I'm Dolph Ziggler" stuff. Plus, when he kicked Batista in his head I almost threw a party.

[Tha Black Phenom]

Here's also what I'm calling, Dolph to lose the title match and be inserted as a late entrant in the Rumble by more Vickie shenanigans.

[Teh_Showtime]

my picks for tonight

Miz over Orton via champs advantage DQ

Edge over Ziggler with a super impaler DDT spot

Morrison is in the final 3 with Del Rio before both get thrown out by Sheamus

Somehow Trips will make tha Mania match a 3 way

[jwt13]

my picks for tonight

Miz over Orton via champs advantage DQ

Edge over Ziggler with a super impaler DDT spot

Morrison is in the final 3 with Del Rio before both get thrown out by Sheamus

Somehow Trips will make tha Mania match a 3 way

Because he's Vince's son in law of course;)

[LoNdOn]

My picks.

Miz over Orton

Edge over Ziggler

Punk to win the rumble failing that, Cena will win the rumble and CM Punk will win the title at elimination chamber.

[Teh_Showtime]

well if Sheamus does not win the Rumble, then we would have the SAME EXACT match between HHH and Sheamus as last year.

That would be the suck

[Jaysin]

well if Sheamus does not win the Rumble, then we would have the SAME EXACT match between HHH and Sheamus as last year.

That would be the suck

and we know WWE likes to headline ppvs with the exact same match OVER AND OVER AND OVER again...at least its not Cena vs Orton for the hundredth time.

[Slagaholic]

Gerweck.net has reported that WWE has signed Mistico! Did ADR ever wrestle Mistico in CMLL?

[Jaysin]

Yeah, Alberto was in CMLL from 2002 until 2009.

Hopefully, WWE doesn't kill Mistico, he's one of the best high fliers out there.

[Fantabulous]

well if Sheamus does not win the Rumble, then we would have the SAME EXACT match between HHH and Sheamus as last year.

That would be the suck

If Sheamus did win the Rumble, which is a longshot, he'd probably face Triple H at Wrestlemania anyway, because it's the match that makes sense for both of them.

[Teh_Showtime]

which is why he has to.

when was the last repeat undercard match at Mania back to back?

Taker/Michaels was the Semi and Main events

[Jaysin]

I just want Triple H to stay away from the title picture.

Honestly, if he returns and wins the Rumble I'm canceling my dvr recordings because I would rather someone new in the title picture. Which, I'm pretty happy abut Miz being champ and Dolph challenging for the belt.

[dvdWarrior]

Not comfortable enough to call them predictions, but I'd very much love to see Punk win the Rumble, and Amazing Kong make her debut some way or another, maybe in the Rumble itself.

[Fantabulous]

I don't see Triple H near the title picture until the program with Sheamus is finished. If Triple H is in the Rumble then I wouldn't be surprised to see Triple H eliminate Sheamus and then Sheamus turn around and cause Triple H to get eliminated; think Roddy Piper-Bad News Brown in 1990.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Trips is gonna win it. The returning main eventer usually does.

It will happen.

[TakerNGN74]

if Cena or Triple H win I am going to puke, I want to see Cena in a match at Mania this year that has nothing to do with the title. Ever since WM 21 he has been in the main event, except for one year when he was injured.