The Official WWE Discussion Thread *May Contain Spoilers*

[Tha Black Phenom]

Why not? Draft picks can open big doors for some superstars. Being a monster, Henry is one of those guys who could be pushed to the moon in a second and have it look believable.

Edit: Haha! Heel turn. Yep, for sure now.

[Zeel1]

Unbelievable... they actually did that. What teases... :p

[GhostDogg]

Congratulations...

WWE, yall screwed it up again. yall should have LEFT Cena on Raw..

Oh well.

[ShaunGBD]

Stupid. I was excited to have him on SD

BUT

NOPE!!

[PoisonedSuperman]

I knew it...

Wack.

[angeldelayette]

I could not be more disappointed in that final draft pick. I am a big WWE fan but they blew it.

[Tha Black Phenom]

Congratulations...

WWE, yall screwed it up again. yall should have LEFT Cena on Raw..

Oh well.

Ditto. I'm lenient towards the WWE usually but that was just wack.

[Russo]

I think I'm done with WWE for awhile they screwed this up :mad:

[ShaunGBD]

What was the point of it?

I mean really, what was the point?

To tease the fan?

Stupid

[Astil]

Dumb. Dumb dumb dumb.

[Save_Us.Necro]

Best way to describe this WWE draft...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qileP4bAzek

[ThriceP86]

There goes my hope for some sort of Mysterio vs. Sin Cara feud... :mad:

[Jaysin]

Wow, I'm the only person HAPPY Cena isn't on Smackdown? Orton and Cena being on the same show is beyond old. I'm tired of having to suffer through them both on one show.

This seriously makes it so something new can happen and we don't have to worry about Cena vs Orton 5,000,000 happening anytime soon.

So basically Christian has to win Sunday right? Unless they want two world titles on Raw.

[Tha Black Phenom]

I am certainly happy on that point but that just reeked of Russoness for nothing. And sure, if Orton going to SD! was the big move of the night, everyone would've said how predictable it was. Still though.. could've done without this weird crap.

[Astil]

Wow, I'm the only person HAPPY Cena isn't on Smackdown? Orton and Cena being on the same show is beyond old. I'm tired of having to suffer through them both on one show.

This seriously makes it so something new can happen and we don't have to worry about Cena vs Orton 5,000,000 happening anytime soon.

So basically Christian has to win Sunday right? Unless they want two world titles on Raw.

R-Truth in supplemental draft, hahaha

[Jaysin]

I actually mentioned that to someone else earlier. Unless Ziggler or Truth gets sent to Smackdown, the only people Christian will have to feud with will be Orton(if he turns heel), Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett, or Thwagger...

Personally, I'd rather Ziggler or Truth go to Smackdown and feud with Christian. If I had to choose between the others, I'd probably go with Cody.

I also see Henry being Christian's first mini feud to cement him as champ before moving onto a credible threat

[angeldelayette]

I'll be honest, I wanted Cena on Smackdown so I didn't have to see him since I don't really watch Smackdown. It had nothing to do with anything else.

[Eisen-verse]

Honestly, this was a poor draft for the WWE but, in my mind, not how you may think....

To me, the whole thing seemed really interesting, as in years past; however, failed to seem as grandiose as previous years. I mean, really? We get a match and all of a sudden it's worth two picks; as if from nowhere? In reality, shouldn't the main event carry more picks than other matches? Also, shouldn't there have been more of a wide-range of matches to pick who goes where? I mean, a bunch of singles matches just made it feel rather blahzay.

From what I've read on the internet wrestling sites, the show felt just as it's been reported to be; Rushed.

Edge retires so they feel like they have to shake things up. That's great, I'm all for that! At least, if you're going to do something like this, make it entertaining; or, at the very least, worth watching. ha.

Meh. I've learned to have low expectations with wrestling programs these days...

[djthefunkchris]

I would have seriously been surprised if they took their "biggest" star and put him on the "B" show. Wouldn't have made a lick of sense.

[Save_Us.Necro]

I somehow have a feeling that Miz or whoever the WWE Champion is ends up on Smackdown. Not sure how but I think it happens.

Smackdown gets put in a real rough spot here (as usual). Despite getting Orton, they lose their hottest heel, their number 2 face and Big Show who's good as a face or a heel. And they gain Mistico, who is still relativly untested and still very spotty and Mark Henry who I guess is gonna be a heel (an experiment that has failed numerous times). I think Cena and Sheamus or even Punk going to SD with them keeping Rey would have been a much better move IMO.

[DaMegaFish]

The "draft" is stupid. Anyone realize it's more of a lottery than draft? Someone should tell the WWE the difference.

Also, when you move top stars from A to B and top stars from B to A, you do a real good job of just switching what night you see the same things, by now, switching top stars does not create new feuds because nobody new has really been built up in years. I mean, when the brands first started it was kinda during the early ruthless aggression era when a couple new stars were built and when they got moved, it was actually somewhat interesting. Now, however, the same top dogs just keep getting shuffled and it seems utterly pointless to me. Ooh well.

[Tha Black Phenom]

The only real big loss here was Del Rio, IMO. I mean.. Rey has a year tops left in the tank, Orton is on a hot streak with his face run no matter what we may think about it - Big Show is very malleable as a superstar but so is Kane so he could do the trick and there's a good upper-midcard forefront to support things too in Cody/Drew/Barrett. That said, one of them may switch places in the supplemental draft so I can't speak too much.

Mark Henry, it's failed before.. but things can always be different.

[Prophet]

My biggest question is, if you're moving Show to Monday, assumedly to bolster the upper ranks in the same way Kane has for a long time, why jump the tag belts? Unless they're doing the split champ story, which was Jericho/Show in 2009, right?

And my biggest upset was only getting to see Ryder for all of 3 seconds. Everytime Smackdown got a pick, I kept hoping the Woo Woo Woo Kid would pop up, and I could cheer about how he was getting television time, and a possible push. All we got was a fist pump when Rey got drawn.

[MattitudeV2]

My biggest question is, if you're moving Show to Monday, assumedly to bolster the upper ranks in the same way Kane has for a long time, why jump the tag belts? Unless they're doing the split champ story, which was Jericho/Show in 2009, right?

And my biggest upset was only getting to see Ryder for all of 3 seconds. Everytime Smackdown got a pick, I kept hoping the Woo Woo Woo Kid would pop up, and I could cheer about how he was getting television time, and a possible push. All we got was a fist pump when Rey got drawn.

Remember supplement starts @ noon

[Save_Us.Necro]

I fear alot of divas/secondary characters moving (Ricardo, Hornswoggle, etc). This should also give a good foreteller of who's gonna get ****canned next. (looking at you Nexus)

[GatorBait19]

I fear alot of divas/secondary characters moving (Ricardo, Hornswoggle, etc). This should also give a good foreteller of who's gonna get ****canned next. (looking at you Nexus)

What does Horny do know a days. Is he still just the comedy act. Also like you said the supp. draft is usually for people who have gone stale or have nothing so the move them and usually cut them.

I also marked when Cena went back to Raw because Christian is pretty much the new champ. I am happy for him.

[Save_Us.Necro]

What does Horny do know a days. Is he still just the comedy act. Also like you said the supp. draft is usually for people who have gone stale or have nothing so the move them and usually cut them.

I also marked when Cena went back to Raw because Christian is pretty much the new champ. I am happy for him.

Horny's never on anymore, which is strange espically with how they're going after kids and stuff. I expect Smackdown to get Danielson and or Bourne tmmrw, and honestly either one (espically Danielson) could do loads better with a heel turn.

As much as I love Christian, if he does get the belt (which I have a feeling he won't somehow...like Orton getting thrown into the match or something), it's not gonna feel right. Christian's most recent WWE run has def not put him in anywhere near the upper level of WWE faces. He doesn't have the buzz he had during his initial "Peep" run where everyone got onto his bandwagon. Since coming back from TNA, it's been alot of blah stuff IMO and him winning would be both weak and the sign of a transitional title run until they decide on who the next top SD heel's gonna be.

[Teh_Showtime]

They wasted 2 picks on Cena that could have been used to bring Daniel Bryan to SD and McIntre to Raw.

With Raw getting ADR it looks like Cody will be in position to challenge Christian if they both win at Extreme Rules. Not too sure what Randy is going to do (another feud with Henry?) but he can easily turn McIntre into a big time player.

Raw is set up nicely, I see Del Rio vs Cena and Truth vs Morrison in the immediate future with possible ties to Miz and the WWE title. It seems like Miz wont ever lose the thing.

[20LEgend]

I had a feeling Chena would go back to Raw as soon as he was drafted, someone on here actually called it

[lazorbeak]

The "draft" is stupid. Anyone realize it's more of a lottery than draft? Someone should tell the WWE the difference.

Also, when you move top stars from A to B and top stars from B to A, you do a real good job of just switching what night you see the same things, by now, switching top stars does not create new feuds because nobody new has really been built up in years. I mean, when the brands first started it was kinda during the early ruthless aggression era when a couple new stars were built and when they got moved, it was actually somewhat interesting. Now, however, the same top dogs just keep getting shuffled and it seems utterly pointless to me. Ooh well.

Yes, because Sin Cara and Alberto Del Rio have feuded with everyone and/or are not "new" stars being built. Also while I'm at it, John Morrison and R-Truth haven't moved up the card, despite the fact that they're in the middle of a program that's getting some attention, Morrison is slated to be in the main event on PPV, the two opened last week's show, and have never had long-term feuds with any main eventers except the guys that moved up the card ahead of them (CM Punk and the Miz in Morrison's case). And honestly I'd pay to see Morrison/Punk on PPV again because it's been years since they feuded on ECW, they've face-heel switched, and they put on some great matches last time.

But yeah, no new stars! :mad:

[Fantabulous]

I didn't see the start of the Orton/Ziggler match, but when I first tuned in I thought Orton was facing Cody Rhodes. Ziggler looks incredibly generic with his new look.

[milamber]

Interesting drafts:

Cena & Orton to SD - Raw just lost its top 2 faces (oh wait, nope Cena's back on Raw - is that legal? Shou'dn't his name have been removed after his first move?). Now they need Chris Jericho on Raw to fill Orton's spot.

Del Rio to Raw - Wow, didn't expect that.

And WTF with Mark Henry's same-team rampage!

[Self]

Another fun Tough Enough. Glad they're turning Luke heel. Hate that guy.

First thing I think of when I see these challenges is 'matt cross would own this'. Next thought is 'Austin Aries would be even better. Technique? Agility? No problem.

[liontamer]

Enjoying tough enough. Had a flashback watching the show and seem to remember a guy in the previous seasons that kept kicking everyone's butt in the competitions, but got cut because he was too generic and didn't have the look. Can't recall who it was and couldn't figure it out online, but my memory has me thinking it might be the guy that's now daniel bryan, although I don't see it in his bio/wiki either.

Wondering who that was and if they ever made it anywhere.

[juggaloninjalee]

Enjoying tough enough. Had a flashback watching the show and seem to remember a guy in the previous seasons that kept kicking everyone's butt in the competitions, but got cut because he was too generic and didn't have the look. Can't recall who it was and couldn't figure it out online, but my memory has me thinking it might be the guy that's now daniel bryan, although I don't see it in his bio/wiki either.

Wondering who that was and if they ever made it anywhere.

Wasn't his name Pete or something? Look up Tough Enough and it will give you the Tough Enough Wiki. I am almost positive that was the guy you are talking about though.

[Purple Cowboy]

Interesting drafts:

Cena & Orton to SD - Raw just lost its top 2 faces (oh wait, nope Cena's back on Raw - is that legal? Shou'dn't his name have been removed after his first move?). Now they need Chris Jericho on Raw to fill Orton's spot.

Del Rio to Raw - Wow, didn't expect that.

And WTF with Mark Henry's same-team rampage!

So maybe now, even though it seemed to me like Christian was going to get the belt at Extreme Rules, maybe Del Rio wins, he works a program with Cena in which Cena eventually becomes champion so that the World title is on the line with Rock at WM next year.

Mark Henry did that rampage for the memory of Vladimir Kozlov! :)

[Hive]

The "draft" is stupid. Anyone realize it's more of a lottery than draft? Someone should tell the WWE the difference.

Also, when you move top stars from A to B and top stars from B to A, you do a real good job of just switching what night you see the same things, by now, switching top stars does not create new feuds because nobody new has really been built up in years. I mean, when the brands first started it was kinda during the early ruthless aggression era when a couple new stars were built and when they got moved, it was actually somewhat interesting. Now, however, the same top dogs just keep getting shuffled and it seems utterly pointless to me. Ooh well.

Ain't this the truth.

[20LEgend]

So maybe now, even though it seemed to me like Christian was going to get the belt at Extreme Rules, maybe Del Rio wins, he works a program with Cena in which Cena eventually becomes champion so that the World title is on the line with Rock at WM next year.

Mark Henry did that rampage for the memory of Vladimir Kozlov! :)

But if Del Rio wins both World Titles are on Raw.

[Jaysin]

John Canton posted this on Facebook

From PWInsider.com (a fairly reliable source): "According to WWE sources, CM Punk has been offered a new long-term deal but has balked at signing, citing burnout with being on the road for years and unhappiness with his position in the company over the last year.

[20LEgend]

John Canton posted this on Facebook

From PWInsider.com (a fairly reliable source): "According to WWE sources, CM Punk has been offered a new long-term deal but has balked at signing, citing burnout with being on the road for years and unhappiness with his position in the company over the last year.

Where would he go, I just have a feeling he wouldn't go to TNA IDK why though, I think him leaving would completely switch me off from the little bit of WWE I do watch, he is the only good character left imo. That said I watch TNA even though it's worse.

[SaySo]

He should take a vacation. With Extreme Rules this Sunday, just write him off by having Orton punt him into a coma.

[djthefunkchris]

I don't believe for a minute that the draft isn't "Pre-Determined", and cannot imagine anyone else believing differently... However, seems to be people upset that they "Wasted" a pick or two by having Cena move twice.

To me it's obvious that was to create a little confusion/concern/uproar/or just to play with the fans a little bit (possibly the internet fans a little more).

But honestly.... The guy that is supposedly going to go one on one against The Rock for Wrestlemania next year, should not be on Smackdown. Never know when The Rock and him will go back and forth with words or what not, never know exactly when The Rock would be available to be live at a show or something either... Raw is supposed to be the "Biggest" show they have, they are supposed to have better ratings then Smackdown, so it only makes sense to have Raw Top heavy, rather then being even with Smackdown.

Everytime they do this draft, I've thought the same way. I don't know why anyone would expect different (no matter if you think it would be better for them or not). Throw a couple of Veterans that can move up and down the card over to Smackdown, throw them some people to enhance, etc. Raw should concentrate on ratings with the biggest stars and the "Soon to be stars", etc.

There is no reason they should be evenly balanced, as Smackdown isn't meant to be an equal to Raw (IMO).

[LoNdOn]

John Canton posted this on Facebook

From PWInsider.com (a fairly reliable source): "According to WWE sources, CM Punk has been offered a new long-term deal but has balked at signing, citing burnout with being on the road for years and unhappiness with his position in the company over the last year.

That would be dreadful and would really turn me off watching WWE as only he and a select few are worthwhile watching in my opinion.

[Astil]

See I thought it would have been great to have Cena dominate "The Rock's show". woould've added just a little more to that fued. especially if you slow turn christian and have a cena christian fued in the same style as the great edge cena fued. but alas, it wasnt to be.

[DaMegaFish]

Yes, because Sin Cara and Alberto Del Rio have feuded with everyone and/or are not "new" stars being built. Also while I'm at it, John Morrison and R-Truth haven't moved up the card, despite the fact that they're in the middle of a program that's getting some attention, Morrison is slated to be in the main event on PPV, the two opened last week's show, and have never had long-term feuds with any main eventers except the guys that moved up the card ahead of them (CM Punk and the Miz in Morrison's case). And honestly I'd pay to see Morrison/Punk on PPV again because it's been years since they feuded on ECW, they've face-heel switched, and they put on some great matches last time.

But yeah, no new stars! :mad:

You know, I'll admit that I don't hardly watch WWE anymore, but I do sometimes read up on it. Sin Cara a star? He won that tag match with Cena against Miz and Riley, yes, but that doesn't cement him as a star. Nor did his win over Primo cement him as a star. Is he interesting, sure...but by no means do I buy in to him being a star yet. Del Rio won the Rumble, lost at Mania and because of Edges retirement he was never able to get his heat back in that feud IMO. I have a feeling Del Rio is on the Sheamus train, meaning he is a guy who is supposed to be hot property but I feel like he'll be back to a midcard act soon.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe these guys are big stars right now, but if thats the case then it shows how shallow and star deprived the WWE roster is at the moment.

[Jaysin]

Daniel Bryan
Jack Thwagger
Great Khali and Arab Bischoff

[juggaloninjalee]

You know, I'll admit that I don't hardly watch WWE anymore, but I do sometimes read up on it. Sin Cara a star? He won that tag match with Cena against Miz and Riley, yes, but that doesn't cement him as a star. Nor did his win over Primo cement him as a star. Is he interesting, sure...but by no means do I buy in to him being a star yet. Del Rio won the Rumble, lost at Mania and because of Edges retirement he was never able to get his heat back in that feud IMO. I have a feeling Del Rio is on the Sheamus train, meaning he is a guy who is supposed to be hot property but I feel like he'll be back to a midcard act soon.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe these guys are big stars right now, but if thats the case then it shows how shallow and star deprived the WWE roster is at the moment.

Del Rio is on Raw to solidify himself as a star. Probably in a program with Cena this year. Why else move him to Raw except to give him more exposure? Orton now has his own show. Orton is now the biggest star on Smackdown with hardly anyone on his heels. Orton will be back on Raw by Wrestlemania I bet.

[1234]

Daniel Bryan
Jack Thwagger
Great Khali and Arab Bischoff

Bryan should find success on the blue brand.

Swagger needs to distance himself from Cole, this wont help.

And who cares about Khali.

[Mr Rager]

My only real issue with the draft is that the World Heavyweight Championship match just seems a given now, unless a giant swerve is thrown in. Surely it would have been logical to wait a week and do it before title matches have been arranged?

[Self]

Like the Daniel Bryan move. If I hear about him having good matches again, I might actually watch Smackdown.

I'd love to see CM Punk back in Ring of Honor. For purely selfish reasons.

[20LEgend]

Jimmy Uso moves to SD never knew he was on Raw :p Splitting up twins is not good :(

[angeldelayette]

Jimmy Uso moves to SD never knew he was on Raw :p Splitting up twins is not good :(

Maybe Jey Uso will be drafted later on. Otherwise, things are not looking good for the Uso twins as far as remaining employed.

Kelly Kelly drafted to Raw. I'm good with this as, to me, she is one of the most Beautiful divas. Though something tells me that she is going to meet up with Kharma.

[Fantabulous]

Bryan Danielson moving should be good for his career. He'd clearly lost favour on Raw over the past few months and gone from strong midcarder to glorified JJTS material. On Smackdown, he'll probably not get a top push anyway, but he should, at least, get back to the level where he was before.

Killings/Morrison are getting what I call the Benoit Main Event Push (circa 2000). They're getting enough of a push to where they're not entirely lacking credibility as part of the upcoming PPV main event but their role is strictly that of a stepping stone; they do the jobs that WWE don't want the real stars doing.

[20LEgend]

Danielson and Regal on Smackdown! :D

[Fantabulous]

Danielson and Regal on Smackdown! :D

It'll probably end up being a Superstars match at some point.

[Comradebot]

I just want to pop in to say that, the double-drafting of John Cena is the worst idea the WWE has had since Katie Vick. It's not entertaining, it doesn't create any kind of drama or heat... it's just stupid. I hope in future drafts they don't keep playing up this new, magical "you can just draft them back!" crap. I can imagine it already, WWE Draft 2012: all televised picks are John Cena!

[20LEgend]

It'll probably end up being a Superstars match at some point.

That turned my :D into a :(

[sebsplex]

Seeing as I only really catch Smackdown with any sort of frequency, I'm pleased Danielson and Sin Cara have been switched over. Khali replaces the Big Show I guess... but the prospect of Mark Henry being legitimately pushed depresses me. Now I just want Ryder to get drafted to somewhere he'll actually get some TV time.

Something tells me that JTG's future isn't looking very bright either.

[sebsplex]

I just want to pop in to say that, the double-drafting of John Cena is the worst idea the WWE has had since Katie Vick. It's not entertaining, it doesn't create any kind of drama or heat... it's just stupid. I hope in future drafts they don't keep playing up this new, magical "you can just draft them back!" crap. I can imagine it already, WWE Draft 2012: all televised picks are John Cena!

I'm not sure if I'd go quite that far, but it really fell flat and just left a sour taste in the mouth (even though I believe Cena is far better served on RAW). Perhaps they could have done something with the anonymous GM offering some sort of stacked trade with Smackdown in order to get Cena back (wanting him for whatever storyline reason). At least that wouldn't have felt quite so cheap.

[angeldelayette]

Drew McIntyre versus Sheamus on Raw?

Natalya to Smackdown? What a shame.

[Jaysin]

Well I guess if they're gonna move Hawkins to Raw, maybe they'll reunite Hawkins and Ryder?

Ugh. I want Ryder to get pushed

[angeldelayette]

Well I guess if they're gonna move Hawkins to Raw, maybe they'll reunite Hawkins and Ryder?

Ugh. I want Ryder to get pushed

Honestly, I have no clue why so many people are wanting Zack Ryder pushed. He just seems annoying to me and a good reason to change the channel. More like X-Pac heat than actual heat.

[Self]

It'll probably end up being a Superstars match at some point.

Awesome. Superstars is the only WWE show I can stomach nowadays.

Honestly, I have no clue why so many people are wanting Zack Ryder pushed. He just seems annoying to me and a good reason to change the channel. More like X-Pac heat than actual heat.

He has heat? Granted I haven't actually seen a Ryder match in a little while, but I can't fathom why anyone would boo this man, as 'actual' heat or X-Pac heat. Why he isn't a babyface is utterly beyond me. I love him.

[Comradebot]

He has heat? Granted I haven't actually seen a Ryder match in a little while, but I can't fathom why anyone would boo this man, as 'actual' heat or X-Pac heat. Why he isn't a babyface is utterly beyond me. I love him.

WOOO WOOO WOOO, you know it!

[juggaloninjalee]

Honestly, I have no clue why so many people are wanting Zack Ryder pushed. He just seems annoying to me and a good reason to change the channel. More like X-Pac heat than actual heat.

It has something to do with his youtube videos I think.

[Jaysin]

Zack Ryder is in the WWE Draft Chat

ZackRyderWWWYKI:
Last week's Z! True Long Island Story had over 100,000 views. If half of those viewers bought a Zack Ryder t-shirt for 25 dollars from WWEShop....that's over 1 million dollars for the WWE.

[Fantabulous]

With Ted DiBiase now on the post-produced show, maybe they edit some charisma into him.

[i effin rule]

T-Reks to RAW
A-Ri to Smackdown

[joehelmer]

Beth Phoenix to RAW!

A feud with Kharma coming up?

[angeldelayette]

Maybe Beth Phoenix gets drafted to Raw to take on Kharma aka Awesome Kong?

Just call me Nostradummy. lol.

[i effin rule]

United States Champion Sheamus to Smackdown.

[joehelmer]

Sheamus to SmackDown!

[i effin rule]

That is the last pick, which means both US and IC title on Smackdown? Could we see both the WWE Champ and World Heavyweight Champ on RAW? Unification in the future?

[Prophet]

Almost assures Wade Barrett returning to Raw, unless Sheamus has a match Sunday, no?

[MichiganHero]

The LiveChat almost exploded when Sheamus was announced. I really hope that the WWE very quickly see that people are behind Zack Ryder. The LiveChat being a prime example.

[LoNdOn]

What is the point of the draft if they are trading damn near everybody from RAW to Smackdown and everybody from Smackdown to RAW?

[Russo]

Why do ya'll like Zack Ryder and not Robbie E, and Robbie E has actually done somthing in his short career in TNA unlike Ryder?

[Astil]

Why do ya'll like Zack Ryder and not Robbie E, and Robbie E has actually done somthing in his short career in TNA unlike Ryder?

I'd guess charisma vs. less charisma.

But I'm not a huge fan of either so...yeah.

[eayragt]

The "draft" is stupid. Anyone realize it's more of a lottery than draft? Someone should tell the WWE the difference.


Nope. It's a draft. Just like conscription, which was known as a draft. There are plenty of types of draft.

Anyway, my views on the draft:

Cena to Smackdown / RAW

I see why they did this - you make the draft the focus of teh show, you need big names moving. Solution? Don't make the show just about the draft. Stupid.

Rey Mysterio to RAW

First thought was it'll be nice to see fresh matchups with Del Rio and Punk :rolleyes:. Seriously, a feud with R-Truth is just about the only match up for him that I could get interested in

Randy Orton to Smackdown

Top move. It's been over 18 months since he's feuded with Cena, but it's the money feud in WWE. Seperating them for a year before they feud inevitably again is good.

Mark Henry to Smackdown

Turns a non-entity into an upper midcarder for a few months. Hopefully no longer, but it's good use of... "talent"

Sin Cara to Smackdown

Happy with that - remember when Smackdown was the "talent" show when the brand split originally happened, and it made for some great matches. There's still decent talent on Smackdown, and decent matchups. Still wish Rey was still on Smackdown...

Big Show to RAW

Is it bad that I actually want to see a proper, decent Big Show / Miz feud? About time he moved, he was running out of opponents on Smackdown.

Del Rio to RAW

WWE put their faith in Del Rio and give him the opportunity to become the next big heel... possibly taking Punk's roll. That's fine.

And then the supplementary draft... seriously? That many? Lets have a quick look:

Daniel Bryan to Smackdown - great
Regal to Smackdown - great - I'm liking this talented Smackdown
Beth Phoenix to RAW - good, need her against Kong
Riley to Smackdown - pity, I think sticking with The Miz for a while would have been better for him
Swagger and Sheamus swapping - probably good moves for the two of them

Everyone else - at least six of these people will be cut before the end of the year. And will Drew will either have a good push, or be jerking the curtain? Time will tell.


Overall... I liked it. I actually like the look of Smackdown... as soon as they remember Henry's not a Main Eventer. And if Punk does sign a new deal then RAW's not looking too bad. They could have done a lot worse. They could have also done a lot better if they hadn't messed around with Cena.

[MichiganHero]

Why do ya'll like Zack Ryder and not Robbie E, and Robbie E has actually done somthing in his short career in TNA unlike Ryder?

I find Zack to be genuinely funny on his YouTube show. Robbie E. stole Zack's gimmick also ¬_¬

[ShaunGBD]

Why do ya'll like Zack Ryder and not Robbie E, and Robbie E has actually done somthing in his short career in TNA unlike Ryder?

Ryder has it. It's not Ryder fault. Robbie E has done something in TNA. It's Vince fault

[Self]

Why do ya'll like Zack Ryder and not Robbie E, and Robbie E has actually done somthing in his short career in TNA unlike Ryder?

I could write an essay on this.

Ultimately, Robbie E feels manufactured to me. He's a blatant ripoff of Jersey Shore, who turned up around the height of that show's popularity. Zack evolved before my eyes. From Major to Edgehead to Woo Woo Woo. Feels more natural and real.

Also, I think I just randomly latch on to wrestlers sometimes and refuse to turn on them throughout their careers. See also Hardy, Matt.

[Purple Cowboy]

But if Del Rio wins both World Titles are on Raw.

And both secondary titles would be on SD. Still a maybe in my mind.

[Mr Rager]

Interested to see what they do with the championships from here. I can't help but think that they might throw together an IC title match for this Sunday with Kofi taking it back to Raw.

[TakerNGN74]

Let me first say that in my opinion doing the draft right before the pay per view was a bad idea and here is why.

With all three guys in the triple threat match being on Raw we know that the WWE title will stay on Smackdown obviously.

Christian almost has to win the World Title now which to me sucks because I love Del Rio. but I think it makes the most sense to have Christian Win and keep the World Title on Smackdown. Otherwise if Del Rio wins they have both champions on one brand which would defeat the purpose of having two belts.

If anyone has heard anything that may clear up the championship situation please let me know because at this point I don't know what to think.

[Wrestling Century]

I find it funny that everybody is freaking out about the Cena double trade when they did the same thing with Triple H in, I think it was 2003 or 2004. I don't remember anybody getting ticked off back then, so why exactly is everybody getting ticked off right now?

[i effin rule]

I find it funny that everybody is freaking out about the Cena double trade when they did the same thing with Triple H in, I think it was 2003 or 2004. I don't remember anybody getting ticked off back then, so why exactly is everybody getting ticked off right now?

They didn't that I recall. He was drafted to Smackdown and then traded back to RAW (For the Dudley's and Big Show maybe?).

[Tha Black Phenom]

Yes, it was different. Trips was traded back a show or two after, and there was actually an exchange for him, whereas this just seemed like a swerve train for the sake of it. Pretty much like a Russorific move as I'd definitely see him pull something of the sort if he was upon the reigns. Like I said, I am sort of happy so that we won't see Orton and Cena duel for the thousandth time but they could've just as well used the picks differently. There's like three or four upper-midcarders who went through the supplemental draft, would've been a decent surprise if Drew, Kofi or Sheamus was announced on TV.

But overall, I am pleased with the draft. Not so pleased that Raw is stacked with up-and-coming heels, one of them is bound to get the cold shoulder, and out of them I dislike Miz and Swagger. But I know Miz is here to stay and Punk is rumored to be bouncing soon so I'm not very optimistic on that point. SD!'s roster is looking sweet though.

[DeadCeleb]

They didn't that I recall. He was drafted to Smackdown and then traded back to RAW (For the Dudley's and Big Show maybe?).

Dudley's and Booker T actually.

[Lo-Drew]

Why do ya'll like Zack Ryder and not Robbie E, and Robbie E has actually done somthing in his short career in TNA unlike Ryder?

Ryder's a better worker plus he's over with the fans unlike Robbie E.

[Jaysin]

Robbie E has some supporters. Personally, I believe he's grown into the role. Cookie hasn't though. She's cringe worthy when she tries to speak. She's pretty attractive when she's not trying to be an oompa loompa though.

[OctoberRaven]

Yeah if I remember, the Dudleys* and Booker were traded by Bischoff right away because he (in storyline) didn't want Triple H off his show that badly.

But the double draft thing is just lazy writing. It's like having a lethal lottery where a main eventer loses in the first round, only to get drawn again later on so he can end up winning the whole thing. It's not a clever 'gotcha', it's a stupid swerve that makes it hard to suspend disbelief.


*= (apostophes are never used for pluralization BTW, and whoever taught you that needs their education credentials revoked)

[djthefunkchris]

Yeah if I remember, the Dudleys* and Booker were traded by Bischoff right away because he (in storyline) didn't want Triple H off his show that badly.

But the double draft thing is just lazy writing. It's like having a lethal lottery where a main eventer loses in the first round, only to get drawn again later on so he can end up winning the whole thing. It's not a clever 'gotcha', it's a stupid swerve that makes it hard to suspend disbelief.


*= (apostophes are never used for pluralization BTW, and whoever taught you that needs their education credentials revoked)

Although usage has changed in recent years, some handbooks call for an apostrophe in the plural forms of numbers, letters, and words used as words:

How many 1's do we have in the line?
We put x's on the incorrect answers.
The no's resounded loudly throughout the chamber.


To avoid confusion, we may occasionally need to use apostrophes to indicate the plural forms of certain letters and expressions that are not commonly found in the plural: •Mind your p's and q's.
•Let's accept the proposal without any if's, and's, or but's.


Use of apostrophes in order to form the plural of certain non-words is quite normal, accepted, and cited in style manuals.

This is a judgment call for the writer, but there are several style manuals available on-line (e.g. the Hunter College manual) that indicate that apostrophes can be used to form plurals in unusual cases where just adding an "s" makes the word unrecognizable: e.g. "mind your p's and q's"

You use too many and's in your writing. (The apostrophe assists the reader in this example.)

There are two consecutive i's in the words skiing and taxiing. (The apostrophe assists the reader in this example.)


Exception:

Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise.





Examples:

Please dot your i's.





You don't mean is.





Ted couldn't distinguish between his 6's and 0's.





You need to use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of zero or it will look like the word Os. To be consistent within a sentence, you would also use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of 6's.

:cool:

[20LEgend]

:cool:

:cool:

[OctoberRaven]

That may be true (but most writing handbooks are self-contradictory rubbish anyway), but "Dudley's" used in the way used in the posts above mine is still absolutely wrong. Like, second grade mistake wrong.

[Hive]

*= (apostophes are never used for pluralization BTW, and whoever taught you that needs their education credentials revoked)

http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/comics/apostrophe/1.png

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/apostrophe

[djthefunkchris]

That may be true (but most writing handbooks are self-contradictory rubbish anyway), but "Dudley's" used in the way used in the posts above mine is still absolutely wrong. Like, second grade mistake wrong.

Dudley's could have meant "Dudley Boys" kind of like That's can mean That is, or it's can mean it is. Depends on how you personally look at it, but I took it as just a little web conjuction junction function, in a way we could understand, although written on a book review meant to be submitted for grading would probably not be a good idea.

Either way, a board where the hot topic of the day ends up being "How to avoid Zombies" is hardly the place to be so critical of grammer. I understand some people have little personal things that they can't (can not) stand, but in a place where LOL and ROFL can be used without any concern, I think we can permit someone to use an apostrophe however they want to.

I am not ranting, just pointing out the obvious.

[eayragt]

Let me first say that in my opinion doing the draft right before the pay per view was a bad idea and here is why.

With all three guys in the triple threat match being on Raw we know that the WWE title will stay on Smackdown obviously.

Christian almost has to win the World Title now which to me sucks because I love Del Rio. but I think it makes the most sense to have Christian Win and keep the World Title on Smackdown. Otherwise if Del Rio wins they have both champions on one brand which would defeat the purpose of having two belts.

If anyone has heard anything that may clear up the championship situation please let me know because at this point I don't know what to think.

Personally I think the other way. Before the trade I saw Christian winnign the title before dropping it Del Rio, now I see Del Rio winning it to swerve us all, then for him to drop it to Orton next PPV.

[crownsy]

Personally I think the other way. Before the trade I saw Christian winnign the title before dropping it Del Rio, now I see Del Rio winning it to swerve us all, then for him to drop it to Orton next PPV.

Are we just assuming that they will ignore the brand split to give orton this shot at a raw champion?

Which of course is more than possable, just wonder if they'd competly invalidate the draft that quick.

Seems more likely they give it to christan and here's why

1. he's a solid worker, not a ME guy at all times but he can do it as a transitional babyface for sure.

2. every edgehead is currently a captain charisma fan due to the way they've played up their friendship in an emotional way. have you heard Christan's pops lately?

For that reason i think they give it to christan for the duel "I did it for my friend!/ it took me x years to do this!" cheap pop for a few months, and let him work with the younger heels on smackdown till he drops it and orton eventually grabs it off said transitional heel (rhodes or shemus?)

[The Shape]

Plus I don't think a short transitional first reign would do anything for Del Rio and his "destiny."

[djthefunkchris]

Would be rather weird to see both World titles on Raw, the US and Inter. on Smackdown... Would be a way to pump up the one's on Smackdown, but it would probably hurt one of the world titles in the long run.

[MrOnu]

Am I the only one who had this weird idea about the draft where you could see the WWE switching the same wrestler every frickin' time a "random" pick is made ? It would have been an hilarious, and Russorific, idea to mess with people. Title pictures looks a bit wacky with both world belts possibly on RAW and both midcard belts on SD. It opens up a lot of storyline possibilities though, so I am curious to see what they will do about it.

My interest in Dolph Ziggler has unfortunately dropped a lot. Could he look even more generic than monday night ? Way to kill his different look !

[Teh_Showtime]

On the subject of new looks, let's talk about Orton's beard.

He looks like a skinny Mason Ryan now. No longer clean cut but it's different than Morrison somehow.

[GatorBait19]

http://www.sescoops.com/wrestling-news/wwe/cm-punk-leaving-wwe/

So if CM is mad because he's not getting a push is it really WWE's fault? He got hurt and came back instantly in the Cena vs Nexus feud and then went into Orton vs CM Punk feud. Those are Raw's top two babyfaces and you are facing them. You aren't going to be given a title shot because Miz is a heel as well. Plus the WWE doesn't like to push wrestlers whose contract is running out and you aren't resigning.

CM is money to WWE and Vince and company see that. Again though, you should be upset for not getting a push when you can't win the title with Miz holding it and you are in a feud or were with a top baby face.

[The Shape]

That's not entirely the point though...he can't win the title, yes, but I'd say what's happened when he has won it is as much of an issue. Compare Miz's reign to any of his own, and the way in which with both SES and new Nexus he's been in prime position to be pushed as the number one heel in the company, which has never happened. That feud with Cena, compared to what Punk/Cena could and should be, was nothing, and he's been beaten convincingly by Orton and could well be again on Sunday. Plus I think there's a broader frustration there in terms of the direction of the company etc etc, but that's another matter.

[GatorBait19]

That's not entirely the point though...he can't win the title, yes, but I'd say what's happened when he has won it is as much of an issue. Compare Miz's reign to any of his own, and the way in which with both SES and new Nexus he's been in prime position to be pushed as the number one heel in the company, which has never happened. That feud with Cena, compared to what Punk/Cena could and should be, was nothing, and he's been beaten convincingly by Orton and could well be again on Sunday. Plus I think there's a broader frustration there in terms of the direction of the company etc etc, but that's another matter.

Makes sense

[LoNdOn]

So I suppose this means that Layla is going to lose and head to RAW???

[Fantabulous]

So I suppose this means that Layla is going to lose and head to RAW???
No, apparently McCool is the one losing and actually leaving the company entirely, hence the very obvious edit when she delivers the challenge for the match.

[LoNdOn]

No, apparently McCool is the one losing and actually leaving the company entirely, hence the very obvious edit when she delivers the challenge for the match.

Yeah I thought that was a bit strange. There was also heavy editing during Alberto Del Rio's entrance as well. Why is Michelle leaving the company out of interest?

[Fantabulous]

Yeah I thought that was a bit strange. There was also heavy editing during Alberto Del Rio's entrance as well. Why is Michelle leaving the company out of interest?

If I had to guess, I would say she and Undertaker are going to start trying for a baby and it'll be easier for her to get pregnant off the road and not having to do what it takes to stay in 'diva' shape.

[LoNdOn]

If I had to guess, I would say she and Undertaker are going to start trying for a baby and it'll be easier for her to get pregnant off the road and not having to do what it takes to stay in 'diva' shape.

Makes sense. I'm pleased Layla will be getting the rub as I have a real soft spot for her, and a hard spot..........................:p;)

[Teh_Showtime]

She became amazing second she straightened her hair.

[20LEgend]

The editing on Michelle McCool, Loser Leaves WWE was amazing.

[LoNdOn]

The editing on Michelle McCool, Loser Leaves WWE was amazingly bad.

Fixed for you.:p

[Teh_Showtime]

Why the Eff was the lights still in entrance mode forr the Swagger/Cara match?

Felt kinda surreal

[20LEgend]

Why the Eff was the lights still in entrance mode forr the Swagger/Cara match?

Felt kinda surreal

I thought that was weird as well. Felt like a TNA Xplosion match

[Teh_Showtime]

And aboout the McCool bit. That was just terrible. WCWesque in terms of seemingly lazy production

[TakerNGN74]

Why the Eff was the lights still in entrance mode forr the Swagger/Cara match?

Felt kinda surreal

I thought the same thing, I really hope it was a mistake and that they aren't going to do it for all of Sin Cara's matches because to tell you the truth it made watching the match harder because you couldn't see as much and it takes away from his matches in my opinion.

[milamber]

Smackdown:

They should put Drew McIntyre on the mic more often. Good to see Sheamus kicking ass again. They need a new rule: no more than 2 RKOs per show.

Swagger v Sin Cara was a good match. And I like how they use different lighting for a different atmosphere.

Show/Kane v Corre - Good tag match. Now all they need are some legitimate teams so they can rebuild the tag division into something I can care about.

I enjoyed seeing Henry smack Rey around more than I thought I would.

Could be a decent Extreme Rules Match between LayCool, especially if Kharma rushes in post-match and knocks them both out.

Entertaining main event tag match.

[jhd1]

And aboout the McCool bit. That was just terrible. WCWesque in terms of seemingly lazy production

Haha, it really was awful! Surely in her time in the WWE she must have said it ONCE in front of a live audience - they could have just cut that and stuck it on the end! :D

Presumably they have sent Sin Cara onto Smackdown so we don't see him snap in half jumping over the top rope on live TV. Not a bad idea, especially if you include his worryingly dangerous finisher. Still, he nearly cleared the ring entirely this week so he's been practising. Will be interesting to see how well he gets pushed on Smackdown.

[sebsy]

I was just under the impression that the lighting messed up in someway during the Swagger - Sin Cara match. It's happened a few times and I'm sure the opening match of one of the PPV's during the last 12-18 months was contested mostly in the dark due to failed lighting.

[20LEgend]

As said further up the page, so many RKOs just annnoys me and Randy Orton's seizure-esque wiggle thing after just looks stupid to me.

[djthefunkchris]

Finally seen some of RAW to see what all the fuss was about (here). I don't know... To me the crowd reaction was ecstatic that Cena went back to Raw. IF(?) the crowd represents the majority of fans, then I have to say it did what it was supposed to do... possibly escalating the feud between him and The Miz.

[TakerNGN74]

The draft really put a sour taste in my mouth, I liked it but now we know who is going to win the match between Del Rio and Christian.

Plus if the rumor I heard is true Kofi Kingston will defeat Sheamus for the US title and take it to Raw.

[Russo]

As said further up the page, so many RKOs just annnoys me and Randy Orton's seizure-esque wiggle thing after just looks stupid to me.

I love all the RKO's it reminds me of the drive by Kanyon Cutters in WCW :D

[Mr Rager]

Is it just me or is Regal easily the best commentator in WWE?

[sebsy]

The draft really put a sour taste in my mouth, I liked it but now we know who is going to win the match between Del Rio and Christian.

Plus if the rumor I heard is true Kofi Kingston will defeat Sheamus for the US title and take it to Raw.

Sorry, how exactly do we 'know' who is winning the Christian vs Del Rio match? You're just assuming Christian has to win it so that Smackdown have the title by the end of the night. There are so many things they could do by having Del Rio win it.

[20LEgend]

I hope there isn't a US Title match between Kofi and Sheamus as then that would give away the result to the main event, because while there is a chance of both big titles on Raw, if, for example, Kofi win the US Title it gives away the ladder match result, as I really can not see a 3-1 split of the make singles belt.

[20LEgend]

I love all the RKO's it reminds me of the drive by Kanyon Cutters in WCW :D

That why I don't like it, it reminds me of other stuff.

[LoNdOn]

Is it just me or is Regal easily the best commentator in WWE?

For me, he is easily the worst and that includes Michael Cole!

[sebsy]

I hope there isn't a US Title match between Kofi and Sheamus as then that would give away the result to the main event, because while there is a chance of both big titles on Raw, if, for example, Kofi win the US Title it gives away the ladder match result, as I really can not see a 3-1 split of the make singles belt.

Again, maybe I'm just being naive but I don't see how anything is as clear cut as some people are making out.

The titles could be switched around at any point in the futrure in a variety of ways, just because one match goes one way tonight doesn't mean another one has to go a certain way.

[crownsy]

Again, maybe I'm just being naive but I don't see how anything is as clear cut as some people are making out.

The titles could be switched around at any point in the futrure in a variety of ways, just because one match goes one way tonight doesn't mean another one has to go a certain way.

Thats actually my fear though, that the WWE doesn't pull the trigger on christan because it's "predictable"

not everything has to be a swerve. They just added a ton of new UMC heels to Smackdown, and Christan is a great consistent worker that always gets good matches out of his opponent and makes them look good.

he also has every Edge fan in his hand right now due to the emotional storyline, and a great promo friday.

Meanwhile, a loss doesn't hurt Del Rio. He's way over heat wise, and going to the main show because of it. He should drop this match, the WWE should have Miz retain, and have Del Rio go after Cena on raw when Cena inevitably, somehow, gets yet another shot at the #1 contender slot.

If there smart they'll give the title to Christan tonight and use him as a transitional face to get rhodes, shameus, barret, jackson heck even henry a good rub before they drop it to one of them (my picks rhodes in a few months) and then you run the randy vs. the Champ storyline

[20LEgend]

I'd like to see Christian win it, and I think he will do the spear from one ladder to another in the match, and then Wade Barrett as next champ, to g and feud with Randy Orton.

[eayragt]

As there are people saying that the World Heavyweight Title is a done deal, I'll stick my neck out and disagree, to be mocked tomorrow:

Triple Threat Cage Match for the WWE Title
John Cena vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz

Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio

Last Man Standing Match
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes

No DQ, No Count-out, Loser Leaves WWE Match
Layla vs. Michelle McCool

Country Whipping Match
Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole & Jack Swagger

The crossbrand matches add some intrigue, as it would be easy for a new feud to start by someone costing Orton or Mysterio the match. Could easily see Punk winning if he's not as near leaving as rumoured if Henry / Clay / A.N.Other Smackdown heel interferes. If Orton does lose then my Mysterio / Rhodes pick swaps around... but I can only do one prediction, so that's it.

If any of the other titles ends up being defended I'll go for it being retained.

[20LEgend]

Triple Threat Cage Match for the WWE Title
John Cena vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz

Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio

Last Man Standing Match
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes

No DQ, No Count-out, Loser Leaves WWE Match
Layla vs. Michelle McCool

Country Whipping Match
Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole & Jack Swagger
Swagger face turn?!??!!?!? Doubt it

Bold = Who I think will win, Underline = Who should win

[joehelmer]

Triple Threat Cage Match for the WWE Title
John Cena vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz

Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio

Last Man Standing Match
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes

No DQ, No Count-out, Loser Leaves WWE Match
Layla vs. Michelle McCool

Country Whipping Match
Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole & Jack Swagger

[Mr Rager]

For me, he is easily the worst and that includes Michael Cole!

:D

I've only watched NXT twice since he's been on it, but both times I've thought he did a good job as colour commentator. Booker T just doesn't sound right on commentary to me, he gets way too excited at times and his words just become jumbles of sounds.

Triple Threat Cage Match for the WWE Title
John Cena vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz
I've enjoyed Miz's reign as champ and would like to see it continue, but I wouldn't be surprised if Cena won tonight. Now that The Rock is only going to be making occasional appearance, and looking at the number of top heels Raw has, I just have a feeling that they'll have Cena win the strap again tonight.

Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio
I don't anticipate things being complicated just for the sake of a swerve, I think Christian will win and keep the title on Smackdown.

Last Man Standing Match
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
If CM Punk is on the verge of leaving I don't see any chance of him winning here.

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
Not sure who will win this one, so I've gone for who I hope wins it.

No DQ, No Count-out, Loser Leaves WWE Match
Layla vs. Michelle McCool

Country Whipping Match
Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole & Jack Swagger
I see something similar to WrestleMania happening; Lawler and JR getting all of the revenge that they want, Cole getting the crap beat out of him, but then something happening - potentially involving the GM once again - so that Cole can keep bragging like a moron afterwards.

I'm also half expecting a midcard title match to be thrown in somewhere so that Raw has either the US or IC title; after what happened on Smackdown I'd say there's a decent chance of it being Kofi/Sheamus. I think it needs to happen either tonight or on Smackdown next week, it's the only reason I can see for that segment on Friday.

[LoNdOn]

My predictions for tonight.

Miz to retain his title.
Christian to win the World Heavyweight title
Punk to beat Orton
Mysterio to beat Rhodes
Layla to beat Michelle
JR and King to win what is sure to be a dreadful sight for the eyes.

[Russo]

Triple Threat Cage Match for the WWE Title
John Cena vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz
He needs the belt back Miz is getting stale already

Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio
SWERVE!

Last Man Standing Match
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes

No DQ, No Count-out, Loser Leaves WWE Match
Layla vs. Michelle McCool

Country Whipping Match
Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole & Jack Swagger

[Teh_Showtime]

Triple Threat Cage Match for the WWE Title
John Cena vs. John Morrison vs. The Miz
-Truth causes Morrison to not win just before Miz falls from the cage just before Cena walks out

Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio
-Going on last for the storybook ending.

Last Man Standing Match
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
- Flash RKO again. Fuel for CM Punk to leave WWE if he loses, which I think he will.

Falls Count Anywhere Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
-Rey has been Cody's play toy for the past 2 weeks, Rey wins and feuds with Miz for the title.

No DQ, No Count-out, Loser Leaves WWE Match
Layla vs. Michelle McCool
-McCool is out so I guess Layla is in.

Country Whipping Match
Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole & Jack Swagger
- This needs to end tonight.

Edit: This seems way face heavy, Punk has a 46% chance to win in my book after help from Mason just to claim he did it on his own tomorrow.

[Russo]

They sure do make announce tables stronger these days. I guess WWE can afford the high price strong tables :p

Edit: LOL at the ref telling Randy to get up.

[Teh_Showtime]

Michael Cole is annoying

[sabataged]

Punk/Orton was about on par with their other matches. I would say a little better then their WM match.

Kofi winning was a nice surprise over Sheamus.

The Cole crap needs to end. I find him entertaining as a heel but keep him out of the ring.

Currently the Rhodes/Mysterio match is going on. Its been really different. They have spilled into the audience and now up to the concession area.

[Teh_Showtime]

the greatest chant in history is/was back

[Mr Rager]

Good event so far. I've really enjoyed every match bar the tag match, which - just like every match that Michael Cole has been involved in - was a joke, and hard to watch.

[Teh_Showtime]

Sick match and nice finish for Cody/Rey. Unique since we have not seen mist since the great Tajiri left WWE.

[Mr Rager]

Kong actually scares me a little bit.

[sabataged]

Kong actually scares me a little bit.


Ya she actually makes me interested in WWE Diva matches/storylines for once

[crownsy]

Kong actually scares me a little bit.

Good card so far, i'm with rager all i didn't like was the tag carwreck

the Diva's match was even above average, and good debut for Kong, mctaker sold absolute shock and fear pretty well.

My thoughts when they showed the diva's watching backstage

Divas: oh snap!

Gail Kim: oh jesus, not again...

[Teh_Showtime]

no happy sendoff for christian since the WWE title match has yet to come on. Maybe he still has a chance though

[crownsy]

Great match with the right guy going over

Marking out for my boy captain charisma :D

This has been a really good card, i think it might be my favroite for the last couple months. hasen't really been a bad match on it aside from the predictable car wreck cole match

like that all the matches are getting some time too

[Mr Rager]

That's the most epic failing of a stream that I've ever experienced first hand. :(

Delighted for Christian nevertheless. Even if this is nothing more than a transitional reign, as I suspect it will be, he really deserves that.

[crownsy]

That's the most epic failing of a stream that I've ever experienced first hand. :(

Delighted for Christian nevertheless. Even if this is nothing more than a transitional reign, as I suspect it will be, he really deserves that.

I think he has a chance to hold it for a bit even as a transitional guy just because Smackdown has a ton of heels they need to get over, and Christan is a steady hand who you know can make them all look good.

At the end of the day, he's not going to be a multiple time holder, but he might get to hang onto it just so that they can toss UMC heels at him and know he;ll make them look good even if they keep the belt on him, then take it off when they feel one of the heels really nails it.

We'll see Friday....hope they don't do a "randy vs christan mutual respect" storyline, use randy against someone else till christan drops it to the heel he will fued with...mabey toss rhodes at orton?

[Mr Rager]

WWE just seem to get their kicks from putting together promising stables and then tearing them apart before they have any real impact, huh?

[crownsy]

WWE just seem to get their kicks from putting together promising stables and then tearing them apart before they have any real impact, huh?

Im just so done with the corre, its all WWE's fault, nbut i just can't make myself care feels like two FCW guys (slater and gabriel) holding back 2 UMC guys.

just put a bullet in it already.

[Teh_Showtime]

Annnnd bring on the de-push. Del Rio will take away the #1 Hell spot on Raw while Miz is left with nothing to do.

[crownsy]

I'm always confused by this logic.

Under it, if your not the world champ or #1 contender, your being buried. Does this mean only 4 guys or so at a time are getting a push while the rest of the roster is being buried due to poor storyline writing? should we always have 5 or 6 way title matches to make sure guys are being "pushed"?

Miz just had a half year title reign and is insanely over as a heel, i'm sure they'll find him something to do that entertains the crowd. They know he's money.

plus he has a rematch clause....they can drag that out for months.

[Russo]

Annnnd bring on the de-push. Del Rio will take away the #1 Hell spot on Raw while Miz is left with nothing to do.

I feel Miz has gotten Stale quick he needs some kind of change.

[MrOnu]

Miz could also vent his frustration on Mysterio all summer long after he fails to win his rematch. That would be good enough for me.

[sabataged]

Miz could also vent his frustration on Mysterio all summer long after he fails to win his rematch. That would be good enough for me.

This would be fine for me but I still see Triple H coming back and putting over Miz.

[The Shape]

Exactly. So what if Miz isn't the top heel for a while? Cena as champ brings Del Rio, Punk and maybe even Swagger into the mix when with Miz as champ the only real challenger was Cena. Plus Cena as champ in the Rock's appearance tonight just makes a lot of sense.

[Teh_Showtime]

Miz will take a backseat for at least the Summer and hopefully rebuild his character since he no longer has the title. He could go over Rey, but I would have liked it better to go over Rey for his first clean title defense.

[Tha Black Phenom]

Christiaaaaaan~! Christiaaaan! At last! You're on top of the food chain!

[juggaloninjalee]

Christiaaaaaan~! Christiaaaan! At last! You're on top of the food chain!

I really thought I would never see him with the strap in the WWE as of 6 months ago. This news makes me so happy though. I hope he becomes a credible champion and holds the belt for awhile.

[milamber]

Extreme Rules:

Orton v Punk - Good opening match. Loved the kendo sticks and Jumping RKO finish. Thought a win would have benefitted Punk more than Orton, though.

Kofi v Sheamus - Decent match. I'm a Sheamus fan so I hope he either gets the title back or a big push.

King/JR v Swagger/Cole - Fun cool-down match.

Mysterio v Rhodes - Perfect end to the feud. Don't mind Rey winning because Rhodes is proving he has the ability and star power to be huge. And Booker mentioned The Great Muta!

Layla v McCool - Better than most diva matches and the crowd actually responded for a change. Kharma!!!

Christian v Del Rio - Two of my favourite wrestlers in the Match of the PPV. I almost screamed like a little girl when Christian unhooked the belt!

Show/Kane v Corre - Decent tag match. Zeke looked good.

Morrison v Cena v Miz - Good, fast-paced match to cap off a fine PPV. Great double-man suplex on Miz early on and an awesome top rope AA from Cena at the end. But I really didn't see the Miz losing this one. Cena v Del Rio & Christian v Orton in the near future?

[TakerNGN74]

@milamber not sure if you know this but Punk is rumored to be leaving WWE so if that is true that's most likely why Punk lost.

[Teh_Showtime]

He has an offer for a new, lucrative contract but he is angry at the direction of his characterr. I can't blame him though, it would seem like feuding with Cena and Orton would do him good (it should) but Cena utterly buried Nexus at the Rumble and Orton has buried Punk for almost 3 months.

Edit: Just read that Punk has not won a PPV match since last year's Extreme Rules PPV and before that it was September 2009 at Breaking Point when they did the Montreal finish with Punk/Taker.

[Mr Rager]

Whatever is the reason for Punk's unhappiness, I'll be bitterly disappointed if he chooses to depart. Easily my favourite wrestler currently working for WWE.

[Tha Black Phenom]

I can't blame him, stuck in a rut as he is when I'm sure he thought he would go places after his first two slightly uneventful World title reigns. Instead he sees the young guys crop up and run past him one after the other, with the tiring schedule something must be getting to him. Same as you Rager, if he left there's not much that would keep me watching.

Continuing on the topic of Christian, another cool thing is he's become the newest Grand Slam champion.

[Zeel1]

Luke is starting to look more and more like an arrogant douche. I don't know if he was like that to begin with or if being the golden boy for the first few weeks got to his head, but he's getting irritating.

[ShaunGBD]

This would be fine for me but I still see Triple H coming back and putting over Miz.

LOL, Miz will job to him. I love Miz but he will, sorry

[critical-23]

I liked the R-Truth promo from the PPV.

"Conspiracy! C-O-N...spiracy!!" It made him look like a stereotype but it was still funny to me.

[ShaunGBD]

What was the backstage promo between R-Truth and J-Mo and the women match?

Thanks

[angeldelayette]

Kharma reminds me of when Vader debuted in WCW. Absolute and total destruction.

[critical-23]

Kharma reminds me of when Vader debuted in WCW. Absolute and total destruction.

Minus the awesome mask that shot out smoke though lol.

[ShaunGBD]

Quiet board tonight huh

[Rone Rivendale]

Hated that The Rock took up the whole first 30 minutes of the show for his b-day bs. I thought it was bad when Karen Angle took up 15 on last week's iMPACT but this was twice as long.

Good match from Cena/Miz and a nice run in from Kharma.

Still got 30 minutes left, but overall this Raw has been lacking. And its all The Rock's fault. Get his stupid ass off my tv until at least the Rumble. He is a self promoting d-bag. He isn't giving back anything to the business he claims to love. He is just taking up time that could be given to young talent.

Speaking of young talent, I just saw Drew McIntrye straddling Jack Swagger in their ring entrance. That is just... eww. lol

[Russo]

Hated that The Rock took up the whole first 30 minutes of the show for his b-day bs. I thought it was bad when Karen Angle took up 15 on last week's iMPACT but this was twice as long.

Good match from Cena/Miz and a nice run in from Kharma.

Still got 30 minutes left, but overall this Raw has been lacking. And its all The Rock's fault. Get his stupid ass off my tv until at least the Rumble. He is a self promoting d-bag. He isn't giving back anything to the business he claims to love. He is just taking up time that could be given to young talent.

Speaking of young talent, I just saw Drew McIntrye straddling Jack Swagger in their ring entrance. That is just... eww. lol

The Rock is the best thing thats been on Raw the last 7 years

[Teh_Showtime]

underwheling show but it was expected although way too much Rock party and celebirty jazz.

Felt good to hear Vince's music again too.

[Tha Black Phenom]

Christiaaaaaan~! Christiaaaan! At last! You're on top of the food chain!

Hated that The Rock took up the whole first 30 minutes of the show for his b-day bs. I thought it was bad when Karen Angle took up 15 on last week's iMPACT but this was twice as long.

Good match from Cena/Miz and a nice run in from Kharma.

Still got 30 minutes left, but overall this Raw has been lacking. And its all The Rock's fault. Get his stupid ass off my tv until at least the Rumble. He is a self promoting d-bag. He isn't giving back anything to the business he claims to love. He is just taking up time that could be given to young talent.

Speaking of young talent, I just saw Drew McIntrye straddling Jack Swagger in their ring entrance. That is just... eww. lol

Yeah.. nothing except a dream match of a lifetime. A jackload of PR for the WWE, joining them for donations to charities.. :p

Still doesn't change the fact I was underwhelmed by the ending though.

[milamber]

Raw:

Miz v Cena was good. Fast and furious. I was rooting for Miz and I was 100% certain Cena would retain but I love the way they ended it.

I like Swagger/McIntyre as a tag team. Mason Ryan looked impressive.

Nice moment between Vince and Rocky.

[critical-23]

Raw:

Miz v Cena was good. Fast and furious. I was rooting for Miz and I was 100% certain Cena would retain but I love the way they ended it.

I like Swagger/McIntyre as a tag team. Mason Ryan looked impressive.

Nice moment between Vince and Rocky.

I agree with you here. Although it was short, Mason/Kane told a good--although sloppy on Kane's part just slightly and Mason could use a little more selling (just a little)--story that shows off Mason biggest upside: his strength.

[crownsy]

Glad I read the smackdown spoilers, now I know to skip it. What a joke WWE

[OctoberRaven]

Glad I read the smackdown spoilers, now I know to skip it. What a joke WWE

Oh please, the only surprise is that it didn't happen on Raw.

[Ajstylesfan1978]

The only top guys in the WWE in Vinces eyes are John Cena and Randy Orton.

[OctoberRaven]

You're all seriouslly overreacting. This was obviously going to happen from the start. Ray Charles saw it coming.

No use throwing a hissy fit over WWE Creative being WWE Creative.

[Astil]

You're all seriouslly overreacting. This was obviously going to happen from the start. Ray Charles saw it coming.

No use throwing a hissy fit over WWE Creative being WWE Creative.

Look.

It's rather simple.

You create a very emotional moment. That you created. You.

Then, while the emotion is still fresh you take it away.

What reaction is to be expected?

It's complete bull on so many levels. So many.

I am a big WWE fan. I am not really a Christian fan.

It just all reeks of bad, bad, bad storytelling. Like someone didn't understand human psyche 101.

[Hashasheen]

You're all seriouslly overreacting. This was obviously going to happen from the start. Ray Charles saw it coming.

No use throwing a hissy fit over WWE Creative being WWE Creative.

It's not about Orton getting another title run. It's about completely raping a beautiful moment in a man's career and for his fans. I wasn't even a Christian fan until I spent time in the last few months looking at old WWF and TNA stuff.

[OctoberRaven]

Oh give me a break.

Since you already broke the news, I'm going to talk freely about it now.

Christian was NEVER supposed to have the belt in the first place. And he would have NEVER been a successful long term champion for WWE. RoH, yes. TNA, maybe. Not WWE.

He is a great worker, yes, I'm not denying that. But he's not a guy you can make WWE-level bank with. Plain and simple.

He got an Iron Sheik run which is still more than guys like Roddy Piper and Jake Roberts ever got. Countless talented workers never even get to be in a major promotion like WWE.

You can't be happy that he got this recognition even if it was only for a week?

[Astil]

Oh give me a break.

Here there be spoilers

You're taking this like I'm a Christian fan.

I'm not.

[ShaunGBD]

Oh give me a break.

Since you already broke the news, I'm going to talk freely about it now.

Christian was NEVER supposed to have the belt in the first place. And he would have NEVER been a successful long term champion for WWE. RoH, yes. TNA, maybe. Not WWE.

He is a great worker, yes, I'm not denying that. But he's not a guy you can make WWE-level bank with. Plain and simple.


Here the thing. Try it out. Give him a shot. Maybe it works maybe it doesn't. But you can at least try it. O well it's WWE

[OctoberRaven]

So you're surprised about who won?

...Come on. THAT was obvious as soon as the Draft ended.

[Hashasheen]

Oh give me a break.

Since you already broke the news, I'm going to talk freely about it now.

Christian was NEVER supposed to have the belt in the first place. And he would have NEVER been a successful long term champion for WWE. RoH, yes. TNA, maybe. Not WWE.

He is a great worker, yes, I'm not denying that. But he's not a guy you can make WWE-level bank with. Plain and simple.

He got an Iron Sheik run which is still more than guys like Roddy Piper and Jake Roberts ever got. Countless talented workers never even get to be in a major promotion like WWE.

You can't be happy that he got this recognition even if it was only for a week?
... What Shaun said.

[The Final Countdown]

Guess there's not much point in me avoiding talking about the spoiler, since the cat is already out of the bag...
Oh give me a break.

Since you already broke the news, I'm going to talk freely about it now.

Christian was NEVER supposed to have the belt in the first place. And he would have NEVER been a successful long term champion for WWE. RoH, yes. TNA, maybe. Not WWE.

He is a great worker, yes, I'm not denying that. But he's not a guy you can make WWE-level bank with. Plain and simple.

He got an Iron Sheik run which is still more than guys like Roddy Piper and Jake Roberts ever got. Countless talented workers never even get to be in a major promotion like WWE.

You can't be happy that he got this recognition even if it was only for a week?
I expected this to be a short, transitional reign (though not THIS short.) But do you really think Christian having the belt for a month or two would have led to an appreciable decline in WWE's bottom line? This post makes it sound like you do, and personally, I don't buy it at all. People weren't going to tune out in droves, or refuse to buy tickets, because Christian was the World champion. It's all about the strength of the WWE brand these days.

[Mr Rager]

Wow. I shouldn't be shocked given that this is WWE, but I am.

Isn't Over The Limit in like, three weeks? I don't understand why this had to happen so soon.

[Astil]

So you're surprised about who won?

...Come on. THAT was obvious as soon as the Draft ended.

No. I'm upset that the writers wouldn't know how to write if you handed them a six year education at Harvard in Creative Writing and let them pick the brains of Twain, Shakespeare and Homer whenever they got a writer's slump.

Creative Writing 101. Natural progression. Ebb and flow. Rising action, climax falling action. You don't climax in the falling action. It ****s with the reader's (or viewer's) emotions, taking what was a great positive moment into what is a negative moment.

Which admittedly can be fantastic storytelling ... if there is a heel involved at all. Now you have this negative emotion. This feeling of robbery and unfairness (check out the Long promo prior to set that mood). You set the emotion of a guy who finally made it, only to turn that around.

But there is no heel to take the heat.

[OctoberRaven]

Now THAT makes sense, I can agree with that. Problem is WWE marks will cheer Orton even if he kicks their puppy so Creative just won't turn him heel even though well... his character IS a heel.

But really, Orton was going to hold the belt, so it would have made a lot more sense if ADR won at Extreme Rules and not Christian. Not to mention that ADR's momentum is completely shot to hell and he's back to square one.

[Astil]

Now THAT makes sense, I can agree with that. Problem is WWE marks will cheer Orton even if he kicks their puppy so Creative just won't turn him heel even though well... his character IS a heel.


Oh it's true, it's true... :(:(:(

[OctoberRaven]

Well, at least there's always CHIKARA, where the puppy kicking heels are heels.

[The Final Countdown]

But really, Orton was going to hold the belt, so it would have made a lot more sense if ADR won at Extreme Rules and not Christian. Not to mention that ADR's momentum is completely shot to hell and he's back to square one.
I completely agree with this. I thought it was a mistake not to have ADR beat Edge at Mania (and I'm not just saying that in hindsight after Edge's retirement; I felt that way when it happened.)

[OctoberRaven]

I completely agree with this. I thought it was a mistake not to have ADR beat Edge at Mania (and I'm not just saying that in hindsight after Edge's retirement; I felt that way when it happened.)

Oh, definitely.

In fact, best case scenario IMO would be ADR winning, cheating Christian at ER, then Orton winning when Edge and Christian help by taking out ADR's interfering cronies.

Come to think of it, Edge was kind of a puppy-kicking babyface too.

[ampulator]

You know, if ADR had done this, few, if anyone, would have complained. Why? Because it's smart booking.

But let's face it: despite whatever "Devil's Advocates" say that the WWE may know how to book/write/match-make than we do (and they no longer are, for a long time), WWE thinks in the short-term these days, not the long-term. Any "plans" they have are too inflexible, while their actually "planning" skills are horrible in the first place-unprepared for changes, unable to capitalize on a worker's momentum, unable to significantly attempt to new things in a bold, yet prepared way. If they do it, they do it timidly, recklessly, or sometimes, even both.

I like Randy Orton. I like his gimmick. But I think this WWE's looking Orton's $$$ and his popularity, but not at the long-term booking of the situation. They should eased Orton in-which isn't hard. I bet many of us would not be too shocked if Orton won at the next PPV. But Christian losing so fast? Really?

Let's face it-WWE has no idea what it needs to do, and if it does, is unwilling to do the necessary sacrifices to do such changes. Every time they take a risk, it was too little, too late, too badly executed, too poorly written, too poorly booked, and often too poorly match-maked.

[Save_Us.Necro]

It's simple business.

Orton is the number 2 or 3 guy in the WWE right now.

Chrisstian, while being a net darling, is nowhere near the level of a top star/gets the reaction or sells merch a top star does. Him winning the belt confused me because it looks simply like he got the kind of rub Mysterio got when Eddie died.

If this does lead to Christian turning heel (which I hope it does, bringing back the douchey "All about the Peeps" Christian that was over huge before he bailed to TNA), I think its a very good move for the WWE and SD as a whole.

[ampulator]

It's simple business.

Orton is the number 2 or 3 guy in the WWE right now.

Chrisstian, while being a net darling, is nowhere near the level of a top star/gets the reaction or sells merch a top star does. Him winning the belt confused me because it looks simply like he got the kind of rub Mysterio got when Eddie died.

If this does lead to Christian turning heel (which I hope it does, bringing back the douchey "All about the Peeps" Christian that was over huge before he bailed to TNA), I think its a very good move for the WWE and SD as a whole.
That wouldn't be a bad move, but it isn't the best move, either. But their best move has already... passed them, so, if this is where they are going, fine. If it's Orton that turns heel... well, that's just tired booking.

[Save_Us.Necro]

I doubt Orton turns heel. Christian on the other hand hasn't worked heel since returning.

Personally I would have just kept ADR on SD and gave him a long title run but it looks as though the rumors of him/Cena at SummerSlam for the title could be somewhat legit.

[Candyman]

Pretty much what OctoberRaven is saying, word for word.

Is it the most logical decision they've ever made? No. But there's not much logic in questioning decisions as they're playing out, either. Go back and criticize stuff they did 3 years ago all you want, if it didn't work.

But I've accepted the fact that some people simply refuse to acknowledge that the WWE is capable of doing anything that's not completely wrong, so I won't go any further.

Thanks for the spoilers, though. Finally brings an end to my streak of about 2 years worth of Smackdown's that I didn't know what was going to happen before I watched.

[ShaunGBD]

Thanks for the spoilers, though. Finally brings an end to my streak of about 2 years worth of Smackdown's that I didn't know what was going to happen before I watched.

Kidding or serious?

[lazorbeak]

Seriously guys, thanks for the entertainingly ridiculous histrionics.

F*** you WWE. I'm done with wrestling.

I just read the spoilers. **** you WWE. :mad:

It's not about Orton getting another title run. It's about completely raping a beautiful moment in a man's career and for his fans. I wasn't even a Christian fan until I spent time in the last few months looking at old WWF and TNA stuff.

Never mind that you haven't actually seen this stuff happen or that the fans chose the match they wanted to see, does someone losing the belt really "rape" the moment of winning the belt? The Eddie/Rey parallels are spot-on, and the only even somewhat surprising thing is that it happened as quickly as it did.

Seriously, just breathe in and out slowly until your sanity comes back.

[Russo]

Well I didn't know I would come in here and find damn spoilers, thinks alot this is stuff that should have been in white not everyone reads spoilers :mad:

[Hashasheen]

Never mind that you haven't actually seen this stuff happen or that the fans chose the match they wanted to see, does someone losing the belt really "rape" the moment of winning the belt? Losing it at all? No. But losing it so quickly, for no obvious purpose or heat? Yes. It does. Consider Sting versus Hogan at Starrcade. Built up for months, it had Sting win the gold from the nWo in a somewhat cheap manner, but the fans were still pleased. Look at the moment three months later, when Hogan was still in the main-event, holding the gold once again... That moment got raped.

The Eddie/Rey parallels are spot-on, and the only even somewhat surprising thing is that it happened as quickly as it did. Even Rey got a decent run. I'm not saying Christian should have had a Hogan-esque run, but seriously, give the guy at least a month until the feel-good factor ebbs out before giving it to Orton.

[Self]

Part of the reason I don't watch WWE any more. They do things that make "business sense" but more often than not that involves pushing people I don't like over people I do. Randy Orton and John Cena are the Champions. Again. I don't care how much merchandise they pull in. I don't want to watch that, so I will continue not to. Plenty more wrestling in the sea.

[Charasmatic Enigma]

So... after seeing Christian win the belt at Extreme Rules, I decide that I'll give watching Smackdown a go until he inevitably drops the belt in a month or two... because Christian vs some of the up and coming Heels that were just drafted to Smackdown last week will be much better TV than super Cena being champ on RAW... *reads thread* oh, well my streak of not watching Smackdown for over 4 years looks like its going to continue :/

[20LEgend]

Booooooooooooo

[GruntMark]

Orton's still terrible.

That might be the worst of it all.

[Lexa90]

The thing is that Christian was MAD over at Extreme Rules... Even more than Orton.

I am a huge Christian mark. I have been since his awesome heel run in 2004-2005.

The problem I have with WWE at the moment is that we have Cena champ on RAW and Orton on Smackdown... YAWN!

Christian could have atleast kept the title for a couple of months... Maybe lose the title to Orton at Summerslam. Atleast Christian could have dragged Mark Henry to a watchable title match... Which Orton probably can't.

Well what do we get now at the Smackdown title picture? Orton vs Henry, GOD!
Orton vs Barrett again? yawn. Orton vs Big useless Zeke? ... get the drift?

[Adam Ryland]

A couple of official warnings have been handed out. I'm not sure how many times I have to say this, but cut out the swearing. Not referring to minor events as "rape" probably wouldn't go amiss, either. :rolleyes:

[eayragt]

Putting the title on Orton makes business sense - Orton sells, PPVs, Christian doesn't.

But...

JOHN CENA IS CHAMPION ON RAW!!!

They don't need Christian selling PPVs, because Cena will be doing that fine on his own!

The Miz and Christian being title holders at the same time wouldn't make business sense, but that hasn't happened.

There is no reason this shoudn't have waited until Over the Limit,

[FINisher]

Extreme Rules was by far one of the better WWE PPV's I've watched in recent years tbh. Opener was good, first main event was awesome in so many ways, second main event had it's moments but it was a bit of a letdown after the fantastic ladder match.

Really saddened by the SD! spoilers. I just can't understand. The moment at Extreme Rules when Edge came to the ringside.. It was a great, great moment in wrestling history. Reminded me of Guerrero/Benoit at Wrestlemania or Guerrero's victory over Brock. I'm not sure if I'm that interested to even see where this goes in SD! ..

[The Shape]

I think that officially wraps up my annual interest in WWE until next year's Mania season.

I don't care what anyone trying to play devil's advocate says - this is the wrong decision. Cena is the champ on Raw which compensates for any issues money wise, Orton is still on SD and could be used in a high profile role, and Christian is not going to turn heel because well - look at the Smackdown roster. Look at the guys that would've been fresh opponents for Christian (Sheamus, Barrett and Cody) that a feud could've done wonders for, but who have already faced Orton countless times and who will not benefit from it at all.

They could have at least given him what, three weeks? I think everyone knew he was going to be a transitional champion but not giving him even that isn't "a smart business move" it is just a slap in the face. He hasn't dropped it to anyone who'll actually gain anything from the win, and nor was there even any reason for the match beyond "Ho ho ho I'm Randy Orton give me a title shot." This is by far the laziest, most ridiculous booking there's been in quite a long time and no matter who was "supposed" to win and when, criticism is well and truly justified.

[Nathers7]

From the spoilers it says that Christian was just as over as Orton was and Christian was way more over than Orton at Extreme Rules so that kills the theory that this was good for busiiness. There's casual fans all over WWE's Facebook page calling this one of the worst booking decisions ever. The only way it works is if 1 of them turns heel (there's hints to this in spoilers) and they fued but at the end of the day, WWE are so high on Orton that I can't see Christian ever getting it back. He really couldn't have been made to look any worse by this. They absolutely killed his creibility in his very first title defence.

[Lexa90]

Oh and a short review and thoughts on Extreme Rules and RAW.

Extreme Rules:

Randy Orton vs CM Punk:
This match was okay to good. I still miss the incredible Last Man Standing matches in the good old days (for me) For example HHH vs HBK. Some good spots still. The chair around the neck looked a little akward but overall brutal move. The RKO on the table was okay. But already used so many times so meh.
The Finish was fine... Orton went over, whatever. *** stars

Kofi vs Sheamus for the US title:
I can't stand unanounced matches.. This was still better than they usually are. Some nice spots with Kofi. The Finish was really good. Kofi went over, no surprise there. **3/4

The bullwhipping something match. JR/King vs Swagger/Cole
Cole is still an awesome heel personality... But this needs to end quickly. Getting old FAST. JR's ankle locks were sloppy as hell, but I can't blame him.
meh... *1/2

Rey Mysterio vs Cody Rhodes:
It was IMO better than their Wrestlemania match. Some nice spots backstage. I just can't stand when they brawl in the crowd. Rey went over... Nothing shocking there. ***

Michelle Mccool vs Layla:
These women tried their best and it clearly showed. By far the best WWE Diva match in a looong time. Sad try to turn Layla face before the match. but what the hell. Kharma's a bitch debuted after the match. Michelle sold the fear and agony perfectly... Kong/Kharma destroyed Michelle with the implant buster... Kong's facial expressions were top notch and the music was awesome. Sad to see one of the better diva's leave. But what can you do?
**1/4

Alberto Del Rio vs Christian for the World Title:
Oh man my inner mark went nuts for this match. Awesome match. Some insane pops for Christian too. Nice spots indeed... Some crazy looking spots too. "Big useless" Brodus Clay got busted open BAD... I'm still shocked about Christian tossing the small ladder right in the face of him. Bad looking botch spot when Christian pushed Del Rio off the ladder. And BLOOD at ringside.
Awesome moment when Christian won... I marked out like a little girl.
****1/4

Tag Team title match:
I think it's funny when the announcers try to put Show and Kane over as the biggest Tag Champs ever.. When they have ben before, AND Show was heavier back then ;) MEEEEH match. With Jobbers at ringside as lumberjacks. I can't even remember when I have seen a good Lumberjack match.
Trying to push Zeke? Good luck...
*1/2

John Cena vs JoMo vs The Miz:
Waaaaay better than I thought it would be. Non-stop action. Some nice spots. The double suplex looked nasty. Starship Pain from the cage was... well it was what it was. R-Truth run in was perfect. I will give props to WWE Creative from turning Truth from a jobber no one cares of to one of the top heels of the company, let's see how long it takes to ruin it ;-) John Cena won.. Surprise. Now he can be champ to Mania... and probably retain it there too..
***1/2

Overall a very good PPV.

RAW Thoughts:
I only need to say one thing.... Are they really trying to push Mason "Batista number 2" Ryan. OH GOD NO!!! We already had one Batista.. We do not need another one... especially not when this guy is EVEN WORSE!!!

This show was BAAAAD!!! Patriotic **** from WWE of course... Nice to see Lillian back though :D Kharma's a bitch was awesome again. The Rock was good as usual. Did we really need another Mae Young skit?

I already told my thoughts abour the Smackdown spoiler thingy... so.

[LoNdOn]

Just read the spoiler.........don't remember a time where I have been so angry with something WWE have done. You can say that it should have been expected but that doesn't make me any less angry that it did.

[milamber]

Chrisstian, while being a net darling, is nowhere near the level of a top star

And he never will be if they've cut off the biggest push of his career. I never watched WWE when Christian was around but I love him now because he's good in the ring. Putting the belt on either Christian or ADR was a good idea because it was fresh. Cena was so much better last year because they took him out of title contention for many months. The writers must be thinking that now Orton's on SD going for a different title it's a good idea to slap a major belt on him right away instead of pushing other guys to main event like they should be doing. And if WWE let Punk go they're crazy.

[Tha Black Phenom]

It's simple business.

It's insecure business.

Oh give me a break.

Since you already broke the news, I'm going to talk freely about it now.

Christian was NEVER supposed to have the belt in the first place. And he would have NEVER been a successful long term champion for WWE. RoH, yes. TNA, maybe. Not WWE.

He is a great worker, yes, I'm not denying that. But he's not a guy you can make WWE-level bank with. Plain and simple.

He got an Iron Sheik run which is still more than guys like Roddy Piper and Jake Roberts ever got. Countless talented workers never even get to be in a major promotion like WWE.

You can't be happy that he got this recognition even if it was only for a week?

Come on. The reason you don't see him as a top level star... is because he's never been let the chance to run with the ball, and they just forbid him that chance right from the get go.

It was a stupid decision. What about Eddie, Rey, JBL, Swagger, Punk and more? Did any of them look like top level stars when they won their first one? Well maybe Rey to an extent as he won it on the big stage but even coming off that first reign, because of the booking he didn't look over for a while, even relegated to UM status upon his return.

The difference with them is they were given a shot to run with the ball. Some of them paid off... some of them didn't. But irregardless they had that chance. Christian never did, it's totally unfair to say he would've never amounted to anything. Dozens of title reigns have been crafted to build up the superstar as he begins his run, to showcase him if he has the skills. Considering they pulled an attempt like this just last year, AND that as mentioned, they have Money Maker as champion on Raw, I'm really perplexed at the outcome and hope there is much more behind it.

[Fantabulous]

Orton is going to be the guy Smackdown is built around so it makes sense he gets the World title. Will Christian be harmed by dropping the belt so quickly? In the short-term, yes, because he comes off as guy who can't cut it as World champion. Depending on what they have planned for Christian, the damage might only be short-term; if the idea is to make him the top heel on Smackdown to feud with Orton, then he can be rebuilt to where the short title reign doesn't hurt him so much because it adds to his character and can be a logical part of why he turns heel. However, if Christian getting the belt was strictly to transition it to Orton, and Christian is put back in the midcard and used to get over the heels they do have plans for, then the short title run just puts the rubber stamp on Christian as someone they flat out do not see as a top level guy.

The reason for the short title run will become clear quickly, but if I'm playing the odds, I'd say it was just to get the belt to Orton.

[eayragt]

From the spoilers it says that Christian was just as over as Orton was and Christian was way more over than Orton at Extreme Rules so that kills the theory that this was good for busiiness. There's casual fans all over WWE's Facebook page calling this one of the worst booking decisions ever.

Even though I disagree with the title switch, I don't agree with this. I just don't believe Christian is more over than Orton. And I didn't know "casual fans" read spoilers.

Orton is going to be the guy Smackdown is built around so it makes sense he gets the World title. Will Christian be harmed by dropping the belt so quickly? In the short-term, yes, because he comes off as guy who can't cut it as World champion. Depending on what they have planned for Christian, the damage might only be short-term; if the idea is to make him the top heel on Smackdown to feud with Orton, then he can be rebuilt to where the short title reign doesn't hurt him so much because it adds to his character and can be a logical part of why he turns heel. However, if Christian getting the belt was strictly to transition it to Orton, and Christian is put back in the midcard and used to get over the heels they do have plans for, then the short title run just puts the rubber stamp on Christian as someone they flat out do not see as a top level guy.

The reason for the short title run will become clear quickly, but if I'm playing the odds, I'd say it was just to get the belt to Orton.

Of course that's the reason for it. But it didn't need to happen this week. Do they need Orton as champ before Over the Limit to sell the PPV? No. I'm not going to argue with Orton getting the belt then (I would have prefered one PPV title defense vs a heel first), but it didn't need to be switched now.

[The Shape]

You don't need the belt on Orton right away to build the brand around him though. The only feuds there for him now are guys he's feuded with before who (except for Cody) are less over then than they are now.

Also, turning Christian heel when Smackdown have so many compared to so few faces and Christian is as over as a face as he's been since he got back and have all the support behind him on account of Edge's retirement would be one of the single stupidest ideas ever.

[eayragt]

However, in an unrelated note, it looks like Kharma wont be able to flash us if she wrestles in that gear, which is a good thing.

[Fantabulous]

Unless Christian is turning heel, the only reason I can see as to why they felt they had to get the belt on Orton so quickly is that they have no faith at all in Christian as World Champion for any length of time.

On the Smackdown heel front, they do have a number of heels, but they have nobody that they can plug into the top slot right away that has any immediate credibility. Sheamus just lost the US Title to Kofi and is still recovering from the many month burial on Raw. Wade Barrett looks set for a midcard feud as part of The Corre against Ezekiel Jackson. Mark Henry is, well, he's Mark Henry. The matches would suck and when they do push him it's usually a short-term deal to put over a big babyface. Cody Rhodes just lost a feud to Rey and, to be blunt, he just can't cut it as a serious threat to anyone. Other than those guys, we're getting into pure midcard territory when it comes to heels. Christian has a proven track record, to them, as a heel. They know the matches will be good. And, most importantly, they won't have a problem with putting Orton over him clean in the big matches.

[The Shape]

Sheamus was a WWE Champion just last year and though he lost the title it's something he's one big kick away from recovering all of that heat.

Barrett is himself only a few months removed from Raw's main event scene and the Zeke stuff could easily have come along with part of a greater storyline, he's backed by a stable that remains a credible threat.

There would be a ready made angle between Christian and any younger guy about how long it took him to get where he is compared to them, that would benefit the heels a whole lot more than getting RKO'd week in week out. If these guys are gonna do anything with Orton as champ they need Christian to feud with, title or not.

Being a credible heel is much, much easier than being a credible face, you just need a credible face to do it. It's nowhere near as hard as you make it sound, and turning Christian would mean Smackdown's next biggest faces were Daniel Bryan and Sin Cara. It'd be so stupid that I fully expect them to do it.

[Fantabulous]

Sheamus was a WWE Champion just last year and though he lost the title it's something he's one big kick away from recovering all of that heat.

Barrett is himself only a few months removed from Raw's main event scene and the Zeke stuff could easily have come along with part of a greater storyline, he's backed by a stable that remains a credible threat.

Being a credible heel is much, much easier than being a credible face, you just need a credible face to do it. It's nowhere near as hard as you make it sound, and turning Christian would mean Smackdown's next biggest faces were Daniel Bryan and Sin Cara. It'd be so stupid that I fully expect them to do it.
Sheamus was champion but his title reign was secondary to the Cena/Nexus feud. He won the title on a fluke, never got any big wins and once the run was over he was turned into a joke as the King and then buried for weeks culminating in that comical burial by Triple H.

Barrett was in the main event scene, but was a virtual jobber against against Superman Cena. He did get a win over Cena to force Cena into Nexus but that whole thing was so badly booked it didn't do him any favours. Since coming to Smackdown, it's been nothing but the midcard and he's clearly being set up to get over Ezekiel as a babyface.

Treatment like this takes time to recover from to where the person involved can actually mean something when put in a top level position. If it all it takes is a credible babyface, Raw would doing gangbusters with Superman Cena and they wouldn't have needed to work so hard to put over Miz in the last six weeks heading into Wrestlemania. And even then, it didn't take.

But yeah, not hard at all. (!)

[The Shape]

Wrestlemania is different. To make someone a credible threat for a PPV like Over the limit, especially on Smackdown for the secondary main event, all you need to do is have them attack the champ a couple of times. Or at least that's what they've done many, many times before.

[liontamer]

heard a lot of hype on Kharma, her debut was decent but nothing special. She did that basically every week in TNA. Thiis character seems more interesting and may get a bigger fan reaction, but I still prefer the Awesome Kong music. The laughing in the WWE music was a good touch, but I still think it's missing something and hope the develop it further.

And as for the people complaining about the Rock's TV time, that's basically what the Rock does. He was all over every show during his WWE runs. why is this a surprise? He's the best entertainer in the company, if they can get easy money plastering his face all of the screen without having to even wrestle, why not? It's what made him famous and is probably why you aren't watching Nitro anymore.

[Fantabulous]

It's what made him famous and is probably why you aren't watching Nitro anymore.
No, Nitro being written by a complete idiot for three months and then six more months the following year and driving even the hardest of the hardcore fans away is why we're not watching Nitro any more.

But hey; all they needed was a credible babyface on top and they'd have come up roses.

[juggaloninjalee]

No, Nitro being written by a complete idiot for three months and then six more months the following year and driving even the hardest of the hardcore fans away is why we're not watching Nitro any more.

But hey; all they needed was a credible babyface on top and they'd have come up roses.

LOL *Thumbs up*

[ewanite]

No, Nitro being written by a complete idiot for three months and then six more months the following year and driving even the hardest of the hardcore fans away is why we're not watching Nitro any more.

But hey; all they needed was a credible babyface on top and they'd have come up roses.

No, big contracts and a corporate merger involving a company who wanted nothing to do with wrestling is why we're not watching Nitro any more.

[crownsy]

Just to echo what other people have said much better above me, It's not the fact that orton went over that makes me hate this move, it's that you just created this emotional moment last night, made every edge mark a christan fan, played up what a huge accomplishment winning that title is and then...

He losses it a week later in a glorified squash to Orton. This is problematic for a bunch of good booking reasons, but here's the top ones.

1) It makes the title, and smackdown by proxy, look like a joke - This is supposed to be a title that is (according to cannon, not reality) on par with the WWE title....yet Orton can win it at the drop of a hat, not even having to wait for a PPV or even win a #1 contenders match. This sells to the viewer that they might as well not watch smackdown, because everyone but randy is a joke and a waste of their time. It sets up the "Randy is the Raw guy on smackdown" vibe.

2) It completely kills Christans new pop, which despite what some in this forum are trying to say, has been huge since he became the "stand in" for edge emotionally with the casual fans.

This could have been a Rey-Eddy situation, where you gave Rey the title, and gave him a decent transitional run, and thus locked up Eddys fans for life. You could have had that same effect here and made yourself another great asset to the company

Instead, you made him look like a complete failure at carrying on his friends legacy. good booking :rolleyes:

3) It just makes no sense, Even from a business standpoint! I mean, yes, it makes sense to have the title on orton but

1. Why give this away for free? your next PPV is in 3 freaking weeks! you couldn't have done a 3 episode "I respect you, but that's my belt" Storyline to make this match actually not feel like garbage?

2. Also, why does Orton need that title ASAP? This seems to play into WWE creative's retarded belief that they have separate audiences for raw and smackdown, and that they need to "introduce" orton to the fans as the main player on that brand by giving him the title. News flash WWE, we all know who randy orton is. He didn't show up on smackdown last week lacking in creditability as a ME :rolleyes:

3. And according to reports, the first guy in line for this title is....mark henry??? we needed to hot swap this title so that Randy Orton could save us from the force that is mark henry? Seems like a fued you could have let Christan handle, since they've had that fued on sunday night heat....which is where mark henry belongs.

4. I just don't buy that randy Needs to have the Belt for the WWE to sell PPV's when Cena has it on Raw. We now have the two people fans complained about being the non-stop focus of Raw as champs on two separate brands....weeeee. Long term do you put the title on Randy? of course. but why not have him fued with someone (Cody seems like a ready made opponent) over him trying to act like he's the big dog after just getting here, have him win said fued, then get the title of whatever heel Christan drops it to?

just reaks of both laziness and the fact (and there are some rumor sites that say this) Vince still feels very betrayed by Christan over going to TNA, and felt in a corner about giving him the title, but pulled the trigger on a squash ASAP to punish him yet again

I for one can't wait till Steph and HHH take over the company's direction...it can't get no worse

Spoilers in white (dunno why i bother, but this hasent been mentioned yet

We'll know if this is a turn attempt if Orton's words after the match are on the show

Apparently after He left he came back out and told the live crowd (who, people who say Christan has no pop, were chanting for him) That they should enjoy thier night, put on the old legacy randy smirk and said "and remeber....I'm Your new World Champion" to alot of boos

If they show that Mabey they are turning Randy back heel, which is good since he's a Meh babyface and has said in interviews he isn't comfortable playing one, thats the only real way i can even begin to understand creatives thinking...and even that seems rushed could have done the same thing at ER

[Fantabulous]

No, big contracts and a corporate merger involving a company who wanted nothing to do with wrestling is why we're not watching Nitro any more.

They had those contracts when they were riding sky high; they weren't a problem then. And it was a corporate merger that forced Eric, Hulk, Russo, Nash, etc. to book the company into the ground?

[juggaloninjalee]

The only reason WCW is gone is because when the merger happened the people in charge wanted to get as far away from being affiliated with wrestling as they could. There isn't any other reason except they just didn't want wrestling on their networks or associated with them.

[The Final Countdown]

And it was a corporate merger that forced Eric, Hulk, Russo, Nash, etc. to book the company into the ground?
No, it was a corporate merger that resulted in Nitro losing its spot on TNT, thus rendering WCW worthless to the Bischoff-led group looking to purchase it, and enabling Vince to swoop in and buy it on the cheap. I agree that the company was plagued by horrible booking for its last couple of years at least, but the AOL/Time Warner merger had far more to do with the death of WCW than the lousy booking did.

[Fantabulous]

The only reason WCW is gone is because when the merger happened the people in charge wanted to get as far away from being affiliated with wrestling as they could. There isn't any other reason except they just didn't want wrestling on their networks or associated with them.

Nitro was able to cancelled because the ratings had gone into the crapper. And that was down to..well, I won't give the answer away.

[ampulator]

No, it was a corporate merger that resulted in Nitro losing its spot on TNT, thus rendering WCW worthless to the Bischoff-led group looking to purchase it, and enabling Vince to swoop in and buy it on the cheap. I agree that the company was plagued by horrible booking for its last couple of years at least, but the AOL/Time Warner merger had far more to do with the death of WCW than the lousy booking did.
That's a fair point, though, to be even more fair, if WCW had been booked correctly, I doubt they would have sold WCW. They have disliked wrestling, but even they wouldn't not get rid of a well-run, money-making, operation. The problem was, it wasn't that, AND they didn't want it.

[ZMAN]

On the topic of Kharma...

The current diva/womens scene is so dry right now. If I were runnin' this show, I'd make Kharma the Andre of the womens division. Over the year have her squash the plastic divas on tv, then have some competitive feuds where she'd go over gals like Kim, Nat, and Beth. A real threat pretty much. WM rolls around, bring in Trish and you got your Hogan-Andre match.

[juggaloninjalee]

On the topic of Kharma...

The current diva/womens scene is so dry right now. If I were runnin' this show, I'd make Kharma the Andre of the womens division. Over the year have her squash the plastic divas on tv, then have some competitive feuds where she'd go over gals like Kim, Nat, and Beth. A real threat pretty much. WM rolls around, bring in Trish and you got your Hogan-Andre match.

I'd love for this to happen. Kong aka Kharma is awesome! She should get a huge push. She could even be the Chyna of this era. Maybe battle men and be competitive even.

[LoNdOn]

I'd love for this to happen. Kong aka Kharma is awesome! She should get a huge push. She could even be the Chyna of this era. Maybe battle men and be competitive even.

Even though I really dislike seeing guys wrestling girls I wouldn't mind seeing Kharma compete and beat some of the males at all.

[ewanite]

They had those contracts when they were riding sky high; they weren't a problem then. And it was a corporate merger that forced Eric, Hulk, Russo, Nash, etc. to book the company into the ground?

Those contracts were always causing the company to bleed money but Turner didn't care. The way he saw it, TV shows cost money to make and so it didn't need to make a profit as its own organisation. It just needed to make money for the network (As an aside, this is also why most of the 'big' moments in WCW occured on Nitro and not PPV. WCW was very much focused on TV and not PPV). AOL-Time Warner didn't care about the ratings, they only cared about how wrestling reflected on the network, similar to how UPN no longer wanted Smackdown a few years ago. There could have been 4.5 ratings every night and intricate, exciting storylines and they still would have dropped it.

For the record, Nitro was averaging about a 2.5 (about 3.75 million viewers) in its final year anyway, which would still make it around the same as they were getting in 1995 and isn't as OMGAWFUL as people seem to believe. Don't believe what the internet likes you to think about WCW.

[Fantabulous]

Those contracts were always causing the company to bleed money but Turner didn't care. The way he saw it, TV shows cost money to make and so it didn't need to make a profit as its own organisation. It just needed to make money for the network (As an aside, this is also why most of the 'big' moments in WCW occured on Nitro and not PPV. WCW was very much focused on TV and not PPV). AOL-Time Warner didn't care about the ratings, they only cared about how wrestling reflected on the network, similar to how UPN no longer wanted Smackdown a few years ago. There could have been 4.5 ratings every night and intricate, exciting storylines and they still would have dropped it.

For the record, Nitro was averaging about a 2.5 (about 3.75 million viewers) in its final year anyway, which would still make it around the same as they were getting in 1995 and isn't as OMGAWFUL as people seem to believe. Don't believe what the internet likes you to think about WCW.
Thanks. I needed a good laugh.

[ewanite]

Thanks. I needed a good laugh.

Ahh yes, facts and figures are too much for your IWC-riddled brain to comprehend. You had better get back to reading 411's comment section for your wrestling history lessons.

[LoNdOn]

Those contracts were always causing the company to bleed money but Turner didn't care. The way he saw it, TV shows cost money to make and so it didn't need to make a profit as its own organisation. It just needed to make money for the network (As an aside, this is also why most of the 'big' moments in WCW occured on Nitro and not PPV. WCW was very much focused on TV and not PPV). AOL-Time Warner didn't care about the ratings, they only cared about how wrestling reflected on the network, similar to how UPN no longer wanted Smackdown a few years ago. There could have been 4.5 ratings every night and intricate, exciting storylines and they still would have dropped it.

For the record, Nitro was averaging about a 2.5 (about 3.75 million viewers) in its final year anyway, which would still make it around the same as they were getting in 1995 and isn't as OMGAWFUL as people seem to believe. Don't believe what the internet likes you to think about WCW.

This is how I understand the situation as well.

[Bigpapa42]

Those contracts were always causing the company to bleed money but Turner didn't care. The way he saw it, TV shows cost money to make and so it didn't need to make a profit as its own organisation. It just needed to make money for the network (As an aside, this is also why most of the 'big' moments in WCW occured on Nitro and not PPV. WCW was very much focused on TV and not PPV). AOL-Time Warner didn't care about the ratings, they only cared about how wrestling reflected on the network, similar to how UPN no longer wanted Smackdown a few years ago. There could have been 4.5 ratings every night and intricate, exciting storylines and they still would have dropped it.

For the record, Nitro was averaging about a 2.5 (about 3.75 million viewers) in its final year anyway, which would still make it around the same as they were getting in 1995 and isn't as OMGAWFUL as people seem to believe. Don't believe what the internet likes you to think about WCW.

The ratings that Nitro had in its final year made it still one of the top shows on the network. But that's misleading by itself. Because of the drop in ratings, advertisers had been sold on Nitro doing much better ratings, which then had to be made-up to the advertisers. Given that advertising during wrestling was apparently already had to sell, that made the situation worse. So a program doing lesser ratings would have still been more profitable to the network in terms of ad revenues.

It is debatable whether AOL-TW would have pulled Nitro off the air even if it was still doing strong ratings and making tons of money. However, those factors still came into play with trying to get WCW programming on another network. It wasn't WCW programming being pulled off of TNT that made the promotion worthless to Fusient, but that combined with the disinterest in other networks in carrying it. If Nitro was still doing 6s, that may have been different.