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[British Monsoon]

Heh, this was a pretty fun mixed-gender tag match;

Keiji Mutoh, Yuzuki Aikawa & Rina Takeda vs Kaz Hayashi, Nanae Takahashi & Natsuki*Taiyo - (AJPW 12/11/11)

Yuzuki Aikawa is a pin-up model and idol singer who has been wrestling for just over a year, and already she's better than Kelly Kelly, especially with her strikes and, y'know, actually being able to run the ropes.

I guess it would be more disapointed than surprised. At this point everyone knows it's a terrible idea to do that stuff.

Regardless, I doubt these journalists would watch a CZW show and complain about unprotected chairshots and ridiculously unsafe spots, because that's what you expect from CZW, just like most people were expecting Steen/Corino to be a similarly over the top war like Steen/Generico was, but with a whole lot less athleticism.

So I skipped Smackdown, how have they handled Dabry's run so far?

He was booked strongly on Smackdown, but Cole still will not shut up for a fucking second every time he's on the screen. Also, D-Brine's still too smiley when he's on the mic. More serious, ass kicking D-Brine please.

 

[Kaladin]

I'm actually looking forward to Big Show vs Daniel Bryan. Bryan has to win this first title defense or his reign will be seen as a joke so I'm interested to see how they book this match. Bryan has always had a problem with guys bigger than him (Batista, Khali, Henry) so this match could be a big step up. Also, I hope we get Bryan vs Orton before this reign is done.

 

[DKehoe]

Regardless, I doubt these journalists would watch a CZW show and complain about unprotected chairshots and ridiculously unsafe spots, because that's what you expect from CZW, just like most people were expecting Steen/Corino to be a similarly over the top war like Steen/Generico was, but with a whole lot less athleticism.

They probably would complain about it but thats pretty much what CZW does. ROH doesn't need to do it so they really shouldn't. They should be above it.

 

[Ithil]

So I skipped Smackdown, how have they handled Dabry's run so far?

Okay, the bolded two are genius.

Fairly well, all things considered. He cut a promo noting that he's not the flashy, strong champion type, but he's a damned good wrestler (actually said wrestler too) and that's why he's WHC. They also showed a nice promo video for him, Ryder and Punk.

He was made to look strong again in the main event, winning the match cleanly with the LeBell Lock, and they seem to be building to a Bryan/Big Show match, probably for the Rumble. I'm not sure if they plan to turn one of them heel, but if they do, I reckon Big Show, as they went out of their way to make Bryan continue to be a guy to cheer for, while Big Show was more aggressive.

Just a guess, that last part.

They seem to be putting him together as a champion who's champion because no one can outwrestle him, not because he's flashy, tall, strong, charismatic, catchphrase-laden, or whatever. It's an approach that will lead to great matches (he had an awesome match with Ziggler going) but I'm not sure how long the crowd will stay behind it, though they seem willing to get behind Bryan.

Whenever Bryan gets very intense in his promos or in the ring, the crowd really responds, so hopefully they see that's the way to go, giving him intense promos and regular main event matches to tear the house down with. He often starts out very soft and smiley in promos and it doesn't get the crowd that pumped up, but they do when he gets intense. A larger concentration on the serious, fiery part of his promos will do wonders. Playing into the underdog thing if they turn Big Show heel could work really well, too (because he really does look tiny next to Big Show in the ring, he's barely past his chest) in getting the general audience to WANT him to stay champion over others on the roster.

Basically, his first week as champion has been handled pretty well considering how rushed and sudden it was, and how it was thrust upon the writers four months early.

P.S. Cole needs to fuck off, Bryan will never reach his full potential for overness with the audience as long as Cole is screaming at him every second he's on screen.

 

[Kaladin]

They probably would complain about it but thats pretty much what CZW does. ROH doesn't need to do it so they really shouldn't. They should be above it.

They said it last night, ROH does something for every wrestling fan. Violent matches are few and far between in ROH and when they do them, there is always a storyline reason. It's either a blow-off to a big feud where standard matches haven't decided it or the violence has escalated to the point where a big extreme and violent match is needed to resolve it. ROH always puts it over as something that isn't the norm so IMO, they're ok with it.

 

[Plywood]

Thanks everyone. I do like Dabry best on the mic when he's cutting a fiery promo. I hope that they don't ruin his chance at getting over and that they start putting Cole through a filter.

 

[RBH]

 

[Ithil]

^^ That's all you need to know.

I also noted that when this happened, you heard all three commentators go wow, including Cole, who clearly went "oh my! wow...that was impressive" with no further comment, no bitching. Letting up on the constant barrage of shit from Cole and letting them actually look at the match and be impressed does wonders.

That's the whole point of commentators, to call a match and also to sell it as something worth watching to your viewers. It's counter-productive to have Cole burying your product.

 

[NihonTiger90]

I feel like, looking at Raw ratings and people's comments, Michael Cole is the single most damaging thing the WWE has going right now. He is too extreme to a fault. Look at the Raw ratings, even; the main event lost a ton of viewers and Cole spent the entire time screaming at the TV about how Bryan, Punk and Ryder were losers and not calling the match.

People aren't turning off because they don't believe in Bryan or Punk as main eventers; they're turning it off because they don't want to hear Michael Cole's incessant rants against them.

 

[Entropia]

I feel like, looking at Raw ratings and people's comments, Michael Cole is the single most damaging thing the WWE has going right now. He is too extreme to a fault. Look at the Raw ratings, even; the main event lost a ton of viewers and Cole spent the entire time screaming at the TV about how Bryan, Punk and Ryder were losers and not calling the match.

People aren't turning off because they don't believe in Bryan or Punk as main eventers; they're turning it off because they don't want to hear Michael Cole's incessant rants against them.

Bingo.

It's sad that WWE won't listen. If only we could create some sort of social media campaign to get this across to the WWE!

 

[SoulPlaya]

Tony with Bomani's title? Hilarious.

 

[worldrunover]

I feel like, looking at Raw ratings and people's comments, Michael Cole is the single most damaging thing the WWE has going right now. He is too extreme to a fault. Look at the Raw ratings, even; the main event lost a ton of viewers and Cole spent the entire time screaming at the TV about how Bryan, Punk and Ryder were losers and not calling the match.

People aren't turning off because they don't believe in Bryan or Punk as main eventers; they're turning it off because they don't want to hear Michael Cole's incessant rants against them.

I don't know how much of an effect Cole has on ratings but there's no doubt he detracts from the product. I can't take it anymore. He was stepping all over the fantastic match Ziggler and Bryan were having. But it doesn't mean I'd tune out because of him. It just means he either needs to go back to being his boring bland self of a few years ago or just go away altogether (preferable). At the very least make him a manager or something.

 

[Striker]

Wasn't sure if this has been mentioned but Meltzer is reporting that WWE officials are weighing the option to take the title off Punk due to the ratings slide.

Couple things that I don't understand:

- he's obviously popular live
- his merchandise is outselling Cena and Orton

Could just be Vince being Vince and going week to week with ratings...

If they go by ratings for title reigns, then Cena gets both titles and never loses them. Randy Orton's reigns on Smackdown net poor Smackdown ratings and they rose once he lost it.

It's all BS anyway. It's going to be shit whether or not Cena has it. If the show is shit, it's shit.

 

[Plywood]

Decided to see the match, had to gif it:

 

[jordan0386]

That should be a finisher.

 

[Parallax]

This is purely based on Top Sellers on WWE Shop's website. I should clarify in that it's the top selling male/female t-shirt. Kids are still Cena of course.

Side note, I recently purchased a Cena and Punk t-shirt for my two little girls. Both are below the age of 4 and are already wrestling fans. They say the most interesting things .. a few things I've picked up, hope you guys enjoy.

- They go nuts for Cena. 3 year old likes Cena. 2 year old likes Punk.
- Mark Henry is "angry man"
- 3 year old thinks Vicky is Ziggler's mom
- They tune out for divas matches
- "Do you like the man named Cole?" .. "No, he is a yelling man"
- They saw the ad for the Steve Austin DVD and called him Big Show. We need Steve back in the mix ...

they are already ahead of the curve. good show.

 

[British Monsoon]

Well, if they'd transitioned better from the roll-up into the dead lift German, it would have pretty much been a perfect Chaos Theory. Definitely would be a good finisher for Bryan.

 

[RBH]

Love it when Doug Williams pulls off the Chaos Theory.

Speaking of whom, man, did he ever fall off the face of the earth this year.

 

[krae_man]

99.9% chance I'll be at all four. Have always wanted to see the Rumble live and St. Louis is probably 5-6 hours away from here.

Same for Elimination Chamber except that's only an hour and a half away.

Wrestlemania is a lock (been to the last 6).

Chicago is my hometown so that's a lock as well.

And GAF calls me crazy for spending $250+ on tickets to one PPV a year.

 

[Barack Lesnar]

Decided to see the match, had to gif it:

Just unbelievable, both Bryan and Ziggler. That could have really hurt Dolph if he wasn't in such good shape and have good flexibility and stuff. Enjoy Dolph in his prime while you can, guys. These next few years are gonna be unbelievable.

 

[Kaladin]

And GAF calls me crazy for spending $250+ on tickets to one PPV a year.

It's ok. I have easily spent $1,000 for tickets to shows for Mania weekend next year.

 

[Kaladin]

Decided to see the match, had to gif it:

You know what I noticed? Look at that crowd. They're all standing and a few of them even popped for it.

 

[jordan0386]

Good camera work by the director too.

 

[Barack Lesnar]

Good camera work by the director too.

WWE's camera work is so great and consistently on point. It's one of the things that separates the WWE from the other orgs in terms of production values. Can't be understated how important camera work is.

 

[NoRéN]

Heh, this was a pretty fun mixed-gender tag match;

Keiji Mutoh, Yuzuki Aikawa & Rina Takeda vs Kaz Hayashi, Nanae Takahashi & Natsuki*Taiyo - (AJPW 12/11/11)

Yuzuki Aikawa is a pin-up model and idol singer who has been wrestling for just over a year, and already she's better than Kelly Kelly, especially with her strikes and, y'know, actually being able to run the ropes.

Sweet! More stuff to pass the time later on.
I want the shirt the guy's wearing at 32 seconds in.

 

[Plywood]

Well, if they'd transitioned better from the roll-up into the dead lift German, it would have pretty much been a perfect Chaos Theory. Definitely would be a good finisher for Bryan.

I agree but I also loved the way it was pulled off there because I really got the feeling that Bryan was trying to pull Ziggler up and over himself and the crowd loved it.

WWE's camera work is so great and consistently on point. It's one of the things that separates the WWE from the other orgs in terms of production values. Can't be understated how important camera work is.

I agree, especially when compared to the shit production TNA has.

 

[rvy]

You know what I noticed? Look at that crowd. They're all standing and a few of them even popped for it.

I was about to point this out. I get the feeling that most of the crowd these days doesn't know half the shit that's going on inside the ring, or appreciate good spots. Those are some pathetic reactions. Hilariously bad.

"Oh, yeah... lol, a suplex. Oh, another one.

OHMI GAAAAAAAAD

DAH RKOOOOOOOOOOO"

Let's go, Cena.

 

[Kaladin]

I was about to point this out. I get the feeling that most of the crowd these days doesn't know half the shit that's going on inside the ring, or appreciate good spots. Those are some pathetic reactions. Hilariously bad.

"Oh, yeah... lol, a suplex. Oh, another one.

OHMI GAAAAAAAAD

DAH RKOOOOOOOOOOO"

Let's go, Cena.

Oh look, there goes my point. Flying over your head at 100mph.

 

[Plywood]

If that would've been a crowd from even 2004, they would've went fucking insane.

Oh look, there goes my point. Flying over your head at 100mph.

The reactions are good, but I wonder if they'll ever back to how they used too.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

Decided to see the match, had to gif it:

weren't people in this thread calling that a Dead Drop German Suplex, cus' that's a Chaos Theory.

 

[Kaladin]

weren't people in this thread calling that a Dead Drop German Suplex, cus' that's a Chaos Theory.

It's ok, Michael Cole called it "wow".

 

[spindashing]

I think it was called a "Dead Drop German Suplex" in the spoilers.

 

[funkystudent]

I wounder if Company Man Punk will debut a new title on Monday in his hometown.


Its after christmas so it probably wont effect WWE's replica belt sales as much.

 

[DMczaf]

I wounder if Company Man Punk will debut a new title on Monday in his hometown.

He is.

It's going to have John Cena's nameplate on it.

 

[funkystudent]

He is.

It's going to have John Cena's nameplate on it.

Yah know.... if Cena won the title in Chicago on monday I would be ok with it just to see the crowd reaction.


I hope they do something cool with Cena on monday. Chicago HATES cena. They hated him years before punk was around.

Seems like a good city to continue the cena vs the fans storyline.

 

[Nocturnowl]

It's ok, Michael Cole called it "wow".

I look forward to one day hearing "modified wow" by vintage Bryan

 

[British Monsoon]

weren't people in this thread calling that a Dead Drop German Suplex, cus' that's a Chaos Theory.

The Chaos Theory is just a roll-up into a dead-lift German Suplex, so we're both right

 

[BillRiccio]

I'm going to watch Final Battle after the Browns game. I hope ROH can show me something to get me hooked on the product. I enjoy most of the in ring stuff although the main event sounds like overkill. I'm not a huge fan of finisher type move and kick outs time after time. It just get's ridiculous after awhile. The Steen storyline has had me interested for awhile but that's really it as far as storylines go. Their has always been just something with the promotion that makes me want to know what's going on but I don't watch any of the events.

 

[B_Rik_Schitthaus]

I think it was called a "Dead Drop German Suplex" in the spoilers.

Fair enough, but from now on we have to call the Rock Bottom a high angle STO
and the Attitude Adjustment a standing fireman's carry.

 

[NoRéN]

So we can't call Ryder finisher the Rough Ryder anymore?

 

[British Monsoon]

I'll continue to just call the Attitude Adjustment "that weak-ass finisher", because really, it fucking sucks.

I'm going to watch Final Battle after the Browns game. I hope ROH can show me something to get me hooked on the product. I enjoy most of the in ring stuff although the main event sounds like overkill. I'm not a huge fan of finisher type move and kick outs time after time. It just get's ridiculous after awhile. The Steen storyline has had me interested for awhile but that's really it as far as storylines go. Their has always been just something with the promotion that makes me want to know what's going on but I don't watch any of the events.

I'm not sure if it's the best event to convert a new fan - there's some great wrestling and the first half was excellent, but the tag gauntlet dragged on for too long, the tag title match was just WTF? and the main event was pure overkill.

 

[Entropia]

So we can't call Ryder finisher the Rough Ryder anymore?

What the heck would that technically be called??

 

[Plywood]

What the heck would that technically be called??

The Flying Crotchman

 

[psycho17]

What the heck would that technically be called??

Isn't it just a leg lariat?

 

[BillRiccio]

I'm not sure if it's the best event to convert a new fan - there's some great wrestling and the first half was excellent, but the tag gauntlet dragged on for too long, the tag title match was just WTF? and the main event was pure overkill.

I hear what you saying, but i'm looking forward to the TV title match and Hero's surprise appearance although i heard on the observer today that the match was underwhelming. Also the Steen match should be interesting even though I'm not a fan of unprotected chair shots and unnecessary bumps that are scary as opposed to cool but I'm looking forward to the story that get's told in the ring.

I'm also hoping that if Generico is taking time away from ROH he focuses more on CHIKARA and 3.0'le becomes a permanent and awesome fixture!

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Awesome D. Brine maneuver up there.

 

[BillRiccio]

Awesome D. Brine maneuver up there.

i really liked the top rope back suplex they did a little later on. It had a perfect high arch and ziggler sold it like a champ of course. Pure awesomeness!

 

[somedevil]

I'll continue to just call the Attitude Adjustment "that weak-ass finisher", because really, it fucking sucks.



I'm not sure if it's the best event to convert a new fan - there's some great wrestling and the first half was excellent, but the tag gauntlet dragged on for too long, the tag title match was just WTF? and the main event was pure overkill.

I know you saw the saw the ROH show. So is it as bad as pwtorch reviews said it was. They went off on it and alot of it was about all the unprotected chair shots:

http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/otherppvs/article_56285.shtml

 

[El Pescado]

The Flying Crotchman

I laughed.

This was so good. Even my wife popped and she can't stand wrestling.

Spoiler

Then Teddy had to go ruin it by turning it into a tag team match, playa!

 

[G-Fex]

Wow

Bryan's awesome