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[BronsonLee]

...And you people say I'm the biggest optimist in this thread...

That title clearly goes to me, you goddamn muckraker!

 

[Kaladin]

That title clearly goes to me, you goddamn traitor!

You didn't believe in Chikara.....

 

[izakq]

Wrestlemania 1


This was during an era of pro wrestling where it was actually seen as "pro" and the wrestling was treated as if it were real. It's very different from today's wrestling, but it doesn't take too long to adjust.

Madison Square Garden was a great environment and atmosphere back then for Wrestlemania or any other card. All lights focused on the action in the ring and you won't get distracted by the crowd or signs, lots of photographers and other folks on the outside of the ring as in a way, it gives it a sense of legitimacy. And of course, great crowd reactions.

 

[British Monsoon]

Jeeeeeezus, watching a W-1 show and Syuri just caved some poor girl's head in;

 

[somedevil]

No they don't, they want you to cheer for Batista and adore Hunter for the greatest WWE superstar ever that he knows he is.

There is no other endgame than to bury Bryan and push Batista.

Please remember that Bryan was supposed to be fighting Sheamus on this PPV, only because Punk quit does Trips deem Bryan worthy of facing him, does that sounds like a guy willing to do a job to his second choice to you?

Don't kid yourself, it'll only end in disappointment.

lol, your bitterness and others on this forum makes me laugh. People here and WWE don't believe in reality at times. We will see who is right. I have Meltzer and Alvarez on my side right now.

At times it feels like Meltzer cannot really say what he wants to say. Both him and Alvarez try their best not to criticize the powers at WWE, they will tear The Miz or Dolph a new asshole every week but when it comes to McMahons and Hunter they are treated very much with gloves.

I do not see Hunter putting Bryan over at Mania, the irony is that a match with Bryan would garner more heat and interest at the stadium than the Y2J match and Orton match at the 2 main event Mania's combined 10 times over.

If his best friend is Mr Wrestlemania, then Trips is the opposite, i can only recall a few good matches, such as the Triple Threat match and the Taker matches, most of the other matches were meh.

You mean the same Alvarez who went on a rant after the royal rumble debacle saying that Bryan should win the title?

 

[jmdajr]

Madison Square Garden was a great environment and atmosphere back then for Wrestlemania or any other card. All lights focused on the action in the ring and you won't get distracted by the crowd or signs, lots of photographers and other folks on the outside of the ring as in a way, it gives it a sense of legitimacy. And of course, great crowd reactions.

Also forgot how close fans were to the action. Those escorts!

 

[Terrabyte20xx]

OK, having thought about this, I'm fully on-board the cynicism train. Here's how I think it will play out:

Knowing WWE, Bryan will NOT be in the main event at WM.
He'll pick up the title a few PPVs afterwards and headline a few minor league PPVs.
He'll then drop the title as they'll blame him for shit sell rates and bring back Orton or Cena for Summer Slam. When people complain they'll say look at the PPVs he headlined compared to those headlined by Orton and say he can't draw.

One problem with that... PPV is dead, haven't you seen the Network ads that are all over GAF?

Edit: I'd just like to say this for the record: Daniel will go over HHH. Anything else is ACTIVELY TRYING TO KILL YOUR BRAND!

 

[Spider from Mars]

...And you people say I'm the biggest optimist in this thread...

With the state of the crowds, and the "story"lol that they are "telling", it would make no sense and there is nothing to be gained from Hunner pinning Bryan.
The shovel is staying in the shed.
#yes

 

[UberTag]

Let's reminisce! When did WWE break your spirit?
I think they broke mine when HHH won the elimination chamber with a sledge hammer. I was 12 at the time and remember getting home from the PPV and writing an email to the WWE and asking them to please stop the HHH madness.

I suspect most of the fans the WWE has lost over the past decade or so have become disenchanted as a direct result of Triple H in one form or another. I know that's usually the case when the subject of wrestling comes up with other people I know that used to watch regularly.

 

[jmdajr]

I'm sad. D. Bry has kicked out of both the RKO, and now the Choke slam.

I'm afraid one Pedigree might not be enough to keep him down.

 

[Anth0ny]

Holy shit. If there is anything that sums up all the issues in WWE better than this, I'd love to see it

LOL

 

[avengers23]

Screw it, I splurged on a side box ticket for ROH/NJPW. That cost about as much as a WWE Network subscription would have cost, so I'm fine with it.

And the WWE Network subscription has been canceled, so that's that.

 

[Batigol]

Uncomfortable memories...

Look at 'Taker there

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Jeeeeeezus, watching a W-1 show and Syuri just caved some poor girl's head in;

What a horrible person. Ensuring nobody else gets top billing.

 

[BronsonLee]

You didn't believe in Chikara.....

Don't make me look up my damn Twitter DMs!

Spoiler

I heard February back in June from a few people, but they were noncommittal

 

[jmdajr]

I suspect most of the fans the WWE has lost over the past decade or so have become disenchanted as a direct result of Triple H in one form or another. I know that's usually the case when the subject of wrestling comes up with other people I know that used to watch regularly.

Right. It's Triple H's fault that Brock quit, Rock quit, Angel left, Austin had to retire, Edge had to retire, Eddie died, and Chris Benoit killed his family.

 

[Marvel]

Look at 'Taker there

I was really hoping for the "Dead man walkin' YOU'VE DONE IT NOWWWWW!" to hit and Taker to come out on a bike on Raw.

Nope.



(Also grabbed a BotchCara avatar from here a while back, hope who made it doesn't mind?)

 

[Terrabyte20xx]

Right. It's Triple H's fault that Brock quit, Rock quit, Angel left, Austin had to retire, Edge had to retire, Eddie died, and Chris Benoit killed his family.

 

[UberTag]

Right. It's Triple H's fault that Brock quit, Rock quit, Angel left, Austin had to retire, Edge had to retire, Eddie died, and Chris Benoit killed his family.

Most people that have stopped watching the WWE regularly haven't left for any of those reasons.
A good number tuned out in the mid-2000s when Triple H was burying everyone as a heel and the rest tuned out afterwards because of the shitty booking which he's also responsible for.

 

[slightconfuse]

Seems to me they are setting up a summer of Bryan that ends up with him and Brock at summerslam

Remember how Cena had "the worst year" of his life after Wm28.

Bryan is living it .

It's a deadly game they are playing but it seems to be working

 

[Rapstah]

Right. It's Triple H's fault that Brock quit, Rock quit, Angel left, Austin had to retire, Edge had to retire, Eddie died, and Chris Benoit killed his family.

The more stuff you mention the higher the chance something's actually going to have been Triple H's fault.

 

[Gorillaz]

I miss Edge the most.

Feels like there hasnt been too many heels like him that were upper card funny and fun to watch at times.

 

[Professor Beef]

OK, having thought about this, I'm fully on-board the cynicism train. Here's how I think it will play out:

Knowing WWE, Bryan will NOT be in the main event at WM.
He'll pick up the title a few PPVs afterwards and headline a few minor league PPVs.
He'll then drop the title as they'll blame him for shit sell rates and bring back Orton or Cena for Summer Slam. When people complain they'll say look at the PPVs he headlined compared to those headlined by Orton and say he can't draw.

Buy rates aren't gonna be a thing anymore, for the most part.

 

[BronsonLee]

Most people that have stopped watching the WWE regularly haven't left for any of those reasons.
A good number tuned out in the mid-2000s when Triple H was burying everyone as a heel and the rest tuned out afterwards because of the shitty booking which he's also responsible for.

I'm pretty sure Rock/Austin retiring and Benoit murdering his family had a pretty goddamn big effect on ratings

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Taker needs to comment on Kane's slacks at some point.

 

[Aiii]

With the state of the crowds, and the "story"lol that they are "telling", it would make no sense and there is nothing to be gained from Hunner pinning Bryan.
The shovel is staying in the shed.
#yes

Yesterday we were all convinced there was no way Bryan wasn't in the main event at Mania, Meltzer and Alvarez included. But now, we find out they're really not changing plans for anything since December, yet were supposed to believe that a guy that wasn't even the first choice to fight HHH at Mania is going to breast him clean, because that is what the fans want.

Just like last year, when it made no sense for HHH to go over Lesnar, right? Remember that?

Bryan can get his win back at Extreme Rules, when only a quarter or less of the people are watching, that's okay too, right? No need to have him go over when a million people are watching after all.

I might be bitter, but everyone here knows I'm a glass half full kind of guy about these things. But even I know when it's time to just stop believing in miracles to happen and realize past patterns do account for something.

 

[Marvel]

It's a deadly game they are playing but it seems to be working

Really? they are pissing off a lot of people, me included right now.

 

[Serpentine]

Bryan is totally winning against HHH, i think, but i'm trying to keep myself in check. he ain't being added to the main event though. They're gonna try and salvage it with Orton and Batista before they'll consider Bryan being added. they didn't bring Batista back to lose at WM. Even if they turn him the next night or something, Batista's totally winning at Mania.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

I was really hoping for the "Dead man walkin' YOU'VE DONE IT NOWWWWW!" to hit and Taker to come out on a bike on Raw.

Nope.



(Also grabbed a BotchCara avatar from here a while back, hope who made it doesn't mind?)

 

[Cagey]

Really? they are pissing off a lot of people, me included right now.

You're posting on a thread about wrestling about how angry the product made you.

Until and unless you become indifferent and stop paying or watching, it's working.

 

[Professor Beef]

Really? they are pissing off a lot of people, me included right now.

But you're still watching/keeping up with the current product?

 

[G-Fex]

not sure whose marks here or not.....

 

[Marvel]

Very good! I'll keep the red for now though as I had a red themed avatar for ages. hehehe

 

[Marvel]

But you're still watching/keeping up with the current product?

Fuck yeah! can't tune out, I know Bryan will eventually get to be on top but damn it's infuriating seeing him constantly loose right now. I suppose that's the point.

Paul Heyman: That's where they get you

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Very good! I'll keep the red for now though as I had a red themed avatar for ages. hehehe

Some dude named Shao Kahn put in a lot of work over a span of a few weeks on a lot of wrasslin smileys.

 

[Terrabyte20xx]

Yesterday we were all convinced there was no way Bryan wasn't in the main event at Mania, Meltzer and Alvarez included. But now, we find out they're really not changing plans for anything since December, yet were supposed to believe that a guy that wasn't even the first choice to fight HHH at Mania is going to breast him clean, because that is what the fans want.

Just like last year, when it made no sense for HHH to go over Lesnar, right? Remember that?

Bryan can get his win back at Extreme Rules, when only a quarter or less of the people are watching, that's okay too, right? No need to have him go over when a million people are watching after all.

I might be bitter, but everyone here knows I'm a glass half full kind of guy about these things. But even I know when it's time to just stop believing in miracles to happen and realize past patterns do account for something.

Remember where you post, man.

 

[miserable]

I'm sad. D. Bry has kicked out of both the RKO, and now the Choke slam.

I'm afraid one Pedigree might not be enough to keep him down.

Don't worry, the good old equalizer+pedigree combo will finish him.

 

[Marvel]

Some dude named Shao Kahn put in a lot of work over a span of a few weeks on a lot of wrasslin smileys.

Many thanks to Shao Kahn.

Spoiler

Even though I fucking hated you in MK3 you hammer spamming/shoulder tackle shit, lol.

 

[Rapstah]

Meltzer seems to think Batista's speech on Smackdown is going to be their attempt at getting the crowd on his side again. If the live audience acts like the Raw audience, are they going to try to edit a positive reaction in?

 

[UberTag]

Really? they are pissing off a lot of people, me included right now.

They figure that you'll keep watching, buy a network subscription for $120/year, pay for live events so you can chant and hijack the show while crapping all over Vince & Hunter's boys and buy all of D.Brine's sweet new merchandise. So what if you're angry. Anger is good... so long as you don't stop watching.

The fact that you're angry shows that you're emotionally engaged with the product.
And you'll keep tuning in no matter how many times D.Brine gets screwed over.

So fuck what you want. All of those record Network sign-ups show that they still have plenty of latitude to keep pissing people off indefinitely.

Meltzer seems to think Batista's speech on Smackdown is going to be their attempt at getting the crowd on his side again. If the live audience acts like the Raw audience, are they going to try to edit a positive reaction in?

At this point they're probably better off jumpstarting Orton's face turn and have him work Mania as the face against Boo-tista. There's absolutely zero chance those hardcore fans cheer for Big Dave.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Meltzer seems to think Batista's speech on Smackdown is going to be their attempt at getting the crowd on his side again. If the live audience acts like the Raw audience, are they going to try to edit a positive reaction in?

The way it's phrased sounds like a big fuck you to the fans, which would be dope.

BRING US OUR BROTISTA

 

[Plywood]

Yesterday we were all convinced there was no way Bryan wasn't in the main event at Mania, Meltzer and Alvarez included. But now, we find out they're really not changing plans for anything since December, yet were supposed to believe that a guy that wasn't even the first choice to fight HHH at Mania is going to breast him clean, because that is what the fans want.

Just like last year, when it made no sense for HHH to go over Lesnar, right? Remember that?

Bryan can get his win back at Extreme Rules, when only a quarter or less of the people are watching, that's okay too, right? No need to have him go over when a million people are watching after all.

I might be bitter, but everyone here knows I'm a glass half full kind of guy about these things. But even I know when it's time to just stop believing in miracles to happen and realize past patterns do account for something.

They took Aiii's smile.

 

[jred2k]

Seems to me they are setting up a summer of Bryan that ends up with him and Brock at summerslam

Remember how Cena had "the worst year" of his life after Wm28.

Bryan is living it .

It's a deadly game they are playing but it seems to be working

Yeah now that the "Yes Movement" is a corporate branded and backed thing they can allow it to happen. It's just insane that the big moment of the storyline won't come during the biggest show of the year. Y'know, when a lot of people are watching and you can make a legitimate star out of somebody, but I don't think that would be best for business.

 

[Gorillaz]

I would laugh if H brings back the sledgehammer just for DB

Burial Overkill

 

[somedevil]

Yesterday we were all convinced there was no way Bryan wasn't in the main event at Mania, Meltzer and Alvarez included. But now, we find out they're really not changing plans for anything since December, yet were supposed to believe that a guy that wasn't even the first choice to fight HHH at Mania is going to breast him clean, because that is what the fans want.

Just like last year, when it made no sense for HHH to go over Lesnar, right? Remember that?

Bryan can get his win back at Extreme Rules, when only a quarter or less of the people are watching, that's okay too, right? No need to have him go over when a million people are watching after all.

I might be bitter, but everyone here knows I'm a glass half full kind of guy about these things. But even I know when it's time to just stop believing in miracles to happen and realize past patterns do account for something.

Alvarez and Meltzer said they had two options one with a Triple threat and the other Triple H vs Bryan. They went with Triple H. There belief in him being in the main event is to save the match from being crapped on.

Also, Triple H lost to lesnar at Summerslam before winning at WrestleMania and then losing the feud at Extreme Rules. We can all discuss if he should of won there but he lost the feud. If his ego was so extreme he would of won at extreme rules.

Triple H does some things wrong but the hate he gets here is comical at times. Its like that thanks Obama meme. Here its Thanks Triple H.

 

[Marvel]

They figure that you'll keep watching, buy a network subscription for $120/year, pay for live events so you can chant and hijack the show while crapping all over Vince & Hunter's boys and buy all of D.Brine's sweet new merchandise. So what if you're angry. Anger is good... so long as you don't stop watching.

The fact that you're angry shows that you're emotionally engaged with the product.
And you'll keep tuning in no matter how many times D.Brine gets screwed over.

So fuck what you want. All of those record Network sign-ups show that they still have plenty of latitude to keep pissing people off indefinitely.

lol, well you're not wrong I am emotionally invested. I suppose when Brine gets to win the titles it will be such a brilliant moment. Until then I'll keep chewing my TV remote each time he gets screwed.

Bray Wyatt and the Shield is the other reason I look forward to watching each week.

 

[okayfrog]

Let's reminisce! When did WWE break your spirit?
I think they broke mine when HHH won the elimination chamber with a sledge hammer. I was 12 at the time and remember getting home from the PPV and writing an email to the WWE and asking them to please stop the HHH madness.

Katie Vick, I believe. I don't remember much about when I stopped watching, but I do remember that being one of the contributing reasons.

What broke my spirit this run (2009-) was Cena winning the Rumble last year. Well actually, to be more specific, Ziggler being eliminated in the Rumble. How do you have him cut a promo saying, "I'm going to win the Rumble, win the WWE championship, then cash in my MitB and win the WHC," and then not have him go on and do that? Why you gotta bring me up to crash me so hard, WWE? And then Cena won and I knew it was all over. Rock was going to win (he did) and Cena was going to win at Wrestlemania (he did).

Oh well, I started getting into NJPW thanks to that. Bryan not being in the Rumble didn't even bother me so much. Hell, this whole run with Bryan doesn't bother me because I understand what WWE's doing. They wanna do it, go right ahead.

 

[G-Fex]

The way it's phrased sounds like a big fuck you to the fans, which would be dope.

BRING US OUR BROTISTA

That's BOOTISTA's last saving grace is being Brotista.

Boo them fans.

 

[Showaddy]

Meltzer seems to think Batista's speech on Smackdown is going to be their attempt at getting the crowd on his side again. If the live audience acts like the Raw audience, are they going to try to edit a positive reaction in?

That's just sad, like really sad. Even if he doesn't ham up the pathetic promo it's not going to change how bad he is in the ring or the fact he's perceived to have fucked over Bryan & Punk.

Even if it does miraculously work the next Live show is Chicago...

 

[Joeki11a]

Watching the taker face to face with bork

I actually saw FEAR in Brocks eyes this guy

was shook legit, he got lost in the moment lol