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[Caderfix]

1) Who is to say Taker wants an HBK/Flair Moment? Austin didn't and Taker and Austin seem cut from the same cloth.

That I don't know, but it's only fit for the company to do something. To be clear, it doesn't need to be something huge like Flair or HBK, but at least be something, like an actual build up.

2) They don't want to run a "This is Taker's Last Match" because that's not the story they want to tell this year for for two reasons:

a) Maybe it's not his last match, they want to keep that door open
b) If it is the story they likely want to tell is that Reigns took Taker's career from him, forced him, not through a legal contract but through brute force, to retire. Can't do that if we know going in it's his last match.

Again, I get the reason, what I'm saying is:
It is bad regardless.

 

[BewareTheBatsie]

Started my free trial of the WWE Network so I can catch the HoF Cermony (already have Sky Sports for Mania) and watched that WWE 24 about Monday Raw, made me remember how hard that show jumped the shark last year. Hope to God it is better this year, at least we will get Nakamerica.

Last year the only thing that was good about it was Enzo and Cass, so mweh.

Roman completely brushing off Sami made for a good reaction gif at least.

This is what Roman's character really should be. Some guy laughing at the midcard fools who think they have a chance to try and beat him.

 

[Mahonay]

Roman completely brushing off Sami made for a good reaction gif at least.

This is what Roman's character really should be. Some guy laughing at the midcard fools who think they have a chance to try and beat him.

Yes. Roman has this in him and he'd be stellar at it. He could sit on a mountain of heat.

 

[Sephzilla]

I maintain the belief that The Streak ending at WM30 was a middle finger to CM Punk (and a stealth attempt to deflate the crowd for Daniel Bryan's big win)

 

[SallyIsNow]

I maintain the belief that The Streak ending at WM30 was a middle finger to CM Punk (and a stealth attempt to deflate the crowd for Daniel Bryan's big win)

I also think this. And I also think Mania 30 is overrated as fuck. It was all down hill for me after Bray got Cena'd.

 

[BewareTheBatsie]

I maintain the belief that The Streak ending at WM30 was a middle finger to CM Punk (and a stealth attempt to deflate the crowd for Daniel Bryan's big win)

I always thought them giving Bryan his big win was the middle finger (along with the obvious 'fuck, we need Bryan in there or people will riot'). A full-time guy who like Punk isn't in super shape and doesn't fit the normal mold of WWE superstars does what Punk never did and complained that he never got to do which was main event a Wrestlemania while beating two part-timers.

 

[Aiii]

Ok thank you I knew I wasn't crazy.

Why the fuck ya'll defending JBL or anyone at WWE?

If Bas Rutten says you are an asshole, you are an asshole.

But JBL being a huge cunt is no news to anyone, I would imagine.

 

[Hex]

Roman completely brushing off Sami made for a good reaction gif at least.

This is what Roman's character really should be. Some guy laughing at the midcard fools who think they have a chance to try and beat him.

He also went this way when HBK came down to the ring to offer advice vs Taker

 

[excelsiorlef]

He also went this way when HBK came down to the ring to offer advice vs Taker

His "Fuck You Philly" smirk he had on his face when he brought up winning the Rumble in Philly last night was also great.

 

[Hex]

I maintain the belief that The Streak ending at WM30 was a middle finger to CM Punk (and a stealth attempt to deflate the crowd for Daniel Bryan's big win)

Agreed.
That is why it felt out of nowhere

 

[blackaroni]

Roman completely brushing off Sami made for a good reaction gif at least.

This is what Roman's character really should be. Some guy laughing at the midcard fools who think they have a chance to try and beat him.

 

[slightconfuse]

Rod Trongard McMahon

 

[Sephzilla]

Roman completely brushing off Sami made for a good reaction gif at least.

This is what Roman's character really should be. Some guy laughing at the midcard fools who think they have a chance to try and beat him.

Cocky douchebag Roman who's self-aware of the fact that Vince loves him is exactly what his character should be.

 

[Data West]

Hard to believe that gimmick when he gets beat clean by Finn Balor

 

[BewareTheBatsie]

Hard to believe that gimmick when he gets beat clean by Finn Balor

Finn's massive push to Summerslam with a rocket strapped right onto his back all the way to the main event scene only to get immediately injured the match he gets the belt is sad and a bit darkly hilarious at the same time.

 

[Zach]

Cocky douchebag Roman who's self-aware of the fact that Vince loves him is exactly what his character should be.

From the gifs I see, that seems about right.

 

[Caderfix]

Hard to believe that gimmick when he gets beat clean by Finn Balor

Not really, he can be cocky and condescending while not being untouchable. Getting knocked down a bit by a smaller guy actually works, specially after he defeated a bunch of the big ones.

If they let him have that personality and he started to sound less bored (even when he tries to bring the heat, he sounds REALLY bored, and looks as if he's about to sleep) Roman would go from one of the reasons why I avoid RAW to one of the reasons why I would watch it.

 

[Kornflayx]

Cocky champ Roman Reigns was so good

 

[Mahonay]

Hard to believe that gimmick when he gets beat clean by Finn Balor

That was a shoot match?

 

[blackaroni]

 

[SallyIsNow]

Based Rollins saving us from Finn

 

[Mahonay]

Based Rollins saving us from Finn

Wishing injury upon people, hooray!

 

[Sephzilla]

Rollins literally laughing that he injured someone and then turning face a week or two later was so dumb

 

[Caderfix]

Rollins literally laughing that he injured someone and then turning face a week or two later was so dumb

How about showing a LOT of heart and love for the business while recovering from a serious injury in a network special and returning as a heel anyways?

 

[excelsiorlef]

Rollins literally laughing that he injured someone and then turning face a week or two later was so dumb

Rollins getting injured by Joe saved his fucking face run.

 

[Brian_FETO]

Rollins literally laughing that he injured someone and then turning face a week or two later was so dumb

Coming back from injury to a gigantic pop with an inspirational comeback documentary on the network though, peak time to be a heel

 

[HazySaiyan]

Rollins literally laughing that he injured someone and then turning face a week or two later was so dumb

They completely screwed up Rollins' entire face turn. Should have turned face as soon as he came back.

 

[Kaladin]

I hope they fast track Balor to the Universal title in a long feud with Brock. I don't really want to see Balor / Zayn vs Owens / Joe as a feud beyond house show fodder.

 

[Hidden One]

I hope they fast track Balor to the Universal title in a long feud with Brock. I don't really want to see Balor / Zayn vs Owens / Joe as a feud beyond house show fodder.

THE BEAST VS THE DEMON KING AT SUMMERSLAM!?!

lol I hate how they say Demon King every 3 mins.

 

[Sephzilla]

If Balor never gets injured he's probably facing Taker at Mania this week instead of Roman

 

[Mahonay]

They completely screwed up Rollins' entire face turn. Should have turned face as soon as he came back.

One of the dumbest things WWE did all year.

The pop Rollins got right after his return was fucking nuts. Turning him immediately backing into the weaselly heel made no sense. Just, why.

 

[BewareTheBatsie]

If Balor never gets injured he's probably facing Taker at Mania this week instead of Roman

Balor vs Taker. 25 minute entrances, 5 minute match.

 

[Kaladin]

If Balor never gets injured he's probably facing Taker at Mania this week instead of Roman

The way they hot shotted Balor to the title was something special, and he was set to be the face of the Raw brand for a long time.

 

[Sephzilla]

Vince clearly loves the Demon gimmick since he gave Demon Balor's debut away on free TV in order to give it maximum exposure. He probably would have went nuts for Demon Balor versus Undertaker.

 

[Mahonay]

Vince clearly loves the Demon gimmick since he gave Demon Balor's debut away on free TV in order to give it maximum exposure. He probably would have went nuts for Demon Balor versus Undertaker.

He smells the merch money.

 

[Kaladin]

Vince clearly loves the Demon gimmick since he gave Demon Balor's debut away on free TV in order to give it maximum exposure. He probably would have went nuts for Demon Balor versus Undertaker.

I bet that's why they're not doing the retirement angle with Reigns, they want to hold out for Balor vs Taker.

 

[Caderfix]

The way they hot shotted Balor to the title was something special, and he was set to be the face of the Raw brand for a long time.

He will still be once he returns. And, honestly, expect him to win a feud against post Taker retirement Roman.

 

[BewareTheBatsie]

I wouldn't be shocked if at least 30% of the reason for Finn's push is because he's Irish.

 

[Sephzilla]

I bet that's why they're not doing the retirement angle with Reigns, they want to hold out for Balor vs Taker.

I fully expect them to try to squeeze one more year out of Undertaker. If this was Taker's final match they'd be really driving it home the possibility that this is the last time we see The Phenom

 

[Menome]

Upon the examination of the galaxies of space, images begin to appear -- images of strange and powerful forces. But of all the forces in the universe, the two most powerful -- Zach Hogan! And the Ultimate Menome! -- prepare to explode!

Filth Champion versus Purity Champion. Nickname versus no nickname.

It's the ULTIMATE CHALLENGE!! IT'S GWF THREEEEEEEE!!!

And to think, I almost skipped the last five pages to catch up.

 

[British Monsoon]

I fucking despise Demon Balor. Fuck you, Finn. Watch some goddamn Muta tapes.

 

[Bronx-Man]

DEMON KING
C'MON DEMON KING
I KNOW YOU'RE HERE, DEMON KING
SHOW YOURSELF, DEMON KING
DEMON KING
WHERE ARE YOU, DEMON KING

 

[BewareTheBatsie]

I remember when they made it like 35 year old Finn Balor was the rookie youngster going up against 31 year Roman Reigns and 30 year old Seth Rollins.

Like when 39 year old rookie AJ Styles first stepped into a WWE ring.

 

[Sephzilla]

I fucking despise Demon Balor. Fuck you, Finn. Watch some goddamn Muta tapes.

He desperately needs to do some different stuff when he's Demon Balor. Change up his move set and be more aggressive and savage. He shouldn't even be doing the Coup De Grace as the finisher when he's the Demon

 

[excelsiorlef]

I fully expect them to try to squeeze one more year out of Undertaker. If this was Taker's final match they'd be really driving it home the possibility that this is the last time we see The Phenom

Again unless they want to not telegraph Roman killing him too much. Word is his hip is fucked and the surgery he needs to have basically ends his career... we'll see though.

 

[Kaladin]

He desperately needs to do some different stuff when he's Demon Balor. Change up his move set and be more aggressive and savage.

My hope was that he'd be able to grow it a bit more on Raw, since NXT doesn't really do character development beyond the initial gimmicks.

 

[Mahonay]

I fucking despise Demon Balor. Fuck you, Finn. Watch some goddamn Muta tapes.

Ahem. It's The Demon King®

 

[blackaroni]

I just don't understand the desire to see Balor vs Lesnar/Taker.

 

[Kornflayx]

He desperately needs to do some different stuff when he's Demon Balor. Change up his move set and be more aggressive and savage.

First of all, he needs to drop that weird interpretive dance shit. That kills him the most for me

 

[British Monsoon]

He desperately needs to do some different stuff when he's Demon Balor. Change up his move set and be more aggressive and savage.

Yup, otherwise it's just goofy facepaint and a super spoopy entrance to psych out his opponent, or some shit. Awful.