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[funkystudent]

In Vince's mind, Batista does huge ratings on Raw and Orton/Cena sell out house shows and get great reactions there. Bryan does not. He could give a fuck about a crowd reaction or Foley smashing a TV.

But he should. Because it's the Bryan fans that are first to buy the Network. They're the first to tell their friends and family about it. I know I was. I feel like there's a way to keep all his favorites strong (Batista, Orton, Cena mainly) AND make Bryan look strong/keep the crowd happy... but he just doesn't want any part of it. Bryan/Sheamus will be the first match at Mania.

Punk potentially quitting is pretty fucked up though lol

And of course Batista will draw ratings the first time he returned in like 5 years. Does anyone thing that will continue to do that in 4 weeks?

I mean its Batista! He was never "the guy". In evolution he was the 3rd wheel. When he was in the main event It was only for the title on the B Show during the darkest times in company history.

Not saying Batista cant be a main event player because he can be but he just isnt a guy you bring in to main event the biggest PPV of the year after years away. He isnt that guy. No one is that guy.

 

[BIGWORM]

Its going to be a slobber knocker

Fixed.

 

[Nelo Ice]

Its going to be a heck of a ride.


Cant wait for the random excuses they have when the network bombs. "Insiders are reporting lower then expected subscriptions to the WWE network. WWE thinks this is because the segment where Danial Bryan lost to the Miz lost 500,000 views. WWE creative is currently confused as to why Bryan continues to not be a ratings draw no matter how many times he loses.

Wrestling Observers David Metzler reports that the current plan is to job Bryan to Jack Swagger. According to the latest Figure 4 podcast if jobbing to Swagger doesnt draw ratings for Bryan he will be fired"

Lol this really is the worst possible scenario with the Network launching and yep they will do nothing about it. I'm curious how many people won't sub now do to Vince's stupidity. I was 100% on board before Rumble and now I refuse to give WWE any of my money.

 

[The Illiterati]

I used to watch WWE in the Attitude era. I haven't watched now for 10 or so years. I read these threads every few months or so enough to know the general lay of the land, as a curiosity.

Those who were watching actively back then know you could replace Daniel Bryan with Chris Jericho or Kurt Angle or Chris Benoit etc, and the discussion would be the exact same. There's always an underdog that is being held down that the smarts want elevated, and eventually he gets there, even if its just for a brief time. I don't know why any of you would doubt that this will happen again.

 

[GardenSirens]

So with Cm Punk "leaving" wwe....that pretty much sets up HHH for Daniel Bryan at Wrestlemania. Sucks. Royal Rumble was piss poor, too

 

[Master Thespian]

I used to watch WWE in the Attitude era. I haven't watched now for 10 or so years. I read these threads every few months or so enough to know the general lay of the land, as a curiosity.

Those who were watching actively back then know you could replace Daniel Bryan with Chris Jericho or Kurt Angle or Chris Benoit etc, and the discussion would be the exact same. There's always an underdog that is being held down that the smarts want elevated, and eventually he gets there, even if its just for a brief time. I don't know why any of you would doubt that this will happen again.

I think one of the big differences is that when Stone Cold and the Rock were on top, the people in the arena still liked them despite wanting other guys to get up there as well. Cena, Orton, Sheamus, Del Rio, Big Show, and now Batista are getting mostly indifference with lots of "just go away" heat. It would be like having six or seven X-Pacs headlining cards while trying to ignore Austin 3:16.

 

[Host Samurai]

There were plenty of top guys to push from 1997-2003 and the fans would have been happy

Stone Cold
Rock
Kurt
HHH
Kane
Taker
Show
Booker T
Jericho
Beniot
Eddie
Brock
Hogan (was red hot during his return)
Edge
Bret
HBK
Sid
RVD

I didn't even mention Foley or HHH

The roster now is very shallow and has been for the past 10 years because WWE hasn't built up anyone but Cena, Orton and Batista. Punk and Bryan are a rarity and WWE has never made them "top guys" despite Punks title reign. WWE constantly cycles through Randy and Cena.