Live WWE TV Discussion Thread

[Powder]

Here are some pics of Roman's shoulder....

Capture 2.png

[Powder]

EDIT:

Sorry for the double post....computer glitching

[The Cook]

I'm no doctor but that looks more like a muscle injury than a dislocated/separated shoulder. Plus the way the commentators mentioned how Reigns had said about "it being out" makes me think it's more of a storyline than anything. Really wouldn't shock me if they have him vacate both titles due to injury to give him a bit of time off and get around the whole 'one World Title thing'.

[PEN15v2]

Yes, that means absolutely nothing to me. Everything about that "injury" other than those images make it seem like a work. It tied into how the match ended, how Roman struggled to hold up the titles at first, and how every image since is him being just fine. I'll let the show tell me how real it is, not online speculation.

[Team Farrell]

It's just a super jacked triceps. His arm was scuffed up earlier in the match after Brock clotheslined him over the top. The guy's arms are just huge. I don't think it's a torn triceps. It might be, but I've had a torn biceps tendon for six months or more and there's a noticeable difference visually from one arm to the other that's not there in any photo other than when he's laying on the mat flexing.

[Powder]

So Elias re-debuted last night as Ezekiel, Elias' younger brother.....Ezekiel looked like any jobber form any time. From his 1980s hair to his generic ring gear, to his bland music. It was bad.


Also, last night was no where near that "RAW after Mania" from the past. No debuts, other than Ezekiel. No returns. Nothing major or shocking.

Oh wait Veer Mahan finally debuted in typical monster heel manner, and MVP turned on Lashley to cement his face turn. But both of those moments are not that newsworthy.

[PEN15v2]

Average Raw, and yeah, not much to really stand out. But they set the stage for a few good angles going forward. The new stable is what's drawing me in the most right now. It's very intriguing.

[Team Farrell]

The gimmick is silly, but I think Elias looks great. He finally looks like a pro wrestler who could hold a title and be a big star, rather than a dude in jeans.

[PEN15v2]

There's potential with this Ezekial thing, but the start was confusing more than anything. There should have been a follow up of some kind, be it a promo or a match. I guess we'll get that next week, which is fine, but there's very little intrigue at this time. Had they followed it up right away to get the fans to wrap their heads around this a bit more, there's be more interest in what's happening next week.

[Oliver]

I'm a bit on the fence with the Ezekiel thing, and am happy to sit back and watch it play out. The guy has always looked great in terms of the shape he's in. There's a bit of generic create-a-wrestler vibe to him right now, but they could easily flesh that out over time.

I just hope they don't do some kind of Elias/Ezekiel Chris Park/Abyss thing.

[Powder]

Unless Edge is hurt and needed to be written off TV, it was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too soon to have TJD turn on him.

[PEN15v2]

Why?

[Oliver]

I like Balor, Priest, and Ripley as a trio way more than with Edge in there. But I don't think the reasoning itself makes sense, personally. All the talk from Priest and Ripley about them getting rid of someone/thing that held them back, but it was Edge who made the winning pinfall at HiaC. So how is Edge holding back the other two?

[Powder]

Because this faction was just getting it's feet wet. They were around for what? 3 months? They had 1 feud with the same people, and Priest and Ripley were coming into their own. IMO they should have done the Batista turn with Priest, where eventually they turn on Edge. But I feel that this new JD will flop fast.

[PEN15v2]

That doesn't explain why you think it's too soon.

Unfortunately, I have to start this next comment by stating that I am not advocating the decision, praising it, or calling it a smart move that will lead to success. I'm merely pointing out the flaw in assuming it's too soon.

Did you see it coming? The goal of TV, wrestling or anything else, is to entertain. One of the common critiques against WWE, of all promotions, is how paint by numbers and predictable it can be. This change for the Judgment Day was definitely breaking that mold.

As for whether it was a good decision or not, I ask are you interested in seeing what happens next week? I know I am. Therefore I think it's a success so far. I also think Balor as heel is a very interesting and engaging move. Will it last? I couldn't tell you. I do like the people involved, and I like this change in all 3 of their characters. I personally think Edge was the most interesting of the 4 members, but this isn't like the stable is suddenly the JOB squad without a leader. All 3 are regulars with top of the card potential. Rhea winning the title shot is very interesting. I would have thought they'd build this match for a bigger show, but we saw how well WWE did with Becky vs Bianca at Mania after several previous matches, so this is possibly match one of 3-4 that will be on PPV over the next year. Hopefully not all in a row.


I would also like to point out that this likely has been the plan since the beginning of the stable. Keep in mind, Edge has very limited dates, but has been on every week since the build to Mania until last night. I believe the plan was for him to get this stable over enough to turn on him in the attack we saw, which will lead to him taking time off. The remaining group will continue to be heels on a weekly basis, and then Edge will return down the line. It could lead to him forming a face stable for Survivor Series, for example. It could also lead to him coming back in a few months to pop the fans, only to remain heel and join the Balor version.

But, we'll see where and how it goes from here.


Speaking of surprise turns, I'm not too sure about the return of the Dirty Dawgs, and being faces vs Omos and MVP. I think it's pretty obvious how this angle will go. Despite my personal lack of interest in Omos as a singles guy, we should all see that he'll be a focus for WWE. He just lost his last feud, so he needs a win, and Dolph/Roode will give him that.