Live WWE TV Discussion Thread

[Oliver]

It makes sense - I guess I just expected them to capitalise on the night before with something between the two.

I guess that is due to Becky quoting Tito (about his description of ADR) that Shayna is a Black Hole Of Charisma, which she is. Shayna cannot cut a compelling promo, or go toe to toe with Becky on the mic, as she will get eaten alive by Becky.

I disagree - I thought the 'tear the living shit out of you' promo was excellent. And I love the way that Shayna carries herself through her promos - she's a dickhead bully that knows she can back it up. But then, I'm a big fan of hers and have been throughout her time on NXT, so I'm probably biased.

To be honest, I thought Becky calling Shayna a 'blackhole of charisma' was bloody stupid and does nothing to get a new talent over. And I'm not sure I'm really 'feeling' Becky right now as a character.

[Team Farrell]

Maaaybe someone realized how much Shayna doesn't hold up in the ring and is looking to move this match out of the limelight somewhat.

She's completely legitimate, and I love the character, but when it comes to stepping in the ring she is capable of having "her" match and nothing else. She's good at two or three things, and it's rough sailing otherwise. Her style is great in NXT where she's the only one kind of doing the more dominant, realistic, less dynamic matches. But she's not in NXT anymore and it's starting to show.

This WrestleMania is starting to scare me a little. Brock, Shayna, The Fiend and Goldberg are all much better in shorter, more aggressive, matches. But that's potentially four very similar matches on the card, or one match that will be really exciting, and two to three that fall apart.

[PEN15v2]

This WrestleMania is starting to scare me a little. Brock, Shayna, The Fiend and Goldberg are all much better in shorter, more aggressive, matches. But that's potentially four very similar matches on the card, or one match that will be really exciting, and two to three that fall apart.

I wouldn't categorize Shayna the way you have, and really enjoy her style. It's less "exciting" than modern wrestling styles, but I still enjoy it. Feels old school, though she's no Bob Orton Jr.

In fact, Goldberg is the only one who cannot wrestle anything but the short blitz match. Brock and Fiend excel there, but can work other types of matches. Cena especially is a great opponent, and I have no concerns for that match. Drew vs Brock will be a brawl, and likely will be my fave match of the night (unless Bryan vs Gulak happens again).

Basically I'm not worried because I like having these matches on the card. I'm more worried about Taker vs AJ.

[Team Farrell]

I haven't like a Fiend match yet. It's that no-selling style that I can't handle. Admittedly it seems to have scaled back a bit with his last two matches and they're moving in the other direction, but I really do fear that Cena is going to sell his ass off for a plodding, no-selling Michael Meyers for 15 minutes, and there's only so long of a bathroom break I can take.

I have faith in Brock vs Drew. I don't think is cracks the 10 minute mark, and it doesn't have to if they just go out and fight. Like you, that's the one I expect to enjoy the most.

But I haven't seen it with Shayna's matches since day one, and I still don't. Her fundamentals are still really weak, it seems like opponent after opponent she has to have her match, and if she tries to step outside that box like with Kari Sane last week it doesn't work. I appreciate the level of violence she brings to her matches but I hit a point in all of them where I feel like I'm watching an MMA fighter struggle to adapt to pro wrestling, rather than an MMA fighter bring presented as an MMA fighter in a pro wrestling setting, which is what they want.

Like you, I am getting a little worried about AJ vs Taker, though. I had high hopes because AJ is so good, but those chokeslams we've seen lately haven't been great.

[Oliver]

(unless Bryan vs Gulak happens again).

I'm kind of expecting, after the backstage bit with Bryan (where he shouts 'blood and guts' a lot) that we're going to see a Gulak/Bryan tag team in the not too distant future. He ended that by saying he was going to see if Gulak could 'help him'.

[PEN15v2]

I enjoyed Smackdown tonight for what it was, but I hope WWE gets a bit more creative with the content if every show will take place at the PC. The novelty will wear off fast.

Loved the Cena promo. There really is no one better.

[Powder]

I just rewatched the Vena/Wyatt promo and I think that what the few posts about how good Cena was on Friday, which is very true, also forgot how good Wyatt was. I think it was the first time that he gave a promo in a ring to an opponent since he Redebuted. It was clear, well spoken, had all the right elements, told his reasons, and gave us a backstory to the Fiend. Yes Cena is one of the best mic men of all time, But Wyatt stood with him and was very good and effective. Wyatt delivered one of his better promos in response. Just giving credit where credit is due.

[Team Farrell]

I loved empty arena Smackdown. Everything felt looser and less scripted.

I was saying as I watched it that I think they should turn this into a show for The Network. Whether it's an interview show in an empty, but fully set, building or maybe they take a handful of guys that aren't doing anything else and they work the empty arena show. Unscripted promos, easy matches, make your shit look good because there's no way to hide it.

I'd love to see it. Maybe something smaller scale like Power. I just really enjoyed the aesthetic.

Also like Triple H on commentary. He's really good. I love that he knows he's not getting fired, so he points out the absurd Vince McMahon stuff that he doesn't like.

[PEN15v2]

Good points, and comparison to NWA Power. Maybe what you're describing as an idea is what "main event" should be.

[Team Farrell]

It had a nice feel to it, and makes them think a little differently. For instance, Triple H pointing out how ridiculous it was that Asuka could "sneak up" on anyone to cause the interference in an empty building.

[Oliver]

I didn't like Raw last night, in contrast to Smackdown.

I get that there's an element of talent protection in not having too many of them wrestle together, which needs to be factored in, but they're really going to have to start getting creative with this setting.

[Powder]

I was going to say the same thing. Is the WWE deliberately not holding matches to keep as few talent isolated as possible so the WM can go on? If so then good for them. If not then I do not see why we could not have more matches. Replaying the hour long rumble was nice but not necessary, unless it was.

Also, One thing that an empty arena exposes is the hokiness of the Undertaker. He obviously did not do his standard entrance, but then when the lights went out and he turned up behind the OC it was a little silly. The ‘magic’ and suspending of disbelief of the WWE needs that live audience to make it work at times. The Fiend came out as Bray Wyatt and Taker came to the ring as a version of Biker Taker, but when the lights went out it was as I said a little silly.

And Austin’s entire 3:16 day was awful. There I said it. It was bad. He read off cards and each new rule and joke was not funny.

[Powder]

I am 100% certain that I am reading into this, but on NXT, HHH was not wearing his wedding ring. I find that interesting, considering he is NOT wrestling.

[comfortablynumb]

I really enjoyed the hour recap of the Ciampa-Gargano feud. That early tryout footage was good stuff.

[Oliver]

I'm going to check it out later, I heard they were essentially doing NXT with no active wrestling so left it on the shelf. But that sort of stuff will work well for me in terms of the storytelling.