The Wrestling Thread

[Raging Justice]

Yeah, Bayley is the only thing I'm into with WWE at the moment and the only thing on Smackdown I cared about.

The Bayley thing works because IT'S AN ACTUAL STORY THAT THEY TOLD. And for all the bitching I did about it, even her months of poor booking kind of played into that story really well. This is Bayley's come back, almost a redemption story. Everyone loves a good comeback/redemption story. I also think her story was great because it had an air of unpredictability. I honestly didn't think she'd win the rumble. I thought Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair had a much better chance. Even Jade Cargill was somewhat believable as WWE has shown in the past that they are willing to put people who are green into a major spot. My god I can't express how good it feels when someone you like gets a victory that you didn't see coming. I love those moments.

What I love about Bayley's story is that even though she's a heel, or WAS a heel as that status is somewhat questionable now, she gave the audience a reason to care. She DID do everything for Damage Control, and there's no denying that Iyo does owe her a bit of gratitude. They've played this angle up as a betrayal, and it works. It makes Bayley sympathetic. Betrayals are common in wrestling, but they're not always pulled off well. The weeks of showing Damage Control disrespecting and ignoring Bayley I think did a remarkable job of making Bayley sympathetic because while she was working towards the betterment of Damage Control, you could see them basically laughing at her and making fun of her behind her back like a bunch of hyenas. On top of that, Bayley was given poor booking which I think also made a lot of fans sympathetic. We have a natural desire to root for the underdog. We wanted to see Bayley finally get that big win while we were tired of seeing someone like Bianca Belair constantly winning the same way she always does. All of this came together beautifully for the Royal Rumble.

Now, there have been some bumps along the way as there have been times when it was clear WWE didn't know exactly what they wanted to do with Damage Control, and the group has suffered from some bad booking and creative since its inception, but ultimately I'm happy with where things are at right now. Few things are perfect in pro wrestling and that's fine. You just have to fix the problems and move things back in a positive direction and I think they've done that. My only question now is why didn't we see Dakota Kai at all last night. She is a member of Damage Control.

Rock versus Roman is lame, but there's an evil little part of me that is laughing at Punk missing yet another opportunity to main event a Wrestlemania and Cody STILL not finishing his story. I hope to God that the Rock beats Roman and becomes the champion because if he doesn't than that still leaves the door open for Cody to be the guy who eventually does it, or even the slim chance that it ends up being Punk who does it. So I'm rooting for The Rock 1000%

KICK ROMAN'S ASS ROCK!!!

The biggest loser in all of this though is clearly LA Knight who should have been the guy getting this match with Roman if WWE really cared about pushing new stars.

[Reprise]

Rock versus Roman is lame, but there's an evil little part of me that is laughing at Punk missing yet another opportunity to main event a Wrestlemania and Cody STILL not finishing his story.

"But the fact that Dwayne is in the main event at WrestleMania next year and I'm not makes me sick!"

That's a cruel twist of irony

I do hate the idea of Rock coming back and main eventing Mania though. From a storyline perspective it doesn't even make sense. Cody is ok on the mic and can talk with real conviction, but come on... So he won the Rumble again and suddenly he doesn't care about finishing his story? Or beating Roman? Or getting the title? It wasn't and isn't convincing. Like he's just going to roll over to let the Rock have a shot...

Yeah, I am a sucker for a good redemption story in wrestling and the way Bayley's story has been told these last few weeks has been excellent.

Overall though. This is weird. The company has been so cocky and so arrogant over the last year and a bit. There's been so much talk about how hot they are and how they don't need people. There was talk of them not needing Punk, there was talk of them not needing the Rock. And yet here we are... The run up to Wrestlemania and apparently they did need Punk after all and now that's suffered a major stumble, they now need the Rock.

I just HATE these kind of Manias where they mess about and throw stories and parts of stories down the toilet, because they get cold feet or worry about not delivering the biggest Mania of all time.

It reminds me of when they had a perfectly told story and ready made main event between Triple H and the Rock at Wrestlemania 2000, but didn't have confidence, so had to some ridiculous story that lead to the Fatal Four Way McMahon in every corner angle. Or when Yokozuna defeated Bret Hart at Mania IX, but Hogan had to just come out and bury everyone involved. Or when there was shenanigans at Wrestlemania VII and we didn't get Flair vs Hogan because Hogan didn't want to lose. And wasn't there talk of WWF pulling the trigger on Stone Cold leading up to Mania 13, but they got cold feet, so Taker vs Sid ended up main eventing instead?

[Reprise]

It seems like the backlash online has been pretty huge. I am quite surprised.

It will be interesting to see if WWE pivots and u-turns (and how they go about it), as they did in the run up to Wrestlemania 30, or if they march on and ignore the backlash, as they did with Wrestlemania 31, 32 and so on.

At the moment, the clip of that segment from Smackdown on Youtube is the company's most down voted clip in their history. #WeWantCody was trending on Twitter/X and a lot of the usual talking heads and wrestling social media influencers and their followers have been shitting on it.

Also, I don't know if it's just someone bullshitting, but someone on Facebook who claimed to have been in attendance at Smackdown said there were boos during the segment and people were chanting "this is abysmal", but WWE muted it at home and/or piped in cheers. I don't know how true that is.

Part of me hopes they do march on, even though I think it's dumb. I don't care for Cody and don't want fans martyring him or turning him into Daniel Bryan.

Besides, I am not sure how they u-turn. They just made Cody look pathetic and undermined his character's entire narrative they have been selling for two years.

[Raging Justice]

The Cody thing is really bizarre. It's like the bizarro world version of the Yes Movement from 2014. Back then I understood the love for Daniel Bryan, because he was the perfect baby face, almost like 80s Hulk Hogan. He also represented every person who was ever told they are not good enough for reasons beyond their control, a "B+ Player". It was almost like how Steven Austin appealed to blue collar workers who hated their rich, asshole bosses.

Cody is like a corporate, marketing approved, politician with Hollywood looks and the usual fakeness that most Hollywood stars embody. He comes out with the fancy watch and fancy suits just to show you that he's not "one of us". He has a cheesy, marketing team approved catchphrase ("what do you want to talk about"). He looks like he belongs on the cover of a GQ magazine instead of that relatable, down to earth look that guys like Bryan and Punk and you could even say Steve Austin had. In a lot of ways, he is THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE OF HIS FATHER. His brother is more like Dusty than Cody is. Dusty Rhodes was the common man. That's why people loved him. Cody is the corporate, politician, with movie star good looks. And like any good politician, everything he says sounds fake as fuck and insincere. I guess it's fitting that he calls himself "The American Nightmare". That is what he represents. Corporate, political, capitalist, bullshit. Everything that is the opposite of "The American Dream" that was his father. I love the fact that Cody LITERALLY politics as part of his kayfabe character. Dream McIntyre even called him out on this on a recent episode of Raw. He said that Cody has "magical, political, powers"

"I love WWE and all of its fans!" - Cody

Really Cody? Is that why you ditched those fans years ago? Is you symbolically smashing a throne with a sledgehammer on a big pay per view proof of how much you love WWE? Let's all pretend that you never took any shots at WWE while you where in AEW. Oh, and let's all forget how much you told AEW fans they meant to you before you turned your back on them.

"I'm gonna finish my story!" - Cody

What story? You never had one. You came to WWE and just piggy backed onto the story that Kevin Owens and Sammy Zayne had. Hell, you even tried to steal Jey Uso's story as well. There was NEVER a personal beef between you and Roman Reigns. Also, wanting to be world champion is not "your story". It's what literally every person on the roster wants you fucking nitwit. You literally had more of a story in the company that you stabbed in the back. THAT was your story, and it could have had an amazing heel turn that could have led to an eventual redemption story. Much as I hate to admit it, CM Punk has more of a story in WWE than Cody, though Punk chose to completely abandon that story upon returning to WWE and just act like a sellout instead.

I just don't get it. AEW fans saw through Cody, and don't get me wrong, AEW fans can be pretty delusional too (see the love for Eddie Kingston). Still, they saw through Cody's bullshit and turned on him HARD. So I guess WWE fans are just dumber than AEW fans apparently.

Speaking of AEW, once again I have to comment on how much better the week to week in ring product is. Some of the matches on Collision and Dynamite lately are just awesome. There is a level of fast paced, over the top, action that is just not common in WWE. Also, AEW immediately gets to the action while WWE loves to waste time on bullshit. WWE does constant recaps, advertising, constantly bragging about all of their charity or community stuff, stupid in ring "talk shows", etc, etc, etc. WWE feels so goddamn corporate and Cody really embodies that.

Swerve is just on another level right now. His promos just keep your butt glued to your seat. Something about how he talks and presents himself make him captivating to watch and listen to. He is getting so popular that I feel like AEW may drop the heel act as I'm seeing signs of that already

God I fucking hate Toni Storm. She is holding down a women's division that has more potential now than it has had in quite some time. That division is stacked with talent right now, i haven't even mentioned some of the solid matches Queen Aminata has been having or how improved Red Velvet is these days. Look at all the talent the division has right now:

Hikaru Shida
Riho
Other talented joshis that we only randomly see on TV like Maki Itoh and Yuka Sakazaki
Serena Deeb
Deonna Purrazo - Two real technicians right there with her and Deeb
Jamie Hayter
Kris Statlander
Taya Valkyrie - Her in ring is so so, but she can talk and she's got personality. She's even better paired up with Johnny
Anna Jay - Solid, all round performer with good looks and decent promos
Tay Conti - Whenever she decides to come back post pregnancy
Britt Baker
Willow Nightingale
Sky Blue and Julia Hart who both are developing gradually
Mariah May who has absurd amounts of potential
Rubo Soho - I don't like her but she can bring something to the table if used right

I know I'm forgetting some people in that list but those are the ones standing out to me right now. With all the lucha talent AEW is bringing in lately they should grab some ladies from that world as well like Stephanie Vaquer

[Reprise]

The Cody love is bizarre. Your description of him is spot on. The corny catchphrases and the fake, corporate politician-like appearance and persona.

As I said, I am torn. I hate the thought of The Rock being shoehorned and moved into a spot that makes no sense in terms of storytelling, but also the Daniel Bryanization and martyring of Cody is just bleh. Also, part of me wants them to piss of their fans again, maybe it will help level the playing field and help put some eyes back on AEW, whose in-ring product is infinitely better right now.

I have noticed whilst getting back into AEW that the women's division does seem much stronger now. If Jamie Hayter returns soon, Britt comes back and Mercedes debuts as wellz then it will get even better.

[Raging Justice]

The Cody love is bizarre. Your description of him is spot on. The corny catchphrases and the fake, corporate politician-like appearance and persona.

As I said, I am torn. I hate the thought of The Rock being shoehorned and moved into a spot that makes no sense in terms of storytelling, but also the Daniel Bryanization and martyring of Cody is just bleh. Also, part of me wants them to piss of their fans again, maybe it will help level the playing field and help put some eyes back on AEW, whose in-ring product is infinitely better right now.

I have noticed whilst getting back into AEW that the women's division does seem much stronger now. If Jamie Hayter returns soon, Britt comes back and Mercedes debuts as wellz then it will get even better.

I may need to get away from WWE for a bit. All of this drama is pretty off putting. The Rock thing is interesting, because according to some reports, this is a power move. Dwayne has tried throwing his weight around in Hollywood already and has a reputation of being a bit of a diva, now he's doing the same thing in WWE by joining TKO's board of directors or whatever it's called. I don't like The Rock, but my current dislike for Cody is much greater. The ridiculous response from the fans is making me hate Cody more as well.

Anyway, on a more positive note, props to Bayley. She's been putting people over for quite some time, and now she's getting a Wrestlemania spotlight. I like that. That's how things are supposed to work in wrestling. You help others get the spotlight, and then the spotlight eventually finds its way back to you.

If Britt Baker and Hayter come back, they should make Britt, Purazzo, and Jamie Hayter a power trio. Purazzo is a known friend of Britt Baker. If Chelsea Green weren't in WWE it would be so much fun to her in the group as well. Have one of them get the women's title, preferably Purazzo since that would be new and she's a damn good wrestler, then introduce some tag titles for Britt and Hayter to win. That would immediately make the women's tag titles feel legit. Let those girls run the women's division for a bit, with Undisputed Kingdom even showing their support for them. Britt and Cole can be an onscreen power couple, maybe have Cole even get the World title. Then you could have Mercedes show up in AEW, and step up to these ladies. That could be some great TV. Then get some other girls behind Mercedes as they take on the power trio. I'd have Mercedes feud with Britt Baker first, before going after Purazzo for the title. A Britt Baker/Mercedes feud is money just waiting to be made. Seriously, just the thought in my head of them standing face to face in a ring with the crowd going nuts is exciting to me.

and I have to say again, with AEW bringing in CMLL guys, I'd love to see their women's champ stephanie Vacquer doing some work in AEW and I'd LOVE to see her and Mercedes wrestle again.

Then just give me a Forbidden Door with some Stardom talent (like Giulia and Mayu Iwatani) and I'd argue that AEW has better women's wrestling than WWE

[Reprise]

I smell a U-turn coming anyways. It's been reported that WWE is actively monitoring the situation, particular on social media, and considering their options. I do find the mental gymnastics people are going through to defend the move or attack it, and the fantasy booking some people are doing quite amusing. I have seen people throwing around the idea of Cody facing Roman at the Elimination Chamber instead, or having Reigns do two matches, headlining both night 1 and night 2 (wouldn't that just solidify Seth's World Heavyweight title as a 'secondary' consolation title?). None of it really makes sense. I have even seen talk of continuing with the current plan of Cody facing Seth and Rock facing Roman and then Cody winning a unification match at Summerslam, which is just ridiculous, considering the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship or whatever the hell it is that Roman is, is already a unified championship in itself.

The sad thing is that this is all because they feared the Vince lawsuit and because they lost Punk, which is silly. Punk wasn't even in the company three months ago (and they spent a decade claiming they don't need him) and the Vince stuff doesn't seem to have really hindered the popularity or continuing success of WWE.

And they booked themselves into this corner. They spent two years drumming this 'FiNiSh ThE sToRy" stuff into fans' ears and choosing Cody to be the Rumble winner two years in the row and seemingly pushing him to be the face of the company.

There is a bit of a backlash against the backlash too. I have seen a lot of fans pissed off with the toxic rhetoric and negativity. Many who want Rock vs Reigns (although I suspect many are just trying to convince themselves they want it, because they don't like the company being attacked or they feel like they have to defend/justify everything the company does - many AEW fans are the same) and many who call it a dream match that's years in the making (sounds like something Michael Cole would say haha). The dude's 51 years old, he doesn't wrestle anymore, he can't even walk down the ringway without looking gassed and the match will probably be shit. Anyways...

Bayley is awesome. I re-watched her Brooklyn Takeover match against Sasha Banks today. It is such a phenomenal match. It's hard to believe it's been 8 or 9 years since then. Good for her finally getting her moment.

If Britt Baker and Hayter come back, they should make Britt, Purazzo, and Jamie Hayter a power trio. Purazzo is a known friend of Britt Baker. If Chelsea Green weren't in WWE it would be so much fun to her in the group as well. Have one of them get the women's title, preferably Purazzo since that would be new and she's a damn good wrestler, then introduce some tag titles for Britt and Hayter to win. That would immediately make the women's tag titles feel legit. Let those girls run the women's division for a bit, with Undisputed Kingdom even showing their support for them. Britt and Cole can be an onscreen power couple, maybe have Cole even get the World title. Then you could have Mercedes show up in AEW, and step up to these ladies. That could be some great TV. Then get some other girls behind Mercedes as they take on the power trio. I'd have Mercedes feud with Britt Baker first, before going after Purazzo for the title. A Britt Baker/Mercedes feud is money just waiting to be made. Seriously, just the thought in my head of them standing face to face in a ring with the crowd going nuts is exciting to me.

and I have to say again, with AEW bringing in CMLL guys, I'd love to see their women's champ stephanie Vacquer doing some work in AEW and I'd LOVE to see her and Mercedes wrestle again.

Then just give me a Forbidden Door with some Stardom talent (like Giulia and Mayu Iwatani) and I'd argue that AEW has better women's wrestling than WWE

That all sounds amazing! Fingers crossed that AEW finally gets its women's division moving and staying in the right direction. Undisputed Kingdom seem like a bit of a flop at the moment* (judging by online reactions), but that could really turn them around and turn them into an amazing dominant faction.

*I don't think Cole and MJF both being injured and the latter being off-TV helps

[Raging Justice]

What the hell is going on with the behind the scenes shake ups in so many wrestling companies right now!?

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japa ... ossy-ogawa

Oh, and once again, Tony Kahn shows the world what an immature child he is. When the hell is someone going to force him off of Twitter? I can't wait until someone digs up some dirt on him and then we can all laugh when everyone on Twitter is talking about HIM. I'm sure he has some skeletons in his closet. I guess now we can see why we never had Stardom talent showing up in AEW.

Anyway, moral of this story with Rossy Ogawa is to NEVER sell a company you have created to ANYONE, because they can then easily take it away from you. Seriously, how effed up is it to be fired from your own company?

Nothing has been going well for Stardom of late.

By the way, I LOVE seeing The Rock troll all of Cody's fans. It's actually kind of hilarious, though I don't know if he did it intentionally or was just doing a typical, corporate sounding speech about how much he loves the fans and unintentionally trolled them in the process

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/the- ... -smackdown

Man, these past 2 or 3 years have really shown us how many assholes there are in the world of wrestling. Punk, Cody, Vince McMahon, The Rock, TKO executives...and maybe even Rossy Ogawa assuming there is more to his firing than meets the eye. Christ, what a shitty business pro wrestling is. And then there's the shitty fans, people wishing The Rock would die and that Roman would get leukemia again just because their precious Cody is not being handed the keys to the kingdom

God, I just want to watch some good shows with good stories and good matches and get away from all of this other crap surrounding pro wrestling. I'm sort of getting tired of all the negative stories surrounding everything going on behind the scenes, and I'm tired of people being jackasses on social media (looking at you Tony, though you're not the only one doing this)

[Reprise]

I said it before, but wrestling fans are the worst people in the world. As the old saying goes, no one hates wrestling more than wrestling fans.

[Reprise]

What the hell is going on with the behind the scenes shake ups in so many wrestling companies right now!?

https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japa ... ossy-ogawa

Oh, and once again, Tony Kahn shows the world what an immature child he is.

So reading between the lines, this sounds like a Todd Gordon situation and perhaps Rossy was poaching talent for WWE, which is possibly why Tony Khan seems to dislike the guy and be celebrating his firing?

Or maybe I am way off.

Sounds like more about the story will get out there at some point anyways.

Edit: More news about The Rock. It is being reported that when he made the deal to join the TKO Board, he wanted the main event of Wrestlemania against Roman Reigns to be part of that deal, and it was agreed by TKO/WWE.