The Wrestling Thread

[BurningDoom]

Tensei is not like Yokozuna at all. Don't even compare the two. That's insulting to Yokozuna.

Well they are both non-Japanese guys who are pretending to be Japanese, squashing their opponents. It reminds me of Yokozuna if anything.

I think WWE's roster is excellent right now. They just don't use them properly most of the time. Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, AJ Lee, Beth Phoenix, Mark Henry, Big Show(I don't care what anyone says, he a valuable part of the roster), Kane(see previous Big Show comments), The Miz, Damien Sandow, Tyson Kid(he had some awesome moves on Raw this week), The Usos(great, under-utilized tag team), The Prime Time Players (These guys should be tag champs because they've got charisma), Eve (I don't like her, but she's a good heel) Sara Del Ray(I know she's a trainer but I'd LOVE to see her on TV kicking ass in the ring as divas champ and feuding with Beth Phoenix), Natalia, Santino (he's a good comedy guy for the kids), Swagger(talk about wasted talent) and good managers like Vickie and Heyman.

The one's bolded don't make an excellent roster in my opinion. Maybe Kane from ten years ago, but after seeing him job to guys for sooo many years it is hard to take him seriously. His run last year was better but for me, he is still the plodding bald guy that turns up in Royal Rumbles and Money in the Banks but forgets who he is in episodes of Smackdown. Big Show as well, when a punch is your finishing move then you know your time is up. I can't remember the last time Show put on a great wrestling match. Mark Henry is another who has outstayed his welcome. He would be great if there was still a Hardcore title or even tagging with someone, but on his own he just walks around the ring absorbing attacks. I admire him for his longevity but I wouldn't pay money to go see Mark Henry vs Big Show.

Anyway, my point isn't that the roster is bad, you're right the talent isn't used properly. Maybe that is why when I watch WWE from ten years ago it is better, the talent was used properly. Or it could be like everything I grew up with, it just isn't what it used to be.

Yeah, gotta agree. Most of those highlight wrestlers, are pretty mediocre. And especially Swagger. The biggest talent he has is putting me to sleep. Kane used to be good, but his character has been destroyed and no longer has that sense of danger about him, and he himself has gotten lazy over the years.

[Gamerforlife]

Mark Henry had a monster heel run last year that even got Smackdown's ratings up. He had some decent matches for a guy his size and was dropping some killer mic work. Big Show is a great character who can drop good promos and effectively play face or heel. His size makes him a credible threat for any feud. Kane is still a great asset to the company. His current program with Bryan has been the most entertaining thing on WWE programming the past couple weeks. Swagger is a former world champ and a great wrestler, and he's got that size that Vince loves so much

I'm glad you guys aren't running the WWE. You don't know useful talent when you see it, just like Vince.

and Big Show's punch is an excellent finisher. It's a nod to continuity, he started using it after his program with Floyd Mayweather and when a guy that huge with boxing training punches you with those monster hands, you WILL be knocked out. A punch is more than a punch if it comes from a guy with boxing training. It's even more devastating from a guy with humongous hands. Show delivers it well too. You can usually hear the sound of it hitting people. He's probably a bit stiff with it, but nobody seems to complain.

[Bootaaay]

Here's the main event from Monday's New Japan iPPV - this is the latest match to receive a 5/5 star rating from the Wrestling Observer. The story going into this match is basically that Tanahashi is like the Cena of New Japan in terms of popularity and presence, while Suzuki is a tough-as-nails heel who believes Tanahashi is turning New Japan into a circus with his style of wrestling. The hardcore fans are firmly behind Suzuki, who represents the Japanese strong style of wrestling, while the kids and ladies go crazy for pretty boy Tanahashi's flamboyant wrestling style his air guitar antics. Top quality match here, great storytelling, excellent selling and a perfect example of how to work a long match without going overboard and doing too much;

Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) vs Minoru Suzuki - (NJPW 10/08/12)

[Razzmatazz]

Swagger is a former world champ and a great wrestler, and he's got that size that Vince loves so much.

I'm glad you guys aren't running the WWE. You don't know useful talent when you see it, just like Vince.

Jack Swagger could be the best wrestler in the world, but I agree with BurningDoom, he puts me to sleep. I remember him doing some mic work during his two month title reign (which he won by cashing in on a knackered Jericho) and it was excruciating to watch. David Brent embarrassing. I've nothing against the guy in real life, and I know guys with lisps and stutters, but unless you are going to work that into your character, you come off as an idiot. Especially when there are guys like The Rock and CM Punk around. He stands no chance. And who is he anyway? Just some tall guy that stole Kurt Angle's outfit. What is his story, his agenda? Why did he help Michael Cole at Wrestlemania? I can't knock him in the ring, but as "Jack Swagger", I'm sorry but he sucks.

[BurningDoom]

Talented guys on WWE's roster for me include CM Punk, Randy Orton, R-Truth, Sin Cara, Sheamus, Wade Barrett.

I feel TNA has a much better roster with guys like Austin Aries, Mr. Anderson, Jeff Hardy, Robert Rhoode, Cowboy James Storm, Kurt Angle, Sting, Gunner (completely underused), Bully Ray (seriously, I know if you aren't watching TNA this is a tough pill to swallow, but anyone watching TNA can tell you that he's probably the top heel in TNA behind Robert Rhoode and has been since Immortal dissolved).

[Mendoza]

Mark Henry had a monster heel run last year that even got Smackdown's ratings up. He had some decent matches for a guy his size and was dropping some killer mic work. Big Show is a great character who can drop good promos and effectively play face or heel. His size makes him a credible threat for any feud. Kane is still a great asset to the company. His current program with Bryan has been the most entertaining thing on WWE programming the past couple weeks. Swagger is a former world champ and a great wrestler, and he's got that size that Vince loves so much

I'm glad you guys aren't running the WWE. You don't know useful talent when you see it, just like Vince.

and Big Show's punch is an excellent finisher. It's a nod to continuity, he started using it after his program with Floyd Mayweather and when a guy that huge with boxing training punches you with those monster hands, you WILL be knocked out. A punch is more than a punch if it comes from a guy with boxing training. It's even more devastating from a guy with humongous hands. Show delivers it well too. You can usually hear the sound of it hitting people. He's probably a bit stiff with it, but nobody seems to complain.

Yeah remember the old Heart Punch?

[Razzmatazz]

Talented guys on WWE's roster for me include CM Punk, Randy Orton, R-Truth, Sin Cara, Sheamus, Wade Barrett.

I feel TNA has a much better roster with guys like Austin Aries, Mr. Anderson, Jeff Hardy, Robert Rhoode, Cowboy James Storm, Kurt Angle, Sting, Gunner (completely underused), Bully Ray (seriously, I know if you aren't watching TNA this is a tough pill to swallow, but anyone watching TNA can tell you that he's probably the top heel in TNA behind Robert Rhoode and has been since Immortal dissolved).

I can't really comment on TNA as I haven't followed it properly for a while, but I love the fact you mentioned R-Truth and Wade Barrett. R-Truth is a long servant since the K-Kwik days and he still entertains me, the Little Jimmy thing was pretty popular. His physique is incredible too. Wade Barratt I am a massive fan of, he has incredible mic presence and put Cena in his place in Nexus, it's just a shame The Corre sucked. And as he went solo he got that stupid injury from Big Show. I believe he will do big things.

[BurningDoom]

Talented guys on WWE's roster for me include CM Punk, Randy Orton, R-Truth, Sin Cara, Sheamus, Wade Barrett.

I feel TNA has a much better roster with guys like Austin Aries, Mr. Anderson, Jeff Hardy, Robert Rhoode, Cowboy James Storm, Kurt Angle, Sting, Gunner (completely underused), Bully Ray (seriously, I know if you aren't watching TNA this is a tough pill to swallow, but anyone watching TNA can tell you that he's probably the top heel in TNA behind Robert Rhoode and has been since Immortal dissolved).

I can't really comment on TNA as I haven't followed it properly for a while, but I love the fact you mentioned R-Truth and Wade Barrett. R-Truth is a long servant since the K-Kwik days and he still entertains me, the Little Jimmy thing was pretty popular. His physique is incredible too. Wade Barratt I am a massive fan of, he has incredible mic presence and put Cena in his place in Nexus, it's just a shame The Corre sucked. And as he went solo he got that stupid injury from Big Show. I believe he will do big things.

I thought I included Daniel Bryan in my WWE list. I should have, but obviously didn't. Oops. That guy works whatever he is given by WWE creative and makes it entertaining, even when it shouldn't be.

Yeah, Wade Barrett is going places for sure as long as he can stay uninjured and doesn't get addicted to drugs like so many other promising wrestlers have. He controls that mic when he has it, he has an impressive physique, the in-ring skills, and the "bare-knuckled brawler" background of his is the perfect sell for those that are young enough to believe it's real.

[Gamerforlife]

I enjoyed the Kofi/Miz program on Raw. That Trouble in Paradise looked wicked! Too bad Miz was legitimately hurt by it though. That hit looked good for a reason.

[BurningDoom]

TNA Bound For Glory Spoilers Ahead, you've been warned!!!

























-Jeff Hardy is the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion, beating Austin Aries

-Aces & Eights beat Sting & Bully Ray Dudley; which gives Aces & Eights access to the Impact Zone.

-Devon Dudley has been revealed as a member of Aces & Eights, I'm sure more will be revealed on Thursday's Impact.

-Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero are the new TNA Tag Team Champions, beating Kurt Angle and A.J. Styles.

-Rob Van Dam is the new X-Division Champion, beating Zima Ion.

-Tara is the new Knockouts Champions, beating Miss Tessmacher.

-James Storm defeated Bobby Rhoode.

At first I thought the reveal of Devon Dudley was incredibly stupid. I was under the impression that he was their leader. I later read that he was simply revealed as a member of Aces & Eights, NOT the leader, and most will be revealed in the following weeks.

I am a fan of Jeff Hardy, but I'm not happy with him winning the TNA World Heavyweight Championship because I'm an even bigger Austin Aries fan. But I guess I can't complain as an Aries fan, because he wasn't in TNA for long at all before becoming TNA World Heavyweight champion, nor does he have any experience in WWE or WCW. So he got a big push early on.

I understand the hype Chavo Guerrerro brings to TNA, but I don't like the fact that his career is now nothing more than riding off the curtails of his cousin's (Eddie) success. He shouldn't be given titles because his brother is Eddie Guerrerro. Does anyone actually think that Hernandez and Chavo are better than Styles and Angle? I certainly don't.

On one hand, I'm glad to see RVD win a championship in TNA, as it seems that he's been put on the back-burner these last few months. But on the other hand, go back a year ago and he was in the TNA World Heavyweight Title picture. The X-Division Championship seems like a step down for him.

James Storm finally beat Robert Rhoode. Good, now maybe this feud can end and both guys can move on to other stuff.

As for Tara winning the Knockouts Championship...meh, who cares. It's the Knockouts Division.