Please continue any discussion on wrestling here.

Word is there is a re-branding of the "Divas" division coming including a new belt that is a smaller version of the WWE World Championship (with a few other changes) and possibly a change in terminology from Divas to Women.  Which is loooooong over due.

New belt supposed to debut on Monday.  Hopefully they make a big deal of it.  I'd assume Sasha wins, throws the crappy butterfly belt in the trash and declares herself the first WWE World Women's Champion.

Really excited for this weekend. NXT Takeover will steal show so many great matches on that card. Hall of Fame on Saturday night should be good. No matter the build up Wrestlemania is always a giant spectacle.

50 minutes ago, Jpan85 said:

Really excited for this weekend. NXT Takeover will steal show so many great matches on that card. Hall of Fame on Saturday night should be good. No matter the build up Wrestlemania is always a giant spectacle.

We should do predictions sometime this week!

these would be my predictions of the matches worth watching;

Shane vs Taker: Shanes wins dirty or taker lays down,  prompting Steph to have issue with how he gained control of raw (I expect a surprise/shock interference in this match, *fingers crossed it's Angle*

HHH vs Reigns: Reigns wins so HHH can feud with shane on behalf of steph

Ambrose vs Lesnar: Ambrose wins and turns his eyes on reigns, and as TUP mentioned, maybe leading up to the return of seth eventually down the road to have shield against one another.

Andre the giant battle royale: does it matter?

Divas: dont even know whos fighting tbh

New Day vs LoN: I think LoN wins to give them a little more credibility, New Day are pretty over as it is, they dont need the belts any longer

IC ladder match:  Owens wins,  but I hope they turn Ziggler heel in this match

US Title: Ryback wins,  there's no believable way Kalisto beats ryback and Lucha Dragons are better together then apart.  it also gives Ryback a little bit of purpose,  especially if he takes up the Cena way of making it an open challenge every week

 

Edited March 31, 20169 yr by Taynted_Fayth

If Calisto beating Ryback is unbelievable then how is Ambrose beating Lesnar? That's even more of a stretch.

12 minutes ago, iso_55 said:

If Calisto beating Ryback is unbelievable then how is Ambrose beating Lesnar? That's even more of a stretch.

well its a street fight (no DQ) they've pretty much alluded it's going to be a hardcore match with the use of weapons, so I'd say that's somewhat of an equalizer.  in a regular bout,  it should be no contest, but lesnar getting hit with a chair or whatever should have a believable impact

Edited March 31, 20169 yr by Taynted_Fayth

It wouldnt surprise me if Ryback was set up with the US title and they (creative) decide to goldberg him with a streak while he open challenges nightly

If they book Lesnar to lose to Ambrose at WM then he should just get out while he's still ahead in his career before he loses all the heat & he's a laughing stock. Lesnar will be the new Bray Wyatt when it comes to PPV's.

Edited March 31, 20169 yr by iso_55

8 minutes ago, iso_55 said:

If they book Lesnar to lose to Ambrose at WM then he should just get out while he's still ahead in his career before he loses all the heat & he's a laughing stock. Lesnar will be the new Bray Wyatt when it comes to PPV's.

Ambrose is arguably the top face right now and just lost a disputed match against Hunter for the world title. He's positioned as the underdog for sure but his winning shouldn't be a major Surprise

26 minutes ago, The Unknown Poster said:

Ambrose is arguably the top face right now and just lost a disputed match against Hunter for the world title. He's positioned as the underdog for sure but his winning shouldn't be a major Surprise

I don't know why Ambrose is the top face but you're right. That is why losing to Lesnar won't hurt him & Lesnar gets to keep his Beast Incarnate image intact.

5 hours ago, iso_55 said:

I don't know why Ambrose is the top face but you're right. That is why losing to Lesnar won't hurt him & Lesnar gets to keep his Beast Incarnate image intact.

It definitely would depend on what they plan to do.  If Roman wins the title and continues to be pushed as their top babyface then Brock winning makes the most sense as he will likely take time off and then come back for a big match with Roman.  If Roman turns heel, it would make sense to put Ambrose over because the Roman/Ambrose feud would be hot and fresh.

Id I was betting money, I'd put it on Brock.  There's merit to keeping him "special" even though they've booked him in such a way he doesnt mean much anymore (as far as ratings go).

Here's the official line up as right now (subject to change):  Ill come back later with my predictions and thoughts.

 

WWE Network Pre-show (4PM Central):

WWE United States Championship  - Kalisto(c) vs Ryback

 

USA/WWE.com/Youtube Exclusive (5PM Central):

Ten Women's Tag - Team Bad & Blond (Tamina, Naomi, Summer, Emma, Lana) vs Team Total Divas (Nattie, Paige, Brie, Alicia, Eva)

Dudley's vs Uso's

 

Main Show (6PM Central)

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale

Divas Championship - Charlotte(c) vs Sasha Banks vs Becky Lynch

AJ Styles vs Chris Jericho

New Day vs League of Nations (3 vs 4 Non-Title)

IC Championship Ladder Match - Kevin Owens(c) vs Sammy Zayn vs Sin Cara vs Stardust vs Dolph Ziggler vs Zach Ryder vs The Miz

Brock Lesnar vs Dean Ambrose - No Holds Barred Street Fight

World Heavyweight Championship - Triple H(c) vs Roman Reigns

Shane McMahon vs The Undertaker - Hell In A Cell - Control of RAW vs WrestleMania Retirement

Plus: Steve Austin, Mick Foley & Shawn Michaels are scheduled to appear in some way.  The Rock has a "secret" role.  Expect other cameos.

For those watching on PPV or setting PVR's, WWE has alerted cable companies they intend to go into OverTime, so extend your recording.

 

6 hours ago, The Unknown Poster said:

It definitely would depend on what they plan to do.  If Roman wins the title and continues to be pushed as their top babyface then Brock winning makes the most sense as he will likely take time off and then come back for a big match with Roman.  If Roman turns heel, it would make sense to put Ambrose over because the Roman/Ambrose feud would be hot and fresh.

Id I was betting money, I'd put it on Brock.  There's merit to keeping him "special" even though they've booked him in such a way he doesnt mean much anymore (as far as ratings go).

Some questions here. Anyone feel free. Does the WWE & Brock himself know how he looks to the fans as not The Beast but becoming The Weak? Would Brock even agree to let Ambrose beat him because both men are over? Wouldn't Lesnar have creative control over his matches? What's in it for Lesnar to let Ambrose beat him?

Edited March 31, 20169 yr by iso_55

I think over time every gimmick gets kinda worn out, some can still ride it, but it's never as "electric" as it was at first.  Lesnar's credentials and size give him enough legitimacy without really needing much of a gimmick.  I still think him not working the mic for himself costs him half his appeal. to have him  go face to face with someone with Heyman jumping around going "brrrrrrrock lesnaaaaaaar"  kills a bit of the heat imo. Heyman is great when its just them in the ring and he's explaining who his client is , but at some point he needs to speak for himself. hell even kane started working the stick at some point lol

I'm sure Heyman is fully aware of how Lesnar is seen, probably more so then anyone up top wants to see. Maybe HHH might think more like Heyman, but I have to assume Steph and vince are from the same school of thought that they and they alone know whats best for business,  fans opinions be damned

 

 

13 minutes ago, Taynted_Fayth said:

I think over time every gimmick gets kinda worn out, some can still ride it, but it's never as "electric" as it was at first.  Lesnar's credentials and size give him enough legitimacy without really needing much of a gimmick.  I still think him not working the mic for himself costs him half his appeal. to have him  go face to face with someone with Heyman jumping around going "brrrrrrrock lesnaaaaaaar"  kills a bit of the heat imo. Heyman is great when its just them in the ring and he's explaining who his client is , but at some point he needs to speak for himself. hell even kane started working the stick at some point lol

I'm sure Heyman is fully aware of how Lesnar is seen, probably more so then anyone up top wants to see. Maybe HHH might think more like Heyman, but I have to assume Steph and vince are from the same school of thought that they and they alone know whats best for business,  fans opinions be damned

 

 

Yeah, that explains why we've had 3 years of the Authority shoved in our faces. 

Reports circulating of a "major surprise" at WrestleMania and the name is someone I'd never expect, especially as a surprise and not as someone pre-promoted.  Spoilers so I wont say in this post.

By the way, Scott Hall is in Dallas and is in tremendous physical shape.  Whatever these 40-somethings are on (Hunter, Hall, Shane) I need some.  I guess its just DDP Yoga.  ;-)

Hey don't knock DDP yoga.  I absolutely love it.

Predictions

Ryback over Kalisto

Team BAD and Blonde over the Total Divas

AJ Styles over Jericho

Sasha wins the title

League of Nations over New Day

Dudleys over Usos

Mark Henry wins the battle royal

Stardust wins the IC title (please God please)

Deaner over Lesnar.  Deaner covered in blood by the end.  Interference by Bray Wyatt and IRS

Reigns over HHH

Shane beats Taker with help from ???

1 hour ago, The Unknown Poster said:

Reports circulating of a "major surprise" at WrestleMania and the name is someone I'd never expect, especially as a surprise and not as someone pre-promoted.  Spoilers so I wont say in this post.

Kenny Omega vs Hugh Morris? 

4 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Kenny Omega vs Hugh Morris? 

That wouldnt last very long.  But Omega & The Bucks inserted into the New Day vs League of Nations match would be dynamite.

@Atomic That's a good guess on the Andre Battle Royale I hadnt considered.  Mark Henry is supposedly retiring after WrestleMania.  Could definitely see that.

3 minutes ago, The Unknown Poster said:

That wouldnt last very long.  But Omega & The Bucks inserted into the New Day vs League of Nations match would be dynamite.

I read an interview Kenny did recently pushing for a match with the New day (building on his online stuff with Woods).  Can't see the WWE agreeing to that but I'd love to see it!  

I also found it a bit surprising that he was considering going to NXT until he was given the chance to be a top guy with NJPW.  I know wrestling is a never say never business, but I was sure I'd never see him with the WWE again.

1 minute ago, bigg jay said:

I read an interview Kenny did recently pushing for a match with the New day (building on his online stuff with Woods).  Can't see the WWE agreeing to that but I'd love to see it!  

I also found it a bit surprising that he was considering going to NXT until he was given the chance to be a top guy with NJPW.  I know wrestling is a never say never business, but I was sure I'd never see him with the WWE again.

Kenny & The Bucks and the New Day are having fun with their "program" they are working online.  New Day has even managed to get some stuff on WWE television (sweeping etc).

I would say if you had to bet on it, to bet on Kenny in WWE eventually.  Its where everyone wants to eventually go because 1) money 2) its the top promotion.  Kenny values New Japan immensely so being a top guy there is like being a top guy in WWE to most American wrestlers.  But eventually.....

I remember talking to him about NXT and the Samoa Joe deal sort of gave some guys hope.  WWE developmental was a place a lot of guys avoided expecially if they had worked around the world and were "above" developmental.  But Joe being there and being used well, respected, keeping his name etc showed guys there was a different mind set.

William Regal is the international scout and I can tell you he's talked to Kenny many times...Omega is well known to WWE.  He's probably the best star in the world not in WWE as far as someone who could walk into WWE tomorrow and be a pushed star in the main roster.

WWE is very surprised by how over AJ Styles is.  They always considered his fans to be a small vocal minority but they realise now that big international stars are still big stars.  So it raises the value for everyone.

NXT is there best product right now. Super pumped for tonight Takeover is going to be really good. Excited to see Nakamura tonight.

5 minutes ago, The Unknown Poster said:

Kenny & The Bucks and the New Day are having fun with their "program" they are working online.  New Day has even managed to get some stuff on WWE television (sweeping etc).

I would say if you had to bet on it, to bet on Kenny in WWE eventually.  Its where everyone wants to eventually go because 1) money 2) its the top promotion.  Kenny values New Japan immensely so being a top guy there is like being a top guy in WWE to most American wrestlers.  But eventually.....

I remember talking to him about NXT and the Samoa Joe deal sort of gave some guys hope.  WWE developmental was a place a lot of guys avoided expecially if they had worked around the world and were "above" developmental.  But Joe being there and being used well, respected, keeping his name etc showed guys there was a different mind set.

William Regal is the international scout and I can tell you he's talked to Kenny many times...Omega is well known to WWE.  He's probably the best star in the world not in WWE as far as someone who could walk into WWE tomorrow and be a pushed star in the main roster.

WWE is very surprised by how over AJ Styles is.  They always considered his fans to be a small vocal minority but they realise now that big international stars are still big stars.  So it raises the value for everyone.

Yep, I'd love to see Kenny in the WWE (as long as he was used decently), just never thought it be a possibility again.  I was surprised to hear that they had been in contact with him for quite a while trying to get him back into the fold.  I guess in hindsight, he left on his own accord, it wasn't like they canned him so I shouldn't be that surprised.