TWIW 1/14/19 - 1/20/19: Screw Cody, We Goin For Disney!

[Baby Shoes]

Remember when Stephanie said WWE could be on par with Disney?  The group that managed the streaming capabilities of WWE Network got bought by Disney and WWE just left to a new group.  Probably unrelated but fun to make up stuff.  Here’s the article from Variety:

https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/endeavor-streaming-wwe-customer-disney-1203107071/

UK Takeover in the books and we are getting closer to the Rumble.

RAW is set to feature Ronda/Sasha vs Nia/Tamina as well as an Intercontinental Title triple threat with Dean defending against Seth and LASH-LEY

[Thrasher]

I'll admit in previous months, streaming old shows would be hit or miss. Even live PPV's would buffer but everything was fine in December using the service. I hope this company is good at streaming stuff.

[Baby Shoes]

Jerry Lawler signed a new two year deal with a raise.  Wonder if that was in the books before AEW.

Sounds like in addition to preshow, the rumor is they are going to reunite the Cole/Lawler/JBL announce team for the men’s Rumble according to news on Rajah, which seems odd if true.

[Grit, Toughness, Soul, & Spirit]

Jerry Lawler signed a new two year deal with a raise.  Wonder if that was in the books before AEW.

Sounds like in addition to preshow, the rumor is they are going to reunite the Cole/Lawler/JBL announce team for the men’s Rumble according to news on Rajah, which seems odd if true.

Well, it's better than the abhorrent Heel Cole/disinterested Lawler/Matt Striker team from 2010/11 but still awful.

[Baby Shoes]

I’M MARKING OUT BRO

[Grit, Toughness, Soul, & Spirit]

I’M MARKING OUT BRO

HOLY SHHHHHHHHH

AND YOU NAAAYYYYYVVVEEEERRRRR KNOW WHO WILL ENTER THE RUMBLE

[Boomer Kamala]

My WWE Network stream has been working beautifully the last month or so.

And let's get a Miz Vs Tigger match at WrestleMania someday.

[cobainwasmurdered]

what an awful announce team. I've been watching too much old UWF with Jim Ross and Michael Hayes lately maybe but it makes ALL modern commentary seem awful, not just WWE.

[Tino Standard]

Soooo...Strowman still not cleared for in-ring activites?

[The Amazing Rando]

I missed that Braun, but he must still be injured too much to compete.


Edit: Please just put the belt on Drew.

[cobainwasmurdered]

Not watching but just straight up say "hey braun is hurt and he cant make the show and he'll get his title shot as soon as hes healthy, instead we're ging to do an emergency one night tournament tonight on raw to choose a number 1 contender" instead of doing a goofy angle that turns viewers off.

[The Amazing Rando]

Not watching but just straight up say "hey braun is hurt and he cant make the show and he'll get his title shot as soon as hes healthy, instead we're ging to do an emergency one night tournament tonight on raw to choose a number 1 contender" instead of doing a goofy angle that turns viewers off.

I just hate that there was at least a good chance that Braun was going to finally get the title and we could actually put it back on TV again. The Universal championship is literally the weakest belt in WWE. The Hardcore title is more prestigious right now.

[The Amazing Rando]

Vince sounds horrible. He shouldn't be cutting promos. He's got three other people that could be doing that stuff. I mean, he can still be there and do his wacky entrance and stuff, but he can keep quiet.

[The Amazing Rando]

If they're just going to keep the title on Brock till Mania, then this spot should have just been Bray Wyatt's.

[Boomer Kamala]

That segment with the PA walking in on a topless Alexa Bliss felt way way out of place with the current product. Something out of early-mid '00s WWE when they were grasping at straws to try and recapture the Attitude Era.

I guess it is a sign that Vinnie Mac is back.

[Baby Shoes]

For those not watching RAW, Otis had the best debut in the history of our great sport

https://streamable.com/r80he

[fazzle]

I'd really like to be excited for the prospect of Brock vs Finn, but this just feels like a match where Brock comes in the day of the Rumble and decides "Nah, I'm not selling for this geek."

[jerk of all trades]

Where do people get this idea of Brock being some big unprofessional from?

[Hawk 34]

The Ambrose program

[Firmino of the 909]

He hates Braun according to Joe Rogan. He also went on a podcast with Joe after Joe said that.

[cobainwasmurdered]

and the njpw situation (that wasnt great on either end being fair) and some of his other behavior in the past.

[The Amazing Rando]

Where do people get this idea of Brock being some big unprofessional from?

I think it's a combination of them kinda making that his gimmick (walks away with the belt, only shows up when he wants to, has 'special rules' according to Vince) but I don't think he's actually "unprofessional" in any sense other than when compared to other wrestlers who bust their asses week in and week out he just gets money thrown at him to do a bare minimum. Also there's whatever happened in the lead-up to and execution of the WMXX match...

I don't think there are any instances of him recently just 'not feeling it'. I actually think the way he is booked and the way his matches are laid out is mostly due to Vince, not Brock being a dick.

Edit: Forgot about that forgettable Ambrose match that could have made Dean a star.

[Spaceman Spiff 🚀]

For those not watching RAW, Otis had the best debut in the history of our great sport

https://streamable.com/r80he

Oh man George The Animal Steele 2K19

[jerk of all trades]

I mean to be fair, Brock had always done what he's been booked to do. I don't really buy Dean's comment on the Network version of Steve Austin's podcast that Brock "wasn't giving him anything."

[The Valeyard]

Rumble looks like it'll be a fun show, anyhow. It'll be titties when magically cleared Braun gets #30 and kills everyone to a lukewarm reaction.

[Hawk 34]

Damn you just wanna take away Truths moment?!?   How dare you

[KingPK]

Truth is just gonna come out at #3 because the MMC contract was upside down when he signed it.

[The Valeyard]

Forgot all about Truth. This has to be the year they finally have everyone eliminate everyone and number 30 wins by default.

[Big Beard Booty Daddy]

I missed that Braun, but he must still be injured too much to compete.


Edit: Please just put the belt on Drew.

Listening to WOR and per Meltzer, Brock vs Finn was the idea form the start, and this was just a bait and switch to get people to fill up the stadium. Brock wanted to wrestle Finn last year at the RR but Vince didn't think Finn was over at the time.

[Tino Standard]

Is it just me, or are the actual Rumble matches complete afterthoughts this year? Very little focus on the TV shows, hardly any speculation as to who will win. It’s odd.

[RedJed]

I'd really like to be excited for the prospect of Brock vs Finn, but this just feels like a match where Brock comes in the day of the Rumble and decides "Nah, I'm not selling for this geek."

I'd normally agree but Lesnar already established he will sell for smaller guys and make it a competitive match. We saw this with Bryan at SS. So I have all the confidence this will be a really good match. I figure they will shoehorn a demon appearance for that event as well to give Finn more cred.

I could see some legit issues with Braun and Lesnar though as if I recall, one of their past matches saw Braun potato the fuck out of Lesnar which I'm sure there is some bad blood still about. Granted I would guess Lesnar is no innocent party in working stiff himself, but it seems unprovoked at the time when Braun got rough with him. I recall a receipt was given by Brock. Ultimately, I dont really care to see that program any much further (Braun/Brock) but now wondering if they are going to try to shove that to Mania. I hope not. But it wouldn't shock me.

Cena deserves a ton of props for last night. He really went above and beyond to put over Balor tenfold. Huge rub given. Great stuff there, and in general the story they told with Finn last night was really excellent.

Man, the IC title grab for Lashley was f'n out of nowhere. Not sure why they went there other than that Lashley desperately needs some credibility so this is the attempt. Not sure of the next step with Rollins and Ambrose or if that's it. Kind of strange booking there. I get the vibe Roman might be back soon and we start a Roman/Ambrose build with Rollins chasing Lashley (which seems like a underutilized position for him)

[Fall of Epic]

It's been like that for the past few years, honestly. I think Roman winning in 2015 was the last time the actual match was pushed hard on TV. Since the winner likely doesn't even main event WM, I guess they feel no need to play that up.

Last year's woman's Rumble was special because it was the first one. It's old news to them already so they figure "who cares?".

[Fall of Epic]

So what's Taker going to do at Mania this year? Do they actually limit him to a non-wrestling segment this year?

[Brodypedia]

[RedJed]

So what's Taker going to do at Mania this year? Do they actually limit him to a non-wrestling segment this year?

Braun has been totally neudered as a babyface chasing the belt as things stand now from last night, so honestly I think they should consider another heel turn for him and lead to Taker/Braun at Mania. Because the Lesnar/Braun momentum just isn't there anymore.

[Baby Shoes]

Braun is best as a monster but a monster that does antics the crowd eats up.  He doesn’t need to catch up to Big Show with inexplicable turns.

[RedJed]

Braun is best as a monster but a monster that does antics the crowd eats up.  He doesn’t need to catch up to Big Show with inexplicable turns.

I'd normally agree with that point but he looked like a total geek when he cowered down to Vince last night. That isnt going to do his babyface appeal any favors.

[Tino Standard]

WWE really did it right with the design of those women’s tag titles. Those are sharp.

[Sabre]

I’m the opposite. I don’t like them.

[jerk of all trades]

At least they kept them in line with the male belts with the trim design and the Roman looking wreath/laurel. That said, I wonder how this works if they're basically the only title that is "floating" between brands now.

[Firmino of the 909]

For those not watching RAW, Otis had the best debut in the history of our great sport

https://streamable.com/r80he

The internet's reaction whenever someone leaks nudes of female wrestlers

[cobainwasmurdered]

I think the belts look really great. Sure as hell better than the Gladiator themed tag belts.

[jerk of all trades]

Also way better than the original leaked design, that I thought was just someone messing around on WWE 2K, but apparently was based off of said leak (according to Belt Fan Dan):

[Baby Shoes]

For those not watching RAW, Otis had the best debut in the history of our great sport

https://streamable.com/r80he

The internet's reaction whenever someone leaks nudes of female wrestlers

To be fair, some of the internet probably did that when they saw Seth’s dick too

[geniusMoment]

Having someone walk in on Alexa last night seems like an odd choice for a company that won't even let their announcers say "sexy" on air.  Then posting it on their youtube channel and having that already draw 4x the views as the actual announcement of the tag titles (it will quickly be the top viewed thing they've posted in weeks) seems odd as well.  Kinda hurts the whole revolution PR thing they've been shoving down the fans throats for the past 2 years.

[The Amazing Rando]

I'm bothered by them knowing that the plan was going to be Finn vs. Brock for "a while" and waiting until now to set it up. They could have written out Braun the night he got attacked could just say he'd get his title match "eventually" and then build to Finn getting the shot over the last few weeks with a tournament or some other such storyline. If they didn't do the match last year because Vince didn't think Finn was over enough, doing it this way doesn't seem like it would help that image. I'm not saying Finn isn't over, but even this is just him getting the Bob Holly Rumble shot, they could still have built him up more so that even when he inevitably loses he comes out the other end looking stronger than when he went in.

[KingPK]

Best cold open in WWE history.

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Did they just accidentally make Becky look like a punk? Or was it even an accident?

Also, are they trying to bring back a PG-13 version of "Crash TV," or something?

[KingPK]

Covering Bryan in processed meat and condiments is the ultimate indignity.  Shit got real personal.

[cobainwasmurdered]

bah gawd a hotel key and he DONT KNOW. That was a ton of mini-segments in just a few minutes and they all forwarded the storylines. I don't think Becky looked like a punk. She also cut a really good promo at the start about how everyone is trying to copy her and the difference between her and asuka.