WWE

[Reign in Blood]

I thought it was alright, in that I think it's a bit conflicted. On the one hand it was basically a hyped glorified House show. No big title changes and nothing big of note to the story lines. Straight forward and to the point wrestling and presentation, so kinda underwhelming, but maybe that's what it needs to be? Hence conflict. Raw is 3 hours, but half of it are Intros, hamming it up for the crowd and talking and bullshit. I liked the old school quick promo and into the squared circle. But in the end, all this really timestamped was Chelsea Green as first US women's champion, in which *golf clap* good for her and all, but whatevs. See what they do going forward with this.

[Lazerus]

One of my frustrations is Royal Rumble 2025 being pushed back to February 1st when the event has always (historically) been in January. All we are getting in that month is an NXT PLE (I don't watch that brand so I could care less) and another Saturday Night Main Event. And too your point this one wasn't bad but was underwhelming in terms of anything remotely memorable. (Owen's attacking Rhodes right after the event went off the air doesn't help). So my guess is we get KO vs. Rhodes round 3 at the next SNME which guarantees Rhodes retains and thus the boring reign continues.

Raw moving to Netflix is the only reason I can think of for them pushing the RR back a few weeks. Since we're getting Reigns vs. Solo, CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins etc. I anticipate both of those matches will either get interrupted, end in a no contest or not happen at all due to the on going storylines. Liv vs. Rhea needs to end with Rhea recapturing the WWE Women's championship and end that feud for good. It's been dragged on for too long now and while I have enjoyed Liv's title run it's time to change things up. I'm crossing fingers once more than Bianca ends up the number one contender and we finally get Rhea vs. Bianca at WM! If that match doesn't happen next year then I give up! lol

[Lazerus]

RAW on Netflix!!

It was a good show, lots of surprise (and some not so much) appearances. Great main event, Rhea winning back the title (finally), and the tribal combat match did not disappoint.

The most confusing part was The Rock returning as a full on babyface. Suddenly he and Cody are cool?
Also the possibility of us getting The Rock vs. Roman Reigns at WM 41 seems a bit slimmer considering how their interactions went last night but still this is WWE and this could all have been an act by Rock. Perhaps he's playing a bigger angle?

Overall what did you think of the show?

[Reign in Blood]

I did not like it. 4 matches in 3+ hours, good grief.

Opening with the Rock as a sudden babyface and chumming it up with Cody in the front row and shitting all over the last year of kayfabe, what the fuck.

Who decided that shit for Hogan and Taker?

For any new casual fan, they did no real promo buildup for the Tribal Combat match and how this was more or less the culmination of a shit ton of storytelling, in which it culminated in a by the numbers bloodline match full of cheap pop run ins.

HHH has been touting how so many A list celebs want in on WWE these days, outside of Travis Scott the biggest one they pulled in LA was Kevin McCallister.

Drew and Jey was fine, Rhea getting the strap back was cool.

And then I absolutely fucking hated the main even with a passion. Seth sandbagged it, everyone knows he can run circles around that clown, and then they have him lose clean to the yellowed tooth fossil. Not even in Chicago. Why, because he sells a little merch and is the last of a dying breed? Fuck off, Haitch.

I would not be giving the new Netflix crew a fine review. And take in mind they stacked this card like a PLE so on paper it's only gonna get worse from here.

[Jason]

Even as a teenager I never understood why everyone was hyped about the Rock returning after he ditched wrestling for the movies. It was always a temporary thing and then he'd disappear for a few years. Return for a couple months. People ate it up. He abandoned you in his prime. Lol.

[Reign in Blood]

If Austin didn't dip out around same time, I don't think he gets adored as much.

[Jason]

If Austin didn't dip out around same time, I don't think he gets adored as much.

Didn't he quietly leave because of a career ending injury?

[Reign in Blood]

If Austin didn't dip out around same time, I don't think he gets adored as much.

Didn't he quietly leave because of a career ending injury?

He was battling injuries and was burnt out, but last straw was he told Vince to fuck off when he wanted him to job to Brock.

[Lazerus]

The Rock is overrated as fuck! Seriously, as Jason stated, the guy spent 5 years in the industry then bounced to Hollywood the first chance he got. Wrestling was only a stepping stone and that's fine, people do that all the time in their careers. But for so many fans to put this guy on a pedestal next to the greats like Hogan, and Austin. It's pathetic. The only reason (and I mean the ONLY) Rock is a household name is because of his success in Hollywood. It's not because of wrestling. I have met numerous people over the years that never knew he was involved in wrestling until I told them so.

[Lazerus]

Also I would like to add that the Rock vs. Roman match might not happen after that weird moment he had with him on RAW.
And WTF was that moment with Cody? smh.

[Lazerus]

Who are your picks to win the Royal Rumble this year?

[Reign in Blood]

Charlotte Flair for the Women's.

Men's, all signs point to stupid Punk or Cena, but I could also see those two taking each other out. So I'm thinking Sami Zayn, for the feel good moment and he does have seeds for both Cody and Gunther feuds. Outside of that Roman is the only one that makes sense, but he don't need it.

[Lazerus]

Charlotte already won a rumble if I'm not mistaken and she doesn't need it. That should go to a newer talent that's on the rise.

Cena wins the men's rumble and goes on to defeat Cody at WM. Punk is garbage but he will probably win the Chamber match and challenge Gunther. Zayne, I find him boring. I don't get the appeal tbh. I've never liked him even back in his NXT days.

[Reign in Blood]

True Charlotte doesn't need it, but the Rumble winners also go to a big comeback entrant. And winning it twice is just another notch on her GOAT belt.

That's probably it, except Punk has never won the Rumble so I'd flip those PLE wins. Either Cena or Punk winning the Rumble will be predictable and boring, but I don't see anyone else that can really pop that win. What new talent on the rise is believably in play for any world title match at Mania? I don't like picking Sami either but he's got the clout and the feel good moment.

[Lazerus]

LA Knight and Jey Uso, arguments can be made for both of them. Their stock has risen in the last year and the fans would accept a RR win by either one of them. Like Zayne neither one have a world title to their cred nor a RR win. Unfortunately, WWE will do what it always does and focus on older talent. Cena getting his year long retirement run. and Punk will undoubtably win a world title this year as well.

As for Roman, he should finally get his match with The Rock. That of course depends on Rock's crazy schedule. We could have had it last year had Paul not booked Cody to win the fucking RR. But w/e

[Reign in Blood]

I thought about both, unfortunately they just shot their load with Jey vs Gunther at SNME. It's a shit build and no one is into it, so Jey doesn't have the juice going into Mania. Then coming off his 2 second IC reign? Come on, they royally screwed him, imo. Now LA Knight, YEAH! Plugging him into facing Cody or Gunther will be tough to draw Mania level heat though, and he's too old to be your next big thing winning the Rumble.

[Reign in Blood]

TBH, the only thing to make me mark out would be if Dirty Dom won. Fucking A that would be dope.

[Lazerus]

Yeah, now that you mentioned those bad booking decisions with Jey, his stock is in decline. He never should have won the IC title in the first place, not right after Bron Breaker won it from Zayne. Fucking stupid booking!

But LA Knight! While I agree he's not the next big thing/star, he can still win the RR. There are several RR winners that were not the next big star. But either way I do see Knight getting a world title run in the near future. Him vs. Cody is a match I'd love to see! But it's not a mania worthy match IMO.

Dirty Dom has a bright future for sure but in my opinion the next big star is Bron Breaker! The guy has the IT factor!

[Reign in Blood]

https://www.wrestleview.com/royal-rumble-winners/

Obviously ignore the first couple. Even the eye sores of Sheamus, Alberto and Nakamura, they were either main eventers or being pushed as the next big thing. LA Knight would stand out like a sore thumb closer to Hacksaw on that list.

[Lazerus]

Alberto and Nakamura are mid carders at best. The latter just sucks. An argument could be made for Sheamus during his prime but not now. LA Knight is well over with the fans but I doubt he ever wins a RR. I would like to see it but know it probably won't happen. Him winning the Chamber or MOne3y in the Bank is more likely.