Most people we come across these days will claim that they have some sort of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in one way or another. Whether its the way you pack your shopping bags, the way you count things or the way you set a table for dinner. OCD is more or less a thrown in characteristic we all use from time to time to explain our displeasure and annoyances for the way certain things are done or organised. To some extents, it can really ruin someone's day if they see something that is truly illogical or doesn't meet their standards of practice and can make you impatient, whether its because it looks messy, is impractical or defies common sense.
So here we are with a little article about what rattles my OCD sensors when it comes to the terribly inconsistent and gut-wretchingly intolerable WWE. And yes, I called the WWE inconsistent and gut-wretchingly intolerable and yet I, like many thousands of other IWC analytical wrestling nerds, still tune in on a weekly basis just to see if ANYTHING becomes competent again and makes even an iota of sense.
So here are 10 things that causes me OCD within the wrestling world. I will stick to the wwe for now as its the brand I watch the most, and I'm sure its the wwe that seems to constantly lose the plot when it comes to certain finer details because it enjoys catering to people who either ignore these problems or don't even care. BUT I DO!
So here we are with a little article about what rattles my OCD sensors when it comes to the terribly inconsistent and gut-wretchingly intolerable WWE. And yes, I called the WWE inconsistent and gut-wretchingly intolerable and yet I, like many thousands of other IWC analytical wrestling nerds, still tune in on a weekly basis just to see if ANYTHING becomes competent again and makes even an iota of sense.
So here are 10 things that causes me OCD within the wrestling world. I will stick to the wwe for now as its the brand I watch the most, and I'm sure its the wwe that seems to constantly lose the plot when it comes to certain finer details because it enjoys catering to people who either ignore these problems or don't even care. BUT I DO!
DVD CASES.
Now yes, yes... we are in the WWE Network age so WWE PPV releases are a thing of the past, however, my OCD memories aren't distant and they still resonate today because they PISSED ME OFF! Both from a design AND promotion point of view, not to mention a consistency perspective too. (There's that word again) - You see, if you manage to still locate some good 'ol Silver Vision WWE DVD's at your local HMV or whatever store in the US, you will notice that some DVD's will list EVERY match that is supposed to occur on the PPV but then by some strange editorial reason, the guys in the WWE design department, who are usually pretty good, will totally omit matches from the listings on other PPV releases. Some DVD's may only have the three main events listed.
Now, me being a wrestling statistician and all-round trivial geek, I enjoy all aspects of the product, not just the main events, especially if it's during a period where the main event is the third or fourth rematch between Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio. So even if I KNOW what the card for that PPV is, I like flipping over the DVD case and checking out the list of matches as part of a nostalgic reminder or just because its cool to read the names of the guys who faced each other at a certain PPV at a certain year during a certain period. Its like buying a DVD of a film you saw recently at the cinema but you still enjoy reading the synopsis at the back. Maybe it's just me but I like to suspend my knowledge from time to time and just delve into that world for a second, and when I pick up a wrestling DVD and they have decided that nobody cares if a random Cruiserweight title bout is listed or not, it grinds my already ground gears even more. I would be pissed off if I wasn't featured on DVD case. Some fans actually buy PPV's for the fun matches, the underdogs and the quirky gimmicks and some older fans who dipped out of the product who have resurfaced and want to rekindle their fandom again may pick up a DVD and notice it only lists about 4 matches and go "meh" - when I first started buying wrestling DVD's, it was for iconic and memorable matches like Hogan vs The Rock or HHH vs HBK but I also was intrigued by the more forgotten and obscure matches like Jamie Noble vs Billy Gunn or Orlando Jordan vs Heidenreich. No matter if they were terrible or mediocre at best. If you have 7 or 8 matches, include them on the listing.
Tag Team names.
or lack thereof...
I remember when I used to obsessively play the old Smackdown games and one of my favourite things to do (besides routinely play the Royal Rumble mode with my shitty CAW characters like Maximus Musclemus or Steroid McGee) was create tag teams and give them awesome (or awful depending on my maturity at the time) tag team names.
Now I know the WWE have finally remembered this tradition and have focused more on naming tag teams such as the recently formed #SocialOutcasts or NXT's American Alpha but there are times where the WWE become lazy or have methods that make me scratch my head to the point where my scalp is non existent.
Usually you would think it would be fun for Creative to come up with a clever moniker for the two paired wrestlers, either because it matches their gimmicks or personalities or their odd couple circumstance. Sometimes, even a hybrid or portmanteau of names can work, in a cheesy way, such as JeriShow (Chris Jericho and Big Show) or Rybaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel) but there are times where the WWE actually DOES name these tandems but fails to consistently advertise/hype them up as such.
Examples....
- NXT's the Mechanics. Why are they billed as Dash & Dawson? We already have a Blake & Murphy. Do we need an unoriginal Dash & Dawson? Is it because of alliteration? They even have a double team finisher named after a car component! Why aren't they consistently called The Mechanics?
- ShowMiz and often times Jerishow and the Brothers of Destruction would do their entrances and the graphic with their name would not be their tag team gimmick name. Stuff like this just felt so irritating. Why? Why couldn't you put ShowMiz on the graphic? Have the fans forgotten who was IN ShowMiz? I mean seriously:
or lack thereof...
I remember when I used to obsessively play the old Smackdown games and one of my favourite things to do (besides routinely play the Royal Rumble mode with my shitty CAW characters like Maximus Musclemus or Steroid McGee) was create tag teams and give them awesome (or awful depending on my maturity at the time) tag team names.
Now I know the WWE have finally remembered this tradition and have focused more on naming tag teams such as the recently formed #SocialOutcasts or NXT's American Alpha but there are times where the WWE become lazy or have methods that make me scratch my head to the point where my scalp is non existent.
Usually you would think it would be fun for Creative to come up with a clever moniker for the two paired wrestlers, either because it matches their gimmicks or personalities or their odd couple circumstance. Sometimes, even a hybrid or portmanteau of names can work, in a cheesy way, such as JeriShow (Chris Jericho and Big Show) or Rybaxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel) but there are times where the WWE actually DOES name these tandems but fails to consistently advertise/hype them up as such.
Examples....
- NXT's the Mechanics. Why are they billed as Dash & Dawson? We already have a Blake & Murphy. Do we need an unoriginal Dash & Dawson? Is it because of alliteration? They even have a double team finisher named after a car component! Why aren't they consistently called The Mechanics?
- ShowMiz and often times Jerishow and the Brothers of Destruction would do their entrances and the graphic with their name would not be their tag team gimmick name. Stuff like this just felt so irritating. Why? Why couldn't you put ShowMiz on the graphic? Have the fans forgotten who was IN ShowMiz? I mean seriously:
- Gold & Stardust. Ugh beyond many more Ughs. So we have reduced the 20 year career of Goldust in that tag team to being simply called "Gold" - I know what you're thinking.. it's actually a play on the double use of "Dust" abbreviating Goldust's name because both have the "Dust" portion in their names. But... couldn't they have given them more of a complete name with a better catch to it? Such as the Gold Stars? The Dust Brothers? The Bizarre Ones? Which conveniently brings me to my last one...
- The Brotherhood (Cody Rhodes and Goldust) was a brilliant name, especially for the duo when they were defying orders against the Authority and beating up the Shield members and sneaking around and protecting each other like you know... brothers. But while commentary mentioned "The Brotherhood" from time to time the ring announcers and the entrance graphics would call them by their individual names. NO!! Why? Doesn't "The Brotherhood vs The Shield" or "The Brotherhood vs The New Age Outlaws" sound more fitting? Is it just me?
- The Brotherhood (Cody Rhodes and Goldust) was a brilliant name, especially for the duo when they were defying orders against the Authority and beating up the Shield members and sneaking around and protecting each other like you know... brothers. But while commentary mentioned "The Brotherhood" from time to time the ring announcers and the entrance graphics would call them by their individual names. NO!! Why? Doesn't "The Brotherhood vs The Shield" or "The Brotherhood vs The New Age Outlaws" sound more fitting? Is it just me?
PRESHOW MATCHES:
I completely understand that it was a way to hype/warm up the entering crowd and promote the PPV at the last minute however, with the WWE Network in fruition and the fact that most preshow matches aren't going to be the most compelling sells to a main card due to the fact that if they were important, they would be featured on the main card, I find the way the WWE have done certain Preshow matches annoying.
This may be an isolated OCD thing that is primarily only my issue and nobody elses. But for me being into statistics, I hate it when I see these two Preshow sins (in my eyes)
1) Having a wrestler who barely appears on Raw or Smackdown appear on the Preshow. Whether it's not on the main PPV portion of the show or not, it's still a wrestler who was barely used appearing in front of a capacity crowd and a key event.
I know you're thinking, "What's wrong with that?" or "It's a great opportunity, if you were that wrestler, would you complain?" - and I get that, but for me, like having a wrestler who loses all the time suddenly qualify for the Royal Rumble, I enjoy the humble and linear build up of a character. E.g. Say, Damian Sandow who has largely been absent on TV lately appears on the Preshow over say someone like Titus O'neil who is at a position where he isn't making PPV waves, but is on a bit of a decent win/loss record on the brand shows, I would rather have O'neil continue to showcase himself on the Preshow and have Sandow start to re-showcase himself on the smaller shows and build himself up again, not just randomly pop on a show, then disappear then appear again and then vanish again.
2) Having actual feuds involving burgeoning stars get dumped on the Preshow. I'm talking about Damian Sandow vs Sheamus (the feud about the chess game and the logic test) or Dean Ambrose defending his US title against the return of RVD. But those include stars that have more or less found their top spot (minus Sandow sadly) but there are also other matches with weeks of buildup like The New Day debut PPV match against "Gold Stars" (Goldust and Stardust) and nearly every tag team match that get dropped from the Wrestlemania card.
Again, those matches were a ploy to get more PPV buys but at the same time, Preshow matches are largely forgotten about in the future and those guys and fueds could have propelled the characters further had they appeared on the main show.
I completely understand that it was a way to hype/warm up the entering crowd and promote the PPV at the last minute however, with the WWE Network in fruition and the fact that most preshow matches aren't going to be the most compelling sells to a main card due to the fact that if they were important, they would be featured on the main card, I find the way the WWE have done certain Preshow matches annoying.
This may be an isolated OCD thing that is primarily only my issue and nobody elses. But for me being into statistics, I hate it when I see these two Preshow sins (in my eyes)
1) Having a wrestler who barely appears on Raw or Smackdown appear on the Preshow. Whether it's not on the main PPV portion of the show or not, it's still a wrestler who was barely used appearing in front of a capacity crowd and a key event.
I know you're thinking, "What's wrong with that?" or "It's a great opportunity, if you were that wrestler, would you complain?" - and I get that, but for me, like having a wrestler who loses all the time suddenly qualify for the Royal Rumble, I enjoy the humble and linear build up of a character. E.g. Say, Damian Sandow who has largely been absent on TV lately appears on the Preshow over say someone like Titus O'neil who is at a position where he isn't making PPV waves, but is on a bit of a decent win/loss record on the brand shows, I would rather have O'neil continue to showcase himself on the Preshow and have Sandow start to re-showcase himself on the smaller shows and build himself up again, not just randomly pop on a show, then disappear then appear again and then vanish again.
2) Having actual feuds involving burgeoning stars get dumped on the Preshow. I'm talking about Damian Sandow vs Sheamus (the feud about the chess game and the logic test) or Dean Ambrose defending his US title against the return of RVD. But those include stars that have more or less found their top spot (minus Sandow sadly) but there are also other matches with weeks of buildup like The New Day debut PPV match against "Gold Stars" (Goldust and Stardust) and nearly every tag team match that get dropped from the Wrestlemania card.
Again, those matches were a ploy to get more PPV buys but at the same time, Preshow matches are largely forgotten about in the future and those guys and fueds could have propelled the characters further had they appeared on the main show.
PUNISHING A WRESTLER - PUNISHING THE SHOW:
Let me explain.
So say, Lana has got herself engaged and announces it via Twitter. Ok, it backfires certain storylines that may have had weeks or months of build up and certain backstage behaviours may affect the working environment etc, but while we may be experiencing the social media era, and while most of us are associated with the Internet Wrestling Community and have an "inside knowledge" of the product, I still think that any backstage bullshit that occurs should be dealt with by management and shouldn't be part of our world other than perhaps reading about it. Discipline them with a fine or a warning or make them set up the ring or something but factoring a wrestler's real life punishment on TV is counterproductive.
Why it triggers my OCD? Because I enjoy seeing a character's progression and ascension towards an eventual feud and PPV slot. With enough injuries plaguing the roster, why do we need to ruin potential match ups or builds because management is sour on a wrestler? Either don't use them, fire them or make them prove to you but punishing them WITHIN the product results in the shows being messed about with and the fans not giving a hoot!
Example.
Allegedly, Tyler Breeze is in the dog house for leaving an event early or something, (and probably also the fact that he's got a gimmick that main show creative can't expand on). So what they have done to the guy who beat Ziggler at Survivor Series is reduce his appearances on the shows or having him lose every match he's in.
The same can be said for when they punish a wrestler by putting them in an awful gimmick or have someone else ridicule them live on air. BRILLIANT, now the crowd for an eternity will see that character as a loser or complain about that rotten segment.
Why would you make your shows bad? Its like if I were to have a touring West End or Broadway show and if one of my actors came late, I make him show up on stage in the wrong outfit or cut all of his/her lines. That isn't professional and it ruins the show for the paying audience.
That's what I see when they punish someone into the product. It's lousy and unprofessional.
Let me explain.
So say, Lana has got herself engaged and announces it via Twitter. Ok, it backfires certain storylines that may have had weeks or months of build up and certain backstage behaviours may affect the working environment etc, but while we may be experiencing the social media era, and while most of us are associated with the Internet Wrestling Community and have an "inside knowledge" of the product, I still think that any backstage bullshit that occurs should be dealt with by management and shouldn't be part of our world other than perhaps reading about it. Discipline them with a fine or a warning or make them set up the ring or something but factoring a wrestler's real life punishment on TV is counterproductive.
Why it triggers my OCD? Because I enjoy seeing a character's progression and ascension towards an eventual feud and PPV slot. With enough injuries plaguing the roster, why do we need to ruin potential match ups or builds because management is sour on a wrestler? Either don't use them, fire them or make them prove to you but punishing them WITHIN the product results in the shows being messed about with and the fans not giving a hoot!
Example.
Allegedly, Tyler Breeze is in the dog house for leaving an event early or something, (and probably also the fact that he's got a gimmick that main show creative can't expand on). So what they have done to the guy who beat Ziggler at Survivor Series is reduce his appearances on the shows or having him lose every match he's in.
The same can be said for when they punish a wrestler by putting them in an awful gimmick or have someone else ridicule them live on air. BRILLIANT, now the crowd for an eternity will see that character as a loser or complain about that rotten segment.
Why would you make your shows bad? Its like if I were to have a touring West End or Broadway show and if one of my actors came late, I make him show up on stage in the wrong outfit or cut all of his/her lines. That isn't professional and it ruins the show for the paying audience.
That's what I see when they punish someone into the product. It's lousy and unprofessional.
RUMBLE OR BATTLE ROYAL ELIMINATIONS:
So this isn't about any elimination but a specific order or pattern that I observe during most television battle royals.
Most of you have probably looked over this as the observation I am pointing out can be credited as being filler or formulaic or to make a star look dominant.
My specific point is the routine elimination of jobber/midcarders and often times, tag team members. If you type in a battle royal on Youtube from the last decade or so, you'll notice that almost always, in predictable fashion (minus the first elimination being an embarrassment segment for a major star or a giant getting hurled out by everyone at once) a jobber or a midcarder will be eliminated first to clear the dead weight and get down to the nitty-gritty, but that isn't the only nitpick I have, its the order at times.
- Take a look at battle royals around the time the JTG's, Johnny Curtis' (Now Fandango) Yoshi Tatsu's, Trent Bareta's, Funaki's, Justin Gabriels' etc were still on the roster. Almost every single time, they would be the first to be eliminated in more or less, a similar order.
Maybe this is why I enjoy playing Royal Rumble mode on video games and choosing underdogs to fight the good fight, I enjoy seeing something different happen, a small glimpse of a moment that can make a certain character shine, even if its for a slither of a moment.
You're telling me that you had JTG fly or drive to a different town, lace his boots on, show up at a Battle Royal only to be eliminated in seconds by the Great Khali? Are you telling me that JTG has not renewed his strategy from ALL the other times he got his ass handed to him by the Great Khali in singles and multiman matches?
This is what frustrates me. Can we not have a jobber show some cunning? Shine a little and shock the audience?
I remember back in 2004 when Team Orton beat Team HHH at Survivor Series, they won a stipulation that granted each member of the winning team (Orton, Jericho, "Man that shan't be named!" and Maven (yeah I know... remember him?)) a chance to be the General Manager of Raw. When it came to Orton's night I believe, he chose a Battle Royal with HHH title on the line. Mr. McMahon however altered those plans with a promo mocking the match because someone like Stevie Richards could win the thing and we wouldn't want that. Guess what, Stevie Richards won the title and headlined Wrestlemania! - Ok I'm joking, but Stevie Richards did in fact last quite a while in the match much to the dismay of the commentators.
So, what I'm saying is... utilise these lower tier guys in moments. They won't be pushed in main events. (unless they get repackaged) They won't be placed in 25 minute clinics, so why not throw them in a Battle Royal or Royal Rumble (I will excuse my earlier point of humble and linear build up for a wrestler who is barely on TV as Battle Royal's tend to have surprises and some over-the-top-rope matches do include jobbers who appear on both shows weekly) and see what they can do. Have them try and survive, make them look a little stronger, team up with some others and make them seem more meaningful, I mean, they may be jobbers, but they work for the WWE, the biggest wrestling company in the world, so surely in kayfabe world, the management would want them to look decent under their paycheck. Maybe the #Social Outcasts can achieve this.
- My other point is tag team members. They tend to get eliminated together or one after the other. Its so predictable. I know it tends to happen if you think of them as attached to the hip, but showcase them individually at times, have one get eliminated earlier and then the other one is exacting revenge for the rest of the match or have them form a competition with each other to see who can last the longest.
So this isn't about any elimination but a specific order or pattern that I observe during most television battle royals.
Most of you have probably looked over this as the observation I am pointing out can be credited as being filler or formulaic or to make a star look dominant.
My specific point is the routine elimination of jobber/midcarders and often times, tag team members. If you type in a battle royal on Youtube from the last decade or so, you'll notice that almost always, in predictable fashion (minus the first elimination being an embarrassment segment for a major star or a giant getting hurled out by everyone at once) a jobber or a midcarder will be eliminated first to clear the dead weight and get down to the nitty-gritty, but that isn't the only nitpick I have, its the order at times.
- Take a look at battle royals around the time the JTG's, Johnny Curtis' (Now Fandango) Yoshi Tatsu's, Trent Bareta's, Funaki's, Justin Gabriels' etc were still on the roster. Almost every single time, they would be the first to be eliminated in more or less, a similar order.
Maybe this is why I enjoy playing Royal Rumble mode on video games and choosing underdogs to fight the good fight, I enjoy seeing something different happen, a small glimpse of a moment that can make a certain character shine, even if its for a slither of a moment.
You're telling me that you had JTG fly or drive to a different town, lace his boots on, show up at a Battle Royal only to be eliminated in seconds by the Great Khali? Are you telling me that JTG has not renewed his strategy from ALL the other times he got his ass handed to him by the Great Khali in singles and multiman matches?
This is what frustrates me. Can we not have a jobber show some cunning? Shine a little and shock the audience?
I remember back in 2004 when Team Orton beat Team HHH at Survivor Series, they won a stipulation that granted each member of the winning team (Orton, Jericho, "Man that shan't be named!" and Maven (yeah I know... remember him?)) a chance to be the General Manager of Raw. When it came to Orton's night I believe, he chose a Battle Royal with HHH title on the line. Mr. McMahon however altered those plans with a promo mocking the match because someone like Stevie Richards could win the thing and we wouldn't want that. Guess what, Stevie Richards won the title and headlined Wrestlemania! - Ok I'm joking, but Stevie Richards did in fact last quite a while in the match much to the dismay of the commentators.
So, what I'm saying is... utilise these lower tier guys in moments. They won't be pushed in main events. (unless they get repackaged) They won't be placed in 25 minute clinics, so why not throw them in a Battle Royal or Royal Rumble (I will excuse my earlier point of humble and linear build up for a wrestler who is barely on TV as Battle Royal's tend to have surprises and some over-the-top-rope matches do include jobbers who appear on both shows weekly) and see what they can do. Have them try and survive, make them look a little stronger, team up with some others and make them seem more meaningful, I mean, they may be jobbers, but they work for the WWE, the biggest wrestling company in the world, so surely in kayfabe world, the management would want them to look decent under their paycheck. Maybe the #Social Outcasts can achieve this.
- My other point is tag team members. They tend to get eliminated together or one after the other. Its so predictable. I know it tends to happen if you think of them as attached to the hip, but showcase them individually at times, have one get eliminated earlier and then the other one is exacting revenge for the rest of the match or have them form a competition with each other to see who can last the longest.
SUPERSTARS AND MAIN EVENT:
The two C or D or E shows that are practically the same show and even taped on the same night but packaged slightly differently.
I think these shows should be scrapped.
We already have three hours of Raw, two for Smackdown, NXT, PPV's Preshows, House shows, special events and Network specials.
You want wrestlers to get injured less? Be less saturated and become stale too fast? Want to have fresh match ups by the time a month comes by?
Abolish these shows or at least one of them.
We've already seen Zack Ryder down at NXT, The Social Outcasts on the main show and any other low carder (Sin Cara, Darren Young, Xavier Woods etc) join tag teams or stables. The other scarcely seen stars like Fandango, Sandow and Swagger should either be repackaged, placed in a team (Swagger with Henry, Fandango with Breeze and Sandow with Tye Dillinger if he gets called up) or used properly with patience and forethought. - I find these shows a waste of time now. Its simply filler with NO imagination.
Back in the day, Sunday Night Heat, Velocity, Saturday Night's Main Event and Saturday Morning Slam, among others served a purpose. For the Brand splits, the C shows were used to showcase the up and comers or matches that couldn't fit on a standard two hour show, it also served as a highlight show for the main brands. Velocity was also seen as a treasure trove for hidden gems such as obscure Cruiserweight matches and would showcase one on one matches between the other half of a tag team who didn't wrestle each other on the main show (E.g. Chavo Guererro vs Charlie Haas to the Shelton Benjamin vs Eddie Guererro of the main show) - Sunday Night Heat was initially used to set up later segments on Raw such as promos, ambushes, debuts and highlights.
When Superstars came back, it was cool to see The Undertaker headline against the evil Matt Hardy. Yes that's right, The Undertaker appeared on Superstars. So did an intense Cutting Edge segment between Edge and John Cena among other segments (Such as the beginning of the never-ending Chavo vs Hornswoggle feud) it also eventually paired up a Smackdown midcarder against a Raw midcarder. That.... eventually got scrapped in favour of showing Zack Ryder vs Heath Slater #145289 times in a row. Main Event was the same, it was unique as it featured the main event first and headlined with a midcard match and before each main event was a promo off before the two competitors. That too.... eventually got scrapped in favour of Fandango vs Adam Rose #372682 in a row.
See what I mean?
It triggers my OCD because if I was a booker I would get rid of them so I could fully concentrate on filling up Raw and Smackdown with unique matches. Forget having Fandango waste his talents on Superstars. I want to see him engage with AJ Styles. That match would look pretty cool.
Either revamp those shows or get rid of them , they serve no purpose and they must tire a crowd up if they have to watch a dark match, a Superstars taping, half a Main Event taping the three hours of Raw or two hours of Smackdown.
The two C or D or E shows that are practically the same show and even taped on the same night but packaged slightly differently.
I think these shows should be scrapped.
We already have three hours of Raw, two for Smackdown, NXT, PPV's Preshows, House shows, special events and Network specials.
You want wrestlers to get injured less? Be less saturated and become stale too fast? Want to have fresh match ups by the time a month comes by?
Abolish these shows or at least one of them.
We've already seen Zack Ryder down at NXT, The Social Outcasts on the main show and any other low carder (Sin Cara, Darren Young, Xavier Woods etc) join tag teams or stables. The other scarcely seen stars like Fandango, Sandow and Swagger should either be repackaged, placed in a team (Swagger with Henry, Fandango with Breeze and Sandow with Tye Dillinger if he gets called up) or used properly with patience and forethought. - I find these shows a waste of time now. Its simply filler with NO imagination.
Back in the day, Sunday Night Heat, Velocity, Saturday Night's Main Event and Saturday Morning Slam, among others served a purpose. For the Brand splits, the C shows were used to showcase the up and comers or matches that couldn't fit on a standard two hour show, it also served as a highlight show for the main brands. Velocity was also seen as a treasure trove for hidden gems such as obscure Cruiserweight matches and would showcase one on one matches between the other half of a tag team who didn't wrestle each other on the main show (E.g. Chavo Guererro vs Charlie Haas to the Shelton Benjamin vs Eddie Guererro of the main show) - Sunday Night Heat was initially used to set up later segments on Raw such as promos, ambushes, debuts and highlights.
When Superstars came back, it was cool to see The Undertaker headline against the evil Matt Hardy. Yes that's right, The Undertaker appeared on Superstars. So did an intense Cutting Edge segment between Edge and John Cena among other segments (Such as the beginning of the never-ending Chavo vs Hornswoggle feud) it also eventually paired up a Smackdown midcarder against a Raw midcarder. That.... eventually got scrapped in favour of showing Zack Ryder vs Heath Slater #145289 times in a row. Main Event was the same, it was unique as it featured the main event first and headlined with a midcard match and before each main event was a promo off before the two competitors. That too.... eventually got scrapped in favour of Fandango vs Adam Rose #372682 in a row.
See what I mean?
It triggers my OCD because if I was a booker I would get rid of them so I could fully concentrate on filling up Raw and Smackdown with unique matches. Forget having Fandango waste his talents on Superstars. I want to see him engage with AJ Styles. That match would look pretty cool.
Either revamp those shows or get rid of them , they serve no purpose and they must tire a crowd up if they have to watch a dark match, a Superstars taping, half a Main Event taping the three hours of Raw or two hours of Smackdown.
THE USE OF JOBBERS AND MIDCARDERS:
This isn't primarily about their win/loss record (or mostly loss record) but knowing that they are needed for the jobber role but in ineffective ways.
Take for example these superstars who I have a recollection of seeing them in repetitive outcomes over the last two years:
- Zack Ryder
- Sin Cara
- R-Truth
- Jack Swagger
These guys have faced off against the Rusev's, the Bray Wyatt's, the Del Rio's and the Kevin Owen's and the same stuff happens all the time to the point where we as an audience are telegraphing the next move.
It is one thing to tell a simple effective story of a dominating heel to win in easy fashion, its another to totally disrespect a character to the point where NOBODY cares to the point where the dominating heel isn't booed or looked at as a dangerous threat BECAUSE he keeps beating the same guy over and over and over and over, not to mention IN THE SAME WAY!!
I mean Jesus, I pointed it out earlier, in kayfabe world, if I was thrown in a match against Rusev by my boss and lost EVERY SINGLE TIME, my contract would be ripped up and I would be told I'm useless. I would be told that this is the elite wrestling company in the world and that I am a complete and utter joke!
Then we see these dominating heels lose to other guys in the wwe's stupid 50/50 booking style which makes the jobber look even MORE like a chump.
I mean how many times can Zack Ryder go through his routine without at least alternating and going, "hmm that didn't work last time, time to change my strategy" And YES... a jobber should be liked or booed by fans, not completely ignored or have the "who?" or "He's still with the company?" treatment. - Scotty 2 Hotty, Funaki, Eugene, Shannon Moore, Crash Holly, Stevie Richards, Val Venis, Jimmy Wang Yang, The Hurricane etc were likeable or "booable" jobbers who even exchanged wins from time to time and were used effectively when needed to, if a guy needed to squash someone like nothing, they would use an independent wrestler or no-name upstart. A guy like Ryder who is a former US champ in his own right can't be ground down like this to the point where he is such a joke.
I remember when Vladimir Kozlov was going through his undefeated streak on Smackdown.. (what debut didn't?) and he faced Jamie Noble and Stevie Richards twice. I remember being impressed with how in one match Jamie Noble got his ass handed to him after his high flying and brawling style backfired on him. By his second match, he decided to ground Kozlov and used his dragon sleeper and nearly passed Koslov out. We knew Noble would lose but the match kept us watching because it was booked differently and not lazily. Steve Richards incorporated the same technique where by his second match, he tried to win by count out instead of decisively lose in the ring. Its called booking a story, psychology and making the fans care for EVERY segment. Say what you will about the stressful job of a writer, especially now that the brand split is over but, just let the agents plan a match that makes us care about the winner and the loser.
This isn't primarily about their win/loss record (or mostly loss record) but knowing that they are needed for the jobber role but in ineffective ways.
Take for example these superstars who I have a recollection of seeing them in repetitive outcomes over the last two years:
- Zack Ryder
- Sin Cara
- R-Truth
- Jack Swagger
These guys have faced off against the Rusev's, the Bray Wyatt's, the Del Rio's and the Kevin Owen's and the same stuff happens all the time to the point where we as an audience are telegraphing the next move.
It is one thing to tell a simple effective story of a dominating heel to win in easy fashion, its another to totally disrespect a character to the point where NOBODY cares to the point where the dominating heel isn't booed or looked at as a dangerous threat BECAUSE he keeps beating the same guy over and over and over and over, not to mention IN THE SAME WAY!!
I mean Jesus, I pointed it out earlier, in kayfabe world, if I was thrown in a match against Rusev by my boss and lost EVERY SINGLE TIME, my contract would be ripped up and I would be told I'm useless. I would be told that this is the elite wrestling company in the world and that I am a complete and utter joke!
Then we see these dominating heels lose to other guys in the wwe's stupid 50/50 booking style which makes the jobber look even MORE like a chump.
I mean how many times can Zack Ryder go through his routine without at least alternating and going, "hmm that didn't work last time, time to change my strategy" And YES... a jobber should be liked or booed by fans, not completely ignored or have the "who?" or "He's still with the company?" treatment. - Scotty 2 Hotty, Funaki, Eugene, Shannon Moore, Crash Holly, Stevie Richards, Val Venis, Jimmy Wang Yang, The Hurricane etc were likeable or "booable" jobbers who even exchanged wins from time to time and were used effectively when needed to, if a guy needed to squash someone like nothing, they would use an independent wrestler or no-name upstart. A guy like Ryder who is a former US champ in his own right can't be ground down like this to the point where he is such a joke.
I remember when Vladimir Kozlov was going through his undefeated streak on Smackdown.. (what debut didn't?) and he faced Jamie Noble and Stevie Richards twice. I remember being impressed with how in one match Jamie Noble got his ass handed to him after his high flying and brawling style backfired on him. By his second match, he decided to ground Kozlov and used his dragon sleeper and nearly passed Koslov out. We knew Noble would lose but the match kept us watching because it was booked differently and not lazily. Steve Richards incorporated the same technique where by his second match, he tried to win by count out instead of decisively lose in the ring. Its called booking a story, psychology and making the fans care for EVERY segment. Say what you will about the stressful job of a writer, especially now that the brand split is over but, just let the agents plan a match that makes us care about the winner and the loser.
A FEUD NOT APPEARING ON PPV:
Back in the Attitude Era you would find rare monstrosities like Mideon vs The Godfather open up a PPV, so maybe this is the reason for certain matches not appearing on PPV, but then, why have the feud at all?
I remember back in 2007/8, Kane and The Boogeyman feuding with Dave Taylor and William Regal for over a month on Smackdown. They even main evented a Smackdown when they cost Kane a US title match against MVP and then a week later, they didn't have their match on the PPV. You can assume it was because in 2007/8, the brand split was still in effect but the PPV's became dual branded PPV's throughout the year again. So card space was limited. But again, why not place a unique match like Kane and Boogeyman on a PPV where people can remember the highlight more?
2 years ago we saw a string of matches left off a PPV card too, even left off a preshow card. Most resulted in the absolute butchery of Jack Swagger's face turn. Forget the fact that Swagger got shunted from his break up feud with Cesaro when they randomly added RVD to their match at Extreme Rules, they then had him lose to Adam Rose in a feud that practically made no logic at all. I'm still scratching my head as to why we didn't get the Adam Rose vs Fandango feud from the get go. (I'm discrediting their endless pointless match ups on Superstars and Main Event) Swagger and Rose didn't appear on PPV and Adam Rose didn't get a PPV match for his debut. Swagger then went on to feud with Rusev but we all know how botched that was. (Rusev had to win, Swagger just turned face and was the American hero that Henry and Big E couldn't be, if Swagger lost, he would be an American loser. He ended up losing every match up including a US title match at TLC a few months down the line) After that feud, Bo Dallas mocked Swagger for failing America. That match didn't go anywhere and no PPV match either. It stalled Swagger's face momentum and I believe, pre-injury, Dallas hadn't had an official PPV match until his match with Neville at Elimination Chamber.
So besides my disdain for slapping a perfectly good match up feud on the preshow, totally neglecting to place it on a PPV (even as a filler 5 minute match between main events) is SO ANNOYING!
Honourable mentions go to:
- Tyson Kidd vs David Hart Smith (A feud people cared about more than JTG/Shad Gaspard strap match or Darren Young/Titus Oneil matches)
- Chuck Palumbo vs Jamie Noble
- Natalya vs Sasha Banks
- R-Truth vs John Morrison
- Antonio Cesaro vs Santino Marella US Title match or rematch
- Luke Harper vs Erick Rowan
- Rusev vs Sheamus US title match or rematch
- Neville vs Stardust (Battleground)
*Special mention: Damian Sandow not being added to the Del Rio/Cena WHC title match after he cashed in his briefcase. (the rematch between Del Rio and Cena would have been less predictable if it were a three way.)
Back in the Attitude Era you would find rare monstrosities like Mideon vs The Godfather open up a PPV, so maybe this is the reason for certain matches not appearing on PPV, but then, why have the feud at all?
I remember back in 2007/8, Kane and The Boogeyman feuding with Dave Taylor and William Regal for over a month on Smackdown. They even main evented a Smackdown when they cost Kane a US title match against MVP and then a week later, they didn't have their match on the PPV. You can assume it was because in 2007/8, the brand split was still in effect but the PPV's became dual branded PPV's throughout the year again. So card space was limited. But again, why not place a unique match like Kane and Boogeyman on a PPV where people can remember the highlight more?
2 years ago we saw a string of matches left off a PPV card too, even left off a preshow card. Most resulted in the absolute butchery of Jack Swagger's face turn. Forget the fact that Swagger got shunted from his break up feud with Cesaro when they randomly added RVD to their match at Extreme Rules, they then had him lose to Adam Rose in a feud that practically made no logic at all. I'm still scratching my head as to why we didn't get the Adam Rose vs Fandango feud from the get go. (I'm discrediting their endless pointless match ups on Superstars and Main Event) Swagger and Rose didn't appear on PPV and Adam Rose didn't get a PPV match for his debut. Swagger then went on to feud with Rusev but we all know how botched that was. (Rusev had to win, Swagger just turned face and was the American hero that Henry and Big E couldn't be, if Swagger lost, he would be an American loser. He ended up losing every match up including a US title match at TLC a few months down the line) After that feud, Bo Dallas mocked Swagger for failing America. That match didn't go anywhere and no PPV match either. It stalled Swagger's face momentum and I believe, pre-injury, Dallas hadn't had an official PPV match until his match with Neville at Elimination Chamber.
So besides my disdain for slapping a perfectly good match up feud on the preshow, totally neglecting to place it on a PPV (even as a filler 5 minute match between main events) is SO ANNOYING!
Honourable mentions go to:
- Tyson Kidd vs David Hart Smith (A feud people cared about more than JTG/Shad Gaspard strap match or Darren Young/Titus Oneil matches)
- Chuck Palumbo vs Jamie Noble
- Natalya vs Sasha Banks
- R-Truth vs John Morrison
- Antonio Cesaro vs Santino Marella US Title match or rematch
- Luke Harper vs Erick Rowan
- Rusev vs Sheamus US title match or rematch
- Neville vs Stardust (Battleground)
*Special mention: Damian Sandow not being added to the Del Rio/Cena WHC title match after he cashed in his briefcase. (the rematch between Del Rio and Cena would have been less predictable if it were a three way.)
GIMMICK MOVES:
As an actor, I know the training and research behind any character portrayal, you delve into that character's world and you live, breathe and eat it, you make sure its as convincing as possible.
I completely understand that for a wrestler, it is challenging to wrestle every other night on live TV with constantly changed scripts, having to choreograph your matches, sell, react, emote, entertain and bust your ass in a safe and healthy way, not to mention, maintain the right shape and figure, travel, promote yourself and more, so I know how taxing it can be.
But I wish that certain elements of a superstar's gimmick would be consistent and logical. Things that take little time to perfect.
I bring up Fandango in this example. The former Johnny Curtis is clearly a Goldust or Stardust type performer. (that's a compliment and the WWE are missing out by misusing him), He's someone who can be given a terribly limited character and LIVE that character. From Suave Johnny Curtis in developmental to NXT Season 4 winning metaphor using Johnny Curtis to Creepy Curt to Weird Curt to Fandango, he clearly knows how to play his role and does it well, no matter what position on the card. And if you look at certain gimmicks back in the day (Occupational gimmicks, not mentality gimmicks,) minus a few like Waylon Mercy or Friar Ferguson and the Undertaker, the man behind the gimmick usually didn't look the part or seem to hone the character and mannerisms consistently.
So when I look at Fandango in his matches, I wish he'd be more like The Godfather or Love Machine Viscera (character wise, he's far superior as a wrestler) and utilise more dancing gestures into his moves set. He does his generic gyrations but what about dancing around with a fallen foe (much like how Bray Wyatt used to when he first started his character but in a more sinister way), how about doing a finisher that isn't just a standard top rope leg drop? (devastating as it may be to the tail bone. Ask Matt Hardy) He could at least do a top rope dance and then incorporate some sort of twist to the move.
But I guess all this can be worked on more if the character is focused upon more. Why should the wrestler give a hoot if he's being squashed every match in under 3 minutes? But then again, guys like Scotty 2 Hotty would get squashed but he'd still rock out a Worm from time to time. Signature spots don't always have to be technical or brutal (like Superman punch, Drive-by, Draping DDT, Swagger Bomb etc) they can be innocuous but entertaining character driven spots like the Whatsup headbutt or The People's elbow. Fandango should be allowed to explain through his actions and mannerisms why a dancer prefers to wrestle and if both skill-sets can be effective as each other.
As an actor, I know the training and research behind any character portrayal, you delve into that character's world and you live, breathe and eat it, you make sure its as convincing as possible.
I completely understand that for a wrestler, it is challenging to wrestle every other night on live TV with constantly changed scripts, having to choreograph your matches, sell, react, emote, entertain and bust your ass in a safe and healthy way, not to mention, maintain the right shape and figure, travel, promote yourself and more, so I know how taxing it can be.
But I wish that certain elements of a superstar's gimmick would be consistent and logical. Things that take little time to perfect.
I bring up Fandango in this example. The former Johnny Curtis is clearly a Goldust or Stardust type performer. (that's a compliment and the WWE are missing out by misusing him), He's someone who can be given a terribly limited character and LIVE that character. From Suave Johnny Curtis in developmental to NXT Season 4 winning metaphor using Johnny Curtis to Creepy Curt to Weird Curt to Fandango, he clearly knows how to play his role and does it well, no matter what position on the card. And if you look at certain gimmicks back in the day (Occupational gimmicks, not mentality gimmicks,) minus a few like Waylon Mercy or Friar Ferguson and the Undertaker, the man behind the gimmick usually didn't look the part or seem to hone the character and mannerisms consistently.
So when I look at Fandango in his matches, I wish he'd be more like The Godfather or Love Machine Viscera (character wise, he's far superior as a wrestler) and utilise more dancing gestures into his moves set. He does his generic gyrations but what about dancing around with a fallen foe (much like how Bray Wyatt used to when he first started his character but in a more sinister way), how about doing a finisher that isn't just a standard top rope leg drop? (devastating as it may be to the tail bone. Ask Matt Hardy) He could at least do a top rope dance and then incorporate some sort of twist to the move.
But I guess all this can be worked on more if the character is focused upon more. Why should the wrestler give a hoot if he's being squashed every match in under 3 minutes? But then again, guys like Scotty 2 Hotty would get squashed but he'd still rock out a Worm from time to time. Signature spots don't always have to be technical or brutal (like Superman punch, Drive-by, Draping DDT, Swagger Bomb etc) they can be innocuous but entertaining character driven spots like the Whatsup headbutt or The People's elbow. Fandango should be allowed to explain through his actions and mannerisms why a dancer prefers to wrestle and if both skill-sets can be effective as each other.
RELEASES AFTER BARELY EVEN TRYING TO USE THAT WRESTLER:
We've all tuned this phrase into our minds now "Future endeavoured" or "Creative has nothing for you" - yeah... in certain logical sense, we understand this as a saying given to superstars to soften the blow (ever so slightly) of their pending unemployment by sugar coating the fact that creative literally are either working with their hands tied behind their backs or they had a specific set of people to concentrate on or they are simply inept at their jobs.
Releases happen for a variety of reasons;
- Insubordination.
- Wellness violations.
- Long tenure in the company and contract not being renewed.
- Long standing injuries.
- Backstage heat.
- Roster trimmings to make room for new signings or developmental stars.
- Budget cuts.
If it is because creative literally had nothing, then either that particular star was invisible or looked like a dodecahedron with Leprosy who was allergic to entering the ring.
Even if releases needed to happen, I look at ALL the wasted opportunities.
I look at JTG.. the guy may be the butt of jokes for practically surviving the last 3 roster cuts while being largely absent from all TV in most of 2012-2014 but he is a solid wrestler who sold very well and had a lot of charisma. His time in the old soap opera/game show format of NXT showed that he was quite good at improvisation and working with various different superstars.
So before releasing him, I look at his last set of opponents and his most frequent matches were squashes against Ryback and Brodus Clay. After one or two, you've seen them all. I mean, wasn't there a lightbulb moment for creative bookers to go "ooh stick JTG against the new guy Xavier Woods, two athletic black guys with similar fashion styles and swagger in a street vs smart feud!" or how about having JTG test himself against the likes of Randy Orton or Daniel Bryan in a losing effort, but a valiant one?
So many talents that could have been utilised better, that perhaps could have kept their jobs if they were used better OR at least provided interesting match-ups on their way out.
Another mention would Brad Maddox. The guy was recently fired for using the word "Prick" towards the fans in a pre-match promo. The words could also be aimed towards the bookers... Maddox went from shady referee and Raw GM to a vanishing act. In a contradiction, why couldn't they do a JTG with Maddox and have him job to guys instead of us seeing Tyson Kidd or Fandango or Jack Swagger with established acts and fan recognition constantly job? - Maddox is a great talent, heaps of charisma and could sell very well. People said he was like a heel Ziggler and Eric Bischoff hybrid. He was cocky and not bad on the mic. So many match opportunities and they resorted to him being squashed by Mark Henry in dark matches.
I just wonder why it is so hard to create a card and showcase unique and refreshing match up's.
Back to the topic of releasing talent. Budget cuts may be required and some talents just don't fit the future plans anymore, but most of the times, (and the Internet Wrestling Community can agree,) there are moments missed and opportunities overlooked and you scratch your head at why it wasn't thought about in the first place.
We've all tuned this phrase into our minds now "Future endeavoured" or "Creative has nothing for you" - yeah... in certain logical sense, we understand this as a saying given to superstars to soften the blow (ever so slightly) of their pending unemployment by sugar coating the fact that creative literally are either working with their hands tied behind their backs or they had a specific set of people to concentrate on or they are simply inept at their jobs.
Releases happen for a variety of reasons;
- Insubordination.
- Wellness violations.
- Long tenure in the company and contract not being renewed.
- Long standing injuries.
- Backstage heat.
- Roster trimmings to make room for new signings or developmental stars.
- Budget cuts.
If it is because creative literally had nothing, then either that particular star was invisible or looked like a dodecahedron with Leprosy who was allergic to entering the ring.
Even if releases needed to happen, I look at ALL the wasted opportunities.
I look at JTG.. the guy may be the butt of jokes for practically surviving the last 3 roster cuts while being largely absent from all TV in most of 2012-2014 but he is a solid wrestler who sold very well and had a lot of charisma. His time in the old soap opera/game show format of NXT showed that he was quite good at improvisation and working with various different superstars.
So before releasing him, I look at his last set of opponents and his most frequent matches were squashes against Ryback and Brodus Clay. After one or two, you've seen them all. I mean, wasn't there a lightbulb moment for creative bookers to go "ooh stick JTG against the new guy Xavier Woods, two athletic black guys with similar fashion styles and swagger in a street vs smart feud!" or how about having JTG test himself against the likes of Randy Orton or Daniel Bryan in a losing effort, but a valiant one?
So many talents that could have been utilised better, that perhaps could have kept their jobs if they were used better OR at least provided interesting match-ups on their way out.
Another mention would Brad Maddox. The guy was recently fired for using the word "Prick" towards the fans in a pre-match promo. The words could also be aimed towards the bookers... Maddox went from shady referee and Raw GM to a vanishing act. In a contradiction, why couldn't they do a JTG with Maddox and have him job to guys instead of us seeing Tyson Kidd or Fandango or Jack Swagger with established acts and fan recognition constantly job? - Maddox is a great talent, heaps of charisma and could sell very well. People said he was like a heel Ziggler and Eric Bischoff hybrid. He was cocky and not bad on the mic. So many match opportunities and they resorted to him being squashed by Mark Henry in dark matches.
I just wonder why it is so hard to create a card and showcase unique and refreshing match up's.
Back to the topic of releasing talent. Budget cuts may be required and some talents just don't fit the future plans anymore, but most of the times, (and the Internet Wrestling Community can agree,) there are moments missed and opportunities overlooked and you scratch your head at why it wasn't thought about in the first place.
- EXTREME RULES PPV:
Extreme rules match. Basically a No DQ fight. Couldn't they at least make it unique for the sake of the PPV and create a rule where the only weapons allowed are full of rust and decay or the referee is half blind, (or something more serious and less sarcastic...) you know, to separate this match from the other Street Fight or No DQ match on the card?
- STREET FIGHTS:
So a Street fight can ONLY be won INSIDE the ring. Hmm.. it is called a STREET fight! Shouldn't THIS fight allow opponents to pin each other ANYWHERE??
- VENGEANCE 2002 - HOGANS ENTRANCE:
Not sure if it was a copyright or licensing matter or the fact he was teaming up with a Canadian in Edge but why, in a feud against the Un-Americans (Lance Storm and Christian) and after a video package about how the Un-Americans were complaining that America sucked, did they not think to have Hulk Hogan come out to his "Real American" theme? It would fitted so perfectly! I still get irritated by that!
- MNM DEBUT:
Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury and Melina, a tag team with a gimmick of Paparazzi obsessed models and socialites with huge egos hailing from Hollywood making the debut AFTER Wrestlemania 21 which was........ themed around Hollywood and show-business. Imagine if they had made the debut on the big show? What's even more mind boggling is, the tandem, who won three tag team titles together and were one of the best acts on Smackdown, hadn't appeared on the main card of any Wrestlemania!
- VLADIMIR KOZLOV GETTING BOOTED OFF WRESTLEMANIA MATCH PRIOR TO WM 27:
Going back to my point on releases for a second, Vladimir Kozlov was a victim of no direction, budget cuts and not fitting in to the roster which was starting to be more indy friendly. (Kozlov was quite old school in his wrestling) - but he was on the roster for about 4 years. So you would think, a guy with a decent fan base, memorable run with Santino Marella and once pinning The Undertaker cleanly that he would have at least been given the opportunity to appear on a Wrestlemania card, even if it was a battle royal, on his way out. Well, he nearly did, only during fan Axxess right before the big event, Kozlov was storyline taken out by his WM opponents and replaced with Kofi Kingston because Kingston had lost the belt to Barrett the week before. And thus, Kozlov was taken out of his only WM opportunity as he's never been featured in any others.
- ZACK RYDER BEING BOOKED TO LOOK SERIOUS WITH A GIMMICK THAT ISN'T:
Saw Ryder vs Heath Slater last month and Ryder who in all intents and purposes, interacts with fans, is a big social media follower and is as goofy as they come, looked at Slater and his Social Outcasts like they were idiots. I'm sorry what? Aren't you practically the same Ryder? Aren't you a bit goofy and don't you have silly catchphrases like "Woo Woo Woo You Know It" and "Take care and spike your hair"? - I like Zack Ryder but either that match was a character continuity issue or creative, again, missed the point of the aura of that match.
- HOME STATE PUSHES:
Oooh, next PPV is in St. Louis. Oh what do you know.. Randy Orton is the Number 1 Contender. Ugh. Hate stuff like that. Or Oooh, Miz has a DVD out, suddenly he is undefeated for a month. Its just coincidental booking that causes me irritation and I hate it.
- MIZ/MIZDOW:
Forget the fact that they shoved the Andre Memorial Battle Royal onto the preshow and MUST have forgotten that the nearly molten hot pending implosion between Miz and Mizdow was ON THAT MATCH! But they still had the opportunity to end the feud on a high at Extreme Rules. Instead Miz was booked to go filming and thus they ended the feud THE WEEK BEFORE THE PPV! - Ugh!
- SWAGGER'S APPEARANCE IN RUMBLE 2016:
So Swagger won a preshow tag match to appear in the rumble later in the evening. Ok, not every preliminary match winner has to win the next match or be in the rumble for a long time but they decided to have Swagger come in when Lesnar was dominating the ring. Now, Swagger's partner in the preshow match was Mark Henry and Henry was eliminated quickly but it made sense, the Wyatt's eliminated him to make them look more formidable, Henry's elimination served its purpose. Swagger's however was such a waste. Swagger who recently got a push again only to lose to Del Rio (Again) ended up facing another former NCAA champion and classic wrestler with Suplex after Suplex to his arsenal, just like Swagger. Lesnar threw Swagger out after 15 seconds. Swagger looked like an absolute chump and now nobody cares again. Double Ugh.
That's it for now. I say that loosely because I know this article is HUGE!
Thanks for reading and yes... if you're wondering to yourself why I'm a fan? Let me give you a profound and succinct answer....
SOMETIMES I HAVE NO IDEA, BUT IT REQUIRES MY ATTENTION.
Extreme rules match. Basically a No DQ fight. Couldn't they at least make it unique for the sake of the PPV and create a rule where the only weapons allowed are full of rust and decay or the referee is half blind, (or something more serious and less sarcastic...) you know, to separate this match from the other Street Fight or No DQ match on the card?
- STREET FIGHTS:
So a Street fight can ONLY be won INSIDE the ring. Hmm.. it is called a STREET fight! Shouldn't THIS fight allow opponents to pin each other ANYWHERE??
- VENGEANCE 2002 - HOGANS ENTRANCE:
Not sure if it was a copyright or licensing matter or the fact he was teaming up with a Canadian in Edge but why, in a feud against the Un-Americans (Lance Storm and Christian) and after a video package about how the Un-Americans were complaining that America sucked, did they not think to have Hulk Hogan come out to his "Real American" theme? It would fitted so perfectly! I still get irritated by that!
- MNM DEBUT:
Johnny Nitro, Joey Mercury and Melina, a tag team with a gimmick of Paparazzi obsessed models and socialites with huge egos hailing from Hollywood making the debut AFTER Wrestlemania 21 which was........ themed around Hollywood and show-business. Imagine if they had made the debut on the big show? What's even more mind boggling is, the tandem, who won three tag team titles together and were one of the best acts on Smackdown, hadn't appeared on the main card of any Wrestlemania!
- VLADIMIR KOZLOV GETTING BOOTED OFF WRESTLEMANIA MATCH PRIOR TO WM 27:
Going back to my point on releases for a second, Vladimir Kozlov was a victim of no direction, budget cuts and not fitting in to the roster which was starting to be more indy friendly. (Kozlov was quite old school in his wrestling) - but he was on the roster for about 4 years. So you would think, a guy with a decent fan base, memorable run with Santino Marella and once pinning The Undertaker cleanly that he would have at least been given the opportunity to appear on a Wrestlemania card, even if it was a battle royal, on his way out. Well, he nearly did, only during fan Axxess right before the big event, Kozlov was storyline taken out by his WM opponents and replaced with Kofi Kingston because Kingston had lost the belt to Barrett the week before. And thus, Kozlov was taken out of his only WM opportunity as he's never been featured in any others.
- ZACK RYDER BEING BOOKED TO LOOK SERIOUS WITH A GIMMICK THAT ISN'T:
Saw Ryder vs Heath Slater last month and Ryder who in all intents and purposes, interacts with fans, is a big social media follower and is as goofy as they come, looked at Slater and his Social Outcasts like they were idiots. I'm sorry what? Aren't you practically the same Ryder? Aren't you a bit goofy and don't you have silly catchphrases like "Woo Woo Woo You Know It" and "Take care and spike your hair"? - I like Zack Ryder but either that match was a character continuity issue or creative, again, missed the point of the aura of that match.
- HOME STATE PUSHES:
Oooh, next PPV is in St. Louis. Oh what do you know.. Randy Orton is the Number 1 Contender. Ugh. Hate stuff like that. Or Oooh, Miz has a DVD out, suddenly he is undefeated for a month. Its just coincidental booking that causes me irritation and I hate it.
- MIZ/MIZDOW:
Forget the fact that they shoved the Andre Memorial Battle Royal onto the preshow and MUST have forgotten that the nearly molten hot pending implosion between Miz and Mizdow was ON THAT MATCH! But they still had the opportunity to end the feud on a high at Extreme Rules. Instead Miz was booked to go filming and thus they ended the feud THE WEEK BEFORE THE PPV! - Ugh!
- SWAGGER'S APPEARANCE IN RUMBLE 2016:
So Swagger won a preshow tag match to appear in the rumble later in the evening. Ok, not every preliminary match winner has to win the next match or be in the rumble for a long time but they decided to have Swagger come in when Lesnar was dominating the ring. Now, Swagger's partner in the preshow match was Mark Henry and Henry was eliminated quickly but it made sense, the Wyatt's eliminated him to make them look more formidable, Henry's elimination served its purpose. Swagger's however was such a waste. Swagger who recently got a push again only to lose to Del Rio (Again) ended up facing another former NCAA champion and classic wrestler with Suplex after Suplex to his arsenal, just like Swagger. Lesnar threw Swagger out after 15 seconds. Swagger looked like an absolute chump and now nobody cares again. Double Ugh.
That's it for now. I say that loosely because I know this article is HUGE!
Thanks for reading and yes... if you're wondering to yourself why I'm a fan? Let me give you a profound and succinct answer....
SOMETIMES I HAVE NO IDEA, BUT IT REQUIRES MY ATTENTION.