WWE, AEW, TNA and other wrestling

[Gav]

I am happy with every result from Backlash - HOORAY!

[Andy Turnbull]

Yeah me too!

Andy

[KoshNaranek]

I've only recently started watching bits of both WWE and TNA again, and unfortunately there's still not too much to get excited about. HBK vs 'Taker was a great match, but the fact that these two are still getting pushed so high on the card only emphasises how badly new start need to be created and pushed. I was pretty happy to see Orton and Edge regain their respective worl titles, though.

- Tony

[Hero]

I found the Lockdown main event confusing. It was hard to tell who the face and heel was between Sting and Foley .

I had a hunch for a while that Edge may have leaned towards a face turn of sorts. He's now alone on Smackdown with no cronies and he really did not beat Cena by his own merit. The vignette with Christian saying "You used to be fun" was also something to think about. I kind of hoped that maybe some mutal respect between Cena and Edge would have formed after putting each other through hell and back like with other bitter enemies who end up unlikely teaming up (Stone Cold and HHH, Mankind and Rock).

Looks like we have another Age of Orton in the WWE. The recent Orton VS MVP bout on RAW was pretty decent. MVP really capitalised on the absense of Cena and HHH that week.

[Hero]

Extreme RULES was off the hook! Ladder Match was the best on the card.

SPOILER: Click to show

New brand champions!

[KoshNaranek]

In Japanese news I was very saddened to learn of the untimely death of Mitsuharu Misawa in what looks like a freak accident in the ring. He was bumping from a standard back body drop on Saturday night and didn't get up afterwards. Paramedics rushed the ring but were unable to revive him. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends, a true wrestling legend.

- Tony

[Hero]

I've read on other reports the move was a suplex. Either way, it was pretty bad and so random. I can only imagine how the others involved in the match must have been feeling and the crowd too. At the age of 47 one can assume that the years of wrestling took thier toll on Misawa's body.

RAW tonight. 3-hour spectacular. Can you guess who the new GM is?

===KEN

[Hero]

Is anyone catching Summerslam?

I'm liking the card a lot.

[Gav]

I'll see if I can watch it online tonight. I'm off work tomorrow so I can give it a try. I'm only really intrigued about whether they'll put the straps on Cryme Tyme - or if Hardy'll leave after tonight. Maybe a 'Taker comeback?

[Hero]

Wow. Not a bad event.

Hardy VS Punk was off the hook.

The ECW and Kane VS Khali matches might as well been left off the card. I expected A LOT more from William Regal and Christian who only a week ago worked really well together and carried the dead weight in a tag bout. Kane VS Khali, the less said about that the better.

DX VS Legacy was spot on! Always welcome to see DX wake up the crowd. I hope the fued with Dibiase and Rhodes carries on a bit longer, maybe into Survivor Series.

Cena VS Orton... As much as I like Cena this match could have been better and maybe had more wrestling in it. The fan run-in was obviously a work as the man restrained looked possibly like a developmental talent rather than some skinny kid or 'pisshead' who would be daft enough to jump the railings.

MVP VS Swagger, good fued.

Summerslam was easily better than Wrestlemania 25.

[Gav]

From what I've read, the fan run-in was a DiBiase who's in development.

I thought it was a fun event, nothing overly spectacular with the exception of Hardy's swanton off the ladder. Still worth a watch.

[Deleted]

Does this count as an official form of wrestling?
www.nakedkombat.com/site/?c=1

[Hero]

I was gutted to hear that Captain Lou Albano had recentley passed on. Despite his rock n wrestling credentials I remember him better as Mario on the Super Mario Bros Super Show. Great voice actor too. I hope he gets a good tribute on RAW.


As far as other wrestling news goes, Shane McMahon dropped this bombshell.

www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/119306/Shane-McMahon-Quits-WWE.htm

From the WWE Website:

"It is with great sadness that I announce my resignation from the WWE, effective January 1, 2010.

I have never even considered a future outside the walls of the WWE. However, sometimes life takes an unexpected turn and while it is the most difficult decision I have ever made, it is time for me to move on.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my father for the incredible education working with him has provided and for giving me the opportunity to play a role in building WWE into the global phenomenon that it is today. I am extremely proud to have been the 4th generation in this business, and I am grateful for everyday I was able to work along side not only my own, but the entire WWE family.

Thank you to all of the WWE Superstars both past and present for your passion, pride and dedication. You are truly the engine of the organization and it has been a pleasure to work with, learn from and get to know all of you. Thank you for the privilege of sharing the stage with you and for allowing me to become but a momentary member of your elite brotherhood. I have so much appreciation for the many sacrifices you endure, both physically and personally, to make this business the success that it is. The respect I have for each of you is immeasurable.

Finally, there are no words to express my gratitude to WWE fans the world over for supporting this company through good times and bad and for your unbridled passion that fuels the Superstars’ performances. I am profoundly grateful to have been able to entertain you both in front of the camera and from behind the scenes. You are the greatest fans in the world.

I will always love this business and will remain a fan forever.

Shane"

[Andy Turnbull]

Internet scuttlebut is it's to do with the ongoing power struggle with him against Stephania/HHH.

Andy

[Hero]

Did anyone catch RAW this past Monday, or rather the last 15 or so minutes? That was awesome and out of context.


===KEN

[Hero]

Anyone catching this weekend's Bragging Rights?

Here's the final card:

* Unified Divas Title Match: Layla © vs. Natalya
* Raw vs. Smackdown Match: US Champion Daniel Bryan vs. IC Champion Dolph Ziggler
* Bragging Rights Tag Team Match: Team Raw (Captain Miz, Sheamus, John Morrison, C.M. Punk, R-Truth, Santino and Ezekiel Jackson) vs. Team Smackdown (Captain Big Show, Rey Mysterio, Jack Swagger, Alberto Del Rio, Edge, Tyler Reks, and Kofi Kingston)
* World Title Buried Alive Match: Kane © w/Paul Bearer vs. The Undertaker
* WWE Title Match: Randy Orton © vs. Wade Barrett w/John Cena

[Gav]

Just purchased my tickets for the Glasgow leg of the WWE Revenge Tour in April. I was going to attempt TNA in January as well, but the pull of the CENATION was too strong.

[Hero]

TNA are a BIG mess right now. About 95% of the roster have all turned heel and none of the storylines make sense. And stilll... Most of the matches end with a run-in.

Good going on Glasgow tix, Gav. I hope you get good seats.

On another note. I was a bit sad to hear that Steve 'William' Regal is retiring. I hope WWE will let him bow out good and not have a Jamie Noble type departure.

And as added trivia: Regal was the first wrestler I stepped into a ring with.

===KEN

[Hero]

This years Royal Rumble is going to be the biggest ever with 40 entrants instead of the usual 30.

===KEN

[Stomski]

Well I didn't think this was gonna happen...

Raw 14/02/2011...

SPOILER: Click to show

[Hero]

I did not see that coming either. There was so much focus on the possible signing of Sting, although I won't rule that out either.

===KEN

[Andy Turnbull]

Just watched Monday's Raw.

Brilliant news! Although I did kind of expect it to happen.

Andy

[Dave]

Yeah saw that and was surprised no one had mentioned it. I shall watch any future [spoiler]-happenings with interest via YouTube snippets.

Been watching some TNA now that it's on Freeview. OK-ish but I'm finding it a bit samey.

[Hero]

TNA is going down the kermit. Glad Hernandez is back in action though.

I think they may play out a John Cena VS The Rock match depending on the Elimation Chamber outcome. I can already see though, that if such a bout were to happen - Rock as the 'guest' will put Cena over, but we will get a dream match neitherless.

Talks of Undertaker VS Triple H are happening again for Wrestlemania 27.

===KEN

[Andy Turnbull]

TNA needs shot of Bischoff, Russo, Hogan and Flair or it's going to go down the swanny.

Andy

[Hero]

Wholeheartedly agreed. It is like WCW going under all over again 10 years on.

I think The Rock is likely going to be at next years Wrestlemania event in Miami. A possible HoF inductee perhaps.

[Andy Turnbull]

Definitely a HoF inductee next year.

Andy

[Hero]

I just dawned me after the Rock Return Promo made me forget (clever booking on WWE's part).

The mystery woman who stepped out of the car before The Rock was revealed. Could she be the RAW GM? It's too easy to suggest it might be Stephanie McMahon. Perhaps the RAW GM is more than one person (both her and HHH?).

===KEN

[Stomski]

Now I haven't watched wrestling in a long time, but that mystery general manager email skit during the Rock's return speech was weak. Michael Cole was terrible and his delivery totally through The Rock's timing off.

Why can no one drop a promo like The Rock??











Wooo, youtube abuse.

[Hero]

The Undertaker returns tonight!

The Rock's promos have always been great. The first 'interactive' promos of all time. He is a good example, (like with Stone Cold) that the otherwise 'trunks n boots' wrestlers can be the best characters, by being themselves with the volume turned up.

BTW Stom. Mattel Rock Action Figure