I mean obviously using Orton to put over Logan Paul is a mistake. But Gunther isn't just anybody. He's one of the fastest rising stars they have and someone who needs to be made into a star. Gunther did an amazing job restoring the credibility of the IC Championship. There's no reason why he can't establish the WHC with good, consistent booking. Punk can be the big name you put that belt on later.
which is why it should have been given to drew who could have easily added credibility to it. Priest's run had only started to pick steam and he lost.
Lesnar's been out of WWE for over a year now. The second biggest active legend Randy just returned at Survivor Series. He could have been better utilized as a WHC though. Keeping the title on Seth for that long definitely down valued it further. Of the full time wrestlers, Drew is still the biggest name WWE have currently after Randy and Cody who wrestle full time. AJ would have been a great choice as well but he's been taking the lighter schedule i believe
Oh yes. Btw I caught the Damien Priest one and I thought it was pretty good.
I wouldn't say that. Priest did an okay job with the belt. But overall I don't think he was ready. He needs a few hot feuds to really establish himself as a big babyface.
But Drew knows how to make his feuds and matches interesting. You can visibly see him making effort. He did that in his first run in 2020. Him holding the title would have everyone see him trying to make WHC a big deal something it's been lacking since 2023. Even Gunther didn't look hungry enough going for the title before Summerslam. Priest did his best work in last few weeks with the title.
Really sad news. Most people probably remember him for the Dungeon of Doom stuff but I think alot of them don't realize the role he had in a backstage capacity throughout the years as a booker, producer, creative influence and mentor to so many wrestlers. He had a massive hand in the success of WCW during their hottest period. Eric may have been the one running the show, but it was Kevin Sullivan who was booking it all to make logical sense. Most notably he booked the NWO angle. RIP.
I think working with Punk opened his eyes to alot of things. I have a strong feeling that Punk advised him not to accept bad creative if it was given to him because there have been rumors that he has turned down ideas from AEW to turn babyface.
Well Seth 'Cringelord' Rollins is a big name, regardless of what we may think of him. The Cody feud though needs to have Orton turning on him, leaving him for dead and taking his belt. Cody can then disappear for a bit to sell the injury and return after a short time to a massive pop. Not every wrestler has to hold the belt for a freaking year or more. And Cody chasing is something you need to keep him interesting as a babyface...even if its for a short period of time. Orton beating Cody doesnt hurt Cody either because Orton is a bonafide legend and Cody's mentor. So in kayfabe if there is anyone who is capable of outsmarting Cody, it should be Orton.
I haven't given up on Drew yet. The names you mentioned are definitely in another league but i think Drew has what it takes to overcome all the bad booking and come back stronger. his title run was one of the best in recent years,
Seth had no business holding the title for a year. He should have lost the title to Balor last year. That slow kill was painful to watch and is a Trips characteristic. He lacks the instinct to change plans on the go and do something surprising.
He's a very good wrestler but that's about it. He has never been a compelling personality/character and never will be. It makes perfect sense now why he was so desperate to work with Punk. Because deep down he knows that that's the only way he will be even the slightest bit interesting.
I am much more interested in seeing Rock vs Roman than Cody vs Rock.
Dwayne is the only thing that can make Cody's run interesting right now. Apart from that, Roman-Dwayne heat will always eclipse Dwayne-Cody feud heat.
Being on the Board Rock i feel like will bill the Rock vs Roman feud to god tier. i think this will be the last match for rock before he goes in the HOF
the last great promo trips did was accepting batista's challenge at 2019 mania putting his career on the line. apart from that his mic work throughout his career has been fine without being outstanding.
I'm not as negative on H as shaz but even I honestly can't recall a single great Triple H promo. All I remember is him opening every episode of RAW during the 2000s and cutting these 20 minute long droning, self-aggrandizing promos that all sounded the same and mostly went nowhere. I guess they were just a pre-text for the burial he was going to mete out that night on RAW or the subsequent PPV.
Credit where credit is due, he has done brilliantly in the role of this chicken$hit heel and has completely moved out of his father's shadow. His in-ring work still needs alot of work but because the character is so strong it kinda doesn't matter how he is in the ring at this point of his career. And turning on Rhea and aligning himself with Liv is only going to help him generate more heat.A sad end to Dominik Bhai’s reign of home wife, mami and side work wife.
Real talk he has become bigger than just the Mysterio name. Rather than rely on his dad’s reputation he has made a name for himself in his own right.
This was a fine promo but not nearly as good as WWE props it up to be lol. Also, the cut-off denim shorts. Good god
Yeah The Shield break-up is still the most iconic thing he has done in WWE. Which speaks volumes about his character work. I agree with you that they could get something out of him as a heel with the right direction and a potential WrestleMania level program with Roman, that addresses their unresolved history. But he seems more interested in looking like a complete joke just because the people enjoy singing his song I guess.
He did cut many solid promos during his feud with Austin, Rock, HBK, Batista etc. He was always consistent on the mic (never great). I'd say he's a bit like Miz like you can count on him to give something and he'd produce that with consistency even though it may not be great. His best work was done till 2005 I guess. He was at his peak in late 90s I believe. I am not a big fan of him either and I do believe he was one of the biggest politicker in WWE. But he's done some good over the years as well. NXT black and gold was great. I am a big Dwayne and Austin mark, so I'll naturally never like Trips but let's not downplay his achievements (however mediocre they may be). Reign of terror and becoming the center piece of The Authority are amongst the worst he's done over the years.
His last great work was in his feud with Edge. 3 uber consistent amazing matches that relied on storytelling. His feud with Cody produced 3 great matches (HIAC being the best) but the feud wasn't that hot or interesting honestly.
Dom is definitely out of the shadow of Rey now and it takes immense effort to get out of that massive shadow and make your own path. He's massively entertaining. He'll get over as an in ring worker as well as his current role doesn't allow him to be a matt wizard.A sad end to Dominik Bhai’s reign of home wife, mami and side work wife.
Real talk he has become bigger than just the Mysterio name. Rather than rely on his dad’s reputation he has made a name for himself in his own right.
I agree with you on that. He works according to his role and gimmick. My point was more that his work doesn't look that smooth. Which you can't really blame him much for considering his lack of experience. But the fact that he is learning how to work, rather than just going there and doing a bunch of cool moves gives me hope that he could be pretty good in the ring too.
Tony Khan would rather use the platform to show everyone how good the Young Bucks are. And then everyone will say that this is why we laugh at wrestlingIf they do it again in LA, maybe we can get some wrestling representation in the break dancing event.
Perhaps Shah Khan can pay the relevant US authorities to allow Tony Khan to compete
Think Dom's much better than Breakker who has similar amount of experience and training as him right now and both come from wrestling families. That's how I'd gauge his success.
I don't agree with that. Breakker has an x-factor that Dom will never have. Call it genetics or whatever. But he has a natural charisma and presence that is evident even that this early stage of his career. Despite the limited move-set, Bron makes an impact. Whether its with his spear or just by running the ropes. I am almost certain that he will be their next Roman Reigns. This is not an insult towards Dom, but I don't see him ever reaching those heights.
Breakker honestly hasn't improved as much as he should have had since making his nxt debut. He is still very much the same. His matches still are the same every time. His mic skills are the same. His character is still what it was back then. He's a powerhouse and has a larger than life look which is what makes his aura. He still has to get carried by his opponents. Goldberg had an aura about him as well but the only aspect he improved at was his promos.
Say what you may but MVP was done dirty by Trips after taking over the creative. He was consistently one of the best talkers on WWE after his comeback in 2020. After he took over the creative, MVP was rarely seen.
I mean Triple H didn't bring back the Hurt Business. But the decision to split Lashley and MVP and put MVP with Omos was Vince's. Triple H thankfully atleast understood that a guy like Omos was a special attraction and couldn't be overexposed. But as far as treating MVP goes, I think both Vince and Triple H share the blame for not recognizing his true ability on the mic.
Breakker doesn't need to go out there and have 20 minute bangers. He doesn't even necessarily have to do alot of moves. The look, presentation, athletic ability and personality take care of alot of things by themself. I feel like he very much has an aura about him. And he has been booked perfectly as the arrogant, young rookie so far. In three years he has gone from NXT to IC Champion. That's a pretty rapid rise. And I feel he will only get better with time.
I disagree.
talksport.com
Austin is a bigger star in wrestling than both Roman and Dwayne.John Cena lists Roman Reigns above The Rock as his Greatest of All Time by pointing out one way he’s ‘even better’
John Cena says Roman Reigns is his Greatest of All Time in WWE, and not long-time rival Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Cena and Rock duelled over the course of two major WrestleMania events a decade ago, with Cena since following in his former foe’s footsteps in swapping the wrestling ring for Hollywood.
The multi-time former world champion has confirmed he’ll retire from wrestling in 2025 with one final run in WWE, with fans and stars clamouring to fantasy book the mega matches that will make up his farewell stretch.
He’s also used the time sine making the major announcement at Money in the Bank earlier this summer to speak openly about not only his career, but the business in general.
Speaking on Club Shay Shay, the leader of the Cenation was put on the spot to name his WWE GOAT, with one reasonable assumption being he might plump for The Rock, given how the latter years of their careers have intertwined and even mirrored.
Instead, it’s Rock’s cousin, Roman Reigns, who tops the list for Cena, who sang the praises of the Tribal Chief for his work during his incredible near four-year run as WWE Undisputed Universal Champion.
That reign was ended by Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania – as part of a storyline that incidentally heavily featured The Rock – as WWE has soared on a tremendous run of sellouts, record gates and a new television deal with Netflix.
Cena insists Reigns can take a sizable share of the credit for that, explaining: “I don't think there is a better breathing example of the best the business has ever been than Roman Reigns.
“It's amazing that I'm saying a still-active talent, with years in front of him, is the greatest of all time. He's been in it since 2012.
“I had to work my way up. I started on the bench and then got on to the Saturday programme, lost every match.
“ He came in with The Shield and a really high-level spot, and never wavered. Even when fans didn't like him, he was still in a main event spot. He's been in a main event lens for over a decade.
“In 2012, the stock was trading at $11. WWE/TKO stock is now at $117. That's on his shoulders.
£There isn't a better indication, and I know it's a team effort, and nobody does it alone, but that, to me, is some serious s***.
“I have to give respect where it's due. [He] is smart, passionate about the business, multi-generational athlete. Has respect for his family, the locker room, the business.
“He's a very smart performer and someone I respect. He'd be my Greatest of All Time."
Cena was among the victims in Reigns tremendous tenure as the top male champion in WWE – the two battled at SummerSlam in 2021 with Reigns a decisive winner.
Three years later at this year’s instalment of the summer epic, Reigns sealed his return by confronting Solo Sikoa to begin the next chapter in the lengthy Bloodline saga.
Rock is almost certain to have a role to play again in the not too distant future and, while Cena had Reigns slated above the megastar in his own WWE ranking, he admitted The Smashing Machine star came a close second.
He added of Rock: “He did the same thing in the 90s. This is the one time I can say this because Rock's numbers are always number one, Roman's numbers have been better than Dwayne's."
Back at WrestleMania in April, Rock and Cena enjoyed an in-ring stare-down filled with nostalgia as part of the epic main event.
John Cena confirms why Roman Reigns edges out The Rock as his WWE GOAT
John Cena says Roman Reigns is his Greatest of All Time in WWE, and not long-time rival Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Cena and Rock duelled over the course of two major WrestleMania events a decade ag…
For a guy who talks about how his company is all about the future and making new stars, the only star AEW has really been able to create is MJF and that more to do with MJF than Tony Khan's booking.
Christian is their most reliable performer. On the mic, in the ring...as a freaking referee. He's someone who is a heel and actually tries to wrestle like a heel---imagine that! So ofcourse he is in a 4 Way Trios Ladder Match so Tony can go on a lame nostalgia trip and do his mark recreation of one of his favorite childhood matches, while putting Christian in risk of some kind of serious injury. What a dumb, stupid mark.
RIP.
Which wise man said that?
I get what you mean but then you have someone like Taker too. Who was a great wrestler despite his height. Nash as well was pretty good I thought until his knees gave up on him. He was very limited moves-wise but the psychology was always on-point. In Sid's case his matches were almost always really bad. And that was not because of the psychology. It was generally how poor he was at executing certain things. Which you can understand considering that size and height. But again, that doesn't take away from what he did have. And above all, that was a truly one in a million look. There were very few guys even in that era that were taller than him and looked as good physically or felt as real.
Can't believe I forgot that ! Yeah he did great to hold it together in that trainwreck.
their are too many baby faces on Smackdown but not enough heels. Love to know what you guys think.The similarity in movesets of Taker and Kane also made for severe underratedness of Kane for the big guy athlete and wrestler he was. Taker was an anomaly and arguably the GOAT but Kane was also extraordinary and someone who doesn't get enough credit just because he spent most of his career in Taker's enormous shadow.
