Board 8 > All-Purpose Wrestling Topic 465: La Somber

(+) Yeah! (+)

scarletspeed7 posted...

I thought Sarah Logan was Stephanie McMahon because she comes from a family of Hunter's.

Boooooo
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I would say they should immediately call up Io Shirai and Kairi Sane but knowing WWE they would just enter and endless bordeom feud with Asuka for 9 months.

Also i have to say its remarkable that they botched Sasha and Bayley to the point where this is the first anyone has mentioned them.
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I wanted to mention how they dont matter anymore and its a shame

but I let them rest
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Bayley is Shane Douglas. People insist they were totally good in NXT/ECW but has been miserable every time I've watched them.
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this might be the meanest thing i've ever said about bayley and i feel bad
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This is going to sound nuts, but I think Naomi is the Undertaker in this discussion.
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But who is Billy Gunn?
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Asuka definitely Billy Gunn'ed the first Women's Royal Rumble.
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Bayley and Sasha Banks are the the New Age Outlaws. Ric Flair is Chyna.
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WarThaNemesis2 posted...

Asuka definitely Billy Gunn'ed the first Women's Royal Rumble.

I mean the WWE literally used Asuka's streak to put over Carmella.

I'm not sure what anyone could do with that.
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TheRock1525 posted...

WarThaNemesis2 posted...

Asuka definitely Billy Gunn'ed the first Women's Royal Rumble.

I mean the WWE literally used Asuka's streak to put over Carmella.

I'm not sure what anyone could do with that.

The same Carmella who is currently ADMITTEDLY like their 7th most popular woman primarily for her goofy dance break gimmick.

Like her win over Charlotte makes NO sense and has been booked as basically nit javing happened which means Asukas streak did... Nothing. For anyone.
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I'll be honest, I don't even fully believe that WWE thought far ahead enough to actually plan to use Asuka's streak to put over Carmella. I almost think "Put Charlotte over Asuka" and "Put Carmella over Charlotte" were two completely independent thoughts that they lacked the foresight to realize what it'd mean in the end because the writers are just that bad.
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"It's too hard to write Asuka as an unstoppable badass with a winning streak, so we're going to prematurely end her streak so it's easier to write for her."

Then they proceeded to not use her for over half a year and miraculously, by her own merit alone, she is still very over.
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PrivateBiscuit1 posted...

"It's too hard to write Asuka as an unstoppable badass with a winning streak, so we're going to prematurely end her streak so it's easier to write for her."

Then they proceeded to not use her for over half a year and miraculously, by her own merit alone, she is still very over.

Hey man we love pretty colors.
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Shes over because shes a decent worker.

She hasnt had anything resembling an actual character since her call Up.
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StealThisSheen posted...

I'll be honest, I don't even fully believe that WWE thought far ahead enough to actually plan to use Asuka's streak to put over Carmella. I almost think "Put Charlotte over Asuka" and "Put Carmella over Charlotte" were two completely independent thoughts that they lacked the foresight to realize what it'd mean in the end because the writers are just that bad.

They literally happened within a 24 hour period so I think they legitimately thought they could transfer both to Carmella to make her Smackdown's top female heel.

It did not work so well.
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Eddv posted...

Shes over because shes a decent worker.

She hasnt had anything resembling an actual character since her call Up.

She didn't have a character in NXT, either. She's charismatic but that didn't translate to anything other than "she wins."
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I mean really she should have just put over Ember in the first place.

Ember is another example of amazing mismanagement though.

"Hey shes got this cool other worldly gimmick as kind of a monster face"

"Lets put her on TV talking about anime and being a dork"
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That's why I love Ember!
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Basically you have to remember is that Nia Jax ruined everything in terms of the RAW female roster. You can tie anyone's downfall to her in some capacity.
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TheRock1525 posted...

Eddv posted...

Shes over because shes a decent worker.

She hasnt had anything resembling an actual character since her call Up.

She didn't have a character in NXT, either. She's charismatic but that didn't translate to anything other than "she wins."

This is her main problem. This is also how they botched Nakamura before Nakamura decided he was done giving a shit. Other than the "Hes the Japanese Michael Jackson" push hes had no character.

Its genuinely difficult to get behind a character whose motivations are unknown and who never encounter obstacles that they then overcome. This is largely on WWE for not being able to tell stories non verbally. Its not just racism that results in foreigners being heels. You can successfully heel (in WWE) without speaking. Its much harder to baby face (in WWE) - especially in Asukas case where her broken English is so rough that it undermines any legitimacy her fighting stype might lend her (though her emphasis on ass based combat does sort of lend her to midcard goofiness when combined with this)
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That Goldberg guy didn't have a character

Just won a lot
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Lopen posted...

That Goldberg guy didn't have a character

Just won a lot

He had a character after he lost.

HES NOT FOLLOWING THE SCRIPT LOPEN!
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IMO overt characters are overrated

they've been trying to force one on Dean Ambrose for quite some time now but he'd be way better if they just let him be the personality that he naturally leans towards. instead they try to make a caricature of that and then feed him scripts of that caricature.

as long as you've got a solid personality and you work good in the ring, it works for me
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Hard disagree.

WWE doesnt know how to do this right now. They'll just say HES THE LUNATIC FRINGE or HE WANTS TO BURN IT DOWN and think mission accomplished.

But you watch.... Fuck any other wrestling program but I am thinking most of PROGRESS, CHIKARA, Impact and even LU despite this seasons....problems.

Every wrestler has a purpose, a trajectory, goals. These can be simple like in Progress or they can be convoluted and layered like with this long term Allie story on Impact but it does a lot to make the program more watchable.

In WWE they have like... Maybe 5 or 6 total characters but for the most part people are jus sort of aimlessly feuding.
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Eddv posted...

I mean really she should have just put over Ember in the first place.

Ember is another example of amazing mismanagement though.

"Hey shes got this cool other worldly gimmick as kind of a monster face"

"Lets put her on TV talking about anime and being a dork"

Ember Moon fascinates me.

I have never seen a person be 100% directionless yet moderately pushed for their entire career, but theyre really trying with her to break new ground
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Like, Ember doesnt even FEUD with anyone. She just exists as the gatekeeper to relevance in the division
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You might say her feud is with relevance itself.
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Matt Angel is going to be the breakout indie star of 2019.

I wanted to say it'd be Josh Briggs but since he's signed by WWN now that's not gonna happen.
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Jakyl25 posted...

Like, Ember doesnt even FEUD with anyone. She just exists as the gatekeeper to relevance in the division

Yeah but that finisher.
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NBIceman posted...

Matt Angel is going to be the breakout indie star of 2019.

I wanted to say it'd be Josh Briggs but since he's signed by WWN now that's not gonna happen.

I would say Jon Gresham but apparently I am the only one who didnt know he was awesome.
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As good as Gresham is in the ring, I don't really think he has that intangible star potential to him. I'd love for him to prove me wrong.
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I think hes got it

He and Jordynne Grace can be the new indie power couple
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Hey just a reminder that votes for the Awards topic are due in at midnight on New Year's. Please vote if you haven't, it would mean a lot to me!
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1.901M for Christmas Day Smackdown

A new record low for that show too, finally dethroning Election Night 2016s record

BUT it did beat Raw this week! Which means it will for sure next week too
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At the Raw tapings tonight, Zack Ryder got his wish! His first match on Raw itself in 2018 on the final episode of the year <_<
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What are the odds Vince forgot Ryder was employed and one of the writers just happened to see that tweet?
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https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/kenny-omega-and-xavier-woods-top-10-games-of-2018/1100-5827/

Woods and Kenny come back with another amazing write-up of their top 10 games of 2018

Kenny: Just keep in mind youre talking to the only pro wrestler fully sponsored by an esports team in RAZER. They dont just hand those out like mass produced pancakes on the better of your two televised shows! Haahahahahaha!

*A shadow of a sledgehammer creeps into view*

Oh no, Ive said too much!

Austin: KENNY RUN!!!!

Dont tell @ExThaNemesis what Kenny picked for #1
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I've got to complain for a moment about Bianca Belair. Is she supposed to be a character I want to cheer on? I find nothing likable about her personality or demeanor. Everything about her screams "irritating people in line in front of you at Chipotle" to me. Even her catchphrase hits me like nails on a chalkboard. Do people here actually like her?
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Watching smackdown

This first segment is perfect

Plays to the holiday
Plays to the kids
Reinforce ongoing storylines
Sets up potential storyline for at least the show
Reminds you that your champ is the top guy dont fuck on him

Truth would be a great lackey by the way. Bryan tries to convert him to his state of mind and it touches truth and he follows.... but doesn't really get it. Like he will say he is vegan while eating a Turkey leg . Shit like that . Would be a fun pinky and the brain thing whenever Bryan loses the title
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scarletspeed7 posted...

I've got to complain for a moment about Bianca Belair. Is she supposed to be a character I want to cheer on? I find nothing likable about her personality or demeanor. Everything about her screams "irritating people in line in front of you at Chipotle" to me. Even her catchphrase hits me like nails on a chalkboard. Do people here actually like her?

Well she's a heel right now so no, you shouldn't want to cheer her.
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I was under the impression she was face.
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With the year coming to an end and no more title changes confirmed, here will be the title histories at the end of December 31st!

WWE Championship - Bryan's fourth reign as WWE Champion will have him at a combined 113 days, which out of 50 superstars, will put him in 31st place. Six days into 2019, he can pass both Roman Reigns and Ric Flair.

Universal - Brock Lesnar continues to widen the gap and will have 563 total days as champ by the 31st.

IC - Seth Rollins' reign ended with a combined 190 days as champ, good enough for 30th place out of 80 champions. Dean Ambrose will end 2018 being tied with Ken Patera for 23rd place and will soon pass Pat Patterson for 22nd in the same week!

US - Out of 92 champions, Shinsuke Nakamura ends his reign tied for 38th place with Paul Jones with 156 days. Meanwhile, a Rusev Day miracle occurred, as Rusev will have 285 total days as US champ at the end of the year, putting him in 15th place! Next up is Wahoo McDaniel with 296!

Raw Tag - AOP end their first reign at 35 days, good enough for a 3-way tie with RVD for 72nd place. Meanwhile, Bobby Roode and Chad Gable become the 84th and 85th Raw Tag champions and are will be tied with the Dudleys on New Year's Eve in 76th place!

SD Tag - The Bar continue to work up the ladder and will have 76 days at the end of the year, good enough for 12th place with each other. Next up is Slater, Rhyno, and American Alpha, all tied for 8th place with 84 days!

Raw Women's - Ronda Rousey will have 134 days to end the year, good enough for third place. She still needs 108 to catch Charlotte for 2nd!

SD Women's - Becky Lynch's 2nd reign launched her all the way to being tied for first with Charlotte Flair with 175 total days as champion! Asuka becomes the 7th SD Women's champion, and with 15 days to close out 2018, she has a long way to go before catching Natalya for 6th!

Cruiserweight - Buddy Murphy sits in 4th place to end 2018 with 86 days as champ. Next up is Enzo Amore with 108 days.

Made Up titles only us/the PWB follow

The Man: Becky Lynch*
Raw Jobber Champion: Drake Maverick
SD Jobber Champion: Jeff Hardy
Raw Women's Jobber Champion: Vacated due to inactivity by Liv Morgan. First-to-three series in effect
SD Women's Jobber Champion: Lana
Cruiserweight Jobber Champion: Vacated due to Lio Rush beating an actual jobber. First-to-three series in effect

* - Status up for debate since her and Seth Rollins have both been calling themselves The Man.
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scarletspeed7 posted...

I was under the impression she was face.

Nope, I believe she was recently feuding with Nikki Cross, who has been face since SAniTy turned for Wargames 2017.
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ZeroSignal620 posted...

* - Status up for debate since her and Seth Rollins have both been calling themselves The Man.

Seth relinquished the title on a recent podcast.
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Smackdown spoilers for Tuesday

John Cena came out for a promo but Becky Lynch came out and said shes the man now and would be replacing him. Zelina and Andrade Almas came out and that set up a tag team bout.

Becky Lynch and John Cena defeated Zelina and Andrade when Vega tapped to the Disarmher. Lynch tossed Cena out of the ring.

Might try to watch just to see this. I personally like to interpret this as a passing of the torch from Cena to Becky, and that WWE has officially declared her as the face of the company now. I know that'll never happen, but it's nice to dream.
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RaidenGarai posted...

Smackdown spoilers for Tuesday

John Cena came out for a promo but Becky Lynch came out and said shes the man now and would be replacing him. Zelina and Andrade Almas came out and that set up a tag team bout.

Becky Lynch and John Cena defeated Zelina and Andrade when Vega tapped to the Disarmher. Lynch tossed Cena out of the ring.

Might try to watch just to see this. I personally like to interpret this as a passing of the torch from Cena to Becky, and that WWE has officially declared her as the face of the company now. I know that'll never happen, but it's nice to dream.

I'm wet
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Don't know if it was posted yet

https://www.wwe.com/article/top-25-matches-of-2018

Royal Rumble card so far (with spoiler tags)

30-man Royal Rumble
30-woman Royal Rumble
Lesnar vs. Strowman for the Universal title
Bryan vs. Styles for the WWE title
Murphy vs. Kalisto vs. Tozawa vs. TBA for the Cruiserweight title

If anything, probably one more match gets added
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Jakyl25 posted...

Dont tell @ExThaNemesis what Kenny picked for #1

....

ganbare Tanahashi-san
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