Zoo Enthusiast

Let's not kid ourselves here. Anyone but Bryan was going to get this backlash. I suppose Ziggler or Ambrose could have gotten the spot, but they are also Ziggler and Ambrose. That doesn't excuse them from clearly having zero direction for Bryan, when they should have had one for him coming out of the Rumble. He was stuck in no man's land and should have been in a storyline far away from the title, even if that sacrifices the Reigns match. There still would have been backlash, but I'd guess less of one, and it would have given them some plausible deniability.

It's probably time that I get back in now that my local CW is carrying the show.

I am super-excited about this, though might wait til all three are released and power-listen.

LMAO

"White and bloody."

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hunter winning given the WWE vs. WCW narrative being spun. Plus, what is Sting's future? All evidence suggests that at age 56, that this is likely his final match and that WWE have no real plans for him afterwards other than a Hall Of Fame induction next year. I want HHH to win just for the fan meltdowns.

Same. I haven't had a chance to listen yet. I hope his rumored memoirs are still on the way. One of the most interesting careers ever, not to mention his alleged mind for the business, would make it a must read.

After the Rumble, I had zero interest in what they would do at Fastlane, but the card does actually look pretty solid. I have been excited by the prospect of Cena/Rusev for pretty much the entire time Rusev has been on the main roster, and I think they could have a great series. If they do a fucked finish here with Rusev winning, and then have Cena beat him clean at Mania, that would really suck. I'm sure most of us would like Rusev to run through Cena and get even stronger, though that's not what they do - and Cena did already get mauled by a monster a couple times six months ago. Rest of the card I can't say I care about, per se, aside from liking the match quality potential. I am probably in the minority in saying I'd prefer they just do Reigns/Lesnar and get it over with, and not take the easy triple threat option again. I'm really not invested enough in the characters to have any strong opinion, though.

Awesome.

I actually thought the same, re: Dave's list. That could be fun, though there would be some repeats.

This sounds awesome, Brad. And yeah, more epic roundtables.

Shit, awesome!

The first Breeze/Itami match, a few weeks before Rival, is actually much better. I don't know if it's because they were given more time then - I can't remember if they even were - but it was a more entertaining match overall. It's a shame they couldn't replicate that for the PPV. I think part of the problem is that Itami takes too much of a beating and barely gets any offense in. For someone who used the exciting signature moves of both CM Punk and Daniel Bryan years before they did, that hardly seems like a good way to get the most out of him. Am I the only one who has been underwhelmed by Itami in NXT so far? I realize part of it is adjusting to the "WWE style" (which screwed Sin Cara up) and another part of it is how he's been used (being dominated in his matches, getting only a small flurry of offense in, then winning). Maybe he's miscast as a face? Until the language barrier is no longer an issue, he's going to have a harder time showing "personality." A silent, intense heel role might've worked better. BTW, I agree about Breeze. As I said earlier in this thread: Tyler Breeze is the sleeper talent of NXT. He has it all - in-ring skills, looks, charisma, personality, flashy costumes, a fully developed character...everything. I definitely agree with you on Itami. I don't see anything there. I wasn't overly-enthused when they signed him, though, so it might just be confirmation bias for me. I think he's just a guy. I also agree on Breeze. He was my favorite part of that match. I do think the gimmick limits him a fair amount if/when he goes to WWE, but I'm a fan.

The place where he writes this stuff.

Think that's definitely part of it. No crazy road stories that added to his legend.

Pat's a definite for me, too, though at least we have some of his great performances documented, which is generally more than we can say for Stevens, unfortunately.

Pretty sure that reaction was what he was going for.

Prime Terry Funk and Ray Stevens.

Though his grading of women is questionable, I went with Tully. He's just more of the type of character that I enjoy. I love Arn, too, of course. Tully's just a real '80s piece of shit, and those guys are right in my wheelhouse.

About where I'd be, except I'd go a touch lower on Itami/Breeze and the women's match.

We should all hope to be tricked into believing as much as possible.Absolutely. It's meant as a compliment.

It was funny seeing these "smart" Full Sail geeks thinking it was real. That's how good Sami Zayn is.

First thing I noticed, as well. Weird seeing him with biceps.

The video package is just wonderful. Never gets old.

I love me some Bayley.