April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841306 It's odd because for all the talk of Vince not wanting anyone being bigger than the company anymore, he sure still insists on creating the next Hogan/Austin/Rock/Cena. Since the WWE brand is bigger than anything and that the McMahons are the stars of the show (and really, after yesterday, Stephy really was), why not just run with a bunch of people on top without having to try and create and Ace ? Then if someone gets over to that degree, ride him as long as you can. It's not like a Steve Austin is gonna exist for every generation. You can't create a megastar, especially going against your own audience.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841307 If Lars Sullivan was on the main roster, there would be a pretty obvious direction there.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841309 I wanted to add with Braun. I think people over think it. That's what killed Goldberg. Just give him the belt and have him murder people until people start getting tired of it. If that makes you some extra money and burns out in six months, hey you made some extra money.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841318 We could have a series of title matches of heels trying to use chocolate cake in various ways to soothe him and get the victory.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841319 Are we the ones who are misguided for even believing they need an ace? They have an ultimate organic babyface in Bryan. They have a superworker who's automatically accepted in any big program in AJ. They have a red-hot monster in Braun. They have one of the highest profile female athletes in the world -- and apparently a pretty good pro wrestler -- in Ronda. They have Cena and Brock to cycle back in for big maches here and there. They have a huge middle class of excellent performers to work in and out of programs. I realize the hottest runs in company history were fueled by transcendant stars. But those were different times. Maybe they're just fine with the more flexible upper card of the moment.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841320 They have an ultimate organic babyface in Bryan. They have a superworker who's automatically accepted in any big program in AJ. They have a red-hot monster in Braun. They have one of the highest profile female athletes in the world -- and apparently a pretty good pro wrestler -- in Ronda. They have Cena and Brock to cycle back in for big maches here and there. Completely agree.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841322 Braun is now the World's Most Dangerous Hillbilly Jim All joking aside, Braun can be special and unique. Not the new Andre. Not the new Taker. Hopefully not the next Big Show. Just the first Braun.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841323 Are we the ones who are misguided for even believing they need an ace? They have an ultimate organic babyface in Bryan. They have a superworker who's automatically accepted in any big program in AJ. They have a red-hot monster in Braun. They have one of the highest profile female athletes in the world -- and apparently a pretty good pro wrestler -- in Ronda. They have Cena and Brock to cycle back in for big maches here and there. They have a huge middle class of excellent performers to work in and out of programs. I realize the hottest runs in company history were fueled by transcendant stars. But those were different times. Maybe they're just fine with the more flexible upper card of the moment. I'd be curious what people's definition of an Ace is. With the exception of the one long Cena run, WWE feels almost like a heel territory since Hunter's 2000.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841325 Are we the ones who are misguided for even believing they need an ace? They have an ultimate organic babyface in Bryan. They have a superworker who's automatically accepted in any big program in AJ. They have a red-hot monster in Braun. They have one of the highest profile female athletes in the world -- and apparently a pretty good pro wrestler -- in Ronda. They have Cena and Brock to cycle back in for big maches here and there. I completely agree with this. But then, why throw Roman to the lions year after year? Why book one of your biggest names - a homegrown talent, at that - to be fucking weak at every major point? He is one of the more versatile wrestlers in the company, but that means absolutely nothing when you kill his credibility.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841326 I think Braun could work short-term, but he's a tough one long-term because he can't really get over his challengers to hype matches. How do you convince people that he might lose? WWE spent literal years convincing people that Hulk Hogan might lose to guys like Earthquake, Tugboat & Kamala. It doesn't seem that far fetched.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841329 Re: the talk of cycled ME stars and nobody being THE ACE I'm totally in favor of this approach. My favorite products took it, the ensemble approach is what's been a draw for film/television over the last few years, and it would be a big step back toward "something for everyone." I mean, we kinda have it now, but that's because of McMahon ego and neoliberalism ruining creative. Overall it's what-the-fuck-ever, because we're analyzing a children's television program, but...yeah.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841334 Vince McMahon has always been in favor of TV-PG & immature comedy. Even during the Attitude Era, he had to be dragged kicking & screaming to switch to TV-14 & as soon as WCW wasn't competition anymore, he was back to TV-PG. Not to say there wasn't plenty of bad shit during the Attitude Era of course. When you look at the top TV shows, none of them are really geared toward the TV-PG crowd. Especially for shows that start at 8 PM or later. Breaking Bad, Sopranos, Game of Thrones, The Wire, Walking Dead, etc. I'm not saying that WWE should move to TV-14 again but I do think it wouldn't be a bad thing if they made the show more adult oriented. Implied violence and whatnot. After all, it's still a program about two (or more) persons fighting/wrestling to determine who is better/best. It's obviously not that black & white as so many outside influences, such as sponsors and shareholders, factor into the equation too but I am curious if after Vince McMahon passes away or steps down if things will change dramatically in the direction WWE goes? Roman Reigns to me is someone that would come off a lot better in a more serious show direction, instead of doing Sufferin' Succotash promos or cockin' his fist like Thor or whatever before punching someone. What's the rating for Lucha Underground? It's really over-the-top with cartoony gimmicks but still manages to get the dark & gritty feel.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841336 It would also help if the top title was around for more than 5 PPV's a year.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841337 Are we the ones who are misguided for even believing they need an ace? They have an ultimate organic babyface in Bryan. They have a superworker who's automatically accepted in any big program in AJ. They have a red-hot monster in Braun. They have one of the highest profile female athletes in the world -- and apparently a pretty good pro wrestler -- in Ronda. They have Cena and Brock to cycle back in for big maches here and there. I completely agree with this. But then, why throw Roman to the lions year after year? Why book one of your biggest names - a homegrown talent, at that - to be fucking weak at every major point? He is one of the more versatile wrestlers in the company, but that means absolutely nothing when you kill his credibility. Their handling of Roman has been bizarre, no question. I just think they and we need to move past the idea of him as the next GUY.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841338 Okay. Got an idea. You have Brock walk out tonight. Strip him of the title and then just hand it to Reigns with no fanfare. Then you have him just doing promos about how much he deserves the belt and how hard he worked for it. Successful heel turn.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841348 So I missed it because I went to bed as soon as the recap video started playing, but apparently when that wrapped up they went back to Reigns recovering and make his way back on the ramp. Any thoughts what that's about? Seems odd to put that kind of focus on him there.
April 9, 20187 yr Author comment_5841350 Seems like there was some situation wth Brock and Vince backstage last night. And Sika seemed to be saying something or other to Reigns after the match. Maybe they actually called an audible.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841351 They have an ultimate organic babyface in Bryan. They have a superworker who's automatically accepted in any big program in AJ. They have a red-hot monster in Braun. They have one of the highest profile female athletes in the world -- and apparently a pretty good pro wrestler -- in Ronda. They have Cena and Brock to cycle back in for big maches here and there. Completely agree. While I think it's good to have one "top act", utilizing those 3-4 in the top spots would easily be the best thing they can do. And I still firmly believe Bryan could be the ace.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841352 So now that Roman is out, who do you build around? Bryan is older. Maybe Finn or Rusev? Actually, the answer is probably Ronda. Finn is older too. If they were smart, they would build around Ronda, and make sure that she doesn't get wheeled out every week and suffer from the same overexposure and 50-50 booking. Having her wrestle on a random Raw against Dana Brooke or Alicia Fox won't do anything to keep her special. Slightly off topic, but I can see WWE building to Ronda-Charlotte as the main for WM35. If that is the case, then Charlotte beating Asuka was the right move. I would have preferred it being via pinfall though, so you could still play up the fact that Asuka had never been submitted, and it would protect her own submission specialist billing. I also think a Asuka/Rousey submission match for the right to face Charlotte at WM would have had some money in it too. Ronda-Charlotte main-eventing next year definitely looks like what they're going for.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841354 Seems like there was some situation wth Brock and Vince backstage last night. And Sika seemed to be saying something or other to Reigns after the match. Maybe they actually called an audible. It may have been a decision made on the day as I think was the case with the Rollins cash in at mania 31. I seem to remember the anoa'i family being a little pissed about that match as they all thought Roman was winning.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841365 Seems like there was some situation wth Brock and Vince backstage last night. And Sika seemed to be saying something or other to Reigns after the match. Maybe they actually called an audible. Wasn't there talk after Wrestlemania 31 that some in the Anoa'i family thought that Roman was screwed over by booking and should leave the company? EDIT: Sorry, just realized the Richeyedwards posted exactly the same thing.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841368 The anoa'i family needs to quit bitching. Roman Reigns has main evented four Manias in a row. Not a whole lot of guys can say the same thing. What is it ? The Samoan Mafia ?
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841369 I'll add some thoughts later, specially about Brock-Roman, but I'll just want to let go out of my chest how great Ronda was.
April 9, 20187 yr comment_5841370 Yeah I mean who the fuck cares if your child is given shitty hands and the results are changed in the last minute, right? Surely any family would be dead silent about this!
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