Matte
"Family Man" 
Posts 8675
Registered 12-16-2008 Member Is Offline Mood: #BROKEN
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 03:41 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Slade
I don't think AJ Styles has to worry about changing his name on account of the no-two-wrestlers-may-have-the-same-name rule. AJ Lee is retired,
so there isn't someone actively using his name on WWE television.
That, and he has it tattooed on his torso.
"I'm a professional. I know exactly what I'm doing." - Jeff Hardy
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OORick
Intellectual Savior of the Masses 
Posts 3438
Registered 12-27-2001 Location - The Birthplace of Aviation Member Is Offline Mood: Flyered Up
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 04:11 AM |
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"Styles" is a girl's name, too. As in "Eden," the SD ring announcer and Cody's wife. Joey is a distant memory...
The torso tattoo, in addition to being objectively dumb looking, probably doesn't guarantee he gets to keep his name, either. Isn't there
a double meaning, like, one of his kids is named an "A" name, and the other a "J" name? With their birthdates under the giant ugly AJ? Or am I
misremembering that? If I'm close, then it's easy to explain it away.
That said, Styles is just about the only guy in the world right now who I'd argue has more value to WWE with his own name than a
tweaked/re-invented one... far too many people over-estimate the popularity/awareness of the indies and Japan (and even of TNA), but AJ's an
exception because of how long he was a mainstay for TNA back before it tanked, and it had weekly viewership not too far off of what SD averaged in
2015.
Speaking of over-estimating indie/international appeal, I hope no one really thinks that The Bullet Club showing up on RAW would draw a whole lot more
than a tepid pop, because honestly, nobody knows and nobody cares. The narrative here should be more like "WWE may have just signed AJ Styles, who
might come in alone, or might be joined by Luke Gallows and a couple other solid workers who made their name in Japan, where, oh by the way, the WWE
Network just launched yesterday. Ahem."
Rick
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DevilSoprano
Pee Wee's Plaything  
Posts 7183
Registered 11-16-2002 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 04:36 AM |
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Rick, it's 2016. It's time to stop with the idea that no one follows wrestling outside WWE. Anyone who is at all into wrestling and pays
money to go to a show knows who AJ Styles is. And if they have an internet connection and follow wrestling/have friends who might be more into
wrestling then they are, they know about the 3 big names in NJPW with Nakamura, Tanahashi, & Okada. And Bullet Club t-shirts are actually semi-popular
outside wrestling because they've done some cool looking shirts.
Will it get a massive "HOLY SHIT, It's THOSE GUYS" like Hall & Nash got, no...but if they were to do a Bullet Club invasion/NJPW type angle,
I'd say it would get a pretty good reaction and some of that might depend on where they have that episode of Raw. You would't wanna do it
in middle America, but do it in an east coast smark town or Chicago or possibly even LA because of the PWG crowd and it might get a really good
reaction.
My point is people know who AJ Styles is and at worst, they've heard of NJPW and The Bullet Club.
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williamssl
Steers and Queers
Posts 7137
Registered 1-11-2004 Location Hippieville Member Is Offline Mood: Fuck USC
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 04:54 AM |
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WWE bias here, but I've been watching wrestling since '85. I know Styles only because I've had exposure to him here but
that's it. Never seen a match, and probably couldn't pick him out of a police lineup (unless this newfound knowledge of AJ tattoo
factored into it). Never heard of the stable mentioned. Know Japan exists and good stuff happens and people come from there, but couldn't
name anyone If any of them debuted, I wouldn't know the difference.
Maybe I'm a small minority, but I rather doubt it. Instead, I think there's a large-ish overestimation of what folks are going to get,
initial reaction-wise. Doesn't say that won't change over time with added exposure once there, but out the gate?
[Edited on 1-6-2016 by williamssl]
Don't Mess With Texas
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CCharger
The Rowdy One 
Posts 2738
Registered 7-21-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: Obtuse
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 05:25 AM |
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More big WWE signing news:
* WWE has reportedly signed the Motor City Machine Guns to an NXT deal. They reportedly will be debuting on NXT sooner rather than later.
When it Reigns, it bores.
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DevilSoprano
Pee Wee's Plaything
Posts 7183
Registered 11-16-2002 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 05:25 AM |
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I just think that there are two segments of fans who won't know while the majority of fans between the ages of I'd say 15 and 40 are going
to have at worst a passing knowledge of the bigger wrestling world. I think the youngest generation doesn't have the attention or motivation to
look beyond what they can go out and see when it comes to town and then there's the oldest generation of fans that thinks anything beyond what
they're used to seeing isn't worth seeking out. I'm not saying this is the case 100% of the time, but it seems like the case more
often than not. If people don't know what New Japan is and don't have at least a passing idea what the Bullet Club is, its because to me,
they have no interest in looking beyond what they see on Monday night and I don't think that's the case for the largest population of
wrestling fans.
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Dominator
Dominated by my love for Randy Orton
Posts 1614
Registered 7-5-2007 Location Florida Member Is Offline Mood: RKOFree Since 4/9/13
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 10:13 AM |
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AJ Styles... winner will be us.
Dana Brooke nude selfies... winner was not us. Why are all the girls getting dumbass tattoos?
I do NOT love RKO, you sarcastic bastards.
"There are no politics in WWE." - Stephanie McMahon
"BWAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAA!!!" - Me
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Slade
The Great One
Posts 3714
Registered 11-10-2002 Location Fredericton, New Brunswick Member Is Offline Mood: Cero Miedo!
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 11:05 AM |
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quote:
Posted by punkerhardcore
Vince or Dunn or whoever made Cesaro drop Antonio because "it doesn't sound like a tough name." Same with Adrian Neville. In their warped
brains, they probably think AJ is now only a girl's name.
I don't know why Antonio was dropped. I'll take your word for it. On the other hand, Adrian Neville didn't lose his first name
because it doesn't sounde like a tough name. He got rid of it himself because Adrian Neville sounds too much like Aaron Neville. He said so
himself on an episode of the Gorilla Podcast. He decided to drop it because too many people kept calling him Aaron Neville. He got tired of being
mistaken for a 70 year old R&B; singer and figured that losing his first name would put an end to that.
[Edited on 1-6-2016 by Slade]
"Love is making out with someone after you've blown a load on his/her face." - Dan Savage
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OOMike
The Great One
Posts 3457
Registered 1-3-2002 Location Columbus, OH Member Is Offline Mood: same ol same ol
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 01:47 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by DevilSoprano
I just think that there are two segments of fans who won't know while the majority of fans between the ages of I'd say 15 and 40 are going
to have at worst a passing knowledge of the bigger wrestling world. I think the youngest generation doesn't have the attention or motivation to
look beyond what they can go out and see when it comes to town and then there's the oldest generation of fans that thinks anything beyond what
they're used to seeing isn't worth seeking out. I'm not saying this is the case 100% of the time, but it seems like the case more
often than not. If people don't know what New Japan is and don't have at least a passing idea what the Bullet Club is, its because to me,
they have no interest in looking beyond what they see on Monday night and I don't think that's the case for the largest population of
wrestling fans.
Tex, I think he just called us old.... what a jackass
 
Prejudices are rarely overcome by argument; not being founded in reason they cannot be destroyed by logic � Tryon Edwards
Never let the facts interfere with a good rant.
The only OO columnist that has never written a column.
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CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1254
Registered 7-20-2011 Location Elsewhereville, Whogivesashittington...Alberta, Ca Member Is OnlineMood: Pumpkininny!
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 05:27 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by CCharger
More big WWE signing news:
* WWE has reportedly signed the Motor City Machine Guns to an NXT deal. They reportedly will be debuting on NXT sooner rather than later.
I really (REALLY) want this to be true, but a cursory glance at a few newz sites isn't showing anything. Care to elaborate further?
Twitter and Instagram: WatkinsAGoGo
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The Grindfather
And I am AWESOME
Posts 120
Registered 4-9-2013 Location Memphis, Tennessee Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 06:27 PM |
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So you're telling me in the next couple months NXT may have a reformed Bullet Club, the Machine Guns, a returning Hideo Itami & maybe brief
appearances from AJ Styles and Nakamura to go along with the crew they already have.... while Raw counters with stories centered on Roman Reigns & the
McMahons? Vince, creative & all the guys & gals on the main roster better have things tight & ready to go for Wrestlemania Sunday because that NXT
Takeover the Friday night before is shaping up to be an all-timer.
[Edited on 1-6-2016 by The Grindfather]
Somebody gonna get their ass kicked, somebody gonna get their wig split
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salmonjunkie
Best There Is Was or Ever Will Be 
Posts 11422
Registered 6-25-2002 Location Sunny Seattle, WA Member Is Offline Mood: Authoritized
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 06:39 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by CCharger
More big WWE signing news:
* WWE has reportedly signed the Motor City Machine Guns to an NXT deal. They reportedly will be debuting on NXT sooner rather than later.
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CCharger
The Rowdy One
Posts 2738
Registered 7-21-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: Obtuse
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 06:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by CM Crunk
quote:
Originally posted by CCharger
More big WWE signing news:
* WWE has reportedly signed the Motor City Machine Guns to an NXT deal. They reportedly will be debuting on NXT sooner rather than later.
I really (REALLY) want this to be true, but a cursory glance at a few newz sites isn't showing anything. Care to elaborate further?
Actually, a more concerted search on this news yields some dubious things. For one, the source of this rumor (which I linked to below) does NOT say
they have been signed, but only that the WWE had interest. The source that I got this news from (sportskeed.com) links to the original article but
claims they have signed a deal.
Meanwhile, Sabin is apparently dealing with knee and neck issues and is currently in no condition to wrestle for anyone at the present time.
TL;DR: There is a reason this thread is titled "Rumor CRAP".
http://www.dailywrestlingnews.com/top-wwe-star-hurt-former-tna-champions-to-wwe-recent-wwe-wellness-testing/
When it Reigns, it bores.
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The Hitcher
Fella
Posts 353
Registered 12-25-2008 Location Manchester, UK Member Is Offline Mood: GLORIOUS!
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| posted on 1-6-2016 at 09:12 PM |
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My girlfriend is about as average a wrestling fan as you get in 2016. She'll watch network stuff on her own, comes to indie shows if I go,
understands that other promotions exist and can name TNA and New Japan etc but doesn't go out of her way to watch them.
With that in mind: I present the "Hitchers Anonymous Wrestler Test" (or HAWT)
AJ Styles: "The TNA guy? Cool."
Bullet Club: After showing her a picture she obviously identified Gallows
Nakamura: She guessed he was "probably from Japan' but that was about it.
Using the HAWT scale we can assume AJ in the rumble will be fine for pop value. The others will need varying degrees of introducing which NXT should
provide.
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merc
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1071
Registered 2-23-2006 Location New England Member Is Offline Mood: Really FN bad
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 12:01 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by OOMike
quote:
Originally posted by DevilSoprano
I just think that there are two segments of fans who won't know while the majority of fans between the ages of I'd say 15 and 40 are going
to have at worst a passing knowledge of the bigger wrestling world. I think the youngest generation doesn't have the attention or motivation to
look beyond what they can go out and see when it comes to town and then there's the oldest generation of fans that thinks anything beyond what
they're used to seeing isn't worth seeking out. I'm not saying this is the case 100% of the time, but it seems like the case more
often than not. If people don't know what New Japan is and don't have at least a passing idea what the Bullet Club is, its because to me,
they have no interest in looking beyond what they see on Monday night and I don't think that's the case for the largest population of
wrestling fans.
Tex, I think he just called us old.... what a jackass
In this case he is correct! Wtf is a bullet club? Anyone want to buy a unicorn belt?
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GodEatGod
Showstopper 
Posts 907
Registered 1-14-2004 Location Monroe, LA Member Is Offline Mood: Weird
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 12:48 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by DevilSoprano
If people don't know what New Japan is and don't have at least a passing idea what the Bullet Club is, its because to me, they have no
interest in looking beyond what they see on Monday night and I don't think that's the case for the largest population of wrestling fans.
I think that's absolutely the case for the majority of wrestling fans. We hardcores are a small subset and those who follow indies/Japan are an
even smaller subset within that. Hell, I'm a pretty hardcore wrestling nerd and I only really started watching NJPW last year when the show on
AXS made it easy for me to check out. To most fans, WWE is just a thing they like and a TV show they watch. They might buy the video games and toys
for their kids or even subscribe to the Network if they really like it. Just like most people who go to baseball games couldn't tell you
anybody's stats or even the rosters of any team other than their own half the time.
And those people are the ones WWE is generally booked for, not us. Because a) they tend to actually spend more money on product, while we'll
just pirate shit if we can and b) we tend to watch regardless, even if it's just to bitch
I really want the MCMG thing to be true, but I have my doubts. Sabin, as mentioned, is injured now and has been super injury prone over the last few
years. I think Shelley could be a good get on his own, as he can work the ring and the mic (and I wonder if Nash might put in a good word for him,
since they worked so well together in TNA).
"It is an impressively arrogant move to conclude that just because you don't like something, it is empirically not good. I don't like
Chinese food, but I don't write articles trying to prove it doesn't exist." - Tina Fey
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First 9
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1910
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 01:46 AM |
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Wait, what the fuck? I thought the Guns were a part of Shelley's past and he was solely a part of the Time Splitters. I'd both excited to
see them again and a bit suprised they're still a thing.
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Count Zero
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1262
Registered 1-29-2013 Location Canada East Member Is Offline Mood: Universal
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 03:17 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by williamssl
WWE bias here, but I've been watching wrestling since '85. I know Styles only because I've had exposure to him here but
that's it. Never seen a match, and probably couldn't pick him out of a police lineup (unless this newfound knowledge of AJ tattoo
factored into it). Never heard of the stable mentioned. Know Japan exists and good stuff happens and people come from there, but couldn't
name anyone If any of them debuted, I wouldn't know the difference.
Maybe I'm a small minority, but I rather doubt it. Instead, I think there's a large-ish overestimation of what folks are going to get,
initial reaction-wise. Doesn't say that won't change over time with added exposure once there, but out the gate?
[Edited on 1-6-2016 by williamssl]
I'm pretty much in this same boat, except I 'try' to watch other promotions when it's easy to do so. For awhile, my Fox
affiliate had ROH's weekly show, so I was having fun with that until I changed cable providers & lost that particular Fox. If I see a
"TNA's GREATEST MATCHES" show on one of my channels, I'll stop to watch that for a bit. I've been watching wrestling since the
Killer Bees were tag-team title contenders. Etc, etc, etc.
I think I've seen maybe a half-dozen (but for the sake of covering bases, i'll go as far as "a dozen or so") AJ Styles matches, all on
youtube & all because people have said "OMG GO WATCH THIS MATCH".
I remember Luke Gallows as a Straight Edge Superstar, and FESTUS (I actually liked the Festus gimmick).
I have no fucking clue who the other guys are.
My point? A lot of us =are= wwe-only, due to a variety of factors that prevent us from finding the time/opportunity to consume other companies.
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DevilSoprano
Pee Wee's Plaything
Posts 7183
Registered 11-16-2002 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 03:26 AM |
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If you've watched ROH with any consistency over the past few years, you should know NJPW since they've done between 5-10 shows with their
wrestlers. Karl Anderson did about 10 shows himself I think. AJ & The Bucks reference the Bullet Club all the time. And I think Nakamura has wrestled
in ROH. It might have just been Tanahashi & Okada, but ROH/NJPW have had a working relationship for years and they get mentioned a ton when these big
crossover shows happen. The ROH title was just defended at NJPW's WrestleKingdom.
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gbdulaney
rOOkie
Posts 27
Registered 2-21-2013 Location Mississippi State Univ. Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 03:33 AM |
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john cena
John CenaVerified account
@JohnCena
Rather upside down start to 2016 as tomorrow I will head to Birmingham for shoulder surgery. Life's full of set backs but #nevergiveup
wrestlemania plans turned upside down
When if you can, lose if you must, always cheat - Jesse The Body Ventura
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Cherokee Jack
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1280
Registered 2-24-2009 Location New Orleans, LA Member Is OnlineMood:
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 03:40 AM |
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Yep. Undergoing surgery for a torn rotator cuff tomorrow, expected to miss Mania (where rumor had it he'd face Taker).
So WWE is now down Cena, Orton, and Rollins for the biggest show of the year. Good thing they've put so much effort and work into making legit
top guys these last several years.
I'm Cherokee Jack!
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CamstunPWG187
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1444
Registered 5-2-2010 Location Harbin, China Member Is Offline Mood: Barbeque
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 03:59 AM |
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Jack, the end of your post is as real as it gets.
*imagines how sweet it would be to live in a world where 4-5 new, different wrestlers could all lay claim to "well, at the end of the day, I have
more wins over Cena than he has over me, and I didn't need dirty tactics to get it done"*
[Edited on 1-7-2016 by CamstunPWG187]
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First 9
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1910
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 04:07 AM |
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Well, medical consequences be damned we probably are getting Bryan one last time.
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CCharger
The Rowdy One
Posts 2738
Registered 7-21-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: Obtuse
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 04:34 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by First 9
Well, medical consequences be damned we probably are getting Bryan one last time.
I'll be SHOCKED if this happens - especially now. There is no way they bring Bryan back and risk him stealing Reigns's heat in the middle
of his monster push. Do you really think Vince and StepHHH want to hear 100,000 people chanting "DAN-YUL BRY-AN!" during Reigns-Lesnar at Mania?
When it Reigns, it bores.
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First 9
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1910
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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| posted on 1-7-2016 at 04:38 AM |
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Two years ago they were overwhelmed and caved in, last year they turned it around midway and got a solid B PPV Main Event. This year, they'd
probably be ready to nip it in the bud.
Bring him back after Fast Lane to immediately set up a WM program with Owens or Wyatt and they'd probably be go to go without the shitstorm of
last year.
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