OORick
Intellectual Savior of the Masses 
Posts 3333
Registered 12-27-2001 Location - The Birthplace of Aviation Member Is Offline Mood: Flyered Up
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| posted on 1-25-2016 at 11:00 PM |
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OOfficial Discussion Thread for: RAW (January 25, 2016)
Tonight on RAW: with the Rumble in the rearview mirror, it's full speed ahead to WrestleMania 32...
Last night's show seemed to set up two likely WM storylines: (1) Brock Lesnar vs. the Wyatt Family, and (2) Dean Ambrose vs. Chris Jericho for
the IC Title.... both will take time to develop fully -- Brock's part time schedule will slow things down, and the IC feud requires
Jericho's heel turn before it can proceed at full speed -- but unless the Rumble was nothing but red herrings everywhere, that's four main
guys who are spoken for, come WM32...
It's also a lock that Triple H vs. Roman Reigns will be a marquee match at WM, but I still refuse to accept that WWE is moronic enough to keep
the WWE Title in the mix... one possibility is to switch the title off HHH at Fastlane (but to whom?), and another is to add a third person to the mix
at WM32... as is, Reigns/HHH will result in a full-on mutiny, and I don't know if adding The Rock as a cornerman or other non-wrestling
participant will help...
Take the title out, and it's MUCH smoother sailing, as fans will decide that it's "OK" to cheer for Reigns if this is a mid-card
personal grudge match.... it'd even be a big help in the mission to get Reigns over with a growing percentage of the fans.... but make it for
the title, and the overwhelming majority of fans (ESPECIALLY the kind who flock to WM) will see it for what it is: WWE's handpicked Golden Boy
(Reigns) against the Master Politician and Boss' Son (HHH) in a very special "Let's Ignore the Fans, and No Matter Who Wins, Vince Gets
What He Wants" Main Event.... in other words, a full on mutiny that once again DELAYS any forward progress on Project Reigns... it's lose/lose,
and it's so obvious and self-evident that I just refuse to believe WWE will go down this self-destructive route, and then have the gall to act
surprised or confused when it flops at WM...
The only problem is that it isn't something with a super-easy and BELIEVABLE fix.... I was all for HHH returning to screw with Reigns last
night... but actually putting the title on HHH paints you into a corner.... there's no compelling reason why he would put the title on the line
any more than absolutely necessary.... which means that until he's absolutely obligated to give Reigns his contractually mandated rematch, you
can't just say "And now, HHH defends against So-and-So"... similarly, you can't just say, "And now, HHH has to defend in a multi-way
match that reduces his odds of winning"....
The situation can be fixed, and there are numerous talented guys who could be used in this role(s), but at the end of the day, switching up the title
picture from HHH/Reigns will require the HHH/The Authority be absolutely fucking stupid to agree to anything besides the bare minimum...
Then again, the Authority and LoN did that fucktarded run-in on Reigns during the Rumble and then JUST WALKED AWAY to leave Roman all the time in the
world to catch his breath, when they should have thrown him back into the ring and not left until someone threw his carcass over the top rope.... so
stupidity isn't a stretch for that crew...
Is it too late to get on the horn and beg Shane McMahon to come back for a few months? He just got a new job title -- he was the lead guy in putting
together a new company that brought pay-per-view to China -- that finally means he can relax and live most of the year in the USA.... maybe he's
bored and is willing to fill in a semi-believable Authority figure who can override Vince/Steph/HHH?
I digress.... point is: for the best possible WrestleMania, you should get the title onto somebody else, so HHH/Reigns can be a productive grudge
match, rather than a counter-productive "dare" to your entire fanbase.... but for an acceptable WrestleMania, it's probably way easier to slot
a third (and fourth?) guy into the match so that the fans have someone to not completely despise...
To that end, it's curious that WWE is promising the return of a "major star" (their exact words) on tonight's show.... by definition,
somebody returning from a lengthy hiatus doesn't have any real plans for Mania, and will need a slot on the show.... could that slot be as an
extra player in a title match?
I guess it all comes down to who it is.... for me and my definition of the word "major," you're pretty much limiting the field to somebody who
has main evented a PPV or two.... which disqualifies Cesaro (sorry, Tony; I know you're busting ass and already working out in hopes of beating
the original timetable, but "major" ain't you)... it kinda leaves us with (1) Daniel Bryan (cleared by outside doctors since last fall; might
finally have been cleared by WWE doctors last week), (2) Randy Orton (said to be on target to return for Mania, after avoiding the need for neck
surgery), or (3) The Undertaker (who's been more active this past year than he's been since 2011, and wants to be more involved in setting
up his Mania match this year)...
Orton really wouldn't add anything other than a third warm body.... Taker would add plenty of sizzle... Bryan would add sizzle AND substance, as
he'd objectively raise the caliber of the ringwork, in addition to helping the storytelling and psychology.... Bryan also checks off another
very important box: the "constantly screwed over by The Authority" box.... Bryan's also screwed over the Authority (and holds a singles win
over HHH), so the door swings both ways...
Problem: inserting Bryan is just about the only way WWE could make the match EVEN WORSE for Reigns' chances of getting over... but if
they'd just get their head out of their ass, it'd be as simple as Reigns turning heel against Bryan....Reigns' path to babyface
megastar would actually be accelerated by a singles heel run, but for whatever reason, WWE seems to be willfully ignoring the tiny factoid in which
pretty much every megaface star of the past 30 years got there by first playing the upper-mid-card singles heel (Piper, Savage, Taker, Michaels,
Austin, Rock, HHH, Cena), and Reigns is trying to get there by skipping a step...
I digress again...
In addition to the one pre-hyped Major Returning Star, it's expected that WWE might have a couple other legend/stunt-casty guys on hand to lay
the foundation for Mania appearances.... both Austin and Michaels have said they expect to be involved in WM32 in some capacity.... and RAW is in
Miami tonight, so hey, maybe The Rock, who is already in for WM32, but also in an as-yet-unknown capacity?
Beyond whatever wackiness plays out with those 3 top level issues (fixing HHH/Reigns, Lesnar/Wyatts, Who's Facing Taker), we've also got
plenty of interesting things to work out on the undercard... as mentioned Ambrose is still IC Champ, and now, Jericho seems positioned for his heel
turn and his chase of his 10th IC Title... Kalisto is the new US Champ, and Alberto del Rio will get an obligatory rematch, but after that, who
knows?... the New Day beat the Usos, and did so relatively cleanly, which might signal the need for new challengers; but also, the New Day are
perilously close to being de facto babyfaces, so the whole division could be wide open for a major shuffle (if Reigns goes heel, why not take the Usos
with him?!?)... and it now looks like WM32 will feature a kick-ass Triple Threat for the Women's Title, with Becky still at the front of the
line as an uber-face who keeps getting screwed by Flair's outside interference, and Sasha interjecting herself as the self-absorbed tweener (who
acts like a heel but gets cheered by all the cool kids), and Charlotte as the increasingly nuclear heel...
What of Kevin Owens? I know the internet wet itself last night when Owens tossed AJ Styles, but I still say the best use of Owens is against the
Undertaker.... Owens tossing Styles doesn't mean an insta-feud, and to my way of thinking, it was just a genius little twist to ensure that the
Orlando audience wouldn't start shitting all over the match when AJ was eliminated (as long as someone they like just as much did the
eliminating, it was OK).... there's plenty of time for Owens/AJ to happen, and with a better build up than "OMG 10% of the audience thinks
it's a Dream Match!".... I mean, it could happen, and it'd be an in-ring spectacle for the ages, but in terms of sizzle, it'd get
buried on the WM stage (also, it would leave Taker without many options beside, ummmm, Sheamus or something, which would be kind of sad).... same
basic idea for Owens/Zayn: it was a thing that happened in the Rumble to placate the audience and keep them from crapping on the match when one of
their favorites got tossed.... but ultimately, Sami has important business in NXT that'll occupy him for a few more months and THEN he can deal
with Owens on the main roster...
WWE should also start adding more members to the 2016 Hall of Fame class.... from the sound of things, the speculation we all did a few weeks ago in
regards to the Texas Theme will actually come to pass.... in addition to Vader, the most commonly bandied about names are the Freebirds, JBL, and
Jacqueline (Miss Jackie/Miss Texas)...
There are no guarantees that our over-arching concerns about WM32 get fixed tonight, but from all indications, tonight's RAW figures to be
another show much like last night's Rumble: fun, fast-paced, and full of twists and turns.... perhaps not quality episodic TV, but certainly not
a hateful way to spend a few hours....
That is all. End communication.
The flOOr is yours, OO Nation. Don't wait till after 11pm to post, either. Pre-show previewing and prognosticating is certainly welcome.
So discuss, debate, and rate!
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bigfatgoalie
The Man 
Posts 6047
Registered 1-16-2002 Location Stratusphere Member Is Offline Mood: Stratusfied
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| posted on 1-25-2016 at 11:19 PM |
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Something to remember...besides Fastlane, there is a Network Special BEFORE WrestleMania. So the WWE has enough major shows to a) have somebody beat
Triple H b) have the rematch PRIOR to Mania.
Hell, it could be as simple as Reigns helping Ambrose/BROCK/whoever WIN the title (and rematch), and then have Brock/Jericho/Owens/Orton/whoever be
The Authority's choice for champion get the WM title shot.
Or Triple H could just vacate the title, have another tournament, "stupidly" allow Reigns in to it...setting up another Ambrose/Reigns title match
and have Reigns finally turn heel and accept it's better to be part of the Authority.
Option I think would be cool but people may not accept...have Triple H hold the belt until Seth Rollins is healthy, brag about who he has beat and
proclaim himself to be the undisputed champ, to have Seth come out and dispute Trip's claim.
Most likely...Reigns over Triple H at Mania.
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nOOb
The Man 
Posts 6497
Registered 5-24-2004 Member Is Offline Mood: Hot Dog!
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| posted on 1-25-2016 at 11:57 PM |
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I was fine with the finish yesterday, and tonight will either prove why I was stupid to think that or correct in thinking that. Namely, Triple H is
now the champ, so just by virtue of his ego, and the fact that he's technically a McMahon and their ego, WWE's writing is going to have to
try extra hard to make the entire show watchable. Because now if the shows suck and people start tuning out, Triple H is the guy on top, and
there's no finger pointing his way: rather, they'll actually start pointing the fingers at the people who aren't qualified to be
doing their jobs (aka the writers).
Of course, the writing could still just stay bad and they'll take a stance that "If you want good storytelling and ringwork, we have that with
NXT."
"The Seahawks are cool. Me and Tubby here hung out with them once at a Bruno Mars concert."-Jay and Silent Bob representing the Broncos on FOX NFL
Sunday.
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S Kid J E T S 48
The Great One
Posts 3923
Registered 10-12-2007 Location New York Member Is Offline Mood: UPPERCUT
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 12:46 AM |
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It's a little weird seeing someone as level-headed as Rick going full bore "this is going to be a disaster" mode. I mean, even the idea that
they're going to turn Roman Reigns heel at this point seems about as far away as it gets. Even more so, that after all this time holding him out
that WWE would just immediately trust Daniel Bryan into the most important match of the year without worrying that the could get injured and ruin
it.
That's even before we get to the part where it really isn't a big deal. The worst thing that happens is he gets "Cena-ed" and they cheer
HHH and boo Reigns, and they haven't cared about a Wrestlemania ending with an unfavorable reaction to Cena ever, including just 3 years ago. I
don't even think we're in that zone.
Everyone predicted last year would be a disaster for Reigns and it was anything but. Even if he had come out on top, the reaction wouldn't have
been anywhere near apocalyptic as seems to be being predicted. Heel HHH they have 10 weeks to sculpt and the Rock and a very easily punchable Vince
McMahon out there as the ace in the hole to get a good reaction and I don't think WWE is worried about this one.
Will they keep it this way? Who the hell knows. But I never saw this much of a radical reaction to the result of last night coming...especially with
most of the reaction I've seen elsewhere today. In a perfect world they would have done better - but there's never been quite the year
like they've had injury-wise. I think for the story they've told for months, this is the most completing way they can do it. After Mania,
loads of fresh match ups seem to be out there, especially with Owens rising quickly, so with some tinkering the surrounding matches, WM seems like
it'll be just fine.
Hell, we thought last year wouldn't be good and it wound up being one of the best they've ever had. You just never know.
[Edited on 1-26-2016 by S Kid J E T S 48]
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the goon
Sister Act
Posts 5527
Registered 3-13-2004 Location Charlotte, NC Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 01:12 AM |
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Hearing Stephanie say the name "AJ Styles" on live TV was pretty damn surreal.
Nash is only a few inches bigger than JBL and depending on how stiff he gets Punk should be able to take it. -JB King, meant in a totally non-sexual
way
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Paddlefoot
Rocco Rock of Jabroni
Posts 4950
Registered 1-19-2008 Location basement Member Is Offline Mood: TheyKilledTheGiggler
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 01:18 AM |
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The way Vince grabbed his crotch there looked like he shit himself.
You are a bastard. A daughter-fucking wildling bastard.
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S Kid J E T S 48
The Great One
Posts 3923
Registered 10-12-2007 Location New York Member Is Offline Mood: UPPERCUT
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 01:19 AM |
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Chris Jericho vs. AJ Styles tonight.
I just wanted to see how that looks. I've wanted to see that match for a decade.
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coxito
And I am AWESOME
Posts 162
Registered 9-17-2012 Member Is Offline Mood: National
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 01:19 AM |
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That was a good opening segment regardless of length. HHH cut a great promo and layed out plans for the RTWM. Styles-Jericho should be great as
well. He can easily turning heel tonight against Styles and head todwards Ambrose.
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Count Zero
Showstopper 
Posts 774
Registered 1-29-2013 Location Canada East Member Is Offline Mood: The Golden Truth
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 01:42 AM |
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lol @ Bo Rida.
And he actually tried to drop some pipe bombs. That was adorable. 
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TonyTH
Showstopper 
Posts 523
Registered 10-3-2007 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 01:45 AM |
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I think Bo did better, personally.
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S Kid J E T S 48
The Great One
Posts 3923
Registered 10-12-2007 Location New York Member Is Offline Mood: UPPERCUT
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 01:49 AM |
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Flo Rida looks like he's in better shape than Bo Rida.
Bo Rida sounds like a better rapper than Flo Rida.
[Edited on 1-26-2016 by S Kid J E T S 48]
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Paddlefoot
Rocco Rock of Jabroni
Posts 4950
Registered 1-19-2008 Location basement Member Is Offline Mood: TheyKilledTheGiggler
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 01:53 AM |
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I hate celebrity interaction sometimes. That was just lame, Heathy baby.
You are a bastard. A daughter-fucking wildling bastard.
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S Kid J E T S 48
The Great One
Posts 3923
Registered 10-12-2007 Location New York Member Is Offline Mood: UPPERCUT
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:01 AM |
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This is awesome...no matter how the match goes.
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The Hitcher
Fella
Posts 319
Registered 12-25-2008 Location Manchester, UK Member Is Offline Mood: Asuka Ichiban
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:03 AM |
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Or at least: still very very surreal.
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janerd75
Man of a Thousand Holds 
Posts 1898
Registered 1-28-2013 Location SoFla Member Is Offline Mood: Dindu Dunkleman
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:04 AM |
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The Battle Of Oddly Placed Tats begins! Chris Jericho vs. the best A.J. there evar was, Ahme.....whoawhoaWHOA! Pardon, almost lost the plot there. Uh
I meant A.J. Styles!!! 
Stories change culture. Sports lets you feel temporarily adjacently victorious. - Foxcalibur
He's "unknown" only in the bizzaro-verse kayfabe fuckface wonderland where WWE doesn't want to admit ROH/TNA/Japan even exist. -
Pad L. Foot
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S Kid J E T S 48
The Great One
Posts 3923
Registered 10-12-2007 Location New York Member Is Offline Mood: UPPERCUT
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:16 AM |
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That wet the appetite nicely. They seem to be clearly holding off on the Styles Clash. Wonder what they'll actually pull it out for.
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First 9
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1664
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:17 AM |
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So surreal that WWE is treating AJ's finisher, that most of the audience hasn't even seen yet, as a big deal.
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Nobledictator1278
And I am AWESOME
Posts 131
Registered 4-9-2013 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:18 AM |
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im on a delay but Kevin Owens vs Ziggler is pretty fun for a throw away match on Raw.
I didn't know much about Kevin Stein before NXT debut.....this guys is so complete of a wrestler both in and out. I hope WWE doesn't
punish him for his physique. He is so much fun and commands attention when he is on the TV, I believe he is legit every time I see him.... I
can't say that for other competitors.
[Edited on 1-26-2016 by Nobledictator1278]
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janerd75
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1898
Registered 1-28-2013 Location SoFla Member Is Offline Mood: Dindu Dunkleman
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:18 AM |
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Even more surreal is how much the announce team is putting him over. 
Stories change culture. Sports lets you feel temporarily adjacently victorious. - Foxcalibur
He's "unknown" only in the bizzaro-verse kayfabe fuckface wonderland where WWE doesn't want to admit ROH/TNA/Japan even exist. -
Pad L. Foot
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lz4005
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1274
Registered 11-11-2003 Member Is Offline Mood: Oolitic
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:20 AM |
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Jericho really seemed like he was pulling out his best for Styles.
Too bad they blew the ending.
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The Hitcher
Fella
Posts 319
Registered 12-25-2008 Location Manchester, UK Member Is Offline Mood: Asuka Ichiban
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:21 AM |
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The height on that frog splash was ridiculous.
Guess that kayboshes the "will they won't they" on letting him use the Styles Clash, unless they're trying to find a way to modify it
but I agree it's cool they're building him and it up so much... hopefully they don't shit the bed.
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First 9
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1664
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:22 AM |
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Good to see AJ already having a better W-L record than the last big TNA star that made it to the main roster.
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S Kid J E T S 48
The Great One
Posts 3923
Registered 10-12-2007 Location New York Member Is Offline Mood: UPPERCUT
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:23 AM |
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Looks like a complete break from Team BAD for Sasha. That's a very good start to normalizing the women's division.
quote:
Originally posted by First 9
Good to see AJ already having a better W-L record than the last big TNA star that made it to the main roster.
RIP Braden Walker
[Edited on 1-26-2016 by S Kid J E T S 48]
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Nobledictator1278
And I am AWESOME
Posts 131
Registered 4-9-2013 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:26 AM |
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Adam Rose and Curt Axel....are a good stable mates...the other two don't feel like they belong....and I understand what they are going for but I
think they actually could build something with those two. They need a big name to lead them....I really like Adam Rose's look right now. Throw
in a darker serious Damien Sandow and a decent big name I think you got something......Ziggler I think would work since he could feel looked past.
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The Hitcher
Fella
Posts 319
Registered 12-25-2008 Location Manchester, UK Member Is Offline Mood: Asuka Ichiban
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| posted on 1-26-2016 at 02:32 AM |
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Becky Vs Charlotte Vs Sasha? Sold. Take all my money.
Also R-Truth & Goldust tag team? Glorious.
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