OORick
We Run
Posts 3656
Registered 12-27-2001 Location - The Birthplace of Aviation Member Is Offline Mood: Flyered Up
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posted on 6-4-2017 at 08:39 PM |
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PPV DISCUSSION: RAW presents Extreme Rules 2017
Tonight, WWE serves up a PPV... but it's up against the NBA Finals, which is shaping up to be one of the most-watching series in a long, long
while. Probably better tonight than to have RAW forced to take it on the chin; thanks to the Network, even if you're distracted by something
else, Extreme Rules will be there, on-demand, whenever you feel like getting around to it.
Me, personally, I won't be distracted. I'm a Pacers fan, as far as my NBA viewership goes, and have no desire to be one of the many
bandwagon hoppers who have shown their faces all throughout Ohio over the past year or so.... and also: I think tonight's PPV card is a sneakily
good one.
An injury to Braun Strowman created a bit of a vacuum, and when WWE put all their top guys into a single 5-way main event, it seemed like Extreme
Rules may be a One Trick Pony. But I'm actually liking the chances of a few match tonight. Here's the official card:
ROMAN REIGNS vs. SETH ROLLINS vs. FINN BALOR vs. SAMOA JOE vs. BRAY WYATT (Fatal Five-Way Match to determine the #1 Contender to Brock
Lesnar's WWEU Title)
DEAN AMBROSE vs. MIZ (IC Title Match, title can change hands on a DQ)
HARDY BOYZ vs. SHEAMUS/CESARO (Tag Title Match, inside a Steel Cage)
ALEXA BLISS vs. BAYLEY (Women's Title Match, Kendo Stick Match)
NEVILLE vs. AUSTIN ARIES (Cruiserweight Title Match, Submissions Only)
RICH SWANN & SASHA BANKS vs. NOAM DAR & ALICIA FOX (Mixed Tag Match)
KALISTO vs. APOLLO CREWS (Pre-Show Match)
In the recent past, WWE has shown a willingness to shuffle the order of matches and screw around with timing, if they decide to "counter-program"
against a major competing event (like the NBA Finals).... with only 6 official matches, I would not be surprised something got added (Goldust vs.
R-Truth, and/or another tag match), in order to allow the main event to start after the completion of the NBA game. Having your own Network means
never having to worry about running past 11pm~!
Whoever wins the main event gets a one-off shot at Brock Lesnar's title at the perhaps-no-longer-named Great Balls of Fire PPV, so it
won't be the start of a huge arc (instead, Strowman's return is slated to be Brock's next extended feud)... that would seem to
disqualify Roman Reigns (who WWE would protect from a one-off loss to Lesnar), and to a lesser extent, Seth Rollins (also probably viewed as too
valuable to feed to Brock as a throwaway) and Finn Balor (Heyman's big promo 2 weeks ago makes Finn seem like a long-term story, not a
one-off)....
Obviously, Jinder Mahal proves that WWE is perfectly happy to do the utterly insane and illogical, but it's worth noting that in the parts of
the intarwebz where people actually let you bet on pro wrestling, there has been so much late money coming in on Samoa Joe that one book actually took
Joe off the board entirely for a bit... I personally don't understand how there isn't some sort of criminal aspect to this whole nonsense,
but for some time, the "smart money" has been coming in late, and nailing most/all the outcomes on a given show...
But I digress... suffice to say that the thought of Joe vs. Lesnar is tantalizing, and if that's the direction WWE goes, I don't care what
shitty name they give to the next RAW PPV, cuz I'll be there with bells on... WWE Fatal Five-Way rules are NOT elimination-style, unless
specifically stated, which makes it real easy for the bigger names to take each other out, while Joe finds himself in perfect position to cherrypick
the win...
All signs point to WWE wanting to put the Machine behind Miz and Maryse, so look for a new IC Champ...
The Hardys really should do SOMEthing to freshen up the act... by no means does it have to be the Broken thing, but the fairy tale of making an
unannounced return and winning the titles in their first match should be on a collision course with the reality. And in reality, nostalgia only gets
you so far. A title loss to Sheamus/Cesaro, and suddenly, the Hardys have to learn some new tricks to earn those titles back...
I'm torn on the women's match.... partly because I'm just a huge fan of both girls, but also because I'm not 100% sure of the
most all-around beneficial outcome. On one hand, it's a huge deal for Bayley's character development if she shows she has another, more
"extreme," gear; mutli-dimensionality is a good thing. But on the other hand, Bliss is killing it in every way, and WWE has a fabulous opportunity
to do Bliss vs. Jax as a long term storyline. They've already got the seeds planted, and thinking about it, you just know that's a deal
where Alexa would absolutely be at her best.
Neville vs. Aries ought to be very good, once again, but I still see no real reason to contemplate a new champ at this point. Neville should keep on
dominating the division until WWE builds up a truly red hot challenger... I mean, Aries is good and all, but this is the 3rd time we've seen
this match on PPV, and that sort of precludes "red hot" (and personally, I think Aries is also much more suited to playing a heel, but that's
just me)...
For the sake of completion: Swann and Sasha win their match, while Crews keeps inching towards being a willing and active heel (rather than "heel by
association" thanks to Titus) by beating Kalisto in shady fashion...
That is all. End communication.
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williamssl
Steers and Queers
Posts 7652
Registered 1-11-2004 Location Hippieville Member Is Offline Mood: Fuck USC
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posted on 6-4-2017 at 08:54 PM |
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re: Fatal 5-Way
For whatever it's worth, the betting odds on this have gone back and forth between Rollins, Balor, and Joe being the odds-on favorites to win
this. I think Joe is slightly favored right now.
re: IC
RUMORZ had Reigns feuding with Miz and ultimately taking the IC championship to support the inevitable WM34 bout with Brock narrative of "Universal
Title = only title Reigns hasn't won". All that says is the belt has to get away from Ambrose and onto a heel, and tonight seems like the
best time and place for that.
Don't Mess With Texas
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Paddlefoot
Rocco Rock of Jabroni
Posts 7330
Registered 1-19-2008 Location Stupid Idiot Section Member Is Offline Mood: ChinceMcMahon
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posted on 6-4-2017 at 09:00 PM |
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Anyone else think that it's incredibly stupid to lose a belt via DQ, or even having a DQ apply to begin with, in an event that's suppose
to be about "extreme!" and is as close as WWE wants to get to hardcore anymore? Does anyone every raise this sorts of things at the production
meetings or is so far above their heads now that they don't even notice it?
You know, everyone says it's not supposed to make sense, like that's the whole point, dude. And I'm just saying, you know,
that's like an excuse for lazy storytelling. Just don't sell me shite and tell me it's gold, all right? I might be stoned, but
I'm not high. You know what I mean?
- Cassidy from Preacher, commenting on The Big Lebowski and/or professional wrestling
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Flash
The Great One
Posts 3364
Registered 4-22-2005 Location Ontario, Canada Member Is Offline Mood:
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posted on 6-4-2017 at 09:13 PM |
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Yeah the title can change hands on a DQ thing feels off for a PPV called Extreme Rules... plus, they did that match already about 6 years or so ago
between RKO and Christian and I don't recall the stip' really working out all that well.
If you wanted to make the story work maybe have Miz doge the Extreme rules match the whole time not wanting to ruin his money maker face in a
"dangerous match"; then for shock value just have him lose it and beat the shit out of Ambrose with a chair for 10 minutes; setting up Ambrose
wanting the match now for revenge... kind of play with the match a bit instead of the expected match of Miz no doubt trying to bait Ambrose into
getting DQ'd... although the nice twist could be if Ambrose baits Miz instead for the finish.
Agree with Rick; the Hardy's need to change things up and I think a loss is always the quickest way to doing that.
Not sure who I'm rooting for in the fatal five way; I'm just not that psyched about Brock anymore... plus I wish the WWE would do more
elimination stuff in lieu of the one pin to win it all... the elimination could let you run longer, and set up some other feuds that could spiral out
of this match.
I'm going to go with Rollins for the win... He's big enough to sell the match against Brock, and also able to take the loss without any
major damage. I think you could do Brock versus Joe through the summer, and maybe do a redo of HHH and Rollins at Summer Slam done right this time?
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DKBroiler
SpeciASSl CUMedian
Posts 1515
Registered 1-25-2008 Location One Inch Right of Philly on a Map Member Is Offline Mood: Old
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posted on 6-4-2017 at 09:35 PM |
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quote: Originally posted by Paddlefoot
Anyone else think that it's incredibly stupid to lose a belt via DQ, or even having a DQ apply to begin with, in an event that's suppose
to be about "extreme!" and is as close as WWE wants to get to hardcore anymore? Does anyone every raise this sorts of things at the production
meetings or is so far above their heads now that they don't even notice it?
If it was anyone but The Miz I'd have the same issue but since Miz has spent his career being the least extreme star imaginable, I'm on
board. It fits him.
Braun Strowman guy.
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diablo_dor
Showstopper
Posts 546
Registered 1-11-2010 Member Is Offline Mood: confuffled
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posted on 6-4-2017 at 10:23 PM |
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Has it not been HEAVILY implied that the Drifter is getting involved in the IC match?
I'd love them to use Renee anchoring the pre-show to have her join Ambrose to combat the bleedingly obvious Maryse attacks Miz as soon as the
bell rings which any sensible individual would organise.
What happened the Nia is Bliss new best friend story??
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the goon
Sister Act
Posts 6280
Registered 3-13-2004 Location Charlotte, NC Member Is Offline Mood:
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posted on 6-4-2017 at 11:09 PM |
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The main event could be great, but it's hard to get too excited about the winner when they're just going to be fodder for Brock before
SummerSlam (I think Joe would be the only guy I'd be excited about winning, just because it would make for an interesting feud).
My picks:
Fatal Five-Way main event: Balor
Ambrose vs Miz: Miz
Bliss vs Bayley: Bayley
Hardy Boyz vs Sheamus/Cesaro: Sheamus/Cesaro
Neville vs Aries: Neville
Swann/Banks vs Dar/Fox: Swann/Banks
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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First 9
The Rowdy One
Posts 2374
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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posted on 6-4-2017 at 11:35 PM |
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If they were already planning to do Brock vs a heel(Strowman), I could see the logic in just keeping whatever the plan was and swapping Joe for Braun.
If that's where they are going, I really hope Joe forces the out the technician side out of Brock just like Angle did all those years ago.
Lesnar is going the reverse route Taker did when he became an attraction. Where Taker kept stepping it up with the workrate and new moves to stay
fresh, Lesnar is doing less and less.
Of course that leaves 4 top faces(Shield guys and Balor) and 2 top heels(Wyatt and Miz) on the fringes. So for the sake of balance, I think Balor will
win.
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janerd75
The Great One
Posts 3766
Registered 1-28-2013 Member Is OnlineMood: Lantern kick'n
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 01:34 AM |
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Miz/Ambrose has been great. Equal LET'S GO AMBROSE/LET'S GO MIZ chants! Maryseses tiddies!!! Muy bueno.
You asshOOles are all wasting your life and time with ball-in-hoop aren't you? Sad!
ETA: Lol Plain Pam got boo'd when she was announced. I once thought Baltimore deserved a tac nuke, but now? Riot all you want Charm City!
#evilalwayswins
ETA2: Why is The Bo$$ slumming with these curtain-jerking goofs?
[Edited on 6-5-2017 by janerd75]
"Well, life's a bitch n' then you marry one. Alls you know now is you're goin' into the bar tonight to get just fuckin'
interplanetary." - Wayne (Letterkenny)
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williamssl
Steers and Queers
Posts 7652
Registered 1-11-2004 Location Hippieville Member Is Offline Mood: Fuck USC
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 01:45 AM |
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I look forward to Miz working Reigns over on the mic. I don't look forward to the future IC champion Reigns.
Don't Mess With Texas
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CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1675
Registered 7-20-2011 Location Unstuck frOOm Time Member Is Offline Mood: Unpresidented
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 01:50 AM |
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I thought for sure when Michael Cole mentioned that Rich Swann was wrestling in front of his hometown crowd that it was a guarantee that he'd be
eating the pinfall.
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janerd75
The Great One
Posts 3766
Registered 1-28-2013 Member Is OnlineMood: Lantern kick'n
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 01:51 AM |
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quote: Originally posted by williamssl
I look forward to Miz working Reigns over on the mic. I don't look forward to the future IC champion Reigns.
^This guy gets it. Miz will own his ass, not in the Biblical sense of course, on the mic and yet Roman will free reign mudstop his ass, because Chosen
One. I hope Vince and Co. heard the LET'S GO MIZ chants against one of their top faces.
Also, the mixed tag was pretty good. Mainly because Sasha didn't break her neck, but the cruisers continue to impress. Also, Alecia Fox
participated.
ETA: Dobble Dobble E don't give no shitz aboot ball-in-hoop. 3-for-3 in entertaining matches thusfar! Also, is...is tubby Bayley with child?
Lol, casual sexoginism.
Hey, y'alls chOOse ball-in-hoop like it's a worthwhile sport instead of dancing with the guy what brough ya.
#roysnotthetrollyoushouldbeworriedaboot #heeljanerd4life
[Edited on 6-5-2017 by janerd75]
"Well, life's a bitch n' then you marry one. Alls you know now is you're goin' into the bar tonight to get just fuckin'
interplanetary." - Wayne (Letterkenny)
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LoveMuscle
And I am AWESOME
Posts 177
Registered 6-28-2007 Member Is Offline Mood: stiff
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 02:05 AM |
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Did Bayley just show her nipple to us?
[Edited on 6-5-2017 by LoveMuscle]
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CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1675
Registered 7-20-2011 Location Unstuck frOOm Time Member Is Offline Mood: Unpresidented
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 02:06 AM |
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I'm not sure if I'm more irked now by crowds who insist on "LET'S GO BABY/LET'S GO HEEL!" chants or by WWE's seeming
inability to properly book a babyface. Are we past the point of no return as far as face/heel dynamics go? Or is it more likely that Vince's
idea of what makes a compelling good guy completely outdated? Somewhere in between?
I know this isn't a groundbreaking point of conversation, but I'm getting sick of being a jaded wrestling fan.
[Edited on 6/5/2017 by CM Crunk]
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First 9
The Rowdy One
Posts 2374
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 02:10 AM |
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Miz is a pro, he wouldn't verbally destroy somebody who can't keep up on the mic. It's no coincidence that his must savage promos
were against guys who were teflon(a retired Bryan) or fellow mic masters(Ambrose, Cena).
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OORick
We Run
Posts 3656
Registered 12-27-2001 Location - The Birthplace of Aviation Member Is Offline Mood: Flyered Up
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 02:16 AM |
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Fans cheering "cool" heels (or, in Alexa's case, mind-bendingly hot ones) is nothing new... but I do think that nearly a decade of YAY/BOO
with Cena has brought us to a point where a certain type of fan goes looking for situations to be contrary.
I mean, if you're capable of going out in public and booing Bayley, you are a terrible human being, because she is adorable... and also, if
you're cheering Miz, he'd like to have a word with you, because if you like his work, he'd much prefer that you boo him.
But I digress. As underwhelming as the women's match was, I was greatly pleased with the IC match. And now, the tag title match, which would
have been my choice for the undercard match likeliest to steal the show. Miz/Ambrose reset that bar, though....
Rick
PS: Usually, the stench of utterly pointless self-congratulatory back-patting is mighty whenever WWE spends time bragging about celebrities sitting in
the front row. But tonight, Orioles' CF Adam Jones and his crew EARNED the camera time by showing up in full costume! Jones did his best Virgil,
while flanked by a Pseudo-DiBiase and IRS. Awesome.
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CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1675
Registered 7-20-2011 Location Unstuck frOOm Time Member Is Offline Mood: Unpresidented
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 02:16 AM |
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quote: Originally posted by First 9
Miz is a pro, he wouldn't verbally destroy somebody who can't keep up on the mic. It's no coincidence that his must savage promos
were against guys who were teflon(a retired Bryan) or fellow mic masters(Ambrose, Cena).
I don't know. I see where you're coming from, but I think it'd definitely behoove Miz to tap into that chip on his shoulder that
revitalized his character back at the beginning of the brand split; especially when dealing with the mayor of Golden Boy Gulch in Roman Reigns.
ETA: I should also mention that I think Miz could bring his A-game with Roman and still manage to get booed. Like Rick said, if we really enjoy what
he's doing we should boo accordingly. He's capable of a level of obnoxiousness that he could realistically get Roman cheered.
[Edited on 6/5/2017 by CM Crunk]
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janerd75
The Great One
Posts 3766
Registered 1-28-2013 Member Is OnlineMood: Lantern kick'n
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 02:27 AM |
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quote: Originally posted by First 9
Miz is a pro, he wouldn't verbally destroy somebody who can't keep up on the mic. It's no coincidence that his must savage promos
were against guys who were teflon(a retired Bryan) or fellow mic masters(Ambrose, Cena).
If Miz is a pro heel in the vein of the Wrasslin' Troll Formerly Known as CM Punk and if the Spirit of Heels still exists as Vince and Co.
remember it, he will utterly destroy Reigns on the mic. I will climax accordingly.
quote: Originally posted by CM Crunk
quote: Originally posted by janerd75
...but invoking the name of the Sandman Steve Blackman, yes THAT Sandman Steve Blackman, for a relatively tepid
Singapore cane match? C'mon, dude. Cuh. Mon.
FTFY.
Crunkers, the LET'S GO THIS GUY/LET'S GO THAT GUY is the result of the whimsy of the CEO of a publically owned company that doesn't
have the confidence in the origins of its own product and thinks he has to a provide cake and eat it too, all things to all people pablum to the
masses to make munney. This is wrasslin'. No one expects that much so you may as well get nuts. Sandman, not black men. Wait, shit, no,
Blackman, I meant Blackman.
ETA: Gotta hand it to the E, that was premium move the storyline action. From an Extreme standpoint, not bad. Jeffrey had a nice flip off the top of
the cage but otherwise no ultrahardyviolence. However, the way they framed BOTH teams coming down at the same time? We'll hear aboot this
tomorry on RAM fo' sho'. Bueno.
Also, is it my latent racism or is Booger Tee extra incomprehensible tonight? Oh, hallo, leetle frien...
[Edited on 6-5-2017 by janerd75]
"Well, life's a bitch n' then you marry one. Alls you know now is you're goin' into the bar tonight to get just fuckin'
interplanetary." - Wayne (Letterkenny)
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CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1675
Registered 7-20-2011 Location Unstuck frOOm Time Member Is Offline Mood: Unpresidented
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 02:33 AM |
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quote: Originally posted by janerd75
...but invoking the name of the Sandman Steve Blackman, yes THAT Sandman Steve Blackman, for a relatively tepid
Singapore cane match? C'mon, dude. Cuh. Mon.
FTFY.
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OORick
We Run
Posts 3656
Registered 12-27-2001 Location - The Birthplace of Aviation Member Is Offline Mood: Flyered Up
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 03:13 AM |
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Main event hitting the ring at 10:05pm (eastern).... contrary to my original thesis, this is not a show intended to run over.
And, in fact, if it's a show intended to run anywhere near 3 hours, there may be another shoe to drop AFTER this main event. I know it's 5
guys, but that doesn't really translate to "45 minutes, bell to bell, easy peasy," right?
What shenanigans may lurk behind the next corner? Post-match beatdown by Lesnar, himself? Dusty finish, with StepHHH finally returning TV TV to screw
Seth and give Joe the cheap win?
Of those two, I'd think the latter is more likely (that would also jump start the Steph/Angle power struggle storyline that we all know is
coming), but it could be something else entirely. Or it could be "45 minutes, bell to bell, easy peasy." Who knows?
Rick
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janerd75
The Great One
Posts 3766
Registered 1-28-2013 Member Is OnlineMood: Lantern kick'n
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 03:42 AM |
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Joe/Bray is a collab I never knew I wanted.
Also, Reigns double spear on Finn/Joe through the barricade and then Seth's frog splash on Bray through the announce table. HOE. LEE. SHIT.
Muhfuggin' GOLLY!
#fuckballinhoop #iboobayleyandherpugnosealldayerrday #royfan4life
Thank you...Vince, StepHHH...? Who the hay-yul booked this awesomeness?!?!
ETA: YESSSSSSS! JOE'S GONNA KILL YOU!!!!! EAT SHIT BROCK!
[Edited on 6-5-2017 by janerd75]
"Well, life's a bitch n' then you marry one. Alls you know now is you're goin' into the bar tonight to get just fuckin'
interplanetary." - Wayne (Letterkenny)
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Flash
The Great One
Posts 3364
Registered 4-22-2005 Location Ontario, Canada Member Is Offline Mood:
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 03:56 AM |
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Second PPV in a row now where I've been watching it on delay for like 30-40 minutes, only for it to suddenly stop and revert to the menu, and
then only let me watch it in progress... So I missed both the Bayley and Hardy's matches... oh well, in a year or so I'll have caught up
to the current WWE product and will just watch it then.
*Miz/Ambrose was pretty good- I don't know what you do with Miz as he's so over right now that you'd love to see him go to the top
of the card for a stretch, but at the same time you know he isn't going to fare well against Vince's chosen few so dominating the mid card
seems like the best spot for him to shine.
*I liked the five way, and Joe getting elevated is definitely a good thing, but man that was some major no selling of various finishers at the end
there. Despite Bray being our most recent champion was there anyone in that match that seemed less likely to win than him?
So between the Samoan Suplex Machine, and Brock "I only know two moves now- Suplex City" Lesnar going at it, what's the over-under on how many
suplexes we'll get in their match?
*Man, it looked like Booker and Graves could barely keep a straight face while Cole hyped Great Balls of Fire.
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the goon
Sister Act
Posts 6280
Registered 3-13-2004 Location Charlotte, NC Member Is Offline Mood:
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 04:19 AM |
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Great main event and I LOVE that they're going with Lesnar/Joe (even if Joe has no actual shot of winning). It'll be refreshing to see
Lesnar go against someone new, as well as someone who's portrayed as an uber-badass on WWE TV. If only it weren't taking place at PPV
titled Great Balls Of Fire.
And that was a solid show all around tonight. Every match was in the good to great range and kind of shook things up a bit with a new IC champ, new
tag champs, and a new number one contender for the Universal title.
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First 9
The Rowdy One
Posts 2374
Registered 1-22-2013 Member Is Offline Mood: Doing the Emma Dance
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 04:39 AM |
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We've shittalked Balor a bit the last few weeks but gotta give him credit for being able to get the crowd from chanting
''Let's Go Roman/Roman sucks!'' to solely cheering him. Poor Rollins dove through the air and those Roman chants
didn't even pause.
[Edited on 6-5-2017 by First 9]
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GodEatGod
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1254
Registered 1-14-2004 Location Monroe, LA Member Is Offline Mood: Weird
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posted on 6-5-2017 at 05:46 AM |
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quote: Originally posted by Flash
So between the Samoan Suplex Machine, and Brock "I only know two moves now- Suplex City" Lesnar going at it, what's the over-under on how many
suplexes we'll get in their match?
Samoan SUBMISSION Machine. Taz was the Suplex Machine. That said - yes, there will be a lot of suplexes. I'm generally down on the Bork on the
whole, but Joe's the right opponent to get me hyped.
"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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