Originally posted by shawnpatrickWM always has a surprise. This year, could it be the retun of Batista??????? If he's ready & rumors say he will be, I would get him into the MiTB match somehow.... he wins it, Big Shows wins the triple threat (I know I said Big Show had zero percent change of winning)
then Batista cashes in, spears and slams Show and becomes new world champion. Fans at WM goes totally nuts!!!!
I like it... I like it..
The single thing more uninteresting than Big Show as champ would be ... Batista as champ.
I think it's about time to shake up the MITB winner and have him *lose* in the title match. All winners, except for Kennedy who lost his shot, have won in their title matches, haven't they?
Has JBL ever had a face run in this persona? I'd probably care more for this retirement angle if I actually cared for the character. JBL the person is fascinating (his blogs are an awesome read, IMHO) but the character doesn't do anything for me.
My opinion? Delay the retirement angle until Summerslam, and build JBL as a face...and put him in a retirement match against Rey, Cena, anyone...but have Ron Simmons in his corner. Having a retirement match NOW? No.
Of course, Lita retired with little fanfare, as did Tajiri, and Victoria, so yeah. Hell, Tajiri's final match was on HeAT, of all shows.
Originally posted by BroncolancheNot sure how they would build JBL as a face. His character as the corporate, white-collar millionaire is hard for the average WWE fan to relate to.
That's a good point, but they were able to get people to cheer for MVP, who's character is an ultra rich free agent sports star who's happy to rub it in peoples' faces....
It's just a matter of storyline, and who he's faced against.
You keep saying "retirement angle." JBL is retiring because he's hurt. Remember when he was out for a long stretch, announcing on Smackdown? That's because he was hurt then. He's old (for a wrestler) and has back problems.
Originally posted by last week's ObserverJohn Layfield (JBL) has been talking about an imminent retirement due to back problems. Layfield said this past week that the back problems, which ended his career the first time in 2006, have continued and that his career would probably be over by May.
Layfield, 42, who won the IC title from C.M. Punk on Raw on 3/9 in Jacksonville, is not listed in May house show bookings that have been released.
Originally posted by KJames199You keep saying "retirement angle." JBL is retiring because he's hurt. Remember when he was out for a long stretch, announcing on Smackdown? That's because he was hurt then. He's old (for a wrestler) and has back problems.
Originally posted by last week's ObserverJohn Layfield (JBL) has been talking about an imminent retirement due to back problems. Layfield said this past week that the back problems, which ended his career the first time in 2006, have continued and that his career would probably be over by May.
Layfield, 42, who won the IC title from C.M. Punk on Raw on 3/9 in Jacksonville, is not listed in May house show bookings that have been released.
Just because he really is retiring doesn't mean there might be a retirement angle. Flair had a retirement angle last year.
Originally posted by redsoxnation... would they go Orton vs. Hunter in a steel cage to main event Mania?
Given the heat between the characters, they have to at least go No-DQ (because Vince and the McMahons have to get their shots in), and I wouldn't be surprised if they go for the cell.
What are the chances that Rhodes/Dibiase will be even booked as strongly as The Mean Street Posse was for McMahon/Test?
Originally posted by BroncolancheJBL and Flair are on the same echelon?
JBL and Flair are lucky they're on the same planet.
Having said that: If he is hanging it up at WM, I'd like him to retire champ. (Yes, this is one of John's biggest detractors saying this, no, I'm not drunk.) 2 reasons:
1. An IC title tourney won't hurt anyone. 2. It'd be fitting for the JBL character to retire where he really should've started: In the midcard.
Originally posted by odessastepsJust because he really is retiring doesn't mean there might be a retirement angle. Flair had a retirement angle last year.
I'm not saying there won't be one, just that talk of one is premature. We know what the Observer says but not what he'll actually do; he's never mentioned or hinted at retirement on TV (during this run, anyway). Plus, the use of the term "retirement angle" made it sound like he was retiring in storyline only, which is not the case (if the Observer is to be believed).
Originally posted by BroncolancheJBL and Flair are on the same echelon?
It's an unpopular opinion, but I firmly believe JBL would have been a valid main event player had they not rushed his initial push. The character is viable, his promos are excellent, and back before his back fell apart he was perfectly carriable. Had he been pushed properly, and given the opportunity to work with the upper echelon of workers afford being expected to carry the brand, he would've been just fine.
InVerse: This is several years from being relevant to this post, but it felt really important to bring to CFB's attention but not quite important enough to warrant it's own thread.