Spank E
Bockwurst
Level: 56
   
Posts: 520/588
EXP: 1319756
For next: 78429
Since: 2.1.02
From: Plymouth, UK
Since last post: 2250 days
Last activity: 276 days
|  #1 Posted on 4.7.15 1254.38
Reposted on: 4.7.22 1259.01 | Finn Balor can do no wrong.
Outside of the awesome, awesome, AWESOME title match, this show really reminded me of the old UK-exclusive PPVs they used to run where nothing off real consequence happens. I realise this is to be expected as it WAS a house show that they decided to show on the Network. Perhaps this is their plan going forward for future foreign tours?
So the show started at a reasonable 10:30am here in Blighty, which didn't stop me from nodding off a couple of times because it's still 10:30 on a Saturday morning damnit, so I have thoughts rather than coverage and analysis.
Whenever Chris Jericho breaks out the Liontamer, it warms the cockles of my heart.
The Triple Threat Divas match did absolutely nothing for me, to the point of other than Nikki Bella retaining, I couldn't tell you a single thing that happened.
Kinda weird having the guy who the show is literally named after have his match on third. If you want to call it a match rather than a one-sided mugging, which is closer a description.
I don't think I've actually said it here, so let me state explicitly for the record: I love Finn Balor. I go giddy when he is on my TV. I've started collecting Legos so I can be more like Finn. I'm considering flying out to Japan just sweep the streets outside the New Japan dojo. I don't even want to be a wrestler, I just feel like it's something I should do.
I've never been more impressed by Kevin Owens' ability to be a troll master of the highest standing. The running headlock was beautiful along with his constant talking trash about Japan. The fact that he can fucking BRING IT in the ring as well is almost secondary. Almost.
Good googly moogly, that main event didn't want to end at all. I love the fact that they treated Kane like the monster they keep saying he is despite the lack of any evidence to confirm his monster status. The sooner they get Barrett out of that ridiculous cape and crown getup and started treating him like an actual human being, the better.
That's all I've got. | Promote this thread! |             | Big Bad
Scrapple
Level: 162
Posts: 6851/7062
EXP: 54926269
For next: 365126
Since: 4.1.02
From: Dorchester, Ontario
Since last post: 2373 days
Last activity: 1942 days
|  #2 Posted on 4.7.15 1306.04
Reposted on: 4.7.22 1306.20 | | I wonder if we'll get a rare Jericho appearance on regular TV (or even Summerslam) to return the job and put Neville over. | andy1278
Bockwurst
Level: 54
Posts: 87/546
EXP: 1180258
For next: 53619
Since: 11.1.02
From: Brunswick, GA
Since last post: 1543 days
Last activity: 1522 days
|  #3 Posted on 4.7.15 1316.23
Reposted on: 4.7.22 1320.18 | One of the most exciting things about this show was that it looked different! No ginormous video screens. It was a unique look, and it WORKED. That alone made it feel like I wasn't in for another Raw/SmackDown.
Also, the commentary! It was excellent. When allowed, Michael Cole is awesome. Nobody screaming MAGGLE, nobody being force-fed tiresome lines and things to promo... just great commentary that gave us background and fed into the matches.
Brock will be forever fun to watch.
Nothing but love for Balor & Owens.
(edited by andy1278 on 4.7.15 1505) | BigDaddyLoco
Scrapple
Level: 148
Posts: 5183/5690
EXP: 39727403
For next: 651355
Since: 2.1.02
Since last post: 774 days
Last activity: 774 days
| #4 Posted on 4.7.15 1359.33
Reposted on: 4.7.22 1406.01 | This was a great Show. Wrestlers were wrestling, announcers were announcing without being yelled at, cameras were steady and it was two hours long.
We got a great match, a better than expected really good match, a Brock match, an okay women's match and a main event from the 80s where the only thing that was missing was Monsoon and Heenan on the Prime Time set.
It's too bad this company is so set in it's ways most of the time, because they often nail it when they stray from their format. | Stefonics
Frankfurter
Level: 64
Posts: 695/825
EXP: 2183900
For next: 30209
Since: 17.3.02
From: New Jerusalem
Since last post: 2842 days
Last activity: 708 days
|  #5 Posted on 4.7.15 1448.58
Reposted on: 4.7.22 1449.25 | "Letting Michael Cole announce" just jumped to the top of my list of reasons why I want Vince to retire sooner rather than later. My opinion of him has completely changed based on this one broadcast. And he buried JBL.
Kevin Owens is the best heel they've had in years. That was some other level work.
Balor looked like a star. More importantly, Cole put him over like a star the entire match.
I saw this mentioned elsewhere and I agree. I would watch three hours of Brock Lesnar lifting things that are deemed heavy, every week. | jerichofan717
Pickled pork
Level: 31
Posts: 143/183
EXP: 180105
For next: 5260
Since: 21.12.10
From: Albany, NY
Since last post: 2883 days
Last activity: 2625 days
| #6 Posted on 4.7.15 1517.01
Reposted on: 4.7.22 1520.49 | | I think Finn Balor may finally be the one to get Mrs. Jerichofan717 to at least watch a few minutes of wrestling a week since she likes Irish accents. Baby Jerichofan717 already enjoys watching Chris Jericho and his light up jacket. | InVerse
Boudin blanc
Level: 101
Posts: 2057/2370
EXP: 10531197
For next: 186515
Since: 26.8.02
Since last post: 2493 days
Last activity: 2456 days
| #7 Posted on 4.7.15 1631.06
Reposted on: 4.7.22 1632.10 | This is the only WWE show I've watched since Wrestlemania, with the exception of the last half of Elimination Chamber. I was... mostly underwhelmed but not offended.
Chris Jericho vs Neville was a good match but Jericho going over is extremely odd unless it leads to him cutting a shit-talking promo on Monday that carries this on to a bigger feud. Jericho should get disqualified for that stupid tattoo alone.
Based on tonight's commentary, I assume that Nikki Bella will be holding the Diva's Championship long enough to break AJ's Longest Title Reign, then be defeated by Charlotte the following night. The women's match was wholly unoffensive other than it ending with a freakin' forearm smash.
Brock Lesnar did a good job of highlighting everything wrong with the WWE today, with the boring, same-old-shit old guard going over the younger generation that's actually capable of being entertaining. I realize Lesnar is only 4 years older than Kofi, so it isn't quite 1999-2000 era WCW level stupid but it's close.
Finn Bálor vs Kevin Owens was, of course, awesome. If Kevin Owens ends up being the one to finally defeat Brock Lesnar then I'll retract 40% of my bitching about how much Lesnar sucks. I don't think Lesnar could hang with Owens, though.
I skipped to the end of the main event to see if Owens attacked Cena, so I don't have any comments on the match itself, but the pairings are appropriate for the main event of a Saturday morning show. | JustinShapiro
Scrapple
Moderator
Level: 146
Posts: 5381/5537
EXP: 38182116
For next: 331270
Since: 12.12.01
Since last post: 2211 days
Last activity: 1863 days
| #8 Posted on 4.7.15 1835.27
Reposted on: 4.7.22 1838.51 | Originally posted by InVerse
Brock Lesnar did a good job of highlighting everything wrong with the WWE today, with the boring, same-old-shit old guard going over the younger generation that's actually capable of being entertaining. I realize Lesnar is only 4 years older than Kofi, so it isn't quite 1999-2000 era WCW level stupid but it's close.
Kofi has more cumulative years in WWE than Brock. Kofi is the older generation. | Rudoublesedoublel
Frankfurter
Level: 61
Posts: 702/742
EXP: 1870810
For next: 5797
Since: 2.1.02
From: Kentucky - Home of the 8 time NCAA Champ Wildcats
Since last post: 2775 days
Last activity: 2704 days
| #9 Posted on 4.7.15 2207.22
Reposted on: 4.7.22 2215.57 | If the argument is that Kofi deserves better than to be squashed, I'll listen.
If the argument is that Brock doesn't deserve to eat squash, I'll disagree.
If the argument is that Brock isn't much more than a part-timer like Rock, UT, et al., I'll agree to a small extent.
But, at the end of the day, Brock is awesome and should be treated as such.
WWE should be ashamed of itself for failing to figure out ways to get young, talented guys like Kofi and Dolph to resonate with fans and get to the next level - but even though I like those guys I have to eventually point the finger at them to some extent. | It's False
Scrapple
Level: 152
Posts: 6128/6155
EXP: 44252540
For next: 49222
Since: 20.6.02
From: I am the Tag Team Champions!
Since last post: 2646 days
Last activity: 1028 days
| #10 Posted on 5.7.15 0310.33
Reposted on: 5.7.22 0310.45 | Originally posted by InVerse
Brock Lesnar did a good job of highlighting everything wrong with the WWE today...
I'm going to go the other way with this, because Brock completely destroying all three New Day guys without breaking a sweat only served to convince me that he should still be running roughshod over this company as the ultimate heel champion. While it's nice that they went with new blood in the form of Rollins, his title reign has been dreadful, because it's been the same heel authority junk that we've been seeing some form of for the better part of 15 years. Brock was cool! Brock was different! There was no good reason to take the title off Brock, other than the MITB briefcase essentially had them handcuffed to the idea that they HAD to change the title. There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't be counting the days of Brock's title reign like we did with CM Punk a few years ago. But there's the briefcase, there's the Authority angle, and there's the same crap they've done for years and it's beyond sad that it all just refuses to change.
But speaking of things that are different...this show was very different. No Titantron, no instant replays, no heel commentator... in fact, Cole sounded (and I can't believe I'm saying this) GOOD on this show. They need to make Tokyo shows an annual event, because this was genuinely cool and the exact kind of thing they SHOULD be doing with the Network. | GodEatGod
Bockwurst
Level: 54
Posts: 541/558
EXP: 1216020
For next: 17857
Since: 28.2.02
Since last post: 3461 days
Last activity: 2900 days
| #11 Posted on 5.7.15 0721.20
Reposted on: 5.7.22 0722.56 | Eh, I think the moment of Rollins cashing in and winning was pretty spectacular, made for a great Wrestlemania 'moment', and lead to Brock murderdeathkilling Cole the next night on RAW, all of which were highlights of the year. Rollins' reign as champion hasn't been everything it could've been, but I don't think changing the belt was a mistake necessarily.
Kofi peaked years ago and is clearly never going to reach the 'next level', so I have no issue with him being squash bait and the New Day guys are entertaining enough to come back from losing. And Brock's been so established as a monster that even getting destroyed by him doesn't really hurt you in a meaningful way.
I would have no problem with them putting the belt back on Brock, though. It does leave you with the same problem you had before - how do you get the belt off him in a believable way? I'm not sure you could keep Brock heel now if you tried - Suplex City changed things and the fans love him even when he's just beating the crap out of helpless people. | Tenken347
Knackwurst
Level: 116
Posts: 2603/3262
EXP: 16815516
For next: 508629
Since: 27.2.03
From: Parts Unknown
Since last post: 31 days
Last activity: 4 days
| #12 Posted on 5.7.15 0753.26
Reposted on: 5.7.22 0754.14 | Originally posted by GodEatGod
I'm not sure you could keep Brock heel now if you tried - Suplex City changed things and the fans love him even when he's just beating the crap out of helpless people.
This right here is the answer to the question of "What about Kofi/Dolph/Cesaro/Literally all but like 10 guys on the roster?" People like winners. Any time anybody starts to get traction, they start getting jobbed out like it's going out of style. Look no further than "King" Barrett for the most recent example. His highness is losing matches to R-Fucking-Truth. So of course Brock is way over, because he wins, he wins big, and he creates a mystique of "how can anybody believably beat this guy?" Of course, that was part of my problem with him as champ, because eventually the championship does change hands, and they made it very hard for themselves to find an answer to that question. The planned Roman Reigns solutions was not going to work, and I thought Seth Rollins was the best thing they could have done to fix the problem.
The other reason I hated him as champ was the fact that his contract status meant that we saw the championship like 3 times in half a year, which is unacceptable for something that should be a constant focus of the program.
Oh yeah, BitE! One-match show, but if that one match delivers everything you could possibly want out of it, how can you complain? Pretty mystifying how they could follow it with that interminable tag match, though. | lotjx
Scrapple
Level: 131
Posts: 4233/4785
EXP: 25913484
For next: 511206
Since: 5.9.08
Since last post: 2128 days
Last activity: 1967 days
| #13 Posted on 5.7.15 1444.23
Reposted on: 5.7.22 1449.13 | | Seth as champ with Ambrose matches should have been a return to Attidue Era booking of having the champ trade titles til Seth got it or we get Ambrose/Lesnar at SummerSlam. I had high hopes for Seth, but they just had a big event special without him and no one noticed or cared. If the rumors are true about Seth/HHH at SummerSlam then it has to be the least interesting main event for that PPV. | Stefonics
Frankfurter
Level: 64
Posts: 696/825
EXP: 2183900
For next: 30209
Since: 17.3.02
From: New Jerusalem
Since last post: 2842 days
Last activity: 708 days
| #14 Posted on 5.7.15 1501.06
Reposted on: 5.7.22 1505.47 | Originally posted by lotjx
I had high hopes for Seth, but they just had a big event special without him and no one noticed or cared.
It was a televised house show. | kellogs
Head cheese
Level: 40
Posts: 20/330
EXP: 432096
For next: 9217
Since: 28.3.11
From: England
Since last post: 437 days
Last activity: 435 days
| #15 Posted on 5.7.15 1523.51
Reposted on: 5.7.22 1529.01 | I enjoyed this show - will admit that I haven't watched it all as I haven't watched the 'technically main event' with Cena et al yet. Started off well and can see why Jericho won. It was a good match and doesn't matter than Neville lost. He needs to do something soon though or he is going to become lost in the midcard. It was classic Jericho though so enjoyed it.
Didn't pay a ton of attention to the womans match but I don't expect many did.
Brock destroying Kofi was as what we thought it would be. Good to see the rest of New Day coming in to get thrown around was good. Lesnar just shouldn't lose unless it is a fluke - almost like his loss to Frank Mir where he was beating him until the move that made him tap. didn't destroy his aura in UFC - not sure how it could work now but would certainly be worth watching. Not saying that it would work or be effective but could be the only way he would lose. Who knows what Vince and the rest think?!
Balor winning the title was expected, but the match was still very good and having the Japanese theme at the start was a great thing to see that doesn't happen on WWE TV. Glad that he won - I saw him wrestle as Fergal Devitt years ago here in the UK so seeing him now is pleasing. Will be interesting to see how they play it on Raw with Owens. Hopefully he will soon have another belt to take its place.
Certainly got my Network value for money out of it all. | Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator
Level: 154
Posts: 6079/6230
EXP: 45578679
For next: 783295
Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR
Since last post: 83 days
Last activity: 10 hours
| | ICQ: |  |
| | Y!: |  |
|
| #16 Posted on 8.7.15 1713.38
Reposted on: 8.7.22 1714.04 | Originally posted by Stefonics
Originally posted by lotjx
I had high hopes for Seth, but they just had a big event special without him and no one noticed or cared.
It was a televised house show.
Yeah but, it was better than a 3 hour RAW. It had better pacing, it was more interesting, there weren't 30 minute interview segments or endless flashbacks...
It kind of highlights what's wrong with the main shows to me. | | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
