Re: The Official WWE Thread - Part 27

[Onyx]

Cass is Enzo's sidekick, how do they not see that? This is all Enzo's gimmick ffs. Once they split, Enzo will keep the gimmick, while Cass will just be a generic big guy.

Then again being 'generic' and 'regular' seems to be the norm nowadays, so I won't be surprised if Cass is pushed to the top despite not being ready, while Enzo jobs on superstars on a weekly basis.

Big Cass has been turning a lot of heads within WWE because of his look and in-ring work.

While Enzo Amore was out of action with a concussion last month, many people were looking at Cass as not just a tag team player but a future singles star. Cass has been booked the way he has as a way to protect him in case they want to pull the trigger on a singles run. It will be interesting to see what happens with Enzo and Cass in the WWE Draft.

On a related note, Enzo returned from his concussion a few weeks earlier than some expected.

Source: PWInsider

[Kaladin]

Its disseminating its viewership, now they're likely to get double the viewership since Smackdown isn't a retape anymore

[Onyx]

The network are also concerned about RAW's ratings though. Shipping off half the RAW stars to Smackdown doesn't exactly do them any favours.

Best thing to do is have one roster and have Smackdown live. That way all the stars are on both shows and there's a chance the Smackdown ratings improve.

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

How on earth does taking stars off of RAW improve ratings exactly? If they want to improve ratings, they need to improve the show as a whole. There's a billion different things they can do to improve the show.

Having a 3 hour filler RAW, followed up by another 2 hours of filler is just asking for trouble.

Source: The Wrestling Observer

"The Wrestling Observer is reporting that some details regarding the impending WWE Brand Extension have apparently been revealed.

The details involve who the top babyfaces and heels will likely be for both Raw and SmackDown. According to these details, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns will reportedly lead Raw as the show's top babyface, while Seth Rollins will serve as the show's top heel. In regards to SmackDown, John Cena will serve as that show's top babyface, while AJ Styles will take the position as the show's top heel.

Furthermore, these same details have also apparently revealed that a second world title is expected to be created for whichever show that the current champion does not end up on.

According to the report, the idea of sending Cena over to SmackDown has to do with helping to boost the show's overall image as more than just a secondary brand within WWE. According to multiple reports, the USA Network is said to have not been happy with the overall performance of both Raw and SmackDown so far this year due to low ratings, which is leading the network to have trouble selling advertising space.

It's important to note that these details have in no way whatsoever been finalized as of yet and that, as always, plans can always change by the time the WWE Draft and Brand Extension take place in July."

Because Smackdown is now live, it's not just about RAW but the product in general. There was no way in hell they was going to go live and leave all the stars on RAW.

They are going to want people to watch both shows, you don't achieve that by having a lop sided talent discrepancy.

[Onyx]

Like I said though, USA network aren't happy with the RAW ratings either. Removing stars from the show isn't exactly a step in the right direction.

WWE aren't trying to improve anything with this brand split. This is all for ratings and revenue purposes.

[Onyx]

The great one, the most electrifying man in all of sports entertainment with a top tier promo.

[Firenze]

most credible MMA journalist reporting Lesnar close to coming back to the UFC and fighting at UFC 200 in July

don't see it but tbh he's gotten stale in WWE again, should come back in a few years

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

His contract would have to be up, which it obviously isn't. So i call BS on that, not that i care as i haven't given a shit about Lesnar since the Suplex City gimmick started as it makes all his matches boring and the only reason you watch Lesnar is for the attraction of his matches.

When you *bleep* that up it's time to pack your bags and go home. It was funny at the time but the Cena squash match was the worst thing that ever happened to his character imo.

Also UFC 200? lmao no way that's true, that's definitely BS. The card is set and it's a month away, if he was coming back for that we'd know already.

[Firenze]

and it's official. no opponent announced yet though, TBD.  

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

Vagi.

Never thought it would be true considering it's so close to 200, they'll probably feed some scrub to him.

[Casciavit]

I'm a noob when it comes to UFC, but current rumours floating around is that if UFC can't get Fedor, they'll have him fight Mark Hunt.

If Brock wins his UFC match....

If you think his 10 minute suplex city squashes were boring, just you wait for his 5 minute suplex city squashes.

[RealGunner]

Lesnar who is tied to a WWE contract is going to fight at UFC before CM Punk will


Think vince has given his approval. This can only mean Connor or Ronda will fight at Wrestlemania

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

Sorta related to the Lesnar stuff...

We recently reported about the possibility of WWE finding Paul Heyman someone else to work with in addition to him returning when Brock Lesnar comes back. Heyman is upset because he doesn’t have a downside guarantee and only gets paid per appearance. He has been used so rarely that he’s threatened to not re-sign when his contract comes up if they can’t find more for him to do.

One source indicated Heyman has pitched coming in as the mastermind behind AJ Styles turning on John Cena and being the mouthpiece for Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Vince McMahon has joked that he finds Paul more tolerable in small doses and while there has been some preliminary effort to come up with ideas that could be paired with Paul, Vince wasn’t high on the idea of putting him with The Club.

Vince ffs.

[Kaladin]

For once i agree with Vince, barely even tolerate Paul in small doses

[M99]

Paul Heyman with Bullet Club

Hope Vince breaks.

[zizzle]

I do miss Heyman but pairing him with the club isnt the best idea. I rather see him managing some new talent (who isnt a scrub)

[Tomwin Lannister]

Pointless, AJ is the mouthpiece otherwise his role diminishes.

Give him another/New monster heel to manage. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

Pointless, AJ is the mouthpiece otherwise his role diminishes.

Give him another/New monster heel to manage. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

As much as i'd like to see Heyman with them i do agree with this, they should let them speak as they are plenty good enough to do it as heels. Having Heyman there basically means they are limited in their roles.

I do want to see Heyman back regularly though.

[Kaladin]

If you're gonna pair Heyman up, then i think Samoa Joe would be the best candidate imo (if he moves that is)

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

From the monster heel point of view true, he can talk though not as good as Heyman but nobody can. But it's not like he'd need a mouth piece for him.

Not sure what other heels they have who can't talk who would require that though

[M99]

Bullet Club needs to be a stable. Heyman as mouthpiece with 3 new members would be gold but I guess we just get a trio that jobs to Cena.

[RealGunner]

They won't job

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

While i hope you are right RG, we have to accept that history is in M99s favour here

brb Nexus, brb Wyatt Family.

[Onyx]

I'd keep Heyman away from everybody. Heyman himself is a gimmick nowadays. If he pairs up with someone, then it's just going to be 'Heyman and his monster'. It takes the spotlight away from the actual superstar. It worked for Lesnar because it was an original pairing.

As for bullet club, AJ's boring on the mic, even Karl Anderson is a better talker. I'd just leave them as they are. They'll be a decent upper midcard stable, but that's where it ends. They're just not all that entertaining and it has very little to do with booking.

[Kaladin]

Just watched the Network special on Seth Rollins, man seeing him going through those strenuous months, not being able to participate in Wrestlemania, got me right in the feels

[Great Leader Sprucenuce]

Yeah it was good, i like these specials tbh. Both the Rollins and Bryan were both extremely good.

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