WWE Spoiler Zone

[Will Jones]

Well, we have one for TNA, so here is a WWE Spoiler Zone to chat about tapings prior to broadcast, possible returns, matches etc etc.

 

So, David B...if you can pin this I would be most grateful.

[Will Jones]

Edge is rumoured to be so far ahead of his scheduled rehabilitation, that he may well turn up this Sunday to cost Chris Jericho the Rumble match. This will obviously set up a big match at WrestleMania.

 

CM Punk and Luke Gallows vs D-Generation X for the Unified Tag Team Championship Titles is scheduled for this Tuesday's Smackdown tapings. It is expected/rumoured that the Tag Team Titles will go to the Straight Edge Society in order to push their recent increase in TV time on Smackdown (thus CM Punk's redemption after SUIT-GATE), and also lead to a post Rumble parting of the waves of DX in order for the build up to Triple H vs Sheamus (rumoured) and HBK vs The Undertaker II (a lock) at WrestleMania XXVI.

 

DavidB - If it is you, and it probably is, thanks once again.

Edited January 25, 2010 by Will Jones

[jakeblue]

Im really torn by the whole HBK vs Taker II match.

 

For HBK to not look like a complete idiot he has to win a rematch and thus end the streak, any sort of draw will be a cop out.

 

Im not the biggest Taker fan in the world but the streak is the last big deal really in wrestling (certainly at the moment) so surely he should retire with it intact.

 

If it does have to go then im not sure it benefits HBK to get the rub, surely it should be an up and comer who gets the pin on the dead man.

 

I thought Cena was getting the Taker match this year and HBK was going to square off against HHH.

 

If HBK gets Taker then who does Batista fight? Actually ive heard that this could be Cenas match too....oooohhhhh so looking forward to the Rumble this sunday, whos everyone picking for the win?

[jakeblue]

Predictions for this wekends Rumble -

 

Taker retains

Sheamus retains

Jackson over Christian

McCool retains

HBK wins the Rumble

[Will Jones]

Predictions for this wekends Rumble -

 

Taker retains

Sheamus retains

Jackson over Christian

McCool retains

HBK wins the Rumble

Although I think that it ahould go down like this, I some how feel Orton may win the title. Sheamus has tanked as champion.

 

If Christian does drop the title, please get him to Smackdown or Raw. Edge & Christian back together would be sweet.

 

I have a feeling that Rey will beat the Undertaker, with Batista winning the Rumble to set up Batista's title win at WrestleMania. Rey has admitted to be going under the knife after WrestleMania, so getting Dave Batista majorly over as a heel would be best.

 

Deadman vs HBK cannot be a title match. Neither should hold single's titles as neither can do a full schedule.

 

Jericho deserves the title, with major feuds against Christian and Edge. These would be matches that the crowd can eat up.

 

Rumour going around is that Orton as Champion will defend against Ted DiBiase at Mania. That would be a great match.

[jakeblue]

Well the rumbles been and gone and I wasn't too impressed.

 

They added a match but still ran 20 mins under the three hours. None of the matches felt really important and just pushed along existing storylines.

 

The finish to the Orton match was dumb, the divas match was pointless and if they were running short then why not let them actually wrestle?

 

Taker looked pi***d at his nosebleed and seemed to be working stiff.

 

The rumble was ok, nothing special though. Punk was a strong opener and HBK eliminating HHH was a highlight. The match just felt really rushed, too many people coming down and being eliminated almost immediately. No real surprise enteries but a couple of pointless ones (beth phoenix for example) and the match didn't even last an hour.

 

It was only two years ago that Cena showed up as a surprise entrant and won the whole thing and I'm sure not that repeating the feat again already is a good idea. That said I was cheering for Edge over Cena and Batista so was fairly happy at the end.

[jakeblue]

Oh and how bad were Lawler and Cole on commentary

[chris_mk]

Well the rumbles been and gone and I wasn't too impressed.

 

They added a match but still ran 20 mins under the three hours. None of the matches felt really important and just pushed along existing storylines.

 

The finish to the Orton match was dumb, the divas match was pointless and if they were running short then why not let them actually wrestle?

 

Taker looked pi***d at his nosebleed and seemed to be working stiff.

 

The rumble was ok, nothing special though. Punk was a strong opener and HBK eliminating HHH was a highlight. The match just felt really rushed, too many people coming down and being eliminated almost immediately. No real surprise enteries but a couple of pointless ones (beth phoenix for example) and the match didn't even last an hour.

 

It was only two years ago that Cena showed up as a surprise entrant and won the whole thing and I'm sure not that repeating the feat again already is a good idea. That said I was cheering for Edge over Cena and Batista so was fairly happy at the end.

 

I actually really enjoyed the Rumble this year! I liked the end to the Orton match, I think it's setting up the Legacy split nicely and moved their story along. For a change, I thought the Divas match was actually ok too, it actually got a pop from the crowd, which I've not seen from Divas in a long time (it also meant there was no time to go and get hotdogs!)

 

Though there were a lot of people who did well in the rumble. Punk was awesome, HBK taking out HHH was great, as was his exit and I though Beth Phoenix did well (as long as they use this to continue giving her a push). I get what you mean about the similarities between Edge winning and cena of two years ago and I agree that it was too soon to repeat it, but like you, I think the pop at the end was worth it.

[DavidB]

Yes, I enjoyed the Rumble too - not just the match but the whole PPV.

 

There's absolutely nothing wrong with them pushing along existing storylines. In fact, that's exactly what they SHOULD be doing, and it works wonders for talent:

 

Punk and the SES.

MVP/Miz - not only a match but in the Rumble too.

HBK's obsession with Taker.

Trouble within DX?

Edge/Jericho.

R-Truth/Jericho.

The right way to end Mickie/Michelle/Leyla.

 

There was plenty of depth for a lot of people involved, which is important going forward. Yes, some got eliminated pretty quickly, but in all honesty that's always going to happen when you've got that many people in one match - so why not at least give SOME a decent showing and push towards the future?

 

As always, the Rumble match was one of the best booked moments of the year. And why have more surprises than necessary? No point having RVD back for a one-shot when you could push an existing talent who would prosper far more.

 

I have to give credit to the crowd too - they made Orton/Sheamus a good match, and were really into the Rumble in many parts.

[jakeblue]

Whilst i agree in principle, the final four were Batista, HBK, Cena and Edge, thats hardly groundbreaking or giving a future push to anyone is it really?

 

As for Punk he was immense but i cant see him as world champ again as they just dont trust him enough as evidenced by the two runs hes had.

 

Going into WM looks like we may have a Batista vs Cena match with them representing McMahon and Bret in some respect, or maybe a tag team match, this i would be ok with as it would limit the ring time of Bret and reduce the risk of him getting seriously injured.

 

Im guessing too that following Raw HBK is going to screw Taker at the Chamber to make Taker want him at Mania, theyve bigged the match up as too important for it to not happen now if you ask me.

[chris_mk]

Whilst i agree in principle, the final four were Batista, HBK, Cena and Edge, thats hardly groundbreaking or giving a future push to anyone is it really?

 

As for Punk he was immense but i cant see him as world champ again as they just dont trust him enough as evidenced by the two runs hes had.

 

Going into WM looks like we may have a Batista vs Cena match with them representing McMahon and Bret in some respect, or maybe a tag team match, this i would be ok with as it would limit the ring time of Bret and reduce the risk of him getting seriously injured.

 

Im guessing too that following Raw HBK is going to screw Taker at the Chamber to make Taker want him at Mania, theyve bigged the match up as too important for it to not happen now if you ask me.

 

I think Punk will get a chance again, probably during the next (inevitable) bunch of injuries.

 

I think they're setting up Batista Vs HHH for WM, at least I did until the Rumble. Was it me, or did HHH look like he actually got a genuine injury to his thigh? I wonder if the match was a little short at they had to get HHH out early?

 

I agree about Bret, I really don't want to see him wrestle again, it's just not worth the risk to his health.

 

I'm loving the HBK/Taker stuff, though I don't especially want to see them at WM again.

[DavidB]

The person that wins the Rumble really needs to be someone who is a believable main eventer at Wrestlemania.

 

It was ok to have Legacy for example at the end last time because you felt they were there to help Orton, rather than believing they would win it themselves.

 

But most of the entrants into the Rumble aren't believable as WM main eventers, which in itself is an issue, but you're never going to have an entire roster of potential WM main eventers anyway!

 

Edge hasn't won before, so that was fine by me.

 

More often than not, it's about how some of the entrants do during the match, rather than the actual result for them.

 

Punk is still relatively new compared to the top stars, so I have no issue with them giving him a strong character and a solid push, rather than the rushed push that inevitably fails. Sheamus won't last in my opinion, and isn't accepted by the audience nearly as much as Punk is. He's just some very white guy who beats people up. There's hardly depth there, plus he's been represented as fairly fluky rather than dominating. He has done well for himself but I think even Drew over on Smackdown has had a better push because he's been able to have a solid feud with matches with Morrison.

 

I do believe HBK/Taker will happen in some fashion at Mania, as it's too compelling a storyline to have anything else happen for those two now.

[jakeblue]

But you have to take a punt sometimes otherwise you end up with the same old main events, a problem wwe has had for a long time, just look at the elimination chamber for example, cena, hhh, orton, kofi and dibiase along side the champion.

 

Sheamus is a good example of taking a punt and it looked like kofi would be too though he's fallen away somewhat. Dibiase is there purely to screw orton which leaves 2 potential winners in cena and hhh. If he loses Sheamus will want a rematch so cenas not winning especially if he interjects himself to the vince and bret situation which leaves only one potential winner outside of the champ and that's hhh.

 

Without knowing the results I'm guessing the sd chamber will be, taker, jericho, punk, batista, mysterio and either morrison/mcintyre or hbk.

[jakeblue]

Its two extremes really, wwe don't take enough risks and stick to the same safe formula, whereas tna thriow everything at the wall to see what sticks, then they pick the fallen bits off thr floor and throw it again.

 

Just need a happy medium

[Will Jones]

From what I have gathered, it seems that house show adverts for matches may be leading to the following results at Elimination Chamber, and matches at WrestleMania...

 

1. WWE Title - Triple H winning.

 

2. World Title - Chris Jericho winning - even more so since Edge said he would wait until after the Elimination Chamber PPV to name his challenge (HBK causing The Deadman to be eliminated).

 

3. WrestleMania XXVI - WWE Title: Triple H vs Sheamus (They are traing partners, so this is a given).

4. WrestleMania XXVI - World Title: Chris Jericho vs Edge

5. WrestleMania XXVI - CM Punk vs Rey Mysterio - Hair vs Mask.

6. WrestleMania XXVI - John Cena and Bret Hart vs Batista and Vince McMahon

7. WrestleMania XXVI - Money In The Bank - Kofi to win.

8. WrestleMania XXVI - The Main Event: The Undertaker vs HBK

 

It is hottly tipped to have HBK vs Taker II as the final match as it was felt having anyone following it would fall flat like it did last year.

Edited February 2, 2010 by Will Jones

[jakeblue]

Ok i was a little out on the SD Chamber since we actually get

 

Taker

Mysterio

Jericho

Punk

Morrison

R Truth - Blimey where did this push come from, eliminating Show and Henry at Rumble and now this

 

Again though theres only three people realistically winning this match and therein lies the problem for me.

 

As for Mania i remain unconvinced by Taker vs HBK II. Last years match was unbelievable and really should be left at that. Not only do they have to top the last match but where does the win go, a draw is a cop out, if Taker wins then HBK looks really really weak and if HBK wins the streak is over and im not convinced that Shawn is the man who should be getting this honour

[Will Jones]

R-Truth has paid his penance ahd is getting the push for being patient.

 

The Undertaker will drop the belt..it is the only result that can work.

 

Mysterio won't win it. Vinceis still p'od at him for the newspaper article in Mexico during his suspension.

 

Chris Jericho is winning this, and this sets up Jericho vs Edge.

 

Taker vs HBK 2 - there ia an age old tradition that if you win a match at a big PPV to someone, you pay them back next time around. Shawn jobbed to the Deadman without question. If anything, not winning elevated HBK even further. The fact he carried 'Taker to such a great match meant a rematch was screaming out.

 

For the past several years WrestleMania has been more about The Streak, and less about everything else.

 

You have the obvious exit route for Shawn for his usual Spring Break to heal, but having a break down because he couldn't beat the Deadman doesn't sound right.

 

There is no way they will have a draw.

 

I see The Undertaker doing the JOB to HBK. This will allow him to disappear for a break, and build his locker room reputation even more. It also leaves it open for the Deadman to want the RUBBER match next year and see a real winner.

[jakeblue]

Another stellar week for raw.

 

Hbk continues to shine although now its unclear whether he'll face hhh or taker but the intrigue makes it even better.

 

Christian on raw was quality

 

Cena cut another great promo though factually incorrect, batista wasn't a good guy before the money he was aheel for turning on rey. Brets offence was a ittle weak too, I hope they go the tag route as I'm not convinced he's good to go one on one.

[jakeblue]

Im not a happy bunny today

 

Vince McMahon stated during this morning's WWE conference call that the WWE Survivor Series title is "obsolete." He added that the title has "outlasted its usage" and that they do not intend on using the name going forward.

"We think that Survivor Series is obsolete, as far as that title is concerned," McMahon said. It was something that worked many, many years ago, in terms of a creative standpoint, various

teams competing. That really is not advantageous as the consumer now looks as what actually they are buying. And it's such a broad ... Survivor Series yes, many years ago, was one of the original four pay-per-views, but it's outlasted its usage and it is one of the things in terms of rebranding, this year and going forward, that will be rebranded. No longer will we have that title, Survivor Series."

While WWE's new gimmick-themed pay-per-view events out-performed their 2008 counterparts, last year's Survivor Series took a sharp hit as the show drew 235,000 buys, down 26% from 2008 (319,000).

 

I love the SS its one of the event of the year for me, though it has slid backwards quite a bit in recent years, just needs to return to its original premise and itll still work for me

 

Vince McMahon stated during this morning's WWE conference call that the WWE Survivor Series title is "obsolete" and has "outlasted its usage." He said WWE does not intend on using the name moving forward. As a result, it appears WWE is considering more gimick-themed PPVs, including several concepts used back in WCW.

In a survey sent out to the WWE Universe this morning (link) WWE asks fans what their level of interest is in the following potential PPV event themes:

Tournament Event: Single elimination "bracket style" tournament where Superstars would compete in multiple matches during the night to become the tournament winner.

Street Fight Event: Main events would include"street fight" matches where there are no disqualifications and pin-falls count anywhere. Superstars often compete in normal street clothes.

Legends Event: Match participants would include WWE Legends from the past.

Money in the Bank Event The main event "Money in the Bank" match requires Superstars to climb a ladder and retrieve a briefcase hung high above the ring. The winner can "cash in" the briefcase for a championship title shot throughout the year. Qualifying matches earlier in the event will determine participants for the "Money in the Bank" match.

WWE Draft Event WWE's annual Draft where Superstars and Divas learn which brand they'll be a part of for the next year. The Draft is often the beginning of new conflicts and matchups.

Battle Bowl Event Random tag-teams compete together - sometimes arch rivals - with the winning teams being put in a 2-ring Battle Royal. The winner could potentially receive a championship title match.

Roulette Event Main event match stipulations would be determined by the spin of a roulette-type wheel

.

War Games Event Teams of 5 collide in 2 cages. 2 participants begin the match with a new participant added every 5 minutes. This process is alternated between teams until all members from both teams are present.)

 

Has McMahon been smoking something, most of the old WCW ideas were terrible and helped kill the company, why would he want to ressurt them for crying out loud

[DavidB]

It certainly wasn't any of the ideas stated there that killed off WCW. In fact stuff like War Games was some of the best the company had. It was just prolonged crap booking.

[jakeblue]

Multiple rings and cages are just not good, just look at the terrible cage match with Hogan and Savage beating the rest of the roster.

 

Or the Spin The Wheel between Jake Roberts and Sting

 

Over gimmicking things did contribute to WCWs downfall and will not be good in the WWE

[Will Jones]

The only old WCW gimmick I would love to see is War Games.

 

As regards listing the others, I think the WWE are doing their usual red herring act. I think that they have a few ideas millign around and will go with.

 

In it's present format, the Survivor Series is nothing special. In order to survive it needs to go back to it's roots.

 

However, with only 3 to 4 weeks between PPVs, the great build up that they used to have for the Big 4 PPVs has gone and thus makes all bar the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania, just another PPV. They need to make 4 PPVs special and unique.

 

The Rumble leads to WrestleMania.

 

WrestleMania has Money In The Bank.

 

They need to come up with two more similar ideas and incorporate them in to othr PPVs as a build up. Have the inbetween PPVs act as qualifying and ground laying to the big pay off at another PPV.

Edited February 12, 2010 by Will Jones

[Will Jones]

With the first edition of NXT in one week, here is the list of talent from FCW heavily rumoured to be the focus of the show. The proposed format is having the talent being mentored and trained to appear on the main rosters, often breaking kayfabe - or at least appearing to.

 

FCW Champion: Justin Angel

Daniel Bryan - Bryan Danielson

Kaval - Loki

Skip Sheffield

Joe Hennig

Brett Dibiase

Darren Young

Heath Slater

Michael Tarver

 

There are going to be several seasons throughout the year with the end of each season seeing some talent progress to raw or Smackdown.

 

Kaval (Loki) and Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) are the focus from Day One, but this will be no surprise to longtime grappling fans.

 

Although presented in a reality type series, the WWE knows who will come out the other end if all goes to plan. Factors that are up in the air are how the crowd react to them.

[SciFiMAD]

NXT sounds interesting, and a good progression from the Tough Enough brand. Still dont think SciFi is the right channel for it in the US, but will have to wait and see how well it does.

[Will Jones]

With the WWE looking for a much more reliable network for Smackdown!, I can only see SyFy and My Network as temporary at the moment. I think that NXT is a great way to get talent fit and ready for the main rosters, whilst getting them on air time. I expect PPV matches as well.