CM Punk; WWE Has Me Hooked Again (2012 Official Pro Wrestling Thread)

[jerichoholicninja]

Just read they went with Santino because Henry isn't healthy enough yet.

[PrinceEatMeat]

That makes sense seeing as he was pulled to begin with, but then why did they even bother bringing him back to Smackdown? They had to have known he wouldn't be ready to begin with. I really thought they'd just wait and have Christian as a surprise entrant. I still could see that happening. Henry shows up pissed that he wasn't given the spot, attacks Santino, then Christian comes out to take his spot. Everything I've read is that Christian has been ready for awhile and they just haven't brought him back yet.

[brettac1]

Even with the roster disparity, I find Smackdown more enjoyable on a week-to-week basis than I do Raw. For the most part, they seem to tell cleaner stories on that show, maybe because Vince cares less about it. There are some aspects of it that I enjoy less, like that it is geared for a slightly younger audience, but it's a good show.

 

As far as Khali, they kind of have to legitimize him some in order to put him in the Chamber title match, even though they seem to care little about wins and losses, he needs a little shine to him. Now, whether that means pinning the IC champ who is really getting some great momentum, as well as one of the few heels in the company who has a little credibility, is another story. If they start giving him pins in the Chamber match, then that's an issue.

[brettac1]

Really solid episode of Impact last night, IMO. There was wrestling on the wrestling show, and it was good wrestling. There was all kinds of great promo work - an intense babyface one by Storm, a funny heel one by Bully Ray ("best calves in the business. That's why they call me 'Calvezila'.", and a very good one with Joe/Magnus. If that's where Lagana is working, he's doing a good job. Granted, most of those guys would be good promos without anyone producing them, but the Joe/Magnus one really stuck out as well-done.

 

They started an angle between Aries and Ion that will lead to their PPV match, set up the feud between Gail Kim and Madison Rayne for another PPV match (probably my only beef with the episode was that the Knockouts battle royal was a little on the long side), and started a month-long build to a PPV title match that people who follow the product want to see with a pretty excellent show-closing angle that included Sting blading (I am very pro-blading when the situation calls for it).

 

Basically, this was a pro wrestling show, and it was a good one. The last two Impacts have been miles above the last two Raws, which have been nothing but angle, angle, angle, angle, two minute match, 30 minute promo that puts you to sleep, angle, three minute main event, really bad angle to close the show.

[patrickgpe]

personally i will be shocked if any title changes hands on sunday. i am looking forward to the cena-kane fight though. There has only been 4 fights announced, i am thinking there will be a atleast one more announced before the ppv.

[BradWI]

personally i will be shocked if any title changes hands on sunday. i am looking forward to the cena-kane fight though. There has only been 4 fights announced, i am thinking there will be a atleast one more announced before the ppv.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if we get a Sheamus match. Maybe against a returning ADR.

[brettac1]

They'll just throw a bunch of random stuff on there like normal. Probably a four team Divas tag match, Probably Epico and Primo defending the belts against... someone. Maybe a random Swagger title defense. I think they'll keep Sheamus on the shelf until Mania.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I don't really care what else they throw on there honestly. The 2 Chamber matches will carry the entire show anyway. No one will really care about anything else.

[brettac1]

I'm pulling for a miracle Orton return. Otherwise, I have next to zero interest in the Smackdown match. I am not a fan of how Daniel Bryan is being used and I think it makes the most sense to have him lose a match that he can't escape from, but there's no one in that match that I would like to see beat him at this point. Rhodes will be ready to be a world champ by the end of the year, but he's not yet. Nothing about Barrett screams world champ to me right now, either. I liked that match a lot before Henry and Orton were lost, but now it's all mid-carders, including the champion.

 

I'm looking forward to a detailed report from you on the live experience, PEM.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Sure thing, I'll do it first thing when I get home tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it. I've been to plenty of events, but not a PPV. Mainly because there's only been 3 ever at the Bradley Center.

[brettac1]

I haven't been to a WWE/F event since a house show in Green Bay in like 1990 and haven't seen an indy show since probably 2000. I watched the Wrestling Road Diaries doc the other night and it has me jonesing to see some live wrestling, and probably an indy show. Where's the hotbed in the state for some good stuff? I live near Wausau, and don't really know the best place to find a listing of upcoming shows.

[PrinceEatMeat]

This site basically shows every event there is on every day of the year. I've found it usually has stuff well before it is announced elsewhere. I'm not sure where to find one just for Wisconsin events, but I'll take a look. There's usually quite a few in the Milwaukee area, but I'm not sure about your area. http://prowrestlingevents.webs.com/

[brettac1]

How would you to feel if Kane/Cena goes on last? I am getting the feeling that it is. I would be thrilled if it did and you could see people headed for the exits during the match.

[radman12484]

I actually do see this match going on last with some kind of twist being in the match. However, after browsing Twitter one last time before I start to get ready for tonight. I noticed Christian sent a little post card on there saying "Love From Milwaukee" I think he returns tonight.

[brettac1]

I saw that, as well. That'd be a welcome return if they got Santino out of the match. I think they keep the belt on Bryan because of lack of alternatives, but I could see it going on Barrett for no real reason. If Christian is back, I'd love for it to be Sheamus/Christian at Mania. Christian is established enough that he can put Sheamus over strong without getting hurt by it. One problem is that he already lost two him at two straight PPV's at the end of last year, so he kind of already did that, though I admit I had to look it up to make sure I actually remembered it.

 

I'm definitely curious on your thoughts from tonight, too, radman!

[radman12484]

Well my thoughts for tonight are this: I am not too excited for this pay per view, due to the fact there are only 4 matches that are on the card for tonight. So that means we will more then likely get a HHH segment for 30 minutes tonight I believe. However, as for the matches that are going on. I do see Christian taking Santino's spot somehow or maybe just coming out and talking and leading to a match with Sheamus tonight just to give Sheamus a match. If Christian does take Santino's spot, I don't see him winning. This match will either be won by Bryan and the WWE taking a shot at Sheamus vs. Bryan at Mania for the belt or Barrett winning and stacking the odds against Sheamus to get him over for Barrett vs. Bryan vs. Sheamus. BUT, the one other possible thing they could do is, somehow get Orton into the World Title match at Mania and making it a Fatal 4 Way for the Belt Sheamus vs. Orton vs. Bryan vs. Barrett. Only cuz lack of "star" power there is on Smackdown.

 

WWE Title match, Punk or Jericho walk out champion. Don't see anyone else winning it. Cena beats Kane because it's the PPV for Wrestlemania and WWE isn't going to make Cena look weak going into it. Divas Match, Beth wins.

[brettac1]

Yeah, I think you are right across the board there. I prefer to keep the belt on Punk through this whole time so that he can be put over as really being the best in the world and for that to actually matter. I won't be upset if he loses, necessarily, but I would like to see him have a real run with the belt for a while instead of having it interrupted with a month of Jericho having it.

[PrinceEatMeat]

There's rumors going around of a major surprise tonight. Possible multiple surprises. I've seen The Rock mentioned as a possible surprise. Not gonna lie, if Rock shows up I'll be marking out big time. I'm a huge fan of him.

[brettac1]

I would be excited, but you would think that if they were having The Rock they would have advertised it to try and pop a buyrate.

 

Johnny Ace tweeted about something being a "Game changer" being announced tonight, so unless he's really bad at grammar, there's going to be some HHH crap. Maybe Taker will show up.

[Raw Biz]

Just curious as to who's going tonight and where everyone's sitting. I'll be almost all the way at the top but I'm pretty stoked since this will be my first wrestling event ever. Kinda sad it's taken me this long but it should be a good time.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I'm going, I'm sitting towards the top of the lower level, on the tv side. I'm psyched. First PPV I've ever been to. Although I've been to plenty Raws and Smackdowns before.

[brettac1]

Listening to Bryan Alvarez on Observer Live right now. He says he thinks a returning guy wins the Smackdown match.

[brettac1]

Very happy to see Punk win and the Jericho match still making sense. Then at Mania, Punk can go over strong.

[Raw Biz]

Thought the Smackdown chamber match was actually really good considering who was in it. The Big Show/Bryan pod break-in was pretty cool. It was really cool to see how nuts the crowd was going for Santino too. When he hit the cobra, I actually thought he had a chance to win for a second.

 

The Cena/Kane match was pretty much what was expected. I did like the whole Spanish announce table part. Overall, I thought the matches were all fun and entertaining but no story lines were really advanced, other than maybe Sheamus coming out to attack Bryan. I was really hoping for a Rock appearance at the end but knew it wouldn't happen. And the big Laurinaitis announcement was that he wants to be the GM of both Raw and Smackdown? Pretty weak.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Well, guys I'll give my live report now. Had an awesome time! Went home happy despite any results.

 

Got there before 6 and they weren't letting people in. Lines were ridiculously long. Took until almost 6:20 to get in. The place was completely full by the time the show started. Announced attendance was a sellout, over 15,000. Great crowd.

 

There was a dark match to start out Riley vs. Hunico. Most of the crowd wasn't in yet, so it was pretty dead. Hunico won. Then the crowd started filling in so it got pretty hyped in there when the show was about to start.

 

I think everyone was pretty shocked that the WWE Championship match went on first, but it also caused a lot of excitement. The crowd actually popped pretty hard when the lights went out and Jericho came out. He's still not really getting full heel heat at all. The crowd wasn't really completely against anyone during the match. Pretty mixed reactions for everyone, except Punk. Thought the match was fantastic, lots of good spots. The only part that was confusing was that Jericho got knocked out without being eliminated. Don't think a lot of people knew what was happening or if he was returning to the match. I guess it was a good way to not have him get pinned by Punk though, so it's fine with me. I was surprised they chose to leave Miz in until the end. Maybe he doesn't have as much heat as everyone thinks. The crowd obviously loved Punk winning. It was a good way to kick off the show all and all.

 

They showed a Santino video package of how he got the last spot and that got a good pop. Some Cena sucks, let's go Cena chants started as they showed his video package. The crowd was split down the middle on Cena tonight.

 

Next was the divas title match. A ton of people chose to get up and go to the bathroom, get food, etc. during this match. No one really cared at all. Crowd was completely dead. No one really got into Tamina at all. Crowd seemed more into Beth actually. Then she won and that was about it. Not much reaction, pretty lame. Match was decent though I guess. I didn't really care about it.

 

Next they showed the first of some pretty hilarious Santino training videos, which the crowd loved. They were clearly trying to push him for this match. I knew right then he wouldn't be replaced. They then showed Jericho still with doctors to further sell that angle. Then Johnny Ace came out for his big announcement, which wasn't a big announcement at all. He got pretty good heat. Del Rio got a good pop when he came out to endorse Laurinaitis for SD GM. Then Henry also came out and didn't get much reaction. Then Christian came out to a pretty big pop actually and also supported Johnny. I guess the announcement was actually the return of ADR and Christian and that JL was trying to get the SD gig too.

 

Next was another Santino segment, which again got a great pop. Then Show had a backstage interview, which was pointless. Then the SD chamber started. There was more heat on the heels in the intros. Khali got a pretty big pop, and Bryan actually got really good heat. Was kind of surprised that Show and Barrett were chosen to start, but I knew Bryan would enter last. This match may have topped the Raw Chamber in my opinion. Lots of good spots throughout, the crowd was pretty into it the whole way. Santino got a massive pop when he came in, and the crowd was with him all along. Show breaking into Bryan's chamber also got a huge pop. I thought that was awesome. Me and the guys around me called Khali getting eliminated in seconds, which was hilarious when it happened. I really didn't expect Show to go so fast either. The crowd really got behind Santino, especially when he got those pins he got massive pops. It was actually deafening when he was setting up Bryan for the Cobra at the end. A ton of people thought he would win at that point. I knew Bryan would win, but by the end I was loving Santino too. He is so over right now it's ridiculous. He actually needs a push. He's the most over face in the business right now honestly. Bryan got big heat for winning. Then Sheamus got a huge pop when he came out to attack him. I'm glad they're going with Bryan/Sheamus at Mania. Should be a great match.

 

They then did a backstage segment with Hornswoggle which was pretty funny. He took a jab at Vickie, which got a good pop. They then had Swagger/Gabriel for the US Title as the throw in match. The crowd really wasn't into it all, as expected. Swagger did get pretty big heat though throughout, and especially after he won. It was a decent match for a throw-in I guess.

 

They then aired the vignette for the Kane/Cena match. The Cena sucks/let's go Cena chants got going again. By this point my voice was almost gone so I really couldn't partake. The let's go Cena chants were very shrieky tonight. Lots of women and children as expected. Mixed reactions on both entrances. The crowd really wasn't into the match like I expected. Except for the big spots with the announce table and the AA off the ambulance. I thought those were great spots though. I expected Cena to win, so I wasn't that disappointed. It was a pretty good match. Could've had Kane put up more of a fight though I think. I would've loved to see Rock at the end to start up the road to Mania with Cena. Would've been a better way to end the show. Instead it was kind of lame with Cena celebrating. A lot of people seemed disappointed at the end.

 

All in all I had a great time, and thought the PPV was great. The chamber matches were both fantastic, so that made the show for me. The two throw aways didn't affect the show much, and the Cena/Kane match was good enough. The biggest surprise was the deafening pop Santino got, and how the entire crowd was 100% behind him. The biggest let down was no real surprises, and no Rock. I think we all expected something out of the ordinary to happen. Still it was the best show I've ever been to. Raw was announced for Milwaukee on August 27 as well, for anyone interesting. Time to go look at my pics to see if I got anything good. It was hard with the lighting and the chamber. I'm excited for Raw tomorrow.