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Post by BlackJackRobby on Dec 30, 2009 2:27:41 GMT -5
Bret Hart making his comeback to RAW!
Big tag-team match, and hype for another Orton vs. Kingston go round.
In two days this in my opinion has become one of the most hyped and can't hardly wait episodes of RAW in a very long time.
I wonder though because no talk of Bret coming back into the fold started before the Hogan signing in TNA (which Hogan says that he had a planned program in WWE) and a three hour live Impact on Monday is this the WWE's response?
If it is, then I for one am very happy to see they will still work hard to show who is #1 and don't like another dog in thier territory.
On the other hand it's like throwing a grenade at a crying baby, it's a little much when you would of beat them in the ratings happily no matter what.
Also who in your opinion if you agree with me would of hosted Raw if TNA did not have a show with Hogan airing directly against it.
My guess the cast members of Full House minus the Olson twins and Zack and Cody.
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Post by Nic Nemeth on Dec 30, 2009 2:36:17 GMT -5
I would lol if they had Zack and Cody beat Legacy
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Post by corndog on Dec 30, 2009 2:42:37 GMT -5
Well I am sure Bret didn't just agree overnight to do this Raw appearance. He has said for years that he wouldn't appear in a WWF/E ring again. Then a few months ago he said he wouldn't mind hosting Raw, but didn't want to work with Shawn Micheals, actually even be in the same arena with him. So far it seems like both are happening and I am sure it took more than a couple of weeks to figure it all out. I am sure it was already in the works, they just decided to put him on the Jan. 4th show instead of another week due to the circumstances. Besides I am sure Bret doesn't mind stealing the spotlight from the Hulkster since he was so willing to work with Bret in his days of competition. Also I don't have a problem with throwing a grenade at a crying baby as long as it is Hulk Hogan's and Vince Russo's love child.
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Paco
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Post by Paco on Dec 30, 2009 2:44:11 GMT -5
I think the Bret Hart stuff was already in motion. As in he was gonna come in from the beginning of 2010 till Mania.
But the DX-Jerishow & Kofi-Orton rematches both specifically on 1/4? Yeah, TNA.
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Dave at the Movies
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Post by Dave at the Movies on Dec 30, 2009 2:52:45 GMT -5
I think it is all in response. If people remember Bret Hart wasn't really talked about at all until after TNA announced their January 4 show.
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Tombi
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Post by Tombi on Dec 30, 2009 2:56:26 GMT -5
I want to believe it is, because it shows they're willing to amp up an average Raw in response to competition. However, with TNA on the level that is - there's just as much chance they want a big show to open up the new year. I hope Dixie gets a good rating and considers doing this again, as I'm quite pumped for Raw.
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Post by Cry Me a Wiggle on Dec 30, 2009 3:05:27 GMT -5
I don't think they actually think they're competition, but I think Vince wants to believe they are. Deep down he probably misses the Monday Night War.
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Post by Bang Bang Bart on Dec 30, 2009 3:27:03 GMT -5
I think it is all in response. If people remember Bret Hart wasn't really talked about at all until after TNA announced their January 4 show. Weren't people pencilling in The Rock as the guest host for the 1/4/10 RAW after TNA announced their show? Didn't the Bret stuff come after he was mentioned during the Slammys?
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Professor Chaos
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Post by Professor Chaos on Dec 30, 2009 3:33:43 GMT -5
I'm just thrilled if for 1 night only the Monday Night Wars are back! I'm gonna watch both on Tivo since I'll be at work, but still thrilled regardless that both companies are pulling out all the stops. Part of me thinks Hogan/Bischoff are trying to steal Bret for the night and pull the ultimate swerve. On one hand I'd be so pissed if it happened and missed out on Bret/Vince/HBK but that would be the thing that would put TNA on the map.
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Cranjis McBasketball☝🏻
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Post by Cranjis McBasketball☝🏻 on Dec 30, 2009 4:16:09 GMT -5
I want to believe it is, because it shows they're willing to amp up an average Raw in response to competition. However, with TNA on the level that is - there's just as much chance they want a big show to open up the new year. I hope Dixie gets a good rating and considers doing this again, as I'm quite pumped for Raw. Rumors are there is a two year deal with Spike TV to go head to head with Raw.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Dec 30, 2009 4:18:22 GMT -5
I want to believe it is, because it shows they're willing to amp up an average Raw in response to competition. However, with TNA on the level that is - there's just as much chance they want a big show to open up the new year. I hope Dixie gets a good rating and considers doing this again, as I'm quite pumped for Raw. Rumors are there is a two year deal with Spike TV to go head to head with Raw. If it goes well probably being the caveat there. I don't imagine they made such an offer based on current ratings without even testing this.
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Post by celticjobber on Dec 30, 2009 4:54:02 GMT -5
Bryan Alvarez from F4W mentioned Bret Hart possibly coming in around Wrestlemania on one of his radio shows back around September or October, so its been in the making for awhile.
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Mozenrath
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Post by Mozenrath on Dec 30, 2009 5:08:09 GMT -5
I would think a major reason is to "start the new year with a bang", but it's possible TNA plays a part in it. Not that it'd be "fear' as much as a matter of pride. Sort of a "sit back there, sonny boy, we'll show you how it's done in the big leagues".
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randomranter
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Post by randomranter on Dec 30, 2009 7:47:24 GMT -5
As I've said every time this subject comes up, it's VERY unlikely that TNA has played any role at all in Vince's booking decisions.
TNA is and will continue to be slaughtered by Raw in the rankings. A stacked TNA can barely beat Raw's D show. A bad Raw, on the other hand, still gets 3X+ the ratings of an episode of Impact.
TNA is full of a bunch of wrestlers that vince (a) has already fired, or (b) never wanted in the first place. If Vince really were 'scared' of TNA in any way, shape, or form, he'd just wave some money in front of their biggest stars when their contracts were up and every single one of them would come running like salivating dogs.
TNA has never shown the ability to move the ratings one bit. Sting, Foley, Angle, Booker T, etc. were all supposed to be the saviors of TNA, yet not one of them had any impact (no pun intended) on the ratings one bit. Hogan hasn't been relevant to wrestling in years, and is now more known for being a train wreck of a reality star. I doubt Vince is quivering in his boots.
Do you think Vince just picked up the phone and Bret just magically agreed to appear on Raw? Negotiations for this probably took weeks at best, and plans were probably in the works long before the 1/4 impact was announced, and possibly before Hogan even signed with TNA.
It's the first Raw of the year. Don't you think that Vince probably wants to start the year off with a big show (again, no pun) anyway to start the year off right? Every show hypes up their "Season premier". Every sport starts off their season with a bang. This is Vince's "Season Premier".
At the very best, Vince might manipulate the ordering of the matches to minimize the Hogan effect. But I very, very, very highly doubt he did anything special just because some second rate company is having a special on "his" night. Don't forget -- their biggest money draw (Cena) WON'T BE ON THE SHOW because he's doing another appearance. If TNA really made vince even remotely nervous, he'd pull Cena from that show without a moment's hesitation. He'd move Undertaker over for a 'special appearance'.
But I have yet to see any reason to believe that Vince is even remotely close to "nervous". TNA barely registers as a blip on his radar.
Also, don't forget: The IWC =/= the casual wrestling fan, 95% of which either couldn't care less about TNA or don't even know it exists.
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Post by Solid Stryk-Dizzle on Dec 30, 2009 7:50:26 GMT -5
First Raws of the year are usually stacked shows.
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Post by YellowJacketY2J on Dec 30, 2009 9:11:09 GMT -5
First Raws of the year are usually stacked shows. This is true. If I'm correct, this year's first Raw had Cena/Michaels in the main event.
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Post by brettappedout (BLM) on Dec 30, 2009 9:11:55 GMT -5
I would think a major reason is to "start the new year with a bang", but it's possible TNA plays a part in it. Not that it'd be "fear' as much as a matter of pride. Sort of a "sit back there, sonny boy, we'll show you how it's done in the big leagues". I agree with this.
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Post by Back to being Cenanuff on Dec 30, 2009 9:40:29 GMT -5
The way a lesser promotion like TNA gains notoriety for itself is by taking potshots at the top promotion. Be it through promos downing the top promotion, or by scheduling events during the other promotion's events, or by trying to go head to head with the larger promotion, TNA has done all of this. The WWE does what the top promotion usually does, and ignores the lesser promotion, until the lesser promotion takes the chance to go head to head. That's when the larger promotion flexes. They stack their show, and make it more interesting than the other show could possibly be, not because they're afraid, but because they want to put the other guy back in their place. Think of it as TNA has been buzzing around the head of the WWE for a long time. Jan 4th is when the WWE swats them.
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Post by Natalya's Ass Fanboy on Dec 30, 2009 9:45:44 GMT -5
WCW proved that you can beat the WWE by putting on a superior product. Vince McMahon knows that as well as anybody. Hopefully they actually improve the product, as Bret Hart isn't anywhere near big enough of a legend to bank on once his nostalgic appeal wears off.
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Post by xxshoyuweeniexx on Dec 30, 2009 9:49:54 GMT -5
Not really, they probably had Bret in the cards for months, long before TNA signed Hogan.
But if TNA decides to do ANOTHER live Monday Impact in 3 months on a random Monday, and The Rock just "happens" to host on Raw on that same Monday, then yeah they would be considered actual competition.
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