San Juan is not fond of Bianca Belair

[theironyuppie]

Thought the crowd reactions during the opening Bianca/Iyo match were fascinating. There's been moments where crowds have liked heels beating Bianca up (notably Alexa), but this is the first time there's been a match in this reign where the crowd was consistently and thoroughly more invested in her opponent, and felt deflated by the inevitable KOD and pin. I'm intrigued to see whether this remains a once-off (which it very well may), or how things play out going down the line.

[UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm]

I really don’t think it is because of Bianca herself that she got booed. I’m sure most of them definitely like IYO but even more than that, want a title change when they see it might be possible.

People like Bianca. She is EXTREMELY over. It’s probably just time to shake things up. You can’t have every title stay on the same people forever yknow?

[britishbulldog]

I agree with the crowd. There is nothing about her presentation I like.

[Desi]

Bianca handled it well. She didn't get rattled by it & came off slightly heelish naturally. She'll be fine.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Bianca got a big ovation coming out but crowd was clearly behind Iyo

This was big for Iyo as she clearly had Bianca number the whole match and don't need Bayley and Kai holding her back

[Bang Bang Bart]

maybe some adversity like the wear and tear of being a long-reigning champion and everyone gunning for you starting to catch up with her and Bianca's title defenses actually get more dramatic in that there'll always be a strong possibility that maybe, just maybe, her next match will be her last as a champ.

[Jindrak Mark]

I like Bianca but I loved seeing IYO get that reaction. It was a hell of a match. Hopefully IYO is out of Damage CTRL within the next month and she wins MITB.

I'd have Bianca make a farewell promo on Raw tomorrow and be interrupted and goaded into a title match by Trish who wins because Bianca as champ through to Summerslam or longer is going to be a tough sell with the opponents available to her on Smackdown. She's already feuded with them all except Charlotte.

It's weird how over she was last night on Smackdown with deafening EST chants and IYO/Damage CTRL didn't get much reaction then tonight it completely flipped. I would have thought 90% of the fans there would have attended both shows so not sure why such a big difference. I think they just realized what a big moment this match was for IYO and she delivered.

[theironyuppie]

May 6, 2023 22:27:00 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Bianca got a big ovation coming out but crowd was clearly behind Iyo

This was big for Iyo as she clearly had Bianca number the whole match and don't need Bayley and Kai holding her back

It was a dramatic contrast to their Raw matches last year, which was appreciated. Bianca's arm selling was inconsistent but Iyo got way more shine than those two matches combined.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

May 6, 2023 22:32:17 GMT -5 theironyuppie said:

May 6, 2023 22:27:00 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Bianca got a big ovation coming out but crowd was clearly behind Iyo

This was big for Iyo as she clearly had Bianca number the whole match and don't need Bayley and Kai holding her back

It was a dramatic contrast to their Raw matches last year, which was appreciated. Bianca's arm selling was inconsistent but Iyo got way more shine than those two matches combined.

It was probably the closest match Bianca has had in a good min where it was a good back and forth but Iyo really controlled her most of the match and not even in a heelish way but in a I was better then you tonight way 

Think this def sets up Iyo for MITB and be interesting to see what happens with Bianca. Would not be surprised if double turn happens once she drops the title. Tho as I have said before I can see her getting same treatment like Rhea where she doesn't wrestle as often and they finally put her and Ford together assuming SP got their own ways at some point 

[gl83]

May 6, 2023 22:27:00 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Bianca got a big ovation coming out but crowd was clearly behind Iyo

This was big for Iyo as she clearly had Bianca number the whole match and don't need Bayley and Kai holding her back

An interesting thing about the ending of the match was the panicked and pleading look on Dakota's face as she and Bayley were walking out(glancing between IYO in the ring and Bayley)


That pretty much told the whole story right there. IYO told them to stay in the back and that she can handle Bianca on her own; Meanwhile, Bayley disobeyed IYO's wishes and intervened anyway; all the while Dakota tried(and failed) to talk Bayley out of doing this.


And in the end it was Bayley who screwed everything all up for IYO.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

May 6, 2023 22:39:15 GMT -5 gl83 said:

May 6, 2023 22:27:00 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Bianca got a big ovation coming out but crowd was clearly behind Iyo

This was big for Iyo as she clearly had Bianca number the whole match and don't need Bayley and Kai holding her back

An interesting thing about the ending of the match was the panicked and pleading look on Dakota's face as she and Bayley were walking out(glancing between IYO in the ring and Bayley)


That pretty much told the whole story right there. IYO told them to stay in the back and that she can handle Bianca on her own; Meanwhile, Bayley disobeyed IYO's wishes and intervened anyway; all the while Dakota tried(and failed) to talk Bayley out of doing this.


And in the end it was Bayley who screwed everything all up for IYO.

It adds further intrigue now 

Iyo has some built in stuff to do against Kai and Bayley to keep her busy for a while, while they build up a new top babyface. Can see Asuka helping her along the way 

SD is top face heavy so this looked like Iyo preemptive face turn based upon way she wrestled and now will be interesting to see who they turn heel in the process

[ghost]

Surprised it took this long. I've said many times HHH (2002-beyond) is the worst wrestling character of all time because he was a heel that rarely showed weakness and a babyface that never showed vulnerability. Bianca is basically 2006-12 babyface HHH except without the years of equity with the audience. It was bound to happen but let's see if it carries over to other crowds. 

[Carefree Beach Life Gritizen]

Bianca needed that match as much as Iyo. Her last truly great title defense was against Becky at SummerSlam. Now please give her something interesting to do on TV and put some thought into her storylines.

[asuka007]

Bianca not only barely loses, but she almost never suffers any adversity at all. She is the most OP character in WWE. Yes even above Roman because Roman at least has to cheat/get interference to help him win.

[theironyuppie]

May 6, 2023 22:36:00 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

May 6, 2023 22:32:17 GMT -5 theironyuppie said:

It was a dramatic contrast to their Raw matches last year, which was appreciated. Bianca's arm selling was inconsistent but Iyo got way more shine than those two matches combined.

It was probably the closest match Bianca has had in a good min where it was a good back and forth but Iyo really controlled her most of the match and not even in a heelish way but in a I was better then you tonight way 

Think this def sets up Iyo for MITB and be interesting to see what happens with Bianca. Would not be surprised if double turn happens once she drops the title. Tho as I have said before I can see her getting same treatment like Rhea where she doesn't wrestle as often and they finally put her and Ford together assuming SP got their own ways at some point 

It was a contrast even to Mania, which was a power-vs-submissions match which was fine but didn't work story-wise because Asuka never got to lock anything in.

[asuka007]

Iyo needs to be champion this year. You here me Triple H?

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

I'm still dreading this ending in a god damn belt exchange that just devalues both titles again and makes shit seem pointless. Kinda wish Iyo just won here.

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

May 6, 2023 22:43:10 GMT -5 ghost said:

Surprised it took this long. I've said many times HHH (2002-beyond) is the worst wrestling character of all time because he was a heel that rarely showed weakness and a babyface that never showed vulnerability. Bianca is basically 2006-12 babyface HHH except without the years of equity with the audience. It was bound to happen but let's see if it carries over to other crowds. 

This would read a lot less hollow if the fanbase didn’t break into a nervous sweat whenever a babyface shows weakness and vulnerability.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

May 6, 2023 23:02:02 GMT -5 EoE: Well There's Your Problem said:

May 6, 2023 22:43:10 GMT -5 ghost said:

Surprised it took this long. I've said many times HHH (2002-beyond) is the worst wrestling character of all time because he was a heel that rarely showed weakness and a babyface that never showed vulnerability. Bianca is basically 2006-12 babyface HHH except without the years of equity with the audience. It was bound to happen but let's see if it carries over to other crowds. 

This would read a lot less hollow if the fanbase didn’t break into a nervous sweat whenever a babyface shows weakness and vulnerability.

They hate 50/50 booking, hate strong babyfaces and if you lose you are a bitch 

[mistery]

Yeah. At this point I would have Iyo win the MITB case, and successfully cash in on whoever wins between Charlotte and Bianca at Summerslam this year (assuming that's the planned big match on the Smackdown Women's Division side of things).

Anyways, with Bianca getting a negative reaction tonight, we'll have to wait and see if it carries over to other cities, but now that San Juan has shown its perfectly okay to boo her, the odds are higher than ever. I think the only city where its pretty much a lock that she won't get booed is in Knoxville, which is her hometown. Smackdown will be there in a couple of weeks.