|
Post by Lizuka #BLM on Apr 5, 2024 17:03:11 GMT -5
Except he did that last year. He recognized the threat of the Bloodline, rehabbed Sami and KO's friendship so they would back him up, got help from them... And it meant jack shit. It was still 4 on 3. Roman, Solo, and the USOs vs Cody, KO, and Sami. This year Cody has Jey, Seth, possibly Cena, possibly Austin and maybe others that were screwed over by the Bloodline in the past while Roman has The Rock, Jimmy, Solo, and maybe Drew on his side. I mean going into it on paper it is still 4 on 3. Roman replaced Jey with Rock and Cody replaced Sami and KO with Jey and Seth. The dynamic hasn't shifted.
|
|
|
Post by government mule on Apr 5, 2024 17:03:12 GMT -5
I still have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that the biggest babyface in the entire industry is STARDUST
I wanted it to happen last year and my British pessimism assumed it would not, which was correct. I still don't fully trust HHH's massive boner for 80's NWA heel title runs so I'm going to vote no, but will be happy to be proved wrong.
|
|
|
Post by Lizuka #BLM on Apr 5, 2024 17:08:13 GMT -5
Question for people - how does your perspective on this shift if Cody and Seth win the tag match? Seems like it'd be utterly insane for them to but say they do, does that change your opinion?
Because honestly while at the moment intellectually Cody makes more sense to win even if my gut's saying he doesn't, but if night two is no Bloodline I think he's completely doomed. No chance they wouldn't just do Tama Tonga or something in that scenario and they'd definitely want to have Heyman there when Roman loses to react to it.
|
|
|
Post by eJm on Apr 5, 2024 17:09:16 GMT -5
It was still 4 on 3. Roman, Solo, and the USOs vs Cody, KO, and Sami. This year Cody has Jey, Seth, possibly Cena, possibly Austin and maybe others that were screwed over by the Bloodline in the past while Roman has The Rock, Jimmy, Solo, and maybe Drew on his side. I mean going into it on paper it is still 4 on 3. Roman replaced Jey with Rock and Cody replaced Sami and KO with Jey and Seth. The dynamic hasn't shifted. Yeah, nothing is that different. The rest is speculation. I could counter that by saying “Well, Cody could have had KO, Sami, Drew, Orton, a NXT guy under the name “Daniel Bryan”, Edge, the 2000 Portland Trailblazers side, the odds would have been even!”
|
|
|
Post by The Rick Jericho on Apr 5, 2024 17:11:26 GMT -5
We're heading into Wrestlemania weekend with 78% so far in favor of Cody.
So that's a sign at least enough of us here believe Cody will finally do it.
|
|
|
Post by Jindrak Mark on Apr 5, 2024 17:18:24 GMT -5
To me, WWE got very lucky that Rhodes doing at WM39 DIDN’T do any tangible damage to WWE or Rhodes. Goodness knows WWE have sold fans down the river before like this heaps of times, so what made this instance different? The fact that Rhodes has been kept pretty strong regardless? People just like the act that much? I think it's less to do with Cody specifically and more the show as a whole. Even if people loved Cody if they thought the show around him sucked the ratings/tickets wouldn't have held up like they did. I think it's a lot to do with since HHH took over he's generally done a better job of making non-big 3 PPVs feel important compared to Vince's final years when you could skip 90% of them. So even if you didn't like the end of Mania you might still have been looking forward to Backlash. I know for me my pattern for a decade or so was usually to tune in for Rumble-Mania season then usually dip out for a bit and only watch maybe Summerslam. Last year though Backlash looked good so I stuck around. Then same for NoC and MITB. So by the time Summerslam came around I wasn't returning from a break, I had stayed watching. In comparison if you were depressed by the ending of say Wrestlemania 34 what was there then to look forward to? A Roman v Jinder feud and AJ and Nakamura trading nut shots? It was easy to just tune out because there was nothing big on the horizon. Last year though Roman-Jey and Cody-Brock after Mania actually drew better on TV than the Mania season feuds with Roman-Sami and Roman-Cody which was almost unheard of. These international shows definitely help too. They finally genuinely feel like a worldwide company. Mania hasn't happened yet but I'm already looking forward to the atmospheres for Backlash in France, CatC in Scotland, Bash in Berlin and hope they keep doing multiple PPVs like this every year from now on. I remember being underwhelmed when they had Payback and Fastlane in regular old US arenas lol after being spoiled with a year of mostly big stadium shows or fresh international settings.
|
|
|
Post by Lizuka #BLM on Apr 5, 2024 17:23:39 GMT -5
|
|
Chiral
Salacious Crumb
Posts: 74,014
|
Post by Chiral on Apr 5, 2024 17:28:44 GMT -5
Question for people - how does your perspective on this shift if Cody and Seth win the tag match? Seems like it'd be utterly insane for them to but say they do, does that change your opinion? Because honestly while at the moment intellectually Cody makes more sense to win even if my gut's saying he doesn't, but if night two is no Bloodline I think he's completely doomed. No chance they wouldn't just do Tama Tonga or something in that scenario and they'd definitely want to have Heyman there when Roman loses to react to it. If Cody and Seth win the tag match that feels like HHH going "here's your consolation win" to try and soften the blow of Cody bottling it again. This would also continue the trend of WM Night 1 ending on a triumphant happy note and Night 2 ending on a downer note where Roman wins.
|
|
|
Post by Cyno on Apr 5, 2024 17:31:27 GMT -5
One of the really smart strategies of the post-Vince era has been to put more secondary PPV's outside of the contiguous United States. Like Backlash 2024's atmosphere in Puerto Rico was white hot and that contributed a lot to how good that show was. Same with going to truly international destinations like the UK, Australia, and soon France and Germany. These are untapped audiences getting a big WWE event as opposed to the glorified house shows of previous international tours.
|
|
|
Post by The Rick Jericho on Apr 5, 2024 17:32:00 GMT -5
Damn, that loss was so bad last year, I didn't even remember starting the poll last year. Interesting how it hasn't swung in either direction form last years percentage.
|
|
Gus Richlen Was Wrong
Patti Mayonnaise
Metal Maestro: Co-winner of the FAN Idol Throwdown!
Fun while it lasted
Posts: 38,578
|
Post by Gus Richlen Was Wrong on Apr 5, 2024 17:34:50 GMT -5
Damn, that loss was so bad last year, I didn't even remember starting the poll last year. Interesting how it hasn't swung in either direction form last years percentage. I think for most here there's a stronger feeling than last year that Cody wins just based on the last few weeks. I disagree personally but if being wrong means Dwayne doesn't put everything in yet another holding pattern where he overshadows everything again then I will be happy if I end up being wrong.
|
|
|
Post by Jindrak Mark on Apr 5, 2024 17:49:28 GMT -5
Question for people - how does your perspective on this shift if Cody and Seth win the tag match? Seems like it'd be utterly insane for them to but say they do, does that change your opinion? Because honestly while at the moment intellectually Cody makes more sense to win even if my gut's saying he doesn't, but if night two is no Bloodline I think he's completely doomed. No chance they wouldn't just do Tama Tonga or something in that scenario and they'd definitely want to have Heyman there when Roman loses to react to it. It would be the most shocked I've been by a Mania result since the streak ending. And not really in a good way because I've gotten myself hyped for a crazy overbooked Backlash 2000 ending and the faces winning night 1 and night 2 being a regular no shenanigans match would feel a bit disappointing at this point.
|
|
Fade
Patti Mayonnaise
Posts: 38,296
|
Post by Fade on Apr 5, 2024 17:59:55 GMT -5
I was devastated last year. Whether intentional or through happenstance, it was 100% the right call. I don’t see how anyone who can acknowledge the fervor atm, cannot acknowledge that,
|
|
|
Post by Urn Anderson on Apr 5, 2024 18:07:11 GMT -5
If he doesn’t, this company is hopeless and actively antagonizing the fans.
|
|
UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Sponsorisé par St. Michel Choco Chip Madeleines/NyonsOlive Tapenade Noir/Pâté de Campagne/Cigarettes
Posts: 15,566
|
Post by UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm on Apr 5, 2024 18:09:04 GMT -5
man this place is gonna be a nervous wreck this whole weekend huh lol
|
|
|
Post by eJm on Apr 5, 2024 18:11:10 GMT -5
I was devastated last year. Whether intentional or through happenstance, it was 100% the right call. I don’t see how anyone who can acknowledge the fervor atm, cannot acknowledge that, I mean, nobody’s really given a strong counterpoint to why it was outside of “they made more money” which, again, they were likely going to make more money anyway if Cody was champion or not. A couple of hot months doesn’t really counter that.
|
|
|
Post by 01010010 01101001 01100011 on Apr 5, 2024 18:15:05 GMT -5
Yes but as he cerebrates Rhea blasts Brandi, Pharaoh chases after Dom, and Priest cashes in MITB for the title.
|
|
Fade
Patti Mayonnaise
Posts: 38,296
|
Post by Fade on Apr 5, 2024 18:20:16 GMT -5
I was devastated last year. Whether intentional or through happenstance, it was 100% the right call. I don’t see how anyone who can acknowledge the fervor atm, cannot acknowledge that, I mean, nobody’s really given a strong counterpoint to why it was outside of “they made more money” which, again, they were likely going to make more money anyway if Cody was champion or not. A couple of hot months doesn’t really counter that. The money, the hotness of the product. The influx of talent which leads to a hotter state of the company and Codys character in general and his story. Several have brought that up. How many “finish what story? There is no story” comments were there against Cody last year. The fervor and the amount fans want it is twice fold. I specifically remember Roman looking better than Cody in those last promos and throughout the build to last years match and I say that as an unabashed Cody mark. If the amount people wanted it late year was 8, now it’s at a 20 or 30. The Rock and all the eyes he brings is a huge component as well. Story’s been incredible. I also don’t get the “ignore the money or financial success” sentiment, like what? What are we doing here? That’s the name of the game. Of any business.
|
|
|
Post by Jindrak Mark on Apr 5, 2024 18:20:47 GMT -5
I was devastated last year. Whether intentional or through happenstance, it was 100% the right call. I don’t see how anyone who can acknowledge the fervor atm, cannot acknowledge that, I think for Cody's legacy/starpower it worked out better. If he won last year I don't think he's as hot for Wrestlemania 40 as he is now. He'd be one of the top stars and have a high profile match sure but I don't think he's winning another Rumble, main eventing both nights of Mania and getting all the notoriety of being cheered over Rock. If he wins on Sunday it's an even more iconic moment than doing it last year. If you put me back to last April though with no knowledge of what's to come I'd still be disappointed in that moment. There was no guarantee it would all work out. What if Cody got injured at some point and missed this Mania? What if his crowd reactions/drawing power took a hit then by the time he did win the title he'd lost a ton of momentum? I can't remember my exact words without looking it up but I remember posting last year immediately after the finish something like "they had one of the greatest moments in wrestling history literally seconds away and they f***ed it up and they'll never get it back." Those were my genuine feelings in the moment. I really didn't think Cody would get an equal much less bigger moment but he has. If he was to lose on Sunday I'd probably post the exact same thing I posted last year only this time I really doubt I'd be wrong about him losing momentum this time. They stumbled onto an amazing set of circumstances that's worked out perfectly for him but I don't think he manages to get another bigger moment next time if he loses again. I think this is do or die. We're 48 hours away from either one of the greatest moments of all-time or what I think would be one of the worst decisions of all time if he loses.
|
|
Fade
Patti Mayonnaise
Posts: 38,296
|
Post by Fade on Apr 5, 2024 18:24:11 GMT -5
I was devastated last year. Whether intentional or through happenstance, it was 100% the right call. I don’t see how anyone who can acknowledge the fervor atm, cannot acknowledge that, I think for Cody's legacy/starpower it worked out better. If he won last year I don't think he's as hot for Wrestlemania 40 as he is now. He'd be one of the top stars and have a high profile match sure but I don't think he's winning another Rumble, main eventing both nights of Mania and getting all the notoriety of being cheered over Rock. If he wins on Sunday it's an even more iconic moment than doing it last year. If you put me back to last April though with no knowledge of what's to come I'd still be disappointed in that moment. There was no guarantee it would all work out. What if Cody got injured at some point and missed this Mania? What if his crowd reactions/drawing power took a hit then by the time he did win the title he'd lost a ton of momentum? I can't remember my exact words without looking it up but I remember posting last year immediately after the finish something like "they had one of the greatest moments in wrestling history literally seconds away and they f***ed it up and they'll never get it back." Those were my genuine feelings in the moment. I really didn't think Cody would get an equal much less bigger moment but he has. If he was to lose on Sunday I'd probably post the exact same thing I posted last year only this time I really doubt I'd be wrong about him losing momentum this time. They stumbled onto an amazing set of circumstances that's worked out perfectly for him but I don't think he manages to get another bigger moment next time if he loses again. I think this is do or die. We're 48 hours away from either one of the greatest moments of all-time or what I think would be one of the worst decisions of all time if he loses. Yeah, the injury bit is a good point. Which to me, just builds Cody up even more. He worked his f***ing ass off. Especially the last year. Which just ironically has increased his reputation, fan following etc., I agree it feels do or die. I was listening to a certain old podcaster that’s banned around here and even he seem flummoxed at the possibility of Cody not winning this weekend. Not “wrapping things up already”.
|
|