Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Apr 3, 2023 11:59:55 GMT -5
Note I would have booked Cody to win, but the business case for Roman will be that in the past 6-8 months, what matches have gotten the most hype/anticipation heat? Roman vs Drew and then vs Sami and then Cody. I figure that they think they can milk one (or even more) of those matches, which will make them more money than Cody vs anyone. I believe they are pushing their luck though but we will see.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Apr 3, 2023 11:53:16 GMT -5
Doesn't feel so good, does it? I always try to comment on posts and not the poster, so I’m not sure what the deal is with that? If me expressing opinions on WWE in a positive light is detracting from everyone’s experience so much then I’ll scale it back. (And I said I would’ve booked Cody to win!) I will just say, I do think it's unfair for you to get piled on for having a different opinion about a relatively subjective experience of watching wrestling. There are very few "facts" about enjoying wrestling so hopefully, you keep posting your thoughts and don't get discouraged. Of course, racism/discrimination/misogyny should be punished but being positive about WWE or having a more optimistic mindset isn't something that needs dogpiling on. And this is coming from someone who would have booked Asuka/Cody to win last night. But it ain't the end of the world either way. Plenty of Roman Reigns fans who are very happy their guy won so shrug.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Apr 2, 2023 21:49:16 GMT -5
Both ASUKA and Bianca are Triple H girls but Bianca's the one they've seen more value in long before this feud. It's why she was pushed so hard in NXT when she was greener than a can of AMP. Which is fine that they see star power with her but it's killing the RAW side. f***ing hell, they see tons of value in Charlotte and are willing to let her lose. It's baffling. I hope I don't come off as racially insensitive for this, but Bianca is also a minority. A very important one in America. WWE is going to push her super hard to appeal to that demographic. Everyone else be damned. Yes, Asuka is also a minority (Asian) but she is part of a racial group WWE really doesn't care about or interested in marketing to. People really should be calling WWE out for this garbage, but they don't really care either. Because I don't think its a coincidence that Asuka lost tonight, Iyo lost last night, Sareee left the company after being saddled with a borderline racist schoolgirl gimmick, Xia Li has "kung fu fighter", and Wendy Choo has the "sleepy character" look, which some people see as culturally insensitive with how Asians look. While it's nowhere near as blatant as the old days (Kaintai, Kung-Funaki, etc), it's still really goddamn questionable. Yes I think it's quite insensitive to say (directly or indirectly) that Bianca is only pushed because she is a black women.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Jan 30, 2023 0:13:18 GMT -5
I will be cool with Sami winning the belts of Roman but, oddly, I see arguments elsewhere that act like Cody Rhodes is 2014 Batista (post rumble return) regarding his overness. Cody is extremely over and a megastar. I don't think this is a decision of right or wrong decision as there are strong arguments for either Sami or Cody. No need to downplay Cody to highlight how good of a job Sami is doing.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Jan 6, 2023 21:19:40 GMT -5
Steveweiser! That's the name of the guy who got banned after getting harassment allegations during Speaking Out. Yep. He had a weird obsession with Mickie James and I think was responsible was most of those women pic and gif thread. I remember a couple times of him hinting that he knew the shoot name and address of a couple female wrestler. Looking back, it wasn't surprising that he was ousted as a creep. It's very easy post-allegation to say oh I always felt a bit weird about someone, but something seemed a bit off in my interactions with them. I hate to paint a broad brush but they felt a little bit too invested in women wrestling that at the very least raised my eyebrow. I wasn't expecting what was alleged of course but it just felt off a bit if that makes sense.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Jan 6, 2023 21:08:55 GMT -5
Someone can remind me of their username, but there was an account that said they were female (with a David Arquette profile pic if that helps) who was revealed to be a dude who was sort of famous. They just used this account to talk about how great they are but under disguise with this burner.
Writing this out makes it sounds like I am on hard drugs.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Dec 14, 2022 14:51:28 GMT -5
The WWE is of course not consistent, they are like almost every company and person in the world. HBK could get away with being a jerk in the mid-90s because he was great, Giant Gonzalez probably did not have the same leeway.
Would I have fired her? Probably not but just because it's not illegal doesn't mean everything should be good to go. Especially if WWE has given her a heads-up that they weren't thrilled with her content. Not listening to your bosses and doubling down on it is probably not a great idea. But she seems to have a strong safety net so oh well.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 13, 2022 17:07:53 GMT -5
The lack of a good choice to fill the leader role is I think is definitely a reason why this group isn't clicking. Bayley you think would seem like a no brainer as she has the most name value and star power but doesn't have that commanding presence and comes off as forced. Iyo has the most physical charisma of the three but her limitations on the mic would make her a bad choice as well for that role. Dakota is the best talker but is the least accomplished and has the least star power so Bayley and Iyo taking orders from her wouldn't make sense. Honestly I think they should have Bayley get kicked out and go face with the other two remaining together as a duo after Wargames which I'm guessing they are going to be part of. Bayley already lost to Bianca and I'm guessing is probably losing to her again at Crown Jewel as well so it's not like there is going to be anything useful for her to anyways. Yea it's tough With Bayley cause she is good, but it's not like we are seeing anything new from her. We have seen her heel, we have seen her in the main event and we have seen her in this character. So there is a lack of uniqueness that can spark interest. In addition, she is maybe the 5th most important woman on the roster (behind Bianca/Becky/Ronda/Flair) which makes the group feel less important overall. I don't know if kicking Bayley is the answer, but not everyone can be a convincing leader of the main event stable. So no knock against Bayley. She is probably better suited if she had a stable that's sole purpose was to be her lackey and help her win the title.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 12, 2022 20:43:23 GMT -5
Idk, I don't think it's unreasonable for Ariel to want something from this interview that will get him clicks/interest on social media. And if Tony doesn't want to answer any of those questions (which is his right) there are plenty of avenues where he can promote his product.
I guess I understand why Helwani can be upset about it but also Tony can say whatever he wants.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 12, 2022 20:23:39 GMT -5
Helwani does what most sports radio do after they think a guest was an awful interview, they trash them for like an hour afterwards. That is the game of doing interviews, it's not like TK signed up for this out of pity or charity.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 11, 2022 21:18:09 GMT -5
I don't see an issue with the EST gimmick being for a babyface. It may not be for some people here, but a lot of people dig a babyface who backs up what they say. Especially if it's someone who is very relatable to a population that has historically not been given dominant heroes in popular media compared to other groups.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 11, 2022 21:09:33 GMT -5
I think they still have some heat. The booking just makes it seem that Hunter over the last 2-3 weeks had a change of heart on Bayley.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 11, 2022 7:51:25 GMT -5
This booking seems more of an indictment that Bayley isn't cut out to be a stable leader for a main event heel group. She doesn't have the star presence that someone like Roman or Gunther has, which makes it feel important when the group is on TV.
This is fine as not everyone is cut-out to be a stable leader, but I can see why Hunter has cooled off on them. For example, I can see heel Becky/Sasha/Asuka/Bianca leading a stable-like damage ctrl and making it feel like a big deal. I believe Bayley is fine as a single-star main eventer or if she was in charge of a jobber stable that is only there to take losses for her.
Of course, a lot of this could be mitigated if this group felt like best friends like the Riott Squad or Sheamus's current group. Also didn't help that Bayley came out with a pouty face before the match which doesn't exactly scream main event heel threat :/.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 9, 2022 17:52:14 GMT -5
Yea also if you assumed a 6-8 year career in the WWE, there will of course have to be some down periods where wrestlers will be cooled off or be in a filler feud. It's the nature of the cycle unless you are the top superstar or you take extended vacations when you aren't in the title picture.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 9, 2022 15:37:22 GMT -5
If you ask the majority of women in WWE (including NXT) I am sure over 80% of them will happily swap with Iyo right now. This woe is me is weird because it feels like it's been set up that Iyo is a hall of fame talent in a division of developmental talent which is unfair to both Iyo and the other women's talent.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 9, 2022 10:04:01 GMT -5
I haven't posted on this forum in like a year but from my experience, it does boil down to the ideology I want the people I like to win. Whether TV ratings/live reactions/merch/Youtube Numbers/Meltzer star ratings etc matter to an argument depends only if it supports my favorites winning. And that goes back to when I started on this forum, so it's not a recent thing. Though that is perfectly fine and ok as wrestling fandom by nature is subjective. It's just I prefer people to say I want X to win over Y because I like them more, rather than some weird disjointed argument. If people want Bianca/Roman to lose the belt because they don't find their reigns enjoyable that is completely understandable. What I don't get is trying to spread your views onto the majority and claim that the live fans are starting to turn on them when I don't see consistent evidence of that. That to me is a bit weird, but that is my 2 cents. I am not trying to flame anyone on the board but rather some observation. Regarding damage ctrl, I still vividly remember people saying Seth Rollins was done as a main eventer cause he lost to Roman on a random raw. So to run an obituary on their singles career when I am sure almost every top star in the WWE has been given one by someone on this forum seems premature. Seth at least had the benefit of being firmly established as a major player and could thus shake off any damage caused by bad booking that comes his way. With Damage Ctrl, IYO and Dakota are still new. They are the ones that need the protective booking at this early stage. I don't know, I think people give way too much credit to the average WWE fan's long-term memory regarding match results. If Dakota and Iyo are as talented as people say, then when they are booked better, fans will react positively. I have strong doubts that in 9 months, if Iyo is facing Asuka in a number 1 contender's match or something, the fans in the audience will go "well I saw what happened in extreme rules, I am going to sit on my hands this match". Now I don't know whether they will be booked better, but if they are main event-level talents, they will get fans to react when given the spotlight regardless of this past booking. I mean Butch lost to Drew McIntyre in under 2 minutes 3 months ago, and yet no one brings that up anymore. And if damage ctrl are just mid-level talents, then who cares if Bianca beats them? There are plenty of potential mid-card talent women on the roster anyways so being canon fodder for the champ isn't the worst.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Oct 8, 2022 23:32:25 GMT -5
But the crowd cheered Bianca guys! Everything is fine. Because the crowd cheered. OK, we can’t start going “The live crowd doesn’t count” after we spend literally YEARS going “Listen to live crowds”. Just admit you (not specifically YOU) want your favourites to win, instead of this facade of altruism where we’re like “I want this for everyone”. It’ll save a lot of headaches. I haven't posted on this forum in like a year but from my experience, it does boil down to the ideology I want the people I like to win. Whether TV ratings/live reactions/merch/Youtube Numbers/Meltzer star ratings etc matter to an argument depends only if it supports my favorites winning. And that goes back to when I started on this forum, so it's not a recent thing. Though that is perfectly fine and ok as wrestling fandom by nature is subjective. It's just I prefer people to say I want X to win over Y because I like them more, rather than some weird disjointed argument. If people want Bianca/Roman to lose the belt because they don't find their reigns enjoyable that is completely understandable. What I don't get is trying to spread your views onto the majority and claim that the live fans are starting to turn on them when I don't see consistent evidence of that. That to me is a bit weird, but that is my 2 cents. I am not trying to flame anyone on the board but rather some observation. Regarding damage ctrl, I still vividly remember people saying Seth Rollins was done as a main eventer cause he lost to Roman on a random raw. So to run an obituary on their singles career when I am sure almost every top star in the WWE has been given one by someone on this forum seems premature.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Jan 16, 2021 22:31:06 GMT -5
Mankind held the title for a week or two, Bryan got injured and had to vacate and Eddie’s reign lead to record low ratings/attendances at the time and he couldn’t take the pressure. A great title win is a great title win even if the overall reign is disappointing. Getting squashed by Brock 6 months later doesn’t take away how special his Wrestlemania moment was for me. Yea Eddie losing the title in the semi main event to Bradshaw on an awful PPV hasn't diminished people's view of his title win so I don't really get the argument that his WM moment was ruined.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Dec 22, 2020 14:57:25 GMT -5
I miss the days of John Cena "overcoming the odds" because I found a lot of joy in how WWE kept trying to one-up themselves in stacking odds for Cena to overcome in the end.
|
|
Sparkybob
King Koopa
I have a status?
Posts: 10,990
|
Post by Sparkybob on Nov 13, 2020 22:45:33 GMT -5
Idk I don't think the appeal of working for the WWE for lesser-known talent will go away. WWE is still a great way to get your name out there and sets you up if you do leave to make money on twitch/whatever.
|
|