Fightful Select: Notes on news coming out of Royal Rumble

[gl83]

-Extras and backups such as Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Apollo Crews, R-Truth, and more also did media work

-NXT talent that worked Kansas City before Smackdown were not brought to St. Louis and some of them were told that they probably wouldn't be used. No reason was given as to why

-SRS confirmed Ringside News report about Shane McMahon

-Those close to Riddle said that they were not told that he was winning the Rumble. Longtime talent and names claim that Riddle wasn't winning and that Brock Lesnar was slated to win at least two weeks prior

-Fit Finlay was brought in to replace Tyson Kidd. One woman talent passed on the Rumble because Tyson wasn't producing.

-Some talent felt frustrated that on-screen pairing in teams/feuds were not paid off

-Asuka and Kairi were discussed internally for the Rumble but WWE felt that Asuka wasn't physically ready and that it was easier to bring in other talent than Kairi Sane

-Drew McIntyre's appearance was kept quiet and he's still not 100 percent recovered


www.patreon.com/posts/major-royal-news-61973846

[Deleted]

That NXT bit is further damning and they were not given a reason as to why and this has to especially suck for Io considering she apparently was the only NXT woman who was backstage at the rumble.

Been saying it since then time for her to start considering her exit strategy.

[eJm]

Feb 1, 2022 17:02:55 GMT -5 gl83 said:

-Some talent felt frustrated that on-screen pairing in teams/feuds were not paid off

This sort of goes into the discussion we had about morale in how talent aren’t as concerned about who gets to be the top dog as much as having things to do.

Like, even if we believe Rey rejected having tension between him and his son for example, why did they tease it for weeks on TV? Why imply that it could happen if they were both in the ring together? Why have that overt thing on TV if it wasn’t going to happen in the match itself? What’s the reward if you’re a consistent viewer of the show? Dominick getting killed by the giant and Rey not having much of a presence himself. That’s what you get, I guess.

It came off like some of the stuff on TV and the confrontations, besides a handful, actually happened and I can see how you can feel like whatever creative gives to you is a waste of time when it’ll be overshadowed by the one big narrative.

[asuka007]

There weren’t a ton of established stories going into the Rumble to begin with. But of the ones that there were, the only one that really got a payoff was Sami vs. Johnny Knoxville.

Then there was stuff they COULD have done, like Theory vs. Shane, that wasn’t done.

Even watching it it felt very sloppy and poorly put together. Also the ending was rushed AF as well because they apparently were getting low on time.

[Jacy Derangement Syndrome]

Lmao I was gonna mention that Shane McMahon Ringside News story but I didn't cause it's Ringside News, that's wild. The gist of it is that people are angry at Shane cause he kept making changes to the Men's Rumble to make himself look better.

[This Player Hating Mothman]

Feb 1, 2022 18:41:10 GMT -5 Jacy Derangement Syndrome said:

Lmao I was gonna mention that Shane McMahon Ringside News story but I didn't cause it's Ringside News, that's wild. The gist of it is that people are angry at Shane cause he kept making changes to the Men's Rumble to make himself look better.

I can't believe on-screen Shane is the real Shane

[CeilingFan]

Feb 1, 2022 17:02:55 GMT -5 gl83 said:

-Extras and backups such as Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Apollo Crews, R-Truth, and more also did media work

-NXT talent that worked Kansas City before Smackdown were not brought to St. Louis and some of them were told that they probably wouldn't be used. No reason was given as to why

-SRS confirmed Ringside News report about Shane McMahon

-Those close to Riddle said that they were not told that he was winning the Rumble. Longtime talent and names claim that Riddle wasn't winning and that Brock Lesnar was slated to win at least two weeks prior

-Fit Finlay was brought in to replace Tyson Kidd. One woman talent passed on the Rumble because Tyson wasn't producing.

-Some talent felt frustrated that on-screen pairing in teams/feuds were not paid off

-Asuka and Kairi were discussed internally for the Rumble but WWE felt that Asuka wasn't physically ready and that it was easier to bring in other talent than Kairi Sane

-Drew McIntyre's appearance was kept quiet and he's still not 100 percent recovered


www.patreon.com/posts/major-royal-news-61973846

Azeez wasn't there? This is an outrage!

[Jacy Derangement Syndrome]

Feb 1, 2022 18:45:15 GMT -5 This Player Hating Mothman said:

Feb 1, 2022 18:41:10 GMT -5 Jacy Derangement Syndrome said:

Lmao I was gonna mention that Shane McMahon Ringside News story but I didn't cause it's Ringside News, that's wild. The gist of it is that people are angry at Shane cause he kept making changes to the Men's Rumble to make himself look better.

I can't believe on-screen Shane is the real Shane

Honestly tho this is such a "oh THAT'S why he's like that" type moment lol 

[Deleted]

I don't care what anyone says... this MFer Shane is worse than Stephanie.

[This Player Hating Mothman]

Feb 1, 2022 18:48:56 GMT -5 Jacy Derangement Syndrome said:

Feb 1, 2022 18:45:15 GMT -5 This Player Hating Mothman said:

I can't believe on-screen Shane is the real Shane

Honestly tho this is such a "oh THAT'S why he's like that" type moment lol 

Nobody's ever needed or deserved it less but wanted it more, goddamn.

[ChitownKnight]

Feb 1, 2022 18:50:04 GMT -5 @dax said:

I don't care what anyone says... this MFer Shane is worse than Stephanie.

Honestly I feel like it’s been a long time since we seen Steph in an onscreen heel role, and honestly with her being the one to “find” Cena and HHH’s work on NXT I’m sure if they branched out or if wwe let’s them take over it would be in good hands creatively

[This Player Hating Mothman]

Feb 1, 2022 18:50:04 GMT -5 @dax said:

I don't care what anyone says... this MFer Shane is worse than Stephanie.

Watching Shane go from a fun return and breath of fresh air to miserably worse and completely unbearable was a f***ing trip. Dude couldn't have soured the party faster if he brought a box of live hornets and started smacking it with a golf club.

[Jacy Derangement Syndrome]

Feb 1, 2022 19:11:27 GMT -5 This Player Hating Mothman said:

Feb 1, 2022 18:48:56 GMT -5 Jacy Derangement Syndrome said:

Honestly tho this is such a "oh THAT'S why he's like that" type moment lol 

Nobody's ever needed or deserved it less but wanted it more, goddamn.

Oh to be a fly on the wall for the pre-match conversation between Shane and Miz during Wrestlemania 35. 

"So I think it'd be good for my image if I kicked out of all your moves and you killed yourself trying to kill me cause I'm just that damn good. Does that work for you?" 

[The Rick Jericho]

Feb 1, 2022 17:02:55 GMT -5 gl83 said:

-Extras and backups such as Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Apollo Crews, R-Truth, and more also did media work

-NXT talent that worked Kansas City before Smackdown were not brought to St. Louis and some of them were told that they probably wouldn't be used. No reason was given as to why

-SRS confirmed Ringside News report about Shane McMahon

-Those close to Riddle said that they were not told that he was winning the Rumble. Longtime talent and names claim that Riddle wasn't winning and that Brock Lesnar was slated to win at least two weeks prior

-Fit Finlay was brought in to replace Tyson Kidd. One woman talent passed on the Rumble because Tyson wasn't producing.

-Some talent felt frustrated that on-screen pairing in teams/feuds were not paid off

-Asuka and Kairi were discussed internally for the Rumble but WWE felt that Asuka wasn't physically ready and that it was easier to bring in other talent than Kairi Sane

-Drew McIntyre's appearance was kept quiet and he's still not 100 percent recovered


www.patreon.com/posts/major-royal-news-61973846

For some reason the first name that came to my head was Lana. She was close to Nattie so maybe she trusted Tyson Kidd more than Fit. Plus, NEVER forget the continuity. When Lana couldn't compete in 2019, guess who replaced her?




YUP! BASTARD FINLAY!

[eJm]

Feb 1, 2022 18:41:10 GMT -5 Jacy Derangement Syndrome said:

Lmao I was gonna mention that Shane McMahon Ringside News story but I didn't cause it's Ringside News, that's wild. The gist of it is that people are angry at Shane cause he kept making changes to the Men's Rumble to make himself look better.

I’m shocked that a spoilt son of a billionaire that’s been coddled and protected most of his life would turn out to be an egomaniac. Spit my drink all over my phone.

Feb 1, 2022 19:23:17 GMT -5 Jacy Derangement Syndrome said:

"So I think it'd be good for my image if I kicked out of all your moves and you killed yourself trying to kill me cause I'm just that damn good. Does that work for you?" 

“Do I get to stiff you loads and throw you off shit?”

“I’d be insulted if you didn’t!”

“Eh, I guess that’s fine. As long as I get my win back, right?”

“…Oh, what was that, I think Dad’s calling me. COMING DAD!”

“I GET MY WIN BACK, RIGHT?!”

[This Player Hating Mothman]

Feb 1, 2022 19:23:17 GMT -5 Jacy Derangement Syndrome said:

Feb 1, 2022 19:11:27 GMT -5 This Player Hating Mothman said:

Nobody's ever needed or deserved it less but wanted it more, goddamn.

Oh to be a fly on the wall for the pre-match conversation between Shane and Miz during Wrestlemania 35. 

"So I think it'd be good for my image if I kicked out of all your moves and you killed yourself trying to kill me cause I'm just that damn good. Does that work for you?" 

"Oh and I get to beat up your dad lol"

[King Devitt]

Read the Ringside News bit on Shane.

I've always disliked Shane McMahon as a performer, but always felt in real life he seemed like the most "level-headed" of the family.

If the report is true, dude is turning toxic, and has bought into his own hype.

And I know I'm reading too much into this next bit, but him arriving with Nick Khan raised an eyebrow from me.

(mayhaps he has a new daddy he's trying to impress?)

[polarbearpete]

Feb 1, 2022 20:04:22 GMT -5 King Devitt said:

Read the Ringside News bit on Shane.

I've always disliked Shane McMahon as a performer, but always felt in real life he seemed like the most "level-headed" of the family.

If the report is true, dude is turning toxic, and has bought into his own hype.

And I know I'm reading too much into this next bit, but him arriving with Nick Khan raised an eyebrow from me.

(mayhaps he has a new daddy he's trying to impress?)

Meltzer has gone into it before but Shane is notorious for wildly bad creative ideas and trying to push himself. Meltzer said Shane wanted to go over Taker at Mania in Shane’s return match but Taker squashed that idea.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Unless Shane has found some miraculous way to not immediately explode after three seconds of ring work, it is literally impossible for him to look good in a match these days lmfao

Kidd and HHH being gone and people like Shane sticking their hands into shit rally showed, these Rumbles were a disaster.

[polarbearpete]

Feb 1, 2022 21:05:42 GMT -5 Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-] said:

Unless Shane has found some miraculous way to not immediately explode after three seconds of ring work, it is literally impossible for him to look good in a match these days lmfao

Kidd and HHH being gone and people like Shane sticking their hands into shit rally showed, these Rumbles were a disaster.

I think the women’s Rumble was very good, certainly no drop off from recent years. The men’s was lacking a bit, though, in the middle portion especially.

Best use of Shane would be in a tag. That Drew/Shane vs. Roman/Taker match a few years back was very good.

Shane and Theory vs. the Mysterios could be fun