So is the US title basically the RAW world title now?

[Nosnorb]

Nov 11, 2022 10:09:13 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

Nov 11, 2022 7:50:27 GMT -5 Nosnorb said:

Considering that the case was wasted this year, it's a bad piece of booking no matter your opinion on Theory. If he ain't the dude, then put the thing on someone who is and don't make him look like a complete and utter dickhead.

I don't see why anyone should take the dude seriously when the one thing he had going for him (the case) was spaffed up the wall.

They have two cases every single year. It’s not a travesty to the booking if they even just skipped MITB for a few years, as sometimes it’s relied on as a crutch, so I’m not concerned that the case was wasted (it’s a question if it even was wasted as it gave Theory a chance to do a lot more character work and be involved in a lot of major storylines with top guys when he’s arguably not even ready for that high of a spot on the card).

As for whether Theory should be taken seriously moving forward, that’s all going to be in the follow up as to whether he is or is not. The cash-in failing is not going to make or break him, particularly as his character has always been as a bit of a goof anyway.

And as of right now, dude cannot be taken seriously when the only dudes of note he has beaten have been Shelton Benjamin, Mustafa Ali and Dolph Ziggler, and his record with the case is 4-16-0. And there is a difference between "bit of a goof" and "total f***ing idiot that could have cashed in on the WM main event but instead cashes in on a Raw for a chance at a secondary title on Raw".

Right now, the dude is a dipshit that loses almost every match he is in. How are we supposed to buy him as being able to hang with Rollins and Lashley when he can't get it done in the ring and has shit for brains?

[polarbearpete]

Nov 11, 2022 10:20:25 GMT -5 Nosnorb said:

Nov 11, 2022 10:09:13 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

They have two cases every single year. It’s not a travesty to the booking if they even just skipped MITB for a few years, as sometimes it’s relied on as a crutch, so I’m not concerned that the case was wasted (it’s a question if it even was wasted as it gave Theory a chance to do a lot more character work and be involved in a lot of major storylines with top guys when he’s arguably not even ready for that high of a spot on the card).

As for whether Theory should be taken seriously moving forward, that’s all going to be in the follow up as to whether he is or is not. The cash-in failing is not going to make or break him, particularly as his character has always been as a bit of a goof anyway.

And as of right now, dude cannot be taken seriously when the only dudes of note he has beaten have been Shelton Benjamin, Mustafa Ali and Dolph Ziggler, and his record with the case is 4-16-0. And there is a difference between "bit of a goof" and "total f***ing idiot that could have cashed in on the WM main event but instead cashes in on a Raw for a chance at a secondary title on Raw".

Right now, the dude is a dipshit that loses almost every match he is in. How are we supposed to buy him as being able to hang with Rollins and Lashley when he can't get it done in the ring and has shit for brains?

Maybe we’re not supposed to take him seriously as being able to hang with Rollins/Lashley? Or he’s clearly below them and he can only hang by cheating/nefarious means (ala a Miz type of heel). Or they want him to be a midcard goofy heel and that’ll be his role going forward, and they wanted to get the case off of him and start next year with a new MITB winner when it’s more likely Roman even has a chance to lose. As an aside, he also did try to cash in on Roman several times and it got thwarted every time.

[asuka007]

It’s insane that, with like dozens of writers, WWE is so bad about coming up with interesting stuff to do with MITB winners.

[Schizo]

I always believe that anyone could be salvaged from anything imo

Hell, for all we know this MITB loss could actually springboard him to a more entertaining goofball character that could be one of the best parts of Raw in a few weeks. It could happen

[polarbearpete]

Nov 11, 2022 13:52:57 GMT -5 Schizo said:

I always believe that anyone could be salvaged from anything imo

Hell, for all we know this MITB loss could actually springboard him to a more entertaining goofball character that could be one of the best parts of Raw in a few weeks. It could happen

Yeah; that’s the thing with people always saying that someone is buried or ruined. It depends on the follow up in every scenario. If he cashed in on Roman at Mania it still would depend on the follow up.

I remember last year arguing ad nauseam that Bianca wasn’t “ruined” because of the match with Becky and that we should see how it plays out because it seems they have a long-term plan with her, and that proved to be correct and so far so that now people think she’s too OP.

[Nosnorb]

Nov 11, 2022 13:52:57 GMT -5 Schizo said:

I always believe that anyone could be salvaged from anything imo

Hell, for all we know this MITB loss could actually springboard him to a more entertaining goofball character that could be one of the best parts of Raw in a few weeks. It could happen

It still wouldn't excuse the wasting of the MitB contract on the US title on a random Raw and making it's holder look like the dumbest bastard on the planet. Though considering his win-loss record since July and the events on Monday in Wilkes-Barre, the A - Town Clown can't sink any lower.

[Mozenrath]

Nov 11, 2022 13:52:57 GMT -5 Schizo said:

I always believe that anyone could be salvaged from anything imo

Hell, for all we know this MITB loss could actually springboard him to a more entertaining goofball character that could be one of the best parts of Raw in a few weeks. It could happen

He could be Gargano's stupid son again, which was something he was good at, but his credibility is utterly destroyed for the time being. Doesn't mean he can't get it back, just it's not likely.

Still, obviously Santino and others demonstrate you can be popular without being particularly credible, if he can find that niche.

[polarbearpete]

Nov 11, 2022 15:35:10 GMT -5 Nosnorb said:

Nov 11, 2022 13:52:57 GMT -5 Schizo said:

I always believe that anyone could be salvaged from anything imo

Hell, for all we know this MITB loss could actually springboard him to a more entertaining goofball character that could be one of the best parts of Raw in a few weeks. It could happen

It still wouldn't excuse the wasting of the MitB contract on the US title on a random Raw and making it's holder look like the dumbest bastard on the planet. Though considering his win-loss record since July and the events on Monday in Wilkes-Barre, the A - Town Clown can't sink any lower.

I’d say if it launched him into a more entertaining goofball character then yes it would be worth the briefcase being used how it was.

Why is there this feeling that the briefcase is sacred and must be treated with such respect? It’s a plot device to further whatever plot is desired at the time. There doesn’t need to be a new main event superstar (or two) made every single year for 17 years straight by the briefcase.

[The Thread Barbi]

US championship is the best looking belt of this generation of designs.

I would want to hold it instead of the WWE and Universal championships.

[Nosnorb]

Nov 11, 2022 16:42:28 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

Nov 11, 2022 15:35:10 GMT -5 Nosnorb said:

It still wouldn't excuse the wasting of the MitB contract on the US title on a random Raw and making it's holder look like the dumbest bastard on the planet. Though considering his win-loss record since July and the events on Monday in Wilkes-Barre, the A - Town Clown can't sink any lower.

I’d say if it launched him into a more entertaining goofball character then yes it would be worth the briefcase being used how it was.

Why is there this feeling that the briefcase is sacred and must be treated with such respect? It’s a plot device to further whatever plot is desired at the time. There doesn’t need to be a new main event superstar (or two) made every single year for 17 years straight by the briefcase.

Because ideally, the briefcase would elevate a wrestler, and right now, Austin Theory is in a worse position than when he won the briefcase. Right now the dude is a jabroni and a f***ing moron that can't get the job done by beating Rollins after Lashley kills him. It's also an absolute wet fart to have the cash-in fail on the B-Show on a secondary belt.

And yes, it's a plot device, but it's one that could have been a lot better used than wasted like it was, and they could have given him a more entertaining character without wasting the case.

[tirtefaa]

Nov 11, 2022 12:32:45 GMT -5 asuka007 said:

It’s insane that, with like dozens of writers, WWE is so bad about coming up with interesting stuff to do with MITB winners.

MITB is such a tired and worn out gimmick. It's really something they need to do occasionally as opposed to annually.

[A Little Doo Doo]

Nov 11, 2022 17:03:48 GMT -5 tirtefaa said:

Nov 11, 2022 12:32:45 GMT -5 asuka007 said:

It’s insane that, with like dozens of writers, WWE is so bad about coming up with interesting stuff to do with MITB winners.

MITB is such a tired and worn out gimmick. It's really something they need to do occasionally as opposed to annually.

It completely jumped the shark for me this week.

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

Nov 11, 2022 17:03:48 GMT -5 tirtefaa said:

Nov 11, 2022 12:32:45 GMT -5 asuka007 said:

It’s insane that, with like dozens of writers, WWE is so bad about coming up with interesting stuff to do with MITB winners.

MITB is such a tired and worn out gimmick. It's really something they need to do occasionally as opposed to annually.

This run was probably their best shot at doing the “Is the clock gonna run out?” storyline for it. Like, Reigns being such a long-running champion with a near literal army around him to protect him at all times makes it impossible for anyone to cash in. Dude should’ve been trying to put his mindgrapes to work plotting schemes to get Reigns alone somehow, or at least stressing that his golden ticket was looking increasingly useless.

[Jonathan Michaels]

Nov 11, 2022 15:54:08 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Nov 11, 2022 13:52:57 GMT -5 Schizo said:

I always believe that anyone could be salvaged from anything imo

Hell, for all we know this MITB loss could actually springboard him to a more entertaining goofball character that could be one of the best parts of Raw in a few weeks. It could happen

He could be Gargano's stupid son again, which was something he was good at, but his credibility is utterly destroyed for the time being. Doesn't mean he can't get it back, just it's not likely.

Still, obviously Santino and others demonstrate you can be popular without being particularly credible, if he can find that niche.

Santino was FAR more credible than Theory is now.

Let’s not forget, in 2012, Santino got TWO eliminations in the Elimination Chamber and came very close to beating Daniel Bryan for the title, then the night after Mania, he successfully defended the US title against Ziggler and Swagger, who were a team at the time.

Santino was always a possible threat.

[CMWaters]

Nov 11, 2022 17:03:48 GMT -5 tirtefaa said:

Nov 11, 2022 12:32:45 GMT -5 asuka007 said:

It’s insane that, with like dozens of writers, WWE is so bad about coming up with interesting stuff to do with MITB winners.

MITB is such a tired and worn out gimmick. It's really something they need to do occasionally as opposed to annually.

Just makes me think that, even though it's possibly also another over-used match type at this point, they should bring back the Breakthrough Battle Royal concept. Only this time actually fully commit and don't sneak someone in like the first one when Orton was slipped in, even if it was a pre-champ Sheamus that won it.

[Schizo]

To me, I just think that once the next MITB match is announced, when ever that is (supposly the PPV is done now?) almost everyone is going to be discussing who the participants should be and who should win the next match and such, Theory’s cash in will be completed forgotten about by then. if this lost leads to bigger things for Theory then the actual cash-in, while looks bad on that night, could be a blessing in disguise. Besides, this failed cash in on the US Title is completely in-line with Theory’s cocky character, he was never going to have a successful cash-in to begin with. No matter what title is was.

[Mozenrath]

Nov 11, 2022 18:04:37 GMT -5 Schizo said:

To me, I just think that once the next MITB match is announced, when ever that is (supposly the PPV is done now?) almost everyone is going to be discussing who the participants should be and who should win the next match and such, Theory’s cash in will be completed forgotten about by then. if this lost leads to bigger things for Theory then the actual cash-in, while looks bad on that night, could be a blessing in disguise. Besides, this failed cash in on the US Title is completely in-line with Theory’s cocky character, he was never going to have a successful cash-in to begin with

Honestly, if the aim was to make him cocky, trying to cash in on Bron Breakker and losing would probably have served the same function more effectively. Take the rookie lightly trying to win what is still sort-of a world title he hasn't had yet, paying for his hubris.

I do agree, though, that to an extent, people will forget about it, but I do also think Corbin's failed cash in is something that weighs on his character still and is one of may issues he has in feuds, that he's kind of seen as a loser no matter how many feuds they throw Corbin into with popular faces.

[polarbearpete]

Nov 11, 2022 17:03:16 GMT -5 Nosnorb said:

Nov 11, 2022 16:42:28 GMT -5 polarbearpete said:

I’d say if it launched him into a more entertaining goofball character then yes it would be worth the briefcase being used how it was.

Why is there this feeling that the briefcase is sacred and must be treated with such respect? It’s a plot device to further whatever plot is desired at the time. There doesn’t need to be a new main event superstar (or two) made every single year for 17 years straight by the briefcase.

Because ideally, the briefcase would elevate a wrestler, and right now, Austin Theory is in a worse position than when he won the briefcase. Right now the dude is a jabroni and a f***ing moron that can't get the job done by beating Rollins after Lashley kills him. It's also an absolute wet fart to have the cash-in fail on the B-Show on a secondary belt.

And yes, it's a plot device, but it's one that could have been a lot better used than wasted like it was, and they could have given him a more entertaining character without wasting the case.

Agree to disagree!