# Any WWE fans in the audience? (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** boxing-wrestling-mma\ **Created:** [June 5, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124 "2014-06-05T15:34:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 398
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7944 "2019-01-15T14:24:07Z")
I remember reading that Braun had some heat backstage because he’s frequently late. Plus, they already have a champion who has less than 5 years actual wrestling experience, and Braun’s more of an Andre the Giant type of attraction. At least Cena put Finn over, for now. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7945 "2019-01-15T17:00:14Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Finn vs. Brock should logically be a one-sided squash By the same logic, Rey Mysterio should never have beaten Big Show. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2019, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7946 "2019-01-15T22:37:14Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Braun Strowman is now out of the title match with **BORK LASER** because **REASONS** , and Finn Balor has taken his place. > > Finn vs. Brock should logically be a one-sided squash, but with the rumors I’ve been reading that Brock has no intention of working WrestleMania, this could be Finn’s big moment. If he shows up for the match as the Demon, he’s definitely winning. Why would Brock not work WrestleMania? Also, do you know if he has a creative control clause in his contract? ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7947 "2019-01-16T13:28:43Z")
Brock is always using his UFC ties as leverage in negotiating his contracts with WWE. WWE usually decides they’d rather, to paraphrase LBJ, “have him in the tent pissing out than outside the tent pissing in.” I’m sure Brock isn’t going to refuse a WM payday. He’s just holding out until they add an extra 0 or two. I remember after Dean Ambrose worked a match with Les, he offhandedly said he had to contend with the laziness. I gather if Brock doesn’t want to do something, WWE doesn’t really have any valid threats or incentives to change his mind. Having Paul Heyman at his side to draw more heat is a big plus as well. As long as Brock brings in the money, they’re going to keep him as champ until they think somebody else will be a better draw. Supposedly, that’s what they have in mind with Seth Rollins. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7948 "2019-01-16T16:48:20Z")
I hate to say it, but I hope WWE asked Brock who he’d like to face and the answer was Finn and that’s why this is happening. I hate to say it because I hate the thought that someone would have that much power of negotiation, but to **Knowed Out’s** point, a lazy Brock is a bad Brock. On the other hand, an invested Brock can put on some truly great matches. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7949 "2019-01-16T17:36:54Z")
Supposedly, it was always the plan to sub-out Braun Strohman. The reason I’ve heard for the swerve is that Vinnie Mac felt Braun would sell more tickets. Now, if I was in charge of booking giving this planning, I would have done a better job of putting over Balor since this was decided, but that’s not how WWE works these days. Better to go with 50/50 booking until 1-2 weeks before the announcement…amIright? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7950 "2019-01-16T22:55:56Z")
The Revival have reportedly asked for their release, and I can’t say I blame them. They’ve been stuck in midcard hell ever since Vince fed them to DX and killed their momentum. I expect they’ll sign with AEW and tear it up with the Young Bucks. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7951 "2019-01-17T02:15:31Z")
Best thing The Revival could do. Hope The Good Brothers and even Ascension follow. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7952 "2019-01-17T04:46:27Z")
The Ascension have been in the same boat ever since Vince fed them to the nWo, The New Age Outlaws, and the APA. I’m sensing a pattern here. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7953 "2019-01-17T08:37:40Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > The Ascension have been in the same boat ever since Vince fed them to the nWo, The New Age Outlaws, and the APA. I’m sensing a pattern here. Why, it’s almost as if burying your up-and-comers by jobbing them to retired nostalgia acts in their 50s is _bad_ for their heat! The Kanellises are also reportedly asking for their release, but their case is different - they never had enough heat to get buried in the first place, and it always felt like WWE only signed them to make sure New Japan or Impact couldn’t get them. I can see them winding up in AEW too. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7954 "2019-01-17T12:25:23Z")
sAnI+y may as well as for release as well. They’ve only been on SD for a few minutes since they were called up. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7955 "2019-01-17T15:22:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Revival have reportedly asked for their release, and I can’t say I blame them. They’ve been stuck in midcard hell ever since Vince fed them to DX and killed their momentum. I expect they’ll sign with AEW and tear it up with the Young Bucks. My unpopular opinion on this is: Good. Get them off my television because they’re boring and overrated. I’ve never liked them. I can see the point in their gimmick, but they’ve never impressed me as wrestlers or characters and they seem extremely indie to me. Go to AEW where you belong. Given how good of a businessman he is, it surprises me that Vince is only halfway there on a good business decision. Well, actually, it doesn’t surprise me. It makes a lot of sense to gather as many assets (wrestlers) as you can and shelve them until you can think of something to do with them later. The problem is, Vince never actually thought of what to do with them later. I’m still of the mind that AEW isn’t going to be that particularly strong and is going to be Impact 2.0 when all is said and done, but if it allows wrestlers who aren’t being used by one company to be featured in another…then good for them. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7956 "2019-01-21T12:41:24Z")
I hope [Darby Allin](https://youtu.be/p793csTx-uo) from Evolve gets a call from NXT some day. He’s like an undead Eminem, a cross-breed of Kevin Sullivan with Tony Hawk. Johnny Gargano, the Street Prophets, and Fabian Aichner all worked the most recent Evolve show, and other NXT stars like Matt Riddle, Kassius Ohno and WALTER worked for them in the past, so maybe they told HHH about him. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7958 "2019-01-21T22:32:54Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > I hope [Darby Allin](https://youtu.be/p793csTx-uo) from Evolve gets a call from NXT some day. He’s like an undead Eminem, a cross-breed of Kevin Sullivan with Tony Hawk. Johnny Gargano, the Street Prophets, and Fabian Aichner all worked the most recent Evolve show, and other NXT stars like Matt Riddle, Kassius Ohno and WALTER worked for them in the past, so maybe they told HHH about him. Darby Allin is a regular in DEFY as well, and I got to meet him at a show in 2017. Love his work. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Sensitive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Darth\_Sensitive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Sensitive)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7959 "2019-01-22T14:32:00Z")
Went to RAW last night. That was fun, had never seen heavy machinery before, and figured they look like local jobbers, only they got the TV entrance over Ascension and were a ton of fun. ---
**Author:** ![ElderSign](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eldersign/32/8263_2.png) [@ElderSign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElderSign)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7960 "2019-01-22T19:22:47Z")
I read that ratings dropped around 15% from Hogan’s Mean Gene tribute to The Revival match on that RAW. I know a person IRL who turned it off once she saw them. I agree with The Revival’s decision. With Trips mentioning recently how NXT is actually a territory and not a minor league, The Revival should have stayed there. But they bring up great points. Vince has never liked tag teams nor could he figure out how to create a good tag division or keep teams together. It’s just a bias/weakness he has. Apparently, Trips still doesn’t have enough power or knowledge to create a good tag division either. I don’t even think Vince even knew The Revival was on the main roster. 😉 It’s not like he appreciated the technical skill of The Brain Busters in the 1990s anyway, so why would he like their modern imitators? > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > My unpopular opinion on this is: Good. Get them off my television because they’re boring and overrated. I’ve never liked them. I can see the point in their gimmick, but they’ve never impressed me as wrestlers or characters and they seem extremely indie to me. Go to AEW where you belong. > > Given how good of a businessman he is, it surprises me that Vince is only halfway there on a good business decision. Well, actually, it doesn’t surprise me. It makes a lot of sense to gather as many assets (wrestlers) as you can and shelve them until you can think of something to do with them later. The problem is, Vince never actually thought of what to do with them later. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7961 "2019-01-22T20:14:55Z")
So, what’s the plan to get Becky Lynch to win the women’s Rumble and set up the title shot against Rousey at WM? Here’s my crazy PPV prediction for the Rumble: for some strange shenanigans reason, Carmella and Asuka get into some sort of fight that leaves them both injured, so now (a) there’s nobody in the #30 spot in the women’s Rumble, and (b) How About That, now Becky doesn’t have an opponent for that show. Of course, they still have to find a way in the six months after WM to get Rousey over to Smackdown in time for the Fox debut. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2019, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7962 "2019-01-23T02:15:49Z")
Call me Mustafa Mark. That was a masterful promo he cut on SD. He made Samoa Joe look like a kaiju. I knew he was better than 205 Live. I just knew it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7963 "2019-01-23T02:24:13Z")
> [@ElderSign](#): > > I read that ratings dropped around 15% from Hogan’s Mean Gene tribute to The Revival match on that RAW. I know a person IRL who turned it off once she saw them. I agree with The Revival’s decision. With Trips mentioning recently how NXT is actually a territory and not a minor league, The Revival should have stayed there. But they bring up great points. The latest news in the sheets is that WWE isn’t granting any early releases right now because they don’t want talent jumping ship to AEW, and the Revival’s contracts aren’t up until mid-2020, so they’re either gonna be stuck in midcard hell for awhile or just get sent home and not used, like Evan Bourne and JTG and Ted Dibiase Jr. were for ages before they finally got cut. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2019, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124/7964 "2019-01-23T14:23:16Z")
Looks like Revival is going to work with Kurt Hawkins and Zack Ryder before they depart. Which is a worse fate, sitting around waiting for your contract to end, or putting over WWE’s dregs? Ascension must be making decent enough jobber money, or they don’t want to take their chances in the Indies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124.md?page=397) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-wwe-fans-in-the-audience-part-1/690124.md?page=399)