CM Punk & Wrestling's Best Storyline in Years...

[battlecatmeowstab212]

So, first good Battleground?

[alpha]

I really enjoyed the show. Bayley, Wyatts, AA off the turnbuckle were all sweet.

[BigCat8]

In the immortal words of Dave Prazak, "HO-LY FUUUUUUUCK!"

[Brougham33]

Did that just happen? Finn vs Seth at SS...I'm cysed. Demon Balor entrance...he can't lose right? Either way this is a great start.

[BigCat8]

I hope they don't jump the gun on the Demon gimmick. They did it way to often in NXT, and it was basically meaningless after a while. Like, "Oh, it's Takeover time. Guess Finn's wearing the paint again."

I'm curious as to whether the "Balor Club" graphic in Balor's Titantron is significant in any way, and if he and The Club will connect or if Balor Club will be a separate entity.

[unbelievable dickhead]

i fully expect reigns to be part of a triple threat (or fatal four way) and for rollins to win.

[alpha]

Did that just happen? Finn vs Seth at SS...I'm cysed. Demon Balor entrance...he can't lose right? Either way this is a great start.

The demon entrance has to be made special.

And he joins the club by the end of the year, if not sooner.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

So...did it feel like a new era?

[blastmaster]

Great Job. Great pacing. Logical booking. Loved the post-match interviews. They did a really good job of changing the feel of the show without going too far left. Using the term "wrestling" more and actually talking about Guy's histories and back story was refreshing. I actually like the re-introduction of jobbers too. Hopefully that helps eliminate the 50/50 booking that has ruined guys like Ziggler over the last decade. Very well-done.

[blastmaster]

Ziggler!!!!! Might be the happiest I've been with a week of wwe programing since the Razor-123 Kid days.

[Pizon]

It does feel like a new era. Smackdown might actually be watchable again, just because it's a different show.

Orton is beating Brock, yeah?

[GUCCI CONDOMS]

Eva Marie's entrance was absolutely incredible...

[Brougham33]

Everything was pretty great....except JBL. Not sure what he was going for with his commentary.

[battlecatmeowstab212]

I spoke to Jeff Hardy, Colt Cabana and Hornswoggle about wrestling at the Gathering of the Juggalos for Complex: http://www.complex.com/sports/2016/07/j ... -wrestling" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GUCCI CONDOMS]

Came across this for the first time recently, incredible...

[blastmaster]

Holy shit. Gargano-Ciampa was doooooope. Sign that match for a future Wrestlemania and they will steal the show.

[Brougham33]

Indeed, contender for MOTY, must see stuff.

[Pizon]

CWC is interesting, but the canned cheers and boos to let you know who the face and heel are ruins it for me.

It reminds me of Judge Judy when she says something unfunny to a room full of straight faced extras and you hear a crowd of people laughing.

[Brougham33]

For anyone interested in NJPW G1, Iishi vs Okada is absolutely insane, watch it if you can.

[mike eagle]

started a new wrestling podcast with the folks from maximum fun. check it out if you're into that sort of thing

http://maximumfun.org/tights-and-fights ... -belts-wwe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Will check the podcast out.

Currently in tears laughing at Ambrose's Dusty Rhodes impression:

[blastmaster]

Dude. Ibushi-Alexander may have been better than Gargano-Ciampa.

[mike eagle]

i didnt think so. i dont like the reliance on false finishes so much. ibushi kicked out of too much for my liking. felt like gargano/ciampa told a better in-ring story

[seagrams hotsauce]

started a new wrestling podcast with the folks from maximum fun. check it out if you're into that sort of thing

http://maximumfun.org/tights-and-fights ... -belts-wwe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoying this, though I pray for an OME remix of the theme

[907]

Just read about what happened with Osprey Vs. Vader, I'm really not a fan of the Russo-esque "worked shoot" bullshit. It works if you're CM Punk (shout out to this thread's namesake!), that's about it.

[mike eagle]

started a new wrestling podcast with the folks from maximum fun. check it out if you're into that sort of thing

http://maximumfun.org/tights-and-fights ... -belts-wwe" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoying this, though I pray for an OME remix of the theme

thanks for checking it out man. i actually did that theme but thats the demo version cause we ran out of time before launch ha

[battlecatmeowstab212]

Just read about what happened with Osprey Vs. Vader, I'm really not a fan of the Russo-esque "worked shoot" bullshit. It works if you're CM Punk (shout out to this thread's namesake!), that's about it.

What happened?

[Brougham33]

Summerslam weekend predictions?

TAKEOVER

Samoa Joe (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (Can't see Nakamura taking an L in NXT, Joe needs to be on Smackdown ASAP)

Asuka (c) vs. Bayley (Bayley needs the call up more than another run as Champ)

Andrade Almas vs. Bobby Roode (Roode and GLORIOUS!!! are a thing. Cien needs a reboot already.

The Revival (c) vs. Gargano and Ciampa (Tough one to pick, both teams could be called up)

No Way Jose vs. Austin Aries (Aries needs a win in NXT, Jose isn't hurt by a loss here)

Ember Moon vs. Billie Kay (O Face finisher from Moon should bring the house down)

SUMMERSLAM

Finn Bálorvs. Seth Rollins (Hard to call, can't see Finn taking the loss though. "VINTAGE DEMON KING"-Cole weekly from now on)

Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton (Even though Randy needs the win, BORK LASER should never lose.)

Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler (I'm enjoying this feud, hope it continues and leads to a Ziggler heel turn)

John Cena vs. AJ Styles (Please make it a clean win)

Rusev vs. Roman Reigns (After Monday, they can't have Roman just win again right?)

Sasha Banks (c) vs. Charlotte (Tough call, Ric comes back and gets Charlotte the win I say)

The New Day vs The Club (New Day doesn't need the straps, shit talking heel champs needs to happen again)

Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Jeri-KO (As much as I want Jeri-Ko to continue, they don't need wins)

The Miz (c) vs. Apollo Crews (Miz should hold the IC strap till Mania)

[blastmaster]

Double turn for Balor and Rollins after The Club comes out (after winning the tag titles) in their face paint and help Finn win. Balor Club shirts were made for a reason.

I hope Dolph turns and smashes Dean after a loss too.

[alpha]

Vince is gonna fuck up and ruin the demon king gimmick by having rollins win. excited as hell for joe/nakamura and the summerslam card is bonkers.