I really only got back into this because the Network meant I could watch the PPVs for cheap, and not have to worry about catching them exactly when they happen, because I always work on Sunday night.
I guess I'll get to watch Wrestlemania, since I take the day off for that one, and that's it. My interest is likely to wind down to zero very fast afterwards. Great move there.
If WWE wants Roman to be an actual heel, having him retire Taker sure as hell is a good way to do it.
It may just be me wishing, but Cole was going on about how something in Roman has changed since losing earlier in the evening. Maybe? Even if it's not a full turn, maybe they're steering into it more and not having the announcers gush over how awesome the big dog is.
Kevin Nash was a perfect case of that type of character in late 95 going into early 96. He ended up more of a heel by the end but he still maintained an aura of badassery and edge.
Roman needs both of those things now. Well, more of the second.
Hogan was WAY MORE of a heroic character, even if he did an asshole thing here and there.
Austin had the benefit of his primary antagonist being the most comically evil thing ever. Austin wasn't likeable because he was supposed to be a hero, he was likeable because he was a big fat power fantasy, wrecking his shitty, evil, abusive boss. Meanwhile, Roman spends months beating up a guy who's main motivation is "I love my family".
It was really long, and there was definitely a fair bit of weirdness during some of the walks down, where the camera people didn't really know what to do
In general the WWE needs to get rid of "asshole faces"
Like basically every "face" aside from Titus that has feuded with Rusev for the past year, their primary motivation for the feud has been "they were an asshole to Lana and Rusev is mad about it"
Titus was fine and was a normal face/heel feud ("HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!") but stuff like Rusev/Roman or Rusev/Enzo was totally just about how dudes we're being dicks to Lana, and Rusev was understandably mad about it?
And that's weird? Stop being weird, WWE. Let good guys be good guys, the Attitude Era is dead.
In general the WWE needs to get rid of "asshole faces"
Like basically every "face" aside from Titus that has feuded with Rusev for the past year, their primary motivation for the feud has been "they were an asshole to Lana and Rusev is mad about it"
Titus was fine and was a normal face/heel feud ("HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!") but stuff like Rusev/Roman or Rusev/Enzo was totally just about how dudes we're being dicks to Lana, and Rusev was understandably mad about it?
And that's weird? Stop being weird, WWE. Let good guys be good guys, the Attitude Era is dead.
They seem to be slaves to their tropes now.
Or maybe it's the writers being afraid to leave their comfort zone.
Hogan was WAY MORE of a heroic character, even if he did an asshole thing here and there.
Austin had the benefit of his primary antagonist being the most comically evil thing ever. Austin wasn't likeable because he was supposed to be a hero, he was likeable because he was a big fat power fantasy, wrecking his shitty, evil, abusive boss. Meanwhile, Roman spends months beating up a guy who's main motivation is "I love my family".
Also, most of Hogan's asshole things were not things the fans saw.
The Rock was definitely a far bigger asshole as a face than Roman is. So I can see why they think it would work.
Also, we all love Handsome Rusev, but pretending his main motivation is "I love my family/phenomenally hot wife" is just dishonest. His motivation in those promos is that his family is awesome and everybody else's family is trash in comparison. It's okay for Ru Ru to think that, but people do not generally like it being voiced.
It's Enzo! Yah fuck yah go geddim Smack Talker Skywalker!
....wait Lesnar's 26? Can I get a reroll? Judge?
J/K I love you Enzo you're my favorite skeevy Jersey Shore psuedo-manager even if you got ridden out of the Rumble on a rail
Outside of the actual Rumble itself, my picks were solid. Too bad half of the picks were Rumble related. Taker, why must you betray me? And why in the good lord's green earth was Roman anywhere close to fresh after getting murdered by/murdering Kevin Owens and Braun earlier. The softballs they give him with booking are just grating at this point. Anyone but you Roman indeed.
They made me hope for Orton of all people to win. Orton! A CAW RKO Vending Machine! He damn well better have an interesting match with Cena or Owens
"Go down, kick ass, and set yourselves up as gods, that's our Prime Directive!"
Posts
Oh yeah, sorry
Steam
I guess I'll get to watch Wrestlemania, since I take the day off for that one, and that's it. My interest is likely to wind down to zero very fast afterwards. Great move there.
My Let's Play Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2go70QLfwGq-hW4nvUqmog
It may just be me wishing, but Cole was going on about how something in Roman has changed since losing earlier in the evening. Maybe? Even if it's not a full turn, maybe they're steering into it more and not having the announcers gush over how awesome the big dog is.
But maybe WWE doesn't want to intentionally divide their fanbase like that?
The fan reactions are only part of the problem. The character is badly written in general, and the storytelling involving him is all over the place.
My Let's Play Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2go70QLfwGq-hW4nvUqmog
Well I think him saying that would involve better writing,
*Free Ride blares in the background*
Steam
Roman needs both of those things now. Well, more of the second.
He'll still be a guy that's booked to look like a big damn hero who is at the same time a smug bully.
His character is actively contradictory. That needs to change.
My Let's Play Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2go70QLfwGq-hW4nvUqmog
This has been the money drawing face formula for WWE since 1984.
I don't think their capable of breaking that habit.
Austin had the benefit of his primary antagonist being the most comically evil thing ever. Austin wasn't likeable because he was supposed to be a hero, he was likeable because he was a big fat power fantasy, wrecking his shitty, evil, abusive boss. Meanwhile, Roman spends months beating up a guy who's main motivation is "I love my family".
My Let's Play Channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UC2go70QLfwGq-hW4nvUqmog
I noticed that Big E came out, then the camera cut away for a strangely long time, then he was suddenly right by the ring.
Was the path really that long that they didn't have time to let them walk it? What?
Like basically every "face" aside from Titus that has feuded with Rusev for the past year, their primary motivation for the feud has been "they were an asshole to Lana and Rusev is mad about it"
Titus was fine and was a normal face/heel feud ("HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!") but stuff like Rusev/Roman or Rusev/Enzo was totally just about how dudes we're being dicks to Lana, and Rusev was understandably mad about it?
And that's weird? Stop being weird, WWE. Let good guys be good guys, the Attitude Era is dead.
They seem to be slaves to their tropes now.
Or maybe it's the writers being afraid to leave their comfort zone.
Also, most of Hogan's asshole things were not things the fans saw.
The Rock was definitely a far bigger asshole as a face than Roman is. So I can see why they think it would work.
Also, we all love Handsome Rusev, but pretending his main motivation is "I love my family/phenomenally hot wife" is just dishonest. His motivation in those promos is that his family is awesome and everybody else's family is trash in comparison. It's okay for Ru Ru to think that, but people do not generally like it being voiced.
Given that the trope they are slaves to seems to be misogynists are heroes(except when they are not), it is super annoying.
I forget just how young he started out.
basically a nightmare scenario
Steam
Let's not assume that's the plan till after Elimination Chamber in two weeks.
Oh man, they only have 2 shows to build the entire card.
It's Enzo! Yah fuck yah go geddim Smack Talker Skywalker!
....wait Lesnar's 26? Can I get a reroll? Judge?
Outside of the actual Rumble itself, my picks were solid. Too bad half of the picks were Rumble related. Taker, why must you betray me? And why in the good lord's green earth was Roman anywhere close to fresh after getting murdered by/murdering Kevin Owens and Braun earlier. The softballs they give him with booking are just grating at this point. Anyone but you Roman indeed.
criminy
Fuccccccccck Cena.
That submissions sequence was absolutely amazing.
Steam ID XBL: JohnnyChopsocky PSN:Stud_Beefpile WiiU:JohnnyChopsocky
Jesus, that Ellsworth bump.
Oh f off. Minus ten points.
NUmber 13 Baron Corbin. Not a bad pick for me.
Goddamnit, there's 3 slots left, where is Angle?
And they wasted a slot on Enzo.
Oh god, they're not building to Orton/Cena 98 are they?
OMG. OMFG.
Roman is number 30. Once again protected for the entire match to have yet another shot at the title.
Fuck you WWE.
And he just eliminated the Undertaker. It's like WWE actively hates people.
Either this or no one gave a shit and tbh I'm inclined to believe either
You could hear it when he got into the ring and they turned it back on
I just don't understand why
Did they not want him to get cheered, or did they not want him boo'd?
I kinda doubt he got a significant amount of either