And Jason Jordan just went over Bray Wyatt...

You gotta love Bray's slow, painful evolution into this decade's Ken Kennedy.

I'm surprised anyone still gets upset about Bray losing. It's second nature now.

Thoughts on War Games and Survivor Series?

I liked both; War Games more so, because EVERY match was stellar. I have gripes with the main event; there really should have been a cage and I'm not a fan of whole teams coming in at once, but overall it was good to see the match back.

Survivor Series was alright for what it was, the main event was a travesty though

What'd y'all think?

I refused to watch Survivor Series on moral grounds. Once Jinder Mahal was swapped out for AJ Styles, I accepted that the show would be total dog shit.

wut

Not much to it, man. I'm a fan of Mahal's and have been since 3MB, which had been my favorite gimmick in years. Seeing a dude you respect make his way from comedy afterthought to world champ is badass.

Conversely, Styles is a boring bitch who can't cut a promo to save his life and who's never had a decent match without someone capable of carrying him (Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, Jamie Noble). Guess which one I wanted to see in a semi-main?

Hope can be such a toxic mistress.

You cannot hinder Jinder.

Beastmaster life.

RIP Bray Wyatt.
We hardly knew ye. That was part of the problem.

He needs a face turn so fucking badly. It’s the only thing they can do to salvage him at this point. Nobody wants to boo the man and the ridiculous lengths they go to try to get him heat just damages him further. He’s the Bizarro Roman Reigns.

I dunno. Do people really want to cheer him? I couldn't contemplate feeling anything positive about Bray Wyatt right now. Something drastic would have to change. Holding up a light in the dark is one thing, but dude's been a drain for a looong time.

I'd fantasy book my face off for a really good Sister Abigail run, but I think they'd just run into the same problems they've had with Wyatt.

He's too exposed. Should've kept him off TV until the Royal Rumble and used the time to get him a worthwhile reboot. Sister Abigail as an elusive, hidden, shock and awe kind of character could've won me over.

BRYAN GONNA WIN THE RUMBLE

OOLA OOLA OOLA OOLA

I guess you could say Bryan's chances of winning the Rumble...

...

Were kamikaze'd.

Wrongda Rousey. Point, point, point. Bongggg.

Nakamura/AJ works, but ehhhhh... Women's Rumble had tonnes more intrigue and a much stronger winner choice. Throw Rousey in after the match, it was a pretty good choice for main event. Wouldn't want it every year, but it sure worked this year.

Anybody catch the 1hr 40m gauntlet match on RAW this week? Pretty nice change of pace.

Was hoping for something wacky in the CHamber, like a Rollins/Reigns double-pin finish. Something to at least spice up Reigns/Lesnar at Mania. No such luck.

Absolutely. Rollins came out of that one looking like a million bucks. I legit marked out when he pulled off Cena’s AA spot.



Eh, considering that’s how Rollins ended up in the chamber match to begin with, i would’ve been shocked to see them pull that again. No, Reigns coronation seems to be the only way it’s gonna be this year. I’m sure the more deserving like Strowman, Miz, or Rollins will end up in the Andre battle royal or a mixed tag match(Facebook exclusive pre-show).

Rollins doing the AA was pretty cool!

They heated him up so much, and have dropped a few allusions to Reigns' resentment of the MITB cash-in. Turning the rematch narrative into a three-way grudge could've worked. I don't love a three-way title match at Mania, but if Rollins kept hot it could've at least injected something a little less expected, and more interesting, to Reigns/Lesnar. I don't really like Rollins in the IC match, either.

Agreed. Rollins should’ve absolutely been fast tracked to the main event after the last few weeks. It’s maddening to watch wwe’s failure to capitalize on hot turns like this one.

Thoughts on “The Ultimate Deletion”? Maybe not as great as the original, but quirky enough to maintain that “Broken” charm. I was surprised by the mind games with Bray. Nice touch to help set it apart.

I’m kind of interested to see where Bray goes now that he’s been thrown in the lake of reincarnation. I say “kind of” because I’m pretty sure unless it was the writing staff that got thrown the lake, they’ll probably just find a way to fuck him up again. As I’ve said in the past, Bray’s always worked his ass off to try to make whatever b.s. they hand him work. I’ll always be a fan, but I doubt he ever finds himself in a position of being used to his maximum potential.


Also...THE FUCKING DRAGON LIVES!!! The absolute last headline I expected to read today. Holy shit. Wrestlemania may have just become must watch.

- Daniel Bryan medically cleared to return to in-ring action

Following more than two years of extensive evaluations, four-time World Champion Daniel Bryan has been medically cleared to return to in-ring competition by leading neurosurgeons, neurologists and concussion experts, including Dr. Robert Cantu, Dr. Javier Cárdenas and Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher.

Bryan underwent a full review of his medical history and received comprehensive neurological and physical evaluations independent of WWE. He was cleared by each doctor as well as WWE’s Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Maroon.

BOOM!

I usually watch the 1hr edit of RAW, so I was sad to see the Ultimate Deletion wasn't included for that ep. I got the impression it was a good introductory episode, kinda like the early ones in TNA. Would be nice to see them revisit it with escalating antics. Some solid WWE cameos would be nice. (Things that don't make the 1hr cut usually don't have priority, so that might be saying something).

Bray into the lake of reincarnation seems like the most obvious way to bring back the unused Sister Abigail persona. Could be a good injection into the Battle Royal, but I dunno. Bray is the one who is truly BROKEN.


Yeeesssss. Been one of the biggest elephants in the room during all that Owens/Zayn stuff. This seemed like the best outcome... Until Shane got diverticulitis and a herniated belly button, or whatever it is. What kind of crazy world is it where Danielson's a lock, but Shane is the one in doubt!?

Couldn't believe the way they went from 0 to 100 after Danielson made the announcement, too! Maybe a little too much. Save some sauce for Mania, dude. Seems like a good sign that he's good to go, though. Wondering what happens beyond this point. Title potential? Would not be upset to see him get the good run with the title he missed out on. Could be a much needed boost to the Smackdown title situation, too. I guess he doesn't really need it, though. And I'm sure they'll do a 'Roster Shake-Up'.

The big Mania question: WHO IS BRAUN STROWMAN'S MYSTERY PARTNER?

It's WWE, so naturally I expected Big Show or Kane - even though they are Braun's mortal nemeses. Does Jeff Hardy have enough beef with The Bar for that team-up to make sense? I don't think Samoa Joe is right for it. Hulk Hogan was spotted talking to HHH at the HBO Andre event, but he still stinks. I know this is leading to disappointment, but I'm genuinely intrigued.

It's actually a really solid card top to bottom. The last few Manias feel like they've improved from the doldrums of the 00s and early 10s. Build has been hit and miss, but I dig it.

I want Braun's partner to be Elias.

Tag titles vacated on RAW. Sick of these god damn part-timers coming in for Wrestlemania, getting a cheap pop for a belt, then refusing to work the schedule. Hope you're real proud of yourself for taking a spot, Nicholas.



It had its wonky moments, but I thought Mania was pretty good overall. Continuing a trend of an upswing over the last few years.

It wasn't the best or the worst, but I watched it all from start to finish if that says anything. The Rousey match was also better than I thought it was gonna be.

- Bruno Sammartino passes away at 82

Bruno Sammartino, one of the most popular and well-known wrestlers of all time, has passed away. He was 82 years old.

Details are light as of this writing, but Pittsburgh's local CBS affiliate said that his wife and two children were by his side and that "he died peacefully after battling health issues for the past several months."

A legend passes! Not an era I spent much time on, but always had a certain intrigue.

Good lord, that Bobby Lashley segment last night was complete and utter trash. Am I the only one who has never seen the big deal about Lashley? I get it, the guys built like a brick fucking wall, but other than that, dude’s always been an absolute bore.

Feels good not watching this week's RAW.