The One And Only Smackdown! Thread

[Guest the pinjockey]

Where we have the Ric Flair carrying a broomstick to a *** match scale, you can have Austin could have wrestled a broomstick and drew a huge buyrate in 97-98.

 

And is it just me or did the ring aprons look really stupid. They were shiny and it just looked odd.

[Guest Anglesault]

Taker was 'the next big thing' in 1991. He took out Snuka, he took out Hogan, he took out Roberts, he took down all the 'legends' at that time. Just like Brock is doing now. Where Brock had his wins by TKO, Taker had his wins by Bodybag. Brock has the f5 where Taker had the tombstone. Twist #1: Former Monster vs. Current Monster.

 

Taker is not only the 'original monster' of the Wwf, he is also the monster slayer. He has put all the 'unstoppable wrestlers' in their graves. From Kamala, to Yoko, to Giant Gonzoles, to King Kong Bundy, to that damned fake Undertaker. Twist #2: Monster Slayer vs. New Unstoppable Monster.

 

Taker has seen all the 'next big things' come and go. He saw the end of Hulkamania in the early 90's, he saw Hart, Michaels, Hall and Nash, and even Austin come and go. Taker has been the eyes of the Wwf, he has been the watcher. Now he sees this new kid claiming to be all that and more. Twist #3: Grizzled old vet who's seen it all vs. The Next Big Thing.

 

The old guard/new guard storyline is rarely done in the Wwf, but throughout wrestling history it has been very successful. From Misawa/Jumbo to Austin/Hart to Sting/Flair it has always managed to enthrawl viewers since it deals with something we all know full well... Mortality. And if the Wwf does this right, they could make some VERY compelling television in Brock vs. Taker.

 

The fans love Taker. His drawing power is iffy as he has had some highs and lows throughout his career. But one thing cannot be disputed and that's the fans' connection with the deadman. When Brock breaks that connection, when Brock beats the deadman, when Brock does what the hitman, austin, michaels et. al couldn't do, when Brock does what all the monsters couldn't do, when Brock dismantles the undertaker you don't think he'd be a made man?

Yeah, that's nice and all, but really, I couldn't give half a shit. brock is the LEAST interesting charcater on TV By Far. "Brock Grunt. Brock Smash. Brock winded. Match starts" And this isn't deadman Taker, this is useless Biker Taker who enevr admits to being Undead three years ago.

 

The Wwf planned on Lesnar champ even before he debuted. Why Lesnar? Probably because he was the best guy who could pull off the 'rookie monster' gimmick.

 

Because fans were just SCREAMING for some 1986 unbeatable monster shit to be thrown on Tv.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Batista? Nah. He throws a mean lariat and spinebuster, but, at least from what I see, he isn't better than Lesnar. Lesnar also has the pedigree of being a 2x NCAA champ.

[Guest El Psycho Diablo]

So he's an NCAA champion. Whoo.

[Guest Anglesault]

Batista? Nah. He throws a mean lariat and spinebuster, but, at least from what I see, he isn't better than Lesnar. Lesnar also has the pedigree of being a 2x NCAA champ.

Yeah, Brock's got that mean really boring plodding big man offense and the move where he gets winded in a gruel match with Mark henry...Oh wait, that's not a move, is it?

[Guest the pinjockey]

Do you honestly think NCAA wrestling champion means anything? At least Angle got Olympic gold. The Olymipc Gold Medalist is an excellent character because you have the medals around your neck all of the time saying I am better than you. What is Brock going to do bring out a wheelbarrow full of his wrestling trophies?

[Guest El Psycho Diablo]

Besides, Brock dosen't have the charisma to pull an arrogant character off.

 

At least Batista looks like he'll rip your head off. Lesnar's face seems to have an eternal expression of "Duh..."

[Guest Anglesault]

I always got "Penny. Shiny" from Brock's face.

[Guest El Psycho Diablo]

I can't buy something that goofy as the Undisputed Champ. Angle was, but that was his gimmick. Lesnar..just..well..is.

[Guest the pinjockey]

At least Angle can make a face that isn't goofy. Lesnar's character probably will never be goofy but his face naturally has a goofy look. Even when he tries to look intense like after the match at SS his face just looked funny instead of mean. You shouldn't smile when you see the mean face of a monster heel, which is the MAIN reason Leviathan would school Lesnar every day of the week in terms of being a monster heel. Big guy who can wrestle maybe Brock is better, haven't seen it yet from either guy so who knows, but in terms of being the unstoppable monster Lesnar really doesn't have the look.

[Guest Anglesault]

 

IT'S THE HAMSTER FROM HELL~!

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Angle, you aren't even willing to like the feud so your interest in the storyline dynamics is irrelevant.

 

Taker's "legacy" is well known by all fans. From going "old school" to "the phenom" to "the deadman", there is still hints of his old self there to remind fans.

 

Anglesault, remember Yokozuna/Lex Luger feud? The purpose of building up Yoko was to build up the next 'new' star of wrestling. That man was supposed to be Luger. The similarities are there. Substitute Cornette with Heyman, Yoko with Lesnar, Luger with Angle, and 93/94 with 02/03 (hell, even throw in beating up Taker ). Vince invested his money in the lex express and lex luger because he wanted Lex to be the next Hulk Hogan, he wanted Lex to be the man to lead the Wwf to the promise-land. Lex sucked, of course. And Yoko did too for that matter. And in the end it was Bret Hart to be the one on top. The theory, however, is sound. And can be applied to the Lesnar run.

 

Some Buyrates:

 

SummerSlam '94

Buys - 1.3 (up from on year earlier at 1.2)

Match- Undertaker -vs- Undertaker

 

1994 Survivor Series

Buys - 0.9 (up from one year earlier at .82)

Match - Undertaker -vs- Yokozuna

 

1996 Royal Rumble

Buys - 1.1 (up from one year earlier at 1.0)

Match - Undertaker -vs- Bret Hart

 

SummerSlam '98

Buys - 1.63 (up from one year earlier at .80)

Match - Undertaker -vs- Steve Austin

 

Over The Edge

Buys - 1.1

Match - Undertaker -vs- Steve Austin

 

1999 King of The Ring

Buys - 1.14 (up from one year earlier at 1.1)

Match - Undertaker -vs- The Rock

[Guest Leena]

I watched some of Smackdown earlier tonight and the biggest thing I noticed was the new ring setup (cant think of a better term for it). The ugly blue they had just wasnt compatible with wrestling imo.

 

I agree with this group about Brock, he needs to start doing more than his slow, power offense. Geez, Lesner was a ncaa wrestling champion, he obviously has some talent but Wwe keep making him like Scott Norton (I hated him in Wcw).

 

I dont understand Taker being on Smackdown, the Smackdown roster was already better, and now Taker will beat my favorite guys. Angle is being treated so poorly now, hes entertaining every show and they treat him like a joke. I know Angle got a title shot versus The Rock recently, but it was a given he wasnt going to win. Why cant Wwe book Angle as a serious threat to win the world title? Its really sad, especially with Taker who looks so slow now.

 

I also really like Rey tonight. He always wowed me in Wcw and he hasnt lost a step. An exciting match with Rico tonight that was the only match that made me get off my seat. I hope Rey continues to be on Smackdown, because I see they usually relegate the lightweights on Heat.

 

It was a good show tonight, much better than Raw. I hope they continue, because I have been losing interest slowly for the past few months.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

The NCAA titles gives him legitimacy.

[Guest Anglesault]

So in otherwords, a classic 80's storyline. (Superface vs. big/fat evil heel) should work now even though it bombed in 93 and it's bombing now?

[Guest the pinjockey]

Summerslam 94

Cage match, WWF title: Bret Hart v. Owen Hart

 

1994 SurSer

WWF World title: Bret Hart v. Mr. Bob Backlund

 

Before the arguement of marks didn't care about those matches. At the time I was an 11-12 year old mark and those feuds destroyed anything else they were doing at the time. I was actually a mark for the deadman and I did not give two shits about his matches.

 

1999 KOR

Austin vs. McMahons

 

Austin-UT feuds Austin drawing power reigns. 96 RR maybe UT had something to do with of course the Rumble often sells the PPV by itself.

 

 

You could also mention that Summerslam 97 had an UT-Bret Hart main event with the .8 buyrate then followed by Summerslam 98 UT-Austin with the 1.6 buyrate so did UT's drawing power magically double in a year's time or did he just catch a ride on the Austin 3:16 wave.

[Guest jester]

I love that Cripple Cross Angle Face Lock spot. Would have been nice of Taker to you know, SELL the to most devastating submissions in the WWF though.

For some reason, people only tap out to the Ankle lock on PPVs.

 

On free TV, it gets countered.

 

And you're right about the no-selling. Too bad Jericho is on Raw. We could see if he'd no-sell three submission holds.

[Guest the pinjockey]

I want to see if he sells the F5. I am willing to bet if the move beats him he does the old Hogan 1-2-3...I'm up and walking bit where he sells for about 3.00001 seconds.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Awesome Main event.

[Guest Brian]

Did you even watch SmackDown Anglesault or did you just come here to complain?

[Guest Anglesault]

I try. I really do. the suck just overcomes me.

[Guest Brian]

And aren't you the only one who thought it sucked.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Do you not like anything? I mean, why even watch the WWE if all you do is complain about it?

[Guest Anglesault]

I think the most annoying part of Smackdown was that somehow, everything was turned into Lesnar pimping.

 

Tazz: Reverend D-Von and Batista broke up last week. Speaking of that, ::reads from the cue card:: Brock Lesnar si the ebst thing ever to happen to this business!

 

Cole: Rey Mysterio is the master of the mask! he has 70 of them. Speaking of having things, Smackdown has Brock Lesnar, the greatest Wrestler ever to grace out great sport!

[Guest Brian]

He's the champion. What did you expect? The focus, the main player has always been played up. The announcers have been shills for years. What's your point?

[Guest Anglesault]

And aren't you the only one who thought it sucked.

I liked the cruiser matches, and both Rikishi matches (Vs. the Radicalz) were kind of good. And Edge kept it to three spears tonight, so it wasn't all bad.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

I said Taker's buyrate power was iffy to judge because he has had some highs and lows. But by no means did he 'never draw a dime'. He is one of the factors which kept the Wwf afloat during their 'down' period (matches and feuds with Bret, Shawn and Foley produced some classic matches - HITC for example) .

 

(So in otherwords, a classic 80's storyline. (Superface vs. big/fat evil heel) should work now even though it bombed in 93 and it's bombing now?

 

It did not 'bomb' in 93, as Bret Hart took Lugers ball and ran with it. For the most part it was a talent problem rather than storyline problem. Lesnar is MUCH better than Yoko and who-ever will defeat him is much better than Luger (most likely Angle). Old Guard/New Guard is hardly a storyline restricted to the 80's, it is found everywhere, in art, in literature, in film, and in wrestling. And it works.

[Guest Anglesault]

He's the champion. What did you expect? The focus, the main player has always been played up. The announcers have been shills for years. What's your point?

You seem to be missing my "Brock Lesnar is the worst choice for WWF champion since Vince McMahon" stance

[Guest Leena]

Anglesault is kinda negative, isnt he?

[Guest Brian]

But he's not. Hogan was a much worse choice. HHH was a worse choice.