Do any of you feel it's getting better?

January 31, 2003

I thought I'd throw this one out there for all of you. I guess you could look at it as a SmartMarks report card or something for WWE now that Jan, 2003 is coming to a close. I don't know about you, but I am much more into WWE than I was, say, two months ago or so. While we still have reports of HHH coming out about power, blah, blah, blah, I've actually enjoyed his character and angle since Royal Rumble. I know many of you hate the new "Horsemen" group, but to me it has a very old school feel to it. What with the constant beatdowns on Steiner and the such, and even with the unmasking of Kane. I think all of that's being done just perfectly. The only thing now, is the pay off.

I see huge potential in Randy Orton, and I predict that he'll be one of the top break out rookies of 2003. I just love his expresions, and the such, he really seems to fit his role perfectly. Flair is Flair, so there is nothing I can say about him but positive things. While Batista isn't the best worker out there, he is at least passable in the group, doing his role of enforcer or whatnot fine by me. Then I covered HHH, he's still the same guy, just, I find his program entertaining for the first time in months.

Then we have Team Angle over on SD, and I have nothing put positive things to say about that. I am not even going to get into it all that much, because most of us agree they are great I believe. With their feuding with Benoit and the such, we've had some great matches being produced. I don't know what I think about Brock Lesnar, but I'm still ok with his program with Angle, and still have hope that come WrestleMania, it will be awesome. We have time to work on that, so no worries here.

I love the fact that WWE are at least trying to come up with new characters, in Sean O'Haire and Nathan Jones. Sure, neither is the best worker out there, but I'm holding judgement on both untill I see the characters in action on my TV. There have been times in the past that a character overshadowed the in ring work, and made it worth it, this could be like that. I do like Sean O'Haire's work from the past though, so I have no problems with him either way. I'm just saying, I give WWE credit for at least trying to create new characters. Hell, I'll even give them credit for trying to give John Cena a purpose, other than just being a young guy with ruthless aggression, lol.

The Crusierweight division will apparently never truly have a purpose, and the Woemen's division will never have a purpose. I don't even know whey either one is still on TV, even if I do like the Cruiserweight division. I just get sick of them not being allowed to just go all out, as they were allowed to do in WCW.

We have the returns of Hogan, Austin, and Rocky, which I think are great things. Say what you will about any of them, but to me, their being on TV makes for some great entertaining moments, and gives the shows a feel which they haven't had in months. As long as Hogan is kept in a feud that can stir the emotions, as long as The Rock is a heel and does his thing, and as long as Austin comes back and is put into a top slot, and is a team player, I see nothing but positives here.

My point is, I've enjoyed WWE TV here lately, at least more so than the past few months. For the first time, in a long time, I actually care what happens, I am actually being entertained, and I actually sense at least SOME sort of hope for WWE once again. Maybe it's just me, or maybe my expetations have been lowered to the point where what once wouldn't be good to me now seems passable, but whatever the reasons, it's how I feel.

I now leave it up to you guys, as I'm rather currious how many of you feel, overall right now. Is it still a suckfest for you through and through, or do you at least see a light at the end of the tunnel now?

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

January 31, 2003

RAW was getting a lot better for a while but hit a roadblock leading up to the Royal Rumble and is back to sucking again.

Smackdown! is as excellent as ever- yea it has some negatives but for the most- you get some good-great matches every week.

I REALLY don't want Stone Cold back and I can do without Hogan but hopefully Hogan, Austin and Rock can spike the ratings enough that when they leave- WWE can start putting on good shows and the viewers will stick around.

I don't like that it looks like they're not gonna use Austin and Rock to put people over but if they can get HBK to put over Jericho- then that's a step in the right direction.

Jazz returning can only help the womens division as they now have 4 somewhat credible wrestlers and Lita is coming back in a couple months- they're getting exposure on RAW and there hasn't been a T&A match in a while on RAW.

I think the cruiser division is doing fine- I wish they would get more time on Velocity but they are getting a little bit of PPV exposure. I just wish Noble would be out of the doghouse.

So they're making little baby steps but some problems (lack of solidly pushing people, Booker T getting buried, Stone Cold coming back) still remain.

January 31, 2003

The increase in interest (note, not better product) is due to the build of WM with Stone Cold, Hogan, Angle - Lesnar, Nash etc.

It was bit like this last year with nWo. nWo's entrance caused a bit more interest, without the product actually getting better. There is a fair argument to then say the state of the product may not matter at this time of year as a result.

But, for me, the real acid test is post-WrestleMania. In 2000 they kept the momentum going. In 2001 and 2002 they didn't. With even more ego coming back (Taker, Hogan, Nash, Stone Cold) they can't keep everyone happy.

For me, the moment I see HHH giving rub to Orton etc. and there being some sort of true transparacy throughout the company (i.e. workers not refusing to work with others etc.) then the product has a chance to get better.

But then it comes down to the writing team...

January 31, 2003

Jazz returning can only help the womens division as they now have 4 somewhat credible wrestlers and Lita is coming back in a couple months- they're getting exposure on RAW and there hasn't been a T&A match in a while on RAW.

I think the cruiser division is doing fine- I wish they would get more time on Velocity but they are getting a little bit of PPV exposure. I just wish Noble would be out of the doghouse.

I'm all for Jazz being back in the mix, and having actual matches (meaning, not pillow fights and that shit). I just think that in the current state of WWE, they need to limit the women, and focus on the stuff on the show that really pulls in people to watch. Meaning, more focus on main storylines, and other stuff like that. Then, when they are stable once more, then break out the women's division like never before, it has potential.

As for the Cruiserweight division, it's worthless right now. Most of the matches are just a few minutes each, the workers are not allowed to truly work the type of style which got the division over in WCW, and it's ALMOST never on PPV, to make the title seem to be worth anything. There is no actual feud (although Matt Hardy/Kidman could be awesome), and there is no reason for the fans to care about it. I hope it changes, but I really have my doubts with this. Call me a sucker, but I miss the division as it was in WCW near the end of the company, and back when it was really on fire with Rey, Jericho, Dean, etc... I just want it back that major damnit, lol.

January 31, 2003

I forgot to mention the entire Jericho/HBK thing, I forgot to mention that I am loving it. If they were to allow Jericho to go over HBK at WM, it will all be worth it. I'm not holding my breath, but I will hold on to the possibility of them using HBK to actually push Jericho, as the new showstopper.

I'm willing to follow the angle, enjoy it week after week, and just hope for the payoff I wish for!

January 31, 2003

It looks like HBK has been winning the feud so far and usually that means he'll lose the blowoff.

But I will cry if HBK taps clean to the Walls. I've heard that HBK and Jericho get along well backstage. Is that true?

It sounds like they're doing Austin v. Rock or Rock v. Goldberg at WM. I'd rather them channel Wrestlemania 8 and have the big stars of the past decade put over the new stars of this decade.

Webmaster makes a good point about not following momentum. The night after X-7 REALLY hurt the company as they just put on a depressing show that pretty much made a lot of people not want to tune in anymore.

January 31, 2003

I don't see a problem with "The HHHorsemen." So far it's been pretty good.

Randy Orton just being around Flair and Triple H will help to get him over. Orton will need to get himself over once he's back in the ring. Before he got hurt he wasn't anything special, and being off with an Injury isn't helping him.

Up until his Cocky Heel "RNN" Reports, 90% of this board hated him, and wanted him off TV. I guess "Heel" turns make "Smarks" Drool?

As far as Batista goes, I don't like him. But, I'll give him a chance to get better. I'd rather they just dump him and put Rhyno in there.

January 31, 2003

well Velocity has been somewhat good with Spanky as the mysterious masked wrestler and an apperance by American Dragon. But on Raw it has been very dissappointing with the whole Regal & Storm as tag champions who only have screw job finishes.

The past 2 weeks of Bishoff declaring that Austin will save Raw just shows that Raw hit bottom and was unable to develop any new talent for the Main Event. So now its back to the way it used to be with the usual suspect at the top and anybody who tries to reach the top will be squashed and humilated on tv.

Is Raw getting better? No, it just went through the motions of the cycle and the experiment of developing new talent was a failure so now it shall return to the Austins, Rocks, Hogans for the same ol same ol material that works.

And Smackdown is on the same path especially with Hogan getting a 30 minute promo return on which he was confronted by Vince.

January 31, 2003

Up until his Cocky Heel "RNN" Reports, 90% of this board hated him, and wanted him off TV. I guess "Heel" turns make "Smarks" Drool?

I didn't care for Randy before RNN, simply because he was just another guy put out there with no purpose. He now has a character, a reason for us to care, thus I love it now.

Mecha Mummy · January 31, 2003

Up until his Cocky Heel "RNN" Reports, 90% of this board hated him, and wanted him off TV. I guess "Heel" turns make "Smarks" Drool?

I can't speak for everyone, but it's not heel turns that matter to me. Randy Orton had no gimmick whatsoever before he started getting the ridiculous Rocky Maivia push on Raw. And though it annoyed me at the beginning, it grew on me because it was just so hilariously ridiculous. He's probably still mediocre in-ring, though.

January 31, 2003

Up until his Cocky Heel "RNN" Reports, 90% of this board hated him, and wanted him off TV. I guess "Heel" turns make "Smarks" Drool?

I can't speak for everyone, but it's not heel turns that matter to me. Randy Orton had no gimmick whatsoever before he started getting the ridiculous Rocky Maivia push on Raw. And though it annoyed me at the beginning, it grew on me because it was just so hilariously ridiculous. He's probably still mediocre in-ring, though.

According to his granddad, he's a better wrestler than Lou Thesz!

January 31, 2003

Orton has a great character, but is no good in the ring at the moment. Nowinski could be huge in a few years and I only hope that the WWE has some patience and sticks with him, instead of irrationally blaming him for rating loss, can't carry hosses to good matches , etc.

January 31, 2003

I didn't like Orton before the heel turn. I don't like Orton after the heel turn. He is gay.

January 31, 2003

Well, I have been loving the WWE's product as of late.

The Four Horsemen

I know, we all hate it, since HHH is in it, but this stable looks powerful. They are already getting cocky. Look what HHH said, he wasn't worried about Steiner getting a #1 contenders shot. Plus, they beat up Steiner, again!

Jazz's return

This came out of nowhere. Jazz kicked Trish's ass, BIG TIME. Maybe Jazz and Victoria can team up, since they both have the same hatred for Trish, and it would be perfect if Lita returns and helps out Trish.

Austin returning

This is what many WWE viewers are waiting for. Once that glass hits, mark out moment. Maybe he can cost a most likely heel Rock his match.

Rock vs. Hogan

Man, another dose of this match is a good thing. This time, Hogan should come out on top. Even better, No Way Out is at Montreal. The Rock has sometime to become a big heel.

I am so looking forward to the next 2 months of WWE shows!

January 31, 2003

I'm just gonna ask this here instead of making a whole new thread.

Anyone get the New Raw Magazine with Austin yet? I heard it's out now and the Austin Article is 6 pages long.

January 31, 2003

I'm just gonna ask this here instead of making a whole new thread.

Anyone get the New Raw Magazine with Austin yet? I heard it's out now and the Austin Article is 6 pages long.

I haven't picked it up yet, but I might just do that when I'm out tonight.

Mecha Mummy · January 31, 2003

I didn't like Orton before the heel turn. I don't like Orton after the heel turn. He is gay.

Yes, he is a flaming homosexual. Christ, my kingdom for less homophobia.

January 31, 2003

I just went to WrestlingObserver and Dave had this to say,

"Read the Raw Magazine article on Steve Austin that they've been plugging on television. It was almost exactly as I expected. I view the article like a Confidential piece in that they are honest thoughts when it doesn't have to do with future programs, they avoid criticism of the people running the company directly and the "shooting" on wrestlers comes across as building up future programs. His views on what is wrong with the current product echo nearly everyone's that I talk with and since that isn't storyline related, I'd expect those are real feelings. He does acknowledge being asked to lose to Brock Lesnar and his reasons for not doing it, which, quite frankly, were the right reasons at the time he left. His comments on HHH came across to me as nothing to comments to build an angle and don't at all get into backstage politics. When complaining about the writing, he was careful to complain about "a 25-year-old straight out of sitcom school" telling him what to say, without mentioning Brian Gewirtz by name, and avoided mentioning the people who were above Gewirtz that approved the scripts."

Don't know if it's worth running out and getting.

January 31, 2003

I think WWE's product has been improving as of late (talking about RAW here), but then again, it couldn't get much worse...

January 31, 2003

I didn't like Orton before the heel turn. I don't like Orton after the heel turn. He is gay.

I echo Agnes' sentiments.

Except for the gay part since Bob Sr. put him over as a ladies man...

:lol:

January 31, 2003

I still can't believe that Orton's gradfather said he was a better WRESTLER than Lou Thesz, even if he's his grandson.

January 31, 2003

SD! is still excellent despite the few hoss pushes...

RAW.. still sucks in my opinon.. its better than necrophilia a few months ago but anything would be better than that... ive been disappointed with bischoff's effort to make RAW better... i guess its a little better but not much

I guess its gotten a little better, I love Sean O'Haire's gimmick.. nathan jones... dont care about... i look forward to Rhyno and Austin's return... HHH's run with power is still pretty sickening but when austin is back.. that should tone down...

January 31, 2003

Austin will be on Smackdown, in an unbelievable turn.

I think the old Triple H is returning slowly.....slowly....*pedigree that bitch down*.....slowly.......*quad tear*.................slowly........

January 31, 2003

You guys sound like you've actually ever seen Lou wrestle.

January 31, 2003

Lou Thesz press, bah gawd. Piston-like rights by Austin!!

January 31, 2003

Hopefully they turn it around. I was starting to regain interest around the nWo return but when they did a horrible draft I stopped and have only followed it on the boards and about an hour per RAW every week watching.

Say what you want about Austin Bob but he's been gone from RAW and RAW has been the show of supreme suckitude because HHH has been the only top guy. I also don't get the comment about WM 8. I'm glad Flair put over the young prospect Savage and the legendary Sid put new up and comer Hogan over.

About Jericho/Shawn I've liked it. I don't even think Jericho needs to win. Just look really really good against Shawn and have Shawn hit a desperation Sweet Chin Music for the win and Jericho kick out after the three.

January 31, 2003

Smackdown:

Has some great stuff going for it, although I feel it's teetering on the brink, with one wrong decision likely to put it over. Steph and her character suck, but so what when you've got Angle and Benoit tearing up the ring? More worrisome is that they refuse to give up on hosses, even though most of them come with "WILL FAIL MISERABLY" stamped on their foreheads. It also worries met that the Taker is back, and they have no trouble sacrificing Mysterio to Albert. But until it slides into Raw-levels of shit, I won't go into a panic. Hopefully this day never comes.

Raw:

Raw is better than it has been, but unforunately it suffers from a legacy of bad decisions. The hhhorsemen, or whatever they are called, aren't so bad. I'd rather see Batista as a generic thug in a group than put into feuds with guys I care about. The problem is HHH. Even if he is suited for the role, he is so fucking overexposed I don't want to see him do anything. If the blowoff actually puts someone over, good. But I worry this is one heel stable that will never get its comeuppance, like the original NWO. And they still refuse to make the best use of Booker and RVD.

The women's division, incidentally, finally has everything it could use to be a real division. If they assemble it properly.

HBK/Jericho: Could also be good, if the blowoff works. But I really think they'll put over HBK here. Much as I want to see Has Been Kid tapping madly to the walls, tears streaming down his face.

They're finally "rebuilding" as JR used to say in the Hoss report. Let's hope they go somewhere good.

January 31, 2003

You guys sound like you've actually ever seen Lou wrestle.

Well, since you are more than likely talking about ME, there would be a reason that I sound like that. That being, I HAVE seen him wrestle, on tapes, and also on a few matches I have here on my computer. So yeah, that would be why I "sound like" I've seen Lou Thesz wrestle.

January 31, 2003

Smackdown:

Has some great stuff going for it, although I feel it's teetering on the brink, with one wrong decision likely to put it over. Steph and her character suck, but so what when you've got Angle and Benoit tearing up the ring? More worrisome is that they refuse to give up on hosses, even though most of them come with "WILL FAIL MISERABLY" stamped on their foreheads. It also worries met that the Taker is back, and they have no trouble sacrificing Mysterio to Albert. But until it slides into Raw-levels of shit, I won't go into a panic. Hopefully this day never comes.

Raw:

Raw is better, but unforunately it suffers from a legacy of bad decisions. The hhhorsemen, or whatever they are called, aren't so bad. I'd rather see Batista as a generic thug in a group than put into feuds with guys I care about. The problem is HHH. Even if he is suited for the role, he is so fucking overexposed I don't want to see him do anything. If the blowoff actually puts someone over, good. But I worry this is one heel stable that will never get its comeuppance, like the original NWO.

The women's division, incidentally, finally has everything it could use to be a real division. If they assemble it proberly.

HBK/Jericho: Could also be good, if the blowoff works. But I really think they'll put over HBK here. Much as I want to see Has Been Kid tapping madly to the walls, tears streaming down his face.

They're finally "rebuilding" as JR used to say in the Hoss report. Let's hope they go somewhere good.

That pretty much sums it up for me. Well put.

January 31, 2003

Nope.

And I will tell you why.

Katie Vick.

It was the lowest of the low, after that ANYTHING is good. Notice how there wasn't all that much complains about the Al Wilson storyline? IT TOOK UP LIKE 3 FUCKING SEGMENTS PER SHOW! IT HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR 3/4 MONTHS!

To coin a phrase: Notice how it's always "getting better" but never actually *gets* better?

Do any of you feel it's getting better?

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