RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 I believe the count is "0". Yeah, Cena is bigger than the US title. But he's already feuded with everyone on the roster worth a damn cept Big Show. They need to import someone from RAW and get them in the mix. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMann2003 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Just watched the match, damn fine piece of storytelling there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted December 5, 2003 RRR is right. Chris Benoit is by no mean MANIA STAR material. However, Who else outside of the big names (Triple H, UT, Austin, Rock, Hogan and Foley) are? I know Cena fits the mold of WWE superstars better, Crossover appeal, popular, catchphase, Good Look and Charistmatic more then Benoit whom is the opposite of Vince's Utopia. I wouldn't mind Brock/Cena if we get Benoit/Angle with Bret as the ref. I still rather Have Benoit/Lesnar (Have a DRAW at Rumble and Have Raw win the rumble and then Hardcore Holly can get an Non-Title Cage Match with Lesnar and Benoit/Angle can have a title shot match for Mania. Benoit wins and Gets the title at Mania.) Kurt Angle defects to Raw in a trade with Jericho. Angle Vs Shawn. I'd rather Bret referee the Main event WWE title match. If Bret were to do the come out and shake Benoit's hand after Benoit wins the title...Bret's return would overshadow Benoit's win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ANKLELOCK 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Good point^. I don't care when it is, I don't care HOW, but when Benoit wins it finally, that will be the markout moment of my LIFE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 I, on the other hand, DO care about when and how. It could be a magical moment, and those don't happen too much - Benoit deserves a near-perfect title win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 If they really want to get the ball rolling on a eventual Benoit title win (if it hasn't started already), it may just be lucky things like where the next SD! may be. A hot crowd one week could get the viewers watching and then going to the next shows behind Benoit more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Remember how Edmonton was orginally slated to be the home of The Rumble? *THAT* would have been storybook. His family there. Winning the title in front of his hometown... Philly however will appreciate it as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michrome 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Having just seen the match, I thought it was good, better than any Angle-Lesnar match, but not great or anything. The long commercial break in the middle really hurt the flow for me, I'd like to see it in full. This really needed 10 more minutes to tell a story, a lot more buildup to the ending submission would have made this that much more great. Still a good match that has me excited about a possible rematch. ***1/4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt Angle Mark 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Having just seen the match, I thought it was good, better than any Angle-Lesnar match, but not great or anything. The long commercial break in the middle really hurt the flow for me, I'd like to see it in full. This really needed 10 more minutes to tell a story, a lot more buildup to the ending submission would have made this that much more great. Still a good match that has me excited about a possible rematch. ***1/4 i just saw it too and agree with everything you said. This was better than any of the Angle/Lesnar matches because this match had way more emotion to it. The crowd was really into it. I was never hyped for any of the Brock/Angle matches because it was evident to me from the start that they didn't have that chemistry that makes fueds great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 That match was very much Jesus. Some highlights of my fun time watching this - Benoit pulling Brock to the outside and unloading on him with punches and chops was awesome. So well timed and the the crowd ate it up with two fucking spoons. - Brock needs to throw german suplexes like THAT more often. Curry likey. - The F5 spot had the entire arena buying it. Every single person. - Benoit channels the fighting spirit of Kenta Kobashi with the diving shoulderblock and all the puro nerds party and freak out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ray Report post Posted December 5, 2003 I loved Benoit/Lesnar and can't wait for a full blown PPV match between them. and anyone who STILL thinks Brock Lesnar is just a Goldberg clone who can't wrestle needs a boot in the ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wildpegasus Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Now THAT"S why I watch wrestling. Great intensity, a hot crowd, a dramatic match and some smart work all equal the most fun I've had watching wrestling in a while. Brock is the hardest working big man I've ever seen and Benoit seemingly never runs out of gas. The offence in the match was all swell. The german by Brock was scary when Benoit's head bounced on the mat and the sitting stretch muffler is the coolest submission I've seen in a long time. Benoit's struggling to get Brock in the crossface and the dragging/tripping of Lesnar on the apron to the outside so he could attack him were awesome. I also liked how Benoit and Brock still obviously have lots of stuff they could do in the future. Just for starters, I can see the crossface being reversed into the muffler and the F-5 being converted into the crossface which is obviously being saved up. (Benoit already did the motion against Benjamin once) Oh yeah, I'm digging this. Man, I'm digging this. Obviously this match sets up a rematch for the Rumble which will probably be some sort of "I quit" match. I'd rather a straight up match for quality purposes but I see this being great too. SOme other things I liked about this match: Lesnar deserves credit for his selling in this match against Benoit as he really made Benoit's offence look great. All of Benoit's comebacks were done well. His intensity fits in real well here as it shows concrete proof on how bad he wants the title. After Lesnar went for his 2nd clothesline he got trapped partway in the crossface for the 2nd time. It was as if he set up Benoit to do it so he could counter into that side slam or suplex attempt. Nice as Lesnar was taking a gamble on his size being able to stop Benoit. When Benoit went for his second clothesline in the match Lesnar ducked low. Smart. Nice teasing of the crossface. By the time Benoit gets it on you have to pop for it. Ending despite having a ref bump (can't we get rid of those) was great because it did a few things. It fit the story of Lesnar wanting to make Benoit tap and it was good in the sense that the sitting stretch muffler was needed to put Benoit away after he kicked out of the F-5. It also brought an element of surprise to his opponent and showed that no matter what Benoit wasn't going to tap. Brock's new offensive weapon just makes him look like a sick monstor but also sets the seeds for a whole lot of suspense in a future bout. The fact that the submission hits both the upper and lower body makes it all the more sweeter. This match is why I love wrestling. When everything comes together there's just nothing better to watch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michrome 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 The only thing I dislike about Lesnar is his overuse of knees to the gut and those shoulderblocks in the corner that slow down the match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Username Report post Posted December 5, 2003 i wonder what's going to happen next... WWE released the royal rumble poster and the poster is featuring Cena. i'd love to see Benoit vs Lesnar in a "I Quit" match but i have a feeling the WWE is gonna screw things up some how ha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted December 5, 2003 With the mamoth amount of love that Benoit is getting (and well deserved), its time to show some joy the way of his opponents last night. John Cena took one blown spot (or was it?) and managed to work it directly into the story of the contest for the rest of the match. By injuring his right arm, all of Cena's brawling offense was gone as shown by the sells he did after the forearm and clothesline. Both moves that worked to turn the tide against the multi-facited wrestler Benoit earlier in the contest but where no longer available afterwards. So playing off his one-dimensional attack being denied, Cena plays to his weakness as a worker (!) and comes back with his one last weapon the FU cause he has nothing elose that can turn the tide. The instant tap makes total sense considering the sell job Cena did during the contest. Brock Lesnar might just be the most physically gifted wrestler EVER. AND I MEAN EVER. God damn, if his mind ever catches up with his body (and considering his degree of experience that is possible), we'll be talking about him like god damn Jesus in the years to come. He's like a god damn puma. His selling and bumping put Benoit over huge with the best example being him virtaully running away from Chris at one point in order to the escape the pain. Little things like that show that he's got human fears while still having the guts to not run all the way backstage not making him 'weak'. That's good stuff. As an aside, the A-Train bet should lead to the whole 'I respect Benoit' stuff buit it should work through BROCK rather than Benoit. I'm just imagining Train standing there with Morgan, Jones and Show flanking him as Brock rips him a new hole for picking the other guy. That's when you hit the respect stuff and thats when you set Brock off in a 'where's my respect?' sort of direction. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted December 5, 2003 knowing WWE...It'll turn out that 10 grand was REALLY brock's money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 THAT'S OUR ALBERT! (Hey, Hey, Hey) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austin3164life 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 A good effort by the WWE to produce a nice show. I loved both Benoit matches, as it shows Benoit's ability to guide two rising superstars, and make them look legit, while Benoit himself looks like he definitely should be the WWE Champion right about now. I think it's a great idea that Cena is about to get a U.S. Title reign, because even though he's above it, he could add some type of prestige to the belt. But, I believe RRR is right, and they need to make trades for some credible opponents. I wouldn't want to see Cena/Big Show more than once. As for Benoit, the match with him and Lesnar was very good, and like Ray stated, I can't wait for a ppv series between the two. Brock played the role of the heel well and Benoit looked like the second coming to the fans in his comebacks. F5 spot was completely believable. All in all, we get a continued push for Cena and Benoit, and I'm a happy person. I wouldn't mind seeing another Cena/Benoit match down the road as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
godthedog 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 did anybody tape this? i'd love to buy a copy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry Blossom Viscount 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 As an aside, the A-Train bet should lead to the whole 'I respect Benoit' stuff buit it should work through BROCK rather than Benoit. I'm just imagining Train standing there with Morgan, Jones and Show flanking him as Brock rips him a new hole for picking the other guy. That's when you hit the respect stuff and thats when you set Brock off in a 'where's my respect?' sort of direction. Exactly, next week should go like this....... *Team Lesnar Lockeroom* Brock: What the hell was wrong with you betting against me?! I'm Brock Lensar, I'M the WWE Champion and YOUR BEST BET. You're on my team you hairy son of a bitch and you don't cross me like that.....without consequences....... Morgan starts to walk slowly towards A-Train Brock: So who's side are you on? Morgan prepares to pounce but is whacked in the head with a steel chair which A-Train throws down in disgust A- Train: I'm on your side damnit! You know that! However, you're still not mature Brock. You still have to use things like this (picks up chair). I learned alot from that little bastard Benoit! And one of them is NO FEAR BROCK!!!! NO FUCKING FEAR!!!!! When are you going to learn that?! When are you going to make him tap Brock? When are you going to make him pay for embarrassing you? Brock: I won the damn match. I'm still the champion. A-Train: But you didn't win Brock, you didn't make him tap. Brock: ............ A-Train: See, I put money down on the better man. And Benoit IS the better man. You know that deep down in your heart Brock. No amount of chairs, cheating, and hiding behind Heyman is going to help you beat him. I learned that personally. Now it's your turn. See, I believe in you Brock, if any man can take out Benoit, it's you. You have the tools, but, you're too damn scared to even use them. Brock: Oh yeah, you still lost 10 grand and I'm still the WWE champion. A-Train: Well, you're right about one thing....... *A Train smiles and pushes past Team Lesnar* *Later Backstage Benoit and A-Train run into each other coming nose to nose* A-Train: Listen, don't think I will EVER, EVER, like you as a person, because frankly, you sicken me. With that said, you did a hell of a job out there against Lesnar, and you have my respect and blessing, as the next WWE champion.... *Offers hand* Benoit: Yeah, but you lost $10,000 on me. A-Train: No, see, I didn't bet on who'd be the champion. I'd bet that Brock wouldn't make you tap out. I said you'd rather die before you tapped to him. You proved me right. *Benoit and A-Train shake hands and walk away* And we don't need a Team Lesnar beat down on Train either. He's still a heel, he's just making Lesnar thing and become more focused. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 That's really, really, good... but you're giving Albert too much credit here. I don't think he could deliver _all_that_. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry Blossom Viscount 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Well, it's only one time he'll have to do something like that. And besides Eddie, he's the best person to deliver that. It still puts him over as a heel, sort of, but it puts over Benoit HUGE as a face that cannot be beaten. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NCJ Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Incredible fucking showing by Benoit. I don't know how it played out live, but in less than an Hour he fought the most over face and the most over heel on Smackdown, and probably in the entire WWE, and didn't get beat. If you look back on the year Benoit has beaten everyone that matters on Smackdown this year except Eddy(who I am not sure about), Brock, and Angle. He beat Cena, Big Show, A-Train, Morgan, Jones, Rhyno, and both members of TWGTT. There is no other mountain for him to climb other than Lesnar. I doubt the WWE could have ever thought this far in advance, but things have fallen into place for this to really be Benoit's time. Other things I appreciated about tonight is Cena is alot better in the ring than most people give him credit for and that if Lesnar can stay healthy and continue to elvove(two huge ifs) will go down as the greatest American pro wrestler ever. You have to think about the fact that Brock has been wrestling profesionally total about 3 to 4 years. He is more polished than anyone I can think of in that short span of time. Honestly if that commercial break hadn't seemed like an eternity I would say that this match was better than Angle/Benoit. And Angle/Benoit was my match of the year. He already sells better than Angle, has a larger moveset than Austin, is almost as fast as the Rock, And is becoming decent on the mic. And he is only 25 to 26. Austin didn't get his break until he was in his early to late 30's. The guy is simply a freak of nature. As far as Cena goes the guy constantly surprises me. He has put on two very good to great matches with Benoit and Angle, had a very good brawl with UT depending on the type of match that you like, sells incredibly well and belivably, and he connects with the fans better than anyone since The Rock. If the two of them can stay fresh and keep going we are looking at the two wrestlers who will carry the WWE into the future. P.S. Benoit doing the "You Can't See Me" before going for the swandive was one of my favorite moments of the year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Lesnar as the greatest American pro wrestler ever? Let's not go nuts here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haVoc 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Yeah, maybe one of the greatest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 HBK? Don't make me laugh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Who said anything about HBK? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NCJ Report post Posted December 5, 2003 I don't know who mentioned him either. However as far as Lesnar goes no one has been this goog this early. He already has so many of the little things right. When he is a heel or an ass beating face it just dosen't get much better than him. Vader is the best Hoss ever, but he was a lot older before he hit his stride. If Lesnar continues to evolve, keeps his passion for wrestling, and dosen't get injured(all big ifs like I said before) he has all the tools to be the best ever. Physically no one is as gifted as him. And mentally he has already shown he has no problems bumping and selling. If he continues to grow with his match psychology he will be considered top five easily and probably the best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ronixis Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Lesnar became a man tonight. He was green up until the match with Benoit. It took him that long enough. But to be the greatest American Pro Wresler ever? Not for another year or two. You could have said that for Goldberg if he had a match with Benoit if he was still in WCW. Now as for Benoit, three things might happen. One- Benoit wins the title at Royal Rumble- markout city. Two- Benoit wins the title at WMXX- Markout city, WWE comes full circle. Three (Most illogical but...hell its worth a shot) Tournment for another Undisputed World Title where as the last two matches before WMXX are the Semi-Finals for the big one (Goldberg Vs Jericho on Raw/Benoit Vs Lesnar on Smackdown) Benoit VS Jericho, last match of the night - 60 Min 2 out of 3 falls, NO DQ. Benoit wins. Men Cry, WWE comes full circle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J. Hungerford Smith 0 Report post Posted December 5, 2003 Goldberg? Put over Jericho? As much as ol' Y2 deserves it, it ain't gonna happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
