Number one contender tournament on RAW

[jwpeer 0]

Why does everyone like RVD so much?

 

I'm not trying to be facetious and/or a troll, I just don't see anything interesting or impressive about him. I see a lot of spinning/flying roundhouse and back kicks and wheel kicks...and not much else.

 

 

I mean, I don't want himt o get jobbed out by HHH...but at the same time I'd prefer Carlito to beat yhim because Carlito is entertaining to me and I enjoy his matches (rip me all you want, but I think he has an excellent grasp of pacing, and his selling/facial expressions are terrific. A face run would do worlds for his actual 'wrestling')

 

Just an opinion, and curious as to the extreme interest in RVD (A note: I was not watching wrestling during ECW, so I have no real exposure/attachment to the residual performers from that product, and that seems to be where a lot of this comes from)

 

 

Thanks for not flaming me in advance

[Karc 0]

It makes sense for McMahon to stick HBK in the tournament, like Austin in the '98 Survivor Series. Everyone watching will think HBK is winning, but then McMahon will screw HBK. That's the story. He's putting Micheals in the tournament to fuck with him, and the fans.

[C Dubya 04 0]

I don't think it would be that bad of an idea to have HHH/RVD in the finals go to some sort of a screw job ending setting up a 3 way with Cena at Mania. At least RVD would give the crowd someone to cheer and Cena could turn heel on RVD setting up a feud post Mania. We all know this ends with HHH having the title, so might as well use it to build a bit.

[haws bah gawd 0]

Why does everyone like RVD so much?

 

I'm not trying to be facetious and/or a troll, I just don't see anything interesting or impressive about him. I see a lot of spinning/flying roundhouse and back kicks and wheel kicks...and not much else.

 

 

I mean, I don't want himt o get jobbed out by HHH...but at the same time I'd prefer Carlito to beat yhim because Carlito is entertaining to me and I enjoy his matches (rip me all you want, but I think he has an excellent grasp of pacing, and his selling/facial expressions are terrific. A face run would do worlds for his actual 'wrestling')

 

Just an opinion, and curious as to the extreme interest in RVD (A note: I was not watching wrestling during ECW, so I have no real exposure/attachment to the residual performers from that product, and that seems to be where a lot of this comes from)

 

 

Thanks for not flaming me in advance

 

I'll throw in my 2-cents here. I like RVD because he brings something different to the table with his matches. Most of the WWE roster uses the same old boring Punch/Spinebuster/Rear-Chinlock routine. RVD throws all these kick variations, gracefully takes to the air, and only uses an occasional rest hold. It's something exciting that the fans can grasp. He is also one of the best in WWE at taking a bump, and making it look like death. He's shown time and time again he isn't afraid to take head-drops, or a sick bump over the top rope to the floor. All this punishment and the only serious injuries he has suffered have been some knee problems. The man is tough (or stupid, depending on how you look at things), and you have to give him that.

 

He has this natural charisma about him. Just a simple thumb-point to himself will send the crowd into an "R-V-D!!!" frenzy. He's passable on the mic as well. While he's not, nor ever will be as good as Austin, Rock, Flair, or HHH on the mic, he is FAR from terrible. If you watch his promos in ECW, as well as his promo from One Night Stand, he is very capable of holding his own during a promo.

 

Another thing that I think helps RVD a lot is his look. He doesn't look over the top and just looks like your average joe (albeit a Stoner, but an average guy none-the-less). His character is someone very real that that one could relate with. This is one of the main things that I believe helped Austin, in the 90's.

 

My only complaint about RVD is his lack of ring-psychology. An opponent can spend the entire match working on his legs, but RVD is gonna leap to the top rope, and nail his Frogsplash like nothing ever happened to him. It's just a minor gripe that I can easily tolerate, however.

[Downhome 0]

I posted this in the other thread, but here it is again:

 

To make things even more obvious, go to WWE.com and watch the video on the main page called "King of Kings". Yeah...

 

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/494.../hhhkingofkings

[Black Lushus 0]

HHH compares himself to God with the term "King Of Kings"...somehow I'm not surprised.

[Hoff 0]

On RVD. I, like many, appreciate the "something different" he brings to the table, along with his awesome look and great bumping ability. However, I can totally see where jwpeer is coming from. He's really not much of a "wrestler" in the traditional sense. He doesn't use many holds, throws, or "wrestling" moves. He throws an occasional suplex, and he's good at it, but other than that he's more of a "fighter" in a wrestling ring. I also think a good portion of his fame comes from his ability to launch himself through the air better than maybe anyone, and he really is graceful and at times breathtaking. But if you're into mat wrestlers, or big power guys like Batista, RVD won't be your scene and that's cool. Something for everyone, and all that.

[BHK 0]

It'd be awesome if they swerved us and gave us Edge/RVD for Mania.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Yeah, that'll happen...

[Guest FromBeyondTheGrave]

Even marks can see through this garbage. They know HHH will win, and they know why Edge isn't in the tourny and the kayfabe reason isn't so far from the real reason. Why HHH -- you know what? I don't even know why I bother. In 20 years HHH will be the 35 time champ and there's not a damn thing we can do.

Oh no!

[hyperchord24 0]

Even marks can see through this garbage. They know HHH will win, and they know why Edge isn't in the tourny and the kayfabe reason isn't so far from the real reason. Why HHH -- you know what? I don't even know why I bother. In 20 years HHH will be the 35 time champ and there's not a damn thing we can do.

Oh no!

Elaborate?

[Lil' Bitch 0]

RVD

HHH

HBK

Kane

 

HHH

HBK

 

HHH

 

My guess of how it will go.

[Guest FromBeyondTheGrave]

Even marks can see through this garbage. They know HHH will win, and they know why Edge isn't in the tourny and the kayfabe reason isn't so far from the real reason. Why HHH -- you know what? I don't even know why I bother. In 20 years HHH will be the 35 time champ and there's not a damn thing we can do.

Oh no!

Elaborate?

Sounded overdramatic.

[hyperchord24 0]

Even marks can see through this garbage. They know HHH will win, and they know why Edge isn't in the tourny and the kayfabe reason isn't so far from the real reason. Why HHH -- you know what? I don't even know why I bother. In 20 years HHH will be the 35 time champ and there's not a damn thing we can do.

Oh no!

Elaborate?

Sounded overdramatic.

Look, you ever watch TV and you really get into something, and you get frusterated so badly that you wanted to jump into the TV and fix things? Yeah, I get like that. I guess I haven't gotten to the point where it's useless to whine about how bad the WWE has gotten.

[Hoff 0]

I don't think what you said was that bad. I mean, it's true.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Nobody has complained about Shelton not being involved either.

 

I guess the smarks have finally lost hope!

[Guest FromBeyondTheGrave]

Even marks can see through this garbage. They know HHH will win, and they know why Edge isn't in the tourny and the kayfabe reason isn't so far from the real reason. Why HHH -- you know what? I don't even know why I bother. In 20 years HHH will be the 35 time champ and there's not a damn thing we can do.

Oh no!

Elaborate?

Sounded overdramatic.

Look, you ever watch TV and you really get into something, and you get frusterated so badly that you wanted to jump into the TV and fix things?

Um, no.

[Hoff 0]

Well, I don't think anyone really wants Shelton in the WWE Title Match just yet. He's good, he's athletic, but he's still young and even if you think he's ready for the big one, he still has a lot of career ahead of him.

[Black Lushus 0]

it's looking like Shelton/Flair for the IC strap at WM, right? or will they do that at SNME?

[Downhome 0]

RVD/Carlito and Flair/Shelton are booked for house shows for now I believe, and then for the shows leading to Wrestlemania it looks like RVD/Shelton for the IC title. We'll more than likely see RVD/Shelton for the IC title at Wrestlemania, with Shelton defending.

 

EDIT:

 

From PWInsider:

 

FS sent this one. ... I was looking at the WWE live event schedules on WWE.com and noticed that they are advertising Rob Van Dam v. Shelton Benjamin at all Raw house shows in March. In February, Shelton Benjamin-Ric Flair and Carlito-RVD are scheduled at most shows. In March, Flair is only a part of tag matches or not scheduled to appear. From this, one could infer that Benjamin-Flair and Carlito-RVD will not end with a PPV match and that Rob Van Dam v. Shelton Benjamin for the IC Title is currently planned for WrestleMania.

[benoit4hor 0]

Shelton vs RVD for the IC strap at Wrestlemania?

 

I sure as hell hope so. Give at least 15-20 minutes and wrestlemania is saved. Ok maybe not but it's a good start.

[cabbageboy 0]

I think Shelton is going to beat Flair for the IC at some point soon so he can do that rather than this tourney. On pwinsider.com they are noting house shows upcoming with RVD/Shelton and assuming they'll go 1 on 1 at WM. I personally don't think so, but rather they should be 2 of the Raw guys in a new Money in the Bank match. At this point what exactly could RVD do with the IC title that he didn't do the other 6 times? Time to move the guy up.

 

Honestly, jwpeer I think RVD still has a devoted fanbase for a few reasons: 1. Longtime fans remember his dominant ECW run. 2. Some also remember his early WWF tenure where his popularity rivalled The Rock or Austin. 3. He's really the last of the guys in the Jericho, Benoit, Eddie, Booker vein (that era) who hasn't quite gotten that world title that was long overdue.

 

I noticed that in the Byte This interview, the general tone of "I'm glad to be back, here's hoping I actually DO something this time because I don't know how many more good years I have left."

 

As far as psychology goes, RVD can do that as well but not in matches with stuff like "HHH works his leg for 15 minutes." A lot of his offense is centered on using his legs, so while it's good psychology to take out his legs it tends to make for a shitty match. Watch a match like the Jericho match at Unforgiven 2001 and you'll see Jericho work Rob's shoulder and he sells that very well (right down to the finish).

 

His matches in ECW with Jerry Lynn also have a lot of psychology that has gone undetected. Stuff like them doing a series of counters and one will work in one match, but then not in the next match. Or for instance the match with Lynn where his ribs were taped and RVD focused most of his offense on the hurt ribs. Psychology goes beyond just limping when a guy works the leg for 20 minutes.

[Black Lushus 0]

I dunno guys, Shelton/RVD may not be what it's all cracked up to be...I guess it just depends on your tastes, psychology-less botch-filled spot fest junkies will love this one.

[Vyce 0]

A tournament? Ah, I see the Rumble wasn't enough, HHH wants to make sure everyone knows he's top dog by putting himself over all of the other top guys on RAW.

[slimm44 0]

why the fuck is Edge not in this tournament?

 

Because he won the match on Monday he is still a top contender, according to wwe, so they're probably pushing this feud another month.

[slimm44 0]

I dont know if this is the OaO thread for RAW, but they're going to show Candice's Uncensored GoDaddy.com commercial (apparently they have to censor it during the game) and Candice will be on Jay Leno Monday Night.

[Black Lushus 0]

Candice is alright when she's not talking...of course a lot of women fall in that category.

[Wrestlefreak 0]

Nobody has complained about Shelton not being involved either.

 

I guess the smarks have finally lost hope!

 

I know I have!

[Epic Reine 0]

I personally think Edge, Benjamin, and RVD should all be involved in Money In The Bank II at WM.

[razazteca 0]

Candice is alright when she's not talking...of course a lot of women fall in that category.

The only time she should open her mouth is when she is giving Mr. McMahon a blowjob