SD LIVE: probably better than RAW even though I missed it

[Sean Valjean]

I'm all for Ambrose tormenting Styles the way he did Rollins in 2014.

 

[Dmbfantomas]

Heel Dean sounds much better.

 

[Deoxyribonucleic A.C.I.D.]

Maybe the smarks attend RAW and the casuals Smackdown.

 

[Dmbfantomas]

Chrissley daughter has the most unfortunate case of Peanut Butter Mouth since Wade Barrett.

 

[Dmbfantomas]

Maybe the smarks attend RAW and the casuals Smackdown.

maybe they just appreciate a good story.

 

[@smarkmouth]

To those watching Talking Smack;

BALLS! BALLS! BALLS! BALLS!

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

I'm waiting for Clash of Champions, but I think it's settled that SD will have the best weekly TV, while RAW will probably have the better PPVs in terms of match quality and probably entertainment.

As far as weekly television goes, being two hours is a great advantage for SmackDown. The show just flies by and everyone seems to be used, which is awesome. Backlash was a pretty solid PPV, even if Orton/Wyatt was erased and Raw will have a tough time topping that. I think it will be an even battle in the long term, or at least I hope so.

 

[Navi]

Anyway, this gotta be the best SmackDown Live episode. Miz is great and I am glad he's getting a push. He deserves it.

I will totally agree with you. From what I saw it was pretty good. Will watch it later on the DVR. Agree about Miz as well.

 

[klunderbunker]

A complete disrespect, as always, for the puroresu who's more than 60 years old now. You don't have to like it,but it's disgusting your hate spew.

Also, Ibushi actually defeated AJ Styles back in '15. Easy to build him as a special attraction against whomever.

Just.....wow.

 

[Nate DaMac]

The only real bad parts of the show were Corbin's awful backstage promo (if you can even call it that) and Swagger being on television with a live mic. Again. Other than that, pretty good show.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

I wasn't involved in the Backlash LD but did read up on it. Very entertaining back and forth. I do have a question. You suggested instead of Kane they should've used a CWC participant. In the kayfabe story Randy was taken out just moments before his match with Wyatt. What logic dictates a member of the CWC would just happened to available backstage?

Since WWE knew in advance my thought process was quite simple. Daniel Bryan in the pre-show would just introduce Kota Ibushi and have him backstage, just to promote the CWC. Later in the evening, when Bryan/Shane got the news that Bray injured Orton, maybe Ibushi wouldn't mind fighting him. Also, being a Japanese wrestler it's like their all gimmick to never back down from a fight and actually look for it.

At least, in my opinion, it would show at least an effort to do something different than Kane vs. Wyatt. It was the lazy way out. And well, people shat on the idea because it was outside of the box and wasn't logic since cruiserweights is a Raw thing and SmackDown shouldn't promote it. Well they did. Again. This Week.

It would make sense. Bryan is a freaking mark for the CWC.

 

[L@RISANO]

And once again, SmackDown was great and actually has interesting storylines throughout the show with the characters also growing as the weeks go by. Now, can RAW follow suit given they have the better all round roster?

 

[klunderbunker]

Review is up.

More Entertaining Than Having Kota Ibushi Debut At Backlash

 

[Hyorinmaru]

Since WWE knew in advance my thought process was quite simple. Daniel Bryan in the pre-show would just introduce Kota Ibushi and have him backstage, just to promote the CWC. Later in the evening, when Bryan/Shane got the news that Bray injured Orton, maybe Ibushi wouldn't mind fighting him. Also, being a Japanese wrestler it's like their all gimmick to never back down from a fight and actually look for it.

At least, in my opinion, it would show at least an effort to do something different than Kane vs. Wyatt. It was the lazy way out. And well, people shat on the idea because it was outside of the box and wasn't logic since cruiserweights is a Raw thing and SmackDown shouldn't promote it. Well they did. Again. This Week.

It would make sense. Bryan is a freaking mark for the CWC.

You just don't know when to stop do you?

Just do everyone a favor and shut the fuck up already.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

The only real bad parts of the show were Corbin's awful backstage promo (if you can even call it that) and Swagger being on televisionwith a live mic . Again. Other than that, pretty good show.

You are specially right about this. Corbin was decent for what he's shown so far, I guess. But damn, a two hour show and the bad thing is a two minute promo? It's really good.

 

[rbv13]

Since WWE knew in advance my thought process was quite simple. Daniel Bryan in the pre-show would just introduce Kota Ibushi and have him backstage, just to promote the CWC. Later in the evening, when Bryan/Shane got the news that Bray injured Orton, maybe Ibushi wouldn't mind fighting him. Also, being a Japanese wrestler it's like their all gimmick to never back down from a fight and actually look for it.

At least, in my opinion, it would show at least an effort to do something different than Kane vs. Wyatt. It was the lazy way out. And well, people shat on the idea because it was outside of the box and wasn't logic since cruiserweights is a Raw thing and SmackDown shouldn't promote it. Well they did. Again. This Week.

It would make sense. Bryan is a freaking mark for the CWC.

I could buy that set up. If laid out properly it is plausible. I also see the other side of the coin arguing against the use of CWC participants on SDLive. Simple mentioning the CWC or the division forthcoming is a bit different than actually running a talent or style out there that fans will no see going forward on your Brand.

When watching Backlash, if they were dead set on having Wyatt wrestle, I was okay w/the use of Kane. He is a full time member of their roster and needs reestablished to fully contribute going forward. I was a bit disappointed there was no follow up on tonight's show but there is still plenty of time for that.

Armchair booking but I wouldn't have put Wyatt in any type of match. I simply would've moved Crews/Corbin from Pre to Main Show. I think with SDLive should revamp their pre show to mimic Talking Smack and eliminate the pre match.

 

[Sean Valjean]

Since WWE knew in advance my thought process was quite simple. Daniel Bryan in the pre-show would just introduce Kota Ibushi and have him backstage, just to promote the CWC. Later in the evening, when Bryan/Shane got the news that Bray injured Orton, maybe Ibushi wouldn't mind fighting him. Also, being a Japanese wrestler it's like their all gimmick to never back down from a fight and actually look for it.

At least, in my opinion, it would show at least an effort to do something different than Kane vs. Wyatt. It was the lazy way out. And well, people shat on the idea because it was outside of the box and wasn't logic since cruiserweights is a Raw thing and SmackDown shouldn't promote it. Well they did. Again. This Week.

It would make sense. Bryan is a freaking mark for the CWC.

You know what makes more kayfabe sense?

Shane McMahon: "Bray Wyatt just injured Randy Orton minutes before his match. I'll salvage the match and simultaneously punish Bray by making him face Kane, the man who trounced Wyatt the last time they feuded. Thankfully, Kane is here backstage because he's always backstage because he is a contracted Smackdown superstar."

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

You know what makes more kayfabe sense?

Shane McMahon: "Bray Wyatt just injured Randy Orton minutes before his match. I'll salvage the match and simultaneously punish Bray by making him face Kane, the man who trounced Wyatt the last time they feuded. Thankfully, Kane is here backstage because he's always backstage because he contracted Smackdown superstar."

He was going to face Randy Orton. Is Kane really a bigger punishment than that? I'm not saying it doesn't make sense the match, I'm saying it's the lazy one out and also the most uninteresting. Is it hard to grasp?

 

[Hyorinmaru]

You know what makes more kayfabe sense?

Shane McMahon: "Bray Wyatt just injured Randy Orton minutes before his match. I'll salvage the match and simultaneously punish Bray by making him face Kane, the man who trounced Wyatt the last time they feuded. Thankfully, Kane is here backstage because he's always backstage because he is a contracted Smackdown superstar."

Don't bother you'll just give yourself a headache.

 

[Sean Valjean]

He was going to face Randy Orton. Is Kane really a bigger punishment than that?

I'd say so, considering Kane has bested Wyatt before while Orton is unproven against him.

I'm not saying it doesn't make sense the match, I'm saying it's the lazy one out and also the most uninteresting. Is it hard to grasp

On Sunday you said Kane/Wyatt had no point, when their history was enough to justify what was billed as an impromptu match. It's "lazy" because it makes sense. Debuting Ibushi in such a manner requires jumping through so many more narrative hoops and it still requires some stretching of the imagination.

For example, why would Bryan only invite Ibushi and not the other finalists? And no matter what Bryan's affiliation with the CWC is, he's still promoting cruiserweights by having one actually appear on the non-cruiserweight brand. That's far bigger than just CWC ads airing during Smackdown. Ibushi/Wyatt also has a lose/lose scenario: either Wyatt loses to an unsigned newbie or Kota loses his first main roster appearance. And if Kota isn't signing with WWE, what's the point of doing it at all? There are far better, more sensible ways to debut Ibushi.

 

[klunderbunker]

Ok this isn't funny anymore so everyone drop it. That's your official warning.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

I'd say so, considering Kane has bested Wyatt before while Orton is unproven against him.



On Sunday you said Kane/Wyatt had no point, when their history was enough to justify what was billed as an impromptu match. It's "lazy" because it makes sense. Debuting Ibushi in such a manner requires jumping through so many more narrative hoops and it still requires some stretching of the imagination.

For example, why would Bryan only invite Ibushi and not the other finalists? And no matter what Bryan's affiliation with the CWC is, he's still promoting cruiserweights by having one actually appear on the non-cruiserweight brand. That's far bigger than just CWC ads airing during Smackdown. Ibushi/Wyatt also has a lose/lose scenario: either Wyatt loses to an unsigned newbie or Kota loses his first main roster appearance. And if Kota isn't signing with WWE, what's the point of doing it at all? There are far better, more sensible ways to debut Ibushi.

They didn't even mention their history once while they were fighting. Not once. It wasn't because of their story. It was the lazy way out. Also, what the hell? Kane bested Wyatt but Orton isn't a threat? That isn't plausible kayfabe wise, since you know, Orton is one of the most accomplished stars of our era. So yaeh, having a match with Orton is punish enough.

They didn't just air CWC ads. They mentioned the wrestlers. They hyped Raw. They hyped Clash of Champions. Jesus, it's the same company and kayfabe wise, GM's likes and interests is far more than a good reason to set up something and well, Bryan is actually a big mark for CWC and Ibushi.

Also, Ibushi isn't signed and he could take the loss. In fact, since he's the favorite, losing would actually be good to make the tournament more unpredictable. Something along the lines:

Mauro: "Oh do you think Ibushi's still feeling the effects of his match against Bray Wyatt on Sunday's Backlash?"
Bryan: "Absolutely. Ibushi has an helluva a heart to accept that big of a challenge in short notice, but that wasn't probably his best decision. But hey, I am the SmackDown GM too and I want the best matches on my show."

Yes they would indirectly push the cruiserweights and yes that is a good thing, because directly what they would push is Orton vs. Wyatt, with Orton costing Bray the match against a newbie instead of an accomplished (but unrelevant) veteran, who like you said, had already beaten him in the past. And of course, they would push the Cruiserweight Classic, with people going: "Oh I gotta see this guy again. Wednesday, is it?", and whomever saw Ibushi wrestle knows that he will get people to think about it.

It's not "stretching the imagination". It's a logical B plan that could've worked just as fine. What's the problem of trying to show Ibushi the pros of signing with them? It's still trying to make good business. If he doesn't want too, hey it's a match that nobody will care in two weeks. WWE would have no problem doing that.

Ok this isn't funny anymore so everyone drop it. That's your official warning.

Hey it's actually a good debate this one. He's at least trying to make some sense and I am actually digging this convo. He's not being an arrogant prick like you were for a very plausible idea I had.

 

[L@RISANO]

Hey it's actually a good debate this one. He's at least trying to make some sense and I am actually digging this convo. He's not being an arrogant prick like you were for a very plausible idea I had.

SIGH

 

[klunderbunker]

They didn't even mention their history once while they were fighting. Not once. It wasn't because of their story. It was the lazy way out. Also, what the hell? Kane bested Wyatt but Orton isn't a threat? That isn't plausible kayfabe wise, since you know, Orton is one of the most accomplished stars of our era. So yaeh, having a match with Orton is punish enough.

They didn't just air CWC ads. They mentioned the wrestlers. They hyped Raw. They hyped Clash of Champions. Jesus, it's the same company and kayfabe wise, GM's likes and interests is far more than a good reason to set up something and well, Bryan is actually a big mark for CWC and Ibushi.

Also, Ibushi isn't signed and he could take the loss. In fact, since he's the favorite, losing would actually be good to make the tournament more unpredictable. Something along the lines:

Mauro: "Oh do you think Ibushi's still feeling the effects of his match against Bray Wyatt on Sunday's Backlash?"
Bryan: "Absolutely. Ibushi has an helluva a heart to accept that big of a challenge in short notice, but that wasn't probably his best decision. But hey, I am the SmackDown GM too and I want the best matches on my show."

Yes they would indirectly push the cruiserweights and yes that is a good thing, because directly what they would push is Orton vs. Wyatt, with Orton costing Bray the match against a newbie instead of an accomplished (but unrelevant) veteran, who like you said, had already beaten him in the past. And of course, they would push the Cruiserweight Classic, with people going: "Oh I gotta see this guy again. Wednesday, is it?", and whomever saw Ibushi wrestle knows that he will get people to think about it.

It's not "stretching the imagination". It's a logical B plan that could've worked just as fine. What's the problem of trying to show Ibushi the pros of signing with them? It's still trying to make good business. If he doesn't want too, hey it's a match that nobody will care in two weeks. WWE would have no problem doing that.



Hey it's actually a good debate this one. He's at least trying to make some sense and I am actually digging this convo. He's not being an arrogant prick like you were for a very plausible idea I had.

And done.