The Little Things Which Bother You Far More Than They Should Do?

[Eddie Menuek]

I thought that, for the sake of a jovial discussion, we could share the little things in today's product which probably shouldn't bug as as much as they actually do, but we just can't help it. So I'll get us started.

It bugs me that Roman Reigns uses a Flying Clothesline as a precursor of sorts to his Superman Punch, when they involve more or less the same setup. At times over the past two weeks I've actually struggled to distinguish the two, yet I'm guessing that the Punch is supposed to be significantly stronger as it is, in itself, the his precursor to Roman's Spear. I guess my fairly trivial gripe is, from a psychology stand point, why would Roman charge towards his opponent and not pull out the more devastating move? I can't think of a similar example that we see week to week.

Share yours!

 

[JoeFromTomsRiver]

I could come up w/ dozens of little pet peeves, but this one is fresh on my mind because we just had a battle royal on Monday:

Announcers saying the "big guys" in the Battle Royal/Royal Rumble are "favorites" when they hardly EVER win. They act like they can't imagine anyone throwing them out when its a standard part of these matches to have a bunch of guys team up to eliminate the big guy.

And here's one from back in the day:

Ric Flair getting body slammed off of the top turnbuckle. I don't think he EVER landed a move from the top rope. Wouldn't you stop going up there if every single time you did, your opponent got to you before you could do anything and he tossed you onto your back??

 

[Eddie Menuek]

I could come up w/ dozens of little pet peeves, but this one is fresh on my mind because we just had a battle royal on Monday:

Announcers saying the "big guys" in the Battle Royal/Royal Rumble are "favorites" when they hardly EVER win. They act like they can't imagine anyone throwing them out when its a standard part of these matches to have a bunch of guys team up to eliminate the big guy.

Ah, that's reminded me of possibly by biggest pet hate as far as announcer cliches go: 'the champion's disadvantage' in a multi-man championship match. I get the point that they're trying to sell me, and it's a valid one. But invariably it's implied that the champion has lower odds of winning the match than the other participants involved do, because he doesn't have to take a pinfall to drop the championship.

 

[three count bout]

Not sure if this really counts but how about the What chants?

I know i can ignore them, I know I can focus on the promo but it's like c'mon it's 2014 are we really still doing this? Sometimes it's not entirely cringe worthy, hell sometimes a guy is actually not saying anything of merit and it's deserved but Jesus sometimes it's so ill timed and inappropriate.

Not sure if finisher kick outs count as a "little thing" but it's certainly annoying when overdone.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Can I make a list of things that annoy me for existing or not existing? Even though I still watch the product, because I actually get it that the show isn't just for me and for a much broader audience and I still enjoy it the way it is too, but somethings I would change:

- Brands. It annoys me that I have to watch the same guys on Raw, Main Event and SmackDown. I like to see new things developing. There are a lot of talented guys that I can't watch, because some other guys I don't like are taking other's tv time. 8 hours of wrestling weekly, not including PPV's and Fallouts, should be more than enough for everyone - yet it isn't.

- Announcers not talking about the "sport" part of the entertainment. I like to think that what they are doing in the ring is a competition. I loved the IC tournament, good matches and a goal to fight for, instead of random matches just because.

- No more diverse backstage segments - it's always in the freaking interview zone. Where them locker rooms? Can't a wrestler just ask another one for help in catering area? Also, while we're at it - why do they make in-ring promos of someone answering another? It annoys me sometimes the fact that they highly promote an in-ring promo and then it doesn't have a goal at all and 20 minutes of my life pass by.

- Pictures instead of animated videos of the wrestlers when they announce a match. I loved when they announced a match and we could see the guys in a fight position, because that's what they are going to do and they looked awesome.

I felt sour here, but I like the current product. Somethings I don't, but others I do and I am generally satisfied, but if the show was all FOR ME, that's what I would change. And I would push 3MB!!

 

[Radical]

I agree with most things said already here.

I'll add these:

- If an opponent is supposedly 'knocked out' from a finishing move like a running knee or a DDT or kick to the head and they get pinned 1, 2, 3 but then like a second later start rolling out of the ring ... that bugs me!

It's like, I know they do it because 'for the show' they are clearing the ring for the winners to celebrate but it makes no logical sense. If they were JUST knocked out so they couldn't move for a count of 3 then why are they suddenly moving like a second later?

SOMETIMES you see this done right but it should be MUCH more often that the loser just stays flat and actually looks knocked out for at least a good 10 seconds. C'mon, sell the damn move better!

Note: This only applies to finishing moves that are 'knockouts' not to submissions or roll-ups where obviously the opponent is able to move after the submission or pin but they usually react correctly for this.

- I also hate when Signature moves are used that look more devastating than the Finishing moves but opponents often kick out of the Signature.

Best/Worst example I can think of was John Morrison's running knee while opponent was seated. That move looked LEGIT like a knockout. I mean, c'mon, a running knee to your head? Anybody ever accidentally knee themselves in the head? Yeah, you feel it and you can almost knock yourself out. That should be a Finisher.

Yet, for Morrison that silly Startship Pain was his finisher. Well, it was impressive, sure, but he usually looked like he missed his opponent and barely touched them. Not a good finisher.

Another one that comes to mind ... As stated before, Roman Reigns Superman Punch as a Signature but the Spear as his Finisher. IMO both should be Finishers. Because it looks kinda stupid if the guy gets hit with a Superman Punch and then gets up in like 2 seconds to turn around and get hit with a Spear. Have Reigns use just a clothesline to set up for EITHER the Superman Punch OR the Spear.

Cesaro's Neutralizer. It looks stupid as hell. I guess it is supposed to look pretty bad with supposedly the opponent coming crashing down on their face and front side but the set-up is ridiculous and Cesaro looks awkward trying to pull it off. I know because he has a lot of weight to lift it looks shaky but that doesn't help it look good. The lifting european uppercut is FAR more impressive and should be the Finisher. For big men he could just do the European Uppercut from the second rope.

 

[stonerfriendlykid]

Two things that really bother me and I know they shouldn't, are the stupid cocking of the wrist motion that Reigns does before he hits his superman punch, and the ground fist pound he does before he hits the spear. I instantly think power Rangers and Dragon Ball Z and it makes me face palm almost every time.

 

[Eddie Menuek]

Two things that really bother me and I know they shouldn't, are the stupid cocking of the wrist motion that Reigns does before he hits his superman punch, and the ground fist pound he does before he hits the spear. I instantly think power Rangers and Dragon Ball Z and it makes me face palm almost every time.

That's funny. I LOVE the cocking of the fist. I think it looks really badass, especially when he counters a move and then quickly cocks the fist before hitting the punch. It's easily my favourite taunt that anybody in the company has got, at the moment.

 

[JoeFromTomsRiver]

OK. Here's one that I realize is something that is beyond nit-picking, and it really doesn't "affect" anything. Its just one of those things that seems too "set up" and unnatural:

It's when they show a wrestler backstage watching a match on the monitor. They are standing almost directly NEXT to it, looking at it sideways. This is done so we can all see his face AND what he is watching as he is watching it. But who looks at a monitor like that? You're in the locker room and you want to see the match, but you're told you can't stand in front of it and look directly at it like a normal person, you have to stand to the side of it and look at it from am absurd angle.

I notice weird things.

 

[chicagokmc]

Announcers vilifying a heel one month but then feeling sorry for them the next month after they have turned face and now get to be on the receiving end of heel tactics. Cole and his reaction to the Shield beatdowns are an example - he spent the better part of a year denouncing their 3 on 1 squashings and being goons for the authority but once they became faces feeling bad that they are on the receiving end of squashes.

Every time someone is stretchered out it's the "worst beatdown we've ever seen". they same that every time ignoring previous instances where someone got laid out and that was the worst. I understand the need to sell what is currently going on but it gets very tiresome.

 

[Sean Valjean]

Ric Flair getting body slammed off of the top turnbuckle. I don't think he EVER landed a move from the top rope. Wouldn't you stop going up there if every single time you did, your opponent got to you before you could do anything and he tossed you onto your back??

Flair's landed that move a handful of times, most notably at Wrestlemania 24 against HBK. Just letting you know

This is probably just the artist in me, but I can't stand when a superstar's entrance graphic/video/whatever they display on those giant screens is either bland, doesn't fit the character, or outright sucks.

I kind of hate Swagger's right now. A plain American flag gets the job done, but I thought the one he had last year during the first couple of months of the We The People stuff sold the character better and was more creative. Same with Del Rio, actually. That purple/yellow entrance Titus had right after he split with Darren was AWFUL until they gave him what he has now, which is passable. Batista's is awesome but almost seizure-inducing with the rapid-fire flashing lights. I wonder if his entrance is banned in Japan.

 

[JoeFromTomsRiver]

Flair's landed that move a handful of times, most notably at Wrestlemania 24 against HBK. Just letting you know .

That had to have been a rib. Let Flair finally land a move from the top in his retirement match, lol.

 

[L@RISANO]

Don't know if this qualifies in this thread, but it has been bothering me more and more...

The fact that the Announcers at present, basically can't sell anything that goes on properly at all. As a guy who grew up listening to JR, and how he got a person interested in stuff...today's announcers don't get the audience interested in anything at all,tbh.

Case in point, when Evolution returned as a group with the Entrance Music and all. There was literally ZERO reaction by Cole and Co... Instantly,I thought of what Good 'ol JR would have said in that situation.

There are many more instances,tbh.

Another one is when they are "unreal" stories going on, and it is so obvious that some of the Superstars in them suck at acting and it brings down the entire segment due to that person's inabilities.
Case in Point; Brie Bella in the current Main title Story between DB and Kane.

 

[pipebomber]

I could list ALOT of things but for me it's John Cena's STF.

Now Im not a Cena hater, but this move looks HORRIBLE!! he applies 0 pressure, I have seen several people to STFs as regular moves. Cena does it as a finisher and his looks worse than anybody's I have ever seen

 

[Torgo]

Whenever the divas "wrestle" (more like run-n-hide fest) it bugs me when the women have to scream and grunt loudly in the simplest of moves like a punch. I mean for Pete's sake it's a simple punch, both of the divas don't have to go Aaaaaaauuuuuhhhhhh!

Usually that's a turn on but in wrestling...

 

[TheICChampion]

I agree with most of the stuff on here, and I'd like to add one:

The superstar that takes EVERY move his opponent has, then beats him in 2-3 moves, or with a roll-up after doing almost no damage at all. I realize they're supposed to win, but not after taking moves that put away every other superstar on the roster. Case in point: John Cena. It just makes not only his opponent look weak, but also whoever got beat by those same moves. If it's a knock-down, drag-out brawl with both guys pulling out their best moves and kicking out of them, that's fine. But when a superstar hits you with a finisher that fans just KNOW will put you down for a 3 count and then you kick out, especially after taking every move they have in their repertoire, it just makes them look weak, especially if you win with a roll-up or beat them a few moves later. I'm sure other people have mentioned this already, but it's one of my biggest pet peeves.

 

[CultOfPersonality]

Alberto Del Rio and his constant botching of the top rope enziguri drives me crazy. He hardly ever catches the guy properly and the commentators have no idea what to say "I don't think he got all of that Cole".

Also, Lana calling "Crush" every time Rusev is going for his finisher annoys me, I hope that little gimmick gets dropped asap.

 

[Bookerkingston]

I'm forgetting some things, but here are some I can think of for now:

1. The name Big E. Man just let it be one word-BIGGIE.

2. Winning a cage match by walking out the door. It's ridiculous how easy it is compared to climbing out of the cage or climbing a ladder. It's like if you run fast enough you can probably get away and jump through the door without even having to fight! That door should be locked and make them climb out of it.

3. One thing I've hated forever is the "sudden death" rule of triple threat matches. The whole "not having to be pinned to lose the title" thing. First you're fighting somebody, then a second later you're running in trying to save them. I think it would be better with elimination. There have been many great triple threats, it's just the stipulation that I can't stand.

4. When someone attacks and gives a beat down after a match and the bell keeps ringing because the match is over. You can ring the bell all you want, it's not gonna stop the guy from whooping the other guy's ass. It's just annoying.

5. The crowd can't count when Cesaro does his swing. They keep counting before he actually makes one complete rotation. By the time they get to 20, he probably only swung the guy like 11 or 12 times if you ignore the crowd and count yourself. And the thing is EVERY crowd does this.

 

[RobbieGQ]

1 named wrestlers, sheamus, paige, rusev, big e, cesaro the list goes on. It's lame its like having a wrestler named Justin or Jones. Its useless and corny. Whats wrong with a first and last name for a wrestler?

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

WWE retconning the past and even pretending certain evens never happened or repackaging superstars and calling them as new comers even know fans know better. This reminds me of the recent Star Wars franchise changing its cannon saying the games, books, and comics are not part of cannon anymore. It's a slap at the face fans who invested so much time devoting themselves to the product.

 

[Hendog]

I could name thousands of things but I'll try and give ones that haven't already been said.

Whenever Cena lifts the steel steps he makes it seem like they weigh 200 lbs, yet evey other wrestler picks them up easily. Either have every one "struggle" to pick them up or have everyone easily pick them up.

Batistas corner shoulder thrusts. He virtually falls to his knees whilst delivering them instead of forcing his shoulders into the opponent horizontally like Lesnar does.

When wrestlers make it painstakingly obvious that they're slapping their thigh to make the sound of a punch/kick etc. If you can't do it subtly, don't do it at all. (Kofi is bad for this)

The fact that a count/submission can be broken by having a body part in the plain of the ropes. Why have the wrestlers try and reach for the ropes 95% of the time when it'd be easier to just slide your hand along the floor under the bottom rope whilst being pinned/in a submission

The entrance set not being symetrical (where the wrestlers come out). It means that one half of the audience see the wrestler before the other and pops first, then the other half see him 2 seconds later and then they pop. Just have them come out of a symetrical entrance so that the entire audience sees the wrestler at the same time, thereby making the pop louder.

After every backstage promo the camera focuses on the wrestlers bitchy-resting-face for about 5 seconds after they've finished talking. Why??

The don't try this at home adverts featuring midcarders and jobbers. Surely kids watching would take the message more seriously if it were a main eventer saying it like Cena/Bryan

The lack of top-rope finishers. I appreciate a lot of moves are banned nowadays but a simple move executed well can still look good and be considered a genuine finisher. Val Venis' finisher was just a splash but it was given a name and was done with theatrics and looked good.

When Randy does his around the body stomps. Are we supposed to believe that the wrestlers aren't smart enough to realise after 2 stomps that there'll be another 3/4 coming? Just roll out of the ring or try and get away!

Wrestlers only falling onto the 2nd rope for the set-up for Reys 619. Literally the ONLY time wrestlers fall onto the 2nd rope is to set up the move whether it be from him doing a dropkick or a hurrancanrana. I guarantee the next 1000 dropkicks you see in WWE not done by Rey won't result in the wrestler falling onto the 2nd rope once.

JBL calling Michael Cole "MARGUL GOAL!!" when he gets excited. Surely the main requisite to being a commentator is the ability to speak clearly and concisely.

A move being a finisher for someone and a regular move for someone else. I.e when Batista used to have spear as a regular move and not beat people with it, yet when Edge did it (significantly weaker I might add) it got the 1 2 3.

Cole screaming "IT'S OVER, WE GOT A NEW CHAMPION!!" leading to the inevitable kick out at 2 and a half.

The high number of wrestlers with boring generic names instead of a gimmick name e.g The Godfather, Big Boss Man, Road Dogg. Seriously they must just throw a list of names into a hat and pick 2 out at random. Luke Harper, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins Sami Zayn etc. It's not 1996, having a normal name isn't "real" or "cool", it's just incredibly boring.

Pyro.. seriously where has it gone? I understand it's expensive and there's no need to have it for certain wrestlers but not even for the opening of the show? The opening pyro used to get everyone loud and in the right mood for the show.

Justin Roberts' announcing of the name John Cena. His name is John , not Jee-ohn. He says "JEEEEOOOOORRRNNNNNN". Just say "JOOORRRRNNNNNNNN".


I could literally be here all day lol, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[Raptor93]

People calling others IWC something or other on WZ......I seriously confused how they dont see they themselves are an IWC member, they are talking wrestling on the internet ,that is literally the definition of IWC

 

[Steve-O-Matt]

Like many people here, I have a problem with the commentators, all three of them. Worst one being Cole, as whenever something heelish is going on in the ring, like a beatdown, they just go completely quiet and just hear Cole saying stuff like "This... it's hard to watch. How can he do such a thing..." Whereas whenever this happened with JR, he'd be all "OH FOR GOODNESS SAKE, HE'S HAD ENOUGH GODDAMN IT! SOMEONE STOP THE DAMN MATCH!"

For example, Cole at probably the biggest moment to ever happen in modern wrestling: "The streak... is over." Wow Cole, way to express the emotion... I miss JR so much.

 

[Steve-O-Matt]

Oh yeah and I also hate too many title reigns. After 14 reigns, you'd think John Cena to be above the title by now, 14 is just such a silly number to me and the sad part is, we know he's always got one more coming in the future. The number is so high for him, Trips and Randy Orton it might as be "I'm a 94 time world champion!" It just feels silly.

The best amount of title reigns should only be 4-5 or less and they need to spaced out nice and evenly, kind of like Taker when he was challenging JBL for the title. They did segments throughout a Smackdown showing the world titles he did win and you could see the differences over time, it was awesome.

 

[Meth Head]

And here's one from back in the day:

Ric Flair getting body slammed off of the top turnbuckle. I don't think he EVER landed a move from the top rope. Wouldn't you stop going up there if every single time you did, your opponent got to you before you could do anything and he tossed you onto your back??

I actually loved whenever that happened. Lawler would go "Not the top rope, Naitch, not again, this never works" and he would be right every time. Cracked me up.