CW POD: Is pro wrestling fun again?

[Brentwood]

The Cody/Cena match was trash. Overall this was a pretty forgettable Mania.

 

[tyrelrobert]

He's a rapper but his primary significance is more in his clothing/brand. The Cactus Jack stuff is really popular. It's clearly an attempt to venture into a different demographic, which is fine, but was done at the complete expense of the story itself.

It’s also visually unappealing to see a 150 lb man try to look tough. Why would anyone be afraid of him?

 

[Drew0311]

Was Travis Scott involved in any of the leadup to this? I know Ishowspeed has been doing some stuff but I didn't know why Travis Scott was even messing around in the match to start with. Unless they have context tonight. It was rather confusing.

 

[Clonefan32]

Was Travis Scott involved in any of the leadup to this? I know Ishowspeed has been doing some stuff but I didn't know why Travis Scott was even messing around in the match to start with. Unless they have context tonight. It was rather confusing.

He came to Elimination Chamber with the Rock and was in the ring when Cena turned. No real explanation why. He got a shot in on Cody after Cena turned.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Even Rodman and Tyson had a little build-up. There's just no reason for Travis Scott to be there. I saw some people talk about how Taker didn't make any sense to help Cody last year. I guess that's true, but at least it was a WWE Hall of Famer that didn't need too much context.

My guess is that Cena couldn't wrestle a full 40 minute match. They had to come up with a gimmick. The Rock had to be the plan but something fell through and they were left to scramble.

The larger point here is just keep the Rock the **** away from any actual storyline going forward. The leadup to Wrestlemania last year was great, but the payoff on the bloodline story wasn't there. He just cut that weird promo at Raw after and left. Then this storyline has made absolutely no sense.

Maybe there's a payoff coming, but maybe not. Oh, and I love HHH but his sanctimonious "this was the greatest event ever and anyone complaining is just whiney OWC" gets a little old. Is there too much ******** in the OWC? Absolutely. But calling out this main event is justified.

It's not like there was ZERO build up for Travis Scott - he was there when Cena went heel and in fact was the one that gave Rhodes the legitimate black eye. It's just that there has been no word from him since... until last night.

Especially to put an old, rusty wrestler at the top

Cena doesn't move well. He isn't a great heel. He's a very temporary nostalgia show.

I disagree with the idea of Cena being a bad heel. The problem is how the storyline progressed - it was clear that Cena turned heel in joining the Rock's faction, and the story progressed... except they never discussed the why or how, and then the Rock disappeared from the storyline altogether. So Cena is a heel whose motivation for doing the things he's done pretty much disappeared leading up to WrestleMania (face it - Joe Hendry had more motivation entering WrestleMania than Cena did - he jumped on an opportunity - just like he's done several times in the last year.

In actuality, Cena's heel work, especially in the match, including everything after the ill-advised ref bump, has been really good. I was particularly impressed with the way he shut down the Vegas crowd going into business for themselves, trying to cause a double-turn (Cena turn face; Rhodes turn heel). The problem is the turn was built with the assumption the Rock was going to be part of it, only for the Rock to disappear.

 

[jdoggivjc]

He came to Survivor Series with the Rock and was in the ring when Cena turned. No real explanation why. He got a shot in on Cody after Cena turned.

You meant Elimination Chamber, but yes.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

It's pretty clear that Dwayne screwed them over and backed out of showing up. Put all of the creative in a terrible spot.

 

[Raiders70]

Thought the match was good until Travis Scott showed up.

 

[Clonefan32]

It's pretty clear that Dwayne screwed them over and backed out of showing up. Put all of the creative in a terrible spot.

With TKO running the show he can do what he wants. I honestly think he just randomly shows up a few times a year and they have to quickly write him in with no plan. That's all that makes sense.

 

[EnkAMania]

If Becky sticks around, having a feud with Bayley would be fun.

 

[Arkansas Cyclone]

I was in and out of the room a lot and must've missed the part about Bayley. Why was she not part of the tag team?

 

[EnkAMania]

I was in and out of the room a lot and must've missed the part about Bayley. Why was she not part of the tag team?

She got attacked backstage by unknown assailant(s).

 

[jdoggivjc]

Love the conspiracy going around right now that Becky was the one that took out Bayley and it's 50/50 she turns on Lyra during this match (because WWE loves having Seth and Becky be heel together).

Becky heel turn... one night later.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

RUSEV RETURNS

 

[1UNI2ISU]

McAfee-Gunther is going to rule.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

The main event scene in WWE is INSANE!

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

 

[mj4cy]

RAW was so much better than Mania....Cena had his best promo since turning heel. Love Orton being in the title picture....they have great history/chemistry.....and who would have thought Orton as the face and Cena as the heel this time.

Never was a huge fan of Rusev but I'm a huge fan of surprise returns....and something about nostalgia makes me like them more later on in their careers.

Love the Gunther/McAfee setup

EPIC ENDING

 

[Arkansas Cyclone]

Just curious. Who's the good guy in WWE that everyone likes and you hate and who's the bad guy you like that is hated by the fan base?

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Rock explaining why he wasn't there. Didn't want to rain on Cody and John but I think he would of brought something worthwhile.