Feb 5, 2024 8:18:51 GMT Todd said:

Jake, it’s wrestling bud.

I had to sit through the garbage that was Black Adam, Rock owes me Cody finishing the story.

Top 5 merchandise sellers at this time are:

1: Roman Reigns
2: CM Punk
3: The Rock
4: Jey Uso
5: Cody Rhodes


You get it, nerds?

Feb 5, 2024 14:28:25 GMT KING KID said:

Top 5 merchandise sellers at this time are:

1: Roman Reigns
2: CM Punk
3: The Rock
4: Jey Uso
5: Cody Rhodes


You get it, nerds?

2023 (full year):

1) Cody
2) Roman
3) LA Knight
4) Cena
5) Rhea

Get it, dork?

I'm down for Rhea to merge all the belts.

New Rock merch deal is only a month old or so.

Dave confirmed the plan was for Rock vs Reigns well before the Rumble. Emanuel and Khan decided to have Rock instead of Cody. Merch is already sent to the printers and sponsorship deals signed based on Rock being in the main event. Then Cody for some reason was booked to win the Rumble anyway and call out Reigns despite them knowing he would not face Reigns at the WM.

Match was offered as part of the deal to bring him onto the board and if they alter it now will lose millions of dollars since they immediately went to sponsors. While WWE fans think Cody is the bigger star and more well known than the Rock to the general public, sponsors clearly do not agree.

Believed the plan to is to treat Cody like Bryan Danielson through WM to make him into a bigger babyface. And if so, it is clearly working.

Feb 5, 2024 11:03:12 GMT Jake said:

Feb 5, 2024 8:18:51 GMT Todd said:

Jake, it’s wrestling bud.

I had to sit through the garbage that was Black Adam, Rock owes me Cody finishing the story.

You didn’t have to sit through anything. You chose that.

Just like Wrestlemania. The Rock owes you nothing.

The best turn that should come out of this is Hollywood Rock. Let him beat Roman to rabid boos and then destroy Cody the next night on Raw.

And just to appease the cry babies I’d be okay if that led to Cody beating Rock at Sunmerslam to unify the titles or whatever.

Since I had a lovely night of insomnia, I've thought about this way more than is healthy.

We know Brock getting mixed up in the scandal and Punk getting injured changed some stuff. We don't know what.

But I believe that Rock vs Roman was the plan for WM40 all along and that there is a bigger picture here even though it's taking a long while to get there. Cody said to Roman 'I'm coming for you Roman, and I'm coming for that title. I want THAT title'. He also told him 'Do I want to take that title from you or do I want to take everything from you?' which leads me to believe Rock/Roman isn't going to be for the title and as we've all agreed, it doesn't need to be. Their match is 9 years in the making and maybe not at what you all deem the best time, but it's WM40, if not now then when? The Rock doesn't need the title (despite never winning a title at WM in his career), BUT Cody does. But first he needs Seth's title -  especially if he is going to unify them. Which is why he had to win the Rumble.

Now some of the speculation is that the Powers that Be want to keep the title on Roman so he can break Hogan's streak which brings us to Sep 3 - through Mania and through SS. I am not a fan of this plan, BUT IF that's the case then if Cody faced Rollins this Mania, then the plan was for him to lose...again?! The Rock can handle a loss against Roman much better than Cody could handle a second one so maybe this is them protecting him? What would make you angrier? If they let Cody shoot his shot and he lost or keeping him strong and using Rock vs Roman to carve out an even bigger story in the end? Wouldn't it be the tits if Cody systematically dismantled Roman like he said he would: helps Rock beat Roman at Mania, watches as Roman slowly loses the respect of his family/entourage and even the Wise Man (maybe even with Cody's help) until all he has left is that title and breaking Hogan's streak except at SS Cody WINS, takes the title from Roman JUST before he breaks Hogan's streak. Or is the issue that it's not happening at Mania?

We really don't know how this will play out. As mentioned still EC to come and Mania Night 1 and Night 2. DB played over both nights so who knows Jabronis. I'm still trying to figure out how this is all The Rock's fault.

EDIT: The real tragedy in this whole thing is that you all have me agreeing with UT !!!!

Should The Rock not appear at WM? What would he do if he isn't facing Reigns? Rollins? Solo Sikoa?

It's all about the poster and cover art. Rock Roman is what you want not Cody.

Feb 5, 2024 16:38:30 GMT Blindy said:

Should The Rock not appear at WM? What would he do if he isn't facing Reigns? Rollins? Solo Sikoa?

If he ain't fighting Reigns he ain't gonna be there.

Feb 5, 2024 16:45:25 GMT @ness said:

Feb 5, 2024 16:38:30 GMT Blindy said:

Should The Rock not appear at WM? What would he do if he isn't facing Reigns? Rollins? Solo Sikoa?

If he ain't fighting Reigns he ain't gonna be there.

Some people would rather have him announce the sold out show and give the numbers or Rock Bottom Grayson Waller or whatever I guess. 

Why are Rock fans so pissy that some people don’t want to see the Rock in 2024? If you do, that’s great. Some don’t. And some certainly don’t want to see him gatecrash the culmination of Cody’s angle.

Feb 5, 2024 16:15:22 GMT UT said:

The best turn that should come out of this is Hollywood Rock. Let him beat Roman to rabid boos and then destroy Cody the next night on Raw.

And just to appease the cry babies I’d be okay if that led to Cody beating Rock at Sunmerslam to unify the titles or whatever.

I hope this is the return of Corporate Rock.  

Feb 5, 2024 15:32:04 GMT KJ said:

Feb 5, 2024 14:28:25 GMT KING KID said:

Top 5 merchandise sellers at this time are:

1: Roman Reigns
2: CM Punk
3: The Rock
4: Jey Uso
5: Cody Rhodes


You get it, nerds?

2023 (full year):

1) Cody
2) Roman
3) LA Knight
4) Cena
5) Rhea

Get it, dork?

Hey nerd. 

Welcome to 2024. 

Is there really any way that Rock actually turns heel through all this? No way he wants to hurt his Hollywood image, right?

Feb 5, 2024 17:33:23 GMT Todd said:

Why are Rock fans so pissy that some people don’t want to see the Rock in 2024? If you do, that’s great. Some don’t. And some certainly don’t want to see him gatecrash the culmination of Cody’s angle.

Rock fans are pissy?   We're not the ones threatening someone's life and saying vile things over a wrestling match. 

Listen, I sat through 2 Goldberg/Brock matches (all 3 minutes and 2 moves of them) because I was told it was 'best for business', despite me hating both men and Brock throwing my man KO over for a 50 year old Goldberg. At least The Rock is relevant. Am I sorry so many people are disappointed? Not really. (Maybe RT and RT -T2) It's wrestling. I have been a wrestling fan for 43 years so I have waded through some crap matchups, know all about disappointments, highs and lows, etc. but some of you guys are acting like this is Montreal Screwjob 2.0 or the nail in Cody's coffin and Dwayne is hammering it in himself.  This is the culmination of a story that was being told long before Cody was back and one that is going to tie into his story - just maybe not the way you all envisioned it. 

Feb 5, 2024 18:13:58 GMT KING KID said:

Feb 5, 2024 15:32:04 GMT KJ said:

2023 (full year):

1) Cody
2) Roman
3) LA Knight
4) Cena
5) Rhea

Get it, dork?

Hey nerd. 

Welcome to 2024. 

Welcome to 12 months vs. 1 month, with two returning part timers and an influx of new gear.

We’ll see this out in December.

The evidence lies in the booking and the words spoken over the last week, especially Cody's promo with Seth indicating he was likely challenging Reigns for the WWE Championship.

If, Cody v Rollins was always the plan given Cody won The Rumble, then Cody would have specifically walked out on Raw and been very clear, direct and would have challenged Rollins.

It says, two things happened between those few days between Raw and Smackdown of last week - The Rock, as reported pushed for his title match as part of the deal with TKO, and the extent of Punk's injury was figured out. If Punk wasn't cleared for Wrestlemania, then, again Cody would have specifically walked out on Raw and been very clear, direct and would have challenged Rollins.

But that didn't happen. Indicating Punk will likely face Rollins as expected, and Cody will probably take a back seat unless this is all an elaborate way to " Daniel Bryan " Cody into the match.

Feb 5, 2024 17:33:23 GMT Todd said:

Why are Rock fans so pissy that some people don’t want to see the Rock in 2024? If you do, that’s great. Some don’t. And some certainly don’t want to see him gatecrash the culmination of Cody’s angle.

Some people don't want to see a repeat of a previous WM main event happen again. What can Cody & Reigns do in the sequel to dramatically change things up from a story perspective? 

We talk about the end result being the buy in and cash out but what can Rhodes & Reigns possibly do to surpass last year? Add a stipulation like Steel Cage? No DQ? 

Having Cody win the rumble and get in the main event practically feels like Deja Vu, only he would theoretically win it all this time. Is that enough to warrant all of this? 

Feb 5, 2024 18:17:48 GMT jTjohncenaGOAT said:

Is there really any way that Rock actually turns heel through all this? No way he wants to hurt his Hollywood image, right?

Rock is a hollywood star.  He is just playing another character.  

Feb 5, 2024 19:08:20 GMT Blindy said:

Feb 5, 2024 17:33:23 GMT Todd said:

Why are Rock fans so pissy that some people don’t want to see the Rock in 2024? If you do, that’s great. Some don’t. And some certainly don’t want to see him gatecrash the culmination of Cody’s angle.

Some people don't want to see a repeat of a previous WM main event happen again. What can Cody & Reigns do in the sequel to dramatically change things up from a story perspective? 

We talk about the end result being the buy in and cash out but what can Rhodes & Reigns possibly do to surpass last year? Add a stipulation like Steel Cage? No DQ? 

Having Cody win the rumble and get in the main event practically feels like Deja Vu, only he would theoretically win it all this time. Is that enough to warrant all of this? 

This is where I am at.  What I wanted at WM ideally was Cody vs Nakamura in a bullrope match that they were putting together on house shows.

But for this current story there is no good way Cody and Reigns ends.  Reigns wins, that is a straight repeat.  Cody wins it starts a short title run that sees fans likely turn on him as Cody as champ is miserable.  Cody is good during the chase but on top he comes off as a smug asshole while working face. 

I still hold Bron should end Roman's run and no one before him.  It will be the ending of Taker's streak done right.

Feb 5, 2024 19:12:32 GMT c said:

Feb 5, 2024 18:17:48 GMT jTjohncenaGOAT said:

Is there really any way that Rock actually turns heel through all this? No way he wants to hurt his Hollywood image, right?

Rock is a hollywood star.  He is just playing another character.  

Does Rock ever really play the bad guy in films?

Feb 5, 2024 17:33:23 GMT Todd said:

Why are Rock fans so pissy that some people don’t want to see the Rock in 2024? If you do, that’s great. Some don’t. And some certainly don’t want to see him gatecrash the culmination of Cody’s angle.

Ironic to call Rock fans the pissy ones. Cody fans are legitimately making bomb threats to Wrestlemania.

My reasons for my stance are two fold really. First and foremost The Rock is one of my favorite wrestlers/characters of all time and this match against Roman is IMO one of the few remaining and plausible dream matches we have as fans.

Had this match not been on the table I would have been fine with Rhodes/Reigns 2. I don’t care, I’m here to have fun and that could have been fun as well. Being aware and a little more active in the wrestling discourse again though has reminded me that wrestling fans for the most part are just a bunch of whiny and entitled fucking brats who genuinely don’t deserve to get what they want. I don’t know where this sort of conditioning came from for them but the idea that you need to get exactly what you want when you want it or your going to throw a hissy fit is nauseating and something most people grow out of by the age of 5.

And instead of doing what any rational human being would do and just not watch it or contribute the views and energy to it - they do the opposite and the majority of the people attending Mania this year are looking forward to spending a thousands of dollars to have a bad time… not because Reigns/Rock is going to be bad but because the WWE didn’t book their card exactly how these cry babies thought they should.

It’s like the spoiled rich kids you see clips of throwing a fit because their daddy bought them a new Mercedes but they wanted the BMW.


Also I’ll say this in general approach to Wrestlemania. I hate the idea that Mania is where the best matches need to be held and stories need to reach their culmination. Wrestlemania is about the spectacle and right now you’d be hard pressed to me to find a greater spectacle of a match that Roman/Rock.


The Rock fans aren’t the bad guys here though. If Rock were to drop out or give the match back to Cody for any reason I wouldn’t throw a fit and cry and threaten to bomb Mania… I would move on and probably cheer for Cody.

Feb 4, 2024 22:56:03 GMT NATH45 said:

He is the people's champ right now

Any significance to Rock wearing a “People’s Champ” tee on Smackdown you reckon?!


——

I think the main issue with Rock/Roman is that the company is on such a hot run and establishing genuine future stars to take them through the next 5 years. The Rumble didn’t have any legend spots, but now Rock is coming in for a title match. Let’s also remember we’ve just had Trish Stratus put on a GOAT run for a legend return, and there’s also many loud suggestions about how Rock is going be gassed 2 minutes in and well yeah…you can kinda see why the appetite isn’t there for the way it’s happening.

However, Rock vs Roman is the far bigger marquee match than Roman vs Cody II. If this was always the plan, Cody should have never won the Rumble. Punk should’ve won, and Rock never being in it is the right move.

Cody’s whole thing is about ‘the story’, well his story then becomes his first World Title but still has the further story of holding the WWE Title in the way he explained it on Smackdown.

Rock could’ve just interrupted Roman’s ego trip celebration on SD after RR (I’ve beaten everyone, including three top contenders in one night yada yada acknowledge me) and set the match from there.

Oh and all that’s to also say that Cody fans are acting like he’s getting shit on even though dude has won back to back Rumbles and is still fighting for a title at Mania. Good lord the disservice this guy has faced. The tragedy of being one of like 3 people to ever win back to back Rumbles.

Feb 5, 2024 19:48:22 GMT UT said:

It’s like the spoiled rich kids you see clips of throwing a fit because their daddy bought them a new Mercedes but they wanted the BMW.


Also I’ll say this in general approach to Wrestlemania. I hate the idea that Mania is where the best matches need to be held and stories need to reach their culmination. Wrestlemania is about the spectacle and right now you’d be hard pressed to me to find a greater spectacle of a match that Roman/Rock.


The Rock fans aren’t the bad guys here though. If Rock were to drop out or give the match back to Cody for any reason I wouldn’t throw a fit and cry and threaten to bomb Mania… I would move on and probably cheer for Cody.

The new car analogy is dreadful. That’s a gift from a parent. Wrestling is a product people spend their money on. If they don’t like it they can voice their dissatisfaction. In general I’m opposed to hijacking if shows because it’s just people trying to get themselves over, however this I believe is coming from a place of genuine frustration for a lot of fans, similar to Bryan ten years ago.

Obviously there are losers going too far both on here and on Twitter, that will always be the case. Wrestling fosters these types unfortunately. I’m surprised people are so defensive is all. Like, it’s happening. It’s going to be Rock/Roman. Don’t throw a pre-fit (not referring to you or anyone in particular here) at the concept that the fans might boo it. They paid a lot of money and they can do what they like.

I mostly agree with you on spectacle, but this year feels different due to story they’ve been telling with Cody these last couple of years.

The decision to have him win the Rumble btw is insane. If that Dave story is true, it pretty much means that either HHH (by booking Cody to win) or Cody himself (by pointing at Roman after he won) went into business for themselves. Otherwise it’s a work, which I would be able to get on board with, if not for the fact that it would mean Rock happy exposing himself as the bad guy.

The Rock fans certainly aren't doing this:

Absolutely shameful shit.

None of us are doing that though are we? Well, maybe Jake is. But the normal people among us are not. So let’s not generalise upon everyone who feels this way because of a lunatic minority.

Feb 5, 2024 20:03:06 GMT Todd said:

Feb 5, 2024 19:48:22 GMT UT said:

It’s like the spoiled rich kids you see clips of throwing a fit because their daddy bought them a new Mercedes but they wanted the BMW.


Also I’ll say this in general approach to Wrestlemania. I hate the idea that Mania is where the best matches need to be held and stories need to reach their culmination. Wrestlemania is about the spectacle and right now you’d be hard pressed to me to find a greater spectacle of a match that Roman/Rock.


The Rock fans aren’t the bad guys here though. If Rock were to drop out or give the match back to Cody for any reason I wouldn’t throw a fit and cry and threaten to bomb Mania… I would move on and probably cheer for Cody.

The new car analogy is dreadful. That’s a gift from a parent. Wrestling is a product people spend their money on. If they don’t like it they can voice their dissatisfaction. In general I’m opposed to hijacking if shows because it’s just people trying to get themselves over, however this I believe is coming from a place of genuine frustration for a lot of fans, similar to Bryan ten years ago.

Obviously there are losers going too far both on here and on Twitter, that will always be the case. Wrestling fosters these types unfortunately. I’m surprised people are so defensive is all. Like, it’s happening. It’s going to be Rock/Roman. Don’t throw a pre-fit (not referring to you or anyone in particular here) at the concept that the fans might boo it. They paid a lot of money and they can do what they like.

I mostly agree with you on spectacle, but this year feels different due to story they’ve been telling with Cody these last couple of years.

The decision to have him win the Rumble btw is insane. If that Dave story is true, it pretty much means that either HHH (by booking Cody to win) or Cody himself (by pointing at Roman after he won) went into business for themselves. Otherwise it’s a work, which I would be able to get on board with, if not for the fact that it would mean Rock happy exposing himself as the bad guy.

The analogy refers to the entitlement at the base of it. Maybe not exactly the same but the entitlement behind it, and to be clear… fans pay for the WWE to put on a wrestling product , a wrestling product the WWE books to put out there. They don’t pay to get exactly what they want , this isn’t a restaurant.

They spend their money and now are continuing to spend their money on to have a bad time. There’s a different analogy out there but I’m not trying to bring this thread down that road. It’s just gross and immature behavior from alleged adults.

And it is happening and as for not throwing a prefit , the same could be said for the otherside who now will not give this match a chance. Roman and Rock could go out where and put forth a memorable fun dream match that is predetermined to get shit on. If fans wanted to go into that match and boo because it turned out to be shit that’s one thing but they could put on the greatest match in Mania history at this point and fans have concluded far before the bell rings that it sucks.