OORick
Intellectual Savior of the Masses 
Posts 3433
Registered 12-27-2001 Location - The Birthplace of Aviation Member Is Offline Mood: Flyered Up
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| posted on 7-18-2016 at 10:24 PM |
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OOfficial Discussion Thread for: RAW (July 18, 2016)
Tonight on RAW: WWE will do everything in their power to make sure that their flagship program does not get overshadowed by what is shaping up
to be a momentous edition of SmackDown, taking place tomorrow night.
That means a rare WWE Title defense will headline tonight's show: Dean Ambrose defends the belt against co-#1 Contender Seth Rollins, in a one
on one match. Regardless of outcome, both men will reassemble in 6 days for the Battleground PPV, at which Roman Reigns joins them for a Triple
Threat, also for the WWE Title. You may wonder "Why bother?" but Rollins has made it clear that one-on-one, absent any shennanigans, he's the
best wrestler in WWE, and the rightful champion. He feels he's never been cleanly defeated with the title on the line, since he won it the first
time -- he was stripped of it due to injury, won it in his first match back, only to lose it on a cheap MitB cash in -- and doesn't expect to
let Ambrose end that streak tonight.
Regardless, my instinct is that WWE will also want to split the World Title, so each brand has its own champion... and you can do the math from there:
somehow, someway, two guys walk out of Battleground with a legit claim on the gold (it could be as simple as the champ not being the one to get pinned
on Sunday, or infinitely more convoluted than that), only this time, WWE WANTS there to be two champions, so they run with it.
In addition to a huge main event, tonight will also feature the dual announcements by Shane and Stephanie McMahon regarding their new General Managers
for each brand. Last week, Shane revealed on Wednesday that he'd already done a handshake deal with his new GM (and a possible flub by WWE.com
suggests that Daniel Bryan may be the week-in, week-out authority figure on SmackDown. Steph has not given any public sign of having made a decision,
but she's on the clock, too, as Vince declared that if his kids didn't have GMs in place by RAW, he would pick for them; presumably, she
would choose a heel to represent her interests, in order to make sure the heel/face tension between brother and sister is mirrored in the GMs.
Those two issues are the rock stars tonight, but besides a WWE Title Match and the table setting for tomorrow night's Draft, we also do have a
PPV coming up on Sunday, which means WWE needs to service those stories...
A notch below the Triple Threat, you've got a pair of marquee matches that ought to be tremendous: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens should be their
final blowoff (at least for a while), while John Cena is backed up by Enzo & Cass in a match against the Club. Zayn and Owens have already done all
the heavy lifting necessary, and if you're not stoked for their grudge match, trust me, you are doing it wrong. Tonight, they can do their
standard "find a tag match to be on opposite sides of" schtick (just last Thursday, they formed a tag team Voltron with Ambrose and Rollins, with
outstanding results), or just do guest commentary and interfere in each other's singles matches. Whatever works for them, works for me.
Meantime, Cena and his boys vs. Styles and his boys has plenty of super easy iterations they can play with (they've been teasing Styles/Cass in
a singles match for the past week). Throw in a little mic work, along with whatever pairing they do for a match, and you're on perfect course
for Sunday.
The other PPV (and preshow) storylines that will get attention tonight include: the New Day vs. the Wyatt Family; the New Day's visit to the
Wyatt Compound did not go well, and now, the two sides are apparently gonna to a non-title Six Man Tag at the PPV, with the upshot being that the New
Day are getting to slowly reveal a more serious side.... Darren Young's make-over got off to a fantastic start last week when he won a Battle
Royale, and now he's the #1 Contender to Miz's IC Title.... hostilities between Women's Champ Charlotte and Sasha Banks are on the
rise, with Charlotte using her protege Dana to get the better of Sasha; with the challenge of a tag match on the table, Sasha should reveal her
partner of choice tonight... meantime, the women's division is also home to a red hot singles issue, as Becky Lynch is still looking for revenge
after Natalya became the latest "friend" to stab Becky in the back... believe it or not, Zack Ryder has earned a shot at Rusev's US Title, and
WWE has already announced that it will take place on Sunday....
Rounding things out, Battleground will also feature a special edition of The Highlight Reel... or at least, that was the plan as of last Thursday.
Chris Jericho was going to have Randy Orton come on out to discuss the big SummerSlam match against Brock Lesnar, but WWE has not yet clarified their
specific plans for Lesnar since he was found to have failed a drug test in the run-up to UFC200.
That is all. End communication....
The flOOr is yours, OO Nation. Don't wait till after 11pm to post, either. Pre-show previewing and prognosticating is certainly welcome.
So discuss, debate, and rate!
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Columbo
Showstopper  
Posts 934
Registered 11-2-2004 Location @columbo527 Member Is Offline Mood: GodDamnWOOO
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| posted on 7-18-2016 at 10:43 PM |
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So Seth is winning the title tonight so he can be the number 1 draft pick, right?
"The North Cafeteria, named after Admiral William North, is located in the western portion of East Hall, gateway to the western half of North Hall,
which is named, not after William North, but for its position above the South Wall. It is the most contested and confusing battlefield on Greendale�s
campus, next to the English Memorial Spanish Center, named after English Memorial, a Portuguese sailor that discovered Greendale while looking for a
fountain that cured syphilis."
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CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1217
Registered 7-20-2011 Location Elsewhereville, Whogivesashittington...Alberta, Ca Member Is Offline Mood: Berried
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:02 AM |
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So long as Stephanie doesn't name herself as the Commissioner pf Raw I'll be a happy camper. I'm plenty fine with The Authority
becoming more and more of a distant memory. But, since the evil boss thing is an unavoidable trope in modern Pro-Wrestling and I'm assuming
Smackdown will be getting a face Commissioner... I want Eric Bischoff back on Raw.
Edit: Sub GM for Commissioner and vice versa
[Edited on 7/19/2016 by CM Crunk]
Twitter and Instagram: WatkinsAGoGo
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scott19buckeye
rOOkie
Posts 43
Registered 12-16-2013 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:04 AM |
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I see Steph picking HHH, Shane picking DB, and Vince "trading" them for each other so DB has to work for Steph and HHH has to work for Shane.
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Count Zero
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1238
Registered 1-29-2013 Location Canada East Member Is Offline Mood: RAM is MAR
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:06 AM |
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Steph's got Ladyballs?
Welp, I didn't see that one coming... RIGHT HERE!! IN PROVIDENCE, RI!
[Edited on 7-19-2016 by Count Zero]
Originally posted by williamssl
"That hasn't stopped us from doing this shit before!"
"Checkmate, sir. Checkmate"
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janerd75
The Rowdy One 
Posts 2574
Registered 1-28-2013 Location Casa Mierda del Se�or Benjamin Member Is Offline Mood: Culo fiesta
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:07 AM |
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Yes! on Uncle Eric and YES! Shane should just flat out deck Steph. #Equality
Fuck Everybody
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TonyTH
Showstopper 
Posts 593
Registered 10-3-2007 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:09 AM |
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I know authority figures are kinda played out, but Mick Foley is fine, right? That commish run was fucking awesome.
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CM Crunk
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1217
Registered 7-20-2011 Location Elsewhereville, Whogivesashittington...Alberta, Ca Member Is Offline Mood: Berried
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:11 AM |
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Foley's original run as GM was filled with more hits than misses. Here's hoping this also means the return of the mobile GM office. Foley
claiming to put the final nail in WCWs coffin seems like itd be a perfect settup for Uncle Erics return.
Edit: Of course it's Bryan. I just wanted to be ObtOOse and pull for Bischoff. Interesting that we'll have a babyface authority fogure on
both shows. At the very least it's the first indication of actual change. Oh and Cruiserweights on Raw! Surprising but it makes sense with the
extra hour. I'm still holding out hope for a Trios division on Smackdown.
[Edited on 7/19/2016 by CM Crunk]
Twitter and Instagram: WatkinsAGoGo
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janerd75
The Rowdy One
Posts 2574
Registered 1-28-2013 Location Casa Mierda del Se�or Benjamin Member Is Offline Mood: Culo fiesta
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:14 AM |
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So that's a YES!
Fuck Everybody
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LoveMuscle
rOOkie
Posts 46
Registered 6-28-2007 Member Is Offline Mood: horny
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:15 AM |
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Damn, they wish they had an active wrestler who could make the crowd pop like that.
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Count Zero
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1238
Registered 1-29-2013 Location Canada East Member Is Offline Mood: RAM is MAR
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:16 AM |
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I am amazingly pleased that (for the moment) we don't have a Heel GM! Sure, Steph can still lean on Foley and make him have to do heelish
things, but right now I love the "Sanity and Good Guys in charge" angle -- no matter how temporary it might be.
Originally posted by williamssl
"That hasn't stopped us from doing this shit before!"
"Checkmate, sir. Checkmate"
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TonyTH
Showstopper
Posts 593
Registered 10-3-2007 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:27 AM |
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I got a little teary eyed seeing D-Bry back. I missed that bastard.
All these multi-man tags seem like a "Last time you'll see all these guys in one match" kind of deals.
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scott19buckeye
rOOkie
Posts 43
Registered 12-16-2013 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:39 AM |
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That reception for BD helped reaffirmed why I love wrestling; however, the feeling might be fleeting because, well you know.
I bet Foley gets fired after the draft, lol. I am a little worried that Steph will do that and Raw will have a rotating GM.
Yeah, the tag teams are a little weird but I guess it is the exchange we are getting for a title match...if it actually happens.
The constant draft evals will be annoying tonight.
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Paddlefoot
Rocco Rock of Jabroni
Posts 5765
Registered 1-19-2008 Location Scarsguard Member Is Offline Mood: Finally Deleted
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:43 AM |
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Probably something in Vince's head to see who he can fire more times, Foley or JR.
You know, everyone says it's not supposed to make sense, like that's the whole point, dude. And I'm just saying, you know,
that's like an excuse for lazy storytelling. Just don't sell me shite and tell me it's gold, all right? I might be stoned, but
I'm not high. You know what I mean?
- Cassidy from Preacher, commenting on The Big Lebowski and/or professional wrestling
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Count Zero
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1238
Registered 1-29-2013 Location Canada East Member Is Offline Mood: RAM is MAR
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:50 AM |
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NEEDED MOAR CHICKEN WINGS! 
The crossface chickenwing was actually my favorite wrestling move for a loonnnngg time. Let's MAKE DARREN YOUNG GREAT AGAIN!
[Edited on 7-19-2016 by Count Zero]
Originally posted by williamssl
"That hasn't stopped us from doing this shit before!"
"Checkmate, sir. Checkmate"
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TonyTH
Showstopper
Posts 593
Registered 10-3-2007 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:51 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by scott19buckeyeThe constant draft evals will be annoying tonight.
Yeah, but at least it makes sense.
Random side note, but has the banter in the first segment and with Bryan and Steph backstage seem a lot more improvised than usual?
Darren Young just beat Del Rio. Huh. Neat.
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punkerhardcore
American Dream 
Posts 7725
Registered 7-16-2005 Member Is Offline Mood: Lickable
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:53 AM |
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Yeah for some reason it seems like Foley won't last too long in this role. From an on screen perspective, it makes too much sense for Steph to
want a heel flunkie who will just do all the slimy things she wants, which is the complete opposite of Foley. She'll probably get frustrated
before too long and fire him. But slap him first, of course. Can't have Steph not slapping people.
Also, the cruiserweight division is back? On one hand, awesome. On another hand-- and this was mentioned on here not too terribly long ago by
someone (maybe Matte)-- I'd really hate to see someone get handcuffed by the label of cruiserweight, and not given a chance to move past it.
Is everyone mad here?
Of course they are, and you are too... otherwise, you wouldn't have come here.
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Paddlefoot
Rocco Rock of Jabroni
Posts 5765
Registered 1-19-2008 Location Scarsguard Member Is Offline Mood: Finally Deleted
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:53 AM |
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Career Burial starring ADR. Must have given him a big bonus in exchange for him never getting near a title shot again.
The chats with DB are good, if for no other reason than to re-enforce that the guys are desperate to get away from RAW and Stephanie.
[Edited on 7/19/2016 by Paddlefoot]
You know, everyone says it's not supposed to make sense, like that's the whole point, dude. And I'm just saying, you know,
that's like an excuse for lazy storytelling. Just don't sell me shite and tell me it's gold, all right? I might be stoned, but
I'm not high. You know what I mean?
- Cassidy from Preacher, commenting on The Big Lebowski and/or professional wrestling
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salmonjunkie
Best There Is Was or Ever Will Be 
Posts 11410
Registered 6-25-2002 Location Sunny Seattle, WA Member Is Offline Mood: Authoritized
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 01:59 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Paddlefoot
Career Burial starring ADR. Must have given him a big bonus in exchange for him never getting near a title shot again.
Railing Paige on a nightly basis is a pretty big bonus. 
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Count Zero
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1238
Registered 1-29-2013 Location Canada East Member Is Offline Mood: RAM is MAR
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 02:02 AM |
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Did I just hear a wrestling promo mention Times New Roman?
Enzo is incredible.
eta1:quote:
Originally posted by salmonjunkie
quote:
Originally posted by Paddlefoot
Career Burial starring ADR. Must have given him a big bonus in exchange for him never getting near a title shot again.
Railing Paige on a nightly basis is a pretty big bonus.
That's what she says!
eta2: John Cena = Grandpa Simpson
[Edited on 7-19-2016 by Count Zero]
Originally posted by williamssl
"That hasn't stopped us from doing this shit before!"
"Checkmate, sir. Checkmate"
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Il Palazzo
And I am AWESOME
Posts 223
Registered 2-25-2006 Location Cheddar Bay, NC Member Is Offline Mood: Stepladder
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 02:06 AM |
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If that's the case, I hope one day Cena can begin rapping about his onion belt.
Also, I really enjoy Anderson's constant references to his Asian wife. Pretty much that whole thing. It's weird.
You did it, Nibbles. Now chew through my ball sack.
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janerd75
The Rowdy One
Posts 2574
Registered 1-28-2013 Location Casa Mierda del Se�or Benjamin Member Is Offline Mood: Culo fiesta
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 02:10 AM |
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Soooo, the Wyatt's couldn't even beat the New Day at their own compound? Shiiiit, Xavier's not even walking funny. 
ETA: Nevermind. Eggsaviers going on and on aboot Pokeyman. Clearly Braun pushed stool and opened up his Booty-O.
[Edited on 7-19-2016 by janerd75]
Fuck Everybody
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TonyTH
Showstopper
Posts 593
Registered 10-3-2007 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 02:11 AM |
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Bro, Cena playing straight man is kind of amazing.
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Count Zero
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1238
Registered 1-29-2013 Location Canada East Member Is Offline Mood: RAM is MAR
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 02:12 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Il Palazzo
If that's the case, I hope one day Cena can begin rapping about his onion belt.
Also, I really enjoy Anderson's constant references to his Asian wife. Pretty much that whole thing. It's weird.
I also enjoy his
hot asian wife.
The references, I mean!!! I enjoy the references. I don't even know what this wife looks like. But he's certainly found his stride on the
microphone. I like the whole "beat up John Cena!" thing too.  I never expected The Club to be this funny. Good, definitely, but not ha-ha
funny.
Originally posted by williamssl
"That hasn't stopped us from doing this shit before!"
"Checkmate, sir. Checkmate"
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merc
Man of a Thousand Holds
Posts 1046
Registered 2-23-2006 Location New England Member Is OnlineMood: Really FN bad
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| posted on 7-19-2016 at 02:14 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by TonyTH
Bro, Cena playing straight man is kind of amazing.
He looked genuinely amused.
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." D.
Adams
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