WWE Network

Godder

I watched that last night - powerful stuff. Kudos to the WWE production team for putting it together so quickly after his death as well, because most of the footage is from WM weekend or just before, and yet it doesn't look rushed at all.

Stockcar86

I'm not sure how happy Marvel will be with having Batista defeated by a Superman punch...

Godder

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stockcar86" data-cid="427788" data-time="1399702445">
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I'm not sure how happy Marvel will be with having Batista defeated by a Superman punch...
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</blockquote>
 
At least it was followed by a mighty spear. Roman Reigns should totally add the jackhammer to his arsenal as well...
 
In other news relevant to the thread title, apparently WWE intends to make the network available internationally by the end of 2014.

Godder

To follow this up - WWE network is now available in NZ. I signed up just in time to watch Summerslam tomorrow night :).

JK

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Godder" data-cid="446061" data-time="1408256785">
<div>
To follow this up - WWE network is now available in NZ. I signed up just in time to watch Summerslam tomorrow night :).
 
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For just $9.95???

Stockcar86

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JK" data-cid="446096" data-time="1408262702">
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For just $9.95???
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</blockquote>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
New Zealanders who sign up for six months can access the Network for $9.99 USD per month, or $59.94 USD in total which was equivalent to $71.10 NZD at the time this article was published.
Any individual monthâ€™s access to WWE Network, without a six-month commitment, will be made available for $12.99 USD ($15.40 NZD).
 
</blockquote>

JK

lol wasnt serious mate...
 
Its just a common advertising phrase/joke on raw and smackdown.

Stockcar86

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JK" data-cid="446127" data-time="1408270040">
<div>
lol wasnt serious mate...
 
Its just a common advertising phrase/joke on raw and smackdown.
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</blockquote>
Doh, blame my lack of caffiene...
 
On another note, just released is WWE SuperCard - a card based game for IOS that is quite fun.

red terror

Main Event, Summerslam spoiler:
 
[spoiler]8 -- WWE champion JOHN CENA vs. BROCK LESNAR (w/Paul Heyman) -- WWE World Hvt. Title match Cena charged Lesnar right when the bell sounded, but Lesnar fought back with right hands, driving Cena across the ring. Lesnar then hoisted Cena into the air, overpowered him, and delivered an early F5. Lesnar covered, but Cena kicked out just before three. Big smile from Lesnar, who nearly won in 35 seconds. Big buzz for the early nearfall. "I will kill you!" Lesnar shouted down at Cena before smashing him with a release German Suplex. Lesnar stalked Cena, who clutched his head as Cole said Cena is already out of it. Cena came to his senses as Lesnar continued to stalk and taunt. Another release German, then Lesnar bounced up and down doing his pose. Lesnar stalked Cena again, then put a knee in his gut. Cena tried to fight back, but Lesnar brushed him aside. Lesnar delivered a big suplex, then glared at Cena, angry with Cena for even existing in the same ring with him. Cena tried to fight back with a sudden flurry, but Lesnar knocked him down, then delivered another knee to the gut. Lesnar then sat down on Cena with sort of a standing Camel Clutch. Cena came to his feet to elbow out of the hold, but Lesnar yanked Cena down to the mat. Lesnar left himself open for punches to the gut from Cena, but Lesnar quickly absorbed and kneed Cena in the gut again. Lesnar went back to a methodical attack picking his spots, including another release German. And a fourth. And a fifth. Lesnar took a break from his work as Cena continued to sell on the mat. Lawler told the announcers not to count out Cena, who kicked out of a light cover. Lesnar went back to work with another German suplex. "Very uncomfortable," Cole said. Another German, then Cena had a brief conversation with referee Charles Robinson. Lawler wondered aloud what Cena was telling the ref. Lesnar, drenched in sweat, smiled down at Cena. Lesnar wanted another German, but Cena blocked and elbowed. Right hands, then he tried a clothesline, but Lesnar blocked. Lesnar scooped up Cena for an F5, which popped the crowd, but Cena slipped out and nailed an AA. But, Lesnar kicked out of a pin. Reset with Lesnar laughing as he recovered and Cena dragged himself to the corner. Lesnar bounced to his feet, laughed some more, bounced up and down, and told Cena to come bring some more. Meanwhile, Cena sold having gas. Cena suddenly charged out of the corner, but Lesnar tackled him to the mat and pounded the crap out of Cena. Cena tried to cover up, but Lesnar just pounded and pounded and pounded. The announcers talked Lesnar's UFC career before Lesnar finally got off Cena. Lesnar stalked Cena for more punishment, this time for a German, and a second, and a third consecutive rolling German. Lesnar kept going, delivering a fourth, this time a release German. "Die!" Lesnar shouted down at Cena. Lesnar shook his head as Cena sold on the mat. Lesnar looked toward the ref to ask him about ending the match, but Robinson said Cena won't quit. So, Lesnar snapped off three more consecutive German Suplexes. Cena refused to give up, though. JBL started to eulogize Cena's career as the announcers wondered about ref Robinson just calling the match to protect Cena. But, Lesnar left himself open for Cena to trip Lesnar's feet and put him in the STF. Lesnar sold the hold, but suddenly flipped on top of Cena to smash him with punches. Lesnar then hoisted Cena into the air for another F5. Lesnar covered and it was good for the win. Lesnar is the new champion. Post-match: Cole said Lesnar won in convincing fashion. WWE cut to actor Adam Sandler being stunned, then medics hit the ring to check on Cena. Meanwhile, Heyman entered the ring and bowed down to Lesnar as the announcers continued to hype Lesnar as unstoppable, a beast, and unconquerable. No attempt to cover for Cena losing. Lesnar posed with the WWE Title belts as Cole hyped this being the most dominant year in WWE history with Lesnar stopping The Streak and slaying the WWE champion. On the stage, Heyman told Lesnar that he has conquered the WWE Universe. Cole relayed a stat that Lesnar delivered 16 suplexes to Cena during the match. JBL said Cena may never be the same. Cole said WWE must now deal with Lesnar. A final shot of Cena selling in the ring as the PPV ended at 7:53 PST. WINNER: Lesnar at 16:06 to capture the WWE World Title. Exactly what was advertised in terms of Lesnar destroying Cena and playing up Lesnar as a monster heel when healthy. He is officially rebuilt after a weak start to his WWE return. And, with the announcers not trying to cover for Cena, it's apparent they're shifting to the next big babyface star going after Lesnar (even though Cena presumably has a title re-match). If it's Roman Reings to get the heat transfer from WM30/Summerslam to WM31, they have a lot of work to do with Reigns. (***1/2) So, how does WWE handle a part-timer as WWE champ (and not The Rock's boom, boom, boom schedule from the Rumble to Chamber to WM)? Does Lesnar hand over possession of the titles to Heyman while he's off TV? Do they run an angle on Raw? Tournament? Interesting fall-out to come.[/spoiler]
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_80257.shtml#.U_GKm8XMHSn'>http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_80257.shtml#.U_GKm8XMHSn</a>

canefan

The WWE is about to bestow the ultimate honour on kiwi wrestling team the Bushwhackers 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/66526912/Bushwhackers-get-spot-in-WWE-Hall-of-Fame'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/66526912/Bushwhackers-get-spot-in-WWE-Hall-of-Fame</a>

Stockcar86

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="473362" data-time="1424722814">
<div>
The WWE is about to bestow the ultimate honour on kiwi wrestling team the Bushwhackers <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/66526912/Bushwhackers-get-spot-in-WWE-Hall-of-Fame'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/66526912/Bushwhackers-get-spot-in-WWE-Hall-of-Fame</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
Good on them, but Bushwackers inducted and Demolition not. 
 
 
<img src="http://sipree.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ReallySNLImage.jpeg" alt="ReallySNLImage.jpeg">

canefan

Wow, no Hart Foundation, no House of Pain either

red terror

ESPN "Cheap Heat podcast w/ David ("Masked Man) Shoemaker makes an EXCELLENT argument where Sheep Herders/ Bushwhackers ABSOLUTELY deserve to be in the HoF.
 
Link here:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=12382520'>http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=12382520</a>
 
Bushwhackers talk starts at about 44 minute mark.
 
Lots of great reasons ( -- partnership over four decades -- worked every international territory (their decade in WWF, which was much longer than most other tag-teams there, was only 1/4 of their career) -- pioneers of hardcore violence (pre-WWF but yes, really (see vid below)) -- pioneered fan interaction -- hugely "over" wherever they worked -- sold crazy amount of merchandise, etc.).
 
And congrats!
 
I met Luke at a Comic-Con about 4 years ago. He was the only wrestler who didn't seem to care whether he was pushing merch, and treated everybody the same, whether they were buying-or-not. He loved a good yarn, listening as well as telling them. A really-really good bloke.

Check out the front row and look on the little girl's face at about the 0:20-28 second mark. Priceless!

red terror

It's that time of year again.
 
The Gamblerâ€™s Guide to â€˜WrestleMania 31â€™
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
On Tuesday at 6:45 p.m., WrestleMania season finally shifted into high gear. Hell, it might have been the most exhilarating wrestling moment in the last year. And it wasnâ€™t a big match on Raw or a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble â€” it was WWE champion Brock Lesnar turning up on SportsCenter to announce he had re-signed with WWE.
 
[...]
 
The gambling sites that were taking WrestleMania bets got slammed. Suddenly, the fait accompli win for Reigns didnâ€™t seem such a sure thing. Within moments of Lesnarâ€™s announcement,<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://sports.bovada.lv/sports-betting/wrestling.jsp'>Bovada</a> pulled the match from its board (itâ€™s back now, at even odds). PaddyPower, the other big wrestling betting site, moved Lesnar from a 3/1 long shot to even odds. 
 
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://grantland.com/the-triangle/wwe-wrestlemania-31-brock-lesnar-roman-reigns-john-cena-rusev-daniel-bryan-seth-rollins-randy-orton/'>http://grantland.com/the-triangle/wwe-wrestlemania-31-brock-lesnar-roman-reigns-john-cena-rusev-daniel-bryan-seth-rollins-randy-orton/</a>

red terror

edit.

Godder

Looking forward to Wrestlemania!

red terror

I'm genuinely curious about a few matches here. I love Rusev's monster heel character, and as improbable as beating Cena at WM sounds, I would love to see him stomp the crap outta Hustle-Loyalty-Respect, and I'd like to see the lovely Lana return to help (tho' something makes me think she'll interfere and cost Rusev the title, but at the same time will "protect" the Hero of the Russian Federation's "record"). In the main, I wonder if WWE will do a flea-flicker and throw Ambrose and Rollins into the mix and The Shield takes out Lesnar, rather than Reigns winning clean by himself, as the crowd will rain raspberries on Reigns if he's holding the belt at the end of the show. And... crossing my fingers Sting & Trips still have something left in the tank to pull out a great match. Should be fascinating.

red terror

Just saw Bushackers Hall of Fame induction. The night is really running long ... practically an Oscar show, so there's a bit of an anticipation to rush through the ceremony and get to Macho Man already. It started slow, but was a good speech. Old Butch had a cane, they were both in tuxedos, NZ flag on stage.
 
I had tears in my eyes Butch telling a story about his green days flying from NZ to fight Peter Maivia in Samoa and getting the snot kicked out of him in their re-match and being happy about it 'cos it meant the spectators weren't going to beat the shit out of him like they did for their first bout.

red terror

Torch review:
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">Induction #5 - The Bushwhackers - For the comedown segment, Jerry Lawler introduced John Laurinaitis as the inductor for the Bushwhackers. The crowd booed and cat-called. Some started a "People Power" chant trying to be ironic. Laurinaitis recognized a flag for New Zealand next to the podium, which is significant for shaping the start of his career. Laurinaitis said that when he finished wrestling camp with Dusty Rhodes, Dusty sent him to Florida to be trained by The Sheepherders, who had Laurinaitis carry his flag. He said that being on the road with Luke and Butch full-time taught him some things. And when their journey ended, Luke and Butch ended in WWE as The Bushwhackers. Although their paths separated, Laurinaitis said they were always his brothers. - Luke and Butch came out on-stage doing their trademark alternating hand motion. Butch hobbled out on crutches to join Luke at the podium. Butch shouted into the mic about their trainers in wrestling, including Killer Kowalski. Luke talked up Killer and Andre the Giant, then they did a little back-and-forth Bushwhackers bit. Luke and Butch talked up Chief Peter Maivia with the Samoan Family present. Butch said he was green as grass early in his career trying to wrestle Maivia and antagonize the Samoan fans. Luke transitioned to the Stampede Wrestling territory in the 1970s. Bret Hart was shown throwing his fist in the air as Luke talked about them putting the boots to Stu Hart's kids without knowing it. Butch jumped in to say they had heat everywhere and were doing hardcore before hardcore was cool. Then, Pat Patterson called them and they sat down in Connecticut offices, where WWE told them they wanted to be babyfaces. Butch flashed his trademark sideways facial expression, saying that was his reaction, thinking there was no way WWE could make good guys out of these ugly faces. But, they did. And they added the arm motions and licking people. "Because Americans taste bloody good!" Butch shouted. Luke told the story about his four-second elimination in the 1991 Royal Rumble when Butch was in the match for 20 "bloody minutes," and their check was the same amount! The crowd popped and they showed Vader sitting in the crowd. Luke then talked about their mainstream cross-over appeal. They shouted out to some former colleagues, including Roddy Piper and "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. The Bushwhackers shouted out to Stu Hart, then brought up Bret Hart to be recognized on his behalf. Hart did the arm motion, popping Tyson Kidd in the crowd. One more to recognize. Butch said it was Wembley Stadium at Summerslam 1992. Their partner that night was "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. Duggan stood up and offered a few Hooooooos. Butch then asked his wife to stand up and be recognized. Luke recognized her for living with this guy. Butch followed with recognition for his daughters watching this at home in New Zealand. "You're beautiful!" he shouted. Butch thanked cousin Luke, who pretended to lick Butch. But, he joked that he did not want to get sick. Butch said you could never have a better partner than he's had for 34 years. He said the only thing that pissed him off all those years was the '91 Rumble. Luke closed with thanks for WWE giving them this opportunity on the Hall of Fame stage. Butch eventually licked Luke to close their speech. [ Reax: Solid induction. Luke was a very good straight-man setting up Butch's great delivery and one-liners. ] 
 
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwsuperstarsreport/article_84145.shtml#.VRduTvzMHSm'>http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwsuperstarsreport/article_84145.shtml#.VRduTvzMHSm</a>

red terror

Mania real-time... (it's on the west coast in an outdoor stadium and looks odd seeing the early bouts play out in daylight)...
 
1 -- IC champion BAD NEWS BARRETT vs. DANIEL BRYAN vs. LUKE HARPER vs. R-TRUTH vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. DEAN AMBROSE vs. STARDUST -- seven-man Intercontinental Title ladder match
[spoiler]( I only caught last few mins of match. Missed the Kickoff with Tag Team championship 4-way and Andre the Giant Invitational Battle Royale, too.) Daniel Bryan wins Inter-Continental Championship. Right result. WWE putting a big push into the IC belt, trying to make it meaningful and providing Bryan a co-main event status (or at least close) for the foreseeable future. Looks like Vince wants the Heavyweight belt on a beast-or-monster and still keep the DB fans happy. [/spoiler]
 
2 -- RANDY ORTON vs. SETH ROLLINS (w/ Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury)
[spoiler]Possibly the sweetest RKO of all-time pins Rollins 1-2-3. [/spoiler]
 
3 -- STING vs. TRIPLE H -- The Monday Night War
[spoiler]Holy sh!t. Trying to process this last one. For a start, it was way more fun and way more awesome than it had any right to be. Huge pops for surprise appearances by Hogan and Michaels. Very weird seeing Nash & Hall (NWO) come down against DX. Great story-telling, near pinfalls, Sting used his bat to smash Hunter's sledgehammer, superkicked in the head by Michaels to break a Scorpion Death Lock, Hunter used head of broken sledgehammer to take down Sting and get a clean pinfall. Wrong winner, but WWE defending their honour come-what-may. After match Trips shook Sting's hand and spoke to him genuinely, likely thanking him for laying down and doing "the job." Will there be a bigger program with Sting? Surely he's owed something here beyond simply money. Terrific match.[/spoiler]
 
4 -- THE BELLAS (Divas champion NIKKI BELLA & BRIE BELLA) vs. A.J. LEE & PAIGE -- Divas tag match
[spoiler]AJ puts a Bella (Nikki?) in a Black Widow, Bella submits. Good match, not too long. [/spoiler]
 
The 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Class was just introduced to the crowd. It's fascinating in both last night's HoF ceremony and tonight's WM event, the Bushwhackers are the only HOFers who don't break kayfabe, even when they're "shooting" they stay firmly in character. Awesome!
 
5 -- U.S. champion RUSEV (w/ Lana) vs. JOHN CENA -- United States Title match
Good lord! Opening with an EPIC Soviet-style propaganda parade with Russian soldiers marching to the ring in front of a Kremlin backdrop. Lana makes her return. Rusev appears waving a Ruskie flag atop a Russian tank!!! Really cool monster heel entrance. Cena makes his entrance with a video montage with speeches by Reagan and Kennedy and Bush and Obama and dear-God it's Bush again!?! and really, it's not only NOWHERE NEAR as cool, it's actually pathetic, but half the crowd is buying it. The other half is booing Cena already and the match hasn't even started. This is gonna be a doozy!
[spoiler]Rusev's first loss in WWE. He's really going off on Lana, who interfered. There's a new U.S. Title holder. Clean pin. Defends the honor of America. Does this mean Super-Cena is out of the Heavyweight picture?[/spoiler]
 
Attendance announced: â€‹76,976, new stadium record. Stephanie McMahon basking in the middle of the ring bragging about WM being available in 177 nations, then going completely heel giving herself & Hunter ALL of the credit. Boos raining down. Triple H boasting about having just conquered Sting. ... But ... they're interrupted by ... [spoiler]The People's Champion. The Rock has arrived...he won't hit a woman, so he brings out Ronda Rousey, who puts a hurt on Steph, who had called her "the most dangerous un-armed woman on the planet" which could be true. Great segment, but crowd mixed on end-result, maybe some concern that Rousey might have actually hurt Steph's arm, who was selling hard, maybe for real.[/spoiler]
 
It's dark outside now...
 
6 -- UNDERTAKER vs. BRAY WYATT
You remember how much you miss that entrance theme song, probably the best ring entrance ever. Always epic.
[spoiler]Great match. It looked at first like Bray Wyatt was only there to survive a supernatural initiation, but he came back strong and had several believable chances at winning. Taker tombstoned him twice. Won by pin. They both looked strong. Undertaker looks like he can stay conditioned and prepare for an annual show for a few years and craft a strong program. I hope he gets paid a million dollars for that one show. Wyatt stepped up, looked like he belonged in this match. [/spoiler]
 
7 -- WWE World Hvt. champion BROCK LESNAR (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. ROMAN REIGNS
Up next...I smell Ambrose & Rollins somewhere... Reigns enters first, mixed-to-boos. Lesnar's music starts, crowd pops, he's clearly the crowds pick to start... Reigns announced to HUGE boos. Heyman announcing Lesnar, and the crowd is on side.
[spoiler] Brock is cut, but immediately delivers F5. "Suplex City, bitch." Three F5s, 10 suplexes and a pair of clotheslines out of the ring (ouch!) but Reigns is surviving. Crowd booing him every time he kicks out of a pin. He seems to be laughing, Super-Cena-like, a suspension of disbelief too far. Crowd not liking it. Now Lesnar's head is busted open on the ring-post! Lots of blood .. Yikes!! Excnge of super-punches and suplexes & F5s, both men are laid out in the ring, Seth Rollins rushes in with his Money in the Bank briefcase, cashes it in, it becomes a triple-threat match championship. Lesnar scoops up Rollins ready to F5 him, but is speared by Reigns, who gets curb-stomped & covered by Rollins. 1-2-3. Seth Rollins is the new Champ. Lesnar loses belt without ever being pinned or submitting. Obvious re-match. Crowd initially buzzed by the surprise, but quite a few vocally dissatisfied with outcome. Really good exciting match. [/spoiler]
 
Should be an interesting Raw tomorrow night. 
 
Overall: Very Good WM.

The Silver Fern

WWE Network