Fastlane Tonight - in Cleveland!

[Jack Brickman]

Well, we got a Big Show match that no one wanted. At least it's against Cesaro so it's at least mildly entertaining and not a form of punishment.

Wow...Cesaro jobbing to a guy who should have retired ten years ago. Sad.

 

[Jack Brickman]

And a backstage shot of John Cena kissing dog tags. I'm done. Time to switch back to football.

 

[Tornicade]

cesaro just got beat down by big show last week.

what ever happened to bringing in local talent to get beat down by the main eventers

 

[Jack Brickman]

cesaro just got beat down by big show last week.

what ever happened to bringing in local talent to get beat down by the main eventers

Why pay local talent when you can bury one of your five best in-ring guys that's already under contract?

This may sound harsh, but the WWE will be in a much better place when Vince McMahon dies. He and Dunn are the ones holding the company back and refusing to embrace the future of wrestling. Cesaro gets buried because he's not American (and I mean USA or Canada).\, and Vince thus doesn't think he can resonate with American audiences. This is ridiculous, of course, but Vince is stuck in his ways and will never change, and Dunn enables him.

Another terrible booking decision was having Rollins, the WWE champion, losing back to back nights to a guy with a lesser title. Might as well just declare that the US title is the top title in the company now, because that's how they're treating it. It's fucking ridiculous.

 

[Jack Brickman]

They've added some more matches to that WWE Network show at MSG on October 3rd:

John Cena Vs. Seth Rollins in a Steel Cage match for the US Championship
Not sure why this is a cage match since those usually show up when one guy keeps running away, but whatever. Hopefully their feud is over after that and Rollins can move on to other things.

The Dudley Boyz Vs. the New Day for the Tag Titles
Should be about what we'd expect from these two teams.

Randy Orton Vs. Sheamus
Because I guess everyone really wants to see these two square off for the ten thousandth time.

Kevin Owens Vs. Jericho
Looks like Jericho is collecting a paycheck to job against Owens for a night. I'm surprised they didn't make this a title match. I mean, everyone knows Owens is winning, but still. Should be a good match, though. Jericho is a good opponent for Owens. I love when they let him go against other guys who are great in the ring.

Brock Lesnar Vs. Big Show
I mean, terrible. Once again they waste a valuable Brock Lesnar date with an opponent who can barely do anything in the ring. I'd rather see an actual good match than watch Show get destroyed by Lesnar, which is probably what this will end up being.

Dolph Ziggler Vs. Rusev
Shouldn't be a terrible match, but I'm tired of never seeing these guys fight anyone else during this feud. If Owens can fight someone outside his feud at this show, why can't one or both of these guys?

---

Not really a terrible card for a one-off show, all things considered. Most of those matches should be fun.

 

[Tornicade]

They've added some more matches to that WWE Network show at MSG on October 3rd:

John Cena Vs. Seth Rollins in a Steel Cage match for the US Championship
Not sure why this is a cage match since those usually show up when one guy keeps running away, but whatever. Hopefully their feud is over after that and Rollins can move on to other things.

The Dudley Boyz Vs. the New Day for the Tag Titles
Should be about what we'd expect from these two teams.

Randy Orton Vs. Sheamus
Because I guess everyone really wants to see these two square off for the ten thousandth time.

Kevin Owens Vs. Jericho
Looks like Jericho is collecting a paycheck to job against Owens for a night. I'm surprised they didn't make this a title match. I mean, everyone knows Owens is winning, but still. Should be a good match, though. Jericho is a good opponent for Owens. I love when they let him go against other guys who are great in the ring.

Brock Lesnar Vs. Big Show
I mean, terrible. Once again they waste a valuable Brock Lesnar date with an opponent who can barely do anything in the ring. I'd rather see an actual good match than watch Show get destroyed by Lesnar, which is probably what this will end up being.

Dolph Ziggler Vs. Rusev
Shouldn't be a terrible match, but I'm tired of never seeing these guys fight anyone else during this feud. If Owens can fight someone outside his feud at this show, why can't one or both of these guys?

---

Not really a terrible card for a one-off show, all things considered. Most of those matches should be fun.

It looked to me like the Wyatts are gonna refocus on Orton.

Also Im getting tired of the Cena rollins matches.

 

[Derek]

So, since Lesnar won't be facing Taker at Wrestlemania anymore, who do we think he faces?

I'm thinking Rollins. Surprise Rumble entrant after some time off following Hell in a Cell. Leading to a Lesnar getting his long awaited clean shot at Rollins and the title.

Only real problem is trying to find something for Rollins to do until then. Lesnar can just disappear for months without thought. That's not exactly an option for Rollins.

 

[TheLand1287]

They've added some more matches to that WWE Network show at MSG on October 3rd:

John Cena Vs. Seth Rollins in a Steel Cage match for the US Championship
Not sure why this is a cage match since those usually show up when one guy keeps running away, but whatever. Hopefully their feud is over after that and Rollins can move on to other things.

The Dudley Boyz Vs. the New Day for the Tag Titles
Should be about what we'd expect from these two teams.

Randy Orton Vs. Sheamus
Because I guess everyone really wants to see these two square off for the ten thousandth time.

Kevin Owens Vs. Jericho
Looks like Jericho is collecting a paycheck to job against Owens for a night. I'm surprised they didn't make this a title match. I mean, everyone knows Owens is winning, but still. Should be a good match, though. Jericho is a good opponent for Owens. I love when they let him go against other guys who are great in the ring.

Brock Lesnar Vs. Big Show
I mean, terrible. Once again they waste a valuable Brock Lesnar date with an opponent who can barely do anything in the ring. I'd rather see an actual good match than watch Show get destroyed by Lesnar, which is probably what this will end up being.

Dolph Ziggler Vs. Rusev
Shouldn't be a terrible match, but I'm tired of never seeing these guys fight anyone else during this feud. If Owens can fight someone outside his feud at this show, why can't one or both of these guys?

---

Not really a terrible card for a one-off show, all things considered. Most of those matches should be fun.

Not a bad card, but with the exception of Jericho and Lesnar being on there, it feels like a glorified house show to me. Redundant matches with predictable outcomes. I wont watch it live over college football on a Saturday night, but if the feedback is positive I'll watch it on the network at some point.

Excuse the rant for one minute...

But if WWE was going to do a one off Lesnar match with little to no build or storyline then I wish they would've given him a solid in ring opponent like Cesaro. Someone he's never faced before. They could go out there for one night and burn the place down with an awesome wrestling match, and that would be the end of it. Lesnar is winning that match regardless of who he faces... why not give the rub to someone who could use it? Nobody is buying Big Show as a threat, and I really don't believe he's much of a draw at this point either. True wrestling fans would actually tune in to see Lesnar against someone like Cesaro. I know I would. But Big Show, who Lesnar has faced and demolished I don't know how many times, doesn't do it for me.

 

[Derek]

Well, I mean it is a glorified house show

 

[TheLand1287]

So, since Lesnar won't be facing Taker at Wrestlemania anymore, who do we think he faces?

I'm thinking Rollins. Surprise Rumble entrant after some time off following Hell in a Cell. Leading to a Lesnar getting his long awaited clean shot at Rollins and the title.

Only real problem is trying to find something for Rollins to do until then. Lesnar can just disappear for months without thought. That's not exactly an option for Rollins.

Since it didnt happen before Summerslam... I still think Rollins will have his match with Triple H at WrestleMania. I know there was talk of either The Rock vs HHH or The Rock and Ronda Rousey vs HHH and Stephanie, but I think Lesnar vs The Rock is a legit possibility since it's been discussed for a few years now.

 

[Tornicade]

stone cold steve austin in wrestlemania vs lesnar in a texas death match

arent all ppv events glorified house shows?

great interview with sting.
http://www.wwe.com/inside/sting-interviewed-about-night-of-champions-injuries-27958909
STING: The biggest pleasure. I’m honored. After 30 years and working with some of the best and some of the greatest, [Rollins] is, I’m telling you, he’s got to be the best I’ve ever worked with. I mean, this guy has it. And I think he’s just scratching the surface on what he will do. I’ve never seen somebody as talented. He’s working two [matches] on Raw, two [matches] on the pay-per-view, he’s involved in every other segment and it’s physical. He’s got guys coming from every angle. There’s a lot on his plate. He’s carrying a lot, and he’s handling it. He’s proven he can do it. I’m just glad I had a chance to work with him. He’s the kind of guy who could be in there with a broomstick and make something very interesting happen, a match that people would love somehow.

WWE.COM: That’s incredibly high praise coming from Sting.

STING: Really, I can’t say enough. He poked his head in the ambulance and said, “Man, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened.” I said, “Seth, don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault.” And he, for 15 minutes, he said, “I just wanted to tell you what an honor it was, what a pleasure. I can’t believe I had a chance to get in the ring with you and work with you. I was you for Halloween when I was a kid.” He was on and on about it, but man, this young guy, he doesn’t have any idea how much I appreciate being able to work with him.
End quote

so maybe Rollins will fight a broomstick for Wrestlemania and according to Sting we will all be entertained.
btw it looks like Owens and Jericho recently had a cage match
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3buEhW1-dLQ

 

[BimboColesHair]

Stone Cold, with his highly noted neck problems, getting German suplexed by Brock Lesnar? Yikes.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Since it didnt happen before Summerslam... I still think Rollins will have his match with Triple H at WrestleMania. I know there was talk of either The Rock vs HHH or The Rock and Ronda Rousey vs HHH and Stephanie, but I think Lesnar vs The Rock is a legit possibility since it's been discussed for a few years now.

The problem with Lesnar/Rock is simple...who wins? For one, they're both faces. The second big problem is that, if Brock is going to take a clean loss, why would you have it be against a guy who is, for all intents and purposes, out of the wrestling business? Brock's next clean loss is effectively a "king-maker" moment for the guy who beats him. Why would you waste that on the Rock, who at best might wrestle half a dozen more times in his life? Having Lesnar beat the Rock would be big, of course, but does Lesnar really need that win to build him up? He's already been built up as a damn near unstoppable monster who as far as I can remember hasn't had a clean loss since he returned. He broke the fucking streak, after all.

And would Rock sign on to Wrestlemania just to be sacrificed to the alter of Brock Lesnar? It would be one thing if it was an instance of a part-timer legend coming in to put over a guy on the brink (Jericho does that shit all the time, and Sting just did it for Rollins), but as I've already discussed, Brock certainly doesn't need a push when he's already at the top of the company. I just don't see the benefit for either guy, really.

What does make sense is the Rock and Rousey versus Triple H and Steph. They built up the match at this year's mania and could easily follow-through next year. Triple H and Steph can eat a loss and it won't matter because they're going to continue to be a presence on TV for the foreseeable future, and Rock and Rousey get a nice bump for coming in and getting a win. Unlike Sting, the WWE won't feel the need to make Rock pay by eating a loss in his first match since Rock was always loyal to the WWF/E.

I could also see Trips facing off against Rollins, but I feel like they might use that at a different PPV to draw ratings. I don't see them waiting until Mania to turn Rollins face. That's six months away and he's already on the precipice of a face turn. I could see it happening after he beats Kane at (presumably) Hell in a Cell.

stone cold steve austin in wrestlemania vs lesnar in a texas death match

If Austin were going to come back, he would have done it by now. He'll be 51 at next year's Mania and he had to quit wrestling due to neck injuries. Brock Lesnar is literally the worst possible match-up for him if he were to return for a match. I don't think Austin returns at all, though, at least not to wrestle. Maybe he'll be a guest referee or something, but I just can't see him stepping back into the ring as a competitor and risking paralysis. It's just a dumb gambit on his part. He quit for medical reasons and I doubt he's even remotely in wrestling shape at this point in his life.

 

[Tornicade]

The problem with Lesnar/Rock is simple...who wins? For one, they're both faces. The second big problem is that, if Brock is going to take a clean loss, why would you have it be against a guy who is, for all intents and purposes, out of the wrestling business? Brock's next clean loss is effectively a "king-maker" moment for the guy who beats him. Why would you waste that on the Rock, who at best might wrestle half a dozen more times in his life? Having Lesnar beat the Rock would be big, of course, but does Lesnar really need that win to build him up? He's already been built up as a damn near unstoppable monster who as far as I can remember hasn't had a clean loss since he returned. He broke the fucking streak, after all.

And would Rock sign on to Wrestlemania just to be sacrificed to the alter of Brock Lesnar? It would be one thing if it was an instance of a part-timer legend coming in to put over a guy on the brink (Jericho does that shit all the time, and Sting just did it for Rollins), but as I've already discussed, Brock certainly doesn't need a push when he's already at the top of the company. I just don't see the benefit for either guy, really.

What does make sense is the Rock and Rousey versus Triple H and Steph. They built up the match at this year's mania and could easily follow-through next year. Triple H and Steph can eat a loss and it won't matter because they're going to continue to be a presence on TV for the foreseeable future, and Rock and Rousey get a nice bump for coming in and getting a win. Unlike Sting, the WWE won't feel the need to make Rock pay by eating a loss in his first match since Rock was always loyal to the WWF/E.

I could also see Trips facing off against Rollins, but I feel like they might use that at a different PPV to draw ratings. I don't see them waiting until Mania to turn Rollins face. That's six months away and he's already on the precipice of a face turn. I could see it happening after he beats Kane at (presumably) Hell in a Cell.



If Austin were going to come back, he would have done it by now. He'll be 51 at next year's Mania and he had to quit wrestling due to neck injuries. Brock Lesnar is literally the worst possible match-up for him if he were to return for a match. I don't think Austin returns at all, though, at least not to wrestle. Maybe he'll be a guest referee or something, but I just can't see him stepping back into the ring as a competitor and risking paralysis. It's just a dumb gambit on his part. He quit for medical reasons and I doubt he's even remotely in wrestling shape at this point in his life.

When Heyman was on austins Podcast. and Heyman brought the topic up. it was eerie watching Austin visually transform into stone cold.

Austin said he would do it but only in a Texas Death Match. Why would Austin Think he would think requiring a pin and 10 count be worth doing.
lesnars not any spring chicken himself.

 

[Jack Brickman]

When Heyman was on austins Podcast. and Heyman brought the topic up. it was eerie watching Austin visually transform into stone cold.

Austin said he would do it but only in a Texas Death Match. Why would Austin Think he would think requiring a pin and 10 count be worth doing.
lesnars not any spring chicken himself.

Lesnar is only 38, the same age as Cena. Lesnar also wasn't forced to retire due to severe neck injuries.

And that just sounds like Austin being Austin. He teases a Wrestlemania return damn near every year but it never happens. I doubt this year will be any different. Like I said...if he could have returned, it would have happened by now.