theFRANCHISE

It's GM Mode from SvR 2006 and 2007, but much more fully-realized. The micro-management isn't mandatory like in years past. In theory, you could just play Exhibition mode matches with Universe 2.0 on and let the game do everything for you, and you'll still get a great experience. But if you like to get hands-on like I do, you can customize virtually everything about your experience and never get bored. I can envision myself, on Day One, spending more time tweaking everything than actually playing matches -- and I'm genuinely excited about that prospect. There's still time to pre-order, although it's important to note that the Collector's Edition is only available from THQ.com. Otherwise, all pre-orders, regardless of the retailer or edition, will come packaged with codes to unlock/download The Rock.

So now that the media embargo on WWE 12's Universe 2.0 has been lifted, new details have emerged that have me very excited. Features, both old news and new: - Create your own show - Replace titles and swap them around at any time - Momentum meter, which improves wrestlers' attributes as they make more appearances and win more matches - Interfere in any match of your choosing with any wrestler - Match cards flow from match to match with no need to return to the main menu - Dozens of championships beyond the ones defended on TV - More dynamic storylines and cutscenes - Create your own arena (minus the stage; standard HD titantron is the only option) - Hidden arenas to unlock, including WCW Clash of the Champions and WCW Nitro - Wrestler injuries - Optional drafts, including the ability to put draft picks on the line And apparently, there's more that they've yet to reveal. This could easily be the best wrestling game ever made, just based on what they've announced so far.

I'm cool with the occasional World Title change on free TV since it adds an air of unpredictability, but you and I both hate hotshotted angles. This TNA angle wasn't even rushed -- it simply had no build at all. We all need to go into business as a collective writing team and oust the TNA writing staff.

The logic of that whole series was just thrown out the window with that title change. It makes no sense to have Angle drop the title in that manner, especially since he's recognized as one of the absolute best in the world. It hurts Angle's character and doesn't do any favors for the belt's prestige since it was won so handily. The elevation of the new champion is offset by the cheapening of the title. I wish it were the same as Mick Foley's title win, but the difference here is that there was a larger storyline that went into Foley's victory, as it was another benchmark in the Austin-Corporation feud since Austin's interference helped Foley win.

Might be a last-ditch attempt to re-sign him after burying him as punishment for Melina's sour reputation and departure.

I'm sick of Michael Cole. It's funny how, in selling this feud on Twitter with a worked shoot, J.R. was saying a lot of truthful things about what's wrong with commentary in WWE today. He specifically mentioned that commentators have a responsibility to comment on the action in the ring, not what's going on outside of it. There were some other pointed remarks, but all of them were so true. My only hope is that, in performing the worked shoot, WWE recognizes the truth in J.R.'s words and that they adjust the programming accordingly.

It's funny, I looked at the TNA roster vs. the WWE roster and Kurt Angle has wrestled the majority of the TNA roster at one point or another but has yet to wrestle the vast majority of WWE's roster. Because of Cena hogging the main event, I'm still working under the assumption that WWE's youth movement died. In reality, the midcard holds tons of potential for whenever Cena is out of the spotlight.

Kurt Angle wants to put young guys over, hence why he's adamant about retiring with TNA even though WWE has said repeatedly that the door is always open for his return. Hulk Hogan's decision to nix Roode's title win should be a sign to Angle that this isn't the company for him. Even though he's the centerpiece in TNA, he's better off being a side attraction like The Undertaker in WWE than being stuck in TNA's mess. Sure, WWE is not without its problems, but another main event face like Kurt Angle would certainly be a fresh change of pace, veteran status aside.

I hate most reality shows, but I would certainly watch one like what WWE.com says that the WWE Network will introduce. In another poll asking fans to name one of their show concepts, the WWE Network will have a reality show featuring WWE Legends living under the same roof. If the Iron Sheik is one of the cast members, I'm sold!

Gail Kim has had a horrible sense of timing when it comes to her and WWE. I was reading about the interview she recently conducted, and while I agree that WWE severely underutilized her and didn't care about the Divas division, she arrived at a horrible time during both stints and left at the worst possible time this second stint. When she arrived in 2002, the DIvas division was loaded with good female wrestlers. There was simply very little room for her to shine alongside Trish Stratus, Lita, Victoria, Jazz, Molly Holly, etc. By the time she left the first time, all those Divas were still there and were complemented by Mickie James and others. The second time she arrived, WWE no longer cared about the Divas division. Shortly after Gail left, the Divas of Doom were formed and there's suddenly been more TV time allowed for a select group of marketable Divas and their matches. I won't say that WWE cares 100% about their Divas division enough, but they certainly care more now than they did recently, and Gail Kim was just unfortunate to have had bad timing and to have been in a bad environment each time.

I'm disappointed, especially since Dave Lagana did so well with Ring of Honor and his I Want Wrestling blog is one of my favorite reads. I'd rather have Lagana stay with ROH on a full-time basis, even though his TNA job allegedly involves only the development of non-Impact shows.

That line has always bothered me. I don't think Cena understands that, when his fans literally grow up, they'll get bored of him. Then he'll have no choice but to change because the next generation of young wrestling fans may not even care. Every great wrestler changes things up. Even Stone Cold Steve Austin shied away from the anti-authority gimmick and did a complete 180 when he turned heel in 2001.

As far as I know, yes, Brock is the first major figure to be in 3 major sports gaming titles, unless you'd like to count Shaq in various NBA games, UFC Undisputed 2010, and Ready 2 Rumble Boxing. I stopped liking Cena shortly after his feud with RVD and the new ECW in 2006. While I loved Cena as a heel and continued to like him as a face, I grew weary of him by the time I started to see through his gimmick. It was the same crap every week, which The Rock was guilty of from 2000-2002. The difference is, Rock still found ways to keep me entertained when he would do or say something different. Conversely, I had started to fall asleep during John Cena main events and his promos started to get more and more bland. If there was any single fault of Cena, it was that he allowed himself to be booked as Super Cena. While I know that there are those who'd say we'd do the same thing in his shoes, if Cena really loves his craft, he'd care about his character evolving. Look at the many iterations of Chris Jericho and even HHH. Heck, The Rock went from varying degrees of the same cocky heel, even as a face. Hollywood Rock in 2003 was one of the best heel gimmicks I've seen in recent memory, and it was nothing more than a retread of classic '70s arrogant heels like Nick Bockwinkel, but with a real-life Hollywood flair.

I used a created version of Lesnar in SvR 11 and he was my unstoppable heel on SmackDown for awhile, but then I got bored of having him bury everyone just to make gains in the heavyweight division. I downloaded Goldberg and recreated a better version of their feud but I got bored of that as well. I suppose I could always use Lesnar as an enforcer for one of my other wrestlers, or do a celebrity vs. wrestler angle where I pit crossover stars against full-time wrestlers (Rock, Austin, Lesnar, other former wrestlers vs. guys like Orton, Punk, etc.)

I interpreted Brock's words as merely being that he'll come back for the right amount of money. I don't think he really cares about the situation in which he returns, unless it's a case where he just comes back to get buried. I could see Brock back in a WWE ring but I'm skeptical about seeing him do anything more than deliver a couple of big moves and then walk away. I don't see a full match coming out of this.

I could see it. However, I don't see a point where I'd completely hate Punk, just like I can't completely hate Orton, for doing the same thing as Cena. At least Punk has great mic skills and both Punk and Orton can work great pay-per-view matches on a regular basis, especially when blowing off a feud. Cena's only had a small string of good in-ring performances lately.

I loved the ending to the show, especially CM Punk being made to look like a huge star by taking part in the main event and rubbing elbows with Triple H. Best of all? No Cena all night, save for the opening segment!

Even though that was a kayfabe firing, I've never wanted to punch Michael Cole in the face more.

Rhodes' involvement in multiple angles is reminiscent of the Attitude Era. Rhodes is not only embarking on a renewed feud with Orton, he's also rubbing elbows with the Christian/Ziggler/Swagger alliance and is still in a minor feud with Ted DiBiase.

Orton interrupting Henry by saying, "No, Mark. Vengeance is MINE!" and then his music hitting = pretty B.A. Can't lie.

Well, as COO, I suppose HHH's authority only extends so far, while the GMs for each show are the master of their domain on that particular night. For example, the GM can make matches for their particular show on that night, but the COO can only overrule rulings or make independent rulings with the permission of the board of directors.

Surprisingly, that was a great opening segment. Aside from HHH's comment that irked me, I love how they convincingly made it seem as if they're improvising the entire two hours tonight. CM Punk's face lighting up when he was told he'd get to do commentary, was priceless!

As much as I'd admit that WWE dropped the ball slightly with CM Punk, I love how he looks like such a huge star tonight. The crowd gave him a huge pop and he looks like he belongs with all those main eventers in the ring.

They'll likely hotshot the angle since they tape in Mexico for next week's shows.

I like HHH as COO. That said, he didn't have to bury half the locker room by saying a broomstick wrestles better than them (even if true in some cases...)