theFRANCHISE

i can only guess Heyman

I hope so. But that doesn't mean I'll be holding my breath for a better product after a month has passed.

Too bad Jerry Lynn reaggravated his injury and had to pull out of the main event. I wonder what Jeff Jarrett's big (non-wrestling) surprise is...

That would be something, now you talking about a mini heel turn for Rey or Taker? I think there is less risk involved turning Rey heel than turning Cena heel. Granted Cena needs a heel turn but it just won't happen yet. Now Mysterio like I said a page back I think would be perfect to swerve the fans and join the SES saying he, Punk, Gallows and Mercury attacked the Undertaker. Though the 2 problems at this point is the SES is in a feud with Big Show, and second they already ruled Punk out with the bar footage, unless they have Punk admit that tape was from a week before or something.

Right Now I'm hoping for something different rather than Kane like the SES and Rey joining them, or the other option would be Triple H reveals himself to be the leader of Nexus and says he and Nexus attacked Taker.

I was thinking of briefly turning 'Taker heel. He would side with Kane and take out Mysterio, even though there's no proof that Mysterio did it. He wouldn't have to wrestle as much because he has Kane as his muscle, doing his bidding while 'Taker just does freaky stunts with lightning and some occasional beatdowns and ambushes. I don't really have a resolution to the feud, I'd just want to see something different.

Turning Mysterio and joining the SES, as you suggested, would be a nice idea but I feel as if that was something that should've been months ago, back when membership was the stipulation for two of Mysterio's matches with Punk. I agree that there'd be less risk in turning Mysterio, especially since SmackDown's move to SyFy will lose some of their targeted Hispanic demographic anyway; it was reported in a trade magazine that the loss of that demographic (as well as the segment of Middle America that doesn't have cable) would possibly happen, given that The CW (formerly UPN) was more widely available than SyFy. So, in terms of business, it would make sense to do it soon, even if it's a brief move. Additionally, with WWE's brief interest in bringing in and repackaging more well-known luchadores, that market share can still be regained.

I think Taker will be involved either during the match or after it,with the lights going off and then on and him choke slamming someone.

It'd be interesting if there was a swerve and a mini-heel turn and 'Taker takes out Mysterio instead of Kane.

Also:

- Shawn Michaels retired in real life after wrestling The Undertaker at WrestleMania in a rematch of their encounter last year

- Triple H was written off television after a storyline injury caused by Sheamus, which was an excuse for Hunter to go film a movie; ironically, Triple H sustained a real injury during filming and is currently rehabbing

- The Legacy (Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes) disbanded; Orton has turned into a no-nonsense babyface (similar to Stone Cold Steve Austin), Ted DiBiase has taken on his father's Million Dollar Man gimmick, and Cody Rhodes has taken on a narcissistic gimmick as "Dashing" Cody Rhodes

- The Hart Dynasty got a big push by their association with Bret Hart upon Hart's return to WWE; Hart culminated his comeback with a poorly-worked match against Mr. McMahon at WrestleMania

- CM Punk has continued his heel Straightedge Society stable with more elements of his gimmick resembling Charles Manson

- The RAW guest host concept is slowly being deemphasized and phased out

- As part of WWE's youth movement, Drew McIntyre was annointed "The Chosen One" by Mr. McMahon on television and has received a moderate push in the midcard tier

In a way, the only way I'll be satisfied with Kane being revealed as the attacker is if he brings back the mask and goes into beast mode, basically just destroying everyone in his path. Promos done only on occasion (but to great effect) and just methodical attacks on random guys.

Otherwise, I'm disappointed in the predictable reveal, if that was truly it.

This looks like it was photo shopped...badly.And what is with the fire in the background? And WE? UGH PG.

There's already a TV channel called WE -- Women's Entertainment. My sister-in-law loves it. She makes me wanna gouge my eyes out when she turns the channel to it.

Just one thing before we get back into the discussion... don't believe those dirt sheets. They're just wrestling versions of gossip mags.

True. But, at the same time, as with any media, the truth is always somewhere in-between two different accounts of the same story. So, chances are, there's a shred of truth in some of the rumor-mongering. For instance, Triple H probably isn't as big of a backstage egomaniac as he's made out to be in the sheets, but he probably does a little politicking given his marriage into the McMahon family.

WWE is getting a new logo.

It reminds me of the Hogan days.

That's probably photoshopped. Look at the USA Network logo in the corner (odd for concept art), as well as the low resolution of the logo compared to the USA Network logo. Additionally, someone could've easily taken the classic WWF logo and added that extra leg at the end to form an 'E'

Given that Triple H will probably need to take time to promote the movie he just finished wrapping, a move to SmackDown would make sense for his schedule. He would be able to do taped backstage segments on different days of the week, as well as do full TV tapings structured to fit his schedule; remember, they tape the show out-of-sequence at times.

Further motivation for Triple H to attack the Undertaker besides HBK's retirement and never having had a WrestleMania moment himself:

- Constant references to commentary referring to 'Taker as the conscience and face of WWE, when Triple H has more ties to the company

- Triple H not liking being upstaged on the WrestleMania card (inserting, perhaps, a shoot element to the angle)

- Triple H wanting to exert his power and show that even the most unstoppable of forces can be stopped

I still need to see a Cena heel turn to make SummerSlam and the next few months compelling. Even if the heel turn is half-hearted and Cena turns face again by the end of the calendar year, Cena needs a new edge to his gimmick and this would be the shot in the arm. He wouldn't even have to change his in-ring style or attire or entrance music, he just has to take the fans' emotions and turn them on their head.

As much as the storyline is leading towards another Undertaker and Kane match, I don't want it to happen. It's too, too obvious, and we've seen the match done to death. They have the chance to make Kane the red herring in this storyline and make the culprit someone else. Perhaps Triple H? That'd be something out of left-field, but it'd make sense if you were to throw in how he was angry that 'Taker retired his best friend. Also, it could go back to Triple H having never had his WrestleMania moment despite having a more accomplished career (similar reasoning for a Triple H-HBK non-wrestling feud if it were to happen) and it would give Triple H something to do after he takes care of Sheamus.

It'd turn Triple H back into the egomaniac of a heel he used to be, and it'd make him somewhat sympathetic if he were to turn face again.

I wonder if rumors are true and WWE are setting up a Morrison/Melina vs DiBiase/Maryse feud.

Those were the original plans, but that's likely scrapped because DiBiase isn't getting over.

Best part is, Melina can actually wrestle! Looking forward to her match with Alicia Fox. I always thought Alicia's in-ring skills were underrated, largely because her matches (even on PPV) have been so short or against opponents that couldn't keep up with her. She and Melina should have a good first encounter.

In other WWE news, former WWE wrestler Batista has a new project called "Batista vs. Cancer," a new initiative geared towards raising cancer awareness.

The accompanying video to the project was not what I expected at all for a former pro wrestler. It was very sweet and very sentimental with lots of humor sprinkled in. I just about cried during some of the more tender moments, especially when he was with his ex-wife. Cancer is something that's hurt my family in the past and has reared its ugly head once again, so I was really touched by how genuine the video was.

YouTube - Batista Hates Cancer

Theres no way they would turn Cena, WWE caters to the kids and the cashflow, not the smarks.

OT: Honestly I think Husky Harris and Alex Riley are absolute naturals.

Think of the ratings, though. WWE would bring in an even larger audience while still keeping the kids with guys like Rey Mysterio, Triple H, and Randy Orton as the top faces. Though Cena is the biggest cash-cow, his fans are getting older and will eventually get sick of him. He needs to refresh his character, and what better way than to add an edge?

If they stay the course with Cena, they'll make money in the short-term but these kids will continue to age and out-grow him. If they switch things up, they might lose some kids, but they'll gain back some of the older audience they've lost who are able to directly support the company financially.

At first, I thought I'd be happy enough with a Triple H heel turn. But nope, a Cena heel turn needs to happen. If it doesn't happen, I'll be disappointed with this angle, even if Triple H returns.

Yeah but the thing about spoilers, is that even though it may look dull on paper or a website the show may be better on TV than what the Spoilers indicate. I was wondering that too FF, and btw it's a shame WWE let Mickie go they had no good divas on the roster with the exception of Beth and Melina.

I hope WWE brings Mickie James back and pulls a wool over TNA and brings in Awesome Kong, now that would be a good move for the WWE!

I would get into plans that I'd have for rebuilding WWE, but I'm too tired to go through all that.

Needless to say, revamping the women's division would surprisingly be one of my top priorities. There was a lot of potential there before Lita and Trish both retired.

LOL at Vince and Company getting pissy with TNA saying the Letters ECW on TV.Really Vince you don't see them as a threat but have to make sure they don't use certain terms.?I understand it's business but really?ECW..are you mad that you ****ized what the letters stood for?This kinda makes me a little sad for Vince

He's getting old, you can't fault the man for being senile.

Closest to Chinese was Savahnah she's Canadian but had Chinese Ancestors.

Savannah could've had potential as a ring announcer if they really wanted to use her that way. They just used ring announcing as an excuse to get her on TV.

Oh so in a way Tajiri and Funaki were ambassadors when WWE went to Korea, Japan, China

Just Japan because they're Japanese. There haven't been any wrestlers of Chinese descent as of late that I know of, and I think Jimmy Wang Yang was Korean.

Oh wow Rey is a jerk.

He's just playing his cards right. But yeah, it's been well-known that certain stars have sway because of their appeal to certain demographics. It's all about ratings. The reason why Rey has been largely kept on SmackDown is because UPN and The CW had been more widely available to Hispanic households than the channels that housed RAW. Khali is kept on the roster because he is a goodwill ambassador for the company when they tour India. William Regal is their ambassador when they tour the UK. Sheamus and Drew McIntyre have jobs because of their appeal to Ireland and Scotland, respectively.

The idea of WWE being an international company in every sense is represented by their roster, as their roster intentionally has worldwide appeal. That's also why there's many gimmicks that take on a nationalist slant, like Canadian wrestlers playing up their Canadian citizenship. It's all about the ratings.

What does Rey have to do with Ziggler? lolz

Rey didn't put over Ziggler when they were feuding for the IC Title. Ziggler was becoming a star and the crowd got behind him during a couple of their matches, and he was just on the cusp. But Mysterio didn't want to do the job and, because Mysterio knows he's so crucial to their Latino demographic, he has a lot of sway backstage and they decided to keep the belt on him.

Cottonwood and Titus Oniel both joinign NeXuS? Both are big dudes. I think that'd be cool having NeXuS recruit NXT 2 guys.

There's no point in doing that because it'd only further solidify the notion that there are barely any guys within the faction that will go on to have successful singles careers after the group breaks up. Outside of Wade Barrett and Justin Gabriel, none of them really seem like they'd make it on their own and WWE needs to continue to build them up as a threat, both individually and as a group.

To add NXT 2 guys to the mix would make the group less effectively, as it'd make it seem like anyone can join the faction randomly. It smacks too much of what killed the nWo (and eventually WCW as a company)

Just watched a classic promo from 8-12-01 Rock and Austin in the ring the Monday before Survivor Series WWF vs Alliance this is the type of promo I miss

That was a little-remembered gem, primarily because people tend to want to forget the Invasion angle.

Rock and Austin in the ring for maybe 20 minutes, trading sly insults, singing songs together and then ending with a fake-out handshake leading into a Rock Bottom. The way Rock said, "The Rock will never, EVER forget" gave me goosebumps.

I do not really think Khali will join, he doesn't fit the image at all. He'd stick out like a sore thumb and, in my opinion, bring the whole group down a notch.

I don't think it'll happen, I think it was just a one-and-done thing that was meant to further the night's theme of dissenssion with the RAW 7. The suspicions that Khali would join Nexus, along with Edge not wanting Khali on the team, was just to give him a reason not to get along with Team Cena and to partake in the end-of-show brawl.