chokeslam *ufc spoiler*

dlofnep

BAM!

krudler

ow

Minto

JR: "Good God, good God Almighty, he just chokeslammed him straight to Hell!"

JR: "Oh my God, King! He just broke him in half!"

'Taker: "You will rest in Peeeeeace!"

Nothingcompares

Is there any truth to the idea that the WWE is being influenced by the popularity of the UFC and the wrestlers are doing more submission stuff and they're wrestling/martial art credentials are being highlighted more.

ShawnRaven

Probably, back in 1996/1997 when they first started taking notice of UFC.
VR!

Fozzy

validreasoning! wrote: »

Probably, back in 1996/1997 when they first started taking notice of UFC.

I don't think they were threatened by them though, Vince advertised some UFC PPVs on Raw back then

At the Strikeforce event on Friday one guy got a guillotine choke on his opponent and he dropped to the ground, apparently the fans actually shouted "DDT"

ShawnRaven

Fozzy wrote: »

I don't think they were threatened by them though, Vince advertised some UFC PPVs on Raw back then

At the Strikeforce event on Friday one guy got a guillotine choke on his opponent and he dropped to the ground, apparently the fans actually shouted "DDT"

That's kinda what i was trying to say. Vince didn't consider ECW a threat, but that didn't stop him from using ECW as a template as sorts to create the Attitude era from. Same went for UFC and the WWE's inclusion of the likes of Shamrock and Severn (despite the fact that Severn had a pro wrestling background long before 1997)

VR!

krudler

Nothingcompares wrote: »

Is there any truth to the idea that the WWE is being influenced by the popularity of the UFC and the wrestlers are doing more submission stuff and they're wrestling/martial art credentials are being highlighted more.

if anything its going both ways, UFC are using "storylines" to build matches and grudges just like WWE does

ShawnRaven

krudler wrote: »

if anything its going both ways, UFC are using "storylines" to build matches and grudges just like WWE does

I'll have to agree with this. Especially since TUF was introduced a few years back, they tend to build a lot of grudges from past TUF encounters.

VR!

Vince135792003

krudler wrote: »

UFC are using "storylines" to build matches and grudges just like WWE does

Except UFC has done it better for about 18 months now.

ShawnRaven

In fairness, that hasn't been much of a challenge now has it?
Eastenders, Neighbours and Home And Away have had better storylines than WWE... (not that i would know! )
VR!

Vince135792003

validreasoning! wrote: »

In fairness, that hasn't been much of a challenge now has it?

For the first four months of the year it was.

Fozzy

They have indeed, although once in a while the advantages of pro-wrestling become clear, like when Houston Alexander got knocked out at the weekend

I was thinking the other day, I think one of the big advantages that UFC has in creating stars is that most guys only fight about three times a year. Whenever a guy shows up it often feels like something special. WWE ends up watering down potential stars, although TNA are much worse

ShawnRaven

Vince135792003 wrote: »

For the first four months of the year it was.

I really didn't see anything special in the Michaels/Cena storyline. Maybe thats due to the parade o'crap i've taken in this year. I might dig out the early year PPVs and watch em again as the extras often contain buildups/RAW appearances but i've had bugger all interest in either brand storyline wise since about November/December 2006.

That's just me though, and yes, i know i'm in the minority here, but i found TNA this year far more entertaining, even with Russo's stories.

VR!

liger

krudler wrote: »

if anything its going both ways, UFC are using "storylines" to build matches and grudges just like WWE does

Talking about going both ways, Brock lesner is to debut soon, i cant wait for that. i wonder if they'll throw some poor sucker at him or put him in a difficult bout. although i seen some top notch fighters KO'd by some so called Suckers.

Vince135792003

liger wrote: »

Talking about going both ways, Brock lesner is to debut soon, i cant wait for that. i wonder if they'll throw some poor sucker at him or put him in a difficult bout. although i seen some top notch fighters KO'd by some so called Suckers.

He's fighting Frank Mir.

Bubs101

validreasoning! wrote: »

That's just me though, and yes, i know i'm in the minority here, but i found TNA this year far more entertaining, even with Russo's stories.

VR!

Not the only one