Royal Rumble Pre Show Thread *30 competitors again!!*

mrkiscool2

Announcement made during the Smackdown tapings last night was that the Royal Rumble will be going back to 40 entrants at the 2015 Royal Rumble in Philadelphia.

Moneymaker

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

Announcement made during the Smackdown tapings last night was that the Royal Rumble will be going back to 40 entrants at the 2015 Royal Rumble in Philadelphia.

Ugh, that's a mistake. 40 guys is a cluster****.

The upside is its more space for surprise entrants/NXT cameos.

grames_bond

I really enjopyed the 40 man rumble, as there was more chance of all the "favourites" to be in it and then the surprises could be added without diluting the rumble itself.

Nody

Bounty Hunter wrote: »

For me that would make it far more likely that we get the match we want (Rollins vs Ambrose) in the hell in a cell .

Cena losing clean via pinfall or submission in a preliminary match up would make no sense in the wwes eyes (that would be a ppv main event finish and a huge push in itself for them) so this stip means ambrose can progress without having to do so (probably still involve a screwy finish though like an authority attack on botg to weaken whoever for seth)

My first thought was who are going to interfer to make sure Cena lose the match... I honestly can't see the match end in any other way.

rovert

Moneymaker wrote: »

Ugh, that's a mistake. 40 guys is a cluster****.

Vehemently disagree. The previous 40 man flew by.

leggo

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

Announcement made during the Smackdown tapings last night was that the Royal Rumble will be going back to 40 entrants at the 2015 Royal Rumble in Philadelphia.

Was actually thinking about the Rumble a while back and thought they'd have to do this: there are too many people due to return and then a bunch of NXT guys (DEVITT!!!!!) that I reckon they'd like to make cameos.

Happy out with the news personally. Re-watch the 40-man Rumble if you've any doubts - it's one of the best ones. And we're due a classic Rumble match too.

Moneymaker

Guess I was the only one who thought 40 was too many.

Like I said though, it's not without its upsides, harder to pick a winner and more room for returns/surprise entrants.

Watch World War III matches if you really want to see a cluster **** :pac:

Ageyev

I agree 40 is too many. If anything they should cut it down to 20 unless they can genuinely book the build and the match so you believe that more than two or three guys could win.

leggo

You can't book Battle Royals, all you can book are highlights. The mystique with the Rumble comes from:

a) The entrances and anticipation behind them, of which there are now more.
b) Those individual highlight spots and eliminations, again there's now more of them to work with too.
c) The finish.

Relax guys, I really think this is a good thing!

Lord TSC

Ageyev wrote: »

I agree 40 is too many. If anything they should cut it down to 20 unless they can genuinely book the build and the match so you believe that more than two or three guys could win.

This is the important part; doesn't matter how few or many are in it if the booking in the weeks before hand sucks. I enjoy more people since that gives the chance for more surprise entrants, but if everyone goes in knowing Reigns is winning, then it doesn't matter if he goes through 19, 29 or 39 other people....

mrkiscool2

leggo wrote: »

You can't book Battle Royals, all you can book are highlights. The mystique with the Rumble comes from:

a) The entrances and anticipation behind them, of which there are now more.
b) Those individual highlight spots and eliminations, again there's now more of them to work with too.
c) The finish.

Relax guys, I really think this is a good thing!

Gotta agree with leggo, the difference between the Royal Rumble and Battle Royales is that the entrances are spaced out and it's more of a slog to win it from earlier than it is later and you can never be sure when someone or who is coming out. It's lots of fun! Hope Kane gets his two eliminations this year to become the leading wrestler for most eliminations.

rovert

Lord TSC wrote: »

This is the important part; doesn't matter how few or many are in it if the booking in the weeks before hand sucks. I enjoy more people since that gives the chance for more surprise entrants, but if everyone goes in knowing Reigns is winning, then it doesn't matter if he goes through 19, 29 or 39 other people....

It is the Grand National of Pro Wrestling.

Moneymaker

I think Reigns is out of the running to win it now unless he's back within the next month and they catch lightning in a bottle and he gets more over then he's been since the Shield split.

Lots of people in wrestling(Austin, and a WWE trainer who's name I can't remember) have both said Reigns needs at least a year or two before he's pushed into that spot.

It'd go down like a lead balloon if he won it imo. You'd have a similar situation to Batista where fans turned on him as someone they felt more deserving was overlooked(Bryan).

Lord TSC

If you're basing it on a fast rising star, there's really only one name on the list....

Agent Coulson

Austin to return number 30 in the Rumble and beat Lesnar at WM31.

mrkiscool2

Lord TSC wrote: »

If you're basing it on a fast rising star, there's really only one name on the list....

I think there's 2 to be honest. Hard to discount Rollins from that list. A heel (at the time of the Rumble) hasn't won it since Del Rio which is a very long time to go for a heel not to win the Rumble. I still think Reigns will win it (which would be unfortunate) but I see him, Ambrose, Rollins and Bryan being the last 4. That would be pretty awesome.

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Austin to return number 30 in the Rumble and beat Lesnar at WM31.

Not going to happen. If Austin is coming back for a short run it'll be a one and done type thing. A match at WM 31 against someone he wants to face. I don't think he'd go with Lesnar, far too much of a chance of the physicality of Lesnar taking a toll on him ala Undertaker.

Lord TSC

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

I think there's 2 to be honest. Hard to discount Rollins from that list.

Yeaaaah, I was tempted to mention him, but figure the MITB will keep him off the list. I'd imagine it's more likely that Reigns or Ambrose winning the Rumble, and subsequentially the title, would lead to Rollins cashing in and keeping that Shield story arc going...

mrkiscool2

Lord TSC wrote: »

Yeaaaah, I was tempted to mention him, but figure the MITB will keep him off the list. I'd imagine it's more likely that Reigns or Ambrose winning the Rumble, and subsequentially the title, would lead to Rollins cashing in and keeping that Shield story arc going...

I don't know, I think that WWE (both Vince and Trips) see Rollins as the future number one heel in the company. What better way to be a super heel then win the Rumble, go on to WM 31, lose the match, destroy his opponent after with a vicious attack, cash in and win the title. Would be amazing a way to make Rollins an even bigger heel than he is now. The Shield are without a doubt going to be the start of NXT bringing forward future stars.

Moneymaker

Rollins, Ambrose and Bryan would be the 3 obvious ones. If the rumble was next month Ambrose is the clear favorite.

A strongly pushed Cesaro(hah!), Orton, Cena and Reigns are possibilities.

I expect the likes of Rusev to go on a complete tear. 4-5 NXT guys for sure will appear. Would be great to introduce Steen early in the match and go on a rampage for 30 minutes or so.

Beefy78

Kurt Angle has said that he'll be debuting for his new promotion in January and the Rumble is both in January and in his home state.

Just imagine the ovation. Come on Vince.

the groutch

mrkiscool2 wrote: »

Hope Kane gets his two eliminations this year to become the leading wrestler for most eliminations.

would love it to happen but Hunter is too protective of his pal Shawn's record.

CastorTroy

If this year's anything to go by, a 40 man rumble would be a good thing. This year wasn't even able to fit in a lot of the lower card guys. We even had el torito but neither of Los Matadores. Then there were others who didn't get on.
I'd say even with the extra 10 slots they may struggle to get everyone since they still feel the need to get the surprises. Of course if one surprise is Jake Roberts I wouldn't complain

grames_bond

I'd like to see more NXT guys introduced as well - give them a shot on a massive stage like that - get them in the eyes of the casuals.

gimmick

Why would you want more lower card guys in there? Guys like Los Matadores would not have made any sort of meaningful impact whatsoever, so having them come out after the count down will be met with silence.

Thread split for news thread.

Ageyev

grames_bond wrote: »

I'd like to see more NXT guys introduced as well - give them a shot on a massive stage like that - get them in the eyes of the casuals.

NXT wrestlers don't seem to get much of a reaction when introduced cold without vignettes.

Sin Eater

grames_bond wrote: »

I'd like to see more NXT guys introduced as well - give them a shot on a massive stage like that - get them in the eyes of the casuals.

Don't watch NXT, but this is what I'd love to see, give a one or two guys a good run in the rumble would set them up brilliantly for the main card.

Scavenger XIII

Ageyev wrote: »

NXT wrestlers don't seem to get much of a reaction when introduced cold without vignettes.

Would be little pop from the casuals but I suppose the point would be to have an unknown come out and then suddenly do something awesome in the ring that makes people take notice.

Moneymaker

It's in Philly. You will have lots of hardcore fans there. They'll get pops.

grames_bond

Scavenger XIII wrote: »

Would be little pop from the casuals but I suppose the point would be to have an unknown come out and then suddenly do something awesome in the ring that makes people take notice.

exactly, like imagine if devitt made a debut, in full bodypaint get up (for example, i dont know if he will ever use it), everyone in the ring stops and looks confused, the commentators big him up and he hits the ring and starts kicking ass all over the shop.

He wouldn't be forgotten very soon!

mrkiscool2

Probably also a gimmick to get subscribers for the network.

Agent Coulson

Two things we will all probably know before it kicks off who will win and Kofi will have crazy elimination saving spot.

Ageyev

leggo wrote: »

You can't book Battle Royals, all you can book are highlights. The mystique with the Rumble comes from:

a) The entrances and anticipation behind them, of which there are now more.
b) Those individual highlight spots and eliminations, again there's now more of them to work with too.
c) The finish.

Relax guys, I really think this is a good thing!

It is well known that Pat Patterson lays out the Rumble match.

Erm, the a,b,c that you mentioned is booking. Or agenting, or producing, or laying out a match or whatever you call it.

grames_bond

Ageyev wrote: »

Erm, the a,b,c that you mentioned is booking. Or agenting, or producing, or laying out a match or whatever you call it.

thats the point leggo was making - you CAN book a rumble and give it the excitement needed. You cannot book a striahgt up battle royale, except for a spot, or the finish.

Hercule

more surprises, more gimmicks and more rumble?- Am I alone in thinking this is good news?

CastorTroy

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Two things we will all probably know before it kicks off who will win and Kofi will have crazy elimination saving spot.

Spoilers!

seandotcomm

as long as Mysterio isn't number 40....

CSF

Beefy78 wrote: »

Kurt Angle has said that he'll be debuting for his new promotion in January and the Rumble is both in January and in his home state.

Just imagine the ovation. Come on Vince.

Stuff like this should have spoiler tags. If this happens, we are definitely not mates anymore

Beefy78

It is far from a spoiler. It is putting two and two and two together.

Friends?

CSF

Beefy78 wrote: »

It is far from a spoiler. It is putting two and two and two together.

Friends?

It is a spoiler, it's putting information that most people wouldn't have known that points heavily towards a particular outcome, hence ruining the surprise if said outcome does occur.

Moneymaker

Rusev enters number 8 or 9, dominates for 15 minutes.

"Who can stop this man??"

Cue Medal on the loudspeakers. Crowd erupts.

Man, goosebumps.

CSF

Moneymaker wrote: »

Rusev enters number 8 or 9, dominates for 15 minutes.

"Who can stop this man??"

Cue Medal on the loudspeakers. Crowd erupts.

Man, goosebumps.

Yeah goosebumps, if it hadnt been spoiled as having a reasonably high likelihood.

Beefy78

CSF wrote: »

It is a spoiler, it's putting information that most people wouldn't have known that points heavily towards a particular outcome, hence ruining the surprise if said outcome does occur.

It is information which has been discussed on this board in the news thread without spoiler tags. It doesn't point heavily in any direction and in fact the general feeling when the news was announced was that the mystery promotion he has signed for is not WWE.

I'm sure that Kurt Angle's next career move will be public knowledge by the time the Royal Rumble comes around and this is just wild speculation at the moment.

I sincerely apologise if I have spoiled anything.

CSF

Beefy78 wrote: »

It is information which has been discussed on this board in the news thread without spoiler tags. It doesn't point heavily in any direction and in fact the general feeling when the news was announced was that the mystery promotion he has signed for is not WWE.

I'm sure that Kurt Angle's next career move will be public knowledge by the time the Royal Rumble comes around and this is just wild speculation at the moment.

You mean the news thread with spoilers written in the title that lots of people (myself included) don't read for that very reason.

Not everyone wants to have figured out what's going to happen before it happens.

Loose theories, based on ideas you've come up with from what you've seen in the show, fine. They carry no weight, everyone has different ones anyways.

Theories based on wrestlers schedules, what Meltzer posted he had sources on or similar things, not cool.

CastorTroy

To be fair we're still waiting for those appearances from Carlito and Shelton that were definitely happening at the Rumble a couple years ago.

rovert

Moneymaker wrote: »

It's in Philly. You will have lots of hardcore fans there. They'll get pops.

And Reigns won't :P

Beefy78

Exactly.

If this was the week before then I'd see the issue. It isn't. If there was any tangible evidence that Angle, Austin, Steve Blackman or anyone else was returning at the Rumble then I'd see the issue. There isn't isn't so anything at this point is just wild speculation.

I hate spoiling things for people or having things spoiled for me. I just don't see how this can possibly apply though.

rovert

CastorTroy wrote: »

To be fair we're still waiting for those appearances from Carlito and Shelton that were definitely happening at the Rumble a couple years ago.

Mike Johnson a few months ago admitted he was worked by source who was ****ing with him. Mike cut off all ties.

WinnyThePoo

Beefy78 wrote: »

Exactly.

If this was the week before then I'd see the issue. It isn't. If there was any tangible evidence that Angle, Austin, Steve Blackman or anyone else was returning at the Rumble then I'd see the issue. There isn't isn't so anything at this point is just wild speculation.

I hate spoiling things for people or having things spoiled for me. I just don't see how this can possibly apply though.

You've done nothing wrong. Your first comment about Angle was before the thread was split and posted originally in the news thread.

Whosthis

CSF wrote: »

that lots of people (myself included) don't read for that very reason.

Do you normally post in threads you don't read?????? http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=91058270&postcount=7682

CSF

Whosthis wrote: »

Do you normally post in threads you don't read?????? http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=91058270&postcount=7682

Eh 4 months ago, I said I don't, not that I never have!!! I actually can't believe you went that far into my posting history for something so inconclusive.

If I went in there (or any spoiler labelled thread) and had something spoiled on me I would only have myself to blame.

mrkiscool2

CSF wrote: »

Eh 4 months ago, I said I don't, not that I never have!!! I actually can't believe you went that far into my posting history for something so inconclusive.

If I went in there (or any spoiler labelled thread) and had something spoiled on me I would only have myself to blame.

To be honest we have no idea if Kurt is coming back to the WWE at all, in fact the likelihood of that happening is slim. As for the Kofi thing, well if you are a casual wrestling fan Royal Rumble is one of the events you watch so you'd know all about it.