The Wrestling Thread: WWE WrestleMania 31 [NSFW]

[Johnny Ryall]

Can anyone recommend me a decent VPN?

http://support.unblock-us.com/customer/ ... k/articles

[Mockmaster]

Can anyone recommend me a decent VPN?

http://support.unblock-us.com/customer/ ... k/articles

Thanks bro.

[Kanbei]

What an absolute shambles

Tempted to get a Network related chant going during the Belfast live show on Friday

[YouSmellOfWee]

Is the UK ready for WWE Network?

Oh yeah...



It's delayed.

[KK]

RAW tonight will apparently be a very wrestling heavy show, probably because John Cena is uncharacteristically absent according to their advertising.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

Oh my friggin Jesus christ I cannot believe wwe and sky. What the hell are they playing at. There are so many possibilities as to what caused this launch cancellation. Wonder if we will ever really know what caused it.

[KK]

The launch was called off at the last minute because of undisclosed "negotiations" with television partners.



You know it's coming...

[PCCD]

Fiver says we get shafted out of PPVs and other stuff on the network

[KK]

The problem is Sky have paid a monumental amount of money for Main Event, Superstars, NXT, This Week In WWE, Vintage Collection & 12 PPV events. And they're all on the Network. It goes against everything Sky has ever stood for, but then they would have been well aware of this going into the latest negotiations. So unless WWE have royally strawberry floated up with some sort of exclusivity agreement in the contract, Sky haven't got a leg to stand on.

Another alternative is that Sky were offering very little for the WWE Network/channel & WWE turned it down. Sky then panicked at the last minute & have put in a new offer.

Or maybe someone like BT has stepped in, as they would have obviously been interested prior in the TV rights.

[KK]

Just been confirmed that Sky are in fact legally challenging their contracts with WWE & the relationship between the 2 sides has soured.

[PCCD]

Just be confirmed that Sky are in fact legally challenging their contracts with WWE & the relationship between the 2 sides has soured.

[KK]

I honestly was expecting Vince McMahon to start attacking Sky when he brought up the US government and Ted Turner.

[KK]

WrestleZone has published a story on it:

WWE was expected to launch the WWE Network today for fans in the UK. Within the hour of the launch, WWE announced via social media that the launch has been delayed until further notice.

WZ has spoke with sources inside WWE who have informed us the delay was caused by a legal matter with Sky Sports.

For those unfamiliar, Sky Sports is the carrier of WWE pay-per-view content in The UK. A 2015 contract had already been negotiated upon for the distribution and payment of the WWE PPV’s. It seems Sky Sports has been disputing WWE over the legalities of the Network and its interference on their agreed upon deal. This has been the cause of the numerous delays for the information and launching in the UK stemming back to the original 10/1 launch date.

What is not yet clear is the probable communication breakdown with WWE announcing a launch to happen today, and then at the last minute having to delay it, again, appearing to be caused by Sky Sports.

A source in WWE told us the company could buyout the deal with Sky Sports but it would be a costly hit and potentially not worth it financially considering the Network hasn’t had as much financial success anywhere in the world as originally hoped.

Specifically, the new deal between WWE and BSkyB mandates all WWE PPV events will air on Sky Sports Box Office. Up until this year, 4 pay-per-views would air on Sky Sports at no extra charge for people who have the channel, while the remaining shows were on Sky Box Office at £14.95 per event.

We’re hoping to bring you more information as soon as we get it.

To be honest this sounds like it could be WWE's fault.

Sky must have filed a last minute injunction.

[Balloon Sod]

Sheamus working 2 matches tonight?

I suppose not having the network has its upsides.

[Corazon de Leon]

WrestleZone has published a story on it:

WWE was expected to launch the WWE Network today for fans in the UK. Within the hour of the launch, WWE announced via social media that the launch has been delayed until further notice.

WZ has spoke with sources inside WWE who have informed us the delay was caused by a legal matter with Sky Sports.

For those unfamiliar, Sky Sports is the carrier of WWE pay-per-view content in The UK. A 2015 contract had already been negotiated upon for the distribution and payment of the WWE PPV’s. It seems Sky Sports has been disputing WWE over the legalities of the Network and its interference on their agreed upon deal. This has been the cause of the numerous delays for the information and launching in the UK stemming back to the original 10/1 launch date.

What is not yet clear is the probable communication breakdown with WWE announcing a launch to happen today, and then at the last minute having to delay it, again, appearing to be caused by Sky Sports.

A source in WWE told us the company could buyout the deal with Sky Sports but it would be a costly hit and potentially not worth it financially considering the Network hasn’t had as much financial success anywhere in the world as originally hoped.

Specifically, the new deal between WWE and BSkyB mandates all WWE PPV events will air on Sky Sports Box Office. Up until this year, 4 pay-per-views would air on Sky Sports at no extra charge for people who have the channel, while the remaining shows were on Sky Box Office at £14.95 per event.

We’re hoping to bring you more information as soon as we get it.

To be honest this sounds like it could be WWE's fault.

Sky must have filed a last minute injunction.

Well, they have shafted Sky quite badly with the Network.

[Balloon Sod]

Big Show misses his friend.

[Balloon Sod]

Big Show/Mark Henry: Big lumbering piece of gooseberry fool match. It's 2014. strawberry float it off.

I hope the next match has some moves in it.

[KK]

Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry "The King" Lawler, and John "Bradshaw" Layfied

Hour 1

Hot on the heels of UK fans being bummed in the gob over the WWE Network & the revelation that, despite sitting through over 3 hours of this rotten product, we're not even worthy of one of the main events tonight either, Monday Night RAW opened with the return of Vince McMahon to television, flanked by daughter Stephanie and Triple H. Vince asked if the crowd had missed him. He said that from the looks of things, everything has been well in hand since he left. He then asked the crowd to give it up for The Authority. They booed, leading Vince to say that it seemed like Hunter and Steph are under-appreciated. Vince then announced that the WWE Network would be free for all new subscribers this month, and therefore Survivor Series would be free too. Vince said that while Team Authority vs. Team Cena in a traditional 5 on 5 Survivor Series match is good, he wants to raise the stakes; he wants the next generation to feel what he feels, as he remembers when he beat the United States Government. And then there was Ted Turner, Time Warner, and WCW. He beat them all too. And then there was the fictitious battle with God...Vince revealed, much to the apparent surprise of Stephanie and Hunter, that should Team Authority lose that would be the end of The Authority in charge, and they'd no longer have any power. Crowd chanted "Yes!". Vince seemed confident however they'd get the job done. As they were making their exit Dean Ambrose's music hit and he made his way out. Dean and Vince met in the aisleway, shaking hands. HHH and Dean just looked at each other belligerently.

They announced Big Show will take on Mark Henry tonight.

In the parking lot Vince McMahon, about to get into his limo, was talking to Hunter and Steph. Vince said it felt great to be back, and he always likes surprises. Vince informed the both of them that he was sure he could count on them at Survivor Series. Amusingly he then told Hunter his tie was crooked. Hunter straightened it. As Vince then got in his car, Triple H asked his wife "What was that?". "I dunno, lets go figure it out" was the response...

Match 1: In a rematch from the Halloween SmackDown, Dean Ambrose pinned Cesaro in 12:00 with the Dirty Deeds DDT. During the first half of the bout, Cesaro got busted open the hard way. The lights went out in the building and after the commericial break Bray Wyatt appeared on the stage in his rocking chair. As Dean was about to go after Wyatt on the stage, the lights went back out and upon coming back up, Bray had vanished...just leaving the chair rocking back and forth on the stage. The cameraman had obviously pushed it...

In the RAW office, Stephanie was telling Hunter that when they go out later they need to be all confident, and they have got to put together the strongest SS team there has ever been. She then asked who Hunter was texting. He replied that he was texting Randy Orton. Stephanie couldn't believe he was contacting the guy that defied them and then RKO'd Seth. Hunter reminded his wife that was before her Dad got involved and decided to make them stronger. Steph just looked on in disgust.

Match 2: The Miz (w/Damien Mizdow) defeated Jimmy Uso (w/Jey Uso) at 5:00 with the Skull Crushing Finale after he was distracted by an altercation happening between Jey and Mizdow on the outside.

Match 3: Tyson Kidd (w/Natalya) defeated United States Champion Sheamus via Count-Out in a non-title match after Kidd used his wife as a human shield on the outside and blocked Sheamus from beating the count. Rusev and Lana were shown watching the match from the back. Afterwards, Sheamus Brogue Kicked Tyson.

Hour 2

The entire Authority made their way to the ring to open the second hour. Dolph Ziggler, who was in the ring ready for action, looked on. Stephanie said they're all ecstatic about her Dad's announcement earlier as, unlike most people who aren't willing to stand up for what they believe in, they're winners. At Survivor Series they're going to put together the strongest team in history, with Seth Rollins, Kane and Randy Orton forming 3 members of Team Authority. Hunter said Ziggler is free to do what he wants and side with who he wants, but before he does so he needs to question a few things. HHH told Dolph that, should Team Cena win, who do you think will get the credit? Will it be Ziggler? Or does Cena just come out of it looking like an even bigger hero. Or the other scenario, and that's Cena's team loses - who takes that heat? Is Cena going to take the blame, or is he just setting Ziggler up for the loss so he can blame him. Hunter reminded him that every time he rises up to the top, no matter how much Ziggler busts his ass, John Cena is the one that keeps on getting the credit, and while you can call it a glass ceiling, Ziggler certainly 'can't see' through it, let alone break it. Triple H said Cena cares so much about his supposed team he isn't even on the show tonight. Maybe Ziggler does take the gamble, and it gets him the championships, the girls, the money, and everyone's adulation. Steph chimed in that was an awful lot of maybes. Hunter said Ziggler could pick up the phone and tell Cena that it's a no; that if Ziggler wants to get rid of all the maybes, he can tell Cena no and in return have anything he wants. Ziggler mulled it over, before telling The Authority what he really wants is them out of power for good. Hunter replied that was too bad, as he really wanted to give the crowd what they wanted. Hunter mocked that when all the 12 year old's start tweeting, don't blame him, blame Ziggler. As punishment, he then put Ziggler in a match against Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship, next. HHH wished Ziggler luck...as he was going to need it.

Match 4: Seth Rollins (w/the two stooges) defeated Dolph Ziggler by Disqualification in 16:00 when, right after hitting the Curb Storm, Randy Orton ran in and RKO'd Rollins. Kane stormed out and asked what Orton was doing, Randy walking right past him up the ramp.

In the RAW office, Stephanie was telling Hunter that they can't trust Randy Orton. Speak of the devil, Orton then stormed in saying that he wasn't making a statement, he was asking for a favour. He wants Seth Rollins tonight. Stephanie asked why they'd do that when they're Co-Captains. Orton, bemused, said that was the biggest load of garbage he'd ever heard in his life and maybe he should join Team Cena instead. Orton told them both that he did what neither of them had the guts to when he put Rollins away last week. Hunter told him enough, as he needs Orton on Team Authority. But he also needs Seth Rollins, as everything is now on the line. He needs The Viper. Demanding Orton look at him, he agreed to give Orton Seth later tonight. Hunter demanded however that when it was over, they're going to all pat each other and go to war together at Survivor Series. And win. Orton and Triple H then shook on it.

In a very creepy video that I think was for Erik Rowan or Luke Harper, a load of eyeballs appeared with the message "Everything is shared". The ominous voice vowed to piece himself back together with pieces of others.

Titus O'Neil cut a promo in the ring. He said at Survivor Series winning will officially be spelt "T.I.T.U.S". He was cut off by the arrival of Ryback.

Match 5: Ryback pinned Titus O'Neil in 2:00 with the Shellshock. The Authority were shown watching on from the office.

Renee Young interviewed Big Show backstage. Show opened by saying that if Cena needs the World's Largest Partner, he would be honoured to be on Cena's team. Moving on, he said Henry betrayed him like he couldn't believe. A man that has been in his house, ate at his table...(more like ate the table). Show concluded by saying there was a part of him that misses his friend...but there was also a part of him that just wanted to knock Henry out of his life.

Buffalo Bills players were shown watching in the front row.

They plugged the Network for the 100th time. No, they haven't mentioned the UK yet.

Hour 3

Match 6: In a lethargic, piss poor encounter devoid of crowd heat, Big Show defeated Mark Henry in 6:00 by Disqualification when Mark Henry nailed Show with the steel stairs on the outside. After the match Henry gave the Showster the World Strongest Slam on the steps.

In the office, Stephanie said Mark Henry has that Ruthless Aggression required for Team Authority. HHH asked Kane to go find Henry and see if he's interested. Stephanie was still worrying about the Seth and Orton situation. Hunter reminded her that sometimes guys just have to be left alone to get these things out of their system. Hunter told Stephanie to trust him.

Divas' Champion AJ Lee was on commentary.

Renee Young interviewed Brie Bella backstage. Nikki turned up and said this interview was over before it had even started as she hadn't given her sister permission. As Renee was about to shoot back to ringside, Erik Rowan appeared and called Renee Young pretty. Renee, confused & somewhat freaked out, thanked him and walked off.

They re-aired highlights from the Halloween Battle Royal from SmackDown. Nikki Bella is the new Divas' Number 1 Contender.

Match 7: Nikki Bella (w/Brie) pinned Emma with the Rack Attack. Crowd briefly chanted "CM Punk". After the match Nikki ordered her sister to slap AJ Lee on the outside. AJ Lee retaliated by clobbering Brie. The cameras missed the latter completely so they had to replay it.

We got a vignette for Xavier "a new day is coming" Woods, who appears to have been given a singing Church Minster/Preacher gimmick. He was joined by a female gospel choir.

Match 8: Rusev (w/Lana) demolished some bloke called Zack Ryder in a minute with the Camel Clutch. After the match Lana cut a promo and told the crowd to shut up, & said tonight they'll fulfil the directive of Putin to bring home the United States Championship. Rusev said Sheamus will hurt, beg, and suffer. Crowd chanted "What?". Too Many Limes came out and said he takes tremendous pride in wearing the US title. Shay Moose vowed Rusev would be in for the fight of his life on the Network later. Crowd sat on their hands.

Backstage, Stephanie told Rusev and Lana that the victory earlier was very impressive. As Rusev has never been pinned, they would be honoured to offer Rusev a position on Team Authority. Lana said they will talk to Putin and, as 'you Americans say', they'll get back to her.

Mizdow and Damien Sandow were on commentary. The commentators had a field day taking the piss out of Miz for continually stumbling over his words.

Match 9: Fernando (w/Diego and El Torito) pinned Stardust (w/Goldust) with the Backstabber in 2:00.

The Authority were at ringside.

They announced The Uso's will take on Goldust and Stardust for the Tag Team Championship inside a Steel Cage on SmackDown.

Main Event 1: Seth Rollins pinned Randy Orton at 13:00 in an okay match with a backslide.

Over-run

In a very long over-run, Orton went over to Stephanie and Hunter on the outside and asked them what they now wanted him to do. Kane, Jamie Noble, and Joey Mercury congratulated Rollins in the ring. After attempting to compose himself, Orton shook everyone's hand in the ring before finally getting to Seth. They shook hands and embraced, Seth apologising for what had happened. Orton then said he was sorry too...and gave Rollins an RKO. He then went about dispatching everyone from the ring. Hunter entered and both men went face-to-face in an attempt to calm Orton down. Orton then lost it again and punched Triple H in the face, and brawled with everyone once more. On the outside, Orton RKO'd Mercury and continued to attack Rollins' on the announce table. Kane and Noble intervened, allowing Rollins to hit Orton with the Curb Stomp onto the table, busting him open in the process. Triple H ordered everyone to back off. Stephanie and Triple H whispered something to each other. Stephanie ordered everyone to 'finish it'. Triple H, torn, begrudgingly went along with it. Hunter and Steph made their exit up the ramp, leaving the others to continue the beating. Seth Rollins gave another Curb Stomp to Orton onto the steel stairs. With Triple H and wife Stephanie watching on from the stage, the rest of The Authority stood tall over a dismantled Orton.

WWE Network Exclusive

Randy Orton was stretchered out by the medics.

Main Event 2: In a match I didn't watch, Rusev (w/Lana) defeated Sheamus with the Camel Clutch to capture the United States Championship. It says here. Rusev and Lana celebrated in front of the Russian flag to take RAW off the air!

[Return_of_the_STAR]

At the start of raw vince mentions beating the U.S. government and then ted turner but what does he say after that? He seems to mumble one more accomplishment but I have no idea what he said?

[KK]

Sky have come out and said the delay to the Network has nothing to do with them at all. Which begs the question why those within WWE have been talking to the wrestling sites making it look like Sky have put a block on it. In fact WWE's Media Relations department have stated that the delay is because of a conflict of interest between the two sides. Dave Meltzer apparently indicated that in particular Sky took umbrage with the Survivor Series being given away for free.

Sky don't usually comment on these things, but over the last month they've had to deny involvement twice now due to the hostility towards them.

Somewhere along the line there has been one hell of a communication break down.