The All New Wrestling Pay Window [split topic]

[vrailaine]

Sounds like it could be real, or that they're sending him back to developmental until Linda loses?
Seems pretty ridiculous.

[rjd2]

Sounds like it could be real, or that they're sending him back to developmental until Linda loses?
Seems pretty ridiculous.

I think everyone agrees its real now. I reckon its Mattel who complained their deal with the E is huge. Its a bit like the Hassan incident from years ago, Vince was obviously ok with both angles but someone has came down hard on him from corporate land. You have to feel sorry for Danielson here, he done nothing wrong really....

[vrailaine]

Pretty big punishment for a small offense, this NXT thing is fucked now.

[rjd2]

Pretty big punishment for a small offense, this NXT thing is fucked now.

Wade is awesome but yeah its asking a lot of him to carry this. Slater is so obnoxious and is okish in the ring so he may be be the one who gets the push out of the other six.

Mike Johnson of PW Insider fame confirms its not a work.




WHY DANIEL BRYAN WAS RELEASED BY WWE LAST NIGHT
By Mike Johnson on 2010-06-12 08:57:52
The following story was broken on our Elite section overnight.  If you want to get all of the news first, you can join our Elite section by clicking here.

Former WWE star Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson, the name we'll have to get used to calling him by again) was released today as punishment for going beyond the company's PG standards and practices during the NXT invasion angle on Monday, according to sources within the company. The belief among those I spoke to is that when Danielson choked Justin Roberts with his tie, he broke a company protocol that was put in place after the Benoit tragedy that talents were not to use ropes or objects to choke opponents.

I am told that the final decision was made earlier today and Danielson was informed shortly before the company publicly announced it. For those who are thinking this is an angle, I am told by everyone I have spoken to that it is not, although I want to point out a number of wrestlers in the company do believe it is a work.

For those who are wondering why the company is giving Danielson such a harsh punishment, well a former company executive is running for office, although how much of a cause and effect is there is anyone's guess. It's certainly a viable theory, since the company has been very gun shy about going outside of their PG rating.

There's no word as to whether Danielson was aware of the protocol at the time of the angle, although the Roberts choking was one of the elements that made the end of Raw so memorable. It's interesting to note that at least on the company's Youtube.com channel, the incident, including the choke, are still available for viewing.

The loss of Danielson will immediately change the future of the WWE NXT angle since he was considered the most versatile and well rounded performer of the group and would have been extremely important in carry the brunt of the in-ring work load.

The release of Danielson does put him in an amazing position on the independent scene. How many top flight stars get signed, leave, and get released right after laying out the WWE champion?

We'll have more on this as it develops.

[vrailaine]

Didn't Slater choke cena with the ring rope briefly?

[rjd2]

Didn't Slater choke cena with the ring rope briefly?

He did indeed but he stopped very quickly, either one of the rookies told him to stop or he realized it was a no no himself. Whoever told Danielson to choke Roberts should be fired ASPAP.

[An Actual Propeller]

I smell bullshit here.  If the choking was against "standards and practices", couldn't Kevin Dunn have simply told the guys in the TV truck to cut away from it?

[Spiteface]

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez have just put up a "Breaking news" edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.  Dave's being rather cryptic, but he says that it's someone outside that's very important to WWE that complained about it.  This isn't 100% WWE's call, Danielson's pretty much a scapegoat here.  They may bring him back in again, but possibly not right away. He is looking to take indy bookings soon, so take that for what you will.  Don't try looking for logic here, you won't find it.

[rjd2]

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez have just put up a "Breaking news" edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.  Dave's being rather cryptic, but he says that it's someone outside that's very important to WWE that complained about it.  This isn't 100% WWE's call, Danielson's pretty much a scapegoat here.  They may bring him back in again, but possibly not right away. He is looking to take indy bookings soon, so take that for what you will.  Don't try looking for logic here, you won't find it.

One of the Mattel guys or someone close to Linda's political campaign I reckon.

[Hank Aviary]

One of the Mattel guys or someone close to Linda's political campaign I reckon.

Mattel, undoubtedly.

Sucks to be Danielson - total scapegoat to Vince's sell-out to Mattel.     Considering the last few months of WWE programming has seen chair shots, head punts and attempted vehicular manslaughter, "choking" someone with a tie seems small fry.

But, if an external agent makes a complaint, Vince has to act on it.

[weekender]

Considering the whole point of wrestling is to incapacitate your opponent with a variety of violent offensive manoeuvres, you've got to sort of wonder what's PG about it anyway.

[Hank_Kingsley]

http://www.myspace.com/danielsonbryan

I love how he has 'Unofficial Fans of Noam Chomsky' in his top friends!

Maybe he's too much of a lefty for the Republican McMahons?

[Moribunderast]

I still think it's a work. John Cena just posted a long series of tweets* about how he wants Danielson to come back and face him in a match. No way that happens if the firing is legit. The whole theme of NXT and Daniel Bryan's arc thus far has been to incite the internet (Kaval being paired with LayCool in Series 2 shows this theme will be an ongoing one). I reckon Bryan will be gone for a little while but he's sure to return. It's entirely possible I'm giving WWE too much credit here but it's just too far a stretch to believe he's actually been properly released over that one incident. As was said earlier, Heath Slater did the same thing in the same segment so it would seem ludicrous to only punish Danielson.

They "fired" the one who has the biggest IWC following because it would make the biggest stir. The NXT angle is still fine and they're just thinking outside the box, I think. I hope.

*CENA'S TWEET:

"I am very upset to hear about the release of bryan danielson. Social networks were formed so people would have a voice, and an opinon. I Know you all have your own, theories and whatnot. I respect that. I have never asked any of you to feel a certaint way about me. But Bryan left a lasting impression on the wwe universe in a very short time, and although it came at my expense, I agree with the majority Of you who are caught off guard by this choice. I know I'm not exactly appreciated by all, nor do I care to be, but I believe what I believe. I would like bryan to come back to the wwe. I would like to sign your petition to bring him back. I was taught to stand up for what I beileve in. I tried and failed, so I could Use some help. Tell me how to sign and I will. If for nothing else, to at least have a chance to have a match with him after what was done I know that seems a bit more fair. Give me a chance to have a fair match with him, and give him yet another chance to prove that he does Belong with us. Sorry for the long message, I know I am probally way out of line, I am sorry if I have offended anyone. But like me or not That is what Hustle. Loyalty. And most importantly Respect means to me. Enjoy game 5."

[Spiteface]

Meltzer wrote a ton of stuff about the Danielson thing yesterday:

--A few more notes on the Bryan Danielson deal.  I can give plenty of   reasons why this is real, most notably the extent of which the company   has gone.  That doesn't mean it is.  It's not like TNA on any number of   occasions has tried to work its wrestlers, including people in the ring   in matches going on when they did shoot angles that could have had   disastrous effects if the people had reacted wrong because they weren't   told what was happening.  WCW did this all the time.

None of   those things ever drew a dime.  In TNA, they got some people momentarily   hot at management, but long-term, did they hurt it either?  Not really,   but that's also because in TNA, pretty much everyone has the impression   management is in way over its head and it's a job and it's better to be   a wrestler on national TV than not be one.

With WWE, it's not a   wrestler morale or even trust deal.  It's an office deal.  Working the   office, particularly the kind of heavy hitters they have in their   executive positions, people who came from the NBA, ESPN, Nick, WTA and   the like, for the sake of a wrestling angle makes no sense.  Then again,   firing the guy isn't logical either unless there was outside pressure.    Then again, there are other things completely illogical when it comes   to talent that are going on all the time.

Danielson's "winds of   change" comment about his name change right before being fired has angle   written all over it.  Danielson has talked with at least one promoter   about booking dates, but WWE did that with Matt Hardy as well, but that   was a controlled situation and they didn't lie to their office about   Hardy's status (he really was fired when he was fired, and they tried to   keep his rehiring a secret week one and do a shoot angle early on, but   the people in the office who needed to know all knew), just did a   wrestling angle a little more in depth.  Plus, for that angle, it was   the right way to do it.

For this angle, it only makes a   difference if they push hard on TV that he was fired, to set up a return   in a few weeks.  If he shows up Monday, it was much to do about   nothing, with no upside and a pretty heavy internal downside. The   tie choking angle aired today on the WWE Raw replay that airs on   Telemundo.  That would not be a sign of anything other than probably an   administrative oversight.

Keep in mind this was a company   that ditched a long-term angle with Donald Trump as the owner of Raw   because the stock price went down the week the angle broke, but they did   send a press release out that it was real, even though both USA and WWE   took tremendous heat for doing so.

Blimey, not even Dave Meltzer knows what's really going on.  This is going to be interesting wither way...

[Ja'moke]

I have no idea what is happening with this angle. I read some stuff and it makes me think that this is real and that it's a huge shame that Danielson had to go out this way. But then I read something else later and it makes me think this is all a work, and that Danielson isn't really going anywhere.

Either way, this, along with the NXT stuff, is the most interesting thing to happen in wrestling for a long while, and if this is a work, then WWE have played a blinder. Raw will certainly be interesting tonight.

[rjd2]

Wow, if the firing is real which I am sure it is, Cena is  the classiest guy in wrestling for that message.

[Spiteface]

I've always been under the impression that is was always something WWE didn't want to do.  Which would explain Cena's comments if it is legit.  They want him back in eventually.  There's even been people within WWE who are worried that they've just handed TNA another main eventer in 90 days.

My current thought is this:

It's legit in as far as Danielson has been released form his contract on the understanding that they will bring him back in soon.  this is just so it looks good to whoever it is that complained.  Cena's tweets are something of a goodwill gesture to let him know, and make it kind of public that this wasn't them really making the call here:

Quick timeline of the Danielson/WWE story thus far

If WWE have released him, the guy's the hottest free agent in the business in 90 days.  The last thing he did on WWE television was spitting in the face of the top guy in the company.  If this was legit, part of me thinks they would have at least jobbed him on the way out.  At least they would have if they wanted rid of him.  I'm confused now...

[rjd2]

Well they set up a Danielson return perfectly with Wade's comments.
Wade was fucking awesome last night, the guy oozes class. I think its safe to say the PPV will bomb miserably, they added Truth v Miz last night to beef it up. I like the Miz but he really doesn't need the title especially as he never defended it in his last reign. They also added some diva rubbish as well which I can't get that excited about. They will probably add a IC match later at the Samckdown tapings but they are going to be struggling to fill those three PPV hours with five matches bearing in mind one of them is a divas match.

Their was some bizarre moments, the limo driver especially. The net seems to reckon its Danielson but thats wishful thinking I reckon. Its probably going to be Vince as some sort of higher power. It doesn't make sense really, but heh its the WWE.


Mark Henry as well, what the fuck?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYfmB7afGfA&feature=player_embedded

[Ja'moke]

The reason for Danielson's absence was pretty lame, I mean the guy who looked the most aggressive last week, the one who was spitting on people and choking them with their own ties, is now the one that was remorseful. I mean, I'm happy they mentioned him, as it shows good-will, and means they will most likely be rehiring him once it all blows over. But I think I'd rather have him come back to be part of the NXT group.

Wasn't Henry just chasing them out the arena? Same with Santino, who was running just behind Henry.

[weekender]

Wasn't Henry just chasing them out the arena?

If by 'chasing' you mean 'running slowly like a fat arse whilst the people you're meant to be chasing run past you into the car park', then yeah :)

Re: Danielson, I don't know.  If only there was some sort of PPV event coming up which could include him as a surprise participant as Bryan Danielson - Wade Barrett having forfeited the championship title match place he was previously assured of having won NXT - and winning, what with him having now been disassociated from the rest of the NXT crowd on RAW.  Or he could be legit fired, I don't know.

I don't know, alright?

[Spiteface]

OK, Danielson's been booked for 2 indy shows in July.

He's set to appear for EVOLVE on the 23rd of July, and Dragon Gate USA's first anniversary show on the 24th.

Be interesting to see how much of a draw he is on these shows with all the coverage his firing's received of late.  I wonder if he'll even still be a "free agent" by then.

Also, Cena comments:

http://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/InterviewHighlights/article10012480.shtml

[Spiteface]

What an odd PPV.

Some good matches, with quite a bit of oddness.

Chris Jericho vs Evan Bourne was a nice surprise.  I know Jericho allegedly has heat with the office right now, but it was good seeing Bourne get the win.  I actually thought this was the best thing on the show.  I really do hope they go all the way with Bourne.

The World title 4-way had some good stuff in it.  The end angle with Kane was interesting, in that the commentators said that kane thinks what happpened to 'Taker was not the work of just one man, which is why he targeted Punk & Gallows.  I'm still wondering if they go with the NXT guys doing it, but I hear this is all leading to YET ANOTHER KANE VS UNDERTAKER MATCH.  Ugh.  Punk's new mask is sweet though, and nice to see Rey get another shot as champ.

Another NXT angle to close, not quite as mental as the first one, but still good.  Would have liked to see Sheamus get the clean title win though.

[Ja'moke]

I thought it was a pretty decent PPV. And ending with Cena, Orton, and Edge layed out, with a "Daniel Bryan" chant going on in the background was awesome.

[weekender]

You've all forgotten about Miz v Truth, which I thought was pretty damn good.

[Ja'moke]

McIntrye vs Kofi was great too.

[weekender]

Fair point.  I guess I enjoyed the mid-card events more than I did the actual main event. 

[weekender]

RAW was fairly flat.  I enjoyed Jericho and Bourne again.

Loved the Miz having a go at Orton, maybe it's time he (Miz) gets a push up to main event status?  It would break the Cena/Orton/Edge monotony, I know they're trying with Sheamus but to throw someone else in the mix would be good as well, it's just a question of how they do it. 

Which cunt thought of the angle with an anonymous general manager emailing Michael Cole their decisions so Cole could read them live on air?  That was fucking stupid.

[Ja'moke]

Which cunt thought of the angle with an anonymous general manager emailing Michael Cole their decisions so Cole could read them live on air?  That was fucking stupid.

I was hoping it would lead to a fun moment were Cole accidentally reads out an email advertising Viagra, alas that wasn't to be.

I'm so glad that the NXT guys attacked Vince rather than joined forces, having Vince at the helm of the group would have made them just like any other heel faction we've seen align with the McMahon's in the past, having them as rebels against all is the best way to keep it.

[rjd2]

Orton should not be cutting as many promo's explaining his actions, its killing his aura sadly. The Edge feud sadly has been one of the most anti climatic angles from the E this year. Its a shame because both of them are talented mofos. Edge really hasn't got his groove back since his return.

The show also highlighted how unover Jo Mo is, its a tragedy really, because the dude is an amazing worker, he just can't connect with the crowd. I dunno if he ever will, its the Shelton problem again.

On the PPV, shame that Swagger is no longer champion, he had lots of fun matches as champ, and he needs the title more than Rey. Business wise, it makes total sense to give it to Rey, he's the biggest draw on SD by a large margin. Hopefully he gets a better reign this time, feuds with Swagger and Punk again would be fun.

I'm not sure who else their is for him on SD, Drew? Not sure about that one really.


Show, Kane? Fuck right off!

[Spiteface]

Business wise, it makes total sense to give it to Rey, he's the biggest draw on SD by a large margin.

General opinion seems to be that they gave him the belt to make up for the fact that he had to miss out on his holiday when taker got hurt.  So he probably won't keep the belt long, but it'd be nice we get a Rey title run of him just having great matches, like his IC run last year where he had awesome matches with JoMo and Jericho (which aside from Punk/Hardy was probably my favourite feud in WWE last year).

The crowd reaction to Rey on the PPV just reminded me of how much I hate the smark/heel crowds.  Must be a New York thing, Rey got booed at the Royal Rumble at MSG a few years back.  I don't know why, I think the guy's still awesome.

Earlier this evening, I watched ROH's "Bryan Danielson: Rise to Glory" DVD, and watched the title match he had with Takeshi Morshima where Morishima booted him in the face so hard he detached Danielson's retina.  You could see Danielson in sheer pain with everything he took, and the man just kept going and finished the match.  Man's tough.

Talking of which, Bryan Alvarez suggested on Wrestling Observer Live that it was someone from NBC that objected to the tie-choking thing, not Linda's people, or Mattel.  I never blamed anything on WWE being PG in the past, but between this and the blood stoppages, it is getting a bit much now.