WWE Discussion thread- Raw/SD/PPV

[packman80]

Originally Posted by Cracktoast

Truth just needs to retire and be a backstage producer or take a similar role. He's had a great 18 yrs time for something new.

I can see if he gets a TNA or AEW offer put a couple more years in doing what he has been doing. If not as you say he finds a place to be a trainer or backstage role.

Or perhaps he says screw it decides to be a full time dad and be around his 10 year old daughter. Probably had to miss out on most of his son's life growing up and the early part of his daughters with having to be a wrestler on the road so much.

[Wolves4Life]

Truth is 54. Outside of last week he hasn't wrestled that often I guess TKO just wanted to do him the "courtesy" of letting his deal run out instead of just releasing him.

[packman80]

Per Fightful, The backstage reaction to R-Truth’s WWE release was filled with shock and disbelief. One top talent even called it “total nonsense,” while another described the current regime as “ruthless.”


Does not seem TKO is well liked by the talent. While Vince was not the best human being on earth it seems he still took care of his talent better then TKO did.

[Jaypers]

The second domino just fell. Carlito's contract is also not being renewed.

Geez. The funny and entertaining ones are leaving. What does that "E" in WWE stand for, again?

[packman80]

Originally Posted by Jaypers

The second domino just fell. Carlito's contract is also not being renewed.

Geez. The funny and entertaining ones are leaving. What does that "E" in WWE stand for, again?

If I was a older vet in my late 30's or older I would be really worried right now about not having my contract renewed or outright released as TKO seems like they could be on a push to go younger and cheaper on the payroll.

[bjho852]

To think of it now, if John Cena already knows about Truth's contract not being renewed behind the scene, it's no wonder to me that he wants to/pitches the idea to work with Truth one last time.

[mtr]

Originally Posted by Jaypers

The second domino just fell. Carlito's contract is also not being renewed.

Geez. The funny and entertaining ones are leaving. What does that "E" in WWE stand for, again?

Definitely starting to get the impression that TKO doesn't quite get the "entertainment" part of "sports entertainment" and the weekly shows haven't really felt like must-see TV for months now. Thinking about just reading recaps and watching highlights or maybe giving AEW a shot.

[cdub6238]

Well...not as universally loved as R Truth, but Carlito also got the boot...

And interesting story perhaps, Gunther, wiped his Twitter/X of all things..even WWE related

[packman80]

Originally Posted by cdub6238

Well...not as universally loved as R Truth, but Carlito also got the boot...

And interesting story perhaps, Gunther, wiped his Twitter/X of all things..even WWE related

Gunther though is said to signed a new deal late in 2024 so not like his contract is coming due.

[Cracktoast]

While we at it can we not renew the following??

Charlotte Flair

Natty Neidhardt

Zelina Vega

Rey Mysterio

Naomi

Sami Zayne

It's clear there is gonna big a big NXT promotion in the coming months. Personally I'm all for it. So tired of these veterans taking up crucial spots in MITB and Royal Rumble matches and tournaments. When you know they aren't going to win.

[packman80]

Originally Posted by Cracktoast

While we at it can we not renew the following??

Charlotte Flair

Natty Neidhardt

Zelina Vega

Rey Mysterio

Naomi

Sami Zayne

It's clear there is gonna big a big NXT promotion in the coming months. Personally I'm all for it. So tired of these veterans taking up crucial spots in MITB and Royal Rumble matches and tournaments. When you know they aren't going to win.

I think within next 5 years you will see a lot of the older talent gone either they retire or are released.

Guys like Reigns, Rollins, Orton, Styles, will all be gone. Miz already seems to be moving what looks to be more of a manager role. Will need to look who in NXT in their early to mid 20s can be that talent in the next 3-5 years to take over to be a face of the company for the next decade plus. Right now only guy who looks to be one of those guys is Bron and maybe guys like Melo and Trick Williams though those two need to really step up soon if you want more then maybe a good 5 or so year run out of them being top guys as they are in their early 30s.

[Cracktoast]

Jevon Evans is a star in the making as is Oba Femi. I can see Regal's kid being the next Gunther type if he can put on some muscle. Not sold on any of the NXT women long term don't get me wrong tons of eye candy but none of them have skills to be the next group of stars like Charlotte , Rhea or Becky. Even Tiffy Time IMO has hit a plateau mainly because she has no legit competition to push her to that next level.

[thenightman]

I think it's as really as simple as, if you're in your 40's, or older, and you're a midcarder, then your services are no longer needed. I don't really blame them for that, especially when you consider you have guys like Oba Femi, Je'Von Evans, Ethan Page, Ricky Saints, and Trick Williams just sitting in NXT.

Shinsuke and Tozawa will be next, no doubt in my mind. I'd say The Miz, too, but he's actually on TV every week. I'd also say Jimmy Uso, but him and Jey are basically a package deal.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by thenightman

I think it's as really as simple as, if you're in your 40's, or older, and you're a midcarder, then your services are no longer needed. I don't really blame them for that, especially when you consider you have guys like Oba Femi, Je'Von Evans, Ethan Page, Ricky Saints, and Trick Williams just sitting in NXT.

Shinsuke and Tozawa will be next, no doubt in my mind. I'd say The Miz, too, but he's actually on TV every week. I'd also say Jimmy Uso, but him and Jey are basically a package deal.

I don't agree with this (though you could be right in that this is their logic). Truth brings a lot of value to the table for them. As does Miz, and Jimmy Uso (to a much lesser extent than the other two). Carlito is funny, but his run was extremely poor. Never really fit into Judgement Day.

Honestly the fact Nakamura hasn't been released yet is a stunner. He's been fairly irrelevant ever since his heel turn at Mania flopped years ago. You never really know the logic on releases though. It's a stunner Apollo Crews has lasted this long, or basically everyone in the LWO.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by thenightman

I think it's as really as simple as, if you're in your 40's, or older, and you're a midcarder, then your services are no longer needed. I don't really blame them for that, especially when you consider you have guys like Oba Femi, Je'Von Evans, Ethan Page, Ricky Saints, and Trick Williams just sitting in NXT.

Shinsuke and Tozawa will be next, no doubt in my mind. I'd say The Miz, too, but he's actually on TV every week. I'd also say Jimmy Uso, but him and Jey are basically a package deal.

Jimmy isn't going anywhere. He's bloodline. Same with Naomi. And eventually Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa are going to return from injury.

The TKO deal was the worst thing to happen to the company. The Rock has done nothing good since then. The ratings decline started Q4 2023, TKO came on board September 2023.

[whitmm]

So, what do you do with Carlito? He said he's got 2 weeks left on his contract.

Do they give him a proper write off, or does he just disappear from JD?

[Cracktoast]

Originally Posted by whitmm

So, what do you do with Carlito? He said he's got 2 weeks left on his contract.

Do they give him a proper write off, or does he just disappear from JD?

My guess is Balor finally screws over Dom and the rest of Judgement Day ust disband.

Carlito just won a title in Puerto Rico so he'll be fine.

[Cracktoast]

Now it's being reported that The Miz has erased all of his social media in regards to WWE andthat his contract expires sometime in July. No official word on if they will not renew or if he's just going to quit because of R-Truth

The Miz has now removed everything WWE-related from his X/Twitter and unfollowed WWE. His contract with WWE expires this year, with many speculating it will end in July. I always thought he would stay in WWE forever, but now, with R-Truth's situation... never say never!

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by Cracktoast

Now it's being reported that The Miz has erased all of his social media in regards to WWE andthat his contract expires sometime in July. No official word on if they will not renew or if he's just going to quit because of R-Truth

I just looked at his X account and it doesn't look like it's been erased.

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

I don't agree with this (though you could be right in that this is their logic). Truth brings a lot of value to the table for them. As does Miz, and Jimmy Uso (to a much lesser extent than the other two). Carlito is funny, but his run was extremely poor. Never really fit into Judgement Day.

Honestly the fact Nakamura hasn't been released yet is a stunner. He's been fairly irrelevant ever since his heel turn at Mania flopped years ago. You never really know the logic on releases though. It's a stunner Apollo Crews has lasted this long, or basically everyone in the LWO.

If I'm being pragmatic, which is my MO, I would say that WWE did the math and it wasn't mathing. They've invested $ into guys that are half R-Truth's and Carlito's age. They need to see if they can recoup their investment, or blow it out of the water, with the younger guys. No doubt the younger crop will make less than what those two were making, as well. From a financial sense, it makes sense. From an emotional standpoint, it's a gut punch for fans, but it's really no different than your favorite team not re-signing your favorite player.

Totally agree on Crews. I have no idea why he's still around. He's 37 and never used. Doesn't make sense.

[thenightman]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Jimmy isn't going anywhere. He's bloodline. Same with Naomi. And eventually Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa are going to return from injury.

The TKO deal was the worst thing to happen to the company. The Rock has done nothing good since then. The ratings decline started Q4 2023, TKO came on board September 2023.

Yeah, I know. You just restated what I said in a different way.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by thenightman

I just looked at his X account and it doesn't look like it's been erased.

I don't know what it looked like before, but I'm seeing mostly golf tweets. The most recent tweet regarding WWE is from May 2nd. No mention of WWE in his bio and, apparently, he unfollowed WWE.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by whitmm

Jimmy isn't going anywhere. He's bloodline. Same with Naomi. And eventually Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa are going to return from injury.

The TKO deal was the worst thing to happen to the company. The Rock has done nothing good since then. The ratings decline started Q4 2023, TKO came on board September 2023.

Tonga/Loa are faux bloodline. Also: they both suck, maybe Taonga sticks around but Loa is horrendous and I wouldn't be surprised if he's released or his contract is let to expire right now.

[whitmm]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Tonga/Loa are faux bloodline. Also: they both suck, maybe Taonga sticks around but Loa is horrendous and I wouldn't be surprised if he's released or his contract is let to expire right now.

I don't disagree with you that they suck.

Faux bloodline or not, The Rock considers Haku to be an uncle, and that's as good as actually being in the family. And it doesn't matter what is best for business, if Dwayne wants them to stay, they are staying.

[Cracktoast]

People are blaming TKO for the releases or not renewing contracts. But Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer quickly made it clear HHH is the sole person who makes the final decisions.

Should be a very fun Raw tonight and hopefully those in attendance start a long and loud
"FU Hunter " chant. I hope they disrupt the show so much that they don't even get the first segment in and they just get frustrated and go to commercial.

Dave Meltzer confirmed that the choice to let Carlito and R-Truth go came down to Triple H (Paul Levesque):

They’re looking at the numbers. They’re looking at how many do we have to cut or how much money do we have to cut. And those were the picks. Those were the Levesque picks. And that’s what it is.