All-Purpose News Thread Part II

[Brodeur]

I can see him going to NXT, but I'd imagine the pitch was from a production standpoint, not a wrestling standpoint.

Essentially, "You're not here to run the ropes and learn holds, you're here to learn where our cameras are, and where you need to be for us to shoot you the best."

As far as I can recall, since NXT started, AJ is the only guy who has never worked for WWE that completely bypassed NXT, and he had a decade of work in TNA. I can see them doing a KO-like stint with Okada where he gets just enough time in there to learn WWE's production and then goes to the main roster.

I personally wouldn't start him in NXT, but I could see it making some sense if he's moving with his family. Going immediately into the main roster touring schedule might be rough with a wife+toddler making the adjustment too.

But it looks like there's some reports refuting the NXT rumor already.

 

[Jussi]

Worth bringing up. About a week ago the F4W crew speculated that if WWE dumped Kevin Patrick, they could circle back to Mauro Ranallo.

I believe Mauro's big problem in WWE was Vince in his ear. (I can't remember, but I feel like something happened with Graves, too)

EDIT: There was an issue with a Tweet made by Graves... And honestly what he said was absurdly harmless.

The first time someone mentioned about Kevin Patrick being on the clock in this thread, I hinted at Mauro with "MAMMA MIA!". He worked great with Graves in NXT and Pappa H letting him talk could be the way to bring him back.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

I personally wouldn't start him in NXT, but I could see it making some sense if he's moving with his family. Going immediately into the main roster touring schedule might be rough with a wife+toddler making the adjustment too.

But it looks like there's some reports refuting the NXT rumor already.

Ehh for what it's worth, the initial Tweet outright said potentially. I can see arguments for and against. I think people think WWE is more worried about him going to AEW than WWE actually is.

I think WWE has seen Tony fumble enough star talent that they're not particularly worried about if he gets his hands on one anymore.

 

[Jussi]

Ehh for what it's worth, the initial Tweet outright said potentially. I can see arguments for and against. I think people think WWE is more worried about him going to AEW than WWE actually is.

I think WWE has seen Tony fumble enough star talent that they're not particularly worried about if he gets his hands on one anymore.

Yeah, I think that was just speculation from the source of the story.

 

[FriendlyGhost92]

Dave acknowledged that there's a "Report" on Okada from people in Japan, but that he hasn't heard anything in a few days.

He also acknowledged that AEW thought they had him a few days ago, but it's been quiet since then.

 

[TD Charlie]

Dave acknowledged that there's a "Report" on Okada from people in Japan, but that he hasn't heard anything in a few days.

He also acknowledged that AEW thought they had him a few days ago, but it's been quiet since then.

Ultimately, if his dream is to be under those Wrestlemania lights then AEW has absolutely nothing to compete. Yeah, they'll do Arthur Ashe and Wembley and such...but Wrestlemania just hits different.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I think the most realistic report that has come out so far is that Okada hasn't made his mind up yet lol that is probably still true.

Ehh for what it's worth, the initial Tweet outright said potentially. I can see arguments for and against. I think people think WWE is more worried about him going to AEW than WWE actually is.

I think WWE has seen Tony fumble enough star talent that they're not particularly worried about if he gets his hands on one anymore.

I mean, Tony could be the greatest booker to ever walk this planet and it isn't going to change WWE being the top dog in the business. What Tony does or doesn't do with talent is probably completely besides the point to WWE just in general. Like AEW being hot or cold I can't see how it would matter.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

I'd still be shocked if he doesn't go to AEW. Sounds like all of his friends are there. The money will probably be similar from both camps.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

I'd still be shocked if he doesn't go to AEW. Sounds like all of his friends are there. The money will probably be similar from both camps.

Money will likely be bigger in AEW because Tony likely values him more than WWE does.

 

[Habsrule]

I’d turn the wrestling world upside down;

Okada comes out at #30 at Royal Rumble. No one knows he signed there and it would be a massive surprise.

Okada wins. When he gets to pick what belt he wants he chooses none and says that he came over to beat the toughest man on the planet in Brock Lesnar. He goes over Brock at WM making him a big player to dethrone Roman of the belt eventually.

That leaves Roman vs Rock and Rollins (If available) vs Punk at WM.

That would be three huge matches.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I’d turn the wrestling world upside down;

Okada comes out at #30 at Royal Rumble. No one knows he signed there and it would be a massive surprise.

Okada wins. When he gets to pick what belt he wants he chooses none and says that he came over to beat the toughest man on the planet in Brock Lesnar. He goes over Brock at WM making him a big player to dethrone Roman of the belt eventually.

That leaves Roman vs Rock and Rollins (If available) vs Punk at WM.

That would be three huge matches.

His contract isn't up with New Japan until after the Rumble. I would say the likely debuts for Okada would be around Revolution in AEW and a Mania debut if he goes WWE, maybe the Raw after.

 

[TD Charlie]

His contract isn't up with New Japan until after the Rumble. I would say the likely debuts for Okada would be around Revolution in AEW and a Mania debut if he goes WWE, maybe the Raw after.

Raw after Mania makes the most sense to me

 

[Fro]

NXT was also vastly different when Naka went there...

 

[Emperoreddy]

If Okada wrestled Mania I think I would have him wrestle Gunther and take the belt off him.

 

[Emperoreddy]

NXT was also vastly different when Naka went there...

Totally. I think the only way you do a NXT run if it's Dragon Lee style where it's barely two months just to let him adjust to how WWE works matches for TV.

Let him wrestle a couple of 5.5 star bangers with Dragunov then right to RAW or Smackdown.

Though I don't think that's something that needs to happen.

I do legit want tk see him wrestle Dragunov if he does come to WWE though. They would absolutely beat the shit out of each other.

Okada vs Dragunov, Okada vs Gunther, Okada vs Brock, and Okada vs Orton are my top dream matches if this is where he chooses.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I do think Okada is similar to Mercedes where no one actually knows anything and no one will know until they physically show up somewhere

 

[GKJ]

If Okada wrestled Mania I think I would have him wrestle Gunther and take the belt off him.

I’ll mark for that.

Only reason Okada should be in NXT is if he feels he needs the time to acclimate and adjust to new surroundings in America, not because it does anything for him.

 

[Khelandros]

Different circumstances. Nakamura was obviously a draw in Japan but i'd wager the majority of the WWE's fans/viewers had no idea who he was. Okada is a bigger draw and North American fans have had a fair amount of exposure to him thanks to the AEW/NJPW relationship.

Putting him in NXT would devalue him and i'd argue all the other stars they're working on building down there since it becomes the Okada show. At that point you just go to AEW.

If he comes to WWE he gets minimum slotted into the top of the midcard to start with the intent of building him to be a true contender/main eventer.

He's been on one Dynamite this year, and also on Forbidden Door twice, in three years. That is not a fair amount of exposure.

 

[TD Charlie]

If Okada wrestled Mania I think I would have him wrestle Gunther and take the belt off him.

This would be amazing if Brock Lesnar never existed. Gunther v Brock has to be near the top of the card. The tease last year at the Rumble was too perfect, and I assume they do a similar tease on Saturday to see if the spark is still there for this match. And it will absolutely be there.

Gunther v Brock for the IC Title is probably my most sought after singles match in a long while.

 

[GKJ]

Justin Barasso in his SI (RIP) column saying he believes the top 3 men’s Wrestlemania matches:
Roman vs. Dwayne
Seth vs. Walter
Cody vs. CM Punk

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Justin Barasso in his SI (RIP) column saying he believes the top 3 men’s Wrestlemania matches:
Roman vs. Dwayne
Seth vs. Walter
Cody vs. CM Punk

Cody vs CM Punk, meh. The segment Monday was pretty good, but it should not be the Mania match.

Seth vs Punk and Cody vs Roman should be the Mania matches. But, yeah, if you can get The Rock, it switches things up.

 

[Emperoreddy]

I watched RAW as well Justin.

Don't buy any of it.

 

[Emperoreddy]

If Seth is trying to work a match before Mania then he should be fine and there is zero reason not to do Punk vs Seth at Mania.

Also Rock's interview yesterday made it sound like Rock vs Roman is more likely for 41 then either EC or 40 this year.

 

[sansabri]

Also Rock's interview yesterday made it sound like Rock vs Roman is more likely for 41 then either EC or 40 this year.

this would work. Roman can drop the belt before that. remains to find out how much work Dwayne can do in the ring

 

[Sheppy]

Nakamura did start in NXT first. He wasn't long there though.

Dude, you have a defense ready to go at all times when WWE is rumored to do something silly. There's always something, it's like it's impossible for you to say "Yeah, agreed, this is kind of dumb"

Okada should not start in NXT. There, that was easy.