WWE Raw Lottery TONIGHT!!!

[FatHead316]

Alright, I know there are fans here that don't worry about those other silly "real" sports, and have been waiting for the Raw Draft tonight. Any thoughts on where Vinnie Mac is going with this. If you are a wrestling fan, then you know there is nothing said on TV that isn't ment. He mentioned that EVERYONE would be tossed into this lotto. Champions also? Does this mean belts can be lost here? Any thoughts? GM's going to be tossed around? We saw Shane on camera at WM XX, can we see his role reborn? Lets talk it up, I am excited about this!

[Goldberg74]

The return of GILLBERG in inevitable!!!!!!

http://pyw.8k.com/images/gillbergj.jpg

It'll be interesting to see how this turns out...

[hahher]

wwe: where the same old repeatedly used crap begins again...

[FatHead316]

Thats it???

Come on, there has to be someone actually excited to see the rosters redone. With Goldberg and Brock gone, and the potential that Angle is shelved, makes this necessary. Plus, Triple H needs newer guys to put him over.

Although the return of Gilberg interests me.

[dancinns]

I'm looking forward to it. It'll be interesting to see how it all works out. I just hope that Jericho stays on Raw.

[Fok]

Hopefully the Rock is back in or was it just a one off appearance for WMXX?

[wildcatlh]

Rock was more or less a one-off for WM.

I do like the re-doing of the rosters.I wish that they would've been killing the whole "brand extension" thing instead, but this'll do.

[FatHead316]

Nah, the brand extention is a good thing, I only wish it was more legit.

They need the competition, even if it is with itself.

One brand has the elemination chamber, one the Hell in a cell.
One had the curserweights and the other the womens division.

It could be like two different feds, make it like they are trying to get the best talent to one show or the other. Better stories, I am all for Smackdown becomming WCW Nitro to get that name back. Ok it'll never happen, but still. Keeping things seperate is a good thing. Remember the Steph/Triple-h Era. Oh my God, the first 20 mins of EACH show was them BSing about what they were going to do. BS Match, triple h segment, match, Steph and Triple H segment, Match, Triple H title defence, show over. At least Smackdown gives the newer faces a shot to shine.

I do on a whole feel the brand extention is very good, and hope they spice up the roster tonight.

[TheDude]

I love the fact that Vince is keeping all the boys in the dark about where they are going to end up. That's probably the easiest way to keep it leaking out to the likes of you and me.

[Y2K Falcon]

Lately Raw has been the same thing, only without the frequent title defense or Steph. :)

[FatHead316]

I agree, Raw has been horrable, with Smackdown holding me pretty well. Both shows have fallen a bit in the past year or so, but I was impressed with WM XX.

I can't put my finger on what they are doing wrong either. Guys like Triple H are not fitting at the below main event level, not sure if its them, or the storylines themselves. The only guy I saw come out of the Main Event status, and still hold interest is Y2J. He wa a believable champ, and is still interesting.

Yeah it is a great idea also to not let the wrestlers know where they are going yet, cus it would be all over the internet.

All in all it should be good, we have seen Michales vs Triple H quite often, but not Michaels vs Eddie, or Edge VS Benoit.

I got my Steveweisers ready for tonight just the same.

[NC-36]

I hope the lottery is all just a big swerve, and that the draft will be just getting underway when something goes horribly, HORRIBLY wrong for Mr. McMahon and his well-laid plan...

[Derrich]

Dream Booking.

Vince starts the draft. About halfway through Heyman and Bischoff both start bitching that the draft is fixed.

Vice gets pissed and fires Bischoff and gives Shane full control over Raw.

Heyman goes ballistic saying that Nepotism is rearing it's ugly head. Vince gets pissed and fires Heyman and announces that Steph is the new Smackdown GM.

Near the end of the draft, Vince tries to convince Shane to fire XXX(HHH,Austin, whoever) and Shane refuses. Vince tells him that Shane works for him and he better tow the line. Shane say 'No I don't' and annouces that with his full control, he's going to finish the job he started 3 years ago and declares that Raw is now WCW Raw (or WWE Nitro).

Meanwhile Steph picks the returning Edge for Smackdown. But he refuses and says he got a better offer. Vince says that either Edge go to SD or he's fired. Edge quits and in comes Heyman with a contract for Edge to sign. Heyman announces that he just cut a deal to air ECW Hardcore on saturday nights, replacing WWE Velocity.

So at the end of the night there are 3 big shows. WCW Raw, WWE Smackdown, and ECW Hardcore. WCW and WWE have the big name stars while ECW gets most of the underused midcarders.

D

[POWERBOMB]

Either way I'm missing it b/cuz I'm outta town and I don't have Spike TV in my hotel! :grunt:

[ViewAskewbian]

Originally posted by Derrich
Dream Booking.

Vince starts the draft. About halfway through Heyman and Bischoff both start bitching that the draft is fixed.

Vice gets pissed and fires Bischoff and gives Shane full control over Raw.

Heyman goes ballistic saying that Nepotism is rearing it's ugly head. Vince gets pissed and fires Heyman and announces that Steph is the new Smackdown GM.

Near the end of the draft, Vince tries to convince Shane to fire XXX(HHH,Austin, whoever) and Shane refuses. Vince tells him that Shane works for him and he better tow the line. Shane say 'No I don't' and annouces that with his full control, he's going to finish the job he started 3 years ago and declares that Raw is now WCW Raw (or WWE Nitro).

Meanwhile Steph picks the returning Edge for Smackdown. But he refuses and says he got a better offer. Vince says that either Edge go to SD or he's fired. Edge quits and in comes Heyman with a contract for Edge to sign. Heyman announces that he just cut a deal to air ECW Hardcore on saturday nights, replacing WWE Velocity.

So at the end of the night there are 3 big shows. WCW Raw, WWE Smackdown, and ECW Hardcore. WCW and WWE have the big name stars while ECW gets most of the underused midcarders.

D

I like this idea mainly because it is something NEW!!!
It is kind of like my idea posted in a last weeks RAW thread:

"Anyway, here's an idea off the top of my head that would salvage this somewhat, at least in my mind:

The RAW Roster decides to protest against another brand extension and rally against Vince behind Bishoff. They will not leave RAW for Smackdown. This, of course, pisses off the Smackdown crew for RAW thinking their show is less then RAW.

Anyway, Vince says that if RAW tallent does not want to be in the brand extension they will NOT be recognized as WWE tallent. A few trickle over to Smackdown (mainly the younger tallent who just started and have more to lose) after that announcement but the main guys stay.

Raw is off the air for two or three weeks.

Meanwhile, Smackdown becomes the focal point as the Smackdown Superstars become the only WWE Superstars. They go on about how RAW is not needed and they were the better show anyway. They ARE the WWE. Vince comes out to gloat week after week about how he has the best tallent in the wrestling world and those "traitors" are NOT needed.

The final week Bishoff walks out and reveals that he has taken it upon himself to do what he has wanted to do for a looonnnnng time. He revives WCW and regains the Monday Night timeslot.

"Vince, you may have won the Monday night war but lets see if you win this one. I beat you before Vince and...well...you were right about one thing...it ALL begins again..."

Kick to the head. Vince goes down. Smackdown Roster runs out to attack Bishoff but is met by the new RAW roster (with some new faces as they bring up farm league tallent and maybe a few purchases of NWA-TNA tallent) coming out of all corners of the crowd.

End of Brand extension and a "slightly" new direction. New storlylines created. New fueds. New guys are pushed. New matches created."

[ViewAskewbian]

Originally posted by FatHead316
Thats it???

Come on, there has to be someone actually excited to see the rosters redone. With Goldberg and Brock gone, and the potential that Angle is shelved, makes this necessary. Plus, Triple H needs newer guys to put him over.

Although the return of Gilberg interests me.

Again, I state what I said in last weeks RAW thread:

"A problem that wouldn't have transpired if NOT for the brand extension. If it was everyone against everyone, all the WWE tallent against all the WWE tallent, then there is MORE fueds, MORE stables, MORE heels and MORE faces against everybody else. The mix becomes larger. Both RAW and Smackdowns tagteam devision are TERRIBLE! (and tag teams have been since the Brand Extension). Getting all the teams together would make things more interesting.

FORGET all this two show belt shit.

1 Heavyweight Champ
1 Intercontinental Champ
1 set of Tag Champs
1 Cruiserweight
1 Womans

The belts have become meaningless because of how many there are and the fact that certain guys cannot fight for certain belts. The only time recently that I felt a belt meant something was when Benoit won it last night. The guy has been around for 18 years, HHH has had it forever and it was an amazing match to capture the gold.

The only way I would buy multipul belts in the federation is if my idea of the WCW rebith happened and Bishoff used the WCW names for the belts (hell, even bring back the lame TV Title -although, I will admit, that belt had some good matches surrounding it...mainly the Booker T/Benoit series). Then you have "WCW" tallent with WCW belts that they claim mean more then the Smackdown titles. They covet them more and would not wrestle a Smackdown tallent for their "federations" title. Smackdown feels the same way. Their belts are there's.

Of course, this would lead up to a huge match for a title or two after months of build up instead of what they did before by having WWE guys and WCW guys dropping titles to each other every other week. It became silly after awhile.

Anyway, the original post quoted was about lack of heels and, again, I stand by what I said in that this would not be a problem if the brand extension didn't happen.

How long will it be before we see a lack of heels? Lack of original fueds? Before one show is terrible and the other carries the federation? (Remember how RAW and Smackdown have flipflopped over the better show. During the Nash vs HHH days Smackdown was the better show. Recently it has been RAW. )

Personally, from a wrestling fan since he was 8, and from somebody pretty much done with the WWE, it is time to take note of times when we were shown a NEW WWE (start of the Hogan era, the New Generation and the Attitude Era) and elevate new "Superstars", new fueds and new ideas instead of rehashing old ones and bringing in old tallent to keep the ship afloat (Hall, Nash, Goldberg, Steiner - three who are out of the federation now and one who hasn't done anything of merit since a terrible fued with HHH. I won't mention Hogan here because it was nice to see him back and the crowd loved him and, to his credit, for awhile there he did bring in ratings). Really, in the end, it just added more weight to an already sinking ship (house show attendence, ratings and PPV buy-rates all show us that). Personally, by doing that, I feel is the only way they can really all begin again."

* * *

SIDE NOTE: The two shows really DID NOT compeat with each other and there was no real sense of that in the end.

[IdgIe49]

mmmmkay, this doesnt have anything to do with the thread, but just to make you guys jealous...

Stacy Kiebler's gonna be here (ft hood) signing autographs in April. :p

(((sorry if i misspelled her name)))

[ViewAskewbian]

Originally posted by IdgIe49
mmmmkay, this doesnt have anything to do with the thread, but just to make you guys jealous...

Stacy Kiebler's gonna be here (ft hood) signing autographs in April. :p

(((sorry if i misspelled her name)))

I got to touch her at the fan fest for Mania X-8. I see your :p and I raise you :p :p

[FatHead316]

You know, I started this at work, because I was so damn boared. And now I am at home, laptop in the shop, typing on my PDA and the thread is hoping. Damn.

[chrisih8u]

I have a feeling this is going to be lame. I wonder if this is going to be done backstage with all the big names being done and all the scrubs being announced on wwe.com.

[dancinns]

Originally posted by IdgIe49
mmmmkay, this doesnt have anything to do with the thread, but just to make you guys jealous...

Stacy Kiebler's gonna be here (ft hood) signing autographs in April. :p

(((sorry if i misspelled her name))) Want to do me a favor, Idgie? :)

[Copenhagen]

Originally posted by dancinns
Want to do me a favor, Idgie? :)

yeah ditto...btw thanks for that email IdgIe, good stuff :)

[BlackCapTen]

Seems like there won't be any wrestling tonight? Not that I'm complaining.

[FatHead316]

You know, I started this at work, because I was so damn boared. And now I am at home, laptop in the shop, typing on my PDA and the thread is hoping. Damn.

[The Cow]

Originally posted by BlackCapTen
Seems like there won't be any wrestling tonight? Not that I'm complaining.
There is wrestling.

[BlackCapTen]

Originally posted by The Cow
There is wrestling.

True, now there is. Didn't look like there was going to be. It would probably piss off the audience if there wasn't.

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by FatHead316
You know, I started this at work, because I was so damn boared. And now I am at home, laptop in the shop, typing on my PDA and the thread is hoping. Damn.


:confused:

Did you need to post the exact same thing twice?

[cartman]

Yeah, this is going well... it worked so well the last time they broke up all the actual tag teams...

[ChrisHicks]

everyone keeps hoping that they will bring back the WCW or ECW name but do you think either of those would really go over with the networks the shows air on?

[mikewendt]

Nidia has gotten a tit job...

[FatHead316]

sorry for the double post.


And all my excitement about the lottery is officially gone at 9:32. Thanks Vince.

[FatHead316]

Do I smell Rev. Sheldon?

[FatHead316]

Are they going to tease the Evolution thing all night?

[cartman]

:lol: at the HHH water spit. Well, it was easier to send him to Smackdown for a whole new breed of people to squash than just have 12 new ones on Raw :lol:.

[chrisih8u]

There goes the first big name.

HHH

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by cartman
:lol: at the HHH water spit.


:lol: Who did he spit it on?

edit: they didnt show. Thank god for tivo.

[chrisih8u]

:rolleyes:

God forbid they have some decent matches tonight.

[mikewendt]

Click here for Hunter's true feelings about going to SmackDown! (http://superherohype.com/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?action=view&link=Blade/Blade_Trinity/Movie_Stills&image=tripleh.jpg&img=&tt=)

[FatHead316]

Are they going to tease the Evolution thing all night?

[FatHead316]

Guess not, shine that belt Eddie.

[The Cow]

deja vu?

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by chrisih8u
:confused:

Did you need to post the exact same thing twice?

[chrisih8u]

I wonder if some trades will be announced after the show. McMahon said they would have until 12am to work out trades.

[mikewendt]

Aside from Nidia's cans, I'm not impressed with this yet...

[mikewendt]

Originally posted by chrisih8u
McMahon said they would have until 12am to work out trades.

That's because they won't be able to draw everyone's name in the 2 hours, with all the bitching between GMs and the few matches...

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by mikewendt
That's because they won't be able to draw everyone's name in the 2 hours, with all the bitching between GMs and the few matches...

They are only drawing 12 names, I think. The rest stay put. If they drew everyone, then everyone would switch because they are only drawing from the other's roster.

[FatHead316]

Well its been 2 weeks since Triple H has had something to keep his pants up with.

[FatHead316]

You take from Evolution, you give to Evolution.

[cartman]

So either Booker T or RVD are going to Smackdown now? :lol:

[FatHead316]

Originally posted by cartman
So either Booker T or RVD are going to Smackdown now? :lol:

I am amazed they even made it out of WM XX with them. Hope RVG makes the move. RVD Eddie match would Be good.

[mikewendt]

Didn't waste any time with RVD...

[chrisih8u]

That sucks. I like RVD.

[cartman]

Oh, what a shocker! :lol:

[BlackCapTen]

Good call. Would RVD compete with the cruisers?

[FatHead316]

Right after they lose the titles??? They could have waited 30 mins or so.

[chrisih8u]

Smackdown is getting the edge in this lottery, IMO. I dont give a shit about anyone switching to Raw so far.

[FatHead316]

I'll be right back guys, got to go to sportsbook.com to put the house on Ryhno. I feel it tonight.

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by FatHead316
I'll be right back guys, got to go to sportsbook.com to put the house on Ryhno. I feel it tonight.


STOP!!!

[mikewendt]

Originally posted by chrisih8u
That sucks. I like RVD.

It's not like he's fired... Just watch SmackDown! He'll be there...

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by mikewendt
It's not like he's fired... Just watch SmackDown! He'll be there...

:lol:
Too many other things on then. I usually mean to watch it, then forget.

[mikewendt]

Jesus... RAW is getting the serious shaft. Nothing interesting there.

[mikewendt]

Theodore Long... Nope, just what I thought nobody else cared.

[chrisih8u]

Wow, Edge. That picks it up a little.

[mikewendt]

EDGE to RAW!! Now that's an improvment...

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by mikewendt
Theodore Long... Nope, just what I thought nobody else cared.

:lol:

[cartman]

Oooh, I thought they were getting 12 "picks" each, not 6. Wow, that REALLY makes this all pathetically pointless.

[chrisih8u]

WTF?

[mikewendt]

NICE twist...

[mikewendt]

Paul is Eric's bitch now!!!

[chrisih8u]

What a shitty lottery. Complete waste of time. So I guess Shane wants to run Smackdown?

[BlackCapTen]

This could start the whole ECW thing.

[mikewendt]

ECW is coming back!!!

[mikewendt]

Nice!!!

[FatHead316]

I'll be right back guys, got to go to sportsbook.com to put the house on Ryhno. I feel it tonight.

[mikewendt]

Edge is being primed to take HHH's spot...

[chrisih8u]

Remind me never to get a PDA.

[cartman]

I'll be right back guys, got to go to sportsbook.com to put the house on FatHead316 double posting some more. I feel it tonight.

[chrisih8u]

:lol:

[The Cow]

Originally posted by chrisih8u
Remind me never to get a PDA.
:lol: :lol:

[FatHead316]

I'll be right back guys, got to go to sportsbook.com to put the house on Ryhno. I feel it tonight.

[cartman]

So is Theodore Long going to:

A) Manage Shaniqua and Orlando Jordan.
B) Run "rampant" claiming Smackdown is all "racist" cause they've got no "brothers" on the show.
C) Fall off the face of television with no one but Mrs. Long noticing?

[chrisih8u]

:thumbsup:

A triple post. Didnt think ya had it in you.

[FatHead316]

Triple post for Triple H.

Sorry guys it really is the PDA.

And thanks Edge, that was short and pointless.

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by FatHead316
Triple post for Triple H.

Sorry guys it really is the PDA.

And thanks Edge, that was short and pointless.

I'm debating wether to respond now or after your next post. :lol:


Yeah, the Edge thing was stupid. Do Edge and Bishoff have a history that I forgot about?

[cartman]

It's a good thing they're all wearing the color coded shirts. I have no idea who most of these people are, and that's they only way to tell what show they're on :lol:.

[DGibFen]

Well that was an ending... I guess...

[chrisih8u]

That was certainly interesting. Could be setting up something huge.

[The Cow]

Overall, I give it a :down:

[chrisih8u]

I also give it a :down:

[DGibFen]

At least Triple HHH is not on Raw anymore... maybe everyone else will starting getting more chances at titles? ;)

[FatHead316]

I just can't wait for next weeks RAW featuring Tajari !!!!

[DGibFen]

WWE.com is saying that McMahon is having a special announcement on there at 11:30... ooo...

[chrisih8u]

That could be interesting.

[raven56706]

I give it thumbs up..... awesome ending

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by raven56706
I give it thumbs up..... awesome ending

Awesome enough to wipe out all the other crap? Not for me.

[DGibFen]

Anyone else getting the feeling that this draft will be extended to the Smackdown show this week?

[DGibFen]

I called it!

STATEMENT FROM MR. MCMAHON
Earlier tonight, Paul Heyman - the former General Manager of SmackDown! - was drafted by RAW and subsequently quit. Therefore, due to the absence of a GM on SmackDown!, I have extended the trading deadline to 9 p.m. ET Tuesday, at which time a new GM of SmackDown! will be announced, and that new GM of SmackDown! will in fact announce all trades. Thank you.

[hypeiv]

Originally posted by DGibFen
Anyone else getting the feeling that this draft will be extended to the Smackdown show this week?

good call check out wwe.com

[ViewAskewbian]

Originally posted by DGibFen
At least Triple HHH is not on Raw anymore... maybe everyone else will starting getting more chances at titles? ;)

Yeah, and let him run thru the Smackdown titles because the crowd certainly isn't sick of him in the title scene. Certainly didn't take HHH long to be booked for another title match, headlining a show after the man who beat him for the title at Mania.

To quote Dante: "Same as it ever was."

[dancinns]

Charlie Haas better be traded to Raw.

I liked the draft lottery. It was different than the usual blah.

[ViewAskewbian]

Originally posted by dancinns
Charlie Haas better be traded to Raw.

I liked the draft lottery. It was different than the usual blah.

Talk to me when the draft lottery is the catalyst of the usual blah by the end of the year. :p

[ViewAskewbian]

Off Topic: Remember the days when every Monday Night RAW thread was a 5 page + of posts?

[Derrich]

I think they mentioned ECW more tonight than in the last 3 years combined. And with Heyman leaving, I think it's a set up for the return on Extreme Championship Wrestling.

Or it could just be wishful thinking.

D

[Charlie Goose]

When Paul E. announced that Triple Haitch was going to challenge Eddie Guerrero for the title, every wrestling fan in the country said"GIMME A F**KING BREAK!" at the same time.
I couldn't imagine that even HHH would have the balls to win the title in his very first SD match, but I was still a little tense. :lol:

Overall, I think it was a very good lottery.
Nidia gets to be a wrestler. She's not pretty enough to be just eye candy.

Benjamin, Haas, Jindrak, Cade, Dupree, all have a chance to prove themselves as the future of the WWE.

RVD gets out from HHH's Raw shadow.....and finds himself under HHH's SD shadow. D'oh!

Spike Dudley goes from being a ragdoll to a cruiserweight contender.

HHH leaves Evolution to stand on its own, and fills the vacancies left by Goldturd and Crock Lesnar.

Edge takes a main event spot upon his return.

Nice job! :thumbsup:

[Pac-Rat]

I think it's a set up for the return on Extreme Championship Wrestling.

God I hope not. ECW is dead, and should stay that way. It wouldn't be ECW anyway. While they had dealings with WCW and then WWF, they weren't run by them. No matter who books,having Vince with final say would make it hard to pull off the "rebel" fed appeal...nevermind the entertaining match aspect.
ECW then-SHAH!
ECW now-SHIT!
I wonder if I'll be as annoyed if they use a different name?

[ViewAskewbian]

Originally posted by Pac-Rat
God I hope not. ECW is dead, and should stay that way. It wouldn't be ECW anyway. While they had dealings with WCW and then WWF, they weren't run by them. No matter who books,having Vince with final say would make it hard to pull off the "rebel" fed appeal...nevermind the entertaining match aspect.
ECW then-SHAH!
ECW now-SHIT!
I wonder if I'll be as annoyed if they use a different name? \

http://www.newecw.com ?

[kantonburg]

This was a good show. Different from the same 'ol same 'ol.

[FatHead316]

Originally posted by Charlie Goose
When Paul E. announced that Triple Haitch was going to challenge Eddie Guerrero for the title, every wrestling fan in the country said"GIMME A F**KING BREAK!" at the same time.
I couldn't imagine that even HHH would have the balls to win the title in his very first SD match, but I was still a little tense. :lol:



Not a person who didn't believe that HHH didn't have that one in the bag. But I sware he is the ONLY guy that is a heel that needs a screw job to lose.

Also think this sets up a possable face turn for Triple H or Steph, as the returning GM to feud with eachother.

[FatHead316]

Originally posted by ViewAskewbian
Off Topic: Remember the days when every Monday Night RAW thread was a 5 page + of posts?

I think that has a lot to do with my PDA. :)

[mikewendt]

It's interesting they extended it to Tuesday and not Thursday... I know they tape on Tuesday. But it doesn't seem like good TV...

[FatHead316]

Originally posted by mikewendt
It's interesting they extended it to Tuesday and not Thursday... I know they tape on Tuesday. But it doesn't seem like good TV...

I agree, they usually treat us like idiots that don't know Smcakdown is taped. Trying to get hits on the ol' website?

[Rogue588]

Either that, or they know that the info'll spread like wildfire [witness the Brock/Goldberg WM match] after tonite's SM! show...

[chrisih8u]

So it seems pretty obvious that someone will be traded, I wonder who? And who is gonna be the GM?

[FatHead316]

Just left 1wrestling.com, they mentioned that A-Train is appearing on the Raw Roster. That could be one trade. Steph is a shoe in as smackdowns GM I believe. If not Shane, if there is someone else, that will be a real suprise.

[the narrator]

Overall I thought the draft went over fairly well.

MOst of the people will benefit in some way from changing shows. The worst thing I think is that RVD has to stay on the same show as Triple H(there goes his chance of ever doing anything worthwhile)

[Rogue588]

From the ONLY popup free [AFAIK] wrestling site wrestlingobserver.com

[spoilerized for your convenience]

--Rico and Jackie Gayda are headed to Smackdown (this will be announced, unless things change, by the end of the day). The WWE web site note about A-Train coming to Raw was also accurate as of this morning. I believe there is one more major roster change coming.

--I'm told Stephanie McMahon won't be announced today as G.M. of Smackdown.
Oh, and about that NewECW.com name...--The WWE did not purchase the NewEcw.com domain name, although the name does take you to wwe.com. It was purchased by Graham Briggs of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. (thanks to Carl Hancock)

[Charlie Goose]

The different color shirts and the graphics for each draft were nice touches as well. This appears to be well-thought out rather than seat of the pants. It does leave a lack of established tag teams on both sides however.

[chrisih8u]

Originally posted by Rogue588
From the ONLY popup free [AFAIK] wrestling site wrestlingobserver.com

[spoilerized for your convenience]

--Rico and Jackie Gayda are headed to Smackdown (this will be announced, unless things change, by the end of the day). The WWE web site note about A-Train coming to Raw was also accurate as of this morning. I believe there is one more major roster change coming.

--I'm told Stephanie McMahon won't be announced today as G.M. of Smackdown.
Oh, and about that NewECW.com name...

Not the most earth shattering news, but I am glad that wrestler will be off Raw.

[MovieMaster11]

Wow raw loses a loser and gets a loser. sweet

[FatHead316]

From wwe.com


Paul Heyman out, Kurt Angle is in

WWE.com has learned that the role of SmackDown! General Manager has been assumed by former WWE Champion Kurt Angle.
In replacing Paul Heyman, Kurt Angle’s first order of business was to mold the SmackDown! roster to his liking. In an attempt to do so, Angle has completed two trades with RAW General Manager Eric Bischoff.
The first trade sends F.B.I. member Chuck Palumbo and A-Train to RAW for the combination of the sexy Miss Jackie and Rico.
The second trade is a blockbuster three-for-one deal. RAW’s Eric Bischoff has agreed to send the Dudley Boyz and Booker T to SmackDown! in exchange for former World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. This announcement comes straight off the heels of Triple H being chosen by SmackDown! in the draft lottery just 24 hours prior.
Be sure to check back here as more information becomes available.

[NC-36]

I guess that answers the question "just how bad is Angle's neck this time".

HHH and Evolution are back on Raw, The (heel) Dudleys vs. Booker T/RVD fued continues on SD, Spike gets to mix it up with the cruiserweights and Heyman will (likely) be bringing back ECW in some form.

Could be worse. At least I have some reason to watch Smackdown again besides Eddie and Cena :)

[FatHead316]

Wonder why they balked the HHH thing.

Big 10-4 on the Angle neck deal. That sux big time, he, like Austin, had potential to Be the best ever.

[chrisih8u]

Damn, HHH is back on Raw. :( There goes Edge's push.

[Timber]

So can someone break this down for me? All off this hoopla has resulted in what? Booker/RVD and the Dudley's to Smackdown. Who cares? Edge to Raw is the biggest move but again I've never seen the facination with him. He's not great in the ring, he's not good on the mic and his "brother" has passed him in every way possible. They split up WGTT for what? They are the best tag team in the company so I guess it makes sense to split them up? The HHH thing was the only ballsy thing they did (can't stand him by the way) and that's been called off. Big waste of time in my opinion,

[Y2K Falcon]

-ohbfrank-

You don't get it. You miss the big picture...



NIDIA IS GOING TO RAW!!!!!!!11 -eek-

[ViewAskewbian]

Well, despite the pointlessness of Draft Version 2, it brought the ratings up:

"Last night's RAW received its highest rating since April 2002, checking in with a 4.5 rating and 7 share. The show did hours of 4.4 and 4.6 with three quarter hours checking in at 4.7, one of those being the overrun that featured the Raw/Smackdown brawl and the Eddie/Triple H main event."

* * *
WWE wasted no time flaunting this:

STAMFORD, Conn.--March 23, 2004-- Coming Off of WrestleMania(R) XX, WWE(R) Continues to Build on its Theme Where It All Begins...Again(TM)
World Wrestling Entertainment(R)'s (NYSE: WWE) flagship cable program, WWE Monday Night RAW(R), delivered its highest cable ratings since April 2002 last night.

A special RAW that featured WWE Superstars from RAW and WWE SmackDown!(TM) (UPN Thursday's at 8 p.m. ET/PT) participating in a lottery to determine to which program they would be assigned beat all primetime broadcast television programs among male teens, and ranked second versus broadcast primetime among Men 18-24. RAW experienced week-to-week increases among all key demo areas, particularly younger demos.

"WrestleMania XX was a spectacular success, and achieved our goal of gaining the attention of fans that are, fans that were and fans that will be. It was also meant to be a platform from which we would re-energize the WWE brand and foster ongoing interest in our television programming," said Kurt Schneider, Executive Vice President, Marketing. "Based on last night's ratings for RAW, I think we are off to a strong start in achieving our goals and retaining the interest of fans who were hooked by WrestleMania XX."

In a cliffhanger episode, RAW Superstar Triple H(R) was moved from RAW to SmackDown!, seeming to break-up the clique Evolution(TM), and it was announced that WWE Superstar Edge(R) would return from injuries, not to SmackDown!, but to RAW. In addition, SmackDown! General Manager Paul Heyman(TM) was moved to RAW and promptly quit, leaving WWE SmackDown! without a general manager. Who will be his replacement? How will Triple H take to a new environment and a new locker room? Will Evolution de-evolve without its leader, Triple H, or is rising Superstar Randy Orton(TM) up to the task of keeping the group together? "These are the types of storylines our fans love," noted Schneider. "Part of the reason that we created two stand-alone television programs (RAW and SmackDown!) was to provide more plot twists, new rivalries and intrigue, and we're just starting to realize that creative potential. All I can say is stay tuned. It's going to be a wild ride!"

[Derrich]

Smackdown now has a total of 0 women who could pull of anything resembling a wrestling move. It's scary when Nidia is carrying a women's match.

Smackdown now has 0 main eventers. Angle isn't wrestling and Eddie is a highball away from being a mid carder again.

Smackdown has no GM since the wrestler turned GM/Commisioner has been tried many tmes before and was quickly scrapped each time. It's only a matter of time(3 weeks) till Steph is in charge.

If you ask me, SD got raided and left with nothing but a lot of people with 'potential' and no real stars.

D

[Rogue588]

Perhaps they know something about the ratings/new wave of "decency" standards on broadcast TV going around that we don't...?

But, I agree with everything you said [except about Eddie]..

[FatHead316]

What are they doing here? The crowd poped HUGE for the HHH draft, why are they going back on that. What is the deal there.

Smackdown spoilers are up on various pages, and they make no sense either. What is vinnie doing now?

[mikewendt]

I definatly disagree with the Eddie statment made above...

I'm not impressed with the Angle choice as GM... IMO the only time it has worked in the past was HBK's run as Commish a few years ago and the recent Austin character... They really need to bring Shane back, especially if they try for a "New" ECW. I just couldn't buy the Steph character in a power strugle with Bischoff & Heyman...

Thought they were really gonna push Edge... Now that HHH is back on RAW that's probably dead... But at least RVD should be able to have a run of SmackDown! as long as the keep him and Booker seperated.

Jackie will prbably do better in the SmackDown! setting, more visual then physical, which works the other way for Nidia... What is with Rico's "Ultimate Warrior" paint job...

A-Train & Palumbo... Big deal, they'll be burried before they get there...

I guess we're at a wait and see period...

[weargle]

No more Booker T, but here comes Triple Roids? :down:

[Derrich]

This has to be a setup for an ECW return. Why remove Heyman since he was doing a great job on Smackdown? Why the double trade with HHH. In fact, why have a lottery at all of it's only gonna end up being 6 midcarders from each show? They coulda mved those people over in much more interesting ways. For example, Have RVD shoot on HHH and 'quit'. Only to be hired by SD. Have Heyman go crazy and 'fire' Palumbo and A Train, and have them show up on Raw as new characters(I doubt people could recognize Palumbo now if they didn't flash his name on the screen). The only way this can be salvaged is if there are some big repercussions over the next few weeks. One being that Heyman resurfaces with ECW. And the other is if Shane takes control of one of the shows.

D

[POWERBOMB]

Originally posted by DGibFen
At least Triple HHH is not on Raw anymore
Triple HHH is not on Raw anymore
Triple HHH is not on Raw anymore
:banana: :banana: :banana:

[POWERBOMB]

Dammit, you mean Trips H is back on Raw??? :grunt:

I demand a recount!

[Original Desmond]

guys, do u think it had something to do with the fact that Edge's return popped relatively poorely. Most wrestlers returning from injury get mega pops (Angle, HHH ) but Edge didn't seem to get much reaction

did that change Vince's mind about HHH going to Smackdown ?

if he is going back to Raw, what a load of horsecr*P!

all the hype about new this new that and there have only been a few minor mid/lower card moves! what use is that !

[MovieMaster11]

Evolution should have went to smackdown with the IC title and John Cena should have came to Raw with the Us title.

[raven56706]

Can someone tell me why A-train hasnt hung himself yet?
That guy sucks tennis balls....

And here comes Triple H.... again it gets tiring to see this guy fight main event after main event.....


i say bring back Koko B Ware.......

[FatHead316]

So what really happened, nothing.

HHH left Smackdown with no main event heel, which is where they were monday morning. With Angle out, thats where they were anyway.

No big Pop for Edge, well thats because of how they did it. It was a Raw vs Smackdown night. And it was AT Raw. So bichoff was honorary "Face for a night". Since Heyman was playing heel to the home show crowd.

Edge attacked a guy that was a face for the night. Not the best way to get a big pop.

[POWERBOMB]

Originally posted by FatHead316
HHH left Smackdown with no main event heel, which is where they were monday morning. With Angle out, thats where they were anyway.

Look 4 the Dudleys and Booker to turn heel.

[ILikeDVD]

Tommorow night SUN 8pm, repeat of Mon night Raw featuring the draft

[ViewAskewbian]

http://www.wwe.com/images/standard-repository/314x228_img/1258510
Where it all begins again!!!!

[cartman]

Oh boy. I can hardly contain my excitement about HHH "returning". I mean, he was gone for SO long. He even appeared on Smackdown... uhhh... well, zero times. Hooray. Yippee. Please Lord, don't let my head explode from the excitement. Woo woo. I can't wait to see who he has job to him first. Hopefully it's Chris Benoit. Lord knows the belt has been around someone else's waist for too long now. It's been nearly a month! How can HHH stand it!

[Original Desmond]

absolutely friggin ridiculous ! really is

[the narrator]

I love that pic....it speaks volumes of what the WWE is doing right now



For God's sake he was on RAW last week

[MovieMaster11]

Well hey atleast HHH got a shirt out of the deal :lol:

[POWERBOMB]

[homer simpson] Oh WWE, why do you mock me so? [/homer simpson]

[ViewAskewbian]

I also love how the RAW preview on the website is all about our favorite WWE Superstar. -rolleys-

[edytwinky]

Originally posted by ViewAskewbian
http://www.wwe.com/images/standard-repository/314x228_img/1258510
Where it all begins again!!!!

Great preview :thumbsup: