This could be awesome, a trainwreck, or both. At a minimum, it will probably at least be better than the Katie Vick angle.

The one rule of this thread is simple: When discussing current events in the wrestling industry (WWE, TNA, etc), no one breaks kayfabe.

ITT, we don't talk about "marks," or "who has a good workrate," or "who needs a push or is getting buried."

Nope. Here we'll focus on the competitive aspects of the sport and the compelling storylines that emerge as a result of these clashes in the ring. Things like, why a victory and "the winners purse" means the chance to send your kids to a better school. Or the important differnces between amateur and professional wrestling, as in Jesse Ventura's astute observation that "there's no such thing as riding time in the pros!" What is the current state of officiating in the WWE, and does it ensure fair outcomes for its competitors? The list can go on and on. From this point forward in the thread, it's real.

I'm worried about Drew McIntyre, and at this point I'm frankly concerned that he's not cut out for the pros. He hasn't booked a significant win the last several months, and as you all know, Teddy Long has threatened to fire him unless he starts producing W's. What do you all think that Drew can do to start putting things together? It looks like he has the physical tools to be a successful professional wrestler. Therefore, I'm convinced it's all mental right now--like an otherwise solid hitter mired in a long slump. In short, he's thinking too much out there instead of just doing what comes naturally.

I think his main problem is he is going up against guys that are just too good in the ring like hornswoggle. I mean when was the last time hornswoggle lost a match? It seems he is always able to outfox his opponents, and I can't remember the last time I saw someone kick out of his fearsome tadpole splash finisher.

The inexplicable loss to Hornswoggle is exactly what I'm talking about. Hornswaggle, to his credit, displays a high degree of in-ring intelligence. He's as crafty as they come, and I can easily see how someone could have a bad night, maybe underestimate the little guy, and get caught. But physically, there's no comparison. Let's be honest here...Drew has massive height, weight, and strength advantages over Hornswoggle. I just don't see how he can't go in and, in the course of executing a conservative, low variance strategy, not grind out a win almost 100% of the time. This is why I'm saying that Drew's problem here is entirely mental.

I think like many people in the wwe, you are severely underestimating just how devastating hornswoggle's moveset is. he is the definition of 'big things come in small packages'.

keep in mind this is the guy that feuded with the great chavo guerrero and went undefeated over a long series of matches!

I mean, I guess this is all true. After all, he is the great Vince McMahon's illegitimate son, so undoubtedly some of Vinny Mac's fierce competitiveness was passed along. Further, count me out for ever wanting to be hit by a tadpole splash. I just think, however, that at the end of the day (operating with the assumption that he doesn't go into the match with a reckless gameplan), Drew's physical advantages should prevail over Hornswoggle nearly all the time.

If he had a good manager like Vickie Guerrero he'd be fine. She took two other pretty average wrestlers to titles.

Very worried about Zack Ryder after what Kane did to him. I doubt he'll ever get his belt back from Swagger. Also concerned by the recent behaviour of muh boi D-Bryan...that world title has changed him.

I wonder where the Undertaker is. I know he's dead already so the match against the greatest wrestler of all time HHH couldn't have killed him?

Zack has got to understand that extra-ring encounters with competitors is part of the business. Toughen up or go home, IMO.

As for D-Bryan, can we really blame him? The winners purse is obviously bigger in World Title Matches...can we really blame him for doing something in his own best interest? I absolutely respect the competitive purity of professional wrestling, but I don't criticize D-Bryan for worrying about his own economic security when deciding on the direction of his career.

Since he lost the streak last year, I'm not sure there's any reason for Undertaker to keep wrestling.

What's great about our sport is our respect for the confluence between physical and supernatural ability. Undertaker will be back for WM; this is a lock.

I am beginning to think Daniel Bryan is not 100% sincere

HHH is obviously trying to goad UT into a rematch. We only care about wins and losses here, and UT is 19-0 at WM.

Really? Why?

Maybe YOU only care about wins and losses. Undertaker walked out of his first 18 WrestleManias under his own power - one time after being choked out with ****ing chloroform, mind you - and Triple H finally put things to rest. You have to give him credit for that.

I'm at a loss as to why more wrestlers don't employ excellent managers such as Vickie. Perhaps a point of pride, you know, I can get to the top all by myself?

I certainly do. HHH took UT to a place UT couldnt possibly imagine. But through it all, The Streak lives. I don't even know if there's an appropriate modern corollary. UCLA's 88 games? Dimaggio's 56 game hitting streak? The Dolphins winning the Super Bowl undefeated? I can't think of anyone else who has performed at that level, on their sport's highest stage, for that long.

That's right HHH is the greatest wrestler ever- he has it all. He punches harder than anyone and when he pulls out the sledgehammer it's GAME OVER. I really hope he comes back at the rumble there is no greater thrill than hearing IT'S TIME TO PLAY THE GAME.

Well I'm not sure about that. When Diesel's music hits I know I go crazy. Remember last year's Royal Rumble?

The crowd went INSANE when Diesel came out. I really wish he could have parlayed that energy into a RR victory.

With Nash's size he has to be considered one of the odds on favorites to win this year's rumble.

I don't know if Nash can make it back. I mean, did you see him get hit in the head with that sledgehammer? HHH is great, but he took that way too far, imo.

Does anyone have an update on AJ's health status? She hasn't tweeted in a couple weeks and I'm starting to get concerned. Hopefully she can recover and get her career back on track after that horrible incident. I know that he was in the heat of the battle and really wanted the WWE belt, but I think Big Show really should have been more careful out there.

Nash will make it back. This is a man who once defeated half a dozen young stars in less then two minutes; he's one of the toughest men in wrestling.