WWE Royal Rumble, Sunday 2nd February 2025, 10am AEDT on Netflix (Countdown 8am on Youtube)

[DarkPhoenix]

Jey has been consistently over and mega popular for a long period of time now. It certainly isn’t a narrow scope it’s probably the most important scope. He’s not just some flash in the pan. And I definitely rate him. The energy of the show skyrockets whenever he gets on the TV.

I’m not a wrestler so I’m not going to judge how he is in the ring like some sort of an expert. I’ve seen him put on good entertaining matches for me, as a singles guy. Hell he had one just last week on SNME. So I’m not sure what the problem is. Is he a ring technician!? Probably not, I don’t know. I guess either is Cena if Jey isn’t.

I don’t think Gillberg is a real comparison to Jey Uso. I’m sure you’re sensible enough to realise that.

I'm as judgemental as anyone of cenas 5 moves of doom, but they're not even comparable.

Cena knows how to fill a match and get people to buy into spots. He can make people look the goods when he wants to. He is a ring general not a ring technician and he makes himself look good by building a match around him that hides his weaknesses.
Jey doesn't have any of that side. His matches all follow the same pattern and he's never had to develop a move set because of how embedded he was in a tag team, that let him get away with it. There hasn't been a tonne of growth in ring over the last year or so, and his charisma (off mic) has done a hell of a lot of heavy lifting.

Also Cena was at his worst today. Can't stand his cartoony looking around at the crowd like he can't believe what's going on.

 

[nobbyiscool]

As an aside. Hope we never see a rumble with a 300m long ramp way again. Especially when you add the bend in the ramp, it just kills any momentum of an entrant

Some of the people running to the ring felt a breach of their characters, and some of the in-ring scenarios just made it really dumb that you'd be rushing to get involved.

 

[James Colorado]

Questions.

What did SZ come out to do nothing? KO couldn't continue messing up the planned finish or SZ interference?

Drew went off back stage what happened?

How do they get Roman Punk and Rollins all into a match with Cody?

Might be because I only rewatched it recently, but Sami coming out reminded me of Terry Funk when Foley took his HIAC bump from Taker. Don't know if they're going with a "history over rivalry" explanation, or Sami sides with Owens, accusing Cody of going too far.

 

[Ivelisse]

Forgotten how much Cena overacts which is funny given he went on to be a movie star

 

[ULTIMATE_WARRIOR]

I'm as judgemental as anyone of cenas 5 moves of doom, but they're not even comparable.

Cena knows how to fill a match and get people to buy into spots. He can make people look the goods when he wants to. He is a ring general not a ring technician and he makes himself look good by building a match around him that hides his weaknesses.
Jey doesn't have any of that side. His matches all follow the same pattern and he's never had to develop a move set because of how embedded he was in a tag team, that let him get away with it. There hasn't been a tonne of growth in ring over the last year or so, and his charisma (off mic) has done a hell of a lot of heavy lifting.

Also Cena was at his worst today. Can't stand his cartoony looking around at the crowd like he can't believe what's going on.

We could argue forever so we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one!

I believe his in ring ability is massively understated but again I’m no expert.

Fully agree with you about the cartoony overreactions of Cena today however. A small frustration with otherwise a decent performance.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Just because someone is popular, doesn't mean they're a great choice to main event wrestle mania. You're using a very narrow scope to try and make a point about a guy you obviously rate.

His entrance and catch phrase are undeniably over. But he's not great in the ring (as a singles star) and probably one of the worst going round on the mic. Two things very important to being a main event star.

Gillberg was popular with the fans. They loved his mock Goldberg entrance. Wouldn't want him anywhere near the top of the card.

I get what you say about ring work. You should know by now in WWE they only care about it so much. But 'one of the worst going around on the mic'? Just no where near accurate. Also comparing him to a joke character in Gillberg is just silly.

 

[Cleavy]

Some of the people running to the ring felt a breach of their characters, and some of the in-ring scenarios just made it really dumb that you'd be rushing to get involved.

rumble trope. Kaiser tried...

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

How long is his contract with TNA?

Dec 2025.

I think they missed a trick with R-Truth not coming out to meet his childhood hero in John Cena

 

[ULTIMATE_WARRIOR]

As I commented earlier, this very likely rubber stamps The Rock not performing at WrestleMania.

Is anyone else a little disappointed about that? Especially after Raw after Mania, with Rock telling Cody their story is just beginning, and handing him some mystery object. And again after the Bad Blood appearance?

Unless this plays out over a few years.

Or is everyone quite content he won’t be wrestling?

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

I'm as judgemental as anyone of cenas 5 moves of doom, but they're not even comparable.

Cena knows how to fill a match and get people to buy into spots. He can make people look the goods when he wants to. He is a ring general not a ring technician and he makes himself look good by building a match around him that hides his weaknesses.
Jey doesn't have any of that side. His matches all follow the same pattern and he's never had to develop a move set because of how embedded he was in a tag team, that let him get away with it. There hasn't been a tonne of growth in ring over the last year or so, and his charisma (off mic) has done a hell of a lot of heavy lifting.

Also Cena was at his worst today. Can't stand his cartoony looking around at the crowd like he can't believe what's going on.

100% facts really. Well put

I just feel that Gunther is good enough to carry him though. I feel Gunther could have a good match against a sack of potatoes at present.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

As I commented earlier, this very likely rubber stamps The Rock not performing at WrestleMania.

Is anyone else a little disappointed about that? Especially after Raw after Mania, with Rock telling Cody their story is just beginning, and handing him some mystery object. And again after the Bad Blood appearance?

Unless this plays out over a few years.

Or is everyone quite content he won’t be wrestling?

Think that got rubber stamped when he didnt interfere in Solo/Reigns on Netflix debit. I suppose he just doesnt have the time so not sure what else can be done about that really.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

I get what you say about ring work. You should know by now in WWE they only care about it so much. But 'one of the worst going around on the mic'? Just no where near accurate. Also comparing him to a joke character in Gillberg is just silly.

His mic work is bad. He struggles to remember his dot points. He stumbles over his words. He constantly paces and sneers or throws in a random yeet to buy time so he can try and put a sentence together. And when he does put something together it is often weak or nonsensical.

Sure he's not "the worst" but to claim he's even serviceable is a massive stretch

 

[The Casey Cat]

As I commented earlier, this very likely rubber stamps The Rock not performing at WrestleMania.

Is anyone else a little disappointed about that? Especially after Raw after Mania, with Rock telling Cody their story is just beginning, and handing him some mystery object. And again after the Bad Blood appearance?

Unless this plays out over a few years.

Or is everyone quite content he won’t be wrestling?

Yes i think quite a few are but were aware and had to make peace with that when he spoke on the Netflix debut. I wanted him v Reigns for tribal chief at WM.

 

[WA ROO]

Forgotten how much Cena overacts which is funny given he went on to be a movie star

The best OMG face was Rey when Otis slapped Gable

 

[ULTIMATE_WARRIOR]

Yes i think quite a few are but were aware and had to make peace with that when he spoke on the Netflix debut. I wanted him v Reigns for tribal chief at WM.

There was definitely a few ways it could or should have went. I really hope we get that Rock v Reigns match one day.

Certainly made peace with the fact, I’m just disappointed they so heavily teased such a big story without a solid commitment, as it currently seems.

 

[The Casey Cat]

His mic work is bad. He struggles to remember his dot points. He stumbles over his words. He constantly paces and sneers or throws in a random yeet to buy time so he can try and put a sentence together. And when he does put something together it is often weak or nonsensical.

Sure he's not "the worst" but to claim he's even serviceable is a massive stretch

Wouldn't be as popular as he is without being at least 'servicable'. He's good. He speaks and expresses himself confidently and effectively and has a very genuine way of coming across.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

As I commented earlier, this very likely rubber stamps The Rock not performing at WrestleMania.

Is anyone else a little disappointed about that? Especially after Raw after Mania, with Rock telling Cody their story is just beginning, and handing him some mystery object. And again after the Bad Blood appearance?

Unless this plays out over a few years.

Or is everyone quite content he won’t be wrestling?

Honestly I am probably in the minority. But I don't mind if we don't get another rock match.

He took off to hollywood to chase a film career in his prime. And the way he has treated the company and story lines over the last year hasn't been great.

Him VS anyone isn't a match I'm jumping out of my seat to see at the minute

 

[ULTIMATE_WARRIOR]

His mic work is bad. He struggles to remember his dot points. He stumbles over his words. He constantly paces and sneers or throws in a random yeet to buy time so he can try and put a sentence together. And when he does put something together it is often weak or nonsensical.

Sure he's not "the worst" but to claim he's even serviceable is a massive stretch

He may not be a wordsmith but his promos get reactions every single time.

 

[RossFC]

Maybe Rock vs Roman at Mania 2026.

 

[The Casey Cat]

There was definitely a few ways it could or should have went. I really hope we get that Rock v Reigns match one day.

Certainly made peace with the fact, I’m just disappointed they so heavily teased such a big story without a solid commitment, as it currently seems.

Absolutely. Again this is why their was quite a bit of annoyance at that promo at the time. Was like they just reversed over/ignorerd a lot of what they had done the last year.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Maybe Rock vs Roman at Mania 2026.

Maybe but with all that had played out with the Bloodline and Cody's title reign it's hard to see how they get people into it as much and as easily as they could this year. We were already expecting/wanting it.

 

[Ry009]

As I commented earlier, this very likely rubber stamps The Rock not performing at WrestleMania.

Is anyone else a little disappointed about that? Especially after Raw after Mania, with Rock telling Cody their story is just beginning, and handing him some mystery object. And again after the Bad Blood appearance?

Unless this plays out over a few years.

Or is everyone quite content he won’t be wrestling?

He did say on NXT 'people need to sit back and enjoy the ride' after getting criticized for being nice to Cody.

Gunther also made a comment on the kickoff show that he predicts that no-one is going to pick him as Cody is the easier opponent.

They've hidden enough tidbits around that nothing can ever truely be written off and they can pivot a million different ways.

Hell they even let Hendry call out Cena on WWE's own YouTube channel.

I think this is probably part of the new era, further compounded by dirtsheets that they want to be ahead of the fans rather than giving a fully predictable outcome 2 months out.

While I wasn't a huge fan of today, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt taking into account last year. For the most part, the booking has been pretty solid the last year too.

 

[Cleavy]

I think him losing clean to Gunther at SNME is a critical part of this story.

Uso said at the post-Rumble press conference that he knows he can beat Gunther...

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Going through it and Joe Hendry got the biggest pop of the night which is pretty crazy

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

Uso said at the post-Rumble press conference that he knows he can beat Gunther...

I do see a full circle story of Rhodes vs Jey a bit to be fair. I don’t think it happens but I’d rather Rhodes vs Jey and Cena vs Gunther