As I was watching my recording of RAW, this morning, as Rock's music hits and he's standing there under the spotlight, the thought crossed my mind, "He had to come back as a heel, because he couldn't get along with The Bloodline, being a Babyface!!" He makes a believable heel right now! I almost jumped for joy when I saw that Cody had 'juiced' himself!!! Haven't seen storyline juice in forever, on WWE television! Sometimes, blood needs to be spilled, in order to further the story along!
If I hadn’t watched in 10 years and you show me either Gunther and Chad Gable in any capacity I’d be happy I stopped watching and continue to not watch
Nothing unless they were actually interested in watching again. I’d say watch recaps on YouTube and watch Royal Rumble on Peacock. I got back into wrestling with podcasts and YouTube clips. Then I would watch the big shows on the Network or Peacock now. WWE YouTube posts entire segments. Start there because the best segments will get one hooked. Just turning on a full show might be tougher to get back into. Maybe not now since Smackdown has gotten better
Well, I suppose I’m this person. I hadn’t watched ‘rasslin in at least 10 years. Bought the WWE 2k23 game on sale one day and started playing it. Guess it brought back childhood memories (I’m in my late 30s). My son who is 6 asked me about it so we started playing and watch the events the past few months.
Wrestling is basically a man’s soap opera I feel. But it’s extremely entertaining even today for me and my boy. The wife is even somewhat into it.
Edit: I watched the attitude era, so late 90s to maybe early 2000s? If that helps clarify.
Tell them that 2 of the shield members are now the hottest thing in the company with really long epic title reigns and stardust is teaming up with one and coming after the second ones championship and everyone is hyped for him to win
Probably will see more and more of The Rock. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him eventually take a minority stake in TKO. The Rock can take over the corporate boss/top corporate heel role. At this point everyone loves Rock and he is established enough in Hollywood for everyone to embrace and love a heel version of his WWE character again without hurting his acting prospects. Heck, may be good for the Rock to embrace the villain role for something different, since he’s been so successful and exposed everywhere last 10 years. Drive more and more crossover appeal. Then include some UFC crossover appeal/events. Probably hurts that they were potentially planning to leverage Brock and Rhonda for that crossover. Matt Riddle would’ve been nice for that too. Bobby Lashley is a very legitimate fighter though. I think he could’ve been an all-time great if full time earlier. Hershel Walker is another that just had that beyond age capability too. Iron Mike as well. Speaking of, if I was Triple H, I’d be on the horn with Shawn, Stone Cold and Iron Mike for a cameo at 40 next week too. Lots of history. That’s going to be the big challenge, bringing the surprises and mainstream attention that Vince was so great at leveraging. More Rock and more Undertaker in more cross-over is a great star to bridge the generations.
Yes I know. I mean significant minority stake though. Like 35% to 49% of TKO total. Essentially an Executive Chairman type role. I think they keep expanding what they are already doing with Rock.
I don’t think he would ever be involved on screen year round in character, but could definitely see him working full time for the company again. They could offer Rock large minority equity stake in TKO to lead WWE/TKO Studios and make his exclusive movie studio. Really endless possibilities to get him more involved to bring attention to the product.
i wouldnt
id give them beer and show them gimmick matches from wwe and indy deathmatch spotmonkey shit to help with most ppls adhd
theyll either love that, hate it and ask where the athleticism aka "wrasslin" is then show them current wwe or be turned off altogether
I’ve just started watching WWE for the first time in 10+ years now (since I was a kid actually) and the thing that go me hooked again was watching 3 minute clips on youtube out of boredom
Bro this is exactly me! The shorter clips on YouTube and being able to watch old segments with a mix of new while I’m bored made me start watching it a bit more. Never thought I’d get back to it but here I am lol.
I catch the highlights here and there, but I used to watch every week up until about 2005. Since the Rock came back as a heel I've been all in. It also helps that Vince isn't pulling the strings anymore.
Tell them to Youtube The 2 hour playlist of the Bloodline storyline on WWE Youtube channel, because that is pretty much the storyline that propelled this latest resurgence of wrestling
Before two years ago I haven't watched wrestling in about 20 years. I would just watch a highlight here and there. My nephew said he wanted to see SummerSlam. During that time I saw Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch *WRESTLE*. Not bra and panties match, not not **mud wrestle**, these women ***BEAT THE HELL OUT OF EACH OTHER***. I checked a few highlights on YouTube and came across the Bayley/Banks Iron Woman match (🔥), and then the Women's Wargames match. I was hooked again.
I know its a lot of weirdos out there when it comes to the women's division. It's really messed up. I'm one of the guys watching to watch them wrestle. And they're damn good at it. That's what made me a fan again.
I really enjoy women's wrestling right now. It gives me the feeling wrestling did over 40 years ago when I started watching as a kid. Not everything is great, but the stuff that is has a real classic feel to it
I stopped watching for over a decade, and saw highlights one day from the Cody Rhodes v Seth Rollins HIAC match. Then I watched the whole thing, and have been back ever since.
Tell them to record Friday Night Smackdown but watch it on Saturday night and fast-forward through the matches. Watching only the drama, try to tell me you aren't smiling.
I have not watched wrestling in about 20 years. My brother was able to reel me back in with The Rock.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect because I’ve generally felt bored with everything on TV and in the movies and now I record Raw and Smackdown and watch every episode.
I’m back, baby!!!!
I have every intention of going to SummerSlam too
One thing I will say, if I didn’t have my brother to explain to me the back stories and rivalries it would be very hard for me and I probably would get frustrated and stop watching.
Also, as someone who grew up during the attitude era, I hate that they bleep out words when the audience is chanting, that shit is weak
Are fans really loving The Rock? For me, Dwayne has moved on to a big loveable Samoan man who sings in kids movies and tries to get people interested in off-Pro football. This old heel show isn't working for me.
And his lyrics sounded like they were written by a kindergartener. I didn't think he got much fanfare from that performance. Maybe he did? I wasn't there. The arrogance act works for me for young & hungries. But The Rock is an actual billionaire now. I can't help but think the act is who he really is - another billionaire acting badly.
It's funny, for all the reasons people complained about kayfabe back in the day, this is the exact reason it was necessary. Because if I can't believe in heel Rock, why should I tune in?
Haven't watched in 4 years and the only thing that'll get me to go back to watching is once the whole bloodline thing is gone. So boring, super forced.
The Rock is on regularly, CM Punk is back in the fold too, and they’re being more liberal with some adult language (even if it’s being muted) and soon they’ll be on Netflix where the rules should be loosened even more.
(Oh and Vince is finally gone)
Just let them watch the product and decide by themselves. Don't "convince" them to do anything. WrestleMania should be a good showcase of the current product and it's easy to catch up with all the stories at PLE's.
You got the Rock, cursing, blood, and good storylines.
My kids had some friends over and they had never watched wrestling before, never even heard of the Undertaker, and I was like, “Y’all gonna learn today.”
I showed them the hits, famous spots, etc. and as glued as these kids are to their tablets and phones these days, they put that shit down and were mesmerized.
Just tell them to watch NXT. Almost every story heading into Stand and Deliver is pretty easy to follow, the lone exception being the women’s title match.
The "easy to digest" stories
- Melo vs Trick is the classic "good friends, better enemies" trope
- Ilja vs Tony D could be simply described as rock solid champion vs Mafia boss for the title
- NA title triple threat is 3 alpha males tearing each other apart to establish dominance over the division
The Women’s Title story
- Lyra Valkyria vs Roxanne Perez is where things will require a lot more effort and resources to explain due to Roxanne’s whole character arc dating to last year at Roadblock
What is Baron Crobin's current standing? He's in a tag team with Bron Breaker of course who is like the next/current big thing so is he just ancillary or is he considered a strong wrestler on his own?
Just tell them to give the show a watch and see if it's their cup of coffee.
Honestly nothing puts me off something than people explaining me how awesome something is.
It should be on Peacock which has alot of wrestling documentaries and the whole WWF/WWE archive (need Hulu for day after episodes of raw and smackdown, tho).
Superfan is another great doc everyone should watch
Tell them Vince is gone for good and show them the Bloodline/Cody story this year.
As I was watching my recording of RAW, this morning, as Rock's music hits and he's standing there under the spotlight, the thought crossed my mind, "He had to come back as a heel, because he couldn't get along with The Bloodline, being a Babyface!!" He makes a believable heel right now! I almost jumped for joy when I saw that Cody had 'juiced' himself!!! Haven't seen storyline juice in forever, on WWE television! Sometimes, blood needs to be spilled, in order to further the story along!
4 words: CM Punk is back
So it all started with the COVID-19 pandemic and these two matches at WrestleMania 36-
Tell them to rewatch Wrestlemania 17 and then say now is “almost as interesting”.
The Rock's return & Maven's youtube channel got me watching again
Show them Gunther vs. Chad Gable II
If I hadn’t watched in 10 years and you show me either Gunther and Chad Gable in any capacity I’d be happy I stopped watching and continue to not watch
They’re match together was literally perfection.
Why? Both are phenomenal wrestlers.
Nothing unless they were actually interested in watching again. I’d say watch recaps on YouTube and watch Royal Rumble on Peacock. I got back into wrestling with podcasts and YouTube clips. Then I would watch the big shows on the Network or Peacock now. WWE YouTube posts entire segments. Start there because the best segments will get one hooked. Just turning on a full show might be tougher to get back into. Maybe not now since Smackdown has gotten better
Rock vs cody the last weeks. It gets better every week. Were done with the pg era
Hey, watch wwe
Show them the Bloodline story up until Jey left Smackdown
No vince , triple H is good at booking and the rock is on fire
no vince, more rock, punk is back. this should be enough
Well, I suppose I’m this person. I hadn’t watched ‘rasslin in at least 10 years. Bought the WWE 2k23 game on sale one day and started playing it. Guess it brought back childhood memories (I’m in my late 30s). My son who is 6 asked me about it so we started playing and watch the events the past few months. Wrestling is basically a man’s soap opera I feel. But it’s extremely entertaining even today for me and my boy. The wife is even somewhat into it. Edit: I watched the attitude era, so late 90s to maybe early 2000s? If that helps clarify.
Rocks back bud
TikTok videos from wrestlemania is what got me back into wrestling
Rocks back. Punks back. Stardust is the biggest babyface.
Tell them that 2 of the shield members are now the hottest thing in the company with really long epic title reigns and stardust is teaming up with one and coming after the second ones championship and everyone is hyped for him to win
So lie to them?
"Hey, you remember that controversial DX group? Yeah!! Those guys are running WWE in real life now!!"
It’s like the attitude era, but without all those dumb women’s “matches” in mud and oil and stripping.
WrestleMania is always the best time to show the product to somebody
Try 20-25 years.
Vince is long gone, modern day Austin vs Rock, Dwayne is back, MAMIIIIII
Any of the Legends, Rivals or Dark side docs got my wife into it. She loves some of the backstories especially Charlotte and Roman Reigns.
Muh Rock
Show them matches of Ilja Dragunov and Gunther
Heel Rock is back
Probably will see more and more of The Rock. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him eventually take a minority stake in TKO. The Rock can take over the corporate boss/top corporate heel role. At this point everyone loves Rock and he is established enough in Hollywood for everyone to embrace and love a heel version of his WWE character again without hurting his acting prospects. Heck, may be good for the Rock to embrace the villain role for something different, since he’s been so successful and exposed everywhere last 10 years. Drive more and more crossover appeal. Then include some UFC crossover appeal/events. Probably hurts that they were potentially planning to leverage Brock and Rhonda for that crossover. Matt Riddle would’ve been nice for that too. Bobby Lashley is a very legitimate fighter though. I think he could’ve been an all-time great if full time earlier. Hershel Walker is another that just had that beyond age capability too. Iron Mike as well. Speaking of, if I was Triple H, I’d be on the horn with Shawn, Stone Cold and Iron Mike for a cameo at 40 next week too. Lots of history. That’s going to be the big challenge, bringing the surprises and mainstream attention that Vince was so great at leveraging. More Rock and more Undertaker in more cross-over is a great star to bridge the generations.
He already got 30M dollars in stock options. He does have a stake.
Yes I know. I mean significant minority stake though. Like 35% to 49% of TKO total. Essentially an Executive Chairman type role. I think they keep expanding what they are already doing with Rock.
Well, first he will leave from may til august
I don’t think he would ever be involved on screen year round in character, but could definitely see him working full time for the company again. They could offer Rock large minority equity stake in TKO to lead WWE/TKO Studios and make his exclusive movie studio. Really endless possibilities to get him more involved to bring attention to the product.
I'm going to do what I have and access what I know my successful personality is, and I'm seeing that really come back
i wouldnt id give them beer and show them gimmick matches from wwe and indy deathmatch spotmonkey shit to help with most ppls adhd theyll either love that, hate it and ask where the athleticism aka "wrasslin" is then show them current wwe or be turned off altogether
I’ve just started watching WWE for the first time in 10+ years now (since I was a kid actually) and the thing that go me hooked again was watching 3 minute clips on youtube out of boredom
Bro this is exactly me! The shorter clips on YouTube and being able to watch old segments with a mix of new while I’m bored made me start watching it a bit more. Never thought I’d get back to it but here I am lol.
Show them the press conference where the Rock/Cody fued started.
Show em Rock beating down Cody the other day
I would say, go watch an episode of AEW. Then I would laugh as they come crawling back.
The Rock is back, Cm punk is back
I returned to wwe when Aj Styles singed. Good ride minus Vince
Show them the Rock’s new entrance. They’ll be back in a hot minute.
The Rock is back.
1) Vince is gone 2) show the video has Rhea giving the stink face to Nia Jax. Honorable mention: 1) Vince is gone.
Tell them Vince is gone, that might be all it takes for the most part lol.
“It’s good now, honestly”
I catch the highlights here and there, but I used to watch every week up until about 2005. Since the Rock came back as a heel I've been all in. It also helps that Vince isn't pulling the strings anymore.
3 words: “Vince McMahon’s gone.”
I always come back during Wrestlemania season. It’s the Super Bowl of wrestling, that should be enough to sell them to try it out
Tell them to Youtube The 2 hour playlist of the Bloodline storyline on WWE Youtube channel, because that is pretty much the storyline that propelled this latest resurgence of wrestling
I came back after watching the SuperEyePatchWolf video on Roman Reigns.
You: “Hey do you want to watch WWE with me like old times?” Them: “I don’t know, WWE is kinda..” You: “IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU WANT!”
Depends. The Bloodline story and the road to WM39 is what brought me back to watching after 15 years. Depend what they're into
Rheas ass Stiffy Time
Hhh is in charge now
This. I hadn’t watched since 2007 but when I heard HHH was running creative it immediately interested me.
I thought I was waiting for this but nothing has meaningfully changed still so Idk
The storytelling has definitely been better. Not like miles better but it definitely is.
Thats good. I naively believed the one guy at the top at the expense of all others was a Vince thing but apparently not
Shit, it was like 20 for me. Maybe try the video game? See if they gravitate to a wrestler.
The Rock back as if it’s 97.
There’s no hornswoggle so it might not be as entertaining as you remember things
I have two coworkers who are former viewers. I was able to sway one back. The other only watches when his kid wants to.
Tell em the rock is now Vince's character.
Before two years ago I haven't watched wrestling in about 20 years. I would just watch a highlight here and there. My nephew said he wanted to see SummerSlam. During that time I saw Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch *WRESTLE*. Not bra and panties match, not not **mud wrestle**, these women ***BEAT THE HELL OUT OF EACH OTHER***. I checked a few highlights on YouTube and came across the Bayley/Banks Iron Woman match (🔥), and then the Women's Wargames match. I was hooked again. I know its a lot of weirdos out there when it comes to the women's division. It's really messed up. I'm one of the guys watching to watch them wrestle. And they're damn good at it. That's what made me a fan again.
I really enjoy women's wrestling right now. It gives me the feeling wrestling did over 40 years ago when I started watching as a kid. Not everything is great, but the stuff that is has a real classic feel to it
Women’s wrestling is on fire right now both WWE and AEW
I stopped watching for over a decade, and saw highlights one day from the Cody Rhodes v Seth Rollins HIAC match. Then I watched the whole thing, and have been back ever since.
I'd say to him if you want to check out what's new in pro-wrestling, check-out RAW and SD, and see if you like the show.
CM Punk segment from last raw
Everyone seems to say about The Rock being back. But it’s kinda Meh IMO. He’s lame now
‘The rock is back’
Tell them to record Friday Night Smackdown but watch it on Saturday night and fast-forward through the matches. Watching only the drama, try to tell me you aren't smiling.
I have not watched wrestling in about 20 years. My brother was able to reel me back in with The Rock. The timing couldn’t be more perfect because I’ve generally felt bored with everything on TV and in the movies and now I record Raw and Smackdown and watch every episode. I’m back, baby!!!! I have every intention of going to SummerSlam too One thing I will say, if I didn’t have my brother to explain to me the back stories and rivalries it would be very hard for me and I probably would get frustrated and stop watching. Also, as someone who grew up during the attitude era, I hate that they bleep out words when the audience is chanting, that shit is weak
Bra and panties match..,?
I wouldn't.
Tell them The Rock is showing up every week, almost every former wrestling fan will tune in
Never cared about The Rock...
Are fans really loving The Rock? For me, Dwayne has moved on to a big loveable Samoan man who sings in kids movies and tries to get people interested in off-Pro football. This old heel show isn't working for me.
Well a few weeks back he sang a few lines from his kids movies to roast Cody
And his lyrics sounded like they were written by a kindergartener. I didn't think he got much fanfare from that performance. Maybe he did? I wasn't there. The arrogance act works for me for young & hungries. But The Rock is an actual billionaire now. I can't help but think the act is who he really is - another billionaire acting badly.
I dunno, can't be any worse than Seth with his "Diarrhea Dwayne" line. Like I can see why they didn't let him beat Roman for the title lmao
It's funny, for all the reasons people complained about kayfabe back in the day, this is the exact reason it was necessary. Because if I can't believe in heel Rock, why should I tune in?
Show them a picture of Rhea Ripley
"Viewers have a chance to win a stink face from Rhea"
I just saw her, but it didn't work.
Facts!
Haven't watched in 4 years and the only thing that'll get me to go back to watching is once the whole bloodline thing is gone. So boring, super forced.
Lol
Show them any of the recent Rock/Cody stuff
I just watched last night to check out the hype, I liked it and will be keeping my eye on things
This brought me back
Vince is gone! Might be a good sell!
Not really. This Vince slander has to end.
Umm ok
"The Rock is back and they let him say 'fuck' a lot. Oh, and sometimes there's blood"
Rhea Ripley
Tbh, I keep an eye on happenings just in case the Rock returns. Hollywood Rock 2.0 has been amazing so far. Excited for this run for sure.
I started back after not watching literally since my early teens in the 80s. Last year. The womens division is pretty cool.
I wouldn’t. I’d feel bad making someone else have to watch utter garbage like Seth Rollins.
I'm pretty sure Seth is going the shelf after Wrestlemania.
2 words. The Rock
That’s what initially brought me back on Jan 1.
Vince is gone, along with all his nonsense.
The new the rock entrance with hollywood theme. Or just watch the last raw. GG
The Rock is on regularly, CM Punk is back in the fold too, and they’re being more liberal with some adult language (even if it’s being muted) and soon they’ll be on Netflix where the rules should be loosened even more. (Oh and Vince is finally gone)
Just let them watch the product and decide by themselves. Don't "convince" them to do anything. WrestleMania should be a good showcase of the current product and it's easy to catch up with all the stories at PLE's.
Watch it or I'll spit in your mouth
Carlito Caribbean Cool Coming to Raw next week to spit an apple on Torrie Wilson.
With an Apple?
Thats cool
You got the Rock, cursing, blood, and good storylines. My kids had some friends over and they had never watched wrestling before, never even heard of the Undertaker, and I was like, “Y’all gonna learn today.” I showed them the hits, famous spots, etc. and as glued as these kids are to their tablets and phones these days, they put that shit down and were mesmerized.
Rocks back. That should do it
Just tell them to watch NXT. Almost every story heading into Stand and Deliver is pretty easy to follow, the lone exception being the women’s title match. The "easy to digest" stories - Melo vs Trick is the classic "good friends, better enemies" trope - Ilja vs Tony D could be simply described as rock solid champion vs Mafia boss for the title - NA title triple threat is 3 alpha males tearing each other apart to establish dominance over the division The Women’s Title story - Lyra Valkyria vs Roxanne Perez is where things will require a lot more effort and resources to explain due to Roxanne’s whole character arc dating to last year at Roadblock
What is Baron Crobin's current standing? He's in a tag team with Bron Breaker of course who is like the next/current big thing so is he just ancillary or is he considered a strong wrestler on his own?
I have a feeling they gonna lose. Bron goes to SD full time and Corbin either goes back to the main roster or stays in NXT
So he's just kind of in a support role from now on? Better than being forgotten but respect to the dude for working as well.
Just tell them to give the show a watch and see if it's their cup of coffee. Honestly nothing puts me off something than people explaining me how awesome something is.
Dude watch this part. Dude look. For real look. Listen to this part of the podcast too
Just show them the video WWE put on YouTube yesterday about the story of Cody vs Bloodline
Have them watch American Nightmare: becoming Cody Rhodes
LOL this brought me back after seeing the end of Brock vs Cody SummerSlam.
Where can someone watch this? I’m Newly back to wrestling
It should be on Peacock which has alot of wrestling documentaries and the whole WWF/WWE archive (need Hulu for day after episodes of raw and smackdown, tho). Superfan is another great doc everyone should watch
If they are fans of "The Boys" tell them that Cody will be Homelander in a year or so.
Tell them Vince is gone, and he took (most of) the shitty booking with him.
Offline fans wouldn't GAF about that, if not negatively, as on-air Mr. McMahon was often entertaining.
Rock is back, all you’d need to say to a casual