Watry Q&A: Ronda Rousey, Vince/2006 Story, Royal Rumble, More

“I have been reading your stuff on 411mania and nodq.com for the longest time now and I have never felt inclined to email in. The general consensus of you not being most popular is harsh at times but also can be well-founded too. But I still read your stuff because I do enjoy your articles and find your perspective interesting most of the time.

That said, your article about your friend Megan and trip to Wrestlemania was the greatest thing you have ever wrote. Forget about the predictions you brag about getting right. This is your crowning piece. Maybe it is because I can relate as going to Wrestlemania is my ultimate dream and it will be happening next year. But I genuinely loved your article.

Thank you for the great stuff.”

– Jay’s Ways reader

Backstory

Once a month, I reply to the comment section. No cussing or insults allowed. Here are the best (and worst) from January 2018.

Previous Q&A

Ken Wood: I’d kind of like to see Braun win the rumble this year. He could be fun to watch dominate in it, and it would be a fun change to see him in the main event of Mania this year. I mean, we all know that’s not going to happen, but it would be fun.

I am writing this section on January 6th, for the record. Braun Strowman winning the Royal Rumble to face Brock Lesnar (I assume) is not something I care to see. He is already getting a title shot at the pay-per-view. Doing the monstrous showdown again for Mania would make it round three within seven months. Some WM worthy main events are indeed rematches from recent times – those that earn the distinction. Brock/Braun is not one of those. I will pass.

Rybackobashi: Never seen anyone being so close-minded, having very little culture in the domain he’s supposed to be a professional of, and be proud of it

Professional? Who? Where?

Mark Clark: Watrys other site is nodq to the guy that mentioned it. He isn’t actually as bad there. Comments section there is dead so doesn’t play the gimmick as much. It was actually watry who got me here on 411 from nodq

You’re welcome Mark. Nice to see we’ve made it to 2018 together.

mjh: If someone watched the NBA but doesn’t follow the European and Asian and Australian leagues are they still a basketball fan

Apparently not. Silly me. I guess I am not a sports fan despite “only” following the NHL, NFL, MLB, NBA, UFC, etc.

YesWeKane: Jinder Mahal getting television time, being built up for three to six months before entering the main event picture is one thing. Doing what WWE did was not even close to rational.

Well, I guess #NewYearNewMe is working because I actually, entirely agree with Watry on this. I feel so dirty :'(

Don’t feel dirty. If you actually read what I write and just ignore the false claims by the comment section, you’ll notice I am more HIT than MISS by a long shot. Have been for a decade.

Radcliffe: I have one question for Mr Watry.

The “I’ve been reading……..” quote you start your articles with. When and where is it from, i.e, do you have a link?

Thanks.

It’s an email from a reader of mine, as stated. The column he is referring to is “My Journey To Orlando.” A quick Google search will give you the link. Posted last April I believe. One of my favorites truth be told.

Reality4U: So Justin, why do you, if you do, think Baron Corbin deserves to be pushed? He seems just to me to be really bland. Not against him, not for him, just really not interested. What draws you to him?

A few days ago (writing this in early January), a Twitter follower of mine mentioned that today’s heels were not true bad guys. You know, jerks and punks. People you despise and want to see beat up. Even apparent true heels like Kevin Owens get too cute on the mic at times and fool around looking for laughs. Well, Baron Corbin does none of that. He is today’s HEEL. Even outside of the bubble on Twitter, the dude will insult you and not give two darns about it. The smug SOB was self entitled in NXT and brought that lone wolf demeanor to the main roster in 2016. I am a fan. Not saying he needs to be WWE/World Champion or anything nuts, but let the guy loose in promos and pick on internet darlings for awhile. Pushing around Kalisto, Sami Zayn (when he was a face), AJ Styles, and the like was good stuff.

The best part? He was initially cheered and was a big fan favorite in NXT.

Alpha VS Omega

KumKuato: I actually did hear a couple muffled calls. Nothing too egregious. It stands out because even with quiet crowds you never hear that in NewJapan. And you’d think it’s because of the language barrier but they are actually taught to call their matches in english so they can work with the gaijins. They are just great at their jobs.

The one moment I would call out would be when Jericho was in the corner trying to get Red Shoes to come in so he could turn the tables with a heel cheap shot.He had to motion to the ref in increasingly obvious fashion to get his attention. And no sold a punch because he was distracted. Eventually just yelled at him. It was pretty bad.

Yeah, there were quite a few obvious moments. Not sure how it is getting a pass when John Cena is barely heard yet gets blasted. Oh, wait. I know. Jericho and Omega are internet darlings wrestling in NJPW. Cena is Cena. Ah, makes sense now. I guess it was a five star match, so what do I know?

Qwaar: It disgusts me that Watry seems to enjoy his ignorance so much. We all knew that no matter how good the match was, he would never stick around to watch more New Japan, because that would kill his gimmick. Maybe if we ignore him from now on, the people that run this will finally sack him?

It is 2018. Geez, 2008 called and wants his comment back…

AG Awesome: I’m disappointed. I thought you would sound like Brian Doyle-Murray when he played the Dad in Scrooged

I don’t know who Brian Doyle-Murray is, and I have never seen Scrooged. Sorry.

Mal Machine: After reading the ‘Full Disclosure’ at the beginning, why would anyone want to read this, and why did you even bother writing about it?

Firstly, I was asked to write a review. Secondly, I thought it would be a unique and HONEST perspective from somebody who is not a New Japan Pro Wrestling diehard who hands out five star matches like candy and is actually truthful in both praise and criticism. You tell me who has more credibility.

Bold Predictions

Bob Stankus: DRIVEL. And for the love of GOD, take off that intro. No-one cares anymore.

You care, so it stays.

Mark Schoeman: When Ambrose turns, it’s going to be on Reigns. They’re too close, have too much stroke, and WWE has invested to much time in establishing them as “brothers” for that not to be the story.

I think WWE can always get to Dean Ambrose vs. Roman Reigns. For his return from injury, it almost has to be against Seth Rollins. Those two were tagging. They were the champs. They were the ones going back and forth all summer/Fall. Then when the story line happened to take Dean off TV, it involved Seth. Potentially blaming him for the injury. Seems to write itself really.

I’m the last guy in the world to blindly yell “TURN HIM HEEL!” In the case of Ambrose though, he needs it.

Mike Tremayne: “What if Rousey is on the card?”

Well, that’s actually a pretty convincing argument to not go, really. I find it hard to believe that anyone wants to see her.

You mean besides the big business she has proven to draw countless times? Her imminently going to WWE is massive, and I suspect it happens very soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NscLzQsAhg

SpankyHamm: 5. The return of Saturday Night Main Event for at least 4 shows during the year.

4. Impact finds a new network home, more money to spend and actually improves their product and ratings.

3. WWE HOF for 2018 includes Vicki Guerrero

2. 205Live and NXT become a single network show on USA Network on Saturday nights from 9:30-11:00 PM. This will be edited versions of the shows on the Network but will be live 6-8 times/year. These will not replace…

1. NXT Takeover as their special event name will cease in 2018 and be replaced with new individual PPV events with unique names.

Fair predictions. Thanks for commenting rather than verbally attacking one’s opinion behind a computer screen. Here is my reply:

Saturday Night’s Main Event never did much numbers for NBC after it returned in 2006. Would be a waste to air it there. On USA Network or even WWE Network, sure. I’d love for WWE and NBC to work more together, but it hasn’t happened yet, so I am not going to get too hopeful.

Impact is doing nothing in 2018. You can quote me on that forever. Sorry if that is ‘too negative.’ Facts and history say I am right.

I would be all for Vickie Guerrero going in the WWE Hall Of Fame. This coming from the same guy (me) who was once *nearly* fired from a VERY well known website for writing about The Great Khali being a future WWE Hall Of Famer. I didn’t argue with my editor who decided not to publish one of my columns for the first time ever; all I said was please remember this moment the night he is inducted because it will happen someday.

I want 205 Live nowhere near NXT. Seriously. Do not touch NXT at all. 205 Live and the UK brand? Okay, those can combine and become a new brand under a different banner. That fits.

If anything from NXT goes to USA Network, I do think it is the quarterly Takeover live specials. Heck, put them on NBC four times a year. Can’t hurt. It is four times a year! The weekly shows might be a bit much for the channel to be nothing but wrestling shows all week. Could end up being a turn over, especially when The Miz and Maryse have their reality show debut too.

2017 Wishlist Revisited

Michael L: The two other major moves of the draft: Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens to Smackdown: It took a while, but the moves have finally paid off as both are in the main event scene and are centerpieces of the brand.

Miz to Raw: He could easily have risen back to the main event on SD, but since his move to Raw, Miz has been lost in the shuffle. Yes, he’s been the IC champion, but he’s still pretty much part of the mdicard, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

I still maintain that it is high time for Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to go their separate ways for awhile. I almost wonder if their backstage pull will keep them on the same brand forever. Otherwise, another ‘sent home’ report may surface again. I don’t know. We have seen them battle a million times, so now we are getting the oddball pairing. What is next? Another feud? Give them a refresher for a year or two and then go back to it. Will mean so much more long-term.

Yeah, The Miz to Raw is still one of those baffling things. The Daniel Bryan chemistry was perfect, even though any sane fan knew it was never going to result in an actual bout. Plus, the field was WIDE OPEN for a heel to step up on the blue brand to take over a main event slot. We ended up getting Jinder Mahal instead. The Miz as IC Champion AGAIN?!! Fine but still feels like more can be done. Maybe he moves back to Smackdown LIVE…I don’t know.

Ryan Ingram: Just because you’re not watching other wrestling doesn’t mean other wrestling isn’t stepping up. Your statement is more indicative of your lack of viewing or seeking out other forms of wrestling vs. the companies not stepping up.

I understand you’re a divisive writer and sometimes phone it in, whether by gimmick or laziness, but you’re way off the mark on this one dude. As a writer who covers wrestling, why are you not going out of your way to consume things outside the E?

Thanks Mark Schoeman for the reply, but I got this…

It is up to movie trailers to convince me to spend movie on the flick at the theaters. It isn’t my job to just go and pay for it. It is up to sports team to convince me to spend money and time to go to the arena and watch them and pay ridiculous amounts for food, drinks, parking, and any merchandise. It is not my duty to blindly blow all that cash for no reason. Same with a fast food joint, clothing, video games, or anything else. It is on THEM to make me care about their product. Sorry, that did not happen in 2017 with other wrestling promotions, outside of WWE.

As for ‘sometimes phoning it in,’ I will put my writing against anybody from the past ten years in terms of quality and quantity. Day in, day out, week in, week out, being right more often than not, nailing trends and predictions, boosting numbers, never missing a deadline, etc. My track record speaks for itself. Trust me, phoning it in is the last thing I do.

Fact Or Fiction

Paul Orndorff: Justin Watry deserves to win this FOF in a landslide…

Never thought I would write that sentence, but I mean it 100%

Thank Paul. I did win the vote and boosted numbers for the 385,986th time in a row. I mean it 100%.

Mark of Excellence: I hope I never get fired from my job based on an accusation.

Assuming this is about the Enzo Amore situation, he was actually NOT released from WWE based on an accusation. If you read the backstage updates and/or used any kind of common sense that pertains to the real world, you know why he is gone. I thought I explained it very well in the column itself. Fitting user name you have there.

On that note, can I quickly mention the Vince McMahon/January 2006 story? Shame on the clown who re-posted the 12 year old news story and shame on everybody else that then RE-re-posted it. I know a few websites stayed away from it and kudos to them for not getting suckered into the “cheap clickbait of the day” trap. The accusations were made public back in January 2006. There were articles about it then and true or not, it quickly disappeared. Twelve years ago. Last week was NOT a new story or actual news at all. It was simply somebody deciding to take a big dump on the XFL/Royal Rumble weekend for…some unknown reason. A harmful vendetta if you ask me and quite transparent. The real disappointment is a lot of people did end up picking up the 12 year old story and publishing it as if it was new information. Really a shame and something that can and should be avoidable with two seconds of actual research.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNX_wGyKhmM

AG Awesome: Lol. And it was as bad as predicted!!

This is like the third or fourth time we’ve battled on Fact Or Fiction in the past year. Not sure what the big deal is. I don’t read other columns I’m not in, so can somebody enlighten me here?I plead ignorance. Bad as in quality or hits?

I know the answer to the one that matters…and it’s awesome!

LBR: EXCUSE ME!!! I’d like to see Vicky as a surprise entrant. No need for her to eliminate anyone, I just think it would be cool

Bingo! Good call. I love Vickie Guerrero. Great on air talent.

tommy b: I honestly can absolutely agree on Ellsworth being in the women’s rumble. I can imagine him coming in, posing a little, and then all the women team up to chuck him out. It would make for a fun Rumble moment.

Well, “fun” is an interesting word to use! Thankfully, that did not happen, and WWE not only treated the Women’s Royal Rumble with the respect it deserved but also gave them the main event spotlight – something they wouldn’t have received without Ronda Rousey. Maybe the people complaining about her coming in to ‘steal the spotlight’ should think about why they closed the pay-per-view in the first place…

Cheap Plugs

Read https://noahwatry.tv/2018/01/28/the-power-of-broke/

Follow on Twitter: @JustinWatry

Email me: [email protected]

Thanks.