Have watched two episodes so far and really enjoyed it. As much as it’s a story of Vince McMahon, it’s equally a story about the history of WWE.
Can envisage many lapsed fans watching this and absolutely loving it purely from a nostalgia perspective. I imagine the timing of this does help the documentary to serve as bit of an advert right before WWE comes to Netflix.
Starting to watch the first episode now. Hoping to enjoy it as a history of the WWE, an entertainment source that I really enjoy and has brought loads of enjoyment to my life.
Imagine there will be plenty of controversy, but hope they cover some of the good things they have done. For example, putting a show on a couple days after the September 11 attacks in 2001 and showing America normal life can still exist.
Starting to watch the first episode now. Hoping to enjoy it as a history of the WWE, an entertainment source that I really enjoy and has brought loads of enjoyment to my life.
Imagine there will be plenty of controversy, but hope they cover some of the good things they have done. For example, putting a show on a couple days after the September 11 attacks in 2001 and showing America normal life can still exist.
They did a show a couple of minutes after Owen Hart's death as well, guess it's to show that life must go on...
I've watched the first 2 and found it interesting, I've followed WWE for years but never really paid attention to anything pre 2000 when I started watching
Have to say, I thought it did a brilliant job for the purpose of it - which was to educate the casual viewer (not the hardcore wrestling fan who already knows everything).
I was also pleasantly surprised with the detail they went into regarding the allegations that came out at the beginning of 2024. I was expecting they would cover it lightly but not go in too hard on it. Especially as they have WWE coming to their platform in just 3 months.
Is it a good look for Netflix to make the WWE environment look this depraved, before then hosting them as a major new partner? Does seem a bit odd.
I think it was originally much more of a fluff piece to try and raise interest in WWE before the Netflix deal, maybe alluding to VM's shadier side but only in a "ruthless business" way.
Then everything else came out and it had to be re-edited into the more accusatory version.
Seen them all now. Vince comes across extremely poorly to say the least in his talking head segments, he says some extremely creepy remarks. The attitude era is very difficult to rewatch, similar to 70s sitcoms. Sadly Sable was getting the second highest quarter hours and they were giving the fans what they wanted back then.
Tony Atlas came across well, i love how he still calls VKM junior! Meltzer made a great point regarding the bark like a dog angle. Nearly all of the fan base couldn't get a girl like that so would have "enjoyed" seeing her being humiliated like that. It wasn't a heel angle. Bret is so deluded these days i wonder if it's long-term effects from his illnesses.
Another great PPV build for WWE. I love the concept of a ‘blood feud’ themed PPV outside of the big 4. No major focus on titles, just tying up the big storylines before the long build towards Mania starts to kick in.
Even some of the mid card stuff like Pete Dunne/Sheamus and Bronson Reed/Brawn Strowman has been done well.
Punk/Macintyres go home promo on Monday was fantastic.
There’s an interesting debate to be had about this, and as usual people’s positions on it seem to come down to whether they want to support AEW or want to just moan about it (but still watch it, weirdly).
I want violence in wrestling. It doesn’t have to be every match or every week, but I do think there is a place for those moments that make you feel uncomfortable. Storytelling has to take you to different places sometimes that push the boundaries.
The whole “they’re encouraging murder” thing is just a bit silly and dramatic. If we’re going to apply that logic, then basically any match has involved weapons, ever, is in the same category. Strange how Undertaker throwing Mankind off the cell is seemingly glorified though?
The one spot at All Out that did make me cringe was the chair shot to end the Swerve/Hangman lights out match. We know the science behind the damage that can cause and it’s hard to perform that in a protective way at all. Though some will argue that if it’s done once in a blue moon then so be it.
Personally I find the whole over the top morality thing from some wrestling fans to be quite odd in 2024.
Mental gymnastics etc etc etc.
Nothing about the toolbox shot from last night though?
Funny stuff.
Loving the idea of the blood money title match too is grim.
There’s an interesting debate to be had about this, and as usual people’s positions on it seem to come down to whether they want to support AEW or want to just moan about it (but still watch it, weirdly).
I want violence in wrestling. It doesn’t have to be every match or every week, but I do think there is a place for those moments that make you feel uncomfortable. Storytelling has to take you to different places sometimes that push the boundaries.
The whole “they’re encouraging murder” thing is just a bit silly and dramatic. If we’re going to apply that logic, then basically any match has involved weapons, ever, is in the same category. Strange how Undertaker throwing Mankind off the cell is seemingly glorified though?
The one spot at All Out that did make me cringe was the chair shot to end the Swerve/Hangman lights out match. We know the science behind the damage that can cause and it’s hard to perform that in a protective way at all. Though some will argue that if it’s done once in a blue moon then so be it.
Personally I find the whole over the top morality thing from some wrestling fans to be quite odd in 2024.
Mental gymnastics etc etc etc.
Nothing about the toolbox shot from last night though?
Funny stuff.
Loving the idea of the blood money title match too is grim.
So now you’re trying to have a dig off the back of something I haven’t even said anything about.
Great PPV all round. The opening match and closing segment made it feel like a big 4 PPV.
I like the idea of a Crown Jewel title match happening once a year.
And then even Raw this week feels big with Gunther vs Sami Zayn for the title.
The product is on absolute fire at the moment.
Unfortunately I’ve got to disagree thought it was probably the worst PPV for a long time. Product is on fire, but didn’t enjoy this PPV.
Hell in a cell was brilliant. Nia Jax v Bayley feels cold to me so was just a bit average Priest v Balor didn’t deliver for me and was probably just suited for Raw. Morgan/Rhea was good ish until the botched finish. Tag match never really got going for me.
Overall, they have so much equity in the bank for how good the product has been for last 18 months, I won’t judge them on an average PPV
Great PPV all round. The opening match and closing segment made it feel like a big 4 PPV.
I like the idea of a Crown Jewel title match happening once a year.
And then even Raw this week feels big with Gunther vs Sami Zayn for the title.
The product is on absolute fire at the moment.
Unfortunately I’ve got to disagree thought it was probably the worst PPV for a long time. Product is on fire, but didn’t enjoy this PPV.
Hell in a cell was brilliant. Nia Jax v Bayley feels cold to me so was just a bit average Priest v Balor didn’t deliver for me and was probably just suited for Raw. Morgan/Rhea was good ish until the botched finish. Tag match never really got going for me.
Overall, they have so much equity in the bank for how good the product has been for last 18 months, I won’t judge them on an average PPV
Fair enough - I do think there is something in the tactic of starting strong and finishing strong and how it can impact the enjoyment of a show.
I largely agree with your take on those middle matches. But the two main segments were so good it felt like it was enough to prop it up for me.
There’s an interesting debate to be had about this, and as usual people’s positions on it seem to come down to whether they want to support AEW or want to just moan about it (but still watch it, weirdly).
I want violence in wrestling. It doesn’t have to be every match or every week, but I do think there is a place for those moments that make you feel uncomfortable. Storytelling has to take you to different places sometimes that push the boundaries.
The whole “they’re encouraging murder” thing is just a bit silly and dramatic. If we’re going to apply that logic, then basically any match has involved weapons, ever, is in the same category. Strange how Undertaker throwing Mankind off the cell is seemingly glorified though?
The one spot at All Out that did make me cringe was the chair shot to end the Swerve/Hangman lights out match. We know the science behind the damage that can cause and it’s hard to perform that in a protective way at all. Though some will argue that if it’s done once in a blue moon then so be it.
Personally I find the whole over the top morality thing from some wrestling fans to be quite odd in 2024.
Mental gymnastics etc etc etc.
Nothing about the toolbox shot from last night though?
Funny stuff.
Loving the idea of the blood money title match too is grim.
There's a big difference between a planned unprotected chairshot to the head, and a planned, protected toolbox to the skull that caught him with the point of the box. Yes the blood was crazy and the damage could have been worse, but watch Drew get his hands up both times, it should have been a safe spot, and accidents happen. Completely different to someone being stabbed with a needle and taking a chair to the skull
There’s an interesting debate to be had about this, and as usual people’s positions on it seem to come down to whether they want to support AEW or want to just moan about it (but still watch it, weirdly).
I want violence in wrestling. It doesn’t have to be every match or every week, but I do think there is a place for those moments that make you feel uncomfortable. Storytelling has to take you to different places sometimes that push the boundaries.
The whole “they’re encouraging murder” thing is just a bit silly and dramatic. If we’re going to apply that logic, then basically any match has involved weapons, ever, is in the same category. Strange how Undertaker throwing Mankind off the cell is seemingly glorified though?
The one spot at All Out that did make me cringe was the chair shot to end the Swerve/Hangman lights out match. We know the science behind the damage that can cause and it’s hard to perform that in a protective way at all. Though some will argue that if it’s done once in a blue moon then so be it.
Personally I find the whole over the top morality thing from some wrestling fans to be quite odd in 2024.
Mental gymnastics etc etc etc.
Nothing about the toolbox shot from last night though?
Funny stuff.
Loving the idea of the blood money title match too is grim.
There's a big difference between a planned unprotected chairshot to the head, and a planned, protected toolbox to the skull that caught him with the point of the box. Yes the blood was crazy and the damage could have been worse, but watch Drew get his hands up both times, it should have been a safe spot, and accidents happen. Completely different to someone being stabbed with a needle and taking a chair to the skull
What was protected about the toolbox shot?
The box could've been gimmicked, but wasn't. Drew saw the shot coming clearly and did not put his hands up until after the impact, not planned to be a protected shot at all.
In no way did Punk and Drew intend that shot to be a safe spot. But crack on.
Comments
Can envisage many lapsed fans watching this and absolutely loving it purely from a nostalgia perspective. I imagine the timing of this does help the documentary to serve as bit of an advert right before WWE comes to Netflix.
Have to say, I thought it did a brilliant job for the purpose of it - which was to educate the casual viewer (not the hardcore wrestling fan who already knows everything).
I was also pleasantly surprised with the detail they went into regarding the allegations that came out at the beginning of 2024. I was expecting they would cover it lightly but not go in too hard on it. Especially as they have WWE coming to their platform in just 3 months.
Then everything else came out and it had to be re-edited into the more accusatory version.
Tony Atlas came across well, i love how he still calls VKM junior! Meltzer made a great point regarding the bark like a dog angle. Nearly all of the fan base couldn't get a girl like that so would have "enjoyed" seeing her being humiliated like that. It wasn't a heel angle. Bret is so deluded these days i wonder if it's long-term effects from his illnesses.
Bischoff came off well as always. He's starting to get the credit he deserves.
I wonder if Vince knew he was lying whilst claiming there no angles when someone was killed, raped etc?
I like the idea of a Crown Jewel title match happening once a year.
Funny stuff.
Loving the idea of the blood money title match too is grim.
Hell in a cell was brilliant.
Nia Jax v Bayley feels cold to me so was just a bit average
Priest v Balor didn’t deliver for me and was probably just suited for Raw.
Morgan/Rhea was good ish until the botched finish.
Tag match never really got going for me.
Overall, they have so much equity in the bank for how good the product has been for last 18 months, I won’t judge them on an average PPV
I largely agree with your take on those middle matches. But the two main segments were so good it felt like it was enough to prop it up for me.
The box could've been gimmicked, but wasn't. Drew saw the shot coming clearly and did not put his hands up until after the impact, not planned to be a protected shot at all.
In no way did Punk and Drew intend that shot to be a safe spot. But crack on.
Looking forward to seeing it on Sunday!