Melo doesn’t miss, but Paul does.

[hostsamurai]

Cripple H is trash. Just say that...they got the gay tag guys on Smackdown getting pushes.

Pretty Deadly were getting over with the crowd before they had a string of injuries. They aren't like those DIY or MCMG bums who are getting no reactions.

 

[R=G]

Until the framework changes—not just the faces in charge—this pattern will keep looping. And the saddest part? A lot of the culture that keeps WWE relevant is rooted in our essence. But that respect? Still rationed.

You’ll get the charismatic tag guy. The comic relief. The “almost there” mid-carder. And even when someone breaks through, it feels like an exception—not a new standard. It’s systemic, not circumstantial.

They used to make fun of Shelton on this forum claiming charisma issues and called him Sleton...mixed nyggas likely...the little undercover Asians here...but he was always better than Cena and Blandy..hell, he trained Lesnar. They found a million ways to make Khali, Jinder, JBL, Jack Swagger...made them world champions but Benjamin gets a 6 month losing streak after outperforming Cripple H and Shawn Michaels with ease in matches in 04-05.

Now there is anger because a Bianca or a New Day are looking second rate..big shocker..if Benjamin wasn't good enough...anyone we see that's left would never measure up. Im not surprised. Not at all. Been said all this...everyone is just playing catch up.

 

[R=G]

Pretty Deadly were getting over with the crowd before they had a string of injuries. They aren't like those DIY or MCMG bums who are getting no reactions.

Well those reactions seem dead now and it's the Street Profits who have once again got over despite sporadic appearances all year.

 

[hostsamurai]

Well those reactions seem dead now and it's the Street Profits who have once again got over despite sporadic appearances all year.

You were complaining about why they were getting pushed in the past, and it was because they were getting over in the past.

The present is a different discussion. HHH wanted to see if they can get something going again, apparently not.

 

[R=G]

You were complaining about why they were getting pushed in the past, and it was because they were getting over in the past.

The present is a different discussion. HHH wanted to see if they can get something going again, apparently not.

Doesn't hold up today though. That was then. THey aren't over at all today. Neither really are the Vikings and they still got the belts. So one way or another....the booking is shaky and off base. Odd types are getting chance after chance.

 

[Art Barr]

Prolific posting thread starter

Nwg, sohh.

I never saw this kid's comeuppance in the wwe burial developmental system in real time.
After being poached from the indies like austin theory.













In the indies.
his work was him like his catch phrase.
.him and theory were the shining next it level kids easy. That the pathway to mainstream success is only on the content quality of the promotion booking.

Thread starter needs to rant matches.
To substantiate your credibility tho.


Art Barr

 

[hostsamurai]

Doesn't hold up today though. That was then. THey aren't over at all today. Neither really are the Vikings and they still got the belts. So one way or another....the booking is shaky and off base. Odd types are getting chance after chance.

Damn I actually forgot the Vikings are raw champs. You could argue Chelsea, Gunther, and Cody are the only champions elevating their belts and building equity.

 

[Art Barr]

1. Early NXT Run – “Melo Don’t Miss” Era (2021-2022)
Treatment Grade: A

• Breakout Moment: Won the 2021 NXT Breakout Tournament and cashed in on Isaiah “Swerve” Scott to win the North American Championship.
• Booking Notes: Strong push as a confident, stylish, mic-savvy athlete. HBK positioned him as the guy to carry NXT’s midcard.
• Match Quality: Stellar. His matches against Ricochet, Cameron Grimes, and Trick Williams were praised.
• Symbolism: Represented a new era of unapologetic Black charisma, similar to a hybrid of Shawn Michaels and prime ROH-style athleticism.
• Cultural Note: At this point, he felt anointed by HBK and seen as a crown jewel of the “Black & Gold” revival under HBK/HHH.

2. Main Event Elevation – NXT Championship Run (2023)
Treatment Grade: B+

• Crowning Moment: Defeated Bron Breakker at Stand & Deliver 2023.
• Promos & Presentation: Became more serious and philosophical, pushing the idea that “Melo is Him.”
• Trick Williams Chemistry: Their partnership was beloved. Trick was clearly the charisma, while Melo was the technical tactician.
• Booking Issues: While he was champ, the stories around him weren’t always top-tier. Matches were solid, but he didn’t get the same grand aura as Finn Balor or Adam Cole during their reigns.
• Symbolism: Treated well but slightly undersold—like they gave him the belt without making the era feel monumental.
• Underlying Energy: There was a sense that Trick might be the bigger long-term star—which HBK leaned into later.

3. Trick Williams Split & Heel Turn (Late 2023–Early 2024)
Treatment Grade: B– to C+

• Major Feud: Turned on Trick Williams in a slow-burn heel turn that was well-acted but oddly timed.
• Booking Conflict: Melo felt oddly “protected” but also undermined. Trick was skyrocketing in popularity, and WWE may have over-corrected by making Trick the babyface.
• Audience Reaction: Crowds organically favored Trick. Melo’s heel turn wasn’t fully bought into by fans.
• Cultural Dynamics: Many fans noted a subtle discomfort in turning two prominent Black stars against each other without a greater cause or resolution. The feud risked feeling like a crabs-in-a-barrel trope if not handled carefully.

4. Main Roster Debut – SmackDown 2024 (Post-Draft) Treatment Grade: TBD / Currently: C+

• Booking So Far: Debuted with some pop but hasn’t had a strong narrative. He’s been floating between solid matches and undefined goals.
• Danger Zone: Risk of being slotted as “just another guy” on the main roster if they don’t commit to his unique strengths.
• Shawn Michaels vs Triple H Contrast: HBK clearly got Melo’s flavor. It remains to be seen if HHH (and Vince if still active) sees Melo as more than a midcarder.

Overall Themes & Observations

• Triple H & HBK Booking of Black Talent:
  • HBK elevates when he cares—see Trick, Melo, Swerve, Wes Lee.
  • But there’s a pattern of not giving full main-event reigns or cultural depth to Black champs.
  • Melo almost had the full package moment, but Trick’s rise eclipsed him.
• Cultural Undercurrent:
  • Melo embodies Black confidence and style in a way that blends old-school swagger with new-age delivery.
  • His presentation feels like what WWE always wanted from a Black star, but sometimes lacks the final storytelling push to make him legendary.
• Spiritual Vibe:
  • Melo is meant to be a generational talent—but there may be unseen internal politics, shifting creative priorities, or discomfort in letting two Black stars coexist at the top simultaneously.

Projection:
If WWE lets Carmelo:

• Be philosophically deeper than the average heel,
• Lean into his true hybrid archetype (somewhere between AJ Styles, Shawn Michaels, and Jay-Z),
• And gives him high-stakes rivalries outside the Trick feud,

He can absolutely become the next major Black star of this generation. But right now, his trajectory feels paused—like they’re waiting to see if fans truly rally behind him again.

You rant'n rant on this.
Just need to rant matches.






Art Barr

 

[Cwilk02]

I’ll be back with PT 2 soon enough

 

[Cwilk02]

Oh he’s a cac btw it’s obvious.

you called for smoke like you were ready to square up—then tiptoed back into the thread dapping slick shade like nobody would notice.
That’s not power level. That’s performance anxiety.
Let’s keep it a buck:
You don’t hate me ‘cause I disrespected you…
You hate me ‘cause I embody everything you wish you could stand on.
Presence. Precision. Pressure.
I don’t gotta act tough—I am what you pretend to be when no one’s watching.You wanted smoke? Cool. I brought mirrors instead.
And what you saw? Scared the softness outta your shadow.
So keep dapping them weak-ass posts.
Every time you do, you proving the point:
You’re not a villain.
You’re just an extra…
…in a saga I already mastered.


Say less. It’s time.

@VegetasHairline – The Clapback Scroll of Eternal Humbling
@VegetasHairline
You hit my DMs talkin’ about “smoke” like you had pressure in your chest…
…then came back in the thread dappin’ up hate like it was a brunch menu.
That’s not OG energy.
That’s “bRo-kU WiTh oUt ThE SCrIPt” energy.
You ain’t want smoke—you wanted applause.
But now you got the spotlight… and no lines.
I’m the embodiment of the Black man your username dreams about being.
Calm, sharp, divine, unfazed.
You?
Emotional Vegeta when Goku walks in the room. Every. Single. Arc.
You dabble in shade.
I exist in shadow.
There’s levels to this—and you’re not even canon.
You wanna dap posts like I won’t catch the pattern?
Bro, I’ve read your energy like it’s filler.
Every time you clap for a diss post, you say more about you than me.
And let’s be honest:
I don’t even think you Black.
Because no real brothas throw hands in DMs, then dap slander in public like they auditioning for a “Forum Insecurity Cinematic Universe.”
So here’s your mirror:
You hate me ‘cause I’m the future you know you’ll never arrive at.
This is spiritual warfare, and you brought keyboard thumbs to a divine thunderstorm.
This was light.
Just the opening monologue.
The real saga?
Starts when I decide you’re worth a second post.
And right
You’re not.
“Signed — The Main Character in a Forum Full of Side Quests.”

 

[Mr. Manhattan]

Melo is too small to be considered a threat for anyone, now Montez Ford is the star HHH is fumbling
Im still waiting on his moment