TWJT
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Joined on: Aug 7, 2021 19:07:25 GMT -5
Posts: 558
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Post by TWJT on Apr 12, 2022 10:44:37 GMT -5
What if Foley gets the strap at Revenge of the 'Taker '97?
At the time, belt went around like a hot potato anyway from Shawn to vacant, Bret, Sid, 'Taker. Foley would've been good, what if you keep it on him all the way to spring '98 as a monster psycho heel (and the Screwjob never happens), and then Austin beats him at XIV?
Sounds out of nowhere, but JBL came out of nowhere to hold it for a year and dropped it to Cena to make him at 21...
Foley may have been new to the WWF (one year in), but he was a vet in general, and most North American fans knew him from his Cactus Jack days. In total, he had over a decade of experience by 1997/1998.
Foley wins at ROTT '97, holds it for about a year, and drops to Austin to make him at XIV - what do you think? Could it have worked?
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Post by hbkbigdaddycool on Apr 12, 2022 10:49:43 GMT -5
No. First of all, to have a title reign that long for Mick at that time frame wouldn't have ever worked.
I feel that Vince had it set for only Taker, Bret, HBK and soon to be Austin to be the ones to be in the title picture in holding said WWF Title at that time frame for the year.
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Angusdacat
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Joined on: Jun 26, 2014 21:28:21 GMT -5
Posts: 702 
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Post by Angusdacat on Apr 12, 2022 11:06:17 GMT -5
This is one of the situations where the timeline we ended up getting is far better than most fantasy bookings. Would you really want to potentially stunt Foley's ultimate babyface run, HIAC, and 1999 title win for an early title win that would have made fans get sick of anyone at that time?
Shawn or Bret had to be the ones to pass the title to Austin. Even with a long run, Foley having the belt at that time wouldn't have been worth more than them.
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Post by jason88cubs on Apr 12, 2022 18:09:54 GMT -5
I say no. It just wouldn't have been right
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Post by JokerFC on Apr 12, 2022 19:23:14 GMT -5
For me? I couldn't picture it....The character that Mankind was then wouldn't have made for a good champ I don't think(maybe I'm wrong). Its not like in 99 when Foley won it as Mankind and the character was basically Foley in mask. I actually dont think any titles would have suited Mankind then.
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Post by hbkjason on Apr 13, 2022 0:16:25 GMT -5
I just do not see this at all, however, I have always found Revenge of the Taker a fun PPV and great if you want to watch a PPV that is short, but entertaining, I think that the Austin vs Bret match here is a lot of fun, not as good as their other two, but still fun.
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Post by The Brain on Apr 13, 2022 2:31:24 GMT -5
It took Taker nearly 6 years to win the big one again. If Foley defeated em just a month later it wouldve made that whole spectacle at Mania with the entrance,retro look and win itself pointless.
Brown attire Mankind will always be my fav from his WWF run but he didnt need the belt during this time period. Now 99 is another story. Perfect time to pull the trigger. What a moment
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TWJT
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Joined on: Aug 7, 2021 19:07:25 GMT -5
Posts: 558
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Post by TWJT on Apr 13, 2022 20:08:19 GMT -5
It took Taker nearly 6 years to win the big one again. If Foley defeated em just a month later it wouldve made that whole spectacle at Mania with the entrance,retro look and win itself pointless. Brown attire Mankind will always be my fav from his WWF run but he didnt need the belt during this time period. Now 99 is another story. Perfect time to pull the trigger. What a moment I was thinking that too, that they put a lot into ‘Taker’s victory at WM13. Maybe you could put Mankind over Sid at WM (heel/heel, but still), and then Bret/Austin goes on last as Conrad Thompson recently theorized as something that could’ve worked in hindsight. I’d take out any post-match beat-down that took place there, or anything Bret and Shamrock did physically after the bout, and just end WrestleMania with new face Austin making his way out of the ring. You’d almost have to know going in that the double-turn was going to happen, though, to think to put it on last. Then Foley retains over ‘Taker at ROTT rather than beats him for it (talk about heat, retaining against 'Taker at a show named for The Deadman), and makes Austin at WM, then maybe you make it up to ‘Taker - not getting his WM13 moment - with a later title run beating Austin and retaining over Mankind (maybe you even find a way to make the Hell in a Cell match for the WWF Title). All long-term, way different stuff, but hey, just ideas. |
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Post by cordless2016 on Apr 14, 2022 11:12:20 GMT -5
Can’t see it, especially a run that long. The WWF was doing horrible numbers at the time, and placing the belt on Taker to help stabilize the main event seemed to be a safe move at the time. Even Austin was just gaining momentum and wasn’t ready for that spot.
Foley constantly falling short for years is what helped fans get behind him in a major way in late-1998/early-1999. He was always the bridesmaid but never the bride. That was the appeal that got him over. The ultimate underdog.
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Post by JokerFC on Apr 14, 2022 19:10:18 GMT -5
Can’t see it, especially a run that long. The WWF was doing horrible numbers at the time, and placing the belt on Taker to help stabilize the main event seemed to be a safe move at the time. Even Austin was just gaining momentum and wasn’t ready for that spot. Foley constantly falling short for years is what helped fans get behind him in a major way in late-1998/early-1999. He was always the bridesmaid but never the bride. That was the appeal that got him over. The ultimate underdog. Yup and you can see that at KOTR & Summerslam 98. as Foley tries to come back against impossible odds hes getting plenty of cheers.... |
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