WWE Brand Extension: Why It Needs to go Away

In the Spring of 2002, Vince McMahon was enjoying his newly consolidated wrestling empire. He had already purchased WCW, weeded out much of the unwanted talent thanks to 2001's "Invasion" by the ECW/WCW Alliance, and even welcomed back his biggest star: Hulk Hogan.

Riding high on its success, WWE had begun to deal with the issue of the overabundance of talent swarming in their locker rooms. What resulted was the now ubiquitous WWE Brand Extension, which made select superstars exclusive to any of the now three brands under the banner of World Wrestling Entertainment.

While this Brand Extension was a very practical decision for WWE at the time, giving its talent as much TV time as possible, the time has come and gone. I have been arguing for years that this mode of operation needs to go away as soon as possible if WWE wants to reap any success in the foreseeable future.

I will make an argument here specifically regarding the Smackdown and Raw brands. I firmly believe that ECW is an excellent platform for bringing up young talent, and should remain its own entity apart from the other two.

In its initial draft on the March 25, 2002 edition of "Monday Night Raw", WWE drafted 57 Superstars and Divas between Smackdown and Raw. At the time, WWE had one world championship (the Undisputed Championship), as well as the Intercontinental, European, Hardcore, World Tag Team, and Women's titles. That's six titles.

That meant that each brand had about 30 Superstars to its roster. Today, Raw features 33 Superstars (including Divas and announcers), while Smackdown features a 40-person roster. The numbers alone might be enough to justify continuing the brand extension, as it would be impossible to showcase 73 stars in one show every week. However, let's think about this realistically in respect to what we are seeing every week on television.

Even with its then 60-person roster pool, WWE considered consolidating its championships. Following the Brand Extension, the European Championship was consolidated into the Intercontinental Championship. Shortly after, in what I consider to be one of the worst decisions in WWE history, the Intercontinental Championship was consolidated into the World Heavyweight title. The title was later reactivated by then Co-General Manager "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, but the idea of keeping championships to a minimum was smart, if a bit misguided. Meanwhile, the Hardcore Championship disappeared, most likely due to the new direction the company wanted to take.

Then there was the title boom that began in 2002. The Undisputed Championship received an overhaul. Instead of carrying around the two World titles (WWF and WCW), the new champion received one belt that signified their reign as the WWE Undisputed Champion. Now simply known as the WWE Championship (a direct successor to the WWF World Championship), the title became exclusive to Smackdown, prompting then Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff to resurrect his half of the title by re-christening the WCW Championship as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. As Raw made its titles exclusive to their brand (the Intercontinental, World Tag Team, and Women's titles), Smackdown created the WWE Tag Team Championship, WWE Cruiserweight Championship, and WWE United States Championship to compete.

The Cruiserweight title is now defunct, and the tag team titles are unified. In its place, Smackdown created a WWE Divas Championship in 2008 to rival the Women's Championship on Raw.

This is supposedly to accommodate WWE's enormous talent pool, making sure that everyone had something to fight for. But really, how much talent are they using?

USA Network's mini website for "WWE Raw" features just 10 Superstar profiles. These are, presumably, the ten most-watched stars on the brand that viewers can expect to see every week. So what about the other 23 stars on the roster?

Take away announcers and side-acts like "Big Dick Johnson", and Raw is left with just 29 stars. These are active wrestlers, people who are expected to compete every week. But many don't. How often does Gail Kim wrestle? Not enough to be considered a weekly talent. That's not a knock to Gail, that is a criticism of WWE's use (or lack of use) of talent. Of these 29 remaining stars, about 24 appear on the average 2-hour episode of "Raw". And there are exceptions. If USA Network's website is any indication, WWE backs about 1/3 of its roster with guaranteed TV time every week.

On Smackdown, the situation is even worse. Only 33 members of their 40-person roster are active competitors. Of those 33, about 10 of them sit on the sidelines or are simply used to put over bigger talent.

That leaves Smackdown with about 23 stars.

So let's see, 23 stars for each brand. That's 46 combined. Much of Smackdown's roster consists of up-and-coming talent that has not been fully developed yet. So, let's, for the sake of easy calculation, assume that 40 top-level WWE Superstars and Divas appear on every episode of their weekly show. That's just 10 more stars than Raw's roster at the time of the brand extension.

In contrast to the state of WWE circa 2002, the company has eight championships, including two world titles that, to casual viewers, is simply confusing. As of this writing, Sheamus is the WWE Champion. The Undertaker is the World Heavyweight Champion. So, of course, the first question any casual or would-be fan would ask is:

"Who is the real Champion?"

Well, Sheamus is the champion of Raw, and The Undertaker is the champion of Smackdown.

"Well, won't they fight to see who the real champion is?"

No, they don't fight each other.

At this point this would be fan gives me a thoroughly confused look that almost resembles disgust before shaking their head.

"That's stupid!"

Yes, it is.

Sure, we could explain the concept of the brand extension, but why should new fans need a lesson in WWE history to understand the show and enjoy the product?

With platforms like "ECW" and "WWE Superstars", which could easily serve as an upper-class "Sunday Night Heat" to help get young stars over, why are we forced to watch fresh-off-the-press and often under-developed talent like Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler try to legitimize themselves next to talent like Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels?

Half the problem is the atrocious writing in WWE. More time on "Raw" is spent pandering to the guest hosts (which have never gone over well) than showcasing the exciting talent that could set the audience on fire both in-house and at home. I will not be addressing the WWE creative process at this point, as that would take a whole separate entry to explore.

WWE buyrates are down. No one wants to see two World Champions fight for their respective titles against separate opponents under the same stipulations. No one. Because it won't matter who the champion of Raw or the champion of Smackdown is at the end of the night. The fans want one champion to reign both shows. As Eric Bischoff once said (ironically in reference to his creation of the World Heavyweight Championship for Raw): "One show, one champion."

The WWE tag team division has long suffered a lack of exposure, much to the dismay of the fans. Why not consolidate the four or five tag teams in WWE by taking them off their brand-exclusive rosters and making them one, company-wide division? Give D-Generation X some real competition for those newly won WWE Unified Tag Team Championships. Cryme Tyme, the Hart Dynasty, Jer-Show are all great teams that deserve to be featured prominently in the company. Better yet, get rid of the other set of belts. Keep the World Tag Team titles (the original WWF World Tag Team Championship) and stop confusing people.

Give the WWE United States Championship to ECW so that up-and-coming talent have something to fight for while they're working towards the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Defend it regularly on "ECW" and "WWE Superstars" so that fans can see a championship match every time they attend a televised event, and viewers at home have a reason to tune in.

Finally, for the love of God, get rid of the Diva's Championship and consolidate it into the WWE Women's title. The belt looks like something Paris Hilton would buy her dog for Christmas. At least the Women's Championship has...y'know...GOLD on it. Like a championship. It has the prestige of past champions from "The Fabulous Moolah", to Sable, Chyna, Trish Stratus, Lita, Mickie James, and Melina. The Divas title has changed hands four times since its creation last year. That's once every three months. Again, consolidate your talent pool before we end up with Jillian Hall as WWE Divas Champion.

I can absolutely see the value of the Brand Extension as of 2002, but in 2009, the talent just isn't there. Sure, when we could put Steve Austin on Raw and The Rock on Smackdown, it didn't seem so bad. But we don't have Steve Austin or The Rock anymore. We don't have the big stars we used to have. Sure, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and the Undertaker are tremendous wrestlers with huge followings, but they have nowhere near the star power or the "household name" quality that Austin, Rock, or even Cena have.

Titles are meaningless when there are a dozen of them floating around the company. Fans don't care because if they don't like the champion on one show, they will watch the other. Don't like Sheamus? Watch "Smackdown". Don't like The Undertaker? Watch "Raw" to see when Cena gets his title back.

Champions work because they are the only choice we have. When WWE puts a heel champion on top, the whole idea is that we are stuck with him because, well, he's the champion, and until someone dethrones him, there is no avoiding him. He is the axis on which the company turns. That's why we root for guys like Cena: because he clearly will be a much better champion than Sheamus.

By having two champions, you give viewers the option of watching something else instead. Granted, it is still your product, but when ratings are down for "Raw" and ratings are up for "Smackdown", it is merely the fans choosing which show or champion they like better. They are telling WWE that they don't like the direction one show is taking. You want better ratings? You want better buyrates? You want stronger live attendance? Consolidate your rosters and your titles, and the rest will follow.

Baseball has ONE World Series, the NFL has ONE SuperBowl, hockey has ONE Stanley Cup, and WWE needs ONE World Champion.

______________________________________
"I'm the Intercontinental Champion!"

"Oh yeah? Well I'm the United States Champion!"

"Oh...oh wow..."

"Yeah, so eat that!"

"Well...well my title's better than yours!"

"How?"

...
...
...

"I don't know."

"We should see who the real champion is!"

"NO! We can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"Because, Vince says we're no supposed to!"

"Oh. Well, okay then. See ya."

"See ya."
______________________________________

Now that's compelling television!

Summerslam Picks

Really quick, here are my picks for tonight's WWE Summerslam 2009 pay-per-view...

ECW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
ECW Champion Christian vs. William Regal

MY PICK: Christian.  While Regal may have made a terrific champion a few years ago, and a heel champion might do wonders for ECW's ratings and viewership, Christian is much too popular to fall to Regal.


"MVP" Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Jack Swagger

MY PICK: Jack Swagger.  WWE has been trying desperately to get Swagger over as a heel, and with MVP's popularity always rising, it's a perfect time to put Swagger over help both stars get to that "next level".


Kane vs. The Great Khali

MY PICK: Kane.  I don't care how hard WWE tries to fabricate charisma for the (ugh) "Punjabi Playboy", he is little more than an "attraction" star.  Kane has always held a special connection with the fans, whether face or heel, and this is a great way to establish his dominance.


INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler

MY PICK:  I can't believe I'm about to say this, but, Dolph Ziggler.  Ziggler may be as charismatic as a brick, but if he's ever going to get over, Rey Mysterio is the perfect guy to help him do it.


UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Unified Tag Team Champions The Big Show & Chris Jericho vs. Cryme Tyme

MY PICK: The Big Show & Chris Jericho.  They work so well as heel champions.  While Cryme Tyme poses some excellent competition, I don't think they're strong enough to hold the unified tag team gold.  I would save that for The Legacy's Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase.


D-Generation X vs. The Legacy

MY PICK: D-Generation X.  While a rub from DX would do wonders for the already hot Legacy, there's no way Triple H and Shawn Michaels are taking the fall after already being attacked from behind by Orton's young bucks on Raw.  The sad part is, this angle is probably short term and do nothing for Legacy in the long run.


WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
C.M. Punk vs. World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy

MY PICK: C.M. Punk.  I love Jeff Hardy as champion, but anyone who thinks the Hardys are back together is incredibly near-sighted.  Matt Hardy will interfere to cost Jeff his title.  The two will then go on to a nice, long feud.


WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena

MY PICK: John Cena.  Orton has had a nice long run as champion, but I think WWE execs are getting anxious for something to happen.  They will, naturally, fall back on Cena and take things from there.  I hate to see Orton fall now, with the Legacy in full swing.  It'd be great to see Orton retain, let Cena join DX, and start a nice long faction feud that will top anything TNA can do with the Main Event Mofia.


It's not very clear what direction WWE wants to go in right now, or what their overall vision for the company is at this stage.  I guess the old saying holds true: anything can happen in the WWE...it's just not always clear why.

A Sign of the Times

I just got done watching tonight's ECW and can honestly say that I enjoyed this one hour of wrestling more than I've enjoyed the past several weeks (perhaps even months) of Raw.

Perhaps it's because ECW only has an hour as opposed to Raw's two. Perhaps it's because ECW is less hindered by backstage politics. Perhaps it's because of the level playing field or the lack of a "glass ceiling" that allows all wrestlers to be showcased equally without the fear of being eclipsed by a bigger, brighter star.

ECW's general format reminds me of what wrestling used to be. By removing all of the drama and getting down the basics, ECW puts out a straightforward, easy-to-digest product that even casual fans can enjoy. There are clear faces and clear heels. The storylines are simple. The characters jump out at you on screen and are clearly distinguishable. The wrestling is fast-paced, and this is due in large part to the abundance of young talent who do not have to cater to older, slower veterans.

ECW has a freeflowing feel, and there is little of this show that is broadcast simply for the sake of putting soemthing on TV. Everything I saw tonight was for the sake of storytelling, which, let's face it, is what wrestling is all about.

I know many people will want to contradict me, but storytelling is the heart of professional wrestling. The drama of the match and what unfolds in the squared circle is what draws viewers in. You can have two of the best athletes in the world and they can put on a five-star match, but without a story, the match serves no purpose, and fans will soon forget no only the match, but the performers as well.

So much of Raw's broadcast feels like filler these days. The most ridiculous segments of their show are the "Did You Know?" facts that air following commercial breaks. When WWE first began airing these facts, they posted things like record-breaking attendance for WWE events such as Wrestlemania, and even facts about the show itself. However, for the past several months, WWE has done nothing but post information about their demographics and ratings. Facts like "More men between 18 and 24 watched Raw than any other program on cable television" are completely useless. How does this fact enhance my experience at the event or even at home? Why does this fact make me want to watch your program? Do I really want to be just another statistic for WWE?

Fans do not care about the ratings because fans ARE the ratings. This segment could be used for character development. Facts about their current, former, or up-and-coming stars could help fans get into the characters they are watching. Even something like, "Razor Ramon defeated Shawn Michaels in the first-ever Ladder Match at Wrestlemania X to become the Undisputed Intercontinental Champion" would be more informative than the statistics WWE churns out every week. At least now I know that the first Ladder Match at Wrestlemania was at Wrestlemania X. I know who participated in it. I know who won and who lost. And now it makes sense why the Intercontinental Title is so often decided in a Ladder Match. I've learned something, and I feel better informed about the type of program I am watching.

Posting information about your ratings and demographics sends a mixed message. The first is that you are simply gloating. If your program is doing well, then good for you. We are fans, and we want the business to succeed. We don't, however, care how it compares to other forms of entertainment. It does nothing for me to know that more people watched Raw than any Major League Baseball game combined for that night. You may as well tell me Raw had more viewers than the reruns of M*A*S*H. It means the same thing to me: nothing.

The second message it sends is more complicated, but may actually become more detrimental to viewership in the long run. Posting facts about what demographics are watching your program is generally a poor idea. "More men watch our program than any NFL game this week" is not something I would want on my program. That tells the female viewers this is a "man's show". Likewise, saying that more girls 14 and up watched your show than "iCarly" is nothing to gloat about. That means this is a "sissy show" and no self-respecting man would want to watch THAT. Continue to broaden these generalizations to entire races, and you can see where the problems may lead.

Another segment that does nothing for the program is the exterior shot of the arena. This is little more than WWE looking for a cheap pop. Everyone in the arena jumps up and down inside, screaming, "Look! We're on TV!" That's a great feeling when the camera pans the crowd and you're one of the people it catches with your "You CAN See Me!" sign. It does nothing for the crowd, or the viewer when all you're showing them is where they are. "Yep. That's where we are all right. Go ahead. Find it on GoogleEarth. We're there. You can see it."

Still more time is wasted doing replays of what happened at the start of the show. Lately WWE has taken to replaying the show's "shocking" opening segments no less than 3 times before the main event. Meanwhile, the commentators blab on about it every chance they get, no matter what match they are calling. Generally, Raw's format dictates that the payoff for the show's opening segment is in the main event. So all we really need is one replay right before the main event to get us up to speed (or refresh our memories). The rest is simply filler for the airwaves. As someone in the arena, why would you want to watch something on the TitanTron that you've already seen with your own eyes when you could rather be watching something NEW unfold right now?

Despite having two hours, Raw seems to be struggling to fill it's time slot. Raw has the most star power of any of WWE's brands (and perhaps any promotion in professional wrestling today), yet all these stars are held over until the main event. In the meantime we get to watch Matt Hardy and MVP wrestling in the mid-card while Shelton Benjamin jerks the curtain. So much time is wasted with simple comedy sketches that have no ultimate relationship to the match the characters are featured in, or simply with long, dragged out promos.

The promos are my final beef tonight. ECW sets a terrific example for in-ring storytelling. No more than 5 minutes for a story concerning the main event stars, and no more than a minute for the rest. Promos are quick and usually take place before or after commercial breaks.

The best promo of the night was the promo cut by Natalya of the Hart Dynasty. In the course of maybe 20 seconds she made it clear that the Hart Dynasty would show everyone the difference between FORMER champions (their opponents, Christian and Jack Swagger) and FUTURE champions (Tyson Kidd and D.H. Smith of the Hart Dynasty).

That's it. 20 seconds, give or take, and we knew EXACTLY what their motivations were in this match. These are the bad guys. It's so simple it's ridiculous.

Meanwhile, on Raw, the opening segment can take anywhere from 7 to 12 minutes. That's almost 1/4 of ECW's total runtime. As for promos, men like Matt Hardy or MVP may be given a minute or two, while men like Triple H may take another 7-12 minutes. Not only does this send a clear message to the fans that some wrestlers are more important than others (hence, the "glass ceiling") but it undermines the fans' intelligence. Sure, a good, complicated storyline that is built properly may take time to unravel properly so as to be understood in the proper context, but does Triple H really need to explain to us over 12 minutes how he's going to destroy Randy Orton? Why waste 7 minutes building up a 25 minute match?

I realize this will sound hypocritical of me, but here is my solution. Give each person who is going to cut a promo a brief outline (no more than 4 or 5 bulletpoints) of what they are to say. I realize 99% of WWE's promos are handwritten and recited word for word (and it shows), but let's assume for a second that each performer, after undergoing 3-4 years of training and experience, can think for themselves and successfully talk into a microphone. I would then grab a stopwatch and ask them to cut the promo for me. At the 45 second mark, I cut them off (assuming it takes a backstage interviewer approximately 15 seconds or so to ask the question). If they've made their point, I say, "Great! Do it just like that." If not, I ask them to rework the promo. I come back in a few minutes and repeat this exercise until they have their ideas down within the time frame, granting perhaps 10 seconds overtime (after all, it's live TV). Of course, the actual promo can take 2 or 3 minutes (especially if you're John Cena) but this keeps ideas concise so that it can be easily digested by the audience.

Don't get me wrong: I don't mind long promos, when they are effective. Two of my favorite stars, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Mick Foley, are famous for cutting extended promos. Foley in particular had a great mind for character and storytelling and did much more with his mic time than the average wrestler ever did, taking our minds places we never thought we'd go. However, WWE's tolerance for young talent is little to none, which makes connecting with the audience an uphill battle, so you have to make every second count.

It may sound over-analytical, but if WWE cut down on it's excess and overproduction, it could get back to what made the company famous, and that's the WRESTLING. WWE is still capable of great wrestling, as we've seen from much of the young talent and a couple of the veterans like Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. WWE's only detriment is that it does not allow itself the time to showcase their athletes because they'd rather spend more time talking about them.

My Wrestlemania 25 Predictions

A couple of weeks ago I gave you my opinion of the matches that had then been announced for Wrestlemania 25.  Now I want to give my predictions as to who I think will walk about victorious.  Knowing WWE's politics will likely reign supreme this Sunday, there will be two winners given for each match: who I think WILL win, and who I think SHOULD win.

With tonight's Smackdown! as WWE's last chance to entice it's audience to shell out $49.95 for Wrestlemania 25, it'll be interesting to see if any new developments come to light.

     This is the card according to WWE.com as of 6:00 p.m., starting from the bottom:

3-ON-1 HANDICAP TAG TEAM ELIMINATION MATCH
Chris Jericho vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, & Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka

WWE.com describes this as an "elimination-style match" that "permits The Legends to tag in and out".  Jericho has done a great job promoting this match and being arguably the best bad guy WWE has right now.  This match tends to fly under the radar in the shadows of matches like The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, as well as the World Heavyweight and WWE Championship matches that have been given substantially greater television time to promote.  I will be honest that, with all due respect to Piper, Snuka, and Steamboat, my expectations for this match are not high.

Of the Legendary Trio, Steamboat seems to be in the best condition, and looks like he could go with anyone on the roster.  That, combined with Jericho's uncanny ability to deliver in the most unlikely and uncertain of circumstances gives me hope for this match from a performance standpoint.

I'm not sure what Mickey Rourke's involvement in this feud will do for buyrates or storyline.  It was widely publicized that Rourke would not be appearing at Wrestlemania 25, and while WWE.com recently posted a notice confirming Rourke's appearance, it hasn't sparked the media buzz that other celebrity appearances have in the past, such as with Donald Trump, Mike Tyson, or Floyd Mayweather.  This may have much to do with Rourke's unexpected loss at the Oscars, but I tend to put much of the blame on failed attempts by WWE to properly market this match...which strikes me as odd, since I doubt Rourke will be paying for his own ticket.

Also, expect some interference from "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, who has remained conspicuous by his absence thus far.

WHO WILL WIN: The WWE Legends: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, & Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka

WWE will put the nails in Chris Jericho's coffin by allowing The Legends to gain a victory here, if for no other reason than out of respect to the men who put Wrestlemania on the map.  For Vince, this is little more than a nostalgia match.  This will also give Rourke a chance to get revenge on Jericho for talking smack about him for the past two months.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho has been going strong the past few months, but this angle hasn't quite garnered the response many of his other feuds have.  Jericho needs to get back his momentum and re-insert himself into the main-event spotlight, and this is a great way to do that.  Unfortunately, it leaves little room for Rourke's retribution.


25-DIVA BATTLE ROYAL

A non-title 25-Diva over-the-top-rope battle royal to determine the first-ever Ms. Wrestlemania.  The match will feature divas from the past and present, so it's impossible to tell who will appear and who will sit this one out.  Santino Marella has been trying to insert himself into this match, which I have no doubt, will pay off.

WHO WILL WIN: Santino Marella

WWE loves the comedy of it's spectacle, and this is the perfect opportunity.  What could be more historical than Santino becoming the first-ever Ms. Wrestlemania?  It will certainly be a "Wrestlemania Moment"...unfortunately, most of us will forget about it, for one reason or another.

WHO SHOULD WIN:  Mae Young

Mae Young may not be the best-looking diva on the roster, but she's an icon of WWE's women's division, and will bring a sense of legitimacy to an otherwise meaningless accolade.


MONEY-IN-THE-BANK LADDER MATCH
CONTRACT FOR WORLD TITLE MATCH ANY TIME IN THE NEXT YEAR
C.M. Punk vs. Mark Henry vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Christian vs. Kofi Kingston vs. United States Champion Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Finlay w/ Hornswoggle

You all know the drill: 8 men battle it out for a briefcase that contains a contract granting the bearer a World Championship match at any time of their choosing over the next 12 months.

There's some promising talent here.  In particular I look forward to Benjamin, MVP, Kofi Kingston, and Christian's performance.  Why Mark Henry has been inserted into this match will forever puzzle me.  Finlay is a hard worker, but I just don't see him as a Wrestlemania caliber talent.  Hornswoggle will no doubt get involved, but I'm not sure how many people are paying to see that particular segment.

The MITB matches always manage to shock us, but this year I'm much more interested in the outcome of the match and how it alters the landscape of WWE over the coming year.  There's been a lot of talk about C.M. Punk potentially becoming the first man to win a second MITB briefcase.  On the flip side, there's plenty of fresh talent the WWE could push through their glass ceiling.

WHO WILL WIN: C.M. Punk

It's a little more than a coincidence that Michael Cole brings up Punk's previous victory in this match during every one of Punk's appearances.  He also manages to sneak in a tidbit about no man ever winning this match more than once.  This could be WWE's attempt to compensate for not pushing Punk harder in his first title run, but it will likely yield a similar result.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Christian

Christian's return to WWE has helped inject ECW with a new, more exciting edge.  People still remember him, but he has a fresh feel thanks to his 4-year run with TNA.  Fans who remember him want to tune in because they know what he can do, and new fans are being introduced to his exciting style and irresistible charisma.  This is the perfect time to put ECW back on the map by giving Christian the Money-in-the-Bank briefcase and promoting him as world-championship material.  For Christian, of course, this is long overdue.


"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker

This is a perfect example of how a feud should be built, not just for Wrestlemania 25, but for any pay-off match.  I admit to be skeptical as to the value of this match, but can honestly say I am more excited for this match than any other match on the card.  The outcome will be academic, but the match itself will be unforgettable.  That is perhaps one of the few guarantees WWE has this year.

HBK's undeniable charisma and The Undertaker's sheer intensity have made this the "cannot miss" match of the year.  These two have faced off several times in the past, but there has never been as much at stake.  Not only is The Undertaker's legendary undefeated streak on the line, as with every Wrestlemania, but Shawn Michaels' seeming immunity to The Undertaker's wrath (he has never been beaten by "The Deadman") is also on the line.  This will be the match everyone will be talking about Monday morning.

WHO WILL WIN:  The Undertaker

WHO SHOULD WIN: The Undertaker

The Undertaker has few things left to accomplish in his career.  Beating Shawn Michaels, while perhaps coming a few years too late, will be a final feather in "The Phenom's" trademark black hat.  It also doesn't make sense for HBK to be the one to end The Undertaker's streak as that honor, if ever bestowed, should be saved for a young buck who needs the rub to get to the next level.  I would prefer of course, that the streak is never broken as it is one of the last real legacies left in professional wrestling.


TAG TEAM LUMBERJACK MATCH
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION MATCH
World Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrisson vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Carlito & Primo

I applaud WWE's decision to unify their tag team titles, and hope that this trend carries through to the Women's titles and World titles as well.  The excess of championships in WWE has rendered them meaningless to fans.  Unifying a few of them (keeping the ECW title separate) would really place more emphasis on title matches and regenerate interest in otherwise monotonous feuds.

This should be an entertaining match-up.  Four extremely talented young
men who can wrestle an exciting, fast-paced match and keep the fans
guessing as to what will happen next.  It's nice to see the tag team
division properly represented at the biggest show of the year.  WWE's
neglect of the tag team division is one of fans' biggest criticisms,
although the art of tag team wrestling hasn't been properly
demonstrated or promoted in years.

WHO WILL WIN: The Miz & John Morrisson

WHO SHOULD WIN: The Miz & John Morrisson

These two are clearly the favored team, with more charisma and a more unified style.  They are also the type of guys that you want to see get beat by other tag teams, and that's exactly what WWE will want from the rest of the division after unifying their titles.


EXTREME RULES MATCH
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy

This is my second most-anticipated match of the night.  These two both know what it's like to perform at a main-event level.  They are both veterans and have given us countless moments that will be forever etched in our minds.  They are both capable of incredible performances, and knowing each other so well should provide us with one of the most fluid, fast, and exciting matches of the night.  This is where Wrestlemania will get extreme.  A potential show-stealer, this is an exciting feud that has helped keep both men in the spotlight after losing their respective world championships.

WHO WILL WIN: Jeff Hardy

WWE has misused Jeff so many times: from his countless losses to Triple H, to losing the WWE Championship just a few short months before Wrestlemania 25, Jeff's popularity has soared even while his track record in the ring has suffered.  WWE is well aware of Jeff's value to the company, and will make sure to keep him in the spotlight...albeit without the help of a championship.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Matt Hardy

It's no secret that Matt's popularity hasn't caught up to his brother's meteoric rise.  A victory here could legitimize Matt for fans who still consider him to be simply "the the other Hardy".  If Jeff ever did regain a world championship, a feud between these two brothers could become one of the greatest rivalries in history.


INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Rey Mysterio vs. Intercontinental Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield

I can't honestly say I'm all that excited to see JBL involved here, much less as Intercontinental Champion.  Bradshaw's tenure as a top-tier talent in WWE has long been over.  His best feuds were against John Cena, but the nature of WWE's programming doesn't cater to Bradshaw's blunt, outspoken, and extemely opinionated disposition.  But I suppose if JBL is going to appear, it may as well be against Rey Mysterio, who should keep the match exciting, especially for young fans.

WHO WILL WIN: John "Bradshaw" Layfield

A favorite in the offices of Titan Tower, Bradshaw will carry the Intercontinental title until he is upset by a young superstar like Kofi Kingston, or perhaps even Christian.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Rey Mysterio

As an infinitely more popular and more exciting superstar, Rey is the kind of wrestler who can carry this title without making himself look like little more than a place holder until a more worthy superstar comes along.


TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. The Big Show vs. John Cena

I've said before that Big Show's involvement here is little more than a tribute to Andre the Giant's epic confrontation with Hulk Hogan from Wrestlemania III.  The real feud here is between Edge and John Cena.  Unfortunately, that's a feud that was milked to death over two years ago.  To it's credit, WWE has done it's best to keep Big Show relevant in this rivalry, almost to a point where Cena feels like a third wheel.  There's enough personality in this feud to keep the fans interested and the match exciting.  This is a big-name match that features two of the most popular superstars on the roster.  Fans will want to see who wins...I'm just not sure they're willing to pay $50 to find out.

WHO WILL WIN: John Cena

Again, this match is academic.  If Wrestlemania 21 - 23 are any indication, John Cena will win.  Still the most popular superstar on the roster, Cena has remained the face of WWE for almost half a decade now.  More young fans (14 and under) are watching the product than ever before, and keeping their hero on top is simply smart marketing for WWE.  For the rest of us, it will be the same old song and dance.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Edge

Edge is a much more colorful champion as he will do anything to win.  It will also compel fans to pay money to see him get beat.  Also, Cena is much more entertaining and a much more believable underdog when he is chasing the title.


WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
Triple H vs. Randy Orton

I understand the mentality behind how this feud has been promoted.  It has done wonders for Randy Orton, who has convinced the world he really is a psociopath.  For Triple H, it has me very confused.  One moment he can fend off all of Legacy, the next he is being handcuffed to the ropes and forced to watch as his wife is abused.  We are all supposed to feel sorry for him, but the truth is, he will inexplicably beat down everyone in the locker room with a snap of his finger.  The abuse of his family allows all of us to overlook the fact that he is main-eventing yet another Wrestlemania, mainly because of who he is married to.  But I guess we can't criticize that while his wife is getting beat up.

WHO WILL WIN:  Do I have to say it?  (Triple H)

A McMahon by proxy, this is a no-brainer.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Randy Orton

Randy Orton needs this win...and not just a "hit-the-RKO-out-of-nowhere" win.  He needs a decisive "beat-Triple H-within-an-inch-of-his-life" win.  Randy Orton needs the rub Triple H was never willing to give him so that he can carry the torch for WWE in the coming years as Triple H (gasp) fades into the background.  Triple H will never again need any kind of gold, much less a world title.  Randy Orton needs a legitimate win if we are going to believe in him.  Plus, he just makes such a good villain.

We'll see how right I am on Monday, but these are my predictions for now.  I can't say I get the "biggest PPV ever" feeling from this show, but it certainly feels like a bigger event than almost all the shows that have preceeded it.  What's disappointing is that after 25 years, the WWE formula remains largely the same.  There just doesn't seem to be the promise of growth and change surrounding this event.  I can only hope I am horribly wrong.

See you after Wrestlemania!

Here it Comes: Wrestlemania 25

Many people have pointed out that the hype for Wrestlemania 25 is somewhat lacking in the "must see" department. The "Superbowl of Professional Wrestling" has been losing ground when it comes to fan interest. Sure, we all want to see the outcomes of this spectacle...but how many of us have to see it?

The biggest issue I have with Wrestlemania's card right now is that it lacks the "freshness" most of it's predecessors promised. Every Wrestlemania has presented us with new match-ups and usually helps to propel a new star through WWE's proverbial "glass ceiling". For those who don't know what that means, it means that someone who is usually mid-card, say C.M. Punk, might be used at Wrestlemania to establish that person as a main-event player. This person would now be considered "world championship material" and begin competing in bigger matches against bigger stars.

Unfortunately, the current matches announced for Wrestlemania 25 are rather redundant, as we have seen most of them before. Let's take a look, shall we?

Here is the current card for Wrestlemania 25 according to WWE.com:

25-DIVA BATTLE ROYAL

Now I know what you're thinking: WWE doesn't have 25 divas! That's okay. Because WWE promises to bring Divas from the past back to grace us with their in-ring prowess against today's sexiest women on television. If you don't think Mae Young will show up and win, you're obviously a very new, or very naive fan.

And what will these women be comnpeting for?

Is it a shot at the women's title of their choice (Raw's Women's Championship or Smackdown's Divas Championship)?

Is it for a #1 Contender's spot to compete for either of these titles?

No.

The winner will be crowned the first-ever "Miss Wrestlemania".

Yep.

Miss Wrestlemania.

Whoever thought up this great idea should be shot. Rather than putting your actual championships on the line, you give us this. How is this going to affect the coming year? How will this make the women's division in WWE more intriguing? And more importantly, why should I spend $50 to see who gets to wear the tierra?

I don't know who WWE plans on bringing in. Debra has already confirmed she will NOT be participating. Who else is still around that is worth showcasing? Tori? Teri Reynolds? Perhaps Torrie Wilson and/or Stacy Keibler will show up and give us a nice surprise. Perhaps even Lita or Trish Stratus. Unfortunately, this match has no long-term significance, as none of the aforementioned women would be around for long. They have all moved on from wrestling, and unless Trish plans on making a surprise comeback to the ring, this affects of this match will be short-lived at best. This angle will be done by Backlash.


MONEY-IN-THE-BANK LADDER MATCH

This match arguably holds the most intrigue as the winner will receive and garunteed contract for a World Championship match at any time during the next 12 months following his victory. Now, historically, this match has always spelled success for the winner, with the exception of Mr. Kennedy who was injured and unable to cash in his briefcase. Other winners: Edge, C.M. Punk, and Rob Van Dam, all were successful in overthrowing the respective champions of the time and capturing the gold when they cashed in their briefcase.

My biggest issue with this match is that almost half of these competitors are former World Champions.

C.M. Punk, Mark Henry, and Kane are all former champions, and while I would love to see Punk or even Kane get a second chance at success, I question the logic of putting them in this match. Yes, they will put on a good ladder match, but the liklihood of them winning is slim to none. Why Mark Henry is in the match is beyond me, as his athleticism, while impressive, is nowhere near the caliber of Punk, or many of the other competitors.

The other competitors announced for this match are:
Christian, United States Champion Shelton Benjamin, MVP, Finlay, and Kofi Kingston.

These men make more sense when it comes to the Money-in-the-Bank aspect of the ladder match. Christian has competed for the World title, and while he had a successful run in TNA, he has never been a world champion in WWE. Benjamin and MVP are so athletically gifted, but Benjamin lacks the charisma to be World Champion. Finlay is just not a believable champion, and Kofi Kingston, while a tremendous athlete, has not been properly developed to the point where one can confidently put the title around his waist.

If I had my say, I would let Kingston win and then push him hard for the next three or four months, letting him win the title at Summerslam. More realistically, I see MVP winning this match. He is gaining a lot of popularity on Smackdown and has the skills and charisma to be a great heel champion. Knowing WWE, they will keep him face, which will spell doom for his title reign.

SHAWN MICHAELS VS. THE UNDERTAKER

This match is on the fence with a lot of people.

THE GOOD: Two of the greatest men in professional wrestling history will make for what will be, in my opinion, the best match of the night. Both these men have huge followings, and fans are interested to see who will walk out the winner. Shawn Michaels going back to his cocky, over-the-top brashness is a great way to get fans excited about this match. Undertaker's undefeated streak speaks for itself, and fans are always interested to see who is going to end it. The fact that this match is taking place in Texas, the home-state of both these men, makes it all the more exciting.

THE BAD: This match has come perhaps 11 years too late. Wrestlemania usually sees The Undertaker against an opponent he has never faced before. This year, it's against an opponent he hasn't faced...well...since 1998. The point is, there is nothing fresh about this match. 'Taker and HBK have fought in almost every match conceivable including the casket match that irritated Shawn's back and the first-ever Hell-in-a-Cell.

I'm gonna take a chance right now and tell you that I KNOW Shawn Michaels will not win this match. If Undertaker is EVER defeated at Wrestlemania, it should be against a young, up-and-coming superstar who needs the rub to get over with the fans, not a veteran who already has more than enough credentials to get into the Hall of Fame. I would much rather have seen The Undertaker face Vladimir Kozlov, simply because it would mean that ONE of these competitors would face their first defeat. Still, to watch two hall of fame-bound veterans put on a great match will be exciting. But is it worth $50?

JEFF HARDY VS. MATT HARDY

This match should be exciting. Both these men have a fast-paced wrestling style and know each other so well, this could very well end up being a show-stealing performance.

Unfortunately we've this match before, too. Think back a few years and you will remember a terrible angle in which we were to believe that Jeff was jealous of his brother's relationship with Lita. This love triangle caused a rift in Team Extreme that saw the two brothers clashing on several occasions. Eventually the Hardys disappeared from TV only to return several months later unified once more as a cohesive unit with no explanation as to how the ship stopped sinking.

Granted, this angle is much more fully developed, and has worked well, thus far. On any other PPV, I may not have minded this match as much. But I would much rather have seen Jeff in the main event and competing for his WWE Championship than feuding with his brother with no title involved. A championship feud between these two would be tremendous. Right now it seems to fall a little flat on the heels of Jeff's meteoric success over the past few months.

Again, what does this mean for WWE in the coming year, and is it worth $50?

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
JOHN CENA VS. EDGE VS. BIG SHOW

My biggest problem with this match is that each of these men are former champions. We all know Cena will win, which will make it look like just about every other Wrestlemania. Having the Big Show in this match, to me, is little more than a tribute to Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III. This match poses nothing new for 2009, which makes it little more than a formality rather than a piece of "history".

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
TRIPLE H VS. RANDY ORTON

This feud has been beat to death. There is nothing new or fresh about it. Triple H is cutting the same promos against Randy Orton now than he was in 2007, and 2005 before that. The only difference is Randy Orton looks a lot smarter now than he did then. Randy has become a great heel, and I hope that Wrestlemania proves to be his reward for his hard work. Unfortunately, the family feud involved here almost garauntees a Triple H victory. That's fresh, right?

Right. Is Triple H retaining his 13th WORLD TITLE ONE MORE TIME, or Randy Orton beating Triple H ONE MORE TIME, worth $50?

I hope WWE rolls out the X-Factor in the coming weeks: the one thing that is going to make every fan want to buy this PPV. Buyrates are already down for WWE's events, and they're not doing themselves any favors here. This isn't just any show. This the SHOW of SHOWS for WWE. It should showcase the best of their product. They need to cut themselves loose for one night and allow their fans to experience the full extent of their product's potential. That is what we want to see. That is worth $50.

WWE No Way Out 2009

Okay, so technically I haven't watched the ENTIRE PPV yet, but I have checked for the results.  Here is my opinion of the outcomes of WWE No Way Out 2009.

This is the last PPV before Wrestlemania 25: WWE's biggest PPV ever.  Most likely the champions who walk out of this show with the gold, will be the ones walking in with the gold at Wrestlemania.

With that in mind:

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH
WWE Champion Edge vs. The Undertaker vs. Triple H vs. The Big Show vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov

Edge was eliminated early, guarunteeing us a new Champion.  Awesome, right?  What could be better for Wrestlemania's 25th Anniversary than a brand spanking new Champion who has never main-evented WWE's biggest PPV of the year?  For anyone not reading this properly, I was really hoping Jeff Hardy would regain his title and move on to main event the show as WWE Champion.

Big Show is eliminated.  Kozlov is eliminated.  Then Jeff is eliminated and I've lost all but the faintest interest in this match.  Don't get me wrong, had it been any other match, I would've really enjoyed the final minutes between Triple H and The Deadman, but then I remembered that this is for the WWE Championship, and that the winner would most likely go into 'Mania as the Champion, and I knew instantly who would win.

To it's credit, the match was solid, with Jeff hitting a nice Swanton off the top of one of the pods.  The crowd was really into it.  Even after Jeff was eliminated, the entire arena was split down the center with chants for both 'Taker and The Game.  But I think we all knew who would win, and sure enough, even after a TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER WHICH NO ONE KICKS OUT OF EVER, Triple H comes back and captures his 13th...YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT: 13 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.  Ric Flair's legacy will die when Triple H attempts to replace it with his own.

WINNER: Triple H

MY THOUGHTS: Why?

No, honestly: why?

Triple H has main evented almost every Wrestlemania since 2001.  Why couldn't he just let this one be a fresh start for the company by letting someone like Jeff Hardy carry the title in, signifying a new era in the company and a fresh start for WWE as a whole?  Instead, the 25th anniversary of this spectacle will be just another chance to reminisce about every Wrestlemania for the past 8 years, which all prominently featured Triple H.  I envision a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between The Game, Jeff Hardy, and Vladimir Kozlov, but of course, I don't expect either of the latter two to win.  This is the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania, after all: it's only fitting we uphold a "true" icon like Triple H.  Thirteen title reigns is not all that impressive when your reigns are a mere 10 months apart. 

I'm not sure why Triple H feels he needs this title anymore.  He already gets a huge ovation from the crowd, already sells more merchandise than most of the roster (save for Cena and Hardy), and even with Jeff Hardy's mega-success on the same brand, has remained one of WWE's top 5 most popular superstars.  Why does he need the WWE Championship anymore?  We might as well have Hogan or maybe even The Rock come back and win it for no apparent reason.  It makes just as much sense at this point, and quite frankly (it pains me to say this) would be infinitely more entertaining.


Shane McMahon vs. Randy Orton

WINNER: Randy Orton
MY THOUGHTS: I have not seen this match yet.  Simply looking at the results, the only thing I can say is that I'm thrilled to see Orton get the victory.  After becoming one of the most successful heels in recent years, I would've hated to see Orton get buried by another ploy by the McMahons to steal the spotlight from their talent.  Orton is right where he should be: at the top.  The beatdown by Shane on Raw was ridiculous and made Orton look foolish and weak.  Orton has stood his ground against the likes of Triple H, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and other true SUPERstars.  Why would he suddenly back down when his boss's son shows up?  Hopefully Orton will be inserted into the main event for the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 25.  He may be a heel, but he is the biggest heel on any brand right now, and that should be claim enough.


ECW CHAMPIONSHIP
ECW Champion Jack Swagger vs. Finlay

WINNER: Jack Swagger

MY THOUGHTS: I didn't see this match, either, but I like the direction ECW is going in, using veterans to put over fresh young talent.  I still prefer Matt Hardy as Champion, but I think his feud with Jeff will give him a bigger push.  Hopefully this will put Christian in the ECW Championship match at Wrestlemania.


ALL OR NOTHING MATCH
Shawn Michaels vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield

I thought this match came off a bit anticlimactic, but in hindsight, it worked well.  Shawn came out fighting after getting some inspiration from his wife at ringside (Rabecca is an astoundingly beautiful woman).  His momentum was eventually stopped by JBL's offense.  The match had some nice psychology to it.  JBL tried to use Michaels' rage to get him disqualified, offering HBK a chair to hit him with.  HBK paused a moment, then threw the chair aside, realizing a DQ would mean servitude to JBL for life.

The next stages consisted largely of HBK getting beaten down with several powerful moves from JBL, including two Clotheslines From Hell.  When JBL went to confront HBK on the outside, Bradshaw was slapped by Shawn's wife, and Shawn used that to gain momentum enough to hit all his signatures, including a scoop slam, elbow drop, and a VERY Sweet Chin Music all in succession for the win: a routine that hasn't been done uninterrupted for quite some time, and was never more rewarding.  Shawn left with his wife in tow, and the two celebrated their victory, and Shawn's emancipation, on the ramp before the show moved on.

WINNER: Shawn Michaels

MY THOUGHTS: There are two things that bother me about this match.  The first is part of the psychology to it.  Bradshaw hit TWO Clotheslines from Hell on Shawn back to back, but rather than go for the cover, threw HBK to the outside onto the floor.  Why wouldn't you cover him?  It's an easy win!

The second thing that bothered me about this match was that it finished rather abruptly.  All of a sudden Shawn was in control, and then all at once the match was over.  Shawn knows how to build anticipation in the crowd.  He showed us that countless times (his street fight with Vince McMahon at Wrestlemania 22 is a great example of how he can turn any match into a showstealer).  I'm not sure what the cause was for the apparent quick finish, but it was sweet nonetheless, and the crowd was behind Shawn the whole way.

I could also complain that Shawn should've lost by default when his wife interfered, but I won't.  In any case, this should free Shawn up for a fresh feud at Wrestlemania, though I don't know who is on the roster worth facing that Shawn hasn't already faced.


WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH
World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho vs. Kane vs. Mike Knox

Well, that's how it was billed, anyway.  Unfortunately, just as Kofi Kingston was making his way down to the ring, he was attacked from behind by an angry and frustrated Edge (yes, Smackdown!'s Edge).  Kingston was knocked unconcious and deemed not to wrestle.  As Kofi was taken out on a stretcher, Edge forced himself into one of the pods inside the chamber.  Referees did not move to stop him, and he was locked inside, officially now part of the match.

It would come down to Edge and Rey Mysterio.  Cena's elimination, like that of Edge in the first Chamber match, guaranteed the fans a new Champion.

The crowd was strongly and solidly behind Rey for the entire final stage of this match.  There were many near falls and pinning combinations that were some of the most exciting moments of anticipation in recent memory.  Finally Edge pinned Rey to capture the victory, and, presumably, the title.

WINNER: Edge

MY THOUGHTS: This was exciting, and certainly entertaining.  Edge inserting himself into the match brings up a string of questions to be answered on Raw.  Is his win legitimate?  Does have any real claim to the Championship?  What will John Cena and the other participants have to say?  What does this mean for Wrestlemania?

While this has sparked a wave of controversey in the WWE Universe, I'm a bit tired of the Edge screw jobs.  While they have been creative (in that they don't all end in DQ finishes), it's almost expected now that Edge will steal the headlines depending on who he screws over next.  Granted, this builds an incredibly strong heel character for Edge, and keeps him at the top of the ladder.  I picture Edge going into 'Mania as the Champion.  Unfortunately, there really is only one here the WWE will send in to vanquish the Ultimate Opportunist: John Cena.  While I think John deserves to main event the biggest show of the year (he is still WWE's biggest superstar) I've grown weary of his 'Mania victories.  The only match Cena ever lost at Wrestlemania was his loss to Randy Orton in the Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 24.  Cena has defeated the likes of Big Show, JBL, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels at every Wrestlemania since 2002, all involving championship gold.  It is likely that if Cena faces Edge at Wrestlemania 25, it will be to win back the World Heavyweight Championship, and frankly, I'm tired of the same old song and dance.


FINAL THOUGHTS: The popular saying in professional wrestling is that "you're only as good as your next show".  It will be interesting to see what WWE does in the aftermath of this controversial PPV that saw the crowning of two new World Champions.  While I am not thrilled with a couple of the finishes, I'm glad to see things happening here that are getting fans' attention.

Overall, I'd give this show a 7/10.  The Shane/Orton feud reminds me a lot of the old feuds from the Attitude Era, where it wasn't about wins and losses, but deep, personal rivalries that fans could get into.  The other matches were good performances all around (those which I saw), and HBK getting out from underneath JBL's thumb is a relief to almost every fan out there.  However, there is a lack of representation here, particularly for the WWE and World Tag Team Championships, the Intercontinental and United States titles, and the women's division was nowhere to be found.  Back on the positive side: clean finishes all around!  No DQ's, no count outs, just good, clean wrestling!  Major props to WWE for FINALLY giving fans what they paid to see: pay-offs!

As for my Wrestlemania predictions: I'll post those in a new blog entry following tonight's Raw.

Also, for those who haven't heard, the 2009 WWE Draft Lottery will be held Monday, April 13, 2009 on Raw.  I'll be giving my picks for those moves in an upcoming entry.

Ladies and gentlemen: this is the home stretch on the Road to Wrestlemania 25!

Pick up the Pace

I could talk about a lot of things in the world of professional wrestling.

I could talk about how I actually like John Cena since his return because of better character portrayal and development.

I could talk about how great it was to finally see Jeff Hardy capture his first World Championship and take his place atop the pro wrestling mountain as WWE Champion.

I could talk about the idiotic move to strip Jeff Hardy of said title despite the fact that he gets the biggest ovation of any superstar in the WWE and sells more tickets and merchandise than the rest of the roster.

I want to talk about wrestling. Not characters, or storylines, or politics. I want to talk about straight-up, stripped down wrestling.

About a year ago I started watching Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. At the time, I was fed up with the politics that hindered the potential success of WWE's product. Men like Triple H and JBL were continuously put over Jeff Hardy and C.M. Punk who were struggling to break through the trademark glass ceiling while fans begged to seem them rise to the top of WWE's talent pool.

So I turned to TNA: the infamous upstart promotion that has gained national success using the platform provided by SpikeTV. Rabid anti-WWE fans have openly praised TNA for it's allegedly superior product. For the longest time I ignored the promises of smarter booking, more engaging storylines and characters, more intense wrestling, and an overall better product.

After almost a whole year of watching TNA, I can honestly that TNA has been an overall disappointment.

Nothing has changed in TNA. Despite signing huge names and cultivating tremendous and truly diverse talent, TNA insists on putting over the same men each and every month: coincidentally all former WWE and WCW stars. With the glaring exception of Samoa Joe's title reign, the only men to hold the TNA World Heavyweight Championship are Sting and Kurt Angle. The recent formation of the Main Event Mafia is further proof that TNA is obsessed with keeping former stars from other organizations at the forefront of their company.

The push of the well-worn out Team 3D and the return of Jeff Jarrett haven't helped boost ratings. No matter what TNA does, it has yet to peak beyond a 1.3 rating, and their marketing department has yet to help position the company into a competitive slot in the pro wrestling market where they can help grow their business.

It is hard for me to say this, but WWE has the best characters, storylines, and booking available to a nation-wide audience. I am much more excited to see a veteran like Shawn Michaels than I am to see TNA's version of Sting or Kurt Angle. Shawn has character and depth that even Kurt and the legendary Sting can't come close to matching. Men like Chris Jericho and Randy Orton know how to draw arenas full of thousands to their attention. It is difficult for TNA's heels to get fans to truly hate them and listen to what they have to say.

But as for the actual sport of professional wrestling, TNA presents the type of product most fans are looking for. It is fast-paced, logically constructed, and even some ridiculous finishes seem more engaging because the match itself was just that good.

As pointed out by Jim Forzeze of www.1wrestling.com, professional wrestling is losing fans to boxing and UFC because it presents more realistic and more intense confronations. Meanwhile, WWE continues to present the same slow-paced matches, regardless of weight-class. Even the "high-flying" Rey Mysterio wrestles a similar style to Triple H. The style of the once "extreme" Jeff Hardy is almost indistinguishable from that of Shelton Benjamin or MVP. Then there is the "new and improved" Great Khali. Perhaps the most ridiculous gimmick on television, the Khali Kiss-Cam (what were they smoking?) becomes even more nightmarish when this plodding behemoth is expected to compete with actual wrestlers. There is no diversity of style, and unless changes are made, fans will continue to seek alternate forms of entertainment.

I understand that Vince does not want to risk injury to his talent by allowing them to take unnecessary risk, but without some measure of risk there will be no reason for fans to tune in because each match will be just like the last. Even the most colorful of characters will begin to blend together when they wrestle the same matches.

Stone Cold Steve Austin is due to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. I'm sure Austin will be making appearances on WWE TV to promote Wrestlemania and his Hall of Fame induction, and I'm sure Vince believes that Austin's appearance will bring fans of the Attitude Era flocking back to his product. The sad truth however, is that this will not be the case.

Stone Cold is a great character, and Steve Williams does an incredible job of keeping that character alive. But the fact that fans will not want to admit, is that Austin's character is tired and needs to be revamped, rather than simply revived. For the past several years, Austin has done the same song and dance: he tells a funny story, cuts a funny promo, stuns Vince McMahon, and drinks beer.

Austin's character was best when he had something to fight for. But now that Vince McMahon's character has become more of a parody of what it used to be, there is no threat to Austin, which means there is no tension. If there is no tension, why is Austin stunning McMahon? Because he's a crazy redneck? That's not what made Austin great. Austin was great because he represented the quiet unrest of the everyman; or rather, the open rebellion of the working class against the opression of their bosses. Since we know Austin is retired and will live the rest of his life sitting on a mountain of checks signed by the McMahon family, there is no plausible reason for him to be beating up the man who is ensuring his financial well-being for the rest of his life.

That is just one example of the ludicrous decisions by WWE's creative staff. Simply putting two men in the ring and telling them to fight does not make sense. Having them fight at a slow, crawling pace does not help.

The 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania is just around the corner, which should help produce some of the best storylines in recent years, but only if the creative department is given the resources and permission to explore areas that fans will want to explore with them.

In short, my plea to WWE is to take risks, both physically, and creatively. Better storylines, better-defined characters, and faster, more exciting matches will help make Wrestlemania 25 the biggest even in the history of professional wrestling.