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.
