This past Monday night on Raw, Triple H called all the talent to the ring to ask for a vote of confidence in his abilities as COO. Apparently Raw has been spiraling out of control for the past couple of weeks, and no one feels very safe.
...
Um...you do realize this is wrestling, right?
There are so many things wrong with this angle, it almost made me change the channel.
Why didn't I change the channel?
Maybe because I wanted to believe that Triple H, a man who has been in this business for so long and has been part of some of the greatest (and worst) angles in the history of the industry, could not possibly condone himself to participate in a storyline so mind-numbingly preposterous as what we were presented in the closing moments of Raw last Monday.
And by "closing moments," I mean, "twenty minutes."
Honestly, did we really need this angle to go so long? Did we really need to hear arguments not just from one wrestler on behalf of the locker room, but wrestlers, referees, divas, and announcers? This angle could've been done in 5 minutes (of course that would mean no 5 minute entrance for "The Game") and had the same effect. Instead we suffer through diatribes from Triple H, Wade Barrett (why?), Christian, Beth Phoenix, some referee no one really knows, and Jerry "The King" Lawler.
Why? Wasn't one argument enough?
Okay, let's start at the beginning.
Let's remember that just a couple of months ago, the show was on fire with John Cena and C.M. Punk fighting over the WWE Championship. It was arguably the most exciting angle in the last two years. It was fresh, honest, and unpredictable. It was everything a wrestling angle should be.
Then WWE threw Alberto Del Rio in the mix. I guess that's their "curveball." I didn't hate it, I didn't love it. Punk was still the focal point of the show, and after cycling through the same talent for the last five years, I thought perhaps we'd finally get some new blood at the top of the WWE roster.
Then, for no reason in particular, Vince McMahon was fired and Triple H replaced him as COO.
Let me just say that I absolutely loved the chemistry between Punk and McMahon. Punk was, as far as WWE was concerned, everything his name implied. He was a misfit. He didn't have the polish everyone expected of a WWE Superstar, but he had more talent in the ring and on the mic than 3/4 of the roster. He didn't need scripted promos. He didn't need anyone to tell him how to walk or dress. He didn't need to be handed a gimmick. He was great because he was real, and that has always been a formula for success across the industry.
Vince McMahon, in turn, needed no lessons on how to play the "evil emperor" of the WWE. There was genuine disdain between the two, and they needed little coaxing to put that on display for the world to see. It was a perfect platform for Punk, and a great scenario for Vince, who had gone through this all before. It seemed like we'd finally reached the next-gen iteration of the "Stone Cold" Steve Austin/Vince McMahon feud.
Then it all came to a screeching halt when we entered an all too familiar element:
Triple H.
From the moment his music hit that night and he relieved Vince McMahon of his duties to the company, it was an omen, and we all knew it.
Over the next few weeks, the showed devolved into backstage politicking between Triple H and Executive Vice-President of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis.
Suddenly Kevin Nash is back, and then he's gone. Then the Miz and R-Truth are fired...for attacking John Cena, CM Punk, a referee, and Triple H.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that sort of what wrestlers do? I mean, is Raw really that much more chaotic than it ever was?
Wrestlers complain about feeling unsafe and unprotected in the work place.
Hasn't this always been the case? I mean, this is Monday Night Raw, right? This is wrestling, right?
Mark Henry attacked Jerry Lawler a few weeks ago, putting him through the announce table and forcing him out of work for a couple of weeks. Why has no one fired him? The Miz and R-Truth have been raving about an alleged "conspiracy" in the WWE for weeks, months even, yet now is when they are both suddenly "fired"?
When Triple H fired the Miz and R-Truth, he claimed he would do it at the end of the night so that he could "get one more main event out them."
A main event? Isn't putting two chopping-block candidates in a main event match more of a reward than a punishment? You're telling me they were so valuable to the company that he couldn't possibly find anyone to replace them in this particular star-studded tag team main event? With all the "world class" talent on your roster, you couldn't think of a pair of individuals to match the caliber of these two men you've been subjecting to mid-card status for the past three months?
Also, last time I checked, when someone is "fired" from the company, aren't references to them usually discouraged on live broadcasts? Not only are Miz and R-Truth mentioned regularly throughout the broadcast, but WWE actually goes the extra mile to ruin whatever credibility this angle might have had by airing a YouTube video of the two apologizing to the WWE Universe for their actions...y'know, just in case we forgot who they were, those dirty rotten scoundrels.
By the way, attacking someone in a cell after their match: doesn't that sound like something Triple H would do? I mean, he strides in wanting us to believe that thanks to his Hall-of-Fame career, he has better judgment than Vince did. We want to believe that Triple H is the same guy that knocked other men around in cells and cages and parking lots. We want to believe that this is the same, lewd, crotch-chopping rule-breaker that we know and love.
But he's not. Triple H has now donned a suit to become the very thing he once stood firmly against: the voice of authority. He has become wrestling's biggest hypocrite. Everything that C.M. Punk stood for is what Triple H once stood for: the voice of a rebellious group, a segment of the demographic that wasn't being heard. In 1998 it was people who wanted to give their boss the finger or tell them to "suck it". In 2011 it's simply the voice of a breed of wrestling fan who wants something a little more real in their product. For him to now stand against Punk and tell him that he is out of control is insulting to the fans who watched Triple H grow from a snobby, sarcastic, sophomoric hoodlum to one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time. Triple H made a career out of sticking it to the McMahons. Now he was merely their re-enforcer.
Okay, so everyone feels unsafe because they've been subjected to the sort of unpredictability that was once commonplace on WWE TV. Now, Johnny L. wants to take Triple H out to the ring in front of his entire talent pool to ask for a vote of confidence.
Can someone explain to me exactly what Laurinaitis' job description is? He's the Executive Vice-President of Talent Relations (who is the President of Talent Relations, by the way, and why haven't they shown up yet?). I can understand that if Superstars have an issue with the boss, he's probably the proper channel to go through, but does John Laurinaitis really have the power to axe Triple H from his post simply on a vote of no confidence from the roster?
You see, none of this would be a big deal if WWE hadn't set a precedent for it years ago. Back in the day, if someone had a problem with how things were being run, they'd go to the WWE Board of Directors, who would then make a decision on how best to balance the power that Vince McMahon was abusing. You see, they couldn't fire Vince because he signed their checks, but they could take action to make sure that his powers did not go completely unchecked. They probably did this at great personal risk to their own jobs. The balance here was the voice of Linda McMahon, Vince's wife, who provided the perfect shield for the men actually casting the votes.
You might be tempted to say that his has no bearing now. Linda is long gone, so the Board of Directors has no power.
But wasn't it the Board of Directors who fired Vince and installed Triple H?
So what are they doing now? Just watching Raw spiral out of control and thinking, "Hey, we made the right call"? Why doesn't John Laurinaitis just go to the Board and tell them, on behalf of his talent, that he feels Triple H is doing a poor job of maintaining control of the show and until order can be restored, he's pulling his talent from the broadcasts? Once he's got it cleared with the Board, he can make a grand entrance into Raw and shock Triple H with the news, and the talent could make their mass exodus.
But, of course, this would put the focus on someone else besides Triple H. We've now gone from fighting over championships--which, frankly, is what wrestling is all about--to legal debates, lawsuits, justified (or unjustified) firings, and now, a strike.
Triple goes into this long monologue about the state of WWE, tells the talent to suck it up, and then asks for a vote of confidence. Then we have to listen to Christian, Barrett, Phoenix, the refs, and King talk about how everything is so unsafe.
I don't follow Smackdown! all that closely these days, but what exactly happened to Christian and Barrett to make them the spokesmen for an unsafe work environment? If it was that big a deal, wouldn't we have heard about it on Raw?
Then Lawler steps in the ring and makes his case. He was put through the announce table and feels very unsafe. Keep in mind, the guy that put him through the announce table is standing right there at ringside.
Then the King makes the most ridiculous statement of the entire angle. He tells us he believes there is a conspiracy in the WWE, but that it's not of Triple H's doing.
What?
At what point in this entire fiasco did we ever see evidence that there was a conspiracy? When did this "conspiracy" stop being a simple gimmick for R-Truth and suddenly become legitimate? All I saw was a few wrestlers get attacked, a ref get knocked around, and a commentator go through the announce table. Maybe if I was working for Wal-Mart, I might find these things disconcerting, but this is Monday Night Raw. What exactly about a few disgruntled wrestlers violently venting their frustrations makes anyone feel like there's a conspiracy?
But let's say, for the sake of argument, that there is a conspiracy. Let's assume that someone out there just wants to see Raw go down the tubes.
Exactly what evidence do we have that Triple H is not the one behind it? When was that ever presented? What proof does the King have that it's not Triple H pulling the strings?
And why, all of a sudden, did the entire roster share King's sentiment? In 1997, following the "Montreal Screw-job", Vince McMahon gave his talent the opportunity to walk away from the company if they had that much of a problem with the way he dealt with Bret Hart. Many men took that opportunity, including Mick Foley. But, like most of the other men who left that night, he was back quickly as he couldn't count on getting a good deal from any other wrestling promotion (he'd been through them all already.) But even as Mick walked away, that didn't suddenly cause the entire locker room to empty.
I realize there's a difference between an angle and real life, but both have to be logical to a degree. What exactly did King say to convince the entire roster to depart? What was so compelling? What evidence was presented to make everyone, including the fans, suddenly buy into this "conspiracy"?
Let's take a look at our champions: Mark Henry, Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, and Beth Phoenix. Five of these seven are heels. Mark Henry is the man who put the King through the announce table. What suddenly made him decide to walk out? It seems foolish to me that someone who is sitting on the top of the mountain would suddenly walk out on the company due to chaos that he himself was a part of creating. Del Rio took advantage of the chaos to secure his second WWE Championship. Why did he walk out? Kelly Kelly just bitch-slapped the hell out of Beth Phoenix. One was the champion and the other was causing chaos. Why did they walk out?
I could see if it was John Cena, or The Undertaker, or Triple H himself that decided to leave. They are respected men in the locker room and carry great weight with their co-workers. No disrespect to Jerry Lawler, but does a commentator really command the kind of respect that would cause an entire roster full of talent to simply abandon their livelihoods? I doubt that very much.
You see, I think what people are expecting is that Johnny boy is gonna step forward and tell Triple H that it was him. He's got some kind of pact going with Kevin Nash. He's always on the phone. Maybe he resigns Nash and Miz and Truth and they come back as nWo 2.0 (sorry, make that 3.0...TNA covered 2.0 when it unveiled Immortal.)
Some people are saying it's Stephanie McMahon. Maybe she's out to sabotage her husband in a classic case of dysfunctional McMahon-a-mania.
Here's what I say:
What does any of this have to do with wrestling?
Wrestling angles traditionally build up to wrestling matches. Someone please tell me what confrontation will blossom from this convoluted mess. Is Laurinaitis going to fight Triple H for control of Raw? Is Stephanie going to wrestle her husband? Are Nash, Truth, and Miz gonna fight Trips in a handicap match where he bashes all their skulls in with a sledgehammer? Will Triple H reform D-Generation X (or DX 2.0) to combat this new faction?
In any case, the focus has now officially been taken from the wrestling and put on the shoulders of Triple H in an angle that few can understand and even fewer care about. The show did not end with a champion holding his title high. It didn't end with a challenger down and out, waiting to see how he would get his revenge next week. It didn't end with an active member of the roster in the frame. The show ended with Triple H standing the middle of the ring.
Alone.
That speaks volumes as to where the show is headed.
I will tell you who is sabotaging Raw. It's Triple H. He needs to come out and say he was the one that pulled the strings for Nash, Truth, and Miz. Maybe it was his conspiracy. Ever since he came back to television, the ratings have gone down, and so has the drama. Wrestling fans don't care about politics. They care about wrestling.
Unpredictability doesn't mean you can simply forsake logic. In fact, it usually requires an extra dose of logic to explain. In this case, they've completely lost touch with their fans. I was not shocked by the walk out on Raw, I was relieved. Maybe this is just some grand scheme by Triple H and WWE to clean out their product and get a fresh start. They've recombined Raw and Smackdown!, maybe this is just the next logical step. Maybe with no one to interrupt him, Triple H can finally get WWE back on track.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
TNA: Impact Wrestling - 5/26/11
I've been quiet about much of what TNA has done lately, specifically on Impact because I just didn't feel that anything they were doing was newsworthy. Fortunately, some of that has changed as Impact has been on an upswing the past couple of weeks in my opinion.
So after checking my DVR'd edition of last Thursday's show, I thought I'd post some thoughts.
First off, I want to say that the recent re-branding of the show is exactly what TNA needed. Changing the name to Impact Wrestling is a great way to showcase the company's new mantra of "wrestling matters". Even with its Smackdown-esque blue glow, TNA is still unique enough to differentiate itself from the competition. It may have a blue after-touch, but the color scheme is still heavily blackened: a color WWE has really tried to avoid in recent years.
The first thing people should notice about Impact is Christy Hemme. In many ways, the feel of Impact's presentation is akin to "Attitude Era" Raw broadcasts; back before everyone was dressed to the nine's and when it was okay to be informal. Whereas every WWE broadcast now uses the voice of Justin Roberts to announce the competitions, here is a fiery, green-eyed redhead in punk-ish attire growling the names of wrestlers as they march to the ring. It lacks the polish of a WWE experience, and that is a good thing.
There is a grit to TNA that likens it more to MMA fighting than to sports-entertainment. It's the type of grit that reminds me of old westerns: when the stranger walks into the bar and picks and immediate beef with the local riff-raff. Sure, every once in a while you might get two gun-slingers who display a mutual respect and simply want to see who the better sharpshooter is, but the best confrontations are always fueled by that testosterone and adrenaline that can only come from a legitimate dislike and a need to feel superior. It is the basest of human instincts and wrestling should always cling to this rule. Whereas WWE is leaning more toward the spirit of competition in its angles, TNA makes sure to build angles that affect their characters and bring out the best (or worst) in them.
However, there is a time when the talking must stop, and over the last few months, TNA has made a habit of starting every show with a 15-minute promo, usually by Immortal or Fortune, and there has been an utter lack of actual wrestling over the two-hour timeslot.
Thankfully, tonight, TNA decided to ditch their not-so-winning formula and opened with an actual wrestling match!
STREET FIGHT
"THE PHENOMENAL" A.J. STYLES & "THE FALLEN ANGEL" CHRISTOPHER DANIELS (4TUNE) VS. BULLY RAY & TOMMY DREAMER (IMMORTAL)
Okay, so now I'm gonna backtrack on everything I just said.
You see, TNA is still playing the "nobody knows who we are" card. This is good, in the sense that we get a fresh look at each character for almost every show. This is bad when it comes to street fights. People looking for an alternative to WWE are not necessarily looking for hardcore bash-your-brains-in-with-a-garbage-can-lid action. They may just want to see good, competitive, athletic wrestling with storylines that are not written for people under fourteen years of age.
You see, if I'm a wrestling fan, or heck, even if I've never seen a wrestling show in my life, and I turn on Impact to find four men scattered throughout the arena with various foreign objects, I'm probably more likely to say, "That's barbaric and insane," than, "Oh, my God, look at him bleed!"
TNA seems much more concerned with converting wrestling fans than creating new Impact fans, almost as though fans should start out with WWE and eventually "graduate" to TNA. If that's your strategy, then it will probably work, but if you're looking to make new wrestling fans rather than simply making new TNA fans, this is probably not the way to go.
On the bright side, at least they had two great athletes in the mix with Daniels and Styles. Their athleticism really shone through even in this environment, and hopefully that keeps viewers tuned in, because there's gotta be more where that came from, right? After all, we just opened the show!
A.J. goes for the Styles Clash which gets turned into a makeshift piledriver when Daniels flies off the top rope and spikes Dreamer into the mat. It looked absolutely devastating, and was the clear nail in the coffin for the team of Immortal cohorts.
WINNERS: "The Phenomenal" A.J. Styles & "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels
So now that we've got wrestling out of the way, we're ready to do some talking. By now we've been informed that TNA World Champion Sting has been given his own interview segment.
Here's the thing about interview segments. From Piper's Pit to Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel, interview segments all have one thing in common: they're hosted by the industry's best talkers. Even the less memorable Heartbreak Hotel segments are bearable thanks to Shawn Michaels' charisma. Of course, there are have been countless fly-by-night imitations, but Roddy Piper will always be the measuring stick for great interview segments, but TNA has an Ace up their sleeve in Ken Anderson.
Thankfully, the Stinger Sit-down was not hosted by the real Sting, but by the imitation Sting as played by none other than TNA's resident "asshole".
We then get thrown a curveball as Anderson calls out someone from Sting's past: none other than the unconquerable, legendary, (who was it again? Oh, yeah...) Disco Inferno!
This segment was great from start to finish. I don't care if you knew who Disco Inferno was, is, or ever will be; this segment made him look like a million bucks to every fan in the building. Rather than help to bury Sting, The Disc does nothing but praise "The Icon" to the adulation of the entire audience, culminating with Inferno wondering why Anderson flaunts the name "Asshole" when he's "clearly a dick," with Anderson's trademark mic in hand. Of course, Ken doesn't take kindly to this and uses the mic to assault his guest, prompting the Stinger to come in and save the day.
So now we have our second match. And by second match, I mean more talking. This time we're in the bathroom with Eric Young and World Television Champion, Gunner. After weeks of prancing around with old TNA World title belt, Young seems to have accidentally grabbed Gunner's belt by mistake in a backstage brawl a couple of weeks ago. Now he's got a master plan to give Gunner his belt back and help him climb up the ladder in Immortal. He cites Hogan and Nash from '99 and says all Gunner has to do is lay a finger on him and--BAM!--EY lays down and Gunner gets his belt back. Gunner reluctantly agrees. Eric is golden in this segment. None of it makes any sense, but that seems to be the key to his charm.
Okay, so now that all the jabbering is out of the way, we can move on to--wait, what's that? Are you sure? Really? I mean we've already--okay, okay! Looks like it's more talking, folks.
This time at least the scenery gets infinitely more interesting. Velvet Sky heads to the ring, which is a good thing. She means business, which is a bad thing, because it deprives us of the best entrance in wrestling.
It would be easy to say that Velvet Sky is another classic example of a wrestling Barbie Doll. In fact, that seems to be the issue here. WWE recently signed Kharma, formerly TNA's Awesome Kong and one of the staples of their Knockouts division. It has added a new air of credibility to Vince's Divas, but unfortunately, without Kong and the release of ODB, TNA has started to mirror WWE in its female competitors. Now ODB is back, and this time she's blaming Velvet for taking her spot and essentially pushing her off the roster. Her gripe seems to be that Velvet has made a living out of flaunting her physical attributes and that has made it hard for women like ODB who pride themselves on ability over appearance, to keep their spots on the roster.
The good thing about this is that it is a real issue among wrestlers and fans alike. Gail Kim is a great example of a fantastic in-ring performer who has been forced to sit on the sidelines while less experienced women take the forefront. It's easy to sympathize with ODB, but will the fans really feel bad for someone as beautiful as Velvet Sky who can easily be taken for a woman who has gotten by solely on her looks? It seemed to work tonight, and hopefully TNA keeps the fans interested. Velvet gets the beatdown, so we'll see how she plans to retaliate.
Okay, so now that we've waded through the Waters of Promo, there's got to be some wrestling on the horizon, right?
WRONG!
Instead we're in the office of Eric Bischoff and he's telling Beer Money that if Robert Roode's torn ACL doesn't heal up within the obligatory 30-day title defense timeline, they will be forced to relinquish the belts. James Storm trashes Bischoff's desk before walking out.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...
Oh, wait...it's The Pope.
And he's talking.
He hit on a member of Brother D-von's family. That's not cool, and there's the feeling that something will eventually go down. We're not sure what, we just know it's coming.
*Wipes sweat from brow* Whew! Okay, back to the ring. There's...no one in it...yet. First Kurt Angle is trying to motivate "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan for his match against Jeff Jarrett. (Remember the "wrestling" part of "Impact Wrestling"?)
Okay, so now we're backstage, and--
Wait, what's this? Where are we? This looks familiar...like I've seen it before...perhaps in a dream. It reminds me of--yes! That's it! It's a wrestling ring! And there's music! Someone's coming out! Could it be? It is!
IT'S A WRESTLING MATCH!
JEFF JARRETT W/KAREN JARRETT VS. "THE BLUEPRINT" MATT MORGAN
Double-J hits the ring accompanied by his wife, Karen. She's on a crutch thanks to Velvet Sky pushing her down the ramp in a wheelchair. (Why is Velvet involved in so many angles?) She's gonna sit at ringside and watch. Here's Matt Morgan. He's knocking Jarrett around and suddenly Karen slips her crutch in the ring and "The King of the Mountain" uses it to put Morgan to sleep. With "The DNA of TNA" down for the count, the rest is academic.
WINNER: Jeff Jarrett
Well, it looks like we've got enough of the wrestling out of the way that we can go back to the promo cutting. Also, the show is now going to make me a liar. It seems that TNA is not done cutting 15-minute promos; they just moved them to the middle of the show instead of the start.
The Bisch is back, and he's got that obnoxious grin that he always wears, even when someone gets under his skin. It really bothers me that Bischoff refuses to "sell" his anger at any point against anyone. Whenever someone thwarts his doing, he simply slaps on that superficial smile and stands serenely unscathed.
Well, he's got that smile on. What is the reason for this jovial jubilee? It appears Hulk Hogan is back after dealing with Mick Foley and "The Network." The Hulkster praises Bischoff for ridding TNA of the X-Division, and assures Eric that Immortal is "back in the saddle" and that it will be nothing but "smooth sailing" from here (in a saddle?) But before they can break out the celebratory unicorn pinatas, in rides Mick Foley to inform them that "The Network" still holds a firm grip on the goings on in the realm of TNA television, and to start, the X-Division is to be reinstated.
Let's get something straight: wrestling fans do not care about the politics of broadcasting. It would be one thing if it was a wrestler taking a stand against "The Network" when the corporate hammer starts driving nails in the coffins of its performers. That would help the wrestler get over. But who's taking the stand here? TNA execs. No disrespect to Foley: few people can tell a story as intelligently as he can; but the focus needs to stay on active performers. Dealing
with all this convoluted "Network" mumbo jumbo is akin to Vince McMahon winning the ECW Championship against Bobby Lashley (remember that? Yeah, I wish I didn't, either.)
It seems TNA is trying to shift the focus by making the X-Division the center of Immortal's quarrel with "The Network." While Eric would love to see the "Hardcore Legend" face "The Monster" Abyss for the X-Division belt, Brian Kendrick comes out to insist that it be him to redeem he and his high-flying comrades. This seems to be fine with Immortal, so the match is set for later that night.
And now for the angle voted #1 in the "Kill This Now Before I Change the Channel" Poll, Winter is talking to a zombie-fied Angelina Love. Apparently Winter has been planning this "for centuries," and now their dreams are coming to fruition. To my knowledge, professional wrestling as we know it, even in its earliest form, is less than a century old, but what do I know?
Okay, so do I really need to make a list of all the reasons this angle is horrible? Probably not, but I'm going to anyway.
1.) When this first started, it seemed like Winter was simply a phantom or some figment of Angelina's imagination. Thankfully that was dropped and Winter "materialized" into a real person. Unfortunately, they then shot themselves in the foot once again.
2.) So we all know that Winter is drugging Angelina's drink. Velvet knows it. The announcers know it. The audience knows it. So, why exactly has no one done anything about this? I mean, you'd assume that someone would've gone to the police, or AT LEAST to management, right? Well, not in TNA, they don't!
3.) Velvet just kinda gave up on Angelina. She seems to be upset with her former tag partner (that just SOUNDS hot) when she should really be upset with Winter. There never really WAS a big payoff match between the two. Instead, Velvet just kind of walked away. She got mixed up in the Angle/Jarrett feud, and then ODB came out of left field to attack her. So I guess we can say the Beautiful People are officially on hiatus.
4.) If Velvet is no longer interested in liberating Angelina, why do we still have this ridiculous angle? I mean, I get that if Angelina ever "came to" she'd probably kill Winter for what she's done, but what's the point of keeping her brainwashed and chained to Winter's side if it's not to provoke Velvet? What other Knockout is going to step up and save her?
5.) Okay, so the list could go on, but just a few more thoughts: Why is it the only two people Angelina seems conscious of are Winter and whatever referee is officiating the match (she actually got out of the ring before the five count during their last tag match when the ref threatened to disqualify her)? Also, are we supposed to believe that Angelina is in this state seven days a week? I mean, how does she get to the arena? How does she eat? How does she dress herself? How does she remember her training when she's in the ring?
I understand that not every wrestling angle but there's so many holes in this storyline I don't understand how it can possibly still be on television. It's simply insulting to the fans' intelligence, and not just the so-called "smart marks" out there. It's insulting at the most basic of levels, and it only gets worse from there.
But hey, at least she can wrestle.
WINTER W/ANGELINA LOVE VS. TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPION MICKIE JAMES
Winter comes out to her creepy entrance music with her zombie pet, Angelina. Then comes Mickie James: TNA's poster Knockout. Mickie's done a great job of transitioning from one of WWE's top divas to a TNA mainstay. Her connection with the fans is remarkable considering people have a rather low tolerance for women's wrestling.
In this match she manages to snag a solid victory against her enigmatic adversary, even with Zombalina on the outside.
WINNER: TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James
So now we're back with Abyss who's preparing for his match against Kendrick. He's reading now, and he's picked a classic: "The Art of War." Apparently, he's also learning a lot, and he wants us to know that, because he keeps quoting from his latest tome. It's easy to see how these principles translate to success when it comes to the wars of the ring, but I could do without the preface, "Sun Tzu says," before EVERY enlightening lesson. Also, reading it straight from the book during your promo doesn't exactly demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the text.
Anyway, just as he's heading to the ring he gets jumped from behind and gets a taste of his own medicine when he's assaulted with his beloved "Janice."
TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPION "THE MONSTER" ABYSS VS. BRIAN KENDRICK
Abyss comes to the ring in bad shape. He limps his way down the ramp to meet the erratic Brian Kendrick.
It looks like Kendrick has things well in hand until Abyss manages to use the ref as a distraction while he knocks Kendrick off the top rope. Then it's just a matter of turning his victim inside out with a Blackhole Slam for the win. Afterwards he manages to work in a quote from "The Art of War" into his use of the ref as a human shield. Short, sweet, and to the point. I like it.
WINNER: "THE MONSTER" ABYSS
You probably think now that the match is over we'll probably go backstage to some interview segment. Well, you're kinda right. We flash quickly to Kurt Angle who's telling us that tonight he will not be focused on Jeff Jarrett for a change. Instead, he's got RVD to worry about. Should be a great match, and TNA does a great job of hyping us for it. After this very brief, very concise discussion, we're back in the ring for more wrestling. I wish 70% of pro wrestling promos were paced like this.
TNA WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
TNA WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION GUNNER VS. ERIC YOUNG
Eric Young comes to the ring wearing the TV title, but it should be noted this match is merely a formality as Gunner never actually lost the championship. As a matter of fact, I'm not exactly sure why this match is even happening. If Gunner never lost the title, why does he have to compete in a match to get it back? No one seems to know the answer, but I wonder how many people asked the question.
True to his word, EY goes down the second Gunner touches him. Unfortunately for Gunner, the second he hooks the leg, Young rolls him into a small package for a shocking quick three count! Young springs to his feet in surprise, as Gunner takes a moment to comprehend what has just transpired. When he realizes he has been officially dethroned as the TV champion, he begins to chase Young around the ringside area, but is unable to catch him before the new champ disappears.
This was a shocking upset and a nice reminder that anything can still happen in wrestling.
WINNER: NEW TNA World Television Champion Eric Young
Okay, so now we have the main event. Jeff Jarrett heads out with Karen to the announce table, and we all know what that means...or do we?
KURT ANGLE VS. ROB VAN DAM
Okay, so I have mixed emotions about this. First the good:
The match itself was great. Fast-paced action, with RVD and Angle giving everything they've got right out of the gate. You could see they were going hard and fast, and it made for one great match (if a bit short). This is network television, so it's not like they're going to take a long time to slowly build the match to a quicker pace. It was about ten minutes long, but you got everything you paid for in those ten minutes. Definitely main-event worthy.
Van Dam seemed to have everything well in control through the first 2/3. Kurt got a few suplexes in and managed to counter some of RVD's offense, but for the most part RVD was completely owning the Olympic gold medalist. Rolling Thunder, spinning heel kick, every trademark RVD could whip out was dished out to perfection.
Then RVD gets a little cocky and Angle comes up with the Ankle Lock. RVD counters a roll-through and some kicks to Kurt's head, but misses an epic 5-Star Frog Splash before Kurt slaps on the Angle Slam for the win.
Also, I have to say, it was great to see a main-event television match that ended cleanly (no obvious disqualifications or count-outs). I (and I'm sure a lot of fans) thought for sure that Jarrett would be running down to the ring to disrupt the match, but instead he was caught talking to Tennay and Tazz.
This brings me to the bad.
For a match that was flaunted from the beginning as one of professional wrestling's epic confrontations, the announcers talked about everything except the match. I mean, sure they talked about how Double-J hand-picked RVD to face Kurt, but that was more for Jarrett's ego than for the match. Tennay couldn't call anything because he was be hounded by the Jarretts. Tazz was too busy sucking up to notice there was a match going on, and Jarrett himself talked about everything from January onward. They talked about Immortal, they talked about Jeff's MMA "career", they talked about him stealing Karen, they talked about Slammiversary, they talked about everything but this match that they'd been promoting since the start of the show.
I understand that it makes for a more interesting experience when heels are doing commentary, but you do eventually have to come back to talking about the match; particularly on a show where "wrestling matters".
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, this was a much better show than I've seen of late. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't as frustrating to watch, either. Some truly great stuff brewing, but definite room for improvement. I hope this week's Impact Wrestling sticks to this formula, and continues to improve.
So after checking my DVR'd edition of last Thursday's show, I thought I'd post some thoughts.
First off, I want to say that the recent re-branding of the show is exactly what TNA needed. Changing the name to Impact Wrestling is a great way to showcase the company's new mantra of "wrestling matters". Even with its Smackdown-esque blue glow, TNA is still unique enough to differentiate itself from the competition. It may have a blue after-touch, but the color scheme is still heavily blackened: a color WWE has really tried to avoid in recent years.
The first thing people should notice about Impact is Christy Hemme. In many ways, the feel of Impact's presentation is akin to "Attitude Era" Raw broadcasts; back before everyone was dressed to the nine's and when it was okay to be informal. Whereas every WWE broadcast now uses the voice of Justin Roberts to announce the competitions, here is a fiery, green-eyed redhead in punk-ish attire growling the names of wrestlers as they march to the ring. It lacks the polish of a WWE experience, and that is a good thing.
There is a grit to TNA that likens it more to MMA fighting than to sports-entertainment. It's the type of grit that reminds me of old westerns: when the stranger walks into the bar and picks and immediate beef with the local riff-raff. Sure, every once in a while you might get two gun-slingers who display a mutual respect and simply want to see who the better sharpshooter is, but the best confrontations are always fueled by that testosterone and adrenaline that can only come from a legitimate dislike and a need to feel superior. It is the basest of human instincts and wrestling should always cling to this rule. Whereas WWE is leaning more toward the spirit of competition in its angles, TNA makes sure to build angles that affect their characters and bring out the best (or worst) in them.
However, there is a time when the talking must stop, and over the last few months, TNA has made a habit of starting every show with a 15-minute promo, usually by Immortal or Fortune, and there has been an utter lack of actual wrestling over the two-hour timeslot.
Thankfully, tonight, TNA decided to ditch their not-so-winning formula and opened with an actual wrestling match!
STREET FIGHT
"THE PHENOMENAL" A.J. STYLES & "THE FALLEN ANGEL" CHRISTOPHER DANIELS (4TUNE) VS. BULLY RAY & TOMMY DREAMER (IMMORTAL)
Okay, so now I'm gonna backtrack on everything I just said.
You see, TNA is still playing the "nobody knows who we are" card. This is good, in the sense that we get a fresh look at each character for almost every show. This is bad when it comes to street fights. People looking for an alternative to WWE are not necessarily looking for hardcore bash-your-brains-in-with-a-garbage-can-lid action. They may just want to see good, competitive, athletic wrestling with storylines that are not written for people under fourteen years of age.
You see, if I'm a wrestling fan, or heck, even if I've never seen a wrestling show in my life, and I turn on Impact to find four men scattered throughout the arena with various foreign objects, I'm probably more likely to say, "That's barbaric and insane," than, "Oh, my God, look at him bleed!"
TNA seems much more concerned with converting wrestling fans than creating new Impact fans, almost as though fans should start out with WWE and eventually "graduate" to TNA. If that's your strategy, then it will probably work, but if you're looking to make new wrestling fans rather than simply making new TNA fans, this is probably not the way to go.
On the bright side, at least they had two great athletes in the mix with Daniels and Styles. Their athleticism really shone through even in this environment, and hopefully that keeps viewers tuned in, because there's gotta be more where that came from, right? After all, we just opened the show!
A.J. goes for the Styles Clash which gets turned into a makeshift piledriver when Daniels flies off the top rope and spikes Dreamer into the mat. It looked absolutely devastating, and was the clear nail in the coffin for the team of Immortal cohorts.
WINNERS: "The Phenomenal" A.J. Styles & "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels
So now that we've got wrestling out of the way, we're ready to do some talking. By now we've been informed that TNA World Champion Sting has been given his own interview segment.
Here's the thing about interview segments. From Piper's Pit to Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel, interview segments all have one thing in common: they're hosted by the industry's best talkers. Even the less memorable Heartbreak Hotel segments are bearable thanks to Shawn Michaels' charisma. Of course, there are have been countless fly-by-night imitations, but Roddy Piper will always be the measuring stick for great interview segments, but TNA has an Ace up their sleeve in Ken Anderson.
Thankfully, the Stinger Sit-down was not hosted by the real Sting, but by the imitation Sting as played by none other than TNA's resident "asshole".
We then get thrown a curveball as Anderson calls out someone from Sting's past: none other than the unconquerable, legendary, (who was it again? Oh, yeah...) Disco Inferno!
This segment was great from start to finish. I don't care if you knew who Disco Inferno was, is, or ever will be; this segment made him look like a million bucks to every fan in the building. Rather than help to bury Sting, The Disc does nothing but praise "The Icon" to the adulation of the entire audience, culminating with Inferno wondering why Anderson flaunts the name "Asshole" when he's "clearly a dick," with Anderson's trademark mic in hand. Of course, Ken doesn't take kindly to this and uses the mic to assault his guest, prompting the Stinger to come in and save the day.
So now we have our second match. And by second match, I mean more talking. This time we're in the bathroom with Eric Young and World Television Champion, Gunner. After weeks of prancing around with old TNA World title belt, Young seems to have accidentally grabbed Gunner's belt by mistake in a backstage brawl a couple of weeks ago. Now he's got a master plan to give Gunner his belt back and help him climb up the ladder in Immortal. He cites Hogan and Nash from '99 and says all Gunner has to do is lay a finger on him and--BAM!--EY lays down and Gunner gets his belt back. Gunner reluctantly agrees. Eric is golden in this segment. None of it makes any sense, but that seems to be the key to his charm.
Okay, so now that all the jabbering is out of the way, we can move on to--wait, what's that? Are you sure? Really? I mean we've already--okay, okay! Looks like it's more talking, folks.
This time at least the scenery gets infinitely more interesting. Velvet Sky heads to the ring, which is a good thing. She means business, which is a bad thing, because it deprives us of the best entrance in wrestling.
It would be easy to say that Velvet Sky is another classic example of a wrestling Barbie Doll. In fact, that seems to be the issue here. WWE recently signed Kharma, formerly TNA's Awesome Kong and one of the staples of their Knockouts division. It has added a new air of credibility to Vince's Divas, but unfortunately, without Kong and the release of ODB, TNA has started to mirror WWE in its female competitors. Now ODB is back, and this time she's blaming Velvet for taking her spot and essentially pushing her off the roster. Her gripe seems to be that Velvet has made a living out of flaunting her physical attributes and that has made it hard for women like ODB who pride themselves on ability over appearance, to keep their spots on the roster.
The good thing about this is that it is a real issue among wrestlers and fans alike. Gail Kim is a great example of a fantastic in-ring performer who has been forced to sit on the sidelines while less experienced women take the forefront. It's easy to sympathize with ODB, but will the fans really feel bad for someone as beautiful as Velvet Sky who can easily be taken for a woman who has gotten by solely on her looks? It seemed to work tonight, and hopefully TNA keeps the fans interested. Velvet gets the beatdown, so we'll see how she plans to retaliate.
Okay, so now that we've waded through the Waters of Promo, there's got to be some wrestling on the horizon, right?
WRONG!
Instead we're in the office of Eric Bischoff and he's telling Beer Money that if Robert Roode's torn ACL doesn't heal up within the obligatory 30-day title defense timeline, they will be forced to relinquish the belts. James Storm trashes Bischoff's desk before walking out.
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...
Oh, wait...it's The Pope.
And he's talking.
He hit on a member of Brother D-von's family. That's not cool, and there's the feeling that something will eventually go down. We're not sure what, we just know it's coming.
*Wipes sweat from brow* Whew! Okay, back to the ring. There's...no one in it...yet. First Kurt Angle is trying to motivate "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan for his match against Jeff Jarrett. (Remember the "wrestling" part of "Impact Wrestling"?)
Okay, so now we're backstage, and--
Wait, what's this? Where are we? This looks familiar...like I've seen it before...perhaps in a dream. It reminds me of--yes! That's it! It's a wrestling ring! And there's music! Someone's coming out! Could it be? It is!
IT'S A WRESTLING MATCH!
JEFF JARRETT W/KAREN JARRETT VS. "THE BLUEPRINT" MATT MORGAN
Double-J hits the ring accompanied by his wife, Karen. She's on a crutch thanks to Velvet Sky pushing her down the ramp in a wheelchair. (Why is Velvet involved in so many angles?) She's gonna sit at ringside and watch. Here's Matt Morgan. He's knocking Jarrett around and suddenly Karen slips her crutch in the ring and "The King of the Mountain" uses it to put Morgan to sleep. With "The DNA of TNA" down for the count, the rest is academic.
WINNER: Jeff Jarrett
Well, it looks like we've got enough of the wrestling out of the way that we can go back to the promo cutting. Also, the show is now going to make me a liar. It seems that TNA is not done cutting 15-minute promos; they just moved them to the middle of the show instead of the start.
The Bisch is back, and he's got that obnoxious grin that he always wears, even when someone gets under his skin. It really bothers me that Bischoff refuses to "sell" his anger at any point against anyone. Whenever someone thwarts his doing, he simply slaps on that superficial smile and stands serenely unscathed.
Well, he's got that smile on. What is the reason for this jovial jubilee? It appears Hulk Hogan is back after dealing with Mick Foley and "The Network." The Hulkster praises Bischoff for ridding TNA of the X-Division, and assures Eric that Immortal is "back in the saddle" and that it will be nothing but "smooth sailing" from here (in a saddle?) But before they can break out the celebratory unicorn pinatas, in rides Mick Foley to inform them that "The Network" still holds a firm grip on the goings on in the realm of TNA television, and to start, the X-Division is to be reinstated.
Let's get something straight: wrestling fans do not care about the politics of broadcasting. It would be one thing if it was a wrestler taking a stand against "The Network" when the corporate hammer starts driving nails in the coffins of its performers. That would help the wrestler get over. But who's taking the stand here? TNA execs. No disrespect to Foley: few people can tell a story as intelligently as he can; but the focus needs to stay on active performers. Dealing
with all this convoluted "Network" mumbo jumbo is akin to Vince McMahon winning the ECW Championship against Bobby Lashley (remember that? Yeah, I wish I didn't, either.)
It seems TNA is trying to shift the focus by making the X-Division the center of Immortal's quarrel with "The Network." While Eric would love to see the "Hardcore Legend" face "The Monster" Abyss for the X-Division belt, Brian Kendrick comes out to insist that it be him to redeem he and his high-flying comrades. This seems to be fine with Immortal, so the match is set for later that night.
And now for the angle voted #1 in the "Kill This Now Before I Change the Channel" Poll, Winter is talking to a zombie-fied Angelina Love. Apparently Winter has been planning this "for centuries," and now their dreams are coming to fruition. To my knowledge, professional wrestling as we know it, even in its earliest form, is less than a century old, but what do I know?
Okay, so do I really need to make a list of all the reasons this angle is horrible? Probably not, but I'm going to anyway.
1.) When this first started, it seemed like Winter was simply a phantom or some figment of Angelina's imagination. Thankfully that was dropped and Winter "materialized" into a real person. Unfortunately, they then shot themselves in the foot once again.
2.) So we all know that Winter is drugging Angelina's drink. Velvet knows it. The announcers know it. The audience knows it. So, why exactly has no one done anything about this? I mean, you'd assume that someone would've gone to the police, or AT LEAST to management, right? Well, not in TNA, they don't!
3.) Velvet just kinda gave up on Angelina. She seems to be upset with her former tag partner (that just SOUNDS hot) when she should really be upset with Winter. There never really WAS a big payoff match between the two. Instead, Velvet just kind of walked away. She got mixed up in the Angle/Jarrett feud, and then ODB came out of left field to attack her. So I guess we can say the Beautiful People are officially on hiatus.
4.) If Velvet is no longer interested in liberating Angelina, why do we still have this ridiculous angle? I mean, I get that if Angelina ever "came to" she'd probably kill Winter for what she's done, but what's the point of keeping her brainwashed and chained to Winter's side if it's not to provoke Velvet? What other Knockout is going to step up and save her?
5.) Okay, so the list could go on, but just a few more thoughts: Why is it the only two people Angelina seems conscious of are Winter and whatever referee is officiating the match (she actually got out of the ring before the five count during their last tag match when the ref threatened to disqualify her)? Also, are we supposed to believe that Angelina is in this state seven days a week? I mean, how does she get to the arena? How does she eat? How does she dress herself? How does she remember her training when she's in the ring?
I understand that not every wrestling angle but there's so many holes in this storyline I don't understand how it can possibly still be on television. It's simply insulting to the fans' intelligence, and not just the so-called "smart marks" out there. It's insulting at the most basic of levels, and it only gets worse from there.
But hey, at least she can wrestle.
WINTER W/ANGELINA LOVE VS. TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPION MICKIE JAMES
Winter comes out to her creepy entrance music with her zombie pet, Angelina. Then comes Mickie James: TNA's poster Knockout. Mickie's done a great job of transitioning from one of WWE's top divas to a TNA mainstay. Her connection with the fans is remarkable considering people have a rather low tolerance for women's wrestling.
In this match she manages to snag a solid victory against her enigmatic adversary, even with Zombalina on the outside.
WINNER: TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James
So now we're back with Abyss who's preparing for his match against Kendrick. He's reading now, and he's picked a classic: "The Art of War." Apparently, he's also learning a lot, and he wants us to know that, because he keeps quoting from his latest tome. It's easy to see how these principles translate to success when it comes to the wars of the ring, but I could do without the preface, "Sun Tzu says," before EVERY enlightening lesson. Also, reading it straight from the book during your promo doesn't exactly demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the text.
Anyway, just as he's heading to the ring he gets jumped from behind and gets a taste of his own medicine when he's assaulted with his beloved "Janice."
TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPION "THE MONSTER" ABYSS VS. BRIAN KENDRICK
Abyss comes to the ring in bad shape. He limps his way down the ramp to meet the erratic Brian Kendrick.
It looks like Kendrick has things well in hand until Abyss manages to use the ref as a distraction while he knocks Kendrick off the top rope. Then it's just a matter of turning his victim inside out with a Blackhole Slam for the win. Afterwards he manages to work in a quote from "The Art of War" into his use of the ref as a human shield. Short, sweet, and to the point. I like it.
WINNER: "THE MONSTER" ABYSS
You probably think now that the match is over we'll probably go backstage to some interview segment. Well, you're kinda right. We flash quickly to Kurt Angle who's telling us that tonight he will not be focused on Jeff Jarrett for a change. Instead, he's got RVD to worry about. Should be a great match, and TNA does a great job of hyping us for it. After this very brief, very concise discussion, we're back in the ring for more wrestling. I wish 70% of pro wrestling promos were paced like this.
TNA WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
TNA WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION GUNNER VS. ERIC YOUNG
Eric Young comes to the ring wearing the TV title, but it should be noted this match is merely a formality as Gunner never actually lost the championship. As a matter of fact, I'm not exactly sure why this match is even happening. If Gunner never lost the title, why does he have to compete in a match to get it back? No one seems to know the answer, but I wonder how many people asked the question.
True to his word, EY goes down the second Gunner touches him. Unfortunately for Gunner, the second he hooks the leg, Young rolls him into a small package for a shocking quick three count! Young springs to his feet in surprise, as Gunner takes a moment to comprehend what has just transpired. When he realizes he has been officially dethroned as the TV champion, he begins to chase Young around the ringside area, but is unable to catch him before the new champ disappears.
This was a shocking upset and a nice reminder that anything can still happen in wrestling.
WINNER: NEW TNA World Television Champion Eric Young
Okay, so now we have the main event. Jeff Jarrett heads out with Karen to the announce table, and we all know what that means...or do we?
KURT ANGLE VS. ROB VAN DAM
Okay, so I have mixed emotions about this. First the good:
The match itself was great. Fast-paced action, with RVD and Angle giving everything they've got right out of the gate. You could see they were going hard and fast, and it made for one great match (if a bit short). This is network television, so it's not like they're going to take a long time to slowly build the match to a quicker pace. It was about ten minutes long, but you got everything you paid for in those ten minutes. Definitely main-event worthy.
Van Dam seemed to have everything well in control through the first 2/3. Kurt got a few suplexes in and managed to counter some of RVD's offense, but for the most part RVD was completely owning the Olympic gold medalist. Rolling Thunder, spinning heel kick, every trademark RVD could whip out was dished out to perfection.
Then RVD gets a little cocky and Angle comes up with the Ankle Lock. RVD counters a roll-through and some kicks to Kurt's head, but misses an epic 5-Star Frog Splash before Kurt slaps on the Angle Slam for the win.
Also, I have to say, it was great to see a main-event television match that ended cleanly (no obvious disqualifications or count-outs). I (and I'm sure a lot of fans) thought for sure that Jarrett would be running down to the ring to disrupt the match, but instead he was caught talking to Tennay and Tazz.
This brings me to the bad.
For a match that was flaunted from the beginning as one of professional wrestling's epic confrontations, the announcers talked about everything except the match. I mean, sure they talked about how Double-J hand-picked RVD to face Kurt, but that was more for Jarrett's ego than for the match. Tennay couldn't call anything because he was be hounded by the Jarretts. Tazz was too busy sucking up to notice there was a match going on, and Jarrett himself talked about everything from January onward. They talked about Immortal, they talked about Jeff's MMA "career", they talked about him stealing Karen, they talked about Slammiversary, they talked about everything but this match that they'd been promoting since the start of the show.
I understand that it makes for a more interesting experience when heels are doing commentary, but you do eventually have to come back to talking about the match; particularly on a show where "wrestling matters".
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, this was a much better show than I've seen of late. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't as frustrating to watch, either. Some truly great stuff brewing, but definite room for improvement. I hope this week's Impact Wrestling sticks to this formula, and continues to improve.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Final Thoughts and "Wrestlemania XXVII" Predictions
With tonight's edition of Friday Night Smackdown under our belts, wrestling fans now look forward to Sunday, and the biggest wrestling event of the year: Wrestlemania XXVII.
Interestingly enough, tonight's Smackdown served as little more than a recap for Monday's Raw, with only a couple of matches unfolding. The rest of the show's two hours were filled with video packages and replays that we'd all seen just a few nights before. Nevertheless, it did help to add one final match to the card, and did a great job of hyping Sunday's event for all it's worth.
Certainly, there are things WWE could do to round out the show. There are no real celebrity guests aside from Snooki and Keri Hilson. But really, what I was anticipating was that there would be an unmasking of the "anonymous" Raw General Manager. How much longer is WWE going to keep this up? Isn't Wrestlemania a rather ideal time to unveil a new GM and set the stage for the coming year? Weren't Superstars like Edge and Chris Jericho on a vendetta to just that only a few short months ago?
In any case, I digress. Here's an opportunity to look at every match and I will make my final predictions for Wrestlemania XXVII.
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
So apparently Cody Rhodes thinks that Mysterio deliberately damaged his face, which looks to be remarkably unscathed.
The biggest issues I have with this match is that the storyline makes little to no sense and comes off as something that I might see at Judgment Day, or Summerslam at best. This is Wrestlemania, and this guy is mad because Rey tainted his "Dashing" good looks?
This should be Rhodes' chance to shine, but unfortunately, he is going nowhere fast. He's sorely lacking in charisma and I just don't feel compelled to watch him. Cody should be getting a nice push to keep the youth movement going in the WWE, but instead he comes off as a simple doormat for Rey Mysterio. I hope these two put on a terrific match (we know they are both capable) and prove me wrong, but I just don't see the feud leading anywhere.
Who should win: Cody Rhodes
Who will win: Rey Mysterio
WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE United States Champion Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan
Sheamus works really well in his role, here. He's a bully, and he's at his best when he's beating people up and taking things that probably are better suited on someone else. The thing about Sheamus is that he peaked so early in his career, winning the WWE Championship, that anything less than that feels like a step back. I always thought Sheamus was a great mid-card worker, but after seeing him in feuds with the likes of Cena and Triple H, it's hard to watch him begin to pick on someone like Daniel Bryan.
On the other side of the coin, we have Bryan, who has yet to have that one truly fantastic match that we all know he can have. We got a taste of what we can expect from him at this year's Royal Rumble event when he and Punk sparred between entrants, and I thought for sure that WWE would be using this to set up a dream match a Wrestlemania. At the very least, we can hope that Bryan pulls a great match out of Sheamus and shows us what he's truly capable of. This guy needs to be pushed as strong and as soon as possible.
But first, he should probably shave, cut his hair, and change his entrance music.
Who should win: Daniel Bryan
Who will win: Daniel Bryan
EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
The Big Show & Kane, Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov vs. The Corre (WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, and WWE Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel)
This was the final match to officially make the card, and accounts for why there aren't more championships on the line (or does it?) It's a confusing match, since I'm not really sure how the teams of Kane & Big Show and Santino & Kozlov are suddenly contemplating how they must co-exist to take on The Corre. Meanwhile, Wade Barrett is running around with Kofi Kingston's Intercontinental Championship, but Kofi is not on the card. I feel like WWE could have done so much more with this. Put the Intercontinental title on the line with Kingston and Barrett, and then have a triple threat tag team match for the WWE Tag Team titles. Seems easy, right? Well, forget it, because WWE would rather cook up some insanely convoluted storyline and throw all the participants into a single bout.
Unfortunately, much like Elimination Chamber and 6-man Hell-in-a-Cell matches, these bouts always devolve into complete chaos. There is no rhyme or reason to the action. One referee cannot possibly maintain order with all these combustible elements. The Corre is a well-oiled machine facing two fly-by-night tag teams who have never worked together as a cohesive unit. Yes, all four of their opponents are former tag champions, but they don't have the look or feel of a team. They may as well have plucked four random opponents from the locker room and thrown them on the card.
The Corre should come out with the victory if only because it will solidify them as a force to be reckoned with in the coming months, and it will be fun to see which Superstars are able to step up to the plate and dismantle their brotherhood man-by-man.
Who should win: The Corre
Who will win: The Corre
Randy Orton vs. C.M. Punk
This is perhaps the most underrated feud on the card. Both these men are terrific in their respective roles, and both are solid performers. Punk has really shone brightly in the weeks leading up to this match, and Orton has been in top, dare I say, "vintage" form. I'm not sure bringing Orton's wife into the mix did anything for the angle that hadn't already been done. This is far from being the personal animosity that was seen between Triple H and Orton just a few years ago. Orton isn't a clear face, so it's hard to say that fans will be 100% behind him, which is probably the most likely reason for his wife being present during his assault.
Orton has done a great job of showcasing his vindictiveness, striking as only The Viper can to eliminate every member of the Nexus from the equation at Wrestlemania. Punk has taken all of this in stride, showing a twisted side of himself that can be at times truly disturbing. Punk believes in everything he says, and that forces the audience to believe it. Punk believes he is doing everything for all the right reasons, and that adds a level of perversion to his methods that might otherwise have been written off as casual acts of an angry wrestler.
It's hard to say who I would be rooting for in this match, and that, oddly enough, makes it more exciting, because unlike other matches, it's not entirely clear who will walk away the winner. Orton is the fan favorite, but Punk and The Nexus are the ones who stand to benefit from a victory here. Either way, this should be an intense match-up that may just surprise a few people.
Who should win: C.M. Punk
Who will win: Randy Orton
SIX-PERSON TAG TEAM MATCH
John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler, Lay-Cool (Michelle McCool & Layla) with Vickie Guerrero
What strikes me as odd about this match is that Snooki is getting so much hype, that we almost forget that Trish Stratus will be back in action for the first time in five years. Sure, you could count her couple of matches from 2008 and sporadic appearances on Raw, but this is the first time in five years that Trish will officially be back in action, and WWE has made little hoopla about it. So much has been made of Snooki, and Trish has been left on the back burner as simply a mentor figure instead of the true force to be reckoned with. She is, after all, the only 7-time WWE Women's Champion in history, as well as the Diva of the Decade. I guess that doesn't count for much when Jersey Shore is in the house.
This will be what all the media moguls are watching, but I'm not sure what they are expecting to see. We all know how this match will go down. I just hope that Trish and Morrison get their fair share of spots before Snooki takes the win.
Who should win: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki
Who will win: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole with Jack Swagger
SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
This will be the first of WWE's apparent quadruple main event. Everyone is looking forward to this, and having Austin as the ref doesn't hurt, though I'm not sure it was needed in the first place. Cole had plenty of heat before Austin hit the scene, and were it not for the arbitrary involvement of Jack Swagger, his presence might not be necessary.
A lot of people will praise Cole for being able to draw such heat from the crowd, and it is a commendable effort, but an effort that might have been better spent actually building up a heel that will help the company draw money. Watching Cole and Lawler is not going to sell t-shirts, and commentators should not be the ones putting people in seats. The sad truth is that if WWE spent as much time building up some of their other heels, or faces for that matter, as they did letting Michael Cole's monotonous ramblings plague our ears, we might have a roster of characters that we actually cared about instead of a locker room of interchangeable personalities (or lack thereof).
Still, we will all relish in the experience, and the beer bash that will inevitably follow.
Who should win: Jerry "The King" Lawler
Who will win: Jerry "The King" Lawler
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Edge with Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio with Brodus Clay
It's pretty obvious that WWE intends to put the title on Del Rio. They've been shoving him down our throats long enough to let us see that much is clear. Again, as with Sheamus, my concern is that he will peak too early and after winning the title, simply go back to being another mid-card nobody on Smackdown. Still, it might be nice to see a new face on top for a while, though I'm not sure where WWE plans to go with him, as they haven't really built up any other young talent for him to feud with as champion.
Having their respective cohorts in their corners should add some spice to the mix. Christian and Edge should work together wonderfully to keep Brodus Clay out of the equation. Perhaps Christian will become the new #1 Contender to the World Championship. That would be a great feud that might inject a new spark in Smackdown.
Edge has done a great job holding Smackdown together in the wake of such an absence of star power, but how much longer will WWE rely on him before fans will get bored and tune out completely?
This should be a good back-and-forth battle, but in the end, "destiny" will defeat "opportunity", and we will see what happens to Smackdown when the smoke clears.
Who should win: Edge
Who will win: Alberto Del Rio
NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH
The Undertaker vs. Triple H
The promo on Raw between Undertaker, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels was the stuff legends are made of. The Undertaker cutting out Triple H's entrance music at that iconic moment reinforced the idea that Triple H is playing the Deadman's game (no pun intended). Shawn Michaels' appearance was shocking: a well-kept secret in an age where everything is leaked on the internet weeks in advance. Shawn had actually tweeted just hours before that he was on his way home to San Antonio to catch Raw, and after the promo tweeted that he had "missed" what happened in the last segment.
Triple H made some tremendous points in regards to The Undertaker, the Streak, and his respect for both Shawn Michaels and his Wrestlemania opponent. His most prominent point was, perhaps, the point I attempted to make in my last column: that Triple H is no Shawn Michaels. Triple H openly acknowledges that, and admits to being the underdog in this match. The Phenom then cuts through his words with just a handful of his own, ensuring The Game that the Streak will remain intact. Shawn's reaction to The Undertaker's statements about ending the Showstopper's career gave me goosebumps, and the look of despair on his face as he mouthed the words "You can't win" to his best friend, sent shivers down my spine.
Obviously, WWE wouldn't dare jeopardize something as immortal as the Streak: the likes of which will never be duplicated. But Triple H makes a great argument as a man who could end it, and that, in the end, is what we're paying for.
This will be a classic battle between two men from a dying era, and just might steal the show.
Who should win: The Undertaker
Who will win: The Undertaker
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE Champion The Miz vs. John Cena
WWE almost shot itself in the foot by allowing the confrontation between The Rock and Cena to air live for free on Raw this past week. After weeks of anticipation, The Rock finally met Cena eye-to-eye, but it wasn't at Wrestlemania. It will be interesting to see if the break in tension affects projected buyrates at all, as well as what WWE has in store to outshine that epic moment.
Cena will never win a war of words with The Rock, but I do give Cena props for sticking to his guns and not giving in to The Rock's game. Cena stood by everything that Rock had criticized him for, from the color of his clothes, to his entrance theme, his target demographic, and his mantra of "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect."
Then The Miz arrived to remind us all that it was his WWE Championship that Cena would be vying for this Sunday. Miz's target that night, however, was The Rock. Miz claimed that he was bigger than Rock ever was, and that "The Great One" wouldn't dare lay a hand on him because it would jeopardize his career if Miz was to retaliate.
Unfortunately for The Miz, The Rock was anything but intimidated and proceeded to "Layeth the Smacketh Down," tossing Miz and Alex Riley from the ring before turning straight into an Attitude Adjustment from Cena, who ended the show with Rock on his back as he made his way up the ramp.
The real main event will be to see what happens as a result of the beat down by Rock and Cena respectively, and ultimately, where this puts both men the following night. Will Rock stick around for a while, or is this a simple case of a wrestling "one night stand"? Where will Cena's career be after this historic night, and will The Rock's presence be enough to distract him from regaining the WWE Championship?
The Miz should hold on to that title. Cena has no need of it these days, and keeping The Miz on top a little longer will show some faith in the new generation. It would also be interesting to see how Cena continues to evolve outside of the title picture.
But of course, this is Wrestlemania, "The Showcase of the Immortals," where the impossible always happens and dreams really do come true.
Besides, we can't disappoint all those little kids.
Who should win: The Miz
Who will win: John Cena
Final Thoughts
All in all, Wrestlemania XXVII has shaped up to be a decent show. While it's far from the "biggest Wrestlemania in history," WWE has done a good job of making what seemed like a mediocre show on paper, into a can't-miss extravaganza. I'm sure we will be left with memorable moments. The Undertaker vs. Triple H along with Cena and Rock should be worth the price of the show alone. But WWE's creases are starting to show, and the cracks in their roster are leaving huge gaps. WWE needs to use the coming year to build up new stars, perhaps using the likes of Rock and Austin to help. It'll be interesting to see who comes out of Tough Enough and how/if they are pushed and used. Wrestlemania has a history of setting the tone for the rest of the year, so hopefully we are given more than a few reasons to stay tuned.
See you at Wrestlemania XXVII!
Interestingly enough, tonight's Smackdown served as little more than a recap for Monday's Raw, with only a couple of matches unfolding. The rest of the show's two hours were filled with video packages and replays that we'd all seen just a few nights before. Nevertheless, it did help to add one final match to the card, and did a great job of hyping Sunday's event for all it's worth.
Certainly, there are things WWE could do to round out the show. There are no real celebrity guests aside from Snooki and Keri Hilson. But really, what I was anticipating was that there would be an unmasking of the "anonymous" Raw General Manager. How much longer is WWE going to keep this up? Isn't Wrestlemania a rather ideal time to unveil a new GM and set the stage for the coming year? Weren't Superstars like Edge and Chris Jericho on a vendetta to just that only a few short months ago?
In any case, I digress. Here's an opportunity to look at every match and I will make my final predictions for Wrestlemania XXVII.
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
So apparently Cody Rhodes thinks that Mysterio deliberately damaged his face, which looks to be remarkably unscathed.
The biggest issues I have with this match is that the storyline makes little to no sense and comes off as something that I might see at Judgment Day, or Summerslam at best. This is Wrestlemania, and this guy is mad because Rey tainted his "Dashing" good looks?
This should be Rhodes' chance to shine, but unfortunately, he is going nowhere fast. He's sorely lacking in charisma and I just don't feel compelled to watch him. Cody should be getting a nice push to keep the youth movement going in the WWE, but instead he comes off as a simple doormat for Rey Mysterio. I hope these two put on a terrific match (we know they are both capable) and prove me wrong, but I just don't see the feud leading anywhere.
Who should win: Cody Rhodes
Who will win: Rey Mysterio
WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE United States Champion Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan
Sheamus works really well in his role, here. He's a bully, and he's at his best when he's beating people up and taking things that probably are better suited on someone else. The thing about Sheamus is that he peaked so early in his career, winning the WWE Championship, that anything less than that feels like a step back. I always thought Sheamus was a great mid-card worker, but after seeing him in feuds with the likes of Cena and Triple H, it's hard to watch him begin to pick on someone like Daniel Bryan.
On the other side of the coin, we have Bryan, who has yet to have that one truly fantastic match that we all know he can have. We got a taste of what we can expect from him at this year's Royal Rumble event when he and Punk sparred between entrants, and I thought for sure that WWE would be using this to set up a dream match a Wrestlemania. At the very least, we can hope that Bryan pulls a great match out of Sheamus and shows us what he's truly capable of. This guy needs to be pushed as strong and as soon as possible.
But first, he should probably shave, cut his hair, and change his entrance music.
Who should win: Daniel Bryan
Who will win: Daniel Bryan
EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
The Big Show & Kane, Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov vs. The Corre (WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, and WWE Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel)
This was the final match to officially make the card, and accounts for why there aren't more championships on the line (or does it?) It's a confusing match, since I'm not really sure how the teams of Kane & Big Show and Santino & Kozlov are suddenly contemplating how they must co-exist to take on The Corre. Meanwhile, Wade Barrett is running around with Kofi Kingston's Intercontinental Championship, but Kofi is not on the card. I feel like WWE could have done so much more with this. Put the Intercontinental title on the line with Kingston and Barrett, and then have a triple threat tag team match for the WWE Tag Team titles. Seems easy, right? Well, forget it, because WWE would rather cook up some insanely convoluted storyline and throw all the participants into a single bout.
Unfortunately, much like Elimination Chamber and 6-man Hell-in-a-Cell matches, these bouts always devolve into complete chaos. There is no rhyme or reason to the action. One referee cannot possibly maintain order with all these combustible elements. The Corre is a well-oiled machine facing two fly-by-night tag teams who have never worked together as a cohesive unit. Yes, all four of their opponents are former tag champions, but they don't have the look or feel of a team. They may as well have plucked four random opponents from the locker room and thrown them on the card.
The Corre should come out with the victory if only because it will solidify them as a force to be reckoned with in the coming months, and it will be fun to see which Superstars are able to step up to the plate and dismantle their brotherhood man-by-man.
Who should win: The Corre
Who will win: The Corre
Randy Orton vs. C.M. Punk
This is perhaps the most underrated feud on the card. Both these men are terrific in their respective roles, and both are solid performers. Punk has really shone brightly in the weeks leading up to this match, and Orton has been in top, dare I say, "vintage" form. I'm not sure bringing Orton's wife into the mix did anything for the angle that hadn't already been done. This is far from being the personal animosity that was seen between Triple H and Orton just a few years ago. Orton isn't a clear face, so it's hard to say that fans will be 100% behind him, which is probably the most likely reason for his wife being present during his assault.
Orton has done a great job of showcasing his vindictiveness, striking as only The Viper can to eliminate every member of the Nexus from the equation at Wrestlemania. Punk has taken all of this in stride, showing a twisted side of himself that can be at times truly disturbing. Punk believes in everything he says, and that forces the audience to believe it. Punk believes he is doing everything for all the right reasons, and that adds a level of perversion to his methods that might otherwise have been written off as casual acts of an angry wrestler.
It's hard to say who I would be rooting for in this match, and that, oddly enough, makes it more exciting, because unlike other matches, it's not entirely clear who will walk away the winner. Orton is the fan favorite, but Punk and The Nexus are the ones who stand to benefit from a victory here. Either way, this should be an intense match-up that may just surprise a few people.
Who should win: C.M. Punk
Who will win: Randy Orton
SIX-PERSON TAG TEAM MATCH
John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler, Lay-Cool (Michelle McCool & Layla) with Vickie Guerrero
What strikes me as odd about this match is that Snooki is getting so much hype, that we almost forget that Trish Stratus will be back in action for the first time in five years. Sure, you could count her couple of matches from 2008 and sporadic appearances on Raw, but this is the first time in five years that Trish will officially be back in action, and WWE has made little hoopla about it. So much has been made of Snooki, and Trish has been left on the back burner as simply a mentor figure instead of the true force to be reckoned with. She is, after all, the only 7-time WWE Women's Champion in history, as well as the Diva of the Decade. I guess that doesn't count for much when Jersey Shore is in the house.
This will be what all the media moguls are watching, but I'm not sure what they are expecting to see. We all know how this match will go down. I just hope that Trish and Morrison get their fair share of spots before Snooki takes the win.
Who should win: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki
Who will win: John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole with Jack Swagger
SPECIAL GUEST REFEREE: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
This will be the first of WWE's apparent quadruple main event. Everyone is looking forward to this, and having Austin as the ref doesn't hurt, though I'm not sure it was needed in the first place. Cole had plenty of heat before Austin hit the scene, and were it not for the arbitrary involvement of Jack Swagger, his presence might not be necessary.
A lot of people will praise Cole for being able to draw such heat from the crowd, and it is a commendable effort, but an effort that might have been better spent actually building up a heel that will help the company draw money. Watching Cole and Lawler is not going to sell t-shirts, and commentators should not be the ones putting people in seats. The sad truth is that if WWE spent as much time building up some of their other heels, or faces for that matter, as they did letting Michael Cole's monotonous ramblings plague our ears, we might have a roster of characters that we actually cared about instead of a locker room of interchangeable personalities (or lack thereof).
Still, we will all relish in the experience, and the beer bash that will inevitably follow.
Who should win: Jerry "The King" Lawler
Who will win: Jerry "The King" Lawler
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Edge with Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio with Brodus Clay
It's pretty obvious that WWE intends to put the title on Del Rio. They've been shoving him down our throats long enough to let us see that much is clear. Again, as with Sheamus, my concern is that he will peak too early and after winning the title, simply go back to being another mid-card nobody on Smackdown. Still, it might be nice to see a new face on top for a while, though I'm not sure where WWE plans to go with him, as they haven't really built up any other young talent for him to feud with as champion.
Having their respective cohorts in their corners should add some spice to the mix. Christian and Edge should work together wonderfully to keep Brodus Clay out of the equation. Perhaps Christian will become the new #1 Contender to the World Championship. That would be a great feud that might inject a new spark in Smackdown.
Edge has done a great job holding Smackdown together in the wake of such an absence of star power, but how much longer will WWE rely on him before fans will get bored and tune out completely?
This should be a good back-and-forth battle, but in the end, "destiny" will defeat "opportunity", and we will see what happens to Smackdown when the smoke clears.
Who should win: Edge
Who will win: Alberto Del Rio
NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH
The Undertaker vs. Triple H
The promo on Raw between Undertaker, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels was the stuff legends are made of. The Undertaker cutting out Triple H's entrance music at that iconic moment reinforced the idea that Triple H is playing the Deadman's game (no pun intended). Shawn Michaels' appearance was shocking: a well-kept secret in an age where everything is leaked on the internet weeks in advance. Shawn had actually tweeted just hours before that he was on his way home to San Antonio to catch Raw, and after the promo tweeted that he had "missed" what happened in the last segment.
Triple H made some tremendous points in regards to The Undertaker, the Streak, and his respect for both Shawn Michaels and his Wrestlemania opponent. His most prominent point was, perhaps, the point I attempted to make in my last column: that Triple H is no Shawn Michaels. Triple H openly acknowledges that, and admits to being the underdog in this match. The Phenom then cuts through his words with just a handful of his own, ensuring The Game that the Streak will remain intact. Shawn's reaction to The Undertaker's statements about ending the Showstopper's career gave me goosebumps, and the look of despair on his face as he mouthed the words "You can't win" to his best friend, sent shivers down my spine.
Obviously, WWE wouldn't dare jeopardize something as immortal as the Streak: the likes of which will never be duplicated. But Triple H makes a great argument as a man who could end it, and that, in the end, is what we're paying for.
This will be a classic battle between two men from a dying era, and just might steal the show.
Who should win: The Undertaker
Who will win: The Undertaker
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE Champion The Miz vs. John Cena
WWE almost shot itself in the foot by allowing the confrontation between The Rock and Cena to air live for free on Raw this past week. After weeks of anticipation, The Rock finally met Cena eye-to-eye, but it wasn't at Wrestlemania. It will be interesting to see if the break in tension affects projected buyrates at all, as well as what WWE has in store to outshine that epic moment.
Cena will never win a war of words with The Rock, but I do give Cena props for sticking to his guns and not giving in to The Rock's game. Cena stood by everything that Rock had criticized him for, from the color of his clothes, to his entrance theme, his target demographic, and his mantra of "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect."
Then The Miz arrived to remind us all that it was his WWE Championship that Cena would be vying for this Sunday. Miz's target that night, however, was The Rock. Miz claimed that he was bigger than Rock ever was, and that "The Great One" wouldn't dare lay a hand on him because it would jeopardize his career if Miz was to retaliate.
Unfortunately for The Miz, The Rock was anything but intimidated and proceeded to "Layeth the Smacketh Down," tossing Miz and Alex Riley from the ring before turning straight into an Attitude Adjustment from Cena, who ended the show with Rock on his back as he made his way up the ramp.
The real main event will be to see what happens as a result of the beat down by Rock and Cena respectively, and ultimately, where this puts both men the following night. Will Rock stick around for a while, or is this a simple case of a wrestling "one night stand"? Where will Cena's career be after this historic night, and will The Rock's presence be enough to distract him from regaining the WWE Championship?
The Miz should hold on to that title. Cena has no need of it these days, and keeping The Miz on top a little longer will show some faith in the new generation. It would also be interesting to see how Cena continues to evolve outside of the title picture.
But of course, this is Wrestlemania, "The Showcase of the Immortals," where the impossible always happens and dreams really do come true.
Besides, we can't disappoint all those little kids.
Who should win: The Miz
Who will win: John Cena
Final Thoughts
All in all, Wrestlemania XXVII has shaped up to be a decent show. While it's far from the "biggest Wrestlemania in history," WWE has done a good job of making what seemed like a mediocre show on paper, into a can't-miss extravaganza. I'm sure we will be left with memorable moments. The Undertaker vs. Triple H along with Cena and Rock should be worth the price of the show alone. But WWE's creases are starting to show, and the cracks in their roster are leaving huge gaps. WWE needs to use the coming year to build up new stars, perhaps using the likes of Rock and Austin to help. It'll be interesting to see who comes out of Tough Enough and how/if they are pushed and used. Wrestlemania has a history of setting the tone for the rest of the year, so hopefully we are given more than a few reasons to stay tuned.
See you at Wrestlemania XXVII!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wrestlemania Redux
Wrestlemania 23 marked the 20th anniversary of that historic and epic moment in which Hulk Hogan slammed Andre the Giant to become WWF Champion. It was rumored that in preparation for this event in 2007, Vince McMahon planned to book Hogan against the Big Show as an homage to what is arguably the most well-known moment in wrestling history. However, Hogan's legal troubles and family issues kept him away from the ring that year, and the match never saw the light of day (or night, as it were.) The closest resemblance to this epic encounter was a brief memory of Kane slamming the Great Khali, who, up until that time, had rarely if ever left the ground.
Nostalgia seems to be in-style in WWE. Now it's 2011, and as I look at the card for Wrestlemania XVII, I can't help but take a look back to a decade ago, to April 1, 2001, and Wrestlemania X-Seven.
If you need a refreshing of your memory, here's the card from that event:
WWF CHAMPIONSHIP
No Disqualification Match
WWF Champion The Rock vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
No Holds Barred Match
Triple H vs. The Undertaker
Gimmick Battle Royal
The Iron Sheik, Luke Williams, Butch Miller, Duke Droese, Doink the Clown, Nikolai Volkoff, Tugboat, The Goon, Earthquake, Gobbledy Gooker, Brother Love, Michael Hayes, One Man Gang, Kamala, Kim Chee, Jim Cornette, Repo Man, Hillbilly Jim and Sgt. Slaughter
WWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match
WWF World Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian
Street Fight
Special Guest Referee Mick Foley
Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon w/ Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
WWF WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
WWF Women's Champion Ivory vs. Chyna
Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit
WWF EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
WWF European Champion Test vs. Eddie Guerrero w/ Perry Saturn
WWF HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP
Triple Threat Match
WWF Hardcore Champion Raven vs. Kane vs. Big Show
Six-Man Tag Team Match
Tazz and the APA w/ Jacqueline vs. Right to Censor w/ Steven Richards
WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho vs. William Regal
It's also worth noting, that on this edition of Sunday Night Heat, X-Factor's Justin Credible & X-Pac w/ Albert defeated Steve Blackman & Grand Master Sexay.
Now, fast forward ten years. Here is the card for Wrestlemania XXVII
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE Champion The Miz vs. John Cena
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio
No Holds Barred Match
Triple H vs. The Undertaker
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
Special Guest Referee "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger
Six-Person Tag Team Match
John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler & Lay-Cool w/ Vickie Guerrero
WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE United States Champion Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
Special Guest Host of Wrestlemania
The Rock
And while it hasn't been officially added to the card (at least according to WWE.com), I assume the following match will also happen:
WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE Tag Team Champions The Corre (Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel) vs. Kane & The Big Show
The first thing that jumps out at me is the Triple H vs. The Undertaker match. Not because it is an encounter of epic proportions, but because this is the exact same match that we saw just ten years ago, right down to the match type. It's one thing to have a rematch. Heck, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker battled two years in a row with the exact same result. Though those particular matches may be considered special cases (they are, after all, regarded by many as two of the greatest matches in Wrestlemania history), WWE programming has never once mentioned that these two men have battled before on "The Grandest Stage of Them All". The only reference made to their Wrestlemania X-Seven encounter is on the Match Preview on WWE.com. The brief paragraph addressing their previous bout reads as follows:
Of course, WWE is not going to tell us much about their Wrestlemania X-Seven match, because that would water-down the anticipation for this year's match. However, at the end of the day, I just don't get the same goosebumps from this angle that I did from the Shawn Michaels/The Undertaker match just a year ago.
The build up to HBK's match with The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25 was expertly done. They went so far as to acknowledge that these two had fought numerous times before, but that Shawn had never had the opportunity to face The Phenom on his "home turf", at Wrestlemania. At Wrestlemania 26, the idea was that Shawn had come so close to beating The Deadman the previous year, that he knew he could beat him if he had just one more chance, this time putting his career on the line. Those two matches weren't about two epic Superstars clashing on a huge stage, but about two legends and in-ring artists putting on a terrific show and one man's quest to do what no man had ever done. HBK, like many of the challengers before him, played many head-games with The Undertaker, whereas Triple H has done nothing but talk. There have been no smoke and mirrors on either side. There have been no ominous messages, no supernatural occurrences; simply a lot of talk.
Unfortunately for Triple H, he ever had, nor will he ever have, the charisma that HBK brings to the big dance. Yet what The Game lacks in charisma, he makes up for in intensity, but for some reason, this makes him a little less human as he seems to possess this invulnerability about him. No matter what happens, he never falters, never cracks. He's not intimidated by The Undertaker, whereas Michaels had to noticeably don a facade simply to counter The Undertaker's head games. Is this really an epic and highly-anticipated encounter? Or is this simply a case of Triple H riding the coat-tails of HBK's 5-star matches with The Undertaker?
There is one element to this match that is bone-chilling, though subtle. Following his return, The Undertaker has repeatedly been called "The Last Outlaw". This is perhaps the one aspect of the match that proves to be its saving grace.
Flashback once again, to Wrestlemania X-Seven. It is considered by many to be the mark of the end of the "Attitude Era". While Austin, Rock, and Foley would stick around a few more years, the torch would soon be passed to Triple H to carry the company. Men like Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Jericho were quickly rising to the top.
By Wrestlemania XIX, Austin would have his last match. Rock and Foley would tag team against Evolution a year later. And by Wrestlemania 21, the only stars from the "Attitude Era" to be left in prominent, main-event spots were Triple H, The Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels.
Sure, there was still Jericho, Edge, Christian, Kane, and others, but these three men were the last centerpieces of the company before the new generation would step in.
And now, with Michaels gone, Triple H and The Undertaker are the last representations of an era that captivated an entire generation of wrestling fans. From prominence in the World Wrestling Federation, through the Monday Night Wars, and through the rough transitions that followed, these two have remained permanent fixtures of the industry, and now, it would seem, are facing off one final time in a battle that will most likely put the nail in the coffin of that period. It's not so much about the intensity of either man, or even the infamous streak, it's about two veterans of a dying era, squaring off one final time: a swan song for "WWF Attitude".
In any case, what is most unnerving about this match-up is the fact that WWE continues to dig into its retro bag for answers to its general lack of star power.
So many stars from ten years ago are still the center of attention today.
Kane and the Big Show are a tag team, much like they were at Wrestlemania 22.
Edge is the World Heavyweight Champion.
The Undertaker and Triple H will square off yet again.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin will referee a match.
The Rock is the guest host.
Even Grand Master Sexay (Brian Christopher), a former WWE World Tag Team Champion, was brought back to hype the match between Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole along with Jim Ross.
There's certainly a lot more WWE could to do beef up this card and make it worth your $60. WWE has a slew of titles circulating right now, and only four of them are represented here. There is no match for the Diva's Championship (why they would retire the prestigious Women's Championship in favor of this butterfly belt is beyond me). There is no official match announced for the WWE Tag Team Championship (those belts that look like they were designed by a 4th grade fan of "Gladiator"), and of course, for the seventh time in the last eight years, the Intercontinental Championship, the most prestigious of all the mid-card titles, will not be contested at WWE's biggest event of the year. There is also no Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match this year, as that particular gimmick was given its own pay-per-view. Which begs the question of how Wrestlemania XXVII expects to fuel the WWE with any momentum going forward in 2011.
Let's face it: why are we going to buy Wrestlemania XXVII? Is it to see Daniel Bryan regain the United States Championship from Sheamus? Is it to see The Miz finally lose his coveted WWE title? Is it to see if Edge can hold on to his World Championship against the rising star of Alberto Del Rio?
Probably not.
There are three reasons people are going to buy Wrestlemania XXVII, and, depending on what kind of fan you are, you may fall into one or more of these instances.
1.) Triple H vs. The Undertaker - This is for the older demographic who remembers when these two men were in their prime. Their match at Wrestlemania X-Seven may not be the most memorable for either man, but it is memorable for fans who grew up before or during the "Attitude Era". We know this will be a great match, so we will pay to see it.
2.) Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger and Special Guest Referee "Stone Cold" Steve Austin - This is for the casual fan. You hate Michael Cole's attitude and want to see him get his face rearranged by Lawler, Austin, or both. You are probably also a "Stone Cold" fan and can't wait to see The Rattlesnake back in the ring.
3.) John Cena vs. The Rock - Sure, technically this isn't a "real" match. There won't be a sanctioned confrontation, but most fans will want to see what happens when the two most popular Superstars from their respective eras collide. This is really what is selling Wrestlemania XXVII right now, and this is what the majority of viewers are paying for. The good news? The Rock's return after a seven year hiatus is raising a lot of eyebrows (forgive the pun) for entertainment news. Fans who may have left the product after the "Attitude Era" will return, however briefly, to see stars like The Rock and Austin back in the spotlight.
The bad news? WWE really isn't giving those fans any reason to stick around after 'Mania. Who will those fans of the "Attitude Era" latch onto at 'Mania that will make them want to tune in to Raw the next night? There are no new stars to take the place of the Austins or the Rocks. Daniel Bryan is a terrific performer, but he's lacking in charisma and character, as are most of the young stars coming in right now. Guys like Orton and Punk have had their time to shine and are now simply acting as filler for the card. John Cena's gimmick is getting stale even for casual fans. Cena has main-evented every Wrestlemania for the past six years (this will be his seventh). Who is going to make sure that those fans who return for Wrestlemania won't leave once the show is over?
In the next column I'll be taking a closer look at the Wrestlemania XXVII card and making my official predictions. But on paper, I just don't see that "legend in the making". When Austin won the WWF Championship at Wrestlemania XIV, it was a clear sign that he would be the next huge star. When Cena won that title from JJBL at Wrestlemania 21, it was to usher in a new era. But who will lead the new generation? Will we find out at Wrestlemania XXVII, or will we be forced to wait another year for a new legend to root for?
Nostalgia seems to be in-style in WWE. Now it's 2011, and as I look at the card for Wrestlemania XVII, I can't help but take a look back to a decade ago, to April 1, 2001, and Wrestlemania X-Seven.
If you need a refreshing of your memory, here's the card from that event:
WWF CHAMPIONSHIP
No Disqualification Match
WWF Champion The Rock vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
No Holds Barred Match
Triple H vs. The Undertaker
Gimmick Battle Royal
The Iron Sheik, Luke Williams, Butch Miller, Duke Droese, Doink the Clown, Nikolai Volkoff, Tugboat, The Goon, Earthquake, Gobbledy Gooker, Brother Love, Michael Hayes, One Man Gang, Kamala, Kim Chee, Jim Cornette, Repo Man, Hillbilly Jim and Sgt. Slaughter
WWF WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match
WWF World Tag Team Champions The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian
Street Fight
Special Guest Referee Mick Foley
Shane McMahon vs. Vince McMahon w/ Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley
WWF WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
WWF Women's Champion Ivory vs. Chyna
Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit
WWF EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
WWF European Champion Test vs. Eddie Guerrero w/ Perry Saturn
WWF HARDCORE CHAMPIONSHIP
Triple Threat Match
WWF Hardcore Champion Raven vs. Kane vs. Big Show
Six-Man Tag Team Match
Tazz and the APA w/ Jacqueline vs. Right to Censor w/ Steven Richards
WWF INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
WWF Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho vs. William Regal
It's also worth noting, that on this edition of Sunday Night Heat, X-Factor's Justin Credible & X-Pac w/ Albert defeated Steve Blackman & Grand Master Sexay.
Now, fast forward ten years. Here is the card for Wrestlemania XXVII
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE Champion The Miz vs. John Cena
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio
No Holds Barred Match
Triple H vs. The Undertaker
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
Special Guest Referee "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger
Six-Person Tag Team Match
John Morrison, Trish Stratus, & Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler & Lay-Cool w/ Vickie Guerrero
WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE United States Champion Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan
Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes
Special Guest Host of Wrestlemania
The Rock
And while it hasn't been officially added to the card (at least according to WWE.com), I assume the following match will also happen:
WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE Tag Team Champions The Corre (Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel) vs. Kane & The Big Show
The first thing that jumps out at me is the Triple H vs. The Undertaker match. Not because it is an encounter of epic proportions, but because this is the exact same match that we saw just ten years ago, right down to the match type. It's one thing to have a rematch. Heck, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker battled two years in a row with the exact same result. Though those particular matches may be considered special cases (they are, after all, regarded by many as two of the greatest matches in Wrestlemania history), WWE programming has never once mentioned that these two men have battled before on "The Grandest Stage of Them All". The only reference made to their Wrestlemania X-Seven encounter is on the Match Preview on WWE.com. The brief paragraph addressing their previous bout reads as follows:
Precisely 10 years ago, the two respected and feared Superstars squared off on The Grandest Stage of Them All at WrestleMania X-Seven. During that contest, the action spilled outside the ring in a memorable display of power and determination. In the end, The Demon of Death Valley prevailed by pinfall.
Of course, WWE is not going to tell us much about their Wrestlemania X-Seven match, because that would water-down the anticipation for this year's match. However, at the end of the day, I just don't get the same goosebumps from this angle that I did from the Shawn Michaels/The Undertaker match just a year ago.
The build up to HBK's match with The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25 was expertly done. They went so far as to acknowledge that these two had fought numerous times before, but that Shawn had never had the opportunity to face The Phenom on his "home turf", at Wrestlemania. At Wrestlemania 26, the idea was that Shawn had come so close to beating The Deadman the previous year, that he knew he could beat him if he had just one more chance, this time putting his career on the line. Those two matches weren't about two epic Superstars clashing on a huge stage, but about two legends and in-ring artists putting on a terrific show and one man's quest to do what no man had ever done. HBK, like many of the challengers before him, played many head-games with The Undertaker, whereas Triple H has done nothing but talk. There have been no smoke and mirrors on either side. There have been no ominous messages, no supernatural occurrences; simply a lot of talk.
Unfortunately for Triple H, he ever had, nor will he ever have, the charisma that HBK brings to the big dance. Yet what The Game lacks in charisma, he makes up for in intensity, but for some reason, this makes him a little less human as he seems to possess this invulnerability about him. No matter what happens, he never falters, never cracks. He's not intimidated by The Undertaker, whereas Michaels had to noticeably don a facade simply to counter The Undertaker's head games. Is this really an epic and highly-anticipated encounter? Or is this simply a case of Triple H riding the coat-tails of HBK's 5-star matches with The Undertaker?
There is one element to this match that is bone-chilling, though subtle. Following his return, The Undertaker has repeatedly been called "The Last Outlaw". This is perhaps the one aspect of the match that proves to be its saving grace.
Flashback once again, to Wrestlemania X-Seven. It is considered by many to be the mark of the end of the "Attitude Era". While Austin, Rock, and Foley would stick around a few more years, the torch would soon be passed to Triple H to carry the company. Men like Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Jericho were quickly rising to the top.
By Wrestlemania XIX, Austin would have his last match. Rock and Foley would tag team against Evolution a year later. And by Wrestlemania 21, the only stars from the "Attitude Era" to be left in prominent, main-event spots were Triple H, The Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels.
Sure, there was still Jericho, Edge, Christian, Kane, and others, but these three men were the last centerpieces of the company before the new generation would step in.
And now, with Michaels gone, Triple H and The Undertaker are the last representations of an era that captivated an entire generation of wrestling fans. From prominence in the World Wrestling Federation, through the Monday Night Wars, and through the rough transitions that followed, these two have remained permanent fixtures of the industry, and now, it would seem, are facing off one final time in a battle that will most likely put the nail in the coffin of that period. It's not so much about the intensity of either man, or even the infamous streak, it's about two veterans of a dying era, squaring off one final time: a swan song for "WWF Attitude".
In any case, what is most unnerving about this match-up is the fact that WWE continues to dig into its retro bag for answers to its general lack of star power.
So many stars from ten years ago are still the center of attention today.
Kane and the Big Show are a tag team, much like they were at Wrestlemania 22.
Edge is the World Heavyweight Champion.
The Undertaker and Triple H will square off yet again.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin will referee a match.
The Rock is the guest host.
Even Grand Master Sexay (Brian Christopher), a former WWE World Tag Team Champion, was brought back to hype the match between Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole along with Jim Ross.
There's certainly a lot more WWE could to do beef up this card and make it worth your $60. WWE has a slew of titles circulating right now, and only four of them are represented here. There is no match for the Diva's Championship (why they would retire the prestigious Women's Championship in favor of this butterfly belt is beyond me). There is no official match announced for the WWE Tag Team Championship (those belts that look like they were designed by a 4th grade fan of "Gladiator"), and of course, for the seventh time in the last eight years, the Intercontinental Championship, the most prestigious of all the mid-card titles, will not be contested at WWE's biggest event of the year. There is also no Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Match this year, as that particular gimmick was given its own pay-per-view. Which begs the question of how Wrestlemania XXVII expects to fuel the WWE with any momentum going forward in 2011.
Let's face it: why are we going to buy Wrestlemania XXVII? Is it to see Daniel Bryan regain the United States Championship from Sheamus? Is it to see The Miz finally lose his coveted WWE title? Is it to see if Edge can hold on to his World Championship against the rising star of Alberto Del Rio?
Probably not.
There are three reasons people are going to buy Wrestlemania XXVII, and, depending on what kind of fan you are, you may fall into one or more of these instances.
1.) Triple H vs. The Undertaker - This is for the older demographic who remembers when these two men were in their prime. Their match at Wrestlemania X-Seven may not be the most memorable for either man, but it is memorable for fans who grew up before or during the "Attitude Era". We know this will be a great match, so we will pay to see it.
2.) Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger and Special Guest Referee "Stone Cold" Steve Austin - This is for the casual fan. You hate Michael Cole's attitude and want to see him get his face rearranged by Lawler, Austin, or both. You are probably also a "Stone Cold" fan and can't wait to see The Rattlesnake back in the ring.
3.) John Cena vs. The Rock - Sure, technically this isn't a "real" match. There won't be a sanctioned confrontation, but most fans will want to see what happens when the two most popular Superstars from their respective eras collide. This is really what is selling Wrestlemania XXVII right now, and this is what the majority of viewers are paying for. The good news? The Rock's return after a seven year hiatus is raising a lot of eyebrows (forgive the pun) for entertainment news. Fans who may have left the product after the "Attitude Era" will return, however briefly, to see stars like The Rock and Austin back in the spotlight.
The bad news? WWE really isn't giving those fans any reason to stick around after 'Mania. Who will those fans of the "Attitude Era" latch onto at 'Mania that will make them want to tune in to Raw the next night? There are no new stars to take the place of the Austins or the Rocks. Daniel Bryan is a terrific performer, but he's lacking in charisma and character, as are most of the young stars coming in right now. Guys like Orton and Punk have had their time to shine and are now simply acting as filler for the card. John Cena's gimmick is getting stale even for casual fans. Cena has main-evented every Wrestlemania for the past six years (this will be his seventh). Who is going to make sure that those fans who return for Wrestlemania won't leave once the show is over?
In the next column I'll be taking a closer look at the Wrestlemania XXVII card and making my official predictions. But on paper, I just don't see that "legend in the making". When Austin won the WWF Championship at Wrestlemania XIV, it was a clear sign that he would be the next huge star. When Cena won that title from JJBL at Wrestlemania 21, it was to usher in a new era. But who will lead the new generation? Will we find out at Wrestlemania XXVII, or will we be forced to wait another year for a new legend to root for?
Monday, February 21, 2011
Just Bring It...Back!
On February 7, Vince McMahon promised to announce the guest host of Wrestlemania XXVII the following week on Raw. The massive hype and sly hints suggested the host would be huge, and many people speculated as to who it would be. Of course, rumors ran rampant, and WWE helped create some of their own (did anyone really think that Lady Gaga would be hosting Wrestlemania?) But I think, deep down, we all knew who it would be. Thankfully, we were not disappointed.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made a triumphant and electrifying return to the world of sports entertainment on February 14, 2011. Fans all over the world rejoiced and wondered if this were really happening. Was The Rock really "back"?
It is interesting to note that The Rock's arrival back into the WWE fold required little hype and still became the most talked-about topic among fans young and old. The Rock is a perfect role model for many of the young stars in how to command ring presence. Whereas many of the young wrestlers struggle to keep fans' attention during promos and interviews, The Rock, after a seven-year absence, had everyone in the arena, and everyone at home, hanging on his every word. This is a prime example of how one of the best talkers in the business commands respect and works the crowd into a frenzy of excitement. This is "How to Electrify 101". I'm not asking that every young star be The Rock (if we could only be so lucky), but they should definitely be taking notes.
It was very clear that The Rock was indeed back. After wrestling with Mick Foley against Evolution at Wrestlemania XX, The Rock made just a few sparse appearances in WWE. He appeared to confront Randy Orton, he appeared to befriend Eugene, and of course, he made a brief appearance to help hype the Bobby Lashley/McMahon vs. Umaga/Trump Hair vs. Hair Match at Wrestlemania 23. Since then, The Rock had made just one appearance, suggesting that perhaps it was time for him to assume the role of Guest Host for Raw.
Unfortunately, for many fans, most of the appearances felt disingenuous. Most fans felt that The Rock was no longer The Rock: the most electrifying man in all of entertainment. Rather, he had become merely Dwayne Johnson, a man who had once held the wrestling world in the palm of his hand and had "sold out" his "millions (and millions) of fans" for the glamor of Hollywood.
This night was different.
Strutting to the ring to his iconic theme music, The Rock immediately took to each of the four turnbuckles to strike his legendary pose. He donned a snappy new t-shirt emblazoned with the words, "I Bring It", a chilling homage to his infamous "Just Bring It" t-shirt from the golden days of the "Attitude Era". Indeed, for many, seeing The Rock back was an exercise in nostalgia, as though they were seeing a ghost of an age that was now long gone.
But, in fact, The Rock was very much alive, and very truly present.
After waiting several minutes for the deafening ovation to wane, The Rock shed his larger-than-life persona to speak to the fans as simply Dwayne Johnson. He assured the fans that he hadn't returned for money, nor to promote a movie, nor simply to stroke his ego. He had returned for them, and thanked them for their support throughout his Hollywood hiatus, and promised that he would always be here for them.
Whether you bought this particular speech is up to you, but it was a show of class for this man to thank the fans who still showed such strong support for him after so long.
Then, amidst the ovation from this show of gratitude, he again assumed the shades, shrugged his shoulders, and lifted the mic, and after three false starts...
"Finally, The Rock has come back!"
The roar from the crowd was enough to blow the roof off the arena.
From here, everything about The Rock felt right. There were no shameless movie plugs, there were no attempts at stand-up comedy, there was no time wasted. Everything from his tone to his mannerisms hearkened back to that ghost of a memory that was now alive and well. The Rock was all business.
After hyping Wrestlemania XXVII, the Rock suddenly turned his attention to current WWE stars. To WWE Champion The Miz, The Rock said that anyone who had to go around constantly reminding people how "awesome" he is "unquestionably, undoubtedly" sucked.
When the anonymous Raw General Manager attempted to interrupt The Rock's rant, The Rock threatened to shove the computer up Michael Cole's "candy a--", should the announcer take another step. A mortified and indignant Cole took his seat to chants of "Rocky" from the relieved and grateful fans.
Then, in a surprising turn, The Rock turned his attention to John Cena.
The Rock recounted the last golden age of wrestling, and how the lineage of WWE icons had traveled from "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, to The Rock himself, and now, to Cena whom he called a "bowl of Fruity Pebbles" while mocking his colorful wardrobe and signature catchphrase, "You Can't See Me".
This was the most shocking of The Rock's statements, since Cena had been the face of the company since winning his first WWE Championship in 2005: just one year after the Rock's self-induced sabbatical. While the young fans clearly didn't know what to make of this, many of the older fans cheered all the louder and vehemently booed any mention of Cena from that point on.
The direction of the company had certainly changed, and the champion had changed with it. Cena himself had undergone a huge transformation, going from thug rapper to a soldier for the people. But is a soldier really what the people wanted? The attitude that had made Cena and the WWE so successful had been lost as the show's parental rating dropped to "PG". It was oddly exhilarating to hear The Rock's signature one-liners go uncensored.
Yet, Cena's formulaic matches and goody two-shoes character had grown stale for most fans, who were now hankering for something more believable, something more adult, something they could relate to. The Rock was clearly the savior they had been waiting for.
Yet posing two stars of this caliber against each other is a courageous move for WWE, as putting one over the other could risk alienating a segment of their audience, similar to when The Rock beat Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania X8. It's clear that the confrontation between The Rock and John Cena will probably not be a sanctioned contest, but the tension between the two at this point is enough to sell the pay-per-view to children and adults alike.
When he debuted, John Cena carried the hopes of the entire organization (some would argue the entire industry) on his shoulders. The WWE was in dire straits, coming off the Attitude Era with few stars to replace their main event veterans. In just a few short years, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, and The Rock had all but disappeared. Iconic and revolutionary Divas like Trish Stratus and Lita also set out for greener pastures. Meanwhile, WWE struggled to create new stars, culminating in the failure of Brock Lesnar. Many of WWE's top stars were lured (and continue to be lured) to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, such as Kurt Angle, The Dudley Boys, and Christian. It was now up to men like Edge, Randy Orton, Batista, and Rey Mysterio to carry the company. Ultimately it was John Cena who emerged as the most obvious fan favorite, and the torch was passed to him at Wrestlemania 21 by John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
Cena has been the face of WWE ever since, but even fans who grew up watching him are growing tired of the same old song and dance. WWE still has been unable and unwilling to push new stars to the top. Despite allowing The Miz to carry the WWE Championship, men like John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, and Daniel Bryan remain at mid-card level, despite strong support and reaction from fans. Fans struggled to voice their opinions, often booing faces and cheering heels simply because they wanted to see a changing of the guard. But there was no face to this voice: no spokesperson to articulate their displeasure.
Until now.
The Rock's return brings the company and the industry full circle, back to a time when it was once one of the most popular forms of entertainment and wrestlers were household names. It is a chance for WWE to reinvent itself, to put a new face on, to strive forward in a new direction.
The Rock hinted that he may be around for some time after Wrestlemania. If this is true, it should bode well for WWE, as having a familiar and respected veteran like The Rock representing your company will keep old fans loyal, while creating new stars will allow WWE to cultivate a new generation of followers.
Whatever the case may be, the Road to Wrestlemania has certainly gotten hotter and a whole lot more interesting. In the words of Jim Ross, "Business is about to pick up!"
"If you smell what The Rock is cookin'."
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made a triumphant and electrifying return to the world of sports entertainment on February 14, 2011. Fans all over the world rejoiced and wondered if this were really happening. Was The Rock really "back"?
It is interesting to note that The Rock's arrival back into the WWE fold required little hype and still became the most talked-about topic among fans young and old. The Rock is a perfect role model for many of the young stars in how to command ring presence. Whereas many of the young wrestlers struggle to keep fans' attention during promos and interviews, The Rock, after a seven-year absence, had everyone in the arena, and everyone at home, hanging on his every word. This is a prime example of how one of the best talkers in the business commands respect and works the crowd into a frenzy of excitement. This is "How to Electrify 101". I'm not asking that every young star be The Rock (if we could only be so lucky), but they should definitely be taking notes.
It was very clear that The Rock was indeed back. After wrestling with Mick Foley against Evolution at Wrestlemania XX, The Rock made just a few sparse appearances in WWE. He appeared to confront Randy Orton, he appeared to befriend Eugene, and of course, he made a brief appearance to help hype the Bobby Lashley/McMahon vs. Umaga/Trump Hair vs. Hair Match at Wrestlemania 23. Since then, The Rock had made just one appearance, suggesting that perhaps it was time for him to assume the role of Guest Host for Raw.
Unfortunately, for many fans, most of the appearances felt disingenuous. Most fans felt that The Rock was no longer The Rock: the most electrifying man in all of entertainment. Rather, he had become merely Dwayne Johnson, a man who had once held the wrestling world in the palm of his hand and had "sold out" his "millions (and millions) of fans" for the glamor of Hollywood.
This night was different.
Strutting to the ring to his iconic theme music, The Rock immediately took to each of the four turnbuckles to strike his legendary pose. He donned a snappy new t-shirt emblazoned with the words, "I Bring It", a chilling homage to his infamous "Just Bring It" t-shirt from the golden days of the "Attitude Era". Indeed, for many, seeing The Rock back was an exercise in nostalgia, as though they were seeing a ghost of an age that was now long gone.
But, in fact, The Rock was very much alive, and very truly present.
After waiting several minutes for the deafening ovation to wane, The Rock shed his larger-than-life persona to speak to the fans as simply Dwayne Johnson. He assured the fans that he hadn't returned for money, nor to promote a movie, nor simply to stroke his ego. He had returned for them, and thanked them for their support throughout his Hollywood hiatus, and promised that he would always be here for them.
Whether you bought this particular speech is up to you, but it was a show of class for this man to thank the fans who still showed such strong support for him after so long.
Then, amidst the ovation from this show of gratitude, he again assumed the shades, shrugged his shoulders, and lifted the mic, and after three false starts...
"Finally, The Rock has come back!"
The roar from the crowd was enough to blow the roof off the arena.
From here, everything about The Rock felt right. There were no shameless movie plugs, there were no attempts at stand-up comedy, there was no time wasted. Everything from his tone to his mannerisms hearkened back to that ghost of a memory that was now alive and well. The Rock was all business.
After hyping Wrestlemania XXVII, the Rock suddenly turned his attention to current WWE stars. To WWE Champion The Miz, The Rock said that anyone who had to go around constantly reminding people how "awesome" he is "unquestionably, undoubtedly" sucked.
When the anonymous Raw General Manager attempted to interrupt The Rock's rant, The Rock threatened to shove the computer up Michael Cole's "candy a--", should the announcer take another step. A mortified and indignant Cole took his seat to chants of "Rocky" from the relieved and grateful fans.
Then, in a surprising turn, The Rock turned his attention to John Cena.
The Rock recounted the last golden age of wrestling, and how the lineage of WWE icons had traveled from "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, to The Rock himself, and now, to Cena whom he called a "bowl of Fruity Pebbles" while mocking his colorful wardrobe and signature catchphrase, "You Can't See Me".
This was the most shocking of The Rock's statements, since Cena had been the face of the company since winning his first WWE Championship in 2005: just one year after the Rock's self-induced sabbatical. While the young fans clearly didn't know what to make of this, many of the older fans cheered all the louder and vehemently booed any mention of Cena from that point on.
The direction of the company had certainly changed, and the champion had changed with it. Cena himself had undergone a huge transformation, going from thug rapper to a soldier for the people. But is a soldier really what the people wanted? The attitude that had made Cena and the WWE so successful had been lost as the show's parental rating dropped to "PG". It was oddly exhilarating to hear The Rock's signature one-liners go uncensored.
Yet, Cena's formulaic matches and goody two-shoes character had grown stale for most fans, who were now hankering for something more believable, something more adult, something they could relate to. The Rock was clearly the savior they had been waiting for.
Yet posing two stars of this caliber against each other is a courageous move for WWE, as putting one over the other could risk alienating a segment of their audience, similar to when The Rock beat Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania X8. It's clear that the confrontation between The Rock and John Cena will probably not be a sanctioned contest, but the tension between the two at this point is enough to sell the pay-per-view to children and adults alike.
When he debuted, John Cena carried the hopes of the entire organization (some would argue the entire industry) on his shoulders. The WWE was in dire straits, coming off the Attitude Era with few stars to replace their main event veterans. In just a few short years, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, and The Rock had all but disappeared. Iconic and revolutionary Divas like Trish Stratus and Lita also set out for greener pastures. Meanwhile, WWE struggled to create new stars, culminating in the failure of Brock Lesnar. Many of WWE's top stars were lured (and continue to be lured) to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, such as Kurt Angle, The Dudley Boys, and Christian. It was now up to men like Edge, Randy Orton, Batista, and Rey Mysterio to carry the company. Ultimately it was John Cena who emerged as the most obvious fan favorite, and the torch was passed to him at Wrestlemania 21 by John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
Cena has been the face of WWE ever since, but even fans who grew up watching him are growing tired of the same old song and dance. WWE still has been unable and unwilling to push new stars to the top. Despite allowing The Miz to carry the WWE Championship, men like John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, and Daniel Bryan remain at mid-card level, despite strong support and reaction from fans. Fans struggled to voice their opinions, often booing faces and cheering heels simply because they wanted to see a changing of the guard. But there was no face to this voice: no spokesperson to articulate their displeasure.
Until now.
The Rock's return brings the company and the industry full circle, back to a time when it was once one of the most popular forms of entertainment and wrestlers were household names. It is a chance for WWE to reinvent itself, to put a new face on, to strive forward in a new direction.
The Rock hinted that he may be around for some time after Wrestlemania. If this is true, it should bode well for WWE, as having a familiar and respected veteran like The Rock representing your company will keep old fans loyal, while creating new stars will allow WWE to cultivate a new generation of followers.
Whatever the case may be, the Road to Wrestlemania has certainly gotten hotter and a whole lot more interesting. In the words of Jim Ross, "Business is about to pick up!"
"If you smell what The Rock is cookin'."
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Good Old Days
I was originally going to write a column concerning the NXT angle that closed the June 7th edition of Raw. The sudden attack on the entire Raw product was one of the most devastating angles in WWE that I've seen in years. The NXT Rookies made a great impact by destroying John Cena, attacking the timekeeper, the ring announcer, and the announce team, and completely demolishing the ring and ringside area. It seemed to work: I actually believed these disgruntled rookies were angry enough at Vince McMahon and the WWE to infiltrate the show and leave it in shambles. What better way to stick it to Vince, the company, and the fans?
This segment brought back a lot of "Attitude Era" memories. It was the first time in years that I believed in characters and their actions. I suddenly remembered the glory days of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock, D-Generation X (the originals), and all the stars who made me a fan.
To nurture this nostalgia, I popped in The Best of Raw: 15th Anniversary DVD set that had been collecting dust on my shelf for the past year. Rather than dwell on the current product and its shortcomings, I've decided to take a look back on what made Raw the flagship broadcast for WWE and the juggernaut it is today. To bring the topic full circle, I'll be drawing parallels between those early days and what the product has become now and perhaps gain some insight into the principles that have both evolved and fallen away from WWE.
Introduction
On Thursday, out of sheer boredom, I popped in my yet unopened copy of WWE’s The Best of Raw: 15th Anniversary. I had purchased the epic 3-disc set almost a year ago and still had yet to watch it. A summary on the back described what I was in for.
The first few moments are simply great wrestling moments and certainly historic for the business: the very first Raw, a match between Mr. Perfect and Ric Flair, a Parking Lot Brawl, Razor Ramon vs. The Kid, etc. It’s not until the almost halfway mark on the disc that we finally run into moments that were more than wrestling: they are controversial. Vader attacks Gorilla Monsoon, Goldust curing an unconscious wrestler with a “CPR”, and the infamous segment of Steve Austin assaulting Brian Pillman in his own home. Up to that time, the WWF seemed pretty straight-forward as far as the product it was presenting, but with these moments, and particularly the segment entitled “Pillman’s Got a Gun”, the World Wrestling Federation redefines itself and begins to enter the golden age of the “Attitude Era”.
What strikes me about these moments is that they are still as exciting to watch today as they were when they first happened. It rekindled in me, albeit briefly, that fascination with wrestling that has been quickly fading in the wake of the stale, clichéd, and lackluster product that has been mechanically presented each week for some time now.
Great care was taken with this presentation. The first disc chronicling 1993-1997 features the original “Raw is War” logo, and Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels on the cover. The logo alone is enough to send chills down your spine as all the memories of those years come flooding back. The second disc, 1998-2002, features the Bischoff-era logo and shows The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in mid-brawl. This brings back flashes of Wrestlemania XIX, when the two would square off for the last time.
Finally there is the third disc: 2003-2008, which features the current Raw logo and a glistening picture of John Cena smiling at the crowd and preparing for his “Five-Knuckle Shuffle”. This is such a stark contrast to the other two discs that, were it not for the color scheme and general theme of the cover, it would feel out of place next to the other two. On the first disc, Shawn Michaels, clearly full of himself, is striking a very cocky, arrogant pose with gold strapped around his waist. On the second disc, Rock and Austin are having an aggressive, adrenaline-fueled slugfest. On the third disc, John Cena is out to make friends with as many people as possible as he waves to the crowd.
The moments on the third disc are certainly memorable, but their overall appeal pales in comparison to the moments of the first and second disc. John Cena getting drafted to Raw is much less a shock than Chris Jericho’s appearance in the middle of The Rock’s promo. Evolution’s attack on Randy Orton is nothing compared to the Corporation’s attacks against and from Steve Austin. Still, the disc is somewhat redeemed by great matches such as Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle’s 30-minute Iron Man match, and HBK vs. Shelton Benjamin. Moments like Edge and Lita’s live sex celebration seem like a Swan Song for WWE’s attitude as the program continued to move in a TV-PG direction.
What was really disappointing about this set as a whole is the complete lack of representation for the Divas. Sable is shown shedding her potato sack and modeling what remains to this day the smallest outfit worn by any woman on WWE programming. The disc also highlights Chyna’s debut. However, there is not one Divas match on the entire set. While there are flashes of Trish Stratus, Lita, Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, and others in montages, they appear nowhere else in this set. I can understand WWE not wanting to include any “Bra and Panties” matches or “Lingerie Pillow Fights” on their disc (though we can remind everyone how HBK and HHH showed up to Raw in nothing but Christmas thongs), but at the very least I’d have thought that the Women’s Championship match between Trish Stratus and Lita that was the main-event of Raw a few years ago, would’ve been a nice nod to the Women’s division. Instead these women are simply remembered for the clothes they took off rather than the performances they put on. That’s a real shame and says a lot about where WWE places their values in the company.
Also, there aren’t a whole lot of tag team matches to speak of. Anyone hoping to see Edge & Christian, The Dudley Boyz, or the Hardy Boyz in one of their classic bouts will be sorely disappointed. Of course, this will come as no surprise to anyone who has watched devolution of WWE's tag team division.
It’s also amazing that WWE included Shawn Michaels’ return to the ring against Randy Orton in 2007, but did not include his return to Raw in 2002 after his four-year hiatus. Perhaps it’s because Shawn had returned to join the nWo, or perhaps it’s because that particular segment featured current TNA wrestler, Kevin Nash and WWE may have been hesitant to showcase either of those assets. WWE quickly buried the nWo angle after Michaels’ return, and Kevin Nash didn’t stick around too long following Scott Hall’s termination.
For all the criticism, it remains a fact that when Raw is at its best, it truly is thrilling. As I said earlier, these moments are just as exciting now as they were “back in the day”. Yes, I was left with a nostalgic longing for “the good old days”, but more importantly I was left wondering how WWE could fall so far off the mark, and specifically, why the product today fails to captivate me the way it did then.
Since I’ve grown rather weary of treading the same ground in regards to the current WWE product, and the current state of professional wrestling in general, I’ve decided to start taking a look back to better times. In that spirit, I’ll be taking a look at each of these moments in subsequent columns. I’ll be talking about the moment itself, its impact on professional wrestling, and how the principles behind these moments can be applied for the betterment of the WWE product.
This segment brought back a lot of "Attitude Era" memories. It was the first time in years that I believed in characters and their actions. I suddenly remembered the glory days of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, The Rock, D-Generation X (the originals), and all the stars who made me a fan.
To nurture this nostalgia, I popped in The Best of Raw: 15th Anniversary DVD set that had been collecting dust on my shelf for the past year. Rather than dwell on the current product and its shortcomings, I've decided to take a look back on what made Raw the flagship broadcast for WWE and the juggernaut it is today. To bring the topic full circle, I'll be drawing parallels between those early days and what the product has become now and perhaps gain some insight into the principles that have both evolved and fallen away from WWE.
On Thursday, out of sheer boredom, I popped in my yet unopened copy of WWE’s The Best of Raw: 15th Anniversary. I had purchased the epic 3-disc set almost a year ago and still had yet to watch it. A summary on the back described what I was in for.
The first few moments are simply great wrestling moments and certainly historic for the business: the very first Raw, a match between Mr. Perfect and Ric Flair, a Parking Lot Brawl, Razor Ramon vs. The Kid, etc. It’s not until the almost halfway mark on the disc that we finally run into moments that were more than wrestling: they are controversial. Vader attacks Gorilla Monsoon, Goldust curing an unconscious wrestler with a “CPR”, and the infamous segment of Steve Austin assaulting Brian Pillman in his own home. Up to that time, the WWF seemed pretty straight-forward as far as the product it was presenting, but with these moments, and particularly the segment entitled “Pillman’s Got a Gun”, the World Wrestling Federation redefines itself and begins to enter the golden age of the “Attitude Era”.
What strikes me about these moments is that they are still as exciting to watch today as they were when they first happened. It rekindled in me, albeit briefly, that fascination with wrestling that has been quickly fading in the wake of the stale, clichéd, and lackluster product that has been mechanically presented each week for some time now.
Great care was taken with this presentation. The first disc chronicling 1993-1997 features the original “Raw is War” logo, and Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels on the cover. The logo alone is enough to send chills down your spine as all the memories of those years come flooding back. The second disc, 1998-2002, features the Bischoff-era logo and shows The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in mid-brawl. This brings back flashes of Wrestlemania XIX, when the two would square off for the last time.
Finally there is the third disc: 2003-2008, which features the current Raw logo and a glistening picture of John Cena smiling at the crowd and preparing for his “Five-Knuckle Shuffle”. This is such a stark contrast to the other two discs that, were it not for the color scheme and general theme of the cover, it would feel out of place next to the other two. On the first disc, Shawn Michaels, clearly full of himself, is striking a very cocky, arrogant pose with gold strapped around his waist. On the second disc, Rock and Austin are having an aggressive, adrenaline-fueled slugfest. On the third disc, John Cena is out to make friends with as many people as possible as he waves to the crowd.
The moments on the third disc are certainly memorable, but their overall appeal pales in comparison to the moments of the first and second disc. John Cena getting drafted to Raw is much less a shock than Chris Jericho’s appearance in the middle of The Rock’s promo. Evolution’s attack on Randy Orton is nothing compared to the Corporation’s attacks against and from Steve Austin. Still, the disc is somewhat redeemed by great matches such as Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle’s 30-minute Iron Man match, and HBK vs. Shelton Benjamin. Moments like Edge and Lita’s live sex celebration seem like a Swan Song for WWE’s attitude as the program continued to move in a TV-PG direction.
What was really disappointing about this set as a whole is the complete lack of representation for the Divas. Sable is shown shedding her potato sack and modeling what remains to this day the smallest outfit worn by any woman on WWE programming. The disc also highlights Chyna’s debut. However, there is not one Divas match on the entire set. While there are flashes of Trish Stratus, Lita, Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, and others in montages, they appear nowhere else in this set. I can understand WWE not wanting to include any “Bra and Panties” matches or “Lingerie Pillow Fights” on their disc (though we can remind everyone how HBK and HHH showed up to Raw in nothing but Christmas thongs), but at the very least I’d have thought that the Women’s Championship match between Trish Stratus and Lita that was the main-event of Raw a few years ago, would’ve been a nice nod to the Women’s division. Instead these women are simply remembered for the clothes they took off rather than the performances they put on. That’s a real shame and says a lot about where WWE places their values in the company.
Also, there aren’t a whole lot of tag team matches to speak of. Anyone hoping to see Edge & Christian, The Dudley Boyz, or the Hardy Boyz in one of their classic bouts will be sorely disappointed. Of course, this will come as no surprise to anyone who has watched devolution of WWE's tag team division.
It’s also amazing that WWE included Shawn Michaels’ return to the ring against Randy Orton in 2007, but did not include his return to Raw in 2002 after his four-year hiatus. Perhaps it’s because Shawn had returned to join the nWo, or perhaps it’s because that particular segment featured current TNA wrestler, Kevin Nash and WWE may have been hesitant to showcase either of those assets. WWE quickly buried the nWo angle after Michaels’ return, and Kevin Nash didn’t stick around too long following Scott Hall’s termination.
For all the criticism, it remains a fact that when Raw is at its best, it truly is thrilling. As I said earlier, these moments are just as exciting now as they were “back in the day”. Yes, I was left with a nostalgic longing for “the good old days”, but more importantly I was left wondering how WWE could fall so far off the mark, and specifically, why the product today fails to captivate me the way it did then.
Since I’ve grown rather weary of treading the same ground in regards to the current WWE product, and the current state of professional wrestling in general, I’ve decided to start taking a look back to better times. In that spirit, I’ll be taking a look at each of these moments in subsequent columns. I’ll be talking about the moment itself, its impact on professional wrestling, and how the principles behind these moments can be applied for the betterment of the WWE product.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
WWE Wrestlemania XXVI-The Aftermath
It's been exactly one month since Wrestlemania XXVI, and while a review of the show itself is long overdue, the added time allows an opportunity to reflect on the effects of Wrestlemania throughout the WWE.
I love the outdoor arenas for Wrestlemania. The first Wrestlemania I ever ordered was Wrestlemania XIX, and having an outdoor venue gave the show such a distinct feel from any of the Raw or Smackdown tapings.
The show opens with a performance of "America the Beautiful" by Fantasia. I could've done without this. I don't care for her voice, but it was nice to have at least one star on hand for this event.
The opening montage is, of course, tremendous. I don't know who does all this, but it's an amazing job. It was great to see Bret Hart back in the picture here. It really felt like he was back home. Of course, there is always the looming threat to the end of Shawn Michael's career, which gives the entire experience a sort of ironic and mystical "full-circle" feeling.
It felt wrong somehow to open the show without Jim Ross. I'm so used to hearing his voice at this event, and unfortunately, Michael Cole just never reached that level of excitement. Cole always comes off as a more scientific play-by-play man whereas Good ol' J.R. seemed to bring the passion that is lost in so much of wrestling today.
WWE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
TAG TEAM MATCH
John Morrison & R-Truth vs. Show-Miz
It was great to see new blood here competing for (and holding) tag team gold. The Miz is such a tremendous talent. John Morrison and R-Truth represent the bright future for the young blood in WWE. The Miz seems to be able to work with just about anyone and really do a good job of selling it. The chemistry between Jericho and The Big Show was solid, but I think the Miz brings a young man's passion to the picture that makes a lot of people want to watch.
The match itself was quick, and I've heard a lot of complaints from fans that this entire night felt a bit rushed. Morrison and Truth never really have a chance to get off the ground. Every time they start to build momentum, they are stopped dead. In the end this comes off as more of a squash match than a real competition. It's a shame, because Morrison is so athletically gifted, but is rarely given a chance to shine.
What bothers me most here is that Morrison loses more or less to a punch from Big Show. Not even a chokeslam. If you blink, you missed it.
MY PREDICTION: Show-Miz
WINNERS: WWE Unified Tag Team Champions Show-Miz
WWE airs a brief video package highlighting the events held in Phoenix for Wrestlemania week. This is usually done about mid-way through the show, but they knock it out early here.
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase Jr. vs. Randy Orton
I mentioned in my Wrestlemania predictions that this match didn't receive the build-up it deserved. Still, for anyone who has been following Randy Orton and his Legacy angle, it was a great opportunity to see who was going to grab the brass ring and rise to the top.
Orton is the clear favorite here, despite being more or less a heel in his abuse of his Legacy brethren.
Matt Striker makes a great point that "WWE is about individual achievement", which would account for their lack of interest in tag team wrestling. Michael Cole also says that Ted and Cody don't care who wins, as long as Randy Orton loses. As I recall, Rhodes and DiBiase almost came to blows over who was going to get the win over Orton.
The match itself is solid work. You can see Orton's influence in his protege's as they dissect Orton piece by piece. It's not so much a Triple Threat Match as it is a handicap tag team match as Rhodes and DiBiase team up to destroy their mentor. Eventually Rhodes and DiBiase get to fight over who covers Orton, and Randy takes advantage. He manages to hit all his signatures (the backbreaker, a double-DDT from the second ring rope, and a punt to Rhodes' head) until the fans are finally chanting for the RKO, which is great because that is the kind of reaction Orton should've been getting for years. Finally he hits the RKO on Ted DiBiase for the win.
I don't understand the outcome of this match for two major reasons. The first, and most obvious is that this match should've been used to elevate one of these young stars to the next level of the WWE ladder. Instead it is simply Orton's opportunity to demonstrate his dominance over the other two, which is basically what he's been doing for the past few months.
The second reason has to do with Orton's history with Triple H. Orton's career was more or less buried by The Game after "The Legend Killer" broke from Evolution. The young man who was hailed as "the future of the WWE" was brought to a screeching halt as he was first turned face and then buried week after week by a tyrannical Triple H. You would think that Orton would recognize this as an opportunity to do right by the younger generation, but instead his career path seems to mirror that of his own mentor has he buries Legacy here at Wrestlemania.
MY PREDICTION: Ted DiBiase
WINNER: "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton
Josh Matthews interviews Vickie Guerrero for her upcoming match. Vickie does a nice job backstage, but really has no business entering the wrestling ring. A mediocre promo is capped off by Jillian Hall's voice. To make things better, Santino Marella comes around to plug the "Slim James", the bites of which bring Mae Young, "Mean" Gene Okerland, and finally, Melina. It's sad when that little bit of humor is more entertaining than the promo for the actual wrestling.
MONEY-IN-THE-BANK LADDER MATCH
Kofi Kingston vs. Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Evan Bourne vs. "The All-American American" Jack Swagger vs. "The Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin vs. Matt Hardy vs. vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Kane vs. Chrstian
The introductions for this match are just awful. While it is certainly nice to have some diversity when it comes to ring announcing, after the awesome work Lillian Garcia did for WWE for so many years, it's hard to imagine any other woman taking her place. Hopefully, Savannah is not the heir to that throne.
Matt Striker than says that Kane was the only man to win two Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Matches, cash them both in, and become World Champion.
Um...I think that was C.M. Punk, Matt. Where were you?
I won't go into detail about this match simply because it is much too chaotic to keep track of anything. My biggest issue with the MITB matches is that they are little more than spot-fests for everyone involved. The fact that there are ten competitors this year means that any attempt at pacing this match will be impossible.
I think most people expected Chrstian to win, but Jack Swagger eventually climbs to the top and retrieves the briefcase (after fighting with the latch) which guarantees him a World Championship match at any time in the near future.
There's really no harm in saying this, since most people who read this have already seen the show, but on Raw the previous week, Jack Swagger told Michael Cole that, should he win MITB at Wrestlemania, he would cash it in at Wrestlemania to become the new Champion.
Well, Jack, you won. But you never cashed it in. Talk about false advertising.
MY PREDICTION: "The All-American American" Jack Swagger
WINNER: "The All-American American" Jack Swagger
WWE then shows a preview for WWE Extreme Rules, which will take the place of WWE Backlash after Wrestelmania. It's ironic that the advertisement claims "Count outs? Keep counting", and yet Batista would challenge John Cena to a Last Man Standing match in which the only way to win is to be counted out.
There's a recap of Hall of Fame induction ceAgaremony. Unfortunately, Bob Euker, whose contributions to wrestling last a matter of hours, outshines the contributions of Stu Hart, who trained men like Chris Jericho, and Antonio Inoki, whose impact can be felt to this day.
Howard Finkel presents the inductees of 2010. It was great to see the Hart Family accept on Stu's behalf.
Triple H vs. Sheamus
I'm not sure who expected Sheamus to win. This is Wrestlemania, and this is Triple H. Sheamus tries to make himself look good, but the unconquerable Game of course, comes out on top. There's no sense talking about it. It is merely a formality. I guess after doing the job for Cena and Batista, Triple H feels he's entitled to squash just one more star.
MY PREDICTION: Triple H
WINNER: Triple H
C.M. Punk vs. Rey Mysterio
I just want to say that C.M. Punk is an amazing star who has really shone through in the last year. He has exhibited more personality in the past six months than any time before. I love the angle with the Straight-Edge Society and Punk sells it so perfectly well. This is what Legacy should've been and never got to be.
The stipulation here is that if Punk wins, Rey must swear in to the Straight-Edge Society.
Punk cuts a fantastic promo coming down to the ring, and the crowd just eats it up. This is a great example of what charisma and good storytelling can do for wrestling. Even "The King" Jerry Lawler admits after Punks closing creed, "That's scary." I've said before that any good heel will always be able to justify his actions, and that is what makes Punk so great: he really believes he is doing the right thing.
Rey Mysterio plays the fan favorite. I'm not exactly sure what James Cameron's "Avatar" has to do with any of this, but that's the costume Rey dons this year. Of course this is going to make him an instant favorite with all the fans.
This is by far the most solid match of the night to this point. Like the matches before it, it goes by quickly, but little time is wasted. I like the overall package this match presents, there's a lot going on here. Rey manages to take out the entire Straight Edge Society and defeat Punk to avoid joining his twisted cult.
MY PREDICTION: Rey Mysterio
WINNER: Rey Mysterio
NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH
Bret "Hitman" Hart vs. Mr. McMahon
This match was preceded by yet another fabulous video package that chronicled Bret Hart's career and the Montreal Incident and then everything that happened since his return to the WWE. Again, I don't know who to credit with this, but it was just a fantastic package that brings back a lot of emotion and builds the anticipation for this match.
Watching Bret make his triumphant return to Wrestlemania was an incredible feeling. Again, I don't think a lot of the young fans can comprehend just what this match meant to wrestling. It's something we never thought we'd see: one of those dream matches that everyone talks about, but never really thought would come true. Bret is truly home at Wrestlemania, where he had some of the greatest matches of his career.
Vince McMahon comes out and says he's literally bought the loyalty of the Hart family, which is now going to help him beat Bret down. Bret says he knew about Vince's plot all along, and the Harts, after depositing the money in their bank accounts, banded together and vowed to destroy Vince.
It was a great move to include the Hart Dynasty in this match simply because it will help their career to align themselves directly with Bret.
The match drags on just a little too long for my taste. Vince McMahon mounts zero offense during the entire affair. The entire family batters, bruises, and bloodies Vince to no end. Lead pipes, steel chairs, it's all legal. To cap it all off, Bret locks Vince in the Sharpshooter to close the match.
While the match did carry on just a little long, Bret deserved his moment, and it was great to let him finish things on his own terms. Kudos also go to Vince McMahon, who gets a rep for being an ego-maniac, but humbles himself enough here to let himself be humiliated and disgraced on the grandest stage he ever created.
In November 1997, Bret screwed Bret.
In March 2010, Vince screwed Vince.
At Wrestlemania XXVI, Bret screwed Vince.
MY PREDICTION: Bret "Hitman" Hart
WINNER: Bret "Hitman" Hart
Next it was announced that Wrestlemania XXVII would emanate from Atlanta, GA on April 3, 2011.
A new attendance record was set for the University of Phoenix Stadium: 72,219.
Hey, why not? That deserves a shot of pyro.
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho vs. "The Rated R Superstar" Edge
This was one of the most anticipated matches of the night, and it did not disappoint. These are two of the most solid in-ring performers in the company, and they were at their A-Game for Wrestlemania.
It was also nice to see a title match at Wrestlemania that did not involve Randy Orton, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, or the Big Show.
It was a shoc k to most people that Chris Jericho retained in this match, but it sets up a nice feud between the two that can carry on into the coming year. Edge gets the last word, however, by spearing Jericho off the two announce tables and through the barricade.
It's amazing to see how far these two have come: Edge from having tag teamed with Christian to become one of the greatest tag teams of all time, and Jericho from being the young upstart that took The Rock and Steve Austin head on to become the first ever Undisputed Champion. I'm looking forward to seeing how these two play off of each other in the coming year.
MY PREDICTION: Edge
WINNER: WWE World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho
DARK MATCH: 26-MAN OVER-THE-TOP-ROPE BATTLE ROYAL
Apparently there was a 26-man Battle Royal to kick off the night. This is basically a nod to all the mid-card talents. Yoshi Tatsu was the winner. Apparently it wasn't worth airing, but it was worth recapping.
MY PREDICTION: N/A
WINNER: YOSHI TATSU
10-DIVA TAG TEAM MATCH
Layla, Alica Fox, Vickie Guerrero, WWE Divas Champion Maryse, & WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool vs. Kelly Kelly, Eve Tores, Mickie James, "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix, & Gail Kim
Not sure what anyone was expecting from this match, but they most likely didn't get it. Eventually it turns into a finish-fest as each girl steps into the ring, hits their finisher, and then gets mowed down by the next girl. Eventually Vickie hits the "hog splash" (or "bull frog" splash) off the ropes to get the win.
This match was announced after my "Wrestlemania Predictions" post, but I probably would've guess Mickie James' team would get the win.
MY PREDICTION: N/A
WINERS: Layla, Alicia Fox, Vickie Guerrero, WWE Divas Champion Maryse, & WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
WWE Champion "The Animal" Batista vs. John Cena
I'm not a big fan of either of these men, but I love this angle. Batista in particular, really shines here where he's allowed to be himself and not waste his time pandering to the fans. The company needs good strong heels right now, and Batista has become exactly that.
The matches have gotten progressively better as the night goes on, and this match is no different. The intensity in this match is tangible. Batista takes a very Orton-esque route with his entrance by allowing the lights to cut and have just a single spotlight on him. This is great because it keeps distractions to a minimum. Forget the spectacles around you: make yourself the spectacle. You are what these people came to see.
Of course, Cena always has something special planned for his entrance. This time it's a division of our armed forces giving an amazing performance with their firearms. Most people won't appreciate the precision and discipline this takes, but it was amazing to watch and got a nice reaction from the fans. I'm not sure I appreciate Cena using this for his entrance simply because it makes him too clear a face, and plays more on people's allegiance to their country rather than their allegiance to Cena himself. It brainwashes people into thinking it is somehow "unpatriotic" not to be a John Cena fan, and I don't like that kind of self-promotion.
The match has some great back-and-forth action that keeps the fans guessing as to who is going to win. Batista really looks like a million bucks during this entire bout, and calls Cena on a lot of the gimmicky moves that he uses. He doesn't give Cena a chance to breathe, to pander to the crowd, to taunt, or to show off. He goes right for the kill every time, and it makes the match edge-of-your-seat exciting.
Of course, in case there was any doubt in anyone's mind, Cena makes Batista tap to the STF to reclaim the WWE Championship.
This was a great feud and a solid match, but, as Michael Cole pointed out, Cena and Batista have fourteen world championships between them. They need to start working Cena with some younger stars. I thought Cena vs. Sheamus would be a good feud to start with, but Sheamus is now preoccupied with Triple H. Still, there are plenty of young stars to choose from (Christian, MVP, The Miz, etc.) Batista and Cena need to start ushering in a new era of champions. I hope to see some new blood competing in the main event at Wrestlemania XXVII.
MY PREDICTION: John Cena
WINNER: John Cena
There's one more promo for WWE Extreme Rules before the true main event of the night is introduced.
CAREER VS. STREAK MATCH
Win by Pinfall or Submission Only
The Undertaker vs. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
I wonder sometimes what people would've said if they'd known that they were watching Steve Austin's last match at Wrestlemania XIX. He was the biggest star the company had ever seen (at the very least, the biggest star since Hulk Hogan), but he didn't ask for a grand send-off. He went quietly, and though he continued to make appearances after his loss to The Rock, his in-ring career was over.
In 2008, everyone was pretty certain they were watching Ric Flair walk the aisle for the last time against Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania XXIV. The match's emotional impact comes largely from the subconscious affirmation that HBK was going to end "The Nature Boy"'s career.
And I guess, subconsciously, we all knew that no one, not even HBK, was going to break The Undertaker's Wrestlemania undefeated streak. Even when I had myself convinced that HBK could not lose, I watched him walk down the ramp, all the while thinking, "what if this is his last match?"
There have been three match-ups at Wrestlemania that, in my opinion, transcended the sport itself.
The first was Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III.
The second was Shawn Michaels vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin with "Iron" Mike Tyson as Special Enforcer for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania XIV.
The third is Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker at Wrestlemania XVI.
This match, whichever way it turned, would truly change the landscape of wrestling. You have a winning streak 20 years in the making, and a 20 year career that forever changed the face of the industry. There is nothing bigger in this sport than these two elements, and they collided here for the last time.
Of course, the first question on everyone's mind is: Was it as good as Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25?
The short answer is "no". But this match had more to it than simply wrestling. This was about the end of a legacy, and, considering their match at Wrestlemania 25, no time was wasted in the "feeling out" process. These two started strong and ended strong with little time to breathe in between. It will go down as one of the greatest matches in history, not just for the match itself, but its impact on the industry.
Shawn Michaels makes his entrance very simple, classic Shawn. The Undertaker's entrance, including a few extra tolls of the trademark bell, seem to be ringing in memorial to the career he is about to end. He rises from beneath the stage amidst fire and smoke, and begins the long walk to the ring where his opponent waits. He walks with purpose, his face hidden beneath a black hood. His opponent's face is hidden behind the mask of serenity. Neither will waver in their resolve.
There is a long stare down before HBK signals the end of the Streak with Undertaker's trademark cutthroat taunt. A chopping battle ensues, and the match is on. Shawn is whipped from post to post by the Deadman, who hits Old School early. He attempts to follow it up with a chokeslam, but Shawn battles out.
HBK counters a Tombstone into a side headlock, attempting to wear down his opponent. There is a lot of back and forth action before The Undertaker narrowly avoids Sweet Chin Music. From there, Shawn takes control, backing the Phenom into the corner. The Undertaker battles out and sends Michaels over the top rope and onto the floor. He attempts a diving shoulder block from Wrestlemania 25, but Shawn races into the ring and knocks the Deadman down.
The Undertaker hits the leg drop on the apron. There is no rush to get back in the ring because there are no count-outs, and no disqualification. The only way to win is by pinfall or submission.
Back inside, HBK hits the Figure-Four Leglock. The Undertaker is almost pinned while fighting the leglock, but quickly reverses the pressure before HBK breaks the hold. Shawn starts trading punches with The Undertaker, which is never a good idea.
After a lengthy battle, Shawn comes off the ropes with the shoulder block. He nips up in vintage HBK form, but finds himself quickly locked into a chockeslam. The Undertaker goes for the cover, but Shawn kicks out and reverses a Tombstone Piledriver into the Ankle Lock, locking in the grapevine on the Deadman's legs in the center of the ring. The Undertaker ties to keep his shoulders off the mat while he fights out of the hold.
Shawn breaks the hold and charges The Undertaker, taking them both over the top rope. Shawn hits the springboard crossbody off the ring apron, but is caught by the Undertaker who reverses it into a Tombstone on the floor. There are no count-outs, so The Undertaker struggles to his feet, using the steps for support, before rolling a seemingly unconscious HBK back into the ring for a long two-count.
When both men reach their feet, The Undertaker goes for the Last Ride, but Shawn reverses it into a facebuster. With the Phenom down, HBK goes for the elbow off the top rope, and The Undertaker gets his knees up to block it.
Shawn crawls for the cover, but is caught in Hell's Gate which The Showstopper reverses into a cover, forcing The Undertaker to break the hold. Both men lean on each other to get to their feet, and Shawn immediately hits Sweet Chin Music, which earns him a two-count.
With The Undertaker down, Shawn starts tuning up the band while The Undertaker crawls to his knees. The kick is blocked, and The Undertaker sends Shawn for a devastating Last Ride. Shawn kicks out at two.
In frustration, The Deadman throws Michaels to the outside and begins disassembling the U.S. announce table. An attempt for the Last Ride through the table gets countered, and Shawn hits Sweet Chin Music to send The Undertaker back onto the table. With his opponent sprawled out, Shawn gets on the top turnbuckle and moonsaults the Deadman through the table. The move seems to have been hit wrong. Shawn landed on The Undertaker's legs instead of his chest. A rush of adrenaline sends Shawn instantly to his feet where he flails about for a moment and then quickly falls to the floor.
Eventually, Shawn rolls The Undertaker back into the ring and gets into the corner as The Phenom gets to his feet. Without wasting time to tune up the band, Shawn bolts from the corner with Sweet Chin Music and crawls to The Undertaker for another near fall.
Both men crawl to their feet, shaking with emotion, using the ropes for support. Shawn gets up first and begins tuning up the band for the rising Deadman. The Undertaker turns in time to block the kick and hit another chokeslam. He finally gets up and picks Shawn up for a Tombstone Piledriver. He goes for a very emphatic cover, folding Shawn's arms onto his chest, but Shawn manages to kick out before the three.
The crowd is electric now, waiting for the final blow. The Undertaker looks on in disbelief at the prone body of his victim. With 70,000 fans ringing throughout the arena, The Phenom rises, frustration etched on his face. He stumbles to Shawn's twisted, motionless body, and takes the straps down off his shoulders.
Standing over his opponent, The Undertaker raises his arms to make the cutthroat gesture that would signal the end for Shawn Michaels, but instead hesitates, looking down almost with mercy at The Showstopper.
Shawn begins to stir, grabbing The Undertaker's legs for support as he crawls to his knees.
The Undertaker can be heard telling Shawn Michaels to "Stay down!" He shakes his head, almost in pity, for the man known to many as Mr. Wrestlemania.
Instead the defiant Michaels looks up into the eyes of The Deadman and signals the end of the streak with the same cutthroat taunt. There is a brief moment of shock as The Phenom absorbs this message. In that moment, Shawn Michaels slaps the look off the Undertaker's face. In a flash, pity becomes fury.
With that, The Undertaker hoists Shawn Michaels over his shoulders once more and delivers a Tombstone Piledriver to a helpless Michaels. The Undertaker folds The Heartbreak Kid's arms across his chest as the referee counts three for the final time.
An exhausted Undertaker collapses on Michaels before the bell has a chance to sound. Spent, yet victorious, The Undertaker knees at the head of his victim as a pale blue light shines down to celebrate his triumph. He moves to exit the ring, but returns to help Shawn to his feet.
I wish I could tell you what was said between these two, but I was never a good lip reader. With tears in their eyes, the two embrace as the ultimate show of respect before The Undertaker exits the ring. Shawn gets a standing ovation from all in attendance.
The Heartbreak Kid waves goodbye to the crowd, shakes hands with a few of the men in the front row, and takes his final Wrestlemania bow in front of the TitanTron as Jerry Lawler laments: "Shawn, it's over. Goodbye. We will miss you."
Without question, this was the best match of the night, and certainly had the most emotional impact of any other match on the card. It was certainly an eerie feeling to end Wrestlemania on such a somber note, but the match itself will go down as one of the greatest in wrestling history.
MY PREDICTION: The Undertaker
WINNER: The Undertaker
OTHER THOUGHTS: It will be interesting to see what direction the company takes with the departure of HBK. With Cena as WWE Champion, Chris Jericho as World Heavyweight Champion, and the loss of Shawn Michaels, it would see the last few vestiges of the "Attitude Era" are leaving quickly. Yes, we still have Edge, Triple H, The Undertaker and (hopefully) Bret Hart, but the major players of that era, the ones that have kept fans watching for so many years, are beginning to fade into wrestling history.
I don't think this Wrestlemania had quite the "big-time" feel that other Wrestlemanias have had. The matches were generally good, but, aside from HBK vs. The Undertaker, Bret vs. Vince, and perhaps even Cena vs. Batista, I just didn't get the feeling I was watching something big. I felt like most of these matches could've happened on just about any WWE Pay-Per-View.
It will be interesting to see what the company does in the coming months to keep fans interested. It is always difficult to keep the momentum of Wrestlemania going for very long.
In any case, it is still the greatest spectacle in the industry, the grandest stage of them all. It wasn't perfect, but it was still Wrestlemania.
For those of you keeping score, I was 7-9 with my predictions. I don't count the Divas Tag Team Match (would've made me 7-10) or the Dark Match Battle Royal (7-11) since they were both late announcements and one wasn't even televised.
I love the outdoor arenas for Wrestlemania. The first Wrestlemania I ever ordered was Wrestlemania XIX, and having an outdoor venue gave the show such a distinct feel from any of the Raw or Smackdown tapings.
The show opens with a performance of "America the Beautiful" by Fantasia. I could've done without this. I don't care for her voice, but it was nice to have at least one star on hand for this event.
The opening montage is, of course, tremendous. I don't know who does all this, but it's an amazing job. It was great to see Bret Hart back in the picture here. It really felt like he was back home. Of course, there is always the looming threat to the end of Shawn Michael's career, which gives the entire experience a sort of ironic and mystical "full-circle" feeling.
It felt wrong somehow to open the show without Jim Ross. I'm so used to hearing his voice at this event, and unfortunately, Michael Cole just never reached that level of excitement. Cole always comes off as a more scientific play-by-play man whereas Good ol' J.R. seemed to bring the passion that is lost in so much of wrestling today.
WWE UNIFIED TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
TAG TEAM MATCH
John Morrison & R-Truth vs. Show-Miz
It was great to see new blood here competing for (and holding) tag team gold. The Miz is such a tremendous talent. John Morrison and R-Truth represent the bright future for the young blood in WWE. The Miz seems to be able to work with just about anyone and really do a good job of selling it. The chemistry between Jericho and The Big Show was solid, but I think the Miz brings a young man's passion to the picture that makes a lot of people want to watch.
The match itself was quick, and I've heard a lot of complaints from fans that this entire night felt a bit rushed. Morrison and Truth never really have a chance to get off the ground. Every time they start to build momentum, they are stopped dead. In the end this comes off as more of a squash match than a real competition. It's a shame, because Morrison is so athletically gifted, but is rarely given a chance to shine.
What bothers me most here is that Morrison loses more or less to a punch from Big Show. Not even a chokeslam. If you blink, you missed it.
MY PREDICTION: Show-Miz
WINNERS: WWE Unified Tag Team Champions Show-Miz
WWE airs a brief video package highlighting the events held in Phoenix for Wrestlemania week. This is usually done about mid-way through the show, but they knock it out early here.
TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase Jr. vs. Randy Orton
I mentioned in my Wrestlemania predictions that this match didn't receive the build-up it deserved. Still, for anyone who has been following Randy Orton and his Legacy angle, it was a great opportunity to see who was going to grab the brass ring and rise to the top.
Orton is the clear favorite here, despite being more or less a heel in his abuse of his Legacy brethren.
Matt Striker makes a great point that "WWE is about individual achievement", which would account for their lack of interest in tag team wrestling. Michael Cole also says that Ted and Cody don't care who wins, as long as Randy Orton loses. As I recall, Rhodes and DiBiase almost came to blows over who was going to get the win over Orton.
The match itself is solid work. You can see Orton's influence in his protege's as they dissect Orton piece by piece. It's not so much a Triple Threat Match as it is a handicap tag team match as Rhodes and DiBiase team up to destroy their mentor. Eventually Rhodes and DiBiase get to fight over who covers Orton, and Randy takes advantage. He manages to hit all his signatures (the backbreaker, a double-DDT from the second ring rope, and a punt to Rhodes' head) until the fans are finally chanting for the RKO, which is great because that is the kind of reaction Orton should've been getting for years. Finally he hits the RKO on Ted DiBiase for the win.
I don't understand the outcome of this match for two major reasons. The first, and most obvious is that this match should've been used to elevate one of these young stars to the next level of the WWE ladder. Instead it is simply Orton's opportunity to demonstrate his dominance over the other two, which is basically what he's been doing for the past few months.
The second reason has to do with Orton's history with Triple H. Orton's career was more or less buried by The Game after "The Legend Killer" broke from Evolution. The young man who was hailed as "the future of the WWE" was brought to a screeching halt as he was first turned face and then buried week after week by a tyrannical Triple H. You would think that Orton would recognize this as an opportunity to do right by the younger generation, but instead his career path seems to mirror that of his own mentor has he buries Legacy here at Wrestlemania.
MY PREDICTION: Ted DiBiase
WINNER: "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton
Josh Matthews interviews Vickie Guerrero for her upcoming match. Vickie does a nice job backstage, but really has no business entering the wrestling ring. A mediocre promo is capped off by Jillian Hall's voice. To make things better, Santino Marella comes around to plug the "Slim James", the bites of which bring Mae Young, "Mean" Gene Okerland, and finally, Melina. It's sad when that little bit of humor is more entertaining than the promo for the actual wrestling.
MONEY-IN-THE-BANK LADDER MATCH
Kofi Kingston vs. Montel Vontavious Porter vs. Evan Bourne vs. "The All-American American" Jack Swagger vs. "The Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin vs. Matt Hardy vs. vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Kane vs. Chrstian
The introductions for this match are just awful. While it is certainly nice to have some diversity when it comes to ring announcing, after the awesome work Lillian Garcia did for WWE for so many years, it's hard to imagine any other woman taking her place. Hopefully, Savannah is not the heir to that throne.
Matt Striker than says that Kane was the only man to win two Money-in-the-Bank Ladder Matches, cash them both in, and become World Champion.
Um...I think that was C.M. Punk, Matt. Where were you?
I won't go into detail about this match simply because it is much too chaotic to keep track of anything. My biggest issue with the MITB matches is that they are little more than spot-fests for everyone involved. The fact that there are ten competitors this year means that any attempt at pacing this match will be impossible.
I think most people expected Chrstian to win, but Jack Swagger eventually climbs to the top and retrieves the briefcase (after fighting with the latch) which guarantees him a World Championship match at any time in the near future.
There's really no harm in saying this, since most people who read this have already seen the show, but on Raw the previous week, Jack Swagger told Michael Cole that, should he win MITB at Wrestlemania, he would cash it in at Wrestlemania to become the new Champion.
Well, Jack, you won. But you never cashed it in. Talk about false advertising.
MY PREDICTION: "The All-American American" Jack Swagger
WINNER: "The All-American American" Jack Swagger
WWE then shows a preview for WWE Extreme Rules, which will take the place of WWE Backlash after Wrestelmania. It's ironic that the advertisement claims "Count outs? Keep counting", and yet Batista would challenge John Cena to a Last Man Standing match in which the only way to win is to be counted out.
There's a recap of Hall of Fame induction ceAgaremony. Unfortunately, Bob Euker, whose contributions to wrestling last a matter of hours, outshines the contributions of Stu Hart, who trained men like Chris Jericho, and Antonio Inoki, whose impact can be felt to this day.
Howard Finkel presents the inductees of 2010. It was great to see the Hart Family accept on Stu's behalf.
Triple H vs. Sheamus
I'm not sure who expected Sheamus to win. This is Wrestlemania, and this is Triple H. Sheamus tries to make himself look good, but the unconquerable Game of course, comes out on top. There's no sense talking about it. It is merely a formality. I guess after doing the job for Cena and Batista, Triple H feels he's entitled to squash just one more star.
MY PREDICTION: Triple H
WINNER: Triple H
C.M. Punk vs. Rey Mysterio
I just want to say that C.M. Punk is an amazing star who has really shone through in the last year. He has exhibited more personality in the past six months than any time before. I love the angle with the Straight-Edge Society and Punk sells it so perfectly well. This is what Legacy should've been and never got to be.
The stipulation here is that if Punk wins, Rey must swear in to the Straight-Edge Society.
Punk cuts a fantastic promo coming down to the ring, and the crowd just eats it up. This is a great example of what charisma and good storytelling can do for wrestling. Even "The King" Jerry Lawler admits after Punks closing creed, "That's scary." I've said before that any good heel will always be able to justify his actions, and that is what makes Punk so great: he really believes he is doing the right thing.
Rey Mysterio plays the fan favorite. I'm not exactly sure what James Cameron's "Avatar" has to do with any of this, but that's the costume Rey dons this year. Of course this is going to make him an instant favorite with all the fans.
This is by far the most solid match of the night to this point. Like the matches before it, it goes by quickly, but little time is wasted. I like the overall package this match presents, there's a lot going on here. Rey manages to take out the entire Straight Edge Society and defeat Punk to avoid joining his twisted cult.
MY PREDICTION: Rey Mysterio
WINNER: Rey Mysterio
NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH
Bret "Hitman" Hart vs. Mr. McMahon
This match was preceded by yet another fabulous video package that chronicled Bret Hart's career and the Montreal Incident and then everything that happened since his return to the WWE. Again, I don't know who to credit with this, but it was just a fantastic package that brings back a lot of emotion and builds the anticipation for this match.
Watching Bret make his triumphant return to Wrestlemania was an incredible feeling. Again, I don't think a lot of the young fans can comprehend just what this match meant to wrestling. It's something we never thought we'd see: one of those dream matches that everyone talks about, but never really thought would come true. Bret is truly home at Wrestlemania, where he had some of the greatest matches of his career.
Vince McMahon comes out and says he's literally bought the loyalty of the Hart family, which is now going to help him beat Bret down. Bret says he knew about Vince's plot all along, and the Harts, after depositing the money in their bank accounts, banded together and vowed to destroy Vince.
It was a great move to include the Hart Dynasty in this match simply because it will help their career to align themselves directly with Bret.
The match drags on just a little too long for my taste. Vince McMahon mounts zero offense during the entire affair. The entire family batters, bruises, and bloodies Vince to no end. Lead pipes, steel chairs, it's all legal. To cap it all off, Bret locks Vince in the Sharpshooter to close the match.
While the match did carry on just a little long, Bret deserved his moment, and it was great to let him finish things on his own terms. Kudos also go to Vince McMahon, who gets a rep for being an ego-maniac, but humbles himself enough here to let himself be humiliated and disgraced on the grandest stage he ever created.
In November 1997, Bret screwed Bret.
In March 2010, Vince screwed Vince.
At Wrestlemania XXVI, Bret screwed Vince.
MY PREDICTION: Bret "Hitman" Hart
WINNER: Bret "Hitman" Hart
Next it was announced that Wrestlemania XXVII would emanate from Atlanta, GA on April 3, 2011.
A new attendance record was set for the University of Phoenix Stadium: 72,219.
Hey, why not? That deserves a shot of pyro.
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho vs. "The Rated R Superstar" Edge
This was one of the most anticipated matches of the night, and it did not disappoint. These are two of the most solid in-ring performers in the company, and they were at their A-Game for Wrestlemania.
It was also nice to see a title match at Wrestlemania that did not involve Randy Orton, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, or the Big Show.
It was a shoc k to most people that Chris Jericho retained in this match, but it sets up a nice feud between the two that can carry on into the coming year. Edge gets the last word, however, by spearing Jericho off the two announce tables and through the barricade.
It's amazing to see how far these two have come: Edge from having tag teamed with Christian to become one of the greatest tag teams of all time, and Jericho from being the young upstart that took The Rock and Steve Austin head on to become the first ever Undisputed Champion. I'm looking forward to seeing how these two play off of each other in the coming year.
MY PREDICTION: Edge
WINNER: WWE World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho
DARK MATCH: 26-MAN OVER-THE-TOP-ROPE BATTLE ROYAL
Apparently there was a 26-man Battle Royal to kick off the night. This is basically a nod to all the mid-card talents. Yoshi Tatsu was the winner. Apparently it wasn't worth airing, but it was worth recapping.
MY PREDICTION: N/A
WINNER: YOSHI TATSU
10-DIVA TAG TEAM MATCH
Layla, Alica Fox, Vickie Guerrero, WWE Divas Champion Maryse, & WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool vs. Kelly Kelly, Eve Tores, Mickie James, "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix, & Gail Kim
Not sure what anyone was expecting from this match, but they most likely didn't get it. Eventually it turns into a finish-fest as each girl steps into the ring, hits their finisher, and then gets mowed down by the next girl. Eventually Vickie hits the "hog splash" (or "bull frog" splash) off the ropes to get the win.
This match was announced after my "Wrestlemania Predictions" post, but I probably would've guess Mickie James' team would get the win.
MY PREDICTION: N/A
WINERS: Layla, Alicia Fox, Vickie Guerrero, WWE Divas Champion Maryse, & WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
WWE Champion "The Animal" Batista vs. John Cena
I'm not a big fan of either of these men, but I love this angle. Batista in particular, really shines here where he's allowed to be himself and not waste his time pandering to the fans. The company needs good strong heels right now, and Batista has become exactly that.
The matches have gotten progressively better as the night goes on, and this match is no different. The intensity in this match is tangible. Batista takes a very Orton-esque route with his entrance by allowing the lights to cut and have just a single spotlight on him. This is great because it keeps distractions to a minimum. Forget the spectacles around you: make yourself the spectacle. You are what these people came to see.
Of course, Cena always has something special planned for his entrance. This time it's a division of our armed forces giving an amazing performance with their firearms. Most people won't appreciate the precision and discipline this takes, but it was amazing to watch and got a nice reaction from the fans. I'm not sure I appreciate Cena using this for his entrance simply because it makes him too clear a face, and plays more on people's allegiance to their country rather than their allegiance to Cena himself. It brainwashes people into thinking it is somehow "unpatriotic" not to be a John Cena fan, and I don't like that kind of self-promotion.
The match has some great back-and-forth action that keeps the fans guessing as to who is going to win. Batista really looks like a million bucks during this entire bout, and calls Cena on a lot of the gimmicky moves that he uses. He doesn't give Cena a chance to breathe, to pander to the crowd, to taunt, or to show off. He goes right for the kill every time, and it makes the match edge-of-your-seat exciting.
Of course, in case there was any doubt in anyone's mind, Cena makes Batista tap to the STF to reclaim the WWE Championship.
This was a great feud and a solid match, but, as Michael Cole pointed out, Cena and Batista have fourteen world championships between them. They need to start working Cena with some younger stars. I thought Cena vs. Sheamus would be a good feud to start with, but Sheamus is now preoccupied with Triple H. Still, there are plenty of young stars to choose from (Christian, MVP, The Miz, etc.) Batista and Cena need to start ushering in a new era of champions. I hope to see some new blood competing in the main event at Wrestlemania XXVII.
MY PREDICTION: John Cena
WINNER: John Cena
There's one more promo for WWE Extreme Rules before the true main event of the night is introduced.
CAREER VS. STREAK MATCH
Win by Pinfall or Submission Only
The Undertaker vs. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
I wonder sometimes what people would've said if they'd known that they were watching Steve Austin's last match at Wrestlemania XIX. He was the biggest star the company had ever seen (at the very least, the biggest star since Hulk Hogan), but he didn't ask for a grand send-off. He went quietly, and though he continued to make appearances after his loss to The Rock, his in-ring career was over.
In 2008, everyone was pretty certain they were watching Ric Flair walk the aisle for the last time against Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania XXIV. The match's emotional impact comes largely from the subconscious affirmation that HBK was going to end "The Nature Boy"'s career.
And I guess, subconsciously, we all knew that no one, not even HBK, was going to break The Undertaker's Wrestlemania undefeated streak. Even when I had myself convinced that HBK could not lose, I watched him walk down the ramp, all the while thinking, "what if this is his last match?"
There have been three match-ups at Wrestlemania that, in my opinion, transcended the sport itself.
The first was Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III.
The second was Shawn Michaels vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin with "Iron" Mike Tyson as Special Enforcer for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania XIV.
The third is Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker at Wrestlemania XVI.
This match, whichever way it turned, would truly change the landscape of wrestling. You have a winning streak 20 years in the making, and a 20 year career that forever changed the face of the industry. There is nothing bigger in this sport than these two elements, and they collided here for the last time.
Of course, the first question on everyone's mind is: Was it as good as Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25?
The short answer is "no". But this match had more to it than simply wrestling. This was about the end of a legacy, and, considering their match at Wrestlemania 25, no time was wasted in the "feeling out" process. These two started strong and ended strong with little time to breathe in between. It will go down as one of the greatest matches in history, not just for the match itself, but its impact on the industry.
Shawn Michaels makes his entrance very simple, classic Shawn. The Undertaker's entrance, including a few extra tolls of the trademark bell, seem to be ringing in memorial to the career he is about to end. He rises from beneath the stage amidst fire and smoke, and begins the long walk to the ring where his opponent waits. He walks with purpose, his face hidden beneath a black hood. His opponent's face is hidden behind the mask of serenity. Neither will waver in their resolve.
There is a long stare down before HBK signals the end of the Streak with Undertaker's trademark cutthroat taunt. A chopping battle ensues, and the match is on. Shawn is whipped from post to post by the Deadman, who hits Old School early. He attempts to follow it up with a chokeslam, but Shawn battles out.
HBK counters a Tombstone into a side headlock, attempting to wear down his opponent. There is a lot of back and forth action before The Undertaker narrowly avoids Sweet Chin Music. From there, Shawn takes control, backing the Phenom into the corner. The Undertaker battles out and sends Michaels over the top rope and onto the floor. He attempts a diving shoulder block from Wrestlemania 25, but Shawn races into the ring and knocks the Deadman down.
The Undertaker hits the leg drop on the apron. There is no rush to get back in the ring because there are no count-outs, and no disqualification. The only way to win is by pinfall or submission.
Back inside, HBK hits the Figure-Four Leglock. The Undertaker is almost pinned while fighting the leglock, but quickly reverses the pressure before HBK breaks the hold. Shawn starts trading punches with The Undertaker, which is never a good idea.
After a lengthy battle, Shawn comes off the ropes with the shoulder block. He nips up in vintage HBK form, but finds himself quickly locked into a chockeslam. The Undertaker goes for the cover, but Shawn kicks out and reverses a Tombstone Piledriver into the Ankle Lock, locking in the grapevine on the Deadman's legs in the center of the ring. The Undertaker ties to keep his shoulders off the mat while he fights out of the hold.
Shawn breaks the hold and charges The Undertaker, taking them both over the top rope. Shawn hits the springboard crossbody off the ring apron, but is caught by the Undertaker who reverses it into a Tombstone on the floor. There are no count-outs, so The Undertaker struggles to his feet, using the steps for support, before rolling a seemingly unconscious HBK back into the ring for a long two-count.
When both men reach their feet, The Undertaker goes for the Last Ride, but Shawn reverses it into a facebuster. With the Phenom down, HBK goes for the elbow off the top rope, and The Undertaker gets his knees up to block it.
Shawn crawls for the cover, but is caught in Hell's Gate which The Showstopper reverses into a cover, forcing The Undertaker to break the hold. Both men lean on each other to get to their feet, and Shawn immediately hits Sweet Chin Music, which earns him a two-count.
With The Undertaker down, Shawn starts tuning up the band while The Undertaker crawls to his knees. The kick is blocked, and The Undertaker sends Shawn for a devastating Last Ride. Shawn kicks out at two.
In frustration, The Deadman throws Michaels to the outside and begins disassembling the U.S. announce table. An attempt for the Last Ride through the table gets countered, and Shawn hits Sweet Chin Music to send The Undertaker back onto the table. With his opponent sprawled out, Shawn gets on the top turnbuckle and moonsaults the Deadman through the table. The move seems to have been hit wrong. Shawn landed on The Undertaker's legs instead of his chest. A rush of adrenaline sends Shawn instantly to his feet where he flails about for a moment and then quickly falls to the floor.
Eventually, Shawn rolls The Undertaker back into the ring and gets into the corner as The Phenom gets to his feet. Without wasting time to tune up the band, Shawn bolts from the corner with Sweet Chin Music and crawls to The Undertaker for another near fall.
Both men crawl to their feet, shaking with emotion, using the ropes for support. Shawn gets up first and begins tuning up the band for the rising Deadman. The Undertaker turns in time to block the kick and hit another chokeslam. He finally gets up and picks Shawn up for a Tombstone Piledriver. He goes for a very emphatic cover, folding Shawn's arms onto his chest, but Shawn manages to kick out before the three.
The crowd is electric now, waiting for the final blow. The Undertaker looks on in disbelief at the prone body of his victim. With 70,000 fans ringing throughout the arena, The Phenom rises, frustration etched on his face. He stumbles to Shawn's twisted, motionless body, and takes the straps down off his shoulders.
Standing over his opponent, The Undertaker raises his arms to make the cutthroat gesture that would signal the end for Shawn Michaels, but instead hesitates, looking down almost with mercy at The Showstopper.
Shawn begins to stir, grabbing The Undertaker's legs for support as he crawls to his knees.
The Undertaker can be heard telling Shawn Michaels to "Stay down!" He shakes his head, almost in pity, for the man known to many as Mr. Wrestlemania.
Instead the defiant Michaels looks up into the eyes of The Deadman and signals the end of the streak with the same cutthroat taunt. There is a brief moment of shock as The Phenom absorbs this message. In that moment, Shawn Michaels slaps the look off the Undertaker's face. In a flash, pity becomes fury.
With that, The Undertaker hoists Shawn Michaels over his shoulders once more and delivers a Tombstone Piledriver to a helpless Michaels. The Undertaker folds The Heartbreak Kid's arms across his chest as the referee counts three for the final time.
An exhausted Undertaker collapses on Michaels before the bell has a chance to sound. Spent, yet victorious, The Undertaker knees at the head of his victim as a pale blue light shines down to celebrate his triumph. He moves to exit the ring, but returns to help Shawn to his feet.
I wish I could tell you what was said between these two, but I was never a good lip reader. With tears in their eyes, the two embrace as the ultimate show of respect before The Undertaker exits the ring. Shawn gets a standing ovation from all in attendance.
The Heartbreak Kid waves goodbye to the crowd, shakes hands with a few of the men in the front row, and takes his final Wrestlemania bow in front of the TitanTron as Jerry Lawler laments: "Shawn, it's over. Goodbye. We will miss you."
Without question, this was the best match of the night, and certainly had the most emotional impact of any other match on the card. It was certainly an eerie feeling to end Wrestlemania on such a somber note, but the match itself will go down as one of the greatest in wrestling history.
MY PREDICTION: The Undertaker
WINNER: The Undertaker
OTHER THOUGHTS: It will be interesting to see what direction the company takes with the departure of HBK. With Cena as WWE Champion, Chris Jericho as World Heavyweight Champion, and the loss of Shawn Michaels, it would see the last few vestiges of the "Attitude Era" are leaving quickly. Yes, we still have Edge, Triple H, The Undertaker and (hopefully) Bret Hart, but the major players of that era, the ones that have kept fans watching for so many years, are beginning to fade into wrestling history.
I don't think this Wrestlemania had quite the "big-time" feel that other Wrestlemanias have had. The matches were generally good, but, aside from HBK vs. The Undertaker, Bret vs. Vince, and perhaps even Cena vs. Batista, I just didn't get the feeling I was watching something big. I felt like most of these matches could've happened on just about any WWE Pay-Per-View.
It will be interesting to see what the company does in the coming months to keep fans interested. It is always difficult to keep the momentum of Wrestlemania going for very long.
In any case, it is still the greatest spectacle in the industry, the grandest stage of them all. It wasn't perfect, but it was still Wrestlemania.
For those of you keeping score, I was 7-9 with my predictions. I don't count the Divas Tag Team Match (would've made me 7-10) or the Dark Match Battle Royal (7-11) since they were both late announcements and one wasn't even televised.
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