A Golden Dilemma

Too many or not enough?

This is an imposed question on many a fan in the WWE right now, with several titles running rampant on both RAW and Smackdown. Of course, with both shows seemingly melding together, the Internet Wrestling Community is split down the middle. Some say keep the titles the way they are, some say unify the titles and create more prestige within the company and turn up the competition.

Let's take a look at what is currently active in the WWE:

WWE Championship: RAW's flagship title, currently held by the Rock
World Heavyweight Championship: Smackdown's flagship title, currently held by Alberto Del Rio
Intercontinental Championship: RAW's secondary, currently held by Wade Barrett
United States Championship: Smackdown's secondary, currently held by Antonio Cesaro
Diva's Championship: Unified with the Women's Championship and contested on both brands, currently held by Kaitlyn
WWE Tag Team Championship: Unified with the World Tag Team Championships and contested on both brands, currently held by Team Hell No!

The Cruiserweight division is suffering
just as much as the Diva's division
without a title

Pretty simple set up here, with two titles on each brand, along with two more allowed to be contested on both brands. Give or take, a "maximum" of four championships can be contested on each show. Fair enough. But I have heard time and time again to unify the remaining titles and contest every one on both shows. I don't think this is necessarily a great idea, considering the vast amount of superstars, and the line to wait to get to any particular title. I do believe that the chase for the titles is completely wrong, but I am not creative in the sense to tell which title should be contested against what superstar.

Keep in mind that at one point in time, the WWE had twelve titles running about, during the WWE/WCW Invasion angle, double the amount of titles there are in the WWE right now. On top of what is still standing, you had the European Championship, the Hardcore Championship, the Cruiserweight, Light Heavyweight, and World Tag Team Championships. It was a ridiculous amount, and the WWE made it work. The WWE should take a piece out of TNA's cake, as they have a main, a secondary, a cruiserweight title, a women's single and tag championship. Women's tag championship really isn't necessary, but maintain the major and minor titles, bring some legitimacy to the up-and-coming cruiserweights, and the women's belt. I would even consider bringing back the Hardcore Championship in time for Extreme Rules, because with Linda McMahon not running for the Connecticut Senate seat, why protect the image any longer?

I don't believe that the titles be unified. I say, add more titles to give more of a variety in the WWE to make things more interesting! My idea would be as follows:

WWE Championship: Keep it on RAW as major
World Heavyweight Championship: Keep it on Smackdown as major
Intercontinental Championship: Put it on Smackdown as minor to build prestige in Smackdown
United States Championship: Put it on RAW as minor to build prestige on RAW
Cruiserweight Championship: Contest it on both shows, with the weight limit at 220 pounds
NXT Championship: Treat it as the "legitimate" Television championship and allow up and coming wrestlers on TV to fight for it
Hardcore Championship: Hardcore only
Diva's Championship: Contest it on both shows
WWE Tag Team Championship: Contest it on both shows

The NXT Championship; the stepping stone into the WWE

This set up would work wonders for WWE Creative, as it can keep every part of the roster busy and keep ideas flowing. There are two titles specific for each brand, which will keep at least eight to ten superstars occupied; all of the WWE Cruiserweights will be building themselves up... look at how Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, and Billy Kidman became famous; the NXT Championship will ultimately allow break-out developmental talent on television and build their own success into the minor title picture; and the Hardcore championship will bring out the tough and ruthless. Granted, I doubt the Hardcore Championship will ever be brought back to a WWE ring again, based on the PG environment and the WWE Disclaimer of "Don't Try This at Home", but it would be nice to see contested once in a blue moon.

The Monday Night Wars; WWE should take a look back
and consider what worked and what didn't in terms
of championship caliber superstars

If Triple H was thinking outside the box to work on ratings, as I am sure Vince McMahon and his team have done time and time again, he would go back and look at what gave the WWE the edge in the 8.1 Nielsen ratings back in April 1999. The competition of WCW and ECW has been gone for some time, but examine and run through the compelling elements that maintained such a drastic climb. The WWE kept ratings in the 6's and 7's for over a year. What they did back then was hold a captive audience. The championships, outside of being props, shouldn't be labeled as such a term; Championships should be revered as the next point in a superstar's career, and have them climb the ladder rungs one by one. From NXT to Minors, to versatility in Hardcore, up to the grande queso enchilada.

Simply put, don't unify. Reinstate.

No Corporate Holds Barred

Paul Heyman has upped the ante with Triple H at Wrestlemania by forcing him to put his career on the line in a No Holds Barred match.

I can't help but to shake this feeling as this is Deja Vu all over again from Summerslam 2012, but with a little more value etched into it. Of course, the little hint of value doesn't strike me as very impressive just because of the fact that nearly everyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows that Triple H is well on his way out of the "wrestling" aspect, and getting into the "corporate" part of the business. So, what will be the outcome of this match at Wrestlemania?

Brock wins, of course. And that's probably what everyone who hasn't been living under a rock is believing it will happen that way. Including the fact that Brock has signed on for another year or so with the WWE and is advertised beyond Wrestlemania. There are so many things that give away the predictability for the event, that it will be a shocker to see Triple H win and bury Lesnar.

Or maybe that is what the WWE wants everyone to think. I posted the word "insanity" as defined by Albert Einstein, as "performing the same action over and over again expecting different results." Case in point.

Considering for the fact that there is an eight-year age difference between the two, Brock has a little more steam in him that he can invest as his time as a wrestler than Triple H does. Paul Levesque has paid his dues, and has been given an office with a window at WWE Headquarters, firmly planted in the corporate throes and under the wing of Vinnie Mac. But, with the No Holds Barred match quickly approaching, how does something repetitive end at the biggest stage of them all? Last time these behemoths met, Lesnar "snapped" Triple H's arm with the Kimura Lock. Does this happen again? Will we see Brock Lesnar deliver a devastating F-5 to Hunter off of the Hi-Definition stage set up? Or will we be blown away and Triple H puts Brock Lesnar away with the Pedigree?

Honestly, these "Match VS Career", "Loser Leaves..." stipulations are so bogus. The wrestler only takes a couple of months off of that particular brand, and returns on the other show, or an acting manager has them "re-hired", or something of that nature. I give respect to Shawn Michaels as he is the only wrestler holding true to his word, as he just doesn't want to return to wrestling. Granted, he does his thing on a "Legends" basis, but I doubt we will ever see him active in a WWE ring again. You see Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, John Cena, Randy Orton... the list goes on and on, but they return in some sort of capacity on that brand (or the other brand). Nothing is ever set in stone in the wrestling business. Leaves for much creativity, but predictability goes out the window. Creative can't get rid of a top storyteller. So, with this in mind, IF Lesnar wins, and Triple H goes away, will he return for another match? Will he have his own "Legends" contract? Or will he just do what Vince did back in the 90s and come and go when he pleases, and enter himself into storylines willy-nilly?

I wonder if Triple H will get involved in a storyline mirroring Vince/Austin's own storyline, with someone going against Paul Levesque, the boss!

Paul Levesque; Corporate Man

My prediction on this one will have Lesnar walk away with a win for the second time, and be hailed as the "new" king of kings. Now, on a side note, I would like to touch base on the recent changes that Triple H has been involved in. I have read all over the IWC, and I see many mixed reactions on Triple H becoming Paul Levesque, Corporate Man. With the negative review that Levesque (I will refer to him in the corporate sense now) is getting, I highly disagree! Levesque has done nothing but GOOD for the WWE ever since he has been given a little control of the reins.

Bullet points to mention--

The tag division: it is alive and barely kicking... alive nonetheless! I haven't seen so much worth into the tag division (even with the horrible slew of players currently involved) for quite some time.

Championships are becoming relevant: CM Punk, Sheamus, Cody Rhodes, Antonio Cesaro, Team Hell No... these current/former champions have held the title for over seven months each. Champs before that (outside of SuperCena and Triple H himself) have held titles for maybe two, three months at a time. No value, no prestige has been influenced on these props and have been made such as that; just props.

"What is this? I don't need a stinkin'
script!!"

Doing away with scripts: Levesque is initiating promos cut the way HE learned; by general points and getting rid of scripts. This particular way of cutting a promo worked well in the 80s and 90s and made characters that were believable. Superstars coming in from developmental taking a grasp in this way allows for more freedom, and versatility for a wrestler to create, mold and sculpt their character the way they see fit, and weed out the wrestlers without charisma. Take into consideration Brad Maddox and his flub on RAW. Running by a script that called for a mention of the Jeri-Tron 5000 (to which it "disappeared" during a commercial break), Maddox screwed up his lines and didn't wing it. As people have argued (and this may be the point that Levesque is getting rid of scripts), if Maddox was taught to wing the segment, the promo would have gone without a hitch.

Storylines: These have been more edgier, and more interesting coming from a wrestler's standpoint. Levesque is a wrestler; he has been involved and most likely knows what works. I'm not saying that Vince doesn't, but today's audience has changed. It is a new generation, and he knows what to do with such a change.

Bruno Sammartino: A lot of viewers absolutely don't care about this one, especially the newer audience, but this was a BIG one. For nearly thirty years, Sammartino spit on the WWF/E and snubbed his nose in the air of the mention of the product. Sammartino bad mouthed the WWF/F, bad mouthed the McMahon clan, and totally despised wrestling since the 1980s. Levesque toiled away at the phones, and worked himself to the bone to square away any discrepancy that Sammartino had, and finally had his approval and acceptance into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame. Outside of the hatred that Bret Hart had against McMahon, I don't see a bigger loathing than Sammartino. Come to think of it, maybe Levesque was also behind the apology of Shawn Michaels to Hart. Who knows? But I think that this action right here has shown (outside of others that Levesque has done) that taking Triple H out as a wrestler and putting him in a corporate setting is the future for the WWE.

Okay. I'm done with my rant. In a couple of days, I will cover some more 'Mania!

DUI Insanity

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." ~Albert Einstein 

Let me rattle off a list of wrestlers here (don't mind the duplicates);

Jim Duggan
Iron Sheik
Grandmaster Sexay
Eddie Guerrero
Alex Riley
Buff Bagwell
Chris Jericho
Gregory Helms
Christopher Daniels
Eddie Guerrero
Jeff Hardy
Jimmy Uso
Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
Marty Jannetty
Matt Hardy
Lex Luger
Santino Marella
Scott Hall
Ted DiBiase Jr.
Test
Jack Swagger
Jimmy Uso

Jack Swagger's Mug Shot

This is just a mere handful of WWE Superstars that have been busted for driving under the influence. Recently, we have had DUI stamped across the forehead of Jack Swagger and Jimmy Uso, whose arrest has been his second for DUIs. There is a bigger list of wrestlers that have other charges attached to their criminal record, but I'm just going to focus on the DUI's for right now, as this has become a major problem in the WWE with no public ramifications  As a wrestling community, we were all awaiting the gavel to be dropped down on the head of Swagger after his arrest with marijuana. But, nothing has happened. Then, Jimmy Uso is recently arrested with a DUI. Did he honestly think that he could get away with it in the WWE like Swagger did with little to no punishment?

Quite possibly. Without being upper management in the WWE, the IWC never had an idea of any major punishment to Swagger. He is even getting a PUSH into the main event picture with Dutch Mantel and Alberto Del Rio. Jimmy Uso might just have had the crazy idea to think, "Well, Swagger is getting a main event push. Maybe I'll get the chance to get some star exposure if I'm caught doing something reckless!" This can't be the thinking behind every superstar because another is getting away with such an action. I don't condone the fairness of doing something in the real world illegally and being praised for such actions. Honestly, I don't see Swagger and Zeb Coulter getting over much with the fans on a poorly executed storyline. It works... if executed right. If and when all the pieces of the puzzle fit, the storyline can be great. If the US Title was on Swagger, and he was going for the World Title, Creative would have more steam going into this. But Swagger wasn't punished.

Why the WWE doesn't employ the creative fan like me, I don't know.

Jimmy Uso Mug Shot

Now, we have Jimmy Uso. When will the WWE start cracking down on the negligent superstar? Of course, I see a hailstorm of issues coming to rain down on the head of the this Uso brother. But, where is the fairness? Jimmy Uso, if terminated/suspended/fined/etctera, will no doubt claim that the penalty is unfair because of the situation with Swagger. Then what will happen? Will this be a benchmark of what is considered fair in the WWE? If this is the case, I can see many superstars go out, get themselves arrested, be handed their pink slip, lose their title, or TV time, and cry out, "Well, Swagger got away with it!" Understandably, there have been numerous superstars (see above list) that have either been released, repackaged, or whatnot because of their idiocracy and dabble in the drug influences, and have been only given a slap on the wrist. But there isn't any consistency. It's like punishing a child for getting an "C" in school, and taking his brother to Chuck E. Cheese's for getting a "D".

WWE's Corporate Policy states the following (truncated for importance):

"Any WWE Talent, who is arrested, convicted or who admits to a violation of law relating to use, possession, purchase, sale or distribution of drugs will be in material breach of his/her contract with WWE and subject to immediate dismissal. 

In addition to the penalties that may be imposed pursuant to his/her contract with WWE, a violation of this Section may also be treated as a positive test for drugs prohibited by this Policy and therefore, subject to the penalties set forth in Section 15 of this Policy." 

"If a specimen of a WWE Talent tests positive for a prohibited substance... the Program Administrator will advise that he/she is suspended (or as the case may be terminated) in accordance with the provisions of the Policy. The PA then advises WWE of the matter and WWE informs the PA of the applicable suspension dates or termination date."

http://corporate.wwe.com/company/abuse_policy.jsp

This, right here, should be mandatory for all WWE personnel, and be practiced with consistency. This way, if you screw up and get arrested, you get put on notice, you get put on with negative media, and is given a suspension or termination paperwork. Otherwise, the WWE will be run a muck with drunken and drugged up superstars with no remorse. The Wellness Policy was put into place for a reason; the WWE initiated the program to better assist talent and to prevent accidents or even death. They did this for Eddie Guerrero; the Wellness Policy saved MVP's life with a routine check; this has benefited the entire WWE. Now, the WWE seems to turn a blind eye as of late. Is this possibly because Linda McMahon isn't running for politics anymore that the WWE is slowing down their inspections?

In account of fairness, both Swagger and Jimmy Uso need to be held accountable and be used as a demonstration of getting back into the corporate spill of things. Otherwise, the WWE may be held accountable for another death.

Road To Wrestlemania Quickie Report

Feed Me Sexual Chocolate

Imagine that... the marketing would write itself.

Ryback is rumored to face Mark Henry at Wrestlemania

Ryback and Mark Henry have been teased for an upcoming feud, quite possibly rolling itself into Wrestlemania 29. I may be getting a bit ahead of myself, but with the way Ryback was immediately pushed into the main event scene because of John Cena's "unjury" (injury that one can amazingly recover from), and then dumped on his head and buried by the Shield, I am happy that Ryback will have a pretty solid feud with Henry, and will allow him to possibly pick up a win from a credible opponent. Ryback needs a chance to get away from jobbers and the Shield, as it is doing nothing for his credibility. Going from replacing Cena against CM Punk to the Shield, to squash matches brings star power to mid-card status. Jobbers are doing nothing to propel Ryback into the main even again, and the Shield is doing nothing except burying him. Fortunately, Mark Henry couldn't have come back at a better time.

This week on RAW, Henry and Ryback had a One-Up-Manship against the J.O.B. Squad of today; 3MB. Before that, they had a stare-down between the two. Now, in order to ignite the feud, Henry has come out and smashed upon Ryback, after the decision was made for him to join Sheamus and Randy Orton. The Big Show will most likely be the replacing candidate to face the Shield. Great opportunity for Mark Henry and Ryback to show how two major powerhouses can collide and make it out alive. Curious as to how these two will lead up and break off on their own. I would like to see Ryback placed on Smackdown, away from the politics of RAW, and run for the World Heavyweight Title. It's a long shot away, but it'd be nice. With that said, Mark Henry and Ryback are more than likely going to be placed on the card, and continue their ongoing feud.


Dwayne Johnson is Missing, Luigi!

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego---er... the Rock?!

We all knew it was coming; The Rock is nowhere to be found. He isn't found on the programming for next week's RAW broadcast either. And for that matter, John Cena wasn't on RAW last week either. However, The Rock is supposed to be ready to go on the last two weeks before Wrestlemania. This, I just don't like. I know that the man has a very busy work schedule, as many superstars come and go, but to place the WWE title on the Rock and have him disappear for movie screenings and such isn't a great way to build any type of momentum going into Wrestlemania. This is the World Series of Wrestling, for crying out loud! For instance, Chris Jericho is around, and he has a busy schedule himself, and he has been advertised much more than the Rock leading into the big event. But they haven't placed gold around his waist. Nor does he want it. The WWE may place the Intercontinental Championship there, but it most likely will go to the Miz. This goes the same with the Undertaker. Granted, the Rock has made more appearances than Taker has, but I don't see an excuse where he can take a couple weeks off before such a pay per view. I would hope, that if the WWE continues to leave the strap on the Rock, to have him run a full schedule into Extreme rules where he should lose it there. I doubt that the Rock will leave Wrestlemania with the title around his waist, but as moments come close, Vince will tear down and build the card back up the way he wants to. Never say never.


Family Redemption

Triple H is faced with a hurdle next week on RAW!

Brock Lesnar accepted Triple H's challenge at Wrestlemania... but on his own terms. To be revealed AFTER The Game signs the contract. We have a match! But... at what cost to the Chief Operating Officer? The game is on, but the main question is, what are Lesnar's terms? Dirt sheets claim a possible MMA-style match, which seems likely with Brock Lesnar's current MMA background, but it could be anything at this point in time. It could even be Triple H tied to the bottom turnbuckle and having the daylights stomped out of him. Triple H hasn't backed down from a fight, but I don't think that this is one that will be easy to walk away from. This is ultimately about family, and Paul Heyman and Brock have hit Triple H right in the feels (and has been for nearly a year now) with family and friends. First name calling Stephanie and his kids, his friend Shawn Michaels, to now Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, and Vince himself. Brock has shown himself to be a monster, and without a weight limit like he had in UFC, he's getting up there to perform some serious damage. A win for Lesnar will ultimately keep him happy; Triple H isn't going anywhere, but Lesnar can.

Triple H is supposed to be behind the scenes as a corporate leader, and he should take the high road; let Lesnar have this win, and stay in the management scene. Avoid inserting himself into main events as Hogan currently does. Be the leader. Lead by example. He has done what he needed to do for the WWE as a wrestler. Allow Brock Lesnar to step into the spotlight and dismantle the WWE piece by piece. Let him be the unstoppable monster heel aligned with Paul Heyman as a mouthpiece, and Lesnar will do great things. CM Punk and Paul E. were good. Heyman as a mouthpiece for Lesnar is even better. Let's hope they both stick around after Mania.


Living Legacy

"Success isn't permanent, and failure isn't fatal." ~Mike Ditka

What happens leading into Wrestlemania 29 with
the Undertaker and CM Punk?

Such is the case with The Undertaker going into Wrestlemania 29. With the passing of William Moody (aka Paul Bearer), one has to wonder what the mindset is in with Mark Calaway. Taker and Bearer have been friends and allies (sometimes enemies) over twenty five years, and with the untimely death of Undertaker's urn-bearing friend, is this a foreshadowing of things to come? Or will the Undertaker take CM Punk to the cleaners and cement a 21-0 legacy that the legendary Dead Man takes with him to his wrestling grave? Many in the IWC are mixed all upon this outcome, and while sides are for the Undertaker maintaining his streak, is losing at Wrestlemania that devestating to him? Sure, it will boost CM Punk to near-god status (and heat that can match Vickie Guerrero's) within the WWE, but will a loss tarnish all that the Undertaker has created in his tenure with the company? And with an internal agenda, will Mark Calaway the wrestler allow CM Punk to defeat the Undertaker at a Wrestlemania; to do what sixteen other superstars couldn't? That's the question. Or, will Calaway keep the record intact, retire, or possibly keep going every year until there is not much of an Undertaker left?

Being successful at Wrestlemania has to end somewhere. CM Punk can't be the man to carry the streak as he has already lost twice at Wrestlemania (26 and 27, respectively). However, what a twist it would be (as CM Punk currently holds the urn), if CM Punk became Undertaker's protege? If CM Punk became the NEW Undertaker with a reinvented look? Granted, the storyline of Undertaker's urn being stolen has been repeated and duplicated several times, and it's interesting to see what CM Punk does with the urn, or what the urn "does with CM Punk?" Needless to say, I'm highly curious to see what unfolds up through Wrestlemania. Age is a factor. Legacy is a factor. Young blood versus old school. And with the memory of Paul Bearer still fresh in everyone's mind, does that play a bit into creative to keep the streak alive?

WWE Yard Sale of TNA Superstars

I rarely cover TNA Wrestling, and I have been deterred from Impact programming because of the exact reason; My observation is seeing TNA taking WWE's scraps and "re-polish" into their own stars. Now, I see that this has immense potential, if used correctly, BECAUSE the WWE has trained these superstars and has taken the work out of having a developmental territory. Ohio Valley Wrestling has been taken over by TNA as their official training grounds, but again... OVW was originally the primary developmental facility to the WWE! OWV trained the likes of Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Batista, and even John Cena to name a few. Being led by Al Snow and Rip Rogers in OVW, one would think that TNA doesn't need to dig through Vince McMahon's remains.

Even through his struggles, Jeff Hardy
remains TNA World Heavyweight
Champion!

But look at TNA's top men. The TNA World Heavyweight Champion is a WWE discard. Jeff Hardy was being successfully coached by Triple H and being prepped for his WWE title run. Drugs and injuries limited Hardy in his run, and he left for a lighter schedule to TNA. Eight months after his return to TNA, he became the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. TNA was smart in this acquisition; Jeff Hardy brought his fan base over to TNA, and he draws there. Even with all of his drug concerns and court dates, TNA chooses to keep Hardy on top because he needs to be. For business.

The current Television champion is another WWE wash; Devon Hughes. Well known as part of the "Dudley Boyz" with Bubba Ray, he's on top of the third time branded Television Championship. And looking back, again with the WWE throwing away talent, the Television Championship was introduced as a "Legends" Title by none other than Booker T, and was held by Mick Foley and Kevin Nash. Currently, TNA's roster holds over 20 former WWE superstars, with plenty of TNA Alumni that are also WWE Alumni. Then, you have major players of the game like Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Mr. Ken--er... Anderson, several divas, and even Earl Hebner, occasionally sporting a "Damn Right I Did" T-Shirt (which is pretty awesome, by the way), alluding to his involvement the Montreal Screwjob. All former WWE superstars.

Finally, you have the granddaddy WWE relic of them all; the ultimate, self-absorbed individual who immerses himself in everything he can because not that he needs to, but that he wants to. I am talking about Hulk Hogan. Don't get me wrong... I respect the man over all he did in the WWF/E back in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, when times were great and Hogan couldn't book based upon his popularity. However, I believe that he was part of the destruction of WCW (along with a bunch of other things), as he refused to do several things, such as let other superstars defeat and go over him clean (refusing to job to Jeff Jarrett in WCW), the famous "Fingerpoke of Doom" (see video enclosed) match against Kevin Nash in 1999, and just the overall hand in his own Creative control. Being a fan, I could absolutely be wrong about Hogan, as I don't know him personally, but from hearing many things about his past, he is a rigid worker as far as the business is concerned. With his current run with TNA, Hogan has been given nearly ultimate control and has been involved and booked himself (and now his daughter Brooke) in several different angles, and not being a "General Manager" like he should be. I hope for Dixie Carter's sake that TNA survives the Hogan Era.

OVW has been elected as the Official Development
Territory for TNA Impact

TNA has been dipping in pieces of the WWE's own disposal for several years now, and have failed to utilize the salt-and-pepper talent that the WWE has no need for. Such is the case with the discovery of TNA's VP of Ace's and Eights. D-Lo Brown himself was a mid-card wrestler back in the late 90s, and again, didn't account to much outside The Nation of Domination with the Rock. Why bring a road agent/mid-carder who is now in his 40s into the ring? It may make sense to some, but taking what the WWE has washed their hands of isn't what TNA was founded on. It's absolutely thrilling to know that AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Abyss, and a couple of others have been with TNA since the beginning, and I am happy for the fact that TNA now has a training ground to bring up new and fresh talent the "Impact" way, and not keep digging into the WWE graveyard. It will be a while, of course, but TNA needs to work on the talent in OVW and leave what McMahon doesn't need any more. The wrestling is there. The wrestlers can put on five-star quality matches.

TNA needs to work on creating a future Batista, Orton, or Cena in OVW, refrain from cultivating talent that hasn't been seen since the 90s, and take away some of the creative demolition from Hogan. These will be some start to success with TNA. It won't be immediate, but everything is a process. Rome was not built in a day.

A Paul Bearer Tribute

Willim Alvin Moody (April 10, 1954 - March 5, 2013)

William Moody was quite possibly one of the best managers in the WWE ever since its inception. Better known as Paul Bearer (pun off pallbearer off of his mortuary gig he undertook as a degree in mortuary science and as a funeral director), and Percy Pringle III, Moody took under his wing multiple superstars in his twenty year-plus tenure,  some of which that have gone on and main-evented in the WWE, such as Rick Rude, Stone Cold Steve Austin (as Stunning Steve), Kane, and of course, The Undertaker. With all this said, Moody leaves behind a legacy that no one else can fulfill. Ohhh yeahhhh!!

Moody became famous after he took his Percy Pringle character and ran with his funeral parlor gimmick, inspired by his own interests for mortuary sciences, ultimately becoming Paul Bearer. Bearer was seen always carrying an urn, which developed an eerie gimmick of Bearer carrying the Undertaker's ashes, or soul, and even led to many storylines of Bearer having his urn taken away for some reason or another.

Some of Paul Bearer's best alliances were the back-and-forth between the Undertaker and Kane. Introducing Kane as Taker's half-brother as a hidden secret between himself and the Undertaker was the beginning of the Brothers of Destruction, and both Undertaker and Kane have demolished the foundation of the WWE many times over the past twenty years.

The Undertaker walks into Wrestlemania against CM Punk in a month's time. One can only wonder that Bearer be in the Dead Man's corner in sprit.

Paul Bearer

The Wrestling Specator sends their deepest condolences to the Moody Family. You will be missed.

The Bell Tolls For CM Punk

It is official; CM Punk VS The Undertaker

The stage has been set, and the gauntlet thrown; we have a superstar to challenge for the Streak this year, and it goes to CM Punk. With a clean win over Randy Orton on the Old School RAW. Even though that this match was already slated in the cards, and rumored about for a while now... I am excited to see this match up happen. It's not the championship match, but it does establish something else for Punk if he breaks the streak. Again with last night, when Wrestlemania season rolls into town, the Undertaker becomes a target. Who doesn't want to cement themselves in the wrestling history books with the likes of Bruno Sammartino and Buddy Rogers as the guy who broke a twenty year streak? Considering the names that came out and wanted a piece of the Undertaker's Wrestlemania legacy (Orton, Sheamus, and the Big Show), CM Punk put away Orton on a distraction. This ultimately made Punk look strong in a top-tier match against superstars who have all been multiple former champions. Count 'em... there have been over 40 championship reigns between those four men. And to think, Mean Mark Callous was winning championships back when most of these competitors (outside of the Big Show) wer in grade school, and with CM Punk winning and going to Wrestlemania would be a happy medium with a fresh face versus Taker, as the past four years have seen rematches of Shawn Michaels and Triple H. Glad to see something new.

With fresh being one of the topics at hand, how fresh is the Undertaker? Considering his tenacity for the past four years against two solid competitors, Taker has performed amazing matches with HBK and HHH, and didn't disappoint. However, we all saw Undertaker barely walk away from his last match with Triple H.  How much fuel does Taker have left in his tank? Will this match with CM Punk be just as, if not better, than his last? Will the WWE allow him to keep the streak intact? Or does the Undertaker realize that he isn't in the best shape to continue five-star quality matches any longer? Outside of his appearance at RAW 1000, a year long hiatus for the Undertaker may not be enough. This may be the time for the Undertaker to pass the torch to Punk and walk away with his first Wrestlemania loss.

Now, let us take a look at the challenger. Any superstar, even Gillberg and the J.O.B. Squad would be solidified as amazing to put away the Undertaker and his streak (but it would devalue Taker immensely), but this is no ordinary challenger--this is CM (Chick Magnet) Punk, a man who carried the WWE Championship longer than anyone within the WWE in the last 25 years. Punk has credibility as a wrestler, and has established himself as a legitimate threat to many in the locker room. Best In The World would BE Punk, hands down, save a win over the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Of course, looking into the past, there have been numerous threats in the Dead Man's way. The Heartbreak Kid and Triple H have been massive road bumps recently, to which Taker did not walk away from the past four Wrestlemanias that easily. It showed his age, and that he is getting up there with the rest of the Legends. But, I digress.

If Punk puts away Taker, you might also have someone else to thank for his historic win; Paul Heyman. If you are an avid reader of my long-winded spectacle, I am a fan of Heyman and his "managerial" talent. Even after all the twinkie tits and walrus references from the Rock, he takes everything in stride and he is amazing when it comes to acting and reacting. He is the prime onscreen definition of the word "slimeball". However, with all that is said, Heyman has been with Punk since September 2012, and has made waves for CM Punk. My question is, with Heyman in Punk's corner, will this also play as a factor in Punk's win/loss? Heyman is very diabolical, as with his encounter with the Dead Man back in 2002 with Brock Lesnar. Heyman himself had tried several times to disarm Taker and request from Mr. McMahon different ways to disallow  Undertaker from using a cast on his hand that Brock had injured. As Vickie Guererro and "creative" are so haphazard and disorganized, I'll be hard pressed to see what disadvantage, if any, she will put the Undertaker in. I was even half-expecting the Shield to come out and raise hell for the Undertaker at Punk's behest.

It is what it is. I'm very interested in seeing what happens at Wrestlemania, as this event is no longer something mentioned in passing; it is Undertaker's legacy.

The Streak
(Forgive the errant Win/Loss column... doesn't factor right in Google Blogger)

VII Jimmy Snuka 1–0

VIII Jake Roberts 2–0

IX Giant González 3–0

XI King Kong Bundy 4–0

XII Diesel 5–0

13 Sycho Sid 6–0

XIV Kane 7–0

XV Big Boss Man 8–0

X-Seven Triple H 9–0

X8 Ric Flair 10–0

XIX Big Show & A-Train 11–0

XX Kane 12–0

21 Randy Orton 13–0

22 Mark Henry 14–0

23 Batista 15–0

XXIV Edge 16–0

XXV Shawn Michaels 17–0

XXVI Shawn Michaels 18–0

XXVII Triple H 19–0

XXVIII Triple H 20–0

XXIX    CM Punk ???