Three Stages from Seven Circles

John Cena has upped the ante when it comes to Ryback's personal choice of an ambulance match at WWE Payback into a Three Stages of Hell match. There have been only three other TSOH matches in the history of the WWE, and coincidentally, they all involved Triple H. The Corporate Son isn't involved in Payback's main event in any capacity, so this will be new territory for both men. I believe that Triple H himself thought of the idea for both men, as we haven't seen a TSOH match for about four years. But nonetheless, Three Stages of Hell is a nasty set-up, controversially more so than a Hell in a Cell or Steel Cage match because this can embody that stipulation PLUS others!

Triple H has fought three of the WWE's toughest competitors in the TSOH match, from Stone Cold Steve Austin, to Shawn Michaels, and finally Randy Orton at The Bash in 2009. Winning two out of three matches, and finally passing on the torch to Orton in a loss, this match was designed to take a WWE Superstar to a whole new element, and bring them out of their "one match" comfort zone. Below is the history of the Three Stages of Hell match.

Triple H vs Austin       No Way Out '01    Street fight No DQ Match    Cage
Triple H vs Michaels   Armageddon '02 Street fight Steel cage            Ladder
Orton vs Triple H       The Bash '09  One Fall         Falls count Anywhere    Stretcher
Cena vs Ryback   Payback '13  Lumberjack Tables Match    Ambulance

I have heard throughout the IWC community that these "stages of hell" at the upcoming Payback PPV would be absolutely hell to watch. Considering the slow pace at Wrestlemania XXIX with the Rock and Cena, I honestly hope that isn't the same plan going into Payback, as we have a little over two weeks (two RAWs) to build up to what could be an interesting storyline outside of the typical nonsense that is currently playing out. In my honest and humble opinion, the repeated "Ryback shows up, looks at Cena, Cena is taken out by the Shield, Ryback picks at the pieces" business only works on one or two occasions. We understand that Ryback is angry at Cena. And we know that he's trying to establish himself as a heel. However, WWE Creative needs to pull their heads out of their asses and make something happen that creates a bit of substance and makes the TSOH match credible.

SCSA vs HHH No Way Out 2001

Take a look at the incarnation of the Three Stages of Hell; Triple H failed to win the WWF Championship from Stone Cold Steve Austin, and had Stone Cold run down with a car by Rikishi, putting him out for nine months. Austin came back, and was attacked again (almost run over again by Triple H), multiple times by Triple H, until finally Mr. McMahon came up with the idea of the Three Stages of Hell match to settle their differences, adding a stipulation that if either one touches one of the other, they would lose their championship shot. Austin then attacked Stephanie McMahon (Trips wife), and Triple H attacked Jim Ross (Austin's friend). This was a heated rivalry that NEEDED a Three Stages of Hell culminating point because of all the madness and chaos. McMahon came through and demanded that all of this nonsense needed to stop. And it did. Triple H felt accomplished to where he needed to be in the main event at Wrestlemania, and it propelled The Game to where he needed to be.

HHH vs HBK Armageddon 2002

The second Three Stages of Hell Match was between Triple H and his longtime best friend/worst enemy, Shawn Michaels. The history between these two superstars was big, and a rivalry between them at Armageddon 2002 to culminate into the Three Stages of Hell became even more "personal". And the fire between Triple H and HBK continued and still continues even up to today. Armageddon 2002 built up around Triple H and Michaels chasing the WWE Championship since Summerslam 2002, going back and forth in their feud up until December 9th 2002, where General Manager Eric Bischoff invoked the Three Stages of Hell match between Michaels and Triple H for the WWE Championship. With Ric Flair adding fuel to the fire between them, Michaels retaliated with a shovel, a trash can, and even launched himself off of a TV trailer onto Triple H. Eventually, Triple H pulled out the victory in the last Ladder match event.

HHH vs Orton The Bash 2009

The last Three Stages of Hell match was Triple H facing his protege, Randy Orton. There was bad blood between Triple H and Orton from Orton's days back in Evolution, and this was no different. With a win at Extreme Rules 2009, Batista was taken out by Orton and putting him on the shelf, which led to a Fatal Four Way match on the following RAW to determine the new champion. With Orton defeating John Cena, Triple H, and The Big Show, he solidified himself as WWE Champion. Never one to be defeated, Triple H himself went right back and won a 10-Man Battle Royal to become the number one contender. Vince McMahon acquired WWE RAW back from then-"owner" Donald Trump and made the match for The Bash 2009 the Three Stages of Hell match. Randy Orton went on to defeat Triple H at his own playground with help from Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr.

Vince McMahon should be able to call a TSOH match,
not the superstars

Now, with going back in time through the history of this match, there was history between the competitors. Ryback is a fresh face (repackaged from Skip Sheffield) in the WWE, and there isn't much between Cena and Ryback to really solidify a Three Stages of Hell match and settle their differences (if any). On top of that, wrestlers don't throw themselves in this match. Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff (in managerial capacity) made these matches, which created some structure to them. Three Stages of Hell was used primarily to force bickering superstars to stop. It was an end-all for feuds, and with Ryback and Cena, that should be the initial idea. However, from what I see, Cena came out, and decided to call Ryback's bluff with a "bigger" match. This reminds me of a man's "pissing contest" on who can shoot the longest stream, and that's not what this match should be used for. John Cena should have taken the match as an Ambulance Match, and beat Ryback at his own game. But this won't be the case.

Three Stages of Hell with Cena and Edge would have
been monumental!

I have been a fan of Cena *when it makes sense.* I'm a fan of any wrestler *when it makes sense.* A Three Stages of Hell match would have been amazing, for example,  between Cena and Edge. They had bad blood, feuds that rivaled many in WWE history. Both men were always at one another's throats, grasping for the title. Cena and Ryback haven't had anything intense. I honestly hope that Cena is beaten at his own game. It's not that I don't like Cena. It's just time for a new era. I also don't think that Ryback is the man that Cena should lose to in such a match like this, but beggars can't be choosers.

Extreme Rules 2013 Predictions

Hello Wrestling Spectator Fans! I know it has been awhile since I have last blogged on the wonderful world of wrestling, but trivial personal matters did hinder my writing flow, but now, like The Miz, I am back and here to write about what is slated less than a week away; Extreme Rules. There has been much build-up over the past couple of weeks, in and out of the squared circle for Extreme Rules, and it doesn't look to be a bad card. However, I am highly hoping that this PPV ends quite a bit of feuds between several superstars, and allows them to move forward from here on out. My predictions this time around are a little more biased, as there is quite a bit of uncertainty with a lot of these competitors.

With that said, let's take a look at this Sunday's lineup and match breakdowns.

YouTube Exclusive Preshow Match

The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes

With the YouTube Preshow jump-starting the Extreme Rules PPV, I really like this match to get the ball rolling. Both The Miz and Cody Rhodes are very impressive, in my mind, and continue to be the future of the WWE. It's a shame to see this match-up between two high-caliber superstars on YouTube and not on the actual show. But, it is better to see them than Brodus Clay and Sweet T on the card at any point. 

My prediction is that The Miz takes a win, and with an amazing match-up. Cody Rhodes will put up a great fight, but as the Miz himself said on RAW, "I'm Back!" And I don't consider anything less from him, and I expect to see him back in the title picture real soon, even contending against Rhodes for it. 

Speaking of... where is Wade Barrett? Get that IC Title off of him and put it on one of these guys!! 

Tornado Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Team Hell No (c) vs. The Shield's Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns

Everyone knew this was in the works. With Team Hell No feuding with The Shield since their inception and their dominating streak versus the odd pairing, The Shield takes part in Kane's challenge for the Tag Team Championships here at Extreme Rules. Instead of the typical tag stipulations, all four members will be in the ring, and it takes just one pinfall for the champs to lose the titles. And I believe it is time for the Shield to reign supreme and to hold the belts for as long as they can. Granted they are short one member in the match, but who is to say that Ambrose will accompany his partners and cause a ruckus. If, however, Team Hell No pulls off a victory, it won't be clean; I expect a disqualification of some sort IF and only if Kane and Bryan retain gold.

Looking back at last year's Extreme Rules, both Kane and Daniel Bryan were split in singles matches, to which they both took a crippling loss to Randy Orton and Sheamus, respectively. I don't think there will be anything different in Sunday's match-up, as nobody has legitimately toppled off the Shield, ever.

WINNER: The Shield as NEW WWE Tag Team Champions

WWE United States Championship

Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Dean Ambrose

A new opponent for Kofi!! I'm excited for this match-up, just for the simple fact that Kofi isn't taking on Wade Barrett, or Antonio Cesaro, or another mid-carder that the title can slingshot back and forth from. I am torn with another potential win for the Shield. With all three members holding titles, the Shield would be the most dominant stable since possibly D-Generation X, save for possible discussion. I want to lean toward a Kofi win, but I just don't think that Kofi can draw enough to be a credible title holder.

It's interesting to note that neither Kofi or Ambrose (or any member of the Shield being so new) were on the Extreme Rules card.

WINNER: Kofi Kingston to retain.

Chris Jericho vs. Fandango

Jericho puts up or shuts up against Faaaaaahn-Daaaaaahn-Goooohhhh (even Fandango is getting tired of it, I can see) in a Wrestlemania XXIX rematch. The always-entertaining Jericho does wonders for this feud, and continues to make Johnny Curtis look like a legitimate WWE superstar, and this is what Jericho has and continues to do for rising talent. He's done it all in the business, and to pass the torch should be the norm for superstars of Jericho's caliber. Superstars of Jericho's generation seem to have a tough time jobbing to newer faces in the WWE, but I am thrilled to see him make a name for himself by being the guy to beat. "To be the man..." comes to mind; Jericho IS the man, and with top-tier matches with stars like Bryan and Curtis (even his recent match with Ryback was well-received), he is doing what he needs to do and keep his band Fozzy up and running. He does what he does to make his fans happy, and whether he wins or loses, Jericho puts on a great match with great in-ring chemistry with anyone he goes toe to toe with.

Fandango, on the other hand, performs a great heel character, and plays off Jericho and his outside adventures quite well. Johnny Curtis, as Fandango, can and will develop into a great heel, if he plays his cards right. I don't think the dancing gimmick will last for very long, but an eccentric egotistical playboy may work in his favor. Who knows?

Taking a look back at last years' Extreme Rules, Jericho was involved in the WWE Championship match against CM Punk in a Chicago Street Fight. Punk walked away the winner, and I believe this time around, Jericho will do the same to invoke a rubber match to end all this dancing shenanigans at the next PPV. Again, I may be a bit biased here, as I have been a Jericholic since the days of Y2J.

WINNER: Chris Jericho

Extreme Rules Match

Randy Orton vs. The Big Show

Why don't we call this a Hardcore match and call it a day? I can understand why Orton is facing Big Show because of the Wrestlemania fiasco, but I haven't seen much interaction between these two. Orton is usually facing some mid-carder, to which Orton is much more skilled to do so, and there is no altercation without Big Show being a little girl about things, coming and then going as quick as he does. Wrestling 101; Big Show should be involved heavily in Orton's matches, or at least make to where Orton loses each and every one. I understand that the WWE needs to make Orton look strong going into Extreme Rules, but do so in a powerful match in the go-home show, and make that statement; "I won't back down!"

Both gentlemen were involved in last years' pay-per-view. One walked out the winner, and the other lost gold. Orton pulled off an impressive win over the Big Red Machine Kane last year, whereas Big Show "took a step" in the wrong direction and put himself through a table trying to regain his balance and lost the Intercontinental Championship to Cody Rhodes. I consider that a lousy finish, but it was in the rulebook, and the ruling stood. Being in St. Louis, I'd be hard pressed to see babyface Orton lose in his hometown. But I feel that there may be more to Orton's win tonight.

WINNER: Randy Orton

Strap Match

Sheamus vs. Mark Henry

Bring on the Hall of Pain! Week after week of being absolutely humiliated and taken advantage of by Sheamus, I highly believe that Mark Henry will take the strap and whip the living bejeebus out of the Irish Warrior. This time, it'll be fair, Mark Henry won't need to show off with his theatrics of being the "World's Strongest Man" and take Sheamus to the cleaners. This is also cemented in the fact that Sheamus is too carefree when it comes to such a big guy like Henry, and Henry himself should not be taken lightly. I believe that Henry will take the victory here, but with a little bit of a struggle.

Extreme Rules 2012 had Sheamus retain the World Heavyweight Championship against little Daniel Bryan in a Two out of Three Falls Match, winning 2-1. This match came about on Bryan's rematch clause after losing the World title within 18 seconds to a lightning-quick Brogue Kick.

WINNER: Mark Henry

Steel Cage Match

Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... for Brock Lesnar to regain any sort of credibility, he MUST go over Triple H, and he needs to go over him clean. Rumors are swirling in the IWC that the reason behind the cage match is to where either competitor does not need to be pinned or tap out to a submission. If Brock does win without a pinfall/submission, I'd consider that a cheap way to protect WWE's Corporate Son, and I see that as another way to continue the feud, as "I was never pinned" or what-have-you. Paul Heyman would use that to his advantage day in and day out; "You never pinned my client, Triple H!!" Unless, Wrestler A dismantles Wrestler B so horridly, that they walk out the cage with attitude. But in typical WWE fashion, this won't happen. While I wish that this weren't the case, Triple H will most likely go over in the match "for retribution and revenge."

Lesnar was featured in last years' Extreme Rules against John Cena in his return match since 2004. Lesnar took an Attitude Adjustment on the steel steps to be put away for a couple of months. With the sporadic appearances, it's not working for him. Lesnar should be more of a mainstay, and be an unstoppable force.

WINNER: Triple H

Number 1 Contender for the World Heavvweight Championship "I Quit" Match

Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger

This match screams ADR all over it. And I couldn't agree more. Heel champion Ziggler, Face challenger Del Rio... disgruntled side-man Coulter, er Swagger; what more can a championship match ask for? Personally, I loved the idea of a Triple Threat Match here at Extreme Rules, but with Swagger poorly executing his wrestling skills on Dolph, it put the champion out of commission for a while. And honestly, I would have STILL maintained a Triple Threat Match and put Langston in to "retain" the integrity of the champion, and make it that much more tougher on the challengers. But, once again, I am not WWE Creative, and I don't call the shots. If Vince reads this, I'm looking for an opportunity!

Back to my original statements here. Alberto Del Rio needs to go back after his title. Getting it back in his hands is another story. I would like to see Ziggler go on and retain the World Heavyweight Championship for quite some time, as I believe that he's a fresh champion, and if he can stay away from injury, he will be a fan favorite.

As Alberto Del Rio was not on ER2012 last year, out with an injury, Swagger was. However, Swagger was Ziggler's own lackey at the time on the lower end of the card. Funny how things wind themselves together one year later.

WINNER: Swagger says I Quit. 

Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Championship

John Cena (c) vs. Ryback

Michael Cole said it best; John Cena has gone 4-0 at Extreme Rules. Cole, however, is completely inaccurate with pay-per-views about this time and John Cena's streak. Going back even further, Cena has been 7-0 with chronological order at an "Extreme Rules" type of event.

(2012)  Brock Lesnar (Extreme Rules Match)
(2011)* John Morrison, The Miz (Triple Threat Steel Cage)
(2010)* Batista (Last Man Standing)
(2009)  Big Show (Submission)
(2008)  John Bradshaw Layfield (First Blood, One Night Stand)
(2007)* The Great Khali (Falls Count Anywhere, One Night Stand)
(2006)* Rob Van Dam (Extreme Rules, One Night Stand)

*For the WWE Championship

Does Cena continue the streak? Or does Ryback smash it into oblivion? I'm honestly surprised that the WWE hasn't marketed Cena to be "extreme" with seven consecutive wins in this case, but I don't think that the WWE is even aware, or pays attention of what ECW used to be about. But a win is a win. And Cena has seven of them.

With Cena's kryptonite ankle injury, it will be a main focus on what Ryback will try and dismantle the WWE Champion with. And as Ryback has said, he is the biggest threat to Cena's gold. Hard to argue, considering that Cena could not legitimately put away Batista in 2010 in the same type of match. And Batista himself is in the same category with big men as Ryback is, and in comparison, Ryback seems to be a little more focused, and much more aggressive. And with the Shield looming close by as a wild card, I'm going with Ryback in this one. I've seen Cena downed by Alberto Del Rio and Edge in Last Man Standing matches. It's a possibility that Ryback walks away a winner.

WINNER: Ryback

Thank you, ladies and gentleman for taking a stop on by and reading my articles! Look for more in the upcoming future!

Bring the Rubbers; It'll be a Quickie

With the conclusion of Wrestlemania XXIX and the past two Monday Night RAWs, the WWE Creative Team had to do some scrambling as their plans for Rock 'n' Brock immediately were nixed with the injury that the Rock endured at MetLife Stadium. So, with that said, we are now going to have Brock and Triple H Part III at Extreme Rules. Entering the PPV with a victory over one another, this will be the "rubber match" that hopefully and finally decides the end of these two superstars.

Brock Lesnar needs to put Triple H away. But that most likely won't be the outcome. Why? Simply because  Lesnar is only in the WWE for a payday. Solid worker, but he will take either win or loss, and walk away with money in his hand. That's why Triple H went over Lesnar at 'Mania; Lesnar took the loss for money.

But with Brock Lesnar falling to the Game, what does that do for his character? If Lesnar loses at Extreme Rules, Creative loses as well; they lose the credibility in a major part timer to put over another part timer who is already nearing his end as an active superstar. So, in reality, what is the point? This mirrors Vince McMahon going over any superstar he put himself in front of back in the Attitude Era--just for the glitz, glamour, and spotlight. With now being a corporate man, Triple H doesn't need to hog the lime light and go over every superstar in the WWE; sure, he's frickin' Triple H, but he's a man with a shirt and tie now. Recently, Paul Heyman had joked in an interview that if he had control and how he would run the WWE differently, he "would fire the McMahons immediately". That's not a bad idea.

Lesnar needs a win to ensure his dominance as a character. This is what Wrestlemania XXIX was lacking, with the entire WWE in general; there is no character development. There is inconsistency within the ranks, and without any solid foundation on whether or not Brock Lesnar continues to keep Heyman around and corral the monster Lesnar, how would the next opponent for Brock stack up? Lesnar loses to Triple H in an Extreme Rules Cage Match, and his next opponent is Sheamus--Sheamus had taken Triple H out in a Street Fight and kept him off of TV for ten months, so if Triple H can take out Brock... so can Sheamus. It isn't consistent. And it looks bad in the audience's eyes, unless there is some sort of build that makes Brock look dominant. Which Creative has a problem of doing. Take a look at Extreme Rules two years ago, with Triple H having a rough time with the Celtic Warrior below.

Another possibility (after Brock puts away Triple H) could be a potential Batista return. Rumors have stated that since Dave Bautista's MMA and movie careers are not progressing in the way that he would like them to, and with the Rock out of the picture, Batista would be pushed to return as soon as humanly possible. But it also leads to believe, will Batista become another part timer? When The Animal became a top superstar in the WWE, he was awesome. Then Creative turned him into a whiny little bitch, everything shy from his original, dominant

persona. It was absolutely ridiculous, and it buried Batista's credibility because he was "leaving the company". I've noticed a lot of superstars who are on their way out are buried and humiliated tremendously, which really doesn't burn bridges for some who would like to return, and leaves a sour taste in superstars' mouths.

The new "part timer" contracts aren't needed, and it gives an unnecessary amount of leverage for many past superstars to come back, work whenever they feel like, and leave without a moment's notice. Batista has noticed Brock, Rocky, Triple H, Undertaker, and others working the easy schedule, and he's chomping at the bit. Other past superstars, like Batista and now RVD, are more than likely going to take advantage, which is also going to de-value the product, in my opinion.

The WWE should focus on developing talent to their potential, and kick the part timers to the curb. Nobody wants to work a full-time schedule, but they want to get paid the money for full-time.

Lack of Execution With Minor Redemption

Wrestlemania XXIX
Courtesy of WWE.com

Wrestlemania XXIX, in my opinion, was a failure and a disappointment, and I'll defend my opinion.

Wrestlemania, on a grand scale, has been hyped ever since its inception back in 1985 as the World Series of Wrestling; the Super Bowl of WWE Superstars; the Stanley Cup of its genre. This is where the WWE goes all out at the peak of visuals, storylines, character development, the whole enchilada. Wrestlemania XXIX fell far short of all these things that Wrestlemania is truly about; ending on a high note. This PPV, was in comparison, the caliber of Unforgiven, Survivor Series, or Extreme Rules. Something you would expect in the middle of the year. And a lot of this is based solely on character development and execution. I was watching an interview with Trish Stratus yesterday before the big event, and she mentioned something along the lines that character development was lacking. How true was that?! When was the last time we had a new character that the audience could actually get behind and root for, or boo because of the story behind him/her, and the feuds made sense? John Cena is a perfect example of character development that had begun, but now falls flat because no one took the time to continue to work on his character. He was the "Doctor of Thuganomics"; now he is "SuperCena", able to win all odds, because "he can." Why? How does Cena win so much? Because he is passionate about the business? Because not one wrestler in the locker room can find their stash of Kryptonite and weaken him? All bad elements around such a workhorse.

Cena was booed practically out of MetLife Stadium. I can understand that he is a Boston Boy in Jersey/New York, and the Yanks hate Boston because of the Bambino Curse (and vice versa), but that wasn't the issue at hand; NOBODY in that arena wanted Cena to face the Rock AGAIN, and NOBODY in that arena wanted Cena to walk out of MetLife Stadium the WWE Champion. But everyone knew that. Everyone knew that Cena was going to get his redemption, and he did. Royal Rumble was a joke once Cena won.

Many are also saying that the Rock passed the torch, as Hogan did with the Rock at Wrestlemania 18 and making comparisons to that match. There is NO COMPARISON to that!! Take a look below at the footage of Wrestlemania 18.

Hogan and the Rock BLEW THE ROOF off of the SkyDome. In Toronto of all places! The fans were absolutely nuts about it. Last night was a slumberfest. Nobody cared. That was the sad part. No development. Horrible execution. NO INTENSITY. The Rock took his loss. And now, with a lingering injury, there are reports that the Rock left and went back to Los Angeles. Anyone who paid attention saw that he wasn't very happy with the ending, even with working through the pain. And honestly, I don't think the injury is legitimate. I think the Rock just wants to go home.

I don't blame him. The Rock should have retained, Cena should have made the heel turn (and not a ridiculous spin on his heel), and much of the IWC would be content. Passing the torch at that point in time was unnecessary. Cena would have stayed with the company, heel turn or not. And the Rock is STILL the #1 contender! Imagine that. I foresee a blown opportunity here.

The Undertaker/CM Punk match was another disappointment. Whatever happened to the anger and hatred that CM Punk had from the Undertaker going into the match? Whatever happened to the fuel to the fire? Did it just lose steam and the two superstars just were attempting to put on a show? About two minutes into the match, I lost sight on why CM Punk and Taker were going at it, and I needed to remind myself why this match was taking place. There should have been some sort of reminder (outside of using the urn as a weapon) from Punk, or Heyman, that could anger Taker.

Courtesy of WWE.com

I am glad the Streak lives on, but Mark Callaway looked painful to watch in the ring. He's not my idea of what I remember as the unstoppable Undertaker any longer. Are we to believe now that Taker will continue to lace up the boots and "defeat" other potential opponents every year? It's just not the same. And with a rumor that Cena will be the potential usurper to Taker's streak, how much more will the WWE fill Cena with bogus wins? Is he honestly going to be the new Hogan? And if that is going to be the case... TURN HIM HEEL. Cena needs to have a bad guy persona, a character development on the other side of the spectrum.

Going back to CM Punk, if it was going to be someone to end the streak, it should have been him. Punk or Dolph Ziggler. I can't see any other two superstars that will get a bigger boost from the win. But at this point, let the streak go undefeated. And my hat goes off to Paul Heyman. He has been phenomenal and working with two gentlemen up until Wrestlemania. I really hope that Vince or Triple H keeps Paul around for booking, and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Unfortunately, both CM Punk and Brock Lesnar lost (and I will get to that point in a minute), yet Heyman's amazing ability to get CM Punk and Lesnar working is awesome. CM Punk and the Undertaker had an outstanding match, for the conditions that were there. The Undertaker needs to pass his own torch to a young guy who could legitimately beat the streak.

"I'm watching you, HBK."
Courtesy of WWE.com

Lastly (as I believe no other match on the card really deserves any attention), the Triple H/Lesnar match was downright boring, until Shawn Michaels got involved. The look Brock gave Shawn was priceless after a failed superkick. "Oh, I'm gonna f**k you up now, cowboy!" After that, the match redeemed itself somewhat. Again, it wasn't captivating enough to hold my attention. but it was pretty solid up until the end. The ending itself... Brock should have won. At least ONE of Heyman's clients should have walked out the winner. If not CM Punk (as his odds were stacked against him), Lesnar should have been the dominating superstar, and let Triple H go back into the recesses of the corporate agenda. Brock would still be around. Triple H could come back as a General Manager, and the world keeps on spinning.

Considering that Wrestlemania was headlined by FOUR part timers, three of which are the top matches on the card, WWE Creative needs to revamp the roster, and do what I have been stating at the beginning of the article; CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! If it doesn't happen now, the WWE will lose more and more steam going to each event, until the product becomes stale.

Stay tuned; my RAW review is coming up next!

 

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!

Stuck Between a Brock and a Hard Place

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. As a Californian, I should be expected to watch the game being as there is a Californian team (for those of you who live under a rock, the San Francisco 49ers), but I would much rather be engrossed in wrestling, because as football goes away for a couple months, wrestling entertainment will always be here, and I can always entertain you fine folks who read!

With that said, Brock Lensar has signed another deal with the WWE, lasting all the way through Wrestlemania 31. Rumor has is that the deal inked is similar to what he is currently signed up for, showing up sporadically throughout the next two years and being paid an exorbitant amount of cash for his appearances.

Just another part-timer.

Brock Lesnar has signed a new contract to last
all through Wrestlemania 31
Courtesy of WWE.

Take this with a grain of salt; sure, the WWE has other "part-timers" like The Rock (current WWE Champion), Chris Jericho, Triple H, and at the current rate, the Undertaker. Yet with the amount of money going out into Brock's pocket and the money going into the WWE on an individual basis, is the contract necessarily worth it? And secondly, with the amount of time Brock has invested in the organization with actually making appearances, is it really effective enough to be engrossed in Brock Lesnar, the character? Lesnar made less appearances than Pay Per Views last year, randomly picking fights with John Cena and then Triple H for not being the corporate "Yes Man" as Laurinaitis was at the time and allowing to let Lesnar run a muck within the WWE. Eventually, Brock broke the Game and "left" as the newly crowned "King of Kings" and Touting to the WWE Universe that he didn't need to be a part of the WWE any longer, and took his leave with Paul Heyman in tow.

However, Paul E. Dangerously came back a few months later in September with a new protege in mind; CM Punk. Heyman's alliance with then then-current WWE Champion propelled CM Punk into a chorus of boos and major heat, as Heyman himself, known over years of wrestling to be "the" bad guy from his days of ECW. Paul Heyman portrays a new level of extraordinary persona of the heel character, and instilled a partial of his own sans-credibility to Punk. CM Punk went on for a record of 434 days as champion, with three of those months with Paul Heyman at his side. Heyman even had newcomer Brad Maddox, and the fresh faced stable "The Shield" work under him to ensure Punk's continual reign as champion... and all these elements could have worked even longer, save for an intervention from Vince McMahon himself. All of these elements ooze heat by Paul Heyman, and he knows exactly how to work the crowd. This writer believes that Heyman himself is one of the better, if not the best, promoter-slash-booker. As Eric Bischoff stated as a title of his biography, "Controversy Creates Cash." Paul Heyman is the embodiment of it. Genius.

Paul Heyman "pleads" with Brock Lesnar last Monday night
to cease his attack on Vince McMahon
Courtesy of the WWE

But now, CM Punk lost the WWE Championship to Hollywood actor Dwayne Johnson. What else is there for Punk? And for that matter, where does Heyman go from here? The result? Punk gives The Rock an opportunity for a rematch (what a twist!), and Heyman has been transitioned ever so smoothly from Punk to Brock with a "vicious assault" to Vince. Always known to be a "Paul Heyman" guy, Brock comes back at the right time to restart a feud with Triple H (part-timer extraordinaire, future embedded via Hogan-esqe ability), with the F-5 to the Chairman. And looking deeper into the scheme of things, Vince McMahon "screwed" CM Punk (aligned with Heyman) out the title. Heyman calls upon the Next Big Thing to take care of things with Vince, which will then connect everything down to the Executive Son-in-Law, igniting a repeat of last year's Summerslam for Wrestlemania. Part-timers then go their separate ways and leave the scraps to the active mid-carders.

Granted, this build up (which we haven't seen something this monumental and drawn out for some time) leaves for good storytelling, and there are so many elements and angles brought into this. CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, Vince McMahon, The Shield, even possibilities for Cena, the Rock, Triple H, Vince McMahon, and many more. All of these wrestlers are tied in with this story one way or another.

Courtesy of the wrestlingtruth.com; WWE

And stuck in the middle of everything, is Paul Heyman.