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!

 

We're on the final turn to Wrestlemania

It is the final stretch until Wrestlemania 29 at Met Life Stadium. The go-home to RAW was excellently executed, and Smackdown should sweep up the remaining pieces into Sunday. However, this is where I will bring to action my predictions for April 7. Let's begin.

Interactive Pre-Show
WWE Intercontinental Title Match
The Miz VS Wade Barrett

Going into the build and hype of this match, it has been absolutely horrid to see The Miz on where he is on a Wrestlemania card. As I have said before, Miz should be higher than that based upon his own work ethic in the WWE. Mind you, I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, or if he has to sacrifice for something bigger, but pre-shows are meant for talent like Brodus Clay or Zack Ryder. Antonio Cesaro should be the caliber of opponent that Miz faces off against at this caliber of an event.

Whatever happened to Bo Dallas?

In any rate, I haven't witnessed much success with challengers defeating champions on pre-shows, but I am hoping Miz pulls off the upset and steals this one. But without the presence of Ric Flair (all condolences set aside), my gut tells me Wade Barrett keeps the title, most likely by disqualification, as the WWE most likely won't allow the Miz to look weak in this.

WINNER: The Miz 

Brodus Clay/Tensai/Cameron/Naomi VS Cody Rhodes/Damien Sandow/The Bellas

"Oh, you were not aware?" That was the best parody of Road Dogg by these two...

This is another disappointment mash up for Wrestlemania. All eight of these participants, in the storylines and direction WWE Creative is taking them, should not be on the card. I understand it is solely meant for comedic effect for the kiddies, and have the Bellas look important, but this is WRESTLEMANIA. They should devote a "halftime" show for such a mid-card atrocity.

Enough bashing here. Rhodes Scholars should be in contention with the Tag Team Championships. I like the way that Ziggler and Langston have been built into the tag team title picture solely because of AJ and her previous alliance with Kane and Daniel Bryan, as it has become a personal vendetta. But whatever happened to  championship contenders and the ranking system? Can I walk into the WWE with a buddy of mine, anger the Big Red Machine, and be challenged with the titles on the line as there is not a contender team for them? This has been one of my beliefs about the Tag division, and why it has suffered.

All in all, I don't like this match. It's a waste of space. But, my prediction is that the faces will win this one and walk away victorious.

WINNER: Brodus Clay, Sweet T, and the Funkadactyls 

Fandango VS Chris Jericho

I like the build up for this one, and it makes for Fandango's debut in the WWE, on the Grandest Stage of them All. Who else can say outside of a handful of wrestlers to actually make a debut at a Wrestlemania? Well, I think Big E Langston gets to share the opportunity. Fandango has shown a lot of tenacity against Jericho, and continues to do so. I'm looking forward to seeing this match, and who walks away from it. Chris Jericho has done it all, and continues to come back and work as hard as he does, and put over the younger talent. I think that Jericho, as a business man, will help out Fandango and give him his first debuting win at Wrestlemania to put him over as a top guy. Vince loves the gimmick, and Jericho, being a part timer, will pass the torch.

WINNER: Fan-Dahhhhhhnnnn-gooooo!

Ryback VS Mark Henry

Concept on paper; brilliant. Creative making it work; falls flat.

Two big monsters colliding against one another at Wrestlemania. Hasn't happened in a long time where two massive behemoths butt heads and go at it with such force. Mark Henry versus Ryback could have been bigger than half of the card at Wrestlemania, if built up the right way. And, don't get me wrong; I'm more than happy to see Ryback away from the Shield and having him lose time and time again, but Creative just dropped the ball when it came to building these two silverbacks up for a monumental storyline. A "No Contact" rule? WTF? These men are designed and wired for contact, and with that stipulation in place, it takes out all the fun that these two men could do with each other. Beat each other down, beat others down, and just run over half of the locker room in the process to one up the other. So much potential!

Alas, Creative hasn't been the best of friends for the hardcore fan. Hasn't been for the longest time. The undercard is a mockery and a disgrace to Wrestlemania's past, but I'm not watching solely for Sweet T's sweet ass to dance all over the place (and I am being facetious here), but nonetheless, I hope that this rivalry isn't over at Wrestlemania, and it pours out into Extreme Rules. Ryback does need the win here after several painful losses from the Shield.

WINNER: Ryback

Sheamus/Orton/Big Show (The SOB Squad) VS The Shield

This match-up will be the fourth big clash for the Shield, and it is just making the Shield look more and more unstoppable. However, with the addition of the Big Show, the Shield has shown a bit of hesitation to get in the ring with the giant, and making them look human. A little dangerous to their credibility, so to speak, but it could also show that the Shield is a bit more cunning and work a little harder and at a different angle. As the WWE has thrown more meat for the Shield to take out, I like it, just for the Shield's sake. Keeping the winning streak alive is what the WWE should have done with the original Nexus, instead of just burying them, splitting them off, and giving each member a shovel to dig themselves out of a grave. Only three members have seen relative success (Bryan, Barrett, and Ryback after a repackage), and it was an absolute shame. It just goes to show that there can exist a faction in today's WWE that will work as a destructive force, and a young blood faction at that. Seems as though the top guys can work together, and take them out. Continue the momentum united and don't break the Shield.

On the other side, Sheamus, Orton, and Big Show are such a mismatched pair in this. It's hard to say how or even if these three can work together in this match. Over the past few months, all three of these men were at each other's throats, fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship, and that will be a partial deciding factor in a potential heel turn.  It'll be a big surprise to me if they work well, but ultimately, something big is going to happen, in the favor for the Shield. I'm looking at Orton.

The win has The Shield written all over it.

WINNER: The Shield

WWE Tag Championship Match
Team Hell No VS Team Zig E

Personal vendettas with little AJ in the mix. This is a lingering feud that, although Dolph hasn't been too much a part of, AJ has had with quite a few superstars in the past year. She is a distraction for both Kane and Daniel Bryan, and her insertion makes things a bit more interesting. I am also looking forward to seeing how Langston makes his debut, and how much of a powerhouse he really is. He's a big guy, especially in person, and it is interesting to see the transition in power with Triple H in charge and bringing in a lot of bigger guys. Needless to say, it is Big E's in-ring debut, and he has been a wall of trouble when it comes to facing Ziggler with anything. Ultimately, everyone knows that Langston dips his hand in the cookie jar and gets a piece of any wrestler Ziggler faces. With AJ and Big E, along with Ziggler's own repitoire of skills, Kane and Bryan have their hands full. Even though Langston is inside the squared circle, Team Hell No needs to keep their eyes peeled.

With my prediction here, it's tough to call. More elements means a tougher prediction. And with the possibility of winning tag team gold AND cashing in the Money in the Bank, it would boost Ziggler up to stratospheric heights as a double champion. I say Kane and Daniel Bryan are stale at this point in time... it's time to transition to the Ziggler Era.

WINNER: Ziggler and Langston

CM Punk VS The Undertaker and the Streak

Since Elimination Chamber, it was rumored that CM Punk would be on a collision course with the Undertaker and his streak at Wrestlemania. And ever since Taker's return, CM Punk (along with the exceptionally talented Paul Heyman) has made the untimely death of William Moody as epic and as relevant as ever. Some of you may hate me for it, but the WWE would have the utmost respect for the Moody family and would not do it if it weren't allowed. This is the same reason why Randy Savage isn't in the WWE Hall Of Fame; his family wants him inducted with his brother, so they leave it be. Same with Bruno Sammartino. Some points may have been taken a little far, but hopefully everyone understands that what was in the urn was sand. Would you be offended if rocks fell out of the urn? No, because then the internet troll would come out and claim, "OMG IT'S FAKE BCUZ OF ROKS N STUF!" Stop it.

Going back to my original point, CM Punk with Heyman, as I have made mention of before, is absolute gold. Heyman has influenced this with CM Punk to sheer glory. Around this time of year for twenty years, it is the Undertaker getting into the head of his opponents. This is the first time (outside of DDP and the use of Taker's wife) that Taker's opponent is getting inside his head. And it's working (storyline standpoint, anyway). It's building for some good TV, and I am itching to see this one. It won't be as spectacular as Triple H and Shawn Michaels vs the Dead Man, but it will be more calculated... how far will CM Punk go to get inside the Undertaker's mind? How much mental damage can Punk do to Taker, to completely take him off of his game and beat him, not by sheer force and punishment, but on a technicality? If (and that's a big "if") CM Punk does take the win and beats the streak, it will be a technical win. And I believe that CM Punk is the right guy for the rub. Not Cena. I hear rumors that Cena faces Taker next year. I hope to the heavens above that doesn't happen.

My prediction stands that the streak lives on, 21-0.

WINNER: The Undertaker

No Holds Barred; Career Match
Brock Lesnar VS Triple H w/Shawn Michaels

Another bout that I'm highly interested in seeing go down. I have a strong feeling on who is going to walk out of Wrestlemania as all the signs point otherwise.

With Brock Lesnar returning for a whole two years, this match isn't going to go down the proverbial toilet. And with Heyman sticking around for a while now and Triple H going out, I'd be hard pressed to see Brock lose this match. But again, the storytelling is there and it is all Wrestling 101, and all the players (well, Heyman and Triple H anyway) bring everything to the table. Both Heyman and Triple H are using what was great in ECW, WCW, and the Attitude era days, and what was originally popular; controversy. Personal issues. Who doesn't want to see someone's personal life be afforded in a man's soap opera? Look at Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle with Karen Angle in the mix? That was good television. Who knew? Now, Heyman has made it personal with Triple H by using Brock Lesnar as his personal wrecking ball, taking out Vince, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, maybe even Shawn Michaels before Wrestlemania, who knows? And the hidden stipulation that Triple H agreed on just to get his hands on Brock for his recklessness was priceless. The whole "no holds barred" was kind of mundane, but the execution was flawless. Heyman and Brock again have turned the tide against Triple H (like CM Punk with Undertaker) by being the game, and having Triple H play with their rules. Heyman thinking. The execution is excellent, and it draws me in.

With the layout and the finish, I feel as though Shawn Michaels will get involved against Triple H. Not positive, but there is some kayfabe resentment between the two. Otherwise, Brock will finish this clean, Triple H will go back into the shadows as Paul Levesque (or even a GM role... that would be interesting to see), and Brock continues to lay waste to the WWE.

WINNER: Brock Lesnar

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Alberto Del Rio VS Jack Swagger

I'm not too fond to see this match take place. I'm not captivated enough by Swagger to fully immerse myself into the storyline. ADR does wonders since his debut in the WWE, but his opponent is not matched with him the correct way, in my opinion. I've been saying this for months now; Swagger should be a tweener face going head to head against Antonio Cesaro (who is ABSENT from this card). Swagger should not be at the caliber of match on this card, because of his own character, and his own personal troubles. Creative is high on this gimmick with Zeb Colter, and with a possible suspension looming for Swagger after Wrestlemania, I don't see too much effort outside of Wrestlemania. I love the promos that Colter cuts, and his mic works wonders for a one phrase Swagger. I think, if booked right, Swagger and Colter could dominate the mid card division and THEN be tossed in the WWE major title spotlight. Give him the US Title, as I have been saying, and then place the WWE Title strap on him. He can be the next WWE champion, but he needs time.

With the match, Alberto Del Rio has come a long way as a face. He hasn't fine tuned it yet, but he shows compassion to his personal ring announcer, he stands up for justice, and has a comedy act of his own. I know how Creative is booking him; a Fancy Feast Eddie Guerrero. To pay homage to the late, great Eddie would be very smart, and it would gather a lot of latino viewers. Chavo Guerrero was attempting to play the part, but he lived in his uncle's shadow for years. ADR is a fresh face, fresh move set, and all around newcomer. He isn't Eddie, like Chavo tried to portray. He is his own character. I like ADR, and I like his chances at Wrestlemania. I feel that there are a couple of elements in this; with the connection with a possible heel turn from Orton will bring him back into the WHC title picture, and the upcoming suspension for Swagger, Del Rio survives and walks out retaining.

WINNER: Alberto Del Rrrrrrrrrrriiiiiioooooo!!

WWE Championship Match
The Rock VS John Cena

Redemption is in order. John Cena has been stating this for an entire year, as the storyline has been all about using Cena's personal life as fuel to the fire between himself and the Rock. And anyone who is anyone is expecting Cena to turn heel at Wrestlemania, or very soon afterward. The Rock has also been claiming that he "will" beat Cena again. But this match-up and the result has already been set in stone; Cena will walk out of Wrestlemania with the WWE title. It's unfortunate.

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/270427-possible-post-mania-feud-for-john-cena-why-cesaro-has-had-little-wrestlemania-build

"WWE has been discussing the idea of having Ryback feud with John Cena for the WWE Title after WrestleMania 29. The seeds for this potential feud were planted back when Cena eliminated Ryback from the Royal Rumble match."

Granted, this is a dirt sheet, and dirt sheets change all the time, but all signs point to Cena winning. It's a damn shame, because outside of the girls and the little boys, EVERYONE wants this heel turn to happen. Have Cena lose AGAIN to the Rock. Then have him turn heel because of his inability to beat "one of the greatest of all time". It's been over nine years since we've seen a heel Cena, and that was rapper Cena. It's long overdue. The fans want it, and for Christ's sake, stop postponing it. Or just give the opportunity to Ziggler and run with it; he's still got the briefcase.

I hate to say it, and I'm pretty sure that nobody wants a thirteenth title reign, but it will be another Cena era.

WINNER: John Cena

There you have it, folks! A breakdown on this spectators' opinion on who's who with predictions for Wrestlemania. Hopefully there is a small addition of Cesaro placed on the card, to which Wrestlemania desperately needs, and even more so, something spectacular. Make it happen, WWE! I want an OMG moment!!

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.