I have done some studying and I think (ney KNOW) why Wrestlemania buildup has been weak. It's simple: Wrestlemania was scheldued too early. This is the earliest Wrestlemania ever and I think that's the promblem. It's not retarded storylines and weak matches. All Wrestlemania's have that. For the past 5 years since the inception of In Your House, Wrestlemania was on the last Sunday of March or first week of April. That added to the excitement especially if a February was on early. It meant that you couldn't wait. If it was 7 weeks away it felt like 99,000,0000 weeks away! If the pay-per-view was more then a month before Wrestlemania, that meant the build-up could begin. Think about it. Last year, No Way Out was on February 25, and Wrestlemania X-Seven was on April 1. That does sound like a longtime. I honestly, thought that Wrestlemania was on when it wasn't. I was that excited. In 2000, No Way Out was on February 26, Wrestlemania 2000, April 2. In 1999, St. Valentines Day Massacare February 14, Wrestlemania XV March 28. But this year, No Way Out was on February 17 and Wrestlemania is LITERALLY a month later. 4 weeks. That ain't enought time to build 9 matches. That's why Wrestlemania has been dismal. Think about it.
P.S. The WWF is sluggish now, but they could still pull a classic pay-per-view. Remember that the WWF SUCKED donkey balls in 1994, but pulled off a spectacular Wrestlemania. Two matches could save the card (Triple H/Jericho, Rock/Hogan.)
This has been exactly my point. It's all in the timing. But you have to go back even further than you did. Everyone harkens back to the days before monthly PPVs. The PPV before WM was the Royal Rumble. Think about it. We had to wait from JANUARY to get to WM in MARCH or APRIL. Now THAT was forever. Plus, back then it was the first PPV with singles matches as the focus on it since Summerslam as Survivor Series and Royal Rumble are gimmick PPVs.
We just have to accept the way it is today. Less buidup and special feel, but better matches.
"...the people ran, they ran all right, they ran right to the toilet, pulled their pants down, took one big Hulk-a-CRAP every time you opened your mouth!"
The man's got a point... of course, I remember when there were *three months* between pay-per-views and looked forward to them even more then. Then again, the WWF supposedly plans all this stuff out months in advance, so they should have had enough time to get things ready. They've just come up with some really stupid storylines.
Something else too... has anyone else noticed that Wrestlemania is running to midnight this year? At least that's what it said on the WWF's web site. I hate to sound like an old man, but some of us gots to work the next day. Damn that's late...
================================= Russ Ray Managing Editor www.shotgunreviews.com --------------------------------- "Where the women are hot, the men fight zombies, and the monkeys live like kings." =================================