Originally posted by JustinShapiroMy hope was that they'd kill the MITB PPV after realizing it was a poor and poorly-performing idea for a PPV.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if they didn't blame the poor performance of the MITB PPV on the fact that the match had already taken place at Wrestlemania a few months earlier. They probably think that by taking MITB out of Wrestlemania, they'll increase the buy rate of the MITB PPV.
Every decade seems to have a 'house show' Wrestlemania, and this one may end up being that transition card for this era. WM2 or maybe even WM7 (minus the novelty of Piper/Mr.T or Savage/Warrior) for the first decade, and then WM11 or WM16 for the last decade.
Cena/Miz has recently happened, and Miz in my opinion hasn't been elevated enough that the matchup seems fresh or different. HHH/Undertaker has literally happened already at WM, and honestly, there isn't a ton separating the two a decade after their first meeting. Edge/Del Rio is just a straight-forward case of a fresh act being pushed, but Del Rio seems a bit too fresh still, y'know?
The Rock's involvement isn't enough to make this card feel too special. It was different when Tyson showed up at WM14 since, while he was 'the baddest man on the planet,' he wasn't a pro wrestler. Fans would have the expectation that it was a novelty, not a great match. With Rock, it's different since he WAS from pro wrestling and we all have memories of how good he can be in the ring. Sure, it was seven years ago, but the mindset of 'pro wrestler shows up, trashes another pro wrestler' instantly equals that the two will have a match. Since that isn't happening here, it's a letdown, and Miz/Cena just isn't a suitable substitute.
What might have screwed this year's card was Undertaker's injuries. Had they known FOR SURE that he'd be able to go at Mania, they could've set up Cena/Taker well in advance since that's WWE's arguably only remaining epic matchup.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." --- Bart Giamatti, on baseball
Originally posted by Big BadCena/Miz has recently happened
I'm not singling you out, because you're not the only one who has said this, but I don't think this is true. I guess it depends on how you define "recent". The last time I *remember* them against each other was summer 2009 when they had their little program. They were going to have a match on RAW this past fall, but it never got started. I am going on memory here.
Originally posted by Big BadWhat might have screwed this year's card was Undertaker's injuries. Had they known FOR SURE that he'd be able to go at Mania, they could've set up Cena/Taker well in advance since that's WWE's arguably only remaining epic matchup.
I think they knew for sure that Taker was gonna wrestle, even if it meant a gimmick tag team match paired up with Kane or something. As long as he was more or less alive, they weren't gonna drop the streak for any reason.
Cena is an obvious opponent for the Undertaker as someone that could legitimately have people believing the streak is in danger, but they are holding off on that matchup until next year, for what will probably be Taker's last WM (20-0).
Originally posted by BroncolancheI know it's early to say so, but what a boring, unspectacular card.
As someone who will be in attendance at Wrestlemania, I reluctantly agree. Granted, I haven't been fully engaged in wrestling for the good part of the past half-decade... But from an average pro wrestling fan's perspective, this card does not look very appealing.
I like this card. A real kitchen-sinky feel to it. Bryan/SHeamus, HHH/UT, Cena/Miz, Edge/Del Rio, the mixed tag and even the Corre match have the potential to be good to great. Some of those are slam dunks. Fresh matches anchored by a big legends face-off, plus The Rock hosting. Feels like forever since we've had such a different-looking card.
There's two matches on there that would make people thrilled if they weren't surrounded by randomness and feelings of "pushed down the card"
Sheamus vs Bryan is a good match up. They had that match a while ago (the week after where Sheamus killed DB) and they definitely can work together.
Even better would be Ziggler vs Morrison. Two guys that have shown in the past 6-12 months that they have what it takes in the ring.
But the addition of the women will bring the potential workrate awesomeness down (even if them being there does make sense)
Corre vs Show/Christian/Kane/Kofi is very random, but will probably be short and just to get these guys on the card.
That TBD Divas match better be something with Natalya and Beth. And then probably Eve.
Based on this card, I actually think the Punk-Orton match is gonna suck the most. But that's cos I hate Orton and I fully expect him to destroy Punk. I can come up with some redeeming and interesting points for all matches, except that one.
Originally posted by lotjxI don't think we will get guest referee out since Austin is going to the be only one I expect HBK to do a run-in.
I don't know what this says.
Originally posted by lotjxRock being the guest host will lead some backstage stuff and he will have something to do with Miz/Cena like guest timekeeper or announcer.
Yes. They brought back The Rock, after a 7 year hiatus, to be the timekeeper.
It means we are not going to have guest referee after guest referee for Mania. They brought Rock back for ratings and PPV buys. So far, the ratings have been up since his return and we won't know what the buys will be til May if we are lucky. I am of the opinion that he should wrestle Cena. If he is not going to wrestle and we already have one match with a guest referee there is no need for him to be a referee. Honestly, it doesn't matter what the Rock does at Mania people will buy it.
I think special guest referee Rocky Miavia is too weird and small a role to put him in for his first PPV back in seven years. He's best being the host, all over the backstage, and then doing the confrontation with Cena after the match. No HBK special guest referee also hopefully means a lack of chicanery in the UT match.
Well, Hulk Hogan just dropped a spoiler regarding the Lawler Cole match on Twitter just seconds ago...
Spoiler Below: Highlight text to read
HulkHogan4Real Hulk Hogan I think it's great for Jim Hart to go back to the WWE as Jerry Lawers manager at wrestlemania,I just hope it's not a one off like the RockHH
Ladies and gentlemen, the following public service message is brought to you by your friends from D-Generation X, who would like to remind each and every one of you that if you're not down with that, we've got two words for you...
Originally posted by John OrquiolaWell, geez, man, they do have whole a pay per view now called Money in the Bank that Morrison could conceivably win later this year. It makes more sense not to have two Money in the Bank winners per year like there was last year.
It's called "striking while the iron's hot". There's no guarantee that Morrison will be able to sustain his momentum (translation: interest of the booking committee) until that show comes around in July. In fact, given their history, I'd bet on the opposite.
smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated (Holds; June 18, 2006) While the switch from Cena to RVD should alleviate some complaints, the inevitability of the belt's return to Cena (note where Summerslam is this year) and the poor initial showing by the new ECW are enough to keep the indicator where it is for now. The pieces are in place, though, especially on RAW, for improvements to be made to the IWC's psyche in the near future.
Originally posted by lotjxWe need a sarcasm button. So, I take it people want the Bellas and Gail as mid-match catfight during Danielson/Sheamus.
So you can continue to use the "Can't you take a joke?" defense, also known as the "Lighten Up, Francis" gambit? No, thanks. You made an ignorant comment. Own up to it.
This was the first episode of iMPACT! I've watched from beginning to end in.....forever. Because I'm not subjected to all the bullshit from week to week, that probably helped in me thinking it was an okay show.