So, piecing together the various reports filtering down from the more trusted online news sites, WrestleMania seems to be shaping up something akin to this:
The Rock Vs. John Cena WWE Title Match: CM Punk (c) Vs. Chris Jericho World Title Match: Daniel Bryan (c) Vs. Sheamus Career Vs. Streak, Special Referee - Shawn Michaels: The Undertaker Vs. HHH The Big Show Vs. Shaq Diva's Title Match: Beth Phoenix (c) Vs. Kharma Money In The Bank Ex-World Champions Edition: Christian Vs. Kane Vs. The Miz Vs. Jack Swagger Vs. Alberto Del Rio Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Dolph Ziggler Vs. Mark Henry
That last match was apparently mooted in the Observer recently, and it makes sense as a preliminary plan - if they get cold feet about either of the current champions they can switch them out for Orton or someone at the drop of a hat. Nothing seems to be materialising for some of the bigger midcard names though - Wade Barrett, Kofi, R-Truth and Cody Rhodes deserve something on the card, surely.
I would think they would find a way to sustain Orton vs. Barrett past Elimination Chamber to have a blow off match between the two for WrestleMania.
The possibility still exists for switching the World Title to Orton in the Chamber. Orton does seem a bit of an odd man out this year but that seems to happen to someone significant around WrestleMania time. Batista had nothing major for him for 24 and ended up wrestling Umaga in a Smackdown vs. RAW match mid-card. And of course, Stone Cold Steve Austin was famously chagrined for having no major role in 18 and having to wrestle Scott Hall mid-card.
Originally posted by John OrquiolaThe possibility still exists for switching the World Title to Orton in the Chamber. Orton does seem a bit of an odd man out this year but that seems to happen to someone significant around WrestleMania time.
Do they turn Orton to maintain Sheamus's face status? Do they push a second face/face match at the top of the card after Rock/Cena? I think it more likely we'd get a three-way for the Bryan Belt, pitting the heel champ against two very over faces.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Amos Cochran World Title Match: Daniel Bryan (c) Vs. Sheamus Money In The Bank Ex-World Champions Edition: Christian Vs. Kane Vs. The Miz Vs. Jack Swagger Vs. Alberto Del Rio Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Dolph Ziggler Vs. Mark Henry
The WON folk seem to be thinking Sheamus won the Rumble while WWE had no particular plans for him to be in the title match at WrestleMania and (more definitely) all of those Orton loses to Mark Henry this past year were laying the ground work for Orton to win the title at WrestleMania.
I'm not sure how they get from Sheamus having the shot to Orton having the shot, but I'd still bet they end up swapping spots.
Originally posted by Amos Cochran World Title Match: Daniel Bryan (c) Vs. Sheamus Money In The Bank Ex-World Champions Edition: Christian Vs. Kane Vs. The Miz Vs. Jack Swagger Vs. Alberto Del Rio Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Dolph Ziggler Vs. Mark Henry
The WON folk seem to be thinking Sheamus won the Rumble while WWE had no particular plans for him to be in the title match at WrestleMania and (more definitely) all of those Orton loses to Mark Henry this past year were laying the ground work for Orton to win the title at WrestleMania.
I'm not sure how they get from Sheamus having the shot to Orton having the shot, but I'd still bet they end up swapping spots.
They could always go the Orton wins MITB and cashes at Mania route. Or, since the SD title match will probably be opening/early in the card anyway, save the Orton challenge for spring when they need something to build PPV's around.
Originally posted by Amos Cochran Money In The Bank Ex-World Champions Edition: Christian Vs. Kane Vs. The Miz Vs. Jack Swagger Vs. Alberto Del Rio Vs. Randy Orton Vs. Dolph Ziggler Vs. Mark Henry
4 of these 8 are currently injured, working hurt, or just came back from injury. Not sure how wise it is to stick them into a MITB environment.
If I read the Observer right, the names for the MITB was just a list of former champions who would be eligible for that kind of match, not their planned field. It's a cool idea but I don't think it's feasible because it's a field of almost 100% heels (unless Christian comes back with a "whoops, we need a face" turn a la Truth). And like you said, it disqualifies Truth (former TNA world champion), Kofi, Cody, and Barrett from their most useful spot.
I'd be pretty shocked if Orton doesn't win the world title in the Elimination Chamber anyway. They had him lose to Henry, Barrett, Rhodes, and Ziggler with the idea that he was about to get a huge Rumble win, then nixed that because it was too predictable. If I'm Orton and I came back early from the back injury just to be put in a MITB match I'd be pretty unhappy. I consider Randy being in the title match almost a foregone conclusion, I just hope Bryan sticks around to make it a threeway. The most democratic idea is a fourway with those three and Mark Henry, because it incorporates the Rumble winner, the biggest star, the breakout new heel, and the originally intended heel. And we haven't had a fourway at Wrestlemania in 12 years -- not because it's a good idea or anything, but we haven't. I don't know how you get to a fourway but there are some plot points on this week's Smackdown that could come into play.
So my not very radical card would be
The Rock vs. John Cena Undertaker vs. Triple H (career vs. streak, guest referee Shawn Michaels) WWE Title Match: CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho World Title Match: Sheamus vs. Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry vs. Daniel Bryan Shaquille O'Neal vs. The Big Show Money in the Bank: Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Christian, Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett, Alberto Del Rio U.S. Title Match: Zack Ryder vs. Jack Swagger Divas Title: Kharma vs. Beth Phoenix
- only 8 matches, so they can give the important matches a lot of time, and it still manages to get everyone on the show who deserves it even on a card with a lot of guest stars - a fourway title match against my better judgment (I would've rather just seen Orton/Bryan but we're past that) - still only two faces in the MITB, might need Ryder in there since I don't think you can assume Evan Bourne has a good shot. the last WM MITB went up to 10 guys so I don't know if that'll be the case this time
There's also the rumoured Foley/Ziggler and Rhodes/Goldust matches, though I'm not sure I see WWE booking two 'new heel vs. legend' matches on the same show. Maybe have Foley and Goldust team up (throw in Booker T for good measure as the connecting factor) and have them face Ziggler, Cody and Swagger in a six-man tag.
Are we sure Shaq vs. Big Show would be a singles bout? It make more sense to give Shaq a tag partner who could actually wrestle and carry most of the match. Show being a face right now also complicates things, unless you wanted to make it Show and Shaq teaming up to take on.....I dunno, Henry and Bryan? The IWC might die a million deaths seeing Daniel Bryan have to sell some Shaq Fu chops, but it'd be entertaining.
"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
I guess if one of the title matches has to be a triple threat/four-way, a match with Orton/Bryan/Sheamus makes the most sense. I can't think of anything else for Orton to do and Orton doesn't really need a MITB win. MITB is usually used to elevate people you wouldn't expect (ie Daniel Bryan).
Plus, I think Elimination Chamber has to shake things up somehow. Bryan and Punk have had it too easy with their reigns and, if I had to choose between the two, I'd err on the side of taking the belt off of Bryan since Punk is comfortably on top right now (in a "it would be a stupid idea to take the belt off of him right now" way).
I suppose Henry could fit in there, but this would be as good of a time as any to give him some much-needed time off so he can come back to challenge the winner.
Given everything that's been going on in WWE over the last year, that looks like a really good, well-built card. Definitely better than last year's looked on paper (and in reality).
Originally posted by Big BadAre we sure Shaq vs. Big Show would be a singles bout? It make more sense to give Shaq a tag partner who could actually wrestle and carry most of the match.
Karl Malone!
The Big Bossman raised the briefcase.
Go Pack Go! Owner of one (1) share. Let's Go Riders! Owner of one (1) share.
I actually like the idea of a Booker T, Goldust & Foley vs. Ziggler, Rhodes & Swagger match ... though I think that Rhodes and/or Ziggler should really get a singles match ... I'd really like to see Zigger showcased, as he should be main eventing WM29.
Since Goldust wasn't in the Rumble, I think the Goludst/Cody Wrestlemania match ship has sailed. Which is a shame, since I think it'd be a good feud and good match, and probably of more use to Rhodes if Ziggler is winning MITB as I assume.
If they're trying to get people on the card in as many ways as possible, I wonder if combining the Kane/Ryder "feud" and divas matches isn't an option like it was last year. Ryder/Kharma vs. Kane/Beth might actually be a decent match, but Eve is there in the plot. Maybe tack on Eve to the face side and Fartin' Natalya to the heels?
That would open up a spot for Brodus, who is missing from all the card variations above, in MITB. Though I'd still like to see a Brodus/Regal team take on Primo/Epico (if they still have the belts) in an opener or bumped-to-dark spot. Otherwise, Brodus, Regal and Santino will all have to earn their paydays (and I'm sure Santino and Regal are in line for them) in a backstage dancing skit, I guess.
Since the "point at the sign" thread turned into a HHH/UT WM thread, I'll return the favor here and hope that they set up Shaq/Show by just having Shaq randomly come out and point at the WM sign in front of Show, and that's the only explanation for the feud.
Originally posted by Dr Unlikelyprobably of more use to Rhodes if Ziggler is winning MITB as I assume.
I really want to see Goldust/Cody at some point too but I don't think Goldust can (bionic) elbow his way onto a show with so many guest stars already. Along those lines, Foley just did an interview where he said he'd like to do a heel-making match with Ziggler or Miz but he doesn't think he's in good enough shape to pull it off and would be better off sticking to comedy tags.
Sometimes for MITB candidates, it just pays to be around. The winner is almost never the presumed one because that's an idea that can get revised and re-pitched up until the day of the show, with good cases (NO PUN INTENDED :D) to be made for a lot of different people, and the ever-present desire to not let the winner be guessed.
WM24 - favorite was Jeff Hardy then Jericho or MVP, no one really expected Punk WM25 - favorite was, I don't even remember, but no one expected Punk to win back to back WM26 - foregone conclusion to be Drew McIntyre, went to Swagger instead
Since the "point at the sign" thread turned into a HHH/UT WM thread, I'll return the favor here and hope that they set up Shaq/Show by just having Shaq randomly come out and point at the WM sign in front of Show, and that's the only explanation for the feud.
YES. I thought it would be great if they somehow ran an exact replica of the Show/Mayweather angle from Chamber 2008 with Shaq coming out of the crowd to save Rey Mysterio from Show, punching him, and running away. And everyone saying that this had never happened before.
I'd hold Del Rio off until after Wrestle Mania. It sucks for him to miss a big payday, but he will get lost in all the other things going on.
If Bryan does lose the title in the Chamber I would get a kick out of seeing him back in MitB and winning the brief case again. He'd get a lot of mileage out of it with his current character.
Originally posted by LexusCody should defend his IC Title, at least...
The IC title has only been defended once at Wrestlemania in the last seven years, I think. And that 'match' was barely a match- the Rey Mysterio/ JBL one that lasted under a minute and was more an excuse to have JBL retire on a grand scale.
Not that I disagree with you; I would really like to see the IC title on the line at Wrestlemania again. Some of WM's greatest matches have come with the title being involved. I just don't think the head WWE writers care enough about it to give it it's own match anymore.
Edit: FWIW, I agree they should do a Goldust/Cody Rhodes title vs. career match. But then I thought they should had started this feud with Goldust's return to the Royal Rumble and subsequent elimination of Cody and that didn't happen at all. If they're going to do this right, they need to start this feud right away. A month and a half seems too short to build up what I think could be a great storyline.
I would not mind del rio having a match scheduled and then he has ricardo take his place.
Both get a payday and del rio gets more time to heal. And i bet ricardo, as a former indy guy, can do.some crazy spots if necessary in somwthing like mitb.
I was thinking about the Sheamus and Orton situation today. I'm no Orton fan, but he is easily their number 3 behind Cena and Punk, so you have to do something with him.
I think you let him win the Chamber and have Shaemus Vs Orton at Mania. Do it face vs face and just see who the fans pick. If Orton gets less of a reaction, turn him heel and have Shaymos chase him til Summerslam.
I don't mind this card at all. In fact, I would say this is probably one of their better cards in the last five years. Of course, I thought that WM 26 was going to be as epic as X-7 and only Taker/Shawn II delivered. I would also like to see the IC get defended, but you have to look at the time in all of these matches, we are going to get 30 minutes for Taker/HHH, ten minutes for the entrances alone. 30 minutes for Rock/Cena almost 10 minutes of entrances and fan pandering. 25 minutes for Punk/Jericho and other 10-15 minutes for the Smackdown title. Another 10-15 minutes for Show/Shaq. That is two hours right there.
Add in the divas match and MITB, that is probably another 30-45 minutes. Then half an hour for the HOF inductees which is going to be long due to Edge and the Horsemen. So, that is another hour down with maybe 30-45 minutes of showtime with backstage interview, skits and commercials for their soon to fail network. I can maybe see one 5 to 10 minute match which could be Orton/Wade or an IC title. I think they are going to keep the belt on Bryan to make Sheamus the guy who finally beat up the little bastard.
The Wee Baby Sheamus.
Twitter: @realjoecarfley its a bit more toned down there. A bit.
We should be talking more about Roman Reigns and awesome bump on the entrance ramp. Reigns is going to make Taker look like a guy who can ... still kind of go. Plus Reigns vs Braun next week! Who really cares about Helmsley's latest vanity project.