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We're just a few short weeks away from WrestleMania!
At this point, we're just past the halfway point between Elimination Chamber and the show of all shows.
The headlining matches are set in stone. All we need is some well-executed story angles, and then a million purchases of the PPV will be made around the world.
While we are still in the midst of buildup, I'm gonna offer some opinions on how the matches are playing out so far. Now I'm not going to go into the undercard, but will stay primarily in the ballpark of the card that screams, “SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!”
First up, and the most obvious rematch, The Rock versus John Cena for the WWE Championship.
Most of the internet predicted how they would come together back months before, and sadly, WWE stayed true to that course. At the Royal Rumble in January, Cena won the Rumble match while The Rock won the title later in the evening from CM Punk. With the exception of a couple of roadblocks (like Cena/Punk on RAW that was an easy four-star encounter), nothing wavered. I will give WWE credit on two things however. First, the March 4th edition of RAW had a really strong promo segment with both combatants. Most of the ring time these two shared featured quotable quotables that were nothing more than puerile jokes that got old faster than The Truth Commission. This promo was different. Rock and Cena seemed both passionate and hard-edged on their their respective approaches to WrestleMania. It was straight to the point with no bullshit. In a day and age where inappropriate verbal jabs are on call, this was shockingly refreshing. Number two is that the week after (3/11), both men were not on the broadcast. The Rock was promoting the new G.I Joe movie in South Korea, with WWE Championship around his waist. Rock's inconsistent live appearances were an issue in past buildups of 'Mania, but at least this time, WWE took note that Rock had legit big-name blockbusters to promote, and that they couldn't play the satellite card. Cena was also taken off the broadcast so he can rest and let the audience grow fonder. The only thing that can be done to make this angle more tasty is to turn Cena temporarily heel. Knowing WWE's hardline stance on their bread-winner, its probably never going to happen. In the mean-time, lets all hope and pray that Rock will be in better ring shape, and not look winded in three minutes.
Next up we're gonna discuss Brock Lesnar and Triple H.
Another rematch with roots stemming back to as early as last May. Brock has broken Triple H's arm twice, once on RAW and once at SummerSlam during their first encounter. Triple H looked like he had intended to step away following his bitter submission defeat. Things changed dramatically as Lesnar returned to flatten Vince McMahon, H's father-in-law. Vince's bedside following hip replacement surgery invigorated The Game. Sean Bean, erm, TRIPLE H was back! Trips busted Lesnar up during their scuffle, and also shook the man's confidence somewhat. Brock in return destroyed The New Age Outlaws, the tag team portion of H's long-time mainstay group of D-Generation X. Paul Heyman furthered up the suspense even further that although Brock said yes to the challenge, Lesnar was going to decide what match it is going to be AFTER the contract was signed. MMA? Hell in the Cell? Last Man Standing? Your guess is as good as mine. This build has been good, but I hope the match turns out to be better than their battle in Los Angeles.
Following that we have Undertaker and CM Punk.
Of all the matches so far announced, this was by far the most rushed match done yet. It feels like it has been done 'Joker' style as in there have been no plans. With how bad Undertaker's health was rumored to be, they had to scramble for 'Taker to say yes, and if he did, make angles accordingly. How Punk entered the predicament, by winning a Fatal-Four-Way on RAW, was so bad that it caused the head of creative to be canned. It's not all pushing daisies though. The untimely death of Paul Bearer inadvertently really helped this angle get massive heat. Punk finally looks like a dastardly bastard with Undertaker (AND KANE) seeking revenge. I just really wished WWE took my idea. Two hurt men could be public relations disaster at 'Mania, and with something obvious on the horizon (the breakup of Team Hell No), its better to make a tag match with these guys at 'Mania. Honestly, the matches these two had in 2009 weren’t great by any stretch, and this would not be any better. I would love to see more mind games come to play, especially ones from Punk.
Last up for bids today is the World Heavyweight Championship power struggle between Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger.
Jack Swagger came back with a vengeance. After being left off television for roughly six months, he came back with a new look, new attitude, and a new mouthpiece in Dutch Mantell, aka Zeb Coulter. This match came together after Swagger won the Elimination Chamber match at the same-named PPV. With a extremist Tea Party parody as a speaker, Swagger’s America was rolling seemingly to a title win. Only Biff from Back to the Future got pulled over for speeding while weeding and potentially put the whole thing to flux. Through incomprehensible media attention, from TMZ to Glen Beck, Swagger's 'Mania match was saved. The outcome predictably points to ADR retaining (most likely via submission), but the fact we have racist 2004-JBL-style promos/videos back in the WWE is entertaining and hilarious. Even if it isn't PC, or PG.
Speaking of using drugs to get over, it's time to put this post to rest. WrestleMania still has tons of potential in the bank, but WWE needs to pull the trigger on additional lures of bait. Let's all hope that the ensuing show turns out to be the biggest smash the promotion has yet!
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