RavishingRickRudo

OK! I have studied the past 3 wrestlemania events to find trends and booking patterns. I have used the following critera - Type of match (Singles, Multi, Gimmick, Title) - Type of wrestler (lower card, mid card, upper card, main event) - Winner (Heel or Face) I also looked at the Marquee factor; this relates to how it was featured, if it was promoted as a "big match" and was given building time, it was a Marquee match. (Multi matches just feature more than 2 people) -------------------- Match #1: 100% Chance of being a mid card title match/ 66% chance of the face winning The first match will be a title match (IC, IC, Cruiser) - I'm betting this would be a cruiserweight title match. Match #2: 66% of it being a lower card multi hoss match which the faces will win Albert, Matt Morgan, Test, Steiner, Bradshaw etc. would all probably go here. Match #3: 100% chance of being a mid-card multi-man title match / 66% chance of being gimmicked with the face winning This would either be a womens match, or a tag title match. I would bet on a tag title match, and probably a Smackdown title match (Bashams, Team Angle, Scotty/Rikishi, FBI??). But it could be a Raw (Dudleys, Storm/Venis, Cade/Jindrack?). Match #4: 66% chance of being a mid card title match / 100% chance of the heel winning and being meaningless This is where the smackdown tag 4 way was last year - which had no build at all IIRC. Angle/Kane was here, and they had no real issue either. Eddie and Test were here and I can't remember why they were fighting. This will probably be a US title match, given the use of that belt. But it could also be a throw-away womens match. Either way, it's a fluff-match. Match #5: 100% chance of being a "good match", featuring pseudo-upper card players/ 66% chance of heel winning and being a "dream match" Benoit/Angle, Taker/Flair, Jericho/Michaels were all in this spot - many would consider these matches as the "best" match on their respective cards. This is probably going to be the "wrestling" match - so Angle, Guerrero, Benoit, Jericho, Michaels would probably go here. Flair/Taker, Michaels/Jericho could be considered "dream matches" since they all featured "big" stars of their time. 66% chance of that happening. Match #6: 66% chance of being nothing / 66% chance of featuring a main eventer / 66% chance of face winning This is probably the most volitile place on the card - a face will probably win, it could feature a big player, and it could also be fluff. Chyna/Ivory was here, Booker/Edge was here, Booker/HHH was here - so there's a good chance Booker will be in this spot. Match #7: 100% chance of being marquee, face winning, and main eventers This will be a "big match" with "big stars" and the face will win. Hogan/Mcmahon, Austin/Hall, McMahon/McMahon were all here. There's a 'good' chance Vince will be wrestling in this spot... and will lose. Match #8: 66% chance of being a mid-card multi title match / 100% chance of the heel winning Whereas a face would definitely win match 7, a heel will definitely win match 8. This would probably be the "other" tag title match. See match 3 for details... Match #9: 66% chance of being single / 100% chance at being featured/marquee / 100% chance of face winning Ok, this will be the 2nd "Big match" on the card (In this case, probably the 3rd). The gimmick battle royal was here, and even though that was not a "big match" it was certainly a special/featured match, so it warrants "marquee"-ness. Hogan/Rock was here, Brock/Angle was too. The face will win, though it will probably be mixed - since Rock was really more of a heel in that match, and the Iron Shiek was cheered despite being a heel... Sgt. Slaughter came out in the end to ensure the crowd pop. Match #10: 100% chance of face winning That's all I got from the stats... too mixed for anything else. Actually, since Taker won in Texas and Trish won in Ontario, whomever is the hometown favourite will win this. Match #11: 100% chance of being a marquee title match (66% chance of it being an 11-match card) Ok, we all know that the final match will be the title match. Last year it was the smackdown title and no one has managed to repeat in the main event. However, 2/3 of the main events have been upstaged by something else - Angle/Brock had to let McMahon/Hogan take the spotlight, and Jericho/HHH was overshadowed by Rock/Hogan.

I think that spot would go to Foley - if he ever were to come back. Chavo vs. Rey Tag match Womens match Foley match Hoss match (US title??) Angle Guerrero Tag match Brock Match Hunter match

I'd love to see a Jeremiah Cloutier-esque character in the WWE. They always do Religion storylines and gimmicks horribly, so I don't actually mean that - but in a perfect world, that character would rock. He would "save" other wrestlers while HBK questions his motives.

C'mon AS, that was placed in one of the most important spots on the card; it was their job to get the crowd alive. I see Chavo jerking Mania. Eddie/Angle would probably be 5th.

Why couldnt they just change his music?

Angle/Eddie will be the #2 Smackdown storyline, so it would be the #4-ish WM storyline.

Austin/Hart wasn't exactly main eventing that card either. It was the 5th match in a 7 match card.

I never said there was anything wrong with a Christian character being out there, infact, I would like to see a TRUE christian character, since creatively there's a lot of stuff you can do with that (creatively, I'm not a Christian so I don't really care about anyone "representing"). Michaels is half-assing it and really the only "christian" thing he does is wear a cross (superficial). I wouldn't even call his character primarily christian, since more of it is based on him being a "legend". What I have a problem with is the merchandise, him getting down on his knees and "praying" in the entrance way *for all to see*, and then acting righteous (and in my view pretentious) in the confidential pieces. And it's not just limited to religion, there was a piece that had Michaels go on a navy ship - visiting troops in the harbour. In it, Michaels talks about growing up in a military family. So when he visited the troops, one of the first things he said was "You in the army? - Oh, Navy. My dad was in the army". Michaels likes to advertise. There isn't a modest bone in his body, never was. That scripture is talking about modesty. It's about keeping your faith personal. Have you actually read it?

This all means that it's the "Angle, hypocritical says-he's-a-good-guy/acts-like-a-bad-guy, heel" and Eddie is the "true-to-himself/proud-to-be-a-cheater" which harkens back to Austin/Hart. Now, since it's Angle, he'll act like a total goof when selling it and it will lean more towards comedy than anything serious, so I'll stop the comparison right there.

I'm doing this as much for me as I am for folks here - if I don't, I tend to forget that it's on

Eddie/Chavo is definitely a fragile feud at the moment since they spent so much time developing it that a quick pay-off would probably piss off fans. The transition into an Angle feud would have to be handled carefully as not to devalue Chavo/Eddie. I think, maybe, Chavo vs. Eddie at the rumble - Eddie wins by cheating. The next Smackdown has Kurt questioning Eddies methods - that a true champion doesn't cheat. Heyman sees that since Kurt is such a righteous individual, and since he has such an interest in the Guerreros family affair, that he should be the special guest referee for the rematch at No Way Out. Kurt ends up screwing Eddie, Chavo gets his "Owen-esque" win, and Eddie and Kurt get a Mania match. Of course, this could be done for the Rumble, Eddie vs. Kurt at NWO, but that would be rushing things.

OOOPS! I stand corrected, it's actually UFC 22! "Mixed Martial Arts: Ultimate Fighting Championship 22 - Part 1" TSN.ca It has TITO ORTIZ vs. FRANK SHAMROCK!!! 1 Jens Pulver vs. Alfonso Alcarez 2 John Lewis vs. Lowell Anderson 3 Matt Hughes vs. Valeri Ignatov 4 Chuck Liddell vs. Paul Jones 5 Brad Kohler vs. Steve Judson 6 Jeremy Horn vs. Jason Godsey 7 Tim Lajcik vs. Ron Waterman 8 Frank Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz Definitely a must-tape show.

Wow, ANOTHER heel run for Angle. That shouldn't completely suck. The only way it would work is if Angle went balistic and stopped with the comedy - and that won't happen in a feud with Eddie Guerrero.

If I come across something that indicates his heart isn't in the right place, I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong. HE PUT HIS FUCKING NAME ON THE CROSS! HE IS SELLING THOSE! Why is there something wrong with a Christian being vocal about their relationship with God? "Thus, when you give alms, *sound no trumpet before you*, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they be praised by men." You can be vocal about your relationship with god... just not infront of millions of people all the while saying "buy the shirt" Deny Him here and He will deny you there. What does this have to do with selling t-shirts?

There is something wrong with a christian saying "LOOKITMEEEE! I LUV THA JEEEEESUS!" which is what Michaels is really doing.

The scripture is saying "don't flaunt it". The scripture is saying "don't use it for popularity". ... what is HBK doing here?

From what I hear, they are showing UFC 21: Return of the Champions (July 16th 1999) Here's the full card. 1 Travis Fulton vs. David Dodd 2 Andre Roberts vs. Ron Waterman 3 Eugene Jackson vs. Royce Alger 4 Tsuyoshi Kohsaka vs. Tim Lajcik 5 Paul Jones vs. Flavio Luiz Moura 6 Jeremy Horn vs. Daiju Takase 7 Pat Miletich vs. Andre Pederneiras 8 Maurice Smith vs. Marco Ruas I haven't seen this show before so I am looking forward to it!

You see nothing wrong with any of these? It's the commercialization of christianity (and yes, it has been done before - lots of times - and it's not right). It's taking a very private thing and making it public and making money off of it. And it's all so VERY superficial - there's no real meaning to any of it, the cross is Michaels' swoosh.. "Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left had know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be secret; and your father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say you, they have their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your rather who sees in secret will reward you. And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think they will be heard for their many words." Not to mention he's equating himself with Jesus by putting his name on the cross, the "H.B.K." lettering on the shield is put interestingly (holy trinity?), and I don't think any % of the profits from these shirts go to anyone needy.

Is it also integral to make money off of it (t-shirts)? To flaunt it infront of millions of people?

Besides, I think we all know the major reason for Cena vs. HHH... ... that's right, rap battles with Ric Flair! "Stylin WHOOO, Profilin WHOOO When I walk by the ladies smilin The guys go "who"? Ladies go "ooooh" Ah fuck it... let's all say "WHOOOO" So let me hear ya say "WHOOO" (WHOOO) "WHOOOO" (WHOOO) Slick Ric Rappin like it's 82 Let me hear ya say "WHOOO" (WHOOO) "WHOOOO" (WHOOO) I'm not hulk hogan so what cha gonna do? I'm Ric Flair... and I'm back for more I'll be wrestlin till I'm 74 But don't fret WHOOOO Better yet WHOOOO Let's take a ride in my lear jet It's True... Horsemen is my crew Evolution too Ah fuck it, let's all say WHOOOO! So let me hear ya say "WHOOO" (WHOOO) "WHOOOO" (WHOOO) Slick Ric Rappin like it's 82 Let me hear ya say "WHOOO" (WHOOO) "WHOOOO" (WHOOO) I'm not hulk hogan so what cha gonna do? - DEEJAY Slick Ric

Plus various confidential spots.

Benoit and Cena entered the rumble together. I can easily seem them baiting-and-switching with all us focusing on Benoit while Cena sneaks through and takes it. They're keeping Cena "strong" by beating Albert, and I wouldn't be surprised to see that continue next week (say, vs. Matt Morgan), so he's just so far off the radar as to not say "Cena's winning" but he's just on enough so you can't say "Cena has no chance"

Cena getting beat down week after week after week after week and HHH calling an audible and beating him at Mania wouldn't bury him?

Ah, so the fact that ever since JR became lead announcer and VP of Talent Relations that not a single good announcer - especially PBP announcer - has arisen, is merely coincidental? (Tazz's rise could not be foreseen as he *sucked* on Heat, Heyman was out of necessity since King quit and they needed a quick fix) Despite, say, Stephen Quadros being on the market and actually having applied to the WWE. Yet JR - who earns quite the paycheck BTW - is still there, plugging away. I find that funny. I also find it funny that JR - whom many call "the best announcer of all time" (I disagree, but 'people of stature' call him that) - hasn't been able to teach the coach, or cole, or leary, or that-other-guy-who-doesn't-do-anything, or kelly, how to "do it right".

Well, there probably wouldn't be TheRock's, the HHH's, Kurt Angle's or Mick Foley's...