WrestleMania plans/change in PPV format

[Guest bcu1979]

Some notes from the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

 

The plans for WrestleMania right now are:

Rock/Austin in the main event

Vince/Hogan

Brock Lesnar/Kurt Angle

Chris Jericho/Shawn Michaels

(no mention of Triple H's match)

 

The Goldberg/WWE deal started to go south when the WWE insisted that Goldberg agree to do 10 shows a month. Goldberg wanted to just wrestle the two matches with Rock and then disappear for 6 months. Negotiatons are now at an impasse between the two sides.

 

The WWE is also considering a change in PPV format according to Meltzer. After Mania, they would alternate PPV's between RAW and Smackdown. This way they could build up programs slower and more guys could be on the PPV's. Both brands would appear on the 4 main shows - RR, Mania, Summer Slam and Survivor Series.

 

Meltzer confirms the story that some in the WWE tried to bury Edge as a main eventer after his match with Albert at Armageddon. (This was said to be "spearheaded" by Triple H) Edge was then attacked again after his rematch with Albert on Smackdown for using too many punches and kicks even though he was told to be more of a fighter since this was a grudge match. Edge is back in good graces now though after his matches with Team Angle.

 

American Dragon is going to be brought in for more dark matches and tv jobs. But they want him to get a haircut and a tan.

 

Rhyno is supposed to join the RAW crew in a few weeks and possibly have a feud with Test.

[Guest The Superstar]

Rhyno is supposed to join the RAW crew in a few weeks and possibly have a feud with Test.

 

Oh yes, that sounds....intriguing.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

Rock/Austin in the main event

???!!!!

 

You know, I had a feeling that Angle/Lesnar would take a backseat, but I didn't want to bring anyone here down with my suspicions.

[Guest EternallyLazy]

If this about Rock/Austin is true... it really really pisses me off. Brock/Angle DESERVE the main event spot.

 

They might do what they did with Mania X8, building the ppv around Rock/ Hogan but ending it with HHH/Jericho... but my fear is that the crowd will be severly burnt out after Rock/Austin and would be restless during the probably scientific battle between Angle/Lesnar

[Guest Angle-plex]

Rock/Austin in the main event

That's kind of dumb. They are both making their big returns, and this means one of them will have to job in their first month back.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Damn.......why can't the world title match be the main event!?

[Guest Anglesault]

You know, I had a feeling that Angle/Lesnar would take a backseat, but I didn't want to bring anyone here down with my suspicions.

 

Oh, I knew it from the very start. That's why I have never used "main event" for this Lesnar/Angle match. They will now have Angle job the title at some point in the middle of the show. Why this company hates Angle, I have no idea.

 

Rhyno is supposed to join the RAW crew in a few weeks and possibly have a feud with Test.

 

What booker did he harm?

[Guest RenegadeX28]

That would be a great WMX9, but as much as that Rock vs Austin match sounds, don't make it the main event. I say Brock and Angle needs that spot.

[Guest bcu1979]

Rock/Austin in the main event

???!!!!

 

You know, I had a feeling that Angle/Lesnar would take a backseat, but I didn't want to bring anyone here down with my suspicions.

You could always look at it as "well, at least it's not Hogan and Vince."

 

But making Rock/Austin the me is probably a good move. It's the most marquee match of the show. Triple H/Jericho was DOA after Rock/Hogan last year(and the whole awful Stephanie storyline). Angle and Lesnar, regardless of how good the match is, might not be able to follow up Rock/Austin either.

 

And it's also a political move so neither belt looks better than the other. They can't justify Triple H v. Nash or Steiner as the main event. And if Angle/Lesnar was the main event, then it would make Angle's title look more prestigious than Triple H's.

[Guest snuffbox]

Austin-Rock would have to be on top...if it were anywhere else it would kill the heat for the main event, Brock-Angle. Just as hogan-rock killed jericho-hhh last year (tho im sure hunter had a lil bit of the blackhole of heat thing goin on as usual).

[Guest EternallyLazy]

Why this company hates Angle, I have no idea.

If they hated Angle he wouldn't be the champion, nor would be probably be employed by WWE period...

 

As sad as it is, they probably see it this way... Austin and Rock are biggers stars than Angle and Lesnar... so therefor they get the main spot. I HATE it, but what can you do?

[Guest Anglesault]

Damn.......why can't the world title match be the main event!?

Because this way it's easier to shove Angle back into the midcard after the show.

 

And if Angle/Lesnar was the main event, then it would make Angle's title look more prestigious than Triple H's.

 

It is.

[Guest kurtangledoesnotsuck]

Meltzer confirms the story that some in the WWE tried to bury Edge as a main eventer after his match with Albert at Armageddon. (This was said to be "spearheaded" by Triple H) Edge was then attacked again after his rematch with Albert on Smackdown for using too many punches and kicks even though he was told to be more of a fighter since this was a grudge match. Edge is back in good graces now though after his matches with Team Angle.

 

This is bullshit. Edge is getting better with Benoit. Triple H is jealous because Edge has a future and he doesn't.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

You could always look at it as "well, at least it's not Hogan and Vince."

True. That's a match I thought Angle/Lesnar would be subservient to, and Rock/Goldberg if it happened. I didn't seriously consider Rock/Austin to happen at Mania until now.

 

They can't justify Triple H v. Nash or Steiner as the main event. And if Angle/Lesnar was the main event, then it would make Angle's title look more prestigious than Triple H's.

 

It is more prestigious. I still can't convince myself that the Big Gold Belt is anything more than a trophy title.

[Guest EternallyLazy]

Edge is getting better with Benoit.

Tell me he did NOT just say that...

[Guest Anglesault]

Why this company hates Angle, I have no idea.

If they hated Angle he wouldn't be the champion, nor would be probably be employed by WWE period...

Jericho. I win.

 

And they may give Angle the belt, but they don't ELEVATE him. They are doing a good job now, but at Mania, if it's behind Austin/Rock, Hogan/Vince, HHH/???, and HBK/Jericho, he's still nothing more than an upper midcarder.

[Guest LatinoHeat]

And if Angle/Lesnar was the main event, then it would make Angle's title look more prestigious than Triple H's.

 

And we can't have that.

 

My hhhate runs deep.

[Guest kurtangledoesnotsuck]

I did say it and what? Edge being around guys like Angle and Benoit has improved him.

[Guest EternallyLazy]

It is more prestigious. I still can't convince myself that the Big Gold Belt is anything more than a trophy title.

Well, arguing the legitimacy of a PRO WRESTLING title is pretty ridiculous... in reality, they're just props used to further feuds and have something to revolve everything around. They're not actually WON so that's why I laugh everytime someone says "the FAKE gold belt"

[Guest bcu1979]

And if Angle/Lesnar was the main event, then it would make Angle's title look more prestigious than Triple H's.

 

It is.

I agree with you. But, do you think the WWE sees it that way?

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

It's simple, really.

 

Angle's title has a lineage.

HHH's title was handed to him.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Well you know they can make Lesnar/Angle big players if they'd just give them the main event and make it seem like the most important match on the card! They have no problem telling the fans what to think so why don't they tell them "This is the main event. Austin/Rock is a midcard match!"

[Guest EternallyLazy]

It's simple, really.

 

Angle's title has a lineage.

HHH's title was handed to him.

Ah yes but in reality since wrestling isn't a real simon true sport, all titles are handed to the wrestlers receiving them

 

And was the IC title a FAKE belt since it was handed to Patterson? He didnt actually win it because the IC title tournement in Rio was of course bullshit

[Guest Anglesault]

Well you know they can make Lesnar/Angle big players if they'd just give them the main event and make it seem like the most important match on the card!

That's why they WON'T do it. Over his short time in the WWF, they have made a point of bringing him to the cusp SEVERAL times but doing everything in their power to keep him from becomming a big player.

 

Lesnar is just getting screwed over by association in this match.

[Guest DawnBTVS]

American Dragon is going to be brought in for more dark matches and tv jobs. But they want him to get a haircut and a tan.

Are they gonna make every superstar fucking bald except Triple H? This is just getting insane...

[bobobrazil1984 0]

The title match SHOULD be the main event. If they are afraid of the crowd being burned out then they should push the ANgle/Lesner match hype into overdrive. Fuck, let me into the video studio and i'll make them a video promo involing fotoage of their amateur days, that will sell it as the main event.

 

BUT I'm very very glad it seems that WWE isn't giving into Goldberg's bullshit. With Austin and Rock coming back, and Angle and Lesner stepping up nito main event, they don't need that overrated piece of shit.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

AD's hair isn't even that long....

[Guest snuffbox]

Rock/Austin in the main event - this could have alot of heat, and a by-the-numbers match here could still get 4 stars....maybe

Vince/Hogan - good heat again, but this match will definitly blow dogs for quarters.

Brock Lesnar/Kurt Angle -heat and almost guranteed to be good. should break 4 stars here, given time and angle allowed to call the shots.

Chris Jericho/Shawn Michaels - HBK will go all out at Wrestlemanis, so thisll be another good brawl match with heat. very possible 4 stars again here. doubtful y2j goes over tho

 

probable/maybe?

HHH v Nash - blackhole of heat and a horrible match. dud, no chance of improvement

Taker v Show - slow and boring, hopefully quick. taker will bring a pop for his entrance and win.

 

I see three strong candidates for 4 star + matches, Rock-Austin bein the least probable. Id assume 4/5 more matches or so to be added. Any other legit ideas?

[Guest AndrewisyourHero]

Promote Angle/Brock and Rock/Austin as a double main event..problem solved, imo.

 

ps. Yes, they are gonna make everyone bald except HHH. Austin, hurry up and get back

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

Yeah, but recall 'suspension of disbelief' and all that jazz.

 

The IC title didn't get its reputation until memorable matches such as Muraco/Snuka, Savage/Steamboat, Hart/Perfect, Hart/Bulldog, etc., which excused its 'dubious' beginnings. I doubt HHH/Steiner or HHH/Nash will be able to do that for the Big Gold Belt.

 

Oh, and Damaramu, I really wish WWE would shit or get off the pot. Either get behind Angle and Lesnar 100% as the spearheaders of the new direction or simply stop jerking people around and shamelessly flaunt the 90s stars. I'm a bit tired of them talking out of both sides or their mouths.