WrestleMania plans/change in PPV format

[Guest Brian]

I don't see hwy they're doing the interpromotional match at Mania? I'm hoping it's just a placeholder for now since they haven't figured out everthing. I was expecting HHH/Austin and Rock vs. a face, maybe Benoit.

[Guest Anglesault]

In my humble opinion, this is how the show should work out in order of the "big" matches

 

 

1. Jericho/Michaels

2. Hogan/Vince

3. Rock/Austin

4. HHH/???

5. Angle/Lesnar

 

I think You CAN get away with putting the two huge heat matches back to back. The fans will stay up for both of them, and they won't be burnt out for a match of any consequence immediately after. (Jericho/HBK starts it, and Lesnar/Angle has an HHH Snoozefest as a bumper of sorts)

[Guest bcu1979]

In my humble opinion, this is how the show should work out in order of the "big" matches

 

 

1. Jericho/Michaels

2. Hogan/Vince

3. Rock/Austin

4. HHH/???

5. Angle/Lesnar

 

I think You CAN get away with putting the two huge heat matches back to back. The fans will stay up for both of them, and they won't be burnt out for a match of any consequence immediately after. (Jericho/HBK starts it, and Lesnar/Angle has an HHH Snoozefest as a bumper of sorts)

The Triple H match in the place of the women's title match!

 

That would be the day.

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

You can have two big-heat matches in a row, just look at XVII for an example. They did it twice in one night, with the McMahon street fight and TLC back-to-back, a cool-off with the gimmick battle royal, and then the HHH/Undertaker match before Rock/Austin. With the exception of the 20 minutes or so the battle royal took with entrances and all, the last hour and a half of that show was nearly non-stop heat.

[Guest AndrewTS]

The Triple H match in the place of the women's title match!

 

That would be the day.

Why not? They have nicer breasts, hair, better wrestling skills, and probably more heat.

[Guest razazteca]

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

enough with the running hair jokes! this is worst than the SNL Al Franken decade BS. Brian's hair is short enough, what is the problem? does it look to much like Brock's?

[Guest candie45]

Argh, I don't get how Rock/Austin will benefit anyone. Who's going to win that anyway? Rock has jobbed to Austin everytime. But he shouldn't win this time because he's going back to Hollywood. He should be like putting some guys over or something if he's going to do the 2 months bullshit.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

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

enough with the running hair jokes! this is worst than the SNL Al Franken decade BS. Brian's hair is short enough, what is the problem? does it look to much like Brock's?

No, but it does look like he's an extra for That 70's Show. A haircut isn't the worst thing that can happen to Brian.

[Guest goar]

Do Austin/Rock have to main event every Mania? Did I miss that announcement?

[Guest IB2BLACK]

They are two biggest stars in the company. So why not?

[Guest EternallyLazy]

Yeah, Hogan is a big star too... should he be in the main event? No

 

Rock and Austin WERE the stars of the company, but their time has past. WWE's objective should be to build towards the future, not rehash the past... but hey, we've been saying that for years, and it looks like WWE just isn't going to learn

[Guest IB2BLACK]

How has their time past?

[Guest the pinjockey]

That order would give HHH a nice excuse for why his match is so heatless. Maybe he would be willing to sacrifice this mania to save himself since he has no hot feud.

[Guest Anglesault]

They are two biggest stars in the company. So why not?

Because neither is world champion and neither have that much longer in the company.

[Guest EternallyLazy]

How has their time past?

They shouldn't be main eventing ANOTHER WrestleMania. They've had their moment in the spotlight and now it's time to step aside and let some new guys step in there. Using Austin and Rock again is just another example of a REHASH. I've already seen Rock/Austin on countless occassions... I DONT want to see it again

[Guest IB2BLACK]

If "Rock vs. Austin" is the main event, what other match can generate more heat, than this? Also, if this is Rock's "last" match let him go out on top. And don't forget how Austin bitched how he had to face Scott Hall at last year's WM, you don't think he isn't gonna bitch again.

[Guest Anglesault]

Also, if this is Rock's "last" match let him go out on top.

 

No. It creates no new stars in the wake of one leaving. Sorry.

 

nd don't forget how Austin bitched how he had to face Scott Hall at last year's WM,

 

Austin bitched about being in a idiotic midcard match. Rock/Austin would not be that.

[Guest Downhome]

Is the business so bad, that they must resort to an "every two years" we have Rocky/Austin main event WrestleMania? I love their feud, matches, and everything else quite possibly more than anyone else here, but I really don't think it warrents yet ANOTHER main event at WM involving those two.

 

It'll sell, IF it even happens, no doubt about it. I'll watch it, I'll love it, but I still see no reason for it to happen, other than just to try to boost WWE.

[King Cucaracha 0]

So wait, Austin-Rock...AGAIN! The same main event for 3 Wrestlemanias...XV, X7 and now X9. What's the betting on X11-Austin vs Rock, the final showdown.

 

Anyway, it's not so much that Austin is meeting Rock, and I see why WWE want to avoid putting it in the mid card. So, why not book it as a double main event? The HV Title is ALWAYS on the line at the WM main event, even when the build-up sucks like Jericho-HHH. Also, the Rumble match stated the winner would get a shot in the MAIN EVENT. I know WWE are suckers for continuity, but I'm sure they won't bungle this one...right?

 

Oh, and Austin vs Rock...does that mean Smackdown vs Raw. How are they going to build that up? I hope Austin doesn't end up on Smackdown, and I doubt Rock will go to Raw. It'll be hard(er) to build this up if they do it...

[Guest Austin3164life]

Rock should face Goldberg, if Goldy goes through with it. But no, Rock and Austin should not face off again. I think that Austin should face Triple H in the match before Angle/Lesnar. Have Austin win (after a month long feud) and finally end the horror that is Helmsly. After beating Triple H's ass, Austin should then go after Brock Lesnar, who (I think) will become World Champ. You build a good feud with Austin (who I think should turn heel weeks after Wrestlemania) and Austin wins the title at Summerslam (that way they don't hotshot it to Austin early, giving Brock a nice run, and having Austin earn his way to the top). Austin is built up as the most dangerous wrestler ever or w/e, and he's a total psychopath (like in 2001, but excluding comedy and "what?"). Angle should get built up as a face, working programs with Benoit, Eddy, Triple H, or whoever else to see if he can make it to next year's Wrestlemania. Angle wins Royal Rumble, and tells Austin that he's not only going to take the belt at WM XX, but end his career. Submission ME for belt, Austin gives up, passes torch to Angle, Austin raises Angle's hand and toasts him, signaling new era, ending Attitude on a good note.

 

But who am I kidding, we'll probably get "The year of the Game" this year.....

[Guest Y2DAYDAY]

Austin vs ROCK SHOULD BE the main event. As another poster stated, they are the 2 biggest stars in the company. Plus Angle vs Lesnar is simply not as big as match as ROCK vs Austin. ROCK and Austin are also proven as HUGE Wrestlemania draws. You just cannot put guys above the 2 top guys if they have not been groomed for that spot. It is the biggest match on the show, hence it deserves to be the main event.

 

What everyone is overlooking is the fact that HHH is buried in the midcard of the biggest show of the year. Ditto for Undertaker. Yet the WWE hates Kurt Angle, who is the semi main of the biggest show of the year and one of the biggest shows ever for WWE. Give me a break. Just because a bunch of smarts see Angle vs lesnar as the main event doesn't mean it DESERVES to be the main event. ROCK vs Austin will draw the better number, hence it is the main event. It is quite simple.

 

Brock and Kurt are still in a primo spot, ditto for Hogan vs Vince. They just need a world title match for HHH.

 

And actually, I am sure they will promote it as a Triple or Quadruple main event and definitely not just focus on one match.

[Guest Austin3164life]

They could bill WM with the "Double Main Event" like they did last year's and with Summerslam 01, worked pretty well there. Angle definitely deserves to be in that spot, and I think Brock probably does too. Austin and Rock (if it happens) should be right before it. I doubt Brock and Angle could kill the heat like Triple H vs. Jericho did last year with Rock vs. Hogan.

[Guest snuffbox]

Jesus God man...Rock only warrants the one capital letter! Please stop being an ass....now.

 

For the ammount of heat and entertainment thathhh actually brings to the ring, he shouldnt even be in the midcard. Just because his girly and himself agree he should be in the main event doesnt mean thats where he belongs. Most main event talent are required to have some sort of heat/charisma/talent. Sloths kill companies!

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Yes but Angle/Lesnar can be the MAIN EVENT if they build it right. If they put all the drama and all of the emotion into it over the next two months then you have something.

Don't have Lesnar declaring that he's going to beat Angle, have him wondering if he can. Have Angle get the upper hand on him and leave him laying. Have both men give heartfelt interviews. Dammit I don't even work in this buisness and if I can come up with that then so can they!

[Guest Austin3164life]

I don't think another Austin vs. Rock should happen. It won't be the face vs. face buildup that it was in 2001, because Rock is slowly losing his fanbase, with his Hollywood act. Twice so far Rock has left for Hollywood, and as soon as he comes back he's thrust into Main Event situations and title runs. Even if you are a draw like The Rock, that still gives off a bad impression to the rest of the wrestlers, and makes some resentful. Austin doesn't deserve the ME spot this year either, to be honest. Which is why if Austin battles anyone (should be Triple H), it should be before the Brock/Angle ME.

[Guest EternallyLazy]

Austin vs ROCK SHOULD BE the main event. As another poster stated, they are the 2 biggest stars in the company. Plus Angle vs Lesnar is simply not as big as match as ROCK vs Austin. ROCK and Austin are also proven as HUGE Wrestlemania draws. You just cannot put guys above the 2 top guys if they have not been groomed for that spot. It is the biggest match on the show, hence it deserves to be the main event.

Rock/Austin would sell Mania regardless of what spot they're put on. People would pay to see that match regardless of whether it's placed in the main event. WrestleMania is going to pop a buyrate regardless, just because it's WrestleMania. Austin/Rock should be hyped well, but it shouldn't get the TOP spot on the card. Both of these guys have been sitting out for almost half a year while Angle has been busting his ass in every fucking match he's in. THAT is why he deserves the spot ME spot

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

I love the idea of separate PPVs. I don't order PPVs now, because I don't care for the RAW portion at all. Royal Rumble was the first PPV I ordered since Wrestlemania.

 

I would definitely order a Smackdown only PPV.

[Guest RedJed]

Rock v. Austin again? Argg, ridiculous shit there. This is going to be nothing different than their first meeting at Mania XV, other than the fact that there isn't the title chase angle here. Basically I would assume that Rock is going to have some alliance with McMahon (again) which leads to Austin against both of them. Wow, and this is going to get Austin to come back???! If so, Austin is a hypocrite for even leaving in the first place, if this is what he comes back to. This is the farthest from a fucking creative idea I've seen in a long time.

 

Austin could be penciled in against various opponents.......Steiner (who would turn heel immediately once he would return) is the first person I can think of. Hell, even put him in there with HHH and even the intruige of the politics behind the scenes of that match would sell it, or to see if Austin would rough him up a bit would grab my interest for that match. Since Austin will be on Raw when he returns, it makes sense that he should just get a shot at HHH right off the bat, I'd actually have it this way anyway. Hype it as the last battle between these two ever, and have Austin go over and win the title. Hunter owes him for Austin putting him over almost 2 years ago. Plus this would be a good sign that maybe HHH's politicing could be put to a stop if they give Austin the belt and move to more logical and quality programs on top of Raw and the world title.

 

As for Rock, he would be best fit in a role to put someone over at least somewhat at Mania, if he's leaving right away. Or in the least start a program with someone at Mania, have the guy defeat Rock, and then Rock gets the heat back after the match to build to a rematch down the road after he comes back again. If he honestly has no plans to return, then he puts a babyface that needs it clean in the middle of the ring. You could put Van Dam, Edge, or Booker T here off the top of my head.

 

I could even handle Austin/HHH as the main event or co-ME with Angle/Lesnar. But Rock/Austin? Hell no.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

As long as HHH isn't a huge hypocrite, he'll fight politically for Angle/Brock as the main event.

 

But chances are he is, so..

 

I don't really have a lot to talk about here, as it's way too much speculation, but goddamn I don't want to go back to Austin/Rocky again. These guys are quickly becoming stale. Both guys are entertaining, but neither guy can really bring the workrate.

 

Guys with real life credentials ala Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar, they're the future of this business. Not guys who are okay wrestlers but are given entertaining gimmicks then pushed and Pushed and PUSHED

[Guest candie45]

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.

 

While I think this is a very good idea, there are a few flaws. What about KOTR? Shouldn't that be between both brands.. it just makes more sense. But the thing is, if they have 5 PPVs with both brands, there are 7 left to split, which of course isn't an even number. It just seems only fair that both brands get a chance to enter the KOTR tourney.

 

The "IYH" PPVs aren't going to sell shit... could you imagine paying $400 for an elaborate Raw?