Open the Muggy Gate 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Reasoning Behind WMXX World Title Match Change Posted By Ashish on 02.06.04 One reason why HBK got it... In addition to previously reported political reasons, it appears that WWE changed the Triple H vs. Chris Benoit WrestleMania XX World Title match to a three way involving Shawn Michaels due to the house show ramifications. WWE feels that the three way will give them more flexability with house show main events following WM, since they can run Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels, Triple H vs. Chris Benoit, or Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Benoit. Credit: PWTorch.com So the WWE actually cares about their house shows... hunh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 I'd rather see a Michaels/Flair program. Every time they tease Benoit coming close to the title they always throw a little something extra in to screw it up. Don't mind 3 way matches...but not for the world title at Wrestlemania, Plus it just makes the Rumble that much more pointless. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 I'd rather see Benoit on Smackdown having won the title from Brock at RR and putting it on the line against Eddie at WM. But I'm silly like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austin3164life 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 I'd rather see Benoit on Smackdown having won the title from Brock at RR and putting it on the line against Eddie at WM. But I'm silly like that. We both must be crazy, because I also would've loved a Brock/Benoit match for the World Title, because I believe Benoit clearly wanted tthat one. It would've been much more gratifying to overcome Heyman's political BS and capture the real World Title, rather than nonsensically jumping to Raw, and going into a match with HBK as the Wild-Card participant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 There was a loophole, didntcha know? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austin3164life 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 But come on RRR, seriously. Shawn Michaels DESERVES his 3216581915th try at the World Title, even though he had his chance at the same pay per view where Benoit won the Battle Royal. I mean, Shawn Michaels is one of the greatest performers ever~! in a WWE ring and it would be fitting to add to his illustrious career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Not only do they have Benoit do a 180 and go to RAW with no real good reason for doing so, but they cut his legs off every time he is in the ring so he can play second fiddle to either Michaels, Flair, HHH, Austin or even Jericho (god that was stupid). This Michaels thing is fucking bullshit. But HEY! We're going to get to see BENOIT VS FLAIR~! After that stellar "debut" (cough) against Mark Henry, I can't imagine how they'll make Benoit look like shit on Monday! Then, after Flair, *crosses fingers* BATISTA!~~!!!! I can just picture it now; Benoit squeeks by Old Man Flair and as he raises his hands *BOOM* Powerbomb! Then, maybe -just maybe- HHH can stand over Benoits fallen body so that HBK can run in for the save! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caboose 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Let me translate so things can be cleared up... Reasoning Behind WMXX World Title Match Change Posted By Ashish on 02.06.04 One reason why HBK got it... In addition to previously reported political reasons, it appears that WWE changed the Triple H vs. Chris Benoit WrestleMania XX World Title match to a three way involving Shawn Michaels due to the fact that no one in the WWE actually believes Chris Benoit can draw as World Champion. Therefore Michaels has been given a shot as his drawing power from 96-97 and late 2002 speaks for itself. Credit: The Truth I think thats what they meant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austin3164life 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Vince- "Even though your major runs as Champ has produced so-so ratings, Shawn, I'm giving you another slot in our BIGGEST SHOW EVER~! I mean, God, you're our greatest cruiserweight of all time buddy!" Shawn- "Gee thanks Vince, now, how is it that I pin Benoit?" Vince-"Oh well, uh, have Benoit hit his Dynamite-wannabe headbut thingy, and then you'll just kip-up, 'cause that really doesn't hurt. Then you'll superkick Triple H, he'll kick out, get the ol' reliable sledgehammer, nail you and Benoit, and pin Benoit with it! Win-win situation, eh?" Shawn-"God is good" Triple H-"Thanksuhh, Shawn. I knowuhh" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Sadly, that is probably how it will end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Si82 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Vince- "Even though your major runs as Champ has produced so-so ratings, Shawn, I'm giving you another slot in our BIGGEST SHOW EVER~! I mean, God, you're our greatest cruiserweight of all time buddy!" Shawn- "Gee thanks Vince, now, how is it that I pin Benoit?" Vince-"Oh well, uh, have Benoit hit his Dynamite-wannabe headbut thingy, and then you'll just kip-up, 'cause that really doesn't hurt. Then you'll superkick Triple H, he'll kick out, get the ol' reliable sledgehammer, nail you and Benoit, and pin Benoit with it! Win-win situation, eh?" Shawn-"God is good" Triple H-"Thanksuhh, Shawn. I knowuhh" Complete with J.R. commentary: "BY GOD! THAT BASTARD TRIPLE H JUST ROBBED SHAWN MICHAELS OF HIS BOYHOOD DREAM!" While totally ignoring Chris Benoit. ...or maybe I'm just cynical. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cran Da Maniac 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Not only do they have Benoit do a 180 and go to RAW with no real good reason for doing so, but they cut his legs off every time he is in the ring so he can play second fiddle to either Michaels, Flair, HHH, Austin or even Jericho (god that was stupid). This Michaels thing is fucking bullshit. But HEY! We're going to get to see BENOIT VS FLAIR~! After that stellar "debut" (cough) against Mark Henry, I can't imagine how they'll make Benoit look like shit on Monday! Then, after Flair, *crosses fingers* BATISTA!~~!!!! I can just picture it now; Benoit squeeks by Old Man Flair and as he raises his hands *BOOM* Powerbomb! Then, maybe -just maybe- HHH can stand over Benoits fallen body so that HBK can run in for the save! That's the thing I couldn't understand about this angle. It even started off making Benoit look weak. They spent weeks and weeks hyping him up, showing how Heyman was trying his best to screw him out of a title shot. Then he wins the Rumble, and suddenly he doesn't care about it. All that fighting for nothing. He had Heyman right where he wanted him but he just ran away? I mean they could have at least had him on Smackdown for another show, had Heyman come out, cut a standard heel owner promo screwing him out of the title shot. Or have Heyman set up a match with Brock for that show or the next, with the stipulation that if Benoit loses, he never gets a shot at the WWE title. Benoit loses, cuts a promo saying he can face any show's champion, and that he's coming to Raw. Then on the next Raw, have HHH defending the title, he's about to win, and Benoit runs out and attacks him, cuts a promo saying he's coming for the title and nothing will stop him. This way, you get some sort of advertisement value out of it other then having a sudden jump that does nothing for nobody. (Altho the idea scenario would have been to not even muck with any of the shows and just leave well enough alone, but that would be too logical and WWE has some sort of allergy to logic.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austin3164life 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Not only the storyline though. I hate to sound like the typical cynical smark, but I feel that if Benoit does get screwed out of his World Title reign, then the clique is in full force again (as if it never was). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JasonX 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Not only the storyline though. I hate to sound like the typical cynical smark, but I feel that if Benoit does get screwed out of his World Title reign, then the clique is in full force again (as if it never was). The next two and a half months (through Backlash) will be especially important in terms of how things are booked. If they completely and utterly bury Benoit in favor of making the next couple of months be all about HBK and HHH then it will be proof positive that the WWE has it's head up it's ass and that they are just plain incapable of wanting to improve their product... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Since WWE loves the "bait and switch" so much... They should announce the match as a triple threat. Then Triple H, scared of facing both Benoit and HBK, hits Shawn in the back with the sledge. Michaels is out of the main event. Benoit wins at WM, setting up Shawn vs. Benoit at Backlash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tino Standard 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 So let me get this straight... They are going to change the main event of their most-hyped show ever to give them flexability in booking HOUSE SHOWS for a couple months afterwards? Don't get me wrong, I recognize that the three-way match is the way they're going, but as for this being the reason: BULLSHIT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Dan 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Should have been Benoit/HBK in terms of who deserves to be there. Shawn has been working really well and has carried his weight. Problem is it would be face/face, (like Eddie/angle is shaping up to be), and it would just not make sense for a big blowoff to not take place at Mania. Then you would go with Benoit/HHH since HHH is the mega heel who hogs the title and has held it for quite sometime. Benoit never got his big chance, so when he finally does, he knocks off the mother of them all. But, HHH does not really deserve this. So, naturally, the WWE pusses out and throws them all in there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted February 6, 2004 JCMDan, I agree with your assessment and although Triple H is the worse of the three, beating him at Mania would provide the biggest deal for a new champion assuming that you are going to crown one (PS they would be insane not to). You can easily do the Michaels/Benoit match up at the next PPV in Edmonton where Shawn will be the defacto heel no matter what. Push Benoit through a Wrestlemania victory over Triple H and a Canada victory over Shawn and ... hell.. if he isn't a megastar by then, he never will be. But any talk of this Triple Threat stuff would be a bad idea for WWE business. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Dan 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 My main concern is Benoit. I actually DON'T want him to win at Mania, pumping the controversy surrounding the guy up even more. I know Mania should not be used as the cannon fodder to another angle, but in this case (with the stupid out of nowhere jump) HHH should pin Shawn (sending him spiraling down for a bit into his own storyline with someone esle) and Benoit should get his shot in Edmonton against HHH with everyone saying he can't get it down and expecting a screjob, with chris nailing it and walking out with the title. I'm just trying to salvage the idiocy that was this rushed benoit crossover. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Personally, I'm so sick of having Triple H around the top of the card that I am ready and willing to send the title off with someone who hasn't established a huge feud with him as of yet. Putting the loss off again just weakens Benoit's momentum and keeps a stale guy at the top. Its not enough that Benoit 'not lose' anymore... he's got to pull this thing out and move on. Retaining the belt in Canada against Michaels will be just as effective as winning the belt there in my opinion considering the history there that neither Canada nor WWE can put behind them. Quite frankly the idea of Benoit uncling Shawn to a sharpshooter is just too perfect an idea to me to pass off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Dan 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Can't disagree there. I think the big problem is the fact that we have to have a 3 way at XX. It sucks. I'm not sying that shawn doesn't deserve that spot (HHH's) or that HHH etting beaten would be better, I just don't know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Agreed three way is the worst of all possible actions. Even a Wrestlemania X style 'tournament' would make more sense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 I wish Benoit would just jump back to Smackdown. His Raw adventure is looking to be a bad thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Now that ship has not only sailed... but landed in the other port, let off the passengers, picked up new passengers, and gone to Bermuda. Having Benoiut jump back now would make him look (even more) incredibly weird and he has enough of that problem now to make it look worse. Plus, this way we can have Eddie and Benoit get PPV main event pushes at the same time without killing each other... which is fine with me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cbacon 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 If they're gonna do a 3 way they should at least have it eliminiataion EC-DUB styles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Dan 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Elaborate on that if you would, Bacon, as I was not a big ECW follower. Are you referring to something mentioned before, ala WMX? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tawren 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Elaborate on that if you would, Bacon, as I was not a big ECW follower. Are you referring to something mentioned before, ala WMX? 3 way elimination 1 vs 2 vs 3 1 pins 3 1 vs 2 1 pins 2, 1 wins Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EdwardKnoxII 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Elaborate on that if you would, Bacon, as I was not a big ECW follower. Are you referring to something mentioned before, ala WMX? Yeah in other words if Benoit were the win the match he would have to pin both HBK and HHH to win. As far as 3-way championship matches go I've always been a fan of the elimination style. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Dan 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Damn, thats an EXCELLENT way to go about it. That idea put into the mix would kill any of my problems with the match itself. Good thinking, and thank you, Tawren, for helping me out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2004 Elaborate on that if you would, Bacon, as I was not a big ECW follower. Are you referring to something mentioned before, ala WMX? Yeah in other words if Benoit were the win the match he would have to pin both HBK and HHH to win. As far as 3-way championship matches go I've always been a fan of the elimination style. Look for the Taz vs Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka match from ECW, I believe it is on one of the Pioneer DVDs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
