The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 ...so You're The Man Now Dog is back and my life is happy again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 It wasn't so much God's doing, as it is God understands how Angle feels cause God watched Jesus die, which is much more of a bitch to say IMO. But, since Shawns' intentions are pure, he won't get boo'd for it. This is a whole grey-area storyline, but what makes it different from Russo-style writing is that it is ring-based. The storyline revolves around the two clashing at WM. Russo never saw matches in that way. I've been to a WM. It was, infact, the first Hogan match I ever saw live. 67,000 fans. "It's Wrestlemania and I'll be there live!" doesn't really register with me as being anything worth being excited about considering WM 18 sucked it hard and felt like a glorified RAW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Cucaracha 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 While Rudo's idea would be interesting, Angle vs. Michaels really doesn't need that sort of storyline. Just the Angle/Michaels match itself is enough to interest the majority of people, because it's a first time match between two wrestlers are considered top line talent. A storyline that might be best saved for Michaels' next feud, which might need that storyline more. As for Mania...it sounds clichéd and smarky, but I actually didn't realise it was so few days away until watching Raw. It really doesn't have the Wrestlemania aura around it like recent years. X8 had Hogan/Rock. XIX had a stacked topline. XX had the special date. XXI really doesn't have anything really special. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Well, I'm going so I'm more excited than I usually am for this show, but not as much as I was for 19, just because in 19 there was so many oppertunities for elevation. None of which happened, of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest QUP2CME Report post Posted March 29, 2005 I don't know about other people but i'm fukn pumped for this years mania. Let's face it, last year's mania was dedicated to the smarks for the most part. Eddie winning, Benoit winning and then them celebrating at the end, it had a real smarky feal to it. This year it's a bit different. When HHH is the best worker in the two world title matches then you know you are not going to get wrestling classics. but like it or not Batista and cena are the future of the WWE. We saw it at RR and we will see it at WM XX1. My Preview: Triple H © V Batista - GREAT build to this match which climaxed on Raw. This is the fued Orton should of had. Slow, slow build. See how the crowd reacts, and go for it. I cant wait for the bell to ring on this match. I'm expecting Dave to go over but stranger things have happened. JBL © V John Cena - I HATE JBL. I hate his gimmick, his maches, his promos. The whole cabinet thing is SO boring. Orlando is boring. The Basham's are plain. The best thing they had going for them was Amy Webber and she's gone. I like Cena, and I will try to enjoy the match but the sooner JBl leaves the main event scene the better. It boggles the mind that talents like Jericho, Benoit, Edge or Christian who can all play convincing heels are struggling in the midcard when realistically they could have been in JBL's position. I am sure Smackdown and WWE would be in a better position if Jericho was the top heel in the show. Kurt Angle V Shawn Michaels - No belts on the line but still a very pretigious match for both guys. Should be the MOTN. Only real competition is Rey V Eddie. The build has been good but it could of been better. Between SurSer and RR nothing happened and that's where I think that good of given better subtle hints of the developing fued. Randy Orton V The Undertaker - What can I say. I'm a Randy orton fan. Hate me, but everyone has an opinion. I'm am not going to argue that his turn was pretty much a disaster but who do you blame? Randy , the writers or HHH? The height of Orton was his fued with Foley. I think he can return there but he has to get out of HHH's and Evolution's shadow. Have him beat taker and move him to Smackdown. Face or Heel, doesn't matter. He still has plenty of options: Angle, Cena, Batsita, Jericho, Benoit and an eventual rematch with HHH. That's the big four matches. Compared to last year: HHH V Benoit V HBK Angle V Eddie Goldberg V Brock Lesnar Undertaker V kane I think this year's matches are a better attraction. The undercard: Rey Mysterio V Eddie Guerrero - No build up so far but has the potential to be the show stealer. I hope they go all out and forget about the 'wwe style'. really needs something to happen on Smackdown this week to get the audience interested. 6 Man Money in the bank ladder match Chris Jericho V Chris Benoit V Shelton benjamin V Kane V Edge V Christian The build has been surprisingly good and i'm interested to see how the winner uses his title shot. Plent of options again and I hope the writers dont drop the ball. Expect a heel to win which means Edge is my favourite for this match. Would love if Jericho wins it though. That promo where he said he has been missing from the world title picture for too long still rings in my ear and I would love to see him main event a PPV challenging for thr title. Big Show V Akebono - No interest whatsoever. Dont care bout this match. Christy Hemme V trish Stratus Trish is hot. Christy is hot. That's all I care about. As for their match. meh...as long as it doesn't exceed 5 mins I wont have any complaints. Compared to last year MAIN undercard: Evolution V Rock 'n' Sock connection Chris Jericho V Christian Big Show V John Cena Last year definately had better build in the lower cards, mainly due to the terrific Y2J/Christian and Foley/Orton (Evolution) fueds. Don't forget Piper's Pit featuring Stone Cold which definately has the 'What?' factor (no puns intended) and the appearance of Hogan which will get a monster pop. Will be great to see how the different brands interact as it always is on joint PPV's. Who can forget Snitsky/Heidenreich face to face lol. Overall I think this year's mania could be great provided the right people go over (i.e Batista/Cena/.........Orton) Can't WAIT!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest hhheld_down Report post Posted March 29, 2005 i wasnt at first but im pretty pumped now. i think the build has been pretty good for it, kinda dissapointed not more titles are on the line though. there are a couple unknowns which makes adds to my excitement. then again im always usually pretty giddy for WM no matter what Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IWD 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Anyone else noticed that this going to be the first WrestleMania without a tag match of any description? WM1: Nikolai Volkoff and Iron Sheik defeated Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo Hulk Hogan and Mr. T defeated Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper WM2: Davey Boy Smith and Dynamite Kid defeated Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake Terry and Dory Funk beat Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana WM3: Rick Martel and Tom Zenk defeated Bob Orton and Don Muraco Jim, Little Beaver, and Haiti Kid defeated King Kong Bundy, Lord Littlebrook, and Little Tokyo Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine defeated Jacques and Raymond Rougeau The Hart Foundation & Danny Davis defeated Davey-Boy Smith, Dynamite Kid & Tito Santana Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff defeated B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell WM4: Bobby Heenan, Haku & Tama defeated Davey-Boy Smith, Dynamite Kid & Koko B Ware Ax & Smash defeated Tito Santana & Rick Martel WM5: Akeem & Big Boss Man defeated Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty Butch & Luke defeated Jacques and Raymond Rougeau Ax & Smash defeated The Warlord, The Barbarian & Mr Fuji Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard defeated Tito Santana & Rick Martel Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated Honky Tonk Man & Greg Valentine WM6: Ax & Smash defeated Andre The Giant & Haku Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Boris Zhukov Dusty Rhodes & Sapphire defeated Randy Savage & Sensational Sherri Akio Sato & Pat Tanaka defeated Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty WM7: Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty defeated The Barbarian & Haku Brian Knobbs & Jerry Saggs defeated Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart Koji Kitao and Genichiro Tenryu defeated Smash and Crush Hawk & Animal defeated Hercules & Paul Roma WM8: Big Boss Man, Virgil, Sgt Slaughter & Jim Duggan defeated Brian Knobbs, Jerry Saggs, Repo Man & The Mountie Earthquake & Typhoon defeated Ted DiBiase & Irwin R Schyster WM9: Rick & Scott Steiner defeated Samu & Fatu Ted DiBiase & Irwin R Schyster defeated Hulk Hogan & Brutus Beefcake WM10: Bam Bam Bigelow & Luna Vachon defeated Doink & Dink Mabel & Mo defeated Jacques Rougeau & Pierre Ouelette WM11: Lex Luger & Davey-Boy Smith defeated Jacob & Eli Blu Owen Hart & Yokozuna defeated Billy & Bart Gunn WM12: Vader, Owen Hart & Davey-Boy Smith defeated Jake Roberts, Yokozuna & Ahmed Johnson WM13: Mosh & Thrasher defeated Bradshaw & Barry Windham, Phineas & Henry Godwinn and Phil LaFon & Doug Furnas Owen Hart & Davey-Boy Smith defeated Vader & Mankind Hawk, Animal & Ahmed Johnson defeated Faarooq, Crush & Savio Vega WM14: (Tag Team Battle Royale) Marc Mero & Sable defeated Goldust & Luna Vachon Terry Funk & Cactus Jack defeated Billy Gunn & Road Dogg WM15: Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett defeated D-Lo Brown & Test WM16: Big Boss Man & Bull Buchanan defeated The Godfather & D-Lo Brown Test & Prince Albert defeated Al Snow & Steve Blackman Edge & Christian defeated Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley and Matt & Jeff Hardy Chyna, Scotty Too Hotty & Grandmaster Sexay defeated Eddie Guerrero, Perry Saturn & Dean Malenko Kane & Rikishi defeated X-Pac & Road Dogg WM17: Tazz, Faarooq & Bradshaw defeated The Goodfather, Bull Buchanan & Val Venis Edge & Christian defeated Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley and Matt & Jeff Hardy WM18: Chuck & Billy defeated Matt & Jeff Hardy, Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley and Faarooq & Bradshaw WM19: Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas defeated Chris Benoit & Rhyno and Eddie & Chavo Guerrero WM20: Rob Van Dam & Booker T. defeated Renee Dupree & Rob Conway, Mark Jindrak & Garrison Cade and Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley Ric Flair, Batista & Randy Orton defeated The Rock & Mick Foley Torrie Wilson & Sable defeated Jackie Gayda & Stacy Keibler Rikishi & Scotty Too Hotty defeated Doug & Danny Basham, Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas and Faarooq & Bradshaw Cheers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 This is probably the least interesting Mania for me since 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Coffey Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Meanwhile, UFC 52, PRIDE Bushido 6, and PRIDE Total Elimination 2005, along with the Ultimate Fighter finale (all in April), each smoke WM, and together put the hurt on Pro Wrestling this month. You keep telling yourself that. Wrestling fans watch wrestling because it's wrestling. Anyway, I'm actually pretty excited for Wrestlemania. I don't get Smackdown either (or watch Velocity anymore) so it's all because of things on the Raw side. Well, it's mainly because my friends and I are all having a big get together/cookout on the day of the event. Still, I'm excited about several matches. I'm curious whom will win HHH/Batista. Logic says Batista, but H³ defies logic. I have no clue whom will win HBK/Angle, as neither man needs the win, but the match should be decent. Is London/Chavo going down still? Eddie/Rey could be OK if spots aren't blown. I wanna see Cena in action because I don't get to see him that often. He seems pretty over, so I want to see what all the hype if about. I'm really looking forward to the "Money in the Bank" match though. If anyone but Kane wins, I'll be happy. I'm pulling for Christian though. I'm curious if WWE will put the title on non-wrestling Christy. I'm also curious if Akebono will fly all the way over here just to lose at his specialty. I'm not thinking so. Add in Piper's Pit, and it should be a damn entertaining show. Add in that it doesn't cost me anything to watch it, and it's even more appealing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperJerk 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Andy makes a good point, although after last year's tag-match-palooza, I'm not sure I miss them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Promoter 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 I think WM 21 has potential to be surprising. There are elements there to make it special. The reason last year's event feels like it was more hyped is that there was a shorter time period in the build. Batista/HHH has been building really since New Year's Resolution. Benoit's silly jump last year had a disjointed feel to it for the build, but the timeframe was shorter. The same with other matches like UT/Kane. I think WM XX was disappointing and that the net is overlooking things like the wwe having Benoit and Eddie as champions on the show. I mean sure there are less matches this year, but the majority of the card is much less predictable because of it. We don't have useless matches like the tag title matches and rushed cruiserweight title match. It seems this year they are putting more effort into having quality over quantity. The lack of title matches really is a problem, but I think it's down to who the champions are with exception to Benjamin. Who wants to watch tag title match 2,994 again between the same teams or Orlando Jordan defending against perhaps Booker T where Booker jobs to the inferior wrestler? The problem is that there isn't marquee match such as Goldberg/Lesnar although HHH/Batista can be arguable. Like it or not Goldberg is a big show draw subconsciously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
humongous2002 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Besides Batista winning the big gold belt, the ladder match with the RAW 5 and Kane, and Rey versus Eddie, this Mania has all the hype but none of the show. And why in God's green earth is Show/Akebono's match taking place on the biggest stage of them all???!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Promoter 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Another thing to consider is the shifting gears element to this whole event. I think these matches are much better than the crap I saw rumoured such as the brothers of destruction against Snitsky/Heidenreich. The latter have no business being on a Mania card. Akebono/Big Show has more of a mass appeal than that tag crapfest which would have added to Taker's streak. Well, how would have Angle/Taker fared with some people? Taker heading in as champion and defending against Angle? Angle/HBK is more appealing to me than that. At least Vince saw the light and wanted to elevate Cena instead of stroke Taker's ego with another horrible title reign. Orton/HHH was going to flop the main event with the way they were going. I think they should have kept Benoit/Jericho in some kind of specialty match though and have Benjamin defend his title against either Edge or Hassan. I suppose they felt they couldn't go wrong with putting the strong workers all in the same match, but as someone noted that could go either way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 It is completly unforgivable to have a Wrestlemania without tag titles or the IC title being defended...or even the US Title (even though it doesn't carry the same lineage) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Promoter 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 I think it's even more unforgivable to have these thin tag and women's divisions. That is the bigger problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jericholic82 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 I am hyped becuase thats the typical wrestling fan response to wm. But in reality its just another ppv, but an hour longer and 15 bucks more expensive. ever since we got monthly ppvs (and now bimonthly ppvs) its lost its sizzle. I am only watching it cuz a friend invited me over. otherwise I would have waited for the dvd. and actually I was more hyped for wm 19 then this one (cuz of hbk-jericho angle-brock and another rock-austin maybe classic0I had no idea austin was that hurt though) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jericholic82 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 I think it's even more unforgivable to have these thin tag and women's divisions. That is the bigger problem. wm 12 did the same thing, only the wwf title was defended Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 You keep telling yourself that. Wrestling fans watch wrestling because it's wrestling. Define Pro Wrestling. MMA and Wrestling share many of the same similarities/appeals, and right now, MMA does all those appeals better. Koscheck/Sanchez last night was a better match than anything on RAW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sass 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 There's nothing I care to see on this card that I haven't already seen on a past RAW or Smackdown! Last year's show had the possibility about Benoit becoming the World's champ. This year? Nothing. HHH vs. Batista has enough juice in it to make Dr.Death's airport bust in Japan look like joke. JBL vs. Cena is a battle of the un-established "stars" for a title that has no value. The green as grass punk Cena is getting no one to buy into him and JBL has been a miserable McMahon jerkoff project that has "insecurity" written all over. It's like this year's Mania is like a Heavyweight boxing PPV, except there's no Mike Tyson to draw in the train wreck appeal crowd who will pay to see Mike possibly snap. No draws. Undertaker vs. Randy Orton is not going to make Orton "famous" because Foley already tried it, with better build-up and storylines, and Orton still failed to make a blip on fans' radars after that. This is the one time where I actually hope Taker uses his veto powers on a match if he's called in to do the job. Orton is one of the most unconvincing wrestlers from a mic perspective that I've seen since HHH tried to turn face in '02. Batista, Orton, Cena, and all of the other OVW projects-who-came-up-too-early are all rejects who should have spent more time working on making their wrestling ability stand out in the ring instead of their subpar mic work and low grade acting ability. Any time these guys have to work for more than 5 minutes is asking for trouble. This PPV doesn't even have the Mike Tyson train wreck appeal. It just stinks. I'll probably catch the show from someone else. There's no way I'd ever fork over any money for this abortion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 I went to Wrestlemania XX so I was beyond excited for that show. Getting to see The Rock and Foley team up, Eddy v. Angle and Benoit possibly win all right in front of me was awesome. For Wrestlemania XIX I couldn't wait to see Rock v. Austin, Booker v. HHH and HBK v. Y2J. This year...I don't know. Regal, London and Booker are my three favourite wrestlers and they don't have matches. Benjamin, Edge and Benoit, the other guys I like, are all in that thrown together money in the bank match. I'd rather them give them seperate matches then do that. That's just lazy booking. I'm also worried Money in the Bank is going to be like Unforgiven last year where they just took pussy bumps and then laid around for a while. I'd be more excited for HBK v. Angle if Angle wasn't a walking cripple. Eddy v. Rey is the only match I'm really looking forward to- and I don't even get Smackdown! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Coffey Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Define Pro Wrestling. MMA and Wrestling share many of the same similarities/appeals, and right now, MMA does all those appeals better. Koscheck/Sanchez last night was a better match than anything on RAW. For starters, how about wrestling moves? I mean more than a takedown or an occasional bomb/suplex. You're not going to see bridging suplexes and shit. You don't need a 3 count. You're not going to see irish whip moves, turnbuckle moves, top rope moves, etc. Figurefour Leglock? Sharpshooter? F-5? You're not watching a scripted show either. I like knowing that it's a scripted show. I like the wrestlers not taking a punch to the face for real so that they can wrestle again the next night instead of having fractured bones. This isn't the first time that you've tried to shill Pride, MMA, etc. in the WWE folder. If people cared, they actually visit the Misc. folder. ...and now we've derailed the thread. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 I have a $7 ticket to see the show on a theater screen. I couldn't imagine ordering this show at full WWE ppv price otherwise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 For starters, how about wrestling moves? I mean more than a takedown or an occasional bomb/suplex. You're not going to see bridging suplexes and shit. You don't need a 3 count. You're not going to see irish whip moves, turnbuckle moves, top rope moves, etc. Figurefour Leglock? Sharpshooter? F-5? So matches with no fancy moves can't be considered pro wrestling? I've seen bridging suplexes, I've seen moves that would never be done in pro wrestling and if they were done the crowd would pop huge, there are more strikes and submissions and the suplexes are better as well. You're not watching a scripted show either. I like knowing that it's a scripted show. I like the wrestlers not taking a punch to the face for real so that they can wrestle again the next night instead of having fractured bones. Wrestling has a higher death and injury rate than MMA. "Safety" doesn't really work here, either. And most punches to the face look like shit. You still haven't defined what pro wrestling is. This isn't the first time that you've tried to shill Pride, MMA, etc. in the WWE folder. If people cared, they actually visit the Misc. folder. People should know their options, especially when it comes to prospectively paying $50 for a subpar show. ...and now we've derailed the thread. Because it was actually going somewhere... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Not hyped at all. The build for the headliners has sucked, not a single one of them I have any sort of investment in. I might have cared about Orton/Taker and HBK/Angle but, as has been touched on, they've butchered the characters. Batista/HHH had me hooked until the contract signing, since then it's been a paint by numbers HHH feud. The ladder match, I don't want to see these guys in a clusterfuck with no buildup, and ladders for the sake of having ladders stopped being interesting years ago. The only two matches I'd like to see are Eddie/Rey and Cena/JBL, but neither enough to pay for the privlage of doing so. RAW last night, their "hard sell" was one of the most underwhelming, predictable shows in recent memory, and that's saying a lot. The opening segment, Kane running in, Orton getting spooked by Taker's "supernatural" bullshit (it's a guy in the production truck, Randy!) making him look like a total lameduck, Angle running in....saw it all a mile away, none of this makes me hyped for this show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 Yeah, this being the RAW before a Mania it was an awful show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted March 29, 2005 The last before RAW always seems to suck though. It's just hard sell to the nth degree Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cabbageboy 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 It's weird this year since U of L is in the Final 4 I hadn't thought a huge amount about WM. Now that I think on it, it seems like the undercard stuff is easily more interesting than the main events! Batista/HHH promises to be a snoozer and JBL/Cena will be a semi skilled brawl with huge interference. In the undercard you have Angle/Michaels, which will probably be the match of the night. Along with the most interesting storyline (to me) of Orton trying to end UT's STREAK and generally being a cocky little scumbag. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest QUP2CME Report post Posted March 30, 2005 Undertaker vs. Randy Orton is not going to make Orton "famous" because Foley already tried it, with better build-up and storylines, and Orton still failed to make a blip on fans' radars after that. That's BS. Orton After his match with Foley at Backlash was over huge. He was getting face pops thus the WWE had no option but to turn him against HHH. They botched that particular angle but to say he wasn't over is wrong. FFS he got a face pop when he pinned Benoit, a canadian, in Toronto to win the title AS A HEEL. Sure that crowd was 'bizaro' as the commentators put it but he was still cheered nonetheless. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fanofcoils Report post Posted March 30, 2005 I love to call Wrestlemania XX, Wrestlemania Okafor (Emeka Okafor, the NBA player for those who don't know) because it was extremely underwhelming to me (I didn't buy Taker's return, because I didn't think an aged Taker can pull off his old gimmick, and I didn't care about Benoit). The rest of WM XX felt like a big Raw show rather than a Wrestlemania. I want to see a real dream match (Hogan vs Austin, not Lesnar vs Goldberg). WM XXI seems very underwhelming. There is no special aura to it that WM X-7 had and WM X-8 had (for WM X-8, after the show for me not before, I didn't expect Rock vs Hogan to turn into something special before the show began). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2005 I love to call Wrestlemania XX, Wrestlemania Okafor (Emeka Okafor, the NBA player for those who don't know) because it was extremely underwhelming to me (I didn't buy Taker's return, because I didn't think an aged Taker can pull off his old gimmick, and I didn't care about Benoit). That might be the dumbest thing I've read in days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites