Watching Mania XX...seeing the Changes

[ChrisMWaters 0]

OK...starting a few minutes ago I decided to start watching my DVD of WrestleMania XX to prepare for WrestleMania 21 tonight...and I'm amazed by some of the changes in such a short time...starting with the first match.

 

Last year, The Big Show had a title belt in the form of the United States title, was a heel, and had HAIR.

 

This year, Big Show is bald, no title, and I'm guessing a face.

 

Last year, John Cena opened up the show for a secondary title...and his entrance was more...energetic.

 

This year, less energetic more serious entrance, going for the top title on his brand.

 

I'll post more thoughts as the show goes on.

[Guest TheDon]

I thought you were going to talk about how Eddy G and Chris Benoit were both in the title matches/main events and champions and now are in the undercard.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I thought you were going to talk about how Eddy G and Chris Benoit were both in the title matches/main events and champions and now are in the undercard.

I'm going through it as I go through the card.

 

Here's another one for you...Long friendly with Coach last year.

 

This year, rival brands.

 

Last year, Bischoff with black hair and Johnny Nitro.

 

This year, gray hair, no Nitro.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Aaah...Evolution, one big happy family.

 

This year...it's just Flair and HHH.

 

Oh, and the BIRTH of Pimptista!

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Fatal Four Way World Tag Titles:

 

La Res: Different members, and Dupree got taken out this year

Cade and Jindrak: Jindrak is Mr. Velocity now, and Cade is...who cares?

Dudleys: Off TV due to staleness

Booker and RVD: Booker T doesn't have anything really, and RVD is injured.

[Guest Shadow]

Not to interupt this; but does anyone do what i do before Manias? Watch a bunch of Manias?

 

Last night I watched III, V, VI, VIII, and this morning watched X, XXIV, XVII and currently watching XIX(Undertaker Vs TBS/Albert to be exact) And XX soon after.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Ah, the "unique" storyline between Jericho, Trish, and Christian.

 

Now, Christian and Jericho are going to fight each other yet again, but not one on one this time.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Not to interupt this; but does anyone do what i do before Manias? Watch a bunch of Manias?

 

Last night I watched III, V, VI, VIII, and this morning watched X, XXIV, XVII and currently watching XIX(Undertaker Vs TBS/Albert to be exact) And XX soon after.

...um, would you have enough time for that?

 

Yeah, Mania doesn't start till 7:00 EST...but they're re-showing the Hall of Fame induction at 5 EST, and the Heat pre-show at 6.

 

If you're not interested in either, you may have time...but maybe not.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Geez...both Jericho AND Christian changed their entrance videos in the past year...and Christian his entire theme and entrance look.

[Guest Shadow]

Enough time? XIX will be over at about 2(as i skip the packages and backstage stuff and the miller girls)...XX will get the same treatment.

 

I dont watch them WHOLE. I may skip a match or two.

[TNABaddboi 0]

I usually do that as well. I watched XIX, XX and Savage/Warrior from VII last night, and I'm looking for XIV right now.

[tbondrage99 0]

Its WrestleMania IV, XIV & X7 for me,

[Guest Fook_Theta]

Geez...both Jericho AND Christian changed their entrance videos in the past year...and Christian his entire theme and entrance look.

Christian's new style is hands down better. New entrance gear is swank and he really should start using it as his in-ring gear. Music is decent-passable for his personality. Last couple months has really upped his match quality. Just a all round improvement.

 

Jericho is still floundering around being somewhat entertaining but not enough to really go anywhere. I foresee Jericho vs Kane in the near future for the fifteenth+ time.

[Ed Wood Caulfield 0]

Not to interupt this; but does anyone do what i do before Manias? Watch a bunch of Manias?

 

Last night I watched III, V, VI, VIII, and this morning watched X, XXIV, XVII and currently watching XIX(Undertaker Vs TBS/Albert to be exact) And XX soon after.

I do that every year. One WrestleMania a day up until the event itself.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Interesting note: this will be the first WrestleMania since he had his first WrestleMania (13) that The Rock will NOT be wrestling at.

 

13: vs. Sultan

14 vs. Shamrock

15 vs. Austin

2000 Fatal 4 Way

X-Seven vs. Austin

X8 vs. Hogan

XIX vs. Austin

XX with Foley vs. Evolution

[Guest Shadow]

With the whole Hollywood thing; They should have Rock just be standing backstage during a interview and never mention his presence in a cameo moment.

 

You have to figure the rocks going to be there, at least to be with the guys and take in the show. We all know Rock's about the biggest mark for wrestling.

[Aero 0]

I've been watching past WMs for the past few weeks. So far, I've been through III, VII, VIII, IX, X, XII, 13, XIV, XV, X7, X8, and XIX. I'll likely finish watching XVI later today. I have no desire for IV or XI.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Let's see...from the Handicap Match...

 

Rock and Foley: Not wrestling

Flair: Not Wrestling

Batista: Side attraction last year, Main Eventer this year

Orton: IC champ last year feuding with Foley...trying to kill Taker's legend this year.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I still find it amazing how, at least in the face, how similar Hogan and Graham look now after watching the short recap of 2004 Hall of Fame.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Another change...like I mentioned before...all the Hall of Fame inductees are alive this year.

 

EDIT: Also, I'm upset Mean Gene didn't make the Hall of Fame this year.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

...I just noticed...

 

Two years in a row, one of the matches on Mania was built around Playboy.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Someone held up a "BRING IN NOVA" sign during the Evening Gown match...

 

I wonder if that guy regrets it, seeing what happened to Nova since.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

*Sigh* Eddie with the WWE Title, Benoit challenging for the World Title.

 

Eddie in his scarface shirt...

 

Now...Benoit's lost in a 6 man match, and Eddie's facing his partner.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Cruiserweight Open!

 

Let's see, biggest difference is that the title isn't being defended...and a majority aren't on the card.

 

Chavo: Dad is gone, different theme, no longer champion, partially injured

Nunzio: Pretty much Mr. Velocity. His group gone since this time

Jamie Noble: No longer in the company

Tajiri and Akio: Different shows, Tajiri defending a title, Akio...not doing much

Funaki: ...well he was less of a jobber after Mania XX

Moore: No longer looks like a pretty boy like he does here.

Ultimo: Not there anymore.

Kidman: Turned "Ravishing" since Mania XX, not doing much now

Rey: Fighting his own tag partner with no titles

 

Oh, any bets on which Superhero Mysterio will dress as this year...since he was Daredevil at XIX and The Flash last year.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Goldberg vs. Lesnar.

 

...funny thing, the only man going to be at Mania this year of the two (that we know of) is the referee, Austin.

 

Going to skip this...

 

...Vince walking out to say thank you. I don't think that's going to happen this year.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Sudden Death Fatal 4 Way: Version Smackdown.

 

WGTT: No longer together. Haas not competing, Benjamin in 6 man match.

APA: Faarooq gone...and in what is one of the most amazing bump-ups in one year, Bradshaw has become JBL and is defending the WWE Title

Bashams: JBL's secretaries of defense...no longer with Dominatrix music. We'll probably see them get involved.

Rikishi and Scotty: Rikishi is no longer employed. Scotty...isn't doing much.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Women's Title match.

 

Last year, between two women's wrestlers.

 

This year, between a 3/4 wrestler in Trish and a contest winner.

 

However, this year, no hair on the line.

[Art Sandusky 0]

I thought Rey was Robin at XIX. Shows how much I know about comics.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I thought Rey was Robin at XIX. Shows how much I know about comics.

Nah, he was Daredevil.

 

1)He had horns on the mask and

 

2)The Daredevil movie had just come out around that time.

 

...watching Molly from last year...poor Molly and her haircut.

 

Kurt vs. Eddie now:

 

I mentioned about Eddie earlier.

 

Kurt goes from title match to something that could be more entertaining than the title match this year.

[Guest Shadow]

He's done Flash, Daredevil and Batman(in ECW) before, Spiderman and Superman are too mainstream now. He should do another less known comic along the lines of Flash or Daredevil...

 

I know no comics so I can't make a prediction, but what about one of the X-Men like Wolverine?

 

Personally, I hope rey breaks out the Purple Bodysuit ala HH97 for historical sake.