The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania Thread

[The Buzz 0]

If piper showed up in decent shape and worked a brawl with Jericho ala that awesome brawl he had with Orndorff thats on the new SNME dvd, I'd be all for it. But if the Piper that showed up at the Royal Rumble a year or two ago showed up, no thank you.

[Diamonddust 0]

I'd save Cena Vs. Undertaker for Wrestlemania 27.

 

Agreed..

 

And Cena would be booed out of the building in Houston if he was pushed as a legitimate threat to end the Streak.

 

As for the whole Rourke angle, I know it won't happen... but this is BEGGING for Jake Roberts to be involved... whether Jericho brings him out, or he gets on the side of Rourke with Piper and Flair.

[foleyfanforever88 0]

Looking at WM, I think the ideal scenario is to do HHH vs. Orton within the McMahon family angle. It avoids a nonsensical turn and is far more logical than having Cena align with Shane for no reason. If I had my druthers, I'd have Orton challenge HHH, and Steph bring Taker over from Smackdown to challenge Cena. I figure Cena is probably the only credible threat to Taker's streak right now, HBK vs. Taker would just be another foregone conclusion. Steph owes Taker a storyline favor anyway, so why not? Plus, it would be a nice brawl. Then HBK and JBL can easily be folded into the Rourke/Jericho storyline, setting up a supremely watchable tag match (and some potentially awesome mic work). An added bonus is that both title matches can be promoted across brands, essentially doubling the hype for the WM main events. Add in a tag title unification, MITB, Matt vs. Jeff, and an IC title match, that's a great card. Which is probably why we'll get a nonsensical Edge vs. HHH and Cena vs. Orton.

 

Explain how Edge vs. HHH or Cena vs. Orton is nonsensical. I'd argue that those two matches make the MOST sense for each show. Cena and Orton are clearly the two biggest stars on Raw and the same can be said of Triple H and Edge on Smackdown (short of Undertaker).

[commie_050 0]

I'd save Cena Vs. Undertaker for Wrestlemania 27.

 

Agreed..

 

And Cena would be booed out of the building in Houston if he was pushed as a legitimate threat to end the Streak.

 

As for the whole Rourke angle, I know it won't happen... but this is BEGGING for Jake Roberts to be involved... whether Jericho brings him out, or he gets on the side of Rourke with Piper and Flair.

 

Rock was booed out of the building at WM X7. And X8. So, heat off the charts is a bad thing, now? It's not like he wouldn't recover. I understand waiting on it, but, shit happens all the time, injuries occur, etc. etc. Why not strike while the iron is hot? I might be biased, only because I'll be attending.

 

I'm just not excited at all for HHH vs. Edge and Cena vs. Orton. It's Wrestlemania, after all. If there are other, better options, I'd love to hear them.

[commie_050 0]

Looking at WM, I think the ideal scenario is to do HHH vs. Orton within the McMahon family angle. It avoids a nonsensical turn and is far more logical than having Cena align with Shane for no reason. If I had my druthers, I'd have Orton challenge HHH, and Steph bring Taker over from Smackdown to challenge Cena. I figure Cena is probably the only credible threat to Taker's streak right now, HBK vs. Taker would just be another foregone conclusion. Steph owes Taker a storyline favor anyway, so why not? Plus, it would be a nice brawl. Then HBK and JBL can easily be folded into the Rourke/Jericho storyline, setting up a supremely watchable tag match (and some potentially awesome mic work). An added bonus is that both title matches can be promoted across brands, essentially doubling the hype for the WM main events. Add in a tag title unification, MITB, Matt vs. Jeff, and an IC title match, that's a great card. Which is probably why we'll get a nonsensical Edge vs. HHH and Cena vs. Orton.

 

Explain how Edge vs. HHH or Cena vs. Orton is nonsensical. I'd argue that those two matches make the MOST sense for each show. Cena and Orton are clearly the two biggest stars on Raw and the same can be said of Triple H and Edge on Smackdown (short of Undertaker).

 

Nonsensical might be bad term. Boring and predictable are better. Cena's been doing his own thing for a while now, I think throwing him into the McMahon's vs. Orton is a copout. HHH fits perfectly. Outing HHH as Steph's husband gets more heat on Orton. That, to me, is the money match that will draw. Taker vs. Cena is the best possible match you can do with Cena once Orton challenges HHH. Any other person challenging Taker is a foregone conclusion (and Cena is as well, but he is the most credible threat. I guess whether you do it now depends on whether Vince plans to allow Taker to retire with the streak. If he does, saving Cena might be better. If not, Cena shouldn't be breaking the streak anyway, it should be used to get someone new over.) Again, the current setup just doesn't scream Wrestlemania to me. Maybe I'm just trying to hard to justify my fantasy booking, but that's the way I see it.

[commie_050 0]

Again, not trying to predict what the WWE WILL do (in fact, I'm fairly certain they won't) just what I'd prefer to see happen. Gun to your head, which set of title matches would you be more likely to shell out money for?

[Hawk 34 0]

The main issue with the idea of doing Cena-Undertaker at WM isn’t the concern of crowd response. If anything that is a major bonus in doing the match. The real problem with this potential match up is that if you keep the title on Cena and wish to continue Undertaker’s reign of dominance at Wrestlemania, that forces another title reign for Undertaker that he really doesn’t need and forces the streak to become a focal point of the show since it would be a main event and not an attraction match as it should be.

 

It is absolutely logical for Orton to challenge a newly victorious Triple H for the title at WM. Simply because the past 2 months have been built around Orton's drive to destroy the McMahon Family and that should include Triple H. Does it draw huge numbers? That’s uncertain but there’s hardly any evidence to support the idea that Cena-Orton would do the same. It wasn’t that long ago we saw those two involved in a main event feud, so it doesn’t even have the element of freshness. If these two are truly the future of the company, a WM main event with them is always an option. Edge-Triple is an even worse option simply because the last time around was just a few months ago and it was a disappointing affair. Triple H spending another month harassing Vickie Guerrero about her weight is hardly an enthralling WM main event direction.

 

While I was a strong supporter of the Undertaker-Michaels match up awhile ago, I can’t help but feel disappointed that they will abruptly end the feud with Shawn and JBL. It has worked far better then anyone could’ve ever hoped it would, especially with a ridiculous premise. I do like the idea suggesting to merge the Jericho/Rourke and Friends storyline with Shawn and JBL. Essentially because the overall idea of each angle is quite similar and the quality of those involved would make for a good event at WM.

[bob_barron 0]

Triple H-Orton has been done to death, Choken. Cena-Orton works as a big match, and they still have unfinished business from last year.

 

Edge-Triple is an even worse option simply because the last time around was just a few months ago and it was a disappointing affair.

 

July is now a few months ago? I don't get why they rushed HHH v. Edge for the GAB. It didn't make sense then, or now.

[commie_050 0]

The main issue with the idea of doing Cena-Undertaker at WM isn’t the concern of crowd response. If anything that is a major bonus in doing the match. The real problem with this potential match up is that if you keep the title on Cena and wish to continue Undertaker’s reign of dominance at Wrestlemania, that forces another title reign for Undertaker that he really doesn’t need and forces the streak to become a focal point of the show since it would be a main event and not an attraction match as it should be.

 

It is absolutely logical for Orton to challenge a newly victorious Triple H for the title at WM. Simply because the past 2 months have been built around Orton's drive to destroy the McMahon Family and that should include Triple H. Does it draw huge numbers? That’s uncertain but there’s hardly any evidence to support the idea that Cena-Orton would do the same. It wasn’t that long ago we saw those two involved in a main event feud, so it doesn’t even have the element of freshness. If these two are truly the future of the company, a WM main event with them is always an option. Edge-Triple is an even worse option simply because the last time around was just a few months ago and it was a disappointing affair. Triple H spending another month harassing Vickie Guerrero about her weight is hardly an enthralling WM main event direction.

 

While I was a strong supporter of the Undertaker-Michaels match up awhile ago, I can’t help but feel disappointed that they will abruptly end the feud with Shawn and JBL. It has worked far better then anyone could’ve ever hoped it would, especially with a ridiculous premise. I do like the idea suggesting to merge the Jericho/Rourke and Friends storyline with Shawn and JBL. Essentially because the overall idea of each angle is quite similar and the quality of those involved would make for a good event at WM.

 

I agree with you about the Taker title reign, but I think the benefits you mention (and the downsides to the alternatives) outweigh the that minus. Plus, if Taker beats Cena, that puts him on RAW, with potentially fresh feuds. I'm also tired of the smirking Kevin Nash-esque face HHH (basically DX HHH without any teeth), so a heated, personal feud with Orton would do him some good as well. I also want to see Jericho and Rourke happen, but I fear the results of a singles match. I think the tag would actually be highly entertaining (and more beliveable than Rourke actually challenging Jericho in singles.)

[Diamonddust 0]

The main issue with the idea of doing Cena-Undertaker at WM isn’t the concern of crowd response. If anything that is a major bonus in doing the match. The real problem with this potential match up is that if you keep the title on Cena and wish to continue Undertaker’s reign of dominance at Wrestlemania, that forces another title reign for Undertaker that he really doesn’t need and forces the streak to become a focal point of the show since it would be a main event and not an attraction match as it should be.

 

It is absolutely logical for Orton to challenge a newly victorious Triple H for the title at WM. Simply because the past 2 months have been built around Orton's drive to destroy the McMahon Family and that should include Triple H. Does it draw huge numbers? That’s uncertain but there’s hardly any evidence to support the idea that Cena-Orton would do the same. It wasn’t that long ago we saw those two involved in a main event feud, so it doesn’t even have the element of freshness. If these two are truly the future of the company, a WM main event with them is always an option. Edge-Triple is an even worse option simply because the last time around was just a few months ago and it was a disappointing affair. Triple H spending another month harassing Vickie Guerrero about her weight is hardly an enthralling WM main event direction.

 

While I was a strong supporter of the Undertaker-Michaels match up awhile ago, I can’t help but feel disappointed that they will abruptly end the feud with Shawn and JBL. It has worked far better then anyone could’ve ever hoped it would, especially with a ridiculous premise. I do like the idea suggesting to merge the Jericho/Rourke and Friends storyline with Shawn and JBL. Essentially because the overall idea of each angle is quite similar and the quality of those involved would make for a good event at WM.

 

I agree with you about the Taker title reign, but I think the benefits you mention (and the downsides to the alternatives) outweigh the that minus. Plus, if Taker beats Cena, that puts him on RAW, with potentially fresh feuds. I'm also tired of the smirking Kevin Nash-esque face HHH (basically DX HHH without any teeth), so a heated, personal feud with Orton would do him some good as well.

 

And I'm sure USA would be all about having Taker back on Raw. Although if Orton leaves for Smackdown, does he take Legacy with him... and if he does, who comes to Raw to balance things out?

[Beto Chavez 0]

Triple H-Orton has been done to death.

 

Agreed. I was fine with the feud until Trips made Randy his job boy last year not one, not two, but three PPVs in a row.

[commie_050 0]

The main issue with the idea of doing Cena-Undertaker at WM isn’t the concern of crowd response. If anything that is a major bonus in doing the match. The real problem with this potential match up is that if you keep the title on Cena and wish to continue Undertaker’s reign of dominance at Wrestlemania, that forces another title reign for Undertaker that he really doesn’t need and forces the streak to become a focal point of the show since it would be a main event and not an attraction match as it should be.

 

It is absolutely logical for Orton to challenge a newly victorious Triple H for the title at WM. Simply because the past 2 months have been built around Orton's drive to destroy the McMahon Family and that should include Triple H. Does it draw huge numbers? That’s uncertain but there’s hardly any evidence to support the idea that Cena-Orton would do the same. It wasn’t that long ago we saw those two involved in a main event feud, so it doesn’t even have the element of freshness. If these two are truly the future of the company, a WM main event with them is always an option. Edge-Triple is an even worse option simply because the last time around was just a few months ago and it was a disappointing affair. Triple H spending another month harassing Vickie Guerrero about her weight is hardly an enthralling WM main event direction.

 

While I was a strong supporter of the Undertaker-Michaels match up awhile ago, I can’t help but feel disappointed that they will abruptly end the feud with Shawn and JBL. It has worked far better then anyone could’ve ever hoped it would, especially with a ridiculous premise. I do like the idea suggesting to merge the Jericho/Rourke and Friends storyline with Shawn and JBL. Essentially because the overall idea of each angle is quite similar and the quality of those involved would make for a good event at WM.

 

I agree with you about the Taker title reign, but I think the benefits you mention (and the downsides to the alternatives) outweigh the that minus. Plus, if Taker beats Cena, that puts him on RAW, with potentially fresh feuds. I'm also tired of the smirking Kevin Nash-esque face HHH (basically DX HHH without any teeth), so a heated, personal feud with Orton would do him some good as well.

 

And I'm sure USA would be all about having Taker back on Raw. Although if Orton leaves for Smackdown, does he take Legacy with him... and if he does, who comes to Raw to balance things out?

 

For the time being, they would float, since he'd sort of be affiliated with both shows anyway. I assume the draft will occur shortly after the draft, so deal with that issue then. Personally, I'd like to see Priceless with the unified tag belts, floating between both shows anyway -- Miz and Morrison are already doing so, so just unify the tag belts already. There aren't enough quality tag teams to have two seperate belts.

 

HHH and Orton has been done, but I think the McMahon angle adds a new element. I don't mind seeing two guys with history go at it, as long as the object of the feud is fresh. I feel Orton has improved enough and added enough to his character that the feud would be a bit different. And HHH (in storyline terms) needs something to light a fire under his ass. The family angle does that, and changes his character up a bit. Again, I just can't see how Edge-HHH inspires anything other than "ugh." Cena-Orton is fine, but I'd rather have HHH jump in as part of the McMahon family. I fear Cena-Orton would just be McMahon-Orton with Cena floating above the fray until WM. That's a waste of Cena when he could be used in a fresh feud.

[commie_050 0]

Triple H-Orton has been done to death.

 

Agreed. I was fine with the feud until Trips made Randy his job boy last year not one, not two, but three PPVs in a row.

 

I haven't been motivated to watch WWE for a while, the last few months have brought me back, so I missed those PPVs. You have a point. I wouldn't recommend HHH-Orton unless Orton goes over.

[Diamonddust 0]

The other wildcard is what Steve Austin will do. I know him wrestling is up in the air (Some say it's still on, some say he's not in the condition, etc.), but with him being inducted in the Hall of Fame as the "headliner" of that group, it's safe to say he'll have some involvement the next night at Wrestlemania.

[RedJed 0]

I think the reason why Orton is being built up so much is because of being in there against Austin at Mania. The McMahons are all going to be defeated and Vince will have to suck up his pride and call in Austin to save his family and maybe even the company itself in the storyline (if they keep going with the idea of Orton trying to do a power trip on the company when he takes out all the McMahons) I wouldn't be at all shocked to see Orton get his title shot against Cena earlier than Mania, probably on Raw in three weeks or so, which then will bring Austin back to cost him the match, then leading to Mania with Austin/Orton, or else they could get really crazy and do Cena/Austin/Orton, although that's highly doubful. It just makes sense though to have, for some weird reason, Vince and Austin together at the 25th Mania given the history of it all. Wasn't there some talk of Vince maybe inducting Austin in as well, kind of as a huge rub and sign that he considers him the real true number one guy in company history?

[Beto Chavez 0]

But IF Austin faces Orton, who does that leave Cena against? He just feuded with JBL so the next best opponent would be Kane.

[strummer 0]

I would take HHH/Orton again if it means Steph isn't turning and backing Legacy (which I think is happening).

 

The idea of Orton destroying the McMahons until Hunter finally gives in would be much better than a Steph power trip of killing off her family one by one

[commie_050 0]

I think the reason why Orton is being built up so much is because of being in there against Austin at Mania. The McMahons are all going to be defeated and Vince will have to suck up his pride and call in Austin to save his family and maybe even the company itself in the storyline (if they keep going with the idea of Orton trying to do a power trip on the company when he takes out all the McMahons) I wouldn't be at all shocked to see Orton get his title shot against Cena earlier than Mania, probably on Raw in three weeks or so, which then will bring Austin back to cost him the match, then leading to Mania with Austin/Orton, or else they could get really crazy and do Cena/Austin/Orton, although that's highly doubful. It just makes sense though to have, for some weird reason, Vince and Austin together at the 25th Mania given the history of it all. Wasn't there some talk of Vince maybe inducting Austin in as well, kind of as a huge rub and sign that he considers him the real true number one guy in company history?

 

I think I'd prefer Austin in a referee or special enforcer capacity to prevent Priceless from interfering. Basically, having Austin as ref makes it a No-DQ match without it actually having to be a No DQ match. Although Austin isn't particularly good at not making himself the center of attention when he's in a non-wrestling capacity.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

What I'd like to see:

 

Austin vs Orton

Rey vs Cena (Rey wins the EC and this is the rematch)

Edge vs HHH

Taker vs HBK

Hardy vs Hardy

Jericho vs Rourke with various legends..

Swagger vs Christian for ECW Title

CM Punk vs JBL for IC Title

Shelton Benjamin vs Big Show for US Title - no idea what to do with Big Show. I thought about putting him in MITB but..no.

Diva Match ?

Miz/Morrison vs Rhodes/Dibiase for Tag Titles

MITB: MVP/Umaga/Kennedy/Kane/Finlay/Regal/Bourne/R-Truth with MVP winning

 

A couple people not in (most notably Kozlov)

 

[King Cucaracha 0]

Why are people considering Austin vs. Orton? I know it's in Texas, which seems to be the arguement for everything for some reason I can't quite fathom, but... just no. Aside from Austin's physical condition dragging down his performance, is there really anything for Orton to gain from beating a long retired wrestler?

 

Also, Orton won the Rumble, so unless you want Austin to win one of the titles, let's move on.

[haws bah gawd 0]

But IF Austin faces Orton, who does that leave Cena against? He just feuded with JBL so the next best opponent would be Kane.

 

The problem there is with Kane. What's Kane going to do to Cena? Lose? Honestly, Kane has been so jobbed out over the past several months, he has nowhere near the credibility to become a realistic threat to Cena. At this point, the only heels on RAW that are anywhere near a World title threat-level are Jericho and Orton. The only problem there is Jericho has been Cena's job-boy since November. There's really no one else they could go with except Orton.

[commie_050 0]

Why are people considering Austin vs. Orton? I know it's in Texas, which seems to be the arguement for everything for some reason I can't quite fathom, but... just no. Aside from Austin's physical condition dragging down his performance, is there really anything for Orton to gain from beating a long retired wrestler?

 

Also, Orton won the Rumble, so unless you want Austin to win one of the titles, let's move on.

 

Right, As has been mentioned, Orton has already said he will cancel WM if he doesn't get his title shot. If you don't think they will be willing to drop the McMahon's angle, I think HHH is a much better proxy for the McMahons in the ring than Cena.

[Hawk 34 0]

But IF Austin faces Orton, who does that leave Cena against? He just feuded with JBL so the next best opponent would be Kane.

 

The problem there is with Kane. What's Kane going to do to Cena? Lose? Honestly, Kane has been so jobbed out over the past several months, he has nowhere near the credibility to become a realistic threat to Cena. At this point, the only heels on RAW that are anywhere near a World title threat-level are Jericho and Orton. The only problem there is Jericho has been Cena's job-boy since November. There's really no one else they could go with except Orton.

 

One route to consider is that if Orton challenges Triple H for the title on the basis of the McMahon Family connection, that would mean Edge isn't the champion any more. In that scenario, Raw has a wrestler challenging for a Smackdown championship. It wouldn't be a stretch for Vicki Guerrero to demand that a Smackdown wrestler challenges Raw's champion. Obviously, Edge-Cena have had numerous matches and they have all been fairly good to great but the difference between using this "overdone" match up as opposed to Orton-HHH, this wouldn't have the logical progression that Orton challenging Triple H offers. It'd just be another edition of what has been a long rivalry between those two.

[foleyfanforever88 0]

Interesting. As much as each of those matches has been done, I really wouldn't mind a double ME of Triple H-Orton and Edge-Cena.

[Beto Chavez 0]

Why are people considering Austin vs. Orton? I know it's in Texas, which seems to be the arguement for everything for some reason I can't quite fathom, but... just no. Aside from Austin's physical condition dragging down his performance, is there really anything for Orton to gain from beating a long retired wrestler?

 

LEGEND KILLER

[Atticus Chaos 0]

This has been brought up before, but how can Austin wrestle Orton unless he's holding a title? Orton's got a guaranteed title shot.

 

The Stephanie/HHH phonecall was interesting, but I don't know if that'll be anything to do with WM, or they're saving HHH for a while yet (when Steph really gets desperate and has to get him involved?)

[Caliban 0]

Why set yourself up for dissapointment? Austin isn't going to wrestle again, period.

[Atticus Chaos 0]

Why set yourself up for dissapointment? Austin isn't going to wrestle again, period.

 

 

He CAN wrestle again. From what I understand it's not a Bret Hart situtation where his health would be in serious jeopardy.if he did.

 

He might not wrestle at Mania, if they can't get the right deal, But it's not that far-fetched to think he will.

[RedJed 0]

Why set yourself up for dissapointment? Austin isn't going to wrestle again, period.

 

 

He CAN wrestle again. From what I understand it's not a Bret Hart situtation where his health would be in serious jeopardy.if he did.

 

He might not wrestle at Mania, if they can't get the right deal, But it's not that far-fetched to think he will.

 

There has been serious talk of him coming back at Mania for one last match......so lets not act like it's not happening here. It's very possible, especially since nothing extremely groundbreaking is being penciled in at this point, they could pull this together with Austin. Apparently when this was first being discussed of having Austin work one more match, he wanted it to be against Rock one last time at Mania 25 according to the Observer. But that apparently got shot down fast by Dwayne.

 

And as far as the talk of the impossibility of Orton against Austin just because he has a guaranteed title shot.....it's fucking pro wrestling, since when are stips solid as a rock? The title shot could either be given at an earlier date (on a loaded Raw 3-4 weeks before Mania) or else because of everything occuring with the McMahons getting the heat from Orton, he could outright lose his shot in some way, shape, or form.

 

And there was strong suggestive commentary in the Observer weeks ago (right around the time they did the Orton/Vince angle) that this may be the plan.

[NitroJMS 0]

There has been serious talk of him coming back at Mania for one last match......so lets not act like it's not happening here. It's very possible, especially since nothing extremely groundbreaking is being penciled in at this point, they could pull this together with Austin. Apparently when this was first being discussed of having Austin work one more match, he wanted it to be against Rock one last time at Mania 25 according to the Observer. But that apparently got shot down fast by Dwayne.

 

That would have been a great main event. A double retirement of the two greatest stars of the attitude era, as both walk off together for the final time. Too bad Rocky has a multi-picture deal with Disney or we'd probably be seeing this.

 

Jericho could theoretically face Austin, who would have Rourke and Flair in his corner. It'd play into the broken down legends spiel that Jericho has been spouting off lately.