DaveyBoy's Wrestling Menu - WrestleMania 21 Predictions, Hype & Importance
Submitted by DaveyBoy on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at 4:08 AM EST
THE WRESTLING MENU #124
Welcome one and all to the 124th edition of The Wrestling Menu, the column that is sure to satisfy your taste buds when it comes to discussing all things wrestling.
I think this is the only column of the past (& probably next) month which includes no reviews whatsoever. This edition of 'The Wrestling Menu' is obviously all about WrestleMania; The current 21st version of it, plus the event in general.
I don't want this column to be too long, so on with the show.....
APPETIZERS - WrestleMania 21 Hype
I think this topic is relevant in a number of ways, but most especially because the hype for last year's WrestleMania 20 came under a lot of criticism following the event. Many fans felt that the WWE hype of last year's big show was way too large & unrealistic. While I felt that was true, I would much rather the WWE overhype their pay-per-views, than give them no build-up whatsoever. Plus, it's the WWE's job to sell their events. It's bad business not to do so.
But I think it's fair to say that the hype & build-up for this year's 'Mania has been a lot more even. It also has to be remembered that last year's extravaganza was an almost 5 hour show. I was never in favor of that decision, and I think that the final result proved it to be a mistake, if not a disastrous decision. Reducing the duration by 1 hour for the 2005 version simply means that quality is concentrated on, rather than quantity. And that not only pertains to the match-ups themselves, but also the hype which can be apportioned to each bout.
Including the Big Show vs Akebono sumo match, there are currently 8 matches scheduled for WrestleMania 21. Of those, I believe that 7 have been built up sufficiently. Yes, there are little things that could have been done better, but I used the word 'sufficiently' on purpose. And the great thing is that the bout which has not been adequately hyped, I really don't have a problem with. You see, that match is Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio. And, barring some terrible booking, we all know these two can deliver something sensational without any hype whatsoever. Actually, if you recall about 2 or 3 months back (when reviewing SummerSlam 2002), I actually encouraged the WWE to spend less time hyping matches that involve wrestlers that can get it done in the ring. It's a dangerous game, but I think the WWE have taken a calculated risk here.
Looking at the rest of the card, I've been happy with the way both main title feuds have been set up. While they're a little too similar, I think the historically successful method of wanting the fans to cheer 2 up & coming faces to beat the hell out of the 2 established heels, has succeeded. The Angle vs Michaels feud has been pure gold & I just hope these 2 guys get it done in the ring on the night. And while I still question the match-up, I feel that the Undertaker vs Orton bout has also been well set up. Now they only need to get it done in the ring.
The 6 way ladder match has been effectively built up & sufficiently (if not entirely convincingly) made to look as if each & every man has a chance to win. And while there are so many things wrong with the Trish vs Christy title match, the feud has been booked as convincingly as practically possible. I suppose the most arguable of my "sufficient hyping" comment is the sumo match. I'm a bit neither here nor there on this whole sumo thing to be honest, so maybe I don't care. I really don't know what direction the WWE are heading in with it & will simply keep my expectations low & hope that they surprise me. But overall, if Vince didn't want to bring Brock Lesnar back, then I couldn't find much for The Big Show to do anyway. While something different may actually be what he needs.
As I mentioned in my column last week (when reviewing Roddy Piper's book: http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2005/articles/1111564511.php), I think the sleeper segment on the whole card could be Piper's Pit. If egos can be kept aside (which is a big IF) & predictability can be ignored (book Piper in for a Stunner right now), I really feel this could be a more than worthwhile addition to the whole card. Not only that, if the WWE have a surprise or two up their sleeve, here is where the opportunity is to spring it on us. Throw in a Hall of Fame segment (which is another place where a surprise could occur) & to say that I'm really looking forward to WrestleMania 21 is an understatement.
If there is one area where I think the WWE have missed out on, it is the Hollywood theme. The trailers were absolutely superb & really did sell that side of things. But where the WWE arguably failed to deliver on their "Where It All begins Again" motto last year, it could have been practically recycled this year with some Hollywood stars in attendance. That still might occur, but if so, I don't see why the WWE wouldn't at least promote 1 appearance, in the way they have with Sylvester Stallone for the night before.
Whether it be Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sly Stallone, or Tom Cruise, any such announcement would have gained mainstream attention & resulted in an entertaining segment or 2 on the night. Or, how does this sound: If Vince kept on The Rock's good side & he brought his 'Be Cool' co-star John Travolta to the event, he could have been used in a backstage segment with Eddie Guerrero, who portrayed him in the WM21 trailer. Hell, thinking big, it could have even been the catalyst for a possible heel turn for Eddie!
MAIN - WrestleMania 21 Predictions
Before I get into the predictions, a couple of things which do have me a little baffled this year are (a) the order of the matches & (b) whether or not an extra bout will be added. I'm fairly sure that a Chavo Guerrero vs Paul London cruiserweight title bout was originally slated as the card's opener, but is in grave danger due to a facial injury that Chavo has recently sustained. While I initially would have pencilled in a Chavo win, it will depend on the extent of his injury as to whether or not he retains his title. WrestleMania is not the time to throw on a half-hearted match just to move the title on to someone who is fit. So if this match does take place, I am predicting a Chavo Guerrero win.
Looking at other possible additions to the card, we may have another Booker T vs Heidenreich bout (a Booker win is predicted there). We may have an Orlando Jordan U.S title defense (an OJ win is predicted there). While on the Raw side of things, either a tag-team title defense or a Muhammad Hassan match is most likely. Speaking of Hassan, could the rumors of an impromptu match against Hulk Hogan be true...??? I really have no idea, but if so, expect the roof to blow off the arena as the Hulkster comes down with the infamous 'Legdrop of Doom'.
Personally, I feel that the quality aspect should be pushed this year, and no further bouts should be added (excluding a genuine cruiserweight title bout as explained above). At least half of the booked matches will be all the more better if given 20 minutes plus. Therefore, there is no reason for them not to be given this time. Seriously, this is the perfect opportunity for the WWE to show off their best talent, so let's hope that they do so.
So, presuming the absence of a cruiserweight title match, I actually am going against the Rey vs Eddie trend & suggesting that the opener will be:
CHRIS JERICHO vs EDGE vs CHRIS BENOIT vs CHRISTIAN vs SHELTON BENJAMIN vs KANE in a 6 man 'Money In The Bank' Ladder match: Those that loyally read my column will have noted that I have yet to comment on the Edge/Matt Hardy/Lita situation. And I'm not going to waste this space to do it either. What I will say however, is that before the gossip broke, I would have quite confidently pencilled in an Edge win here. But now, I'm not so sure. He still makes the most sense as the winner, but the clever 12 month stipulation adds to the unpredictability of this bout. That's a good thing & is another reason why the WWE have booked this match well. While there is a danger this will be overbooked, I have great trust in the likes of Benoit, Jericho, Edge & Christian to make this work. Not only that, but I think the different things that Kane & Benjamin will bring to the table can actually add to this match. A potential show-stealer. Winner: Edge
EDDIE GUERRERO vs REY MYSTERIO: I have been a critic of the many face vs face matches that the WWE have thrown our way this year. While not going back on those comments, I have absolutely no problem with this match-up or the lack of set-up it has been given. It doesn't even need an Eddie heel turn in order for it to succeed. This is WrestleMania. The is about showcasing the best. This is about respect. And this is about getting the job done in the ring on the night. I have full confidence in these 2 to do that & just hope they are given the time to do so. Man, I can't wait to see these 2 go at it (not only here, but live in 9 days time). While the result is almost irrelevant, I think it's time for Rey to take a loss for Eddie. Guess what? Another potential show-stealer. Winner: Eddie Guerrero
THE UNDERTAKER vs RANDY ORTON: I've been using a term called 'the barometer of a ppv' lately, and while the 2 main title matches can be put up as WrestleMania 21's barometer, I think this bout may actually be it. It's probably got the most potential to rate either low or high, while somewhere in between is probably what we will see. This match-up would have been questionable at the best of times, but it's arguably even more risky while both men are on separate television shows. I quietly am confident they can put on something good for us though, as 'Taker can step up when he wants to, and in amongst streams of criticism (mainly for a failed face turn), I believe Orton has continued to improve inside the ring. Add the usual "I ain't scared of you 'Taker" psychology to the legend killer gimmick, and I can see a potentially similar success as the WrestleMania 17 bout between 'Taker & Triple H. As for the result, I actually think it will do Orton more good to lose this (a'la Triple H in 2001), and his shoulder injury simply reinforces my prediction. But who knows..... Maybe 'Cowboy' Bob can save the day! Winner: The Undertaker
TRISH STRATUS vs CHRISTY HEMME for the Women's Title: While I predominantly agree with most fans that this match should probably not be happening, I can see why it is. Seriously, playing the devil's advocate, if you put on Trish vs any other woman wrestler on the WWE roster, how high would it rate anyway? So throwing Christy in there may add some publicity, or entertainment, or something. As long as the bookers do something to spice this bout up. Because if they don't & go for a straight-up wrestling match, then expect a complete waste of time. Again, I will naively have faith in the WWE. Oh & by the way, "something to spice this bout up" is not a Christy title win. Winner: Trish Stratus
KURT ANGLE vs SHAWN MICHAELS: This match is not a potential show-stealer, it is a potential year-stealer. I'm not saying that I am fully expecting this to be a 10 out of 10 match that I can rate as the 'match of the year' immediately. What I am saying is that it very well can be..... Quite easily, in fact. While HBK has admittedly not been at his best in recent months, he has shown flashes every now & then which suggest that he can lift many gears when he chooses to. Meanwhile, Angle is not far from his best, having carried the load in great matches against John Cena & Marty Jannetty recently. Throw in a superbly booked feud, 2 great characters, the charisma, the egos, and my word this can be something special. This must last at least 25 minutes, if not 30. It should be as clean as possible (please WWE, do not have Jannetty interfere significantly) & should attempt to include everything that a quality wrestling match has. Basically Angle vs Benoit from Royal Rumble 2003, except twice as long.
Ok, by writing all this, I have now upped my expectations, damn it. Pencil in a 10 out of 10 bout! Now, as for the possible criticism which may be aimed at this bout (if HBK wins); Who will win it?. To be honest, I really don't know. And it probably is irrelevant. Like WrestleMania 19 when I incorrectly predicted a Chris Jericho win, I feel that Angle probably should win. But HBK's WM19 win 2 years ago, coupled with the fact that Angle has been the main star of this whole feud, fills me with doubt. So I'm playing it safe. Winner: Shawn Michaels
THE BIG SHOW vs AKEBONO in a Sumo Match: As mentioned preivously, I'm neither here nor there on this sumo match. My expectations are low & I'm hoping that the WWE have something up their sleeve on the night. The opportunity to entertain is actually there in a few possible ways, but don't ask me to throw up options for the WWE to consider. Hey, I didn't book the match-up. As for the result, it really doesn't matter, but I'm usually not one who likes seeing WWE superstars losing to outsiders (even if it is in the outsiders area of expertise) on WWE programming. Winner: The Big Show
Now I'm probably not going to make any friends with my next 2 predictions. Neither with my predicted winner, nor my comments. I know I'm in the minority with my thoughts, but I can only call it the way I see it. In fact, I would personally prefer to see the JBL vs Cena match as the main event, but feel the WWE have basically committed to the Triple H vs Batista bout as being the final match on the card.
JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD vs JOHN CENA for the WWE Championship: This is a real test for both men. Their stocks have risen lately & a high-profile match on a WrestleMania card is a perfect culmination to what has been a shrewdly booked feud. While we haven't seen anything tremendously original, we have seen both men in their element. We have seen the strengths of both men's characters... with hardly a punch being thrown. It's all for nothing though, if they don't bring the required intensity & planning on the night. While I doubt that these 2 can better the Angle vs Cena bout from 'No Way Out', I actually think they can go quite close to it. I've always been a fan of Cena's intensity (right from when he debuted), but it faded into laziness when his wrestling repertoire regressed. He has shown signs of a better work ethic this year, but it needs to be kicked into a higher gear on this night. I'm quietly confident that we will see something good. As for the result, I've stated in previous columns that the establishing of such a strong heel persona for JBL was to one day make his opponent's title win all the more effective. That opponent is John Cena & the time is WrestleMania 21. Winner: John Cena
TRIPLE H vs BATISTA for the World Heavyweight Title: Those that read my columns regularly know that I have serious doubts about this match-up... especially if it's to be the main event of this card. At the beginning of this year, I stated that Batista was not ready for this position & I haven't seen a great deal to make me change my mind. Think how many matches on Raw this year have been split by a commercial break. Now think how many of those bouts have included Batista. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the answer to the frist question is LOTS & the answer to the second question is NONE. I'm sorry to be a little fussy, but I expect a Wrestlemania main event to be at least 20 minutes in length. And unless every man & his dog interferes and/or the opening staredown lasts 3-5 minutes, I just can't see that happening here. And exactly who will be carrying who in this title match?
But forgetting about my personal hang-ups & disregarding duration, I can see this title match being quite good. The feud has been booked well (even if running out of legs a little too early) & the fans generally want to see Batista rip Triple H's limbs off. My "carrying" comment was a bit sarcastic, because Triple H has always had the ability to step up, while Batista can arguably give him a style that he can work off. I just don't know if it will be entertaining over anything greater than 15 minutes though. Now for the exclamation point, I actually think it is best if Triple H retains his title here. With Backlash not all that far away, Batista should get another shot & should be successful on his 2nd attempt. It is simply another rule that the WWE can learn from the failed Randy Orton face turn; Don't have the relative newcomer who has just turned face, win the title on their 1st attempt. Plus, I'm hoping that there is an entertaining surprise which results in Triple H retaining & gives a reason for the Backlash rematch. Winner: Triple H
Wow, those predictions were almost a column themselves. I just wanted to write & write & write. And that is most definitely a good thing. All in all, this card looks great on paper, and has the flexibility & room to have the WWE surprise us once or twice if they have something up their sleeve. I won't continue, as I will go on forever. But don't forget Piper's Pit, a probable Hall of Fame segment & something involving Muhammad Hassan somewhere. Have I said that I can't wait for WrestleMania 21 as yet...???
DESSERT
The Importance Of WrestleMania
I won't waffle on & on (well, I'll at least try not to), but I really wanted to just write a little piece on how important WrestleMania is to professional wrestling. As silly as it sounds, I think it's importance is sometimes forgotten. The bottom line is that without it, the WWE we would be watching now would not be as it is. And while some may think that's a good thing, I can assure you that it's not.
I think that most people reading this would know at least a little of the history behind WrestleMania, which started in 1985. If not, I really do recommend that you read either Hulk Hogan's or Roddy Piper's book for some more information. Even those that aren't particularly friendly with Vince McMahon acknowledge the huge gamble he made, that paid off so handsomely. WrestleMania not only was a success in the industry, but it also gave professional wrestling mainstream publicity that simply could not be imagined even months earlier.
While the annual event has changed in a number of ways, and some changes have been for the good & some for the not so good, WrestleMania has successfully kept up the tradition of excellence by continuing to be the cornerstone of the WWE year. It is undoubtedly the SuperBowl / Grand Final of professional wrestling & has always been so. Even when WCW were on top of the WWE, nothing rivalled WrestleMania. It is something that professional wrestling fans can look forward to, and safely purchase the event, knowing that it will at least deliver a more than sufficient card, if not something special.
I think the cornerstone argument is actually quite an under-rated one, as the WWE genuinely build around WrestleMania each & every late March/early April. Hell, even their 2nd most successful event, The Royal Rumble, is constantly referred to nowadays as 'The Road To WrestleMania'. The event is like the end of a season, the actual season & the start of a new season all rolled into one. It's where big feuds are ended, progressed sufficiently, or even started. It's where an impact is made by someone. It's where a surprise is often unleashed on us. Put simply, WrestleMania is when all professional wrestling fans should be watching.
And if anything, the much criticized brand extension has made WrestleMania even more important. It now provides the wrestling fan with something different. Something relatively fresh & unpredictable. Because while most may not admit it, a Shawn Michaels vs Kurt Angle match-up is all the more mouth-watering because they are on different television shows. And when there was seemingly nowhere acceptable or interesting for Randy Orton's failed face turn to go, up out of nowhere pops The Undertaker as an opponent to give both men a(n arguably) fresh challenge.
No matter which way you look at it. No matter what you view as important & what you view as filler. Year after year WrestleMania delivers the goods. Both before, during & after the event, I believe it to be a mistake for any professional wrestling fan to not be a part of this phenomenon known as WrestleMania.
Ok, that's about it for this special WrestleMania edition of 'The Wrestling Menu'. Hopefully, I haven't done what the WWE did last year & overhyped it. But seriously, with a card like this, how could I not? Man, I can't wait! Please do not hesitate to let me know what you think of my WrestleMania 21 predictions. In all honesty, a case can be made either way on most results & I think I'm looking more at match quality rather than who wins at this event. You know that I will reply to all feedback. My e-mail address is DaveyBoy123@bigpond.com
Next Wednesday in 'The Wrestling Menu', I will have my usual 'PPV Review'. I really do hope that WrestleMania 21 scores highly. After writing this column, I have to be honest & say that I am expecting it to. I'll also follow up on that by looking at where the WWE is headed following this huge event. WrestleMania must be capitalized on, and for that reason is an extremely important set-up for the northern hemisphere summer. All that may or may not include a Raw review. Look out for that column same Wednesday time & same LOP channel next week. Until then, this is DaveyBoy signing off & asking you to remember that dinner is best served in 3 courses.
*NEW GALLERY* Must See Hot Shots of the TNA Knockouts CROSSING THE LINE!
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