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In case you hadn’t realized it, we are a mere two days away from wrestling’s biggest show of the year. Although, I can’t blame you if this fact eluded you until now. With some notable exceptions, the build-up to this year’s Mania has been lazy at times, rushed at others. And in many ways, for better or worse, this is a caricaturized representation of what WWE has been for the past several years. Only, it’s not a funny caricature.
For starters, WWE billing this as the “25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania†dooms it from the get-go. This isn’t the 25th anniversary of Wrestlemania. It’s the 25th Wrestlemania. If you get married on November 11th, you don’t celebrate your second anniversary the following year. Well, you could, but your wife would surely be pissed.
Even when compared to last year’s Mania, this year’s hype pales in comparison. Last year had Floyd Mayweather stepping into the ring, which was unique. It had the mystique of Ric Flair’s last match. Wrestlemania 23 had Donald Trump and Steve Austin’s involvement. But when you don’t have those special attractions to keep the viewers distracted, it becomes painfully obvious that the writing isn’t there to maintain our excitement otherwise.
Here are a few of the points where I think WWE needs to be focusing on around Wrestlemania (and all year for that matter):
1. Letting
the Talkers Talk
Jericho, Flair, and to a lesser extent Michaels
and Undertaker make you believe, with only their words, that what is happening
in the ring is genuine. During the build for their respective matches, I’ve
found myself completing giving into the idea that these are guys who really
don’t like each other and are not just actors reciting scripted lines. Now,
this doesn’t excuse them for ultimately booking a lackluster handicap match
between
2. Video
packages that don’t promote 12 Rounds
I understand why WWE has to cram promotion for John Cena’s film, “12 Rounds†down our throats. But it’s just bad timing—which is why I’m thrilled when they take the time to show promo packages that actually relate to Wrestlemania. This is WWE’s bread and butter, and what they’ve consistently done at a superb level without faltering for as long as I can remember. The video package they put together for the Undertaker-Michaels match during the graveyard vignette was outstanding and any disinterest you may have had in the Triple H-Orton title match seems to be renewed by the theatrics they build into their videos. Granted, they don’t put the same effort into the tag match or JBL vs. Mysterio, but I suppose that’s what helps distinguish the main events as special attractions.
3. Keeping
it simple…and making sense
Matt Hardy is completely fed up with everyone constantly overlooking him and focusing more on his screw-up of a brother. It’s simple, it makes sense, and it’s an issue almost anyone with a sibling can relate to easily. Shawn Michaels has done everything there is to do at Wrestlemania besides beat the Undertaker and end his streak. The Undertaker has never beaten him in a one-on-one match. The rest is just posturing. Both men have obvious legitimacy heading into the match and their desire to win makes sense on both sides. Even the Orton-Triple H scenario. Orton attacks H’s family, and finally his wife, now Hunter wants revenge. Aside from the fact that Triple H is now defending the very same man he terrorized with DX in Vince McMahon, the rest of the story makes sense. The same can’t be said, though, for the cluster of a match that is Cena vs. Edge vs. Big Show, which is based on Vickie Guerrero getting it on with Show. Not only did it not make sense that Edge would blame Cena for Vickie’s betrayal, but the match is ultimately based on comedy— not something a championship match at Wrestlemania should be about. And I wish just once the face would take the heel up on his offer to team up and take out the big man first. This isn’t 1986. The heroes aren’t squeaky clean anymore, folks. It is completely logical for them to team up against the much larger man and settle it amongst themselves afterwards. God forbid they make the angle interesting!
4. Try
some new main eventers already!
Yes, I know, easier said than done. And I
understand that this isn’t 100% WWE’s fault. Not all of the guys on the
roster are even main event caliber. But all you have to do is take a look at the
group of guys in the Money in the Bank match this year. Can you realistically
see any of them challenging for the title in a match that anyone will care
about? I’ve heard Mark Henry’s a monster, but his win-loss record certainly
doesn’t reflect that. Even CM Punk, who was recently champion (did you already
forget?), has absolutely no momentum going into the match. And Christian,
I believe this was said on one of Mike Johnson and Mike Epsenhart’s Raw Post-Game Shows (which I’m a big fan of, by the way), but if the writers on a sitcom failed as often as wrestling writers did, their audience would disappear. But wrestling fans will stick around in hopes of that five minute thrill, on the off-chance that there’s something worthwhile on the horizon. Unfortunately, I think after the Wrestlemania buyrate comes in, Vince and co. will realize that even the die-hards might not be willing to wait any longer- especially when the price of the show is only increasing at a time when interest is decreasing.
As a long-time fan of the business, and someone who used to regularly write about it when it inspired me, it’s unfortunate to be welcoming the month of April with only a hint of Wrestlemania buzz. Here’s hoping they give us a show worthy of a $55 price tag.
You can contact Joe DeProspero at jdeprospero@gmail.com.
