I have read many articles various wrestling sites that are saying WrestleMania 31 will be a flop. These articles feel very strongly that
the interest level at the product is at an all time low, leading to the fear of
a bad event. There are some interesting arguments brought to the table pointing
into the direction of disinterested fans, but I still think it will ultimately
be the action packed show we will all be expecting.
Are there matches that could have been planned differently? Will
there be parts of the show that will be dissected and not too entertaining? The
answer to both of these questions and ones that are still lingering is a
resounding, Yes! However, there is still the other side of the fence that says
these things where all done for a reason.
So in the spirit of looking toward the year’s biggest event,
I will look at some of the most popular sticking points these articles I speak
of are implying and try and battle back against their comments.
Too many rematches at
WrestleMania:
WrestleMania is usually reserved for the impending clash between
competitors who have been building a solid foundation through promos and tag matches
leading up to their exciting bout. These are almost always first time affairs,
which is why the Cena/Rusev rematch is being questioned. This is fresh off the
heels of a match at Fastlane just a few weeks ago that was decent, but still
left us wanting more.
In my opinion, I think it will lead to an exceptional match
between 2 strong wrestlers that could actually be one of the best matches on
the card. John Cena never disappoints when it comes to powerful moves, which is
why I could see some sort of mind-blowing AA that garners one of the many Holy
S#%t chants that will be resurrected throughout the show.
The continued absence
of the Undertaker in the ring:
The classic dark match between 2 sinister individuals is one
that has come with mixed emotions. Why should Bray Wyatt all of a sudden
warrant a match against the historic Deadman? Why would the Undertaker come
back to lose at WrestleMania leaving the outcome to be predictable? How does keeping the Undertaker off of TV
until the match help build any momentum?
While I see why there could be dissatisfaction with this storyline,
I also can feel the intrigue it possesses for when the bell rings. The
Undertaker has been rumored to be everything but dead since his first defeat at
the hands of Brock Lesnar. His image has been portrayed as an elderly Senior
Citizen who can barely rise out of bed. Obviously, this is far from the truth
and certainly not the case. This leads me to believe that the WWE is using the
time to build up the suspense to his ultimate reveal. I feel like this match
will have everything in it from Old School vintage Taker, as well as a barrage
of Sister Abigail. What if we even witness a reuniting of the Wyatt family to
be only superseded by Kane and the Undertaker? Either way I feel like keeping him off of TV
is a great idea.
There is nothing at
stake in the Sting/Triple H Match:
For all they’ve done to make this a battle between WWE and
WCW, there are many doubters out there that still feel like there is nothing to
gain from this match. The story here is
Sting is a vigilante who is disgusted with Triple H and is here to deliver some
justice once and for all. What if Sting wins? What happens? They’ve added no
stipulation, which leads to the speculation that it will be a wasted match just
for the WWE to warrant ratings.
The ratings appeal to me makes absolute zero sense as WrestleMania
in itself is a media mongrel. This is the biggest event of the year and doesn’t
need the outside luster to sell tickets. This is a classic battle between 2
wrestlers that have spent their entire career on the opposite side of each
other in different federations. In
wrestling, there is always the nostalgia factor that gives us fans an added
sense of interest. For any wrestling fan
to say having Sting inside of a WWE ring at WrestleMania isn’t a historic
moment needs to check themselves at the gate.
Sting was used in WCW to battle the NWO and now he is being
used in the same sense against the Authority. How can people not get pumped for
Sting inside of a WWE ring? Yes there may not be any stipulation, but what if there
is a Vince angle? What if, for one night only, Sting has a few friends show up
to stop the inevitable Authority interference? This will not just be a match of
technique and finishers. I see it setting up to have some added intrigue for a surprise
ending.
Roman Reigns vs.
Brock Lesnar Will Disappoint:
We have heard the critics for months now saying Roman Reigns
isn’t ready. The constant stumbles during his promos and flat endings to a key
phrase ( Believe That!) that continues to have us wondering if it’s finished are constant
reminders that he could be getting pushed too early.
Obviously this match can be looked at as a less than stellar
main event, but I think the added contract issues and ingenious Paul Heyman
promos leading the fans to think towards title unification are the added fuel
that essentially was needed to make this match work. Having Heyman in the
middle of a ring elaborating on unifying titles with UFC was well played and
unexpected. This is what he does so well and one of the main reasons why Lesnar
can be so dominate, even without showing up at many events.
This match might disappoint by ways of technical ability,
but should leave no stone unturned in regards to straight dominant power. In
the end I feel Lesnar will retain his belt, but something tells me his moment maybe
cut short with a cash in from Mr. Rollins.
This is just a preview of what is being said and why I am
going against the grain with some of these notions that WrestleMania will be a
flop. Obviously there are many other matches
with many different opinions throughout the online world. We are only a little more than a week away,
but there is plenty of time to speculate on what will happen and why. Thoughts?
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