http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/blog.php?10390-djdylanmanov Wrestling News and Discussion - eWrestlingNews.com Community en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:26:52 GMT vBulletin 10 http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/blog.php?10390-djdylanmanov http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/entry.php?43522-Slow-build-rivalries-Part-1-HBK-Undertaker-HHH Wed, 22 Aug 2012 06:10:35 GMT Hi EWN peeps! *djdylanmanov* here back with my second blog, this two-part blog I will be focusing on the strength of having the fans invest... Hi EWN peeps!
djdylanmanov here back with my second blog, this two-part blog I will be focusing on the strength of having the fans invest emotionally into a feud with a slow build.
Particularly I want to pen my opinion to the unique way the WWE have built some recent headline Wrestlemania feuds and dovetailing feuds from year(s) gone by with a fresh new challenger.
I will start by breaking down the feuds with a trip down memory lane and then bring it to the home plate with my opinion on how they have engaged me as a fan and in these instances built successfully the slowest build feuds I have ever experienced.

HBK vs. The Undertaker

Noone can deny that The Undertaker’s streak is unlike anything that will likely be seen/repeated or superseded in our lifetime. His legacy is cemented with his Wrestlemania success and his 20+ year run as a powerhouse and life-blood of the WWE and for those Superstars lucky enough to have challenged the Streak at Wrestlemania it is made up of all superstar walks of life from Giants, Supersized athletes, Up-and-comers and established household names The Undertaker regardless of the pre-determined result, annually has fans on the edge of their seat engaged from the minute his entrance hits to when he goes down on one knee flooded in purple light and smoke reaching up victorious at yet another Wrestlemania.

This brings me to his feud with Shawn Michaels…
After becoming the first superstar to pin the then, undefeated Vladimir Koslov on a March 2^nd 2009 episode of MondayNight RAW, The Heart Break Kid earned the right to challenge The Undertaker (16-0 at the time) for the Streak at Wrestlemania XXV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=0ceWfiotkGc

HBK would then prove unsuccessful to beat the Demon of DeathValley in what many have dubbed as a contender for the greatest Wrestlemania match of all time.

Fast forward to 2010…
After calling out The Undertaker at The Slammy awards as his win being a “fluke” and that he can beat The Undertaker in a rematch, the weeks to follow showed the reformed DX (Unified Tag Team champions) slowly drifting apart, with HBK becoming more and more obsessed with The Undertaker accepting the re-match.
This would prove poison going into a Triple Threat Unified Tag Team Titles match on the Feb 8^th episode (cue vintage McMahon accent) “Mondiiiii Naaaaiiiiggghhhttt Raaaaaaaaaaaaarrrw” to the team of Miz & The Big Show in a triple threat match.

Following the match it setup the storyline dissolve of DX, leaving HBK to then go on to concentrate on persuading Taker (then 17-0) to accept his rematch for Wrestlemania XXVI. After weeks of persistence from Micheal's, The Undertaker was adamant that he had his chance and he couldn’t get the job done so the answer was UN-equivocally NO. Desperate to change his mind however possible, The Showstopper would interfere in The Undertakers World Heavyweight Championship match at Night of Champions setting up rematch on the Grandest Stage of them all, on one condition… it would be a Streak vs. Career match!

One again proving unsuccessful this would draw close to the illustrious in-ring career of (as Paul Heyman accurately dubbed – and put on your Paul Heyman weasel voice for this one…) “Thiiiie Greatest in-ring perrrrrformerof all timeeeee” Mr. Wrestlemania, Shawn Michael s on March 28^th 2010 at Wrestlemania XXVI

HHH vs. The Undertaker

On the Feb 21^st 2011 episode on Monday Night Raw we saw the return of the Undertaker after a hiatus and various return vignettes shown hyping his eventual homecoming back to the squared circle (many including I thought these vignettes were for Sting however proved to be in fact the Deadman)
With the eerie use of Johnny Cash as a refreshing alternate entrance theme, The Undertaker returned to RAW but would be interrupted with a equally big ovation for the returning Cerebral Assassin. No words were exchanged on this meeting in the middle of that very ring however a motion towards the Wrestlemania illuminated sign above the ring was all that was needed to seal the two for a match at the upcoming Superbowl of Wrestling.

Now let’s all turn a blind eye to the fact that these two Superstars met at Wrestlemania X-Seven (many fans of the Attitude Era’s favorite Wrestlemaniaof all time)
The Game then touted to The Undertaker in the weeks to follow that he has climbed every mountain in the WWE, won everything and done it all… the one thing left for him is to take The Streak at Wrestlemania XXVII and that he will not show remorse in punishing the Deadman and proving why he is The King of Kings.

When finding out that HHH would be challenging The Demon of Death Valley for the Streak at Wrestlemania XXVII I immediately thought that this will be a high class display of The Deadman's strike hitting and vintage move set complimenting the power of HHH’s offense to bring to the fans a match that would 1) Tell a brilliant story and also 2) Take the Phenom to the limit physically… which was proven in my mind when this match became a No HoldsBarred Match.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=JEFrTsnUzEE

After punishing The Undertaker with seemingly endless back body chair shots and finishing move Pedigree’s throughout the match many thought as did I that this would be the match the Streak would be broken, however seemingly out of no-where the Undertaker would lock in Hell’s Gate forcing the Game to tap out,extending the Streak to 19-0.
The hidden Easter egg here to continue the feud on for another year was that Undertaker for the first time in his Career had to be escorted from the ring, battered and looking very much human. Unlike the unstoppable force we have seen for two decades of destruction.

Fast forward now to this year’s Wrestlemania XXVIII just gone by…
Triple H returned on the January 30^th Monday Night Raw to confront Interim Raw GM John Laurinaitis' performance (many expecting he fire JL and appoint a new GM)
As he was eluding to a decision to terminate Big Johnny he was interrupted by the entrance music of The Undertaker. The Undertaker would then over the course of following weeks goad HHH into accepting a rematch to their Wrestlemania XXVII bout to prove that he can beat him (Cue Dusty Rhodes accent here) “Whithouta Shadowova Doubt”
After initially refusing out of respect for The Undertaker and his career, Trips would accept the challenge after best friend Shawn Michael s claimed him to be a coward and couldn't do what he couldn't do, questioning his manhood and honor. Because of these words, HHH accepted the challenge and the re-match would go ahead.

This match would be contested for one-fall inside Hell In A Cell, with HBK acting as special guest referee.This demonic structure boasts tonnes of unforgiving steel that takes years off superstars careers – this is the battleground that would draw an end to yet another 24 month long slow built feud.
HHH would again prove unsuccessful in his claim to defeating the Undertaker and successfully claiming the Streak with a role reversal showing an utter display of dominance for the latter two thirds of the match by the freshly short haired Deadman, but more intriguing to me is the part that Shawn Michael's played in this feud…

Shawn Michael's throughout the match was emotionally invested in this bout, be it in reality or storyline, from the bell start to the match end, he was as invested in the match as the two future Hall of Famer's going head to head.
The Undertaker would go to 20-0 at Wrestlemania and following the Fireworks and celebrations you saw three superstars helping each other to the back, holding each other up and coming together as one on stage…
A job well done and emotional payoff for what was a feud the Undertaker shared over two opponents >> over 4 consecutive Wrestlemania’s >> over 48 months.

Rivalries all dovetailed together over years through friendship/personal respect and who would come out on top as the better man on the day.

This is the first example of a multiple year feud build for Wrestlemania I have experienced, I would love to hear all of your feedback both positive and constructive and stay tuned for part 2 where I focus on the John Cena/Rock/CM Punk rivalry…

]]> djdylanmanov http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/entry.php?43522-Slow-build-rivalries-Part-1-HBK-Undertaker-HHH http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/entry.php?40777-The-responsibility-of-John-Cena Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:07:54 GMT Hi everyone, firstly ill introduce myself, im *Dylan Manov* a DJ/Producer from South Australia. I am a long-time supporter of this site and... Hi everyone, firstly ill introduce myself, im Dylan Manov a DJ/Producer from South Australia.

I am a long-time supporter of this site and constantly keep up to date with all my wrestling industry news and results via this site because of my career I cant always see Raw and Smackdown! So im excited to post my first blog and get everyone’s thoughts and feedback both positive and constructive.


There is countless blogs and post discussion about John Cena’s run over the years be it his 5 moves of doom/constant reference to being the new Hulk Hogan of the PG Era/his persona becoming stale etc. and I am not here to go over what has been blogged so many times.

Rather I would like to discuss the situation of mounting pressure from the millions… (and millions) out there that no doubt would love to see Cena sooner rather than later turn heel and “embrace the hate”.

I hope to accurately to explain also why I think it would have a greatly negative effect on a demographic of fans and cause more harm than good and at the same time provide an interesting perspective read on the whole discussion.


It has been said and proven that Cena is the modern day Hulk Hogan. I mean this directly as the Company money maker (you cannot deny love the guy or love to hate him… he sells out arena’s by just being on the poster) and the wholesome values he holds “Never Give Up”, “Hustle Loyalty Respect” are a rehash of the old “say your prayers, take your vitamins”.



So taking all this into account, holding the ball of being the face of the WWE in all shapes and forms, what responsibility as a character, wrestling brand and human being does Cena have to uphold with the company that made him and to his loyal supporters?


For years now Cena has been clearly vocal about his passion and commitment to supporting the troops and has strong ties with the “Be a Star” anti-bullying campaign, Make A Wish Foundation and no doubt countless others… so taking all this on board it is not just a cut and dry decision of “OK Cena’s starting to get stale let’s give him a heel turn” in the same way you could with Randy Orton, HHH, Y2J etc. as it would directly contradict and in a way betray all of these involvements and also his promos for the past year addressing The Rock, basically saying keep coming at me with your hate I will rise above it and stick with the people who have made me what I am.


There is no doubt that Cena is the modern day super hero to so many of the younger Generation Z kinds out there in the same way G.I. Joe, Superman etc. have been as a character.

WWE is a PG friendly product and he is in many of their eyes what they aspire to be when they grow up, so not only is he a role model to millions, but these impressionable young kids will look to Cena and his behaviour (even be it on a scripted wrestling show) they will for the most part believe every move he makes… By having him turn heel, embrace the hate and in the process turn his back on these fans I belive it will have a negative effect not only obviously on merchandise sales but more drastically on the mindsets of so many young children who look up to him, have his face on their lunchboxes etc.


For the record I am a Cena fan, I am however a fan of the Heel Cena over the Face Cena (which in my next blog I will discuss why I generally like the Heels over Face wrestlers) but Cena and the WWE built this superhero character extension of Cenas personality that puts them in a very difficult position now…


Turn Cena Heel and turn his back on his beliefs, youth supporter base, support the troops, B.A.*. poster boy etc. or keep him Face and continue to have a legion of Gen X & Y fans bored with his persona.
These same fans remember the glory days of wrestling when it was unpredictable and you supported the characters because you loved their characters, not because they were force fed to you to support them.


I hope you enjoyed my first blog (ever) and hopefully it didn’t sound too much like a rant. :) ]]> djdylanmanov http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/entry.php?40777-The-responsibility-of-John-Cena