OT: Road to Wrestlemania

[121Josey]

This lead-up to Wrestlemania has really sucked, so far. I don't know if I've ever seen a more lethargic month of February than this one. Usually I'm pumped after the Royal Rumble, but not this year.

WWE has no marquee names much less matches booked. Putting HHH in the Main Event brings a yawn, and the only people doing anything entertaining is the New Day. The McMahon family angle was encouraging last week, but the match for WM was not. At this point they're going to have to do something big, like go crawling to CM Punk and beg him to make an appearance.

So what say ye? Any chance of WM being a decent show this year?

 

[tired]

I like that Shane O is back

 

[MissStFan87]

It's also not going to help that the heel (HHH) will be cheered by the majority of the crowd in the main event, while the face (Reigns) is booed out of the building. WrestleMania always features the biggest collection of 'smarks' from around the world, so there's no way they're going to play along.

I like the fact that Shane's back, because it's at least something different from the last several years. I just find it hard to believe that they would waste a Taker 'Mania match on Shane McMahon, especially when it could very well be his last one. Does someone like Cena sub in, if he makes it back from surgery in time? Does Sting interfere? No way this is just a simple 1-on-1 match.

Ambrose vs Lesnar could be entertaining. Ambrose's 'lunatic' character is a nice fit for a Lesnar feud. I'm also hoping for an Owens vs Styles feud for the IC title, which would probably turn into the match of the night.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Fabulous Freebirds will be inducted in their Hall of Fame...

Link: Here.

 

[MSUDC11]

While WWE doesn't usually deserve the benefit of the doubt, I will say that the amount of injuries in recent months has really put them in a tough spot.

Daniel Bryan had to retire, and then you've got several other big names who won't be ready for WM: Cena, Rollins, Orton, Sting, Cesaro. So that's hurt them a good bit.

They were on the right track with Reigns very briefly in December, but now they've slipped back into the same old booking with him. And it's not getting him over at all. He's an OK wrestler with zero personality. You have to make him a silent monster. He's horrible on the mic.

And they're not changing the main event to insert someone like Bryan or Rollins like they've done the last two years. Unfortunately, the bland Reigns vs. HHH matchup is what we're getting.

I'm glad that Shane is back, but I have no clue where this angle is going. I don't see him beating Taker at Mania, but why would they tease this "control of the company" angle if it wasn't going anywhere? And why would Taker do what Vince wants (storyline wise)? Lots of questions still to be answered.

Ambrose/Lesnar could be really fun. Fully believe that Dean should've gotten the push Roman is getting. He's far more interesting of a character. I would've booked Ambrose/HHH and Reigns/Taker with Reigns turning heel.

Styles vs. Owens would be great, but they're keeping AJ attached to Jericho. Really don't want another Styles/Y2J match unless it's a triple threat with Owens involved for the IC title.

Sasha vs. Charlotte could be really fun. NXT has done a very good job of developing quality women's wrestling.

Really hope they kill this New Day vs. League of Nations thing. LON is awful.

I'm guessing the US Title is defended in a 6-8 person ladder match?

No earthly idea what they are going to do with Wyatt. That was a great character that they've booked into an absolute joke.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I saw Jerry Lawler in Memphis this past weekend at the Cook Convention Center signing autographs. He said Taker isn't fighting Shane. At least not one on one. There's going to be some stuff come up that change that match. Said no one was really thrilled with Shane coming back and the setup for a match with Taker. I guess we will see.

 

[WayboDawg]

I think Roman Reigns would be much better as a heel. His relative The Rock had to do the same thing in order to get over with the fans. I think too many people are seeing Reigns as the WWE's next John Cena or Hulk Hogan, and they just aren't biting. That said, the WWE has a C grade product right now, which could be upgraded to an A with everyone healthy.

 

[MSUDC11]

They've got several guys with star power that just haven't gotten big pushes yet.

Owens has all the potential in the world to be one of the best heels they've ever had. He's in an OK spot right now, but imagine if they had let him win that great feud with Cena.

I was a big fan of Rollins before the injury. And I actually think he can be a very good face. He had one of the coolest finishers around until they decided to ban it.

Cesaro is a freak when healthy. I hope he finally gets a big push this summer.

Very curious to see how NXT guys like Zayn, Balor, Samoa Joe and (presumably) Nakamura are portrayed once they get to the main roster. There have been highs (The Shield, Owens) and lows (Dallas, Breeze, Neville) when it comes to guys translating from developmental to the big shows.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

I was shocked to see Shane come back and then Vince put him in a Hell in a Cell match. That has a crazy sound to it, but all of the makings of Shane just getting thrown around the whole time, bc that's what would happen. I don't know why he would sacrifice his body like that. I have the VHS of Summer Slam with him jumping 70 feet onto Steve Blackman still.

I think what most people think of the WWE right now is pretty spot on.

Injuries are hurting them right now.
Bray Wyatt is a great character. They have milked that group long enough, they need to have him break out and maybe he does something at Wrestlemania.

 

[the dog is on the loose]

The biggest thing wrong with wwe is groups like the new day and LON. Can't stand new day and that gay dance that big e does. Writing sux

 

[MissStFan87]

They've got several guys with star power that just haven't gotten big pushes yet.

Owens has all the potential in the world to be one of the best heels they've ever had. He's in an OK spot right now, but imagine if they had let him win that great feud with Cena.

I was a big fan of Rollins before the injury. And I actually think he can be a very good face. He had one of the coolest finishers around until they decided to ban it.

Cesaro is a freak when healthy. I hope he finally gets a big push this summer.

Very curious to see how NXT guys like Zayn, Balor, Samoa Joe and (presumably) Nakamura are portrayed once they get to the main roster. There have been highs (The Shield, Owens) and lows (Dallas, Breeze, Neville) when it comes to guys translating from developmental to the big shows.

I'm not worried about Owens' future. He's one of Triple H's guys, and word is they see him as a top heel for many years. He's in a decent spot for now.

Agreed on Rollins. Having him return as a face against a heel champion (Reigns?) could be fun. It seems like an easy turn, since his return will probably draw a big, mostly positive reaction.

As for the NXT guys, I think Zayn has the potential to be the next Daniel Bryan. Likeable guy and character, great worker in the ring, solid on the mic, and has a big following from his indy/ROH days. I like Balor, but I'm not totally sold on him as a main eventer yet. His mic work is pretty stiff, and there's not a great deal of depth to his character. Maybe that changes when Anderson & Gallows show up and they form the Balor Club. I can't wait to see Nakamura in NXT. Just let the guy be himself, and profit. I also hope they do whatever's needed to bring his badass NJPW theme music over.

 

[PopeCourtland]

So sick of them ruining any momentum Wyatt gets. You've got one of the better guys on the mic and you constantly build him up, only to lose. I just don't get it. Pleasantly surprised they are giving us Ambrose/Haitch at that live event in Montreal I think? See that as them trying to appease the masses that want Ambrose to get the belt. Of course with wrestlemania coming, he won't win.. Should be a decent match though.

 

[aTotal360]

I'm ready for this guy to get a second chance...

 

[Drebin]

My son is constantly watching the WWE Network. Edge and Christian have a pretty funny show on there, and on one of their shows, they totally mock The ShockMaster. It's pretty funny.

 

[MSUDC11]

Raw was pretty rough last night.

On one hand I'm glad we're getting Ambrose/HHH in a few weeks. On the other hand, all of this momentum that Ambrose has just makes Reigns seem less and less interesting as we build toward mania.

Taker's appearance last night was so weird. Took 10 minutes to get to the ring, said two very vague sentences, and then just left. They've done a very poor job of explaining why he would be OK with doing this match.

 

[aTotal360]

There's an interview with the American Dweem talking about this skit that is worth watching.

 

[DogStuckAtUM.sixpack]

I'll preference that I'm about a casual wrestling "fan" as they come.

I attended last Raw last night...and it was terrible. I was pretty much bored out of my mind for 4 hours.