Is WRESTLEMANIA a pop culture extravaganza? Of course!
Do celebrities of all sorts line up to show up (and get paid for it)? Of Course!!
Should those surprises and celebrities be the focus of the show? Of Course NOT!
I know this is slightly different, because for a long time he was part of the WWE, but when the Rock shows up and does whatever, and when that is the water cooler talk the next day, that is a VERY BAD THING!
When people are talking more about a Rhonda Rousey appearance rather than any matches that is a VERY BAD THING!
In 2017 when fans were mega-looking forward to Big Show versus Shaq over the Main Event, that is not good.
Tons of celebrities showed up at the early events as well, maybe more by far than today. Cyndi Lauper, Bob Uker, Mike Ditka, to name just a few, but none of them overshadowed the event. It was still Wrestling: The talk the next day, hell three decades later, was Hogan slamming Andre, Savage versus Steamboat, the WWE Title Tournament, Warrior pins Hogan, Michaels/Razor Ladder Match, Michaels/Hart Iron
In 2016 the talk was . . . Rock and his Flame Thrower! How cool was that!
It is called WRESTLEMANIA! Have all the pomp and circumstance, have all the celebs, but still focus on what brought you to the big time: Wrestling, or Sports Entertainment.
Case in Point: The Super Bowl. Everyone who is anyone is in attendance at the big game. Singers line up hoping to be chosen to perform. Every year there is an opening act, and of course the Half Time Act. Let’s not forget the Super Bowl Commercials everyone does and the Movie Trailer Premieres.
Yes, the commercial and the half time show are usual big talk the next day, but rarely do they over shadow the Big Game. The Super Bowl is always the attraction. It is always the talk. The Super Bowl is a massive pop culture extravaganza, but Football is always the main attraction.
Mania should be the same way. Have the celebs and all the pomp and circumstance, but don’t let that overshadow the WRESTLEMANIA.
Ask yourself this, when was the last time that the Water cooler talk was a match? Michaels/Undertaker in 2010 maybe? The end of the streak? Though that was more about the streak ending, then the match.
When was the last time, the talk was that Mania was good?
Could this year be different? It depends on three factors: The booking, The Quality of Matches and the Focus.
THE CARD:
Cruiserweight Title: Neville (c) versus Austin Aries
Andre the Giant Battle Royal
RAW Tag Team Title: Gallows & Anderson (c) versus Cass & Enzo versus Cesaro & Sheamus
Alexa Bliss Open Challenge
IC Title Match: Dean Ambrose (c) versus Baron Corbin
Cena & Bella versus Mix & Maryse
US Title Match: Chris Jericho versus KO
RAW Women Title Fatal 4-Way: Bayley (c) versus Charlotte versus Sasha versus Jax
Shane McMahon versus AJ Styles
Roman Reigns versus The Undertaker
Seth Rollins versus Triple H
RAW Universal Title: Goldberg (c) versus Brock Lesnar
SD LIVE Title: Bray Wyatt (c) versus Randy Orton
Between the Kickoff Show and the Main Card there are 13 matches on this card. One could say the card is stacked, I don’t. I think there are too many matches, even for a four hour show. I know this will not be popular, but not everyone has to be on the card.
This many matches on the card, with it known there will be celebs showing up, means less time per matches. It also may lend credence to another Goldberg/Lesnar Squash.
And, to be honest, Shane McMahon in another high-profile match at Mania is not a good thing.
###
The State of WrestleMania – Part III – Breakdown and Predictions Saturday 4/1/2017
The State of WrestleMania – Part VI – Aftermath, Results and Final Thoughts Saturday 4/8/2017
No comments:
Post a Comment