The State of WrestleMania – Part III Breakdown and Predictions

The State of WrestleMania – Part III

Breakdown and Predictions

Let’s talk Mania, shall we? Yes, I think so.

I wrote the following in Part II of the State of WrestleMania:

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.

I stand behind this statement 100% percent. Half the amount of matches I think would make for a better card – this would lead to longer matches, and lessen the chance of fatigue among the crowd. Just look at how many RAWs and PPVs that the crowd seems out of it by the Main Event.

Do matches have to be long to be good or great? Hell No. But in the day and age of the modern “Smart Fans,” you run the risk of alienating your fan base with short matches, especially at WrestleMania.

The Really Good News about this though: all the Titles (except NXT) are on the line. That is awesome.

Can this card be great? Maybe. The card is apparently set in stone, now it is up to the talent to deliver. If surprises and celebs and in ring promos are kept to a minimum, we could be treated to a surprising card. If, like in the past few years, a big chunk of time is giving to a surprise appearance (The Rock), then expect a lackluster result.

As of Today the following is the card as listed on WWE.COM

THE CARD

Kickoff Show

Cruiserweight Title: Neville (c) versus Austin Aries
Andre the Giant Battle Royal

MAIN CARD

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

The RAW Build: What? Really?

Has RAW really built up anything on this card other than Jericho/Owens and the Women’s Match? The answer is yes and no.

Yes: Jericho and Owens have had a near year-long build up – first as Best Friends, now as Enemies. This is the best thing coming out of RAW. The buildup has been amazing with these two. The only problem is, it should be for the Universal Title, not the US.

The RAW Woman’s Title has had a nice build, but it is overkill with a fatal four. The Entire RAW woman’s division is in this match (sans Dana), which leads to this: What the HELL next (of NXT)?

Rollins and Hunter have had a great build. Rollins chasing after a no-show Hunter. Joe doing Hunter’s dirty work. Rollins’s injury. When Hunter finally returned, it had impact and meaning. Their last two in-ring moment have truly lifted this to an emotional encounter. Is Hunter afraid, or playing games? Is Rollins’ truly that injured, or building toward something Hunter doesn’t see yet?

No: Gallows & Anderson, Cass & Enzo, Cesaro & Sheamus, nothing involving Enzo interested me unless he is getting destroyed or knocked out by the ring ropes (SAWFT anyone). These teams have been feuding for a while, so one can say there has been a decent build, but there are two reasons I say NO. First: ENZO. Second: Ladder Match? Why the hell is this a ladder match? There is no reason for that.

Roman Reigns and The Undertaker. A couple of stare downs and a spear do not a build make. I could think of much better matches for the fans and both guys. And did Roman Really say on Monday he is going to do what no one else has ever done, put the Taker Down? Hey, Brock Lesnar anyone?

Speaking of Brock Lesnar, he, Heyman and Goldberg had have the worst build to a Mania Main Event in history. But that is nothing new with this two. Yes, this has been building since just before Summer Slam. But a squash, Rumble throw out, F5, spear, and Video Packages do nothing to make this compelling. When these two are rarely around, it only screws the build.

The SD LIVE Build: Good, Not Great.

To many times I have written RAW BAD, SD LIVE GOOD. That trend does continue here, but not in such a dominate way.

The Alexa Bliss Open Challenge is just confusing. What exactly is the point, what type of match and who couldn’t make up their mind in the back?

Power Couple Tag Match, the build for this match has been solid. Let’s be honest though, for Miz this is a little bit of a letdown. For Nikki and Maryse it’s great. For John, wow, this is a throw-away match. I know John is taking time off, but this type of match for him is surprising. Props to him for going into this full bore though.

Shane McMahon and AJ Styles: The build has been okay, but why? Is it because DB can’t go? Seriously, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Shane said AJ should get the Mania Spot, he supported him. But, really, Shane shouldn’t be in this match – this should be a spot for one of the boys.

Dave came up with a great idea for this match, what if Shane pulled a swerve, and called up a replacement from NXT (SN?).

Dean Ambrose and Baron Corbin. Violent, hard hitting, mind games is how to describe this build up. Shockingly the mind games have come from Corbin. Ambrose has become stale, and it is a shame as I used to really like him. Corbin has shown massive improvement in the last year. He has gone from being a guy whose matches I fast forwarded thru, to a performer to watch.

Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton. I can’t believe I am saying this, but I am looking forward to a Bray Wyatt match for the first time. How this feud has boiled and burned slowly over the last six months leading us to this point has been great. This may be the high point of any build to Mania.

Matches I am NOT looking Forward to

RAW Tag Team Title: Gallows & Anderson (c) versus Cass & Enzo versus Cesaro & Sheamus
Shane McMahon versus AJ Styles
Roman Reigns versus The Undertaker
RAW Universal Title: Goldberg (c) versus Brock Lesnar

Matches I AM looking Forward to

Cruiserweight Title: Neville (c) versus Austin Aries
IC Title Match: Dean Ambrose (c) versus Baron Corbin
Cena & Bella versus Mix & Maryse
US Title Match: Chris Jericho versus KO
Seth Rollins versus Triple H
SD LIVE Title: Bray Wyatt (c) versus Randy Orton

Matches that Could Steal The Show

Cruiserweight Title: Neville (c) versus Austin Aries
IC Title Match: Dean Ambrose (c) versus Baron Corbin
US Title Match: Chris Jericho versus KO
Seth Rollins versus Triple H

The Predictions:

THE CARD:

Kickoff Show

Cruiserweight Title: Neville (c) versus Austin Aries

• NEW CHAMP: AUSTIN ARIES

Andre the Giant Battle Royal

• TWO TIME WINNER: BIG SHOW

MAIN CARD

RAW Tag Team Title: Gallows & Anderson (c) versus Cass & Enzo versus Cesaro & Sheamus

• RETAINED: GALLOWS & ANDERSON

Alexa Bliss Open Challenge
?????????????

IC Title Match: Dean Ambrose (c) versus Baron Corbin

• NEW CHAMP: BARON CORBIN

Cena & Bella versus Mix & Maryse

• WINNERS: CENA/BELLA

US Title Match: Chris Jericho versus KO

• NEW CHAMP: KO, With help from Joe

RAW Women Title Fatal 4-Way: Bayley (c) versus Charlotte versus Sasha versus Jax

• NEW CHAMP: SASHA BANKS

Shane McMahon versus AJ Styles

• WINNER: AJ STYLES

Roman Reigns versus The Undertaker

• WINNER: THE UNDERTAKER

Seth Rollins versus Triple H

• WINNER TRIPLE H

RAW Universal Title: Goldberg (c) versus Brock Lesnar

• WINNER: WHO CARES, BUT IT BETTER BE LESNAR

SD LIVE Title: Bray Wyatt (c) versus Randy Orton

• RETAINED: BRAY WYATT (Yes, I am choosing Bray – I Can’t believe it either.)

Final thoughts

Well, those are my thought. Anyone who has read WrestleMentary will probably be surprised by some of my picks. Next Weekend, when all the smoke clears, I will post my thoughts on Mania, why I picked who I did, and what the fall out could be from what actually happened.

 - Ace


The State of WrestleMania – Part VI – Aftermath, Results and Final Thoughts Saturday 4/8/2017