It is no secret that the WWE President Vince McMahon is worried about the 30th installment of WrestleMania. The creative team seems to be trying too hard to make this year’s event work, even though they have created many hurdles for themselves. Ever since the end of this year’s Royal Rumble, the fans don’t seem happy on what the WWE has planned for us for this year’s big event. The fans can be as mad as they want, the story will go on and they will be there no matter what.
The WWE Network launches this Monday (2-24-14) after the conclusion of Monday Night Raw. Each PPV from there on out will be included in your purchase of the Network. WrestleMania 30 will be the first PPV shown on the Network. Fans only have to pay $9.99 a month. You can bet this years Mania will be one of the most watched PPV’s in WWE history. The fans will watch, but will they behave?
Fans are still very unhappy that a part-timer in Batista is already guaranteed the main event spot at Mania. There are plenty of full-timers that have worked all year long to earn that spot just to watch it be handed out. Guys in the locker room, as well as the fans, are still not happy with this situation. Some guys are so mad, that they even walked out.
CM Punk walked out on the WWE the night after the Royal Rumble due to bad story writing and claiming he was “burnt out.” This is the second year in a row where Punk (a full timer) got pushed aside for a part-time jobber. Last year it was The Rock, this year it’s Batista. Batista being in the main event and the fear of fans booing him out of the arena win or lose, isn’t McMahon’s only concern. The whole card seems to be suffering.
The first draft of WrestleMania 30
Randy Orton vs. Batista for the WWE World Title
Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar-for the streak
Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus-third meeting
Triple H vs. CM Punk (Punk walked out)
The Wyatts vs. The Shield (this match is happening this Sunday at The Elimination Chamber PPV)
IC Title vs. U.S. Title unification match
The fans in no way want to see any of this. Punk was very angry that him or Bryan weren’t in the main event. Punk leaving has already set up a new angle for Triple H. That’s the first problem. Fans don’t want to see Triple H in another match at Mania. His match with Brock Lesnar semi worked last year, but still fell flat. Triple H needs to hang it up and just stick to his desk job. The fans say “No! No! No!” to Triple H being in a match this year. As much as we don’t want it, it seems that Triple H will make a match for himself at this year’s event and we will just all have to deal with it.
Orton versus Batista will get booed out of the arena. Orton is a great performer, but the fans do not want to see this at all. They have ammo to make this an interesting storyline, but the fans do not care. I feel bad for the creative team. They probably spent all this time trying to make an awesome main event for this years 30th anniversary, and the fans just shat all over it. Let’s just be real. The creative team should have known not putting Punk and/or DB in the main event at Mania was going to blow up in their faces. Batista needs to be an match against Brock Lesnar at Mania, not in the main event, and not for the championship. He has done nothing to earn that honor.
The Undertaker versus Brock Lesnar is still on the table, The Undertaker will make his return to raw this Monday, and you can bet Brock will be there as well. Will they be there to set up a match at Mania? The problem with this is, Brock is a very physically worked and the Taker’s body doesn’t have much left in the tank. Not sure if this is smart move for the Taker. Rumors have it, that if Taker doesn’t want the Brock match, then Sheamus will be next in line. Sheamus taking on the streak makes absolutely no sense. In no way do we want to see this match. The Taker needs to take on either Bray Wyatt (who is rumored for Cena) Sting or Roman Reigns. This will probably be the Taker’s last match, so let’s make it good. Putting Sheamus in there just makes no sense.
WrestleMania 30 2nd draft
Orton vs. Batista vs. DB- Triple Threat match for the WWE world Title
Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar or possibly Sting- The streak
Triple H vs. Roman Reigns
Bray Wyatt vs, Cena and/or Cesaro
Chris Jericho vs. RVD and/or Cesaro
IC Title vs U.S. Title unification match
This draft looks a little polished, but they can do better. After the huge push on Cesaro and his A+ match with Cena on Raw, the Swedish wrestler has proven his worth to be on the main card at this year’s big PPV. Rumors have been flying around about the return of Chris Jericho and/or RVd (Rob Van Dam). Will they fight one another or help put over Cesaro? Jericho is all about the next generation and putting guys over. I just hope this isn’t the case. Jericho put over Fandango at last year’s event, and look at where Fandango is now. RVD and Jericho have history and could put on an awesome match, but what does this really have to do with the story they have going on? With Punk gone, do they need Jericho and/or RVD?
Roman Reigns looks like another one who is deserving of a huge push. But fighting Triple H? What doe that really do? Triple H is dead set on being on this card and it just makes no sense. You can bet Vince is trying to stop this, but it doesn’t look good.
The history of WrestleMania is huge and goes back forever. The vision of the first WrestleMania was to make a huge spectacle and create an event fans would be talking about for ages. Not only is WrestleMania very well-known, but it’s the biggest event in all wrestling. I think they tried too hard this year and it looks like the ball might be dropped.
There is still way too much time to speculate whether Mania will fail this year. Last year’s Mania fell short of success, and they not only need to make up for last year, but also sell the 30th edition. With the launch of the new WWE network and the return of such superstars like Hulk Hogan, you can bet the WWE will do everything in their power to make Mania work.
What WrestleMania 30 needs to work
Daniel Bryan needs to enter Mania as the world champ or win the title at Mania. They need to make him the face as far as their fan base goes. The Authority needs to try and cost DB the match and CM Punk needs to return and help DB win the title.
The Undertaker needs to lose the streak. He needs to pass the torch to a guy like Bray Wyatt or Roman Reigns.
Cesaro and Cena have great chemistry and they need to go at it again with Cesaro coming out on top.
Brock vs. Batista. Two beasts collide. Need I say more.
My dream WrestleMania 30 Card
DB vs. CM Punk for the WWE World Title-Iron Man Match
Bray Wyatt vs. The Undertaker for the streak- Casket Match
Cena vs. Cesaro- Last Man Standing
IC Title/U.S. Title unification triple threat- Big E vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Roman Reigns
Brock Lesnar vs. Batista- Loser leaves the WWE
Sting vs. Hulk Hogan-Winner is the new Raw GM
What’s your dream card?
The Road to WrestleMania starts 2-24-14 on Monday Night Raw, the night after this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber PPV. You can bet the WWE will change some of the previous story ideas (for the better) come Monday. WrestleMania is Vince’s baby, and you can bet he won’t let it die.
Ben McPhee (@mmawriter1 Twitter)