I have been trying my best to get excited for this Wrestlemania, and of this moment I am still trying. Reality is, I will be there with my beer in one hand and popcorn in the other staring at the TV with my sons just like the last few years and just like I personally have done for 33 years now. I will pretend that the abomination that has been the red brand lately doesn't exist. I will also pretend to ignore the horrible way the blue brand has portrayed it's tag team division. This is Wrestlemania, and I will be there to watch and enjoy.
Right now I am thinking that the WWE definitely screwed the pooch in not having AJ Styles main event against John Cena in what was a storyline made for Wrestlemania and hand delivered to them. Lets face it, AJ Styles vs John Cena has been an epic rivalry filled with honesty and passion unlike anything we have seen in the last 15 years. These two are the face of a generation and are amazing in the ring. They pump out classic after classic and are mesmerizing on the mic. The story of AJ Styles beating Cena at Royal Rumble and having Cena beg to get into the rumble for one more shot was handed to them on a silver platter. Then when you look at the mic work these two could have had leading up to John's eventual Wrestlemania win in the main event to capture his 16th world championship tying Ric Flair. Oh MY GOD!!!! it gives me goose bumps.
Instead we get AJ in a match against the prodigal son and Cena in a mixed tag team match with his girlfriend Nikki Bella against arguably the wrestler of the year in 2016, The Miz, and his beautiful wife Marise. There is nothing about either of these matches that excites me. The only thing I can say is that if AJ is able to pull a five star match out of Shane like he has done to so many others he will no doubt be the greatest performer in the history of wrestling.
Instead of what could have been a main event on par with Hogan vs Andre the Giant, the Ultimate Warrior vs Hulk Hogan or the Rock vs Stone Cold, we get Randy Orton vs Bray Wyatt. In all honesty there was a time when Randy Orton was considered the best wrestler in the world and in my honest opinion Bray Wyatt is long over due for a title run. But seriously? The main event of Wrestelmania?
Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton has been on par with some of the worst story telling I have ever seen. So let me get this right. Randy Orton turned heel on a heel by destroying the one thing he loves and then takes the spot of the rightful main eventer, AJ Styles, only two weeks after denouncing his title shot in allegiance to his mentor. Never mind the fact that his mentor was not even around when Ortoin was the best in the world....... OMG I am so confused.
Unfortunately they will say the real main event is "the Beast" vs "the Bygone" when Brock battles Goldberg in what is sure to be a horrific match for a championship that literally means nothing. Not only did the WWE brass neuter a prize fighter to keep the belt on him but they in turn decided that after he lost the belt he would focus on the Untied States title and pretend that the Universal title meant nothing....... Again I'm so confused and slightly dismayed that this would even be considered important in 2017.
But the real main event will be "the Dead Man", that honestly is starting to look like an out of shape corpse, vs "the Big Dog", that continues to be rammed down our throat regardless of how much the universe revolts. I will say this. I love Roman Reigns, but there is no one more in need of a heel turn then him. He may be one of the most talented in ring performers in the WWE but no one wants to cheer for him. I said this well over a year ago and I will stick by it. Roman Reigns NEEDS a character change in order to save his WWE career. eventually no one will care about him and he will be gone.
Now all that being said, I am looking forward to a few matches,
Kevin Owens vs the G.O.A.T has a chance to steal the show. These two have had the kind of chemistry as friends that I haven't seen since CM Punk and Colt Cabana when they were a part of the Second City Saints. Their rivalry has been better then their friendship, although short lived. There was something surreal about seeing "the Real Kevin Owens" on an episode of the "Highlight Reel a couple of weeks ago. I totally expect these two to steal the show with one of the best matches of the year.
Austin Aries vs Nevile has been relegated to the pre-show. That alone tells you what is wrong with the WWE. Live 205 is one of the best things about WWE. In fact if I were to rank their shows by order of greatness I would go NXT # 1 Smackdown #2 Live 205 #3 and Raw #275 behind reruns of the Attitude Era, Camp WWE, and the Edge and Christian show...... but I digress. The greatest man that ever lived vs the man that gravity forgot is sure to be an instant classic and is one of the reasons I will be sitting in front of my TV at 4 pm Central Standard Time.
The Last match that I am overly excited to watch is Dean Ambrose vs Baron Corbin. Say what you will about WWE writing, but Smackdown is well written and when the WWE gets it right they hit a home run. They have done just that with Baron Corbin. For a guy that was a joke with NXT he has really shown how great he can be on the main roster. Is he that unstoppable monster that crushes everyone in sight? No, But he is a a big man that can go toe to toe with anyone and deliver a great match. Baron Corbin is what Roman Reigns should have been and when you put him opposite the lunatic fringe I am expecting a glorious match.
As far as Wrestlemania surprises?? I don't think there will be much. We will get our standard Rock promo and a possible Kurt Angle appearance because of the hall of fame. I just don't see much in the way of stuff to talk about come Monday. Bobby Roode will more than likely enter the battle royal along with Somoa Joe but all in all I think this Wrestelmania will be far from the showcase of the immortals that they brag about for months out of the year.
Be sure to check back on Sunday after the show for my Glorious and Phenomenal recap of the super bowl of wrestling. Until then, keep reaching for that brass ring and be sure to check my blog because there is a SuperCard of Honor happening this weekend as well.
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