• Wade Barrett w/William Regal defends the Intercontinental Championship against Finn Balor w/Finlay
Finn should be moved up sooner rather than later, he’s already a veteran and in his 30s. This match could have a very international British feel, England vs. Ireland specifically. And just because it’s Wrestlemania, and just to make it feel a little more special, we can put their countries respective legends in their corner. This could be Finn’s coming out party in a hard-hitting 9-11 minute match.
• The Miz vs. Sandow
Just because it’s had a slow build and Sandow is over with the crowd. Makes for a good story and Sandow will finally get the rub he deserves. Doesn’t have to be a long match. In fact it would be funny for the storyline if Sandow beats The Miz rather easily. The two could feud at the next couple PPVs, where they can have more match time.
• Goldust vs. Cody Rhodes in a Texas Bullrope Match with Dusty Rhodes at ringside.
I’ve been hoping for Cody vs. Goldy for a while now. Cody should abandon his Stardust gimmick leading up to the match, explaining he actually hates everything about his older brother and did that just to win the belts. If the rumors are true about Goldust retiring and taking up a backstage role, this could be his last match, putting over his younger brother. Both are really underrated workers in the ring, so it could make for a good story.
• Rusev w/Lana defends the United States Championship against John Cena
Their Fast Lane match should end in DQ and end in rather brutal fashion to set this one up. Cena is so over as the face of the WWE that he can really do whatever at this point and he’ll be fine. If fact a U.S. Championship win might be more meaningful at this point than a WWE World Heavyweight Championship win. It’s refreshing, nostalgic, and symbolic all at the same time. A high profile loss to Cena gives Rusev a nice rub and maybe the IWC will accept Cena more because of this role.
• The Vaudevillians (Cesaro, Tyson Kidd, & Aiden English or Simon Gotch) vs. Roman Reigns & The Usos
(Cesaro NEEDS a new refreshing gimmick. I’m not even sure what his and Kidd’s gimmick is right now. Since most people view Cesaro as an old-school throwback technically superior wrestler. Why not make him the leader of The Vaudevillians?? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out NXT. But they could really play up their old-timey carnival gimmick for comedy. It’ll give Cesaro the more TV time that he deserves and is a perfect fit.)
Meanwhile, since Roman Reigns came close but lost his main event spot to Bryan at Fast Lance, his heritage, like at the Rumble, should be played up and have him team with his cousins, The Usos. Makes sense too since The Usos are feuding with Cesaro and Kidd.
Now, why “bury” Reigns like this?? To GAIN him some fan support and fan sympathy. He’ll come into this match with a big chip on his shoulder. Not only that, but it’ll be best for the long-term plan with him. For storyline purposes, Cesaro shold pin one of the Usos for the victory. THEN, the frustration on Reigns face will be very clear. After contemplation, he should DESTROY The Usos and go nuts on all the ringside stuff. Get him some heat! Yes, he’ll be a heel now. But in the long-term he’ll mature into a badass hard-edged babyface. People will WANT to like him in this scenario.
• Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton
This, besides the main event, has Match of the Night written all over it. Ziggler and Orton have great chemistry, have had great matches in the best. Rollins and Ziggler seem like they could have good chemistry, were great together at Survivor Series, and appear to pair up well as one the next generations great rivalries. Orton and Rollins is where the heat is right now, where the feud is. Orton will be hot as a babyface with his “RKO outta nowhere!” gimmick, coming off of that internet video that went viral. The crowd will be hot for this match, ultimately with Rollins going over.
• WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015 presentation.
• Triple H w/Stephanie McMahon vs. Sting
This could be your basic, meat and potatoes, high-profile high-calibar match. And not in a bad way. But it should have very formula booking to showcase Sting making his WWE debut.
• Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt
At this point, Taker may be limited in the ring. I don’t know, but I’m banking on that. Sooooo, this match could be more psychological, thematic, and stylized than anything else to hide Takers limitations. Which would work with two larger than life characters and personalities. Two or three big spots in it, and that’s about it. And I’d be completely happy with it. If this is Taker’s last match, which it should be if he’s aged none too well, then he should go over obviously. With his HOF induction and BIG send off happening next year at WM32 in Dallas, Texas. His send off should be PART of the show. Flair’s was the night after on Raw (after WM24), his should be ON WM32. Wyatt will get the rub from this match regardless if he wins or not.
• Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman defends the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Daniel Bryan with Dean Ambrose as Special Enforcer.
First let me explain Ambrose in the picture: He doesn’t have an obvious opponent for the card so this role can fit him well (since CM Punk is out of the picture, Ambrose should be the one to fight Steve Austin at WM32 in Dallas if he’s ready by then, also if Austin is willing of course). DB will lobby the WWE Board of Directors and Vince McMahon to get Ambrose to be the special outside ring enforcer to ensure The Authority doesn’t get involved. DB says the only guy for the role he’d trust is…. Dean Ambrose!
The two have a classic 34-36 minute match that plays out with DB wearing Lesnar out. Lesnar beats the crap out of him, bloodies him up early before the 10 minute mark. Roman freakin’ Reigns comes out around the 20 minute mark. Ambrose, his good friend, tells him something to the like of “I’m sorry, I really can’t let you in, but you’ll get your chance” They give each other a knowing nod after a minute or two of careful contemplation. As they both turn around to walk away on the ramp Reigns turns back around, turns Ambrose around, and delivers an epic superman punch and charges for DB and CAUSES the DQ. Refs come out to take Reigns, then security guards. Finally security guards and Ambrose are able to subdue him and the guards arrest him and take him away. Fans are booing because they can’t believe the WM main event ended in DQ. As the special enforcer, Ambrose gets on the mic and passionately orders the match restarted and they continue where they left off…
Lesnar starts to tire around the 28 minute mark. DB does a lot of running around and dodging to tire him, lands the occasional stiff kick or knee, works on Lesnar’s arm by viciously ringing it across the top rope as he holds it well leaping to the outside. Lesnar powers out of the LeBell Lock (or YES! Lock) a couple times by picking DB straight up and throwing him on his head. With Lesnar weakened and tired, the two start chain wrestling and putting on a wrestling clinic, with Lesnar getting the better of it most of the time but with DB coming up with a couple of clever ways to get out. Around 35 minutes in, DB charges a TIRED Lesnar with two running knees. Lesnar finally collapses to the ground like a lumbering giant. DB applies the LeBell Lock to Lesnar’s bad arm, to which he PASSES OUT after a long while… DB wins the belt by TKO as the ref slowly checks his arm three times. Boom. Completely plausible. Ambrose comes in the ring, raises his hand. Soon Brie Bella comes in to celebrate with him. Then the rest of the babyfaces on the roster come out and hoist him up, a la Bret Hart at WM10.
I’m sick and tired of this “unrealistic” talk because:
A) Lesnar lost the belt before he left the first time to a guy SMALLER than DB… Eddie Guerrero!
B) Everyone said CM Punk vs. Lesnar was an unrealistic match and it ended up being a GREAT match.
C) Last year at WM30, DB beat THREE guys in one night, Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista with an “injured” wrapped up shoulder. How is this any less realistic than that??
Now, does DB deserve it? He’s clearly not the “face” or gonna be the “face” of the company. Why give him such a showcasing spot two years in a row?? Well… he’s the most over guy right now, based on work-rate he deserves it , and there’s no choice to give it to him unless you want your show to be lackluster and mediocre. A Reigns push feels too rushed and artificial at this particular point in time. And the fans are TELLING you what they want. In my opinion, Daniel Bryan is the Bret Hart of this generation; a smaller technician whom you can’t deny and can’t help but respect. Also, like Hart in 1994 pre-Diesel, he could be your fall-back guy, your Plan B, until you find your face of the company. And all I’m saying, personally as a fan of Daniel Bryan, is give him the run he deserves just this once, the reign that was taken away from him by injury last year. Just the one reign. I’d be fine with him dropping the belt at Summerslam even, if Reigns is ready by then. A Rollins/Reigns/Bryan feud over the belt for the better part of 2015 (with a hint of Ziggler and Orton there too), could be gold!!! (pun intended)
Thanks for reading. The art of storytelling seems to be lost on WWE too often... but that card is bulletproof!!!
Finn should be moved up sooner rather than later, he’s already a veteran and in his 30s. This match could have a very international British feel, England vs. Ireland specifically. And just because it’s Wrestlemania, and just to make it feel a little more special, we can put their countries respective legends in their corner. This could be Finn’s coming out party in a hard-hitting 9-11 minute match.
• The Miz vs. Sandow
Just because it’s had a slow build and Sandow is over with the crowd. Makes for a good story and Sandow will finally get the rub he deserves. Doesn’t have to be a long match. In fact it would be funny for the storyline if Sandow beats The Miz rather easily. The two could feud at the next couple PPVs, where they can have more match time.
• Goldust vs. Cody Rhodes in a Texas Bullrope Match with Dusty Rhodes at ringside.
I’ve been hoping for Cody vs. Goldy for a while now. Cody should abandon his Stardust gimmick leading up to the match, explaining he actually hates everything about his older brother and did that just to win the belts. If the rumors are true about Goldust retiring and taking up a backstage role, this could be his last match, putting over his younger brother. Both are really underrated workers in the ring, so it could make for a good story.
• Rusev w/Lana defends the United States Championship against John Cena
Their Fast Lane match should end in DQ and end in rather brutal fashion to set this one up. Cena is so over as the face of the WWE that he can really do whatever at this point and he’ll be fine. If fact a U.S. Championship win might be more meaningful at this point than a WWE World Heavyweight Championship win. It’s refreshing, nostalgic, and symbolic all at the same time. A high profile loss to Cena gives Rusev a nice rub and maybe the IWC will accept Cena more because of this role.
• The Vaudevillians (Cesaro, Tyson Kidd, & Aiden English or Simon Gotch) vs. Roman Reigns & The Usos
(Cesaro NEEDS a new refreshing gimmick. I’m not even sure what his and Kidd’s gimmick is right now. Since most people view Cesaro as an old-school throwback technically superior wrestler. Why not make him the leader of The Vaudevillians?? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out NXT. But they could really play up their old-timey carnival gimmick for comedy. It’ll give Cesaro the more TV time that he deserves and is a perfect fit.)
Meanwhile, since Roman Reigns came close but lost his main event spot to Bryan at Fast Lance, his heritage, like at the Rumble, should be played up and have him team with his cousins, The Usos. Makes sense too since The Usos are feuding with Cesaro and Kidd.
Now, why “bury” Reigns like this?? To GAIN him some fan support and fan sympathy. He’ll come into this match with a big chip on his shoulder. Not only that, but it’ll be best for the long-term plan with him. For storyline purposes, Cesaro shold pin one of the Usos for the victory. THEN, the frustration on Reigns face will be very clear. After contemplation, he should DESTROY The Usos and go nuts on all the ringside stuff. Get him some heat! Yes, he’ll be a heel now. But in the long-term he’ll mature into a badass hard-edged babyface. People will WANT to like him in this scenario.
• Seth Rollins vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton
This, besides the main event, has Match of the Night written all over it. Ziggler and Orton have great chemistry, have had great matches in the best. Rollins and Ziggler seem like they could have good chemistry, were great together at Survivor Series, and appear to pair up well as one the next generations great rivalries. Orton and Rollins is where the heat is right now, where the feud is. Orton will be hot as a babyface with his “RKO outta nowhere!” gimmick, coming off of that internet video that went viral. The crowd will be hot for this match, ultimately with Rollins going over.
• WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015 presentation.
• Triple H w/Stephanie McMahon vs. Sting
This could be your basic, meat and potatoes, high-profile high-calibar match. And not in a bad way. But it should have very formula booking to showcase Sting making his WWE debut.
• Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt
At this point, Taker may be limited in the ring. I don’t know, but I’m banking on that. Sooooo, this match could be more psychological, thematic, and stylized than anything else to hide Takers limitations. Which would work with two larger than life characters and personalities. Two or three big spots in it, and that’s about it. And I’d be completely happy with it. If this is Taker’s last match, which it should be if he’s aged none too well, then he should go over obviously. With his HOF induction and BIG send off happening next year at WM32 in Dallas, Texas. His send off should be PART of the show. Flair’s was the night after on Raw (after WM24), his should be ON WM32. Wyatt will get the rub from this match regardless if he wins or not.
• Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman defends the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Daniel Bryan with Dean Ambrose as Special Enforcer.
First let me explain Ambrose in the picture: He doesn’t have an obvious opponent for the card so this role can fit him well (since CM Punk is out of the picture, Ambrose should be the one to fight Steve Austin at WM32 in Dallas if he’s ready by then, also if Austin is willing of course). DB will lobby the WWE Board of Directors and Vince McMahon to get Ambrose to be the special outside ring enforcer to ensure The Authority doesn’t get involved. DB says the only guy for the role he’d trust is…. Dean Ambrose!
The two have a classic 34-36 minute match that plays out with DB wearing Lesnar out. Lesnar beats the crap out of him, bloodies him up early before the 10 minute mark. Roman freakin’ Reigns comes out around the 20 minute mark. Ambrose, his good friend, tells him something to the like of “I’m sorry, I really can’t let you in, but you’ll get your chance” They give each other a knowing nod after a minute or two of careful contemplation. As they both turn around to walk away on the ramp Reigns turns back around, turns Ambrose around, and delivers an epic superman punch and charges for DB and CAUSES the DQ. Refs come out to take Reigns, then security guards. Finally security guards and Ambrose are able to subdue him and the guards arrest him and take him away. Fans are booing because they can’t believe the WM main event ended in DQ. As the special enforcer, Ambrose gets on the mic and passionately orders the match restarted and they continue where they left off…
Lesnar starts to tire around the 28 minute mark. DB does a lot of running around and dodging to tire him, lands the occasional stiff kick or knee, works on Lesnar’s arm by viciously ringing it across the top rope as he holds it well leaping to the outside. Lesnar powers out of the LeBell Lock (or YES! Lock) a couple times by picking DB straight up and throwing him on his head. With Lesnar weakened and tired, the two start chain wrestling and putting on a wrestling clinic, with Lesnar getting the better of it most of the time but with DB coming up with a couple of clever ways to get out. Around 35 minutes in, DB charges a TIRED Lesnar with two running knees. Lesnar finally collapses to the ground like a lumbering giant. DB applies the LeBell Lock to Lesnar’s bad arm, to which he PASSES OUT after a long while… DB wins the belt by TKO as the ref slowly checks his arm three times. Boom. Completely plausible. Ambrose comes in the ring, raises his hand. Soon Brie Bella comes in to celebrate with him. Then the rest of the babyfaces on the roster come out and hoist him up, a la Bret Hart at WM10.
I’m sick and tired of this “unrealistic” talk because:
A) Lesnar lost the belt before he left the first time to a guy SMALLER than DB… Eddie Guerrero!
B) Everyone said CM Punk vs. Lesnar was an unrealistic match and it ended up being a GREAT match.
C) Last year at WM30, DB beat THREE guys in one night, Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista with an “injured” wrapped up shoulder. How is this any less realistic than that??
Now, does DB deserve it? He’s clearly not the “face” or gonna be the “face” of the company. Why give him such a showcasing spot two years in a row?? Well… he’s the most over guy right now, based on work-rate he deserves it , and there’s no choice to give it to him unless you want your show to be lackluster and mediocre. A Reigns push feels too rushed and artificial at this particular point in time. And the fans are TELLING you what they want. In my opinion, Daniel Bryan is the Bret Hart of this generation; a smaller technician whom you can’t deny and can’t help but respect. Also, like Hart in 1994 pre-Diesel, he could be your fall-back guy, your Plan B, until you find your face of the company. And all I’m saying, personally as a fan of Daniel Bryan, is give him the run he deserves just this once, the reign that was taken away from him by injury last year. Just the one reign. I’d be fine with him dropping the belt at Summerslam even, if Reigns is ready by then. A Rollins/Reigns/Bryan feud over the belt for the better part of 2015 (with a hint of Ziggler and Orton there too), could be gold!!! (pun intended)
Thanks for reading. The art of storytelling seems to be lost on WWE too often... but that card is bulletproof!!!
