Title Unification: Wrestlemania or Royal Rumble

[CyberPunk]

Survivor Series came and went, but there was one interesting development. Tonight's RAW would be interesting but the question I have is when should they actually have the BIG Title unification match?

WWE and WHC unification by itself should be big. They are the World titles of the biggest promotion out there. So, Wrestlemania seems fitting for such a huge unification match. But on the other hand, it would render the winner of Royal Rumble in a difficult position. What would the Royal Rumble winner do on one of the biggest event in the history of the WWE (it is the Wrestlemania XXX).

On other hand, having the unification match on Royal Rumble would solve this little situation. In fact, the Royal Rumble winner would have the biggest prize to chase on Wrestlemania, the Unified WWE World Championship. Anyone who wins this Royal Rumble would have his biggest match at the grandest stage of all. But the downside is that they may not have enough time to build the match up. Also, Royal Rumble is defined by the Royal Rumble match itself, so having unification title match on this event may seem out of place (though last year we saw the Rock fight for the title in the main event of the Rumble).

So, here's my question. When would you have the title unification match? And why?

 

[Tattooed Jesus]

I think they should go ahead and have the match at the TLC PPV and make it a TLC match since that is one of the few match types Orton and Cena have never faced each other in. This match doesn't need a lot of build. They could have the match at Royal Rumble and that solves the problem of having two of the same gimmick matches from here on out. Only one Chamber match at the EC PPV. Only one MITB match at that PPV. I think having one championship will make everything better so the sooner they do that the better.

 

[d_henderson1810]

Survivor Series came and went, but there was one interesting development. Tonight's RAW would be interesting but the question I have is when should they actually have the BIG Title unification match?

WWE and WHC unification by itself should be big. They are the World titles of the biggest promotion out there. So, Wrestlemania seems fitting for such a huge unification match. But on the other hand, it would render the winner of Royal Rumble in a difficult position. What would the Royal Rumble winner do on one of the biggest event in the history of the WWE (it is the Wrestlemania XXX).

On other hand, having the unification match on Royal Rumble would solve this little situation. In fact, the Royal Rumble winner would have the biggest prize to chase on Wrestlemania, the Unified WWE World Championship. Anyone who wins this Royal Rumble would have his biggest match at the grandest stage of all. But the downside is that they may not have enough time to build the match up. Also, Royal Rumble is defined by the Royal Rumble match itself, so having unification title match on this event may seem out of place (though last year we saw the Rock fight for the title in the main event of the Rumble).

So, here's my question. When would you have the title unification match? And why?

I think the unification should happen at Wrestlemania XXX.

As for the Rumble Match in 2014, I think the stip should change for one year. Instead of a title shot at WM, the winner would get some other WM match.

The two ways I am am going is that the Rumble winner either gets to choose his opponent at 'Mania, or better still, the winner of the Rumble gets a prize equally as important as a title shot at WM- the chance to end the Streak. If they did it the second way, it would be cool if the Undertaker came out on stage, and gave the cut-throat sign and then points at the WMXXX banner hanging overhead, as RR closes.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

IF they ultimately do get around to unifying the WWE & World Heavyweight Championships, as WWE officials are reportedly thinking of having a champ vs. champ match at WrestleMania, then that's when it should happen. There've been two World Championships in WWE for just over 11 years now, so IF they're going back to a single title, it should feel like a big deal. Since WrestleMania is the biggest show of the year and since the upcoming WrestleMania is the 30th installment, having it then emphasizes the "big deal" aspect.

 

[the_peoples_adam]

THE UNIFICATION MUST HAPPEN AT ROYAL RUMBLE...THE WINNER OF THE ROYAL RUMBLE MUST BE MADE THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION. WHO SHOULD WIN IT maybe ROMAN REIGNS..

 

[Barrazzi54]

I think they should go ahead and have the match at the TLC PPV and make it a TLC match since that is one of the few match types Orton and Cena have never faced each other in. This match doesn't need a lot of build. They could have the match at Royal Rumble and that solves the problem of having two of the same gimmick matches from here on out. Only one Chamber match at the EC PPV. Only one MITB match at that PPV. I think having one championship will make everything better so the sooner they do that the better.

I also see a TLC match @ TLC, but i see it ending where both Orton and Cena grab their own titles. Therefore ending in a draw. Unification match to follow.
What i would like to see is a draw @ TLC and a WWEC and WHC match happen each week going towards WM30. RR winner to recieve Unified title match @ WM30 after the unification match. At the EC PPV, chamber match to face Undertaker @ WM30

 

[Jack G]

The unification should definitely be at the biggest event in WWE history!

Here's my dream scenario...

Stay with me here, but do you remember the match the last time we had a unification stipulation? Jericho - Austin - Rock. Triple threat!

How about pulling the same thing here, being as it's the 30th anniversary.

If they're seriously thinking about the unification, what better stage than WM30...This would leave doubt on the RR winner who would question his opportunity only to be told that he is involved in the unification match!

Now the next question is who? WWE Champ Randy Orton vs WHC John Cena vs RR Winner...The Undertaker?

What better way to build the biggest WM of all time with The Streak vs Champ vs Champ in a unification match.

IF it were to be Undertaker, he would win...but does he need that much of a huge victory for buy-rates? No. So should the RR winner be an up and comer to gain a "rub" from the two champs? Maybe, let's face it, at the time last, Jericho was an up and comer (be it quite a huge one). So who else does it leave for RR winner potentials...CM Punk, Ziggler, HHH!?

Time will tell, but for me, the perfect match would be Streak vs Champ vs Champ for the unification of the WWE and WHC belts. What. A. Match!

 

[GOOZEKING]

I don't know about you guys but I don't want to see a unification match if it is just randy and cena. Seems really boring...

 

[MCMG]

If this happens it will happen at Wrestlemania. It simply has to, especially considering it is the WM30.

I was a little shocked with the end of Survivor Series. Although it was rumoured I never actually considered a title unification a possibility. If they do go all the way with this then I'm not overly fussed. I see the benefits and drawbacks of having one/two World Championships.

There are many ways they can go about unifying the titles. A singles match, a triple threat/fatal-4-way, an even bigger multi-man match and my personal favourite; a 4 man "tournament". By the way, I think there is no chance we see a 8 man ladder match for the title. It might be a pretty cool idea but it will never happen.

For ease, I'll presume that Cena/Orton are the champs heading into Mania. Firstly, it could be as simple as John Cena winning the Royal Rumble whilst being WHC and then challenging Orton. Orton accepts granting Cena puts his belt on the line. Simple and gives as a match between the two most dominant guys of the last decade. A triple threat or indeed any multi-man match would help solve the problem of the Royal Rumble. For example, Bryan wins the Rumble and there is a Triple Threat for whatever reason.

My most favoured option is to have two singles matches open Mania and then a Unification to close it. Lets say, Orton, Cena, Punk, Bryan are your four guys. They could have Cena/Bryan for the WHC and Punk/Orton for the WWE title. Then Cena faces either Orton or Punk to become the unified champion or in whatever way they want.

That would give us three singles matches and a fantastic way to crown who the Undisputed Champion of the WWE truly is. I have no doubts that if they want to unify the belts then Cena will be the one walking out as champ.

You could never have anything like that on TLC or Elimination Chamber. It simply has to happen at Wrestlemania because that is the biggest show of the year and that is when interest is at its peak.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

I don't know about you guys but I don't want to see a unification match if it is just randy and cena. Seems really boring...

It does doesn't but as long as this is not the main event of WMXXX then I am fine with them unifying the title as long as its either Punk or Bryan that wins the Rumble. Cena vs. Orton as the WMXXX main event would indeed be boring mostly because they feuded so many times, and none of their matches are actually hailed as classics. Cena/Orton would have been a great WM main event 5 years ago but now it's going to feel redundant.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

It's pretty obvious what is going to happen, at least at this point. They're going to start an Orton vs. Cena feud that will lead to a unification match at Wrestlemania XXX. This will all come to fruition when Brock Lesnar wins the Royal Rumble then on RAW cuts a promo saying he's already been to the top of the mountain (WWE championship) but he wants a chance at wrestling immortality and wants to cash in his rumble win for a shot at the streak. After a week or two, "WWE officials" will announce that Lesnar is allowed to do that. Cena, and Orton will both win their respective elimination chamber matches, and right after the EC, they will announce that at Wrestlemania XXX their will be a unification match: WWE Champion Randy Orton (w/ Triple H in his corner) vs. World Heavyweight Champion John Cena (with Vince McMahon in his corner) with special guest referee Hulk Hogan.

I think to set up the unification storyline, Vince will come back soon (possibly tonight) and announce that Cena is the "Face of the WWE." This will lead to a feud with Triple H as he will say Orton is the "face of WWE" thus setting up the storyline for unification.

Keep in mind, they just debuted the new wwe title so what will happen is when Cena wins (which we all know will happen), he'll get the WWE title and they'll "retire" the world title. WWE title will be renamed "WWE World Championship."

 

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

I don't know about you guys but I don't want to see a unification match if it is just randy and cena. Seems really boring...

I disagree. These two guys have been the face of the WWE for the past 7 years or so. They are clearly the top 2 guys of whatever you want to call this era much like Hogan was during his time, Bret and Shawn where during there's and Austin and Rock were during the attitude era.

Why not cement Cena and Orton's legacy in not only this era, but in WWE history by putting them in one of the most high profile matches you possibly can at not only a WrestleMania, but an anniversary show like 30 will be.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

I disagree. These two guys have been the face of the WWE for the past 7 years or so. They are clearly the top 2 guys of whatever you want to call this era much like Hogan was during his time, Bret and Shawn where during there's and Austin and Rock were during the attitude era.

Why not cement Cena and Orton's legacy in not only this era, but in WWE history by putting them in one of the most high profile matches you possibly can at not only a WrestleMania, but an anniversary show like 30 will be.

If it's not Punk vs. Bryan then the IWC is going to say it's "boring." Hell, someone in this thread even suggested Roman Reigns should win the undisputed title! They don't get it. Cena vs. Orton to unify the titles is the biggest match they can possibly have. Literally, in looking at the roster, that is the biggest match that's out there (of guys on the current roster). The IWC forgets that it's the "show of shows" not some random PPV. If you have a card of Cena vs. Orton (mixing in the authority storyline by involving Vince and Triple H and having Hulk Hogan as guest ref) PLUS Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar in a streak match, that might actually get the highest buy rate of all time.

 

[Dagger Dias]

If the only three options were Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and Wrestlemania.... It needs to happen at Wrestlemania. Period. There's absolutely no point in placing a unification match at either the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber when they can capitalize on that many more PPV purchases by fans who want to see it happening at the biggest show of them all, let alone the 30th edition of said show's brand. If it happened at the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber then Wrestlemania would not feel like as big of a deal since with the exception of the HIGHLY UNLIKELY event of Taker's streak ending, nothing could possibly happen at Wrestlemania this year that is a bigger deal than the world titles getting unified.

Now if we include other brands in the argument.... Summerslam has a ton of history and a case can surely be made for unifying the titles there. Money In the Bank is becoming a strong brand and it could be done there with the use of multiple cash-in's and changing up the stipulation some. Night of Champions is another route, although we would only have 5 titles left after the unification and this brand might be in danger after that point. It would be much easier to sneak in more midcard title matches onto shows that only have 1 world title match as opposed to 2. Even if you include these brands in the argument, the discussion on where to have a unification of the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship begins and ends at Wrestlemania. No other show can realistically make a case for being a better home for that moment than Wrestlemania.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

Time will tell, but for me, the perfect match would be Streak vs Champ vs Champ for the unification of the WWE and WHC belts. What. A. Match!

While that idea sounds good on paper, there are a number of problems with it. One is that they would be sacrificing not one but two main event matches. By doing a unification match (1 on 1) they are already giving up 1 main event match championship match since there's always a WWE title and World title match. If they throw The Undertaker into the mix, then they're giving up ANOTHER main event match, since there's always an Undertaker match. So, while you'd have a huge match to hype, you're essentially giving up 2 main events. That would not lead to higher buy rates, no matter how much they'd hype the triple threat.

Secondly, IF they were to end the streak (which I don't believe will ever happen) it will not happen in a gimmick match. Therefore, it would be a 100% guarantee that Undertaker would win and be the undisputed champion. Would WWE honestly do this? The guy can only wrestle once a year, how the hell could he be your undisputed champion?

Lastly, if you put Undertaker in this match, where does that leave a guy like Brock Lesnar, especially if The Rock doesn't come back? Lesnar has to be in a main event caliber match and there wouldn't be anything for him to do. That leads me to another a question: What would your other main events be?

I think the idea sounds cool on paper but that's it. It's simply not feasible.

 

[tomthebodz]

My idea would be the Royal Rumble winner get his title shot and the other number one contender is decided in the EC as usual. I'd once again expand the Rumble to 40 people to give more of the roster a "chance". The people in the EC chamber will be the last 4 of the Rumble, man who lasted the longest and man with most eliminations.

However, come, Wrestlemania the 2 title matches are early on in the night and then the winner of those 2 matches go on to face each other in the Main Event. I am aware that this rips off Vengeance (2001?) but in my opinion its the best way to do it, and the 2 challengers in the initial match would have earned it.

 

[The_Don]

The poll should have a "no unification" option, since we really don't know what's gonna happen. I'm not assuming yet that they're going to unify, but it would be surprising that they try to unify at TLC or the Rumble. I don't believe it'll happen at WM because of the "Royal Rumble winner reason" someone said here. What will the Rumble winner do if an unification happens at WM? Compete for a triple threat?? I don't think so...

 

[LoudClearVoice]

The poll should have a "no unification" option, since we really don't know what's gonna happen. I'm not assuming yet that they're going to unify, but it would be surprising that they try to unify at TLC or the Rumble. I don't believe it'll happen at WM because of the "Royal Rumble winner reason" someone said here. What will the Rumble winner do if an unification happens at WM? Compete for a triple threat?? I don't think so...

The Royal Rumble winner will challenge "the streak" at Wrestlemania. That's the easiest way they can do it. Having a guy like Brock Lesnar win the Rumble, would justify that since he's already been champion and he can say that he wants to go for wrestling immortality and that others, including himself have won the WWE title but no one has ever beaten The Undertaker at Wrestlemania.

 

[The_Don]

The Royal Rumble winner will challenge "the streak" at Wrestlemania. That's the easiest way they can do it. Having a guy like Brock Lesnar win the Rumble, would justify that since he's already been champion and he can say that he wants to go for wrestling immortality and that others, including himself have won the WWE title but no one has ever beaten The Undertaker at Wrestlemania.

I don't think they'll do that, WWE won't give in letting Lesnar pick up another Rumble win just for that. Either way, if he doesn't go for the streak (let's say someone else wins it), I still don't think WWE would do that. But your idea doesn't seem off, I've heard crazier ideas from Bryan Gulish lol

 

[MWRedskins]

i say NEVER. i understand the positives of having a unification, but i also see the negatives and it starts with two wrestlers. CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. do you think if there's a title unification that those two guys EVER get a title run with the title??? here's the short answer, no. it's either John Cena, Sheamus, Orton or some other star who WWE feels is bigger. that's why i am not a fan of a unification. it does more harm than good to guys who should get a run (like Bryan) or guys who should be considered for a run (like Sandow). here's what WWE SHOULD do. they should have Cena vs. Orton at the Royal Rumble. make the match Champion vs. Champion. Promote it as the winner being the FACE of the WWE match. i know the positives about one champion which is the midcard titles get pushes, but i also see the negatives and i dont want to see Bryan being a midcard title holder forever which would happen if the titles get unified. what they should do is have two brands (again).

 

[Kris Benwa]

It's stupid I don't think there should be a unification match at all. I don't see very much good coming out of this. If they have title vs. title then they should keep them separate where whoever wins should just defend both until they're separated again. I'm not exactly sure why everybody wants to see a unification match but I don't. If they do then they need to have it at WrestleMania and have the RR winner just inserted and make it a triple threat. The RR should not challenge the streak as that's not in the rules for the royal rumble and is some WWE videogame shit. Either they make it a triple threat match or like a guy said above me just have the winner choose his title match then the EC winner challenges for the other title. Have those matches be any combination of Cena, Punk, Bryan, and Orton. And then have the unification match last. Out of those the only match I have any interest in seeing is Cena vs. Punk at WrestleMania. That way you get three title matches, the streak match, any other shit they wanna have on there too.

 

[JoVilla21]

Well, this is how I'd book it and I think WWE is thinking the same. The title unification happens at TLC (considering how lackluster the recent ppvs have been, they decide to make TLC huge) with John Cena vs Randy Orton in a TLC match with both titles hanging from the ceiling. Cena wins, and Orton demands a rematch, which happens at the Royal Rumble in which Cena wins. The Rumble winner is Punk or D-Bryan. Punk or Bryan vs Cena at WM 30. Not sure what will happen at EC. Prolly an EC match for the right to face Taker or Cena defends his title in the chamber.

 

[Adaminho]

They've been hyping up Cena nearly overtaking Flair in terms of world title reigns.

My money's on the fact that he'll beat Orton or whoever is WWE Champion at Mania to give him his sixteenth, giving them that big WM feeling.

 

[Blade]

Please let it happen at the Royal Rumble. I understand that if they're trying to make it seem like a big deal that it should happen at Wrestlemania, but that does no good for anyone.

Firstly, what happens to the winner of the Royal Rumble? Does he get inserted into the match to make it a triple threat? Eh. Wrestlemania World title matches that have more than two competitors are always mediocre, Wrestlemania 20 aside. Plus, if they want to make a new star with a Royal Rumble win (Reigns or Bryan or Wyatt or whoever) it takes away focus from the new star, and places it more on the title unification, which isn't something WWE needs at a time when they're having trouble making new stars. If they don't go with the triple threat idea, does the winner of the Royal Rumble get a title shot after Wrestlemania? Or does one champion fight twice, once to unify the titles and once against the Rumble winner? It just doesn't work for me.

And then there's the way it affects the Wrestlemania card. Does Cena vs. Orton 9 really deserve to headline Wrestlemania this year? I mean, the ending of Survivor Series told us that it would be Orton vs Cena for the unified title. I like both guys, but if they put that on Wrestlemania, fuck that shit. There is no reason to do that when both guys could face other opponents in what would be fresher, possibly better matches. Bryan vs. Cena 2. Cena vs. the Undertaker. Orton vs. Punk. Orton vs. Reigns. There's plenty to work with there, just anything but Cena vs. Orton. I mean, will that do anything at all for buyrates?

Just do it at the Royal Rumble. That's still a big, big event, considered by some to be the number 2 PPV instead of Summerslam just because of its implications in the future of the company. So have the title unification match, have a definitive (I can't stress the importance of that) winner, then the champion has a showdown with the Royal Rumble at the end of the Pay Per View. It puts the spotlight on the Royal Rumble winner, makes it seem important. Whoever loses the title match can get a rematch at Elimination Chamber, lose, then move on to a different feud.

But the basic point of this post is please don't have Cena vs. Orton at Wrestlemania...

 

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

I have mentioned this before somewhere, but if a title unification bout where to happen at WrestleMania, I would want whomever the participants of that match to be booked as strong as possible heading into the event.

It would begin with the announcement itself. I would make sure that it is announced before the Rumble that the titles will be unified at Mania. This is important because I would also announce that even the two world title champs would be placed in the Rumble with the winner getting an automatic shot at the unified title. I would still have title matches at Rumble and EC. I would book a double winner at the Rumble like in 94 and after the Rumble and EC main events I would have the two men who won the Rumble emerge as the champs after EC so that you have a singles match between guys who are the current champs and Rumble winners. I think that adds extra prestige to the match as the two guys who would be competing in the match would look the best heading into a unification bout.